The Babymoon: a brief escape together before the big day

A babymoon is simply a moment of relaxation for you and your partner before your new family member announces himself. Think of it as the last dance before you really become a ‘family’. The idea is to spend quality time together, a kind of mini holiday, before your world turns into a whirlpool of bottles and (probably) sleepless nights.

The babymoon trend actually came over from America, where they often come up with such catchy terms. You can compare a babymoon to a honeymoon, but minus the wedding stress and in honour of the upcoming parenthood. The goal? To relax a little more, without any hassle, and just enjoy each other. A bit of ‘us-time’. 

Babymoon timing can be a bit tricky. Of course, you don't want to go too early if you're still in the middle of first-trimester nausea, but neither do you want to go too late if you're too close to the due date. The second trimester is often seen as the ideal time: you will hopefully have more energy and the pregnancy belly is still manageable. This is the trimester when you feel most like yourself (but with an extra glow, they say).

So plan your babymoon preferably somewhere between 14 and 28 weeks, so you can travel in comfort without too much hassle. Besides, you can use this time to just catch your breath, forget your worries and simply enjoy that one luxury hotel, that cosy cottage or bed & breakfast.

Tip from us: Choose a location where you don't have to fly for hours or spend a long time in the car. Trust us: back pain and sitting still for a long time are not a match made in heaven.

Now comes the key question: do you stay close to home or go all out? Here it mainly depends on your preferences, budget and how adventurous you are still with a baby belly. A babymoon in the Netherlands? Why not! Our own little country is full of hidden gems. Think of a weekend in a luxury hotel on the coast, a charming B&B in Limburg, or a wellness resort on the Veluwe. No hassle with passports or exchange rate fiddling and if you really don't like it, you'll be back home in no time. If you have a more adventurous spirit and you think: ‘I want to cross the border for that last time, just the two of us! Then Europe is a great option. Looking for inspiration? Then check out our tips for the best babymoon destinations.

In short, whether you go for a few days in Zeeland or a week in Tuscany, it's all about the experience. It's that last chance to just be as a couple and talk everything through before the adventure really begins.

Another tip from us: if you choose to go abroad, check the care options beforehand just in case. This will make your trip just that little bit more comfortable.

Are you ready to plan that babymoon yourself and want to stay flexible? Through hotelgiftcard.com, you can choose from countless hotels, both in the Netherlands and abroad. Whether you fancy a luxury spa weekend at home, a romantic getaway in Paris, or a few days of sun in Portugal, the Hotelgiftcard gives you plenty of freedom. All you have to do is define your travel requirements and book via the site. 

Do you know a couple who is also ready for a moment together just before their lives change? Then giving them a babymoon gift with the Hotelgiftcard is a hit! Giving them a Hotelgiftcard not only gives them a great gift, but also the freedom to choose where and when they want to go. Whether it's a cosy hotel in the Veluwe region or a sunny destination on the coast of Italy, the couple-to-be can go either way with this gift card. Perfect for parents who don't want to think about anything for a while - except each other.