Sophisticated Stags – Why European Stag Weekends offer much more than Birds and Booze

These days there’s a huge breadth of activities available that can involve neither females or alcohol. Be it on a stag weekend in Budapest or a stag weekend in Krakow (two of the coolest new Eastern European stag weekend destinations) your weekend can take a variety of sophisticated and stimulating forms. Activities such as wine tasting, caving, fencing, city tours are proving as interesting to some visitors as the more adrenalin-fuelled Kalashnikov shooting, Trabant tours or paint-balling stripper fests.

On a Budapest Stag weekend you have the option to take a break from all the fun and frolicking with a city tour for example. A three-hour guided bus tour to all the major sights, including the Castle District, Heroes' Square and the Basilica. You’ll have plenty of photo opportunities and the chance to crash course your knowledge on the city ready for any questions when you get home.

If you don’t fancy an organised trip one of the best things to do in Budapest is to simply stroll around the city soaking up the unique atmosphere and historical architecture. Must-see sights include the Heroes' Square, the St. Stephen's Basilica and the giant Parliament building, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. The views from almost anywhere along the Danube are stunning, if you scale one of the Buda Hills (exploring the Castle District is highly recommended), you will see the whole city sprawled out in front of you.

You might prefer an afternoon sampling the sophisticated delights of Hungary's top wines as they emerge to do battle with the finest France and Italy have to offer. An expert English speaking sommelier will talk you through between 6 and nine varieties of reds, rosés, whites, and a world-famous Tokaj desert wine. There’s even a large cheese and cracker platter. If you’re feeling particularly highbrow, take a fencing lesson from double Olympic Silver medallist Erno Kolcsonai. Touché.

On a more relaxing note the idea of a trip to the thermal baths for some good old steam room, plunge pool and massage therapy might be more your thing. If you’re that way inclined check out the tranquility of Budapest's most trendy day spas. Some organised stag weekend packages include a 60-minute massage or comparable treatment. The list of options is extensive: Watsu, Indian Stone treatment and Mauri massage.

Though regarded as more of a high-octane nightlife and girls type destination even Krakow can offer a sophisticated alternative to the stag weekend festivities. The city which has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish scientific, cultural and artistic life has in it’s historic centre the Old Town, Kazimierz and the Wawel Castle, added to the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1978. It’s absolutely beautiful and well worth exploring for time of reflection, meditation and by way of a short break from stag party mayhem.