1. Explore New Zealand
November is a great time to explore New Zealand, when the spring season brings warmer weather and blooming flowers. One place not to miss is Milford Sound (pictured here). Its landscape was moulded by glaciers during the Ice Age. The best way to visit is by boat, which allows visitors to not only take in the view of mountains and cliffs, but also spot wildlife like dolphins and penguins. (Markus Kapferer/Getty Images)
Each passing month brings new reasons to travel. Here are 10 destinations that are best visited in November.
1. Explore New Zealand
With volcanic peaks, plunging valleys, golden beaches and stunning caves, New Zealand is a stunning destination and there is no better time to visit this island than in November, which falls in the mid-spring season for the Southern Hemisphere. Be sure to explore New Zealand’s numerous natural wonders, including Wai-o-Tapu and Milford Sound, with longer Spring daylight hours and warmer weather. The season also means visitors can see blooming daffodils and fruit trees and newborn lambs in the fields. In November, the crowds of tourists also usually have yet to arrive, reports Active Adventures, meaning that it’s usually a fairly quiet month to visit.
2. Trek through Morocco
Head to Morocco this November, when the scorching heat of the desert subsides and the hoards of tourists wane. This is the perfect time for a desert camel trek, or ‘méharées’ through the Erg Chebbi Desert, and you can take in the clear night sky while you camp. Visitors will also find the cities, including Marrakech, more affordable and calmer without the crowds. Be sure not to miss Morocco’s fortified berber market town of Taroudant, an authentic town surrounded by red-mud walls located just south of the snow-peaked High Atlas Mountains; or the Drâa Valley, also known as the “Country of Dates.”
3. See Antarctica
Beginning in November, the pack ice around Antarctica starts to break up, making it possible to visit the continent by expedition. This is one of the best places to see wildlife in the world, including several species of penguins, whales and seals, as well as take in views of stunning ice, water and rock formations. Most travelers head to Antarctica by ship, which usually depart from Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego in Argentina, but there are also cruises from Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, Punta Arenas in Chile and Buenos Aires in Argentina. It is also possible to fly to the continent from Australia.
4. Check Out Maui
In November 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the Pacific Ocean for the first time. So, in honor of that anniversary, head to the Pacific Coast and enjoy the spectacular views of the water. Travelers can explore the Washington side of the Columbia River estuary, where Lewis and Clark established their “Station Camp,” or take a road trip along the Pacific Coast Highway.
5. Attend the Pushkar Camel Fair in India
In the Indian state of Rajasthan, a five-day camel fair is held in the Hindu pilgrimage town of Pushkar. It is one of the world’s largest camel fairs and is usually held in October or November. Hundreds of Rabadi herdsmen come to this annual fair to buy and sell livestock, including thousands of camels, usually adorned in colorful clothes and paper decorations. According to the Pushkar fair’s official website, there is also an annual camel parade and beauty competition (where the best decorated camel wins). Over the years, the Pushkar Camel Fair has become an important tourist attraction.
6. See Wildlife in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park
This November, head to the South Luangwa National Park in Zambia, one of the best wildlife destinations in Africa. The park is home to 60 different species of animals, including elephants, lions, antelopes and leopards, as well as over 400 different bird species. According to Lonely Planet, November marks the beginning of the “Emerald Season,” when sharp rain showers clear the dusty air, making it a great time to take photos of the wildlife that roam through the lush greens of the national park. This is also the best time to see baby animals in the park.
7. Experience Vietnam
November, although early winter, is very warm and sunny in Vietnam, making it the perfect time to visit. According to Conde Nast Traveler, Vietnam’s beaches are less crowded than in neighboring countries at this time of year. Of course, the world famous Halong Bay is a must-see, but be sure not to miss the resort-town of Nha Trang, famous for its stunning crescent beach, turquoise waters and hot springs or the Ha Giang Province in the northern part of the country, which Lonely Planet called the “final frontier in northern Vietnam.”
8. Go Bird-Watching at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Bird-lovers should head to Florida’s Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge this November, where a variety of wintering birds make a pit stop this time of year. Located near Cape Canaveral, this wildlife refuge is the perfect place to see such bird species as the pink roseate spoonbills, as well as such migratory birds as the blue jay, American robin and pine warbler.
9. See Fall Colors in Japan
November is the perfect time to see stunning fall foliage in Japan, when a wave of reds, oranges and yellows advances across the country. Some of the best places to see this spectacular color include Tokyo, Kyoto, the island of Miyajima and the Japan Alps.
10. Join in America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration
Every year, on the weekend before Thanksgiving, Plymouth throws their “America’s Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration.” The festival featuring re-enactors dresses as pilgrims, Native Americans and pioneers throughout the town, tours of the Mayflower II, concerts, and a vast array of food. Visitors can also explore the “Plimoth Plantation,” a 17th century replica of the village that was the site of the first Thanksgiving.
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