Where and when to go on "babymoon"? (sorry if you hate that expression!)

[JessieMcJessie]

I'm 17 weeks, baby due end of August and we're planning a trip away but I'm a bit stumped for destinations. Obviously anywhere with Zika virus is out.

On timing I guess I can probably fly up to the first week of August but not sure if I'll feel too big by then to enjoy it (first baby so no idea, but have had a fairly trouble-free pregnancy so far).

Trip would be about 5 days long. We're based in the UK now but just moved back after 6 years in Hong Kong so have seen a lot of Asia. I quite fancy Venice as neither of us have been, but I also like swimming in warm water (beach or pool) and wonder if we could maybe have a couple of nights in Venice then move to a hotel on the coast?

Don't fancy North Africa or the Canaries (maybe Zika there anyway?). Anyone been to a Greek island recently and can recommend a resort or hotel?

Venice is beautiful in springtime but is smelly, hot, and very busy in summer.could you go there early June? Being very pregnant and hot does not feel great... Its a fantastic city though, and not that kid/toddler friendly (difficult for prams, lots of water they could jump into) so definitely go pre dc

When I was due mid-August, we went Santorini in mid-May. It was lovely and warm but not too hot. Very relaxing.

That's not my understanding of the word!

Mine neither. A babymoon is something you do with your baby when it's born.

Not that it matters, enjoy your trip OP.

That's not my understanding of the word!

^This^

I always though 'Babymoon' 'Familymoon' was taking a baby/children away with you on honeymoon?

Babymoon until very recently referred entirely to the post-natal cocooning at home with your newborn. And in many places it still does.

So you don't go anywhere for it.

But for a "last blast before the baby's here" holiday, going close to 36 weeks, pragmatically it'll have to be Europe (you're right on the cut off for flying, and unless you can afford lie-flat club class it's very likely you'll be too bulky).

Venice would be good (never struck me as a small child-friendly destination), but I think my choice would be Rome plus one of the Lidos on the coast near there.

Go somewhere or do something that will be impossible/difficult when baby is here
City breaks/ hotels and pools are pretty easy to do with a baby; long hiking trips / nature safaris/ wild camping, not so much. Make the most of it now!

Venice is beautiful but I would avoid a city break, especially June/July. It's likely to be hot and you won't fancy trekking round tourist sites on foot at 36 weeks pregnant.

Edit to say, just seen you're planning to go near 36 w... be prepared that you could go into labour at that point (important for insurance), and you might well be very physically uncomfortable already, with braxton hicks going on, trouble sleeping, walking etc.
Maybe better idea to go somewhere a bit earlier in pregnancy?

I have been to several of the Greek Islands - Rhodes, Zante, Crete but my favourite is Kos. It's got beautiful beaches and a picturesque harbour town. I would say travel late May as it gets quite hot from June onwards. Kefalonia and Santorini are perfect if you want a peaceful romantic getaway.

OP- I had 5 days in Mallorca (at around 5 months) and a weekend in a fab hotel lounging by pool in Marseilles (at around 6/7 months) , would definitely recommend anywhere with sun, a pool and lots of chill out/magazine/book reading time. If you went in June both above would be hot but not baking.

inFrance not sure I'd really want to be going on long hikes or "wild camping" when heavily pregnant?!

No I'm not planning to go at 36 weeks infrance , just mentioned that as last date I could fly. Wanted advice about when best to go ; can go any time between now and then.

There was a particularly warm bank holiday weekend in England when I was around 36 weeks and I have never been so miserable in the heat. I was extra warm during that pregnancy (and she's still always warm even now), and normally I love hot weather but oh my god it was horrible being huge and too hot. This was northern England too so not even that hot!

You may be better suited to the heat after time spent in Asia but I wouldn't want to spend money on a holiday and then not enjoy it. I'd probably go earlier, to avoid it being too hot and to avoid being too uncomfortable in general.

All my friends use "Babymoon" to mean last holiday as a couple before baby is born. That was my understanding, hence trying to use the shorthand in the title but it's a stupid word anyway so hope we don't get derailed by trying to define it.

We went to Cyprus for a week all inclusive when I was 24 weeks. Was lovely and relaxing. There are some gorgeous hotels in the Paphos area that are open this time of year, lots of interesting sights too. We really just wanted a week somewhere where we new the hotels were nice and if anything did happen, the hospitals/medical care would be good. The most annoying thing was the flight, 5 hours was too long to sit in regular economy seats, I wish we'd paid the little bit extra and booked the extra legroom!

Our priority was somewhere with good medical care, lots of people who speak English, very safe food/water. We wanted somewhere where we could do what is a typical holiday for us that will be difficult with kids - a cultural/historical trip - rather than a beach holiday which we could do with a baby/small child.

So, we're off to Germany in June - when hopefully I will be around 24 weeks.

Ooh great idea notinagreatplace - there are some lovely lakes and outdoor pool spa type places in Germany/Austria as well if you fancied some swimming Jessie

I would like to see Munich, but I am thinking it would be a travesty to go there and not drink beer! I love beer.

Thanks for the Greek island tips salsamad.

I think that I would also prefer cultural/historical but would love to combine that with pool lounging at the end of the day.

strawberry do you have any links to spa places in Germany or Austria?

Anyone been to Croatia?

I went on a Caribbean cruise at 17/18 weeks and it was the perfect, relaxing, pregnancy break. Lots of good food and some beautiful ports to explore. Long haul flight wasn't a problem at that stage either.

I got terrible SPD at about 28 weeks so I'm glad I didn't leave it too late because by that stage I was in agony and trying to sit on a plane would have been torture. I'd advise going sooner rather than later as you don't know how you'll feel in another month or two.

Not off the top of head but I will Facebook my German friend who was the one telling me about them :)

I'm going to Dubrovnik (well, an island off the coast of) to the same hotel we stayed at for our honeymoon. Very quiet, population about 300 people! 1 hour ferry trip to mainland. Flying out 28 weeks, flying back 29+2. Can't wait.

Cool thanks strawberry. Swimming in outdoor fresh water is one of my favourite things in the world.

Sadly Caribbean a no go due to Zika now Harlett.

I went to Russia and the snow did amazing things for my swollen feet!