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.

Oman - will definitely be pleasantly hot

Or possibly Seville (was very hot in October and around 20 at Christmas?)

Does Morocco have Zika concerns? I don’t think so? Never been but would quite like a nice fancy riad in Marrakech.

I’m due in May and in Abu Dhabi right now.

It’s hot and glorious - but expensive as fuck.

Go to Greece or Malta or someherte

I really wouldn't book anywhere now for this March, the coronavirus is spreading daily, and until another few weeks pass you will have no idea what other places don't have it. The airports are prime locations to catch it.
Honestly, I would book a nice spa weekend in Uk for next month. Then look at reviewing the situation later in year and taking a warm vacation with baby.

(That's pretty much what we are doing, Baby due May, looking to travel September if alls good)

Also now Corona is in Tenerife it could be anywhere, so yes, anywhere could be a risk for that.

Caribbean?

@Brefugee why unreasonable? It's in the OED?

we just came back from Cascais (near Lisbon) was lovely.

My friend went on a beautiful hot holiday - a baby moon with her first baby. She didn't really enjoy it due to being pregnant. She had a very straightforward pregnancy and usually loves the sun and heat so it really took her by surprise that she didn't really like it / found it hard.

I'm not saying don't do it, just thought you'd find my story useful as it points out there's no 100% guarantee you'll enjoy yourself. I hope that you do though and good luck with the rest of the pregnancy

I am in the Canaries now and the sandstorm was alot more dramatic on the news than in real life! Also, by the end of March especially, likely to get some good weather in South of mainland Spain.

Just make sure you have shit hot medical insurance (for the baby, not just you if you will e past 20 weeks) and enough funding to see you through a quarantine and then possible overland travel home if you are too late to fly.

I'd suggest southern Europe or one of the Greek islands.

Egypt!
I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant and heading there this weekend. It will be around 25/26 degrees and is only a 4.5hr flight. I've been keeping an eye out for any outbreaks, but all seems okay as of yet.
Makadi Bay is my recommendation of area - not too busy, very good hotels, 20 mins from the airport and 30 mins from the main tourist hub.
I'd also recommend going for a 5* as the cleanliness will be of a higher standard. The restrictions on eating/drinking are the same as typical holiday destinations (ie Spain, Portugal etc).

Caribbean? St Lucia is a 9 hour flight from London - bit further than you were saying but that is where I would choose if I could afford it!

“Africa has Zika and Malaria” is like saying “Europe has coronavirus”. It’s so generalising to categorise the whole continent like that and people only ever seem to do it to Africa.

South Africa is a wonderful place if your budget allows. No zika or malaria except a tiny area right up on the Mozambique border which you’d never go near. Nice weather in March too. Other options include Egypt, Morocco, Israel. Or accept it will be cold and try USA, Canada.

The real question is how risk averse are you? If you’re comfortable with flying then anywhere without coronavirus, malaria or zika is open to you. If you think that there is an infection risk just from flying, stay at home.

Zika has also had no outbreaks this year.

I’m 3rd trimester and just had my fit to fly letter signed for flying on Friday to Europe.
I would not be going to northern Italy or a Zika hotspot but other than that it should be ok.
Being pregnant the last thing I wanted was a hot holiday so glad our last chance to go anywhere is March.

@notalwaysaondoner - see my previous post about African destinations: "According to the WHO the only African territories which are Malaria-free are Lesotho, Algeria, Mauritius, and the Seychelles. Mauritius has Zika, Lesotho is landlocked, and Algeria is not really my chosen beach holiday destination. Seychelles has been suggested on here as a possibility."

Zika doesn't have "outbreaks". Very often there are no symptoms at all. If you get bitten by a Zika infected mozzy you won't know until you get back home and tested and by then it would be too late for your baby.

To be honest wherever you book will quite possibly have coronavirus by March. You could book Gran Canaria now.....currently free of it?

How about Cape Verde? Not as busy as other places so maybe less chance of an outbreak of anything?

Sorry @VivaLeBeaver - upthread it's already been confirmed that Cape Verde has Zika virus. Otherwise would have been absolutely perfect!

Cape Verde also doesnt have an onsite hospital which I would definitely avoid if pregnant

OP, where are you getting that information on African countries? I can’t find it.

Yes I think whatever happens it will have to be booked last minute so we can monitor things in the meantime

@Bedroom the World Health Organisation

Florida? Would definitely be warm although it might be slightly too far? Or somewhere else in the US southern states?

Cities in South Africa are malaria free.
Cape town and Durban have beaches, as do many other places.