Travel PR’s top five August Bank Holiday suggestions in the UK and Europe

With the August Bank Holiday right around the corner, it's the perfect time to plan a memorable getaway. We've curated a list of the top five August Bank Holiday destinations that promise unforgettable experiences in the UK and Europe. From charming villages steeped in adventure to bustling European cities brimming with culture, get ready to embark on a journey that combines relaxation, adventure, and discovery.

United Kingdom

Savour your last Bank Holiday of the summer at Eastbourne Feastival 2023 – from £241 per night at The Grand Hotel

Into its eighth year and with the biggest and best lineup to date, Eastbourne Feastival 2023 (26 – 28 August) is back this coming Bank Holiday in Hampden Park. Visitors can expect an array of street food to choose from, plus there is a bar, a VIP area, and a brand-new kids’ zone with life-size characters to meet from Frozen, Peppa Pig, and Minions. The highlight of these three incredible days, however, is the vast and eclectic musical line-up, meaning there is something for everyone. Treat yourself and the family to a stay at The Grand Hotel, Eastbourne’s white palace by the sea, situated in a beautifully tranquil spot with breathtaking views of the coast and the dramatic cliffs at Beachy Head. Rejuvenate with the use of the hotel’s wellness facilities, or simply check into one of the suites and settle into a deep slumber. Prices from £482 (based on two sharing) for a two-night stay. For booking and more information visit grandeastbourne.com or call 01323 412345.

Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta by Tesla-motored Maggie – from £152 per day with Yescapa

Taking place at Castle Howard for the first time ever, this year’s Yorkshire Balloon Fiesta (25 – 28 August; adult day tickets £35) will fill the sky above the glorious stately home with 50 brightly coloured balloons this August Bank Holiday. Expect a fabulous festival atmosphere with fairground rides, food stalls, and a star-studded line up of music acts including Eurovision’s Sam Ryder. Hire family-friendly Maggie (sleeps four), the latest evolution in campervans. A classic 1979 VW powered by batteries and a Tesla motor, comfortable, cream-coloured Maggie with zero fuel costs, saving your cash and your planet. The cost is from £910 for a six-day rental (£152 per day) including one insured driver, breakdown cover and 200 km per day mileage. A motorhome pitch at the festival costs £80. For more information and booking visit www.yescapa.co.uk.

EUROPE

Save £320 pp on southern Kefalonia – Greece from £699 pp with Sunvil*

The largest of the Ionian Islands, midway between Corfu and Zakynthos, Kefalonia is a land of dramatic scenery, distinctive traditions, and long stretches of the finest golden sand lapped by the bluest of seas. The Lourdas Beach Apartments, in southern Kefalonia, have a magnificent infinity-style swimming pool right across a little road from Lourdas’ stunning beach. Here, sunbeds and small motorboats can be rented, and several tavernas are within an easy stroll. For exceptional value on a much-loved, laid-back little spot, this is a hard Bank Holiday bargain to ignore. Departing 26 August, a seven-night self-catering stay now costs from £699 pp (two sharing – was £1,019 pp) including returning flights (Gatwick), 23kg hold luggage pp, transfers, and the services of Sunvil’s experienced local representative. Call AITO* member Sunvil on 020 8758 4758 (www.sunvil.co.uk).

Save £260 pp on Vienna’s latest luxury hotel – Austria from £1,368 pp with Kirker*

For a final summer fling, what’s more enticing than a long weekend waltzing into Vienna’s fairytale palaces, masterpiece-packed museums, and magnificent coffee houses, all to the tune of the most exquisite classical music? In the heart of the medieval old town, the five-star deluxe Rosewood Vienna is the city’s hottest new hotel. Surrounded by extensive 18th century formal gardens, this beautifully restored 19^th century building – all parquet floors, Art Deco elegance and hand-painted murals – is somewhere very special. Stay four nights for the price of three from £1,368 pp (two sharing), including B&B, return flights, private transfers, the services of the Kirker Concierge, and the Vienna Masterticket which allows guests entrance to the Leopold Museum and the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts). Offer valid on stays until 3 September. Call AITO* member Kirker on 020 7593 2288; www.kirkerholidays.com.

Truly out of office at Waldhotel Fletschhorn this August Bank Holiday – Switzerland from £168 per night

The fast pace of the summer holidays can take its toll. Make the most of the final August Bank Holiday weekend with three sweet out-of-office days for a well-being escape in its purest form. The natural world takes centre stage at Waldhotel Fletschhorn. Located in a pine forest in the car-free village of Saas-Fee in Switzerland, the sweeping glaciers and mountainous scenery are sure to elicit a sense of Zen. Stripped of any noise or light pollution, this boutique hotel is the place for guests to immerse themselves in their surroundings through activities such as forest bathing and stargazing. It’s hard to imagine a better place for hiking, yoga, or meditation. The cuisine here is excellent, and guests can visit the wine cellar where 9,000 bottles are available to sample, along with some of the best local cheeses. Book a three-night stay before 31 August to receive a complimentary picnic box to enjoy in the countryside, as well as a Swiss afternoon tea with home-made pastries. Rooms start from 192CHF (£168) per night (based on two sharing) including breakfast. For further information call 0207 184 9837/+41 27 957 2131 or visit www.fletschhorn.ch/ booking@fletschhorn.ch.

To redeem offer, use code BANKHOLIDAY. Return flights to Geneva with EasyJet (Gatwick) start from £134 pp.