Top Asia Destinations for Summer 2024
1. Japan
Japan’s iconic cherry blossom season attracts hordes of tourists every year, but the Land of the Rising Sun is no less alluring in August and September. You can experience famous cultural events such as the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Reitaisai (horseback archery) and Kishiwada Danjiri (harvest) festivals, and the Grand Sumo Tournament.
The weather across the country is quite pleasant, and the crowds are fewer. This means it is easier to book your preferred hotels and activities, and you could also enjoy better room rates. If hiking up Mount Fuji is on your list, we recommend visiting before the official climbing season ends in early September.
Customisable Experiences for You
Japan: Tokyo Kyoto and Osaka
Tokyo To Kyoto Bullet Train Tour
2. India
The months of August and September, which see minimal rainfall, lower humidity and cooler temperatures, are a particularly good time to visit this fabulous country. With the Indian holiday season yet to begin, your destinations will be less crowded, and you will also get the benefit of attractive rates.
The famed Golden Triangle, which takes you through the historically rich cities of Agra, Delhi and Jaipur is our top recommendation for North India. Outdoor enthusiasts will be mesmerised by the rugged beauty and monasteries of Ladakh. This is also a good time to travel to South India, and we highly recommend exploring the scenic landscapes and vibrant culture of Karnataka.
Customisable Experiences for You
Luxury Golden Triangle India Tour
South India Revealed
3. Thailand
This is the ideal destination for those who love the outdoors and going off the beaten path. Although it is the wet season in Thailand, the weather is cooler, excursions to explore the region’s verdant wilderness are more rewarding, and securing your preferred hotels and activities is easier.
If you are visiting in August, we recommend heading into the lush forests of scenic Gulf Coast destinations such as Phetburi, Sam Roi Yot and Surat Thani. The fabulous islands of the Southern Gulf region are best visited in September. Indulge in a range of outdoor activities such as hiking and snorkelling at Koh Tao, and explore the pristine beaches and lovely temples of Koh Samui.
Customisable Experiences for You
Bangkok And Koh Samui Holidays
Thailand: Bangkok, Elephant Hills And Khao Lak
Top Africa Destinations for Summer 2024
1. Kenya
September is a great month to visit Kenya if you are a wildlife enthusiast. It is the tail end of the dry season, which is marked by clear skies and lower humidity levels. During this time, the region’s wildlife tends to gather around local water sources, increasing your chances of spotting a wide variety of animals.
The highlight of course, is the iconic Great Migration. Millions of zebras, wildebeest and other herd animals have arrived at the Mara River from the Serengeti. They begin to make the dangerous crossing into Kenya, where they can find better grazing lands and water. This greatly increases the concentration of wildlife in the region, which means even more thrilling game drives for you.
Customisable Experiences for You
Kenya Safari Tour
East Africa Safari Tour
2. South Africa
Kruger National Park is without a doubt one of Africa’s top reserves. In addition to the famed Big Five, it is also home to a rich assortment of wildlife such as impala, hippos, hyenas and crocodiles.
Going on safari in the extremely hot summer months can be daunting, but it starts to become much cooler in the months of August and September. This is also the best time of the year for animal sightings, which means Kruger can get quite crowded. But you can enjoy a more exclusive safari experience in one of the fabulous private reserves that border it. The crowds are fewer, and the wildlife sightings are just as enthralling.
Customisable Experiences for You
South Africa: Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari
Best of the Western Cape
3. Tanzania
As September rolls in, the long, dry season is slowly coming to an end. The Northern Serengeti region is the place to be if you want to witness the famous Great Migration. The spectacle of two million wildebeest, zebras and more trying to cross the Mara River while evading predators such as crocodiles and lions is a fabulous one indeed. It is truly the greatest show on earth.
If you prefer something more leisurely, and want to choose from a wider selection of luxury camps and lodges, the lovely Central Serengeti region is ideal for you.
Customisable Experiences for You
Southern Tanzania Safari
Northern Tanzania Safari
Top Latin America Destinations for Summer 2024
1. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is blessed with fabulous landscapes that range from the lush Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve to the magnificent Arenal volcano region. The green season from July to September is when the country’s natural beauty is in full bloom, and you can expect a lot of enthralling wildlife sightings as well.
September is a great time to explore Costa Rica’s rich aquatic landscape. Giant sea turtles come out to nest in the stunning, mile-long beaches of Tortuguero. You can go white water rafting or whale watching on the Pacific Coast. The best part – the green season sees fewer tourists, which means a more relaxed experience, easier availability, and better room rates compared to the rest of the year.
Customisable Experiences for You
Costa Rica Highlights Tour
Costa Rica Beach And Jungle Tour
2. Peru
Whether you’re visiting the highlands or the coast, September in Peru means spring, and fewer crowds compared to October. With sunny days and mild nights, it is a beautiful time to trek across the Andes, or go on a boat trip from Iquitos or Puerto Maldonado to spot wildlife.
You can also experience the ‘Day of Peruvian Cuisine’ in Lima, a fabulous occasion to sample Andean and Spanish delicacies. Down south, marvel at Arequipa’s volcanic rock structures, which are a lyrical blend of indigenous Peruvian and Spanish architecture. The dry, moderate weather makes it ideal to explore the great ruins of Machu Picchu and Cusco, the former Incan capital.
