The holiday hot list: 21 amazing excuses for a last-minute summer break

Failed at organising a summer holiday so far? It's not too late – from bog races in Wales to the bear tracking in Canada, here are  21 inspiring travel ideas especially for the month of August.

1. Stay at a 'disappearing' hotel in Wales

A 'disappearing hotel' has popped up amongst the rugged landscape of Wales' Llŷn Peninsula, courtesy of Epic Retreats. But you'll have to book an overnight room quick – it's set to vanish on September 11. Eight bespoke cabins are crammed with curiosities that reference Welsh mythology. Try and secure the one shaped like a Welsh woman's hat with a glass dome for stargazing.

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2. Compete in a Welsh bog race

Forget crystal-clear waters and swimming through sun-dappled waves. What better way to celebrate the British summer than snorkelling through a cold, murky mud river in the middle of a Welsh field? Every year, competitors from Serbia to Sweden world flock to the tiny ancient spa town of Waen Rhydd to brave the course, a 60-yard trench carved into a peat bog. Fancy dress is welcome. Hand sanitiser is a lost cause. 28th August; online entries close on 21st August and cost £15.

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3. Head to Britain's wildest woodland festival

The Wilderness Gathering (August 21-25) is the only festival in the country that puts bushcraft at its heart -– and a great last-minute option for the young ones during the summer holidays. Wannabe Robinson Crusoes can learn how to make fires with flint, craft catapults and cook like their prehistoric ancestors at the five-day event held in a Wiltshire oak forest. In line with the bush camping ethos, only bashas, tarps and hammock are permitted as overnight shelters in the forest (though you can pitch a tent in the field). Advanced tickets at the gate (£100 for adults, £35 for children; day tickets available). 

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4. See jaguars in Brazil

Forget the Amazon rainforest. August is the best month for tracking jaguars in the Pantanal – the world’s biggest tropical wetlands and Brazil’s best-kept secret. August is the middle of the dry season, so the usually-hard-to-spot felines are forced to expose themselves by coming to drink from the riverbeds. It’s also a fantastic time to spot anacondas slithering across the waterlily-covered waters, giant river otters and caiman reptiles sunning themselves on the rocks.

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5. Nab last-minute tickets for the Salzburg Festival

There’s still time to get in on Austria’s biggest music and drama festival, which is now in full swing until August 30. Try and nab tickets to Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District; the Russian opera about a woman who murders her husband is among the runaway successes of the season. Failing that, a 19th-century antifeminist fable, trio chamber concert or Mozart recital should help you get your culture fix.

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6. Enjoy summer nights in LA

August in LA is generally epic, and not just because of the CA Hot Sauce Expo. During the steamy summer nights, residents live life outside, whether it's catching a performance at the al-fresco pop-up theatre in the hills of Coldwater Canyon Park or catching a flick at one of the outdoor cinemas. Street Food Cinema, which takes place at parks across the city, is one of the most popular, with locals sitting down on their picnic blankets to watch La La Land or Jaws after getting their fix of 'Badass Burgers' and Filipino barbecue bowls from the congregating food trucks.

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7. Fête the anniversary of Barcelona's biggest neighbourhood party

A perfect excuse for booking a last-minute weekend in Barcelona: the 200-year anniversary of La Festa Major de Gràcia – the city's week-long neighbourhood fiesta – kicks off from August 15, and organisers are promising the most legendary party yet. This year, spectators can expect street parades populated by 'giants'; an attempt to make a human castle and then 'walk' it up to the town hall; and a dramatic 'fire run', where spectators are chased by 'devils' brandishing sparklers, as well as quirky street decorations and myriad stalls.

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8. Get your swing on in NYC

Learn the charleston, partake in a spot of croquet and enter a wool bathing suit competition at Jazz Age Lawn Party (26-27 August), the world’s biggest Prohibition-inspired gathering. The Roaring Twenties event also has a stellar jazz lineup featuring Michael Arenella and his Dreamland Orchestra, the hottest Jazz Age dance ensemble in the world right now. And if that’s not enough to keep you amused, there’s also the chance to have your vintage portrait taken and rifle among the one-off pieces at the countless retro fashion stalls.

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9. Go to Denmark's biggest pool party

Time to dig out the fake tan; 2,700 people have already expressed interest in Copenhagen’s massive annual pool party via its Facebook event page. The summer bash is planned for August 20 but the location is still to be unveiled. That said, the need for a suitably large venue narrows down the options somewhat; last year’s extravaganza took place at the sprawling port-side Docken event space. Expect sand, hot tubs and the inevitable Love Island-tastic swimwear choices of questionable taste.

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10. Have a go at highland games

Scotland’s highland games season reaches its peak this month, with events on from Glenurquhart to Grantown on Spey. Sterling’s highland bonanza, which takes place on Saturday August 19, is a good one for first-timers. Expect many a tug-of-war, tossing of cabers, and throwing of hammers as Scotland’s toughest battle for the heavyweight crown. This year will also feature a foodie festival with a secret celeb chef, highland dancing and bagpipes sessions.

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11. See bears fishing for salmon in Canada

Because everyone wants to take a photo like this just once in their life. Yes, the salmon run is on in Western Canada. And salmon means bears. A floating lodge just off British Colombia, Great Bear, runs expert autumn viewing tours. Bring your 600mm lense; there are several viewing platforms built at the best spots on the river. It’s also a great time for snatching a glimpse of bald eagles and other fish-devouring birds.

