Our wedding anniversary is in June. For our 3rd anniversary celebration, we decided to visit Santorini because this was high up in our bucket list!
We have been mesmerised by all the postcard-perfect photos of Santorini and we really wanted to go before the baby came. So we made it the destination for our anniversary trip and babymoon. (Efficient or what?)
Being 7 months pregnant, travelling is not easy by any means… Santorini might be beautiful, but it is full of hills and steps! So I wanted to share some tips for pregnant ladies out there considering going to Santorini for their babymoon.
1. Choose the right time of the year to go
We went to Santorini in the summer and it was over 30℃ every day. I really struggled with the heat on this trip and I had to stop frequently to rest. The heat can make you dehydrated and very irritable. Try and avoid going in the summer. October to May would be a better time to visit as it is cooler and less crowded.
2. Flying when pregnant
Check with your airline and see what their policies are regarding flying when pregnant. Some airlines will require a fit to fly letter from your midwife or doctor after a certain stage of pregnancy (usually after 27 weeks) to prove that you are not at risk of giving birth during the flight!
The letter has to be dated close to when you fly so make sure you see a healthcare professional right before you go.
Flying from the UK to Santorini is less than 4 hours but if you are flying from somewhere else and the journey is more than 4 hours, consider getting some compression socks. It is also recommended to stay hydrated on the flight and you should try and walk around every hour. Try and get an aisle seat so you can freely move around. This is all to reduce the risk of getting clots in your legs (DVT).
It is much easier to fly in your second trimester than your third. Life is generally easier in your second trimester anyway!
3. Hire a car
There are several ways to get around Santorini. You can take the island bus, hire ATVs or motorbikes. Being pregnant, the best (and safest) option is probably hiring a car!
We hired a car from J&J Car Rental and it was one of the best decisions we made on this trip. Dimitris greeted us at the airport and took us to their office nearby to pick up the car. The process from landing to getting our car was quick and seamless. Dimitris is very passionate about his job and Santorini! He gave us some good tips on what to do on the island as well.
Having a car in Santorini meant that we didn’t have to walk as much on the trip. It also helped us save money as we were able to book accommodations away from the busy and expensive main towns. We often drove to nearby supermarkets to buy our own food.
Parking in Santorini is free; there are multiple car parks in all the major towns. Try and park in the car park closet to the towns to reduce the need to walk up too many hills!
We really recommend J&J Car Rental if you are considering visiting Santorini. Book before your trip HERE to avoid disappointments.
Website: http://car-rental-santorini.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JJ-Car-Rental-Santorini-1103429716336007/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santorini_greece2018/?hl=en
4. Where to stay
Most people stay in Fira, Oia or Imerovigli when they visit Santorini. Those are the places to be if you want that Instagram-perfect Santorini hotel photos. (And if you have lots of spare money..!)
We purposely avoided those areas and stayed in Kamari for several reasons:
- Closer to the airport
- Cheaper
- Much quieter
- You can drive right up to the hotel as opposed to having to walk through loads of steps every day! We saw a lot of people struggling with their suitcases in Fira and Oia up and down the narrow stairs just to get to their accommodations!
5. Share your load
I usually like to travel with a bigger bag so I can be prepared for every eventuality (think Mary Poppins). However, as I am already carrying a human being in my belly, I really needed to reduce my load as much as possible.
I made hubby wear a big backpack everywhere while I carried a small handbag. I made sure I got him a bag he likes that is both comfortable and stylish.
Check out this handsome Herschel bag HERE. You can also get 15% off any full price item from Parasol Store using the code CHAU15!
6. Wake up early
Waking up early during your holiday may not sound very fun but I promise you, it is so worth it!
When you start your day early, you can avoid being out during the hottest time of the day. You can also enjoy Santorini without all the tourists! There is no point getting all dressed up, finding the perfect backdrop, then having to wait 15 minutes before you can take a photo without a crowd behind you.
Throughout our trip, we woke up early and spent the mornings exploring. We would return to our hotel at around midday to relax by the pool and avoid the heat.
7. What to wear
I wore dresses every day because they are much easier to pack and much cooler to wear in the summer. Make sure you try all your dresses on before you go on your trip because your bump is probably growing faster than you know!
Make sure you wear comfortable shoes as there will be a lot of walking around. I wore my TOMS pretty much every day as trainers were too warm and sandals would not have been as comfortable.
8. What to bring
Beside the usual things you bring on your holiday, we have compiled a list of extra items you might need for your babymoon in Santorini:
- Maternity notes in case sometime happens
- Portable fan, small enough for your handbag but powerful enough to keep you cool
- Extra water
- Emergency snacks in case your blood sugar drops
- Sun screen because your skin is more sensitive to the sun when you are pregnant
- A wide brim hat. I went out one morning without my hat and I felt extra hot and dizzy!
9. Take it easy
We are usually guilty of trying to do too much when we travel but this time round, due to my lack of physical abilities, we were forced to slow down.
It turned out to be really nice. We had time to reflect on our 3 years of marriage, to share the excitement of having a baby and just enjoying being just the 2 of us!
We didn’t really plan much in terms of itinerary and we felt ok about not going to places we originally intended to. It was wonderful to just enjoy the moments rather than worrying about doing as much as we can.
Adjust your pace according to how you are feeling! It is ok to just sit in the shade for 10 minutes in the middle of the street!
Pick an activity that will allow you to relax while soaking in the beauty of Santorini. A good example would be to go sailing! Luxury Catamaran in Santorini offers lots of options from day cruises to weekly charter, you are bound to find something that suits you!
10. Hire a photographer
If you have been following us for a while you would know that we love working with photographers when we travel.
For our babymoon, we had the privilege to work with Teo from Lighthouse Photography. It was important for us to capture our babymoon because it was something we wanted to remember forever. It has taken us many years to do this trip and we wanted to share this with our son when he is born.
Teo was fantastic from the start! We meet early one morning in Imerovigli and he took us to many secret spots that we would not have discovered ourselves. He was very caring and he would always make sure that I am comfortable.
It was great hearing his stories about his family and his work! Teo normally works with his wife Anna. He is clearly a man that loves his family and enjoys working with the love of his life!
If you are considering Santorini as your wedding, honeymoon or babymoon destination, please check out Lighthouse Photography!
Website: http://lighthousephotography.gr/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lighthousephotography_gr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lighthousephotography.gr/
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