If you’re thinking about where to travel this November, consider relocating the turkey-powered family get-together. Countless destinations offer a delicious counterpoint to that perennial meal, whether you prefer sampling a traditional stew at a centuries-old Italian festival or a sticky, sweet sandwich above the Arctic Circle. Then again, you could opt for some brain food in the Pacific Northwest, closer to home.
Here are the 10 best places to travel in November.
Whether you explore Venice by gondola, water taxi, or vaporetto, cruising past the city’s labyrinth of canals, 15th-century palazzos, and churches with crooked bell towers is an unforgettable experience.
Photo by Nick Karvounis
1. Venice, Italy
November is great for: Joining a centuries-old celebration
November’s Festa della Madonna della Salute (also known as the Virgin Mary of Health) was one of the most important celebrations in the Venetian Republic. The holiday was instituted in 1630 as a thanksgiving for the end of a particularly bad bout of bubonic plague, a regular occurrence in this trading hub of a city; that epidemic killed about one-third of those then living in Venice.
More than two centuries after the republic collapsed, the holiday remains an annual highlight. On November 21, a temporary bridge is built to straddle the Grand Canal, connecting to the huge Basilica Santa Maria della Salute. Thousands march across it to light candles and pray. Make sure to order some castradina, the mutton and cabbage stew that’s the default dinner on this day.
Insider tip
Take a vaporetto out into the lagoon to visit one of the lesser-known islands that dot the waters around here, says Violino d’Oro concierge Matteo Flumian; start with San Lazzaro degli Armeni. “Since 1717, the island has been home to the General Abbey of the Armenian Mekhitarist Congregation,” he explains. “And it’s one of the most important Armenian religious and cultural centers in the world.”
Where to stay: Violino d’Oro
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Florentine hotelier Sara Maestrelli’s newest project is this jewel box–like property, two minutes’ walk from San Marco, which she created by combining a series of smaller hotels into this 32-room gem. Book Room 13, and you’ll have a private terrace tucked away from the crowds below.
Visit Costa Rica to enjoy hot springs at places like Tabacón, where waters are heated by the neighboring Arenal volcano.
Photo by Michael Zysman/Shutterstock
2. Costa Rica
November is great for: Bargain-priced adventures in the rainforest
This shoulder season month is an insider secret for visiting Costa Rica, as rates remain low but the rainy season is concluding, so the weather’s likely to be sunny most days. One major attraction worth exploring in this Goldilocks month is the Arenal volcano, the 5,400-foot peak that dominates the skyline of the country’s north.
It’s wreathed in rainforest, ideal for experiencing the lush biodiversity of the country and countless outdoorsy activities. Come for ziplining through the canopies, walking among the treetops on hanging bridges, or hiking to the 230-foot La Fortuna waterfall before taking a dip in the cool water of the pool at the base.
Insider tip
Take home a traditional Costa Rican coffee maker as a keepsake, says Sergio Gamboa Masis, the resident manager at Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas. He recommends two types: a chorreador de café, a foldable wooden stand that relies on a cloth bag as its filter, or a vandola, a clay pour-over brewing device. “It’s handmade, so each piece is unique, and it’s visually striking, with pre-Columbian art designs.”
Where to stay: Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas
- Book now: Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas
The 21-villa resort sits on the northern Pacific coast overlooking the ocean, and each villa has its own infinity-edge plunge pool. Book one of the west-facing Sunset Villas for the most swoon-worthy views.
Evian-les-Bains sits on the shores of Lake Geneva.
Photo by MaruokaJoe/Shutterstock
3. Evian Les Bains, France
November is great for: A memorable, moving moment
As the days grow crisper and the leaves turn, visit this Belle Époque–era spa town. It sits high in the Alps, with bracingly clear air and glorious hiking. That ski-ready terrain is appealing for any outdoorsy activity, whether biking or running through the hills. Visit the Evian bottling plant to get an inside look at one of the area’s most famous exports as well as the source.
If you come to the country on November 11, look for people wearing a cornflower, or le bleuet, on their lapels. The date, Armistice Day, is a moving time to be in France. It’s a remembrance of the cessation of hostilities on the western front of World War One and remains an important day to the French.
Insider tip
Plunge into the waters of Lake Geneva for a static freediving session with Benjamin Allègre from diving center Apnée Léman, says Virgile Delamare, who coordinates Evian Resorts’ sports and culture projects. It’s more meditative than adrenaline-rushing: “You learn to relax physically and mentally and control your breath with different techniques.”
Where to stay: Hôtel Ermitage
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Evian Resort’s four-star 47-acre property remains open year-round. Wander through the woodlands and forests, or take in the superb views of the lake.
