An interesting month, November. I love October for the fall colours and the smell of fire places. And I love December and the run-up to Christmas.
But November? It's that in-between month when the weather turns grey, hiking trails are muddy and there's no snow yet to go skiing. Good thing there are places to travel to!
Here are my suggestions for where you should travel on your next adventure holiday in November.
Patagonia
While you could still get away with a reasonably dry holiday in the Andean countries, October is the better month for those. Instead you should look further south where from now until February the weather is best for travelling. Visit Torres del Paine with its the towering granite pillars, glaciers and the azure lakes. The hiking and trekking here are second to none. Except perhaps in its counterpart on the Argentine side - the Fitzroy range offers world-class hiking, ice climbing and camping amidst some spectacular mountain scenery. Discover Patagonia
West and North Africa
Winter is best to visit West Africa - but let's face it, not many people make it there due to the remote nature of the region. Instead people look to Morocco, with its mountains, deserts and ancient suqs and the timeless pyramids, temples and mosques of Egypt.
Jordan and Turkey
While it is starting to get cooler in Jordan's mountains and Turkey's interior, you will find you will have plenty of elbow room as fall visitors will have gone home. See the Roman ruins at Jerash or Ephesus, the ancient rock-hewn city of Petra, or get lost in the deserts of Wadi Rum or the backstreets of Istanbul. Jordan Highlights or Turkey Discovery - a Premium Adventure
Europe's deep south
While much of Europe is getting too cool for travel, in the deep south you will still find lovely weather. Think hiking the Amalfi Coast, Puglia, Andalucia or the Greek Islands, For something less active, discover ancient Greece, the best of Italy or a Douro river cruise?
Oman and Saudi Arabia
For lovers of deserts there are is no better place to go than the Arabian Peninsula. Central to the region, Saudi Arabia is a country that for centuries has been inaccessible to Westerners.
At the southern end you will find the Sultanate of Oman, a hidden gem in the Middle East, affected by neither instability nor oil wealth. The country boasts a rich cultural heritage, a fabulous past, traditional charms, and Bedouin values. This one-week tour of Oman shows you all the highlights.
India and Sri Lanka
Going east we hit India where the south stands in huge contrast to the north. Here you will find lush farm fields, steep mountains, hill stations from the Raj, golden beaches and of course, the Backwaters of Kerala. Explore the temples of Mamallapuram and Madurai, visit national parks in search of wildlife and enjoy some of the best food our planet has to offer.
And hanging like a tear drop off India, Sri Lanka is welcoming travellers once again. I featured the highlights in this blog post. South India Highlights or Beautiful Sri Lanka
Into the mountains
Offering incredible cultural and geographical diversity The Annapurnca Circuit trek takes you from green foothills dotted with lowland villages past inspiring views and across Thorong La Pass to the stark and rugged landscapes of the Tibetan Plateau.
South East Asia
Lush rice paddies, tropical forests and ancient villages; hazy mountains with cascading waterfalls; craggy limestone cliffs rising from the land and the sea; gleaming temples and golden Buddhas; jungle-covered islands anchored in azure waters; miles of sandy beaches; bustling cities and markets packed with people and produce. Add to that Angkor Wat, the famous temple complex in Cambodia, delicious food and the forgotten rivers and villages of Laos and you have a region that will take you several trips to get to know. You can see it all on Highlights of South East Asia.
Japan
Before winter sets in, be sure to travel to Japan, perhaps on a food adventure. Slurp on soba and sample some sake, eat at a takoyaki in Osaka, try your hand at making sushi, and savour yakitori in Tokyo. This tour is truly a taste of Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun.
Need inspiration? Click here to access our tour finder or just ask me!
