Last-minute family getaways for February half term

<p> If you've travelled France and Spain and are looking for an alternative European destination for February half-term, the island of Gozo in Malta offers mild weather, beautiful beaches and plenty of activities for families in search of unique adventures. Stay at a luxury farmhouse with an indoor-to-outdoor private pool, take in the local food and culture and take the kids out and about with climbing, kayaking and riding opportunities. <a href="http://www.offthemaptravel.co.uk/" target="_blank">Off The Map Travel</a> offers family holidays for four in Gozo from &pound;749 per person.</p>

<p> Looking for more than just skiing this February? Bad Hofgastein in Austria is an exclusive resort, where you can enjoy snowshoeing, winter hiking, ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides and tobogganing. The resort is part of Ski Amade, a network of 28 ski areas and towns, and it offers reliable snow conditions until late April. Stay at <a href="http://www.grandparkhotel.at/pauschalen-detailseiten-en-d42-school-holidays-special.html" target="_blank">The Grand Park Hotel</a>, which is offering seven nights for a family of three or four on a full-board basis for &euro;2,212, with children under 10 sharing their parents&rsquo; room. Offer valid from 2 to 23 February.</p>

<p> For a no-expense-spared holiday on an idyllic island, family-friendly Mauritius offers paradise beaches, brilliant adventures and five-star service. This half term, the Sanctuary Spa at The Residence Mauritius is unveiling a new range of treatments for all the family, including luxury body massages for children, Carita Haute Beaut&eacute; facials for teens, hair braiding and personal training sessions. For parents, there are aromatic and couples massages, plus a Carita Hair Spa. <a href="http://www.turquoiseholidays.co.uk/" target="_blank">Save &pound;750 per family</a> on a seven-night holiday for four on 15 February, costing &pound;6,249.</p>

<p> Take the kids to India to experience the hustle and bustle of Old Delhi, see the Taj Mahal at dawn, visit the pink city of Jaipur and search for tigers, leopards, crocodiles and deer on game drives in Ranthambore National Park. <a href="http://www.adventurecompany.co.uk/tours/tiger-trails-taj-mahal" target="_blank">The Adventure Company</a>'s 11-day Tiger Trails &amp; Taj Mahal family holiday includes hotel/park lodge accommodation, flights, breakfasts and five other meals, transport, a tour leader and park entry fees from &pound;1,396 for children and &pound;1,469 for adults. For children aged seven and up.</p>

<p> Christmas isn't the only time to visit Lapland - February is perfect for an Arctic family adventure. This half term, <a href="http://www.mightyfinecompany.com/" target="_blank">The Mighty Fine Company</a> is inviting families to the newly-opened Ranua Holiday Village in the Ranua Wildlife Park to experience the culture and striking scenery of the region. Activities include riding with huskies, zipping over the countryside on a snowmobile and watching the Northern Lights. You'll also visit Rovaniemi, where Santa Claus lives year-round, so the children can say 'thank you' for their Christmas presents. Four nights from &pound;1,098 per adult and &pound;758 per child, including flights.</p>

<p> Whether your children like scavenger hunts, hiking, mountain biking or ice skating, the Colorado Rockies have plenty to offer this February half term. At the Dunton Hot Springs resort, you can enjoy a family stay in a beautiful log cabin, nightly turn-downs with homemade cookies and milk, full-day hikes or snowshoeing, family scavenger hunts and spa treatments while in the stunning Rocky Mountains. From &pound;5,473 for a <a href="http://www.duntonhotsprings.com/packages/family-adventure.html" target="_blank">Family Adventure Package </a></p>

<p> With its reasonable prices, great beaches and reliable weather, the Algarve has always been a favourite half term destination, but have you ever thought of shunning the beaches for a horse riding holiday? <a href="http://www.equestrian-escapes.com/riding-holidays-Algarve/" target="_blank">Equestrian Escapes</a>' Algarve riding escapes include lessons and trail rides, day treks with beautiful views, stops in pretty villages and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. Holidays including full-board accommodation and all riding cost &pound;295 per person for three nights.</p>

<p> A stay at a beautiful ice hotel will really impress the kids, but if the icy boltholes of Sweden and Quebec are out of your budget, Romania has a brilliant alternative with plenty of activities in the Transylvanian Alps too. <a href="http://www.explore.co.uk/holidays/details/romania-ice-hotel-family-holiday" target="_blank">Explore</a>'s five-day Ice Hotel Adventure for families with children aged eight and above, includes a night's stay at an ice hotel. There is also a visit to the medieval town of Sibiu and the capital Bucharest. Departing on 20 February, the tour costs from &pound;693 per adult and &pound;668 per child, including flights, three nights&rsquo; hotel and one night&rsquo;s ice hotel accommodation.</p>

<p> Want to treat the kids to an African safari without the price tag? Take them to Alicante, where <a href="http://www.canopyandstars.co.uk/spain/valencia/alicante/casa-del-mundo" target="_blank">Casa del Mundo</a>'s two safari tents, Kenia and Zambia, boast African-themed decor to make them feel like they're staying in a real safari lodge. There are chunky wood walls, animal skin rugs and cushions, and although you won't find lions and elephants lurking outside your tent, there are great days on the beach and magnificent national parks to explore outside. &pound;441 for seven nights over half-term week (sleeps 5).</p>

<p> For affordable winter sun, southern Morocco offers year-round sunshine, heat and superb beaches for surfing. Trendy and laidback resort Paradis Plage in Taghazout has its own surf school, yoga classes and locally-sourced cuisine. It is located on the beach with stunning sea views that you can enjoy from the sand, bar or terrace. There is also an outdoor cinema to keep the teens happy! Save 30 per cent with <a href="http://www.lawrenceofmorocco.com/accommodation/paradis-plage" target="_blank">Lawrence of Morocco</a> this half term and pay &pound;595 per person for a family of four sharing a Junior Suite, including flights. Offer valid until 28 February.</p>

<p> You don't have to break the bank for a holiday abroad this half term. France is just a stone's throw away and still counts as being overseas even if you don't catch a plane. There are ample walking opportunities along the historic beaches of Normandy, brilliant nature hikes and it's a great place for bike rides. There is also a host of mazes, animal parks and 340 miles of greenways. <a href="http://www.poferries.com/" target="_blank">P&amp;O Ferries</a> is offering trips from Dover to Calais with a car and up to nine passengers from &pound;37 each way, and you can choose to travel for one day or up to five.</p>

<p> Ski holidays can be expensive - especially when you're taking the whole family, but this February <a href="http://www.belambra.co.uk/" target="_blank">Belambra</a> is offering 25 per cent off a seven-night break at its Les Bergers resort in the Northern French Alps, so a family of five can enjoy a fun-filled week of skiing for just &pound;163 per person. The resort is 100m from the ski lifts and schools, plus there are two beginner's areas and over 40 green slopes. And adventurous skiers can brave La Sarenne - the longest back run in the world at 16km. Guests at Les Bergers will receive 15 per cent off ski passes when they book their stay online.</p>