Getaways for Dad: Golf in Britain, New Mexico fly-fishing

Father’s Day, on June 21, is once again around the corner. He already has a closetful of unused neckties and a Magellan RoadMate might offend his direction-confident ego, so what to do? To really knock it out of the park this year, give Dad a getaway full of fun, rest and relaxation.

Crystal Cruises is advertising a “High Tea & Golf Tees” cruise, sailing Aug. 23 to Sept. 3, 2009, round-trip from London. The luxury liner will stop, over 11 days, at some of the most well-reputed golf courses in Britain and Ireland, including Gleneagles and the Royal Belfast Golf Club. Aboard the ship, golfers can tune in to PGA golf-pro instructions, guest lectures and TaylorMade demos.

Rates for this cruise start at $5,800 per person (including taxes and fees), based on double occupancy. Unfortunately this rate does not cover the optional golf outings, but it does come with a $1,000 per person shipboard spending credit, which can be used toward the golf excursions.

If your credit cards can’t quite handle that one, how’s this as an alternative: The Inn on the Alameda in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is offering a “Reel Deal” package for anglers. For rates starting at $1,200 (pretax) for two people, you get a three-night stay, a daily continental breakfast, daily wine-and-cheese reception, two days of fly-fishing instruction, daily lunch and all fishing gear, license and transportation to/from fishing sites.

Still too pricey? Take the above as inspiration and craft your own getaway itinerary for pops. Forget cruises and treat him to a kayaking-and-camping trip around the Channel Islands. And who needs New Mexico when we’ve got fishing in Big Bear and cycling in nearby national forests? For the oenophiles, fantastic day trips and weekenders can be had centered around Los Olivos or Paso Robles.

Get creative, but instead of another stuffy tie or starched shirt, do get the man something that involves a breath of fresh air.

Contact: Crystal Cruises, (888) 722-0021; Inn on the Alameda, (888) 984-2121

- Susan Derby, Special to the Los Angeles Times

[Top photo credit: Crystal Cruises. Bottom photo credit: Inn on the Alameda]

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 29, 2009 at 11:17 am by Susan Derby and is filed under Deals, Europe, Family & Kids, Golf, Great Britain, Hotels, Luxury Travel, New Mexico, Outdoors & Adventure. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.