August is here and it’s time to get out and catch some sun. Top up your vitamin D at some of these hot outdoor locations

Jolly Beach, Antigua
Maybe it’s the scent of tropical flowers on the breeze, the candy pink wooden beach huts shaded by palms, or the pale white sand that evokes those TV ads for Bounty bars; yes, there’s something almost ludicrously paradise-like about Jolly Beach. The private resort in St Johns is one of the Caribbean’s best-known beaches and a stand-out favourite with lovestruck honeymooners. It’s also the best place to top up your tan; www.jollybeachresort.com

Jaffa Port, Tel Aviv
The ancient port city of Jaffa is ideal for sun-worshippers who want to do something more energetic than just laze in the park or at the beach. With its panoramic views of the glittering coastline, the130 feet high Jaffa Hill is the place to head for catching some sun. The fisherman’s port below, where you’ll find the day’s fresh catch for sale along the wharf, borders the winding stone streets of Old Jaffa, which are named after the signs of the zodiac and are dotted with outdoor cafés. The Clock Square (around the 1906 Clock Tower) is the usual rendevous point for walking tours; www.tel-aviv.gov

Al Azhar Park, Cairo
At the heart of Cairo’s historic old town is the 30-hectare green lung of Al Azhar Park. Before the park opened in 2005, this area had been a rubbish dump for the previous 500 years. Now you’ll find gardens, sports fields, a playground and even an amphitheatre. During the clearance of the site, stones with hieroglyphics and a 12th-century city wall from the reign of Salah el-Din were uncovered here. New York’s Project for Public Spaces named it among ‘60 of the World’s Great Spaces’ for the way it has transformed Cairo summers; www.alazharpark.com

The Trafalgar Roof Garden, London
If you’re in need of a little greenery in the British capital, you’ve got more options than just Green Park (though it’s not a bad place to start). The rooftop garden of The Trafalgar Hotel (2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square) is packed with tropical foliage and bright white outdoor furniture. On a sunny day it’s perfect for taking in a 360 degree view of the capital: Nelson’s column, the London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral all punctuate the skyline from here. As the day cools down, chat over a cocktail at a candlelit table; www.thetrafalgar.com

Vondelpark, Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s largest city park attracts 10 million visitors through the gates to its grassy expanses every year – from joggers and rollerbladers to families, dog-walkers, sunbathers and of course cyclists. Its proximity to the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum make the 120-acre Vondelpark, located south of the Leidseplein, prime take-a-break territory. This month, look out for open-air theatre (www.openluchttheater.nl) and music near the Eeghenstraat entrance; www.vondelpark.nl