In North America, we tend to use “walk” in the same way we’d use “stroll” – a relatively easy excursion, usually along paved roads. We reserve the term “hike” for a more challenging trek through rugged terrain. The UK and the Republic of Ireland, however, use “walk” to describe any trip on foot, whether it’s to the corner shop or up the mountainside. Particularly if you’re talking to an older person, you may also hear the terms hillwalking, rambling, or fellwalking. When you get a hot tip at the pub about a lovely walk nearby, don’t set out in sandals until you’ve asked a few followup questions about length, difficulty, etc.

For instance, the tallest of the Connemara Mountains in Ireland, which we pass through on our Hiking the Western Way tour, reaches a maximum elevation of nearly 2,400 feet. Local guides may refer to the climb as a walk, or at most a “hard walk” or “hill walk.” All the same you’ll definitely want to bring hiking boots. Even less challenging stretches of trail may require appropriate preparations and footwear if the distances warrant. Especially at higher elevations, sunny weather can turn windy or misty on fairly short notice.

So how best to prepare for a day or more of walking, Irish or UK style? Hiking boots as opposed to shoes will give you the best ankle support and be suitable for the broadest range of conditions. If you don’t intend to carry a ton of gear, though, you won’t need the stiffest, heaviest variety available, backpacking boots. Some hikers even prefer lightweight, low-cut trail runners for the comfort and speed they offer. Either way a good fit is very important, so when shopping around make sure you try your intended pair on at the end of the day after your feet have had time to swell, and while you’re wearing the type of sock you intend to bring with you. Avoid choosing a pair so tight they chafe, as you should still have room to wiggle your toes. Speaking of socks, those need to fit well too in order to avoid blistering. Choose a thickness appropriate for the season – thick enough to give you some comfy cushioning, but not so thick as to be sweltering on a warm day. Merino wool is the go-to material for most hikers, sometimes blended with synthetics for durability and faster drying.

The standard outdoorsperson advice also applies to hiking in the UK, of course. Layering a t-shirt, fleece top, and jacket allows you to peel off as you warm up or stay toasty when the weather turns. A brimmed hat and sunscreen will probably leave you feeling less fatigued at the end of the day, and a spare pair of socks never hurt. Snacks, water, and a fully charged phone are reassuring additions to any pack. Just be aware that cell reception can be spotty on some stretches of trail, so it’s always best practice to download map data in advance or bring a good old-fashioned paper map along.

Lastly, if you’re referring to any guides written on hiking in the UK, you may want to make sure you’ve read them over in advance to make sure you haven’t glossed over any more unfamiliar terms (i.e. do you know a moor when you see one? Did you know a “permissive path” is a trail on private property which the landowner has granted access to?). If you travel with Pure Adventures, our local guides will bring you up to speed on anything you might need to know about trails or points of interest. Your job is to relax, enjoy the pastoral countryside and sweeping landscape, and then put your feet up after a long day’s ramble up hill and down dale. 

See all of Pure Adventure’s offerings in Ireland and the UK here.

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The historical Patrick was a 5th century Christian missionary whose surviving written record consists of two documents, the Confessio and Letter to the soldiers of Coroticus. The former was largely autobiographical and provides the known details of Patrick’s life. Perhaps the most surprising fact to the uninitiated is that Patrick wasn’t Irish — he was from Roman Britain, the region of present-day UK controlled by the Roman Empire. According to the Confessio, Patrick was abducted by Irish pirates at age sixteen and pressed into slavery as a herdsman. Six years of hard labour later, a mysterious voice told him a ship was waiting. Patrick fled and escaped back home.

Not surprisingly, the experience wrought profound changes in him. Patrick converted to Christianity during his ordeal and continued practicing his faith until another vision told him to return to Ireland. His mission was to convert the locals, who at the time practiced Celtic polytheism. Unfortunately few details on Celtic belief persist today, as the Celts didn’t keep a written record and what documents survive were produced by Romans with a dim view of the culture. Knowing Ireland’s religious makeup today, however, we can safely credit Patrick as a foundational influence on converting the society to Christianity.

