Simon Calder's Travel Week
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February is a month full of excuses to book a getaway, whether it's making the most of the first half-term week of the year for a family holiday or planning a romantic retreat with your loved one for Valentine's Day. There is no better justification to click 'book' than wanting to escape the drizzly, damp days that will descend upon the Isles in the coming weeks, making the shortest month of the year feel like one of the longest. With plenty of downpours forecast in the UK, cast your eyes towards the destinations that provide much-needed sun and warmth in February. For far-flung winter sun, the Caribbean is a popular place to jet off to. Senior travel writer Natalie Wilson, who has travelled to many a Caribbean island, recommends St Lucia as a holiday hotspot during February, with average high temperatures reaching 30C. "St Lucia's seven sunshine hours promise adventures in the Piton Mountains, Pigeon Island National Park and snorkelling off Sugar Beach – lively exploration rather than the loved-up cities that make a sickening shift come February," she says. |
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St Lucia's tropical climate welcomes a balmy but bearable 29C in February (Getty) |
With only a week-long half-term, however, something a little closer to home may be preferable for a family holiday. Unlike other European destinations, there is no off-season in Lanzarote, with high temperatures sitting at a pleasant 21C during February. The island has more than 100 beaches to choose from, but it is also ideal for exploring natural landscapes, such as the dramatic Fire Mountains, which look positively Martian due to their red hue. This Canary Island is beloved by hotel expert Ross Clarke, who advises booking one of the well-established hotels in resorts such as Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise. According to Ross, these are "are set up for families and you'll find a range of activities, from waterparks and theme parks, to watersports and kids' clubs". Seeking a hotel stay without kids? This Valentine's Day, there are plenty of destinations hotting up in all the right ways. Travel writer Tamara Hinson recently picked The Grand Royal Suite at the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, India, as one place that should be on your romantic hotel bucket list. A winter sun destination in its own right, with average highs of 28C in February, Udaipur is also known as one of India's most romantic cities.
A Valentine's getaway here means sunset boat rides in its lattice of lakes, which earned the city the nickname of Venice of the East – how more romantic can it get?
Read our article on where to find sunshine in February |
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| Late winter warmth is abundant in Malta in February. Once the school half-term is out of the way fares are preposterously low. Flying out for a week on Ryanair from Birmingham on 21 February costs £44 return. |
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| The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics opens at the San Siro stadium in Milan on Friday 6 February; ceremony tickets are still available at €260. Events run to 22 February at seven venues in northern Italy, including Cortina d'Ampezzo. |
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| Jet off on your dream holiday for less, with up to £250 off bookings at Etihad Holidays. Explore far-flung, dreamy destinations like Thailand, the Maldives, Dubai and more. Choose from a variety of packages, all including transfers. Learn more. |
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| Explore the UK with ease and save with Viator day trips. From Stonehenge and Windsor Castle to the Cotswolds and historic Cambridge, enjoy guided tours with transport and expert commentary. Various dates and times available. Learn more. |
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| Dreaming of warmer climes? Save on selected holidays with Tui when you travel before 30 April. Jet off to the Caribbean, soak up the sun in the Canary Islands, or unwind in Turkey – plus many more destinations to choose from! Learn more. |
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World of Cruising TV Season 4 is on screens now |
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| Best digital notebooks to keep you organised on your travels |
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| From its maritime heritage to culinary and cultural highlights, a former local shares why Aberdeen is such a treat to visit. |
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| Looking for a way to distil the country's quiet islands and lively cities into one trip, our writer explored the little-known region of Hyogo. |
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For those of us on a budget or time crunch, the question becomes: how do you distil an entire country into a single trip? The region of Hyogo might be the answer. |
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| A Puy du Fou historical theme park is set to open in Oxfordshire – this is what the original, thrilling site is like. |
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| These hotels in the capital make staying overnight easy for wheelchair users, with top-notch accessibility features for all budgets. |
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Our Pick: Today's Top Deals |
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| Keep kids and grandkids entertained while travelling – Echo Show 5 is just £60 at Amazon! |
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.jpeg?quality=75&width=1368&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim=181%2C0%2C155%2C0&auto=webp "A writer in her wheelchair in a hotel room")
.jpeg?quality=75&width=1368&crop=3%3A2%2Csmart&trim=0%2C0%2C0%2C0&auto=webp "Gleneagles Townhouse in Edinburgh")
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