Last minute holiday ideas

[JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon]

We want to get away this November and are struggling to decide where.

Two adults no kids.

We can definitely do a week, probably 10 days but might struggle to fit a fortnight in.

DH can't cope with too much sitting around on the beach or around the pool. Neither of us do watersports. I could do with a bit of restful time rather than planning a non-stop city break type itinerary.

Ideally some sun would be nice but it isn't essential.

We are happy to drive abroad or use public transport.

Budget around £1k per person for flights and accommodation.

Would love some suggestions and inspiration as we're struggling to find something that appeals.

We’ve just come back from Lanzarote had nice weather, also done Mexico this time of year but depends if you can find a good deal.

I was also going to say The Canaries. Going to lanzarote myself next week. Have been to Tenerife in November too. Both lovely and warm. Plenty to do on both islands. Of course there are the other islands too.
It's almost guaranteed warmth and sunshine with as much or as little activity as you like. And no more then 4 hours on plane.

We went to Porto last November- had a few nights in the city and then got the train (absolutely beautiful train journey) to Pinhao.

In the city, we mooched, tasted port, went to the beach and had a lovely relaxing time, then in Pinhao we chilled, went on a boat trio, visited Quintas... it was all fabulous.
If I had more time, I'd have tagged on Aviero - supposed to be a beautiful town.

Weather was nice. Warm, not hot. Short sleeves in the day, jacket at night.
It wasn't an expensive place to holiday, and I would go back in a flash.

Tuscany would probably fit your brief too. Stay in an Agroturismo or 2. Chill, eat nice food and visit lovely villages.

The canaries are an absolute no, I have been to several and have no desire to go back. DH would hate them too.

We adore Tuscany and would happily go again but the weather looks a bit crap in November.

The Seychelles are beautiful this time of year, as is Aruba. Lots of culture with beaches thrown in

What about Cyprus? Still relatively warm in November.

How about Lisbon and get the train to Cascais for a couple of days. I've not been but it's meant to be lovely.
I'd also second the Porto recommendations loved it when we went earlier this year.

But then we like Tenerife and Lanzarote as well so what do we know.

That's a good idea thanks, hadn't thought of Cyprus. Most of the Greek islands seem to pretty much close during the off season, have you tried Cyprus at this time of year?

I have never considered either and don't really know much about them, any more information or suggestions?

Love the suggestions of Lisbon and Porto, I will check them out, thanks

We went to Siciliy last month - Taormina and Ortigia - and according to FB groups I'm weather is still pretty good. Plenty of places to visit and lovely terraces to sit on.

Malta is lovely- enough to do, good historical sites, amazing bus service across the island, really unique culture and not too beachy-beachy.

Dh and I went to Cape Verde about this time last year, booked incredibly last minute and paid about £1400 per person but there were cheaper hotels available. We were on a quiet island with not much to do although we still managed 3 day trips in a week (excursions we had booked onto the first day of the holiday). There is more going on other islands.
Will be lovely weather, flight is about 6 hours depending on which airport you will fly from, transfers will be short as the islands are small (our transfer was 5 minutes, we panicked and thought we would hear planes all holiday but there was only one flight a day that goes in and out and we didn’t hear any of them!).
lots of interesting wildlife, we saw turtles in the sea, some species of sharks etc, very relaxing holiday overall.

Oh, and although it’s a bit of a longer flight than Europe I think the time was the same or possibly one hour time difference as it’s basically just south.

Sicily is on the short list, we went a few years ago and loved it, we're considering doing the other side this time

Out of curiosity why do you have the canaries? They're beautiful and lots of history and culture to explore

Hate is perhaps a bit strong.

I have been to several of the islands in the past and they do the job for reliable sunshine and the occasional day trip but we normally want a bit more history/art/architecture than are easily available staying on one of the Canary Islands.

There are nice bits between the Brit heavy resorts like Las Americas, and I will probably go again sometime as I have family there but it isn't really what we want from a holiday for the two of us at the moment.

We did Azores and back via Porto (can also go via Lisbon) - its about 20C in Azores at the moment but a mix between sun and rain. We flew out direct with Ryanair though direct flights might have stopped for winter and back via Porto staying overnight. Best to have car hire in Azores - we stayed at hotel with hot spring pools, its good for nature, hiking, swimming, hot springs, relaxing, not crowded, great food, culture, waterfalls etc. Porto was much more city like but an interesting contrast. Excellent hotels in both.

Or Madeira.

Seville and Cadiz.

Madeira, is quite warm at the moment.

Off the the canaries on a cruise soon, flying into Tenerife. It's around your budget and ai

Sicily is fairly closed by November and friends got back from Cyprus yesterday and are moaning things weren't open. All depends on what you want to do. Weather is likely to be changeable in Europe

Oh and the cruise includes Morocco

There are good deals for Aruba atm.