Where it's hot in February for winter holidays as…

Where it's hot in February for winter holidays as travel rules ease

Getting away to somewhere hot is a priority for many as more of Scotland's Omicron travel restrictions have been lifted.

Nicola Sturgeon announced on Tuesday that pre-arrival Covid tests for fully vaccinated travellers will be a thing of the past come February 11.

The requirement for pre-departure tests already ended on January 10, so the move to end post-arrival tests will make holidays that much simpler in 2022 - and cheaper.

With cold and dark days long upon us, Scots with wanderlust will already be feeling the itch to escape to warmer locales.

Scotland's average February high is 5.5 C, but the relaxation of travel rules has paved a simpler way to fly to somewhere hot.

Here are some of the hottest places in February in Europe and across the world...

Warm winter holiday destinations

Tenerife, Spain

Tenerife's beaches are a direct flight away (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Average February temperature: 20 C

Spain is one of the most popular winter holiday destinations for Brits for this very reason.

You won't need to test or quarantine to enter the country, although the Spanish vaccination requirements are set to change on February 1 - check out what you need to know here.

Set off the coast of northwestern Africa, Tenerife is the largest island in the Canary Islands where February temps average a much welcome 20 C.

Other Canary Islands destinations like La Palma and Lanzarote are equally hot this time of year.

Thankfully, Scots can be there in four and a half hours via budget airlines like easyJet, Ryanair, Jet2 and TUI.

The Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve in Portugal's signature golden cliffs (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Average February temperature: 20 C

Portugal's southernmost region is the Algarve, known for its picturesque golden cliffs and sandy beaches.

If you fancy a trip to the beach this winter, the Algarve's spectacular coastline has much to offer couples, groups of friends and even families.

The average February high here is 20 C and Scots can get on a direct flight to Faro in just three hours with Ryanair from Edinburgh or Prestwick airport.

Malta

Average February temperature: 16 C

Malta, the island country in the middle of the Mediterranean, makes a fabulous destination not only for its clear blue waters, but also as a cultural break and food destination.

That's not to mention Malta throws its own Carnival every February and this year's celebrations take place from February 25 to March 1.

The small archipelago reaches an average high of 16 C in February and people in Scotland can fly directly from Edinburgh in just under four hours on Ryanair.