My husband and I are expecting our first child and want to take a fabulous vacation before we're a threesome instead of a twosome. We will travel sometime at the very end of this year or very beginning of next year. We're thinking luxury, warm, possibly beach. Any ideas or points in the right direction?

I know this the domestic forum but if it were me I would be looking at French Polynesia. Why not go out with a bang you most likely will be hanging on two these memories for some time. I guess you can't do much diving as and expectant mom but I think you will find the summer, the tropics in January in French Polynesia. A dear friend of mind grew up Big Island of Hawaii and lives on the North Shore of Oahu tells me Tahiti alone is more beautiful than any place on any of the Hawaiian islands. This friend has also spent a considerable amount of time in India, Indonesia and Thailand. I would mingle in the French Polynesia chat room at fodor's for ideas. Go on the internet and look up the regional web sites, the photos alone will knock your socks off.

Forget Florida. I planned a trip last January and the weather was in the 50's.

Hong Kong would be a delightful last childfree vacation. A tropical setting with a big city flare. I loved my visit. Many of the people speak English and yet, you're very much in a foreign country. The beaches are very pretty, fun street fair shopping and plenty of wonderful restuarants to choose from. Also no need to worry about a car - the public transportation is very good. The only downside is the long flight.

For something easier and not so far away, try St John, US Virgin Islands. Low key, gorgeous, great food, the best beaches. If you're interested, try
usvi-on-line.com

i suspect you will be fairly large at the time of your trip. are you sure you want to go to a beach? that is a place where bathing suits can be fairly revealing! you should go to hot springs, arkansas. you can get off your feet and just veg out and do the barefoot and pregnant thing. just a thought.

My wife and I love to travel and just returned from a trip up the east coast through New York, Cape Cod, etc. She is 6 months pregnant with our second. On our first child we took a cruise when she was 3 months pregnant. She was uncomfortable traveling in a car this time and had morning sickness on the cruise. Just get some advice from the doctor prior to leaving so you know what to expect....

1. Tito: when you are whale-sized, nothing feels better -- and is as healthful for you -- than swimming. You get exercise, you float and feel lighter, etc. etc. So who cares what you look like -- and maybe Moco will look spectacular (although I looked more like an upholstered igloo, but I was happy to be harboring my future son).

2. Go ahead and do warm -- the V.Islands are perfect, but maybe the Keys? Perhaps Southern Calif. wherever there's a pool

The Palm Springs area in Southern California is a great idea. It's warm in the winter months and offers plenty to choose from in terms of relaxation, pools, spas, shopping and some of the best restaurants around. You can either fly directly into Palm Springs or a sometimes cheaper option is to fly into nearby Ontario Airport and rent a car.

Non-US - Bitter End Yacht Club or Biras Creek Resort, British Virgin Islands
Will have to ponder a US destination; perhaps wine country tour, capped with stay in San Francisco.

Oops- scratch the wine country tour as you won't be imbibing. That would be too cruel! C's idea of Palm Springs is a good one; how about staying at Two Bunch Palms? This spa was the site for scenes in Robert Altman's "The Player"; the treatments there look absolutely medicinal. Take a look at its website, www.twobunchpalms.com. Good luck!

Why not try one of the Hawaiian Islands? You can take RB's suggestion and stop over in San Francisco on your way there or back. If you can do it, I think the Four Seasons Wailea is by far one of the most fabulous places i've ever stayed in the U.S. for luxurious pampering. It was a pretty romantic environment to boot. I also thought of Turks and Caicos in the Carribean if you're into beach and watersports. Not much to do on the island itself, but the beaches are spectacular.

There's no guarantee of warm weather in Hawaii during that time of year. I've visited in January and had to sit wrapped in a quilt on the beach while reading and enjoying the scenery.

SF is a romantic place, but by no means a warm climate. I'd have to agree with the Palm Springs suggestion. Palm Desert is just down the road and also offers a lot of options.

Wow! Thanks everybody! These ideas are fantastic. I'm leaning toward the Palm Springs idea. Anybody ever been to New Mexico or Arizona that time of year? No beach but beach like?

Although Palm Springs is a nice place to visit, bear in mind it IS the desert. From reading your original and subsequent posts, it seems that you are focused on having a beach-like environment, which Palm Springs is definitely not. If you like hiking, tennis, golfing, shopping, and desert sightseeing, it's a great place. Has some beautiful resorts as well. But probably the only beach-like activity you'll be enjoying is a dip in the pool or the hot mineral bath at your resort. Also, I guess when I think "one last fabulous vacation with the husband before the baby comes", I think of somewhere where the romance level is high and where I won't be able to take my child because it will be difficult logistically. So I guess I would suggest/vote with those suggesting a lush Carribean resort or exotic tropical island.

Hi Moco - My husband and I have been to St. John by ourselves and loved it -snorkeling most of every day. I'd highly recommend this beautiful island as a great place for couples. Also been to Arizona with 3 kids and it was our best vacation ever. We're going with kids to San Diego and Palm Springs next spring. However, I'd second one posters thoughts that unless you're into golf or hiking, Palm Springs wouldn't be your best choice.

A word or reassurance here....We used to take nice vacations pre-babies and I was sad to give this up when the kids arrived. However, I found that when our youngest child was about 8 years old, we could start going to places again and enjoying it even more since the kids are enjoying them with us. At that age, the kids are easy to travel with, low-maintenance and lots of fun. We still travel alot with them as young teens - it just keeps getting better. I've heard stories about traveling with middle teens and older teens (who don't want to be with parents as much) but we haven't gotten there yet! Have fun and congratulations!!

Being from upstate NY, we always take a vacation to somewhere warm in winter. Arizona is one of our favorite places - great b&b's in the Tucson area. I can make some great recommendations if you're interested. The weather is variable - went in 1998 and it was cool, mostly in 50's & 60's. Went in 1999 and it was hot everywhere - 80's. Also depends on where you go. Grand Canyon, Flagstaff area, Sedona is cooler. Tucson and south is warmer.

Hi:

if you choose palm Springs, i would suggest The Willows instead of Two Bunch Palms. That property has gotten sort of funky---in fact, it is reportedly on the market. The Willows is un-be-lievable. If you want luxury, stay there and get day spa services from eithe the Spa Hotel or Spa de Jour. Good luck.

My husband and I took the very vacation you are describing back in April. We went to Little Palm Island which is a resort off the coast of FL Keys. The entire island is the resort and you can only get there by a resort-run shuttle boat. It is soooo beautiful, quiet, romantic... I could go on and on. The best part is that we live on east coast and only took a few hours to get there, but we could just as well have been in Hawaii. Rooms (only 35 rooms) are fantastic and so is the restaurant. Best of all...no children allowed! Our second choice was the Ocean Club on Paradise Island. Have fun!