10 places to go in September

Situated between Albania, Greece and Bulgaria, the land-locked Balkan country of North Macedonia is characterised by deep green rolling hills, rare flora and fauna including lynxes and wolves, and the peaceful lakes of Ohrid and Prespa. You can expect modest temperatures in the late 20s and beautiful autumnal light when you visit Macedonia in September.  Explore Ancient Macedonia this September and travel through Bulgaria, Greece and Macedonia to uncover the stunning scenery in the lost empire of Alexander the Great.

A holiday to Albania in September means perfect temperatures for walking. Explore beautiful and unspoiled northern Albania on our Walking in Albania trip. Travel through national parks, wildflower meadows and luscious valleys, enjoy a boat ride across the glassy waters of Koman lake and feast on a traditional lunch cooked by a local family in Theth village.

September is a great time to visit Turkey. The weather begins to cool off from heights of 30+ degrees, meaning more comfortable conditions for taking part in some hiking, snorkelling, sea kayaking and cycling! Our Active Turkey trip is wonderful way to explore the impressive mountains, charming villages and beautiful Mediterranean coastline too. Enjoy a relaxing day on a boat trip around the bays of Kas with plenty of opportunities to dunk and dive into the clear and warm waters. Did we mention the food? After a busy day you’ll tuck into some delicious Turkish pide and fresh coffee.

Early autumn in Ukraine brings dry and sunny weather, with comfortable temperatures. It benefits from being less humid than much of Central Europe. September is a great time to take our Ukraine in Depth holiday, as the autumn colours start to come out around the picturesque Tunnel of Love and the weather is pleasant for visiting the Carpathian Mountains. This trip also includes two days with a local guide in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, exploring Reactor 4 and the fascinating ghost city of Pripyat.

Discover Timur’s city and the magnificent blue mosaicked mosques and mausoleums in Uzbekistan. The autumn season runs from September until November, when you can enjoy the warmth of the desert region outside the sizzling summer months. On our Golden Road to Samarkand trip, we travel along the fabled Silk Road and step back in time, walking through the streets of Khiva -  you may feel like you’re stepping into a scene from ‘Arabian nights’!