His method involved ordaining priests to lead fledgling Christian communities and converting wealthy families. Not everyone was an enthusiastic convert, however — Patrick also records insults, beatings, and robberies. This is probably the kind of toil that earned him his sainthood rather than his deftness with miracles. He never went through the formal process of canonization, as in the early days of Christianity regional churches could declare their holiest figures saints. His legend certainly grew over the centuries. The iconic shamrock, for instance, is purported to be his chosen tool to explain the Holy Trinity. If the historical Patrick ever actually used it, however, he makes no mention of it in his Confessio. 

Even more colourful is the story of his banishing snakes. Ireland’s fossil record shows no proof snakes ever existed on the island, but the legend provides the basis for an enduring pilgrimage. Croagh Patrick, a mountain in County Mayo, is so named because Patrick is said to have held a 40-day fast atop the peak. When snakes disturbed his meditations, he gave them their slithering orders. To this day, pilgrims gather on the last Sunday of July (known as Reek Sunday, from which Croagh Patrick gets its nickname the Reek). While we don’t recommend climbing barefoot like some dedicated pilgrims do, hiking in this region is a profound and beautiful experience year round. Our Hiking the Western Way tour visits Croagh Patrick and the nearby seaside community of Westport. At the summit of the mountain sits St. Patrick’s Chapel. The current structure dates to 1905, though a chapel has stood there since the 5th century. The site’s religious significance stretches back to even before Patrick’s time — archeologists have discovered remains of a Celtic hill fort as well.

However you parse the mixture of history and myth, March 17 is meant to mark the day of St. Patrick’s death, and his influence on Ireland’s culture can’t be overstated. We have several tours that visit Ireland if any of these stories have kindled a desire to visit the Emerald Isle. At the very least, you’ll have a few extra bits of trivia to share if you’re raising a pint in honour of St. Patrick this Sunday.

The post In the Footsteps of Saint Patrick appeared first on Pure Adventures.

Argentina

Argentina has a stronger European influence than some of its South American contemporaries, so you’ll find plenty of aesthetic similarities in Argentinian Christmas decorations. However, seeing as December is summertime south of the equator, it can be quite hot out. Christmas trees are sometimes decorated with cotton balls to represent snow that wouldn’t last five minutes in the Buenos Aires climate. A uniquely Argentinian addition to the festivities are globos, paper lanterns launched on Christmas Eve. Watching them drift across the night sky is lovely way to mark the season.

Chile

You’ll find plenty of festive holiday treats in any of the nations on this list, but none pack as much kick as the Chilean beverage Cola de Mono (“Monkey’s Tail”). Lore has it this drink’ll have you swinging from the ceiling. That’s probably down to the sugar, coffee and booze, which combine with milk and spices for a flavour reminiscent of a White Russian cocktail. Chilean aguardiente or pisco are most traditional, but if you’re curious to try this one at home, white rum is a fair substitute.

Catalonia

Catalonia’s Tió de Nadal might be one of the odder traditions here, though it shares some DNA with the Advent calendar and the piñata. The tió is a hollow logo, often painted with a smiling face and covered with a blanket to keep it warm. Beginning on December 8 children feed it snacks and candies. When Christmas Eve rolls around, the kids beat the log with sticks while asking it in singsong to poop out presents. When the songs are over, lo and behold the tió has dropped a stash of treats beneath the blanket. The tió has several scatological names and songs attached to it, ensuring this quirky tradition never gets old.

Belgium

Saint Nicolas is the patron saint of children, and Sinterklaas is his Belgian incarnation. His signature red outfit is the inspiration behind modern-day Santa Claus. Like Santa Claus he keeps a thorough naughty-and-nice list, but unlike Santa his off-season home is in Spain, and he makes the journey to Belgium by boat. Nor does he travel by reindeer, but rides a white horse. Instead of milk and cookies, some children leave a carrot or hay to feed Sinter’s faithful mount.

Germany

Many Germany children practice a variant of the old stocking-by-the-hearth tradition. While waiting for Father Christmas on the night of December 5th, they place a shoe or a boot outside their front door — perhaps recently cleaned, to show they’ve been good. If he buys it, the shoe will be filled with sweets and gifts come morning. If a child has landed on the naughty register instead, Father Christmas’ dour assistant Knecht Ruprecht will stuff it with coal, twigs, or stones.

