Where to go in February?
February half-term is a popular time to head to colder climates for the last part of the ski season or to delight in all the wintry activities in Finnish Lapland or take in the wonder of the Northern Lights in Iceland. With longer days in the Northern Hemisphere at this time of year, you will have more daylight hours to enjoy all the activities on offer. Other cooler destinations to visit in February is Quebec province in Canada or Wyoming, USA. Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming empties in the winter months and is closed to cars but still accessible by snow coach or snowmobile. Animals congregate around the erupting geysers and hot springs for warmth, and it is easier to spot grey wolves against the white snow.
A little closer to home, quite a bit warmer and a short hop for a quick half-term dose of vitamin D why not head to Ibiza. A much quieter time of the year, you will find plenty of wellness and rejuvenating holidays on offer to give you a boost for the rest of the year. Southern Portugal will also have plenty to offer with fewer crowds and more greenery to admire. The waters may be too cold for swimming, but the beaches are still just as inviting, and the cooler climate makes other activities such as cycling or hiking much more bearable for exploring.
If you fancy a wilder holiday and have more time available than a 1-week then Kenya and/or Tanzania will provide you with unforgettable wildlife experiences and scenery. This is also the most popular time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro when the weather is warm, clear, and dry. With many of my suppliers offering this as a tour I can help get you there but can’t help with the training. That is all up to you and will be an extremely rewarding adventure to share when you get home.
Fancy going further east then South-East Asia will have a lot to offer at this time of year. Cambodia is dry but not sweltering making it even more pleasant to explore the vast and ancient temples of Angkor as well as enjoying the coastline and inland jungles. In the Philippines it is peak Whale Shark season so head to Donsol on Luzon Island for the best place to snorkel with the biggest fish in the sea.
Australia offers plenty of great options at this time of year. Head to Adelaide to embrace the Fringe Festival or escape the city heat by hiring a houseboat on the Murray River and enjoy the gentle breeze whilst sipping refreshing drinks on your deck. Prefer sea to river then head to the Gold Coast at what is generally a quieter time of year as schools are back in full swing. The sea is still free of jellyfish so you can cool off in the surf. Head a bit further south and escape a bit of the heat by heading inland to the Blue Mountains near Sydney. Bushwalking, climbing, biking, and kayaking are all popular activities and with an abundance of wildflowers at this time of year you’ll have plenty to look at.
If you are missing the joy of celebrating the New Year and hankering after a party atmosphere then look no further than Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. February is the month of the infamous Rio Carnival. For many this is a bucket-list experience to witness the millions of people all sequinned up, samba-ing, dancing and drinking in one of the most spectacular cities home to Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain. Definitely not to be missed. If you have made it as far as Brazil you may as well head to Mendoza, Argentina too. Vineyards are at their ripest ready for the March harvest and with plenty to celebrate.
Other destinations that are perfect to visit in February are Mexico, Maldives, Thailand, Caribbean and Sri Lanka.