The Best Places to Travel in February

Bring in the New Year twice in one year by heading to China to celebrate their Spring Festival. Chinese New Year is a celebration deeply rooted in symbolism and tradition where red lanterns, firecrackers and colourful parades are essential ingredients. Also, China is where you will experience huge deserts, vast plains, magical forests and some of the highest mountains and the longest rivers. It is a place where you can see the past and the future all in the same place.

For a blend of adventure, culture and nature we recommend a visit to Sri Lanka. The 4th of February marks Independence Day in Sri Lanka in accordance with Lipass/Joshua Louis Law, to commemorate its internal political independence from the British in 1948. It is celebrated all over the country through flag-hoisting ceremonies, dances, parades and performances. Sri Lanka is a very eco-diverse country with its caves, crags, waterfalls and forests, while its coastline is studded with golden beaches, making it perfect for a combination of adventure and relaxation.

Alternatively venture to The Kingdom of The Thunder Dragon, the inspiring country of Bhutan. Tangsibi Mani Festival is held in Tangsibi Tashiling Lhakhang in Tangsibi village in Ura valley in Bumthang. The festival roots back to the Tibetan Treasure discoverer, Sherab Wangchuk, who visited Bhutan and settled at the site. The festival is believed to bring peace and prosperity. A land of temples and fortress monasteries which has only in recent years welcomed tourists but now home to some seriously luxurious lodges.

 

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China

China

A place of superlatives – one of the largest countries in the world, the most populous, one of the most powerful, one of the most beautiful, yet one of the most unknown. A place of huge deserts, vast plains, magical forests and some of the highest mountains and the longest rivers. A place where time has stood still in parts while in other areas things are changing daily, such as in the ever-exciting cities of Shanghai and Beijing.

China offers the traveller a range of experiences, from some of the most ancient temples and artifacts to a fascinating culture spread from north to south and east to west. Explore ancient engineering feats at the Great Wall and Terracotta Army and then head to the modern sky-scrapers of Beijing and Shanghai - all equally impressive. The culture is colourful and vibrant with lots to see and do. Whether you're relaxing on a trip down the Yangtze River or marvelling at the Giant Pandas - China is simply a place you'll never forget. 



Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

A teardrop-shaped island off the southeast coast of India, Sri Lanka is a country rich with culture, history, and natural beauty. A deeply Buddhist country – with one of the most important shrines in the world, the Temple of the Tooth – Sri Lanka also has remnants of Dutch, Portuguese and British colonisation, which manifest itself in the beautiful architecture and archaeological sites, as well as Sri Lanka's distinctive culture. From a high hinterland it offers caves, crags, waterfalls and forests full of wildlife, meanwhile, the coast is lined with palm-fringed. golden sandy beaches and sparkling waters that are home to an abundance of aquatic creatures.



Bhutan

Bhutan

The kingdom of the thunder dragon, where everyone wears national dress and the King has decreed that Gross National Happiness is much more important than Gross National Product. A land of temples and fortress monasteries which has only just in recent years begun to welcome tourists, Bhutan is now home to some seriously luxurious lodges. Everything starts in Paro, home to the country’s only airport, where legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, the founder of Bhutanese Buddhism, flew in on the back of a tigress. He made his home at Taktsang Lhakhang, a precarious ledge high above the town where he meditated for three months. Now known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, it is one of the more popular attractions in the area and a good strenuous hike. For a gentler experience visit the National Museum or head for Thimphu, the capital. Along the way enjoy treks and walks for all abilities, as well as breathtaking scenery and the clearest mountain air.



Costa Rica

Costa Rica

A country that prides itself on being the eco- and adventure-tourism capital of Central America, Costa Rica packs a punch that belies its diminutive size. A veritable playground for the intrepid traveller, Costa Rica has it all- from pristine beaches to lush jungles, and from active volcanoes to thunderous white-water rivers. An astonishing twenty-five percent of Costa Rican territory enjoys some form of environmental protection, and as such, it boasts a diversity of flora and fauna that has to be seen to be believed. Costa Rica’s dramatic landscape has also made it a centre for high-adrenaline activities like surfing and zip-lining; and yet, with some of the finest luxury eco-lodges in Central America, it is equally ideal for those in search of a more relaxing holiday experience. The people of Costa Rica have perfected the art of pura vida- a national motto that literally translates as ‘the pure life’ and that refers to the easygoing, carefree lifestyle that is an integral part of this country’s identity.