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Do you have a minimalist mom in your life who doesn’t want traditional gifts cluttering up her home? Give her an experience and make a mess of memories instead.
Most people in the United States are familiar with Yellowstone National Park, the country’s first national park. Filled with geysers, waterfalls, hot springs and streams, not to mention thousands of species of animals and plants, Yellowstone is an amazing place to travel. The nearby Grand Teton National Park is lesser known but still quite popular. Shots of the Tetons towering over lakes and meadows have long filled film reels and memory cards.
As spring arrives and the snow begins to melt, it might be a great time to visit one of these parks, although I wouldn’t blame you for putting off your trip until summer arrives—as of this writing, there are still over 10 feet of snow on the upper mountain at Jackson Hole Ski Resort right outside GTNP. The best way to visit both parks? Probably RV from RVShare.com. Think of it as Turo but for RVs. With so much of both parks to explore, you’ll be constantly on the go; renting an RV to stay in for the entire trip means you won’t have to keep packing and unpacking as you move from place to place. There are plenty of options to choose from, from trailers to Class C campers. You can even get it delivered to your destination if you don’t want the hassle of moving it.
If an RV isn’t your style or you’ll be staying in one place for a while, Vrbo is another great option. Unlike AirBNB, which offers private rooms for rent, meaning you share your vacation with someone else, with Vrbo, the entire house is yours. Whether you want to stay in rustic lodge in the national park or this luxury mountain modern home is more your speed, Vrbo has you covered.
Must-haves to bring with you:
I have always loved the idea of camping with my family. I’m very comfortable sleeping in a tent, mostly due to the fact that once I’m asleep, I’m dead to the world for the next 7-9 hours, especially after a long day of hiking. However, not everyone feels the same way, preferring a mattress to a sleeping pad. That’s where a place like Autocamp Yosemite steps in. Right outside one of the world’s most famous national parks is a fleet of vintage, retrofitted Airstreams.
Equipped with air conditioning and heating, memory foam mattresses, Egyptian cotton sheets, a coffee service, a private kitchenette and a luxury spa-style en suite shower, these Airstreams offer glamping in one of the world’s most beautiful locations. Outside, Airstream Autocamp offers a heated pool, self-service breakfast and coffee. Anything to pamper mom.
Must-haves to bring with you:
This is for the more adventurous moms. The Land of Fire and Ice is becoming more popular than when we first visited in 2017, and for good reason: stunning scenery, mountains, hundreds of waterfalls, and very few crowds. Many cities now offer direct flights to Iceland. Sit on the north side of the plane to see the northern lights en route to Reykjavik. Once you land, hop into the RV you’ll call home for the next few days, or hop behind the wheel of one of the many 4x4s we don’t have here in the states and take off.
Whether you’re interested in waterfalls or whale watching, glacier trekking or diving between tectonic plates, you can do it in Iceland. If you do go the RV route, I highly recommend stopping at the Blue Lagoon on your way back to Keflavik Airport at the end of your trip for a luxury spa experience.
Must-haves to bring with you:
If you already live in Florida or can get there relatively easily, this is for you. Talk about super last minute, but if your mom is a racing fan, attending the Miami Grand Prix this weekend might be a tick off that old bucket list. This is the only US race this spring, the next US race will be in Texas at the Circuit of the Americas in October. As with anything last-minute, you’ll end up paying a little more than if you’d planned that Mother’s Day gift a little earlier, but can you really put a price on a gift for the woman who raised you to be an F1 a fan? I say no.
To find available hotels for this weekend, check Expedia.com or Vrbo if you prefer to stay in a unique home in Miami.
Must-haves to bring with you:
Skiing in May? With the amounts of snow in the crags this year, it’s entirely possible. Ski resorts like A-Basin, Breckenridge, and Winter Park have their closing dates in late May, even early June, so a Mother’s Day weekend ski getaway is entirely possible. Simply ddon’t forget the sunscreen.
When it comes to where to stay at a ski resort, it’s hard to go wrong with a site like Vrbo. There are hundreds of options still available this late season at various resorts. A quick search of Breckenridge Ski Resort for Mother’s Day weekend shows over 300 properties available, from a huge 20-person ski-in/ski-out chalet just steps from the slopes to smaller condos averaging under $100/night with no taxes.