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.”
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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
