The making of Breathe
Creating a sustainable restaurant
How to achieve the best lifestyle in the world
The soundtrack to the Breathe vibe
Setting the mood
Life’s what you make it
Meet Bradley Howard and Jonathan Johansson
The global search to suit your taste
BREATHE NO. 2 SPRING 2024
Within a short time, Breathe has become more than a restaurant, more even than a group of venues that cover the entire day, celebrate the seasons in style and also cater to special events. Breathe has become a community. The expression of a lifestyle that incorporates fitness, health and well-being, as well as caring for the environment and the world around us.
Our community consists of people who come to Ground for fresh-baked bread and a superlative cup of coffee to start off the day. They dine, meet and socialise at Breathe, exercise, work and relax at Soul, and party the night away at Air with its glamorous themed nights.
This is our community of likeminded people, and in this edition we speak to two of them in greater detail, as well as focus on those things that we have in common: feeling good, feeling happy and enjoying life to the full.
Best wishes,
Aguilene Benicio
Marbella used to be a summer destination, long ago. Now it is a place where people visit and live throughout the year, so it needs venues that provide a welcoming experience during all the seasons. Breathe adapts not just its menu to what is fresh and in season, it does the same with the overall ambience, making sure that the experience is always what you’re looking for.
Don't skip out on all the awesome events we've got lined up for 2024
In winter Breathe is cosy and welcoming, known for setting the right tone on such occasions as Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day. The Breathe terrace and garden area becomes a warm spot to enjoy a drink and sample the winter menu. It’s when the restaurant puts on its warm, cosseting coat, readying guests for the start of the outdoor season in spring.
Spring is when we love to return to the garden, soak up the sun on the terrace of Ground and enjoy the sporty atmosphere of Soul. It also sees the first of the season’s themed events, which heat up as Air opens in May, paving the way for a summer full of glamorous parties and events that include live acts and visual spectacles.
Summer is the highpoint, when Breathe, Air and Soul become venues that embody the carefree Marbella lifestyle. We celebrate summer here, but then again, we celebrate all the seasons, so there’s no need to be sad even when the Closing Party at Air signals the end of the high season in September – we just go on having good times and making special memories.
The menu changes with the seasons too, following the cycles of nature, as fresh, fine quality produce is part of the philosophy. We count down to the end of the year while warming things up during autumn, when Breathe moves back indoors into cosy, stylish spaces while also making the most of the sun on its terraces.
This is a year at Breathe, where a diversity of venues follows the natural flow of the seasons to offer the very best of the Marbella experience. Come and enjoy it with us.
CELEBRATE YOUR SPECIAL EVENT WITH US
En el corazón de nuestra selección de vinos, se encuentra Ibizkus, una bodega con una pasión desbordante por la excelencia enológica. Desde la brisa mediterránea hasta el aroma de la tierra balear, cada sorbo te transportará a los paisajes más pintorescos de la isla.
Déjate seducir por la frescura y la vitalidad del Ibizkus Rosado, una explosión de sabor que captura la esencia del verano ibicenco en cada copa. ¿Prefieres algo más refrescante? Entonces, el Ibizkus Blanco te conquistará con su carácter frutal y su sutil toque floral, perfecto para acompañar momentos de relax bajo el sol.
Para los amantes de los tintos, la gama de Ibizkus Tinto y Totem Red despiertan los sentidos con su intensidad y profundidad de sabores. Desde la primera impresión en el paladar hasta el final persistente, cada sorbo revela la pasión y el cuidado con el que se elaboran estos vinos.
Consigue los productos de Ibizkus en nuestra web casapablo.es o visita nuestra tienda en C. de Ramón Gómez de la Serna, 2, 29602 Marbella, Málaga
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06:00
GROUND opens, not to the public (yet), but the bakery begins its daily work of producing delicious bread and pastries from organic and artisan wheat varieties. This is not a bakery as we’ve become accustomed to in recent decades, but a real one, the way they used to be. The team of bakers of Sebastián Arel Bertani knead the dough to produce a variety of delicious breads and pastries to help kick start the day in the right way, as always mindful of dietary requirements. Sebastián came to Spain from Argentina, and under his guidance Ground has become a bakery of renown – renowned for its taste and the fact that this is the healthiest bread you will find.
By eight, the coffee begins to percolate, tables are ready and the baskets of bread spread their rich morning aroma. At 08:30 the doors open and early morning guests start arriving, hungrily ordering their fix of freshly brewed coffee so lovingly prepared and decorated by Lane Rodrigues, along with freshly baked croissants and other mouthwatering sweet and savoury snacks. The healthy crowd opt for smoothies and muesli yoghurt dishes with freshly prepared fruit, and the gentle morning mingling is the ideal way to get the day going.
By 10:00 the school runners, get-to workers and gotta gymmers are on their way, replaced by the more languid pace of those on a leisurely visit to these shores, laptop execs and others meeting for a cup of amazing coffee. The fragrance of bread and coffee is comfort in the air, mixed with the tinkling of cups and the morning soundtrack created by our very own DJ, and by lunchtime it gives way to light meals enjoyed on the sunny terrace.
Post-lunch, things wind down for a little, as Ground readies itself for the late afternoon rush of mums, dads, businesspeople and laptop nomads, all keen to enjoy a coffee and snack in that wonderfully welcoming atmosphere, before Ground closes and gives way to Breathe upstairs. As the doors shut, the bakery, dining area and coffee bar are thoroughly cleaned and prepped for the following day, so Ground winds down as Breathe comes to life.
It’s the natural cycle in the life of a gastronomic hub.
