Oh yes, it’s Ono! She’s exotic, dazzling, intelligent and loads of fun. We asked her the usual questions we ask our Stag Republic guides - read on for the not so usual responses:

Where were you born? I was born in Ulan Bator. (or Ulaanbaatar - the capital and largest city of Mongolia)

Which languages do you speak? I speak French, Mongolian, Hungarian, and English and I just started to learn Japanese.

What music do you like? My favourites are punk and californian punk.  I like some rock bands too, but at parties I like techno and hip-hop.

What is your favourite movie? I don’t really have just one, but The Dark Knight is amazing. I also like Tim Burton movies like Sweeney Todd and Alice in Wonderland.

What do you like to do in your free time? Traveling, traveling , traveling! I love to meet people from different cultures, that’s one of the reasons why I chose this job.  I also do sports, mainly extreme sports.  I love concerts, I play several instruments (clarinet, flute, guitar, citera).  I love horse-riding too.

Favourite restaurant/café/club in Budapest? And why? I like almost all the restaurants on Liszt Ferenc square and the ones on the Danube. My top choices are Spoon, Menza, Café Vian and Minyon, which is next to the Deák square. I love being near the Liszt Academy of Music - where many of these are located. I don’t have to explain why I love to be next to the Danube: views of the Royal Palace,the Parlaiment, Gellért Hill. For me, besides a delicious menu, those views make for a perfect lunch or dinner!  I also like Obuda Island -  it’s full of clubs, and if you don’t like one, there’s another one just ten metres away. During winter I like Club Play, and several clubs on Buda side.

Favourite stag activity and why? Pub Crawls, club crawls and boat cruises. These are the activities when I can talk to everyone in the group a lot, and get to know each of them better. I can talk about Budapest’s history or nightlife, depends on what my group is interested in. The boat cruises are simply beautiful.

What’s the one thing you tell all your stag groups? ENJOY BUDAPEST!

Funniest stag group story? Once, the stag just disappeared during the pub crawl. We were all very worried about him, and the entire group was looking for him for more than two hours. We went back to the clubs where we’d been, called him a millions of times, but he just didn’t answer. We went back at the hotel, we asked the Dj in Morrisons if he could make an announcement - we did everything we could but  just couldn’t find him. After all that worrying and looking, he was finally found, passed out in the toilet at a club.  Maybe handcuffing the stags to the guides would prevent this from happening again… HA! like our guides would go for that…

Book your stag party in Budapest now - Ono, and a plethora of other lovely, local guides are available for pub crawls and loads of other activities. Call 0845 686 0619 for details!

Budapest stag guide Annie had the pleasure of hosting a group 29 fine Irish lads who were in Budapest to play Hurling and Gaelic Football. She was kind enough to document the event in pictures:

For more information on these Irish sports here’s a great article: http://bit.ly/bG32o2

Yes! Another lovely guide! Can you believe it?! We here at Stag Republic consider ourselves VERY lucky. Zsofi (or Sofia for you monolinguists) has oodles of experience guiding stag groups through party-infested Budapest. We asked her the usual questions - and we got some very entertaining and unique answers:

Where were you born?
In the coolest city of Central Europe - that’s where you guys are heading now - Budapest.

What languages do you speak?
Perfect English, beer German and a bit of pulling Greek.

What are you studying or where do you work?
I’m a biology student in Szeged - sounds nerdy, but I’m used to the funny faces when I mention it. The white coat fits me well.

What music do you like?
It really depends on my mood: One day I feel like French electro, dubstep, then Brit-pop and than some d’n'b. But deep down, I’m an electro-rocker-punk who will always luv The Smiths.

What is your favourite movie?
“You talkin’ to me?!”

What do you like to do in your free time?
I’m a student, my free time is my life.  I spend it doing various things like hanging out with friends and my two incredible sisters. I like long walks, nice talks and never-ending parties.

