21 Couples, 21 Babymoons, 21 Reasons to Book One Now
If there’s one thing you should do before Birth Day, it’s sleep! But if there’s a second thing to add to your must-do list, it’s taking a trip with your partner to get away from it all—a babymoon, if you will. After all, it’ll only be the two of you for a few more moments, and you’ll want to cement some precious memories before baby swoops in and steals away the romance (at least for a little while).
Some couples go big when it comes to the babymoon, crossing a major trip off their bucket list. Others stick to tried-and-true or close to home, because packing up a pregnant belly can be daunting for sure. Whether you’re all about the jet set or want to indulge in the ultimate not-too-far-away weekend getaway, pack your bags and book your hotel, because we’ve got some inspiration for you. These 21 couples shared their best babymoon tricks and tips to help you plot your escape.
Our best tip (and a common thread below)? Capture your adventures on camera! Booking a professional photo session through a service like Flytographer, which connects clients with photographers around the world, may be well worth the investment. For proof, check out the gorgeous images accompanying each story, many of which were snapped by Flyotographer pros! After all, a stunning backdrop upgrades any maternity shoot—as does the glow of two very happy travelers.
The couple: Matthew and Amanda
The destination: Charleston, South Carolina (in winter)
The timing: 24 weeks pregnant
The trip: “With baby #3 on the way, we knew we needed a weekend to rest and relax. We chose Charleston for the perfect mix of food, culture, beaches and warmth in February. It was absolutely perfect! Our weekend was filled with grits, plantation walks, carriage rides and relaxing on the beach.”
The tip: “Make sure to pack the things that will make you comfortable. I packed my support belt so I could walk without discomfort and my maternity pillow so I could sleep soundly.”
The couple: Scott and Wendy
The destination: Ibiza (in spring)
The timing: 31 weeks pregnant
The trip: “We chose Portinatx in the North of Ibiza for our weekend babymoon. The beautiful scenery and tranquil beaches gave us the perfect place to connect with one another and take some time out from the stresses at home. I honestly felt relaxed and happy and ready for the new addition to our family. Even a short break can make a difference!”
The tip: “Choose a destination where everything is on your doorstep to make the most of leisurely strolls for dinner or ice cream, or to feel the sand between your toes. And don’t forget high factor sunscreen! That belly is a whole lot closer to the sun than it used to be!”
The couple: Justin and Carla
The destination: London, Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome (in spring)
The timing: 20 weeks pregnant
The trip: “It was all very surreal, seeing yourself in all the places you’ve only seen in pictures, TV or daydreams. My favorite was Venice!”
The tip: “I would recommend bringing comfy shoes and packing light. Just bring a carry-on if possible. Europe is a lot of walking and everything has stairs. Trying to walk with big luggage when traveling from country to country can be difficult. Also: take it easy! You’re growing a baby!”
The couple: Leah and Dustin
The destination: Galveston Island, Texas (in summer)
The timing: 30 weeks pregnant
The trip: “Beautiful Galveston Island is just an hour’s drive from where we live in Houston. It was perfect. We stayed in a gorgeous beach house and enjoyed having breakfast at ‘home’ and just spending time together in the mornings. During the day, we explored the island’s attractions, including shopping in the historic downtown, and having a date at the amusement park. We didn’t ride the rides but had fun playing games. We enjoyed a spa day, and I booked a prenatal ‘mommy-to-be’ massage. We enjoyed dining throughout the island, but the best part was being able to retreat to our beach house for sunset walks along the beach.”
The tip: “Choose a destination close to home—either a quick drive or quick flight—and easily walkable, with plenty of food options. You want to get out and explore but not tire yourself out. I got quite hungry while we were exploring and it was nice have places to stop and grab a bite.
The couple: Christine and Brian
The destination: Maui, Hawaii (in spring)
The timing: 28 weeks pregnant
The trip: “I really wanted to travel in my second trimester but it didn’t work out that way. I was a little hotter than normal and a bit more tired, but I made the most of it on our trip by getting in the water all the time and taking naps whenever I felt like it. I’m not kidding: My second day in Maui, I slept for 12 hours. I paced myself with activities and had an incredible time. I’m all about relaxing and I love adventure, and I think I gave myself a really happy medium with this trip.”
