LEAP INTO FEBRUARY 2020! by Essential Magazine

WE DESIGN, BUILD AND SELL THE MOST EXCLUSIVE PROJECTS WORLdWIDE

Bedrooms: 7

Bathrooms: 7

Built: 711 m²

Terrace: 165 m²

Plot: 8,000 m²

Price: € 6,400,000

GOLDEN MILE Magnificent estate overlooking the sea and mountains on an extensive plot in Marbella Hill Club. Ref. ES11124

Bedrooms: 3

Built: 178 m²

Bedrooms: 6

Price: € 1,950,000

PUENTE ROMANO Modern apartment in Puente Romano. Ref. ES11225

Bedrooms: 2

Built: 173 m²

Terrace: 27 m²

Price: € 1,700,000

PUENTE ROMANO Renovated beach side penthouse. Ref. ES11474

Built: 599 m²

Plot: 1,024 m²

Price: € 1,950,000

SAN PEDRO Elegant beachside villa in Linda Vista Baja. Ref. ES11199

Bedrooms: 6

Built: 470 m²

Plot: 1,781 m²

Price: € 1,395,000

GOLDEN MILE Lovely family home in Nagüeles. Ref. ES10635

Regulated by RICS

Plot: 6,361 m²

Price: € 10,000,000

SAN PEDRO Unique opportunity: Extensive beachfront plot with direct access to the boulevard in prime area of Cortijo Blanco. Ref. ES11400

Bedrooms: 4

Built: 799 m²

Plot: 6,150 m²

Price: € 3,650,000

EL MADROÑAL Stunning villa with panoramic views Ref. ES10272

Bedrooms: 4

Built: 307 m²

Plot: 800 m²

Price: € 995,000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA Corner villa with views in Las Brisas. Ref. ES10552

SINCE 1970

Bedrooms: 4

Built: 289 m²

Plot: 163 m²

Price: € 2,600,000

GOLDEN MILE Beachfront townhouse in Coral Beach. Ref. ES11484

Bedrooms: 2

Built: 119 m²

Terrace: 17 m²

Price: € 450,000

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

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

LET’S SAVE THE DOGGIES TOGETHER! Follow Essential Magazine’s Facebook Page Dedicated to Dogs for Adoption in the Marbella Area, and Help Us Find them Forever Homes

Issue 246 • February 2020

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

PLEASE DON’T BUY A DOG, ADOPT!

INMA AURIOLES inma@essentialmagazine.com

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

MONIKA BÖJTI info@essentialmagazine.com

Marbella Dogs for Adoption, Essential Magazine

ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE

MARIANO JEVA cuentas@essentialmagazine.com

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JAN DENDAUW jan@essentialmagazine.com

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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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Brexit and pension transfers. A ticking clock? Transferring your UK pension into a QROPS can provide significant benefits. With the Brexit transition period set to end on 31 December 2020, time may be running out to do so without paying the 25% ‘overseas transfer charge’. The UK already imposes this tax on EU residents who transfer to QROPS outside the EU/EEA; after Brexit it could easily start charging EU transfers too.

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INTERNATIONAL TA X ADVICE • INVESTMENTS • ESTATE PLANNING • PENSIONS Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, reference number 179731. Where advice is provided outside the UK, via the Insurance Distribution Directive or the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II, the applicable regulatory system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority for the administration of trusts and companies. Blevins Franks Tax Limited provides taxation advice; its advisers are fully qualified tax specialists. This promotion has been approved and issued by BFFM.

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E xc lu si ve

You only live once,

Cascada de Camoján: Contemporary villa with breathtaking uninterrupted sea views. 5 beds, 5 baths. Built 470 m², plot 1.873 m². E&V ID: W-02HTNS. Price: 3.500.000 €. 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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Beachside Los Monteros: A stunning modern villa with spectacular sea views situated close to the beach. Beautiful swimming pool area surrounded by mature gardens. Stylish, contemporary design and luxurious finishes. 5 beds, 6 baths. Built 593 m², plot 1.646 m². E&V ID: W-02HFNB. Price: 4.490.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 20 40.

Puerto Banús: Investment opportunity! Magnificent apartment meters from the beach. 3 beds, 2 baths. Living area 83 m², terrace 28 m². E&V ID: W-02GL2P. Price: 750.000 €. Tel: 952 85 98 60.

Beachfront - Puerto Banús: Spacious apartment in Los Granados with direct beach access.1 bed, 1 bath. Living area 117 m², terrace 15 m². E&V ID: W-02C47T. Price: 890.000 €. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

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

we will show you where! ,.

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 - Los Naranjos: Exceptionally chic and stylish villa in a prime location. 5 beds, 5 baths. Built 564 m², plot 1.528 m². E&V ID: W-02FMBJ. Price: 3.245.000 €. 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

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

VILLA ELISIA

Bed: 6 I Bath: 5+1 I Plot: 2.465 m2 I Built: 695 m2 I www.villaelisia.es I € 8.300.000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

CASA ANA

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

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

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

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

VILLA CORDOBA

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

Bed: 4+1 I Bath: 3+1 I Plot: 800 m2 I Built: 321 m2 I www.villacordoba.es I € 1.995.000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

VILLA LEO

VILLA KARMA

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

Bed: 4+1 I Bath: 4+1 I Plot: 994 m2 I Built: 403 m2 www.villakarma.es I € 3.245.000

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

LA CERQUILLA 42

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

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

ALOHA 144

Exclusively by

PROPERTY DEVELOPERS & ADVISORS · MARBELLA · 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: 5+1 I Bath: 5+3 I Plot: 2.117 m2 I Built: 484 m2 I www.aloha144.es I € 4.200.000

5 EXTRAORDINARY VILLAS FOR SALE Prices from â&#x201A;¬2,295,000

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THE LIFE YOU DESERVE

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LUXURY APARTMENTS IN THE HEART OF FUENGIROLA

Exclusive Healthclub Indoor pool | Gym | Spa Fitness Studio Facilities Gastrobar | Co-working Cinema Community APP Domotic | Concierge service Community Information

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SOLE

AGENT

Countryside retreat A N D A L U S I A N - S T Y L E V I L L A W I T H S E A V I E W S I N G AT E D C O M M U N I T Y

Beds 7 Bath 6

Built 598 m2 Plot 8.820 m2

Price: 1.950.000 € Ref: DM3833

Tranquil residence immersed in the beauty of El Madroñal, a prestigious and secure address in the hills above Marbella offering unspoiled natural environment, panoramic views and 24-security, all within a few minutes’ drive to the beach, Puerto Banús and all amenities. Privacy and views are guaranteed from its large elevated plot. The villa is distributed over three levels, offering a spacious lounge with dining area and TV corner, rustic style kitchen, independent two-storey guest wing and large basement with garden access, lounge with bar area and wine cellar. The outdoor area offers plenty of spaces to enjoy the views from its several porches, private swiming pool and well-kept grounds with mature garden.

As Marbella Luxury Real Estate specialists for three decades and exclusive representatives 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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Golfside beauty S T A T E - O F - T H E - A R T N E W F A M I LY H O M E W I T H G O L F A N D S E A V I E W S

Beds 5 Bath 5

Built 853 m2 Plot 1.641 m2

Price: 3.200.000 € Ref: DM4230

Dedicated website: villamayor-two.com

Set in a fantastic second-line golf position in a sought-after area, this spectacular brand new villa enjoys spectacular views of the Atalaya golf course and the sea. A perfect blend of elegant contemporary design and fine materials, offering high quality specifications and functional layout which includes a spacious open living area with south-west orientation, large bedrooms, lift, Bulthaup kitchen, fitness area with Turkish bath and sauna, and independent guest accommodation. Villa Mayor offers life in a quiet and prestigious residential area only a few minutes’ drive from Puerto Banús, Marbella and San Pedro.

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info@dmproperties.com DMproperties.com

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The award-winning Villa Alcuzcuz is Marbella’s first avant-garde luxury house designed and built under Passive House Regulations and Standards. Just five minutes from the coast and ten minutes from Marbella, this is a villa that, quite simply, has it all. Plot: 3.550 m2

Built size: 1.537 m2

contents the spotlight

Travel Trends 2020 34

the spa 92 Nude Palettes

Hotel Plaza 18 in Vejer 40

94 New Advances in IVF Embryo Selection

Is There Intelligent Life Out There? 44

98 Simple Urine and Blood Tests to Detect

Leap Year Love 48

The New Jaguar F Type 50

Jacques Cousteau, Sea Legend 54 Awkwaﬁna 56

the trend Cinema 58 Adam Driver 60 Music News 62 Best-selling Books of the Month 64 Top Bluetooth Keyboards 66 What’s Cool 68

the style Villa Number 40 in East Marbella 74 Classic Blue Décor Pieces 80 Dior Fashion 82 Cool Umbrellas 88

Cervical and Breast Cancer 100 Health Matters 102 Kangen Water

the social 104 The Vibe 108 Inspirational Teens 109 Animal Love

the pro 112 Exxacon 114 Enterprise 118 Stone Paper by Aussie Startup, Karst

the gourmet 123 D-Wine Restaurant 124 Gourmet Bytes 126 Hernán Soria, Head Chef of Akira 128 La Vigña Wine by Da Bruno

the guide 130 Listings 136 Stars for February

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D WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL PUBLISHER

LEAP INTO FEBRUARY

t’s reassuring to realise that, even if world leaders and governing bodies cannot make the right decisions to help our beleaguered planet, people themselves are changing behaviour as can be clearly discerned from our lead feature on Travel Trends 2020. In this extended February issue, we savour a thrilling ride in the stunning new Jaguar F-Type, we proﬁle legendary Oceanographer, Jaques Cousteau, and we take a light-hearted look at Leap Year Love. We also discover why, despite our dreams of connection with other planetary beings, we may in fact be alone in this vast universe. Find out about stone being turned into paper, the latest techniques involved in IVF, simple screening tests for breast and cervical cancer, and why Kangen Water is the health-improving solution many of us could beneﬁ t from. Locally, we enjoy a weekend at the stylish new Hotel Plaza 18 in Vejer, visiting Da Bruno’s new winery, La Vigña, en route, and stopping off for a memorable meal at D-Wine on the way home. Elsewhere, check out the new Dior Spring/Summer Collection and discover how umbrellas are becoming a hot trend in fashion accessories.

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NEW OFFICE OPENED IN THE HEART OF MARBELLA

An ambassador of French Art de Vivre and a leading player in the high-end real estate market with offices in

over 15 countries, BARNES is taking up residence on the Costa del Sol to assist its clients with all of their sale, acquisition and rental projects. BARNES also offers an array of bespoke services ranging from art advisory to investment in vineyards and yacht rental.

BARNES MARBELLA

Bulevar Principe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, La Poveda, local 4, 29602 Marbella +34 603 316 972 marbella@barnes-international.com www.barnes-international.com

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e the spotlight CULTURE HISTORY PEOPLE MOTORING TECHNOLOGY ENTERTAINMENT

34 Travel Trends 2020 40 Hotel Plaza 18 in Vejer 44 Is There Intelligent Life Out There? 48 Leap Year Love 50 The New Jaguar F Type 54 Jacques Cousteau, Sea Legend 56 Awkwafina

THE YEAR 2020 HAS STARTED WITH A BANG AND WE PREVIEW WHICH TOP TRAVEL TRENDS WILL BE DOMINANT IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS. WE ALSO FEATURE NEW HOTEL, PLAZA 18 IN VEJER DE LA FRONTERA, ASK OURSELVES IF THERE IS LIFE BEYOND PLANET EARTH, AND PROFILE FASCINATING PERSONALITIES LIKE JACQUES COUSTEAU AND AWKWAFINA.

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Live your best life 24-HOUR SECURITY

CONCIERGE SERVICES

Create the life you want. By choosing The View Marbella, you choose to live in a unique location with breathtaking seaviews, room to breathe and to relax, excellent service and beautiful surroundings.

HEALTH CLUB & SPA

+34 901 233 605 - www.theviewmarbella.com

KIDS CLUB

D THE SPOTLIGHT travel

Trains are cooler for the planet

COOL TRAVEL Following a year of freak heat waves and devastating Australian bush fires that wiped out half the marsupials on Kangaroo Island – a Condé Nast Traveler ‘hot destination’ for 2020 – tourists worldwide are starting to fret about their carbon footprint. And it’s transforming the way we holiday faster than you can say climate change. From flight shame and train brag to second city travel and vegan vacations, Belinda Beckett checks out the hot travel trends that are really cool for the planet.

TRAINS BEFORE PLANES If 2019 was the year of flygskam – the Swedish concept of ‘flight shame’ – the 2020s will see a new Age of the Train. A whopping 48 per cent of us (according to booking.com) plan to take a trip by the iron road this year and entitle ourselves to some tagskryt (train brag), another hip hashtag courtesy of Sweden’s climate change movement that confers bragging rights to a lower carbon footprint. According to Interrail, ‘the train is the most climate-friendly and energy-efficient means of transport besides your bicycle’. Even a diesel journey produces up to 84 per cent less carbon

than an equivalent flight. A trip from London to Madrid emits 0.043 metric tonnes of CO2 per passenger but nearly triple that (0.118 mt) by plane. Aviation’s two per cent contribution to global CO2 emissions is forecast to triple by 2050 in worst case scenarios. But our growing environmental ‘wokeness’ could reverse that trend and campaigns like Flight Free 2020, which aims to get 100,000 people swearing off flying this year, are making jet set membership distinctly uncool. One in five travellers reduced their flights last

year out of concern for the climate, according to a survey of 6,000 people in the US, Germany, France and Britain. What the press calls the ‘Greta Thunberg Effect’ has airlines so worried that BA and Air France are stumping up for offsets on all their domestic flights this year while Easyjet is the first major airline to operate net-zero carbon flights on all its routes. Electric planes are also on the way – Easyjet has promised to deliver a short haul e-flight by the end of the 2020s. In the meantime, the relatively eco-friendly train is roaring back into vogue.

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Sleeper trains were teetering on the brink of extinction in Europe. Now they are seen as the future of short-haul travel between cities. Austria’s state railway, Europe’s leading provider of night trains, has ordered 13 more and added links that will make Vienna Europe’s most connected city by rail after Moscow. There’s something enduringly romantic about a hotel-on-wheels where you can watch the scenery roll by in one country and wake up in another. But forget oak panelling and velvet upholstery – Austria’s new Nightjet carriages are inspired not by Murder on the Orient Express but by the functional minimalism of airline business class to accommodate time-pressed executives and tourists with a climate conscience. Ideal for city trips and holiday travel, on some routes you can take your car or motorcycle with you. If you must fly… buy your own carbon offsets which compensate for your emissions by investing in green projects. They cost peanuts too. You can offset the 2,000-mile round trip from Málaga to London for $2.49 on non-profit website Cool Effect.

Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express

GREAT RAIL JOURNEYS

Z GOLDEN EAGLE TRANS-SIBERIAN EXPRESS You haven't truly done rail travel until you've ridden this hardcore iron road. The 6,000-mile route connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East, Mongolia and China crosses through seven time zones in eight days but, with a boudoir on board, you won’t suffer from ‘train lag’. Z VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS Chugging across Europe between London and Venice, this famous vintage train evokes the romance of its Roaring Twenties origins with lavish Art Deco interiors and flapper glamour. It’s Champagne and fine dining all the way and ladies and gents dress for dinner, just as Hercule Poirot liked it. Z ARGO PARAHYANGAN, INDONESIA The name may be unfamiliar but this could well be the most scenic first-class commuter train in the world. The jungle journey from Jakarta to Bandung crosses the towering 98-metre Cisomang Railway Bridge, built in the 1920s and still Indonesia’s highest.

Argo Parahyangan, Indonesia

ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY 2020 / 35

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The Farm at San Benito, The Philippines

VEGAN VACATIONS There was a time when vegans on holiday lived on a diet of salad. The travel industry has traditionally catered to a carnivorous crowd but now we all know our tofu from our tempeh it’s cottoning on, and not just in the culinary department. Eco-cotton carpets, pineapple leaf upholstery and pillows stuffed with buckwheat husks are some of the perks of staying at Hilton London Bankside, the world’s ﬁrst vegan hotel suite. Toiletry packaging is sustainably sourced, products non-animal tested. Britain also opened its ﬁrst vegan hotel last year and while 100 per cent plant-based establishments are still a rare species, VeggieHotels lists 545 herbivore-friendly places to stay around the world including eight in Spain, the most carnivorous country in Europe after Luxemburg. And plant eater tour operators like VeganTravel and VegVoyages are sprouting all over the internet. A record 350,000 people from over 140 countries switched to a plant-based diet for Veganuary last month and The Vegan Society forecasts that one in 25 Brits will be 100 per cent veggie or vegan by 2025. The seed is well and truly sown. Saorsa 1875, Pitlochry, Scotland

Casa Vegana, Mallorca

Z THE FARM AT SAN BENITO, THE PHILIPPINES The Far East is riddled with eco retreats but this five star health spa was ahead of its time when it opened in 2002, pioneering a mainly raw vegan diet, with cooking kept to a minimum to preserve natural goodness. Set on a working coconut palm plantation, less than 20 per cent of the land has been built on to create an escapist resort of jungle suites and villas where the focus is on healing and harmony with the environment. Z SAORSA 1875, PITLOCHRY, SCOTLAND A boutique hotel in the Scottish Highlands that’s more vegan than rabbits. Everything from the bedding to the staff uniforms is plant-based, cruelty-free and sustainably sourced. Set in a Victorian-Gothic manor house, Britain’s first vegan hotel is powered by green energy, the veggies come from the kitchen garden and dinner is carbon offset through the Green Earth Appeal. You can tuck into chef Luca Sordi’s watermelon sashimi and pulse haggis without a moment of guilt. Z CASA VEGANA, SELVA, MALLORCA Championing vegan hospitality in Europe since 2013, this charming 15th century finca encircled by the Tramuntana Mountains is not strictly animal-free: the owners’ pets – two dogs, two cats, a duck and delightful Trudi the pig – have permanent residence. But you won’t come across any leather, wool, feathers or silk and the menu is 100 per cent vegan, with daily-changing dishes from different regions. The hotel has published a vegan cook book so you can make it all again when you get home.

36 / FEBRUARY 2020 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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007 movie location Matera

SECOND CITY TRAVEL We’ll always have Paris… all 20 million-plus of us. Overtourism has become the scourge of the world’s capitals but now their lesserknown sister cities are having their moment in the sun and Porto is the new Lisbon. Booking.com says Second City Travel is booming, with 51 per cent of its customers ‘willing to swap their original destination for a lesser-known one if it would have a positive environmental or social impact’. So think Gerona not Barcelona and trade Tuscany for Basilicata – destinations you never considered are coming into our more ethical focus. Far from second best, they’re less crowded, slower-paced and, generally, cheaper with plenty to keep you busy on a 4-night ‘microcation’ – the millennial version of the weekend break.

