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.

Found your blog yesterday while I was searching for a fun activity to do … it’s really quite good! I love it that you put pictures up every day! Maybe you can help me too: I’m looking for something that I can do that’s fun but that’s also a bit of a work out. I hate the idea of running on a treadmill and not going anywhere – I’d rather just do something outdoors and get a bit of exercise while I’m at it. Please help, summer is on it’s way and I’m still feeling the winter blues! Thank you!

Dave

Hi Dave,

I know exactly what you mean! the gym is an excellent way to burn off winter calories and that ‘extra padding’ that we all seem to acquire when it gets cold outside! But I completely agree with you: it’s very difficult to drag yourself to the gym when you’d much rather be outside and enjoying the rare bit of sun that’s coming our way recently. So what’s the solution?

Luckily for people like you and me there are a hundred different fun activities out there that can provide us with the motivation we need to get going! My personal recommendation for the summer has got to be kayaking. Take to the waters with a cool, calm, rhythmic motion and experience the great outdoors from a spectacular perspective! You can choose what kind of kayaking routes you’d be interested in (I’m more of a flat-water kind of girl, but you might enjoy rapids, adventure routes, or even kayaking tours where you’d go out in groups for weekend activities) but whatever you choose, you’ll get a great workout! Kayaking doesn’t only work your arms as you might imagine: it’s also an excellent back, shoulder and ab workout that will keep you looking in tip-top shape for the summer! Keep your core balanced and your body toned without ever hitting the gym!

Okay, now for the most important bit: how much is it going to cost you? Well that depends: are you going to spend a few hundred pounds and get your own kayak and kit? If, like me, you like to try out a whole range of things and you’re keen to see if you’re interested first, why not go for a two-hour taster session? That will give you plenty of time to get used to the sport and enjoy some of the scenery! And the best thing about that is it really isn’t going to break your bank either: at only £39 it’s quite reasonable! And a whole lot better than my local (noisy) gym!

I hope you have a great time out on the water Dave, let me know how it goes!

Stacey

Earlier this month I wrote a quick post on a great deal that I found (on a Hillmotts pampering retreat day) and one of my regular readers asked me to let you all know if I come across any other great deals. So I have just the thing to give your Monday Morning a bit of a sunny start: an amazingly-discounted, London-famous cooking course with the top chefs at L’atelier!

Imagine the setting: you have an hour for lunch. You’re starving, but you’re tired of eating the same-old, same-old. In fact, there’s nothing worse than eating at the same restaurant or canteen when you get food that you could easily make at home by yourself. So what do you do? You sign up for a Cook, Eat and Run cooking course! Now how do you fit that into your lunch break?

It’s easy!

For the first thirty minutes you’ll be guided through a simple yet delicious recipe that you’ll be able to throw together in no time to create a winning dish that will always bring you compliments. You’ll get hands-on training in the preparation, you’ll get to learn more about the various ingredients used, and afterwards you’ll get to sit down and enjoy some seriously yummy fine dining to complete this unique lunch-time experience! It’s a fantastic way to break the work routine, and the compact cooking lesson fits neatly into your lunch break too. After your half-hour cooking lesson you can sit down with your classmates and wash back the fruits of your new-found talent with a glass of wine, or, if you’re feeling pressed for time, simply pack up your lunch To-Go and head back to the office to show off!

So why is this such a good deal? Because, dear readers, the price has just been slashed by a massive 25% to give you lunch (and a cooking lesson) for only £15! I don’t know about you, but that’s only a few pounds more than what I pay for lunch already… In fact, I can’t think of a reason not to expand my recipe book!

There has been quite a lot of interest in this special offer (as you can imagine) but I’ve managed to book myself and a few of my colleagues in for a mini teambuild luncheon next week. Can’t wait! Yum! I hope you enjoy this great deal!

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

Treat your friend to an amazing day out that they’re not likely to forget when you choose an unforgettable driving experience full of high speed thrills and fast-paced action! This is the best way to treat someone on their birthday or special occasion (especially for something like a graduation!) because they’ll get to experience one of those once-in-a-lifetime activities like driving a Lamborghini!

The Lamborghini is one of those dream cars that every motor enthusiast dreams of driving … the mid-mounted V10 engine,  the sleek styling and the six-speed transmission that has celebrities and Lamborghini fans alike have adorning their walls! This is my brother’s dream car and it’s not hard to see why. Even I wouldn’t mind having a go in this:

Looks like fun It’s definitely one of those ‘for every occasion’ gifts that will always be appreciated!

These are trying times: loads of people are struggling to find their way through the difficult markets we face today, and many people are having to cut back. So if your friend has found himself in a new job then it’s time to break out the bubbly and celebrate his success! Treat him to an awesome adrenaline activity to get him geared up for the new work week ahead, or take him out for an amazing culinary treat to share good times.