The tip: “It’s your last vacation before baby arrives, so do what you want to do. If you want to nap for seven days straight, go for it. If you want to see everything and do everything, plan it out and do it! And if you’re traveling far, make sure you’re comfy. Take frequent stops (hello, bladder!), stretch, get up and move, and if you’re on an airplane, pick a seat near the bathroom. Bring a pillow for your back.”
The couple: Kaitlyn and Zack
The destination: Amsterdam, Athens, Santorini, Nafplio, and Paris (in summer)
The timing: 17 weeks pregnant
The trip: “I had never thought of having an international babymoon until my boss suggested I come photograph her wedding in Greece. At 17 weeks, I was finally out of my sluggish first trimester, and the thought of exploring someplace new excited me. The babymoon made me feel like a new person. The stress and anxiety melted away and I was able to enjoy being pregnant. Experiencing all those new things being pregnant added a new layer of excitement. She would kick at the new foods I tried, do somersaults as I swam in the Aegean Sea, give me flutters as I stood beneath the Eiffel Tower. And our babymoon had a huge impact on our marriage. Having a baby is such a big life change that consumes your thoughts, but while on our babymoon, we were able to stop and enjoy this experience together.”
The tip: “Go a little early in your pregnancy. It was important to me to comfortably fly, walk and sleep. The second trimester was perfect because of my belly size and the sickness had finally passed. And take a lot of photos. I look back on our photos and it brings back all of the amazing emotions.”
The couple: Dileiny and Todd
The destination: Los Angeles, California (in spring)
The timing: 20 weeks pregnant
The trip: “The entire trip was planned around my pregnancy; we rented a car so anything was accessible. We picked a place based on the weather, and food options were also a factor. LA was awesome because of all the organic and healthy food choices. We wanted to make sure there were plenty of healthy options, but if I had a sweet craving, I could easily satisfy that too.”
The tip: “Pack your most comfortable clothes and walking shoes!”
The couple: Victoria and Ian
The destination: Seacrest Beach, Florida (in fall)
The timing: 28 weeks pregnant
The trip: “We decided to go to the beach for our babymoon, because we both knew that the next few months of our lives were going to be so hectic that we needed to slow down a bit. We splurged on nicer restaurants and stayed up way past our normal bedtime. There were lots of cute shops, restaurants and places to go have a cup of coffee together.”
The tip: “Soak up every single minute you can with each other, because I had no idea how hard it would be to get that time after the baby. And make sure to splurge on yourself a little. It will be harder to do those things after. Go to the spa, dine at nice restaurants and stay out way too late with the one you love.”
The couple: Morgan and Jesse
The destination: New York City (in summer)
The timing: 24 weeks pregnant
The trip: “Both of us once lived in the city but we hadn’t been there at the same time, so it was really sweet to experience everything together, as well as do new things neither of us had tried. We had a list of things we wanted to do but didn’t make a set schedule. So we’d look at our list and decide what to do for that day.”
The tip: “Stay hydrated! It’s always a struggle for me to stay hydrated while traveling because I think, ‘What if I have to pee and can’t find a bathroom?’ But it’s so important, especially when you’re pregnant.”
The couple: Shaheen and Trevor
The destination: Phoenix, Arizona (in spring)
The timing: 32 weeks pregnant
The trip: “Arizona was perfect in April. It would be in the 50s and 60s when we went for breakfast and dinners, making it perfect to dine alfresco. With a ton of outdoor activities to enjoy, we stayed busy and also made sure to sneak in some pool time.”
The tip: Aim for a short, direct flight and guaranteed warm weather. And check your destination’s weather calendar for your time frame! “Although the heat in Arizona can be unbearable at certain times of year, it was perfect in April.”
The Couple: Jessie and Chris
The destination: Palm Springs, California (in spring)
The timing: 33 weeks pregnant
The trip: “For our first babymoon, my husband and I spent a leisurely week in Cabo, Mexico. For our second, it was harder to get away because I had been traveling for work and because we had a toddler at home. But I think babymoons are a must—even if they’re just for a night or two. We headed to Palm Springs for a long weekend and stayed at Sparrows Lodge, an adults-only hotel with all the small luxuries you could need. I was two months from my due date and already pretty uncomfortable, so lying by or in the pool was such a treat. One morning, we borrowed bikes and took the bump exploring.”
The tip: “DO IT. Take the babymoon around your sixth month—you’re far enough into it to really need a break, but not too close to the due date to worry about traveling away from home. And you want to document your cute bump, right? Also, choose somewhere that offers a mix of opportunities to relax and get out and explore—two things that might be equally hard to do in a few months with a new baby.”
