September is one of the best months to steal away for a holiday, particularly in southern Europe where it’s still very much summer.
Go hiking along Italy’s southern coast, or soak up the sun on a Greek or Spanish island. If you want to go further afield, the delicious flavours of Mauritius are waiting to be tasted.
Closer to home, drive a slow boat through the Cambridgeshire Fens, or explore the peaceful Suffolk countryside.
If you’re in the mood for something special, take over a gorgeous villa in the South of France, or have a romantic honeymoon in Slovenia and Venice.
Wherever you decide to go on holiday in September, these ideas will give you some inspiration.
Read more: I’ve stayed in over 70 Airbnbs solo, here’s what you need to know
Greece
open image in galleryEnjoy summery temperatures at the end of September in this delightful two-bedroom villa in Paxos. Villa Somnium sits above Marmari Beach near Loggos, and you’ll have your own pool as well as a lovely terrace. GIC the Villa Collection has a week available from 28 September for £1,419.50pp, based on two sharing, including flights, car hire and welcome pack. The second bedroom is in a gallery above the sitting room, and the price for four people travelling would be £1,174.50pp.
Read more: Why The Odyssey film will make Messinia a holiday hotspot
Spain
open image in galleryIf you’ve been putting off that big family and/or friends gathering during the summer, now’s the time to snap up this five-bedroom villa in Mallorca for September. Just a few minutes’ drive from Pollença, C’an Pontarro is an immensely stylish country house surrounded by lush vegetation. Lounge by the outdoor pool after cooking in the summer kitchen’s built-in barbecue and lunching on the covered terrace. Vintage Travel has availability from 5 September from £4,448 for a week’s rental, or save more if you can wait till 26 September and pay from £2,698.
Read more: Best family-friendly hotels in Lanzarote, reviewed
Cambridgeshire
open image in galleryEnjoy a slower pace of life on a narrowboat holiday through the Cambridgeshire Fens, where life doesn’t go any faster than 3mph. Try this four-night taster that starts in Ely and lets you meander along the Ouse through Wicken Fen towards Cambridge. Black Prince Holidays has a four-night break in September aboard a 58ft narrowboat that sleeps four from £1,284, down from £1,426. This includes tuition, towels, linen, insurance and car parking, but fuel is extra.
Read more: The North is in ascendancy – here are the places to visit this summer
Mauritius
open image in gallerySeptember is still dry season in Mauritius, with temperatures in the high 20s. At Veranda Grand Baie Hotel & Spa, it’s easy to keep cool in the hotel’s pools as well as the clear waters of Grand Baie lagoon on the island’s north-western side. Away Holidays has a week’s holiday (with an overnight flight) in September from £985pp, including flights and breakfast.
Read more: The best luxury hotels in Mauritius, reviewed
Italy
open image in galleryGet to know the beauties of coastal Puglia on this five-day self-guided walk with Ramble Worldwide. You’ll start in Otranto and make your way down to Gagliano del Capo and eventually Lecce, stopping for refreshing swims and wanders round fishing villages while your luggage is being transported for you. Departures in September start at £639pp and include breakfast, luggage transfers, route notes and maps. Flights are extra.
Read more: The Italy faux pas all tourists should know
Suffolk
open image in galleryIf you’re up for rambles in the Suffolk countryside, make the very cute Holly Cottage your base. This three-bedroom 17th-century cottage is in the tiny hamlet of Huntingfield (which has a pub), about a 10-minute drive from Halesworth. Two of the three bedrooms are doubles, and exposed beams, a wood-burning stove, country kitchen, plus an enclosed garden for a dog make the cottage a cosy bolthole. Booked through Rural Retreats, it costs £722 for a three-night break in September.
Read more: Ipswich is the underappreciated town ideal for a cultural summer staycation
And if you want to splash out…
Slovenia/Italy
open image in galleryIf you’re planning a honeymoon, or any other romantic holiday, this tailor-made Hidden Hearts of Slovenia and Venice by Completely Slovenia should shoot up your list. You’ll soak up the romance of Venice before heading to Portorož on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast. A session in the Sečovlje Salt Pans Spa in the national park and a carriage ride on Lipizzaner horses follow before you go glamping in Lake Bled. Then gorgeous Ljubljana and a thermal spa resort before the final night in a luxury spa hotel. This eight-day holiday starts at £5,000pp, down from £5,500pp, and includes flights, transfers, luxury boutique accommodation, breakfasts, selected dinners, entrance fees, boat rides, selected spa treatments and a professional photo session.
Read more: How this borderless city duo is celebrating its blended cultures
France
open image in galleryBastide Splendide certainly lives up to its name. This sumptuous five-bedroom stone villa above the Bay of Cannes is the place to gather up to 12 people and bask in sublime views. Outside it’s all traditional provençal stone, while inside there’s more of a Scandi feel to the light interiors. Relax in the pool or on the various tree-shaded terraces tumbling down the slope. All five bedrooms are en suite, and one has a small twin that leads off it. CV Villas has availability from 12-19 September for £12,016, down from £15,019.
Read more: How to relax in style during Paris’s heatwave
Mary Novakovich is editor at large at 101holidays.co.uk