Where's hot in August?

No postcard can capture the splendour of the Balearic Islands, though you won't be able to resist sending a few.

When you do, tell your loved ones about the outstanding food, going into detail about juicy locally-grown olives and delectable cheeses and meats. Wax lyrical about the picture-perfect beaches and the breath-taking scenery.

You could even tell your reader about the hippy markets of Ibiza, the historic sites in Menorca, the traditions of Majorca's capital, Palma, or the day you hired bikes and took a thrilling tour through your holiday island's undulating landscape.

August is a hugely popular time to visit the Balearic Islands and it's easy to find excellent-value package holidays as well as cheap flights and hotels.

Your choice of island will probably dictate the pace of your stay. Majorca offers a vibrant and diverse mix of experiences, with resorts such as Magaluf catering for night owls, and quieter destinations, such as Puerto Pollensa, drawing those looking for a peaceful break. Menorca is altogether more sedate and perfect for couples and families who want complete relaxation.

Think of a sunny beach break and Bulgaria is usually not the first destination that springs to mind. But, as the home of Sunny Beach, perhaps it should. The truth is, Bulgaria is cheap – In fact, it’s very cheap – even in the peak holiday month of August.

Compared to Tenerife, Bulgaria is 12 per cent cheaper. Compared to the Greek Islands, it’s a whopping 48 per cent cheaper. With average daytime highs of 27 degrees and ten hours of sunshine a day in August, the weather is more than comparable with classic sunshine destinations too.

If you’re after a cheap alternative for a summer beach holiday, Bulgaria ticks all the boxes. Sunny Beach itself is renowned for its lively nightlife. Golden Sands is slightly more relaxed than Sunny Beach, while Albena is great for families and Sozopol is one for those who like a hearty dollop of history with their beach break.

Ultimately, the Black Sea coastline runs for nearly 400 kilometres, so there’s plenty of choice for thrifty beach bums.

Croatia has become a go-to destination for alternative summer holidays. If you feel like you’ve had your fill of Turkey and seen it all in Spain, Croatia could be perfect for you.

Just a few of the stunning locations you might want to consider are the stunning walled city of Dubrovnik; Split, with its nearby beaches; charming Zadar; and Hvar – an island destination in the Adriatic.

Croatia has Blue Flag beaches, incredible national parks full of wildlife, and villages of pastel-coloured houses. Not enough for you? Check out the forecast for August.

During summer, the weather is at it wonderful best – you’ll rarely spy a cloud, let alone a drop of rain. Here, average daytime temperatures creep towards the 30-degree mark, 12 hours of sunshine is the norm and the sea is a blissful 25 degrees.

If you like your holidays hot, Orlando is the scorcher you’re looking for. Average temperatures in August hang around the high-twenties, while it’s not uncommon for the mercury to soar as high as the mid-thirties – they don’t call Florida the Sunshine State for nothing!

Need to cool off? Make the short drive to nearby Daytona Beach or splash around in one of Orlando’s many water parks. Meanwhile, major theme parks such as Disney World and Universal Orlando provide kids – and adults! – with endless entertainment opportunities.

A year-round destination, there are always deals to be had in Orlando, and August is no different. Its popularity means you’ll have plenty of options when it comes to organising your holiday here.

In terms of cost, August is one of the pricier months to visit Orlando, but, if you’re travelling with kids in tow, this is usually unavoidable. Ensure you get the best deal by shopping around and comparing the options available.

For mile upon mile, the coastline of Spain twists, turns and reaches for the warm embrace of the Mediterranean Sea. It meanders merrily along, past golden beaches that disappear on the horizon, via neon-lit resorts and traditional villages.

Busy fishing ports dot the coast, between soaring mountains, secluded coves, culturally rich cities and theme parks that get the whole family squealing with delight. In August, all of this bakes under an average of 12 hours of sunshine, with daytime temperatures lingering around the mid to late-twenties.

There are all kinds of different holidays to be enjoyed along the Spanish coastline too. There's the opportunity to have a family break on the sands in popular resorts such as Benidorm, on the Costa Blanca, or Lloret de Mar, on the Costa Brava.

Marbella and Puerto Banus on the Costa del Sol have a reputation for exclusive, glamorous hotspots. There are scintillating cities, such as Barcelona, Malaga, and Alicante, which offer cultural highlights alongside your relaxing holiday.

Whatever you want from your August holiday, you are likely to find it in one of the Spanish Costas.

Picture the scene: your feet are resting on soft white sands, the turquoise sea folds just inches from your toes, the sun blazes in the sky of pure blue above, and pine-clad mountains are scattered across the horizon.

Welcome to Turkey and its sumptuous south-western coastline. It's here that holidaymakers flock for a dose of fail-safe sunshine in one of the most competitively-priced holiday destinations in Europe.

It's hot here in August, so if lazy days by the pool or on the beach are your idea of holiday heaven, then Turkey might just be your perfect place. Average daytime temperatures here are in the high-twenties during August, with night-time temperatures remaining high. Air conditioning in your hotel will be a blessing during the height of summer.

The Turkish Riviera, also called the Turquoise Coast for reasons that are plain to see, is where most visitors fly into for sunshine breaks. Resort towns such as Bodrum, Antalya, Marmaris, Fethiye, Olu Deniz and Icmeler dot this stunning stretch of shoreline, where the land meets the Mediterranean Sea.