Whether he’s up for sporting adventures, archaeology, art tours, whisky or wine tastings, there is a destination for every type of dad to match his interests. From Antigua to Scotland and South Africa, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite destinations that will be sure to create lasting and special memories together - this Father’s Day or in the future.
FOR THE OUTDOORSY DAD: EXPERIENCE THE ‘GLORIOUS PLAYGROUND’ OF PURSUITS IN THE HEART OF PERTHSHIRE, SCOTLAND AT GLENEAGLES
Set beneath the Ochil Hills, in the heart of Perthshire, Gleneagles is the ultimate venue for a Scottish getaway. No visit to the iconic sporting estate is complete without putting on your wellies and exploring the 850 acres of fresh Perthshire air and exciting activities. Throughout summer, guests are offered an array of country pursuits to try, including: ziplining, falconry, tree climbing, fishing, gundog handling, off-road driving, tennis, golf, archery, and many more (about 50 to choose from). Nicknamed “The Glorious Playground” there is something for everyone, but they take most pride in being number 1 in the Golf World Top 100 UK & Ireland Resorts. Also notable, the Gleneagles Falconry School is the place to learn all about falconry and hawking. Whether you're a budding falconer or simply interested in learning more about the noble pursuit, there are experiences on property tailored for all. Dog-lovers will especially love to participate in the finest gundog training Scotland has to offer, taking place on the lawns of Gleneagles that lead down to Laich Loch. The Gleneagles gundog training experiences simulate typical sporting conditions, teaching participants to work with the estate’s very own adorable and intelligent Labrador Retrievers on agility and obedience. Once the adventures come to a close, guests can wind down while sipping on the finest whisky, Scotland’s national spirit. Positioned in close proximity to a number of the world’s most iconic distilleries, guests can enjoy private tastings in Gleneagles’ Still Room, where an expert team is on hand to guide visitors through a highly curated selection of 300 malts. In their Century Bar, the team also has created a series of whisky flights inspired by your mood - fit for any occasion!
HOW: Rates at Gleneagles start from £475 (approx. $599) on a B&B basis. For more information please visit www.gleneagles.com/pursuits or call 0800 704 705.
FOR THE SPORTY DAD: EXPERIENCE THE SAILING ACADEMY AT THE ULTRA-PREMIUM ALL INCLUSIVE JUMBY BAY ISLAND
Jumby Bay Island is a secluded private isle of white-powdered beaches and winding bicycle paths set in one of the most beautiful untouched locations in the world, just a five-minute drive and a seven-minute boat ride from Antigua Airport. Surrounded by lush tropical foliage, the resort spans 300 secluded acres and is home to 4.5 miles of pristine shoreline, presiding over some of the Caribbean’s most spectacular and fiercely protected beaches. With Antigua’s hot and tropical climate, the island also benefits from the refreshing breeze from the trade winds, making it a world-famous sailing destination. Guests of all ages can experience the notable Jumby Bay Island Sailing Academy. Designed to teach the fundamentals of the sport, guests can venture out into the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea with the Sailing Academy’s RYA certified instructors on one of Jumby Bay’s fleet of 12 sailboats. Promising to keep sun-seeking travelers wishing to take on a new challenge suitably stimulated, the Sailing Academy offers course scheduling customizable for the duration of your stay, creating a full immersion into the island’s nautical culture. If sailing isn't your forte, other activities available include guided snorkeling, kayaking, windsurfing, tennis, yoga, as well as a fully equipped fitness center. Guests can dine à la carte in the historic Estate House and experience the beautiful sunset with a rum punch in the 1830 bar or Moet & Chandon on the terrace.
HOW: All-inclusive rates for Jumby Bay Island start from $2,295 per suite, per night + service and tax, inclusive of all meals, beverages, cocktails and house wine by the glass, as well as all watersports activities and kids club. For more information, visit www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/jumby-bay-island
FOR THE ARTISTIC DAD: EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF EUROPEAN CULTURAL HUB, AMSTERDAM AT HOTEL DE L’EUROPE
Sitting atop the canals of Amsterdam, travelers will discover the Grand Dame of the city’s hospitality scene Hotel De L’Europe, a 5 star hotel founded on the remains of a late medieval fortress in 1896. Acting as guardians of local craftsmanship and culture, this property is owned by the Dutch-legacy Heineken Family, and is the ultimate destination for those seeking the authentic Dutch heritage of Amsterdam in an elegant way. Situated on the bustling Nieuwe Doelenstraat street, guests can easily explore what the city has to offer in close proximity to the Rijksmuseum Museum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, Keukenhof Tulip Gardens, The Heineken Experience, and so much more. Immersed in rich history and priceless art dating from the 17th century, hotel guests can even admire a private collection of pieces as they stroll through the ground floor of the hotel. The hotel offers 105 classic yet contemporary suites and rooms, many with private terraces overlooking the beautiful water where you can fully feel the vibrance of the city. New this year and soon to be unveiled is ‘t Huys, a living creative space where local Amsterdam icons of art, style, and luxury, come together to show their work under one roof. For a dining experience like no other, guests should look no further than FLORE, the hotel’s 2 Michelin-star restaurant and the city’s only Green Michelin-star restaurant, entirely devoted to the philosophy of "conscious fine dining.” Guests can also enjoy happy hour in Freddy’s Bar named after Alfred ‘Freddy’ Heineken himself, to experience some good-ole “Gezellig” alongside an in-house jazz pianist and carefully crafted cocktails.
