Fancy a late summer break? (Picture: Getty Images)
Travel has been severely compromised in recent years as a result of the pandemic, but with the vast majority of restrictions now lifted around the world, the summer holiday season has returned – with millions expected to jet off this season in search of sun, sand and sightseeing.
July and August are of course peak season for breaks, with school holidays allowing families to get away, and balmy temperatures to look forward to at many popular destinations.
But if you want to wait until the main holiday season has passed – once the new school term has started, for example – and beat the crowds, you might consider booking a break in September instead.
The good news is that’s a great month to get away, with many resorts and cities still offering plenty of hot weather and sunshine as summer becomes autumn.
Nice
The temperature is pretty nice in Nice in September (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 25 °C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: Two hours, five minutes
If you don’t want to travel too far in search of sun then Nice in France is an excellent option, one which still offers plenty of warm temperatures at this time of year.
If it’s sunbathing you’re after there’s no shortage of places to top up your tan – check out La Reserve – with its diving board – or nearby Villefranche Sur Mer, which served as the location for Julia Stiles’ glitzy drama Riviera.
However there’s no shortage of tourist attractions either – check out the Matisse artwork collection at the Musee Matisse, snap up some bargains in the bustling Cours Saleya, or just take a stroll down the Promenade des Anglais, the famous beachfront walkway which stretches for 7km through town.
Fuerteventura
Fuerteventura has some visually stunning beaches and plenty of sunshine (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 25 °C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: Four hours 15 minutes
The second largest of the Canary Islands, Fuerteventura is a great option for those looking for a sunshine break, given it boasts around 150km worth of white sandy beaches and a moderate climate all year round.
Although you’re spoiled for choice on the beach front, Sotavento and Corralejo beaches are among the best – the latter boasting sand dunes and a stunning national park. It’s also adjacent to the town of Corralejo, with its shopping, activities for younger family members and vibrant nightlife.
Away from the beaches, you can take a walk up the Calderon Hondo volcano – either unaccompanied or with a guide – as the 525ft trek is worth it for the breathtaking views you’ll get of both Fuerteventura and neighbouring Lanzarote.
Cape Verde
Check out the surfing at Santa Maria if you visit Cape Verde (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 28°C
Sunshine hours: Seven hours
Flight time: Six hours
With warm temperatures all year round – reaching pleasant highs of 28 °C in September – the West African nation of Cape Verde is a great choice for those looking for a beach break, with the island of Sal – and its Santa Maria Beach – offering plenty of opportunities for snorkelling and diving.
Kitesurfing is another activity to try – with the winds on the coastlines of Sal and Boa Vista making the conditions perfect for it.
The town of Santa Maria on the island of Sal is also a picturesque spot to visit if you want a break from the beach, offering pretty pastel-coloured buildings and some of the archipelago’s best bars and restaurants.
Halkidiki, Greece
Halkidiki in Greece is a perfect choice (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 26°C
Sunshine hours: Nine hours
Flight time: Three hours 15 minutes
One of the lesser-known regions of Greece, Halkidiki is a mainland peninsula which is growing in popularity – with people flocking to its gorgeous beaches, pine forests and other stunning scenery.
The best-known part of the peninsula is Kassandra, with white sandy beaches including Sani, Kallithea, Paleochori and Hanioti – ideal for chilling out by the Aegean Sea and catching some late summer rays.
For a more family-orientated region check out the beaches in the Sithonia peninsula, around the town of Marmaras.
And if you’re looking to throw a bit of history into the mix, there’s plenty of archaeological sites to explore, including Aristotle’s birthplace Stageira, or the ancient city of Olynthus, with its gorgeous mosaic floors.
Bora Bora
Bora Bora offers beautiful blue waters and a real taste of luxury (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 26°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: 19 hours (or longer)
It might not be the easiest place in the world to get to – there are no direct flights from the UK, and you’re potentially looking at two stopovers, in locations such as Los Angeles and Tahiti. All of which can add several hours to the estimated 19 hour flying time.
However it’s worth the effort once you arrive, as the French Polynesian Island is ideal for a visually stunning, luxurious break.
The island is famous for being in the shadow of volcanic Mount Otemanu, as well as for its overwater bungalow accommodation – allowing holidaymakers to literally stay in the waters of its surrounding turquoise blue lagoon.
Florence, Italy
Florence is perfect for a warm weather city break (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 27°C
Sunshine hours: Ten hours
Flight time: Two hours 10 minutes
If you’re after more of a city break, the Italian city of Florence should definitely be on your radar – just over two hours’ flight time from London, it’s steeped in history, and the weather’s still pretty decent if you go at this time of year.
The city is home to the iconic Duomo – a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome and a bell tower designed by the Italian painter Giotto – while the Uffizi Gallery is the place to go if you want to see Botticelli’s world-famous painting The Birth Of Venus, as well as works by the likes of Michaelangelo, Caravaggio and Da Vinci.
When you’re done with the sightseeing and al fresco meals in the piazzas, you can still pop to the beach to soak up some rays – consider a day trip to Viareggio, about an hour away by train, or Forte del Marmi, known for its luxury resorts and designer boutiques.
