From Pickles to Pleasure - HitchedMag.com
August, 2008 - A relatively new concept, the term "Babymoon" vacation caters to parents to be ~ BY BOBBY HICKMAN & JONI STRANDQUEST
Babymoons are a growing trend and a great way to spend time together.
When Chris Christensen and his wife, Joan, were expecting their first child in 1988, they decided to take a vacation. The couple booked a trip to an inn in the Heritage Park area above the older part of San Diego. "There were two reasons for the trip," Chris says. "One was to spend time together as a twosome before we became a threesome." Another was that Joan was having problems with high blood pressure—a situation the vacation solved by reducing stress that "was more work-related than baby-related."
Chris, who lives in San Jose, did not realize it at the time, but he was blazing the trail ahead of today’s growing trend of "babymoons"—weekend getaways for expectant couples. The term dates back to at least 1996, when author Sheila Kitzinger used it to describe a vacation linked to the birth of a new baby. The travel industry has since adopted the term to describe vacations prospective new parents take to share a little quiet time before their family grows. The trips often occur during the second trimester, which doctors say is the safest time for an expectant mother to travel.
Couples who want to enjoy a fling before the arrival of their first baby (or their fourth) can find plenty of destinations offering special babymoon promotions. Many indulge expectant couples with a combination of convenience, romance and a plethora of amenities that range from luxurious pampering, to convenient shopping, to take-home gifts to spa services aimed specifically towards the special needs of parents-to-be.
One such destination is The Inn on Charlotte (www.InnonCharlotte.com) in St. Augustine, Florida. Owner Lynn Fairfield said her bed-and-breakfast evokes feelings of home and contentment, "and that’s what I love with share with ‘babymooning’ guests over lemonade and hors d-oeuvres." The historic inn offers couples one last chance to savor a quiet dinner alone, take a long leisurely walk through the historical downtown area, or just sleep late and indulge in a gourmet breakfast. Her two-night package includes a romantic, private horse and carriage ride, chocolates, dinner and other amenities.
There are plenty of other opportunities for babymooning across the country, from quaint B&Bs to luxury hotels.
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