Feeling Festive in December 2019 by Essential Magazine

N º 244 -DECEMBER 2019

COMPLIMENTARY EDITION

S ES GU

e! at N br IO ele ASH s C RF et' TE L WIN

BMW VISION M NEXT

COOL

CLASSIC

YEARS OF CRUISING

ESSENTIAL FOR LUXURIOUS LIVING

HITS TOWN GALORE

IN STYLE HOME CHRISTMAS SILVERSEA BODEGAS TOYS WHISKY A CHORUS LINE

XMAS

XTRAVAGANZA

ISSUE 244 • DECEMBER 2019

essential essential magazine® marbella

27/11/2019 13:22

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b THE GOURMET

h THE LEISURE

z THE PRO

D THE SPOTLIGHT d THE STYLE n THE SPA L THE SOCIAL

MARBELLA

The most incredible real estate group worldwide...

www.bynokgroup.com

The best homes 40% below the market price.

Apartments 3 or 4 bedrooms starting from 170 mÂ˛

Your new home, in a secure gated community, with 5 star resort facilities

Semi-Detached Houses 4 bedrooms up to 245 mÂ˛

MASTER BROKER:

Season’s Greetings! FROM THE PANORAMA TEAM

VIDEO AVAILABLE iPhone IOS 11: open camera. Others download ‘QR Code Reader’ app

Bedrooms: 11

Bathrooms: 11

Built: 1,718 m²

Terrace: 304 m²

Plot: 5,375 m²

Price: € 5,995,000

LA QUINTA Frontline golf mansion with guest house in a gated community with 24-hour security. Superb sea and golf views. Ref. ES7173

Bedrooms: 3

Built: 169 m²

Terrace: 41 m²

Price: € 745,000

GOLDEN MILE Ground floor apartment in Monte ParaÍso. Ref. ES11581

Bedrooms: 2

Built: 163 m²

Terrace: 187 m²

Price: € 1,050,000

GOLDEN MILE Luxury duplex penthouse in Mansion Club. Ref. ES11020

Bedrooms: 6

Built: 470 m²

Plot: 1,781 m²

Price: € 1,395,000

GOLDEN MILE Lovely family home in Nagüeles. Ref. ES10635

Bedrooms: 2

Built: 119 m²

Terrace: 17 m²

Price: € 450,000

GOLDEN MILE Apartment with panoramic views in Ancón Sierra. Ref. ES11151

Regulated by RICS

VIDEO AVAILABLE iPhone IOS 11: open camera. Others download ‘QR Code Reader’ app

Bedrooms: 7

Bathrooms: 6

Built: 761 m²

Terrace: 107 m²

Plot: 2,685 m²

Price: € 7,500,000

GOLDEN MILE Recently built mansion with spectacular sea views in the sought-after area of Marbella Hill Club. Ref. ES11322

Bedrooms: 6

Built: 895 m²

Plot: 2,578 m²

Price: € 3,500,000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA Contemporary villa in Los Naranjos golf. Ref. ES11312

Bedrooms: 7

Built: 1,272 m²

Plot: 1,693 m²

Price: € 2,695,000

RSERVA DE LA QUINTA Villa with views to the Golf Valley. Ref. ES10733

SINCE 1970

Bedrooms: 5

Built: 326 m²

Plot: 513 m²

Price: € 2,350,000

GOLDEN MILE Outstanding, renovated villa in Ancón Sierra. Ref. ES11504

Bedrooms: 4

Built: 374 m²

Plot: 801 m²

Price: € 1,890,000

MARBELLA EAST Brand-new villa in Río Real golf. Ref. ES11193

Offices on Marbella’s Golden Mile at Puente Romano and opposite the Marbella Club hotel Tel. (+34) 952 863 750 info@panorama.es www.panorama.es

ess en tial is so cial www.essentialmagazine.com

Issue 244 • December 2019

S T A F F PUBLISHER & DIRECTOR

IAIN BLACKWELL director@essentialmagazine.com

DIGITAL & CREATIVE DIRECTOR

ANDREA BLACKWELL andrea@essentialmagazine.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

MARISA CUTILLAS editorial@essentialmagazine.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER

SUSANNE WHITAKER design@essentialmagazine.com

DESIGN & LAYOUT

INMA AURIOLES inma@essentialmagazine.com

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

MONIKA BÖJTI info@essentialmagazine.com

ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE

MARIANO JEVA cuentas@essentialmagazine.com

SALES SUPPORT

JAN DENDAUW jan@essentialmagazine.com

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

KEVIN HORN www.photographermarbella.com

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

PRINTING DEPÓSITO LEGAL

COURTESY OF GUESS EUROPE IAIN BLACKWELL, BELINDA BECKETT, MICHEL CRUZ, DAMON CULBERT, REBECA ERIKSEN, RIK FOXX, RUSSELL GRANT, SAM HEXTER ANDREWS, KARETHE LINAAE, CARLOS READ, TONY WHITNEY, MARK WILKINS 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

www.essentialmagazine.com

Member of the Association of Spanish Periodical Publications

affiliated to: www.ultradesignglobal.com

CONDITIONS

@essentialmarbellamagazine

@essentialeditor

The publishers make every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct, but cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information published herein, or be held accountable for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages. Marbella Magazine cannot accept responsibility for the claims, goods or services of advertisers, or for the copyright of materials used by them. © Publicaciones Independientes Costa del Sol S.L. for Marbella Magazine. 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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NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

BRISAS 48

Bed: 6 I Bath: 6+2 I Plot: 2.148 m2 I Built: 882 m2 I www.brisas48.es I € 6.700.000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

CERQUILLA 40

MARBELLA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF TURN-KEY VILLAS IN PRIME AREAS www.solvilla.no

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

ALOHA 40

Bed: 6 I Bath: 8 I Plot: 451 m2 I Built: 794 m2 I www.cerquilla40.es I € 6.500.000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

CERQUILLA 42

Bed: 6 I Bath: 6+3 I Plot: 2.349 m2 I Built: 702 m2 I www.aloha40.es I € 6.295.000

Bed: 6 I Bath: 6+2 I Plot: 1.700 m2 I Built: 589 m2 I wwwwww.cerquilla42.es I € 5.960.000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

VILLA MARINA 8

VILLA MARIPOSA

Bed: 6 I Bath: 4+1 I Plot: 880 m2 I Built: 450 m2 I www.villamarina8.es I € 3.495.000

Bed: 5 I Bath: 5+2 I Plot: 1.135 m2 I Built: 566 m2 www.villamariposa.es I € 3.250.000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

VILLA LEO

Bed: 4 I Bath: 4+2 I Plot: 1.084 m2 I Built: 446 m2 I www.villaleo.es I € 2.950.000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

CASA ANA

Exclusively by

OFFICE: +34 952 765 060 MOBILE: +34 627 813 545 EMAIL: info@solvilla.no Hotel Marbella Club, oficina 10 29602 Marbella, Spain Blvd. Principe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n

Bed: 4 I Bath: 4+1 I Plot: 839 m2 I Built: 291 m2 I www. casaanamarbella.es I € 2.795.000

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Celebrate Christmas this year

iv e us

Marbella Hill Club: Exceptional, exclusive, luxury villa with breathtaking sea views. 5 beds, 5 baths. Built 1.200 m², plot 3.131 m². E&V ID: W-02FQ9P. Price: 4.900.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Beachfront El Rosario: Newly built villa, unique and stylish, directly on the beach. 7 beds, 8 baths. Built 404 m2, plot 537 m2. E&V ID: W-02FUCC. Price: 1.995.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 20 40.

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Frontline Golf - Los Naranjos: Villa Esmeralda offers an impressive fusion of style and sophistication. Located in a prime location and offering one of the best panoramic golf views in Nueva Andalucía. Built and furnished to perfection! 5 beds, 5 baths. 564 m², plot 1.528 m². E&V ID: W-02FMBJ. Price: 3.495.000 €. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

Puerto Banús: Ready to move in! Magnificent apartment meters from the beach. 3 beds, 2 baths. Living area 87 m², terrace 33 m². E&V ID: W-02GL30. Price: 750.000 €. Tel: 952 85 98 60.

Cascada de Camoján: Exceptionally large townhouse in an exclusive gated community. 4 beds, 4 baths. Living area 424 m², terrace 83 m². E&V ID: W-02GKVZ. Price: 850.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Puerto Banús Shop: 952 85 98 60 · Golden Mile Shop: 952 86 84 06 www.engelvoelkers.com/Marbella

in your new beautiful home ,.

ve si lu xc E Beachside Marbesa: Just completed and only 300 m from the beach! Spectacular designer villa on a very large plot. Enjoying luxurious finishes & top quality appliances. Large pool, chill-out areas, SPA with gym and sauna. 5 beds, 7 baths. Built 731 m², plot 2.519 m². E&V ID: W-02GB2G. Price: 4.600.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 55 80.

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E Golden Mile: New and stylish villa with sea views in the most prestigious location. 6 beds, 6 baths. Built 794 m², plot 1.006 m². E&V ID: W-028OSQ. Price: 2.950.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Frontline Golf - Las Brisas: Contemporary design and elegance in a premium location! 5 beds, 7 baths. 880 m², plot 1.542 m². E&V ID: W-02ABJJ. Price: 2.999.000 €. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

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lu xc Beachfront Golden Mile: Modern apartment in Marina Mariola. Concierge and gym. 3 beds, 2 baths. Living area 150 m², terrace 30 m². E&V ID: W-02H7WK. Price: 1.790.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Beachfront Los Monteros: Unique and very large frontline beach penthouse. 4 beds, 5 baths. Living area 334 m², terrace 200 m². E&V ID: W-02EEXV. Price: 3.300.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 20 40.

Elviria Shop: 952 83 55 80 · El Rosario Shop: 952 83 20 40 www.engelvoelkers.com/Marbella

L U X U R Y A PA R T M E N T S N E X T T O

C O N S T R U CT I O N S TA R T I N G S O O N

· · · · · · · ·

25 0 m e te r s fr o m th e b eac h G ate d c o m m u n i ty wi th c o n c i e r ge s e r v i c e Lar g e d u p l e x an d tr i p l e x p e nt hous es Pr i vate p o o l s i n s el ec te d u n it s Lar g e r o o fto p so l ar i u m s wi th s ea v i e w s Communal gardens, swimming pools, chill-out areas In d o o r p o o l , gym , S p a, s o l ar i um 24h s ec u r i ty

THE BEACH ON THE GOLDEN MILE

Exclusive sales agent

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THE LIFE YOU DESERVE

Tel: +34 633 075 446 | jadetower@otero.com.es | www.jadetower.es publicacion diciembre revista.indd 4

18/11/2019 12:24:17

2 Beds FROM

314 .000â&#x201A;¬

PA RKING SPACE I NC LU D E D

116 Luxury apartments in the center of Fuengirola SEA VIEWS & THE BEACH JUST ONE STEP AWAY

AMENITIES: SPA, INDOOR POOL, GYM, FITNESS STUDIO, GASTROBAR, COWORKING, CINEMA, PARKING AND STORAGE ROOM

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18/11/2019 12:24:18

18 HOLE GOLF AND PRIVATE BEACH CLUB RANKED THE NUMBER 1 GOLF COURSE IN SPAIN

Green 10 Villa, ref. 1184

Villa Colonial, ref. 1170

Green 10 Villa’s,

ref. 1184

FINCA CORTESIN Finca Cortesin is the perfect relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle on the costa del Sol Coast. We offer exclusive apartments, penthouses and villas. It has a luxurious spa surrounded by tropical gardens.

In and around the ultra-modern club house are 5 restaurants (One Michelin Starred) an outdoor swimming pool, an indoor swimming pool, fitness equipment, a steam bath, sauna, and a bar.

living surface from 197 to 1.351 m² • plot surface 1.625 to 3.290 m² • € 1.100.000 to € 9.000.000

Art. Beauty. Provenance. Calle de Ramón Gómez de la Serna, 23 | 29602 Marbella | Málaga +34 951 122 313 | info@costadelsol365.es | costadelsol365.es

Its private beach club is only 1.5 kms away. The town of Marbella is only half an hour’s drive. Request the digital brochure by e-mailing: cortesin@costadelsol365.es.

FINCA CORTESIN - PENTHOUSE Penthouse’s in Las Albercas, with 383 m2 area Teracce 373 m2 including private swimming pool. Panoramic views of the sea and the golf course.

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ref. 1223 • 4 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms • living surface 383 m² •

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With a luxurious spa experience. Request the digital brochure by e-mailing: cortesin@costadelsol365.es.

Hilltop allure

Situated in a privileged position within the prestigious La Zagaleta resort, this masterfully designed residence has been finished to the highest specifications with luxurious and bespoke interiors, fine materials and exquisite detailing. The villa offers extensive entertaining space, outstanding health and fitness facilities and a spectacular manicured garden. Beds 9

Baths 9

Plot 6.654 m2

Built 1.925 m2

Dedicated website: www.lazagaleta24.com

As Marbella Luxury Real Estate specialists for almost three decades and exclusive affiliates of Knight Frank for the Costa del Sol, we are committed to offering our clients the best property portfolio, excellence in service and a completely secure experience when selling or buying a property.

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GUESS G16-10 Essential Marbella Spa Dic.indd 1

06/11/19 08:57

GUESS G16-10 Essential Marbella Spa Dic.indd 2

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Beds 6

Baths 6

Built 1.108 m2

Exquisitely designed villa with sea views on a large plot in one of the most desired areas on the Golden Mile. Offering privacy and elegance throughout, the property is surrounded by a lush mature garden which is an oasis of greenery and privacy. Taking full advantage of its south orientation, this luminous house exudes warmth and offers many cool, private spots to relax, socialise and enjoy the views.

Plot 3.197 m2

Terraces 77 m2

The main living areas include a spacious lounge, separate TV and dining rooms, rustic kitchen and 6 bedrooms distributed across three levels, with the stunning master suite occupying the entire upper floor. Spa area with heated pool, Turkish bath and winter garden with access to the open garden and gym. Separate Staff quarters.

SIERRA BLANCA Mediterranean Charm

Exclusive agents: Ref: R112-11297

Ref: DM4493

(+34) 952 863 750 - info@panorama.es www.panorama.es

(+34) 952 765 138 - info@dmproperties.com www.dmproperties.com

Antima is a family-run company developing exclusive, furnished properties in Marbella. By pursuing excellence and quality in every project, Antima has established some of the most prestigious homes around the world. We have a handful of beautiful estates for sale at the moment. For more information please contact us:

Antima is a family-run company developing exclusive, furnished properties. By pursuing excellence and quality in every project, Antima has established some of the most prestigious homes around the world. We have a handful of beautiful estates for sale at the moment. For more information please contact us:

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laPlageToBe

contents the spotlight

Christmas Characters Around the World 44 LEGO: Everyone’s Favourite Toy 50 Classic Christmas Toys 56

A Chorus Line by Antonio Banderas

the spa 134 Isun Wildcrafted Organic Skincare 136 Top Perfumes 140 Cirumed Medical Spa 142 Nutrition Blog by Dr. Rebeca Eriksen of

and Baayork Lee 58

Executive Health

CATS The Movie 64

144 CardioCare Marbella

Silversea’s 25th Anniversary 66

The BMW Vision M NEXT 74

2019 Classic Car Anniversaries 76

The Catalonia Hotel Ronda 82 Sixto Rodríguez 86 Robert Procop 88

the trend Cinema Releases 92 Classic Christmas Movies 94 Music Mix 96 Xmas Reads 98 Top Gifts for Techies 100 What’s Cool 102

the style A Beautiful Home from Solvilla 108 Cool Home Bodegas 116 Décor Designs by Laskasas 122 Guess Winter Fashion 126 Chris Lee for Gucci 132

the social 146 The Vibe 158 Teen Talk: A Nightmarish Christmas for Teens 159 Animal Love

the pro 162 Veronika Tye 164 Property: Soul Marbella 166 Enterprise

the gourmet 176 La Plage Casanis 178 Exemplary Jamón from Castro y González 179 Vovem 180 Club del Gourmet, El Corte Inglés 182 Gourmet Bytes 184 Chef’s Proﬁle: Tito Andre Bravo and Alfredo Abril Cervera of 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant at the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace 186 Whisky Investment 192 Descalzos Viejos Wine

the guide 194 Listings 200 Stars for December

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Lucky Move Collection

Avda. Ramรณn y Cajal, 15 - 29600 Marbella - Tel: 952 779 999 Paseo Benabola s/n - 29660 Puerto Banus- Tel.: 952 817 289

@essentialmarbellamagazine

ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

Have a Glamorous December!

social media updated daily with awesome content that will make you happy! :)

Wishing You lots of Love and Light this Festive Season.

ÂŽ essential marbella magazine 232_esseCHRISTMAS.indd 2

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NOW YOU CAN READ OUR STORIES AND WATCH VIDEOS ON-LINE! e

Websit

Instagr

ett l s w e N

ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, LINKEDIN @ESSENTIALMARBELLAMAGAZINE TWITTER @ESSENTIALEDITOR

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26/11/2019 16:38

D WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL PUBLISHER

t will soon be that time of year again when we can take a well-earned rest and enjoy our time off with friends and family. To help you get into the holiday mood, we bring you a bumper Xmas special packed with festive cheer. This includes Christmas Characters Around the World, Classic Xmas Toys and the legend of Lego, Dream Gifts for Techies, and a visit to the Club del Gourmet at El Corte Inglés. It’s also a great occasion to take in spectacular shows such as A Chorus Line at Antonio Banderas’ new theatrical venue in Málaga, Teatro del Soho, or to visit the cinema to see much anticipated films coming this month, like Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Cats The Movie, Jumanji: The Next Level, Last Christmas, and Little Women. If luxurious cruising is your idea of the perfect vacation, then see why Silversea is the ideal option for you in the year of their 25th anniversary. Many cars are enjoying significant anniversaries in 2019 and we review some of the most famous. For a stunning prototype of what a sports supercar of the future can look like, don’t miss our feature on the BMW Vision M. And check out the Guess Winter Collection which also adorns this month’s cover Finally, we suggest some exemplary dining options that are guaranteed to fill you with Christmas spirit.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

XMAS

XTRAVAGANZA 244PuL.indd 36

21/11/2019 11:58

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e the spotlight CULTURE HISTORY PEOPLE MOTORING TECHNOLOGY ENTERTAINMENT

44 50 56 58 64 66 74 76 82 86 88

Christmas Characters LEGO: Everyone’s Favourite Toy Classic Christmas Toys A Chorus Line by Antonio Banderas and Baayork Lee CATS The Movie Silversea’s 25th Anniversary The BMW Vision M NEXT 2019 Classic Car Anniversaries The Catalonia Ronda Hotel Sixto Rodríguez Robert Procop

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY AND THERE ARE SO MANY REASONS WHY – FROM OUR FEATURE ON THE COOLEST CHRISTMAS CHARACTERS EVER, TO OUR ARTICLE ON THE AMAZING BRAND THAT IS LEGO. IF YOU LOVE MUSICALS, CATCH OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ORIGINAL A CHORUS LINE CAST MEMBER BAAYORK LEE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT WHY ANTONIO BANDERAS HAS BROUGHT THIS CLASSIC SHOW TO OUR SHORES. FINALLY, TAKE A CRUISE TO DESTINATIONS OF YOUR DREAMS WITH SILVERSEA – NOW CELEBRATING ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY!

244Intros.indd 1

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Knowledge

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Tel .( +34)952810608 i nf o@cal l umswan. com

S ’ A T N SA INNERS S

D THE SPOTLIGHT christmas

lly his jo r o f d t worl ’s no t the se but he ifferent ver u o h sen roug ee. D ers o wn thle fashionistmas trs charact me are o n k so is ou tab Ch r Claus nd regret e global st of curi atch out – a t n a h a a c S tter w rs. e on t belly own jelly nly baubl out their – you’d bet discove the o tries roll son and a Becket coun estive sea as Belind the f y badass, prett

44 / DECEMBER 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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27/11/2019 13:13

SANTA (GLOBAL)

He’s Babbo Natale in Italy, Papa Noel in Spain and Santa around the globe, familiar to everyone from Vatican City to Caracas Venezuela where hundreds of holy rollers skate to mass in Santa outﬁts on Christmas morning. But have you ever wondered why half the world pays annual homage to a fat man in a red fur-trimmed jumpsuit? Santa was inspired by the 4th century Bishop Nicholas of Myra (Turkey) who saved three prostitutes from a life of ‘penal servitude’ (as it were), tossing gold coins down their chimney for dowries to make respectable married women of them. The cult spread north where Saint Nick shed his Mediterranean appearance, grew a beard and added a team of reindeer. The red suit and XXXL body were supplied by the Coca Cola Corporation for its Christmas 1931 advertising campaign. So now you know why we all grow up believing Santa is ‘The Real Thing’.

DED MOROZ AND SNEGUROCHKA, RUSSIA

KRAMPUS, CENTRAL EUROPE

Related to the devilish Horned God of paganism, in Alpine regions this hairy, cloven-hooved horror is a more popular motif on Christmas cards than Santa or the Nativity. Krampus plays bad cop to Saint Nick’s good cop, punishing naughty children by hauling them away to the Underworld in his sack while his sainted sidekick distributes gifts to the good ones. Many regions of central Europe have Krampus associations whose members gleefully don scary masks, goatskins and cowbells for Krampus Night on December 5 (the night before St Nicholas’ Day) and tear around town terrifying old ladies and their dogs. He’ll go quietly for a glass of schnapps.

Grandfather Frost is the world’s best-dressed Santa, likely because he’s also the only Santa with a female helper – his rosy-cheeked granddaughter Snegurochka the Snow Maiden. There’s no scrambling down sooty chimneys for this elegant pair who wear robes ﬁt for a Tsar and ride a posh horse-drawn troika from which they distribute gifts to the populace in person. Initially banned by the communists as religious and bourgeois, they were revived in 1935 as part of a secular scelebration and enjoy iconic status in modern Russia. Even Vladimir Putin has ventured up to Veliky Ustyug to see them – their snowy home in the Russian north which has a dedicated post ofﬁce to handle the avalanche of letters written to Ded Moroz from hopeful children.

THE JULEBOKKEN, SCANDINAVIA

Goats have been big since the Norse god Thor rode the sky in a chariot drawn by a pair of them and today no Scandinavian city square or family Christmas tree is without its ‘Julbocken (Yule Goat). Traditionally made of straw to represent the last ‘lucky’ sheaf of the harvest, the biggest and most famous Julebokken is the Gävle Goat (the largest stood at 14.9 metres, a Guinness World Record). Constructed in the eponymous Swedish village every Advent since 1966, it has been destroyed in arson attacks almost as often – 37 times in total. One American visitor who took part in ‘a burning’, thinking it was part of the local custom was arrested and jailed. Fortunately the Christmas spirit prevailed and he was released.

ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER 2019 / 45

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PANCHO CLAUS, TEXAS/MEXICO

Santa’s ‘southern’ cousin hails from the South Pole, operates mainly in Texas and has only been around since the Hispanic civil rights movement of the 1970s. Dubbed the Tex Mex Santa, he dresses Latin American style and delivers gifts from a cart pulled by donkeys. Born out of the desire of Mexican Americans north of the border to ‘build a place and a space for themselves’, the tradition has a strong charitable slant and the Tex Mex Santa doesn’t care who’s been good or bad – the presents in his sack go to disadvantaged children. The most famous Pancho Claus is Richard Reyes of Houston, who has a style all his own. He has hosted a Christmas Eve party and headed a parade distributing gifts every Christmas morning since 1981 wearing his signature fedora and flashy red zoot suit

LA BEFANA, ITALY

Santa is an also-ran to this wizened old witch who flies down chimneys on her broomstick leaving presents for the good Italian kids and lumps of coal for the rest – made out of candy because, despite appearances La Befana, from the Latin for Epiphany, is a good Christian witch. She’s atoning for having given the Three Wise Men short shrift when they invited her to follow a star and bring a gift for the baby Jesus. Today her own star is in the ascendant as all Italy has taken La Befana to their hearts. Christmas markets do a magic trade in lucky witches on broomsticks, coal candy and the whole spiritual hocus pocus while 50,000 Befana lookalikes ‘fly’ in to her homeland in Urbania for a spellbinding festival from January 2 to 6.

THE KALLIKANTZAROS, GREECE

A nocturnal gang of goblins probably conjured up by the Greek Orthodox Church to prevent folk from going out on the wassail. They spend 353 days of the year underground, sawing down the mythological world tree that supports the heavens, resurfacing during the 12 days of Christmas to create havoc on earth. They can be kept at bay by hanging the jaw of a pig on the front door, if you happen to have one. If not, it’s handy to blame them for buying the wrong presents and burning the turkey. On January 6 they scuttle back to the underworld and get their comeuppance. The world tree has grown back in their absence so they have to start sawing all over again, serving the little gremlins right.

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THE JÓLAKÖTTURINN, ICELAND

Clothes are most kids’ idea of a Christmas present that sucks but in Iceland they’re preferable to being gobbled up by the Jólakötturinn – and the Yule Cat is no pussy. Towering above the tallest houses, this maneating moggie peers through windows on Christmas night and gobbles up any child who has nothing new to wear. The legend of the Jólakötturinn was started by landowners to put the frighteners on lazy farmhands in the days when good workers were rewarded with new clothes at Christmas, and Reykjavic still goes to town with its Yule Cat decoration. Disturbing, maybe. But on the plus side, if you’re stuck for what to buy your Icelandic pals’ offspring this Christmas, socks are just the job!

ZWARTE PIET, THE NETHERLANDS

Black Pete is the Moorish ‘servant’ and comic sidekick to Sinterklaas, the stufﬁly saint-like Dutch Santa. He co-stars in Saint Nicholas Eve celebrations on December 5 but maybe for not much longer as his notoriety is spreading. Traditionally portrayed with a blacked-up face, Afro wig, gold hooped earrings and bright red lips, Russell Brand called him a ‘colonial hangover’ and most outsiders think he’s racist and very non-PC. In a 2018 survey, 80 per cent of the Dutch wanted to hang onto his heritage but most towns have bowed to pressure from offended tourists and toned down his makeup, while some have uninvited him from their Christmas festivities completely.

SUNNY THE SANDMAN, AUSTRALIA

Christmas Down Under falls at the height of the Australian summer but those wizards from Oz don’t let a little thing like the weather get in the way of their celebrations. Sunny the Sandman is Frosty the Snowman’s Antipodean bro (trickier to build but at least he doesn’t melt) and he’s very much in evidence on Australia’s beaches on December 25 when you’ll ﬁnd families down by the ocean, swimming in Santa hats and pulling crackers around the festive picnic table while Dad slings a batch of tiger prawns on the barbie. Some folk even bring their own tree. No Pommie Christmas trimming is overlooked, from the roast turkey sandwiches to the carrot for the sandman’s nose! e

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D THE SPOTLIGHT lego

LEGO

THE TOY THAT IS FAR MORE THAN CHILD’S PLAY

Over 400 billion LEGO bricks have been produced since 1958, and that means that there are around 62 bricks for every person currently living on Planet Earth. Some of the statistics are mind-blowing, but somehow expected, when we consider the role LEGO has played in our own lives. From creating that very ﬁrst car with our child to the characteristic “Ouch!” heard frequently every time a family member unwittingly steps on a brick, the brand is part and parcel of our very best memories and for many, the magic goes beyond childhood and becomes a serious – and often technically challenging – pursuit. If you’re interested in how LEGO started and where it is heading, or you simply want to know a few of the hottest release for the festive season, read on and start dreaming up your next fantastical creation! WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LEGO

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A DASH OF DANISH GENIUS The interlocking bricks we use to make cars, spaceships, and dinosaurs originated in 1932, when a visionary Danish genius called Ole Kirk Christiansen laid the groundwork for their development in the little village of Billund. Christiansen was a carpenter and joiner by trade and when his son Godtfred was 12, the family opened a small woodworking shop where they would make ladders, ironing boards, and a few toys. Christiansen named his business LEGO, a contraction of the Danish saying, ‘leg godt’ (‘play well’).

RISING UP THE LADDER By the year 1942, the company had expanded from a three-man team to one that was 42-strong. From its outset, it embraced cutting edge technologies and was the ﬁrst Danish business to own a plastic injection molding machine. The concept of bricks that connected up was not original; in fact, LEGO obtained this idea from a British toy called Kiddicraft SelfLocking Building Bricks. Christiansen and team made thier own version, using pegs on top and hollow bottoms. This would enable children to create far more complex constructions than in the past. It wasn’t until 1958 that the bricks took on their modern shape, with internal

tubes that would lend them greater stability. Godtfred was the first Christiansen to see the vertiginous rise of LEGO, and it was he who patented the current configuration (known as the ‘stud-and-tube’). By this time, LEGO had a ‘System of Play’ that comprised 28 game sets and eight vehicles. Little by little, more features would be added – including roofs, figures, lights, and all the pieces that make each and every set so appealing.

HEAL THE WORLD The company has managed to stay at the top of its game not only by embracing technology, but also by investing wisely in efforts that connect the brand to a number of different markets and by staying true to its ‘Planet Promise’. The company recently introduced the ﬁrst components made from plant-based plastics and has pledged to use 100 per cent sustainable packaging by 2025. Its new building in Billund, meanwhile, has a rooftop solar panel (one of the largest of its kind in Denmark), which will be providing 50 per cent of the building’s energy requirements. The company has also put together the Build to Give campaign, which engaged over 840,000 children in 26 countries, with a view to helping those in need.

A REVERED CHRISTMAS GIFT

Today, LEGO products are sold in an impressive 130 countries and during Christmas time, around 28 sets are sold per second across the globe. There is a good reason for these ﬁgures: children spend a great deal of time playing with their sets – around ﬁve billion hours per year (on a worldwide scale). In 2018, some of the top-selling themes (in no particular order) were LEGO® City, LEGO® Technic™, LEGO® Star Wars™, LEGO® Friends and LEGO® NINJAGO®, LEGO® Harry Potter™, LEGO® Jurassic World™, LEGO® Classic and LEGO® Creator. LEGO has stayed at the top of its game by creating collections in line with demand but also by blending the standard brick with digital play. Company CEO, Niels B Christiansen, said, “Our challenge each year is to create play experiences that are more exciting, more relevant and more fun than the year before… We were encouraged by the positive reaction to new products and experiences which integrated digital play, such as the augmented reality app, AR Playgrounds, the DUPLO Cargo Train, which introduces coding to our youngest fans and LEGO BOOST which makes robotics intuitive and fun.”

LEGO Star Wars

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VISIONARY MARKETING STRATEGIES The company has a savvy marketing team that knows how to connect the brand with various markets. The educational element is strong in its campaigns. Recently, a LEGO bus made stops in Málaga, inviting kids to step inside and learn how to make various toys, under the guiding hand of LEGO professionals. LEGO also knows the value that vintage designs and synergetic collaborations have when it comes to connecting with older buyers. Recently, the company released a new Creator Expert model: Harley-Davidson’s Fat Boy, which appeared in stores this summer. The model, designed alongside Harley-Davidson, captures the authentic, Milwaukee-made beauty with ﬁnishes, components, and

design features that replicate the classic bike to a tee. Requiring some 1,023 pieces, the bike comes with solid-disc wheels, tear-shaped gas tank, integrated speedometer, and double exhaust pipes! Once assembled, it is 20cm high, 18cm wide, and 33 cm long and it boasts all the logos and attention to detail found on the real thing.

BEYOND REALITY As mentioned above, LEGO is relying on cutting-edge technologies such as augmented reality, to connect more deeply with tech-savvy younger generations. One set that is hugely popularity among techie lovers is Hidden Side: a building toy, tech toy, and AR game all rolled into one. Kids ﬁrst build a multi-layered model, then use an AR app to hunt and trap ghosts. This ghostinspired set promises to be a big seller this Christmas!

