Sun, culture and the occasional bar hop…

Hen and stag weekends by Liz Bird

Sun, culture and the occasional bar hop…

There’s more to offer stag and hen groups than a boozy weekend away

There’s more to offer stag and hen groups than a boozy weekend away

It’s not just sales of honeymoon and wedding packages that provide good commission for agents. Hen and stag weekends can also prove lucrative sellers and there is much more to offer than the traditional boozy weekend in Amsterdam or Dublin.

A host of short breaks are now available for groups of men and women who want to shop, dine out or soak up some last-minute rays before the big day.

Superbreak Mini-Holidays sales director Ian Mounser said the operator has seen a 60% increase in group bookings in the last year. Golf breaks are proving particularly popular.

But Mounser warns that hoteliers will ask for a fully refundable security bond on arrival in case of property damage caused by boisterous large groups of guests. Kirker Holidays sales director Ted Wake stresses the importance of informing hoteliers about the type of group being accommodated. “It is not worth destroying long-term relationships with them. It would be an error to pretend such clients are grown-up people on a history tour,” he said.

Amsterdam: easy to explore on foot and good for a pub crawl

Party animals

Destination: Amsterdam. The great thing about Amsterdam is that it is easily explored by foot, which makes it perfect for a bar crawl. Visit the city’s number one tourist attraction, the notorious red-light district, or experience some of the bars and cafés. There are more than 1,400 throughout the city. The network of 17th-century canals and gabled merchant houses also makes it an extremely attractive place to visit.

Sample price: Amsterdam Travel Service offers two nights at the three-star Hem hotel for £200 per person during March and April next year. The price includes flights from Heathrow, bed and breakfast and airport transfers.

Shopaholics

Destination: Milan. Nothing can beat shopping in the world’s design and fashion capital. Top Italian designer gear can be found at the two main shopping areas at Via della Spiga and Via Monte Napoleone. The group can also eat out at the trendy restaurants based around the network of canals at Navigli. A bit of culture can be thrown in with a viewing of some of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous masterpieces such as The Last Supper. And there are also a few Italian men to ogle.

Sample price: Travelscene offers a three-night break to the Italian city from £245 per person based on Alitalia flights from Gatwick and bed-and-breakfast accommodation at the three-star Corallo hotel.

Milan: shoppers’ paradise

Sun worshippers

Destination: Nice. Combine a weekend sunning yourself in the French Riviera with some great shopping and nightlife. Many of the hotels are located close to the palm-fringed Promenade des Anglais where the city meets the Mediterranean and the French walk their poodles. Enjoy lunch or dinner in many of the seaside restaurants or in the atmospheric squares. The group can alsoventure further afield to nearby Monte Carlo and Cannes.

Sample price: Thomson Breakaway offers a two-night stay at the three-star De Flore Hotel, only 100 metres from the beach, from £299 per person including return flights from Heathrow, breakfast and a guide book.

Nice: Riviera sun trap

Thrill seekers

Destination: Falkirk. Located 20 minutes from Edinburgh the four-star Radisson SAS Airth Castle is ideal for action-packed hen and stag parties. Activities include paintballing, go-karting, quad biking and golf.

Sample price: £31 per person per night bed and breakfast based on two sharing, with Superbreak in November, December or January 2001. The operator guarantees a minimum discount of one free place for every 15 paying adults. Other suitable destinations featured include Dublin, Newcastle and Cheltenham.

Culture vultures

Destination: Madrid. In a city that never sleeps, city breakers can enjoy sherry, beer and tapas in many of the bars and restaurants around the colonnaded Plaza Mayor or Puerta del Sol until the early hours. Next day take in some of the art at two of the world’s finest galleries – the Prado and Thyssen.

Sample price: Kirker Holidays offers a two-night stay at the two-star Londres hotel from £277 per person including flights and arrival transfer.