Don’t miss…September travel experiences
For a blissed out shot of vitamin d...ibiza
Ibiza is on. The Balearic island of free spirits is always a hot ticket in summer but this season it's en fuego. Table at a beach restaurant in mid-August? Not a chance (trust me). So if you don’t need to, hold fire until September.
In September, Ibiza turns off like a light switch but the sun still shines, it is hot hot hot and the buzz remains. You’ll have no problems finding a spot to shake out your towel on the beaches again, and you’ll even be able to get a table at a beach restaurant without a booking (imagine that!). For those in the know, the club closing parties that rumble on through September are the hottest ticket of the season, and you’ll also find the hotels and villas suddenly way more affordable. You’ll still need to take out a loan to buy drinks mind…but hey, you can’t have everything!
The perfect place for:
Family sun
Party lovers
Foodies
Romantic escapes
TO TANGO TO A NEW BEAT..BUENOS AIRES
Comparing anywhere to the French capital is blasphemous to any self-respecting francophile, but it's for good reason that Buenos Aires is regularly hailed as the Paris of South America. Like its French counterpart it is oh so chic, and with its wide tree-lined boulevards and winding old back streets you can easily feel like you’re in a European city.
But Buenos Aires has long been tangoing to its own beat so to make comparisons is to do an injustice to this cultural gem. Head there in South America’s spring to wander through the streets of Palmero, BA’s largest barrio (district) where you’ll find bohemian baristas doing their thing, graffiti artists creating rainbow hued masterpieces and treasure troves in the form of quirky art galleries and boutiques.
September is the sweet spot - the crowds haven’t arrived yet but the chill of winter has dissipated so you’ll mostly be in the company of fun loving locals and expats. Life-changing steaks and blow the doors off cocktails can be found on every corner, and with an increasing number of direct routes making flights more competitive, you’ll have more pesos in your pocket to enjoy them.
Perfect for:
Honeymoons and romance
Bucket list travel
Adventure and escapism
Foodies
Culture lovers
History lovers
for the best travel stories...nepal
September in Bhutan and Nepal hails the start of the dry season, which means the clearest skies, and in turn the best chance for you to enjoy the views of the spectacular and awe inspiring mountains. This is your best chance to see Everest, either from a guided hike or from your plane window as you descend into Nepal and the weather will remain warm enough for you to sit out and enjoy the breathtaking views at every turn you take.
It’s also a great time to experience the local culture and witness the lives of those living in these high altitude environments, from farmers harvesting their crops to school children playing in the villages. If you’re up for adventure, this is the time and the place for it!
Perfect for:
Adventure
Active holidays
Cultural immersion
For the ultimate romantic experience...fRENCH POLYNESIA
There’s a moment in late September, in a particular part of the world, when the sun’s rays hit lagoons at just the right angle to highlight the most amazing spectrum of colours. When the moonlight on the water creates silhouettes of the mountains against the sky. This is French Polynesia…the place of ultimate honeymoon and romantic goals.
Global holiday schedules dictate that the majority of tourists swarm French Polynesia in July and August (it is after all, a total pain to get to from most of the world). But if you can save up your annual leave and hold out until September, you’ll not only bear witness to the late equinox’s incredible natural beauty, you’ll also have more overwater bungalows to choose from and the weather is heaven.
Bora Bora allows the kind of peace and romance that only comes from being right at the end of the world, but there is a reason that the locals call it ‘boring boring’. If (when) you’ve had enough of staring into each other’s eyes and fancy a change of scene, I’d recommend you venture out to the pearl farms of Taha’a or get up close to the blue-eyed sacred river eels of Huahine. Just leave it up to your guide to feed them!
Perfect for:
Ultimate romance
Honeymooners
Nature lovers
Beach lovers
For a life changing city break...istanbul
I’d challenge you to name a city that is more of a cultural giant than Istanbul. Straddling Asia and Europe, on a major arterial of the Silk Road, there are very few merchants and marauders who haven’t left their mark on the city over the centuries. The result is a chaotic collision of cultures and a richly diverse city but you’ve got to pick your spot as your head will be left spinning if you try and ‘do’ Istanbul in a weekend.
So my money for a 2022 city break is on Beyoğlu, the ultimate good times hood of Istanbul. When you’re not getting amongst it at a gig, digging around in boutiques or bar hopping, make sure you check out the restaurant Mikla, where the lamb-shank dumplings with smoked buffalo yoghurt are without hyperbole, life changing.
Perfect for:
History lovers
Culture seekers
Foodies
Romantic escapes
