Denali, Alaska: Ready When You Are
Summer is great for: huskies, blueberries, and hiking.
Alaska which is typically known for the magnificent aurora borealis, a lot of travel happens later during the winter months when its overall dark. Summer being too bright for the phenomenon to occur, there are still a good number of reason to visit Alaska’s Denali National Park & Preserve.
The 6-million-acre site, anchored by the 20,310-foot-high namesake mountain, is ideal for whitewater rafting down the Nenana River or off-trail hiking. It’s the only national park with its own kennel of 30 sled dogs, and rangers hold demos daily over the summer, giving you a chance to tour the huskies’ kennels and see the traditional Alaskan mode of transport in action.
August is also when the town of Healy, 30 miles from the park, hosts its annual Blueberry Festival: Expect concerts, family fun, and, of course, plenty of blueberry-powered treats.
Don’t forget to take a scenic tour by air. Its really breathtaking to view Denali from elevation.
Where to stay in Denali? Book now at any of these amazing locations: Denali Tri Valley Cabins | Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge | Denali Park Village
Denali Tri-Valley Cabins: Located inside the Denali Park and 5 minutes by car from Black Diamond Golf Course.
Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge : Located in Talkeetna, Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge and Cabin Rentals is on a river. The area’s natural beauty can be seen at Montana Creek State Recreation Site and Talkeetna Riverfront Park, while Talkeetna Historical Society Museum and Aurora Dora are cultural highlights.
Denali Village Park: Located in Denali National Park, Denali Park Village is in a rural area and on a river.
How to get to Denali: Book a flight on Alaska Airlines to Fairbanks, the closest airport; from there, it’s a 125-mile drive through the rugged countryside to reach Denali.
Oahu, Hawaii: Paradise of the Pacific
Summer is great for: pan-Polynesian celebrations.
The island of O‘ahu is the third-largest of the Hawaiian Islands (after the Big Island and Maui) but home to about two-thirds of the population of the state. Its 227 miles (365 km) of coastline are famous for beautiful white sand beaches and world-class surfing but there is way more to experience here. The island is distributed in 5 districts and each of them have its unique offering so one should plan for some time to explore each one of them.
- Honolulu, Waikīkī, and the South Shore
- Haleiwa and the North Shore
- Kailua and the East (Windward) Side
- Waianae and the West (Leeward) Side
- Central O‘ahu
Oahu is one of the most popular vacations destination among everyone from families, friends and honeymooners considering great beaches, great historical museums, luaus, fine dining, and more good flight connection with the main main land. In Honolulu, the Bishop Museum, Hawaii’s largest, explores the islands’ history and culture, and the Honolulu Museum of Art offers an extraordinary collection.
The new addition of Wai Kai entertainment on the shores of West Oahu offers a wave pool with surf for beginners to experts, cabanas, restaurants, a lagoon for kayaking and paddle boarding, entertainment, and surfing lessons.
A must do is Waikiki Turtle Canyons Cruise and Snorkel Excursion
And under water experience – Shark Cage Dive on the North Shore
Where to stay in Oahu? Any visitor will enjoy the stay at Four Seasons Resort Oahu At Ko Olina, which has great amenities and attractions like hula show, skate camp etc. The Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort Spa offers a full service spa with great ocean view rooms. Choose from Beach villas at Ko Olina , classic Royal Hawaiian a Luxury collection Resort or an expansive Ritz Carlton Residences
How to get to Oahu: Flight frequency to Honolulu is increased by the Hawaiian Airlines making travel to the island much simpler. Expedia has great options with your favourite airline
Maasai Mara | Nairobi, Kenya: Let the adventure begin
Summer perfect for: African safari vacation or Urban Fusion Dance Festival
Summer being the dry season (esp. month from July to September), is the perfect timing for a trip to witness the great migration. Millions of wild life species – wildebeest, zebras, giraffes, and many of their predators cross the Serengeti into Kenya’s Maasai Mara. Located in southwest Kenya, Maasai Mara National Reserve is also home to lions, elephants, African buffalos, Thomson’s gazelles, and cheetahs. This time of the season, visitors are also able to witness the local nomadic Maasai tribe, engaged in herding their cattle. However they are always open to welcome the visitors and offer services like tour guides and sell their African handicrafts.
