by BROOKE BOBB
The warnings that have hit the news about the Zika virus are quite alarming, specifically for pregnant women living or planning to travel abroad. The mosquito-borne illness, which can cause fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis, has spread to two dozen countries and territories, mainly in South and Central America. The virus is also being linked to a birth defect found in many newborns in these affected regions, even prompting some countries to advise their residents to postpone pregnancy.
While places like Tulum, San Juan, and Barbados might be typically popular travel destinations for vacations, the fear over contracting the virus is deterring many a pregnant would-be visitor. And for good reason
Here, we've rounded up five easily accessible destinations without reports of Zika where you can go before your due date. Just check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for up-to-date information before traveling.
Photo: Courtesy of @oceanviewclub
Ocean View Club, Harbour Island, Bahamas
The three-mile-long Harbour Island is one of the most serene settings in the Bahamas. With only nine rooms in the hotel, the Ocean View Club offers a stylish and charming retreat for a quiet, peaceful vacation. There's no spa or swimming pool, but the best part about this place is that it's located right on the island's famous (and quite spectacular) pink-sand beach.
Photo: Courtesy of @angiesilvy
The Rose Hotel, Venice, California
This is for those who don't want to be totally cut off from civilization. Located just off Venice Beach, the Rose is a boho-style bungalow hotel opened in 2014 by photographer Glen Luchford. The lobby and rooms are cozy but minimally decorated, and while there's no proper spa, the hotel can arrange for a special prenatal masseuse to visit your room or suite whenever the mood strikes. It's a very short walk from the beach and all of the amazing restaurants and cafés on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. There's also a rooftop deck for lounging in the sun.
Photo: Courtesy of @hotelbudir
Hótel Búdir, Snaefellsnes, Iceland
At the end of a stunningly scenic two-hour drive from Reykjavik, you'll spy a simple three-story white home and black church off in the distance--just two specks amid craggy lava fields, Snæfellsjökull glacier, and ocean as far as the eye can see. Welcome to Hótel Búdir, a charming hotel where--despite the otherworldly landscape and myriad outdoor activities--perhaps the most appealing attribute is its unique brand of calm. Read a book while watching sheep waddle by and seals play in the tide, go for a stroll through the tall grasses and mossy rocks, take a snowcat up to the top of the glacier at sunset and bask in the glow. Or just enjoy the silence--something that's sure to be a precious commodity once the bundle of joy arrives.
Photo: Courtesy of @vovmart
Moorings Village, Islamorada, Florida
Islamorada, famed for for its spectacular sunsets, is in the Florida Keys, surrounded by pristine beaches and clear blue water. The Moorings Village is situated on an old coconut plantation right on the water, with secluded villas and cottages perfect for a romantic vacation. It's also easy to visit nearby islands from the hotel's boat.
Photo: Courtesy of @nitalakelodge
Nita Lake Lodge, Whistler, Canada
The only things you need to bring on this babymoon are seriously cozy, comfy loungewear and maybe a pair of snow pants. This is all about relaxing and taking in some of the great outdoors. Nita Lake Lodge is Whistler's only lakeside property and boasts fireplaces and deep soaking tubs in each of its 77 rooms. The spa and fitness center features yoga classes and prenatal massages. If you're feeling particularly outdoorsy, you can take a gondola ride up the mountain or hike the wooded trails that surround the hotel.
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