Bilbao Football Fans Miss Match By Flying To Wrong Country

Jessica    News, Stag Do    

Image courtesy of the Mirror

A group of 400 fans of Altletic Bilbao football team decided to go and see the team play in the final of the Europa League against Atletico Madrid, taking place in Bucharest, Romania.

Being the biggest game in the Bilbao’s season, they wanted to avoid the risk of anything happening with their flight which would stop them seeing the game such as delays, cancellations or strikes, so they rallied together to hire their own private chartered plane.

How many crazed football fans does it take to organise a flight to the correct country?

More than 400 it seems, as these guys managed to arrange for the plane to take them to Budapest, Hungary instead of Bucharest, Romania…some 400 miles away! It was too late by the time they reached Budapest to arrange for a bus or train to take them to Bucharest so they ended up watching the game on TV.

We can imagine this going down worse if it was the other way round and a Budapest stag party ended up as a stag do in Bucharest, leaving the guys to fork out even more money to get to the right country!

For these Bilbao fans though, it turned out to be fairly fortunate (clutching at straws for a positive angle!) that they didn’t make it to the game; Bilbao were thrashed 3 – 0, a painful site enough to watch on TV in the wrong city, let alone live and in the right place…

Plus, they weren’t the only ones half asleep as the UEFA stadium announcer shouted out to Bucharest supporters;

“Good evening Budapest!”

Danielle Lloyd’s Hen Party in Liverpool

Jessica    Hen Party, News    

If there wasn’t already enough fake tan and hair extensions in Liverpool, Saturday night brought a record breaking quantity.

Model and WAG Danielle Lloyd who is due to marry footballer Jamie O’ Hara later this year, celebrated her hen party in Liverpool.

Most of the fake tan and hair extensions came from Katie Price though, who was also at the hen party. Price brought most of the boob presence too, with Danielle having recently had emergency surgery after her breast implants imploded.

The girls drank and danced the night away in the Hilton’s PlayGround nightclub but surprisingly there were no willy straws in sight…very different to what we’re imagining Price’s hen party will involve having just got engaged to Argentinian model Leandro Penna! How many weddings is that now?!

Image – courtesy of Metro

Top 5 Stag Do Activities On The Water

Jessica    Stag Do    

When it comes to choosing an activity for a stag do, go big. Choosing a water based stag activity is likely to be something most of the guys don’t get to do everyday which will make it a unique experience.

There’s some that stand out above the rest, here’s our top 5;

Wake Boarding

If you want a slightly alternative water sport then wake boarding makes a good change from other more common water sports. Go for a stag party in Bournemouth, where after an inevitably tiring session, you can sit back and relax on a sandy beach; it doesn’t get much better than that!

White water rafting

If you like adrenalin rush activities then this full on stag do idea is perfect for you. Sharing a raft with your mates and judging you way through the rough waters together, you’ll get involved in a team effort activity too; great for some pre-drinking bonding with the lads!

Surfing

This is one of the most exciting activities you can do in plus, you also get to look cool (if you can at least stand on the board by the end!). Get yourselves on a Newquay stag party and you won’t be disappointed with the endless decent surf on offer.

Canoeing 

If you’re not an adrenalin junkie and prefer the freedom of simply being out on the water, doing your own thing, then canoeing ticks those boxes. You can go at your own pace and enjoy the views.

Coasteering

Although it’s not strictly all water based, part of it does involve getting wet. Exploring rugged coastline, you’ll get to jump off rock traverses into the water.

Tourists Could Be Banned From Coffee Shops In Amsterdam

Jessica    News, Stag Do    

It has been announced that Dutch law will ban tourists from buying cannabis from coffee shops in the Netherlands in efforts to end drug tourism.

Since the 1970′s, Dutch cities, especially the capital, Amsterdam, have been popular destinations to visit for foreign travellers looking to enjoy the freedom of smoking cannabis in coffee shops where it is not legalised but it is decriminalised. The ban however, will change all of this. On Tuesday 1st May, the ban took place in Maastrict and as a result there was a 200 people strong protest.

The ban isn’t planned to go nationwide and reach Amsterdam until next year however, with the cities Mayor and Council opposed to it and with the city being home to a third of the countries coffee shops, it is yet to be seen if it will actually go through.

As part of the new law, coffee shops will have to adhere to a licensing rule, whereby residents of the cities will have to have “weed passes” in order to buy cannabis or smoke it, meaning those visiting for a holiday or a stag party in Amsterdam will not be able to purchase it.

