Palawan is a postcard-worthy paradise akin to those you’ll find
on a glossy holiday brochure, yet has somehow managed to stay
somewhat under the radar. This is a landscape characterised by
rock-strewn coves, sugar-white beaches and hypnotically warm
waters, where days are best spent paddling in El Nido Marine Park’s
lagoons. Bed down at Pangulasian Island, where you’ll find your own
slice of nirvana in the form of a sleek private pool and sweeping
sunrise views. Early risers should kayak out to the marine
sanctuary, then, back at base, take advantage of the in-room
massage service.

Cascading down the banks of the Mondego River, Coimbra is a
scenic city filled with a mish-mash of architectural influences,
where Romanesque monasteries, baroque libraries and Moorish
cathedrals sit side-by-side. At its core is Portugal’s oldest and
most prestigious university – a huge sugar-cube structure perched
on a hill with an imposing 17th-century bell tower as its crown. More than just a
historical checkpoint famed for its relics, Coimbra has a lively
population and an electric energy running through its veins –
visitors will find it in the graffiti-splashed streets, serenaded
by the sounds of fado singers, and in the bars that line the
riverbanks.

This unspoilt town is the southern gateway to Cork and it’s our
next top spot for a weekend escape. Fringed by a wide bay, Kinsale is crammed with narrow streets and
houses painted in shades of fuchsia and marigold that make it as
good for those searching for an Instagrammable aesthetic as it is
for culture vultures keen to know more about the Emerald Isle.
Stroll around the town on foot, stopping for a taste of local fare
at one of the Wednesday farmers’ markets, or fill your reusable
bags in the surrounding boutiques, before heading to the harbour
for some dolphin- and whale-watching.

Situated just off the north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, Isla Holbox is nestled within the
Yum Balam Nature Reserve, home to pelicans and flamingos. Getting
here isn’t exactly straightforward. In fact, the only way to reach
the island is via a 20-minute catamaran crossing from the mainland
town of Chiquila. But those who make the journey will be well
rewarded, enjoying dreamy days on Punta Coco Beach, among others.
Insider tip: seafood fans shouldn’t leave without ordering the
lobster at least once – it’s incredible.

Beyond myths of bloodthirsty counts and eerie fortresses,
Transylvania is brimming with flower-filled meadows, colourful
baroque buildings and quaint villages, all framed by the towering,
snow-capped Carpathian Mountains. Hop between the ancient cities of
Sibiu, Braşov and Cluj-Napoca to get a real feel for the region.
Outside of the cities, rolling hills and oak forests will suit
those searching for unspoilt nature. While the region is
beautifully colourful in spring and summer, we’re pegging November
as the best time to go. Darker evenings make for excellent castle
visits, colder weather makes the hot springs even more inviting and
the snowy hills mean days can be spent skiing.

Daycations are a growing travel trend among money-conscious
millennials, and few places beckon Londoners away from the Big
Smoke quite like Kent’s coastal towns, with their pebbled beaches, refreshing sea breezes and
pastel-coloured buildings. Whitstable ranks among the best, thanks
to its winding, cobbled lanes featuring names such as “Squeeze Gut
Alley”, beaches perfect for blustery walks and seaside huts
offering some of the best British seafood you’ll find anywhere.
When there’s an “r” in the name of the month, it’s oyster season,
as the old saying goes: visit Whitstable in November, we say, for a less-crowded
escape.

Bordered by Isahaya and Saikai, the port city of Nagaski is located on the tranquil island of
Kyushu. Japan’s largest trading hub during the 15th and 16th
centuries, its streets are home to a unique cultural blend. It was
in 1570 that the Portuguese sailed into what was then a sleepy
fishing village with a dinky population of just 1,500, bringing
with them fabrics, textiles and precious delicacies from Europe.
Before long, Nagasaki was home to Catholic churches,
western-influenced architecture and a dynamic food scene. Fast
forward to 2022, and the city is yet to be taken over by big-name
chains or hip hotel groups – this remains a destination that
honours its heritage. As Japan reopens its borders, we can think of
nowhere better for slipping into steamy onsens and resting at
elegant ryokans.

Located just off the southeastern coast of Malaysia, the teeny-tiny island of Mabul has
long been a utopia for water babies. Deep-sea voyagers have been
flocking to the islet since the late 1990s, due to its close
proximity to one of the world’s best dive sites, the island of
Sipadan. Dive in and prepare to frolic with turtles, blue-ringed
octopuses and hammerhead sharks, then kick back and enjoy a
sundowner on Mabul Water Bungalows’ wraparound terrace –
cerulean-blue waters surround the stilted abodes, while shores are
tickled by swaying palm trees.

