While travel is still limited this Father’s Day, there's no harm in planning a dream trip in advance for dad. Here are some trip suggestions for dads across the globe:
Ellerman House
Cape Town makes for a lovely Father’s Day destination and is home to a wide array of courses that’ll test any golfer’s skills with driver, iron or putter. Golf Courses in Cape Town offer different unique experiences, from historic roots to views. For example, Royal Cape Golf Club has a history dating back to 1885 and has undergone many transformations to now stand as one of the top clubs in the Cape. The ‘Royal’ was conferred by King George V in 1910, but these days it offers a well-maintained parkland course that suits all levels. Westlake Golf Club is another fantastic club that sits against the backdrop of the Silvermine Mountains offering an 18-hole parkland course that has great fairways, challenging rough and Poa Annua greens. Clovelly Golf Course was originally started to that naval officers could get in a round while they were passing through. Today, it’s a nice inclusive course that offers a more varied terrain than most of Cape Town’s other courses. Close to the city centre, Rondebosch Golf Club offers a conveniently situated and picturesque 18-hole course to play that is well-maintained and is great for experts and beginners alike. King David Mowbray is the result of a merger between two golf clubs, Mowbray and King David, and offers a solid round of golf with a course that designed to minimize the impact of Cape Town’s notorious wind. The ultimate hotel in Cape Town is Ellerman House, a quintessential urban retreat for discerning luxury travelers wanting to experience the very best of South Africa. Located in Bantry Bay, the hotel offers spectacular Atlantic Ocean views against the dramatic backdrop of Lion's Head. Clifton's beaches are within walking distance, while the best local attractions are a 10-minute drive away. Featuring one of South Africa’s most impressive private art collections, an award-winning wine list, and gourmet modern cuisine, Ellerman House is an entire destination in itself epitomizing the best Cape Town has to offer.
The Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa
For Fathers who love active wellness, history, culture, and relaxation, the multifaceted city of Johannesburg is the place to be. With so much to explore, there are a variety of exciting and fun activities in and just outside of Johannesburg just waiting to be discovered. The Wonderboom Nature Reserve close by offers a short hike up the Magaliesberg mountains for a spectacular view of a cave and man-made waterfall that cascades down the western side of the mountain into the Aples River. Another popular highlight is Maropeng, for the cradle of humankind to take a step back in time and learn the world as it was 2 million years ago through fossil sites and the riveting history of hominids, our earliest ancestors. Johannesburg, also known as the ‘City of Gold’ also features many mining tours to learn about the early days of the gold rush era and the modern day diamond industry. Fathers and families can take advantage of discovering this cultural city by staying at the Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, a secluded retreat in the city. Located in the tranquil, tree-lined suburb of Sandhurst the Saxon Hotel is an all-luxury, 53-suite hotel and home to the nature-inspired Saxon Spa, onsite gourmet restaurants. The Saxon also offers brunch, afternoon tea and a red and white wine cellar — a perfect way to complete a day full of fun.
Hôtel Lou Pinet
The French Rivera is an excellent destination for fathers and families seeking active leisure. The region’s former humble fishing village, Saint-Tropez, is now widely known as one of the most high-profile coastal retreats in the world. While the legendary charm of Saint-Tropez allures travelers with its prestigious playground of rolling countryside sandy beaches, gourmet food, pulsing nightlife, and upscale boutiques, there is so much more to this glamorous town. Saint-Tropez offers a number of clubs and locations for traditional and classic lifestyle sports including polo, yachting, tennis, and sailing. There’s also golf, one of the most popular sports for dads, in a setting unlike any other with stunning views ranging from the sparkling sea to idyllic forestry on the golf courses of the French Riviera. For more picturesque views to work for, the Sentier du Littoral coastal footpath stretches along the French Mediterranean coast and offers incredible views along the entire way and quiet small beaches that provide an escape from the popular and crowded ones. There are also a number of slow-paced activities like the strolling along the Old Port harbor to checkout boats of all kinds and sizes, pastel-colored Mediterranean houses, charming cafés, and market square in the early morning for vibrant local produce and flowers. Hôtel Lou Pinet is a luxury hideaway in Saint-Tropez embodying the bohemian charm of the iconic village and perfectly located between Place des Lices and the peninsula’s most sought-after beaches. The hotel features 26 guest rooms and 8 suites — each bathed in natural light with private gardens, spa in partnership with Tata Harper, two bars, it's very own BeefBar restaurant butcher shop, and the largest pool in Saint-Tropez tucked away in a secret garden. The hotel also features its very own Pétanque corner, so dads can practice on their ball throws and rolls.
