As the weather starts to get colder and the days a little darker, Cox & Kings has come up with the best 5 places to make your great escape in November.
Burma
Burma is a destination that should be visited at least once in a lifetime. With a fusion of historic influences from China, India and Britain, plus welcoming locals and a unique culture, a luxury holiday to Burma is a worthwhile experience. The best sights to visit include Inle Lake, with its iconic leg rowers, the impressive stupas of Pagan, and the perfectly balanced Golden Rock in Kyaiktiyo. Don’t miss the Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon either; a glittering, diamond-studded pagoda that can be seen from anywhere in the city. In November the rainy season has well and truly finished, and the weather is warm, but not yet stifling.
Sri Lanka
Although Sri Lanka enjoys warm and sunny weather throughout the year, the best time to visit is between November and March. The temperature drops to a more comfortable range, and although it is warmer along the coast than it is in the mountains, the sea breeze provides welcome cooling – not that it matters much when you’re beachside. Typical Sri Lanka tours include the colonial tea country, the historical sites within the ‘cultural triangle’, and the impressive Sigiriya Rock fortress, looming at a height of nearly 200 metres. If you are after animal encounters, Horton Plains and Yala National Park offer opportunities to spot monkey, sloth bear and elephant; though if you truly want to get up and close to these majestic creatures then pay a visit to the elephant orphanage at Pinnewala. Lastly, don’t forget about the soft, sandy beaches along the coast – the perfect place to wind down after a Sri Lankan adventure.
South Africa
Summer – winter in the Northern Hemisphere – is the ideal season for visiting South Africa, when the weather is at its warmest. Although there are so many things to see and do here, wildlife spotting is one of the more obvious attractions. The Eastern Cape, stuffed with wildlife areas such as the Shamwari and Kwandwe game reserves, and Kruger National Park in the north-east corner of the country are perfect areas to spot the ‘Big Five’. Meanwhile, the small town of Hermanus is perfect for whale watching (the season ends in December), and the Cape Town coast is known for its colonies of endangered African penguins. November is also the best time to experience South Africa’s cosmopolitan cities, famous wine regions and important Zulu cultural influences.
Chile
Stretching all the way from the Peruvian border in the north to Tierra del Fuego in the south, Chile spans nearly the entire length of South America – and the weather really depends on where you are. November is one of the best times to visit Chile: from October to March the days are warmer and drier in the central region and the capital Santiago, a perfect time to ascend San Cristobal Hill for panoramic city views. If you prefer to go trekking, then Patagonia is the place to be. November is the start of the summer season, meaning the weather is warmer, and flowers are in bloom – the ideal time to explore Torres del Paine National Park and Tierra del Fuego. Otherwise you can travel north to the Atacama Desert, which can be visited all year round: head to the Valle de la Luna to experience landscapes similar to that of the moon.
Seychelles
If you’re looking for a warm, calm climate where your number one priority is relaxing on a beach, then the Seychelles should do the trick. An archipelago consisting of 115 islands, the best place to start is in Mahe where the capital of Victoria is located. Take time to explore the colonial capital, with its version of the Little Ben clock tower, the Victoria Botanical Gardens and the morning markets, with stacks of brightly coloured fruit, vegetables and freshly caught fish. Then head to one of the marine parks surrounding the island, like Ste Anne and Port Launay, to snorkel in the clear azure waters of the Indian Ocean. Otherwise, take a quick boat ride to any of the neighbouring islands, and choose from a huge range of isolated beaches – each with soft, white sand and warm, clear waters. With quiet trade winds and an average temperature of 26 degrees, November is the ultimate month to escape on a luxury holiday to the Seychelles.