It is rightly said that you are what you eat. Food has many connotations, from being part of one’s culture and tradition to offering basic sustenance and energy, but in our modern world also frequently a form of greedy consumption or emotional soothing. The latter gives rise to terms such as ‘comfort food’, but over time we’ve begun to lose touch with what food really is, and it’s time that we reconnect.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but over the past twenty years or so the number of people with food allergies has come out of nowhere and skyrocketed. All manner of intolerances now affect people earlier and earlier in life, and they have a debilitating effect, from feeling bloated and uncomfortable to affecting your ability to concentrate, your state of mind and your general health and wellbeing. Once again, we are what we eat, and how our bodies absorb that food.
When we think about eating and living in a healthy way we tend to focus upon leaving out ‘bad foods’ such as meats high in fat and cholesterol content, sugary sweets and potatoes, and replacing them with ‘good foods’ such as fruit, vegetables and fish. If only it were that simple. You see, some ‘bad foods’ are actually not that harmful at all, while some good ones can do damage, especially if you have too much. In general, too much of anything isn’t good, as it leads to a buildup.
Fruit is generally healthy, but in measure because it contains a lot of natural glucose sugar. By contrast, fat in the form of pork meat can sometimes be good for you, especially during the winter months and when you feel like you’re coming down with a cold and need a little extra boost of protein. Naturally, here even more restraint is recommended, but it goes to show that things are not as straightforward as we may think.
The biggest damage to our systems, and very likely the main reason why so many people suffer from nutritional allergies and disorders these days is the concentration caused by decades of processed food intake. Hamburgers, food in cans, jars and precooked, sweets, sauces, you name it, they’re everywhere. In places like the USA processed food contributes hugely to obesity, heart disease and diabetes, and we would do well to head in the opposite direction and opt for natural food where possible.
So next time you visit the supermarket, maybe go to a food market instead, or at the very least use one of those food scanner apps that tells you if ‘healthy’ salad leaves are really good, or if ‘bad’ preprepared meals are actually ok.
Remember, opt for healthy, organic food as much as possible, enjoy everything in moderation and make it all part of a life philosophy that reduces stress as much as possible. You’ll notice the difference!
Modern ground floor 3-bedroom apartment is offered for sale in a new gated resort-style development situated in idyllic countryside of Benahavís, behind the Costa del Sol beaches. Nestled amidst lush landscaped gardens, the building is one of the 7 boutique complexes within the development, promising a serene and exclusive living experience. It offers a bold contemporary design and a captivating philosophy of organic architecture that is in harmony with humanity and the environment. Embodying this essence of famous Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy and inspired by artistic architecture, the stylish modern properties seamlessly integrate innovative design with state-of-the-art interiors, setting new standards for luxurious living. The sustainable construction methods, eco-friendly materials and efficient fittings resonate with the principles of organic architecture. A range of premium lifestyle amenities includes 24-hour security, a Kids’ area, concierge services, tennis/paddle courts, SPA and fitness centre, indoor/ outdoor pools, etc.
Surrounded by beautiful nature and similar luxury properties of Benahavis area, you will live in the lap of nature close to all amenities, leisure spots and golf courses. The most exclusive golf and country clubs of Europe and luxury golf resorts, including La Zagaleta, El Madroñal, Los Flamingos, Marbella Club Golf Resort, Monte Mayor, Los Arqueros, Capanes/ Condes de Luque and La Quinta, are situated within Benahavis municipality. Furthermore, the nearby San Pedro de Alcántara, Nueva Andalucía and fabulous Puerto Banús provide access to an array of top-notch restaurants, beach clubs, nightlife and designer boutiques.
3x 3x
Asking price: 2.950.000 €
Marbella offers arguably the best lifestyle in Europe. It’s climate, setting and more relaxed way of life has been drawing people here for decades. They continue to come, but those who can are now discovering that there is more – what has been described as the ‘best lifestyle you can have today’.
3SA is the modern form of a real estate company. It breaks with the typical mould. “We don’t sell but find homes for our clients, many of whom are successful people from Northern Europe,” says Jimmy Widén, the founder of the company. “In this sense we have in a way returned to a more traditional form of service that focuses on matching the buyers’ desires with the right property, but today within the context not just of the home itself, but an entire lifestyle concept.”
Jimmy comes from a 20-year career in the television industry, where he worked at Sweden’s main television channel TV4 promoting large corporations and successful startups on TV. “It was a fast-paced world and a very corporate but also highly engaging environment where you were dealing with top-level people. I learned a great deal during those years, and when I bought a property in Marbella I saw there was a more modern way of doing things.”
He rented out the holiday home he had bought and also realised the potential of this market. Marbella, as it tends to do, seduced the young Swedish marketing executive, and in 2017 he moved here full-time. “I was no stranger to the property market, as while working in television I had bought and sold properties 23 times in Sweden, having moved from house to house 13 times in 14 years, but I wanted to use all my experience and knowledge to do things differently.”
If you’re wondering what 3SA means, it’s 3 Steps Ahead, which is what Jimmy wants his clients to feel like they are when using his services. “Things work a little differently here, but while working within the system we also wanted from the outset to provide a different kind of service. We deal with clients in the higher segment, and we don’t sell to them, so don’t even consider offering something that is not right. We match homes to preferred lifestyles.”
The multilingual team he has created works to this concept, having changed their approach to the job. “We prefer not to make a sale when we know the buyer will not be happy with the result, and it took some doing to make everyone understand that, but it’s now well-entrenched in our company culture.” This way of working produces close relationships with clients, and this in turn has led many to leave their luxury holiday homes in the care of 3SA for rental management. “In this way, we have built a portfolio of over 60 beautiful homes.”
A typical client of 3SA is a successful entrepreneur or professional from Northern Europe. “The market has changed since Covid. If we previously sold mostly second homes to people over 50, the largest part of our market now consists of 40-plus couples with children, who tend to spend most of the year in Marbella, and part up north. But this is changing. I’ve yet to have anyone who bought with us here say they are going back. People love the climate, the sociable cosmopolitan nature of Marbella and the more relaxed way of life, and yet they are discovering there is more.”
