Ten days in February - give me suggestions on where to go

[Otter74]

I've got two three-day weekends in February, and instead of making one or two long-weekend trips I'm inclined to make one bigger one out of it, since I can go on a ten-day trip (Friday -> following Sunday) using only four days off. Since some of you are also pretty well-traveled and adventurous, I thought I'd solicit ideas.

Possibly-useful information:
-I pack light - nothing more than a carry-on size wheelie bag, unless I'm bringing a bike
-I like cities, I like country, I like outdoors stuff. Trip can be active or not.
-I like to travel inexpensively. I'm too old to want to stay in hostels, but I am not fancy
-renting a car if necessary no problem
-I walk a lot
-lots of hiking, etc. also not a problem (might require breaking no-checked-luggage rule)
-I'd rather not go somewhere I've already been, except some of Colombia
-I don't want to spend $$$; I can offset probably $1k of airfare with rewards/miles.
-Assume first and last days are travel days, about eight days at destination
-Some European airlines will let me take a fully rideable bike on as checked luggage on trips to Europe. Not the best time of year, but I'd consider a bike tour because of this.
-I don't care too much if it's cold, as long as it's less cold than Chicago. That said, I love warm. I'm tropical.

Places I've considered:
-Colombia (Tayrona, a couple of other natural-park areas on the coast, in and out of Barranquilla since my family is there, and Medellin)
-Cuba - I've wanted to go there forever. Would prefer to stay in AirBnB or such, not sure how to get around (bus, car, etc.)
-London and Scotland - I know it's not the best time of year, but I've never been to Scotland and I'd love to spend some time in London-ish visiting friends I don't get to see often.
-Portugal, or Portugal and southern Spain (I've been to Madrid, Toledo and Barcelona, so not there)
-Canaima NP, Venezuela - just kidding. It has been my #1 want-to-go destination forever, but no way in hell that is happening in the foreseeable future due to personal security and passport/citizenship issues.
-Is there anywhere in the Mediterranean that is nice in February? I know it's not warm, but it's better than Chicago. What about the eastern Adriatic, like the Dalmatian coast?
-Senegal
-South Africa - no idea yet what kind of trip I'd make of it or where I'd go.
Morocco/Tunisia - my sister was just in Morocco in October. Looked wonderful.
-Zambia - is this a decent time of year to go to southern Africa? stepsister's family is moving to Lusaka. Everyone but her is already there, so i've got people to visit and stay with.
-Australia / New Zealand - NZ especially, but people I know who've gone tend to say it takes two weeks to do it justice. But it's not that big a country...? (NZ, I mean)
-Argentina or Chile.

[id10t]

Schedule - Daytona International Speedway



Edit to add that North and Middle Florida are usually great that time of year, starting into Bike Week and then Spring Break season.

[motion]

There are a hundred places you could go.

South Africa. That's all you need to know

[Erakad]

My choices....Spain or South Africa. Consider also San Diego...good weather, hiking, Mexico nearby, also, Croatia.

[tevake]

If the long travel hrs doesn't put you off, I'd recommend New Zealand as a friendly, varied, reasonably priced , safe very enjoyable place to visit.

Lot of different types of terrain to see, fun driving roads, very hospitable down to earth folks.
They are really into adventure travel and activities there,

With just ten days it might pay to chose just one of the islands to concentrate on, but either offers a lot to see.

On one trip there I rented a camper and had a blast traveling that way.
Another highlight was tandem hanggliding near Queenstown.

From the glacier covered high mountains of the west coast of the South Island.to tall classic cone shaped volcanoes, geothermal areas, and great beach towns, and the wonderful Bay of Islands on the north Island. Lots to see and do.

Hey you could ask Bill. Near Wellington for some tips on gold prospecting.

One of my favorite places to be.

Cheers Richard

[petrolhead611]

What about Madeira or Minorca or Lanzarote or Santorini or Kefalonia, really beautiful warm islands? And., not despoiled by too many concrete jungle hotels.

[petrolhead611]

NB Santorini is too hilly for cycling. Glad I went there when much younger.

[HardDrive]

Nottens Bush Camp. Fantastic.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g471846-d472200-Reviews-Notten_s_Bush_Camp-Sabi_Sand_Game_Reserve_Kruger_National_Park.html

[Seahawk]

Have you ever been to Dubai? There is a ton to do in the city and out in the desert.

ATV Dubai | ATV Ride in Dubai Desert | ATV Company in Dubai

I H3'ed there many years ago and it is a great way to make acquaintances:

Hashing in Dubai - Ginger and Scotch

You could spend three days there and hit you friends in England/Scotland on the way back.

