Top 6 Hot February Half Term Getaways
Thinking of booking a dose of sun in the February Half Term and needing some inspiration? Things are booking up quickly, but it’s not too late to escape on a sunny family getaway in February, with us to help! Alice and Beth in Temple World’s tailor-made team have done the hard work for you and checked temperatures, prices and availability on our favourite tried and tested Half Term trips, so look no further, it’s sorted! And yes, chocolate is always welcome in the TW office, when you’re thinking of ways to thank us when you get back and catch your colleagues looking at your winter tan with envy. But why 6, you may ask? Well, we narrowed it down to 5 but then realised we had an extra wild-card option – read on to find out more.
Here goes (in no particular order!):
1. Dubai (Average temp in Feb 25°c)
A perennial favourite mainly because it’s reliably warm, easy to get to in just 7 hours on direct flights, and has a superb range of five star family friendly beach hotels, Dubai has everything you need for a winter sun getaway to relax at the beach, pamper yourselves and eat at world-class restaurants. For families, the fun is endless, with fantastic waterparks, theme parks and water sports, gigantic malls, and exciting desert experiences such as dune-bashing and sand surfing. You can also explore further with gold and spice souks to explore in Old Dubai, dhow cruises in Dubai Creek, camel safaris in the desert, and stand on the highest observation deck in the world at Burj Khalifa – if you dare! We’ve based our quote on a 7 night stay at Anantara The Palm, a good-value Thai-themed resort on The Palm with a network of waterways connecting three temperature-controlled lagoons so you can do endless laps of the resort. As well as a kids club, we like this for families because of the spacious 1 and 2 bedroom apartments on offer, which come with kitchenettes so you can easily make snacks and simple meals yourself if your little ones become tired of dining out in the restaurants. For families with toddlers we recommend Jumeirah Beach Hotel as it’s one of only a few with a kids club that starts from age 2, and for families with older kids, Atlantis and its superb water park is well worth the upgrade, so we’ve worked out the prices for all three in the link.
Price: A 7 night package 11-19 Feb 2023 for a family of 4 (with two children aged 11 or under) is currently £7640*. Click here to see the full details.
*Includes: Return flights with Emirates from London, 7 nights at Anantara The Palm in a 1 bedroom apartment, Half Board, also includes a fabulous family excursion –half day desert adventure by 4×4/ 2 hour desert Dune Buggy Driving experience / 1 Day pass to Aquaventure water park at Atlantis The Palm. Alternative hotels including Jumeirah Beach Hotel and Atlantis The Palm available for a supplement.
2. Tenerife (Average temp in Feb 20°c)
The Canary Islands are the only part of Europe that will reach average highs of 20°c or more in February, and they are only a 4.5 hour flight from the UK! It won’t be as warm as our mid to long-haul options but the cooler temperatures make it a perfect time of year to explore or head for the hills on hikes without getting overly hot. Of all the islands, we find Tenerife the best for families looking for good quality accommodation, with several brilliant high-end family-friendly resorts which avoid mass-market stereotypes. Our favourite hotels have excellent kids clubs, great spas and superb locations handy for shopping and dining, but February is also an excellent month to explore. Why not take a boat trip from Costa Adeje to spot resident Pilot whales and Bottlenose dolphins? Or head inland to the UNESCO-listed Parque Nacional del Teide, for some easy family hikes with impressive views? Tenerife’s beaches are the best in the archipelago too, and we love to arrange family surfing lessons to make the most of the superb breaks. Not forgetting the great selection of waterparks on the island! Often under-rated, Tenerife is one of our favourite locations for family half term holidays with plenty to see and do. We’ve based our quote on the conemporary Baobab Suites, which has a kids club and can offer a two-bedroom suite that’s ideal for families to spread out in, as well as an option to upgrade to the best 5 star family-friendly hotel in Tenerife, the Bahia del Duque, which is beachfront in Costa Adeje, with superb service.
Price: A 7 night package 11-18 Feb 2023 for a family of 4 (with two children aged 11 or under) is currently £8443*. Click here to see the full details.
*Includes: Return direct flights with BA from London, 7 nights at Baobab Suites in a 2 bedroom suite, B&B basis., including return airport transfers. Swap Baobab Suites for the 5* Deluxe Bahia Del Duque hotel in 2 x interconnecting sea view rooms B&B for an additional £1833 per family.