Sausalito might only be a 10-minute drive across the Golden Gate
Bridge from San Francisco, but, with its steep green hills hugging
brilliant-blue bays and array of beachside boltholes, it has a
distinct character all of its own. Otis Reading penned the lyrics
for Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay here, Fleetwood Mac recorded
Rumours in a wood-panelled Sausalito recording studio and Kerouac
waxed lyrical about its houseboat community in On the Road. Stroll
the wharf at Waldo Point to ogle the various houseboats, then pop
into Heath
Ceramics to find near-perfect seconds from the renowned pottery
studio.

Sitting in the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Mozambique,
Madagascar is the world’s fourth-largest
island, with some of its unique flora, fauna and landscapes having
been brought to the world’s attention in the eponymous Disney film.
Spend days trekking through sandstone canyons, clambering through
forests in search of lemurs (the island’s national animal) and
stumbling upon pockets of golden sand. This is a hotspot for
biodiversity, with around 90 per cent of the island’s plant and
animal species being unique to Madagascar, so travel with someone
eager to spot them all. We suggest going in November, to squeeze in
one last shot of sunshine before Christmas.

Picture Morocco and the snapshots that spring to mind will most
likely be of dusty, sun-baked streets, donkey-drawn carts,
labyrinthine souks and elegant riads housed within ochre-coloured
sandstone walls. Sidestepping the likes of Fez, Casablanca and Marrakech, though, we’d like to
introduce you to the colourful and calming city of Chefchaouen – an all-blue oasis also known as
“the Blue Pearl of Morocco”. Wander from the main square of Plaza
Uta el Hammam to the medina, where narrow passageways are peppered
with local artisans selling handmade crafts. From henna dyes to
spices, brassware, ceramics and intricately embroidered garments, a
slice of culture is evident in every brimming basket. Also carve
out time to visit the Kasbah Museum. The former
fort-turned-ethnographic museum and art gallery showcases ancient
artefacts and traditional decorations, and has several pristine
gardens in which to bask the afternoon away.

Located on Devon’s southern coast, the sunny seaside town of
Salcombe sits at the mouth of the Kingsbridge
Estuary. With its soothing landscape of rolling hills, gin-clear
waters and a postcard-pretty high street, it’s no surprise that
this place is staycation central in the warmer months. But it’s in
November that we suggest visiting, when the secluded coves are no
longer cluttered with buckets and spades, the streets are uncrowded
and the weather begins to lend itself to cosy afternoons spent
snuggled by an open fire. Active travellers will want to check out
sandy hotspots such as Sunny Cove, Mill Bay and Cable Cove, which
are accessed either by boat or via a hearty hike across steep
hills. Later, dip into seafood platters at The Crab Shed, then
bed down at the sublime Harbour Beach Club spa hotel.

Lithuania’s second-largest city, the charming Kaunas covers some 15,000 hectares, 9,000 of
which are greenery, groves, gardens and nature reserves. It’s the
thriving cultural scene, however, that is turning the heads of
weekenders. Named as the European Capital of Culture for 2022,
alongside Serbia’s Novi Sad and Luxembourg’s Esch-sur-Alzette, the
city’s streets are woven with art and history. We suggest spending
some time at the M.K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art and the Devil
Museum, snagging a cup of joe to-go from Caffeine, wandering
between art deco buildings, exploring 14th-century castles and
flitting between independent boutiques in the Old Town.

Spread out like golden honey between Muscat and Sur are the dunes of
Sharqiya Sands – known locally as Wahiba Sands. This windswept
stretch of shape-shifting knolls, ochre sunsets and sizzling heat
is one of the few places on Earth where a traditional nomadic
existence still thrives, with Bedouins offering an authentic
glimpse into their traditional way of life through homestays, camel
tours and guided treks. Drop your bags at Thousand
Nights Camp, then head out to explore the terrain on either a
walking tour, jeep safari or sand-biking adventure.

An hour’s drive from Bari, this Unesco World Heritage site is famed
for its 1,500 trulli. These whitewashed, conical-roofed buildings
date from the 1500s, when the ruling Acquaviva family ordered
locals to build their homes without mortar – in the event of a
royal inspection, structures could be taken down and they could
avoid paying royal taxes. Today, the trulli serve mainly as
souvenir shops, restaurants and accommodation for visitors. Head to
the Piazza del Popolo, where the Belvedere Santa Lucia offers
spectacular views across the town.