4. Portland, Oregon
November is great for: Book nerds and would-be authors
During the Portland Book Festival, more than 100 authors will participate in the day-long bash on November 2. There will be discussions, readings, and writing workshops, but plan ahead, because it’s cheaper to buy a day pass in advance. Last year’s roster included The Power author Naomi Alderman, humorist Curtis Sittenfeld, New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast, and Michael Lewis, author of countless business blockbusters.
Book lovers should also stop in Powell’s, Portland’s largest independent bookstore, or check out other indie shops around town, like Third Eye Books and Bishop & Wilde.
Insider tip
Dustin Kurtz is the manager and lead buyer at local indie bookseller Literary Arts. He recommends a trip to the Independent Publishing Resource Center, a 501(c)3 creative space. “It hosts a wealth of great workshops, many of them open for anyone to join with no notice, including a correspondence club and writing group nights.”
Where to stay Woodlark Hotel
- Book now: Woodlark Hotel
The 150-room hotel combines two old buildings—the onetime Cornelius Hotel and the namesake Woodlark—into a funky, boutique property that has a clutch of cool crashpads.
Surrounded by Fjords and home to a thriving Arctic creative scene, Bodø is a 2024 European Capital of Culture.
Photo by Tim E. White/Getty Images
5. Norwegian Coast
November is great for: Improving your chances of spotting the aurora borealis
Ever dreamed of chasing the northern lights? It’s smart to try this winter, as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association reports that the next solar maximum is expected later this year or early next: At this point in the 11-year cycle, the sun’s ferocity whips up the maximum solar winds, and the stronger these gusts, the likelier you’ll see those elusive aurora borealis. Head to the northern reaches of the Norwegian coast this month to see them glow above the jagged fjords, and stop in at Bodø, a European Capital of Culture that sits within the Arctic Circle. The yearlong celebrations climax this month, with events that spotlight the local food (møsbrømlefse is a moreish, sweet snack made of bread and a gooey, milky filling) the culture of the Sami, the Indigenous people who live up in these parts, and more.
Insider tip
When you hit Tromsø, a city within the Arctic Circle, walk into town from the dock, says Kari Moe Sundli, who leads expeditions for one of Havila Voyages’ ships. There you’ll find Skarven, a restaurant housed in a butter factory dating back to 1908. “It has become a place where the locals meet,” she says. “And on the menu, there’s sirloin of reindeer and klipfish [dried and salted cod] of pollock.” Just come thirsty, as there’s a beer list of more than 400 brands.
Where to stay: Havila Voyages
- Book now: Havila Voyages
This family-owned local cruise line runs four hybrid-power ships, with battery power enough to sail for four hours with zero emissions; it operates various itineraries that skitter along the fjords, including up into the Arctic Circle.
San Miguel de Allende offers plenty of festivity in November.
Photo by Matt Gush/Shutterstock
6. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
November is great for: Face painting and spooky celebrations
Día de los Muertos—aka Day of the Dead—is a national holiday in Mexico (officially celebrated on November 2, but kicking off on Halloween). Come to the UNESCO-championed city in the central highlands of Guanajuato to experience the extraordinary festivities firsthand, with endless decorative calaveras, or skulls made of materials including wood and paper mâché, festooning the city.
Wander the cobblestoned streets here day or night, and you’ll see concerts and performances in the main square. Keep an eye out for the Catarina parade: It’s a beauty pageant with a twist, as sexy skeleton-painted contestants vie for the title.
Insider tip
Don’t go home without picking up the ultimate souvenir, says Guillermo Varela, the Rosewood San Miguel de Allende’s managing director: a cowboy hat. “It’s become a symbol of local identity and is proudly worn by locals and visitors alike—it’s a big tradition here now.”
Where to stay: Rosewood San Miguel de Allende
- Book now: Rosewood San Miguel de Allende
The 67-room property, which first opened in the heart of downtown 13 years ago, has just added a brand-new restaurant, Pirules Garden Kitchen, under the auspices of chef Odin Rocha.
Key West’s colorful culture draws a diverse crowd of characters, looking for a lively nightlife scene, museums, or a day in the sun.
Photo by Irina Wilhauk/Shutterstock
7. Key West, Florida
November is great for: Quirky film screenings in Florida’s offbeat outpost
Key West celebrates creativity this month during the Key West Film Festival, which runs November 13–17. It focuses on Florida filmmaking talent of all kinds: Last year’s lineup across its three venues included the double-header docs Tarpon and All That Is Sacred, chronicling the life of writer Thomas McGuane and such pals as Jimmy Buffett, and The Space Race, which focuses on the first black astronaut, plus Studio One Forever, which looks at the namesake gay disco.
While you’re in this part of Florida, check out the historic neighborhood of Bahama Village, which offers a look into the area’s rich Black history.
