Stopping in New York City during Christmastime is a must-do once in your lifetime. I have and despite the cold, really enjoyed the atmosphere. There are massive Christmas trees and ice rinks at the Rockefeller Center and Bryant Park. There, you can find a festive winter village with shops and food. Other holiday markets are found at Columbus Circle and Union Square. Holiday light displays are put up at Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where you can find a train show as well. Go to Radio City Music Hall to watch the Christmas Spectacular or Central Park for horse-drawn carriage rides. You can also take a trip over to Hudson Yards for the shopping center that is beautifully draped with lights.
Leavenworth, Washington
Photo by Amy Meredith
The city of Leavenworth transforms into a festive, Bavarian Christmas village, with holiday lights, shopping, and sleigh rides. Stroll through the town to the Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival every weekend in December, the Leavenworth Christkindlmarkt to experience a traditional German Christmas market, and The Gingerbread Factory for cookies and espresso. Icicle Gorge Trailhead is a pretty spot for winter walks, the Nutcracker Museum has thousands of nutcrackers from around the world, and skiing and snowboarding are available at Mission Ridge.
Maui, Hawaii
Photo by Brian Lauer
Maui offers a great combinations of festive, island-style Christmas celebrations such as the Lahaina Banyan Tree lighting or beach luaus, while also being able to still enjoy surfing on the north shore at Kanaha. Though not as hot as the summertime, an average of 77 degrees makes it ideal for swimming in the ocean and sunbathing at Ka’anapali Beach. Haleakalā National Park displays the diverse landscape of Hawaii, with the volcano and natural pools within the bamboo forests. You also must travel down the Road to Hana, being the world’s most scenic drive of waterfalls, the rainforest, the sea, and lava tubes.
Fort Myers, Florida
Photo by Tyler Small
In Fort Myers, visitors can enjoy mild temperatures in the 70s while still enjoying the warm Gulf waters in December at Estero Island. This weather is suitable for shelling, kayaking, and soaking in the vibrant downtown culture. Holiday festivities include the Christmas Boat Parade, the Luminary Walk, and the Festival of Trees. Attractions there consist of visiting Manatee Park, taking dolphin cruises, and walking through nature trails at Lovers Key State Park. While there, it would be worthwhile to stop by Times Square, full of beachfront retail shops and restaurants, frequently featuring live music.
Southern California
Photo by Michael Saechang
Though a big colder, with weather being in 50s and 60s, southern California is still a nice place to add to your list. In Anaheim, you can visit Disneyland for some holiday magic or take a short drive down to the Santa Ana Winter Village. In Laguna Beach, you can celebrate Sawdust Winter Fantasy Festival or hike along coastal trails at Heisler Park. In Santa Barbara, you can see the annual Parade of Lights on the harbor, take a tour through the wine region, and walk the pier at Stearns Wharf for ocean views and fresh seafood.
Let’s take a look at my top 5 suggestions for destinations around the world to visit in November.
Maldives
Photo by Huvafun Fushi
November has excellent conditions for diving with manta rays and whale sharks, less rain, and stunning sunsets, minus the peak crowds and high prices. The Maldives looks like an absolutely beautiful destination. with snorkeling, scuba diving, sunset cruises, paddleboarding, and parasailing. Plus, the spa treatments and staying in an overwater bungalow will have you feeling relaxed and luxurious. While Hulhumale Beach is known for its white sand and shallow, clear water, Vaadhoo Beach is famous for the “Sea of Stars” bioluminescence occurrence where the phytoplankton glow an electric blue at nighttime.
Dubai
Photo by Michaela Loheit
This city in November has nice, cooler weather, avoiding the summer heat. It is still magnificent for swimming at JBR Beach or going on desert safaris. It marks the beginning of peak tourist season with Dubai Design Week, Dubai International Film Festival, and the Dubai Shopping Festival kicking off. While there, Ferrari World, Burj Khalifi, the world’s largest building with an observation deck, or the Dubai Autodrome, with the opportunity to drive an F1 race car. The Dubai Miracle Garden, the largest natural flower garden in the world, reopens this month. It is the home of over 150 million flowers forming castles and a life-size Emirates A380 replica!