Favourite alcoholic drink and favourite food?
Beer and a cup-a-noodle is the perfect combination! A nice glass of white wine always works and when it’s getting late I  go for a vodka redbull.

Favourite restaurant/café/club  in Budapest?
Klassz is a lovely little restaurant, with a special athmosphere on Andrássy út, one of the most beautiful boulevards of Budapest. For brunch and early drinks I go to Cafe Most!.  Aaaand when it’s about nightlife I usually just let my instincts guide me around the many great clubs in the 6th, 7th and 8th districts. Merlin, West Balkán, Corvinteto, the list is pretty long…

Favourite stag activity and why?
Shooting, it’s actually one of my hobbies! Lads, you need to try the Extreme Shooting package. Pub crawl and then thermal baths the next day - I think this is the best combination (just like beer and cup-a-noodle).

What’s one thing you tell all your stag groups?
Not to mess around with bouncers! They usually don’t speak English and they always know better.

Funniest stag weekend story?
I have so many of them. I always love when the groups are in fancy dress (even though it’s a bit harder to get in to places, but I sort it out). Once I had a group of 25 sportsmen, the stag was a swimmer in Speedos. They had the funniest drinking games. Whenever someone blew the whistle everyone had to sit down on the floor and the last person to sit had to drink all of his drink in one go. I was the judge so I had the power to choose anyone I wanted!

“Oh, sweet Caroline
Good times never seem so good…”

Introducing Stag Republic guide Karolina.  She livens up any stag party, and will make sure you and your mates really have a great time. We asked her a few questions, so you can get to know her better:

What do you study?
In June I will complete my studies in marketing and tourism management. I really enjoy specialising in these two areas.

How long have you been working as a Stag Republic rep?
I’m quite new at Stag Republic. I started in January of this year. Working for Stag Republic gives me the opportunity between my studies to do what I love to do: practice my English and discover other cultures.

Interests/hobbies/sports?
I like traveling very much and discovering new places. In my free time I go to the gym ( I do that twice a week). I also like riding my bike around my neighborhood. I also love reading my favourite authers - Paolo Coelo and Vladimir Nabokov.

Favourite Stag Republic activities? And why?
Because I’m new, I’ve only tried pistol shooting so far, but I like it very much. I gave it a try myself and it was much harder than I thought. I would love to try Go-Carting.

What’s the best thing about being a guide for Stag Republic?
I love getting to know different people, listen to their life stories, showing them around Krakow, and making sure they have maximum fun on all their activities.

What’s one thing you recommend each stag group MUST do when in Krakow?
Everyone should definitely check out Market Square, walk around the entre square enjoying the open-air cafés and people watching. In Spring I also recommend chilling out on the banks of the Vistula River. There are beautiful views of the city and of Wawel Castle.

What is your favourite restaurant, favourite bar, favourite spot to relax in Krakow?
The best restaurant in Krakow, in my opinion,  is Baroque Restaurant & Cocktail Bar. In the morning they offer great coffee, fresh-squeezed juice and delicious snacks. They serve tasty lunches, magnificent evening dinners (fusion kitchen), and of course excellent cocktails. The restaurant is very classy,  the interior combines elements of Baroque and modern design.

My favourite club is on Market Square - Cien Club - one of the most famous night clubs in Krakow. There are two dance floors with great house music. I especially like the  ‘Ibiza’s Most Wanted’ evenings, when the best DJs from Ibiza and Poland rock the house. There are always loads of people and loads of fun!

Funniest stag group story:
All my groups are funny and nice.

Okay Karolina, we get it. We’ll wait till you do a few more tours to get a reeeeeally good anecdote out of you! 

See you in Krakow soon!

When you book a stag party package in Budapest hotel, airport transfers and a pub crawl are all inclusive. Our Budapest pub crawls are the best, not only do they include a lovely, local guide to show you around, first round of beers free - but you also get free entry into one of Budapest’s top nightclubs and free entry into Budapest’s top stripclub.

