November can be an excellent month to visit Europe as long as you are prepared for the weather, which is mostly on the cool side and rarely even close to frozen. Summer is peak season for most popular European cities, and Christmas season tends to be crowded as well, so a November visit allows you to sneak in when crowds and prices are low and the weather is still decent.
The list below contains Europe’s only good beach destination in November as well as the 14 best options for those wanting a cultural holiday. Pretty much all of the famous cities are on the list below, and fortunately none of them are known for getting much in the way of rain, and that goes for London as well. All of the hotel prices are updated for 2023 and there are some great deals in Europe this November.
Important November 2023 Holidays
- November 1 – All Saints’ Day (major public holiday in most European countries)
- November 5 – Guy Fawkes Night in England (celebrations)
- November 11 – Armistice Day in France (major public holiday)
- November 17 – Velvet Revolution Anniversary in Czechia (major public holiday)
- November 19 – Sinterklaas arrives in Amsterdam (family celebrations)
- November 23 – Thanksgiving Day in the USA (major public holiday)
Below you’ll find
- Europe’s best November beach destination
- Europe’s 14 best November city destinations
Europe's only decent November beach destination
Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
- November avg high: 75°F/24°C
- November avg low: 65°F/18°C
- November avg precip: 1.1″/2.8cm
Tenerife highlights
- Sandy beaches and hundreds of nice hotel pools
- A pleasant atmosphere with very reasonable food and drinks
- Interesting and mellow nightlife with no huge night clubs
- Teide volcano and national park: Great day trip
- Comfortable island for English speakers getting out of the cold
By the time November rolls in, the entire European continent is too cold to sit on a beach and that will be the case until April. The good news is that the Canary Islands are technically part of Spain and there are cheap flights to Tenerife and the other islands all year round. November isn’t scorching, but it’s warm and sunny enough to work on your tan, and it’s quite cheap as well.
Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands and the best choice for English speakers as well. Head to the resort area in the southwest of Tenerife around the town of Los Cristianos for the most choices of hotels and apartment rentals. In November you’ll be surrounded by northern Europeans and the local workers. You might also look into the other Canary Islands including Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and La Palma, which all have similar weather and hotel prices. Tenerife is arguably the easiest for English speakers, but all of them are very welcoming.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €58 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €85 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €12 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Tenerife
>>>Tenerife prices and travel tips
14 Best non-beach destinations in Europe in November
Rome, Italy
- November avg high: 63°F/17°C
- November avg low: 47°F/8°C
- November avg precip: 4.4″/11.0cm
Rome highlights
- Colosseum, Ancient Rome, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and other monuments
- Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City
- Stunning architecture that surprises you around every corner
- Great place to sample Italian dining and drink styles from all over the country
- Coffee and wine bars that are affordable and friendly
November marks the start of the low season in Rome, but this is a city that is popular all year round so you certainly won’t feel alone. The days are chilly and you might get some rain, but Rome is still a great destination even in the colder months because there is so much to see and do, and much of it is indoors such as the enormous Vatican Museum.
If this is your first visit to Italy you’ll probably want to head north from Rome and visit Florence and Venice (both mentioned below). But if you have more time you might also consider Sorrento, which is a bit south of Naples. It’s a bit warmer in November and it’s the perfect base for day trips of Naples, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and the Isle of Capri.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €76 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €101 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €15 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Rome
>>>Rome prices and travel tips
Florence, Italy
- November avg high: 59°F/15°C
- November avg low: 42°F/6°C
- November avg precip: 4.4″/11.0cm
Florence highlights
- Florence Cathedral and city hall are two very photogenic attractions
- Ponte Vecchio bridge and its abundant jewelry shops
- Uffizi Gallery and other museums in the home of the Renaissance
- The Tuscan capital is the best culinary stop among tourist towns
- Great wine starting at shockingly low prices
Similar to Rome, Florence is such an amazing destination that it’s worth visiting any time of year. November is chilly and a bit wet, but even more than Rome and Venice, Florence is an indoor destination. This is one of the world’s great capitals for art and you’ll be indoors most of the day even if the weather is nice.
