Babymoon? Is that even necessary? Okay, get married and then move on honeymoon, that is a well-known scenario, but where does it come from babymoon where are you from now? Well, just like a baby shower or a baby shower, it also applies to the babymoon: another commercial term for what we used to call a holiday (or a reason for gifts) and nothing is necessary. But hey, we'd say 'Bart' from Bart's Booklet would not be the case if we did not take (extra) reason for an (extra) holiday. And it must be said, despite my skepticism about commercial terms and obligations... A babymoon like that is really something! I'm done, so to speak.

Firstly, because you, or your wife/girlfriend, pregnant you are/is and that is, unlike (at least in our case) during a 'normal' holiday, a real reason not to have to do anything at all ('in our case' because we normally enjoy nothing more than exploring the area, checking out places , eat drink eat drink eat drink - you know the drill) but during that babymoon the naps alternate and that's about it. Shameless. Delicious. And with your head (or at least: your toes) in the sun, please, thankyouverymuch.

Secondly, it is of course a 'thing', the very last holiday together. The two of you are a family. That realization comes before you even step on the plane. Although... A babymoon (or holiday, give the animal a name) to Texel (8 x the best on Texel) of Ghent (mini trips) are also great tips, that's besides the point.

Want to fly? To 36 weeks you can board a plane, although a to-date of 32 weeks is more advisable in terms of flexibility (hello plane, hello energy), and provided with a pregnancy and so-called fit two planes statement you receive from your midwife. This is how it happened, to the land of guitar music and all my dreams: Mexico. If alarm bells are ringing now: yes, Mexico is under a Zika warning. Nevertheless, the risks towards the end of your pregnancy are very small and lubrication is the credo (but as always applies: be well informed and listen to your feelings!).

We went when I was over 32 weeks pregnant, at the time of a very fit pregnancy. Not a problem. Again: highly recommended! Why Mexico? Firstly, because when winter sets in at home, it becomes summer in Mexico. And what could be better than shameless all day long naps under a golden sun and clear blue sky? Correct. The Riviera Maya is truly a bucket list destination with pearly white sandy beaches and golden-pink sunset sessions. I am (for years) hooked. This is evident from the fact that we not only celebrated our babymoon there, but also (part of) our honeymoon four years ago (together with New York and Miami) and after that I was allowed/went a few more times for work/holiday, #sorrynotsorry). In short: as far as I'm concerned, it's the ultimate (love) destination!

What we didn't know yet and hadn't done before was checking into all inclusive resort Because everything is inclusive, isn't that for exhausted people without any initiative of their own? Boy where we wrong! But really. Provided you choose well, of course, such as small-scale Tui Sensimar Sea & Suites on the Riviera Maya between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Reason: even between those power naps you don't have to think. Not about budget, not about what to eat next or where to go next. Okay, you have to choose between one of the seven restaurants at the holiday resort, but that's no punishment. Seven, indeed, all with remarkably good food. From a something-for-everyone buffet on the beach (our favorite) via a Mexican restaurant (also our favorite), an Italian, an Asian restaurant (sushi! also the variants that you can eat), a fish restaurant, a pub (also very good!), a French-esque a la carte place and what was that last one again... Oh well pregnacy brain. And as said: everything (!) included. Party.

Even if it is the biggest party of all beach from the Tui Sensimar Sea and Suites. Snow white and with the most wonderful Bali style day beds. Did we mention those naps yet? There are also a few hard plus points: the resort does not do hysterical entertainment. Yes, there are yoga classes for those who want, you can do gymnastics in the sea under supervision (that happens a little further away, so you don't have to worry about it if you are napping), there is 'the question of the day', a quiz where you you can participate during the day and the winners are 'honored' in the bar in the evening, and there are some almost inconspicuous entertainment initiatives if you want. And, and that may sound rude, but it is DELICIOUS if you are on a babymoon and don't need crying babies and screaming kids just yet: Tui Sensimar Sea and Suites is adults only. So nice.

Oh, and also great: we booked a 'swim up suite'. Tip! First of all, there is that (gigantic) suite on the ground floor (so nice when you are pregnant; no stairs), there is a jacuzzi and through the sliding doors you - literally - step into an elongated swimming pool strip that leads to the nicest (with the best music) ) runs the bar of the entire place (with a bartender who understands that you are not into sweet cocktails like the Americans - this man shakes the best non-sweet drinks). Very nice part 3 (or 4? or 5?): golf carts take you back and forth, if you are less flexible.

