Stag do’s that are stylish, not shameful
Adventure
Shame, humiliation and 2-for-1 Jägerbombs. Let's be honest: most men hate the extreme rituals that take place on stag do's. So with best man Prince William warning his brother that ‘revenge' is on the cards, here are five respectable stag do's that are stylish rather than shameful…
Rent a vintage yacht on the Italian riviera
Stag do's and boats go together like hot wings and cold beer. But renting a ghastly floating palace loaded with caviar and hookers is just so naff. Instead, hop on Airbnb and rent the Rondine II, a lovingly-restored classic yacht built in the 1940s. It cruises Italy’s jaw-dropping Cinque Terre coast, a UNESCO world heritage site, stopping periodically to take on crates of Campari and cured meat.
From £476 per night (six guests), airbnb.com
Spend the day at a Japanese bath house
If you haven’t been to a Japanese onsen, you’re in for a treat. Part rejuvenating volcanic hot spring, part soapy male bonding experience, onsen are the traditional way to detox after a night on cheap whisky-soda highballs. Admittedly, getting naked with your mates is a bit weird, but they will provide a tiny flannel if you’re shy.
£1.50 admission, japan-guide.com
Conquer the Malt Whisky Trail
Bad news: the drinks in Club Tropicana are not free. Besides, you’re probably over the whole provincial nightclub thing. Instead, we recommend exploring Scotland’s Malt Whisky Trail. It comprises nine distilleries in the Speyside region, including Cardhu and Glenlivet. Each boutique sauce-factory will roll out the red carpet and serve up a sample its peaty wares.
Guided tours from £10 per per distillery, maltwhiskytrail.com
Be a high roller in Ian Fleming’s favourite city
Vegas is outdated, cheesy and tiresome. These days, VIPs and high rollers head to the Chinese city of Macau. This year, there are three new luxury hotels opening. The £1billion Zaza Hadid-designed Morpheus, the £2.5billion MGM Cotai, and The 13, which is comprised of 200 ‘villa suites’ built at a cost of £4.5 million each. Fleming would almost certainly approve.
Hit up an Italian butchery masterclass
Italian steakhouse Macellaio RC, located in London's Union Street, offers interactive butchery classes. Head upstairs to the 'meat theatre' and the head butcher will school you and your friends in the art of butchery. You'll learn a range of skills including how to slice the restaurant's signature cut of beef, fassone. Assuming that you still have both your thumbs, the three-hour experience concludes with a three-course meal. £90, macellaiorc.com
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