As 14 March approaches, we round up some of the best Mother’s Day treats at home and abroad from twilight cruises to spa breaks.
Mother’s Day fun in the capital
If your mum loves the hustle and bustle of London, celebrate Mother’s Day with all the city has to offer. Dazzle her at the Florimania art exhibition with hundreds of lush floral arrangements and free cake just for mums, all offered at Hampton Court Palace between 12-14 March. Perhaps shop for special presents at the markets in Covent Garden before unwinding with a relaxing cruise along the Thames. Once on the Havengore riverboat, your mum will enjoy the London skyline over bubbly and a gourmet dinner made especially for this Mother’s Day cruise.
Price: £7 for Florimania.
Website: www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace
Price: £99pp for Mother’s Day cruise on the Havengore.
Website: www.viewlondon.co.uk
Mother’s Day spa treat
For the quintessential Mother’s Day gift that won’t disappoint, treat your mum to a luxurious weekend of pampering at the award-winning Grayshott Spa in Amersham. Nestled among 19 hectares (47 acres) of picturesque grounds, the spa is offering a special package which includes one night’s full board stay, a complimentary spa treatment, and full use of the spa’s facilities. Your mum can even satisfy her shopping needs by visiting the spa’s plentifully stocked boutique and beauty retail area. Envious of her gift? Indulge and relax together with the Mother and Daughter Day package.
Price: £185 – Mother’s Day Spa Stay; £180 Mother and Daughter Day for two.
Website: www.grayshottspa.com
Mother’s Day weekend break
Surprise your mother with an unexpected Mother’s Day gift this year: a city break trip to Tunis. Just 2.5 hours away by plane, the lively Tunisian capital has much to offer. She can spend a day bargaining in the bustling souks for exotic gifts ranging from colourful fabrics to antique silver jewellery. Cuisine influenced by the Arab, African, and European cultures of the city will leave your mum’s mouth watering for couscous, baklava, and fine wine. After she is shopped-out and fully satiated, she can retreat to The Residence Hotel’s thalassotherapy spa for holistic treatments amid a lavishly designed hammam. Inspired by the Roman thermal baths, this majestic spa combines ancient architecture with state-of-the-art equipment to give your mum an unforgettable relaxation experience. Best of all, she can enjoy balmy temperatures of around 25°C (77°F) throughout her Mother’s Day trip to Tunis.
Price: Return flights with Tunisair start from £170pp. Spa treatments at The Residence Hotel start from £23pp.
Website: www.theresidence.com
Mother’s Day mini-cruise
A perfect weekend getaway for mum and the whole family, DFDS Seaways’ two-night mini-cruise from Newcastle to Amsterdam will provide a unique and enjoyable experience this Mother’s Day. Departing 13 March, the cruise includes live entertainment aboard the ship, complimentary coach transfers to and from the city centre and breakfast on both crossings. Once in Amsterdam, enjoy the free coach sightseeing tour or venture out on your own to enjoy the vibrant canal-strewn city. Continue the celebrations back on board the cruise with a special three-course Mother’s Day dinner on Sunday.
Price: £291 for a family of four.
Website: www.dfdsseaways.co.uk
Mother’s Day sunshine getaway
With spring on the horizon, treat your mum to a week’s break for Mother’s Day to the sun-kissed Canary Islands. Lanzarote‘s Hotel Seaside Los Jameos Playa’s tennis camp, where skilled coaches offer teaching clinics, will challenge her athletic skills, but relaxation is still just steps away. After a tough match, your mum can visit the hotel’s spa for a restful treatment, lounge by the pool or dig her toes into the sand and lap up the sun.
Price: €1,176 for a week’s B&B stay from March 13 (based on two sharing).
Website: www.seaside-hotels.de
* Heading to South Africa for the World Cup? Read Part 2 of our 2010 World Cup City Guide, including insider tips about the host cities.
* Feeling adventurous? Read our guide to the world’s best Adventure holidays.
* Read our latest hotel review of the new, stylish Hilton Liverpool, situated in trendy Liverpool One and inspired by the city’s history.
