Limousines, drink and ritual humiliation aren't essential for a good stag night photolibrary.com

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FOR THE STAGS

ACTIVE STAGS: Activity Weekend in Peak District

For a seriously active stag do (couch potatoes need not apply), throw yourself into a weekend of rock- and water-based activities in the Peak ­District. The area offers a unique opportunity to try rock-climbing, abseiling, mine-exploration and orienteering across some of the UK’s most striking landscape.

Whether it’s down a small rock face or the Miller’s Dale Viaduct, instructors can teach you each discipline from beginner level upwards, or you may choose to put your trust in your least reliable mate with a day of orienteering.

Explore the spectacular cave systems in the heart of the Peak District National Park, which is home to huge caverns of stalactites and underground­ waterfalls. Much of the mine-exploration is centred in ­Derbyshire, where old workings – such as the Blue John Cavern – can be investigated at Castleton Caverns.

Better still, combine a day climbing white-knuckled up a rock face with a day whitewater rafting in a Canadian-style canoe.

If you are determined to reward yourself with a pub crawl, the bright lights and buzz of Manchester’s nightlife are within easy reach, as is Alton Towers theme park.

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Caving and abseiling (£49 each) or rock climbing and abseiling (£45 each) can be arranged through www.aspireadventures.org

GET THERE: London St Pancras to Chesterfield: two hours

WHERE TO STAY: www.peakdistrictonline.co.uk

CHILLED-OUT STAGS: Spa and Golf at Slieve Donard, Ulster

Do the two things men love the most – playing golf and being pampered– in Ulster, Northern Ireland. Hotel Slieve Donard in Newcastle, 30 miles south of Belfast, borders golf course Royal County Down.

The Championship links – which golf legend Tom Watson claims holds the finest back nine he has played – is a test for any pro, though there is a more forgiving second course, the Annesley links. Away from the course, take hikes or horse rides in the Mourne Mountains or along Newcastle’s sandy beaches.

The hotel provides spa ­treatments, ­including the £70 “swing ­revitaliser” and the £150 ­“golf recovery” ­massage, which lasts for nearly two hours.

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Horse/pony treks from £16 per hour through www.mountpleasantcentre.com

GET THERE: Return flights from Heathrow to Belfast City during October for £10, flying with Ryanair www.skyscanner.net

WHERE TO STAY: Hastings Hotels offers two nights at Slieve Donard on a B&B basis, including a round of golf at Royal County Down, from £270 per person. www.hastingshotels.com

SURF STAGS: Surfing in Biarritz, France

Biarritz is the European capital of surf, ­credited as being the place the sport was ­introduced from America in the 50s. It is also one of the most beginner-friendly spots, making this a perfect place to start in style.

The town, populated by a mix of fashionistas and laid-back surf bums, has a funky, relaxed nightlife and hearty Basque restaurants, ­ranging from tapas served from fishermen’s houses down by the wharf, to the sophisticated watering holes near the stunning casino.

The climate means you can surf comfortably from late February to October, with the main beach, the Grande Plage, being the most popular, though surf can be found at pockets right along the coast. Try the surf camps by organiser ­Lagoondy, which include ­accommodation, lessons, equipment, breakfast and dinner, and airport transfers for a hassle-free experience.

Lagoondy runs courses from one hour to one week, though many local courses will collect you and have you out on the water­ within an hour of you ­landing at the airport.

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GET THERE: Return flights from Gatwick to Biarritz during September for £66.72 available, flying with Ryanair, available from www.skyscanner.net

WHERE TO STAY: Accommodation can be arranged through Lagoondy Surf Camps. It provides transfers, full board, surfing equipment, unlimited surf lessons and throws in activities such as go-karting should there be no surf. From around £430 per person for six nights.

www.touradour.com

FOR THE HENS

CHILLED-OUT HENS: Hire a castle

Not everyone wants a party weekend, ­especially if there are mums present, but spa trips can be expensive. You are better off getting your own pampering goodies and nice wine, and hiring somewhere you can hole up for the weekend. Hell, you may as well be a princess about it and hire a whole castle. It might sound extravagant but, if you fill it to capacity, it doesn’t cost much per head.

For a party of 14, a great option is Knockbrex Castle, set in large woodlands on the south-west coast of Scotland. Stunningly atmospheric, it’s all stone walls, winding staircases, heavy wooden doors, log fires and coats of armour manning the rooms. But while the decor is traditional and old-fashioned, the facilities are modern and it’s kitted out with kitchen appliances, Sky, DVD players, music systems and iPod docking stations in the bedrooms.

There is a games room with pool table and board games, plenty of grounds for walking or playing games and local ­activities include pony trekking, tennis and water sports (the beach is a short walk away), so you can make it as relaxed or ­active as you like. There are ­restaurants nearby if you feel like a change of scenery but no nightclubs in the vicinity.

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www.lhhscotland.com has castles and houses for parties of all sizes

GET THERE: Flights from Stansted to Glasgow Prestwick from £13 single, www.ryanair.com, car hire from £14 a day, www.car-hire-prestwick-airport.co.uk

WHERE TO STAY: Knockbrex starts at £1,500 for three nights (£107 each) and cottages from £200

PARTY HENS: Salsa holiday in Barcelona

Barcelona has a vibrant salsa scene and is ideal if your hens are a flock of party girls but you’ve ­outgrown your 18-30-style beach and club holidays.

You’ll stay at the Rialto Hotel, five minutes’ walk from the dance studios where you’ll spend two hours a day having salsa lessons.

On your first night, after a late dinner (about 10.30pm), you’ll hit some of the salsa joints packed with hot Spanish men happy to help you put your lessons into practice.

You’ll have plenty of free time in the day to explore Barcelona – ­Gaudi’s fantastical cathedral, La Sagrada Familia, is worth visiting for the great views from the towers. Also close is Las Ramblas with its street performers, market stalls, bars and cafes. The beach is a 25-minute walk if you just want to chill out in the sun.

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Salsa in Barcelona from £279 per person, incl lessons, accommodation at the Rialto Hotel and entrance to clubs, www.danceholidays.com

GET THERE: Flights from £20.99 each way www.easyjet.com

GLAMOUR HENS: Ooh La La Vintage Weekends

It’s Paris, but not as you know it. With the Ooh La La ­experience, which is tailored to your budget, you can get a masterclass in vintage fashion, a tour of vintage Paris in a 40s 2CV, visiting tearooms, brasseries and boutiques, before a night at the cabaret dressed in vintage clobber.

They’ll come to your hotel room for the masterclass of vintage Paris, giving you a history of fashion since the 1900s, tips on what to look for in a good vintage piece and help you work out what era suits you. They’ll bring loads of vintage clothes and accessories for you to try on, so you can play dressing up over a few glasses of champagne, with Edith Piaf playing in the background.

Your guide on the Citroen 2CV tour will take you to the best places to find treasures, including the flea market, Le Marche aux Puces de St-Ouen, and a host of tucked-away boutiques you won’t find in any tourist guide.

Then, in the evening, get glammed up in your ­vintage clobber – which you can borrow if you haven’t bought anything – and party at the Moulin Rouge.

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Ooh La La Vintage from £35 per person, www.oohlalavintage.com

GET THERE: Eurostar London to Paris from £65 return www.eurostar.com

WHERE TO STAY Hotel Aviatic, from £50 per person www.aviatic.fr