Austria

One of Austria’s great contributions to the Christmas canon is “Silent Night” (“Stille Nacht”). Composed by Franz Xaver Gruber with lyrics by Joseph Mohr, the song has been officially recognized by UNESCO as part of the nation’s cultural heritage. That song might be the definition of wholesome, but the Austrian tradition makes room for some wickedness in the form of Krampus, a cloven-hoofed demon who violently punishes naughty children. Krampus festivals take place throughout December, featuring some truly terrifying costumes. If the holidays get a little saccharine for your tastes, Krampus will cut through the sweetness in a hurry.

Croatia

You’ve probably heard of yule logs (even if it’s only through the televised version). Croatia’s iteration is called a badnjak, and traditionally it would be cut on the morning of Christmas Eve. Families sprinkle it with wine or holy water while making their religious observations. Once lit it’s important the badnjak stay burning throughout the night, so someone must be sure to get up and tend the fire every few hours. With an increasingly urbanized population this one isn’t so widespread anymore, though it’s still practiced in rural areas.

Czech Republic

Most kids look forward to seeing Santa or his regional equivalent on Christmas Eve, but in the Czech Republic some look forward to seeing a golden pig. That’s down to a persistent legend that states anyone who fasts until dinner on the 24th will see a golden pig. It’s meant to be a sign of good luck, but whether it appears or not chances are most Czechs will break fast with fish. Carp with potato salad is a very traditional meal, so much so large tanks show up on the streets of Prague the week before Christmas full of fresh carp.

France

The French are known for their culinary excellence, so it’s no surprise Christmas meals can take a long time. In Provence that might mean following dinner with a whopping thirteen desserts. Les Treize Desserts de Noël are said to represent Jesus Christ and his twelve apostles. Exact menus vary, but fruits, nuts, biscuits and nougat are traditional. Most of the options are fairly light, and remain set out on the table until the 27th to give a family time to graze.

Ireland

A candle in the window seems like a quintessential Christmas decoration, but in Ireland at least the tradition has a double meaning. Officially the candle was meant as a symbol of hospitality and an invitation for Joseph and Mary to seek shelter there. The second meaning was more clandestine — in the 17th century Catholicism was suppressed, and Catholics practiced their faith in secret. A candle in the window at Christmas time was a beacon that told priests they could safely visit to say Mass. The candle tradition is less common today, but persists in some homes as a sign of welcome.

Italy

In some traditions Epiphany holds more religious significance than Christmas itself. That’s why in Italy children often receive their gifts on January 5, Epiphany Eve. Rather than a visit from Father Christmas, some Italian youngsters look forward to a visit from La Befana. Legend has it she was approached by the Three Wise Men during their search for Jesus, but she declined their offer to accompany them because she had housework to attend to. When she realized what an opportunity she’d missed she struck out on a search of her own, gifting presents to good little children along the way. She might even do a bit of sweeping before moving on, and children leave her a glass of wine as a token of thanks.

Portugal

The bolo-rei is the most famous of Portuguese Christmas desserts. Literally translating as “king cake,” it looks like a deluxe fruitcake topped with colourful candied fruit. A hole in the middle makes it resemble a crown. Baked inside it are a fava bean and a coin or small prize (some versions omit the latter, and commercial versions may omit both). The person who gets the prize can bask in their good luck for a whole year; the person eating the slice with the fava bean is declared the King and must supply next year’s bolo-rei.

Slovenia

An old Slovenian Christmas tradition revolves around baking three loaves of bread. Wheat, rye, and buckwheat don’t sound like particularly festive choices, but they symbolize the three feasts of Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Epiphany. A sweeter option is potica, a cake made with nuts or other flavourful fillings. In addition to all the baking, if you’re in Slovenia you might catch other scents on the air as well— burning incense is a popular holiday tradition.

Considering seeing some of this Christmas traditions firsthand? Check out our South American tour offerings, or use the Destinations tab to browse our European tours.

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At Pure Adventures we are so lucky to have bike rental connections all over the world, who supply our clients with top quality bikes perfect for the diverse tours that we offer.

However, if you just can’t bring yourself to leave your bike at home, here are some excellent infographics by the folks over at Yellow Jersey  that display bike luggage charges from one end of the planet to the other.

Which will you choose after crunching the numbers?

The post Bike Luggage Charges: Worth Keeping Your Bike At Home? appeared first on Pure Adventures.