You might give him the opportunity to face his fears head-on with a 160ft bungee jump! After leaping off the bridge or bungee platform he’ll be able to tackle even the fussiest clients and the most demanding employers!

If you want to tantalise his taste buds then take him out for a celebration dinner at  a top five-star restaurant where you’ll both be able to enjoy the tastiest treats and the finest dishes served by staff with impeccable manners. Let him enjoy his taste of the good life – he’s one step closer to making it ‘for real’!

I’m a big fan of giving anniversary gifts. I think it’s a fabulous way to spoil someone special on a day that’s important to them – it’s something thoughtful and considerate that they’ll really appreciate So if you’re in the market for an anniversary gift idea for your mate, I have a few suggestions to get the gift ball rolling!

Give him a theatre package so that he can treat his partner with two tickets to the hit musical Grease and take her out for a fab dinner beforehand as well! This is a really popular gift for couples so what better way to celebrate their special day than by giving them an unforgettable night out?

If you want to give them something more exciting that they can enjoy together then treat them to a fabulous Salsa Lesson for Two. They’ll love the passionate dance moves and they’ll have a really fun night out! Best of all, they can always sign themselves up for additional dance lessons afterwards to start a new hobby!

Finally, if you’re looking for something else that’s a little more exciting then why not get them a Lovers Leap Bungee Jump so they can experience extreme adrenaline thrills? This is a heart-racing activity that will see them jumping 160ft downwards in a tandem bungee experience. This is not quite what I’d go for on my anniversary, but who knows! Everyone’s different Just look at how much fun the guy in this photo is having!!

Give your friend the ‘thumbs up’ with a special anniversary treat that’ll show him why he loves his lucky lady so much!

If you’re looking for a fabulous driving day for the special guy (or girl!) in your life then I’ve got some good news for you! One of my good friends was treated a fabulous gift for his recent birthday and he had the rare opportunity to drive a Lamborghini Gallardo around a race track. Now it sounded like it was an amazing day, but I think I have something even more exciting to tell you.

… now anyone can drive one of their dream cars around a real race track at a very reasonable rate! He came across the best deal and was nice enough to share it with me so I could share it with you. I can only imagine what kind of gift-doors this special bit of information is going to be opening in the near future! Treat friends to a Ferrari challenge and lads to a Lamborghini day, give your aunt the keys to an Audi R8 or go the Full Monty with a tank driving phenomenon! I’m just so excited, I can’t wait to show you what I’ve found!

First of all, let’s have a look at Sean’s Lamborghini that he won’t stop talking about. He keeps saying that it’s something you’ve got to experience for yourself and that no words can describe it. Not very helpful, is he? Have a look at this video to see for yourself what it must be like to drive this dream car:

Looks pretty good doesn’t it? I love cars that bend neatly at the back like that, looks very supercar-ish.

Okay, they also offer a range of other super cars so you can pick out your particular dream vehicle and have a go. I must say, I’ve always been captivated by the styling of the Porsche Carrera 911 so I was quite excited to see that they have this one there as well. And what a good deal!

I could get used to driving one of those! Makes a big change from my Verso I love that there are videos to watch, it makes it so much easier to see what’s actually going on.

There’s also a Ferrari 360 on offer for Ferrari fans. I was recently dragged to the popular Ferrari Shop in London and I must admit, there’s something very appealing about the tell-tale red paint (which is even branded as Ferrari red!) and the very sleek contours.

That looks really exciting! I’m glad to see that other girls like cars too… Mind you, I’m more about what it looks like on the outside than on the inside. I wouldn’t know a carburettor if it fell on my foot!

Then there’s the Aston Martin DB9 which is the car most famous for being James Bond’s first choice. Okay, it’s probably more famous for something else but that’s why I know about it! I am a self-confessed Ian Fleming fan.

Look at it go:

Wow! I love the way they highlighted the red in that video, very neat – it makes it quite distinctive from the Ferrari red, don’t you think?

Let’s not forget the Audi R8 which is a very popular choice for ‘big kids’ and businessmen. It has won hundreds of awards and when I went to ask my colleague why it is that he chose to drive one of these to work every day, he answered simply: ‘It was Playboy’s Car of the Year’. Goodness!

Finally, the last ’single’ car driving experience that you can choose takes place in a Ford RS. You see a lot of these on the road – they’re unmissable with their distinctive orange, green or white paint jobs and their cheeky styling. But I have it on good authority that they’re a whole lot of fun on the race track as well! Sean got taken out for a ‘practice lap’ in one of these before they let him loose in the Lamborghini, and he said it was quite a beastly car.

Look at it zip around! Now if you thought that you’d been given a world of choice here, think again. There’s more where that came from! The clever people behind these fun driving days came up with something for the die-hard drivers out there.

That’s right, I’m talking about versus days. That’s when you take two of the biggest names in race driving and put them head-to-head to see which one handles better, which one is faster, and which one you like better. For example, you might compare the Ferrari with the Lamborghini.

