August is when temperature is at its highest in the Middle East, but you always have the option of escaping the simmering heat by planning a trip to an exciting new holiday destination. Enjoy the outdoors and the good weather instead of staying confined within the air-conditioned comforts of your home.
Don’t forget, most tourist destinations of the world have a pleasant climate at this time of the year. With schools closed for the summer breaks, this is your opportunity to plan that annual holiday you’ve always been dreaming of. We have shorlisted some exciting holiday destinations and experiences for you to explore this August. So don’t let the heat get to you – pack your bags and get going.
Enjoy the ‘Khareef” season in Salalah, Oman
Head over to Salalah to witness the famous Khareef season of annual monsoons that transforms this desert terrain into a lush, green landscape and creates seasonal waterfalls. Visit the Frankincense Land Museum, part of the Al Balid Archaeological Site, that recounts the city’s maritime history and role in the spice trade although Salalah and Dhofar are historically famous for the frankincense trade. August is the best time to visit Salalah as the Khareef season starts in this month. Visitors from the GCC region can also drive to Salalah and enjoy the sights enroute. A must-do activity for Middle East residents.
Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Scotland
The vibrant Fringe Festival is the world’s largest art festival and brings together artists and performers from theatre, dance, comedy, music and opera. Thousands of artists from different parts of the world take to the stage in this exuberant open access festival and showcase their chosen performances. With the Brexit and the resultant drop in the UK pound, holidaying anywhere in the UK has become cheaper than before. We chose Scotland because this charming country can get freezing cold after a couple of months. And we zeroed in on Edinburgh, because this capital city hosts the fascinating Edinburgh Fringe Festival every August. This is undoubtedly a visual spectacle you will cherish.
Witness the Great Migration in Kenya
August is the best wildlife viewing month in Kenya. The Great Wildebeest Migration, the world’s largest migration of wildlife, is a popular event to witness in Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The wildebeest migration usually reaches the Masai Mara in August and remains until October when they move back to the Serengeti in Tanzania. More than 2 million animals travel from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, which is why it’s hailed as one of the Seven National Wonders of Africa. This annual event is a spectacle that attracts visitors from all across the world. Just a five-hour flight from Dubai, Kenya is a popular tourist destination among residents and expats in the Middle East.
White water rafting, Slovenia
For an adventure traveller, this lovely country has a wide selection of outdoor recreational activities to choose from. The most popular choice is of course the white-water rafting. Blessed with plenty of narrow canyons, gushing rivers and high mountain lakes, Slovenia offers a spectacular white-water rafting experience. And if this experience is too much for you, try your hand at kayaking, canoeing and canyoning. The most breathtaking river scenery is arguably on the Soča River; one of Slovenia’s most beautiful rivers. There is good rafting possible on the Upper Savinja River with some major centres around Luče and Ljubno.
Medieval week, Visby, Sweden
Visby is an enchanting Swedish town situated on the west coast of Gotland Island. A visit to this Hanseatic town will take you on a historical trip to the medieval era. August is the best time to fly to Visby, as it hosts a medieval week every year in August, complete with authentic dress, feast and jousting. This city which brims with cultural heritage is home to incredible medieval architecture, and makes for an ideal backdrop for the medieval week. You can marvel and watch in awe as the street shows, street theatre, fire shows and church concerts unfold before your eyes. This is also a fabulous opportunity to see a delightful mix of nobles, monks and knights, and feast on the wonderful cuisine from the medieval kitchen. This quaint city dotted with cobbled-stone streets is also home to a 13th century church. And while you are experiencing the festivities, do not forget to take a tour of the old town. Another feature that catches the fancy of tourists is the three- kilometre long 13th century wall, which once protected Visby from intruders.
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