Babymoon Ideas that are Zika Free

ernormous

Hi Ladies.  I'm due June 8th, and am trying to figure out a place we can take a babymoon trip before this little guy gets here and turns thing upside down.  I feel like early March is the latest we should push it.  I think my first thought is the beach and sunshine.  Coming from NYC area, the Caribbean is the easiest, but Ive heard that the Bahamas and Grand Cayman (the two that were previously thought to be Zika Free) are now not 100% safe.  Not sure it's worth taking that chance if if it's still just "low risk".  Hawaii would be lovely of course but does seem a little far for having to get up every 45 min on a 12 hr flight.  Maybe Europe?- but could be really cold and wet.  Anyone else in this boat?  Any thoughts?   

chachacharrrmin

We decided to stay in the US - we are going to Sedona, Arizona. For us it was the perfect travel length (3 hours by plane) and would give us options to be adventurous (hiking, etc) or lazy (the place we are staying has a pool, spa, etc).

raemy12345

@ernormous
First off, fabulous name. 😂
I wish I was more familiar with warm areas on east coast! 
I had the same wants: warm, options for laziness OR adventure, not too far - Hawaii was a good choice because I’m in California, but I understand not wanting to take a 12 hour flight.
Is there Zika in Florida? If not, maybe a fabulous resort at a beach down there? I figure if you go somewhere closer maybe splurging on the hotel would be easier - something so fabulous and indulgent it fulfills all your needs! (Does this exist? Lol)
@wearyfuzzball
Sedona will be amazing, I’m sure.  It’s on my bucket list - looks gorgeous, amazing art scene, and a spiritual vortex of the world. Pretty cool — enjoy!

gta4334

Is Bermuda zika free? It's not as far south and would be an easy East Coast option. But I have no idea about Zika status there.

ernormous

Thank you all for feedback and idea!  gta4334- Bermuda is lovely i hear but in March it can still be pretty cool.  It's pretty far north still.  raemy12345- Florida is definitely something I've considering, but I guess i've just been there so many times, for both work and vacations, over the years that it just doesn't feel "special".... but maybe I just make myself get over that.  Sedona, is an interesting idea though.  
Thank you all!!

cricket1688

@ernormous oh no I didn’t realize the Bahamas and Caribbean were dealing with Zika, I thought they were safe. A gf of mine just babymooned there. I live in Florida and was planning on Bahamas but now I’ll have to look into it further

chrssyms

Here is a snapshot from the CDC website about places where Zika is currently active:

The bahamas last had an infection in February 2018. So it is deemed “safe,” but they are monitoring for future infections. 

The continental US is good to go. What about Miami, Naples or Key West? Those are a little more resort like. I think my husband and I are going to go to Naples. My parents have a house, so it’ll be a cheap vacation hah. 

Here is the link for the CDC site for more info: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information

ernormous

criket1688- I read it somewhere last night (about Bahamas and Cayman) not really being safe and now of course i cant find it.  I'll keep looking.  But i know one of the comments that resonated with me was- is it worth it even if it's just a 1% risk?  Im also a magnet for mosquitos wherever i go.  I will be somewhere and NO ONE else will have any bites and I will be covered.  So I cant help but worry that i would be the person that attracted the one infected bug on the island.

chrssyms

@ernormous I would recommend that if you are going to be nervous about it, it’s probably best to go some place where there isn’t even a small risk. That way you will rest and enjoy it thoroughly instead of being worried. 

tuxielove93

Just popping in to say that AZ is an AWESOMe choice. I live here (chosen transplant) and the spring is the best time here by far. Everything is blooming and so beautiful, and I have heard amazing things about Sedona (haven't gotten there myself yet). And we are definitely very low on the mosquito population. If I remember correctly, even when Zika did come to the US, it didn't hit AZ because we just don't have the population. And we may not have the ocean, but we have some truly spectacular lakes with lots of swimming and beaching options.

@wearyfuzzball I think you chose well, and I hope you enjoy it!  

antera23

What about California?? I LOVE San Diego. I went there in October and it was perfect. 

nmbrcrnchr1

Just throwing my 2 cents in on Sedona... I visited at the end of April a few years ago and it snowed! So yes, it is beautiful and definitely a place I would recommend, just be aware the weather in the spring can vary so if you are set on being in a warm location I’d stay in the lower elevations. 

battleangel

I always say California is beautiful. Carlsbad is gorgeous and right between LA and San Diego, and it’s usually not so bad temperature wise in March. 