With the coffee shop industry thought to have a turnover of £1.6 billion a year, this will inevitably have a huge effect on the Dutch tourist industry. Maurice Veldman, the lawyer for the Cannabis Retailers Association stated;

“It is a 100 per cent political verdict to defend the state. There is no public order problem with coffee shops in cities like Amsterdam”

So could it soon be possible to visit coffee shops on a stag do in Brighton instead? Well, Green Party Councillor Ben Duncan  has voiced his view that Brighton should replace Amsterdam and decriminalise cannabis in coffee shops in order to gain from the tourism which Amsterdam will lose if the ban does come into place. Duncan stated;

“Of course, in Brighton and Hove, we know only too well the damage that the current drug policy of complete criminalisation of drug use is causing rather than seeing it as a health issue…So what about it? Brighton, the liberal, tolerant, tourist capital of Europe?”

Hmm. Spliffing idea or just plain bonkers?

Couple Fly 9,600 km For Honeymoon…To See A Football Match

Jessica    News, Stag Do    

Now we know that crazy decisions are made in the name of football, for example, the millions of pounds spent on players, and we also know that football can turn us into lunatic fanatics however, when it comes to going to a football game, halfway across the world, for a honeymoon; surely that’s taking it too far?

One couple from Tokyo did just that. Hiroki Yasumoto managed to persuade his newly wed wife, Mio, that jetting off to…not the Seychelles’s, not the Caribbean and not the Mediterranian but none other than…Coventry, was a good plan.

Somehow, Mr Yasumoto managed to persuade his wife that this would be a trip of 9, 600 km worth taking, to see his favourite football team Coventry City. A trip that distance might just about be worth it if you were heading on a stag do although it would have to be pretty epic…but a honeymoon?!

Must be love! Or madness.

With a 4-0 loss to Coventry City though, turns out the trip was definitely not worth taking…

London Voted Top Tourist Destination

Jessica    Hen Party, Stag Do    

According to a recent survey run by Tripadvisor, London is the UK’s most popular tourist destination in the UK, Europe and the world.

A spokewoman from Tripadvisor stated that;

“To be crowned the world’s best destination in the Olympic year by millions of travellers is a tremendous honour for London…it’s fantastic to see the capital recognised and rewarded by those that have really experienced the city – travellers themselves.”

What good timing…could this be a very well put together publicity stunt in time for the Olympics?

Either way, we’re not surprised that our capital has been crowned as the top destination to visit in the world, as London hen parties have long been a top choice for our hens. What makes our capital so appealing is not only the top notch choice of hotels, range of high quality restaurants, bars and clubs, but also the variety of choice in what it is possible to see and do there.

From the attractions such as the London Eye, the stunning architecture such as St Paul’s Cathedral, the theatres putting on world renowned musicals and plays, the daily and monthly events on offer all over the city and much much more, London is a melting pot of cultural pursuits. To beat New York to the top is proof of that.

In at second for the top UK destinations came Edinburgh, which every year, holds one of the most famous festivals in the world; Edinburgh Fringe Festival showcasing comedy, performance arts, music and all sorts of other cultural shows throughout the month of August. Again, Edinburgh hen parties are popular not only because this festival makes it a unique city to visit in August, but the city also offers beautiful castles, galleries, restaurants and a sophisticated nightlife scene.

The top 10 world tourist destinations;

1. London

2. New York City

3. Rome

4. Paris

5. San Francisco

6. Marrakech, Morocco

7. Istanbul

8. Barcelona

9. Siem Reap, Cambodia

10. Berlin

Pamper Hen Parties

Jessica    Hen Party    

When it comes to choosing what to do for a hen party, sometimes it can be overwhelming especially when most of the options involve going out and partying, which of course, is a lot of fun!

However, organising a wedding, from choosing the venue, the dress, the invites, the theme and all the other intricacies as well as working, can take its toll. This is where the idea of treating yourself to some pure pampered relaxation becomes the very appealing option! There’s a few ways in which you can enjoy a pamper hen party whether it’s am hour treatment, a day or even a full weekend;

Pamper Treatment

It’s amazing what a difference a simple treatment can make from getting a manicure or pedicure to getting an Indian head massage or a facial. Treatments can be arranged in beauty salons in most cities in the UK and overseas so they can be easily combined with whatever else you choose to do on your hen do.

Pamper Day

The next option is spending one of the days of your hen weekend at a spa for example, the infamous Thermae Bath Spas are a great option. These Roman décor influenced spas are the most unique spas in the UK with natural hot springs built beneath the city. Going for a hen party in Bath you can also enjoy a sophisticated city, providing a great base for a pamper hen party.

Pamper at home

An increasingly popular option is to arrange professional beauty and massage therapists to come to your house, a house which you’ve rented for your hen do, or even the hotel you’re staying at. This enables you to enjoy the luxury of being in comfortable surroundings and further, avoiding the hassle of travelling.

Spa Weekend

The ultimate option is to go for a total weekend of luxurious indulgence, treating yourself to staying in a spa hotel enjoying the spa facilities whenever you wish from detoxing in the sauna and steam rooms to relaxing with friends in the jacuzzi. If you go for a hen weekend in London then there are some top 5 star hotels which provide spa facilities too.

