Nine Stag-Do Destinations for the Modern Groom

Nine Stag-Do Destinations for the Modern Groom



The
stag do. The ultimate male getaway. The stuff of laddish
legend. Whether you’re after debauchery in
Tel Aviv
, a sporty escape in the
Alps
or a dose of British cool in Bristol,
use this definitive list of destinations to ensure you have a
memorable few days before sealing the deal.


Tel Aviv

Israel

A city renowned for its wild after-hours parties and beach
scene,
Tel Aviv
is one of our top picks for a boys’ weekend away.
Whether your thing is day partying at a beach club or an extended
meal out,
this city
has got daybeds, outdoor restaurants and rooftop DJ
sets galore. If you’ve overdone it on the drinking,
the best cure
is to lie out in the sun and work on a
pre-wedding glow until lunchtime. Spend the rest of the day
meandering around Florentin, Tel Aviv’s coolest bohemian
neighbourhood, where you can stumble into galleries before plonking
yourself on a terrace to sip on your umpteenth hair of the dog.


San Sebastián

Spain

One for the gourmet groom,
San Sebastián
converges around a crescent of sand curving along
a turquoise segment of the Atlantic and is one Spain’s loveliest
cities, equally enigmatic and extravagant. Bask in the
Basque
sunshine for hours on end – we recommend renting a boat
and jetting around the bay – before hitting the tapas-style pintxo
bars by the beach. The city was named European Capital of Culture
in 2016 so do take some time to explore the many creative
offerings, such as the open-air museum on the promenade where
large-scale sculptural installations and paintings are on display.
The Tabakalera, a centre for contemporary culture that showcases
film screenings, photography exhibitions and performance art
(including magic shows) in an old tobacco factory is another good
option if you want to add more cultural points to your gastronomic
getaway.


The Highlands

Scotland, United Kingdom

For an adventurous lads’ getaway à la Braveheart, rent a

Scottish castle
or go glamping in The Highlands. Your weekend
will be filled with long bracing walks, swimming in freezing lochs
and warming your cockles with regular swigs of firewater. The
region has 47 distilleries – including Glenturret which produces
The Famous Grouse – to check out before leading your band of merry
men to a massive dinner spread, be it around a campfire or in
stately lodgings. If boy scouts and a love of the great outdoors
are your jam, this wholesome trip is pretty unbeatable.


Les Trois Vallées

France

A network comprising eight of France’s best skiing locations,
Les Trois Vallées is one of the world’s largest ski areas, meaning
the sky’s the limit here. Book a guide to take you off piste for
top-notch powder, or focus your energies on leisurely
sun-drenched lunches
on various mountain terraces. Whatever
your priorities, you’ll no doubt want to hit Meribel’s notorious La
Folie Douce at least once, for vin chaud and steaming pots of
fondue before dancing on tables in your ski boots. If you’ve got
cash to splash then glitzy Courchevel is the resort for you, though
Val Thorens is a more affordable option with a youthful energy and
excellent runs thanks to its high altitude.


Lisbon

Portugal

A visit to this hilly, multihued capital
is a guaranteed blast, and the fact that you rarely have to worry
about getting enough sunshine is an added bonus. With those two
boxes ticked (not to mention the city’s affordability), Lisbon
is your playground for architectural eye candy, gorging on pasteis
de nata and “sampling” port with
every meal
. For pre-drinks, grab a few bottles of local beer
and head to one of miradouros (viewpoints) spread across the city’s
hills before heading out to paint the town red. If you’re into
surfing, hit up one of the many breaks along the city’s coast.


Salzburg

Austria

One of Europe’s most charming cities, Salzburg
is a compact alternative for those looking to drink stein after
stein in pretty surrounds. As well as its rich musical history,
Salzburg is also an excellent destination for those looking to
feast. Austrian cuisine is notoriously heavy – but schnitzel,
potato salad and spätzle are exactly what’s needed if you’ve spent
your day in a beer hall. If your trip is a longer, wintertime
affair, plan a few days of skiing in Kitzbühel just over an hour’s
drive away, while hiking in the Alps is
a good alternative come summer.


Bristol

United Kingdom

Former Bristol students – or those yearning for university days
– will rejoice in this hub of partying and youthful creativity. One
of the best cities in the UK for a good old knees up, Bristol has
an edgy music scene and thriving artistic community. Make the most
of its rich culinary scene by day and check out local DJ sets come
evening. A breeding ground for hip new restaurants,
this is the place to experiment with varying takes on modern
dining. Pop into a hole-in-the-wall for jerk chicken midday, then
get stuck into a multi-course meal at Chomp steakhouse or the Thali
restaurant, an obligatory stop for Indian food buffs.


New Orleans

United States

If OTT is what you’re looking for, the search ends at
New Orleans
. A haven for music lovers, it’s got endless options
for dancing all night and offers a mishmash of culture with its
marriage of Deep South and French heritage. Eat your way across the
city with shrimp-laden po’boy, grits, fried oyster and bananas
foster. The Big Easy tends to favour those who come in with an open
mind and not much of a plan. Wander down covert streets, hop onto a
streetcar when it strikes your fancy and take advantage of the
constant flow of energy around you, whether that be live music or a
slew of
outdoor food trucks
.


Budapest

Hungary

One of Europe’s most architecturally exciting cities, Budapest
is an aesthete’s Eden. Catch belle epoque and baroque sights by
renting a flock of bikes and cycling down the Danube – pack a
couple of bottles of wine (bonus points if it’s Hungarian), some
meats, cheese and bread for lunch by the water. The best nights out
here begin with rooftop sundowners at 360 Bar before drifting to
one of the city’s romkocsmas (ruin bars), a hybrid of beer garden
and nightclub set in war-damaged buildings. Taking the waters at
the city’s thermal baths after a long night on the town has got to
be one of the best hangover cures out there. Planning your trip in
August?
Make sure it coincides with Sziget Festival, a week-long music
extravaganza.