Best Countries To Visit In February

The Valentines month, the month of love and loved ones in almost all the world, February is generally the trailing of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and peak of summer in the Southern. Beach destinations in the Northern Hemisphere become cool and inviting, with places like Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and Cambodia reigning supreme on the holiday chart. Iceland has one of the best weathers to catch sight of the Northern Lights in February and Kenya makes for some great wildlife safaris and sightings. We have also included the state of Florida (U.S.A) and the city of Melbourne (Australia) on this list as these places belong to large country-continents with varied geographical climatic conditions, and February is THE best for these places. Read on for details on these best countries to visit in February.

Iceland

The land of fire and ice, literally, Iceland is also the origin of many a myths of Norse, and the home of vikings. With its expansive glaciers and huge volcanoes (some even active), Iceland has become a very coveted tourist spot for those that have a hunger for natural wonders of the world. The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis is another feather in Iceland’s hat, becoming brighter and more easily visible in the month of February, which also happens to be one of the last months for this wonder to fill the sky. With an average low temperature of -2°C and high of 3°C, Iceland is not the coldest at this time, and also hosts some of the longest days.

Things to Do:

Start with the protected areas of glaciers i.e. Snæfellsjökull and Vatnajökull National Park. The feeling and scenery might also renew memories of the Night’s Watch from Game of Thrones. For fans of this HBO hit, there is also Thingvellir, where the show is shot. For Northern Light spotting, you can try the Reykjavik skies, Seltjarnarnes or even Faxafloi Bay (very less lights and almost no pollution). Half a mile away from the capital city of Reykjavik is the Puffin Island that is known for its colonies of the cutest, cuddliest puffins. You can take a tour of this place, or head to Dynjandi Waterfall for some quiet, peaceful time. Also, great attractions include Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, Peace Tower and Valley of Thor. You can also go to Faxaflói Bay to see whales and dolphins. In February, you can also treat yourself to the famous music festival of Iceland - SONAR, go for the Winter Lights Fest and celebrate Valentines Day in Blue Lagoon. This month is also ideal to dip in geothermal pools, explore ice caves and visit natural springs.

How to Reach:

Iceland’s major terminal is the Keflavik International Airport for flights coming in from International destinations. Iceland Air and Iceland Express are two of the most significant airlines owned by the country. When going from India, one-stop fights can be availed from Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore. You can also use ships or cruises from Northern Europe but airways are the best.

Maldives

Steady cool breeze and azure water tickling your feet, fine white sand as far as the eye can see; that’s Maldives for you. The kind of holiday that is the fruition to every beach baby’s dream, one that is full of shores, resorts, the sun and the sea. The atoll of Maldives is known as one of the best honeymoon destinations of the world and rightly so, especially in the month of February. It is the sunniest month, with average temperature of 28°C, the most ideal time for sightseeing, water adventure and lazing around on the beach with your beloved. 

Things to Do:

Male is the capital of Maldives, and a start to your holiday. The town throbs with an inherent energy, with all kinds of tourists, a happening nightlife and bars, cafes and lounges that show much fun. Male has great sightseeing too, like the Grand Friday Mosque, National Museum, white sandy beaches and fish markets that are known to sell the freshest produce. The Meera Island is the next hop-off, filled with beaches, ultramarine coloured lagoons, corals and shimmering white sands - all perfect for Valentines. If you are a sporty person and adventure is your thing then go swimming, snorkelling or diving to Biyadhoo Island. If luxury is what you crave, then Kaafu Atoll is the paradise of your dreams, managed opulently by the Taj Group. Another unique attraction here is the Raa Atoll that is famous for its glowing bioluminescent waters due to the growth of phytoplankton. The month of February also hosts the National Day in the country hence be ready to enjoy some amazing parades, music and feasting across Maldives.

