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September Trip Ideas: Traveler Reviews to Inspire You
Some say the best-kept secret is stretching summer travel into early September. With mild transitional weather, dwindling crowds, and the hint of early fall colors in the Northern Hemisphere, September makes for great trips like the ones you can read about in the reviews below.
These trips were designed with the expertise of the local fixers on our WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts, whose insider connections make the unimaginable possible. You’ll find even more ideas in the September installment of our Where to Go When series, and you’ll find more traveler reviews here.
Unsure where to go in September? Click the black button below for our help.
The Canadian Rockies for mountain thrills and secluded luxury after the day-trippers have left
Traveler Karen Wolfe and her husband in the Canadian Rockies.
“We had such a fantastic time this September visiting the Canadian Rockies, specifically Moraine Lake and Banff, and are already missing the mountains. Moraine Lake Lodge offered us a feeling of immersion being so close to the lake and trails (canoeing on the lake was our favorite experience overall). We also felt the lodge was very private at the end of the day when most day travelers had left. It was the right balance of rustic and luxury, and we loved being in one of the cabins. The vista from our room of the Bow River and mountains was great and we liked exploring the overall hotel and spa.
The Banff Gondola, Icewalk on the Glacier, Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary, and hiking within Moraine Lake were all great. Banff as a mountain town was lovely, we especially liked that it hasn’t been taken over by high-end stores and felt like a perfect mountain place.” —Karen Wolfe
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Belize for snorkeling, rainforests, and Mayan ruins in low season
The Xunantunich Mayan ruins in Belize’s Cayo District. Photo: Absolute Belize
“Belize is a beautiful country and has some of the nicest people I have ever met in this world. Patricia booked us beautiful villas at Chaa Creek in the Cayo District, and then for the beach portion we wanted, Ray Caye Private Island Resort, which was such an adventure. I loved that we were able to see Mayan ruins, explore and experience the jungle/rain forest, and then be at an island resort 17 miles off the shoreline where I swam with large turtles, sharks and barracudas…. I have been to 42 countries outside of the U.S., and Belize is now one of my favorites!” —Susan Cunneen
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Mexico for “history, flavor and fun”
Traveler Catherine Mathis and her husband ballooning over Teotihuacán.
“Zach and José crafted a trip that was well tailored to the kinds of things we like. We had a WOW Moment our very first morning: a private tour of Museo Mural Diego Rivera, which houses his masterpiece Dream of a Sunday Afternoon in Alameda Park. I felt like we were traveling through time, from Mexico’s Indigenous roots to 1947, when the mural was completed. It was a vivid crash course on the country’s layered history, which made the sights we saw later more meaningful.
Early one morning we floated in a hot-air balloon over the ancient ruins of Teotihuacán. We spent an evening at the Ballet Folklorico in the beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes. One night we went to see Lucha Libre, a wild cross between World Wrestling Entertainment and Cirque du Soleil.
Near Oaxaca, we visited the archaeological ruins of Monte Albán and Mitla and went to several villages, each of which specialized in a different craft—black pottery, backstrap weaving, and vibrant alebrijes (intricately painted wood carvings). We had a ball learning to make tortillas and salsa with an amazing cook who also fed us her chicken mole and stuffed peppers. It was a trip filled with history, flavor and fun. Viva la Mexico!” —Catherine Mathis
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Tahiti for island hopping during the less crowded “trade wind season”
Traveler Jan Heininger explored the island of Raiatea by ATV.
“Kleon planned an excellent 2½-week trip for my husband and me to Tahiti. We spent time on Mo’orea, Vahine Island, a private 50-foot catamaran, and Bora Bora.
We took a marvelous ATV ride to one of Moorea’s highest points with a great view and had a superb cooking class provided as a WOW Moment. Our second stop was tiny Vahine Island, off Raiatea Island. Kleon booked us into Vahine’s best and largest bungalow, with a superb view over a coral garden under sparkling shades of blue water. A pirogue ride got us out into the lagoon inside the outer reef, and a class in coconut palm leaf braiding gave us insight into how Tahitians creatively live off the land. Our third segment was four nights on a catamaran with a wonderful captain and cook. We made several interesting stops: a black pearl farm, a vanilla plantation, a distillery, and a culturally important archeological site. Our fourth segment included five nights on Bora Bora. Kleon booked us into Le Bora Bora resort’s largest two-room overwater bungalow at the end of the pontoon. We spent most of our time here enjoying our spacious decks and plunge pool.” —Jan Heininger
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Washington’s Olympic National Park for the “power of nature” in the fall
Robert and Lina Grabill hiked the winding Cape Flattery trail at Neah Bay. Photo: Traveler Robert Grabill
“Our trip was to Olympic National Park—a gorgeous park and area that can be a bit overwhelming. Sheri, our trip planner, found us a great vacation rental in the 3 Crabs area of Sequim for the first half of the trip. The house sat right on the Strait of Juan de Fuca, so we could watch the tides, birds and ships.
