Essential Magazine April 2014 by Essential Magazine

Are MARBELLA’S

Fortunes TURNING?

ISSUE 176 • APRIL 2014

ESSENTIAL FOR LUXURIOUS LIVING

N º176 -APRIL 2014

essential essential magazine® marbella

MARBELLA

COMPLIMENTARY EDITION

ASTON MARTIN

VANQUISH

MAN OF THE MOMENT

Jared Leto

FERIA FASHION FEVER

Jerez:

EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF

sweet

Spring

Wine

INTERIOR INDULGENCES SEA VS. RIVER

Cruising

N E W S I C U LT U R E I P E O P L E I T R E N D I S T Y L E I S P A I P R O I L E I S U R E I G O U R M E T & M O R E

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“WELCOME TO OUR WORLD” The seven pilots of the Breitling Jet Team belong to the international elite of aviation professionals. In performing their aerobatic figures at almost 800 km/h, flying 2 meters from each other and with accelerations of up to 8Gs, errors are not an option. It is for these masters of audacity and daring exploits that Breitling develops its chronographs: sturdy, functional, ultra high-performance instruments all equipped with movements chronometer-certified by the COSC – the highest official benchmark in terms of reliability and precision. Welcome to the Breitling world.

C/ Zacatín, 23 Tel.: 958 071 237 - 958 222 934 Granada

NAVITIMER

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essential magazine® is also in

Issue 176 • April 2014

S T A F F

Gibraltar

PUBLISHER AND DIRECTOR

IAIN BLACKWELL director@essentialmagazine.com

GENERAL MANAGER

ANDREA BÖJTI sales@essentialmagazine.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

MARISA CUTILLAS editorial@essentialmagazine.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER SALES SUPPORT

SUSANNE WHITAKER design@essentialmagazine.com JAN DENDAUW jan@essentialmagazine.com RÉKA VIDÁTS reka@essentialmagazine.com

ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR CREATIVE DIRECTOR DESIGN & LAYOUT STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

COVER MODEL COVER PHOTOGRAPHY ART DIRECTION & STYLING HAIR & MAKEUP PRINTING DEPÓSITO LEGAL

MARIANO JEVA cuentas@essentialmagazine.com MONIKA BÖJTI info@essentialmagazine.com ANDREA BÖJTI INMA AURIOLES MELINDA SZARVAS KEVIN HORN BELINDA BECKITT, IAIN BLACKWELL, MICHEL CRUZ, RIK FOXX, RUSSELL GRANT, AJ LINN, ALEJANDRO ORIOLI, DR. JOAQUIN PEREZ-GUISADO, TONY WHITNEY, DAVID WISHART, KEVIN WOODFORD CLAUDIA FERNÁNDEZ JUANJO MORENO MARIANO LEÓN FRAN ALONSO PELUQUEROS JIMÉNEZ GODOY A. GRÁFICAS, MURCIA D.L. MA-512-99

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES COMPLEJO LA PÓVEDA, BLQ. 3, 1º A, CN 340, KM 178, 29600 MARBELLA, MÁLAGA. TEL: 952 766 344 FAX: 952 766 343

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connect with us: ESSENTIAL GIBRALTAR MAGAZINE

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conditions:

The publishers make every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct, but cannot accept Marbella Magazine cannot accept responsibility for the effects of errors or omissions. responsibility for the claims, goods or services of advertisers. Marbella Magazine. © Publicaciones Independientes Costa del Sol S.L. for No part of this magazine, including texts, photographs, illustrations, maps or any other graphics may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Publicaciones Independientes Costa del Sol S.L. Printed on recyclable paper, produced without wood and bleached without chlorine.

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contents

The Trend

Cinema 24 Home Viewing 26 Music 28 Books 30 Gadgets 32 The Spa Creation 5 34 80 Say Goodbye to Cellulite Cars: The New Aston 82 Beauty News Martin Vanquish V12 36 84 Dairy Alternatives 86 Health News The Focus 88 Aesthetic Procedures for Men Is Marbella on the 90 Health Profile: Ignacio Béjar, Music Therapist Road to Recovery? 40 Engel & Völkers 48 The Pro Jared Leto 50 92 Enterprise Susanna Armstrong 52 106 Business Profile: Your Flight

The Style

Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 18 56 Décor News from Originals 62 Loft & Roomers 64 Grow Your Own Garden at Arboretum Marbella 66 Goyescas 2014 Flamenco in Sevilla 68 Fashion News 76

The Leisure 108 114 116 118

Cruising at Sea River Cruising Jean-Marc Poli: New GM at the Kempinski Jerez: European City of Wine 2014

The Gourmet 129 131 132 134 136 138

Los Bandidos Grill del Puerto Food News Kevin Woodford’s Essential London Chef’s Profile: Adriano Visentin of Casa Tua Wine: Arzuaga

The Guide 140 Listings

The Blog 149 150 152 154

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Pet News What’s On Stars Kid’s Zone

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We are regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority. Are you receiving qualified and regulated advice? We need to talk. We firmly believe it is important to only take financial advice from someone who is suitably qualified and regulated. Our forthcoming series of Spring Seminars will discuss this concern, as well as key tax and investment issues for 2014. You will find details on our website, or contact us for information or to arrange a private appointment in the meantime.

800 600 821 WNT48Sem-es

southernspain@blevinsfranks.com Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, reference number 179731. Where advice is provided outside the UK, via the Insurance Mediation Directive from Malta, the regulatory system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority for the administration of trusts and companies. Blevins Franks Tax Limited provides taxation advice; its advisers are fully qualified tax specialists. This promotion has been approved and issued by BFFM.

w w w. b l e v i n s f r a n k s . c o m

publisher’s letter WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL

Sweet Spring A

pril is a lovely month here in Marbella with spring seriously in bloom, nice temperatures and the return to Summer Time. Easter also normally falls in April, as it does this year, so expect to see the coast awash with visitors mid-month with the official start to la temporada. In recognition of this, we have put together a bumper edition brimming with essential content. We kick off with an investigation into whether Marbella is undergoing a recovery, with positive results, and we examine one company which has sustained success throughout the crisis: Engel & Völkers. Come with us, as we experience Kevin Woodford’s Essential London and compare luxury cruising at sea with an outstanding river cruise adventure. We also enjoy an exhilarating drive in the new Aston Martin Vanquish V12 and preview the plentiful events lining up in the evocative city of Jerez, this year’s European Capital of Wine. People-wise, don’t miss our profile on multi-talented Jared Leto, hot on the heels of his Oscar win, and interview with Susanna Armstrong, a woman who has discovered how well humans can communicate with animals. A lot of us will be kicking back and enjoying fine food and wine this month and we suggest two of the best in Puerto Banús to do just this: legendary restaurant Los Bandidos and dining venue par excellence, Grill del Puerto. Look out for next month’s special issue, which will celebrate our XV anniversary!

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You only live once,

Beachfront Los Monteros: Fantastically priced! Opportunity to purchase a unique, large beachfront villa in an outstanding position that can easily be converted into a modern, contemporary home and triple its value. Very private, facing the natural dunes and sea. 8 Beds, 9 Baths. Built 746 m2, plot 2.200m2. E&V ID: W-01LBCO. Price: €5.950.000.

Bahía de Marbella: Modern designer villa with beautiful sea views on second line Beach. Highest qualities, luxury fittings throughout, stylish design. Gym, sauna, bodega. 5 Beds, 5 baths. Built 502m2, Plot 1.202m2. E&V ID: W-01UFQI. Price: 3.150.000 €.

Marbesa: Stunning contemporary villa with fantastic sea views from every corner, situated within walking distance to the beach. Recently built to the highest qualities. 5 Beds, 5 baths. Built 485m2, plot 1.340m2. E&V ID: W-01IYK0. Price: 2.950.000 €.

Beachfront Bahía de Marbella: Unique! Stylish, high quality semi-detached corner house with magnificent sea views and ample gardens facing the white dunes. Exclusive community with direct beach access. 4 Beds, 4 baths. Built 474 m2. E&V ID: W-01MNGF. Price 1.450.000 €.

Elviria: Fantastically priced! Spectacular penthouse with panoramic views, beautifully decorated. Situated in Elviria Hills, community with golf course, tennis, Michelin star restaurant. 3 Beds, 2 baths. Living area 150m2, terrace 50m2. E&V ID: W-01JFDB. Price: 599.000 €.

Office El Rosario: 952 83 20 40 · Office Elviria: 952 83 55 80

Argentina · Australia · Austria · Bahrein · Belgium · Bostwana · Chile · China · Croatia · Cyprus · Czech Republic · France · Germany · Great Britain · Holland · Hungary · Ireland · Italy · Jordan Luxemburg · Mozambique · Namibia · New Zealand · Peru · Portugal · Qatar · Romania · Russia · Slovenia · South Africa · Spain · Switzerland · Thailand · Turkey · UAE · Uruguay · USA · Zambia

we will show you where!

Beachfront Golden Mile: Exceptional! Spectacular, contemporary frontline beach villa, recently built with the latest technology and highest qualities offering stunning sea views. Under-floor heating, bar, cinema, sauna, gym, staff accommodation, heated pool. 7 Beds, 9 baths. Built 1.106m2, plot 1.920m2. E&V ID: W-00YVHY. P.O.A

Sierra Blanca: Exquisite villa majestically poised in a prime location in Sierra Blanca. Indoor pool, sauna, steam room, cinema, gym, lift. Separate guest apartment. 6 Beds, 6 baths. Built 1.565m2, plot 2.311m2. E&V ID: W-01H5H7. Price: 6.900.000 €.

Sierra Blanca: The most spectacular, contemporary villa in Sierra Blanca! Newly built villa with panoramic sea views, built to the highest qualities. Indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, lift, wine cellar. 5 beds, 5 baths. Built 854 m2, plot 1.314 m2. E&V ID: W-01LC0Z. Price: 3.500.000 €.

Beachfront Golden Mile: Spectacular ample apartment with large terraces and breathtaking views in Mare-Nostrum, the most luxurious beachfront building. Can be converted into 2 bedrooms. 1 Bed, 2 baths Living area 128m2, terrace 80m2. E&V ID: W-01WKH7. Price: 1.095.000 €.

Altos Reales: Situated in the most exclusive gated community of Marbella, this classic, elegant villa offers lovely sea views, privacy and an ideal distribution for families. Cinema, staff apartment. 4 Beds, 4 baths. Built 656m2, plot 1.194m2. E&V ID: W-01W3PE. Price: 2.950.000 €.

Office Marbella: 952 86 84 06 · www.engelvoelkers.com/MarbellaAndEast

Multi-award winning luxury estate agents in over 275 locations worldwide

EL MADRONAL, BENAHAVIS – 2.450.000€ Built 525m2 · 4 Beds · 4 Baths

Ref: 110995

Features:

SIERRA BLANCA, MARBELLA GOLDEN MILE – 3.500.000€ Built 1314m2 · 6 Beds · 5 Baths

Ref No: 117829

Features:

• Fantastic Views

• Underfloor Heating

• Gated Community

• Indoor Pool

• Mature Garden with Heated Pool

• Terracotta Floors

• 24/7 Security

• Recently Renovated

• Gated Community

• Double Glazing

• Panoramic Sea Views

• Contemporary Style

SIERRA BLANCA, MARBELLA GOLDEN MILE – 3.500.000€ Built 670m2 · 5 Beds · 4 Baths Features:

Ref: 117828

CORTIJO BLANCO, SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA – 2.500.000€ Built 901m2 · 6 Beds · 6 Baths

Ref: 117830

Features:

• Gated Community

• Entertainment Suite

• 2 Minute Walk To Beach

• Roof Terrace

• Spacious Open Plan Living

• Gymnasium

• Close To All Amenities

• Guest/Staff Apartment

• Fully Furnished

• Sea Views

• Swimming Pool

• Galleried Double Height Lounge

Fine & Country Marbella Marbella Club Hotel, Bulevar del Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, 29600 Marbella, Málaga, Spain

tel +34 952 76 40 10 email marbella@fineandcountry.com www.fineandcountry.com

Marbella

Ref: 99616

SIERRA BLANCA, MARBELLA GOLDEN MILE – 3.950.000€ Built 684m2 · 5 Beds · 5 Baths Features: • Sea Views

• Feature Wine Cellar with LED Lighting

• Close to Beach & Amenities

• Roof Terrace

• New Build

• Gated Community & 24/7 Security

Plot Участок ca 5.850 m2

Built Строение ca 900 m2

Terraces Террасы ca 250 m2

Âèëëà êëàññà ëþêñ íà ïðîäàæó Великолепная вилла с ремонтом, ранее принадлежавшая артисту по имени Princе, с использованием строительных материалов из Paraiso Alto, с шикарным видом на море, горы, долины и поля для гольфа. Находится всего в 5 минутах езды от оживленного города Сан-Педро и в 10 минутах от Пуэрто-Бануса, недалеко от пляжа, супермаркетов и ресторанов и в непосредственной близости к гольфовому полю. Расположенная в одном из самых безопасных районов,вилла находится рядом с Марбельей. Роскошная двухэтажная резиденция с большим количеством спален и ванных комнат(1 спальня и 4 ванны на первом этаже и 6 спален меньшего размера на втором этаже). Она красиво оформлена и

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может похвастаться захватывающим вестибюлем с впечатляющей лестницей, большой гостиной, столовой с панорамными окнами, залом для завтраков, полностью оборудованной кухней.Оснащенная сигнализацией, кондиционерами, электрическим генератором, системой орошения и колодцем и украшенная живописным частным садом с самыми красивыми субтропическими деревьями эта вилла оборудована бассейном с подогревом, отдельно стоящим таунхаусом с ванной комнатой и частным теннисным кортом. Эта экслюзивная резиденция, окруженная защитной стеной, располагает 3 гаражами и помещением для охраны, что делает ее одной из самых привилегированных и безопасных резиденций в Марбелье.

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Price € 5.500.000 Цена - Contact the owner on Связаться с владельцем можно непосредственно (+34) 639 404 187 Internet site www.adornatierra.com

LuxuryVilla for Sale This completely renovated stunning villa, previously owned by the artist formerly known as Prince, constructed with the most beautiful materials located in Paraiso Alto (direction Villa Padierna), enjoys a marvelous sea view as well as views over the mountains, valleys and golf course. Just 5 minutes from the bustling town of San Pedro and only 10 minutes to Puerto Banús, close to the beach, supermarkets, restaurants and within easy reach to top golf courses. This property has direct access to the best Marbella offers and is situated in one of the safest areas. Built over two ﬂoors this luxurious residence enjoys one master bedroom and 4 en-suite bathrooms, with a further 6 smaller bedrooms with bathroom. This beautifully designed Villa boasts a spectacular

entrance hall with impressive double staircase, large living room, dining room, breakfast room, all with panoramic windows and has a fully equipped new kitchen with all appliances and a separate laundry. Finished to the highest standards, this amazing property includes inside and outside security with camera system, air-conditioning throughout, electric generator, water tanks, irrigation system and a water well. The magniﬁcent private park-like garden is planted with the most beautiful subtropical trees and has a heated swimming pool, townhouse with bathroom and private tennis court. This very exclusive residence has 3 garages and a security room. Accessed through a large private drive, the plot is completely walled to offer one of the most privileged and safe residences in Marbella.

ASK YOUR AGENT

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SOTOGRANDE ALTO Plot: 5.831m2

Built: 951m2

Price: â&#x201A;Ź3.750.000

A stunning Palm Beach Mansion of exceptionally spacious proportions oozing a feeling of grandeur of the past, taking you to the days of the Great Gatsby. Situated in one of the ďŹ nest residential areas of Sotogrande, in an elegant gated community with 24 hour security frontline to the 4th hole of the renowned Valderrama Golf Course. Information on this property, please call International Marbella on (34) 607 520 701 or email your enquiry to info@internationalmarbella.com

(34) 95 13 199 14 (34) 607 520 701 www.internationalmarbella.com

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LA CERQUILLA Plot: 2.726m2

Built: 992m2

Price: â&#x201A;Ź4.400.000

An elegant luxurious home designed by Marcos Sainz offering the extremely high quality of build which he is renowned for. The 4 bedroom suite accommodation spans over one ďŹ&#x201A;oor only and boasts breathtaking south facing sea views across two golf courses. Information on this property, please call International Marbella on (34) 607 520 701 or email your enquiry to info@internationalmarbella.com

(34) 95 13 199 14 (34) 607 520 701 www.internationalmarbella.com

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trend READING / MUSIC / FILMS / GADGETS / MOTORING / TRENDS

We celebrate Marbella in the best possible way, by enjoying leisurely days on the beach, gathering together with family and savouring the best of home life. Find all the entertainment you need with our suggested cinema and home viewing releases, and whiz away to the destination of your dreams in the new Aston Martin Vanquish V12.

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Cinema

Home Viewing

Music

Books

Gadgets

Cars: The New Aston Martin Vanquish V12

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trend CINEMA

WORDS MARISA CUTILL

ONTH

OF THE M e BLOCKBUSTER

Noah » GENRE Drama

» DIRECTOR Darren

Aronofsky (Requiem for a Dream) » ACTORS Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Anthony Hopkins

Russell Crowe gives life o to the biblical Noah, wh stic dra e tak to ced is for measures to save his ing family from the upcom flood. His greatest obstacle isn’t building ; a sturdy ark, however the h wit ng livi is it r, he rat s guilt of knowing he ha has t tha rm sto a ed viv sur ta jus in s lion wiped out mil . urs ho few

» GENRE Drama » DIRECTOR Claudia Llosa (The Milk of Sorrow) » ACTORS Jennifer Connelly, Melanie Laurent,

Cillian Murphy

Aloft

This sombre tale set in the snow-encrusted landscapes of the Arctic circle stars Jennifer Connelly as a mother who has been separated from her son by a tragic accident. Today, she is a famous healer and artist, while her son is a falconer who has never gotten over the loss he experienced as a child. Melanie Laurent plays the young journalist who brings mother and son together.

» GENRE: Action » DIRECTOR Keanu Reeves (in his directorial debut)

» GENRE Action/ Adventure » DIRECTOR Marc Webb

( (500) Days of Summer) » ACTORS Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Peter Parker is pushed to the limit when a mysterious company, Oscorp, sends a slew of scoundrels after him, including a hooded villain (Jamie Foxx) with hands that emanate powerful electrical rays.

» ACTORS Keanu Reeves, Iko

Uwais, Tiger Hu Chen

» GENRE Comedy » DIRECTOR Pascual Chaumeil (Un plain parfait)

Man of Tai Chi

Keanu Reeves plays an evil entrepreneur who aims to reveal the illusionary nature of the peace and spirituality attained by young Tai Chi master, Tiger Chen. The corrupt entrepreneur attempts to woo Chen by promising to provide him with the funds required to build a temple in his hometown. The film not only entices the audience with an array of knockout martial arts scenes, it also delves into the complexities of one of the most highly respected martial arts in existence.

» ACTORS Pierce Brosnan, Aaron

Paul, Rosamund Pike

A Long Way Down

It’s New Year’s Eve and four strangers meet at the top of a New York skyscraper to put an end to their lives. Instead, they make a pact to put off their dark intent until Valentine’s Day. Together, they discover that there is still plenty to love and laugh about in life.

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trend HOME VIEWING

Marisa Cutillas brings us a few of the season’s top DVD releases.

» GENRE Biopic » DIRECTOR Joshua Michael Stern (Never Was)

» ACTORS Ashton Kutcher, Dermot Mulroney, Josh Gad » IMDB RATING 5.9/10

Jobs

Steve Jobs changed the world of technology as we know it, yet his youth was marked by various intense and broken relationships. Jobs reveals some of the greatest obstacles that stood in the way of one man’s greatness, and how he used his inner gifts to overcome each one.

D RELEASE e FEATURED DV

OF THE MONTH

, a young University Timberlake plays Richie tin Jus / » GENRE Crime student who cracks an online poker site, ing magnate, Ivan Thriller only to be busted by gam who is intrigued by ck, » DIRECTOR Blo ). Block (Ben Affleck e (Th n ma Fur Brad ites him to Costa Rica, Richie’s intelligence, inv Lincoln Lawyer) ntial cut of his earnings. sta promising him a sub ir tin Jus RS TO » AC to drag Richie into the When the FBI attempts the s, ling dea dy Timberlake, Ben sha s investigation of Block’ his Affleck, Gemma between his loyalty to young student is torn help ’t esn do It t. tinc Arterton ins al s and his own surviv bos s ck’ Blo DB h » IM fall in love wit that he also begins to RATING 5.6/10 mma Arterton). (Ge nd frie girl ul utif bea

r e n n u R r Runne

Un plan parfait » GENRE Romantic Comedy » DIRECTOR Pascual Chaumeil (Heartbreaker)

» ACTORS Diane Kruger, Danny Boon » IMDB RATING 6.3/10 Diane Kruger plays a young woman who is desperate to end her family curse, in which the first marriage of every woman ends in divorce. She marries the first man she finds before tying the knot with her fiancée, only to find her first husband to be rather irresistible!

Justin and the Knights of Valour

This colourful animation is particularly suitable for younger children. It tells the tale of Justin, a young boy who embarks on an exciting quest to become a knight. Forced to face dangerous dragons and a team of scheming monks, Justin learns the most important tenets of the knightly code of honour and falls in love with a beautiful maiden.

» GENRE Animation » DIRECTOR Manuel Sicilia (The Missing Lynx) » VOICES Antonio Banderas, James Cosmo, Michael Culkin » IMDB RATING 5.9/10

» GENRE Biopic » DIRECTOR Ron Howard » ACTORS Daniel Brühl, Chris Hemsworth, Olivia Wilde

» IMDB RATING 8.3/10 » GENRE Drama/ Comedy » DIRECTOR Michael Bay (Transformers) » ACTORS Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Anthony Mackie

» IMDB RATING 6.5/10

Pain & Gain

This black comedy brings the true story of an unlikely group of assassins to life. Mark Wahlberg plays a fitness fanatic who enlists the help of fellow gym junkies to embark on a mission involving kidnapping, extortion, torture and assassination, all in the name of the American dream.

Rush

Rush is hands-down one of our favourite flicks released in 2013. The fast-paced biographical film tells the true story of the love-hate relationship between Formula One champions, Niki Lauda and James Hunt. The film delves into the unique personality of an F1 driver and the different life philosophies of two of the sport’s most courageous champions.

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trend MUSIC

¿QUÉ PASA?

WORDS RIK FOXX

Starlite Festival update: THE BEACH BOYS, TOM JONES, the PET SHOP BOYS and GLORIA GAYNOR have been booked to join KOOL AND THE GANG, JULIO IGLESIAS and Spanish superstar ROSARIO. The festival runs from July 23 to August 23 (ticket info: www.starlitefestival.com). Gibraltar’s 2014 Music Festival has so far named Irish chart toppers THE SCRIPT and the 2012 Y Factor winner JAMES ARTHUR, more acts were due to be announced on March 16. It all happens on September 6 (ticket info www.gibraltarmusicfestival.eu). And this year’s Benicàssim line-up is taking shape with KASABIAN headlining plus LILY ALLEN, PAUL WELLER, TINIE TEMPAH, KATY B, JAKE BUGG, THE MANIC STREET PREACHERS, CHASE & STATUS, ELLIE GOULDING, THE KLAXONS and THE CHARLATANS. The festival takes place between July 17 & 20 (ticket info: www.fiberfib.com)

The ALL SAINTS reunion is going so well that the girls want to go back in the studio to record new material but SHAZNAY LEWIS, MELANIE BLATT plus NATALIE and NICOLE APPLETON will first have to find themselves a label as they are currently unsigned. Meanwhile the estranged hubbie of NICOLE, LIAM GALLAGHER, is to make a movie about his heroes THE BEATLES and is holding auditions in LA later this month. The Longest Cocktail Party (working title) will tell the history of the Fab Four’s Apple Corps company, the break-up of the band and the start of their solo careers. He is currently seeking financial backers as he will probably need all his own cash as divorce proceedings are on the horizon. And just to wind his little bruv up, NOEL says he is considering making a movie about OASIS. He is currently in the studio recording his second solo album which is said to be in the spirit of Definitely Maybe. Next month marks the 20th anniversary of that debut OASIS LP and a collector’s remastered edition featuring rare and unreleased recordings will drop on May 19.

Some things never change – back in the day the BENNETT sisters, EASTHER and VERNIE, of ETERNAL fame, were renowned for their diva antics. On the recent ITV Big Reunion show they gave backstage staff the run around with their alleged bitchy ways – no wonder LOUISE REDKNAPP wasn’t all that bothered when she wasn’t invited to rejoin them.

Guitar orientated music made a bit of a come-back in the UK last year and the ARCTIC MONKEYS led the charge with their Brit Award winning album AM. Now PAOLO NUTINI has been causing ripples among the music press with his forthcoming album Caustic Love, which will touchdown on April 14. Tracks include the highly rated Iron Sky and the current single Scream (Funk My Life Up) and it is expected to top the LP charts.

Also in the studio is ADELE and she has been talking with the revamped PRINCE about joining her for one song. She has also persuaded PHIL COLLINS to come out of retirement to give her a helping hand. The 62-year-old drummer, who confessed he knew nothing about the singer before she approached him, has not played since 2007 as nerve damage made bashing the skins more or less impossible; there are also rumours circulating of a possible reunion with MIKE RUTHERFORD and TONY BANKS to reform soft rock legends GENESIS for a few gigs. Sales of ADELE’s 21 album continue to rise (currently the fourth best seller of all time in the UK with 4.7 million copies) but QUEEN’s 1981 Greatest Hits collection recently became the first album to clock up six million copies. Last month we informed you that the band was considering using ADAM LAMBERT for their proposed world tour – he has now been confirmed for the American leg later this year. While many wait with bated breath for the FREDDIE MERCURY/MICHAEL JACKSON collaborations, a new tune by the latter emerged on Soundcloud last month. The 67-second snippet of the TIMBALAND produced Slave To The Rhythm is dominated by an 808 synth hook. And five members of his French Community fan club are considering court action as they wish to visit his grave in LA, which is currently closed to the public.

ROBIN THICKE, who has been in the news for the wrong reasons (getting divorced), returns to the music fold doing a duet with JESSIE J on the DJ CASSIDY song Calling All Hearts. The tune originally hit the airwaves at the start of the year but is now on general release. Last month GARY BARLOW headed several pop stars and former footballers to record England’s official 2014 FIFA World Cup single, a cover of the TAKE THAT hit Greatest Day. Artists included MEL C, EMMA BUNTON, KIMBERLEY WALSH, CONOR MAYNARD, ELIZA DOLITTLE, KATY B and PIXIE LOTT. The video was due to premiere as part of BBC’s Sport Relief evening on March 21. Barlow says he has high hopes for the song which is more than can be said of the football team’s chances in Brazil come June. e

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Finest Real Estate

Las Brisas: Outstanding front line golf villa with spectacular sea and golf views situated in the exclusive area of la Cerquilla on a large plot with magnificent gardens and outdoor areas. Gymnasium, sauna, cinema room, wine cellar. 6 Beds, 6 baths. Built 888 m2, plot 4.067 m2. E&V ID: W-00CZF1. Price: 2.985.000 €.

La Zagaleta: Unique opportunity! Fantastically priced, elegant family villa with lovely gardens , very private, situated in Europes most exclusive golf and country club. 4 Beds, 4 baths. Built 601 m2, plot 3.852 m2. E&V ID: W-00AYOR. Price: 2.450.000 €.

La Zagaleta: Fantastic villa with beautiful sea views situated in a favourite location within La Zagaleta. Separate level with bar area, games room and cinema. 7 Beds, 7 baths. Built 971 m2, plot 4.811 m2. E&V ID: W-01MGFQ. Price: 4.950.000 €.

Puerto Banús - Ventura del Mar: Beachfront, very large duplex penthouse situated in an exclusive complex with lovely gardens and direct beach access, 3 garages. 5 Beds, 5 baths. Living area 410 m2, terrace 150 m2. E&V ID: W-01W541. Price: € 2.900.000 €.

Puerto Banús - Malibu: Spectacular beachfront duplex penthouse built to highest qualities in prestigious complex. Jacuzzi, domotics, under-floor heating, direct elevator access. 3 Beds, 4 baths. Living area 217 m2, terrace 110 m2. E&V ID: W-01VQMC. Price: 2.600.000 €.

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trend BOOKS

Books That Inspire the Stars

This month, Marisa Cutillas brings you a select list of books that have made a difference in the lives of some of our favourite actors. » Phillip Seymour Hoﬀman

INTO THE WILD BY JON KRAKAUER

Those who appreciate truly great acting sadly recall the legend that was Phillip Seymour Hoffman, referred to by The Guardian writer, Xan Brooks, as “the one great guarantee of modern American cinema… he proved that his particular talent was to take thwarted, twisted humanity and ennoble it”. Although he often spoke of the literary works that inspired his performances, one book he was particularly fond of was Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild. The book tells the story of Chris McCandless, a young man who gave up a promising education and a loving family to find refuge in the Alaskan wilderness. Critics of McCandless often claim that his adventure was no more than a selfish, mad, ill-disguised way of committing suicide, but those who, like Phillip Seymour Hoffman, admired the young man’s courage, denial of materialism and will to live deliberately, often cite McCandless as a source of profound inspiration. Other novels which deeply moved Seymour Hoffman include A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley (a modern reinterpretation of King Lear, set in rural Iowa), Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates (about a couple who finds that they have relinquished too many dreams to be together) and two novels by Richard Ford (The Sportswriter and Independence Day), both about a middle-aged man coming to terms with the profound grief instilled by the loss of his son.

» James Franco

AS I LAY DYING BY WILLIAM FAULKNER » Claire Danes

» Hugh Jackman

BANKER TO THE POOR BY MUHAMMAD YUNUS Seasoned Australian actor, Hugh Jackman, cites Muhammad Yunus as one of the men he most admires in the world. Yunus was an Economics Professor in Bangladesh in the 1970s, when famine struck hard and the sight of dead bodies in the street was an everyday occurrence. He packed up his books and took his students to the street, so they could glean the exact causes of poverty. He spoke to banks of the poor’s future as much greater collateral than material possessions. He eventually founded a bank, which lent billions to the poor. For Jackman, one of the most interesting things about Muhammad Yunus was his unwillingness to remain a man of thought and his burning desire to be a man of deeds. This is one of the most interesting autobiographies you are likely to come across.

» Cate Blanchett

HILLS LIKE WHITE ELEPHANTS BY ERNEST HEMINGWAY

TENDER IS THE NIGHT BY F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

The talented leading lady of hit TV series, Homeland, loves this story, which is only four pages long. While being exquisitely subtle and secretive, it invites the reader to listen to a painful conversation between a man and a woman who are discussing an abortion the woman has had. For Danes, this narrative is particularly appealing because of what it doesn’t say: for an actor, she says, drama takes place in a treasured handful of unspoken moments.

Cate Blanchet tells Oprah Winfrey how she first came across classic novel, Tender is the Night: her husband handed her the book and said, ‘You cannot die without reading this’. Blanchett is drawn to protagonist, Dick Diver’s relentless attempts at saving his wife from mental disease. The book is universally hailed as a deep, aching, honest account of the nature of unconditional love.