How to Reach:

Malé International Airport will become your destination when coming to Maldives from abroad. Regular direct flights from Kochi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Bangalore ply to Male, with carriers like Air India, Jet Airways, Indigo, Spice Jet, Sri Lankan Airlines etc. You can also take a cruise ship from Mumbai or Kochi to Maldives. The Costa neoClassica, for eg, takes 3 nights from Kochi and 7 from Mumbai.

Sri Lanka

The fabled land of Demon King Raavan, Sri Lanka today is a mine of tea fields, temples, hiking trails and tall mountains. The island country has become a nature as well as eco-tourism hub, with national parks, tea gardens and beaches for one and sundry. February is one of the driest months here, with almost no torrential rains. The humidity is pretty high though, with average day temperature of 27°C in the capital Colombo. This makes Sri Lanka ideal in February, for hiking, treks, beach and water activities as well as backpacking. Colombo, Bentota and Galle are some coveted places to go to during this month.

Things to Do:

Tour the tea gardens of Ceylon and Nuwara Eliya here, they are some of the best. You will also be treated to tea tastings and souvenir shopping here. You can also go surfing or kite surfing at places like Midigama, Weligama Beach, Mirissa and Hikkaduwa. Trekking up the Adam’s Peak, Horton Plains and Ella Rock is also quite a coveted activity. You must eplxore some of the best temples of Sri Lanka, like the Temple of the Tooth Relic (Kandy), Dambulla Cave Temple, Gangaramaya Temple etc. There is also Udawalawe and Yala National Parks to spot elephants and leopards for wildlife lovers. Also worth visiting are Sigiriya Fortress, Galle Fort and Star Fort close to Colombo. As stated above, Bentota, Galle and Colombo become highly touristy in the month of February, so make it a point to put them on your list. 

How to Reach: 

You will land into the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo when coming in from abroad. Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kochi are connected to Sri Lanka by airlines such as Air India, Sri Lankan Airlines and Jet. Cruise ships leave Mumbai for Sri Lanka but take much longer and are highly expensive. Once in Sri Lanka, you can hire cars, use their extensive rail services or take domestic flights. Trains are pretty picturesque though.

Thailand

The country of Thailand is known for its beaches, islands, happening nightlife, loads of shopping and of course the massages! It truly redefines the phrase ‘Asian Paradise,’ with its immensely well developed tourism. Phi Phi, Krabi, Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and many others only make Thailand unforgettable. Especially if you visited it in February, when the average temperature is 28°C and rains are almost non-existent. Honeymooners and Valentines couples are abound and love is alive in the air.

Things to Do:

Some of the best places in February here are Phuket, Krabi, Pattaya, Ko Samui and Ko Tao - each with plenty of sunshine, lovely beaches and clear blue skies. You can also explore the temples here, from Tiger Temple to Wat Arun, Emerald Buddha to Wat Pho. Shop till you drop in Bangkok markets like Chatuchak, MBK Mall, Siam, Terminal 21 etc. Visit the Grand Palace, Elephant Nature Park, limestone rocks of Phang Nga Bay and the tribes of North, namely Akha, Lisu and Karen. For festivals of February, you have the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrated with great pomp in the China Town area of Bangkok and Valentines Day a revered day of love all over Thailand. Especially in the flower markets like Pak Klongalad Flower Market in Bangkok. For beloveds looking for special blessing for their love, head to the Trimurti Shrine in Bangkok. 

How to Reach: 

The Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueang International Airport are two major airports of Thailand, located in Bangkok. Regular flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai reach here everyday. You also have the option to drive to Thailand from Manipur via India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway. Once in Thailand, you can hail tuk-tuks for short distances, use metro trains (in Bangkok) or hire bikes for commute. Taxis are also available on hire.

Kenya

Kenya is a beautiful, rugged country in East Africa, home to a pool of breath-taking wildlife, the whole lot from big beasts to tall grasses of Savannah. Safaris and nature trails are particularly famous in Kenya, especially for the wildebeest, cheetahs and zebras abound in the area. February is peak of summer here and hence the high season. Masai Mara sees the least precipitation and due to less water, the animals are lured out to watering holes. This leads to better, more frequent sightings and hence more crowd. 

