We are organising our best friend’s hen party for a weekend next spring. She would like to do something a bit different that is not too expensive. Possibly an activity during the day and then drinks/meal in the evening. On the Sunday a smaller number of guests will still be around, so something to cure a hangover would be good!

She has recently been in working in India so something with a Bollywood/Indian theme might be good. Most people will be around 25 - 30 but there will also be the bride's mum and mother in law. There will be around 15 people. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Caroline & Steph, Isle of Wight & Yorkshire

Times Online Travel responds: Freedom Ltd offers tailor-made weekends where you can pick and choose what you want to do and where.

The most suitable activity for you would be the 90-minute Bollywood dance lessons where a professional choreographer teaches the group a Bollywood dance routine to popular Indian songs from the movies. The bride and her friends (minimum 10) get dressed up in Indian costumes and jewellery and the hen is given a Bollywood gift bag which includes a personalised CD made up of songs used in the class, Indian bangles and Bindis, and of course, the obligatory bottle of wine.

While Freedom Ltd only offers this during the day in London and Brighton, other websites such as Hen Nites offers the two-hour hen party activity in the evening in most locations across the country.

Another way to prepare for the night's activities would be to go on one of London’s wine tours. Vinopolis on the South Bank offers "The Wine package" where the bride-to-be and friends are taught how to slurp, sniff and swirl like a professional, costing £25 each. Alternatively, "The Full Day package", at £80 each, offers a Champagne reception, three Champagne tastings and a three-course lunch. The four or five hour tour gives you the opportunity to taste an array of wines, absinthes, beers, and whiskys.

For dinner, we recommend booking a table at a restaurant in the evening to ensure that all 15 of you are fully accommodated. If you were still thinking India, London-eating lists the top Indian restaurants in the capital, with the Lahore Kebab House being rated the best.

However, Brick Lane in east London is home to some of the best Indian restaurants in the city and is a vibrant and exciting place to go for a few post-dinner drinks.

Deciding where to stay can be tricky but the Freedom Ltd website helpfully lets you choose what kind of accommodation you would like, ranging from the budget to the luxury. The Times Online Travel pages also reviews a range of hotels in the city.

For the survivors on the next day, we recommend a day of pampering in London. The Times Good Spa Guide lists the capital’s best spas from Turkish Baths to deluxe boutique hotels where prices vary. The Freedom Ltd website offers a 30-minute session for £30 per person at one of their listed locations if you were to go for one of their tailor-made options.

Another activity to treat your taste buds the following day, which has proved a huge hit with hens, is chocolate tasting. An expert chocolatier will present a workshop where you’ll be able to sample an assortment of top grade chocolates and home made truffles and then have a go at mastering chocolate making, leaving with a personalised box of chocs. Chocolate Delight gives classes at £49.95 per person.

As well as Freedom, the most helpful website for hen weekends include Brilliant Weekends, Hen Weekend and Last Night of Freedom.

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