I'll second Easter island and add Torres del Paine in the mix. If you are doing Chile
Also Vietnam is bloody lovely. Go there as well.
South America, specifically Patagonia, spectacular.
South Africa, bit biased as I grew up there but its one of the most beautiful places on earth once you get out of the cities.
New Zealand, could happily live there, lots of things to see and do plus its NOT Australia 🙂
Lesotho.
I've been many times. I plan to live and work there one day, even if only for a year or so. I have never, ever met a more welcoming people.My guide keeps on telling me to go there, and set up some mtb there.... will be there next winter..
NZ would be great, also a tour of Tasmania (local tour guide hat on...) not as hot as the mainland and more interesting in a lot of ways, plus quicker to get around.
Though most of this depends on how much and how long you have
Corsica
Sardinia
Sicily
Madeira
Morocco
SW coast of France
Northern Spanish Coast
Portugal
Almalfi Coast
The heal Coastline of Italy (Pescaro downwards)
Bali is quite nice. Off again for NYE. Might still be a bit wet in February though.
For warm in February try NE Vietnam or northern Laos - before their northern neighbours spoil things.
As far as "best ever destination" is concerned then Tajikistan would be hard to beat - a real sense of wilderness, and some of the most hospitable and humbling locals that I've every had the pleasure of meeting. Would go back there in an instant, although getting around there in February could be a bit tricky
Larry lamb is right and this thread shouldn't be into page 2
Maldives.
The only problem with going there is that everywhere else isn't as good.
Kitesurfing over a whale shark was my highlight.
Have fun
Mammoth Lakes. Best food I've ever eaten and loads to do. Can't stand lying round a pool doing sod all.
New England
Nothing comes close to Argentina for me. Amazing people, fantastic food and epic scenery. Weather will be good in February too.
Thailand, Chiang Mai in particular
Malaysia, Penang and Langkawi are beautiful, you can stay in 5* hotels and have all the luxury but walk out and eat in the stalls with the locals and enjoy the culture, the weather will be good in February too I love it there.
Galapagos Islands - I went for the diving but the land stuff is amazing too. Lizards everywher and some times you had to pick your way through the boobies. Getting snotted on by an iguana on hood island was interesting, as were some of the aromas around the sea lions.
Bestest place we've been on holiday? Japan for sure, mega place. Wouldn't think it'd be too warm in Feb, I don't think that matters.
Lesotho.
I've been many times. I plan to live and work there one day, even if only for a year or so. I have never, ever met a more welcoming people.My guide keeps on telling me to go there, and set up some mtb there.... will be there next winter..
I worked there for a while - agree, lovely people. Mrs Dubs uncle set up a hospital there.
Galapagos Islands
Definitely on my list.
Malaysia, Penang and Langkawi are beautiful, you can stay in 5* hotels and have all the luxury but walk out and eat in the stalls with the locals and enjoy the culture, the weather will be good in February too I love it there.
Have lots of family in Penang and KL. All this is true. It's great. Apart from the taxi drivers if you're not a local
Yep, Maldives.
You often hear people there saying to othe guests have they have travelled a lot and the Maldives is the best.
Apart from the island beauty the level of service from the staff is normally excellent.
Prics vary a lot but an island such as Vilamendhoo, or its sister island apparently, is pretty good value on all-inclusive, so no worrying about racking up drinks bills which reduces the stress of the holiday. All you then need to take is money (unripped dollars) for the tips.
Also make sure you get an island, such as Vilamendhoo or Athuruga, that has a good house reef so you snorkle multiple times per day - if you don't scuba or snorkle you only getting 20% of the holiday.
Having to take a dhoni to go to see another reef is not really a substitute.
Add to the mix swimming with turtles, eagle rays, manta rays and maybe even whalesharks.
And if you have any sort of upper arm injury all the swimming can be very theraputic, I fixed a screaming pain in my shoulder after an accident with just one 40 minute swim which months of stretching and gym work hadn't touched. Swimming is a lot easier and less stressful than the pool as you have a snorkle on, your head is inline and there's loads of fish surrounding you.
Kenya? 20 years ago but it was fantastic seeing heffalumps in the wild.
I'd say Kenya too - had an amazing honeymoon there myself. I don't know what the wildlife is like in February though - the 'best' time of year is the migration season and I guess that will depend on where you went. We were there (the Mara) in August and it was teeming with migrating wildebeest and that (naturally) brings with it all the activity (ie, predators).