Z BASILICATA, ITALY It may not be anywhere you’ve heard of yet but you will. On the map it’s the instep of Italy’s boot, a region half the size of Tuscany crowned by the hilltop city of Matera whose Unesco-listed cave homes date back to 7,000BC. It’s also the scene of a thrilling car chase in the 25th Bond ﬁlm, premiering this April. Add two national parks, a coastline of white beaches fringing the turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea and lashings of dolce vita and it won’t stay a secret for long.

Titanic City Belfast

The Dark Hedges

Z BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND Afternoon tea on the Titanic is just one good reason to ditch Dublin for Ulster’s once-troubled capital on the banks of Lough Neagh. The bustling metropolis has been transformed by attractions like Titanic City, a gleaming multimedia museum opened in 2012 in homage to the shipyards where the ill-fated liner was built. Big news this spring is the opening of HBO’s Game of Thrones Studio Tour featuring original sets, props and costumes from the series. Beyond the city lie castles, causeways and other GoT locations. Don’t miss the spooky Dark Hedges – the avenue of tangled beech trees encountered by Arya Stark on her flight from King’s Landing in Season 2.

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Dubai’s Museum of the Future

Mayflower voyaging

HOTSPOTS

Some fixtures you just can’t miss, even if it means following the crowds. These five happening destinations are all set to hog the limelight this year. Z DUBAI FOR EXPO The city’s skyline is futuristic already but Expo Dubai will take it to the next level. Among the wonders to behold will be a Museum of the Future, the world’s largest Ferris wheel, a water canal with marinas and cycle paths connecting downtown to the Arabian Gulf, and an Aladdin City of towers shaped like magic lamps. Themed Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, there will be 60+ live shows daily and 192 country pavilions to explore from this October to April 2021. Z PLYMOUTH FOR THE MAYFLOWER FEST That’s Plymouth Massachussetts AND Plymouth Devon; both sides of the Atlantic will be celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower Voyage when the Pilgrim Fathers – English Puritans living in exile from religious persecution in Holland – set sail for the New World. The Netherlands will be celebrating

too. Alternatively, splurge on Cunard’s Journey of Genealogy, a commemorative Mayflower cruise to New York aboard the Queen Mary 2, with onboard ancestry experts and a chance to explore your own DNA link to these migrant pioneers. Z TOKYO FOR THE OLYMPICS Japan's frenetic Olympic capital was bound to be a best seller with 10 million visitors expected for the Games. It will be hot, crowded and pricey, nevertheless Tokyo is promising a sustainable Olympics with the slogan ‘Be better, together – for the planet and the people’. Held from July 24 to August 9, you can always take a bullet train out of town to Mount Fuji for some breathing space. Or take a stand against overtourism and go before the big event (for the cherry blossom) or after it’s over – Tokyo’s world-record number of Michelin-starred restaurants will still be there.

Olympic city Tokyo

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Awesome Antarctica

Capital Galway

Z ANTARCTICA FOR THE BICENTENNIAL The earth’s poles are on everyone’s bucket list before they melt away but 2020 is an especially significant year to visit the last continent to be discovered, just 200 years ago. Most cruises sail from Buenos Aires during the Antarctic summer (November to March) and are in such demand you need to book at least a year in advance. Polar ships are surprisingly comfy – but don’t expect cabaret – with daily shore trips for encounters with seals and penguins and on board lectures. Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest B Corp-certified tour operator (meaning it’s respectful of the environment) offsets all its Antarctic cruises. Z GALWAY FOR CAPITAL CULTURE Ireland’s effervescent west-coast city is set for world discovery as 2020 European Capital of Culture. A World Oyster Opening Championships, intimate readings of Homer’s Odyssey on Galway’s blustery beaches and an International Women’s Day lecture by The Handmaids Tale author Margaret Atwood are just a taster of what’s in store in Ireland’s ‘festival capital’ – over 120 throughout the year. Also expect cosy Gaelic real ale pubs rocking out jaunty fiddle music, sensational seafood and classy show cooking from Ireland’s brilliant beardy Michelin chef, JP McMahon. e

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D THE SPOTLIGHT hotel

PLAZA 18

VEJER’S FIRST LUXURY HOTEL OPENS

Vejer, a beautiful white village in Cádiz, is now home to Plaza 18 – a luxury boutique hotel designed by renowned architect and interior designer, Nicky Dobree – who specialises in the design of homes, villas, and luxury hotels. In 2003, Nicky converted a 300-year-old alpine farm and her work was documented in a BAFTA-award-winning show called Grand Designs Abroad. More recently, Plaza 18 saw Nicky working alongside Vejer’s biggest hotelier group – Grupo Califa (which also owns La Casa del Califa). PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PLAZA 18/ PHILIP VILE

laza 18 is the ideal choice for a getaway in which rest and relaxation are your prime requirments. With only six rooms, it grants guests the privacy that such a unique, exclusive venue can afford. Plaza 18 is actually a restored 19th-century mansion adjacent to the emblematic Plaza de España. Balconies, terraces, and a roof terrace make for a very special hotel which also boasts views to rolling mountain ranges, sparkling blue seascapes, and the North of Africa. The hotel was built upon the foundations of an old 13th-century Arabian house. A

stunning 19th-century home was brought back to life through painstaking restoration. Nicky and the team behind the project sought to preserve the spirit of the building by relying on classical craftsmanship and exclusively organic materials like traditional mortar made with lime, wooden floors, natural stone, and marble. The hotel’s white and black tiles are original and were carefully lifted and repositioned. The enormous skylight was delicately dismantled and repaired and now boasts its original splendour. The stone staircase and balustrade were also meticulously restored.

The incredible details and artistry that abound are married to a firm commitment to comfort and elegance. Each of the six rooms has a story to tell and each bears pieces from all over the world, carefully selected by Nicky. For instance, room nº5 has a beautiful 19th-century kimono on the wall, while the entrance is home to a grand black and white mirror, created by African artisans. Room nº6, meanwhile, is home to a wooden-beamed ceiling and the loveliest curving staircase imaginable. The rooms also boast hand-made textiles by Welsh craftspeople, and Italian bed linen.

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Bathrooms are decorated with Spanish tiles and the marble washbasins were cut by hand to order. All rooms have ample showers and radiant floor heating. Accessories are by Lefroy Brooks. Nicky worked alongside a prestigious perfumer to create products specifically for the hotel. These bear the orange, bergamot, lavender, and geranium fragrances inspired by Vejer de la Frontera itself. Staying at Plaza 18 is a bit like hiring a private home. The check-in and reception areas are located in the adjacent hotel (La Casa del Califa) – a peaceful place where guests can use the lounge, patio, and terraces as required. Clients of Hotel Plaza 18 can also head to the larger hotel’s massage facilities, cocktail bar (boasting panoramic views) and the Jardín del Califa – a restaurant ensconced in an enclave of buildings dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. The hotel has a luminous lounge, with a bar decorated with various works of art. Surrounded by artistry of such beauty, it is easy to feel cosy and comforted. One work is a replica of a painting found in the National Gallery of London. It is a portrait of the Lord of Saumarez – one of Nelson’s right-hand men during the Battle of Trafalgar (which took place not so very far from the hotel). Beautiful touches of carpentry also abound – tables, benches, and additional items are the work of local carpenters. If a visit to Vejer is in the works, Hotel Plaza 18 sounds like the perfect getaway if luxury, design, and service are your priorities. Vejer has plenty of sites worth visiting, including Playa de la Hierbabuena, the La Breña y Marismas del Barbate Nature Park, and the Plaza de España route. The good news is after being out in the arms of nature, you have a wonderful hotel to come home to – one that combines the comforts of home with the pampering of a top-class establishment. i www.hotelplaza18.com

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D THE SPOTLIGHT intelligent life

E R E H T S I

T N E G I INTELL IFE L T to have a desire Mankind seems the cosmos that to ﬁnd life out in ning. Maybe it’s the borders on a year e in the universe idea of being alont given our own that scares us, bu rth, there is every track record on Eacounter with an m chance that an en intelligent lifefor extra-terrestrial l as we hope for. may not go as wely scientists of According to maner, this is something evolution, howev have to worry we’re not likely to ytime soon. about, now or an Y SHUTTERSTOCK UZ PHOTOGRAPH WORDS MICHEL CR

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out there are very of finding anything lieve the chances be ts nis rse is a big place, tio ive olu un ev ou see, e mad; after all, the y’r the nk thi eed, it u’d yo e, rs and planets. Ind slim. At first glanc t, with trillions of sta fac in surely n so sio , en rth reh ea on vast beyond comp than sand grains re worlds out there mo are re the t has been said tha ’t quite mething else? rently the math isn there has to be so age on it, but appa rtg mo it’s the t nk be t thi almos e it, most of us Statistically, you’d d to think. Let’s fac ten some we d as an – life us ing s nd of fi fore it encounter as tilted in favour res ’ll encounter life be atu we if cre n en tha ali en at wh wh of us vivid images of more a question en giv s ha ng eti on cti me fi s! Science rly look for ward to believe it already ha on earth who eage ny it’s ma us g are lin re tel the d while s of reason are might look like, an men like Paul, voice ell sw Ro le litt or . s, E.T Martians, Klingon . not likely to happen

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Would intelligent aliens really look like this?

Continued space exploration is likely to venture ever further in the coming decades

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The search for alien life continues, but encountering intelligent civilisations could spell the end of our own world

QUALIFYING LIFE

Some claim to have been visited or even kidnapped by aliens

The problem is, when we think of alien life forms, we tend to imagine weird and wonderful versions of what are essentially intelligent, often human-like species. In reality, we’re far more likely to encounter some basic bacterial form of life or even vegetation, which is also an organic lifeform, and it too can end up being very different from anything we’ve ever seen on earth. The statistical probability that some basic organic life has adapted to the mostly extreme conditions out there is actually quite good, given the sheer number of possibilities, but venture anything more advanced – like even an animal – requires

an ecosystem to support it, and this dramatically reduces the odds. The more we study and learn about the universe, the more our own green planet and the evolution it has made possible seems like an improbable act of chance, a lottery within a lottery. Yes, there is a so-called sweet spot, or zone within which planets resembling our own could exist, but they form just a tiny fraction of the trillions of worlds out there, and even then most are not suitable. By now, we’ve widdled the chances of sentient life down by much, much more than 99.9 per cent — so to discover the ‘blue people’ of an Avatar-like world will require another leap of probability.

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Most of the worlds out in space are so violent and inhospitable as to render the possibility of life on them virtually impossible

ARE WE UNIQUE?

It’s going to be hard enough to ﬁnd green giraffe-like creatures or red glow-in-the-dark predators, but intelligent life of our own kind is another story altogether. To explain this, scientists ask us to think of our own world, and how life appeared and evolved here. Yes, there are millions of species on the planet, but out of all the ones that have ever lived on earth we are the only ‘intelligent’ ones, and even then we haven’t developed much beyond the level of ‘civilised apes’ still capable of savagery and stupidity. We depict aliens as being a mix of evil and sage-like wisdom, likely to reflect the forces at work within our own species, but there’s every chance that we are indeed unique and not likely to be visited

by alien space craft simply because no other civilisation exists out there. It’s a chilling and a reassuring thought at once, and one that many will dispel, but if our planet represents a one-in-a-trillion lottery sweepstake of circumstance that has made life, and its plentiful evolution, possible, then it’s fair to assume there aren’t many other worlds like ours out there – including few that could provide a ﬁtting environment for humans. Maybe we will be able to colonise and adapt to some in the future, but the lottery of evolution appears to indicate that the chances of ﬁnding others there are slim, given the fact that homo sapien is the only animal to have evolved out of millions to become the sole

Out of all the millions of creatures and species that have evolved on earth, we are the only ‘intelligent’ ones

shepherd of its planet. Many animals are intelligent, can be trained, have cognisance and communicate among one another, even forming social groups and using tools in the manner that primitive humans did, but as clever as apes, dolphins and orcas are, we’re the only ones to have developed cities, music, culture, art, science, technology and philosophical reasoning. Our language and mathematics are codiﬁed and evolving, so we are unique on this planet, that much we know – and if you ask evolutionists, the combination of available environment and the chance of it evolving an intelligent lifeform such as our own means the probability is great that we’re alone in the universe as well.

ADRIFT IN A VAST UNIVERSE

Countless species on earth have developed limbs, organs, eyes, mouths and other features not dissimilar to our own, yet we remain the only intelligent lifeform on this planet, so the very spaceship we call home is an incredibly fortunate lottery of chance that has beaten the odds by trillions to one, looking at the rocky, icy, gaseous and quite frankly violent environments out there. They boil, freeze and are destroyed on a regular basis amid the chaos of a beautiful but chilling universe of worlds where all but a small number are even likely to be capable of sustaining anything more than the hardiest of cellular lifeforms. From water and atmosphere, to soil and photosynthesis, the bounties heaped upon planet Earth are rare indeed, trillion to one rare. So rare, in fact, that we haven’t even found a planet similar to our own, much less any bacteria or plant life. So the happy/sad likelihood of it is that if we want to meet an alien lifeform, we may yet have to create it ourselves. Put differently, this may be the only spaceship in the universe with passengers on board. e

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D THE SPOTLIGHT leap year

hey are the reason Christmas is cold, August is hot and folk in northern Europe aren’t shovelling snow in July. Without leap years, our calendar would be 105 days ahead of the seasons and we have a Queen of Egypt, a Roman Emperor and an Italian Pope to thank. If you thought they were invented for women to pop the question, you are giving credence to a misogynist myth. However, the reason February’s days are 29 once every four years (almost) does have a romantic link – to Cleopatra and Julius Caesar. At the time these star-crossed lovers were getting it on, Rome’s 355-day calendar had diverged from the seasons by three months while Egypt’s was spot on. In between the pillow talk, the Emperor learned what the Egyptians had known for a while: that there are more than 365 days in a year – a fact we still overlook today. Speciﬁcally, it takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 45 seconds for the earth to complete its rotation of the sun. Leap Years compensate for that extra quarter of a day nobody mentions, keeping the calendar and seasons in sync. Caesar stole the idea for the Roman Calendar, renamed it the Julian Calendar after himself without a nod to Cleopatra and died long before anyone noticed it was all going pear-shaped. By the 16th century, the date was 10 days out, messing up Easter and astrological birth signs. In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII restored order by advancing the date from October 4 to 15 overnight, leaving everyone in a daze, and ruled that century years not divisible by 400 would no longer be leap years, which is why 2000 was a Leap Year but 1900 wasn’t. Leap Years may seem like a loopy idea but without To ﬁnesse the system further, scientists sometimes call for them, Christmas would fall in April and this would be a Leap Second; 27 have been added since they were introduced Essential’s June edition! As we leap into another one, in 1972, the most recent on December 31, 2016. Belinda Beckett sorts the facts from the folklore But after all that, it turns out climate change is slowing down the surrounding that extra day in February earth’s rotation rate by one millisecond a day. If that keeps up for a no one gets paid for. few centuries, we won’t need leap years at all!

Popping t he Quest ion down. In England he could get away with it if he bought her new gloves to hide her ring-less ﬁnger. It’s all hocus pocus but people thought Leap Day was crazy so why not celebrate it with the craziest tradition they could think of in those unenlightened and sexist times. Although the very idea of a woman proposing still freaks out 33% of men today, according to one survey. In the early 1900s during the heyday of the saucy seaside postcard it became a topic for ribald humour, with cartoons depicting women as

unattractive matrons hunting down their prey with butterfly nets or as gold diggers prospecting for rich, gullible husbands – misogynist memes that have become collectors’ items. Nowadays woman don’t need Leap Years to do the asking. Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, Britney Spears and Pink have all popped the question – although not with the success rate of Zsa Zsa Gabor who proposed to all nine of her husbands. But it still remains a macho thing with 95% of men still preferring to do the proposing.

The Irish claim women won the right to propose on Leap Day in a deal cut between St. Patrick and St. Bridget – all to prevent the spinsters of 5th century Ireland from gathering dust on the shelf (a cruel fate back then). The Scots claim authorship to an ancient law ﬁning any man who turned the lady

Zsa Zsa Gabor proposed to all nine of her husbands

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Sir James Milne Wilson achieved the statistically nigh-impossible by both arriving in this world and departing it on a Leap Day

BIRTHDAY BLUES AND LEAP YEAR BUGS

Leap years cause computer meltdowns and make birthdays very confusing for the circa ﬁve million ‘Leaplings’ in the world who only have one every four years. When to hold the coming of age party on a day that has no legal status three years out of four? Most countries’ laws recognise that a Leap Day baby has legally ‘aged’ on March 1 but some, like New Zealand and Taiwan, use February 28. The odds of being born on February 29 are 1 in 1,461 – you’re more likely to be born with 11 ﬁngers or toes (a 1 in 500 chance). The composer Rossini, American rapper Ja Rule, jazz musician Jimmy Dorsey and Superman all managed it, along with Sir James Milne Wilson, a 19th century President of Tasmania who achieved the statistically nigh-impossible by both arriving in this world and departing it on a Leap Day. Rarer still are the Henriksens from Norway whose three children were born on February 29 1960, 1964 and 1968 respectively. But Leaplinghood has its downsides. “You visit a site and try to register, they ask for your birth date but when you put in February 29 an annoying little pop-up appears saying ‘date invalid’,” fumes Peter Brouwer of the Honor Society of Leap Year Day Babies, set up in 1997 to champion their equal rights. It’s also a bugbear for tech. In 2016, leap year bugs played havoc with the iPhone calendar app, Quantas Airways flight checkins and baggage loading at Dusseldorf International Airport when over 1,200 suitcases missed their flight.

SHAKE UP A LEAP DAY COCKTAIL

This colourful twist on a Martini was created in 1928 by Harry Craddock, the inventive bartender at London’s Savoy Hotel. According to the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book, ‘it has been responsible for more proposals than any other cocktail ever mixed’. Even if you’re not in the market for a partner, it’s worth a shot: 1 dash lemon juice • 2/3 gin • 1/6 orange liqueur • 1/6 sweet vermouth. Shake and serve in retro cocktail glasses garnished with orange peel to experience ‘a blend of bittersweet flavours that’s like a marriage in the mouth’.

Is Leap Year Lucky? It depends who you ask. Scottish farmers would tell you ‘leap year was ne’er a good sheep year’, the Greeks consider it unlucky to marry in one, and the Italians put off all big decisions in years when February’s days are 29. It’s bad luck if you’re a prisoner serving a one-year sentence over Leap Day but good luck if you pay ﬁxed monthly rent (one free day of living!). And it was very lucky for Hattie McDaniel who became the ﬁrst African American to win an Oscar on February 29, 1940 for her role as Mammy in Gone With the Wind. It’s also pretty lucky for Jean d’Indy who must have the world’s easiest job. He’s the editor of La Bougie du Sapeur, (the Soldier’s Candle), a satirical French newspaper published only on Leap Day, now in its 11th edition. “We try to be funny, life is funny,” he says – but you might not see the funny side if you do the crossword. The answers are in the next issue, a four year wait! e

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D THE SPOTLIGHTmotoring

Jaguar’s major success with its F-Pace, E-Pace and I-Pace SUV/crossover lineup has prompted speculation on whether sports cars had any future in the company’s model portfolio. But Jaguar fans can now breathe a sigh of relief at the news that the famed British manufacturer is not only sticking ﬁrmly to its sports car heritage, but is bringing us a widely updated F-Type coupé and roadster for 2021.

