< Previous80 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWEDDINGS - BRIDAL WEAR15 High Street, Horncastle, LN9 5HPTotally Divine...10%discount off any full price wedding gownBridal Gowns Bridesmaids and Page Boy OutfitsWedding Accessories Wedding Cakes made to orderProm DressesBrides in Silk15 Robert Street, Scunthorpewww.bridesinsilk.co.ukTel 01724 868688to make your appointmentBridal Stockists ofRomantica, Forever Yours, OpulenceCaroline ChamberlainThe Sandy dress by CarolineChamberlain is a pretty T lengthpolka dot tulle strapless gownwith silk bow and belt, from £850.Available from CarolineChamberlain, Lincoln.079-081:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:42 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRETODAY81WEDDINGS - BRIDAL WEARIan Stuart at White GalleryLondonThe lovely Lexington dressby Ian Stuart is priced at£2,775. Photo: Ian Stuart atWhite Gallery London.Mori Lee byMadeline GardnerThis beautiful MoriLee by MadelineGardner dress has amodern, stylishOrganza designfeaturing bold crystalembellishments,ruffled feature skirtand beautifullybeaded broadstraps. For stockists,visitwww.morilee.co.ukJanine, Ivory from theRomantica 2012 collection Available at Brides In Silk,Scunthorpe, 01724 868688An exclusive range of Bridal Gowns and Bridesmaids, plus ranges from other leading designers. Contemporary and traditional styles, accessories too. All alterations completed in-house.Ladies 01522 522616PERFECTIONBRIDAL & MENSWEARAlso one of Lincolnshire's longest established menswear hirespecialists with over 30 years experience. All hire suits held in stock to try on before you order.Groom goes free with five or more outfits.Menswear 01522 533615 31/32 Silver Street, Lincoln, LN2 1EW www.perfectionbridalandmenswear.co.uk079-081:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:42 Page 382 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYWEDDINGS - HEN AND STAG PARTIESWhen you decide to get hitched, telling your friends andfamily is often followed up immediately with enquiries ofwhat you are doing for your hen or stag party. By no means afixed night at the local pub any more, many opt to gooverseas. But what about looking into options inLincolnshire? For adventurous stags, there are plenty of rough andtumble options available, from paintballing and karting, towatersports and more. For those who want to go andcelebrate their impending nuptials by pretending to be bigkids, you could say we’re spoiled in this region. With somegreat nightlife too, Lincolnshire could be your best bet for atop weekend to see off your ‘freedom’ in style. Plenty oftowns and Lincoln itself offer ample pubs and bars in whichto celebrate and if you fancy clubbing, the addition of severalincredible nightclubs in the city recently will ensure you canparty all night.Hen parties are always a much more classy affair (we wish!)but for those brides who want to take time off from thehectic planning stages of the wedding process, a spa orrelaxation break could be perfect. Our county has anincredible amount of hotels and spas available andeverything from massage to hydrotherapy is available. Formore active brides, there’s nothing stopping you from havingan energetic event to mark your upcoming marriage ofcourse, but time away from the seating plan, the menu andthe incidentals that crop up throughout the planning stagescould be all you need. Imagine that glass of champagne whileyou lounge with your best friends and family following somecomplimentary therapy, sounds like perfection!Wavegoodbye tosingledomin styleOur county offers all sorts of options for the Hen andStag party crowd, from the traditional to the unusual.Wavegoodbye tosingledomin stylewww.partyplanet.org.ukWhatever the celebration, we have 3000sq ftpacked with everything you need to decorate your room, your table, or even the hen on her hen night!Open 7 days with free parkingTel: 01522 532266www.partyplanet.org.ukPelham Centre, Canwick Road, Lincoln, LN5 8HE082:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:43 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY83WEDDINGS - TRANSPORTThe bigentranceWhile all eyes may be on the dress,the vehicle the bride arrives in has todo her justice tooOne of the most spine-tingling moments of a wedding isthe time the bride finally makes her grand entrance – butchoosing wedding transport is often a compromise betweenglamour and practicality.For example, you may think that a horse and carriagewould be the ultimate way to arrive at the ceremony – aclassic picturebook image would certainly be assured. Yet