Final Vacation, Pre-Baby
 

I live in NY and my wife is 7 1/2 months pregnant. We just bought a house and over the past four months, we have been under a tremendous amount of stress with house problems. We would very much like to take our last vacation as a couple without any children. <BR><BR>I would like to exclude anywhere we have to fly because of my wife's condition (max of five hour drive from NYC area). By the way, IF we were to fly, we would pick Bermuda or Sanibel/Capital Island, FL;<BR><BR>I would like to go somewhere scenic and very relaxing;<BR><BR>Need to have good restaurants;<BR><BR>Beach is not a requirement nor is it a deterrent;<BR><BR>We've been to Newport, RI and we enjoyed that (especially the New England Clam Chowder). We've been to the Berkshires in Massachusetts and was just okay with that. <BR><BR>Any suggestions would be much appreciated (don't have much time to do my own research - you know, with the house and all)! <BR><BR>Ed

Ed - the first thing that popped into mind while reading your post was Newport...then I saw you had already been. Can you take a train? Perhaps then Montreal?<BR><BR>If not, how about a drive through Vermont, staying at B&B's. Or Nantucket/Cape Code area would be nice as well. How about Washington DC?<BR><BR>As for the car ride - make sure you stop frequently. It's very important latter in pregnancy to move your legs to avoid any blood clots, etc. Not to mention bladder issues!<BR><BR>Enjoy your babymoon, wherever it may be!

How long would a train ride to Montreal take? I think it might be too long if the drive takes 8 hours. It might be a good idea because of the strength of the American dollar versus the Canadian dollar. <BR><BR>Washington DC sounds like a trip that would not be as relaxing because there are so many sites to see. <BR><BR>At the risk of sounding ignorant, what are things about Cape Cod and Nantucket that attract people to come? Is it like Newport, Rhode Island? How far of a drive from NYC?<BR><BR>We've also enjoyed a day trip to Mystic, CT. Now we are looking for a 3 night trip somewhere.<BR><BR>I would love to take a short flight somewhere (like Florida) but I don't want to take any chances with my pregnant wife.<BR>

I can't picture your wife waddling around at these scenic locations and enjoying herself. Buy her a lazy boy and a bag of potato chips.

Ed, Most people like the Cape and Nantucket better than Newport. More charm, more scenic beauty, gorgeous beaches.<BR><BR>If you want to save a bit of money go after labor day MID-WEEK if possible. The rates are still high on the weekends but drop considerably mid-week in the fall.<BR><BR>Another alternative is Lake Champlain, Burlington Vermont, very pretty. Saratoga Springs, the Adirondacks, Finger Lakes (someone just did a trip report, I haven't been there since my childhood, but it sounds as nice as I remember), Rockport and Newburyport, Mass.

Also, very close is Litchfield Hills in CT. Lake Waramaug is nice, Hopkins Vineyard (yeah, a few sips of wine at this late stage is fine. As my OB/GYN sister-in-law says, go ahead, that baby's done), Kent, Litchfield, etc.

My wife and I had a baby 2 months ago, and did a trip similar to yours. The key considerations:<BR><BR>1. Drive..... That way, you have total control if you need to stop for an hour, eat, bathroom, etc.<BR>2. Do Not...Do Not.. Go to a desination where you need to walk alot. My wife and I actually went to Manhattan, enjoyed the restaurants and relaxing in a 4 star hotel... but we ended up catching a cab for even a 2 block ride.<BR><BR>How about Maine? Ogunquit and Wells are worth checking.

What about the fingerlakes region? You said the Berkshires were just okay, so this might not be up your alley. You could try the Mohonk Lodge -- it's a full-service resort and they have a website.<BR><BR>You could also try a long weekend in the Hamptons. They are likely booked up until Labor Day, but after Labor Day there might be some vacancies.<BR><BR>I think the Cape and Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket might be just the ticket. What is there to do there? beaches, cute shopping, quaint towns, bike riding (okay, not your wife), good restaurants, whale watching, art galleries, lobsters, etc. I would suggest you stay in Chatham and think about a day-trip to either the Vineyard or Nantucket.

MARTHA'S VINEYARD!!!!!! Stay at a very luxurious B&B, eat at nice restaurants, enjoy the scenery, relax on beach. No hustle and bustle, no problems!

Have you considered returning to the site where you first knocked her up?

Ed,<BR> Why not take a cruise to Bermuda from either NY or Boston. My wife was 5 months pregnant with twins back in 2000 when we went on our Caribbean cruise. We wanted to take a big trip before the babies were born, and we had a great time! Good luck!

Have you considered St. Michael's, MD? It is a great town on the Chesapeake with incredible dining options. I have been twice and we first stayed at Inn at Perry Cabin, which was out of this world and the restaurant is not to be missed. The 2nd time we stayed at a lower key B and B that was half the price. It is a great town to relax in and enjoy the Masryland crabs.

