Essential Marbella Magazine March 2012 by Essential Magazine

FREE MAGAZINE - COSTA DEL SOL N º153 - MARCH 2012

essential essential marbella® magazine ISSUE 153 • MARCH 2012

ESSENTIAL FOR LUXURIOUS LIVING

THE GREAT

HEALTH

DEBATE Range Rover

EVOQUE

WHO WANTS

TO LIVE FOREVER?

VICTORIO & LUCCHINO Spring Wear

ANTI-AGEING SPECIAL

TOP WELL-BEING Retreats

Health

MATTERS

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

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Issue 153 • March 2012

S T A F F PUBLISHER AND DIRECTOR GENERAL MANAGER

ANDREA BÖJTI sales@essentialmagazine.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

MARISA CUTILLAS editorial@essentialmagazine.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER SALES SUPPORT ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

IAIN BLACKWELL director@essentialmagazine.com

SUSANNE WHITAKER design@essentialmagazine.com JAN DENDAUW jan@essentialmagazine.com

DESIGN & LAYOUT STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

MARIANO JEVA cuentas@essentialmagazine.com

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MONIKA BÖJTI info@essentialmagazine.com

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DEPÓSITO LEGAL

INMA AURIOLES MELINDA SZARVAS KEVIN HORN IAIN BLACKWELL, MICHEL CRUZ, SARAH HARDING, ANNIE HEESE, KEZIA JACOBSEN, AJ LINN, SCOTT PRIESTLY, RICHARD WHALEY, TONY WHITNEY, AMY WILLIAMS, DAVID WISHART, ROD YOUNGER FAMOUS, JAN DENDAUW, GARY EDWARDS, JOHNNY GATES, AJ LINN, KH PHOTOGRAPHY JIMÉNEZ GODOY A. GRÁFICAS, MURCIA D.L. MA-512-99

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

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

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contents The Trend 14 Films 16 DVDs 18 Books 22 Gadgets 24 Cars: The Range Rover Evoque

The Focus 30 Conventional vs Alternative Health Care 36 The Effects of Modern Living on Health 38 Dr. Perricone – Specialist on Ageing 40 Sari Dewald – Physiotherapist, Masseuse and Pilates Trainer

The Style 44 Stylish New Designs at Bo Concept 52 Décor News: Roche Bobois 54 Gardening as a Form of Exercise 56 Fashion: Victorio + Lucchino Spring Wear 62 Fashion News 64 All About Kids

The Spa 66 The Miraculous Benefits of Juicing 68 EasyMed: Remote Mobile Health Care 70 Live Your Best Life 72 How to Avoid Alzheimer’s 74 Spanish Medical Breakthroughs 76 Health News 78 Health Profile: Dynamic Training Centre 80 Beauty News

The Pro 82 Enterprise 92 Business Profile: Linea Directa 94 Finance: Defining UK Residence for Tax Purposes

The Vibe 96 Out and About on the Marbella Social Scene

The Leisure 98 Top International Health Retreats 104 Golf: The Andalucía Open 106 Hotel: Faiplay Golf Hotel & Spa

The Gourmet 109 Regina 111 Poco Loco 112 Food News 114 Chef Profile: Mauricio Giovanini of Messina 116 Cádiz Red Wines

The Guide 118 Listings

The Blog 126 Kids Zone 127 Pet News 128 What’s On in March 130 Your Stars for March

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WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL

Good health is something that we tend to take for granted and most of us were born with an abundance of it. Unfortunately, the modern lifestyle as reflected in the developed world, epitomised by poor diet, alcohol and drug abuse, sedentary habits, lack of exercise, stress and anxiety, is not synonymous with ever-lasting health. However, it is at least encouraging to see a counter culture, particularly among the youth, where fitness and working out play an important role in their lives. In this spring issue, we focus on Health and Medicine, kicking off with the Great Health Debate that is conventional vs alternative healthcare and medication and the Effects of Modern Living on Health. We also take a look at Spanish Medical Breakthroughs, the miraculous benefits of Juicing, how to avoid Alzheimer’s, and remote health monitoring, as exemplified by EasyMed.

