February is a special time of year for lovers. Why not surprise your partner with an indulgent trip abroad? Here are some of our top picks!
Trip Planner: Where to travel and when’s the best time to go?
Here’s our top picks of where to go in February for enjoyable holidays. Go where the weather is great and fun events are happening in February. Read on to find out what makes these destinations the best places to travel this month.
Romance in Exciting Taipei, Taiwan
Great for: Delicious street food, buzzing nightlife and hot springs
With Chinese, Western and Japanese influences infused into its food, art, culture and architecture, Taipei exudes a cosmopolitan, almost edgy feel. Street food and night markets have become synonymous with Taipei, alongside its burgeoning nightlife scene and heritage streets flanked by trendy cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques.
Daytrips out of Taipei are equally delicious, and a quick train ride takes you to hot springs and river parks set against splendid mountainous landscapes. The sulphurous waters of Beitou Hot Springs awaits just 30 minutes outside Taipei by train. Alternatively, a one-hour trip can get you to Wulai Hot Springs and take a gentle stroll along Lover’s Path to Wulai Waterfall Park.
After filling up with some street food from Ningxia Night Market, head to Anhe Road for a hedonistic night out. You can’t go wrong at Sappho De Base, a mellow lounge that plays jazz and blues grooves.
Weather in Taipei Let’s go! Where to Stay More
Weather in Taipei
The Weather in Taipei, Taiwan in February
Average Temperature: 10C – 25°C
Season: Spring
What to Pack: Light cardigans and jackets.
Let’s go!
How to Get There: Scoot, Jetstar, Tigerair operate direct flights to Taipei (TSA).
Average Flight Time: Approximately 4.5 hours.
Where to Stay
Impress your other half by checking into the W Taipei – an ultra-luxe property that gushes designer style. Towering high above the city, the hotel promises stunning views complemented by impeccable service and state-of-the-art facilities.
The Grand Hotel and its palatial gold-trimmed Sino interiors and vibrant red exteriors mark it out as one of Taipei’s most recognisable landmarks. Its afternoon high teas are legendary, offering diners a mind-boggling collection of exquisite teas as well as Asian and Western specialties served in resplendent surroundings.
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Read More: Taipei Travel Guide
Romantic Hideaways in Malaysia
Great for: Tropical getaway, beach holiday and exploring nature
Zipping across the Causeway to take a well-deserved break makes good financial sense. Malaysia’s monsoons would have receded by February and with little or no rain in sight, the great outdoors beckons.
An oldie but a goodie that is still very much on the celebrity hit list, Pangkor Laut Resort possesses all the ingredients for an unforgettable romantic escapade. A pristine private beach, lush surroundings and plush villas perched on stilts in the middle of the ocean come surreptitiously together to give guests a lavish Robinson Crusoe experience.
The Banjaran is nestled in a valley, cradled by undulating limestone hills, verdant rainforest and cascading waterfalls. This unique, exclusive hideaway is the epitome of indulgence. There are 25 swish villas for guests to enjoy jacuzzis, plunge pools and rain showers, giving guests a restful respite between treatments.
Even though the Four Seasons Resort does a stellar job catering to families, certain segments of the sprawling resort are off-limits to children. The oceanfront Adult Quiet Pool, which is bordered by eight private walled cabanas, offers couples a blissful retreat, away from prying eyes.
Weather in Malaysia Let’s go! Where to Stay More
Weather in Malaysia
Weather in Malaysia in February
Average Temperature: 20°C – 30°C
Season: High.
What to Pack: Cotton and linen ensembles as well as a large shawl – in case you need to cover up when visiting temples or mosques.
Let’s go!
How to Get There: AirAsia, Tigerair, SilkAir and Jetstar operate direct flights to different destinations in Malaysia. Alternatively, travel by road or train.
Average Flight Time: 2 to 3 hours.
Where to Stay
Escape the humid tropical heat by heading to the Lakehouse, a luxurious mock-Tudor property in the Cameron Highlands overlooking lush, rolling hills. Or live like a local in a high-spec, refurbished kampung house at Temple Tree Bon Ton in Langkawi.
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Read More: Malaysia Travel Guide
Celebrate Carnevale in Venice, Italy
Great for: Italian flavours, opulence and frivolity, festival fun, Italian traditions
Visiting Venice can be a rather surreal experience. This rings particularly true during the city’s annual Carnevale, which is usually held in the two weeks leading up to Lent. Hundreds of costumed revellers donning eerie masks roam the cobblestoned streets and alleyways during this annual masquerade. Tickets to the most exclusive balls can set you back a few hundred euros.
Petr Jilek
The best way to discover Venice is on foot or by hitching a ride on a gondola. The city is a labyrinth of meandering pathways and canals – making it the perfect backdrop for a sultry rendezvous.