Florence is smaller than Rome so you can see the most famous sights in only 2 days or so, but you might still want to spend 3 or even 4 nights here because this is the ideal base for day trips to Pisa, Siena, and even the Cinque Terre. There are also several nearby hill towns that are worth a look to experience something uniquely Italian. As the capital and largest city in the famous Tuscany region, Florence is also a great food city. Avoid places with English menus out front for the best quality and value.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €77 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €94 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €17 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Florence
>>>Florence prices and travel tips
Venice, Italy
- November avg high: 53°F/12°C
- November avg low: 40°F/4°C
- November avg precip: 3.4″/8.5cm
Venice highlights
- St. Marks Square and Cathedral are unforgettable
- Rialto Bridge for amazing photos
- Doge’s Palace and Bridge of Sighs
- Gondola ride or other boat rides on canals
- Sidewalks and passageways in the morning and evening when they aren’t crowded
Again, if you are coming to Italy for the first time in November you are going to want to spend at least one day and night in Venice even if it’s a bit cool. There is no other city in the world like Venice and the smaller crowds in November will help you feel less like a herd animal.
The downside to visiting Venice in November is that it’s the peak month for the Acqua Alta, which is the high-tide flooding that the city experiences. It’s still possible to get around and enjoy a Venice visit in November, but it’s also wise to keep track of the Acqua Alta situation and work your schedule around it. The hotel prices for 2023 listed below are for rooms on the main island where all the sights are located. You can save some money by staying on the mainland or another nearby island, but it’s a lot of hassle getting back and forth so it’s really not worth it.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €96 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €114 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €26 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Venice
>>>Venice prices and travel tips
Paris, France
- November avg high: 51°F/11°C
- November avg low: 43°F/6°C
- November avg precip: 2.2″/5.5cm
Paris highlights
- Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe among many other amazing structures
- Louvre and Orsay Museum have amazing collections and are beautiful
- Seine river cruise at sunset to see all the bridges illuminated
- Hop-on, hop-off double-decker bus tour (actually amazing!)
- Probably the best food in the world, and wine as well
Similar to Rome and London, Paris is such an amazing city that you are going to want to visit no matter which month you are visiting. Fortunately, Paris still has reasonably mild temperatures in November and not much rainfall. There will be plenty of business travelers around, but tourist numbers are lower so it can be easier to get around and see the top sights.
As long as you dress properly you can still even enjoy the excellent hop-on, hop-off bus tour of Paris in November. It’s arguably the best city bus tour in Europe and it connects nearly all of the most famous buildings and attractions. It’s included in the Paris Pass, so you might also want to check our review of the Paris Pass. The included Seine River cruise is also highly recommended around sunset whether you buy a Paris Pass or not.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €97 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €149 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €19 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Paris
>>>Paris prices and travel tips
London, England
- November avg high: 51°F/11°C
- November avg low: 41°F/5°C
- November avg precip: 2.2″/5.5cm
London highlights
- Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey and on and on
- Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St. Paul’s Cathedral, all in a small area
- Oxford Street shopping is world class
- Camden Markets and Portobello Road market for unusual vibes and items
- Neighborhood pubs and surprisingly good international cuisine
The good news about London in November is that it tends not to rain very hard when it does rain, so you often don’t even need an umbrella. But of course it will be cool every day in November so you will need to bring some outerwear with you. As with a few others on this list, London is such an amazing city that you’ll want to visit no matter the month of your trip.
London is another example of a mostly indoor city so the weather doesn’t really slow most visitors down. The famous attractions such as the (free) museums and famous cathedrals are welcoming no matter the weather outside. You might even want to look at our London Pass review if you want to see the top attractions in 2 or 3 days.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from £101 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from £127 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from £13 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for London
>>>London prices and travel tips
Barcelona, Spain
- November avg high: 63°F/17°C
- November avg low: 47°F/8°C
- November avg precip: 2.3″/5.8cm
Barcelona highlights
- Sagrada Familia cathedral and other Gaudi architectural highlights
- La Rambla pedestrian zone (watch for pick pockets!)
