Where to go in November

Bangkok, Thailand

Ornate Buddhist temples, bustling street markets and authentic food makes Bangkok a lively winter sun destination. November is the start of the drier season, and so a popular month to visit.

Weather

Temperature: min. 24°C, max. 31°C
One of Thailand’s driest months, the average rainfall is 40mm

Season

Start of the peak season

Good for

All ages, although older kids may cope better with the hustle and bustle

What’s there

Traditional palaces, the iconic Temple of Dawn, street and floating markets, and a busy river. Vibrant Thai food is found at a tiny price, and both kids and adults alike will love testing out new tastes

What’s on

Loi Kratong – a festival in which locals release banana leaf rafts containing a flickering candle, in tribute to the Water Goddess

Flight time from UK: 11h 30m

Madeira

This autonomous Portuguese archipelago, just off the coast of Morocco, boasts warm weather almost all year round. Greenery covers the island thanks to its fertile volcanic land.

Weather

Temperature: min. 17°C, max. 21°C
Sunny and cloudy, with the majority of the 90mm rainfall occurring towards the end of the month, mostly in the north

Season

Off peak

Good for

All ages

What’s there

Picturesque hiking paths, pebbled and black-sand shores, world-famous wine and mountainous terrain. If you’re looking for swimming, though, choose accommodation with a pool, as the sea’s currents are strong.

What’s on

The annual Chestnut Festival, Funchal International Film Festival, and other cultural events.

Flight time from UK: 4 hours

Tanzania

This coastal African country is home to all of the ‘big five’ animals, making it a safari hotspot. Its nearby island, Zanzibar, provides glistening clear waters for snorkelling and watersports.

Weather

Temperature: min. 20°C, max. 29°C
Middle of the dry season, days are sunny and clear.

Season

Before the peak Christmas holiday season.

Good for

All ages, nature lovers.

What’s there

Wild safaris where you can spot giraffes, zebra, elephants, hippos and wildebeest. For active families with older kids, September offers pleasant weather for tackling Mount Kilimanjaro. Water sports fans can head to the beaches of Zanzibar, for kayaking, water skiing and diving.

What’s on

Karibu Music Festival, various cultural events.

Flight time from UK: 11h 45m

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

For a November adventure, you’d be hard pressed to find a landscape more picturesque than Jackson Hole. With Yellowstone and Grand Teton on the doorstep, you can walk, hike and explore.

Weather

Temperature: min. -9°C, max. 3°C
A mix between sunny and overcast days, with 40mm rainfall .

Season

Just before peak season, when the skiing begins.

Good for

All ages, adventurous families.

What’s there

Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, that feature hiking trails, wildlife spotting, climbing, rafting, and even ziplining.

What’s on

Thanksgiving celebrations, including the Turkey Trot charity run, as well as various independent cultural activities.

Flight time from UK: 13h 25m

Mexico

Nowhere captures the imagination quite like ancient, cultured and colourful Mexico, your whole family will enjoy the trip of a lifetime to this beautiful country.

Weather

Temperature: min. 24°C, max. 29°C
November falls at the beginning of the dry season although resorts may still experience a bit of rain.
With an average sea temperature of 28°C it’s the perfect time to spend it relaxing on the beach.

Season

Peak season is between December and April, so November remains cheaper as well as avoiding the rainy season.

Good for

Without the high humidity, this is a much more pleasant time of the year to visit, especially if your kids aren’t well equipped to deal with intense heat.

What’s there

There’s so much to see in Mexico that it’s hard to know where to begin. Visit the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean coast and soak up the sun and beaches with some ancient history. On the Pacific coast, head for Puerto Vallarta where the Sierra Madres supply adventure and kilometres of white sand. If you want to see some cities in the mix, Oaxaca is home of one of Mexico’s most famous Dia de Los Muertos festivals.

What’s on

Foodies won’t want to miss the chance to take part in the Taste of Playa event held in Playa del Carmen in November. Taking place in Parque Fundadores in November it sees some of the best chefs around showcasing their new menus. The Xel-Ha Triathlon also takes place in November and is one of the most highly-attended sports events of the year.

Flight time from UK: From 10.5 hours

Bahamas

Think of the Caribbean and the Bahamas will immediately spring to mind. A collection of 700 islands over 2000 scattered sand cays, you can’t get much closer to heaven on earth.

Weather

Temperature: min. 21°C, max. 28°C

Season

The latter part of the year is a popular time to head to the Bahamas, temperatures are slightly lower but so is rainfall and it’s a lot more comfortable in the evenings.

Good for

Grand Bahama, Nassau and Paradise Island are the most active islands for kids, with our recommended secret island Bimini a fantastic hit, make the most of your holiday by the enjoying the entertainment they have to offer.

What’s there

Discover curious islands and the creatures that inhabit them, swim with pigs on the shores of Big Major Cay, snorkel over shipwrecks and eat freshly caught lunches prepared and served to you on the shores within minutes.

What’s on

Visit the Atlantis to have the chance to swim alongside sharks and dolphins. Or buddy-up and drift down the lazy river in an inflatable double ring.

Flight time from UK: 9 hours 40 minutes to Nassau and another 40 minute flight to Grand Bahama

Ibiza

The third largest of Spain’s Balearic Islands does family holidays beautifully, which sometimes comes as a surprise in light of its infamous party reputation. But clubbing doesn’t really leave a very small area and instead the island has a relaxed feel with beautiful beaches and towns.

Weather

Temperature: min. 13°C, max. 19°C
Can be lightly rainy some days.

Season

Summer’s season ends in October, when the majority of clubs close. Take advantage of a more family feel to the island.

What’s there

Pick a child friendly hotel for facilities that the whole family can enjoy. Look for pools, gyms and entertainment if they’re important to you and a good location near to the cafes, bars and shopping of the towns. Visit the family-friendly museum workshops such as the Museo Puig des Molins museum in Eivissa for some inclusive fun.

What’s on

Sant Carles De Peralta Festival is held in honour of the Patron Saint of Sant Carles and features loads of cultural, sporting, gastronomic and leisure activities which take place throughout the village and religious services. Santa Gertrudis de Fruitera Festival is celebrated each year in the Plaza de Santa Gertrudis with numerous competitions and cultural events such as exhibitions, traditional dancing, craft markets and local food tasting.

Flight time from UK: 2h 30m

Florida

There’s a lot more to family holidays in Florida than white-knuckle rides and Cinderella’s Castle – visit the Everglades National Park and 2,170km of coastline for a unique take on the popular destination.

Weather

Temperature: min. 14°C, max. 25°C
Visit the Florida Keys for a Caribbean climate and warm balmy evenings – even in December! Blue skies, warm sunshine and low humidity await.

Season

In subtropical South Florida, high season is in the winter, from mid-December to mid-April

Good for

Florida has families at the centre of its tourism focus. Self-catering is good value right across the state, and many larger resorts offer independent villas, apartments and family suites.

What’s there

Beaches, sunset cruises, state parks, museums, theme parks and NASA head centre.

What’s on

Visit Little Havana for Viernes Culturales on the last Friday of every month between 7pm and 11pm. This wildly colourful and exciting district goes into overdrive, with everything from music and dance to street food, theatre, performance and art – it’s a very family-friendly celebration and kids fit right in. Take the two-hour train journey through the Everglades’ Shark Valley our the glass-bottomed boat tour of the US’s only living coral barrier reef, in Key Largo.

Flight time from UK: From 9 hours

Where to go in November