Ayodhya is the natural starting point for a Diwali trip inspired by the Ramayana. Tradition identifies the city as Rama's birthplace and the place to which he returned after 14 years of exile. Today, travellers can visit the Ram Mandir and explore other religious and historical sites around the city, as well as experience Ayodhya's Deepotsav celebrations, which illuminate the city during the festive period.

Another chapter of the Ramayana tradition leads south to Rameswaram. According to Hindu tradition, Lord Rama worshipped Lord Shiva here following the battle with the demon-king Ravana. The Ramanathaswamy Temple is now one of India's major pilgrimage sites. You could even couple your trip to Rameswaram with a visit to Sri Lanka to explore both Indian and Lankan traditions associated with the epic.

Further afield, Cambodia's breathtaking Angkor Wat is home to celebrated stone-reliefs that include scenes inspired by the epic, including the Battle of Lanka. It gives a familiar story a completely different visual language and demonstrates how deeply Indian epics became woven into the art and culture of Southeast Asia. Base yourself in Siem Reap and give the wider Angkor complex more than a hurried morning. If you have a full week, add Phnom Penh.

Indonesia also offers a different way to encounter the Ramayana. Near Yogyakarta, the Prambanan temple complex provides the backdrop for performances of the Ramayana Ballet, which reinterpret the epic through Javanese dance, costume and music. Build the trip around Yogyakarta, Prambanan and the surrounding temples, then add more of Java if your Diwali leave stretches to a full week.

By the time the Ramayana reached Thailand, it had become something distinctly Thai. The Ramakien, Thailand's adaptation of the epic, draws on the Ramayana while incorporating Thai cultural, religious and artistic traditions. One of the best places to encounter it is Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, in Bangkok's Grand Palace complex, where murals depict scenes from the Ramakien. Add nearby Ayutthaya if you have extra time for a dose of Thai history among the temples and ruins of the former royal capital.

For a European holiday with a side of mythology, Greece is hard to beat. Ancient ruins, legendary landscapes and hearty Mediterranean food come together in a country where myth and history feel close at hand. Start in Athens, then head to the islands or the mainland, where many Greek legends are set. November is cooler than peak summer, but the quieter pace makes it easier to explore museums, archaeological sites and neighbourhood tavernas without the crowds.

The Italian Riviera is at its most atmospheric when the summer crowds have thinned. Base yourself in Genoa or one of the coastal towns, depending on your itinerary, and spend your days exploring colourful villages, waterfront promenades and Ligurian food. November weather can be changeable, and some seasonal businesses may close, but the trade-off is a more relaxed experience and potentially better-value accommodation. We don't recommend a dip in the waters at this time of year, though. If warmer weather is what you're after, Spain's Canary Islands are a better bet. Indian travellers looking to visit Genoa and the Italian Riviera can catch connecting flights from Munich, Amsterdam and Paris.

If Europe's cities are a little too chilly in November, head south to the Canary Islands. Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura offer a very different version of a European break, with volcanic landscapes, coastal towns and generally milder conditions than mainland Europe at this time of year. Spend your days hiking through lunar-looking scenery, exploring whitewashed villages or simply making the most of a slower beach break before India's winter properly sets in.

For some of Europe's most dramatic scenery at this time of year, look towards the Northern Limestone Alps. The region offers mountain scenery, lakes, historic towns and storybook villages, although conditions in November can vary considerably with altitude and weather. Choose Schwangau in Bavaria for Neuschwanstein Castle, the fairytale landmark often associated with the inspiration for Disney's Sleeping Beauty castle, or head to Hallstatt in Austria, known for its lakeside setting and mountain backdrop. Germany's official tourism body also describes Neuschwanstein as having inspired Disney's castles.

Begin in Hanoi, where the Old Quarter's lively lanes, peaceful lakeside strolls and famous northern dishes set the tone for your trip. From there, cruise among the towering limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay or head to Ninh Binh to cycle past rice fields, rivers and ancient temples. Want a festive glow to match Diwali? Fly south to Hoi An, where the old town comes alive with lanterns after dark, and riverside restaurants and skilled tailors add to the charm. Nearby Da Nang completes the picture with sandy beaches, fresh seafood and the Marble Mountains just a short drive away.

Spend a few days in Kuala Lumpur for hawker-style dishes and Malay, Chinese and Indian flavours, alongside visits to the Petronas Twin Towers, Batu Caves and lively neighbourhoods such as Bukit Bintang and Kampung Baru. If you have time for Penang, George Town adds colourful shophouses, street art, historic temples and some of Malaysia's best-known food, from char kway teow to nasi kandar.