September’s a great time to travel if you’re not bound by the school holidays. The school holiday rush is over, so sunny destination flight prices start to come down. Temperatures in Europe dip enough to make heat more comfortable and undiscovered Europe is in its element. Whether you’re after a getaway with a difference, a life-changing wildlife experience or a long-term adventure to tick off the wish list, September’s an ideal month to get on the road.
For short haul beach holidays, I’d recommend Corfu, Crete or Santorini where the weather will be warm and the crowds will have departed. It’s also worth considering Sicily – a fabulous destination where there’s plenty to explore away from the beaches. For a long haul beach break, September is a good time to visit Zanzibar or Bali where the weather will be hot and dry before the advent of the rains in October and November. If you’re looking to travel even further afield for an idyllic beach, then this is the month to visit French Polynesia – it’s less crowded than in July and August and the weather is perfect.
If you prefer a more active holiday, September in New Zealand is far quieter than the summer months and you’ll have your pick of the best places to stay. This month is also a great time to visit South Africa. Most regions are at their prime and you can plan a varied trip that gives you the best of all worlds. There’s excellent game viewing in the Kruger and you’ll have the best chance of seeing southern right whales off the coast in Hermanus. September's also a good time to visit the amazing country of Argentina - it's off season, but the weather will be largely fine (depending on where you decide to travel) and you won't be paying peak prices.
If you're interested in wildlife, September is a prime time to see wild grizzlies in their natural habitat in British Columbia and to catch the salmon run where millions of salmon swim and leap upstream to spawn in the places they were born. It’s also one of the best months to go to Zimbabwe for game-viewing, when wildlife congregates around the diminishing watering holes as the temperatures begin to rise and rain is rare, and large elephant herds can be seen in Hwange National Park.
If it’s a city break that you’re after, September’s a good month to explore the lovely cities of Barcelona, Istanbul or Florence – it’s far more comfortable walking around after the summer heat has passed. Or head further afield to San Francisco or New York – both cities are wonderful to visit in the autumn.
Get in touch if you’d like to plan an autumn holiday - whether you're looking for lazy days at the beach or a more active adventure.
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