Thinking about visiting Europe in February? February is often overlooked as a great month to travel because it falls in between the holiday season and spring break and summer, but if you travel during this month you can enjoy benefits such as the reduced number of fellow travelers, and you can even save money as you’d be traveling during the off-season.
Here is a list of events that you can enjoy during your February trip to Europe:
Fête du Citron, Menton, France
This unique winter festival in the city of Menton was first proposed in 1875 when local hoteliers suggested an event to draw visitors to the area during the colder months. The ensuing festival turned into the Fête du Citron during the 1930’s. Menton is located along the French Riviera, near the Italian border, and the Mediterranean climate makes it an ideal place for citrus fruits to grow, especially lemons. Not only does the festival include incredible food, but you can witness some incredible sculptures and floats made from lemons and limes. Usually the festival picks a theme for the year – past themes have included Bollywood, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and the Tribulations of a Lemon in China.
Where to Stay:
Instead of Menton, we recommend you stay in Nice. For less than 40 minutes by train, you’ll have more options to explore the area once the festival is over. Some of the best hotels in the areas are Hotel de France, Best Western Plus Hôtel Massena Nice, and Apart’hotel Ajoupa.
Things to Do:
If you are in Menton and Nice, don’t miss out on the opportunity to explore! The tours such as Discovery tour of Italian Markets, Menton and la Turbie from Nice, Fun open-top car tour in the french riviera, and the Verdon Gorge group tour from Nice are some of the most popular things you can do while in the area.
Carnival of Venice, Italy
One of four carnivals on this list, the Carnival of Venice is perhaps one of the most well known. Carnivals are festivals that are held annually, and ends at the same time as Lent starts. The carnival of Venice in particular is well-known throughout the world for the elaborate beautiful masks that you can buy not only during the festival but throughout the year when you’re visiting Venice.
Where to Stay:
There are so many charming accommodations in Venice to stay in during the carnival, but they can also be very expensive. Some of our favorites are Hotel Concordia, Hotel Bucintoro, and H10 Palazzo Canova. These hotels are centrally located, have great reviews, and their prices are more reasonable.
Things to do:
While in Venice, a private gondola ride and dinner in Venice or Welcome to Venice: Walking Tour, St. Mark’s Basilica & Gondola Ride is a must! For those who love to cook the Fresh Pasta Private Cooking Class can be so much fun. But if you are not so much of a cook but you would like to still have some great Italian food experience, there is a Walking tour with Venice street food tasting that we think you might like.
Carnival of Binche, Belgium
Like the carnival of Venice, the carnival of fish takes place annually proceeding ash Wednesday. This carnival has taken place since the 1300s, and has been listed by UNESCO as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity. Although the carnival itself takes place in February there are several weeks of events that lead up to the major celebrations, including various performances. This carnival is known for the inclusion of clown-like performers who wear wax masks and vibrant attire. On the final day of the carnival these performers will all gather in the center of town to dance and ward off evil spirits.
Where to Stay:
Staying in Binche during the carnival might not be ideal. Not only it’s very crowded but Binche has limited accommodation options for you to choose from. Since Brussels is only about an hour by train, we recommend you stay there instead. The hotels such as Aris Grand Place Hotel or Hotel Hubert Grand Place are centrally located in the Brussels city center so you have easy access to the train stations and can explore Brussels and nearby towns in addition to the carnival.
Things to Do:
Besides the carnival, you definitely want to spend some of your time exploring Brussels and nearby towns. The Ghent and Bruges private tour from Brussels is one of our favorites. While Brussels is beautiful in its own right, Bruges and Ghent are unique and you don’t want to miss the opportunity to visit these gorgeous towns while in the area. While in Brussels, explore the main attractions on your own or check out the sightseeing tour. If you like sweets, you must try the Belgium waffle or even try to make your own with the waffle workshop.
Carnival of Nice, France
The Carnival of Nice is one of the biggest carnival events throughout the globe. Like the other carnival festivals mentioned here, this celebration has been an annual tradition for quite some time. Although the exact date of the first Carnival of Nice is unknown there are records that suggest that it has been occurring since before 1294. This event is a huge attraction for people all over the world and over 1 million visitors come to the region to celebrate. The Carnival of Nice also picks a specific theme each year – for example the proposed theme for 2020 was the king of fashion.
Where to Stay:
There are plenty of accommodations to choose from. Some of our favorite hotels located in the Nice city center are the Best Western Plus Hôtel Massena Nice and Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame.
Things to Do:
What we love about Nice is the fact that you have a variety of things to do regardless of the season. Some of the things you might enjoy during your visit in addition to the Carnival of Nice are such as the half-day e-bike vineyard tour with wine tasting from Nice, a small-group day trip to the Grand Canyon of Europe.
Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
The Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife experience is as close to a Rio de Janeiro Carnaval as you’ll be able to find in Europe. The Canary Islands come to life with all the music and colors of this legendary celebration. Revelers take to the streets and fill venus while floats, bands, and dance troops parade through the vibrant streets. While all the carnivals mentioned on this list are well-known and popular in their own right, the Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife is often considered the second most popular carnival after the Rio De Janeiro event. Like many other events listed here, this carnival picks a theme every year. Past examples include horror films, the depths of the sea, and magic.
Where to Stay:
We recommend Silken Atlántida Santa Cruz and Hotel Taburiente S.C.Tenerife.
Things to do:
The Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife last for many days with plenty of things to see and do. If you still finding yourself wandering for more, why not explore the beautiful island of Tenerife and see some of the best sceneries it has to offer with the Tenerife island tour.
Berlin International Film Festival, Germany
The Berlin International Film Festival occurs over the course of two weeks in February. This festival began in 1951 as a beacon of culture in a city largely cut off from the world due to the Cold War. About 400 works are shown each year. Whether you attend for the films, the glamorous atmosphere, or the bustling nightlife that occurs around the festival, you’ll find something that excites you here.
Where to Stay:
The hotels in the heart of Berlin such as Classik Hotel Alexander Plaza and Radisson Blu Hotel, Berlin are great choices. It’s within the walking distance of the city center and you have easy access to many of Berlin’s main attractions.
Things to Do:
Because Berlin International Film Festival occurs over the course of two weeks, you might wonder what else can you do to mix things up. The good news is that you are in Berlin, the capital of Germany! There is plenty of things to do here. If this is your first time visiting the city, definitely consider a guided tour such as the Explore Berlin: Top Attractions Walking Tour. With this tour, you get an insider’s look at Berlin, the capital and cultural centerpiece of Germany, and have an opportunity to visit some of Berlin’s most popular attractions — like the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag and Checkpoint Charlie — as well as a few lesser-known locations that you might miss when exploring on your own.
Germany is famous for its beer, so if you have time and want to learn all about innovative new Berlin brews, check out the Secret Beer Tours: Berlin w/ Private Tour Option. With this tour, you’ll get the chance to taste nine different beers, so you’ll come away with an in-depth knowledge of the varieties being produced in the German capital.
Vinterjazz, Denmark
Vinterjazz is a widespread jazz festival for three weeks during February. With a lineup featuring both Danish and international artists, this music festival offers an incredible amount of variety. In fact, over 450 musicians and groups perform in over 100 locations around the country! Some of the shows are free, and some are specifically organized for children making this truly an event that’s accessible for everyone.
Where to Stay:
Vinterjazz celebrates Jazz all over Denmark for three weeks, including in Copenhagen. If you are planning to attend this event in Copenhagen, then we recommend staying at Scandic Palace Hotel or the Hotel Danmark by Brøchner Hotels.
Things to Do:
In addition to the festival, if you have an extra day to spend we would like to recommend you check out the Grand Day Trip around Copenhagen. It’s an all-day tour but it’s worth the trip because you will have a chance to visit UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kronborg Castle and Renaissance-era Frederiksborg Castle. Plus, learn how the Vikings constructed their ships at the Viking Ship Museum and so much more.
Rainbow Ball, Austria
One of the most unique events to take place in Europe during February is Vienna’s Rainbow Ball. Balls are not a new phenomenon to Vienna, which is well known as Europe’s capitals of classical music. This, however, is no ordinary ball. The Rainbow Ball celebrates everything LGBTQA+. While still a formal event where attendees are meant to wear either tuxedos or gowns, the energy at this event is unmatched. The playlist contains a mix of tunes from the 20’s, the 40’s, and the 80’s that are all perfect for dancing.
Where to Stay:
The Boutique Hotel am Stephansplatz and Schlosshotel Römischer Kaiser are in excellent location.
Things to Do:
Vienna offers many great things to see and do. With Vienna Pass Including Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket you can see many attractions and save a lot on the entrance tickets.
If you have time for something different outside Vienna, you might like the Budapest Full-Day Trip From Vienna With Accommodation Pick-Up. What we like about this tour is the fact that you get a chance to enjoy the journey through scenic countryside to Hungary’s imperious capital, set on the River Danube, and view its must-see monuments and UNESCO-listed sights, including the Chain Bridge, Parliament, and medieval Buda district. You will also have some free time to shop, stroll and have lunch (own expense) before heading back to Vienna.
Snowattack, France
This festival is the embodiment of that ski trip you planned in college with your friends but never quite got around to. The slopes are open all day and are only interrupted by the occasional beer pong tournament or organized snowball fight (known here as snow dodgeball). When the sun goes down, the torches go up to keep the skiing and snowboarding going all night long. Music and parties run until dawn, or you can slow things down with some old fashioned ice skating if you’re looking for a break from all of the excitement.
La Festa di San Valentino, Italy
February is perhaps most famously associated with Valentine’s Day, and what better place to celebrate this holiday than in the place where St. Valentine himself was from. Celebrations for the holiday take place for the first two weeks culminating in a feast on the 14th.
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