Anyone without school-age children benefit from waiting until September to take their summer holiday, when the weather in Europe is still warm and prices drop drastically.
Without legions of families to contend with, September is also the optimum time for a trip with guaranteed peace and quiet.
Here are some key short-haul destinations to consider for a sunny September break that won’t break the bank.
For the beach: Mallorca, Dalaman (Turkey), Sicily
With picturesque shorelines and predictably good September weather, Mallorca presents itself with little margin for error. It is accessible too, with hotels and flights available for around £219 per person for a four-night September stay.
Turkey’s Turquoise Coast and the region of Dalaman have been popular for years but retain an undeveloped feel. While tourism to Turkey has tailed off in recent years due to geopolitical unrest, visitors are now returning. September trips offer great value. For instance, a five-night trip to a hotel with pool and within easy reach of the beach costs around £300.
The Italian island of Sicily is remarkably well-priced for a beach side getaway in September. A hotel with its own private pool, and only 20 metres from the beach can be bundled up with flights for around the £500 mark for an extended stay of 7 nights in this luxurious destination.
For a city break: Berlin, Copenhagen, Amsterdam
Late-summer is an ideal time for a city break, when the intense heat of the summer has cooled and made exploring more comfortable. Berlin is a great choice, with lots of outdoor activity (canalside bars and cafes, parks, markets), history and culture. Visit for five nights in September and stay in the city for around £440, including flights.
Visit cool, creative Copenhagen for around £330 for hotel and flights for a four-night stay in September. Remember that the city is walkable but expensive, so cheap flights will mitigate the expense on the ground. So long as you can afford to splash out on spending money when you’re there (think London prices, and then add 20 percent) you’ll be sweet.
For a cultural long weekend, it’s hard to beat Amsterdam, with its winding canals and world-leading museums. It’s a cheap spot too, which brings a lively crowd. A seriously well-located and hip hotel in the heart of the city, complete with flights, will only put you back around £300 for a four-night trip.
For a country escape: France, Britain, Albania, Macedonia
Why get on a plane when the weather’s been so good to us here in Blighty? A staycation gets Brits out to far-flung corners of the country frequented by foreign tourists, yet bizarrely overlooked by locals. A four-day trip to the Lake District will set you back around £240, choose from charming cottages or more stripped-back bed and breakfast set ups.
Known as the world capital of wine, Bordeaux in September is a relative steal for Brits to visit due to its close proximity. The region comprises both a charming town centre and sprawling vineyards to meander through. A stay encapsulating both costs around £230 for a comfortable four-night trip.
Venture into the unknown with a trip to the Balkans. Try a stay in either Macedonia or Albania where travelling is cheap and the scenery is stunning. Hire a car and experience vineyards, landlocked lakes with ancient monasteries and mountain walking. A five-night trip to the Lake Ohrid area bordering both countries is best organised solo, as there’s no accessible airport near Ohrid. Rent a car from Macedonia’s Skopje airport and drive to Ohrid in 3 hours. Flights and accommodation for a four-night visit come in around £130.
For the party: Playa d’en Bossa, Ibiza
Pricey Ibiza gets more affordable in September, and our pick for experiencing the nightlife while enjoying a classy beach break is the Bossa Beach resort. The stretch has plenty of bars and restaurants, but attracts a slightly older crowd (mid-twenties upwards…) than San Antonio.
Fly from around £130 return with flexible dates throughout September, with hotels costing an additional £370 on top of flights, for a recommended stay of four nights. (You’ll find cheaper holiday destinations, but for Ibiza, September is incredibly good value).
Research compiled using Skyscanner and trusted travel comparison websites.
Read more iTravel
18 of the best cycling routes in the UK, from coastal rides to quiet country roads
Flights from London to the Lake District launching this summer
Cool Place of the Week: Malham Cove, a 300ft cliff in the Yorkshire Dales
Follow us @iPaperTravel