HOW: Rates at De L’Europe Amsterdam start at €799 (approx $857) on a B&B basis https://www.deleurope.com/
FOR THE STYLISH DAD: TAKE A TRIP TO THE WATCHMAKING CAPITAL OF THE WORLD IN GENEVA WITH A VISIT TO THE WOODWARD
Sitting directly on the shores of Lake Geneva and offering awe-inspiring views of the majestic Mont Blanc sits The Woodward, which opened in 2021 as the first suite-only hotel in the city following a meticulous transformation guided by Oetker Collection. Each of the 26 suites have been carefully curated to possess its own distinct character and individual design details with signature flourishes by architect Pierre-Yves Rochon. The Swiss property promises to seduce epicureans with exquisite culinary experiences driven by L’Atelier Robuchon and Le Jardinier, with legendary Michelin-starred Chef Olivier Jean at the helm of the kitchens. L’Atelier Robuchon features the chef’s open kitchen concept, creating a theatrical dining experience of French cuisine for 36 guests seated around the counter. At Le Jardinier, guests can relish in fresh and earthy plant-based cuisine, featuring innovative dishes many of which are vegan, dairy and gluten-free, and often place vegetables in the starring role. For a relaxing experience, The Woodward also comprises a 1,200m2 Guerlain Spa and a 21-meter indoor swimming pool – the longest in Geneva. There is a state-of-the-art gym, two saunas, two steam rooms, two Swedish baths and a Jacuzzi to fully unwind. Off property, guests can uncover all of the coveted trade secrets of watches and can experience firsthand the beauty of craftsmanship by taking a watchmaking masterclass. The Woodward’s concierge team will make the necessary arrangements for you to “tick” that box and increase your appreciation of these little mechanical marvels. On Rue du Rhône, guests can enjoy taking a stroll through a profusion of master chocolatier shops alongside luxury-good brands such as Chopard, OMEGA, Chanel Watches, and more, to experience why Geneva upholds an international reputation and has shaped the watch industry.
HOW: Rates at The Woodward start from 1,250 CHF (approx. $1,377) per room, per night. For more information, visit www.oetkercollection.com/hotels/the-woodward
FOR THE HISTORY-OBSESSED DAD: IMMERSE YOURSELF IN ANCIENT-ROMANO BRITAIN AT THE NEWT IN SOMERSET
Open since 2019, The Newt in Somerset is a must-visit working estate, celebrating all things homegrown, local, and historical. Set within Hadspen House - a Grade II*-listed Georgian manor house - and its Stable Yard, the hotel has 23 individually designed bedrooms each retaining their original Gregorian features and proportions. During their stay, guests are encouraged to embrace country living and uncover its history, especially the Villa Ventorum, launched only last summer. An immersive recreation of a British-Romano villa dated to 351 AD, the remains of the ancient Villa Ventorum were discovered on the estate’s grounds almost two centuries ago. Now, The Newt has completed the most ambitious reconstruction of a Roman villa ever undertaken in Britain. The result is a historical reimagining, where visitors are able to step back in time, and experience the sensory world of a Romano-British household – including the sounds, smells, and sights of daily rituals that stay true to archaeological evidence. An audio guide is available to explain each element of the Villa and its historical significance. For further immersion in this ancient world, VR technology, as well as a dedicated children’s tour, are also offered. At the end of each tour, visitors can experience an authentic taste of Roman style street food, using ingredients and flavors common to the period and region. This ambitious reconstruction sits only 45 minutes from the famed ruins of the Romano-British thermal baths in Bath, where visitors can marvel at the natural turquoise water where the Romans soaked, all while experiencing 2,000 years of history through a guided tour. Between these two attractions, this corner of England is fast becoming a point of major-historical interest, and the ideal destination for Dads eager to step back in time.
