father’s day getaways

May 29th, 2009

Wondering what to do with Dad for Father’s Day? Send him away! We love you, Dad, and you’ve been at that desk for too long. Time for a much needed vacation!

Golfing at sea on Crystal Cruises

WHAT: Not Your Average Cruise

WHY: Think cruising is just for elderly ladies?  Think again.  All of Crystal Cruises itineraries feature an impressive list of activities for men that extend way beyond bridge, shuffleboard, and marathon eating.

MAN-TIVITIES: In a single day at sea, activities abound: paddle tennis, golf lessons with a PGA professional, jogging around the wide deck, poker in a world-class casino, a work out in a fully equipped gym, and cigars and scotch during ESPN’s Top Ten of the Week, to name but a few.

GOLF SPECIAL: For men who are glued to the green, Crystal’s 2009 High Tea and Golf Tees 11-day British Isles voyage gives guys the option of onshore golf excursions at up to six different golf courses in England, Ireland, and Scotland.

WHAT: Stay and Play on Nantucket

WHY: The White Elephant Loft is the perfect center-of-town hang-out for six to ten people.  Dad can bask near the wrap-around fire place while watching the HD flat screen television.   Or stay barefoot all vacation long at The Cottages & Lofts at the Boat Basin, located right on the water.  Grill up some steaks on the BBQ-equipped decks after a day at the beach.

MAN-TIVITIES: Enjoy priority tee-times at the recently renovated Miacomet Golf Course, playing 9 to 18 along the bluffs of the Atlantic Ocean.  Surf at Surfside Beach and follow with a lobster dinner or a hearty steak at the Brant Point Grill, the island’s premier steak and seafood joint.

FISHING SPECIAL: Make the wife proud and catch a fish worthy of hanging on the wall!  Nantucket Island Resorts concierges are happy to arrange charters for guests.

WHAT: Cycling and Fishing in Santa Fe

WHY: The The Inn on the Alameda teams up with the Mellow Velo Bike Company for the “Guys Just Want to Have Fun, too!” two-night package that includes 24-hour bike rental with equipment, transportation to trailhead, 50-minute massages, all the energy drinks and nutrition bars needed, and even a $40 gift certificate for dinner at nearby Mucho Gusto.  Rates (for two) begin at $580.

MAN-TIVITIES: Also available at the Inn is the “Reel Deal“ - a three-night package that includes gear, licenses, transportation, and lunch for two days of fly fishing in the pristine rivers of northern New Mexico, courtesy of the Santa Fe Guiding Company. Rates (for two) begin at $1,200.

WHIRLPOOL SPECIAL: The Inn has two outdoor whirlpool spas for relaxation after a full day of casting or pedaling.

WHAT: Adventure in Bhutan

WHY: Explore the widely undiscovered country of Bhutan at Uma Paro with the Mountains and Monasteries – Bhutan by Bike all-inclusive biking adventure from July 5-15, 2009. Rates start at $3,263 per person, double occupancy.

MAN-TIVITIES: The itinerary leads the group through five distinctive valleys, including a descent from the kingdom’s highest road pass – La Chele at 3810 meters – and the magical Paro, Phobjikha, Punakha and Haa valleys. The ten-night tour comprises cultural road rides, remote off-road trails, huge descents, and easy river valley circuits, as well as some challenging single tracks.

FREEWHEELING SPECIAL: Don’t worry about pedaling uphill.  Support vehicles help the group to each pass so bikers can enjoy the rush of “freewheeling” with no pain.

WHAT: Man Massage in Scotland

WHY: The Spa at Gleneagles by ESPA, Scotland now offers the Golfer’s Tonic Massage, which targets swing tension held in the back and neck as well as golf-weary legs and feet.  It begins with a soothing foot soak, scrub, and massage with hot stones followed by a warming mask of paraffin wax to restore energy to fatigued feet and legs.   This one hour and ten minute massage is £90.

MAN-TIVITIES: Gleneagles Hotel also offers a shooting school, a gundog school, falconry, off-road driving, and archery.

GOLF SPECIAL: Tee-off at three legendary championship golf courses, including the PGA Centenary Course, host to the 40th Ryder Cup Matches in 2014.

WHAT: Bromance in Thailand

WHY: The newly opened Anantara Si Kao Resort & Spa is located on the shores of Changlang Beach on Thailand’s Andaman Coast.  From now until October 31, 2009, stay three nights for the price of two for $113 per night.

MAN-TIVITIES: On-site activities and excursions include swimming with the famous “sea cows,” windsurfing, pick-up soccer matches, twilight fishing, waterskiing, and scuba diving.

SCUBA SPECIAL: The resort boasts a 5-Star PADI dive center that offers a full range of training programs so all the boys can get certified on site!

WHAT: Man-up in Bali

WHY: The three-night Ubud Active package at Uma Ubud promises an action-packed adventure with rough and tumble ways to discover Bali’s backcountry.  Rates start at $1,345 double occupancy.

MAN-TIVITIES: For hikers, the Bale Timbang Trek winds through the regions misted villages and paddy fields past local temples, all the way to Uma Ubud’s sister property, COMO Shambhala Estate.  Another challenge is an exhilarating mountain bike ride down from the volcano of Mt. Batur.

RAFTING SPECIAL: Also included is a whitewater rafting descent on the Ayung River – a must for thrill seekers who want to glimpse Bali’s natural scenery, wildlife, and exotic plants.

Biking in Bhutan at Uma Paro

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