Where should we go for 3 weeks in November?

[Chewbecca]

We have the opportunity to go away for most of November, can't decide where though, any ideas welcomed!

It must be warm & swimmable. It doesn't have to be particularly active or adventurous, don't want to visit multiple locations, happy to largely flop, swim, eat, drink and read, with a day out every few days. Must be safe to travel around, DH gets a bit anxious.
Budget up to about £7k but flights need to be PE. Happy to spend less though 🤣

Barbados is doable and on the short list. Considered and rejected Cyprus and Canaries as not the water isn't warm enough.

Edit to add - just two of us and we have airmiles we can use (hence PE flights to Caribbean doable)

Mauritius.
I love Barbados but found it expensive to eat out / drink.

Thailand

Mauritius is actually planned for 2026 🥳so a no on this occasion! Would have been on the maybe list.

Never been to Thailand & would love to go, is there anywhere specific you would recommend? DH thinks it might be unsafe or uncomfortable so I would need to show him somewhere very nice 😭

Thailand would be lovely but assuming you'd need BA flights you'd have to connect down to Thai islands with different airline, which wouldn't be p/e and might be stress inducing? With your budget once there you could stay somewhere really really nice.

Barbados is a good idea, I'd also consider Cuba for the interesting days out for that length of stay.

I think we would enjoy Cuba but it isn't a option because going there prevents getting ESTAs for the US, you have to get in person visas from the US Embassy. We have family in the US so don't want to encounter any issues visiting!

Thailand islands - this is exactly my worry, transfers etc. A short flight in Economy is fine, it's only the long one. But once I start looking at Thai holidays, there is too much choice!!

You can fly BA to Phuket and either stay on Phuket or get a short boat ride to another island - Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai are very close to Phuket and lovely.

With 3 weeks I’d probably split the time between the two. Phuket is much larger, very developed for tourism, more to see and do. Yao Noi and Yao Yai are very small, quiet, just for swimming and relaxing.

Thailand is no more unsafe or uncomfortable than Mauritius IMO, certainly if you are sticking to resorts rather than backpacking around. Plenty of packages available too if that is preferable.

Thanks @minipie , that gives me somewhere to start looking!

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand!

Thailand! I would look at the Audley travel website which is a good guide to which part of Thailand each month.

By the way the weather in that area of Thailand gets better the later on in Nov you go.

Zanzibar would be well within budget. Really warm sea in November and some great day trips. November is the beginning of the short rains which is typically just short, afternoon showers, and then sunny again. And it doesn’t even rain every day.

Brazil, I went in Nov 2023 one of the best trips of my life !

Thailand
we took our 4 month old and toddler for a month - found it very safe and easy to get around

I'd say Krabi and can easily travel about to different islands

so much to do - lovely food

Thailand has been very wet the last few years in November.

Definitely Thailand. I did 3.5 weeks there a few years ago (albeit not in November) and had the absolute BEST time. It’s my joint favourite country, along with Mexico. Make sure you explore the north (Chiang Mai, Pai) and not just the islands.

DH has vetoed Thailand on this occasion 😭 too much flying / moving around etc.

Vietnam - central area can be wet, but north and south should be fine and far north eg Sapa is dry then .

Sandals in Antigua is amazing but would be a bit over your budget, or Sandals ochi is a bit cheaper but there is a 2 hour transfer to get there (private pick up so a comfortable journey though). Thailand is amazing in November if you’re willing to do a longer journey, internal flights are very easy and cheap so you could do 10 nights in one location and then a short hop to another.

But it's really easy and low effort for what you gain, he doesn't know what he's missing!

I did it with 2 small children and easier than many other holidays

Is that £7k each ? And does that include f&d as well as flights & hotel ?

No, total, and yes, there or thereabouts!
I know I can do Barbados for that, £750 flights (airmiles), £3k accomodation.

We're busy planning a months stay in Thailand for 2026. Im loving watching YouTubers showing the different places and islands. We can't wait.Reckon we can do it for about £5k for the 2 of us.

Malaysia. KL and Langkawi.

Egypt is lovely at that time of year. If you based yourselves in Luxor you could do as many or as few trips as you want.

Another vote for Thailand. If you’re flying directly into Phuket I’d skip Phuket Town and go to Khao Lak in the north.