People at the upper end are discovering the so-called formula for the ultimate way of life that is available today, and it certainly includes Marbella. “Marbella offers quality of life, safety and convenience, but sometimes highly active, business-oriented people miss the buzz and excitement of a big city environment, and while the likes of London, Paris or New York have that, they nowadays fall way behind in terms of lifestyle standards. The modern millionaire has come to realise that Dubai is the top new city destination that combines the best in business, service, dining, entertainment and dynamic environment, and they are flocking there.”
Dubai offers the ultimate level of safety, convenience and amenities, with a standard of service that is unequalled, including in Marbella. “That is certainly something that can be improved in Marbella, but it is the mix between your home country, Marbella and Dubai that provides the formula for the best lifestyle available today. Dubai offers top-level standards of living, properties that are still far more reasonably priced than in other large cities, and tax-free status. It’s not cheap, but you can register your company there and spend part of the year basking in its six-star environment while also enjoying the lifestyle and lower prices of Marbella.”
It is exactly this blend of characteristics that has caused many affluent people to buy in Dubai while retaining their homes in Marbella. “It is no exaggeration to say that the top movers and shakers are heading to Dubai. I personally love the atmosphere, being surrounded by people of this level. The conversations at the dinner table are intelligent and exciting, but they realise that you need somewhere in addition to Dubai, and Marbella is shaping up as the ideal location, not just on a European level but also for people from around the world.”
For this reason, 3SA has become specialised in this two-market bridge, offering those with Dubai properties the chance to buy in Marbella, and vice versa, leveraging their second/ third home through lucrative holiday rentals if need be, for which 3SA provides a high-end rentals and concierge service that services this segment of the market. “Tourist visits and business volumes are growing rapidly in Dubai, and the Costa del Sol/Málaga is also undergoing a true evolution, so it’s a great time to make the most of these dynamics and acquire the best quality of life in the world today.”
In a modern world that seems to be speeding up more and more it is good to look for a bit of calm and sanity, a path that keeps you fit and sane, not to mention happy. Thankfully, there are several paths to Nirvana.
We live in an age of change. The old certainties of the past are disappearing, and the planet appears to be spinning faster and faster. People and situations seem to be spinning out of control too and it almost looks like nature is following in our footsteps and getting in on the act. In short, these can be trying times where work stress, uncertainties about wars and AI, and worries about the environment and climate add to an unnerving sense of impending chaos.
So, what do modern people do to keep it all together? In reality, they mostly follow updated versions of tried and tested principles of relaxation, refocusing and recharging that, if done correctly, can make you feel almost immune to the things that can cause anxiety and depression in other, less enlightened people. It sounds frivolous, but it’s actually a very serious topic, and one that we could all benefit from, each of us choosing our combination of methods and techniques to unload the burdens of everyday life and get back to the basic principles of living in the present.
When it comes to spiritual wisdom, Asia seems to have a virtual monopoly on wisdom. Not so much Europe and certainly not the USA, with its frenzied consumerism, so we look to philosophies and wisdoms that have been developed for thousands of years in places such as China and India. These huge countries with their massive populations seem to have figured out a long time ago what continues to baffle us westerners to this day: the question of how to lead a balanced and fulfilling life. That said, not everyone in Asia is a guru, not by a long shot, but we can try to learn from them.
Perhaps the most popular of all is Yoga, an ancient yet amazingly current practice that involves everything from fitness routines to a deep life philosophy that encompasses how to eat, sleep, move, behave, think (or drown out the noise of your thoughts) and ultimately, how you feel. Central to Yoga, and to life really, is how we breathe, how we energise ourselves and how we enhance the balance between the Chakra (energy points) in our body to create a harmony of mind, body and spirit – in harmony with the world that surrounds us.
Such practices help you to cope with life’s challenges, to be water, not stone, as the flood hits you, so to speak. Another not unrelated path is that of Tai Chi, related to Kung Fu and also centred upon how you breathe and perceive and respond to the world around you. They have their roots in the rich spiritualism and philosophies of Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism, all of which celebrate nature, as it is nature that nourishes us, not just in terms of food, water and fresh air, but also with the capacity to heal our wounds, be they physical or emotional.
To nurture ourselves we must connect with nature, head out into the countryside, leave that damn mobile phone in a rucksack and observe the amazing beauty that surrounds us, be it sea, mountain, forest or desert, and certainly the animal world. This is why people head into remote retreats, where the night skies are clear, the air fresh and the wind carries not chaos but the soundtrack of peace and equilibrium. Try and you’ll find that Gaia, Mother Nature, will put a smile on your face and a twinkle in your eye.
ELEGANT VILLA LOCATED IN ONE OF THE MOST SOUGHT-AFTER AREAS OF BENAHAVIS
Located in El Paraiso, Benahavis, one of the most soughtafter coastal communities, this gorgeous villa boasts breathtaking sea views and is close to some of the best eateries and amenities. The estate has undergone a total makeover utilising premium components and unique designs. A welcoming open-plan living area with a fully equipped designer kitchen, fireplace, and dining area greets guests as they enter the property.
The best appliances and a closed prep area complete the kitchen’s equipment to meet all of your culinary needs. Practicality was considered when designing the windows, which were fully open to blend the interior and exterior spaces. Additionally, there are two sizable bedrooms with en suite bathrooms on this floor. ework.
Asking price €3,795,000
Raised in Gothenburg of Swedish-Czech origin, Jonathan Johansson belongs to a generation of young people that are taking life by the horns. Wise at a young age, they seem to know what it takes others decades to find out, and Jonathan is a fine example.
There was a time when young people had little direction, and when they did it usually involved being a slave to a lifelong career within some or other big corporation. While other generations have sought to liberate themselves, today’s seems to be the first that looks set to do so, both in the financial/ career and spiritual/emotional sense, and it is an inspiring thing to witness as these young people seem to have an early grasp on what is important in life, how to set goals and get what you want while also helping others.
