In a poll of 584 men on the website http://www.whichbudget.com/blog/en/press/1022-fathers-prefer-gastronomy-trips-on-fathers-day, it found that food and drink trips came at the top of the Father's Day holiday wish-list, while sporting activities were rated as less appealing for a Father's Day getaway.
Savour Sicilian Food and Wine in Italy = 22%
Whisky Tour of Scotland = 17%
Surf the waves off the coast of Portugal = 12%
Racing the Nurburgring in Germany = 9%
Fly-fishing in Iceland = 8%
Chilled out Culture Day in San-Sebastian, Spain = 8%
Off-shore power boating in Costa Smeralda in Sardinia = 7%
Camel riding in Morocco = 6%
Down and Dirty in a mud-spa in Budapest = 6%
Golf & Guinness trip to Ireland = 5%
For some travel within the United States, book these adventure travel packages before they sell out.
Grand Canyon - This package is for dads who have always wanted to visit the Grand Canyon. For $995, your father can go on an eight-day, seven night escorted tour bookable through http://www.caravan.com/tour/usa-grand-canyon. Starting in the South Rim in Phoenix, travel through the Sedona section, Grand Canyon National Park, Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park and end in Las Vegas. Trips are available during Father’s Day.
Bahamas - If you can wait to give dad a fall travel present, http://www.atlantis.com/promotions/travelzoo/99special.aspx?CID=TravelzooJune2011 is having a sale on trips to Atlantis from August 21 to October 31. Rooms at this favorite hotel start at $99 and if you book four nights by June 13, you'll get a $250 airfare credit. Dad will be able to swim all day long, but you can add on the Family Stay & Play, which includes two dolphin swims for $99.
Club Med Sandpiper Bay, Florida - Golf, Tennis, Spa, Fitness at http://www.clubmed.us/cm/sandpiper-florida-family-resort_p-115-l-US-v-SANC-ac-vh.html Club Med Sandpiper Bay is not a beach resort, but rather is on the St. Lucie River, though it does have a beach area with white sand. Location is in the residential community of Port St. Lucie, a 2-hour drive from Orlando or Miami, 45 minutes from Palm Beach. For beach-lovers, the "Treasure Coast" is a 20-minute drive away. This Caribbean-style all-inclusive right in Florida, has kids' programs, great ambiance, and several ways to enjoy golf. The resort has an 18-hole golf course, a Tom Fazio II designed practice facility, a putting green, clubhouse, and driving range. Guests can take free group lessons (and kids get initiation sessions as well during their kids' programs, Petit Golf for the 4 to 7 year olds, and Junior Golf for the 8 to 13 year olds.)
Huck Finn Jubilee in Victorville, CA http://www.huckfinn.com/ - Father’s Day Weekend - Mark Twain's storybook comes alive at this 3-day festival in Victorville CA (97 miles NE of LA). Families can white-wash fences, build river rafts, and other Huckleberry Finn style fun. Most of the 1880's-style contests are free. There's a Mark Twain Live performance, a Treasure Hunt, country and bluegrass music, hot air balloon rides, "vittles and crafts"... The Jubilee is held in the 800-acre Mojave Narrows Regional Park, along the Mojave River near Victorville.
Hershey, PA - Golf, Spa and more for a popular destination of families, and also for the roller coasters and other rides at Hershey Park. Stay at the family-friendly Hershey Lodge, or the classic Hotel Hershey which has a kids' club, a terrific brunch in the Circular Dining Room, and a spa with many male guests (and many chocolate treatments). The Hershey Country Club is top-rated for golf. http://www.hersheypa.com/plan_a_trip/where_to_stay.php
1000 Acres Ranch Resort, NY http://www.1000acres.com/package_details.asp?id=3
Dads get 50% off on this package, from June 17 to 19 2011, and the weekend package includes 3 days, 2 nights lodging, three meals daily, horseback riding, pony rides for kids six and under, full use of Ranch facilities, and nightly entertainment in the Red Dog Saloon. Activities include bonfires, hiking, row-boating, fishing, volleyball, basketball, softball, hay wagon rides, country dancing and more.
Some other ideas other than another tie or that similar bottle of Old Spice that I bet Dad still has bottles given from your childhood days . . .
Adventure Dad - Revolve http://revolveusa.com/index.php?p=1_56 offers reliable access to power for their electronic needs. The built-in battery also doubles as an emergency power source.
A great Axe made from Appalachian hickory and 4 pound high-carbon steel heads, each of the American felling axes in this NY concern's ltd-ed summer drop boasts a handle design inspired by an American icon -- the black w/ blue & yellow stripes (Steve) Earle Grey, the blue/red/white (Jack) London's Calling -- and are built to be "passed down through generations” at http://www.bestmadeco.com/
Careful Dad will love Otterbox. http://www.otterbox.com/ provides cases that are waterproof for a range of your electronic gadgets.
