February Half Term – and yes, you totally should go

Unless you’re off skiing, February half term is the one that most people are more than happy to simply while away at home isn’t it? The weather’s often rubbish, you’re probably feeling end-of-winter tired to your bones, you might be suffering the usual round of February colds and virus (just us? At least one of us is always unwell and sniffling into a pile of soggy tissues), and really a week spent hunkered at home with no school runs is about the best you can hope for.

But think again. Read that list again, and you’ll realise that actually a holiday is exactly what you need. And don’t be caught into thinking that you cvan’t have a holiday in February – of course you can. It is, in fact, perfect.

It’s exactly the right time of year to sneak a week away; prices are low, nowhere’s busy (they’re all huddled up on their sofas sniffling into a damp tissue, remember?) and you can either head North to embrace the winter or go South and chase a little sunshine for your cold Northern bones.

But where to go? And can you really find anywhere at this last minute?

Anywhere you like – and of course you can! We had a quick chat with the folks at Original Travel about the options for February Half Term Family Holidays, and they’ve got loads of suggestions.

Looking for some sunshine? Try the Caribbean

The Caribbean at its hottest and driest right now – and come on, you cannot tell me that you wouldn’t love the feel of some hot dry sunshine on your Damp British February skin. It’s a 9hr flight, but look what’s waiting for you when you get there.

*pauses while everyone goes back to that picture and breathes a little slower*

And Jamaica’s not just about lounging day after day on soft white sands.
The whole family can take their fill of any water sport they choose (and plenty of land sports too). Plus there’s the amazing food… and relax…

Or maybe you fancy some of the white stuff in Iceland

In February, most of Iceland is covered in snow – the landscapes are white and the towns are cosily hunkered against the winter weather. Although Iceland has seen a surge in tourism over the last decade (I’m pretty sure we all know at least one person who’s been?), February is one of the quietest months for visitor numbers. But with more hours of darkness than light each day, it’s one of the best times of year to see the Northen Lights.
You might also find you have a chance to visit Iceland’s Ice Caves – only accessible in winter months, February gives you one of the best chances to see them thanks to the lower rainfall levels.

Closer to home?

If you’re yearning for the heat of the sun, but don’t want to be dealing with jetlag when you return to school and work, then why not htink about Morocco? Marrakesh is just a 3.5hr flight from London.
There are two big advantages to visiting Morocco in February – the weather is temperate (comfortably warm, but not scorchio) and it is still a slow season for tourists. Prices for flights, hotels, hostels, and riads are all less expensive than during the summer, and there’s a good chance that opting for a group tour will mean you’ll have a one-to-one experience with your tour guide.
Instead of jostling tourists everywhere you go, you’ll find the city filled with… Moroccans, just going about their daily lives. Weird.

Do note though that while the daytime temperatures will be warm, the temperatures go down with the sun. Take a warm layer for the cool evenings.

Or perhaps a cultural city break?

You can stay in Europe, the flight will only be a couple of hours… how about Rome?
Oh, Rome.

One of my favourite cities, for so many reasons. Plus – kids LOVE Rome. They love the ancient Romans, they’ve actually heard of the Colosseum, there’s cool ancient stuff just littering the streets… plus can we talk about food here? I’ve never met a parent of a fussy eater who didn’t know they’d be okay in Italy. Pasta, pizza and ice cream. Say no more.

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Wherever you go, embrace your February treat – it’s a fabulous time to have a holiday. Listen, we took the teenagers for a week in Yorkshire in February.

I know, I know – February is not normally a time any sane person chooses to holiday in the UK, is it? And if you WERE going to do it, you possibly wouldn’t head to one of the bleakest, more remote areas with four children in tow. I have teenagers. What was I even thinking??

Well, actually I was thinking exactly what everyone else thinks at this time of year. That what our family needed was some time. Time without the distractions of life – time to be together, to reconnect, to just… be.
And we did. I hope you do too.