Mother's Day is just around the corner, and if you'd like to make a big splash for mom this year, travel may be the thing to do it. Whether she's a homebody or an avid jetsetter, a great experience at a far-flung destination is the way to show her how much you love and appreciate her. All moms want is quality time, and probably a good nap. Why not give her both with a relaxing vacation to the destination of her dreams? She'll get quality time with herself, so she can make time for that nap she's been dreaming of for months. I am taking the traditional Mother's Days activities and putting a travel spin on them. Here are my tips for taking her Mother's Day from ordinary to extraordinary.
Afternoon Tea
A formal tea at an adorable tea shop is just the thing to make a mom feel special! But imagine how much more loved your mother will feel have high-tea at the Orangery at Kensington Castle in London. From a multitude of luxury hotels to the superb theater scene, London is an excellent option for a Mother's Day getaway.
Bouquet
Flowers are the go-to gift for procrastinators. If you have forgotten to buy a present, a quick run to the Kroger for a bouquet of sad little tulips is most likely on your to-do list. Instead, take your mom to Amsterdam to tiptoe through the tulips and windmills. She can even partake a little legal Mary Jane to help her relax.
Chocolates
Year after year, my boys get me some combination of flowers, candles, jewelry. Whatever present they give me, chocolates are always part of the deal. Want to overwhelm your mom with chocolate bliss this year? A trip to Switzerland needs to be on your calendar. Switzerland is home to the world's finest chocolate. Unleash your inner Willy Wonka and make a beeline for Switzerland's oldest and most renowned chocolate factories, Maison Cailler. Sadly they do not employ Oompa-Loompas. They are pretty creepy. So maybe we shouldn't be sad at all?
Spa Day
Who doesn't love a spa day? Mom's the world over love the opportunity to be the one getting pampered instead of the one doing in the pampering. So kick it up a notch and send your mom on an all-inclusive spa weekend at the marvelous Miraval Resort and Spa in Tucson, AZ. Mom can spend the whole weekend in a bathrobe and slippers receiving decadent spa treatments.
Yoga
Last year, my hubby got me a membership to a yoga studio for Mother's Day. A little tip: gifts of exercise equipment of gym memberships are not a good idea unless someone explicitly asks for them. Anyway, if your mom is a devout yogi, fulfill her greatest wish with a trip to Bali. Private yoga coaches, lovely temples, and gorgeous views will help your mom find that feeling of zen she has been seeking.
Brunch
Who doesn't love brunch? Mimosas and melon are the perfect starts to any day. How do we improve on perfection? Simple, we change the view. If brunch is fantastic at home, it is stupendous at the beach! A trip to an all-inclusive luxury resort is a beautiful way to celebrate Mother's Day. The waves lapping on the sand as your mom eats brunch will show your mom just how much you appreciate her.
Bottle of Wine
Wine is ubiquitous; it is the thing we give every woman of a certain age. But you can take your wine gift to a whole new level, by gifting your mom with a trip wine country. Napa, Sonoma, Tuscany, France, the destination doesn't matter! They are all incredible and offer great dining experiences. Even though mom can't travel right now, darn COVID-19, you can still surprise her with a trip of a lifetime. Ready to give mom the best Mother's Day ever? There are all sorts of ways you can incorporate travel into your gift this year. How about giving your mom a box of chocolate with a map of Switzerland? She will be speechless and overwhelmed by your generosity.