Costa Brava Hen Weekends to Match all Expectations

We girls are much more complex than boys. You know that most stags will be happy with booze, strippers and food. And whilst we’re also partial to these things, from my experience, each hen party is different.

Which category does your group fall into?

Party Girls: You like a drink or ten and want fun, fun, fun for the whole weekend? Then come to Lloret de Mar! I’ll take you hen paintballing or hen quad biking before arming you with VIP entrances to the hottest clubs packed with even hotter Spanish guys. Anything goes over here!

Relaxing Girls: You work hard all year round and you are looking for a relaxed hen do spent being pampered during the day and sipping cocktails by night. Lloret de Mar it is then. I’ll whisk you off to a 5 star health spa and then let you loose to sample some of the swish bars where you can all let your hair down and celebrate the last few days of freedom.

Classy Girls: Looking for somewhere to max out the plastic and treat yourself? Choose a Lloret de Mar hen weekend for my Ultimate Hen shopping experience.  Top of the range labels from top of the range retail outlets over here girls! Then relax at night with my hen wining and dining experience.

For totally different hen weekends in Spain to suit all tastes and expectations, give me a call – you know it makes sense. 

Lloret de Mar: the Perfect Place for a Hen Party: it’s Official! By Sarah.

Sizzling sunshine versus grey skies … it’s no wonder more and more hen parties are jetting off around Europe in search of fun, fun, fun before the big day.

According to the Office for National Statistics, Lloret de Mar accounts for over 11% of all non-UK hen party destinations.

And hen party organiser and well-known Costa Brava personality Aunty Andrea reckons she knows why:

“Lloret de Mar hen weekends cater for everyone, whatever budget they’re on. There are endless rows of pubs, clubs and restaurants offering everything from the cheap to the sublime and a vast range of accommodation options – and shops as far as the eye can see! With easy access from Barcelona and Girona airports, Lloret de Mar makes the ideal destination for hen party travellers who want a quick flight and maximum party time!”

Aunty Andrea organises Lloret de Mar hen weekends filled with anything and everything from shopping to horse riding; from spa pampering to paintballing. Go on, become a statistic and find out for yourself just why Lloret de Mar earned its reputation as the party capital of the Costa Brava!

Hen Weekends to make the boys Jealous

Ladies often say to me they think stag weekends always sound more fun than hen weekends with the action and adventure they get stuck in to.

Well girls, anything they can do, we can do better! I can do you a hen weekend in Spain that has more balls than anything the guys can muster up.

An action packed  Lloret de Mar hen weekend could see you taking aim with some hen paint balling, showing that girls really do rule the road in hen go-karting and going off-road with hen quad biking.

Alternatively you could take the hen weekend experience to new heights by hanging on tight with treetop hen monkey swinging or maybe you could try climbing up cliff faces then completely letting go with hen cave diving and swimming.

Since we are ladies after all, you can make sure you find time for some hen party sun bathing as well, either on the beaches of the  Lloret de Mar or on the sun decks during an exclusive Catamaran Party cruise.

Oh, and we mustn’t forget that Aunty has the personal phone numbers of the sexiest male strippers in Spain to get you hotter than you will have been all weekend: now that’s what I call a party!

A Hen weekend to get you Red Carpet ready

It’s award season in the entertainment world and that means the world’s most manicured women are glamming up with new designer dresses and photo ready facials.

There should be no reason why you have to miss out on the fun and you can have your own taste of the glitz and glamour with a Barcelona and  Lloret de Mar hen weekend.

Barcelona’s chic boutiques are becoming almost as famous as the WAGs that shop there and you can try them out with a hen ultimate shopping experience. You can shop till you drop in the mall voted by style bible Vanity Fair as one of the top ten designer outlets in Europe. You and the girls on your Spanish hen party will be able to treat yourselves to luxury gear with 60% off high street prices.

Once you have your hand bags and glad rags, it’s back to Lloret de Mar to continue your red carpet weekend with a little pre-party hen pampering. Keeping things exclusive, I have found a fantastic hidden treasure beauty parlour where you can have a five-star chocolate and caviar facial and even a touch of botox or filler injections if you need a bit of a topping up.

That just leaves the party to get sorted and whilst I can’t offer you Elton’s house, I can sort out VIP passes to jump the queues at some of the best hen bars and clubs in Lloret de Mar for you and your hens to dance the night away, looking fabulous in your new outfits and looking nothing short of film stars!

A Hen Party fit for a Princess

I doubt anyone was surprised when Kate Middleton announced where she was planning to hold her hen party. Yep, totally predictable, she announced an “exclusive London hotspot”, the ones us everyday girls will never get a glimpse of.

But is that what you want for your hen party? Wouldn’t you rather be in stunning surroundings enjoying some sun and fresh air?

