Where to travel Zika-free at Christmas with two older family members?
September 25, 2016 2:28 AM Subscribe
My family, meaning myself and two older family members (late 60s, mid 70s) like to go away for Christmas. Past trips include Cuba and Italy. This year, I am pregnant. I don't want to travel anywhere the Zika-carrying mosquito lives. My relatives don't want cold (even Venice in December was too cold). Where should we go? Leaving from Toronto.
I realize that cold and zika-free pretty much go together. So one solution I can see is if there were somewhere, like a resort or something, where the experience would be so amazing at the place itself that there wouldn't be much going-out-and-walking-around-the-city required. For example, I was thinking the Rocky Mountain CPR train tour would be cool, but it doesn't run in December. A river cruise has also crossed my mind, but those seem to be pretty near sold out already. Ocean cruises are a no-go for one family member. I've suggested renting a cabin no too far away or something like that maybe, but the thought of having to cook etc. for ourselves hardly makes it seem vacation like. And what would we DO in the cabin. We normally go for 2 weeks or so, which is a long time to just stare out the window.
Family members are in ok shape for walking around tourist-stuff purposes, but would not be up for any strenous hiking-like activities or anything like that.
So at the risk of asking the impossible question (I want to learn to swim. I can't get wet!), where should we go for Christmas?
I am 7 weeks pregnant now and would be in my second trimester in December.
I realize that cold and zika-free pretty much go together. So one solution I can see is if there were somewhere, like a resort or something, where the experience would be so amazing at the place itself that there wouldn't be much going-out-and-walking-around-the-city required. For example, I was thinking the Rocky Mountain CPR train tour would be cool, but it doesn't run in December. A river cruise has also crossed my mind, but those seem to be pretty near sold out already. Ocean cruises are a no-go for one family member. I've suggested renting a cabin no too far away or something like that maybe, but the thought of having to cook etc. for ourselves hardly makes it seem vacation like. And what would we DO in the cabin. We normally go for 2 weeks or so, which is a long time to just stare out the window.
Family members are in ok shape for walking around tourist-stuff purposes, but would not be up for any strenous hiking-like activities or anything like that.
So at the risk of asking the impossible question (I want to learn to swim. I can't get wet!), where should we go for Christmas?
I am 7 weeks pregnant now and would be in my second trimester in December.
Southern Australia doesn't even have the right mosquitos. If you're financially flush, the Indian-Pacific is a great rail trip.
Christmas is often blazingly hot, so Tasmania might be a good option if you don't want it too hot.
No zika in New Zealand either.
posted by kjs4 at 3:56 AM on September 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Christmas is often blazingly hot, so Tasmania might be a good option if you don't want it too hot.
No zika in New Zealand either.
posted by kjs4 at 3:56 AM on September 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
Arizona / the desert SW in the US is going to be warm but not *tropical* that time of year and will be cold at night. Arizona, NM, and Texas have reported basically only travel-related cases of Zika.
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:21 AM on September 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Medieval Maven at 6:21 AM on September 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
Arizona, along with most of the southern US, does have the aedes aegypti mosquito, but our mosquito season is rapidly coming to a close and we thankfully don't have any local transmission, so it's unlikely we will have Zika this year (I am pregnant as well). That said, it can get around freezing at night, but is usually 60's or so during the day. Tucson and Phoenix are both pretty laid back cities with a lot of natural beauty.
San Diego might also be a great option.
posted by permiechickie at 8:26 AM on September 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
San Diego might also be a great option.
posted by permiechickie at 8:26 AM on September 25, 2016 [1 favorite]
What about Hawaii? Maui, the big island or Oahu might be perfect for you guys. Also, seconding Arizona/New Mexico. My husband and I are actually visiting those two states around Christmas for basically the same reasons you've stated.
posted by FireFountain at 9:43 AM on September 25, 2016
posted by FireFountain at 9:43 AM on September 25, 2016
Chile, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt (if the current safety status changes), Hawaii, India, Polynesia, Greece (map).
posted by TheGoodBlood at 10:32 AM on September 25, 2016
posted by TheGoodBlood at 10:32 AM on September 25, 2016
Hawaii doesn't have any locally transmitted cases of zika ... yet. Our health officials are saying it's basically a matter of time. We have the right type of mosquitoes (all year) and dengue fever is endemic here. I'm pregnant, I live in Hawaii, I don't think you should risk it.
posted by entropyiswinning at 11:19 AM on September 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by entropyiswinning at 11:19 AM on September 25, 2016 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by jojobobo at 2:48 AM on September 25, 2016 [1 favorite]