Where to go on holiday in February
By Mark Hodson, Sunday Times Travel Writer and Editor of 101 Holidays
Are you looking for holidays in February? We have carried out extensive research to discover the best holiday destinations whatever your budget. Our recommendations include relaxing beach retreats, long-haul adventures and romantic Valentine’s breaks If you’re travelling with children please see our pick of the best family holidays in February half term.
February is peak season in the Caribbean – where warm sunshine is pretty much guaranteed – but there are budget beach options too. If you avoid the school holidays you can find some cheap winter sun deals and ski bargains as well as many mid-haul destinations (less than 7 hours flying time) with warm weather. Here are our suggestions for where to go on holiday in February.
Note: all the travel companies featured are personally recommended by our editors.
Mid-haul holidays
It’s still a bit chilly for the Med – if you’re looking for warm weather you’ll need to head a little further. February is a great month to explore the dramatic landscapes of Oman, a beautiful country where you can find remote beaches, historic forts and villages, vast desert dunes and authentic Arabian hospitality. Jordan is perfect for adventurers, with desert hikes, the Dead Sea and the rock-carved city of Petra.
You can find great beach holidays in February in the Canary Islands. We recommend Lanzarote, Tenerife and Gran Canaria – all with excellent weather and less than 5 hours flying time from the UK. If you want somewhere more remote and exotic, head to of La Gomera - a short ferry crossing from Tenerife – or tiny La Graciosa north of Lanzarote.
Another great option within easy reach is Morocco, just 3 hours flying time from the UK. You won’t be baking on the beaches in February so this is a great month for touring, staying in fabulous hotels, hiking in the Atlas Mountains or enjoying an activity such quad biking or horse riding. Another great way to explore Morocco is on a group adventure tour.
It’s less than 6 hours flying time to the warm beaches of the Gambia on the west coast of Africa. This is a great destination for cheap holidays in February: the hotels are a very high standard, the people are friendly and there are lots of fascinating excursions. See the February holiday deals.
If you have children, please see our half term holiday ideas. If you don’t have kids, try to avoid travelling over the last two weeks of February when prices tend to be higher.
Caribbean holidays in February
February is a perfect time of year for a holiday in the Caribbean – most islands are about 8 hours flying time from London. Popular destinations include Jamaica and Barbados, where you’ll need to book a table at the more popular restaurants. Best hotels include Cobblers Cove in Barbados and the all-inclusive Verandah Resort & Spa in Antigua. If you want a smaller island with a slower pace, great beaches and lush countryside, we recommend Tobago.
Grenada is a small friendly island with some great hotels: we like the Calabash. If you just want to relax and be pampered, head for the adults-only all-inclusive Sandals,which has hotels in Jamaica, Antigua, St Lucia and the Bahamas, some with butler service.
Try Cuba for a beach holiday in February with some culture thrown in – we recommend the Hotel Saratoga in Havana followed by a stay on the beach at Melia Cayo Coco. If you feel adventurous, you could set sail on a tall ship cruise of the Caribbean with Star Clippers.
See our detailed selection of the best Caribbean holidays.
February short breaks
February 14 is Valentine’s Day, of course, and what better way to spend a romantic weekend together than on a short break? Venice is the classic destination for romance, and the city is arguably at its most beautiful in winter. This is also the time of the Carnival of Venice which in 2014 runs from February 22 to 4 March and includes masked balls and grand dinners. Find out how you can join the party (and hire an appropriate costume).
For a touch more warmth, Petra in Jordan is an exciting short break destination, as is the intoxicating and romantic city of Marrakech in Morocco.
For a closer-to-home Valentine’s weekend away in England why not stay at the beautiful Lucknam Park hotel near Bath, or Maison Talbooth in the rolling hills of Essex. A perfect short break without the hassle of airports.
February half term holidays
There are some great family friendly holidays in February, although prices do tend to rise over half term week, particularly at ski resorts. This is arguably the best time of year for a family ski holiday in France, although if you want somewhere with some serious style and great food you should consider San Cassiano in Italy.
For relaxing winter sun, the Canaries and Bahamas are both great options. If your kids are a bit more energetic, try Egypt for its history including these innovative Tintin family tours.
You can’t rely on the Mediterranean for warm weather in February, but if you head south you have a good chance of getting some sunshine. Try the contemporary-style Daios Cove on the island of Crete, the InterContinental Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus or a luxury staffed villa in the Algarve.
Find more half term holiday ideas, or check out our sister site, 101 Family Holidays.
