February half term: 5 family friendly holiday destinations

When you have school age children sticking to the holiday periods can be a bind, but it doesn’t have to be an issue. Yes, skiing in expensive during peak holiday times, as are some package holidays, but book well in advance and you can get some good deals on both flights and hotels.

During February the Mediterranean is still a little chilly, but step just a little further afield and you’ll be able to discover warm climates in places you might not have previously thought of visiting as a family. Here we suggest 5 places that are ideal locations for a family holiday during February half term.

Orlando, Florida

Whether your 2 years old or 100 years old, you can't go wrong with a trip to Orlando - it's guaranteed fun for all the family. Whenever you go, flights to Orlando aren’t cheap, especially when you have to pay for a return trip for the whole family. However, it is possible to save on flights if you’re flexible with your days of travel. The best way to do this is via a flight search engine which will tell you the cheapest days and airlines to fly. The Disney resort hotels are lovely and convenient, but they also tend to be quite expensive. Instead, try hotels within a short drive of the Disney parks. Many hotels provide transport to the parks so you wont need to hire a car. It’s warm in Orlando in February, but not too hot which can be the case in the summer months, so you’ll still be able to enjoy the water parks and outdoor attractions, without melting the kids.

St Lucia

St Lucia is one of the most popular Caribbean destinations for families as it has a wide selection of child friendly resort hotels that offer as much or as little to do as you like. Many hotels have family rooms and kids clubs which means that the children can be safely entertained whilst parents soak up the sun. Outside of the hotel you can go kayaking or snorkelling around Pigeon Island or Rodney Bay, visit the harbors, churches and shops of Castries or take a trip to the Soufriere Quarter where you’ll find the drive-in" volcano and the Diamond Botanical Gardens with waterfalls and historic mineral baths. There are numerous boat tours to be taken and sightseeing tours that are fun for all the family, as well as water parks, rainforests and the occasional street party. With temperatures averaging 26.5c and rainfall at its lowest during February, half term is a perfect time to go.

Oman

February half term is a great time to visit Oman as the temperature is family friendly – averaging 22c with highs of 26c and only 2 days of rain. Aside from the weather, Oman has the lot to offer when it comes to family holidays – beautiful beaches, English speaking friendly people, natural wonders, stunning palaces, ancient forts, deserts, souks, wadis and oases. Hire a 4x4 and discover the mountains, sand dunes, deserts and miles of undisturbed coastline or visit traditional Muscat to discover Oman’s heritage. Take a tour of the Grand Mosque, visit a museum or two and experience both the old and new when it comes to shopping. Another benefit of Oman is the small time difference – its only 3 hours ahead of the UK which helps minimise jet lag fir the return to school.

Lanzarote

February is a relatively quiet time of year for Lanzarote. The average temperature is 18c and highs reach around 21c. If you’re looking for a beach holiday, then it might be a little too early in the year, but if your kids don’t mind wrapping up warm whilst playing in the sand, then Lanzarote could be the ideal destination. Timanfaya National Park, home to Lanzarote´s famous Fire Mountains, created by large scale volcanic activity, is rated as the number one thing to to in Lanzarote on TripAdvisor. Admission is currently just 8 Euros 8 Euro which includes a coach tour around the National Park. Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park is an animal park located in Puerto Del Carmen and is popular with families, as are day trips to various parts of the island, boat trips, cliff walks, sailing trips and wine tasting tours. Most tourist attractions and guides operate throughout the year, so if you’re looking for a cost effective trip, where you wont be swamped by crowds, Lanzarote might just be the ideal place for your family to visit during February half term.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde is fast becoming a popular destination for families seeking a sunny holiday outside the summer holidays. During February, Cape Verde sees average temperatures of 22c with highs of 25c – perfect for lazy days on the beach. Family friendly hotels are in abundance with kids clubs available in many. Outside the comfort and entertainment of the hotel complex its the unique volcanic landscape, mountain villages and wild beaches that bring people here year after year. Although there are no water parks or child specific activities on the island, children are welcomed by all and you’ll find plenty activities suitable for all ages including horse riding, turtle spotting and a wide variety of water sports. The 1 hour time difference to the UK makes it an easy place to recover from visiting at the end of your holiday.

There's no better time to start planing your 2017 February half term holiday. By booking in advance you can take advantage of lower flight prices and a wider choice of hotel accommodation.

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