Mother's Day
Push the boat out and treat your Mum to a gift she won't forget...
She's worth her weight in gold. But sometimes a bunch of flowers just doesn't say enough. So why not spoil your Mum rotten this year with a Mother's Day gift she really will swoon over?
If you want to treat your Mum to something special, you can do no wrong by whisking her off on a holiday to remember. How about the bright lights and gorgeous sights of a city break in Rome? A relaxing spa break abroad? Or maybe a UK escape for something closer to home? If she doesn't want to travel over the Mother's Day weekend, you could book something later in the year. Or buy some Thomson holiday vouchers so she can redeem them whenever she pleases.
If you need a helping hand, take a look at our suggestions below to get you started. Whatever you choose, you'll definitely be in her good books for many years to come...
Best for Walking… Madeira
If your Mum's into walking, gardens, and spectacular scenery, then Madeira is the perfect match. Fondly known as 'the floating garden', this gorgeous island charms the socks off visitors year after year. Think soaring mountains, lush forests and top class hotels. Add a near-perfect climate, great shopping and of course excellent locally produced wine, and you've got a recipe for the perfect Mother's Day getaway.
For the active among us, walking has long been a favourite for visitors to Madeira. You'll find a network of trails weaving through fantastic volcanic landscape, passing some gorgeous flora on the way. So don't forget your walking boots. You might want to pack your camera too - Madeira's warm, moist climate creates perfect growing conditions for all sorts of plant species. Bird of Paradise, Bougainvillea and Orchid are just a few flowers you can expect to see here. Bring your Mum here and you'll definitely score a few brownie points...
Best for... Closer to home
If your Mum's not into flying, you haven't got the budget, or perhaps she'd just rather stay closer to home, then why not check out some of our UK breaks?
Although often overlooked in favour of more exotic climates abroad, UK holidays have a lot to offer. You could be discovering the superb shopping, attractions and bubbly nightlife of Birmingham. Experiencing the West End shows and top celebrity restaurants of London. Or maybe you fancy heading north to historical Edinburgh, for a weekend of sightseeing and culture?
Whatever you fancy,
visit our hotel only website and type the city of your choice into the free text search in the search panel. Browse the range of hotels available - and don't forget to click the 'View on map' option to see where your preferred hotels are located.
Just think - you could be treating your Mum to 5-star luxury in no time!
Best for Sightseeing… A city break in Italy
Let's face it, when it comes to sheer 'wow' factor, Italian cities know how it's done. They've got some of the most famous landmarks in the world, not to mention designer shops full of achingly beautiful buys, and gorgeous food to boot. But which one do you choose?
Art lovers will be in their element in beautiful Florence, so if your Mum fits the bill, this is the place to be. Home of Renaissance art, you can gaze to your heart's content at Michelangelo's magnificent Statue of David, or spend hours in the Uffizi Gallery. Then there's the orange-roofed Duomo. The fountain of Neptune. The tombs of Michelangelo, Dante, Machiavelli and Galileo. Rest assured, this gorgeous city has plenty to see and do.
For a completely unique escape, there's nowhere quite like Venice. Criss-crossed with sparkling canals, this incredible city is one great kaleidoscope of beauty. Take a trip to the Doges Palace and breathtaking Bridge of Sighs. Feast on classic Italian fare in a waterside restaurant. Lose yourself in a maze of canals and bridges. And as for a gondola ride – it’s an absolute must.
But when all's said and done, few cities on earth have the power to bowl you over quite like Rome. Once the epicentre of one of the world's most influential empires, stacks of ancient architecture still survives today. Strolling around this jaw-droppingly impressive city is like wandering through the pages of a living history book. It's all there - the haunting Colosseum, the magnificent Roman Forum, the Vatican, the world-famous ceiling art in the Sistine Chapel... The difficulty is trying to cram it all in. Especially when you still need to leave a little time to indulge in some devlishly good Italian ice cream...
Best for Relaxation… Spas
There's relaxing holidays, and then there's uber-relaxing spa breaks. Let's face it, a spa holiday is the ultimate way to unwind and de-stress. Not only will your Mum be enjoying the sights and sounds of somewhere new, she'll also be pampered from head to toe.
If that sounds like the sort of thing your Mum would swoon over, then look no further. We've got stacks of spa hotels in gorgeous locations all over the world. Simply pick your dream destination, and browse our range of spa hotels to get you started. You will definitely be the favourite for evermore...
Best for Getting Away from it all… La Palma
La Palma. This totally unspoilt corner of the world is the perfect spot for a bit of peace and quiet. You won't find any concrete jungles here. It's an authentic slice of the Canary Islands, with gorgeous whitewashed houses, tasteful low-rise resorts and some cracking scenery to boot. Home to the largest volcanic crater in the world, La Caldera de Taburiente, the hiker in you will be jumping for joy at the prospect of following the famous 'volcano trail'. And once you've worked up an appetite, make sure you sample the mouth-watering local fare. The good news is you'll be hard-pushed to find any fast-food joints here. Instead, treat your tastebuds to traditional seafood dishes and beautifully cooked pork. Or if you can't decide, why not go the whole hog and order a stack of tapas from one of the lovely little tapas bars that line the backstreets? One thing's for sure, La Palma is one of the Canaries' best-kept secrets.