- Sandy beaches located within the city and are nice
- Marina complex with great food, shopping, and activities
- Nightlife that rivals Madrid and is late night and world-class
Being on the Mediterranean, Barcelona stays warmer than Madrid (see below) during the colder months. So November is still fairly nice and one of the better months to visit partly because the summer months have become so ridiculously crowded here. The main attraction here is the interesting architecture, and you can see all of the most famous buildings on top of the hop-on, hop-off bus tour, which is included with the Barcelona Pass.
If this is your first time to Spain you are going to want to spend 3 or 4 nights in Barcelona but also then take the high-speed train (in 2.5 hours) to Madrid for 3 or 4 nights there. The cities are very different from each other and both are wonderful for tourists with excellent food and nightlife on top of everything else. November is actually one of the best times to visit Spain, due to the mild weather and smaller crowds.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €88 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €107 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €18 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Barcelona
>>>Barcelona prices and travel tips
Madrid, Spain
- November avg high: 56°F/13°C
- November avg low: 43°F/6°C
- November avg precip: 2.2″/5.5cm
Madrid highlights
- Best city to experience the wide range of Spanish cultural highlights
- Royal Palace complex
- Prado Museum, which is one of the world’s best art museums and a gorgeous building
- Tapas bars, where you get free snacks with each drink ordered
- Excellent and famous nightlife that draws people from all over the world
Madrid does get a bit cool in November, but as mentioned above in the Barcelona section you are going to want to come here anyway. Madrid is of course the capital of Spain so this is where you see the Royal Palace and many other official buildings of note, as well as the Prado Museum.
The high-speed train that connects Madrid and Barcelona is fairly cheap if you book it at least a couple weeks in advance. Spain has a few of its own low-cost airlines, so flights into Madrid are pretty cheap this time of year, although booking early helps here as well.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €68 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €100 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €17 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Madrid
>>>Madrid prices and travel tips
Lisbon, Portugal
- November avg high: 64°F/18°C
- November avg low: 53°F/12°C
- November avg precip: 4.2″/10.5cm
Lisbon highlights
- Castles, towers, and cathedrals, all in the main center
- Tram 28, which connects many of Lisbon’s tourist sights for €3 a ride
- Elevador de Santa Justa – the famous outdoor elevator
- Great food at surprisingly affordable prices
- Fado local music shows to go along with great meals
If you have ever wondered which city on the European continent has the best year-round weather, you have found it in Lisbon. The breezes off the Atlantic keep this city cool in summer and mild in winter, although it does get a bit of rainfall this time of year.
This otherwise remote city is a real gem for those who go out of their way to get here. It’s a lovely city on 7 hills so views are fantastic in every direction. And the food and culture here are very interesting as well as quite different from Spain. You can take an overnight train from Madrid, but flying is probably the better option for most people.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €55 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €77 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €15 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Lisbon
>>>Lisbon prices and travel tips
Interlaken, Switzerland
- November avg high: 46°F/8°C
- November avg low: 33°F/1°C
- November avg precip: 3.3″/8.3cm
Interlaken highlights
- Gateway to the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the most beautiful place in Europe
- Cable cars and hikes and mountaintop views
- Jungraujoch railway and Schilthorn cable car are amazing and a bit expensive
- Skiing in winter and adventure sports the rest of the year
- Gimmelwald and other tiny villages in the Lauterbrunnen Valley
The weather in Interlaken isn’t exactly great in November, but it’s still worth considering on your trip because this is THE place to see the most dramatic Alps views anywhere in Europe. So many people say they just want to visit “Switzerland” that I wrote an article about where to go in Switzerland on a short visit.
