If you’re pregnant, you likely can’t wait for the day when you finally get to hole up at home with your new baby — no visitors, no hospital staff, just your little fam. But if you’re a traveler, your lifelong wanderlust is likely still alive and well, baby-making be damned (especially if you spent the better part of your first trimester touring every toilet in town thanks to morning sickness.) So, are you ready for one last kid-free vacation? You bet you are.
Your first/last babymoon before kids is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you’ll want to make it one-of-a-kind too. That means a carefully crafted balance between adventure, romance and relaxation. But since the CDC still recommends that pregnant women steer clear of any areas that have been hit by Zika (see the global map here), you’ll want to consider the Zika-free parts of the United States, Europe, Africa and Australia for your mom-to-be getaway. Ahead, we’ve rounded up a few ideas to inspire your pre-baby travel booking in 2018.
Ojai, California
Far away from most parts of the Caribbean — where many Zika outbreaks have been reported — you can still soak up the sunshine in the appropriately nicknamed Golden State. Ojai is a mere 90 minutes from Los Angeles, but far enough away from the clamor (and, ahem, traffic) of the city to provide the escape your tired toes desire.
Consider staying at the Ojai Valley Inn, which overlooks the mountain range and offers views of epic sunsets nearly every night. The inn is situated on 220 acres of oak trees prime for exploring and also boasts a 31,000-square-foot spa, multiple pools and five dining options. When you book the inn’s babymoon package, not only will you enjoy daily breakfast for two, you’ll also get a 50-minute expectant mother massage and an indigo boxy backpack to stow away the millions of diapers you’ll soon need.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
An Italian babymoon is definitely one you and your partner won’t forget. Even if you can’t drink a whole bottle of vino yourself, you can still take in the sun-kissed, romantic charm of the coast with its scattered white rooftops on sharp hills and relaxing blue waters at every turn. Consider staying at the Monastero Santa Rosa, a 17th-century monastery that was renovated into a 20-room luxury boutique resort. Here, you can book a Rosa Romance package that includes a three-night stay with 360-degree views of the Mediterranean, an 80-minute signature candle massage treatment for two in a private spa suite, a romantic candlelit dinner for two in the poolside gardens (prepped by a Michelin-starred chef) and other surprises every night. Why not spend a little time (and, OK, cash) on your relationship before you become a trio?
QT Gold Coast, Australia
Making the trek to the other side of the world might be a long haul for mothers-to-be, but if your OB gives the stamp of approval, pack your bags and head south (way south) before your third trimester. Make your babymoon more about the Gold Coast of Australia, where beaches and hikes abound. Stay at the QT Gold Coast, which offers a travel shoot package that comes complete with a one-hour photo shoot — you can snap that “we’re expecting” Instagram announcement with quite the background. In addition to the candid session, the package also includes two nights in an oceanview room, perfect for sleeping in when baby kicks — or jet lag — keep you up at night. If you’re not up for exploring too much and want to keep it low-key, you can still enjoy the four on-site restaurants, from international cuisine to traditional izakaya (Japanese gastropub) dining.
Hermanus, South Africa
If you’re the adventurous type, consider whale-watching in Hermanus, South Africa. When you stay at Birkenhead House, you won’t have to worry about Zika — or really anything else. You can book a treatment at the house spa, pick mussels with the chef or set out to catch a glimpse of the ocean’s largest, most fascinating creature in Walker Bay. Perhaps the once-in-a-lifetime sighting might inspire your nursery decor.
Lausanne, Switzerland
Since you know sleepless nights, diaper blowouts and exhausting months await you, your babymoon should serve as the calm before the storm. Get pampered while also celebrating the impending growth of your family in the peaceful Lake Geneva region of Switzerland. When you stay at The Beau-Rivage Palace, you’ll enjoy the renowned spa, the 10 acres of private gardens to explore and Instagram-worthy views of the Swiss Alps. Don’t worry if your babymoon falls in the winter; two heated swimming pools make it possible for you to soak those swollen ankles year-round.
Cong, County Mayo, Ireland
Allow yourself to revel in a bucolic fantasy baby-free with a lush babymoon in the green meadows of Ireland. When you stay in County Mayo, you’ll have daily access to those infamous rolling hills, especially if you stay at Ashford Castle. Here, your package includes a daily full Irish breakfast, a candlelit five-course dinner, rose petal turndown service and an archery class. You can also catch a movie at the castle’s on-site cinema, play tennis with your partner, go cycling, meet the castle’s Irish wolfhounds or go for a hike nearby.
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