There’s an old trope about moms on vacation: It’s just the same work in a different location. Taking the same show on the road, but with new logistical details, items to remember to pack, and picky people to please.
It doesn’t have to be this way. We’d like to introduce you to a collection of mother-travelers who flipped the script on their trips: Not only did they manage to delight their diverse and demanding stakeholders (er, family members), but they got to experience a true vacation, themselves, without sweating every detail to make it happen.
How? They used a Trusted Travel Expert. The reviews below show the difference it makes to put the planning responsibility in the hands of someone who listens, cares, and gets it. Jaded daughters and bored boys? Not a problem. The WOW List experts know how to win them over, time and time again.
Turning an India work trip into a mother-daughter cultural immersion
Happy mom and teen “tagged along on a business trip” and enjoyed the Taj Mahal at both sunrise and sunset.
“My teen daughter and I tagged along on a pretty last-minute business trip my husband was taking to India. Victoria put together an amazing itinerary one month before we left and she really nailed it! After our first phone conversation she put together the perfect plan and I made very few changes. It was very clear she understood what I was looking for and how we wanted to spend our time.
We were traveling off-season during monsoons, and while the weather was very hot and very humid, the actual rain barely interfered with our activities. We flew into Delhi and spent two days exploring the city which was a feast for the senses. It was a great intro to India, both overwhelming and mesmerizing. Victoria set up a tour of the old city by rickshaw which I’d highly recommend as a memorable and eye-opening experience. We also took a food tour through the winding streets of Delhi which I was very hesitant about for fear of “Delhi belly,” but Victoria assured me they are very careful about the places we would visit and she was right, we were all fine!
My daughter and I then went off on our own to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal at both sunset and sunrise, which were two totally different experiences and both “pinch me” moments! Friends and family at home were very concerned about the two of us traveling in India alone, but we felt completely safe the entire time because we always had someone with us, just one of the reasons a WOW planner is so important.
Our final stop in India was Jaipur. Each city was a 3-4 hour drive from one another, which was an experience in itself passing through villages and seeing the way people live outside of the cities. We spent four days in Jaipur which was the perfect combination of sight seeing, shopping, spa time and cultural experiences. Highlights were a block printing workshop in a village outside of the city, an early morning visit to the old city, getting custom made pajamas, visiting the city palace, and meeting with an astrologer, which was a very unique experience. Our incredible guide Vikram knew all the best spots to take us to and had access to places we would have never known about. We have had a lot of private guides all over the world and Vikram is up there with the best!
We were very happy with all of the hotels Victoria had suggested—Leela Palace in Delhi, The Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra and Rambagh Palace in Jaipur. Victoria really made the most of the one week we had in India. She suggested three very different cities which were the perfect combination for a first-time visitor to India and I can’t wait to go back to visit other parts of the country!” —Lauren Schor
Read more reviews of India trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“Italy with my son… I can tell you, without hesitation, it was the most incredible trip I have ever been on.”
Traveler Renee Koch with her son Zack during their private Amalfi Coast cruise.
“I just recently returned from Italy with my son. I can tell you, without hesitation, it was the most incredible trip I have ever been on. I’ve been to Europe multiple times over the years, but never under the skillful guidance of Jennifer and her team. Every guide, driver and greeter was so proud to be a member of her team, and what a memory they all created for us!
We arrived in Rome and were whisked through the airport by our first of many fabulous greeters. We spent the next four days touring the Vatican, Borghese Gallery, Colosseum, Roman Forum and all the wonderful historic sights and museums in Rome with the most incredible guides I have ever experienced. Our favorite excursion in Rome was the Golf Cart tour—it was lots of fun and we got a chance to see many things in a short period of time.
Next we were off to Venice. We were greeted by our private taxi boat upon leaving the train station and off to our next adventure exploring Venice with a canal tour and tour of St. Marks, the Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto area. My favorite experience in Venice was the day spent in Murano and Burano. We went on a private glass-blowing tour in Murano that was amazing! Lunch and shopping in Burano topped off the day. We had our own boat and guide, so we spent as much time as we wanted looking at all the beautiful glass and exploring the islands.
Florence was our next destination, and the private cooking class in Tuscany was my favorite excursion of our entire trip. The private home in the mountains was beautiful, the food we made was amazing, and I adored our private chef.
