The last hurrah this spring, and then it is diapers and TV sitcoms. My husband has given me carte blanche. 10 days anywhere, plus 1 day travel each way. beginning in NYC. I am overwhelmed. Been to Italy, London, Tahiti, all over USA. Looking into Prague/Budapest/Vienna/Salzburg. Or Spain & Portugal. Or Israel. Or Greece....See what I mean? Suggestions please.

Bless Ellen's husband! Expectant mothers get inundated with advice, so the only thing I usually tell them is this: you and your husband go away together before you are in your 8th month. It will be the last time you are ever really alone together -- from now on, the rest of your life, your child/children will be on your mind, even when they are grown and you are traveling alone together again. So this will be the sweetest trip you ever have together, because it's just you two, because you're about to be unimaginably exhausted for 6-18 months, because you're looking forward to the child without actually having to cope with him/her yet. So bravo and good for you both! <BR> <BR>Having said that, I'm assuming from your post that you will be preg on the trip. If so, I recommend places you can swim -- nothing feels better for someone 5th month or later -- and sit, sun, drink and eat -- more than places you have to stand and walk. I don't recommend being places where you have to work to find a restroom. <BR> <BR>This brings me to Greece, esp. island resorts -- IF they are not too annoyed at us for something. Failing that, southern Spain. Sevilla is glorious in latter May. And you might even consider the Caribbean. <BR> <BR>On the other hand, you don't mention having been to Paris. Est-que c'est possible? Will you want to remember sitting in a cafe by the Seine once you are buried in PlaySchool plastic things? <BR> <BR>All in all, I recommend going somewhere you can concentrate on each other, not on a big rush to take in all the obligatory sights.

Hi Ellen: <BR>Good luck to you and hooray for hubby. <BR>Paris, Paris, Paris <BR>Oh, and did I mention Paris?

Good for you, Ellen! My husband and I did a 9 day trip last year to London, Bruges, and Paris when I was 5.5 months pregnant, and it was wonderful! Much as I love London and Paris, I will caution you that since they're best explored on foot, you might find yourself overdoing the walking; and be really careful about standing too long in museums! For those reasons, Bruges was a joy -- compact, atmospheric, and not too many museum-type things that I felt I had to do. (Plus wonderful, wonderful food. I got so hungry with all the walking that my husband claims I spent as much money on food as we did on everything else combined!)I think Salzburg would be quite the same way, not so sure about Vienna, as it's not all that compact. Can't help with Prague and Budapest, but do try for minimal travel between countries. <BR> <BR>Have fun, and let me know if you have specific questions!

ooh, I don't want to rain on your parade, but since you don't say how far along you will be, I feel like I should share this little story... <BR> <BR>A friend and her husband were given a trip to Paris (from employer) when she was almost 7 months along. She asked her doctor if it was safe to travel and was told no problem (my own doctor told me the airlines wouldn't let me fly after the start of the ninth month, but he also saw no problem up 'til then). So off to Paris they went. Spent 4 or 5 days sightseeing, maybe doing more than they should (who wouldn't?). Of course, she then had the baby the day before they were to return. Beautiful healthy girl, but born 7-8 weeks premature. Their vacation to Paris turned into living in a hotel/hospital for a month. VERY expensive. Plus, by the time they returned, her maternity leave was almost over and it had cost so much money that she had to get back to work anyway. This was not a high-risk pregnancy. I know a number of other people who have had preemies. <BR> <BR>So please be careful that you are going early enough in the pregnancy! Worse than having the baby away from home would be going into labor on the airplane! <BR> <BR>But wherever you go, have a wonderful vaction and get ready for a truly amazing experience! <BR>

Ellen, I hope I don't step over any boundaries of propriety here, but I thought I'd offer something to think about. <BR> <BR>I have kids. Before the first one, I had a great career. I always assumed I would have the baby and get right back to my career, just like before. But something about becoming a Mom changed me. After struggling in the workplace for a few years, I quit, and we are all much happier this way. Fortunately, my husband and I had lived frugally so we had the freedom and savings to get by on one income. <BR> <BR>So here's my point: Unless you are very financially secure, indeed so secure that you could easily live on one salary, you may wish to consider taking a more modest trip and conserving resources so that you keep your financial options open. That is particularly so since you have been fortunate to travel so much already. Of course, I have no info at all on your circumstances, but I hope this idea is helpful, and I hope you aren't offended by my thoughts. <BR> <BR>Best of luck with the baby!

Thank you one and all. Great advise. Here is more detail. I will be 4 months preggers. Yes, this is quite planned, being that we need a little assistance from our favorite fertility specialist. Very helpful being able to select the conception date! Finances are in good shape. I will continue to work once the baby arrives, but mostly from home. Also, have great support from in-laws! Keep the suggestions coming. And, Paris is a thought, but not for the whole 10 days. We like to combine sightseeing with relaxation. Our favorite trip started with 4 days of relaxation in Positano, and then whirlwind sightseeing through Rome, Tuscany, Florence and Venice. We wound down in lake Como.

We are also planning a springtime trip before our baby arrives in June. We got engaged in Paris & would like to return for a long weekend... We just can't decide if it's better to go mid/late February or early March. we don't know if the weather will be better if we wait until March...i'll be between 21 & 25 weeks, so i'm also a little worried about being too big to travel comfortably...the later we go, the bigger i'll be! <BR> <BR>Thanks, amanda, for the advice on trying not to walk too much or stand for too long. We did heavy siteseeing last time & plan to be much more casual this time around to really just enjoy the atmosphere of paris. <BR> <BR>and to ellen, i just started my 4th month and the fatigue & nausea have disappeared. plus, i'm not really showing yet, so it's still fairly easy to move around. you should feel fine to travel at that time. we went to NYC last weekend & are going to california this weekend and i'm feeling fine.