We hit the majority of the highlights of Olympic National Park. We hiked along Hurricane Ridge, Lake Crescent/Marymere Falls, Sol Duc, the Hoh rainforest, Kalaloch and Lake Quinault. We drove out to Neah Bay and spent time in the Makah Museum at the Makah Cultural and Research Center. We also hiked to the furthest northwest corner of the Lower 48 via the Cape Flattery trail. A gorgeous view awaited us at the end, though the trail itself wound through beautiful forests. Despite it being the off season (which was a great time to go to the park), the Hoh Rain Forest was very popular and was the busiest of all the locations we visited in the park. The Hall of Mosses is as impressive as everyone says it is—a must-see! Our only sighting of Roosevelt elk was by the roadside as we were leaving Hoh.
Kalaloch Lodge and the Pacific Coast area was another favorite of ours. We spent two nights there and even came back the next day to further enjoy its beauty. Our cabin had a great view of the ocean and sunset. It’s a place to absorb the power of nature.
A must-do drive is the loop around Lake Quinault, though drivers must be prepared for rough roads once the pavement ends. The route is like a drive-thru Hall of Mosses. Absolutely amazing….” —Robert Grabill
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Japan for outdoor fun in moderate weather (plus sushi making!)
Traveler Shelley Baker biking along the Izu coastline.
“Andrea tailored the trip to our interests. We especially enjoyed our outdoor activities like cycling through the back streets of Tokyo and then along the beautiful coastline of the Izu Peninsula, as well as sea kayaking there. It was quite windy, so our guide decided to adjust the time spent kayaking and take us on some beautiful coastal hikes instead.
A private sushi-making class in Ginza was fantastic and was the best sushi of our trip. Our hotel in Shizuoka afforded spectacular views of Mt. Fuji. We cycled to a tea plantation and had a special impromptu museum visit of Rodin’s works, which included The Thinker. A samurai experience and tea with a maiko in Kyoto were both fun. We had private guides in Tokyo and Kyoto that helped us get around on the trains and local buses, which made us feel more like locals.” —Shelley Baker
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Germany and Austria for Oktoberfest, castles, and autumn ambience
A birthday celebration for a family of nine included three days in Salzburg. Photo: Reinhart Bryan
“We did a 30th birthday celebration for our son at Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, from Sept. 24 — Oct. 1. There were nine family members, ages 24 to 57, so having Claudia work out the travel logistics was invaluable—the hotels, excursions, Oktoberfest tickets, dinner reservations, transfers and more.
We spent four days in Munich and then travelled to Salzburg, Austria, for three days. Each day of the trip had one planned excursion, but we never felt we lacked downtime or time to wander on our own. The Munich excursions included a city walking tour, an Oktoberfest tour, Dachau, Olympic Park, and Neuschwanstein Castle.
In Salzburg, we did a Sound of Music bicycle tour, strudel making, and a beer pairing dinner. My husband and I even enjoyed a WOW Moment during the trip with a lovely drink at a rooftop bar in Munich that boasted a city view. It was an incredible family celebration!” —Mary Jane Furgason
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Northern Italy for food, wine, castles, and truffle hunting in the lush green hills
The verdant Barolo wine region in Italy. Photo: Traveler Joe Lyle
“Our trip to Piedmont was excellently planned and executed by Maria and her team. We started in Torino, where the highlights were a chocolate tasting and a tour of the Egyptian Museum (which has the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts outside of Egypt). Before leaving Torino, we were treated to a fun WOW Moment: a cocktail class at the Martini and Rossi headquarters.
We moved on to the winemaking region of Piedmont, touring its villages, staying in restored castles in Sinio and Guarene, and tasting Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbara and white wines of the region while sampling the regional dishes. The landscape was amazing: We were always surrounded by hills of lush green vineyards between each village, and castles in almost every one.
One of the many highlights of the trip was truffle hunting. Watching the dog track down truffles was amazing. We found four black truffles and shared them with our guide and driver, who were very appreciative.