A sampling of one of the nightclubs we frequent with stag groups:

TIP #38 – Travel light, bring plenty of deodorant
You will not be wearing most of those clothes, so don’t pack them. In, fact, you’ll be lucky if you change your clothes once during the
course of the weekend. All you really need is your bank card, a passport and plenty of mouthwash and deodorant.

TIP #41 – The stereotypes about the beautiful Eastern European women are absolutely true
Except for the one about moustaches and armpit hair. In fact, they had to cancel the waxing bit of “Hungary’s Next Top Model” because there was no point.

Hello Stags! We’re back again after a loooong holiday break. Well, okay - we were back sooner but were too lazy to post anything.

Moving on! Introducing one of our relatively new and very cute Budapest guides - Szilvia. She likes to be called Szilvi. And she likes to partaaay! So get to know her a little better:

When did you start working as a rep? 2009 February

What are you studying? Law (Smarty-pants)

What is your favourite stag activity/event? Pub Crawl, stag dinner , Boat Cruise

And why? Pub Crawl: It’s great to have the chance to show my groups the REAL Budapest nightlife, and take them to places which they would never find on their own.

Boat Cruise:  Perfect relaxing day activity after a hard night on the town.  I love showing the lads how beautiful the Hungarian capital is and why I’m proud to live here.  All the bridges on the Danube, the Parliament,  the castle…beautiful! Having a few beers with friends, surrounded by gorgeous waitresses and scenerey…what could be better?!

Stag dinner:  Out to dinner with loads of lads… do your really have to ask? (uh, no, guess not!)

What things do you dislike? I really hate when the lads start a food fight at the stag dinner. That’s just not cool.

What is your proudest moment? Not being hungover after a pub crawl. (We like her style!)

What’s your favourite alcoholic drink? Vodka lemon

A city you’d love to visit? New York

Your best stag group anecdote? I have sooo many! My stag groups always keep me amused. But I will NEVER forget the stag who jumped into the Danube during a boat cruise. NEVER.

In Budapest:

Your favorite bar: Szimpla Kert, Instant, all the ruin bars, and simply the best in Budapest -Negro

Your favorite café : Café Alibi - the best coffee in town! (they do delicious brekky too) and Muvész Kávéház on Andrássy Blvd.

Your favorite restaurant: Menza on Liszt Ferenc square.

So, stags, if you’re in BP - you know who to call: Stag Republic! 0845 686 0619

Eszter - who’s been guiding with us almost four years now - is always smiling and is always ready for a party. She changes her hair colour almost as much as some people change underwear… but this only adds to her charm. We love Eszter - and once you meet her - so will you!!!

Eszter Studies Literature and Media studies.  She loves all sorts of music from Chill-Out and Drum’n'Bass to Light Rock and Indie. On her days off she likes to cycle, hike or go horseback riding.

Favourite Stag Republic activity? Boat cruise! “There is nothing better than chilling out on a boat in the middle of Budapest after a long night of partying. The best views in town - hands down!” says Eszter.

Favourite drinks? Mai Tai, Vodka Redbull and Tequila - yowzers! A real party girl!!!

Funniest stag group story? “One weekend I was taking one of my groups for a walk along Váci street, when we happened upon a live beauty pageant exhibiting bikini-clad ladies on Vörösmarty square. One of the lads from the group, who was about 65 years old, decided to get undressed (luckily his underwear stayed on),  he wrote a large number on a piece of paper (just like each model was holding) and started marching up and down in front of the stage. Everyone gathered began taking pictures of him and applauding him.” Wow, we’re sure the models were impressed…

What is your favorite thing about Budapest? The relaxed atmosphere and the never-ending parties.

What’s the best thing about being a rep for Stag Republic? I get paid to party with cool people!!!

What’s one thing you recommend each stag group MUST do when in Budapest? Take a walk along the banks of the Danube river.

