USA TODAY - Summer in the USA officially ends on Sept. 22.
School is back in session for most kids, so family travel is slowing down.
September can be a good time to travel because prices tend to drop after the frenetic summer vacation season.
Many parts of the USA are starting to cool down. And Europeans are returning to work from their summer holidays, meaning flights are not as full overseas. The summer crowds are thinning out of major European cities.
It’s a transitional month, so there are plenty of opportunities for travelers to get good deals and more pleasant experiences.
Here are a few ideas of places to travel to in September in the USA and abroad.
Napa Valley
Last year, Napa Valley suffered through three fires that destroyed hundreds of homes.
While most wineries and vineyards were unharmed, many tourists stayed away. For a community that relies so much on tourism, it was quite a blow.
A year later, the community wants travelers to know that they are open for business. And what better way to show that than to start harvesting those grapes.
September is the peak of the harvest season, with many harvest parties, brunches, lunches, dinners, and balls taking place throughout the month.
Already, major vineyards such as Duckhorn Vineyards, Domaine Chandon, Mumm Napa, Judd’s Hill, and Monticello Vineyards have sent their fruit into the crush phase, according to Visit Napa Valley.
Napa has more than wine harvesting going on though.
More lodging is also being built, such as the new 145-room Vista Collina Resort, a Meritage Collection property. Covering nine acres, it has nine tasting rooms from local wineries and breweries, an artisanal market, and a lawn for picnics, plays and private concerts.