ifthe journey is more than a few minutes, the traffic andweather may make it more a question of endurance – andwhile it’s traditional for the bride to be late for the wedding,there’s a fine line between enchanting and infuriating foryour guests. That’s before you have to work out who’ll lookafter the horse all day.Most likely, you’ll probably opt for a car. The most popularvehicles are the Rolls Royce or the Mercedes, which mix styleand glamour with comfort. However if you’re piling on theromance you might go for a vintage car, or depending on thestyle, something completely different.The important thing to remember is that if you’re afterthat special motor you should be prepared to book it sometime in advance. You may want to use your own car, or thatof a friend’s, but don’t forget that you’ll have to make surethat the vehicle will be up to the job, and there’s the issue ofinsurance to be sorted out too. Using a specialist vehiclecompany will mean you won’t have to worry about suchproblems.Of course, there are more than two people involved in thewedding, so you’ll have to think about the other members ofthe party when you’re planning the transport, especially ifyou’re holding the event in a number of venues. If they’reclose enough together then the wedding car can probablymake a couple of trips, but if there’s going to be a lot ofwaiting around then you’ll need another vehicle, almost asstylish as the first. And how’s the groom going to get there?Throughout Lincolnshire there are certainly plenty ofoptions to choose from, and whichever way you eventuallymake your entrance, you’ll bring an extra touch of class tothe big moment.SFCStone Farm CarriagesMarket Rasen, LincolnshireArrive in style with our stunning horse and range of carriages suitable for any special occasion. Contact Carolyn Cartwright for more information...T: 01472 399718 M: 07879696446 www.stonefarmcarriages.co.uk083:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:44 Page 1Email: info@walkcroatia.comTelephone: 0044 (0)1472 341456www.walkcroatia.comDiscover beautiful walks, wines and food with tailor-made trips designed especially for youDubrovnik RivieraHorse riding in VelebitAdventure SailingZagreb to the AdriaticBrac IslandPeljesac PeninsulaPeljesac Wine RoadsCombine Dubrovnik’s beautifully preservedRenaissance architecture with the hidden sandy bays of The Elaphiti islands- Panoramic views - Traditional old-stone Villa- Botanical GardensDiscover the tranquiltowns and lush vegetationof the Adriatic’s 3rdlargest island- Picturesque mountain paths- A unique cultural experienceSoak in the rich heritage and spectacular scenery of this medieval, maritime settlement- Dramatic mountain ranges- Korcula, Marco Polo’sbirthplace- Ancient salt-flatsExplore the unforgettable landscapes of the Dingac and Postup region- Introduced by the Greeks over 2000 years ago- Quaint family vineyards- Traditionally farmed foodNEW TO 2012!!Peljesac084:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:45 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY85TRAVELthe region’s awe-inspiring culture,history and scenic showstoppers. It’struly an ‘Amazon’ outcome to ourpoll!”Budget may also be a factorinfluencing South America’s popularity.David Forder of Flight Centre says, “It’sexciting times for travelling aroundSouth America! In recent months, wehave seen ticket prices for the regioncome under the £500 mark. This isreally significant in making it anaffordable destination. With prices toNorth America rising towards £500, thegap between these destinations isclosing. Young travellers love thevibrancy of South America and it’s nowsomething they can experience withoutbreaking the bank.”The survey also helped take asnapshot of what young travellers inparticular are looking for whenchoosing a destination. When asked toname their dream destinations, somefamiliar names like Malta andMauritius were accompanied by someless familiar hotspots including theUAE and Ukraine – the latter perhapshelped by a host of England fanstravelling there for the EuropeanChampionships.Indeed the survey said that nearly aquarter of those asked used a sportingevent as the reason for choosing aholiday location, whereas 39% ofrespondents said the desire to createlife experiences was the decidingfactor and 31% were determined toimprove their physical health.When asked about their travel plansjust for this year, some 59% ofrespondents said Continental Europe ison their map, France, Spain and Italyare the European destinations thatmost entice. Half of those interviewed,however, are looking closer