Late summer’s heat can be sweltering, but that’s no reason to hole up indoors. Embrace August’s sunny days with star-studded shows and sporting events across the map before retreating to the air-conditioned comfort of a sumptuous stay.
Usually a tranquil paradise, this Indian Ocean island nation comes alive August 5 to 12 when some of the world’s best wave riders descend for the ninth annual Four Seasons Maldives Surfing Champions Trophy.
Hosted by Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa, the exclusive invitational showcases renowned surfers like defending champion Josh Kerr of Australia and recent Surfers’ Hall of Fame inductee Kai Lenny of Paia, Hawaii, doing what they do best among the Maldives’ sparkling turquoise swells.
While the host resort’s event package is sold out (keep an eye out for next year’s offerings), you can use the event as inspiration to catch the perfect wave any other time of year (note: prime surf season is April through September) with the tropical retreat’s Seaplane Surfing Safari.
The stars are aligning in New Mexico this summer, and we’re not just talking about celestial bodies. Sir Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band will appear on August 25 at Santa Fe Opera as part of the city’s second annual Music Week.
Catch the sold-out show with the help of Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe. Book the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel’s Music Festival Package to enjoy tickets to the concert, VIP transportation to the venue and chic casita accommodations back at the secluded Southwestern property. Round out your weekend with a visit to the resort’s Four-Star spa. The Mountain Spirit Purification, with its adobe clay mask and juniper-sage hot stone massage, is a soothing post-performance indulgence.
With hundreds of kilt-clad performers marching through Edinburgh Castle’s historic esplanade, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (August 2 to 24) is a spectacular Scottish tradition that is not to be missed.
This year’s kaleidoscope-themed showcase features more than 1,200 marchers and musicians from across the globe (including troupes from France and New Zealand), culminating in a nightly fireworks display befitting the regal setting.
Pair the pageantry with a posh stay when you book The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Suite Experience. In addition to two tickets to a Saturday show, you’ll receive two nights in a recently refurbished signature suite (we’re partial to the emerald- and amethyst-hued Glamis Suite), daily breakfast, round-trip airport transfers and a food and beverage credit that is best spent on a smooth glass of Scotch and seafood specialties at the hotel’s restaurant Number One.
Take a culinary tour of the French coast while overlooking Victoria Harbour at Four-Star Rech by Alain Ducasse. Through September 30, you can savor the flavors of Brittany with executive chef Guillaume Katola’s new five-course La Bretagne d’Alain Ducasse menu.
Dig into dishes like cotriade fish stew, armoricaine-style (cooked in a sauce of diced tomatoes, white wine, garlic and herbs) blue lobster and Brittany shortbread with buttermilk ice cream and roasted figs.
Following your seafood-focused feast, head upstairs to your room at Five-Star InterContinental Hong Kong to unwind with a bath in your deep-soaking tub. If you prefer to stay dry, simply admire the skyline views from the comfort of your yellow headboard-clad bed.
A Rocky Mountain sunset is certainly worth celebrating, and thanks to a partnership with Moët & Chandon, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch is offering a few stylish ways to toast those alpine vistas this month.
Stop by the Four-Star hotel’s Mountainside Terrace each evening for Moët Golden Hour to sip glasses of bubbles paired with bites from the raw bar and live music. If you prefer to catch a sunrise, opt for the bottomless champagne brunch on Sundays. Either way, you’ll be spoiled with jaw-dropping views from nearly every angle.
For a closer look at your scenic surroundings, book a Nature Photography Hike for a guided trek to some of the area’s most photogenic spots or go for more heart-pumping pursuits like mountain biking or zip-lining.
Summer in the Big Apple is heating up, especially as star athletes like Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer head to town for the U.S. Open Tennis Championships (August 26 to September 8). The annual tournament is the only Grand Slam event held on U.S. soil — a prime opportunity to see Top 10 players battle it out without the hassle of a long flight.
Tip: if you can’t swing a seat to any of the high-profile matches, check the practice schedule to see where the heavy hitters will be warming up. Who knows? You might catch a glimpse of Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka working on their serves.
Between sets, soak up as much of the NYC skyline as you can from your winning perch at The Knickerbocker Hotel. Situated in Times Square, the revamped classic puts you right in the heart of the action, but with a legendary rooftop bar and plush Stearns & Foster beds in every room, you might find it hard to leave.
College football season kicks off on August 24 as the Florida Gators face the Miami Hurricanes during the Camping World Kickoff. Not only is the match-up the latest installment in a classic rivalry, the game marks the earliest start to the season in more than 15 years, making tickets extremely difficult to come by.
Continue your sports-fueled weekend with a stay at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, a Four-Star property about 10 miles from the stadium. In addition to a Greg Norman-designed golf course, the resort also provides kayaking, fishing excursions via seaplane and tennis lessons to help you get your activity fix.
Don’t miss a chance to wind down at the Four-Star spa. You don’t have to be a banged-up running back to appreciate the Florida-inspired Grande Citrus Escape body treatment.
