There has been so much snow in December with forecasts for more in January; what will the UK’s usually snowy month of February have in store for us?  Embrace it or escape it, in February you could relax on a gorgeous sandy beach in Zanzibar, Tanzania or ski in the French Alps, enjoy a spa break in London or the culture and beaches of Thailand.

February brings with it the first school holidays since Christmas which for many will take place during the third week (week commencing 15 February 2010), and of course there is Valentine’s Day on Sunday 14th February which is actually the same day as the Chinese New Year; otherwise February is a relatively quiet month for travel!

The Indian Ocean islands of the Zanzibar archipelago off the coast of Tanzania in east Africa, are a real exotic get away holiday location. With two main islands, Unguja (known as Zanzibar) and Pemba, plus many smaller islands, tour the spice farms, visit the Jozani Forest, marvel at the colourful underwater life, relax on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches or join a group for an exciting safari.

The best time to holiday in Thailand, Southeast Asia, is between November and February as the temperatures are neither high nor low, day or night.  The most popular destinations to travel to in Thailand are Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. A cultural delight, Bangkok is sprinkled with around 400 beautiful Buddhist temples with The Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaeo complete with a treasure of Thai art and the Emerald Buddha. About 120 miles southeast of Bangkok is the sweeping beach resort of Pattaya with the main beach of Amphoe Bang Lamung stretching for three miles and offering extensive sporting and holiday facilities, shops, clubs, restaurants and cheap budget accommodation to luxury all inclusive hotels. The island of Phuket, the largest in Thailand, is joined to the mainland by a causeway and is around 800 miles south of Bangkok. Surrounded by the Andaman Sea, Phuket is encircled by palm fringed sandy beaches with views of the glorious clear sea or inland rolling hills.

Closer to home, how about a trip to the lovely Portuguese island of Madeira in the Atlantic? Fly directly into Funchal Airport and you will discover that there is a huge choice of brilliant hotels particularly in Madeira’s capital of Funchal, from the prestigious Reid’s Palace and luxurious Royal Savoy to delightful quintas (manor houses) to cheap apartments. Stroll along the levadas, explore the sub tropical gardens, museums and excellent shops, or take a cable car from Funchal to Monte.

Take a city break outside of Europe during January, and travel worldwide!  But where to go on your January city break? Cairo in Egypt may be a little chilly but it is midsummer in Cape Town on the south west coast of South Africa.

The driest time to visit Bangkok, capital of Thailand, is during our winter months. A shopping haven, Bangkok is a bustling cosmopolitan city oozing with cultural delights, top class hotels, brightly coloured markets, stunning temples and palaces, and a world renowned nightlife!

Hong Kong in January is the perfect time to explore for a city break as there is very little rain and no humidity, although the winter temperature is low at around 15C or 59F degrees. Explore some of the largest shopping malls in the World and fascinating markets in Hong Kong where your desire to “shop” will definitely be sated. Take your offering of fruit to the beautiful temples especially the Tin Hau Temple in Causeway Bay, ride in a junk from the harbour in Hong Kong to one of the fantastic sandy beaches and Hong Kong islands, jump onto a green tram and tour Hong Kong island, and if in the city on a Tuesday you’ll be able to visit many of the museums for free including the Hong Kong Heritage Museum.

January is summer time in South Africa, and whilst the country prepares for the 2010 World Cup, why not take advantage of the lull before the storm!  Cape Town is located on the coast between the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, and is overlooked by Table Mountain. Known as the Mother City, enjoy a Cape Town city break to explore the stunning Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the Cape of Good Hope Natural Reserve, the many art galleries and museums, or venture out to the wild and enjoy a day’s safari.

Rio in Brazil is also in the midst of the summer during January, which means it is the perfect time to relax on Copacabana Beach – especially if you arrive in Rio for New Years Eve!  Ipanema Beach is also full of life and Rio’s annual carnival due to take place in late February. Pay a visit to the Jardim Botanico or Botanical Gardens, take a helicopter tour of Rio or the cog-train from Cosme Velho station (sit on the right for the best views) up to the Christ of Corcovado, Rio’s well known icon and landmark overlooking the city.

