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.

Yesterday we spoke about ‘taking to the seas’ with sailing lessons so it only seems natural that we look to expand our horizons and take to the skies with flying lessons! If, like me, you’re a bit of a scaredy cat then you could try some flying for beginners with a flight simulator machine. It’s basically the cockpit of a real plane that has been hooked up to a load of very sophisticated virtual techology computers that make it look (and feel! the cockpit moves!) like you’re flying a real plane. The appeal? You get the full flying experience without ever leaving the ground! And you also get expert tuition so that you feel a bit more confident before taking off in the real thing.

However, if you love the thrill of the chase and you just can’t wait to get airborne then spoil yourself this summer with introductory flying lessons, flying lessons with friends, or even an afternoon tea package that lets one person fly and one be the passenger after enjoying a sumptuous afternoon tea!

I can’t think of a better summer’s day activity for people who love to really experience the world! And best of all, it’s ideal for girls and guys alike.

I’m looking for a gift for my boyfriend: something fast-paced and fun, and something that he wouldn’t have done before. This has got to be the gift to top all gifts! Do you have any ideas?

Adel

Dear Adel,

In my experience, most guys like to drive fast cars. They like to drive big cars. They like to drive the kind of cars that make their friends look on in awe and envy them. And, if you’re looking for the gift to top all gifts, then you need the biggest, craziest and most thrilling driving adventure in the UK. Am I on the right track so far?

I have two ideas for you. The first is a mad, mean monstertruck experience where your man will get to drive a jeep, a buggy, a Euro-Spec Monster Truck AND the giant GRIZZLY MONSTER TRUCK too! All this on a crazy monster truck course… what more could you want?

The second option is a tank driving extravaganza where he’ll be able to drive a real military tank around a purpose-built course. There are a load of different tank driving experiences which you can find here; ranging from crazy car-crushing activities to a full-blown tank paintball battle with 40mm paintballs!

I hope that you find my suggestions useful! And good luck!

x Stacey

Looking back over the last few days I’ve noticed a trend … I’ve been writing all of the posts before breakfast time so that would explain why I’m always writing about food! Hunnnngry! So today I’m being revolutionary and writing after breakfast and I’ve decided to tackle a reader’s question. Read on!

Hi there, I’m looking for a gift for my boyfriend. It’s his birthday and I want to get him something that’s a whole lot of fun! Any ideas? Thanks,

Gigi.

Dear Gigi,

Funny you should ask that – - one of my colleagues and I were just discussing that very question yesterday afternoon! She opted to get her boyfriend a flying lesson which came with a delicious afternoon tea package which means that they are both going to be able to sit down and enjoy some delicious pastries at the airport restaurant after his lesson. It’s a win-win situation!

Another idea you might consider is a lovers’ leap bungee jump where you and your boyfriend will enjoy a thrilling tandem bungee jump into the unknown! This is the ideal way to tackle this scary activity … in the arms of the person who will always keep you safe! (ah, my sentimentality is getting to me now). But this is a great adventure activity for a thrill-seeking guy and it’ll make it a hundred times more special if you get up there and do a leap of faith as well!

Good luck Gigi, let me know if you need anything else!

Stacey

Hi Stacey,

I hope you can help me too!! I need a gift for my boyfriend. We’ve been together for four years so it’s got to be a big gift – something that he’ll really appreciate. He’s car crazy so I wanted to get him one of those driving days that you recommended previously … something awesome, something fun, and something that not everyone has already done. He’s really competitive and I know he’ll want to brag about this to his friends if he gets the chance! Please please please help me, I know I’ve set a really difficult task! (Trust me, I’ve been hunting around for gifts for weeks now and I’m at my wit’s end!).

Thanks for everything,

Libby

Dear Libby,

My brother is exactly like your boyfriend! He loves to be ‘number one’ (his favourite saying!) and he’s always going on about how he’s the best of the best. So let’s just say that I know first-hand what you’re going through when hunting for gifts! And, luckily, I even have a gift in mind for you…

If he loves daring driving and he wants to do something completely unique then I have to suggest that you side-step all of the traditional driving experiences like laps in a Lamborghini or Ferrari days and give him a day to test his ‘mettle’ (as they say) on the stock-car track. I found a stock-car racing day where he’ll be able to take part in a number of different race events that have been specially designed to give the driver the most amusing and exciting driving day ever! The one event that really caught my eye is the Nag Drag where the driver is blindfolded (can you believe it!) and then has to be guided around an obstacle course by his passenger. And if that’s not enough, he will also have to keep a ball balanced on the bonnet as he navigates the twists and turns! Now that sounds like a truly unique driving day if I’ve ever heard of one!

I hope that helps!

x Stacey

Yes I agree, our health is of the utmost importance! And it’s good that you mention this at Easter too – everyone is going to be tripping over each other to find the perfect Easter eggs when they could be treating each other with healthy activities that are fun too! There are loads of fun Easter activities that you could enjoy like Sphereing or Zorbing, and there are some healthy food options as well. Here are some of my favourite classes that you might share with a loved one for the perfect Easter gift that is pro healthy living:

Keith Burke’s MARKET FRESH cookery course is a fabulous introduction to healthy eating. You are guided around one of London’s finest fresh produce market to purchase lovely fresh ingredients before heading on to Keith Burke’s (Michelin Star Chef!) kitchen to learn how to prepare them. This is a great cooking course for couples – - I hear that it is heaps of fun!

