10 of the best mother-daughter holiday ideas
Travel with your favourite person on a mother-daughter trip to remember
Here at Good Housekeeping, we love some quality mother-daughter time and there's no better way to bond than with a trip away to explore a new destination. Whether you’re in need of some rest and relaxation, a luxury few days in the country or an inspiring culinary experience further afield, we’ve got the perfect mother-daughter holidays for you to take with your favourite person.
However you like to spend time with your mum or daughter, you’re sure to have a fantastic time with our pick of the best trips, from a wine-themed cruise along Portugal's sun-kissed Douro River to a wildlife-spotting trip to the serene Isles of Scilly. with a wildlife expert.
Whether you choose a spa break in the rolling UK countryside or a bucketlist adventure in India, the best mother-daughter holidays allow plenty of time for bonding, taking in beautiful destinations and trying new experiences.
Browse our pick of the best mother-daughter trips to book now.
And if you're looking for even more fabulous holiday inspiration, head over to our holiday site and have a browse of our best-selling trips.
Mother-daughter pampering in Leicestershire
Whether you mum deserves to put her feet up or you're in need of some one-on-one relaxation time with your busy daughter, we've got the spa treat for you: Ragdale Hall in the leafy Leicestershire countryside offers the perfect environment for some mother-daughter R&R.
On an exclusive two-night spa break, you’ll get full use of the spa facilities, which include a dreamy rooftop infinity pool, plus spa treatments and a Clarins gift.
All your meals are included, so you can both enjoy long breakfasts and three-course meals. Plus, you can spend all weekend in matching robes!
Glide through the Swiss Alps on the Bernina Express
For a mother-daughter mountain holiday to remember, take a trip to Switzerland, where a magical adventure awaits in the form of delightful red train, the Bernina Express.
The Bernina Express route runs from Chur and St Moritz in the east of Switzerland before heading over the northern Italian border to Tirano. It's rightly considered one of the most scenic train holidays in Europe, along with the Glacier Express, and winds through 55 tunnels, crosses 196 bridges, and takes in three of Switzerland's four language regions.
On Good Housekeeping's Italian and Swiss holiday you'll enjoy an unforgettable ride on the Bernina Express through pretty pastures and dense pine forests from Chur to Tirano.
A mother-and-daughter ice escape to Transylvania
Cosy up with your mum or your daughter on Good Housekeeping's fantastic winter escape to Transylvania. This five-day tour of Romania starts in the medieval Old Town in Bucharest.
After three nights exploring the capital, this small-group tour heads to the Fagaras Mountains to stay in the Hotel of Ice. Carved from the glacial ice of Balea Lake, you'll stay in igloo-style rooms decorated with ice sculptures and enjoy a candlelit dinner in the Ice Restaurant.
On your way back to Bucharest, you'll spend a further night in the beautiful Gothic town of Brașov before taking a tour of the famous Dracula's Castle in Bran.
Taste your way around Bologna and Modena
Another perfect trip for foodie mother-daughter pairs, this time to the wonderful Emilia-Romagna of northern Italy. Here you'll find a city so packed full of culinary delights its earned the affectionate nickname La Grassa - 'The Fat One'.
Several of Italy's best-loved foods originate in Bologna and the wider Emilia-Romagna region, like mortadella, balsamic vinegar, parmesan cheese, parma ham, and tortellini. The city is packed with mouthwatering eateries, from local hideaways down quiet side streets to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Join Good Housekeeping on a gourmet tour of Bologna and you'll visit several local producers to taste fabulously fresh food. You'll also visit nearby Modena, home of balsamic vinegar, and enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson.
A picturesque wine-themed cruise in Portugal
If you're a wine-loving family, there are few regions in Europe as tempting as Portugal's Douro Valley for a wine-themed cruise.
This exquisite region is dotted with quiet villages, rolling hills, and terraced vineyards producing a bounty of exemplary wine. Join us on an eight-day discovery of the Douro's food, culture, wine, and history aboard a luxury river cruise ship.
