By February, we’ve all had enough of winter and long to feel the sunshine on our skin. If spring still feels like light-years away, why not book a holiday in February and get home just in time to see the daffodils do their thing?
It might be drizzly and dark over here, but summer is blooming in the Southern Hemisphere and it’s a wonderful time to get out in the world. Swap your slipper socks for flip-flops, dig your passport out of the bottom drawer and beat a hasty retreat from the February blues.
Here’s our guide to some of the best places to go in February. These exciting destinations will soon put the spring back in your step.
February is part of Botswana’s ‘green season’, when the landscape is beautifully lush and migratory birds take full advantage of the foliage. While you’re likely to encounter a few dramatic afternoon downpours, it’s a brilliant time to set off on a Botswana safari at a fraction of peak season prices.
You’ll see large herds of elephants and all manner of baby animals (and their predators) in Chobe National Park, and you can spot wildlife while you glide through the Okavango Delta in a dugout canoe (mokoro).
February in New Zealand is pretty much perfect. The sizzling heat of high summer has lost its uncomfortable edge, and the days are drenched in warm sunshine. It’s the ideal time to explore the highlights of both the North and South Island.
Hire a campervan and sleep near the shores of Lake Wanaka, hike the impossible scenic Queen Charlotte Track, drink cider in the Green Dragon on a trip to the Shire, and sail through the fjords of Doubtful Sound.
February is a sweet spot in Cambodia when the weather is dry and sunny from the highlands to the coast, but the tourist rush has begun to recede. With uninterrupted blue skies and temperatures in the high twenties, you can't really go wrong. Cycle between the ancient temples of Angkor, explore the Cardamom Hills, sail across Tonle Sap Lake and stretch out on the beautiful beaches of Koh Rong or Kep.
If you’re itching to get out into the Great Outdoors, you can’t do better than Patagonia in February. The peak season crowds have thinned out, but the weather is still sunny. The days are long and it’s even warm enough to swim in some of the lakes and rivers.
This is a brilliant time to lace up your hiking boots and explore Torres del Paine, see the pinnacles of Mt. Fitz Roy, and feel tiny next to the mighty Perito Moreno Glacier. February is also the last month of departures for cruises from Ushuaia to Antarctica, so why not plan the trip of a lifetime?
Australia’s Great Ocean Road really is great. Twisting along the southern coast of Victoria, there’s beautiful scenery around every bend, flanked by gorgeous beaches and the bright blue ocean. See the famous Twelve Apostles, explore the lush Otway Rainforest and cool off in the clear waters of Loch Ard Gorge.
If you can wait until the second half of February, when the Aussie schools have started their new term, you’ll find far less traffic and more reasonable prices for accommodation. Bookend your road trip with city breaks in Melbourne and Adelaide for a seriously unforgettable Australia holiday.
There’s only one reason to head for Rio in February – CARNIVAL! It’s the biggest party on the planet and a firm favourite on bucket lists the world over. Yes, you do need to book at least a year in advance, but it’s 100% worth planning ahead. This really is the party to end all parties.
Stuff your suitcase with sequins and feathers, book some authentic Brazilian samba lessons, sip caipirinhas at street parties and completely forget the meaning of sleep. After a few wild days of non-stop fiesta, you can head to Copacabana Beach to recharge your batteries in the sunshine.
If riotous Rio street parties aren’t up your street, try travelling to Mendoza in February for an altogether milder fiesta. Deep in the heart of Argentinean wine country, Mendoza is a living shrine to all things grape, and February sees the city gearing up for the March harvest. You’ll find an infectious holiday mood, warm sunny weather and a never-ending supply of seriously Malbec.
The beautiful rural landscape surrounding Mendoza is perfect for clearing the cobwebs after a night on the bottle. Hiking gorgeous trails with the snow-capped Andes in the background, set off on cycling trips through the vineyards and learn to ride horses with the local gauchos.
If you’re not put off by a quick daily downpour, February is a fantastic time to visit the Cook Islands. Technically classed as ‘rainy season’, you’ll find plenty of South Pacific sunshine punctuated by some dramatic thunderstorms. For tourism, it’s also one of the quietest months of the year, with excellent low season rates and an ultra-laid-back atmosphere. If you’re looking for a tropical escape at a fraction of the full price, it’s definitely worth braving the elements.
Dream of watching the hot air balloons drift over the temples of Bagan? If Myanmar is on your wishlist, this is a great time to turn it into a reality. February is the driest month of the year in Myanmar, with an average of 11 hours of sunshine per day. It’s a brilliant antidote to the British winter.
Evenings in the highlands and around Inle Lake can get a little chilly, but it’s nothing that a light jumper can’t fix, and you’ll welcome the refreshing breeze. Sail down the Irrawaddy to Yangon, visit the hill tribes around Kalaw and follow the fabled ‘road to Mandalay’.
We can organise tailor-made holidays and multi-stop trips of all shapes and sizes, from boutique adventures to campervan holidays. Simply call one of our well-travelled consultants on +44 1273320580 or send us an email, and we'll get straight to work on your behalf.
Bryony is an explorer in every sense of the meaning. In 2013 she took the plunge, quit her marketing job and decided to face down her lifelong panic disorder to begin life as a freelance digital nomad. Journeying all over Asia, for years she earned her keep writing for travel brands. Almost by accident, she ended up in Cali, Colombia where she discovered a remarkable (as yet latent) talent for Salsa dancing. After spending a year in sequins shimmying from dance show to dance show, she returned to the UK, tanned, toned and ready to settle down. Bryony joined Travel Nation as a round the world specialist in 2016 and is now the Marketing Manager, with a little salsa on the side.
