Alternative hen getaways

January

Alpine Skiing World Cup, Hahnenkamm Downhill Race - Kitzbuhel, Austria
Kitzbuhel is known as a glamorous ski resort and this event is said to be one of the most thrilling in the ski calendar and the whole town comes alive to celebrate the occasion. Go out early to enjoy a day or two of skiing before the professionals get on the slopes and spend the rest of the weekend indulging in fondue and Austrian beer with lots of sporty skiers with very muscular thighs.

For more information, visit www.hahnenkamm.com

Bommel Festival - Ronse, Belgium
The folk of Ronse seize any opportunity to have a party. The main spectacle of this parade are the 'Bommels', characters dressed in enormous costumes whose main aim is to knock each other senseless on a day they have named, not surprisingly, Crazy Monday. This, coupled with the general festive atmosphere and Belgian beer, should make for a good knees-up to warm winter nights.

For more information, visit www.visitflanders.com