Where to go in February for festivals, nature, food, and more
The new year is now well underway and poor old February is at risk of getting overlooked as people rush to book up the favorable April to September peak travel window. But you’d be remiss to underestimate the 28-day delight because while February may be the shortest month in the year, it packs some of the biggest adventures.
You can climb Africa’s highest peak in prime climes, dance till dawn at carnivals, or dive beneath azure waters in the Philippines in the company of giants.
Where are the best places to travel to in February for wildlife and nature?
Michoacán, Mexico: millions of monarch butterflies
If you’re looking to shake off the cold, head to Mexico to see millions of monarch butterflies take flight in the Michoacán Province’s Oyamel fir forests.
Visit Michoacán’s forests on a sunny February morning and you’ll witness an astonishing spectacle: hundreds of millions of orange-black wings flexing then fluttering as vast clouds of monarch butterflies take to the air. Each winter up to a billion of these incredible insects migrate thousands of miles from northeastern North America to the warmer climes of Mexico — specifically, Michoacán Province’s Oyamel fir forests, some of which are now protected as the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve; head to the El Rosario or Sierra Chincua sections. Here the monarchs breed before returning to their summer grounds far, far to the north.
Hemis National Park, India: the chance to spot a snow leopard
February is an excellent month to experience some of the world’s lesser-known animal encounters and natural wonders. In India, huge sheets of ice transform the landscape into a wild, wintry wonderland, providing a magical backdrop for challenging treks and the perfect setting to spot the region’s elusive snow leopards.
Wildlife-watchers can head for Hemis National Park, which is home to a 400-year-old monastery – and one of the few places on the planet where the elusive snow leopard isn’t quite so elusive. The winter mating season peaks in February, which means the big cats descend to the valleys to find mates, which makes them easier to spot.
Philippines: swim with whale sharks
Journey to the Philippines for the chance to snorkel alongside whale sharks, the world’s biggest fish. Snorkeling alongside one is more like finning with a slow-moving train than a living creature. Simply, it’s up there with the greatest travel experiences.
Donsol, a coastal village at the bottom of Luzon island, is one of the world’s best places to do it. During whale shark season, which runs from November to June (peaking from February to May), there might be more than 10 whale sharks in the water at a time. Plenty of eco-operators run boat trips that allow you to snorkel with the fish in a sensitive fashion. Being the middle of the dry season, this is also a good time to explore further – the Philippines has more than 7000 islands to choose from.
Where are the best places to travel to in February for food and drink?
Mendoza, Argentina: world-class wine
Wine-loving travelers will want to head to the bodegas of Mendoza, Argentina for a beefy Malbec. It offers world-class wineries amongst incredible landscapes.
This is the most intoxicating time to visit the heart of Argentinean wine country. Vineyards dominate here – every hillside is scored with vines – and in hot, sunny February they’ll be healthily heavy with fruit in anticipation of the March harvest. A festive atmosphere reigns, with every bodega (and there are around 900) open for tours, tastings, and celebrations. The leafy, plaza-dotted city of Mendoza makes a good base. Alternatively, some wine estates offer characterful accommodation amid the vines, with backdrops of the snow-capped Andes. Activities such as biking, hiking, horse riding, and golf are also readily available during this dry, sunny period, and doable in the knowledge that a beefy Malbec will be uncorked and waiting on your return.
Singapore: the bustling food markets
Explore Singapore’s edible offerings at the city’s vibrant hawker centers. Loitering just one degree north of the equator, warmth is guaranteed year-round, with average temperatures a fairly consistent 27°C (81°F). February, however, is one of the driest months and – if you come after Lunar New Year (a national holiday) – it isn’t crazy busy.
Perhaps the chief reason to visit, though, is to eat. Hawker centers serve up phenomenal food in cheap, canteen-like settings while top-end eateries are getting ever better. Seek out chili crab, spicy rendang curry, and a range of Nonya dishes, unique to the region.
Where are the best places to travel to in February for culture?
Venice: all about Carnival
February brings with it a wave of festivities as Venice celebrates Carnival. So dig out those sequins, feathers, and dancing shoes and prepare to party till dawn. Events are set to go ahead this year in Venice, keep up-to-date on the official website. Brazil’s famous celebrations in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo have been delayed until April 2022 due to a spike in COVID-19 cases.