Image credit: Ocean Sands Hotel, Inishcrone, Co. Sligo

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Since 2004, Pure Adventures has offered self-guided cycling vacations in Ireland, the home of St. Patrick, the country’s most famous patron. While little is known about his early life, St. Patrick’s influence on religion and culture around the world is still widely felt – and celebrated each year on March 17. St. Patrick himself lived thousands of years ago, but St. Patrick’s Day is a fairly modern tradition, having been made a national holiday in Ireland in 1903. Festivals, parades and of course, enjoying a pint of beer are all favorite traditions celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day. In honor of Ireland’s favorite Saint, Pure Adventures celebrates these favorite Irish parks, pubs, cyclists, trails and festivals.

Grand Marshal Stephen Roche
Stephen Roche, one of Ireland’s most celebrated professional cyclists, was named Grand Marshal of one of Ireland’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day parades. Roche, who won the 1987 Tour de France, The Giro D’Italia and the world championship, will lead peleton through Dublin’s streets on Monday, March 17. In an interview with The Irish Times, St. Patrick’s Day Festival chief executive Susan Kirby said they were “thrilled” to announce Stephen Roche as Grand Marshal. “Stephen has inspired a generation of cyclists in Ireland and has been a great ambassador for the country,” she said.

Galway’s eclectic pubs
This vibrant university town is where two of Pure Adventures’ most popular self-guided cycling tours begin. Boasting something everyone, the pubs in Galway are just as famous for their live music as they are their relaxed atmospheres. Pubs in Galway are open seven days a week and like the rest of Ireland’s pubs, are smoke-free. The Galway City Pub Guide is a good place to start when choosing where to enjoy a pint or check out Galway Tourism’s top five beer garden on their online travel guide.

Connemara National Park
Located on Ireland’s western windswept coast, the Connemara district is renowned for it’s amazing landscapes. Connemara National Park covers 7,307 acres of mountain ranges, bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands. While the Park has only been open to the public since 1980, the land itself is rich in history. A mysterious early 19th century graveyard, 4,000 year old megalithic court tombs and the current Visitor Center –  a farm building built in 1890 – are proof of how early humans settled in the region. Connemara National Park is open year round and admission is free – check the Park’s website for Visiting Center hours of operation and park events. Our 7-night Connemara self-guided tour allows cyclists to explore the region on two-wheels – see the complete itinerary here.

Roundstone’s arts and crafts
Made famous by the painters who have admired it for its harbor and ocean views, Roundstone is a quaint fishing village cyclists will pedal through during Pure Adventures’ Galway and Islands self-guided tour. Roundstone was settled in the mid-1820s and is home to busy fishing harbors and a thriving arts and culture community. No doubt the jewelry, crafts, instruments and paintings created in Roundstone are inspired by the surrounding mountains and seascapes. The Roundstone Arts Week, a family-friendly two week festival held in late June, offers workshops for writers and musicians, as well as traditional art exhibitions.

Clifden’s bike-friendly Sky Road
Dubbed the metropole of Connemara, Clifden first became famous for Marconi’s transatlantic long wave wireless telegraphy station. Present day Clifden is a bustling tourist hub that cyclists rave about due to its wide paved roads and the picturesque Sky Road Loop. The 11K route takes  in the back roads of the Connemara countryside which includes mountain ranges, castle ruins and bogs. The Sky Road Cycling Loop is very popular – hit the road early if you wish to avoid congested roads. Pure Adventures’ travelers ride the Sky Road loop on day 7 of the Galway and Islands tour.

Westport’s festival scene
While some travelers head to Westport for the amazing blue-flag beaches and fresh-water fishing, Wesport’s thriving cultural and festival scene offers something for everyone. The summer and fall are the busiest months:

• Festival of the Pirate Queen (May 2-5, 2014)
• Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival (June 13-15, 2014)
• Westport Festival of Music & Performing Arts (June 28 and 29. 2014)
• Wesport Food Festival (August 2014 )
• Westport Arts Festival (October 1-5 2014)

Inishmore’s rugged trails
At only 12 square miles, the tiny island of Inishmore is the largest of the Aran Island chain and steeped in history. Home of Dún Aonghusa, a pre-historic stone fort, Inishmore’s landscape is dotted with forts and churches, with rugged hiking and cycling trails weaving throughout the island. Rare flowers such as orchids are found throughout the island, and its up to off road adventurers to discover these beauties. Pure Adventures’ guests visit Inishmore on day 3 of the Galway and Islands tour.

