Best Places To Travel in November

Donna Salerno Travel’s list of the best places to travel in November will help you plan the journey you have been dreaming of!

November is a great time to get away before the holiday rush sets in. It’s a great time for an African safari. These are the best places to travel in November around the world.

Rajasthan | India

The sand dunes and hills surrounding the quiet town of Pushkar are transformed into a zoo of activity when thousands of colorfully clad traders and farmers descend with their camels, cows, and horses for the camel fair.  India always provides a bombardment on the senses. See brightly adorned women twirl and whirl to traditional music, bite into a crispy potato-filled samosa, and hear the children laugh with glee as they ride the Ferris wheels. It’s an experience not to be missed.

Amazon, Peru

November in the Peruvian Amazon rests on the cusp of the region’s low and high seasons, which means you get the best of both worlds in terms of weather and wildlife. Cruising along the Amazon during this time lends to generally warmer weather and an opportunity to go deeper into the jungle by foot along trails that become flooded from December to May. It’s also accompanied by fewer mosquitoes and more concentrated wildlife viewing as the area’s otters, anaconda, and rare pink river dolphins congregate in smaller and fewer bodies of water and the monkeys and birds come down to feast on the trees’ dropped fruit.

Abu Dhabi | United Arab Emirates

Race to the capital of the United Arab Emirates to see Formula One fast cars speed by at the yearly Grand Prix. Soak up the action from a VIP suite or from a yacht docked in the marina. The glamorous weekend of events is sure to draw a sophisticated crowd drawn to the extravagant parties in this glistening city known for its Michelin starred restaurants and cultural attractions.

Australia

Grab your most elegant hat and head to the races on the first Tuesday in November for the Melbourne Cup, one of Australia’s most prestigious Thoroughbred horse races. It’s a day to see and be seen in your most stylish duds as you enjoy one of the most famous horse races in the world. And because Australia is one of the best places to travel in November, stick around after the race to explore the Land Down Under.

Thailand and Laos

Each November, the Loi Krathong and Yi Peng Festivals takes place in Thailand and Laos. The spiritual festival of lights invites reflection and new beginnings. During Loi Krathong, people gather to release krathongs (small boats of banana leafs and flowers) into rivers, lakes, and streams. During Yi Peng, Thailand’s other festival of lights, thousands of lit lanterns are released into the night sky. There are several parades, musical performances, lantern-making contests, and traditional dances surrounding the events as well.

Kuwana, Japan

The winter light festival in Kuwana is nothing short of amazing! From mid November to mid March, over 8.5 million LED lights illuminate the botanical gardens at Nabana no Sato. Its 328-foot tunnel of lights is incredible, with thousands of bulbs arranged overhead. There’s also a field that is transformed into a sea of lights with an animated light show above, and an observation deck for a bird’s eye view of the stunning light show below. Travel with Donna Salerno Travel on our Savoring Japan journey to see the lights during the winter months. An excursion can easily be arranged from Osaka, which is just two hours away.

Donsol, Philippines

Donsol Bay in the Philippines is one of the best places in the world to see whale sharks. They swim right up to the surface, and while whale sightings can’t ever be guaranteed, if you head to Donsol Bay, you have your best chance of seeing the giant sea creatures. November marks the start of the viewing season, with the best months for whale watching between February and April, and you can even snorkel with them in the bay. It’s the start of the dry season, so November is also a great time to visit many of the beautiful beaches in the Philippines before they get crowded in December.

Romania

November is perhaps one of the best times to visit Romania, as it allows you to have the medieval city centers all to yourself amid the beautiful European autumn colors. From Brasov to Bucharest, Romania is a holiday destination full of surprises. Whatever your expectation is of the mountainous country with its dense forests and medieval relics, you will be surprised by its warmth and hospitality, as well as the variety of UNESCO attractions woven into the varied landscape. A few of Donna Salerno Travel’s favorite exclusive experiences in the month of November include truffle hunting in Transylvania, horseback riding through the forests with no one else in sight, and hiking in the untouched nature of the Carpathians.

New Zealand

Get a jump start on the winter holidays by heading to New Zealand during their spring. The flower gardens at Otahuna Lodge and Christchurch Botanic Gardens are in full bloom and with milder temperatures, it’s an ideal time to take to the outdoors with hikes in Queenstown, Marlborough, and Abel Tasman. The vineyards of Marlborough are also particularly inviting in the springtime.

Paris, France

November is not what most would consider a big tourism month for Paris, but in our opinion, that’s a good thing. The accommodations and flights are more affordable, it’s chilly without being too cold, and there is a certain romanticism in the air as the “City of Light” lives up to its name with the onset of the holidays. The displays at Galeries Lafayette and Printemp on Boulevard Haussmann, the whimsical storefront windows, and the illuminated trees along the Champs-Elysees are reason enough for the November trip. But it’s only enhanced by the plenteous hot crepe and chestnut vendors, smaller crowds fighting for a glimpse of the museums’ masterpieces, quiet cafes for cozying up in from the cold, and the opera season in full swing, and you have the recipe for a lovely Parisian holiday virtually all to yourself.

Antarctica

November is perhaps one of the most adventurous times to visit Antarctica. It is late spring and early summer in the Great Southern Ocean—a time when the undisturbed landscape breaks free from winter and enters its breeding season. To be sure: temperatures will still be cold and the polar ice will still be breaking up, but the pristine ice-scapes, snow, and scenery are at their most impressive during this time. The penguins, too, are a real treat in November, as they build their nests and display their fascinating dances of courtship.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

November ushers in the sweet shoulder season of Spring in Buenos Aires. It’s a time when mild temperatures, thin crowds, and reasonable prices are met by the city’s beautiful violet jacaranda trees and thousands of colorful roses along the Paseo del Rosedal (the Rose Garden Walk). Argentina’s annual Gaucho Day is a celebration of the colorful horsemen of the grasslands.  Buenos Aires is both the capital of and largest city in Argentina and fittingly referred to as the “Paris of South America” due to its French-style buildings and beautiful plazas, fountains, and sculptures. See it when it’s at its most exclusive and exquisite in November.

Nepal

With the monsoons well over, and the trekking season starting in late October, November is a great time to travel to Nepal. You’ll have clear vistas of the Himalayas whether you are on a trek or enjoying the views from a rickshaw instead.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Wander the streets of this colonial town and listen to jazz and blues at the yearly Jazz & Blues Festival. Just a short jaunt from the buzz of Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende takes on a slower pace. The UNESCO World Heritage Site’s is a picturesque place to enjoy the soothing sounds of live musicians.

Uruguay

November is a beautiful time to ride along the Eastern Coast and vineyards of Uruguay. Some special experiences available to Donna Salerno Travel’s clients during this time of year include a typical Uruguayan Mate Tasting at a local wine lodge, a ride along private trails that border local estancias, visiting the Atchugarry Foundation’s Sculpture Park, and a ride along the beach towards La Lengueta, where the Garzon Lagoon reaches the ocean.

Rhone Valley, Switzerland

The best time for horseback riding in the Alps is during the fall, when cooler temperatures prevail, and you can combine some great routes with the bounty of the fall harvest. Discover the “terroir” of the Valais region by taking part in local harvest traditions, explore the endless paths through picturesque alpine pastures, ancient terraced vineyards or the dramatic alpine regions. Visits with local winemakers, special private dinners with pairings, and harvest festivals celebrating local specialties, from cheese to apples, and local charcuterie.

Now that you’ve seen our list of the best places to travel in November, it’s time to pack your bags. Where do you want to go? Our designers can help you plan your getaway. Contact us to get started.

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Donna

Donna Salerno Travel
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