to homeand want to explore the UK – and withthe Olympic Games welcomingthousands of people from across theglobe, it’s not surprising that a tourismdrive is going on. You’ll doubtless haveseen the TV ads promoting the UK as atop holiday destination, with StephenFry and Julie Walters – surely two ofthe UK’s finest ever exports – amongthose highlighting the delights of thisisland.86 Holidaymakers areincreasingly looking to newlocations for their excursionsHalf of holidaymakers are looking forward toexploring the UK this summer, with top venuesincluding Center ParcsTheworldat yourfeetStay cool at this year’shottest destinationsThe UK will be under the spotlightthis summer, thanks to the Jubilee andthe Olympic and Paralympic games –but if you’re not a sports fan, or thinkthe only good thing about the Royalcelebrations is the four day weekend,then it’s likely you might be lookingfurther afield for your summerholidays this year. But what’s hot?It’s certainly the case that many arelooking beyond the more familiardestinations, with South America nowtopping many travel wish lists. Indeed,a recent survey of young travellers sawthe area beating the USA and Canadato first place in the contest for theworld’s foremost must-see destination.The survey was organised to coincidewith the TNT Travel Show, and theevent’s CEO Kevin Ellis says, “TheStars and Stripes has often dominatedin surveys of younger travellers, butwhat’s clear from our poll is thatSouth is the new North. Backpackersare streaming everywhere from theAmazon to the Andes to grab a bit of085-086:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:46 Page 186 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYTRAVELT: 01526 353710info@woodhallcountrypark.co.uk www.woodhallcountrypark.co.ukFollow us on twitter & facebookThat’s got to be great news for thetop hotels and holiday parks here inLincolnshire. Indeed, Councillor CraigLeyland of East Lindsey, who’sresponsible for the area’s tourismstrategy, says, “2012 is an excitingopportunity to promote our area farand wide and we must seize theopportunities presented to us so wecan boost our economy and attractmore visitors to the area.”Lincolnshire’s appeal is doubtlesshelped by the presence of eight of itstop beaches making it to the GoodBeach Guide – ensuring visitors thatthey’re of the highest quality. Thebeaches at Skegness, IngoldmellsSouth, Chapel St Leonards, Anderby,Moggs Eye, Sutton-on-Sea,Mablethorpe Town and Cleethorpestogether mean that Lincolnshire iscomfortably in the top ten of the UK’scounties offering the best beaches.Events such as the SO Festival thissummer, which combines classicBritish seaside fun with a host ofexciting cultural events, will doubtlessmake the area even more popularamong holidaymakers this summer.Lincolnshire also offers more thanits fair share of top venues, includingButlins which continues to welcomefun-loving holidaymakers from far andwide and continues to innovate withnew ideas to suit every taste.Meanwhile, the Woodhall CountryPark has now introduced its SkyLodges which make for a great familyholiday experience.Whether you’re staying in the samecounty or jetting off to the other sideof the world this summer,Lincolnshire’s travel experts will beable to point you in the rightdirection.PHOTO COURTESY NEWSCASTThe Middle East is becoming one ofthe hottest holiday destinations085-086:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:46 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRETODAY87TRAVELCapital ideasCovent Garden is one of our favouritedestination when visiting the big smoke.Fabulous boutiques, restaurants, bars andtheatres, this is surely THE place to be –and for London the pace of life seemscalmer somehow. With politeconversation between city workers andtourists, we always feel very safe.The Seven Dials village, has cobbledstreet and hip stores. Fabulous uniqueluxury stores dart off in seven directionsfrom the Seven Dials monument – a greatmeeting point and landmark. At the footis the Mercer Street Hotel, and comeshighly recommended! With its uniquecolourful, chic and comfortable decor,Apple technology in each room and, forthe ladies, a spacious dressing room, theonly drawback is ever having to leave. Thequeen sized beds and all the added extrasthat make this hotel very special ensure afabulous break.Even with its fantastically hip feel, thehotel has kept its relaxed and real appeal.The staff are wonderfully friendly,nothing is too much trouble and they’reready to offer advice on places to go andmust see attractions. The Dial restaurant in the heart of thehotel