Escape the Slush, Party Hard, & Smooch with Cupid: 5 Must-See Spots This February Hannah Winsten February 1, 2016 Beach Vacations, Caribbean, Weddings and Romance 1 Comment February is a rough month for those of us in the Northern hemisphere. It’s cold. It’s gray. It’s wet and snowy and spring is still at least six weeks away (you’re a jerk, Punxsutawney Phil). I don’t know about you folks, but after spending the last few weeks trying—in vain—to avoid impromptu scuba diving expeditions into the deceptively deep slush puddles of New York City, I’m ready for a vacation. But what are the best places to visit during the shortest month of the year, you ask? Never fear. I already did the legwork for you. Behold, the top five destinations you should hit this month, categorized by your priorities. No judgment, my friends. 1.) If You’re Coupled Up and Ready for Romance JeniFoto/Shutterstock Valentine’s Day is this month, lovelies. So, if Cupid has been kind and bestowed upon you a loving, awesome significant other, the two of you might be due for a romantic getaway, am I right? Obviously. To make the most of your love this Valentine’s Day, head over to Southern Europe—anywhere that sits along the Mediterranean Sea, to be exact. We’re talking Barcelona, France’s Cote d’Azur, Rome, the Greek Islands—you get the idea. While the Northern half of Europe battles through what’s left of winter, the Mediterranean is already basking in the warmth of spring. Everything’s in bloom, the sun is shining, and it’s Europe, for crying out loud. It literally does not get more romantic than Europe. Check into a bed and breakfast, eat at restaurants with seaside views, and be as annoyingly in love as your heart desires. You deserve it. 2.) If You’re Single and Ready to Mingle Celso Pupo / Shutterstock.com Has Cupid been a jerk to you this year? We’ve all been there, my friends. Don’t worry. February is not only the month of nauseatingly happy couples, it’s also the month of EPICALLY INSANE PARTIES. If you want to be Stateside, hit Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana. If you want to get a little more adventurous—and let’s be honest, WAY crazier—than head further south to party it up at Carnival in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro. Either way, you’ll be totally immersed in a world of colorful parades, indulgent foods, and all-night parties. So celebrate your freedom, single folks. This is one of those things best enjoyed solo. 3.) If You Really Hate Winter and Want It To Just Be Over Already SergiyN/Shutterstock I am in your boat. We’re all cold, we’re all wet, we’re all weighed down by the seventeen thousand layers of clothing that make survival out in the world possible. WINTER IS THE WORST. Luckily, we’ve got plenty of options when it comes to escaping the cold. Which are the best ones? If you want to skip customs, jet over to Hawaii or Miami for a fun in the sun vacation that doesn’t require a passport. The weather is perfect and the beaches are flawless. Bonus points if you’re a fan of hiking and/or surfing, because it’s the ideal time of year to do both of those things. If you’d prefer to take a more international trip, grab your passport and head south to the Caribbean. Any of the islands there will welcome you with sun drenched arms, but the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos get extra points for convenience and affordability. 4.) If You Really Love Winter and Just Can’t Get Enough Snow Mike Peters/Shutterstock I don’t understand your kind, but I hear you exist. Please, explain to me how winter and coldness is a fun time? If you’re a member of this baffling group, head over to Aspen, Colorado for a winter wonderland of a vacation. You can ski, you can snowshoe, you can build snowmen, and you can snuggle up in cozy cabins with wood burning fireplaces to your heart’s content. Alright, I’ll admit it—as much as I hate winter, that sounds like a pretty awesome trip. Calling dibs on the Snuggie and hot chocolate supply. If you’d prefer a more urban winter wonderland, head over to Denver or Chicago to take in the Northern chill. 5.) If You Want to Start Pride Season a Few Months Early Andy Tyler/Flickr I know, I know, LGBTQ Pride Month officially happens in June. But if you go to Australia, you can kick off the season of proudness a bunch of months early. Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras will be happening in Sydney this month, meaning lots of parties and lots of fun in a city that is already pretty cool. Not to mention, it’s summer down under, meaning you’ll get all the warmth and sunshine we’re missing up North. Looking to quiet down after all the Mardi Gras-ing? Hit the beach, check out the Great Barrier Reef, or snuggle with kangaroos. Australia, we love you. Where will you be traveling to this February? Tell us in the comments!