Why not a week in Marrakech with a trip to the desert? The weather would be safer than in any of the places you mention. We were there end of November, and while it was cold up in the mountains, the plains weather was very comfortable--similar to southern California's.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca/sets/72157622870770847/

thanks so much, michael!! i am so game for Morocco but the other's are not as game. i will sure try to add this to our list of options.

personally, i can't imagine actually choosing to take kids on holiday to Ireland, or Belgium in November. Amsterdam might have enough to occupy them if it's cold and wet, so Holland might work, but otherwise not.

we went to Granada in November a few years ago - it rained a bit but was nicely warm when the sun came out. So it would definitely be Lisbon /Portugal for me.

but Edinburgh is an all-year city that has plenty to do so that might work too.

The average lo/hi in Lisbon is 52 to 63, whereas in Amsterdam it is 37 to 48, but both places the days are getting pretty short that time of year. If it were me I would rather go places where there are bright lights and a variety of cozy places to enjoy than Lisbon, which is not exactly happyville, even if it is a bit warmer. Maybe others have better experience with Lisbon, but it can be kind of scruffy and hard - - even at far warmer times. I think the kids will find more enchantment in the northern cities with their convivial allures in the darkening days, and their easier delights.

Living in the Algarve of Portugal and having been to all the places you are thinking about to go to, you should make a decision about what is most important to you.
Weather, kids having fun, budget and more.

To decide on the weather in November, well, who can predict how the weather will be in November would make a lot of money. North cold and rainy, south warm and perhaps rainy, but it can be the other way around.

If budget is playing a role, go to Portugal. Spending 2 days in Lisbon, then going down towards the Algarve where you will have some of the most beautiful beaches, good food and lots of culture.
Having a bunch of kids with you, take a cheap van to rent. Costs you the same or even less than public transport and you are your own traveler, can stop and go where you want.

thanks for everyone's input! it truly helped me figure things out....i believe weather and the kids having fun (because if they have fun, the adults will have fun, too!) are the most important to me. SO with all that said, now we are looking into the Canary Islands or Crete.

the other challenge is finding a place the other family hasn't been to either. we are both retired military families who love to adventure wherever we've been stationed.

i guess going to Portugal and Ireland will have to be another time...perhaps without the kids!

crete could be good.

lovely beaches long the north coast and wonderful ancient sites to explore.

if the days are a bit short, the sea should at least be warm.

Novemeber with your choice go to Portugal, Lisbon, Evira, Alentejo, Faro, Tavira. the Cape. 17 to 20C should be good

If you are going in November I wouldn't go to the Canary Islands. in these specific touristic places there is usually not much to do if you are not going in spring or summer. How about Barcelona? There is always something to do in Barcelona...