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Where's hot in November: Holidays in the sunshine, from the Canary Islands to India
Escape the unpredictable British autumn on an island outpost or a far-flung beach
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With November’s shorter days, grey skies and the relentless sound of Christmas songs already in the shops, it’s definitely time to get away somewhere warm and stock up on vitamin D. Southern Europe can still be pleasantly mild, but if you want real heat, you’ll have to go slightly further afield.
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Fuerteventura
The second-largest Canary Island has some of the best and biggest beaches in the archipelago, and November temperatures are comfortably in the mid-20s. If you want to avoid Fuerteventura’s sprawling resort complexes and go for something more traditional, stay at the 10-room Hotel Boutique Casa Vieja in the inland village of La Oliva. This Canarian manor house is a 15-minute drive from the spectacular sand dunes of Corralejo and has its own pool as well as a collection of self-catering villas. A week’s B&B with Cachet Travel in the hotel costs from £716pp and includes flights and car hire, departing 16, 23 and 30 November.
Madeira
This Portuguese outpost off the coast of Africa never gets truly cold, with November bringing temperatures in the low 20s. Its attractive capital, Funchal, is a good base for walk in the nearby volcanic hills. Stay at the Hotel Quinta de Bela Vista, an intimate, five-star hotel with a pool and views of Funchal and its inviting bay 2km away. Inspired Luxury Escapes has five nights’ B&B for 23 November departures from £549pp. The price includes flights, transfers and half board. Seven nights start at £659pp.
Goa
By November, the monsoon season in Goa is over and you can enjoy 32C heat, bath-like seas and refreshed green landscapes. Get to know this southern Indian province on a 14-night multi-centre holiday with the Goa Experience. Start with five nights at the five-start Alila Dawa near Majorda before going on to the historic Panjim Inn, a night in an eco cottage in Wildernest and finishing in Acron Waterfront Resort by the River Baga. The price of £1,857pp includes flights, all transfers and breakfast, departing 27 November.
Oman
Oman’s rich culture and natural beauty are welcome antidotes to the constantly shifting sands of its flashy UAE neighbours. In November, the blistering heat of the summer becomes a much more manageable low 30Cs – all the easier to enjoy its superb beaches. Al Waha is the Oman’s first dedicated family hotel and forms part of the 124-acre Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah resort a half-hour drive from the capital, Muscat. Tropical Sky has six nights’ B&B from £959pp for a 21 November departure, including flights and transfers.
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St Kitts and Nevis
This twin-island Caribbean nation combines superb beaches with outstanding natural beauty. It has a fascinating history too, which you can explore at the Unesco-listed Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, one of the Caribbean’s best-preserved fortifications. Hop over to laid-back Nevis for volcanic landscapes and a dip in thermal baths. British Airways Holidays has a week at Ottley’s Plantation Inn, a luxurious 18th-century former sugar plantation surrounded by palm trees and ocean views. Room-only prices start at £1,3995pp and include flights, departing 4 February.
Gambia
If you want real warmth for the February half-term holiday but without the jet lag, take the family to Gambia for 32C heat and 10 hours of sun a day. Facing the long sandy beaches of Cape Point, Sunbeach Hotel will reopen this winter after a major renovation and will offer plenty of children’s activities as well as water sports. The Gambia Experience offers an all-inclusive week from £999pp, including flights and transfers, departing 10 and 17 February.
New Zealand
Catch the last of the summer in New Zealand on a motorhome tour of North Island. Start in Auckland before carrying on to the white sands of the Bay of Plenty and the geothermal lakes of Rotorua. Trailfinders has a 10-night holiday departing 17 February, with two nights in Auckland, from £1,399pp including flights and eight nights’ motorhome hire.
Mary Novakovich is editor at large at 101holidays.co.uk
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