[recycled sixtie]

The UK particularly Northern England and Scotland can still have cool rainy weather in February. March and April are generally better months for the UK. If you go to the UK in February you might want to take layers like warm sweaters and a good raincoat.

In Europe in Feb you have to go a long way south to get warm weather. What is important to you? Warmth and sunshine? Lots of good suggestions from other Pelicans.
Enjoy your trip!

[OK-944]

Maui - the whales are at their maximum then and are everywhere!

In eight to ten days...you can rent an SUV and circumnavigate the whole island - maybe base yourself for four nights in Hana on the east coast for a few nights.

Lots of great hiking - the IO valley...the trail through the bamboo forest to Waimoku falls...Haleakala crater. And by all means, take a snorkeling tour boat to Molokini Crater...wonderful!

Some small "pocket" beaches - which, with some luck, you might find uninhabited.

Spectacular waterfalls...plants...twisty Hana Highway (my 944 would love this road!) ...warm/friendly/funky village of Paia on the north coast.

I do tend to avoid Maui's west coast...which is more built up and a bit more touristy (unless that is your thing). But maybe at least attend the Old (traditional/genuine) Lahaina Luau.

[Hugh R]

I've been to NZ 3 or 4 times to both the North and South Island, it will be Summer there in February. I suppose its OK to tour by bicycle, but most roads don't have street lights, and I think the entire country only has pretty much two lane undivided roads, with little to no area for bike riders. Could be wrong, but I was on a charter bus the few times I was there for movie tech scouts. Spectacular scenery.

[Otter74]

Thanks for the comments so far. Can't write much now, but will comment more later.

Good idea on Hawaii - I hadn't thought of it. Never been there.

Hadn't thought of cycling around New Zealand, though now that you mention it I'll ask my bike people.

Saudi and the Emirates have never interested me. Alas.

Terrific looking game preserve in South Africa!

[shinrai]

Fly to Florianopolis Brazil / rent car and drive to south end of the "island" - nice hike to this beach:



After that drive to the north end of the island and help the fishermen pull the nets out of the water on the beach.

Then fly to Rio / rent a car and drive to Buzios. Nice place. Stay at Abracadabra or the white houses:

[Alfasrule]

Go to Daytona, been going for over 30 years and missed a few year in between. It's a great experience. Stay East of the track, I pick a hotel on 1A and walk to the beach, not all years, but many!
NASCAR People are the very friendly and fun to hang around with.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by Otter74

-Cuba - I've wanted to go there forever. Would prefer to stay in AirBnB or such, not sure how to get around (bus, car, etc.)
-South Africa - no idea yet what kind of trip I'd make of it or where I'd go.
Morocco/Tunisia - my sister was just in Morocco in October. Looked wonderful.

For Cuba, if you want to stay local they are called Casa Particulares. You can rent a car & just drive into the hinterlands. Very safe.

South Africa - I agree with Motion. SA is stunning & very addictive. But that resort in Sabi Sands is $1K a night. The private reserves attached to Kruger are $400 - $2K per night. If you self-drive in Kruger, you can do it for $200 per night.

Morocco- A great destination although it will be coolish & cold if you go south over the Atlas & into the desert - which you should do. Marrakech is an assault on your senses & not to be missed but the real magic of Morocco is in the south imho.

Ian

[ckelly78z]

Wherever you decide to go, keep in mind, that February is a bad month for flight delays in the more Northern regions, but those delays can affect the whole rest of the country with cancelled/delayed flights.

We spent a week in Jamacia 2 years ago and loved it, but had a 22 hour layover in Charlotte on the way home due to weather.

[john70t]

A lot of information and desire above...
All worthy ambitions.
I'd like all the same above.
But slow it all down for a second..

Four days off is not enough time for anything.
24hr international flight will always take away a day/two sitting in an airplane.

Is that really what a 'vacation' is?

[ckelly78z]

Originally Posted by john70t

Four days off is not enough time for anything.
24hr international flight will always take away a day/two sitting in an airplane.

Is that really what a 'vacation' is?

The OP will be off work from Friday, through the next week to Sunday, but only needs to take 4 days of vacation from work because of the two 3 day weekends (making it 9 full days off).

[john70t]

So nine days off. Thank you for the correction.

Minus two for scrambling through airports and customs and cabs and hotel mixups.
Minus two for physical recovery and settling in.

That's five days left to explore.