Our final destination was Positano and the Villa Boheme (great service and breathtaking view from our balcony). We went on a private boat tour in Positano that I would recommend to everyone—loved the Amalfi Coast and Capri and adored our captain—he was so much fun, the day went too quickly! Our last excursion was Pompeii—perfect amount of time there with the perfect guide. We headed back to Rome and spent the night close to the airport at QC Terme Roma, which I highly recommend to anyone wanting to enjoy their last night in Rome and be close to the airport.” —Renee Koch
Read more reviews of Italy trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
The Philippines: a mother/daughter scuba-diving adventure
Andrea Phillips and daughter Rachel diving off Balicasag Island. Photo: Sander
“Taking advantage of the time left before my 18-year-old daughter leaves to start college, the two of us jetted off on a 10-day scuba diving trip to the Philippines. After in-depth planning with Andrea, an expert on unique travel in Asia, we chose the Dauin coast and Panglao Island, off Bohol, for our trip, as this was an excellent time to visit for great weather and diving conditions. Our goals were simple: level up our scuba certifications, immerse ourselves in welcoming cultures, and, finally, cross off swimming with whale sharks from our bucket list!
Andrea and his team planned it perfectly, starting with a special airport welcome that whisked us from the arrival gate and quickly through a chaotic Manila airport. Our first stop was Atmosphere Resort, where my daughter earned her Advanced Open Water Diver certification under the guidance of their skilled dive masters. We explored local dive spots and Apo Island, a beautiful marine reserve. The relaxing resort was wonderful after diving, with its refreshing pools, delicious food, a sanctuary spa, all while being cared for as a VIP guest by the warm and friendly Filipino staff. It all brought back memories of doing my own AOW certification in Asia 25 years ago.
Moving on to Amorita Resort, we spent our days diving at Balicasag & Pamilacan Islands with another great dive team recommended by Andrea and earned our Enriched Air Diver certifications. Andrea also surprised us by sending an underwater photographer along on our first dive to capture a forever moment on our mother-daughter adventure under the sea. Saving one of the best days for last, our Bohol countryside tour was incredible, from swimming with a group of large whale sharks to cruising on a private Lomboc River boat with live music, hanging out with Tarsier and macaque monkeys, admiring the famous Chocolate Hills of Bohol and even enjoying coconut wine at a local’s home. It was a perfect conclusion to our unforgettable journey in the Philippines.
This trip was tailored-made for our needs, combining the best dive resort locations for our goals, avoiding crowded tourist spots for the whale shark encounter, and adding in authentic cultural stops and touches to make each day unforgettable, including celebrating my birthday. Pushing ourselves to try somewhere new, and doing it together, made it even more thrilling.” —Andrea Phillips
Read more reviews of the Philippines trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
Switzerland: “I feel more connected to my son, as we did activities together without worry…”
Wendy Mueller and son Evan riding the gondola on the Swiss side of Zermatt, with the Matterhorn in the background.
“I took my son (age 19) to Zermatt for a ski trip the first week of March. I wanted a special mom-and-son trip. I reached out to WendyPerrin.com for a referral to help and was connected with Nina and Simon. They took my wishes and planned an EPIC trip for me. The accommodations were amazing, the ski guide was so good I booked him an additional day, and they added to the itinerary a gorge trip and a special nighttime fondue and another evening tapas tour.
What made it more spectacular were the guides hired. We are very accomplished skiers in the U.S., living in Colorado and Tahoe. We knew Zermatt was a little more complicated of a mountain, with the lifts and the Swiss and Italian sides. They recommended a ski guide, and we are so very happy they did! Made the skiing more efficient and fun! One of the more memorable moments was a walk down into town from the evening fondue, and as we passed through one of the small hamlets, a small white one-room church—like the kind in old western towns—was lit, and our guide noticed my interest so he went over to see if it was open. It was and I was able to make a small donation in the box and light a candle and have a prayer of gratitude. I will remember this forever.
I rarely use travel services, as I do travel a lot and am comfortable booking on my own. However I wanted to have a bonding experience with my son and be stress-free. I feel more connected to my son, as we did activities together without worry. I would definitely recommend Nina and Simon when you want to be taken care of and have special moments. The guides were in direct contact with them, and it appeared to me the relationships are deep and very positive. We were the beneficiaries of those relationships for truly one-of-a-kind experiences.” —Wendy Mueller
Read more reviews of Switzerland trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“My daughter and I both cook a lot and consider ourselves to be decent cooks, but I think we both learned new techniques that we’ve applied to our cooking since…”
Irish blended whiskey and cheeses. Photo: Shutterstock
“Having used Wendy Perrin’s WOW List last year to travel to Greece, we chose Jonathan and his team to book our mother-and-adult-daughter trip to Ireland, and they made the entire process extremely easy. We started at historic Dromoland Castle in County Clare. In Galway we took a food tour through the city to experience the best food the city had to offer. Our guide Regina was a chef herself and you could tell she thoroughly enjoyed sharing the amazing food that Ireland and Galway specifically had to offer. During this tour, we had the best raspberry croissant with red striping and a delicious raspberry puree center. We also had a whiskey tasting where we tried Irish Poitin, which is Ireland’s version of American Moonshine and it definitely made you cough on the smallest sip. The other highlight for me of the food tour was at lunch when we had local oysters. I am not usually a fan of oysters, but Regina described them as a little burst of fresh salt water, and that’s exactly what it was!