» Jay Z

THE SEAT OF THE SOUL BY GARY ZUKAV Rapper and producer, Jay Z, says that he lives his life according to the tenets expressed in The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav. The book talks about thought, evolution, reincarnation and karma, encouraging a more responsible way of existing in this often incomprehensible world.

Intellectual actor James Franco is as famed for his academic pursuits (he is currently pursuing a doctorate) as he is for his good looks. Interestingly, he was also a close friend of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, whom he claims had a gift for acting similar to Michelangelo’s skill in creating artistic masterpieces. In a piece written for Vice written shortly after Seymour Hoffmans death, he claimed: “Michelangelo said of his own work: ‘I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.’ This is how Philip’s characters feel – like they were real people living their deep and odd lives and were pulled onto the screen to deliver the most intense aspects of themselves. Philip didn’t just deliver realism, he also tinged each one with the patina of greatness, which goes back to the sculpture idea – his performances had a lapidary quality.” As far as his own tastes are concerned, Franco recalls one book as having fostered his great love for reading: As I Lay Dying. The book was given to him by his father after he began getting into trouble in highschool and it changed his perspective on life. It tells the story of Addie Bundren, a woman whose corpse is taken on a long journey across the Mississippi so that she can be buried in a far-off town. Franco sites the books’ multiple perspective, non-traditional style and multi-voiced narrative technique as some of its most interesting features.

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When you live on the Costa de Sol... every day is a holiday!

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trend ELECTRONICS

PHILIPS FACIAL TANNER

of the Coolest Gadgets

For a youthful, golden glow, try this safe tanning device, the perfect antidote to a pale, tired complexion. i www.philips.com

Under the Sun

Technology has extended its reach beyond mobile and desktop devices, touching upon the health, beauty and outdoor sports sectors as well. This month heralds the arrival of Spring and along with it, some of the coolest gadgets, as environmentally friendly as they are practical, since all either rely on the sun’s power or keep you safe from its harmful rays! WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

6 IN 1 SOLAR KIT This cute little kit contains six different operational solar

models for parents and children to build: a robot dog, boat, windmill, mobile plan, desktop plane and car! Each model is relatively simple to put together, so the whole family can do their share to bring each design to life. i www.red5.co.uk

XD DESIGN SOLAR SUNFLOWER This beautiful

sunflower collects energy through its circular solar panel, so you can power your mobile pone or MP3 player. Talk about design and functionality in one! i www.amazon.co.uk

ENERGIZER SOLAR CHARGER

This portable device is a magnificent backup battery for your phone, mobile device or micro USB. Designed for outdoor use, it comes with a convenient carabiner clip for easy positioning. i www.energizer.com

NETATMO BRACELET/BROOCH There is more to this gorgeous, diamond-shaped gadget than meets the eye. Far from being a mere accessory, it is actually an app that provides bespoke advice based on your habits and skin type, and notifies you when you need to apply SPF, wear a hat or don some sunglasses… forget about accidentally getting sunburned on the beach – with Netatmo, every day will be a safe one under the sun. i www.netatmo.com UVESAFE BAND

This sporty little bracelet monitors actual UV exposure, emitting a signal (choose from visual, audio or vibration) to let you know that it might be a good idea to get some shade or reapply your sunscreen i www.uveband.co.uk

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trend APPS

ENLARGE YOUR MUSIC AND VIDEO

#EnjoyTheMusic The Creation 5 Media App is a brilliant new music app for iOS, designed and developed by a local Marbella company called Creation - a division of Bang & Olufsen Marbella. The app was originally created in 2012 for the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 5 and Playmaker and since then has been developed to become a stand alone app which also works with any make of sound system.

e caught up with Cheryl Gatward, who oversees Communications and Social Media for Creation 5 and had a chat about the progress the app has made since it’s launch last year. Last Summer we ran an article about Creation 5 in our Trend section, what’s been happening since then? Wow – so much! It’s been downloaded by close to a quarter of a million people and is storming up the App Store charts! In smaller countries we have reached the Nº1 position in the Entertainment section – and in Spain the app is rated Nº1 for DLNA / Airplay. Quite an achievement when you consider that there are over a million apps on the App store!

In a nutshell, what does Creation 5 do – what makes it so different from all the other music apps out there? It organises all your media content – your music collection, iTunes playlists, favourite radio stations, YouTube videos, podcasts – into one easy to access interface. You don’t need to keep switching apps – using one for radio, one for watching videos, one for streaming music & videos, etc. – it’s an allin-one app which makes it really convenient. It’s also beautifully designed making it an absolute pleasure to use. What’s the most popular feature? Our DLNA / Airplay feature is certainly the most popular – allowing you to stream music from different servers, to different rooms – it’s very

Cheryl Gatward

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COLLECTION WITH CREATION 5

handy using your iPad or iPhone like a remote control for your music or cinema system. What about YouTube integration? Yes, our new YouTube feature is becoming very popular – if you’re listening to a song in your collection or on the radio, Creation 5 can automatically find the YouTube video clip for that song and you can then download the videoclip to watch offline when you’re travelling or something. What about finding new music, does the app help you to do that ? Our latest updates have introduced readymade playlists with new music videos uploaded to the app every week. Throwback Thursday, a blast from the past with all the great sounds from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s; Sunday Sessions where we ask a singer, songwriter, DJ or producer to pick 3 songs for a smooth Sunday and Tutti Fruti which is a collection of all sorts of new music – delivered to your iPhone or iPad every week. All these playlists really help users to enlarge their music collection –

they can pick and choose what they like to keep in their own library. We have more playlists planned for the near future! Is there any digital streaming service available in the app, like Pandora or Spotify? Yes – we have Rdio, the online music service created by Skype founders Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis. Rdio is also a great way to enlarge your music collection – you can put it on Radio mode and it will create an endless playlist based on your first song choice. Then, using our YouTube feature, you can download the YouTube music videos that match these new songs!

g You can download Creation 5 on the App Store – in the

Entertainment section. There is a free version and a Pro version (14,99 €) for iPhone / iPod and iPad. www.creation5app.com facebook.com/creation5app twitter.com/Creation_5

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trend MOTORING

Aston Martin is, in so many ways, a unique company among the world’s luxury carmakers. Not tied to any of the big global vehicle manufacturers, it nonetheless creates some of the most desirable cars on the planet and continually updates and improves them. WORDS TONY WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ASTON MARTIN

he British manufacturer had humble beginnings, as did so many of its rivals. Aston Martin was founded in 1913 as Bamford and Martin and was always involved with sports and racing cars of one kind or another. Many notable competition successes were recorded by the firm over the years, including victory at Le Mans and the World Sports Car Championship in 1959. In more recent years, class wins have been recorded at Le Mans with various Astons, including production-based models. Wealthy business entrepreneur David (later Sir David) Brown bought the company in 1947 (for less than €50,000!) and the DB of his initials lives on today in many models, even though his involvement ended decades ago and he died in 1993. The Aston Martin name, for those who care about such trivia, came from the marque’s founder Lionel Martin, who attached the prefix ‘Aston’ in honour of the once-famed and now forgotten Aston Clinton hill climb course on which he raced before and after the First World War. Aston Martin’s latest and greatest is the new Vanquish, which is available as a coupé or a convertible. Often described as ‘the ultimate grand tourer’ it’s also the most exotic and expensive of all the company’s models. And as with every Aston Martin, the

styling is impeccable and the epitome of good taste. The company seems to pull this off model after model and if there’s ever been an ugly Aston Martin, I’ve never seen it (and there have certainly been ugly Ferraris and Maseratis!). While the car is new from end to end, it still has a strong resemblance to the ‘James Bond’ cars of old and few people will object to that. Our subject Vanquish was finished in gleaming Skyfall Silver, which I’m sure Bond himself would approve of. The svelte bodywork of the Vanquish, which can be ordered as a two-seater or a 2 + 2, is crafted mainly from carbon fibre just like many of its closer competitors. If you think that this material isn’t strong enough for a high-performance car, consider that the giant Airbus A380 airliner has its wingbox, a key structural component, fabricated from carbon fibre composites. The styling is just about beyond criticism from its traditional Aston grille to the elegantly spoilered tail with what the company calls ‘LED rear light blades.’ The carbon fibre is very stiff and resistant to flexing, enhancing the car’s handling capabilities. Handling is also aided by Pirelli P Zero tyres, probably the best rubber obtainable for a car like this. The coupé appeared on the market first, followed more recently by the elegant Volante convertible. Power comes from an upgraded version of Aston Martin’s potent 6.0-litre V-12, which develops 565-horsepower without any kind of forced induction. Many rivals use turbochargers or superchargers to attain this level of power. A six-speed automatic transmission gets the power to the road via a rear-mounted transaxle. No manual transmission is listed, or needed. In continuation of a splendid Aston Martin tradition, each hand-built engine carries a plate signed by the technician who assembled it and carried out final inspection.

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ASTON

MARTIN VANQUISH The interior is expectedly opulent with huge areas of the finest leather and lots of carbon fibre trim to remind the driver that this is something special – even for an Aston Martin. Just about every high-tech convenience has found its way into the cockpit of the Vanquish, including a newlydeveloped ‘infotainment’ system which includes a Garmin satnav and a 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen 13-speaker audio setup. Frankly, the wonderful sound of this car’s engine would be all the music I’d ever need. If you want an ashtray though, you’ll have to dig one out of the extensive options list. The Vanquish is an exceptionally safe and responsive supercar and previous experience has convinced me that the car really would be capable of very high speeds with complete security. Most of this safety is gained by the dynamic qualities of the car in terms of handling and response, plus highly effective Brembo carbon ceramic matrix brakes.

When it comes to scrubbing off some speed when you’re approaching 300 km/h, those Brembos will get the job done. Thankfully, this is one supercar that’s as happy to be driven around town as it is out touring on the open roads. Some cars in this class simply don’t adapt well to city drives and can be a handful to drive smoothly. There is a practical side to the Vanquish, thanks to a roomy cockpit and a boot that’s 60 per cent larger than that of Aston Martin’s DBS model. I drove an Aston once that had a set of cleverlyfitted luggage in the back, but looking through the Vanquish options list, this is no longer offered by the company. I’m sure that a chat with the people at Louis Vuitton would solve that problem nicely. This is an expensive sports car as might be anticipated, but for people who want something extra special and still lean towards the automotive products of Britain, the Vanquish will provide the utmost satisfaction. e

Z ENGINE 6.0-litre, 565-horsepower V-12 Z TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic with steering wheel paddles for manual gear selection Z ACCELERATION Zero to 100 km/h in 4.1-seconds Z TOP SPEED Just short of 300 km/h Z I LIKED Outstanding traditionalist looks and with all that carbon fibre, serious bragging rights. Superb handling, steering and control. Beautifully finished and trimmed, inside and out. Amazing performance, even for an Aston Martin. Remarkably safe at very high speeds. A car that will still be highly desirable many years from now. Z I DIDN’T LIKE No fault of Aston Martin, but there are fewer and fewer places to exploit the outer limits of a car like this. The owner could do what the company did when it developed this car and take it to the famed Nürburgring in Germany for a good shakedown. It’s a pity that there’s such a large price gap between the coupé and convertible, though in the market at which the Vanquish it’s aimed, this likely won’t be a problem. Z MARKET ALTERNATIVES Ferrari F12, Lamborghini Aventador and Huracan, McLaren MP4-12C, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series, Porsche 911 Turbo S, though not all of these boast a V-12 powerplant. Z WHO DRIVES ONE? Discriminating supercar enthusiasts who look for the ultimate combination of elegance and performance. Drivers who would like to own something special, but have tired of the Italian exotics. Buyers who simply must have one of the fastest and most elegant British cars ever built. Z PRICE AND AVAILABILITY Available now from Aston Martin dealers. Coupé from: €211.664 Convertible from: €224.269

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CULTURE / HISTORY / FEATURES

focus FAMOUS PEOPLE / INTERVIEWS / HUMOUR

Breaking free of all chains in this edition, we bring you an eclectic set of stories about people from all walks of life. Find out how Marbella is recovering from the economic crisis, fall in love once again with Oscar-winning Actor and Musician, Jared Leto, and visit the paradise where animals of all kinds are loved and cherished, thanks to owner, Susanna Armstrong.

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Is Marbella on the Road to Recovery?

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Jared Leto

Susanna Armstrong

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HAS W E N A D E R E ENT

H T W GRO ? E L C CY omic cycles, n co e y n a m h g u ro Marbella has beenreth recession. The se n te in y tt p a y signs we see most recentl g in g ra u co n e e th question now is, are wth cycle? ro g w e n a f o ce n e d about us evi UZ

WORDS MICHEL CR

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them that has held the recession m fro tion ge es er qu em to ompts us beginning to It is this that pr . uld 08 co 20 at th ce e sin on in its grip ry or a fragile ve co re ed ain st a su whether we’re in . ain ag ay aw de fa

one must ch questions g to answer su Ceteris ion at nt hen attemptin ca s with the in er sw an any fy ali always qu In other words, being equal). gs at in th wh ll g in (a ow Paribus t to us not kn e naturally subjec th is in d ts he en ac re Ev n conclusio litical terms. economic or po ed lis in xt ba ne glo en gly pp sin ha might d in an increa te as much, an effect on us. Ukraine indica orstep to have an do r ou on en pp ha bust and t n’ world it need e remarkably ro rld has becom wo e business th g , in id sa ow That rumblings, all r he ot d an ’ al olitic ‘breaking news resistant to geop confronted with en wh to l ua ies us pl inly ap to carry on as ay. This certa entually ebb aw that began in ry ve co re events that ev seen a tentative s ha ich 2014. What’s wh , to Marbella 2013 and in entum through om m d interest in er we th ne ga re 2012 in the form of es m co at a ry ve tial destination, more, this reco d luxury residen an just ist ly ur on to s a Marbella as are themselve omies of Europe on ec e th en time wh

Y AND GROWTH t it: referring SIGNS OF RECOVthER to be coy abou ere is no need thout

14 n state wi As of spring 20 ore, Marbella ca back a year or m g in grow th was go at s th re re gu fi he to ing again. W ow gr is it at 12, last year ambiguity th ly spread in 20 y cases uneven an m portion of in d nt an ca fi tentative felt by a signi be to ce en pa nt cie e result has be it gathered suffi this region. Th in e elf tiv its ac y in all dence, which the economic ism and confi . tim es op ris rp of te e en ns a rising se nching of new are ent and the lau y m st om ve on in ec es l ag encour in the regiona key indicators n. As always, the et) constructio (y t al estate, if no tourism and re

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INCREASE IN VISITORS After the initial post-2008 nosedive, tourism was the first sector on the Costa del Sol to record positive trends. Starting in 2011, it offered green shoots when visitor numbers began to rise again, initially approaching pre-recession levels, then equalling and now surpassing them. This past January is a case in point, officially registering the largest number of tourist arrivals ever to the Costa del Sol for this low-season month. But price is a key component, and people in the industry have had to work harder than ever for their money, as the capita spend dropped well below pre-recession levels. Offering attractively reduced prices entices people to visit Marbella and enables hotels, restaurants and others in the tourist sector to become more competitive and keep their machinery running, though it is not a philosophy shared by all. “I understand the urge to do this,” says René Zimmer, General Manager of Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa, “but while a destination such as the Costa del Sol naturally has to be competitive and attractively priced, the Marbella area in particular should be focused on providing quality, and in this value for money is more important than price alone.” In the luxury market that this region specialises in, quality, service and perceived

value are core, and the latter can be damaged if prices drop too much. “It can be a shortterm remedy with longer-term effects,” says René. “We consciously decided not to enter into a price war during the worst years of the recession because we didn’t want to cut back on the service and amenities we offer.” Some might call this a daring policy, but it has been successful, as not only are occupancy levels at Finca Cortesin rising (up four per cent in 2013 over 2012), but so are room rates and overall revenue. “The latter is up almost ten per cent, partly thanks to increased spending in our restaurants.” His message is clear: If you focus on quality and value, the kind of visitor who comes to Marbella will respond positively. “This is indeed what we’re finding right now, and the prospects for 2014 continue to get better. I therefore believe that Marbella is back on the path to growth, but to be really successful we need to continue to improve our service, infrastructure, value for money and also to beautify this region and emphasise those things that make people come here.” Asked where the greatest future growth potential lies, he stresses the need to extend off-season flight connections so that Marbella can make the most of its enviable climate and reduce high/low season contrasts.

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Real estate revival The next vital sector to register growth was real estate, which began to turn a corner in 2012 and saw more consolidated advances over 2013 and into the new year. Domestically, the property market may still be largely depressed with prices that continue to drop, but so-called prime markets such as Mallorca, Ibiza, Barcelona, Madrid and Marbella are experiencing renewed demand. In Marbella, enquiries and sales transactions are up. The luxury segment was the first to recover, with prices in the best areas bottoming out earlier and demand reaching a sustained critical mass, but it is interesting to note that online home finder Kyero registered a surge in enquiries for cheaper properties. Last year 47 per cent of their enquiries were for homes under €150.000 compared with 36 per cent the year before – and eight per cent in 2008. “Perception may be behind reality now, as the actual amount of unsold and ‘distressed’ stock in the Marbella area is fast running out,” says Mark Stücklin of Spanish Property Insight. “Bank repossessions in this area are becoming rare, so the emphasis is gradually moving from cheap deals to quality and value. Overall price levels may be 30-40 per cent lower than at their peak in 2007, but they seem to have bottomed out in Marbella and in some luxury segments are already beginning to slowly rise.” Buyers can still bargain, but the margin between asking price and final sales price is beginning to narrow. Places like Marbella, Mallorca and Ibiza once again prove that a strong, desirable location wins out, and it is a pattern that is repeated within each of these regions themselves, where the most sought-after areas are at the vanguard of the recovery. Campbell Ferguson of Survey Spain confirms the increase in activity within the region’s property sector, and how this affects local businesses such as his own. “We are seeing substantially increased demand for pre-acquisition Building Condition Surveys, which confirms not only more potential buyers but also that they are approaching the process with due consideration,” says Campbell. Property sales are growing and interest is spreading outwards from the key Marbella areas, a process that is also resulting in early signs of construction activity. New projects in the area have been successful, and point towards a gradual resumption of a sector that has been conspicuous by its absence these past few years.

"Property sales are growing and interest is spreading outwards from the key Marbella areas"

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PROSPECTS FOR SUSTAINED GROWTH The strong showing of tourism and real estate – Marbella’s key sectors – has had its effect on the rest of the economy. Business activity has risen, bolstering all-important factors such as business confidence, investment, new ventures and employment. The area still has a long way to go, but it has the look and feel of a town that is back on the way up. The public sector is playing its part through investment in new infrastructure and beautification projects, though as René Zimmer emphasises this should only be the beginning of an ongoing drive to keep making Marbella better and more beautiful. The banks are still not lending much, domestic demand is anaemic and there are signs that the Spanish banks may be forced to release a larger share of their unsold properties, but fortunately for us these factors don’t affect Marbella too much as it has limited bank repossession stock and a property market dominated by foreign buyers, the majority of whom do not require financing. Moreover, it is a clientele that is more geographically diversified than ever, for whom Marbella represents both an attractive investment and a preferred lifestyle destination. In addition to private buyers and groups of investors, institutional investors are now also increasingly keen on Spain. When JP Morgan Chase published a report early in 2013 stating that the country was a hot tip for investors, many found it hard to imagine, but voilà – foreign investment in Spanish real estate grew from €433 million in 2012 to €5.2 billion last year. Spanish property now represents 37 per cent of all inward investment, up from seven per cent the year before. Suddenly the funds are snapping up real estate across the length and breadth of Spain, which in itself is not just an indication of low price opportunities, but also a declaration of renewed confidence in the nation’s economy.

And indeed, the national indicators are up. Spain emerged from recession last summer, and JP Morgan Chase forecasts one per cent growth for this year, signalling a turnaround and gradual return to normalised growth. Exports have been a vital factor in this regard, not only in reducing the trade deficit significantly (by 52 per cent compared with 2012), but also showing a renewed competitiveness. The successful exporters are leading the way, strengthening the economy and reducing

its dependency on local consumption and construction. Amid all the talk about Golden Visas and new holiday rental regulation, it is the improved financial and economic position of Spain – and the European Union as a whole – that will ultimately underwrite our own recovery and ensure its robustness. Although challenges may still lie ahead, we have every reason to believe that this is indeed the beginning of a new and very welcome growth cycle that may see out the decade. e

MÁLAGA PROVINCE Tourist visits Málaga Province 2012 4,323,141 2013 4,568,980 increase of 245,839 Spain overall (+1.05%)

(+5.69%)

Overnight stays Marbella 2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Residents Foreigners Total

834,978 1,639,672 2,474,650

768,161 1,391,129 2,159,290

820,073 1,447,864 2,267,937

766,975 1,642,881 2,409,856

641,730 1,801,147 2,442,877

823,525 1,528,841 2,352,366

Property sales Málaga Province 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

42,386 28,754 23,287 21,990 19,211 17,822 18,763

- 13,632 - 5,467 - 1,297 - 2,779 - 1,389 + 941

Málaga Airport passengers 2012 2013

- 47% - 19% - 6% - 13% - 7% + 5%

10,940,979 12,876,787 increase of 1,935,808 (+17.69%)

Figures are for Málaga province as a whole, and overlay the declining national sales trend over the Costa del Sol, where sales have been growing steadily since 2012.

Property sales ‘Golden Triangle’ 2006 2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Benahavís Estepona Marbella Total

438 1,721 2,110 4,269

559 1,086 2,199 3,844

422 1,154 2,389 3,965

311 1,248 2,259 3,818

592 1,501 2,531 4,624

533 1,637 3,115 5,285

650 1,718 4,432 6,870

633 2,581 3,568 6,782

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“ Wh e n yo u are s er i o u s ab ou t R eal Es tate”

Ref: R2172767 – Price: 565.000€

Ref: R2083547 – Price: 865.000€

Frontline beach apartment, Playa Esmeralda, Golden Mile

–– Set in an exclusive and very prestigious urbanization –– The apartment is southwest facing –– Fantastic half covered spacious terrace –– Walking distance to Puerto Banus Two bedrooms, two bathrooms Built: 141 m2 • Terrace: 60 m2

Top quality villa, Monte Biarritz, San Pedro West

–– Built to high standard with a top modern kitchen –– Large private garden, garage and sauna –– Small community of 10 villas sharing one pool –– Walking distance to the beach and shops Five bedrooms, four bathrooms Built: 370 m2 • Plot: 701 m2

T ! US EN M SE BE

Ref: R1973297 – Price: 625.000€

Unique apartment, Alcores Del Golf, Los Naranjos

–– Large and very attractive south west facing apartment –– Nice views over the golf course and also distant sea views –– Spacious, very bright flat with an immense roof terrace –– Nice and quiet area, but still close to Puerto Banus and Marbella Five bedrooms, four bathrooms Built: 347 m2 • Terrace: 192 m2

Ref: R2071259 – Price: 1.299.000€

Frontline golf villa, La Alqueria, San Pedro West

–– Incredible frontline golf villa with panoramic sea views –– Lovely garden and L shaped swimming pool –– Two garages, one could be converted into a 50m2 guest apartment Four bedrooms, four bathrooms Built: 359 m2 • Plot: 1.553 m2

Ref: R2151398 – Price: 250.000€

Ref: R734575 – Price: 349.900€

South facing apartment, Los Flamingos, Estepona East

–– Southfacing apartment with sea views –– Very spacious and bright –– Luxurious community with beautiful communal areas –– Two swimming pools, fountains and lovely garden with olive trees –– 24-hour security with concierge –– Underground garage with lift access Three bedrooms, three bathrooms Built: 203 m2 • Terrace: 41 m2

Lovely townhouse, Monte Biarritz,San Pedro West

–– Only 14 houses sharing garden and heated community pool –– The house has three levels and sea views –– Walking distance to the beach –– Private car port and an extra room in the basement –– Excellent value for money Three bedrooms, two bathrooms Built: 157 m2 • Terrace: 39 m2

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THE FOCUS business

HOW TO GROW

in a recession

Engel & Völkers has been posting impressive growth figures right through the financial crisis. We spoke to one of the company principals, Pierce Broderick, to find out how they’ve achieved expansion in a recession. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ENGEL & VÖLKERS

ormally the onset of a major recession marks the point at which companies begin to batten down the hatches and downscale, but for Engel & Völkers the past five years have been among the best in the company’s history. At a time when businesses were closing and foreign real estate firms were leaving the beleaguered Spanish market en masse, Engel & Völkers not only reaffirmed its commitment to the country but actually expanded its geographical and numerical presence. The number of iconic E&V shops grew steadily, reaching a current total of 75 across Spain, with another ten scheduled to open in 2014. “We foresee strong continued growth in Spain and internationally in the coming years,” says Pierce Broderick, Business Development Director for the group. “Let’s face it, if you can expand during the worst years of the recession, then it is reasonable to expect further growth when economic conditions are improving.” He backs these statements up with figures: last year alone saw an increase of 48.5 per cent in turnover for the group’s Spanish arm, resulting in €435 million worth of transactions. “The best results came from Marbella, where Smadar Kahana’s shop on the Golden Mile, the top performing E&V shop in Spain, posted a 100 per cent increase in turnover with an average value of €1.7 million per property

sold. Figures like these indicate that we are ahead of the curve and that our model is a successful one.”

THE SECRET OF SUCCESS Asked how the group achieves such impressive results at a time when we’re only just emerging out of recession, Pierce admits that there is no simple formula for success. “The so-called secret of success is a shadowy and flighty thing. It requires keeping your finger on the pulse, understanding changes and new trends, and being flexible enough to adapt to them and incorporate them in your business culture. However, the growth we have enjoyed so far is built on the core value our brand emits, and that’s security.” As a group specialised in the mid to upper segment of the market, Engel & Völkers is by definition a brand dedicated to service and associated with style and professionalism. However, its success in expanding its network of shops in Spain in the period between 2007 and 2012 stems from the confidence its shop owners have in a company that has the professional corporate culture, resources and commitment to proper conduct that gives it a competitive advantage over autonomous localised businesses. “Ours is indeed a corporate group that acts accordingly, investing not only in marketing but also in training, presentational standards, technical

know-how and maintaining correct professional conduct. We don’t say to our new staff members ‘go out and sell a house’. Instead we submit them to initial and ongoing training courses aimed not only at gaining a better understanding of the market, legal procedures and property-related technicalities, but also to develop a feeling for what a client is looking for.” The group’s academy is lead by top international consultants headhunted specifically for this purpose, with the aim of ensuring that the same standards are maintained regardless of whether you step into a shop in Marbella, Mallorca, Hamburg, Sydney or São Paulo. “It is this, together with corporate responsibility, that makes us stand out and provides a sense of security,” says Pierce. “By corporate responsibility, I mean the fact that at Engel & Völkers people are answerable for their professional conduct in a way that is not visible among the small, independent agents.”

AN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK Another factor that gives shop owners, vendors and even buyers added confidence is the knowledge that each shop is connected to a global network of 4,700 Engel & Völkers agents in 38 countries on all five continents. “This is a huge and very important international network that brings homes and buyers together but also links local knowledge with a truly

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global reach.” Given this, it’s not surprising that a third of all sales within the group come from inside the network, often in the form of client referrals. “When you’re in the service industry you have to provide the highest standards of professionalism, response time, know-how and discretion. Together with having a prime selection of properties, these elements amount to the service you provide, and this is only amplified when you specialise in the luxury segment. It is the exact reason why you will never see the words ‘real estate’ on our shop signage, as we consider ourselves to be a service company first and foremost.” Pierce sees having the largest luxury real estate network in the world as a source of pride, but also a responsibility that has to be taken seriously. “Even though our typical client is well versed in business and owns two to three properties around the world, buying real estate remains one of the most important investments you will ever make. It is therefore vital that we get it right, especially since our philosophy is not to focus on a sale but to establish a client base that returns and refers others to us. It’s when this happens that you really know you’re on the right track.” A particular source of pride is the manner in which E&V agents provide detailed valuations based on sound knowledge of the market combined with the kind of precision you would expect of a company with German roots. “I think it is one of those points that separates

Smadar Kahana of Engel & Völkers Marbella with Christian Völkers, Simoneta Gómez Acebo, Gunilla Von Bismarck and Sven Odia

the truly professional from those who merely tell people what they want to hear in order to list their property. We won’t do this, even if it means being honest with a homeowner and telling them their price expectations are unreasonable. It is our policy not to list properties that we don’t fully believe we can sell within a reasonable period of time, so we sit down with vendors to explain that if they are serious then reducing the price to the market level and selling it is better than maintaining a high price while footing running costs for the long duration that such a property will be on the market.”

The corporate philosophy reflected in this is proving to be highly successful, as both turnover and shop numbers are growing in Spain, as abroad. The latest project has seen the launch of MMC – Metropolitan Market Centres – that provide a hub for agents working within highly visible modern lounge shops inspired in part by the Apple Store concept. “The first one, launched in Barcelona, was such a success that we’re expanding into New York, London, Dubai and Madrid, among others, indicating not just that Engel & Völkers is growing and evolving, but also how important Spain is within this process. e

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THE FOCUS people

ared Leto is painfully handsome; so perfect, he was the logical choice to be the face of Boss perfumes. We first came across his smouldering good looks in the hit TV series, My So-Called Life (in which he played the angstridden love interest of Emmy-award-winning actor, Claire Danes). Jared’s look can be surprisingly mainstream, especially when he is dressed as an urbanite. His bold blue eyes are similar to those of another young hunk, Zac Effron, yet the aura which surrounds him is anything but the subject of Disney fodder. For if Zac Effron is every teenage girl’s dream, Jared Leto is the outsider – the serious, distant, non-conformist, covered in a veil of mystery, a man who prefers to let his art talk. Indeed, it is interesting to note that despite the plethora of interviews with this sultan of cool, few journalists have dared to inquire about his love life or orientation; there are so many cooler things to ask him. When Jared won this year’s Oscar for Dallas Buyers Club (in which he played transsexual AIDS victim, Rayon), the first words he uttered were about a young woman, a single mum with two sons who fought to make a better life for her family. He spoke of his own mother, whom he has often described as an arty hippy who filled his childhood with artistic conversations, interesting characters and a liberal outlook on life that has stayed with him to this day. Jared also made it a point to thank the other vital pillar in his life: his brother, Shannon, who tours the world alongside

Jared Leto – artist, actor, musician, director, photographer, activist and entrepreneur – probably comes closer to the apotheosis of cool than any other young actor of his generation. There isn’t a trendy urbanite who hasn’t listened to his music (Jared is the frontman for rock band, 30 Seconds to Mars), watched his films (he took home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for Dallas Buyers Club) or studied his keen sense of cutting edge fashion, closely. This month, Marisa Cutillas delves into the reasons why he has cast a spell on all of us.

him, playing the drums for 30 Seconds to Mars. One very much had the impression that his win meant so much to him for the very reason he stated: because it was an inimitable opportunity to thank those who meant the most to him, before the world. His mother, the fighter; his brother, his best friend… and his band, which inspired him to quit acting for a full six years. The magnificent science fiction flick, Mr. Nobody, about a man who ages from 34 to 118 years in a whisper, was his last film before Dallas Buyer’s Club. Jared told Variety Magazine how the long hiatus enabled him to rekindle his passion for acting: “I think I needed to go away in order to have something to say again.” When the script for Dallas Buyers Club came his way, he said to himself, “Let’s go make this film and see if there’s anything left in there for

me. Is it going to be another experience that falls short? Am I going to have my heart broken again? It’s kind of like a relationship: Let me see if I can love again.” Jared did well to avoid romantic comedy roles – the kind that clouded the magnificence of great actors like Matthew McConaughey, for so long. McConaughey notes that his string of commercially successful but critically lambasted films did little to forge his reputation as an actor, forcing him to take many years off and wait patiently until the good scripts started cropping up. His patience paid off; he had his ‘McConaughssaince’. In the past couple of years, he has shone in everything from Wolf of Wall Street (his performance was short but impressive), right through to TV series, True Detective, in which he played an eccentric but brilliant detective. Jared Leto, on the other hand, has always danced to a different drum; this is evident from his choice of roles. Think Chapter 27, in which he put on 28 kilograms to play John Lennon’s assassin, Mark David Chapman. The burden on his body forced him to move around in a wheelchair, since the weight gain was so sudden. Then there was Requiem for a Dream, one of his best films ever. Jared plays a junkie whose devastating addiction robs him of all dignity and hope.

