November is a transitional month for global travel, offering a mix of late-season sunshine in the Southern Hemisphere and the last vestiges of warm weather on Europe’s fringes. For travelers seeking cultural immersion, the month is rich in harvest celebrations and historical commemorations. In Europe, countries celebrate the bounty of the season with olive, truffle, and wine festivals. Meanwhile, the Caribbean enters its favorable shoulder season, and destinations across the globe host unique events, from massive firework displays in the UK to grand wildlife migrations in the US. This convergence of changing seasons and rich cultural calendars makes November an excellent time for diverse travel experiences.
Late Autumn Sun and Seasonal Escapes
For travelers seeking an escape from the Northern Hemisphere’s encroaching winter, November offers a few key regions with favorable weather.
Canary Islands, Spain: This Spanish archipelago, located off the coast of West Africa, provides some of the sunniest winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere. With average temperatures of 20–22°C, November is ideal for outdoor activities, especially hiking. Nearly half of the island of Tenerife is designated a protected area, offering 750 miles of designated trails through lush sub-tropical vegetation, laurel forests, and dramatic volcanic landscapes like the UNESCO Biosphere, Anaga Rural Park.
Barbados: November falls during the shoulder season in the Caribbean, sitting between the end of hurricane season and the start of peak winter travel. This period often presents opportunities for bargain breaks. The island also celebrates its independence in November, featuring lively street parties, feasting, and music. The clear azure waters are perfect for the annual Barbados Open Water Festival (typically November 5–9), a sporting event with races ranging from 1.5km to 10km.
Tuscany, Italy: The oppressive summer crowds have departed, but November days in Tuscany are often still golden and misty, with hillsides blazing in autumn colors. This is the prime time for new wines (vini novelli) and is a period of intense agricultural activity. Visitors can enjoy freshly pressed olive oils, along with seasonal delicacies like chestnuts, truffles, and porcini mushrooms. The hilltop town of San Miniato hosts a famous food festival dedicated to white truffles over three weekends in the month.
Cultural Festivals and Historic Commemorations
November is a globally significant month for historical and cultural holidays, offering travelers opportunities to witness spectacular public celebrations.
Mexico – Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos): This lively holiday, observed on November 1st and 2nd, is a time for families to joyously remember loved ones. Based on the pre-Hispanic belief that death is a stage of life, families decorate graves and create elaborate home altars (ofrendas) with candles and sugary offerings. Mexico City hosts a massive, choreographed parade featuring mariachi music, dance, and colorful skeleton costumes. The southern city of Oaxaca is considered an unofficial hub for travelers, where the public square’s altar is a riot of flowers and candles. * England, UK – Bonfire Night: Commemorated on November 5th, this tradition marks the anniversary of the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. Celebrations often begin a week before and after the 5th with spectacular fireworks displays and bonfires. The Sussex town of Lewes is famous for its unique medieval-style display, featuring torch-lit street processions with marching drummers and 17 burning crosses (a reference to 16th-century martyrs). In London, events like the Alexandra Palace Fireworks offer massive displays with hilltop views of the capital, DJs, and laser shows.
Seasonal Wonders and Wildlife
The change in season also brings unique natural events and opportunities for themed travel.
Wisconsin, USA – Great Midwest Crane Fest: In November, thousands of sandhill cranes congregate on the banks and islands of the Wisconsin River as they prepare for their annual migration south. The Great Midwest Crane Fest in Baraboo, near Chicago, marks this migration (typically mid-November) with guided birding tours, nature hikes, and conservation talks. This annual gathering is celebrated as a major conservation success story, given the species’ near extinction in the region a century ago.
North America’s East Coast – Fall Foliage: The eastern reaches of North America are still ablaze with autumn colours, making it an atmospheric time for a city break combined with day trips to admire the scenery. Cities like New York, Boston, and Montreal offer great bases for experiencing the final burst of seasonal color and enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday atmosphere (American Thanksgiving is in late November, Canadian Thanksgiving is in October).
