Where to Travel In November
From winter sun and cultural festivals to the start of ski season, November offers plenty of reasons to travel, whether you’re after wildlife, waves or an early dose of festive cheer.
November has plenty to recommend it before the festive season takes over. From Guatemala’s quirky All Saints’ Day traditions to Thanksgiving dinner at a dude ranch in Colorado, this is a month for time spent in the company of others. Elsewhere, in southern Vietnam’s Con Dao National Park, newborn turtles make for the sea, while strong Atlantic swells off Lanzarote and Fuerteventura create dream waves for surfers. It’s also the season for cosying up at the first Christmas markets, with a fantastic selection opening in Budapest’s historic centre. Here’s what not to miss this month.
1. Southern Vietnam
Temperature: 23-32C (73-89F)
Best For: Wildlife and Adventure
November ushers in the country's dry season, along with notably lower humidity levels and fewer crowds. Vietnam is the world’s second-largest coffee producer, and now’s the perfect time to witness its annual arabica coffee harvest in the highlands of Lam Dong. Farms like Twin Beans and Destiny Coffee run frequent tours with farm-to-cup tasting sessions and special workshops. It’s also hatching season for turtles in Con Dao National Park, where wildlife fans can watch the newborns shuffle towards the sea across powder-white beaches at dawn. Elsewhere, 37-metre-long ‘snake’ boats race along the Mekong Delta as part of the annual Ooc Om Boc Festival, an ancient Khmer celebration honouring the moon god. Visitors are welcome to join in cheering on the race or sample flattened green rice flakes — the festival’s traditional treat — at lively street-food markets.
Like a Local: Floating markets on the Mekong Delta are a great way to interact with locals and sample seasonal fruit like star apples and dragon fruit. Look out for each seller’s bẹo, a tall bamboo pole that showcases what they have on board.
(A Slow Journey Through the Waterways and Islands of Southern Vietnam.)
2. Guatemala
Temperature: 18-27C (64-80F)
Best For: Cultural Festivals
In November, Guatemala transitions from a period of heavy rainfall into sunnier weather. Meanwhile, All Saints’ Day (1 November) launches the country into festival fever. The holiday combines religion and cultural heritage, and is an opportunity for families to honour loved ones who have passed away. Head to the highlands of Todos Santos Cuchumatán in the west of the country for its famous horse race, a raucous All Saints’ Day tradition. For a family-friendly day out, try the Feria de Barriletes Gigantes (Giant Kite Festival), in Sumpango. Here, people carry huge handcrafted circular kites to honour a centuries-old Maya tradition of communicating with ancestors. Later in the month, the 10th edition of Festival de las Flores (14-15 November) takes place in Antigua, where blooming flower arrangements decorate the city’s gardens, galleries and restaurants.
Like a Local: Fiambre is a salad containing vegetables and meats that’s prepared just once a year, on All Saints’ Day. A select number of traditional restaurants, like Altuna in Guatemala City, offer it to visitors through pre-orders.
3. Colorado, US
Temperature: -2-14C (28-57F)
Best For: Family Winter Escapes
November might mark a quiet shoulder season in Colorado, but Thanksgiving (26 November) offers a feast for all the senses. While there’s a flurry of events in various locations to choose from, seasonal stays on traditional dude ranches stand out for their unbeatably rustic settings. Try Devil’s Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa for its five-day celebration, which includes craft workshops, themed film nights and, of course, a multi-course Thanksgiving dinner. Meanwhile, in the state capital, Denver, there’s also plenty going on this month, from celebrating Denver Arts Week (6-15 November) to cosying up in German-style Christmas huts at Denver Christkindlmarket (from 20 November). Alternatively, make for Colorado’s world-renowned ski resorts, such as Breckenridge and the Arapahoe Basin, as the season gets underway. Check the Colorado Ski Season Guide for updates on weather conditions and piste openings.
Like a Local: Colorado has a fantastic winter trail network, and many visitors head for its lofty ‘fourteeners’ — peaks above 14,000ft (4,267 metres). Avoid the crowds by trying the lesser-known ‘thirteeners’, above 13,000ft (3,963 metres), without skimping on snowy alpine views.
4. Budapest, Hungary
Temperature: 2-7C (35-44F)
Best For: A Festive Atmosphere
Icy temperatures slowly settle in across Hungary in November, and its capital, split by the mighty Danube River, takes on a particularly cosy atmosphere. Hotly anticipated Christmas markets open at historic sites like St Stephen’s Basilica and cobblestoned Vörösmarty Square around the middle of the month. Feast on fresh chimney cakes and smoky sausages, and pair festive sweets with plenty of mulled wine. Still looking for ways to get cosy? Széchenyi Thermal Bath will gladly oblige. One of Europe’s largest spa complexes, its neo-baroque baths feature indoor and outdoor pools and there’s also saunas and steam rooms. For those who prefer to stay dry, the City Park outdoor ice rink invites visitors to pirouette in front of Vajdahunyad Castle.
Like a Local: Kisüzem is an arty bar and the place to be on cold winter nights. Challenge its loyal clientele of artists and bohemians to a game of chess, familiarise yourself with the extensive drinks menu or catch a silent film on Sundays.
(These Are the Most Exciting Experiences in Budapest Right Now.)
5. Canary Islands, Spain
Temperature: 19-24C (66-75F)
Best For: Winter Sun
Days grow shorter in November, but this Spanish archipelago still benefits from plenty of sunshine, making it an ideal destination for prolonging summer. Strong winds and waves sweep across the Atlantic and crash onto the golden shores of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote, luring surfers with prime conditions. While on Lanzarote, don’t miss Timanfaya National Park, where hikes across Mars-like terrain promise otherworldly thrills. Make sure you stick around for the eve of St Andrew’s Day (29 November) on Tenerife, when the island celebrates with a flurry of quirky traditions. Children drag cans and pots on strings through the streets, while locals in Icod de los Vinos slide down the steep Calle del Plano on greased wooden boards.
Like a Local: For a quieter surfing and sunbathing experience on Fuerteventura, try Costa Calma or the Península de Jandía, where long stretches of sand offer an alternative to some of the island’s busier resorts.
(These European Islands Are Open for Winter.)