JAGUAR F-TYPE WORDS TONY WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JAGUAR

ver since the demise of the legendary E-Type, Jaguar aﬁcionados have been looking for its successor and the company has certainly brought us some wonderful products over the past few decades. Most agree, though, that the F-Type is the closest to that original groundbreaking 1960s sports car. Anyone who has driven both cars would have to admit in all honesty that the F-Type is a far better car in just about every possible respect.

Jaguar describes its new design F-Type as ‘a purer, more sculpted and assertive expression of the deﬁnitive Jaguar sports car’ and few will argue with that. Although low and sleek, the car has a muscular appearance and in fact, the V-8 models feel a lot like the best of the American muscle cars. In traditional fashion, the car uses a front engine, rear-wheel drive conﬁguration. A range of engines includes a thrifty 4-cylinder turbo and at the top of the line, a 575-horsepower V-8. In some markets,

a V-6 is offered too. The V-8s have a nicely aggressive growl to them and provide exceptional response and flexibility. This engine note can be adjusted with a switch so that the ‘crackle and pop’ overrun sounds are there for the asking. This is great fun to play with as long as your neighbours are forgiving types! The biggest V-8 is supercharged and comes with the ‘R’ model that also boasts all-wheel drive to get all the power to the road when it matters. Transmission is an 8-speed automatic with manual override.

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D THE SPOTLIGHT motoring

The F-Type is easier to get into than many rivals and once behind the wheel, drivers enjoy the usual feast of Jaguar craftsmanship and luxury ambiance. This is a two-seater car, plain and simple, and there was no attempt to shoehorn in the rear ‘shelf’ seats that are usually a waste of space in vehicles like this. The seats are very comfortable and supportive and grip driver and passenger securely during tight cornering. As with all serious performance cars, there’s a big tachometer at the central point of the 31.2 cm instrument display. The F-Type features advanced infotainment features and a full suite of electronic safety aids. The F-Type has always been enjoyable to drive, especially the V-8 versions with their visceral power and grippy handling. The 2021 car takes the whole Jaguar sports car experience a stage or two further, adding features and styling cues that should make it a sleeper for many years to come. The future may well bring electric versions but traditionalists will be hard to part from their attachment to cars like the 2021 F-Type. e

Z ENGINE: 2-litre 4-cylinder turbo plus 5.0-litre V-8s. Z TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic. Z ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h 3.7-secs (top V-8). Z TOP SPEED: 300 km/h (top V-8). Z I LIKED: F-Type’s wonderful driving experience with its combination of traditional sports car performance and handling plus all current technological aids to more enjoyable and safer motoring. Great looking car, even more so than its predecessor. Z I DIDN’T LIKE: It’d be good to see allwheel drive right through the range. Z MARKET ALTERNATIVES: Porsche Boxster S, Porsche 911, BMW Z4, Mercedes-Benz SLC. Z WHO DRIVES ONE? Jaguar enthusiasts ready for something new that won’t date for many years. Drivers of rival makes looking for a change and a more visceral driving experience. Z PRICE AND AVAILABILITY: Available now at base prices ranging from €70.600 (coupé) to €78.300 (roadster).

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D THE SPOTLIGHT people

Whole generations grew up with the images brought to us by marine explorer Jacques Cousteau, as he introduced new worlds to a global audience. Today his work and legacy live on in the Cousteau Society. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ

t is fair to say that Jacques Cousteau’s was a life fascinated by and dedicated to the sea. A naval officer, explorer, conservationist, scientist and filmmaker, he captured the beauty of the oceans for us, achieving in person what Jules Verne’s futuristic imagination had his character Captain Nemo do in one of classical literature’s most bewitching tales of the sea. Like Nemo, Cousteau’s domain was the ocean, a world whose immense and mysterious depths he plumbed and laid bare for all to see. A scientist, conservationist and educator at heart, this remarkable man chose to share the exploration of earth’s last remaining uncharted wilderness with the broad public, rather than keep it shrouded in the mists of scientific academia. Drawn to the sea at a young age, he qualified from the École Navale as a gunnery officer before serving at the headquarters of the French Mediterranean Fleet in Toulon. It was here that he began to experiment with diving techniques and equipment, and eventually became the co-inventor of the Aqua Lung. It would be the precursor of many years spent below the water’s surface, and the moment that opened the oceans up to detailed exploration.

JACQUES

COUSTEAU

OPENING A WINDOW TO NEW WORLDS

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“THE SEA, THE GREAT UNIFIER, IS MAN’S ONLY HOPE. NOW, AS NEVER BEFORE, THE OLD PHRASE HAS A LITERAL MEANING: WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT.” By the time he was thirty Cousteau was an expert diver, assimilating vast amounts of knowledge both official and learned at first-hand. Working with other marine experts he gradually expanded his focus and began to document his underwater research, thus becoming the first man to film the mysterious world beneath the waves. The scope of his work was extremely broad, encompassing the study of aquatic animal life, ecological systems, and the geography and geology of the seas and oceans, as well as researching shipwrecks and underwater archaeology. In the process, he uncovered HMHS Britannic and the 17th century French warship La Thérèse. Having left the navy in 1950, he founded the French Oceanographic Campaigns and leased the Calypso, the research ship that would become famous as an icon of his exploration and conversation work. The ship became a floating laboratory and film studio that drew scientists, researchers and millions of viewers the world over, as The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau became a popular TV series. Involved in the pioneering development of many of the tools of his trade, including diving equipment and submersibles that could withstand the intense pressure of the ocean deep, Jacques Cousteau also made a name for his scientific observations – such as the accurate deduction that porpoises have sonar-like positioning abilities.

But his love of this powerful but also fragile world he came to know so well brought out the conservationist and campaigner in him, as when he raised public awareness of the French atomic commission’s intention to dump nuclear waste in the sea and helped to stop this practice in its tracks. In his books and in such organisations as the Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques and the Cousteau Society for the Protection of Ocean Life, his love of the seas was clear to see, and Cousteau was to become a lifelong advocate of respect for one of our most important natural resources and for international cooperation in its successful management.

A FAMILY TRADITION But he wasn’t alone in this, for his wife Simone Melchior, who worked with him, was the ﬁrst female scuba diver and aquanaut, while son Philippe became a famous diver, pilot, oceanaut, ﬁlm maker and conservationist in his own right. The couple would, however, pay a high personal price for their dedication to the sea, when Philippe died in a freak aeroplane accident on the Tagus River near Lisbon. A promising career was cut short and the famous documentary maker was never to meet his grandson, Philippe Junior, who was born six months later. Daughter Alexandra Cousteau continues the work of

Jacques-Yves Cousteau

her grandfather within the organisation he founded. The work and mission of JacquesYves Cousteau live on in the Cousteau Society, which counts on over 300,000 members and whose strap line, Custodians of the Sea since 1943, says it all. Its activities range from expeditions and the raising of public awareness to conservation projects aimed at protecting endangered animal species, replanting on islands, regenerating coral reefs and cleaning up the detritus of man’s ever-growing pollution problem. Philippe Jr, like his father and grandparents, dives, ﬁlms and produces documentaries aired on many different travel, science and nature channels to continue to raise awareness about the beauty and fragility of the seas.

A LEGACY HANDED OVER One of those larger than life characters who come along only so often, Jacques-Yves Cousteau had it in him to be an author, documentary-maker, explorer, scientist, conservationist, educator and even a war hero who received military decorations for his actions against the Axis forces in the Mediterranean. And yet, perhaps his most important legacy is the way in which he inspired others to study, love and nurture the very oceans without which we cannot live. i www.cousteau.org

1 – Francine Cousteau, widow of Jacques and president of the Cousteau Society 2 – Jean-Michel Cousteau, who carried on the work of his father Jacques 3 – Jacques Cousteau’s grandson Fabien is a marine conservationist and documentary ﬁlmmaker 4 – Alexandra Cousteau continues the work of her grandfather 5 – Ashlan and Philippe Cousteau inform a new generation about the importance of marine conservation

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D THE SPOTLIGHT people

A NEW BREED OF SUPERSTAR

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Anyone who is audacious enough to name herself after a bottle of water has got to be pretty ballsy, but for Golden Globe-winning actor, Awkwafina, a name change was the only way she could think of to escape from the shy, fearful, awkward teen she was when she was known as Nora Lum. It is funny to think that prior to her Golden Globe accolade, her face was relatively unknown to the average movie watcher, albeit not the fervent film fanatic. Just this year, Awkwafina was in three of the last four movies I saw (Jumanji: The Next Level, Paradise Hills, and the stunning The Farewell – for which she won her award). The day she took the podium to accept her award, she made history, becoming the first Asian-American to do so. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

ora is a New Yorker through and through, born in Queens to a Korean-American mother and a Chinese-American father. Her mother died young – when Nora was just four – and she was mainly raised by her grandmother. Although her family always hoped she would do something ‘sensible’ like study Law or Air Traffic Control, it was very clear from the start that the arts were her thing. She went to LaGuardia High School – yes, that La Guardia (former alums include Timothée Chalamet, Adrien Brody, and Jennifer Aniston), where she specialised in classical music and jazz (Norma plays the trumpet), going on to study Journalism and Women’s Studies at University and later, Mandarin Chinese (at the Beijing Language and Culture University in China). It was at the age of 13 that Nora discovered her great love – rap music. By 16, she had changed her name to Awkwafina. In a selfpenned article published in InStyle, she wrote, “Growing up, I used to get bullied in school for being a tomboy, but my grandma encouraged me to embrace the parts of me I was trying to hide. She knew that’s what made me unique. Then Awkwafina rose from a bunch of old Virginia Slims ashes.” Under her new guise, she felt freer to take risks and to do unexpected things like release her rap song My Vag – a video that went viral from day one and led to her first acting gig.

When comedic bad boy Seth Rogen saw her video, he didn’t hesitate to get on the phone and ask her to audition for the film Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising. Nora was lucky that Seth came to her rescue for soon after releasing her risqué video, she was fired from her then-job at an upmarket advertising firm. Her role in Rogen’s film was small but her natural charm and comedic genius were noteworthy, so much so that she next landed a role in what for me is one of the top comedy films of 2018 – Crazy Rich Asians, based on the book of the same name. If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to do so. It delves into the eccentric ways of ultra-high-society Asians. In the film, Nora plays Peik Lin Goh, the best friend of a young Asian American lass who jets off to Singapore to meet the extremely ‘crazy’ family of her wonderful boyfriend. Despite being the most ‘alternative’ character in the film, Peik Lin Goh is actually the only ‘sane’ one, since she is free from the expectations and norms that so tightly bind the folk around her. The film is so much fun and Peik Lin Goh’s rebelliousness in it is one the audience will certainly relate to. Of late, some of Nora’s best work includes the role of Yu in Paradise Hills. The film is a young adult feminist flick with a fantasy element to it. The plot is intriguing: a group of young females are sent to an island to learn to be the perfect daughters their parents desire (pretty, educated, ‘thin’, and conformist). Yu

plays a young rock musician who seems to naturally stand out from the future Stepford wives that surround her. If you have time to watch just one of Nora’s films, let it be The Farewell. Her acting is natural, effortless – more sardonically comedic than slapstick silly. The film is far from her usual fare, for the plot is a little bleak. Her character, Billi, is an aspiring writer in the U.S. who discovers that her grandmother Nai Nai (who lives in China) has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. The entire family conspires to hide this from the old lady, but Billi takes a flight to China unexpectedly, determined to tell her grandmother the truth. Her uncle Haibin informs her, however, that lies of this nature are told in China to enable the family to bear the tragedy of the diagnosis; it an act of collective union. Billi begins to understand the unity that characterises Chinese culture – and comprehends how different it is from the American individualism she is accustomed to. Her performance is a tour-de-force; a unique blend of pathos and humour. You can catch Nora’s latest work in the series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance and in Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens – which premiered recently on Comedy Central. Without a doubt, we will be seeing much more of an actress who combines strength and vulnerability in a way that makes her characters so likeable and human. e

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CUTILLAS COMPILED BY MARISA

THE MONTH e BLOCKBUSTER OF De Palma (Mission: » DIRECTOR Brian ) Impossible » GENRE Thriller r-Waldau, Carice » CAST Nikolaj Coste , Eriq Ebouaney rce van Houten, Guy Pea

ice ofﬁcer plays Christian Toft, a pol Nikolaj Coster-Waldau borrows and day his apartment one who forgets his gun in Ezra , ian rist Ch l ica rad a at day, r, to his partner’s weapon. Th tne par ’s ian assinates Christ Tarzi (Eriq Ebouaney) ass seems it n tha a Ezr to re mo There is avenge a terrorist act. ow police agent. Christian and fell – for one, he is a double complex a l ave unr to k see Houten) ofﬁcer Alex (Carice van nd. frie d ove death of their bel mystery and avenge the

Domino

» DIRECTOR Cathy Yan (According to My Mother) » GENRE Superhero Film » CAST Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Ewan McGregor

Birds of Prey

Since the events of Suicide Squad, Harley Quinn has left the Joker. When a narcissistic crime lord called Black Mask places a hit on a young girl named Cassandra Cain, Gotham City pulls out all the stops to ﬁnd her. Harley joins forces with Black Canary, Huntress, and Renée Montoya to protect the girl and to take the enemy down.

» DIRECTOR Jay Roach (Austin Powers in Goldmember) » GENRE True Story » CAST Margot Robbie, Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman

Bombshell

If you loved the Jennifer Aniston/Reese Witherspoon series The Morning Show, then you must catch this ﬁlm. Based on real-life tensions and competition in the cutthroat world of prime television in America, Bombshell looks at several women at Fox News who set out to expose CEO Roger Ailes, for sexual harassment.

» DIRECTOR Jeff Fowler (Gopher Broke) » GENRE Science-ﬁction adventure » CAST Jim Carrey, Tika Sumpter, James Marsden

Sonic the Hedgehog

If by any chance you have kids then you know that this ﬁlm is one of the year’s most hotly awaited in your household. Sonic is a blue hedgehog hailing from a world in which his enemies seek to steal his power of superspeed. When he arrives in Montana and causes a massive power outage, the government hires an evil scientist (Dr. Robotnik, played by Jim Carrey) to ﬁnd him. Luckily, Sonic makes friends along the way and together, they try to stop Dr. Robotnik from amassing ridiculous amounts of power.

» DIRECTOR David S.F. Wilson (Love, Death & Robots) » GENRE Superhero Film » CAST Vin Diesel, Eiza González, Sam Heughan

Bloodshot

Tough guy Vin Diesel plays Ray Garrion, a marine who is murdered but brought back to life by a team of scientists. There is something different about him, though. He has been ﬁtted with cutting-edge nanotechnology and he becomes a superhuman killing machine. At ﬁrst, Ray can’t remember anything about his life. Eventually, however, he begins to recall his past and discovers that there was more to his death than he imagined. e

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WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

ADAM DRIVER

dam Driver has a face you just can’t forget – masculine, angular, and intense. His gift has led critics to brand him a new kind of modern actor – one who doesn’t have to go ‘full method’ to give life to a range or characters – everyone from Star Wars’ Kylo Ren to a Zen-like cop in bio thriller, BlacKkKlansman. Despite his exotic looks, there is something ‘everyday’ about him. He ﬁts in just as well leading a pack of stormtroopers as he does sitting on a 1970s sofa in a checked lumberjack shirt. Perhaps it has something to do with the opposing influences that have shaped him as a man. Driver was part of the US marines for two years; just before being sent to Iraq, he broke his sternum and was discharged from the forces. He never lost his passion for the navy, though, founding the charity Arts in the Armed Forces, which brings theatrical performances to marine crews. As a committed professional, he sought to educate himself formally when he decided to devote himself to acting. He honed his craft at one of the world’s most prestigious

acting institutions – the Juilliard School in New York. Driver says that his classmates branded him “intimidating and volatile” – probably the result of the clash between their respective life experiences. By the time Driver arrived in Juilliard, he had already mastered various roles, working as a door-to-door salesman and a telemarketer. He was initially rejected by Juilliard (which was what led him to join the marines in the first place) but, as a true salesman at heart, he never gave up and was accepted, eventually graduating with a degree in 2009. Driver’s earliest forays into acting were on Broadway. His big break was being cast in the Lena Dunham’s quirky comedy-drama Girls, as Adam – the commitmentphobic boyfriend of the lead actress. He also shone in what for me is one of his loveliest portrayas to date – that of Lev in the comedy-drama Frances Ha (the film gets my five stars), directed by Noah Baumbach. If, like me, you are a fan of this artsy director that tells stories so well, then you know how much he loves Driver. He has cast the brooding actor in While We’re Young and The

FROM SAILING THE OCEANS TO CONQUERING OUTER SPACE Meyerowitz Stories, and we hope they coincide in many more films. Somehow, this director captures a very likeable, boy-next-door Driver who is friendly, unassuming, simple – very different from how he is portrayed in most films. Many viewers first came across Driver when he was cast as Kylo Ren in J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015. He admits to initially feeling terrified yet he was soon soothed by the fact that everyone else on set was just as lost as he was. He realises there is something inherently unique about his role as Kylo Ren. As he explained to the Las Vegas Review Journal, “I fit somewhere in a story of The Force awakening from both sides… the light and the dark. That feels pretty special.” Adam most recently shone in Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story – a Netflix film that earned him a Golden Globe nomination this year for Best Actor. He plays Charlie Barber, a successful New York

theatre director who is working on a play starring his wife Nicole (played by Scarlett Johansson). Far from enjoying their success, they are living through the painful aftermath of their relationship. Both Driver and Johansson give performances that were hailed by critics. Through powerful scenes, they bring the pain of divorce to the audience but also reveal the human capacity to evolve from the most heartbreaking experiences in their lives. Adam Driver has managed what few actors have; he is up there with greats like Jake Gyllenhaal, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Timothée Chalamet – all highly selective performers who choose to combine roles in blockbuster ﬁlms with independent, intimate ones that allow them to tap into the human condition. Driver is, indeed, in a league of his own – one that calls for quirkiness and beauty, intensity and kindness, light and dark. May he continue to delight us on screen for a long time. e

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DIRECT FROM OWNER

Finca El Olivar

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

39.000 m2 fruit groves and formal garden stables for 3 horses well built house on two levels 4 bedrooms en-suite guest WC big living room with modern fireplace open plan kitchen office 4 terraces larder and laundry rooms underfloor heating saltwater pool surfaced road access

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REDUCED TO €1.000.000

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¿QUÉ PASA?

