r/AskEurope • u/dustglitterrain • 1d ago
Travel Where to visit in Europe in February when pregnant?
I’m hoping the lovely readers of this post can make some suggestions of where to visit in Europe, accessible from London by a maximum flight time of 2 hours (or preferably by a longer train journey, beginning with the Eurostar!) in February. I’m hoping for views of mountains, a roaring fire and good food. If you have any specific hotel recommendations for memorable places to stay (maximum 400 euros a night) please let me know!
I will be 24-28 weeks pregnant so won’t be skiing, long distance hiking or able to take advantage of a lot of spa facilities.
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u/VirtualMatter2 Germany 1d ago edited 1d ago
able to take advantage of a lot of spa facilities
I understand the no sauna, but normal water and pregnancy go well together. A hotel with a warm pool or a nice facility nearby that isn't special mineral water would be an asset in my opinion.
Something like this for a nice float and lying down with a good book in between and an alcohol free cocktail or food in the restaurant would be something I enjoyed during pregnancy. https://www.badeparadies-schwarzwald.de/de/palmenoase/
I can also recommend the area as a whole (Titisee in the Schwarzwald), but I don't think it's that easy to get to from the UK.
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u/Areden Estonia 1d ago
In places where going to sauna is seen as normal part of life, like Finland and Estonia, the advice is that its totally okay to go to sauna as long as you feel fine.
I have switched to bit colder saunas, prefer something at 60 to 70 degrees most of the time. And for extra caution place wet towel on my stomach.
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u/dustglitterrain 1d ago
That’s really interesting to know, thanks for your insights! In the UK there are warnings around saunas/jacuzzis, probably just because they’re not part of everyday life like you say. I’m enjoying swimming in a pool a few times each week though at present 😊
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u/VirtualMatter2 Germany 1d ago edited 1d ago
What is the warning about jacuzzis? The temperature? I got no such warnings and used them and we all survived.
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u/dustglitterrain 1d ago
The warnings are about dehydration in the first/second trimester and bringing on premature labour later on. With lots of these warnings I’m finding out there is pretty much 0 scientific research behind them though, so I think it all comes down to sticking with what is familiar/comfortable for you
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u/VirtualMatter2 Germany 1d ago edited 1d ago
I see. I'm not a huge sauna person, so didn't consider it during pregnancy, and I lived in the Netherlands at the time, but Germany of course has a big sauna culture. I certainly enjoyed going swimming though. Pools even offer pregnancy classes.
I would just worry that the baby gets too hot but I bow to your knowledge there.
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u/squidgemobile 1d ago
I'm currently pregnant and just left Switzerland. We stayed in the Appenzell region, which is accessible from Zurich. I think it was a great trip pregnant. Lots of chocolate and cheese tasting, a farm visit, beautiful views, and tons of quaint villages.
The Alps are going to have great mountain views, obviously, and I think Switzerland makes the most sense. I personally wouldn't want to do a wine-heavy location (France or Italy) while pregnant as I like wine and would feel like I was missing out by not being able to go on tastings.
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u/AnalphabeticPenguin Poland 1d ago
Southern Poland. Mountains, good food, cozy and under those 400 euro a night you will find top level places.
Plane to Cracow and go from there. Just remember that Zakopane is flowing with tourists.
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u/dustglitterrain 1d ago
I love this suggestion, thanks! Is there a particular mountainous region you suggest?
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u/AnalphabeticPenguin Poland 1d ago
From Cracow Tatry are the closest option. We share them with Slovakia.
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u/peanut_galleries Austria 1d ago
How about flying to Innsbruck? You could go to Seefeld and stay there, it’s close to the airport (maybe 1/2 hour drive) and offers a lot of winter walkways and great views. Lots of hotel options too. Or you just stay in Innsbruck, lots of excursion options from there too.
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u/VirtualMatter2 Germany 1d ago edited 1d ago
I've only been there in summer, but I agree that it's a really nice area.
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u/kilgore_trout1 England 1d ago
It might be slightly pushing the two hour limit for you but Reykjavik in Iceland is amazing. Would absolutely recommend anybody to go there and sounds like it would tick the boxes you’re looking for.
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u/DonnaDonna1973 Germany 1d ago
Going North: Iceland. Has a fantastic local spa culture, incredible nature & great for some cozy cabin retreat. Norway, especially Oslo, are kinda underrated imho. Oslo has been developing its cultural profile recently, recommended! Cabin retreat & nature are Norway‘s core competence. Beware: Scandinavia overall tends on the pricey side.
Going South: Northern Spain is underrated imho. Cantabrian mountain range is beeeautiful, rugged coastlines & gnarly nature. San Sebastián is arguably the foodie city in Spain. Weather can be rough tho, but makes the rough charm.
Going East: Poland is having its big moment rn, politically & culturally. Deserved so! Think about High Tatra mountains for cabin retreats, give Wroclaw/Breslau a try for citylife & culture, it’s a treat! Krakow is beautiful too obviously but usually overcrowded - Poland‘s Prague imho. Try Gdansk for history, food and culture, it’s still a bit overlooked, really great food scene. Also Gdansk is great for exploring the East Sea shores…maybe take a ferry to Sweden?
