The second Sunday of May always marks a special day for mothers from around the world. Mothers are showered with flowers, special dinners, handmade gifts, and many other unique ideas. Personally, I think the most precious gift a child can give their parent is quality time together. When planning your next Mother’s Day gift, I hope you consider making a “Top Ten” vacation list and mark it off each year.
In the Fall of 2018, I started planning a mother-daughter getaway. I really did not have a destination in mind, but I knew I wanted to do something during my Thanksgiving Break. My mom and I both had our passports, so the sky was the limit. The trip of a lifetime literally fell into my lap. I called my mom and said, “do you want to go to the Christmas markets in Vienna, Austria with me?” I knew her answer before even asking because we both love history, Christmas, and travel. The price was so affordable, so we booked our tickets immediately.
Vienna’s Christmas markets were breathtaking! The markets were spread out all over the city and each one was different. They were all so beautiful at night with the twinkling lights and elaborate decorations. The weather was chilly with intermittent snow flurries and it appeared my favorite Christmas song was coming to life before my eyes. The first day at the markets, I tried chestnuts roasting on an open fire! Kinderpunsch (non-alcoholic) and Gluhwein (alcoholic) stalls served hot punch in Christmas mugs that were specifically designed for each market. You could “rent” the mug, return it when you were finished with your drink, and get a portion of your deposit back or you could keep the mug as a souvenir. Let me just say, my suitcase clinked and clanged all the way back to Monroe.
Mom and I did not spend all our time walking the markets. We viewed Klimt’s painting, “The Kiss”, at the Belvedere Museum. We attended the Apple Strudel Show and Tasting at Schonbrunn Palace and it was so delicious. I planned a day trip, via the train, to Salzburg, Austria. Mom thoroughly enjoyed seeing some of the movie sites from “The Sound of Music.” We even booked a guided day tour to Budapest, Hungary. During our week in Austria, we strolled pass the residences of Mozart and Freud, and toured palaces where Marie Antoinette once lived. This mother-daughter vacation was a remarkable experience for both of us.
If Europe is not on your “Top Ten”, consider a spa retreat, cruise, all-inclusive resort, condo, bus tour, or cabin retreat. There are so many travel options available, you just need to plan your getaway dreams together. For those of you who have fur babies, be sure to check out pet friendly accommodations and consider a national park tour.
Happy Mother’s Day and happy travels!
Article was featured in the May issue of "Ouachita Living."
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