WORDS RIK FOXX

All the action this month is in or close to Málaga (see below) but there will be a few tribute artists playing (especially around Valentine's night) so check your local weekly press for details. All information on this page was correct at the time of writing. In Málaga this month: Spain's top DIRE STRAITS tribute act bROTHERS iN bAND play Sala París on the 1st; 1980s/1990s Spanish rockers 091 at Sala La Trinchera on the 8th; local rapper FOYONE at Sala París on the 15th, and the Dominican Republic rapper LA NUEVA ESCUELA at the Ritual VIP Club on the 27th. Ticket info for all: ticketmaster.es For those into rockabilly, the 26th Rockin' Race Jamboree Festival takes place in the Torremolinos area between February 6 and 9 including a pre 1970s Classic Car Show on the 8th from 11am to 4pm along the Playa Mar/ Bajondillo sea front. This annual get-together usually attracts very big audiences (a lot wearing late 1950s fashion) and over 30 bands are playing live at various locations. For the full line-up, venues and prices: rockinrace.com Due to popular demand, the northern soul Costa del Soul convention returns between the 7th and the 12th with nightly sessions from 9.30pm until 02.00am (02.30 on Fridays and Saturdays) at the Moonlight Club next to the Sunset Beach Club resort in Benalmádena Costa (just after the Torrequebrada Casino) featuring the original Wigan Casino legend KEV ROBERTS plus GINGER TAYLOR and SNOWY spinning the tunes. More info: goldsoul.co.uk Like Starlite, Fuengirola's Marenostrum Festival is growing by the year. It all kicks-off in May – international acts booked so far

include LENNY KRAVITZ (July 23); a Back To The 90’s party on August 7 featuring SNAP of The Power and Rhythm Is A Dancer fame plus TECHNOTRONIC, best known for their dance floor filler Pump up the Jam. On August 14 and 15, the Metal Paradise Festival has the legendary SLIPKNOT headlining plus Polish hardcore metal heads BEHEMOTH, 1980s UK veterans SAXON and Welsh ragga metal band SKINDRED. For current line-up details and tickets: marenostrumfuengirola.com GUNS N' ROSES only Spanish date on their Not In This Lifetime world tour is at Sevilla's Estadio Benito Villamarín (Real Betis football ground) on May 23. Ticket info: livenation.es JENNIFER LOPEZ and SHAKIRA say their American football Superbowl half-time show in Miami during the early hours of Monday February 3 will be a Latin fest and the former reckons it will be the best Superbowl half-time show ever. It will be shown live on BBC 1, Sky Sports and on-line at about 01:30 (CET).

Soul singer CELESTE won the first award of the New Year after been named the BBC’s Sound of 2020 to add to her Brits Rising Star award and is the first act booked to appear live at the 40th Brits Awards which take place on February 18. LEWIS CAPALDI and the 2019 Mercury Prize winner, London rapper DAVE lead the nominations with four each and the show plus pre and post events will be live on the UK's ITV channels. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS gave fans an early Christmas present announcing popular guitarist JOHN FRUSCIANTE has rejoined the band for a second time after a 10-year break and they are currently in the studio to record a new album, their first since 2016's The Getaway.

BOB DYLAN

JENNIFER LOPEZ

The workaholic ROLLING STONES are also back in the studio recording a new album, but when they finally stop strolling their bones, guitarist RONNIE WOOD has got himself a nice little earner hand-painting watches for makers Bremont. The £39,000 luxury time pieces are in demand and sold out in the build-up to Christmas.

And PAUL McCARTNEY has banked some extra cash as well, his 2005 children's novel, High In The Clouds, is being made into an animated film by Netflix and will feature new music from the ex-BEATLE. On a recent trip to the UK a conversation was had with a friend of LIAM PAYNE, who wants ONE DIRECTION to reform. Last year all the other members of the band banked at least 10 times as much as LIAM – no wonder he wants to get them back together again. The band who seem to have replaced 1D pulling young female's heart strings are K-Pop superstars BTS, after their successful New York Times Square New Year's Eve live performance, they release their new album, Map Of The Soul: 7 on February 21. Other notable February releases include the back from the dead GREEN DAY with Father of All Motherf*ckers (7th); Australia's TAME IMPALA with The Slow Rush (14th); the well-liked UK outfit THE 1975 with Notes on a Conditional Form and the climate change themed Miss Anthropocene by Canada's GRIMES (both on the 21st). Also OZZY

OSBOURNE delayed the release of Ordinary Man until February 21 which features ELTON JOHN, SLASH of GUNS N' ROSES and POST MALONE.

Biopic news: the early days of BOB DYLAN will be highlighted in Going Electric with Little Women's TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET favourite to land the lead role. 1970's star SUZI QUATRO says she hopes MILEY CYRUS signs up to portray her for a forthcoming film. Meanwhile the son of ARETHA FRANKLIN has urged fans to boycott the soon-to-be released biopic Respect which features JENNIFER HUDSON as the Queen of Soul. Apparently he's not happy that he wasn't consulted about the film: “How can you make a movie about a person and not talk to the person’s sons or grandchildren about important information?” As outspoken supporters of the activist group Extinction Rebellion, MASSIVE ATTACK have announced they will travel on their forthcoming Europe tour by train in a bid to fight climate change – they are currently gigging in the States – it will be interesting to see how they intend to get back from there? e

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TOP READS FOR FEBRUARY February is the month of love but whether you are single or in a relationship, you could probably use a little ‘me time’ now and again. Get your hands on one of these books and you’ll have the perfect excuse for a little time-out! WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS THE RISE OF MAGICKS BY NORA ROBERTS

The New York Times praised the trilogy of which The Rise of The Magicks is the ﬁnal book as “a match for end-of-the-world classics like Stephen King’s The Stand.” The Rise of the Magicks begins after a universal sickness has decimated almost all of humankind. Fallon Swift has spent her childhood learning ‘magick’ and is now a powerful witch. She must summon all her power and knowledge to defeat the government and a powerful group called the Purity Warriors, who have subjugated countless beings both human and superhuman.

THE BEAUTIFUL ONES BY PRINCE If you adored the amazing performer who brought Purple Rain and When Doves Cry to our playlists, then you should get your hands on this amazing memoir, written by the artist himself. In The Beautiful Ones, Prince provides incredible anecdotes about his meteoric rise to stardom, sharing photos and memorabilia that have never been seen before.

THE OVERSTORY BY RICHARD POWERS

This original novel tells the tale of nine people whose unique life experiences with trees bring them together to talk about the destruction of forests. The book is simple yet profound, and more pertinent than ever in this day and age, when powerful politicians continue to allege that global warming has nothing to do with human pillaging of the Planet.

THE GUARDIANS BY JOHN GRISHAM

In a tiny town in Florida, a young attorney called Keith Russo is assassinated at his desk one night. There are no apparent motives or suspects, but the police turn their eye to Quincy Miller – a young black man who is an ex-client of Russo. Miller is convicted and sent to prison and after languishing there for two decades, he writes a letter to Guardian Ministries, a small NGO run by Cullen Post, a lawyer who also happens to be a minister and who is not scared of ﬁghting those in power to exonerate his client of all wrongdoing.

CRISS CROSS BY JAMES PATTERSON

A killer with a cunning eye for detective work has made Alex Cross the subject of his bizarre investigation. The action begins when Alex and his partner, John, witness the execution of an assassin they helped convict. A few hours later, they are called to investigate a copycat crime. The killer has left an intriguing note that reads: “You messed up big-time, Dr. Cross.” e

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SIXTH FORM OPEN AFTERNOON

International Baccalaureate Showcase 19th February 16:30 International Baccalaureate (IB) students regularly outperform A Level students in securing places at the top universities worldwide. Why? Because the IB programme develops inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed. Swans School continues to produce outstanding IB results, with our students frequently achieving over 40 points (top 10% worldwide). External scholarships now available. Join us to find out more. +34 952 902 755 admin@swansschool.net www.swansschoolinternational.es

BUILDING YOUR CHILDâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FOUNDATION FOR LIFE Our Foundation Department encourages and nurtures all our children to blossom into happy, enthusiastic and independent individuals. We strive to create a friendly and caring environment that prepares our children for success throughout their entire education. New admissions deadline for Early Years is 27th April 2020. +34 952 773 248 primary@swansschool.net www.swansschoolinternational.es

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TOP BLUETOOTH

KEYBOARDS FOR SPEEDY TYPERS

If you work in a job that involves a considerable amount of typing, then you may develop pain that can extend from your hand all the way up to your forearm. Repetitive strain or not, the discomfort can interfere with your performance, which is why having a good keyboard is so important. This month, Marisa Cutillas brings you a few tried-and-tested winners.

1 ARTECK HB030B UNIVERSAL SLIM KEYBOARD This is good choice for those after something ultra-slim that is also compatible with their mobile phone. It has gorgeous backlighting options and two levels of brightness – ideal if you need to type in less-than-optimal lighting conditions. This one measures just 247 x 150 x 60 mm and is ideal for on-the-go use, bearing in mind it does not have a 10-key pad, which makes it unsuitable for number-crunching. i www.arteck-wireless-keyboard.org

2 APPLE MAGIC KEYBOARD The roll-free Apple keyboard has a rechargeable battery that enables the design to be much flatter. Its keys are a little heavier than the previous version, which improves typing comfort. The Bluetooth battery has a once-a-month charge, so you can look forward to longer-lasting functionality and the gorgeous lightness and design Apple is known for. It retails at around €99 and measures 279 x 114.9 x 10.9 mm. i www.apple.com

3 LOGITECH K380 BLUETOOTH KEYBOARD

trusty device. The keyboard measures 279 x 127 x 12.7 mm.

I recently purchased this keyboard, tired of my much-loved MAC keyboard with its stuck ‘A’ key. Yes, it was due to overuse and was no fault at all of said keyboard (one of the best, without a doubt). The Logitech, retailing at just €36 on Amazon, is a breeze to use – it seems to type intuitively, since your speed increases owing to its ergonomics. It takes a few seconds to hook up to the computer but otherwise, I am chuffed with this

i www.logitech.com

4 OMOTON ULTRA-SLIM BLUETOOTH KEYBOARD Selling at under €18, this keyboard is compatible with your iPhone and is famed for its lightness and portability. It is reliable at 10m from your Bluetoothenable device and measures just 285 x 120 x 6 mm. Perfect for sticking in your bag and taking with you to work or for meetings. i www.omoton.com

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w THE TRENDwhat’s cool

? l o o c s ’ t wha y good t there are so man bu r te in w of offer in st id to s m the n ha We may still be int an enjoy the best SpSaiMARISA CUTILLAS d an t ou ab d ou RD ture. WO reasons to get y, art, culture, and na terms of gastronom

AT AUTO ROSELLÓN IN SE ASONAL DESSERTS trend by BARCELONA takes the seasonal food

Auto Rosellón in Barcelona on seasonal fruit which are at t rely storm, with desserts tha e the lemon ness. Top choices includ fruit ripe of nt poi t righ h just the wit de ma ts ser ter cake, des pie, orange and pear win . i www.autorosellon.com etc es, marmalade, nuts, dat

IS BACK IMAGINE MUSIC FEST Erentxun owned musician Mikel

RAMME PRESENTS 2020 PROG their MARBELLA ALL STARS d chefs doing

group of talente ofﬁcially Marbella All Stars – the tronomy on the Coast – best to raise the bar for gas e at FITUR (Spain’s biggest tourism mm presented its 2020 progra tourism through healthy, sustainable d fair). ‘Fostering quality foo r’ is their inspiration this year and yea offerings throughout the will do his best to achieve it! i www. f without a doubt, each Che .es ars llst llaa marbe

LINDA ESPAÑA 2020 contest to be held later in the year at da España, the beauty edition at

Lin recently presented its new autonomous the Hotel Los Monteros, nt ture ﬁnalists from differe erts headed FITUR. The event will fea exp e pris com will the jury communities in Spain and tel Los Monteros, Fernando AlHo by the General Director of om s.c Farkh. i www.montero

Ren ond edition recently launched the sec the ﬁrst t, Fes sic Mu e gin of the Ima the Barceló festival celebrated within will feature Imagine Hotel. The event ughout the thro es anc form per al sic mu is yet to year (the list of performers a bevy saw r yea t Las ). be announced – everyone of artists do their magic aría, DeM id Dav to ón Uni La from d. Lun tia Cin and lés Vel Manuela i www.barcelo.com

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ART ABOUNDS AT THE SANTA CATALINA, A ROYAL HIDEAWAY HOTEL IN LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA

Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria has an impressive collection of artworks from the 19th century, many of which have been painstakingly restored. The hotel features works by Canarian artists the calibre of Fernando Álamo, Néstor Martín-Fernández de la Torre and more. The hotel itself is a classic, having been launched in the year 1890! i www.barcelo.com

BLACK BADE CULLINAN BOLDER IN COLOUR

The new Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan may be famed for its darkened chrome, but its exterior and interior can be designed completely in line with your inspiration. There are over 44,000 hues to choose from; which appeals most to you? i www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com

RECORD VISITOR NUMBERS FOR CUEVA DEL TESORO IN RINCÓN DE LA VICTORIA

The Nerja caves may be Málaga’s most famous, but did you know that very close to the city of Málaga, in the residential area of Rincón de la Victoria, the Cueva del Tesoro entices thousands of visits – 63,510 in 2019, to be precise? Why not make 2020 the year of your first visit? i www.rincondelavictoria.es

OVER 100 SPANIARDS VISIT NEW PRIVATE ISLAND IN THE BAHAMAS

Around 100 Spaniards were among the first tourists to visit Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the new private island in the Bahamas owned by MSC Cruceros. The cruise liner has extensively reformed what was once an excavation area, turning it into beautiful island that revitalises the ocean around it, giving new life to marine life and corals in danger of extinction. i Find out more on www.msccruceros.es/sostenibilidad

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This property was constructed 45 years ago by the owner and probably looked much as it did on the completion of the build. Floors throughout were covered with a 1970s brown and yellow glazed tile and the house was filled with dark oak furniture. All of the windows and patio doors were aluminium framed, fitted with tinted, almost black glass. Through the front door we entered the narrow dark hallway with a typical panelled dark wood wall separating it from the living room. My wife, Rikke walked in front of me with the owner and I followed, surveying the possibilities of putting right the many wrongs. Entering the living room, which was dominated by a marble chimney breast and a long wood dresser, she turned to me and said, “There’s no garden.” We had passed through the front garden but somehow both of us had expected the property to open up at the back. Before I had even reached where she stood I had decided to leave. WORDS LEE BOOTE OF Q HOME RENOVATIONS & KONGSTAD BOOTE DEVELOPMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

tepping out on the terrace, I was faced with the neighbouring property and a window overlooking us, and now I was definitely leaving! As I waited for the right moment to exit I found myself reconsidering my observations. To my left here was a drop away to a lower unused area below. The east boundary of the property is some 15 metres from this point and although at the time the space was useless, I imagined a floating deck extending all the way to the edge of the grounds. This would create a 20m2 rear terrace directly off the living area (which I now envisaged should have a bifold door system opening the house to the outside) which could be the first key to making the property work. There is no rear garden, no great expanse of grass and not even an outdoor pool. However, there could

be a fantastic 'Party' terrace for entertaining and enjoying the limited but apparent sea view. The orientation is also good with the sun rising and setting on this side of the house in the winter. This deck terrace could be completely transformed with a Jacuzzi, lighting and obviously some 'screening' to both focus the view away from the negatives and toward the positives. The party terrace was the inspiration that opened my eyes to the possibilities of this home and how it should be designed from then onwards. I knew from the outset that we would retain the fundamental exterior character of the property. I am not a lover of the glass and concrete equilateral newcomers to the Costa Del Sol as I believe their place is perhaps more suited to Ibiza and Kos and

not Andalucía. There has been no attention to retaining real Andalusian character on the Coast and this has disappointed me. I think the only reason there has been a success in the new build sector is due to a lack of alternative luxury modern property that remains consistent with the heritage here. Number 40's interior, however, should always appeal to the most modern taste. I feel there is a way of combining classic and contemporary influences with modern and even ultra-modern ones to achieve a timeless blend of coherent styles. My mission was to redistribute the space in the house, which clearly lacked definition, while improving practicality and enhancing its usability. The house should be dazzling but without the 'bling.' There would be little or no shiny things here.

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Continuing with the exterior, we have made some important changes to the front of the property. Adding some faux pillars, a patio door and a section of roof have given the property the symmetry it lacked before. I didn't want to go down the 'RAL colour 7016' Anthracite' road. This could be the most popular new window frame colour available right now, especially for perceivably modern properties. For me, this use of grey frames means either no consistency with interior decoration or 'going grey' throughout. Instead, I first chose a colour which would open up the possibilities I needed. I arranged for the windows, doors and patio doors to be powdercoated in a bespoke colour with a textured finish. At the same time, I was looking everywhere for a modern strong wood effect material which could feature throughout. I tracked down a perfect warm oak material with excellent structure, texture and colour. Meanwhile, we were searching for porcelain tiles for the flooring and bathrooms. I finalised on a light tone large format tile for the floor which could swing many ways depending on its companion colour. This maintains almost perfectly neutrality for me â&#x20AC;&#x201C; when a product is neither one colour or another

but contains enough pigment to blend effectively across greys, browns, beiges, mushroom and taupes. The floor was chosen for almost the entire home, another key decision in my design inception. With the floor option and the wood effect material decided, I could now find the accompaniments more easily. Keraben supplied us with the porcelain flooring throughout and also for some of the larger bathroom areas. Porcelanosa provided us with many of the decorative tiles that give Number 40 its texture inside. I like the more incisive nature of the textures within the Porcelanosa range. Even the curves and waves have an edginess metaphorically as well as physically that light loves to illuminate and where shadows lie more pronounced. Porcelanosa are super clever with their repetition too, concealing how frequently the pattern repeats within a segment of the bigger picture. If you do notice it, it becomes even more satisfying as your eye appreciates that upper-level pattern. I can clearly see the value in a well-designed quality tile and although it isn't obvious why, I think everyone else feels it too. Â

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I wanted each and every room within the home to feel different but not so much as if it were not a part of the whole. All the bathrooms have their own 'theme', featuring walls and co-ordination but not all with matching tiles and furniture. I deliberately designed the bedrooms with different wardrobe systems according to the space. A sliding wardrobe arrangement should always be between two walls. They are awkward when designed with exposed ends. The hinged white wardrobes in the rear ground floor bedroom were designed with space around, because I wanted to keep the large patio door onto the dining terrace which offers a sea view from the bed. The coffee lacquered wardrobes separated by the huge bespoke fabric headboard sit either side of the recessed shower in the adjacent bathroom. They were governed by the necessary shower space behind. The master suite seemed more suited to a small walkin wardrobe rather than wardrobes actually in the room. I wanted to keep this bedroom free from too much visual interference, retaining a spacious feel. The optical focus in this bedroom is the sea view though the patio door to the enclosed terrace, as well as the new picture window. Previously, this window was a quarter of its new size and I never understood how this came about given the aspect. This window, like all other apertures to the outside world, has the frame installed to the outside of the recess. In the UK and other Northern European countries this is normal but rarely seen in southern Spain. Windows in southern Spain are normally installed on the inside of a recess with a sill on the outside which is pitched downwards and tiled. All of the windows and patio doors at Number 40 are installed to the outside of the recess. I have lined the inner side of the recesses with the wood effect material in many of these apertures. This has created a 'frame' to the outside world as well as a practical shelf or seat and curtain or blind reveal.