Do you want too? Good plan. Even if you don't really want to go to Mexico, it is advisable to remember the term 'Sensimar'. This is Tui's Adults Only concept and you will find Sensimar destinations all over the world: from Bali to Marrakech and from Mallorca to Thailand. Just type 'Sensimar' into the search bar Tui site and you get them all in a row.

what to do during that Mexican babymoon? Especially not too much. But after about 4 days you will - perhaps - have slept better and you have everything virgin cocktail variations (I almost forgot: those drinks, and snacks if you want, are delivered to your bed on the beach! In fact: the beach service is a piece of cake) and then you would just find something might want to do. That's also possible, because you are about a 20-minute drive from one of the nicest (hippie) coastal towns on earth: Tulum.

Tulum

Tulum consists of two, or actually three parts: the village center, the beach, and the cycle path in between. There is no shortage of good restaurants and great shops (even along the bike path, no joke). In fact, you trip over it. And although the village center is nice, it is the beach strip that you don't want to miss.

Be sure to read this tip list: 18 x food and drinks in Tulum

Holbox

Another option is the island of Holbox. For Tui I recorded a vlog (yes...) on the spot (keep Smile.Tui keep an eye out for that!) and in that I'm talking about Holborn… Oops! That had to be Holbox. Agian: Pregnancy brain. Please don't shoot me.

The fact is that the small peninsula is a must, if you know how to pull yourself away from the resort. From Sensimar (we are allowed Sensimar - by the way, there are concierges available all day long who will provide you with more than adequate information and help with your outings outside the resort, whether you want to do them privately or in a group) you can drive in about 2 hours to the peninsula that trendsetters also call the new Tulum is called. It is hippy-chic, and still virtually undiscovered. Don't tell anyone. From the port of Chiquita it's another 20 minutes on a ferry and you're in paradise: a world away from all the high-rise hotels that line the Riviera Maya coastline - to be fair - although you feel that when you check in again, you're not really into it at all). Azure blue water and the shallow beach are an attraction for flamingos. A dream. There is only one ATM and there are no cars: yellow golf carts drive you around on request.

Back to Tulum, a few tips that you will not find in the 18 dining tips but that you should not miss.

Taqueria La Eufemia namely, a taco joint on the beach where hanging out is uncomplicated, and where the tacos are both delicious and wonderfully affordable. Actually normally priced, by Mexico standards (but note: Tulum is hip and therefore expensive). At La Eufemia the locals and well-informed tourists hang out because the place is not so eye-catching on the side of the road: you have to go through a piece of 'jungle' to get to the coast, but once there, everything is fine, better, best. Oh, and that photogenic leaning palm tree? It's there. That you know. Holiday snaps-galore.

Do you want to be a tourist? Playa del Carmen is your man. Now I have to be very honest... And that may not sound very free-spirited or eager to travel, but I (we!) actually enjoy being a tourist for an afternoon and going along with the crowd. Okay, not too long and not too much, that's true, but browsing the shops, not thinking and eating a greasy burrito from an 'authentic' Mexican with Nike's on his feet; Tasty. Just do it.

Let Playa del Carmen, a coastal village that emerged in just under 10 years, but which has been attracting more and more entrepreneurs who want to protect the area for about two years, and the government has also taken care of the growth, some very nice addresses know. Here you can read them:

Barts Boekje x Playa del Carmen

The best tip on the entire coast? Occasionally dive into the jungle on the way to the coastline and you will discover the nicest spots. In fact, you are welcome everywhere, in our experience, and spending a (mid)day on the beach is nowhere as nice as in Mexico, where cold drinks and small, easily digestible bites are never far away. That's a promise.

Secretly some of the enduring favorites are Be Tulum and Nomade right next to it. Well-known and loved and therefore expensive, it is true, but the service is always very friendly, there is always room and, well, we just love it there. And the Papaya Playa Project. Just hopping in everywhere.

Shopping in Tulum... Yes please! We took home (this time) a gigantic dream catcher for our own bedroom, a small one for the baby maker and a crocheted lamp for above the bath. So beautiful. And much cheaper than in the Netherlands. Oh, and also not to be missed for your wardrobe: a cotton dress with Mayan embroidery. It doesn't cost a thing here and you will enjoy it for years (Isabel Marant makes them almost identical every summer season for around 400 euros. Just saying).

New and certainly not to be missed All Saints, named after this rural area/neighborhood of Tulum and the owners of that other must in Tulum (for years - it was one of the first top restaurants with bar in the area), Casa Jaguar. All Saints is located a little further than the rest, just outside the epicenter where Hartwood & Co are located, among others. Read: walking is not an option. You must have that bike. Or the car (because quite secretly, for sure when preggers). Continue south along the coast until you find it too nice El último Maya comes across a campsite with restaurant where the hippie atmosphere is still for real. Recommended! The slightly more modern and oh-so-tasteful Todos Santos was also located there. The entire area is a dream and a source of inspiration for those who still have a house (or baby room...) to decorate. All Saints