Best places to go on vacation in November

We’ve cherry-picked the best places to go on vacation in November. Antarctic voyages are back on the cards, and snowy winter vacations are just starting in northern Europe and North America. It’s a good time to brave the rains in some African countries, too, especially if you want to see wildlife without the company of hundreds of other tourists.

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Best places to go on vacation in November

Always dreamed of a Shackleton-style voyage? November is the best time to go to Antarctic before the Southern Ocean summer melts the most impressive icescapes. Japan shines with autumn foliage at this time of year. Off season means yoga retreat season in Spain. And if you don’t mind a bit of rain, it’s the peaceful low season in Spain, Kenya and Tanzania, and Borneo. Keep reading to find out the best places to go on vacation in November.

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Africa

November is the start of winter in Egypt – the best time for a cruise down the Egyptian Nile. This is the season of the ‘short rains’ in Kenya and Tanzania, so it’s quieter and has lower prices. The rains shouldn’t disrupt travel and they freshen up the dry landscape. It’s baby lemur time in Madagascar. Hiking in Morocco is still popular around now, as it’s not too hot. It’s also date harvest time in some regions. November is a great month to be in Namibia: it’s the beginning of safari season, the whales are in town, and it’s the Windhoek Jazz Festival. The rainy season starts now in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, but the rain tends to fall in short, sharp bursts. You can miss the school vacation crowds (local and international) and find some good deals if you travel now. You’ll also catch some migratory bird species.

The Americas & Caribbean

Cuba experiences some serious downpours, but that’s a good excuse to book a salsa vacation before the Christmas crowds arrive.

Antarctica

Now’s the time to head to Antarctica for pristine snowscapes and the largest icebergs, before the summer warmth kicks off a giant thaw.

Asia

Bhutan is at its best around now, thanks to a triple-whammy of autumn colours, the crane migration and near-weekly festivals. You can expect a chill in the evenings. Welcome to Borneo’s low season, when you can visit orangutan sanctuaries minus the crowds. It’s worth putting up with the rain showers. Kerala in southern India is a great destination for some sun. It’s also time to celebrate Diwali all over the country. Japan’s autumn colours are glorious right now, particularly around Tokyo and Kyoto. Just be aware that it’s still typhoon season. This is your last chance to go scuba diving in Jordan, before the warm sea temperatures and abundant sea life disappear. The likelihood of rain increases around now, but the air cools to a tolerable hiking temperature. November is one of the best times for exploring Lebanon. This is a great time to go trekking in Nepal; you’ll miss the summer monsoons and winter freeze. Northern Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma and Thailand are all dry and warm, but not too hot.

Europe

Andalucia in Spain is lovely in November, with cool, sunny days making it great for a walking or cycling vacation. The light starts to fail in Iceland, increasing your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

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Where not to go on vacation in November

This is the wet season in Borneo. Although you can still visit, climbing Mount Kinabalu and visiting the Kinabatangan River area are not advised at this time due to poor weather conditions and possible flooding.

Finland and Scandinavia experience the worst of all their seasons. It’s dark, cold and damp without the snow, so both summer and winter activities are a write-off. Wait a month or two for fairy-tale winter scenes.

The northern regions of Spain and Portugal have a distinctly cold, grey and drizzly climate in winter.

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