If you’re based anywhere in North America, you know that this winter has already been a long one. It has been cold and miserable for the last few months, with cold weather and gloomy skies filled with rain and snow keeping us indoors. An escape to somewhere sunny and warm sounds like total heaven. Especially so if a friend is getting married. If that’s the case, then we’ve got you covered with some of the best stag do locations on the Mediterranean.
Stag dos have come a long way from the days of going to a few bars with a bunch of friends and getting as drunk as possible. Some grooms now prefer to include activities like paintballing, karting and much more. Many also opt for a long weekend away, a last big vacation with just the guys. If you’re planning a stag do for this spring or summer, then consider one of these Mediterranean destinations.
Photo, Matty Adame.
Best Stag Do Locations, the Classics
When you think of the best stag do locations on the Mediterranean, the images that come to mind are relaxing on gorgeous sandy beaches during the day and partying in wild clubs at night. There are tons of locations all over Spain, Greece, France and Italy where you can have this kind of experience. Some of the best locations, however, are on the Spanish islands of Ibiza and Majorca.
Ibiza and Majorca are home to some of the hottest clubs in Europe. There are even beach clubs to keep the summery vibes going well into the night. Alongside the clubs and the beaches, Ibiza has also developed an activity industry to keep you and your friends entertained. This includes go-karting, quad bike tours, jet boat rides, parasailing, scuba diving and more.
If you’ve been tasked with organising the stag but planning isn’t really your thing, a popular destination such as Ibiza is a great choice, because there’s help around the corner. There are a number of companies that can help you plan your trip; they offer package deals and can add on the activities that will make your buddy’s last hurrah epic.
Photo, Alex Azabache.
The Greek Escape
A trip to the Greek islands doesn’t necessarily have to be a budget affair. For a more refined Greek vacation, consider going to one of the islands that aren’t known for their party beaches. Crete is a great option. It is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, so you’ll still have access to the restaurants and nightlife that make a stag do exciting.
On an island like Crete, you’ll also have the chance to opt for luxury accommodations. Resort hotels aren’t just for girls’ weekends or honeymoons, guys deserve some relaxation and pampering too. The Numo Ierapetra Beach Resort offers all the creature comforts you could want without being overly fussy. It’s the ideal location for a chilled-out stag do.
Photo, Ravi Tripathi.
A James Bond Weekend
Monaco might not make traditional best stag do location lists, however, if you want to live it up like James Bond (without the international espionage and violence, of course) then it is a great choice. Break out the tuxedos and head to the Casino de Monte-Carlo for a glamorous evening of gambling and fine dining. If you and your friends are interested in cars, there’s also an antique car museum.
If your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a visit to the principality, you could always recreate the experience at home. Getting dressed up and opening a few bottles of good wine or expensive scotch will help with the atmosphere. Thanks to streaming technology, an online casino can now offer essentially the same experience as a land-based casino; you might just need to crank the heat up a bit to get the full Mediterranean feel.
Photo, Nicholas Beel.
Food, Wine and Walking
If you and your friends are looking for an alternative to the regular old bar crawl stag do, one option is the Cinque Terre. Walking the Cinque Terre is a way to spend quality time bonding with your friends while enjoying the amazing scenery. The five villages along the walk also offer some amazing dining opportunities.
At any of the villages along the route, you’ll be able to enjoy local Ligurian specialties like pansotti, a ravioli filled with ricotta and fresh greens and served with a walnut sauce, and antipasti di frutti di mare, an antipasto selection with an emphasis on seafood rather than traditional meats and cheeses.
If you and your friends are trying to plan a stag do that’s a bit more grown-up, the Cinque Terre offers beautiful Mediterranean scenery, great food and wine, and the opportunity to spend time together.
Wherever you end up deciding to go, heading to one of these best stag do locations on the Mediterranean is a great way to bond with your friends and celebrate an upcoming wedding. Whether you want a wild beach bash, a luxurious relaxing trip or an adventurous ramble, the Mediterranean has something for every taste.