A new Hyatt resort is opening in Chesapeake too, It looks very nice and is opening August 29th. They have great introductory rates.

As far as going back to where conception occurred, that wouldn't be far as it was at home.<BR><BR>Maine (Ogunquit and Wells) sounds a bit far of a drive for my wife.<BR><BR>A cruise to Bermuda is probably out of the question. There is not a lot of flexibility with a cruise and my wife could be only two weeks from deliverying. We want the ability to get back quickly. In addition, I get sea-sick.<BR><BR>I don't know much about MD - what is there to do in St. Michaels / Chesapeake area? The Hyatt resort sounds like a good idea (just relaxing at the spa) but it opens on August 29th, which is a week before the scheduled delivery date. Any other resort ideas?<BR><BR>Keep the suggestions coming. Much appreciated!<BR><BR>Ed<BR><BR>

Others are giving far better specific suggestions than I could offer, but I think that you should avoid Martha's Vineyard or cruise since medical attention would be more distant than would be comforting to most first time expectant mothers.<BR><BR>As far as scenic, most women at 8-9 months (since she is 7 1/2 now and you mentioned something about maybe delivering in 2 weeks - I am not sure what that is all about) are not up for sightseeing. Have you considered a very close-by resort type place where you can sit, swim, maybe use a spa, eat good food either at resort or nearby restaurants, get room service, sleep late without carpenters arriving early to begin work on your house.<BR><BR>Good luck with your house and pregnancy. Having a kid does not force you to house-arrest for the next 18 years. It just makes travel different.

Gail, you're being ignorant--Martha's Vineyard has a wonderful hospital on the Island with a great ob/gyn department, hardly the same as being stuck on a cruise ship.

My wife is expected to deliver on Sept. 8th. What I meant was, at the time of our vacation, it could be two weeks from the delivery date (e.g., August 25th).<BR><BR>Yes, I am considering a resort where we can just relax in the spa and go to good restaurants. Anyone with suggestions on resorts (e.g., romantic without too many noisy kids)? <BR><BR>Thanks for the advice.

How about the place in the Poconos with the champagne glass whirlpools?

Not very far, but very, very nice. How about the Inn at National Hall in Westport, CT? Very luxurious. Their website is innatnationalhall.com. Good luck with everything!!

Ed,<BR>--We live in NYC and are going to the Inn at Sawmill Farm this weekend. The food is supposed to be excellent (b-fast & dinner included) along with an amazing wine list. It is located in southern vermont. <BR>--I also heard Lake Placid Lodge is very nice, though it is about a 5 hour drive. <BR>--How about the Sagamore on Lake George? <BR>--check out the Relais & Chateaux website for wonderful inns & hotels in the NE.

To sn. I have also heard good things about Martha's Vineyard Hospital - and it does a fine job of serving routine medical needs of the island.<BR><BR>However, it is (according to their own website)just a 15-bed hospital. All high-risk maternity patients are air-lifted to Boston. As I said in my post, I was commenting on what I thought would be comforting to most first-time expectant mothers, not on the medical competence of physicians, nurses and other staff of hospital.<BR><BR>Since now it appears that Ed may be traveling with his wife withing 2 weeks of her delivery date, I also advise him to check their insurance policy very carefully. Ours does not cover out-of-area maternity care within 2 weeks of EDC (due date). Make sure you know what is considered out-of-area and what is official due date. Many women find some biological urge to "nest" close to their due date, and I would suggest a trip sooner rather than later if you can make arrangements in time.<BR><BR>Since most northeast schools start around Labor Day, I hope you can find a place without a herd of loud kids - in our area (Boston), the end of August is one of the busiest times at resort-type places since many camps end and school has not started, so parents take vacation time with kids. <BR><BR>

Okay, Ed, with that additional info (that your wife will be within 2 weeks of her expected due date), I think a resort near to NYC is in order.<BR><BR>How about Mohonk Mountain Lodge -- www.mohonk.com.<BR><BR>Another choice is the Sagamore at Lake George -- www.thesagamore.com.<BR><BR>Both are full-service resorts with wonderful dining, relaxing adirondack chairs, etc.<BR><BR>Good luck.

The Ceasars Resort in the Poconos is wonderful. All inclusive, no kids allowed, all you can eat breakfast and dinner, activites on grounds that are a blast. Pool, sauna, whirlpool all in your own room (pregnant people are a little nervous about being seen in a bathing suit). We have gone the last three years for our anniversary and love it each time.<BR><BR>Good luck.

Her due date is Sept. 8th? That was my due date with my first baby. His birthday is September 30th. I suggest you get going....

I think the whirlpool and sauna are irrelevant because pregnant women are not supposed to use them for medical reasons! That aside the Ceasar's Poconos Resort and especially Paradise Cove are VERY nice. We went there for our anniversay (sans children) 2 years ago.

