Where to go when - August

Summer is here at last, so head for the sun in Italy, see the venue for the much-heralded 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and party at the Edinburgh Festival or in Iceland’s 24-hour daylight.

We have some great summery events in-store throughout August, so be sure to leave time in-between trips to drop in to your nearest Stanfords.

On 15 August the whole of Italy celebrates Ferragosto (August’s Rest), a festival dating back to the Roman Empire to mark the end of the year's main agricultural work. Nowadays, this tradition is dedicated to bathing. So join the Italian holiday-makers and celebrate Ferragosto on the beautifully diverse Italian coast. Then head to Siena to witness the astounding medieval bareback race of the Palio dell’Assunta on the 16th. But remember… virtually everything is closed in Italy for the day of Ferragosto.

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Don’t miss the legendary Edinburgh festival that runs throughout August every year, with music, film, arts and comedy to entertain you day and night. Plus, the Edinburgh military tattoo also takes place throughout August, featuring pipes and drums, massed military bands, display teams, dancers and acts from all over the world. And what better setting than this glorious city with its imposing castle, cosmopolitan shopping streets, and surrounding mountains.

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Far up in the northern hemisphere, rejoice in the 24 hours of daylight that Iceland experiences in mid-summer. Join Reykjavik’s hedonistic all-night bar crawls and when the clubs empty at 3 or 4am, join the crowds in the squares and streets where the party continues in broad daylight. Or pretend you’re on the moon in Iceland’s vast, wilderness interior that’s only really accessible in August.

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Plan the holiday of a lifetime: attend the greatest spectacle on Earth - the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games – and explore the beautiful capital of China. The country is already going crazy for the Games, as for the past few years there has been a countdown clock installed in Tiananmen Square and souvenirs of every description sold. The Games are being held between 8–24 August and China has promised to make them the best ever.

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