Best place to visit in November?
 

Hi,

I am planning a trip for two to Europe, and would like to know the best places to visit/spend time during the month of October/November.
I am planning the trip for about 10-12 days and would like to visit 2-3 cities min.

Any advice is greatly appreciated,
Aparna

I think that would depend on what you want to experience or see during your visit. I don't know what you are asking about, but I suspect the weather as that's the only thing I can think of that would lead to your question. Now I might be totally wrong, which is why I think you might expand on your question as to what you mean. And even with the weather, what some people like or dislike or want for a vacation, in any case, can vary all over the place. Some people go to Europe in winter from North America thinking it is tropical for some reason, and think they will lay around on a beach in winter.

And some places have special festivals or events at certain times, and if that were important to see (or conversely, avoid), you would plan around that. For example, Octoberfest is one obvious one I think of just due to your months.

But if you really just want to know where it is warmest in November (a rather dreary month in most places, and with often lots of rain), it would be the most southern areas. Now I think southern Spain could be a great place to go in October because it can be so hot in summer, for example, you don't want to go then. So that's another issue -- do you choose a place that is good for those months that you really want to see and would not go to in other months, versus a place that can be good most all year (eg, Paris or London).

Agree - for any useful answer you need to provide more info.

Are you asking about weather - and if so, what type do you want?

Are you asking about crowds?

Specific activities???

Help us out a little

thanks for the response guys.. sorry for not having put up our requirements properly..

Reg the weather part: we prefer a prefer a place which is not hot (we were told Europe is not the best place to visit during November - too cold and rainy and not really good for tourism, is that right?)

And regarding our activities: we are not very specific .. we just wanna go around to the tourist spots and have fun...

What abt florence, italy, paris? would that be gud? how abt venice?

We are completely clueless as to how to start the trip and go abt it...

Thanks again guys...

You have the weather about right. Unless you go to Andalucia, where you have a chance of warmer (but not hot) weather, the rest is as you expect.

The places you mention are all worth seeing but you're still being vague. What sort of tourist spots? Culture, art, sights? All of the cities have these in abundance.

Decide where you want to go, realise that transferring between cities will lose you at least half a day maybe more and choose two locations not three. If you fancy Italy, then do Florence and Venice. Depending on where you're flying from, try to fly into one and out of the other to save time. Hotels are on www.venere.com

Personally I love Europe in October and November. That is when we go every year. This year it's London and Paris again, but there are lots of things going on then that we want to do. Never found the weather that cold or that rainy, but then we live in FL and appreciate the cool temps.We are into antiques and will visit 34 big fairs. then some theatre in London and several new exhibits in both places. Already have my tickets

Andalucia is not the only warm place in November, i would recommend Crete or Southern Poloponnese, both great places to explore with great ( warmer than in the rest of Europe) weather.

Spent the first two weeks of November in Northern Italy last year. Some days cool, some rainy and 3 days of warm sunshine.
In 2 weeks we travelled by train from Milan, to Bergamo, Brescia, Cremona, Ferrara, Mantova and Ravenna. Wonderful!

In November in Europe, you have to consider not only the weather but the hours of daylight. I was in London recently on business in late November and it was daylight only from about 9 to 4. For this reason, I would choose a city where you will have lots of options for indoors activities (museums, churches, etc.) If you choose October, it will be a bit lighter and more temperate.

Have you been to Europe before? If not, consider Paris and London; Paris and Amsterdam or Rome, Florence and Venice.

Another Oct/Nov fan here! We've gone 3 times that time of year (Italy and France). Headed to Provence this autumn. Yes, you'll get some showers. And it will be colder at night. But many days are sunny and quite mild. Daylight savings ends 1st week of November---it will start getting dark around 4:45pm. But we love Paris and Rome by night...all the lights. So it doesn't bother us.

As first timers, I might suggest something like
5 nights Paris
4 nights Rome
3 nights Florence

Easy Jet has inexpensive flights Paris Orly to Rome FCO...easy access, flight under 2 hrs. Train to Florence...no need to rent a car. You could do a day trip to Chianti or Siena. I've flown into Florence from the states, so I presume you could fly out FLR (through Rome FCO) on the return trip. (If you're in the States)

[There are strict luggage limits on Easy Jet. And you would be traveling by train. So you would want to pack efficiently.]

Well there's more difference between Oct and Nov than you might think. And as mentioned, light is just as important as temperatures. By mid Nov it really doesn't get fully light out till 9 am and is pretty dark by 4pm which can really limit what you can do. For that reason I suggest cities - you mentioned Florence and Venice. I think Venice has problems with aqua alta (high water) in November so you might want to check that out, but Florence, or Rome would be good. A driving tour of Tuscany, or hiking in the cinque terre would not be good at that time. The weather can be iffy, you could have warm and sunny or cold and rainy, and that's another reason to stick to cities, more inside options. If long leisurely strolls around cute towns is what you desire I'd go as early in Oct as possible.

Hi
Me 2 planning a last minute vacation at end of Oct to Italy...any advises!!

Read the above.

Hi all,

I read all the comments here and seems like November travels has its own charm(less crowded, cheaper etc). But would you recommend a december trip to Italy, Spain (and Portugal maybe)? I am planning for around 17-18 days. My idea for travel is exploring/experiencing the culture, food, talking to locals etc. Not too much into touristy stuff.

welcome to Fodors tajinder15. You really should start a new thread of your own -- this one is five years old.