OOps! Meant to say his birthday is August 30th! My second baby had a due date of October 10th, his birthday is September 30th.

I highly suggest these 4 resorts if you are not on strict budget-<BR>In at Perry Cabin - www.perrycabin.com Point Resort in NY -www.thepointresort.com or <BR>Greenbriar in WV - www.greenbriar.com. Skytop Resort in Poconos<BR><BR>These are our favorite local getaways when we do not want to fly.<BR><BR>Inn at Perry is fantastic, right on water on Chesapeake. It is very classy, quiet and the finest dining options are all around you. There are also other less expensive lodging options in St. Michaels. Be sure to dine at Perry Cabin though. St. Michales is a yachting town. You could go out on boat for day. You are around 1.5 hour drive to Annapolis/Baltimore areas if you get bored. St. Michaels is a quaint town with adorable shops, the best rest's, etc.

Just to let you know Ed, if you're planning to travel when your wife is two weeks from her due date, you can cross off flying because no airline will let her fly. She should also consult her doctor to make sure that it's okay for her to go away for awhile as it is not uncommon for pregnant women to give birth 2 weeks before their due date. I think the final say on this vacation should come from your wife because believe me, she would feel a lot different when her due date is near.

Ed,if money is not a problem, try Basin Harbor Resort on Lake Champlain in Vergennes, Vermont. Reserve a cabin. You won't have a TV, but you'll have a stone fireplace, bedroom, wet bar, fridge, living room, deck or screened porch. You can't help but relax here. The food is included (breakfast and dinner) and is wonderful. If you golf, there is a perfect (even for beginners) 9 hole course. You can go on lake cruises from the dock. Lots to do, but you may find sitting in a chair on the porch and breathing the fine country air is what you crave most!

Ed-funny, but we've loved Bermuda, Captiva, and Mystic too, so you may love Basin Harbor!

try the mirror lake inn or the sagamore in upstate ny. Both are beautiful , private resorts that offer great dining.

Many valid points<BR>- You can't fly<BR>- You don't want to drive too far<BR>- You need to be near Medical Care...<BR><BR>How about getting a weekend hotel at the Plaza. You'd spend the same amount of money, and I bet it would be a whole lot less stressful. But still fun, and still a getaway.

The Breakers at Spring Lake, New Jersey or the Pineapple Inn in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Cape May is really great, and if you want to see a live show, Atlantic City is only an hour away. Also, Cape Cod - so much to do or so little to do, it's really up to you.

How about Canyon Ranch Health Spa in Lenox, Mass. Right next to Tanglewood. You can sit and do nothing or swim, exercise and receive those fabulous spa treatments. All meals are prepared and delicious....very healthy for mom and baby. Not too far from NYC, approx. 3 hours. And there is superb medical care on site. Your wife will be trated like a queen.<BR><BR>Congrats on the new home and the new baby.

tothetop!

I can't believe with the number of replies there have been that no one has suggested to Ed that he is NUTS to travel with a wife within 2 weeks of her due date. Number one, she may not feel the greatest, and number two they are running a great risk of having their baby in a strange city, in a strange hospital, delivered by an unknown doctor, with no friends or relatives to visit because they are not in their home town. Then, what fun to try to get a newborn home on that five hour drive. I think Ed needs to use his brain and doesn't show much intelligence.

I have never "been there", but I am with been there.<BR>I am a nurse, and most OB's highly discourage any travel over 1 hour DRIVING DISTANCE for the last month of pregnancy. With your first baby, why take the chance?<BR>Let's evaluate what is going on in your life:<BR>1-New House<BR>2-House problems<BR>3-New baby very soon<BR>4-Lots of stress<BR>5-Wife in the most difficult stage of pregnancy<BR><BR>...all this adds up to probably not a good time to have a vacation!<BR>But if you must-I second the Plaza in NYC! If not, then take your money and send your wife to a spa! SHe will love you even more for it!<BR>I see people travel with children all the time! Having children does not condemn you to never having a vacation!<BR>By the way, good luck with your new baby...

Well, I think this is a very sweet and romantic idea that would do your wife a world of good. I would look for a resort/spa close by and concentrate on relaxing and pampering. My first baby was born 2 days before our moving day (a month early). I think it was the stress. Sorry, I can't help with the location. <BR>

Ok, I will admit, I think Ed is nuts, and slightly dumb, to even think that it is a good idea to go away 2 weeks before his wife's due date. If they really feel that they have to spend the night away from the house, then they should just get a hotel room locally, like the Plaza as suggested. My first child was born 2 weeks early; my second was a week early. And as the nurse said, you shouldn't drive any more than an hour away from home at that point in the pregnancy. Anything can happen. Why take the chance?