Where to go in August: wildlife, hiking and festivals

August suits very different kinds of trip. You can hike in Switzerland, watch puffins in Iceland, follow wildlife in Kenya and Tanzania, or join a festival: the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, La Tomatina in Buñol, Spain, Awa Odori in Tokushima, Japan, Kandy's Esala Perahera in Sri Lanka, or Notting Hill Carnival in London.

Start with the kind of trip you want, since hiking and city festivals need very different planning. Check each place's guide for dates, weather and access before you book. Festivals are set events you plan around, while wildlife moves with the season, so keep some flexibility on safari trips. Event dates change from year to year, so confirm them close to your trip. Festival towns can fill early, so look at rooms as soon as you know your dates.