I travel a lot in November. Prices slip a bit. Crowds thin out. The weather often sits in that sweet middle—light jacket, happy feet. If you’re after an even deeper dive into my November philosophy, I broke down the full logic in this guide. I chase color, food, and calm. Here’s where I went, what worked, and what I’d tell a friend over coffee. If you want an even broader list of destinations that shine this month, check out Travel + Leisure’s roundup.
Kyoto, Japan — Red Leaves, Quiet Streets (Sometimes)
I went for the fall leaves and stayed for the soup. I booked a tiny room at Ryokan Yachiyo near Nanzen-ji. Tatami mats. Hot tea. A bath that made my shoulders drop. Each morning, I walked under maple trees that looked like they were on fire. In a good way.
I did Arashiyama at sunrise. The bamboo grove creaked in the wind like an old door. Then I got lost in Nishiki Market and ate yakitori from a stall where the grill boss barely looked up. I loved that.
- What I liked: peak leaves mid-November, spotless trains, kind strangers, Lawson snacks
- What bugged me: early sunsets, chilly nights, big weekend crowds at Kiyomizu-dera
Quick note: I used a Suica card on my phone and set a Google Maps offline map. Simple, no drama.
Oaxaca, Mexico — Día de Muertos Magic
I went Oct 30 to Nov 3 and saw the city glow. Callejones filled with marigolds. I got my face painted by Doña Lety in Jalatlaco—soft brushes, big smile. I ate pan de muerto with thick hot chocolate at dawn. Sweet, warm, perfect.
I stayed at Casa de las Bugambilias. Cozy patio. The owner gave me a tiny candle and said, “For your altar.” I carried it to the cemetery at Xoxocotlán with a local guide. We walked slow. We stayed quiet. It felt tender, not like a show.
- What I liked: parades (comparsas), street art, moles at Los Pacos, crafts in Teotitlán
- What bugged me: loud fireworks at night, prices jump that week, Uber got spotty
Tip from my heart: be respectful in cemeteries. Ask before photos. Buy flowers from families. It matters. When you bring a piece of a place home, make sure it tells its own story; I explored that idea with the hand-painted tiles I hauled back from New Mexico in this travel-art essay.
Marrakech, Morocco — Warm Days, Cool Nights
I booked Riad Yasmine because, yes, the pool is a dream. Mint tea appeared like magic. The call to prayer woke me early, and honestly, I didn’t mind. The sky went pink. I watched cats stretch on the warm tiles.
The souks were a maze. A kind shopkeeper drew me a map on a receipt. I bartered a little, laughed a lot, and bought a brass lamp I did not need. I ate lamb tanjia that fell apart with a spoon. I still think about that sauce.
- What I liked: 70s and sunny, rooftop sunsets, hammam day at Les Bains de Marrakech
- What bugged me: scooters in narrow alleys, cash needed more than I planned, tourist touts
Pro move: I kept small bills, used Maps.me offline, and wore closed shoes. My toes thanked me.
Lisbon, Portugal — Pastel Sunshine And Hills
Lisbon felt like a soft song in November. I stayed at Memmo Alfama with a view that made me gasp each morning. I rode Tram 28 once and then skipped it (too packed). Instead, I walked. My calves complained; my eyes cheered.
I ate pastéis de nata at Manteigaria, still warm.
Dessert-driven travelers whose sweet tooth keeps buzzing long after the last crumb can hop over to JustSugar for an ever-updated stash of candy reviews, global snack spotlights, and gift guides that help you stock your carry-on (or your pantry) with treats you might not discover on the road.
I listened to fado at Clube de Fado and cried a little, which surprised me. Sad songs can be good company on a cool night.
- What I liked: gentle weather, cheap fares this month, long café breaks
- What bugged me: slick tiles in the rain, hills on hills, tram crowds
Tiny hack: the Lisboa Card paid off for me after two museums and a few rides. I kept it tucked with my metro card like a little travel sandwich.
Iceland — Dark Skies, Green Lights
I chased the northern lights near Vik and found them. I booked a 4×4 with Blue Car Rental and checked road.is like a hawk. Wind slapped the doors, hard. I stayed at Hotel Kría; the staff gave me a heads-up when the KP index jumped. I threw on a puffy and ran outside. The sky danced.
Daylight was short—about seven hours—so I planned tight: Golden Circle loop, a fast soup at a gas station (lamb, salty, great), then thermal bliss at Secret Lagoon. Blue Lagoon? Nice, but crowded when I went. Book first, always.
- What I liked: auroras, fewer tour buses, hot pools in cold air
- What bugged me: strong wind, pricey food, icy shoulders on the road
Pack list that saved me: microspikes for sneaky ice, headlamp, and a thermos. Hot coffee tastes better when your face is numb.
El Chaltén, Patagonia (Argentina) — Spring Trails, Big Wind
El Chaltén calls itself the hiking capital, and in November it earns it. I stayed at Hostería Senderos and walked straight to the Laguna de los Tres trail. The climb was a leg burner, and the view hit me like a drum. Fitz Roy stood sharp and proud. I ate a sandwich with very cold hands and didn’t care.
- What I liked: long days, wildflowers, empanadas after hikes
- What bugged me: wind that leaned on me like a bully, patchy Wi-Fi, cash rules more than cards
Money thing: I brought crisp USD for a better rate. It felt old school, but it worked.
Chiang Mai, Thailand — Lanterns And Light
I got lucky. Yi Peng lined up with my dates. Lanterns floated above the river like little moons. I stayed in the Old City at BED Chiang Mai Gate. Friendly staff. Free water. I slurped khao soi at Khao Soi Khun Yai and went back the next day because self-control is overrated.
Temples felt calm in the morning. Doi Suthep had a light mist that clung to my sleeves. By lunch it was hot, but not brutal.
- What I liked: lantern festival, cheap and tasty street food, easy motorbike day trips
- What bugged me: smoke from some burns, grab rides surge at night, festival crowds
I wore loose linen and carried bug spray. Simple kit, happy skin.
Madeira, Portugal — Cliff Walks And Levada Hikes
This one surprised me. I booked on a fare drop and went on a whim. Funchal felt like a sunny bowl. I stayed at Castanheiro Boutique Hotel and ate too many black scabbard fish sandwiches. The levadas? Unreal. Flat paths carved into hills, waterfalls whispering beside you.
- What I liked: 60s and clear, cheap rental cars, bananas everywhere
- What bugged me: tight roads with gutsy drivers, quick weather shifts, some trails closed after rain
AllTrails helped me pick safe routes after a storm. I stuck to ones with recent reviews. No hero moves.
One small, stateside curveball: sometimes a long-haul flight just won’t fit the calendar, so I point the rental car toward Texas instead. Abilene—full of frontier murals, a downtown that’s waking up, and a low-key but lively late-night scene—made for a breezy November weekend last year. If you’re curious about mapping your own night out in that part of the Lone Star State, from live-music dives to after-dark eateries, check out AdultLook Abilene for a crowd-sourced lineup of current venues and insider tips that can help you stitch together an evening that feels local rather than touristy.
Quick Picks By Mood
- For color: Kyoto
- For culture: Oaxaca
- For warmth with spice: Marrakech
- For mellow Europe: Lisbon or Madeira
- For wild sky: Iceland
- For big hikes: El Chaltén
- For festival glow: Chiang Mai
Still undecided? Browse Lonely Planet’s November picks for even more ideas.
What I Pack For November Trips
- Light puffy (mine’s from Uniqlo)
- Compact umbrella and a hat
- Trail runners that dry fast
- A thin scarf (it works as a pillow, too)
- Power bank and a short cable
- Earplugs