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Would you go to Italy (or Croatia, Greece, Bulgaria, Morocco, Turkey, or ? in November)?

Posted by (Madison, WI, USA) on

I have the first 2 weeks in November off from work, and am fortunate enough to have a generous stipend to pay much of my travel costs if I go to a country I haven't visited before. My original idea was to go to the Galapagos Islands, but while generous, my stipend will not come anywhere near covering the cost of that trip. If I don 't go in November, I will have to wait until late May or summer, which is pretty close to my idea of hell (traveling in Europe during the tourist season).

I have been to many European countries, although by no means all and the ones above plus Iceland, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Czech Republic, and Hungary pretty much cover the ones I haven't been to. I might be able to get away with Wales and Scotland because even though I've been to England, it was Cambridge & London only and was for work

I will be traveling with 2-3 others between 55-70. We like walks, museums, cultural experiences, trains, and just generally wandering around soaking things in., but no one skis, skates, or wants to spend all day outdoors in winter weather.

Given these constraints, what would you recommend? I can also go outside of Europe but, again, can't go where I've been before. If you have non-Europe recommendations, I haven't been on the Asian continent except Singapore, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia but Asia in general seems pretty daunting in 2 weeks; I have been to Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada. I haven't been to S America or Africa either.

Thanks for playing along - I'm interested to see what experiences & recommendations others have.

Posted by
663 posts

I guess it depends on what you like to do when you travel. If you like museums, history, and architure, Italy can be great in the late fall. If you want outdoor adventures, November will very likely be cool and rainy.

Honestly, I’m intrigued by Turkey. I’d go there. There is a place called Pamakule (not sure of spelling) that I’ve been wanting to visit.

Posted by
2214 posts

We were in Tuscany in late December 2 years ago. It was wonderful, most days were brilliant sunshine with temps in the high 50's/low 60's with a little frost in the morning. I'm thinking November will be at least as nice.

The crowds had thinned and we had no trouble with lines for museums, etc.

I think Scotland in November would be a lot more iffy. I'd love to go to Slovakia. I have a new friend who grew up there. There's a chance we'll get to go there with her in November.

Posted by
7054 posts

Europe in November isn't all that attractive to me, I'd go to South America instead. I've only been to Argentina (northwest section plus Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls) but I loved it and would highly recommend it.

Posted by
16895 posts

Yes, I would go back to any of those in November, but the typical off-season strategy involves more focus on towns and cities with indoor museums and activities. Towns that are visited mainly for their beaches or outdoor activities can be quite closed up by November, and with reduced ferry or bus service. (Train service is rarely seasonal but is already limited in many countries on your list.) Also, small pensions in Mediterranean towns where you expect warmer weather may not have heat in the rooms (ask). So although it sounds like you're aiming for warmer places, you might actually consider colder places that more people live in and visit year-round (like Prague and Budapest).

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