Experience Days | 
11 29th, 2011| 
When you buy a gift, it’s normal that you’d want it to be great and memorable. After all, if you’re buying a gift, you want the person to not only like it, but love it!! We have compiled a top list of the best experience days Christmas gift ideas to give you some inspiration, to make this Christmas extra special!
It’s normal to have dreams and to have secret wishes we have not yet had a chance to fullfil. Many of us don’t act on these dreams because we’re not sure how to go about it or because they seem like too much of a luxury. This is why experience gifts are some of the best gifts you can give someone special. Not only do you get a person something unbelievable and memorable, but you give something that won’t clutter up their home: an experience they will cherish forever!
When deciding on a Christmas experience gift, consider the individual’s personality. Someone who is introverted would probably want a different experience than someone who is more extroverted. Always take into account the things they’ve said in conversation regardless of how silly it sounded, you would be surprised as to how people find it difficult to express what they really like. You can give them an experience that relates to their dreams or goals or you can build off of an inside joke that the two of you share.
For example, you could offer a friend the chance of a lifetime to drive some of the most exclusive race cars in the world or you could take a friend to a gastronomic experience day, where he can learn wine tasting, fine cooking skills, or simply treat yourselves to a three start restaurant. You could take a pal up in a hot air balloon or you could take them through a haunted house tour of a famous city.
There are experience days or gifts for people of all types. All it takes it knowing the person and being as creative as you can be. Think about the person’s jobs and lifestyles: what do they love in life?
Experience gifts are available for every budget, so we have compiled a list of our favourites based on budget, and type. Enjoy, and pass these on to your friends for a memorable Xmas!
Top experience day gifts for men
Wine Tasting Course
Wine should be a pleasure, not a dinner party anxiety, and with this experience you can learn to quaff with confidence. This captivating introduction course is suitable for every level so come and enjoy a glass of champagne on arrival, then go on to discover fascinating and delicious new wines and grape varieties with someone who knows their Chateauneuf du Pape from their Chianti. Learn how to correctly taste and understand the subtlety of what makes each wine so different and match food and wine together. To break up morning and afternoon sessions, there’s a delightful two-course lunch in a nearby restaurant. To conclude, everyone will take home the souvenir book ‘A guide to wine tasting’.£95.00
The Ultimate Men’s Wet Shave
Save yourself shaving for a couple of days in preparation for this experience. Then relax and enjoy a traditional cut-throat shave in a luxury gentleman’s salon. Facial massage precedes two shaves, firstly with the grain and direction of hair growth and secondly against the grain. Chill out further with a relaxing hair wash and mini head massage, and even take home a goodie bag including a professional shaving brush and stand from the salon. Refreshments are included and some of these state of the art salons include internet access, playstations and plasma walls.£48.00
Ferrari versus Rally Driving
A truly winning combination – the hair-raising thrill of rally driving, twinned with the stylish flair of a Ferrari. Two amazing and completely different driving experiences in a single package. Start off with a short briefing from a qualified instructor who will talk you through track driving techniques. Next your instructor will drive you round the circuit in a sports saloon for five minutes of familiarisation laps to demonstrate the racing lines. Then you’ll take the driving seat of the fantastic 183mph, 400 bhp, 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds Ferrari 360. Savour the moment as you go around Rockingham in one of Maranello’s breathtaking beauties. You’ll just about have time to get your breath back before pushing your driving skills to the limit in a rally prepared Ford Focus. With an instructor by your side try handbrake turns and power slides as you put this car through its paces on a purpose built rally course. Finish with question and answer session and a certificate presentation.£199.00
Beginner’s Introduction to Golf
