For years, most of my travel revolved around family adventures and traveling with kids. I mean as a single mom its often easier to bring them along than consider leaving them behind. But somewhere along the way, things changed a bit, I was able to leave them with their dad or my mum and I realized how important it was to occasionally travel for myself too. Now that they are 14 and 12, its much easier to get away, although I end up having to set up a lot of rides to practices and games and having dinner appear on the doorstep instead of worrying about them being home alone!
Now I love family travel, I love showing my kids the world. Much of our travels for the first decade were about destinations that I wanted to see, and they came along for the ride. But parenting is hard, and travel with kids is not a vacation, and I learned that taking a break from parenting is ok, and ill be honest, I love coming home to them after even a couple days away (yes even now when they are teens!)
Sometimes, a getaway is about rest. Sometimes it’s about reconnecting with friends, experiencing somewhere new, challenging yourself, or simply remembering what it feels like to move through the world not worrying about who needs a snack!
Below you will find destinations and experiences that I think work especially well for moms looking for meaningful escapes. It could be a solo trip, a girls’ getaway, a wellness weekend or simply a change of scenery.
Weekend Getaways
Some of my favorite weekend getaways are in proximity to Vancouver because that’s where I live. But I have also added places that I have been that would work great for a weekend if it’s in proximity to where you live!
- Whistler, Canada
- Tofino, Canada
- New York, USA
- Malaga, Spain
- Tampa, USA
- Salt Spring Island, Canada
- Joshua Tree National Park, USA
- La Paz, Mexico
- Kauai, USA
- Venice, Italy
- Dolomites, Italy
- Quebec City, Canada
- Charleston, USA
- Florence, Italy
- Mexico City, Mexico
- Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Aqaba, Jordan
- Cappadocia, Turkiye
- Cyprus
- Banff, Canada
- Radium Hot Springs, Canada
Mom-Friendly Adventure Travel
These are my favorite places beyond weekend relaxation and wellness. They include active adventure, either hiking or biking, skiing, or water activities for those who want soft adventure on their trips
- Whistler, Canada: hiking, biking, skiing, great food, pool and spas
- Tofino, Canada: hiking, surfing, biking, great food
- La Paz, Mexico: swimming with whale sharks, hiking, boating, great food
- Kauai, USA: hiking, snorkelling, great food
- Dolomites, Italy: Hiking, biking, spa culture
- Jordan: Petra, diving, snorkelling, hiking, biking, 4×4 in the desert, food
- Cappadocia, Turkiye: hiking, hot air balloon
- Cyprus: hiking, biking, food
- Banff, Canada: hiking, canoeing, biking, skiing, Lake Louise
- Invermere, Canada: skiing, skating, hot springs
- Uganda: Gorilla trekking, Chimp tracking, luxury safaris
- Costa Rica: snorkelling, bird-watching, hiking, night walks, food
- Southern Ecuador: hiking, food, culture,
- El Salvador: hiking, surfing, culture
- Tokyo, Japan: food, city vibes, shopping, onsen, mario kart go carts
- Tanzania: safari culture
- Cartagena, Colombia: beaches, food, entertainment, culture
Hotels and Stays Worth Escaping to
Some of my favorites are:
- Le Blanc, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
- Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Canada
- Cyprianerhof Dolomit Resort, Italy
- Four Seasons, Whistler, Canada
- La Paloma Lodge, Drake Bay, Costa Rica
- Aboard Star Clippers
- Las Islas, Cartagena, Colombia
- Jasper Park Lodge, Jasper, Canada
- Long Beach Lodge, Tofino, Canada
- Pacific Sands Resort, Tofino, Canada
- Aboard Rocky Mountaineer
- Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort, Fiji
- Kubu Kubu Tented Lodge, Tanzania
- Fairmont Empress, Victoria, Canada
- Movenpick Sharm el Sheikh, Sharm El Sheikh Egypt
- Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Uganda
Why Moms Need Trips Too
I don’t know about you, but I do all the travel planning. That means I am spending so much time planning experiences for everyone in the family that its refreshing to get to plan something for just me (or me and my friends)
I’ve learned that travel doesn’t always have to be big or far away to feel restorative. Sometimes a weekend away (those of you with littles know that 24 hours away is often enough!), a beautiful hotel, a day lying at the beach, a long uninterrupted conversation with friends, or simply an enjoyable meal, is enough to reset your perspective completely.
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