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10Best: February's Hottest Destinations
Stowe, Vt.
Stowe gets an average winter snowfall of 22 feet, earning it the nickname Ski Capital of the East. Skiers and boarders will find 40 miles of trails winding across 485 ski-able acres, all serviced by 13 lifts. Off the slopes, visitors have their choice of many other winter activities as well, including dog sledding, snowshoeing, sleigh riding and ice skating.
Photo courtesy of SPRUCE PEAK REALTY/jesseschloffphotography.com
Ft. Myers, Fla.
Sea, sun and highs in the mid 70s ... those are some pretty compelling reasons to hit the beaches of Ft. Myers and Sanibel Island this February. Plan your visit for the end of the month, and you might rub elbows with Minnesota Twins or Boston Red Sox players who head south to report for spring training just before march.
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Phoenix
Two words: Super Bowl. Even if you won't be watching the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks collide on the gridiron of University of Phoenix Stadium, you'll still enjoy blue skies and average highs in the upper 60s – perfect weather for golfing, hiking Camelback Mountain, shopping or gallery hopping in Phoenix.
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Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
High temperatures average in the 80s throughout the year in Punta Cana on the far eastern tip of the Dominican Republic, but February is the area's driest month when rainstorms are least likely to cut short your beach time. Some of the Caribbean's best golf, along with nearly any water sport imaginable, make it a popular winter escape for all sorts of travelers.
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Monterey, Calif.
February sees the world's best golfers tee off at one of the world's best golf courses during the annual AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (Feb.9-15). February is still low season in the area, so you'll find better room rates and fewer crowds, and it's also the season for spotting grey whales and dolphins along the coast. On those days when the weather doesn't cooperate, there's always the Monterey Bay Aquarium, voted one of the top 10 aquariums in the USA.
Photo courtesy of Merve Sarac
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Montreal
Montréal en Lumière, one of the largest winter festivals in the world, kicks off mid-month with a calendar packed with performing arts, free family activities and international gastronomy. While temperatures can be frigid this month, you can always keep warm beneath Downtown Montreal in the extensive shopping, dining and entertainment complex known as The Underground City.
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Portland
February in Portland means plenty of powder on nearby Mount Hood, chilly temperatures ideal for warming up with a cup of artisanal coffee or cocoa and discounted hotel room prices. February 2015 is extra special for Portland, thanks to the much-anticipated release of the film 50 Shades of Grey (Feb. 13). Many of the scenes occur in Portland, so all you romantics out there can head to the City of Roses to recreate the steamiest moments.
Photo courtesy of Vishnu Rajan
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Florianopolis, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro has the most famous Carnaval celebration, but the party that takes over the beach-lined island of Florianopolis gives it a run for its money. With well over 40 beaches around the island catering to just about every interest, you can party until sunrise one day and recuperate on a serene stretch of sand the next. Adrenaline junkies will find great waves for surfing, as well as paragliding, trekking and kite surfing on this mountainous island.
Photo courtesy of lucato
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Dallas
With National Margarita Day coming up on Feb. 22, this month is a great time to head to the city responsible for the frozen margarita: Dallas. Winter means low season in Dallas, so visitors during February can save big on hotel costs while enjoying the Tex-Mex, unique museums, quirky nightlife spots and upscale shopping that make the city famous.
Photo courtesy of JPphoto1992
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Paris
February means Valentine's Day, and Valentine's Day means romance. You'd be hard pressed to find a more famously romantic city to spend the weekend with that special someone than Paris. Sure, the city gets cold and a coat is a must, but the tradeoffs are slashed hotel prices, fewer tour buses and the excuse to snuggle up even closer with your love.
Photo courtesy of Ekaterina Krasnikova
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