On a clear day, Mount Hood provides a stunning backdrop.





August can present something of a challenge when you're setting travel plans.





Some folks are getting their fill of summer (or winter in the Southern Hemisphere) by now and don't want to choose destinations too hot or cold. You have to start factoring in the probabilities of hurricanes or typhoons along certain coastlines. And in many spots, it's not yet shoulder season with its pleasing pricing discounts.





But where there's challenge, there's also great opportunity. As they say, it's a big world out there. We've got suggestions of 8 marvelous places to visit that could turn August into your favorite month to get out there and play:





1. Portland, Oregon





August is a gorgeous time of the year to visit Portland, Oregon. For a place often associated with rain, the City of Roses doesn't receive all that much in annual precipitation. It does, however, get rain spread out among an average 164 days per year. Thankfully, only two of those days typically fall within August.





Temperatures average a high of 80 Fahrenheit (27 Celsius) and a low of 58 Fahrenheit (14 Celsius) -- perfect weather for all the time you'll likely be spending outside.





Flowers and a fountain -- now that's soothing. Find this one at the International Rose Test Garden.

Speaking of outdoor recreation, here a few options you might want to consider:





-- Mount Hood National Forest: Only 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of the city, the 311,448-acre forest offers a multitude of activities. There you can hike, horseback ride, climb, bike or drive your way around the scenic byways. Or, if you'd rather be on the water, there are more than 150 lakes and 14 rivers to float, boat, fish and kayak on. Spend the night in a cabin or a tent, and soak at Bagby Hot Springs. Be sure to consult the USDA Forest Service website about what type of pass or permit you will need and what temperatures you should expect on water and land.





-- International Rose Test Garden: Acquired in 1917, it is the longest continuously operated rose test garden in the United States and features 10,000 rose bushes of 650 varieties. Located in Washington Park, parking is limited. Free public tours are given daily at 1 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day.





-- Portland Japanese Garden: Also in Washington Park, the Japanese Garden includes 12 acres with eight garden styles, peaceful walkways and a traditional tea house. A former Japanese ambassador called it "the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan."





2. Newfoundland









July and August are prime time for spotting humpback whales in Newfoundland. Photo: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

Unlike so many other destinations, Newfoundland is blissfully temperate and uncrowded in summer. It's a bit like Ireland, with a combination of gorgeous green countryside, small-town charm, and people with a gift for storytelling and gathering in pubs. July and August are also prime whale-watching time, when 5,000 to 10,000 humpbacks arrive—followed by 21 other species of whales and dolphins and an astonishing 35 million seabirds.





Learn more in our Insider’s Guide to Newfoundland, and use Wendy's trip request form to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.





3. Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons

Grand Teton National Park is full of outdoor activities in the summer, including kayaking on Jackson Lake. Photo: Billie Cohen

July and August bring the best weather of the summer, with warm days and cool nights; wildflowers are blooming, hiking trails are usually free of snow, and rivers should be clear of spring runoff, making for perfect fly-fishing conditions. All other summer activities, such as biking, rock climbing, rafting, and horseback riding, are easily available. (Skies may be hazy from area wildfires in August.)





Learn more in our Insider’s Guide to Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons, and use Wendy's trip request form to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.





4. The Caribbean and Mexico for Diving and Snorkeling

Diving in Los Cabos, Mexico. Photo: Los Cabos Villa Vacations

Don't count out the Caribbean in August and September, even though it’s hurricane season. The seas are generally the calmest, with good visibility, few crowds, and great value to be had.





On the Riviera Maya, this is the perfect moment to swim and snorkel with whale sharks. You should definitely buy insurance if you book a trip, though.





Ask Wendy to find the right local expert to design your trip and ensure you get VIP treatment.





5. The Arctic

Spend your summer in the Arctic. Photo: Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge

Summer through early fall brings the best weather in the Arctic. Late summer is the best time to see whales in Norway’s Svalbard Archipelago. As for the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, beluga whales—the beautiful all-white species known for their high pitched twitter—congregate by the hundreds there between July and mid-August.





Learn more in our Insider’s Guide to the Arctic by Land & Sea, and use Wendy's trip request form to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.





6.Brazil

The Estrela d’Agua pousada on Praia dos Nativos, Trancoso, Brazil. Photo: Thomas Robinson

May through August is technically Brazil’s winter, but in Rio de Janeiro the thermometer rarely drops below 75, and it’s also the driest period. There are often off-season festivals and events (literary, gastronomic, jazz) that attract mainly Brazilian crowds. In Trancoso, the off-season (i.e. June through September) is pure bliss: Temperatures are still in the high 70s to 80s, and you will often have mile upon mile of palm-tree-backed beaches all to yourself.





Learn more in our Insider’s Guides to Rio de Janeiro and Trancoso, and use Wendy’s trip request form to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.





7. The Amazon

A picture-perfect sunset, as seen from the Negro River, a tributary of the Amazon in Brazil. Photo courtesy Matueté.

August to December is the dry season in the northern regions of the Brazilian Amazon—including Manaus, Santarém, and Belém—which means the river levels are lower and beaches are exposed. People are often shocked by the beauty of the white-sand beaches that form here, making a trip to the Brazilian Amazon unique from the experiences one can have in Ecuador or Peru's swaths of the same river system. In fact, there are few other places in the world where you can have a different beach entirely to yourself each evening at sunset.





Learn more in our Insider's Guides to the Brazilian Amazon and Five-Star Brazil, and use Wendy’s trip request form to be marked as a VIP and get the best possible trip.





8. Iceland

Volcanic scenery in Iceland. Photo: Iceland Tourist Board

Iceland's high season starts to taper off in the second half of the month, meaning that you’ll find fewer crowds, more hotel availability, and somewhat better prices—but the weather is still pleasant for exploring the country's awesome landscapes.





Ask Wendy to find the right local expert to design your trip and ensure you get VIP treatment.