Keep costs low with a Costa Brava Hen Weekend

Weddings can be an expensive time, not just for the bride and groom, but also for the guests.  With a new outfit, travel, possibly an overnight stay and a gift, weddings don’t come cheap to your loved ones.  Now, Aunty knows that many brides dream of a hen do abroad, but worry that the pressure of yet more spending will mean that many of your friends and family won’t be able to join you.  Not so with my packages: a Costa Brava Hen Weekend doesn’t need to be costly!

First things first: getting to your Costa Brava Hen Weekend won’t break the bank.  Although your travelling costs are down to you, getting to Lloret de Mar from the UK and Ireland is cheap and easy.  The low-cost airline Ryanair serves the nearest airport, Girona, which will position you about 40 minutes away from the start of your hen party in Lloret de Mar.  Barcelona is also just 1.5 hours away, and can be reached by many airlines, such as Easyjet.  Remember to book early to get the best value flights – bagging a bargain flight will put you and your hens in the right frame of mind for your Costa Brava Hen Weekend, before you’ve even left the country!

Once here, there’s no need to worry about getting to and from the airport, as Aunty will ensure that your Lloret de Mar hen weekend starts with ease by picking you up from either airport.  A classic Costa Brava hen weekend will then cost you about £150 per person.  This will typically give you and your ladies your airport transfers, 2 nights’ bed and breakfast and three activities, such as hen power boating, quad biking and paint balling, but remember that Aunty can mix and match your activities for your Lloret de Mar hen weekend to suit you and your needs; if you’d rather something a bit more low key such as hen horse riding or the ultimate hen shopping trip, just let me know and I can devise a detailed quote to suit you and your hens! 

So what better way to get your celebrations off to a great start?  A bit of a suntan, rest and relaxation and great activities – Costa Brava Hen Weekends offer great value for money!

Face the Stags Head On!

Do you secretly get a bit jealous of all the wild things boys say they’ve done or get up to on a stag weekend but know that given the opportunity, you can be just as wild? Are you and your girlfriends looking for an opportunity to show the boys how real partying is done? Well girls, there is no better opportunity to do just that than over here on a Lloret de Mar hen weekend organised by yours truly.

Forget the classy stuff, if you’re after fun, fun, fun, just let me know and I’ll organise a package for you that will have the boys feeling more than inferior! Firstly, get nice and muddy and the adrenaline flowing with my hen quad biking. It’s not just a purpose built circuit – this is real life mountain quad biking along the dusty ledges of the stunning Cadiretes mountains. Now that’s really hardcore!

Don’t fancy quad biking? OK, no problem, I’ll just take you up 2000 metres in the air in my hen hot air balloon instead! Adrenaline rush or what? This really is an experience you’ll never forget, I promise.

As if this isn’t enough, there’s still after dark to come. Hundreds of bars; hot male strippers; banging clubs. Lloret de Mar hen weekends are very popular because the town is geared up for 

one thing – partying!

Just tell me if you want a crazy hen weekend and I’ll sort you out. The boys will feel embarrassed that they didn’t do half the stuff you got up to. One nil to the girls.

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. 

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!

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.

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?

Joint Stag and Hen Do? Well if you must, Aunty can do!

According to the media, Charlotte Church has decided a joint hen and stag do with fiancé Gavin Henson is the way to go to avoid trouble.

A report in the Daily Star says the singer worries that a stag do without her will land Henson in trouble. "Charlotte knows what Gav's schoolmates are like and reckons things will get out of hand”, said a newspaper source.

Hence attempting to talk her fiancé into a joint stag and hen do. Keeping an eye on her betrothed seems to be a priority, for some reason.

Apparently, "She's worried they'll shave his eyebrows off or get him arrested for something silly like being naked in the street," says the paper. Heavens above. What sort of stag weekend does she think people go after these days?

No messing about; men want a bit of action don’t they on their stag weekend? None of this silliness; let’s have some paintballing, quad biking, speed boating, scuba diving, archery, go-karting and whatever else it is you want to do.

Worried about your man away with the lads? Don’t. Aunty won’t let any harm come to them. They wouldn’t dare under Aunty’s regime! They’ll have a great time, and so will you if you organise your hen weekend in Spain with Aunty. But the great time won’t leave you heading for the divorce courts before you’ve even tied the knot. It’s fun with Aunty, but it’s not out of control. Well unless you want it to be, girls.

Stag or hen weekend in Spain? Trust Aunty to take care of it. And if you want a joint stag and hen weekend, then OK, it’s yours!

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!

POSH NOSH, FANCY FROCKS AND PAMPERING HEN WEEKENDS ON THE COSTA BRAVA

Are you a stylish kind of girl who simply adores designer labels and spa treatments galore? Then your hen weekend in Barcelona awaits: and it’s set to be a super posh time!

