It’s still okay to head outside the country while you’re pregnant (doctors give the okay for flying internationally until you’re 32 to 35 weeks pregnant if you’ve had a normal pregnancy). If you’ve had some complications, check with your doctor first. You’ll want to take advantage of getting away to a far-off destination right now, because flying with a baby can be stressful. Here are some options for a worldly retreat:
Venice: This famous Italian city would be a perfect place for a romantic getaway. Satisfy your pregnancy cravings with pasta, pizza and gelato, and of course, take a romantic gondola ride. Luna Hotel Baglioni in Venice has a babymoon package that includes two nights in a deluxe double room, breakfast, a 10 percent discount at the hotel’s restaurant and La Perla boutique, a special gift for expectant mothers, a welcome mocktail, a one-hour massage for mom-to-be and a cooking class with a chef that features recipes for kids. How cool is that?
Montreal: Who needs Paris (or that long plane ride!) when you can head over to Montreal, the second-largest French-speaking city in the world? Your swollen ankles will thank you. With cultural attractions like the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and beautiful 18th- and 19th-century buildings, tons of restaurants and cafes for culinary adventures, and festivals year-round, there’s so much to do and see.
New Orleans: If you’re worried about long flights and want to go domestic, why not try New Orleans? It’s a city rich with culture with influences from Europe, the Caribbean and Africa. Take a stroll through the French Quarter, go on a swamp tour (beware of the gators!), or sign up for a haunted cemetery tour. It’s also practically mandatory that you taste all the foods that New Orleans is famous for: gumbo, crawfish, jambalaya and beignets, to name a few culinary delights. (But you might want to pack some antacids.)
Photo by Shutterstock /The Bump