Plan your Babymoon: The definitive guide for a Babymoon

What is a babymoon?

Contrary to popular opinion, a babymoon does not involve a baby, unless you consider the fetus in the womb as a baby. The concept of babymoons is to give the future mom and dad the last vacation before the little bundle of joy arrives.

When Should You Go For A Babymoon?

A babymoon is the last opportunity for a couple to spend time alone together and also their last vacation with freedom. A baby is a big responsibility, and an even bigger responsibility is caring for it, so if you’re thinking of opting for a babymoon, go for it! Babymoons are typically taken in the second trimester after you’ve taken the 12-week scan and before it becomes inadvisable to fly.

What To Do On Your Babymoon?

You can do whatever your heart desires on your babymoon, do your research on babymoon ideas. You could travel or do a staycation. You could go in for a couple's massage, sleep in, go to the beach to relax or order room service. The possibilities are endless.

Is It Safe?

A valid concern raised by many expecting parents is whether taking a babymoon is safe for both the mother and child. Experts claim that late babymoon traveling is not as safe as it may seem. Couples are advised to be fully aware of the risks associated with traveling in the air up to week 32.

Premature delivery and complications can be nothing less than traumatic for you and your significant other. Experts advise that you should be fully aware and vigilant of the conditions and should avoid traveling internationally as international travels will rarely ever get covered by insurance. I would also recommend getting travel insurance for your local trips as well because well. Babymoons are risky.

How Do You Prepare For Your Babymoon?

The first step for preparing for your babymoon is to talk to your OB/Gyn and ask for your prenatal records so that in case anything horrible happens on the trip, the emergency GYN would have a detailed history of your condition and will be able to help you better.

The next step is packing for your babymoon, and you can buy babymoon packages. Remember that your comfort comes in first before anything else. Pack a couple of pairs of comfortable stockings, comfortable pajama sets, comfortable shoes that you can wear anywhere. Don’t forget to keep a reliable water bottle with you at all times because pregnant women need to stay hydrated.

The primary purpose of a babymoon is to be able to have some romantic time alone with your partner, so I would recommend throwing in a few cute dresses in for your fancy dates.

Popular Destinations For A Babymoon?

There are a lot of beautiful locations you can visit on your babymoon. However, I would recommend keeping your comfort and safety at the topmost priority. Choose a place that works best for your partner and you, but don’t travel too far away from home.

Mountains

You could go on a hiking trip on the hills, which can be great for you so that you can reconnect with mother nature and energize and fuel your soul. However, remember not to walk too much and to stay hydrated! Wherever you decide to hike, make sure that there is a proper clinic or hospital nearby.

Hiking isn’t the only thing you can do. You could also go for a sightseeing trip and stay at a hotel which is more relaxing and fun.

Beaches

No doubt beaches sound like a perfect babymoon destination. Beaches are known to be great places where you can ultimately relax and soak in the sun. You can lounge on the beachside with fruity drinks and get that pre-baby massage to help you soothe yourself.

Beaches also typically have some excellent restaurants around them as well, so when soaking and relaxing at those stunning white sand beaches get tiring, you can walk into a restaurant to have a beautiful dining experience.

For the nights, you could have a beach bonfire and relax listening to the waves crash against the shore sounds perfect right.

Weekend Getaway

If you can’t plan a great babymoon destination or babymoon location, a weekend getaway at a small city or resort is your best bet. If you manage to plan your getaway before a significant event like Christmas, then rest assured that the getaway will be fun for you. You and your partner can shop for yourself and your family and relax. In short, any time spent alone relaxing with your partner is going to be amazing anyway, no matter what you do.

Should I Bring My Toddler To My Babymoon?

There is no rule as such that restricts you from bringing your kids along to your babymoon getaway. Bringing your toddler with you will help you not be stressed as parents, and who knows it might turn out to be a wonderful babymoon vacation for all of you. One thing you will need to keep a note of is whether the places you’re planning to stay in, are family and toddler-friendly or not.

A bay moon with your entire family can give you all quality time to spend together and relax. Go for it!

What Places Should I Avoid For A Babymoon?

Avoid places where the Zika virus is circulating! For those of you who don’t know about the Zika virus. It’s a virus transferred by mosquitoes and is considered dangerous for pregnant women. About one in five people experience the usual Zika virus symptoms which are fever, rash, and muscle pains for up to 12 days after being bitten.

The Zika virus can be passed on from a pregnant woman to her fetus, and that virus can cause an infection, which can lead the fetus to be born with a congenital disability, and even worse, your child could get fetal brain defects too.

Be careful about the babymoon destination you choose, and keep yourself updated on the places where the Zika virus is circulating so that you can spend your babymoon Zika free!

Babymoons are a recent new trend, and I feel like if given a chance, one should opt for a babymoon vacation. The most important thing to remember is to relax! Enjoy your time with your partner!

10 places to visit before they disappear forever

There are a few places on Earth that may not be around in the next 100 years. It is sad, but true. Some of these places will be lost due to climate change, pollution, changes in the natural environment and changes in man made infrastructure. Science shows that these places will actually disappear for ever.

Below a list of places you have to visit in your Lifetime before they disappear forever.

1.   Dead Sea

The salty lake lies between Israel and Jordan and is 400 meters below sea level.  The tourist love to swim over the mineral-rich water. The tourist believes that water is beneficial for their health.

The water is draining up to 1 meter every year. Therefore, the time is near when the Dead Sea will be gone forever.

