February may be the shortest month of the year, but it’s the perfect time for photographers to explore less crowded destinations. With airfare and accommodation prices dropping, you can enjoy the Mexican Yucatan or the stunning landscapes of northern Vietnam at a fraction of summer prices. Closer to home in the Czech Republic, the beauty of Moravian rivers might surprise you. Or, you could discover the striking architectural contrasts of Katowice, Poland. So, where will your next trip take you?

In the first installment of our series, we showcased some interesting travel destinations for January. For February, I focused on places off the beaten path. 

For picture-perfect winter scenes, head to Québec, Canada. For the warmth of the scorching sun, explore the lush Mexican jungle. If modern architecture is your focus, Katowice, Poland offers striking lines and contrasts. For a completely different natural and cultural experience, northern Vietnam will leave you in awe. And finally, the trails along the three Moravian rivers reveal surprisingly diverse and beautiful natural scenery. 

Québec, Canada

If I had to recommend just one place to visit outside peak travel season, it would be the Canadian province of Québec, particularly the city of the same name. Often regarded as the most beautiful historic city in North America, Québec has earned its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

(palec) The historic downtown is bustling in summer, but you won’t find as many tourists in the bitter Canadian winter.  

You might feel a bit like you’re in France, since Québec was originally founded and built by the French. However, you’ll soon realize the difference as you take in the surroundings, especially the impressive St. Lawrence River, where large icebergs drift by in winter. 

You’ll be mistaken if you think Canadians are cooped up indoors during the cold, wind, and snow, leaving the streets empty. On the contrary, people here embrace winter to the fullest, and when snow covers the city, they take out their cross-country skis to get around town. 

Yucatán and the surroundings of Mexico’s capital

Cancún is well-known for its famous resorts and has many flight connections with Europe. But I’d consider it more of a necessary stop than a destination in itself. There are far better places on the Yucatán Peninsula, both for photography and relaxing on the beach. 

For the adventurous traveler, head inland to explore the Mayan ruins. Chichén Itzá, Copa, or Uxmal are the most famous. But the deeper you go, the more hidden gems you can discover. My personal favorite is the vast Calakmul archaeological site, tucked away deep in the Mexican jungle.

In addition to the Yucatán, Mexico City is worth a visit in February because its high altitude keeps the temperatures more manageable. The capital offers countless memorable moments and unique experiences. You just need to be mindful of where you go and know which neighborhoods are best to avoid. 

Alternatively, you can head to the mountains. Just a few dozen kilometers away, the massive, dormant Iztaccíhuatl volcano rises out of the hills. Right across the road from the still-active Popocatépetl, Iztaccíhuatl offers plenty of hiking trails.

Katowice, Poland

Katowice in the bleak, gray midwinter? For lovers of architecture, it may be a surprisingly good choice. Winter has its perks: the trees are bare and the city isn’t full of greenery. This helps the architecture take center stage, making buildings appear cleaner and more defined. 

Katowice has a charming 19^th-20^th century city center, with buildings primarily showcasing the historicist style. However, its architecture reflects a deeper history, including modernist influences. Buildings and statues from the modernist period are disappearing rapidly and may soon exist only in our photographs.

Perhaps an unconventional travel destination, Katowice offers many advantages for photographers, even those who don’t typically focus on architecture. A trip to Katowice can be seen as an exercise in architecture photography: discovering unique shapes around the city, experimenting with composition, geometry, and colors.  

Sa Pa and Hà Giang, Vietnam

You may be familiar with the Sapa market in Prague, but the original Sa Pa is a small, bustling town in Vietnam, surrounded by beautiful mountains and home to ethnic minorities such as the Hmong or Dao people. The local nature and culture offer incredible photography opportunities. 

February is far from peak tourist season in Sa Pu, which doesn’t begin until April. In February, you’ll experience relatively cold nights, occasional rain, and heavy fog. However, this creates a unique setting for photographing the rice fields.  

A great and less touristy alternative to Sa Pa is the Hà Giang region. It is located right on the border with China and its main attraction, aside from its rich heritage, is the stunning mountain scenery.

Oslava, Jihlava, and Rokytná river valleys, Czechia

Along the three Moravian rivers—the Oslava, Jihlava, and Rokytná—you can discover lesser-known, but incredibly beautiful places. The trails here wind through deep valleys and untamed forests, along the beautifully meandering rivers. While spring and fall are ideal for a visit, winter has its own charm.  

Additionally, there are many fascinating natural areas along all the rivers, such as the Mohelno steppe near the Jihlava River. If you visit on a good day, you can capture some striking photos of this nature reserve.