The Best Places to Travel in November

I always try to get a long break in during November. I’ve found bargains to some of my personal dream destinations in the past and will be looking to do the same. Here are some of my favourites and a few other hot tips from the team.

Last year I made a lifelong dream come true and visited Jordan. I started off in the capital Amman and worked my way through the many treasures the country has to offer. Two obvious highlights were the ancient city of Petra and Wadi Rum. The city is huge, and that might come as a surprise to many who automatically assume that it only includes the facade of the treasury building – yep, the one from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. That iconic landmark is of course there, but you have to keep going to see the full breadth of the city. You can understand why so many filmmakers are drawn here and Wadi Rum, the vast desert with otherworldly rock formations is another unmissable destination. The luxury camps are styled after designs used in the Ridley Scott movie The Martian while scenes from the Dune series and recent Star Wars films have also been shot here. I recommend doing both of these in one go and potentially skipping the touristy Dead Sea excursion which is fine but can’t compare with this duo.

The weather is cooler and more comfortable in Beijing for an end of year trip. Historic sites like the Forbidden City, where imperial grandeur meets vibrant autumnal colours and hiking along the Great Wall at Mutianyu are unforgettable experiences you’ll want to include in your itinerary. Don’t miss the Summer Palace, where boat rides on Kunming Lake offer greatviews of seasonal gardens, or the Temple of Heaven, a masterpiece of Ming Dynasty architecture. November also brings fewer crowds, allowing for quieter visits to cultural gems like the 798 Art District and lively markets such as Wangfujing Street, where you can taste Peking duck or warm up with a local hot pot.

During November, temperatures hover between 20–25°C, ideal for basking on sun-kissed beaches like those in Fuerteventura or exploring volcanic landscapes in Teide National Park, home to Spain’s highest peak. This is one of those destinations I wouldn’t want to visit in the summer but fewer crowds in iconic sites such as Lanzarote’s Timanfaya or Gran Canaria’s Maspalomas Dunes do sound appealing. Hotels and flights often become more affordable too. Adventurers can hike verdant trails, stargaze under pristine dark skies, or spot whales off Tenerife’s coast, as marine life thrives in the mild Atlantic waters.

As summer crowds disperse, the UNESCO World Heritage city moves at a leisurely pace, with temperatures perfect for wandering cobblestone streets lined with limestone buildings. History buffs can marvel at St. John’s Co-Cathedral, adorned with Caravaggio masterpieces, or explore the Grandmaster’s Palace, while the city’s compact size ensures key attractions like the Upper Barrakka Gardens are easily accessible. November also brings a quieter charm to Valletta’s waterfront, where alfresco dining thrives in the crisp air, serving up Maltese delicacies like fresh lampuki (fish) or pastizzi. Nearby destinations like the Three Cities or Mdina are just a short trip away. Expect a surge in interest from film fans too as a number of Hollywood blockbusters have been shot here in recent years.

In keeping with the culture here, Vegas took a big gamble with the addition of a Formula 1 race in 2023 but its a risk that has spectacularly paid off. The Grand Prix is now a permanent fixture in late November and the buzz on the streets is electric. Understandably visitors might be wary of travelling at such a busy period but if you’ve previously been to Sin City this event brings a different energy to the place. You can still do all the things you expect in Las Vegas from day trips to the Grand Canyon to catching a show at the mesmerising MSG Sphere, but the sight of the fastest cars in the world speeding down the Strip is the truly unforgettable spectacle.