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The kitchen is importantly open to the living area but retains a separate room feel. I designed the kitchen to the final shape that fits my idea of a modern kitchen right now. At the high end of kitchen design there is a trend to consolidate a colour and texture resulting in a solid distinction. The colour is actually matched to the windows and I was lucky enough to find a hard surface worktop which is almost identical. The floating narrow units that surround the deeper wood-effect drawers accent the flatness and solidity of the rest of the design. Another element that I knew I wanted to work with in Number 40 was copper. It's always been a favourite of mine and the natural element even reacts to oxidisation in such a fine way. The backsplash on the right side is real slate that has a beautiful copper tone running through it. The slate also clearly swings grey/green and reminds me of the typical colour of copper oxidisation. I have used a few polished copper elements in the kitchen and this is the closest we have come to shiny bling in

the project, but they accent the dark tones of the matte lacquer and stonework surfaces well. I did choose a copper extractor to float over the island hob but in the end, I felt it would dominate and contradict rather than complement the kitchen. I selected a well-designed stainless steel canopy instead that was powder-coated with the same finish as the windows, matching the kitchen as well. Interesting features throughout the property include a 'curved wave' ceiling from the ground floor to the lower floor Spa and Cinema/Bar/ NightClub. The master stairwell wall wraps under with a curve and meets the main hallway bulkhead; this was actually to improve headroom coming down the stairs but it has created a nice detail. Another flat ceiling curves down and meets the vertical wall and lighting recess behind the bath in the 'Curve bathroom'. This bathroom also houses the recessed shower which hides between the

wardrobes in bedroom 2. I have a newly found love of artificial plants. All of the plants displayed at Number 40 are ultra-real and species-specific. Their detail is far removed from our traditional idea of synthetic plants and they are important given current trends. A planter under the open staircase framed by the first stair to the master suite enhances the hallway. A dead space under the new deck above created the opportunity for a Zen space to relax after a big night in the Nightclub Cinema. Light to this area flows through the partial glass floor of the upper deck. Lighting recesses in many areas enhance rooms while offering low-level practical lighting and bedtime reading solutions; USB sockets in these recesses can feed your demanding device. Bedroom 5/gym looks out to the Zen garden and onto the Indoor Spa area incorporating the indoor heated pool, Finnish dry Sauna and a separate Turkish steam room.

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The upper floor master suite is very private and boasts panoramic sea views, ensuite shower room, walk-in wardrobe, and another private Zen terrace with glass curtains and outdoor terrace. Fruit and olive trees, Gabion cage columns and obscure glass carefully screen to help disguise the proximity problems associated with 'beach side of the A7' living in east Marbella. Natural multicolour copper slate feature walls around the property and over the Jacuzzi terrace are topped with natural wood screen fencing in a similar colour. A bridge built from the front garden now connects with the side and then rear party terrace. The filling of a deep void on the east side of the property closed the unnecessary windows into the Cinema/Club and means you can now walk all the way around the house amplifying the modest plot. Multi-level ceilings offer lighting features as well as creating visual depth in many communal areas as well as in all bedrooms. Number 40 feels organic without being Bohemian. I have achieved this by the use of natural-looking materials, not in their raw state but with an engineered edge. Matte and textured surfaces, cut natural cork, refined slate, stone, even the wood effect porcelain tiles have a very natural wood appearance but with a structured and engineered shape. The wave effects in the bathroom tiles resemble ripples of nature but have obviously been engineered and the colour tones in general can all be easily found in our more earthy surroundings. Various curved smooth ceilings and structured parametric features to the pool area and the office bedroom add to the organic nature of the concept. On completion, Number 40, even when not lived in, feels naturally comfortable and organic. Friendly, opulent and yet modest at the same time, above all a home. For me, this is job done! g The villa is currently on sale. For further information contact Lee Boote on Tel: (+34) 667 734 234 or email info@no-40.com

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CELEBRATING

U NCE

P ON

O U R T IM

CLASSIC BLUE THE PANTONE

E WALLPAPER BY MINEHE

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d THE STYLEdecor

OF THE YEAR

ROUND BLUE PLANTER ON STAND BY MELODY MAISON

GRANDMA BLUE VELVET TASSEL STOOL BY BEAUMONDE

GUMMI PETS BLUE PET BOWL MARRAKESH BY THE DESIGN GIFT SHOP

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Fall in love with classic blue, deemed the colour of the year by Pantone. Bearing the official number of Pantone 19-4052, it is defined as “a reassuring presence instilling calm, confidence and connection.” COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

NASHVILLE VELVET ARMCHAIR BY CULT FURNITURE

i BEAUMONDE www.beaumonde.co.uk CULT FURNITURE www.cultfurniture.com MELODY MAISON www.melodymaison.co.uk MINDTHEGAP www.mindtheg.com MINEHEART www.mineheart.com THE DESIGN GIFT SHOP www.thedesigngiftshop.com

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LUXURIOUS & ORGANIC DESIGNS FOR AUTHENTIC LIVING Established in 2002, Ambience is an International recognized Interior Architecture & Design firm based in Marbella. We are experts in full refurbishments and deliver breathtaking 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 visions and needs in order to deliver spaces that are not only distinguish, vivacious and dynamic but make them feel instantly at home. Luxury Interiors - Interior Architecture - Building & Refurbishments - Bespoke Furniture Design - 3D Renderings - Project Management

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IN BLOOM

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SLAVE TO THE RHYTHM OF THE JUNGLE

DIOR SPRING/ SUMMER 2020 Diorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s recent Spring/Summer 2020 collection revealed the big role that natural fabrics, jungle-inspired prints, and environmental design will have on fashion. The central message of the collection is a respect for nature and an acknowledgement of the importance it has to human life. Are you ready to join the green revolution? COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

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DENIM AND DUST

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HIPPY CHIC AND HAPPY

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NATURE IS BEAUTIFUL

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THE STRENGTH OF MOTHER EARTH i www.dior.com

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d THE STYLEfashion

RE L PL L A B UM Y H BIN E A G L TIN ON G & DO N

Y AB T L L P OR E R L MB A L S U PHIE E L O BB S

THE LOVELY LIFE OF AN

UMBRELLA

LUCY AND THE KISSING SWALLOWS UMBRELLA BY JESSICA RUSSELL FLINT

SNOB

People collect all sorts of things these days – everything from vintage LPs to the latest Apple tech. For me, the odd things in life are those which are most fascinating – collectors’ pencils, iconic makeup palettes, and of course, umbrellas. Much more than a fashion accessory, umbrellas save you from looking like a wet rat and keep your handbags and other gear safe from the rain. However, you need to choose wisely or you could end up like me – cursing at an overturned umbrella that is no match for Málaga’s harsh winds. These are just a few of my favourite brollies, as sturdy as they are gorgeous to the eyes. COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

i HEATING & PLUMBING LONDON www.heating-and-plumbing.com JESSICA RUSSELL FLINT www.jessicarussellflint.co.uk THE DESIGN GIFT SHOP www.thedesigngiftshop.com SOPHIE ALLPORT www.sophieallport.com

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PRODUCTS BEAUTY SPA SCIENCE TREATMENTS HEALTH

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Nude Palettes New Advances in IVF Embryo Selection Simple Urine and Blood Tests to Detect Cervical and Breast Cancer Health Matters Kangen Water

BEAUTY LOVERS KNOW THERE ARE NO PALETTES QUITE AS USABLE AND ADAPTABLE AS NUDES. WE ALSO REPORT ON ADVANCES IN EMBRYO SELECTION AND THE EASY DETECTION OF CERVICAL AND BREAST CANCERS. FINALLY, WE REHYDRATE WITH ONE OF THE WORLD’S HEALTHIEST BEVERAGES – KANGEN WATER!

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n THE SPA health

NEW NON-INVASIVE LIQUID BIOPSY FOR

EMBRYO SELECTION

The University of Granada and MARGen Clinic are now offering patients a noninvasive liquid biopsy for embryo selection. The technique allows doctors to detect possible genetic anomalies through a liquid biopsy of the liberated DNA in the culture medium. It is considered a big step forward because, in the past, these tests could only be conducted by removing one or various cells from the embryo itself, to carry out what is known as a ‘solid biopsy’. The latter has been a matter of debate among scientists because invasive interventions on embryos can produce later health risks for the children who are born through IVF. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

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Drs. David Landeira and Jan Tesarik

he agreement to put the technique into practice was formalised by Dr. Jan Tesarik (of the MARGen Clinic in Granada) and Dr. David Landeira (Professor of the Molecular Biochemistry II Department of the University of Granada). The collaboration between these two prestigious scientific institutions will set the technique in motion so that IVF teams will be able to evaluate chromosomal abnormalities in a completely non-invasive fashion, prior to selection of embryos to be implanted in the patient’s uterus. The new technique allows doctors to significantly reduce the rates of diagnostic errors. As mentioned above, it will also reduce risks to a baby’s health linked to solid biopsies. With the old technique, some cells were inevitably destroyed. Today, the use of embryo cells are not required, since DNA is obtained from the culture used to develop embryos prior to the moment of transfer. It improves accuracy of the results but also the integrity and safety of the embryos being examined. Dr. Tesarik stated, “We now have a new, non-invasive technique that allows us to select embryos that have no chromosomal anomalies with greater precision and with a lower hypothetical health risk.” Dr. Landeira adds, “The technique allows us to select embryos with a lower probability of chromosomal anomalies via analysis of a material that used to simply be thrown away.”

95 per cent; the extension of the life of lab embryos to up to 13 days (which allows for greater insight into the embryonic stage of development); and minimal stimulation IVF (which produces fewer but good quality eggs, while being kinder to the body). One technique, called three-person IVF, is causing quite an uproar – since it involves adding the DNA of a third person (a female donor), to help protect against genetic diseases. The baby obtains just 0.1 per cent of its DNA from the donor, but this can reduce the chances of them developing specific diseases later in life.

WORLD BREAKTHROUGHS

PERTINENT STATISTICS

The above development is just one of many that are making IVF easier, more accurate, and safer than in the past. Additional developments include an improvement in egg freezing technology, which brings the survival rate of frozen eggs up to about

These and so many more breakthroughs are enabling couples to have babies later in life. In the UK, since 2014, frozen IVF treatment cycles have increased by 39 per cent and in Spain, around 8 per cent of all babies are born via IVF! This amounts to 34,000 babies

YOUNGER WOMAN ARE HAVING FERTILITY TESTS Another interesting development in this realm is the fact that routine fertility testing is now becoming more common – even for women in their 20s and 30s. This process involves a simple blood test and ultrasound to check for the number of healthy eggs a woman has. It is an important process to undergo because results can indicate if freezing eggs for the future is recommended. It enables women to take a proactive stance rather than wait until it is ‘too late’. To freeze eggs, women first undergo ovarian stimulation then egg retrieval. Once the doctor obtains the maximum number of eggs possible, the eggs are cooled to subzero temperatures and kept in a secure storage facility until they are required for use.

per year – great news indeed for those whose dream is to have a biological child. In Spain, around 47 per cent of all IVF cycles with own oocytes occur in patients aged 35 to 39. Meanwhile, 68 per cent of cycles completed with the donation of ovules occur in patients older than 40. The data indicates the effect that age has on female fertility, but also shows that advanced age is not the obstacle it used to be.

GLOBAL FERTILITY DECLINE The National Center for Health Statistics in the US has noted that fertility rates in the US have declined considerably in the past decade, with rates reduced by 9 per cent in rural areas and 8 per cent in large metropolitan cities. The UK and other parts of the world show similar trends, with the BBC noting that more economically developed countries (including most of Europe, the US, South Korea and Australia) have lower fertility rates. The reasons for declining fertility rates include greater access to contraception, and the fact that more women are choosing to study and work. Of course, this does not mean their ability to procreate is affected. Rather, fertility rates are calculated by looking at the number of children a woman gives birth to in her lifetime. When the rate drops below 2.1, societies enter a so-called ‘baby bust’ period – and societies start shrinking. Interestingly, in China, the population is booming! Since it moved away from its onechild policy, the population has grown from around half a billion in 1950 to 1.4 billlion today! Even this country needs more children to be born to maintain its population, though, since its fertility rate stands at only 1.5! i Further information, www.clinicamargen.com

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TWO SIMPLE TESTS CAN HELP PREVENT

BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER! Breast cancer is the number one cause of death for women aged 35 to 50, while cervical cancer causes 800 deaths a year in Spain. As is the case with all cancers, by the time symptoms appear, treatment options can be limited and sometimes so severe that they can affect other bodily systems in a negative way. Prevention is always better than cure but when it comes to cancer, this is particularly important, since cancer can spread so quickly in some cases. Two new tests are promising to help women take a far more proactive approach to these common cancers. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS HOME URINE TESTS COULD DETECT CERVICAL CANCER Many women fail to see their gynaecologist as often as they should because of time constraints, anxiety associated with this type of visit, etc. A new study by Dr. Emma Crosbie, published in the journal BMJ Open found that it is possible to detect the presence of cervical cancer with a simple urine test! Crosbie has stated that she hopes this simple test will lead to an increase in the number of women who are screened and treated for cervical cancer sooner rather than later. The test will also be of great aid in the developing world, where smear testing hardly occurs and where cervical cancer rates are up to 15 times higher.

ABNORMAL AREAS SHOULD BE TREATED EARLY

a simple blood test. Blood obtained can identify the body’s immune response to substances produced by tumour cells. These substances are proteins called antigens, which trigger the body to produce antibodies to attack them. Researchers have found that their presence is a very good indicator that cancer could ensue. For their study, the researchers took blood samples from 90 persons with breast cancer, matching these with samples obtained from 90 persons without breast cancer. They used screening technology to test for antibodies against 40 different antigens linked to breast cancer and 27 antibodies that are not connected to the disease. "The results of our study showed that breast cancer does induce autoantibodies against panels of speciﬁc tumour-associated antigens. We were able to

detect cancer with reasonable accuracy by identifying these autoantibodies in the blood," said researcher, Daniya Alfattani. The test needs to be further developed at this stage, but the ﬁndings are already extremely promising for women wishing to keep this disease at bay. The new tests for cervical and breast cancer highlight one important fact: many lives are being lost because of issues such as embarrassment, discomfort, and loss of time associated with current screening processes. Any test that makes life easier and more comfortable for women should be seen as a step in the right direction. Sometimes, psychological blocks can be our worse enemy so testing is key in the ﬁght against cancer and indeed many other diseases. e

Current cervical screening tests look for highrisk variations of the human papillomavirus (HPV virus) and they also focus on the health of the cells located in the cervix in those who test high-risk HPV positive. Gynaecologists usually use pap smears to test for these conditions, though the urine test mentioned above is just as effective. Cervical cancer usually affects a very young age group – women aged 30 to 35. However, up to 10 years before cancer develops, these tests can already detect pre-cancerous changes. Treatments for pre-cancerous conditions can include laser, excision, freezing, and hysterectomy. Because it is difﬁcult to detect which conditions will turn into invasive cancer, they are usually treated as soon as they are diagnosed.

A BLOOD TEST FOR BREAST CANCER? As is the case with cervical cancer, many women complain that breast screening tests are embarrassing and/or uncomfortable. A new (November, 2019) study by the National Cancer Research Institute has found that breast cancer can now be detected up to ﬁve years before any clinical signs appear through

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VAPING IS A THREAT

TO CHILDREN’S HEALTH

Vaping among teens “threatens ﬁve decades of public health gains,” warn experts, because e-cigarettes are not only inherently harmful to health, but they also increase the likelihood of progressing to normal cigarettes. E-cigarettes are traditionally marketed as being less harmful than their conventional counterparts, but those containing nicotine are just as addictive. Scientists warn that vaping actually brings much more nicotine than traditional cigs to your system, because just one e-cigarette pod has as much nicotine as a whole pack of cigarettes! In the U.S., lobbyists are working to increase the legal age for vaping to 21; one can only hope the same is done in Spain!

An extensive review published recently in Medical News Today saw researchers concluding that pets should be part of patient care strategies, because of the many ways they benefit human mental health. In one study, scientists recruited almost 250 university students, dividing them into four groups: the first played with cats and dogs for 10 minutes, the second watched people interacting with animals, the third watched a slideshow of animals, and the fourth just sat and waited. Afterwards, levels of salivary cortisol (a stress hormone) were measured. Findings showed that the first group (those who interacted with pets) showed a significant drop in cortisol, as well as a boost in positive emotions. Pets give us so much but the question remains: what can we do to ease their plight and reduce animal suffering in the area we live in?

NEW RESEARCH SUPPORTS THE

BENEFITS OF PETS FOR

BELLY FAT

MENTAL HEALTH

CAN POSE A BIG HEALTH RISK If you are within your ideal weight but you have belly fat, take note: one recent study has found that post-menopausal women of normal weight have a 31 per cent higher risk of death over a 20-year period from heart disease and cancer if they have fat in their stomach area. This means they have the same risk as someone who is obese and has excess fat in the abdominal area. Body shape matters, said the researchers, because abdominal fat is stored more deeply within the body than other types of fat. Problematic fat deposit around the organs is also more likely to increase insulin resistance and fatty build-ups in arterial walls. As women approach menopause, added researchers, they should make regular exercise and the adoption of a low-carb diet, a priority. People should also ask their doctor to measure their waistline during check-ups.

It may sound like just another old time remedy, but having a warm bath before bedtime can really help reduce wakefulness. Recent research published in Sleep Medicine Reviews recommends either a warm bath or shower (even in the summer time) to improve both sleep quantity and quality. The optimal time to do so, say researchers, is one or two hours before hitting the sack.

HAVING TROUBLE SLEEPING? A

WARM BATH WILL DO THE TRICK

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WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JACINTA HANNON

KANGEN WATER

Jacinta Hannon with Enagic CEO, Hironari Oshiro

EMBRACING HEALTHFUL ALKALINE HYDRATION

round 75 per cent of people in Western nations are dehydrated – according to the New York Times. We are consuming inadequate amounts of water, the quality of which is also dubious. Bottled water is as much a health problem as it is an environmental one. We all know what plastics are doing to landﬁlls, oceans, and sealife, but plastic bottles are also highly toxic, with most containing BPA (Bisphenol A – a chemical which, even in low doses, is linked to cardiovascular problems such as atherosclerosis, arrhythmias, and heart attack). In steps Kangen Water – a revolutionary water alkalising system that converts tap water, bringing out its quality and reducing its acidity to negative levels. If you’ve just heard of it, take note: it is made by Enagic – a 45-year-old Japanese company that is recognised by the Japanese Association of Preventive Medicine for Adult Diseases, a renowned group comprising over 6,500 Medical Doctors. Enagic produces the machines in Japan and has representatives/ofﬁces in over 33 countries. Proponents say that this pure water essentially helps the body heal itself.

