September is here! My favourite travel month of the year!
As the summer crowds thin out, the prices ease up and the whole experience of traveling changes. The service, reservations and pace of day feels better and your wallet can take advantage of the mini seasonal slump.
And yes, there is still time to take advantage of the shoulder season and book your dream fall trip around the U.S. or further afield in Europe or Japan.
Here’s what you need to know about September travel and some of the best fall destinations to schedule in before month end.
What Happens When You Travel After The Summer Crowds Leave
Your trip gets cheaper.
That’s the number one reason I tell clients to travel in September. As the summer crowds start to leave, demand in top destinations begins to ease up.
It becomes easier to book a restaurant that would have required a reservation months in advance for July. Hotels have more room to say yes to perks like upgrades and early check-ins and attractions experience a lag in foot traffic.
When properties, restaurants, and tours aren’t running at full capacity, there’s more time for people to take care of you rather than running through the motions.
How Far Ahead You Need to Book
- Domestic U.S. Trips: Two weeks is usually more than enough time to plan a trip to local fall destinations New England.
- Europe: Six to eight weeks is the sweet spot. While September has become more popular in recent years, there’s still some flexibility to throw together a last-minute trip across the pond.
Concierge Tip: No matter where and what you book, always look at the cancellation policy. Even though we are a few years out of COVID, it taught us all a valuable lesson in paying a little extra for a fully flexible or cancellation-free rate.
The Best Fall Destinations to Visit Around The World
Need a little inspiration for your September getaway? Here are some of my current favourites!
Greece
When it comes to “Euro summer”, Greece is the destination on top of most U.S. travelers bucket lists. Islands like Mykonos, Santorini, Milos and Naxos attract thousands of visitors each year, turning the quiet islands into an overwhelming buzz of activity, long days on the water, and beach bars at night.
If you’re wanting to escape the crowds, plan your trip to Greece in late September. It’s still warm enough to swim, but the tourist influx of August have mostly gone home. The rhythm of the islands starts to slow down and reset before slow season begins.
Tuscany, Italy
Love wine, pizza and the Tuscan sun? Then book your tickets to Italy in the fall. September is harvest season, followed by olive pressing and truffle season. For foodies, there really is no better time to visit and indulge in Italy’s greatest export.
While Tuscany won’t be empty, it’s worth it to take advantage of the vineyard experiences that only open up during season and don’t exist in July. If that’s not enough to tempt you, Agriturismo stays (a style of vacation stay on a working farm in Italy) are at their best, giving you a unique foodie vacation you can’t experience anywhere else.
New England, USA
For a stay closer to home, explore New England. In late September, it transforms into the ultimate fall road trip destination. The foliage turns Vermont, Maine and the Berkshires into beautiful shades of red, orange and gold and the weather is perfect for exploring the national parks hiking trails.
Besides the incredible scenery, September is also a U.S. travel savings month. Flights and hotels across the Northeast start to ease up after summer, and before the holiday rush begins. Turn on your price alerts for flights and keep an eye out for last minute discounts at hotels to scoop up incredible deals!
Japan
Just like spring in Japan is famous for it’s cherry blossom season, fall holds the same charm. September marks the beginning of the country’s koyo season in the north, bringing an end to summer’s humidity and turning famous destinations into incredible autumanial vistas.
It’s a wonderful time of year to hire a car and plan a road trip through Nagona, Yamanashi, or the Japanese Alps. But if you’re not comfortable driving in a foreign country, the JR Pass is worth every dollar. You can easily hop between destinations like Tohoku, and Kyoto and take express trains to the countryside for even more spectacular foliage views.
Start Planning Your Smart Fall Getaway
September rewards travelers looking for a slower pace, better deals and a bit more last-minute flexibility. If you want help planning your September trip (the flights, reservations, and all the smaller details), let me help you.
Let’s set up a time in your calendar and see how I can help you plan the trip you keep putting off.