Cambodia: a great time of year to explore
Cambodia sits in a sweet spot of dry skies and temperate days – ideal conditions for exploring the country. Relax on the golden beaches of Sihanoukville, visit the floating villages of Tonlé Sap and allow a few days to wander the ancient temples at Unesco-listed Angkor.
The weather is dry and wonderful across Cambodia in February – right from the golden beaches of Sihanoukville to the temples of Angkor. Warmer than the early dry season (October to January) but not yet sweltering, this is a good month for exploring the vast, Unesco-listed complex.
There’s also just enough water left in Tonlé Sap Lake to take boat trips to floating villages that are still actually floating – as the dry season progresses, levels drop, leaving stilt houses marooned in mud and Kompong Pluk (the ‘flooded forest’) inaccessible.
Quebec City: the joy of the cold
The Winter Carnival is on the go in Québec City through early February, with ice sculptures, parades and snow sports. Expect it to be freezing (-5-15ºC; 23–5ºF), but there’s plenty of hot chocolate and Carnival grog – spiced rum, gin, syrup and hot water – to help warm you up. This year’s event runs from February 4 to 13, 2022. Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 guidance on the official website.
Where are the best places to travel to in February for adventure?
Lapland: chasing the Northern Lights
Whether under the ocean or atop mighty peaks, adventure can be found in every corner of the globe come February. To continue your wintry kicks, head to Lapland for dog-sledding and nights spent under the dazzling Aurora Borealis.
The Arctic Circle sparkles at this time of year. The landscape is buried in snow and lakes are frozen. Polar night (the period of 24-hour darkness) is over, and the sun puts in ever-longer appearances. And the magical Northern Lights are quite likely to dance: according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the best time to look for aurora is February to March and September to October.
This is also a great time for everyone – young, old, families, couples – to get into the great outdoors. Though still chilly, temperatures start to rise this month, and wilderness lodges offer full programs of activities: snowmobiling, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing… all guaranteed to warm you up. If all else fails, a visit to a traditional Finnish sauna should do the trick.
Wyoming: hit the slopes and the hot springs
Or, you can ski Wyoming’s snowy slopes before warming chilly fingers and toes around the region’s geothermal geysers and hot springs.
When snow cloaks the cowboy state, special things happen. Skiers and boarders will love the Teton Mountains resort of Jackson Hole, nicknamed ‘The Big One’ on account of its steep, squeaky-bum terrain and great powder (driest and deepest January to February). There are some baby slopes, but this is best for intermediates and pros. Après-ski is lively too.
Then, further north, quite different thrills await in Yellowstone National Park. Heaving in summer, Yellowstone empties in winter. Park roads close, and the only ways to explore are via snowcoach, snowmobile, cross-country skis, or snowshoes. Geysers and hot springs steam in the icy air, and animals congregate at the thermal areas for warmth. Also, grey wolves stand out against the snow-blanketed landscapes, and their tracks are more easily followed – take a guided trip in the Lamar Valley for the chance of a sighting.
Tanzania: summit Kilimanjaro during the warm season
Lording it over the African savannah, 19,341 ft (5895m) Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest freestanding mountain and a big, brooding beacon for travelers. This is a bucket-list climb, and a life-changing challenge – a mountain on which minds and bodies are tested by the terrain and the altitude, where firm friendships are made and world-views altered. Few other experiences are so tough yet so possible for so many.
January to mid-March is the warmest time, with February generally quieter than the new year. There may be daytime showers, but mornings and evenings are clear – perfect for summit night, when you’ll set off around midnight, in time to (hopefully) make it to the top for sunrise. There are various routes up the volcano: Marangu is the only one with huts; the others require camping, though porters carry all equipment. For fewer fellow hikers, opt for the Lemosho or Rongai routes.
Honduras: a top budget dive destination
An incredible underwater world is waiting to be explored in Honduras that won’t leave you feeling the New Year’s pinch – Honduras is slated as one of the cheapest places to learn to dive.
Diving is about as close as a human can get to flying – learning to breathe underwater, master your buoyancy and explore another world is one of the great natural highs. The Bay Islands of Honduras (Utila and Roatán in particular) are brilliant places to do scuba courses. Not only are there many dive schools here, but this is renowned as one of the cheapest places to learn.
The islands are also idyllic, with powdery white-sand beaches and clear Caribbean waters (visibility is best from February to June). The marine life is incredible too, with species such as dolphins, hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, and reef sharks present year-round, and whale sharks passing by February to May.
Source: https://bit.ly/3ghdwNf