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12. Check in at the Parisian hipster hotel of the summer

The most anticipated new hotel in Paris – Hôtel National des Arts et Métiers – has taken its design cue from the city's esteemed engineering and manufacturing institute, Centre National des Arts & Métiers, just across the road. There's something slightly singed about the interiors: burntwood bar counters; bookshelves made of "heat-blackened" steel. A cicchetteria for snacking on small plates with a glass of spritz, cocktail bar and bedrooms with views of Paris' rooftops complete the offering.

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13. Catch flamenco fever in Pamplona

The Flamenco on Fire festival is dodging the Spanish summer heat and heading north to Pamplona this year. The lineup still sizzles: world-famous acts gracing the stage include Tomasito and Carmen Linares. The fiesta will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of the death of Cameron De La Isla, flamenco’s greatest star. And there are some cracking workshops. Learn the secrets of the perfect stomp with one of the world’s most explosive living flamenco dancers, José Maya; or perfect your riffs with Josemi Carmona – that’s if you can smuggle your guitar into the country as hand luggage.

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14. Spend a night at Britain's coolest new country hotel

Expectations are high for The House at Beaverbrook, Surrey's hottest hotel opening of the summer. Understandable given that £90m has been pumped into a colossal project to transform what was once the country estate of media mogul Lord Beaverbrook. The slick new 18-bedroom pad boasts swish interiors by celeb designer Susie Atkinson and an Art Deco cinema. Guests can dine on miso seafood ceviche in the cutting-edge Japanese restaurant before sipping on a guava-infused Japanese bellini in the Roaring Twenties bar. A spa, deli and tennis courts are in the works.

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15. Celebrate Elvis Week in Graceland

The 10-day extravaganza celebrating all things Elvis (until August 19) has come around again. But this year fans of the King can stay at newly-opened Guest House just moments from the Gates of Graceland, complete with suites designed by Priscilla Presley and 464-seater theatre for Elvis tribute shows. It’s also the 40th anniversary of the rock’n’roll icon’s passing; expect candlelit vigils, and live symphony orchestras playing his greatest songs. Oh, and gold lamé jumpsuits. Lots of them.  

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16. Seek out giant tortoises in the Galapagos

Dry August is one of the best times to spot the most famous inhabitants on the Galapagos: giant tortoises are forced to migrate up to Santa Cruz Island in search of food, making them easier to spot in large numbers compared to the rest of the year. This month is also ideal for catching a glimpse of whales as well as pods of bottlenose and common dolphins, sea lion pups and rare, super-fluffy waved albatross chicks.

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17. Catch some opera in Cape Town

Opera may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Cape Town. But the city is home to Africa’s finest. Director Matthew Wild’s brand new show on until August 26 is poignant, exploring themes around the country's colonial history; Richard Wagner’s Flying Dutchman, about a cursed sea captain who returns home to the Cape of Good Hope, has had rave reviews. Plus, August – the tail end of winter with temperatures reaching the mid-twenties – is the perfect time for a packed, culture-fuelled city break. There are August exhibitions aplenty at the likes of the Eclectica Contemporary and Salon 91; plus the Open Design Festival is on at City Hall until 25 August.

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18. Go gorilla trekking in Uganda or Rwanda

The time is now to live out David Attenborough’s encounter with mountain gorillas à la 1979's Life on Earth. If gorilla trekking was on your 2017 wishlist then you’ll need to hurry up; viewing opportunities can be trickier after August when the rainy season starts to sets in (although October prices do drop significantly). It’s not cheap: a £500 permit gets you a mere one hour with the gorillas. But it’s an intense 60 minutes that leaves many shedding tears of emotion, and forever imprinted with the memory of those quizzical, intelligent eyes we’ve all seen in the documentaries.

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19. Sleep with the tigers at Port Lympne

Fancy sleeping in a tiger enclosure? The new luxury two-bedroom Tiger Lodge in Port Lympne, Kent, sits within the estate’s tiger park. It is lined with (reassuringly thick) glass walls that offer unbelievable views of the big cats at play. Think watching the felines having a nap in the thickets while enjoying an aperitif on the sofa or waking up to a stripey-furred friend stretching out on along the bedroom windowsill. From £375 per night.

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20. Experience the Edinburgh Fringe

Edinburgh in August is like nowhere else on the planet. The International Festival attracts the most hallowed names in the performing arts, while the Fringe alone will this month host a mind-blowing 3,269 different shows. There’s still time to book a budget flight and snap up some tickets, as the party isn’t over until August 28. Try and catch Joseph Morpugo’s Hammerhead, which crackles with energy (there are still a few tickets left!)

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21. Unleash your inner yogi at a wellness festival

Get your cobra on in the Cotswolds at Soul Circus (August 18-20), the perfect antidote if you're getting major summer festival FOMO but can't stomach a full-on boozy music weekend. Yogis can practice their pranayamas to a live DJ set, follow up a hot yoga session with a reiki session in the spa, or take a dip in the hot tub with a glass of champagne. It’s all very civilised: think mellow live music, supper clubs and a fully-furnished glamping village. There are still tickets left.

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