On the other hand, Interlaken in November is not ideal because many hotels and businesses close down between mid October when the hiking season ends and mid December when skiing season begins. There are still places open and plenty to see, but you have to plan a bit more. If you want to visit a second place in Switzerland to admire the unusual beauty, Lucerne is your best bet.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €171 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €177 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €29 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Interlaken
>>>Interlaken prices and travel tips
Berlin, Germany
- November avg high: 45°F/7°C
- November avg low: 36°F/2°C
- November avg precip: 1.7″/4.3cm
Berlin highlights
- Brandenburg Gate and a variety of Berlin Wall attractions
- Berlin Cathedral and Reichstag building
- Museum Island and its collections
- Europe’s most eclectic and interesting nightlife
- Cheap food, drinks, and hotels for a big European city
Berlin has cold winters and in November the weather here is already started to become a bit annoying. Still, this is such an incredible city that it’s worth dressing a bit warmer if a November visit is your best or only choice. The famous nightlife and cultural sights are all going strong all year round, so there is plenty to see and do.
Another great thing about this city is that it’s cheaper than the other large cities in Germany including Munich and Hamburg. Better still, this city has become so popular and international that you can just speak in English to anyone you encounter and you’ll almost always get a polite answer back in English.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €80 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €108 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €15 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Berlin
>>>Berlin prices and travel tips
Amsterdam, Netherlands
- November avg high: 48°F/9°C
- November avg low: 39°F/4°C
- November avg precip: 3.0″/7.5cm
Amsterdam highlights
- Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum
- Rijksmuseum, Rembrandt House and many other top museums
- Heineken Experience is fun and they give you free beer at the end
- Stunning historic center with gorgeous 16th century buildings
- Nearly car-free nightlife and restaurant areas
Unfortunately, Amsterdam is another northern European city that typically only has one or two good months of weather each year. In other words, if you wait until it’s warm and sunny in Amsterdam, you’ll be here with a billion other people in mid July. With an excellent public transport system, it’s easy to get around Amsterdam by street car or even just walking.
The stunning architecture is one of the things that brings people to Amsterdam, and as long as you dress properly you’ll be able to soak that all in this month. Aside from that this is a cultural capital with excellent nightlife and a thriving arts scene. That goes all year round, as do the coffeeshops and small pubs all over town.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €101 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €145 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €27 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Amsterdam
>>>Amsterdam prices and travel tips
Prague, Czech Republic
- November avg high: 44°F/7°C
- November avg low: 36°F/2°C
- November avg precip: 1.2″/3.0cm
Prague highlights
- Prague Castle complex, which is one of Europe’s largest and most impressive
- Charles Bridge and Old Town Square for amazing photos
- Eastern Europe’s most interesting architecture that somehow survived WWII
- Hearty food at great prices (if you avoid tourist zones)
- Arguably the world’s best beer that is also cheap if you follow locals
Prague is a city that is so crowded in summer that many people actually prefer to come when it’s colder like in November, so they don’t have to battle crowds every minute of the day. As you can see, it’s chilly in Prague in November, but it rarely rains much as all so it’s just a matter of wearing another layer.
It will still be crowded in the main squares of Prague in November, but much less so than in warmer months so it’s more pleasant in general. If you want to spend a bit more time in Czechia, head to Cesky Krumlov, which is 3 hours away on a scenic bus ride or train. Cesky Krumlov is much more charming than Prague, and it’s cheaper than Prague by quite a bit as well.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €39 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €58 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €14 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Prague
>>>Prague prices and travel tips
Budapest, Hungary
- November avg high: 47°F/8°C
- November avg low: 36°F/2°C
- November avg precip: 2.4″/6.0cm
Budapest highlights
- Parliament building overlooking the Danube for your own postcard photos
- Some of Europe’s best architecture fitting of a major capital
- Very cheap food and drinks (outside of the main tourist zone)
- Natural hot spring complexes right in the city that are easy and cheap to visit
- “Ruin pubs” set in courtyards of old apartment buildings (highly recommended!)
