We call it belly dancing, but just what are the origins of this subtle and sensuous form of exotic dancing?

There are many theories on the subject and it seem no-one really knows for sure, but it has roots in ancient far eastern forms of folk dancing and is cited as one of the oldest social dances in world history! As well as being known as Arabic, Egyptian, Middle Eastern or Turkish dancing, the Egyptian Arabic name of Raqs Sharqi is also often used.

A main element of the dance is the costume, or Bedla in Arabic. In the Western world we’ve come to associate belly dancing with glamorous two piece costumes with the midriff showing, but in reality Egypt banned the showing of the belly button in Raqs Sharqi dancing in the 1950s! Still, when we think of belly dancing we think of silks, chiffons and satins with ornate headpieces, ankle and arm bracelets to add that wonderful jingling sound to the dance.

Tradition aside, learning to belly dance is also excellent exercise . Not only is it a great stress-buster, as you find yourself being absorbed in the rhythm and the movement, it is actually a fantastic cardio-vascular work out that’s so much more fun than trudging away on a treadmill. Belly dancing is suitable for all ages and body types too.

We offer belly dancing experiences at centres across the UK and you can buy a voucher for one, or if you’re too chicken to go by yourself, you can buy a voucher for two and take a friend along.

A voucher for three one hour lessons for one costs £39 and three one hour  lessons for two costs £59. Although in the distant past belly dancing was practiced by men and women, our classes are for women only.

If you’re looking for something arty to give as a pressie, we like the look of these one day fused and stained glass workshops in London.

You’ll be joining the artists in their professional and well-equipped studios in Stoke Newington for a day. The first time we walked into these innocuous-looking studios, we realised it opened out into a veritable Aladdin’s Cave of stunning glass works.

You’ll get to see all stages of the work and you get to use some bizarre looking tools to create your very piece of stained or fused glass.

The artists design and make commissions, so all pieces are unique, which is a wonderful thing in this age of Ikea! Some are small commissions for individuals, such as replacing stained glass windows in Georgian house entrance halls, others are large publicly funded works of art to decorate the interior of modern buildings.

The studio specialises in bespoke commissions

The studios are very well equipped to be able to fuse glass as well as paint, stain, enamel, acid etch, sandblast, engrave, brilliant cut and lead the glass using traditional methods. It truly is a fascinating workshop to go on, with highly skilled and passionate artists giving you an insight into their art.

A one day stained glass course costs £139 and a one day fused glass course costs £149. The price includes teaching and all materials needed to make your very own, unique glass piece that will be yours to keep.

Learn all about polo ponies, the mallet and the chukkers!

Polo is known as the sport of kings, with its origins traced right back to the 6th century BC where it was played as a training game for tribesman in Persia.

The more modern version of the game, called Pulu or Sagol Kangjei, was played in the Indian state of Manipur for many years, before the British formalised and popularised the sport. Since then, Polo has attracted the rich, the playboys and the Royals.

Polo as we know it today, is played on an outdoor field, in an indoor arena or even on snow. There are usually four players mounted on polo ponies on each team, all kitted out with a long handled mallet with the aim of hitting the ball around the pitch to score goals within the game periods, called ‘chukkers’.

With this experience at Windsor, you’ll learn all the basics you need to know to have a go at a polo game, starting with the techniques from the safety of a wooden horse!

No need to know how to ride a horse - you'll start on wooden ponies!

Now, we can’t quite believe this, but to have a go at this Polo experience, you don’t have to have any experience with, or even know how to ride, a horse. The horses chosen to be polo ponies are all selected for having the right temperament and are able to cope with non-horse riders. A two hour polo experience at the stables in Windsor costs £129 per person.