While studying a Bachelors in National Economics and Finance full time, juggling Day-trading futures, working in digital marketing for events and doing online personal training and more, Jonathan set off to Stockholm to launch his career after graduation. While there, he did business development and sales in IT, and in more recent years built and sold companies in the E-com space as well as consulting for others. It’s been an active time in business that has always been accompanied by fitness and sport. “When I was younger I competed in athletics at a pretty high level before falling in love with the gym, and it has helped to shape my life.”
The link between fitness, sport and business
“There is a definite link between sport, fitness and success, and this of course translates directly to business as well, but could be applied to almost any field of life.” He refers to the fact that sportsmen tend to live in a health-conscious way, eating healthily, looking after themselves and enjoying the energy and positive boost that endorphins give you.
“This greatly enhances your ability to concentrate, focus, deal with stress and have more physical and mental endurance, but there is another factor that plays a big role and that is discipline. The discipline required to maintain a fitness and training regime builds strength of character, and when you look and feel healthy/good it also builds your self-esteem and confidence. These are factors of great importance in any walk of life but especially in business, so sport and exercise lead to health and fitness, and this in turn makes you more agile all-round.”
It gave him the energy to establish, run and sell successive businesses, work for a variety of companies, overcome disappointments and continue on his path, and throughout he has maintained the link between sport/fitness and business. “Marbella is a fantastic place to blend the two things, with its climate and setting, so I love being here. I started coming to Marbella about three years ago after I visited with a friend and colleague from the E-commerce space. From then on, I was hooked. I’d lived in Los Angeles before and Marbella feels like the first place in Europe outside of Sweden where I could live.”
Marbella has become an important element in Jonathan’s busy schedule, which includes business ventures, such as the Coffydoor brand he launched. “We deliver the tasty blends you need for the moments you desire in recycled aluminium capsules compatible with your Nespresso® machine. The assortment consists of our own curated blends by one of the finest roasters in Italy and it is delivered to doorsteps all over Sweden and now also in Marbella to give you that glorious great morning start to the day. It’s more than just great coffee and a brand, for me it’s the embodiment and the opportunity to energize people to make them feel ready to go after their goals and dreams on a daily basis,” says Jonathan.
He divides his time between Stockholm, Marbella and travel. “I love my stays here and am a member both at the I/O gym and NAC sports club, where you’ll find me working out and playing padel whenever I can. I build those routines around my work schedule, and being able to relax, have a good conversation and also work from Soul is the icing on the cake. The healthy food options here are brilliant, just give the Acai Bowl a shot and thank me later. I think Soul have done a fantastic job not just with the menu but the general aesthetics and ambience.”
The dynamic, international community of Marbella reminds him of LA, and the large Swedish community is a bonus. “It’s like having the best of both worlds as a Swede,” laughs Jonathan, whose new ambitions are moving in the direction of empowering others to find their goals in life and giving them the means to go after them. “ Besides continuing to build brands of the future, I’ve found my thoughts wandering more and more to wanting to build a framework for business education that gives people the tools and direction to identify and realize their ambitions.”
Having come from a family where no-one had ever run a business of their own, he felt that even with a business degree it entailed a long process of learning as you go along. “It’s fine to get a formal education, but there is a gap between that and the application, the detail, how to put your knowledge, ambition and drive into gear. I would like to demystify this and make it more accessible to everyone, and of course sport, fitness, health in body and mind, and business come together in this.”
He hasn’t quite defined the exact shape of it yet but knows that he will do it. “If I can play any role in helping people around me to be the version of themselves that they would like or reaching the goals they have, nobody will be happier than me. Whether or not that is done through investing, consulting or something completely different, achieving is a thrill but sharing is a real high.”
Having originally come here for a onemonth training session, Bradley Howard has since made Marbella his home as part of a complete lifestyle overhaul. Once overworked and stressed, he has found a new balance and purpose, and is training to join the British triathlon team and qualify for the Ironman World Championship.
“The life I now lead is a world away from the one I had just a year ago,” says the likeable young man with the winning smile. Originally from Manchester, he would work long days in the promotional events field, an industry that is known to be highly stressful. “You spend the whole day organising, coordinating and putting out fires, building up a tension that I released by going out a lot and socialising. I did this for years, until one morning I woke up thinking I’d had enough, there’s got to be more to life.”
He felt like he was on a treadmill wasting his best years, so he changed it there and then, deciding to leave the old life behind and start a new one. “I’d always been keen on fitness, but my work allowed me only limited time for exercise, so I decided to dedicate myself to training and eventually entered some competitions where my times encouraged me to get into it more seriously.” Before long, Bradley had entered into a serious training regime that would see him become a triathlon athlete who is now aiming to qualify for the GB team in his age group.
“I train twice a day, starting my day with a swim, followed by two more full sessions that focus on swimming and cycling.” He likes the routine he has established since he arrived in Marbella to really take the programme to the next level. What was originally meant to be a one-month intense training period has led to the decision to make Marbella his home, and now he makes full use of this region’s conditions to train in fantastic weather under the remote guidance of his coach Tony. “In England, everything revolved around the weather, but here I can work without interruption and in a beautiful environment.”
“The life I now lead is a world away from the one I had just a year ago ”
I work out of Soul, which I really enjoy and use as my office. There’s a really good vibe here and people get along. For me, there is nothing better than sitting on the terrace in the fresh air and working on my computer, producing content and checking my training results.” Bradley has created a run club since he moved here, with numbers doubling every week. “We meet up at different locations every other Saturday morning and set out for a five-kilometre run, then come back to relax and socialise. It’s 9:30 meet, half an hour run from 10am, and it sets you up for the day.”
It all forms part of a personal journey that can provide inspiration for anyone to get out of the rat race, refocus and begin to really appreciate and enjoy life. “Health and fitness create a sense of balance that spreads to your mind and produces a positive energy and a sense of balance. You’re more relaxed, easy going and tolerant, but also better able to deal with issues and more focused and energetic in the targets you set yourself. You work hard, meet interesting people, sow the seeds and good things come. Try it for yourself.”