Things to Do:

Some of the best spotting parks in Kenya are Masai Mara, Amboseli and the beautiful Lake Nakuru full of pink flamingoes. Masai Mara boasts of some of the best sightings of wildebeests, cheetahs and zebras, Amboseli National Park boasts of mighty giant elephants and also make for a great place to view Mt. Kilimanjaro. The place also hosts a number of other animals like giraffes, zebras, cheetahs and birds. Wildlife safaris are also famous at Tsavo East National park, Samburu National Park and Aberdare National Park. You must also make it a point to visit the Great Rift Valley, Diani Beach, Lake Nakuru, Fort Jesus and Manda Island. Staying at Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, is full of opulent hotels, luxury getaways and souks (markets). 

Some famous souvenirs to take back from Kenya are hand-carved wooden sculptures, Maasai beads, bowls, blankets and baskets. Coffee is also very famous here.

How to Reach: 

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi International Airport, Kisumu International Airport, Eldoret International Airport and Wilson Airport are the major International airports of Kenya. Kenya Airways operates a non-stop flight from Mumbai to Nairobi. Other airlines like Qatar Airways, Jet Airways, Air India and Etihad also work this route. The Mombasa-Zanzibar cruise will also sail you though the sea to Kenya but will take longer. Once in the country, you are free to hire cars or take domestic flights. For safari, some parks may offer self-drive options but mostly they stick to pre-arranged and driven safari jeeps.

Dubai

A contemporary and if we may be so bold to say, almost futuristic city of the UAE, Dubai is a coveted tourist destination for its shopping malls, desert safaris, amusement parks and fine dine restaurants. The world comes to a stop in front of the speeding Dubai, for business as well as pleasure. The city is cool through the month of February, with average highs of 24°C and humidity at a low. Rain is almost non-existent while the tourists are abound. 

Things to Do:

Visit the Bhurj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world. It is a business complex as well as doubles up as a recreation space with opulent cafes and restaurants. You must also stop by at the Dubai Fountain nearby, which is the world's biggest choreographed fountain show, a grand spectacle of light and sound put up every evening. Shopaholics, head to the great Dubai Mall for everything from clothes, shoes, brands, gadgets and chocolates. You must also go to Palm Jumeirah island and its posh hotel resorts to experience luxury at its best. Some other tourist attractions here are Dubai Creek, Kite Beach (for water sports), JBR beach and Dubai Marina. One of the best things to do in Dubai is the Arabian desert safari, followed by a quad biking session, barbecue and camel rides.

How to Reach:

Dubai is not very far from India. Frequent direct flights are available from Mumbai, Jaipur, Goa and Delhi to the Dubai International Airport (the busiest in UAE). Etihad, Air India, Jet and Emirates are some major players of these routes. You can also take the road and board a coach to Dubai from Abu Dhabi, Sharjah or Ajmah of UAE. Or drive up yourself from Oman.

Vietnam-Cambodia

Vietnam and Cambodia are two countries on the Indo-china stretch by the South China Sea that become a pair of coveted tourist destinations for their ancient buildings, monasteries, shores and natural aura. The places are also very famous for budget international travellers as they come on the cheaper side. You will be delighted with the beaches and Buddhist Gompas of Cambodia as well as the busting towns and heritage structures of Vietnam. Especially in the month of February, because both these countries experience the least rainfall, while temperatures remain in their 20s.

Things to Do:

In Vietnam, visit Hanoi, the capital and the great marble mausoleum of their Communist-era leader, Ho Chi Minh. The Ho Chi Minh City named after this leader is home to French colonial buildings, Vietnamese war history museums and the iconic Củ Chi tunnels that were used by Viet Cong soldiers. Cruise along the Halong Bay, pay your respects at Cao Dai Temple in Tay Ninh city and enjoy the happening nightlife and pub-crawls here.