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Jared Leto’s defining role has to be that of Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club. The actor once again put his emphasis on “the importance of physicality”, dropping a whopping 14 kilograms to play the emaciated transsexual. According to co-star, Matthew McConaughey, Jared was in character during the entire process of filming. His intense reliance on ‘the method’ led McConaughey to class him as “a performance artist” rather than just an actor. “He shows up to do it, not to discuss it.” Dallas Buyers Club was, despite its intimacy and small budget, arguably the best film of 2013. Notwithstanding the depth of its subject matter, it travels at a fast pace, balances the serious subject matter with admirable charm and bravado, and never ceases to be an affirmation of the importance of putting up a good fight. One scene, in which Rayon wears a gentleman’s suit to beg for money from his wealthy father to pay for his friends’ medication, has been commented heavily upon in the press for its beauty and tragic overtones. The film’s Director, Jean-Marc Vallée, tells an amusing anecdote of how Jared, who auditioned for the film via video conference, was already dressed as Rayon when he answered the phone. The Director thought Jared would cease his charade after a few minutes, but he stayed on as Rayon throughout the entire conversation. According to Vallee, Jared even “hit on him” during the phone call… For Jared Leto’s most ardent fans, the best thing about Dallas Buyers Club was that it lured him back into the acting arena. Hollywood needs actors with this special blend of pulling power and integrity. He does intend to keep acting, he said, but anything he touches “will have to be magnificent”. Then again, isn’t ‘magnificent’ a word we’ve been using ever since he first graced our screens? Jared plans on directing a movie soon, and continuing to perform with his band. 30 Seconds to Mars will be touring Australia and Santiago, Chile this year… Jared Leto’s wild performances prove there is no point in trying to pigeonhole or pin him down… his spirit has one word written on it: ‘free’… e

Jared Leto

Turning Performance into Art

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THE FOCUS people

The drive up to the finca of Susanna Armstrong (trainer, rider, falconer, illustrator, animal rights fundraiser and more) could not have begun in a more fitting manner. Susanna’s friend, Vivian, helped me up to her sturdy four-wheel drive. Just 15 minutes after leaving Marbella and crossing a river, we encountered a magnificent view of purple hued mountains as we approached the large black gates adorned with two giant gold stars which opened to reveal three enormous dogs: a Great Dane, a Spanish Mastiff and a Fila Brasileiro. I felt an immediate high as I stroked the massive pooches and a little later, sitting in a verdant tropical paradise with an eagle hawk perched behind me, for the first time in my life, I rubbed the cheek of a flirty and utterly loquacious blue and gold Macaw. I was wearing the wrong pair of shoes, of course (a pair of velvet pumps) but at this point in time, I couldn’t care less about getting them a little dusty.

usanna’s ranch, with its myriad of stables, paddocks and tropically lush bird sanctuary housing sleepy-eyed owls, Harris Hawks, falcons and American Kestrels, made me feel like I had stepped back in time, to an era where Nature truly reigned free, as much in its foliage as in the joy of its animals, who were free to live, to soar, to be. To step into Susanna’s finca is to come into contact with mementos of tribal cultures which feature in decorative pieces of art and tribal jewellery and her exquisite drawings, many of which centre around her passion: animals. Despite devoting most of her life to horses, wild birds and animals of all sizes, she is, by profession, an illustrator. Susanna’s life has been filled with adventure since she was a little girl. Her father, a PulitzerPrize winner, was head of Associated Press in

Moscow; her mother, a ballerina from the Bolshoi ballet. Their love story was wrought with dramatic overtones, so much so that a film (Never Let Me Go), starring Clarke Gable as Susanna’s father and Gene Tierney as her mother, was based on it. Susanna says, “The Russian government sought to separate my mother and father, threatening to put me and my sister into official governmental care if my father didn’t go back to the US. My father fought for 12 long years before a Senator in the US intervened on his behalf and the whole family was allowed to leave Russia.” Susanna has lived in more countries than many of us have probably been to – she studied in the UK and owned a livery and trekking stables in the Algarve, Portugal. After staying in Istanbul for five years, she moved to Budapest, living for three years in the Kempinski Hotel, where her husband was Director. Interestingly, it was in Budapest that Susanna first became active in the area of animal rights. “I wasn’t allowed to work and although most wives of foreign residents dedicated themselves to charitable pursuits, in the beginning I stayed clear of the social get-togethers.

One day, however, I visited the local zoo and my heart broke when I saw the sad conditions the animals were kept in. The zoo had been heavily bombed in the war and never really recovered with little or no funds available.” Susanna got to work and set up an animal charity through the international women´s club who already had an existing charity network that she was able to join. The main fundraising began with Budapest Zoo, where she helped raise funds to build an 1,800 m2 enclosure for the Arctic Wolves. The fundraising was accompanied by her stunning illustrations, sold in the form of greeting cards and T-shirts which represented the essence of the connection between humans and animals, with native American quotes adorning the back pages of her cards. Throughout this period, she met a handful of unique individuals who would enable her to improve the lot of these beautiful wild animals: a kind veterinarian who offered his services for free made many useful suggestions for the environmental enrichment of the animals

t i r i A Sp ed m a t n U

A N G N N A S O U R S ST

M R A Y©

GRAPH

S W O RD

MAR I

S A CU

PHOTO I LL A S

M LA.CO

ARBEL

ERM GRAPH O T O H .P WWW

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housed in zoos to relieve stress and boredom. Nets and ropes from military services were accessed for the apes’ cages, giant freezers were purchased by the charity so the Polar Bear keepers could freeze small quantities of fish in giant ice cubes to create fun while feeding; large logs were transported from the Hungarian forests for the big cats’ cages. “It was so inspiring to see the difference these basic ideas made and new suggestions always kept us motivated. One day I was taken by the vet to meet the most unique person I would encounter – Jósef Kósa, who had set up a shelter for 15 rescued bears and wolves near his isolated forest home. The conditions were terrible due to lack of funds and the vet was keen to show me what needed to be done.” Susanna recalls a terrifying anecdote: “One day Mr Kósa took us to a small enclosure and locked the gate behind us and proceeded to open the doors of three small, rusty, dilapidated cages. Seven large brown bears ran into the enclosure. I felt real fear when they started gamboling around, one running so close by me I had to step back hurriedly to avoid his massive body. It was like we were invisible and they were only focused on playing with Mr Kósa who stuck his fingers into the hairy chest of a bear standing on his back legs, towering over him and shouted, ‘I am not interested!’”. Susanna recalls how Mr. Kósa “had a real love of animals. When you have that kind of passion, you can work with them and accomplish so much”. Indeed, when people ask Susanna how she ‘tames’ or ‘breaks in’ horses, she replies, “You don’t tame a wild spirit, you aim to connect with it and by doing so you are able to work together. When you have a love and passion for animals, you automatically move in a way they understand, free of fear, thus creating trust”. Nowadays, in addition to having breeding stallions (her primary stud is an Arabian thoroughbred though she also specialises in Spanish horses), Susanna also offers visitors to her ranch a host of interesting activities such as falconry experiences, in which the visitors can interact with the birds and help her fly them. Children and adults also visit the ranch to ride the horses. The ranch is uniquely scenic, situated close to Estepona and a five minute walk away from the sea.

Susanna has also created an exhibition called Dancing with Eagles: “The idea originated when I met Photographer, Paul Yaffe, who asked me, ‘How would you like to be photographed, what is your greatest dream?’ I said it would be to ride a horse with an eagle perched on my forearm. We tried to make it happen but the horse I was on grew extremely nervous.” Two years later, when Susanna had developed more experience learning from her falconer friend, Jorge, the right horse arrived. “I was given a stunning Spanish stallion called Soberano who is fully trained in Alta Escuela yet so calm he barely flinched when we started training with the birds. The idea came to fruition after some intense training and now Soberano shows his athletic paces as the birds fly majestically around him and land on my glove”. Susanna’s relationship with the birds is fascinating itself – she has taken in abused birds, bred them in captivity and even faced the devastating loss of having them stolen after working with them for months to help them recover from trauma and abuse. She is also currently working on turning her ranch into a halfway house where birds of prey who collapse during their migration routes over the strait can recover before being rescued by the appropriate authority. g Susanna is now downsizing her ranch. Those interested

in the property should contact Vivian or Susan on Tel: 951 395 501 / 660 448 034. www.caballosalkadar.com

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style

INTERIORS / ARCHITECTURE / ART / DESIGN

Enjoy the home entertainment experience of a lifetime with Bang & Olufsen, read up on the latest Décor News from Originals Interiors, grow your own garden at Arboretum Marbella and check out Flamenco fashion in Sevilla pre-feria.

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GARDENS / FASHION

Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 18

Décor News from Originals

Loft & Roomers

Grow Your Own Garden at Arboretum Marbella

Flamenco Fashion in Sevilla

Fashion News

3/25/14 3:22 PM

Cape Reed SL - Essential 26032014 Wednesday, March 26, 2014 11:47:51 AM

THE STYLE decor

56 / APRIL 2014 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

Bang & Olufsen

Launches BeoLab 18 Speakers and Master Link Gateway The mastermind behind your Bang & Olufsen Home Integration solution

ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2014 / 57

Bang & Olufsen launches BeoLab 18… the ultimate wireless speaker

Siedle-Access-Control

Recognised as one of the world’s leaders in cutting edge engineering, craftsmanship and performance, Bang & Olufsen has raised the bar again by introducing the BeoLab 18 wireless sound column. The majority of music is downloaded and streamed, making the speaker the single most important component in achieving the perfect audio experience. As a pioneer of home and lifestyle technology, Bang & Olufsen has addressed this issue with aplomb, creating the ultimate wireless sound system. The BeoLab 18, designed by Torsten Valeur (David Lewis Designers), marks the arrival of wireless technology that measures up to Bang & Olufsen’s uncompromising standards of audio excellence. The visually interesting yet minimal design with a stylish wooden arc and sleek panels hiding the technical engineering, and the unrivalled sound quality, have made it the must-have speaker for anyone who demands exceptional wireless audio performance. The emotional impact of the perfect cinematic surround sound can be experienced by combining BeoLab with any AV or compliant TV system… to experience outstanding wireless sound quality like never before. Confirming its status as a modern masterpiece, the BeoLab 18 received the International CES Best of Innovations 2014 Award for High Performance Home Audio / Video. Liberate your home with BeoLab… hearing really is believing!

www.bang-olufsen.com/en/ sound/loudspeakers/beolab-18

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Beo4 Remote Control

Bang & Olufsen Home Integration: Life enhancing technology made simple

BeoLiving Home Cinema

A home that can anticipate your needs is no longer limited to science fiction. Bang & Olufsen’s Beolink and Master Link Gateway home integration systems allow you to control virtually everything in your home at the touch of a button using only a remote control, tablet or smartphone. Bang & Olufsen seamlessly combine online technology and engineering innovations to create the ultimate in life changing technology. Living up to their reputation for elegant and timeless solutions, Bang & Olufsen’s smart home technology solutions provide the tools for seamless integration of all lighting, security, visual and sound systems in your home – no matter what brand, like Lutron, Crestron,

Samsung, Apple TV, etc... The revolutionary Flick and Capture technology is engineered for convenience and simplicity, allowing for real time programming, removing the need for complex coding and reducing the installation time from several days to just a couple of hours. Maintaining and upgrading is also much simpler. The entire home automation system can be integrated with the sound and vision, leaving home owners with nothing more to worry about than whether to use a remote or an app. Home automation has never been so comprehensive, convenient, effective or simple… soon you will be wondering how you managed without it.

Bang & Olufsen Marbella Avda. Julio Iglesias s/n. Edif. O.P.Q, Local 1. 29660 Puerto Banús, Marbella. www.bang-olufsen.com/en

Immaculate Wireless Sound. BeoLab 17 and BeoLab 19

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Rest and play, darkness and light, warm and way cool

THE STYLE decor

The new office and showroom of Originals Interiors at Urbanización La Alcazaba in Puerto Banús are overflowing with fabrics, materials, designs and above all ideas. Debbie and the team are currently working on several projects, including an array of beautiful houses in Marbella and Sotogrande.

g Urb. La Alcazaba, Puerto Banús Tel: 952 863 230. www.originalinteriors.com

What’s The Buzz at

Originals Interiors? O

riginals invites clients to see their various areas of specialisation – they take care of everything from reupholstering beautiful furniture pieces, to creating stunning looks on walls through their painting effects and extensive wallpaper collection. They also import beautiful items such as lamps, furniture and pictures from the UK, France and Italy. At the studio, clients can marvel at the wide range of wallpapers in so many textures and colours, bearing unique designs. Current and recently finished projects include the new offices of a luxury real estate firm. Their website showcases several completed projects,

which show the talent of their team and the scope of their services, which range from small finishing touches to completely revamping interiors, including building refurbishment, kitchens, flooring, lighting and domotics services. Originals recently completed a suite for two young boys, aged 15 and 13. Reminiscent of something you might see in a show like MTV’s Cribs, the suite features funky touches (like a basketball hoop, suggested by designer, Axel) and pop art cushions, which form a fresh contrast to the bold, black elegance of the Abercrombie & Fitch-styled dressing area and bathroom. e

Graffiti painting inspired on the spark of youth Neutral and dark tones in a variety of materials create a solemn feel

Playfulness and elegance united

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THE STYLE decor

Modesto Corner Sofa A stylish, comfortable and practical corner sofa, that comes in many colours. The armrest has a click-function for more options and the ultimate in comfort.

Latest Designs from

Loft & Roomers Eddo Garden Set The Eddo Garden set is a new classy design, in a thick natural-coloured poly rattan. Cushions are included in the set, to give superb comfort. This set is made to be outdoors all year round.

Continental Bed Stylish and comfortable, this bed has one layer of springs and two layers of pocket springs. A 45 mm. latex topper completes this perfect bed.

Retro One-Seater Resting Chair The elegant Nordic designed Retro chair is as gorgeous as it is comfortable. It comes in a warm grey fabric, with black wooden legs. Also available in a three-seater edition.

Sala Dining Chair A comfy dining chair in black leather, with brushed stainless steel legs.

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Valerie Dining Chair A modern comfortable chair in black or white PU-leather, with a chrome base.

Shiny Dining Table A practical and fashionable dining table in white high gloss, with a black and white base. It has a butterfly extension function, which extends the table from 180cm to 240 cm.

Victoria Lounge Set This practical and comfortable garden set comes in a white/ grey poly rattan, with grey cushions. The set is treated, so all-year outdoor use is possible.

g OASIS BUSINESS CENTRE, CN 340, km 183, Golden Mile, Marbella. Tel: 952 772 139. Also at Ctra. de Mijas km 3.5, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 664 170. www.loftroomers.com

The Jambi and Chicago Dining Set A combination of dark rustic poly rattan and a solid natural wooden table makes for a very elegant set which can be outdoors all year round.

Future Three-Seater Sofa The smooth curves and the tall elegant wooden legs of the stylish three-seater Future sofa add a classy retro touch to this comfy piece of furniture. One- and threeseater versions are available, in grey or dark fabric. Tipi Sunbed A comfortable, light-weight sun lounger that easily folds down so you can carry it around.

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THE STYLE nature

CULTIVATING Our Conscience BY ALEJANDRO ORIOLI OF ARBORETUM MARBELLA

From whichever way you look at it, society needs a greener environment and conscience. Arboretum Marbella presents a new project for the entire community: Urban Ecological Gardens, in which local individuals and groups can grow their own ecological vegetables within a dedicated space in the Arboretum park.

he Urban Ecological Gardens project is Arboretum Marbella’s latest initiative; it aims to make sustainability more accessible to the community, to create new spaces which are enriching and which inspire people to dream up new solutions to current dilemmas. The gardens will be grown by the people and for the people. Cities are one of the defining features of our era: they house the majority of the world’s population and are responsible for the lion’s share of development. They also pose a glaring problem for the Planet, owing to their consumption of resources, generation of residues and environmental impact. It is sobering to think that close to 80 per cent of the world’s carbon footprint is generated within just 15 per cent of its total territory. Urban life has given rise to cities which are highly dependent on natural resources and which reflect severe social injustice. The fictional independence of cities from the natural ecosystems they depend on, makes them extremely vulnerable to de-stabilising factors such as the energy crisis, peak oil and climate change. Cities also reveal the effects of the socio-economic crisis (including the deterioration of public services, social exclusion, demographic changes, etc,). This type of

vulnerability has still not been addressed by our architectural, planning or economic programmes. Cities have existed for some 6,000 years and have undergone various transformations. They have overcome all types of crises (political and economic crises and wars) and they have an immense ability to reinvent themselves and to adapt to changing circumstances. In many cases, cities have adapted by simplifying complex ecosystems and externalising their environmental impact. These strategies increase the pressure on ecosystems and foster social division, hurling mankind to the future until we clash brutally with the biophysical limits of our Planet. We need to reinvent and redesign our cities by creaing green zones which reflect new values. Urban ecological gardens are a necessary and effective tool to bring the community together. They offer options for education and leisure, while fostering contact with nature, community action, citizen participation and self-sufficiency. Those who take part in the project receive great joy from growing vegetables which are high quality and produce a minimum carbon footprint. The only thing that changes reality is action – reflective, intelligent and (if possible) innovative action. This is why, since last October, a group of volunteers has been preparing the land at the Arboretum, so that it can be used by locals to cultivate their own produce. Ours are the first urban ecological gardens in Marbella. There are 30 gardens of around 40m2 available for use by various local groups. We have also set up a garden measuring 283m2 called The Green Laboratory, where we will be teaching courses and carrying out tests centred on ecologic and biodynamic agriculture, so that everyone can learn and enjoy the beauty of this activity. We hope that this space will be about more than just gardens. We want the area to be used by people of different ages and social backgrounds. The aim is for the gardens to be a meeting point

for the community, so the latter can be culturally enriched and its local identify, fostered. The design of the gardens was carried out by students from the Permaculture Design course (PDC 2013), which Arboretum held in October. It is a source of great joy for us to see the project come to life in such a vibrant manner. The students incorporated principles from the field of permaculture into their design, taking into account various characteristics of the local area, including predominant winds, characteristics of areas of influence, relevant groups of persons (schools, pensioners, the unemployed, etc.), underground water currents, topography and characteristics of the plot of land. They designed (in addition to the gardens) an edible forest, a greenhouse, a compost area, an experimental garden (Green Laboratory) and areas to rest, eat and enjoy this scenic place. Urban ecological gardens are considered a natural precursor to an integrated, complex model of urban agriculture. Horticultural activity within cities should be included in the processes of town planning and territorial regulation; it is a vital tool and an effective way to achieve a better quality of life in our cities. g www.arboretummarbella.org

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ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE – 300mm x 230mm April

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THE STYLE fashion

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Feria Fever Spring is blooming in Sevilla to welcome its famous feria this month (6 - 11th). Think sultry Spanish seĂąoritas in full flamenco dress and immaculately attired caballeros on horseback. Want to be there? We do too â&#x20AC;&#x201C; drinking in the exhilarating atmosphere while quaffing a fino or two. It's only two hours from the Coast!

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Photography by Sergio Kapusta

Art Has No Limits

Roger M • Jewellery Design S.L. • C.C. La Cañada, loc 174 • 29603 Marbella, Málaga T: (+34) 952 772 987 • M: (+34) 670 777 017• E: info@rogermjeweller.com • www.rogermjeweller.com

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Collection of trajes de flamenca (traditional flamenco dresses) Sanchez Murube Costura Photographer Juanjo Moreno Creative Director and Stylist Mariano Leรณn Hair & Make Up Fran Alonso Peluqueros Model Claudia Fernรกndez Accessories Candela de Reina Flowers Juan Osete Combs and shawl Taller Mercedes de Alba Hats Fernรกndez y Roche

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THE STYLE fashion

Glory of the

Spring is officially in bloom and that means that we will soon be seeing bright floral patterns and bold colour schemes, dominated by powerful hues like bright yellow, coral and orange.

Bag by Follie Follie

CONTACTS: ACCESSORIZE: www.accessorize.es ASOS: www.asos.com/es FOLLIE FOLLIE: www.folliefollie.es GEMPORIA: www.gemporia.com LOUIS VUITTON: www.louisvuitton.com MARTINE WESTER: www.martinewester.com PRIMARK: www.primark.es RIVER ISLAND: www.riverisland.com

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Earphones by Accessorize

Necklace by Follie Follie

Jacket by River Island

Bag by Accessorize

Mirror by Accessorize

Watch by Follie Follie Ring by Louis Vuitton

Ring by Gemporia

Skirt by River Island

Bracelet by Martine Wester Skirt by River Island

Ring by Follie Follie

Skirt by Primark

Bracelet by Follie Follie

Bag by Follie Follie

Bag by Asos ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2014 / 77

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PRODUCTS / BEAUTY / SPA / SCIENCE

Learn the best ways to ban cellulite forever, try healthy alternatives to milk and let mind and body be healed by the power of music.

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TREATMENTS / HEALTH

Say Goodbye to Cellulite

Beauty news

Dairy Alternatives

Health News

Aesthetic Procedures for Men

Health Profile: Ignacio BĂŠjar, Music Therapist

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BEAUTY

ADVICE

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Z GO ON A DETOX DIET Try a simple two-day apple detox diet (the weekend is best for this detox as it may make you feel slightly fatigued). It works this simply: consume nothing but apples for two days, as well as herbal teas, sweetened with a teaspoon of agave or stevia. In the days leading up to the detox, eliminate starchy carbohydrates, soft drinks and alcohol from your diet. Why apples? This crunchy fruit helps eliminate toxins like lead and aluminum, which we absorb in daily life when we live or work in urban environments, yet it is also rich in useful Vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins A, C, Biotin and Folic Acid. Apples contain a high amount of pectin, a special type of fibre with powerful detoxifying properties. Pectin lowers cholesterol levels, helps eliminate bile acids from the intestines and serves as a natural binding agent for harmful heavy metals.

As Summer fast approaches, one of the biggest bugbears for women is orange peel skin, or cellulite. There are a myriad of products on the market making big promises, but the question remains – can we logically expect to eradicate a problem that has taken years to build up, with just a treatment, scrub or cream? Eliminating cellulite and creating a new, firm, sleek silhouette takes time and the process must begin from within. Follow these tips for longstanding results.

LOOK YOUR BIKINI BEST

Say Goodbye to Cellulite Z MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH PROTEIN IN YOUR DIET The body needs protein to build quality skin, connective tissue and muscles. Aim to consume protein foods of the highest quality, sticking to organic, seasonal sources and steering clear of processed ones. Excellent sources of protein include eggs, fish and seafood. Spirulina, a type of fresh-water algae, is likewise recommended, since it is easier on your digestive system than any other type of protein and is incredibly non-acidic and low in fat. One of the most important processes when it comes to eliminating cellulite is detoxification, so low-acidic foods should score high on your list of must-buys. Spirulina is also high

in a number of important vitamins and nutrients, including the B vitamins (B1, B5, B6 and B12), as well as Vitamin C, Beta-carotene, zinc, manganese and copper. Most health food shops stock spirulina in powdered form; just add a teasponful to your favourite freshly squeezed juice or bowl of soup.

Z CONSUME ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, DETOXIFYING FOODS These foods enable your cells to function at their optimal state and rid your body of the toxins that cause skin to become flaccid. They include the following: Allicin can be found in abundance in sulphurous vegetables like garlic and onions. Allicin lowers LDL (‘bad cholesterol’) levels and enhances your immunity. It also rids the body of toxins by stimulating the production of glutathione S-transferase, which plays a vital role in the detoxification process. Anthocyanins are sourced in red and blue fruits (such as cranberries, raspberries and blueberries). They fight inflammation, which is one of the leading causes of premature ageing of the skin.

Catechins can be found in green tea, known as one of the most potent sources of antioxidants in the world. They lower cholesterol levels in the blood and boost the immunity and the metabolism of fat. Limonenes can be sourced in citrus fruits. They stimulate the production of enzymes which detoxify the body, reduce the amount of plaque in the arteries and lower cholesterol levels. Sulforaphane, sourced from cruciferous vegetables and turnip greens, helps detoxify cells, fight cancer and stave off premature ageing of the skin. Z BRUSH YOUR SKIN Use a natural vegetable bristle brush or hemp glove, which you can find at most health shops. Use the brush or glove before showering, on dry skin. Brush your entire body (except the face), beginning with your feet and rising to the legs and arms, and then the back, buttocks, neck, chest and stomach area. Brush for two or three weeks in a row then take a week’s break. e

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BEAUTY

PRODUCTS

1 – NARS EYELINER: Turqouise and blue eyeliners will be bigger than big this season. 2 – MAKE UP FOR EVER HIGH DEFINITION FOUNDATION: Despite giving skin an intensely smooth, satiny finish, this foundation gives the impression of lightness and youth. An ideal product for those after a very natural look. 3 – NARS CHINA SEAS DUO EYESHADOW: This iridescent eyeshadow features the ‘it’ colours of Spring 2014. 4 – MAKE UP FOR EVER HD HIGH DEFINITION POWDER: This ultra fine powder is used beneath the eyes, on the forehead, above the cheekbone and on the chin, for an irresistible glow. A must in any serious make-up junkie’s cosmetic bag. 5 – BENEFIT BELLA BAMBA BLUSH: The cute packaging is just the icing on the cake. This gorgeous, long-lasting brush is a firm favourite for those who need to look perfect, 24/7. 6 – MAKE UP FOR EVER FLUO NIGHT BLACK LIGHT PIGMENT: This gorgeous pigmented product goes wildly fluorescent at night time… great for the party crowd. 7 – URBAN DECAY NAKED 3 EYESHADOW PALETTE: Erstwhile known as every girl’s dream eyeshadow palette, this lovely selection contains an array of shimmery and matte tones designed to add light and colour to your look. 8 – URBAN DECAY EYE PRIMER: Most beauty bloggers cite this product as the best eye primer in the world. Created to enable your eyeshadow to last up to 12 hours, it is a ‘must’ for those who like to apply their make-up once, and only once, a day.

Make Up Forever

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

If you are after a make-up brand that offers professional coverage, long-lasting perfection and an array of different product types and textures, checking out the latest wares at Sephora is a good way to start. The shop stocks high-end, professional and semi-professional products hailed by beauty experts, bloggers and celebrities alike. Featured brands include NARS, Make Up For Ever, Urban Decay and Benefit. In addition to MAC, the latter are surely the hottest brands on the current scene. These are just a few products you should consider adding to your collection for a professional effect. 7

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HEALTH If you’re concerned about the high fat content, allergenic effects or hefty carbon footprint imposed by the milk industry, don’t fret – Marisa Cutillas brings you five milk alternatives which will provide the nutrition you need without overworking your digestive system, and an easy recipe for making your own nut milk at home. You will notice that our list is free of soy milks – this is because much of the commercially available soy milk is made from genetically modified soy, which makes a strong case for investing a little more time in the kitchen dreaming up your own versions of everyday items like milk, cereals and bread.

1 – Almond Milk: Did you know that one glass

3 – Oat Milk: Oat milk, made from presoaked

of home-made or unflavoured almond milk has only 60 calories and eight grams of carbohydrates per medium-sized glass? In addition to being a lowcalorie, low-carb alternative to milk, almond milk contains zero cholesterol and very little sodium, which makes it an excellent heart-healthy food as well. Almond milk is also incredibly nutritious, with one serving containing one third of the recommended daily intake of calcium and a rich quotient of Vitamin D, which together keep osteoporosis at bay. It also contains Vitamins A and E (which fight free radicals and stop you from ageing prematurely), as well as Vitamin B, iron and potassium. If you’re feeling adventurous, try this recipe for homemade almond milk, suggested by Biologist and Health and Beauty expert, Leslie Kenton: Nut Milk (Almond) – cashews and hazelnuts can also be used. For cashew milk, you may have to add a little water.

grains, boasts 10 minerals and 15 vitamins. Just one cup of this creamy milk alternative contains a whopping 36 per cent of the recommended daily intake of calcium and 10 per cent of the daily recommended intakes of Vitamin A and iron. Since it is also cholesterol-free and extremely low in fact, it is a great vegan choice for children and adults alike. Oat Milk is another easy drink to make at home; just follow this easy recipe:

Z 1 1/2 cups raw almonds, skins removed Z 4 cups water Z honey, stevia or agave syrup to sweeten Z pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg Process the almonds and water in a blender until very smooth. Add your natural sweetener of choice and the cinnamon or nutmeg. Strain through a sieve or cheesecloth. Blend a little fruit with your almond milk for a special treat.

ADVICE

2 – Rice Milk: Rice milk is the most hypoallergenic of all the alternative milks, making it the ideal choice for those with allergies to dairy or soy products. This product contains no saturated fat or cholesterol, yet is rich in B Vitamins. Additionally, it is rich in unsaturated fats, which promote cardiovascular health and keep conditions such as metabolic syndrome at bay. It also contains manganese and selenium, two of the most powerful antioxidants in existence, since they protect the body against immune disorders and infections.

Going Nutty Over Milk Alternatives!

Z 1 cup rolled oats Z 6 ½ cups cold bottled water Z A pinch of sea salt Place all the ingredients in a bowl and leave overnight to soak, covering with a cloth. The following day, whiz in a blender. Strain the mixture through a sieve or cheesecloth. Add a sweetener if desired, and even a little vanilla extract to taste.