His potential showed in earlier competitions, encouraging Bradley to enter a professional training programme and set his goals high. They are ultimately focused on joining the GB triathlon team in his age group and qualifying for the IRONMAN World Championship. “I am signed with British Triathlon as an ambassador for the sport and to raise awareness for it. Triathlon is being reviewed and likely to become an Olympic sport,” says the professional athlete who not so long ago was a stressed events manager in the UK. “I have found that if you get the balance in your life right, work with dedication and put the right things in place, good things will come. My journey has led to me becoming a professional triathlete.”
After leaving his career, he quit drinking for 12 months and focused on his physical and mental/emotional health. “This is really at the heart of it all. If you eat well, exercise and sleep well, you begin to feel a different person. It doesn’t take long before you start to look at life differently and develop in a more positive way. You’re more connected to nature, to yourself, and you develop an inner strength that means you don’t have to rely on crutches but can deal with things so much more easily. It’s like dropping all the drama and feeling a calm and balance inside you that makes you feel confident, contented and also more tolerant to others.”
Always an emotional person, he used to chase the adrenaline rush of his work and socialising, but now gets a dopamine thrill out of his workouts and a kick out of his new-found balance and confidence. “Having helped myself, I also feel a greater tendency and capacity to help other people, though this process also helps you to be fully content just being by yourself.
It is all focused on quality in everything you do, not quantity.” Having found this new balance in his life has been like trading in tension for positive energy.
Bradley’s last race was a triathlon in The Roc, Wales, and he is now gearing up for important qualification races. “I’ve signed up to do three IRONMAN races, starting with a 70.3 in Nice this June, which will involve a 1,9-kilometre swim, 90-kilometre bike ride and 22-kilometre run, followed by the same in Swansea in July, and a full-distance one in Barcelona in October, which involves a 3,9-kilometre swim, 180 kilometres on the bike and a 42-kilometre run. The aim is to join the national team and who knows, maybe participate at the Olympics one day. Right now, my focus is on living a healthy and fulfilling life, promoting awareness of the sport and improving my results.”
To do this, he documents his progress and creates content that is not only technical regarding fitness, diet and sport, against a backdrop of training and competition settings, but also has a very positive message. “I work with sports equipment and clothing brands, and I also focus on bringing out the message that fitness and health are central to our lives, and they lead you to a better appreciation of life. We only have one go at it, so it should be fun as well as meaningful.” He shuns extremes, so also enjoys a hearty meal and a drink every now and again, but overall loves spots with healthy food and a good energy.
Many call a weekend in a hotel or country retreat a getaway, but if you want a real break from the rat race there is nothing like spending unlimited time in the places you like best. Now that is freedom, and if you do it in a VW bus you’re getting away in style.
Campervans and caravans allow you to follow your nose and set up camp where it takes your fancy, but they lack a certain cool. Turn up in a classic VW bus and you stand out among the hippie chic surfers of beauty spots such as Tarifa or Ericeira on the west coast of Portugal. You’ll turn heads as you drive this very pretty classic van through the streets of Sevilla or Málaga, and even in Marbella a nicely restored sixties original might attract more attention than yet another noisy sportscar.
Yes, people drool over super luxurious cars, but there’s something about a VW bus that puts a smile on people’s faces. It’s just so cute, and practical too, as original or current conversions into compact campervans are surprisingly effective. It’s not the Ritz-Savoy but then again, you can’t take all those bricks with you, so the VW gets to places where even the most luxurious resort hotel can’t. The whole point of campervans like this is that they represent freedom – true independence of spirit.
The state of such a vehicle also says much about its owner, as they turn up looking anything from run down and shabby to authentically restored and also thoroughly modernised. Some have even been altered into something truly original: a VW bus turned into a pick-up that pulls another one converted into a caravan-style trailer. Others feature suped-up modern engines and interiors, or even electric vehicle status, but somehow that is just missing the point and depriving yourself of the unique pleasures a real ‘bus’ offers.
If you really need the space and comfort enough to sacrifice the laid-back chic of turning up at Valdevaqueros beach in a VW bus/camper, then perhaps the next best option is an Airstream trailer. This classically futuristic caravan with the aerodynamic lines and sleek polished aluminium is a futuristic gem associated with the 1950s, but you don’t have to find an old one to renovate. The Airstream was so popular that it has remained in production throughout, and now comes with modern comfort and technology.
The current models – long and short – look very similar on the outside but the difference shows inside, where the originals are all about wood and leather while the new ones follow the trend of current camper vans –light-toned synthetic materials, modern kitchens and television screens. There are other classic caravans and campervans out there, like the Citroën H or the Austin LD, but many have been snapped up to serve as food trucks and they’re not as easy to come by as they once were – which makes the true freedom of the road an experience to cherish.
When you’re in Marbella and it’s spring, thoughts drift to another coast, 45 minutes away…
Those of us fortunate enough to live here, occupy a beautiful stretch of the Mediterranean shoreline. The Costa del Sol, and Marbella in particular, attracts people from all over the world with its lifestyle appeal, but we’re also fortunate to have another coastline on our doorstep, where the Med gives way to the Atlantic.
If we look out on to a sea, then just past Gibraltar begins an ocean. In Marbella, we have the choice of both, from the glamour of our own surroundings to the chilled surfer chic ambience of the Costa de Luz. It’s a very different but highly complementary environment that these two beauty spots offer, and between them they provide the kind of ‘life’s what you make it’ variety that makes this part of the world so unique.
Take the highway past Algeciras either through the spectacular scenery of Parque de los Alcornocales national park or skirting the coastline with amazing views across the cliffs and the Strait of Gibraltar right out to Africa. It doesn’t take long before everything looks and feels that little bit different and you know you’ve entered a fresh new setting. This is a wilder coastline, where the villas and golf courses of the Costa del Sol give way to a succession of rocky coves and endless beaches with soft sand and high dunes, as at Valdevaqueros.
