Where to go on holiday in November

Creative Commons / maximalideal

Best November holidays for … cities

Long haul: Oaxaca City, Mexico
In November, Mexico bursts alive with colour and merriment for the annual “Day of the Dead” celebration. Although the name sounds ominous, this is Mexico’s most exultant event. While the actual festival takes place during the first week in November, it breathes life into the city throughout the winter. Corresponding with the bounty of fall harvest, the Day of the Dead is believed to be a time when spirits travel to earth and mingle in earthly celebrations.

Less touristy than other parts of the country, the city of Oaxaca in Mexico’s south-west region has emerged as the center for handicrafts and delicious food and is known as the festival and food capital of Mexico. The city has a unique fusion of European and Spanish influences which creates the distinctive mestizo culture seen today.
 

Short haul: Prague, Czech Republic
Prague’s cultural and music festivals will be in full swing by November. Combine this with the sight of Christmas decorations and the hustle and bustle of Christmas markets, and visitors will discover that this is the ideal city break destination to get into the yuletide spirit.

Take a stroll through the historic Old Town Square and soak up the atmosphere of one of Europe’s most beautiful cities. Check out The Strings of Autumn music festival at the National Theatre and the Rudolfinum, seat of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, showcasing everything from classical to jazz music. The festival ends on 21 November with a jazz concert by four-time Grammy winner Dianne Reeve.

Best November holidays for … beaches

Long haul: Thailand
While Brits are donning umbrellas, the local islanders at Koh Phangan are welcoming the end of the wet season. Accessible by ferry from Bangkok, Koh Phangan offers turquoise waters, lush jungles and beautiful beaches – quintessential tropical Thailand – with a notoriously lively party scene. On the east side of the island is Had Rin Nok beach, home of the wild and famous Full Moon Party, which draws 10,000-20,000 people every month. Alternatively, for beautiful scenery and pristine sand, grab a sea-taxi to Bottle Beach on the island’s north coast. For stunning sunsets and cheap accommodation, head south to Ban Khai and Ao Nai Nok beaches.

Short haul: Egypt

Of all Egypt’s beach resorts, Sharm El Sheikh is one of the country’s most well-developed and popular destinations for UK holidaymakers. Located on the tip of the Sinai Peninsula and framed by sandy desert and the glittering Red Sea, it offers the perfect winter sun escape. With hotels ranging from small inns to all-inclusive resorts, there’s accommodation to suit all budgets and there’s plenty to do from water sports to camel rides along Na’ama Beach.

One of the major attractions of a holiday to Sharm is scuba-diving in Ras Mohammed National Park, which teems with colourful coral and marine life. Warm waters, a multitude of dive sites and a wide choice of competitively priced, learn-to-dive packages make Sharm a terrific hotspot for all those wanting to take the plunge for the first time.

In addition, the resort is surrounded by Bedouin camps and sand dunes, meaning desert adventures are within easy reach for intrepid holidaymakers. Safaris to the nearby Colored Canyon or a sunset camel ride are popular excursions for those who want to explore beyond the resort. Sharm may be a world away from authentic Egypt but this resort is unbeatable for an affordable winter sun escape.

Best November holidays for … outdoors

Long haul: Kenya

An African safari offers an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime adventure, with a trip to Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve a major draw for safari lovers in November. This month marks one of the world’s most amazing wildlife spectacles - the great wildebeest migration, when over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelles migrate from neighbouring Tanzania in search of food and water followed by hungry predators, before swooping south again into the Serengeti.

Sprawled across 1,672sq km (646sq miles), the wildlife-rich Mara offers a number of accommodation options from luxury to budget campsites as well hotels based outside to the reserve. A visit to the reserve also typically includes an opportunity to visit a local village to learn about the Masai’s traditional way of life.

Short haul: Mallorca
There’s much more to Mallorca than its beaches; this Spanish island has an amazing variety of adventure sports, from long-standing pastimes like deep-sea fishing, mountain biking and sea kayaking to burgeoning sports like canyoning, an exhilarating combination of climbing, jumping, and/or swimming through canyons. Alternatively, book a guided tour or explore the real Mallorca yourself by hiking through the breathtaking Tramuntana mountains.

Nature lovers should not miss out on the numerous boat trips to the neighboring islands of Cabrera and Conera. These hidden gems are like the Galapagos of the Med. Part of the beautifully maintained Spanish National Park system, rare dolphins and sea snails survive around these relatively untouched islands.