To think there are no destinations possible for our pre-baby holiday?

[SunnyMumm]

I'm pregnant and looking to book a babymoon in March as our last holiday as a couple without kids. We really want sunshine and hot / warm weather.

A lot of destinations have malaria or Zika, so are a no-go. We were starting to look at Tenerife as a possibility, (although its less certainty of hot weather) but this week they have had Coronavirus outbreak! (There was also a sandstorm which I presume was a rarity).

Can anyone suggest any other destinations for this trip? Preferably not a very long haul flight. I guess 8 hours from London airports would be tolerable.

I mean this as nicely as possible - get a grip. Within 8 hours you have an enormous variety of holiday destinations. Italy, spain, the canaries, Balearics, Africa, the list goes on

Nope. Stay put or go for a city break somewhere in the UK. Being pregnant in the heat is horrible anyway.

Portugal?

It's true.. you still have a fair few options within 8 hours!! As well as what poster above said: The Middle East, Cyprus, Portugal..

legal have you not been watching the news?
And I say this as someone who doesn't worry about catching coronavirus, but it is spreading and fast! Lots of places in lockdown. I probably wouldn't be booking something for march until this pans out.

Marrakech

@legalseagull did you actually read my post? You suggestions are daft. We are looking for hot weather in March and no Zika or Malaria. Italy has an ongoing outbreak of Corona virus at present, and it isn't even warm weather in March. Spain won't be particularly warm either. The Canaries I've mentioned already - coronavirus. Africa has Zika and Malaria. And saying "get a grip" isn't ever nice.

I've never heard of a sandstorm like that in the Canaries, but I presume they do happen with some regularity.

As for the corona outbreak, it's one hotel out of hundreds on a large island. It's like that because one guest out of the tens of thousands of tourists has tested positive.

That's not going to shut the Canaries down to tourism or make it any more risky than anywhere else you may go, near or far. If you leave your own house, you could come into contact with someone who has the virus.

I would still travel to the Canaries, which would be a good place for a March holiday. Likewise southern Spain, or if you're just wanting to laze around in an AI hotel, and want more chance of hot weather, Egypt.

Sorry but I wouldn't be getting on a plane when pregnant atm. Stuck for hours in a metal tube with people who could have been anywhere. Nope nope nope.

Thanks @Daftodil but we don't want to stay in the UK this time, and I like the sun.

Gran Canaria?
I think most of the Caribbean is a risk, i went to the Seychelles when pregnant but that's a longer flight than 8hrs.

I'm off to Lanzarote in March weather looking lovely and although not far from Tenerife no corona outbreaks as yet!

@BarbaraofSeville thank you - yes it's worth monitoring. Perhaps one of the other Canary islands could still be a good shout, but I think we had better book last minute so we can see how it all pans out.

The canaries will be hot, we went to lanzarote in December and got lovely tans and were swimming in the sea. I'd pick lanzarote over the others, it's a lot more chilled, nice restaurants, beautiful beaches, lovely villages etc.

I think Im afraid given the current situation you would be insane to book anywhere in March. You stand a high risk of losing money if it is cancelled or potentially being stranded somewhere if you get there.

Is sad as it would have been lovely

@chellochello that sounds good. I was a bit worried Lanzarote looks windy compared to Tenerife though? I really want to be warm / hot!

We have corona in the Uk though?

Spain is lovely in March - definitely warm, we're going to Barcelona in a few weeks, Portugal is even warmer. There are a huge number of options available within an 8hr flight from the entire continent of Europe to Northern Africa and Dubai and other middle eastern options. England has confirmed Coronavirus cases - have you left the country? Do you leave your house? No reason to avoid entire countries - Flu is more dangerous.

It depends which part of the island you are on - Teguise is know for being particularly breezy the Puerto Del Carmen area is much less windy

I've been to Carmen in April before and it was very warm and sunny

I was in the same predicament in October last year (minus the coronavirus) and found myself getting very frustrated that all the places I wanted to go had zika but we ended up going to Rhodes which was nice and hot. Not sure what the weather would be like in March but it may be worth a look.

Africa doesn’t have Zika and malaria. Some countries in Africa do. South Africa is a great destination but 12 hrs flight.

We went to Morocco when I was about 20 weeks pregnant, about this time of year actually.

Op have a look at Cape Verde, March temp approx 23-25 and a direct flight is about 6 hours.

I can't see the logic in overtly worrying about sand storms and Zika, but not worrying about the coronavirus aspect of travel when pregnant. I would only fo at the moment if you are confident you are happy to deal with potential border restrictions, self quarantine etc that could occur in a worst case scenario, and if money lost fr cancellations or time of work were a factor.

I'm not hugely anxious about it personally but still think unnecessary travel is part of the problem here. 'Babymoon' is a bit of a made up concept anyway, I'm sure plenty of holidays as a couple have been had, and you can have them again without any particular effort.

Dubai or Abu Dhabi?

I'm clearly in the minority because I thought Lanzarote was distinctly underwhelming. I'd vote Cyprus, but get insurance that covers coronavirus in case you are forced to cancel.