Don your cowboy boots and indulge in a little gaucho culture in Argentina; stand in awe of nature’s marvels in autumnal Japan and eastern Zambia; be dazzled by distinctive but equally colourful cultures in Rajasthan and Thessaloniki; or tackle Taiwan on two wheels.
Need a little help making up your mind? Our destination experts are here to lend a hand.
Bound by the Muchinga Escarpment and the Luangwa River, this 9050-sq km national park is one of Africa's finest wildlife destinations. Its floodplains teem with herds of antelopes, elephants, wild dogs, lions and other mammals, and its mopane woodlands and hardwood forests are home to a healthy population of leopards.
Most visitors flood into South Luangwa between the months of May and October, when the park is driest and the wildlife is most concentrated, but the 'Emerald Season' nods to the island’s growing reputation as a cycling destination, with a series of bike-based events, from village tours to coastal excursions and road biking through Taipei. The first half of November sees surfers take to Taiwan’s high waves for the Taiwan Open of Surfing , while the Sun Moon Lake Marathon (22 Nov) and the Taroko Gorge Marathon (7 Nov) allow distance runners (and their supporters) to take in the autumn air at two of Taiwan’s most stunning natural landmarks.
Non-sporting types and those with aching muscles should make for Maolin Recreation Area for a dip in outdoor hot springs with views of autumn foliage. Also keep your eyes peeled for Purple Crow butterflies (one of only two species of migrating butterfly) who winter in the cosy valleys of this area starting in November.
India’s Rajasthan region is famed for its vibrant colors and rich cultural heritage – and November is by far the best time to visit. Pushkar Fair or Pushkar ka Mela, the world’s largest camel fair (19 - 25 Nov), will see more than 50,000 animals and 300,000 people gather on the banks of Pushkar Lake. A camel race starts off the festival, followed by a string of music performances, competitions and exhibitions.
Amidst the buzzing atmosphere, you’ll also experience a spiritual side of Rajasthan. This colourful annual event concludes on Kartik Poornima, a Hindu festival day celebrated on the full moon, and honours Brahma, a Hindu god who is said to have created Pushkar Lake. Pilgrims from all over India come to swim in its sacred waters during this time and visit the nearby temple.
Celebrate gaucho culture just as summer starts in Argentina. The annual El Dia de Tradicion (The Day of Tradition) festival starts the weekend closest to 10 November and celebrates the birth of José Hernández, a writer and poet famous for his works about the daily life of the gaucho. El Dia de Tradicion is celebrated all over Argentina, but San Antonio de Areco is the centre of Argentina’s cowboy culture and the perfect place to get your gaucho fix.
The 10-day event kicks off with boys and men from around Argentina, clad in gaucho garb, parading perfectly groomed horses around Areco’s town square. The procession continues with solo riders wielding an assembly of wild horses through the streets, followed by ornate chariots carrying girls in traditional dress and a marching band trailing behind them. Post-parade activities in Parque Criollo include horse races, games, folk dances, craft exhibitions, and delicious traditional food. Feast on asado (barbecue) – mouth-watering grilled steaks, chorizo and other Argentine delicacies are in abundance at this heritage-rich festival.
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