School is out and the weather is warm in many parts of the world during the month of August, so it is one of the most popular vacation months. Since many popular destinations are crowded during this time, the best vacation spots are those that are a bit off the beaten path and those in areas with agreeable weather.
When it's summer in the northern hemisphere it is winter in the south. Anyone who misses cold and snow can venture to the lake districts of Chile and Argentina, which offer natural splendor and world class skiing. The Andean Lake Crossing from Puerto Montt-Puerto Varas, Chile to Bariloche, Argentina (or the reverse) has spectacular scenery any time of year, but in winter the snow-capped mountains are at their most dramatic. There are ski resorts and tourist attractions on both sides. Bariloche has alpine charm and is brimming with chocolate shops, fondue restaurants and steak houses that help warm up visitors on a chilly night.
Few places in the world offer a chance to walk across the border from one country to another with as much ease as Niagara Falls (though passports are now required), which straddle the U.S. and Canada. It never gets terribly hot in the Niagara region, which makes it an ideal late summer vacation destination. The same climate that keeps the area cooler also makes for great wine and fruit growing, and there are numerous wineries and farm stands in the surrounding areas. A trip to the falls can be combined with visits to Toronto, Ontario or Buffalo, New York; each about 90 minutes away. Tourists can board the Maid of the Mist boat on both sides and then pass close to the falls and get sprayed by its waters.
August is the busiest month of the year for the U.S. National Parks Service. Mt. Lassen Volcanic Park is in the very northern part of California, and it's relatively remote location and short season mean it has fewer visitors than most other parks. Summer weather is mild, and in some years, if there has been much snow earlier in the year, the park doesn't even open until July.
Lassen's Loomis Museum at Manzanita Lake offers visitor information, ranger-led programs, and exhibits about the geology and history of the area. There are more than 150 miles of hiking trails and eight camping areas inside the park. Driving roads give access to mountain lakes and active hydrothermal areas. The entrance fee for motor vehicles is $10, valid for one week (based on 2010 prices).
Iceland is a land of midnight sun, with 21 hours of sunlight per day through mid-August, and just another hour less the rest of the month. Reykjavik has a lively nightlife scene all year long, but it is positively bustling in summer. Ride Icelandic ponies or take a dip in the Blue Lagoon, a manmade body of water that is fed by natural hot springs. Visit Iceland's many geysers, so numerous that the word "geyser" is of Icelandic origin. Icelandair has regular flights from the U.S. and Europe, and hotels and sightseeing tours can be booked directly from the airline.
The impressive annual migration of the wildebeests starts during August, one of the best months for a safari trip. Millions of animals cross Kenya en route south to the Serengeti, and they stop in the Masai Mara to graze and rest. Safari vehicles observe the migration and also journey in search of lions, elephants, cheetahs, and giraffes. Most tourists stay in tented safari camps, which offer all the modern amenities and delicious African meals. Many safaris also visit Lake Nakuru and its flocks of flamingos, Amboseli National Park and Samburu National Reserve.
