Checking In | The National

November often gets a bad rap, especially in the northern hemisphere, where the days grow shorter and the weather turns colder, encouraging many people to retreat into hibernation. But it doesn’t have to be like that, not if you know where to go. I’m writing this week’s Checking In newsletter from the balcony of my fifth-floor suite at Hotel De Paris, one of the most storied hotels in Monte-Carlo. When I arrived on Tuesday, Monaco was in the midst of its National Day celebrations with red and white flags on every street, and a royal procession through the heart of the country's old town. My visit also coincided with the start of Monaco’s jazz festival – and I had the pleasure of taking in the opening night on Wednesday at the Opera Garnier, a stunning building dating back to 1879. As I look towards the Mediterranean glistening to my right, the sun is shining brightly and the sky is a perfect shade of blue – it turns out that while November in Monaco doesn't have the draw of the Formula 1 – it's perhaps one of the very best times to visit this principality – who knew! Talking of F1 events, the UAE will be hosting the sporting spectacle next month, when the cars and teams arrive in Abu Dhabi. The timing is great for drivers and fans, as winter in the emirates is when the country comes into its own. And with UAE National Day right around the corner, it's time to get planning. Whether you fancy booking a staycation, attending one of the countless events taking place across the country, or simply getting out and enjoying the beautiful nature that the UAE has to offer, it's the perfect season to embrace it. For those looking to head overseas for the coming public holidays, there's plenty of destinations within just a few hours reach . Perhaps Georgia appeals, with Tblisi's centuries-old ruins or the snow-covered slopes of Gudauri. Neighboring Oman could also be a good pick. With new hotels including the beachfront Mandarin Oriental and a slew of hip new dining spots, not least the myriad of places that have opened their doors at the St Regis Al Mouj Muscat Resort, and the perfect weather for hiking through the Hajar Mountains, it’s a great time to visit the sultanate. Or maybe the Maldives – only a four-hour flight away – is more for you with its epic snorkelling and pristine coastlines. Foodies might want to book at Soneva Fushi, where Saudi Arabian chef Rakan Aloraifi will be cooking up a storm over UAE National Day weekend with a five-course menu championing both Soneva ’s sustainability ethos and Arabian delights. Over in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom is embracing November climes. In the north-west of the country, Tabuk sees cooler temperatures rolling in across its mountains, valleys and coastline, while the serene oases of AlUla are blooming, offering a striking contrast to the orange hues of the surrounding desert. Closer to the capital, history-filled Diriyah is evolving at pace with ground-breaking taking place this week for seven luxury hotels in the neighbourhood, including Raffles, Armani, Orient Express, Baccarat, Corinthia, Fauchon L’Hotel and Rosewood. These hotels will add another 877 rooms to the historic destination famed for its Unesco heritage sites. A new Qurain Cultural District and a King Salman Foundation have also been unveiled for Diriyah, both of which will be welcome news to arts and culture fans visiting the kingdom. Until next week, wherever you're headed, stay safe, travel well and keep up to date with all the latest travel news and stories online. IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Palau Beneath the surface of Palau's tranquil waters lies a world of secrets. Julian Ryall embarks on a journey to this remote Pacific paradise, where he dives deep to discover remnants of the past, witnesses a vibrant tapestry of marine life and gets up close and personal with endemic jellyfish before breaking bread – or in this case coconuts – with Palau's islanders. TRAVEL NEWS THIS WEEK TOP TIPS Three new women-only trips to take in 2025 • Head to Sri Lanka for a female-only nature and wellness retreat by the seaside. Calm Palm Escapes is running a six-night trip on the south of the teardrop island that takes place from March 16 and is open to solo travellers and groups of women. Holidaymakers will enjoy yoga classes, massages, sound healing workshops, cultural exploration and more. • It's women-only on Uniworld Boutique River Cruises's newest journey that will explore the south of France next August. The eight-day trip winds through Burgundy and Provence on the Rhone and Saone Rivers with an itinerary filled with excursions, entertainment and culinary experiences. • Female travellers can take their pick from 11 new tours operated via Insight Vacations for next year. These small group trips will each have a maximum of 24 women, with solo travellers welcome. Guests will stay in hand-picked hotels and explore intriguing destinations, including the likes of the deep South in the US, Italy's country roads and the best of Morocco. THE LAST WORD "I think sustainable aviation fuel is stupid , I think it makes absolutely no sense at all because there is not enough cooking oil in the world to fill the planes. Putting 1 per cent or 2 per cent of cooking oil into your plane is not going to change global warming.” Tony Fernandes, co-founder of AirAsia