The couple: Michele and Santo
The destination: Italy (in fall)
The timing: 25 weeks pregnant
The trip: “We started our babymoon in Milan and Cinque Terre for sightseeing and then went to Sicily for relaxation and lots of beach and pool time.”
The tip: “Do it! You have no idea what the future will hold once the little bundle of joy arrives. We don’t realize how much life changes. The second trimester is ideal; the nausea subsides and your cute little bump is out and proud.”
The couple: Diana and Steven
The destination: South of France (in spring)
The timing: 32 weeks pregnant
The trip: “We wanted a mix of city, lush hillsides and beaches so we planned a trip to the South of France. We landed in Bourdeau and spent a few days in the city going to farmers markets and shopping for baby clothes. Then, we rented a car and drove through the French countryside. We stayed in a chateau in Dordogne and spent our days lounging at the pool and visiting castles and surrounding villages. We continued south towards Nice where we laid on rocks, swam in crystal clear water and ate a lot of pizza and gelato. We were fortunate enough to take a day trip to Monaco to catch the Formula One Grand Prix.”
The tip: “Move! Daily walks and exercise are so important when you’re pregnant. Even though I might not have been able to see my toes or tie my shoes, going on trips through different cities encouraged me to walk and see new sties. (My motivation for walking was pastry and ice cream shops.) You can handle as much as you allow yourself to handle. Listen to your body and stay hydrated. If you fly, request an aisle seat so you can walk around and stretch throughout the flight. It also gave me additional comfort to familiarize myself with the locations of the nearest hospitals.”
The couple: Leona and Angie
The destination: New York City (in spring)
The timing: 34 weeks pregnant
The trip: “On Valentine’s Day, I surprised Angie with a trip to NYC because it’s somewhere she had never been but always wanted to go. We decided we wanted to have an adventure before our baby came, so we rented an AirBnB (walking distance to Times Square) and stayed with a local to get some insider tips/must dos. We spent four days taking in the sites and being complete tourist (we even did a hop on/hop off tour). At night, we enjoyed Broadway shows and various cuisines.”
The tip: “Make sure you take a babymoon. It will be the last trip you take as just a couple. Enjoy each other and soak it all up.”
The couple: Jessie and Jake
The destination: Marrakesh, Morocco (in spring)
The timing: 26 weeks pregnant
The trip: “There’s something just a little bit magical about Morocco. Morocco checked all our boxes for a babymoon destination: It wasn’t too far to fly (we’re from London), it has a world-famous spa, yummy cuisine and a beautiful culture to discover and explore. The climate fit my overwhelming desire to sit in the sun and do nothing but relax. It’s a destination rich in history—and ridiculously photogenic. Whether it was the traditional guesthouse, glamping in the Agafay desert or staying at luxurious private residences, Morocco left us feeling relaxed, inspired and excited to welcome our newest addition into the world.”
The tip: “Try not to book too many activities and take more time to just relax and enjoy your time alone together before your little one arrives. Traveling in the spring usually means benefiting from shoulder season prices, and fewer people traveling means shorter wait times at airports and attractions. If you have any medical concerns, make sure you speak with your doctor or midwife first and read the fine print on your travel insurance as some companies won’t cover expectant mothers.”
The couple: Chinny and Joe
The destination: South Africa (spring in South Africa; fall in US)
The timing: 24 weeks pregnant
The trip: “My husband has visited South Africa several times and loved it. With the little one on the way, we knew our lives were about to change, so we decided to make the long trip to this amazing country and capture as many memories as possible. We toured Soweto in Johannesburg, making the exhilarating climb to Cape Point. We enjoyed South Africa’s word-class (and ridiculously affordable) cuisine. And we visited stunning wineries in the Western Cape—my husband sampled a vintage or two while I indulged in chocolate and fruit! We both agreed this was our best trip and are looking forward to bringing our little one back with us in the future.”
The tip: “Plan in your second trimester. My first trimester was rough and I barely had any energy in my third. I can’t imagine making the trip and doing as much as we did in either trimester. I’d also suggest throwing caution to the wind and picking a destination you’ve always wanted to visit; forget about the length of the flight or expenses. We originally picked a rather safe destination (for us!), but neither of us was excited. A week before we were due to fly out, we decided to visit South Africa instead. Thankfully, we changed our flights and hotel reservations without incurring penalties. We knew our lives would become more complex once our little love arrived and we weren’t likely to make the long trip to South Africa while she was so young, so we took the leap.”
