7 Trips You Must Take Together Before Having a Baby

Newlywed travel bloggers Gerard and Kieu Bao share their recommendations for trips to take before having a baby.

By Julie Pennell, The Nest

Sure, there will be plenty of family vacations even after children come into the picture, but not every bucket-list travel adventure is kid-friendly. That's why we enlisted the help of newlyweds Gerard and Kieu Bao, who run the travel blog GQ Trippin to find out their vacation recommendations. “The topic of places we should visit before we have a baby has become a frequent dinner table conversion for us," they said. Below find out the places this adventurous couple has been and where they want to go soon—before they add a new explorer to their family. “Here's hoping it can help other undecided couples," they added.

CAMPING

Sure, nothing screams “family vacation" more than a camping trip. Pitching tents, toasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories… they're all kid-friendly. But there's a major difference between family camping and couples camping, and you've got to experience the latter at least once together. Plus, you can be a lot more daring in the location you choose when kids aren't involved.

Try: “Tanzania: If you're overlanding East Africa, make sure you get the opportunity to camp out in the open in the Serengeti," Gerard and Kieu said. “Where else can you get hyenas laughing and scratching your tents late at night?!"

TROPICAL

When you think of tropical vacations, a sense of relaxation comes over you, right? Maybe it's the sound of the calming waves, the beach-side massages, or the delicious fruity cocktail in hand… whatever the reason, these tranquil trips are fun, sexy, and should definitely be experienced without screaming kids in the background.

Try: “Whitehaven Beach: In the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, go cruise Whitsunday Islands and enjoy a BBQ lunch overlooking the world-famous, pristine clear tropical waters of Whitehaven Beach," the couple recommends.

EUROPEAN

This kind of trip is expensive and far, so taking it before the kiddos enter the picture is best. Of course, when they're older, it'll be a fun trip to take them on and show them all the places you visited before they were born.

Try: “Prague: Good food, cheap beer and a dark past, what more could you ask for?" Gerard and Kieu said. “Visit early winter just in time for the Christmas Markets and when it's not as cold yet."

EXOTIC

Once baby comes, amusement parks and Legoland are going to be the hot ticket adventures. But right now, you still have the opportunity to go somewhere bold, unique, and far, far away from home.

Try: “Jordan: Okay, so it's not the first place that comes to mind when most think of 'exotic,' but it does for us," they said. “We have not been here, but the lost city of Petra has long been on our list as a place to visit for a while, and especially now, or rather soon, before we start a family."

ROMANTIC

There's no better way to celebrate and strengthen your relationship before baby than by traveling to a beautiful place, walking hand-in-hand, and enjoying delicious meals together. Now, that's amore!

Try: “Cinque Terre: Nestled along the coast of the Italian Riviera, Cinque Terre is made for lovers and a moonlight dinner in near the waterfronts of Vernazza town is a must to cap off all romantic getaways," Gerard and Kieu told us.

ROAD TRIP

While there will probably be plenty of trips with a car seat in the back to come, every couple should experience a trek across the open road just the two of them. Play road games, put on a special playlist, and prepare to get extremely close (both physically and figuratively.)

Try: “New Zealand: Renting a car to drive in New Zealand was by far our best investment there!" the couple said. “Boasting some of the most picturesque and varied landscapes on Earth, New Zealand is not just ideal, it's the ultimate road trip destination."

ADVENTUROUS

You'll want to tell your kids about the amazing adventures you had as a couple before they came along, so it's important to create those wild memories now. How cool will they think you are when they flip through your scrapbook and see all the awesome things you did?

Try: “Uganda: Gorilla trekking in Africa has got to be one of the most adventurous things we've done," Gerard and Kieu said. “To see gorillas in the wild was so worth the half day hike deep into the jungles of Uganda."

What other types of trips are on your bucket-list before baby? Tell us in a comment below!