What is your favorite restaurant, favorite bar, favorite spot to relax in Budapest? Kulacs restaurant, Instant, Gellért hill

We’ve introduced Tamara in an older post, but we’d like to get to know her a little bit better; please read on to acquaint yourself with our lovely Baltic Region tour manager:

My name is Tamara. I’m 28 yrs old, and I’ve been working at Stag Republic for over three years now. I started at the company as a part-time guide in Budapest next to my studies.  As the years passed I absolutely fell in love with guiding and decided to stay with the company even after finishing my degree. In fact, I started up the Riga branch and became destination manager. I still guide in Budapest on occasion.

What do I love about this job?

The vibrant environment, meeting new people, exchanging cultures, etc.  I lived England for over 5 years (went even to 6th Form and university there). When I moved back from the UK I started to miss the people and speaking English, so this job gave me the perfect opportunity to keep up  my English-language skills and to be surrounded by Brits!

Why Riga?

I have Russian roots, and when I first visited my friends in Latvia, I felt at home. Everybody speaks Russian and everything reminded me of Russia, but still, it has its own spice. Riga is an amazingly cool city, with loads of parties, lovely bars and restaurants, a great atmosphere and really nice people.

The beach is nearby which makes summer more enjoyable, and there is plenty of snow for winter-lovers, so what else do you need? After many visits to Riga, I finally decided to move there, and have been living there for half a year.

Funny stag stories …

Well, to be honest, I  can definitely NOT say all groups are the same! Each group has its unique traditions: the dress , the drinking games, so on… But each time there is one out of the group that surprises me, and that’s the reason why its never boring!!! I have many stories to tell, but here is one of the funnier ones:

I had been out on a pub crawl with one of my groups. One of the guys was really drunk and he couldn’t remember how he lost his expensive watch. The watch which he actually hadn’t lost because one of his mates had it but hadn’t told him. The poor bloke was really upset, but his mate was in stitches because he didn’t tell him he had it and let him go to the police station while the rest of the group was having fun. He had to sit for most of the day in a stuffy police station with people who couldn’t understand a word of English. Just before departure, when he finally sorted the police report out and had gotten the necessary papers, the other guy took out his watch and gave it to him. I will never forget his face at that moment!!! It was really funny…

Favourite activities:

Of course the best time with a group is on a pub crawl (sometimes this can be the worst as well). It’s the most fun when the group can really get to know the guide and bond with the other members of the group, because sometimes not everybody knows each other. A great pub crawl really sets the tone for the weekend.

BUT my second favourite is the sauna party in Riga. It’s a nice relaxing time but still can get crazy, especially in when you rent the sauna out with your own booze,  music and company (wink, wink - nudge, nudge )

And last but not least - winter bobsledding!!! It’s fun fun fun! An awesome adrenaline rush!

Hope to see you in Riga soon!

Tamara

We love the ladies here at Stag Republic, but our crack team of guides does include a few lads - lads who know what’s what in the local drinking and strip club scenes. Oleg is one such lad, he’s our man in Riga. Here are a few pictures and tidbits introducing him:

Studying:

Tourism and Hospitality Management - just one year left to go!

Hobbies:

Travelling, sport (ice hockey) and girls

Fave movies:

James-Bond, Vanilla Sky, Memento , basically movies where one is made to think

Fave music:

Hip-hop

Place I’d like to visit:

Cancun, bc of the cheap tequila and hot birds

Favourite things about Riga

The girls, because they are hot - especially in the summer when they’re almost naked

Why I like to guide for Stag Republic:

Getting to know many people can never be boring and partying with them is even better.

One of Oleg's favourite pasttimes - GIRLS!

Oleg is the best local lad to be taking you around in Riga. He has amazing knowledge of all those  little hidden treasures of the city. Being a student he knows where all the best parties are happening and he has the connections to get you in to them.  Having spent many years in the UK Oleg is the perfect Riga guide for your stag weekend. He loves hip-hop, girls and partying - what more could you ask for?

Drinking beer with the lads