With the days getting shorter and the temperature dropping, November doesn’t tend to feel like the most exciting month.
As travel is always something to get excited about, we’ve rounded up some of the best destinations to travel to in November to help get you inspired. Whether you’re looking for a British staycation, some winter sun or a little bit of culture, we’ve got you covered.
For a Staycation:
The Lake District
Indulge the winter feel by booking a traditional cottage in the Lake District National Park. Log fires, cosy pubs, quaint tea rooms and breath-taking views make this the ideal break before the Christmas build-up.
You could amble through the small boutiques of the market towns and get in a little early Christmas shopping, take a stroll around the lakes, or get active with a hike in the mountains. If it’s tranquillity you’re after, you won’t be disappointed with a trip to the Lake District.
Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
A visit to a UK beach town in November might seem a bit gloomy, but if you tie your visit in with the Somerset Guy Fawkes Carnival, you should be pleasantly surprised. With over 140 illuminated floats, the carnival claims to be the largest illuminated procession in the world – so it is certainly worth checking out. It runs in eight different Somerset towns on differing dates in November, so be sure to time your trip correctly. In 2019, Weston-super-Mare is holding the procession on the 8 November.
Weston-super-Mare itself has a sweeping Victorian promenade and is home to the Grand Pier, which offers an indoor theme park with arcades and cafés, should the weather not be on your side.
As well as indulging in some traditional seaside fish and chips, you could visit the world’s largest helicopter museum, which has over 100 helicopters on display.
Head out further into Somerset to visit Cheddar Gorge and marvel at the ancient caves, or visit Glastonbury Tor, which has had spiritual and religious significance for over a thousand years.
For Winter Sun:
Florida
November is an excellent month to head off to Florida. From white sandy beaches and golf courses, to exploring Key West, there’s so much more to Florida than theme parks alone.
With prices being lower than the peak months, you might find it more affordable than you expected, and less busy than peak season!
You could take a trip to Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, which runs until 23 November, where you can eat and drink your way around the park.
Humidity and rainfall are lower at this time of year too, so you can enjoy the outdoors without the weather spoiling things.
Do, however, avoid visiting over Thanksgiving (28 November 2019) as these dates get pretty busy.
Tenerife
As the UK weather is getting colder, a visit to Tenerife is certain to bring back some summer cheer. With a flight time of only 4.5 hours, plenty of budget airlines, no time difference, and the temperature a comfortable 21˚C; your visit can be both cheap and cheerful.
Whether you fancy a visit to the water park, or just lazing with cocktails at the beach, there really is something on offer for everyone on this gem of an island.
For Culture and Festivals:
Oaxaca, Mexico
If you’ve been longing to visit Mexico, then head there in November and you’ll be able to experience the famous Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. Bright, colourful, meaningful and enchanting; this celebration is really one like no other. The dates to be there are from the 31 October to the 2 November.
Be sure to check out the markets to see all the items that go into the day of the dead altars, look for sand tapestries created on the streets, stumble across a Comparsa (traditional carnival-like procession), visit the cemeteries, and don’t forget to try the sweet Pan de Muerto (bread of the dead).
Bilbao, Spain
If you fancy a short break and some culture then Bilbao, an artistic port city in Northern Spain could well be your answer. Here, you can grab some tasty Spanish seafood as you wander alongside the river, admire the architecture of the Zubizuri bridge, head to the Frank Gehry designed Guggenheim Museum, or amble around the shops in the old town.
Be sure to jump on the Artxanda funicular cable railway, which dates back to 1915: in just 3 minutes you’ll be atop of Mount Artxanda enjoying great views from a little café.
Travel to Bilbao is easy with frequent low-cost flights from the UK. For a slower journey, take the car ferry from Portsmouth. On arrival you’ll find cheap, easy and frequent public transport to help you take full advantage of everything this unique city has to offer.
