Many have returned from holiday, some have to leave, and those on the road see the beaches emptying, the leaves turning yellow, the air becoming cooler. September is a good month for those who want to see the Cyclades without the crowds, taste what the Bohuslän sea has to offer, be enraptured by the magic of Lhasa, go rafting in the Colorado River and much more. Here are our ten favourite destinations for travellers in September.
Mount Bromo at sunrise, Java. ©Copyright Nicholas Olesen/Getty Images
1 Sumatra and Java, Indonesia
Why now? To see orangutans, volcanoes and ancient temples in one trip.
Indonesia is part of the largest archipelago in the world and is full of wonders. Visit Sumatra and Java for a rather exhaustive taste of it. Conditions in September are ideal: dry weather, surfing off the west coast, few visitors and low prices. In northern lush Sumatra, make friends with a cousin of man at the Bohorok Orangutan Centre and go river tubing on the Bohorok River in Bukit Lawang.
Berastagi is an excellent base for climbing the Sibayak volcano, while at Danau Toba you swim in the largest volcanic lake on the planet and admire traditional Batak architecture.
In Java, visit Prambanan and Borobudur, the world's largest Buddhist temple, and take a trip to Mount Bromo, the crater of a large volcanic caldera.
The journey
Arrive by plane (or ferry from Penang) in Medan, then continue overland to Bukit Lawang and south to Berastagi, Danau Toba and Bukittinggi before taking a second flight from Padang or Jakarta. Take a train or plane to Yogyakarta and its temples, then reach Bromo.
The mountains of Georgia. ©PrimePhoto/Shutterstock
2 Georgia
Why now? To venture between mountain trails and ancient monasteries (and drink good wine).
Overlooking the Black Sea and straddling the Caucasus, south of Russia and north of Turkey, Georgia is a country waiting to be discovered, where stone watchtowers tower above lush valleys, ancient churches cling to soaring mountains, and where (so legend has it) wine was born 7000 years ago.
In September, Georgia is tinged with the warm hues of autumn; at low altitude, the sweltering heat of summer has dissipated, and the vineyards of the eastern region of Kakheti tempt you to taste the best local labels.
The journey
Start in the capital city of Tbilisi and its typical carved wooden balconies, watched from the ancient fortress of Narikala. Then head east to Kakheti for a glass of good wine, then to the Caucasus peaks around Kazbegi to explore centuries-old churches, then west to Svaneti for a tour of high-altitude trails and koshkebi (traditional stone watchtowers). Return to the valley to visit Colchis, where Jason is said to have found the Golden Fleece, and then return to Tbilisi via the rock monastery of Vardzia.
The beaches of the northern part of Cyprus. ©nejdetduzen/Getty Images
3 Northern Cyprus
Why now? For the sun, the sea, the turtles and time travel.
Visiting the northern part of the island of Cyprus is a bit like being catapulted into a 1970s holiday. It may not be a very chic holiday, but it is certainly genuine. This also means pristine beaches, especially along the Karpas Peninsula, where turtles and donkeys outnumber people. Indeed, the turtles are regulars, and from June to the end of September the Society for the Protection of Turtles offers guided night excursions to Alagadi beach, east of Kyrenia harbour, to spot them.
As for tourists, there are very few left in September. So it's the perfect month to explore the Crusader castles in the mountains around Kyrenia or stroll through the well-kept streets of historic Salamis. Don't miss Nicosia, the only capital of a nation divided in two. Wander through the minaret-strewn streets before passing a checkpoint and entering the desolate no-man's-land that separates the Turkish north from the Greek south.
The journey
Spend at least a week between towns, beaches, castles and historical sites.
Kaieteur Falls, Kaieteur National Park, Guyana. ©Anton_Ivanov/Shutterstock
Subscribe to our newsletter! For you weekly travel tips, special offers, stories from around the world and 30% discount on your first order.
4 Guyana
Why now? To admire roaring waterfalls and rainforest flora and fauna.
Guyana is an extraordinary land, where turtles nest on shell beaches, jaguars roam the forest, giant otters frolic and harpy eagles soar over towering waterfalls. The climate is also exceptional, with different rainy seasons that hit the interior and the coast at different times. September is a month of transition, of dry weather after the heavy rains, so travel is easier and the roads are in better condition, but the vegetation is also at its most luxuriant.
Guyana's number one attraction is the Kaieteur Falls, which plunge 226 metres in a single drop into the heart of the forest. Add to this the spectacular flora and fauna of the Iwokrama Rainforest, the ecolodges offering encounters with the makushi people, the otters of the Rupununi River and the Dadanawa Ranch's cowboys, and you have an unparalleled adventure.
The journey
Book an organised tour - group or customised. Standard two-week itineraries include visits to the capital Georgetown, Kaieteur Falls, Iwokrama, the Amerindian village of Surama, and the giant otters of Karanambu.
The Great Wall of China. ©aphotostory/Shutterstock
5 Beijing and the Great Wall of China
Why now? To admire the Old City of Beijing and the even older Great Wall.
Beijingers describe this season this way: tian gao qi shuang, or 'The sky is high and the air is crisp'. After the sweltering summer heat, September brings less humidity and more clement temperatures, as well as a brief lull between summer and the festivities of early October. So this is the best time to wander Beijing's hutongs (alleyways), to stop and watch old Beijingers play mah-jong or cards, and to explore the city's treasures: the Forbidden City, the many museums, Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, and the many temples and parks. Autumn is also the best season for tackling the Great Wall; the foliage has magnificent colours (the maple trees look like they are on fire); the best stretches include Badaling, which is very picturesque, and Mutianyu, Simatai and Huanghua, which are quieter and more rewarding.