Next, we moved on to Lake Maggiore, just outside Stresa to avoid the crowds. Our hotel room faced the Borromean Islands. We visited two of the three islands, including the rich palace and extensive gardens of Palazzo Borromeo on the Isola Bella, and had lunch on the Isola dei Pescatori. Maria exceeded our expectations by scheduling private wine tastings with experienced sommeliers and wine experts.” —Joe Lyle
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Turkey for sailing the Aegean Coast by private yacht while it’s still swimsuit weather
Anne Hall and her husband and sister spent four days sailing the Turquoise Coast on a private gulet. Photo: Traveler Anne Hall
“My husband, sister, and I spent eight days in Turkey: four days in Istanbul and four days on a gulet sailing along the southwestern coast.
Our guide in Istanbul showed us the major sites of his city, but we liked best walking around the Asian side, where he walked us through the neighborhoods while discussing life in Istanbul. We had tea overlooking the Bosporus, lunch at a local workingmen’s lunch spot, and he set us up for massages at an ancient hammam.
After four exceptional days in Istanbul, we flew to Dalaman to board a lovely two-masted gulet. We three were the only passengers. How do you define perfect? We can’t say enough about the incredible crew (captain, first mate, and chef) and the four days of sailing the southwestern coast of Turkey. We would sail for two to three hours each day, then anchor at one of the coast’s many bays. Each day we swam in the silky, blue waters and toured an ancient site on land.
One day we traveled via flat-bottomed boat through the reeds to the Lycian Rock Tombs and toured ancient villages. This was my WOW Moment. The old tombs were amazing—like Petra in Jordan. We swam through the ruins of Cleopatra’s bath house and hiked Gemiler Island. Otherwise, we read, napped, or sat up above with the captain while he steered the boat.” —Anne Hall
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Ireland for castles, food tours, and yachting when the summer crowds have left
Ashford Castle makes a “perfect” starting point for day trips to Connemara and Galway. Photo: Shutterstock
“We had a fabulous trip to Ireland in September, thanks to Jonathan and Katie! Knowing we couldn’t see everything, we still hoped for a varied sampling of the culture, history, and sights that make Ireland special, and Jonathan and Katie absolutely delivered!
We started at the stunning Ashford Castle, the perfect base for a food-tasting tour of charming Galway one day, and for exploring Sky Drive, Connemara National Park, and Kylemore Abbey on another. Then, making our way to the lovely Cashel Palace Hotel, we first enjoyed a spectacular day on a ‘Secret Ireland’ guided yacht trip on scenic Lough Derg, stopping to visit both a modern home with an inspired art collection, and a restored medieval tower castle.
Another day we spent the morning at Rock of Cashel and afternoon exploring Kilkenny, soaking up more of Ireland’s history. Our last two days in Dublin were full but not rushed—a walking tour brimming with history and stops at pubs with special literary significance (for our bibliophiles), as well as visits to Trinity College, Kilmainham Jail, and several museums.” —Heather Mcdowell
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
East Africa for the Great Migration and Masai village life
Enormous herds of wildebeest cross the Mara River during the Great Migration. Photo: Shutterstock
“Just returned from a spectacular 19-day trip, arranged by Julian, Lisa and Carmella. We started in Nairobi, where we visited the Giraffe Center (fabulous), the Sheldrick Elephant Sanctuary (also wonderful), stopped at a workshop where they recycle flip-flops into art products, and more. Following Nairobi, we visited three Kenya parks, each with different geography but all spectacular. We stayed at ol Donyo Lodge, Segera Retreat, and Mara Plains—all stunning, welcoming, with the nicest rooms and outstanding food. Our Kenya guides were phenomenal, all belonging to Masai tribes. We had the opportunity to visit a kindergarten, two bead cooperatives, gardens, our guide’s village, and the anti-poaching dog-training group at Segera.
We moved to Tanzania and had a highlight day waiting for and watching a wildebeest migration of 6,000-plus animals. The final stop was Rwanda; we had one terrific night at Kigali Serena before moving on to the most amazing, incredible lodge of a lifetime, Bisate Lodge. With only six rooms, the service and accommodation are an unparalleled treat. The gorilla trek is once-in-a-lifetime.” —Lynne and Bob Gaynor
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
France for wine tasting and cooking classes at the start of fall
The Holder family in Les Baux-de-Provence, in the south of France.
“Michael planned a trip for our family of six—two adult-children couples and my husband and me. We wanted to visit the Rhone wine valley in France because my husband loves the wine and we wanted a wine-tasting experience while exploring historical and cultural sites there. We stayed at La Maison Papillon with our hosts, Caroline and Olivier, who made us feel like family. Caroline prepared delicious meals and we had a cooking class where we made our own dinner one night.