Plan a trip to The Dead Sea and enjoy the swim before it disappears forever.

2.   Belize Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef aligns the coast of Belize. It is very popular for snorkeling and diving and has a wide variety of sea life to experience. However, due to coral bleaching, a lot of coral life is dying. Some parts of the coral reef are finding hard to recover due to pollution and from hurricanes and natural disasters in the past.

In addition the rising temperature of the sea is wiping the world largest reef system. Which is killing the coral reef at an alarming rate.

There is no end time on when the Belize Barrier Reef will still be around (as ecosystems can still repair themselves), but try to plan a trip before it disappears.

3.   Maldives

Everyone wishes to enjoy the sunset in the Maldives. However, the reality is that the island is getting vulnerable to rising sea levels.

According to scientists, the island will be submerged in next the 100 years. So now is the best time to  visit Maldives and enjoy the sunshine.

4.   Taj Mahal

India’s famous Mughal building Taj Mahal is turning yellow. Air pollution is staining the white marble of Taj Mahal. The cleaners are using chemical-free scrub to restore 350-year old building. But the increasing air pollution still proves to be a challenge and still staining the building.

However, it is not too late to explore Taj Mahal. There is still a small window of opportunity to experience this wonderful piece of architecture in all its glory.

5.   The Great Wall of China

 The Great Wall of China is getting eroded brick by brick. The original wall was 2100 kilometers in length. Unfortunately, only 10 percent of the original wall is preserved.

Now is the time to visit the place before the wall is completely eroded.

6.   Cambodia

Cambodia is a place to visit before the land vanishes from your feet. The Cambodian government sold the natural resources to expand the landmass.

The sand industry has contaminated the villages and wildlife. It’s not too late to enjoy cheap food, parties and terrific temples like Angkor Wat in Cambodia.

7.   Venice

Italy floating city, Venice is gradually sinking into the Adriatic each year. The biggest risk of the town is flooding. A recent study states that the city will be fully underwater by 2100.

Pay a visit to the city before the city of canals turns into a real-life Atlantis.

8.   Great Pyramids of Giza

The Great pyramids of Giza might not survive in the 21st Century. The construction of restaurants, buildings and sand erosion are responsible for the gradual extinction of pyramids.

Visit the pyramids of Giza before they disappear or lose their original appearance.

9.   Patagonia

The second-largest ice field on the earth lies in Patagonia. The glaciers are melting due to global warming.

Make sure you visit before it’s too late.

10.   Vienna

The baroque architecture of Vienna is being slowly overtaken by rise of skyscrapers. The elegant and classic aesthetic of the city and the skyline is changing very rapidly.

If you want to still capture a sense of the Baroque age. Ensure you visit the historical city today to see the real beauty before it turns to any other artificial city.

11 Hacks To Travel Light

Travelling light gives you extra freedom and flexibility that you just don’t have with heavy luggage. You can move quickly through airports and train stations and it’s so much easier to take public transport with a small bag. You’ll save money by not having to check your bags in on a plane and you can keep your luggage close when you’re on trains and buses. You’re also less likely to lose things when you travel light because it’s easier to keep track of your belongings. Below are 11 Hacks To help you to Travel Light. Hope you enjoy them :-)

1. Carry a lightweight case

Use a small suitcase or backpack so you can’t possibly fit too much in it. Don’t be tempted to get a case that’s slightly too big because you will fill that space with unnecessary stuff.

2. Minimise toiletries

If you’re staying in a hotel you can guarantee you’ll be provided with shampoo and shower gel so leave these at home.

3. Pack just 2 pairs of shoes

Shoes can often be the bulkiest items in our bags so never travel with more than 2 pairs. Wear your bulkiest pair on the plane and an easy to carry pair in your bag.

4. Use packing cubes

Not only do they keep your bag organised but they help make the most of your space and stop you overpacking. I tend to travel with four packing cubes. One for tops, one for bottoms, one for underwear and one for evening clothes. Once each packing cube is full you can’t possibly squish anything else in so you’re forced into packing light whether you like it or not.

5. Wash your clothes while you are travelling

No matter where in the world you’re travelling, it doesn’t need to be expensive to get your clothes washed. Laundrettes and apartments with washing machines will become your best friend if you’re travelling for a few weeks or more.

6. Audio books

Instead of packing heavy books which you will end up finishing and carrying around with you even though they no longer have any use; download a few audio books on your phone or iPad in order to save space and weight.

7. Style properly

Pack clothes that are interchangeable. Ensure you are able to mix and match all pieces of clothing you bring. This is in order to be able to wear ALL clothing as often as you need. This will save you from bringing unnecessary clothing.

8. Dry laundry bar

If you have no access to a washing machine, by bringing a dry laundry bar, you are able to hand wash any pieces of clothing such as socks and underwear and maintain clean and fresh throughout your trip.

9. Roll Roll roll

Roll all your clothes up into burritos in order to save space. By doing this you will able to fit much more in your case that you would if you folded them normally. You will also be able to see everything you packed at a glance by stacking them next to each other, saving you time and frustration.

10. Limit those “just in case” items

We all like to bring items we MIGHT need on our trips, but most of the time will not end up using them. Try to limit those items in order to save space; if you really need an item such as an umbrella, you can always purchase it when you need it.

11. Bottoms at the bottom

Pack your trousers, shorts, etc at the bottom of your case as they are more bulky and can be squashed down by the rest of your items.

By Nicole Fernandez Medina