4 – Coconut Milk:

Coconuts are one of the most nutritious foods in existence, providing a good source of Vitamins C, E and various B Vitamins, as well as iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, selenium and sodium. Coconut milk in its purest form is not low-fat, yet the fat it contains comprises lauric acid, which boasts powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Coconut milk is composed of medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which are converted by the liver into energy in lieu of being stored as fat deposits. Because this uniquely flavoured milk alternative raises our energy levels for such a long period of time, we don’t feel tempted by cravings for sweet and starchy foods. If you are on a calorie-controlled diet, simply opt for a low-fat variety, or better yet, have a go at making your own tropical magic at home:

Z 8 cups water Z 4 cups unsweetened shredded coconut Heat water but do not boil. Place the coconut and water in a blender and whiz on high until creamy. Pour through a sieve and drink. To add sweetness and flavour, experiment with ingredients like agave syrup, stevia and vanilla extract. Add fruits to make a highly appealing and creamy smoothie.

5 – Hemp Milk: Made from a blend of hemp seeds and water, hemp milk tastes deliciously nutty. One serving is highly nutritious, containing Omega-3 fatty acids, all 10 amino acids, protein, Vitamins A, E, B12, D and folic acid, and an impressive 46 per cent of the recommended daily intake of calcium. It is also rich in magnesium, iron and zinc. Hemp milk bestows a host of benefits to the body, strengthening the immune system, heart, skin, hair and nails. It also improves circulation and sharpens the brain, making it an excellent drink to enjoy when body and mind are under stress. e

ES IV T A N ER LT A K IL M EE R -F Y IR A D S, DELICIOU

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So much more than a dentist...

CLÍNICA DENTAL DR. HOTZ PRESENTS AN INTERESTING CASE STUDY. MR. WAGNER, WHY DID YOU NEED TO SEE A DENTIST IN THE FIRST PLACE?

WHAT FINALLY CONVINCED YOU TO OPT FOR THE TREATMENT PROPOSED BY DR. HOTZ?

My dentist back home told me that at some point I would need a full reconstruction of the bone with implants in the lower and upper jaw. I moved to the Costa del Sol a few years ago and kept postponing this treatment, as I did not find any dentist I could really trust on the Coast and the treatment I needed seemed to be very complex. My biggest problem was that I could not eat properly. Every time I chewed, my teeth on one side hurt and seemed to be loose and I was in constant fear they could fall out. I was afraid to go out for lunch or dinner because I feared people might notice my dental problem. When I was laughing, I always put my hand over my mouth so nobody would realise I had such bad teeth. But eventually, after living with that problem for so many years, I decided to go for a permanent solution.

My dentist back home told me that with my jaw, I would have to have a big bone augmentation, which would take several months (12 months, to be exact, with the placement of the implants) of healing, until I got my new permanent teeth. Dr. Hotz offered me a brand new technique where implants are planned with a special 3D programme, which can avoid difficult bone augmentations. Due to this technique, there was no need for reconstruction of the bone, which reduced treatment elapse to only three weeks. I basically had three appointments: the preparation, the implantation and the placement of the bridge. The method of Dr. Hotz saved me almost one year of treatment time, a huge bone augmentation with all its complications and risks and – not to forget – money.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

HOW DID YOU END UP CHOOSING CLÍNICA DENTAL DR. HOTZ FOR YOUR TREATMENT? I had seen several adverts of the clinic in the local media here, including the one in magazine, and when a friend of mine recommended Dr. Hotz, I decided to make an appointment and check out the clinic. The first impression I received was a welcoming one, as the nurses and receptionist were very warm and friendly. Afterwards, I was very surprised to find that the doctor offering the treatment was so young. I have to say this made me hesitate in the beginning, but as she started explaining the possible treatments, the techniques she would apply and the time involved, I was sure she was the right person for the job.

WAS THE TREATMENT PAINFUL? Thanks to a special technique, I did not need stitching or cutting of the gum. The whole procedure only took approximately one hour and I was very surprised I didn’t have to take any painkillers afterwards. I guess every

dental treatment is unpleasant and at some point painful. But the little bit of sore gum I had was more than manageable.

RECONSTRUCTION, IMPLANTATIONS, 3D IMAGES ETC., A GERMAN DENTIST… THIS SOUNDS EXPENSIVE? It is indeed an investment but I am extremely satisfied with the results. The quality of the products and implants was very important for me, especially in these times where everybody tries to save money and work with materials and laboratories from China. Dr. Hotz assured me that the clinic only works with high quality materials and with a German laboratory. The implants look natural and have so far really improved my quality of life. Looking back to what my dentist back home offered using less advanced techniques, the treatment Nadine has performed was actually very good value.

MR. WAGNER, WOULD YOU RECOMMEND CLÍNICA DENTAL DR. HOTZ? I guess I am, considering this article, aren’t I? (laughing). But yes, I am very happy with my new teeth. The quality of life I have now was really worth the investment. Nadine is so much more then an everyday dentist. She is not only friendly but a real professional. As a Master in Implantology, she travels two to three times a year to find the latest techniques in her field and this really shows in her work. e

CLÍNICA DENTAL DR. HOTZ MSC. Avda. Marqués del Duero 76, 1st floor, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 786 362. www.clinicadentalhotz.com ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2014 / 85

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HEALTH WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Protein May Unlock the Secret to Alzheimers

The mystery as to why some brains accumulate plaque and tangle up, while others resist Alzheimer’s, has possibly been solved: scientists from Harvard University have found that Alzheimer’s may arise from a failure in the brain’s stress response system. If this system is functioning at its optimal level, it can protect the brain against abnormal proteins; if it doesn’t, the brain starts degenerating. The research centred on a particular protein called REST, which acts primarily in the brain of fetuses; this same protein also protects neurons in the brains of healthy older people, keeping age-related stress at bay. Scientists hope that soon, REST could prove useful in treating dementia, though further studies into whether or not the decline of REST is a cause or effect of dementia, need to be conducted.

UPDATE

TEQUILA IS GOOD FOR YOU? We all know that red wine (or, more specifically, its powerful polyphenol called resveratrol) promotes heart health, but did you know that tequila, too, bestows an array of health benefits? Experts say a shot before a meal can stimulate the appetite, and after lunch or dinner, it can aid in digestion. Tequila also has a component which can lower LDL (‘bad cholesterol’) levels and it eases tension and headaches, (though it probably won’t ease an extrastrength migraine). Before booking your flight to Mexico, however, remember that moderation is key!

EARLIEST CANCER TRACED BACK TO THE EGYPTIANS Researchers have discovered the first confirmed case of cancer in a skeleton dating back to 1,200 B.C., found in Amara West, Northern Sudan. The skeleton, which was riddled with marks and holes, reveals that far from being a modern day disease, cancer dates back to Egyptian times. Scientists hope to analyse the skeleton’s DNA, in order to discover how this disease has evolved. Although a previous finding indicates the presence of a bone tumour (in a fossilised Neanderthal rib), without an entire skeleton to reveal the evolution of the disease it is difficult to say whether or not this was an actual case of cancer.

Active Mums Have Active Children An interesting new study undertaken by researchers from the Universities of Cambridge and Southampton has found that programmes aimed at improving health and fitness in children should be focused on mothers. The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, followed 554 mums and four-year-olds, using heart monitors and accelerometers to measure activity levels for a period of one week. Researchers found that the more active a mother was, the more active her child was. To put it into precise terms, every minute of moderate-to-vigorous exercise undertaken by mums, resulted in a 10 per cent rise in her child’s level of activity. The study also noted that mothers need to increase their general activity levels, since many give up their exercise routines after giving birth, failing to return to their pre-pregnancy exercise habits even after their child has grown out of toddlerhood. 86 / APRIL 2014 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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spa

INTERVIEW WITH DR. JOAQUIN PEREZ-GUISADO

AESTHETIC PROCEDURES FOR MEN

ADVICE

HEALTH

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Dr. Joaquin Perez-Guisado Rosa is the Head of the Plastic, Asthetic and Reconstructive Surgery unit at Hospiten Estepona. In current society, people are increasingly concerned with their physical appearance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we all like to feel good about and satisfied with our bodies. Our service offers all those who wish to improve their physical appearance a wide range of techniques and medical-surgical procedures, all of which are carried out under the supervision of an experienced medical team and in the safety of a hospital environment, using the latest technology and with all the services associated with the procedure. Dr. Perez-Guisado, in your experience, which treatments are patients most interested in? A little of everything, bearing in mind we work with all the fields of aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. It is worthwhile mentioning that reconstructive surgery focuses on the correction of corporal disfigurement caused by accidents or tumours, while aesthetic surgery aims to fulfill the idea of beauty we all have. In surgery for women, breast surgery and liposculpting are the most popular and, for men, the most common procedures are eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), ear pinning (otoplasty) and nose surgery (rhinoplasty). What type of patient usually visits your office? Traditionally, the most common consultations concern aesthetic surgery for women. However, in the last few years the growing interest of men in their physical appearance has led to a marked increase in procedures for men. For that reason, at Hospiten Estepona, we are specialists in techniques for men. Which techniques are men most interested in? The most requested techniques are the traditional procedures which most plastic surgeons are very familiar with. They include eyelid surgery, ear pinning and nose surgery. Nevertheless, more and more, patients are asking for more innovative techniques like genital surgery for penis enlargement, abdominal etching with or without implants and muscle augmentation techniques such as pectoral, calf and bicep augmentation. How is the decision made whether to use implants or not in abdominal etching? Depending upon the amount of subcutaneous fat the patient has in the abdominal region and on how developed the abdominal muscles are, it may not be necessary to use an implant, unless the patient is unhappy with the shape and symmetry of his abdominals. However, in patients with little muscular development, an implant usually gives better results. Is arm augmentation only for the biceps, triceps or both? Although augmentation can be done for only the biceps or the triceps, the best results are obtained by augmenting the whole contour of the arm with simultaneous augmentation of the triceps and the biceps. Will the patient see a marked augmentation in his arms after surgery? There will always be an increase in the contour of the

arm. However, there are cases where, due to the lack of skin, it is not possible to give the patient the increase he wishes to see. In these cases there are solutions, like implanting a tissue expander for a month or two and once the desired size is achieved, the expander is replaced with the definitive implant. We are talking about two surgical procedures to achieve the desired goal. Is there a lot of demand for muscle augmentation from those involved with bodybuilding and fitness? For this group, bodybuilding is very important and any asymmetry or lack of muscle development due to genetic reasons is of great concern, meaning that this kind of procedure is often sought after. Many bodybuilders are unable to develop their arms, pectorals or calves to their satisfaction despite training hard. In the case of women, the common problem is in the buttock region. We have solutions for these cases. In muscle augmentation, where are the implants placed? It depends on the type of procedure. In arm augmentation, the implants are sub-muscular (under the muscle) or intra-muscular (within the muscle); in pectoral augmentation, they are sub-muscular; in calf augmentation they are subcutaneous (under the skin and the fatty tissue) and in abdominal etching, they are subcutaneous or even subfascial (under the connective tissue surrounding the muscle). In penis enlargement, what is the most common technique used, and why? The technique I use most commonly consists of enlarging the penis by increasing the girth, including the gland itself. The only technique to elongate the penis consists of cutting the ligament that holds the penis in place and gaining about 1-3 cm in length, but the disadvantage is that the penis may lose the capacity to hold itself up, which is why I do not recommend the technique and only carry it out when the patient insists on it. Are the procedures carried out at Hospiten safe? At the Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery Service at Hospiten Estepona, we work with state-ofthe-art technology. Furthermore, we are located within a hospital with an excellent infrastructure for outpatients, laboratory, operating rooms and intensive care. The whole process can, therefore, be carried out in a much safer environment. e

g HOSPITEN Estepona. Partido de VelerĂn, CN340, km 162, Estepona. Tel: 952 760 600. www.hospiten.com 3/24/14 11:25 AM

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HEALTH

Music Can Change the World

T Ignacio Béjar had always been fascinated by music but it wasn’t until he came across the Turkish ney, that he began to see music as a tool towards spiritual fulfilment and as a powerful catalyst of societal change. The ney, sometimes referred to as a ‘sufi flute’, came into his hands when, almost twenty years ago, a Moroccan neighbour visited his tea shop in the historic centre of Málaga.

he sight of Ignacio playing the transverse flute prompted the generous man to give him a unique present: the ney, which, to Ignacio’s surprise, remained completely silent, despite his efforts at eliciting sound by blowing with all his might into what was essentially an empty tube. After a relentless two-week battle, Ignacio gave up and packed the ney away. Ignacio had many other instruments to keep him busy at the time; the idea of creating ‘musical landscapes’ through a myriad of instruments (including the transverse flute, oud, piano, Turkish clarinet and saxophone) had always appealed to this soulful thinker. Seven years after receiving the mysterious gift, a friend recommended a best-selling book: The Mozart Effect, which revealed how the healing power of music is used in many areas of the world. Page 146 of that book spoke of a doctor in clinical Psychology in the Middle East called Oruç, who utilised ancient musical traditions to heal patients in hospitals – his teachings had influenced scientists and artists in Germany, Austria and Turkey. A few days later, on the evening of San Juan, when

Spaniards hold lively moragas (bonfire get-togethers) and cleanse their spirits in the warm waters of the sea, a woman from the North of Spain presented herself to Ignacio while he was playing on the beach. She spoke of a master who used Middle Eastern musical traditions to heal. She said the man would soon be visiting her home to give a workshop – his name? Oruç, the same man Ignacio had just read about. Without hesitating, Ignacio accepted the woman’s invitation to meet the master. Before this fortuitous meeting and the day after, dreaming that he played the ney skilfully, Ignacio discovered something magical: his ney, which he had cleared of cobwebs to bring along on his journey, began to produce sound. “Unlike most instruments, the ney works at a spiritual level. At first site, this instrument is just an empty vessel, a channel, but it is also a symbol of the perfect human being. If we are tuned in to our spiritual side, we are empty, and can function as a bridge between heaven and earth.” Ignacio’s first meeting with Dr. Oruç was all he had expected; the musicians ‘free-jammed’ with each other, creating surprisingly beautiful melodies that led to a special friendship. Oruç became Ignacio’s master in the ney, Turkish music, and the basics of Oriental Music therapy and Sufism, eventually inviting Ignacio to take part in festivals across Turkey, and in several whirling dervishes ceremonies. Ignacio holds music therapy events along the Coast, as well as throughout Spain and in London and Germany. Music therapy is, in essence, “acupuncture through sound”, but its effects can go far deeper. He says that the reaction of those attending is quite remarkable: “Many people become very emotional

IGNACIO BÉJAR WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY © WWW.PHOTOGRAPHERMARBELLA.COM

after music therapy; they say they feel energised. Some people have even told me that their first experience in music therapy has marked a turning point in their lives.” Ignacio also holds several concerts at important festivals and monuments all over the world, sometimes performing solo and others with different world music groups. He has additionally organised a series of world music festivals. “Commercial music has a resonance and frequencies that stimulates the left side of the brain, which is normally dominant in modern day society and makes people more materialistic and competitive” says Ignacio, elaborating, “Music therapy stimulates the right brain. It makes us more creative and gives us a wider perspective of the world.”

Ignacio is available for music therapy sessions, workshops and concerts. For further information, click onto his website and check out his events section to enjoy his music live. His CD, Hacia La Luz / Towards the Light, pays homage to the power of music to reach the eternal within our own soul. Ignacio Béjar will be performing alongside Dharambir Singh and Upneet Singh at the Ilahi Nadda concert at Finca Palo Verde on April 20 at 5pm. He will be presenting his latest CD, Hacia La Luz, at a concert on April 25 at 9:30pm at Finca Palo Verde in Alhaurín de la Torre. www.fincapaloverde.com On Saturday, April 26, he will be holding a harmonisation workshop through voice and vibration at the Clínica Buchinger at 7:30pm. www.buchinger-wilhelmi.com/es g www.ignaciobejar.com

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Enjoy the relaxing Shanti-Som Wellbeing Retreat RESTAURANT - SPA - YOGA - HOTEL

Relax and Enjoy

...only 10 minutes from Marbella Open daily for lunch to the public

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thepro NEWS /ENTERPRISE / LOCAL BUSINESS /

PROFILES / FINANCE / LAW

NEW OFFICES FOR CALLUM SWAN REALTY

Professional real estate company, Callum Swan Realty is proud to announce that it has relocated to plush new premises on the Golden Mile, next to the Marbella Club Hotel, where it will continue to specialise in high-end real estate on the coast. The new offices, which have been transformed by Originals Interiors, are located on Blvd. Principe Alfonso von Hohenlohe,

Urb. Las Torres del Marbella Club, Local 2, Marbella. Tel: 952 810 608. www.callumswanrealty.com © www.photographermarbella.com

FINE & COUNTRY ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF NEW GOLF DIVISION Fine & Country has entered into a partnership with European Tour Properties and Troon Golf to market and sell properties from an exclusive portfolio of elite golf developments around the word under the brand ‘Fine & Country Golf’. European Tour Properties, an integral part of The European Tour, boasts a network of 13 world-class member venues across the globe, and Troon Golf, the world’s premier luxury golf course management company, brings a wealth of golf-specific real estate expertise, as well as close relationships with industry experts in the global golfing market. Fine & Country provides knowledge and expertise in the luxury property sector to facilitate sales and promotion through their extensive network of global agents. Michael Lovett, Director of Operations at Fine & Country Marbella comments: “This is an exciting yet natural progression for us. This partnership offers sellers in Marbella the possibility to promote their properties worldwide through the specialist division Fine & Country Golf.” g www.fineandcountry.com

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New Healthouse Las Dunas*****GL Health & Beach Spa A new haven for spa lovers will soon be opening its doors: Healthouse Las Dunas *****GL Health & Beach Spa. Aiming to be the top healthcare hotel on the Coast, it is situated just minutes away from Puerto Banús and a 15-minute drive from the Old Town of Marbella. The Mediterraneaninspired dietetic centre will be opening in mid-2014 and will house 55 sumptuous suites and rooms, set in an idyllic sanctuary. The professionals at Healthouse and Naturhouse have created a selection of specific, customised programmes tailored to clients’ weight reduction needs, with a special focus on stress reduction, anti-ageing and detox. Clients will be constantly advised and accompanied by a qualified and highly experienced medical and nutritional team.

g www.healthouse-naturhouse.com

Finca Cortesín’s General Manager Wins Prestigious Hoteliers Prize For the second year in a row, Finca Cortesín’s General Manager, René Zimmer, has been hailed one of the TOP 10 German Hoteliers Working Abroad. The prize, awarded by prestigious German publisher, Verlag Busche-Schlummer Atlas, was awarded to Mr. Zimmerman in the city of Frankfurt. He was joined by Johannes Grosspietsch, Managing Director of Buche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH and Heinz Horrmann, Hotelier Journalist of Die Welt and editor of numerous international hotel guides. g www.fincacortesin.com

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ÂŠ David Toms

Radiant Yoga Marbella Brings Hot Yoga to Marbella Radiant Yoga Marbella is a new studio in the heart of Marbella with views to the lofty La Concha mountains. Owned and run by an experienced multi-lingual team of yoga teachers and health professionals, it is the first yoga studio in the area to offer Hot Yoga, widely considered to be one of the most effective yoga disciplines in so far as health and fitness benefits are concerned. At Radiant Yoga Marbella, hot yoga is practised in a room equipped with infrared panels, which heat bodies but not the room. The heat affords greater flexibility, helping practitioners ease more deeply into yoga positions. g www.yoga-in-marbella.net

New Gibraltarian Visa Waiver The Gibraltarian government has proclaimed a Directive under which specific categories of people are able to enjoy a waiver of the requirement to be in possession of a valid entry permit to Gibraltar as stipulated by section 12(1) of the Immigration, Asylum and Refugee Act. The Directive entitles these persons to enter and remain in Gibraltar without a visa, for a period not exceeding 21 days or, where the multiple entry Schengen Visa is due to expire before 21 days from the entry of the person into Gibraltar, the remainder of the period less seven days. The categories of nationalities this applies to includes Chinese, Indian, Russian and Mongolian nationals who are holders of valid multiple entry Schengen Visas.

Estrella del Mar Beach Club Holds Talk by Carlos Andreu Vincci Hotelsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Estrella del Mar Beach Club recently held a talk by popular Coach, Carlos Andreu, entitled If you wish to innovate, discover who you are. Andreu, a Speaker, Coach and Management Trainer, focussed on the definition of success and the keys to achieving it. He stated that everything rests on three variables: personal satisfaction, a positive mental attitude and self-awareness. The talk was attended by 150 managers and entrepreneurs. g www.vinccihoteles.com

JASNO Shutters Come to Spain JASNO recently launched on the Coast, offering discerning homeowners the chance to own remarkably beautiful wooden interior window shutters with adjustable louvers. Also known as American or plantation shutters, they boast unparalleled quality, strength and beauty. JASNO Shutters are the product of a passion for perfection; they were made to turn any attractive room into an impressive one. g Plaza de las Nieves 37F, Estepona. Tel: 608 299 309.

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ENGEL & VÖLKERS MARBELLA GOES MARRAKESH! Smadar Kahana, owner of Engel & Völkers offices in Marbella, invited her three teams to a luxury weekend of ‘1001 nights’ in Marrakesh. The trip was a team reward for reaching the turnover targets of 2013. Coordinated with a VIP invitation to the opening of the club SUITE Marrakesh (sister club to Puente Romano), a luxury Riad, with butler service, was booked for the exclusive use of the Engel & Völkers team. Everyone enjoyed a spectacular, fully planned programme with a private guide, reservations in Marrakesh’s finest restaurants and venues. Since the 2014 projections of Engel & Völkers Marbella are on target, plans for next year’s surprise destination are already underway. g Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, CN 340, 178.2, C.C. La Póveda, Local 5,

Marbella. Tel: 952 868 406. www.engelvoelkers.com/MarbellaAndEast

FOTOTP.COM COMES TO MARBELLA Rafael Castro, Director of Fototp.com, boasts 20 years’ experience as a photographer, specialising in technical photography for architecture, interiors, construction and more. Rafael, who uses cuttingedge equipment of the highest calibre, is now offering his services on the Costa del Sol. He has won several awards and competitions and offers the winning combination of quality at an affordable price. If you are a business requiring photos of homes, urbanisations, events, sports photography, etc., contact Rafael on g rafaelcastro@fotop.com

24 HOUR POOL TOURNAMENT FOR CUDECA

Gary Adamson and Colin Glassey, owners of Sam’s Bar at Pueblo Evita in Benalmádena Costa, recently organised a 24-hour pool competition for the benefit of Cudeca Hospice. Six sponsored customers from Sam’s Bar put heart and soul into playing for 24 hours straight, to raise as much as they could for Cudeca Hospice. Porky Pies, PDP and Bluebell donated food and drinks to give the players the energy to get through the night and the following day. Cudeca has also been busy with other efforts, including the annual telethon and the presentation of their annual report for 2013.

g www.cudeca.org

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BUSY DAYS FOR ALOHA COLLEGE STUDENTS Aloha College students have once again kept busy, both academically and in the cultural sense. The students celebrated Andalucía Day, dressing in white and green and enjoying bread, tomato and olive oil made by local producer, Natur-Aceite. Elsewhere, College Year 12 IB Biology and Chemistry students went on an educational visit to the Forensics Department of the Comisaría de Policia in Málaga. They were able to examine work done in Ballistics, Chemical Toxicology and Analysis and Documentation Analysis. Finally, students enjoyed a fabulous ski trip to Folgaria in the Italian Dolomites. The ski and snow boarder instructors and teachers were extremely impressed with the pupils’ excellent rate of progress, as within days, they were skiing with style and control. g www.aloha-college.com

ANNI’S VITAL SHOP OPENS FIFTH SHOP

LIBERTY SEGUROS OFFERS PETROL VOUCHERS Liberty Seguros has announced that it will be giving a €25 petrol voucher to all new clients of its Fully Comp Car Insurance Policy. Better still, pay by direct debit and €50 cashback will be refunded directly to your bank account once the policy is validated. The policy must be taken out between March 1 and May 31, 2014. Additionally, when you take out a new Home Insurance, Liberty Seguros will reward you with a free Corte Inglés voucher worth €25. Alternatively, they will give you €50 cashback straight into your bank account if you decide to pay by direct debit. g www.libertyexpatriates.es

Anni’s Vital Shop recently celebrated its 24th anniversary by opening a fifth branch within the Mijas Costa Carrefour. All Anni's Vital Shops are a labour of love, launched by Anni, a former nurse, health practitioner and naturopath with an extensive knowledge of vitamins and natural supplements. The first branch opened in Hotel Torreblanca in 1990 and today, they have five stores on the Costa del Sol: at Los Boliches, The Finnish Centre, Elviria, Nerja and of course the new store in Carrefour, all staffed by fellow Scandinavians who share their enthusiasm for alternative therapies and care for their customers' health.

g Local 10, Carrefour Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 198 231. www.annivitalshop.com

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Melanie Wilkes Skydives for a Good Cause Melanie Wilkes recently did the unthinkable: she jumped out of a plane from 4,600m in the sky, to raise money for two causes. The first is for a 36-year-old father of two who has been battling cancer for four years and has been through several operations and chemotherapy treatments. The second recipient of Melanie’s effort is Cancer Research UK, world leaders in the field. Says Melanie, “I wanted to do something special for them so I decided to raise money to send them on a special holiday to Madrid, so they can spend a few days exploring and sightseeing and enjoy some time at the Warner Park and the zoo.” Melanie would like to thank Skydive Spain in Seville and her tandem partner, Robert, for their professionalism and support. g If you’d

like to support the family, please contact Melanie on melaniewilkes27@ hotmail.com. To sponsor Cancer Research UK, please visit www. justgiving.com/melaniewilkes

Protecsol: New Window Films for Sun Protection and Energy Saving Protecsol is a groundbreaking new product comprising window films which protect your interiors from the sun and help reduce energy consumption. Additional benefits of applying this film to windows and glass doors include: comfortable, homogenous temperatures throughout rooms, glare reduction and reduced fading of furniture and artefacts. The films come in a wide range of colours and sun protection rolling curtains are also available. g Tel: 676 049 789. www.protecsolfranquicias.com

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ROYAL INVESTMENT CONSORTIUM The ROYAL INVESTMENT CONSORTIUM is a merger of wealthy families and family Trusts domiciled in the United Arab Emirates, China, Russia and Italy. It was founded in 1828 by several wealthy families in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Initially the consortium started as a merchant bank operation, providing loans to local business. Slowly they began acquiring private banks and then moved to developing financial products for investors. Currently the consortium does business in 92 countries. Since 1984, the President of Royal Investment Consortium is Dr. J.F. Rottmann, who heads the offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahamas, Bermuda, Brunei, Cayman Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Seychelles and Virgin Islands. Due to the increasing demand for Offshore-Banking Services in Spain, the consortium has incorporated a daughter company in Mรกlaga, named Royal Investment Consortium (Spain) S.L., and will open an office in Marbella during this year. This company will concentrate on the following main fields of business: Z Formation of Offshore-Companies and Trusts for Spanish residents and non-residents. Z Opening of Offshore-Bank Accounts for Spanish residents and non-residents at banks in Latin America and South America, in the Caribbean Islands, in Europe, North Africa and the Far East. Z Legal Consulting and Tax Consulting for Offshore-Business Deals, together with reputable lawyers and tax advisers from Mรกlaga and Marbella. Z Creation of tax-efficient offshore-solutions for real estate owners and real estate buyers in Spain. Dr. Rottmann states: "We offer a tailor-made solution for each asset and money problem and we will help our clients from Spain to save and to increase their assets and their funds by means of our Trust Services and of our Offshore Banking Facilities".

g Further information: royalinvestmentconsortium@gmail.com www.royalinvestmentconsortium.com

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Luks Marbella Celebrates International Women’s Day The Vincci Estrella del Mar Hotel’s Beach Club played host to an event organised by Marina Nitzak of Luks Marbella. More than 200 women gathered together to network and enjoy a vibrant fashion show. The event, which took place on International Women’s Day, was attended by various women’s associations, including Mujeres Empresarias de Vitoria, ELLAS (an association of Dutch Women), WIBS (Women in Business); APREM (Asociación de Profesionales y Empresarias de Marbella and more.

g www.luksmarbella.com

Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona recognised by the Estepona City Council In commemoration of Andalucía Day on February 28th, the city of Estepona held a business awards ceremony. The Kempinski Hotel Bahía was awarded the Best International Business Company in Estepona. The hotel is one of the few on the Costa del Sol to remain open throughout the year, showing a clear commitment to its 150 winter employees and 250 summer employees, most of whom are citizens of Estepona.

g www.kempinski.com/marbella

Paddle Tennis Tournament for Ronald McDonald House at Los Naranjos Club The lively Los Naranjos Paddle Tennis Club recently hosted a fun-filled event alongside the Prodigy Padel Academy. The aim of the event was to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House in Málaga, which is a crucial form of support for families of children receiving treatment at the Hospital Materno de Málaga. The Prodigy Padel Academy organised a host of fun games for the whole family, and kids also kept busy with crafts workshops, kids entertainment, face painting and a figure balloon-making workshop, sponsored by Deportae. The team at Studio Ideas and Marbella Olé transmitted all the goings on live via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. The companies Gocco and Renova Thermal and various volunteers also worked hard, donating their time and items for the raffle.

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Swedish Success Story With ever-expanding alumni, the Swedish School of Marbella has moved to bigger and better premises at Centro Comercial Vasari, Nueva Andalucía. Now in its 13th year, the Swedish School of Marbella offers preschool from three through to 12 years of age. Licensed and approved by the Swedish Ministry of Education, the school’s aim is to provide a caring environment, which gives the pupil a sound academic grounding, nurtures their self-confidence and identity and enhances their international awareness. Summer camps are also available from mid-June through to the end of August. This program is open to the general public and offers a wide variety of indoor and outdoor activities. g Tel: 952 868 252. www.svenskaskolanmarbella.com

Marbella Montessori Fundraiser and Charity Gala Marbella Montessori recently held a fundraiser and charity gala, raising the grand sum of €7.000 for the new school and for its chosen charity, UNICEF. There is still a chance to be part of the fundraising effort with the ‘Sponsor a Tile’ appeal. Businesess or individuals can purchase a ceramic tile, which will display the donor’s name and form part of a specially commissioned, permanent wall display, to be created by G.Vega in the new school reception area. g info@marbellamontessori.org

Russian Maslenitsa Day at BSM Children, families and staff celebrated Russian Maslenitsa Day at the British School of Marbella recently. Maslenitsa Day is a traditional festival that waves goodbye to the winter and welcomes the spring. Many Russian parents helped organise native games, songs and dances, while children dressed up in colourful traditional Russian costume before tucking into stacks of delicious pancakes. g www.bsm.org.es

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before taking the car, chewing gum, drinking water or doing exercise, are some of the most common. In addition, there are even other really strange beliefs, such as drinking oil, swallowing toothpaste, eating grass, sucking lithium batteries, vomiting or blowing slowly into the breathalyzer. In order to show that these beliefs are false, Línea Directa has tested how effective they really are by trying them out on a 75-kilo man and a 69-kilo woman, who were given beer, wine and cocktails until they reached the maximum limit allowed. Results showed that none of the tricks worked. (The test can be seen at http://info.lineadirecta.es).