ALL ABOARD THE SHIP TO LEGOLAND! Lego entices families in another important way: by offering them a reason to travel, thanks to the plethora of Legoland resorts the world over! These are actually owned by British theme park company Merlin Entertainments, but they do plenty to express the full potential of the humble brick. The resorts are located in Denmark, Windsor, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Dubai, California and Florida, with around ﬁve currently under construction in places as far-off as Shanghai and South Korea!

FUN FACTS ABOUT LEGO

Z LEGO miniﬁgures have a hole on the top of their head in case they get stuck in a child’s throat; the hole means the babe can continue to breathe! Z LEGO always adds a few extra pieces to each set, because they would rather customers had more than less of the coveted bricks! Z LEGO makes 36,000 elements (bricks and other parts) every minute. Z Germany is the number one purchaser or LEGO sets, with TECHNIC being the most highly favoured collection. Z The best-selling LEGO set in history is the Lego Mindstorms Robotics Invention System. Over one million sets have been sold since its launch.

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LEGO NINJAGO

WHAT TO LOOK FORWARD TO THIS CHRISTMAS

Asian architecture and the rich ninja culture inspire this colourful collection.

There are just about as many LEGO sets to build as there are tastes, so when purchasing a set for your child this Christmas, let their passion be your guide and don’t necessarily go for new releases if you spot an older one that will ﬁt the bill. Just a few of the newest, grooviest releases to watch out for include:

LEGO TECHNIC PORSCHE 911 RSR Enter the world of GT endurance racing with an exact model of this spectacular vehicle. The car delivers realistic movement and mechanisms that introduce advanced creators to the world of engineering.

LEGO STAR WARS

This cute collection of ﬁgures features everyone

from Darth Vader to your favourite ﬁghting stormtroopers.

LEGO FROZEN

Relive the adventures of Elsa and Anna in their frosty royal palace and surroundings.

LEGO STRANGERTHINGS

Help Eleven and her friends ﬁght otherworldly foes in this über-cool Stranger Things set.

LEGO FRIENDS CENTRAL PERK Join Jennifer Aniston and the gang from Friends for a hot cuppa at Central Perk.

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D THE SPOTLIGHT icons

WORDS MARK FR WILKINS

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE CHILDHOOD CHRISTMAS MEMORY?

ged 10 we were staying at my beloved grandmother’s Queen Anne house in Hertfordshire. It had high picture windows with heavily lined curtains, deep down counterpanes yet little heating aside from the cooling embers in the ﬁreplace. The snow had fallen on cue on Christmas Eve and we awoke to a deep carpet of white. Waking on Christmas morning, after a brief night of anticipatory sleep, the telltale weight of the white pillowcase at the foot of my bed was a great omen. My sister and I rummaged through the colourfully wrapped shapes with sheer delight. That year I received my much longed for Scalextric set. I understand that it’s important to be ageappropriate but please halt your Christmas preparations for a couple of minutes and allow me to suggest that all is not lost for classic Christmas toys. I challenge any youngster not to be enamoured with the perennial Steiff teddy bear. STEIFF TEDDY – Margarete Steiff, since early childhood, had been paralysed. Becoming a seamstress and initially making felt clothes in 1879, she used a pattern for a small stuffed elephant, to make a pincushion. Her stuffed

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS TOYS

animals became very popular with local children and in 1880 she founded Margarete Steiff GmbH in Giengen (Germany). In 1902 the ﬁrst Steiff bear, numbered ‘Bear 55PB’, was launched at the Leipzig Toy Fair, a world’s ﬁrst with moveable arms and legs. Sadly, there are thought to be no surviving examples of this early bear. A year later an American buyer placed an order for 3,000 ‘teddy bears’ capitalising on a tale that President Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt, while on a hunting trip in Mississippi had failed to kill a bear. His hosts presented him with a bear to shoot but he preferred to ‘spare the bear’. In 1904 Steiff introduced the iconic brass button that secures a branded ribbon into the ear of each bear to distinguish Steiff animals from inferior brands. SLINKY – Provided you have access to stairs, the Slinky can deliver hours of amusement. Invented by Naval Engineer, Richard James, who in 1943 had been experimenting with tension springs to cradle delicate ships instruments in rough seas. The idea for the toy arose when he dropped a spring and saw how it continued to roll on hitting the ground. He mass-produced the ‘Slinky’ and at Christmas

in 1945, Gimbels store in Philadelphia sold 400 Slinky’s in ninety minutes at $1 each. Around 300 million Slinkys have been sold since its launch. FRISBEE – As a kid we had a Frisbee in our car’s boot. A country walk, a trip to the beach or a camping holiday, we’d always have time for a spontaneous game. Frisbee is a classic design that has left an indelible mark on several generations of users. It has also spawned several competitive sports, particularly in the US, with Ultimate Frisbee, Freestyle Frisbee and Frisbee Golf. In 1957, Wham-O Toys Inc. of Carson (California) was founded to manufacture plastic discs, which became known as the Frisbee. The idea was not wholly original as the aerodynamic discs were based on empty tin pie cases used, since 1871, by the Frisbie Pie Company of Bridgeport (Connecticut). Local university students from Yale and Princeton would throw the pie cases that had the name ‘Frisbie Pies’ embossed on the base. With the addition of concentric ribs on its upper surface for stability, patent protection for the Frisbee was ﬁrst applied for in 1967. Sales really took off in 1959 and by 1977 over 100M units had been sold.

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MECCANO – For those keen on mechanical engineering, the answer has to be Meccano. For anyone with even a passing interest in classic British toys the name ‘Hornby’ will be instantly recognisable. Frank Hornby, of Liverpool, was responsible for three of the most popular lines of children’s toys, Meccano, Hornby Model Railways and Dinky Toys. Hornby invented Meccano in 1901. More than just a toy, it became truly educational. It consists of perforated metal strips, wheels and pulleys that are joined together with nuts and bolts worked into place by a screwdriver and spanner. Initially the tin plate was plain metal, that quickly became rusty, but in 1925 the very familiar red and green coloured sections were introduced. Now predominantly designed and manufactured in Northern France, Meccano is still readily available under the ‘Evolution’ and ‘Excavator’ brand names. LEGO – My son, who recently started studying for a Construction Degree, was deﬁnitely influenced by the sets of Lego given over the years. Since 1963, Lego pieces have been injection moulded from a resilient plastic known as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Around 19 billion bricks are made annually. An ambitious recent announcement saw Lego committing by 2030 to produce biodegradable Lego pieces and sustainable packaging. It seems plant-based plastics derived from hemp and sugar cane are being tested. SCALEXTRIC – My Dad really liked Hornby ‘00’ gauge electric train sets but all I really wanted was an iconic Scalextric set. In the mid-1970s we lived in the village of Silverstone, the home of the British Racing Sports Car Club. My Scalextric was the ‘Grand Prix Circuit’ set and one of the many combinations of the track was the Silverstone Club Circuit with Woodcote, Stowe Corner and Hangar Straight. I had two gun trigger controls in red and blue that gathered

dust like a magnet and heated quickly, filling the room with an electrical smell that I remember fondly to this day. British inventor Fred Francis devised Scalextric in 1956. His first cars, called ‘Scalex’, were clockwork and made of tin. Facing a downturn in demand, Francis added a small motor and a slot with electric brushes that provided contact to the track’s power supply. Scalextric was launched in 1957 at the Harrogate Toy Fair and was a huge hit. Scalextric is now owned by Hornby Hobbies of England. DINKY TOYS were initially called ‘Hornby Modelled Miniatures’ and sold by Hornby in 1934 as a range of accessories for their railway sets. By 1935 the range, renamed Dinky Toys, comprised over 200 items of die-cast cars, ships and aeroplanes. The classic Dinky Toys range from the 1950s with sports cars including the MG, Aston Martin and Maserati is always special to me. The Dinky collection sought to compete in the 1970s with those highly commercial merchandise tie-ins launched by its competitor, Corgi Toys, which included Batman and James Bond. Their reaction was to produce a series of vehicles drawn from Gerry Anderson’s puppet films including Captain Scarlet and Thunderbirds. They were overly ambitious and introduced expensive additions to their products that led to the ultimate demise of the original company. Now owned by Mattel, mint condition and boxed Dinky Toys continue to hold significant value. New Dinky’s are available under licence from ‘Atlas Editions’. HOT WHEELS – in the late 1960s Dinky Toys faced serious competition from Mattel, the US giant toy manufacturer, who entered the UK market with their range of colourful cars with low-friction axles called ‘Hot Wheels’. They were introduced by Mattel’s co-founder, Elliott Handler, to the US market in May 1968 as a ‘hot rod’ range with big rear tyres and flame detail. The killer application for Mattel was the

launch of the track with its super-speed chargers, loops and straights that would allow these little cars to travel at huge speeds. BARBIE – Elliott and his wife, Ruth, had two children Barbara and Kenneth. Together they were the inspiration for ‘Barbie’ and her significant other ‘Ken’. Barbie debuted in 1959. She remains a top seller, having sold over a billion dolls. In recent years, even with the success of an animated TV series featuring Barbie, a critical focus of those campaigning for non-gender specific toys has resulted in Mattel seeing a significant decline in sales. Recently, Mattel have sought to halt the decline in the world’s appetite for their products with the introduction of a range of ‘gender neutral’ dolls. The aim is to enable children to express themselves through play focussing less on the ‘binary nature’ of the doll, which are available in a range of skin tones, and more on gender fluidity. I have concerns that certain ‘gifts’ now being given to our kids suffer a curious sterility betraying a moment of confusion experienced by an older relative looking to buy for a youngster. They inevitably tend to resort to cash or increasingly more likely, Google Game Credits or an Amazon gift card. A quick Xmas fix, perhaps, but with very little mantelpiece appeal. i More articles from Aestheticons – the Home of Iconic Design – can be seen at www.aestheticons.wordpress.com

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D THE SPOTLIGHT interview

A CHORUS FEATURING LINE ANTONIO BANDERAS AT MÁLAGA’S SOHO THEATRE

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE SOHO THEATRE PHOTOS OF BAAYORK LEE BY KEVIN HORN

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“I have only to hear that “a ﬁve, six, seven, eight!” heralding the scintillating ﬁrst number of A Chorus Line, and I’m exactly where I want to be. In some way that I can’t explain, I’m home. Michael Bennett’s A Chorus Line (1975) was the formative musical of my theatregoing life. When I saw the original production in London, I thought then – and still do – that it was the most innovative modern American musical I’d ever seen” John Heilpern, A Masterpiece Revived: One Singular Sensation, New York Observer

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ORIGINAL CAST MEMBER AND CO-DIRECTOR

BAAYORK LEE

Chorus Line is the ticket to own this season, with shows running at the Teatro del Soho Caixabank in Málaga until January 19, 2020. Starring Antonio Banderas and directed by him alongside original A Chorus Line cast member Baayork Lee, it brings a timeless hit to our shores and seriously raises the cultural appeal of the south of Spain. A Chorus Line made history in theatre when it first opened in 1975. Baayork Lee, who is one of the original dancers who ‘played herself’ on Broadway, explains, “It was the first-ever reality show to make it to the stage. A Chorus Line was a compilation of stories by dancers in a company; our struggles to make it to the stage, why we love dance, everything we gave up to work in this industry.” The musical, conceived, directed, and choreographed by Michael Bennet (who passed away at the tender age of 44) was the first to focus entirely on one aspect of theatrical life – the audition – arguably the most arduous and exhilarating experience in a dancer’s life. As expressed so eloquently by John Heilpern, A Chorus Line has somehow managed to stay ageless. In no small part, it is owing to the themes it covers – homophobia, image obsession, and the sacrifice that is required to make a living as a performer on Broadway. Baayork Lee assures us that what audiences will be seeing in Málaga is identical to what they might see on Broadway. “Michael Benett was the first show creator ever to copyright his show. Every word uttered has to be right, the dancing unparalleled, the singing on point.” Lee, who played ‘four-foot-ten Connie’ in the original show and for many years after (the show ran for 15 years straight on Broadway), told me, “I represent Michael Benett’s estate, the authors of the show, and the original cast whose stories formed the basis of the characters in the show. It is my responsibility to ensure the music is played in the right way, that the sets and costumes are exactly right.” In the Málaga performance, the lines are spoken and sung in Spanish, but the magnificent One is performed, close to the show’s end, in English.

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The price for A Chorus Line tickets are reasonable indeed, ranging from €18 to €140 – a far cry from the €435 euros you might expect to watch a show like Hamilton on Broadway. Banderas, fresh from receiving the award for Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for Almodóvar’s Dolor y Gloria, is dedicating blood, sweat, and tears to his goal of turning Málaga into an important cultural hub. He stars in the show as Zach – the company director who is auditioning dancers for an upcoming show. Joining him is a talented cast that hails from all over the world. “We do open auditions for every show, which also makes us unique,” says Baayork Lee, adding, “Antonio wanted the show to sound exactly like a Broadway audition would – with a variety of accents. Our cast is multilingual indeed, with actors from Portugal, Berlin, London, etc. Antonio also included 11 students from the Málaga acting school ESAEM in the show; three of them will be singing with the professionals and the rest will be part of the big group of dancers that starts the show.” The one thing cast members had to do well, was speak Spanish. Baayork Lee herself brings her own translator with her

so she can communicate with the cast. This was something she had to do during the workshop stage, which lasted various weeks. “Performers for A Chorus Line have to have something called the ‘triple threat’ – they have to be able to sing, dance, and act to a very high standard. The workshops help the cast hone each of these requirements to perfection.” Baayork Lee’s task is difficult indeed; she lays all the groundwork then flies off for the next show in a completely different part of the world, sometimes before the cast has enjoyed the resounding applause on opening night. “I love getting onto a plane and flying somewhere new,” she says, her vivacity and charm warming the gloomiest of days. She is the living symbol of what a career on Broadway means; the immense sacrifice as well as the elation of performing before a live audience. “When I was five I told my parents I wanted to be a dancer and they supported me all the way. My dad had a restaurant and he worked there practically all day but my mom used to accompany me everywhere. My brothers still tease me to this day, recalling the many times they had to wait for me while I was in dance class. I ruled the roost and my

family listened to me!” she laughs. Baayork’s first gig was no less than incredible: she played Princess Ying Yaowolak in the original production of The King and I in 1951 alongside the great Yul Brynner on Broadway. “Nobody from Chinatown ever went into the City; they had no reason to! But one day casting agents came to my school looking for children for The King and I and I was chosen! I haven’t stopped since.” She studied and perfected her talent at dance, and met Michael Benett, who “would come down from Buffalo in the summer to attend dance classes in the same place I was studying. I was his very first friend in New York. Eventually we danced together on Broadway and he started up a company. He told me he wanted to hire me and I was delighted. Other choreographers like Bob Fosse wouldn’t hire me because my legs were too short!” Tellingly, the character Connie in A Chorus Line shares her frustrations about being a ‘four foot 10’ dancer who wanted nothing more than to be a prima ballerina. “The only thing that continued to grow was my desire,” the character sings, telling the audience how, despite being 32, she continued to play 14-year-olds!

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Baayork says that her company never realised how successful the show was until “We saw Jackie Onassis sitting there! For us, it was not about making it big; it was about bringing this project to life – a show that was one vibrant, emotionally-packed audition.” Baayork not only has a shining career to this day, but she is also doing plenty to encourage young Asian performers to step into the dazzling lights of Broadway. Thus, a decade ago, she founded NAAP – the National Asian Artists Project – and proudly says that some of her first students are now in college. “Two of my students are at the FAME school (La Guardia – where Timothée Chalamet studied) and it makes me so happy because when I was growing up in Chinatown there were zero opportunities for Asian actors.” When Baayork was asked to direct The King and I, she gave 14 children one year’s tutoring. “One girl from this group wants to be a costume designer and she’s about to finish college.” Baayork talks about sacrifice – the kind that many parents make, moving cities just so their children can pursue their dreams. “Entire families follow the child, who is making more money than the parents!” She also talks about the way the theatre has

changed. “Today it’s big business and shows run for a long time. Performers make good money, especially if they are on Broadway, and accommodation and a salary for parents accompanying the child are provided.” When asked what you need to ‘make it’ in New York, she answers, “You need to be in the right place at the right time and you need to meet the right people.” Her own mentors, she says, “were Michael Bennet and my dance teacher, though I consider myself a student for life. After all, no matter how successful shows are, they always close and you always have to go back to class. Performers sometimes think, ‘If I got this role I have it made’ but there are always new people coming up, ready to knock you off your pedestal.” Arguably the most powerful message that A Chorus Line relays, is summed up perfectly by Baayork Lee: “If you really want to be in showbusiness, you always ﬁnd your way into it – either as a star or on the chorus line; as a performer or in lighting, music, or carrying costumes. Today, schools aim to create stars but not everybody can be ‘the one’. If you want it badly enough, you can make the dream of working in the theatre come true.”

Baayork also tells me about what a pleasure it is to work with Antonio Banderas – a man who “really knows what he wants.” There is no diva behaviour from the hardworking Malagueño. “He doesn’t miss a single warmup session and that takes 45 minutes. You have to have plenty of stamina for A Chorus Line because it is so physically demanding. Antonio is working with 20-year-olds so has to be super ﬁt!” She also highlights the fact that there will be a 22-piece live orchestra at the show. “When you watch an audition it is pitch black and you can only see the stage, but there is a band there playing fantastic music.” As we end the interview, Baayork tells me she is on her way to Washington soon to receive the American Artist Award at Washington DC’s Mead Center – granted for her contribution to American theatre. The award has previously been given to an illustrious lineup that includes Kathleen Turner, Edward Albee, and James Earl Jones. Despite all she has achieved, she doesn’t have the slightest intention of taking a break. “I have never stopped dreaming and learning and I don’t think I ever will,” she says, smiling at me and heading back to the place where she most belongs: the theatre. e

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D THE SPOTLIGHT cats

IS THIS

FUR

REAL? CATS THE MOVIE springs onto Spanish cinema screens from December 25 and if you like creepy Christmas furry tails it will be right up your alley, writes Belinda Beckett

t’s the cat’s whiskers in special effects, with as many stars as the average street moggie has fleas. But the trailer to the ﬁlm of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage mewsical really got the fur flying on social media this summer. ‘Pure nightmare fuel’, ‘The James Corden cat is giving me a panic attack’ and ‘I'm glad Grumpy Cat never lived to see this’ were among the Tweets that suggest this movie won’t be giving everyone warm fuzzy felines. Instead of being meowowed by the miracle of motion capture, fans were freaked by Dame Judi Dench’s facial whiskers and not in the least charmed by the sight of Taylor Swift’s breasts covered in marmalade fluff. The story of starving street cats, ritual death and reincarnation, based on the poems of T.S. Eliot, was never the most

joyous of topics for a family show but no one would wish to meet any of these halfnaked human/cat hybrids down a dark alley. The entire cast has been ‘transmoggified’ with CGI fur, twitching ears and prehensile tails like laboratory experiments – which, cinematographically-speaking, they are. Director Tom Hooper (Les Misérables, The King’s Speech) must have blown the kitty on the ‘digital fur technology’ as he jokingly calls it but the audience reaction was predictable – too much reality can make you feel queasy. Psychologists call it the Uncanny Valley phenomenon: ‘feelings of revulsion triggered by humanoid objects which imperfectly resemble human beings’ (think Chucky the killer doll). However, if you can fight off the nausea, there is plenty to love in this musical prowl down Memory lane: the songs – Taylor Swift and Andrew Lloyd Webber have written a new one for the grand finale; the star-studded cast of actors, hip-hop singers, and prima ballerinas; the massive-scale sets that shrink them to cat size; and pussycat humour galore – the Milk Bar set, Trafalgar Square complete

with giant lions, Taylor Swift sultrily sipping from a can of catnip cola. The movie runs for two hours – 40 minutes less than the stage show – but training was no less rigorous and the entire cast was despatched to Cat School to learn how to put more feline into their moves. “It’s all in the shoulders,” according to Idris Elba (Macavity the Mystery Cat). The hunky action man found himself practising his pas de chat alongside a real Principal Dancer from the Royal Ballet (Francesca Hayward, cast as Victoria the white kitten) and a sprightly Sir Ian Murray McKellen, (Gus the Theatre Cat), pushing 80 and still capable of an impressive pirouette. The action covers a single night, when a colony of junkyard cats called the Jellicles have to decide which of them will ascend to the Heaviside Layer (pussycat purrgatory) and come back to a new life. Each cat has a distinct pussonality and most pawform their own song – a veritable cat cantata. The trailer promises, ‘This Holiday Season you will believe’ but will we be purr-suaded? Better go see for yourself before the curiosity kills you!

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Pussonalities Z BOMBALURINA Who better than cat lover Taylor Swift (she has three of her own) to play this ginger sex kitten. “I’m obsessed with cats, they are a real joy to live with, when I heard about the movie I thought, this is my calling in life,” she purrs. Swift has a duet with Elba’s Macavity in one of the show’s bigger numbers and feels like the cat that got the cream. Z OLD DEUTERONOMY A Dame playing a Tom cat, why not? Judi Dench steps into the colony patriarch’s enormous fur coat (hopefully it’s fake, even if she is a method actress). Dench was cast as Grizabella in the original 1981 stage show but snapped her Achilles tendon and ‘thought that was my history with Cats but it turns out not to be.” She especially loved the big stage sets. “It felt like being in Alice in Wonderland.” Z BUSTOPHER JONES Jolly James Corden, British host of America’s The Late, Late Show

plays this roly-poly aristocat and sociallyconnected bon viveur. He may be busting out of his cat suit but the part is a perfect ﬁt. Z THE RUM TUM TUGGER Hot hip-hop artist Jason Derulo promises to make The Rum Tum Tugger song a riot. Originally a rock number sung by a cat based on Mick Jagger, after seeing the 2014 breakdancing version Lloyd Webber said: “I’ve come to the conclusion that maybe T.S. Eliot was the inventor of rap.” Z GRIZABELLA Jennifer Hudson of Dream Girls fame is purrfect for the role of this ex-glamour cat and colony outcast. She gets to belt out the original 1981 Elaine Page showstopper, Memory, joining a list of over 600 artists who have recorded it – everyone from Barbra Streisand to Liberace. During the Eighties the tear-jerker was the most requested song at weddings.

Dame Judi looks the cat’s whiskers

Taylor Swift as a ginger sex kitten

Jennifer Hudson belts out the showstopper

Giant sets shrink the cast to cat size

PAWNOTES

• Stage productions of Cats used bespoke wigs made from rare Tibetan yak hair, each taking 40 hours and costing a four-ﬁgure sum to make. • The Heaviside Layer is a real place. Named after British physicist Oliver Heaviside, it’s a band of gases in the earth’s upper atmosphere that reflects radio waves back to earth, a bounce technique used since the 1920s for long-distance radio communication. • According to T.S. Eliot, a ‘Jellicle’ cat is toddler speak for ‘dear little cat’ and the opposite of a ‘Pollicle dog’ (poor little dog). • As well as its 21-year West End run and 18-year stint on Broadway, the stage show has been produced in more than 50 countries and 19 languages.

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D THE SPOTLIGHT travel

ULTRA LUXURY rs of

Yea

CRUISING

First launched in 1994, these are exciting times for Silversea in its Silver Jubilee year. Following a majority takeover last year, the much anticipated Silver Moon, defined as being the epitome of 21st century luxury travel, was set afloat with a celebratory event this August and, after full interior fitting, will undergo its maiden voyage in August 2020. Silver Origin, an Explorer vessel is also due to come into service next year with Silver Dawn being launched in 2021 and two, as yet unnamed Evolution Class ships due for delivery in 2022. As stated by Silversea’s Executive Chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio at the above ceremony, “We draw ever-closer to achieving my father’s dream of a 12-ship fleet." The company is also already taking reservations for their extensive World Cruises, in each of 2020 and 2021, and recently announced 197 new itineraries for 2021 – 2022. WORDS IAIN BLACKWELL PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SILVERSEA

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SILVERSEA ORIGINS

Silver Shadow saluting the Statue of Liberty

Silversea was founded in Italy in 1994 by Manfredi’s father, Antonio, who envisioned a market-leading cruise line which would voyage around the world while providing an exemplary service where passengers could travel in sumptuous surroundings and have their every whim taken care of. The first two ships, Silver Cloud and Silver Wind, purpose-built for the firm, were launched in 1994 and 1995 respectively. With their luxurious ocean-front suites, fine dining offering, appealing sense of intimacy, all-inclusive fare policy, and highly-evolved excursion programmes, they quickly gained an enviable reputation among discerning cruise devotees, many of whom have become regular passengers during the last quarter century, the most loyal of them having accumulated more than seven years of sail days aboard Silversea vessels. Silver Shadow and Silver Whisper followed in 2000 and 2001 with Silver Spirit joining the fleet in 2009 and, more recently, the company’s flagship Silver Muse took to the seas in 2017. It will be joined by sister ships Silver Moon in 2020 and Silver Dawn in 2021. The vessels are not mammoths, unlike some of the monstrosities that discharge thousands of passengers upon unsuspecting port destinations. Their capacities range from 254 aboard Silver Cloud to the recently renovated Silver Spirit, which was literally cut in half and given a new mid-section, expanding to accommodate 608 passengers. There is a regular programme of refurbishment and refitting with all crafts in the fleet having undergone renewal programmes during the last two years. With lengths of around 160m to 210m and shallow draughts resulting from their flat bottoms – 6m in the case of Silver Spirit – they have the capacity to reach many remote destinations that are not accessible to larger ships. To truly satisfy the aim of making the entire globe attainable, the company launched a range of fully-equipped expedition ships with strengthened hulls for negotiating the ice of polar travel. These include the Silver Explorer launched in 2008, the Silver Galapagos in 2013 and the Silver Origin coming next summer and described as the most elegant ship to ever explore the Galapagos. Additionally, the Silver Cloud, originally a classic luxury ship, was completely converted in 2017 and, now known as the Silver Cloud Expedition, is the most spacious and comfortable ice-class vessel in expedition cruising. Meanwhile these are smaller, with 100 to 200 passengers in polar waters, the passenger to crew ratio throughout the fleet is fairly close to 1:1 and this is part of the magic of sailing with Silversea: the highly personalised service is impeccable.

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Silver Wind majestically clears London's Tower Bridge

Champagne Time!

THE SILVERSEA EXPERIENCE Upon embarkation, passengers are served flutes of chilled Champagne, setting the tone for the experience to come. The cabins are actually wellappointed suites, comprising bedroom, sitting room, dressing closet and en suite bathroom in Italian marble with bath and shower, and most have their own private verandahs. A personal butler is appointed to each suite and will appear literally at the touch of a button to help with your every need, be that arranging a dinner reservation, overseeing laundry requirements, stocking and replenishing your quarters with drinks, advising on your pillow selection, etc. There are many onboard amenities to ﬁll your days, including restaurants, lounge bars, a spa and ﬁtness centre, casino, theatre, boutique shop, library, observation lounges and of course

the popular pool deck where you can while away the days at sea with sun beds, pool, and Jacuzzis, while receiving supreme service which is always delivered with a smile. The company operates an all-inclusive policy meaning that no tipping or signing for charges is required, leaving you to just relax, go with the flow and soak up the unrivalled pampering that Silversea is famed for. The only things you will have to pay for are the on-shore excursions, vintage wines & Champagnes, surcharges at the smaller gourmet restaurants, spa treatments, shop purchases, and of course any flutters you may feel inclined to indulge in at the casino. Staff are trained to remember your name and your preferences and are very affable so that chatting comes naturally. You will also ﬁnd it easy to get

on with fellow passengers in an atmosphere of extreme enjoyment. As Fernando de Oliveira, the charismatic Chairman’s Ambassador to the Venetian Society who has been with Silversea during virtually all of its 25 years describes it: “Put simply, it’s a club that travels. We have many guests who come year after year because they feel so at home on board.” Silversea also offers optional pre and post cruise hotel programmes with private transfers so you can spend some time in your city of embarkation and ensure easy boarding with no possible travel snags en route. Similarly, you can re-acclimatise for several days at the end of a voyage and the company can also provide flight connections to and from your place of residence.

Always time to relax

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS

The Silver Explorer enters the Lemaire Channel on the Antarctic Peninsula © RichardSidey

MY SILVERSEA EXPERIENCE I have been on three Silversea voyages: a taster from Cádiz to Tenerife two decades ago, from Barcelona to Monte Carlo in 2005, and from Athens to Venice in 2012, and can report that they certainly live up to their billing. On the last of these, I encountered Fernando de Oliveira, who is instantly likeable with his gregarious personality. It was an amazing coincidence to present him with a copy of the July 2012 Magazine only for him edition of to later report back that his home in Cascais prominently appeared in the feature article it contained on the Portuguese Riviera. I loved the sense of understated relaxation on board, the supreme service ethic, the marvellous dining occasions and leisurely evenings, and the memorable excursions we undertook ashore. It is a phenomenal feeling to be able to visit a range of destinations without having to repack and undergo the trying and time consuming business of travelling to them. The ships typically sail between their ports of call during the night so you awake to new surroundings with regularity where you can choose to go ashore under your own devices or to join one of the many excursions available to all passengers. There are also full days at sea, when the distances between points on the itinerary are larger and these are certainly romantic with the added beneﬁt that you are effectively floating in a 5 star hotel. I found my fellow voyagers to be friendly, world-wise, sophisticated, and generally much younger than I had anticipated.

DINING WITH FLAIR Each ship is replete with multiple restaurants enabling passengers to select from a full range of ﬁne dining options. Silver Spirit, for

example, has venues such as Indochine offering Asian Fusion cuisine, Atlantide – International, Seishin – Sushi, Sashimi, Teriyaki, La Dame featuring a six course French gourmet menu, La Terrazza which provides buffet breakfast and lunches and transforms into an à la carte Italian diner in the evening, the Arts Café and Deli Bar also with a lovely outdoor terrace, the Silver Note which serves tapas-style dishes in the evening with live Jazz accompaniment and, last but not least, the Pool Bar and Grill, complete with perennially favourite dishes and an in-demand hot stone cooking experience in the evening, and Spaccanapoli, an outdoor pizzeria preparing fresh pizzas throughout the day. These great eateries and the food they specialise in are so good that you will ﬁnd yourself missing them as soon as you disembark. Launching also on Silver Moon next August is the Silversea Sea and Land Taste programme, which has been carefully selected by Adam Sachs, the former Editor in Chief of Saveur Magazine. It will offer passengers wonderful gastronomic experiences evoking the destinations being visited, featuring visits to food markets, cooking shows with local guest chefs, and exclusive dinners in the S.A.L.T. restaurant.

Idyllic idyll in the Caribbean

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Silver Muse, Japanese Restaurant Kaiseki

Silver Cloud Expedition, The Restaurant

Approaching the Hubbard Glacier in Alaska

DESTINATIONS

EXCURSIONS

Incredibly, more than 900 destinations feature in Silversea itineraries, encompassing all seven continents, meaning that wherever you wish to experience, you should ﬁnd a cruise that covers it. These are grouped by regions such as Mediterranean, Africa & Indian Ocean, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Transoceanic, Canada & New England, American West Coast, Caribbean & Central America, South America, South Paciﬁc Islands, and each of these categories features numerous cruises with different combinations of dates and ports of call. In addition, passengers can opt for a signature land programme to enable them to prospect the interior of a desirable area in more detail, or an expedition cruise aboard an explorer vessel to Alaska, the Arctic & Greenland, Antartica and the Galapagos Islands. With this volume of possibilities, travellers can visit just about anywhere they have always dreamed of going to and via well-organised, properly equipped, safe, guided tours before returning to the comforts of their ship.

