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Suggestions For November Travel

I have a big birthday next November and my husband’s birthday is five days after mine so we will want to celebrate both of them. I was originally thinking New Zealand and have not outright rejected that, but I’m considering somewhere that’s doable and won’t require the minimum of four weeks I would like there. Maybe I’m just burnt out, but we have been traveling 12 of the last 14 weeks and I’m tired. I’m looking for suggestions for somewhere with pleasant weather the first half of November that won’t be affected by things closing for the season. I welcome any input. Thanks for any help!

PS - I am going to post this query in the Beyond Europe forum as well.

Posted by
10880 posts

The first thing I thought of is Madeira or the Azores. I've only been to either in the November to January period on Transatlantic and to China sea passages (three return passages and 2 one way trips, I think) . I may be wrong but I'm not aware that there is anything much on either destination which is seasonal, and I've always found the weather very pleasant indeed, just right in terms of temperature. Coming home at that time of year it's the last taste of warmth before winter back home, and outbound the first taste of some warmth.
Irrespective of if there are possible seasonal closures there is plenty to do.
Rather than being just long single days in port I could easily go back to either for a longer stay (and my birthday is November as well).

The Azores I think you can fly into from NY and Boston I believe (neither daily AFAIK) .

Posted by
6372 posts

I spent the first 3 weeks of November in Japan and the weather was terrific. Temperatures were in the 60s in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Kanazawa. The mountain regions were colder. From the west coast, the flight wouldn’t be any longer than a flight to Europe. I took the Classic Japan tour offered by Inside Japan (Tokyo, Hakone, Osaka, Kyoto, Takayama, Hirayuku Onsen) and spent an additional week on my own visiting Kanazawa and adding additional time in Tokyo.

Posted by
7848 posts

Agree with Christine. We had an absolutely fantastic time in Andalusia--Sevilla, Granada and Cordoba. Also did some of the pueblos blancos.

Posted by
9531 posts

You have some great suggestions already, southern Spain or Japan.
I have been to both and love them.

Japan Is my favorite East Asian country, it is very safe, clean and the people are friendly and helpful.
It is not as expensive as you might think. We did 8 days in Japan prior to taking a cruise from Tokyo Bay to Hong Kong. It visited five ports in Japan, one in China and two in Taiwan, ending in Hong Kong.
You might not be interested in a cruise, that's fine, take the trains in Japan, they are fast and clean and great.
Consider a tour, we use Gate 1 Travel and love them. Consider at least the 9 or 12 day tour. If you don't want to do a group tour for the country, I recommend taking day tours from a local tour company. TripAdvisor.com can assist. We took a 3 day tour from Tokyo to Kyoto and Nara and it was great. Do not miss Kyoto, you need at least 2-3 days there.
https://www.gate1travel.com/asia-pacific/china-japan

Spain is nice Seville is special, also Cordoba, Granada and other places in the south. You might wish to do Madrid as well as day trips from Madrid to Toledo and Segovia. Both are wonderful.

Posted by
493 posts

Another vote for the Azores! Since you're on the West Coast, as we are, you could spend a day or two in Boston, then fly to the Azores for a week or so. Off season, the rates are amazing but the weather is still mild (70's in October when we were there.) Food is excellent, hotel rates are under 100E off season, and people are warm and most speak English. You can have a fun and relaxing time on just the main island, Sao Miguel, or hop to one or more of the other 8. We booked through Azores Getaways, whom I highly recommend for their personal and thoughtful service. We stayed in downtown Ponta Delgada at Neat Hotel Avenida, and also at the Doubletree in Lagoa, about a 10 minute drive from PD. We toured a pineapple plantation and ceramics factory, and spent time in one of the great hot pool facilities. No signs of seasonal closures.

Posted by
11501 posts

And then go back to the Americas on a transatlantic repositioning cruise. In November ship that have been cruising in the Mediterranean cross over to the Caribbean for winter cruises. Transatlantics sail to NY, FL, Texas, Caribbean Islands, and South America.

Check Vacations to go for dates, lines, and an idea about prices.
https://www.vacationstogo.com