Niarra Travel
Niarra Travel, a start-up premium travel company offers a number of experiences and fun itineraries for family travel that make for excellent Father’s Day destinations. With their Conservation and Culture in Costa Rica experience, families can learn about why the country is renowned for its pristine natural beauty, leadership in sustainability and amazing adventures on a ten-night trip to a collection of its very best ecolodges in three stunning locations. Starting with a night in the verdant Coffee Valley at Finca Rosa Blanca, a unique property surrounded by organic coffee plantations, guests can learn how this charming farm became a benchmark for sustainability. Next on the itinerary is a whitewater rafting into the jungle to Pacuare Lodge, the first of two Global Ecosphere Retreats, to fly through the treetops on thrilling canopy tours, hike to swim under waterfalls, learn about jaguar conservation and meet the indigenous Cabécar people. This Costa Rican experience ends at sister property Lapa Rios, on the Osa Peninsula amid a riot of biodiversity. Expert local naturalists will guide families through the rainforest, spot dolphins from a kayak and ride horses along sandy beaches. Niarra Travel is a next generation tour operator that operates according to its two guiding principles of transparency and purpose to ensure that each trip has a positive impact on the ground.
Fregate Island
For a totally unique trip with the family, Fregate Island is a paradise that dad will love. Accessible only via boat or helicopter, Fregate Island offers seclusion, luxury, and plenty of adventure. Dad can enjoy participating in hands-on conservation work, such as assisting the team in turtle hatchlings and cultivating sea coral or explore the island’s seven beaches including the only privatizable beach in the Indian Ocean. The family can enjoy a variety of activities including hiking through the jungle, snorkeling in the sea and fishing, where chefs from the kitchen turn the catches into sushi-right on the boat. Dinning can also be arranged anywhere on the island. Additionally, dad can enjoy some “me-time” with treatments at the Rock Spa, where products are made with the pickings from the island’s garden.
Valsana Hotel Just two hours outside of Zurich, the Valsana Hotel, tucked away in Arosa, is poised for a casual getaway in the Swiss Alps. Located in the center of town and just steps from the local chairlifts and gondolas, the Valsana makes for the perfect stay for dad. From biking and hiking the 140 miles of mountain trails, to skiing, sledding, snow boarding, snow shoeing, and more, there are plenty of activities for dad to enjoy no matter the season. Following a day out on the mountains, guests unwind in the Valsana's 8,600 square-foot spa and wellness center, enjoy a local cocktail on their balcony and delight in a locally-sourced seasonal meal at the property's restaurant Twist before falling into a deep sleep on the hotel's exclusive Elky Natur beds. Tswalu Tswalu is the ideal choice for a father interested in climate change and research. Tswalu, South Africa’s largest private reserve is unique in that it is dedicated to research in general and the impact of climate change in particular. Guests are encouraged to interact with scientists and doctoral students in the field, should they have a keen interest in a specific subject such as the elusive and often misunderstood pangolin. Those who choose Tswalu contribute to the sustainability of our commitment to preserving the southern Kalahari’s biodiversity for future generations.
Quasar Expeditions
An ideal choice for the adventurous father, Quasar Expeditions' Overland Jeep Safaris provide access to the top highlights in both the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile and Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina. Travelers are able to drive their very own Jeep around the park, arriving at their various destinations in style and at their own pace. While on the road, explorers can stop to hike the area’s dominating mountains, kayak the racing rivers and lakes, go glacier and ice trekking, spot majestic Andean condors and elusive pumas, and more.
After spending their days exploring the rugged terrain, dads will enjoy staying at some of the top hotels and lodges in all of South America, where they can indulge in Patagonia barbecue and unwind with local wines and beer. This exciting twist on a classic road trip gives loved ones the opportunity to disconnect from their phones and reconnect with each other, all while soaking in amazing sights and one-of-a-kind experiences along the way.
Natural Selection
Adventurous dads can head to the middle of Botswana’s Makgadikgadi Pans, the largest salt flat complex in the world, to enjoy a quad bike trip to Kubu Island with Natural Selection. The salt pans cover a massive area and form the bed of the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi that began evaporating millennia ago. The entire granite rock island is a national monument, and is considered a sacred site by the indigenous people of the area. This five-night expedition travels in quad bike convoy and ensures that guests leave no trace of their existence behind as they zoom towards Kubu Island and an open-air fly camp.
Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Niseko Village is a great destination for golf-loving dads as it offers resort golf at its best - with views of Mount Niseko Annupuri in the background. The Niseko Village Golf Course, located near the brand-new Higashiyama Niseko Village, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, features 6,845 yards of greenery for golfers of all levels. Open from May to October, travelers can enjoy early bird or twilight golf combined with the many other experiences the village has to offer. Following their time on the green, golfers can unwind with a spa treatment and a soak in the onsen at Spa Chasi La Sothys, indulge in a meal and cocktail at Yukibana, Sushi Nagi or the Ume Lounge and enjoy tree trekking or a hot air balloon ride to take in the sights from up above, all before tucking in a for a restful night's sleep to recharge for the next day.