This year is quickly becoming the year of travel—the world is opening back up with glamorous new hotels, imaginative restaurants and thought-provoking art exhibitions, creating so much to see and do. Whether you’re trekking Mount Kilimanjaro during an adrenaline-pumping journey to Tanzania or seeking out the best tapas in foodie favorite Madrid, these experiences are all the more special when traveling with dad. Read on for our favorite dad-approved destinations.
Contact your Indagare Trip Designer (or Indagare, if you are not yet a member) to discuss the best trip ideas for traveling fathers (and family trips in general) in 2022 and beyond. Our team can provide expert travel advice and assist with custom itinerary planning, restaurant recommendations and more.
EPIC HIKING & ADVENTURE
Atacama Desert, Chile
While Chilean Patagonia may be the first destination to come to mind for a hiking trip to Chile, Indagare has the hidden gems of the Atacama Desert top of mind, from its red rock canyons and ancient lava flows to its natural hot springs surrounded by waterfalls. Indagare adores Awasi Atacama, for dads with older children looking for a private, tailored experience in the Chilean Desert and Tierra Atacama, for families that enjoy intermingling with other travelers on their excursions.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
For adventurers, explorers and families, Tanzania is hard to beat. Climbers travel from around the world to conquer Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. Reaching the crater’s summit can take anywhere from five to 10 days depending on the route—routes range in difficulty so it is possible to summit the peak without any technical climbing. This journey to the world’s highest free-standing mountain is a climb of a lifetime.
American West
From big-sky Montana to the red-rock landscapes of Arizona, the American West offers some of the globe’s most spectacular adventures. Lodges such as The Green O (for those 18+) and Dunton Hot Springs offer rustic luxury, while Aspen and Jackson Hole are charming resort towns with fantastic hiking and outdoor activities that are constantly welcoming exciting new restaurants and hotels.
Peru
With the dramatic Andean range as a backdrop, the Sacred Valley (which surrounds the legendary Machu Picchu and Cusco) offers lush valleys, cloud forests, raftable rivers and trails featuring Incan ruins. The country amazes adventure lovers with its spectacular landscapes steeped in ancient history. Foodie dads should not miss a few days exploring Lima, a bucket-list culinary destination thanks to its lively food markets and world-renowned, innovative restaurants.
Dolomites
The glorious Italian Dolomites region is blessed with stunning mountain ranges that offer incredible hiking and climbing during the summer and fall, plus a slew of Michelin-starred restaurants and interesting historical sites.
Are you and dad interested in exploring this UNESCO World Heritage Site with fellow hikers? On our Insider Journey this September, spend six days exploring the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Italian Dolomites and develop your fitness on daily six-mile hikes with expert local mountaineers, all while staying at one of Indagare’s favorite luxury lodges, Rosa Alpina, an Aman Resort.
Related: 13 Ultimate Wilderness Vacations
REST & RELAXATION
Scottish Highlands
Does your dream getaway include hunting lodges, falconry schools, whiskey distilleries and fantastic golf courses? Well, with its breathtaking scenery and an indomitable Scottish spirit, the Highlands may be perfect for you. Gleneagles is an idyllic country resort rich in recreational activities and Scottish warmth—after a day of fly-fishing, developing your aim during clay pigeon shooting and swinging easy at one of the world’s most well-known golf destinations, settle in at the spa or enjoy the gastronomic genius that is Andrew Fairlie (a two-Michelin-star restaurant in the heart of the resort).
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
Relais & Châteaux Blackberry Mountain spans 5,200 acres in the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee (2,800 of which are dedicated to land conservation) and is an ideal, inclusive destination where guests can curate their perfect experience. Sister property to Blackberry Farm, Blackberry Mountain is a health- and wellness-focused property with renowned hospitality and a superb culinary program (both are Indagare Index properties and member favorites, too). Mornings can be spent fly-fishing or kayaking amid imposing mountain views, while afternoons are for taking a dip in the spa’s outdoor, year-round heated pool or enjoying an American whiskey tasting.
Napa Valley, California
The Californian coast has a lot to offer—wine tastings at Napa Valley vineyards, long scenic drives, sensational beaches and national parks—there are innumerable ways to unwind. On our radar is Crosby Roamann, a boutique, family-run winery that purchased their own vineyard in 2020 and produces conscientiously farmed and handcrafted wines. Tastings are offered from their chic industrial space minutes from Napa’s downtown. Another property we’re excited about is Stanly Ranch, an Auberge Resorts Collection that opened its doors in April 2022; experience their exclusive wine tours of Napa, safaris with professional wildlife photographer Daniel Dietrich, hot air ballooning over Napa and so much more.
Related: 15 Summer Vacation Ideas for 2022
CONNECTING TO NATURE & WILDLIFE
Kenya
Safaris in Kenya attract wilderness lovers of all ages and make for an excellent first trip to Africa. Wildlife-loving dads can experience the wonders of the Kenyan bush from some of our most beloved safari camps and explore Indagare Index property Maasai Mara Reserve, where you have the chance to view elephants, lions, rhinoceros and the Great Migration of wildebeest. Nairobi, too, is a fascinating city that warrants more than a one-night stopover.
Costa Rica
With its fantastic jungle adventures, water sports and luxury properties that make the most of the natural surroundings and environmental impact, Costa Rica has pioneered ecotourism. Whether you’re visiting to relax and enjoy outdoor adventure with family or bond over giving back (or both), this lush country offers unique experiences surrounded by great natural beauty. Travelers can visit the rainforest to view wildlife, enjoy Costa Rica’s famous sunsets and waterfalls and go zip-lining through the canopies.
