Romantic Destinations for Expecting Couples

Whether you’re gearing up for the arrival of your first bundle of joy or expanding the existing brood, take a cue from veteran parents and sneak away for a relaxing and romantic babymoon before the little one arrives.

Wondering when to break away? Aim for the second trimester, when first trimester morning sickness has subsided and before the third trimester, when your OB declares you a flight risk. Here, we list our top 8 babymoon escapes, along with pregnancy-approved activities, to ensure a vacation to remember.

Vail

Nestled in the White River National Forest, Vail is a cosy mountain town that offers year-round charm for visitors. Though some of the area’s snow sports aren’t recommended for expecting mothers, the amenities and services available through Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail are ideal for pregnant guests looking to unwind. Here, partners can get a carefree adrenaline-high while moms-to-be are pampered.

Spend time together in Vail

Florence

Before the baby arrives, take that romantic trip to Italy you’ve always said you would. The picturesque capital of Italy’s Tuscany region is known for its culture, architecture and fascinating history. Elevate your trip with a stay at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, a five-star urban resort minutes from the Uffizi and the Duomo.

Plan a romantic trip to Florence

Maui

Nature lovers will be right at home in Maui, the second-largest of the Hawaiian islands. Minutes from Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, couples can embrace the great outdoors, exploring volcanoes, waterfalls and natural pools.

Get outdoors in Maui

Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Not that you intend to give birth in the South of France, but if you do, you’re in good hands. After all, Angelina delivered twins, Knox and Vivienne, in nearby Nice, where she enjoyed Mediterranean views from her hospital room. Enjoy the red-carpet treatment yourself at Four Seasons Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat. Since 1908, the legendary Cote d’Azur property has tempted guests with seaside views, award-winning cuisine and a sophisticated spa.

Plan a glamorous getaway in Cap-Ferrat

Jackson Hole

Nestled between Wyoming’s Teton mountains and the Gros Venture range, Jackson Hole is ideal for babymooners seeking a vacation that mixes spa and outdoor activities. For a premium alpine lodge experience, book a room at Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, where luxury rooms and mountain views will make staying in bed appealing too.

Get cozy in Jackson Hole

Hampshire

Couples looking to forgo the urban frenzy of London will be well served in Hampshire, where the tranquil countryside makes a welcome retreat for a babymoon. Embrace the history of the area with a stay at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire. Set on a 500-acre estate on England’s southern coast, the restored Georgian manor has been the home of the Dukes of Wellington since 1817.

Explore serene settings in Hampshire

Scottsdale

With more spas per capita than any other U.S. city, Scottsdale is a logical destination for pregnant guests seeking R&R. Between massages, pedicures and pampering, visitors can kick back at the Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, taking time to explore the golf course and area’s culinary scene.

Enjoy your time together in Scottsdale

Denver

Though the slopes are just a short drive from the Mile High City, Denver’s abundance of sports teams, museums and cosmopolitan offerings are the real draw for babymooners seeking a mix of city nightlife and relaxation. Between activities, rest up at Downtown’s Four Seasons Hotel Denver, where guests enjoy striking Rocky Mountain views from the property’s urban-chic suites.

Celebrate your growing family in Denver

Please note: Before you consider taking a trip internationally, it is important to talk with your health care provider to discuss safety factors for you and your baby.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Start planning your romantic getaway.

Cap Ferrat Hotel

The Transformative Power of Travel

The best trips are the ones that resonate long after our suitcases are unpacked, because they’ve changed us in a profound way. We’ve returned home different from the way we were before we left. We see the world – and ourselves – in a new way.

This new outlook on the world is due, in part, to the way we interact with it during our journeys. That’s where Four Seasons comes in, offering unique and immersive experiences that engage all the senses so you can more deeply connect with the destination. Whether you’re looking to dive into local culture or history or to find a new way to relax and recharge, these Four Seasons activities will help you see with fresh eyes.

