holidays-in-november
Holidays In November: Travel in November is one of those pedestrian months that too few travelers appreciate.
This month appears like a lull nestled between summertime holiday chaos and festive merry-making in December but Sao Paulo can be an entirely wonderful experience even empty of tourists.
Imagine relaxing in golden-tinged landscapes, enjoying festive cultural events or soaking up the warm sun on a quiet tropical beach all while avoiding the craziness of high season.
November has a magic about it that is more whisper than shout, beckoning travelers to slow down and experience the world as ever so slightly larger than life, in its most real and unhurried form.
I still vividly remember the first November getaway I took. I sat by a pretty lake in Slovenia, watching mist curl over its surface while the cool autumn air caressed my face.
Not only the beauty of that place, but also the calmness of that moment had amazed me. Instead, there were no throngs of people nor queues waiting for entry simply nature as company and an ageless feeling.
Last November, I found myself at the edge of Lake Bled in Slovenia and I remember watching the leaves tumble from their branches to softly cover the ground. It was nice weather, no tourists around and nature felt like it was putting on a show just for me.
This is the beauty of November – you get all the places in their true avatar without the crowds swarming like bees during high season.
Summer hotspots slow down as tropical destinations attract sun-seekers heading to warmer climes when the first winter chills start penetrating.
The cities of Europe shimmer under warm fallout, as festivals and ceremonies unfold across Asia.
Whether its the colorful souks of Marrakech or the white sand beaches of Maldives – November caters to every traveler.
Read MoreHolidays In November: I still remember walking through the leaves cracking beneath my foot in Amsterdam’s Vondelpark. In November Europe turns into a postcard perfect paradise.
Prague, Vienna, and beautiful Bruges sparkle amber and gold, as cobblestone street vistas enveloped in fairy-tale like scenery unfold.
Perhaps the most eye-popping thing was just how cheaply things could be made. Discounts on everything from flights to accommodation to even attractions felt like an early holiday present from Mother Nature.
You can pop into a Parisian café or wander around Tuscany in Italy without having to shoulder your way past hordes of selfie sticks.
If Europe proves too muted, Asia has some wild festivals lined up in November to sting you awake.
Around this time in India, it is the Festival of Lights called Diwali. To witness that happen in real life, was a treat I got to experience firsthand in Jaipur.
The entire city became a colorful kaleidoscope shimmered with millions of twinkling diyas (oil lamps).
This was no mere festival; it was the heart of a culture, an experience like none I had known.
In Thailand, the vibrant yet spiritual atmosphere is serene with thousands of lanterns sailing across rivers during Loy Krathong festival.
My fond memory was releasing my own krathong to float across sky with the moonlight, before I made my wish in silence.
Holidays In November: Ever woke up in an over water villa with the bluest water you’ll ever see? This basically what is the Maldives in November.
While the dry season is beginning, you are guaranteed sunny days and balmy nights.
Snorkeling with the sea turtles and manta rays – like I was inside a nature documentary.
And the best part? Early visitors in November are rewarded with a piece of Heaven, pre-December madness.
Over in the land of semi-nice weather not too far from Europe, you have the Canary Islands.
But when I went to Tenerife, what surprised me was the specifics of that volcanic soil next to this green.
It is lovely in November, warm enough to work on your tan and cool enough to hike up Mount Teide.
Holidays In November: When you get to see the Great Migration Although November sits between two distinct seasons of the annual wildebeest migration in Kenya and Tanzania, November is a sweet spot for experiencing this natural phenomenon. During this period.
I was lucky enough to go to the Maasai Mara and witnessing thousands of wildebeest crossing the Mara River was humbling yet thrilling.
Serengeti National ParkThe calm after the migration in Serengeti NP means fewer crowds, allowing for a more intimate experience observing wildlife. November allowed me to drink coffee at sunrise as elephants grazed a few meters away.
Those who have a passion for snowy adventures should head to Churchill, Manitoba. This tiny town is known as the “Polar Bear Capital of the World,” and people come from all over to see these incredible animals in November. The Arctic weather was unforgiving but I was able to enjoy the experience from within a tundra buggy.
Holidays In November: Japan has plenty to delight the eye and the mouth in November. I went to Kyoto at the height of koyo (autumn leaves), and the red and yellows were magnificent.
The food, also, definitely made the trip better. Matsutake mushrooms and grilled chestnuts, seasonal specialties, were ubiquitous.
You cant eat a bowl of ramen underneath luminous maple trees in many places. Japanese whiskey lovers will find many distilleries offering tastings in November that warm the chilly evenings.
Scandinavia is the place for you if you’d like to snuggle into your bed. On my November trip to Copenhagen.
I in a way went full hygge, which is the Danish appreciation for all things comfortable and nice. This means, Cozy blankets and candlelit dinners, warm mugs of mulled wine.
Another November gem is Sweden’s Lapland, which allows you to experience the Northern Lights completely void of the December hordes.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. Practical Advice for Traveling in November
Pack Smart: November weather varies widely across the places you may be going. Layering is your best friend.
Plan Ahead: Early November is an off-peak time of year for many destinations but high-demand events — such as Diwali in India or polar bear tours in Hudson Bay, Canada, fill quickly.
Travel Insurance: Given the varying weather in some areas, travel insurance should be non-negotiable.
Holidays In November: The months of November travel makes you feel like a secret. It is the in-between, a best-of-both-worlds month.
Whether cruising calm streets in Europe, hitting festivals of culture or photographing wildlife in exotic locales November gives you a reason to look at the world differently.
Keep the following in mind while you are planning your next excursion: November is not just another month on a calendar.
It opens you up to new experiences, lasting memories and stories that will stay with you forever.
Grab your bags, and catch a breath brisk November air, the adventure is about to begin.
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