Next we headed over to Killarney and the Killarney Park Hotel. We had a very interesting whiskey tutorial and tasting with the head of spirits at the hotel. We also explored the town of Kenmare and took a chocolate-making class at Lorge Chocolates. Neither of us had ever done a chocolate-making class or anything of the sort before, and it was very fun and educational. Benoit Lorge ran the private lesson with the two of us, and he was so enthusiastic and passionate about his chocolate and the quality of chocolate that he creates.
Finally, in Dublin, we took a private cooking class with Alix Gardner’s Cookery School, and there we learned how to make all the essentials for a true Irish feast. We made scones, soda bread, shepherd’s pie with lamb, and a Guinness cake. My daughter and I both cook a lot and consider ourselves to be decent cooks, but I think we both learned new techniques that we’ve applied to our cooking since. The food was delicious and we got to take home our leftovers. We managed to bring a whole Guinness cake on the plane home with us to The States! A slice of Guinness cake after a full day of traveling was well worth the trouble of packing it.” —Robin Stone
Read more reviews of Ireland trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“She and her team allowed me the opportunity to simply enjoy 10 glorious days with my daughter…priceless.”
Big Ben Clock in London, United Kingdom. Photo: Shutterstock
“I wanted to create an unforgettable experience for my daughter’s 16th birthday. Words cannot express how perfect this trip was. I spoke with Jennifer before we even began the process, and she asked questions about my daughter to help tailor the trip around her preferences and interests. I did not have to worry about anything but my airline reservations. She and her team allowed me the opportunity to simply enjoy 10 glorious days with my daughter…priceless.
We stayed at the Reubens on the Palace in London, which was a beautiful hotel and very well located for walking to shopping, theater, Buckingham Palace and the Underground. The hotel provided a lovely gift and note to my daughter upon our arrival for her birthday and left a variety of treats for turndown each night. We had a very busy itinerary which included horseback riding in Hyde Park, a private guide for a full day in London, Windsor Castle, East End, theater tickets, a visit to Harry Potter studios, and even a day train trip to Harry Styles’ hometown (specific request).
Jennifer arranged a VIP Meet and Greet for us when we arrived in Paris, which was quite helpful to navigate our luggage through the train station and out to our driver.
We stayed at Hotel Madame Reve in Paris. Our room had a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower and a large outdoor terrace. There was a bottle of champagne and macarons waiting upon our arrival with a nice note for my daughter. We have visited Paris many times, so Jennifer provided excellent activities for us, including a Perfume Workshop, Pastry Making Class, private Louvre tour, the Moulin Rouge and a day trip out to Chateau de Chantilly to ride horses and tour the chateau with a private guide/driver.
Our departure was a welcome surprise. The driver was timely, friendly, helpful and dropped us off at the airport to another VIP Meet and Greet. This gentleman took our luggage, walked us through the airport, helped complete tax refunds, took us to VIP check-in and escorted us to the boarding gate. If you have the opportunity to take advantage of this, I think you will find that you will never do without again! We loved it.” —Lisa Semple
Read more reviews of Paris and London trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“My daughter and I just came back from an amazing week in Egypt!”
View of Nile from the dahabiya boat, Egypt. Photo: Billie Cohen
“My daughter and I just came back from an amazing week in Egypt! This was one of those trips that we will truly never forget. The end of April was a great time to go, as the weather was really lovely. It was Ramadan during our time there, but this really did not impact any parts of the trip (certain attractions closed earlier in the afternoon, but this really worked well for us as it gave us time to relax after a full morning/afternoon).
Someone asked what our favorite parts of the trip were and, to be perfectly honest, it is impossible to pick one thing. The local trip leaders and guides were so friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Our guide, Abdullah, on our 4-night trip on the Nile was so passionate about hieroglyphics—we really got such a detailed instruction on how to “read” these stories within temples and tombs.
The days on the dahabiya on the Nile were so relaxing. It was nice to only have 12 tourists on the boat (which was the maximal number); this allowed for nice conversations, particularly during meal time. The meals were pretty amazing, with plenty of options for any dietary limitation/restriction. Eman, with whom we spent 3 days in Cairo, was so informative. My daughter and I really bonded with her. We would love to have her again on another trip into Egypt!
