There’s nothing wrong with treating your mom to brunch and a bouquet on Mother’s Day… but you can do better than that. Why not plan a mother-son or mother-daughter trip?

Traveling with your mom may not always be easy, but it’s a gift she’ll never forget. We have a few Mother’s Day trip ideas and planning tips for you—read on.

Do some detective work.

Some moms aren’t shy about telling you exactly what they want to do and where they want to go. If that’s the case with your mom, your Mother’s Day trip planning will be a whole lot easier.

But if your mom is the type to say, “Oh it doesn’t matter, honey, whatever you want is fine,” then you’ll need to work a little harder. Think about who your mom is: her unique interests, quirks, likes and dislikes.

Reach out to your mom’s sister, or her best friend, or your dad or stepfather and ask for suggestions.

• Has your mom always talked about seeing the Biltmore gardens in spring? Book a tour.
• Is her favorite R&B singer coming to a nearby city? Get tickets ASAP.
• Does she love watching reruns of “The Gilmore Girls”? Plan a weekend in Washington, Connecticut, the town that inspired Stars Hollow.¹
• Does she daydream of being a rodeo queen? Head to Bandera, Texas, the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” This town is lots of fun, and it’s affordable too.

Do plan around your mom’s travel style.

Is she a planner or a go-with-the-flow traveler? An early riser or a night owl? A Mother’s Day trip should respect her preferred patterns. If Mom gets anxious when she doesn’t have a schedule, then give her the entire itinerary at the start of the trip. If she just wants to chill, then don’t push her to do a full day of activities.

If you and your mom have different travel styles, an all-inclusive resort can be the ideal Mother’s Day destination. There are activities and excursions for high-energy travelers, plus lounge chairs and spa treatments for total relaxation. Reconnect over mai tais and dinner at the end of the day.

Do consider comfort and accessibility.

Even if your mom has been fit and active her whole life, aging forces all of us to slow down. When planning a Mother’s Day trip, build in time for rest (maybe even a nap here and there). Instead of spending many hours sightseeing in the car, plan activities close to your hotel or vacation rental. And if your mom has physical limitations, do some research ahead of time to make sure your destination is easy for her to navigate.

Don’t assume that your mom’s perfect Mother’s Day trip includes you.

Before you plan that mother-daughter or mother-son trip, consider this: Your mom might need some alone time. Think about her daily life. Is she someone who’s always taking care of others? Maybe she would love having a serene weekend of self-care. Think spa weekend, yoga retreat, or even a cozy little cabin in the woods.

Or does your mom work so hard that she never gets to let loose and have fun? In that case, her ideal getaway might be a weekend trip with her best friend in a lively town like Nashville or Las Vegas.

Don’t overextend yourself financially.

Mom always told you to spend your money wisely. Listen to her! She doesn’t want you to blow a month’s salary on a Mother’s Day trip, so choose a destination where prices are lower in May. A few ideas:

• New Orleans isn’t yet blazing hot, and prices will typically be lower after Jazz Fest ends in early May.
• Washington, D.C. has lovely weather and cheap flights in May, according to Going.com.² Plus, there are plenty of free attractions and festivals.
• May is shoulder season in the Caribbean, which means lower rates on cruises, hotels, and flights to places like the Dominican Republic and Jamaica. No passport? Head to Puerto Rico.
• You can find good deals in coastal towns in mid-May, before the Memorial Day price hike. Gulf Shores, Alabama, has pretty beaches and birdwatching. Huntington Beach, California, is a surf town with fun shopping at the Old World Village. Folly Beach, South Carolina, is a low-key beach destination just outside Charleston.

Don’t forget to protect your trip investment with trip cancellation insurance! This valuable benefit can reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs if you have to cancel for a covered reason.

Do get help planning your Mother’s Day trip.

Travel planning isn’t easy. If you find yourself paralyzed and procrastinating, remember: You don’t have to figure out everything by yourself. One option is reaching out to a travel agent. They can recommend destinations you might not have considered and make all the travel arrangements for you. Plus, travel agents often have access to deals and offers you won’t find online.

Did you know that several Allianz Travel Insurance plans include free concierge trip planning services?  Just contact the concierge at the number in your policy letter of confirmation and tell them what kinds of things you want to do on your Mother’s Day trip. The concierge can send you a detailed guide with personalized recommendations. Your concierge can also help you get tickets to events, make restaurant reservations, and more. (Your concierge can’t plan your entire trip or make your travel arrangements, however.) Learn more: 8 Incredible Things You Didn't Know Allianz Travel Concierge Services Could Do

Do go the extra mile for your mom.

You’ve booked the hotel. You’ve planned every detail. Before you say, “Done!” ask yourself: Is there anything else you can possibly do to make this experience unforgettable? Call the hotel and ask about placing something special in her room, such as a bottle of wine or her favorite flowers. Make a playlist of music she likes for the journey. Write a thoughtful card or letter for her to open on the trip.

Don’t go anywhere without travel insurance.

Anytime you travel, you run the risk of something going wrong: a missing bag, a canceled flight, a sudden illness, a lost prescription. Having a trustworthy travel insurance plan can save the day. Once you’ve booked your trip, get a quote for travel protection—for you and your mom.

And if your mom loves to travel, consider getting her the Mother’s Day gift that keeps on giving: an annual travel insurance plan. One affordable plan can protect every trip she takes: weekend getaways, international vacations, road trips, cruises, and more.

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