Some people have already made their January travel plans. But for travel overachievers, that’s uninspired, as they’re already plotting out February.
The coldest, grayest, shortest month of astronomical winter – with a little nugget of love in its midsection, thanks to Valentine’s Day – can be a challenging time to vacation. That’s where Lonely Planet comes in with its new guide, “The top 10 places to visit in February 2026.”
The travel company’s editors put their heads together to pick a diversity of destinations, depending on whether “you need restful break after the holiday season or an exhilarating adventure to kick-start your year.” And they included tips about what makes each place worth visiting, from gorgeous beaches to historic intrigue to a sizzling street-food scene.
There’s also one spot with polar-bear safaris, though perhaps that’s best left to people who really enjoyed the movie “Grizzly Man.” Here are the recommendations and to-do suggestions.
Lonely Planet’s top places to visit in February 2026
1 St. Lucia, the Caribbean: beaches
2 Montreal: the dining scene
3 Mendoza, Argentina: enjoying wine
4 Singapore: street food
5 Wyoming: skiing
6 Madeira, Portugal: an island vacation
7 Tanzania: safaris
8 Cambodia: historic sites
9 United Arab Emirates: plenty of sun
10 Manitoba, Canada: polar-bear safaris
