Honeymoons In Paradise - Where To Go In February

Image via Parque Nacional

A honeymoon in the month of Saint Valentine deserves to be an extra special one! Travelling in February has its own benefit: the crowds from school holidays have largely gone and you can reap the benefits of cheaper air fares and explore the destinations at the your own pace.

1. Marrakech, Morocco
Late February counts among one of the best times to visit Marrakech, with spring bringing a fresh burst of colour to the Red City. There’s lots of sunshine but not too warm, making it ideal conditions for exploration.

Where to Stay
Dar Seven in Marrakech feels like a chic and elegant home for royalty. Huge blond antique doors and a dining table in the open-air courtyard looks like the set of a glamorous interiors’ shoot. The rooms are exquisitely decorated in a soft and relaxing colour scheme with cream-coloured linen, contrasted against dark brown wooden furniture.

Image by Dar Seven Morocco

For couples looking to indulge in the rich traditional culture of Morocco, Riad 72 is laid out in traditional riad style, with a big rectangular central courtyard. The colour palette is earthy and rich, complete with banana leaves in the courtyard. Unwind after a day of exploring the city with a massage and hammam, the traditional Turkish bath.

What to Do
The minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque is Marrakech’s most famous symbol, making it a must-visit site for tourists. Built in a traditional Almohad style and topped with four copper globes, the magnificent Mosque is visible from near and far. After that, wander around the seemingly endless maze of markets and souks in Medina. The fibrous network of souks showcase alleyway upon alleyway of tiny retail cubicles selling trinkets, clothing, carpets, spices and even magic supplies.

2. Alexandria, Egypt
One of the best times to visit Egypt is no doubt in February, when the temperatures are at their most pleasant and the crowds from the holiday season have died down. This is the time when iconic sites like the Pyramids of Giza are less crowded too.

Where to Stay
At the very edge of the Mediterranean Bay in Alexandria stands the Four Seasons Alexandria, the glamorous but intimate enclave within the stately Grand Plaza shopping. The guest rooms are elegantly decorated and terraced restaurants provide the perfect setting for alfresco dining.

Image via Four Seasons Alexandria

What to Do
The Pyramids of Giza are a must-see for the most obvious reasons. But the old capital of Egypt also offers many fascinating sights. The Pillar of Pompey and the Sphinx are located close to each other and could easily make up for a half-day trip. If you are feeling adventurous, visit Cleopatra’s Palace, which is now underwater due to an earthquake more than 1,400 years ago.

3. Mactan Island, Philippines
Located in Cebu, Philippines, February is the best time to soak up the sun due to the dry season. The weather is relatively moderate albeit tropical, but the dry season ensures that you get to enjoy the sun, sea and the best of Cebu.

Where to Stay
The little island of Mactan, just off the coast of Cebu, is unbeatable as Philippine’s best diving, snorkelling, sailing and cultural adventures. The beach-side Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan is the place to be for a tropical island escape. Guest rooms have balconies overlooking manicured gardens, while the exclusive villas boast four-poster beds and outdoor private plunge pools.

Image via Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan

For honeymooners looking to splurge, Abaca Resort is the exclusive tropical hideaway with its private deluxe suites set in a lush tropical oceanfront surrounds. The resort also has a full luxury spa and restaurant so you will not have to leave the premises at all!

What to Do
Simply unwind and enjoy each other’s company in magical post-wedding bliss, with the glorious scenery that Mactan Island has to offer. There are plenty of water sports to enjoy for the adventurous. For couples looking to explore the town, the Mactan Shrine and Magellan monument consists of an obelisk to commemorate the Battle of Mactan.

4. Patagonia, Chile
February is the best time to enjoy Patagonia: the weather is mild and there are simply fewer crowds. The fierce Chilean winds are year-round, so pack layers and a sturdy windbreaker for the trip.

Where to Stay
The Singular Patagonia is a restoration of an old cattle processing plant that takes the idea of industrial chic to dizzying new heights, though none are more impactful than the guest rooms’ enormous floor-to-ceiling windows. Feast your eyes on Patagonia’s rugged landscape. If you are in need of some physical comforts, the rooms first-rate fixtures and furnishings should do the trick. But don’t miss out on the 3,000 square-foot spa complex.

The Explora Patagonia is a boxy modernist lodge just a stone’s throw away from the Salto Chico waterfall, with the peaks of the Paine massif looming just behind. The rugged landscape can feel a bit barren, so the fifty rooms and suites are simply cozy and inviting.

Image via Explora Patagonia

What to Do
The rugged beauty of the Torres del Paine National Park is guaranteed to leave you in awe. Known for its soaring mountains and bright blue icebergs, hiking through the national park is definitely an experience not to be missed. Explore Patagonia’s Atlantic coast where lucky visitors are sometimes treated to the sight of the gigantic southern right whale off the coast.

5. Miami, USA
While the rest of America shivers in chilly wintry weather, Miami is warming up, but not too much. The gorgeous spring weather settles in making ideal conditions for vacation.

Where to Stay
The Betsy on South Beach is one of the last Georgian-style hotels to be built on Ocean Drive, although it is by no means old-fashioned. The interiors are contemporary but still classic, with golden yellow and soft lavender contrasting with the ever-present Miami white.

One the other end of the scale, there is the Como Metropolitan where the reconstructed hotel from the 1930’s has kept much of its Art Deco bones. Acres of white space make the most out of plentiful Miami sunlight, but pastel tones and metallic surfaces make the Metropolitan a set out of Miami Vice.

Image via Como Metropolitan

What to Do
A trip to Miami is incomplete without a stroll down Ocean Drive. One of the most famous boulevards in the city, Ocean Drive is characterised by its distinct art deco buildings, glittering hotel and club fronts. Spend the day enjoying the sun at South Beach. The popular Miami hang-out spot welcomes anyone looking for pristine sand and amazing food. Get pampered at an opulent spa or simply stroll along the boardwalk.