Malta
Photo by Giuseppe Milo
Going to Malta at this time of the year is perfect for visiting historical sites such as Valletta or the Tarxien Temples without the crowds. The temperatures in the ocean are also still swimmable, though there may be occasional showers and cooler nights. More notable scenic spot are Dingli Cliffs and Blue Grotto, a sea cave known for its vibrant blue waters. In this country, you can also find the Popeye Village, an eccentric venue and open-air museum. It was created as the original film set for the live-action Popeye movie in 1980, providing characters, mini golf, boat rides, and a swimming area.
St. Lucia
Photo by Allan Harris
Why go to St. Lucia in November? For the lush scenery, lower prices, and fewer crowds, of course. Besides relaxing in your private villa, the Gros Piton is a 5 hour hike or Descartiers Rainforest are moderate trails. Other attractions consist of the mud baths at Sulphur Springs, swimming under the Toraille Waterfall, kayaking Pigeon Island, or catamaran cruises. If you want to enjoy a gorgeous beach, try Anse Mamin or Reduit for water sports such as water skiing and windsurfing.
Taiwan
Photo by Gary Todd
The country of Taiwan will be ideal for exploring autumn scenery at Qianshan Park while experiencing less crowds in the middle of fall. It starts off hot spring season for relaxing dips at Beitou or Wulai. Starting in the middle of the month, you can catch the huge annual festival of Christmasland with trees, light displays, music, and installations. Another event is Nuit Blanche, a contemporary arts festival featuring interactive projections. Taipei 101 (pictured above), was one of the tallest buildings in the world, still holding luxury shops and observation decks.
Well I hope you learned more about these destinations and are contemplating them for your next trip. Thanks for the read!
You have to admit, Hawaii is, hands down, the most gorgeous state in the United States. It is located in the south-western part of the U.S., nearly 2,000 from the mainland. It is the home of 137 volcanic islands, as well as, Polynesian culture, whether it be cuisine, traditions, mythology, or etiquette.
The state is comprised of 8 main islands, 7 of which are inhabited and only 6 of which can be visited by the public. So, which of the 6 should you catch a flight to? I’ll help you decide by giving you a summary of each one.
Kauai
Photo by Imogene Huxham
Kauai is filled with valleys, mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, and cliffs, which is why it is referred to as the “Garden Island.” The bad part is that the average annual rainfall is high, and it is generally humid. But if you don’t mind either of those conditions, Kauai could be the island to pick.
It is less of a tourist-filled location, and more of a rural area. However, the extraordinary sunsets and beaches make this island attractive for some travelers.
Kauai was also the set for the films Honeymoon in Vegas, South Pacific, Blue Hawaii, Jurassic World,Soul Surfer,The Descendants, Pirates of the Carribean: On Stranger Tides, Avatar, and King Kong.
In addition, there is an array of activities to choose from, such as horseback riding, snorkeling, kayaking along the river, ziplining in the jungle, taking a helicopter tour, visiting historical landmarks, farmers markers, playing a round of golf, or riding ATVs.
Points of interest:
Waimea Canyon
Na Pali State Coast Wildnerness Park
Limahuli Garden & Preserve
Princeville Botanical Gardens
Hawaiian Trading Post – shop with souvenirs and hand-crafted gifts
Spouting Horn Blowhole
Queen’s Bath
Ha’ena State Park
Wailua Falls
Maniniholo Dry Cave
Kapa’a – popular town known for colorful storefronts, and restaurants including local cuisine
Poipu Beach
hawaii – the big island
Haena Beach – Photo by Pedro Szekely
The largest island named Hawaii is often called The Big Island. It is absolutely one-of-a-kind, with the varying landscapes of different-colored sand beaches, mountains with snow-covered peaks, lava deserts, and rainforests. While this big island feels less crowded than others due to its size, there is still much to see and do.
On the Kona coastline, you have the opportunity to view the bluest water with sea turtles and dolphins. If you prefer water excursions, you could swim with manta rays, go sailing, scuba dive, kayak, parasail, go deep sea fishing, canoe, and paddleboard. If you would rather participate in land activities, you can take a scenic drive, visit one of the several breathtaking beaches, ziplining over a river gorge, go on one of the greatest hikes you’ve ever been on, or play golf at one of the world-class courses on the Kohala Coast.
