Traveling to a new country or state can be intimidating, especially if you’re going by yourself or with a group of people as unfamiliar with the territory as you. Trying to create the perfect itinerary can be overwhelming—how can you be sure that you’re seeing the best sights versus getting sucked into touristy gimmicks? Frommer’s to the rescue!

Italy Day by Day. By Sylvie Hogg. Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2010. Photo courtesy of Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Everyone’s favorite travel guide Frommer’s has recently followed up their successful Day by Day travel guide series with the release of three full-sized Day by Day guides for Italy, Ireland and Hawaii.

Travelers take heed—these are much heavier than the Day by Day guides you’re used to. So if you’re planning to backpack around Ireland or be carting your children’s stuff around Hawaii, these might not be the most practical guides. That being said, what they lack in portability and convenience, they make up for with incredible photography, detailed maps (including a pull-out map in the back of each book), in-depth information and easy-to-follow itineraries. These Day by Day guides are a blast to look through, in particular thanks to the color photos on every page.

Ireland Day by Day. By By Christi Daugherty. Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2010. Photo courtesy of Wiley Publishing, Inc.

From business travelers who want to pack in some sightseeing in their downtime to families who want to ensure their travels are enjoyable for the kids, and everyone in between, Frommer’s new Day by Day guides to Italy, Ireland and Hawaii will help you plan an amazing vacation that allows you to see the best of each location. Each guide has customized itineraries based on how long you plan to be in a certain region, what activities you want to partake in and what cities you want to visit. Only have a day to spend in Rome? No worries—Italy Day by Day has an itinerary to maximize your experience. Going to spend two weeks in Ireland and what to see as much as the country as possible? Check out one of the “The Best of Ireland in Two Weeks” in Ireland Day by Day.

While these guides are a little on the expensive side (approximately $30 each), they’re definitely worth it. Just don’t shove them haphazardly in your backpack or suitcase.

Read our book review on Frommer’s Hawaii Day by Day.

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While a dozen roses, brunch and a nice scarf is a tried and true recipe for a successful Mother’s Day, why not spoil the woman who brought you into this world. A mother-daughter getaway is not only fun, but it can allow you and your mom to establish a deeper bond and create memories that will last for years to come.

In order to make the trip as enjoyable and stress-free as possible, here are some of our essential tips to planning the perfect Mother’s Day vacation:

All mothers deserve to be pampered on Mother's Day, regardless of species. Photo: Matt McGee

• Decide as a unit what kind of trip you want. Are you looking simply to unwind or are you in the mood for more adventure? Based on this, you can both suggest ideas accordingly—i.e., a trip to a spa for those seeking relaxation or surf lessons for those craving activity.

• Don’t let one person coordinate every detail of the trip. Rather, take turns and make compromises with the planning so that each person feels that her needs and interests are being represented.

• Since money can be a major source of tension, determine who will be paying for what beforehand. Are you splitting everything 50-50, or will you be paying for the airfare and rooms, while she covers the meals and day-to-day activities?

• Remember, it’s all about the quality, not the quantity. Before you book a two-week cruise, think about your past travel history. If you’re used to only spending the holidays together, opt for a beachside destination or a long three-day weekend.

• Just because you’re committed to spending quality time with your mother or daughter, doesn’t mean you can’t embark on a group activity, such as whitewater rafting or a nature hike. In fact, the presence of strangers may prompt you to act on your best behavior and meet new families with similar interests.

• Likewise, a mother-daughter getaway does not mean that you have to spend every single breathing second with one another. Both of you should bring along a good book or even set alone time so you can take an occasional break from one another. You’ll come back feeling reconnected and eager to continue where you left off.

• Turn off your cell phones, iPods and what-have-you when spending time together. This only disrupts the mood and makes the other person feel as if they’re not being valued.

Here are some ideas for unique and memorable Mother’s Day vacations:

Paris

Treat your mom to a posh shopping vacation in Paris. Read our article on Paris shopping.
Plan your Mother’s Day vacation to Paris on TravelMuse.

Cabo

Your mother has been working hard her entire life. Take her to Cabo for a spa vacation where she can really unwind. Read our article on Cabo spa vacations.
Plan your Mother’s Day vacation to Cabo on TravelMuse.

Grand Cayman

Ready for a little adventure? Take your mom to Grand Cayman to go scuba diving. Read our article on diving in Grand Cayman.
Plan your Mother’s Day vacation to Grand Cayman on TravelMuse.

Yosemite

If you and your mother are looking to build some teamwork skills this Mother’s Day, consider rafting down the Merced River in Yosemite National Park. Read our article on rafting in Yosemite.
Plan your Mother’s Day vacation to Yosemite National Park on TravelMuse.

Need additional ideas for your Mother’s Day vacation? Use our inspiration finder to give you more ideas.