The Best Places to Visit in November

Perched above the blue Atlantic and surrounded by evergreen gardens and fronted by a beautiful stretch of sandy beach, Vila Joya is striking family-run boutique resort. There are just 22 rooms and expansive suites, each unique and with direct sea views, and casual, luxurious interiors of light, warm tones, natural materials and fine examples of Portuguese craftsmanship. Each room also includes a terrace or balcony, some with direct access to the garden. At lunchtime and dinnertime, the terrace becomes a dining space under Dieter Koschina, patron at Vila Joya for over 25 years, winning two Michelin stars and becoming one of Portugal’s most highly decorated chefs. Fine dining is central to the Vila Joya experience and indeed the reason many people stay here again and again. There are also lighter bites at the Pool Restaurant. Indulgence continues at the fabulous spa which focuses on water, air and light.

Less than a kilometer from the ancient Giza pyramids, this hotel is perfectly position for exploring Cairo.

In a remote valley in the middle of the Troll Peninsula, Deplar Farm is perhaps the most unique place to stay in Iceland. Once a working sheep farm, this sprawling property with its grass roof may look traditionally Icelandic on first glimpse, but its luxurious transformation into an opulent lodge soon becomes apparent. There are 13 en suite rooms that accommodate up to 28 guests, including cosy family options. The rest of the farm is home to a fabulous indoor-outdoor salt water pool and bar, a sauna, gym, dining area, spa, lounge area and more. How you experience this incredible landscape depends on the time of year you visit. During the winter, opt for the heli-ski package to fly up onto the surrounding peaks then slalom down virgin runs to the ocean accompanied by expert guides. You can also go cat skiing, hot spring hopping, snowmobiling, whale watching and even surfing (for the brave). End the day back at the lodge, under the glow of the Northern Lights with a little luck. Long summer days bring fabulous fly fishing on exclusive beats and the chance to join a local captain at sea, returning to Deplar to eat your catch. Hiking guides can lead you on trails along endless valleys and dramatic cliffs dotted with waterfalls or perhaps kayak down dramatic rivers and out at sea. Other activities include horse riding, mountain biking and day trips out to nearby islands.

The malaria free Tswalu Reserve, owned by the Oppenheimer family, consists of over 100,000 hectares of the ‘green’ Kalahari grasslands home to eighty mammal species and 340 varieties of bird. Furthermore, the reserve is not further divided up into concessions or reserves and the only accommodation is the Motse Camp and Tarkuni House, which only allow for a maximum of thirty guests at one time in the entire of Tswalu. If you are staying for three nights or more you’ll also get a complimentary private vehicle, guide and tracker to make this your very own private Kalahari. The motto is, if you see another Range Rover on your game drives, complain. And whilst you really couldn’t get any further from a package holiday, the accommodation at Tswalu truly does have it all ‘wrapped up’ as far as a five-star safari lodge goes, with more luxury, authenticity, exclusivity and conscientiousness than any other in Africa. Having won awards for both their spa and conservation work, you just have to see the efforts they make to look after the wildlife and support local communities to know the lengths they go to look after you.

Six Senses Zil Pasyon is located on Félicité, a private island home to huge granite rocks and coral fringed beaches. It is reached by a scenic 20-minute helicopter flight from Mahé or a 20-minute speedboat trip from Praslin Island. There is a huge emphasis placed on protecting and rehabilitating the island and surrounding ocean, from eradicating invasive vegetation and restoring the seafloor, to monitoring turtles. The resort features 30 pool villas nestled among the tropical vegetation with views over the sparkling Indian Ocean. Each villa has its own private infinity-edge pool and the interiors are bright, airy and spacious. Bathrooms offer wonderfully deep tubs as well as showers. When it comes to eating and drinking, guests are spoiled for choice. Enjoy breakfast and dinner at the Island Cafe where European, Asian and African cuisine comes together, inspired by the Seychellois spice route. Enjoy fresh and simple fare at the Ocean Kitchen and refreshing drinks at the resort’s two bars. Those with a sweet tooth should keep a lookout for the ice cream bike that travels up and down the island offering delectable frozen treats using fresh, local ingredients. The Six Senses spa is perched between towering boulders and offers a range of holistic treatments. It features five individual villas, sauna and steam rooms, a yoga and meditation pavilion and an elevated open-air saltwater pool with a sundeck. There is so much to do while staying at Six Senses, from cooking classes and outdoor cinema to water sports, cycling and fishing.

Built on the Phranang Peninsula, enclosed by white sandy beaches, tropical gardens and the emerald waters of the Andaman Sea, Rayavadee epitomises exotic luxury. To ensure the protection of the world below its surrounding waters, this resort has established the EnLive Foundation. This sustainability-focused foundation funds an array of projects to protect marine life, as well as to encourage and equip the local youth with knowledge and skills for the future. Not only does this idyllic resort have an eco-friendly heart, but it also allows its guests to really immerse themselves in the natural splendour of the unique location. The accommodation of circular pavilions and opulent beachfront villas all blend seamlessly into the tropical grounds and coconut groves to guarantee environmental preservation. Luxurious amenities include couple’s bathtubs and outdoor Jacuzzis, further enhanced by spectacular vistas of the limestone cliffs. The resort’s sustainable practices continue through to its dining scene as it focuses on making use of local food, much of which is grown on its grounds and sourced from producers in the region. Throughout the resort, recycling is encouraged, and Rayavadee employs a zero discharge water treatment system, ensuring that no water discharge is released into the ocean.  Four dining options serving both local and international cuisine include a casual, open-air eatery as well as a restaurant set in a grotto. The resort also donates one Thai baht for every dish ordered in every restaurant throughout the year to its FOOD4GOOD charity programme. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the location responsibly, and snorkelling is permitted in designated areas. A range of sea and land excursions are also available, along with cultural pursuits, such as cooking classes, flower garland making and traditional fruit carving. To relax after all the activity, the spa promises a peaceful escape, with treatments that draw on ancient Thai healing traditions.