New adventures for stags and hens
ONCE IT was a s i mpl e b a r - crawl for him, a giggly girls’ night for her. But now t he stag and hen e x p e r i e n c e has become so much more. Las Vegas is still hot, with shows, shopping and spas. Stop over for a casino night before heading to Mustang Monument, Nevada, where a team of rodeo champions, cowboys and ex-Navy seals offer horse riding, off-road driving, target shooting and card games with bourbon — the bunkhouse is a western wagon.
Most of these are available in Scotland, too. Gleneagles offers horse riding, off-road driving, shooting, whisky tasting, falconry and gundog training, as well as an Espa spa. Or take in a Dover-sole-filleting and gravadlax-making demo plus smoked salmon lunch at George Campbell & Sons. And Wilderness Scotland tailor-makes activities including sea kayaking, exploring islands and discovering wildlife. Whisky tasting is also available at The Capital in Knightsbridge, which pairs fine single malts with English cheese. A 45-minute tasting could be preceded by a Cornish fish dinner at Nathan Outlaw’s Michelinstarred restaurant.
A tasteful alternative to the stripper is a life-drawing session. Atelier Tammam arranges sessions for parties of two to 12, and also runs classes in fashion illlustration. More fun yet selfimproving activities include macaron making — Ganache Macaron has professional kitchens in Hackney but will bring the baking kit to your home if you wish; and Frillybylily offers jewellery workshops, tea and cake.
But how lovely to celebrate in Venice if you can, where Dreamsmith has designed a waterborne treasure hunt with meals and drinks, opera and a visit to a designer fabric manufacturer. Or, in Tuscany, learn to make pasta with the Michelinstarred chef at Castello del Nero, which has its own spa, or pizza at Castello di Casole, which also has a spa and is very conveniently located for the Prada outlet.