20 Destinations for a Mother/Daughter Trip

At the westernmost tip of North America is the small town of Tofino, brimming with surfers, eco-chi resorts, miles of beaches (perfect for storm watching), and rainforest trails for hiking, biking and camping.

To say Sydney is beautiful and vibrant doesn’t do this Australian city justice – what’s not to love about the Opera House, koala bears and Hugh Jackman.

There’s of course plenty to do in San Fran – take the trolley car, explore Chinatown, visit Alcatraz – but if all you and mom manage to do is eat, the trip will have been well worth it.

Surf, sand and a laid-back but still bustling nightlife make San Diego an easy breezy trip. Its also home to 5-star spas and a world-famous racetrack, so all of your extra curricular activities are covered.

Paris seems an obvious choice for travel, but there’s so much to see and do, it’s impossible to see the sprawling city in one trip. Consider mom’s wish list and book the arrondissement that is brimming with her favourite things.

For some, the desert is a place of renewal. Palm Springs has stunning mid-century modern homes, loads of hipster chic hotels and bars, but it also offers a quiet, more grown up alternative to typical vacation spots.

Everyone should experience the energy, cultural institutions, pizza slices and death defying cab rides of Manhattan at least once in their life.

Big Sky Country boasts wilderness reserves, alpine recreational trails, farmland, quaint towns, waterfalls, lakeside cabins and of course, Yellowstone National Park

Gaudi’s sculptures, the magic fountain, symphonies in the park and late-night tapas – Barcelona never disappoints.

For the most “you are my favourite child forever” points, take mom to this sliver of islands in the Indian Ocean. While of course there are sights to explore – mosques, museums, spas – the Maldives is about privacy and luxurious beach bumming.

Canyon Ranch isn’t a place so much as a piece of spa history – it’s been a favorite of destinations for celebs looking to relax, rejuvenate and maybe lose a few pounds. It has been the benchmark in luxury health and wellness since the late 70s, with locations in Tucson, Las Vegas, Massachtuessus, Turkey (coming soon) and even a “Serenity” at sea yacht option.

Like another universe in the middle of the desert, Dubai is the future, today. Technicolor, larger than life and incredibly decadent, Dubai is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Accessible via the Trans Canada Highway, Banff has adventure, serenity and the amenities of a resort town. Do take the shop trip to Lake Louise to canoe on the green lake.

Rome is crowded and Venice is sinking, so why not Florence? It has all the beauty associated with Italy – architecture, old churches, priceless art – and the pizza and gelato too.

Need some family downtime in the tropics? Maui is a lush and laid-back destination with stunning beaches and warm island culture is paradise found.

Of course there’s so much to explore in South America, from Machu Pichu in Peru to the revitalized city of Bogota, Columbia. But there is something truly special about the places and the people of Buenos Aires. Go without an agendy and let the city’s energy guide your way.

Long an inspiration for jet-set designers and architects, Marrakesh has a rich ancient history ripe for exploration and photography.

This Baja beachtown has a bit of everything: all-inclusive resorts, outdoor bars, stunning ocean views and travelers can zone out on the beach, try deep sea fishing, or go for an ATV ride.

Iceland is so hot, even Jay Z and Beyonce have vacationed there. Besides getting up-close-and-personal with the Northern Lights, there’s a bustling food and drink scene, along with a truly unique experiences that include volcanos, geysers and the Silfra dive site.

Tokyo is a frenetic dream of city, mixing traditional and ultra-modern and chaos with incredible organization. World-class dining every few feet, bustling markets for anything that desires (from fish to electronics to anime costumes), an Imperial Garden that serves an oasis in the middle of the city, and eye-popping fashion make Tokyo a “bucket list” destination.