A Mother-Daughter Story

Travel isn’t just about the views, it is about who you share them with. For Tracy and her daughter Elise, small group adventures mean laughter, connection and proud moments together. Their advice to other families: do it, because those memories last forever.

Written by Steffie Davis, Freelance travel copywriter
Published: October 23,2025

Travel Companions for Life

Travel isn't just about where you go, but who you go with. For Tracy and her daughter Elise from East Yorkshire, the joy of travel comes from exploring the world together, sometimes with the rest of their family, sometimes just the two of them. Their recent small group hiking tour of Madeira gave them not just an incredible trip with memorable hikes, but also a chance to grow together.

The Magic of Traveling Together

Tracy and Elise had taken trips together before, and were excited for this adventure together. “Madeira looked gorgeous and the trip promised a complete experience of the island, and it really delivered,” Tracy says. For Elise, the best part wasn’t just the scenery, but the company: “My mom is always enjoying new adventures and it’s great when we go together. She’s my inspiration to explore the world.”

Tracy shared that as Elise has grown up, her sense of humor and adventurous spirit have made her the perfect travel buddy. Elise, in turn, calls her mom her inspiration to explore. And when challenges pop up? Well, as Tracy jokes: "Hey! I'm still mom."

The Beauty of Small Groups

Of course, they weren't exploring alone. For both Tracy and Elise, the small group experience added to their travel experience. At the end of each day, they’d join fellow travelers for a drink or meal in a local cafe. “We enjoyed the social side of the trip,” Tracy says. “Finishing in a local cafe or bar at the end of the day, enjoying the hospitality, was a welcome treat.”

After hiking, they could swap stories with fellow travelers over local food and drinks, or, like one night, be surprised when a parrot in the hotel garden mimicked Tracy's Yorkshire accent perfectly. It's the kind of memory that sticks because it wasn't planned, it just happened.

Shared Memories

Traveling together means seeing familiar people in unfamiliar settings, which can bring surprises! Close quarters and plenty of quality time together can reveal new sides of people, even those who have known each other forever.

When asked what stood out most about their time in Madeira, both agreed it was the final day. “Every day was fabulous,” Tracy says, “but the final day, walking, climbing and enjoying the stunning views, was a memorable moment for both of us.”

Looking Towards The Next Trip

For Tracy and Elise, this won't be the last adventure. Rhodes, Greece is next on their shared list, while Tracy is also dreaming of walking the Camino de Santiago and exploring Patagonia. Elise is dreaming even bigger, considering a gap year or volunteering abroad.

As Tracy says, “I hope Elise continues to explore either as a solo adventurer or with me.” And as for Elise? Well, her hope for her mom is a little simpler. “I’d just say I hope that she remembers to take me with her!”

Words of Wisdom for Other Families

When asked what she'd say to other mothers and daughters considering a trip like this, Tracy doesn't hesitate, "Do it!" she says, "Special memories are to be cherished." Whether you're a mother-daughter pair, a father-son duo, or a larger family group, traveling together creates stories you'll be telling for years to come.

Don't Just Travel, Explore!

In the end, it's not just about the trails you trek or the views you see, it's about the bonds you strengthen along the way. Click here to start planning your next adventure together!

Explore adventures