Of course you would, so let’s talk about Spain’s Costa Brava. Yes we can offer wall to wall bars and clubs, boutiques and salons; but we also have glorious coastal views and miles of beautiful beaches with exciting hidden coves.

Costa Brava hen weekends can be anything you want them to be, princess class. From our Beautiful Hens package which includes a trip to a luxurious Spanish beauty parlour for a selection of five star treatments to our Hens on Horseback adventure where you get to explore the beauty of Spain’s hidden gem whilst partaking in one of the most relaxing pastimes ever.

A hen weekend in Spain can be anything you want it to be. So for a classy hen party that would make Kate Middleton and her friends jealous, fly over and see me on Spain’s Costa Brava and I’ll take care of your every need. 

GUEST BLOG: Sarah Mac on Food and Wine in Spain

I don’t know about you but my idea of socialising isn’t sitting in a loud bar not having a conversation. I like to talk; and I like food. And wine; I really like wine. Set me up with a 2004 Rioja Reserva or better a 2001 Gran Reserva; or a 1998 Priorat or even a 2007 Emporda from the Costa Brava and I’ll be a happy girl.

Spain Food and Wine

I love Spain for food and wine. I adore the ‘sobre mesa’; sitting around the dinner table enjoying several courses of honestly prepared food and a variety of complementary beverages. And conversation. I run a business, and I love to talk about life; politics; economics; the stuff that makes the world go round. And as luck would have it, Spanish people love this type of conversation: they engage in it with a passion you’ll never experience over here.

For Starters…

Favourite foods? Well for starters I’m really into a table full of variety. There’s nothing like the aroma, appetising aesthetics and mouth watering taste of freshly and expertly carved Jamon ibérico: cured ham off the bone; but not just any Jamon ibérico; the more you eat this stuff the more you demand; like wine really. Quick lesson then:

The best (and most expensive) jamón ibérico is called jamón ibérico de bellota. What this means is the pigs are free range and before they become food, they happily walk about in oak tree forests feeding on acorns. The nutty taste that results is unbelievable; I can’t get across the way my taste buds are tingling thinking of how the flavours infiltrate those sensitive sections on your tongue, especially when conjugated with the right wine, which to harmonise with this flavoursome nibble has to be a short and sweet number like a Malaga wine or a Moscatel. It just works; trust me.

Schmaturated Fat

So, jamón ibérico de bellota is what you need as part of your perfect starter and whatever you do, don’t mess about taking the fat off: it’s a superb, melt in the mouth delicacy so get it down your neck and enjoy something a bit non Weight Watchers for a change. Saturated fat: schmaturated fat.

Love Cheese

Next: cheese. There’s no messing about here. Spain isn’t really a cheese board country like France or southern England. You don’t get a selection and they don’t dress it up with grapes or crackers: Queso Manchego is what you’ll be given in most places, and the dryer the better. Why? Because it goes better with your wine.

Clamming Up

What else to start? Razor clams. I can’t even say that out loud without yearning. You need a good drop of exceptionally dry and frighteningly cold palomino fino though to really get the best out of them. A good starter wine: Tio Pepe, served uncompromisingly cold as they say, is the perfect partner.

Main Course

I haven’t even dusted the surface here for starters but I’m not allowed that much room on this hen weekends in Spain blog so I’d better get on with the main course.

Andrea said I can only mention limited choices otherwise it will end up sounding like a foodie website rather than a Barcelona hen weekend website, so I’m just covering a couple of meat dishes. I like fish, but I’ll do that in another blog as there is much to mention on that front, what with all the stews and stuff. And sorry, but I don’t do vegetarian.

Tournedor Rossini: heaven meets meat. Just-done; the best bit of the cow makes this fillet steak which oozes pink-ness and intricate flavours. It’s topped with duck’s liver pate; served on meat-juice soaked toast and doused in a dash of delicious pan juices.

Solomillo Iberico: a great, succulent pork steak, full of salty flavours and oh so juicy. I know, I know – I’m English – but honestly this is just so good with chips! Home made, deep fried chips though, not frozen oven chips.

Filete de Buey: Ox, basically. Ox for some reason tastes better than normal beef. It’s got a richer flavour. Try it, and see if you can get it barbequed because the smoke makes it taste more authentic.

Posh Nosh a la Aunty

I’m running out of room here and I haven’t even started on wine. I’ll do a separate blog on wine. Andrea says I have to shut up now but to say all this food and more is available on her Spain hen weekends and that she will arrange any restaurant you like, and she personally knows Michelin chefs and everything. She knows everyone. So if you want posh nosh on your Costa Brava hen weekend, ask Andrea and she’ll sort it.

I’m off to get something to eat. And drink.

Botox Bride?

