5 Thanksgiving Travel Alternatives: From Paella in Valencia to the Pyramids of Giza

by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 7:00 AM ET, Sat October 10, 2026

For scores of Americans, Thanksgiving is typically spent filling up on turkey and mashed potatoes, watching football, and perhaps taking in a holiday parade.

But there are also people who don’t intend to do any of those things. Or who opt not to gather with extended family to mark the holiday.

If the latter category describes your Thanksgiving agenda and you’re looking for an alternative to binge-watching the latest Netflix releases, consider treating yourself to a little travel therapy. Which, frankly, is always a good option.

With climate change increasingly disrupting (or entirely derailing) summer travel with brutally hot weather, November offers an appealing alternative: a chance to explore when temperatures have cooled, and crowds in many places have often dissipated.

Think: wandering through Paris amid crisp autumn air, not having to wait very long to get into popular museums and trees along the Champs-Élysées showing off a tapestry of red, orange, and yellow leaves.

If visiting a new locale during a more temperate time of year sounds like just the thing to fill your Thanksgiving break, read on for some helpful travel inspo.

Valencia, Spain

Trade the Thanksgiving turkey for paella in the coastal Spanish city of Valencia. The birthplace of the famous dish (a mouthwatering mix of rice, sausage, saffron, chicken, and seafood), Valencia is known for its gastronomy, beaches, festivals, and a historic city center that’s one of the largest in Europe.

As a bonus, average November temperatures are a pleasant 60-68 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, please!

“Most days are comfortable for walking or biking around the city,” Andres Serra, head of operations for Optimize Travel, tells TravelPulse, which suggests planning a six-night visit in the city, particularly for those coming all the way from the United States."

“That gives you time to adjust after the overnight flight and jet lag so you don’t feel rushed,” explains Serra.

Choose the city’s historic center as your accommodation base so you can easily walk to restaurants and attractions. Plan to explore Valencia’s old city, its vibrant Central Market and perhaps a bike ride through Turia Garden, which includes a series of green spaces and leisure areas.

Other activities to add to your to-do list in Valencia include visiting Albufera Natural Park (a sanctuary home to Spain’s largest freshwater lagoon) and the historic fishing village of El Palmar, about 10 kilometers south of Valencia.

“There, you can take a traditional boat ride on the lagoon and enjoy paella next to the rice fields where it was first made,” says Serra.

Cairo, Egypt and the Western Desert

Come late November, Cairo’s extreme heat starts to subside and temperatures average 72-82 Fahrenheit, making it another location that’s especially appealing for an end-of-year visit.

Dawn Younts, co-founder of Explore Egyptian Nile Adventures suggests starting your trip in Cairo at the famous Giza Plateau (because what would a visit to Egypt be without taking in the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx?).

Next, head to the Grand Egyptian Museum (also in Giza), which showcases all aspects of life in Ancient Egypt, including its culture and society.

If you’re ready for a change of pace after taking in so many mind-boggling ancient artifacts, consider spending a day in the lush desert oasis of Fayoum, southwest of Cairo, says Younts.

“It's an easy way to see a completely different side of Egypt, with desert landscapes, lakes and Wadi El Rayan [a protected nature reserve],” says Younts. “From there, continue to Bahariya Oasis and the Black and White Deserts. The White Desert in particular is unlike anywhere else in Egypt, with huge natural chalk formations rising out of the desert.”

Younts says the traditional weeklong Thanksgiving break is an especially good time to visit Egypt because so much variety can fit into one trip.

“You can be at the pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, then in Fayoum surrounded by lakes and desert, and then among the formations of the White Desert,” she explains. “Instead of spending the entire trip doing one type of sightseeing, you're seeing several very different sides of Egypt within a relatively short period of time.”

Yamanashi, Japan

With cooler temperatures, late November still offers the chance to enjoy a fall foliage getaway in many parts of Japan. That includes the region around Japan’s iconic Mt. Fuji. Local experts say you’ll find autumn color well into November.

Lake Kawaguchi, located at the northern base of Mt. Fuji, offers one of Japan’s classic late-fall foliage destinations, where red and gold maples frame views of the famed mountain throughout November. To celebrate nature’s vibrant display, the region hosts the annual Fuji-Kawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival (November 7 - November 29), featuring local vendors serving regional specialties, performances, and nighttime illuminations of the autumn leaves.

Japan’s first glamping resort, HOSHINOYA Fuji, offers a luxury escape for travelers seeking a unique way to experience Japan’s alpine environment. Through December 2, 2026, its Autumn Forest Glamping Stay includes guided walks through leaf-covered forest paths, seasonal outdoor dining and other programming centered on the changing landscape.

To make this experience even more appealing, each guestroom has a third of the room outdoors. Meaning you can enjoy outstanding views of Mt. Fuji from your in-room terrace. 

Las Catalinas, Costa Rica

Known for its diligent stewardship and protection of biodiversity, along with its abundance of eco-tourism opportunities and peaceful democratic leadership, a visit to Costa Rica is always a good idea. And if unplugging from all that’s happening in the U.S. and experiencing some R&R over the Thanksgiving season is in order, Costa Rica, with its laid-back outlook and lifestyle, is especially apropos.

While Costa Rica offers many memorable destination options, you may want to keep Las Catalinas in mind. Located on the country’s Guanacaste Coast, the car-free beach town lets visitors enjoy a slower pace and spend days exploring beaches, swimming, kayaking, hiking and more.

Designed to feel like a timeless, well-loved European beach, Las Catalinas’ pedestrian-friendly streets and intimate plazas make it easy to escape the stress and bustle of a typical holiday getaway. When you’re not immersed in nature, visit the community’s ocean-view restaurants, boutique shops, or wellness studios.

Accommodations in Las Catalinas, meanwhile, range from homes and flats available through Las Catalinas Doorway to two award-winning hotels, Casa Chameleon and Santarena Hotel, making the town an ideal choice for couples, families, or groups looking to swap the traditional Thanksgiving gathering for a relaxing tropical vacation.

Moab, Utah

One last option for nature lovers, Moab, home to striking red rock landscapes and flanked by unforgettable national parks (Arches and Canyonlands), offers an especially peaceful backdrop for a November getaway.

Visitation to Moab drops significantly in October, November and December, but that’s all the more reason to consider this option. Hotels are cheaper (rates drop by as much as 40% to 50%), and visitation to the region’s famed national parks plummets by as much as 96%. All that makes a trip to Moab ideal if you’re after peace and time in nature.

Locals, meanwhile, say November weather is especially suitable if you enjoy outdoor exploration. Think sunny days hovering around the mid-50s and brisk evenings. Winter also typically brings clear skies because of cooler nighttime temperatures.

And unlike prior years, when many of Moab’s local outfitters closed their doors after Halloween, a record number of guiding services in 2026 have extended their hours, offering tours through the end of winter.

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.