WE KNOW babymoons aren’t just about spa resorts; While some may want to kick back on a beach and saunter between yoga, massages and the pool, others may be looking for adventure — experiencing activities and places that will be less attainable once kids are on the scene. From barefoot luxury in the Indian Ocean to road trips in Southern Africa, we’ve got ideas and itineraries to keep ALL the bumps happy.
THE MALDIVES - FOR BAREFOOT LUXURY
Home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels, the Maldives is the ultimate destination when it comes to rest and rejuvenation while there’s still just two of you. Made up of over 1,000 tropical islands, perforated by coral reefs and an aquamarine sea, not only are the Maldives a geographical sight unlike anywhere else, one hundred and nine of those islands are exclusive luxury resorts. Only a handful of those are good enough for our guests; when it comes to babymoons, it’s all about being waited on hand over foot, basking in nature’s beauty and just the right balance between rest and play. Soneva Fushi and Gili Lankanfushi are the kings of barefoot luxury — where nothing is too much for your personal butler and a ‘no news, no shoes’ ethos guarantees switching off from everyday life. Waterfront villas offer total privacy, activities cater for even the most restless of souls and hidden treats will keep pregnancy cravings at bay – at Soneva Fushi there’s a chocolate room, sorbet parlour and cheese cave to name but a few.
South Africa - FOR EASY-GOING ADVENTURE
For an unforgettable adventure perfectly safe for bumps, South Africa’s Western Cape has bush, beaches and boutique boltholes all within just a three-hour drive from Cape Town. With direct flights, a pleasant exchange rate and no risk of Zika, Cape Town is an increasingly popular option for babymoons and winter-sun. As Africa’s most cosmopolitan city with a geography to rival Rio or Sydney, you don’t have to travel far to have the trip of a lifetime. From gentle hikes on Table Mountain and Clifton’s sweeping beaches to Woodstock’s arty warehouses and Kloof Street’s trendy boutiques, Cape Town is a holiday destination within its own right - choose Tintswalo Atlantic for an ultimate adults-only treat or slip into a slower way of life at Bartholomeus Klip. What mums-to-be miss out on when it comes to wine, they can make up for in food; from seafood braais on the beach at Die Strandloper to farm-to-table magic at Babystoloren, we’ve got recommendations to match all tastes.
OMAN - FOR ARABIAN CHIC
With all the luxury of neighbouring gulf states but more accessible culture and adventures, a babymoon in Oman is as relaxing or eye-opening as you want it to be. We tend to opt for a balance of the two and have searched Muscat, the Hajar Mountains and Musandam Peninsula for the most characterful boutiques and tasteful resorts. The spacious and minimalist Chedi Muscat is a good place to embrace quiet luxury in the city — it’s unlikely you’re ever going to brave staying somewhere so stylish with a baby in tow. Once you’ve exhausted the seafront and markets of Muscat, Zighy Bay is the Musandam Peninsula’s most beautiful beach resort, designed in the style of indigenous houses with activities as extreme or serene as you wish. And whilst desert rides on camels might not be top of the list for mums-to-be, we know plenty of ways of experiencing a little Arabian desert magic, without scrimping on comfort.
MAURITIUS - FOR FLY AND FLOP
If you’re looking for the ultimate ‘fly and flop’ holiday before entering the chaotic world of parenthood, then the lush and balmy island of Mauritius is an excellent place to start. It’s safe, easy to get to, and home to some of our most indulgent grown-up resorts, and with year-round sunshine it also offers mums-to-be a much-needed injection of vitamin D. For those that take their pampering seriously, Oberoi Mauritius would be our first stop. The 64 acre Four Seasons’ Mauritius Resort at Anahita and Constance Le Prince Maurice are both known for impeccable service, while their extensive gardens, white-sand beaches and mangrove-swamps are peaceful havens to lose track of time in. And don’t be put off by the potential boredom of snoozing on the shoreline all day — between the eclectic capital Port Louis, market towns like Quatre Bornes and dense virgin rainforest in Black River Gorges National Park, there’s plenty of action for the taking.
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Having heaved our own pregnant bellies across various parts of the Indian Ocean, we know that health and wellbeing are paramount on any babymoon. We can also recommend babymoons in Iceland, Morocco, Canada and Sri Lanka.