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Adventures That Shift Your Perspective

Even the smallest moments can lead to a big shift in our outlook – so imagine the impact of the gentle giants who live in the jungle that surrounds Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle. Accompany a mahout guide through grasslands to the river, where the elephants play. Watch them splash about as you learn their stories – many were rescued from Thailand’s crowded city streets – and discover their distinct personalities, a lesson in building trust and letting go.

Meet the Tented Camp elephants

Collage of images of Taormina (San Domenico Palace)

Step back in time at the new San Domenico Palace, Taormina, a Four Seasons Hotel: The Palace itself was originally a 14th-century convent, and its ancient architecture and rich character are on full display, with traditional cloisters, choir stalls, restored frescoes, and artefacts and relics on exhibit in the Galleria. Take in panoramic views of Mount Etna and the Ionian Sea, and then see more with a guided tour of Sicily’s varied history. Observe the influence of a series of cultures in landmarks like the ancient Greek theatre, the Palazzo Corvaja and Piazza IX Aprile, all engaging connections between the past, present and future.

Explore the island’s rich history

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Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole is surrounded by some of America’s most rugged peaks, celebrated ski runs and breathtaking scenery – the gateway to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The sky is the limit when it comes to adventure – literally: The Ski Concierge will have your gear ready and waiting as you hop into a private helicopter for a full day of skiing or snowboarding at 12,000 to 15,000 vertical feet. Get a new perspective on the world as you gaze down at fresh, untracked powder stretching as far as you can see, challenging you to embrace heart-pounding adventure.

Get ready for year-round adventure

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Cultural Immersion That Stays With You

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Step into any of Madrid’s tablaos and you’ll discover the city’s wildly popular pastime: flamenco dance. But to truly understand the rhythm of this Andalusian dance form, try its steps yourself – let the Concierge at the new Four Seasons Hotel Madrid arrange private flamenco lessons. Stamp and tap your way to a new level of cultural understanding, set to the fiery chords of a Spanish guitar.

Find your rhythm

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Escape the noise of everyday life and discover the vast stillness of the Agafay desert, about 45 minutes from Four Seasons Resort Marrakech. Set out with a Resort guide on camels to experience the desert’s faded orange landscape. As your surroundings shift from rocky flats to half-melted hills, you’ll discover time for introspection. Afterwards, return to the Resort, nibble on ghoriba cookies and sip tiny glasses of mint tea as you reflect on the clarity that comes from a day outdoors.

Enjoy the beauty of the desert

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Rejuvenation That May Also Heal Body and Mind

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Harness the power of the herd at Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe: The Equus Experience pairs guests with horses for leadership training and personal and spiritual growth through equine interaction. Soak in breathtaking views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains as you break down boundaries and interact with the animals, learning to coach and guide without fuss or drama. As you learn more about working with the horses, you’ll discover you’re learning more about yourself, and you might just come away with fresh insights that can affect how you love, live and lead once you’re back home.

Indulge in a holistic wellness retreat

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Hidden in the lush jungle greenery overlooking the Ayung River Valley, the thatched-roof Sacred River Spa at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan is a serene, nurturing environment ideal for restoring balance to body, mind and spirit. Traditional Balinese chakra ceremonies are meant to align you with the energy of the Earth: The Muladhara ceremony will use singing bowls and deep, slow massage to cleanse your root chakra, said to bring inner peace and help you embrace your full potential. The Swadhisthana ceremony combines meditation and massage to balance the sacral chakra, helping you tap into your creativity and to encourage connection.

Balance your mind, body and soul

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will your explorations take you?

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Warm Up to These Winter Adventures

As festive season approaches, do you start pining for an escape to sun, sand and surf – or for an epic excursion to play in the snow? Some of us embrace the chill, while others prefer to heat things up, but whatever type of destination you choose, the end of the year is peak season for gathering your loved ones, travelling to a home away from home, sharing cool adventures and making warm memories. Here, find our picks for the best winter trips, complete with expert tips from our Four Seasons teams.

DISCOVER MEANING IN BORA BORA

Play castaway in French Polynesia with an escape to your own private island paradise at Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora. Spot colourful fish in the crystal-clear lagoon from your overwater bungalow suite, and stargaze from your personal plunge pool.

