Flowers, chocolates or perfume? The best gift for Mother’s Day is always the gift of time – time spent together. When this quality time happens in special places, beautiful memories are created and Mum gets a well-deserved break.
Flowers, chocolates or perfume? The best gift for Mother’s Day is always the gift of time – time spent together. When this quality time happens in special places, beautiful memories are created and Mum gets a well-deserved break.
INSTEAD OF BUYING FLOWERS, WANDER THROUGH BLOOMS TOGETHER
Instead of a bouquet of flowers, why not gift your mum a whole park? The Blooming Baroque in Ludwigsburg near Stuttgart is the oldest permanent garden exhibition in Germany. Each year, thousands upon thousands of roses, tulips, hyacinths, forget-me-nots, rhododendrons and much more bloom here. Stroll together past the carefully laid-out beds in front of the residential palace or dream away in the Japanese garden inspired by the Far East – gardening and flower fans will get their money’s worth year-round across 30 hectares.
INSTEAD OF BUYING PERFUME, CHOOSE A FRAGRANCE TOGETHER
A bouquet of bergamot, accompanied by the scent of jasmine, violet and warm sandalwood – the Original Eau de Cologne. As the name suggests, it was developed in Cologne in 1709 in the Farina perfumery. Regular customers at that time included Goethe and Empress Elisabeth, better known as Sisi. To this day, the classic is sold alongside many other fine fragrances at Germany’s oldest perfumery. Next door, in the fragrance museum, you can learn more about the history and ingredients of perfumes.
INSTEAD OF BUYING CINEMA VOUCHERS, ENJOY A SHOW TOGETHER
Offering ballet, opera, theatre and chamber concerts, the Semperoper in Dresden is considered one of the most beautiful theatres in the world. The programme from the Sächsische Staatsoper (Saxon State Opera) also enjoys an outstanding reputation worldwide. With over 300 performances a year, there’s something for every taste. How about going to see an opera classic like The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro or La Bohème together? Or, if you fancy something a bit more acrobatic, how about the ballet Carmen?
INSTEAD OF HOMEMADE, ENJOY DELICIOUS DELICACIES TOGETHER
A lovingly prepared spread on Mother’s Day is a great idea! But where better to celebrate delicious tea and cake than at home? Well, in Great Britain, of course. And not just in England: Scotland also offers classic spots for a classic afternoon tea. Browns in Edinburgh, for example, serves traditional afternoon tea daily between 3 pm and 5 pm in the opulently decorated Art Deco-style rooms. In addition to a large selection of different types of tea, you can enjoy generous cake stands filled with small sandwiches, warm scones and brioche rolls with smoked salmon – with a glass of champagne too, if you fancy. A tea time to be remembered for years to come.
INSTEAD OF GIFTING PHOTOS, TAKE PICTURES TOGETHER
When did you last take a picture with your mum? How about a trip to one of the most photogenic cities in Europe? Barcelona is made for this. The particularly warm mood lighting creates the perfect backdrop for snapping new shots for your photo gallery at home. Colourful mosaics, for example at Park Güell or Palau de la Música Catalana, offer unique backgrounds. Fancy a picture with a special view? Then head up Montjuïc, the local hill.
INSTEAD OF A LAST-MINUTE PRESENT, GIFT AN EXPERIENCE
Has your mum had a particular destination on her bucket list for ages? Then a hotel voucher is the perfect reminder for her to set off on her trip and tick an item off. It’s practical, too: a voucher gives you flexibility if the dream destination changes or the date for the break has not yet been set.