3. Oman (Average temp in Feb 26°c)
This culture-filled country is full of hidden gems, from the emerald waters of its pristine coastline and its soaring mountains, to the famous desert of Wahiba Sands. Often overlooked in favour of its blingy neighbours, Oman is an understated beach and mountain destination with a rich heritage that’s perfect for families. Offering the warmest winter temperatures in the region and benefitting from a quieter tourist scene with fewer crowds, activities abound. Snorkel with whale sharks in the Damaniyat Islands, cruise the Musandam Fjords in search of dolphins, hike the Balcony walk with stupendous views of the deepest canyon in the world, hone your haggling skills in Muscat’s Muttrah souk, explore historic desert forts, spend the night in a desert camp, or take a dip in waterfalls and beautiful canyon pools at Wadi Shab or Wadi Bani Khalid. If this all sounds too active, you can simply stay put and enjoy a frankincense-infused spa treatment or float leisurely round the lazy river at your luxury beach resort. There are direct flights into and out of Muscat and the holiday we’ve suggested is a relaxing 7 night stay at the lovely Shangri La, a beach resort around a 30 min transfer from the airport, and we’ve included a wonderful dolphin-watching boat trip with snorkelling too. We love to arrange twin-centres and trips out to the forts and desert if you’d like to add in a bit more.
Price: A 7 night package 11-19 Feb 2023 for a family of 4 (with two children aged 11 or under) is currently £11,115*. Click here to see the full details.
*Includes: Return direct flights with Oman Air from London, 7 nights at Shangri La Barr Al Jissah Resort Muscat in a family room, Half Board basis., including return airport transfers. Also includes a half day dolphin-watching boat trip including snorkelling and lunch. Twin centres or options to stay in the Musandam Peninsula or Salalah are also available for the same dates.
4. Maldives (Average temp in Feb 28°c)
The Maldives is not just for romance – there’s an impressive selection of family-friendly resorts in this idyllic archipelago, filled with fun-packed things to do! February sees some of the lowest rainfall of the year in the Maldives, and with temps a balmy 28°C it makes an ideal winter sun destination. There are some superb kids clubs, such as the one at the exceptionally popular LUX South Ari Atoll, where your kids can make friends while mum and dad enjoy a few hours to themselves. For those with babies and toddlers in tow, Niyama is a great option if you’re missing spending time together as a couple – their kids club takes babies as young as 12 months. There are islands with water slides which go right into the sea (ask us to quote for Oblu Select at Sangeli, Cora Cora, Ozen Bolifushi or Soneva Jani) and older kids will love discovering the underwater world, with many resorts boasting a superb house reef for easy snorkelling just off the beach. All offer exciting watersports too, or perhaps use this holiday to learn to scuba dive in the clear, calm lagoons – anyone age 10+ can try. For those who like a lively vibe, we highly recommend super fun Finolhu, with a DJ round the pool each day, a floating aqua park and festival-like entertainment from fire-breathers to acrobats, but there are plenty of calm and tranquil family resorts too of course, such as the excellent value Residence Dhigurah, quoted below. If you’re looking for an idyllic family beach break with great food, perfect weather and absolutely everything taken care of, the Maldives is the answer – and it’s absolutely worth the long-haul flights even if you only have 5-7 nights to spend on the island.
Price: A 7 night package 11-19 Feb 2023 for a family of 4 (with two children aged 11 or under) is currently £9180 for an All Inclusive 7 night stay at Residence Dhigurah, or £14,821 for a 7 night All Inclusive stay at Finolhu *. Click here to see the full details of this holiday, including suppplements to stay at alternative islands.
*Includes: Return direct flights with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul from London, 7 nights at Residence Dhigurah in a Sunset Beach Pool Villa on All Inclusive basis, including return domestic flight and speedboat transfers to Residence Dhigurah/seaplane transfers to Finolhu.
