Italy is a wonderful place to visit. I have been to Europe three times and every time I return it's even better. The small towns in Italy are fantastic like Sienna and Assisi, but the big cities are fantastic as well, lots of history to explore. I've been to Paris, which was amazing. The French countryside and coast are also fantastic for relaxing. Biarritz is a great town. I have also been to Salzburg, Austria which was fantastic! I absolutely loved it because there is a lot of history and things to do that are within walking distance of hotels, etc. I also took a bus tour up to the mountain and Lake District which was gorgeous! Really you can't go wrong with smaller places in Europe if you want to relax or big cities if you want to explore.
Spain has been mentioned already, but it really is so wonderful. I've spent time in Barcelona, Madrid, and various small cities in between and everything from the atmosphere to the food was amazing. We stayed in the Barri Gotic in Barcelona (can't remember hotel name, but we were very close to La Rambla) and in central Madrid and were within easy walking distance of most of the sights.
You may want to reconsider Europe if you're conservative about diet -- for me a huge part of traveling in Spain, Italy, France, etc., is drinking the wine, eating the delicious local cheese (many of which are either unpasteurized or of dubious origin), and stuffing myself with divine cured meats....all things I wouldn't indulge in while pregnant. On the plus side, you'll be within arm's reach of a dozen gelato shops in almost any major city so you could live off that!
We recently just got back from Greece and it was amazing!!!(pssst The economic crisis also was fantastic for our budget...) Thailand is also a fantastic option, that is where we went on our honeymoon.
Spain has been mentioned already, but it really is so wonderful. I've spent time in Barcelona, Madrid, and various small cities in between and everything from the atmosphere to the food was amazing. We stayed in the Barri Gotic in Barcelona (can't remember hotel name, but we were very close to La Rambla) and in central Madrid and were within easy walking distance of most of the sights.
You may want to reconsider Europe if you're conservative about diet -- for me a huge part of traveling in Spain, Italy, France, etc., is drinking the wine, eating the delicious local cheese (many of which are either unpasteurized or of dubious origin), and stuffing myself with divine cured meats....all things I wouldn't indulge in while pregnant. On the plus side, you'll be within arm's reach of a dozen gelato shops in almost any major city so you could live off that!
Actually, this is a pretty good point about the food… If you are very particular about your diet, you may not want to be around tons of unpasteurized cheeses and wine and curated meat. However, I would not be concerned about it whatsoever… Especially in Italy. As she said, you could live off of the gelato alone. There is a limitless amount of fresh vegetables, meats, homemade pasta is particularly in Italy of course, and if you are on the Italian coast or even the French coast, you will find so much fresh fish and shellfish. I wouldn't be concerned whatsoever with the food. There is more than you can eat and you will never run out of options if you are on the Almafi Coast. You can just skip the prosciutto but if you want to be really cautious then you can skip the homemade buffalo mozzarella. However, pregnant women eat it there all the time… Not that I'm saying that you should! Just saying it's very fresh. And alcohol should not be a problem whatsoever. I don't drink at all, it's not moral or ethical, I just don't like it. I've lived in Europe for many years and never had a problem skipping the alcohol. I would not skip Europe because of a fear about not having enough food. I would be much more concerned about the other destinations that are mentioned. Particularly those in the far east and the Caribbean. Mexico would be a legitimate nightmare if you didn't eat at the right places. The food in the Caribbean is not always as fresh and most has to be shipped in (obviously depending upon what you are ordering.)
Point is, I just wouldn't worry about the food. As long as you're staying somewhere nice, and you eat at good restaurants, you will be fine. And never drink from the tap. That's anywhere you go.
Biarritz is actually a beautiful city and they have phenomenal fireworks displays during the summer. I think it's too filled with wine bars and I wouldn't personally do it if we are talking "Sky is the limit." I would consider a trip there on a different time though.
-Sardinia I forgot to put this on my list. If you can afford it, definitely consider it! You will not be let down and it is also extraordinarily luxurious.
-Private Yacht Charter - okay I'm going to throw this one on here also. We have to consider it if we are talking about luxurious vacations. Is it going to cost you an arm and a leg? Absolutely! There's no doubt about it, this is a definite option if you want pure luxury. However, if you're going just you and your DH, you will likely be paying for space that you will not be needing and if you choose to cruise the Mediterranean and you need to know that the docks book up early for the seasons. Petrol or as we like to call gasoline will cost you another fortune. ****However, if you choose to cruise the Caribbean during the summer you can avoid hurricane areas and do not have to worry about docking prices because it is not the season there.
Lol, man I wish I had seen that before we went to Wales, we wouldn't have been so lost on what to do then, that cave looks awesome! We did Cardiff and it was funny because even when we asked the locals what to do other than the castle they were like ummm, why did you come to Wales? We just like to chill and drink tea, or go to the Glee club (comedy club). My husband is under the impression that he climbed and conquered a castle out in the woods there....(it was a 3 story high tower, not a castle, but shhh don't tell him because he tells everyone he climbed a castle lol). Anyway, it would have been great to know about the places in that post before hand. Sorry for thinking Wales was kinda boring, but I also thought Australia was too so I may not be the best judge of character lol! Or obviously just went to the wrong places.