Arlene on Jim’s team really made this trip successful from beginning to end. We were so well taken care of by the drivers, trip leaders, and guides. We felt safe throughout.” —Rekha Mankad
Read more reviews of Egypt trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“…A mix of sightseeing, adventure, and downtime that was perfect for all of us.”
Horse tour in Killarney National Park. Photo: Shutterstock
“My friend and I took our four teenage sons on a March spring break trip to Ireland arranged by Jonathan. It was a mix of sightseeing, adventure, and downtime that was perfect for all of us. I can’t speak highly enough about our time with our private drive-guide, Frank. Frank got to know the boys and their interests and went out of his way to add to the itinerary with activities such as Gaelic Games and time with a local club soccer team. Our boys loved getting to spend time with other teens from Ireland.
Some favorite activities were our boat ride in Killarney National Park followed by a seven-mile jaunting cart ride. The Galway food walking tour was a hit for all. While the rest of our group did Gaelic games, I did a walking tour of Dublin and had a wonderful time learning about Dublin past and present.
This is my second trip that I have done going through your WOW List. Your trip planners make vacations memorable and special. I will never plan a trip without going through Wendy Perrin—and I freely share this advice with others.” —Jennifer Brown
Read more reviews of Ireland trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“…The most wonderful, memorable trip for my 18-year-old son and me…”
Kangaroo in Tasmania, Australia. Photo: Shutterstock
“We cannot thank Stuart and Jacki enough for arranging the most wonderful, memorable trip for my 18-year-old son and me—two and a half glorious weeks running around beautiful Australia. They both spent real time talking to us about our likes and hopes. Every element of the itinerary they came back with was flawlessly executed and fun-filled, tailored perfectly to our quirky interests. We loved it—wow! It was nonstop terrific. Highlights especially were our time at Arkaba Station, our day at MONA and walking in Mt Field in Tasmania, and—so touristy, but oh boy so fun—petting all those kangaroos at the wildlife reserve near Hobart. Who knew kangaroos were like dogs, just wanting a cuddle and scratch?
My son adds that he also especially loved surfing on Bondi Beach, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and taking a cocktail mixology class at Saffire. In addition to the thoughtful itinerary, Jacki and Stuart paired us with some truly terrific guides, very well matched to us. For example, in Sydney, they found us a professor of architecture to give us a tour of the wonderful architecture there. It is such a beautiful country, and we can tell we only just dipped our toes in. We will certainly be back for more, with the whole family next time.” —Cate Bradley
Read more reviews of Australia trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“I wanted to take my youngest daughter to Japan to celebrate her high school graduation…”
Cherry blossoms bloom around Heian Shrine in Kyoto, Japan. Photo: Shutterstock
“I wanted to take my youngest daughter to Japan to celebrate her high school graduation. Scott planned a fabulous and varied itinerary, and our guides were fantastic: They were very flexible to accommodate our interests and energy levels and very understanding of how a teenager would like to travel.
Scott arranged several special experiences based on the relationships he has formed. We had a cooking lesson with an amazing woman in her home, a fascinating dinner at a club with geishas, and a calligraphy lesson with an excellent teacher. We both loved Studio Ghibli and the Monkey Park.
Scott’s choice of hotels was wonderful. We slept so well every night, particularly at our ryokan. The Mandarin Oriental serves a fantastic breakfast buffet. The Ritz-Carlton was very luxurious (and yes—we did see Leonardo Di Caprio there). We were particularly fortunate that the cherry blossoms came out when we got there and we got to experience the beauty of the season. Throughout the trip, I was able to sit back and relax and enjoy everything because of Scott’s careful planning and knowledge of Japan. I would absolutely use him again and recommend him. I have been a fan of Wendy’s since her Condé Nast days. This is now my second special trip with her experts, and I plan on more. The level of professionalism is exceptional.” —Patricia Klein
Read more reviews of Japan trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“…The most outstanding mother-daughter spring break trip to Baja California, Mexico, for my 20-year-old and me.”
Sea lions swimming in Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo: Shutterstock
“Zach and his wonderful team planned the most outstanding mother-daughter spring break trip to Baja California, Mexico, for my 20-year-old and me. We were interested in a nature-focused experience, spending all of our time on whale watching, sea lions, whale sharks, etc. Zach was so thoughtful, spending a series of phone calls with me figuring out what kind of travelers we were and what kind of experiences would be right. He then proposed the perfect itinerary, including four days in a remote whale-watching camp alongside time in La Paz on private boat excursions to key wildlife sites.