While in Cambodia, you can explore the ancient city of Angkor Wat which is now in ruins, Phnom Penh's bustling streets full of rich history and Siem Reap. Also go for a tour of Bayon - the centre of Angkor Thom or the great city. Go for a temple tour of monasteries like Ta Promh, Phnom Penh Royal Palace, Tonlé Sap Lake, and Silver Pagoda and sit to watch the famous Apsara Dance performances here. Koh Rong is a white-sand beach quite famous in Cambodia and must-visit.

How to Reach:

You can fly into the Ho Chi Minh or the Hanoi-Danang Airports of Vietnam from India, or take the cruise via the Mekong Delta via Cambodia. Trains from Beijing (China) also travel to Vietnam and make for a scenic journey. While for Cambodia, you have the Cambodia’s Phnom Penh International Airport and Siem Reap International Airport as major International hubs, with Malaysian Airlines, Air Asia, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines etc flying regularly. Buses are also quite common between Bangkok, Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as the trans-Siberian train from Europe.

Oman

A beautifully rugged country in the Arabian peninsula, Oman is a wonder of oases, coastlines as well as deserts. A hub of traders and sailors in the ancient times, this country has flourished under its Sultanate and boasts of modern bustling cities today, with the under-lurking charm of Arabian nights underneath. In February, Oman is experiencing some of its winter days, with the average daytime being 22°C and lows of nights being 18°C in capital Muscat. The Muscat Festival is also live at this time and makes for some great cultural treat for the tourists.

Things to Do:  

Start your holiday in Muscat, a beauty of monuments, mosques and opera houses. Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque especially, is an exceptional piece of man-made marvel, with minarets and gardens glorifying it. Explore the Nizwa Fort, take a walk through the souks (markets) and shop for Omani dates, silverware, frankincense, perfumes ad wooden scarves. The shops are shut through siesta (afternoon) everyday so keep that in mind while venturing for shopping. Other touristy things in Oman extend from Sur to Nizwa, Al Hajar Mountains to Mussanah. Go to Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve to spot animals as well as indulge in snorkelling on Daymaniyat islands. Don’t forget to tour the Necropolises of Bat and Al-Ayn (UNESCO World Heritage site), dating back to the Bronze Age. For some unique beach fun, there is Al-Sawadi beach. You should not miss the massive wonder of this country, Oman’s Grand Canyon.

How to Reach:

When coming in from abroad, you will likely land at Seeb International Airport of Muscat. Mumbai, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Delhi operate regular flights to Oman with Jet Airways, Air India, Spicejet, Oman Air etc. For internal commute, you can take flights between cities like Sohar, Salalah, Duqm and Khasab. The country does not have railway tracks; and buses will only get you up until certain points. So flights and hired cars are your best bet.

Singapore

A global financial centre, Singapore is an island city-state off the Malaysian coast and boasts of a melting pot of cultures - from the Chinese to the Indian Tamil and Malay communities living in great harmony. The island gained its freedom from the British colonisers in the 1960s and has since made tremendous progress to transform their land into a futuristic marvel, at the same time preserving its natural flora and fauna with tender loving care. From animal parks to dream aquariums, recreational islands to tall towers, churches to garden, Singapore is a top-notch holiday destination, sometimes even rivalling New York in the South East. February makes for a great time to visit, with 31°C average temperature and only 13 days of rain. 

Things to Do:

Start your trip with the Night Safari, one of the first of its kind. A toy train takes you through a nocturnal zoo, followed by animal shows and fire shows by natives. You can head to the Sentosa Island to get lost in the world of beaches, resorts, and wonder shows like the Wings of Time. You must also visit the Bird Park if birds are your passion. Explore the many gardens of Singapore, such naturally wonderful man-made delights. Head to the two main conservatories - Cloud Dome and the Forest Dome. For an experience of Singapore from bird’s eye, book a ticket to the world’s largest Ferris wheel and then head to Marina Bay Sands for gorgeous tower-top views, fountain shows and picnic on the deck at sunset. Finally, spare a day for the Universal Studios and its exhilarating rides, entertainment shows and marine park. 