Our second stop was at La Bastide de Marie, which is an upscale boutique hotel in the middle of a winery in Provence—a beautiful property. We had excellent guides and a variety of activities: wine tasting, visiting ancient caves, kayaking, cooking classes, etc. A highlight was our last night in Paris before our trip home. Michael planned a private cruise on the Seine to see the sites. It was a great way to use a small bit of time to give us a feel for the city and included champagne!” —Julie Holder
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Croatia, Herzegovina, & Montenegro for late-season swimming weather in the Adriatic
Panoramic views overlooking Hvar, Croatia. Photo: Shutterstock
“My husband, two children (ages 4 and 6) and I just returned from a 2.5-week trip through Croatia, Herzegovina, and Montenegro, coordinated by Ala and her fabulous team. Ala did a wonderful job of recommending hotels that were family-friendly, given the constraints she was working with (some areas in Croatia really just don’t have true luxury hotels yet like I am used to). One highlight was the Relais & Chateaux property Maslina, on the island of Hvar, which is a true gem. While on the island we also had an incredible full-day private boat charter to the Pakleni Islands, and it was magical—we swam in beautiful azure waters, saw fish, and took in incredible views. Many times, we were one of only a few boats located in our swimming area.
In Split, Ala put us in a charming hotel right in the historic palace area. When I inquired about a good public beach to visit, Ala was quick to set up an afternoon at Le Meridien outside of town—all on an hour’s notice.
On our drive to Herzegovina, Ala was happy to flex our schedule so we could stop at Kravica waterfall, where one can swim at the base of the falls. ” —Kim Segal
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Switzerland for fall hiking in the Alps and a good dose of culture
The Wieders hiked the Alps while experiencing many cities and towns, like Wengen. Photo: Shutterstock
“Switzerland is more beautiful than we even imagined. The amazing itinerary that Ana on Nina’s team planned allowed us to do and see so much, and yet we felt relaxed and had time to enjoy everything. Our main goal was to hike in the Alps, but we also wanted to experience the cities, towns and beauty of Switzerland.
We went to Zurich, Zermatt, Kandersteg, Interlaken, Wengen/Lauterbrunnen Valley, Bern and Lucerne. We covered so much ground and had so many incredible experiences like kayaking on Lake Brienz, a tour of a cheese farm, learning about watch making, and a delicious chocolate tasting!
We hiked eight of our 14 days, and each hike was better than the next. Hiking in the Alps is truly incredible.” —Susan and Josh Wieder
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Peru for Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and the Amazon rainforest in “ideal” weather
The ruins at Machu Picchu in “cool and comfortable” September. Photo: Shutterstock
“From Lima to the Tambopata Reserve in the Amazon, from Arequipa to Colca Canyon, from Cusco to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu, we were spellbound by the warmth of the Peruvians and the beauty and diversity of the terrain and climates throughout the country.
Traveling to Peru for three weeks in September was ideal. The weather was cool and comfortable, even in the Amazon (which was an unexpected bonus). We didn’t encounter unmanageable crowds anywhere. We are thrilled that we worked with Marisol and her team to plan this fantastic trip. A definite highlight was our day spent exploring the ‘real’ Sacred Valley. The time spent with Maria and her family was priceless. From dancing with her parents to walking the Andean hills with her llama…from a spiritual ceremony giving thanks to, and toasting, the gods, to plowing the field with bulls…from sharing a lovely lunch made from locally-produced ingredients to an in-depth demonstration of their textile artistry…we felt humbled and honored to have been offered a glimpse into their daily lives.
Another highlight was our WOW Moment in Ollantaytambo. On an organic farm, we learned the traditional Inca cooking technique of pachamanca and savored the delicious alfresco lunch while admiring the breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks.” —Molly O’Neill-Emmi
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Prince Edward Island, Canada, for farm-to-table and artisanal delights
Walking the goats at Island Hill Farm—a trip highlight for traveler Sandra Quinn and friends.
“Our first stop was two nights at the Inn at Bay Fortune, which was an extraordinary celebration of lovely comfortable rooms, outstanding food, and an incredible story of developing a true farm-to-table experience. With its own farmer, forager, and fabulous chef, the Fireworks Feast is not just a meal, it is an immersion in what this amazing community of people has created.
In our conversations with Jill, we talked about how we enjoyed learning about the culture and history, trying local foods, and seeing local crafts. A highlight of the trip was exploring really unique parts of P.E.I.’s culture and food. We began with a visit to Island Hill Farm, a working goat farm (with chicken, rabbits and llamas as well). Flory was the first woman farmer in the province and has built a successful and warm environment. We had a lovely visit with her, and we will always remember ‘walking the goats.’
