Take your mind off November’s grey days and the incessant build-up to Christmas by escaping somewhere warm – or embrace the cold with a few days on a snowy Alpine slope. And if you’re already thinking about a February getaway, have a look at these holiday ideas.
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Cuba
Get to know Cuba through a tour that combines visits to Unesco-listed cities with a slow exploration of the island’s landscapes. Start in Havana before making your leisurely way through the Vinales Valley and Cienfuegos before heading to Trinidad and the beaches of Cayo Santa Maria. Inspiring Travel Company has a 10-day fly-drive tour departing 12 November from £2,329pp. The price includes flights and car hire.
Cape Verde Islands
Things start to cool down a bit in November in this volcanic archipelago strung out along the Atlantic. That means pleasant temperatures in the high 20Cs – just the weather for lounging in the soft sands of Santa Maria beach on the island of Sal. The stylish boutique hotel of Dunas de Sal is far enough from the busy resort of Santa Maria but close to a sweeping sandy beach. Cape Verde Experience has seven nights’ B&B at Dunas de Sal from £918pp, departing 27 November. The price includes Manchester flights, transfers, visas and UK airport lounge access.
France
If you’re itching to get skiing, Val Thorens in the Trois Vallées ski domain is a good bet for early-season snow. At the three-star Les Balcons de Val Thorens apartments, you’ll be right on the slopes and only 500m from the village’s centre. There’s a spa with an indoor pool, and two restaurants if you want a break from cooking. Ski Collection has a week’s self-catering in a one-bedroom apartment from £1,036, including Eurotunnel crossing, for a 24 November departure.
Hong Kong
Now that summer’s high humidity has become a faded memory, you can enjoy warm, dry days in Hong Kong without being permanently drenched in sweat. Practically next door to Happy Valley Racecourse is the four-star Dorsett Wanchai, a good base to explore Hong Kong Island and easy to reach from Kowloon. Hayes & Jarvis has five nights’ room-only from £1,019pp, which includes flights and transfers.
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Austria
Don’t leave it too late if you’re planning to take the family skiing. For medieval charm and top-class skiing, head to Kitzbühel in the Austrian Tirol, where Chalet Linda is only about five minutes’ walk from the Hahnenkamm gondola and ski school meeting point. Inghams has a week’s catered holiday departing 16 February from £1,267pp, which includes Manchester flights, transfers, breakfast and five afternoon teas and evening meals.
Barbados
The blinding white sands of Carlisle Bay’s beach are just a few steps away from the supremely laid-back Island Inn Boutique Hotel. If you can’t make it that far, there’s a pool in the pretty courtyard gardens. If you book by 30 November, you can save up to £260pp with Tropical Sky’s seven-night all-inclusive holiday. The starting price of £1,289 for departures throughout February includes flights, transfers and all meals.
Nice
If there’s one thing that can shake off February’s gloom, it’s the annual Nice Carnival. Running from 16-28 February, this exuberant festival brightens up the Mediterranean city with elaborate parades and raucous flower fights. Book well in advance for a room at the art-filled Hotel Windsor, which is only a few minutes’ walk from much of the carnival action. I-escape has doubles at the Hotel Windsor from £69 a night, room only, for departures during the carnival season.
Mary Novakovich is editor at large at 101holidays.co.uk
