amyb

Hey there, I'm not a fan of these posts myself, but I'm sort of a veteran traveler who desperately needs to book a vacation and know you folks will have some good advice...I was planning a trip to St. Petersburg and Helsinki sort of last minute for next month, and work won't approve vacation time for me until November. My angst over that aside, now I need a destination for November and I'm kind of stumped. I'd rather not repeat where I've already been (UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Czech Repub, Austria) except for Italy, which I absolutely love. I'm wondering if northern Italy (Como, CT, Milan?) is ok weather-wise in early November, or if I should look to someplace like Spain or Greece maybe? I have a trip to Amsterdam planned for April and maybe a bike tour to Dalmatian Coast or a rescheduled Russia trip for later next year.

So, what would you do in Europe with 8-10 days in November? I'm not a beach vacation type of person, but am mid-30s traveling solo, love museums, food, culture. I just am not familiar with what's good this time of year! Many thanks in advance...

missypie

A few weeks ago I asked a similar question, asking for a good Thanksgiving week destination. Lots of people recommended Istanbul.

asklarry

I live in Paris and am a travel planner/agent whatever. However, one of my next favorite cities is Barcelona. If you have not been there you will love it. It has everything and more you can imagine. I could write tons. So much so that I set up a Barcelona section on my travel site. Milan for me is boring. Grey, ugly, grafitti everywhere. If you are not in the fashion business I see no point. There are too many other superb places in Northern Italy to go especially in the Veneto region. I was there myself about 5 weeks ago.

amyb

Yes, I am actually leaning toward Spain, including Barcelona. Not sure I would spend the whole time there though. Thanks for the endorsement though! Missypie, I looked up your post...are you going ahead with Istanbul?

Eloise

Consider Sicily. It offers - in spades - everything you are looking for, and November can be - mind you: not will necessarily be - a pleasant month there.

nessundorma

I wouldn't risk the lakes region of Italy in November.

BTilke

November can be foggy and damp in northern Italy/Swiss Ticino. Plus some places will be closed for the season.
Barcelona sounds like a good bet. You could do a side trip to Palma.

missypie

Alas, no...twas only a passing dream. Our family of five spent a week in Costa Rica in March, and two weeks in Italy in May/June. In looking at our humble checkbook, I realize that we cannot actually afford two trips abroad a year, much less three!

alijay

I agree with missypie .. I would have said Turkey too. But, if you are thinking of 'somewhere that you haven't already visited' - what about Malta? What about combining Andalucia/Gibraltar/Morrocco? I know Morrocco isn't 'Europe' but it's only a stones throw away. Also, the further south you go the better in November!

Amy

My very first thought was Malta...and here it is, suggested right above my post! (Great minds and all that...)

If you stay in Valletta you can go all over the island, and the you can just feel the history as you walk the streets of the town. The Hypogeum is one of my favorite sites ever, there's the old medieval town of Mdina, you can go to Gozo for a few days...

Combined, perhaps, with Sicily, it would be a wonderful 9 days; I was there for a week and certainly didn't get bored. On the other hand, I do have to say that I've been in Russia in November and had a lovely time!

amyb

I had never even considered Malta, to be honest. Sicily is on my radar at some point, but I was hoping to do it as a bike trip. Now I have some place else to research!