This part of Europe gets quite cold in winter so Budapest in November is already on the chilly side. But it doesn’t rain much and this city has so much to see and do that it’s worth a visit even in the cool months, when crowds are much smaller as well.
Budapest has a lot in common with Prague, but the architecture here is on a grander scale for the most part and it feels very different. This city is also one of the cheaper capital cities in Europe, so your travel fund really goes a long way here. The famous nightlife in the ruin pubs should not be missed at any time of year.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €46 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €64 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €9 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Budapest
>>>Budapest prices and travel tips
Istanbul, Turkey
- November avg high: 60°F/16°C
- November avg low: 47°F/8°C
- November avg precip: 3.3″/8.3cm
Istanbul highlights
- Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, which are right next to each other
- Grand Bazaar other excellent and interesting shopping areas
- Topkapi Palace
- Great food at very reasonable prices, especially the breakfasts
- Affordable hotels in the popular tourist district of Sultanahmet
November still has reasonably warm days in Istanbul so this is worth considering on any trip of eastern Europe this time of year. Istanbul itself is one of the world’s most historic and interesting cities, and it’s quite a travel bargain these days as well because the currency rate has gone down against almost all countries in the last couple years.
Those that have more than a few days might also consider exploring more of Turkey. For one thing, every other city in the country is at least a bit cheaper than Istanbul. And most places have even warmer temperatures in November, so it’s an ideal time to explore Cappadocia or even the southern coast along Antalya.
The currency in 2023 has plummeted and inflation has been pretty severe. The net result is that Turkey is one of the cheapest countries in the world this year for foreign visitors who bring in other currencies. That said, there has been a bit of unrest (usually very easy to avoid) so keep you eye on the news.
- Good 3-star hotels in November from €57 for two people
- Good 4-star hotels in November from €69 for two people
- Hostel dorm beds in November from €6 per person
>>>Check hotel deals for Istanbul
>>>Istanbul prices and travel tips
Hi Roger,
I am planning trip to europe from 15 to 24 november with my family (2 young kids). I’ll start with Paris and end trip at London. Please advise which other cities to check out in between (considering number of days, cost and weather). Would appreciate if you can best advise full itenary. Thanks!
Nav,
If you’ve got 9 or 10 days I’d definitely focus on only 3 cities so you can spend 3 days in each of them. Paris is amazing and a great place to start, and London is a great place to end. The best close city to do in between is Amsterdam, since it’s only a bit over 3 hours by high speed train from Paris and you can take the Eurostar train from there back to London (or fly if you prefer). You can get a bit more information on those on my article about the 5 great European cities to focus on first. I’m sure it’ll be a great trip. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
I just found out I have to go to London for work Nov 5-8. I’m going to extend my trip to travel around. I will stay an extra 2 days in London and then i will have 8-9 additional days. I’m traveling alone and would like a mix of fun cities and one place to relax. I’ve already been to Paris, Barcelona, Nice, Florence, Rome, Venice, Vienna, Prague, Amsterdam and Greence. Can you please recommend some places? I’ve wanted to go to Switzerland but your article says some of it is shut down so I’m thinking I may want to wait on that unless you think differently. I’m pretty open. Thank you
Shannon,
That sounds like a great opportunity. Switzerland could still be an excellent choice. The thing is that the hiking season ends in mid October and the ski/snow season doesn’t start until mid December so some smaller hotels and restaurants close during those two months. But others stay open and the crowds are small so it can still be a nice time to visit. The weather on the peaks can be foggy any time of the year and the summer is actually the rainy season in the Alps, so the November weather isn’t necessarily bad.
If you have 9 days free I’d recommend choosing 3 places to visit for about 3 days each. Switzerland could still be a great choice, but aside from that it’s probably better to go south because it’s not only a bit chilly in the north but the days that time of year are starting to get short as well. I think my top two choices would be Madrid and Lisbon, as both of them have decent weather that time of year. Both of them are also very different from Barcelona and very different from each other. The only train between them is a night train so taking a cheap flight is usually best. There are many other great choices within Spain that are easier to reach from Madrid by high-speed train, and I discuss many of the best choices on this article about when to go to Spain.