Haha the underground caves are amazing there are quiet a few dotted around too, most of the places in the link are mostly in north wales sounds like you stayed south. I loved reading your comment though, you are so lucky to have visited so many amazing places.
We went to Le Blanc Resort and Spa for our honeymoon and it was the most relaxing and romantic place I've ever been to. All white decor with aromatherapy and calming music played at all times throughout the resort. There is one staff member per guest so you never have to lift a finger, not even to put a towel under your head. This would be the perfect babymoon except it was all inclusive with top-shelf, hand-squeezed drinks (like when they make a peach daiquiri, they actually squeeze a fresh peach into it!) I def want to wait to go back until I can indulge again!
This is a belated thank you to every single one of you for such brilliant and inspiring replies (and sorry that I went MIA - was on a huge deadline with a project) but was reminded by @groovylocks post on baby moons.
This thread above is getting printed and tacked right above my desk for quick reference so I can always keep my priorities straight when I get bogged down in the future
@erikaalzet asked for an update when I (finally) booked our babymoon, but I'll preface by saying that, since we're currently London-based I'll be saving all those gorgeous Caribbean and Mexican getaways for the coming years when we'll be based in nyc each winter (non-hurricane season!).
I'm dying to get to Thailand but want to do it when I have my usual energy for endless exploring off the beaten track. @kyleneum13 you are so fortunate for your experience! Also, my BIL just signed on to a new project in Jakarta, so looks like Bali (or perhaps a less touristy version of it?) is slated for the not too distant future.
For this trip we're scrapping all those miles and sticking with the Med and a familiar routine. I've chartered a sailing yacht for a couple weeks to sail the north (quiet!) part of the dalmatian coast. Haven't been to Croatia but we had the same boat for past trips with another couple to the Aeolians, Baleriacs, Ionians and the cyclades and once @BostonBaby21 mentioned it, it really is the best way to be able to relax during high season.
You can skip the ports if they're too crazy and just anchor overnight in a little harbour and watch the sunset with my TINY thimble of wine...
Most importantly its a 58' so plenty of room to bring all of your hilarious selves with me. Clear your schedules for end of August!
Re: What's your dream vacation/great honeymoon experience?
Point is, I just wouldn't worry about the food. As long as you're staying somewhere nice, and you eat at good restaurants, you will be fine. And never drink from the tap. That's anywhere you go.
Biarritz is actually a beautiful city and they have phenomenal fireworks displays during the summer. I think it's too filled with wine bars and I wouldn't personally do it if we are talking "Sky is the limit." I would consider a trip there on a different time though.
-Sardinia I forgot to put this on my list. If you can afford it, definitely consider it! You will not be let down and it is also extraordinarily luxurious.
-Private Yacht Charter - okay I'm going to throw this one on here also. We have to consider it if we are talking about luxurious vacations. Is it going to cost you an arm and a leg? Absolutely! There's no doubt about it, this is a definite option if you want pure luxury. However, if you're going just you and your DH, you will likely be paying for space that you will not be needing and if you choose to cruise the Mediterranean and you need to know that the docks book up early for the seasons. Petrol or as we like to call gasoline will cost you another fortune. ****However, if you choose to cruise the Caribbean during the summer you can avoid hurricane areas and do not have to worry about docking prices because it is not the season there.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/jamiejones/reasons-you-should-never-visit-wales
This is a belated thank you to every single one of you for such brilliant and inspiring replies (and sorry that I went MIA - was on a huge deadline with a project) but was reminded by @groovylocks post on baby moons.
This thread above is getting printed and tacked right above my desk for quick reference so I can always keep my priorities straight when I get bogged down in the future
@erikaalzet asked for an update when I (finally) booked our babymoon, but I'll preface by saying that, since we're currently London-based I'll be saving all those gorgeous Caribbean and Mexican getaways for the coming years when we'll be based in nyc each winter (non-hurricane season!).
I'm dying to get to Thailand but want to do it when I have my usual energy for endless exploring off the beaten track. @kyleneum13 you are so fortunate for your experience! Also, my BIL just signed on to a new project in Jakarta, so looks like Bali (or perhaps a less touristy version of it?) is slated for the not too distant future.
For this trip we're scrapping all those miles and sticking with the Med and a familiar routine. I've chartered a sailing yacht for a couple weeks to sail the north (quiet!) part of the dalmatian coast. Haven't been to Croatia but we had the same boat for past trips with another couple to the Aeolians, Baleriacs, Ionians and the cyclades and once @BostonBaby21 mentioned it, it really is the best way to be able to relax during high season.
You can skip the ports if they're too crazy and just anchor overnight in a little harbour and watch the sunset with my TINY thimble of wine...
Most importantly its a 58' so plenty of room to bring all of your hilarious selves with me. Clear your schedules for end of August!
Here we are...
If you want romance, the Amalfi Coast in Italy is where you need to be.