We’ve all gifted flowers, spa sets, and handwritten cards to our mothers. While each of those gestures carries its own meaning, perhaps this year calls for something more lasting, something that feels less like a material gift and more like a memory in the making. Mother’s Day is, after all, a celebration of presence — of all the quiet, unwavering ways your mother has shown up for you. What better way to honour her than with the gift of time, connection, and discovery? Whether it’s a sun-drenched coastal retreat, a tucked-away country escape, or a soulful cultural journey, these thoughtfully chosen travel experiences for your mother offer something no gift box ever could – the chance to create stories together that will be told for years to come. Gift these travel experiences, handpicked by By Mr. Neeraj Singh Dev, Executive Vice President – Ecommerce India and Shorthaul Holidays, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel, that will elevate this Mother’s Day.
Top trending travel destinations for your mother
- Dubai
Skip the obvious tourist spots and introduce your mom to Dubai’s hidden side. Take her on an abra ride across Dubai Creek to explore the historic Al Fahidi district with its wind-tower architecture and labyrinthine alleyways. The Arabian Tea House there serves traditional Emirati breakfast in a charming courtyard filled with jasmine and bougainvillaea. For something truly special, book a private sunset wildlife drive through the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, followed by a traditional Bedouin dinner under the stars at Al Maha Resort – far from the city’s glitz but equally luxurious.
- Central Asian Countries
Beyond the typical European destinations, countries like Azerbaijan and Armenia offer authentic experiences your mom won’t find in travel magazines. In Azerbaijan, skip Baku’s main attractions and head to the ancient city of Sheki with its cobblestone streets and stunning Silk Route history. Arrange a cooking class where mom can learn to make khachapuri (cheese bread) from local grandmothers. In Armenia, the village of Garni offers the famous temple, hidden hot springs where locals bathe, and family-run restaurants serving Armenia’s oldest recipes using lavash bread baked in traditional tonir ovens.
- Japan
Japan offers a unique combination of serene temples and gardens alongside bustling modern cities with shopping and street food galore. For a more slow-paced adventure, take your mom to experience a traditional tea ceremony, relax in natural hot springs, or explore the thriving craft beer culture in Tokyo and Osaka. For ultimate relaxation, skip the famous hot springs and book a traditional ryokan stay in the remote Iya Valley on Shikoku Island, where she can bathe in cedar tubs overlooking misty gorges and dine on seasonal kaiseki cuisine prepared with foraged mountain ingredients.
- Vietnam
Vietnam delivers incredible value with its stunning landscapes, fascinating history, and amazing food. From cruising through limestone karsts in Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay to exploring the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, Vietnam offers diverse experiences. But for those seeking a more unique and standout experience, Vietnam is also home to some of the most coveted hidden gems. For instance, in the northern highlands, the Sunday market at Bac Ha brings together colorfully dressed H’mong, Dao, and Tay ethnic minorities selling handicrafts you won’t find elsewhere.
- Oman
Less crowded than its neighbours, Oman offers authentic Arabian charm with its stunning beaches, majestic mountains, and traditional markets. Just a 4-hour flight from India, you can gift your mother a quick getaway to get some rest and relaxation without breaking the bank. Start in Muscat with its stunning Grand Mosque and bustling Muttrah Souq for frankincense and silver jewellery shopping. Then, skip the touristy wadis for the hidden oasis of Wadi Shab, where she can swim through a narrow canyon to discover a concealed waterfall inside a cave. In the Jebel Akhdar mountains, arrange a stay in one of the abandoned villages now transformed into boutique hotels, where she can stroll through terraced rose gardens that supply Oman’s prized rosewater distilleries.
- Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka offers much more than standard tourist experiences of beaches and jungles. Instead of the crowded Sigiriya Rock, take mom to Pidurangala Rock next door for equally spectacular views but without the crowds. Arrange a private cooking class in a rural village home in Matale, where she can learn to blend spices for the perfect Sri Lankan curry using a traditional grinding stone. For wildlife enthusiasts, skip Yala National Park and head to the lesser-visited Gal Oya National Park, where mom can take a boat safari on Sri Lanka’s largest lake spotting swimming elephants, or join indigenous Vedda tribe members for a forest walk to learn about medicinal plants and honey gathering techniques.
