November is an ideal month to head out on your honeymoon. You hit the perfect sweet spot balance of a romantic holiday festive feel without the tremendous crowds that can descend upon the major destinations once December rolls around.
Once people start taking their family vacations in early December, many traditional vacation destinations tend to fill up quickly. Aside from the long weekend around Thanksgiving, November is a relatively calm travel period giving you excellent deals and options to choose from.
We have put together a diverse list of options for you to help plan your honeymoon in style, no matter what you are into. Here are a few of our best spots for a romantic and unforgettable November honeymoon.
A Romantic Getaway in the Algarve
We’re sure Lagos, Portugal will steal your heart. This laid-back small city nestled around a natural harbor has a long and interesting history and the amazing architecture to prove it.
Looking for the perfect quiet beach destination to spend some time strolling a boardwalk, eating fresh seafood straight from the restaurants lining the marina, followed by a bottle of wine from the nearby hills? Who isn’t! Luckily for you, November is just right because the weather in Southern Portugal is still perfect for laying on the beach and having a dip in the gorgeous blue waters but most of the tourists have already gone home leaving Lagos a quiet and peaceful destination for any would be honeymooners.
Get a room at the very reasonably priced five-star Lagos Avenida Hotel and lounge in the rooftop infinity pool looking over the entire marina while you plan your adventures for the trip. Make sure you visit their restaurant downstairs as well as you do not want to miss the food here.
If you’re a fan of surfing, or would like to be, Lagos’ Meia Praia beach is likely to be stop number one on your list of honeymoon adventures to be had here, but that is far from the only offering this little gem contains. Dive, snorkel, wander the multiple weekly farmers’ markets, or try out your sailing skills. A romantic wander up the boardwalk from the marina leads you past lighthouses, old stone fortresses, multiple beaches, a variety of seaside restaurants, and even many natural arches carved into the coastline by the sea. There is no shortage of ways to entertain yourselves on foot no matter how long your honeymoon is.
Romantic Vietnam
Once a trading port, Hoi An, Vietnam has become a destination for travelers and finds its way into the hearts of everyone who visits. If adventure travel with a passion for culinary exploration is high on your list for a dream honeymoon, Hoi An should be at the top.
While it has become a big tourist destination in the past decade or so, Hoi An absolutely deserves this distinction and has risen to provide the people who choose to visit with a magical experience and fond memories. Thanks to its historic beginnings as a trading port, Hoi An is filled with picturesque canals adding to the ambience here.
Vietnamese food is filled with fresh ingredients, and bright, almost overwhelming flavors, and the local specialty of Cao Lao is no exception. This pork and noodle dish is filled to the brim with fresh local greens, chilis, and lime. It is a can’t miss taste that can only be found in Hoi An.
Stay in the nearby city of Da Nang at the posh Vinpearl Resort and Spa, Da Nang. Here you can have your own luxurious five-star villa in style with a wide variety of spa treatments to pamper even the most stressed-out post-wedding honeymooners. You will then be able to walk out of your lovely private villa directly to the gorgeous Non Nuoc beach, once voted “the most attractive beach on the planet” by Forbes magazine.
The charm of South Korea
South Korea. The land of K-pop, mukbangs, and the winner of the Best Picture Oscar in 2020, Parasite. South Korea is steadily growing in popularity as both a cultural icon, and as a fantastic travel destination. Both with good reason. There are no shortage of romantic options here.
Start in Seoul, grab a couple of drinks of your choice, and perhaps a picnic meal and take a romantic evening stroll down the Cheonggyecheon stream. This 6.8 mile stream runs straight through the middle of Seoul and makes for a great way to experience nature, local art, and see Seoul in a peaceful and quiet way. There are many great areas to easily connect to from here. We recommend stopping for Chimek, an iconic South Korean combination. Korean fried chicken and beer. It is everywhere, and never was a more perfect or romantic meal prepared. Ok, the romance of fried chicken and beer is up to you, but we can’t get enough of this seemingly simple Korean specialty.