Golf isn’t a sport that a beginner should best try without any coaching first so head to a Marriott Golf Academy for the perfect introduction. Start off with a coffee before going to the academy or the driving range, where you’ll spend the first hour on the basics of what is called the long game (long refers to the length of the shot, not the length of the game), including how to swing the club and strike the ball. During the second hour you’ll learn some of the basics of the short game, including chipping and putting. A £10 voucher towards lunch at the Marriott restaurant is included, and you’ll also receive a copy of the specially-produced ‘Learn to Play Golf’ programme.£75.00
Aston Martin versus Nissan GT-R Driving Experience
Experience either the Aston Martin V8 Vantage or DB9 and the brand new Nissan GT-R. Aston Martin’s are beautifully crafted modern classics with awesome power, phenomenal acceleration and superb handling. The Nissan is the UK’s fastest car in its price range, reaching 62mph in just 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 195mph. Kick off with a briefing on driving techniques, then your ARDS instructor will drive you for two training laps in a performance car so that you can learn the racing lines. Next, take the wheel yourself of either the Aston Martin V8 Vantage or DB9 for four laps around the 1.8 mile long track. Then step into the Nissan GT-R for a further four laps. Your driving will be assessed and you’ll walk away with a certificate as a memento.£189.00
Top experience day gifts for women
A Glamorous Movie Star Makeover
Where does one go to be expertly beautified to look as glamorous as a silver screen movie star? The Powder Room, A divine beauty parlour. You will receive a cocktail on arrival and a warm welcome from your fabulous Powderpuff girl, dressed in chic 1950s inspired uniforms. You will then go through two makeover look books with her, one filled with fabulous hairstyles and another with gorgeous makeup looks. This exclusive Red Letter Days experience definitely has the feel good factor. After you have chosen your desired look, your Powderpuff girl will get to work, completing your look with luscious false eyelashes. Get ready for a glamorous new you.£50.00
The Ultimate Pamper Package
Once in a while everyone needs to recharge their batteries, but sometimes life get so hectic that it’s almost impossible to find time to relax. This experience is designed to make the most of your ‘me time’. Start with a luxurious body buff which includes all over body brushing to help stimulate circulation, an exfoliating scrub and hot towel cleanse to leave your skin glowing and finally a relaxing massage. You will also receive a brightening mini facial including a deep cleanse, gentle exfoliation and pressure point massage using a special blend of essential oils to ease away lines and rehydrate the skin. Then pamper your hands and feet with a luxury spa manicure and a conditioning foot wrap.£149.00
Champneys Massage and Facial
Enjoy a tailor-made facial to suit your individual skincare needs. A therapist will analyse your skin and decide on a specific facial best suited to delivering the results you are looking for (whether you want to purify and balance the skin, help reduce excess oil and refine pores, rehydrate and nourish or prevent the signs of ageing). Then receive a relaxing back, neck and shoulder massage which helps to increase blood and lymphatic flow, promoting a sense of wellbeing and relaxation which can also improve muscle tone and skin texture. Complimentary herbal teas and water are available throughout your time at the spa.£75.00
House of Fraser Personal Shopping Consultation with £200 in Vouchers
A personal shopper will guide you through some of the latest fashions and accessories at selected House of Fraser department stores. AND you’ll have money to spend on whatever catches your eye. Your package includes a consultation in a personal shopping suite (excluding Reading, where the consultation takes place in standard fitting rooms) during which you both can discuss personality preferences and shopping tastes so the personal shopper can best help you make the most of your time. Choose items that really suit you with the whopping £200 to spend on whatever you like in store. Women receive a mini makeover, men get a skincare consultation. You also get a small goody bag filled with product samples to take home.£235.00
Chocolate Making Workshop
French doctors used to prescribe it to women with broken hearts, we’ve always had a love affair with this sweet sticky substance and there are definitely times girls have preferred to get their comfort from chocolate rather than people. Come and visit a tasty chocolate workshop with a master chocolatier. Sample the chocolate fountain and make your own truffle fillings, dip truffles into Belgian chocolate and decorate. Will they be as tasty to eat as they are delicious to feast your eyes upon? Find out as you are welcome to take at least 20 of your own creations home with you at the end of the experience.£50.00