The beauty of cruising is never having to repack until your ﬁnal stop meanwhile visiting many places of interest en route. Even better if you can do this while travelling in sumptuous luxury and the destinations you desire to see are available as day excursions with transport, informative guides, and well-structured schedules. Typically, a number of excursions will be offered for each port of call included in the itinerary, some full day and others shorter, and these offer fun and adventure ashore with a detailed programme of the schedule and its degree of difﬁculty, if any. In balance and combination with days at sea, selecting some of these is highly recommended as you will visit unmissable landmarks, encounter the local culture, and sample the region's produce, thus greatly enhancing your travel experience. Naturally these carry a surcharge with the amount being a fair reflection of the experience on offer, although excursions on the Expedition cruises are included as part of the itinerary.

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The robust yet elegant Silver Muse © www.christianroy.com

THE FUTURE’S SILVER With five new ships set to ride the ocean waves by 2022 the future certainly is bright. Today, travellers can already reserve passages aboard designated cruises up until March 2022 and there are some really special voyages in the pipeline. How about a 140 days world cruise with Silver Whisper leaving Port Lauderdale in Florida next month on 6th January and visiting 62 ports in 32 countries before arriving in Amsterdam on 25th May? Then again, you may prefer to wait until the following year and sign up for their 150 days Finest World Tour Cruise or their first ever Expedition World Cruise, The Uncharted, encompassing 167 days incorporating 107 ports in 30 countries. In addition, you can consider options such as Grand Voyages to the Indian Ocean, The Pacific, Australia, South America among other

several weeks-long schedules; combination cruises linking two or more itineraries into one; and enriched voyages, which focus on themed sailings such as Culinary, Wine or Operatic options, among others. According to the their anniversary motto: 'We’re just getting started'

SILVERSEA LOCAL SALES AGENTS Based in Gibraltar, Cruise Connections Ltd were appointed Silversea’s main sales agents 6 months before the company sailed it’s first maiden voyage in April 1994 with Silver Cloud. From then to the present day, Cruise Connections Ltd continue to be Silversea’s sales agents in this part of the world. Peter Conway-Hann, founder and co-owner of Cruise Connections Ltd says: "It was very clear that Silversea was born to dominate the ultra

Negotiating the Amazon

luxury cruise market. The concept, the design of the ships, was revolutionary and there was nothing like it at that time. It was wonderful to be involved in a new dimension blossoming in the cruise industry, and we are still very close to Silversea to this day. We are also very proud to be an important partner of Silversea, and we have many clients still with us after 25 years of cruising. We offer to the public what I consider to be unique in our industry, a totally personalised service for each and every one of our clients." g For more information on Silversea Cruises, brochures, etc., please call Nicky or Peter on (+350) 200 60346 or one of their Spanish mobile phones – (+34) 609 557407 / (+34) 609 557423. cruiseconnect@fastmail.net www.cruiseconnectionseurope.com

The Deluxe Veranda Suite of the Silver Spirit ©Andrea Cappello

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D THE SPOTLIGHTmotoring

BMW VISION

M NEXT HYBRID SUPERCAR

he Vision M Next is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle or PHEV and it’s spearheading the direction in which BMW plans to go in the coming years. BMW points out that this is the ﬁrst step towards an all-electric M-car. PHEVs are certainly one of the best routes for buyers who like the idea of an electric car, but are daunted by ‘range anxiety’ problems. The Vison M does have an all-electric range of around 100 km – all most people need for a day of local driving. And when pure EV capability begins to fade, the compact turbo petrol engine is there to

take over for mobility and battery charging. This radical new BMW was rolled out at the prestigious Monterey Car Week in California not long ago and although BMW wasn’t saying much, most insiders noted that 2023 would see the ﬁrst cars roll off the production line. This would be appropriate because BMW’s earlier plug-in hybrid supercar, the i8, has been discontinued. There is a relationship between i8 and Vision M styling and there’s even a hint of some influence from the much-admired M1 from the 1970s.

If the 2023 BMW Vision M Next is anything to go by, we may have seen the last of sports supercars being launched with whopping 6-litre V-12s under their bonnets. The Vision M boasts ‘only’ a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbo for power, but aided by a couple of electric motors with torque to spare, the power unit delivers an impressive 600-horsepower. The driver will be able to select electric all-wheel drive or good oldfashioned rear-wheel drive, a nice choice to be able to make. WORDS TONY WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BMW

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Z ENGINE: Plug-in hybrid with 2.0-litre turbo 4-cylinder plus two electric motors. 600-horsepower estimated. Z TRANSMISSION: No transmission in the normal sense. Maximum torque available from zero km/h. Z ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h in 3.0-seconds. Z TOP SPEED: 300 km/h. Z I LIKED: A stunning and radical effort by BMW to create an environmentally efﬁcient sports car with outstanding looks and performance. Good range (100 km) in EV mode, useful to have

in emission-free zones cities may well designate soon. Z I DIDN’T LIKE: Many pioneering control systems are still untried in the marketplace, so early adopters may experience technical teething problems. Z MARKET ALTERNATIVES: MercedesAMG GT Hybrid, Lotus Evija, Aston Martin Project 003, Jaguar J-Type, plus several more under development. Z WHO DRIVES ONE? BMW enthusiasts who must have the latest and greatest. Climate activists with money. Z PRICE AND AVAILABILITY: TBA.

As might be expected, much of the Vision bodywork is carbon fibre. Lightness is an important factor in any hybrid or EV in order to optimise the power unit. The prototype that’s been displayed at various shows is finished in a stunning metallic silver and dayglo orange. If a paint job like that doesn’t grab envious admirers, nothing will. Looking at concept cars, it’s always tricky to figure out exactly what a production model will look like. Often, manufacturers ‘market test’ features to try and gauge public approval. It’s possible that the somewhat weird steering wheel in the Vision M falls into this category, though race drivers have had similar designs for years. The cockpit is understandably packed with fascinating tech features from a gyroscopic cup holder on up, but you wouldn’t know it because it’s a very clean design, devoid of the myriad switches, gauges and buttons you’ll find in the average supercar. The key dash feature is the screen that seems to wrap around the area ahead of the steering wheel. This screen offers all the information any driver is likely to need. There may be a high level of automation, but BMW emphasises that it has placed the focus on ‘actively engaged drivers’ and there is no talk of an autonomous version. For years, BMW’s slogan has been ‘The Ultimate Driving Machine’ so its good to know that the fabled Munich carmaker is not contemplating an ‘ultimate self-driving machine,’ at least, not for sports car enthusiasts. There’s no question that opening the scissor doors and climbing behind the wheel of a Vision M NEXT is going to be a very special experience indeed. Few supercars will be as eagerly awaited as this one. e

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D THE SPOTLIGHTmotoring

g n i t a r o m e Comm

CLASSICS

As we wave the checkered ﬂag on an incredible year in the motoring calendar, 2019 presented no shortage of thrilling debuts, standout motorsport triumphs and the anniversary celebrations of some of the longest standing titans in the motoring industry – including Bentley, Bugatti, Abarth, Fiat, Renault and Citroën to name a select few. But what interests us most are the innovative models and ground-breaking cars that have kept such brands in business over the decades. So we’re looking back at some standout motorcars that all celebrated rather AUSTIN-HEALEY signiﬁcant anniversaries this year; cars that made 3000 60 YEARS history and others that are still writing it. WORDS SAM HEXTER PHOTOGRAPHY © SHUTTERSTOCK

The ironically nicknamed ‘Big Healey’ celebrated 60 years of joyous open-top motoring this year. From its slender and compact frame, long nose and curvaceous coachwork, the Austin-Healey 3000 is arguably one of the most beautiful and quintessentially British sportscars of all time. Yet, being a British-built motoring icon, surprisingly over 91 per cent of all ‘Big Healey 3000s’ sold were exported, mainly to the North American market. The plucky little 2.9-litre roadster still enjoys a strong enthusiast following today, with many original cars still on the road, competing in concourse events and classic rallies.

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TRIUMPH HERALD 60 YEARS

British-born brand Triumph celebrated its 60-year anniversary of the Herald in 2019. The Herald, designed by Italian Giovanni Michelotti, was marketed as an entirely new motoring experience. Prominent features included its modest frame and exceptionally tight turning radius. While the brand-new Herald certainly looked sleek and nimble, its performance was underwhelming at best, even by the standards of the late 1950s. The Herald was stated to achieve 100km/h in a sluggish 31 seconds. Luckily, it was and remains very pretty. The Herald was a roaring success for Triumph, selling over half a million units between 1959 and 1971, and was offered in all shapes and sizes, including coupé, saloon, convertible, estate and van variants.

ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM V 60 YEARS

The Phantom V celebrated a rather exclusive birthday this year. After making a deﬁnitive statement in the luxury segment 60 years ago, the Phantom V was hailed following its debut in 1959. Featuring an enormous 6.2-litre V8 and slow, leisurely 4-speed automatic transmission, it quickly became popular with royals, dignitaries and rock stars alike. One of the most notable Phantom owners during its limited 9-year run of just 517 cars, was none other than John Lennon. But what made Lennon’s Phantom really unique was a completely bespoke paint job, styled after a traditional Romany gypsy wagon – an acquired taste, but undeniably distinct.

JAGUAR MK 2 60 YEARS

1959 also saw Jaguar redeﬁning a benchmark of its own. 60 years ago, the Mk 2 established itself as a real contender in the executive saloon space, replacing Jag’s popular 2.4-litre and 3.4-litre models. While it will always exist in the shadow of the seminal and iconic E-Type, launched merely 2 years later, the Mk2 became a legend in its own right. In its most potent speciﬁcation, the 3.8-litre V8 produced a healthy 220bhp and would see 100 km/h in as little as 8.5 seconds. This made it a popular choice with the criminal underworld when considering a getaway vehicle and was later employed by motorway cops across Britain. The Mk 2 is truly embodied by Jaguar’s 1950’s advertising mantra: Grace… Space… Pace.

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MINI 60 YEARS

The tiny but mighty Mini, designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, recently turned 60 years young. It’s safe to say, there are few names or shapes in motoring as iconic or world-renowned as Mini. Seeing success as a small economy city car, as well as a motorsport legend in both road racing and rally, Mini most famously dominated the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, 1965 and 1967. Mini’s podium pedigree is certainly impressive, but what may be more so is the popculture icon’s ability to endure – being produced under BMC, British Leyland and Rover Group before being acquired by BMW in 2001. The Mini remains a giant in car culture even today, with no shortage of fans, admirers and enthusiasts keeping every generation of Mini on the road, worldwide.

FERRARI DINO 246 GT 50 YEARS

FORD CAPRI 50 YEARS

The Capri, now a much sought-after classic, was in production for 18 continuous years across 3 generations. Debuting it 1969, the Capri was due to Ford attempting to replicate sales of its hugely popular Mustang in the US, for the European market. There are a few distinct styling features that translated through, though the Capri was, on paper, far less impressive than its muscular cousin. It was billed as ‘The car you always promised yourself’ – a slogan that has become one of the most famous in motoring history. And the Capri’s original price tag? £890. The car was actually a very successful racer as well as a commercial victory for Ford. It’s estimated that 1.8 million Capri’s were built between 1969 and 1986 before production ended.

Launched at the Turin Motor Show 50 years ago in November 1969 as the successor to the hugely successful 206 GT, the Dino 246 GT featured a larger, more powerful V6 and a wheelbase some 60mm longer. Aside from this, the 246 kept true to the formula that had helped Ferrari win true commercial success with the 206. What really set the 246 apart, however, was its 2.4-litre V6 that generated an impressive 192bhp – not bad to say it only weighed 1,080 kilograms. The new motor gave all the punch that 206 owners had been yearning, yet left no compromises on the beautiful silhouette that would go on to make the 246 GT one of the most stunning and iconic cars of the 1970s. Today’s market has been very kind to the Dino, with cars of this hailed generation regularly selling for upwards of €400.000.

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LANCIA DELTA 40 YEARS

A legend was born at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1979. In its earliest form, the Delta was a small Italian-built family hatchback. What it went on to do however, was dominate the Wold Rally Championship during the 1980s and early 90s. The ﬁrst true performance-orientated rendition of the Delta came in the form of the HF in 1983. This nimble front-wheel drive hothatch was powered by a turbocharged version of the 1.6-litre motor found in the GT model. A few years later, the HF also received four-wheel drive, another homologation feature from its wildly successful rally bloodline. Second and third generations of the Delta made it into production too, but all subsequent efforts were forever to be left in the dust of the iconic Lancia Delta HF Integrale Evoluzione, with its glorious Martini racing livery and a combined 46 world championship wins in both Group A and Group B rally.

ASTON MARTIN VIRAGE 30 YEARS

Arriving in 1989 and seeing 11 years of continuous production, the Virage came about at an interesting time for Aston Martin – shortly after the luxury marque was acquired by Ford. MAZDA MX-5 At the time, the burbling V8-powered GT was praised by journalists for its engine and mechanical underpinnings but was ultimately let down by some cost-cutting measures 30 YEARS Mazda’s lightweight roadster has enjoyed and questionable, very 90’s, styling cues. This new-fangled Aston put out some fairly three decades at the peak of affordable impressive numbers, given its overall size and weight. Output was rated at 330 performance. Every generation of the MX-5 has ushered horsepower and 364 pound-feet of torque, that would sling the Virage to 100 in improvements over the previous version. It’s been praised km/h in under 7 seconds – not ground-breaking, but respectable for a weighty for its superior chassis and nimble handling abilities for over grand tourer. If you fancy an iconic British GT ownership experience, a modest 30 years, and rightly so. The ethos behind the car has always example can now fetch €80.000 - €140.000 – but expect more for V12 rangebeen to hone in on handling, rather than horsepower. An early toppers or a special edition model. example featuring the tremendous 1.6-litre 16 valve motor can be picked up from as little as €7.000. So, if you’re in pursuit of the perfect Sunday driver to take on Andalucía’s mountain roads, the MX-5 shouldn’t be overlooked as the perfect weapon of choice. e

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D THE SPOTLIGHThotel

THE CATALONIA HOTEL IN RONDA

Inhabiting a Dreamlike District Ronda – one of the most frequently photographed areas of Andalucía, known for its historic charm, dramatically deep El Tajo gorge, and spectacular Feria Goyesca – is also one of its most visited. Just a short drive away from the serene Sierra de Grazalema and also conveniently close to the luxury tourist destination of Marbella, it is the ideal home for the stately Catalonia Ronda Hotel, ensconced in the very heart of the lively town centre. One of the most beautiful views offered by the hotel is found within the pool; from the serene waters, swimmers can gaze down at the gentle curve of the Plaza de Toros as well as the lush green countryside beyond. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

PICK OF THE CROP When the Hotel Catalonia Ronda opened its doors in 2017, it chose a highly coveted spot: the most commercial street of the town. The hotel’s ediﬁce boasts a modernistic facade that blends seamlessly with the architectural beauty of Ronda’s Old Town. Graced with Spanish crafted iron balconies, it is reminiscent of the eye-catching corner buildings of the late-

19th and early-20th-century marvels that embellish the Parisian cityscape.

PAYING HOMAGE TO RONDA’S RICH CULTURAL TRADITIONS The interiors of the four-star Catalonia Hotel are as impressive as its façade. Designer features include handpainted murals paying homage to the poets, painters, ﬁlmmakers, musicians, and writers who were born and

raised in the ‘city of dreams’. The walls of the main patio were painted by talented artist, Carles Arola. The image represents a classic Andalusian patio, the artist having used hyperrealistic techniques to give life to everything from archways to windows curtains, and colourful flower pots – as lively as those that grace the patios of many whitewashed homes in the intricate streets of this poetic pueblo.

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Exclusive complex consisting of luxury apartments with panoramic sea views and wellness area with swimming pools. M A N I LVA

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A TOWN WITH SERIOUS HISTORY Elsewhere in the hotel, a sombre, powerful look prevails, with distinguished colours and noble materials making for common areas in which simple, stately elegance overrides. Ochre and earthy tones abound in the floors, doors, and soft furnishings, with stronger blues and metallics providing a welcome contrast.

COMFORT REIGNS SUPREME The elegance of the communal spaces is also a feature of the rooms, many of which have gorgeous elements such as Chesterfield sofas, stately columns, and designer leather and metal furniture. There are 80 rooms in total, all with air conditioning, a parquet floor, smart TV, free downloads of digital publications, and an electronic safe.

Room sizes range form 26m2 to over 51m2 and there are three suites called ‘The Corner’, located (as you might expect) in the corner formed by the building. On the third floor of the Hotel, there are two Junior Suite Swimming Pools, measuring 39m2 and boasting a furnished terrace and small private pool.

A PLACE TO CHILL OUT Those who are in Ronda to unwind and relax their cares away, take note: the Hotel boasts a chill-out zone with a gorgeous infinity pool, an exterior hydromassage area and a solarium with lounge beds. It also has a dedicated Wellness & Spa area, with a dry sauna, circuit pool, two treatment rooms, sensation showers, exterior solarium and fitness circuit.

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE

A GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCE

The Hotel is also home to a convention area spanning 258m2. This space is divided into two meeting rooms measuring 113 and 145m2, respectively. They both enjoy natural light and can be accessed directly from street level. They have the very latest LED tech, which allows video material from various sources to be displayed. Users can control aspects like illumination directly from an iPad, take part in a high-quality video conference, record events, and manage different audio signals as required for an optimal audiovisual experience. The rooms are also soundproof and vibrationfree, with panels in the ceilings and walls that absorb noise and reverberation.

On the fourth floor of the Catalonia Ronda you will find the Panorámico Restaurant & Wine Bar, where you can enjoy traditional haute Andalusian cuisine. Just a few of its star dishes include the rabo de toro canelón, baby goat leg, and tuna from Almadraba. Japanese food lovers, meanwhile, can opt for sushi and sashimi. The restaurant has a broad à-la-carte menu, and hosts banquets and special events. Closeby is the Gastrobar, with an al fresco terrace that once again overlooks over the Plaza de Toros. This is the perfect spot for tapas, snacks, fried delicacies, and fantastic cocktails made by the talented barman! g Avda. Virgen de la Paz 16, Ronda. Tel: 952 870 300. www.cataloniahotels.com

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D THE SPOTLIGHT people

It sounds like a mythical tale and it is, for this story, unique as it is, will never be told again. In a world of social media and instant connectivity there will never again be a Sixto Rodríguez – a star missing to the world.

SIXTO RODRÍGUEZ AND THE SEARCH FOR SUGAR MAN

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF AVALON PRODUCTIONS

Searching for Sugar Man tells a tale that will never be told again

or successive generations that grew up in South Africa, the name Sixto Rodríguez has a deep, almost mythical meaning. It refers to an artist millions loved and adored, yet no-one had ever seen or heard anything about. South Africans assumed this was because the country was blocked off from the world during the apartheid years, believing that he was known in his homeland, and was as big a star there as at the southern tip of the African continent. But he wasn’t. I once mentioned the name of this artist to an American publisher and he hadn’t even heard of him, and not for a lack of musical knowledge either. You see, while Rodríguez was a star, a legend in South Africa who sold more albums there than Elvis, in the rest of world – including his American homeland – he was completely unknown. More unusual still is the fact that, throughout the

30 years before he was ‘discovered’, the man himself was oblivious to the fame he enjoyed in that one, lone country.

THE STORY OF RODRÍGUEZ AND MALIK BENDJELLOUL The tale surrounding this mysterious artist is so amazing, and so unique, that it caught the attention of Swedish ﬁlm and documentary producer, Malik Bendjelloul. As he travelled to Cape Town and Rodríguez’s hometown of Detroit to research it, he became entranced as much by the almost unbelievable nature of what had passed as by the artist himself, and the music he ﬁrst penned at the beginning of the 1970s. Malik stared at the cover of Cold Fact, the album that had sparked such a following in South Africa, and wondered why no-one else knew about this phenomenon. In his own words, Malik Bendjelloul became fascinated by

the story, but never expected the music to be so good. The protest songs he was listening to were classic Dylan territory and every bit as good, so why had he never come across them before? With the chilling sounds, the distinctive guitar chords and the impactful lyrics of Sixto Rodríguez still playing in his ears, he flew to the USA to meet the man whose voice had already become familiar to him. What he found was an ageing gentleman of American Indian extraction who had spent decades working in heavy manual construction and demolition – his back bent from years of hard labour and a fame and fortune unknown and lost to him. This labourer had, en passant, earned a degree in philosophy, but as the century drew to a close, he was still breaking his back demolishing buildings manually and living in a shack of a house in one of Detroit’s worst areas. It was a far cry from

the young troubadour whose music had captivated a team of seasoned music producers who had, however, been unable to get any airplay for what they thought was the next Bob Dylan. It wasn’t mean to be, until a young South African music exec and his American girlfriend touched down at Cape Town airport in the summer of 1970 with one of the few Rodríguez albums in circulation.

THE COMEBACK OF THE FORGOTTEN STAR This is where the parallel universe begins, for that summer the album received airplay at parties in Cape Town, where it soon developed a following. Such was the reaction that the young executive presented the album to his bosses in Johannesburg. Not long afterwards, the licensing rights had been acquired in agreement with Rodríguez’s manager, and records were being pressed for a ﬁrst release

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AN OSCARWINNING DOCUMENTARY FILM

A young Rodríguez in London

on the market. It was a huge hit, producing an album that, not unlike Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, would go on to sell for years on end. It is estimated that during a 25year period between 1970 and the mid-nineties alone, over ﬁve million copies of Cold Fact and its successor Coming From Reality, were sold in South Africa alone – a feat all the more impressive since its popularity was mostly limited to the white population of the country, which then stood at around ﬁve million people. The record company duly paid royalties to the Detroitbased manager, who neither informed the artist nor paid him the money owed to him. As a result, Sixto Rodríguez remained oblivious to his fame in South Africa, and the fortune that should have been his. A brief interlude back in

music between 1979 and Rodríguez’s daughters. To 1981 saw him tour Australia say she was bewildered is an with Midnight Oil and the understatement, as it would Mark Gillespie Band, but news be to try and describe the of it never reached his fans in excitement of the fans. News South Africa and he returned soon spread and before you to obscurity in downtrodden can say ‘I’ve found him’, Sixto Detroit. Until 1998, when Rodríguez and his daughters two Cape Town fans tired were invited to Cape Town for of merely wondering about a concert tour that sold tens Rodríguez and what had of thousands of tickets in a become of him realised the question of minutes. internet should produce some answers. Weary of urban myths proclaiming the artist to have killed himself on stage, written the album in prison and having long since passed away, they set up a website Rodríguez now tours the world and is requesting covered by many other artists information, and one morning received a phone call from one of

If the story isn’t enough of a modern-day fairy tale, the emotional scenes at the first concert provide the goosebumpfilled highlight of the documentary-film that won Malik Bendjelloul and his colleagues the 2013 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, as well as that year’s BAFTA Award for Best Documentary. The crowd cheered for 20 minutes solid as Rodríguez walked on to the stage and the familiar chords of I wonder began to play. It is a moment of huge emotional intensity seldom recorded on film, and hard to comprehend for those ‘who weren’t there’; those who didn’t live through the South Africa of the 1970s and 80s. For whatever reason, two whole generations held this mysterious man with his haunting lyrics in their hearts, and it all poured out one evening at the Good Hope Centre in Cape Town. The humility and humanity of Sixto, meanwhile, shines through everything, as he stood there smiling before thousands of

adoring fans, neither arrogant nor humbled, but merely absorbing the love that should have been his all along. Now the world knows about Sixto Rodríguez, the Dylan that never was but has risen from the dead to enjoy an Indian summer in his career. Sometimes called the artists’ artist, he tours around the world and his songs are covered by people as wide and varied as Paolo Nutini and the Dave Matthews Band. For all that befell him before, and befalls him now, ‘Sugar Man’ long resisted calls to sue for damages, gives most of his money to his daughters and continues to live in his old house in Detroit. I saw him at the Royal Albert Hall in London and witnessed ﬁrst hand how an international audience has taken to this phenomenon, not just because his story will be the last to be told this way, not just because it produced an Oscarwinning documentary ﬁlm, and not only because of the music he wrote as a young man that continues to resonate today — but also because, in the face of it all, Sixto Rodríguez is a unique individual in an age that badly needs idols with humility, sageness and purity of spirit. e

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D THE SPOTLIGHT people

ROBERT PROCOP GIVING SHAPE TO LIGHT One of the greatest jewellery designers in the world, Robert Procop has created collections and private commissions for Hollywood stars, US Presidents and clients the world over. Through his mastery of gemstone cutting and intricate precision engineering of the jewellery itself, he creates timeless pieces that give shape to lustrous light. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN AND COURTESY OF GÓMEZ Y MOLINA

he artist’s hand, at the service of his creative spirit, sculpts the forms we know as jewellery – working with the true treasures of the earth to produce works of beauty we can only marvel at. Rare, exquisite gemstones, sparkling brightly as their shapes, angles and translucent purity cast light through a prism of natural perfection enhanced by man. The ﬁnest stones and rare metals known to us, further perfected by the loving touch of the master jeweller, represent the ultimate expression of beauty and lustrous illumination – a sight so enthralling that it has held us in rapture since time began. To achieve this zenith of purity of stone, the optimal shapes and angles that entrance the eye with their colour and lustre, and allow the perfect passage of light that emerges radiant with brilliant colour requires the knowing hand of a master, for this is precision work with a priceless commodity as its raw material. In this ﬁeld there is no room for error; each and every

part of the precious stone – be it a diamond, a ruby or an emerald – has to be designed, cut, crafted and placed to absolute perfection. Add to this the creativity of a ﬁne architect, artist or couturier, and it becomes clear that this is the realm of a select few.

A MASTER JEWELLER IN THE FLESH In the halcyon world of fine jewellery, Robert Procop is a celebrated creator of some of the finest collections of the modern era. His style is a celebration of the vibrant American designs that first emerged in the 1930s and 1940s, representing the very embodiment of the American Dream; its exuberant tones, textures and materials were the artistic expression of the nation’s unique belief that paradise lies within your grasp. In an industry once dominated by the aristocratic pedigree of Europe, the American awakening of creative confidence began with the supper clubs and high society of New York, and culminated with

the glowing, beaconing influence of Hollywood, who’s larger than life grandeur provided both inspiration and an outlet for the finest luxury creations. “Don’t forget about the aeronautical industry either,” says the man whose father’s work as an engineer with the space programme provided the early underpinnings for a stellar career in a different field altogether. “I spent much of my teen years with my father in his workshop,” says Robert Procop, “and this is where I developed the technical insight that helped me as I evolved into the world of jewellery.” Working on minute mechanical parts under powerful microscopes provided the grounding for a designer who, like a watchmaker, creates the structure of his jewellery pieces from intricately designed and handmade patterns of detailed gold, silver and platinum components. Taken together, these form a solid, comfortable and visually beautiful basis in which to place the finest gemstones known to man.

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Robert Procop poses with Miguel Gómez at Gómez y Molina in Puerto Banús

WORKING WITH THE EARTH’S TREASURES “I have the privilege of working with the most astounding palette of raw materials any creative person could wish for,” and yes, compared to the painter, the sculptor or the architect, the jeweller’s quest for converting precious metals and stones into sparkling works of art and beauty is the ﬁnest alchemy of all. Robert Procop knows these materials like no other, having developed a close personal relationship and encyclopaedic knowledge not just of the qualities and characteristics of the ﬁnest stones and metals, but also having perfected his cutting skills under the greatest masters in places around the world. “Each stone has a geographical region that it is tied to and associated with, such as rubies in Burma and emeralds in Colombia, and

this in turn creates a historical and cultural heritage that ﬁnds its way into the designs.” For the designer, each new creation takes shape around the characteristics and story of the stone, but it takes a knowing eye to sense these and enhance them into stunning, timeless pieces of jewellery. For Robert, it all began when he took a job in a pawn shop as a youngster. He took to repairing both the jewellery and the stones, and by the time he went to university was supporting himself by trading in them. Even after he opened his flagship LA store Diamonds on Rodeo, he continued to expand his knowledge of precious gems and perfect his art as a designer, and though his collections and bespoke jewellery always carried his own name, famous international jewellery brands such as Cartier have sourced rare stones from him over the years. From Kashmir sapphires to

Robert Procop with Brooke Shields

white emeralds, Robert Procop has worked with them all, specialising in making the kind of timeless pieces that earned him a reputation as one of America’s leading creators of beauty.

MARBELLA We spoke with Robert Procop when he was visiting Gómez y Molina in Puerto Banús, and found that his personal connection with Marbella goes back over 30 years. “I’ve seen Marbella evolve and develop since then, and actually was inspired to create one of my most successful collections, Bella, here. The inspiration came from seeing this elegant lady in beautiful, flowing clothes in the ﬁnest restaurant, and it gave me the idea to design a selection of jewellery pieces with the same flowing forms and vibrant colours,” says the man who works not with chains of jewellery stores but seeks out the “best, most passionate and knowledgeable professionals in each market place.” In Marbella, the collaboration is with Gómez y Molina, where collections bearing the Procop name are offered with full guarantees of authenticity and

provenance by the brand itself, and certiﬁed by leading international laboratories. “I only work with natural stones of the highest quality and purity, which are untouched by human interference,” says Robert, who seeks the ﬁnest and rarest diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires, above all, from around the world. In addition to a loyal following in the USA, his clients also come from Europe, the Middle East and, increasingly, the Far East, where there is a growing fascination with American high couture design. Business acumen blends with technical and design skill, for Robert Procop also has the distinction of having turned the prestigious British jewellers Asprey & Garrard – purveyors to the royal family – around. Indeed, he has been appointed successor to Lord Balfour as Editor-in-Chief of Famous Diamonds, the crowning recognition in a career that has taken him from a teenager dealing in restored stones to one of the greatest jewellery designers of our times. i www.robertprocop.com

ANGELINA JOLIE AND BROOKE SHIELDS

His first presidential commission came under Ronald Raegan, and many more followed afterwards, while Hollywood stars turned to him to create personalised pieces for them. His friendship with Brooke Shields and Angelina Jolie, as well as his close personal involvement with charity work, led to the creation of a series of collections designed in support of the high-profile charities of the two film stars. “The design was done in collaboration with each, and it is interesting to note that where Brooke falls back to classical elegance, perhaps because she is a direct descendant of Louis XIV, Angelina prefers a more minimalist approach that centres upon the impact of a single stone.” Not surprisingly, the collections proved a great success in support of Angelina’s work for children in war zones and Brooke’s shelter for abused women, and the Smithsonian Institute even honours one of the works with a permanent exhibit – something that is not easily achieved.

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w the trend MUSIC READING CINEMA SERIES GADGETS EVENTS

92 94 96 98 100 102

Cinema Releases Classic Christmas Movies Music Mix Xmas Reads Top Gifts for Techies What’s Cool

WINTER IS THE PERFECT SEASON TO ENJOY TOP MOVIES AND READS – CHECK OUT OUR SUGGESTIONS OF SOME OF THE BEST. WE ALSO FEATURE LUXURY GIFTS THAT TECHIES WILL ENJOY, AND FILL YOU IN ON COOL EVENTS IN SPAIN.