Ready for adventure? Meet marine life at close range on a half-day shark and ray snorkel safari. Or, for another memorable underwater excursion, accompany one of the Resort’s resident WiseOceans marine biologists into the Lagoon Sanctuary.

“One of the most special and meaningful experiences guests can have with us is grafting and adopting coral in our Lagoon Sanctuary,” says Head Concierge Etienne Baldeschi. “You’ll learn about coral health and growth, work with branching corals – and then you can adopt one or more corals, which we’ll place on an underwater structure at the Resort. It’s a great way to commemorate an occasion, to memorialize someone or simply to give back to the environment.”

For a romantic dinner on the Resort’s Sunset Motu, an outrigger canoe will deliver you to a tiny private island just off the main beach. With your toes in the sand, you can admire one of Bora Bora’s legendary sunsets while sipping Champagne, then dine under the stars with entertainment from talented fire dancers.

FIND YOUR PERFECT CATCH IN NEVIS

On the golden shores of Pinney’s Beach, the recently renovated Four Seasons Resort Nevis, West Indies, embodies laid-back luxury. Avid divers can mix in some adventure with the Dive and Dine experience: Don a wetsuit to join a Four Seasons chef and a local divemaster on a deep-sea culinary expedition.

“Catching your own spiny lobster with a lasso is a very local experience,” says Four Seasons Resort Nevis Guest Services Manager Mellissa Seabrookes. Sous-Chef Xavier Phillips describes the program as his ideal version of “fresh catch.” “It takes guests to a world beyond the waves, where they get to feel the rush of lassoing a Caribbean lobster for the first time,” he says. “It’s an exhilarating experience for both me, as a chef, and the guests.”

Back on shore, a beach barbecue is waiting, complete with cocktails. Learn the chef’s recipe for a special Caribbean-style sofrito marinade, made here with organic ingredients from the Resort’s herb garden. Then feast on lobster in a private beach cabana. Finally, listen to the wash of the waves as you relax with one of the Spa’s Ocean Breeze treatments.

TASTE THE TERRAIN IN JACKSON HOLE

If you’re looking for adventure, visit Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole, where you’re surrounded by rugged peaks, celebrated ski runs, and plenty of room to explore, thanks to the nearby Grand Teton National Park. Need gear? Head to the Ski Concierge, who can fit you for skis, schedule lessons, arrange lift tickets, and wax your skis and snowboard to match mountain conditions.

“Winter in Jackson Hole centres around the ski lifestyle – both on the slopes and off,” says Chef Concierge Taryn Shackleton. “Four Seasons offers direct access to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, giving our guests a seamless ski-in/ski-out experience. Our team also can arrange other adventures like dog sledding and snowmobiling.”

Take a day trip to Yellowstone National Park to see landmarks like Old Faithful and the Continental Divide – you might catch a glimpse of wildlife like elk, moose, wolves and bears. Or settle in for a romantic horse-drawn sleigh ride: Get cosy under a warm blanket, sip hot cocoa and enjoy the scenery as you glide through the National Elk Refuge.

After a day out in the snow, warm up with a swim in the Resort’s year-round heated pool or kick up your boots and sip an inventive cocktail at The Handle Bar. For the ultimate après-ski experience, head to the Ascent Lounge for gourmet hot chocolate (with all the toppings including homemade marshmallows) by the fire and a glass of Champagne, served up in a winter wonderland.

GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL IN MAUI

Looking for warm temperatures? Make like a humpback whale and head to Maui. Every year between December and May, these beloved visitors flock to the island’s warm waters to calve and nurse their young. At Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, catch a glimpse of the creatures in action – whether from a kayak, an outrigger or a helicopter. Sometimes there’s even a sighting from the Resort’s Serenity Pool.

