German summer travel can be fantastic…until the autobahns become jam-packed with staus and hordes of tourists throng city centers and beach fronts. Same goes for winter. Christmas markets and the Alps are incredible…but again, you’ve may have to do a lot of elbowing. So here’s a little secret: if you live in Germany, November may just be the best time there is. The weather is generally decent, the roads are clear, and the crowds are often nonexistent. Put these four places on your list for this November.

Berlin

If you visit Berlin in November, you might just think you’ve found the coolest city on the planet. The days are short and crisp. Nights are long and drenched in neon. Amazing restaurants, featuring cuisine from every part of the world, can be found everywhere. You can find tickets to rock concerts, top-level soccer matches, operas, ballets, circuses, the zoo, and basically anything. And the best part? It’ll pretty much just be you and the locals.

Berlin: Two places to start

• See Checkpoint Charlie: 35 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie will still give you chills. It’s a must-see for cultural and historical reasons.
• Visit a record store: even if you’re not a vinyl nerd, visiting a record store in Berlin is a blast. They’re everywhere near the city center. And you’re sure to find an English speaker nearby…or at least an English singer.

Mosel Valley

It’s hard to believe that more people aren’t talking about the Mosel Valley. This is absolutely one of the most beautiful places on the planet. It has snaking roads, snaking rivers, soaring hills, and villages that come straight out of storybooks. In November, those roads are empty, those hills are golden, the villages are quiet (and filled with high-quality wines at outstanding prices), and the rivers are tranquil. Go. Visit the Mosel Valley. You’ll feel like you’ve landed on a different planet, in the best possible way.

Mosel Valley: Two places to start

• Piesport: Crazy road in? Check. Photo ops galore? Check. Great wines and local eateries? Check. If you’ve never been to the Mosel Valley, this is an ideal place to start.
• Bernkastel-Kues: two villages, one river, gorgeous little stone- and wood-filled walkplatzes, boat tours, a ruined castle, no crowds…Bernkastel-Kues in November rocks.

Hamburg

When the world is getting darker, sometimes the best thing you can do is lean into it. This is doubly true for Hamburg, which is several hours north of the KMC. You won’t regret going to Hamburg in November. The harbor is brilliant: crisp air, activity at all hours of the day and night, restaurants, shops, the works. If you’ve got a family, then Hamburg has a ton of activities to keep you busy. If you don’t have a family, all the better. Hamburg’s nightlife is famous. Either way, you’ll come away feeling energized and ready to face down the long winter.

Hamburg: Two places to start

• For families and toy lovers: check out Miniatur Wunderland, which provides, well, wonders whether the weather is good or bad.
• For those who don’t mind a little rock-n-roll (or related activities): check out Hamburg’s St. Pauli district, which still has a reputation for providing a rollicking good time, more than 60 years after the Beatles launched their careers here.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

November might just be the only month in which you can visit Rothenburg and feel like you’ve stumbled on to a massive secret. This little city, which is legendary for its stone streets, half-timbered houses, Christmas market, and all-around adorableness, is great any time of the year. But you can almost get a sense of the real Rothenburg in November. Shopkeepers are more relaxed (they may even offer you an espresso if you stay and shop a while), the city walls are deserted, the restauranteurs are in a good mood (summer is done and December is coming up, so they can breathe), and parking is plentiful. Just a beautiful time to be there.

Rothenburg o.d. Tauber: Two places to start

• Market square: If you’re there in the early evening, the market square is brilliant. The town hall is lit up, as are the surrounding streets. Just soak it in for a bit, and then start wandering.
• Gasthaus Alter Keller: your chances of booking a room (and a table) here increase significantly during November. A one-of-a-kind experience, especially when the night is cool and dark and the restaurant is warm and cozy.

Featured image by Jan Wehnert / Shutterstock.com