If you’re trying to come up with a special gift for your dad this Father’s Day or want to celebrate another dad in your life, forget about the traditional tie and get him something he’ll really love, a TRAVEL THERAPY trip he’ll remember forever. That’s right in this edition of Travel Tuesdays we’re highlighting the best travel trips for dad for Father’s Day and beyond.

I don’t know how hard your dad is to buy for when the holidays roll around but my dad gives new meaning to the word impossible! I’ll ask him for a few ideas and he’ll actually tell me about some things he’d really love to have but then he’ll go out and buy them before I can get them, always insisting he found “a great deal.” Uggg!

So a few years ago I started getting smart and started giving my dad trips for Father’s Day. I’m not talking about big expensive week long vacations, but mini-escapes, where he can do what he loves most. Now every year when a holiday rolls around he can’t wait to see what I’ve come up with  next.

Even with the economy taking a big bite out of all our pocketbooks you can still find some fantastic top trips for dad where you can get rooms for as little as $35 dollars a night! Here are some of my favorite TRAVEL THERAPY trip ideas featuring the best trips for dad.

TOP TEN TRIPS FOR DADS

Ziplining in PUERTO RICO

No passport needed for this jungle adventure. Puerto Rico is an affordable  hassle free destination for any dad that loves to walk, or swing, on the wild side! Check out Acampa Nature Adventures where an all day adventure of hiking, cave exploring and ziplining right now runs just over a $170 for the entire day including transportation and lunch. The bargains continue at the Marriott Resort & Stellairs Casino where rates start at around $209 dollars and you get the fourth night FREE, plus daily breakfast, a $200 resort credit and a $100 debit card. For more: www.marriott.com/san-juan-resort & www.acampapr.com

Golfing in FLORIDA

Head to Florida for some fantastic golf specials right now where the prices haven’t been this low in years. If your dad loves to golf he’s going to love the unlimited golf special at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami where for just $99 a person you get your room, a golf clinic, unlimited golf on two courses, breakfast and use of the driving range. Runs thru October 31. For more: www.doralresort.com and use the promotional code GOF.

Fishing in VAIL, CO 

Here’s one of my dad’s favorite TRAVEL THERAPY trips, fishing! To really give your dad a special experience pick a destination like Vail where the fish are biting and the prices are affordable this time of year. You can find great rooms in Vail for as low as $109 a night at the Vail Cascade Lodge. You can rent a fishing pole and get a one day license for under $25 dollars and the name of the game here is fly fishing. Never tried it before? No problem, sign dad up for a free lesson with Gore Creek Fly Fisherman. You can find these free casting clinics going on every day during the summer at 10:30 in the morning along Gore Creek. For more: www.vailvisitorsbureau.com

Stay & Play, LAS VEGAS, NV 

I had to put Las Vegas on the list for two reasons. One, because it’s so incredibly affordable right now with rooms as low as $35, and two because it’s one of the first trips I took my dad on and he still talks about it. You don’t have to be a gambler to apprecite Sin City. You can soak up the sun at the pool and take advantage of all the crazy specials and freebies. Just walking the Strip is entertainment in itself and of course you can also find some great golf deals here if your dad doesn’t mind the heat. For more: www.visitlasvegas.com

Surf’s Up! HAWAII

If your dad’s looking to chill out at the beach and knock back a few cold ones there has never been a better time to visit Hawaii. Prices throughout the island are too good to pass up right now. Whether your dad likes the action of Waikiki or wants the quiet of Kauai, Hawaii has some special affordable finds with airfare to the islands as low as $400. For the latest specials go to:  www.gohawaii.com

Kayaking, NOVA SCOTIA 

I put Nova Scotia on the top trips for dads list because it’s one of those gems of a destinations that’s off the beaten path but doesn’t take you two days to get to. Most people don’t realize you can get to the capitol, Halifax, from New York in just about two hours and the prices right now in Nova Scotia are a bargain! Add in the thrill of Sea Kayaking and this is a trip your dad will always thank you for. Right now take advantage of a kayaking special called “Freewheeling Adventure” that runs just $50 for the full day. www.freewheeling.ca/ You can find plenty of rooms for under $100. Try the Dauphinee Inn, in Hubbard, that’s located right on the shore and just 45 minutes from the Halifax airport. http://dauphineeinn.com.

Sports Trip, SAN DIEGO, CA 

If you have trouble prying your dad away from the television when he’s watching his favorite games don’t fight it, take sporty dad on a TRAVEL THERAPY trip that’s tailor made just for him. Across the country sporting events are partnering up with hotels doing everything they can to keep people traveling and going to games. In San Diego the legendary US Grant Hotel has a great new deal called “Take Me Out to the Ballpark” where for $269 a night dad can take a friend, have a luxury room and get two tickets to the Padres where the seats are right behind home plate! How’s that for a homerun! For more: www.usgrant.net.

Show Time, NEW YORK, NY

For dad’s craving a little culture head to New York City where right now you can score some great savings on hotel rooms for a change. You’ll also find hundreds of theatre, comedy club, sports and museum discounts by going to sites like www.broadwaybox.com. The summer is a super time to explore Manhattan because the city pretty much empties over the weekend when everyone heads to the Hamptons and this is when hotel prices are at their lowest. For the latest deals go to: www.nycgo.com

Wine Tasting, NAPA & SONOMA, CA

If dad enjoys sipping some vino a great choice for a getaway is to send him to Napa and Sonoma Valley, California, where you’ll find some of the top wineries in the world, several hundred of them! Almost all of the wineries right now are offering special free tastings and you can also cut costs by putting together your own picnic lunch, buying your favorite bottle of wine and making a day of it. Also check out Vino Bella Resort offering 25% off. Some TRAVEL THERAPY favorite winery stops include: Gloria Ferrer, Rutherford and Cakebread Cellars. For more: www.sonomavalley.com & www.napavalley.com

Race Car Driving School, USA

Gentlemen start your engines! If your dad is an adrenalin junkie chances are he’s always dreamed about doing a trip like this. Racing school are notoriously spendy but right now a top school that’s been around more than thirty years, Skip Barber, is offering some great specials including up to 25 percent off. Special introductory and advanced classes are offered at top racetracks around the country. Good tracks to check out this time of year are in Phoenix and Miami where you can also find great hotel deals and usually good weather. (My dad is still bugging me about wanting to do this one, maybe next year, Dad!) For more: www.skipbarber.com

For more inspiring trips for dad and the entire family or maybe you’re looking for a girlfriend getaway, check out my new book TRAVEL THERAPY: Where Do You Need to Go? featuring more than 100 unique destinations worldwide.

Also, stay tuned for next week’s TRAVEL TUESDAYS feature where we’ll rundown the top travel deals and affordable vacation ideas!