Nairobi also offers great attraction to those who would like to engage in an urban lifestyle experience. Typically 2nd week of August one should aim to attend the Morabeza Kizomba Festival takes place in Nairobi. The dance-and-music tradition it celebrates is pan-African, though kizomba originated among the regions colonized by the Portuguese—hence most lyrics are in that language, and the dance style has a Latin accent, too, owing a clear debt to the tango, albeit with less rigid choreography. There are a lot of options of dance workshops, live music concerts and afternoon socials. Afro-Latin dances like kizomba or bachata are mostly the evening socializing attraction.
Where to stay? Families coming for African safari adventure has great options like Mahali Mzuri Safari Camp or Olarro Plans would be a great location. A more hotel like experience could be either at Marriott Maasai Mara Lodge or Fairmont Mt. Kenya Safari Club
Make sure to enjoy this great Hot Air Balloon Safari & Champagne Breakfast
In the urban setup Hemmingways would be a perfect location to enjoy all the city events. Other option could be the Social House Nairobi, a preferred Lifestyle hotel. Below are some options to make a trip to Maasai Mara from Nairobi
A great option would be go for this 3 day/2 night Maasai Mara group Safari or 4-Day Maasai Mara & Lake Nakuru Camping Safari
How to get to Kenya: Kenya Airways runs a direct flight from major cities of each continent, making iet easier to travel with max of two toflights based on where you are locatedm NewYork which makes it easier for North American a comfortably outfitted Boeing 787 on its direct, nonstop flight from JFK to NBOe
Anambas, and Riau Islands, Singapore:
Summer perfect for: Getting lost in the islands east of Singapore.
The movie Crazy Rich Asians has show cased some great locations from Singapore. This has let Singapore to enjoy new attention among the west. Singapore has been known as the concrete version of paradise with its flashy city and urban lifestyle. It often considered a stopover en route to further east or south, it has this sensational private islands, just 150 nautical miles north east of the main land.
Pulau Joyo is a beautiful barefoot retreat in the Anambas, where guests stay in ‘driftwood palaces’ sporting an aesthetic you might call Robinson Crusoe luxe. Explore the remote protected lagoons from Anambas Bawah Reserve’s (more below) teak over water bungalows. Riau Islands is the perfect place to get lost into the rainforest alongside bleach-white sands.
Where to stay? The spectacular Riau Islands – Bawah Reserve is definitely the first choice at the island so look no further. Travellers’ looking for some Singapore downtown experience can go for Ritz Carlton which is right on the Business district and ladies on a shopping agenda would love to be right in the heart by staying at either Shangri-La or The Inter Continental Singapore.
Want to explore the city on bike: go for the Lion City Highlights Bike Tour
Going with kids, get your entry pass in advance Singapore: Universal Studios and Singapore Zoo
How to get to Singapore: I don’t think so anyone needs a tip on this. Being one of the main airport hub in the south east Asia, travel to Singapore hassle free on one of the best airlines – Singapore Air
Punta Mita, Mexico: Gateway to paradise
Summer destination for: Whale watching and luxurious resort
This island is a gated, low-density, master-planned resort created 15 years ago by Mexican development company Dine who bought the 1,500-acre plot to create a luxury resort with high-end hotels and world-ranking golf courses. Many people come to Punta Mita to unplug and unwind. It’s a trend recognized by the hotels on the island with St. Regis Punta Mita Resort encouraging guests to detox from the digital world and reconnect with nature.
Across the peninsula, there are walking trails amid nature, while the top local surfing spot at the Cove is a short water taxi ride away. Head to the summit of the nearby 1,150-foot Monkey Mountain in the Higuera Blanca community for impressive coastline views. Meanwhile, the wildlife-filled Marietas Islands have great snorkeling opportunities and the Instagram-worthy “Hidden Beach” set within a man-made crater.