We visit some of the world’s most renowned health retreats, including Bath, Baden Baden and Vichy and take a relaxing trip to the Fairplay Golf Hotel & Spa at Benalup in Cádiz. Don’t miss our profile on top ageing specialist Dr. Perricone who has developed a unique range of cosmeceuticals and, here in Marbella, we discuss optimum health with Sari Dewald, an experienced physiotherapist, masseuse and Pilates trainer, and we go to see why the Dynamic Training Centre is currently all the rage. Elsewhere, we bring you a deluxe drive in the evocative new Range Rover Evoque, supreme contemporary style à la Bo Concept and Roche Bobois, colourful Spring wear from Victorio & Lucchino, reviews of irresistible restaurants and tempting wines and much more besides. We hope you will be feeling better after another good dose of your favourite monthly read!

TO YOUR GOOD HEALTH! La salud es algo que a menudo no valoramos como se merece y quizás sea porque la mayoría de nosotros nacemos gozando de ella. Tristemente, la vida moderna en el mundo desarrollado se caracteriza por una dieta poco saludable, en la que muchos abusan de las drogas y del alcohol y llevan vidas sedentarias (el estrés y la ansiedad no ayudan). Sin embargo, hay otra cultura naciendo, especialmente entre la juventud, en la que el ejercicio y la vida sana juegan un papel importante en la vida diaria. En esta edición primaveral, nos centramos en la Salud y la Medicina, empezando con un reportaje sobre la medicina convencional contra la alternativa. También vemos cómo nuestra vida actual afecta la salud y vemos algunos avances españoles en el mundo de la medicina. En otras secciones, descubrimos los beneficios milagrosos del zumo natural y aprendemos cómo evitar el Alzheimer y cómo podemos gozar de un seguimiento sanitario a distancia, gracias a empresas como EasyMed. Visitamos algunos de los sitios más saludables del mundo, como Bath, Baden Baden y Vichy, y

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luego descansamos un poquito en el Fairplay Golf Hotel y Spa en Benalup en Cádiz. No te pierdas nuestro reportaje sobre el gurú de la medicina anti-envejecimiento, Dr. Nicholas Perricone y su línea de cosmética que combate la arrugas y la flacidez de la piel de forma activa. Nos montamos a bordo del nuevo Range Rover Evoque, gozamos del estilo rompedor

de Bo Concept y Roche Bobois, y vemos lo último de la moda de Victorio & Lucchino, parándonos un momento a probar los manjares de los mejores restaurantes de Marbella y bebiendo los vinos de Cádiz. ¡Esperamos que esta edición te haga sentir mucho mejor con todo su contenido fresco y rejuvenecedor!

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F&C Marbella Essential Ad 22.02_Layout 1 23/02/2012 10:34 Page 1

Multi-award winning luxury estate agents in 300 locations worldwide ALTOS DE PUENTE ROMANO, MARBELLA - PRICE: 7.900.000€ This spacious family home is located only a five minute drive from the centre of Marbella and comprises on the ground floor, a large lounge, separate dining room, TV room/playroom, kitchen, utility room, separate cloakroom, large covered terrace which currently houses a dining and seating area from which to appreciate the fabulous views. The first floor comprises four en suite bedrooms, two that have dressing rooms and covered balconies that overlook the gardens and enjoy the impressive garden and sea views. The basement has been thoughtfully developed and includes a self-contained staff quarters, laundry room, sauna, a multi-purpose room, shower room and the garage. The swimming pool to this villa is safely enclosed within a fenced area. • Approx. 4,200m² plot • Approx. 711m² built • 2 Bedroomed Guest/Staff Cottage • Five Bedrooms • 24/7 Gate Community

• Panoramic Sea Views • Large Lawn Garden • Underfloor Heating • Alarm System • Garage For Five Cars

