Many of my fondest travel memories are from trips with my mom! Now that I live in Europe, I don’t see her as often, but that definitely hasn’t stopped us from traveling the world together. From crashing weddings in Cancún to getting lost in Rome, we have surely had our fair share of adventures! If you are thinking about planning a special mother-daughter trip, keep reading for my top list of cities around the world.
THE BEST CITIES FOR A MOTHER-DAUGHTER TRIP
Rome, Italy
For all of the history-loving moms, the Ancient capital is perfect for a mother-daughter getaway.
Sightseeing: Rome is a walking museum. From all of the ancient ruins to some of the most famous museums in the world, there is plenty to see and visit. The Colosseum, Roman Forum, and the Fontana di Trevi are just a few of the must-sees.
Cooking Class: Learn to cook classic Italian dishes with a cooking class. It’s the perfect activity to do with mom, and you get to devour everything you’ve made at the end!
Wine Tasting: Italian wine is some of my favorite! Whether or not you and your mother are wine connoisseurs, head to a tasting to learn all about the Italian grapes and of course, try some wine.
Eat Gelato: Gelato is the perfect afternoon treat after a day of sightseeing. Luckily there are plenty of gelato shops all over Rome! Go for the more traditional flavors or venture out of the box and try some unique combinations like, peach lavender, or raspberry thyme ( I can personally attest that they were both delicious).
Madrid, Spain
I may be biased because I live in Madrid, but the Spanish capital has so much to do. My mother and I have had quite a lot of adventures here, yet she never grows tired of it.
Visit the Royal Palace: Home to the current Spanish monarchs, the Royal Palace in Madrid is the largest functioning palace in Europe. Book tickets to get an inside look at the lavish estate.
Sunset at Templo Debod: Temple Debod is an ancient Egytptian temple with the best sunset views in the whole city. Get there early as it’s a popular spot!
Terraces: Eating and drinking outside on a terrace is fundamental in Madrid culture. This is even true in the winter! Head over to the Malasaña or La Latina neighborhoods and enjoy a nice cold drink and tapa while people watching outdoors.
Arab Baths: Treat mom to a relaxing spa day at the Arab baths in Madrid. The Hamman Ál Andalus has varied temperature pools, a steam room and unlimited mint tea. Add on a massage for the ultimate experience.
New York City, New York
New York City welcomes thousands of tourists a year, and is a great option for a glamorous trip with mom.
Brunch: Start your day off with a delicious brunch. The city that never sleeps is famous for its boozy brunch. If bottomless mimosas are not your style, then eat at one of the smaller quirky cafés for an equally delicious meal.
Shopping: What better city to spend an afternoon of shopping than NYC? Head to the smaller boutiques in Soho, hit the luxury retail shops on 5th Ave, or get lost in the Macy’s on Herald Square. Just make sure you have plenty of space in your luggage.
Go See a Show: Whether its a musical on Broadway, an Opera, or Ballet at Lincoln Center, or Shakespeare in the park there are plenty of options in this bustling city.
Rooftop Cocktails: After hours of sightseeing, relax at one of the many rooftop cocktail bars. Some of my favorites are Jimmy at the James, and the Rainbow Room.
Paris, France
Paris, the city of romance, is also a great destination for a special mother-daughter trip.
Sightseeing in Style: Opt for a Sightseeing Cruise along the Seine River to get a unique view of the city. Upgrade to a champagne cruise for a more luxurious experience with mom.
Art Museums: Paris is home to some of my favorite art museums in the world. Check out the famous Louvre, or my favorite, Musée d’Orsay.
Devoir the French Pastries: A trip to France is incomplete without trying as many delicious french pastries as possible. From pain au chocolat to macrons your sweet tooth will be in heaven!
Take a trip to Versailles: If time permits, head out of the city to Versailles. Discover the opulent palace, and on-site gardens home to the famed Marie Antoinette.
Cancun, Mexico
If you and mom are looking for a low-key, relaxing holiday, then Cancún is a must.
All-Inclusive Lifestyle: There is nothing better than sipping cocktails in the pool bar, or relaxing on the beach with mom. Since everything is taken care of at an All-Inclusive Resort, you won’t need to worry about where to book for dinner, or where to go for an afternoon drink.
Spa: For the ultimate relaxation, treat mom, and yourself of course, to a spa treatment. Whether its a facial or a full body massage, I’m sure you will both leave feeling rejuvenated and ready for more adventures together.
Beach: The white powdery sand and aquamarine waters in Cancún are legendary. Take full advantage of the ocean, whether that involves snorkeling, water sports, or simply sunbathing.
Visit Chichen Itza: If you don’t mind interrupting your daily poolside routine, I highly recommend visiting Chichen Itza. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is an impressive archeological site with Mayan ruins. Most resorts organize daily excursions to go and visit!
