Inspiration for November holidays

At this time of year, with Christmas on the horizon, it can often feel as though the weeks are zipping by. Not so on Gozo. It’s hard to think of another corner of Europe quite so unhurried as Malta’s laidback neighbour, so what better place for a walking holiday if you want to make the most of what little remains of the year? Thanks to this bucolic island’s benevolent Mediterranean climate, November is an excellent month to explore the myriad paths, and the only thing you’ll be aware of on the horizon is the odd fishing boat gently bobbing up and down on the cerulean sea.

Tucked away near the Portuguese border north-west of Seville, the Aracena Sierra is a land of glorious woodland, timeless villages and far-reaching views. Autumn is a special time, not only visually (especially in October) but also gastronomically. Wild mushrooms (and chestnuts) grow in abundance, and are incorporated into many dishes.

Given the wealth of royal palaces and castles that is complemented by a wide range of museums devoted to subjects as diverse as design, medical history and theatre, there’s no shortage of history and culture on a break in the Danish capital. From the middle of the month, you can add Christmas shopping to the mix, too. The Tivoli market, at Copenhagen’s much-loved fairground, opens in mid-November, so that by December, when there are free carol concerts at churches across the city, the Christmas spirit is already well and truly flowing.