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September's that time when you start thinking ahead — not just to fall, but to the kind of travel that's actually worth the wait.

Think safari planning for 2026, when the best lodges book out over a year ahead and prices increase annually. Or a trip to see the Northern Lights during solar maximum, when aurora displays are at their strongest in over a decade.

These are conversations worth having now. Not because there's pressure, but because meaningful travel takes some forethought.

If you've been mulling over something special, let's talk.

If I Planned Your… 

Safari Edition

You'd tell me you've been thinking about it for years — Africa's been calling, but it always felt like "someday" travel.

Too far. Too complicated. Too many choices.

And I'd say: 2026 is your year. Here's why we should start planning now.

The lodges that make safari unforgettable — those intimate camps where you hear lions at dawn and watch elephants from your private deck — they fill up 12 to 18 months ahead. Especially for peak seasons when wildlife viewing is most spectacular.

You'd want the Serengeti during the Great Migration. Or Botswana's Okavango Delta when the floodwaters transform the landscape into a wildlife oasis. Maybe Kenya's Maasai Mara for that classic Out of Africa feeling, or South Africa's private game reserves where Big Five sightings are almost guaranteed.

I'd suggest starting in one country and really getting to know it, rather than rushing through several. Three or four nights at each lodge, with time to settle into the rhythm of game drives and sundowners. Maybe ending on Zanzibar's spice-scented coast, or the vineyards of the Cape.

You'd come home understanding why safari becomes an obsession — not because it's extravagant, but because it changes how you see the world.

Planning your first safari for 2026? Let's start the conversation while we have the best options.

The Seasonal Edit

Winter Journeys Worth Planning Ahead

Northern Lights: Your best shot in a decade

The timing couldn't be better. We're at solar maximum — that 11-year peak when the sun gets dramatically active, creating stronger aurora displays than we've seen in over a decade.

Current solar activity means the Northern Lights are visible farther south than usual, brighter, and more frequent. The kind of show that makes you book a return trip before you've even left.

Where to go:

• Norway's Arctic Circle — Tromsø delivers clear skies and Sami cultural experiences

• Iceland's remote lodges — Eleven Deplar Farm offers geothermal pools beneath the aurora (Preferred Partner)

• Alaska's interior — Fairbanks sits directly under the Aurora Oval, no passport required

• Northern Canada — The Northwest Territories for pristine, fog-free viewing

The season runs September through April, but booking now means securing the best lodges and guides during peak solar activity.

Worth noting: Several cruise lines offer Northern Lights guarantees — if the aurora doesn't appear, you get another sailing free.

Ready to chase the lights? Let's talk about this winter's viewing.

Let's Plan Your Trip

Holiday Destinations Worth Booking Now

September marks the 90-day window when holiday reservations that aren't confirmed become available — your second chance at some of the year's most coveted stays.

Here's what's been on my mind for winter getaways:

Thailand: Still buzzing from its White Lotus moment, offering both beach bliss and cultural adventure. Perfect for that post-holiday reset.

Mexico: Easy flights from most Canadian & US cities, with upscale beaches in Punta Mita and historic charm in San Miguel de Allende.

European Christmas Markets: Prague opens November 29th, Nuremberg's famous markets begin November 28th, and Vienna's multiple markets create a magical circuit through December.

Australia: Winter here means summer there. Swap cold days for Sydney Harbour's iconic New Year's fireworks — one of the world's most spectacular celebrations.

Dubai & Abu Dhabi: For over-the-top holiday energy, Dubai's Burj Khalifa fireworks embrace the season with trademark glamour. Think Santa hats in the desert and hospitality that knows how to impress.

The key? Book now while those released holiday rooms are still available.

Let's talk about your winter escape.

Image courtesy of Ett Hem

For the Coolcation Curious

While everyone else is chasing warm-weather escapes, Sweden offers something different — that distinctly Scandinavian approach to doing life well. Think Stockholm's island-hopping culture where you can explore royal palaces in the morning and discover innovative Nordic cuisine by evening. Or Gothenburg's surprising cultural scene tucked along quiet canals.

It's not flashy travel. It's the kind of destination that's figured out lagom — having just the right amount of everything. Perfect for anyone drawn to the Northern Lights but curious about exploring more of what makes Scandinavia special.

Many travelers discover Sweden as part of Baltic cruise itineraries that begin or end in Stockholm — making it easy to add a few extra days exploring the archipelago and the city itself.

Read the Sweden Guide

September's the perfect time to plan the trips that matter most. Safari planning for 2026, Northern Lights during their peak season, holiday travel while there's still availability, or a coolcation to Sweden that balances sophisticated with approachable.

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