Most Popular Babymoon Requests for August

August is traditionally a slow time in the travel biz. People are way too busy taking vacation to plan their next vacation. However, one thing I've noticed is that pregnant women (even in August) are still keen on researching and booking their babymoons. Here are the five most common babymoon destination requests that came to my inbox this month:

• Las Vegas -- Fall in Vegas is not a half-bad idea when you need a little pampering, a little pool time with the latest issue of Cookie Magazine and a lot of excitement. Since many of my clients are unlikely to be doing shots at Vegas' night clubs, clients have been asking me specifically about the off-the-strip hotels like Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa or the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Las Vegas. These spots tend to offer more relaxation options, short hikes and some form of transportation to and from the Strip.
  
• Caribbean -- Fall bargains are very tempting (but risky) in the Caribbean. The Caribbean is always a favorite spot for relaxation, especially with soon-to-be moms on the East Coast. My only reservation is hurricane warnings but sometimes the deals are worth the risk. Two intriquing ideas that came up this month: Compass Point in Nassau, Bahamas and Windjammer Landing in St. Lucia.
• Hawaii -- Although the flight can be a little lengthy for most babymooners, it's a completely doable trip from the west coast. Maui has been the top island request, followed by Oahu. I love Waikiki for a babymoon -- easy to get to, plenty of top resort and restaurant options and lots of walkable areas.
  
• Kiawah Island, SC -- Move over Hilton Head. Pregnant mamas are opting for the natural beauty of Kiawah Island and the genteel, southern charm of its neighboring city, Charleston, SC. The only hotel on this ten-mile barrier island beach is The Sanctuary Hotel & Spa -- a truly five-star, unique relaxation experience.
• New York, NY -- Many babymooner clients enjoy taking their last blast in one of the world's best-known cities - New York. The only problem here in the Fall is hotel prices - they are outrageously high during the holiday season which tends to run longer and longer each year -- September through December now. So a lot of people asking about November and December and settling on January, when the rates come down.

Are you planning your own babymoon? Tell us where you're going. If you just have a good babymoon destination idea, go ahead and offer it up.

Five Labor Day Treats for Your Pregnant Friends

In honor of Labor Day, I've compiled five ways you can spoil the pregnant women in your life. If you're pregnant, there's no shame in forwarding the link to those special people in your life who always ask to touch your tummy.

1. Go out for a pedicure and bring a non-baby magazine for her to read while her tired (and maybe swollen) feet are gently massaged and gussied up. Since there's a good chance she may not be able to see her feet while standing, encourage her to go wild with her color choice!
2. Invite her out to a funny, non-Disney movie. Adult-humored movies will be a rarity for her in the next few years and she will always recall your night at the movies fondly.
3. Indulge her nesting phase by offering to help out with a home improvement / home organization project. It's likely that you may not really understand why the project is mission-critical, but she'll always thank you for just being there to listen, nod and give her a hand. I know that I would have loved a hand when, during my pregnancy, I suddenly decided that we could only use white plastic coat hangers in our closets.
4. Once they move into their second trimester, buy them some comfy, attractive loungewear that looks like it might stretch well. Hint: Victoria's Secret has some very nice, soft, non-grandma pj's.
5. Most important - give her a break this Labor Day and a reason to stay off her feet.

Do they make snorkel masks for babies?

From time to time (well, really all the time), I enjoy browsing through Lonely Planet's "Kids to Go" thorn tree forum. I usually learn a lot and once in a while I read a post that conjures up an image that just makes my day. In this case, a poster asked the Thorn Tree forum where she should go snorkeling with an 18 month old baby in Feb. 2010. It seems that she and her husband like to snorkel so they are hoping their toddler will also like to snorkel.


It really wasn't her question that got me. I mean who am I to say that just because my 18 month old thinks wearing a hat is a form of torture that her toddler wouldn't tolerate a snorkel mask? No, it was the image of him wearing the snorkel mask in the first place that left me smiling at my desk for the rest of the day. Take a minute -- think about it -- go ahead and laugh.


In case you were wondering, snorkel mama received several very thorough responses to her question and I now know just where to go snorkeling with an 18 month old. See, you always learn something on the Thorn Tree!


So what do you think? Anyone hitting the beach this Labor Day with their baby, a snorkel mask and some fins?

Why Amtrak is Whack

This morning, the Mr. and I were poised and ready to reclaim our spontaneous selves and hop an Amtrak from NYC to Philly today for a trip to the Philadelphia Art Museum. The purpose of the planned trip was be two-fold -- first, we wanted to test the Toddler's tolerance for a 1.5 hour train ride (with the highest hopes that this would be the magic transit bullet that would open up new venues of toddler traveler). Second, we wanted to see the Rhythms of India: The Art of Nandalal Bose exhibit at the museum.

Well, after some initial confusion where we thought the $80 one way fare was round trip (totally the Mr.'s fault), we discovered it would cost us more than $200 round trip! Since that was really just too much to justify indulging our curiousity about how the Toddler would behave on the train, we scratched our spontaneous plan and opted to drive to the Bronx Zoo (with all of the other tri-staters who don't have houses in Litchfield, Ct, the Hamptons or the decidedly less glamours Jersey Shore.)

