Where to go on holiday in September

Where to go on holiday in September holidays September 2012 where to go in September

By Mark Hodson, Sunday Times Travel Writer and Editor of 101 Holidays

The passing of August might appear to herald the end of summer. Don’t believe a word of it. September is one of the best months of the year to travel, particularly to the Mediterranean where conditions are perfect, with air temperatures settling down a bit, but the sea still comfortably warm enough to swim in.

The best thing about this time of year is that the crowds disappear and prices tumble. There are no traffic jams or queues to get tables at restaurants. Suddenly, waiters and taxi drivers are pleased to you again. That beach that was crowded a few weeks ago – now you have it almost to yourself.

So where to go on holiday in September? Here, we guide you to the best places.

Beach holidays in September

If you want beach holidays, there are plenty of places in the Med where you can find perfect spots. We recommend Costa de la Luz in the south-west corner Spain and the tiny, sleepy Greek island of Paxos. Many tour operators offer cheap holidays in September so it’s worth keeping an eye on deals.

The French island of Corsica has great beaches, along with beautiful mountain countryside and authentic villages, while the Ile de Ré off the west coast of France has endless white-sand beaches, small harbours, cycle paths and great seafood. It’s one of our top holiday suggestions for September.

The Balaeric islands of Mallorca and Ibiza are not known for their quiet beaches but once you get away from the big resorts you can find beautiful stretches you will find beautiful rural villages, quiet beaches and great villas.

Puglia is the south of Italy has great beaches, and along with beautiful hotels and luxury self-catering trulli with pools. The islands of Sicily and Sardinia are also great for beach holidays in September. We recommend Forte Village in Sardinia and Verdura Resort in Sicily.

The beaches in North Cyprus are amongst the wildest and least spoilt in the Med. Because it lies outside the Eurozone, prices are lower than in equivalent destinations. Try the Pia Bella, one of our favourite hotels, near Kyrenia.

If you want to go further afield, Bermuda is beautiful in September with long sunny days, brilliant blue skies, pink sand beaches and superb hotels such as the Elbow Beach and the Fairmont Southampton which is great for families.

Find more beach holidays.

Cheap holidays in September 2012

More ideas in the Mediterranean

The coastline of Catalonia has some pretty coves tucked between rocky escarpments and traditional fishing villages, while the quiet friendly island of Gozo is perfect for exploring by car or cycle.

The Amalfi Coast of Italy has classic hotels, great drives and wonderful restaurants. The southern Greek island of Crete is wonderful in late summer – check out these stylish houses. For pampering we recommend the contemporary Daios Cove hotel.

Other great ideas include Sani Resort on mainland Greece, which has great beaches and sporting facilities, and a gulet cruise along the picturesque coastline of Turkey.

September is a good month for an activity holiday. If you enjoy culture and walking with like-minded people, try a cultural walking tour.

Northern Spain is often overlooked yet it’s a beautiful slice of authentic Spain where you’ll find unspoilt countryside, charming medieval villages, great food and wide empty beaches. It’s very good value and a long way from the costas of the south. We recommend the specialist tour company Casas Cantabricas.

It’s a great time of year for a cycling holiday in France such as this gentle 8-day Secret Provence cycling holiday. Other options include a self-guided cycling holiday in Catalonia – there is a selection of routes from easy to moderate.

If you like to be independent and get away from it all, we recommend a hotel-to-hotel walking holiday. There are many options from Portugal to Turkey but they all include accommodation at charming local inns or hotels, plus walking notes and maps and your baggage is transferred each day to your next overnight stay.

For a totally healthy holiday, you could indulge in a luxury spa holiday or a wonderful yoga holiday in a beautiful location in Italy, Crete or India.

Not strictly in the Med, but the Italian Lakes should be considered for a relaxing holiday. The mountain scenery is divine, plus you have charming hotels and a great public transport system for exploring the area.

Mainland Italy is wonderfully quiet in September after all the Italians have gone back to work. Umbria is a feast of culture and natural beauty while its neighbouring region, the little known region of Le Marche, boasts charming countryside and great villas.