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is a haven for breathtaking views and connecting with nature—secret lagoons filled with bright coral reefs concealing rare fish, tropical forests filled with wildlife and beautiful beaches. One of our favorite French Polynesian escapes is The Brando, a groundbreaking eco-luxury resort with a mission of conservation and sustainability housed on a spectacular private island.
Related: Protecting Locals and Lions in Zimbabwe: Meet the Long Shields Lion Guardians
HISTORY & ART
Normandy & Paris, France
Normandy is a life-goal destination for many, thanks to the region’s significant role in World War II. Seeing the beaches and coastal cliffs in person and walking through the impressive rows and rows of crosses in the military cemeteries is a sobering experience. Combine the powerful history of this region with Paris, whose length and rich past lies around every corner. As for where to stay, the Hôtel Ritz Paris sits on one of the city’s most famous and beautiful neoclassical squares, Place Vendôme, and is home to Bar Hemingway, whose leather armchairs and sepia-colored photos remain virtually unchanged since the writer held court here. Be sure to visit Musée de Cluny, which reopened May 12, 2022 after a multiyear renovation that restored a 15th-century chapel and the remains of ancient Gallo-Roman baths.
London, England
London is a bustling city that effortlessly blends trends and traditions, historical gems are tucked between skyscrapers and vibrant restaurants. Get your first fix of British culture at icons like Big Ben (finally free of scaffolding after its five-year restoration!) and Westminster Abbey, and by viewing the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace. Art lovers should visit the Victoria and Albert Museum, the world’s largest museum of arts and design, with over 2.27 million pieces. A soccer game would be a great addition to your London itinerary—contact our Bookings Team to check the game schedule and to arrange reservations at the newest restaurants and exhibitions.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is flourishing with colors and sprawling mountain views, but also with a deep history and culture that makes it an incredibly unique destination. Indagare staff member Elizabeth Harvey writes of her visit to Santa Fe: “In moments, looking at the Spanish street signs and plazas, I could have imagined myself to be in Sevilla or San Miguel de Allende, but every glimpse of the purple mountain majesties in the distance was a reminder that these lands were first inhabited by the Navajo, the Apache, the Hopi, the Pueblos and their ancestors. Their descendants continue to live in Santa Fe and sovereign territories nearby, and their influence is everywhere.”
Related: Spring (and Summer) Awakening: Global Arts Preview
FOODIE FAVORITES
Oaxaca & Mexico City, Mexico
A paradise for Mezcal lovers, Oaxaca is an incredibly charming, colorful, off-the-beaten-path destination that has it all—spirituality, art, nature and seven different flavors of mole. On your culinary journey, first spend a night in Mexico City enjoying the city’s experimental cuisine at restaurants like Pujol, an Indagare Index restaurant that uses seasonal ingredients to create whimsical dishes, before heading on to the traditional flavors of Oaxaca. The best taste of Oaxaca will be found by wandering through its many markets (check out Mercado de 20 de Noviembre and Mercado Benito Juarez) and by indulging in Mezcal tastings around the city, the primary producer of Mezcal! The friendly locals make it easy to try new things, explore the music-filled cobblestone streets and immerse yourself in the community.
Madrid, Spain
Spain’s capital comes alive in the afternoon and evenings with families, friends and travelers chatting and sharing quality time over drinks and tapas. A walk through Madrid’s Lavapiés and La Latina neighborhoods will provide ample options—such as Juana La Loca for their juicy potato, eggs and confit onion pintxos (tortilla de papas y cebolla confitada) or Casa Lucas for their wine selection and mouth-watering oxtail tapa (rabo de toro). Another way to experience traditional Spanish flavors is by visiting Madrid’s many markets (the popular Mercado San Miguel, Mercado San Antón and the more local Mercado de la Paz to name a few). A great homebase is the Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, which opened in September 2020. It has since become a hub for locals and tourists alike, and with Paloma Fernandez Iriondo as the art curator, the hotel is rich with Spanish culture, with more than 1,500 pieces of art from young Spanish artists adorning the property.
Palermo, Sicily
The Madonie Mountain range sets a majestic backdrop for Palermo, an ancient and rather underrated Sicilian city where locals converse from across their balconies and beautifully chaotic food stalls fill the streets. Widely considered to be the most conquered city in the world—take note of the distinctive Arab-Norman architecture throughout the city—it is no surprise that Palermo is rich in both culture and gastronomy. A walk through the bustling outdoor street markets—Ballaro, Capo and Vucciria—will lead you to freshly squeezed pomegranate juice and must-try Sicilian dishes; freshly fried arancini, pane e panelle and sfincione. If you’re the adventurous type, set out for street food staples such as pani ca meusa, calf’s spleen sandwich. A day trip to Agrigento (two hours south on the train) will continue to unveil Sicily’s deep, multiethnic roots; Valle dei Templi (Valley of the Temples), a UNESCO site, houses some of the best-preserved Greek ruins after Athens itself.
Related: What’s New in New York City: Hotels, Restaurants & Culture in Manhattan – Spring 2022
Contact your Indagare Trip Designer (or Indagare, if you are not yet a member) to discuss the best trip ideas for traveling fathers (and family trips in general) in 2022 and beyond. Our team can provide expert travel advice and assist with custom itinerary planning, restaurant recommendations and more.