IS IT POSSIBLE TO PASS THE BREATH TEST BY CHEATING? MANY DRIVERS THINK SO There is no doubt that drink-driving is one of today’s most serious road safety problems. In fact, according to data from the National Toxicology Institute, 35% of drivers killed in car accidents last year were over the maximum alcohol limit allowed. In spite of this, more and more drivers resort to a number of misconceptions and popular beliefs in an attempt to pass the test by cheating.

As a result, Línea Directa Aseguradora has published the study Misconceptions and false beliefs in breath tests. The report analyzes 1,260 interviews with drivers and includes empirical evidence on the impact that these misconceptions can have on individuals. Can drivers cheat to pass the breath test? One of the most surprising conclusions in the study is that 30% of drivers believe that there are tricks which can be used to pass the breath test. Of these, sucking coffee beans, waiting 1 to 2 hours

Drivers are not aware of the alcohol limits The blood alcohol level represents the amount of alcohol in the blood and is measured in grams of alcohol per litre of blood (g/l) or in milligrams per litre of exhaled air. Its limits are very simple: 0.25 mg/l of exhaled air results in a fine (0.15 for new and professional drivers) and 0.6 mg/l can lead to legal action being taken against the driver. However, 2 out of 3 Spanish drivers are unaware of the maximum level of alcohol permitted, a percentage which increases to 94% of drivers not knowing the limit which can lead to legal action being taken against them.

g You can find out more at www.lineadirecta.com or by calling T: 902 123 104.

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Rotary Helps Put an End to Polio The Rotary Club Estepona-Costa del Sol was joined by other Rotary clubs from the coast, for a 10 Km charity run aimed at raising funds for the provision of 22,000 vaccinations to help prevent childhood polio. A phenomenal turn out of 1,300 adults and 300 children took take part in the race, including the Mayor of Estepona, José María García Urbano and Dr. Ana María Parra, President of the International Rotary Polio Plus Committee of District 2203, alongside important institutions like UNICEF and the Belinda and Bill Gates Foundation.

g www.rc-estepona.org

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THE PRO business

xotic Marrakech with its colourful souks and snake charmers will feel a lot closer to home when a new direct flight linking Gibraltar with the enigmatic Moroccan city takes to the skies this month. Enjoy complimentary soft drinks and snacks as you skim over North Africa’s Rif and Atlas mountains and arrive in time for lunch or dinner in iconic Jemaa elFnaa square! For those who believe it’s better to arrive than travel, the Royal Air Maroc Express two-class charter service is a no brainer, knocking hours off the journey time by rail or road. Flights aboard the latest generation turboprop ATR 72/600s will take one hour 40 minutes. Compare that with the six hour trip from Tangier by car, or upwards of eight-and-a-half hours by train, not including the 45-minute ferry crossing from Tarifa. “It will be a lot quicker, more comfortable and far less hassle,” says Paul Lopez, MD of Your Flight, the new Gibraltar-based travel company behind the new service, which will be inaugurated on April 17. “Until now you could only fly via Sevilla or on a more expensive service from Málaga, via Casablanca or Madrid.” Seat prices are available for economy and first class and include taxes, in-flight refreshments, choice of seats and a generous 23kg baggage allowance. With no hidden extras, the service is tipped to be the hottest ticket in town for holiday-makers and

business travellers on both sides of the Gibraltar Strait. Tickets can be booked on a flight-only basis or as part of a package organised by Your Flight’s General Sales Agents, M.H. Bland Travel Services in Gibraltar, Luxotour in Spain and Norazon Tours in Morocco. The schedule of weekly flights on Sundays and fortnightly on Thursdays allows for stays of three, four, seven nights and upwards. Flight times are convenient, taking off from Gibraltar at 13.00 on alternate Thursdays and 19.35 on Sundays. “We’re confident the new service will be a success and an added boost for Gibraltar tourism and trade, as well as enhancing historic ties and business opportunities with Morocco,” says Paul, who has 25 years experience in the airline industry, working with British Airways and the former GB Airways. “The new service is the result of one year of intensive market research. We chose the most expensive and luxurious option in Royal Air Maroc, based on the airline’s

strength as Morocco’s national flag carrier. The aircraft itself was also the clear winner.” The latest generation ATR72/600 series turbo-prop is a leader in its class of short-haul, regional aircraft, ideally suited for take-offs and landings on Gibraltar’s short runway. It uses less fuel than a jet, has lower operating costs and features the latest avionics technology. Each flight will be configured to carry just 70 passengers – 58 in economy and 12 in first class. The luxurious twin cabin has more leg room than low-cost airlines, as well as leather seats in both classes! “Flying in a new, modern turboprop is a fantastic experience,” says Paul. “It’s so silent, as well as supercomfortable and spacious but small enough to feel as if you’re flying in your own private aircraft! And with this aircraft’s ability to fly at half the altitude of a jet, the views are fantastic.” Gibraltar’s Chief Minister Fabian Picardo is delighted about the new route. “It is a service that I will use in pursuit of the Government’s policy of

developing links with Morocco,” he said. It will also be welcomed by the many Gibraltarians who have been deterred from spending weekends in Spain since the border queues began. Passengers travelling from Spain can also avoid the notorious tailbacks as the airport is a three-minute walk from the frontier. Marrakech is Morocco’s fourth largest and most popular tourist city but the new service opens up a multitude of travel options. The city’s Ménara International Airport is close to Marrakech railway station with its connections to Casablanca and beyond. However, watch this space! Your Flight is set to introduce flights to Tangier at the end of 2014/early 2015 and Casablanca, Rabat and Agadir may be added in the near future. Direct flights from the Rock to Morocco began by flying boat in 1931, before Gibraltar even had a runway. The service was operated by Gibraltar Airways, an offshoot of Gibraltarian family shipping company MH Bland, whose history dates back to 1810. Later, GibAir provided a service with Douglas DC-3s. In more recent times, Spain’s continuing sovereignty dispute with Britain has severely limited the choice of direct air links from Gibraltar. Currently, only three carriers – British Airways, Monarch and Easyjet – operate direct flights from Gibraltar to UK airports only. g For bookings and further information,

see www.yourflight.gi, www.luxotour.com

ALL ABOARD THE

Marrakech Express! Fasten your seat belts for a new air service to Morocco, taxiing for take-off from The Rock this April. WORDS BELINDA BECKETT PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF YOUR FLIGHT

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THE LEISURE travel

An aerial view of a Sea Dream ship

Holidays at sea have come a long way. These days you can take a ship almost anywhere on the seven seas and enjoy luxury to equal the best hotels on shore. We hasten to add that luxury is a term much-abused by mega-ships where your welcome aboard drink can be a plastic glass of warm white wine. Luxury lines, in our book, include Crystal, Hapag-Lloyd, Seabourn, Silversea, Regent and Sea Dream. But of late river cruising has become very popular. One company launched 10 new ships in one day last year. The question is, can river cruising be as uncompromisingly luxurious as the best seagoing vessels? Marbella, always willing to go the extra mile to give our readers the facts, decided to try two of the best. Words David Wishart Photography Genevieve Balthazard, Sea Dream Cruises and Scenic Tours

The Experience at Sea

Rome is not really the place to be late in August. Like Paris, it is on holiday and many of the best restaurants are closed. But it is still crowded with tourists, and hot as a gladiator’s sandals. The beach at nearby Civitavecchia offers little relief on either count, but wait… Our car turns into the port and pulls up beside the handsome little Sea Dream 2. By little I mean little – capacity is a max 112 passengers and at 4,000 tons it is one tenth of the size of the Titanic, and has a better safety record. In fact Sea Dream 2, and its identical sister have stayed afloat,and stylishly so, for almost 30 years,

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despite having no balconies and no entertainment. So how does Sea Dream sell out almost every cruise, and with an enviable repeat business? Well, getting on board took five minutes, and on deck was the Captain, a man you might rarely see on a big ship but on this one you can drop by the bridge for a chat. Never far away were the hotel manager and the maitre ’d, and very often the chef who liked to talk about food when not preparing it. As for our fellow passengers, it was as if they had read the comment by Sir Max Hastings, the former newspaper editor, who once said you should not

go on a cruise unless you like people. The ones we met were mostly American, Australian, British and Norwegian, the latter including a happy band from the boardrooms of Oslo’s top companies. This creates a country house party atmosphere on a ship, or a private yacht for that matter, making the point that the name on the ticket – Sea Dream Yacht Club – is not just Madison Avenue fantasy. And I can’t imagine that Roman Abramovich or any of his yacht-owning cronies have better butlers, or in our case, barmen, than our smiling South African at the bar, Sev.

Cruising

Sea & River

Luxury

Relaxing with Sea Dream

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A splash of Champagne with Sea Dream

Sea Dream’s open-air cinema

Balinese dreaming on deck while cruising with Sea Dream

The wait staff was equally good – knowledgeable, quick, amiable and courteous. For example they don’t break into the table’s conversation to say, “Hi, I will be your waiter tonight and here are the specials...” No, they wait until guests have finished speaking, until the story, or joke is over, then make their move. They were so fast off the mark on boarding that passengers had bags delivered to their cabins in the brief interlude it took them to check in. And so we sailed from Civitavecchia, up the coast of Italy to the pretty little port of Portovenere, where on arrival the next morning the chef was

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joined by passengers at a market stall selling fresh pesto. This, with fresh bread, had one woman saying, “Just leave me here.” Many have lingered, including Byron and Shelley, and our long day in Portovenere would have made it possible to hop on local ferries and see more of the neighbouring Cinque Terre villages. Delightful as they are, our choice was to return to Sea Dream 2, anchored just offshore in the Gulf of Poets, for lunch on deck, usually at a table for two in the shade and gazing at the view. We had more of the fresh pesto and a light French rosé wine.

Others took bikes ashore or played at the stern marina, where they found a swim grid, jet skis and sailing boats. We awoke the next day in Portofino, whose waterfront has been replicated in Orlando, Tokyo and Tobermory. Elizabeth Taylor had a honeymoon here, and Pavarotti a villa, and in the new world order it has holiday homes for Dolce & Gabanna, and the biggest berths for Russian-owned boats. A few passengers started their day on the top deck, for Sea Dream 2 has Balinese beds which the crew will make up for truly romantic passengers, and provide pyjamas. Some of our new friends took a ship excursion for a pesto-making lesson to the Hotel Splendido, but as we had quite enough good living to go along with, we settled for a healthy stroll up to the San Giorgio church. Anywhere after Portofino is said to be an anticlimax, but our Captain knew how to keep our spirits up by taking us to St Tropez, where we stepped on to the ship’s stern marina and hopped on a rib for the short run to Pampelonne beach. This was where the US Marines landed in 1944, and another memorable event happened in 1955 when Brigitte Bardot filmed And God Created Woman there.

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Dining with Sea Dream

Sea Dream’s Owners Suite

Sea dreaming, the adventurous way

Yoga on the beach with Sea Dream

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An enterprising home-owner at the top of the beach became the set’s caterer, and that grew into Club 55, one of France’s most agreeable beach bars and the best people-watching place on the Riviera, where a simple lunch costs about the same as a Ferrari oil change. We sat next to the bar from which waiters ferried magnums of Champagne and artichokes vinaigrette to big hitters, many from their yachts anchored offshore. Sea Dream 2 was there too, not the biggest, and looking quite at home. Dinner on deck that night. Onshore crowds thronged St Tropez in the sweltering August heat. We shared the cool breeze in the bay with a small flotilla of private yachts, and I thought about men I have known who won’t go on a cruise. One day, with luck, a good woman will drag them on to a ship, which is what it takes. Women, you see get more adventurous as they get older, whereas men just get older. And so we pottered on, dropping anchor at Porquerolles, a paradise for little boats, Sanarysur-Mer and Cannes, where at both places we visited the farmers’ markets. No country does them better than France. Monte Carlo, famously described by Somerset Maugham as a sunny place for shady people, was our last stop, and the perfect setting for a last, dreamy dinner on deck. On a Med night in August, there is no better place to be. g Tel: 44 207 399 7670. www.mundycruising.co.uk

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On the river

Relaxing onboard the Scenic Jewel

Crossing on the Rhine

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Dining aboard the Scenic Sea Crystal

The Scenic Crystal Royal Suite

The luxurious accommodations of the Scenic Sea Crystal

River cruising in Europe has grown into the hottest thing in cruising, itself the fastest-growing part of modern travel, with sleek vessels churning up and down the Rhine, Danube and Rhone, and yards struggling to keep up with demand. Scenic Tours’ boats are perfect for the mighty Rhine, and the 160 passengers we had on board The Scenic Jewel, mostly Australian and Canadian, enjoyed space and comfort formerly unimaginable. For me it was like going from DC-3 to Dreamliner, with private balconies, butlers, big flat-screen TVs and free movies. All that and Europe outside. We started at Amsterdam with the Rijksmuseum, home of Rembrandt’s Nightwatch, just reopened after a 10-year renovation costing 375 million Euros, then our ‘spaceship’, as the company calls it, headed upriver in what was to be a remarkable voyage all the way down the Rhine, Main and Danube to Budapest. Charlemagne wanted to do this in the 9th Century, but linking the Main and the Danube was beyond even him. It was not until 1992 that the Main was canalised with locks, enabling the launch of long-haul river cruising. Indeed our Jewels of Europe cruise was 15 days, for there was a lot to see and do, and all made easy with Scenic’s brand of inclusive tours, excellent guides, individual GPS listening devices, all stick-handled by the ever-present cruise director, genial Scotsman Patrick Doyle, who always had good advice, both for the keen crowd who did not want to miss a thing, and the selectivists, who liked to pick and choose. Next morning we were in Dusseldorf, where some got off and would join us when we reached Cologne. Selectivists stayed in bed and disembarked in Cologne, where we saw its cathedral, which the RAF will tell you was spared

THE VER DIC

Two passengers playing chess on the top deck of the boat in Budapest

only because it was a useful target marker. Next was Rüdesheim, second only to Cologne Cathedral as a magnet for foreign tourists, and described locally, presumably while well refreshed with riesling, as the world’s best-known wine town, which rules out Bordeaux and Beaune. Nevertheless, I was impressed by the politeness and good English I found ashore, such as the postmistress who thanked me for visiting. Then there was the majesty of the river itself, particularly in the Rhine Gorges with its medieval castles, and the Scenic Jewel was an amazing platform from which to see everything, particularly when lounging on the top deck’s comfortable furniture with a waiter a nod away. We learned that Canadian salmon were used to restock the Rhine and the reason there are so many barges is that they carry cargo seven times cheaper than road, but I could not understand why there were so few pleasure boats. It had to be that the Germans are always working. In times gone by they had a lot of problems with invaders and robber barons, including Napoleon, hence the castles, including Dürnstein, where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in 1192 by Duke Leopold while on his way home from the Crusades, and held for years while a huge ransom, a king’s ransom indeed, was raised. Soon afterwards, however, Leopold fell off his horse and died. The castle at Passau held de Gaulle as a POW during WW1, and you can be sure Churchill would have liked to have seen him there during WW2 as well. Nuremberg was a personal highlight, with a visit

Sea Drea m and Sc the top o enic are both at f their ga playing fi eld becau me. But it is not a se ships size, as ri are not re level verb strain said that, oats are because of lock siz ed by Sea Drea m is not es. Havin what it a exac g chieves w ith its yac tly a whopper, and to behold h ts iz . Scenic d oes a com e hull is a treat creating mendable a floating job in lu xu food whil e not forg ry hotel with exce llent e tt ing a moving base to s its prime role – as howcase discrimin Europe to ating trav ellers.

to the courthouse where the Nazis were tried, the parade ground used by Hitler for his rallies, and the Documentation centre – which gave a thorough explanation, with nothing held back, of the Nazi era. It was good to see many young people there. We had a private dinner in one castle and while in Vienna an exclusive evening of music, opera and humour in a very stately home, the kind of thing Scenic does well and explains why it is not the cheapest. Mind you we lived well on board, with meals and wines to rival the best cruise ships. The drinks, also inclusive, included premium selections that cost extra on top ships. Everyone could dine at least once at the cozy Italian restaurant, while big hitters in the top suites had a chefs’ table where

Tulips by the Rhine

A romantic dance onboard

they could compare their diamonds. There was often entertainment such as folk dancing, a zither player, a talented glass blower, and much spirited dancing with lively lads from the Outback and the Prairies doing what appeared to be their versions of the hokey-cokey. And if they wanted more, there were nights, such as in Budapest, where passengers could dine ashore and sample the nightlife. We lunched at Vienna’s classic Cafe Central, while a couple from Winnipeg tried Budapest’s famous duck. And when it came to drinks, my friend from Calgary had only one thing to say about Scenic’s martinis, “Same again please”. g www.ca.scenictours.com

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THE LEISURE hotel

JEAN-MARC POLI

Jean-Marc Poli may have just taken the reigns of the Kempinski Bahía Estepona Hotel as its new General Manager, but he has already been hard at work setting various plans into motion.

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WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY © WWW.PHOTOGRAPHERMARBELLA.COM

Breathing New Life into the Kempinski Bahía Estepona Hotel

is aim is to “rejuvenate” one of the most iconic hotels on the Coast, building on its greatest strength – its people. He explains: “What attracted me so strongly to this Hotel was that the staff don’t just work here; they ‘live’ it, they are proud to be part of what makes the Kempinski great and that is exactly what differentiates a mere hotel stay, from an experience. We aim to provide the latter, to help create memories that will be cherished by guests in years to come. To quote a famous living legend of the Hotel World: “Clients arrive as guests, leave as friends and come back as family.” Jean-Marc has lived and breathed the hotel industry for as far back as he can remember. Born in Senegal to an Italian mother and French father, he put his multilingualism to good use, enrolling at a prestigious hotel school before being swept up by the Hilton hotel chain in the 1990s. “Back then the Hilton group had a very strong reputation for Management training, which attracted me. Upon being hired, I was immediately sent to Asia. I spent 15 years of my working life in Japan and the rest in other countries, including Malaysia, the Maldives, China and Singapore.” When asked if he was happy living in such a different ambience, he replies, “Every country I have worked in has brought me unforgettable memories – both personal and professional ones. Japan is an amazing country where the culture of service remains true to the saying that ‘The Customer is God’. In Europe, we know it as ‘The Customer is King’. When asked if the service in Asia is superior to that in Europe, JeanMarc answers, “Yes and no. At the Kempinski, for instance, service is also excellent. When I arrived on the Costa del Sol, I appreciated the genuine sense of wanting to serve. The Japanese are very efficient, they work very fast and they lay great importance on performing routines to perfection. In Singapore, I worked at the Raffles Hotel and the staff were very proud of the Hotel’s

heritage.Each country, each hotel, has its own charm, yet I must say I had the fortune of always working in important or iconic hotels. The Kempinski Hotel Bahía is similar in that it is closely associated with the development of the Costa del Sol tourism industry and it has been playing an important part in social and cultural life since its launch.” Jean-Marc is keeping himself and his talented staff busy, with plans for the renowned Spa, which was extensively refurbished and boasts a chic new design, luxurious wet area and treatment rooms. In conjunction with the re-opening of the Spa, a new Fitness Club membership will be launched, which will include attractive benefits throughout the restaurant, bars and accommodation. The Hotel now also boasts two new suites, called the Bahía Suites. JeanMarc elaborates: “The new suites offer a panoramic view, from the Marbella Bay to Estepona. Guests will be able to book them from the middle of April onwards.” Jean-Marc has specialised in the Food & Beverage side of Hotel Management for many years and it shows in his plans for the Hotel’s gastronomic offer. “We will focus much more strongly on the food offered at each outlet,” he says, adding, “all restaurants and bars will be repositioned in terms of food and beverage offerings with a great emphasis on the quality of the products.” When asked if he has found it difficult to adapt, he answers me with a surprised expression. If one is so proactive and passionate about the hotel industry, change is part and parcel of acknowledging that he has achieved his goals. “When I decided to accept this post, I did not say, ‘I am going back to Europe’. I just said, ‘I am going to Spain.’” A true citizen of the world. Jean-Marc Poli aims to bring his unique brand of warmth, excellence and perfection, to this iconic piece of Paradise.

g www.hotelomm.es g www.kempinski.com/marbella 3/24/14 12:32 PM

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THE LEISURE travel

Sherry five ways

Make Merry with

Sherry!

Jerez is 2014 European Capital of Wine and proving there’s more to sherry than the thimbleful of Croft Original your maiden aunt used to sip, reports Belinda Beckett. Photography Belinda Beckett, David Cussen and courtesy of Turismo Jerez

’m on the rooftop of El Gallo Azul, waiting for the party to start. You can watch the world go by from the iconic town centre gastro bar and, today, the whole world’s here. You can’t see the cobblestones on Calle Larga for people. They’re swarming beneath the orange trees like ants around spilled sugar. The attraction is sherry! A military line-up of venenciadors, resplendently attired in the uniform of their bodega, will dispense the equivalent of 2,000 bottles and no one will pay for a drop. They dip long bendy ladles into oak barrels and pour streams of golden liquid from on high into tiny plastic copitas, held at arm’s length. This traditional way of aerating the wine for maximum enjoyment is an art form! As the clock strikes 1.30pm, 4,000 glasses are raised skyward and

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4,000 voices join in a mass toast to sherry. Salud! That sunny February afternoon, Jerez was officially baptised 2014 European Capital of Wine. The almond trees were in blossom and the air smelled like wine. The French don’t like to admit it but sherry is a wine: vino de Jerez, the only wine in the world entitled to call itself sherry, although my old grandmother (bless), thought it was British. “You can’t beat good old Harveys from Bristol,” she used to say. Until I visited Jerez, I didn’t know that oloroso can be dry as well as sweet, that manzanilla is only made by the sea where it obtains its salty flavour, or that palo cortado is a success story born of failure. I tasted savoury sherry sauces served with meat, and sweet sherry sauces poured over puddings. I paired three different

sherries with a three-course meal and sampled five sherry cocktails! And I discovered the astonishing variety of this peculiar wine that comes in as many flavours and shades as it has names, and is peculiar only to the D.O. Sherry Triangle towns of Jerez, Sanlúcar de Barrameda and El Puerto de Santa Maria. If you want to discover it for yourself, 2014 is your year. From now until Christmas, sherry is being brought out of the dark, musty bodegas and into the city proper, allowing its light to shine. Imagine drinking sherry by candlelight in the grounds of an ancient Arab fortress, beneath twinkling chandeliers in a 19th century palace or straight from the barrel in a crowded tabanco, filled with the hand-clapping, foot-stomping sounds of flamenco!

Sherry is a religion in Jerez Jerez cathedral

Jerez will be strutting its stuff during a year-long programme of trade conferences and public happenings to promote enotourism during European Wine Capital Year. The honour was conferred by Recevin, a network of 800 cities in nine European countries whose economies depend on the produce of the grape. Jerez may look like a wealthy grand dame with her elegant plazas and wide avenues, where archways of purple jacaranda form a guard of honour in June; but she’s heavily alcohol dependent. The city relies on wine production for 75 per cent of its GDP and thousands of jobs were lost when modern techniques were introduced in the 1990s. It’s hard to imagine how a European Wine Capital with limited capital can afford to host a 10-month sherry festival. Yet surprisingly, thanks to sponsorship by the Consejo Regulador (sherry’s governing body) the brindis multitudinal cost just €600 in public funds! “We don’t have a budget like the Sochi Olympics so 80 per cent of the events will be built around our annual cultural calendar,” explains Tourism & Culture chief, Antonio Real. “This isn’t a festival so much as a celebration of our strengths as a city of wine, gastronomy, culture and congresses in which every local commercial enterprise will contribute its grain of sand to make 2014 a stand-out year.” The Spanish Motorcycle Grand Prix (May 2-4), the world-famous Jerez Horse Fair (May 11-18), the 750th anniversary of the Reconquest of Jerez (all year), this month’s Holy Week processions – sherry will fortify them all. Over Easter, entire families rent palcos (pavement pitches) along the route, where they can set up a table and chairs and enjoy a sherry while they watch the solemn spectacle. And why not? In a city which calls its bodegas ‘cathedrals’ and ages its special wines in ‘sacristies’, sherry is a religion!

Gothic San Miguel Church tower

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Fiery flamenco, forged in Jerez

All the fun of the feria Free sherry!

High adrenalin at the Circuito de Jerez

Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art

The monumental mansions and palaces that make Jerez Old Town a Place of Historic Interest will be thrown open for concerts, tastings and conferences themed on wine. The Renaissance Palace of Villavicencio and citrus-scented gardens of the 11th century Alcázar will be the setting for Vinoble, (May 25-27) a trade exhibition showcasing 800 top wines from 25 regions of the world. The Atalaya Museum Complex with its state-of-theart multimedia events hall, inside an authentic bodega, will host the XVl National Congress of Enologists (May 22-25). Groups can book the new Tic Tac Sherry experience, a tasting held at the Atalaya’s Palace of Time, at midday, as 301 priceless antique clocks strike 12 noon at once. The Palace and the collection once belonged to billionaire businessman José María Ruiz Mateos, who did some ‘time’ himself following the notorious ‘Rumasa’ case. The famous dancing horses at the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art will star at a gala evening during the Horse Fair (May 17). You’ll have to put down your Tio Pepe to see this baroque equine ballet. But the sight of rippling horseflesh – stallions that can pirouette on a pinhead under the reigns of pros like Rafael Soto and Ignacio Rambla, both Olympic riders – is just as intoxicating. The bodegas are other monuments to the history of Jerez and there are 37 to choose from. These cool, yeast-scented labyrinths hold surprises other than sherry: at Williams & Humbert, an equestrian show; at Tio Pepe, a small train takes visitors around these vast holdings to see the only vineyard growing inside an urban bodega. New this year is a catamaridaje of five sherries paired with five palos of flamenco: enjoy a soleá with your

oloroso and a fandango with your fino, olé! At Tradición, a boutique bodega specialising in rare old VOS and VORS sherries, bottled and labelled by hand, you can see priceless artworks by Murillo, Velázquez, El Greco and Goya, and four tiles painted by an eight-year-old Picasso. Part of Spain’s largest private art collection owned by property magnate Joaquín Rivera, the entire gallery will shortly be hung in the appropriately splendid 16th century Palacio de Riquelme, giving Jerez its own mini El Prado! Bodegas are not the only places to enjoy sherry ‘from the wood’. A generous glassful costs €1 at any of the five (soon to be seven) bars that make up the Ruta de Tabancos. Back in the day, they were smoky, sand-floored, male-only haunts filled with the sounds of impromptu flamenco. Today it’s a more egalitarian scene, with better flamenco, but you can still fill up your flagon of sherry ‘to go’. The fare is simple but good – a tangy manchego cheese or jamón from Huelva, perhaps. Don’t be surprised if it comes on greaseproof paper instead of a plate. It saves paying a washer-up! For heartier fare, grab a table under the trees at Mesón Restaurante Toro in calle Porvera. It’s always packed to the gunnels with locals, the best recommendation. Owner Francisco is doing so well, he’s opening a second restaurant next door, Asador Toro, specialising in retinto beef from Cádiz. “Made by my mother,” this jolly patron tells every client as he presents a steaming dish of rabo de toro, or tocino de cielo, swimming in PX sherry. This rich pudding heaven originates from the days when egg white was used to clarify sherry in the production process – a brilliant use for the left-over yolks!

Old-style grape treading

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Spanske barn møtte Karius & Baktus

Siesta - myter og realiteter

Nesten 200 spanske barn og deres foreldre fikk nylig sitt første møte med de norske tanntrollene Karius og Baktus.

Du trodde kanskje at siestaen var en så inngrodd del av spansk kultur at ingenting kan rokke ved den. Tro om igjen!

Loja - en blomst blant torner Loja ligger 60 km vest for Granada, og det var selveste Isabel la Católica som i 1486, da byen overga seg til de kristne, kalte byen en blomst blant torner – “flor entre espinas”.

JANUAR 2013

Ecológico

Med inspiration hentet i Spanien og i Wien har Kirsten Vaupel begået sin første roman, og kan nu tilføje titlen forfatter til rækken af kulturelle hverv på sit farverige visitkort.

El Mercadillo

Les mer om aktiviteter på Costa de Sol i ¿Qué pasa?

Kirsten Vaupel debuterer med roman

Tomatkrig, vikingeslag og tyreløb, religiøse optog, pilgrimsfærd og menneskepyramider er blandt højdepunkterne på Spaniens kuriøse, kulturelle kalender.

Januari 2013

Sesong i Sierra Nevada

• Interviews • Nyheder • Bolig • Finans • Udflugter • Sport • Fakta • Kultur • Profiler • Politik • Mode • Helse

Kuriøse fiestas año 2013

sueco

Fler och fler upptäcker kustens kanske hälsosammaste marknad

Utflykt

El Escorial tronar på minnen om makt och historia.

Motor

Trike – trehjulingar för vuxna.

Resa

Läs ett vykort från Aten.

Profil

Lennart Lundquist är mannen bakom Internetsidorna Svenskar i Spanien.

Golf

Det nya året inleds med stora rabatter.

