Mother, Daughter & Girlfriend Getaways

A Mother’s Day Celebration of Bonding, Reinvention, and the Transformational Power of Women’s Journeys

Just in time for Mother’s Day, this special episode of World Footprints honors the enduring power of mother-daughter relationships and the life-changing experiences women share through travel. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for a Mother’s Day getaway, planning a female retreat, or navigating your own journey of reinvention, this episode is a heartfelt celebration of the bonds that shape us—and the places that help us grow.

We are joined by Sue Monk Kidd, the acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of The Secret Life of Bees, and her daughter Ann Kidd Taylor, for a powerful conversation about their co-authored memoir, Traveling with Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story. The book chronicles a transformative trip through Greece and France, taken at a time when both women were facing deep personal questions: Sue was working through early ideas for The Secret Life of Bees, and Ann was seeking clarity about her future.

Their shared journey—part pilgrimage, part rite of passage—offers a raw and honest reflection on how mothers and daughters can reconnect, reimagine their identities, and rediscover one another through the act of travel. Through visits to sacred sites and conversations about mythic figures like Demeter and Persephone, they explore the emotional depth of female transformation. It’s a reminder that no matter your age, you are never too old to reinvent yourself—or too far from home to find your way back to each other.

As many reflect on the meaning of motherhood this season, Sue and Ann’s book reminds us that travel is one of the most profound ways mothers and daughters can deepen their bond—not just through shared memories, but through mutual vulnerability, growth, and understanding.

Girlfriend Getaways

Later in the episode, we’re joined by Marybeth Bond, a National Geographic author, women’s travel expert, and founder of GutsyTraveler.com. Marybeth has explored the world with her daughters, mother, sisters, and friends, and she shares her wisdom on planning meaningful girlfriend getaways, solo female escapes, and mother-daughter trips that go beyond sightseeing to spark real transformation.

Whether it’s wine tasting in Tuscany, hiking in the Rockies, or tracing your roots in a foreign land, Marybeth reminds us that travel among women—especially with those we love—is not just a leisure activity. It’s a declaration of autonomy, sisterhood, and personal evolution.

In This Episode:

• How Traveling with Pomegranates became a spiritual and emotional bridge for Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor

• The influence of Greek mythology on modern female identity

• Creative rebirth and life transitions through the lens of travel

• Practical tips for planning unforgettable mother-daughter getaways

• Why girlfriend travel is more popular than ever—and more necessary

• Ideas for celebrating Mother’s Day through meaningful travel

This is a love letter to mothers, daughters, sisters, and soul-friends—and a timely invitation to see travel as more than escape. It’s a return to connection, creativity, and self.

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