The journey
Beijing's attractions (ancient and modern) are worth a few days. From the Dongzhimen bus station, buses leave for various sections of the Great Wall.
The blue lakes of Kyrgyzstan. ©Clanci Ferguson/Lonely Planet
6 Silk Road, Central Asia
Why now? To cross a historical route in the warmth of autumn.
Merchants had been traversing Central Asia for over 1200 years when Marco Polo arrived at the court of Kublai Khan in Beijing. Since then, the allure of the Silk Road has never faded, and visiting the area between the Caspian Sea and the ancient centre of Kashgar in western China is still an adventure. Embark on it in September when the deserts of Turkmenistan or the legendary cities ofUzbekistan are bearably hot, and in the mountains and around the blue lakes of Kyrgyzstan and China it is not yet too cold.
The journey
The most beautiful overland routes connect İstanbul withIran or Georgia and then take you to Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. Visit the gaseous craters of Darvaza and sumptuous Ashgabat in Turkmenistan, the madrasas and minarets of Samarkand and Khiva in Uzbekistan, the mountain pastures and Song-Kōl Lake of Kyrgyzstan, and the Sunday market of Kashgar on your way to Xi'an and Beijing in China. In a fortnight you will arrive from Ashgabat to Tashkent (Uzbekistan), or from Tashkent to Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan).
Sunset over the Grand Canyon, USA. ©Peerasith Patrick Triratpadoongphol/Shutterstock
7 Arizona and Utah, USA
Why now? For driving, rafting or hiking in the Grand Canyon.
In the Grand Canyon everything is too much: length (446 km), width (up to 29 km), depth (1.6 km), and even the crowds, if you come in the middle of summer. In September, not only do most visitors return home, but the temperatures are milder, which makes hiking easier.
This is also a great time to go rafting on the Colorado River, especially since no motorised boats are allowed there after 15 September, which makes the experience more intimate and enjoyable. But the rocks of Arizona and southern Utah don't end there: the Zion, Bryce Canyons, Canyonlands and Monument Valley parks are quieter at this time.
The journey
A standard itinerary starts in Las Vegas and travels to Zion, Bryce Canyons, Arches and Canyonlands parks, then on to Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon. Calculate a couple of weeks, depending on how long you spend exploring; also add a few days for rafting on the Colorado River.
Mykonos, Cyclades Islands, Greece. ©MartinM303/Getty Images
8 Cyclades, Greece
Why now? To hop from island to island in search of fishing villages and beautiful beaches.
In the 1970s, backpacking around the Greek islands was something of a rite of passage; today, with the wide range of planes and ferries on offer, it is a very easy and popular destination. Despite the many tourists, Greek and foreign, who flock to the islands every year, there are enchanting little corners to be discovered, especially in September. The weather is still fine, the water warm. Of course, the best-loved views, such as that of the blue roofs against the whitewashed houses of Oia on Santorini, will not be all for you, but you will undoubtedly find an isolated cove, a traditional taverna, a harbour with a boat rocking to the rhythm of the waves.
The journey
Mykonos and Santorini have international airports. A dense network of ferries serves the islands and connects them with each other and with ports on the mainland, such as Piraeus to Athens. A captivating itinerary includes Mykonos for nightlife (and a trip to ancient Delos), Paros for villages perched on the hillside, beaches and windsurfing, Naxos for hiking and diving, Santorini for views of Oia and the volcano, and one of the smaller Cyclades to get off the beaten track.
Fishing boats in Kladesholmen harbour, Sweden. ©Matt Munro/Lonely Planet
9 Bohuslän Coast, Sweden
Why now? To enjoy sea delicacies among pink rocks.
Mad about mussels and prawns? Then head to the coast of Bohuslän, north of Gothenburg, Sweden. This coastline known for its distinctive pink rocks produces some of the best shellfish and seafood in the country. September is lobster season: explore the more than 8000 rocky islets along the coast and indulge in a feast of langoustines, prawns, mussels, oysters and, of course, succulent lobsters.
Take part in a 'fish safari' by accompanying a Smögen fisherman to work and then consume what you have caught or hire a canoe and paddle between colourful villages such as Gullholmen, Käringön and Fiskebaäckskil, stopping off at popular restaurants: try Salt och Sill in pretty Klädesholmen.
The journey
Gothenburg is the gateway to the Bohuslän coast and receives international flights. Rent a car or travel by bicycle. Bridges and ferries connect the islands to the mainland.
September is the perfect month to undertake the kora (ritual circuit) of Mount Kailash, 'the navel of the world' before the snow arrives. Tibet.
10 Tibet
Why now? To visit the soul of Buddhist Tibet with the best climate.
Tibet, 'Roof of the World', land of soaring, snow-capped peaks, remote valleys, turquoise lakes and monasteries resonating with Buddhist chants, is the not-so-secret dream of many travellers. It is not an easy destination, neither physically nor politically (special permits are required in addition to a visa to enter China), and travel can be tiring and long. But it is definitely worth it: the spectacular and grandiose Potala Palace in Lhasa, the Jokhang temple complex, the isolated stupas and the magnificent Himalayan views will take your breath away.
Set off in September to enjoy the beautiful weather after the rainy season: it's an ideal time for trekking, perhaps undertaking the kora (ritual circuit) of Mount Kailash, 'the navel of the world' before the snow arrives.
The journey
The classic overland route from Lhasa to Kathmandu connects the monasteries of Sera, Gyantse, Ganden, Samye, Tashilhunpo and Rongphu, and offers incredible views of Everest's north face. By car it takes a week, but the Nepal-China border may close.