There’s always something to worry about when you’re pregnant, right? Well this year there’s an extra thing on this list- the Zika Virus. We still don’t have much information or facts about how this virus can affect pregnant women or the general population, but it’s made you guys pretty hesitant to travel, hasn’t it? Why not change your focus then, and find some places where there is no Zika to worry about.

Here’s where to vacation without worrying about the Zika Virus:

  1. Staycation! Don’t leave your home at all. Plan a week in and hang out around Montreal. Take in a couple of amazing restaurants. Check out a museum, or hit up a great spa.  Take a day trip in and around the city heading out to the Laurentians or the beautiful Eastern Townships just an hour east of the city. There are beautiful little B&Bs in these areas and you can sit, toasty by the fire and pretend that you’re on vacation somewhere hot except without the pesky Zika virus mosquitos.
  2. Whistler (or another ski destination). Hit up the breathtaking mountains of western Canada. No mosquitos there! At least not at this time of year. If you’re a regular skier than there’s no reason why you can’t continue to be active while pregnant. (Always double check this with your doctor, of course.) Whistler is my dream ski holiday. You can even just take the lift up to the top, hang out there and enjoy some gorgeous views while you sip a hot cocoa. Take the Peak 2 Peak Gondola and then head down at night for some amazing food, and walk through the village. Whistler is definitely a must-visit place in Canada.
  3. Choose your favorite North American city and finally spend a long weekend there. New York City, Chicago, and Boston have all been on my list of places to visit soon. What’s yours? Skip Dominican Republic and take in some live shows, and whatever the city has to offer. You still get the excitement of packing a suitcase, heading to the airport at the crack of dawn and squeezing your pregnant body into a tiny airplane seat…oh, you weren’t looking forward to those things?

Unfortunately, options down south are pretty limited if you’re worried about the Zika virus. Nobody is able to confirm if it’s safe at any stage of pregnancy, or if it is even causing the birth defects that we’ve heard about. So, if you’re hesitant- maybe wait for next year to do a warm holiday down south. Until then, stay warm and dream of sunny beaches and virgin Pina Coladas…