Where to holiday when 19/20 weeks pregnant?

[Miffster]

We're trying to book a last minute chill-out summer holiday for me and DH before arrival of DC1 in December and before we have to move out of our flat(we have just found a buyer). Next year we may be moving abroad so this is a bit of a 'last hurrah' for us.

The last time we had a proper holiday was Aug 2008 and we went to Anatolia, Turkey, where we have been several times. This year I have found a particularly chilled out (and child-free) hotel to go to - but DH has just pointed out that the heat in July - typically 33 degrees - might be a bit too much for me (although I usually love heat). Also that food poisoning/dodgy tum abroad is something to consider and if we are in a small village it might be harder to get medical advice.

The hotel is a quiet hotel by a river and mountains, in a village with a few restaurants, (rather than a busy resort). There is a beach 10 mins away.

So I said, well, I'll ask mumsnet. They'll know. Any suggestions? Would you go to Turkey halfway through your pregnancy? Or somewhere else?

Neither of us want to drive, and we can't be faffed with ruins and culture - we're both shattered, and all we want to do is read books, swim, and laze about by a pool or on a beach, with the odd boat trip thrown in. In the evening we like to go to restaurants and eat fish and grilled meat.

Sorry long post!
*(also posted on Pregnancy board)

How about Portugal?

Malta isn't that bad for lounging in the sun, although I suppose you could achieve the same thing in Spain or Portugal with a much shorter flight.

Oh, also, the lakes in Italy north of Milan are really superb.

Was planning something similar before dd was born. Midwife put me off basically with remarks about food poisoning. We went to the Lake District instead! It was November and everyone thought we were mad, we had a week of perfect winter weather - blue blue skies, except for the last day when it snowed a little. I had that pregnancy extra energy and have never climbed so many mountains in a week.

Anyhoo, that's me. No beaches in the Lake District sadly...

I was in a similar situation, we went to Lake Garda Bloody gorgeous!

We went to Morocco. Was brilliant.

I am slightly on Morocco, because I (and most of the flight home, from 3 separate hotels - ours was 5 star!) got salmonella, despite being VERY careful, no ice in drinks, only bottled water, no salad, only ate in hotel etc etc. I tell you, that flight was a nightmare...

Went to the Cevennes when I was about 20 weeks. Drove all the way there and did loads of walking, mostly in quite hot weather. No probs!

The only hard thing was being in France and not daring to eat any soft cheese or pate. I did allow myself one glass of wine a day though and DD did not suffer foetal alcohol syndrome!

Hi Miffster

I was going to post an almost IDENTICAL post - so glad to read youre and head all the suggestions from Mumsnet so far....

We too are looking for a very relaxing holiday just lazing about. Not wanting culture, schedules or stress... I am due in January, and we are thinking of going last two weeks in August.

Options I have been considering are some of the larger Greek isles, the Algarve, I am even tempted by the idea of the Carribean (although that might be pie in the sky dreaming!)

Will be watching this thread for further mumsnet recommendations!

And wishing you a lovely holiday - maybe see you there? Will keep an eye out for english lady with a bump :D

we went to Vancouver when I was 18-20 weeks in my first pregnancy. It was great. Could you get a cheap deal to somewhere in Canada or the States? You'd get good weather and be guaranteed to find something decent to eat.

At about week 26 drove from Cheshire to Bandol on the south coast of France. Stayed in flat with its own swimming pool. 'Twas in 97 so no worries about dvt. Lay on balcony with a thick trashy novel or swam during the 2 weeks. Stayed an extra night drinking rose until 2am with keyholders and then drove all the way to Reims with only a short break.

Also, no foetal alcohol syndrome. Avoided pate, I think, and also brie-type cheese, but carried eating home-made mayo and ice cream - at 41 thought had built up enough natural resistance.

Btw, according to Patrick Rance, the cheese expert, Frenchwomen probably have a natural immunity to listeria which is why they can continue to each such foods during pregnancy, but in uk with a compromised immune system, it's not such a good idea.

I went to the Maldives for 17 days when i was 24 weeks pregnant. Perfect for Chilling out and lazing on the beaches.

I went to Egypt when 26 weeks pregnant for last child-free holiday - it was brilliant. Food safe and hotels clean in my experience.

Rhody - where were you in Egypt? I'm looking for somewhere for a week in September (will be c. 22 weeks) for a last holiday with DH, and thinking about Egypt. I'd probably like a minimal amount of culture/sights (pyramids or somewhere like Luxor) for a day or two, but then beach and snorkelling! Any tips gratefully received - it's always good to have a personal recommendation. Thanks!

I ended up booking Portugal, thanks fo rthat suggestion at 22/23 weeks so first two weeks of August. Algarve, in a pretty town called Tavira, booked in the hope that it would be slightly cooler and breezier than Turkey, and there would be pretty streets to wander through and nice fish restaurants if it got too hot to sit in the sun all day. We found a hotel that used to be a convent, so hopefully will be cool and quiet! I'll let you know how it goes!