Top experience day gifts under £60
High-Speed Passenger Ride
All the G-force, adrenaline and squint-eyed terror of competition-speed driving, without the worry of taking the wheel yourself. You’ll be chauffeured for between two and six laps at breathless speed by a qualified motor racing instructor around a real racing circuit. The make of car will depend on which circuit you choose and availability; you could ride in an MGZR, Caterham, Lotus Elise or another type of hot hatch. Whichever it is on the day, you’ll get the ride of your life: real racing lines, cornering and acceleration in top-class race-prepared cars.£50.00
Exclusive Thorntons Chocolate Hamper
This best-loved chocolate hamper comprises of 215g dessert gallery, 625g original special toffee, 155g choc chip choccies, 120g fruit cremes, 99g Turkish delight, 98g continental Milan dark choc bag, 350g continental selection box, 102g continental white assortment bag and a 101g continental praline bag. All of this is presented in a beautiful chocolate-brown hamper box, decorated with an attractive cocoa bean motif. As the saying goes – chocolate doesn’t make the world go around… but it certainly makes the ride worthwhile!£50.00
Harness Zorbing for Two
For two people, this Harness Zorbing ride is an adrenaline-packed adventure!You and a friend can share a truly unforgettable experience with this invigorating Harness Zorbing ride! In a 12 foot inflatable zorb that travels at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour, you and a friend can enjoy thrills like never before! And don’t worry, you will both receive safety training before being safely harnessed into the zorb. £49.00
Segway Rally
The Segway is a new marvel of technology that is self balancing, keeping you upright and in complete control at all times. Made to feel as simple as walking, it offers a feeling akin to hovering above the ground, making this an entirely novel and totally thrilling mode of getting around. Start with a full instruction and safety briefing, then get to grips with the Segway controls. Set off on a natural track through wooded and open surroundings to put what you have learned into Segway racing practise. With overtaking sections en route there is plenty of opportunity to let your competitive streak loose! Your experience concludes with a certificate presentation. So go ahead and try the transport of the future, now!£30.00
Introduction to Indoor Skydiving
Wind tunnels have been used for years to test the aerodynamics of cars. Then some bright spark came up with the idea of flipping one upright and jumping into the airflow – and body flying was born. The wind tunnel is a 120mph wall of air, easily strong enough to support your weight, so that you can experience freefall without the need to jump out of a plane. You’ll start off with a safety briefing from your instructor before being kitted out with your specialist flight suit. Then step into the wind tunnel with your instructor, where you’ll be lifted into the air for two incredible 60 second sessions of body flying. As a comparison, during a skydive from 10,000 feet, you would experience around 30 seconds of freefall. If you’re lucky, your instructor will jump on the flow and show you some astonishing freefall acrobatics. Your flying session will end with a debrief, and you’ll also get a DVD of your flight to take home.£50.00
Dumper Truck Racing
Test your nerve and co-ordination by steering a dumper truck around a specially-designed course in this out of the ordinary driving experience. After a safety briefing you’ll be introduced to your earth-moving truck for some training. The dumper is a hefty four wheel drive, go anywhere vehicle, weighing in at over a tonne. Despite its weight, you’ll be surprised just how agile and nippy this huge vehicle is. You’ll race your dumper around a pre-determined course, aiming to beat the other drivers and avoid penalties. Then the fastest drivers go head to head in the final! Roll up your sleeves and beat the opposition.£49.00
Premium Wine Tasting
Embrace the pleasure of wine with this premium wine tasting course, where you’ll be able to discover new and delicious varieties of quality wines. You’ll be taught how to savour the essence and texture of different wines and will have a tutored tasting of six different wines with an expert sommelier. You will be able to use your newfound skills when you match different wine tastes to different meals and learn how to complement various foods. If you think this is a course for wine experts, you’d be mistaken, as any adult with any level of experience can take part on this fun filled day of fine wine and fine company.£40.00