DH and I were going to go up to Morro Bay for our babymoon/honeymoon/1st anniversary trip but that’s like a 3 hour drive from his parents and 4.5 from mine and it’ll likely be cold then. We may just wait til it warms up a little. 

chachacharrrmin

@nmbrcrnchr1 I was just thinking that when someone mentioned warmer climate. We definitely chose it for the adventurous environment and mild (usually) weather, not the summer weather. So I agree, anyone looking for beach-y weather should probably look elsewhere. 

@tuxielove93 If you have any recommendations, let me know! I know you've never been, but you probably know more people who have visited than I do 😂

amaren-2

I'm here to say Florida has some beautiful little resort towns that make you feel relaxed and forget you are in Florida. May be a little too cold in March ( you never know) but Amelia Island inin nor Florida is beautiful, it is my favorite place in the state. There are also some beautiful little resorts in the various keys. We did Islamorada for our honeymoon. St Augustine is also a really great place too, lots to do and still relaxing. We did that for my "babymoon" with my first.

antera23

I must be the odd one out but my idea of a baby moon is taking a vacation on my own, lol. But that’s the introverted side of me coming out. I want time to myself before I don’t get any more, lol. 

Dcwtada

We drove the coast in California from LA to San Fransico. It was beautiful and such a nice and relaxing trip. Did some touristy things in LA like studio tours and Hollywood boulevard, had a couple nights in Monterey Bay and ended with seeing the sights in San Fransico - it was perfect and a great mix of activities and relaxing. We also did Las Vegas once but I felt like I couldn’t enjoy most the things. 

Wanting to do Alaska this time, there is a train ride on the coast there and DH loves Alaska although I have never been. Most likely though we will just take the RV and do a couple weekends camping somewhere local with and without the kids which has been our baby moon default (Indiana dunes, standing stone, or different state parks). Our RV has a patio off the back and there is nothing I like more than hanging out and either enjoying nature or people watching depending on where we go. Definitely Zika-free here in the Midwest lol. 

canuckbaby

Come to canada. Your dollar is stronger here and there are beautiful places to visit!

AshleighDB

@canuckbaby I spent last week looking at US destinations for a quick trip but the dollar is killing me! Might end of taking a trip to Vancouver Island and checking out some of the ocean front spas which could be lovely as well 😊 I'm in Alberta so it will still be a nice reprieve from winter here. 

amaren-2

@canuckbaby I love Canada! We have been to Quebec City, Montreal and Niagara. It is all so beautiful. Next trip I want to do is Vancouver. 

Most Americans wonder why I would want to go to Canada over Europe or somewhere else, but the dollar being stronger and it is just really nice there.

canuckbaby

@amaren-2 gotta go to banff and see the rocky mountains.

@AshleighDB i am in edmonton so understand. We did 3 week trip late sept and early oct to europe and boston and nyc(actually found out in Boston we were pregnant) so no future trip in the works....

antera23

@canuckbaby I love Banff!!

pbtoast

We took a trip to CA when I was pregnant with DS. It was actually a Napa valley trip which totally sucked pregnant (I’m a huge wine lover), but we planned it before I got pregnant. BUT in general it was a fun trip and we also drove a bit along the coast and spent some time in SF. I’d go back as a babymoon but with less of a wine-centric itinerary. I don’t think we’ll be able to get away just the two of us this time, scheduling/childcare-wise, but we did go to Key Biscayne, Miami, and Key West in november and next month we are going to Tampa and West Palm Beach. I’ve been a little paranoid about our usual tropical destinations lately (more crime-wise than Zika but that’s a factor too), but I’d recommend Florida vacations. I was surprised how tropical and vacation-y it all felt. 

ernormous

I lived in CA for years, so it's not as exciting or appealing to me at the moment.  And FL, is another place I've been to a dozen times.  I guess i just wanted to something more special or unique.  Now Im actually thinking Italy!  Maybe Venice?  I feel like regardless of weather it would be pretty special.

chachacharrrmin

@enormous Italy is AMAZING! We've been to Venice, Florence, Rome and Amalfi Coast. Venice was by far my favorite, but Rome was a close second. The only thing I will say is that it is A LOT of walking. Speaking as a FTM, I don't know how comfortable I'd be with all of that walking later in my pregnancy.