Corsica
Corsica offers the best of French and Italian cultures (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 27°C
Sunshine hours: Nine hours
Flight time: Two hours
The Mediterranean island of Corsica might have been owned by the French since 1768, but its historical ties to Tuscany also give it an Italian feel – allowing visitors to combine the best of both cultures.
You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to beaches, with over 200 beaches along a coastline stretching for 1000km – check out the stunning Calvi beach which offers 6km of white sand and translucent water, or the popular Palombaggia Beach on the south of the island.
There’s plenty to do away from the beaches as well – walkers will discover plenty of hiking trails and hilltop villages to explore – or you could try paying a visit to a wine estate, or checking out one of the island’s historic towns such as Calvi or Bonifacio.
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dubrovnik offers the best of beaches and tourist attractions (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 26°C
Sunshine hours: Nine hours
Flight time: Two hours 40 minutes
Croatia has been growing in popularity as a holiday destination in recent years , and Dubrovnik is a great option for a short break, with its mix of sea, scenery, and temperatures that are still high in late summer/early autumn,
Many of the beaches in the region are pebbled rather than sandy, but still a great place to relax – take a trip to the popular Copacabana Beach, hire a sun lounger and chill out overlooking the crystal clear Adriatic Sea. Or Sunj Beach on the island of Lopud – close to Dubrovnik Port – is a great option if you do prefer sand.
Away from the beaches you can check out the historic walls of Dubrovnik – it was a medieval city after all – visit the Old Town or even take one of the many walking tours of the sites where Game of Thrones was filmed.
Valletta
Valletta has a great mix of history and hot weather (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 28°C
Sunshine hours: 10 hours
Flight time: Three hours 10 minutes
Malta’s tiny capital city is steeped in history – but also has great beaches and is still warm enough in September to be a good candidate for a late summer break.
If it’s sights you’re after, St John’s Co-Cathedral – probably the country’s most famous attraction – is a must-visit, as is the Grandmaster’s Palace, which formerly housed Parliament and was the house of the Governor when the country was ruled by the British.
There’s sunbathing to be had too, with best beaches including Mellieha Bay or Golden Bay – or if you want to see a bit more of the surrounding area you can hop on the ferry from Valletta to Gozo, a stunning archipelago which is great for a day trip.
Madagascar
Madagascar is famous for its unusual baobab trees (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 28°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: 13 hours 15 minutes
The island nation of Madagascar has more than its fair share to offer tourists, with plenty of attractions centred around the local flora and fauna – the striking baobab trees which are everywhere. for example – as well as some great beaches and resorts for when you just want to chill out and soak up the rays.
If you’re a fan of lemurs you’ve come to the right place, as there are more than 100 different species of the cute little creatures on the island – or you can get up close and personal with sharks, as from September to December you can spin with them off the island of Nosy Be.
There’s no shortage of beach life in Madagascar either, with Anjanavy, offering 400m of white sand, turquoise waters and coral reefs, among the best spots for sunbathing.
Azores, Portugal
Looking for somewhere a bit different? The Azores is one to consider (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 24°C
Sunshine hours: Six hours
Flight time: Five hours six minutes
An autonomous region of Portugal, the Azores is an archipelago of nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, located around 930 miles from the Portuguese capital Lisbon.
While summer is peak season for the region, September is also a great time to visit, with the islands offering some pretty gorgeous beaches and unspoiled nature, not to mention one of the largest whale sanctuaries in the world.
Sao Miguel is a good starting point, as the largest of the islands – its vibrant capital Ponta Delgada is the main city in the Azores, with plenty of historic buildings, cobbled streets and squares to explore. And be sure to book yourself on a whale and dolphin watching tour – the season runs from April to October, so it’s perfect timing.
Tanzania
No visit to Tanzania would be complete without a trip to Mount Kilimanjaro (Picture: Getty Images)
Temperature: 27°C
Sunshine hours: Eight hours
Flight time: 11 hours 45 minutes
A holiday in Tanzania will give you some genuinely amazing experiences – offering the chance to go on safari and see some of the world’s most famous national parks – and the natural beauty doesn’t end there.
A visit to Serengeti national park is a must if you take a trip here – June to September are the best months for viewing wildlife and you’ll be spoiled for choice here, with everything from big cats to hundreds of species of birds.
Mount Kilimanjaro should also be on your to-do list – with climbing and hiking tours available for those seeking breathtaking views from the historic peak.
But if it’s relaxation you’re after there’s beaches too – head out to the island of Zanzibar for some R&R, where you’ll find the famous Nungwi and Kendwa beaches, among others.
Keep in mind
While Covid travel restrictions appear to be behind us, bear in mind that some countries may still have rules in place – and that things can change at any time.
All the destinations on this list are visitable but before you book anywhere, it’s advisable to check the Foreign Office Travel Advice to ensure the place you plan to visit is open to UK tourists, and whether there are any restrictions or travel warnings you should be aware of.
You should also ensure you have top-tier travel insurance in place that will cover you in the event you test positive and need to extend your stay, or require medical treatment for this or any other illness.
MORE : How long do you need left on your passport to travel? Expiration date rules
MORE : The full list of new travel rules for Spain: From smoking ban to fines for noise
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Share your views in the comments below
If you want a late summer break then bear this lot in mind.Â
