A mother-daughter trip is a wonderful way to celebrate Mother’s Day, creating memories and strengthening bonds while enjoying some of the most amazing destinations on Earth. From a girls’ shopping trip in New York to an outdoorsy weekend getaway in Tasmania, these are some of our favourite holiday ideas to honour the mother-daughter relationships in your life:
The islands of Hawai’i offer endless opportunities to enjoy mother-daughter time together, from learning to surf at Waikiki Beach to shopping up a storm at Honolulu’s Ala Moana Center. If you prefer a more adventurous style of bonding, you could try fun activities like snorkelling at Molokini Crater, swimming with manta rays on the Big Island or taking a helicopter ride over Kauai’s jaw-dropping Na Pali coast.
Hawai’i does luxury extremely well, from glamorous five-star resorts overlooking the white sands of Maui’s Wailea Beach to blissful spa retreats where you can unwind while gazing out at the ocean in Kauai. If you’re looking to enjoy an indulgent escape together, Hawai’i has you covered.
New York City is an iconic girls’ trip destination, brimming with energy and endless opportunities to shop, dine, explore and connect. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in bed before indulging in a little cultural appreciation at a world-class museum like Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art or the Whitney Museum of American Art, or take in a hit Broadway show.
The Big Apple’s thriving food scene makes it a great choice for a culinary-inspired getaway: why not enrol in a cooking class to polish up on your pierogi and pasta making? Head to midtown Manhattan to enjoy rooftop brunch with a view – it’s the classic NYC warm-up to an afternoon of shopping. Alternatively, book yourselves a Mother’s Day date at one of the city’s finest hotels, where afternoon tea can stretch into evening cocktails if you fancy.
New York City is paradise for shopping on any budget. Iconic destinations like Fifth Avenue, SoHo and Greenwich Village are great for luxury boutiques and vintage shops, while authentic neighbourhoods like Williamsburg in Brooklyn are ideal if you’re more into indie boutiques and artisanal finds.
A girls-only escape in Noosa is all about enjoying the beach lifestyle, whether you’re chilling out on the golden sand with a good book, swimming and surfing in the waves or starting each day with a sunrise beach yoga session. If the surf’s looking a little high, the Noosa River is a great spot to give stand-up paddleboarding a go, or you can hire a boat and explore upstream, checking out the fancy waterfront homes as you go.
Schedule a morning walk in Noosa National Park, where kilometres of coastal trails offer breathtaking views of the ocean and the perfect excuse for a post-walk treat at your favourite Hastings Street café.
If you can extend your stay beyond a weekend, consider a road trip into the Sunshine Coast hinterland as well. Hire a car and check out the region’s impressive collection of cellar doors and artisan food producers, or hike up to Mt Ngungun in the Glass House Mountains to watch the sunset.
Unique wildlife and incredible natural landscapes, paired with a vibrant food and wine scene and rich cultural experiences, ensure that your visit to Tasmania is a memorable mix of adventure and relaxation. Outdoorsy options include award-winning wildlife encounters on Bruny Island, hiking in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park or a harbour cruise at historic Port Arthur.
Enjoy a wine tasting session in the renowned wine regions of Tamar Valley and Coal River Valley, or sample incredible seafood, cheese and Tasmanian spirits on a culinary tour of Hobart or Launceston.
Hobart’s famous Salamanca Markets, held every Saturday on the waterfront, are a great place to browse for handmade crafts, foods and souvenirs while enjoying live music and street performers. A visit to the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) in Hobart delivers an eye-opening, immersive art experience that requires careful analysis – ideally over cocktails as you cruise back to the city along the tranquil Derwent River.
From the barefoot luxury of an overwater bungalow to the low-key tranquility of a beachfront bure, a mother-daughter getaway to Fiji is all about relaxing and unwinding while embracing the destination’s famous Bula spirit. Reconnect with the important women in your life at a yoga or wellness retreat, where yoga classes, meditation sessions and spa treatments are best enjoyed against the backdrop of Fiji’s serene beauty.
A day trip or multi-day cruise to the Mamanuca or Yasawa Islands is a memorable way to appreciate Fiji’s trademark clear blue water and beautiful beaches while also enjoying warm hospitality of the Fijian people. And of course, what’s a Fijian girls’ trip without a few cocktails beside the pool, best enjoyed as you watch the sun dip low over the ocean.
One of the best things about a cruise is that the list of destinations and cruise lines is virtually endless. Whether it’s an expedition ship journey to Antarctica or a luxury European river cruise, the inclusive, low-fuss nature of a mother-daughter cruise holiday means you can get on with creating new memories together.
By day, there’s a variety of experiences to tempt every member of your group, whether you prefer to lounge by the pool, indulge in a spa treatment, treat yourself to high tea or head ashore to explore each new destination. You can choose to stick together throughout your holiday, or adopt a ‘divide and conquer’ approach that sees you catching up over cocktails, dinner and live entertainment every evening.
A mother-daughter holiday is a chance to celebrate the bonds of family while sharing new experiences and creating new memories. However you choose to spend time together, if you’d like to plan a Mother’s Day getaway that’s packed with love, laughter and togetherness, talk to your personal travel manager today.