Great Places to Visit in November
November is an in-between travel month with fantastic deals in normally expensive regions.
One of the best places to travel in November is the Caribbean, as opposed to late December, which is hugely busy with prices tripling to accommodate the demand. My favorite island, St. Barth’s, is normally crazy busy and equally crazy in tariffs. I love the modest, comfortable, and family run Hotel Village St. Jean. Their rates start at 170 Euros for a standard room. November you will have the island to yourself, with locals only in the surf line up and hanging out at Le Select drinking a Ti Punch (a short drink of white rhum agricole, lime, cane syrup, and usually one or two ice cubes). My favorite beach there is Grande Saline, where clothing is optional towards the end of the beach, a bottle of rose wine and a picnic is a must, and snorkeling is possible near the rocks at the end of the crescent shaped strand. One of my favorite restaurants is there as well: L’Esprit Salines (please note they do not serve lunch on Wednesdays and Sundays).
Don’t miss out on the kitesurfing and snorkeling at Grand Cul de Sac (http://www.st-barths.com/en/saint-barthelemy-guide/sports-activities-st-barts/kitesurf.html). If that seems like too much effort, take off your shoes, put your feet in the sand, and enjoy the homemade rum (coconut is my favorite, ginger a bit too weird for me) and delicious pizza at La Glorietta. Reasonable, a great location, and family friendly.
Remember, St. Barths is not verdant and tropical like St. Lucia and Dominica. It is a scrubby, hilly island, with its’ own French “je ne sai quoi”.
West Coast dwellers will find it a major pain to get there, but if you are on the East Coast, tray a low cost airline into St. Maarten (like Jet Blue) and then take the ferry or a puddle jumper.
Likewise, I love Hawaii in November. It is a bit coller, and the days are of course shorter, but the island is quiet and lovely. Maui has something for everyone - biking, hiking, diving, great food, and diverse scenery. My favorite area at that time of year in Wailea/Makena, where you can rent a condo https://www.tropicalvillavacations.com) or get an AirBnB. If you want to splurge try the Four Seasons Maui or The Hotel Wailea, which has no beach access but lovely views and an “Old hawaii” feel to it. Try your hand at an outrigger canoe, hike up Mt. Haleakala, or snorkel in Turtle Town right off of Makena Beach. Also, if you happen to be there the first week in November, check out the Made in Maui County Festival!
Myanmar! Yes, now that Myanmar (Burma) is open to the public and the military regime has departed, it is one of my favorite places in South East Asia. The historic Strand Hotel reopened in November 2016 after a top to bottom renovation. I love the red wicker chairs in the dining room. Many of the old Regency buildings that were left crumbling in past years in downtown Yangon are being restored and cafes and restaurants are opening as well. Have a G and T at the atmospheric bar at the Strand and take a walk around the newly refurbished neighborhood.
You must not leave without taking a cruise up the Irrawaddy River! Cruises are available in all price ranges and itineraries. If you can, try the newest cruise on the River, The Strand Cruise. As you float by, local are going about their daily business cooking, transporting wares to the markets to sell, or visiting the pagodas that dot the landscape. It is a fantastic and relaxing way to intersect with a way of life that has not changed dramatically in hundreds of years.