I always thought renewing your vows was something you did after you’d been married long enough to be at the stage where you don’t talk to each other any more. Not Katie and Alex though, no. They’ve been married five minutes and there they are again like heat seeking missiles courting even more publicity by renewing vows on which the ink hasn’t even dried yet.

Still, it’s an excuse for a shindig, and I like a good one, so why should I worry? Just found it amusing that the hen party was held at a Botox clinic. OK well maybe it was a luxury spa but by the look of the aftermath, Botox was well and truly on the menu.

Seriously though, if a Botox party is what you want for your hen party, I can help. Here in Spain we’ve got our own fair share of luxury spas, as well as wall to wall retail therapy in shoppers’ heaven Playa D’Aro. The great thing about a hen weekend in Playa D’Aro is that being a lesser advertised resort, it is riff-raff free. I mean, Marbella is OK but EVERYONE goes there for their Spain hen weekend, so why not do something exclusive?

So how about it ladies? Pampering spa treatments, a bit of filler if it takes your fancy, and some exercising of the credit card? Talk to Aunty and she’ll get it sorted for you!

Boys, boys, boys for your girls’ weekend!

It’s your last weekend of freedom so all you have to do is let Aunty know how outrageous you want it to be, and honestly, there is no limit: seriously.

If boys, boys and more boys are all you want to see, get yourselves over to sunny Spain for a hen weekend you will never, ever forget.

We have a catalogue of men to suit all tastes, honestly this is like choosing shoes. Take your pick from our boy brochure! You name it, we have it. Tall, dark and handsome; fair and flirtatious; blue-eyed and baby-faced.

What does the bride’s fantasy man look like? Describe him to Aunty and she’ll arrange for him to spring out of the background at whatever venue takes your fancy during your Spain hen weekend. A trendy club; a cosy bar; a fun eatery. Wine, dine and enjoy the view: Aunty Andrea’s Hen Fantasy Men is all the rage at the moment amongst ladies looking for that last stab at letting their hair down before picking socks up off the bathroom floor takes over.

Aunty is a particularly fussy lady so you can rest assured her catalogue only contains the very best, mouth watering male specimens!

And that’s just for the night time; there is plenty of fun to be had during the day on your Spain hen weekend too! From designer shopping sprees to hot hair ballooning; horse riding to paintballing, there really is no limit to the fun that can be had on an Aunty Andrea hen weekend in Spain.

Now, where’s that catalogue, I fancy something dark and mysterious tonight…

Sign off the WAG list and sign in to Playa D’Aro

This week Cheryl Cole announced she would divorce her roving eyed husband. And who could blame her? So, what should she do to celebrate? And what should all you girls be doing to forget the football and focus on what really matters: shopping?

Aunty Andrea may specialise in hen weekends in Spain, but she also organises a mean retail therapy jaunt for those ladies in need of putting all their men related woes behind them. So if you are signing off the WAG list like Cheryl Cole; eliminating a useless other half at long last or just fancy a weekend away from the yawn-some world cup commentary, let Aunty sort it.

Check this out: Playa D’aro on the Costa Brava is renowned for its shopping offer. Seriously ladies: bags. Shoes. Labels. My heart is racing.

On Aveninda De S’Agaro the major shopping area of Playa D’Aro, it’s a case of whatever you want, it’s here. Clothes, jewellery, whatever takes your fancy. This is a Costa Brava hen weekend without the woe of a wedding when you get back.

And then on to the main street, a vast array of shops and boutiques will greet you, including literally dozens of handbag stores. Need a new bag? Hang on, what am I saying? When do you need a new bag? WANT a new bag? Desire a new bag? This is designer handbag heaven girls so make sure you haven’t completely severed all ties with the ex because you’ll need full reign of his credit card for this girls’ weekend in Playa D’Aro.

We’re talking literally hundreds of shops here in Playa D’Aro ladies; all set along wide avenues and dotted amongst swanky terraced cafes. Shop; rest; sip a refreshing aperitif; shop again; rest your high heeled feet; indulge in a luscious lunch; and then saunter off to a mellow sun down. Forget the guys and enjoy your girly weekend courtesy of Aunty!

Alternatives to Watching the World Cup

What will you be doing ladies whilst the boys are watching the footie? Shopping? Lunching? Lazing in the garden? How about you all get together and do something a little more outlandish?

Aunty Andrea may specialise in hen weekends in Spain, but she’s been booking some girly weekends with a difference lately for those mates that want to leave their world cup obsessed lads to it and spend some quality time browsing racks of designer labels and parading up and down shoe shop walkways glancing at divine heels instead.

Some of my ladies are even going to further extremes and booking full on activity weekends. And why not? Anything beats being glued to a penalty shoot-out, right?

How about learning to make a true, authentic paella? And then finding out the secret ingredients to the most potent Sangria ever?

