Where’s hot in November? Escape the chill and find your sunshine...

The clocks have gone back, the evenings are darker and it’s far too easy to stay in with the heating on and the kettle constantly boiling. But just imagine this instead. Waking up to sunshine streaming through your window, the smell of fresh coffee on a balcony overlooking the sea, and that first dip in warm, crystal-clear water.

November is one of the best months to escape the UK. Prices are lower, crowds are smaller and the weather in some parts of the world is absolute perfection. Whether you fancy a short flight to somewhere warm or a long-haul adventure in true sunshine, I’ll help you find the perfect spot to soak up those rays.

Short-haul sunshine

The Canary Islands - endless summer

The Canary Islands are your foolproof sunshine fix. Only about 4.5 hours from the UK, you can step off the plane and straight into 24°C warmth and bright blue skies. Picture yourself wandering along golden beaches in Tenerife, watching paragliders drift over the cliffs of Costa Adeje, or dipping into the calm Atlantic waters in Lanzarote before lunch at a beachside café.

The islands are full of personality. Gran Canaria offers dramatic mountain views and chic marinas, while Fuerteventura’s wide beaches are made for barefoot walks and gentle sea breezes. Evenings are warm enough to dine outside with the sound of waves in the background. It’s the perfect antidote to grey British skies.

Madeira, Portugal - nature, views and sunshine

Madeira feels like it’s been sprinkled with magic. Think emerald-green hillsides, flowers blooming year-round and winding trails that lead to waterfalls. November sits at a perfect 23°C, which means you can explore without the summer heat.

You could spend your morning walking a levada path through the mountains, your afternoon whale watching and your evening sitting on a terrace in Funchal watching the sunset with a glass of Madeira wine in hand. The food is fresh, the locals are lovely and it’s got that peaceful, grown-up charm that makes you exhale the second you arrive.

Cyprus - golden light and gentle warmth

Cyprus in November is calm, golden and full of charm. The air feels soft and warm at around 22°C, and the sea is still perfect for swimming. You can wander through cobbled villages filled with bougainvillaea, explore ancient ruins that glow in the sunlight or sit in a harbourside taverna with a glass of chilled wine and a plate of grilled halloumi.

It’s the kind of place where you slow down without even trying. Days melt into evenings, and every moment feels easy.

Marrakech, Morocco - spice, colour and warmth

If you want something a little different, Marrakech is alive with colour and energy. The scent of spices fills the air and the sound of music drifts through the maze of market stalls. November brings perfect exploring weather, around 24°C, so you can wander the Medina, relax in a hammam or take a day trip into the Atlas Mountains.

Stay in a traditional riad with lanterns glowing in the courtyard, sip mint tea on a rooftop terrace as the call to prayer echoes across the city, and let yourself be swept away by the rhythm of it all.

Cape Verde - where Africa meets the tropics

Just six hours from the UK, the Cape Verde Islands feel like a secret paradise. The sand is soft and white, the sea sparkles turquoise, and the pace of life slows right down. November brings around 28°C and pure sunshine.

You can lie back and do nothing at all or head out to explore the dunes, try kitesurfing or join the locals for live music as the sun sets. It’s the perfect I just want to unwind destination.

Long-haul bliss

Goa, India - laid-back and glorious

Goa in November is pure bliss. Long, lazy beaches, colourful sunsets and a warm, golden glow that makes everything feel a little more magical. Temperatures hover around 32°C, and the sea is beautifully calm.

Spend your mornings strolling along the sand, your afternoons exploring Portuguese churches or spice plantations and your evenings at a beach shack with fresh seafood and a cold Kingfisher beer. Goa has a way of making you slow down and smile. It’s sunshine with soul.

The Gambia - Africa’s smiling coast

The Gambia may be small, but it’s big on warmth and character. Only six hours from the UK, this tiny West African country gives you 32°C days and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.

Life here moves at a gentler pace. The beaches are wide and peaceful, the sunsets are breathtaking and the colours of the local markets are pure joy. You can cruise along the River Gambia spotting dolphins or wander through fishing villages where children wave as you pass. It’s sunshine that feels real, genuine and full of heart.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE - glamour in the sun

If you love sunshine with sparkle, the UAE is unbeatable in November. It’s around 31°C, the skies are bright blue and everything feels effortlessly luxurious.

In Dubai, mornings are for beach clubs and browsing souks, afternoons for rooftop pools and endless views, and evenings for cocktails under twinkling lights. Abu Dhabi offers a slightly slower pace with pristine beaches, cultural gems like the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and hotels that make you feel like royalty.

The Caribbean - palm trees, rum punch and paradise

November is one of the best months to visit the Caribbean. The rainy season has passed, the islands are calm and quiet, and the sea sparkles like glass. Barbados, St Lucia and Grenada all average around 30°C with sunshine most of the day.

Picture yourself floating in turquoise water, rum punch in hand, with the sound of steel drums playing somewhere nearby. It’s warm, it’s happy and it’s exactly the kind of place you’ll wish you never had to leave.

Mauritius - tropical perfection

Mauritius feels like a dream come to life. November brings sunshine around 29°C, and the lagoons are warm and clear. The beaches are postcard-perfect, but there’s more to see if you like exploring. Waterfalls, sugarcane fields and tiny Creole villages where time stands still.

It’s that mix of gentle luxury and natural beauty that makes it so special. You could spend one day snorkelling in a coral lagoon and the next walking through tropical gardens filled with bright flowers and the sound of birdsong.

Sri Lanka - sunshine and smiles

Sri Lanka is the kind of place that stays with you. It’s a country of colour, kindness and incredible variety. November brings sunshine to the south and west coasts, with highs around 29°C. You can combine temples, tea plantations and golden beaches all in one trip.

Wake up to the smell of fresh cinnamon and coconut, watch elephants bathe in the river and end your day watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean. It’s the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.

Thailand - bright skies and beach bliss

Thailand in November is everything you imagine paradise to be. The rainy season has passed, the skies are clear and it’s around 30°C. The beaches in Phuket and Krabi are soft and white, the water warm enough to stay in for hours and the food is out of this world.

Spend your days island-hopping, kayaking through hidden lagoons or enjoying a Thai massage under a palm tree. The evenings come alive with lanterns, laughter and the scent of lemongrass drifting through the air.

Time to find your sunshine

November doesn’t have to mean dark mornings and cold hands. It can mean warm evenings, gentle waves and memories that make you smile long after you’re home.

Whether you fancy a quick hop to the Canaries or a far-flung escape to Mauritius or Goa, I can find your perfect November getaway and take care of every detail. All you need to do is decide where you’d like to feel the sun on your skin...