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w THE TRENDcinema

CUTILLAS COMPILED BY MARISA

THE MONTH e BLOCKBUSTER OF rams (Star Trek) » DIRECTOR J.J. Ab y » GENRE Fantas , John Boyega, » CAST Daisy Ridley Carrie Fisher

ce faces the First Order The surviving Resistan and Poe’s journey n Fin y, once more as Re er and knowledge continues. With the pow m, the ﬁnal battle the ind of generations beh s promises new character commences. The ﬁlm ry fur e cut Frik: a super as well, including Babu day thanks to his the es sav o wh re creatu lls! ski g ldin master droid bui

STAR WAalkReSr

The Rise of Skyw

» DIRECTOR Jake Kasdan (Bad Teacher) » GENRE Comedy » CAST Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black

Jumanji: The Next Level

If you have caught any of the previous Jumanji ﬁlms, then you know that they are always a guarantee of a good time for the family. Dwayne Johnson and Jack Black are ready to take audiences on a wild goose chase across exotic parts of the world. They make their way through deserts, mountains, and lush jungles and attempt to stay alive as players and as real human beings.

» DIRECTOR Jeff Fowler (Gopher Broke) » GENRE Kids’ Flick » CAST Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Neal McDonough

Sonic the Hedgehog

Christmas is always a time for fabulous kids’ movies and this year, the big seller promises to be Sonic. The ﬁlm is based on the famous hedgehog from the famous Sega video game series. The cheeky character sets out to save the world when he meets Tom Wachowski, a police ofﬁcer whos main enemy is none other than the evil Dr. Robotnik (played by the one and only Jim Carrey).

» DIRECTOR Paul Feig (Spies) » GENRE Romance/Comedy » CAST Emilia Clarke, Henry Golding, Emma Thompson

Last Christmas

The gorgeous Emilia Clarke (of Khaleesi fame) plays Kate – a young woman whose career is going nowhere. Desperate to earn a bit of cash, she accepts a job as a Christmas elf at a local department store. The job is just as deadbeat as the rest of her life, until she meets Tom – a philanthropist she feels she can share everything with – including her recent illness.

» DIRECTOR Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird) » GENRE Drama » CAST Timothée Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson

Little Women

Greta Gerwig breathes new life into an old classic: Little Women, based on the book by Louisa May Alcott. The book and ﬁlm is reminiscent of Jane Austin works, in that it features female protagonists who deviate from standard behaviour expected at the time. Little Women is the story of the four March sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – who seek love, independence, and their own personal deﬁnition of happiness. e

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w THE TREND cinema

Best

CHRISTMAS FILMS OF ALL TIME

Say what you will about the materialism that abounds during the festive season, but a few sentiments that are universal in many countries across the globe are those of family, gratitude, and sacrifice. Most of us get a little time off in December – time we put to good use with parties, dinners, and family get-togethers. During these times, a great way to cap off the occasion is with a great Christmas film – these are some of the best. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS (1993)

Tim Burton’s 1993 stop-motion animated film is sheer visual perfection. This film introduced us to iconic characters celebrated every Halloween – including Jack Skellington, Sally the ragdoll, and Oogie Boogie, the gambling bogeyman. The film starts with a jaded Jack, who is tired of celebrating Christmas as though it were Halloween. When he accidentally stumbles on the bright and colourful world of Christmastown, he gets a new lease on life, and decides to kidnap Santa Claus so the jolly old fellow can bring a little cheer to his dreary world. Some of the funniest scenes of the film take place when Jack promises Santa to take over his role delivering presents to kids around the world. The shock on their faces as they see the fearful skeleton and his macabre gifts makes for many memorable scenes!

ELF (2003) Elf, starring Will Ferrell, is the ultimate ROFL flick. Hilarious, witty, and just a bit sentimental, it is the story of Buddy (played by Will Ferrell) – a Christmas elf at Santa’s workshop who who was unwittingly placed in Santa’s sack and transported to the North Pole when he was a baby. Buddy heads to New York to discover his true origins. There, he obtains a job as (you guessed it) a Christmas elf at a department store. Buddy finds his real father, falls in love, and raises the Christmas spirit in the Big Apple, proving that a little silliness goes a long way – especially when it is enjoyed with the people you love. HOME ALONE (1990) Macaulay Culkin plays a little boy who has the time of his life when his family leaves him behind on a family holiday. Delighted to have the house to himself, the boy feels like the King of his castle – until some thieves decide to rob his home. The boy is clearly gifted – smart and sassy enough to foil each of the criminals’ many attempts. He is the ultimate symbol of the many abilities and talents kids have – if only we allowed them to shine more! MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) This is the story of a department store Santa who claims to be the real thing – and what would you know? He is actually telling the truth! The lovely Maureen O’Hara plays Doris Walker – an events director at Macy’s who hires Santa for the job. She has raised her daughter, Susan (Natalie Wood) to shun fairytales, but Susan meets Santa and becomes convinced that he is legit. Eventually, a group of naysayers bring Santa to court, convinced that he is mentally ill. Magic prevails, and the people of New York begin to realise that bitterness and rancour can be eliminated when we start seeing life through the lens of a child. IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) This Frank Capra classic is based on the short story The Greatest Gift, written by Philip Van Doren Stern. It sees cult favourite James Steward play George Bailey – a man who has given up on his dream of making the world a better place and who intends to end his life on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, George is visited by Clarence – an angel who shows him the many ways in which he has touched others’ lives, and how different his community would have been if he hadn’t existed. George realises that despite the bad times, life is beautiful; indeed, it is the greatest gift we could ever receive. e

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w THE TREND music

GEORGE MICHAEL

¿QUÉ PASA?

LENNY KRAVITZ

WORDS RIK FOXX

December has no major international acts although there are some Spanish gigs – but there are likely to be tribute artists aplenty along the coast with the build-up to the festive season so check your local weekly publications for events. All info on this page was correct at the time of writing. At Málaga's Teatro de Cervantes this month: Spanish singer DIANA NAVARRO on the 8th; JAVIER OJEDA, the former singer of the 1980s legendary Torremolinos punk pop rockers DANZA INVISIBLE on the 15th and Spanish singer MARÍA TOLEDO on the 21st. All concert and ticket info: teatrocervantes.com Málaga gigs: Puerto Rican rapper MYKE TOWERS at the Ritual VIP Club on the 8th; Operación Triunfo 2017 finalists CEPEDA + ANA GUERRA at Sala París 15 on the 14th; ARNAU GRISO at Sala La Trinchera on the 20th and siblings ADEXE y NAU play the Málaga Auditorio Club on the 28th. Tickets and info: ticketmaster.es Tickets for the LENNY KRAVITZ gig at Fuengirola's castle on July 23 are already on sale from ticketea.com and clicktaquilla.com Next June's Primavera Sound Festival in Barcelona will be the first major musical festival to have mobile-only admission. Organisers say the new initiative will not only crack down on ticket touts but will also help the festival to achieve its environmental goals by not having print-at-home tickets. No artists have been announced yet.

RIHANNA says her forthcoming album is “reggae inspired or reggae infused.” She also confirmed she rejected the chance to do the prestigious American football Superbowl half-time show in Miami on February 2 to show solidarity with out of work American footballer COLIN KAEPERNICK who is best known for kneeling during the National Anthem in protest of police brutality and racism against African-Americans in the US in 2016. The Superbowl gig has now gone to JENNIFER LOPEZ and SHAKIRA , who turns 43 that day. ROBBIE WILLIAMS has recorded a Christmas special for the UK TV channel ITV featuring some of his greatest hits plus tracks from his new festive album, The Christmas Present which includes duets with BRYAN ADAMS, JAMIE CULLUM (a crucifixion of the SLADE classic Merry Xmas Everybody), ROD STEWART, his seven-year-old daughter, plus boxer TYSON FURY on an original song Bad Sharon – which is an early bookies favourite for the UK Christmas number one single.

The race for the UK Xmas number one single could be the closest in years and includes the #MeToo snowflakes demanded makeover of the classic, Baby, It's Cold Outside (much to the annoyance of SHARON OSBOURNE), by JOHN LEGEND and KELLY CLARKSON, plus a remake of White Christmas by BING CROSBY which has been digitally enhanced with the London Symphony Orchestra plus backing vocals by an American acapella group. Despite being the most popular festive tune of all time, its highest UK chart position was only number five in 1977 – the year he died while on a golfing holiday just outside Madrid.

Then there's the other two giants – can All I Want For Christmas Is You by MARIAH CAREY make an impact on the charts due to the Walkers Crisps TV advert? And will the Last Christmas movie push the 1984 WHAM classic to the top, or even the new GEORGE MICHAEL song, This Is How (We Want To Get High), which features at the end of the film?

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Jesus Is Born on, when other than, Christmas Day.

And the Extinction Rebellion Movement have teamed up with rockers THE JADE ASSEMBLY for Time for Change, which calls for environmental action. The most bizarre festive UK number one was Killing In The Name Of by US rap metal outfit RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE in 2009 after a successful on-line campaign to prevent The X Factor winner's song from gaining the Xmas number one for a fifth successive year. The band have recently reformed and are lining up a world tour next year.

Despite doing nothing ONE DIRECTION have banked over £2 million this year and two of its members are going head-to-head in the album charts. LIAM PAYNE releases LP1 on December 6 while HARRY STYLES has Fine Line out on the 13th. And there's talk that the latter has been offered a spot at Glastonbury next year and fancies his chances as the next JAMES BOND.

Not many albums landing this month as most artists don't like gambling in the festive sales fight but KYLIE has Golden Live in Concert on the 6th and JUSTIN BIEBER says he will release his first album in four years before the New Year. Also, ROBBIE WILLIAMS reckons he will have more new music out this month to follow his November released Xmas album. Meanwhile, KANYE WEST drops

He's got as much hope as LIAM GALLAGHER who says he wants to sing the next 007 theme tune and has written lyrics for a potential ditty. Meanwhile there were a few sniggers at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Sevilla last month when the OASIS singer thanked the crowd it Italian rather than Spanish, and on leaving the stage before his last song had finished it was suggested that he was late for his language lesson. e

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w THE TRENDreading

Top Reads for the Festive Season Christmas is a perfect time to enjoy time off with your loved ones but it is also the ideal occasion to reﬂect on how you can make the following year a better one for more than just the people in your immediate circle. This month we look into just a few books that share this sentiment. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS LETTERS FROM FATHER CHRISTMAS BY J.R.R. TOLKIEN

Every year come holiday season, Lord of the Rings writer, J.R.R. Tolkien would pen letters to his children from Santa Claus. He always honoured his children’s wishes for gifts, but also reminded them of the spirit of the season with words such as these: “Remember that this Christmas all over the world there are a terrible number of poor and starving people. I (and also my Green Brother) have had to do some collecting of food and clothes, and toys too, for the children whose fathers and mothers and friends cannot give them anything, sometimes not even dinner.” Tolkien had a fascinating, rags-to-riches life and was as much a man of action (he took to battle in WWI) as he was one of words. He believed in family but also strove for the greater good, both through his works and his deeds.

THE FIR-TREE BY HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

It is hard to believe that this beautiful story was written in the 20th century, since its message seems to resonate more powerfully than ever today. It is the tale of a young tree that wants nothing more than to grow tall and sturdy like the trees that surround it. The book is a powerful call to enjoying the present moment – which, in the end, is all we really have.

THE GIFT OF THE MAGI BY O. HENRY

It’s one of the most romantic and emotional Christmas narratives of all time, but it merits its place in our top ﬁve. This is the story of young couple, Della and Jim, each of whom ﬁnds a special way to make their partner happy. By the end of Christmas, they will realise that knowing that someone loves you enough to give up what matters most to them, is just about the most meaningful present anybody could have.

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY BY TRUMAN CAPOTE

Buddy is a seven-year-old kid growing up in a country town in Alabama during the Great Depression. It is Christmas time and to his surprise, his weary parents dump him at the home of a stoic relative. Luckily, Buddy meets and clicks with an elderly cousin who ﬁlls him in on the delights of drinking whiskey, baking sweets, decorating a tree, and flying kites.

SILENT NIGHT BY STANLEY WEINTRAUB

A fine historical anecdote that not many people are aware of eventually became a best-selling book by talented researcher and writer, Stanley Weintraub. In the early stages of World War I, on the 24th of December, men on both sides of the battlefield laid down their arms and joined in a spontaneous celebration. Despite orders to continue fighting, a powerful truce spread across the front lines. German soldiers placed candlelit Christmas trees on trench parapets, the men sang carols, and soldiers on both sides shared food their loved ones had sent them from home. They climbed from the trenches to meet on neutral ground where they buried the dead, played soccer, and even exchanged personal gifts. e

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w THE TREND technology

TOP GIFTS FOR TECHIE LOVERS Technology these days is doing so much more than entertain; it is uniting people, bringing out their artistic and intellectual abilities, connecting them with loved ones both in the home and out, and providing solutions to everything from road directions to weather predictions. If you have left your Christmas shopping late this year and your loved ones are tech junkies, give them a real rush when they open one of these beauties. COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

1 – AMAZON ECHO DOT

2 – AMAZON FIRE TV STICK

Currently selling for under €50 on Amazon.es, this intelligent speaker with Alexa tech boasts a gorgeous minimalist design and comes in four different fabric hues: anthracite, light grey, dark grey, and mauve. This device controls music via your voice and reproduces streamed songs from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and other services with intense, optimal quality. Strategically place compatible devices in various rooms and ﬁll your home with the sweet sound of music.

This nifty gadget plugs into your television set’s HDMI, giving you access to selected ﬁlms, music, photographs, games, and subscription services. It allows you to store all your content in one device, so you can access it when you travel or simply transport it to a different television than the one you normally use. The ﬁrst stick with optional voice support that has Alexa built-in, so you can hook it up to your Echo device through your phone’s Alexa app. You can then

use Alexa to control the TV without an actual remote control.

3 – BANG & OLUFSEN BEOPLAY E8 WIRELESS EARBUDS The ideal gift for music lovers desiring minimalistic, cutting-edge, light earbuds that ﬁt beautifully into the ear and stay there. The water-resistant buds boast a long battery life (four hours of constant playback), responsive touch controls, and a top-of-the-range audio quality. The elegant ﬁnish and stylish carry case are like

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candy to the eyes, while the easy pairing via Bluetooth and audio tweaking via the Beoplay app garner the device an A+ for functionality.

what the weather is like today. Command it to call a loved one, wake you up at a certain time or remind you what you have lined up for the day.

4 – ECHO SHOW 5

5 – THE SAMSUNG QE65Q9000 8K TV

This discrete device connects to Alexa to give you vibrant visuals on a 5.5” screen. It is the smaller version of the second-gen Echo Show and it boasts more features than the Echo Dot, which does not come with a display. Play music and videos and control your smartphone, but also instruct Alexa to play your favourite playlist or tell you

Top tech stores across Marbella are displaying this beauty in the lead-up to Christmas, hoping to tempt TV buffs with its ultra-clear visuals and vibrant colour range. Touted as one of the best gadgets on the market by Wired and other publications, this TV hits peak brightness levels of 4,000 nits, which means that viewers

can appreciate images in the exact way that their creators intended.

6 – GOOGLE HOME This ‘barely there’ device listens to your voiced commands, reproducing all the content you require – including music and playlists. Much like the Echo Show, it sends you reminders, informs you of the latest news, and helps you organise your daily tasks. It works alongside Chromecast, enabling you to play shows, series, movies, streamed music, and the like on your TV or speakers.

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w THE TRENDwhat’s cool

? l o o c s ’ t wha e ere is plenty mornt around the worldeth ce t re bu w , fe us a st on ju up e be ar on eggnog. Thes Christmas may sosn ow, fairy lights, and magic. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS an th e at br le ce of to uched by the hand events that were to

OF THE YE AR WOMEN’S WORLD CAR que, a premium SUV designed for city drivers,

The new Range Rover Evo of Best SUV/Crossover at the Women’s World recently took home the title ebrate the festive season by putting one of these cel Car of the Year. Why not ndrover.es under the tree? i www.la

ON’S ASIAN TE BOQUERÍA WINS UD ARNAU MUÑÍO OF DIREK CULINARY AWARDS Direkte Boquería recently took home the prize for

of Whiz Chef Arnau Muñío at the Asian Culinary Awards, organised by Udon. in Spa in ipe Rec an Asi t soup that can easily be Bes en, was a soul-soothing Ram re peb Alli the His dish, w.udon.es prepared at home! i ww

SHINE, GWENDOLINE!

Game of Thrones actor, Gwendoline Christie shone at the recent BFI London Film Festival when she arrived at the premiere of The Personal History of David Copperﬁeld in an eye-catching dress. i www.bﬁ.org.uk

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FERRERO ROCHER TURNS 30

Isabel Preysler and Jesús Vázquez were just two of the many celebrities who attended a true feat for chocolate house Ferrero Rocher: its 30th anniversary in Spain! Christmas is the perfect time to enjoy this treat so we hope you pop a few in your goodie bag! i www.ferrero.es

PAGANI IN NEW YORK

Pagani recently took over New York’s Grand Central Terminal with a stunning hypercar display. Horacio Pagani, founder and Chief Designer of the marque, said, “Grand Central Terminal, a globally recognised transportation hub with timeless design and beauty, is an iconic location where many immigrants arrived and began their American Dream. As there are signiﬁcant parallels between their journeys and mine, I am honoured to tell my story here.” i www.pagani.com

MESOESTETIC SPONSORS PEOPLE IN RED GALA

Mesoestetic were the proud sponsors of the People in Red Gala, held to raise funds for the ﬁght against AIDS. The company is a pharmaceutical lab specialised in dermocosmetics and aesthetic medicine, and it was founded in the beautiful city of Barcelona. i www.mesoestetic.com

WILD INSPIRATIONS

Veuve Clicquot and Panthera Dinner & Dance in Madrid have created their ﬁrst tasting menu together, with select dishes prepared by groundbreaking Chef Jhonny Setjo – who has honed his craft at some of Spain’s ﬁnest, including DiverXO and StreetXO. i www.veuveclicquot.com

MI VIDA ES TUYA: A WARNING AGAINST MOBILE PHONE ADDICTION

If you are a teen who finds it difficult to wrest your attention from your mobile device, check out #MiVidaesTuya – which will give you lots of vital info. Did you know, for instance, that nine out of ten teens have between two and five personal devices, or that the number of teens receiving therapy for mobile addiction has increased by 300%? i Check out the cool video and pick up a few handy tips on www.mividaestuya.com

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Av. Playas Del Duque, EdiďŹ cio Malaga Local 1 B & C - Puerto Banus 29660 Marbella +34682116509 - marbella@laskasas.com

d the style

INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE ART DESIGN GARDENS FASHION

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A Beautiful Home from Solvilla Cool Home Bodegas DÃ©cor Designs by Laskasas Guess Winter Fashion Chris Lee for Gucci

MODERNITY, BEAUTIFUL VIEWS, AND TOP QUALITY MATERIALS ARE WHAT THE LUXURY HOME LIFE IS ALL ABOUT, AND CERQUILLA 42 BRIMS OVER WITH THESE QUALITIES. WE ALSO DELIGHT IN THE DESIGN OF A SELECTION OF TOP BODEGAS, AND DON COOL WINTER ENSEMBLES BY GUESS.

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INTERIOR DESIGN

L U S

V E D

BESPOKE CARPENTRY

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FURNITURE COLLECTION

For the best locations SHOWROOM MARBELLA Opening hours

A V D A . B LV. P R Í N C I P E A L F O N S O D E H O H E N L O H E . U R B . C A R O L I N A P A R K

Mon-Fri: 10:00-14:00

15:00-19:00

w w w. a a l t o e x c l u s i v e d e s i g n . c o m

Sat: upon appointment

d THE STYLE decor

here are many modern villas in Marbella, so it takes something special for one to stand out and catch the eye with its design, interior flow and ambience. For such a property to transcend the passing fancies of fashions and trends, and attain a timeless quality is a further step still, so when you come across a home of this kind you recognise it at once. This new villa set upon a peaceful, leafy residential street in La Cerquilla immediately creates the sensation of being subtly different. Yes, it is contemporary, using a sleek whiteplastered geometry and lots of floor-to-ceiling glass to let in light and views, but something about the distribution of its volumes makes this villa one of a kind.

AN ARCHITECTURAL HOME Looking around these days, one gets the impression that there is much of a sameness around, with little in the way of personal styling to set homes apart and give them an exclusive character of their own. A true architectural home, however, may be inspired by a particular style but it is defined by the bespoke design solution and creativity that have gone into its making. Creativity is linked to know-how, both technical and artistic, as well as a sensory understanding and a pleasure in one’s work, and this is something shared by Beny Nadel of Xquisit Homes and architect Ismael Mérida, whose collaboration on this project has produced a villa with a style and visual vocabulary that is not only distinct, but will stand the test of time. Why? It starts with the proportions and distribution, for while we laymen tend to focus on the overall styling and design details, an architect commences the process by thinking about how to proportion the required home and its specifications within the space available, evaluating also the topography, orientation, (sun) light and views. “I was very fortunate to work with an owner who had sufficient confidence in me to give me a relatively free hand,” says Ismael of Ismael Mérida Arquitectos. The result was a greater deviation from the mean, for it produced a property of purer architectural design with bespoke madeto-measure spatial, technical, functional and aesthetic qualities. In other words, a more unique home… and you notice it in the easy aspect of the villa, whose elegance and lack of overbearing volume catch the eye. This is thanks to a clever use and distribution of space, light and materials, which also lead to a very free-flowing, pleasant interior and exterior layout that is both practical and welcoming.

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When architect and homeowner understand each other, great things can ﬂow from the collaboration. This beautiful contemporary villa in La Cerquilla, just above Nueva Andalucía’s Golf Valley, is a ﬁne example of a property in perfect balance of dimensions, harmony of materials and timeless design.

LA CERQUILLA 42 TIMELESS REFINEMENT FROM

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN AND COURTESY OF SOLVILLA

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Jesus de Francisco – Interior designer, Marbella Décor

Blanca Pera one of the interior designers responsible for the décor of the villa

Cerquilla 42 reflects the vision of Beny Nadel

“We kept the sleek, white-plastered vernacular,” says Ismael, “but added wood, travertine stone and also dark grey-toned aluminium frames for the large, panoramic windows.” Opting for top quality frames is one of those details that sets the villa apart, for it allows for a slender, more elegant design that is also functional. Another distinguishing feature is the apparent lack of columns and walled-in areas. “If a house is to be open-plan there shouldn’t be rooms hemmed in by walls or covered terraces where columns interrupt the views.” For this reason, the weight is held by the four external walls and a main interior one dressed in travertine stone that is visible both inside

and out. “It is a practical and design solution at the same time, and forms a unifying factor that runs from the lower floor right through to the rooftop terrace.” The architect was discerning in his use of materials and decorative elements, resisting the temptation to elaborate too much and working hard to balance the wood, stone, glass and white surfaces in a harmonious and complementary way. “It is an important process that works hand in hand with the dimensions and distribution to establish a visual balance and harmony.” Ismael also thought carefully about rooflines, creating two almost but not entirely symmetrical ‘floating’

roofs on the first floor that provide a partially covered section of terrace below. The rest of the spacious, panoramic terrace has a double-height covering that corresponds with the double-height ceiling of the living room, a feature that makes it a distinct space within the open-plan living, dining and kitchen area. “This design gives the terrace a greater sense of space and views, and brings these into the living room as well, where our decision to place not walls but windows on the north side, allows both more light and amazing vistas of La Concha Mountain to flood into the house.” Here, Balinese-inspired water features provide a beautiful night-time element too.

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STYLISH BUT FUNCTIONAL AND HOMELY The result of the above process of careful attention to detail is a skilful display of visual characteristics within an overall design that blends seamlessly and seems moulded to the beautifully landscaped garden and imposing sea, golf and mountain views. A large lawn flanked by Mediterranean plants, trees and herbs trains the eye along the infinity pool to the Mediterranean Sea directly ahead. Look up and blue Andalusian skies dominate your view; look down and it flows along the fairways and gardens of the Golf Valley to the Marbella shoreline. A large Balinese lounge bed stands in inviting symmetry to a modern wood-and-plaster poolside bar area designed for relaxing and entertaining. Naturally fully domotic, the villa’s state-of-the-art sound system produces excellent acoustics both within the home

and in the garden and terrace, ensuring that this is both a practical, comfortable home and a sexy, stylish villa for entertaining. The driveway leading to the double carport, forecourt and the gallery-style garage is paved with black-and-white ‘pedra calçada’ stones that are at once both modern and classical. Other features that impress as you arrive are the Balinese Zen baths and landscaping, as well as a glass-fronted lift that stands alongside the main entrance and connects the villa’s four levels. Of course, you may also want to take the ‘floating’ wooden stairs that form a refined design feature in their own right, connecting as they do the ground floor, lower level and first floor, from where stairs also lead to the large rooftop terrace – the perfect spot in which to create a panoramic lounging area with bar, dining space with outdoor kitchen and, should you like, a hot tub too.

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Other lifestyle areas can be found on the basement floor, where natural light and even sunshine reach the gym and sauna, the beautiful glass wine vitrines and the additional guest bedroom suites. The cinema and games room with top-range equipment by Illusion Custom Home Automation Solutions is naturally kept a little darker, where the three spacious bedroom suites with white-lacquered closets detailed with wood finishing and the master bedroom with open-plan white marble bathroom and large walk-in dressing room bask in natural light and an open panorama of sea views. The heart of the villa, and any home, is the open-plan lounge, which connects directly with the outdoor lounging area. Flanking it are a dining area and top-spec kitchen on the one side, and a

separate family room on the other. “We purposely positioned the kitchen on the east-side and let it open up to a covered breakfast area, where you start the day,” says the owner, Beny Nadel. “The living room and outdoor seating areas on the terrace are in the centre, making the most use of space and views directly to the south, and in the evening you retreat to the family room on the west-side, where you slide open a door to a cosy terrace area with outdoor fireplace.” The villa’s stylish but also comfortable and functional décor features elegant contemporary furniture and art by Blanca Pera of Blanca Pera Interior Design Studio and Jesús de Francisco of Marbella Décor. Aesthetics, functionality and comfort have all been carefully considered in a home that is at

once modern and timeless; spacious and cosy; impressive and welcoming. An easy flow makes it intuitive and homely, while well thought-out architectural design features give this modern villa in La Cerquilla all the credentials of a timeless Marbella classic in the making. g SOLVILLA Blvd. Principe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Hotel Marbella Club, Oficina 10, Marbella. Tel: (+34) 952 765 060. www.cerquilla42.es www.solvilla.no XQUISIT HOMES MARBELLA www.xquisithomes.es @xquisitmarbella

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“Latest Project in La Zagaleta” · Luxury Interiors · Interior Architecture · Building & Refurbishments · Bespoke Furniture Design · 3D Renderings · Project Management

Established in 2002, Ambience is an Internationally recognised Interior Architecture & Design ﬁrm based in Marbella. We are experts in full refurbishments and deliver breath-taking turnkey projects to our clients around the globe. From the initial design concept, to the placement of the last design detail, our talented and multilingual team will supervise all aspects of the project to transform our clients’ two-dimensional dreams into a three-dimensional reality. The projects range from interior design and furnishings, to full refurbishment projects. Our absolute #1 goal at Ambience is to clearly identify our client’s vision and needs in order to deliver spaces that are not only distinguished, vivacious and dynamic but make them feel instantly at home.

Blvd. Principe Alfonso de Hohenlohe C.C. La Poveda, Local 6, 29602, Marbella, Málaga, Spain Tel: (+34) 952 858 699 • Email: info@ambiencehomedesign.com • www.ambiencehomedesign.com

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THE BODEGA COMES INTO THE LIGHT With the trend switch to sleek modern architectural styles this decade has come a veritable revolution in the shape and function of this centuries-old space, which has seen it totally redefined from a traditional brick area located below the home to a glass-andchrome vitrine situated right at its heart. In other words, in this century the bodega has come out of the dark and into the light. Many a homeowner might still want to position it within the lower basement level, where it can function alongside entertainment rooms, home cinemas and even private spas, but for the first time the home bodega can also come into the main living spaces of the home. Besides its actual purpose, to store fine quality wines of all kinds in a temperature-controlled environment, this glass and chrome vitrine can also function as a division between different rooms or parts thereof. It’s up to you where you place it, but an open section of corridor near the kitchen and dining room is a possibility, as is the laundry, though today’s glass wine cabinets are so attractive that you would want them to take pride of place and steal the show in the kitchen, the dining room or even in-between the latter and the living room. A den would also look great with an eye-catching feature like this in it, and who says you can’t have more than one?

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All recommended retail prices are including 21% VAT and shown in EUR €.

THE SEASON FOR

SHARING Shop in December. Get 10% back.* Gifting season is upon us. So, why not give the gift of Danish design? Shop for 500 EUR or more and get 10% back to spend in store. Use it to treat the ones you love, or just yourself (don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.) But hurry, offer ends 24 December. And remember to share your seasonal moments using #BoConceptSharing for weekly chances to win a high value voucher. Explore the collection now in your local store and at boconcept.com. *See terms and conditions at boconcept.com.

OSAKA SOFA, FROM FROM € 1.199,- I BERMUDA POUF, FROM FROM € 359,-

www.boconcept.es

BoConcept & PlusStore Mijas

BoConcept & PlusStore Marbella

BoConcept El Corte Inglés

malaga@boconcept.es

Ctra. de Mijas km 3,5

Ctra. N-340 km 176,

Calle Ramón Areces S/N

marbella@boconcept.es

29650 Mijas, Málaga

29602 Marbella, Málaga

29660 Puerto Banús, Málaga

ecibanus@boconcept.es

Tel. +34 951 242 092

Tel. +34 951 492 727

Tel. +34 659 388 226

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www.plusstore.es malaga@plusstore.es marbella@plusstore.es ecibanus@boconcept.es

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FORM AND FUNCTION If the look and location of the wine cellar have changed, the function hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, and as many of these beautifully styled glass cabinets are located at the point where the kitchen and dining room meet, the wine tasting can now be enjoyed at the kitchen bar, the dining room table or even on the terrace outside. Today, the modern wine cellar has also become a true design feature in its own right, for a glass-and-chrome bodega is attractive by day and a visual delight when lit up with LED. Coming in a wide range of sizes and configurations, and automated settings that can be integrated into your homeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s domotic system, what is effectively a gently refrigerated cooling cabinet can be a practical and aesthetic addition to anything from a studio apartment to a large mansion, and they range from standardised designs to anything you want them to be. Modern technology ensures the sky is the limit, so be creative. i www.getstact.com

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Projects: Penthouse H & Villa M

Interior Design & Property Development blackshawinteriordesign.com

Showroom: Avenida Canovas del Castillo 25, Marbella

+34 951 403 787

d THE STYLEdecor

COSY SOFA

LASKASAS DESIGN

and the Art of Turning a House into a Home Laskasas is a chic showroom and décor studio ensconced in Playas del Duque, Puerto Banús. The ﬁrm brings stunning furniture to the Coast, but also offers a bespoke interior styling service that strikes the perfect balance between artistry, quality, and comfort. These are just a few of the many beautiful pieces they have brought to life. COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

ESTER BEDSIDE TABLE

D’ARC CENTR

AL TABLE

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ME R C

Y SIDE TABLE

DONALD ARMCHAIR

D’ARC DIN ING TABL

OF AC

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TABLE

NIELS CONSOLE

g LASKASAS Avda. Playas del Duque, Edif. Málaga, Local 1 B & C, Puerto Banús, Marbella. Tel: (+34) 682 116 509. www.laskasas.com

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KERSTIN SCHACHT INTERIOR DESIGNER

Villa Mariposa, Marbella

Único Benahavís www.unicobenahavis.com

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I have always felt great love for design, fashion and beautiful things! I ﬁrst started working in the fashion industry with an Austrian designer where I focused mainly on handbags, complements and jewellery. This then gave me the opportunity to travel all around the world to exotic locations supervising the production of these luxury items. My passion for design ultimately moved me into the interior design business. It is essential for me to get to know my clients and establish a personal relationship with them and dedicate as much time and passion as necessary to each project to ensure the success and results they expect. Most challenging for me is creating something new from zero whenever I am given the opportunity to manage a project and liaise with clients, architects and developers. My services include full refurbishments, turnkey projects, residential interiors, kitchens and made to measure furniture design. I understand that all clients, whatever their nationality expect a high level of service, punctuality and accurate budgeting, for which I have an excellent reputation. The most important quality of a luxury property is that the owners see it as a true “home”. It should reflect them, their ideas and their interests in the most beautiful and functional way possible. Please feel welcome to visit us any time in our showroom, to discuss ideas and potential new projects.