“Maui is the best place in Hawaii to whale watch,” says Chef Concierge Margaux Pfeiffer. “You can admire whales breaching and nursing their young from the shoreline or take a whale-watching tour to see them up close. Seeing these magical animals in real life is such a unique experience.” For an enhanced whale-watching experience, try a guided kayak tour, available on-site with Maui Undersea Adventures. Or get a chance for an up-close encounter by venturing out on a complimentary outrigger canoe. Whether or not you spot a whale, you’ll return to shore with a tremendous story, amazing images and lifelong memories.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will you choose to spend your favourite season?

Jackson Hole

Perfectly Private

As a new season arrives, many of us are longing to explore new places: snow-covered mountaintops, tropical jungles, sun-warmed beaches or bustling cities. And whatever destination or timetable you may have in mind, opting for Four Seasons Villa & Residence Rentals offers the chance to focus more fully on savouring your experience and your time with family or friends. Our curiosity about the world beyond our doorstep may call each of us to travel in different ways and at different times, but whether you’re packing now, planning for a bit later or just pondering the possibilities for an epic future journey, Four Seasons can tailor a private getaway just for you.

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Wake to breakfast in a traditional Balinese villa.

An Easy Escape

Urban staycation or resort holiday. Costa Rica or KyotoBali or Bora Bora, or as close to home as you like. One bedroom or seven. As families and friends look for inspiring and easy-to-book opportunities to get away or reunite, Four Seasons villas and residences welcome guests to settle into the perfect privacy of a vacation home brought to life by legendary service. Before and during your stay, your on-site team will handle all the details; you can opt to have them stock your kitchen with your favourite foods and arrange everything exactly as you like. You’re free to explore the property and destination or have tastes of the place brought directly to you.

Uniquely Yours

From sunset cocktail parties to chef-prepared dinners and spacious indoor and outdoor living areas, the Four Seasons Villa & Residence Rentals collection offers all the privacy and comforts of home you need to reconnect with family and loved ones. Enjoy total relaxation at Villa Rose-Pierre in Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat: The private villa, tucked away in the pines and overlooking the Mediterranean, comes with a full staff to help you make the most of your stay. You and your guests can spend the day lounging by the villa’s private pool, sunbathing in the garden or playing a round of tennis on the private court. Then end the day with aperitifs on the rooftop terrace, toasting the time you spent together.

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Enjoy the glamour of the French Riviera at Villa Rose-Pierre in Cap Ferrat.

An Urban Oasis

Your residence is the ideal starting point to explore one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. Set out from Ten Trinity Square – a landmark address in the heart of London – to experience the city’s historic past and its exciting future. Explore Tower Bridge and the Tower of London – including an exclusive tour of the Crown Jewels – sample flavours from all over the world at Borough Market, one of the oldest food markets in London, and check out the buzzy South Bank, home to London’s best arts and culture venue: You’re perfectly positioned to experience the best the city has to offer. Afterwards, return home to sip afternoon tea under the beautiful domed ceiling of the Hotel’s Rotunda Bar or savour a Michelin-starred meal in your private dining room. Other cities to explore include Houston and Hangzhou.

An Adventure Awaits

Picture yourself and your family relaxing après-ski by the stone fireplace in your spacious mountain-view retreat in Vail. After a day spent outdoors in the fresh air and natural beauty, the kids sip hot cocoa while the adults warm up with a mixologist-led discovery of rare whiskeys from the Resort’s Private Barrel program. Tomorrow you can sample an adventure that captures your curiosity, perhaps snowshoeing or snowmobiling across backcountry terrain. With personal ski services and a dedicated Concierge, you’ll have time to see and do as much (or as little) as you like. Other options include private residences in Jackson Hole and Whistler.

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Sip a cup of hot cocoa in your luxury mountain residence in Whistler.

Discover Paradise

If your thoughts drift instead to an oceanside sanctuary, imagine an escape to Four Seasons Hotel and Residences at The Surf Club, comfortably secluded yet only minutes from South Beach and a half hour from downtown Miami. Embrace indoor-outdoor living and unwind with your loved ones amid the calming blue and green coastal tones of interiors by sought-after designer Joseph Dirand. Relax with a spa treatment on your expansive balcony or with floor-to-ceiling windows bathing you in warm light and ocean views. To explore land- and seascapes beyond the Hotel, sail off on a private yacht excursion. Prefer a West Coast retreat? Soak up a SoCal feel in the coastal community of Carlsbad, a half hour from San Diego, at Four Seasons Residence Club Aviara.