The couple: Kelli and Kyle
The destination: Venice, Italy (in spring)
The timing: 32 weeks pregnant
The trip: “It was a quick trip to get away and relax. We have been to Venice before, but this time we wanted to really enjoy what it means to live the Italian lifestyle. We did not have anything planned and instead decided to just enjoy the romance of this beautiful city. We splurged and stayed at a hotel on its own separate island with views of Venice from across the water. We ordered room service, went to the pool, relaxed and enjoyed our time together; it was perfect.”
The tip: “Just do it. I promise you will never look back and regret it. Welcoming a baby into this world is something that is truly life-changing and you need that alone time with just your significant other. It is such a great excuse to reset, relax and see a part of the world that you’ve always wanted to. You can do as much as you want on your babymoon, or nothing at all. It’s a great excuse to eat gelato, too!”
The couple: Viktoria and Ryan
The destination: Queenstown, New Zealand (in fall)
The timing: 37 weeks pregnant
The trip: "I definitely don’t recommend going on a babymoon so late in pregnancy, but we had the opportunity, my midwife approved it and the flight was only and hour from home (we live in New Zealand). My partner and I are passionate travel photographers (I hail from Chicago, Ryan is from the UK, and we met working in Australia five years ago), and we were hoping to do one last trip before our little one arrived. On a whim, we booked a trip down to the South Island to enjoy the autumn foliage and recent snowfall on the mountains. We are into hiking and love exploring this country as much as possible, but rather than doing any challenging hikes, we settled for taking in the best views for each sunrise and sunset. We spent our days cruising around the mountains, going on short walks and eating delicious food.”
The tip: “I definitely say do it earlier than me! And plan a babymoon that involves something you probably won’t get to do in the next few months, something you love or something you’re passionate about.”
The couple: Trang and Viet
The destination: Paris, France (in spring)
The timing: 26 weeks pregnant
The trip: “This trip was actually booked last year when I wasn’t pregnant yet. Once I found out that I was expecting, I was actually a bit nervous to go abroad. I grew up in a traditional Vietnamese family, and everyone was scared and skeptical about traveling during pregnancy. But that didn’t stop me. My husband and I knew this was going to be our last trip as just us. We are beyond excited for this baby and went to Paris with the intention of having the time of our lives. One week in Paris was a good amount of time for us considering the best way to see the city is on foot. We walked and took public transportation everywhere. Our favorite meal of the day was definitely breakfast. Hot chocolate and a croissant is the way to go!”
The tip: “Take it easy; it’s a babymoon! Don’t overpack your agenda; take your time and soak it all in. Pack light, wear comfy shoes and put effort into looking your best—when you look good, you feel good.”
The couple: Adele and Greg
The destination: Porto, Portugal (in spring)
The timing: 25 weeks pregnant
The trip: “We have always tried to plan an overseas vacation once a year, and Portugal had always been a top vacation destination on our list. When we found out we were expecting, we knew we wanted this year’s trip to be extra special. Our babymoon was planned around culture, food, relaxation and an early bedtime.”
The tip: “I was most nervous about the long flight from Los Angeles to Portugal. After speaking with my doctor, she recommended compression tights to help prevent swelling. She also recommended getting up and walking at least every hour. The flight ended up being not as bad as I had imagined, and I even ended up getting some sleep!”
The couple: Simone and Jan
The destination: Istanbul, Turkey (in spring)
The timing: 25 weeks pregnant
The trip: “When I visited Istanbul for the first time three years ago, I fell so heavily in love with the city that I decided I would spend a whole summer there. Now, with the baby coming, I felt I had to return to this enchanting, crazy city one more time. It was a good and bad decision: Istanbul is wild, chaotic, loud—the opposite of a relaxing babymoon destination. Sometimes I caught myself thinking, why didn’t we go for a beach vacation? But it’s also fascinating, vibrant and incredibly beautiful. Plus, it’s so much fun to eat in this city, from Turkish breakfasts to Turkish ravioli.”
The tip: “Think about what you really want from your babymoon. If your priority is to chill and relax, I wouldn’t recommend a city like Istanbul. But if you’re up for one last adventure as a couple, it’s a wonderful destination. And if you really feel like escaping chaos at some point, visit the Princes’ Islands.”
Updated March 2019
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