WHY IS ACIDITY DETRIMENTAL TO HEALTH? The body can essentially be in two states: acidic or alkaline. Excessive acidity can lead to many serious health problems, including accelerated ageing, because harmful bacteria, viruses, and candida thrive in acidic environments. In alkaline environments, however, they have a hard time growing. Most bottled waters have a pH of between 4 to 8. Kangen water on the other hand,

has a pH of between 8.5 and 9.5 – a far more alkaline beverage that promotes better hydration.

HOW CAN YOU ENJOY KANGEN WATER AT HOME? The Kangen Water machine is a small device you can hook up to your tap water system. When water passes through it, it is electriﬁed by eight platinum plates. This process – called electrolysis – changes the molecular structure of water. The result is micro-clustered water – which results when tap water (containing 10-20 molecules per cluster) is ionised. These clusters break down to smaller groups containing ﬁve to eight molecules. This allows for quicker penetration into the body’s cells through tiny channels called aquaporins – and the result is improved hydration.

UPPING THE ANTIOXIDANT QUOTIENT The Kangen Water machine adds molecular hydrogen to water, thus making it a potent antioxidant. This is great news for your health but also for your skin – since oxidants help battle the free radicals that cause skin to lose ﬁrmness and elasticity. Kangen Water can therefore make a great addition to your regular beauty routine.

ONE MACHINE, FIVE TYPES OF WATER The Kangen Water machine makes ﬁve different types of water, as follows: Z STRONG KANGEN WATER: this has a pH of 11.5. It can be used as a detergent – i.e. for cleaning purposes, since it emulsiﬁes oil. Z KANGEN DRINKING WATER: with a pH of between

8.5 and 9.5, it is ideal to rehydrate your cells. Z NEUTRAL WATER: a pH of 7 is ideal for baby formula and medication. Z BEAUTY WATER: a pH of 5.5. is ideal for water you wish to use as an astringent or facial toner (it is also great for cleaning plants!). Z STRONG ACIDIC WATER: this water has a pH of 2.5 – perfect for disinfecting surfaces and killing bacteria.

CLEANER FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Commercial fruit and vegetables are full of pesticides, but often, tap water cannot efﬁciently remove them – since water does not mix with oil. Kangen Water does, however, thus enabling you to thoroughly wash produce and consume it in its best possible condition.

WHERE CAN YOU BUY KANGEN WATER IN SPAIN? Jacinta Hannon, who lives in Nueva Andalucía, distributes the Kangen Water machine and trains people to become distributors. She has been working with the company since 2014 and holds a 6A (top-level) rank. She is a global Enagic distributor. Kangen Water machines are taxdeductible for people who are VAT-registered. g Further information, Tel: 670 628 468. www.kangenrunningwater.com

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LATERAL LAUNCHES IN MARBELLA

Brand new restaurant Lateral, a sister of the famous Lateral venues in Madrid, recently launched in one of Marbella’s most picturesque spots: the Plaza de Los Naranjos in the Old Town. Fantastic food and an unbeatable ambience make this venue a place to visit very soon for tapas, pinchos, raciones, and more! i www.lateral.com

“Food is the ingredient that binds us together” – Anonymous

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C/ Maribel, 8, Sierra Nevada 18196 Granada | +34 958 480 600 | reservas@ellodge.com | ellodge.com

ÑL THE SOCIAL vibe

MARIPOSA ENERGÍA: GREEN ENERGY NOW IN MARBELLA!

Mariposa Energía is a brand new, 100% green energy company ready to provide energy needs to businesses and villas on the Coast and throughout Spain. At the recent launch, company founder and CEO Martin Tye expressed his enthusiasm at helping people lead more sustainable lives while paying a smaller electricity bill. i www.mariposaenergia.es

Sustainability is treating ourselves and our environment as if we are to live on this earth forever” – Arron Wood

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REDUCE THE COST OF YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL AND GO 100% GREEN If you spend more than €250 per month on your electricity bill, switch with Mariposa Energía and start saving money, with 100% certified green energy.

Mariposa Energía SL. Calle Soria, Ediﬁcio Alcantamar 16 , Local Bajo 4, San Pedro de Alcantara, 29670, Marbella EssentialAdvert_February2020_Final.indd 1

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ÑL THE SOCIAL teen talk

TOP TEENS

t o A dm i r e

Teens get a pretty bad rap these days, with parents often complaining that we do little more than play computer games, sleep, and meet up with friends (some of us even study a little). Stereotypes such as these can stand in the way of success and having read up on negative belief systems, I refuse to be unfairly branded as ‘just another teen’. According to many experts, negative belief involves honing in on the worst thing somebody might say about you, instead of the best. Thus, you may get a near-perfect report card, yet be upset instead of happy because you are focused on the one grade you are not pleased with. This month, I choose to focus on three inspirational teens – those who know that anything really is possible when you don’t let false assumptions or labels stand in your way. WORDS JOFFREE KING

MARLEY DIAS

Marley Dias was 11 and an avid reader at school, when she observed and acted upon a problem. She says she encountered diversity in all its fullness, with magniﬁcent, strong, intelligent black protagonists in the books she read. However, her daily school life lacked the diversity she craved. She therefore stumbled upon a great idea: she would start a mission called #100BlackGirlBooks. At its core was the collection of at least 1,000 books featuring black female protagonists. Marley collected many more books than expected, distributing them to libraries and communities around the world. Her hope was that readers would understand and appreciate the struggle and victory of black women, so that greater diversity could be enjoyed by black females everywhere.

RISHAB JAIN

Imagine being so smart that at age 13 and without a college degree, you developed an artiﬁcial intelligence tool that helped treat pancreatic cancer. That is exactly what Rishab Jain, from Oregon in the U.S., achieved. It all started when he went to visit his brother in Boston one summer and came across research that highlighted the low survival rate of pancreatic cancer. Rishab created a software tool that enabled scientists to view the pancreas more optimally during radiotherapy. Obtaining a good view of the pancreas is something crucial for treatment to work, yet before Rishab’s invention it was very hard to do so (since the pancreas is covered by other organs and it can move during treatment). “I’m into programming and I like artiﬁcial intelligence,” said Rishab, in order to explain how he started working on the life-saving software. He contacted 253 doctors and received 30 replies. His tool

saves millions of healthy cells from being zapped by radiation, since doctors can now hone in on the pancreas more efﬁciently.

TANIA SPEAKS

Sometimes greatness is borne out of pain – and Tania Speaks’ success is the perfect example of this truth. As a child at school, she was bullied for having thick, bushy brows. Her answer? To literally cut off her brows – something that saw her in an emergency room. Far from changing their evil ways, her bullies continued to torment her when she returned to school, focusing now on the scars where her brows used to be. Tania was determined to grow her brows back and, disappointed with commercially available solutions, decided to create her own.

Using organic ingredients and a heavy dose of Vitamin E and testing different solutions on herself, Tania chanced upon a winning recipe and opened a business – Brow Boost – in 2016. It was a huge success and today she is at university studying business. Tania often visits schools, reminding children that the key to a happy life is putting all your energy into something you really love doing. Often, adults don’t have the solutions, so kids have to create them! e

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WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

THE DOG ROOM: CUTTINGEDGE DESIGN MEETS COMFORT The Dog Room combines minimalistic design with architectural build principles. The concept is inspired by a simple house with a pitched roof, and a child’s typical line drawn representation of a home. Featuring an aluminium frame and plywood panelling. i www.madebypen.com

HEALTHY CATS NEED

ROUTINES, TOO

A cat which is vomiting more hairballs than usual, acting strange, or refusing to eat might just be showing stress resulting from a changed environment. A study undertaken at Ohio State University has found that even healthy cats can be affected negatively by a change in routine or in their living space. Moreover, healthy cats are likely to exhibit symptoms of illness when they have a change in their feeding schedule or caretaker. Researchers reminded cat owners that “anyone who has a pet accepts the responsibility of understanding their pet’s needs and providing them, and what we’ve learned is that all cats need to have some consideration of environmental enrichment.”

ARE OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE

OVERWEIGHT DOGS?

IS YOUR DOG ANGRY? SEEK

A new study undertaken at the University of Copenhagen has shown that the prevalence of overweight dogs is signiﬁcantly greater among overweight owners than among those of normal weight. Part of the reason is that these owners use treats to make pets happy rather than during training. Moreover, they tend to feed their dogs the last bits of snacks like cookies and sandwiches. As stated by researchers, “Oftentimes, people don’t consider their dog’s weight status to be a problem. And this might contribute to a dog being overweight. But being heavy or obese does have a great impact on dog health – which on average results in a shortened lifespan.”

HELP FROM YOUR VET

ADORABLE DOG AND CAT CUSHIONS BY POUNDLAND Who could resists these adorable dog and cat cushions, perfect for the sofa, bed, or auxiliary furniture. We love the cute expressions of each of these critters and will probably be ordering more than one for the ofﬁce as well! i www.poundland.co.uk

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BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROPERTY FINANCE LAW

112 Exxacon 114 Enterprise 118 Stone Paper by Aussie Startup, Karst

EXXACON IS MAKING A BOLD MOVE FORWARD TO EMBRACE THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES, DESIGN OPTIONS AND ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS. FIND OUT WHY IT IS A PIONEER ON THE COSTA DEL SOL AND MARKET LEADER IN THE MÁLAGA REGION. ELSEWHERE, READ ALL ABOUT THE LATEST IN BUSINESS NEWS AND WHY NOT ENSURE YOUR NEXT DIARY OR STATIONERY IS MADE OF STONE INSTEAD OF FROM TREES?

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z THE PROproperty Building on twenty years of developing homes on the Costa del Sol, Exxacon is making a bold move forward to embrace the latest technologies, design options, and environmental standards. In so doing, it is a pioneer on the Costa del Sol and market leader in the Málaga region, and is now also making an impact in other parts of the country. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF EXXACON

Golden View, a new project of luxury townhouses

EXXACON

HOMES FOR THE FUTURE

Group CEO, Gastón Aigneren, and General Manager, Elena Cuberos

Marketing Manager, Alejandra Méndez, and Commercial Manager, Carmen Rodríguez

ounded in Marbella in 2000, Exxacon has made a name for itself with a broad range of residential projects along the Costa del Sol, where it specialises in second homes designed for an international market, and primary residences in Málaga aimed at a domestic buying audience. With a wide selection of properties in locations from Manilva, Casares and Estepona to La Cala de Mijas and Málaga – and now also Madrid and Valencia – this specialist developer and

promoter shows its ability to adapt to the needs of different markets. Among the eleven projects already completed are Las Terrazas de Cortesin, Finca Peralta River, El Retiro de Nagüeles, Finca Peralta Lake, Las Tortugas de Aloha, Finca Peralta Hills, Las Terrazas de Atalaya, and Residencial La Ermita, while Exxacon has another 19 projects currently at different phases of completion, bringing the total number of units for sale to 1,100. “We specialise in apartments, townhouses

and semi-detached villas,” says Marketing Manager, Alejandra Méndez. “With our experience, we understand both the domestic housing market and the mostly international second home market very well, though the latter comes with the added nuances of catering to different nationalities – each of which has its own characteristics and preferences.” “They complement our know-how in property development and promotion by adding the feedback we receive from real estate agents and homebuyers, and in so doing help us to design our homes ever more closely to the needs of different groups of buyers and investors, as well as streamlining the process and making it increasingly transparent and accountable.” An example of this is the fact that the Exxacon website provides regular live-stream updates of the progress of many of its projects across Spain, as well as using innovative new marketing tools.

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Terrazas de Cortesín Seaviews, near the famous ﬁve-star hotel

PIONEERING A NEW GENERATION OF HOMES “Above all, the feedback that derives from the market enables us to identify specific needs and not only improve our offering, but also allow it to evolve more rapidly in a sector that has not developed much in past decades but is now gathering pace and becoming increasingly exciting and innovative,” says Alejandra. Founder and CEO, Gastón Aigneren, and company General Manager, Elena Cuberos, have developed a new philosophy of growth built upon innovation, a process in which all the different divisions, including marketing, engineering, sales and architecture, have an important shared role to play. “We work closely together to achieve the desired results, but naturally much of the ultimate design creativity comes from the architects.” They give shape to the property types and home requirements identified by the multi-disciplinary development team, a process that sees its final expression in an after-sales service, whose function is to carry out snagging, provide quality control, and answer any questions clients may have, including requests for bespoke features and finishing. “Ours is a company that is not satisfied to merely develop and sell homes the way it has

Living Teatinos – modern luxury in Málaga

been done for decades here,” says Alejandra. “We’re aware of the exciting new trends and possibilities, as well as the demands of a new generation of buyers, so we are keen to play a leading role in developing a new generation of homes to suit this demand, and in this we don’t apply a one-size-ﬁts-all approach, but carefully study each location, the buying public it will attract, the property type and price level they wish for, and with this the detail gradually begins to ﬁll itself in, as long as you make the effort to collect, understand and apply the data provided by the market.”

A FORWARD-LOOKING APPROACH TO PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT This approach is most clearly visible in Urban Litoral, a pioneering new project within the Parque Litoral area of Málaga that is the first in Andalucía to receive full certification in compliance with the requirements of the Passivhaus concept. “In other words, it is the first project of its kind in Andalucía that reaches this level of sound and heat insulation, ecological construction, low energy consumption and natural airflow,” says Alejandra. “There was no-one forcing us to make the extra effort at this point, but in a few years’ time it will be a

standard requirement, so Exxacon is embracing this new way of developing homes already, and we’ll continue evolving with it.” Many of the same features appear in new Exxacon developments in Málaga, such as Constancia, Hub Teatinos and Living Teatinos, as well as along the Costa del Sol – from the luxurious Golden View townhouses in Manilva, with their spectacular sea views, and the acclaimed Las Terrazas de Cortesín Seaviews and Bon Air, to Cortijo del Golf in El Campanario and Fairways La Cala Golf. “Each of these projects offers a subtly different location, set of characteristics and homes attuned to them.” At Alhaurín de la Torre, Finca Peralta Garden is just one of a series of urbanisations arising within a residential area created by Exxacon. This is added to by ground-breaking new projects at Living Colmenar in Madrid, and Living Tavernes in Valencia. “We believe the time has come to embrace the new world of possibilities and offer our clients the same charm, comfort and reﬁnement of before within a whole new exciting generation of real estate options.” g Centro Comercial Guadalmina, Edif. 3, Planta 1a, Oﬁ. 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 906 110. www.exxacon.es

Mirador del Golf, a successful apartment project in Estepona

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enterprise

COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

THE MARBELLA WEDDING SHOW 2020 AT DÖSS If wedding bells will soon be ringing for you, you may have visited the Marbella Wedding Show 2020, which took place last month at Döss Marbella, attracting over 450 visitors! The event featured anything and everything brides and grooms need to make their big day extra special: fashion, accessories, beauty, entertainment, and other services. i www.dossmarbella.com

VITHAS HOSPITALS PRIZED FOR THEIR EXCELLENCE Vithas recently received optimal recognition in Barcelona, at the XXXI Fundación Avedis Donabedian Prizes, held at the Palau de la Música Catalana. An award for excellence in quality planning was given to the Vithas Xanit Internacional de Benalmádena, and the Hospital Vithas Granada received its accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI). In other news, Mercedes Mengíbar, formerly head of the Vithas Costa del Sol zone, has been named new Director of Andalucía. Congratulations to Mercedes and her team! i www.vithas.es

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ALMENARA HOTEL SOTOGRANDE SET TO REOPEN IN SPRING 2021 The Almenara Hotel in Sotogrande is currently being renovated, with a view to reopening in the Spring of 2021 under the brand SO/Hotels & Resorts, alongside Sotogrande SA. The resort will make the most of Sotogrande as the perfect area to relax and unwind by the sea. The new hotel will be called SO/Sotogrande – sounds like a magnificent name for a hotel that is set to become a standard-bearer in luxury tourism in the South of Spain! i www.accor.com

AWARD-WINNING HIGUERÓN WEST Higuerón West was recently named Award Winner in the Residential Development in Spain category at the recent International Property Awards. Judged by a panel of experts, the objective of these awards is to recognise excellence and maintain high standards in the property industry the world over. Higuerón West is a high quality, innovative, sustainable residential development designed to offer the best of contemporary living in southern Spain. i www.higueronwest.com

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z THE PROenterprise CENTRO PLAZA PRESENTS FIFTH ANNUAL CHARITY SPORTS DAY FOR MARBELLA RED CROSS The ﬁfth annual charity sports day organised by Centro Plaza in favour of the Marbella Red Cross took place recently at the outdoor parking of the Centro Plaza Commercial Centre, featuring a wide range of basketball-related activities including a 3x3 tournament. Keen athletes competed in eight different categories. As the Councillor for Sport, Manuel Cardeña said: “The 3x3 Tournament is now a recognised Olympic sport, which is becoming more and more popular due to its reduced playing area, makings it much more accessible to all people.” i www.centroplaza.es

KUSUMA TRUST GIBRALTAR PRESENTS 2019 EXCELLENCE PRIZES AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARDS Kusuma Trust Gibraltar presented the Kusuma Trust Excellence Prize to six students in recognition of their hard work and academic excellence. This year, Excellence Prizes were awarded to Anna Grech, Frank Devincenzi, Ritik Melwani, Salma Salem, Lina Hasisen and Adam Massias. Each of the students attained a place at a leading UK university including Cambridge, St Andrew’s, St George’s and the London School of Economics. They will go on to study subjects as diverse as Medicine, Mathematical Finance, Geography and History. Certiﬁcates were also presented to local individuals and organisations who won Kusuma Trust Gibraltar Professional Development Awards in 2019. i www.kusumatrust.gi

BLEVINS FRANKS OPENS ON THE GOLDEN MILE Blevins Franks Financial Management is proud to announce that it now has a brand new office on the Golden Mile! Demand from Marbella-based clients was such that the company felt it necessary to open a base there. Blevins Franks has had a presence in Spain for over 30 years and boasts over 20 offices across seven countries including the Head Office in St James Square London. Their team of experienced in-house specialists enables them to provide integrated tax, wealth management and estate planning services to clients across Europe. Their clients living in Spain are able to use compliant arrangements to enjoy favourable tax treatment with a tailor-made investment strategy. g At the Marbella Club Hotel, Office 7-8,

Marbella. Tel: 952 588 998. www.blevinsfranks.com

ICE SKATING IN AID OF CUDECA HOSPICE On Saturday February 22, from 12:30pm until 2:30pm head to the Benalmádena ice skating rink to take part in Cudeca’s charity event Patina por Cudeca, organised by the Benalmádena Ice Skating Club and the Benalmádena Town Hall, in aid of the Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice. Tickets will be on sale the day of the event at the facilities of the Benalmadena Ice Skating Rink Club and 100 per cent of ticket sales beneﬁt will go entirely to Cudeca Hospice. i www.cudeca.org

BRITISH CONSULATE POP-UP DESK AT LANGUAGE SCHOOLS CONFERENCE The British Consulate will have a Brexit pop-up desk at the ACEIA Málaga Sixth Annual ELT Conference in Malaga city on February 1 from 9am to 2:30pm at the Hotel Eurostars Malaga. A member of the British Consulate team will be on hand to give information on Brexit and how British nationals in Spain can register correctly with the Spanish authorities. Registration for the Association of Language Schools in Andalucia is through the www.aceia.es website. The Consulate will additionally be holding an outreach meeting on February 19 at Coín’s Casa de Cultura, Plaza de Santa María s/n, from 10am to 12pm. Members of the Consulate team will give a talk on how British nationals in Spain can register correctly with the Spanish authorities, so that their rights can to be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement.

