This is a great month for trying out some of Europe's southern hotspots, now the crowds have left the beaches—the lovely summer sunsets in Greece and Turkey will be unforgettable. But all evidence of summer has not yet gone—Provence's cuisine and even Vermont's colourful leaf display are legacies of summer; you could claim the beer at the Oktoberfest is summer in a glass (well you could try). The southern hemisphere is entering spring, making it a great place for wildlife-spotting, particularly in southern Africa.
Unforgettable Journeys
Vermont - USA
Catch the Fall on a tour of the northeast back roads. The prime place to see all the colours of the New England Fall: maple, beech, and ash frame picture-perfect clapboard villages.
Bhutan – Bhutan
Be one of the few to explore this Himalayan kingdom. Only 18,000 tourists are let into Bhutan each year; the rewards are ancient temples, fabulous festivals, and wonderful trekking.
Southern Turkey – Turkey
Sail from cove to cove on a gulet following the Lycian Way. Fresh fish barbecues, secluded swims, and remarkable historic ruins coupled with clear water and fine hospitality make this a winner.
The Rhine – Germany
Relax on a cruise down Europe's greatest river. Boats cruise through Germany, from Switzerland to Holland, past historic towns, wine villages, and the treacherous Lorelei rock.
Nazca – Peru
Fly above the most enigmatic creations of ancient America. Only from a plane can you fully see the Nazca Lines, mysterious figures and patterns marked in the desert over 1,000 years ago.
Natural Wonders
Bay of Fundy – Canada
The awesome power of the sea in a unique environment. The world's highest tides come and go in this huge bay, creating whirlpools and bizarre rocks, and attracting a great range of wildlife.
Lake District - England
Deep-green hills and glittering ribbons of water. Hike up onto the fells to get a real feel of some of Britain's finest landscapes, beloved of Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter.
Namib-Naukluft - Namibia
You could be on a different planet, the terrain is so weird. Despite the extreme environment, these huge, ochre-red sand dunes are home to a surprising amount of extraordinary wildlife.
High Tatras – Slovakia
A breath of fresh air in unspoiled mountains. Little known outside Slovakia, the Tatras are home to chamois and eagles, and offer space to hike, glide, ride or swim.
Hermanus – South Africa
World capital for whale watchers. Every year whales come to Walker Bay in amazing numbers to calve, and thousands of people gather on the cliffs to see them.
Active Adventures
Tabarka – Tunisia
Fine diving in an ancient Arab town. With some of the best coral and diving waters in the Mediterranean, this little town hosts a "Coralis" diving festival every September.
Colorado – USA
Discover your inner cowboy on a dude ranch. Try a real outdoor adventure, learning how to really ride on a western ranch—and hike, fish, and go climbing and rafting, too.
Borneo – Southeast Asia
The biggest adventure is seeing an orangutan. Borneo's amazing array of habitats are ideal for taking part in many active adventures—and seeing a great variety of flora and fauna.
The Pyrenees – France/Spain
Hike it from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Winding paths on either side— French or Spanish—allow you to walk the length of these fascinating mountains, or just a short stretch.
Cycle Wales – Wales
Get a new angle on Wales's green hills and valleys. Wales has some of the world's best mountain-biking routes, throughout the country—along hilltops with limitless views.
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When to Go