There are many spectacular places on this coast, from the surfer’s waves of El Palmar and the typical Andalusian atmosphere of Conil de la Frontera to wild Bolonia, where you can lie on the sandy beach next to ancient Roman ruins with the coastline of North Africa in the background. That said, if there is one place you should visit on the Costa de la Luz it is Tarifa. This kitesurfing mecca with the unique hippie chic feel is to the Costa de la Luz what Marbella is to the Costa del Sol – its glamorous beating heart.
¨WHERE THE KITESURFING DREAMS OF MERE MORTALS COME TO DIE¨
33 unique residences designed down to fine detail
With an open interior layout, which seeks to enhance the already generous proportions of the spaces, the residences afford panoramic views of the natural surroundings.
Three façades and large floor-to-ceiling windows make for sun- drenched homes throughout even in the central areas. Elegant, contemporary and exquisitely executed rooms make the spaces flow and bring the outside in. The icing on the cake are the generous sized terraces and private gardens, which provide a secluded oasis of peace and privacy and afford spectacular views thanks to a carefully thought layout.
This low-density development comprises just 33 units distributed in 6 blocks and only 3 stories, elevated ground floor with garden, first floor and second floor penthouse. There will be just 2 doors per floor. Interior square meters between 174m2 and 309m2
The project is aiming to be Breeam Excellent certified but also aiming for Exceptional level, to have WELL Oro rating and to be assessed by the demanding Level(s) framework.
Prices starting from €970,000 5x
Tarifa and the coastline that stretches in both directions from it is the antidote to Marbella, and vice versa. It’s beach parties, nightlife, shabby-chic stylish old quarter, sports facilities and above all ambience offer an opposite attraction to that of Marbella. Here, sports cars are traded in for rugged 4x4s and colourful retro campervans, the designer outfits and glamorous parties for beachwear and a very unique laid-back cool vibe that is all-Tarifa, and while the people that come here are very often affluent, they seem somehow changed in this setting.
In Tarifa everything is a little slower. The clock slows its pace here, where Andalucía mixes with an international scene to create a tasty cocktail of experiences. Tarifa is chilled, cool and takes its time about things. It slows down the pace until you calm down and begin to chill – a little like the California of the sixties. It’s a place to come and experience, not see. Drive up in your open-top jeep or converted VW campervan, if you have one, your modern sport car if you must – just mind the sand roads near the beach – and be ready to enter a surfer’s world less than an hour from your front door.
Bring your wetsuit, your surfboard, your dog, your kids and above all, relax and go with the flow.
How do you create the sound of an experience? How do you curate it so wsettings, at different times of the day, from early morning coffee to a working lunch, relaxing afternoon, evening dinner and late-night party? You ask a top DJ to create your sound.
Step into any of the venues that belong to the Breathe Group and a soundtrack accompanies you that flows from morning to late night. We probably take it for granted, but this is not a radio station or online playlist someone has put on, it’s a specially collated soundtrack to your moments at Breathe, be it the restaurant, Ground café/bakery, Soul at the NAC Sports & Social Club, or the glamorous party scene at Air.
The sounds we hear influence how we feel throughout the day. Sharp loud noises irritate and distract, a low hum becomes annoying after a while and even music must be carefully and skilfully chosen to create the right setting, the right feeling and mood for that place, that moment and that time of day. For this reason, the musical selection is of utmost importance and is best left in the hands of a professional.
“Even before the restaurant was opened more than five years ago, Aguilene and Tom approached me to define a sound that would play a big role in creating the atmosphere at each of the three venues being launched at the time,” says SO&SO, the resident DJ of the group. “They described the mood, setting and effect they wanted to produce, ranging from relaxing but energising in the morning, laid back yet invigorating during the afternoon, stylish in the evening and then building up to party mode at night.”
His suggestions were well received, as SO&SO remains the creator of the Breathe sound to this day, having produced an ambience for Ground, Breathe, Air and now also Soul that evolves throughout the day and is imbued with the character of each of the venues while also producing a distinctive Breathe feeling. “The sound I created had to be like the venues themselves, sophisticated, natural, stylish and also unique, they had to be the backdrop to the creating of wonderful moments and memories.”
He naturally considered the clientele, the setting and the journey as the sun arcs through the sky, starting with the cosseting atmosphere at Ground, where the music is like an acoustic version of the smell of fresh bread and coffee. From there it evolves to the chilled, sunny ambience of Soul and then reaches a height of sophistication at Breathe before turning into a party at Air. “We get a little louder at Air and we have lots of fun,” says SO&SO. “Nature is another element we use, especially during the day, infusing our soundtrack with natural tones.”
“The inspiration comes from the setting itself, and from the energy you feel when you’re DJing live at night, it’s pretty invigorating. I love the feedback from a good atmosphere, and it’s created by all of us, the team and guests alike. Some nights are very special, so both during the day and at night the music is an important ingredient at the Breathe venues that can be as vital as the décor, the service and even the food itself, as it is what helps to create a signature atmosphere and experience.”
Born in the Ibiza sound SO&SO’s roots in music lie in the Ibiza sound. He was already mixing with two decks at an early age, but his passion for music gave way to a 20-year career with a pharmaceutical multinational until he decided to make a major change in his life some seven years ago and dedicate himself to his first love. “I founded a company specialising in developing curated musical identities for companies, shops, online radio stations, beach clubs, restaurants and hotels, and also became a resident DJ and radio presenter on Ibiza Global Radio and Balearica Music.”