You'll also have the chance to explore Porto where the cruise begins and ends. Soak up the charms of Portugal’s enchanting second city, stroll through the alleyways and admire the local architecture.
FIND OUT MORE
Sail the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia
Another brilliant long-haul option for adventurous mothers and daughters is this cruise along the Mekong, Southeast Asia's most important river. It winds through lush green paddy fields and tiny fishermen's villages in Vietnam and along to Cambodia's ornate temples and through its fascinating capital, Phnom Penh.
Sailing along the Mekong on a cruise is a great way to see the best of Vietnam and Cambodia in a convenient and comfortable way.
Join Good Housekeeping's excellent 17-day tour of the two countries and you'll spend seven nights in a Luxury Balcony suite aboard the Mekong Jewel, which will take you to incredible sights like the world-famous temple complex of Angkor Wat.
Enjoy a mother-and-daughter foodie tour of Puglia
Good Housekeeping's tour of Puglia in southern Italy is great for food-loving mums and daughters. This six-day small-group holiday will take you both to some of the best spots in Puglia to eat and drink and include trips to historic bakeries, olive farms and masserie, Italy's grand manor houses designed like Roman villas which are often attached to vineyards.
As well as dining in some of Puglia's great local restaurants, you'll bond over cooking lessons and pasta-making classes, as well as join an olive oil tasting session.
The fun group tour also includes trips to the ancient cave dwellings and rock churches of Sassi di Matera, the trulli houses of Alberobello and a day in Locorotondo too, one of the Itria Valley's most picturesque towns.
Wildlife spotting on the Isles of Scilly
The Isles of Scilly are just a boat ride from the coast of Cornwall and make a great choice if you're looking for icing sugar beaches and cobalt blue waters without travelling quite as far as the Indian Ocean or the Caribbean.
While sunny weather isn't always guaranteed, this stunning archipelago does boast some of the warmest temperatures in the UK.
On Good Housekeeping's exclusive trip you'll get to explore the isles and see some of their lovely native wildlife. The head of the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Julian Branscombe, will give a talk so you can learn more about the special species to be found here.
Discover India's Golden Triangle and sail the Ganges
A bucket list trip if there ever was one, touring India's Golden Triangle will introduce you to the local traditions and exquisite architecture of cities like New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
Good Housekeeping's 15-day India tour takes you through the Golden Triangle before boarding an luxury river ship to sail along the Ganges, discovering the culture on its banks. You'll see the iconic Taj Mahal, the Hindu temples in Kalna, the artisan village of Matiari and the ornate architectural monuments of Murshidabad.
Making it and extra-special treat for any foodie mums and daughters is the company of Michelin-starred Indian chef Atul Kochhar, who'll join you for a market visit in Kalna, prepare Indian dishes on board, and host an exclusive talk and Q&A.
See the northern lights on an Arctic cruise in Norway
For a magical mother-and-daughter trip, you can't beat Good Housekeeping's astronomy and Arctic cruise in Norway. This 12-day small-ship cruise by Hurtigruten starts in Bergen and winds its way through the Norwegian fjords and across the Arctic Circle.
Icy fjords, snow-capped mountains and vast and serene expanses of frozen wilderness, it's the ultimate winter experience. A highlight is the real chance of seeing the aurora borealis dancing across the Arctic night sky.
Chief Aurora Chaser, Tom Kerss will also host a series of onboard lectures about constellations, planets and meteors. Of course, it's just as nice to enjoy a cocktail in the explorer lounge or relax in one of the outdoor hot tubs and soak up those heavenly Arctic views.
More travel ideas for a unique holiday:
- The best luxury train journeys
- The best cruises for couples
32 best Amazon Prime Day toy deals to snap up now
10 best travel pushchairs for jet-setting families
7 best highchairs for happy mealtimes
10 best cameras for kids to get snap happy