Introductory Quad Biking
After a thorough safety briefing get kitted out in protective clothing and introduced to your quad. You’ll be driving on level ground round a marked circuit while you get a feel for the vehicle. Shift up a gear and soon you’ll be power sliding round the turns like you were born to it. Go off on a quad safari for a taste of what quad biking is really about, venturing across woodland tracks, through water and up and down slopes, with your instructors keeping a close eye on you all the way. You will get mud spattered, but can hand in the overalls at the end. The bikes are usually Honda 250ES – a utility machine with five forward gears operated by electric thumb shift, Sportrax 90s – smaller, sports-tuned quads or New Force 150cc all terrain quads.£59.00
Top experience day gifts under £200
Microlight Flying Experience
The planes that most of us travel in are so big you hardly even know that you’re in the air. Well, things couldn’t be more different flying in a microlight. In fact, a trip on one of these nippy, lightweight little flying machines is about as close as you can get to being a bird. It’s an exhilarating experience – and one which needs strong nerves and a real head for heights! You’ll start off with a short briefing from your instructor, before hopping into your microlight. There are two types of microlight: ‘flex wing’, based on the frame of a hang glider; or ‘fixed wing’, which is similar to a conventional light aircraft. They all have dual controls, so you’re in safe hands at all times. You’ll be impressed by the speed and manoeuvrability of this little craft, and your instructor will encourage you to have a go at the controls yourself (we don’t reckon you’ll need much encouragement). If you get a taste for it, your flying time can count towards a microlight Private Pilot’s Licence.£100.00
Awesome Foursome Driving Thrill
This is your chance to drive four monsters of the road on one fantastic experience! Enjoy the ferocious Lamborghini Gallardo, the stunning Ferrari 360, the flawless Porsche GT3 and the Aston Martin. Each beast is a completely different drive but each is guaranteed to leave you smiling ear to ear. After a welcome on arrival and safety briefing you will rotate around these four sensational cars. With three breathtaking laps driving in each car, this sublime driving experience will satisfy any petrol-head. Just remember that you do have to give the keys back at the end!£199.00
Aerobatic Stunt Flying
Start off on the ground with a comprehensive briefing. You’ll chat through any specific requirements with your instructor so that the flight can be tailored to what you want (and how brave you’re feeling). Then climb aboard your plane, either a British Slingsby Firefly, Chipmunk or modern light aircraft such as a Cessna. Once airborne, your expert instructor will show you what it can do – so hang on tight for an aerobatic sequence including a roll, loop or stall turn. Then if you want to have a go (and we’re pretty sure that you will) your instructor will hand over the controls and you can experience the thrill of flying a plane.£135.00
Helicopter Sightseeing Tour of London
Helicopter flights over London are usually reserved for royalty – with this experience you too can enjoy a Queen’s-eye view of the city! You’ll board an EC120 or AS350/5 helicopter for a fantastic half hour sightseeing trip, following the path of the meandering Thames into the heart of the city. Flying at 1,500 feet, you’ll have a fantastic view of the capital’s iconic landmarks, including the Millennium Dome, Tower Bridge, the EDF Energy London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace, before heading home to land. You’ll get an amazing perspective on the geography of the city and the beauty of its landmarks – and whether you’re tourists or Londoners born and bred, it will make you see the capital in a whole new way.£149.00
Best unique experiences
Air Race Tuesday
Kick off with a thorough briefing and a practise flight, where you learn to fly the cutting edge Extra 300 race plane (as used in the Red Bull Air Race event) including tight corners. Enjoy a snack lunch with your pilot and talk tactics as you prepare for the big race. Start by diving down to low levels at speeds in excess of 200mph, select ‘smoke on’ and storm across the start. Then pass through a series of simulated gates at high speed either with wings exactly level, or at 90 degrees – in ‘knife-edge’ flight! No matter what your previous experience, YOU will fly the aeroplane, with an experienced aerobatic and ex-military instructor to make sure that it is safe. Have you been the fastest of the day? A results certificate signed by your pilot is yours to keep.£499.00