LA ALQUERÍA, BENAHAVIS - PRICE: 2.250.000€ This beautifully built front line golf villa has fantastic views of the golf course and the mountains and has been constructed using the best quality materials including Portuguese marble tiles in all of the bathrooms. The ground floor comprises an impressive double height entrance hall, large lounge, TV room, dining room, kitchen and one of the five en suite bedrooms. The spacious en suite master bedroom, and two other spacious en suite bedrooms are on the first floor and all have access to a large balcony. The expansive basement of the villa has room for development but at present comprises a cinema, store room, dressing room, utility room, machine room, large games room/Bodega and a self-contained separate staff apartment. • Approx. 1,580m² plot • Approx. 911m² built • Golf & Sea Views • Infinity Pool • Quality Build

• Cinema • Underfloor Heating • Security System & CCTV • Marble Throughout • Games Room/Bodega

ALTOS REALES, MARBELLA - PRICE: 1.500.000€ This is a contemporary style villa with fabulous sea views situated in the exclusive area of Altos Reales, only a five minute drive from the centre of Marbella with its beautiful sandy beaches. It has mature gardens with several palm trees surrounding the delightful swimming pool and from its raised position enjoys the best sea views possible. It has four en suite bedrooms on the first floor, three of which have access to the balcony. From the first floor one can access the large roof terrace which has a built in barbecue. On the ground floor there is a staff en suite bedroom which has a separate entrance from outside.

• Approx. 1,000m² plot • Approx. 332m² built • Fantastic Sea Views • Close To Marbella • 24/7 Gated Security

Fine & Country Marbella Marbella Club Hotel, 29602 Marbella, Malaga, Spain

• Staff En-Suite With Separate Access • Mature Gardens • Roof Terrace With BBQ • New Kitchen

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F&C Marbella Essential Ad 22.02_Layout 1 23/02/2012 10:34 Page 2

Marbella

SIERRA BLANCA, MARBELLA - PRICE: 9.500.000€ This stunning contemporary villa is located in a sought after exclusive, secure gated urbanization which is only a 10 minute drive from all amenities, the centre of Marbella and its beaches. Completed in 2007, it has been built to the highest standards of workmanship and has every facility necessary to make a magnificent permanent residence or temporary holiday home. The villa is built in a modern style and decorated in subtle light colours throughout bringing an ambience of calm and relaxation. It has five en suite bedrooms, all consistent with the same fabulous décor as the rest of the villa, an amazing private cinema, a gym, games room and a Turkish bath. • Approx. 3,200m² plot • Approx. 1,633m² built • 24/7 Gated Security • Stunning Panoramic Views • Heated Pool

• Jacuzzi • Cinema, Gym & Games Room • Underfloor Heating • Music System Throughout • Close To Marbella

CORTIJO BLANCO, MARBELLA - PRICE: 2.500.000€ Situated in this very quiet cul de sac and very close to the beach, this beautiful villa has several outstanding features including a lift, Jacuzzi, and a separate apartment with its own access for guests or staff. An expansive covered terrace overlooks the mature gardens which are automatically irrigated and feature a swimming pool and pagoda with Jacuzzi. It is only a two-minute walk to the beach with its bars, restaurants and promenade and only a five-minute drive into Puerto Banus. This property also offers exceptional value for money and room for development as it also has an expansive basement with refurbishment potential. • Approx. 1,293m² Plot • Approx. 900m² Built • Walking Distance To Beach • Large Jacuzzi • Lift

• Basement To Convert • Large Garage • Underfloor Heating • Six Bedrooms/Bathrooms • Separate Guest/Staff Apartment

VILLA ROSA, NUEVA ANDALUCIA - PRICE: 1.950.000€ Built by its current owners in the Golf Valley of Nueva Andalucia this villa was completed in 2003 and finished to a very high standard. It is only a 5 minute drive from the hustle and bustle of Puerto Banus and only 10 minutes from the sandy beaches of Marbella with shops, restaurants, international schools and golf courses all within the immediate vicinity. One of the five en suite bedrooms is located on the ground floor which also comprises a lounge, snug room, dining room, open plan kitchen and cloakroom. A secluded covered terrace adjoins the lounge and has a dining area with BBQ and a seating area overlooking the split level gardens.

