10 Best Places to Honeymoon in September

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Summer isn't over just yet—some of the best places to honeymoon in September are top honeymoon spots everywhere from Hawaii to Greece, where it's still beach weather, but you won't have to share the shoreline with slews of tourists. Narrow down the best honeymoon destinations by month and you'll notice most of the top spots around the world truly shine in September when it's harvest in Tuscany or the start of spring in Cape Town, South Africa.

The best honeymoon destinations in September are as far-flung as Bali, where surfers flock for world-class waves and spas offer up some of the top wellness treatments perfect for relieving any post-wedding stress, to the mountains of Switzerland or Old Town of Prague—places that double as some of the best fall honeymoon destinations when the weather cools and leaves start changing. From cave hotels in Santorini and villas in Tuscany to chic city stays in Barcelona and Cape Town, these 10 destinations are sure to sweep you off your feet.

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Montreal, Canada

As close to France as you'll get in North America, a Montreal honeymoon is full of old-world charm, from its authentic bistros to historic architecture and cobbled roads. The best part? The city is just a 90-minute flight from New York or two from Chicago, making it a great destination for a mini-moon or long weekend getaway. Winters here are rough, but fall, when the leaves start changing and the city is teeming with live music and festivals, is the ideal time for honeymooners to plan a romantic trip.

Things to Do: Sample Montreal-style bagels and Alsatian tarts on a street food walking tour; enjoy an Instagram moment at the Museum of Illusions Montreal; or soar over the St. Lawrence River and Vieux-Montreal via helicopter.

Places to Stay: In Old Montreal, Hotel William Gray is ideally located near Place Jacques Cartier, so you'll be within easy reach of the Old Port and Notre Dame Basilica. Another highlight? You can soak up sweeping views from the eighth-floor terrace restaurant Maggie Oakes, considered one of the top in Old Montreal.

Tuscany, Italy

A honeymoon under the Tuscan sun is about as romantic as it gets—road-tripping through castle-topped hillsides and medieval villages, wine tasting in the mecca of reds in Chianti. Shoulder season is the best time to visit the region since the rates aren't as high and crowds have somewhat subsided, placing Tuscany among the list of ideal honeymoon destinations in September. You'll also be visiting around harvest time, a treat for any oenophile. With Florence as a gateway, a Tuscany honeymoon balances the best of a city and countryside escape.

Things to Do: Road trip to picturesque villages like Montalcino and Montepulciano, explore the Renaissance town of Lucca, or visit the heart of the Chianti wine region with a tasting and winery tour in Greve.

Places to Stay: Located on a medieval hilltop in the scenic Val d'Orcia region, Monteverdi is designed to feel like its own village with charming, earth-toned suites overlooking the valley, a picturesque lounge and terrace bar where artists-in-residence are often playing piano, and tons of on-site experiences like Tuscan cooking classes, wine tastings and guided hikes through the Pietraporciana Nature Reserve, set high between the Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana.

Maui, Hawaii

One of the top US honeymoon spots, a Maui honeymoon in September guarantees warm weather, fewer travelers (meaning fewer crowds on the beaches!), and better deals on your dream resort. Mornings are perfect for water sports since the wind won't be too strong then. September is one of the best times to catch humpback whales as they're migrating through the warm waters here from Alaska. September is also when the annual Festivals of Aloha native Hawaiian showcase takes place, giving couples a deeper insight into the rich culture and tradition of the islands.

Things to Do: Join a guide on a whale-watching expedition lounging onboard a catamaran; spot some of the 200-plus different species of fish swimming in the Molokini Crater on a Maui snorkeling tour; or take a full-day tour of Maui traveling the winding, 620-curve road to Hana, pausing by a black bamboo forest and waterfalls along the way.

Places to Stay: Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, sprawls along the namesake Wailea Beach and features the state's largest private art collection, plus nine pools and locally inspired spa treatments.

Santorini, Greece

Skip summer in Santorini—the island is truly at its best in September, once cruise ship traffic has slowed and the heat has died down. You won't have to deal with crowds on Oia's cobbled streets as you settle into a prime spot to watch the sunset from one of the whitewashed buildings' rooftop bar terraces. If you're already in Europe, Santorini is a direct flight from capitals like Paris, making it a perfect stop on a two-part honeymoon.

Things to Do: Make the scenic walk down 214 steps from Oia's castle to Ammoudi Bay's colorful open-air fish taverns, dining seaside at a favorite like Ammoudi Fish Tavern. Sip the island's signature assyrtiko white wine at one of the iconic wineries like Hatzidakis, housed in a cave.

Places to Stay: Take your pick of romantic rooms at Secret View Hotel, which includes suites with private pools positioned to perfectly frame the sunset. Santorini's iconic, whitewashed cave hotels like Canaves Oia Suites overlook sweeping caldera views from private plunge pools.

Barcelona, Spain

With its mix of world-renowned architecture, impressive art museums, gorgeous beaches and some of the top restaurants on the globe, there's a reason why a Barcelona honeymoon continues captivating couples. Stroll arm-in-arm around the historic Gothic Quarter, admiring medieval architecture like the Barcelona Cathedral or peruse the Picasso Museum Barcelona, which houses more than 4,000 of the Spanish artist's pieces. A trip to Barcelona wouldn't be complete without tasting your way around La Boqueria, a market that constantly ranks among the world's best.

Things to Do: Visit two of Gaudí's modernist marvels, the Sagrada Familia and Park Güell; catch a steamy live flamenco performance in La Rambla; or set off to the medieval city of Girona and along the Catalan coast on a small-group tour.

