Whether you have a mother, you’re married to one, or simply know a mother worth celebrating, give the gift of travel this Mother’s Day. (Is someone taking notes to pass along to my husband?)
Here’s the thing, you don’t have to rush into a trip this weekend, although a last minute getaway is always a thrill. You can surprise her this Sunday with the big news that she is receiving a trip, a weekend, or a night – as the case may be. Perhaps a great overnight trip to your nearby downtown for dinner, a great hotel, spa, etc.? Maybe a weekend for shopping or the beach is just what she’s been hoping for? It’s nice for us mothers to be recognized as the friends, lovers, and adventurers that we also may be!
Here are a few more ideas:
For the Shopper: I know it’s scary, men, but let’s face it we girls like to shop. What better place to visit than the home of the first shopping mall – Dallas, TX. Stay at Hotel Zaza or the Sheraton Dallas North. Checkout The Galleria Dallas and the boutiques of The West Village. Or maybe try the biggest mall in the U.S., The Mall of America in Minneapolis, MN. Stay at nearby Marriott Bloomington.
For Relaxation: How about a weekend at the beach or at a spa? Scottsdale, AZ is home to so many great relaxing spas and resorts like the FireSky Resort & Spa and The Boulders Resort. Savannah, GA is one of my favorite destinations; steeped in history, great food, shops and the beautiful coastal beaches of Tybee Island. Stay in the historic Eliza Thompson House or The Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront.
The Staycation: Remember, you don’t have to go far to really get away. Leave the kids at home and take the mother in your life to a charming bed and breakfast nearby or a downtown boutique hotel; have dinner after 7pm because you rarely do that with the kids in tow; and sleep in the next day.
Need More Ideas? Still not sure where to go or what to do? Hotels.com just launched http://www.virtualvacay.com. A fun, useful, virtual vacation Website that lets you check out a destination and all it has to offer before you actually plan or take the trip. It’s a great way to get excited about an upcoming vacation and an even better way to say Thanks to Mom.
If you have questions or comments for the author of the Travel Smart Blog, Nicole Hockin, please email: 