• Approx. 1,657m² plot • Approx. 833m² built • Lift • Large Swimming Pool • Large Terraces

• Open Views • Separate Snug/TV Room • Close To Golf Courses • Close To Amenities

THETREND REVIEWS

Cinema This Means War

WORDS marisa cutillas

»»Genre

Comedy/Romance

»»Director

Martha Marcy May Marlene

If you’ve seen Legally Blonde or Sweet Home McG (Terminator Alabama then you may agree that actress Salvation) Reese Witherspoon is every inch the comic » » Actors Reese genius that Doris Day was in her day; few Witherspoon, others are capable of comedic roles while Chris Pine, Rebel looking enviably gorgeous. In This Means Wolson War, she plays the object of desire of two friends who also happen to be CIA agents. As the competition heats up by the second and the friends begin to rely on their finely honed CIA strategies to eliminate each other from the race to win her heart, the foundations of their friendship begin to shake, yet frankly, they don’t give a damn!

You may have heard of Mary-Kate and Ashely Olsen, the twins who began their careers as babies, starring in the hit 1980s TV series, Full House. These days, they’re all grown up and pursuing careers in fashion design, meanwhile their little sister, Elizabeth Olsen, aged 23, is taking up where they left off, lighting up the big screen in interesting roles such as that of Martha, the character she plays in the hit psychological thriller of the season, Martha Marcy May Marlene. Martha is a young woman who is extremely fragile after having escaped from a sect and its cunning leader (played by John Hawkes). She turns to her sister and brother-in-law for help, but refuses to let them know the real reason for her disappearance. Suddenly, memory flashes begin making Martha increasingly paranoid, fearing that members of her former sect will come after her. As she struggles against mental illness, the line between reality and illusion begins to blur.

»»Genre Thriller »»Director

James McTeigue (V for Vendetta) »»Actors John Cusack, Luke Evans, Alice Eve

»»Genre Drama/Thriller »»Director Sean Durkin (Doris) »»Actors Elizabeth Olsen,

Christopher Abbott, Hugh Dancy

Elizabeth Olsen: Rising to Thespian Challenges Elizabeth Olsen is known as one of Hollywood’s new ‘it’ girls, famed for starting trends, gracing magazine covers and modelling the wares of top international fashion designers. But her performance in Martha Marcy May Marelen proves that she is much less concerned about dazzling the paparazzi on the red carpet than she is about proving herself as a capable actress. When asked how she coped with playing Martha, she told us: “I have always been fascinated with the source of mental illness. Knowing how someone with paranoid schizophrenia confronts daily life is very interesting to me. So I tried to really get in her skin and react to her surroundings the way someone with her condition would. I think that you can’t understand how isolating it can be to doubt the reality of the world you’re living in. I think that to a great extent, I came to understand Martha as a person and that gave me the confidence I needed to play her.”

The Raven

The Raven will undoubtedly be one of the most watched films of the season, owing in no small part to the big fan base still enjoyed by one of the most terror-inducing authors of all time: Edgar Allan Poe. Director James McTeigue (who proved more than capable of fusing the thriller and romance genres in V for Vendetta), takes us to 19th century Baltimore, where Edgar Allan Poe (played by prolific actor John Cusack) uses his powers of deduction to help a young detective find a killer who is using Poe’s works to inspire a series of brutal assassinations.