London, England
London is an incredibly versatile city that has something for everyone, making it a great addition to my list.
Afternoon Tea: Afternoon Tea is a staple in British culture, and the perfect activity during a mother-daughter trip. My mother and I loved going for High Tea in London, and definitely have a list of our favorite spots.
Museum Hopping: London is home to several world renowned museums. The best part is that most of these are free to enter, so you can visit as many as you’d like!
Sightseeing: The cosmopolitan capital definitely does not fall short in terms of attractions and monuments to visit. From the Buckingham Palace, to Tower Bridge, and everything in between, you and your mother will have plenty to fill up your days.
The Westend: For a fun and memorable outing, catch one of the many musicals on the Westend.
Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Head to Cape Cod for a slower paced, New England beach getaway with mom. Stay in Hyannis or any of the smaller surrounding beachside towns.
Beach: One of the main attractions in Cape Cod is the beach. The soft sand, and piercing deep blue ocean calls hundreds of visitors every year. Spend your days relaxing on the shore with a good book, or cooling off from the humid New England heat in the water.
Ferry to Nantucket: For an easy day trip, hop on the ferry to Nantucket. The small island off the coast of Cape Cod is the perfect place to spend the day boutique shopping, and admiring the typical colonial style houses.
Lobster: Lobster, or Lobstah (if you want to sound like a local) is a staple in Massachusetts. Try it steamed with a side of corn on the cob, or opt for a juicy lobster roll.
Local Wine Tasting: Wine may not be the first thing that comes to mind in Cape Cod. However, there are quite a few local vineyards on the Cape. Truro Vineyards, for example, produces dessert wine infused with local cranberries (a Cape Cod native berry).
The French Riviera
The glitzy, star studded French Riviera is famous for its film festivals, and opulent estates. The region is Southern France is also a wonderful destination for a mother-daughter trip. There are many cities along the coast, but Nice, Eze, and Monaco are some of my favorites.
Sightseeing in Nice: Nice is one of the most popular cities along the French Riviera. Get lost in the small winding streets, stroll along the beachside promenade, and climb to the hilltop park with spectacular views of the city.
Visit a Perfume Factory in Eze: Eze is a beautiful medieval village set in the mountains of the French Rivera. Here you will also find the Fragonard Factory. The french perfume factory offers free daily tours, and a very well priced gift shop in the case you wish to purchase some of the unique fragrances.
Luxury in Monaco: If you want to spend a day amongst some of the wealthiest people in the world, head to Monaco. The small country is home to extravagant yachts, and the famous Monte Carlo Casino.
Andalusia, Spain
Andalusia is one of the most beautiful regions in Spain. Granada, Córdoba and Seville are three breathtaking cities bursting with culture and history. A mother-daughter trip to the region is sure to be unforgettable.
Sightseeing: Andalusia is home to several incredible landmarks and monuments. The most famous and must-sees are the Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita in Córdoba, and Plaza de España and the Alcázar castle in Seville.
Catch a Flamenco Show: There is no better place to see a Flamenco show than in the birthplace of Flamenco dancing. Whether you watch a show in one of the famous caves in Granada, or the Triana neighborhood in Seville, it will surely not disappoint.
Arab Tea Rooms: Moorish influence is still very prevalent in Andalusia, especially in cities like Granada and Córdoba. For a low-key evening head to one of the many lavish Arab Tea Rooms. The decor, pastries and extensive tea list will have you believing you are in Morocco!
Tapas: The South of Spain is famous for its tapas culture. Order a drink, and you will also receive a generous portion of tapas, or small plates. These range from croquettes, to potatoes, or Spanish omelette. It’s a great way to eat and drink without spending much money.
Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok, Thailand is a great destination for a more adventurous mother-daughter getaway.
Try the Street Food: The street food in Thailand is delicious, quite safe to eat, and very inexpensive.
Visit the Temples: Despite having visited many European churches and cathedrals, I was, nonetheless, blown away by the beauty of the Buddhist Temples. There are many temples to chose from, but Wat Pho, with the famous reclining Buddha, is definitely a must see.
Sky Bar: Suspended at 820 ft in the air, Sky Bar rooftop bar is one the tallest rooftops in the city, and the world. As with most rooftop bars, the cocktail list is bit on the expensive side, but the views are certainly worth it.
Visit Surrounding Islands: A trip all the way to Thailand wouldn’t be complete without a visit to its pristine beaches. Fly out to Phuket or some of the neighboring islands ( e.g. Phi Phi, James Bond, Krabi) for some relaxing sun and beach time.
Safe Travels,
Vip <3
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So many great places to visit! Thanks for the recommendations!