Fisherman Dad - How about the Fish Eyes Rod & Reel http://www.fish-eyes.com/ with Underwater Video Camera that allows you to see what's happening underwater in real time! No more guess work or long waiting periods with no action. Now spend your time bringing in more fish than ever! Great for dock, lake or even ocean fishing! Catch more fish or just explore underwater! Includes: one Fish Eyes Rod & Reel, two bait baskets, two sinkers and 10 line attachment clip sets.
Food and Drink Dad - What better way for Dad to spend his day than with a little relaxing of great food and drink? Give your dad some hormone-free beef. The Half Sampler Package includes: 18 lb grab-bag of hormone-free meat that includes 5 lbs of steaks, 6 lbs of roasts, and 7 1-lb packages of ground beef from Lasater Grassland’s Beef http://www.lgbeef.com/grassfed-family-sampler-half or give the gift of home-delivered bundles of custom-cut steaks, pork ribs, veal, and more that could previously only be enjoyed at prime steakhouses, including packs like the "Manly Man", which involves three 28oz porterhouses and three 24oz rib chops from 35 Degrees Premium Aged Steaks
http://www.35degreessteaks.com/catalog/categories/assortments/manly-man/
Give Dad something to work up his thirst . . . like make his own wine from http://bostonwinery.net/winemaking.html where wine enthusiast have the opportunity to create their own fine wine. If that’s too tasking, maybe the “Whiskey Explorers Club” with it’s year’s supply of whisky is a gift Dad might enjoy all year. With three different “Explorer“ Clubs to choose from, plus tasting glass & paraphernalia from http://www.forscotchlovers.com/distillery_row/whisky_explorers_club there’s sure to be something to quench that thirst.
What better way to serve Dad his drink than in the unique glassware from http://www.ritzenhoffworld.com where each drink will bring a smile with their quirky and fun loving designs.
Luxury Loving at Lotuff & Clegg http://www.lotuffclegg.com/ that offers old-style Made in America craftsmanship handmade leather items.
New Dad where it’s cool to carry the Bento diaper Bag http://www.skiphop.com/product/bentoultimatediaperbag.html with more than enough pouches for dad and baby (along with an insulated cooler).
Prepared Dad - The Eaton Raptor Emergency Radio http://www.etoncorp.com/product_card/?p_ProductDbId=1753607 is more than just a radio, the Raptor includes a rechargeable battery, compass, altimeter, barometer, USB port, light and digital alarm clock. It also receives NOAA weather alerts, and can charge itself with its built-in solar panel.
The Reader - The Ipad http://www.apple.com/ipad/, Kindle http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002FQJT3Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpneomargoo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B002FQJT3Q , Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/nook/index.asp
Security Dad - PacSafe offers a variety of lockable, steel-mesh full range of anti-theft gear http://www.pacsafe.com/www/index.php
Theft Defender products can help shield your information http://www.theftdefender.com/
Techie Dad - Kodak PlaySport Video Camera http://shop.kodak.co.uk/store/ekconseu/en_GB/pd/productID.170164000. This palm-sized PlaySport is an alternative to a large camcorder. It shoots in 1080p HD video and has software for simple social media sharing to YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. Its family friendly, tough, great image stabilization, a hard shell in case it’s dropped and it is water resistant to nearly 10 feet.
The iWatchz Q Series watchband for iPod nano 6th generation easily turns your iPod nano into a stylish watch with several band choices at http://store.apple.com/us/product/H3791ZM/A
Traveling Dad - Walkin’ Bag http://www.walkinbag.com/. For the frequent flyer, here is the “Lean On Me” bag that has a built-in seat that support 300 lbs.
Luggage Pros offer the Lewis N. Belle Hop Travel Door Alarm http://www.luggagepros.com/lewis-n-clark-belle-hop-travel-door-alarm.shtml
A few other creative ideas … a photo collage, jigsaw puzzle created from his favorite photos, magazine subscription, barbecue supplies (complete with his favorite choice of food and drink), sporting tickets, a good game of golf, clothing, or just a day of nothing but his favorite things.
Father’s Day can provide to be challenging, but I bet your Dad will love just the thought that you remembered him. My Dad - no slippers, handkerchiefs or another bottle of Old Spice. Last year we did a family vacation between Mother’s and Father’s Day and framed the family photo (taken on the trip) served up with good old fashioned burgers on the grill complete with memories filled with laughter and fun. Some gifts really can’t be wrapped and tied neatly with a bow.
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads out there ~ may your day be as memorable as you are important in our lives!
RSS Feed