Father's Day 2025: Writers Recount Cherished Travel Adventures with Their Old Man
My old man ain't much for vacationing for fun. He'll tag along if we remind him, but he's content staying put, spending time with his loved ones. Despite his reluctance, which I seem to inherit despite being a travel journalist, he sure as hell loves exploring new places once he's there. As an engineer, he's interested in the engineering and aesthetics of the city he's in, but what really draws his attention is the language(s) of the destination.
He'll tell me stories about his trips, like the time before the pandemic when he was working in Belarus. He was captivated by the Cyrillic script on the road signs, buildings, and newspapers of Minsk. He even taught me the proper pronunciation of a few basic words. What I adore most about this passion of his is the joy in his voice as he learns, corrects, and repeats phrases in different languages like Punjabi, Russian, and Arabic. This insatiable curiosity doesn't make him fluent in every language he's studied, but it shows his eagerness to learn about other cultures and understand their histories through their languages.
This Father's Day, we've rounded up some of the most heartwarming, funny, and emotional accounts of traveling with the father figures in our lives, thanks to the team at Outlook Traveller. We hope it inspires you to think about your old man's quirks during vacation, and maybe even plan a trip together.
'My Old Man's Eagerness for Weird Eats on Holiday Is Unmatched'
I never realized it until recently, but I've been a travel aficionado because of my dad. Growing up, I recall him heading off on work trips every fortnight, within India or abroad. He was always on the move, which seemed cool to me as a kid. Consequently, I wanted any job that involved lots of travel – just like his!
We didn't travel together much as kids, but I remember we always teamed up and he made sure I got to do whatever I wanted – even if that meant lounging around all day or just strolling to a café nearby and calling it a day. Hong Kong Disneyland comes to mind; my dad and I skipped the rollercoasters to eat and snap photos, while my mom went for the more adventurous rides.
Another recollection is my dad introducing us to the local food in the destinations. Sure, he may not be up for thrilling activities, but he can't resist trying quirky foods that most people skip. Look no further than our family holidays, where my dad couldn't help but get distracted by street vendors selling something unusual before catching up to us to sample it. Now that I think about it, maybe his curiosity has rubbed off on me.
Shreya Cheema is the assistant editor at Outlook Traveller, also working on Outlook Eats
'Getting My Driver's License Showed Me How Much My Dad Loves Me'
I find peace in travel, whether it's the beach or the cool winds of the mountains. A memory I treasure of me and my dad is him urging me to "enjoy the breeze, the ocean" while I was young. He's always made me relax, encouraging me to take it slow.
Over the years, going on trips with dad turned into a memory, and we drifted apart. That is, until our trip to McLeodganj, where we rediscovered our bond. I had just got my driver’s license and planned a road trip with my parents. My dad was ecstatic because he had a driving partner for this trip. After packing, we set off – excited for a vacation that, for me, was a step towards independence. Sleeping with a smile, I was looking forward to the driving and sharing responsibilities with dad.
The most memorable part of that ride was my dad trusting me with the wheel, giving me a sense of independence, while secretly taking candid pictures of me. He was there for everything, from cleaning my glasses for the perfect pics to helping me snack in between. He boasted to the resort manager that I had driven them there, but I quickly corrected him, reminding him I had only driven half the distance. He responded with a smile, saying, "That's more than enough."
I've had my fair share of disagreements and fun with dad, from arguing over travel planning to debating what to eat next. But that mountain trip made me realize that my dad cares for me more than I can imagine, and most importantly, he is incredibly proud of me.
Nishtha Kawrani is a features writer for Outlook Eats
'Dadhood Isn't Limited by Genetics, It's About Warmth, Security, and Unconditional Love'
There's a time in life when, as an adult, you reflect on beloved memories from the past, longing for the warmth and joy they brought. Travel evokes such emotions, transporting us to serene beaches, cool mountain air, or distant lands.
Delving into my most joyful memories, I see my childhood shining with happiness, laughter, and love. Whenever I look deep into that bucket of memories, I find a child's hand wrapped around an old, wrinkled one. You'll see me teaching my grandfather a poem, waiting eagerly for him to return from work with sweets, or a young girl sitting with her grandfather – simply happy.
This man raised me. He played the role of a grandfather, but to me, he meant so much more. He embodied patience, kindness, care, and unconditional love. Society may categorize relationships, but my grandfather redefined them for me.
I recall our trips together. One such memory takes me back to the sweltering summer in July when I was about 8 years old. He took me to Chandigarh for a visit to the zoo. It was my first time ever visiting a zoo, and despite the scorching heat, he made sure I got to see the animals.
I remember being scared of the snakes and immediately hiding behind him, safe and secure. My grandfather was always there for me, warm, comforting, and strong. As we walked, I heard a loud roar, and that was it – I didn't want to see the zoo anymore. But my grandfather saw my fear and led me to a nearby café for a refreshing cold drink, creating a moment of understanding that left me forever grateful.
A few days later, we visited Nek Chand's Rock Garden. This time, I was excited. But after walking around for a bit, I tired out and asked others to carry me. They just told me to be brave and keep walking. Then I looked at my grandfather. Before I could speak, he picked me up and said, "Come, little one, let's explore the garden."
Despite there being no nearby shops, he ran out to find me crisps and a drink – my idea of fun. My family was tired, but my grandfather kept making sure I was happy.
I lost my grandfather to Alzheimer's disease, but his fond memories, kindness, and love live on. His gradual loss of memories made me realize how precious each moment of life truly is.
Crisps don't taste the same anymore, not without him. They don't have the magic they used to when they came with his smile and love.
Our children want us to grow up, play the part of adults, and dream of independence. But when we grow up, we realize there's a child within us who longs for safety, love, and laughter.
Fatherhood transcends biological ties, encompassing warmth, protection, and unconditional love. This Father's Day, I send my heartfelt message to my grandfather – the one who taught me love, kindness, and acceptance.
Rahat Sharma is the social media executive for Outlook Traveller, Outlook Eats, and Outlook Luxe
Father's Day Special: 7 Experiences To Celebrate Dad
IndiaHong KongChandigarhMcLeodganj
- Tracing my dad's love for linguistics through his tales of traveling, I find myself equally keen on learning new languages, appreciating the histories they represent, just like him.
- Our shared passion for travel extends beyond the love for exotic landscapes; it includes an eagerness to discover the local cuisines, particularly the weird and unusual eats, as I've seen throughout our family holidays.
