So you want to Learn to Fly?
Dreams where you are flying can be magical, but you can learn to fly a real plane when you sign up for a flying experience. If watching the landscape pass below you while you experience your first helicopter flight appeals to you, you may like to sign up for a special flight experience. An experience for two, including a romantic picnic lunch with champagne, can be a wonderful way to celebrate an anniversary or another significant occasion with your spouse or partner.

Try Flying Acrobatics for Some Daredevil Fun

Stunt flying is not for the faint of heart, but if you are something of a daredevil you may love a lesson in flying acrobatics – an experience that will provide you with your fix of adrenalin. An experience operated by qualified and experienced pilots will be safe, and a lesson which includes extensive pre-flight preparation can be enjoyed with less anxiety, if you are a first-time stunt performer. You can also book an acrobatic flying experience for a loved one; anyone who has a love for airplanes and/or extreme experiences is likely to love this gift.

For a Rare Treat, Fly a Vintage Tiger Moth Biplane

You can go on an ordinary domestic flight any day, but a rare experience such as a flight on a vintage Tiger Moth biplane will be an airborne adventure to remember. If you are something of a history buff and fancy yourself something of a flying ace put your prowess to the test. You can whiz around and even enjoy demonstrations of acrobatic flying stunts such as loop-the-loop and barrel rolls. For flight training with a difference, fly a biplane that would meet the approval of the Red Baron himself.

Helicopter Tours Offer a Different View of the Landscape

You may have travelled around extensively via land, but helicopter tours can provide you with an altogether different, exciting view of familiar landscapes. A helicopter flight may be a little noisy, but that is half the excitement – hearing the propeller’s blades turn powerfully, lifting you high over a picturesque scene. A helicopter flying lesson is a great gift for that friend who likes to take charge and experience new things, and a lesson which includes an opportunity to take the controls will provide a memorable experience that is also a great conversation starter.

Microlight Flying – the closest thing to Autonomous Flight

Since microlights are small and light, as their name suggests, they provide you with the closest thing to the sensation of being weightless; the next best thing to the fantastical idea of swimming breaststroke through the air. The speed of flight depends on your wishes, so you can whizz through the air or slow your pace down to a gentle glide, taking in the sights and the rush of having a boundless aerial view. You can book flight training for yourself, or can give a microlight experience to a friend who would love to learn to fly.

Hi Stacey. I’m looking for a gift for my brotherwho has recently moved to the UK. He’s really quite into bungee jumping but I can’t seem to find any bungee jumping locations or schools here in London. Do you know of any? Or know of anyone who might? I really need some input here! Look forward to hearing back from you,

Bailey

Dear Bailey,

I, like you, have an adrenaline-hungry brother who is always keen to try out crazy things like bungee jumping! So, luckily, I have an answer to your question! Now it’s just a matter of your budget and your brother’s preferred bungee experience. Here are a few of my brother’s favourite locations (he was oh-so happy to rattle off lists when I got him on the phone, so I’ve tried to narrow them down a bit by activity type):

1.  The 160ft Bungee. This is the ’standard’ bungee experience, and is easily accesible within London.

2. The 160ft forwards and backwards bungee. This is a variation on the standard bungee experience … your brother will get to jump forwards and backwards off of the highest heights! I can’t imagine jumping backwards!!! But, that being said, my brother says it’s quite an adventure!

3. The crazy indoor bungee experience. The name says it all! it’s a thrill-a-minute, non-stop crazy bungee jump that takes place inside an enormous warehouse. Expect flashing laser lights, dry ice smoke and a range of other special effects! This is on my brother’s to-do list and is not for the faint-hearted!

I hope this helps you!

Do let me know how it all goes,

x Stacey

HI Stacey,

I’m looking for a gift for my brother’s 18th birthday. He’s quite a socialite and likes partying all night!! I read your blog every week and you always have quite good ideas… hope to hear from you soon.

Ben

Dear Ben,

Thank you, that’s very kind of you. I do try!

If your brother loves a good party then why not get him something that he can put to good use when he’s out and about? I’m thinking… a Cocktail Masterclass! He’ll get to learn all about the ‘mechanics of mixology’ as he stirs, shakes and blends his way into cocktail-making history! This one is ideal for the party animal or cocktail lover because it will equip them with an invaluable skill that they can use at dinner parties, house parties and even at a barbeque. Besides, everyone loves a great cocktail It’s a great way to welcome him into his coming of age as well!

Spice up the cocktail masterclass with a hint of fun when you combine it with an introduction to flair bartending! Your brother will be flairing like a pro before the day is done, and he can combine that with his skills he learned at the cocktails masterclass to provide his mates (and his brother!) with some deliciously tasty treats. Mmm.

I hope that helps Ben,

Do let me know if there is anything else that I can do to help!

x Stacey

Finding the right gift idea for your brother doesn’t have to be a chore. I always know what to get my brother for his birthday because he’s a bit of an adrenaline junkie and that makes it quite a lot easier to find new thrilling experiences for him to try. But that doesn’t help those of you who have brothers who aren’t particularly sporty or who aren’t interested in extreme adrenaline activities?

I set out in search of these answers in an effort to answer some e-mails I’ve been receiving on the same topic and I came up with some good ideas! Hurrah! Thankfully I have some colleagues here in the office who offered me some valuable insights!

First up are archery lessons. These are great fun for everyone – girls, boys, young and old. Your brother will love learning all about this ancient sport that tests your strength, your agility and your marksmanship. Have a look at how thrilling it all looks in this video:

I can’t imagine I’d be any good at it but I’d be willing to give it a go! I think it’s amazing that it’s such an involved sport with specialist equipment and techniques.

Another exciting birthday gift idea is the opportunity to DJ at the Ministry of Sound DJ Academy. This really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those who are interested in the music industry. Your lucky brother will have a chance to be taught by some of the biggest names in the DJ business, and he’ll get to try his hand at the state-of-the-art decks in their top club.

Finally, there no experience quite like the high-flying fun you get in a hot air balloon, so treat your brother to a flying day he’ll never forget! Let your brother take to the skies over some of the most beautiful landscapes in the UK and he’ll love every minute. This is a MUST for everyone and I can tell you – it’ll be a hit! I’ve done this and I speak from experience when I say that it is amazing!