Where to stay? Two great locations where both are such that one would wish to stay at both locations. Go for the St. Regis Punta Mira Resort or the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. Other great option is Punta Mita Luxury Beachfront Condo
Remember to experience one of the top attraction – the Punta Mita / Sayulita: Horse riding tour
Folks who like water bodies should definitely explore Marieta Islands Snorkeling Trip
How to get to Punta Mita: All major cities in North America has direct flights to Punta Mita. People traveling from overseas, once they are in the continent, its just one last leg to go
Bali, Indonesia: Adventure seeker paradise
Summer destination for: Surfing & Dive Balinese Reef
August brings the best weather and the inevitable accompanying crowds, so you’re better off skipping the chaos of Kuta and yogi-saturated Ubud for underrated isles such as Sumba or Pulau Weh, both of which boast white sands, turquoise waters and cheaper accommodation. Raja Ampat in West Papua receives some rain at this time of year, but don’t let that put you off booking a homestay and exploring its dazzling coral reef.
An adventure seeker’s paradise and a spiritual sanctuary rolled into one, it’s a destination that appeals to families and retirees as much as it does to digital nomads and young hedonists. And while there are certain destinations verging on overtouristed, when you venture outside of the usual spots you’ll find that Bali lives up to its reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful islands
Where to stay? Are you looking for an exceptional experience – look no further – Jumeirah Bali: An elegant haven inspired by a tranquil Javanese-Hindu water palace is the place to be. Bulgari Resort from Marriott – Bali and Renaissance Bali Uluwatu Resort & Spa are comparable options as well that would shower you with Balinese experiences.
Top attraction in Bali is to visit Gorilla Cave. How about an ATV Quad Bike Adventure @ Gorilla Cave with Lunch
At Bali the list is endless – Sunrise Mount Batur Hike with Breakfast, UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour, Private tour to Nusa Penida or Elephant Care Experience with Mud Bath
How to get to Bali: Among south east asian countries there are direct flights to Bali, however from overseas the best option would be to get to Singapore and then Bali is just a short trip across the Java Sea or other option is Hong Kong.
Madeira, Portugal: Let's drink to Poncha
Summer destination to: Dive at Porto do Seixal beach & Climb Cabo Girão
Madeira’s mild temperatures make it a winner with travellers year-round, but summer is the best time to spot or swim with whales and dolphins, of which there are more than 20 species in the island’s waters. From feeling the adrenaline of going down the basket carts pushed by the mountain paths, tasting passion fruit at the Mercado dos Lavradores to waking up at dawn to watch the sun rise, Madeira has great things to offer in summer.
While most of the beaches on the island are pebbles, at Porto do Seixal beach in Seixal county, Porto Moniz, there is a volcanic sand beach. A typical weekend for a Madeiran: set the alarm for 4am, put on winter clothes that have been in the wardrobe all season, head up to the highest peak to watch the sunrise with friends. Also get an opportunity to stay active, burn the calories and get into some real nature in a levada. Levadas are small irrigation channels made of stone that channel water from one area to another. They date from the 15th century, when they were created to carry and distribute water from the wettest parts of the north of the island to parts farther south. During one of these walks, you will enter the countryside on the path that follows the levada. At 580 metres, Cabo Girão is one of the highest points in Europe. This viewpoint has a glass platform, the Skywalk, which is ready to test the courage of even the bravest and offers an incredible view of Câmara de Lobos.
Where to stay? Two spectacular location are Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel and Pestana Grand Premium Ocean Resort with luxurious hospitality on every aspect. Savoy Palace – The Leading Hotels of the World – Savoy Signature offer great onsite spa and 5 restaurants to explore the Portuguese cuisine with some porto.
You can’t miss this great adventure @ Madeira: Skywalk, Porto Moniz Volcanic Pools, and Fanal Tour and Enchanted Terraces and Porto do Moniz 4WD Tour
Have fun with Dolphins Adventure Tour on Madeira Island
How to get to Madeira: The best and most convenient way to go get to Madeira is by flying to one of the region’s two airports located on either Madeira Island or Porto Santo Island. There are regular flights departing from mainland Portugal via Lisbon and Porto, and travelers coming from the East Coast of North America can also connect via Ponta Delgada in the Azores.
