13 Best Mother-Daughter Trips Around the World
I’ve spent a lot of time galavanting around the globe with my daughter Eden, testing the limits of her patience and mine. And you know what? Traveling with your daughter is a special kind of magic—a magical reminder that you’re not as cool as you thought, but also a chance to bond in ways you never imagined.
Here’s my guide to the 13 best mother-daughter trips around the world. These are the spots where you’ll either create unforgettable memories…or at least have a hilarious story to tell about that one time Mom “ruined everything.”
Table of Contents
1. Panama City, Panama
Who knew Panama was more than a hat? It’s like the underrated kid at the travel playground who’s cooler than you thought. Panama City offers a mix of history, adventure, and shopping. The Casco Viejo district is beyond Instagram-worthy, and the Panama Canal is an engineering wonder you will find fascinating.
- Stay: Bristol Panama
- Eat: Fonda Lo Que Hay – Local street food in a laid-back spot, perfect for moms who want to pretend they’re still cool.
- Do: Day trip to the San Blas Islands for swimming, and snorkeling.
Highlight: Head out to the San Blas Islands for pristine beaches and snorkeling. Don’t worry, it’s chill enough that even your moody teenager will approve. Better yet, plan to stay at the beach part of your time in the country. We loved Decameron Panama.
2. New York City, USA
Ah, NYC—the place where dreams come true, and so do overpriced food trucks. The beauty of a New York City mother-daughter trip is that there’s something for both of you, whether shopping in SoHo or you’re reliving your 90s obsession with “Friends” at the famous apartment building in Greenwich Village. Don’t forget Broadway, where you can attempt to pass off theater as culture…until she asks why Harry Styles isn’t starring in Wicked.
- Stay: The Plaza Hotel – Classic, iconic, and expensive. But come on, it’s The Plaza!
- Eat: Serendipity 3 – Famous for its frozen hot chocolate, which will definitely end up all over her Instagram.
- Do: Go to Broadway. Whether it’s Wicked or Hamilton, there’s something to make both of you feel cultured.
Highlight: Afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel.
3. Danube River Cruise, Europe
I mean, if you’re going to travel with your daughter, why not do it in style? Cruising down the Danube River will make you both feel fancy, like you’re in a Bond movie, but with more castles and fewer evil villains. The best part? No flights between countries—just leisurely floating through the heart of Europe, where each stop is its own fairytale town.
- Stay: Onboard with AmaWaterways – Luxury cruising at its finest, with stops in cities like Budapest and Vienna.
- Eat: Lunch on the ship is often local specialties, but in Vienna, try Figlmüller for some massive schnitzel.
- Do: Explore Budapest’s Thermal Baths. Soak in the mineral-rich waters and pretend you’re healing from all the mom-stress.
Highlight: Exploring Budapest together and pretending you’re both royalty at the Buda Castle. Eden may pretend not to care, but we all know she secretly feels like a queen.
4. Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo is where tradition meets tech, which is basically what raising a teenager feels like. Start in Harajuku for quirky fashion (and plenty of eye-rolling from your daughter), then head to a tea ceremony to confuse her even more. It’s fast-paced, fun, and a bit chaotic—just like motherhood.
- Stay: Park Hyatt Tokyo – Feel like Scarlett Johansson in Lost in Translation for a second.
- Do: Explore Harajuku for quirky street fashion and a peek into Japan’s pop culture. It’s Eden’s dream; your fashion nightmare.
Highlight: Hitting up a themed café together. Whether it’s cats, robots, or even ninjas, Tokyo’s got a weird café for everyone. Pro tip: Let your daughter pick, so you don’t seem like the ultimate buzzkill.
5. Paris, France
Yes, it’s cliché, but it’s Paris. If there’s anywhere you want to take your daughter before she grows up and starts telling people she raised herself, it’s here. Share croissants, attempt to discuss art at the Louvre, and take a million selfies under the Eiffel Tower.
- Stay: Le Meurice – Right across from the Louvre, so she can take all the selfies while you admire the art.
- Eat: Angelina for the best hot chocolate in the city. Trust me, it’s so rich it’s basically a meal.
- Do: Take a walking tour of Montmartre, the artsy neighborhood where you can pretend you’re both effortlessly chic.
Highlight: A mother-daughter shopping spree on the Champs-Élysées.
6. Santorini, Greece
Santorini looks like someone dipped a postcard in real life. The white-washed buildings and crystal-clear waters make it the perfect place for bonding. Plus, the sunsets? Let’s just say even your too-cool-for-school daughter might drop the sarcasm for a minute.
- Stay: Canaves Oia Hotel – Luxury cave-style rooms with views that scream “I’m better than you” to all your friends back home.
- Eat: Lotza- Seaside dining.
- Do: Sunset sailing tour. Bond on a boat while pretending you’re starring in Mamma Mia.
Highlight: An evening spent lounging in Oia, sipping on mocktails (or real ones for you) while watching the sun dip into the Aegean Sea. Mother-daughter perfection.
7. Reykjavik, Iceland
For the adventurous duo who isn’t afraid of a little cold, Iceland is a win. You can bond over the otherworldly landscapes—waterfalls, glaciers, geysers—and the fact that neither of you knew exactly where Iceland was before booking the trip. Plus, the Blue Lagoon will make her spa-worthy Instagram dreams come true.