One for the Money »»Genre

Comedy/ Romance

»»Director

Julie Ann Robinson

»»Actors

Katherine Heigl, Jason O’Mara

these days and while we doing nothing but rom coms Katherine Heigl seems to be to admit that her films ten has challenging flicks, we would like to see her in more py vibe. In One for the good time and a positive, hap are usually a guarantee of a has just got ten divorced who an , a 30-year-old wom Money she plays Stephanie Plum s a job at her cousin’s rather desperate, she accept down a former and lost her job. Penniless and king trac lves first assignment invo bail-bond business, where her e been her first love der – who also happens to hav policeman on the run for mur hunter, she sets out to nty bou h the help of a skilled when they were teenagers. Wit once broke her heart. ser ve revenge on the man who

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Nueva Andalucia

s t s i l a i Spec

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La Cerquilla

Casa Shogun

Situated in a quiet cul-de-sac in Nueva Andalucia, in the area known as “La Cerquilla”, frontline of Los Naranjos Golf.

Plot ›› 4 067 m2 Built ›› 888 m2

Bedrooms ›› 7 Bathrooms ›› 5

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Price ›› € 3 800 000

THETREND REVIEWS

Dvd

WORDS marisa cutillas

»»Genre Thriller/

Flypaper

Comedy

»»Director Rob

Minkoff (The Forbidden Any red-blooded female who grew up Kingdom) in the 1980s and blossomed into a »»ACTORS Patrick woman in the 1990s probably holds Dempsey, Ashley Judd a special place in her heart for Patrick Dempsey, former teen actor and now hunkalicious star of films and top TV series, Grey’s Anatomy. In Flypaper, Dempsey takes his charm factor to overdrive, playing an intelligent bank customer who is caught between two simultaneous robberies. Think of Flypaper as a cross between Entrapment (starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Sean Connery) and Hitchcock’s How to Catch a Thief. Pepper it with the suspense of the board game Cluedo and you have a fun, light yet tense film packed with a few surprises.

ASE OF THE MONTH FEATURED DVD RELE

The Iron Lady »»Genre Biopic da Lloyd (Mamma Mia!) »»Director Phylli eep, Jim Broadbent, Richard E. Grant »»ACTORS Meryl Str

es of the Iron Lady about the life and tim In this powerful biopic the title role ys tcher, Meryl Streep pla herself, Margaret Tha first female the ich wh to the extent to perfection, revealing in ss order to rifice personal happine British PM had to sac by men. The film ted in a world domina make her voice heard difficult task of the h wit ed fac in her 80s, begins with Margaret nnis, who has De , gings of her husband putting away the belon ries find their mo me t tan Dis rs previously. passed away two yea tch wa old home as Margaret begins to way into the present d an g Dennis’ youth, movies recorded durin all the difficult on t ec refl she begins to order to satiate her choices she made in s streak. iou bit unstoppable am

We Bought a Zoo »»Genre True Story »»Director Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire)

»»Actors Matt Damon, Scarlett

Johansson, Thomas Haden Church

If you’re looking for a DVD the whole family will enjoy, try this true story about widower Benjamin Mee (played by Matt Damon) who tries to give his children a second chance at happiness by buying a house which stands in the middle of a dilapidated zoo, which he fights to restore to its original splendour.

3 D in r e k c a r t u N The

»»Genre Fantasy

h) chalovskiy (Tango & Cas »»Director AndreyninKon John Tur turo e, Lan han Nat g, Elle Fan

»»ACTORS

live missed out on a ildren so if you’ve ch ? for 3D t lle in , ba me ed ho lov in your very own perhaps the bestd by auty and fantasy de be The Nutcracker is un its rro all su is joy o en wh t tly, why no of the 1920s, performance recen girl in the Vienna y little brother and ria, a nine-year-old Ma ssled by her pesk ys Ha pla s. ing toy d nn an Fa ts Elle jec ob l s for adventure tifu arn au ye be e multitude of cted parents, sh tra dis t bu d her solitude and a and gives ne tio en arrives in her home ngs by her well int dear Uncle Albert r left to her imagini unknown he an ing o en int ev ter e en company. On invites Maria to o wh ll, do r and entertaining r. ke ge ac tcr ng is ten times lar sent: a wooden nu and where every thi her a special pre on a human form e tak s toy ere wh dimension,