The Soviet Union. Being driven around Moscow in an armoured limo, massive suite in a deserted hotel next to Red Square, flying in a converted bomber to Siberia, trips on Lake Baikal, drunk Russian students around a campfire giving me a massive Russian Army knife. And got to sit in the cockpit on the BA flight there.
It was epic when I was a kid.
thepurist - Member
Galapagos Islands
I've seen planet earth 2, not a freaking chance until they've wiped out all of those snakes.
While it won't be warm I woudl be back in Vancouver / British Columbia in a shot if I could. Love the whole area from the stunning scenery, things to do and the general vibe. Loads of skiing to be done at that time of the year although there is more to do and see in the warmer times. Maybe consider it for another time in the year but it is definitely worth the trip.
Lots of votes for lots of places I've been to and would love to go back to. I kind of agree with the Maldives for the ultimate in service (been twice and both times were out of this world).
Love Australia, NZ, Tasmania et al. Lived over there for two years and been back on hols a few times. Unfortunately, we're only likely to get a week due to the other half and work commitments, so they're all off the list as there's not point in going for such a short time.
Similar sort of story for South America, Easter Island and the like. On the life plan at some point but not next February (they need time devoted to them).
Far East is good for me (worked over there lots over the years) but I'd be obliged to see family if I went ... avoid avoid avoid.
While I love Canada and am intrigued about all the Scandanavian options, I live in blinking freezing Scotland and in no way want to go somewhere cold in winter. Might as well stay at home!
The Galapagos though .... oooo .... always wanted to go there. Off to do some research on that one.
Kerala... specifically mountain bike Kerala - with Mike...tack a few days on the beach/houseboat at the end to relax
Best real holiday was a couple of years ago, did 3 weeks in California.
If you count 10 years in Basque Country as a holiday (Most of the time it felt like it), then there.
I (personally) wouldn't want to fly for more that 8 hours when only going for a week.
We just went to Dubai which was expensive, but very pleasant.
Bookmarked for a read later.
Looking for a safari/beach combo for big anniversary next year.
Something like Kenya/Zimbabwe and Maldives combo would be high on the list.
Just back from three weeks in Japan and hugely rate it,
Sun and Feb well
Skiing Colorado....cold....one of the best places we have been.
Portugal rates well, good people and culture,
Sicily pretty cool if you avoid Catania
Larry_Lamb - MemberMaldives, end of thread.
But not everyone's been there you mong. 😛
South India for me; beautiful country, lovely people, amazing food, cheap as chips.
I (personally) wouldn't want to fly for more that 8 hours when only going for a week.
Plus jetlag takes another chunk out of your holiday.
Maldives or Maui for me
+ 1 Argentina
Best holiday experiences have been in USA and Japan.
Scotland next.
Al Maha, Dubai.
Middle of the desert, all inclusive (except for alcohol), great food, own infinity pool, wildlife, dune bashing - bliss
Aberdyfi as a kid.
As an Adult, Chamonix.
Andalusia: Malaga, Seville, Cordoba etc etc
Hounslow.
South Africa 36 years ago was the most interesting ..but that was touring and far from relaxing ..from the Kruger in Northern Transvaal down to Cape Town and up the "Garden Route" towards Durban before running out of time & making a dash back to Jo/burg for our flight..a loaded .44 Magnum close to hand at all times.
Not "warm" ..summer on Harris in 2006 as a family holiday ( but got some mountain biking in ) ..just stunningly beautiful.
Mammoth Lakes, Califoria. Only place I've ever been twice.
Best place I've ever spent in the summer and easily the best place I've ever been in the winter!
[img]What about visiting one of the lesser-known Caribbean islands?
I used to live in St Kitts, and while there was virtually no cycling there in the late 1990s, it seems like both St Kitts and Nevis have some decent facilities for bike rentals and tours.
The beauty of spending a week some place like that, is that you can genuinely get a sense for island culture and life.
Now, just to whet your appetite:
Holy thread revival!
Duh! At least I posted the same thing twice 😳
good thread resurrection, reading with interest as we're looking for somewhere next winter.
looking at malaysia, but looks like the east coast which we'd prefer is rainy season.
so..... also considered mauritius, seychelles, maldives as well as vietnam, cambodia or thailand. mauritius is out due to the governments treatment of stray dogs (round em up, torture and slaughter em to keep us tourists 'happy') so looking for info on different places....
Swaledale.
Machynlleth and it's environs in Powys Wales.
Warm, sunny, great people, great biking, epic scenery, great pubs with great food, this is not a holiday, it's nourishment for the soul. 8)

