"Live Your Life by a Compass, Not a Clock"
September is a great time to travel in terms of climate, crowds and great offers. Once the children are back at school it is much quieter so fewer queues, fewer bodies at places and activities of note. September is also fantastic if you are going to a country that is particularly hot in the summer months, there will be slightly cooler temperatures allowing for both beach and pool, but also exploration days. Here we offer you our guide to some of the best places to visit in September.
Corfu, Greece
Fewer crowds, fresh sea breeze
In September there is no extreme heat of the summer and fewer crowds making Corfu more relaxing and fresher, so you can explore the island's attractions easily without the summer's stifling heat. For those interested in culture and history there are lots of museums in Corfu town, nearly 40 churches and twin peaks with a large fortress which is worth exploring. The hugely successful TV series ‘The Durrell’s' second season was mainly filmed in Danilia which is situated on the east coast of the island so if you are a fan of the books or show you may recognise some of the landscape and buildings. The unspoilt island of Paxos is close by along with the Greek port of Parga. Check out our Corfu hotels including the stunning MarBella Corfu and Ikos Dassia.
Morocco
Milder temperatures, great for exploring
A great destination for sunshine and culture without the bustling crowds and the African heat of high summer. Summer here can be extremely hot and many shops close early during Ramadan. By September the temperatures are much more bearable, still beach or pool weather but also not too hot for sightseeing. Here you will find large mountain ranges, open desert and some great shopping and exploring. We have some stunning hotels in Marrakech such as the five star Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech and the Kasbah Tamadot. If you are looking to get some Instagram content, try visiting the city of Chefchaouen which is located in the Rif Mountains in the north of the country. It is well-known for its blue-washed buildings and with temperatures in the high twenties, it makes for perfect weather for exploration and lots of snaps.
South Africa
Whale watching and safaris
This is a great time for whale watching and going on safari as May to September is the dry season. Animals will congregate around watering holes, the temperatures are mild but with no rainfall and there won’t be big crowds like you can often find in the school holidays. A great place to view the wildlife is Kruger Nation Park where you might be lucky enough to see some big cats, elephants and more. For the whales, there is a small town in South Africa on the coast called Hermanus which during this time of the year has lots of Southern Right Whales who have migrated from Antarctica to the warmer waters where they will give birth. It is one of the best places for land-based whale watching. This spectacle also brings lots of entertainment such as live music, street food and activities for little ones.
Cities and Coastline, Turkey
Art fair, Culture & Food
One of Turkey's most popular cities, Istanbul has a wide and varied history which makes the culture, food and architecture extremely diverse. In the month of September, the city hosts an art fair called Contemporary Istanbul which features installations, sculptures and canvases. The slightly cooler climate makes city exploration more enjoyable whilst the coastal resorts are still perfect pool and beach weather, without the intense summer heat. With luxury hotels in Bodrum such as Lux Bodrum Resort & Spa and D-Maris Bay in Dalaman, you have lots of choices when it comes to beautiful hotels in stunning Turkish locations.
Napa Valley, California
Wine harvesting, picnics and hot air balloons
Here, the grape harvest season is between August and October so as you can imagine it is a busy time gathering grapes that have been grown all year and then the crushing begins! If you are a wine lover this is a fantastic time to visit the area to sample wines and watch the hot air balloons. There are vintage rail cars, wine tours including lunch and dinner and there are some mouth-watering restaurants in Napa Valley. The September weather is perfect for picnics and many of the wineries have outdoor areas to enjoy your wine and picnic surrounded by Tuscan-esque rolling hills. We offer a Northern Californian wine tour including Sonoma County and Napa Valley.
Barcelona
Perfect exploring weather
This is a great time to visit the bustling Spanish city, with fewer crowds, a more manageable heat and children back at school. The weather will still be warm so you can make use of the beaches, parks and city centre. Barcelona’s beautiful churches, world heritage sights, culture and less muggy weather is a great reason to visit the city in the late summer. Each year the city also has a summer festival called La Merce which is worth a visit. We offer a variety of Barcelona hotels some of which feature rooftop swimming pools and luxurious amenities throughout.
If you would like more advice and information about any of our September destinations please get in touch or request a callback. We look forward to helping you create your next adventure!
