Top Pampering Picks For Mum

Start planning for an unforgettable retreat for mummy dearest with these relaxing and fun destination ideas

By Pamela Chow for Weekender Singapore

Nothing beats giving your mother a present she loves and deserves. If you’re thinking of flying her far and away for a treat, we’ve rounded up the best selections across the globe.

From a carefree spa retreat to a designer shopping extravaganza, these picks will guarantee wonderful experiences she’ll remember and treasure.

For the Spa Queen: Blue Lagoon, Iceland

The geothermal spa Blue Lagoon in Iceland is reputed to be beneficial for troubled skin, and is one of the top attractions in the country. (Photo: Robert Hoetink / Shutterstock.com)

One of Iceland’s top attractions, Blue Lagoon is a geothermal spa located in a lava field in Grindavik on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Famed for its nutrient-dense waters, Blue Lagoon is reputed to do wonders for troubled skin, even reportedly curing diseases like psoriasis.

The natural spa also features silica mud from the surrounding lagoon, which leaves skin smoother and more supple. Blue Lagoon is about a 20-minute drive from Keflavik International Airport and 50 minutes from the capital city of Reykjavik.

Blue Lagoon, 240 Grindavik, Iceland

Also read: See the Northern Lights before they vanish

For the Foodie: Culinary trails in Spain & Bangkok

If your mom is a foodie, take her on a culinary adventure to destinations such as Bangkok (right) and Spain.

They say that the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach but we’re pretty sure this applies to women as well. Embark on a delicious culinary discovery through a foreign land, and you may just awaken a new taste for exotic cuisines.

One of the top-rated foodie trips in the world is the Andalucia Culinary Delights tour through Cadiz, Spain. Centred upon the white-washed hilltop town of Vejer de la Frontera, this five-day tour features cooking classes, where you’ll learn to prepare local dishes such as sea salt-baked fish, paella and sherry chocolate cake.

The day begins with a visit to the fish market in the coastal town of Barbate, where you will buy ingredients for the Spanish lunch to be prepared. The tour also includes a tapas tour through the older area of Cadiz as well as sherry tutorials. This tour is provided by theuniquetraveller.com.

Alternatively, if you’d like to head somewhere closer to home, a food tour is a great way to re-experience the popular city of Bangkok, Thailand.

Offered by fodors.com, the eight-day Trip Feast trail will take you to a hands-on cooking class, on a ride across Hua Hin Hill Vineyard and on a nighttime boat tour to view the fireflies.

Also read: Famous Markets Around The World Worth Visiting At Least Once In Your Life

For the Country Girl: Cottage living in Taiwan, Japan & UK

Enjoy a charming cottage retreat with your mother nearby in Taiwan (pictured), or far away in the UK.

Sometimes, all your mother may want is a peaceful and no-frills retreat into the countryside, far away from the chaos of the city. Here’s a great way to give back to her: take her on a relaxing cottage getaway.

Make use of online resources to sniff out some charming cabins you can enjoy without having to ‘farm’ for your stay.

For example, the Lavender Cottage in Taichung, Taiwan, is famous for its cosy vibe and purple blooms dotting its pretty garden. Guests can kick off their shoes here and enjoy afternoon tea beneath a parasol, or shop for lavender products like soap and bath powder in the little market.

Japan’s countryside is another perfect respite for the work-weary, and a tiny cottage in Sakuho, Minamisaku District, Nagano Prefecture, is as welcome as a warm hug. Found on airbnb.com, this homely little cottage stands on the mountainside amidst woodlands, where you can bond with Mom over a nature walk, enjoy a drink while gazing at Mt Morai or lie on a hammock in the nearby forest.

If you’re planning to travel as far as the United Kingdom, why not try staying in a quintessential fairy tale cottage? In Oxford, at the end of a garden in the bohemian town of Jericho, sits a cottage known as a “secret haven”. This is a slightly more exciting option that still has access to urban comforts like cafes, pubs and a cinema in the nearby town centre.

Also read: How To Visit The Descendants Of The Sun Film Locations

For Mrs Fashionista: Outlet mall hunting in Italy

Italy is a shopping haven especially if you know where the good outlets are hiding — splurge on the ultimate shopping treat at these outlet malls. (Photo: Sergiy Palamarchuk / Shutterstock.com)

Italy is undoubtedly one of the world’s fashion kings, with cities such as Florence and Milan taking centre stage. If there’s one thing fashionistas love more than great garb, it’s a great steal and outlet shopping malls are your best bets.

You’d be hard-pressed to find these malls anywhere within the city itself. They may take a bit of venturing into the outskirts, but it’s well worth it for the handsome discounts off last season’s pieces.

Half an hour by car from Florence is The Mall in Leccio-Regello, which houses designer brands from Alexander McQueen to Gucci. The Mall can also be accessed by train then taxi, public bus or shuttle.

From Milan, you can take Mom on a shopping adventure in Serravalle Designer Outlet at Serravalle Scrivia. With some 180 stores including Dolce & Gabbana, Guess and Versace, Serravalle Designer Outlet is an hour from the city by car. Train and shuttle bus options are available as well.

And when in Rome, shop like the Romans. Located at Via della Pace, Pascolaro, Valmontone, Valmontone Out-let is home to more high street labels like Calvin Klein, Clarks and Sisley. It is 45 minutes by car and 50 minutes by shuttle.

The Mall, Via Europa, 8, Leccio Reggello, Florence, Italy
Serravalle Designer Outlet, Via della Moda, 1, Serravalle Scrivia, Milan, Italy
Valmontone Outlet, Via della Pace, Località Pascolaro, Valmontone, Rome, Italy

For the Luxury Lover: Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam

Spend quality time with Mom and even the whole family at the luxurious Six Senses Con Dao resort. (Photo: Six Senses Con Dao)

This picturesque resort in the Con Dao Archipelago will have mom feeling like she’s been flown out to the Maldives.
Its airy contemporary villas feature private pools, access to the resort’s private beach and stunning views of the East Vietnam Sea.

The resort offers unique culinary experiences, active and cultural excursions and wellness activities, so you and Mom can bond over new discoveries and experiences, like a marine excursion or a fun session of creating your own ice cream flavour.

If you’re planning to travel with the whole family, Six Senses is also known for its multi-generational facilities, such as large game and entertainment spaces within each villa, child-friendly supervised activities, tailored spa mass-ages for teens and kids, cooking classes and more.

Six Senses Con Dao, Dat Doc Beach, Con Dao Dist, Con Son, Vietnam

Also read: 6 Best Mothers’ Day Staycations
in Singapore

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of Weekender, Issue 151, April 29 – May 12, 2016, with the headline ‘Top Pampering Picks For Mum’.