Turkey

Jet across Europe and touch down in Turkey, where the sun never fails to shine during August.

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 between spring and autumn for a dose of fail-safe sunshine in one of the most competitively-priced holiday destinations in Europe.

Average August temperature (Antalya): 27C

Average August rainfall (Antalya): 10mm

Average August sunshine (Antalya): 11hrs

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.

There's much to see and do in this part of Turkey, though pure relaxation doesn't sound like a bad idea, does it?

Balearic Islands

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

It's the best way to let the people back home know what an amazing time you are having on these Spanish isles. 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 (one of which graces the postcard!) 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. What postcard writers never fail to mention during breaks in August, is the non-stop sunshine during hot days and the warm nights that make sitting outside with a glass of something chilled oh so cool (not that you want to make them jealous of course).

Average August temperature (Majorca): 25C

Average August rainfall (Majorca): 6mm

Average August sunshine (Majorca): 12hrs

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. In Ibiza, families and couples can enjoy relaxing breaks by the sea, while party people go wild in the island's famed nightclubs. Ibiza is big enough to cater for every kind of holidaymaker. Majorca, too, 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.

Spanish Costas

Still looking for where's hot in August? Then consider Spain's wonderful coastline. The Costas have all the ingredients for a great holiday.

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. It's no surprise then that the Spanish Costas continue to dominate the hearts and minds of Brits when it comes to picking our summer holiday destination.

Average August temperature (Benidorm): 25C

Average August rainfall (Benidorm): 8mm

Average August sunshine (Benidorm): 12hrs

There are all kinds of different holidays to be enjoyed along the Spanish coastline too. There is, of course, 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, Seville and Alicante, which offer cultural highlights alongside your relaxing holiday. Spa hotels and golf resorts make for an altogether different kind of break too. Whatever you want from your August holiday, you are likely to find it in one of the Spanish Costas.

With southern Europe still taking advantage of long, hot summer days, you don't have to travel far in August to find a scorching spot...

Sicily

Average August temperature: 22C

Average August rainfall: 17mm

Average August sunshine: 13hrs

The largest island in the Mediterranean is also a prime sun spot in August and its many beaches trill with the sound of delighted holidaymakers as summer reaches its peak. Situated just off the toe of Italy's “boot”, Sicily is like a condensed version of the nation, yet it retains a character all of its own. Sicily is a popular year-round destination, though it's in August that daytime temperatures hover in the twenties, when long days filled with sunshine are spent lounging by the sea or tasting the island's delights in cafes and restaurants. Consider a stay in beach resorts such as Cefalu, Giardini Naxos, Mondello and Mortelle, or book holidays in one of Sicily's cities: Palermo, Catania, Trapani and Taormina each have a distinctive style and much to offer.