Or what about an intriguing treasure hunt? Scour through cryptic clues laid out before you within the walls of an ancient village overlooking the sea and discover the booty that will have you shouting ‘goal’ so loud the boys will hear it back in Blighty.

And then there’s a barbeque at sea; set sail on a glorious catamaran and take in the stunning Costa Brava scenery as you sip champagne with the salty sea breeze rippling your hair. Set down in a secluded cove and listen to that grill sizzle as a sumptuous lunch is served.

Football? What football? Get yourselves booked on a Costa Brava hen weekend and get away from it all. Don’t worry if you’re not getting married, in fact, all the better: why worry about a wedding when you can spend the money on shoes and champagne instead?

Four reasons why you should let your bird go on a Costa Brava Hen Weekend

Look lads, she’s agreed to marry you, so be grateful. Now she wants to go away with the girls to make the most of her last days of freedom. OK some destinations could be a bit dodgy; Las Vegas for example, I mean she might come back having married someone else.

So send her to me. A Costa Brava hen weekend is just what she needs. Laid back; nice views; bit of spa stuff; shopping; posh nosh. OK she’ll come back with a few more pairs of shoes and maybe a slight dent in your credit card, but hey ho, it’s nothing compared to some hen weekends you’ve read about in the Daily Star, is it?

So why send your bird on a Costa Brava hen weekend? Here’s Aunty’s four top reasons:

1. Because if she goes to Playa D’Aro she’ll have a ball in classy clubs that don’t attract any riff-raff. So you know she’ll just be having a posh time with the girls.

2. Because if she stays in Lloret de Mar she’ll be able to indulge in all sorts, from designer shopping to culture vulture tourist experiences. So she won’t have time for any funny business.

3. Because if Tossa de Mar is her destination of choice, she’ll be amongst some of the very best restaurants on the Costa Brava and won’t know which cosy live-music bar to snuggle into first. With the girls, that is.

4. Because if Barcelona is where she’s off to, she’ll come back laden with gifts. One of them may be for you, if you’re lucky. But if not, she’ll be a happy girl none the less.

Pay for her hen weekend; you might as well. She’ll love you for it!

Upmarket Weekends for High-class Hens

Planning your hen weekend in Spain? How does a short flight to a lush destination sound? You’ll still have the sun, but the fun will fall into the classy category and the scenery will be lush rather than desert-like, with pine carpeted mountains tumbling into rich, cobalt waters that sparkle in the sunshine. Just imagine: your Spain hen weekend with a difference on the Costa Brava.

If you’re the kind of girl who likes to spend quality time with your friends then you’re probably also the kind of girl who demands quality in everything else: especially on your hen weekend! If so, read on for Aunty Andrea’s top picks for the best refined and relaxing hen activities.

Hens on Horseback

Imagine cantering through peaceful, unspoilt forest; relax as your steed sweeps into the cooling shade amidst stately trees, where twilling birdsong is the only thing you’ll hear over the contented braying of your mount. Whether you’re an experienced rider or totally new to this wonderful experience, you and the girls will be in your element on this upmarket Costa Brava hen activity.

Cave Swimming Quest

Glass-like clear waters beckon as you dive off Aunty’s boat and follow a captivating torch lit passage into the enchantment of a real life smuggler’s cave which just decades ago was a hive of contraband activity. Exciting, enthralling and something totally different to anything you’ve done or will ever do anywhere else, Aunty’s cave swimming adventure will have you talking for months afterwards about the fascinating atmosphere and amazing sights you witnessed as you swam through this Costa Brava cave.

Scuba Diving Dream

There is a whole living empire of dramatically coloured fish and captivating sea life below the sublime waters of the Costa Brava, a place well recognised amongst seasoned scuba divers. If getting beneath the surface and taking in the breathtaking beauty that surrounds you is something that gives you goose bumps, ask Aunty about her special all inclusive hen scuba diving activity which has been especially designed for those of you who have always wanted to give this a go, but never took the leap.

Hot Air Ballooning

It’s up, up and away on this spectacular Costa Brava hen weekend activity to witness the truly stunning scenery of northeast Spain. If you’ve never been in a hot air balloon before you will literally be blown away by the experience; when do you ever get to witness a bird’s eye view like this with nothing but warm air between you and the view? As warming thermal currents caress your face, you’ll sweep gently over luscious tree tops and rugged mountains; watching the waves lap at hidden beaches you’d never have known were there and witnessing wild animals dart from forest thickets. And all of this followed by one of Aunty’s divine champagne breakfasts: what could possibly be better for your Spain hen weekend?

How about these upmarket Spain hen activities ladies: high class enough for you? Combine them with posh nosh and a heavenly hotel, all organised by Aunty of course, and you’ll be in hen weekend paradise: just where you deserve to be!