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Villa Mariposa, Marbella www.villamariposa.es (photo courtesy of Solvilla)

Villa in Zagaleta

(photo courtesy of Charly Simon)

www.ksinteriorconcepts.com

Urbanización La Alcazaba Bloque 2, Local 2 – 29660 Nueva Andalucía, Marbella @kerstin.schacht

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+34 619 013 655

design@kerstinschacht.com

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d THE STYLEfashion

EXCESS VELOUR ROMPER BELLE CROSSBODY BAG CHANDELIER MULTISTONES EARRINGS NEXT PAGE: DRAMA PAVE WINGS BANGLE PATRICE DRESS

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There is no time like the holidays to pull out all the stops and express your love for all things luxurious and eye-catching. These are just a few outﬁts that may be just the thing you’ve been looking for to turn heads at your next dinner or soirée. COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

FESTIVE GLAMOUR BY

GUESS ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER 2019 / 127

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JAMIE SATIN CONTRAST BLAZER JAMIE SATIN CONTRAST PANT STARLIGHT HEEL SANDAL DRAMA WINGS BANGLE DRAMA WING NECKLACE NEXT PAGE: FRIDA CORDED DRESS CRYSTAL WING EARRINGS KAYAH BANDAGE DRESS ATLAS CHAIN WALLET BAG CRYSTAL WING EARRINGS MELODY GOWN DRESS STARLIGHT HEEL SANDAL

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PARIS DRESS BLACK PARIS DRESS GREY) MULTISTONES NECKLACE DRAMA WING NECKLACE CHANDELIER MULTISTONES EARRINGS

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RICH SWEATER DRESS KIKI LARGE CROSSBODY FLAP ADRI TOP JAMIE SATIN CONTRAST PANT WILD ONE TOP DIAMANTE MID RISE PANT BELLE CROSSBODY BAG CHANDELIER MULTISTONES EARRINGS g C.C. La Cañada, Marbella. Tel: 951 821 592. Muelle Ribera 53, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 061. C.C. Parque Miramar, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 583 082. www.guess.eu/es

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d THE STYLE fashion

CHRIS

LEE

STARS IN NEW GUCCI JEWELLERY AND WATCHES CAMPAIGN

hinese singer and actor, Chris Lee is the face of Chanel’s latest jewellery and watch campaign. Inspired by Gucci Creative Director Alessandro Michele’s love of libraries, the shoot took place at the Casanatense Library in Rome, established in 1701 by the Dominicans of the Convent of Santa María Sopra Minerva. The images see Chris as a bookworm, wearing beautiful jewellery and watches by Gucci. In one image, Chris Lee wears a Gucci Grip with a yellow gold PVD case engraved with the GG motif, three windows (indicating hour, minute and date), and a yellow gold PVD bracelet. In another she wears a GTimeless Automatic with a steel case, a black onyx dial with a bee motif, and a steel bracelet. A third image features a G-Timeless with a yellow gold PVD case, a green-redgreen House Web stripe nylon dial with an embroidered gold bee design, and a white calf leather strap. Jewellery items also abound, dripping in diamonds and precious metals that exude glamour and luxury. i www.gucci.com

g Photography and Direction: Colin Dodgson

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Life 4U Ad 230x300mm Sept 19.qxp_Life 4U Ad 230x300mm Sept 19 24/09/2019 12:27 Page 1

RELOCATION SPECIALISTS IN MARBELLA AND SURROUNDING AREAS Veronika Tye Founder MY STORY I have relocated 3 times in my life. The first time I was single and had recently graduated with a Law degree, I went to the USA. The second time I was married and relocated from my home in the Czech Republic to the United Kingdom. The third time with my husband and our 3 children to Marbella, Spain. I now consider myself a specialist in relocation!! I understand how frustrating and time consuming it is to organise your new life in a new culture without having the knowledge of local legal and fiscal requirements. When you don’t know how things work it’s not easy arranging life’s basic necessities such as: home, school, bank accounts, medical specialists, health insurance, vets, gyms etc...... Your list will be endless!! That’s why I partner and cooperate with a team of experienced and professional specialists lawyers, accountants, tax advisers, real estate agents, interior designers, architects, doctors (and lots more) to make sure you are taken care of every step of the way on the path to find the perfect new LIFE4U.

Visa, work permit, residency

Childcare, housekeeping, pets

Home search, school selection, utilities

Sports and lifestyle choices

Healthcare, insurance

And almost anything else you can think of!

www.life4u.es | tel +34 616401016 | email veronika@life4u.es

n THE SPAbeauty

ISUN SKINCARE

AND THE QUANTUM HEALING EFFECT

I have written about many skincare brands in my career, and many samples and entire skincare collections have made their way through my hands but one that stands out and very much merits its place as our Christmas edition’s beauty feature, is Isun. Chanel, Dior, Sisley… these are universally revered brands, their products undoubtedly leaving skin soft, supple, and ﬁrm. But there is a unique power that Isun has: a spiritual effect that lifts the mood and mental state, taking it into quite a unique realm. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS WHY IS ISUN SO DIFFERENT?

Isun was founded by visionary creator Bunnie Gulick, who sought to create skincare that embodied love and inspiration through its purity and potency. Each product was consciously formulated to provide a ‘quantum healing effect’ for holistic wellbeing. The brand was established not only to target wrinkles, lines, loss of ﬁrmness etc., but also to provide a better physical, mental and emotional balance; one that encourages open, giving hearts and a higher awareness that brings us closer to what Carl Jung called our ‘collective unconscious’ (or spirituality).

EXACTING CRITERIA

All Isun products respect three key requirements: they are created with positive, clear intentions; they are made from pure, unadulterated, life and health-giving ingredients; and they are made with living, high life-force elements. Essentially, this means that all products are pure, wild-crafted, and

organic, containing essential oil aroma blends that have an uplifting effect on mood.

COMMUNICATING WITH PLANT LIFE

Isun’s creators remind us that “In many ancient traditions, people communicated with the spirit of a plant and telepathically received knowledge about its unique uses and beneﬁts to humankind. In return for the knowledge received, the people communicated back messages of love and gratitude to the spirit of the plant that helped them thrive and flourish.” Many of the company’s ingredients are sourced from indigenous people who follow ancient, sacred practices. For the Isun team, the sincere gathering of wild plants protects their life-force energy and provides a ‘deeper subtle energy’ to users of the products.

HARNESSING BIOPHOTON ENERGY The idea of ‘biophoton energy’ (or ‘light energy’, contained in plants) isn’t new. Biophotons can effectively repair,

regenerate, and protect skin. Live plants contain the highest levels of biophotons and their powerful resonance can be captured and delivered through top quality skincare.

AWARD-WINNING SKINCARE

Isun has won many prestigious awards, including various Beauty Shortlist Awards. Its list of products includes items for the face and body. Some of its most iconic products include Ormus Myst, containing “structured water of high altitude springs that is exceptionally rich in photon super-conducting single atoms of gold, platinum and other metals in a rare liquid state.” This spray can be used all day to protect skin and battle sadness. Also well renowned are serums like Phyto-Infusion (an age-defying product that contains powerful components like vegan stem cells, CoQ10, Vitamin C, ceramides, and more). After using a serum, it is recommended that you follow it with a facial oil (I use the lovely

Sunstone for normal and sensitive skin) to stop the luxurious ingredients of your serum from evaporating. For the eyes, Revive is a deliciously cool gel product that instantly reduces inflammation. Isun is also famed for its masks. Try Pearl Radiance for greater brightness and moisture, or Chlorella-Algae for sensitive or irritated skin. The brand has a select range of items for men, as well as products for mothers and children, sun care, aromatherapy, and more. You additionally have the chance to try out samples, so give the Isun website a good look to ﬁnd products that match your skin types and skin goals. Isun is made in the pristine San Juan Mountains of Colorado, but the good news is that all products are available in Europe. The company usually sends a few samples with every order, so you will certainly be enticed to build your collection! i www.isunskincare.co.uk www.isunskincare.nl

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Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery • Aesthetic Medicine • Holistic Dermatology • Cosmetic Dentistry

At Ocean Clinic, Christmas starts early with a month full of special offers on aesthetic treatments!

Contact us now for a free consultation and learn about our Special Xmas offers (valid 01.12 – 31.12 2019) ZURICH - MARBELLA - MADRID

BE BEAUTIFUL

Av. Ramón y Cajal, 7 • 29601 Marbella • 951 775 518 • 670 770 455 • info@oceanclinic.net • oceanclinic.net

n THE SPAbeauty

PERFUMES FOR THE WOMAN OR MAN IN YOUR LIFE

Christmas is one of the most popular times of the year for buying and gifting fragrance. With a host of new lines on the market in beautifully designed packaging, making your pick can be challenging indeed. We bring you a few choice bottles that are perfect for the festive season. COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS 1 – LES EAUX DE CHANEL PARISRIVIERA EAU DE TOILETTE BY CHANEL

A fresh fragrance with a radiant floral trail that evokes the sunlit Côte d’Azur that Gabrielle Chanel loved so dearly. Featuring citric top notes, neroli and jasmine middle notes, and a benzoin and sandalwood base. 2 – MÉMOIRE D’UNE ODEUR EAU DE PARFUM BY GUCCI

A beautiful green crystal bottle houses a fresh perfume bearing top notes of Roman chamomile, heart notes of Indian coral jasmine, and base notes of vanilla and noble woods.

3 – VANILLE FATALE EAU DE PARFUM BY TOM FORD

A gorgeous gourmand parfum for those into sweet fragrances, this one contains top notes of orange, lime, myrrh, coriander, saffron, olibanum, and rum; middle notes of rose, frangipani, narcissus, plum, barley, coffee, and artemisia; and base notes of tobacco, Madagascar vanilla, suede, oakmoss, violet, patchouli, and mahogany. 4 – MÉTALLIQUE FRAGRANCE EAU DE PARFUM BY TOM FORD

5 – BLACK OPIUM SOUND ILLUSION EAU DE PARFUM BY YVES SAINT LAURENT

An Oriental fragrance containing coffee, pink pepper and fruity top notes, jasmine and sambac middle notes,and a vanilla, patchouli, cedar, and cashmere wood base.

6 – MOROCCAN FIG EAU DE TOILETTE BY MALIN + GOETZ

This light, green, woody scent is ideal for everyday use. It features citric top notes, ﬁg heart notes, and a coconut and cedar base. e

A floral fragrance that contains aldehyde, bergamot and pink pepper top notes, hawthorn, lilyof-the-valley and heliotrope heart notes, and musk mallow, balsam, vanilla, and sandalwood base notes.

4 5 6

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Why everyone’s talking about the Arques ‘Aesthetic Medicine’ Clinic Arques seems to be the name on nearly everyone’s eye-catching lips in Marbella and surrounding areas when it comes to recommending a leading-edge beauty and anti-ageing clinic. And its reputation resonates way beyond The Golden Triangle. Arques’ advanced treatments for such conditions as obesity, skin ageing, wrinkles, cellulite, varicose veins and other age-related and lifestyle conditions is now attracting patients from over 30 countries.

So the clinic’s ‘Responsible Aesthetic Medicines’ are based on new techniques that fight these influences and wherever possible prevent them from happening. In many cases, the clinic asserts that it can not only prevent the signs of ageing but can even reverse them. The techniques to do so are surprising.

“We offer the world’s most innovative cosmetic techniques plus exquisite modern facilities”

“I feel really proud of our commitment to social responsibility, an approach shared by every member of our team,” he said “We are very gratified to be able to earmark a percentage of our profits to various foundations to help the needy.

So what’s the secret? “We believe that the real revolution is quite simple,” explained the clinic’s principle, Dr Arques “We offer the world’s most innovative cosmetic techniques plus exquisite modern facilities, including a spa environment, a relaxed and harmonious setting and a very professional service. Added to that we source with great care the world’s number one laboratory products and we obtain the most competitive prices to pass on to our patients. We constantly seek the latest tried and tested scientific advances to ensure the quality we offer is always the best you can obtain anywhere in the world.” "Our joint objective then, as it continues to be is to use the latest and most effective aesthetic medicine in a responsible way so that results are totally natural.” “Unfortunately the signs of aging are increasing all around us,” said Dr Arques. “They reflect our current lifestyle: our inadequate diet, lack of exercise and sports practice, lack of oxygen, work and home pressures, pollution, and not least, the sun’s damaging ultra-violet rays.”

Pride in Awards

“Among our other awards, the two most desirable were when we were in competition with an international field and came out top for aesthetic medicine and for responsible innovation in our sector.” For further information about the Arques Medical Clinic or to make an appointment, email: info@arquesclinic.com

+34 662 408 408 C/ Ramón Areces S/N Complejo Marina Banús Bloque 3, local 29 Puerto Banús www.arquesclinic.com · info@arquesclinic.com arquesclinic

Full details of those treatment are on the clinic’s website www.arquesclinic.com/en Doctor is qualified as aesthetic doctor in the U.K., is registered with the GMC and is also an associate member of the Royal College of General Practitioners

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n THE SPA health

EMBRACING THE GLOW OF YOUTH AT

CIRUMED’S MEDICAL SPA WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY AYLEN BERTOZZI

MESOTHERAPY

irumed may be one of Spain’s most renowned plastic and aesthetic surgery clinics, but it is just as well known for its nonsurgical procedures, carried out at its Medical Spa. Run by Jeannine Aslani, specialist nurse and wound care manager, it is an ideal choice for anyone into beauty and skincare, its vast range of treatments including everything from CoolSculpting (fat freezing) to Botox and fillers, Fractora and Fraxel lasers (for skin resurfacing, scars, wrinkles, etc.). Changes may be taking place within the Clinic, but the staff are incredibly warm and down-to-earth, attending to you with a smile and giving seasoned, honest advice based on years of practice. These are just a few non-surgical treatments that clients are opting for.

MEDEX A renowned line of facials relying on highly active, luxurious skin preparations for the treatment of acne and neglected, damaged skin. Each facial is specifically catered to your skin’s needs, with treatments sometimes involving the use of the Medex Light Mask. The latter works on issues like scarring, hyperpigmentation, and acne, using different frequencies of red, green,

and blue light, which interact with the biological system of skin. This treatment can be combined with others – including laser – to reduce the appearance of scarring and accelerate the curation of wounds.

ALPHA PEEL This is a strong yet safe peel, containing a combination of lactic, citric, and tartaric acids, sourced from milk, fruit, and wine. These ingredients are naturally absorbed by skin, resulting in optimal results without causing damage. The treatment regenerates and brightens skin, smoothens fine lines and wrinkles, and brings greater vitality to your complexion.

CURE THERAPY TREATMENT This regimen combines Medex serums and cellular fluids with deep exfoliation treatments, masks, and peels. The result is an intense targeting of fine lines, wrinkles, and improved hydration. The ageing process is halted and skin is regenerated at a cellular level. An ideal choice for those wishing to counteract sun and environmental damage, reverse the signs of ageing, and provide the skin with deep hydration.

A classic treatment that transforms skin from lacklustre to bright, dull to dewy, through the use of micro-fine needles that deliver a potent cocktail of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to the mesodermal layer of the skin. The result is a firmer, plumper complexion with a reduced need for Botox and fillers. For optimal results, Cirumed recommends regular sessions.

HYDRA FACIAL This treatment is centred on profound pore cleansing and resurfacing, thanks to a special machine with powerful suction and exfoliation properties. The ingredients used block melanin production, making it an ideal treatment year-round for those battling hyperpigmentation. In four simple steps, a new layer of skin arises. Pores are completely cleaned of debris, and skin is infused with antioxidants, gentle glycolic and salicylic acids and peptides to maximise your glow. This is a good choice for people with clogged pores, sun damaged skin, troublesome acne-prone skin, and dull and tired skin. It is suitable for all skin types. Cirumed is, in every sense of the word, a one-stop clinic for all your beauty needs – both surgical

and non-surgical. The Clinic is also home to two FDA-approved Zeltiq (CoolSculpting) machines, which provide similar results to those obtained by liposuction, despite the treatment being totally non-invasive and requiring no downtime at all. In fact, patients can freely visit Cirumed for this treatment while on their lunch break, checking out their emails or messaging friends while fat is frozen away from a number of areas – including the back, waist, arms, and even the double chin! The staff are always on-hand to suggest useful approaches for any issue you might be targeting. From tiredness to acne scarring, stubborn fat to expression lines, they are in possession of the training, technology, and experience to recommend a specific treatment. Lasers, microneedling, and peeling treatments are just a few approaches that can lend skin a smooth, youthful, firm appearance. If you feel like it is time to transform into your best self, know that Cirumed can help you get there in a completely safe and noninvasive way. g CIRUMED CLINIC Edif. Panorama, Planta baja, Local 2. CN340, km 184, Marbella. Tel: 952 775 346. www.cirumed.es

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n THE SPAhealth

FOOD INTOLERANCE AND THE FODMAP DIET

The rise of food intolerances and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the past decade has been noticeable especially in the western countries, partly due to poorer food quality, increased usages of pesticides and food additives, stress levels and imbalances in gut microbiota. In fact, is the most common gastrointestinal condition seen by general medical practitioners and dietitians today (1). Patients come to see me in my clinic, because their food intolerances are causing them stomach cramps, bloating, irregular toilet habits, and they have tried everything but nothing worked! WORDS DR. REBECA ERIKSEN WHAT IS A FOOD INTOLERANCE? A food intolerance is very different from a food allergy though they are often mistaken for each other. A food allergy is an immune system response when the body reacts to a particular food such as nuts, milk, fruits, when IgE antibodies are released and can cause a severe allergic reaction. A food intolerance, often called a non-allergic food hypersensitivity, does not involve the immune system and therefore has less severe symptoms. However, it is much more common in humans than food allergy. There are many different types of food intolerances, including enzymatic and pharmacologic reactions. Pharmacological intolerances involve reactions to certain naturally occurring substances in foods such as vasoactive amines – of which histamine is one example, salicylates – substances chemically similar to aspirin found in a wide variety of plant foods, and

caffeine or theobromine – found in chocolate. A more common type of food intolerance is an enzymatic reaction towards food groups such as fructose, polyols, fructan or lactose, which occurs because one has either too little or no enzymes to help digest speciﬁc foods such as the enzyme lactase, which helps to digest milk sugar lactose. However, there are also many food intolerances with unknown mechanisms such as intolerance to food additives and pesticides. Food intolerances do not involve the immune system and are rarely life-threatening. Reactions to food show a vast range of symptoms, individual to each patient. If left untreated they could result in severe cases of IBS and malnutrition of essential nutrients.

HOW CAN YOU GET TESTED? Unlike food allergies, there aren’t many good clinical tests for food intolerances. There are lots of

commercial tests such as those measuring the levels of antibodies called IgG antibodies, which hold no clinical value. Current clinical tests available to aid with diagnosis include a hydrogen-breath test, which measures levels of bacteria in the gut and reactions to lactose and fructose. Recently, newer testing methods have arisen, including a DNA test measuring genetic mutations associated with impaired enzymatic production speciﬁc to nutrients like gluten, lactose, fructose and histamine.

CAN YOU TREAT A FOOD INTOLERANCE? For years, symptoms of food intolerances have been ‘treated’ or rather temporally helped with the use of medications but the cause was never actually cured. Today many countries like the UK and Australia are not prescribing medications but rather recommending a specialised diet as a ﬁrst line treatment.

This diet is known as FODMAP, which stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides And Polyols and it was developed by leading experts. The diet eliminates a group of highly fermentable carbohydrates proven to cause indigestion and overgrowth of gut bacteria, which can cause you to suffer from IBS symptoms. The FODMAP diet is backed by hundreds of clinical studies and proven to treat over 86 per cent of IBS cases in just four weeks(2). This simple two-step programme is designed to identify which foods you are intolerant to, to limit gut inflammation and help rebalance your good natural microbiota. The booklets are currently not available online so ﬁnd a health professional trained in the FODMAP diet. g Dr. Rebeca Eriksen is a Clinical Dietician, based at the Executive Health Clinic in Puerto Banús. www.executivehealth.es

1. Thompson W, Heaton K, Smyth G, Smyth C. Irritable bowel syndrome in general practice: prevalence, characteristics, and referral. Gut. 2000;46(1):78-82. 2. Nanayakkara WS, Skidmore PM, O’Brien L, Wilkinson TJ, Gearry RB. Efﬁcacy of the low FODMAP diet for treating irritable bowel syndrome: the evidence to date. Clinical and experimental gastroenterology. 2016;9:131.

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FULL DIGESTIVE IMAGING WITH CAPSULE CAMERA TO EXCLUDE CANCER

NECK VESSEL TO EXCLUDE RISK OF STROKE HEART FOR EVALUATE ANATOMY AND FUNCTION

FULL DERMOSCOPY TO EXCLUDE SKINCANCER COMPREHENSIVE CLINICAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT AND MEDICAL HISTORY REVIEW CARDIOVASCULAR RISK COUNSELLING LIFESTYLE RISK ASSESSMENT WITH CONCRETE FEEDBACK POINTSTO IMPROVE AND REDUCE RISK A SUMMARY OF YOUR RESULTSWITH AN INDEPTH,ONE-ON-ONE,REVIEW WITH YOUR PERSONAL EXECUTIVE HEALTH PHYSICIAN

InNovemberandDecember, wehaveanof f erf oral lwomenwhocomef orourpremi um screeni ngprogram;af reegynaecol ogycheck-upwi t h smear t est , ul t rasound, col poscopy and MRI breast s (val ue800 Euros).

LUNG CT M AM M OGRAPHY AND M RIBREAST HEART M ONITORING W ITH NEW M ETHOD TO IDENTIFY RISK OF STROKE FAT AND M USCLE M RI

CAPSOCAM PLUS provi des more t han 40. 000 i mages of your gast roi nt est i nal t ractwi l lbeproducedandrevi ewedwhi l e youareathomeoratwork.

CARDIOVASCULAR GENETIC EVALUATION M ICRO NUTRITIONAL AND SUPPLEM ENT EVALUATION

Echocardi ography

n THE SPAhealth

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

CARDIOCARE MARBELLA

FOR ALL YOUR CARDIOLOGY NEEDS. 24/7

hey say that doctors are heroes who save lives every day but it is rare to meet a husband-and-wife specialist medical team who take the saying quite so seriously. Dr. Bernd Uwe Reisbeck and Dr. Manuela Reisbeck (both specialists in cardiology and general medicine) gave heart and soul to the injured at one of the world’s most documented tragedies: 9/11. On that fateful day in 2001, they were right in the thick of things, trying to come to terms with an unimaginable tragedy, sharing their medical knowledge and experience with patients who were ﬁghting for their lives. The young couple had honed their skills for many years in top medical institutions in New York and Berlin before deciding it was time for a change. Today, in their dedicated department within the Marbella High Care Hospital (where the doctors work with cutting-edge equipment, including a 3-Tesla MRI and the highest grade PET-CT scan), they offer their knowledge and skill in cardiology to patients – everyone from those simply wishing to have a yearly check-up, to those who have symptoms or even just a family history of heart disease.

A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED DUO Drs. Manuela and Bernd Reisbeck, both from Germany, actually met while she was in her ﬁrst year of medical school in Berlin and he was working at a hospital. Bernd completed the board exam to become an accredited specialist

in New York (where he completed his fellowship) and formed part of various prestigious medical teams in veritable institutions like the Bellevue Hospital (New York City University), Memorial Sloan Kettering, and St. Vincent’s Hospital (New York Medical College). He held the post of Head of Critical Care at the Brookdale University Hospital Brooklyn and has been US board-certified since 2002. After 9/11, the couple headed to Berlin; from 2004 to 2007, Bernd was a member of the interventionist cardiology team at UKB . Dr. Manuela Reisbeck has an equally impressive trajectory, having graduated from the Charite University in Berlin and finished her clinical training in internal medicine and intensive care in Berlin and at the NYU. In 1999, she received her full accreditation with the US-ECFMG board and commenced her clinical medical training programme at prestigious institutions like NYU, Memorial Sloan Kettering and New York Medical College. She has been US-board certified since 2002.

FROM PREVENTION TO EMERGENCY HOSPITAL CARE Between 30 to 40 per cent of people do not have symptoms before having a heart attack. This is why prevention is key. CardioCare offers the full range of services for heart health – divided into three main categories: Prevention Check-Ups, Cardio-Vascular Intervention, and Emergency and Hospital Care.

PREVENTION CHECK-UPS: There are many different prevention programmes, and the right one for you will depend on your age, risk factors, etc. Testing can range from just one and a half hours in length to two days, depending on how many tests you have. The type of tests offered are numerous and include ECG, echocardiography, stress ECG, carotid echo-doppler and IMT measurement, full body MRI, HRV screening, colonoscopy (if indicated), peripheral arterial echo-doppler, ABI, lung X-rays, etc.

CARDIO-VASCULAR INTERVENTION: CardioCare boasts an impressive Siemens Hemodynamic Interventional Unit, used to carry out a vast number of endovascular procedures, including coronary angiogram and interventions/stent insertion, carotid artery interventions, peripheral artery angiogram and interventions, aortic interventions, CNS-endovascular procedures, pacemaker and deﬁbrillator insertion, continuous implantable arrhythmia monitor, and embolisation procedures together with other subspecialists in their respective ﬁelds.

EMERGENCY AND HOSPITAL CARE: CardioCare offers 24/7 emergency and hospital care. The clinic is integrated within the High Care International Hospital and patients admitted into the hospital are cared for by the CardioCare team throughout their stay. The

hemodynamic unit is open 24/7 for acute cardio-vascular events like heart attacks. The team at the Acute Coronary Care Unit monitors cardiovascular patients throughout their stay and beyond. Drs. Manuela and Bernd Reisbeck have brought a slice of the U.S. to Marbella, ensuring that the same team of doctors see patients for all their needs. This is refreshing indeed for patients, who don’t have to explain their situation and history to new doctors every time they need help. The Clinic also offers a wealth of additional procedures – one being prostate artery embolisation ( a way to provide relief to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia). The husband-and-wife team discuss a number of fascinating facts about heart health with me on the day of our visit, and arguably the most important message I take with me as I leave is that whether you are seeing a cardiologist on a preventive or interventionist basis, all testing and treatments need to be administered with the correct technique and conditions if they are to have the desired effect. Both doctors have worked incredibly hard to obtain their specialisations, certiﬁcations, and experience – and their dedication and passion for what they do make patent that they are indeed a trustworthy team to turn to for all matters pertaining to the heart. g CardioCare. At the HC Marbella C/ Ventura del Mar 11, Marbella. Tel: 951 829 978. www.cardiocaremarbella.com

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Always on top of my health with...

THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER OF EXPERTISE FOR CARDIO-VASCULAR DIAGNOSTICS AND THERAPY IN MARBELLA Expert Team of Internationally Trained Doctors

Latest high tech equipment includes the newest Siemens hemodynamic cath lab for cardio-vascular interventions: coronary and peripheral artery stenting procedures, pacemaker insertion, interventional, non-surgical heart valve repair TAVI (newest European cardiology guidelines), 3D Cardiac Ultrasound, various dynamic stress test procedures, advanced arrhythmia diagnostics, cardiac CT and MRI

Co-located at HC-international Hospital Marbella, CardioCare beneﬁts from the unique high standard hospital infrastructure offered.

At CardioCare we believe in solutions Whether you are a cardiac patient or looking for an extensive cardio-vascular check-up, we don’t just ﬁnd the problem, we also give you the solution.

Calle Ventura del Mar 11, 29660 Marbella • Tel.: +34 677759003 www.cardiocaremarbella.com • info@cardiocaremarbella.com

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VILLAS DE VASARI SHOW FLAT INAUGURATION

Vasari Real Estate recently held a professional breakfast, to present the new Villas de Vasari – Altos de Puente Romano development. Stunning views, proximity to major attractions, and cutting-edge design are what this project is all about. i www.vasariproperties.com

“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned” – Anonymous

PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN 146 / DECEMBER 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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THE NEW VASARI VILLAS – PUENTE ROMANO – GOLDEN MILE CONTACT VASARI: +34 607 645 545 • +34 951 907 161

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A THRILLER HALLOWEEN AT PUENTE ROMANO

On Halloween, the Puente Romano Hotel hosted the fun-filled Thriller Charity Gala, featuring a bespoke performance by the original cast of London’s Thriller musical. Everyone dressed up in their scariest garb and danced beneath the eerie moonlight! i www.puenteromano.com

“The sweetest smiles hold the darkest secrets” – Anonymous

PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN 148 / DECEMBER 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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e f i l r u o y f o e m e ti

LA SUITE & PUENTE ROMANO NIGHTS

Step into a fashionable New York City

Express yourself in the most uninhibited

loft-inspired club mixed with the impressive

of ways in our seductive nightclub on the

Roman heritage of the property, and

edge of La Plaza to dance the night away

experience a night like never before.

as you please. Dress code: Smart casual attire is required

restaur antes@puenter omano.com +3 4 9 52 820 900 | puent er omano.com

ÑL THE SOCIAL vibe

FERRARI F8 SPIDER PRESENTATION Assembled guests marvelled at the impressive new Ferrari F8 Spider recently following its unveiling at C. de Salamanca’s San Pedro premises during a lively evening which included Champagne, premium canapés, live music and DJ sounds. i www.cdesalamanca.com

“If you can dream it, you can do it” – Enzo Ferrari

PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN 150 / DECEMBER 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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Wishing you a white Christmas and plenty of days of skiing in 2020!

