Celebrate Mother – Daughter Travel This Mother's Day!
Happy Mother’s Day from our team here at AdventureWomen! As an all-women’s travel company led by a mother-daughter team, we love hearing the stories you share about the lasting impact that mother-daughter trips have had on you.
This past February, two first-time AdventureWomen guests, mother-daughter duo Heather M. and Valerie D., joined us on our Iceland: Searching for the Northern Lights trip. While they’ve traveled together before, they shared with us just how meaningful this particular adventure was for them below.
Ready to share the meaningful gift of travel with your own mother or daughter? Explore all our trips here to find the destination for you!
Photos shared in the blog below were taken by Heather M. on her trip to Iceland.
Was this your first time traveling with AdventureWomen, and have you done mother-daughter trips before?
Valerie: This was our first AdventureWomen trip, but definitely not the last! My husband isn’t a big traveler, so AdventureWomen has become a perfect way for me to explore new places, feel safe, and connect with other like-minded women. Heather and I have been on mother-daughter trips for years, but this one was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Heather: This was my first trip with AdventureWomen, and I don’t think it will be my last! However, it wasn’t my mom’s and my first mother-daughter trip—just the first in a long time. I’m a photographer, and in high school and college, my mom and I would take road trips all around the West, exploring Utah, New Mexico, and beyond while living in Colorado. Life has been hectic for both of us over the past seven or eight years, but now that things have finally quieted down, we’re eager to get back to traveling together
What led you to this specific tour and what was the biggest surprise from this experience?
Valerie: Heather came across this trip on one of her feeds and sent it to me. We’ve been chasing the sky, from Maine to Arizona and everywhere in between, capturing stunning landscapes and night skies. It’s been a dream to see the Northern Lights through Heather’s lens. The biggest surprise? Seeing the Northern Lights during a full moon—something we thought was impossible! When the bartender [on the trip] told us, “The Aurora’s are out!” we rushed to catch the breathtaking view. After driving with our guide, we found the best spot right outside our hotel in Geysir.
Heather: My mom and I used to go scouting for the Milky Way on our road trips, and I’ve always been mesmerized by the night sky. Seeing the Northern Lights was a dream of mine— another incredible celestial phenomenon. Iceland had been on our radar for a while, especially as tourism increased and more people raved about their Northern Lights experiences.
Last summer, we seriously started considering a trip. It was the first tour I found, and after researching other options, we decided to go with our first choice.
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect in terms of how structured the tour would be or what the other travelers would be like, but I was pleasantly surprised by how welcoming and comfortable it was. Everyone was engaged, and there were very few complaints (if any!) Even as the youngest on the trip by a few decades, I felt like I fit right in.
What were your top three highlights of the trip?
1. Seeing the Northern Lights
Valerie: Watching the Northern Lights come to life through Heather’s camera—pure magic.
Heather: This was, without a doubt, the highlight of the trip. Our forecast showed low chances, but we ended up with a stunningly clear view. I was completely mesmerized while photographing them, and a couple of the women even became my assistants, helping me capture the best shots.
2. Dog Sledding
Valerie: We didn’t think it would happen, but the unexpected text to gear up for sledding turned into an unforgettable adventure surrounded by dogs, sunrise, and Icelandic beauty.
Heather: I absolutely loved this experience! We went out just after sunrise, and even though it had rained the night before (which we thought might be a downside), it left a thin layer of water on the surface, creating gorgeous reflections. It made an incredible experience even more magical.
3. ATV-ing
Valerie: Riding across a lava field and black sand beach—it felt like driving on Mars. The wide-open spaces, the wind, and the challenge made it an exhilarating experience.
Heather: Since we had unseasonably warm weather, we couldn’t go snowmobiling as planned, but instead, we went ATV riding on a relatively new lava field. Between the wind, the black volcanic rock everywhere, and our adventure suits, it felt like we were on Mars. The scenery was surreal, and getting to ride an ATV on a black sand beach in Iceland is something I’ll never forget!
Do you have any tips for future mother-daughter travelers?
Valerie: Moms—don’t be surprised if your daughter comes back with a bunch of new moms! 😉 Have fun together but remember it’s okay to take some time for yourselves. It makes the trip even more meaningful.
Heather: Be open-minded and embrace the experience. One of the most interesting parts of the trip was seeing my mom interact with women her age who weren’t family, and I think she felt the same about watching me connect with people we’d never met before. It was a unique way to see each other as individuals, not just as “mom” and “daughter.”
Also—bring earplugs! 😉
What does a mother-daughter trip mean to you?
Valerie: It means everything. Creating lasting memories and sharing an adventure like this with my daughter is priceless. I only wish I had the opportunity to do something like this with my own mother.
Heather: It’s about spending quality time together and making lasting memories. My mom and I have always been close, but after years of stressful family events, it was so special to just have fun together again. Seeing her smile, relax, and enjoy the adventure meant the world to me. These are memories I’ll cherish forever.
What advice would you give to someone going on an AdventureWomen trip for the first time?
Valerie: Trust the team, they know what they’re doing! Pay attention to the packing list and be mindful of the weather. Pack light, but don’t forget an extra pair of boots, socks, and layers.
Heather: Go in with a “yes” mentality! Saying yes to everything led to some amazing experiences. Also, don’t stress—AdventureWomen takes care of all the details, so you can just enjoy the journey.
Where do you want to go next? Do you have any trips planned for 2025?
Valerie: We don’t have anything planned for 2025 yet, but we’re already looking forward to rejoining our group in Norway in 2026.
Heather: I’m considering AdventureWomen’s Ireland hiking tour or a trip to Italy this year, but we’ll see! My husband and I really want to visit New Zealand, so that’s on our radar for the next few years. It also looks like we’ll be going to Norway in 2026 with the same group we traveled to Iceland with, which I’m already looking forward to!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Valerie: I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this trip exceeded all my expectations. From the itinerary to the spontaneous moments of laughter, I felt like I was traveling with family by the end. What an unforgettable experience!
Heather: I’ve traveled so many ways—solo, cruises, structured tours—but this was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. There were no headaches, no worrying about logistics, and every day was filled with excitement and laughter. By the end of the week, we had so many inside jokes, and I found myself smiling from start to finish each day. It’s a trip I’ll never forget!
Meet Our Travelers!
Valerie D.
I’m Valerie, a 54-year-old mother of one, married to my best friend, Jon, and living in Arizona. With 26 years in cybersecurity, specializing in identity security, I’m the person who loves to remind you to change your password! Over the past six years, Jon and I have faced the heartbreaking loss of all our parents. After losing my mother in December 2023, I knew it was time to start truly “living” again—and what better way to do that than with my daughter by my side?
Life is short, and you never know what tomorrow will bring, so I’m determined to grab life with both hands and live it to the fullest
Heather M.
I’m a photographer and professional retoucher with a background in commercial photography. After four years in NYC, I recently traded Brooklyn for the quieter life in Keene, NH, where I live with my husband and our two dogs. I love the outdoors, traveling, and capturing the world through my lens—especially when it comes to my floral photography artwork.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me knitting up a storm, tending to my ever-growing jungle of houseplants, or planning my next adventure. I’m always looking for new places to explore and experiences to soak in—I try to live life to the fullest, whether that’s chasing the Northern Lights or enjoying a cozy night at home with my dogs.
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