Paris

September is Paris coming back to itself: locals home from holiday, tourists thinning out, and window seats up for grabs again.

NYC

The summer crowds are gone and the leaf-peepers haven't arrived. September New York is cooler, calmer, and quietly dressing up for Fashion Week.

Spain

Late September brings La Mercè: human towers, fire runs and free concerts across the city, with a sea still warm enough for a swim after.

Milan

For one week in late September the whole city is on camera for Fashion Week. Bring shoes that can go all day

Tokyo

Tokyo keeps a little of summer, loses half the crowds,and adds a hidden extra: by late September the whole city smells faintly of osmanthus.

Shanghai

The summer stickiness finally breaks, the plane trees stay green, and the sky turns tall again. September Shanghai was made for the old concession blocks.

London

The summer crowds are gone and the leaf-peepers haven't arrived. September New York is cooler, calmer, and quietly dressing up for Fashion Week.

Istanbul

September turns the Bosphorus light golden and thins the crowds. From Balat's painted houses to Galata, you can walk three empires of skyline in a day.

Bangkok

Rainy-season Bangkok at its most cinematic: low clouds, quick showers, and temple stones that glisten the moment the rain stops.