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Still retaining heat after its hot summer, Spain in September is pleasantly warm, mostly dry and sees fewer visitors. The air turns crisp at night, while days see clear, deep-blue skies without haze. It’s still warm enough to swim in the sea, and temperatures are more comfortable for hiking and city sightseeing, soaking up authentic Spanish life as the pace slows.

You’ll also have a chance to experience the wine harvest, perhaps timing your visit for the Fiestas de San Mateo — a week of parades and performances in La Rioja to celebrate the Feast of Saint Matthew and the grape harvest.

You can visit South Africa at any time of year. But, with most regions at their prime in September, you can plan a varied trip that gives you the best of all worlds.

In the northern regions, including the Kruger, cooler, drier conditions make for excellent game viewing. Animals are active and easier to see as they gather around vital water sources, with many also giving birth to their young. On the west coast, wildflowers cover the otherwise dry and dusty landscape. And, you’ll have the best chance of seeing southern right whales, which migrate from Antarctica to the warm waters off South Africa to have their young.

As spring arrives in New Zealand, temperatures start to rise and the country begins to thaw. Snowmelt feeds waterfalls and rivers, making for excellent white-water rafting. The valleys are at their greenest, with wildflowers starting to bloom and newborn lambs skipping in the fields.

As with any time of year in New Zealand, rain is possible, but you’ll find September is far quieter than the summer months and you’ll have your pick of the best places to stay. Off the coast, you can take boat trips to spot orcas, while warmer temperatures on the North Island are ideal for following walking tracks through national parks while there are fewer visitors.

Wildflowers, rising temperatures and active wildlife herald the beginning of spring in Argentina. September sees fewer visitors than later months, and if you don’t mind slightly cooler temperatures, you’ll find plenty to see and do and a wide choice of places to stay.

In Buenos Aires, jacaranda trees start to bloom and many sights will be crowd-free. You could also head to slower-paced Mendoza for some wine tasting — the region’s particularly known for its Malbec. Elsewhere, you can see southern right whales off the Península Valdés, as well as a large number of Magellan penguins along the shoreline.

Warm but not scorching or humid, dry and with clear skies ideal for stargazing among the desert dunes, September is an excellent time to visit Namibia. Having endured most of the dry season by now, animals big and small will be congregated around the vital water sources in Etosha National Park, making them easier to spot. You can drive yourself around the park for flexibility, or join guided game drives for extra insight.

Elsewhere, you could enjoy dune activities like sandboarding and quad-biking in the Namib Desert, kayak with seals off Swakopmund’s coast or head north to see desert-adapted elephant in Damaraland.

It’s still warm enough to enjoy a mix of outdoor activities among Canada’s mountains, lakes and coastal scenery in September, plus you have the added bonus of fewer crowds than summer. The landscape is gradually turning from green to golden, making hiking and driving through the Rockies particularly rewarding.

What’s more, September falls at the peak of the salmon run, which attracts large groups of bears to British Columbia’s rivers and streams. Stay at a bear-watching lodge to make the most of this natural event, heading out each day with expert guides who’ll know the best spots for seeing the action.