Places to Stay: Centrally located Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona sits in the city's Golden Square, with rooms overlooking some of Barcelona's most iconic architecture, like Gaudí's Casa Battló. The 100-room Barcelona EDITION is within walking distance of some of the top historic sights and features penthouse suites with private panoramic terraces.

Switzerland

As Switzerland shifts into fall, the weather is at its peak across the country, making it one of the best honeymoon spots in September. A Switzerland honeymoon is an easy one for couples to plan since trains connect major cities with mountain destinations, vineyard-covered hills and scenic countryside. Plan a romantic getaway to a gorgeous city like Geneva or Zurich, a mountain escape to St. Moritz or a spa destination in Bad Ragaz, or set off on a dreamy road trip where you can choose your own adventure, whether that be Lavaux's terraced vineyards—the perfect place for cycling around the UNESCO-listed sight—or the charming village of Vals, known for its thermal spas and hiking.

Things to Do: Day trip from Zurich through the Swiss Alps and Bernese Oberland riding a gondola and cogwheel train through the stunning mountain scenery, or go sightseeing in Zurich on a lake cruise and chocolate tour and tasting at Lindt.

Places to Stay: There's no better place to ease away jet lag than the plush Baur au Lac in Zurich, an opulent, family-run hotel where suites are accented with Louis XVI and art deco touches. Don't miss afternoon tea—it's a full, English-style affair complete with crepes and scones with clotted cream and jam.

Cape Town, South Africa

September marks the start of spring in South Africa, so if you're planning a Cape Town honeymoon around this time, you'll experience the perfect (slightly cooler) weather for the city's many outdoor activities, from Lion's Head hikes to strolls around Table Mountain. You're also ahead of the peak season rush, which kicks off around the holidays in December, so rates won't be as high at some of the city's swanky, five-star hotels, making the city a more affordable honeymoon destination. It's also a great time for safaris since it's the dry season.

Things to Do: The best way to get your bearings in Cape Town is from the sky on a helicopter tour by Table Mountain and along the Atlantic coast. Eat your way around some of the city's top restaurants at Time Out Market Cape Town on the V&A Waterfront, or head to the Old Biscuit Mill, which hosts the weekend artisan Neighbourgoods Market.

Places to Stay: You'll feel as though you've been swept off to an island resort in the Seychelles or Zanzibar at contemporary coastal Tintswalo Atlantic in Chapman's Peak. On the waterfront, One&Only Cape Town is a popular choice for honeymooners pre- or post-safari.

Tennessee

Any Southerner will tell you that fall is the best time to plan a trip since the weather is on the milder side and nights are cooler. For couples in nearby states like Alabama or North Carolina, a Tennessee honeymoon is a romantic and easy road trip, but hotspots like Nashville are also a quick, two-hour flight from cities like New York or Miami. From scenic drives through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Sun Studio, the "birthplace of rock 'n' roll," and Graceland in Memphis to the spectacular food and live music scenes in Nashville (Music City), couples will have plenty to enjoy from a state known for its standout southern hospitality.

Things to Do: Get outdoors and go hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains, calling downtown Gatlinburg your base; make a visit to the over-the-top Dollywood amusement park in Pigeon Forge; or catch a country music show at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

Places to Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Nashville is in the heart of downtown's SoBro neighborhood, so you'll be within walking distance of some of the city's best music venues. Noelle will instantly feel like a second home—one with a buzzy rooftop bar that offers tableside s'mores by the fireplace.

Bali

If beach and spa time are high on your list of honeymoon activities, Bali is the place (and island) for you. One of the best honeymoon locations in September, Bali is an easy destination to tack on to a Southeast Asia honeymoon in Thailand or Vietnam. For couples, the island is as scenic as it gets, from the cliffside villas and surfer-loved beaches to the terraced rice paddies and temples tucked away in forests or hovering over the water. And while you can make this an affordable honeymoon staying in vacation rentals, there are plenty of reasons to splurge since nearly every five-star hotel brand has a lavish, tropical outpost here.

Things to Do: Visit temples, shop for souvenirs at local markets and explore the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary on a private Ubud tour; experience the adventurous side of Bali on an ATV and white-water rafting; or swim and snorkel with manta rays off the island of Nusa Penida.

Places to Stay: Wellness-focused COMO Shambhala Estate is tucked in the forest between two rivers and offers couples plenty of ways to unwind with everything from water purification ceremonies to picnics at hidden water gardens.

Prague, Czech Republic

For a fairy-tale setting straight out of a storybook, a Prague honeymoon truly has it all, from the landmark Prague Castle, where everyone from Bohemian kings to Holy Roman emperors and Czech presidents have held a seat of power, to medieval dining experiences, the charming old Astronomical Clock and some of the world's best beer. In September, you'll be able to sit outside at cafés and sip pints at lively beer gardens, which could give Germany a run for its money. Eastern Europe is also generally a more affordable honeymoon destination for dining out, so you can live larger here than in other capitals without putting too much of a dent in your honeymoon budget.

Things to Do: Indulge in a lavish medieval dinner experience in a lantern-lit tavern; eat your way around Prague on a foodie tour; or day trip to the charming village of Cesky Krumlov, home to the country's second-largest castle complex.

Places to Stay: Four Seasons Hotel Prague is one of the plushest spots to stay in the Old Town, since you'll have views over landmarks like Charles Bridge from rooms that exude old-world elegance. The team here can also arrange personalized city tours and visits to medieval Karlštejn Castle.