Why You Should Embark on One of These Immersive Mother-Daughter Trips

Harvard Medical School released a study that mothers and daughters who take at least one trip together per year have less stress, stronger immune responses, decreased risk for heart disease and more. That’s right: It turns out spending quality time together provides benefits similar to sticking to a healthy diet and getting enough sleep every night. And, let’s face it, traveling is a lot more fun.

It’s never too early to start planning a life-changing journey with your loved one. Here are a few ideas to appeal to different interests:

Wellness and Rejuvenation

Morning yoga, afternoon walks amid the backdrop of the Himalayas and evening guided meditations are how mothers and daughters will pass the time at Ananda in the Himalayas, an award-winning luxury wellness retreat in India. In the heart of the birthplace of the practices of yoga, meditation and Ayurveda, there’s no better locale for anyone looking to leave feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and recharged. The property is set on the 100-acre Maharaja’s Palace Estate, conducive for family members to nurture relationships (one mother returned five times with both of her daughters.)

Pool, Ananda Villas. Courtesy of Ananda in the Himalayas

Guests can book the same or separate wellness programs depending on their health goals and select from personalized ones focused on detox, weight loss, fitness, rejuvenation, de-stressing and anti-aging. Indulge in some pampering at the spa, take a cooking class, trek to the ancient Hindu temple, experience the spiritual city of Rishikesh together and whitewater raft the Ganges River.

Courtesy of Ananda in the Himalayas

Rates for the five-night Rebalance or Renew program start from $1,330 per night on a double occupancy Deluxe Palace View Room, while rates for the seven-night program start at $1,420 per night. The all-inclusive rates include individual wellness consultation; Ayurvedic consultation; personal fitness consultation; fitness test and body composition analysis; ongoing progress checks with doctors and spa consultants; detailed debrief session and lifestyle consultation and counseling; Ananda Rejuvenation Spa cuisine; daily morning wake-up signature tea and fresh fruit bowl; scheduled wellness activities, daily use of hydrotherapy facilities; and more. Rates are lower during the summer May 1–Sept. 15.

Cultural Immersion

Tour operator Naya Traveler’s latest destinations allow mothers and daughters to soak in the vibrant culture and natural wonders of two of the world’s most fascinating countries. Guatemala means “place of many trees” in ancient K’iche Mayan, a testament to the natural beauty you’ll find in places like Lake Atitlan’s emerald waters. In this region, those living in small villages still guard their Mayan traditions, providing the chance to bond while taking an artisanal weaving workshop, engaging with local families and discovering their way of life.

Naya Traveler Guatemala. Courtesy of Naya Traveler

Naya Traveler offers tailored trips to Guatemala starting at $700 per person per day, based on double occupancy and itinerary specifics, not including airfare.

Guatemala. Courtesy of Naya Traveler

Belize boasts the perfect blend of adventure and downtime, and the Central American country’s best-kept secret might just be Placencia. It’s set on a small strip of land between a mangrove-lined lagoon and the Caribbean Sea and managed to avoid the mass tourism that’s overtaken other places in Belize. Divers will love its varied underwater marine life while those who prefer land adventures can hike or horseback ride in the tropical mainland jungle while spotting wildlife. The village is tiny in size, but big on old-world charm; mothers and daughters can spend their evenings riding bikes, eating gelato or catching up over local seafood at a restaurant on the pedestrian-only main street.

Naya Traveler offers tailored trips to Belize starting at $700 per person, per day, based on double occupancy and itinerary specifics, and airfare is not included.

Both Guatemala and Belize are an average three–four-hour flight from many major airport hubs. Several U.S. airlines launched direct weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX), Houston (IAH), Atlantic (AIO), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK) and other hubs to Guatemala (GUA) and Belize (TZA).

Support of Local, Female-Owned Businesses

Wild Terrains’ creative itineraries to Mexico City and Portugal let mothers and daughters go on a trip while supporting women-only businesses. Stay in female-owned hotels, savor meals from female chefs and connect with women entrepreneurs, artists and designers. You may find yourself taking a photo of your mom tucking in to a crunchy cricket taco at a Mexico City food market, or be able to work together to cover a wall in graffiti on the streets of Lisbon.

Mexico City Food Market, Daniel Lerman, Unsplash. Courtesy of On Foot Holidays