TOP DESTINATIONS FOR HALF-TERM HOLIDAYS
TOP DESTINATIONS FOR HALF-TERM HOLIDAYS
By
Mindi
12 Feb 2017

If you need some holiday inspiration, look no further than our top destinations for sun-soaked half-term holidays. Need to know where's hot in february? Check out the Canary Islands and revel in the watersports, potter along the vast golden sands in Portugal, or explore quaint cobbled streets and vibrant cities in Spain. If you're craving a little culture, why not spend a week in Rome with your teens? Its world-famous sites, luxurious lakes and buzzing plazas will make your February half-term one to remember. 

SPAIN

Nerja Beach Hal-term Holidays

Holidays to Spain serve up bright blue skies, sandy beaches and bustling town squares. Spain’s beaches are some of the best in Europe and are perfect for cooling off in the great spring temperatures. If you've got the kids in tow you'll want to stay in the costas, where you'll find everything from splashtastic waterparks to buzzing beachfronts. The lively resort of Benidorm boasts the tallest waterslide in Europe in Aqualandia - a magnet for adrenaline-junkies. Or, if you want to relax island-style, blissful Balearic islands are a perfect destination for families and couples holidays.

 

Spain Holidays

ROME

Colosseum in Rome Italy holidays

Holidays to Rome are full of pizza scoffing, gelato licking and of course, sightseeing, so it may be more of a suitable destination for older kids who will appreciate the historic sites, art and cosmopolitan vibe. Why not join the locals for an evening Passeggiata and take a walk down the Via del Corso? Treat the kids (and yourself) and stop for a scrummy scoop of ice cream in one of Rome’s pretty street-side parlours. Whether you're tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain or fantasising about being a gladiators in the Colosseum, you'll have plenty of memories to look back on during your time in Italy's boot!

We've rounded up all the must-see places in our amazing guide of things to see and do in Italy.

THE CANARY ISLANDS

Canary Islands Fuerteventura sun beach holidays

Thanks to its balmy year-round temperature, the weather is sunny in February and many groups and families jet away every year to the Canaries for blue skies and sunny shores. Pick from gorgeous Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Tenerife and you'll find good bars, restaurants and loads of watersports. Sunbathe on the luxurious sands of Dunas de Corralejo National Park in Fuerteventura, explore Lanzarote’s lush Timanfaya National Park, or revel in the white-water rides at Siam Park waterpark in Tenerife. Families with older kids and party-loving teens will love buzzing Puerto Del Carmen, boasting tons of evening entertainment once the sun dips below the horizon. 

Want to find out which Canary Island is for you? Take a look at our guide to these idyllic islands for more information. 

Book your Gran Canaria holidays here

PORTUGAL

Algarve Portugal sun beach holidays

With year-round sunshine, endless Blue Flag beaches and fantastic family friendly resorts, it’s easy to see why Portugal is such a big hit. Whichever resort you choose, you're never too far from a beach or waterpark. The Algarve is at the top of our list when it comes to the best beach holiday destinations in Portugal, famous worldwide for its stunning sands, whitewashed towns and whacky waterparks to splash around in. Aquashow, Aqualand, and Slide and Splash are perfect for older kids, with speedy chutes including kamikaze slides and Black Holes. For the little ones, Atlantic Park is perfect, offering a variety of gentler rides. Spend a day at one of the best family theme parks on the island of Madeira, or at artificially created villages, complete with water mills, auditoriums and activity areas where kids can try their hands on rope swings, climb walls and go zip-lining. If you fancy a quiet and secluded spot, then head to the little island of Porto Santo, which has a line-up of secret sandy beaches and friendly, family-run hotels.

We've rounded up the top 8 things to do in the Algarve to ensure your holidays are filled with fun!