Ashton Kutcher and girlfriend Mila Kunis at El Pasaje

The Festival of Jerez in March/April attracts a global following of flamenco aficionados but the gypsy barrios of San Miguel and Santiago echo to the sounds of cante, baile and copla most nights of the year, as Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher and girlfriend Mila Kunis discovered last May when they called in to see a show at El Pasaje, the oldest tabanco in Jerez. It’s run by lawyer Antonio Ramírez, now called to a different bar. It’s not well-known that the celebrity lovers also enjoyed a Ritual del Amor at the Hammam Andalusi! You can too, and it includes a romantic dinner on the rooftop, overlooking the illuminated dome of Jerez cathedral. This was to be the magical setting for my first taste of Baños a Compás starring sprightly veteran flamenco dancer, Juan Parra, 70 this year. Due to a bureaucratic hitch, the show was moved to his less atmospheric studio but, despite the stark fluorescent lighting, his audience came close to a state of duende. To see this walking city, a central hotel is a must. The pretty art deco Casa Grande overlooking Plaza las Angustias will do nicely – and it’s No.1 on Trip Advisor! The opportunity to collapse onto a rooftop sun lounger is just one of the charms of this relaxing metropolitan oasis. Chatelaine Monika Schroeder makes you feel like her personal house guest and remains on call until the last late-comer retires to bed. She keeps abreast of the latest openings and will be delighted to help you with her insider

Manuel Lozano

World Champion Sherry-maker

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A Capital Year for Jerez

knowledge, in several languages. The buffet breakfast, served in the luminous patio, includes eggs any way you like (but not with sherry)! Beyond the city limits, Jerez’s sister sherry towns are a 10-minute drive through rolling countryside and green golf courses: Sanlucar with its endless white beaches and El Puerto de Santa María, home to Michelin-starred Aponiente run by Ángel Léon, the ‘Chef of the Sea’. This year is a capital time to discover Jerez. Do you need any more excuses to make merry with sherry?

g Jerez attractions: www.jerez.es Bodega opening times: www.rutadeljerezybrandy.es Hotel Casa Grande: www.casagrande.com Mesón Restaurante Toro: Tel: 628 353 282. Hammam Andalusi: www.hammamandalusi.com Tabancos: Facebook, rutadelostabancosdejerez

In addition to his own family, Manuel Lozano has many “adopted children” – his affectionate term for the 22,000 sherry butts in his care at Bodegas Emilio Lustau, where he has been chief oenologist since 1998. “Sherry is a living entity which develops its own unique character through nature and nurture, just like a child,” he says. It can be just as demanding… Manuel shows me the callous on his finger, a battle scar earned from years of dipping the long venencia he uses to extract sherry samples from 400 butts each day. He controls the entire production process, from vineyard to bottle, taking paternal care to see his ‘offspring’ are on course to become the premium sherries we will enjoy in a few years time, The “cosseting and pampering” is the secret to his astonishing success at the ‘Wine Oscars’, as they’re known in the trade. It has earned him the title of Best Fortified Winemaker of the Year at London’s International Wine Challenge five years in a row, from 2009 to 2013 – something no other sherry maker has achieved. Key to that reputation is the numerous medals won by Lustau’s prestige products at the IWC – over 150 in the last five years, the most-awarded bodega in Spain. Established in 1896 and now part of the Caballero Group (famous for

Extra highlights full programme from www.jerez2014.es ZZ June 1-15 Sherry & Tapas Bars and restaurants compete to create the best maridaje of sherry and local produce, and you get to vote. ZZ June 2-8 International Sherry Week. If you can’t get to Jerez, never mind – ISW founder Chelsea Anthon will connect you virtually with fellow aficionados celebrating globally. Take part in exclusive online sherry master classes, tastings, cooking shows and interviews or promote your own event and interact with sherry lovers across the worldwide web and social media in multiple languages. Last year, Chelsea united sherry lovers from 29 countries at more than 300 events. www.isherryweek.com ZZ July & August Summer Nights Flamenco, tango, concerts, theatre and tastings by moonlight in the romantic settings of the Alcázar and Plaza de la Asunción. ZZ August 23 La Vuelta Inspired by the Tour de France, the annual Cycle Tour of Spain sets off from Jerez on the first of three legs through Cádiz province on a marathon 21-stage race to Santiago de Compostela. www.lavuelta. com ZZ September 9-14 Vendimia Jerez celebrates the annual grape harvest with a week-long festival. ZZ October VI Copa de Jerez. International chefs and sommeliers compete to create the best three-course gourmet menu, judged by a panel of restaurant greats such as Heston Blumenthal, Josep Roca and Juan Mari Arzak. i www.copajerez.com

Ponche Caballero liqueur), Lustau exports 50 products to 70 countries including La Ina sherry, brandies and vinegars. It’s especially renowned for its almacenista sherries, produced in collaboration with 10 local boutique bodegas, allowing the credentials of these small family operations to shine on the Lustau label. Coming from a family of Jerezano restaurateurs, Manuel developed a taste for sherry when his classmates were still on milkshake. “Whenever we went to the beach, my parents always gave me a glass of sweet sherry after my swim, to warm me up. It tasted so good!” His eyes light up when he speaks about sherrymaking. “It’s an art and a science, and it has romance!” he enthuses. “There’s a sherry to harmonise with every type of dish. I don’t call it maridaje because, in marriage, you only have one partner. Sherry is polygamous!” Manuel celebrates 42 years in the business this year but he is still driven by one ambition. “The over-50s are the biggest sherry-drinking market. I want to create sherries that young people will enjoy because they are the industry’s future. ” g For a bodega tour with tastings of 10 different sherries – more than any other bodega – Tel: 956 341 597/visitas@lustau.es www.lustau.es

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ma r k e t i nga sy ouha v ene v e r s e e nbe f or e. . .

www. me di a t i x . e s i nf o@me di a t i x . e s

Javier Muñoz The Sherry Chef

If you thought sherry was an aperitivo to be sipped daintily before dinner, your palate is in for an education at La Carboná, where it’s served by the wine glass with your meal and plays a starring role in the cuisine! This Jerez Old Town restaurant has been Michelin Guide-recommended three years running, thanks to the genius of Javier Muñoz, aka The Sherry Chef. The nickname was coined by Financial Times restaurant critic, Nicholas Lander, not without reason. Two thirds of the dishes on the menu contain sherry! And along with the reds, whites and rosés we’re more accustomed to calling ‘wine’, La Carboná offers over 50 sherry varieties to pair with every course, and 18 Jerez brandies to go with your coffee – a veritable bodega! This stylish, sepia-toned asador with its cathedral ceiling was a wine cellar during the last two centuries. But there the similarity ends. An appetising aroma of grilled meat and woodsmoke emanates from a circular grill in the centre of the room, and there’s nothing temperature-controlled about the welcome from The Sherry Chef’s parents: Ana, the sommelier-maitre ’d and Javier Muñoz Senior, who keeps

Rice pudding cake with fino sorbet, coffee soil and raspberry coulis

124 / APRIL 2014 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

the books and shops, rising before dawn to fetch fresh fish from the coast. They’ve run La Carboná for 21 years but never cooked themselves. That was their son’s dream and they supported him financially throughout his six year apprenticeship. “They found me places at Spain’s best restaurants, financed my travels … without their help, none of this would be possible,” says Javi. The restaurants of Santander were Javi’s classroom, a region which influences his avant garde repertoire today. Foie gras terrine marinated in sherry with strawberry coulis, snapper croquettes with sherry aioli and Iberian pork gratin with Pedro Ximénez sauce are among the intriguing dishes that

tempted the entire team at El Bulli to fly down for lunch one day! Javi finessed his skills at master classes run by Spain’s top Michelin chefs (Ferran Adrià, Martín Berasategui, Juan María Arzak). Two restaurants won Michelin stars while he was working in their kitchens. He came home during the tuna season to learn techniques with this king of local fish, and fortified his knowledge of sherry at the bodegas in his back yard. After sixmonths at the famed El Celler de Can Roca in Girona, he was offered a fulltime job but his heart lay in the family restaurant, where he has worked since 2007. Today, when he’s not cooking with sherry himself he’s showing others how to at weekly classes, taking groups to shop for ingredients at the local market, preparing dishes in the restaurant and sitting down to eat with them. He’s only 30 and guapo, so book up soon! A painting of a young Javi tasting his first sip of sherry from his father’s glass takes pride of place on the wall at La Carboná today. “I didn’t much like sherry at the time,” laughs the Sherry Chef, a total convert now. “Sherry in all its infinite varieties defines everything I cook, adding aromas and nuances that make for a more aggressive, sincere style of cuisine that wouldn’t be the same without it.” i www.lacarbona.com

Eloy García

Master Sherry Mixer Mix two parts of Jerez brandy and PX sherry with four of amontillado, one of orange curaçao and some ice, add the zest of an orange from the nearest tree and hey presto, you have … a very unusual cocktail. It’s called an arumbador, after the guys who roll the sherry casks in the bodegas, and it’s the creation of master mixologist Eloy García, who’s writing a new page in the annals of cocktail history with sherry. Picking your orange from the tree is part of the fun though Eloy, a consummate professional, always has plenty in stock. He’s won more cocktail contests than your grandma’s had Tio Pepes and wears a smart waistcoat, shirt and tie to work. If you’re ever in downtown Jerez after 9.30pm, look out for his 1930s Havana-style bar, Cubáname, aka the Museum of Rum, after the 650 bottles displayed around the walls. Renowned for his Caribbean mixes, his repertoire runs to 200 rum cocktail recipes, most of them his own. But more recently he’s been shaking it up with sherry. He plans to publish an e-book of cocktails dedicated to the wines and brandies of Jerez during European Capital of Wine Year. To Eloy, there’s nothing avant garde about using sherry as a cocktail. “Qué va, I’m Jerezano and I’ve been making them for years,” says this affable host who has a witty anecdote to go with every drink. That night, Eloy mixed me five cocktails showcasing each sherry type ( fino, amontillado, palo cortado, oloroso, PX) and I didn’t even wake up with a resaca. The man’s got class! i www.museodelron-jerez.es

PRESENTA · PRESENTS

· SPRING GALA DINNER & MUSICAL · IN AID OF WORLDVISION CHARITY

Peet Rothwell

SINGS

Michael Bublé

o D&C PRESENTS

MUSIC OF THE COMMITMENTS www.worldvision.org.uk

SÁBADO 24 DE MAYO · SATURDAY 24TH MAY · SALÓN ANDALUCÍA 20h · Cóctel y Canapés · Dani García Cena de Gala con Vinos y Espectaculares Actuaciones Etiqueta · Cóctel Precio por Persona 120€

8 pm · Cocktail & Canapés by Dani García Gala Dinner with Wine & Spectacular Performances Dress Code · Cocktail Price per Person

Reservas · Reservations: 952 82 09 00 · Tara 630 962 852 · restaurantes@puenteromano.com PUENTE ROMANO · Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n · www.puenteromano.com

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met

RESTAURANTS / REVIEWS / NEWS / WINE / CHEFS / GUIDE

Feast your eyes and taste buds on the fare at two classic establishments: Los Bandidos and Grill del Puerto, both on the frontline of Puerto Banús. Read up on the latest Food News, enjoy our new column by celebrity Chef, Kevin Woodford, and become acquainted with Casa Tua’s Head Chef, Adriano Visentin. Enjoy all this talk on food with a full-bodied red from Arzuaga.

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129 Los Bandidos 131

Grill del Puerto

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Food News

134 Kevin Woodford’s Essential London 136 Chef’s Profile: Adriano Visentin of Casa Tua 138 Wine: Arzuaga

3/25/14 3:23 PM

THE ART OF FINE THAI CUISINE RESERVATIONS: 952 818 392 Open Every Evening for Dinner Ctra. de Cรกdiz Km. 175 PUERTO BANร S (Behind The Shell Petrol Station) Marbella www.thaigallerymarbella.com

TAI PAN chinese cuisine polynesian bar

Serving Marbella in a Select Atmosphere for Decades. Tel: 952 777 893 / 952 775 500 Puente Romano, Fase 2, Marbella. Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00 www.taipanmarbella.com

SUKHOTHAI Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine

Tel: 952 770 550 Open Mon-Sat. C.C. Marbellamar, L-3A. Marbella. www.sukhothaimarbella.com

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restaurant THE GOURMET

To call something an institution is a cliché, but when a restaurant has become part of the fabric of a place like Marbella and has built up a reputation that keeps people coming back generation after generation, then surely it is hard to think of it in any other terms.

hey say for it to be successful at least half the people that visit a restaurant should become repeat customers. Well, Los Bandidos has certainly succeeded in doing this, drawing in a loyal clientele from around the world that includes successive generations of the same families. In fact, over the past 28 years owner and founder Jill Lindberg has created a Puerto Banús institution that has outlived the comings and goings of this fast-moving spot. The secret of her success is made up of the classic ingredients of hard work, dedication and a passion for what she does, but added to this is an ability to produce an unequalled consistency of quality and ambience that equates to restaurant magic. She has avoided trend-based gimmicks, franchising, ambitious expansion plans that wanted to build on the success of Los Bandidos or other schemes that would change exactly what makes it so popular. Of this she is rightly proud: “I have been true to what I think is right and it is gratifying to see it works so well.” She is all too aware that a reputation takes years of hard work to earn and can be lost all too easily. “We work very hard to maintain consistency of quality and service. We may be known to a lot of people, but to many others we are a new experience, so you have to prove yourself every day again.” And this she does, still managing her team and overseeing the restaurant in her quiet, pleasant way, and ensuring that a well-earned reputation for fine dining is upheld.

Walking into Los Bandidos on a spring evening, you immediate understand why this is such a popular venue. The restaurant is warm, ambient and welcoming. It is always busy but set up in such a way that you feel part of the atmosphere yet also intimate and private. In summer, the windows are opened and the terrace assumes a more prominent role, but in winter it is one of the cosiest restaurants in Marbella. After the friendly staff had taken our coats we ordered aperitifs and studied a menu that has been the mainstay of Los Bandidos’s success. Built on classic French dishes enriched with inspiration from across Europe, and beyond, it offers a choice broad enough to satisfy meat and fish lovers as well as vegetarians. Critically, it has the ability to make you chose between favourites but resolve to come back and sample more of its seductive offerings. From the list of starters, we sampled some recommendations, including a dish of simple perfection: fresh tuna tartar on avocado, not to be outdone by fresh foie gras grilled and sprinkled with mango and a port wine sauce. The quality of pata negra ham formed a delicious upgrading of the classic salad, with deep fried camenbert, while the carpaccio of beef with ruccula, Parmesan and fresh truffles was like the tartar – impeccable. Los Bandidos is not given over to superfluous novelties, so expect a combination of beautifully prepared classic dishes made from quality

g Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 915 www.losbandidos.es 176 ReR banditos copy.indd 129

Los Bandidos

MAGIC

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY © WWW.PHOTOGRAPHERMARBELLA.COM

ingredients and simple dishes that build on the freshness rather than complicating additions. The choice of main courses certainly makes you want to return, but we settled on grilled sole with Hollandaise sauce – so often disappointing but here made to classic standards – a delicious fillet of beef filled with Bavarian cheese and served with a medallion of foie gras, and a steak tartar made to personal specification and presented with tempting Belgian frites. The final choice was a signature dish, a fillet of beef in black pepper sauce with a side dish of gratinated tagliatelle. Personally, I could have gone for any of the above, taking uncharacteristically long to make up my mind. The wine list is another source of pride for Los Bandidos, for it is selected with connoisseurs in mind.

On the night we were lucky enough to sample two beautiful red wines, a Lopez Cristobal Tinto Crianza 2011 from Ribera del Duero that was fullbodied and rich in character, and a refined Torre de Oña Reserva 2007 from La Rioja. In time-honoured tradition, the meal was concluded with lovely, crispy warm apple tart, a rich brownie with Cointreauflavoured cream, a perfectly executed fresh vanilla crème brûlée and a homemade sorbet that gives you the option of apple, kiwi, mango and – as in this case – alcohol-based versions that make dessert a nightcap too. We had enjoyed an evening of the Los Bandidos magic created by Jill Lindberg, her chef Juan Sepulveda and a team that works hard to make you feel at home. Elegant, ambient, lively and built on an admirable consistency of quality, Los Bandidos keeps ‘em coming back. ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2014 / 129

3/25/14 5:18 PM

RESTO

EL COTO

BELGIAN RESTAURANT бельгийский ресторан

NEW MENU Open every day Ctra. de Ronda Opposite Madroñal, nº 3 29679 Benahavis Tel: 952 786 688 belgianresto@gmail.com НОВОЕ МЕНЮ открыты ежедневно дорога Ronda напротив Madroñal, No 3, Benahavis телефон: 952 786 688

RESTO

MYTILUS BELGIAN RESTAURANT

BELGIAN SPECIALITIES Mussels and fries, steak tartare, vol au vent etc. Open every evening. Saturday & Sunday open all day. Puerto Deportivo Sotogrande Tel: 956 790 212 belgianresto@gmail.com

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restaurant THE GOURMET

here are some occasions which always call for a specific type of dining experience: a birthday, an anniversary, an evening on which one wishes to impress. For these events, discerning diners nearly always head for a place where they know their best expectations are bound to be met – one which embraces key elements such as a well crafted wine list, friendly, professional service and exquisite cuisine – a venue that steers clear of the dangerously nouvelle and warms the heart with traditional roasts, grilled meat dishes and tempting sides and desserts. At Grill del Puerto, all these elements combine to perfection; immense importance is given to the tiny details that turn ‘good’ into ‘exquisite’. Ever since the proprietors (who also own Rancho restaurant) took over, the frontline port restaurant has come to reveal a standard that arises from decades of experience. Despite the five-star surrounds, Grill del Puerto is surprisingly reasonably priced, with a daily menu for just €19,50. Moreover, the kitchen is open all day long; between lunch and dinner, the restaurant converts to bistro, much to the delight of busy entrepreneurs and locals, offering everything from a healthy salad to a 220gr coal-cooked tenderloin or a variety of toasts and pasta dishes. My most recent visit to Grill del Puerto was a last-minute decision: a friend’s birthday called for a long, leisurely dinner, where she could enjoy her favourite dish of all: carne a la piedra (stone-cooked meat). Grill del Puerto is, logically, famed for its meat dishes, including its tantalising Chateaubriand, which literally melts in the mouth. Like the carne a la piedra, the Chateaubriand is served on a

Grill del Puerto

A Magical Night on the Port Words Marisa Cutillas Photography © www.photographermarbella.com

small personal hot plate by your table, so you can take part in the experience and cook the meat to your desired perfection. The chicken tikka basmati, another classic, is also served this way, sizzling away and adding a joyous sound to a meal that is meant to pamper all the senses. The interiors of the restaurant suit its fare to a tee, with iron ceiling lamps, walls glistening with copper pans, elegant wooden tables and a quaint portrait of a dog dressed as a gentleman, exuding elegance and the comforts of home. The staff add to the pervading warmth with a friendliness and dedication that is unparalleled. Just one mention that it was my friend’s birthday inspired the waiter to bring a wonderful surprise at the end of the meal, impressive in its

g Front line Puerto Banús, Tel: 952 811 686. www.grilldelpuerto.com 176 ReR grill.indd 131

presentation and flavour. There were four of us dining, a fact which enabled us to enjoy a wide variety of dishes. Chosen starters included a fresh wild salmon sashimi, a tempting salmon tartare, tender sautéed scallops served with mushrooms and a potato crème and finally, a sizzling gambas pilpil – always a popular choice while dining on the port. We revelled in our selections, washing them down with a full-bodied Arzuaga, from Ribera del Duero. The main dishes were equally satisfying: two of us gleefully cooked our own tenderloin ‘a la piedra’, finding it hard to believe anything this healthy could be so satisfying. At Grill del Puerto, the choice of sauces and sides is commendable,

though we chose to keep it simple, accompanying our meat with a homemade ali-oli and steamed veggies. Another selection was the suckling pig – right up there with the cochinillo you thought you could only get in Salamanca: light and crisp on the outside and temptingly juicy inside. The rack of lamb, meanwhile, was bursting with flavour, its tenderness complemented by a copious amount of extra-crispy Belgian fries. The hearty meal provided plenty of opportunity for excellent conversation and hearty laughs and we thought we had already hit the high point of the evening when the dessert arrived and blew us away. It comprised a plate of fresh fruits served alongside a chocolate fondue – this was no ordinary chocolate though, but a dark, creamy variety that was no less than a true luxury for those with a passion for the cocoa bean. We were so wrapped up in our meal that by the time we looked around, we saw that the restaurant was bustling with people, all enjoying the flavours, aromas and textures of their own personal feast. As we said our goodbyes to Grill del Puerto and resolved to meet again at its doors, it became very clear why this restaurant enjoys this level of success – the marriage of essential basics, tiny details and a warm human touch, are qualities even the savviest of diner will always pursue.

ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2014 / 131

3/25/14 12:35 PM

Da Bruno Sul Mare Hosts Stars from the Marbella International

Russian Film Festival

WORDS Marisa CUTILLAS

Da Bruno Sul Mare recently welcomed an array of actors, directors, musicians and producers from the recent Marbella International Russian Film Festival. Bruno Filippone, Founder of Da Bruno, said, “We have enjoyed an unforgettable evening with the participants of the Marbella International Russian Film Festival. Our collaboration with the Festival stems from our close relationship with Russian visitors, who are increasingly choosing Marbella as their residence or holiday destination.” Bruno delighted guests with an array of dishes made with the finest local produce. Da Bruno also recently celebrated Asparagus Week, impressing diners with special dishes made with this seasonal treasure. The restaurant likewise showed its commitment to fighting child cancer by offering lunch to all the participants of a fundraising golf tournament held for the Spanish Association against Junior Cancer (AECC Junior). g www.dabruno.com

Women’s day at nueva Kaskada

THE GOURMET news

Renowned Chef, Ewald Fichthaler, delighted guests on International Women’s Day, with a spectacular menu entitled Lady in Red. A sophisticated crouton of brie mousse and red onion, Thai-style vegetable samosas, carpaccio, tempura, strawberry gazpacho and a hearty beef fillet were just a few of the dazzling dishes served in this ample menu. Guests also enjoyed live music by Michael & Simone. Nueva Kaskada has a host of events lined up for the upcoming season, including Tapas Night on Apirl 11, featuring a special tapas menu with a cava reception, selection of wines and a lively flamenco dance show. May 2, meanwhile, is Beauty Night: make-up artist to stars of the Oscars, Maurice Elmerghini, will be showing off his skills, giving advice and informing ladies on new trends, while all enjoy a hearty menu for just €48. g www.nuevakaskada.com

Gordon Ramsay Visits Marbella

Optomen Television, the BAFTAwinning producers of Channel 4’s Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, is producing a brand new series to be set in Spain. The show’s producers are currently looking for restaurants, hotels and B&Bs in Marbella who would like some help from the World’s most famous chef. Series Producer, Nicola Lloyd, says, “This series will see Gordon travel to Europe’s holiday hotspots to help Brit-owned restaurants, hotels and B&Bs which are struggling to make ends meet. We’d love to hear from any Owners, Managers or Head Chefs who feel they could benefit from Gordon’s help and advice.” The series will be filmed during May and June and will be broadcast on Channel 4 later in the year.

g Tel: +44 203 227 5867. restaurants@optomen.com

Dariela’s Cake Comes to Marbella

Colourful cupcakes, elegant fondant creations and creative children’s cakes are on everyone’s lips these days and Dariela’s Cake is bringing all this magic closer to home, with a newly opened establishment in Marbella. The company not only makes any cake clients envision, it also runs a creative baking academy, where keen cake makers can learn to decorate with fondant, and make cookies, cupcakes, cake pops and sugar flowers. There are workshops for kids too and an impressive sugarcraft store, with all the tools and materials you need to bake creatively. The company also caters for events, parties, etc. Shop owner, Silvia Rojas, has been officially trained in London, Barcelona, Madrid and at the Cio Mijas Hostelery School. g Avda/ Mayorazgo 6 , Local 25, Marbella. Tel: 952 824 238/

639 985 083. www.darielascake.es

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Sugarcraft

Event / Événement / Cобытиe

info@darielascake.es www.darielascake.es

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Avda. Mayorazgo 6 L. 25, Marbella Tel: 952 824 238 Mob: 639 985 083

3/25/14 5:48 PM

KEVIN WOODFORD’S ESSENTIAL LONDON

The Ivy: A classic choice for an excellent meal

THE GOURMET restaurant

WORDS KEVIN WOODFORD

“When you are tired of London, you are tired of life”, this quote succinctly captures the magic of London which is one of the world’s most exciting and vibrant cities. The stunning architecture of buildings steeped in history, wonderful theatres offering the chance to see major artistes performing everything from Romeo & Juliet to Mama Mia and shops to satisfy the most discerning shopper, it’s a fun place with a vibrant cafe culture.

under the watchful eye of the highly talented Mark Hix, it is the perfect location for a relaxing lunch either prior to or after a serious shopping marathon. As for dinner the choice of venues is huge, but if I had to select one, it would be The Ivy in St Martins Lane. This much-talked about restaurant, trading since 1929, offers an eclectic menu with classics such as calves liver, grilled lobster with chips, Thai baked sea bass and sausage & mash! The food is consistently good, the service efficient and friendly and the room unpretentious. However, the big problem is getting a reservation, so be sure to book well in advance and if its celebrity spotting you’re after, then my advice would be to book seats at The Phoenix Theatre to see the absolutely stunning musical, Once (winner of 8 Tony Awards) followed by a late table at The Ivy.

s with any city visit, the key to a successful break is to choose a hotel in a position that allows you to explore the most interesting areas with relative ease and for me that means being as close to the West End as possible. The Langham Hotel on Portland Place is perfect and is the epitome of five-star luxury. Perfectly positioned, just walk out of the foyer directly onto Regent Street; while Oxford Street is one minute away and the delightful Marylebone High Street a mere five minute stroll. The Langham’s tradition for innovation dates back to 1865 when the hotel originally opened as Europe’s first ‘Grand Hotel’ and boasted a 365 foot deep well which originally supplied all the fresh water for the guests, the inspiration for the bar’s name – Artesian. This stunning bar designed by the late David Collins has become the glamorous watering hole and social hub for chic Londoners. For the second year in succession, Artesian has been crowned with the highly coveted award of ‘World’s Best Bar’ by Drinks International magazine. The hotel has sumptuous bedrooms, excellent facilities and a wonderfully relaxed environment with staff that enjoy doing what they are good at, looking after the hotel guest. I’ve had a long association with London, yet it only seems like yesterday that as a young man I was running along Park Lane, fearful that I might arrive late for my first day in the kitchens of one of the world’s

most renowned hotels. Now many years on, as I stroll past this bastion of gastronomy, I can’t help but reflect upon just how significantly the culinary landscape has changed. In the 60’s, the Executive Chefs of the very best establishments were French, with menus printed in French, much to the annoyance of many Anglophiles and finding a place with a Michelin star was a rare as rocking horse manure! Thankfully, nowadays, London is blessed with an array of great restaurants offering fabulous food and many of them are headed up by English chefs, proud to offer their menus in the English language! One of the most notable changes for me is the choice of instore dining options, of which Hix restaurant in Oxford Street’s Selfridges is a prime example. Offering imaginatively cooked dishes, using the very best locally sourced ingredients prepared

g Kevin is an Internationally renowned chef, former Head of Department for one the UK’s most prestigious Colleges of Higher Education and more latterly one of the BBC’s most versatile television presenters, having presented Holiday, Ready Steady Cook, Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook, Big Kevin, Little Kevin, Planet Cook, The Heaven & Earth Show and a host of other network shows. He was the recipient of a National Television Award and the subject of This is Your Life and acts as a consultant to several International Hospitality Companies.

The Langham Hotel in London

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THE GOURMET profile

If most Chefs lay claim to a long line of ancestors who practised the same profession, Milan-born Adriano Visentin happily states that he is “the first Chef in the family”. Which is not to say that he did not grow up amid the heat, aromas and flavours of the kitchen.

driano may be a man from the big city, but his family hails from Sicily and has always stayed true to the strong culinary ties that bind family and friends. “Every Sunday, my mother, aunts and grandmother would cook up a storm. The whole family would get together and the occasion was truly centred around food.” Growing up in Milan, Adriano was accustomed to the busy life – both his parents worked. In his adolescence, he began dabbling in the kitchen, whipping up “simple things like pasta for when my parents came home,” and by the age of 13, he was already enrolled in culinary school. “When I first decided to become a Chef, many of my father’s friends, who were restaurateurs themselves, advised me against it because of the long hours and the fact I was so young. Being a Chef can be quite sacrificial because it means having very little time for a personal life.” Adriano had quite the baptism of fire: his first job was as a kitchenhand in a large summer resort, where staff would prepare meals for some 1,000 diners in peak season! True to fashion, though, he faced the test with a calm countenance, saying that “little by little, I found that I was developing a passion for cuisine.” In Milan, Adriano honed his culinary skills further before completing the compulsory one-year military service. At the age of 20, he took a decision that would change the course of his life in unforeseen ways: to head to America, and blend his love for cuisine with that of travel. Adriano stayed longer than he had originally planned – for 12 years! When asked what living in such a vastly different country was like, he responds enthusiastically: “I was very happy – of course, that is probably because I met my wife, Catherine, there.” Catherine, the face of Casa Tua, whose Irish charm and friendliness are a perfect match for Adriano’s exquisite cuisine, was working across the road from the talented Chef when they first met. Adriano worked in New York, California and Miami, places he describes as “having the best of both worlds. Cities like New York are a melting pot of traditions, different types of cuisine and excellent ingredients. As a Chef you can order anything you want, even from countries as far-off as Australia: they simply fly it in for you. This makes it easier to be creative and marked my tendency to introduce modern, international elements into traditional Italian cuisine.” Examples of his creativity can be gleaned from dishes like seared sea scallops with spicy chorizo; the latter adds a smoky flavour to the

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living the dream...

WORDS Marisa CUTILLAS Photography © www.photographermarbella.com

Adriano Visentin of Casa Tua

sweet, delicate taste of fresh sea scallops, or the Fillet Rossini: Irish beef fillet served with a foie gras ravioli, and the fresh fillet of sea bass with a pearl barley risotto. Equally tempting are an array of delicious homemade pasta dishes like fettuccini with fresh lobster and asparagus or the cannelloni stuffed with butternut squash and Manchego cheese. Adriano says that the health factor also rates very highly in his creations: “We source local, seasonal, organic produce where possible, since we want to make sure we know where the products are coming from.” Wine is another big thing at Casa Tua, which boasts an ample list of wines from major regions in Italy: everything from a refreshing Gavi di Gavi Piemonte to a fruity Dolcetto D’Alba Piemonte or a dry Inferno Mazer Lombardo. The latter, whose name signifies ‘hell’, bears a bold red colour and strong tannic notes. Adriano is also working on a new list: “a special selection of vintage wines for connoisseurs.”