Explore our selection of the best holidays in the Mediterranean.

Long haul holidays in September

September is a great month to take a cruise on the Nile or laze on a tropical beach in Mauritius, the Maldives or the Seychelles (check out the latest special offers).

This is also a good month to be in North America, though you may want to avoid Florida which is in hurricane season. You could take a road trip across California perhaps driving the Pacific Highway coast between LA and San Francisco.

Alternatively you could splash out in Las Vegas or get down on the range at a ranch holidays America. For real wilderness, explore Alaska, which is best seen by cruise ship. Find more recommended holidays in America.

In Africa, September is a great month to visit Botswana or see the Big Five in Kenya. Try this classic 8-night private Kenya Signature Safari.

The island of Madagascar is a first rate wildlife destination with amazing beaches thrown in. You can also take a self-drive holiday of Cape Town and the Winelands.

Talking of wildlife, September is also a great month to visit the Galapagos Islands. Take a small-ship cruise to explore the this fascinating pristine destination.

For more suggestions, see our top 10 Africa holidays.

UK holidays in September

While the UK weather in August has been unreliable in recent years, September has a good record of providing late summer sunshine and steady temperatures. Following the high reason rush, this is a great time to explore this country.

Get in touch with your inner child rediscovering the Isle of Wight or enjoying a lazy boating holiday on the Norfolk Broads. You’ll find great prices on self-catering cottages in Devon or Cornwall, and on this wonderful collection of B&Bs in Dorset.

Britain has many outstanding hotels, including the Old Swan & Minster Mill in the Cotswolds, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa near Bath, Sands Resort in North Cornwall and Pentre Mawr Country House in North Wales.

If you’re looking for a relaxing place to stay in the countryside near London, we recommend the following small group of charming hotels. The Olde Bell is a historic inn on the Thames between Marlow and Henley, while the timber-framed Crown Inn in the Chilterns was designed by Ilse Crawford and lies at the end of the Metropolitan Line. Finally, Stoke Place Hotel is set in 26 acres of splendid parkland near Windsor, and has an award-winning restaurant.

In Jersey, The Atlantic Hotel is a stylish bolthole with great facilities and amazing ocean views. It runs regular special offers.

Other hotels we recommend include foodie-heaven Maison Talbooth in Constable Country.

If you love the idea of camping but aren’t so crazy about the idea of bugs and damp sleeping bags, have a look at Feather Down Farms which has fabulous luxury tents (timber floors, proper beds, wood-fired stove, etc) all set on authentic working farms.

Explore our full selection of UK holiday ideas.

Holiday suggestions for September

Short breaks

September is a good month for city breaks. We wouldn’t recommend you go too far south unless you really enjoy the heat – Istanbul, Cairo and Marrakech are probably best left until October.

However, Venice is wonderful in September once the summer crowds have started to disperse. See our recommended hotels in Venice.

Other wonderful cities in Europe include Dubrovnik in Croatia, Palma, the stylish capital of Mallorca and Sorrento for Neopolitan style.

Germany offers something different, from the Gothic architectural of Cologne to the buzzing streets and glorious museums of Berlin. Other options including the Bavarian charm of Munich and historic Dresden.

You can avoid airports and take a city breaks by rail to the likes of Paris, Brussels, Bruges or Amsterdam. You can even get as far as Venice on a super-fast TGV. See the latest special offers.

Just across the English Channel, the Pas de Calais is a neglected area of France. We heartily recommend Auberge d’Inxent, a charming hotel with superb food just a short drive from the ferry port. Or experience the beauty of Monet’s Garden in Giverny. This four-day escorted tour is a great way to visit.

You can also take an expert guided battlefield tour in Northern France where you can stand on the very fields where First and Second World War battles were fought, and visit cemeteries and memorials.

Please visit our sister site for more short break ideas.

Getting married? Find the best honeymoon destinations in September. Also see where is hot in September.

Try our holiday quiz

If you’re still stuck for ideas, why not try our fun holiday quiz. Answer 10 easy questions like the one below to find out what kind of holidaymaker you are, and get personalised travel recommendations. Try the quiz now.