10 idyllic and off-beat destinations for the perfect babymoon
Well if anyone ever had fears about travelling in pregnancy the Duchess of Sussex has put paid to that by jetting to the other side of the globe while being at least three months pregnant.
The truth is, travelling in pregnancy is for the most part absolutely fine. You want to avoid Zika, of course, that pesky little mosquito that buzzes around some of the most desirable holiday destinations.
Caribbean? No-go.
Indonesia? It’s out.
And you don’t want to be taking Malaria prophylactics either (which rules out much of Africa).
But if your doctor says you’re fit to travel, then now is the time to have one last romantic blow-out. Travel to a really un-child-friendly destination (Venetian bridges are not fun to traverse with a buggy and all that unfenced water is an accident waiting to happen …).
Choose an adult-only resort you won’t be able to set foot in for the next 20 years, or fly somewhere pricey that will seem prohibitively expensive once you have multiple airfares to buy. And this, by the way, is called a babymoon. Lacking inspiration? We’ve rounded up 10 of the less obvious places to consider a final fling to before the baby comes.
Sri Lanka
The only grey in a sea of purple in the map of the Zika virus issued by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Sri Lanka is the only country in the subcontinent that is virus free and also, rather handily, doesn’t have malaria either. So this is the place if you want your fix of cycling through paddy fields, whale spotting and curry-cooking. Country specialist Millis Potter have a 13-day itinerary, if you can’t be bothered to plan it all yourself. Otherwise head to the romantic, secluded hill-top Kahanda Kanda hotel.
Fraser Island, Queensland, Australia
Next week Meghan and Harry will visit Fraser Island, a World Heritage site that boasts unique geology. Explore the rainforest, revel in the 72 different colours of sand on the 75-mile beach and enjoy spotting dolphins, turtles and wallabies. Base yourself at the eco-resort Kingfisher Bay, whose jetty the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will land at on October 22.
Cyprus
If long-haul doesn’t appeal then Cyprus is one of the warmer places you can get to while remaining in Europe. OK so you won’t be sunbathing in December, but temperatures are still pleasantly around 17C. Prices are reasonable, so you can enjoy a luxury getaway without the guilt that you might be depriving your first-born of a Bugaboo. Base yourself at the refined Annabelle Hotel right on the beach and just minutes from the centre of Paphos for easy exploring. The Inspiring Travel Company have a great deal including 10 per cent off accommodation and free half board, starting at ￡505 per person for seven nights including flights.
Bahamas
Declared Zika-free in February, the Bahamas gives you that Caribbean climate with reduced risk. A stay at the newly opened Rosewood Baha Mar bags you a spot on the glorious white-sand cable beach at Nassau. It is the kind of place where you can call a butler to deliver your latest craving, or just because you’re feeling too lazy to run your own bath.
Marrakech
If you want a foreign destination that delivers well on exoticism but doesn’t take too long to get to then Marrakech should make your shortlist. Spice up your Instagram feed with the bright colours of El Fenn, the rambling Riyadh owned by Richard Branson’s sister Vanessa. Here you are just minutes from the main square and souks, so you’ll be spared any swollen ankles.
Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa
One of South Africa’s only malaria-free game reserves, Madikwe is a great place to see the big five before babies exclude safaris for a while (its advised not to bring children younger than 8). Take an overnight flight to Johannesburg and then a short internal flight in a bush airplane will take you into the heart of the reserve. Rhulani Safari lodge has a private watering hole that brings many animals to your doorstep.
Matera, Basilicata, Italy
Easyjet has introduced year-round flights from Gatwick to Bari in Puglia, opening up Southern Italy as a winter destination. Matera, which is an hour’s drive from the airport, is sprucing itself up to be Capital of Culture 2019. The ancient white stone city sits atop a labyrinth of caves. The luxurious hotel Sextantio Le Grotte Della Civita occupies what was once a cave church and 18 dwellings. This is a place to sing lullabies to your unborn child by candlelight. Prestige Holidays is offering 3-night stays in the Sextantio from ￡659 per person including flights and transfers.
Aarhus, Denmark
Easyjet launches a twice-weekly flight from London Gatwick to Aarhus on November 2. Denmark’s second largest city sits on the east coast of the Jutland peninsula and is good place top up your omega 3 with plenty of smoked salmon and herring sm?rrebr?d (open rye bread sandwiches) and fill those new baby wardrobes with lots of cute Scandi clothing. If you go before Christmas you can also experience the magical markets. Base yourself at the Villa Provence hotel, which eschews the traditional minimalism for romantic retro chic.
Seychelles
Another Zika-free island paradise option, the luxurious Four Seasons resort offers a tempting babymoon package that includes a pregnancy pillow, an endless supply of healthy snacks, a pool float and - most enticing - a mobile phone to give you uninterrupted access to the “cravings hotline”, so you can call for charcoal at any time of the day or night. The resort is built around picturesque Petite Anse Bay with safe swimming in its warm waters and dramatic sunsets directly overhead.
Oman
When choosing a hotel as a parent the last place on your list will be one on the edge of a canyon. So if you want to experience the magic of Oman’s fabled Green Mountain, then now’s the time to do it. At the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort you can enjoy gentle hikes in the Hajar Mountains, sunrise yoga and even painting classes. What’s more, it’s just a seven-hour flight from London and Zika-free. Emirates Holidays has an offer of ￡1,155 per person for a 5-night stay with a complimentary half-board upgrade and flights.
... and for a babymoon staycation
And if you are looking for something a little closer to home you could try Ashford Castle in Galway, Ireland; Gleneagles in Scotland or Limewood in the New Forest, which are the kind of places you won’t be venturing to with toddlers-in tow.