6 Places to Plan a Babymoon Now
Enjoy a final hurrah as a twosome on a rejuvenating prenatal vacation.
For expectant parents itching to embark on a pre-baby getaway, a babymoon (or trip for soon-to-be moms and dads) can offer the perfect romantic escape, filled with plenty of relaxation, mouthwatering cuisine and indulgent spa treatments. But with the threat of Zika -- the mosquito-borne virus linked with microcephaly -- still looming, organizing a safe and comfortable trip before your baby debuts requires research to pick the right pregnancy-friendly locale. "Talk to your OB-GYN about whether it's safe to fly and travel warnings about Zika," cautions Karen Cicero, a contributing nutrition and travel editor for Parents Magazine. Also, make sure to check the CDC website for the latest updates and advisories. With that in mind, U.S. News pinpointed six ideal getaway ideas for a stress-free babymoon.
Laguna Beach, California
This laid-back Southern California town has several draws for expectant parents. "It's low-key, romantic and dotted with lots of independent shops and restaurants with fantastic ocean views," Cicero says. Plus, you can snag a variety of enticing prenatal packages. At the Montage Laguna Beach, for example, you can book a Spa Memories package that includes a $200 daily spa credit, a dining credit and accommodations in an oceanfront room. After unwinding with a rejuvenating massage, you can enjoy an indulgent meal or partake in some beachside relaxation at Laguna Beach. What's more, you can learn about arts and crafts at the annual Sawdust Art Festival, from late June through early September, Cicero adds.
Austin, Texas
The key formula for soon-to-be parents looking to kick back and catch up on R&R is picking a destination that's easily accessible, comfortable and filled with first-rate amenities, says Clara Sedlak, executive editor at travel site Jetsetter.com. She highlights the Lake Austin Spa Resort in the Texas Hill Country as a choice getaway, thanks to its award-winning spa, which offers a variety of treatments to boost circulation, including a customized mom-to-be massage with rose aromatherapy oils, which are said to help prevent stretch marks. What's more, you can enjoy excellent meals (think: avocado toast with an egg or blueberry cornmeal pancakes for breakfast and rigatoni with pistachio pesto and broccolini for dinner at the French-inspired on-site restaurant). Plus, the area offers a "very easy, safe getaway," Sedlak explains, making it an ideal choice. Note: There is a Zika advisory in certain parts of central Texas, so make sure to consult the CDC website for the latest updates before your trip.
Phoenix
With high-end hotels, lavish spas, flowing fairways, upscale shops along cacti-dotted boulevards and access to the great outdoors, Phoenix offers a tranquil retreat for parents-to-be. "It's Zika-free and warm in winter and spring," Cicero adds, highlighting the Arizona Biltmore and the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort as standout retreats with "pregnancy specific spa services." The Spa Biltmore, for instance, boasts prenatal massages and desert-inspired treatments (think: turquoise sage stone massages and a volcanic clay detoxifying body wrap). Sedlak also points to Sedona, Arizona, as an ideal desert escape for luxury seekers, with its top-notch spas and inspiring landscapes punctuated by the area's iconic red rocks.
Ogunquit, Maine
It's hard to match the idyllic setting of Cliff House Maine, a serene retreat located near Kennebunkport, which boasts classic New England-style accommodations, Cicero says. "This oceanfront resort offers a babymoon package that includes a welcome mocktail and a spa credit," she adds, noting that the 9,000-square-foot spa has a prenatal massage option for moms-to-be in their second or third trimester that's designed to help prevent stretch marks with hydrating passion flower, coconut oil and shea butter. If you're craving more activity after all the pampering, unwind in the outdoor heated infinity pool or partake in a yoga class.
The Catskills, New York
Easily accessible from popular destinations along the East Coast, the Graham & Co., a chic 20-room retreat in Phoenicia, a tiny hamlet in New York's Catskills, is a convenient retreat for urbanites, Sedlak says. The property, founded by four Brooklyn artists, has a distinctive Brooklyn vibe with complimentary bikes and rooms appointed with Tivoli radios and wood furniture. Visitors will also find a swimming pool, access to nearby hiking trails and the crowd-pleasing Phoenicia Diner. Plus, the property is an ideal home base for exploring nearby Woodstock. Best of all, rooms are reasonably priced, offering an enticing weekend getaway for expectant parents looking to catch up on quality R&R.
Kent, Connecticut
If you're pining for a quintessential New England retreat, head to the Inn at Kent Falls, Sedlak says. A charming bed-and-breakfast with a rich heritage, the inn offers an ideal romantic getaway, complete with relaxing walks, antiquing in Kent and even select suites outfitted with candlelit fireplaces and a clawfoot tub, Sedlak adds. What's more, the inn offers easy access to picturesque hiking trails that cross the Appalachian Trail, along with a variety of wellness packages, from private yoga sessions to in-suite massages. And you can always curl up with a good book at the inn's screened-in porch to enjoy some peace and serenity -- before your baby arrives.
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