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Savour the glamour of The Surf Club in an oceanfront residential suite.

YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

Where will you discover next?

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Across the Universe

This year, the universe has gifted us with 366 days. Leap day represents the perfect opportunity to look back and look forward, to develop new traditions and step out of your comfort zone, to explore the world and come home different – one unforgettable experience at a time.

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Take the Leap With Four Seasons

What will you do with your extra day? Use it to do something you’ve never done before. The time is yours to take.

Because it happens only once every four years, leap day has historically been seen as an oddity, a day for declaring that the normal rules don’t always have to apply.

On the last day of February in 1948, for example, single women in Aurora, Illinois, seized control of the fire and police departments, and jailed every unmarried man they could round up. They took over the city council as well, where they debated outlawing corncob pipes and flew bloomers as flags over City Hall.

Believe it or not, this wasn’t the first – or last – women’s takeover of Aurora. It happened every four years from 1932 to 1980, always on February 29: leap day. This city’s tradition was just one of many around the world.

One of the best-known leap day traditions flips the script on marriage proposals. No one knows how it started, but the custom was well established by the 1800s. If the man refused a woman’s proposal, he had to pay a fine – usually cash or a new gown.

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Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

One day, one hour or even one minute can change the way we view the world. That’s especially true when we step out of our routines. Transform your perspective with Four Seasons.

More modern traditions include tree planting in Germany and leap day cocktails around the globe. In Paris, you can kick back with a copy of a spoof newspaper published only on February 29 – La Bougie du Sapeur (The Sapper’s Candle), named after a French comic-book character born that day.

In contrast to these light-hearted traditions, in Scotland the whole leap year is considered unlucky. (“Leap year,” Scots say, “was ne’er a good sheep year.”)

But many consider leap day a lucky day, particularly families welcoming “leaplings” to the family. There are two recorded cases of families with three siblings all born on February 29 – one in Norway in the 1960s, and one in Utah between 2004 and 2012.

Roman dictator Julius Caesar is considered the father of leap year. The ancient Roman calendar system was based on 355 days a year – slightly over 10 days shorter than a solar year. To keep the calendar in line with the seasons, Caesar consulted with the top astronomers of the day, and in 46 BC added one day every four years to the calendar to make up for the discrepancy.

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Come Home Different

Travel is a time to experience new things, reflect on ourselves and embrace new ways of being. What skills, hobbies and interests will you bring home to expand your personal horizons?

Non-European cultures that used different calendars have fewer customs associated with February 29. But because the solar year isn’t a precise number – Earth’s orbital revolution around the sun takes about six hours longer than 365 whole days – all calendars need to fudge things with their own leap days and leap months, which often have their own traditions.

China historically used a lunar calendar that incorporated seven leap months every 19 years. And the Hebrew calendar sometimes deletes a day, but more often adds days and months in what are called “pregnant years.” The extra month is considered lucky.

Breaking things down even smaller than leap months and leap days, there’s the leap second. We need leap seconds because the Earth’s rotation is constantly slowing down (and has been for ages: in dinosaur times, a seasonal year lasted around 400 days). So every few years since 1972, the world’s timekeepers have added a second to our clocks at midnight on June 30 or December 31 – at which point the time is officially 11:59:60 pm.

No matter how you perceive leap day, its fundamental purpose is to keep our calendars aligned with the seasons, thereby providing stability in our lives. It’s ironic, then, that the day itself is often the opposite – whimsical and exciting. But sometimes we need that release, a little break from routine. However you choose to take your time on February 29 – lingering under the stars in Costa Rica, diving into Anguilla’s hidden cays, escaping to Lake Como from Milan via a helicopter ride over the mountains – take advantage of this rarest of days and make it somehow your own.