5. Ras al Khaimah (Average temp in Feb 27°c)
Not keen on big city beaches? Already done Dubai? Why not try neighbouring Emirate Ras al Khaimah! Ras al Khaimah (or simply RAK) is just 60 minutes from Dubai Airport by car transfer, and offers pristine beaches with uninterrupted ocean views, and a picturesque backdrop of mountains for exciting inland exploration. It’s also exceptionally good value, with fabulously luxurious hotels here costing around the same as a far more moderate option in Dubai. Tranquil RAK is the perfect antidote to city life, with excellent hiking trails in the Hajar Mountains and zip-line adventures at Jebel Jais, dolphin and snorkelling cruises just off the coast and into the Mussandam fjords, and horse-riding in the desert, where you’ll see camels and even the incredibly rare Arabian oryx, which was recently saved from the brink of extinction. It’s super easy to combine the coast with a stay in the desert, and we love the luxurious bedouin-style Ritz Carlton Al Wadi just twenty minutes by desert road from the beach. Amidst the protected Al Wadi Nature Reserve, enjoy camel rides, bird-watching tours, archery, meeting the horses and learning about the desert environment. Each villa comes with its own private plunge pool, there are complimentary bikes for all the family, and superb service where nothing is too much trouble. Our itinerary idea gives you the option of a relaxing 7 night stay at the beach, or a combination of beach and desert, and both include your choice of family activity during the stay so you can get a taste of what RAK has to offer.
Price: A 7 night package 11-19 Feb 2023 for a family of 4 (with two children aged 11 or under) is currently £7770 for a 7 night stay at Waldorf Astoria RAK on Half Board OR £8770 for 4 nights Waldorf + 3 nights Ritz Carlton Al Wadi, same inclusions*. Click here to see the full details of this holiday.
*Includes: Return direct flights to Dubai with Emirates, 7 nights at Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah in a Family Deluxe Room, Half Board, Return Private airport transfers OR 4 nights Waldorf Astoria in a Family Deluxe Room on Half Board, plus 3 nights Ritz Carlton Al Wadi in an Al Rimal Pool Villa on Half Board. Also includes a fabulous family excursion of your choice – choose from either the Jebel Jais Zipline or Sledder (Toboggan) riding/ Full day Musandam Fjords snorkelling tour with lunch/ Luxury Desert Sunset and Dinner experience at Sonara Al Wadi.
6. WILD CARD – Miami Beach(Average temp in Feb 24°c)
Whilst researching the holiday options for this article, we tried lots of options in the Caribbean and found them all but sold out. So we had a brainwave – if heading across the Atlantic, Miami Beach makes a fun and interesting alternative instead, and there’s still availability! Although it can’t claim to be a Caribbean island, Miami Beach is a glamorous winter sun destination with it all – incredible beaches with a backdrop of art-deco architecture and a sizzling shopping, dining and nightlife scene. Miami Beach works especially well for families that like the idea of being at the beach but want the option to explore, shop or sightsee too. Teens will love the choice of shops along the Lincoln Road – from beauty essentials at Sephora to the latest clothes at American Eagle. Sport-lovers will have a ball too – home to the Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins and Miami Heat, we can check before you go for any local games that you might want to attend during your stay. Nature-loving families can hire a car and head to the nearby Everglades for a airboat trip or sea-kayak excursion through the mangroves to spot alligators, turtles, and a variety of birds. Or, just 30 minutes from downtown Miami you’ll find over 1,000 acres of bayfront beaches, fishing piers, bike trails, kayaking and snorkeling at Oleta River State Park. And for any budding Banksy in the family, we love the districts of Wynwood and Design where you can stroll through one of the largest street art installations in the world before hitting FunDimension, a three-story indoor playground with bungee jumping and laser tag. We’ve based our quote on a 7 night stay at the Fontainebleau, a glitzy yet family-friendly hotel on a tranquil stretch of beach about a mile north of the main South Beach shopping area, but we have lots of great alternatives if you’d like to be in the thick of things.
Price: A 7 night package 11-18 Feb 2023 for a family of 4 (with two children aged 11 or under) is currently £8230*. Click here to see the full details.
*Includes: Return direct flights with BA from London, 7 night stay at Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel in a Deluxe Bay View room with two double beds, Room Only basis., including return airport transfers. Swap Fontainbleau for the 5* Nobu Hotel in a Deluxe Room with two queen beds for an additional £1211 per family.
We hope we’ve inspired you with our suggestions for February, and with the freezing temperatures in the UK over the winter, who wouldn’t want a chance to warm up for a week somewhere tropical! Although we’ve checked these rates and availability at the time of writing this article (mid-December), lots of other options are already sold out so if you’d like to get away, don’t delay and give us a call so we can grab a great option for you before it’s gone.
We have lots of other ideas, so whether you’re looking for something for the family that’s truly relaxing, something a little bit cultural, or something that’s a mixture of both, email Beth and Alice at info@templeworld.com or give us a call on 020 8940 4114 for expert travel advice.