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NEW SINGLE BY WENDY HALO

NEW HOTEL SUITE BY SPACE & GRACE AT THE PUENTE ROMANO

International pop artist Wendy Halo started out in the corporate world of business management. Raised by a long line of gospel singers, she found an escape from the stressful corporate world in music. As she developed her talent, she decided to re-explore and experiment with different forms of music she loved such as jazz, funk, pop, R&B, and opera. With her latest single, High Life, Wendy proves that she’s right where she needs to be. Check out her single on YouTube, SoundCloud, or Spotify.

Bespoke construction, interiors and property maintenance company, Space & Grace, are pleased to announce the completion of their refurbishment project of a luxury hotel suite at the fabulous Puente Romano resort. “We took 70m² (including the terrace), redesigned the space, made many repairs to the supply services and gave it a good facelift!” says Director, Emma Surgenor. The accommodation is designed for a family of four wishing to stay at the luxury resort. It comprises one bedroom, two shower rooms, a fully functional kitchen with a dining area, a large salon with pull-down double bed and a charming terrace with an outdoor dining and lounge area. Space & Grace has specialised in reconstructing spaces for 20 years in Marbella and Sotogrande. i www.spaceandgrace.net

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z THE PRO business

KARST PAPER PRODUCTS MADE FROM STONE!

Human innovation never ceases to amaze but Aussie startup, Karst, has seriously raised the bar for sustainability, with paper products – notebooks, notepads, sketchpads and more – made from stone instead of trees! Currently, 413.6 million metric tonnes of paper are used globally; the pulp and paper industry makes up 40 per cent of the world’s wood trade. Therefore, efforts such as these – which seek to protect the environment while making beautiful products any modern millennial would be proud to own – should be supported. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF KARST PAPER

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

VISIONARY PRODUCTS

Karst was founded by two forward-thinking Sydney locals – Kevin Garcia and Jon Tse, after a visit to Taiwan in 2017 led to a chance discovery – their food was packaged in paper made from stone! The dynamic duo paid a visit to the factory that produced the world’s first stone paper and an idea was born: to create beautifully designed notebooks from stone paper so as to encourage people to ‘do more and create more, responsibly’.

Karst’s eco friendly, waterproof, tear-resistant, and recyclable notebooks and journals made from mining and construction waste have seized the public’s attention, not just for their environmental benefits but also for their superior construction and design. Since launching Karst a little over two years ago, the company has quickly grown to sell over 100,000 notebooks to people in over 80 countries.

GETTING NOTICED FROM VISION TO REALITY As avid note-takers and environmentalists, the duo wanted a solution to the problems of the pulp and paper industry, one of the largest industrial sectors and polluters on the planet, without sacrificing the tactile benefits of analogue tools. “After discovering stone paper, we knew there was a way to get the best of both worlds, and the answer was in the beauty of aesthetics and design. The only way to get people to switch to eco-superior alternatives is if the eco-alternative surpasses the traditional product along every metric, and that includes design,” explains Garcia.

LOWERING THE CARBON FOOTPRINT The carbon footprint of stone paper is 60 per cent less than that of traditional wood pulp paper. Moreover, Karst saves energy by relying on solar power for the production of their goods. The paper also differs from regular paper in that it is brighter and velvety to the touch. Notebooks come with waterproof covers, which make them a sturdy option. Because stone paper is water- and grease-proof, it does not allow nasty stains to ruin the beauty of your notes. The paper is slightly stretchy as well, so it won’t tear as easily. According to the founders, “Our paper is the whitest paper out there. Naturally white, made with no bleaches and no acids.”

Large organisations have also started to take notice, with companies like Facebook, TED, WeWork and Dermalogica using Karst to create custom products for their clients, staff and events – another way in which Kevin and Jon can make a wider impact to raise awareness about conscious living practices. Karst is also an official partner of Carbon Neutral, which aims to reconnect vegetation sites and link 12 nature reserves across a vast tract of land in Australia’s Midwest. In addition, Karst plants a tree in the Amazon for every online order through One Tree Planted. Karst Stone Paper has come up with a fantastic solution for those who love writing yet wish to rely on paper that can help them lower their carbon footprint. The feel of the product is amazing as well; because the paper of all notebooks and pads has no grain direction, the writing experience is ultra-smooth. Finally, after you are done with these products, you can simply send them to be recycled. All pages and covers are 100 per cent recyclable, meaning that your book could one day form the base material of a brand new notebook for someone else.

i karststonepaper.com

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Meet the Sales Team behind the Scandinavian Magazines

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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

123 124 126 128

D-Wine Restaurant Gourmet Bytes Hernán Soria, Head Chef of Akira La Vigña Wine by Da Bruno

FOR AN EXCELLENT MEAL CHARACTERISED BY TOP INTERNATIONAL CUISINE AND THE FINEST SELECTION OF WINES IN SPAIN, IT’S GOT TO BE D-WINE – ENJOY OUR LATEST REVIEW OF THIS SEASONED ESTABLISHMENT. MEET HERNÁN SORIA, THE HEAD CHEF OF AKIRA AT RESERVA DEL HIGUERÓN AND OWNER OF THE CLUB JAPONÉS DE MÁLAGA. TRY A GLASS OF LA VIGÑA WINE, CREATED BY NONE OTHER THAN THE DA BRUNO GROUP AT THEIR NEW WINERY IN MANILVA!

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r holidays

closed fo

NG REOPENI OF 12TH Y FEBRUAR 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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Nobu at Puente Romano Marbella noburestaurants.com Âˇ Tel (+34) 952 778 686 Celebrate Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s with our special 5-course menu at EUR 85 p/person, drinks not included. The night continues at La Suite.

restaurants THE GOURMET b

D-WINE

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

GOURMET AND WINE LOVER’S HAVEN

t is difﬁcult to ﬁnd a restaurant which prioritises wine as much as it does cuisine, but D-Wine in Marbella has managed to strike the ideal balance between the two and much of the magic has to do with having found the perfect staff. At the helm of the kitchen is Edmund Cicans – a Latvian-born Chef who has more than proven his talent for over 15 years at top establishments along the Coast. Selecting and overseeing the vast wine offering at D-Wine, meanwhile, is Julio García – who selects a multitude of Spanish and international bottles for the restaurant itself and for the venue’s highly acclaimed wine shop. D-Wine is home to Spain’s largest collection of wines. It has received honours from The World of Fine Wine for its three-star wine list and from the Wine Spectator, “for having an exceptional wine list and displaying a deep commitment to wine.” D-Wine is the sum of various components, of course, one of which is the fantastic design and ambience. As you enter the restaurant, a charming lounge area to the right invites you to enjoy a premeal drink or a wine tasting session. Taking centre stage is the wine shop, boasting a truly impressive vertical selection of wines you can enjoy at the restaurant or purchase as a gift. The shop has current favourites as well as very special bottles such as Vega Sicilia Unico (from 1960 onwards), Clos Erasmus (from 1989), as well as a host of newand old-world wines. D-Wine has cutting-edge Enomatic wine

dispensing machines which allow you to personalise your wine experience. Just purchase a card and swipe it on the machines to order one or more of a choice of 24 wines by the glass. This is a great way to discover exclusive vintages before deciding to order an entire bottle to accompany your meal, or simply to expand your palate and get to know different wines to those you usually order. The dining area, to the left, is as cosy as the rest of the venue. A large retractable roof allows the restaurant to host exquisite dining experiences all year round, offering a lovely al fresco ambience on sunny days. The staff helps to make you feel at home; they are attentive but not imposing, and should you wish to order a special bottle or enjoy wine pairings with every dish, you can rely on the keen expertise of Julio and his team. On our most recent visit to D-Wine, we managed to try a range of dishes that showed off the Chef’s talent to perfection. First were a lovely array of starters (at D-Wine everything – all sauces, garnishings, etc. are handmade, so you know that quality is at the forefront of every dish). Standout choices included the fresh artichoke and rocket salad (it is ﬁnally artichoke season!) with a citric vinaigrette and parmesan cheese – a ﬁne combination of textures and flavours indeed. Equally appetite-whetting were the seared scallops served with chanterelles, cecina, batata (sweet potato), ginger purée and a beurre blanc sauce – which showed off the magic that happens when

quality produce meets traditional technique. We also shared duck liver escalope with homemade fruit bread, a balsamic and plum sauce, and winepoached pears. Our mains were enticing as well. We sampled fare like the black cod with a ginger and hoisin glaze and vegetable sautée, with a touch of sesame oil and ginger sprouts (great for those into Asian flavours), the butcher steak (ultra-tender and tasty and served with potato, black truffle, pure green asparagus and a Marchand de Vin sauce). We continued our meat-loving escapade with charcoal-grilled short ribs with a barbecue glaze, grilled vegetables, and cherry tomato confit. Not to be forgotten was the dessert; we tucked into a gluten-free apple cake crumble and ice-cream (always heavenly after a steak meal) and Edmund’s famous World of Chocolate – a chocolate sphere housing white chocolate ice-cream, milk chocolate mousse, and black fondant, topped with a rich Bailey’s sauce. The common element that runs through most dishes on D-Wine’s menu is simplicity, painstaking preparation, and a respect for fine produce. The venue itself, meanwhile, is one that never fails to impress. It is a bit like coming home to a warm fireplace, great glass of wine, fantastic food and the finest of company. g C.C. Azalea, C/ Ana de Austria 2, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 446. www.d-winecollection.com

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b THE GOURMETnews COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

II VOVEM MEAT & WINE GOURMET FESTIVAL

Between February 10 and 12, Vovem Asador on Marbella’s Paseo Marítimo will be holding its second Vovem Meat & Wine Gourmet Festival. The aim of the event is to highlight the excellence of Andalusian cuisine – especially beef and ox meat. Top Chefs will be preparing delectable dishes featuring these ingredients, pairing them with some of the best wines in Spain. Professionals from the sector will also be meeting to discuss an array of issues at various talks to be attended by chefs, professionals from the trade, and specialised press. Clients are welcome to book their table. g For a full programme of events, Tel: 952 008 822. www.vovemasador.com

INDONESIAN RIJSTTAFEL AT

DAVID OLIVAS CROWNED

NEW JACKS SMOKEHOUSE

David Olivas of trendy restaurant Back! Tapas Bar & Restaurant in Marbella was recognised for his hard work and talent by the Academia Gastronómica de Málaga, which has deemed him the winner of the Paul Schiff Best Executive Chef 2019. The Academy highlighted Oliva’s “haute cuisine technique, and creativity” as they handed him the award. Back! is one of the Coast’s best loved restaurants, and is deﬁnitely worth a visit by anyone for whom food is a passion. i www.backrestaurante.com

The popular Jacks Smokehouse in Puerto Banús will be opening its sister restaurant in Puerto Marina, Benálmadena on 14 February. Jacks American Brasserie, which is part of the popular Metro Group of restaurants and bars, was established more than 15 years ago as an American-style restaurant with stunning, upper-level terraces and views over the marina. The complete reform boasts chic rustic décor, custom-designed furnishing, and distinct dining areas full of character and style, offering a taste of true downtown Manhattan with the stunning Puerto Marina backdrop. i www.jacks-smokehouse.com

MÁLAGA’S BEST CHEF

IN PUERTO MARINA

THE BENAHAVÍS COUNTRY CLUB The Benahavís Country Club will be reopening on February 11 and what better way to celebrate the occasion than with a hearty Indonesian Rijsttafel? The latter features dozens of small, shareable dishes in one meal. Think chicken and beef satay skewers, various curries, spring rolls, fried rice, fried bananas and so much more! The feast will be taking place every Saturday from 12:30pm so book your table in advance. i www.benahavishills.com

BARCELÓ MÁLAGA CREATES SPECIAL COCKTAILS INSPIRED ON

THE GOYA AWARDS

The Goya Awards are Spain’s equivalent of the Oscars and, this year, the Barceló Hotel in Málaga has decided to celebrate the event with five cocktails paying homage to the five nominees for Best Feature Film: La Trinchera Infinita, Dolor y Gloria, Intemperie, Lo que arde, and Mientras dure la Guerra. i www.barcelo.com

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Love is in the air at Anantara Villa Padierna, and what better way to celebrate than sharing a glass of champagne with your other half in one of our luxurious suites before heading to 99 Sushi for an unforgettable meal or just relaxing in total harmony on our iconic spa circuit.

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b THE GOURMET chef’s proﬁle

A PASSION FOR JAPANESE TRADITION

HERNÁN

SORIA

When Hernán Soria, Executive Chef of Akira at the Reserva del Higuerón and owner of the Club Japonés de Málaga, says he has a deep passion for all things to do with Japanese culture, it is easy to see he is a man of his word. For 25 years of his illustrious career, he has worked either alongside Japanese chefs or on preparing Japanese cuisine, his ﬁrst big break into this rich tradition occurring in his native Buenos Aires. “I worked for a Japanese family whose chef was 76 years old. The restaurant was so special because they used ingredients sourced from Okinawa. This type of cuisine is considered exclusive because Okinawa is such a tiny island. Production is small-scale and the produce and livestock are treated with care and respect.” WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

is many years of experience apart, Hernán is a lover of the Japanese language. “I understand more than I speak,” he smiles, “since I was listening to this language for a greater part of my day throughout the years.” The Chef travels frequently to Japan and has been creating Japanese pottery for many years now. “I have a teacher who has taught me to make everything from the beer glasses I serve at my restaurant, to serving platters.” He shows me one of his creations – an elaborate green ceramic plate, reminiscent of leaves in its design and bearing a colourful array of sashimi pieces – no less than a feast for the eyes. When I ask Hernán what attracted him to Japanese cuisine, he answers that it was the very experience of being immersed in it so early in his career. Oddly enough, in his first job his role was mainly in management. “The family I was working for sent me to take cooking classes but they already had a Chef so I didn’t have a chance to really get stuck into the cooking.” A chance holiday to a place he had always admired – Miami – finally enabled him to delve into the intricate world of the Japanese kitchen. “I decided to go on a month’s vacation and it was the first time I had ever visited the U.S. Two days after arriving, I was already working at a Japanese restaurant (Shoji Sushi). I didn’t mind my vacation time being cut short at all; I always recall this as one of the best times of my life because I had never trained so closely alongside a Japanese chef before and I learned so many cuts and

techniques. The Executive Chef had worked at Nobu in the past and for me it was amazing to be with him.” A look through Hernán Soria’s travel history tells many tales. The Chef has shone in a plethora of cities, including Buenos Aires (where he returned to work at a Japanese restaurant by day and by night at a teppanyaki and sushi bar), Puerto Banús (at Sushi Zona restaurant), again Miami (he worked at the Nobu restaurant at Miami’s Shore Club hotel), London (at Umu London), and Monte Carlo. He fondly recalls his experiences in London and Monte Carlo. “Umu in London serves kaiseki cuisine, which is considered haute cuisine).” In Montecarlo, he shone at Le Paciﬁc Restaurant (featuring French/ Japanese cuisine) for six years. During this time, he tells me, “I cooked for many celebrities, such as Prince Albert and family, Michael Schumacher, Tina Turner, Paris Hilton, and more. How did Hernán land back in Spain, you may ask? “After the experience in Monaco, my wife and I were hovering between heading for Denmark and Spain as a place to raise our kids. I asked my wife to choose and she went for Spain. I opened my small restaurant in the Old Town of Málaga (the Club Japonés de Málaga). I opened on Christmas Eve because in Monaco, restaurants are full to the brim at this time of the year. We started out with one client a week, then two, and now, 10 years down the line, business is thriving.” Hernán currently divides his time between Akira – the sexy rooftop terrace restaurant

overlooking the sea at Reserva del Higuerón – and the Club Japonés de Málaga. At Akira, urban vibes take the forefront, as guests enjoy a wide range of sushi and some hot dishes with an array of marvellous beers or a cocktail by the inﬁnity pool. At the Club Japonés de Málaga, Hernán tries to offer his clients something different – for instance, ramen, during the Osaka Festival, or nikkei delights that surprise and excite. “In Japan, hanami (the traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers through outdoor events) gives rise to many food festivals. At the Club Japonés we celebrate food festivals every weekend.” For Hernán, authenticity is an important part of what makes his food taste so good. “I cook all my stock for the ramen from scratch, with chicken, pork, and vegetables. These are simmered for hours so the dish really tastes like mother’s ramen!” Hernán may have delighted the palates of many greats, but his heart is in the right place. “I consider myself a Chef for the people who like my food. I make the same effort when I’m cooking a meal for my kids as I do for my best clients.” Whether at Akira or the Club Japonés de Málaga, he achieves his heartfelt aim every day, with food that soothes the soul and satisﬁes the restless spirit in search of a taste of home.

i www.clubjapones.com www.reservadelhigueronresort.com

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OPEN NOW! Every night from 7pm Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa Bulevar PrĂncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, 29602, Marbella, MĂĄlaga, Spain Telephone (+34) 952 822 211 marbellaclub.com

b THE GOURMET wine

For Sr Bruno, wine is as much of a passion as food

LA VIGÑA NEW VINTAGES BY DA BRUNO For thousands of people on the Costa del Sol, Da Bruno is a name synonymous with Italian cuisine; a family-run group of restaurants that offers a consistently high standard of food, service and ambience ensured by the passionate involvement of its founders. Now, that passion also extends to the world of winemaking. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DA BRUNO RESTAURANTS

nyone familiar with the Da Bruno restaurants in Marbella and other parts of the coast will know that Bruno and Giuseppina are the heart and soul of what has grown to be a highly successful family business. Their dedication to detail and passion for bringing Italian cuisine to this coast provide the founding principles of the brand, and also account for its enduring popularity. After years of presenting the delicacies of their homeland – from authentic fresh pastas, wines and cheeses to cured meats, regional sauces and the finest ingredients from Italy – one of Marbella’s most beloved brands is expanding into wine production. “Wine is intrinsically linked with food and providing the right dining experience,” says Signore Bruno, co-founder of the restaurants that bear his name. “We take great pride in offering the finest Spanish and Italian wines to our diners, and as a result have become afficionados of the noble art of winemaking over the years.” Such is his passion for it that when an opportunity arose to acquire land on which to cultivate his own grapes, Bruno

enthusiastically embarked upon a new venture in his long and successful career in the food and hospitality business.

