September: the Must-See Places This Month
Beautiful rolling hills in the Douro Valley, Portugal. (Photo Courtesy Joel Zack)
By Wendy Perrin
Leisure travel usually slows down after Labor Day, as kids go back to school and adults go back to work. But September is the ideal month for many places around the world, thanks to nicer weather, fewer tourists, and, this year perhaps, cheaper airfare. Here are nine of the best places to travel in September.
Yellowstone National Park
“From September to mid-October, the meadows are golden, the elk are bugling, and there are fewer crowds, though you’re likely to experience the first signs of winter, with temperatures dipping below freezing at night.” —Caroline Bach Wood, Trusted Travel Expert for the American West
Read Caroline’s Insider’s Guide to Yellowstone National Park
Seattle, the San Juan Islands, and the Olympic Peninsula
“September is my favorite time in Seattle: The weather is still great—largely dry, and sunny more often than not, with highs around 70—but the crowds are fewer. September is also a great time to travel to both the San Juan Islands and the peninsula. The weather is usually still very nice, but there are fewer tourists around than you’ll find in July and August.” —Sheri Doyle, Trusted Travel Expert for the Pacific Northwest
Read Sheri’s Insider’s Guides to Seattle
Big Island, Hawaii
The view from the Mauna Koa at dusk. (Courtesy Susan Tanzman)
“There are only two seasons on the Big Island: Summer, from May to October, is dry and temperate, with daytime temperatures hovering around 85 degrees. In so-called winter, temperatures drop around six degrees and rains are more common, especially in the eastern parts of the island around Hilo. May, September, and October might be the choicest months for the Big Island, as the weather is driest and the crowds are thin.” —Susan Tanzman, Trusted Travel Expert for Hawaii.
Tuscany, Italy
“Though spring in Tuscany is certainly stunning, we prefer the fall—specifically that magical period of September (plus or minus a week, depending upon the weather) when the vineyard-covered hills across much of the region come alive for the vendemmia, or grape harvest. The rumble of small tractors rolling along the long rows of vines, the chattering of families and farm hands as they snip off individual clusters by hand, the tinkling of glasses and forks against plates as long tables are set up outdoors for everyone to take a break for lunch al fresco…these are the sights and sounds of autumn in Chianti, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and the rest of Tuscany’s wine country.” —Maria Gabriella Landers and Brian Dore, Trusted Travel Experts for Tuscany, Italy
Killarney & County Kerry, Ireland
Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula. (Photo Courtesy Jonathan Epstein)
“April, May, September, and October, when the summer crowds have gone but the fine weather remains, are the best times to visit. It certainly might rain (this is Ireland, after all), which just means you’ll have rainbows! In September, which is considered high season, leaves start turning, ushering in fall.” —Jonathan Epstein, Trusted Travel Expert for England, Ireland, and Scotland
Porto & the Douro River Valley, Portugal
“Late September and early October are typically the time for the grape harvest in the Douro. You can participate by picking grapes (more fun than it sounds) or—better yet—stomping the fruit à la I Love Lucy with your own two feet.” —Joel Zack, Trusted Travel Expert for Portugal, Spain, and Morocco
Read Joel’s Insider’s Guide to Porto and the Douro River Valley
Uzbekistan
Tilla Kori Medreseh in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. (Photo: Zulya Rajabova)
“After the summer heat, the weather is once again comfortable for touring the ancient cities of Bukhara, Samarkand, and Khiva, and for hiking in the mountains or camel riding in the Kizil Kum Desert.” —Zulya Rajabova, Trusted Travel Expert for Uzbekistan
Trancoso, Brazil
“If you are after peace and quiet, off-season (i.e., June through September) is pure bliss: Temperatures are still in the high 70s to 80s, and you will often have mile upon mile of palm-tree-backed beaches all to yourself.” —Paul Irvine, Trusted Travel Expert for Brazil
Related: Mega Travel Sale Season Alert: Where to Go and How to Save
South African Safaris
“September is glorious in South Africa. The winter chill has left, and spring is on its way. The grasses that grew high after the rainy season have been chomped down, leaving the animals in full view. Cape Town is warming up, and the rains have more or less gone for good. Whales can be seen off the coast, the vineyards are green, and safaris are spectacular throughout the parks and reserves. Not too hot, not too cold. Enjoy heaven on earth.” —Nina Wennersten and Dan Saperstein, Trusted Travel Experts for Safaris: East Africa and South Africa
More from WendyPerrin.com:
Things to Do in Asia: Extraordinary Experiences You Didn’t Even Know Were Possible
How to Keep the Peace on a Family Vacation
Where to Go in August: The Best Places to Travel
WATCH: Travel Back in time with Jordan’s Bedouins
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