February

It's carnival month! Catch the world-famous carneval in Brazil – don’t forget to take the Brazil Handbook to give you the inside track. Closer to home, catch a different sort of carnival in Venice – or Jan Morris will take you to the magical city in her book Venice.

If you’d rather chill out in the sun than all this partying, then head for the Canary Islands, with our extensive range of guides and maps to each and every isle. Or take a good guidebook to Egypt and investigate the sights of the country, which is also presently baking under glorious sunshine…

  1. Tunisia

    Tunisia

    There’s more to Tunisia than sun, sea and sand – behind the coastal developments lays a land of mosques, desert oases, Roman relics and intriguing walled cities just waiting to be explored. It’s no wonder scenes from many blockbuster movies have been shot around the country – from the ‘Star Wars Canyon’, also used in Raiders of the Lost Ark, to various locations used in 1996’s The English Patient. Spring is the best time to visit, when the south is a pleasant temperature and the orchards and vineyards of the north are surprisingly verdant.

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  2. Rome

    Rome

    Head to Rome for the ultimate Valentine’s break; no longer defined by its ancient relics and remains, the city has revitalised itself as a contemporary destination with a thriving arts and nightlife scene to round off those heady days of sightseeing. The city has also seen an emergence in a new breed of hotels run by younger, well-travelled staff, and catering to a fashionable clientele. So from high-octane luxury to minimalist chic, you’ll find accommodation to suit an amorous sojourn.

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  3. Venice

    Venice

    Elaborate costumes and masks appear at every turn of Venice’s narrow alleyways and bridges for two weekends in February, making it a unique and exciting time to visit this stunning city. Use the Touring Club Italiano’s map of Venice – a detailed plan of the city from Italy's main cartographic publisher that has elegant cartography and subtle colouring, making it easy to read and particularly suitable for finding secret carnival spots.

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  4. Egypt

    Egypt

    Whether you’re going for the Pyramids, the Sphinx, the sun-soaked beaches, or for the Red Sea diving, an Egypt map and guide book will point you in the right direction. Or escape there from your armchair with a great piece of travel literature.

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  5. Brazil

    Brazil

    It’s hot and sunny in Brazil right now and, of course, it’s carnival season! Witness the spectacle at its home in Rio de Janeiro with the famous samba parades, or head to Salvador’s Carnival where you are actively encouraged to participate. Revellers flock to the city for a week-long extravagant street party that ends on Ash Wednesday with a concert as the sun rises. Read more about Rio below

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  6. Tenerife

    Tenerife

    Every February, Santa Cruz de Tenerife hosts one of the world’s largest and most colourful carnivals that easily competes with that of Brazil's Rio - perfect if you can't make the long-haul trip. 

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  7. Rio de Janeiro

    Rio de Janeiro

    For that once-in-a-lifetime experience, Rio’s Carnival is hard to beat. The February parade, or defile, is one of the world’s great spectacles – an electrifying display of performances by samba schools at the Sambodromo. To top it off, February is gloriously warm and sunny in Rio, perfect for taking in the sights of the city – from Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer to the pulsating beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana.

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  8. Nepal

    Nepal

    February is the beginning of good trekking weather in Nepal, so although it’s still a little chilly, it won’t be overcrowded, and the mustard fields fill with bright yellow flowers. Follow the legendary Everest Base Camp trail for 16 days, or take the alternative Gokyo route. From Pokhara, you can set off on the stunning Annapurna Circuit, which takes up to three weeks, or head into the Annapurna Sanctuary to reach Annapurna Base Camp, at 4130m, after six days. Use our unrivalled range of maps and guides to plan your trek.#

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