Where to go on holiday in November

Where to go on holiday in November holidays November 2012 Egypt holidays in November

By Mark Hodson, Sunday Times Travel Writer and Editor of 101 Holidays

November signals the beginning of winter in the UK and much of Europe. It can still be fun taking city breaks but if you want guaranteed sunshine you’ll need to go beyond the Mediterranean to destinations such as Dubai, Morocco and the Canary Islands. Some places in Asia and Africa are looking great at this time of year and you could catch the beginning of the season in the Caribbean. Here’s where to go on holiday in November.

Mid haul sunshine

For sunshine, culture and shopping it’s hard to beat the intoxicating city of Marrakech, less than 4 hours flying time from the UK. Once you’ve had your fill of the city, head to the Atlas Mountains, or the beach at Oualidia or Essaouira. Morocco offers a great choice of activities including golf, surfing and horse riding.

November is a great month to visit Egypt – it’s cool enough for sightseeing in Cairo, but warm enough for sunbathing on the Red Sea Coast. You can combine the Pyramids, a luxury Nile cruise and time on the beach on a 10-night Classic Egypt holiday.

From the deserts of Wadi Rum to the mysterious Rose Red city of Petra, Jordan is a land of adventure, history and dramatic desert landscapes. See this selection of group tours. If it’s beaches you’re looking for, try the Cape Verde islands off the West Coast of Africa. They offer amazing white sands, a lively local culture and high-quality hotels at low prices. See the latest special offers.

The Canary Islands are particularly good for cheap holidays in November 2011. In Tenerife you’ll find average temperatures of around 24C and some good-value luxury hotels such as Abama Golf & Spa Resort.

The lush mountainous island of Madeira – south of the Canaries – enjoys fabulous year-round sunshine. It’s great for walking and exploring but also a charming place to unwind, eat well and relax. You can stay at a resort hotel in Funchal or one of the Quintas, beautifully-restored countryside hotels.

You can also combine beaches with shopping, fine dining and a host of attractions in Dubai, a destination that never ceases to amaze. If you want a taste of the “real Arabia” try its more exotic, culturally-rich next door neighbour, Oman.

cheap holidays in November 2011 beach holidays in November

Long haul holidays in November

Travelling a little further away from home offers hotter weather and a wealth of exotic locations. Why not head out in search of Big Cats on safari in Botswana or see the Big Five in Kenya, where the weather in November tends to be warm and humid. Or see Africa by foot, on a walking safari or on a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. See more holidays in Africa.

The pristine beaches of the Seychelles, the Maldives and Mauritius make for perfect beach holidays in November with breathtaking surroundings and luxury hotels. The Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy the Southern Hemisphere summer.

If you’re looking for value for money, now is the time to visit Sri Lanka. The high-season has just begun but flights are still at low-season rates. This range of holidays includes everything from adventure tours tours to gorgeous boutique hotels in converted historical buildings.

You’ll also find good deals in the Caribbean where the season is just beginning. Our favourite islands include Tobago, St Lucia and Barbados while our recommended hotels include Round Hill in Jamaica, Windjammer Landing in St Lucia, Dreams Tulum in Mexico and the all-inclusive Verandah Resort & Spa in Antigua. Check out these latest special offers in the Caribbean.

Mexico is emerging as an exciting destination with a great choice of hotels ranging from exclusive resorts to boutique haciendas. You can explore ancient Mayan temples near the beaches of the Caribbean coast and even take a self-drive holiday. Check out this range of Mexico itineraries.

The Bahamas can be a bit chilly in January, but November is perfect. As well as offering blinding white sand beaches, this is a great destination for island-hopping, with exciting hotel combinations such as Pineapple Fields on Eleuthera and Coral Sands Hotel on Harbour Island.

November is also a great month to explore Southeast Asia. Head to Burma, one of the world’s hidden tourist gems, take a tour of Vietnam or chill on the beaches of Bali.

If you’ve never been to Cambodia this is a great time to put that right. You can choose between some excellent escorted and private luxury tours and tailor made holidays to discover the temples of Angkor, the buzzing streets of Phnom Penh and amazing beaches.

There is a lot more to New Zealand than beaches, of course. There are stunning mountains, rivers, National Parks as well as charming cities, great hotels and world-class food and wine. November is a great month to visit. Check out these private and escorted group tours.

Find more great beach holiday destinations.

Short breaks

If you’re limited for time then a short city break is the perfect opportunity to soak up some history and culture. Istanbul is a great destination where you can visit mosques and palaces, and explore historic bazaars and markets.

For an exotic weekend, take a break in Tunisia, just 2.5 hours flying time from London. Take a quick train ride to Brussels on the Eurostar or savour the sights of traffic-free Dubrovnik, a UNESCO world heritage city.

You can get to Nice on the Cote d’Azur by train or plane, and even in November you have a great chance of lazing in warm Mediterranean sunshine. You’ll also find great art museums, markets, classic restaurants and elegant shopping streets.

If you’re feeling adventurous why not head East for a long haul short break. This is a great time to experience the sights and sounds of Delhi. Further east, Hong Kong is a good destination in November.

For some early festive cheer, head to Europe for a Christmas market break. It’s great to get away from the crass commercialism of modern Christmas and discover a traditional local scene. Famous markets include Cologne, Munich and Prague, but the small lesser-known destinations such as Freiburg, Koblenz and Wiesbaden are well worth a visit.

If you love cooking, this is a great time of year for a gourmet break to Italy, Spain or France. As well as learning to cook classic dishes with a top chef, you’ll be whisked off to tastings and local markets. Long-haul options include India and Thailand.

Head to New York for Thanksgiving, Christmas shopping and ice staking at the Rockefeller Center. Find the district and hotel is that right for whether it’s the calm boutique Sanctuary Hotel, the luxurious Hotel Plaza Athenee or the chic foodie Ink48 in Hell’s Kitchen.

Did you know it’s possible to organise homestays and rent apartments and B&Bs using a great new website, Wimdu. You can stay in cities across the world including London, Edinburgh, Paris, Amsterdam, Istanbul and New York from just £26 a night.

Please visit our sister site for 101 short break ideas.

More ideas for holidays in November

This is a great time to visit Japan: the weather is mild and red and gold leaves blanket the countryside and temple gardens. Start in Tokyo then head out to the Alps, and the stunning Kamikochi National Park.

Nepal is a mesmerising, magical destination. You can trek in the Himalayas but you can also visit ancient cities, pagodas, temples and national parks. This 10-day Magic of Nepal tour is a perfect introduction.

November is the perfect month to visit the “real” Santa on a Christmas break in Lapland. Or you could head north to view Northern Lights – the next two winters will be the best for many years with spectacular displays all but guaranteed. We recommend a trip to Iceland where you can also try a fly-drive tour or a jeep adventure.

Need more climate information? See hot holidays in November. You may also be interested in our expert recommendations for honeymoons in November.

Try our holiday quiz

If you’re still stuck for ideas, why not try our fun holiday quiz. Answer 10 easy questions like the one below to find out what kind of holidaymaker you are, and get personalised travel recommendations. Try the quiz now.