What’s the best way to get a break from the kids, reconnect with your spouse, and recharge your batteries? A trip alone with your spouse! My husband and I just returned from a short but oh-so-sweet trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico and I’d love to share it with all my readers so you might  be inspired to take time away with your partner as well. 

(Can’t get childcare for a multi-day trip? A single overnight in a nearby inn or even a date night can still have huge benefits!)

1. Choosing your destination

Consider the climate

When planning your getaway, first you’ll need to choose a destination. Typically, we go on a short ski trip or beach weekend within driving distance. But this time, we wanted to escape the cold temps and go somewhere warm.

Look for direct flights

We knew how far south we would need to go to find warm temps in January. But we didn’t want to waste too much of our precious kid-free time getting to our destination. So we went to our local airport’s website and looked at what direct flights they had. This narrowed it down to only a couple destinations.

Cost and convenience

Not all Caribbean islands are created equal. Some are much more expensive than others. Look at the cost of the flights, but also the price of hotels, food, etc. Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico came up as most affordable in our search, while the Cayman Islands, Aruba, and Turks and Caicos were some of the priciest.

Once we started looking into Puerto Rico, we realized it would be super convenient for Americans since it is part of the US. That means no passport is required to enter the country, and we only have to follow the Covid testing policies for domestic travel.

2. Book your lodging

There are so many options now when it comes to vacation stays. AirBnB, Vrbo, and HomeAway allow you to rent a home that someone else owns. Then there are regular hotels, resorts, and all-inclusives. These are all good options with positives and negatives, so it just comes down to what you are looking for in your vacation.

Personally, when I take a trip I want to relax. I don’t enjoy cooking on vacation so I knew I wanted a resort. After scouring Trip Advisor and reading countless reviews, I chose Royal Sonesta in San Juan. It was upscale, but not out of our price range, and had a great central location.

3. Add fun extras

Now you are ready for my favorite part! Planning all the fun things you’ll do during your getaway.

You want the pace of the trip to match your particular goals and energy level. For us, we like to do some beach and pool lounging, but also see explore the location, learn about the culture, and spice it up with a bit of adventure.

In Puerto Rico, we settled on visiting and learning about Old San Juan, and doing a rainforest trek through El Yunque.

Enjoy your adult getaway!

Don’t spend your time only talking about the kids (I know, it’s hard). Read a book, nap on the beach, connect with your partner, and have fun! We parents don’t get to do this nearly enough.

Going on vacation involves a lot of planning, and this is even more true when you’re pregnant.

However, it’s worth it to get a break from everyday life. Pregnancy can be difficult to deal with and spending time away from home can give you a renewed sense of purpose, plus it’s an opportunity to relax as much as possible.

Connecting with your spouse before the huge life change of adding a baby is another great reason to take a “babymoon”.

Here are six things to consider when you go on vacation expecting — take them into account when you’re planning your trip and the whole process will become much easier.

When will you be most comfortable travelling?

Pregnancy brings a lot of changes along with it and these continue over the three trimesters:

• In the first trimester, you’re getting used to all the new hormones and will probably suffer from morning sickness.
• In the second trimester things should have settled down and you’ll be showing more. You’ll be more energetic and may even have the fabled pregnancy glow.
• In the third trimester, you’ll get tired much more easily.

For these reasons, most women prefer to go on vacation during the second trimester, when they feel more lively.

Where do you want to go?

Are you seeking sunnier weather? Would you prefer a milder climate? Or are you happy to visit somewhere a little colder?

And then there’s the culture to think about, too — how different do you want it to be?

Safety and convenience will also be important considerations.

These are all questions to ask if you don’t already have a specific city, resort or country in mind.

What travel documents do you need to prepare?

As well as the usual (valid passport, travel and accommodation info, insurance policy), pregnant women will also need a letter from their doctor clearing them to fly, plus a copy of their maternity records.

Having a letter from your doctor is especially important if you’re showing, or have reached 28 weeks or more of pregnancy. Airline staff have the right to stop you from boarding a plane if they believe you’d be putting yourself or other passengers at risk; a letter will reassure them.

Meanwhile, your maternity notes are not compulsory but they help medical staff around the world get up to speed with the specifics of your pregnancy — they’re definitely worth having in case of emergencies. Insurancewith recommend keeping your medical paperwork with you at all times.

Does your travel insurance policy cover you?

Normally, you don’t need to declare your pregnancy when you’re setting up a travel insurance policy. However, if you have an illness or medical condition as a result of your pregnancy, you’ll need to mention it.

Regardless of your circumstances, travel insurance is essential. It covers hospital treatment abroad, emergency evacuation, repatriation… all of which can be very expensive.

Do you need to pack any extras?

As well as the usual vacation clothes, you may want some extra comforts, such as a blanket for the plane or a pregnancy pillow to ensure you sleep soundly. Make a list of everything you’ll need and pack accordingly.

Remember when flying with medications (or even prenatal vitamins), airlines like them to be kept in their original bottles.

Want do you want to do while you’re away?

Many women dream of doing nothing but relaxing on the beach or by the pool. Others are up for some gentle sightseeing, while some have absolutely no intention of leaving the hotel.

You may fall into one of those camps, or you may fall into all three at various points throughout your vacation. Whatever your preferences, think about what you want to get out of the trip before you go and you’ll be better placed to make the most of it.

Where would your ideal pregnancy vacation be?

Any planning tips? Let us know in the comments!