This year, I had the chance to visit a friend who is studying abroad in Italy. When my mom agreed to go with me, I was pretty sure the trip would either play out like an episode of Gilmore Girls or it would be a full week of us giving each other the silent treatment. Now, after having the most amazing trip, I'm here to tell you why your mom is truly the best travel partner you can have.

1. Mother really does know best.

This doesn't mean we didn't make a few mistakes (read: attempting to find the Leaning Tower of Pisa in the dark with no map) but no matter how many travel tips I thought I knew, she was the one with all the experience and knowledge.

2. She's already seen you at your worst.

Even the calmest person can get stressed when they're traveling, especially when they're running through the airport in France and the plane is about to take off without them. Who knows how to deal with your stress-induced moments of craziness better than the woman who raised you?

3. You both know exactly what each other needs.

Tired of walking? We need gelato to keep us going. The airline lost our luggage? Calm down, we're getting fries. One of us is crabby? It's time for more coffee.

4. Speaking of coffee, she's as caffeine-addicted as you are.

Drinking five cappuccinos a day may seem excessive to most people, but neither of us would have gotten anywhere without them. By our last day there we knew all the best coffee shops in Florence by name.

4. She'll be worried about you.

This is one of those things that I thought would get annoying, but had I been alone and without her reminders to hide my wallet and be aware of my surroundings, I most likely would have been pick pocketed or kidnapped on day one.

5. She has so much to teach you.

I didn't realize how much I never knew about my mom until we sat down to long dinner and a glass of wine.

6. You'll find out she's not only a great travel partner, but also a great friend.

I was a little reluctant at first to go on a long trip with just my mom but it ended up being the absolute best week of my life. Mom, you thanked me for letting you come on that trip, but really, I'm the one who should be thanking you.