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THETREND REVIEWS

Books

1 Marisa Cutillas brings us the latest must reads on the subject of health, nutrition and fitness

1 THE SECRET INGREDIENT: DELICIOUS AND EASY HEART-HEALTHY RECIPES THAT MIGHT JUST SAVE YOUR LIFE BY SALLY BEE

This book has just popped onto my Amazon wish list (hint hint!) not just because it looks good and is selling like hotcakes, but also because I had a flick through it and came across the most appetising dishes I had not seen in a long time, including an Italian ‘blushing pasta’, drizzled with red pepper swirls; a colourful prawn, avocado and pecan herb salad; and a scrumptiouslooking baked crusty fennel. The recipes are meant to be much more than delicious, of course, since the book’s author, Sally Bee, is a true survivor, having suffered three heart attacks within the space of one week, at the age of 36. Sally had not been a smoker or drinker and she was physically fit. Against all odds, five years down the track, she is alive, glowing and convinced that healthy eating has a lot to do with it. In this book, she offers readers comforting classics and delicious desserts that promote cardiovascular health and even excess weight loss. More importantly, it contains much more than salads and boring veg, with family-friendly dishes like Chili Con Healthy, Healthiest-Ever Lasagna, Ratatouille Chicken Tray Bake and BBQ Fruit Skewers with Ice Cream keeping kids and adults alike happy and satisfied. Sally is now a spokeswoman for the British Heart Foundation and a trained heart therapist who gives talks for heart rehabilitation patients.

2 ‘I WISH I HADN’T EATEN THAT’: SIMPLE DIETARY SOLUTIONS FOR THE 20 MOST COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS 2 BY MARIA CROSS

Even the healthiest of people often have nagging health issues that seem to stand in the way of a truly satisfying life… things like frequent colds, bloating, weight gain, acne, food cravings, mild depression, migraines. What would you say if you discovered that these symptoms could be caused by your diet? This book will give you detailed information on the link between particular foods and common ailments, suggesting simple, practical changes that provide life-changing effects.

3 52 SMALL CHANGES: ONE YEAR TO A HAPPIER, HEALTHIER YOU

BY BRETT BLUMENTHAL

This book is a great example of how taking small steps, some so tiny they barely affect your lifestyle, is a powerful way to achieve lasting change. Brett Blumenthal is a wellness coach and award-winning writer who invites you to make just one small change a week for 52 weeks and to compare your level of health and fitness at the end of this small journey, to how you were when you started. The book covers subjects such as nutrition, exercise, stress management, mental equilibrium and your home environment.

4 ANNABEL KARMEL’S NEW COMPLETE BABY & TODDLER MEAL BY ANNABEL KARMEL

When I became a new mum three years ago, I’ll never forget the nutrition Bible that got me through the angst of not knowing what to feed my baby and when. Annabel Karmel is perhaps the biggest-selling baby and toddler food expert, thanks to her beautiful, easy-to-follow recipes and tips for parents. In this latest edition of what is her number one best-seller, Karmel provides 200 quick, easy and healthy recipes the whole family will enjoy. She offers a few vegetarian options too, such as a spinach lasagne you won’t believe is meat-free, hearty soups and irresistible pasta sauces. This is a must for any household with children, young or old.

5 RUN FAT B!TCH RUN: THE ONLY PERSONAL TRAINER YOU’LL EVER NEED BY RUTH FIELD

Ruth Field is a barrister as well as a passionate runner, and that probably explains the witty banter and side-splitting anecdotes you will find in this book. She espouses that when it comes to breaking out of a weight loss plateau or deciding to incorporate a regular fitness routine into your life, there is nothing like taking the reins of your own exercise routine through the free, challenging and fun sport of running. What I like about this book is how unforgiving it is of apathetic and conformist mentalities, with the author telling her readers: “Scrutinise yourself naked and tell yourself the ugly truth — in the quest for a better, leaner body, it is better to really make yourself feel fat and ugly.” Indeed, self-love won’t get you off the couch; but a tiny dose of self-loathing may just do the trick!

