12 gift ideas for fathers ready to travel!
In June we celebrate Father’s Day and all the wonderful fathers in our lives. With summer coming and the world opening up, many dads are ready to hit the road for adventure. So we’ve put together a list of Father’s Day gifts that speaks to every type of dad with every type of budget and all with one thing in common: planning the next great vacation!
Camera equipment
Most dads love taking photos on vacation; photos of the family, the landscape, and the details. And every travel photographer, whether professional or amateur, deserves a great camera. Because camera equipment can be expensive this is a great Father’s Day gift everyone in the family can chip in on. And if Dad already has his favorite Canon, Nikon, Leica, or other camera body, then consider treating him to a new lens to capture his next great escape.
Photoshoots
Speaking of photography, the only problem with Dad behind the lens on vacation is that he’s not in the pictures! This is where a destination photoshoot with a professional photographer is the perfect solution, and where a Shoot My Travel gift card can make the solution the experience of a lifetime. Treat those amazing fathers this Father’s Day to one of our gift cards to use wherever and whenever they travel next.
Music
I’m picturing the classic jazz album, Tijuana Moods by Charles Mingus, but what’s most important is what comes to your mind when you think of the fathers in your life. Most dads love music, which can evoke the mood of a place like nothing else. This Father’s Day, whisk Dad away to memories and dreams of faraway places. If he’s into vinyl, splurge on a new album (or turntable!). If he’s planning the next family road trip, give him a subscription to streaming services he can take along, like Spotify or Tidal. Even a retro boombox for that camping trip will help put a soundtrack to his adventures!
Books
Books are the perfect companion to travelers. They keep us company on trains, planes, and in hotel rooms. They also allow us to travel mentally when we can’t physically leave home. If Dad is dreaming of a trip but can’t get away quite yet, indulge him in a novel with an exotic setting, or even a collection of classics like Ernest Hemingway’s best sellers, or Rudyard Kipling's complete works, or Ian Fleming’s Bond books. If he’s getting ready for a trip, then a travel book is the way to help him prep and get excited. And if you’re not sure what book he might enjoy most, give him a waterproof Kindle Paperwhite so he can bring along as many literary friends as he wants, and even take them poolside!
Cookware
This one is especially for those culinary fathers staying close to home but dreaming of dining abroad. The time will come but until then, for Father’s Day, spoil him with cookware that will make him feel like he’s whipping up omelets on Mont Saint Michel, slicing through Kobe beef in Japan, or shucking oysters in old Cape Cod. The gift you give will depend on Dad’s favorite things to cook and kitchen needs but you can rarely go wrong with a set of Japanese Shun knives (or a knife sharpener if he’s already got a favorite set), a Le Creuset Dutch oven (for that next cassoulet or carnitas night), or a new cast-iron pan for all manner of meals!
Cocktails
Spirits and liquors can bring the festivity and flavors of the world to us in a unique and delicious way. Mixology is a science that intrigues many men and Father’s Day is the perfect time to set him up with all the right ingredients. Whether his favorite concoctions include Scottish whiskeys, Russian vodkas, or Jamaican rums, you can find a way to indulge in him in some tastebud travel. Consider a TSA-compliant carry-on cocktail kit, an at-home gin-making kit, or one of the many alcohol subscription boxes available.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are one of those accessories you need no matter where you go in the world, whether lying on the beach or tearing up the snow, driving in the car, or sitting at a cafe. And if the father in your life has traveled in mind, you want to make sure he doesn’t head out without a great pair of sunglasses, both for comfort and style. Find out if he’s an aviator man or into polarized lenses, prefers Oakleys or Ray-Bans, likes a good tortoiseshell frame or gold wires. And if you don’t want to risk getting him the wrong pair, take him out sunglass shopping and spend some time together!
Luggage
Our packing choices can make or break a trip. For Father’s Day help the dads in your life pack right for their next adventure, whether they’re flying, back-packing, or driving cross-country. If they’re determined to never check luggage again, splurge on some stylish and durable carry-on luggage. If they like their toiletries tidy consider a sleek leather or canvas toiletry bag. And if they’ll be doing a lot of walking or hiking with the new family, consider an ergonomic, travel-friendly baby backpack.
Coffee
Coffee is another one of those liquid experiences that can transport you around the world, literally or figuratively. Most fathers love a good cup of coffee, whether they’re sitting in a cafe in Turkey, touring a coffee plantation in Hawaii, sipping a cup in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica, or simply standing in their own kitchen with their favorite brew. There are lots of ways to indulge Dad in his love of coffee and travel this Father’s Day: gift cards to coffee houses near and far, a care package of roasted beans from somewhere exotic, or even a coffee subscription from Atlas Coffee Club.
Golf
Specific, right? That’s because golf and travel go hand-in-hand. There are amazing golf courses around the world, offering a unique way to experience a destination. Golf and fathers also tend to go hand-in-hand. It’s a relaxing, challenging, social form of exercise that gets them outdoors seeing the world. If the fathers in your life love golf, consider getting them some new equipment or a round of golf at a bucket list course (think Pebble Beach in Carmel), or even an at-home putting green to keep their skills sharp until they reach that next dream golf course.
Relaxation
Ah, relaxation. It’s what so many of us seek on our travels, especially Dad! When it comes to the fathers in our lives, each one is going to have a different idea of what relaxing means. For Father’s Day, give a think about how Dad likes relaxing. If he’s traveling soon, see if you can ensure he gets some R&R on his trip: a massage at the resort, a private cabana beside the ocean, a new fishing rod to take with him. If he’s staying home, bring a little travel relaxation to him: a new hammock, handcrafted Adirondack chairs for the deck, or even backyard dice!
Meals
Food is a huge part of travel, whether you’re somewhere new, familiar, or even just at home. If the fathers in your life have a trip planned in the future, surprise them with a gift card to a local restaurant at their destination. If they’ll be camping this summer, cater their campsite with Patagonia Provisions. And if they can’t travel quite yet, treat them to a favorite cuisine locally, or deliver spices and ingredients to their home where you or they can create their own fabulous staycation meal.
Whatever you give the fathers in your life this Father’s Day, be sure it includes lots of quality time and treasured memories. If you’re having a Father’s Day gathering it’s not too late to book a family photoshoot, where our local photographers capture all the good times while you all enjoy all the time with Dad.
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