Travel Writer, Liz Wilson, takes a look at possible overseas locations for Hen and Stag Dos and the associated costs of essentials like food and wine.
The popularity of hen and stag dos in the sun is as high as ever, with one in three stags and hens heading abroad and spending an average of £550 each*.
With the ability to book separate hotels and low-cost flights, friends of the bride and groom can now just as easily catch a plane to Amsterdam as a bus to Brighton.
But Cooptravelshop.co.uk says that it’s vital to pick the right destination – or guests could end up with an overdraft as well as a hangover.
Traditional Euro- zone destinations such as Dublin, Amsterdam and Barcelona, which are still extremely popular for the ‘last night of freedom’ knees up, hit British wallets hard due to currency fluctuations.
But there are financial rewards for those willing to go far. According to Cooptravelshop.co.uk, Las Vegas has hit the jackpot thanks to the amount of US dollars to the pound, cheap dining and drinking deals offered in many of the Strip’s casinos.
Eastern European countries are also establishing themselves as favoured stag and hen do haunts.
Tallinn in Estonia is the newest rising star for a stag or hen weekend, thanks to its trendy all-night club culture that is eclipsing major party cities like Amsterdam and Barcelona.
Prague, in the Czech Republic, is also continuing its rise in the rankings for stag and hen venues. Known as the Amsterdam of the East, Prague is the place where Pilsner beer was invented. So a packed pub, where beer costs an average 80p a pint, is never far away. The Czech Republic itself also boasts over 40 spa towns for hen weekenders.
Paul Drew, eCommerce Marketing Manager for cooptravelshop.co.uk, apollotravel.co.uk and cumbriacruise.co.uk says: “The days where you spent your last night of freedom over a couple of beers in the local pub have come to an end. It’s now evolved into a more elaborate affair as people are not satisfied with going for a single night out. People now want a short break that they can truly remember for years to come. But with careful planning and research with an expert, it’s easy to ensure that friends aren’t dissatisfied or priced out of the hen and stag do party.”
Paul added: “It’s also vital that whoever is organising the party ensures that everyone has adequate travel insurance. Foreign Office research has suggested some 24% of stag and hen goers face problems abroad, ranging from money, credit cards and tickets being lost or stolen to people falling ill or getting injured.”
Cooptravelshop.co.uk’s quick stag/hen do guide:
Las Vegas
- Average drink prices: All of Las Vegas’ bars offer happy hour deals, which can range from 2-4-1 deals to 99 cent Margheritas and bottled beer from $1(57p).
- Average meal price: Nowhere can travellers dine as well for so little. The ultimate eating experience for the smallest price is the ‘Las Vegas buffet’. Started in 1940 at the original El Rancho Vegas Hotel on the Strip, it was originally the “Midnight Chuck Wagon Buffet – All you can eat for a dollar.” This idea of treating guests to an elaborate array of food for a small price was copied by other hotels and the ‘Las Vegas buffet’ was born. Many hotels feature weekend champagne brunches. They cost more but include all the bubbly a person can drink. Shrimp cocktails are another enticement for which Las Vegas is famous. The shrimp are huge and the price is low — generally no more than $1.50 (85p) and still 99 cents (56p) at Golden Gate.
- Hotel accommodation: Visitors can get rooms from £17 at the El Cortez hotel in Downtown Vegas, right up to plush rooms at the Bellagio from £142. Vegas offers rooms for every budget.
Enjoy a 3 night stay in the Vegas Club Hotel and Casino on a room only basis for 3 nights from just £2358 for 6 adults. That’s just £393 per person. Includes flights from Gatwick, 20 May 06. Includes all taxes.
Prague
- Average drink prices: 80p for a pint of beer
- Average meal price: In normal bars, restaurants and shops, food and drink costs are roughly half the price of Western European countries. A uniquely Czech meal usually includes beef or pork draped in a thick sauce with sides of potatoes or dumplings. Don’t expect to spend more than £6 for two courses and a pint.
- Hotel accommodation: Something for every budget. You can get rooms in the centre of Prague for under £20 per person.
- Stay in the picturesque city of Prague for 2 nights from £630 for 6 adults that’s only £105 per person. Enjoy a stay at the 2* Slavia Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. Includes flights from Gatwick, 27 September 06.
Tallinn, Estonia
- Average drink prices: From £1 for a pint of beer
- Average meal prices: Main courses in a restaurant will normally cost between 90 and 100 Estonian Kroon (£3.90 – £4.40) but cafes, bars and pubs often offer much cheaper alternatives. Tallinn has a wide and varied assortment of restaurants and eateries, ranging from the traditional establishments offering Estonian as well as international food, to ethnic restaurants, pizzerias and also some fine dining places.
- Hotel accommodation: Varied hotels and hostels to suit all pockets. Rooms at cheaper hotels from £27.25pp.
Escape to Tallinn for a 3 night break and stay in the 2* Dzingel Hotel on a bed and breakfast basis. Includes flights from Heathrow. From £1393 for 6 adults, that’s just £232 per person, 17 June 06.
Cooptravelshop.co.uk has created a stag and hen do web guide for Las Vegas, Prague and Tallinn, for best men and bridesmaids.
Visit Cooptravelshop’s stag and hen guide for more information.
*Source: EggInsure
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