Taking the Kids: 20+ best gifts for traveling

Is your dad a chef extraordinaire? Does he seek out unique restaurants and markets when he travels? Maybe he’d rather visit a craft brewery or winery. Would he be more inclined to chase city lights, play golf or head into the great outdoors? Beach or mountains? Does he take his pooch whenever possible?

If you are nodding yes to any of the above, we’ve got plenty of ideas for the dads in your life that are guaranteed to please as well as be sustainable.

First, let’s consider clothes for his next adventure. The more versatile, the less he needs to pack. My husband lived in his Men’s Active Traveler Stretch Pant ($110 from Royal Robbins) on our recent transatlantic cruise. They are breathable, water resistant and UPF +50 with multiple pockets. And while he was turned away from the dining room for wearing jeans one night, the travel pants passed muster. Royal Robbins Desert Pucker dry shirts (now in long sleeves, $85, as well as short sleeves, $75, and certified as carbon neutral, are breathable, lightweight, and quick drying.

Patagonia’s new Quandary Joggers are also a good bet ($119). They’re made from recycled fishing nets to help reduce ocean plastic pollution, are water repellent and offer 40+ UPF sun protection.

Whether climbing a mountain, hitting the beach or exploring a new city, Outerknown’s new Hooded Sun Shirt ($98) is also a good bet. It’s made from 100 percent recycled polyester with UPF 50+ sun protection, and is quick drying, moisture-wicking and has anti-odor properties.

A new rain jacket that folds into a pocket, a puffy vest or jacket are always good gifts for a dad, whether he is heading to tour national parks or a foreign city. (Check REI or L.L. BEAN, as well as Patagonia.)

REI, incidentally, has great bets for outdoors-loving dads including a Flexlite Camp Boss Chair ($89.95) that has a wider seat, easy setup and can be stored in the included stuff sack. There’s also a Cool Haul Soft Cooler ($99.95) for all of his craft beers. And for the dad who is a birder, book s for the region where he lives – or plans to travel (starting at under $20).

For the dad who hates to leave his pooch behind, Gentlemen’s Hardware has created Field + Wander, a line of curated dog toys and essentials, including a collapsible dog bowl ($22) a treat bag ($20) and a 2-in-1 water bottle that is a water bottle and water bowl combo ($26). Chewy.com also stocks a mobile dog gear tote travel bag with collapsible bowls, a place mat and plenty of storage space, a travel pillow dog mat ($24.99) and even a hands-free padded sling dog and cat carrier ($24.72), among the options.

For the foodie (and chef) a cooking class where he is traveling will always be met with approval. Tinggly offers hundreds of food tours and cooking experiences across the country and in many cities around the world (starting at under $100). Context travel is another good bet whether dad is going to be in Paris, New York (how about a focus on Italian?), London (how about a beer tour?) or Portugal (a wine tour in Porto). And if dad is heading out on a cruise, see if there is a food-oriented excursion (like we did on a recent Regent cruise) or a cooking class on board that you can gift him. At Giftory.com you can shop by experience (a hot air balloon ride in Napa Valley, a cocktail making class in NYC, a helicopter tour over the Grand Canyon, among the options ), as well as by location in the United States. You can also buy a gift card for an experience offered by one of these companies.

If Dad’s heading to a resort, you could always gift him a massage, a tennis or golf lesson or cover the greens fees at the golf course. If you know a winery, brewery, or distillery he will be visiting, you can get him a gift card for a bottle, a T-shirt, a cap, or another souvenir.

...continued

swipe to next page