FEBRUARY half-term holidays are the perfect excuse to ditch Britain’s freezing temperatures and escape somewhere warm and sunny.
From soaking up the culture in Malta to basking in the winter sun in Turkey, find fun-packed, family breaks to keep the kids happy with our round-up.
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All the suggestions in our guide are for a family of four travelling anytime between February 17 and 21 – which is when most schools in England break up for half term.
These dates do vary depending on schools and areas, so make sure to check your school’s or council’s website for exact dates.
With accommodation and return flights included in every deal in our roundup, your family holiday won’t break the bank this year.
To give you a helping hand, we’ve looked at the best holiday destinations for February and where to find deals and bargains even during the half term dates.
Malta
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Malta is well-known for its warm, Mediterranean climate and flavourful, rustic, cuisine.
In February, the average high temperature is 16°C, perfect for those who want to explore the city without crowds – although it might be too cold for a dip.
Far more than just a summer holiday destination, the island is also famous for its gorgeous natural environments and rich history, including historic sites such as Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, which dates back to 2500 B.C.
On Lastminute.com, prices start at £197pp for a week-long stay in a three-star hotel – within a 10-minute walk of Malta National Aquarium – on a self-catering basis, based on departures from London Stansted on February 15.
Or you can book with OnTheBeach, which is offering a seven-night stay in a three-star hotel for £109pp on a room only basis.
The hotel is located in the heart of the popular seaside resort Bugibba, and all rooms feature an air-conditioner, private bathroom, and TV.
Prices are based on a February 20 departure from London Standsted.
Portugal
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Visiting the Algarve coast in February is the perfect remedy against the cold and damp weather at home.
Temperatures average around 13°C to 16°C so it’s not exactly bikini weather but it’s not British winter either.
A former fishing village, Albufeira is now the largest resort town in the Algarve and one of the most popular holiday destinations in Portugal.
As well as the old town and marina, there are family-friendly activities such as dolphin-watching tours or days out at the Zoomarine water theme park.
Read more about the most popular holiday spots on the Portuguese coast in our Algarve region guide.
Prices start from £128pp on LoveHolidays, for a week-long stay at the three-star Albufeira Jardim Apartment – on a room only basis, based on a February 17 departure from London Stansted.
Or book with Lastminute.com, which is offering a seven-night stay in the modern four-star Hotel da Rocha with breakfast included from £321pp – based on a February 15 departure from London Gatwick.
Canary Islands
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Enjoy the sunshine during your trip to the Canary Islands with temperatures around 18°C at this time of the year.
Popular holidays spots like Tenerife or Fuerteventura offer plenty of kid-friendly activities from theme parks to whale-watching trips, or just walks along the beach.
Book with LoveHolidays for a week-long stay in a three-star hotel in Fuerteventura for £422pp. The deal is based on a February 17 departure from East Midlands.
Or check out Tui’s website where prices start at £256pp for a seven-night stay in a three-star hotel in Tenerife on a self-catering basis. The half-term deal is based on a February 17 departure from London Gatwick.
Sicily
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Italian island Sicily has everything a holidaymaker could ask for.
Temperatures may be at their lowest at this time of year, with a maximum high of around 12°C, but it’s still better than at home with plenty of sunshine.
Visit Palermo’s own striking medieval Duomo and the astonishing interiors of the Palazzo dei Normanni, the oldest palace in Europe or get lost in the city’s narrow streets and try the amazing food on offer.
Sicilian specialities include pasta con le sarde; caponata, an aubergine stew; and cannoli, a hard tube of pastry filled with sweetened ricotta and cinnamon.
Discover more about Sicily’s past and what to do in our travel review here.
Prices start from £188pp on Travelsupermarket.com for a week-long stay in a comfortable three-star hotel just a short distance from the historic centre of Palermo. To take advantage of the deal you’ll need to leave London Stansted on February 15.
Or book with Lastminute.com which is offering a stay at a four-star hotel, which has an outdoor swimming pool and is a three-minute drive from Cefalu Beach, for £200pp. Travel from London Stansted on February 16 to take advantage of this half term deal.
Turkey
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Look no further than Turkey where you can find delicious food and glorious sunshine.
Temperatures are starting to warm up in February with average highs of 16°C, so you’ll be able to use your summer wardrobe.
Antalya is one of the more upmarket tourist destinations you can find in Turkey.
It’s also the fastest-growing city in the Eurasian country and comes with an enticing mix of long sandy beaches, traditional marketplaces and water parks.
Prices on Travelsupermarket.com start from £396 per person for a week’s stay in a three-star hotel on all-inclusive basis, based on a February 15 departure from London Gatwick.
Or book with LoveHolidays which is offering a seven-night stay at the four-star Side La Grande Resort And Spa for £309pp, with flights on February 17 from Manchester.
If you’re looking for a short weekend away, here we’ve rounded up the best cheap holiday deals for Barcelona.
Enjoyed our roundup of the best half-term deals? Check out the best budget-friendly hotels opening in 2020.
Discover our guide on what to take on holiday to make sure you’ve packed all the essentials.
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