November Sun - does it exist??

Teasey

Hi All
For various reasons, myself and himself didn’t get a summer holiday this year so we’re thinking of heading off for a bit of a break in November and we’re just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on where to go at that time of year. Ideally we’d like a bit of sun but unfortunately we can’t afford to go to the far flung destinations that seem to get sunshine that late in the year and we don’t really fancy the sun sea and scangers of Tenerife et al!
Is there anywhere in Europe that would still have pleasant weather at that time, it wouldn’t have to be sunbathing weather, just nice and mild with maybe some interesting sights to take in during the day?

coylemj

Sicily

Gran Hermano

Budget per person? Would you look at long haul if the price was right?

Fratton Fred

The canaries aren't all sun, sea and skangers.

ncmc

Fratton Fred wrote: »

The canaries aren't all sun, sea and skangers.

+ 1 to this. We went to Tenerife in October a few years back and we loved it. We stayed in Los Christianos and spend several evenings in Playa Las Americas. It was a very quiet time of year and most of the other holiday makers seemed to be older people. Certainly saw no sign of the St George flag bearing skanger brigade! Was also in Lanzerote in January and found the same. No drunken skangers at all (well, except us ) The weather in October was lovely, not roasting, but certainly hot enough to sun bathe and swim.

davej

I've been to Gran Canaria in late October and it was quite warm (mid twenties).
No scumbags seen anywhere. Also you can do a couple of nice trips around the Island.

davej

grimm2005

Went to the Algarve in Portugal in December last year based off a bargain alerts thread found on boards. It was €120 each for return flights, 7 days accomadation in a self catering hotel and airport transfers to and from the hotel. A VERY cheap holiday altogether. It was the complete off season so very quiet and a lot of shops, bars and tourist attractions in the area were closed but still a good few open to keep you busy enough. The weather wasn't scorching by any means but warm enough for shorts and a tshirt during the day. There were a few beaches nearby to chill out on including one right beside the hotel. The area in general is pretty cheap too, drink in bars is very cheap (€2 a pint on average) and restaurants are very reasonable too (about €10 for a 2 course meal on average).

As for things to do, there are quad bike tours (but you must have a driving license for and neither of us did!), jeep safari which was great fun and lunch was included, day trips to lisbon, spain, all around the algarve, boat trips and theres a few bits locally like minigolf, shopping centre, cinema etc. Some of the excursions are pretty limited during the off season so you basically have to go in on a day to day basis and just ask what you have going on tomorrow and they will give you options and try and book something for you. Certainly the quietist holiday I've ever had but I really enjoyed getting a break from the awful weather and simply having an escape from home. Hotel was grand as well. T'was a very nice trip all in all and well worth the pittance it cost (as far as holidays go, couldn't believe how cheap it was).

We got that deal on www.gohop.ie just click the late sun tab at the top of the page and your options will come up.

Teasey

Thanks all-some great ideas there. Plenty to follow up.

I'd definitely consider long haul but budget is basically as little as possible! But I'd certainly be open to looking into it-are there any websites you could suggest with good deals?

I know parts of the Canaries are quiet, I'm not sure why but we just don't fancy it. We've been in Lanzarote twice in different resorts and didn't really enjoy it either time. But I haven't been to Gran Canaria or Tenerife since my girlie blow outs of my early twenties!

ncmc

Hi again Teasy, I know what you mean about Lanzerote, it wasn’t my favourite place either, they only reason I enjoyed it was it was a big family holiday so it was great craic. I preferred Tenerife to Lanzerote.

What would your max budget be? Have you considered Orlando/Florida? Fantastic place to go and a beautiful time of year weather wise. Hurricane season is over, so you’re not going to get the hot, humid, wet weather you’d get during the summer, but it still should be plenty warm. If theme parks aren’t your thing, the resorts along the gulf coast are stunning. The flights would be your main expense – but there are some great deals to be had for Florida at that time of year.

Or what about somewhere in North Africa like Morocco or Tunisia? My sister was in Seville a few years ago and loved it; I think you’d still have a chance of warm, if not hot weather in November.

MidlandsM

+1 on florida.....

also, I was browsing online for hols last week, and saw LAS VEGAS for 7 nights.flights & hotel all in, €699 per person.......Vegas is great craic!

seven_eleven

Fratton Fred wrote: »

The canaries aren't all sun, sea and skangers.

This. Avoid the crappy resorts and towns. Fuertaventura is lovely. There are more than 3 islands you know :rolleyes:

Dubdude

How about Egypt weather should be well into the 20's in November and you would get a good all inclusive deal.

Fratton Fred

Dubdude wrote: »

How about Egypt weather should be well into the 20's in November and you would get a good all inclusive deal.

Yep, I think falcon travel fly there from Dublin.

Tigerandahalf

Maybe Malta.
Also as has been said the south of Spain. Seville, Cadiz or Granada. Depends on what you want. I guess holiday resorts are going to be quieter that time of year with certain places closed. Perhaps more retirees as well. Cities would be livelier.

Teasey

Thanks again for all the replies!

We're not really resort people, would definitely prefer a city, ideally one on the coast. That's probably one if the main reasons the Canaries don't appeal but I won't count it out-I'll go do some research into the non-resorty places!

We've actually been to the south of Spain quite recently. The cities suggested like Seville and Cadiz are some of my favourite places in the world. We absolutely loved it but as we've been to Andalusia the last two years running we'd like to look somewhere else for a change.

I think I'll investigate Florida which sounds perfect and if not I'll have a look at Sicily, Malta and some of the other suggestions

Thanks again. You've all been a great help!

Jamie2k9

If its a city on the coast you looking for how about Nice I know it can be expensive and I have no idea about weather or anything like that in November. You could also consider Rome or Barcelona.

In regarud to Egypt Falcon don't operate it for November. It takes a break form 15 October to 22 December.

Have being to Sicily in November and it was nice and warm enough but there is no direct flights from Dublin then so we went via London with FR but I would reccomand Malta over it as its a little warmer and I perfered it more.

One final thing you could consider Cyprus but you would have to go via UK but you would get cheep flights in Nov.

rossie1977

i was in florida in november 2010, there wasn't an awful lot of sun, miami was overcast and on the windy side most of the week we were there, still warm, low 20s though, orlando was similiar a little more sunnier, the big advantage of going to florida that time of year is that the theme parks are nowhere near capacity and the beaches are empty

Teasey

Thanks all – I’m actually based in London so flying from the UK won’t be a problem!

I had a look over the weekend, I think anything outside Europe is out of budget. Sicily and Sardinia might be goers, flights are cheap and hotels look reasonable too. Also liked the look of Portugal so thanks for the heads up on that grimm2005. We had a look at Malta but as neither of us have ever been or know anyone who has we were a bit lost and didn’t really know where to start. It seemed like it was a lot of resorts too which made us nervous because if they were quiet in Nov we might be a bit lost – whereas life in a city goes on regardless. Do you have any tips on where to go Jamie2k9?

I was in Barcelona in Oct a few years back and it was miserable! I need to give it another chance I know but I’m going to wait til Spring I think! Nice now, that might be worth a look…..

snowgal

Hi there. We stayed in Malta in late October a few years ago. It prob has all your looking for, city yet close to beach and plenty to so and see if you want. We stayed in Sliema in the Fortina. The hotel was ok, we stayed in the 5 star part and got a great deal. Weather was nice not too hot just warm and sunny. We got bus to Valetta and walked around for the day. You could all over the Island but we werent too bothered, we stayed by the ppol alot. Had our own private pool on the roof! You should have a look around Valetta and Sliema, we enjoyed the holiday