All of the nearby islands such as Ibiza and Mallorca are really dead in November, except for the Canary Islands, which is mentioned in the article above. I’m happy to help more if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thanks for such an interesting and helpful blog.
I am not sure if you can help or not, but my wife and I were looking to go to Ljubljana and Lake Bled the first week of November (for about 3 days). Is that a good time to see autumn colours or is that earlier in the season?
Regards,
Mark
Mark,
Thank you. I haven’t been to Slovenia in November, but that seems pretty late for autumn colors. I just Googled it and someone mentions mid September to late October as the peak foliage period in the Lake Bled area, so it’s actually not too far off. Europe had a very warm summer this year and it’s possible that that will push the foliage season back a bit, although I’m no expert in that. So if you could go a little earlier it would be better, but if that’s the only time you can go it still might be nice. It will be cold then, though hopefully the scenery is still looking nice. Ljubljana is a really charming city even if the forests are mostly brown by then. Best of luck with whatever you decide. -Roger
Hi Roger,
Thank you for the detailed itinerary with various options.
We wanted to go with your first choice and booked accordingly to fi d that UK is not covered under the Shengen visa so we had ti drop London.
The draft plan looks like:
Land in Rome 3 nights 2 days 9-11 Nov
2 nighta and 2 days in Florence 12- 13 Nov
1 day and night in.Venice 14 Nov
3 days and nights in Paris 15- 17 Nov
London cancelled 3 day and nights 18 – 20 Nov
Interlaken 21-23 Nov
I am not sure what would fit in as London is out of question.
Also let me know if this plan looks good
Hello Roger,
I have gone through your article a number of times now. we are still confused on where to go for our first anniversary. Out plan is to visit a city in Europe for 3 days from Nov 10 to 13.We visited Paris earlier this month, so its off the list. Also we are looking for a city not very cold and probably couple of hours away from Birmingham. Could you please suggest some names?
Looking forward to your reply.
Neetz,
The cities that I feel strongly about for visits in November are all on the list in the article. But since you want something on the warmer side I’d focus on Barcelona, Madrid, or Lisbon. Barcelona has become incredibly crowded in the warmer months, so going in November could be a good strategy. Madrid is very different from Barcelona and still really fun and interesting. Lisbon might be the sleeper choice, as it has the best climate of the three and it’s perfect for a three-day visit. Lisbon is also the cheapest of the three, even though it’s just as nice and clean and safe. Those are my top choices and I’m happy to answer other questions if you have them. -Roger
Hi Roger,
You mentioned in one of your comments that you will write an article about you starting an article on family destinations. Is there a way I can access that article?
We are travelling to Paris in mid November for 12 days. We will travel with our 2 boys – 4 years and 8 years old. We were earlier thinking of going to Paris,Venice,Florence, and Rome. But now I feel that the kids may not find Rome and Venice very interesting. Our kids are full of energy but at the same time do not like too much walking if all that they are doing is looking at the historical architectures. Are there any recommendations that you can make in terms of what cities would be apt at that time of the year with kids?
PJ,
Interestingly enough, I just published that very article a few hours before you wrote this comment. Here are my 11 Best Europe destinations for family vacations.
I actually did include Rome and Florence on the list because there are many impressive sights such as the Trevi Fountain, which are fairly close to each other. But I think the main draw of Italy for children is the food, and specifically the gelato from those little shops that are everywhere. When my parents took me to Italy a long time ago I remember how motivated I was by getting an amazing ice cream each day. That said, there aren’t as many kid-oriented sights even in Rome and Florence compared with most of the other cities on the list. And I agree about Venice, which I didn’t put on the list. It’s a really amazing thing to see, but it’s really crowded and most of the sights are churches and that sort of thing, and there aren’t even as many gelato shops. Hopefully the rest of the list is helpful. Let me know if you have any questions. -Roger
Hello Roger,
You have a wealth of information on your site which is a boon for tourists like me.
