A major reason to visit Paris in September would be Fashion Week! While the event itself is invitation-only, there are other related things to do such as visiting the fashion museums or enjoy fashion-themed events at places such as the Eiffel Tower, Tuileries Garden, and Louvre Museum. Besides fashion, the European Heritage Days is hosted in Paris. This is an annual event in which historic sites and monuments open doors to the public, usually free of charge, including Palace of Versailles and Arc de Triomphe.
Sydney, Australia
Photo by Bernard Spragg
Sydney is an excellent location to travel to in September, since it is the beginning of spring in the Southern Hemisphere. This brings lovely weather, yet smaller crowds as opposed to the popular summer months. Spring events are held at this time as well, including the Floriade in Canberra, with a large display of tulips and the Royal Adelaide Show, a 9 day long carnival celebrating and connecting communities by showcasing excellence in agriculture and horticulture.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Photo by Philip McErlean
This destination is appealing at this time of year due to milder weather and lower prices. It is a great time to explore the Edinburgh Castle, and the Royal Mile, where you can find unique shops/architecture as well as the Scotch Whiskey Experience. It is also a convenient time to stroll through the Princes Street Gardens, Arthur’s Seat, or Dean Village.
Barcelona, Spain
Photo by Chris Yunker
In September, the weather is enjoyable for parks and beaches. and the crowds are dying down in Barcelona. However, it still has plenty of cultural events for visitors to attend, such as the National Day of Catalonia and the Barcelona International Jazz Festival. Other choices could be taking a train to Montserrat, sitting on a mountain, offering scenic views, or attending a wine tasting in Penedes.
Aruba
Photo by Vlad Podvorny
Lower prices and crowds is an advantage of visiting Aruba in September. The weather is still perfect for visiting Eagle Beach and Palm Beach. The island’s heritage can also be celebrated at Fiesta di Cunucu at this time of year. Attractions such as Arikok National Park, Guadirikiri Cave, and Natural Pool are enticing too. Snorkeling and scuba diving are also available for those who are adventurous!
Visiting somewhere international in September? I’d love to hear where!
Eagle Beach, located in Aruba, has been named the second best beach in the Caribbean and third best in the world. The 21-mile Caribbean island of Aruba be found north of Venezuela and south of the Dominican Republic.
Aruba’sCapital
The capital and largest city in the country is Oranjestad. It contains a large amount of government buildings and colorful Dutch architecture. The Renaissance Mall is a great place there to shop at luxury stores, including Prada and Gucci. The city also is filled with boutiques, street vendors, casinos, clubs, museums, dining, and entertainment.
When to Visit
The average temperature on the island throughout the year is approximately 85 degrees Fahrenheit. But, the recommended time to visit is between April and August, due to the lower prices on hotels and slim chance of precipitation within those months. The climate is dry and desert-like, yet the winds will cool you down. Peak season extends from January to March, so it is recommended to try to avoid that time period.
This boutique beach resort is for adults only and is situated on Eagle Beach. A few of the amenities are the outdoor pool, spa, fitness center/beach yoga, courtyard garden, movie nights on the beach, a bar, and two restaurants.
The hotel/casino sits directly on Palm Beach. The full-service spa, gourmet dining, outdoor pool complex, two-story water slide, restaurant/bar, gym, outdoor activities, and gift shop are sure to satisfy any guest!
This chain resort, with multiple restaurants including Ruth Chris Steakhouse and Starbucks, is also located on Palm Beach. The outdoor swimming area, multi-level fitness room, casino, dining on the beach, gelato shop, bar/lounge, spa, tennis courts, and water sports will definitely keep you entertained.
The Ritz-Carlton is, of course, a top choice in Eagle Beach. This five star resort includes two outdoor heated pools, delicious places to eat, retail shops on the property, fitness center, beauty salon, in-room mini bar, casino, lounge area, jacuzzi, and nightly entertainment.
Popular Attractionsin Aruba
Beaches: Eagle Beach, Palm Beach, Black Stone Beach, Baby Beach
Eagle Beach
Arikok National Park
Shipwreck Sites
Natural Pool
Butterfly Farm
Atlantis Submarine Expedition
Food
The national dish of Aruba is Keshi Yena (pictured above), a large, round ball of cheese that is stuffed with meat (typically chicken).
Popular Aruban dishes are:
-Stoba (stew)
-Pastechi (pastry with cheese and meat)
-Pisca Hasa (fried fish)
-Pan Bati (pancakes)
-Bananas Hasa (fried plantains)
-Keri Keri (flaked white fish)
Some of the American food chains in Aruba are: Wendy’s Dunkin’, McDonald’s, Domino’s, KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, Subway, and Sbarro.
Other fast food options on the island:
Kikoriko
Isla Pop (Venezuelan)
Ritz Snack (Caribbean)
Excellent fine dining options:
OceanZ (Caribbean/seafood)
The Kitchen Table (Caribbean/Cajun)
Senses (8 course dining)
Transportation
To explore the island on your own time, you can rent a car. Taxis (at a fixed rate), shuttles to/from hotels and attractions, and trolleys passing through Main Street are also available. If you are looking for the cheapest way to get around though, the Arubus will most likely be your best bet. It runs between 5:45am and 11:30pm.
TravelingTips
1 Aruban Florin = $0.56 USD.
The currency is Aruban Florin (AWG or AFL), but USD is accepted everywhere.
Restaurants and bars add service charges to your bill, which is usually 10-15%, yet you may still tip if you prefer to.
With the VisitAruba Plus Card you can get discounts at more than 85 locations in Aruba.
People in Aruba typically speak four languages: Dutch, Spanish, English, and the native language, Papiamento.
Aruba is one of the safest islands in the Caribbean.
Drinking water meets the highest quality.
The minimum drinking age is 18 years old.
Taxis must be called ahead of time, rather than trying to hail one off the streets.
In case of emergencies, call 911 for an ambulance or the fire department. The police can be reached at 100.
Bring plenty of sunscreen; the burn will be worse due to its closeness to the equator.
For more details on booking a trip to Aruba, please contact me.
A Sweet Paradise 