February is the month of contrasts - some places warm and inviting, while others covered in a sheet of white. But if you brave the cold and step outside, the world looks truly magical in February. This February, surprise your loved one by booking flight tickets in advance, and make memories to last a lifetime.
Best Picks
Australia
This country down south has the promise of everything. Right from bustling cities, to sandy beaches, blue oceans, vast fields and stunning landscapes, Australia is truly blessed with beauty. Known for its laid-back and relaxed nature, Australia is a vacationers paradise. Adelaide, Sydney, Hobart, Brisbane, Perth, Melbourne, Australia is filled with places to visit, each as diverse as the other. Dishes that’ll leave your mouth watering and tastes lingering long after you’ve left the shores, such is the magic of Australia.
Recommended experiences: Sydney Opera House, Australia wine tours, diving at the Great Barrier Reef, drive the Great Ocean Road, climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, Uluru, Kakadu National Park, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia Zoo, Australian War Memorial.
Recommended trip duration: 15-20 days
Explore Australia with the Sound of Silence dinner under the starry sky.
New Zealand
As the world is busy over small talk, New Zealand seems to live in a parallel universe oblivious to the world’s problem - it is nonchalant, beautiful and most importantly peaceful. New Zealand is a country where you can capture views of jagged mountains, raging rivers and exotic birds. If you’re an adventure enthusiast and skydiving is on the top your bucket list, then New Zealand is the place to be. It is a perfect place to put up a campsite and enjoy a peaceful sleep under a blanket of stars.
Recommended experiences: self-drive on its scenic routes, Milford Sound, Lake Taupo, Waitomo Caves, the Hobbiton circuit, Sky Tower, Fiordland National Park.
Recommended trip duration: 15-20 days
Amritsar
If you want to experience the cold winds of India, then Amritsar is a good place for you to visit. A place that is packed with contrasts. The vibrant bustling streets juxtapose the serene fields and village life. There’s an energy in Punjab that is unmatched by any other place in the world. On a regular day, it’s not just the people and activity in the busy streets of Amritsar that’s attractive, but it’s the beautiful colours they’re draped in that steals the show. It’s these colours that brighten up the streets on cold winter mornings, much more than the sun. If you’re someone who rises with the sun, you’ll catch the spectacular show of the disappearing mist as the golden sunlight pierces through. To match this kind of natural beauty you need something that is simply stunning, and there’s only one that fits the bill, the Golden Temple. It’s one of those monuments that no amount of words can ever do justice to. You need to visit it to feel its beauty.
Recommended experiences: Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh massacre site, Wagah Border.
Recommended trip duration: 3-4 days
Long Weekend
(Shivaji Jayanti weekend: February 19 - 22,2016)
Sula Vineyard, Nashik
The Sula wine fest takes place earlier in the month of February. But if you go later you can avoid all the crowd and overpriced hype and have a much more enriching experience at India’s very own vineyard. You don’t need to travel all the way to Tuscany or the Napa Valley, you can enjoy the bliss and beauty that is a part of vineyards right here. Vast acres and acres of fields and a tour explaining and guiding you through all that goes into rearing the perfect grapes for the perfect glass of wine, and yes, it is a child friendly family place. Perfect for a weekend getaway.
Recommended trip duration: 2-3 days
Jim Corbett National Park
Uttarakhand will mesmerise you with its natural beauty, lovely weather and serene vibes. If you’re a wildlife lover, then Jim Corbett National Park located in Nainital district is the place to be. From beautiful lakes to dense Sal forests, indulge in the wilderness and explore the wildlife on an open four wheeler Jeep. Be amazed as you spot the myriad of colourful birds. It is home to more than 650 species of residents and migratory birds - a perfect place for birding. Click pictures of crocodiles, turtles, tortoise, Royal Bengal Tigers, elephants and more. This experience in the woods is the perfect holiday break for your wandering soul.
Recommended trip duration: 3-4 days
The verdant beauty of Corbett is here to enthrall you.
Honeymoon Destinations
Jeju Islands
Lush green forests, virgin beaches and sea-facing hotels, Jeju island offers you the best getaway from the generic tourist crowd. Being Korea’s largest island, Jeju island is a local favourite and conceals some best spots to spend a relaxed vacation. With boutique hotels and luxury resorts, it is your perfect honeymoon hideout.
Recommended experiences: Trick Art Museum, Seongeup folk village and peak, Hallasan mountain, Changdeokgung Palace Complex.
Recommended trip duration: 6-9 days
Here are some romantic ideas to explore the Jeju Islands.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Away from the noise of the city, finding a paradise in the middle of nowhere is what you romanticise about, then the Andaman and Nicobar islands are for you. A group islands located on the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman sea, these islands are known for their blue waters and stunning coral reefs. While the treasures underwater are what lures people to these islands, the land too poses jewels of its own. Saw mills, the historic cellular jail and the anthropological museums are just as revetting as the corals.