- Darjeeling
For moms who need a peaceful escape, Darjeeling provides the perfect mountain getaway. The misty tea gardens, stunning Himalayan views, and the famous toy train ride create a tranquil setting. Book a stay at Glenburn Tea Estate, a boutique lodge on a working plantation where mom can join the tea pickers at dawn and learn the art of tea tasting from master blenders. Early risers can skip crowded Tiger Hill and instead head to Tumling, a quiet hamlet on the Singalila Ridge that offers equally spectacular but tourist-free sunrise views of Kanchenjunga.
8.Coorg
Known as the “Scotland of India,” Coorg is perfect for moms who love nature. The coffee plantations, waterfalls, and pleasant climate create a rejuvenating environment. Book a stay at a 150-year-old Kodava ancestral home where she can learn the art of making Pandi Curry (pork curry) and Kadambuttu (rice dumplings) from family matriarchs. Forget the popular Abbey Falls and take mom to the secluded Chelavara Falls, where she can swim in the natural heart-shaped pool known locally as the “Heart of Coorg.” If your mom is an adventure lover, arrange a dawn trek through Nalknad Palace trails with a local forest guide who can point out rare bird species and medicinal plants used in traditional Kodava healing, followed by breakfast amid coffee plantations where mom can hand-pick and roast her own beans.
- Pondicherry
Pondicherry makes for an ideal Mother’s Day weekend getaway with its perfect blend of Indian and French cultures. The well-preserved French Quarter features bougainvillaea-draped yellow buildings and quaint cafes serving authentic croissants. While most visitors stick to these colonial streets, mom deserves to discover hidden treasures. Book a cycling tour through the Tamil Quarter with its vibrant temples and distinctive colonial-Tamil fusion architecture. Arrange a private pottery session with master artisans at the Auroville Golden Bridge Pottery studio, or surprise her with dinner at a restored 18th-century mansion where local grandmothers prepare Pondicherry creole cuisine – a unique blend of Tamil, French, and Vietnamese influences found nowhere else in India.
- Tirthan Valley
Located in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, Tirthan Valley is a pristine destination sitting at the entrance of Great Himalayan National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and features crystal-clear rivers perfect for trout fishing. This hidden paradise offers experiences well beyond the standard tourist trail. You can choose from the stunning, more contemporary guesthouses pr book a stay in a traditional Kathkuni home – centuries-old wooden structures built without nails that stay warm in winter and cool in summer. In addition to the popular treks, hire a local guide to take you and your mom to the secluded Chhoie waterfall to enjoy a quiet and relaxed picnic, or to secret meadows where Gaddi shepherds have brought their flocks for centuries, sharing stories and fresh mountain chai around their campfires. This Mother’s Day, go beyond material gifts and create experiences that show mom just how much she means to you. After all, no one deserves a special getaway more than the woman who has always put everyone else first.
- South Korea
For all the moms who love their beauty regimen and are seeking a rejuvenating getaway, South Korea is a dream destination. From stunning hair and makeup services to colour analyses and skin peels, this country is home to some of the world’s most coveted beauty products and treatments. For a more immersive experience, take mom to Jeju Island – South Korea’s wellness hub, known for its volcanic spas and green tea fields. Wellness enthusiasts took a stay at a healing retreat where she can enjoy seaweed wraps, mugwort baths, and DIY skincare sessions using Jeju’s mineral-rich ingredients. A visit to a jjimjilbang (traditional Korean bathhouse) for traditional massages and hair treatments is also a must.
- Malaysia
Malaysia offers a vibrant blend of culture, nature, and cuisine – ideal for moms who enjoy a little bit of everything. Beyond the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur, escape to the cool highlands of Cameron for colonial-style tea plantations and strawberry picking. In Penang, sign up for a Peranakan cooking class followed by a walking tour of George Town’s iconic street art and hidden cafés. But for a truly unique Mother’s Day, book a stay in the rainforest lodges of Sabah or Sarawak, where she can wake up to the sounds of hornbills and sip morning tea overlooking jungle canopies. For moms who love shopping, the artisanal batik centres and spice bazaars of Malacca offer a sensory experience unlike any mall. End the trip with a sunset cruise off Langkawi’s coast, where calm waters, limestone cliffs, and the open sky do all the talking.