Average temperature: 26ºC

Best for: White sand beaches, diving, hiking, wildlife

Photo: Eddie Yip

The third-largest island in the world and the largest one in Asia, Borneo is a huge island in South-east Asia’s Malay Archipelago and offers a great mix of culture and natural beauty. Borneo is a unique travel destination, a lush tropical island with rugged coastlines and white sand beaches, stunning panoramic views. There’s even a lush jungle which is rich in wildlife including orangutans and clouded leopards.  September is a great month to discover Borneo as the daily average temperature is 28ºC.

It is fun to take an excursion that explores the local villages and coastal towns or take a ride on the North Borneo steam railway, which passes through paddy fields, as well as rich rainforests and plantations for both rubber and coffee. Norther part of of the island is home to Mount Kinabalu,which at 4.095 metres is the island’s highest peak. It is a two day hike to reach the summit but is well worth doing. Offshore is the famous dive site of Sipadan Island which is certainly one of the best dive sites in the world. If you feel like being a castaway, the Sabah coastline is dotted with lush tropical islands.

Average temperature: 25ºC

Best for: City break in Istanbul, Hot air balloon rides in Cappadocia or the magical Pamukkale

Early autumn is the perfect time to visit Turkey as the intense heat of summer has usually slipped away by the second week of September leaving pleasant sunny days averaging 25ºC. It is the perfect time to visit the capital, Istanbul and enjoy discovering the city on foot, or visit the fairytale destination of Cappadocia, luxury resorts and beaches of Antalya or the magical Pamukkale.

Istanbul: is a great city for sightseeing and has a rich cultural scene and great shopping ranging from traditional souks to stylish shopping malls. During the month of September, the city is buzzing with the coffee festival as well as art a contemporary art fair.

Cappadocia: Away from the capital, why not discover the fairy tale city of Cappadocia in central Turkey. The biggest attraction of Cappadocia are the 100’s of hot air balloons that take to the sky every single day. The town of Goreme is lined with ‘fairy chimneys’.

Antalya: If you simply want to stretch out on a beach and relax in a luxury hotel then Antalya is the perfect destination for you.

Pamukkale: Located in south-west Turkey is another tempting place to visit and is Turkey’s most visited attraction. Known as ‘cotton castle‘ in Turkish Pamukkale are white terraces of travertine on the limestone valley side over which mineral-rich water is gushing down. It is one of a kind experience and definitely a must-visit.

Related:Hotels with the best view of the balloons in Cappadocia

Average temperature: 25°C

Best for: Explore the souks in Marrakech, visit the charming blue city of Chefchaouen, shopping and delicious Moroccan cuisine

Morocco is a fun country to explore, especially during the mellow days of autumn when most of the crowds have gone home.

Marrakech: Explore the chaotic Medinas and Souks, stay in a luxurious Riad, relax with a traditional hammam and let your taste buds run wild with the Morrocan cuisine.

Chefchaouen: Visit Chefchaouen a charming city situated in the Rif Mountains, known for the striking, blue-washed buildings in its old town that fringe the steep cobbled lanes. Offering a relaxed ambience this unique city is a great shopping destination, especially for local leather products.

Fez: the country’s cultural capital. Fez is situated in the north-east of the country and is known for its Fes El Bali walled medina, with its rich medieval Marinid architecture, vibrant souks and mystical old-world atmosphere.

Average temperature: 24°C

Best for: Waterfalls, beaches

Visiting Croatia in the late spring or early autumn is gorgeous as the weather is still wonderfully warm but not too hot. Croatia sits on the Adriatic Sea and is a place many visitors return to time and again. The region you choose to visit will depend on what type of holiday you have in mind – relaxing on a beach, sailing around the islands, hiking and mountain biking or enjoying good food and wine!

Split Many visitors fly into Split and then travel to the islands of Hvar, Brac and Vis by ferry or catamaran to relax and enjoy their beaches or to sail around the islands. Korčula is an island with a wonderful mixture of good beaches, sailing and wines from its vineyards.

Two of the must-visits in Croatia are the dramatic Krka waterfalls and the Plitvice Lakes.

Makarska Riviera is another great destination to visit in Croatia, lined with beaches and luxury hotels with the dramatic backdrop of Biokovo mountains.

Dubrovnik: Located to the South Dalmatia region Dubrovnik is a great destination to visit in Croatia, rich in history with the city wall, fortresses. It also offers beaches and many watersports along with scenic hillside viewpoints.

Related:Top things to do in Split Croatia

Average temperature: 30ºC

Best for: Island life, luxury resorts, diving, seafood

September is one of the sunniest, driest months but with a lovely cooling breeze across the island of Zanzibar. This exotic island has luxury hotels sprinkled around the island. Along with the white sand beaches, Zanzibar is also a great place for diving. Head into the UNESCO listed Stone Town which is an ancient maze and filled with colourful bazaars. 

Whilst in Zanzibar, there is the opportunity to visit the famous Rock Restaurant, which is regarded as one of the most insane restaurants around the world. Sitting 22 metres above the waters of the Indian Ocean, this iconic restaurant has a unique location and whilst it can be reached on foot at low tide, when the tide rises, the only way to reach it is by boat!

Average temperature: 30ºC

Best for: Aloha Festival in September, beaches, exotic waterfalls, jungle landscapes and volcanos

Hawaii comprises of six beautiful islands in the Central Pacific and its name is synonymous with paradise. Offering a wonderful combination of warm ocean temperatures, glorious beaches, exotic waterfalls and jungle landscapes. There are soaring volcanos, rugged mountains and spectacular sunsets to enjoy and Hawaii is definitely a hikers’ paradise.