Now that’s going to be a driving day worth doing! What a treat for big car fans. And you know what else could be fun? What about if you put a Aston Martin against Ferrari? Can you imagine James Bond going up against the legendary Jody Shekter or Kimi Raikkonen!

Look at that! You can really let your imagination run wild when you’re coming up with fun versus days!

If you’re looking for a car that has a bit more ‘raw power’ than these muscle machines we’ve already been discussing then you’ll probably appreciate the next item on our line-up: the Aston Martin Vs the Nissan GTR! The GTR is hailed as the Sports Car of the Year, the Motor Trend Car of the Year, Supercar of the Year, Automobile of the Year… etc. I don’t think I need to keep telling you, just watch this video and you’ll understand:

Wow! Did you hear that – a top speed of 195mph! That does seem to put up a bit of tough competition for the Aston Martin. Which one do you think will do better?

Not to be outdone by it’s rivals, the Ferrari makes a come-back to our line-up with a stunning versus day in the form of the Ferrari Vs Audi R8 challenge.

I can’t imagine which one would win – they’re both such super rides! I guess that’s why they let you drive both of them around the track … so you can see for yourself!

And finally, I’ve got a little ‘kicker’ surprise for you. I saved the best for last! If you’re looking for the ultimate driving day for a car enthusiast then you simply have to treat them to a fantastic ‘Full Monty Tank Day’! This one is a winner in my books, and it pulls out all the stops as one of the best gifts I’ve come across:

This is quite a comprehensive video which details everything the lucky guy (or girl) will get to do on the day. I must say, I’m sure every little boy dreams of driving a tank over a real car! Wow.

So there you have it folks. Thanks to Sean for telling us about these great deals! I hope that you all manage to use these as gift inspiration and gift ideas for birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions and important events.

Easter is synonymous in contemporary society with two important things: Easter Eggs and Easter Egg Hunts. Most guys aren’t comfortable with buying their mates a stash of chocolately treats, and chances are you’re not going to convince them to go on a treasure hunt either. So if you’re looking for some fab Easter activities that everyone can enjoy then I’ve got some ideas for you!

Water Skiiing. Let them ski across the water and have the time of their lives this Easter! This is a fun way to get up and take advantage of the good weather that’s heading our way. Give your mate a fun-filled day that he’ll really appreciate!

Monster Trucking. This fast-paced, powerful sport is full of action-packed adventure and your friend will love being able to take on the likes of the legendary Grizzly (in the photograph to the right). This is one Easter activity that he’s not likely to forget in a hurry!

A treasure hunt with a twist. Don’t feel like hunting around for Easter eggs? Then why not spice things up with your mates and enjoy a fun city-based treasure hunt that takes place in central London? You get a special pack of questions and clues, and then you communicate with the ‘quiz master’ via mobile text. Just have a look at these two having a go:

I didn’t even know some of the answers to those questions! I think we should probably all go out and get to know the city! … and what better way than on a special treasure hunt? It’s just like being little again!

Let the good times roll this Summer when you plan ahead for a ‘guy’s day out’! I’ve been getting a lot of requests lately for ideas for a day out for the boys, so I thought I’d give you all a TOP FIVE list of summer activities to help you find the right gift for the special guy in your life.

5. Leap off a 160f Bungee Jump. This is a crazy activity! I could never imagine throwing myself off a bridge or a crane, but I do see how it is incredibly popular with big kids and boys of all ages! This is one of those ‘must do’ activities for adrenaline junkies on hot summer days.

4. Go Hovercrafting. This is the hottest summer day fun! You get to ‘drive’ the hovercraft over land and water in a series of time trials. This is a great idea for guys who are competitive and who love to try new things.

3. Go abseiling in a cliffhanger adventure. This looks really scary but my nephew who loves this kind of thing tells me that it’s quite an adrenaline rush! [This looks like the perfect gift for my brother, now that I think about it.] Have a look at the picture to the right to get an idea of how amazing the views  must be!

2. Go sphereing. I keep coming back to this activity experience but that’s just because it’s such a popular choice for fun-loving guys and girls! There are three kinds of sphereing: aqua sphereing (with water inside the sphere with you), eclipse sphereing (inside a completely dark sphere, must be terrifying!) and air sphereing (takes place inside a wind tunnel like a giant pinball machine). You can choose to give this to a single person as a gift, go with them and make it an experience for two, or even include a third friend to literally let the good times roll!

1. Take flying lessons in a real aeroplane. This has got to be the best thing you can do on a fun summer day! You’re going to want to treat yourself to this one too… The pilot will give you basic flight instruction and then he’ll guide you through the take-off, the flying and the landing! Wow! The really nice thing about this lesson is that it counts towards your pilot’s license if you want to take it more seriously after your first taster experience.