- Stay: ION Adventure Hotel – This eco-luxury hotel is close to all the natural wonders you want to explore.
- Eat: Grillmarkaðurinn – A trendy spot with local flavors like reindeer, puffin, and even whale (but maybe just stick with the salmon).
- Do: Northern Lights. Sure, you’ll probably freeze, but if you spot them, it’s worth the cold shoulder from your daughter.
Highlight: Chasing the Northern Lights. Even if you don’t catch them, you’ll still get major points for effort.
8. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is a vibrant, colorful, and packed coastal city with history that somehow feels cool even to teenagers. Wander through the maze-like streets of Alfama, snack on pastéis de nata (custard tarts that are worth the sugar rush), and take tram rides like you’re in a Wes Anderson film.
- Stay: Bairro Alto Hotel – Stay in the heart of Lisbon’s artsy district.
- Eat: Time Out Market – A food hall with tons of stalls serving everything from seafood to pastries.
- Do: Take a day trip to Sintra to explore the magical palaces and feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale.
Highlight: A day trip to Sintra, where you can explore magical palaces and forests, aka the perfect backdrop for rolling your eyes at each other.
9. Bali, Indonesia
If your ideal mother-daughter trip involves beaches, spas, and a bit of yoga to keep the Zen vibes going (ha, sure), then Bali is your go-to. It’s laid-back and luxurious, with plenty of spots to explore—think temples, waterfalls, and rice terraces that look like they came straight out of a screensaver.
- Stay: Four Seasons Sayan – Gorgeous villas surrounded by rice fields and jungle.
- Eat: Locavore – A high-end dining experience in Ubud that’s as Instagrammable as it is delicious.
- Do: Take a yoga class together and then laugh about how inflexible you are afterward.
Highlight: A traditional Balinese massage at a luxe spa.
10. Edinburgh, Scotland
If you both love history, castles, and the moody weather that makes cozying up in a pub sound just right, Edinburgh should be on your list. Explore the winding streets, visit the famous Edinburgh Castle, and soak in the old-world charm that’ll have both of you wishing you lived in a Harry Potter novel (spoiler: J.K. Rowling wrote a lot of it here!).
- Stay: The Balmoral Hotel – A luxurious hotel where J.K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I mean, if that’s not cool, what is?
- Eat: The Witchery by the Castle – A super atmospheric restaurant with gothic vibes right next to the castle. Eden will either find it totally cool or totally creepy (and maybe both).
- Do: Climb Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views of the city. It’s an easy enough hike, but Eden will probably still find a reason to call it torture halfway up.
Highlight: Ghost tours at night. Because nothing bonds a mother and daughter like mutually scaring the life out of each other. There are signs for free ghost tours that you can just show up for. That’s what we did. At the end you just tip the ghost guide.
11. Cruising the Caribbean
Let’s talk about the time Eden and I cruised the Caribbean on Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas—a floating city where boredom is impossible. Whether you’re zip-lining across the ship, lounging by the pool, or indulging in way too much ice cream, cruising offers a little bit of everything for both mom and daughter. Plus, the Caribbean itself is just an unbeatable backdrop for those sun-soaked bonding moments.
- Stay: Your floating hotel on Allure of the Seas. Trust me, the rooms are bigger than you’d expect.
- Eat: Giovanni’s Table onboard for some top-notch Italian fare.
- Do: Zip-lining on the ship. You’re zip-lining… on a ship. Does it get cooler than that? Eden would say yes, but she’s wrong.
12. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, which makes it ideal for the mother-daughter duo who can never decide between “go, go, go” and “sit by the beach all day.” Explore the tea plantations, visit the ancient city of Sigiriya, and if you’re both feeling brave, head on a safari in one of the country’s lush national parks.
- Stay: Cape Weligama – A luxury resort with infinity pools that scream, “Instagram me.”
- Eat: Ministry of Crab in Colombo for the freshest seafood. Eden might not care, but you will.
- Do: Go on a safari in Yala National Park. Leopards, elephants, and…bonding time, in the wild!
Highlight: Taking a scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella. The views of the rolling hills and tea estates will make both of you forget about Wi-Fi for at least a minute.
13. Ireland
If rolling green hills, castles straight out of a fairytale, and pubs with live music sound like your idea of heaven, then Ireland is the ultimate mother-daughter trip. Plus, the locals are so friendly you’ll leave convinced you have at least three new cousins.
- Do: Cliffs of Moher – Because no trip to Ireland is complete without standing on the edge of a cliff, wind whipping your hair into a bird’s nest, and yelling “I’m the queen of the world!”
- Stay: Castle Leslie – Because nothing says “quality mother-daughter bonding” like pretending you’re royalty while someone else brings you tea in a literal castle.
- Eat: Chapter One in Dublin – Michelin-star dining with modern Irish cuisine. You’ll feel fancy while still pretending you know what half the ingredients are.
No matter where you go, the secret to the perfect mother-daughter trip isn’t in the destination—it’s in those moments when you look at each other, laugh, and say, “Can you believe we actually did this?” And if all else fails, there’s always shopping.
