The final month before Spring arrives to thaw half the world out from the cold grip of winter, February is an interesting time of the year to travel as the hemispheres shift and usher in new possibilities for exploring or, taking a welcome break over a long weekend. For those with the time and funds to travel as they please, a city break could indeed open up many more possible destinations.
City breaks do not have to remain limited to the confines of a fabulous downtown hotel spa, or pursuing inner-city shopping districts and fine-dining establishments. Many places offer far more historical, artistic, and physically active pursuits that will lead visitors down avenues for adventure that will be as memorable as they are enjoyable. For the best of both worlds, the following come highly recommended as destinations for the best city breaks to enjoy in February.
.jpg?width=1000&height=667&name=best%20city%20breaks%20in%20february%20(1).jpg)
New York
A place with undying appeal throughout the year, New York offers plenty of magic for those looking for an extended city break in February. As a world leader in the arts, gastronomy, sports, and retail, there is never a second to waste when visiting the Big Apple. From the latest exhibits at institutions such as The Met or MoMa to catching a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden or a show on Broadway and dining at the city’s most refined eateries such as Per Se, Masa, or Le Bernardin – New York is a city-sized amusement park to be enjoyed endlessly.
However, it's possible to experience a much quieter break away from the crowded streets, hanging out in quiet cafes and bookstores in the Upper East Side, or visiting the Statue Of Liberty at Ellis Island – a poignant place to reflect on how much the city continues to remain a gateway to a world filled with opportunity.
Palermo
Aside from the scattered ruins and relics of Sicily’s ancient past, the only enduring presence the island has known is the volcanic colossus of Mount Etna, which has weathered all man-made changes across Sicily and occasionally, unleashed a few of its own via devastating eruptions. In the shadow of the mountain sits Palermo, the island’s capital, and a key gateway to exploring Sicily’s many treasures. Small eruptions occur sporadically on Etna, providing quite the spectacle to adventurous souls wishing to glimpse the raw power of nature. During February, a much more peaceful way to explore the mountain is by ski, as snowfall peaks atop Etna during this month and services the fantastic small ski resort on its slopes.
Whilst the air is very cool at this time of year, the city's beauty remains unaffected by the cold, with its Baroque churches, grand palaces, and beautiful markets, shimmering in the Winter sunlight. The absence of the crowds of summer allows visitors to explore landmarks such as the Palatine Chapel and Teatro Massimo, without interruption, and to have the pick of the best vendors and restaurants to sample the island’s many delicacies. At this time of year, the nearby town of Acireale hosts one of Italy’s most spectacular carnivals, featuring elaborate floats and masked processions, in a stunning celebration of Scilian artistry.
New Orleans
The holiday festival of Mardi Gras is a hallowed tradition in the south of Louisiana. Imported from its days as a French colony, Mardi Gras translates to “fat Tuesday”, also known as Shrove Tuesday and under the more popular moniker, Pancake Day. As the final day before the beginning of Lent, residents have spent centuries enjoying the build-up to Mardi Gras indulging in all manner of frivolties and feasts, but nowhere likes to party better or bigger than New Orleans. Starting from the 6th of January, carnival season hits the city in full force as New Orlean’s many krewes (societies whose origins trace back to the 18th century) turn out in force for incredible parades, raucous street parties, and dazzling masquerade balls, all be-decked in the festival colours of purple, green and gold.
Whilst Mardi Gras can fall on any date between the 3rd of February and the 9th of March, the city can be visited at any point of the month to relish the festivities, with parades, balls, and parties happening almost daily. There is no better part of the city to stay and experience the full force of the festivities than the French Quarter, New Orleans’ historic centre filled with stunning colonial architecture, jazz bars, Creole cuisine, and a focal point for Mardi Gras celebrations.
Stockholm
Whilst Winter can be very challenging in Sweden, visiting Stockholm as the season begins to change and the days grow longer, is a wonderful way to experience the city from a more frozen perspective. The islands, icy waterways, and snow-covered streets offer charming alternate city breaks, as visitors venture out into the cold to take in the many sites of Sweden’s capital. The beautiful sites of Gamla Stan, The Royal Palace, and City Hall take on an entirely new, shimmering appeal thanks to the cold winter sun reflecting snow and ice formations.
For respite from the cold, visitors to Stockholm can enjoy the timeless Swedish custom of fika (coffee and cake) in a warm café, or for the more adventurous, embrace the elements by plunging into the icy waters of following a traditional Sauna. Attractions such as Skansen, Sweden’s open-air history museum, the incredibly preserved shipwreck at the Vasa Museum, and ABBA mania at the group's museum, are all recommended activities to keep from spending too much time out in the cold, should the weather be particularly challenging.
Tunis
February’s milder temperatures make it an ideal time for sightseeing in this North African capital without the intensity of the summer sun. Tunis is a fascinating city, preserving some of the ancient world’s most important ruins, art, and artefacts. As the former neighbour of the capital city of the Carthaginian Republic, the ruins of Old Carthage have stubbornly remained despite the city’s destruction at the hand of victorious Rome following the conclusion of The Third Punic War. Tunis has so much to offer visitors looking for a cultured break on the shores of the Mediterranean.
Within the city, the standout attraction is The Medina, a dazzling UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 700 monuments, palaces, mosques, and madrassas. With dozens of architectural styles from as early as the 8th century AD, Medina beckons visitors to wander through its fascinating landmarks, such as the hallowed Al-Zahtouna Mosque, the Dar El Bey palace complex, and the Bardo Museum with its impressive collection of Roman mosaics. The city’s famous souks reveal a rich amalgam of plush handmade carpets, fragrant perfumes, jewellery, cascades of kaftans, and delicate spices dotted across an incredible sprawling maze of ancient streets and alleyways. Traditional Tunisian cuisine is best experienced at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the city, enjoying the delicate flavours of tagines, couscous, and fricasse, whilst watching the sunset over the Lake of Tunis.
Paris
February marks one of the most romantic days of the year for many couples and there are few better places to celebrate Valentine’s Day anywhere in the world than Paris. The City of Lights is a celebrated home for romance, encapsulated by landmarks like the Wall of Love in Monmarte, where those three words are inscribed into the brickwork in more than 200 languages. Sweeping views of the city from the Eiffel Tower and the Pont des Arts have been immortalised countless times in the arts, but by night the views become even more mesmerising as the city’s countless lights flicker on and enhance the city’s allure.
The perfect way to enjoy these views from the Effiel Tower’s lofty perch is an evening dining at the iconic two Michelin Star restaurant, Le Jules Verne. 125m above ground, the views are spectacular but the food provides something truly special, serving delicious caviar, souffle scallops, and sweet breads to name but a few of the dishes off the tasting menu. When it is time to retire at the end of a long, romantic day, there can be no better place to retreat than to the famous love nest of The Ritz, frequented by Coco Chanel, Hemingway, the Fitzgeralds, and royalty - the corridors of this unimpeachable Paris icon are practically draped in past romances.
