From New Mexico to the Dominican Republic: Celebrate mom with these mother-daughter getaways

20.03.2024 - 19:59 / thepointsguy.com

As both a mom and a daughter, I can say with certainty that there's no one harder to shop for than a mother on Mother's Day. That's why I'm focusing on planning travel with my mom instead of getting her another scarf, bag or mani-pedi this year, though she loves all of those, too.

In fact, I've come up with a whole list of destinations with fun events and timely hooks to celebrate Mother's Day. (The holiday is May 12, but honestly, these would be great adventures to plan anytime.)

These trips are a fit whether you're doing a grown-up getaway or a trip with your little ones (and note, I'm a boy mom, too, and would easily take my son on any of these trips). They're all doable for a long weekend (so no long-haul flights are required), but, of course, it's perfectly acceptable to celebrate mom on a longer trip as well.

So, where should you go this Mother's Day? Read on for some springtime inspiration.

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The list of participants at this year's Santa Fe International Literary Festival — Jesmyn Ward ("Salvage the Bones"), Anthony Doerr ("All the Light We Cannot See"), Tommy Orange ("There There"), David Grann ("Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI") and Anne Lamott ("Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life"), among others — reads like a who's who of writing greats.

If your family, like mine, is full of literary lovers, then you'll want to circle the festival's dates, May 17 to 19, to meet these amazing authors in person and listen to their stories unfold with some of the greatest scenery in the Southwest as their stage.

When you're not getting literary inspiration, discover the city's distinct and vibrant art scene or explore the surrounding cliff dwellings, Aztec ruins and historic Spanish missions. Whatever you do, make sure to eat at least one bowl of New Mexico-style green chile.

Where to stay: La Posada de Santa Fe, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa is set on 6 acres that are beautifully landscaped and just steps from the city's historic plaza.

The authentic adobe-style architecture gives the resort a unique sense of place. Not to mention, the property's gardens, dating back to the 1800s, are vibrantly in bloom in May.

Rates start from $229 or 54,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

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Come May, flower lovers know there's one place they need to be: London. Held in London from May 21 to 25, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a must for flower fanatics. Here, you'll find what the show calls the "pinnacle of horticulture excellence" — four days of spectacular floral arrangements, magnificent plants and show-stopping ornamental gardens.

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