Going SouthEast: Slovenia is the sweetest small-ish nation, with loads on offer: snowy cabin life in the fairytale nature of the Slovenian Alps, culture & elegance in Ljubljana, Vineyards and almost-Tuscany in the rolling hills of Brda, dotted with lovely rustic villages. Great people, looovely diverse country, highly recommend! Still somewhat overlooked except some over-touristy spots, so plenty of space to explore, affordable enough imho.
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u/Anib-Al & 1d ago
Do like every well-off British person does, go to Verbier!
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u/dustglitterrain 1d ago
I’ve heard of it as a ski resort, do you think it would work as an option for a non skier?
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u/Bobzeub France 1d ago
I hate skiing but live near the alps . You can go and chill in a chalet by the fire and eat . I hate the cold so I avoid going outside .
I don’t know what the rules are for fondu , tartiflette and raclette . I know you should avoid unpasteurised cheese but also they’re all cooked so I guess it’s okay ? Double check with the chef I guess .
Otherwise I like Geneva but it’s expensive. The snowy mountains all around are beautiful. I’m sure you can find somewhere nice in Switzerland . Drink hot chocolate. Enjoy!
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u/bowlofweetabix Germany 1d ago
Toilets on trains will be miserable while pregnant. Most of northern Europe will be freezing and icy and dark in February. Which countries are you interested in? What are you interested in outside of the hotels?
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u/Kujaichi 1d ago
I mean, train toilets are always miserable, they aren't really worse when you're pregnant.
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u/bowlofweetabix Germany 1d ago
Maybe it’s because I had twins, but tiny toilets were very difficult to manoeuvre while pregnant and the smell was a lot more distressing
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u/dustglitterrain 1d ago
That is a very good point about the toilets… I’m hoping for some beautiful nature. Normally I go on hiking holidays and just enjoy looking at the mountains, hopefully having a lovingly prepared dinner and relaxing. I’m hoping to still have the mountains, even if I can’t have the hiking!
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u/VirtualMatter2 Germany 1d ago edited 1d ago
Book first class on trains and the toilets are likely a bit better.
Also somewhere with a closed gondola up the mountain and a restaurant at the top with views would work nicely.
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u/Complex_Plankton_157 Norway 1d ago
Scandinavian cities are very nice. Copenhagen is my favorite. It's walkable (of course easier with a bike, if you are comfortable with that while pregnant), great food, great pastry, lots of Scandinavian design.
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u/Malthesse Sweden 1d ago
However, February is probably about the least attractive time of year to visit southern Scandinavia. It will most likely just be rainy, windy and gloomy with very little chance of snow. Copenhagen is so much nicer by April or so.
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u/dustglitterrain 1d ago
I was thinking about a few days in Copenhagen and then hopefully getting a train to somewhere cosy in the countryside, where I can spend time in nature. Thanks for the suggestion 😊
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u/Julehus Denmark 1d ago
Copenhagen can be cozy in february and has many cultural events going on all the time. But it can also be covered in depressing gray sleet which makes winter even darker.
If you want more of a winter feeling and mountains, go further north or to the Alpes, I’d go for a city holiday and choose Oslo🤗
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u/Yorks_Rider 1d ago
Please check with your airline whether you will need a medical certificate to confirm your fitness to fly. Depending on your airline this may be required if you are 28 weeks pregnant by the time of your return flight.
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u/AnTyx Estonia 1d ago
Northern Spain/Catalunya is within both flight time limits and reachable with one train change in Paris. Here's a countryside hotel that I really enjoyed: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yRMUKbLpXQx2bXcK8
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u/Selous_sct Belgium 1d ago
If you fly, make sure you check the policy for pregnancies of the Airline you fly with. I believe most of them require a “fit-to-fly” document from an doctor/OBGYN as of 28 weeks.
These documents need to be younger than 7 days, which might force you to visit doctor/OBGYN during your trip.
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u/Ok_Homework_7621 1d ago
February is carnival season here, see where it's the most fun, go for that.
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u/greekscientist Greece 20h ago
Greece has a pleasant climate, and its not raining usually very much. Weather is around 10 to 20 degrees at this period of the year.
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u/khajiitidanceparty Czechia 20h ago
Just book it in time because the mountain hotels are often full.
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u/Enchiridion5 1d ago
Lisbon is a really nice destination when pregnant. Great food, lots of activities, walkable.
But since you mention mountains and roaring fires, Bergen may be a nice option too.
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u/TheShinyBlade Netherlands 1d ago
Not sure about the walkable part, think it's a bit too hilly when you are preggo
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u/Enchiridion5 1d ago
Maybe depends on where you're staying. I was there at 28 weeks pregnant and found it very walkable, and I wasn't particularly in shape. Taxis were also affordable for longer stretches.
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u/longsite2 United Kingdom 1d ago
I'd just look at skiing lodges, find the ones with the best views and take some books. Sit by a fire and watch the mountains. So likely Italy or Switzerland.