As he brings me the wine list and we take a seat in the beautiful interior of Casa Tua, it is hard to believe the restaurant only opened in June, 2013. “Before that we lived in Ireland for a couple of years but we always knew that our dream was to live in a Coastal town. That dream grew stronger when we became parents to our son, now aged four, and our daughter, aged two. We found this locale on a weekend visit and, on instinct, decided to drop our anchor here. Three weeks after buying and refurbishing it, we had already opened.” The young couple’s hunch proved fruitful: Casa Tua is now one of the top choices for a romantic night out. Nestled in the heart of the Old Town, one cobblestoned street behind the Plaza de los Naranjos, it boasts romantic interiors, and a terrace to die for, beneath the shade of a flowering tree that reaches from one side of the street over to the other. Thanks to the great food, warm service and enchanting surrounds, it truly feels like being at home.

g C/ Ortiz de Molinillo 14, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 951 712 227. www.casatuamarbella.com

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THE GOURMET wine

Arzuaga

WORDS AJ LINN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ARZUAGA AND RICARDO GALEOTE

QUALITY

Every wine region has its top names. You only have to see what the wealthy Chinese are drinking to know that first-growth Bordeaux is still the favourite of favourites, and even though the clunky and outdated French classification system is generally accepted as being decades overdue for revision, vested interests keep it as it is, which in turn keeps Chinese billionaires quaffing Chateau Lafite and its ilk.

o while Spain’s Denomination of Origin system is run by too many jobs-for-theboys Regulating Councils, there is a transparency that never prevents deserving bodegas from climbing up the scale, regardless of age or tradition. The wine world is awash to the point of over-supply with wine bloggers, wine scorers, critics, journalists, all trying to find some worthy new product that so far has not been spotted by their peers. This may cause a bad dose of over-information once you start delving down into specific grape varieties or sub-categories, but at least it keeps wineries on their toes and resting on laurels is no longer an option. While the Rioja DO is unquestionably king of all it surveys, with 70 officially-classified wine regions, Spain’s bourgeoning and evermoving undercurrent of new wines is slowly changing the old ways. We have seen how public taste in white wine adjusts, starting as it did with Penedés, shifting to Rioja, then to Rueda, and now edging towards such areas as Valdeorras and Rías Baixas. Ninety per cent of red wine drinkers make a conscious choice between Rioja and Ribera del Duero, with ne’ery a Toro or Somontano within spitting distance, so if you can afford to get on board either of these first-class wine trains, why not? Wine is big business, and the plummeting consumption in wine-producing countries is happily more than compensated

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for by new markets. Of course, underneath the wealthy wine aficionado in these countries whose choice is dictated by the size of their bank balance, there are increasing signs that the middle-drinking classes, for want of a better term, are not conditioned to choosing wine by regional names, but solely on quality. This tendency is enormously encouraging for newer regions that cannot get the same acceptance in the Old World because of rooted prejudice. When Florentino Arzuaga, of Basque descent, wanted to diversify his catering business in the early 1990s, he homed in unerringly on Ribera del Duero. Neither the most beautiful region nor the easiest to make wine, it was unquestionably headed for greater things. In one notable bad year so few grapes survived the spring frosts that the Regulating Council officially reduced the production per hectare from 7,000 to 4,000 kilos, in a calculated attempt to discourage producers from pressing the grapes too much. Had they not resisted the temptation it would have resulted in inferior wine and therefore damage to the area’s reputation. The local grape is known as tinta del país, which everywhere else is known as tempranillo, although the much-vaunted Vega Sicilia wines come from a vineyard planted in 1864 with cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec vines brought from France. The rise of the region has been spectacular and even a relative newcomer like Arzuaga had no problem becoming one of its star performers in just two decades. Of course, the quality of the wines has something to do with it, and while the bodega’s annual production is around a million bottles, it is a quality product Today Florentino still plays an active role, but the running of the winery is down to son Ignacio (his daughter, Amaya, is a famous fashion designer). Florentino spent the early

years establishing the brand and ensuring that it got into Ribera’s top ten, but it is now Ignacio’s responsibility to keep up the momentum. He spends five months of the year travelling, and even when at home passes most of his time with clients and visitors. Apart from a very comfortable five-star hotel next to the Bodega with a spa facility that specialises in vinotherapy, the bodega’s restaurant is one of the best in the area. If you drag yourself away from these beguiling home comforts, you can watch the wild boar and deer running wild on more remote parts of the 1,350-hectare estate. The usual range of wines, starting with young reds, up to crianzas, to reservas, gran reservas and reservas especiales, is not missing, and the gratifying thing is that as a producer of wines that regularly get top awards both at home and internationally, the prices are competitive. With landmark wines such as Arzuaga Gran Reserva, Gran Reserva Especial, La Planta (young oaked), Arzuaga Crianza, and the white Fan D’Oro chardonnay, starting at ten euros –but up to €60 for the Reserva Especial and still great value – it is hardly surprising that export sales are rising year on year. g www.arzuaganavarro.com 3/24/14 12:52 PM

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theguide

RESTAURANTS / CINEMAS / GOLF / GYMS /

Price guide ::::::: per head for a three-course meal with wine

TENNIS / SCHOOLS

under €25

€25 – €40

€40 – €60

€60 plus

ROUTE 66

el banco

::: FRENCH :::

::: AMERICAN :::

Open 10am until midnight every day. Plaza Antonio Banderas 17/29, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 136 333

Open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to midnight. Urb. Aloha Pueblo, Local 35, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 907 570

Open Monday to Saturday from 1pm to 11pm. C/ Calderón Estébanez 19, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 578

HARD ROCK CAFÉ

Yanx

Tango

Chateau Mona lisa

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces, esq. Marina Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 908 024

Open from 9am Monday to Saturday and Sunday from 11am for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 861

Open daily for dinner except Sundays. Puerto Banús (opp. the car park). Tel: 952 812 358

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Muelle Ribera 8, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 908 808

::: ARGENTINEAN :::

::: BELGIAN :::

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. C/ Virgen del Pilar, 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 779 297

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Ronda (El Madroñal), San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 786 688

RESTAURANTS

Jacks Open seven days a week from noon till late. Puerto Banús, Tel: 952 813 625, Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 563 673

Mr. gourmet burger Open from 6pm ‘til late every evening. Avda. Luis Braile 20, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 257

Buenos Aires South Clericó

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. Antonio Belón, 22, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 683

El Coto

mytilus Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de Los Naranjos, Puerto Sotogrande. Tel: 956 790 212

Casa mono

rendez vous Open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6pm and Sunday from 9am to 2pm. Closed Tuesday. Avda. del Prado, Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 813 912

Valderrama Restaurant Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner only and on Sunday for Buffet Lunch. Apartado 1, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 132.2 Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 791 200

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::: GREEK :::

MARBELLA CLUB GRILL

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 148

Open every night for dinner. Marbella Club Hotel. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

Red Pepper

::: GRILLS :::

Asador Criollo Grill Open nightly for dinner. CN340-A7, km. 166, Cancelada, El Saladillo. Tel: 952 784 463

Asador guadalmina Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Urb. Guadalmina Alta, C.C. Guadalmina, Local 3, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 883 003

cabaña nagüeles Open Monday to Thursday from 11am to 2am and on Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 3am. Urb. La Carolina, Marbella. Tel: 951 134 083

El Carnicero Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Pueblo Viejo Cancelada. Between San Pedro & Estepona. Tel: 952 886 307

El Carnicero 2 Open every day for lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 176, Marbella. Tel: 952 867 599

El Gaucho Open daily for dinner from 7.30pm. Galerías Paniagua. Sotogrande. Tel: 956 795 528

el rancho del puerto Open for lunch and dinner every day. Muelle Benabola 4, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 252

Grill del puerto Open for lunch and dinner every day. Muelle Ribera 47H, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 686

Old Town Grill Open Monday to Saturday for dinner and Sunday for lunch. C/ San Lázaro, 3, Pza. Victoria, Marbella. Tel: 952 867 306

Piratas flame grill

Open daily for dinner from 7pm. Conj. Buenavista, L 21-22, Avda. de España, Calahonda. Tel: 952 931 829

amigos

Massala

aroma

Open daily for dinner. 57, Duquesa de Arcos (Sabinillas seafront). Tel: 952 897 358

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Moncayo 23, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 665 502

Mr. india

baboo lounge and restaurant

Open daily from 6pm. Milla de Oro (next to Da Bruno a Casa), Marbella. Tel: 952 867 868

Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday. C/ Málaga 3, Benahavis. Tel: 952 855 175

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday. Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, Locales 37-40, Marbella. Tel: 952 865 940

Mumtaz Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Casa No.7, P. Banús. Tel: 952 812 090

Open every day for lunch and dinner, closing Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at 8pm. Ctra. Arroyo de la Miel, s/n, Benalmádena. Tel: 902 102 675

Restaurante Rancho

safFron

Bar d’o restaurant & Lounge

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra. Cádiz, exit Las Chapas. Tel: 952 831 922

Open from 7 pm ‘til late night every day. Parque de Elviria, local 7-9, Las Chapas (take second exit, after Hotel Don Carlos), Marbella. Tel: 952 830 146

Open daily from 11am to 2am (3am on weekends). Avda. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, Edif. Milla de Oro, Local 567, Marbella. Tel: 952 821 229

The Grill House restaurant Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday. C.C. Cristamar, Local 32, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 319 842

::: INDIAN ::: Chowka

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 380

Jaipur palace

::: INTERNATIONAL ::: Albert & simon

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Coto de los Doles, Carril del Relojero, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 458

Open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday and for dinner only on Saturday. Closed Sundays. Urb. Nueva Alcántara, Edif. Mirador, Bloque 4-B, Marbella. Tel: 952 783 714

Open Monday to Sunday for dinner. C/ Camilo José Cela 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 868 898

alberts

Black and white Marbella

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Puerto Cabopino. Tel: 952 836 886

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle Benabola, under the Torre de Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 607

Open every night except Tuesday for dinner. CN340, km 194, next to Camping Cabopino, Marbella. Tel: 951 310 004

alumbre

Jaipur Purple

Amanhavis

Open daily for dinner. CN 340, km. 166, Estepona. Tel: 952 888 353

Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday from 8.00pm. Calle del Pilar 3, Benahavís. Tel: 952 856 026

Little India

beach house

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Strachan 11, Málaga. Tel: 951 500 022

beckitts

Brunings Open for dinner Monday to Saturday from 7 pm. Las Palmeras 19, San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 786 156

CAFÉ DE RONDA Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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THE GUIDE Price guide ::::::: per head for a three-course meal with wine Avda. Ramón Gómez de la Serna 23, Marbella. Tel: 952 862 149

Café del mar Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Coral Beach s/n, km. 176, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 299

Cafetería ke Open daily for lunch and dinner. Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande, s/n. Tel: 956 790 333

cappuccino grande cafe Open daily for lunch and dinner. José Meliá s/n (Hotel Gran Meliá Don Pepe), Marbella. Tel: 952 868 790

Casanis Open every day from 6pm except Sundays. C/ Ancha, 8, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 450

celima Open every day for lunch and dinner. Hotel Hermitage, Ctra. de Casares, Casares. Tel: 952 895 639.

cerrado del águila

del mar Open daily for lunch and dinner. At the Hotel Puente Romano. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Don Leone

€25 – €40

Open for breakfast every day. At the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Resort. CN 340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

EL OLIVO

€40 – €60

€60 plus

Tel: 952 780 927

fonda restaurante el postillón Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30pm to 11pm. Ctra. de Mijas, km. 1, A-387, Alhaurín El Grande. Tel: 951 254 520

Open every night for dinner. Puerto Banús, Marbella. Tel: 952 811 716

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch. At Marbella Golf & Country Club. CN 340, km. 188, Marbella. Tel: 952 830 500

Dynamic Café

El Restaurante del Casino

Open Monday to Sunday for lunch. Ctra. de Istán, km. 0.9, C.C. Le Village, Marbella. Tel: 952 775 021

Open every day for dinner from 8pm-4am. Hotel Andalucía Plaza s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 000

El Bolero

Fabiola

Open every night for dinner from 8-11pm. The San Roque Club, CN 340, km. 127, Cádiz. Tel: 956 613 030

Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sundays for lunch. Cortijo Los Canos, Pueblo Nuevo de Guadiaro, CN-340, km. 132, Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 695 114 / 619 694 484

girasol

Finca Besaya

hermosa

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Rio Verde Alto, s/n. Tel: 952 861 382

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner from 7pm. Closed Monday. Local 1A. Puerto de Cabopino. Tel: 952 837 483

El Campanario Open every day for lunch. Open for dinner on Friday and Saturday. CN 340, km. 168, Estepona. Tel: 952 880 126

El Corzo Open daily for dinner. Hotel Los Monteros, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 187. Tel: 952 771 700

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Urb. Cerrado del Águila, Camino del Acevedo, s/n, Mijas Costa. Tel: 951 773 521

EL GRAN GASTBY

c’est la vie

EL JINETE

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Paseo Las Palmeras, 15, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 783 394

Open daily for dinner except for Friday. Ctra. La Cala Golf, km 45, La Cala de Mijas. Tel: 952 119 170

cortijo fain

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Urb. Elviria Hills. Avda. Las Cumbres s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 371

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Algar, km. 3, Arcos de la Frontera, Cádiz. Tel: 956 704 131

under €25

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle de Honor, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 778 797

El lago

EL MIRADOR

Finca El Forjador Open daily for lunch from 1-4pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Ctra. de Casares, km. 10. Tel: 952 895 120

Finca las brasas Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra. FuengirolaMijas, between CN 340 and highway. Tel: 952 580 513

funky tapas Open daily from 12 midday to 12 midnight. Avda. Miguel de Cervantes 34, Marbella. Tel: 952 811 590

Galeria San Pedro Open from 11am until midnight. Closed Sundays. Avda Las Palmeras 15, San Pedro Alcántara.

GD Gourmet deli marbella Open 9:30am to 9pm from Monday to Friday and Saturday from 12am to 6pm. Closed Sundays. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 7, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 049 Open daily for dinner from 6.30p.m. Avda. del Prado, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 813 859

Herrero del Puerto Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Casas de Campos, 1, Málaga. Tel: 952 122 075

hotel marbella club buffet Open every day for lunch. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

Ikni Banús Open daily for for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Cristamar, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 929 978

il mare Open every evening for dinner. Playa del Rodeo,

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Marbella. Tel: 951 319 372

952 792 734

Magna Café

La Campana, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 814 041

karma

La Terraza

Nueva Kaskada

Open every day from 10am until late. C/ Las Violetas 7, Conjunto Andalucía Garden Club, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 815 736

Open everyday lunch and dinner. Golf Hotel Guadalmina, Marbella. Tel: 952 882 211

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/ Calderón de la Barca, s/n. Tel: 952 929 578

La Terraza

Mc café

LA biznaga

Open daily for dinner. La Cala Resort, La Cala de Mijas, Mijas. Tel: 952 669 000

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Marbella Club Hotel. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n. Tel: 952 822 211

Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for lunch only. Ctra. Ronda, km. 46, Urb. Las Medranas, local 4, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 951 275 750

la brisa Open for dinner Thursday to Monday from 7pm. Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

La cabaña del mar Open every day for lunch and for dinner from Monday to Saturday. Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona CN 340, km 159, Playa El Padrón, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

LA CANTINA DEL GOLF Open for breakfast and lunch until 8pm. Closed Sunday. Flamingo Golf Club, Cancelada, Benahavís. Tel: 951 318 815

La Loggia

La Veranda Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. Hotel Villa Padierna, Urb: Flamingos s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 889 150

OCHO Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. C/ Moncayo 12, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 460 232 / 648 502 822

Messina

passion café

Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. Avda. Severo Ochoa, 12, Marbella. Tel: 952 864 895

Open for lunch and dinner every day. C.C. La Colonia, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 781 583

Open week days for dinner at 7:30pm and weekends for lunch and dinner, closed Tuesdays. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 136. Playa Guadiaro, Torreguadiaro, Cádiz. Tel: 956 615 998

MOJO

polynesians

Open from Monday to Saturday for dinner from 8pm ‘til late. Monte Paraíso Golf, Marbella. Tel: 951 217 272

Open Monday to Sunday from 5pm to 2am. Urb. La Alcazaba, CN 340, km 175. Tel: 952 816 100

La veranda lobby bar

momo marbella

puente romano beach club

Open every day for lunch and dinner. At the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm to midnight. C/ Tetuán 7, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 560

Open daily for lunch. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

mosaik4

PURO BEACH

los arcos

Open daily from 12pm to 3am. Avda. Manolete, esq. C/ Los Lirios, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 929 467

La Verandah

Open every night for dinner. Hotel Meliá La Quinta, Urb. La Quinta Golf s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 762 000

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. Hotel Villa Padierna & Flamingos Golf Club, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 166 (Cancelada exit), Benahavís. Tel: 952 889 150

los bandidos

La Menorah

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Urb. Los Naranjos de Marbella. Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 816 105

Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Arena Beach, CN 340, km. 151.2, Estepona. Tel:

Open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Urb. La Montua, C/ Chorreadero 39, Marbella. Tel: 952 864 478

Open every night for dinner. Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 915

Los naranjos restaurant

mozaic

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Laguna Village, Playa El Padrón, CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 800 015

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday. Urb. Las Chapas, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 901

Restaurant lounge camurí

Miraflores Golf Restaurant

Restaurante royal

Open daily for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 199. Urb. Riviera Golf. Tel: 952 931 941

NUEVA CAMPANA

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At the Hotel Torrequebrada, Benalmádena Costa. Tel: 952 441 414

Open daily for lunch and dinner, except Tuesday.

Rojo

Open daily for lunch and dinner. At Laguna Village. CN340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 951 217 871

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THE GUIDE

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday. C/ Granada, 44, Málaga. Tel: 952 227 486

Sea grill At the Puente Romano Beach Club. Open daily for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 187, Marbella. 952 820 900

shanti-som – amrita Open Monday to Thursday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Friday and Saturday from 1:30pm to 4.30 pm and 8pm to 10.30pm. Ctra. de Ojén, km 22, A355, Marbella-Monda. Tel: 952 864 455

shiraz Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Puerto Deportivo, Local 15, Marbella. Tel: 952 778 334

Skina Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. C/ Aduar 12, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 277

SMALL WORLD CAFé Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ctra. Istán, km 1, C.C: Le Village 15, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 046

Suave Open every day for lunch and dinner. Paseo Maritimo Rey de España 93, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 866 627

SUite Dinner and afterwards dance to music by resident DJ. Thursday to Saturday. Hotel Puente Romano, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Swing Open from 12-4pm and 7.30pm until midnight. Closed Wednesdays. Arena Beach, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 151, Estepona. Tel: 952 796 320

tanino Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. CN 340, km 168, Benamara, Estepona. Tel: 952 883 259

Terra Sana Open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nueva Andalucía next to the Casino. Tel: 952 906 205. Marina Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 977. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 951 901 050. C/ Camilo José Cela s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 772 686.

The Clubhouse Bar & Brasserie Open Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Urb. Los Naranjos de Marbella, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 908 844

The meeting room Open 9am to 11pm every day except Sundays. Avda. Ricardo Soriano 1, Local 1 (Edif. Portillo), Marbella. Tel: 952 772 577

The orange tree Open every evening from 6:30 pm-11 pm. Plaza General Chinchilla 1, Plaza de los Naranjos, Marbella. Tel: 952 924 613.

tikitano Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Guadalmansa, CN340, km 164, Estepona. Tel: 952 798 449

Trocadero arena Open every day for lunch and dinner. Torre Real Beach, Marbella. Tel: 952 865 579

trocadero beach Open daily for lunch and dinner. Playa de la Carolina, Marbella. Tel: 610 704 144

umami Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Avda. Mediterráneo, Edif. San Pedro del Mar. San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 780 114

Venta garcía Open daily for lunch and dinner every day except Monday. Ctra. de Casares km 7, Casares. Tel: 952 894 191

What’s cooking deli and takeaway Open daily from 10am to 7pm. C.C. Guadalmina, Local 34, Marbella. Tel: 952 886 748

zest Open Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and for cocktail hour from 4:30pm to 8pm. Centro Plaza, Marbella. Tel: 951 319 151

zozoI Open every day for dinner from 7.00pm till late. Plaza Altamirano 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 868

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::: ITALIAN ::: Al Dente

Open 7 days a week for dinner. Closed on Mondays. Urb. Jardines del Puerto, local 12, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 181

Amore e Fantasía Open every day for lunch and dinner from 7pm onwards. Muelle Benabola, Casa 5A, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 464

Aretusa Open daily for dinner. Front line P. Banús. Tel: 952 812 898

Carpaccio Open every day for lunch and dinner. Frontline Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 357

Caruso Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday 7pm until midnight. Avda. de la Constitución, corner C/ Andalucía, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 782 293

casa tua Open every evening for dinner. C/ Ortiz de Molinillo 14, Marbella. Tel: 951 712 227

Da Bruno Open all day. Pasta Da Bruno: Avda. Ricardo Soriano, 27, Marbella. Tel: 952 860 348 – closed on Sunday. Da Bruno Cabopino: CN-340 Km. 194,7. Tel: 952 831 918. Da Bruno a Casa: Marbella Mar, Local 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 857 521 – closed on Sunday. Da Bruno A San Pedro: Avda. del Mar, local 1E, San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 860 – closed on Monday. Da Bruno Sul Mare: Edif. Skol, Paseo Marítimo, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 318/19. Da Bruno Mijas Costa: Ctra. de Mijas, km. 3.6, Mijas. Tel: 952 460 724

Da Paolo Open everyday for lunch and dinner. Muelle Ribera, casa G-H, local 43, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 453

De Medici Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Urb. El Pilar, C.C. Benapilar, Estepona. Tel: 952 884 687

Don giovanni Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. de Antonio Belón 3, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 550

Frascati Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de Los Naranjos s/n, Sotogrande. Tel: 952 790 392

gold restaurant Open every day from 10am to 12 am. Complejo Benabola 13, Beach Side, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 929 055

la fiorentina Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. El Pilar, Local 11 (opposite the Crown Plaza Hotel), Estepona. Tel: 952 885 765

la pappardella di estepona Open every day for lunch and dinner from 1pm to midnight. Puerto Deportivo de Estepona. Tel: 952 802 144

LA pappardella sul mare Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 807 354

la trattoria de marbella Open nightly for dinner from 6:30pm. C/ Las Malvas, Edif. Online, Local 4, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 591

Leonardo da vinci Open every night for dinner. Urb. Doña Lola, Local 21-22, Calahonda, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 934 667

Lombardo’s Open daily from 7pm. Galerías Paniagua, Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 795 924

MADE IN SARDINIA Open every night for dinner. C.C. Cristamar, Avda. Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 608

mesana Open nightly for dinner. At the Gran Hotel Gvadalpín. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 133

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THE GUIDE Price guide ::::::: per head for a three-course meal with wine Metro Open every day for lunch and dinner. Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 446 460

nunos Open daily for lunch and dinner. At the Caleta Hotel. Catalan Bay, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 76501

O mamma mia Open every day except Sunday for lunch and dinner. At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

Pizzeria Picasso Open daily from 12 noon. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 669

portofino laguna village Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 035

Ristorante Regina Open every night for dinner and Sunday for lunch. Edif. La Ruleta, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 814 529

under €25

€25 – €40

Sapporo

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Com. Guadalmina Alta, Guadalmina 4, local 2, lower floor, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 896 508

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Costa del Sol, upper level. CN-340, km. 166 (Estepona). Tel: 952 888 710

Kama Kura

Sukho Thai

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8-11pm. The San Roque Club, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 127, San Roque, Cádiz. Tel: 956 613 030

Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday. Centro Comercial Marbellamar. Tel: 952 770 550

Makitake

Sushi des artistes

::: Oriental :::

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Ribera s/n (above disco Seven), Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 592

Open every day for lunch and dinner. CN 340, km 178.5, Marbella. Easy parking. Tel: 952 857 403

Asia Food

meca

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Comercial, Pinares de Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 850 060

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pino Golf, Don Carlos, Local 1, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 830 365 / 658 646 829

Open for lunch from Monday to Friday and for dinner from Monday to Saturday. C/ Ramón Gómez de la Serna, 5, Marbella. Tel: 952 863 193

asiatico zen

Namazake

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Tuesday lunch. C/ Lirios s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 691

Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. Hotel Puente Romano. Tel: 952 820 900

Open seven days a week for dinner. H. Puente Romano, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 177, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 893

Osaka

Ta-kumi

Dragón de Oro

Open every day 13:30-16:00 & 19:30-24:00. CN-340, km. 166 (Benavista). C.C. Costa del Sol. Tel: 952 885 751

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Gregorio Marañón 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 839

RestaurantE asiático Bangkok

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Manolete 20, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 549

Thai Gallery

Villa Tiberio Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 799

::: Mediterranean ::: tempora

Open nightly for dinner. C/ Tetuán 9, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 857 933

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pinares de Elviria s/n, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 702

Rosmarino della piazza

golden wok

Open every day from 12pm ‘til midnight for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pinogolf de Don Carlos 34, Elviria. Tel: 952 850 148

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Marbellamar, Marbella. Tel: 952 866 840

Open daily for lunch and dinner. P. de las Orquideas, C/ Iris, 11B, Edif. Excelsior no. 1, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 813 603

KABUKI raw

Sakura

trattoria l’impronta

Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. At Finca Cortesín Hotel. Ctra. Casares s/n, Casares. Tel: 952 937 800

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. Jardines del Puerto, L.5, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 536

Open daily for lunch and dinner except on Tuesday. Avda. Salamanca, Edif. San Pedro del

€60 plus

Kaiden Sushi

Mar, Local 14, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 943

Open every day from 12.30-4pm and 7pm until midnight. Closed Monday lunchtime. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 141, Urb. Hacienda Guadalupe, Manilva. Tel: 952 890 956

ristorante san martino

€40 – €60

Sushi Katsura

Tai Pan

Teppanyaki samurai

Open seven days a week for dinner from 8pm. CN-340, km.175, Edif. Rimesa, Bajos, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 392

Thai Style Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Playas del Duque s/n. Edif. Gaviotas IV, Puerto Banús. Tel:

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952 813 675

Tel: 952 811 285

tHapa thai

Skandies

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Puerto Deportivo 13, Edif. Poniente, Estepona. Tel: 951 318 445

top thai

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7pm to 11pm. Closed Mondays. Avda. Antonio Belón, 26 (behind the lighthouse), Marbella. Tel: 952 776 323

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Plaza, 64, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 319 778

::: SEAFOOD :::

Tse yang Dimsum club Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sundays. At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

cervecería ostrería santiago Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. del Marzo, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 078

Wasabi

El Barlovento

Open daily from 1.30 pm for lunch and dinner. C.C. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 908 577

Open from 11am-4pm and 7.30-11pm every day except Mondays. Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 790 370

Wok Away Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 907 304

Wok Buffet Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. El Pilar, 22, Estepona. Tel: 952 887 092

Wok Wang Open every day for lunch and dinner. C/ Camilo José Cela, C.C. Plaza del Mar, planta 0, local 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 925 478

::: SCANDINAVIAN ::: Aloha restaurant

Open every evening for dinner from 6pm to 11.30pm. Avda. del Prado s/n, Nueva Andalucía.

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de la Victoria, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 170

Restaurante El bote Open every day for lunch and dinner. Paseo Marítimo Rey de España, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 660 084

Santiago Open daily for lunch and dinner. Paseo Marítimo, 5, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 078

::: SPANISH ::: Bahía

Open every evening for dinner. At Hotel Don Carlos. Avda. Zurita s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

La fishita

beach club restaurante grill

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 1pm to 11pm and Sunday and Monday from 6pm to 11pm. C/ Las Violetas, Local 7, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 813 598

Open every day for lunch. Hotel Fuerte, Castillo de San Luis s/n and Hotel Fuerte Miramar Spa, Plaza José Luque Manzano s/n, Marbella. Tel: 902 343 410

Restaurante La Marina

Casa de la era

Open every day from 1-4.30pm and 8pm until midnight. Paseo Marítimo s/n, La Atunara, La Linea de la Concepción, Campo de Gibraltar. Tel: 956 171 531

Open every evening for dinner. Ctra. de Ojén, km 0.5, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 625

La Torre Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle de Honor, Club de Mar, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 561

Marisquería La Pesquera

Casa Fernando Open from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Avda. del Mediterráneo s/n, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 853 344

El Portalón Open Monday to Saturday for lunch 1-4pm and dinner from 8pm-midnight. Ctra de Cádiz, km 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 827 880

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THE GUIDE Hacienda

CN340, km 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 827 880

La Cañada. Marbella. Tel: 902 333 231

bel air tennis and paddel club

Open from 1-4.30pm and 7.30 -11pm. Closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays. Urb. La Alcaidesa, La Linea de la Concepción. Tel: 956 582 700

taberna del volapié

cines gran marbella

Urb. Bel-Air, Estepona. Tel: 952 883 221

Open daily from 11.30am to midnight. C/ Ramón Areces, Cjto. Marina Banús, Blq. 3-4, Local 7, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 542 820

Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 810 077

Club deL Sol

cinesur

Tennis/paddle classes. Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595

La máquina

Tragabuches

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sunday. At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

Open from Tuesday to Sunday for both lunch and dinner. C/ José Aparacio, 1, Ronda (pedestrian street between bullring and Parador). Tel: 952 190 291

MULTICINES ALFIL MULTICINES MEDITERRÁNEO

Ctra. Cádiz, km 173. Marbella. Tel: 952 813 341

Vila do grove

Mijas. Tel: 952 663 738

Club Madroñal

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. C/ Las Malvas, Edif. On Line, Local 2, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 813 415

PALACIO DE LA PAZ

Benahavís. Tel: 617 647 223

Recinto Ferial. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 589 349

Club Nueva Alcántara

TEATRO ALAMEDA

Hofsaess tennis academy

Calle Córdoba 9, Málaga. Tel: 952 213 412

La Meridiana del alabardero Open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays. Camino de la Cruz, Marbella. Tel: 952 776 190

la moraga Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces s/n, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 448

La red Open daily from 9.30am to 6pm. Playa La Fontanilla, Marbella. Tel: 952 821 450

La Taberna del Alabardero Open everyday for lunch and dinner except Monday. San Pedro Playa, Urb. Castiglone. Tel: 952 785 138. Also at Ctra. de Ronda, km. 167, San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 265

Mesón el adobe Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesdays. Avda. La Fontanilla, Edif. Balmoral, Bajo 3, Marbella. Tel. 600 003 144

::: VEGETARIAN :::

C.C. Miramar, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 198 605 Avda. Camilo José Cela, s/n. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 800 056

Club de tenis don carlos Hotel Don Carlos, Avda. Zurita, CN340, km 192. Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

Club Internacional de Tennis

San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 315

loving hut

TEATRO CERVANTES

Monte Elviria (next to German School). Tel: 952 835 812

Open daily from 10.30am to 11.30pm. Avda. Miguel Cano 11, Marbella. Tel: 951 245 889

Ramos Marín, 199, Málaga. Tel: 952 224 109

Lew Hoads Tennis Club

TEATRO CIUDAD DE MARBELLA

Ctra. de Mijas, Km 3,5. Mijas. Tel: 952 474 858

Plaza Ramón Martínez, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 159

Manolo Santana Racquets Club

CINEMAS & THEATRES

TEATRO SALON VARIETES

Ctra. de Istán, Km 2. Marbella. Tel: 952 778 580

Marbella hill tennis club

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL MIJAS

Emancipación 30. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 474 542

Plaza de la Libertad 2. Mijas. Tel: 952 590 380

VERACRUZ CINES

marbella playa tenIs

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL TORREMOLINOS

Veracruz. Estepona. Tel: 952 800 056

CN340, km 189, Marbella. Tel: 657 619 630

Plaza de España, Recinto Ferial. Tel: 952 379 521

YELMO CINEPLEX

Miraflores Tennis Club

AUDITORIO PARQUE DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN

Plaza Mayor. Tel: 902 220 922

Urb. Miraflores, Km 199. Calahonda. Tel: 952 932 006

Marbella. Tel: 952 825 035

CENTRO CULTURAL EL INGENIO

mi taberna

Garcia Morato, s/n. San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 968

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

CINESA LA CAÑADA

TENNIS CLUBS

Avda. El Fuerte, Marbella. Tel: 659 677 539

Puente Romano TEnnis club

Aztec Country Club

Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa. Tel: 952 934 477

royal tennis club marbella El Rosario, Marbella. Tel: 952 837 651

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pets THE GUIDE

WORDS Marisa CUTILLAS

Ricky the Poodle Steals the Show

A two-year-old, standard-sized poodle called Ricky beat six other best-in-group winners, to be proclaimed Best in Show at the Crufts dog show, held at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. The four-day event featured thousands of breeds, whose owners travelled from all around the world to take part in what is arguably the world’s most prestigious show (Crufts was first held in 1891). Congratulations to Ricky and to the best-in-show runner-up, Dan the Man, a furry Samoyed who did not seem to be too bothered by Ricky’s success.

Discdog:

A New Way to Battle Dog Obesity

Canine obesity is one of the leading causes of chronic disease and death in dogs, since it is linked to everything from liver disease to cardiovascular conditions. If your pooch is a poodle who is beginning to look like a pug, or just has a few kilos to use, Discdog may be the ideal toy for training on the beach or in the garden. Throw it up in the air or roll it along the ground and watch your dog chase after it frantically. Such a good time will be had by all that it won’t even seem like exercise! Available at Kiwoko pet store at Parque Miramar. i www.kiwoko.com

A Forever Home for Lucy?