Pick A Portugal Holiday Today

TURKEY

Marmaris Turkey Sun Beach Holidays

Get great deals on half-term holidays to Turkey and enjoy non-stop fun (and not just for kids). From kite-surfing and paragliding to peaceful boat trips, kayaking, and diving, Turkey is full of adventure and breathtaking sights. Head to Dalaman for the beautiful beaches of Olu Deniz or experience the stylishly charming bay of Kalkan with rooftop restaurants and a buzzing waterfront. Meanwhile, Marmaris gives the perfect feel of city life with international restaurants and kids clubs lined up along the promenade. Olu Deniz is the place for a fun family day out on the Blue Lagoon beach, where you can build sand castles with your kids or indulge in some exciting watersports. In Antalya, you get a range of exotic beach resorts and some supersized hotels.

Book Your Turkey Holidays

TIPS FOR A CHEAP HALF-TERM HOLIDAY
 

  • Pack light. If you can fit whatever you need for your holiday in one carry-on bag, then do it.
  • Know your destination. Figure out where to shop, eat, and party. Find out where you'll be staying and when you can get the cheapest flights.
  • Avoid roaming charges. Buy add-on packages on your mobile plan in advance and look out for free Wi-Fi where you can.
  • Eat where the locals eat. Go with the daily specials and eat what the locals choose. 
  • Fly on a weekday. Flight tickets on weekdays are cheaper than weekends, especially on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. This can work for families with tiny tots. 
  • Don’t worry, be ‘appy’. Download the Teletext app for amazing cheap breaks and value for money deals, from travel guides to maps, cheap hotel deals and amazing holiday packages.

 

WHERE'S HOT IN FEBRUARY?

LANZAROTE

Lanzarote island Spain beach sun holidays

Blessed with beautiful beaches and stunning scenery, Lanzarote is the perfect place to recover from the winter blues in February. The mercury tends to average at 18°C and you’re almost guaranteed flawless blue skies and soothing sunshine. Visit the 15th-century town of Teguise, the original capital of Lanzarote, to stroll down cobbled streets and charming buildings for a taste of old-world charm. Enjoy the bustling market in the Plaza de San Miguel if you visit on a Sunday. Watersports enthusiasts can head to Famara beach and go surfing, windsurfing and kiteboarding. If you fancy a relaxing beach trip, check out Papagayo beach where the focus is on sunbathing, snorkelling and swimming. To fully appreciate Lanzarote’s natural beauty, take a trip to Timanfaya National Park. Don’t forget to join a camel safari, an excellent way to explore the park!

If you want to find out where's hot the rest of the year round, take a look at our handy guide on where to go on holiday and when.

Book Your Lanzarote Holidays

BARBADOS

Barbados Half-Term Holidays

A gorgeous, golden pile of sand floating gently in the balmy Caribbean Sea, Barbados holidays are straight out of paradise. There are plenty of exciting things to do on the island, but there's no better way to start your sunshine break than by relaxing on an idyllic beach, with a refreshing rum cocktail in hand! Inviting temperatures of 27°C will be sure to wash away those winter blues and there are lots of beautiful beaches to sink into - Bottom Bay is a serene stretch offering privacy and peace. If all the lounging around gets too much (as if), most of the resorts have a variety of activities and attractions to get involved in, from watersports during the day to live music lounges in the evening. If you like art, The Speightstown Mural is a fantastic way to get a feel for Bajan history and culture.

DUBAI

Dubai Half-Term Holidays

Dubai effortlessly combines glittering skyscrapers with white-sand beaches making it the perfect destination for those who want the best of both worlds. The temperature in February is normally about 25°C – perfect for relaxing on its idyllic beaches or swimming in the warm, clear waters. The city plays host to a lot of world-records, including the tallest (and most iconic) building, Burj Khalifa, which stands spectacularly at 825m high. Visit the 125th floor’s observation deck for incredible views of the city. You must venture out into the desert at least once during your Dubai holidays, take your pick from bumpy camel rides, 4x4 desert drives or a hot air balloon ride over the red-velvet sands of the Arabian desert. Dubai’s nightlife is impressive too, with a handful of classy nightclubs and bars to explore. One of the best is the glitzy People by Crystal, located at the top of the five-star Raffles hotel. Shopaholics can make their way to the Madinat Jumeirah mall for a shopping experience to remember.

Browse Our Dubai Holidays

 

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