Pure Adventures offer three unique self-guided cycling tours of Ireland – Connemara Special – 7 nights, Galway and Islands – 7 nights, Galway Highlights – 4 nights. To book your own self-guided cycling tour of Ireland, contact Pure Adventures.

If you are a member of a cycling club wishing to travel to Ireland, our free e-book to How To Travel for Free will help you plan a group cycling trip to Ireland – find us on Facebook to download the free e-book.

The post Lucky 7: Ireland’s best bike-friendly trails, pubs and festivals appeared first on Pure Adventures.

Congratulations! After months of saving and researching destinations, you’ve booked you self guided cycling holiday to Ireland! But now what? Four Pure Adventures travelers share their best – and often hilarious – advice for how to prepare for a self guided bicycle vacation in Ireland, with a surprising twist: their prep didn’t always include cycling!

1. Learn Gaelic phrases
2. Ride your bicycle
3. Watch movies about Ireland (Once, The Commitments, Darby O’Gill and the Little People, The Quiet Man, Out of Ireland)
4. Read books about Ireland (How the Irish Saved Civilization, Round Ireland with a Fridge)
5. Play golf
6. Make scones
7. Ride your bicycle in the rain
8. Watch You-tube clips on the proper way to kiss the Blarney Stone
9. Seek out ancestral connections
10. Attend karioke night at the local Irish-theme pub
11. Buy Waterford crystal
12. Purchase green bike shorts
13. Learn the dance steps in River Dance
14. Research vegan beer
15. Ask family members to buy you a Gortex cycling jacket
16. Buy an extra pair of cycling shorts and a long sleeve cycling jersey
17. Ride your bicycle in the rain to a brew pub
18. Call or e-mail Pure Adventures and ask them as many questions as you can think of (like where to find vegan restaurants, what the weather will be like, where the golf courses are, what size the bicycles are and what the weather will be like).

Part of the adventure in booking a self guided cycling holiday is preparing for your trip. Remember that a bicycle trip this is a vacation and not a race, so while time in the saddle doesn’t hurt, don’t obsess about how many miles you ride before your holiday begins. A laid back approach, like Kitty and her friends had, is sometimes better! If you book your self guided holiday with a knowledgeable tour operator, you know that you have a local guide to help you when you arrive, plus the benefit of having luggage transfers, accommodations and route maps all taken care of for you. That means once your trip is booked, all you have to do is ride your bike – or not!

“Preparing for Ireland in the rain is no problem, really, because I’m coming from Oregon. If we couldn’t ride in the rain, we couldn’t ride. But preparing to ride in the rain AND stop midday at a Guinness pub AND ride some more in the rain, now that takes preparation! So, I’ve scoped out a few Oregon brew pubs that are spaced at a modest distance apart to begin my rain-pub-rain training. That’s no problem, either, because practically everything in Oregon is a brew pub, including former churches, elementary schools, and retirement homes. The new problem is that it seems to have stopped raining. So, I’m sitting in a lovely Oregon pub, sipping a Guinness, and thinking about riding in the rain. Here’s to being prepared!” – Pure Adventures traveler

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In a part of the world where the number of sheep outnumber the people, vegan cyclists might cross Ireland off of their list of dream holiday destinations. But with research, patience with restaurant chefs, a willingness to compromise and a sense of adventure, adhering to a vegan diet IS possible when you are on holiday in Ireland. Last month, Pure Adventures traveller Kitty went on a self guided cycling tour of Ireland with three of her friends, one of whom is vegan. Here are their tips for vacationing vegans.

Be prepared to compromise

We were told ahead of time that finding vegan-friendly options might be a bit of a challenge in Ireland. Their vegan cyclist was prepared to deal with whatever options  provided and decided ahead of time that some compromise might be necessary, such as eating bread made with dairy products.

Have a back up plan

Knowing ahead of time that you may have to compromise on the ingredients your food is made with is great, but it’s important to have a back up plan. Cycling through Ireland burns a lot of calories, so having vegan snacks to eat while riding so that your energy remains high is important to having a successful self guided cycling vacation.  In the case of our vegan cyclist, her back-up plan was several packets of peanut butter, Lara Bars and Primal Strips to keep her fuelled during her days in the saddle. Her first find was some gluten free bread in the train station in Dublin (pronounced it the “best gluten-free bread she’d ever eaten” – no easy feat for bread!) She bought 4 more slices as back-up “platforms” for a later peanut butter indulgence.