Meety Lucy, another newcomer to local shelter, FAMA. She is a beautiful, healthy young female who needs a family to love and care for her. She weighs just eight kilos and is approximately 28 cms long. She hails from the perrera (local dog ‘shelter’), is very sociable with other dogs and shows no aggression. To meet her in person, call Pat on Tel: 620 354 885/www.famaspain.com

Charity for Abused and Neglected Horses,

Needs Your Help!

If you are an animal lover, then you will be dismayed to hear that almost 100,000 horses are slaughtered each year in Spain, with many others being subject to abuse and/or abandonment. CYD Santa María is a charity which provides food and shelter to horses, but it desperately needs help to continue to survive. You can show your support by sponsoring a horse or making a donation via Paypal, or by undertaking volunteer work. g For further information, please contact Concordia or Virginia on Tel: 610 397 027. www.asociacioncydsantamaria.es ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2014 / 149

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THE GUIDE what’s on EVENTS CONTINUED FROM March

NEW AND REGULAR EVENTS

Until April 9 ART – MARBELLA

Monthly on different days AMERICAN CLUB – MARBELLA

O es de Oriente (O stands for the Orient) is an exhibition taking place at the Museo del Grabado de Marbella. Works reveal the influence that Zen culture and philosophy has wielded on contemporary graphics. www.mgec.es

Until April 11 ART – MIJAS

Husband and wife team, Roger and Dolores Cummiskey are again exhibiting charcoal drawings and cross stitch creations at the Galería Restaurante Lucía. www.aia-artgroup.com

Until April 15 ART – fuengirola

THB Class Hotel Reserva del Higuerón presents an exhibition of stunning sculptures by Juan Gallardo. www.thbhotels.com

The American Club Costa del Sol Chapter meets monthly for excursions, sports and social events. Tel: 952 772 789. www.americanclubcostadelsol.com

AMIGOS DE LA CULTURA – COSTA DEL SOL

Meets at different times and places for lunches, lectures, concerts, ballet, theatre, opera, etc. Further information, Tel: 669 445 809. smartkidsmarbella@gmail.com

TOASTMASTERS – MARBELLA

The Achievers Toastmasters Club Marbella meets every week at Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía to practise public speaking skills. For further information, contact Maria on Tel: 603 133 805 or Percy on Tel: 646 533 112. www.toastmastersmarbella.com

TikiTano restaurant. People of all ages attend every week and you don’t have to bring a partner or reserve a space. Just come along and join the fun! Tickets cost €10 per person. For precise times, www.jivespain.com

Every Second Tuesday of the Month JAZZ – ESTEPONA The Coast’s Jazz Appreciation Society meets at Benavista Country Club at 8pm. Classic videos followed by a live jazz performance then dinner. To book, Tel: 952 888 106. Further information from Brian Parker, Tel: 669 504 942.

Every Wednesday FLAMENCO – MIJAS

Every Wednesday at 12pm, a dazzling flamenco show takes place at the Plaza Virgen de la Peña in Mijas Pueblo. www.mijas.es

SALSA – MARBELLA

If you’re feeling the Latino vibe, brush up on your salsa moves at Buddha Bar Marbella’s special salsa nights (featuring the Nicolás

Until April 21 LUXURY WATCH EXHIBITION – MARBELLA

Viggo Rivad presents 143 original photographs at the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo. Rivad’s photographs have been compared to cinematographic stills, owing to his interest in light, composition, and the wonder of nature. www.mgec.es

BUSINESS LUNCH – MARBELLA

Marbella Business Institute invitation-only lunch club for local and visiting Business people, active and retired. To apply, see www.marbellabusinst.com

Every Saturday MARKETS – PUERTO BANÚS

EVENTS for april

Until April 30 ART – MARBELLA

Until July 1 ART – MARBELLA

ADANA animal rescue charity coffee morning at Plaza Manilva (outside Longman’s Bookshop) 11am – 2pm. Kennels open 10am – 5pm Monday – Friday and 10am – 2pm Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Further information, Tel: 952 800 975. www.adana.es

PAD animal shelter, Cerros del Águila, welcomes visitors from 12pm-3pm. Further information, Tel: 952 486 084. www.padcatsanddogs.org

Javier Martin presents his latest exhibition at Houses of Art Marbella. His work is immediate and visually captivating and this collection comprises photographs taken from magazines as well as ad hoc creations which delve into the difference between seeing and knowing. www.housesofart.com

Elaine Cook, whose painting, Mars (representing an alien-like figure) is causing quite a stir on the international art scene, will be exhibiting a colourful series of acrylics at the El Campanario Golf & Country House. Her works will be available for purchase until the end of the month. www.guadalminagallery.com

Every last Friday of the Month COFFEE MORNING – ESTEPONA

Every First Sunday of the month OPEN DAY – MIJAS

Until April 29 ART – MARBELLA

ART – MARBELLA

The Marbella Business Group holds its weekly breakfast meeting, which features presentations, discussions and introductions of new members. At 8am at the Hotel Senator in Marbella. To become a member, www.marbellabusinessgroup.com

Head for the Puerto Banús bullring every Saturday for a fun street market featuring everything from clothing to music, accessories and home ware. Starts at 9am and ends at 2pm. www.marbella.es

Gómez y Molina present an exhibition of Breitling Watches for Bentley at their boutique in Puerto Banús. www.breitlingforbentley.com

Two-faced Mirror is the title of an exhibition at the FNAC by Catalan photographer, Joan Tomás. The subjects of the photographs are famous filmmakers, actors, musicians and writers, including Elena Anaya, Alejandro Amenábar and Eduardo Noriega.

Every Thursday NETWORKING – MARBELLA

Thursday April 3 to Tuesday June 24 WOMEN’S WORKSHOPS – MARBELLA Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday YOGA – MARBELLA

Lori Sjollema teaches yoga classes on Mondays at 10:30am, Wednesdays at 10:30am and Saturdays at 11am at the Manolo Santana Racquets Club. www.yoga-in-marbella.net Tel: 639 845 285.

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE – MARBELLA

Integral Psychotherapist Gabriella Kortsch helps you with everything from relationship breakdowns to depression, poor communication with loved ones or financial stress, at her weekly group meetings, from 7:30pm to 9pm. For information on locations, info@advancedpersonaltherapy.com

Every Tuesday JIVE – ESTEPONA

Learn to dance and feel confident on the dance floor at the three-hour jive dance sessions led by Colin and his team from Jive Spain at

Valiente Dance Academy), which take place every Wednesday at 10:30pm. Tel: 655 480 748.

Every first Wednesday of the month CULTURE AND COCKTAIL – MARBELLA The Association of Art and Culture Marbella holds a monthly cocktail at Magna Café, Magna Marbella Golf, from 8pm-10pm. Tel: 627 833 262. www.artandculturemarbella.com

Every Wednesday and Friday MARTIAL ARTS – SAN PEDRO

Taekwondo expert Justin Menchen, who studied and received First Dan in Los Angeles (from Master Keith Jones) teaches Taekwondo to adults and children at TKD Studio. From 5:30pm to 6pm for Wassabi Warriors, 6pm to 7pm for kids and 7pm to 8pm for adults. Poomsae and Sparring WTF (light to medium contact) available. To sign up or for a free introductory class, Tel: 666 756 692.

The Centro Cultural Cortijo Miraflores will be hosting workshops aimed at helping women start up businesses, find employment, hone their creativity, learn the basics of e-mail marketing and much more. From 10am to 12pm or from 5pm to 7pm. For further information, Tel: 952 924 120.

Friday April 4 to Monday April 6 THEATRE – FUENGIROLA

The International Theatre Studio presents The Anniversary, a comedy written by Bill Macilwraith and directed by Peter Brooks. At the Salon Varietes theatre. For precise times and bookings, www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Friday April 4 to Monday April 14

The Marbella Poker Festival returns to the Costa del Sol for another year. Featuring 14 days of poker, including The Grand Live and National Spanish World Poker Tour. www.casinomarbella.com

Saturday April 5 MUSIC –MARBELLA

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Tilman Mahrenholz will be playing the violincello and Sasi Alami will be singing at Iglesia de la Virginia in Marbella. The concert will start at 7pm. www.musicaconencanto.org

INMA SERRANO – TORREMOLINOS

Pop singer, Inma Serrano, will be delighting audiences with her latest hits at the Palacio de Congresos in Torremolinos at 9pm. www.nvivo.es

Saturday April 5 to Sunday April 6 WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL – MÁLAGA

The 36th Wheelchair Basketball Copa del Rey, one of the most important competitions organised by the Spanish Federation of Sport for the Disabled, will be taking place at the José María Martín Carpena Sports Hall. The top teams from the Spanish Wheelchair Basketball League will be giving it their all, in an effort to be proclaimed champions. www.palaciodeportesmalaga.com

Thursday April 10 to Friday April 11 MUSIC – MÁLAGA

Jordi Casas will be directing Soprano, Elena Copons; Countertenor, Samuel Moreno; Tenor, Robin Tritschler; and Baritone, Hubert Claessens, in Bach’s The Passion according to St. Matthew. At 9pm on both evenings. www.teatrocervantes.com

Monday April 14 CARMINA BURANA, BEETHOVEN 9th Symphony – MÁLAGA

Carmina Burana, the most acclaimed work of Carl Orff, is based on 24 mediaeval Latin poems which reflect man’s preoccupation with life and death. This classic work will be given new life by the Symphonic State Orchestra of the Ukraine and the Chorus of the National Radio of the Ukraine, who will also be performing Beethoven’s magnificent 9th Symphony, with its Ode to Joy. At the Teatro Cervantes at 9pm. www.teatrocervantes.com

Thursday April 24 to Saturday April 26 THE ODYSSEY – MÁLAGA

Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, has inspired many works throughout history and this time, it is reinterpreted by maestro, Rafael Álvarez (known as ‘El Brujo’), who will tell the tale in a surprisingly contemporary fashion. On Thursday and Friday at 9pm and Saturday at 8pm. www. teatrocervantes.com

Saturday April 26 SERGIO DALMA – MÁLAGA

Revered Spanish crooner, Sergio Dalma, will be belting out a string of romantic hits at the Palacio de Congresos de Málaga at 10pm. www.nvivo.es

MORCILLA DAY – CANILLAS DE ACEITUNO

The pueblo of Canillas de Aceituno celebrates ‘black pudding day’ on the last Sunday of April. Thousands of visitors gather by the Town Hall and church, consuming some 300 kilograms of black pudding, washed down with the best of locally produced wines. Also featuring live music. Tel: 952 518 002.

Sunday April 27 MONTY PYTHON SKITS – MÁLAGA

The Teatro Cervantes in Málaga presents Monty Python’s Best Skits, given new life by L’Om Imprebís e Yllana. At 7pm. www.teatrocervantes.com

Monday April 28 ART TALK – MÁLAGA

The Museo Picasso Málaga presents a talk by Eileen Gray, entitled Le Corbusier and the Sexual Politics of Modern Architecture. At 6:30pm. www.museopicassomalaga.org

Tuesday April 29 ESTOPA – MÁLAGA

Rock group, Estopa, will be playing at the Teatro Cervantes at 9pm. www.nvivo.es

Wednesday April 30 to Sunday May 4 INTERNATIONAL FAIR – FUENGIROLA The Feria de los Pueblos is one of the most

widely visited fairs on the Coast. Featuring stands, activities, rides, music, dance and food from various nations. At the fairgrounds next to the river. www.fuengirola.es

Thursday May 1 FUNDRAISING WALK AND FUN DAY – MIJAS

A fun family day will be had by all at this fundraising walk, whose aim is to raise funds for the Lyndenhurst Rural Farm School in South Africa. Choose from three difference walks: the 7km walk starts at 11am, the 3km walk starts at 12pm and the 1km walk at 1pm. Featuring stalls, a bouncy castle, face painting, May Day Queen and Princess, a DJ all day and singer at night, penalty shoot-out and much more! At El Soto Golf Club. Tel: 951 778 166.

ENRIQUE SAN FRANCISCO – MÁLAGA

Enrique ‘Quique’ San Francisco is one of Spain’s best loved comedic actors and stand-up comics. He brings his magic to the Teatro Cervantes, performing a series of monologues. At 11pm. www.teatrocervants.com

Friday May 2 Make-up workshop – Marbella

Make-up artist to the stars, Maurice Elmerghini, will holding an interesting workshop at Nueva Kaskada restaurant. A special menu will also be offered. www.nuevakaskada.com

Friday April 11 FILM – MARBELLA

The Centro Cultural Cortijo Miraflores will be holding a film night at 8pm. The documentary, Solti: Maestro o Mephisto? will be highlighting the importance of the acclaimed director, who influenced various musicians and artists throughout history. www.musicaconencanto.org

flamenco – MARBELLA

Nueva Kaskada restaurant presents a special dinner and flamenco performance. www.nuevakaskada.com

Saturday April 12 SHOW JUMPING – ESTEPONA

The Escuela de Art Ecuestre Costa del Sol will be hosting a show jumping competition. For a precise programme of events, www.escuela-ecuestre.com

DEREK ACORAH, MEDIUM – FUENGIROLA

Celebrity medium, Derek Acorah, will be answering your deepest questions for one night only at the Beatriz Palace Hotel in Fuengirola at 7:30pm. www.costapromotions.com

Sunday April 13 to Sunday April 20 ENTERTAINMENT FAIR – TORREMOLINOS

Torremolinos will be hosting the first edition of the Weekend Play Entertainment Show, with a host of activities taking place at several venues simultaneously. Featuring video and board game competitions, talks with comic book authors, lectures, karaoke, and more. C/ Mexico 3, Torremolinos. Tel: 627 771 018.

Sunday April 13 to Monday April 21 HOLY WEEK – THROUGHOUT THE COAST

All municipalities in Andalucía will be celebrating Holy Week with religious processions and special masses. Some of the highlights include: • Holy Week in Málaga: The largest and most impressive processions on the Coast. Held throughout the week. Tel: 951 926 020. • The Passion at Benalmádena Pueblo: The people of Benalmádena stage the most important events of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, as

well as important events from the Bible. Held throughout the week. Tel: 952 444 689. • Easter Passion at Istán: Enjoy a performance re-enacting the Passion of Christ. Tel: 952 869 603. • El Paso at Riogordo: In addition to presenting traditional Easter processions,

Riogordo will also be re-enacting the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ at the annual El Paso performance, on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. The play has been performed for the past 56 years, which is one of the reasons why it attracts such large crowds from all over Spain. Tel: 952 732 154.

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www.russellgrant.com

THE GUIDE stars

Russell Grant’s Monthly Horoscope April 2014 Striking a balance between your personal and professional lives will be difficult around Easter.

ARIES March 21st - April 20th

Overconfidence can cause problems in early April. Try not to bite off more than you can chew. Opportunities will abound to show off your unique skills, but don’t take any safety risks when giving demonstrations. A contest of wills between you and your best friend or lover will erupt mid-month. Don’t fall victim to emotional blackmail. A Lunar Eclipse on the 15th will bring an end to a painful relationship dynamic. If a love affair falls apart at the seams, it’s for the best. Seek solace from your family during the second half of the month. Resist the urge to push away a relative who is brave enough to tell you some painful truths. Striking a balance between your personal and professional lives will be difficult around Easter. A Solar Eclipse on the 29th brings an unexpected moneymaking opportunity. Financial stability will be yours.

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TAURUS [21 APR - 21 MAY]

The opening days of the month are excellent for signing contracts and forging business relationships. You might also decide to make things official with a romantic partner. You won’t get much cooperation from an antagonist during the second week of April. Resist the urge to start an argument and just do the job yourself. This will save time and aggravation. A Lunar Eclipse on the 15th will bring an end to this oppressive work situation. It looks like somebody will get fired. Friends will be loyal and loving throughout the Easter season. Let your loved ones lavish you with affection. Speaking your mind will become easier as the month draws to a close. Take this opportunity to express tender emotions to your amour. An exciting new beginning is possible on or around the 29th, when a Solar Eclipse falls in your Sun Sign. There’s never been a better time for a dramatic makeover or lifestyle overhaul.

GEMINI [22 MAY - 21 JUNE]

April opens with an exciting career opportunity. This is a great time to go to job interviews and launch salary negotiations. A seasoned executive will be impressed by your sharp intellect and quick wit. You might want to spend a little extra money on a handsome suit. Looking the part of a professional will turn the tide in your favour. If you already have a job, you could get a handsome promotion or award for your hard work; there should be a big announcement around mid-month. A Lunar Eclipse on the 15th will bring an abrupt end to a romance or creative project. Although you will be disappointed by this turn of events, it’s really a blessing in disguise. Don’t go on any spending sprees in the second half of April. You need to conserve your resources around Easter. A secret will be revealed on or around the 29th, when a Solar Eclipse electrifies your twelfth house of hidden matters.

CANCER [22 JUN - 23 JULY]

Be very conservative when making promises during the opening days of April. You don’t want to give your boss false expectations. If you’re going to a job interview, be honest about your achievements. Any exaggerations on your resumé will result in an automatic disqualification. Family won’t be terribly sympathetic about career problems during the first half of the month. Keep these matters to yourself. A relative could withdraw their support on or around the 15th, when a Lunar Eclipse disrupts your fourth house of domesticity. It looks like you’ll have to become more independent. Be vigilant about keeping promises to your boss and romantic partner during the approach of Easter. You’ll need as many friends as you can get during this rocky period. Life looks up considerably near the 29th, when a Solar Eclipse gives you the answer to a prayer. A childhood dream is about to come true; give thanks.

LEO [24 JULY - 23 AUG]

Don’t pretend to be an authority on a subject you know little about in early April. An unassuming expert will reveal your ignorance. If you are totally in the dark about something, ask plenty of questions. You’ll turn a potentially disastrous situation into a learning opportunity. Plus, your newfound knowledge will allow you to break out of a dead end job. Resist the urge to lash out at somebody who tries to give you advice. Shocking news about a relative or neighbour, or cousin

could reach your ears near the 15th, when a Lunar Eclipse puts an end to certain illusions. Prepare to be shocked. Apathetic colleagues will make you furious during the second half of the month. A generous gift will give your spirits a lift as Easter draws near. Brace yourself for an exciting career opportunity that will become available on or around the 29th, courtesy of the Solar Eclipse.

VIRGO [24 AUG - 23 SEPT]

Be as conservative as possible with money during the opening days of April. Unexpected expenses could force you to draw on savings. You’ll have to discuss budget problems with a business or romantic partner during the first week of the month. Luckily, your partner will be kind and compassionate, making it easy to iron out problems and sort out debts. A source of income will come to an abrupt end on the 15th, when a Lunar Eclipse sends shock waves through your second house of finances. This is just the jolt you need to move in a more fulfilling direction. Fortunately, your best friend or lover will be eager to ease this transition. Financial matters will be a source of strain around Easter. Then, just when you start to panic, a marvellous Solar Eclipse on the 29th will send an opportunity to teach, write, or travel for money.

LIBRA [24 SEPT - 23 OCT]

Work will consume the lion’s share of your attention throughout early April. This won’t sit well with an attention starved lover. Try to strike a better balance between your personal and professional lives. The opportunity to make decorative improvements to your office space will appeal to your creative side. It will be such a relief to create more pleasant, attractive surroundings. A Lunar Eclipse on the 15th brings an end to an era of self delusion. It’s important to face your strengths and weaknesses truthfully after an authority figure gives you a wake up call. Resist the urge to push a loved one into making a decision near Easter. It’s best to adopt a no pressure strategy. Don’t pretend everything is great at home if you’re having trouble on the domestic front. It’s better to tell your boss you are having some personal struggles. A Solar Eclipse on the 29th brings extra cash for luxury items.

SCORPIO [24 OCT - 22 NOV]

A power struggle with a fellow worker will erupt in the early days of April. No matter what you do or say, this bully will maintain the upper hand. It’s best to make a strategic retreat and bide your time. You will prevail, provided you are patient and continue to perform well. Despite these struggles, you will be more charming and sexy than ever. Prepare to get lots of romantic attention throughout the first half of the month. A Lunar Eclipse on the 15th will bring a health matter to light. It looks like you’ll have to end a bad habit. This may require you to put some distance between you and the people who have fostered this behaviour. Resist the urge to order a sibling or neighbour around Easter. You need to cultivate friends, not enemies. A powerful alliance will occur near the 29th, when a Solar Eclipse electrifies your seventh house of partnerships.

SAGITTARIUS [23 NOV - 21 DEC] Resist the urge to spend lots of money as a means to impress a romantic interest

in early April. Spontaneous gestures of affection will make a bigger impression than expensive gifts. Make a few beautifying touches to your home during the first week of the month, when you’ll be able to find gorgeous furnishings and artwork at discount prices. It will be pointless to argue about religious or ethical matters with a relative mid-month. Neither one of you is going to budge. A Lunar Eclipse on the 15th puts an end to a troubled friendship. You’ll breathe a heavy sigh of relief. Be extra resourceful with your money near Easter, when unexpected expenses will meet you at every turn. Fortunately, you’ll get a lucrative job offer on or around the 29th, when a Solar Eclipse electrifies your sixth house of work and service.

CAPRICORN [22 DEC - 20 JAN]

It will be hard to strike a balance between your private and public lives during the first week of the month. You want to spend time with your family, but a pushy authority figure will demand you put in extra hours at the office. An angry confrontation will erupt on the 15th, when a Lunar Eclipse causes this official to say or do something unacceptable. It looks like you will be in for a change of leadership. Resist the urge to apply for this position, as it will be more trouble than it is worth. You’re better off spending this lull with your partner. If you’re single, spend the second half of April looking for love. A friend could set you up on a wonderful blind date around Easter. The 29th brings an exciting surprise, courtesy of a powerful Solar Eclipse. News of an engagement or pregnancy is imminent.

AQUARIUS [21 JAN - 19 FEB]

Good news about a creative endeavour reaches your ears in early April. This is a great time to explore unknown territory, whether through business or travel. You may have to work on a tight budget, but that will just prompt you to be more inventive. Resist the urge to cut legal corners, or you’ll get in trouble. Follow the letter of the law through the first half of the month. Apply to a religious, cultural, or educational institution for a grant if you need additional funds. Someone you admire will be the subject of unfortunate publicity on or around the 15th. A Lunar Eclipse will expose some unsavoury elements of their character. Let this be a lesson about idolising others. An appreciative executive could give you a raise near Easter. A Solar Eclipse on the 29th will help you move to a bigger place or expand your household in some exciting way.

PISCES [20 FEB - 20 MAR]

Romance and finance will not mix in the early days of April. Don’t feel pressured into buying your lover an expensive gift. You should be loved for who you are, not for what you can afford. If you want to spend some money, buy some new clothes or get a spa treatment during the first week of the month. You’re long overdue for a treat. Devote your energy to a creative project on the 12th; you’ll be thrilled by the results. A Lunar Eclipse on the 15th causes you to part ways with a business partner or lover. It’s time to put your money into a separate account, even if you plan on getting back together later. You will be rewarded for your resourcefulness in the days surrounding Easter. A Solar Eclipse on the 29th brings an exciting opportunity to study with a respected artist. This class will change your life. ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM APRIL 2014 / 153

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THE GUIDE family

New Management for

Little Gem Swimmers

Blaise and Sami are pleased to announce that they are now running the Little Gem Swimmers school. Both are fully qualified swimming instructors who are long-standing British residents on the Coast. Currently, classes are offered at Riviera del Sol on Wednesday mornings and afternoons, and at Benalmádena Costa on Friday mornings and afternoons, though the team are actively looking for additional venues and hope to soon be able to provide courses in Estepona, Marbella and Coin, to name a few. All instructors are fully qualified and speak Spanish and English; they are also trained in first response emergency procedures through the STA official swim training school in the UK. The school holds full public liability insurance and parents must also sign a disclaimer form. The STA: STARFISH & STANLEY swimming course program, followed by the school, has six separate levels, with each level comprising 10 lessons and each lesson lasting around 30 minutes. Babies and children are organised into various groups dependent on age and water ability. The instructor is always in the water along with the parents, assisting them through a plethora of different fun activities. g Tel: 628 882 685 (Blaise) /

628 093 617 (Sami). www.littlegemswimmers.com

FAMILY FUN ANCRAA Giant Donkeys Cuddle

a donkey or become a volunteer to help save this humble but threatened animal. CN 340, km 164, Finca los Pajaritos, Estepona. Tel: 952 790 511 Aventura Amazonia Kids and adults alike will have fun in this outdoor adventure park, featuring exciting ziplines. C/ Valeriano Rodríguez 2, Marbella. Tel: 952 835 505. www.aventuraamazonia.com Bioparc Fuengirola Award winning zoo covering Madagascar, Africa and the Far East. C/ Camilo José Cela, 6. Tel: 952 666 301. www.bioparcfuengirola.es Black Box Teatro Dramatic Arts School for all ages. C/ Notario Luis Oliver 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 779 172. www.blackboxteatro.com Born to be Wild Jeep and dolphin eco-tours for the whole family. Open 9am-8pm. Blue Dolphin Beach Club, Estepona Beach. Tel: 639 720 246 Cable Ski Marbella Water ski cable system and pool. Open 11am-9pm (closed Mondays). Urb. Las Medranas, San Pedro. Tel: 952 785 579 Camelot Fun play centre in La Cañada with a wealth of games and activities and qualified child minders. Special events include baby and toddler mornings and a baby grow clinic, for mums to be and newborns. Ctra. de Ojén s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 764 766 Costa Bear Create your own bespoke bear with friends and insert your own wish into its interior. C/ Budapest 24, Marbella. Tel: 952 782 621. www.costabear.com

Crocodile Park Educational park

with more then 300 monsters. Pose with baby crocodiles. Open 10am6pm. C/ Cuba, 14, Torremolinos. Tel: 952 051 782 El Refugio del Burrito Donkey sanctuary just 40 minutes north of Málaga. Open 11am-7pm. Fuente de Piedra, Málaga. Tel: 952 735 513 Flamenco Classes Children aged 5 to 8 can learn to dance flamenco with Isabel Gil, a professional dancer. Classes on Monday and Wednesday at the Nueva Alcántara Tennis Club. Tel: 952 788 315 Funny Beach Kids paradise with go-karts, trampolines, minimotorbikes, mechanical bull. Open daily. East side of Marbella. Tel: 952 823 359 Galaxia Versatile and fun play centre for children of all ages, with separate areas indoor and outdoor. Mega slide, mini planetarium, birthday parties, summer camp. Life size characters. C.C. Guadalmina, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 885 530

Ice Skating Rink and Indoor Swimming Pool New sports

centre with public ice skating, indoor pool, children’s pool. Avda. García Lorca, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 577 050

Inter Marbella Football Academy Football Academy

for boys and girls of all ages, at Estadio Santa Maria in Las Chapas, Marbella. Training is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5pm. Tel: 646 427 589. info@intermarbellacf.com Karting Club Málaga Go-kart circuit for kids and adults who feel a need for speed. Open 10ammidnight. Ctra. De Coin, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 581 704

Kid’s Club at the Marbella Club Hotel Help with homework

and fun artistic and sporty events for kids daily. Tel: 660 998 800. laurap@marbellaclub.com Kids Multi-Sports Club A plethora of sports for children of all ages and abilities, from tennis through to football, cycling and skateboarding. Parties with games, activities and bouncy castles. Urb. Parcelas del Golf, Avda. del Prado, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 656 618 712 Kidz Kingdom Fun play centre and birthday party area for kids, with a mini disco. Urb. Bel-Air, CN 340, km 166.2, Estepona. Tel: 952 925 936

Le Petit Milk & Roses

Pampering sessions for little girls, including manicures and dress-ups. C/ Estebañez Calderon 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 859 223 Little Fishes Swimming classes for newborns to 3-year-olds in Marbella, Estepona and Riviera. Tel: 686 498 561/ 607 875 949. www.littlefishes-spain.com

Little Gem Swimmers

Swimming courses for babies and toddlers along the Coast. Contact Blaise on Tel: 628 882 655 or Sami on Tel: 628 093 017. www.littlegemswimmers.com

Marbella Stage School

Kids can take accredited courses in dance, drama, musical theatre and singing after school on weekdays and all day on Saturdays. Tel: 952 906 865. www.marbellastageschool.com Musical Babes Babies and toddlers aged 6 months to 3 years enjoy singing, playing simple instruments and playing games. Tel: 952 853 027. Los Jazmines

11, Bajo B, Nueva Alcántara, San Pedro de Alcántara. www.brainwaves-spain.com

NMA The Nelson Music Academy Kids aged 4 to 12 are

introduced to music in its funnest aspects. Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm, Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. Edif. Jupiter 44, Local 3, C/ Jesús Cautivo, Los Boliches, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 478 416. www.nelsonmusicacademy.com Original Dolphin Safari The original dolphin safari, established in 1969! Daily sailings from Marina Bay, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 71914. www. dolphinsafari.gi Parque La Batería Kids will have fun in this park, built in the civil war era and featuring four replica cannons, underground bunkers and passageways. Urb. Montemar Alto (near the train station), Torremolinos. Plaza Mayor Family entertainment with multi-screen cinema, bars, restaurants, bowling alley and kids play area. Málaga. Tel: 952 247 580 Scouting Kids will have fun being a boy or girl scout. The programme followed is the same as that in the UK. Tel: 680 870 270 Sealife Centre See 2 metre long sharks. Touch pools and walkthough glass tunnel. Open daily 10am-6pm. Benálmadena Port. Tel: 952 560 150 Selwo Adventure Park Over 2,000 animals, 4x4 tours, plus adventure activities. Open 10am9pm. CN340 Km 162.5, Estepona. Tel: 902 190 482

Selwo Marina Dolphins Exotic birds, penguins and virtual reality shows. Open 10am-6pm. Parque de la Paloma, Benalmádena. Tel: 902 190 482 Stagecoach Renowned performing arts school for singing, dancing and acting skills. The academy is open to four to 16-yearolds. Tel: 952 900 453/666 838 213. www.stagecoach.es Steam Train Ride Enjoy a steam train ride crossing the Andalusian mountains with a scenic trip from San Roque to Ronda. Tel: 952 931 186 Swim Bebé Swim Swimming classes for under 4’s and AquaNatal classes for mums-to-be. Tel: 617 520 588 Teleférico Benalmádena

Cable car to top of Calamorro mountain, falconry, trekking and horseriding. Arroyo de la Miel. Open 10am-6pm. Tel: 902 190 482 Tennis Camp Tennis lessons for kids from 4 years on, with professional coaches. Open 10am1pm. Club del Sol, Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595 The Music House Kids learn, grow and have fun making music. Open to children from 2 years on. Edif. San Pedro del Mar, Blq 7, local 12, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 515. www.themusichouse.es Tivoli World Biggest amusement park on the Costa del Sol. Open daily from 1pm. Avda. de Tivoli, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 577 016 Trenecito de Marbella Take a relaxing train ride to view the main sights of Marbella. Daily 10am-1pm. Paseo Maritimo. Tel: 639 765 981

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