Long haul holiday ideas February
Northern India is perfect in February. Experience the majestic architecture of Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, the tea plantations of Darjeeling and the bustling streets of Delhi. We recommend a private car tour with TransIndus. India is also great for tiger safaris – we recommend this trip with Audley Travel.
February is a good time to explore Southeast Asia before the onset of the hot season. Immerse yourself in the history, culture and culinary joys of Malaysia or Vietnam, or head to Burma, one of the world’s hidden tourist gems.
Bali offers world-class beaches, whether you prefer to discover the traditional local culture or hang out at lively bars. Thailand is tremendous value while Cambodia is ideal at this time of year – you can stay on the beach, explore the capital Phnom Penh and – of course – the stunning temples of Angkor.
It’s the height of summer in South Africa so head down to the Cape region for some amazing festivals, buzzing nightlife and tasty vineyard tours. February is also a great time of year for wildlife safaris, especially in the Masai Mara of Kenya and in Uganda. The mass wildlife migration from Tanzania to Kenya is also underway and a truly amazing sight.
Everybody’s perfect holiday in Africa is different, whether you want game drives, walking safaris or to test yourself with a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro. If you have children, try this one. But speak to a specialist first to find the right time of year to take the holiday you want.
See our Top 10 holidays in Africa.
Discover the natural wonders of the Galapagos Islands on a luxury small ship cruise. We recommend the MC Athala and the MV Eclipse. Other expedition cruise options include a trip down the Nile on the Sanctuary MS Nile Adventurer.
This is also a great time to explore Australia or New Zealand – the steep airfares of Christmas have passed, but the weather is still great. Try this Aussie golden triangle of Sydney, Ulura and the Great Barrier Reef. Or indulge with a trip exploring Kangaroo Island.
Cool winter holidays in February
Not everyone is looking for sunshine. Head to Moscow or St Petersburg in the depths of winter and you’ll find these cities at their most romantic and evocative. Wrap up warm and go skating on the lake. It’s the same story in Kiev in the Ukraine, an under-rated gem.
This is one of the best months of the year to ski: check out Peak Retreats for budget ski holidays in France and a luxury stay at The Lodge, Verbier. For great value skiing in Europe, stay in a chalet in one of the best resorts of the Alps with Ski Total. See their best deals in February 2014.
America has some fabulous ski resorts and deep powdery snow (due to the high altitudes and dry air). Try Colorado and Wyoming and the resorts of Breckenridge for value, Aspen for glamour, Jackson Hole for breathtaking scenery and Crested Butte for Wild West charm.
If you can only get one or two days off work, try a ski weekend with Powder Byrne.
If you’re still recovering from Christmas and the New Year, you could detox on a fitness holiday with fitscape or indulge on an in:spa retreat in a beautiful location in Europe.
Finally, February is a good bet for a glimpse of the Northern Lights. We recommend you head to Tromso in Norway, or to Iceland, some one of the best vantage points, as the next two winters (2012-2013 and 2013-2014) will have some of the best displays for many years, according to NASA.
In Norway you can stay in a Snow Hotel or an Igloo Hotel and try a wintry adventure such as fishing for King crabs, snowmobiling or taking wildlife safari in the stunning Lofoten Islands.
If you don’t like the cold, find where’s hot in February.
February holidays in America
It’s the thick of winter in many parts of America, but there’s never a bad time to visit the likes of New York or Chicago.
For warm weather you could head to the desert – take a short break in Las Vegas, experience the thrill of a helicopter tour, head out to the Grand Canyon and stay at the Grand Canyon Ranch Resort. You can also combine Vegas with New York.
It’s a great time for a fly-drive through Utah and Colorado where you can discover stunning hotels such as Amangiri and the Dunton Hot Springs Resort. If you don’t mind the cold, you can track wolves in Yellowstone National Park.
For beaches, eye-popping volcanic landscapes and good times, you can’t beat Hawaii. Join an escorted tour of the islands, take a small ship cruise to discover the best bits or simply chill on the beach in Kaua’i. You can even take a cycle tour of Big Island.
Florida is a good bet to be hot and sunny in February. You could lounge and shop in South Beach Miami, rent a car and drive to Key West or see all the big sights on a two-week fly-drive. It’s also a good time for cheap deals in Orlando.
You may also be interested to see our recommended honeymoons in February.
Try our holiday quiz
If you’re still stuck for ideas, why not try our fun holiday quiz. Answer 10 easy questions like the one below to find out what kind of holidaymaker you are, and get personalised travel recommendations. Try the quiz now.
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Where to go in February