El Lodge Ski & Spa C/ Maribel, 8 - 18196, Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain T (+34) 958 480 600 ellodge.com / reservas@ellodge.com

ÑL THE SOCIAL vibe

SHOLEH ABGHARI EROTIKA EXHIBITION

The Sholeh Abghari Gallery on Marbella’s Golden Mile held a magnificent launch event for its new, erotic-inspired exhibition showcasing works from Tehran-born, Soozan Shahabi. Guests marvelled at the beautiful art while enjoying a special performance! i www.sholehabghari.com

“Everything you can imagine is real” – Pablo Picasso

PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN 152 / DECEMBER 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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SHOL E HABGHARI Ar tGal l er y

Av eni daRi car doSor i ano72A. 29601,Mar bel l aSpai n www. shol ehabghar i . com T el . 952254853-951027760

ÑL THE SOCIAL vibe

BANG & OLUFSEN NEW MARBELLA STORE OPENING

Bang & Olufsen celebrated the launch of its brand new store in Puerto Banús with the Marbella premiere of the Beovision Harmony and the BeoSound Stage. The new shop features all the cutting edge technology the B&O brand is famed for, so step inside if you wish to discover what a difference great sound and vision can make. i www.bang-olufsen.com

“Without music, life would be a mistake” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN 154 / DECEMBER 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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Exist to Create

BEOVISION HARMONY The ultimate cinematic audio-visual experience. bang-olufsen.com

BANG & OLUFSEN MARBELLA CALLE ANTONIO EL BAILARÍN - PUERTO BANÚS - +34 951 66 22 00 RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE: BEOVISION HARMONY, INCLUDING THE LG OLED C9 77” TV: EUR 18.500€

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SOLVILLA DOUBLE OPEN HOUSE IN LA QUINTA

Solvilla held a double open house event, presenting two gorgeous homes to invited members of the real estate community. The first, Villa Leo, in Monte Halcones, has four beds plus 4+2 baths. The second, Hernán Cortés 168 in La Quinta, has five beds and 6+1 baths. i Further information, www.solvilla.no

“For us, home isn’t a place. It is a person. And we are finally home” – Stephanie Perkins

PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN 156 / DECEMBER 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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VOGT 20TH ANNIVERSARY & ANNUAL COCKTAIL AT BOHO CLUB

The Vogt Advokatfirma (legal firm) recently celebrated its 20th anniversary and annual cocktail party at the magnificent new Boho Club Marbella. The many guests, comprising clients, real estate agents, collaborators, architects and notaries enjoyed the select ambience, sophisticated canapés and DJ spun music. i www.vogtlaw.com

Law is order, and good law is good order – Aristotle

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ÑL THE SOCIAL teen talk

y grandparents, who live in London, normally visit us for a full month. That’s great news, except that their cup spills over with Christmas cheer and they try to persuade me – every year – to write a letter to Mr. Claus despite the dubious origins and existence of said ‘saint’. Grandad is also continually making eggnog – a habit he picked up when he lived in America in the 1970s. The recipe involves churning frozen ice-cream and adding heavy doses of rum and eggwhite – which makes for a frothy and rather strong tasting milkshake that even I, in my most rebellious age, ﬁnd too ‘heavy metal’ for the typical stomach. My mom grew up in San Francisco with her parents who, despite being English, picked up so many American traditions we sometimes seem like Will Ferrell’s family (or should I go further back and channel Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Family Vacation?). They do things like play Frank Sinatra Christmas carols on

full blast – it gets so loud that even my noise-cancelling headphones aren’t enough to drown out the dreaded duets with Bing Crosby and Perry Como. My parents also force us out of our rooms (I have an annoying little sister called Sasha, who is 14) to play Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, or Twister. The latter is particularly testing when the oldies have had too much eggnog, but nothing is as bad as playing Uno with Grandad. The guy takes the game seriously; so much so that he spends the month before Christmas honing his strategy and (I suspect) marking a few cards so he knows what’s coming. Mum almost grounded me for accusing Grandad but when I showed her the claw marks on all the Wild cards, she went straight to the store for a new pack, later alleging that she did so because the new pack had a nicer design. Another annoying tradition is silly jumper evenings. At ‘cocktail hour’, the oldies pull out the alcohol, cards, dice, and ugly

jumpers. Not only are they content to sport bald Rudolph, Naked Santa, and Santa’s beard pinned to their chest, but they also expect us to don equally naff gear. Mom then proceeds to indulge in the ultimate act of cringiness: posting our family pics on Facebook and tagging us, so all our classmates can post comments applauding our fashion sense. Last year, Gran even bought an ugly Christmas elf outﬁt for our pitbull, Saskia. I have included her pic below so you can see how she is screaming one word with all her mind, body, and soul: “HELP!” Last but not least is the food. Grandma used to love cooking in her youth, and it doesn’t show today. She has a unique penchant for mixing sweet and salty flavours, delighting us with desserts like last year’s carrot cake with cream cheese and slices of beetroot for decoration. Equally memorable was the chocolate cake with bubble gum pieces, or the okra soup with caramelized apple. Mom

could save us by secretly ordering a takeaway pizza, but no, that would be too hurtful for Gran. This year we are taking it to the slopes. Mom and Dad have booked us a few nights at a nice hotel in the Sierra Nevada, so it will be a little more bearable than usual. For one, I’m taking my best friend Alex – an ace at skiing who is already sharing a few pointers with me. Secondly, my sister will not be taking her friend Geneva – which means I won’t have to listen to hour-long conversations about Tati Westbrook and James Charles in the car. Mom has already asked me to pack and one thing she will be surprised to ﬁnd when we get there – is the new pack of Uno. Grandad may think he is the only one with an eye for strategy, but I’ve been playing and sharpening my skills at school break time. When I pull that brand new pack of cards out of the plastic Grandad won’t know what hit him – so get ready to lose, Grandpa! I love the smell of napalm in the morning. Boom! e

I may be a senior at school but I’ll be honest enough to admit that I haven’t actually spent a single Christmas away from my parents. I normally don’t mind sharing the home with them; there’s always my room to escape to when mum starts blasting George Michael or Dad puts Led Zeppelin on the home sound system, but at Christmas time, it somehow becomes impossible to completely evade their corniness. WORDS JOFFREE KING

SURVIVING 2019

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H HO A N US GIN E G BY BI RE R D D FE CA ED ND E R Y

TOY BY BORIS DOG TOYS LTD ES AT H PE T

GORGEOUS

GIFTS

s d n e i r F y for F urr Christmas is a season to be celebrated by everyone… including your furry BFFs! Find the inspiration for gifts to place under the tree from our carefully curated list! COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

CHRISTMAS LIMITED EDITION DRYING COAT 2019 BY RUFF AND TUMBLE

PINECONE BIRD FEEDER BY RED CANDY

ZIGGY STARDUST CAT CAVE – LIGHT BY RED CANDY

LUXURYAVEL FUR TR AT BED – O L BY FL ANNEAVE KONA C

S OPH COLLEIE ALLPOR TR CTION BY SO ED ROPE C PHIE A O L L P OR L L A R T

i KONA CAVE www.konacave.com PET HATES TOYS LTD www.pethatestoys.com RED CANDY www.redcandy.co.uk RUFF AND TUMBLE www.ruffandtumbledogcoats.com SOPHIE ALLPORT www.sophieallport.com THE FRENCH BEDROOM CO www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

PRINCELY POOCH BLUE VELVET PET BED – LIFESTYLE BY THE FRENCH BEDROOM CO

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ñz the pro

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROPERTY FINANCE LAW

162 Veronika Tye 164 Property: Soul Marbella 166 Enterprise

VERONIKA TYE TELLS US ALL ABOUT HER WORK WITH COLLECTIVE CALLING – A CHARITY THAT HAS SET UP THE CENTRE OF HOPE IN TANZANIA. WE ALSO PAY A VISIT TO SOUL MARBELLA – A MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY OF FIVE PHASES SURROUNDED BY THE CAREFULLY MANICURED GREENS OF SANTA CLARA. FINALLY, WE BRING YOU THE LATEST NEWS ON THE BUSINESS SCENE IN MARBELLA.

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z THE PRO people

VERONIKA TYE

Veronika Tye is at a unique crossroads in her life – one in which she is embracing entrepreneurship while embarking on one of the biggest projects of her lifetime alongside Collective Calling: the Centre of Hope in Tanzania for children who are victims of abuse, neglect, poverty, or broken relationships. The common thread that runs through both these ventures is the desire to help those in need. This passion is as much part of Veronika’s essence as is her love for her children. She is a busy mother-of-three and loving wife to her husband Martin, a businessman from the UK who has called Marbella home for many years (the couple previously lived in Cambridge). WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS LIFE 4U Life 4U is the fitting name of Veronika’s business, founded with one essential aim: to make life easier for people relocating to the Coast. “Since I moved here myself, I know all the challenges involved – everything from locating the right home to finding a good veterinarian.” Life 4U guides newcomers to the area, with advice or referrals for visas and other permits, home searches, accountancy/ tax advice, insurance, healthcare, kids (schools, clubs, etc.), pets, sports and lifestyle choices, and utilities. The company suits Veronika to a tee: “I completed my Law degree in the Czech Republic and although I cannot practise as a

lawyer here, my business is the perfect avenue through which to exercise my legal skills,” she says. She understands that people coming to a new country can often feel ‘lost’. They wish to make their own discoveries, without feeling like they are missing out on ‘insider knowledge’ that can make a big difference to their lifestyle.

HEEDING THE CALL FOR CHANGE Earlier this year, Veronika made a lifechanging journey to Tanzania alongside Collective Calling. If you are a regular reader of , then you will know that this organisation was founded by hardworking couple, Paul and Gemma Carr. Indeed, this

dynamic duo is the reason why Veronika was motivated to head directly to Tanzania: “They are such genuine people. They work personally on their projects and make real change happen and that inspired me to make a similar change in my own life. I have three children and I wanted them to understand how privileged they are compared to children in some other parts of the world. I wanted to do something they could see with their own eyes and this project gave me the chance to do that.” Three months after starting the round of vaccinations required, Veronika took the 36-hour journey (comprising four flights) to Tanzania.

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“To get the full value of joy you must have someone to divide it with” Mark Twain

Veronika in Tanzania

WOMAN ON A MISSION WHAT IS COLLECTIVE CALLING?

THE CENTRE OF HOPE

THE WORK CONTINUES BACK HOME

Collective Calling is a Spanish registered NGO with international permissions that carries out ‘boots on the ground’ projects to accomplish its objectives. Currently, the charity is working on the Centre of Hope – a transitional rescue centre for street children. Veronika joined Paul, Gemma, and other volunteers to set it up, with three main aims: to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintegrate. The main goal is “to help get children back home.”

The team at Collective Calling built everything from the ground-up, laying bricks, painting, and decorating the interiors. “There are two buildings – one for boys, one for girls. A matron sleeps in a room between both groups, to ensure safety and tranquillity prevails at all times.” Children are provided with new clothing, nutritious meals, and education. They are also assessed psychologically for induced trauma and signs of PTSD. Each child then has a personalised plan created for them and they are enrolled in an education programme that provides ‘accelerated learning’, so they can re-enter the school system. “Children who may have missed school for months or years may find it impossible to join the education system, since they may be very behind academically. The Centre of Hope, which currently has 32 beds for the children, seeks to bridge that gap, so they can start schooling once more when they are reunited with their families.”

Veronika is already planning on going back to the Centre, stating, “Your mission truly starts when you get home because of how the trip affected you as a person.” She is working hard to do her best to raise awareness of the project, both at her children’s school (Aloha College, which pledged the proceeds from a ‘non-uniform day’ to Collective Calling and donated old uniforms) and on a wider scale. “The Centre still needs a playground and more animals such as pigs, goats, chickens, and rabbits. Another big issue is water; we need to build another well. The Centre also requires a mini-van, since at the moment, their only source of transport is the director’s motorbike. We additionally need to build accommodation for staff, because many live very far away and spend long hours commuting to and from the premises.”

AN EMOTIONAL JOURNEY Veronika had to prepare well for her journey; it would open her eyes to a level of suffering she (and indeed most people) could not imagine existed. “As our vehicle drove through the area, outside, there were so many children just walking or standing in the streets, without attending school, many without a home to go to.” What has propelled many of them to such a life is extreme poverty. “Sometimes, families are so poor that they can no longer afford to sustain the eldest child and the latter ends up on the street.” Prostitution is also rife. At the Centre of Hope, four of the 15 children were pulled directly from child prostitution. Collective Calling’s Outreach Team works to build a relationship of trust with the children, equipping them mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for long-term success at home with their families. Veronika is filled with emotion as she talks about how happy the children were to find a home in this rescue centre. “Some had never slept on a bed before.” Despite having nothing, she says, they were incredibly generous. “During my twoweek stay, not once did the children fight over possessions.”

HELPING FAMILIES GENERATE INCOME Collective Calling tries to help children and their families make a decent income, so that minors do not have to be sent out to earn money. They can make a living in many ways – for instance, by making soap and crafts and selling them at the local markets. Others can help by cleaning market stalls at the end of a busy day. “We have given some families chickens (from which they can obtain eggs), as well as seeds to grow. Many don’t have a businesslike way of thinking – for instance, they aren’t used to bargaining and negotiation. We are trying to teach them these vital skills,” notes Veronika.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Veronika is organising two fundraising events, with all proceeds going to Collective Calling’s Centre of Hope. The first is a Christmas Charity Gala on December 12 at excellent new restaurant, Boho Club, to sample cuisine by Michelin-starred Chef, Diego del Río. The night will include live entertainment, a welcome drink, and a three-course meal. This event is now sold-out. The second is a sporty beach event called He or She Who Dares Swims. This will take place on January 26 at 12 midday at San Pedro Beach. Swimmers will don wetsuits and brave the cold waters of the Mediterranean for a 100-metre swim. Each participant will be sponsored by family, friends, and local businesses, so whether you would like to swim, donate, or simply show your support, keep this event marked in your calendar. i www.collectivecalling.org www.life4u.es

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z THE PRO property

SOUL MARBELLA

MODERN HOMES WITH HEART AND MIND Soul Marbella is more than a new property development; it is a master-planned community of five phases set on 120,000m2 of land surrounded by golf courses in Santa Clara, on the east side of Marbella. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF AEDAS HOMES

nveloped by the greenery of the Santa Clara golf course, with mountain ranges on the one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other, Soul Marbella stands on a low rise close to the beach that comes with imposing views. Though the elevation is gentle, it creates enough of a vantage point to produce fantastic vistas of the surrounding area. This is the setting for an

exclusive new community of luxurious lifestyle homes that will be developed over five phases, the first of which was launched this summer. Occupying a south-westerly outlook, the initial urbanisation of 42 modern homes is named Sunset for the evening skies that will be visible from the varied properties within the complex. These include 28 luxurious

apartments, 12 semi-detached villas and two freestanding ones. With three and four-bedroom configurations and built areas starting from 170m2, these are spacious and luxurious modern properties that will come with market-leading technical, aesthetic and energy specifications to offer not only comfort and style, but also a healthy living environment. Within this secure gated

community situated just a few hundred metres from some of the best beaches in Marbella, will be extensive resort facilities, such as five swimming pools, including an infinity pool that forms part of a leisure area with gymnasium and spa â&#x20AC;&#x201C; all enjoying westerly views. When completed, Soul Marbella will also feature a coworking centre and a garden area, a Coffee Club and on-site concierge services.

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SOUL MARBELLA SUNSET Designed with clean white lines complemented by natural materials and set within lush greenery, Soul Marbella Sunset is one of the finest examples of tasteful contemporary architectural design, thanks to the care and attention that has gone into its proportions, orientation and delineation. The external styling is right-angled but never rigid, and finds inspiration in its detailing from early modern architectural design. The complex is made up of five phases; three designed by González & Jacobson and two by Manuel Burgos. The first phase, Sunset, is the creation of González & Jacobson, who have succeeded in capturing the concept envisaged by Aedas Homes. The latter required the creation of new luxurious homes with an emphasis on 21st century comfort, style, amenities and sustainability. In short, modern homes that make the most of the climate, views and lifestyle opportunities available in Marbella, and in particular this privileged location within Santa Clara. The result is an offering of villas and apartments that exude a visual harmony and sophistication, with quality materials and construction that qualifies for the highest energy certification. The desire to

create a sustainable development complements the design and further enhances the lifestyle aspect of Soul Marbella Sunset. “There was no-one forcing us to make the significant investments required to raise the project above the Marbella norm to BREEAM standards, but we have opted for it with full commitment,” says Álvaro Marcos Cancio, commercial director of the project.

RESORT LIVING “What makes Soul Marbella special is the concept of resort living,” says Álvaro. “It begins with the quality, design, layout and amenities of the properties, as well as their finishing and detailing, then continues on to communal elements, such as the gated security, beautifully landscaped surroundings and minimised internal traffic, and finally comprises the lifestyle resort amenities such as the spectacular pool decks, concierge services, coworking centre and a leisure area with top-of-the-range spa and gym that share the same spectacular views as the luxurious deck surrounding the large infinity pool.” In keeping with this, Soul Marbella offers a variety of property types and sizes designed to provide as broad a range of lifestyle options as possible, and this is already visible in Sunset,

which has been broken down into three property types: apartments, villas and semi-detached homes. All share the same standard of quality design and materials, and feature perspectives towards Marbella down to Gibraltar. “Natural light and views are to be found in all the living areas and bedrooms,” adds Álvaro, whose stylish offices and client reception space on-site are a reflection of what owners can expect in terms of design, materials and finishing. Spacious open-plan interiors with a range of layout options will be available, all fitted with the latest recessed lighting, thermal and sound insulation, large format porcelain stoneware and advanced home automation systems, as well as spacious panoramic terraces,

modern hi-spec kitchens and stylish bathrooms. The villas come with their own gardens and pools, while the apartments benefit from greater elevation to offer truly imposing views of the surroundings. “Soul Marbella is about luxury living in the 21st century, so the concept of beautifully styled, fitted and finished homes ties into an offering that also considers leisure amenities, health aspects, community life and even work facilities on-site. Being surrounded by all of what Marbella offers, but having your own lifestyle resort at home.” g Calle Green – Santa Clara Golf. Tel: (+34) 951 560 281. www.soulmarbella.aedashomes.com

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COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

THIRD EDITION OF FIESTA POP AT THE HOTEL DON CARLOS Members of the press were recently invited to the Hotel Don Carlos for the presentation of the third edition of the Fiesta POP de Marbella All Stars. Fiesta Pop by Primum Oleum Premium will showcase the very best extra virgin olive oils in the world. Top chefs will rely on this vital ingredient to create an array of festive meals. Also on show will be Marbella Magnum (featuring large wine bottles) and Jamones de Leyenda (legendary hams) – both of which are ideal foods for Christmas. Fiesta Pop will take place on December 2 and 3 at the Hotel Don Carlos and for additional days at a select list of Marbella restaurants. i Further information,

www.marbellaallstars.es

AEDAS HOMES LAUNCHES IDILIA IN RINCÓN DE LA VICTORIA IN MÁLAGA AEDAS Homes is pleased to announce its brand new project – Idilia, ensconced in one of Málaga’s most coveted residential areas – Torre de Benagalbón, in Rincón de la Victoria. Idilia comprises two- and three-bedroom apartments with a pool, garage, and storage space, only a few kilometres from Málaga’s city centre. i Further information, www.aedashomes.com

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THE VIEW LEADS THE WAY IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Wilma Sierra Blanca, the German-Dutch developer based in Marbella, is making a breakthrough with its first project in Spain – The View Marbella, designed within the parameters of sustainable construction from the outset. The result is a property development comprising luxury apartments with the highest energy rating within the certification scale. The first part of the complex boasts an ‘A’ rating, which certifies their low CO2 emission due to the use of renewable energy sources and fuels. i www.wilmasb.com

PANORAMA DEEMED BEST REAL ESTATE AGENCY IN SPAIN AT EUROPEAN PROPERTY AWARDS Panorama, Marbella’s longest established real estate agency, won the highest award in the category of Best Real Estate Agency Spain (Single Office) at the European Property Awards. Panorama received a five-star classification of the award recognising the hard work and know-how of the company, led by Christopher Clover, founder and Managing Director. Clover established the agency, which specialises in the sale and rental of quality villas, apartments and townhouses in the greater Marbella area, over five decades ago. As the winner of this category, Panorama is automatically nominated for the Best Real Estate Agency (Single Office) in Europe. The winner of this award will be announced at the International Property Awards ceremony that will take place in London on December 2. i www.panorama.es

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TAYLOR WIMPEY INVESTS €11 MILLION IN LA CALA GOLF RESORT IN MIJAS Taylor Wimpey, promoter of residential homes on the Coast for over 60 years, has invested €11 million in Sun Valley – a new development in La Cala Golf Resort consisting of 63 apartments. The joint venture between Taylor Wimpey and FBD Property & Leisure (owners of La Cala Golf Resort) will ultimately encompass 260 homes comprising five projects of apartments and townhouses. i For further information, www.sunvalley.es

REDLINE CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF SUCCESS Redline Company celebrated 15 years as one of the Costa del Sol’s leading marketing agencies by hosting the second RedTalks presentation event followed by a red and gold themed party to thank everyone who has helped to make it possible. It was also an opportunity to give back by publicising UNICEF’s new fundraising initiative, the Rescue Kit Challenge and to present a cheque for €1.515, helping 505 children. i To do your share, visit UNICEF’s website at

https://www.unicef.es/reto-redline#kit-rescate.

MARIE-NÖELLE COMUNICACIÓN EXPANDS Marie-Nöelle (MN) Comunicación, a leading agency in Marbella with over 10 years of experience, is expanding its services in communication and marketing, with representatives now present in Madrid, Dubai, Toronto, and Chicago. The firm will also have a Department of Institutional Relations and a Crisis Cabinet, as well as a wider list of services which includes a new Digital Marketing Department with an international reach. i www.mncomunicacion.com

MADISON INTERNATIONAL PADEL EXPERIENCE AT THE RESERVA DEL HIGUERÓN RESORT

Sol Eyes Marbella, a clinic offering a range of specialist services, is pleased to announce that Aesthetic Cosmetologist, Minna Landen, is now offering a new treatment called HIFU (HighIntensity Focused Ultrasound), a relatively new cosmetic method for tightening facial areas that some consider a non-invasive, painless replacement for facelifts. It uses ultrasound energy to encourage the production of collagen, which results in firmer skin. Benefits include wrinkle reduction, lifting of the cheeks, eyebrows and eyelids, enhanced jawline definition, tightening of the décolletage, and skin smoothening. g Tel: 952 635 719. www.soleyes.es

HIGH-INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND TREATMENT AT SOL EYES MARBELLA

The Reserva del Higuerón Resort once again hosted a vibrant padel tournament: the Madison International Padel Experience, which took place over a threeday period. There were three categories at the event: Male, Female, and Mixed. The tournament is played in four continents, with over 3,000 players taking part. i Further information,

www.internationalpadel.com www.reservadelhigueronresort.com

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REWIRE WINS BEST SCALABLE SOLUTION AWARD AT GLOBAL BLOCKCHAIN CHALLENGE Rewire’s project has won them the Best Scalable Solution Award at the most recent Global Blockchain Challenge. The team from Málaga, led by Daniel Santos and Vicente Ortiz, presented a digital platform aimed at improving vaccination rates in underdeveloped countries through a reward system for doctors and patients that will, consequently, improve the security and transparency of records. The panel also recognised that this initiative is applicable to numerous areas beyond health, such as education, gender equality and the reduction of discrimination, all of which are included in the U.N.’s list of objectives for sustainable development (2030 agenda). i www.rewire.com

WHO DARES SWIMS FOR THE CHILDREN OF TANZANIA Who Dares Swims is a fun winter swimming event held to raise funds for Collective Calling’s Centre of Hope in Tanzania. The Centre is a transitional home for street children, built to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintegrate them. The event will take place on January 26 at 12 midday at San Pedro Beach. Swimmers will brave the cold waters of the Mediterranean for a 100-metre swim. Each participant will be sponsored by family, friends, and local businesses, so whether you would like to swim, donate, or show your support, keep this event marked in your calendar. i www.collectivecalling.org

ENGEL & VÖLKERS AG NAMES PALOMA PÉREZ COO Engel & Völkers AG recently named Paloma Pérez Chief Operating Ofﬁcer (COO). Pérez, who has been with the company since 2013 and who has been General Director of the Madrid Market Centre, will be focusing on E&V’s global expansion. She will be in charge of franchising and of the Market Center of the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, and Africa). Kai Enders will continue directing and managing the DACH region (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland). Sven Odia, CEO of Engel & Vöolkers AG, deﬁned Paloma Pérez as “a leader whose technological experience will be very valuable to the future of the company.” i www.engelvoelkers.com

NEW BRANDING AND LOGO FOR SEASIDE HOTELS CUDECA AUCTION ON UNTIL DECEMBER 18 The Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice recently launched the Cudeca Charity Auction, which features items donated by famous singers, actors, actresses and companies from the world of music, sport, and cuisine, as well as restaurants, hotels, museums, theatres and shops. Until December 18, bidders will be able to vie for wonderful items such as dinner at Michelin-starred establishments, stays at top hotels, health vouchers, leisure centre tickets, furniture, electrical items, and more. The auction will end with a live broadcast by Cadena SER Málaga at the Cudeca Centre which will include interviews with Cudeca staff and personalities involved in the auction. i www.cudeca.org

Luxury hotel chain Seaside Hotels, now Seaside Collection, has completely rebranded its image and logo for the ﬁrst time since its launch in 1972. The seahorse continues to be the emblem of the hotel group directed by the Gerlach family, but the design is far more modern and vibrant than in the past. The changes were effected thanks to the talent of Hamburg-based agency JustFrank, and the result is a more worldly, captivating image that expresses the joy of being by the seaside. The hotel chain is present in Spain in the Canary Islands and in Valencia. i www.seaside-collection.es

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HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY TO QUIRÓNSALUD Quirónsalud Málaga recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, with an excellent track record that includes attending to around 802,000 emergency patients needing crucial help. The Hospital has over 900 employees and over 70 service units and is proud to reveal that it carries out over 13,500 surgical operations yearly! i www.quironsalud.es

TOMA DE CONCIENCIA CELEBRATES FEMALE EMPOWERMENT Toma De Conciencia was an event held recently at the Gran Meliá Don Pepe Hotel to empower women. It featured inspirational and motivational talks across three Spanish cities, starting with Marbella. The women in charge of the event, María Rozman and Cristina Campabadal, spoke about their journeys through life, explaining how they arrived to where they are now. i For further information, search

for The Soho Women in the World on Facebook.

SWANS INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PRESENTS WE WILL ROCK YOU

BERONIA WINERY OBTAINS RECOGNITION FOR SUSTAINABILITY Beronia winery in Rioja has a unique new building that was designed with eco-friendly principles in mind. It is the first in Europe to achieve the LEED (Leader in Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Design) pre-certification – the internationally recognised sustainable accreditation granted by the US Green Building Council which distinguishes buildings whose design and construction are sustainable and environmentally friendly. The building relies on a geothermal structural thermal activation system, which takes advantage of the natural temperature inside the earth to heat its facilities and heat or cool water depending on the time of year, thus reducing energy consumption. i www.beronia.com

Swans International School will be rocking Marbella with their theatre show at the Marbella Palacio de Congresos on December 12 at 7:30pm. The production features many of Queen’s chart topping hits including We Will Rock You, Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Gaga, Another One Bites The Dust, and We are The Champions. It is set in a future age on a planet once called Earth that is now controlled by a mighty corporation. Rock Music is not played and all musical instruments are banned. The hope of breaking free rests with an unlikely alliance of rebel Bohemians. g For further information and

tickets at €10 each, www.swansschoolinternational.es

GALA DINNER FOR CUDECA AT VILLA TIBERIO Sandro Morelli, owner of Villa Tiberio Restaurant in Marbella, held his annual Fundraising Gala Evening, helping the Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice raise over €15.000. Guests enjoyed a Champagne reception, where charity raffle tickets were sold by CUDECA volunteers, prior to sitting down to dine. The host and MC for the night, Nathan Dean, welcomed everyone with characteristic charm. Next up were magnificent performances by stars such as Frank Skott, Zöe Hughes, Steve Haughay (Stelvis Lacosta), Helena Paul, Gillian Coyle & Carm of ZING and Steve Owen. Guests were then invited to the garden to enjoy a magnificent spectacle of fireworks to celebrate Guy Fawkes night, courtesy of Sandro Morelli. i www.cudeca.org

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Meet the Sales Team behind the Scandinavian Magazines

Henrik Andersen T: 670 63 57 86

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With us you reach 75.000 Scandinavians in Southern Spain with a monthly circulation of 31.000 copies. At Norrbom Marketing we are always doing our utmost to give you and the readers the best experience. Today, just like we did 30 years ago, when the first magazine was published.

LA DANESA - EN SUECO - DET NORSKE MAGASINET Your direct access to the scandinavian market. Contact us for advertising in our magazines, on our websites or in our newsletters â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with a new Scandinavian clientele as a result. Essentials annonce sĂŚlgere sept 2019.indd 1

CENTRO IDEA Ctra. de Mijas Km. 3,6 29650 Mijas Tel. (+34) 952 58 15 53 norrbom@norrbom.com www.norrbom.com 19/08/2019 12:46

b the gourmet RESTAURANTS REVIEWS NEWS GASTRONOMY CHEFS WINE

176 La Plage Casanis 178 Exemplary Jamón from Castro y González 179 Vovem 180 Club del Gourmet, El Corte Inglés 182 Gourmet Bytes 184 Chef’s Profile: Tito Andre Bravo and Alfredo Abril Cervera of 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant at the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace 186 Whisky Investment 192 Descalzos Viejos Wine

LA PLAGE CASANIS IS THE IDEAL BEACHSIDE DINING VENUE FOR THOSE INTO THE BOHO CHIC VIBE. WE ALSO TUCK INTO JUICY STEAK AT VOVEM, SHOP FOR TREATS AT EL CORTE INGLÉS’ CLUB DEL GOURMET, AND SHARE AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TITO ANDRE BRAVO AND ALFREDO ABRIL CERVERA – THE TALENTED CHEF TEAM THAT HEADS UP 99 SUSHI BAR & RESTAURANT AT THE ANANTARA VILLA PADIERNA PALACE.

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AT THE PLAZA VILLAGE IN THE HOTEL PUENTE ROMANO

Puente Romano Hotel, Blv. Principe Alfonso Von Hohenlohe, Marbella. www.thaigallerymarbella.com

Reservations: 952 818 392

N E W TA I PA N

C H I N E S E R E S TA U R A N T A N D P O LY N E S I A N B A R Puente Romano, Fase 2, Marbella. Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00 www.taipanmarbella.com

Tel: 952 777 893 / 952 775 500

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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“Bruno and Giuseppina wish you a happy New Year” CELEBRATE NEW YEAR’S EVE AT DA BRUNO! JOIN US AT A MAGICAL DINNER PARTY WITH LIVE MUSIC, PARTY BAGS AND TRADITIONAL SPANISH GRAPES

(+34) 952 90 33 18

(+34) 952 83 19 18

(+34) 952 78 68 60

(+34) 952 46 07 24

sulmare@dabruno.com

www.dabruno.com

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b THE GOURMETrestaurants

LA PLAGE CASANIS MUSIC, LOVE, & FOOD

When it came time to celebrate a colleague’s ‘golden’ (50th) birthday, it was somehow ﬁtting that we should have decided to book a table at La Plage Casanis: the chic restaurant/beach club at which cool music, seaside vibes, and ﬁne Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of French fusion are the order of the day. This restaurant oozes ‘chic’ from the moment you step in; put together by a clever designer with a passion for all things natural, it is both an exquisite restaurant and a laidback oasis; an ideal spot in which to enjoy fantastic food on the beach with good friends. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

a Plage Casanis is the nature-inspired baby of the Casanis Group. The Group’s ﬁrst restaurant, Belgian/French bistro Casanis, was founded 20 years ago by visionary restaurateur, Guy Sirre. In 2017, Zazou Belounis took over, creating the Casanis Group, alongside Fabian Cangas (Executive Chef) and Vincent Boitier (an entrepreneur from the hotel and restaurant sectors). At La Plage, it’s all about welcoming diners into a cool, trendy atmosphere where they can relax dressed in their favourite cotton dress or head up from the beach, wrapping a sarong around

swimwear. In the summer, live DJ music hits the perfect spot as the sun fades over an orange horizon. In winter, the place is still happening as always. The restaurant spans various areas – the beach, vast outdoor dining areas, and the indoor restaurant for the odd rainy day. The décor is 100 per cent natural, with bamboo sticks and overlaying artistic shade installations creating intricate patterns on the floor when the sun hits. The winter menu at La Plage Casanis is select but just right in terms of variety. The restaurant is reopening in early December following a short break – offering nature loving diners the

opportunity to enjoy Christmas by the sea. The team has a special New Year’s Eve menu and open bar evening on December 31. The menu will include an amuse bouche featuring Gillardeau oysters, followed by a foie gras truffled terrine of chestnuts and Amaretto; a carabinero Bombay with baby corn, tikka masala, yoghurt, and coriander; wild seabass with peach conﬁt tomatoes, peas and a Champagne sauce; freerange chicken breast with Robuchon mashed potatoes and morels; and a surprise dessert.