Another cooking course you might consider is the quick and easy “cook, eat and run” course which is taking the nation by storm. This incredibly popular course is ideal for those of you who don’t have much time to spend enjoying the culinary arts but would like to give it a go anyway… you learn quick and easy recipes that you can cook up in half an hour, and then you sit down with your classmates and enjoy your cooked meal together afterwards. The recipes are delicious and the class has a very friendly atmosphere. Have a quick look at this video to see what I mean:

And finally, my personal favourite is the THAI COOKERY course, also hosted by Keith Burke. If you love Thai food (and I DO!) then you’ll love this course! Keith is friendly and encouraging, the kitchen facilities are superb and the people are all so nice! I had a brilliant time there, I can’t wait to go back! And best of all my new Thai Green Curry recipe is a hit at all of our dinner parties! This is a must do this Easter.

Good luck with finding the perfect Easter Gift, and I hope that you manage to achieve those six-pack abs you mentioned!

x Stacey

Looking for the perfect Easter weekend gift for your boyfriend? Then I’ve got just the answer for you: one of my friends recently received an amazing ZAPCAT adventure and he can’t stop talking about how awesome it was! Not only did he get to ride in one of these crazy rides, he got to drive it too! He got a full safety briefing before taking the reigns of the Zapcat, and then he got to navigate it around the water course through tight turns and zippy straights.

You can see how powerful these crafts are in that picture I found up there – just look at the almost 45′ incline! I can’t imagine holding on to one of those (it might be easier to just fall into the water! ) Russ (the friend I mentioned earlier) sent me this video and I thought that I must share it with you. Have a look! This is the perfect Easter activity for your boyfriend…

If you want to impress your boyfriend this valentine’s day then you’ve got to get him something awesome! I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that always work and I’ve decided to let you in on my two best-kept secrets…

FOR HIM

A sure winner is the popular Flying Lesson. This is a great way to treat him to an amazing outdoor adventure that will definitely impress him! He’ll get to fly the aeroplane for thirty minutes and he’ll still be sky high when he lands!

FOR BOTH OF YOU

If you want to impress him and enjoy some quality time together then treat him to a couples seafood cooking course. Everyone knows that seafood is the cuisine of love, so what better way to spoil him on Valentine’s Day than by treating him with an unforgettable cooking course filled with the tastiest treats and the best tips? You’ll have heaps of fun on the course and you’ll be able to apply your cooking knowledge in the kitchen when you get back home as well!

Hiii Stacey – need some help pls! I’ve got to go away next weekend and I want to get my bf something so that he doesn’t feel lonely like I’ve left him behind. You’ve been writing about how we shud be taking advantage of the good weather and I totally agree, so maybe something outdoors? That would be so cool of you to help!

Thx!

Leslie

Dear Leslie,

Of course I’m happy to help! And I know just what you need: summer day activities! It’s the perfect thing to distract your boyfriend from his woes while you’re away

I stumbled upon a fabulous outdoor adventure that I’m sure is exactly what you had in mind. It’s called a multi cliff adventure and it’s basically a non-stop, action-packed activity that is guaranteed to keep anyone entertained for hours! It’s filled with exciting activities like abseiling, zip wire rides, maze adventures and tunnel activities. Here, watch this short video to get an idea of why I think that this is the winning experience for your boyfriend:

Did you see that? Wowee! I’ve got to say – that ‘rat race’ looked a bit packed for my liking but I’m sure I’d get a kick out of everything else!

Let me know if you’d like additional suggestions Lindsay, and good luck!

x Stacey

Hi there, just wondering if you had any good ideas for me. I need to find an awesome easter gift for my bf and I want this to be a special day for us!! I’ve seen the other things you suggested and they all seem so good so pls help me too!

Lindsay

Dear Lindsay,

Thank you, I’m glad that you’ve found my ramblings inspirational And I’m only too happy to help.

I think that you are looking for a ‘couples’ experience for your boyfriend – something really fun and exciting that you can enjoy together this Easter. I’ve got three basic ideas for you – all of which are great ways to spend time with your loved one.

(1) Go do something nice like treating your boyfriend to a decadent dinner with theatre tickets for two. I’ve heard that Avenue Q (pictured to the right) is amazing and definitely worth seeing so I’d recommend going to see that or one of the classics like Grease or Sister Act to make sure that you have a good time!

(2) Go do something indulgent and spoil your boyfriend to a couple’s makeover and photoshoot where you’ll both be given star treatment as you get a fabulous makeover and then pose under the spotlight while a professional snaps up amazing pictures.

(3) Go do something crazy like take part in a thrilling Hobie Cat sailing adventure! If you’re an outdoorsy couple then this is probably just up your street. Have a look:

That does look heaps of fun! Take advantage of the long weekend and get your feet wet!

I hope that this helps Lindsay,

x Stacey