Eastern Europe has become a very popular destination for stag weekends because of its cheap beer, accommodation and lively nightlife. One place that is extremely popular is Krakow, where a bottle of Pilsner costs just 5 zloty (just over £1). If you are planning on having your stag weekend in this city here are a few things that you may want to try your hand at.

As you are in Poland you will probably want to go on a Vodka tasting tour where you can learn about the history of Polish vodka, make new friends, and of course taste the vodkas. There are several companies out there who can source and organize these kind of activities for you – and no trip to Poland would be complete without an in-depth encounter with this traditional specialty. It’s also a good way to kick off a stag party as you mean to go on (just be careful – these vodkas can creep up on you!)

On your Krakow stag weekend, if you are thinking about hitting the clubs, or even just want to be picked up from the airport in style, then you could always hire a limo. There are numerous companies offering limo hire in and around Krakow and drivers are usually bilingual so he can help with any translations that may be needed if your Polish isn’t quite up to scratch. Again, there are specialist stag weekend organizers who can arrange limo transport with reliable firms on your behalf – it’s the easiest way to get the best out of your stag weekend in Krakow.

One of the most popular stag activities in Krakow is visiting a shooting range. Here you can chose between two ranges, one for handguns, and the other for rifles. What’s more you can shoot at moving targets and fire a Kalashnikov or a handgun – weapons that are totally off limits in the UK. Prices generally include a personal instructor, equipment and range hire, and ammunition – it’s a great chance to live out those boy soldier fantasies before you tie the knot. If you want to get your hands dirty with some virtual combat why not look at paint balling where you can go behind enemy lines on a former military site and dodge pellets among disused army buildings.

If you’re nursing a hangover and need to get some fresh air, or your Krakow stag weekend is in need of a little calming down, you might consider a sedate river cruise. It’s the perfect way to unwind from all the high adrenaline of your weekend, sip on a cold beer and soak up the summer sun as you cruise through Krakow along the Wistula. If that sounds too leisurely you can always add some optional extras such as a live band, strippers or (another vodka tasting).

The bottom line is that a stag weekend in Krakow opens up a whole new world of options that you just wouldn’t get in the UK – if you’re looking for something to remember for the rest of your life, then head East!

January is the most depressing time of the year. In fact the third Monday of the month is even labelled Blue Monday by psychologists. The combination of miserable winter weather, the arrival of the dreaded Christmas bills, failed New Year resolutions, crunching credit and wall-to-wall doom and gloom conspire to make the New Year a time to forget. On the positive side, the only way is up!

Christmas costs a bomb and whilst you are staggering through the wreckage of the festive period you might want to keep your spirits up by looking to the future. Let the thought of next madcap adventure, the next all night party, the next blonde, sooth your troubled brow and nurse you through to the good times again. Even better if the party’s somewhere exotic, cheap and friendly – say Krakow or Riga, Budapest. Head east my friend – the cities are beautiful, the nightlife superb, the booze is cheap, the people friendly and the girls absolutely stunning – let the good times roll.

High Value

If you’re putting together a stag weekend or even thinking of organising a stag weekend somewhere exciting, entertaining and cheap you can even use the credit crunch to your advantage.

Competition is fierce. There has never been a better time to pick up a deal on New Year stag weekends. Stag weekends in Krakow, Riga and Budapest are three of the newest and most popular options. A heady mix of new cheap flights, superb accommodation and innovative, enjoyable and diverse activities now offers unrivalled quality and value. Absolutely top stag weekends at staggeringly bottom prices.

Low stress

It’s easy to book. With specialist companies offering ‘on the ground’ knowledge, New Year stag weekends with English speaking, on-location customer service expertise are an affordable, straightforward and fun option.

Specialist stag weekend operators can take care of all the necessary – flight deals, transfers, finding the right accommodation, the best venues, restaurants, and organising activities. It’s vital to have the latest inside information and without doubt is best left to the experts. You’ll have far more important things to do (like clubbing, carting, drinking or idly strolling through the quaint and picturesque old town enjoying the baroque architecture) to want to worry about logistics.

Remember too, in a strange and distant land a stag party may be vulnerable to being ripped off or taken advantage of. Wise up – go through an established stag weekend company and use their local knowledge to make the most of your stag weekend.

Each city has its own style and its own appeal. Depending on your tastes, the nature of the stag weekend and the preferences of the group you may prefer one to another – the choice is yours.

Here’s a brief comparison between stag weekends in Budapest, Riga and Krakow.

Budapest Stag Weekend: The “Paris of the East”. Cosmopolitan, beautiful and intriguing. Loads of pubs, loads of clubs, loads of beautiful fun-loving Hungarians. Least expensive activities and best strip club in Eatsern Europe.

Riga Stag Weekend: Rapidly emerging new kid on the Eastern Bloc. A beguiling blend of Old Town history and modernity. Sensational nightlife and the day life’s pretty hot too. Ridiculously good-looking women.

Krakow Stag Weekend: The cultural heart of Poland. Compact and sophisticated student town. Bar-tastic, party heaven. Loads of activities including Uzi shooting followed by a strip club. Beat that to blow away the January blues!