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By the names of the dishes alone, you can probably gather the deep culinary knowledge of Executive Chef, Fabian Cangas. He creates the menus and oversees all of Casanis’ culinary fare. At La Plage, his eye is centred on fish and seafood dishes (though meat dishes are also on point). On the day of our visit, our starters included Vietnamese nems (super crisp and appetite-whetting), gyozas (classic Japanese dumplings filled with chicken and grilled vegetables), and salmon tartar (graced with fresh avocado, pine nuts, and a heavenly walnut bread toast). The mains were equally pleasing and moreish. Many of us shared our orders, eager for our friends to experience the joy of every juicy bite. One companion ordered the Casanis hamburger, made of wagyu meat and livened up with cheddar cheese and a soft brioche bread (and served with crisp Belgian fries, of course). The salt-crusted sea bass, sliced and served at the table for two, was incredibly plump and juicy – such a great choice for those wishing to stay healthy yet feel satisfied. The grilled octopus with roast potato was tender as can be, while the 280-gram entrecôte was juicy and packed with flavour. We shouldn’t end our report without mentioning the wine list, which contains

an impressive selection of Spanish and international wines (we opted for the reﬁned M de Minuty rosé). The cocktail list was also impressive. We ordered various Mojito Mexicanos, a spicy combi featuring a fresh coriander and ginger base, Tequila macerated in green jalapeño, Ancho Reyes liqueur, a homemade agave honey and coriander seed syrup, lime, pink grapefruit juice, and ginger beer. We marvelled at the artistry of a gorgeous pisco drink called Meditteranean Sour – featuring lime, passionfruit, basil leaves, Pisco, and eggwhite. It bore a beautiful image on top – that of a Frida Kahlo-inspired sugar skull, in commemoration of the fact that it was Halloween! All the creative cocktails were dreamed up by Colo Linari, Bar Manager of the Casanis Group. The desserts capped off a perfect meal. Everything from lemon tart to a chocolate mousse and pannacotta delights tempted us to forget completely about our diets. Somehow, the slightest thought of restriction seems out of place in such a beautiful, free, wild place. g Urb. Golden Beach s/n, Playa Real de Zaragoza, Exit 190C, 29604, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 837 862. www.laplagecasanis.com

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b THE GOURMETjamón

ince 1910, the Castro y González family has been wholly dedicated to creating natural Iberian products and sharing their passion for the natural surroundings of the Iberian pig with lovers of fine ham. The magic begins in the dehesa – lush lands destined exclusively for pasture, where pigs roam free, munching on a wide array of foods – all of which bestow a specific flavour to their fat and meat, making theirs the most highly prized of the vast number of ham varieties in Spain. Castro Y González is committed to research, especially in the areas of genetics and feed for their prized pigs. The result is a wide array of products divided into three categories: Castro Y González Fusión (specifically catered for those with ultra-sophisticated tastes), Iberian Acorn Products, and the Castro Y González Selección range.

THREE GENERATIONS, ONE MISSION: TOP GRADE JAMÓN IBÉRICO

CASTRO Y GONZÁLEZ

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CASTRO Y GONZÁLEZ

WHAT MAKES THE CASTRO Y GONZÁLEZ FUSIÓN RANGE SO SPECIAL? This range is based on the unique biodiversity on the Iberian peninsula. The cold climate of Guijuelo and the temperature changes on the mountain ranges of Huelva give rise to a special ham, borne of pigs that have grazed on acorns, grass, and quality cereals. The ham obtained is aged for 12 months, where it rests in the cold, constant climes of Guijuelo. During this time, it obtains a slightly sweet flavour, in preparation for its voyage to the more variable climate of the Huelva mountain ranges. The ham is aged for a further 24 months, so it can obtain the exceptional

bouquet it is famed for. The result is a quality ham that is catered to sophisticated palates which are keen to try something different.

IBERIAN ACORN PRODUCTS There are many different items you can try out this Christmas; for starters, ham makes a perfect accompaniment to a great glass of wine or Champagne pre-festive meal. Just a few of the many products made by the ﬁrm include the Jamón de Bellota Ibérico (bearing an intense, bright color and an equally strong, persistent flavour); the Paleta de Bellota Ibérica (bearing beautiful white marbling and a sweet, intense flavour); and the deboned Jamón y Paleta de Bellota Ibérica

Deshuesada (perfect for easier cutting and handling). This range additionally boasts products such as lomo, chorizo, salchichón, longaniza, and morcón.

CASTRO Y GONZÁLEZ SELECCIÓN

fat content, a sweet taste, and a profound aroma). Also available is the deboned variety, once again a joy for ham cutters wishing to go a little faster. In this range, you will additionally ﬁnd mouthwatering salchichón and chorizo.

This category also contains a wide array of products. To try it out, why not start with the Jamón Castro y González Selección – bearing a slightly darker fatty component than the Castro Y González de Bellota and a gentler, highly pleasant flavour. This ham has a minimum curation period of 36 months and is based on feeding pigs a natural cereal diet. A good choice for those who like ﬁne, svelte ham is the Paleta Castro y González Selección (with a lower

g Castro Y González hams are distributed all across Spain. For information about your closest distributor, contact Tel: 923 580 100. You can also buy a host of products – everything from a few grams of Fusión ham for €18.50, to a whole leg of Jamon de Bellota 100 per cent Ibérico – Premium Reserve for €650, as well as various types of lomo, chorizo, salchichón, and more. www.castroygonzalez.es

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restaurants THE GOURMET b

VOVEM PASEO MARÍTIMO A LOVE OF FINE FOOD

If you enjoy good food made from choice produce, fine wines and a comfortable, cosy ambience, then Vovem is an experience to savour. Set on the Paseo Marítimo beach walk in the heart of Marbella, it offers flavour from start to finish. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

n a winter’s night you long for something hearty and warming. Thoughts turn to stews and steaks, but venture out to a good restaurant and you also wish for the finesse and creativity of a skilled chef, the warm embrace of a stylish venue and the welcoming hospitality of sincere good service. On Marbella’s Paseo Marítimo, overlooking the long beaches and Mediterranean, Vovem stands out as a first-class dining venue that combines all the above. Step inside and maître Daniel Sánchez makes you feel at home right away. He leads a team that blends efficiency with kindness, so that the dining experience begins before you’ve even sipped a glass of fino or looked at the menu. It’s all about feeling comfortable, and in the rounded leather booths that’s hard not to do. Speaking of the menu, chef Enzo Díaz has just given it a seasonal twist with a range of new creations to complement the classics Vovem is well known for. The latter include above all a reputation for the finest quality steaks,

with the meat specially sourced not just from the top suppliers in Spain, but all around the world. Wagyu delicacies join the choicest cuts of meat to produce a mouth-watering array of options that will have meat lovers’ toes curling. One of the features of Vovem is the impressive, specially made grill where the experienced chefs can be seen in action as you enjoy the ﬁrst course.

NEW EXPERIENCES While our steaks were being prepared, we sampled a selection of the new dishes the chef has created, starting with a conﬁt of deep-sea cardinal prawn on a delicious chicken cracker. It may not sound like a natural match but it is, for the flavours just explode in your mouth. Raising the stakes even further was a blend of beef tongue and chanterelle mushrooms with a tartare of Galician beef; foie and pine nuts, topped with truffle foam. Such dishes reveal the skill and creativity of the chef as they dance on your palate, accompanied by a glass

of Ontañon Crianza 2016 – a premium Rioja red that is the maître’s personal favourite, and with good reason. It was an excellent choice and a new discovery for my companions and I, with excellent colour, fine bouquet and a full-bodied but pleasant finish. The restaurant has an extensive wine list specially aimed at accompanying its exemplary meat dishes. Another seasonal delicacy we thoroughly enjoyed was a harmony of boletus and chanterelle mushrooms mixed on the spot with free range smoked egg yolk, to which is then added a fresh vegetable broth. The blend is heavenly, comfort food on another level, and just perfect for days by the fireplace. The final treat before the steak was a delicate vegetable taco topped with tuna tartare and ponzu sauce and kimchi mayonnaise – another sweet-savoury sensation.

STEAK HEAVEN Chef Enzo Díaz has added a range of taste sensations to the menu that perfectly embody the feeling of

autumn and winter. They complement the classic meat dishes that Vovem has become famous for, and are recommended to be enjoyed as light, flavour-filled starters before embarking upon your personal choice of prime beef steak – in our case a wonderful chop of the Fleckvieh-Simmental variety specially brought in from Switzerland. Suffice it to say that this premium quality meat so skilfully prepared and sprinkled with rock salt was quite understandably one of the highlights of a very enjoyable evening. Steak lovers will find their Valhalla here, so for people who enjoy quality meat dishes prepared by an excellent chef in a warm, welcoming and stylish environment, Vovem is a restaurant not to be missed. Some might even say it is steak heaven. g Avda. Duque de Ahumado, 9, Marbella. Tel: 952 008 822. p.maritimo@vovemasador.com www.magnaspain.com/vovem-paseomaritimo/

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b THE GOURMET profile

A world of exquisite food experiences awaits

CLUB DEL GOURMET

A GOURMET EXPERIENCE

AT EL CORTE INGLÉS

We know El Corte Inglés as the grandest department chain in Spain and the preeminent department store in Marbella, but in addition to fashion, furniture and items ranging from porcelain to PCs and household goods to cosmetics, it offers a gourmet experience that ranks among the best in its class in Spain. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

arrods, KaDeWe and Galleries Lafayette are all famed for their classic, high-end restaurants and food courts. In fact, so much so that they have become attractions in their own right in London, Berlin and Paris, respectively, but you might be surprised to know that Marbella is hot on their tail. “El Corte Inglés is a different brand to the ones mentioned, and the Club del Gourmet offers a different experience, but what we do share is the dedication to offer the very best in top quality international food products and delicatessen, as well as a level of restaurants that forms an

extension to the gourmet concept,” says Juan Manuel Jiménez, F&B Marbella Manager.

THE FINEST PRODUCTS AVAILABLE As the person responsible for the gourmet department, he works with the company’s buyers to ensure it can offer the finest products and most exclusive food brands available anywhere in the world. “To locate them, we look across the globe at specially sourced wines and spirits, craft beers, lemonades, cheese, charcuterie, spices and condiments, confectionary, pasta, paté, caviar, canned

products, jams and many more delicacies.” And it shows! To stroll into the Club del Gourmet is to enter a world of taste and olfactory sensations, though the eyes have plenty to feast on too, with beautifully packaged and presented products from top-brand manufacturers and specialist artisanal producers in Spain, Italy, France, the UK, USA, Japan, China and just about everywhere else. It’s a food lover’s smorgasbord of delights sourced from around the globe and brought together within the top floor of the El Corte Inglés department store, where it is presented with suitable aplomb.

The Gastro Bar experience at the El Corte Inglés Club del Gourmet

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Freshly prepared dishes made from your selection of produce and delicacies from the shop

BUY OR ENJOY ON THE SPOT The Gourmet Club offers the ultimate food shopping experience for those who enjoy taking fine cuisine, cooking and entertaining to the next level. You can fill your shopping bags or have them delivered to your home, but it’s also possible to enjoy gorgeous snacks and treats made from the delicacies that surround you at the Gourmet Experience, a stylish gastro style tapas bar specialised in working with the finest quality products. “It’s like any other good tapas bar, except you can select your own dishes from any of the products in the Gourmet Club, and have them freshly prepared for you by skilled chefs,” says Juanma. What’s more, you won’t pay restaurant prices, but exactly the same as when you buy the products to take them home. “If you order a dish with 100 grams of the finest Jamón Iberico that’s what you will pay for, and the same applies to the wines.” Normally, the rule of thumb is that restaurants double or triple the price of a bottle of wine when sold at the table, so to speak, but at the Gourmet Experience a glass or bottle of wine is charged at its retail value, making this one of the most recommendable places to enjoy top quality food and wine at a reasonable price. “The dishes are prepared freshly, there and then, and we are able to offer most wines by the glass as well as the bottle,” so there is no reason not to enjoy fine food at its best, and with so many products to choose from, the selection is almost endless. The nearby Cafetaria offers a cosy environment for a snack while shopping, but if you want to make a special meal of it, why not try one of the restaurants that also form part of the gourmet experience at El Corte Inglés Marbella.

GOURMET RESTAURANTS Those familiar with the upper level at the department store in Puerto Banús will have seen

the restaurants at the heart of its quality dining. But keep an eye on it, for it is always evolving and improving in a desire to offer Marbella’s international clientele with the best possible gastro experience. An example of this is Rachel’s Eco Love organic food, a new addition that caters to the growing demand for ethical, health-based cuisine. “We pay attention to the feedback of our clients,” says Gaël Vignon, International Marketing Eastern Andalucía Director. “This applies both to requests for special food brands and products, and to the restaurant experiences we offer.” Rachel’s offers a light, organic alternative to more conventional fine cuisine, which includes Andrea Tumbarello’s Piccolo Experience, a high point in Italian food that naturally uses the finest produce available, and does so within a charmingly Italian ambience. Close by is the acclaimed Tse Yang Dim Sum Club, a ChineseAsian restaurant with a difference. With its elegant décor and ambience, it is reminiscent of an exclusive Asian club, complete with one of the finest Oriental kitchens in this region. French inspiration is provided by Le Bistroman, a stylish yet informal eatery inspired by the classic bistro concept, with a choice menu on offer. Sit at a table, a cosy booth or at the bar, where fresh oysters and Champagne await in an ambience with a touch of Paris. These and other delicacies are waiting to be experienced at the Club del Gourmet, the one place in Marbella where the world’s finest coffees, teas, wines, foods and sweets come together. Shop for your favourite treats or dine at one of the restaurants, where uniquely you can actually order dishes from one of the neighbouring establishments, making it possible to mix cuisines if you want to.

The finest food brands from near and far The best wines and Champagnes to take home – or enjoy a glass at the Gastro Bar

g Calle Ramón Areces, Puerto Banús, Marbella. Tel: 952 909 990. www.elcorteingles.es

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b THE GOURMETnews COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

FOR LOVERS OF LUXURY FOOD FRUIT LIFE

With their valuable experience and a unique vision, the team behind Fruit Life brings a touch of fantasy to your celebration, with beautiful edible creations whose central ingredients are fruits. Be it as a thank you gesture or a central piece of your special day, these products are an ideal choice for a top quality gift that oozes artistry. g Check out the Instagram page #Fruit_life_marbella and if you want to spoil your loved ones with a special treat, call Tel: 602 407 104. fruitlifedecor@gmail.com

STARS BRUT NATURE RESERVA

DEEMED BEST CAVA AT WINES FROM SPAIN AWARDS 2019

It’s ofﬁcial: the fruity cava created by Perelada, Stars Brut Nature Reserva 2014, is the Best Cava sold in the UK, as decided at the Wines from Spain Awards 2019, held in London. This cava is made with the grape varieties Xarel-lo, Parellada, and Macabeo. It is light yellow in hue and bears clean, fruity notes and a dry, well-balanced flavour. i www.pereladachivite.com

VILARNAU BRUT RESERVA WINS

CAVA OF THE YEAR AWARD

DELICIAS GOURMET SHOP

OPENS IN ELVIRIA

The Delicias Gourmet Group is proud to announce that it has just opened the brand new Delicias Gourmet Shop Elviria. The launch was celebrated at a cocktail event with live music and a live grafﬁti art show. Guests enjoyed a wide array of treats, including Godiva chocolates, Ronda Chinchilla wines, and food by Salduba Catering. i www.deliciasgourmetgroup.com

The Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships has granted Vilarnau Brut Reserva Orgánico the Best Cava award. The beverage is made in certiﬁed organic vineyards with traditional fermentation and ageing techniques. The bottle combines Macabeo, Parellada, Penedes and Xarel-lo varieties, which balance, acidity, and freshness to perfection. Vilarnau took home additional awards, including those for Best Organic Cava and Best Brut Non-Vintage Cava, as well as a Gold Medal for excellence. i www.vilarnau.es

DON CARLOS HOTEL CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY WITH

BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE EVENT

The Don Carlos Hotel recently invited select members of the press to the Beautiful People Event, delighting them with a tasting of the meal that will be served on the Hotel’s 50th Anniversary New Year’s Eve dinner. The night will be themed on the 1970s – easily one of the most glamorous decades in Marbella. The dinner will feature local Andalusian produce, including quail egg, almond butifarra, squid on molletes, suckling lamb and more. Guests will also tuck into excellent cheeses and jamón ibérico de bellota de Jabugo, as well as an array of ﬁsh and seafood delights. i www.doncarlosresort.com

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b THE GOURMET chefs’ profile

FIRE AND ICE AT 99 SUSHI BAR & RESTAURANT AT THE ANANTARA VILLA PADIERNA PALACE

TITO ANDRE BRAVO AND ALFREDO ABRIL CERVERA WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

9 Sushi Bar & Restaurant is an über trendy restaurant group with a strong presence in the luxury dining sector in Madrid, Barcelona, Abu Dhabi, and recently, also in Marbella. You may have noticed that the Villa Padierna Palace now bears the name ‘Anantara’ before it. Along with the new management comes a restaurant that was Summer 2019’s big hit – despite the fact it had only been open for a few weeks when peak season hit! At the helm of 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant are a magnificent team of two that bounce off each other in terms of creativity and vision. As you enter the restaurant, you are greeted by a sexy bar where you can watch Peruvian whiz Tito Andre Bravo slicing Balfegó bluefin tuna (known for its tender, fleshy texture and freshness) and other fish and seafood delights before the eyes of curious diners on barstools. After trying out a few raw delights, it’s time for something hot and sizzling and you can savour everything from a heavenly, crispy tiger prawn tempura with a creamy spicy sauce,

to grilled toro and smoked Iberian air-dried beef temaxi with a chillitomato emulsion and aromatised herbs. The restaurant has a romantic, cobblestoned, al fresco dining area where you can gaze at the stars, as well as an intimate indoor area and a private dining room with a beautiful view over carefully manicured gardens below. Alfredo Abril Cervera is a proud self-taught Chef who has shone at many of Marbella’s top restaurants. Prior to accepting his new role at the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace, he was Head Chef of The Beach La Reserva Club, the Hotel Guadalmina Spa & Golf Resort, and the Hotel Triton. He has also worked as a private Chef in a luxury villa, fulfilling high demands and honing his flair for personalised cuisine. His experience is vast and includes management positions at BlueBay Hotels & Resorts, the Hotel Santa Cristina Petit Spa, the Hotel Meliá Don Pepe, the Hesperia Puerto Calero and Lanzarote’s top luxury hotel – the Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort, where he was Chef de Partie and took charge of banquets.

Tito, meanwhile, has specialised in sushi and Japanese/Nikkei cuisine for over a decade, honing his craft at some of Spain’s most renowned Japanese dining institutions – including Kirei by Kabuki in Madrid (where he was Head Chef and headed the sushi bar), Yakitoro by Chicote in Madrid (Head Chef), and Restaurante Mikka (a Nikkei restaurant in Ecuador, where he was Executive Chef). His earliest forays were in his native Peru, where he shone at the renowned Osaka restaurant for four years as Head of the Sushi Bar. He also worked in Brazil, once again heading the kitchens at Osaka’s São Paulo restaurant. Together, this dynamic duo are excited about what is in store for diners at 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant. They show me their high-tech kitchen, whose gleaming interior houses high-tech freezers and refrigeration areas. Here, fish and seafood receive the ‘cold treatment’ before being served. The bar area boasts gorgeous Japanese cutlery and tables, upon which Tito weaves his magic while preparing a range of

Anyone who loves the Japanese culinary tradition above all others knows that deciding between raw and warm dishes is always difficult. At the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace’s new restaurant, 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant, this dilemma is nonexistent, for you can enjoy the best of both worlds; the in (yin) and yo (yang) that make delights like sashimi and tempura so universally loved by diners of all ages. sushi and sashimi dishes. Innovation is big at 99 Sushi Bar. Diners can try out tasty seasonal delights made with rare fish and seafood varieties, or tuck into ultra tender wagyu meat, sliced to fine perfection by the chefs. Innovation and artistry abound. Colour, proportion, and designer crockery are all given due importance and form part of the magic. The Chefs tell me that diners can look forward to novelties and exciting developments as time goes by. For instance, the restaurant will be offering a special brunch every Saturday, featuring a host of fantastic dishes – both cool and hot, fresh and spicy. Another novelty is Cocktail Fridays at Eddy’s bar at the resort, where guests can enjoy a refreshing Negroni served with warm nigri – a perfect complement to this scarlet-hued cocktail. Quality Japanese cuisine never fails to disappoint, but Tito and Alfredo are taking it to the next level, serving delights that are raved over in Abu Dhabi as much as they are in Madrid. 99 Sushi Bar & Restaurant is famed for its super tender tuna as well as for its creamy tempura, so if you wish to savour the best of both worlds, this is your perfect spot. g Open nightly for dinner except Sunday and Monday. Tel: 952 889 150. www.anantara.com

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AUTHENTIC LUXURY CHRISTMAS.

RETREAT INTO MODERN SPANISH ELEGANCE OVER CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR.

Rolling green fields and historic architecture ensure a remarkable festive season packed with Anantara indulgences. Spoil yourself and your loved ones with delightful local flavours, bespoke international cuisine and spa journeys tailored to the spirit of the season.

LIFE IS A JOURNEY. Visit villapadierna.anantara.com ANANTARA VILLA PADIERNA PALACE BENAHAVÍS MARBELLA RESORT URB. LOS FLAMINGOS GOLF. CTRA. DE CÁDIZ, KM 166. 29679, MARBELLA, MÁLAGA T +34 952 889 150 E VILLAPADIERNA@ANANTARAHOTELS.COM

ANANTARA XMAS FULLPAG 230x300.indd 1

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b THE GOURMET whisky

HOW TO INVEST IN

WHISKY

Whisky has long been seen as a premium quality item with a rich and diverse heritage. While the perception of the ‘water of life’ hasn’t changed much, more and more high net worth individuals are seeing the varied opportunities to invest in the burgeoning whisky market with considerable results. Across the world, investors and collectors alike are spending increasing amounts to get their hands on the world’s rarest and best bottles, offering opportunities for savvy spenders thinking about getting involved. WORDS DAMON CULBERT PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE SPIRITS EMBASSY AND © SHUTTERSTOCK

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WHY WHISKY? Whisky has a unique status as an investable item because it has much more stable longevity than many other alternative investment items. Unlike cars, wine, and watches, whisky maintains its quality if left unopened. This means that collectors can keep hold of their best bottles for as long as they need to see the best possible returns without concern for the product ageing. With over 150 distilleries active today, Scotch is an ideal collectable item. Whisky enthusiasts can build a collection focused on speciﬁc distilleries or particular bottle releases, known as expressions. This is ideal for investors who can get their hands on more covetable bottles from the collection. Many distilleries also have powerful, wellestablished reputations, giving the label considerable influence over the value of their expressions. However, not all expressions are collectable and rarity is one of the key attractions for whisky lovers. Limited and special releases typically perform better in second-hand markets as buyers are aware of the scarcity of the

product. Distilleries no longer in production still enjoy conﬁdent positions in whisky investor rankings because their diminishing stock appreciates in value the longer time goes on.

WHISKY MARKET IN 2019 These elements, plus an increase in interest from secondary markets in Asia, have meant that Scotch whisky is enjoying its best period on record. Rare Whisky 101’s 2018 report shows that their Apex 1000 index increased by 30% and that the overall value of collectable bottles went up by 62% in the last year. Additionally, the average bottle price jumped from £299 to £377 between 2017 and 2018 and the number of bottles sold for over £10,000 rose from 91 in 2017 to 265 in 2018. This suggests that now is the best time to get involved before initial investments climb any higher. The Rare Whisky report 2017 shows that investment isn’t the main reason for second-hand whisky purchases for more than 80% of collectors. People buy whisky because they love drinking it and they’re willing to pay ever-

increasing amounts of money for the pleasure. For those who are fans of whisky but more interested in the return on investment, the health of the market makes this the ideal time to start investigating rare and collectable bottles up for grabs.

WHISKY MARKET OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS The market performed exceptionally last year but this is only one year in a persistent trend over the past ﬁve. The Apex 1000 index has appreciated by 162.91% since 2014, outstripping gold by over 150% and the FTSE by over 160%. As the interest in alternative investments continues to build, whisky is unparalleled in its performance. However, this comes with some challenges, as more investors are throwing their hat in the ring, the average bottle price has gone up by over £100 and the volume of whisky on the second-hand market is up by more than 200% since 2014. Identifying the best bottles and ensuring that the right price is found is vital in this flooded market.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER INVESTMENTS Whisky Invest Direct, a company specialising in cask whisky investments, reports that barrelled whisky kept for at least six years has never returned less than 60% and outperforms FTSE shares and London property whether it’s held for three years or 12. Though wine is typically considered the pinnacle of consumable investments, the performance of the Scotch market says differently. Last year, the average bottle price for wine was £165, a far cry from the £377 paid for whisky. Both wine and whisky saw the world record broken for the highest price paid at auction for a single bottle last year, but whereas the 73-year-old bottle of Burgundy sold for around £430,000, a 60-yearold Macallan fetched £1,000,000. This record has also since been broken in 2019 by a bottle from the same cask which sold for £1.5m. Though alternative investment assets are generally close to the investor’s interests, the returns that can be found in whisky investment are likely to make this market much more attractive to a more varied audience.

JAPANESE WHISKIES Scotch is by far the most successful type of whisky available in the world. The established reputation of their distillers and its geographical identity as a heritage product of Scotland mean that Scotch is usually the ﬁrst thing that comes to mind at the mention of ‘whisky’. However, the Japanese market is currently also noting impressive growth. The Japanese Icon 100 Index has seen a 38% increase over the past 12 months and WhiskyStats declared it the best-performing whisky-producing region. Japan out-performed second-place region Campbeltown by 15%. While there are fewer distilleries

with much more humble reputations in Japan, investors are turning their eyes towards the East more frequently as expressions continue to draw international acclaim. The Japanese index is ﬁlled with bottles from silent distillery Karuizawa (the best-performing distillery in 2018), Yamazaki (producer of the most expensive Japanese whisky ever sold) and a series of bottles from the Hanyu distillery. The Hanyu ‘card’ series is particularly interesting as there is said to be only four full sets still in existence. A full 54-bottle set was sold in August this year for a record-breaking £755,000. Though the prices are much lower than Scotch, the influence of Japanese traditions on their whisky expressions makes bottles from these distilleries attractive and unique to whisky enthusiasts.

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BEST DISTILLERIES For new investors, the best bet for safe investments is in wellknown distilleries which already have a reputation for investable whisky. The top 10 in the investor rankings for 2018 are: Z Bowmore Z Brora Z Springbank Z Macallan Z Glenugie Z Laphroaig Z Ben Wyvis Z Killyloch Z Clynelish Z Dalmore Generally, more limited expressions from the distilleries will do well as collectors know that the whisky is top-quality and that their value is more stable. However, investors looking for more high-risk opportunities might want to consider the trend forecast for the next few years and choose distilleries on the rise or desirable flavour proﬁles to build their collection. Glenugie, Laphroaig and Clynelish all saw considerable rises in the table in 2018, rising 12, 22 and 22 places respectively. This shows an interest in more second-tier distilleries which can

also be seen in the ﬁrst half of 2019. The half-year 2019 report picks the top 10 as: Z Springbank Z Brora Z Glenugie Z Bowmore Z Ben Wyvis Z Dalmore Z Macallan Z Port Ellen Z Rosebank Z Ardbeg Though many of the same names feature, this shows quite a dramatic shift halfway through the year. Distilleries on this list aren’t likely to fall too far from favour but, as with all investments, there are clearly some risks in putting faith in the value of the brand alone. Glenugie has shown even more improvement since the end of 2018, rising all the way to third place. Distilleries like Dalmore, Ben Wyvis and Ardbeg could continue this tendency over the next few months, making them optimal targets for investors. Beyond the Scottish landscape, a number of Japanese distilleries are likely to grow in

popularity in the eyes of investors over the next few years. A major discrepancy between demand and supply has meant that popular Japanese expressions have been discontinued to protect stock levels. Whiskies from Yoichi, Yamazaki and Chita have been restricted which could lead to an increase in value for these bottles on the secondary market.

2020 TRENDS

From the Rare Whisky yearly reports, it seems that the behemoth of Macallan could be due a challenger in the near future. As average prices for bottles from the top-tier distilleries continue to skyrocket, many investors or collectors may look to smaller brands available to cater for multiple price points. Because of this, brands like Springbank, Bowmore and Dalmore have taken higher spots on the list in the eyes of investors. The 2018 report also highlighted the level of uncertainty around Brexit and the UK government in predicting the future of the whisky industry. Though Brexit will certainly remain a spanner in the works, the demand for both casks and bottles is still considerable and isn’t likely to fall too sharply too soon.

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2019

Navidad en Finca Cortesin Christmas at Finca Cortesin Reservas / Reservations

info@hotelcortesin.com

+34 952 937 800

fincacortesin.com

SIX TOP TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME INVESTORS Z 1. UNDERSTAND FLIPPING Flipping is the name given to those who buy limited whisky releases with the intention of turning them for a considerable proﬁt shortly after they sell out. As most buyers seek out rare whiskies for the enjoyment of the spirit itself, flippers have a bad reputation in the community in much the same way as ticket scalpers in live music. It can be frustrating to know that some buyers have managed to secure a bottle of whisky with no regard for the craftsmanship and tradition, but patience is

the key to whisky investment so understanding when to buy and when to leave the flippers alone is essential. Z 2. BE AWARE OF FAKES Fake bottles are becoming increasingly prevalent as scammers see the demand for rare bottles rise. The most common fakes are typically Macallan but there have also been increased sightings of fake bottles of Talisker. Keeping track of the industry and seeking a second opinion on particularly rare expressions will be a useful way of keeping investments safe. Z 3. STORE YOUR COLLECTION PROPERLY While the quality of unopened whisky generally stays the same for a long time, it’s still important to properly store whisky bottles for peak quality maintenance. For bottles solely bought for investment purposes, the bottle shouldn’t be opened under any circumstances. This will drastically reduce the value.

Additionally, bottles should be stored upright to avoid contact between the cork and spirit inside. Z 4. KNOWLEDGE OF THE INDUSTRY Knowing the industry well is the best way to ensure your investments are well-founded. Doing your research around the performance of notable distilleries, the market in general and which bottles are most desirable is highly advised. For those who love whisky, this probably won’t be too difﬁcult but for those getting involved for investment purposes only, a knowledge of the broader market will not only help you spot opportunities more conﬁdently but keep your investments practical. Z 5. MAKE AN INVESTMENT PLAN There are a number of ways to invest in whisky, including bottles, casks and distillery shares. With each type of investment come different advantages and drawbacks. For

those less interested in the spirit, purchasing bottles is a more tangible investment but may take more effort than purchasing shares. Cask investment allows investors more freedom with the spirit to either sell it back to distilleries or bottle their own produce. However, there are added costs for storage and market uncertainty to contend with when investing in a product to be stored for several years. Z 6. BE PATIENT As with all investments, secondhand whisky is all about timing. For those keeping a close eye on the market, keeping track of distillery performance or the latest releases will help identify new opportunities. Being able to predict which distilleries will be popular in the future or the ideal time to shift a rare collectable can make or break an investor. g For further information, contact The Spirits Embassy Tel: (+44) 1466 795 105. www.thespiritsembassy.com

INVESTING IN WHISKY IN 2020

No matter your current involvement in whisky, the prospect of such a healthy market popular with investors is highly enticing. Once you’ve ﬁgured out how best to spend your money, getting started in the world of whisky is exciting whatever form it takes. e

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! e m i t s a m t s i r Ch SEA GRILL DINNERS & PUENTE ROMANO NIGHTS

December 2019 | Pull out your pre-christmas

Festivities | Celebrate Christmas Eve & Christmas

social calendar! Christmas parties & get-togethers,

Day beachfront at Sea Grill. Welcome the New Year

beachfront at Puente Romano Marbella.

with live music at our gala in Salón Andalucía, in

Prices from EUR 38 p/person.