Recommended experiences: Radhanagar Beach, Havelock Island, Cellular Jail, Chatham Sawmill, Lalaji Bay, Neil and Ross Islands, active volcano in Barren Island.
Recommended trip duration: 7-10 days
Andaman holidays for one and all. Check them out here.
Events and festivals
Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Over the golden gleaming sand dunes in the desert of Thar, a festival comes to life. I am sure you expect a culture show here. But what you don’t know that there are a whole lot of crazy competitions like camel racing, turban tying and longest moustaches. Watch the Rajasthanis doing what they do the best. Bazaars overflow with the famous crafts and colours of Rajasthan, and spectacular sunsets envelop the city with warm evening hues.
Festival dates: February 20 - 22, 2016
Recommended trip duration: 3-4 days
Know how to plan the Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
Rann Utsav, Gujarat
Somewhere over the horizon, deep blue skies merge with the nothingness of the salty white land. Wrinkled, dry, parched and yearning for attention, this land laid unnoticed for decades, until the formidable voice of Amitabh Bachchan introduced us to its beauty. The best time to visit the Rann of Kutch is during a full moon, watching it slowly rise over the ubiquitous black sky.
Festival dates: Up to February 23, 2016
Recommended trip duration: 3-4 days
Explore the rustic Rann of Kutch.
Chinese New Year in Southeast Asia
It is the biggest and the most happening festival in whole of Southeast Asia. It’s holiday time for the locals, it’s time for fun, family and celebration. Large feasts, laudable decorations and cultural retreats mark this event. If you are the one who holds love in culture than just ‘seeing places’, this is the time for you to make a visit. Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam remain the region’s best named places for this celebration.
Festival date: February 8, 2016
Recommended trip duration: 7-10 days
How about a Singapore tour package?
Abu Simbel Sun Festival, Egypt
Abu Simbel temples were built in such a way that twice a year, the sun sneaks through the stone and casts its rays on the statues of Ramses, Ra and Amun, keeping Ptah, the God of darkness in the dark. The event concurs with Ramses II’s anniversary and birthday. Before the rise of the dawn, tourists flock from all over the world to witness it.
Festival date: February 22, 2016
Recommended trip duration: 10-15 days
Find out how you can travel to Egypt for the Valentine's Day!
Rio Carnival, Brazil
A carnival that needs no introduction, Rio Carnival is bucket-listed by major travellers all over the world. From dances, masquerade parties, cultural shows, street parties, there’s so much that you can do here. The Samba Parades are at the carnival are the highlight of the carnival.
Festival dates: February 5 -10, 2016
Recommended trip duration: 8-12days
Adventure Destination
Skiing in Auli
Whether you know it or not, trying some fun in the snow is an adventure sport that you must not forget. Boasting of world’s best ski resorts, Auli is definitely the place to indulge in snow activities. There are even skiing classes if you are keen on learning a unique sport.
Recommended trip duration: 7-10 days
Offbeat
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is the country that forms a bridge between Central and South America. Warm tropical climate, this place is the perfect place to escape to, if you’re running away from the cold embraces of the snow. Beaches, waves, swaying palm trees, and sunsets, four things that complete the idyllic picture of Costa Rica. This country is a green haven and rich in biodiversity and hence known for its eco-tourism. But it’s the spicy food and the kind helpful people of Costa Rica that are the biggest attraction. You know your holiday in Costa Rica is going to be an adventurous one when the country is home to the active Arenal Volcano. If you haven’t seen hot molten lava running down a brown mountainous path, engulfing everything in its wake, let me tell you it’s a beautiful sight. One that leaves you in no doubt regarding the extent of Nature’s strength. The last recorded eruption of this volcano was in 2010 and it has since been dormant.
Caribbean Islands
Picture this: a lounge chair, the sun streaming down, not blazing but enough to keep you warm, the occasional cool breeze coming forth from the vast clear ocean lying in front of you. A cocktail in your hand with a tiny cocktail umbrella popping out. A scene of perfect bliss. If there was ever a vacationer’s paradise, it would look a lot like the Caribbean islands. Weddings can often be a long tiring process, and it’s only natural that you might want to opt for a relaxed laid-back honeymoon. Where you have ample of time to laze around and spend with the love of your life. The Caribbean islands promise exactly this, along with an amazing weather. Exotic natural caves, to colourful street shopping, Caribbean has something is store for every kind of traveller. What about the traveller who likes to cruise the ocean waters you ask? Well, there’s the Caribbean cruise.