I was supposed to go to Europe in July but something came up and now ai have to push my travel plans for a week long trip in Europe to August. My best friend will be traveling with me. I’ve traveled a fair share across Europe but could used some ideas on some of the top locations to visit. Some of the options I was exploring were road tripping through Iceland, visiting Scotland, perhaps Croatia and even thought about Southern Italy. Could use some suggestions!!
Posted by
San Diego, California
5648 posts
Skip southern Italy. Europe is packed this summer, hot, and it's doubtful you'd find anywhere to stay in the Sorrento/ Amalfi area.
I think availability of lodging may determine where you're going. Start with researching available lodging inyour areas of interest.
Safe travels and good luck!
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, CA, United States
48 posts
Thank you!
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1638 posts
It depends on whether you want to see:
-city vs nature
-hot weather vs cooler weather
-beaches vs mountains
-historical sites vs modern urbanscape
S Italy and Croatia are very busy. In fact, all beach locations will be packed.
Consider places like Poland (Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk and Warsaw), Estonia, and Scandinavia. Secure flights first and then hotels.
Posted by
City of Seattle
1959 posts
Iceland would make for a very specific sort of trip. Generally, you will drive around and see pretty natural things, likely with some share of bad weather days, hopefully not all of them.
I'm not against Iceland as a destination. I keep my eye on it at certain times of year for the right conditions for a last minute surfing strike mission (easy, relatively short direct flights from Seattle).
If your friend though is looking for more of a standard European culture, charm and history experience along with outdoors stuff, there are much better choices, Scotland high among them.
Posted by
1105 posts
Only a week. Keep it simple.
Posted by
Brooklyn, NY
4295 posts
Amsterdam has great weather in the summer, usually not too hot. Also, it is a major transfer hub so you might be able to get a direct flight.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
8157 posts
Scotland is lovely but depending on where you go, you might find it hard to find lodging, as August is the month for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Most popular destinations will be sold out, lodging wise.
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20459 posts
To avoid crowds: Hungary, Montenegro, Slovakia, Bosnia, Poland; basically anything outside of UK, France, Italy. Spain, don't know.
Posted by
back in the Americas
725 posts
August is usually very hot in Spain, Italy and Med area. So as much as I like Southern Italy and Croatia I would skip them in August. Temperatures can often be above 100 degrees F. Here are some suggestions that combine nature, culture, and hopefully milder temps.
Tallinn, Estonia, combined possibly with Helsinki
Ireland
Poland: Krakow is lovely
Bavaria
Posted by
Missouri, USA and Essex, UK.
1055 posts
August is peak travel season for Europeans. All students are out of school and families are heading for the sun and beach. If you are only going for a week, then you need to stick to one or two countries. I would avoid Southern Italy and Croatia in August. Ireland, Scotland, England, the Netherlands, and Belgium (Brugge/Ghent) may be doable. I am sure you don't want to repeat a vacation spot you have already been to, but if your friend has not been before, then starting off with English-speaking countries might be more comfortable for her. I forgot Switzerland is also lovely in the summer and the trains are so easy to use. Depends if you want mountains, lakes, cities, etc.