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.

Tenerife now has coronavirus confirmed and one hotel in lockdown I believe...

One small part of South Africa (near the Mozambique border) has malaria. I’ve visited there and lived there without ever visiting the very small malarial area & never having to take anti malarials.

We did Lanzarote for a baby moon in May one year and it was our worst holiday ever. It was so windy and I was fed up, cold, and bored. We hired a car and did some driving to see the sights but that only took about 2 hours that said, we have friends who go to Lanzarote every year and love it 🤷‍♀️

I'd go for Gran Canaria, or stick with Tenerife if the outbreak doesn't get any worse. Tenerife is lovely

Tbh, you can panic about Tenerife having Coronavirus, but you are currently stuck on an island that also has it...

Lots of places that have been suggested. You might have to make some compromises in terms of holidaying in the UK, being less risk adverse, going somewhere cooler, or turning a blind eye to politics etc . Or you could go on a Cruise...

Canaries will be low 20s, as will the Costa del Sol and the Algarve. If that's warm enough I'd do one of those. Tenerife in my experience gets cloudy due to Mount Teide so I'd do Gran Canaria.

Did the OP ask the opinion of those who'd rather stay home when pregnant, because for some reason they keep popping up ...

Lots of great options as well though, and I hope you get something sorted.

@sunnymumm Morocco. 4 hour flight, nice and warm. No zika. Just booked agadir for May when I will be around 20 something weeks pregnant.

I would aim for somewhere with an advanced health care system and low incidence of corona virus. Who knows whether that will be possible in a few weeks time. But I would aim for Florida.

Yeah but @Hugtheduggee living in the UK its unlikely I'll be required to quarantine myself for 14 days, and even if I was it would be in my own home.

@Dieu

IMHO? Staycation. My parents flew to tenerife yesterday and now look. Its hideous.
We are looking at a global pandemic here. Dont expose yourself or your baby to unnecessary risk.

@Lucyabraham87 Snap! made the same suggestion up thread. We went to Marrakech/Essaouira when I was about 20 weeks pregnant. Think it’s a great option.

Also comparing being at home in the uk (where we have corona) with being overseas in a country that might get it while you are there is madness. You cant control who is on a plane,in an airport or in the same hotel. You can control everything at home within reason. I also agree re travel insurance and thinking about being able to get home should you be put in my parents position (they can't leave tenerife apparently and they aren't even in the same.hotel as Mr Italian)

As an aside some travel insurances are voided for pandemics.

There isn’t a Coronavirus outbreak in Tenerife - there is one Italian couple who have it and there hotel has been locked down until everyone is checked and the hotel is cleaned.
The sandstorm is the worst in over 20 years and many locals say it is the worst they have ever seen. It is highly unlikely to happen again for some time.

Anyway, there are other islands in the Canaries. Gran Canaria is my favourite and no reported incidents of Coronavirus yet.

Just got back from Lanzarote and the weather was lovely, about 25 but it hasn’t always been reliable for us in feb/March. What about Florida? That was 8 hours flight.

We often go to Canaries in March, the sand storms do happen but this does look a biggie. Always plenty of last minute options there, what about Cap Verde islands ? About an hour's flight further so similar weather.

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

There is a hospital on Sal. Someone at our hotel was taken to it by ambulance.

@zelbazinnamom lovely isn't it, I went when I was pregnant 3 years ago too

We did Lanzarote in March when I was 20 weeks. I wonder if it would be too cold for you. I was very happy with it but I don't like it too hot even when I'm not pregnant. I mainly worse jeans and tshirts. I would leave it as late as possible due to Corona.

Malta!

I don't know why some people are being such dicks on this thread. OP, I was searching for similar last year and Seychelles looked to be the best option although we didn't end up going in the end because of work. Spain / Canaries would have no way been warm enough for me. We've been to both in June and found it distinctly mild.

Just because those are the only countries in Africa without malaria doesn’t mean you can’t go to the ones with malaria and avoid the malaria areas. As I said, South Africa has it only in one tiny corner where you won’t go as a tourist. It’s like saying “I can’t go to Scotland because there’s a coronavirus outbreak in Italy.” Generalising like that is not helpful.

We are going to Morocco in April for exactly this reason - were going to Maldives before found out was pregnant. Other options long haul Mauritius and closer Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman

Oh yep and Seychelles.

@RollaCola84 and @Littlebluetruck this has been discussed many times on the thread. Cape Verde has Zika virus!