I suppose we could have opted to drive to the Nandalal Bose exhibit but the Toddler isn't great on road trips and the prospect of driving anywhere near the shore on the weekends gives me traffic-induced PTSD. The good news is that in spite of Amtrak's outrageous fares, we still experienced a train today -- the $3 tram in the South Asian animal exhibit. The Toddler loved the train but the rarity of the zoo's family of rhinos seemed lost on him as he kept repeatedly wildly pointing out every pigeon that had managed to earn itself scavenger status among the real zoo animals.

In all seriousness, the Bronx Zoo is a really fantastic day trip for the kids -- lots of shade, paved paths that are at least three strollers wide in most spots and kid-friendly cafeteria-style lunch stands. What more could you ask for (other than the Rhythms of India: The Art of Nandalal Bose exhibit)?

Five Tips for a City Babymoon

Many expecting couples think babymoon is synonymous with a tropical getaway. While a lot of people (myself included) do choose a beach vacation, many clients decide to spend their last hurrah in cities.  City babymoons fit a variety of budgets and travel styles. They can be luxe and hip (think a week of celeb-watching at NYC's SOHO Grand) but they can be also be a  great option for couples short on time or wisely saving their cash for their baby's college fund. City babymoons can also a great option for couples who may not feel comfortable traveling too far from major medical facilities.

Here are five traveler-tested tips for planning your city babymoon:

• Spend a little more than you normally would on the hotel. Since you will probably spend more time in your room than you have on previous getaways, rely on recommendations to help you locate a comfortable city hotel that offers plenty of amenities and a good concierge.
• Stay near public transportation. Having lots of transportation options is a pregnant woman's best friend. Sick of riding in the car? Why not stand (or sit) on the train / bus? Better yet, if you're staying in a downtown area, go by foot.
• Maintain a manageable itinerary. Focus on one or two key activities per day, leaving time for rest periods (back at the hotel, if possible) mid-day. Your feet will thank you!
• Locate a recommended spa and book yourself a couple's spa treatment. Many hotel spas and day spas offer pregnancy and couples packages. Don't miss out on an excuse to pamper yourself.
• Bring snacks -- Keep snacks on hand. Sure, cities have plenty of restaurants to choose from, but it's often difficult to find a place to eat quick enough when you're starving for two!   

Here are my top three babymoon city picks in North America:

• Vancouver
  
• New York City
  
• New Orleans

First Official Post-Baby Getaway

On the cusp of our fourth wedding anniversary and a year and a half after this duo became a trio, my husband and I decided to escape on our first baby-free mini-break. We arrived in New Orleans this morning and secretly thanked the heavens for the drizzly weather so we could retire to our hotel room for some sleep, reading and general laziness free from the burden of sightseeing. 

Although we were both recovering from a very nasty stomach flu, compliments of our son, we were gleeful at the prospect of boarding with only a carry-on for each of us -- no extra luggage, no car seat, no pack n play. Early flight? - no problem!  We just slept the three hour flight away. (Are you sensing a theme here?).

Until Monday evening, we have declared independence from our toddler. We pledge to eat several fantastic meals that don't include high chairs, sippy cups, kids menus or mad dashes to the door when the little one tires of the ambiance.  This trip is really all about doing whatever the heck we want to do (take that, crazy toddler!).  For example, right now I am treasuring sitting at a beautiful desk at the Ritz writing without interruption or Elmo's squeeky voice in the background. My husband is snoring blissfully in the well-appointed sleeping nook. (Normally, the snoring would bug me - but not today!). 

Lots of tough talk and bravado today. We'll see what tomorrow brings (besides brunch at Commander's Palace, dinner at Emeril's Delmonico and a pedicure at the Ritz Spa). 

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The Other Side of the Babymoon

There are countless things people don't tell you before you get pregnant and have a baby. I think this realization is something most new mom's experience about five minutes after the epdiural wears off. Some say, and I agree, this shockingly secretive practice ensures the survival of the species.

You're probably thinking, you have heard this before and that I am now going to share a bunch of these little secrets in some type of bulleted list. Mais non!

I like the species and am counting on its continued survival. So instead of listing the top 10 things you didn't know before you got pregnant, I'm going to share just one very key (and perhaps a tiny bit self-serving) piece of advice -- make time for a babymoon.

Speaking from the other side of the babymoon, my husband and I still wistfully long to repeat our babymoon to the Four Seasons in Exuma. When else in the past two years, have I:

• devoted a whole day to the New York Times crossword puzzle while people brought me fruit skewers?
• worn a bikini despite the fact that my stomach easily eclipsed my swollen feet?
• ordered myself two lunches and an ice cream sandwich to be served poolside?
• been able to hang out at the quiet pool blissfully free from swimmies, pool toys and lifejackets?
• laid on the beach without once uttering, "stop eating the sand!"?

I can guarantee that there will be days in those first few postpartum weeks, that you will wish you had done more with your pre-baby freedom. Don't get me wrong, I'd much rather have a lifetime with my son than a trip to Exuma. However, I'm really glad I got both.

About Two and a Half Travelers

I'm Kristy Hall, the mom behind Two and a Half Travelers.

Two and a Half Travelers offers observations, trends and helpful advice for couples seeking memorable pre and post baby vacations.

Through my affiliation with The Tropical Travelers, I also book babymoons and family vacations.


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