A stunning country loved by Brits is best to visit around this time of the year, with impressive temperatures as high as 33C in November. Brits enjoyed a scorching summer this year when temperatures regularly passed the 30C mark. However, that seems like a distant memory now as temperatures have dropped and winter edges ever closer. But there are parts of the world that remain hot even as the UK gets blistery and cold.

One of those countries that you might notice people going to over winter is Thailand. In the past couple of decades, Thailand has become a go-to holiday destination for Brits, despite its location in South East Asia and its significant distance from the UK. However, many people believe that the stunning country is well worth travelling to for its beaches, nightlife and unique culture. And the best part is the great weather.

Thailand reaches highs of 33C in November, a far cry from what we are experiencing in the UK at the moment. These are perfect conditions for visiting some of the country’s beautiful islands, such as Koh Tao, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Phangan.

Bangkok also proves popular, with the megacity offering amazing nightlife, great food and drink and stunning temples to visit. Meanwhile, many tourists opt to travel north to places like Chiang Mai, where they visit the elephant sanctuaries.

November marks the beginning of the dry and warm season in Thailand, making it a great time to visit. As the monsoon season ends, rainfall drops significantly and temperatures start to rise.

Plus, humidity levels are lower, making it a more comfortable experience. Brits can fly directly to Bangkok from London, which takes around 11 hours.

Previous tourists have visited Thailand in November and had great things to say about their experience. “We were in Thailand last November, around Thanksgiving,” said one Reddit user. “The weather was perfect. We were there for 2.5 weeks, and it only rained on us lightly for a couple of hours. It was also perfect because there were hardly any other tourists.”

Another shared: “It’s a beautiful time of year to come. The north will have finished it’s rainy season and be green, lush and clear.”  

A third shared: “We were there last Nov for last 2 weeks of month in Bangkok and Phuket. Weather was fine. We had clouds in Phuket a few days, but only one shower both weeks.”

The best period to visit Thailand, weather-wise, is between November and February. This mainly applies to the cities and the north of the country. However, visiting the south of the country, where the most stunning beaches are, is best between April and September. 

A beautiful country has been named among the friendliest in the world and is 28C in December. South Africa is the southernmost country in Africa, with a coastline that stretches along the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean.

The country offers both domestic and international tourists a wide variety of options, among others the picturesque natural landscape and game reserves, diverse cultural heritage and highly regarded wines. South Africa has also been named the friendliest country in the world, according to a survey from American-based payments group Remitly.

The country scored 34.63, beating Greece, Croatia, and Mexico to the top spot. The survey had 3,000 participants from around the globe and higher scores showed that people were friendly, generous, helpful, and willing to compromise their interests with others. It is also the perfect spot for a winter getaway. In the country’s summer (November to February), there is an average daily maximum temperature of 28C, and an average low of 16C.

February is the hottest month of the year as well as the least humid and one of the driest months, with up to 10 hours of sunshine a day. For most of the country, rain falls mainly in the summer months with brief afternoon thunderstorms. The exception is the Western Cape and its capital city Cape Town, where the climate is Mediterranean.

South Africa is a dream for wildlife fans. Among the large mammals found in the northern bushveld (including Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand Game Reserve) are lions, leopards, cheetahs, white rhinoceroses, blue wildebeest, kudus, impalas, hyenas, hippopotamuses, and giraffes. 

It is also great for history lovers, with some of the oldest archaeological and human fossil sites in the world. Archaeologists have recovered extensive fossil remains from a series of caves in Gauteng Province, branded “the Cradle of Humankind”, which have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Cape Town is the capital city, known for its round harbour and landmarks. The city has six main attractions: Table Mountain, Cape Point, Groot Constantia vineyard, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and the Victoria and Albert Waterfront.

Table Mountain, the most popular sight, sits in a national park overlooking the city with visitors hiking to the top or taking the cableway. Cape Point sits on the edge of the national park, home to wildlife such as penguins, baboons, seals and birds. 

But the city isn’t all wildlife and hikes, there are also lots of streets to explore with independent shops, award-winning restaurants and a number of museums and galleries.

South African cuisine is diverse and reflects the country’s multicultural heritage, incorporating influences from indigenous African, Dutch, British, Indian, and Cape Malay culinary traditions. 

Traditional dishes include bobotie, a curried minced meat dish with an egg-based topping; bunny chow, a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry, originating in Durban; and potjiekos, a slow-cooked stew prepared in a cast-iron pot over open flame. 

Street foods such as vetkoek, gatsby sandwiches, samoosas, and biltong (air-dried cured meat) are widely consumed. Popular desserts include milk tart and koeksisters.

Those wishing to visit can take the direct 11-hour flight from London to Cape Town. There are indirect flights from Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh. There are countless accommodation options on offer across the country, with hotels, Airbnbs, hostels, holiday lets and more available to stay in.

For Brits, Spain is one of the most popular destinations, whether that be for travel or choosing a sunnier place to call home after retirement. The province of Malaga is a hotspot for tourists due to its culture, food and natural beauty.

However, its steep property prices can make moving to the province somewhat out of reach. That being said, there is one town within Malaga that promises affordability. Benaojan is a town south-west of Ronda, and in terms of buying a property, it is the cheapest town in the Malaga province, reports The Olive Press.

With a price of about £631.72 per square metre, the cost is significantly lower than Malaga’s average, which is roughly £3498.61 per square metre.

Benaoján is part of the autonomous community of Andalusia in southern Spain. The picturesque town is located within the Grazalema nature park and has only 1,400 inhabitants, making it an intimate and friendly place to live. 

You can expect high temperatures in the summer months, but the rest of the year offers a pleasant climate with moderate weather and heat.

The area is famous for its caves, which have cave paintings and impressive geological formations. Hiking and climbing in caves like the Cueva del Gato or the Cueva de la Pileta is perfect if you are active or want a day out. 

The Nuestra Señora del Rosario church retains its original 17th-century construction, including a Gothic vault in the sanctuary.

If you are into your food, the town is famous for its sausages, hams and other pork products that have people travelling to the area specifically to purchase.

The town bakeries are also popular and the area is equipped with local amenities like a health centre and pharmacy, with its closest hospital being 20 20-minute drive away in Serrania de Ronda. 

Overall, Benaojan’s beauty, food and cheap property pricing make it a great option if you are looking for a spot to retire in Spain.