Where to go in europe in November

[Anonymous]

I actually love London and Paris this time of year. Without Thanksgiving, Christmas starts early and there are a ton of museum exhibits, cultural events, Christmas decorations and other holiday activities to enjoy. It’s also not that cold yet. I don’t find the early sunset depressing this time of year - more cozy and festive.

[Anonymous]

Following. Our kids are a bit younger (upper elementary) but spouse is considering a year-long sabbatical at a university in north-central Europe, where the winters are much longer and darker than here! Would love some ideas for where to take the kids on school breaks or long weekends during the winter months, they have not been to Europe so I want to make the most of the opportunity. I imagine we would do something like London and a Christmas market destination at a minimum, but something slightly warmer would be nice too.

[Anonymous]

The vast majority of Europe is also going to be darker than summer and have weather comparable to the northeast / mid Atlantic.

If you want weather in the 60s and 70s, you could go to Sicily. It is on the cusp of rainy season but won’t be terrible weather. There is plenty to do off season other than beaches. Fly into Rome and then it’s an hour flight to Catania. Malta is another good option, about 1.5 hours from Rome, but the biggest draw on the island are the boating, water sports, and beaches, and you’ll find much less to occupy your time off season.

If I were you, I would embrace the start of the holiday season, despite colder and darker surroundings, and go to Copenhagen, Brussels, Munich, or London. Brussels opens its Christmas market at the end of November, for example, and it’s a really nice tome of year to visit EU markets and enjoy the cities off season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a great trip to Iceland in December.

It is all about your state of mind. Somewhere like London would also be good - it isn’t like you would ever go there for the weather.

I was going to suggest London. We went once in early December and it was great. Weather was actually nicer than here in DC. It did get dark around 4 pm, but it’s not like life stops when it’s dark.

Long term Londoner here. It starts getting dark around 3.15pm in London in November. It is the most depressing month except for February.

No, it really doesn't. I'm not from London, but even points farther north in Europe (where I am from) don't get dark at 3:15

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/london?month=11&year=2023

[Anonymous]

I would go to Germany or Austria. All of the towns and cities will already have Christmas markets, and there are tons of other activities too. I'd suggest Vienna or Munich or Berlin. All are great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We had a great trip to Iceland in December.

It is all about your state of mind. Somewhere like London would also be good - it isn’t like you would ever go there for the weather.

I was going to suggest London. We went once in early December and it was great. Weather was actually nicer than here in DC. It did get dark around 4 pm, but it’s not like life stops when it’s dark.

Long term Londoner here. It starts getting dark around 3.15pm in London in November. It is the most depressing month except for February.

No, it really doesn't. I'm not from London, but even points farther north in Europe (where I am from) don't get dark at 3:15

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/uk/london?month=11&year=2023

Well every day I sat in my BBC office in White City in the 2000s the sky would START to darken at 3.15pm and I'd know I'd be traveling home in the dark when I left, just as I arrived in the dark in the early morning. So depressing. So yes, it is true even if it doesn't tally with your link. Sorry about that.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered Spain? I always here that some of the best parts of Spain are way too hot in the summer, so maybe November would be a good time to go!

[Anonymous]

My H and I have been to London twice during the week of Thanksgiving and had a great time. Yes it was a bit chilly, and it did get dark earlier, but the upside was none of the tourist attractions were crowded. We just went last week for spring break and there were people everywhere! For example, I remember in November being at the Tower and just walking in to see the Crown Jewels, last week we waited 20-30 minutes in line to get in, and it was almost as cold that day as November. The tourist crowd aspect is probably similar for many of the European cities at that time, so I'd probably choose based on your interests.

P.S. If you go to London, and your kids like soccer, sometimes you can get tickets to matches through the team site or a StubHub equivalent. My H and I have been to see Fulham and West Ham (at the old stadium) and it's been awesome. My one caveat is that unless you buy tix in the away section, you do NOT root for the away team in the rest of the stadium in any way...it's just not done. Football matches are amazing experiences, I just attended a home match for the team I've supported for decades and it was a dream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Italy along the Adriatic can be terribly windy in November. It’s an ok time for Venice, Florence and Rome.

Venice is on the Adriatic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In November? With teens?

Sardinia
Malta
Croatia
Montenegro
Spain (Seville or to the east, Granada)
Greece
Canaries

very bad idea, most hotels will be closed, also restaurants, except Canaries but nothing more than Florida on a brown, dry island.

We don’t stay in hotels, nor do we eat out often.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In November? With teens?

Sardinia
Malta
Croatia
Montenegro
Spain (Seville or to the east, Granada)
Greece
Canaries

very bad idea, most hotels will be closed, also restaurants, except Canaries but nothing more than Florida on a brown, dry island.

We don’t stay in hotels, nor do we eat out often.

So why bother traveling? Half the fun is eating out and getting a feel for the local foods.

[Anonymous]

Rome is fantastic at Thanksgiving.

[Anonymous]

I once went to Sardinia just barely off season and most of the accommodations had just opened and were musty from being sealed for months in a damp climate. Would have never occurred to me since I’m always a shoulder season fan.

Paris will be wonderful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In November? With teens?

Sardinia
Malta
Croatia
Montenegro
Spain (Seville or to the east, Granada)
Greece
Canaries

very bad idea, most hotels will be closed, also restaurants, except Canaries but nothing more than Florida on a brown, dry island.

We don’t stay in hotels, nor do we eat out often.

So why bother traveling? Half the fun is eating out and getting a feel for the local foods.

Right but if it’s somewhere where the restaurants are all closed, eating like a local means cooking at home anyway.

[Anonymous]

Not France. Lots of transportation strikes from October to Christmas. Or maybe I just have bad luck.