Once you’ve seen the city’s main sights including Piazza San Marco, the Doge’s Palace and the Rialto Bridge, hop on a water taxi to go island hopping in the Venetian Lagoon. Murano’s glass-making houses produce distinctive multicoloured handmade vases, jewellery, lamps and ornaments. Burano, on the other hand, is renowned for its lace-making. Torcello, now only a remnant of its vast power, is home to Byzantine churches.
Weather in Venice Let’s go! Where to Stay More
Weather in Venice
The Weather in Venice in February
Average Temperature: 1°C – 8°C
Season: Winter
What to Pack: Cardigans, winter jackets and other woollies.
Let’s go!
How to Get There: Currently, all flights from Singapore to Venice (VCE) require a short stopover. Lufthansa, Air France and Etihad are the main carriers with connections.
Average Flight Time: Approximately 18 hours.
Where to Stay
The stately Hotel A LA Commedia is situated just 200 metres from St Mark’s Square. Venetian Rococo over-the-top grandeur permeates every corner of the Palazzetto Madonna.
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Read More: Venice Travel Guide
Wine, Gourmet Food and Spas in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges, Australia
Great for: Wining and dining, romantic interlude, nature, spas
Resting among the scenic hills, lakes and forests of Australia’s Central Highlands, the region of Daylesford and Macedon Ranges is a destination oozing romance. A bona fide paradise for foodies and spa enthusiasts alike, its proximity to Melbourne makes it an easy diversion from the city’s hustle and bustle.
Peppers Mineral Springs Hotel is an idyllic haven situated within the rural confines of the quaint village of Daylesford with its own spa. To round off this luxurious experience, wine and dine at Daylesford’s renowned Lake House Restaurant & Cellar, treat yourself to a Japanese banquet at Kazuki’s at the Raglan or sample modern Australian cuisine made from fresh regional produce at Mercato.
Just seven kilometres north of Daylesford is the Chocolate Mill, a must-visit for the serious chocoholic. Its owners adopt old-fashioned European methods to produce sinfully delectable chocolates free from additives and preservatives.
Tour some of the finest wineries in all of Australia when you head out to the Macedon Ranges. The area’s high altitude and cool climate provide perfect vinification conditions for riesling, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, pinot noir and shiraz grape varieties.
Weather in Victoria Let’s go! Where to Stay More
Weather in Victoria
The Weather in Victoria, Australia in February
Average Temperature: 15°C – 26°C
Season: Summer
What to Pack: Cotton outfits and light cardigans or jackets.
Let’s go!
How to Get There: Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Emirates fly directly to Melbourne (MEL) from Singapore. From central Melbourne, it’s a 1.5-hour drive to Daylesford. There are also numerous coach services, but they can take up to four hours owing to stops. Alternatively, you can take a train to Castlemaine before transferring to a coach that goes directly to Daylesford.
Average Flight Time: Approximately 7.5 hours
Where to Stay
Stay at the comfortable Macedon Ranges Hotel & Spa to give your party an early head start.
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Read More: Victoria Travel Guide
Cooking, Culture and Cyclos in Central Vietnam
Great for: Beaches, food, culture and a touch of (dark) history
Central Vietnam, which includes the towns of Hoi An, Hue and Danang, offers fantastic food, historical sites and immaculate beaches. February heralds the start of summer for this part of the country, with sunny weather and a light sprinkling of rain expected from time to time.
The northern part of the region continues to attract war veterans revisiting the demilitarised zone (DMZ) and travellers wanting to learn more about the Vietnam War. However, unless you are a military buff, you might need to hire a knowledgeable guide to help you picture what occurred in the area.
Take a cruise on the Perfume River to gain some insight into Hue’s rich history and heritage, or book a private cyclo tour for the unique experience of being chauffeured around in a three-wheeled rickshaw.
Hoi An, a beguiling riverside town of well-preserved ancient tea warehouses, clan houses, merchant houses and crumbling Chinese temples is also a gastronomic mecca. Its local specialties – cao lau (an udon-like noodle dish), white rose shrimp dumplings and com ga (a peppery rendition of chicken rice) reflect its heritage as a trading post for Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese merchants. But don’t just eat in Hoi An – learn how to recreate these appetising dishes at one of the cooking schools in the vicinity.
With investment pouring into Danang, snazzy hotels, apartments, restaurants and bars are cropping up everywhere, transforming this former provincial backwater into a fully-fledged international beach resort.
Weather in Vietnam Let’s go! Where to Stay More
Weather in Vietnam
The Weather in Vietnam in February
Average Temperature: 17°C – 24°C
Dry season
What to Pack: Clothes made from linen or cotton fabrics, light jackets or cardigans as well as swimming gear.
Let’s go!
How to Get There: SilkAir and Singapore Airlines offers direct flights to Danang (DAD).
Average Flight Time: Approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes
Where to Stay
Slick five-star properties including big brands such as the Hyatt Regency, InterContinental and Pullman are now situated in Danang.
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Read More: Vietnam Travel Guide
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