cricket1688

@ernormous I was just in Italy in May, similar spots to @wearyfuzzball and it was amazing. I’m so jealous if you do that! Re walking if you do Amalfi it’s moatly relaxing but Rome you’ll walk a ton so it’s however comfortable you’ll feel. There are def some places that are more for touristing and some that are more for lounging. But the food omg

ki1244

@ernormous third-ing here, Italy is GORGEOUS. I'm the weirdo who thought Venice was absolutely foul, but loooooooooooved Rome and Florence. I actually did my study abroad in college just north of Venice, and have been helping DH plan our basketball team's foreign trip for this summer (that I'm IRATE I won't get to go on...they went to Spain in 2015 and I tagged along, and it was 10 days of five-star hotels and amazing meals and now they're doing that in Italy but I'll be home with a five-week-old...). But it will be a LOT of walking most of the historic places. If you did some sort of tour group in Tuscany it might be less (although it'll be super centered on wine...), or you could go hang in Positano or the Isle of Capri. Lake Como and the Milan area is super pretty too, although in March it may be a bit cool yet.

Now I want pasta.

tuxielove93

@ernormous Italy is AMAZING. I would not recommend trying to do it pregnant though. Seriously. SO MUCH WALKING. 

antera23

@ernormous. Venice is magical! We went in November and had to deal with some weather but overall it was gorgeous. About twice a year Venice floods and we were there during a flood! It was amazing. We bought rain boots and waded through water. It was the closest I will ever come to feeling like a mermaid 

AshleighDB

@canuckbaby I'm in Edmonton too! 😊 And all this snow coming down today has made me more eager than ever to book some kind of trip. 

011sammie017

Australia is Zika free and the weather is great this time of year in the southern cities...

ernormous

Is it really THAT rough to walk in 3rd trimester?  First pregnancy so Im so unaware of whats to come.  This would be earlish in the 3rd trimester... does that matter??

Bababatty

@ernormous As a FTM, I don’t really know, but I just watched a co-worker go through her pregnancy and she definitely slowed down A LOT toward the end of third tri. Maybe before, but it was super noticible later. That said, we had friends that traveled third tri, and the wife just had to take more naps than she would if not pregnant.

If you are traveling abroad in third tri, i’d run it by your OB first. We wanted to go to Paris, but because DH is a professor, we can’t go away until his spring break at the end of April, which is 31 weeks. She strongly discouraged us from leaving the country because if something medical happened, we’d be stuck abroad, possibly for weeks. And that would be very expensive. 

dntstpbelieveing

@ernormous I think it depends on your activity level. I think most people slow down a lot and need more breaks. Personally I have a long torso so with my son I did not grow outwards much because he had space up and down in my torso and the further along I got the harder it got to breathe regularly because he was pushing on everything.  depending on how far into third tri you are; the most active you are the more you MAY run into swelling. Unfortunately so much depends on you and can be different every pregnancy. 

ernormous

dntstpbelieveingBababatty .  My OB actually cleared me to travel internatioonally until 32 weeks, but it is still a good consideration.  And funny enough, i also have a very long torso, so Im hardly even showing at 19 weeks, so I wonder what it will be like.  But thanks for all this info to consider.  

tsa208

ernormous said:

Is it really THAT rough to walk in 3rd trimester?  First pregnancy so Im so unaware of whats to come.  This would be earlish in the 3rd trimester... does that matter??

@ernormous I took a babymoon to Europe (Paris and Barcelona) last pregnancy from 22-24 weeks. I was in pretty good shape- I walked everyday and did yoga regularly. At the beginning of the trip, I could walk quite a bit around the city, but by week 24, I was having to take serious breaks and my feet were swelling like crazy. Like I took my shoes off to ease the discomfort and then couldn't get them back on to finish the walk back to our place! You also can get these things called round ligament pains - the ligaments around your uterus get really stretched and randomly decide to hurt like hell when walking sometimes. Mine came randomly, and I'd have to rest until they felt better (10-20 minutes). But can't complain, a nice park bench in Europe while people watching wasn't so bad!

FWIW, I'm taking an extended family vacation to Europe again this April (so I'll be about 6 months pregnant) and I just plan to cab it more often or use the bike shares and be very careful about breaks and temper my expectations about how much I can do (build in nap times!). My FIL has a bad back so I don't think it will be that hard. We also were careful to book places right by transit/taxi to cut down on unnecessary walking.