Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times in the U.S., with the Sunday after Thanksgiving serving as the single busiest travel day for the past several years, according to TSA. While that might deter some travelers from leaving home, the holiday is a great time for a trip, as the built-in four-day weekend tempts people to get away. But instead of joining the throngs of passengers trying to get to grandma's house for the holiday, this weekend is a great time to consider an international journey. Switch it up this holiday season with these international spots to visit over Thanksgiving.
Barbados
In Barbados, late November is the sweet spot between the wet weather of fall and the higher prices of peak season. While its glorious beaches offer a plethora of opportunities for relaxation and recreation, there’s much more to this island than its idyllic coastline. In the capital Bridgetown, get up early to watch jockeys exercising their horses at the race course and hang around until the George Washington house and tunnels open for tours. In Speightstown, visit Arlington House Museum to learn about the island’s history; across the island at St Nicholas Abbey, tour a colonial sugar plantation and taste locally-made rum. On Friday night, head over to Oistins for its famous fish fry, where everyone comes to socialise over plates of tuna, mahi mahi or flying fish.
Akureyri, Iceland
Iceland’s second-largest city makes a great base to explore the north of this island nation. Advent celebrations kick off in Akureyri at the end of November, when a crowd gathers in the main square to watch as the lights on the tree in Rádhústorgi are switched on and the Christmas cat makes its first appearance. Take a walk through Akureyri’s charming old town; follow the city’s open air art trail or find a cosy café for coffee and cake. Play a round of frisbee golf or if there’s been sufficient snowfall, try sledging down Jólasveinabrekka hill or the slope at the end of Vættagil street. Just outside town soak in the geothermal water at Forest Lagoon. Surrounded by birch and pine trees it overlooks one of Iceland’s longest fjords, Eyjafjörður. Reserve a day to tour the Diamond Circle where you’ll visit the area’s most breathtaking natural sights, such as Goðafoss waterfall, Grjótagjá fissure and Lake Mývatn.
Chile
Chile, South America’s longest country, is a delight to explore in November. Lupines carpet the meadows of Chilean Patagonia during the southern hemisphere spring, adding an extra dimension to this striking landscape. They’re prevalent in the beautiful Torres del Paine National Park, best known for the trio of granite mountains that give the park its name. The weather there is warming up by late November, though you may need to take account of the wind when planning hikes in exposed areas. This time of year is also a good time to visit the Atacama Desert, the world’s driest non-polar desert. Base yourself in the tourist town of San Pedro de Atacama from where day trips can easily be arranged to the Valle de la Luna, El Tatio geyser field and the lagoons and volcanoes of the Altiplano.
Nepal
Though it's a bit of a further trek, late fall and early winter are the best times to visit the Himalayan nation of Nepal. Dry weather brings clear skies, ideal for trekking and for maxing out those spectacular mountain views. Adventurous travelers will enjoy walking through the fertile foothills of the Annapurna region; a popular multi-day hiking route begins in Pokhara and ends in Poon Hill. A longer, steeper and tougher route gets you to Everest Base Camp. Another popular option for visitors is a trip to Chitwan National Park, where the wildlife-spotting highlights include a chance to see one-horned rhinos and Bengal tigers. The country also has a rich cultural heritage, with plenty of temples, stupas, monasteries and palaces to discover in Kathmandu and beyond.
Andalusia, Spain
Thanksgiving can be a great time to visit the Spanish region of Andalusia. Temperatures hold up in the mid-to-high sixties, making this ideal hiking, birdwatching, and sightseeing weather. Take the opportunity to admire the UNESCO-listed Mezquita in historic Córdoba without the queues that frustrate summer travelers. The crowds have thinned in Sevilla’s whitewashed streets, allowing you to tour the wonderful Alcázar and cathedral in relative peace. In Granada, don’t miss the Alhambra and the Albaicín neighbourhood. By late November, it’s sometimes possible to ski in the nearby Sierra Nevada. There are several gastronomic reasons to visit, too. This time of year is La Montanera season, when Iberian pigs gorge on fallen acorns in the Sierra de Huelva, and also a time to celebrate the season’s mosto, a fermented grape juice that has its own festival in the village of Atajate.
Luxor, Egypt
Temperatures hold up well in the south of Egypt and a stay in Luxor at this time of year is highly recommended. Cross over to the West Bank to explore the famous Valley of the Kings, the final resting place of many of Ancient Egypt’s pharaohs including Tutankhamen and Ramses VI. Other unmissable archaeological sites close by include the Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Back across the water, tour the Temple of Luxor before traveling to the northern edge of city to visit Karnak. This sprawling site is dominated by the temple of Amen-Ra. Its Great Hypostyle Hall boasts 134 magnificent columns, the largest of which stand 70 feet tall. It’s not all history — geography plays a crucial role here too. Take a hot air balloon ride above the desert and it’s clear how vital the river is in irrigating farmers’ crops. At the other end of the day, board a felucca for an excursion on the Nile and watch the setting sun darken its traditional white sails against an orange sky.
