Best Places To Visit In November
Brief Overview
The cold weather in Europe in February is only a plus if you plan on spending your vacation perched atop a mountain looking down a ski run. The carnivals that take place in the days before Lent begin to lift everyone’s spirits; Shrove Tuesday, also known as Mardi Gras, often takes place in February. If you’re looking for perpetual sunshine, you’ll need to plan a trip somewhere other than Europe, and you should probably do some research before you set your sights on any particular palm tree, as the rainy and dry seasons in these places can vary widely. Learn more about the long-haul destinations that really shine in the winter by reading on.
Paris, France
Considering the month of February, the City of Love seems like a no-brainer, but the weather often discourages potential suitors. Oh my goodness, what a huge mistake. Anybody familiar with the French knows that in the summer they abandon the country almost immediately, closing businesses and aggravating tourists. Instead, visit during the winter when fewer people are trying to do the same thing you are doing and you can get better deals and easier hotel arrangements. Nonetheless, the nicest places to go are inside, where it’s warm and cosy (candlelight, museums, bo-bo bars). The greatest table in town may be found at Bouillon Pigalle in South Pigalle, also known as SoPo.
Hokkaido, Japan
Most of the Kushiro marshlands’ red-crowned cranes pair off in February. These endangered birds are frequently spotted by kayakers throughout the year, but their mating dance is only visible in the late winter months of February and March.
20 of these birds, locally referred to as “tancho,” were discovered in this area in 1924, long after they had been supposed to have been wiped out by hunting. Over a thousand survive in protected areas in the northeastern part of the island; visitors can get up close and personal with them during feeding time at the Akan International Crane Centre.
Photographers who would rather capture a scene in its natural habitat can be found at Tsurui’s nearby woodlands, where they stake positions bridges before dawn while equipped with long lenses. If you time your visit to Sapporo this month just right, you can see the incredible ice and snow sculptures at the Snow Festival before it ends.
Bahamas
Get rid of the white snow outside your door and replace it with a beautiful white beach in the Bahamas. Travellers in the know flock to the Caribbean in quiet February, after the Christmas and New Year’s throngs have dispersed but before the noisy spring breakers approach in March, for the islands’ beautiful beaches, easygoing culture, and 18th-century alleys scented with frangipani. Enjoy the peace and quiet by taking a stroll barefoot along Pink Sands beach, thinking about signing up for a diving class after a leisurely meal on Harbour Island, or just lounging around with a mojito and a good book.
New Orleans, USA
New Orleans Mardi Gras undoubtedly provides entertainment . New Orleans becomes a wild party town for two weeks due to the carnival’s daily parades and masquerade balls. Put on a mask, let your guard down, and explore the city by torchlight. Get out of bed for some gumbo and cheese grits following the celebrations, then take a stroll through the French Quarter while listening to some Otis Redding or Aretha Franklin. The charming streets are barely recognisable without the sparkling krewes; the abandoned beads on the sidewalk are the only evidence that you are still in the same location.
Yellowstone National Park, USA
When considering visiting Yellowstone National Park in the winter, when many of its services and routes are closed, the month of February may seem counterintuitive.
In the dead of winter, the park takes on a whole different atmosphere. Yet, kilometres of snowshoe and cross-country skiing tracks are still serviced by “warming huts” where you can rest up.
Particularly for those interested in seeing wildlife, the deep snows of January and February present a once-in-a-lifetime chance. It is much simpler to identify and photograph the park’s renowned wolves when the background is white. In the Lamar Valley, tourists can witness elk, bison, and bighorn sheep in plenty during the winter, providing a front-row seat to the dramatic struggles of the pack.
Egypt
During the Egyptian winter, it’s advisable to bring along warmer clothing for evenings spent outside. Visiting Egypt in the summer might mean braving temperatures that often surpass 40 degrees Celsius; if you’d rather spend your time exploring the country’s ancient monuments and ruins than diving in the Red Sea, the best time to go is February. A greater concentration of historic sites may be found in and around one of ancient Egypt’s capitals in Luxor (annual rainfall: less than 1mm). Visit the Valley of the Kings now before you get as dehydrated as the mummies whose painted tombs you will be exploring.
Valletta, Malta
Carnival activities across the Mediterranean island of Malta draw large crowds in the week leading up to Ash Wednesday, despite this being the off season for tourism in Malta. Valletta, the capital of the small but historically rich island nation of Malta, is where all the action takes place, with its giant floats featuring brightly coloured, often satirical characters, and dancers dressed in equally outlandish costumes. In addition, the Nadur Carnival in Gozo features darker themes and costumes.
Outside of the holiday, Malta is a pleasant destination for winter sun because temperatures hover around the low teens; not quite beach weather, but a good option for staying (barely) in Europe.
Senegal
Adventurers are drawn to Senegal by the country’s unique culture, which includes its delta fauna, spicy street food, and burgeoning contemporary art scene, all of which are accompanied by the booming sabar drum. Unexpectedly, its glorious golden beaches have made it a mecca for surfers, with February being peak season. Although the climate is tropical and hot throughout the year, February is typically the dry season in Senegal, with temperatures that are comfortably warm and an average of eight hours of sunshine per day. A travel of any length can alter one’s perspective.
Trinidad & Tobago
The Caribbean really lets loose in the month of February. The ‘world’s biggest street party’ is a pre-Lent bender that has been going strong on the islands since the advent of French immigrants a century ago (it takes place on the Monday and Tuesday before to Ash Wednesday).
After freedom, emancipated slaves adopted the celebration and gave it an African twist. A number of colonial governments attempted to outlaw it, but it managed to persist. Thousands now attend the main “mas” parades, which are accompanied by steelpan and soca music.
The ‘Kings and Queens’ tournament is a highlight, with contestants donning elaborate costumes that can weigh up to 100 kilogrammes, and the night being illuminated by brass bands, calypso competitions, and enough fireworks to bring on the apocalypse.
Patagonia, Chile
In Chile’s Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park, February is a month of escapism par excellence. There will be 14 pleasant hours of daylight to enjoy once the influx of out-of-towners on summer vacation has subsided.
The weather and daylight hours are ideal for tackling one of its most renowned tests. It takes about five or six days to hike the 71-kilometer ‘W’ track that winds through the remote northern section of Torres del Paine. Hikers typically begin their journey from Refugio Las Torres, which is conveniently located just a bus ride away from Puerto Natales.
This route takes you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the region, including the Grey, Ascensio, and Francés valleys, as well as past the multicoloured spires of Los Cuernos (The Horns) and the ice fields of Grey Glacier.
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