Why now?
February is traditionally the driest month across Costa Rica and even though it covers less than 0.01% of the planet, it has almost as many birds as the USA and Canada combined, more reptiles than Europe and five times more butterflies than Australia. These numbers make Costa Rica among the premier destinations for naturalists.
GO: SAUDI ARABIA
Middle East
Saudi Arabia's Empty Quarter, aka the Abode of Silence, is the largest sand-covered area on the planet. View the 300m sculpted dunes while desert conditions are bearable.
GO: WHISTLER-BLACKCOMB
Canada
Consistently voted North America's best ski resort, with 29 sq km of bowls, glades and steeps, the powder-perfect twin peaks of Whistler-Blackcomb are at their best in February.
GO: TASMANIA
Australia
20% of Australia's smallest state is made up of national parks, making it a haven for walkers. Bonus - some of the purest air and water on the planet.
GO: STH GEORGIA ISLAND
Antarctica
This island has one of the world's most extraordinary collections of wildlife and has been part of the adventuring psyche ever since Ernest Shackleton traversed it.
CLIMBING: Mt Kilimanjaro
Tanzania
Fitness/Expertise Level
Good fitness and acclimatisation required
Why Now?
Temperatures are warm, there is little rain, and the high-season crowds have subsided. Push on through to the top for a sunrise view over what seems like half of Africa.
Trip Details ›ADVENTURE: Cruise on an Icebreaker
Finland
Fitness/Expertise Level
Not required
Why Now?
Because it's the perfect season to go to the Lapland town of Kemi and plough through solid pack ice on a four-hour cruise. You can even swim in a thermal suit.
Trip Details ›ADVENTURE: Tigray's Rock Churches
Ethiopia
Fitness/Expertise Level
Not required
Why Now?
It's the end of the cool and dry winter and perfect for scrambling the 120 churches carved into (sometimes almost sheer) cliff faces or pre-existing caves.
Trip Details ›WILDLIFE: Swim with sharks
Philippines
Fitness/Expertise Level
Good swimming skills an asset.
Why Now?
Whale sharks visit between about February and May. Donsol is a top spot to swim with these gentle giants, who can grow to 18m in length.
Trip Details ›ADVENTURE: Visit the Empty Quarter
Saudi Arabia
Fitness/Expertise Level
Not required
Why Now?
Desert conditions are bearable in The Empty Quarter, aka the Abode of Silence, so it's perfect for seeing the sculpted dunes of the largest sand-covered area on the planet.
Trip Details ›ADVENTURE: South Island Coast to Coast
New Zealand
Fitness/Expertise Level
Superior fitness required
Why Now?
To compete in one of adventure racing's marquee events. Competitors run 36km, cycle 140km and kayak 67km through the grade-two rapids of the Waimakariri Canyon.
Trip Details ›NORDIC SKATING: Mälaren
Sweden
Fitness/Expertise Level
Some skating experience best
Why Now?
It's the middle of the skating season and the ice is thick enough to support heaps of skaters. You'll also coincide with the Vikingarännet race.
Trip Details ›