Hot Air Ballooning
First, with your feet still firmly on the ground, you’ll meet your pilot and get a flight safety briefing, before helping to prepare and inflate the balloon. Then climb into the basket ready for launching. You’ll fly at heights of up to 3,000 feet, enjoying beautiful views of the countryside below, and the restful peace and quiet. Because the balloon moves with the wind, you’ll feel no wind at all. After landing you’ll help the crew pack the balloon away, before a celebratory glass of champagne (or a soft drink) and after being driven back to the launch site (who knows where you’ll land? – you can’t steer balloons!); you’ll be presented with a commemorative flight certificate, and some centres also offer the chance to purchase an in-flight photo.£200.00
Scuba Diving with Sharks
Diving with sharks is guaranteed to make most people think you’re either very brave or rather stupid. Your experience will start with some scuba training, which will take between one and two hours, including a full briefing on scuba equipment and techniques followed by a practice session in a swimming pool. Then it’s time for your half-hour dive in the aquarium. Shark species will vary between venues, but you might be swimming with sand tiger sharks, lemon sharks, angel sharks or nurse sharks. There will also be other big fish, such as stingrays and conger eels, and shoals of smaller species. You can play with the smaller fish and wave through the glass at visitors to the aquarium, including your spectators, as the sharks swim around you.£250.00
Static Line Parachute Jump
3,000ft of solo Parachute jump – are you up to the ultimate challenge?If you have the nerve to go it alone then this two day course is the one for you. After one day of intensive training it’s time to take to the skies. The pumping adrenalin that you will experience on your ascent only enhances the exhilaration you will feel after the jump. As for the jump itself, 3000ft of leisurely descent gives you plenty of time to admire the stunning views. Location: Cumbria (North), Nottinghamshire (Midlands)£214.00
Top Gun Aerobatic Stunt Flying
Your experience begins with an intensive flight and safety briefing from your ex-military instructor, before you get kitted out in a Top Gun-style flight suit and a parachute. Then take to the air for a 40 minute flight with your instructor in an Extra 300, a high-performance lightweight aircraft which is one of the premier aerobatic planes in the world. Experience an airborne tactic demonstration and formation manoeuvres, accompanied by another Extra 300. Then you take the stick – your chance to try out some manoeuvres yourself and then tailchase the other plane. Get behind your ‘enemy’ and transmit ‘gun guns guns’, to see smoke billow from the aircraft in front. Back on the ground, there’ll be a full debrief and presentation of certificates.£500.00
London Meal and Top Price Theatre for Two
Begin your evening with a two-course meal from the pre-theatre menu at a central London restaurant (usually b bar, The Strand Palace Hotel, Chez Gerard, Dial or similar) within walking distance of the theatre. Then collect your top price tickets (in either stalls or circle), choices include the Queen rock spectacular We Will Rock You; camp musical Priscilla; the moving social commentary of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers; historical 39 Steps; the ghostly tale of The Woman in Black, ballet dancing Billy Elliot; musical Legally Blonde and prequel to Wizard of Oz, Wicked and from the successful film, Shrek and the acclaimed hit musical Jersey Boys.£169.00
Bordeaux Wine and City Break for Two
After travelling to Bordeaux at your leisure (travel not included) check into your centrally located, delightfully family run 18th century hotel, your base for three nights. The first evening to ease you into the heady world of French wine, your expert wine guide will host a wine tasting giving a fascinating insight into the wines and region of Bordeaux. After breakfast (included every morning), have your first of two chateaux visits, this time to the Medoc famous for the quality of their wines, before retiring to the hotel. The second day begins with another chateau, this time on the right bank with more fabulously sumptuous wines. By breakfast and check out on the third morning you’ll be awash with a new found vigour for wine. C’est magnifique!£1110.00
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