She brought you into the world, so why not show her around the place? Several companies are currently promoting packages good for travel over Mother's Day -- this year falling on May 14. We've selected those that are worthy of note for their relative ease and low cost.
Gate 1 Travel (tel. 800/682-3333; www.gate1travel.com) has Mother's Day specials that include three- to six-night trips to points across the globe hyping a "Take Mom Out for International Cuisine" theme. The packages all take place over the holiday visiting such areas as Europe, the Americas, the Mediterranean, Asia and the Caribbean. All packages include round-trip airfare, hotel stays and morning meals; some also include ground transportation and accommodations at all-inclusive properties. Not included in the following base fares are fuel surcharges, taxes and security fees. Please note the following sample prices are based out of NYC airports for European destinations, Miami for South American and LAX for Asia. You can fly out of any airport, though, at additional varying rates, so be sure to ask.
Selected destinations include
- Amsterdam: 6 days from $899
- Bangkok: 7 days from $699
- Barcelona: 6 days from $849
- Beijing: 7 days from $1,079
- Brussels: 5 days from $649
- Budapest: 6 days from $859
- Buenos Aires: 7 days from $699
- Cairo from: 7 days $1,069
- Copenhagen: 6 days from $979
- Costa del Sol: 6 days from $829
- Dublin: 6 days from $879
- Edinburgh: 5 days from $829
- Hong Kong: 7 days $899
- Istanbul: 6 days from $799
- Jerusalem: 8 days from $1,039
- London: 5 days from $499
- Madrid: 6 days from $849
- Marrakesh: 7 days from $999
- Paris: 6 days from $499
- Prague: 6 days from $899
- Punta Cana: 5 days from $829
- Rio de Janeiro: 7 days from $739
- Rome: 6 days from $999
- Tel Aviv: 8 days from $1,079
- Venice: 6 days from $1,149
- Vienna: 6 days from $869
Always one to respect a good mum (look at the way they love their Queen), the Brits chip in with a Mother's Day Special from British Airways (tel. 877/428-2228; www.britishairways.com). Subtitled "Treat your mum like a queen in one of Europe's great cities," this Mother's Day package starts at $599 for departures out of New York's JFK and includes three-nights' lodging at the three-star Royal National Hotel, a pass to Kensington Palace, afternoon tea at Fortnum and Mason, daily continental breakfast, and all hotel fees and taxes. Travel for this deal is good through May 28, 2006 (meaning it's not just for Mother's Day) if you book by May 5. The price of the trip does not include approximately $150 in government, airline and security fees. Departures from other U.S. cities are available including Tampa from $738, Phoenix from $780, Los Angeles from $759 and Chicago from $738. The Royal National is located near Covent Garden just steps away from the British Museum. Fortnum and Mason (tel. + 44 207/734-8040; www.fortnumandmason.com) is one of London's oldest existing tea houses.
Apple Vacations (www.applevacations.com) has a three-night special to the Bavaro Princess All Suites Resorts, Spa and Casino in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic starting from $609.99 out of Detroit. The package includes round-trip airfare, airport transfers in the D.R., all meals and drinks, and a complimentary 20-minute massage, as well as one hour of free motor sports, an open water dive, 24-hour room service and a special dinner at Licey, an upscale restaurant not covered in the all-inclusive plan. Travel is good from April through June with other departures cities such as Cleveland, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh also available. A similar trip to Negril, Jamaica is available out of Chicago starting at $999. Nothing like saying, "Hey, Mom, cool runnings." Apple Vacations works with travel agents nationwide so you can either call up a local travel agent or use the travel agent search finder on the Applevacations.com site to find one near you.