Customisable Experiences for You
Luxury Train From Cusco To Machu Picchu
Inca Trail Private Guided Tour
3. Argentina
Come September, and Argentina’s winter makes way for the pleasant weather of spring. This is the shoulder season, which is ideal if you want to enjoy the benefit of attractive room rates and avoid the peak season crowds that arrive later in the year.
Visiting the magnificent Iguazu Falls, the world’s largest waterfall system, is highly recommended. Go on a cruise to marvel at massive southern whales breaching the water at Puerto Madryn. Those who have something more leisurely in mind should head for Mendoza to savour its inky-dark, plummy red wines. Salta, with its historic monuments and landscapes is also a great destination to visit during this time.
Customisable Experiences for You
Argentina Food Tour
Tour of Argentina and Chile
Top North America Destinations for Summer 2024
1. USA
The northern part of the United States is still relatively warm in September, but the weather in the equally alluring south is far more pleasant. An added bonus is that the crowds dwindle rapidly after Labor Day on September 2. This means less congestion at popular attractions, and you can also enjoy attractive low season rates on hotels and flights.
Relax on the beautiful beaches of Florida and Hawaii, go kayaking across the Great Lakes of the Midwest, and explore the amazing national parks of the southwest. September is also a great month for culture enthusiasts to visit sunny Hawaii, when popular events such as the Aloha Festival and the Maui Ukulele Festival are held.
Customisable Experiences for You
USA Road Trip: Deep South Highlights
West Coast & Hawaii: California Sunshine and Hawaiian Dreams
2. Canada
With temperatures ranging from 20 to 25°C in August and September, this is a great time to visit Eastern Canada and British Columbia, especially if you love the outdoors. As in the United States, the crowds thin out after Labor Day, but the peak season rush resumes in October, when the hues of autumn set in.
You can marvel at the transformation of the foliage into a firework of colour in Ontario, Quebec and Banff National Park. Wildlife lovers can enjoy watching grizzly bears intercept the famous salmon runs and go on cruises to spot whales. A thrilling boat ride to experience the magnificent Niagara Falls is a great way to round off your Canadian holiday.
Customisable Experiences for You
Canada Road Trip: Rocky Mountain Adventure
East Canada Explorer: History, Culture & Cuisine
Top Middle East Destinations for Summer 2024
1. Egypt
From the great pyramid of Giza and the royal tombs to the grand temples of Luxor and Abu Simbel, Egypt is a history buff’s delight. With seven fabulous UNESCO-listed sites and a fascinating past, it is no wonder then, that the country is an extremely popular destination.
We recommend visiting in September if you want to avoid the crowds that throng Egypt from October onwards. The harshness of summer has faded, relatively fewer tourists mean a more pleasant experience, and you can also enjoy better room rates during this time as well.
Customisable Experiences for You
Egypt: Cairo, Nile Cruise and the Red Sea
Egypt: Cairo, Nile Cruise and Abu Simbel
2. Morocco
As in Egypt, the sun is no less forgiving between June and August in the North African country of Morocco. But the weather improves considerably in September, which makes it the ideal time to visit before the crowded peak season commences in October.
Immerse yourself in the melting pot of cultures – Arab, Berber and Mediterranean, that have shaped Morocco over the centuries as you explore Casablanca, Rabat, Essaouira and Tangier. We also recommend going off the beaten path to the fortified mountain town of Chefchaouen. If you enjoy hiking, the period from September to November is the ideal time to visit the scenic High Atlas region.
Customisable Experiences for You
Morocco: Imperial Cities, Talassemtane and Mediterranean Sea
Morocco: Marrakech, Agafay Desert, High Atlas Mountains and Atlantic Coast Guided Tour
Top Oceania Destinations for Summer 2024
1. New Zealand
New Zealand’s natural beauty is particularly alluring during the spring months from September to November. The countryside is awash in a stunning sea of green, you’ll see happily bouncing lambs in the fields, and city gardens such as Hamilton Gardens and Hagley Park in full bloom!
Spring in New Zealand is also the shoulder season, which is just before the peak season. The weather is generally pleasant (16-19°C), the crowds are fewer, it is easier to book your chosen hotels and you can even get attractive room rates during this time. If you love the outdoors, you can go hiking and even indulge in some spring skiing.
Customisable Experiences for You
New Zealand Cultural Tour
Luxury Tour New Zealand South Island
2. Australia
The months from September to November tick all the right boxes for a lovely summer getaway. It is springtime, and beautiful wildflowers bloom across western Australia. This, combined with better accommodation rates, makes it the ideal time for you to visit before the peak season rush begins in December.
Savour the flavourful wines of the Yarra Valley. Humpback and blue whales await you in the waters off Tasmania’s east coast. Nature lovers will be enthralled by the Great Barrier Reef and the UNESCO-listed Daintree Rainforest. If you are a culture enthusiast, then visiting Uluru, a sacred site for Australia’s Aboriginal people, is highly recommended.
Customisable Experiences for You
Darwin To Uluru Tour
Australian Wildlife Panorama
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