In recent years Budapest has become one of Europe’s most popular travel destinations, providing a unique blend of stunning architecture, nightlife and surprisingly reasonable prices.

Thanks to low cost booze, accessibility from the UK and a tolerant attitude towards larger parties, it has also become extremely popular for stag weekends. If you want a stag party that is a little different from your local pub crawl then here are some tips on drinking in Budapest, the best places to go, price and general etiquette.

Budapest has a great variety of bars from the elegant up-market establishments to more rough and ready beer halls that provide an atmosphere and charm all their own – not to mention excellent beer. With such bars aplenty you will have no problem finding one to your liking and that will fit into your Budapest stag weekend theme.

For a traditional Hungarian experience, and with some extremely cheap drinking to boot, you will want to visit a borozo, wine pub, or a sorozo, a beer bar. The former sells cheap but drinkable Hungarian wine at ridiculously low prices, while in the latter you can buy beers for as little as 60p (although decent beers will cost you around £1.50) with spirits being a little more expensive at about £1.50 a shot. Prices to get into clubs can vary in general you can expect to pay between £1.00 and about £3.20. A lot of the clubs open at 10pm but you can always find pubs and clubs that open earlier to cater for the Brit who wants to start early. On top of this the majority of clubs stay open to six in the morning – and many stay open even later. This means that a European stag weekend is a good choice whether you want to start early and party hard or not.

One of the most popular areas to go is Hajogyari Sziget (Shipyard Island), where you’ll find various clubs to suit all tastes from huge outdoor venues to more intimate spots. Another popular place, and one that is said to attract the most beautiful women, is the Café Negro club in Pest. Café Negro not only has some of the best local DJs, and drinks, but also houses a restaurant that is well worth visiting. If you’re home sick and can’t stand being away from your local boozer then there is the always the Morrison English Pub. The great thing about this place is that many travellers go there as well so it easy to find a hen night on a similar tour.

When it comes to drinking etiquette, clinking beer glasses used to be frowned upon. It is said that the Austrian’s clinked their glasses to celebrate the putting to death of a group of Hungarian Generals in 1848 and as such was viewed censoriously by the locals. However, the tradition of not clinking was set to last 150 years – thus in 1998 the widely adopted disdain for clinking expired and Hungarians now clink away with fervour.

Another thing is that although the Hungarians are fairly tolerant they will frown upon large groups of highly inebriated stag partiers – in fact their frowns may be so hard that they could give you a black eye. However, take it easy and enjoy the Hungarians hospitality and your stag weekend will remain memorable and safe – a memorable send off into married life.

About the Author

Josey Walker - The Founder & Managing Director of party organizers Stag Republic and Hen Nation. Stag Republic have been organizing made-to-measure stag weekends abroad and hen weekends in Eastern Europe since 2000. More recently popular destinations include stag weekends in Budapest and Krakow. For interviews, images or comments contact: Josey Walker Stag Republic Phone: 00 3630 34 99 015 Email: info@stagrepublic.co.uk

 

A great all inclusive hotel in Jamaica situated beachfront in Negril, across the coastal road from a beach called Bloody Bay is Sunset at the Palms.

With only 86 rooms and not costing top dollar this is the kind of place that is very suitable for an affordable family vacation. There is a relaxed atmosphere here, boutique hotel in style, with even a touch of the South Pacific about it.

This is because of the design of the accommodation units which are small wooden cottages at most two stories high, but sitting Asia style on stilts.

Each of them has two bedrooms, and a balcony, four poster beds, and a shower only bathroom. This includes air conditioning and a fan, but no mosquito nets, and bug spray would probably be a good idea.

They are essentially quite simply furnished with dark wood furniture, but very stylish, and the whole set up lends itself to it being a very romantic hotel, and has won awards as the most romantic hotel in this part of the world.

All Inclusive Hotel Food does have a reputation of becoming somewhat boring after a couple of weeks, but the head chef at All Inclusive Hotel has his own TV show on Jamaica television. Breakfast has a great selection, as well as freshly cooked eggs and omelettes. There are two restaurants, and the Palm Grove has buffets where there is a huge selection of dishes, every day with a different theme. It is very well worthwhile arriving early because not everything is replenished. The A La Carte Restaurant, the Lotus Leaf is very good, but you should be aware that dress code rules apply and are enforced. By the way the menu changes every week, and not to forget that there is a beach grill for burgers, sandwiches, and jerk chicken, which is open all day.

Don’t miss the beach BBQ on a Friday, complete with limbo dancing and fire walking

There are two bars at the hotel itself, a swim up at the pool and one by the a la carte restaurant, and a third bar at the beach. You will find the barmen very helpful, and willing, and keen to get you to try a variety of cocktails which should probably carry a health warning.

The beach, although across a road, is beautiful, a classic Caribbean white sand, with warm blue, green, turquoise sea. There are plenty of sun loungers so no need to bring a pile of books and clothes to do the reserving bit before breakfast.

Most people use the beach, even although the small pool is nice it is rarely crowded for that reason, but you will enjoy the hot tub for a lovely soak after partaking of one or more of the good selection of watersports off the beach.

Whilst there is entertainment it is done in a refined and tasteful way, which isn’t always the case at an all inclusive hotel in Jamaica. The staff are friendly, professional, eager to please, and they will chat as well given a chance.
All in all the Sunset at the Palms is a small boutique romantic hotel with great potential to also give you a great affordable all inclusive family vacation at a great beach resort in Negril.

 

About the Author

Ben Thompson is the main writer for Jamaica Vacation Spots as well as authoring several articles about Worldwide Vacation Spots and he recommends Caribbean Vacation Spots but given a choice he would choose Jamaica