Father-bonding memories hold a special place in our hearts, right up there with your first kiss or the first time your child spoke.This coming Sunday is Father's Day, and although there's a lot of emphasis on celebrating dads on this particular day, connecting with him can and should occur all throughout the year.
Father's Day and every other day is another opportunity to bond with dad
How does one enrich the bond between father and son, or father and daughter? With a few stubbies on the back veranda? A twenty dollar gift voucher? As travelling has increased in popularity, so too have father-son and father-daughter trips.
So what's the best destination for your dad? Perhaps it involves basking in nature's splendour, challenging body and mind on a gruelling trek, or discovering the intricacies to a country's culture.
Below are seven destinations that are ideal for promoting quality bonding with dad.
For the Adventure Man - Mt Everest Base Camp
For years mountaineers have been taking on Mt Everest, with its peak their goal. However, for the average human, just making it to Everest Base Camp – an altitude of up to 5,545 metres – is a rewarding experience.
The trek, comprised of Nepal's unique Sherpa culture, steep slopes, views of snow-capped mountain ranges and local teahouses, is an exciting adventure that has become popular with fathers and their children.
You'll naturally need to support each other in order to overcome the trials of one of nature's biggest challenges, crossing glaciers, valleys, rope bridges and other mountainous terrain. Be prepared to share laughs, stories and maybe even tears before you reach your goal.
Views of Mt Everest on the way to Base Camp
For the Outdoorsman - Fraser Island
Grab the towels, the esky and definitely don't forget the fishing rods when you and your dad venture over to one of Queensland's premier island destinations.
Fraser Island is home to an incredible amount of natural attractions including a rock pool Jacuzzi (Champagne Pools), the azure Lake McKenzie and long stretches of beach to find the perfect fishing spots.
You can opt to go the rustic route and camp on the beach, giving you and the old man plenty of opportunities to enjoy each other's company, or you can hold onto the creature comforts at a Fraser Island hotel. Regardless, each day you'll have new activities waiting to be experienced.
Lake McKenzie's warm and soft white sand is toe-wiggling good
For the Culture Craver - Florence
Depending on the history and traditions your dad prefers, this destination may change. However, Florence is undoubtedly one of the world's leading cities when it comes to art and culture.
As the home of Italian Renaissance, the city has been touched by some of the most renowned creative geniuses including Dante and Michelangelo.
Florence alone is a kaleidoscope of Renaissance palaces and squares, famous statues, art galleries, and museums. You can easily give your dad more than his fill of art shows, film festivals, theatrical entertainment and historical exhibitions.
Florence's Renaissance architecture instills a sense of other-worldly culture
For the Stay-Close-To-Home Man - Hunter Valley
There's no need to travel around the globe for a great getaway with your dad. If he's not adverse to a glass or two of vino and views of the lush Australian hinterland, the Hunter Valley region in New South Wales may be his perfect destination. It's also only two hours north of Sydney, making for an easy weekend getaway.
Although there are plenty of cellar doors to duck into for wine tastings, ingesting a drop of the good stuff isn't the only fun to be had.
Local markets and cheese shops make for interesting treasure hunting; golf courses, horse riding and cycling help you burn off the grapes; and art galleries and museums let you discover more about the eclectic area.
There's a feeling of endless adventure with the Simpson Desert stretched out before you
For the man who's done it all - Surely he hasn't ticked these off...
Is your dad someone who's been everywhere and seen everything? Maybe he's just never heard of the glass igloos at the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Finland. These offer the rather unique luxury of being able to fall asleep under the shimmering green lightshow of the Northern Lights.
And then there's Big Red, the largest sand dune in Australia's Simpson Desert. Picture sitting side by side with your dad as you gun a 4WD up Big Red's sandy slope, bouncing along and willing the vehicle not to get bogged. And that memorable feeling of achievement and elation you'll both feel upon reaching the top.
The journey out to the Simpson is an adventure in itself, taking you through classic Australian Outback towns and along endless stretches of red-dirt road.
finland florence fraser island hunter valley new south wales queensland sydney
