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Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta | New Mexico, USA

Where to travel in September

Our top picks for a getaway now the school holidays are over

Zadar | Croatia

Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia

Munich | Germany

Olbia | Italy

Norway

Albuquerque | USA

Seoul | South Korea

Zadar | Croatia

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28th
Zadar | Croatia

One of our fastest-rising destinations for travellers in 2022 and 2023, it may be too late to call Zadar 'undiscovered' but it's still a lot quieter than better-known Split or Dubrovnik. The city benefits from new flight routes but few cruise ships in the harbour, so you'll be sharing the city with locals and visitors here for the duration rather than day-trippers rolling off a boat to dash through the highlights in a couple of hours. That makes for a more laid-back experience while you take in everything Zadar has to offer.

The old city is 3000 years old (yes, you read that correctly) and boasts a mix of well-preserved Roman, renaissance and medieval architecture. The Roman forum, 9th century Christian church and Venetian arsenal overlooking the bay are all a comfortable stroll from each other. Paklenica National Park is half an hour north of the city, with astounding lakes, waterfalls, caves and canyons, and there are plenty of islands in the bay to pootle around in a small boat. Taken together, it makes for a delightful long weekend or a relaxing week.


Bayan-Ölgii | Mongolia

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58th
People on horseback taking part in the Golden Eagle Festival in Bayan-Ölgii, Mongolia.

Go for a proper adventure and head out into the wilds of Mongolia to see the Golden Eagle Hunting Festival.

This annual spectacle takes place in Bayan-Ölgii province, about a thousand miles from the capital Ulaanbaatar. It's held at the very end of September and the first few days of October, but since it takes a fair bit of planning to get there plus at least a day's travel, we'll tell you about it now.

The festival celebrates the traditional Kazakh culture of golden eagle hunting, where falconry experts on horseback use eagles to hunt for foxes and hares during winter months when they're easier to see against the snowy landscape. It takes place just before hunting season itself, so you won't ordinarily see any actual hunting. Instead the participants showcase their skills and the bond between hunter and bird, and visitors are unlikely to have to watch any animals come to harm during a hunt.

Eagle hunting is generally considered a relatively responsible use of captured animals – the eagles themselves are kept very well. They're released within breeding age so the captive population doesn't threaten the wild, and the popularity of the festival appears to have even increased local eagle populations as hunters can make a comfortable living through the festival itself.

Since the festival takes place in autumn after a long summer of idleness for the eagles when there's no hunting to do, the first few days often involve the eagles simply ignoring the commands of the hunters as the bonds are re-established, to the hilarity of both locals and tourists.


Munich | Germany

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8th
Person carrying an impressive number of steins at Oktoberfest.

Despite the name, Oktoberfest happens in September, making this the perfect time to head down to Bavaria and get your oom-pah on.

The world-famous beer halls will be packed to the rafters – around 6 million people head to Munich every year, so you'll be in good company of people looking to sample some of the best lagers in the world. Just mind how you go, as at upwards of 6% Oktoberfest beers might be stronger than you're used to.

Oktoberfest is about more than just the beer, of course. It's a folk festival, a travelling fairground and a chance for everyone to dress up in traditional costumes and sing their hearts out.

Oktoberfest 101

Heading to Oktoberfest for the first time? Read our tips on how to make the most of this celebration of Bavarian culture and, of course, beer.

Prost!

Olbia | Sardinia, Italy

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31st
Olbia | Sardinia, Italy

A huge and beautiful Mediterranean island, it's not obvious why Sardinia hasn't been a top UK holiday destination all this time – but it's shot up the ranks in the last couple of years as more people have been heading out there, so it's our pick for autumn sun this September.

Reliable weather, stunning scenery and 1,500 miles of coastline, it's dotted with mysterious beehive-shaped ruins from the Nuragic Age that pop up everywhere. The mountainous interior, winding alleyways and the famous cuisine all combine to make for a great week away, no matter how you want to spend it. As summer turns to autumn the weather's just right to head out here now while it's quiet.

Historically planes have landed in Cagliari, but now Jet2holidays are flying to the opposite end of the island – which means Olbia is really taking off. It's authentic, affordable and every bit as beautiful as Cagliari, so it's no surprise it's one of the top-rising destinations for 2023.

Where's everybody going?

Wondering where to go on your next holiday? Here are the top-rising destinations for 2023 to make your decision easier.

Find out more...

Norway

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4th
Norway

Norway comes way up our Good Trip Index in 4th place, with the highest press freedom in the world and best for women's rights and quality of life.

September is the sweet spot for Norway – not yet spiralling into the truly daunting Norwegian winter, but outside high season so there's a chance to enjoy the fjords uncluttered with school trips. It's also a great time to see the Northern Lights – they tend to intensify around the equinox, which falls on 23rd September this autumn, but there's no guarantee you'll catch them.

For the best chance of seeing them, head to northern towns like Tromsø and Svalbard. A short trek will take you to scenic mountainess viewpoints which, whether you see the lights or not, will make for an unforgettable adventure.

The Holiday Extras Good Trip Index

The Holiday Extras guide to travelling ethically, sustainably and well in 2023.

Have a good trip

Albuquerque | USA

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23rd
Albuquerque International Balloon Festival in New Mexico, USA.

Arrive at the end of September for the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival at the start of October, a uniquely American spectacle in which more than 500 balloons take off in New Mexico to sail over the desert.

If you watched Breaking Bad or it's prequel Better Call Saul, you may have a hankering to head out to New Mexico and trace the footsteps of crimelords and lawyers alike. Just don't throw pizza on the roof of Walt's old house, apparently the homeowners are pretty sick of it.

And this is the perfect time to go. The weather settles down from the summer heat to become pleasant and hospitable, the city is ready to receive visitors (more than a million come to watch the balloons in a normal year) and the spectacle is like nothing else on Earth.

USA Travel Guide

Have we convinced you to book the next flight to the States? Read our USA guide first for everything you need to know for your trip.

Hassle-free guide

Seoul | South Korea

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35th
Street at dusk in Seoul, South Korea.

Seoul's a city of contrasts, where futuristic shopping malls and museums neighbour palaces, temples and breathtaking mountain trails – all to the thumping beat of catchy K-pop tunes.

After the blistering heat and torrential summer rains in July and August die down, September in Seoul brings perfect conditions to soak up the city's outdoor sights. Get lost in the maze that is Gyeongbokgung Palace and watch the changing of the Royal Guard, or head to Bukhansan National Park – the world's most visited national park for the size – for a break from the bustling city.

For something completely different, head to the glamorous Gangnam district and take a stroll down K-Star Road. It's K-pop's answer to Hollywood's Hall of Fame, adorned with adorable cartoon bears called GangnamDols decorated to represent K-pop icons like BTS. And when night falls, you'll want to blast out a song or two at a noraebang (singing room) with a cocktail in hand.