Best February Half-Term Vacations

Along with a sub-tropical climate comes an ethereal-like landscape, with craggy coastlines, volcanic terrain, lush pine forests and a mix of sandy and rocky coves. Lounge in the warmth of its beautiful beaches, while just a few miles away, snow glints on the peak of Mount Teide. All this is just over a 4-hour direct flight away from the UK, making it a fantastic February half-term vacation idea for families. Stay at the Ritz Carlton Abama, which is the best hotel in Tenerife for those traveling with children.

Finland is among the top 10 happiest countries in the world, for a taste of those endorphins head to Finnish Lapland and embark on the kind of adventure that all ages will relish. See the Northern Lights, go husky sledging, sleep in a log cabin in the Arctic and marvel at the breathtaking natural beauty. The accommodation in Finnish Lapland is like something out of storybooks, there are glass-roofed igloos, hideaways in the wilderness and even treehouses to sleep in. This is one of the best February half-term vacations you can have.

Egypt is an epic country where ancient history and modern culture. And, thanks to a four-hour flight from London, and child-friendly sightseeing, it’s just the place for February half-term vacations abroad. See the Pyramids of Giza, cruise down the Nile at sunset and learn about Pharaohs and goddesses. In a week to 10 days, you can pack in quite a bit, thanks to good internal flights. You might like to add a few nights by the beach at the Four Seasons in Sharm el Sheik or stick to the culture route and hop from Cairo to Luxor then Aswan.

Year-round sun, dramatic landscapes, ornate mosques, and age-old traditions are all stand-out selling points for a winter jaunt to Oman. There’s plenty of family fun to be had too. Head to Wahiba Sands to spend a night under the stars, dune bashing in a 4x4 and enjoying tea and dates with a Bedouin family in their tent. Go hiking in the Hajar Mountains near Nizwa. Fill up your suitcase at the souks in Muscat and spend some lazy days by the coast. For total barefoot luxury make a beeline for Scott Dunn’s favorite Six Senses Zighy Bay.

Antigua is utter fly-and-flop perfection but this tiny island also has endless opportunities for family vacations in the UK February half-term. You’ve got 365 beaches, so there’s one to suit everyone. There are fantastic off-shore reefs and lukewarm waters in which to swim and snorkel. Families with younger kids might prefer to hop aboard a glass-bottom boat to spot the marine life instead, plus this is a perfect place to learn how to sail, thanks to the calm winds. Stay at Carlisle Bay or Jumby Bay for accommodation to suit all group sizes.

It's easy to see why Dubai and Abu Dhabi are such popular vacation destinations. Aside from year-round sunshine, they have child-friendly hotels by the bucket load with adjoining rooms, waterparks, and kids’ menus. Saadiyat Rotana in Abu Dhabi has our Explorer’s Club available year-round for children aged 6 months to 11 years old. Outside the hotels, there’s just as much to put a smile on your kids’ faces, from desert safaris to theme parks, malls for shopping, quad-biking adventures, and water sports.

The Maldives are superb for the February half-term vacations. As a famous water sports destination, there is plenty to do, with first-rate snorkeling and diving in the turquoise ocean, plus boat trips to explore tiny sandy islands. On dry land, there are some extraordinary family-friendly resorts that cleverly combine luxury with magical experiences for kids. Stay at Niyama, a spectacular property with a relaxed atmosphere that makes holidaying with children a joy, in part thanks to the Scott Dunn Explorer’s Club.

Whether you’re taking your kids for the first time or wanting to whizz down the black runs, France has something for everyone. There are smart resorts with lobster lunches and traditional villages that ooze charm. Our Explorer’s Club in Courchevel during February half-term makes the resorts ideal for young children, with world-class skiing, sumptuous restaurants, and ski-in-ski-out hotels. Non-skiers will love Megève, which is a short transfer from Geneva and its car-free streets are nice and safe for ski-boot-wearing tots.

Italy has a vast network of ski runs, wonderful alpine restaurants and scenery that will blow your ski boots off. If you’re wondering where to go in February half-term, then skiing in the Dolomites is nothing short of a revelation. February in the Dolomites tends to bring the best snow conditions, making it a great option for families looking to ski over half-term. Stay at Hotel Fanes, which has excellent accommodation options, from junior suites to chalets, and a Mini Club for children aged 4 and over.

When it comes to South Africa in February, start in Cape Town for a cosmopolitan adventure. Then make your way to the Winelands for a few days in Franschhoek or Stellenbosch. If a safari is high on your list, the Eastern Cape Game Reserves are the closest to Cape Town, so are fantastic February half-term vacation destinations. Stay in Kwandwe Ecca Lodge where stunning tents with floor-to-ceiling windows look out over the wilderness; the home of the Big Five. Alternatively, head to Hermanus or De Hoop for unspoiled coastal scenery.

Iceland’s scenery is the kind that makes you stop in your tracks. Glacial waterfalls, black sand beaches, hissing geysers and basalt sea cliffs decorate this small country, which is only three hours from London. Kick off your vacation in Reykjavik where you’ll find a thriving food scene and eclectic culture. Unwind in the nearby Blue Lagoon, quad bike through the mountains around the capital, and go whale watching. Then head south to the Golden Circle for a snowmobile adventure through exploding geysers, waterfalls, glaciers, and lava tunnels.

Sri Lanka is exciting, cool and beautiful. It’s like a mild version of India, with a side of surfing and a crop of incredible hotels. There’s culture in Colombo and Galle, tea plantations in the hills around Kandy, national parks which are teeming with leopards and elephants, plus the shoreline is adorned with incredible palm-fringed beaches, particularly on the south coast. You’re spoiled for choice with hotels, from luxury 5-star glossy ones to eco-retreats. You can see a lot of Sri Lanka in a two-week February half-term family vacation.