10 of the best destinations to visit this November

With summer officially behind us and winter just around the corner, it’s time to book a last-minute pre-Christmas break before the silly season gets into full swing.

Whether you’re after a tropical getaway, a unique European city break or a trip filled with culture, we’ve rounded up the best destinations to visit this November.

1. Patagonia, Chile

The Patagonia region of Chile has long been a spectacle for travellers across the globe, but after the Chilean government launched a new hiking trail last year connecting 17 national parks through the Patagonian region – now’s the perfect time to book your visit.

The new trail is fittingly dubbed the ‘Route of Parks’ and runs for 1,700 miles, making it the world’s longest hiking trail. The trail is split into a number of smaller sections so visitors can do portions at a time – with stunning views and diverse wildlife to spot along the way.

2. Shenzhen, China

The former fishing village is now one of the biggest metropolises in China and Shenzhen Airlines launched the first direct route between Shenzhen Bao’an Airport to London Heathrow last year. The flight to Shenzhen takes approximately 13 hours and 30 minutes and is just one of the many new routes connecting mainland China to London.

Once in Shenzhen, you can escape to the Nanshan Mountains for some tranquillity, visit the Futian CBD for modern architecture and visit the Window of the World – filled with mini replicas of 130 of the world’s biggest attractions, like the leaning tower of Pisa and the Louvre.

3. Sydney, Australia

While Sydney is an ever-popular tourist destination, November is a great time to visit as the weather isn’t as blazing hot as it is in the height of summer, but still warm enough to justify a daily swim in one of Sydney’s many beaches.

Walk the Coogee to Bondi walk, discovering hidden gems like Gordon Bay and Bronte Beach (right around the corner from Bondi, but smaller and prettier), walk to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for the best views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, find one of Sydney's many secret bars or indulge in the brunches and coffee Australia is famous for in one of its zillions of independent cafes in Glebe and Newtown.

4. Serengeti, Tanzania

November in East Africa is nothing less than a wonder. This is because it is the period inbetween the dry and rainy season which is when the Wildebeest Migration occurs. Starting in Kenya’s Masai Mara, the migration heads south towards the Serengeti in Tanzania, making it a prime location for migration spotting.

As it is the shoulder season, it’s likely there will be more deals in prime safari locations as the tourists won’t be back again until Christmas.

5. Alaska, USA

By the end of November, the sun rises in Alaska’s Anchorage at 9:45am and sets at 3:50pm – but these limited hours of daylight make it the prime time to see the Northern Lights . If you are staying in Anchorage, head up to the GlenAlps to get away from the city lights for aurora viewing, and watch the magical lights dance across the night sky.

November is also a great time for animal spotting in the northernmost US state, moose are abundant – but bears have entered hibernation by this point so you won’t have to worry about running into one in the wilderness.

6. Chiang Mai, Thailand

While Bangkok and Phuket are known as Thailand’s party destinations, Chiang Mai is where you want to go if you’re looking to dive knee-deep into Thai culture. The former seat of the Lanna kingdom is filled with ornate temples, street food stalls and surrounded by lush green countryside and rainforests. Exploring these surroundings will lead you to waterfalls, elephant sanctuaries and serene country villages.

7. Turks and Caicos

November marks the end of the Atlantic hurricane season and makes way for warmer, drier weather. The average daily temperatures in Turks and Caicos hovers around 30C, making it perfect lounging-on-the-beach weather. T & C is also home to the world’s best beach , Grace Bay – as voted by TripAdvisor in its Traveller’s Choice Awards – making it a must-visit. Home to some of the most thriving coral reefs in the world, T & C is also the ideal destination for any discerning diver.

8. Vilnius, Lithuania

The Lithuanian capital regularly goes under the travel radar when it comes to European city breaks , but with Ryanair flights to Vilnius from London just £23 each way, it’s a hard bargain to pass up. The capital boasts the largest mediaeval town in Central and Eastern Europe – UNESCO-protected of course – containing a large number of baroque churches and neoclassical buildings. Other than the number of aesthetically-pleasing Instagram shots you will take, there are a number of craft beer bars serving up Lithuanian brew and Baltic cuisine to satisfy your taste buds.

9. Kathmandu, Nepal

If you’ve always wanted to climb Everest, or ‘simply’ trek through the Himalayas, November is the perfect time. The weather is not too hot, the sky clear and the crowds will be gone as the high season is almost over.

Whether or not you choose to hike, a visit to Kathmandu is the perfect almost-winter escape. You can explore the street food stalls, Buddhist monasteries or simply revel in the fresh air.

10. California, USA

California is always a good idea. Whether your destination is San Francisco, Los Angeles or a road trip along the cost to Malibu, Newport Beach, Monterey and beyond, November is the best time to visit this permanently temperate state.