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?

Oh St Petersburg, there's a thought!

Jessie, my understanding of 'baby moon' is the same as yours. That's certainly the only sense I have ever heard it used in.

Could you do a Mediterranean cruise? Then you could hop off at ports to see sights, but still have the benefit of a pool and relaxing on the boat between ports.

We are going to Cyprus when I will be 30 weeks (booked before baby was conceived). Most places we phoned re travel insurance said they won't insure if you are over 32 weeks pregnant.

Amalii Coast!

We are off on the weekend after the Easter weekend.
Originally I had researched a 2 weeker in Jamaica but, no dh said it was too expensive.
Then I found a cheap 1 week in Majorca, self catering for about 250 each. No, can possibly leave the country when pregnant.
So we are now having a weekend in glamorous Newcastle.
On the plus side, I argued my case to take the train and not drive down as I always end up doing all the driving.

Good point about Zika but a shame that the Caribbean is off the list.

I was actually booked to go to Russia (Moscow and St Petersberg) before I discovered I was pregnant. I would have been 6 months gone when due to travel but I was advised against going there for a few reasons - healthcare being the main one, if it was needed. In the end I had to cancel for unrelated reasons.

I thought baby moon was the month you lie in with your baby after birth, like a honey moon is the month you lie in with your dh after the wedding.

I went to Paris with my dh when I was up the duff and it was really fun.

Then to Iceland also fun and Istanbul, also fun.

Have fun with your dh whatever you decide to do.

Viva, Mljet by any chance? If so, very jealous! Absolutely beautiful- those lakes!
OP, I've been to Dubrovnik and Mljet (the island nearby) and it's wonderful. I think Dubrovnik and Venice are very similar - bar the water element! You would be absolutely entranced by both, it's like stepping into a different world and like PP have said probably not places you would tackle with a pram so perfect before little one comes.
Congratulations and have a lovely break wherever you decide on

Oh and just seen your comment about swimming in outside water Jessie, so definitely look up Mljet. It's an national park with two huge lakes and you can find your spot around a lake and feel like the only people in the world, especially if you go out of season. Clear water, secluded, warm. Perfect

We went to Berlin before dd was born and there was beer - lots of beer! So don't rule out Munich. Every bar we went to had a good choice of alcohol free (well, a better choice than I've ever seen in the uk). I did nearly down a pint of full on 7% stuff though because dh "forgot" about the alcohol thing.

I was very anxious during my pregnancy with my DD (due to previous losses) but was desperate to get a holiday before she arrived. After thinking of how I'd feeling in various climates, with velarises lengths of flights, local food options etc, we opted for Mallorca and flunf this place: www.thomson.co.uk/destinations/europe/spain/majorca/sa-coma/hotels/protur-biomar-gran-hotel-and-spa.html?im_id=PPC&s_kwcid=AL!3093!3!69679506535!e!!g!!protur%20biomar%20gran%20hotel%20&%20spa&device=m&gclid=CMLs8tev1ssCFRITGwodCcEMfg
We LOVED it. The flight was short, the journey to the hotel from airport was smooth, there was plenty of shade, there was an adult only pool and there's this amazing hydrotherapy area and oh my word the food was amazing! (I find there's a big difference between 5 in the US and 5 in Europe, but this was really properly lovely - without being pretentious or making you feel you can't relax)
The rooms are super comfy and have a separate lounge area (in the evening I'd put the air con on, slabs settle down I front of the tv with s peppermint tea, a blanket and my DH and snuggle up!)
The beach is near by a X there's a few walk and there's a local bus into Palma and other towns if you want to go to see the sights (the caves del Drach are amazing)
Honestly, I can't recommend this place highly enlightened. I wish I could go back! (Will do once my DD is older)

We take a trip to Mykonos each year. We were there at 12 weeks and are planning our first holiday with our baby this year Love it! Something for everyone, very cosmopolitan. Transport is rubbish the island only has a small number of taxis so be sure to pick a hotel with a shuttle service or factor in car hire.

Our "baby moon" at 30 weeks was actually a trip to rural Oxfordshire. London based so getting out of the city was glorious.

Thanks everyone for all your gray suggestions and advice. We'll do some proper planning over Easter. Excited!

Gray= great

We went to Croatia for our honeymoon, which you asked about earlier. We went to the area of Istria and stayed on a small island off the town of Porec. Its now been completely overhauled to a 5 star resort and looks amazing. From porec you can also get a hovercraft for a day trip to Venice, which you said you'd like.

Oh thanks Sanch, that sounds just up our street.

Catastrophic no it's one of the smaller ones, Sipan. Really want to visit Mljet this time around though...such a beautiful area.

as others have said, babymoon usually means that loved up period of bonding with your new baby. Its not a holiday

as for a holiday, then I guess wherever you like where you trust the healthcare

Branleuse that may be your perception but I have never heard it used in that sense but it is commonly used in the media and in my social circle to mean a pre- baby holiday. I have already explained this- thanks for your staggeringly helpful contribution though.

Ouch. Really no need to snap back quite so viscously at Branleuse OP. C'mon it's a lovely subject - regardless if the correct etymology of the word. Let's just play nice.

JessieMcJessie - got some links from my German friend-

'This is near the Chitty- Chitty bang bang castle- very nice' www.hotelruebezahl.de/en/

'This is in Austria, by a lake, near Salzburg, can highly recommend the new spa & wellness area'
www.leopoldhof.at/

Brilliant, thanks so much Strawberry.