LA VIGÑA – MORE THAN JUST A WINERY Set on two hectares of gently sloping land that faces the sea in a south to south-westerly direction, La Vigña is a typical terroire – i.e. winegrowing plot – in Manilva, an area known for producing characteristically sweet muscatel wines. Indeed, for centuries most of Andalucía was specialised in the production of fortified sweet wines, but in recent times there has been a significant shift towards white and red varieties, first in Ronda and now also in Manilva. “We wanted to create something different, something exciting and new, at La Vigña,” says Bruno, “so we set out to find the ideal mix of ingredients to achieve just that.” The first step in this process was to find the right experts to work with, and in Rodrigo Nieme, an experienced oenologist from Ronda, the ideal candidate was found. Rodrigo has been responsible for the launching and

operation of many different wineries in the Ronda area, but he jumped at the chance to try something new, and set about researching the land, the slope, orientation, wind cycles and the microclimate that affects this specific area. “If you know your land and its conditions inside out, you also know which grapes will flourish on it and what kind of wine it is best suited to producing,” says Rodrigo. When all the investigating was done and the lab results were in, they told the story of a calciferous land with a moderate slope that faces not just a panoramic expanse of the Mediterranean, but is also strongly affected by its prevailing winds, as well as those coming from the nearby Atlantic Ocean. “The local conditions that shape this piece of land also include the salty sea air that is typical of coastal areas. Together, they help to create a rather unique set of conditions not found in many winemaking regions, so we began searching for new grape varieties that would be ideal for these conditions, and in the process produce wines of great quality and character.”

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VERMENTINO AND VIOGNIER The search took the team to Sardinia and Corsica, where wine is grown under similar conditions and the vintages produced are noted for their fine floral and citric notes. “It led us to introduce two grape varieties well suited to the conditions that produce excellent white wines, Vermentino from Italy and Viognier from France.” Vermentino is a grape which provides a very refined, gentle wine, and Viognier was chosen to add additional volume and texture, as it is often employed to do in Champagne production. The blend is a pioneering approach to winemaking that holds true to the desire to create something new and unique at La Vigña. Once the corresponding permission was granted, Rodrigo and his team planted the vines in such a way as to maximise resistance to the occasionally powerful gusts of wind. The stock planted in March 2018 yielded its first harvest in August of that year, leading to a production of 800 bottles of white wine carrying the Döss label, after the new concept restaurant within the Da Bruno chain. The 2019 vintage produced over 2,000 bottles – as well as a vegetable garden

that supplies fresh produce to the restaurants – and when La Vigña reaches full capacity in a few years, the output will have risen to between 8,000 and 10,000 bottles annuallys, to be produced at the bodega under its own brand name. For now, the harvest is taken to a winery in Ronda, where the grapes are pressed and aged under expert supervision, but plans have been drawn up to create a complete winery at La Vigña, where guests will be welcome to enjoy natural, light meals and wine tasting. It takes a few years for a vineyard to grow, both in terms of output and quality, but already the crisp white wines produced here have enjoyed critical acclaim from authority ﬁgures such as Enrique Bellver as well as diners at the various Da Bruno restaurants and the flagship Döss. “Eventually, we will market these wines in their own right,” says Signore Bruno, “but for now it is an experience limited to Da Bruno and Döss, so come and try it for yourself, and let us know what you think of the region’s newest wine.”

Sr Bruno at the new vineyard in Manilva

The vineyard’s vegetable garden provides fresh produce for the Da Bruno restaurants

i www.dabruno.com

The Viognier and Vermentino grapes at La Vigña are producing highly promising white wines

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. . THE GUIDE listings

the guide

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

*restaurants

american

JACKS SMOKEHOUSE

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

JACKS SMOKEHOUSE

Open seven days a week from 9:30am 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

argentinean

BUENOS AIRES SOUTH

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

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

under €25

€25 – €40

HACIENDA PATAGONICA

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

ORIGEN

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

belgian MYTILUS

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

eco

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

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

LISTINGS STARS

€40 – €60

€60 plus

french

grills

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

ALBERT & SIMON

LE BISTROMAN 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

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

greek

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

ASADOR CRIOLLO GRILL 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

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

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

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

EL GAUCHO DE BANÚS Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle Benabola 9-11, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 167

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listings THE GUIDE . EL RANCHO DEL PUERTO Open for lunch and dinner every day. Muelle Benabola 4, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 252

GAUCHO GRILL Open for lunch and dinner. Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 446 460

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. Closed Mondays November to March. Casa No.7, P. Banús. Tel: 952 812 090

international

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

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

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

BONO BEACH Open March to November from 11am daily. C/ Cervantes, Urb. Costabella, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 236

BREATHE

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

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.

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

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

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

D-WINE

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

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

EL BOLERO

CAFETERÍA KE

EL CAMPANARIO

ACINIPO

CAFÉ DE RONDA

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

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

AL ROLO

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

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

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

BABOO LOUNGE AND RESTAURANT

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

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

Open Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. C.C. Azalea, Edif. A, CN340, km 173, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 339 309 Open every night for dinner from 8-11pm. The San Roque Club, CN 340, km. 127, Cádiz. Tel: 956 613 030 Open every day for lunch. Open for dinner on Friday and Saturday. CN 340, km. 168, Estepona. Tel: 952 880 126

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

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

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner, closing Sunday,

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

GD GOURMET DELI MARBELLA Open 9:30am to 9pm from Monday to Friday and Saturday from 12am to 6pm. Closed Sundays. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 7, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 049

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

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

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

for lunch and dinner, closed Tuesdays. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 136. Playa Guadiaro, Torre-Guadiaro, Cádiz. Tel: 956 615 998

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

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

LA LOGGIA

LOS ARCOS

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

LOS BANDIDOS

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

LATERAL Open Monday to Wednesday from 9am to 1am, on Thursday and Friday from 9am to 2pm, on Saturday from 12pm to 2am and on Sunday from 12pm to 1am. Plaza de Los Naranjos 7, Marbella. Tel: 952 163 894

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 Open Monday to Wednesday 10am-7.30p.m and Thursday to Sunday 10am-10pm. Urb. Coto Chico 4D, Marbella. Tel: 952 837 862

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

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

MAX BEACH Reopening late March 2020. Open from 9.30am till late. Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 839 236

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

MC CAFÉ

LA VERANDA

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

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

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

LA VERANDAH Open week days for dinner at 7:30pm and weekends

MESSINA MIRAFLORES GOLF RESTAURANT Open daily for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ctra. de

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listings THE GUIDE . Cádiz, km. 199. Urb. Riviera Golf. Tel: 952 931 941

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

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

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

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

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

PERLA BLANCA Open from 10am to 11pm. C/ Agata s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 835 914

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

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

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

SAVOR 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

SEA GRILL

THE MEETING ROOM

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

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

SEVE'S KITCHEN & BAR Open daily from 8am to 10pm. At Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club. Crta. de Ronda. A397, km 44.5, Local A, Benahavís. Tel: 952 786 437

THE ORANGE TREE

SHANTI-SOM – AMRITA

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

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, MarbellaMonda. Tel: 952 864 455

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

SKAKERS URBAN BAR & FOOD

TROCADERO ARENA

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

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

SKINA

TROCADERO BEACH

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

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

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

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

TACOS & TIKKA Open 1pm to 12am Monday to Sunday. CN340, km 192, Las Chapas. Tel: 952 355 561

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

TERRA SANA 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

TRUFFLES THE KITCHEN

AND

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

COAST Open daily for lunch and dinner. Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 951 550 335

DA BRUNO 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

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

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

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

ROSMARINO DELLA PIAZZA

GOLDEN WOK

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

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

Open 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

KABUKI RAW

TAI PAN

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

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

KAIDEN SUSHI

TA-KUMI

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

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

KAMA KURA

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

DON GIOVANI

RISTORANTE SAN MARTINO

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

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

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

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

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

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

VALPARAÍSO

LA PAPPARDELLA DI ESTEPONA

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

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

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

LA PAPPARDELLA SUL MARE Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 807 354

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

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

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

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

VILLA TIBERIO

mediterranean

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

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

oriental

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

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

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

AKIRA

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 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

GENJI SUSHI BAR

NOBU

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

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

SAPPORO

SUSHI KATSURA

TEPPANYAKI SAMURAI 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

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

scandinavian

SUKHO THAI

Open every evening for dinner from 6pm to 11.30pm.

ALOHA RESTAURANT

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Avda. del Prado s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 811 285

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

seafood

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

RESTAURANTE LA MARINA

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

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 MÁQUINA

LA TORRE

LA MORAGA BISTRÓ

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

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

MARISQUERÍA LA PESQUERA

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

LA RED

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

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

RESTAURANTE EL BOTE

MESÓN EL ADOBE

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Paseo Marítimo Rey sde España, Fuengirola. sTel: 952 660 084

PALAPA Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, CN 340, km 159,

listings THE GUIDE .

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

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

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www.russellgrant.com

. THE GUIDE stars

RUSSELL GRANT’S Monthly Horoscopes February 2020

AQUARIUS [January 20th – February 18th] Working for a large organisation like a hospital, university or government agency could be profitable on or around the 2nd. You will appreciate the stability of a regular income, as well as significant perks, that come from this employer. A generous relative could give you the money for a household expense on the 5th. The Full Moon on the 9th marks an exciting turn of events in a relationship; you could get engaged or form a new business-based partnership. Valentine’s Day gives you a special glow and you’ll have no problems attracting more than a few admiring glances. The 21st is perfect for moving to a new place, renewing your lease or paying off a mortgage. On the 23rd, the New Moon brings a lovely money-making opportunity. This job might allow you to work from home or set your own hours. The 29th is perfect for having a heart-to-heart discussion with a relative.

The Full Moon on the 9th marks an exciting turn of events in a relationship; you could get engaged or form a new businessbased partnership. Valentine’s Day gives you a special glow and you’ll have no problems attracting more than a few admiring glances

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ARIES [21 MAR – 19 APR]

Both your public and private lives will reap rich rewards around the 2nd; there will be lots of reasons for rejoicing on this magical day. After making an appearance at an important party, head off to a romantic hideaway with your partner. If you’re single, you could meet someone special at this festive occasion. Your charm, wit and good looks will be evident to everyone on the 7th. This is an excellent time for auditions, job interviews and dates. The Full Moon on the 9th will bring news of an engagement, marriage or pregnancy. You might be celebrating this happy event with people from another culture. Valentine’s Day promises to be a happy occasion, whether you are single or attached. Toast your love with your nearest and dearest. You will be rewarded for your hard work with a pay rise or a lucrative job offer on the 21st. The New Moon on the 23rd is ideal for taking a relaxing vacation.

TAURUS [20 APR – 20 MAY]

A friend will invite you to go on holiday with them on the 2nd; you’ll make wonderful travel companions. Splash out on a gourmet restaurant on the 3rd, as you’re sure to enjoy whatever is on the menu. Your unique ideas will get a popular reception on the 5th; feel free to set yourself apart from the crowd on this electrifying day. The Full Moon on the 9th marks the satisfying conclusion of an emotional family matter; this is a great time to forgive a relative’s misdeeds. Valentine’s Day will find you making a glamorous entrance at a restaurant, theatre or party. If you’re looking for love, you could find it with an attractive colleague. The New Moon on the 23rd is perfect for launching a group project. Working with fellow artists will be especially rewarding. Beware of blurting out secrets on the 28th. You don’t want to betray a mentor’s trust by telling stories about their personal life.

GEMINI [21 MAY – 20 JUN]

A rewarding job with lots of perks could come your way on the 3rd. Stop doubting yourself and accept the position; you won’t regret it. On the 9th, the Full Moon will find you signing a contract or entering a creative partnership. This deal will give you lots of stimulation, as well as rewarding companionship. Valentine’s Day could have an exotic flair. Going to a restaurant that specialises in foreign cuisine will be a real treat. Are you single? You could find love with someone with an exotic and attractive accent. The New Moon on the 23rd marks an exciting career opportunity. This would be a great time to join the ranks of a large employer, like a hospital, university or government agency. The 26th is perfect for making a public presentation; people will be receptive to your creative approach. Raising money for a good cause is especially favoured at the end of February.

CANCER [21 JUN – 22 JUL]

Working with an experienced person will turn out to be exciting and energising at the start of February. Going on a business trip together will be informative and profitable. The 7th is ideal for making a professional presentation. Your audience will be both charmed and impressed with you. A payment will be larger than expected on the 9th, when the Full Moon rewards you handsomely for a job well done. Valentine’s Day is best celebrated at a romantic hideaway; it will be difficult for your lover to keep their hands off you. Are you single? Let a relative set you up on a blind date. Push your best friend or romantic partner to try something new on the 21st; your encouragement will help them realise a cherished

dream. The New Moon on the 23rd is ideal for publishing and broadcasting ventures. Sharing your expertise will be an enriching experience in more ways than one. Avoid getting into a power struggle with someone you love on the 28th.

LEO [23 JUL – 22 AUG]

Hard work will pay off handsomely on the 3rd. Don’t be surprised if you’re given a bonus, pay rise or other perk as thanks for your excellent contributions. If you’re unemployed, you could be offered a splendid position on the 5th that draws on your artistic abilities. The pay won’t be stellar, but the less tangible rewards will be significant. The Full Moon on the 9th finds you reaching a personal goal; this is cause for celebration. Treat yourself to a romantic adventure at this magical time. Valentine’s Day could find you getting engaged or married. If you’re already in a serious relationship, your partner will give you a beautiful gift. Are you single? Be willing to give up your independence to a cultured, sophisticated love interest. Your charisma reaches an alltime high on the 19th, when you draw admiring glances from every corner. The New Moon on the 23rd is ideal for making a personal or professional merger.

VIRGO [23 AUG – 22 SEPT]

Let your romantic partner pamper and pet you on the 2nd. A little tender loving care will bring out the best in you. If you’re single, this would be an excellent time to make your move and launch a new relationship. The sparks will be instantaneous. More money for luxuries will become available on the 7th, thanks to an investment or partnership. The Full Moon on the 9th allows you to rest, relax and reflect on your accomplishments; this is an excellent time to withdraw from public view. Valentine’s Day will be glorious if you take extra time with your appearance; prepare to receive many flattering compliments. It will be necessary to change some of your expectations about romance on the 17th; stop clinging to some fairy tale notion. The New Moon on the 23rd marks a joyous new phase of a romance. There’s a good chance you could get engaged or married at the end of February.

LIBRA [23 SEPT – 22 OCT]

Your job prospects are looking good as February gets up and running; if you’re unemployed, you’ll get at least one potential-packed employment offer. This would also be a good time to launch a business from your home. Working with a daring partner will bring a success on the 7th. You’ll benefit from your other half’s pioneer spirit. The Full Moon on the 9th is ideal for throwing a party. Add a dash of glamour to this gathering; your guests will be grateful for the diversion. Valentine’s Day will be especially romantic. Your special someone will be particularly attentive, working hard to make you happy. If you’re single, you’ll have your choice of admirers. Pick the most original suitor; you won’t be disappointed. Apply for a grant, loan or scholarship on the 21st, when your financial prospects will be especially good. The New Moon on the 23rd will prompt you to start a health regimen. The results of this programme will be plain for all to see.

SCORPIO [23 OCT – 21 NOV]

A powerful attraction between you and an unusual person will be evident on the 5th. This is an excellent time to embark on a relationship. On the 9th, a fulfilling Full Moon will draw attention to your professional

accomplishments. Don’t be surprised if you’re given a promotion or high-profile job. Valentine’s Day might find you spending a quiet evening with your amour in the comfort of your own home. Make the occasion special with flowers, candles and a gourmet meal. Are you single? A heartfelt confession of love could reach your ears on this wonderful day. Open your heart on the 20th; your honesty will be greatly appreciated. The New Moon on the 23rd is perfect for launching a creative project or going on a first date. Alternatively, you may decide to take a relaxing seaside vacation. Beware of getting drawn into a nasty argument on social media around the 28th.

SAGITTARIUS [22 NOV – 21 DEC]

Money for furniture, artwork and other household items could arrive on the 2nd. Take this opportunity to buy things that are not only pleasing to the eye and stimulating to the senses but also comfortable and easy to live with. You’ll attract lots of admiring glances on the 7th; this is a wonderful time to attend a party. The Full Moon on the 9th brings the satisfying conclusion to a legal matter; you’ll be able to make some exciting plans because of this decision. A minibreak will be a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day; head for a nearby beauty spot with your amour. If you’re single, you will meet someone special when you’re out and about. Are you looking for a new place to live? You’ll find a beautiful property at a price you can easily afford on the 20th. The New Moon on the 23rd is ideal for relocating. Alternatively, you might add a member to your household.

CAPRICORN [22 DEC – 19 JAN]

Your powers of persuasion are very strong on the 2nd. Take this opportunity to negotiate and finalise a contract, ask for a date, or make a sales pitch. Your expertise will command a good price on the 3rd; use this extra income to take a series of short pleasure trips. The 7th is perfect for buying beautiful artwork and furnishings. If you’re looking for a new place to live, you’ll find somewhere right up your street. The Full Moon on the 9th finds you getting closer to a business or romantic partner. It’s a wonderful time to let down your defences. A breath-taking gift could be given to you on Valentine’s Day. Are you single? Take this opportunity to splash out on some creature comforts. Promoting a creative project is highly favoured on the 21st, when you could get funding, publicity or both. On the 23rd, the New Moon brings excellent news about a community concern.

PISCES [19 FEB – 20 MAR]

An influential friend will promote your interests on the 2nd. If someone proposes to write a reference, set up a blind date, or arrange a job interview on your behalf, you should take them up on their offer immediately. An important person will be impressed by your gracious behaviour on the 3rd; be unswervingly polite to everyone you encounter. Give yourself a reward for reaching a health goal on the 9th, when the Full Moon yields admirable results. Take yourself off to a private hideaway with your lover on Valentine’s Day. If you’re single, you may prefer to embrace your freedom than look for love. It may be necessary to think again about some personal plans on the 17th; be flexible. Your star power will be evident to everyone on the 19th; have fun basking in the spotlight. The New Moon on the 23rd is perfect for changing your appearance. Updating your hairstyle, expanding your wardrobe, or undergoing a cosmetic procedure are all possibilities.

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