Surprise! Not all beer is vegan

Did  it ever occur to you that beer ingredients involve anything other than grains, yeast, hops and ever be considered non-vegan?  Surprise – not all beer is vegan! Many beer makers use isinglass (derived from swim bladders of fish) for part of the filtering process in certain breweries.  Vegans should check Barnivore, a vegan guide to beer, liquor and wine before pouring a pint. According to Barnivore, Guinness, Murphy’s, Smithwick, Kilkenny, and Beamish are not vegan-friendly. When vacationing in Ireland, pub-hopping vegans will want to choose Bulmers Pear or Bulmers Berry are vegan-friendly. That said, our cycling vegan chose beer as one of her diet compromises.

Irish chefs are up to the challenge

Being vegan in Ireland doesn’t mean that your restaurant meals consists of a French fries and salad main course! “We think some chefs embraced the opportunity to be creative and make something different from the menu,” said Kitty. In a couple cases, when asked about vegan menu options, chefs made something suitable such as sautéed veggies over rice. At a restaurant in Renvyle, the chef made her a stuffed eggplant with tofu and veggies, with that meal being a highlight for our vegan cyclist. In Clifden, she found an Indian restaurant that provided a change from the usual meals. Often it is explaining to wait staff what veganism exactly is, and our vegan cyclist found herself explaining to wait staff that vegans can’t eat such as vegetable soups that had cream and or butter or dishes made with cheese. Breakfast was the easiest meal make vegan-friendly, with soy milk, fruit and nuts topping her hearty Irish oatmeal.

Are you vegan? What challenges and surprises have you experienced while travelling in other countries?

The post 4 tips for vegans travelling in Ireland appeared first on Pure Adventures.

Forget breakfast in bed as a Mother’s Day gift you have a mom in your life who loves to ride – chances are she’s out cycling on the roads or trails long before her children are out of bed! With Mother’s Day around the corner, Pure Adventures Self Guided Tours has rounded up the best gift ideas for the special moms in your life – plus sweet memories from the Pure Adventures staff on what they love most about sharing their love of cycling with their moms.

Gifts for moms who spin

“My mom sticks to spin bikes. She never really makes it onto the road, so I love going to spin class with her when I visit her,” says Pure Adventure’s Marketing Coordinator Ryan. If your mom prefers the great indoors versus road cycling, the Hincapie Performer Spin Short will be a welcome gift. The chamois is designed with the extra bulk a traditional bike short has so that your can focus on the workout, not a bunched up chamois. Reviewers on Bicycling.com rave about the flattering fit – and we think your mom would agree.

Bicycling gift ideas for new moms

The Cheetah-2 bicycle trailer by Chariot is a great gift for the new mom who is eager to share her love of cycling with her children. The lightweight aluminum roll cage frame and 5-point child safety harness keep children safe, padded seats and shoulder straps keep them comfortable and the aerodynamic design keeps mom rolling. She’ll love all the extra storage space for snacks and bicycle repair tools.

Gifts for moms who bicycle with their families

While Magali, Pure Adventures’ Operations Manager, never rode with her mom as a child, a Mother’s Day pedal is a tradition she and her two young daughters have adopted. “We enjoy riding along the canal and seeing the cows and spotting rabbits since it’s so quiet there are a lot. My favorite part is my tea when we sit down as a family when we get back and everyone is in a good mood and not in a rush to do anything.” If this sounds like something you would enjoy doing with your children, Pure Adventures suggests the Axiom Barkeep DLX handlebar bag.  Tuck a thermos of tea or coffee into the semi-insulated compartment, load a map of a new destination into your GPS or smart phone (the DLX has an innovative touch-compatible GPS sleeve) and you’re ready to explore a new trail.

Gifts that brings back childhood memories

So your mother has all the bicycling gear they need? How about a gift that brings back happy memories? “My family went on a vacation to Ireland and one day we went riding on the Aran Islands,” Ryan shares with us. “We rode leisurely enjoying each other’s company and the scenery – great bonding!” she added. Maybe planning a return trip to a childhood vacation spot is something you could surprise her with? If your family can trace their heritage back to Scotland, Italy or Spain, a self-guided cycling tour that gives you ample time to trace your family tree is a truly unique gift idea.

What would you like for Mother’s Day?

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