Why November is the best time of year to travel

Travel is all about supply and demand. If you run a hotel or an airline, you keep prices high when you know you can sell all your stock; and you cut them when you can't. The one month when the travel industry consistently struggles to sell rooms and seats is November. Traditionally, most people just don't travel between now and the first couple of weeks of December. As a result, it is the cheapest time of year to travel.

There are some exceptions. There is huge demand for hotels and b&bs in New England at this time of year, because of its spectacular autumn colours. But for the vast majority of destinations around the world, you can get a late deal, a bargain flight or a good room in a top hotel more easily and more cheaply than at any other time of year.

Of course, there are good reasons why people don't tend to travel now. In Europe, there is little sun, lots of rain, and no snow.

But some places are at their best in November and, if you can get away for a week, or a short break, and you choose the right place, it can be a highly-rewarding time to travel. Here are five suggestions of where to go, with links to our detailed online guides.

Venice

It won't be hot, there may be some rain, and you need to time your trip to avoid the high tides which can flood St Marks at this time of year (check at comune.venezia.it/maree). But the autumn mist can be stunning, the sights are clear of tourists, and if it rains, you can duck into some of the greatest museums in the world.

Seville

Seville has one of the warmest and sunniest climates of any European city - the average November high is 20C with five hours of sun a day. It is also ideal for a short break - there great food and drink (tapas, Iberico ham, sherry), fabulous architecture (especially the cathedral and the Alcazar), the excellent Bellas Artes (fine arts) museum and some top-class shopping.