fuzzbucket

Actually, we had a lot of trouble finding things that were open around Christmas. Everything was shut down.
So we went to Murano and Burano, instead, where things were open.

marvelousmouse

Odd, fuzzbucket. I can't remember, did you go last year? When I went, several of the things around the square were open; special hours. (Even though the hotel said they weren't going to be). Food took some planning; I ended up eating brunch at a hotel on Christmas Day because I hadn't planned ahead. But really, it was only Christmas Day that were affected; plenty of stuff open to see on the day after Christmas. I was pleasantly surprised, I expected nothing to be open.

Op- if you do go to Venice then you NEED dinner reservations. And you need to find out not only what is open on Christmas but also make sure that day doesn't coincide with their weekly closure day. Same thing with museums. That turned out to be my main issue. Like this year, museums like the Guggenheim and Ca'Rezz only close on the 25, but then look at the calendar and their regular closure day is Tuesday which means they will be closed the day after Christmas as well. So I had managed to take into account the 25 but NOT the 27th, which was Tues. last year, and I wasn't as efficient as I could have been.

It doesn't matter as much in Venice, though. The whole city is like a delightful open air museum. Much of the stuff really worth seeing is outside. Go see the Holocaust memorial, wander away from the crowds and venture down every interesting looking courtyard or twisting alleyway. I was sick as dog, but it was one of the most peaceful Christmas' I've had in a long time.

bvlenci

Actually, Pal, if you're trying to say it in Italian, it's "acqua alta". "Aqua" is Spanish.

bvlenci

Oops, I just remembered, it's "agua" in Spanish. Maybe "aqua" is no language.

StCirq

We were there for a week+ last Christmas. Nothing was closed that I remember. There was no acqua alta. There were plenty of crowds. We weren't fussy about finding dinner so chose whatever small places were open and there were plenty. Hardly great cuisine, but enough to fill you up after a cold day out and about.

fuzzbucket

We went 2 years ago - the 23rd through the 26th.
We were miserable until we landed on Murano and could get lunch.

PalenQ

"acqua alta".>

third time got it!

justineparis

Hi.. a few notes to remember.. most softer cheeses in most of europe are made with unpasturized milk a no no for pregnant women.

You will encounter cold and damp for a fair amount of trip.. so bring the right clothes.

As you are pregnant DO NOT TAKE A NIGHT train.. only a man would suggest that... its hard enough to sleep when pregnant, and having to get up at night and go to the bathroom down the hall.. no thanks..

I would push trip to mid to late january ( obviously depending on your pregnancy stage ) and start south and work your way north to try and get best chances of decent weather.. ( I said decent.. not great, its winter everywhere in january , even southern cities )

I would choose four cities max.

I wouldn't avoid Barcelona.. but Rome would be another choice of mine.

Paris and London will have lots to do inside if its cold and rainy, theater in London ( I have heard the ones to see are Kinky Boots and Wicked ) and so many museums in both cities..

I would allow only 2-3 days in Amsterdam.. its most likely to be grey there , and theres simply not a ton to do inside for a week.. whereas places like Paris, Rome , Barcelona, and London have lots to do..

I realize you are young, healthy and well traveled.. but traveling pregnant can be more tiring than you may suspect. You will be on your feet ALL day long, and sleeping in strange beds every night you may not get the sleep you are used to , and by mid to late second trimester the bathroom visits may start to excelerate ( as uterus grows and starts pushing on bladder )

I am all for the babymoon.. its a great idea.. but dont go crazy.. you WILL be able to travel again .

bilboburgler

soft cheeses, not sure I'm with justine on this.

Soft cheeses within europe made of "cru lait" (raw milk) should be marked as such. The vast majority are not, but it is worth asking.

menachem

"and theres simply not a ton to do inside for a week" (Amsterdam)

How do you know? There is, especially if you decide not to remain in Amsterdam but travel to Utrecht (20 minutes by train), The Hague (45 minutes by train), Rotterdam (40 minutes by train) and/or Delft, Leiden, etc.

emily71

I would also not do a lot of cities or travel round a lot. Many pregnant women tire more easily and running around too much could turn out to be a chore rather than a vacation.

Finally look at this as your first trip-there will be others.

eekimus

Hello All!

Didn't realise there would be such a great number of responses, so thank you! Some really good points here, especially insight from other mothers who have clearly been through pregnancy. We are first time parents to be, so it does seem like our lives may change so we want to get this last trip done!

We are departing Brisbane 27th Dec, and an outline of destinations and durations as follows:

Rome - 4N
Florence - 3N - transit is quick
Venice - 4N - transit is quick
Paris - 4N - Venice to Paris - will most likely try and fly there.
Amsterdam - 3N
Reykjavik - 6N
Barcelona - 5N

Figured we'd be buggered after Reykjavik if we are staying up at strange hours of the night waiting for auroras to appear.

socaltraveler

"It probably wouldn't hurt you to eat a little bit of raw milk cheese."

Well yes it could. Even a 'little bit' of tainted raw milk cheese could do horrible things. I live with a OB/GYN, so this I know.

From my perspective, this is a very physically ambitious trip, starting with a long plane ride, and ending with same. Without knowing just how pregnant you are, I hope you are planning for adequate rest stops along the way.

marvelousmouse

It looks pretty good. I would cut Florence and add on to Rome and Paris. 4 nights will feel reaally short in both places. It depends on what you want to see, though.

Kathie

This would be an ambitious itinerary for someone not pregnant. I'd suggest cutting one or two destinations and adding time to Paris and Rome. Personally, I'd recommend cutting Iceland - it will be very cold and the chances that you will see the Northern Lights is so-so. Also, soaking in hot springs is not recommended while pregnant.

marvelousmouse

Meant to say also that you don't need to stay up late for northern lights. Either you'll see them or not. Like Kathie, I'd cut it, if that's the only reason you are going.

socaltraveler

Without intending to highjack this thread, while I am quite sure that many pregnant women have eaten things that were on the 'no' list and did just fine, and perhaps American OB's are a little 'nuts' as you say, it just takes one bad outcome to say eat something else for a few months. No details needed.

quiltingmamma

Looking at your new schedule, why not start in Barcelona, then south to Italy, and finish in Reykjavik. If you system is going to be off anyway, then just fly home from there (following some sort of route). Or start in Iceland.
However, one consideration is reviewing what routes IcelandAir flies. It offers free stopovers in Iceland which might provide new options of routing. I don't know what cheap airlines fly there as alternatives.

PalenQ

I sure wouldn't take night trains, though.>

Because of the pregnancy? If so wonder why? Flying may be more whatever if thinking of safety of fetus - how would night trains hurt?

Curious.

Bedar

I got brucellosis from eating tainted cheese. I was sick for four months. You wouldn't want to be so sick, esp if pregnant !! BTW, if you do get sick on this trip, do not hesitate to see a doctor. Any pharmacy can recommend one.