So if you’re feeling the strain of organising the wedding and the hen party, make sure you plan in some time just to sit back and relax. The result? You’ll truly rejuvenated and special.

The Human Fox Hunt Launches At UK Paintballing Site

Jessica    News, Stag Do    

Photo Courtesy: Metro

A paintballing company have thought up a humorous way of providing a replacement for the fox hunt, which was banned seven years ago.

The idea is that a group dresses up in traditional hunting clothing, whilst a volunteer dresses up in an all in one fox outfit (a big like a “kigu”) and gets chased by the “hunters” whilst they fire paintballs at him. The bullets are all red to add to the fox hunt feel of the game.

A spokesman from UK paintball said of the game;

“Participants will be able to hunt the “fox” – who will be dressed in a full-size outfit – and will be encouraged to take shots once within range…Obviously we will give the fox a head start but once the horn is sounded it’s every man for himself and the first one to land a shot on target will be crowned the winner.”

We reckon this could work pretty well for a stag party idea too; dress the stag up as a stag and get firing! Maybe don’t  inform him till he’s there that this is the plan…

Our favourite quote from the spokesman at UK Paintball has to be this though;

“No animals get harmed and people still get the thrill of the chase so it really is a win-win situation.”

Hmm. We’re not so sure it’s a win-win situation when you’re lumbered with the role of the fox!

Hen Weekends Abroad In Europe – Checklist

Jessica    Hen Party    

A lot of you lucky ladies will be gearing up for hen parties abroad over the next few months and you’re probably already daydreaming about the blue skies and sunshine that you’ll be sunbathing under.

However, you’ll need to save some of that excitement so you also remember the important essentials which you need to organise before you go, to ensure you have the best weekend possible.

For those of you jetting off on a hen weekend abroad in Europe, we’ve put a nifty little checklist together;

Travel Insurance 

One of the most important things you need to make sure you and every member of the group organises is travel insurance. Without this, if you have an accident, you’re stranded for any reason or your bag or belongings get stolen, you will be on your own. With travel insurance, you won’t have to fork out loads of money from your own pocket if anything unfortunate happens to you.

Money

If you’re going on a hen weekend to Marbella or to many other destinations in Europe, you’ll need to change your money from pounds to Euro’s. Either make sure you remember to change your money beforehand or, take your card with you and get money out at the airport or from cash points when you’re there. This way, you won’t need to determine exactly how much you’re going to spend when you’re away.

Passport

Seems like an obvious one but it’s important to make sure you and everyone in the group not only remembers their passport but also, that you’ve all checked that it’s at least 6 months within it’s expiry date.

Cultural Awareness

Luckily, a lot of Europe share the same values and morals as opposed to further afar overseas however, there are small cultural differences which you’d do well to be aware of and respect. Fancy dress coupled with loud drunken behaviour may not go too well. After all you’re in their country, city or town which makes you a guest so should behave like one!

Extras;

Emergency contact number – It’s worth taking a few phone numbers of next of kin just to make any unfortunate incidents a little easier

Sun cream – the last thing you want is to get sunburnt on your first day!

Sunglasses - Shield your eyes from the sun and you’ll be much more comfortable

There you have it! Make sure you tick all of these off your list and you’re good to sit back, relax and enjoy the party.

Top 5 Hen Party Essentials

Jessica    Hen Party    

It can be tricky organising a hen party, especially remembering the little extras.

Here’s our top 5 most important hen party essentials to incorporate into the hen party plans and make it really special;

Hen Party Games and Dares

Whether the hen party involves going out for the night or staying in at a rented house, it’s an essential to have at least one game or dare planned to make the occasion really feel like a hen party and not just like any other get together with the girls.

The Mr & Mrs Game is ideal if you’re spending time in a house as the bride-to-be will feel special with the attention on her and further, it will provide some great entertainment as she will have to answer potentially embarrassing questions.

Hen party dares only really work if you’re out and about, as they’re much funnier when you incorporate them with tasks involving the general public!

Camera

Make sure you take photographs throughout the hen party; it provides great memories and also captures some of the funnier moments.

Accessories 

Even if pink cowboy hats and sashes aren’t your thing, it’s good to have something that ties you all in together to add that sense of occasion on a hen party. This could be t-shirts which you’ve had specially made, feather headbands, funky hats, bunny ears and almost anything else you want!

Gifts and Treats

A great way of making the bride-t0-be feel special is to plan in a gift or treat from the group of hens to the bride-to-be such as a piece of jewellery which she can wear on her wedding day (although, this is a but risky!) or a guest book which all the hens can write a personal message to the bride-to-be in.

Hen Party Theme 

If you have a hen party theme, this will give all the girls something to get involved in, contribute to and enable everyone to feel part of the hen weekend.

Go for a theme which links to the bride-to-be’s favourite celebrity, TV programme, band or even simply her favourite colour! It will show you’ve really thought about her.