Where To Travel In September
To some, September is a return to the usual daily grind. To others, especially those who aren’t tied to the academic year, it’s a chance to jet off and take advantage of the gorgeous weather in nearby countries – just without the peak period prices.
It helps that nature is at its best in September: a myriad of food and drink festivals celebrate the harvest, and further afield, wildlife-spotting opportunities become abundant as equatorial countries go through their dry season. Where best to take advantage of these travel-worthy conditions? Here are our favourite destinations for September.
Santorini, Greece
If you’re looking for a bargain in September, consider Santorini: arguably the most famous of the Greek islands, and certainly its prettiest. The sight of the rising whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches is the most photographed sight in all of Greece. Yet the experience of navigating its maze-like cobbled passageways as the sun sets gently behind the island’s peak is something to behold.
While prices have traditionally been high, a mix of overtourism reports and earthquakes that rattled the island at the start of the year has caused a dip in visitor numbers – airline seats are down 26% this year. That means that now the country is earthquake-free, there are real bargains to be had. In September, the weather is delightful: expect it to be a perfect 26C, and the sea temperature to be a balmy 24C. If you’ve ever wanted to see stunning Santorini with less crowds and on a budget, now is the time to go.
Algarve, Portugal
September marks the start of harvest season in Europe. The first of the vineyards to begin the winemaking process is in the Algarve, where constant warm weather causes the grapes to ripen quickly. The tradition ‘vindima’, as the Portuguese harvest known, is accompanied with festivities and flair, as communities come together to pluck heavy bunches of grapes from the vines, roll up their trousers, and start the convivial process of stomping on the grapes to mash them. Traditionally, it’s involved lots of music, dance and meals together, using freshly-harvested crops from local farms.
For visitors, many vineyards offer wine-harvesting as part of their activities at this time of year. For example, Ode Winery, an hour’s drive from Lisbon, offers a full day experience, starting with breakfast at the winery, a busy day of harvesting and grape-stamping, and ending with a well-earned wine tasting. It’s a wonderful way to muck in – and create some memories in the process.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Wildlife lovers won’t find better safari conditions than Botswana in September. The country, one the safest in Africa, is well into the dry season, so Botswana’s famed wildlife like hippos, elephants, and black-maned lions congregate around rare watering holes like the Okavango Delta. The area has less vegetation, so visibility is at its best. Plus, while the temperature quickly reaches up to 40C during the day, the weather in the mornings is comfortably warm.
This peak time in nature is offset by families returning home after the summer holidays, so despite the abundance of safari opportunities, it’s not as busy as July and August. Best of all, Botswana is easier to get to than you might think: British Airways, Air France and Qatar fly indirect from London to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta.
Reykjavik, Iceland
We might still be glowing in the after sun of the summer holidays, but Northern Lights season is upon us already. One of the first places to see the most famous natural phenomenon of them all is Iceland, which lies right up by the Arctic Circle. The astrophysics of the lights persist throughout the year, but it’s only when the night gets dark enough – as in September – that they show up as the green glow that was the subject of much lore in the past.
September is when you’ll stand a good chance of seeing them, and it’s not as painfully cold as the country gets in mid-winter. And there are fewer tourists too. For the best chance of seeing them, stay in Reykjavik and join a Northern Lights-chasing tour. Driving in convoy, the guides know the darkest spots that offer the best chances of seeing them – and if they’re not present in one place, you’ll jump back in the car and try somewhere else until you see the marvel in the sky.
Stuttgart, Germany
Oktoberfest is a misnomer, because Germany’s big beer-drinking festival actually begins in September. While Munich is the best-known as hosting the first and biggest festival, you might want to steer away from the throng and check out the second biggest festivities in Stuttgart. Known as the Cannstatter Volkfest and taking place on what’s locally known as the Wasen, a meadow by the Neckar River, it begins on the last Friday of September. It has the hallmarks of a good Oktoberfest: it opens with a grand parade, has a giant fairground, it’s free to attend, and welcomes millions of visitors each year. It’s a bonus that it’s a little less touristy too.
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