Insider tip
The Marker Key West concierge Sabrina Gendron says that the artistic community that once dominated Key West remains active, albeit less prominent; pick up an artwork to take home from one of the galleries. Her standout: Sacred Space, which sells art and crafts solely made by women living in the Florida Keys.
Where to stay: The Marker Key West
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This 96-room resort sits in the heart of town, right on Key West Bight and close to the ferries. It’s named after Mile Marker 0 nearby, the sign that marks the end of the road for Highway 1 and where most visitors snap a selfie.
Get in touch with Dubai’s creative side in November.
Photo by Creative Family/Shutterstock
8. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
November is great for: Browsing the biggest names in design
This month features Dubai Design Week and Downtown Design: The former, which started in 2015, runs November 5–10, while the latter is staged on the waterfront nearly simultaneously, November 6–9. They’re joined by the brand-new Editions Dubai, a limited-edition art fair, which takes place alongside Dubai Design in the same complex.
It’s a nod to the city’s rising status as an art hub—and you can expect splashy showcases of the world’s top art and design names. The design fair’s exhibitors include Poltrona Frau and Toto, while the exhibitions and commissions as part of Design Week have been curated under the theme of tawila, Arabic for table, which will be unveiled this month. Even better, temperatures finally soften (the mercury is usually hovering in the upper 70s or low 80s), so that it’s easier to wander around and look at outdoor installations.
Insider tip
Pick up some locally made chocolate at Mirzam, spiked with dates and spices, or a handmade carpet from Chuk Palu, says XVA Art Hotel director Grace Hauser. “It’s right on Dubai Creek, and the handmade carpets perfectly mix traditional rich Afghan craftsmanship with modern designs.”
Where to stay: XVA Art Hotel
- Book now: XVA Art Hotel
Skip the gleaming towers and opt instead for this charming, 20-year-old property, a reimagining of a wealthy family’s one-time home, in the oldest neighborhood in Dubai, Al Fahidi, with its maze-like alleyways and Persian architecture.
Combine great wine and fantastic bird-watching on a trip to Lodi.
Photo by Chantarat/Shutterstock
9. Lodi, California
November is great for: Flocks of birds and vats of wine
Come to this town in the heart of California’s Central Valley, about 40 minutes’ drive from Sacramento, to watch the magnificent arrival of thousands of sandhill cranes to the wetlands of the delta nearby. They’ll stay here until February or so before spending summers up north. Their return is marked each year with a namesake festival (this year, it runs November 2–3), which includes guided tours where experts will lead you to see the cranes in their natural habitat and workshops to teach visitors about these extraordinary birds.
Make sure, too, that you save time to scoot around the 80 or so wineries that dot the landscapes nearby, many of them still family owned; the terroir here is ideal for fruity zinfandels in particular, and some of the state’s oldest zin vines thrive here.
Insider tip
Tia Flores, the front office manager at Wine & Roses Hotel, has three gourmet spots to recommend: coffee at Ruby’s Bakery & Café, olive oils and vinegars at Calivines Winery, and Pietro’s Italian restaurant—order the gnocchi and a glass of robust local red.
Where to stay: Wine & Roses Hotel
- Book now: Wine & Roses Hotel
The 66-room hotel sits amid eight acres of botanical garden, dotted with towering trees on the north end of town: book room 8 or 9, which are both in the historic inn building and have a quirky charm.
Embrace both quiet and loud moments in Cambodia.
Photo by Olga Kot Photo/Shutterstock
10. Cambodia
November is great for: Cruising down the Mekong at the rainy season’s end
November 9 is the day that Cambodia gained independence from France in 1953, and it’s celebrated throughout the country, including in Siem Reap, the city closest to Angkor Wat. Expect fireworks, parades, and partying.
Stick around a few days longer, though, and you’ll experience a very different, age-old celebration, Bom Om Touk, or the Cambodian Water Festival, which runs from November 14 to 16. It celebrates the end of the rainy season, and the unique phenomenon that sees the water flow between Tonle Sap Lake and the Mekong River reverse when it does. Take a cruise during the short, high-water season, along Tonlé Sap (meaning Great Lake), spending four nights sailing between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh on the small luxury ships operated by the locally owned Heritage Line.
Insider tip
Jaya House River Park owner Christian de Boer recommends a Lemongrass Collins at Miss Wong, a local upscale cocktail bar, and dinner at Jomno, which offers a modern spin on classic Khmer food, such as five-spice smoked duck breast with fresh egg noodles.
Where to stay: Jaya House River Park
- Book now: Jaya House River Park
The four-year old property is a six-minute tuk-tuk ride from the temples of Angkor Wat, with 36 rooms and sleek interiors that nod to 1960s tropical modernism; all rooms have balconies or terraces and there’s a superb, vegan-friendly restaurant on site, Trorkuon Khmer.
