Where to explore in Jan/feb?

[Nugg]

I was planning to book a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, but I missed out on the one I wanted to do and the flights are absolutely extortionate at the moment anyway.

So I would like to take some time to investigate where else I could go, I’m only just starting out on my travelling journey in my mid 50s so open to all advice!

I travel alone, but I’m open to any sort of holiday. Be it a solo group or a cruise or anything really I just want good value!

I’ve done Australia this year which was amazing and I will go back in 2028 but I want something special for 2027

NYC! I did it in February, the weather was gloriously crispy and fresh. Less crowds, no queues, if you can disregard the constant smell of weed...

Oooh good call! As for weed it’s everywhere now anyway 🤣 thank you!

The Caribbean island nations are good in Jan/Feb - but expensive!

“I was planning to book a trip to Vietnam and Cambodia”
How long is your trip?
You should avoid staying in Vietnam early Feb 2027 due to Tet holiday (Lunar New Year).

i am planning a trip to Vietnam. The one I was looking at was also massively expensive however I have priced it up separately and it’s half the price.

im on a women’s solo FB travel group and consensus is Vietnam is very easy to do solo.

I also found a local agent in Vietnam who put together a package and while not as cheap as solo it was again must cheaper than a uk based tour.

@Nugg India is a good shout for Jan/Feb. The weather is pleasant for sightseeing. Egypt too. In South Africa it’s still very warm but if that’s ok with you, go there. The garden route would be great. I would also suggest the southern United States and Brazil would be hot but a good time to go. Japan is good in Feb but not the alps area. Anywhere in the Caribbean but it’s high season.

Caribbean island hopping - but because of high season, it's expensive. Maybe

US - well, it depends on your personal view, I wouldn't do it. But from NY to Washington, the area can easily be stuck in snow at that time. It will definitely be freezing.
I would more look at the southern states.

South America - if I wouldn't have mobility issues, my dream would ba a trip to the Inca ruins.

A colleague went to Okinawa this year end of January, low to mid twenties. Her photos are lovely.

Sri Lanka maybe?

@dinhoecotourim still working so 2/3 weeks is realistically my limit. I was going mid Feb ish or early Jan but I will leave Vietnam for another year.
@snowymarblesthats a great idea- I will do more research!
@MeetMeOnTheCornerIndia is a definite bucket list place so I will look into this! SA mixed feelings as I have friends who immigrated from there as they no longer felt safe. But then my neighbour has just returned and they said it was the best holiday they’ve had!
brazil would be amazing however if the sun is like it was in Australia I cannot go in their summer. I’m a sun worshipper but I literally could not bear it!

Caribbean isn’t somewhere I’ve ever been interested in as I assumed fly and flop in an AI hotel but maybe I should look into this

even considered a cruise!

@Nugg South Africans are security mad. They eat, live and breathe security and safety.
and its the topic of conversation. I’ve been there several times and you must follow the rules about where to go and when. Plus no bling or obvious wealth. Everywhere you stay will offer advice! The Garden Route isn’t Joburg. It’s much more laid back but maybe group travel would be better? India can be challenging for solo women too. Their crime rate against women is woeful.

We went to South America this Feb: Argentina, Uruguay, Falkland Islands and Chille- was incredible!

If you like walking, have a look at Majorca. January is the best month to visit - usually pretty dry and you will have 16° at midday most days.

Costa Rica with a small group tour company like Exodus.

Slavbard, for polar night!
One of my best holidays ever, really something to be experienced and a very civilised / luxurious way to experience the artic.

@ShanghaiDiva that sounds like an absolute dream to me!!

@MeetMeOnTheCornerthey were in Cape Town, he already had a job in the UK and was looking for somewhere for them to live with the plan that she would follow in three months and entire all the loose ends back there but as soon as people realise she was a woman on her own they got broken into a gunpoint and she lost her nerve and flew to England.
I do need to think carefully about travelling alone. I’m happy to do a solo Travel group but they are bloody extortionate and they don’t always do what I want to do.

@samarrange A more into cultural experiences I suppose is the easiest way to describe it. I would like to go back to Majorca though and get a car and travel around all the places that I never went to with my family If that makes sense!
@tinaabbot i’m going to have to google that one it sounds fantastic, but I have no idea what it is!!
@Sapphireandsteel2love your username! Costa Rica popped up today when I was searching so that is definitely something to look at and I will investigate Exodus because that sounds perfect thank you

Thank you, everyone. I’m so glad I asked.

Our DD really enjoyed Sri Lanka. A week or so touring on an organised trip, then she had a couple of weeks on the south coast, learn to surf (sort of).

Malaysia and Thailand are good that time of year, and safe for a single female traveller (mainly, even the fleshpots of Bangkok are not unsafe for a savvy female traveller, their target is pissed european males). You can often get good flight prices into KL, and then fly about to other places on internal flights or use the trains. You can wander wherever you choose, no bother. I have also been in Capetown and Jo'Burg, and although SA is a really beautiful place, and there is nowhere quite like it, it is really rough in places. You can't just wander about and get public transport as you choose.

I went to Mexico in February this year with my daughter. Weather was great, lovely beaches, great food, culture, wildlife. It’s got a lot to offer. We travelled by ADO bus and moved around a lot. Just booked low budget hotels on Booking.com. Direct flights with TUI from BHX or LGW to Cancun.

No - you don’t get public transport in South Africa! Organised holiday or self drive.