Where to go on holiday in February: the best trips to book now

From the parched deserts of Oman to the lush Forest of Dean – these places are a must-visit for February

Oman’s winter ends in February, and temperatures start to inch up again (Anantara)

February may be synonymous with Valentine’s Day, but there’s not much romantic about the grey trudge of the UK winter.

Here are 10 of the best destinations to brighten your mood when things get dreary.

Rovaniemi, Finland

See the Northern Lights in the comfort of the Aurora Wagon (Apukka Resort)

Sure, it’s chilly in Finnish Lapland in February too (around -13C at its most bone-jangling) but this is also a prime time and place to spot the mesmerising swirls of the Aurora Borealis, which are particularly vivid at this time of year. The best way to explore this arctic wilderness is via Aurora Wagon. Hop into one of these cosy cabins on wheels and you’ll be driven through the vast snowy landscape in search of the perfect spot to park up for the evening. Then, you’ll be left to your own devices to gaze through the panoramic windows as the sky erupts above you.

Average temperature in February: -10C

Flight time: 3 hours 25 minutes

You might also like: Northern lights tour from Rovaniemi

Bolivia

Standing on the arid and otherworldly Uyuni Salt Flats at a lung-pinching altitude of 3,600m, Kachi dome camp will be the first luxury accommodation in the area when it opens in February 2019. Here, comfort meets true wilderness (each dome has a private bathroom, comfortable bedding, interior decoration including bleached woods and earthy textiles, and heating). From the camp you’ll be able to hike to the lower lip of the Tunupa volcano, visit an island covered with giant cacti, seek out the mummies sheltering in a cave at the nearby village of Coquesa and learn how the locals collect salt from the surface of the Salar.

Average temperature in February: 13C

Flight time: 20 hours

You might also like: Bolivia Highlights adventure tour

The Serengeti, Tanzania

Spy wildebeest babies from the comfort of Roving Bushtops (Roving Bushtops)

Roving Bushtops is a camp designed to capture the pioneering spirit of the early explorers. At the end of January, it will relocate, following the wildebeest migration south to Kusini. From its new base, guests will have a chance to witness the spectacular three-month long birthing season where, at its peak, more than 8,000 tiny wildebeest babies are born every day. As the spectacle is so often overlooked in favour of the Great Wildebeest Migration, you’ll share views of the births, and the predators that lurk looking to try their luck at a meal, with very few other humans.

Average temperature in February: 19C

Flight time: 10 hours 40 minutes

You might also like: Eight Day Serengeti Trail

The Forest of Dean, UK

We can’t promise you’ll levitate after a session floating in the Forest of Dean (Rick Nadal)

Deepest Gloucestershire might not be the first place that springs to mind when it comes to a winter holiday, but actually there’s good reason to go down to the woods in February. When it opens its doors (or rather, pods), Float in the Forest will be one of the only places in the country where you can take part in flotation therapy before emerging into picturesque woodland – rather than a busy high street. The relaxation therapy involves floating on the surface of warm water saturated with Epsom salts, and can be combined with holistic therapies and more physically demanding experiences, like kayaking and hiking.

Average temperature in February: 5C

Flight time: N/A

Southern Kenya

Off-season east Africa can be pretty exhilarating. Which is why luxury travel company Asilia has launched a new series of itineraries, which are only bookable in quieter months like February. Its active Kenya adventure is not your average jeep and sleep safari. Instead, you’ll zipline through forests, hike to the top of a volcanic crater, mountain bike through the canyons of Hell’s Gate National Park and spend a day exploring the forests, waterfalls and escarpment of the Aberdare National Park. You’ll finish at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy where you can learn all about their world class rhino conservation efforts.

Average temperature in February: 21C

Flight time: 8 hours 35 minutes

You might also like: Kenya Wildlife Safari

Oman

Sunrise at Jabal al Akhdar in Oman (Anantara)

Oman doesn’t top as many bucket lists as it should. It’s relatively untouched (even by seasoned travellers), has the most incredible Mars-like scenery and is not as concerned with opulence as some of its close neighbours – making it an easy and unfussy country to negotiate. Omani winter ends in February, bringing with it an ideal sightseeing climate, meaning you can explore its glittering wadis, elaborate mosques and smoky souks while staying comfortable. Adrenaline junkies should book into the Antantara Al Jabar Al Akhdar, which sits at a nosebleed-worthy 2,000 metres above sea level, for staggering canyon views and a chance to climb its nerve-testing activity wall.

Average temperature in February: 22C

Flight time: 7 hours 10 minutes

You might also like: Discover Oman Tour

The Kimberley, Western Australia

Known for its craggy gorges, rugged natural beauty and isolated coastline, the dramatic Kimberley region in Western Australia is one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Newly launching in February will be COMO The Treasury’s new five-night package, which will include spending your first and last night in the striking converted bank property in Perth, with three nights in the middle of the trip spent in luxury accommodation in the wild Kimberley, offering the ideal combination of a cultural city break and off the beaten track outback adventure.

Average temperature in February: 25C

Flight time: 20 hours

You might also like: The Great Kimberley Overland

Singapore

February is the perfect time to head to Singapore. Not only is it at its least rainy, least humid and most sunny at this time of year, the month also marks the celebration of the Chinese (Lunar) New Year. Head out onto the streets and you’ll see Marina Bay awash with stilt walkers and lion dancers, and the streets festooned with brightly coloured paper lanterns. Browse the many street hawker centres for a melting pot of foods, including the Michelin starred Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice Noodle. Which will set you back about a pound.

Average temperature in February: 27C

Flight time: 12 hours 50 minutes

You might also like: Singapore’s China Town Food Adventure

Mexico

Monarch Biosphere Reserve in Mexico (Shutterstock)

Mexico is home to two brilliantly wild events in February: the monarch butterfly migration, which sees millions of the delicate insects make their way to Canada, and the arrival of humpback, blue and grey whales which breed off the country’s Pacific coast. Book with Black Tomato, which will tailor-make a trip to Michoacan, home to Monarch Biosphere Reserve. Here you can explore the pine forests of Mariposa Monarca, hiking and horseriding through swarms of monarch butterflies with a local biologist, who will explain ins and outs of this remarkable wintering migration.

Average temperature in February: 16C

Flight time: 11 hours 55 minutes

You might also like: Mexican Heartlands adventure

Ilulissat, Greenland

Sleep in an igloo in Greenland (Mike Rinno Kruse)

Fancy sleeping in an igloo? Head to the iceberg-filled Ilulissat on Greenland’s west coast and you can do just that, at a brand new Igloo Lodge, launching at the end of January 2019. Run by Arctic Travel specialists Off the Map Travel, the lodge is ideal for those wanting to add even more adventure to their Arctic experience. Each hand-built igloo comes complete with reindeer skins, specialist warm winter sleeping bags and a petroleum lamp on a night table. And while outside temperatures can plummet well below freezing, the igloos remain at around 0C. Positively toasty.

Average temperature in February: -9C

Flight time: 7 hours 55 minutes

You might also like: Arctic Express: Greenland’s Northern Lights

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