His weekly programme, Deep Nu House by SO&SO, is a hit, as is his ability to create a signature style for venues such as beach clubs that identifies with their brand and helps to create the atmosphere that customers come for. “Very special moments are when we have live dancing or acrobatic acts to accompany. I build the atmosphere using the latest trends in Deep House, Organic House, Afro House and house classics at Breathe and Air, and we also have live DJ shows at the sports club every Friday called Souls Sessions. It’s the perfect way to end the week on a high.”
When you visit a venue like Breathe, Soul, Ground or Air you don’t always realise how much work has gone into creating it and goes into maintaining a smooth daily operation. To make this happen, there is a team of people working hard every day behind the scenes, and the silent force behind them is Fran Manrique.
The Operations Director has been with the Breathe Group from the beginning, from the moment it was still a concept to the growing company it is today. “Being involved with a project like this right at the start, when you’re still listening to ideas and looking at architectural plans, is very different to managing an existing operation,” says Fran. “They are essentially two different jobs, but over the years, I have become something of an expert in both, and enjoy them equally.”
He loves to set something in motion, to be there during the early vision days, see it take shape and then see it grow. “It’s actually a very personal process. Breathe to me is like a child that I am coparenting, and I’m proud of what it has become and what we have achieved.” Though still young, he already has 20 years under his belt in the hospitality industry, starting in his father’s establishments near Almería before completing Hotel Management and F&B studies, and launching his career.
“I guess it’s in my blood, I’ve grown up with it, then took my qualifications and dived into the deep by moving to Bournemouth in England, where I was sales manager for a Christmas events company. This was followed by five years as the manager of El Ancla, then assistant F&B manager at the Melía Don Pepe Hotel, and now I have been with Breathe since before it opened.” He describes the challenges of launching such a project as highly demanding, with one of the biggest challenges was finding high quality staff to form the core of our teams. “We just had to keep recruiting and retraining, but we launched successfully and now have an excellent operation with a very coherent team full of the Breathe spirit.”
The Breathe concept included Ground and Air from the beginning, so in reality Fran was overseeing not one but three hospitality venues in one building, from set-up to daily operation. Last year saw another launch, when the group opened Soul at the NAC Sports & Social Club in Nueva Alcántara. “It’s a wonderful venue, very stylish and ambient. The NAC team have created a superb facility for sports, with a state-of-the-art I/O gym and paddle club, and I like to think that with Soul we have infused it with the social part that’s in its name. Taken together, it has become a very special and also very popular venue in Marbella for sport, fitness, healthy eating and also working and socialising. Soul is fun, atmospheric and also relaxing .”
The launch required a repetition of the Breathe launch process, complete with developing of the initial concept – in line with the Breathe vision – the construction, fitting and decoration, and getting the staff and operation up and running. “We now have a team of 50 people and it’s going well, Soul is a great success. That said, we’re always looking to improve, here and at the other Breathe venues, so I love to work not only from an office but above all to sit here with my computer and observe everything as I do my other work. It’s the best way to be on top of things, to observe, to see how staff and clients interact, what our customers like in terms of menu and overall experience, and to keep finetuning our offering. In this industry, you never stop improving and should never want to. It’s what is hard work and challenging about our field, but also what makes it so fascinating.”
When you want to do something about the environment, you shun throw-away, single-use plastics, replace water in plastic bottles with your own reverse osmosis system and serve it in glass carafes. You also install vertical gardens and plant thousands of plants irrigated by recycled rainwater run-off that you collect on site. Not content with this, you provide heating and cooling using a heat exchange pump that uses naturally occurring, sustainable energy sources, once again, on site. In fact, if you really want to show how such a large hospitality venue can really reduce its impact on the environment, you design and build an entire building from scratch that incorporates as many impact-reducing elements as possible.
Vertical
Socially and environmentally responsibly sourced ingredients – where possible, organic
A
Breathe
restaurant that has banned single-use/throw-away plastics Gift Trees planting initiative – with over 62.000 planted to date! gardens and thousands of plants irrigated with recycled catchment waterBuilding materials and techniques that enhance energy efficiency
Geothermal Systems for heating/cooling
Reverse osmosis water supply
PROVING THAT BUSINESS CAN BE SUSTAINABLE
Fully renovated classic Andalucian property with a modern twist, that offers a special ambiance and unique feel the moment vou walk in. Cleverly combining the Andalucian architecture externally, partnered with a a classic timeless interior, this property epitomises everything an elegant high end luxury home should be. Ideally located in the prime area of Las Brisas Nueva Andalucia, on a quiet cul-de-sac, the home is positioned on an elevated plot offering not only privacy but the most magnificent views over the golf valley, and front row seats of the famous ‘La Concha’ mountain range.
Asking price: 5.495.000 € 5x
After thirty years of protecting and caring for the region’s strays, Marbella’s leading animal rescue charity, Triple A, is opening up fantastic new facilities.
Founded in 1992, Triple A has been the go-to reference for animal rescue services on this coast for over thirty years now. The charity originally established by Jan Weima and two friends has grown into a true organisation with an impressive operation, rescuing, treating, caring and rehousing thousands of dogs and cats over the years.
“We do this for no other reason than that we love animals,” says Triple A Director, Bettina Pietsch “We have been fostering abandoned animals for several decades and built up all the know-how required, as well as personal and institutional contacts both local and international. Among them are collaborating vets and the town hall of Marbella, who have been fantastic in supporting us and recently took the initiative to create a superb new facility within the municipality.”
“The new animal shelter will greatly enhance what we are already doing, working with the town hall to collect, shelter and look after street cats and dogs, keep them safe, treat them and find suitable homes for them. We have a no-kill policy, so no healthy animal will be put down and we will always fight to keep each and every dog and cat, even when they are poorly. Our organisation is professionally structured and run, with an elected committee, a small but dedicated team of professional staff, and thankfully a good number of members and volunteers.”
