There’s nothing quite like a father and child holiday to build a stronger bond with your children and make special memories you’ll be talking about for years to come. Your kids will cherish the time spent with their dad and you’ll love nurturing their adventurous side. So where should you go? Whether you want to explore spectacular nature and spot wildlife, or you guys are all about history, sports or movies, there’s something for every family. To celebrate Father’s Day, we’ve put together six vacation ideas for the ultimate father and child getaways.
1. Nature lovers – US National parks
Looking for father and child destinations that showcase the best of planet earth? Look no further than the USA’s national parks. From the vivid steaming geysers of the ancient Yellowstone National Park to the surreal rock spires of Bryce Canyon National Park, the US national parks are the perfect place for a father and their children to get immersed in nature.
Marvel at the extraordinary views over the Grand Canyon, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Snap a family photo amongst the waterfalls and granite peaks of Yosemite. Dive into the history of the Wild West and gaze out over the Grand Tetons. See the extraordinary scenery of Zion National Park. Or do it all with our Five Epic National Parks trip. Wherever you go, this is sure to be a journey you and your children will never forget.
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2. Movie enthusiasts – New Zealand
If you’re a big movie buff, you’ll love visiting New Zealand for your father and child getaways. You can see the magical village of Hobbiton, the movie set of the iconic Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Travel on Trafalgar’s Contrasts of New Zealand trip and you’ll get to have breakfast at Hobbiton before taking a guided tour through the stunning set. Snap some gorgeous photos at the Hobbit Holes and the Mill, all while getting fascinating details about how the movies were made.
You can also hop down to Wellington, the movie-making city, home to the amazing Weta Workshop where you can see props and behind-the-scenes gems from the Lord of the Rings and more famous films. And be sure to visit the beautiful landscapes where many movies were filmed, like the stunning Fiordland and the charming towns of Arrowtown and Glenorchy.
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3. Sports fans – Eastern USA and Canada
Wondering where to travel for a father and child who loves sports? It’s got to be the East Coast of the USA and Canada. Whether you love ice hockey, baseball or skiing, the East Coast is the place to dive into your favourite sports. Catch a game at the iconic stadiums like Wrigley Field or Yankee Stadium. Then get into the history at the Chicago Baseball Museum and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
When you travel on our East Coast USA and Canada trip, you’ll even meet a real Canadian hockey player in Oakville. You’ll learn the secrets of hockey players, get tips on how to score a goal from a professional coach, and have a blast playing Canada’s national sport.
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4. Wildlife watchers – Costa Rica
Love seeing wildlife but already visited all the zoos in your area? Take your father and child getaways to the next level with a trip to Costa Rica. All your David Attenborough-inspired travel dreams will come true as you explore the spectacular rainforest of Tortuguero, Arenal and more. These national parks are teeming with wildlife and you can spot everything from sloths, monkeys, caimans and crocodiles to endangered ocelots, manatees, iguanas and river otters. And don’t forget all the rare and colourful bird species like toucans!
When you take our Monkeys Jungles and Volcanoes trip, you’ll get to meet a Local Specialist from the Sea Turtle Conservancy Foundation to learn about the endangered sea turtles that nest on the beaches of Tortuguero. If you travel during nesting season from July to September, you’ll even get to watch some of the world’s largest turtles laying their eggs.
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5. History buffs – United Kingdom
If you’re a father and child travel duo who loves all things history, you’ll love a trip around the ancient ruins and castles of the UK. From the mysterious Stonehenge to the Blarney Stone where you can score the gift of the gab, there are endless fun and enriching things to do together in the UK.
Travel on our Castles and Kilts trip and we’ll have you staying in a 13th-century Welsh castle and experiencing life as a Roman soldier at Hadrian’s Wall. And if you love Harry Potter, we’ve got good news… You can let your inner witch or wizard come alive as you visit all the famous filming locations. See Hogwarts, Platform 9 ¾, the red telephone box gateway to the Ministry of Magic, and more!
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6. A bit of everything – Europe
If you have lots of interests, the best father and child holiday is one that gets a taste of everything. Europe is perfect for this with dozens of countries filled with diverse scenery, history, culture, and food. On our European Wonderland trip, you can go from making pizza in Rome to painting traditional Carnival masks in Venice.
You could dine in a 12th-century castle in Tuscany or ride in a horse-drawn carriage in the Swiss countryside. Take a thrilling walk inside a glacier in Mount Titlis or fill up on French pastries as you hit the icons from the Eiffel Tower to the Arc de Triomphe. Whatever you and your kids are into, you’re sure to find it in Europe.
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What are your favourite places for father and child getaways? Let us know in the comments below!