There is plenty to do in Hawaii – or not, depending on your mood! If you enjoy snorkelling there is an underwater world waiting to be discovered and if you want to combine this with a thrill factor you can snorkel with sharks or go adventure snorkelling. A lava tour at sunrise is very special and a sunset dinner aboard a yacht very romantic but for those who enjoy challenges there is the chance to go night diving amongst manta rays!

September is a lively month to visit Hawaii as both the Aloha Festival and Hawaii Island Festival run throughout the month and it is fun to immerse yourself in the largest street party with great local food to try, great music and an amazing atmosphere. There is a rich calendar of events with different things happening every day.

Average temperature: 24ºC

Best for: Culture, food scene, art, nightlife

Barcelona is the colourful capital of Spain’s Catalonia region and is perfect to visit throughout the year. This cosmopolitan city is well known for its art and architecture- famous for the artwork of Antoni Gaudí which are dotted around the city. Popularly known as the walking city Barcelona offers the best of city life and it is also located in close proximity to the beach.

Get lost in the Gothic Quarter and stumble upon the most charming eateries and shops. Indulge in Barcelona’s food scene, explore the La Boqueria food market, try the traditional Paella or delicious seafood, visit one of the many viewpoints in Barcelona and catch the sunset over the city. Even the nightlife in Barcelona is second to none, whether you are just after a few drinks or want to go all out clubbing.

Average temperature: 25ºC

Best for: Picturesque Italian fishing villages

Italy’s Cinque Terre is wonderful in September. The weather averages around 25ºC but without the summer crowds. Cinque Terre is a string of 5 seaside villages ( Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore) that are strung along the rugged coastline of the rugged Italian riviera coastline. This breathtakingly beautiful part of Italy is known for its colourful houses, vineyards and painted fishing boats

 Riomaggiore’s pretty little harbour features on numerous postcards! The coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site.

Monterosso is great for beaches and has charming seaside markets whilst Manarola has endless vineyards and is the place to be to watch an incredible sunset. The local trattorias in each village are the ideal places if you are a seafood fan. As well as seafood, you will have the chance to enjoy the Liguria region’s famous sauce- pesto.

Average temperature: 22°C

Best for: Seaside town, beaches, whale watching ( festival )

Hermanus is an attractive seaside town about two hours south-east of Cape Town. This is a lovely seaside destination with good beaches including Voëlklip Beach with its fine white sand and the broad sandy Grotto Beach that overlooks Walker Bay. Both are fringed by good restaurants too and at 22ºC the weather is perfect for relaxing in the sunshine.

One of the town’s main attractions is that it is one of the best places in the world for whale watching and in September the Hermanus Whale Festival is held. The Southern Right Whales are prolific in the area and can be easily spotted from the cliff tops between June and early-December. These beautiful mammals were once hunted but are now a protected species.

 The annual whale festival takes place in the month of September making it the perfect time to visit. With live music and plenty of tasty street food to sample there is so much to enjoy in the area.

The Fernkloaf Nature Reserve has over 40 km of hiking trails and there are a variety of clifftop walks revealing the rich birdlife as does the Kleinriver lagoon. There’s even horse riding along with the beach or golf club on the village’s golf course where local baboons watch the golfers with curiosity!

Average temperature: 39ºC

Best for: Shopping, beaches, restaurants

If you are looking for somewhere different to visit, Abu Dhabi is a fascinating cosmopolitan city to visit in September. The second-largest city in UAE Abu Dhabi offers gorgeous weather with year-round sunshine.

 There is plenty to keep you busy, with gigantic shopping malls to explore as well as the traditional souks and the city is home to the spectacular Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque – one of the largest and most opulent in the world. The mosque has distinctive white marble domes and inside there are twinkling chandeliers and a vast Persian carpet.

There are beautiful beaches and the famous Corniche which is a pedestrianised promenade that stretch for eight kilometres along the beaches with a cycle track and palm tree gardens. The centre section is the most popular as there are plenty of good restaurants and cafés. For an excursion with a difference, you can enjoy a peaceful canoe trip down the Mangrove National Park.

Average temperature: 20ºC

Best for: Hiking, Machu Picchu, floating villages, Peruvian food

Peru is a fascinating country situated in South America which has an area of Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountains and one of the world’s most iconic landmarks- Machu Picchu – an ancient Inca city high in the Andes mountains. September is a good month to visit Peru as the temperature are pleasant without the crowds.

Machu Picchu appears on many ‘Bucket Lists’ and it is easy to see why as the area that surrounds it is just as fascinating. This area includes the Sacred Valley, the Inca Trail and colonial city of Cusco, which is rich in archaeological sites. Follow the Inca trail up to Machu Picchu, where you can zip-line across mountain valleys and climb 3,000 stone stairs!

 Lima: Explore the Capital city of Peru knowns for its well preserved colonial centre, spectacular cathedrals and important collections of pre-Columbian art. During the month of September, a culinary festival also takes place in Lima.

Cuzco: Lined with cobbled streets, gourmet dining and Arequipa with its famous thermal hot springs, canyon adventures and stunning architecture. Cuzco is definitely worth a visit while in Peru.

Titicaca: Visit to the lake of Titicaca is a must and we promise it will be a memorable one. As it one of South America’s largest lakes and the world’s highest navigable body of water. There is the opportunity to meet the Uros people who have inhabited floating reed islands on the lake for centuries.

If you like action-packed holidays, then you will enjoy Peru! Peru has so much nature to enjoy including natural wonders and numerous endemic plants and animals. There is white water rafting to try down rushing Mountain Rivers, the chance to go mountain biking along spiralling mountain roads with astounding views. If you enjoy horse riding you can trek through dramatic red-rock canyons or you can enjoy whizzing down huge sand dunes.

Related: Hanging Hotel in Peru