Points of Interest:
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hapuna Beach State Park
Heiau – historic site with ancient Hawaiian temples
Rainbow Falls (Waianuenue)
Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
Hulihe’e Palace
Hilo Farmers Market
Akaka Falls State Park – Akaka Falls & Kahuna Falls
Punaluu Beach – known for black sand
Historic Hilo Town
Mauna Kea – the tallest volcano in the world/highest point in the state, renowned for stargazing
Papakōlea Beach – known for sand with a green hue
Kona Coffee Living History Farm
Waipi’o Valley Overlook
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
OAHU
Photo by Alan Light
The bustling island of Oahu is urban, luxurious, and consists of resorts sitting on the golden, sandy beaches, some of which are more secluded than others. The nightlife is vibrant, the weather is warm, and the adventures are endless. Plus, it is a great place to get the feel for the Polynesian culture and traditions!
Sitting on the south shore of Oahu is Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu. It was previously the home of Hawaii’s monarchy. Now, this city is centered around its dining and shopping.
Points of interest:
Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail
Byodo-In Temple
Waikiki Beach
Lanai Lookout
Kaneohe Sandbar
Pearl Harbor Museum
Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve
Laie Falls
Tantalus – botanical region popular with birdwatchers
Waimea Bay Beach Park – perfect for surfing
Diamond Head State Monument
Maunawili Falls
Pu’u O Hulu Trail
Lanikai Beach
Crouching Lion
MAUI
Photo by Brett Samuel
Compared to the other 5 islands, Maui could be considered mid-sized. Being more developed than Kauai, but less tourist-filled than Oahu is a main reason that people enjoy traveling here. In this spot, you will uncover wildlife, culture, history, and Hawaii’s most note-worthy beaches. From Haleakala, the world’s largest dormant volcano, is a spectacular view of the sunrise, through a set of clouds.
In Maui, you can enjoy their frequent festivals, underwater reefs, bamboo forests, waterfalls, and jungles abundant with flowers.
Visitors adore swimming with sea turtles, horseback riding, whale watching, windsurfing, snorkeling, and surfing, if you know how!
Points of interest:
Wailea Beach
The Garden of Eden
Kaanapali Beach
Maui Ocean Center
Paia – beach town with coffee shops and boutiques
Ali’i Kula Lavendar Farm
Iao Valley State Monument
Haleakala National Park
Waianapanapa State Park – known for its black sand
Kalaupapa National Historical Park
Napili Beach
Hana Lava Tube
Old Lahaina Luau – great for experiencing hula, traditional dancing, and a Hawaiian buffet
Pua’a Ka’a Waterfalls
lanai
Photo by Curt Smith
Lanai could be considered the most exclusive island of the 6, having remote beaches, high-end resorts, world-class amenities and services, professional golf, and exquisite cuisine. It is ideal for relaxing and healing in a peaceful setting at the spas, which offer lava stone lomilomi and algae body wraps. While this island is private, it does not lack adventure with off-roading in a four-wheel drive vehicle and swimming in tide pools that have been naturally carved out of volcanic rock.
When exploring, you will find unique rock formations and colorful underwater reefs. Popular activities here are lawn bowling, deep sea fishing, shooting clays, scuba diving, private boat charters, and whale watching,
Points of interest:
Lānaʻi Art Center
Keomuku Village
Shark’s Bay
Koloiki Ridge
Lanai City – with restaurants, shops, a park, and theater
Shipwreck Beach (on the north shore)
Kaunolū Fishing Village
Dole Pineapple Plantation
Hulopoe Beach
Sweetheart Rock (at the end of the Puupehe Trail)
Keiki Tide Pool
Keahiakawelo (Garden of the Gods)
Fisherman’s Trail
Polihua Beach
The Cavendish – 9-hole, free public golf course
Molokai
This would be the quietest and least developed island listed in this blog, therefore, probably not for everyone. It is more for those who don’t mind straying from the beaten path and connecting with nature rather than being pampered at a four-star hotel. That being said, Molokai still has wonderful beaches, rainforests, and the tallest cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Points of interest:
Kapuāiwa Coconut Grove
Murphy’s Beach
Kalaupapa National Historic Park
North Shore Sea Cliffs
Halawa Tropical Flower Farm
Purdy’s Natural Macadamia Nut Farm
One Ali’i Beach Park
Molokai Forest Reserve
Hālawa Valley – can only be explored on a guided hike
Molokaʻi Heritage Site
Halawa Beach Park
Aliʻi Fishpond
Pāpōhaku Beach
Moaula Falls
Kamakou Preserve
Palaau State Park
I know it seems tough to choose which one to visit still, but hopefully helped a little in knowing the difference between the islands and what they have to offer.
A Sweet Paradise 
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