We weren’t excited about spending time in busy Cabo, and he found us an under-the-radar boutique hotel that checked all our boxes (quiet, beautiful, excellent service). The trip was flawlessly executed, thanks to his colleague Carolina’s careful detail work and real-time monitoring. She went out of her way to figure out where we could skip logistics steps and bypass lines. It couldn’t have run more smoothly during a very crowded time in Baja.” —Cate Bradley
Read more reviews of Mexico trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“We learned so much history, ate amazing food, cooked amazing food, and saw incredible architecture and art.”
Bosque de Chapultepec, Mexico City. Photo: Shutterstock
“I wanted to plan a trip to Mexico City for my mom, my sister and I that we could all enjoy. I wanted us to learn, experience and spend quality time together. I think all of these objectives were met by Zach. The planning process was a bit slow initially but then went smoothly. Our transfers and day trips were seamless, everyone always on time. We felt very safe the entire time and this was a big concern of my mom’s. Our guide was very good at noticing when my mom needed to slow down a bit or take a break and she was very knowledgeable. Our driver, Alfonso, was lovely, looking out for us, showing patience and even concern at times. There were a few miscommunications between my expectations, given what was written in our itinerary/discussions, and the on-the-ground team but generally these were worked out. Our hotel was very nice and we enjoyed the location. We even had the “fortune” to experience Labor Day on our departure day. This made things hectic but we were able to figure out another meeting point with our driver, as all the roads were closed and this was not anticipated. Someone from the hotel walked with us to meet him. We learned so much history, ate amazing food, cooked amazing food, and saw incredible architecture and art. My mom even cried when I said good-bye to her at the airport because she was so happy we were able to have this special time together.” —Amy Evers
Read more reviews of Mexico trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“…A fun day at a working farm outside of Guayaquil where we made our own artisan chocolate and went tubing in a river…”
Blue-footed booby, Galapagos Islands. Photo: peterstuartmill/Pixabay
“Even though I started the planning process late, Allie booked the perfect trip for us to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, taking into consideration the diverse interests of my family members. She was able to secure reservations at hotels that were ideal for our family and book tours that we all enjoyed, including a fun day at a working farm outside of Guayaquil where we made our own artisan chocolate and went tubing in a river. Allie helped us find places and things to do that we wouldn’t have found on our own. And on top of her expert advice, she was a pleasure to work with. My advice for working with Allie is to give her detailed information about the specific interests and needs of each family member. She is extremely knowledgeable. Armed with information, she can work magic.” —Patty Levin
Read more reviews of Galapagos and Ecuador trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“She helped us take advantage of a deal for extra free days at Universal…”
Happily Ever After fireworks at Disney World. Photo: Disney
“My family of four was headed to Orlando and wanted to visit Universal (staying at the Hard Rock Hotel and focusing on the two Harry Potter worlds) and Disney (since the kids are a little older, we wanted Epcot and Animal Kingdom). Michelle definitely added value to our vacation. She helped us take advantage of a deal for extra free days at Universal that allowed us to see the parks in a much more relaxed fashion. She also wisely steered us toward a concierge floor at our Disney hotel. At first, I didn’t think this was a big deal, but after long days in the parks, it was great to have the option of grabbing food in the concierge-floor lounge instead of going out again to get dinner.” —Melissa Pollack
Read more reviews of Disney trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
“Meeting people who have a direct hand in the life and culture of Italy was special.”
Florence, Italy. Photo: Shutterstock
“Italy can be overwhelming because there is so much to do, see, and eat, but Maria planned a spectacular trip to Florence, Bologna, and Rome for me, my teenagers, and my fiancé over the Christmas/New Year’s holiday. In Florence we visited a noble family estate and cooked a five-course meal (and learned how to make tortelloni) with the family chef, had a tour of the wine cellar, and joined one of the family members for lunch. We learned of the family’s wing of art at the Uffizi, which we visited the next day. Meeting people who have a direct hand in the life and culture of Italy was special. In Rome, our food lovers’ adventure on Vespas with Toni was a complete standout. My 6′ 4″ son was mortified to ride on the Vespa—and got over that fear in one minute. We were a team of five Vespas! Don’t mess with us! As for Bologna, I am a dental surgeon and am really glad Maria recommended visiting the Teatro Medica at the University of Bologna with my kids. I am sure there is no way I could’ve arranged such a trip.” —Wendy Halpern
Read more reviews of Italy trips. To get your own WOW trip, start with our trip questionnaire, reached via the black button below.
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