Even as summer draws to a close, there’s still time to squeeze in a getaway or two. The end of the season is filled with food festivals, art offerings, golf outings and fun in the sun.
Whether you want to stick close to home or venture abroad, here are some places to visit in August:
Savor fare from some esteemed chefs in stunning surroundings at the annual Andronis Gastronomy Festival. Through Sept. 7, toques such as Christophe Bacquié (his stint is Aug. 30 to 31) of Hotel & Spa du Castellet’s Restaurant Christophe Bacquié in Provence and Grégoire Berger (who will appear Aug. 17 and 18) of Atlantis, The Palm’s Ossiano in Dubai will take over luxury hotel brand Andronis’ Santorini restaurants.
While you enjoy refined meals, you’ll also bask in the island’s beauty. One venue, Andronis Luxury Suites’ Lycabettus, has a terrace that rests on a cliff edge surrounded by water. Another, Throubi at Andronis Concept, is perched atop one of Santorini’s highest points and overlooks the ancient volcanic calder.
After more than 16 months of closed borders, Canada will reopen to fully vaccinated Americans Aug. 9 (fully vaccinated international travelers can follow Sept. 7) for non-essential travel. It’s just in time for Toronto’s patio season, one of the best times to visit the city. Duck under The Ritz-Carlton, Toronto’s covered patio for a César Ritz (basil-infused vodka, housemade Caesar spice mix and Clamato juice) and the cheese plate (it’s the country’s only hotel cheese cave). Four Seasons Hotel Toronto recently debuted d|azur, a new patio inspired by the French Riviera with a bold Mediterranean-inspired mural from Toronto artist Jason Zante and a bounty of seafood, including oysters, ceviche and grilled octopus.
Opening its doors Aug. 4, 1 Hotel Toronto will feature a rooftop patio and garden where you can sip “wellness cocktails” made with fresh juices. The grand opening marks the eco-conscious 1 Hotel brand’s Canadian debut.
Head to Five-Star Salamander Resort & Spa in Virginia Wine Country for the inaugural Family Reunion Aug. 19 to 22. James Beard Award-winning chef and Notes from a Young Black Chef author Kwame Onwuachi and Salamander Hotels & Resorts founder/CEO and Black Entertainment Television founder Sheila Johnson will co-host the four-day culinary celebration of diversity in the hospitality industry.
Family Reunion will honor the Black and Brown cooking traditions that have influenced American cuisine through cooking demos, wine tastings, special dinners and panel discussions featuring the industry’s top names, including Carla Hall, Nina Compton, Carlton McCoy, Mashama Bailey, Rodney Scott and Gregory Gourdet.
There are still overnight packages and multi-day tickets left for the event.
Vivacious mixed-media artist Ashley Longshore recently moved from New Orleans to The Peninsula Beverly Hills for a summerlong residency. While staying at the Five-Star hotel, Longshore, known for her brash and vibrant Pop art, will produce more than 20 original pieces that will be showcased in an art show.
The collaboration will also include a special tea service with hand-painted champagne bottles, sneak peeks of art from Longshore’s forthcoming book on the menus, cheeky placemats and napkins bearing her signature phrases, petit fours painted with her artwork and more. There also will be opportunities for meet-and-greets and other events with the charismatic artist.
Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania
If you crave wide-open spaces, fresh air and some fun, visit this southwestern Pennsylvania region outside of Pittsburgh. Nestled among the Allegheny Mountains, Nemacolin — a sprawling 2,000-acre resort that includes the Five-Star Falling Rock and Four-Star The Chateau — recently launched entertainment hub The Peak.
Take your pick of activities: The year-round, all-ages Peak offers two pools (the decks and sidewalks will be heated in the winter), summer and snow tubing, a performance stage, cosmic bowling, ax throwing, skiing, snowboarding, paintball, zip-lining, canopy tours, a climbing wall, Jeep off-roading, bike rentals and indoor and outdoor dining.
To partake in The Peak, you must be an overnight guest or resort member.
As of Aug. 2, the U.K. will allow fully vaccinated American travelers to enter without quarantine (though a negative PCR test is required before arrival and on the second day of the trip). Take that chance to visit The Balmoral, a Rocco Forte Hotel. The regal Five-Star grande dame will whisk you away on one-of-a-kind private experiences. The Royal Edinburgh adventure will bring you to Holyrood Palace, the queen’s official residence in town, and Royal Yacht Britannia, her former floating palace, for guided tours.
Afterward, you’ll return to the hotel for an Afternoon Tea Masterclass. A guide will shed light on the history and etiquette of this British tradition over finger sandwiches, scones and, of course, Scottish tea.
Slip in one last summertime beach escape with a trip to Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, a 7,000-acre waterfront paradise. Hit the hotel’s private Minitas Beach to snorkel, kayak or paddleboard. Or simply soak up the sun from a lounger with a piña colada.
When you need a break from the water, take a swing at the three Pete Dye golf courses. The hotel hosts the seventh annual Latin America Pro Am Aug 10 to 14, and all tournament rounds play on the iconic Teeth of the Dog course. Or come for the 40th annual Casa de Open Sept. 15 to 19. The format is a 54-hole individual stroke play competition.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art will celebrate its 80th anniversary by unveiling a six-year, $50 million renovation. The Aug. 15 grand reopening will reveal revamped and expanded galleries that can showcase more of the 27,000-piece permanent collection. Peruse exhibitions like “Facing Forward: Portraits from the Collection,” 25 works from photographers like Kwame Brathwaite, Manuel Álvarez Bravo, Genevieve Gaignard and Tseng Kwong Chi, and “Mediated Nature,” video works that explore how the contemporary experience of nature has been shaped by media technologies.
Afterward, check into San Ysidro Ranch, a Five-Star hotel whose 550 lush acres with vine-covered cottages, citrus and olive groves, a lily pond, orange blossoms, magnolias, jasmine and more look like a work of art.
