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If you’re after a real winter-wonderland experience and are prepared for the cold, November is a rewarding time of year to visit Sweden. Plummeting temperatures bring snow, especially in the far north of the country, so it’s a great time to explore Sweden’s landscapes through activities such as husky sledding — or even reindeer herding with Lapland’s indigenous Sámi people. November is also a good time of year to see the northern lights, wherever you are in the country. Visiting Sweden in November also means you won’t have to contend with the busyness of Christmastime, when Swedish families often travel domestically.

November is a classic time of year to visit Mexico, for one main reason: this is when the country launches itself into an exuberant festive mood for its Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), taking place around the first day of November. Yes, it’ll be busy, especially in Oaxaca and Mexico City, but that’s all part of the experience, as communities celebrate with parades, live music, and candlelit feasting in cemeteries. November is also a good month to visit the country as a whole: the rainy season has usually petered out by now and warm days have returned, making it a good time to explore Mexico’s smaller towns, beaches and coastal regions.

November is one of the most popular months to explore Vietnam. In the northern areas, the heat, rain and humidity of summer start to decrease dramatically and you’ll find pleasantly warm temperatures and dry days. In the south, this is the beginning of the hot dry season, making it an excellent time to relax on Vietnam’s beaches including Phu Quoc, Mui Ne and Phan Thiet. The central region remains balmy at this time of year, but you can expect occasional bursts of sudden, heavy rainfall.

Spring is in full swing and temperatures are on the rise, though are still mild enough to make for comfortable hiking conditions along the coast and in the country’s national parks. Landscapes in the north are peppered with wildflowers after stormy downpours, and rainforests and wetlands are alive with birds and other wildlife. It’s also a good time to stroll city streets in the south, where it’s warm and dry, and for a road trip along the east coast before the days heat up. It’s warm and sunny on the beaches, although the water is a little cooler after the winter months.

Marking the beginning of South Africa’s summer, November brings pleasantly warm temperatures, without being as hot as later in the season. While rains arrive in some areas, such as Kruger National Park and KwaZulu-Natal, these tend to be short and stormy, leaving the air fresh afterwards. It means there are fewer visitors on safari in the Kruger, despite it still being a good time for seeing wildlife. Elsewhere, it’s a good time to drive the Garden Route, and you can still pause to see southern right whales off the coast before they migrate south.

With crisp air, blue skies and the most brilliant foliage of the season, November is an excellent time to visit Japan. Mountainsides erupt in flaming orange, bright crimson and glowing gold leaves, providing an eye-catching backdrop for the country’s many walking trails. In the cities, you can visit temples and shrines, which often have leafy gardens, for easy foliage viewing. Mornings and evenings can be chilly, especially toward the end of the month, but it’s easy to slip into a hot spring to warm up.