emphasises comfort andconviviality. Here, modern Europeandishes of impeccable provenance areprepared with market-fresh Britishproduce. Whether it’s a few cocktails or afull a la carte feast the Dial has plenty tooffer.As we were in theatreland, a five minutewalk to the Prince Edward Theatre seemeda good option, where we enjoyed thefabulous Jersey Boys. Opting for theafternoon show we were later able to headback to the village and enjoy a lovelymeal at one the area’s many toprestaurants before retiring for the night.The next day, after a wonderfullyprepared and presented Full English in theRadisson we set of to search further, andafter just ten minutes’ walk we were rightin the middle of the city, Trafalgar Square,Big Ben and the London Eye - all within ashort walk from the Hotel.This summer London will beparticularly exciting, and theRadisson Edwardian Mercer StreetHotel, with its prime location,facilities and staff, is the perfectplace to base yourself to explore. Tofind out more, call 020 7836 4300 orvisit www.radissonedwardian.com.With the Olympics on thehorizon, all eyes will beon London this summer –but what’s on offer afterthe Games? We visit twoof the capital’s top hotels,starting with a trip to theever-bustling CoventGarden087:Layout 1 11/5/12 10:10 Page 188 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYTRAVELA peaceful harbourThe Wyndham Grand in London’s Chelsea Harbour boasts incredible views acrossthe capital and more ways to relax than you probably thought possible.Tucked just behind the city’s famousKing’s Road, this five-star, luxury hotel isstunning, both in its incredible anddominating size, but also in its executionof style and charm. Having the option ofstaying in a suite (as standard) or a moreluxurious penthouse apartment, this is aplace to relax, unwind, but perhaps moreimportantly, a place to bring your familytoo.Although busy with conferencing andhigh-end business meetings in the week,come the weekend, the hotel is theperfect location for your stay, with leisurefacilities available and a great base tovisit the rest of London. With 154 suitesand 4 luxury penthouse options, theWyndham has everything.We stayed in what can only bedescribed as a sumptuous suite, with abreath-taking view across both theharbour and the capital’s bright lights, itmade for a great vista from our balcony.With a lounge area, a guest bathroom, alarge family-sized bathroom and dressingarea, as well as a heavenly and comfybedroom, the standards you expect froma five star hotel are far surpassed.A recent refurbishment saw the launchof the penthouse floor. The fourcentre, six treatment rooms, heatedindoor swimming pool, sauna, steamroom, relaxation suite, nail bar and ahair salon. The spa works with SusanMolyneux, Aromatherapy Associates andVoya to make your treatments that extrabit special.The Wyndham Grand is the perfectlocation for either a weekend break or along excursion to the capital, with awelcoming feel you’ll be glad you choseto be by the harbour.The Wyndham Grand is located atChelsea Harbour, London, SW100XG. To book a room or for otherenquiries, call 02078 233000 or visitwww.wyndhamgrandlondon.co.ukexclusive penthouse suites areindividually-designed, each themed afterLondon fashion styles and with viewsover London’s skyline. A private chef,personal butler and chauffeur areavailable upon request. For dining options, the ChelseaRiverside Brasserie offers a delectablemenu, where quality, seasonal produce isused to create classic British dishes with amodern twist. The restaurant offers all-day dining in a relaxed atmosphere,serving everything from a light snack to athree-course menu. The glass-fronted barand outdoor terrace is ideal for summercocktails and evening BBQs overlookingthe harbour. The Bar, also within the hotel’s lobby,offers views over the harbour and is anideal spot for coffee, afternoon tea ordrinks. The hotel’s Afternoon Tea menuchanges regularly and takes inspirationfrom local events. Menus feature newpatisserie creations and sandwiches,homemade scones, sweets and a choice ofloose tea.Leisure is also something theWyndham is rightly proud of within itsoffering. The Blue Harbour Spa withinthe hotel includes a fully equipped fitness088:Layout 1 11/5/12 10:12 Page 1FARMING NEWSEQUINEFARM MANAGEMENTOUTDOOR PURSUITSLOCAL PRODUCE FARM MACHINERYLINCOLNSHIRE SHOWFOR FARMERS THROUGHOUT THE REGIONFOR FARMERS THROUGHOUT THE REGIONFARMING NEWSEQUINEFARM MANAGEMENTOUTDOOR PURSUITSLOCAL PRODUCE FARM MACHINERYLINCOLNSHIRE SHOWFARM COUNTRYFARM COUNTRYLinkLink&&089:Layout 1 11/5/12 12:47 Page 1Next >