As we drove to the Prince Edward Island Preserve Company, our guide Duncan shared more history about the farm and the preserve company. We were delighted by creative preserves, jams and more, and of course, left with goodies to take home. Their creation, the Preserve Company Potato Pie, was unique, delicious, and we left with the recipe to try on a chilly day at home.
We paid a visit to Island Honey Wine, a lovely place where they were raising bees and creating wines and other products from the honey. Our last stop of the day was Gaudreau Fine Woodworking Artisans, where we were enthralled by the variety and quality of the local art. As Duncan said when we left, ‘You certainly helped the PEI economy!” —Sandra Quinn
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Greece for beauty and a sense of calm in the shoulder season
Bright plantings are still in bloom in early fall outside houses in Athens. Photo: Shutterstock
“If anyone is considering a trip to the Greek Islands in shoulder season, we say: DO IT! My husband and I just returned from a 10-day trip to Greece. It was an absolute dream of a trip and was made so much more wonderful by Mina and her staff! Traveling toward the end of the season meant excellent weather, calmer locations, better prices, and less stress.
Athens was so incredibly educational and thrilling, we especially loved the private tour of the Acropolis slopes and Parthenon, as well as the amazing views at the GB Rooftop restaurant. From Athens we took a short flight to Paros, where we enjoyed the cooking classes at Anezina Village and the wonderful staff and team at Hotel Cove Paros. The beaches of Paros were strikingly beautiful, the bright blue water against the desert backdrop was stunning. Paros was very quiet at this point in the season, especially where we stayed in Naoussa. From Paros we took a ferry to Santorini for the final leg of our trip—a beautiful way to take in views of the islands from the water.
Once we arrived in Santorini, we were taken aback by the incredible views at our hotel Stella Rocca A Mare. We also enjoyed a wine tour to three local wineries, as well as an incredible catamaran tour with even more views and wonderful Greek barbecue.” —Mallory Cary
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Norway for fjords, hiking, and northern lights
For both fjord activities and northern lights viewing, September can be a great month. Photo: Traveler Deborah Evans
“My husband and I just returned from a trip to Norway organized by Jan. We had explained to Jan that we wanted to see the fjords and also the northern lights, and he advised us the best time to travel would be September. He kept us apprised of changes that had to be made to our itinerary and provided options to substitute when, for example, ferries decided not to run in September. In the west of Norway to see the fjords we opted to self-drive, and Jan provided excellent driving directions enabling us to take the most scenic routes. We were lucky with the weather, after a very wet summer the sun came out and gave us spectacular views. Jan arranged excellent hiking guides who suggested routes suitable for our fitness, and were very knowledgeable about Norway’s history and culture.
We flew to Alta, far beyond the Arctic Circle, to optimize our chances of seeing the northern lights. We had three days to see the lights, days one and three were difficult due to cloud cover. However, on day two the skies cleared and we were treated to an amazing display! The area around Alta has its own beauty, which we experienced both hiking and canoeing.” —Deborah Evans
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Southern Africa for safaris, culture, and “heart-pounding” adventure
Karen Lindfors and Patrick Moore in the Devil’s Pool atop Victoria Falls.
“We had a marvelous, perfectly planned trip to Zimbabwe and Namibia in September. We began our trip with one day in Johannesburg, which we spent in Soweto with a fascinating photojournalist who seemed to know everyone in Kliptown. From Johannesburg we flew to Zimbabwe and stayed at three different safari camps. The first was on the Zambezi River, the highlight of which was a canoe trip amongst the hippos and crocodiles. Our second stop was the stunning Bumi Hills Hotel on the shores of Lake Kariba. There we enjoyed traveling to a local village and visiting an African Bush Camp Foundation school. Other highlights were fishing on the lake, where we caught about 50 bream in a couple of hours, and a wonderful sunset cruise.
Our third camp in Hwange National Park was in the classic African savannah—50,000 elephants live there and we marveled at their fascinating behavior at the camp and park-maintained watering holes. We saw many lions up close and even a leopard. Our sundowners were in open areas where we could see herds of animals traversing to the watering holes for their own evening drinks.
We spent a night in Victoria Falls and braved a heart-pounding swim in the Devil’s Pool at the top of Victoria Falls. After a helicopter ride over the Falls, it was on to Namibia and its stunning Sand Sea. We drove through the dunes, hiked on them and even took a balloon ride over the desert landscape. Throughout the trip we had fabulous guides who shared so much knowledge with us, and also their personal stories as well as the history and politics of their nations.” —Karen Lindfors
To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
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