Take the easy and regular high-speed train for about three hours down to South Korea’s second city, Busan. Check into one of the handful of luxury hotels lining the well-kept beach, then head to Spa Land Centum City. In a country known for its spas, this is widely considered the best of the best. Also it happens to be connected to an amazing mall for all your retail therapy needs. This coastal town is also known for some of the freshest seafood in South Korea, so make sure to sample it all.
The tropical splendor of Bali
Our budget pick for a November honeymoon is the Indonesian tropical paradise island of Bali. While it’s not the easiest location to get to from the United States and finding a cheap flight there can be a bit tricky, once you’re there your dollar goes far. Imagine beachside resorts, crystal clear blue water, spas, drinks from a pineapple, and delicious food – all for a fraction of the price compared with many other tropical destinations.
Your first stop should be the beachside town of Canggu. With infinity pools, excellent spa packages, and beach strolls during sunset this location offers a handful of 4 and 5-star resort stays, sometimes for $100 per night!
For an entirely new experience on the island, head inland to Ubud – a jungle version of paradise. Full of cafes, restaurants, hikes in rice terraces, and spa services, Ubud is a relaxing heaven. Rent a private villa with a plunge pool for ultimate romantic relaxation. Don’t forget to schedule some in-room spa treatments. If you feel like getting a good workout in on your honeymoon, Ubud is the unofficial capital of yoga in Indonesia. The Yoga Barn offers about 15 classes per day to suit all styles and levels, or have your resort arrange a private lesson in your room, or poolside at your villa.
Another highlight of Bali is the incredible availability and variety of vegan and vegetarian food. But don’t be dissuaded about this location if you’re a meat eater – there’s plenty of great barbecue around too!
November in Bali is a great time to visit since it avoids most weather issues us travelers try to avoid, but isn’t during a peak tourist season.
Experience spring in New Zealand
Do you find yourself wishing the weather was warming back up in November instead of diving into fall and winter? Well, New Zealand, being in the Southern Hemisphere, has exactly that waiting for your honeymoon. November is the last month of spring here, perfect for outdoor adventure and long romantic walks whether on a beach or a trail.
If your idea of a dream honeymoon is renting a car, or perhaps even getting a camper and wandering from pristine beach to hike to winery and back, then New Zealand is your honeymoon destination. Of course there’s no shortage of gorgeous resorts to visit along the way, such as the Maruia Hot Springs. Also, no honeymoon in New Zealand would be complete without a trip to Milford Sound to see all the tremendous wildlife. Here you can see seals, dolphins, penguins, and black coral all in one place and in their own natural habitat.
Take your time here. There are many ways to experience this natural wonderland, so there is certainly a perfect way to suit your interests and budget.
Marvel at the desert in Arizona
Your November honeymoon doesn’t have to leave the country to feel like you’ve been transported to another world. The landscape of Arizona often looks like Mars, but Arizona is slightly more comfortable and comes with many more amenities and the flights are much more reasonable, as is the travel time required to get there.
While summers in Arizona can get a little more than scorching hot, the fall is a wonderful time to visit the Southwest. Here’s some inspiration for your November Arizona honeymoon.
Sedona is one of Arizona’s most romantic spots which is great since it’s suitable for almost every type of honeymoon you could be looking for. Spa retreat? Yes, definitely in Sedona. In fact, Sedona is home to Mii Amo, one of our top four favorite spas within the United States. Or would you prefer 4-wheeling in beautiful mountains? For sure. Hikes that follow creeks into the red rocks? Yup. Luxury dining? Of course. But also need some shopping or a lunch of amazing Mexican food? Yes and yes. Sedona has it all for your honeymoon.
For more outdoor adventure, head to the iconic Grand Canyon National Park, Antelope Canyon, and Horseshoe Bend. Any or all of these are stunning spots in nature make for a wonderful honeymoon experience.
Planning your honeymoon for November?
Regardless of your budget, timeframe, or desired type of trip, we have tons of November honeymoon destination ideas. Send us a message and we’ll happily start planning every detail for you so you can focus on other parts of life, like your wedding! The world awaits!