For shopping, you must head to the Victoria Street (high street brands, fashion labels) which looks straight out of New York. There is also the Bugis street with its malls, restaurants and theatres. 

How to Reach: 

Changi International Airport is one of the biggest and most luxurious airports in the world and caters to most International flights while Seletar Airport usually hosts chartered planes. You can catch flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore or Kochi to Singapore. Or you can drive to Singapore from Malaysia. Many Malays use local buses to commute as they work in Singapore all week and then head home for weekends. Trains from Malaysia also ply to Singapore. While in the city, you can hail a cab or book a car for your commute.

Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is the de-facto capital of Australia, a brilliant burst of culture, architecture, museum and gardens. With its beautiful sandy beaches perfect for surfing and nearby valleys for picnicking and wine tastings, Melbourne has become a very coveted tourist destination. Because Australia is a large country, a continent, so to say, we have picked its best corner for holidaying in Feb. February in Melbourne is really the peak of summer and hence a happy sunny time to go about doing all your touristy stuff. The days are dry and sometimes the maximum temperature will only touch 20°C. How cool is that for summer?!

Things to Do:

This is the best time to go snorkelling in Melbourne, swim in the ocean and surf down mighty waves. You can also head to the Peninsula of Sorrento to swim with the seals and dolphins. Other touristy things here include the Melbourne Museum with its set of galleries and IMAX theatre, a round of the Melbourne Star Ferris Wheel, drive of the Great Ocean road and wine tastings in Yarra Valley. You can also head to the Astor Theatre for a run of some old, classic black-and-white movies. Heide Museum of Modern Art here is also quite a major attraction for those who have an eye for art, and modern art at that. For shoppers, Melbourne is not called the fashion capital of Australia for no reason. You will find high street as well as high end label brands here, and also indigenously crafted artefacts and souvenirs. Collins and Little Collins streets are high end shopping, while DFO Outlets centre in South Wharf for local wares. 

How to Reach:

The Melbourne International Airport here serves all international flights via its Terminal 2, domestic flights on Terminal 1,3 and 4. You can fly to Melbourne directly from Indian cities like Mumbai or Delhi, or head to Sydney and take a connecting flight/ train. For sea route, you will have to travel to Tasmania and catch a cruise from there called the Spirit of Tasmania.

Florida, U.S.A.

The South-easternmost state of the U.S., Florida boasts of Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. With hundreds of miles of beaches and stretches of sea-facing promenades and drives, the state is best known for its sunny holiday destination Miami. Again, we know Florida is a state and not a country but U.S. being U.S., and huge, we bring you the best corner of the free world to holiday in February. The average temperature here is 16°C, making it a mild winter. The nights go as low as 9°C but the afternoons are generally warm enough to dive into the sea, with 23°C.

Things to Do:

Start with the Latin-American influenced city of Miami, suffused with its nightlife, upscale beaches, parks and more. Valentines Day should be celebrated here with your loved one. Orlando is famous for its string of theme parks, from the Walt Disney World to the Universal Orlando which also celebrates the Mardi Gras in this month (parades, live music, food stalls etc). Some of the most beautiful beaches of Florida include Miami beach, Daytona beach, Northwest beaches, Gulf Coast beaches and West Palm beach. There is also the Florida Key islands for snorkelling and Magic Kingdom full of 6 amusement parks, Everglades National Park, Universal Studios Florida and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. There is also great shopping opportunity in Miami and amazing Greek, Cuban and traditional South American food. 

How to Reach:

Direct as well as stop-over flights from Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai fly to Miami International Airport. You can also fly to New York or San Francisco and then take a connecting flight to Orlando or Florida. In the States, flying is the most preferred way of transport even though they do have train and buses.