Nobu Restaurant or at our New Year’s Eve parties in La Plaza, La Terrasse and La Suite!

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b THE GOURMETwine

Altar wall with frescos

POSSIBLY SPAIN’S MOST SPECTACULAR VINEYARD

NOCTURNAL GRAPE HARVEST AT

DESCALZOS VIEJOS

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY KARETHE LINAAE

ave you ever dreamt of taking part in a wine harvest? I certainly have, so when I was invited to this year’s vendimia at Descalzos Viejos, I accepted immediately. Ronda is perfect for a romantic getaway, but the town is also becoming a favoured destination for wine tourism. Our region produces many outstanding wines, but when it comes to taste and setting, none can compete with Descalzos Viejos. Situated at the northern end of the Hoya del Tajo valley, the vineyard has a unique microclimate. This might be the reason why a couple of friars were granted permission to build a monastery here in 1505. The Trinitarian monks remained until 1664, when a natural disaster forced them to move. Only the senior Brothers remained. Once these Descalzos Viejos (old barefoot) passed on, the monastery was abandoned. Fast-forward 300 years to 1998, when the current owners, Paco Retamero and Flavio Salesi ﬁrst laid eyes on the ruin and decided to purchase it. From the beginning,

it was a family project, though their doctor wives are more silent partners. “We go to them when we need their purses”, Paco laughs. The initial goal was to bring Descalzos Viejos back to its former splendour, restoring the buildings and the garden. The restoration started in 2000 and was a complicated process – structurally, legally and practically – as Paco and Flavio needed their day jobs to pay for the massive renovations. Visiting the property, it is clear that this is a labour of love. Descalzos Viejos is a magniﬁcent blend of Gothic-Mudejar and Modern architecture, mixing ancient stone with contemporary steel and glass. Such a vision could only have been achieved because the owners are more artists than businessmen. Had Paco and Flavio not taken on the monumental task, the building would have collapsed, as no government funding was granted to restore this important piece of Ronda’s history. To understand the scope of the restoration, one simply has to look at the before and after photographs.

The church had crumbling walls and a lean-to shed where the altar once stood. Once the structure was rebuilt, a team of restorers from the University of Seville spent 6 months bringing back religious frescos from the 16th Century. The centrepiece depicts St. Rufina and St. Justa, the patron saints of Seville. Ronda was an important winemaking region since Roman times and the monks had produced wine on the property, so Paco and Flavio decided to try their hands at growing grapes. “We knew nothing about the wine industry,” they tell me. This however, didn’t stop the forwardthinking team. Paco, later the first President of Ronda’s wine producers’ association, became a Master in Oenology. Their first harvest came in 2003. By 2005, Vicente Inat, a Valencian agricultural engineer and oenologist, joined them. The 2006 vintage was almost too strong for consumption, yet it won gold medals at the world wine competition in Brussels in both 2010 and 2011, being the only

Andalucian red wine to receive the prestigious award that year. While other producers would have profited from such honours, Descalzos Viejos did the opposite. In spite of becoming one of Ronda’s best wineries in a short period of time, there is no Seal of Distinction or Certified Organic label on their bottles. “We want our clients to recognise the quality of our wine from the taste,” Paco explains. Over the past 16 years, the architects have become expert winemakers, with a fully organic product grown in small plots where collection, fermentation and bottling are all done by hand. Consider yourself privileged to taste their wine, which can only be found at selective restaurants, specialty wine stores and a few international distributors. With 15.5 hectares overall area – 10 planted with grapes – nearly all of their production can be called ‘limited edition’. They produced 15,500 bottles of their DV wine in 2017, but specialty wines like Rufina and Iusta are produced in a restricted quantity of 2,000 bottles per year.

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Descalzos Viejos’ seven grape varieties – Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Grenache, Graciano, Petit Verdot, Merlot and Chardonnay – grow in three vineyards, where extreme temperature variations and rocky or clay soil provide excellent growing conditions. As planned, I meet Paco at the winery before sunrise to be able to observe the vendimia or grape harvest. The purpose of nocturnal harvests is to prevent premature grape fermentation, but the fact that it will happen at night just adds to my excitement. We arrive to see a dozen pickers having pre-dawn breakfast around a campﬁre. They motion for me to sit down on the same boxes they pick grapes in and tell me that they are from Algamitas. The village is renowned for its pickers, who move from harvest to harvest, following the season from peaches and grapes to chestnuts and olives. The workday starts at midnight and ends at 8 am. Looking at the expanse of vines, it seems

impossible that they will handpick the entire area with only clippers and head lanterns. But that is before I see them work. Efﬁciency cannot even start to describe it as they move through the vines swiftly snipping mature bunches, while leaving unﬁt grapes on the ground. A mini-tractor rolls in and the boxes, 14 kilos each, are loaded onto the trailer. One senses the pride of the pickers, who have been part of the Descalzos Viejos vendimia since the start. Today’s expected harvest is 5,000 kilos. Paco shows me the vineyard, explaining how they graft different vines onto established root systems. The grapes look spectacularly healthy and plump, with leaves varying from green to the russet red of the Garnacha Tintorera grape. Outside the monastery, the oenologist is overseeing the pressing process. Grapes are emptied into a moving assembly line, where he and Paco’s daughter sort through the fruit. Next, the grapes are mulched

before juice and grape skin travels through a thick hose, directly into stainless steel fermentation tanks. What differentiates Descalzos Viejos from other wine producers is the bodega. Like massive modernist columns, the steel tanks line the church nave. A few traditional barrels with special vintages are kept by the former alter, and with the saints overseeing the ageing process, how can it not taste divine? As dusk becomes day, Paco takes me on a walk in the monastery garden, following the windy paths once trodden by barefoot monks. Feeling the peace of their Eden, I can certainly understand why the oldest Brothers chose to spend their remaining days here. The sheltered location allows fruit that usually won’t survive at these altitudes. The branches of an enormous avocado tree hang heavy with fruit. There are also quince, ﬁgs, persimmon, lemons, almonds and a 500-year-old pomegranate tree, whose fruits are displaying a

spectacular crimson core. Those lucky enough to visit Descalzos Viejos are in for a treat. In which other world-class winery will you get a personal tour by the owners who also designed the premises? Wine tastings take place on a picturesque seating area with astounding views. Try for yourself, but to me the Descalzos Viejos wines are exquisitely complicated, like their past – encapsulating Andalusian soil, almost ever-present sun, sweet produce and the tender care of ancient monks. When making an appointment to visit, do not expect a commercial enterprise. They only sell wine, but when you have the quality and history of Descalzos Viejos, what more can one ask for? You will not regret your visit, and I assure you, you won’t forget it!

g For more information about Descalzos Viejos winery, please contact info@descalzosviejos.com www.descalzosviejos.com

Descalzos Viejos’ six types of wine

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. . THE GUIDE listings

the guide

PRICE GUIDE per head for a three-course meal with wine

*restaurants

american JACKS

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

JACKS SMOKEHOUSE Open seven days a week from noon till late. Puerto Banús, Tel: 952 813 625

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

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

under €25

€25 – €40

€40 – €60

LISTINGS STARS

€60 plus

argentinean

eco

C’EST SI BON

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

LE BISTROMAN

EL BANCO

Open daily from 12pm to midnight. Ctra. De Ronda, km 45, C.C. Monte Halcones, Local 9-10, Benahavís. Tel: 951 275 109

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

GIOIA Open daily from 1pm to 8pm except Mondays. C/ Velázquez 1, Marbella. Tel: 630 441 834

HACIENDA PATAGONICA

THE ORGANIC CAFÉ

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ de la Acera de la Marina 2, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 968

ORIGEN

Open daily from 9am to 10pm. Esquina C/ Martínez Catena and Paseo Marítimo Fuengirola. Tel: 951 255 563

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Gregorio Marañón s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 968

french

BUENOS AIRES SOUTH

belgian MYTILUS

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

ALMAZEN

ALBERT & SIMON 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 daily 1pm to 11pm except Mondays. C/ Iris 12T, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 635 771 122 Open daily for lunch and dinner. El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

MAISON LÚ Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Open Sunday for lunch. Blvd. Alfonso von Hohenlohe 269, Marbella. Tel: 951 210 000

MONSIEUR BISTRO Open daily for lunch and dinner. Open for lunch only on Mondays. C/ Antonio Herrera 6, Local 8, Marbella. Tel: 744 612 790

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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listings THE GUIDE . french nordic

EL GAUCHO DE BANÚS

Open Tuesday to Saturday 12pm to 2am. C/ Ramiro Campos Turno 4, Marbella. Tel: 600 919 541

EL RANCHO DEL PUERTO

NORMAN

gluten-free CELICIOSO

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At the Puente Romano Hotel on the Golden Mile. Tel: 952 820 900

greek

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

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 Saturday from 1pm to midnight. 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

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle Benabola 9-11, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 167 Open for lunch and dinner every day. Muelle Benabola 4, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 252

GOIKO GRILL Avda. Ricardo Soriano, 15, Marbella. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Tel: 951 829 935

GRILL DEL PUERTO Open for lunch and dinner every day. Muelle Ribera 47H, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 686

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

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

RESTAURANTE RANCHO Open every day from 5pm till late. Ctra. Cádiz, exit Las Chapas. Tel: 952 831 922

T-BONE GRILL Open daily for lunch and dinner. At the Gran Meliá Don Pepe, Avda. José Meliá s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 300

VOVEM Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Odeon, Locales 9-10, C/ Las Yedras, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 003 434

VOVEM Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Duque de Ahumada, Paseo Marítimo, Marbella. Tel: 952 008 822

indian CORIANDER

Open daily from 1pm to 11pm. Paseo Marítimo Rey de España 4, Local 2-4, Fuengirola. Tel: 951 903 807

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

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

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

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

international

BABOO LOUNGE AND RESTAURANT 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

BAHIA BEACH Open daily for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 146.5, Casares. Tel: 951 704 884

BALTAZAR BAR & GRILL Open daily for lunch and dinner. El Paseo del Mar, Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona, CN340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

BARBQ ARTESANAL BURGERS Open every day for lunch and dinner. C/ Jacinto Benavente 5, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 656

99 SUSHI BAR & RESTAURANT

BOHO CLUB

Open nightly for dinner. At Anantara Villa Padierna Palace. Urb. Los Flamingos Golf, CN340, km. 166, Marbella. Tel: 952 889 150

Open nightly for dinner. Urb. Lomas de Río Verde 29, Marbella. Tel: 952 157 222

11&11 RESTOBAR

Open from 12.30pm ‘til late, seven days a week. C/ Los Lirios s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 036 494.

Open Monday to Thursday from 7pm ‘til late, on Friday and Saturday from 1pm to 4pm and from 7pm ‘til late and on Sunday from 10am ‘til late. Dársena de Levante, Local 39, Estepona Port. Tel: 951 703 060

BREATHE CAFÉ DE RONDA

ACINIPO

Open daily for breakfast and lunch until 7pm. Avda. Ramón Gómez de la Serna 23, Marbella. Tel: 952 862 149

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesday. C.C. El Zoco, Sitio de Calahonda, Mijas Costa. Tel: 607 680 999

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

AL ROLO

CAMURÍ

Open from 1pm to 4pm and 7pm to 11pm daily. At Reserva del Higuerón. Avda. del Higuerón 48, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 661 174

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, local 24-25, Estepona. Tel: 951 217 871

ALBERTS

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

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

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

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

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. THE GUIDE listings CERRADO DEL ÁGUILA

EL CORZO

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

EL JARDÍN DE LUTZ

CHARLIE’S CORNER Open Sunday to Thursday from 10am to 11pm and Friday from 10am to 4pm. Closed Saturdays. C/ Los Jazmines 409, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 275 384.

CLARO! RESTAURANT & BEACH CLUB Open every day from 10am to 11pm. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 800 873

D.O.M Open nightly for dinner. At the Hotel Meliá Marbella Banús. C/ Mario Vargas Llosa s/n, Puerto Banús. Tel: 912 764 747

D.O.MAR Open daily from 1pm to 2am. Urb. Oasis Club, CN340 km 183, Marbella. Tel: 952 868 396

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

DÖSS Open 11am to 2am. Artola Alta, Marbella. Tel: 952 000 772.

D-WINE Open Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. C.C. Azalea, Edif. A, CN340, km 173, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 339 309

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

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

Open daily for dinner. Hotel Los Monteros, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 187. Tel: 952 771 700 Open every night for dinner from 7:30pm. At Hotel Finca Cortesin, Casares. Tel: 952 937 800

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

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

EL OCEANO BEACH HOTEL & RESTAURANT Open daily for lunch and dinner. CN 340, km 199, Marbella. Tel: 952 587 550

EL OLIVO 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

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

FABIOLA 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

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

FRENCHETTE Open daily except Monday, 5pm to 11:30pm. Plaza Santo Cristo 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 901 040

GALERIA SAN PEDRO

EL CASTILLO

Open from 11am until midnight. Closed Sundays. Avda Las Palmeras 15, San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 780 927

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. C/ El Pilar s/n, Benahavís. Tel: 681 294 442

Open 9:30am to 9pm from Monday to Friday and

GD GOURMET DELI MARBELLA

Saturday from 12am to 6pm. Closed Sundays. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 7, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 049

Avda. Miguel de Cervantes 68, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 814 041

HAYACA

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

Open Monday to Sunday from 7.30pm to 11pm. At the Amàre Hotel Marbella. Avda. Severo Ochoa 8, Marbella. Tel: 951 562 083

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

HILLS CAFE Open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Closed on Monday. Tel: 952 856 171

HORIZON STEAKHOUSE Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Antonio Machado s/n, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 560 094

HOTEL MARBELLA CLUB BUFFET Open every day for lunch. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

IL MARE Open every evening for dinner. Playa del Rodeo, Marbella. Tel: 951 319 372

KAVA Open nightly for dinner. Plaza de Los Naranjos, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 824 108

LA BIZNAGA 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 CAMPANA Open for lunch and dinner every day from 1pm to 1am.

LA CANTINA DEL GOLF

LA CASA DEL HUMMUS Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 11pm and Sunday 11am to 8pm. Plaza Puente de Málaga, C/ Mendoza 16, Marbella. Tel: 952 866 104

LA FAMIEKE Open nightly for dinner except Sunday. C/ Cruz 5, Plaza Puente de Ronda. Old Town Marbella. Tel: 674 055 995

LA GRANADA DIVINO Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesday. C/ de las Piedras, Gaucín. Tel: 951 709 075

LA LOGGIA 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

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

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

LA TIENDA Open nightly for dinner except Mondays. C/ La Tienda 1, Urb. La Virginia, Marbella. Tel: 626 273 882

LA PLAGE CASANIS Re-opening December 5th. Open Monday to Wednesday 10am-7.30p.m and Thursday to Sunday 10am-10pm. Urb. Coto Chico 4D, Marbella. Tel: 952 837 862

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

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listings THE GUIDE . LA VERANDAH

Hohenlohe, s/n. Tel: 952 822 211

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

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

LA VERANDA LOBBY BAR

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

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

LIMA BY MOMO Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm to 12am. Closed Sundays. Plaza Practicante, Manuel Cantos 2, Marbella. Tel: 952 036 115.

L’OLIVE Open daily from 8am-6pm. At La Reserva Club. Avda. de la Reserva s/n, Sotogrande. Tel: 956 785 252

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

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

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

MACAAO BEACH Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Jose Echegaray, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 113 618

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

Open nightly from 7pm to 11pm. Urb. Boladilla Baja, CN340, km 163.5, Estepona. Tel: 951 082 090.

CN340, km 192, Las Chapas. Tel: 952 355 561

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

Open Tuesday to Friday for lunch and dinner and for dinner only on Saturdays. Avda. Puerta del Mar 11, Marbella. Tel: 951 317 570

ROSAS CAFÉ

TERRA SANA

MOJO

Open from 9am to 10pm daily. Avda. Playas del Duque 3, Marbella. Tel: 951 569 392

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

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

Open Monday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Marina Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 977. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 951 901 050. C.C. Parque Miramar, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 663 937. Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 951 915 069

MOJO 3.0

SAVOR

THE ENGLISH GARDEN

Open very night for dinner except Sunday. C/ Ramón Gómez de la Serna, 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 185 207

Open 1pm to 3:30pm and 7:30pm to 11:30pm daily except Sunday evenings and Monday. Avda. Andalucía 6, Local 4, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 951 531 777

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm to 11pm and Sunday from 1.30 to 9.30pm. Closed Mondays. Avda. España 16, Urb. Buenavista, Sitio de Calahonda. Tel: 952 930 252

MIRAFLORES GOLF RESTAURANT

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

MOMO MARBELLA GOLDEN MILE

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Julio Iglesias 9, Puerto Banús. Tel: 665 410 974

Open nightly for dinner, except Sunday. Avda. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 30, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 760

SEA GRILL At the Puente Romano Marbella. Open daily for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 187, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

MONKEY CLUB

SHANTI-SOM – AMRITA

Open nightly for dinner. At the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 951 607 018

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

NELI Gs Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Benavista, Estepona. Tel: 952 928 576

NŌMŌ BRASSERIE

Open for lunch and dinner every day except for Sunday. Bulevar de San Pedro, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 951 702 168

MARE NOSTRUM

OCHO

Open daily for breakfast and dinner. At the Hotel Amàre Marbella. Avda. Severo Ochoa 8, Marbella. Tel: 800 843 493

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

PASSION CAFÉ

MC CAFÉ

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

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Marbella Club Hotel. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von

SKAKERS URBAN BAR & FOOD

RESTAURANTE FELIX

SKINA Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Friday and Saturday for dinner only. Closed Sunday and Monday. C/ Aduar 12, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 277

SOLLO Open nightly for dinner except Sundays. Urb. Reserva del Higuerón, Málaga. Tel: 951 385 622

TEKUM

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.

THE PLAYWRIGHT Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Manzana, Locales 8-11, Pueblo Los Arcos, Elviria. Tel: 952 830 868

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

TROCADERO ARENA

SUITE

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

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

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

TACOS & TIKKA

TRUFFLES

Open 1pm to 12am Monday to Sunday.

Truffles is open daily from 6:30pm to 10:30pm nightly.

AND THE KITCHEN

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. THE GUIDE listings The kitchen is open daily from 12pm ‘til late. C.C. Pinares de Elviria, Local 18, Marbella. Tel: 951 569 173

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

VILLA PADIERNA CLUB DE MAR Open daily for lunch from 1pm to 6pm. CN 340, km 166, Marbella. Tel: 647 791 515

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 Wednesday to Monday for dinner. Closed Tuesday. Plaza Altamirano 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 868

italian AL DENTE

Open every day 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

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

CIBO Open daily for lunch and dinner. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 11, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 380

DA BRUNO

GOLD RESTAURANT

VILLA TIBERIO

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

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

LA LOCANDA DEL PARADISO Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Paraíso Barronal, km. 167, Estepona. Tel: 951 272 371

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 Open daily from 7pm to 11pm. At the Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa. Avenida Zurita, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

LEONARDO DA VINCI Open every night for dinner. Urb. Doña Lola, Local 21-22, Calahonda, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 934 667

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

AKIRA

Open nightly for dinner. At Reserva del Higuerón Resort. Higuerón Hotel Málaga, Curio Collection. Avda. del Higuerón 48, Fuengirola. Tel: 951 505 101

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

BAMBOO Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Ctra. Istan km 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 906 674

DRAGÓN DE ORO

GENJI SUSHI BAR

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

Open from 1:30pm-4pm and 8pm to 11pm. C/ Ramón Gomez de la Serna, 4, Edificio Balmoral. Marbella. Tel: 951 530 955

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

Open from Monday to Saturday for dinner at the Puente Romano Hotel on the Golden Mile. Tel: 952 771 798

FRASCATI

oriental

MADE IN SARDINIA

DA PAOLO

Open every night for dinner from 7:30pm. At Hotel Finca Cortesin, Casares. Tel: 952 937 800

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 806 739

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

RISTORANTE SAN MARTINO

DON GIOVANI

RESTAURANTE BAR CARMEN

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

LOMBARDO’S

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

mediterranean

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

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

SERAFINA

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

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

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

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

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

MECA

TARTUFO

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 every day for lunch from 1pm to 3:30pm and for dinner from 6:30pm ‘til late. C/ Tetuán 9, Marbella. Tel: 951 087 323

NIKKEI 55 Open daily for lunch and dinner. Conjunto Benabola Local B2, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 229 470

VALPARAÍSO

NOBU

Open nightly for dinner. Ctra. Mijas – Fuengirola, km. 14, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 485 996

Open nightly for dinner. At the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 778 686

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listings THE GUIDE . OSAKA

SKANDIES

Open every day 13:30-16:00 & 19:3024:00. CN 340, km. 166 (Benavista). C.C. Costa del Sol. Tel: 952 885 751

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

SAKURA Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. José Banús, 5, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 536

SANTOKU

seafood

EL BARLOVENTO

Open daily for dinner. At the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel. CN 340, km 166, Marbella. Tel: 952 889 180

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

SAPPORO

RESTAURANTE LA MARINA

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

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

SUSHI KATSURA 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

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

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

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

THAI GALLERY At Plaza Village at the Hotel Puente Romano. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 818 392

THAI STYLE Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Playas del Duque s/n. Edif. Gaviotas IV, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 675

TOP THAI Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Plaza, 64, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 319 778. Also at C.C. Laguna Village, Local 11-13, Estepona. Tel: 952 806 661

TSE YANG DIMSUM CLUB Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sundays. At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

WAGAMAMA Open daily for lunch and dinner. 19 Ocean Village promenade, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 44182

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

scandinavian

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

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

MARISQUERÍA LA PESQUERA 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 sde España, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 660 084

PALAPA Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 165

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

HACIENDA 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

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

LA MORAGA BISTRÓ Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces s/n, in front of El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 448

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

MESÓN EL ADOBE Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesdays. Avda. La Fontanilla, Edif. Balmoral, Bajo 3, Marbella. Tel. 600 003 144

ALOHA RESTAURANT

MI TABERNA

Open every evening for dinner from 6pm to 11.30pm. Avda. del Prado s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 811 285

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 827 880

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www.russellgrant.com

. THE GUIDEstars

RUSSELL GRANT’S Monthly Horoscopes December 2019 SAGITTARIUS [22 November 22nd – December 21st] A troubled relationship will reach the breaking point on the 12th. That’s when the Full Moon will urge you to walk away from a manipulative friend, romantic partner or business associate. You once found their whimsical ways charming. Now you recognise their quirky behaviour as manipulative. Being constantly thrown off balance has stopped you from building a secure foundation. This relationship has also damaged some family ties. Take a deep breath and walk away from this union. A Solar Eclipse on the 26th will ease whatever heartache you’ve experienced. You’ll be able to take a job or start a profitable business. Signing a contract with an international company will work out well for you. This agreement will relieve your financial burdens, paving the way to a luxurious and early retirement. If you run for political office, you will be victorious. The power and prestige of this position are considerable. Use this influence to benefit vulnerable people in your community.

A Solar Eclipse on the 26th will ease whatever heartache you’ve experienced. You’ll be able to take a job or start a profitable business. Signing a contract with an international company will work out well for you

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ARIES [21 MAR – 19 APR]

Upsetting news about a community issue will arrive on the 12th, due to a stressful Full Moon. Government officials have been cutting deals behind the scenes. These negotiations will have a negative impact on the people living in your neighbourhood. It would be wise to band together and devise a plan for defying these orders. There is power in numbers. A Solar Eclipse on the 26th highlights your leadership ability. You’ll be asked to take the helm of an influential organisation. Your ability to fundraise and organise will cultivate success. Don’t be surprised if you become something of a local celebrity as a result of this role. People will be impressed with your ability to spin straw into gold. You also command a loyal following, thanks to your ability to deliver on promises. The end of December will find your sphere of influence expanding. When you talk, others will listen.

TAURUS [20 APR – 20 MAY]

Payment for a job well done will be less than expected. An aggravating Full Moon on the 12th will trigger an angry exchange with a deceptive client or customer. If you loaned money to a friend, it will be difficult to be repaid. The person you helped will claim they were given this sum as a gift. Let this be a lesson about mixing friendship with finance. Combining the two is often disastrous. Things will start looking up on the 26th, when a Solar Eclipse invites you to expand your horizons. Going on an overseas trip, enrolling in an advanced academic programme or publishing a book are among the possibilities. It’s also foreseable that you’ll broadcast your ideas via a newspaper column, podcast or blog. Use the closing days of the year to build a reputation as a respected expert. Your services shouldn’t come free, they have to be paid for, allowing you to travel in style.

GEMINI [21 MAY – 20 JUN]

You’ll be placed in an awkward position in the middle of December. Your boss may ask you to take the blame for their mistake on the 12th, when a Full Moon threatens to expose their ineptitude. It’s better to walk away from a secure position than serve as a human shield. Tender your resignation or turn down a promotion. Being unemployed during the Christmas season is never a happy situation, but keep the faith. A Solar Eclipse on the 26th will reap handsome financial rewards. An inheritance, legal settlement or insurance refund will be unexpectedly rewarded to you. This windfall will greatly improve your lifestyle. You will be able to cover your expenses, as well as to pay your debts and enjoy a few luxuries, too. This improved financial situation will take the pressure off an intimate relationship, paving the way for some passionate encounters at the end of 2019.

CANCER [21 JUN – 22 JUL]

Troubling information will come to light on the 12th, due to a revelatory Full Moon. Someone who has been pretending to have expert knowledge will be exposed as a fraud. Let this be a lesson about putting your faith in others. When you are compelled by a charismatic figure, do some research into their background. You may discover their claims have no basis in reality. A Solar Eclipse on the 26th paves the way to an exciting relationship. Falling in love or forming a business alliance are distinct possibilities. You also might get engaged or married. Joining forces with someone else will have long term benefits. If you already have a romantic

partner, they’ll have wonderful career news. You might be accompanying your partner on a series of glamorous business trips. Seeing the world on an expense account will be the answer to a prayer. A special closeness will develop between you and your amour.

LEO [23 JUL – 22 AUG]

Things will be tense on the friendship front in mid-December. The Full Moon on the 12th will fuel tempers. Resist the temptation to respond to an obnoxious or offensive remark on social media. You may feel compelled to defend a group who is being attacked. Injecting yourself into this conversation will be like pouring gasoline on a smouldering fire. Maintain a tactful silence and let the verbally abusive person fall on their own sword. A Solar Eclipse on the 26th invites you to launch a health regimen. Overhauling your diet, exercise and sleep routine will enhance your natural good looks. You’ll turn heads wherever you go at the end of December. If you’ve been looking for a job, you’ll land a position at a prestigious company. This role will involve extensive travel. Staying at the world’s most luxurious hotels will be just your cup of tea. You’ll be travelling first class all the way.

VIRGO [23 AUG – 22 SEPT]

A tense career situation will come to a head on the 12th, due to a powerful Full Moon. You may confront a rival who has been spreading lies about you. It’s possible your employer will side with them instead of you. If this happens, stay calm. Don’t quit in a huff. Begin looking for another professional opportunity. It’s easier to find a position when you already have one. By the time the 26th arrives, the Solar Eclipse will reward your search. A position in a creative field will be offered to you. It will feel like you’re getting paid a handsome salary for having fun. The final days of 2019 will have a karmic quality to them. The Universe will reward your patience, perseverance and superior talent. Don’t be surprised when your work turns you into a virtual love magnet. You’re never as attractive as when you are practicing your art.

LIBRA [23 SEPT – 22 OCT]

On the 12th, you might experience a series of frustrating travel delays. The more flexible you are about this situation, the better. If your flight is overbooked, it would be wise to accept a seat on a plane that leaves the next day. Relaxing in a hotel room will be much better than waiting in an airport terminal for a flight that will ultimately be cancelled. Hold out for a good deal that will properly compensate your time and aggravation. Exciting changes to your household will occur on the 26th, thanks to an expansive Solar Eclipse. You might move to an affluent area or buy a luxury home. It’s also possible that a youngster or maybe an elderly relative joins your household, cultivating a joyous atmosphere. If you’ve been trying to sell a piece of property, you’ll do so for a handsome profit. There will be cause for celebration at the end of December.

SCORPIO [23 OCT – 21 NOV]

An unexpected expense could strain your bank account on the 12th. That’s when the Full Moon will shed light on a shortage. You might have to buy additional memory for your computer or increase your router bandwidth. Although this outlay will make you

unhappy, it is necessary. Having reliable equipment that meets your needs is critical to your success in midDecember. Things will be looking up on the 26th, when a Solar Eclipse brings happy news. A cherished relative will come to visit or you could publish a book. If you’ve always wanted to study with a prominent teacher, you’ll have the chance to do so in the final days of 2019. Don’t hesitate to sign up for this course, as spots will fill quickly. Working with an accomplished teacher will help you realise your own potential. Cracking the books will seem more like a blessing than a burden; you’ll love this learning process.

CAPRICORN [22 DEC – 19 JAN]

A health problem will demand your attention on the 12th, due to a disruptive Full Moon. If you’re not satisfied with a doctor’s prognosis, get a second opinion. It may be necessary to see a specialist to pinpoint a problem. Be patient and do everything in your power to cultivate wellness. If this means avoiding sugar, fat and alcohol during the Christmas season, so be it. The Solar Eclipse on the 26th marks an exciting beginning for you. It’s possible you will earn an advanced degree, move abroad or start your own company. You will have the Midas touch during the final days of December. A small investment will have a huge return. If you’ve been thinking of changing your look, do so now; you will be delighted with the results and it will boost your confidence. Ring in 2020 by forging a brand-new identity.

AQUARIUS [20 JAN – 18 FEB]

A romance will hit a rocky patch in December. The Full Moon in the middle of the month could reveal something troubling about your partner’s financial situation. If you discover your amour has been less than honest about their income or debts, tread carefully. The last thing you want is to be implicated in their deceptions. If you’re asked to co-sign for a loan or make an expensive purchase on their behalf, refuse. You’re treading on dangerous ground. On the 26th, a Solar Eclipse will trigger a spiritual breakthrough. You may decide to get rid of material excess, leading a strippeddown life. It’s also possible you’ll go on a pilgrimage. This journey will open your eyes to fresh possibilities and new ways of being. It’s very possible you’ll adopt a sacred practice or have a religious conversion in the final days of December. Feeling a deep connection with your Higher Power will ease anxieties that have dogged you for years.

PISCES [19 FEB – 20 MAR]

The Full Moon on the 12th will force a family confrontation. You’ve been turning a blind eye to a troubled relative’s behaviour. It will be impossible to ignore these outbursts in mid-December. You will have to issue an ultimatum. Until your loved one gets treatment for an addiction or health affliction, you must withdraw your support. Friends will be supportive throughout the Christmas season. Spending the holiday with an affluent person you’ve known for years will be comforting. Be sure to pack a special outfit to wear at holiday parties. You’ll make a great impression and meet someone special on the 26th, when a Solar Eclipse energises your social sector. Making an influential friend will open doors for you at the end of 2019. Who you know will be as important as what you know in the New Year. Whenever you need favours, ask for them. With the help of your companion, you’ll realise a lifelong dream.

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