We have been talking about using our airline miles for a trip this February. We are planning on two weeks and are just starting to research possible locations. Husband has thrown out ideas such as Machu Picchu, New Zealand, Australia, The Virgin Islands, Hawaii. Not opposed to colder climates, either, but we don’t ski and want to be able to get around and see things. We are not hugely athletic, but love walking, hiking and learning about new areas. We are in our 50’s and not looking for a huge party scene. Do you have any places you have loved?
We went to Rome last Feb. It was great-- NO LINES FOR ANYTHING. And we got a decent rate on a prime location hotel. In the museums, no crowds. So we leisurely took pictures of ourselves in front of the bronze Capitoline she-wolf suckling Romulus & Remus.
Yes, Rome is chilly in Feb, but we were fine with our topcoats on. We picked Rome for that winter-time trip after checking Weather.com for average monthly temperatures in Europe. You might want to consider other southern European cities, too.
How much time do you want to spend in the plane to get there? Australia and New Zealand are a full days travel plus in each direction.
Macchu Pichu is great but usually involves a good amount of hiking…although I understand you can take a train a good chunk of the way.
Have you been to Capetown? I can highly recommend that. Yes…a LONG plane ride too…but a very doable trip for two weeks time. You could do a package to one of the game parks for a few days, and then time in Capetown. Plenty to do there. Go out to the Stellenbosch area which is like Napa on steroids. Gorgeous vineyards and scenery!
The Black Heath Inn is a great bed and breakfast in Greenpoint. Check it out!
Argentina. It will be summer there. Not a big time difference between it and the US, so little jet lag. Reasonable prices. You can have the thrills of a big city in Buenos Aires, tour the amazing wine country of Mendoza, see the world renown waterfalls at Iguazu… so much else to do: mountains, Patagonia, the pampas…
Anywhere in South America would be good that time of year - Peru, Buenos Aires, Patagonia.
Cuba (haven’t been yet but want to) and Morocco are other suggestions.
I’ll second Buenos Aires. We were there about five years ago and loved. Can totally see why it’s called the Paris of the Southern Hemisphere. We got out of the city for a few days to an estancia (ranch) a couple of hours outside of the city and it was beautiful. I really want to go back and tour Mendoza, the wine county. So much to see there!
Can’t go wrong with Argentina- good wine, great steaks and good looking men!
And tango, dulce de leche, alfajores, empanadas, gauchos, and mate!
New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia are a bit far and too much time change for 2 weeks (for me anyway).
A good 2 week trip to South America: Fly to Quito, spend ~6 days cruising the Galapagos, a few days in the Andes visiting markets like Otavalo, and the balance of the time in a rainforest eco lodge (e.g. La Selva or Sacha).
Peru (plus Bolivia) is nice too but not as well organized geographically as Ecuador . Flights are generally cheaper to Ecuador also.
All great suggestions. Just want to mention that Machu Picchu is actually not that much walking (I’m taking into consideration that you and your H do walk and hike). If you want to hike the Inca Trail (several days) or hike up Waynu Picchu, it IS a considerable hike going up, up and more up. I am not the athletic sort and it was quite strenuous for me but I did make it! But Machu Picchu itself is really walking around ruins. Fascinating and a great trip. It’s “extras” that offer more strenuous physical activity.
We combined Machu Picchu with the Galapagos for a two week trip May '15. Really wonderful trip.
Will also put in another plug for Capetown. AWESOME!!
Thank you for all of the responses! Please keep them coming. I will research all of these ideas and see what we come up with. Hadn’t thought of the Galapagos! Always wanted to visit there!
The Inca Trail, which if you are a hiker is a wonderful way to get to Machu Picchu, is closed in February. The ruins are open – but it is the rainy season in Peru, so consider that, too.
We went to Costa Rica in early March a few years ago, and that was good. Southern Spain – Granada, Seville, Cordoba, Ronda, the White Towns of Andalucia – could work that time of year – the nights will be chilly, but better than dealing with the 100+ temps of this summer. Even other parts of Spain can be OK in February – Madrid and Barcelona.
I need to plan a winter trip to Argentina. That sounds wonderful.
Some folks have altitude issues and sickness at places like Manchu Pitchu. If you can go now but perhaps not in the future due to who knows what in future health, that would be a point in favor of sooner rather than later–too late already for me (sensitive to altitudes).