There are many fabulous and exciting countries to visit for a New Year holiday worldwide.

Cheap holidays to Dominican Republic in the Caribbean are available at the moment (13 December) for one week departing from Gatwick on Wednesday 30th December with Thomson Holidays.  Stay in the four star plus all inclusive ClubHotel Riu Bambu in Bavaro, Punta Cana including coach transfers from £1393 per person.  Wake up on New Year’s morning to the beautiful sight of fourteen miles of white tropical beaches, and blow away the cobwebs of 2009 with games of water polo and volleyball, scuba diving lessons and windsurfing.

The beautiful Maldives and spectacular Seychelles in the Indian Ocean are extra special New Year holiday destinations. Kuoni Holidays have last minute offers for 7 nights from 28 December staying at the boutique five star Velassaru Hotel in the Maldives from £2263 per person, and Labriz Hotel in the Seychelles from £4401 per person.

Tropicalsky are offering holidays at the end of December to Le Meridien on the island of Phuket in Thailand, from £1209 per person for six nights and holidays to the Grand Mirage Resort and Thalasso Spa in Bali for 7 nights from £1439 per person.

If you are looking for a New Year Holiday for the family with lots of activities, a holiday in Orlando, Florida is always popular. Not only is there an extensive choice of accommodation in and around Orlando, but so much to keep the youngest to the oldest member of the family happy. Travel to the Orlando Theme Parks, Movie Studios and Orlando Shopping Malls and factory outlets for an exciting Florida holiday at New Year.  Holidayhypmarket have New Year package holidays available from £1193 per person for 7 nights, flying from Gatwick on 28 December and staying in a two star Resort hotel on room only basis.

There are lots of cheap winter deals available online.  Choose winter package holidays or make your own dynamic packages, putting together flights, transfers, car hire, accommodation and insurance.

Today (5th November), I found the following cheap and reduced deals online.

The Thomas Cook brand Airtours, is offering self catering holidays to Gran Canaria in the Spanish Canary Islands from £217 per person. For seven nights departing on Monday 23rd November, stay in the busy and popular seaside resort of Maspalomas in a studio with bath, shower, WC and balcony or terrace.

Airtours are also currently offering the four star Benalmadena Palace in the Costa del Sol for £123 per person for seven nights with flights from Manchester on Sunday 6th December staying in a self catering studio.

Thomson Holidays are also offering holidays to Gran Canaria from £125 per person flying either from Gatwick or Luton on 14 December, staying in a 3T self catering apartment for 7 nights. Depart Gatwick on 1st or 8th December and for just £132 per person based on four people sharing an apartment, you can travel to Malta for 7 or 14 nights.

Cosmos have last minute holidays to Kenya. Leave Gatwick on 23 November and for just £285.50 per person you could stay at the three star Reef Hotel in Nyali Beach for 7 nights on bed and breakfast basis.  Meals are included on the flight, but don’t forget you need a visa either purchased from the Kenyan High Commission or on arrival at Mombassa.

Travelling further afield, Virgin Holidays are also selling holidays at low cost prices.  Stock up on your winter wardrobe in New York with 3 nights staying at four star W New York costing just £649 per person for 3 nights departing on 14 December, a saving of £370 per person.  Ten nights in Thailand are going for £882 per person staying at the five star Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa in Pattaya, departing between 7 November and 4 December, a saving of £497 per person.

There are many excellent low cost and reduced priced hotel offers in the UK too.  Premier Inn are offering deals at over 500 hotels in the UK from just £29 per night as long as you book 21 days in advance, on selected days for two or more nights before end of January (check premierinn.com for full terms and conditions).  Best Western are offering saving of up to 50%, free nights and free wine, in separate offers around Christmas time, as well as last minute offers for the coming weekend.