Aunty Andrea also loves the finer things in life: shopping for handbags and shoes is one of them (much to her husband’s dismay) and being pampered in the best health spas Spain has to offer is another. Fancy a bit of this yourself? Then allow Aunty to make a few suggestions for destinations and venues that are a mere hour or so away from the UK…

Designer Dreams!

If you’re a hen that desires quality and designer labels then a Barcelona hen weekend is what you need. Barcelona is the ideal place to splash cash says Aunty; slip on your Jimmy Choos and head to the Roca Centre Village to add to your already exclusive collection. Whatever labels you are looking for, you will find them here; from Levis and Hugo Boss to La Perla, Burberry and Diesel. La Roca is possibly the chicest and hippest place to be! Check out this link for more details: http://www.larocavillage.com/

 

Posh Nosh!

All that shopping can give a girl an appetite; time to refuel! And at La Roca, that’s really a walk in the park. Why not visit Café & Té, a delightfully traditional café where you can be tempted by custom made coffees and teas, together with sweet and sticky cakes, pastries, pancakes or one of the many indulgent ice creams available for that much needed sugar rush: it’s only what you deserve ladies!

If you’re craving a savoury snack then Andreu espai Gastronỏmic will present you with the ultimate Spanish deli experience. With their wide variety of delicious cheeses, additive-free hams, fresh salads and energy inducing pasta, you can be sure to tantalise your taste buds and indulge your need for a decent feed!

Looking for something more substantial? If you’re a lady of luxury then Sant Pau is the one place you have got to visit says Aunty. With no less than three Michelin stars and an exquisite reputation, you can be sure to have a dining experience to remember! This sumptuous Catalan restaurant specialises in mouth watering fish and seafood, all fresh and totally local. Read more!

Pampering Heaven

After a busy day shopping, what better than to rest your pretty toes at an authentic Spanish Beauty Spa? Revitalise whilst receiving a five star facial and deep cleansing experience. Enjoy treatments that use all the finer things in life such as chocolate, caviar and even wine: yum!

Whether you’re looking for Reiki, shiatsu massage, Roman Baths or a Dead Sea Mud Therapy treatment, Aunty Andrea will find the Spa for you. It really is all covered ladies, just ask!

For more information on a pampering hen weekend in Spain ask Aunty Andrea to make your hen parties in Spain as luxurious as you desire!

How to have a Blast on your Costa Brava Hen Weekend

Looking for the mother of all hen parties? Then a Costa Brava hen weekend is what you need. A short flight on a low cost airline to north east Spain will have you and the girls there in no time; and we all know what minimum travelling time means…maximum enjoyment time!

Here’s Aunty’s top weekly picks for a hen party on the Costa Brava that you and your mates will never forget, whether you want wet and wild, culture and credit card battering or pampering and a bit of posh.

Wild Parties and Never Ending Nights!

Got a thing for wild parties and never ending nights? Then head for party capital Lloret De Mar. Everyone’s heard of Lloret, right? With such an infamous reputation, you are guaranteed a night or three to remember (well, hopefully you’ll remember them!). But often overlooked and a place Aunty always recommends for fun, fun, fun is Playa D’Aro: seriously chic by day with plenty of retail therapy opportunities, you’re guaranteed to love it. And as for after dark, whether you’re in Lloret or Playa D’Aro, you can express yourself to the full; party as hard as you like, for as long as you like and as outrageously as you like and – no one – guaranteed no one – will bat so much as a false eyelash!

Cultured Chick?

Want a bit of sightseeing edged with designer shopping? Then go for a Barcelona hen weekend! Do the tour, on a bicycle if floats your boat; take in the Unfinished Church, Las Ramblas, the Old Town and whatever else catches your eye, and then stop off for a lovely, long and liquid lunch before heading off to shopping heaven and all those designer labels!

Relaxation and Pampering your Preference?

Life hectic? Why not use your hen weekend in Spain to wind down and capture some quality time with the girls? How about a spa day – imagine yourself covered in chocolate – or algae – or whatever latest treatments have hit the headlines. Sip champagne; be massaged; have everything plucked, painted and perfected and then head off for the evening to a swish restaurant and enjoy being waited on with the best wine and food your money can buy. Tossa de Mar is a good base for this type of hen weekend; with it’s stunning scenic backdrop; cobbled streets packed with divine restaurants serving the finest gourmet dishes (look out for the Michelin rated diner’s heaven in the shadow of the old town) and good transport links, it guarantees a relaxing hen weekend on the Costa Brava: with a difference.

These are just a few of Aunty’s favourite Spain hen weekend ideas and some of the most regularly requested by her discerning clientele: there are plenty more where they came from so make sure you subscribe to this blog to keep up with Aunty’s antics! Or check out www.auntyandreasstags.com for loads more ideas!