Funds to do all this work come from members and donations here and abroad, as well as from fundraising events. “People are welcome to come and spend time here, the animals love it, and of course, with nearly 650 animals to care for, we are always looking for more volunteers to help with walking, grooming, feeding and playing with the cats and dogs. We also currently have four people who work extremely hard not just to find families for them, but also to ensure it is a good and happy match for owner and pet alike, and we would love to welcome volunteers who could assist in this and the organising of fundraising events and initiatives, as well as spreading the word through social media and personal networks.”
As the team move into the shelter they look to further expand with a series of new goals, including a licensed van to get the pets to adoption more quickly, grow the
member and volunteer base, and expand the network of collaborations with international adoption agencies. “We know we are doing something right when we also re-house dogs and cats to owners in other countries, but it is quite an operation, and this requires more infrastructure, so we never stand still in our desire to help these poor animals, there is always more that can be done.” For now, Marbella can be proud of a grassroots organisation that has grown into something truly impressive.
Triple A
A-355, km 5, Marbella
Tel: 952 771 586
www.tripleamarbella.org
Open: Monday to Saturday 10:00-17:00h (and on other days by appointment for special adoptions)
PUENTE ROMANO
Panorama Sales Office next to the reception of the Nobu Hotel at Puente Romano
OPPOSITE THE MARBELLA CLUB
Panorama Headquarters opposite the Marbella Club Hotel (upper level, private client parking) Tel:
Looking after yourself means taking time off to get away from it all. Holidays have traditionally fulfilled this role, but with modern travel being what it is, you sometimes arrive home feeling like you need a break to recover from your vacations. To truly relax and recharge both body and mind, there are few better options than heading for a spa or yoga retreat.
The best spa/yoga getaways tend to be retreats, where you can really leave the stress behind and relax, refocus and emerge a more streamlined version of yourself. To achieve this, there are two options: the short ‘weekender’ getaway, and the longer regeneration holiday, which could last anything from one to two weeks. For those in need of it, there is even a spiritual cleansing option that will take you back to nature in locations such as India or Thailand, and some take as much as six months or a year out before they venture back into the fast-paced modern world.
For those living in the Marbella area there are various options. You can take an afternoon at one of the local resort hotels for a little relaxing and pampering, perhaps even enjoy a treatment or two, or head into the surroundings for a weekend. The choices are many, from pretty country retreats to classic cities such as Seville and Granada, or visit spa destinations such as Lanjarón, up in the mountains near the Sierra Nevada. Here, there’s a little more opportunity to take your time and zoom out of the everyday stresses.
Also popular for this purpose is immersing yourself in nature, in cabins, rustic retreats or even glamping, and it is in settings like this that you’ll find yoga retreats that focus on body and mind, offering only healthy (often vegan) food and packages that include yoga and meditation sessions, in many cases followed by wandering through nature and taking it all in. If it sounds a bit Zen-like it is, but more and more people seem to be in need of this, so don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. You might just enjoy getting away from it all.
Together we have planted more than 62,000 trees
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Short of staying with a yogi in India for several months, there is also the opportunity to book a flight to an exotic destination, but instead of heading to a tourist resort or deluxe hotel find yourself one of those beauty spots where people focus on connecting with nature while being pampered with spa treatments. The food will be exotic but healthy, the natural splendour invigorating and the time spent following spa and yoga sessions will cleanse you inside and out. It’s a different concept to more hedonistic holidays but you’ll come back refreshed.
Given the fact that these traditions are mostly grounded in Asian culture, the most highly ranked experiences of this kind can be found in such locations as the Maldives, Bali, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malaysia, where luxurious boutique resorts dedicated to providing the ultimate spa experience – either by the beach or within wooded countryside – represent perhaps the best opportunity to combine a luxury vacation with a reviving boost.
ARE YOU A RAVER, A ROCKER, A LOVE CHILD AT FESTIVALS OR SIMPLY ADDICTED TO TAYLOR SWIFT? CHANCES ARE, THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE OFFING FOR YOU.
Over the years, we’ve been rather spoiled on the Costa del Sol. We’ve had the likes of Michael Jackson, Elton John, Robbie Williams and David Guetta perform and even have our own summer-long Starlite Festival, which this year includes the likes of Keane, Take That, Aitana, Myke Towers and Luis Miguel, but if you’re a true lover of music and follower of the live experience, then the world has to be your oyster.
Every year, there are hundreds of concerts around the world, ranging from classical music and jazz to rock, electronic dance, reggaeton, R&B Hip Hop and the latest and greatest popstars. Some of the events have such a tradition that they in themselves have become legendary, an attraction to put on your bucket list simply to live the experience and be able to say that you’ve been there. One thinks of Glastonbury, but there are many others that might even involve less camping in muddy fields.
The techno rave scene has been with us for over two decades and it is still going strong, evolving with the years. Tomorrowland is one of the largest and best annual electronic dance music festivals in the world, and it is a spectacle in which just the stage by itself is a crazy phenomenon. Tomorrowland adds a circus touch to the mix, not entirely unlike the Burning Man Festival held in the Nevada desert. It’s about art and self-expression, etc., but really, it’s a chance to dress up in Mad Max style and see how much flesh you can bare.
and many more
starliteoccident.com
Maybe not as famous, the Roskilde Festival is actually the largest in Europe, a modern-day pop and rock event with a touch of the old hippie spirit. If you’re not into that flower power stuff and like the atmosphere to be a little more intense, the Welcome to Rockville heavy metal festival held at the Daytona International Speedway will thrill. More or less the exact opposite to this Hell’s Angels scene is the Montreux Jazz Festival on the banks of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, a civilised affair with chilled jazz sounds floating over the water.
Lollapalooza is another massive event, but don’t go if you’re not into big crowds. This is one huge concert, featuring rock, metal, punk, hip hop and techno. A real contender for top electronic rave festival is the Untold Festival in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. People fly in from everywhere to see the best DJs at work at the local football stadium, and once again, it is a visual spectacle. Coachella, in California, veers more towards mainstream pop, flanked by Hip Hop, rock and techno to keep it broad.