I would like to get your advice on my first trip to Europe along with my wife.
Vacation duration: 9 Nov – 22 Nov (12 days – Two days minus for the to and fro from Tokyo)
So we have 12 days and I would like to make it a memorable trip as I would be celebrating my as well as my wife’s birthday which falls within the peiod of this trip.
Can you suggest how and where should we spend these 12 days to make the most of it.
I do not want to add my recommendations as it would dilute your suggestions 🙂
Thank you in advance.
Sagar,
I’m glad this helps. If this is your first trip to Europe, and especially for a trip with your partner, I highly suggest making Paris one of the stops. In 12 days it’s best to plan for 4 total cities, assuming you want to experience as many places as is practical. It would be rushing to do Paris, London, AND Venice, Florence, and Rome, but it could be done because Venice is small enough to enjoy in about a day and you could do Florence in two days.
Italy is still fairly nice in November so I think it’s a good choice. So if you are willing to move fairly quickly I’d fly into London and spend 3 nights there and then take the Eurostar to Paris for 3 nights and then fly to Venice for one night and then a train to Florence for two nights and then a train to Rome for your final three nights before your flight back home, or your flight back to London for your flight home.
If you wanted to take it a bit slower and save Italy for a future trip I’d do London for 4 nights and then Paris for 4 nights and then Amsterdam for 3 or 4 nights, or perhaps a stop in Bruges for 1 night on the way.
Another option if you didn’t want to include London would be fly into Paris and then take a train to Barcelona and then Madrid and probably one other stop in Spain. Those are my top suggestions for a dramatic introduction to Europe for a couple, in order of preference from top to bottom. Let me know what you had in mind and I’ll be happy to help more if you need it. -Roger
Hello Roger,
My husband and I are planning on visiting my son for Thanksgiving Break- he is studying in Rome. He wants to travel somewhere for the week but we are not sure where to go. We have been to Barcelona, Rome, Venice, Tuscany. He was hoping for Greece but I think it may be too cold. We are planning for about a week. My son said today he would like someplace where we can sit and relax too. Any ideas?
Maura,
There are some other good options within Italy in case you haven’t ruled that out. The Sorrento area is fantastic for around a week because it’s an ideal place to make day trips to Naples, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and the Isle of Capri. It’s also a really nice town and a good place to sit and relax. English is pretty widely spoken there, so it’s easier than many other places in Italy. Best of all it’s only a few hours by train from Rome, and yet it’s nothing like Rome. It’ll be on the cool side in November, but that is true all over continental Europe.
Athens would be pretty nice in November, but the Greek islands are nearly shut down from the beginning of November through mid April, so I’d save that for another visit.
You might consider Madrid and Toledo or Seville or Valencia, as all of those will have decent weather around then. Or you could fly to Lisbon for a few days and then head down to the Algarve area on the southern coast of Portugal. Lisbon has the nicest winter weather in Europe and it’s a really nice place that is easy on the budget and good for relaxing. Those are my top suggestions. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Roger
Hello Roger,
Thanks a lot for the detailed description and comments.
I and my wife are planning to visit France and Switzerland during mid of November this year. Due to some prior commitments, we only have 5 days. We will be landing in Paris to start with.
Would be grateful if you could suggest an itinerary for us.
Sanjay,
Five days is pretty short for two countries, but if that’s all you have here goes. Fly into Paris and spend 3 days there and then take a train to Interlaken for your final two days. You can either take a train back to Paris for your flight home, or probably better to take a train to Zurich and fly from there to Paris, but make sure it’s into the same airport in Paris because getting between them takes time. Here is an article about where to go in Switzerland that should help you plan your time there. -Roger
Thanks for the revert Roger. Have been a backpacker always. First time out for such a long haul journey with the kids. Therefore, not really confident of cramming multiple cities, due to the hassle of inter city commute. Thanks for the tip on Cesky Krumlow – certainly seems interesting!