HOW: Rates at Hadspen House start from £520 (approx. $625) per night based on two sharing on a B&B basis. https://thenewtinsomerset.com
FOR THE EXPLORER DAD: HEAR THE CALL OF THE AFRICAN BUSH FROM THE BAOBAB TREE HOUSE AT XIGERA SAFARI LODGE
For the Dad who fancies himself an explorer, Xigera Safari Lodge in Botswana’s wildlife-rich Okavango Delta promises to be the experience of a lifetime. With only 12 suites, visitors enjoy a completely personalized safari, with no set times or itineraries. Guests can expect regular sightings of spectacular wildlife, including buffalo, elephants, zebras, giraffes, lechwe, sitatunga, rare birds, and during the wet season, perhaps even hippopotamuses. Truly adventurous Dads looking to immerse themselves in the bush can book Xigera’s incredible baobab tree house which is located 1km from the main lodge and accessed via mokoro canoe. Rising 10 meters above the floodplain, the three-story baobab offers thrilling 360-degree views, with wildlife calls drifting in through steel branches which will slowly rust over time, becoming one with the bush. Inside the tree’s ‘trunk’ a spiral staircase rises four meters above ground, delivering guests to each of the baobab’s three levels (featuring a bathroom, shower and bedroom with dining arrangements for sundown supper). Both the bedroom and bathroom spaces will have canvas walls that can open up entirely to the outside environment or be zipped up for privacy. On the open-air upper deck, guests will be treated to a picnic-style supper delivered by a butler at dusk. In utter privacy and safety, guests can then elect to sleep on the upper deck under a silk-filled duvet with goose down pillows. Through the night, guests will be even more perceptive to night sounds due to the lack of human noise. They may hear lions, hyenas and certainly owls and night birds, and will be treated to a beautiful display of stars, with zero light pollution. In the seclusion of this sculptural treehouse, experience Africa at its most raw and remarkable, enveloped by the calls of nature and the magic of the wilderness.
HOW: Rates at Xigera Safari Lodge start from $2,320 per adult per night sharing. This includes accommodation on a fully inclusive basis, park fees and all activities. The baobab experience is bookable at the camp for an added cost of $250 per night. The nearest airport is Maun, followed by a light aircraft flight to the Moremi Game Reserve. https://xigera.com/lodge/the-baobab-treehouse
FOR THE WINE LOVING DAD: HEAD TO THE ANCIENT CELLARS IN TUSCANY FOR A FAMED GLASS OF CHIANTI CLASSICO AT VIGNAMAGGIO
Just south of Florence, in one of the most beautiful areas of Tuscany, lies a historic organic wine estate in the midst of a decade-long restoration, Vignamaggio. The estate sprawls over more than 400 hectares with vineyards, vegetable and ornamental gardens, olive groves, and a taste of la dolce vita for anyone who desires it. While Vignamaggio has been trading in wine since the 1400s, their ancient cellars are home to one of Chianti’s most technical production centers. Having been certified organic since 2018, the estate is famed for its Chianti classico, including the Monna Lisa, a Gran Selezione vintage aged for a minimum of 30 months, perfect for opening up for a special celebration. Vignamaggio’s wines are created as an expression of the essence of the territory, an aim to find the persistence, color, balance, fragrance and history of the surrounding hills in a single sip. Wine and farm product tastings are currently available at their shop in Greve in Chianti, a welcoming little space opening onto the lively town piazza. As far as accommodations, although the refurbishment of the villa and gardens continues, the La Pensione Hotel on property is ready to welcome you. With 21 rooms to choose from, the fresh style of the décor, walks in the countryside and fragrant forest air evoke a feeling of wellbeing that permeates the entire estate.
HOW: Rates at La Pensione start from €145 (approx. $156) on a B&B basis. www.vignamaggio.com
FOR THE GREEN THUMB DAD: EXPLORE ACRES OF INDIGENOUS PLANTS, FRUIT ORCHARDS AND VINEYARDS AT SOUTH AFRICA’S BABYLONSTOREN
For the dad who’s wine collection is worth more than anything else, South Africa’s Babylonstoren provides an excellent refuge in the Cape Winelands. The farm was skilfully brought back to life 10 years ago by its current owner, Karen Roos, who transformed the property into a unique country getaway. Guests have full access to the wider estate – from a guided walk with the farm’s horticulturists or tour of the wine cellar and olive press. The gardens are home to acres of fruit orchards, vegetables, vineyards, fragrant indigenous plants, ducks and chickens, bees, a prickly pear maze and a variety of trees with historical or botanical significance. Dads can even taste the flavors of the garden at Babylonstoren’s restaurants - Babel, the Bakery, and the Greenhouse. All three boast a farm-to-table philosophy with fresh seasonal produce farmed and harvested right on property. After exploring the vineyards and gardens, dads can rest well at the Hot Spa, complete with a large indoor-outdoor pool, salt room, sauna, steam room and two vitality pools in addition to an authentic hammam and traditional Rasul chamber. As well as the 28 charming guest cottages, there are six Cape Dutch-style Fynbos Cottages with vineyard views and the elegant five-bedroom Fynbos Family House, an exclusive-use villa that can accommodate up to ten guests.
HOW: Room rates from $666 per night, based on two sharing, inclusive of breakfast, garden access, a guided garden tour and fishing, bicycles, rowing, a mountain drive, bread baking, a cellar tour, wine tasting, laundry (six items per day), workshops and a personalized larder. Families are welcome; children under two stay free.