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VILLA MARKETING Since 1983

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OPPORTUNITY Ref. VM09539 Magnificent spacious villa, frontline golf Nueva Andalucia, 7 bedrooms with self contained apartment, 4.000 m2 plot, tennis court, lovely views. Large rooms, top quality, private drive, heated pool, sauna, underfloor heating, wine cellar. Price reduced to €3.200.000

Nueva Andalucia Ref. VM09481 Villa situated in a gated community with security 24 hours, beautiful sea views, renovated to high quality, 4 large bedrooms including a very large master suite, spacious living room, dining area, study, modern kitchen and 3 car garage.

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Ref. VM10218 Nueva Andalucia Ref. VM07821 Nueva Andalucia South facing villa in a gated community, recently renovated, 3 bedrooms Villa within walking distance to amenities, recently refurbished, faces west with with possibility of 4th bedroom. Living-dining room plus another sitting lots of sun all day. Large living area, big kitchen, 4 bedrooms, plus separate room,spacious sunny terraces. New kitchen with breakfast corner. Garage for bungalow with living area, kitchen, and bedroom suite. Garage and swimming pool. 2 cars. Price reduced to €695.000 Price reduced to €725.000 Casaño 10-B, Nueva Andalucía (Pass the Bullring, beside BBVA bank) Tel: 952 810 695 enquiries@villamarketing.com Sales - Long & Short Term Rentals - Property Management

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THETREND REVIEWS WORDS ROD YOUNGER

t appears that Spanish crime fiction, whether by Spanish authors or English language authors, is a very poor third cousin to the Scandinavian ‘noir’ version and the more sensationalist UK version. This, despite the fact that Spain and its culture provide a rich source of material for the creation of interesting scenarios and characters and there is a good catalogue of crime fiction-based series in Spain ranging from Manuel Vázquez Montalbán (Detective Pepe Carvalho series) and Domingo Villar to Robert Wilson (Blind Man of Seville, etc.) and Quintin Jardine (Primavera Blackstone, etc.), along with excellent one-offs such as Deadly Secrets by Robert Tenison. In fact, there are over 50 books (and growing) in the Books4Spain Crime Fiction and Thriller category. Unfortunately, I’ve not read as much Spanish crime fiction as perhaps I should have, something I am trying to remedy, but what I can say is that, having recently read Death on a Galician Shore, it appears modern Spanish crime fiction is more than capable of competing with clever, intelligent and realistic scenarios, of which P. D. James and Michael Connelly are prime examples. Rather than focus on unrealistic scenarios,

Domingo Villar ploughs that well trodden route of a local crime motivated by ‘normal’ reasons. Vigo is hardly the best-known city in Spain let alone Europe, but the descriptions of the city and the surrounding area are vivid, one can empathise and sympathise (or not) with the principal characters, and the scenarios and plot are entirely credible. The main character, Leo Caldas, Inspector of Vigo police, is someone most people should be able to relate to – no major quirks, defects, strange habits or skeletons in the cupboard. However, like many of us, he has his issues, his problems and his idiosyncrasies – the thing is they are realistic and not exaggerated for affect. The plot contains no politics, no internal feuding or direct confrontation – I’ve often wondered if there really is so much confrontation and bickering in police forces or whether it is just another device used by authors to cover up weaknesses in the plot. Death on a Galician Shore is book which focuses equally on the plot and the characters. It may sound boring to some but it’s a relief to read a crime novel which is not attempting to be sensionalist and which focuses on telling a realistic story. Villar also draws

attention to the well known (to Spaniards at least!) Galician trait of never answering a question with a straight answer – which is a nice ‘local’ touch and something I myself was not aware of – and one of my best friends is a Galician! If I had to find fault with the book it would be the lack of any acknowledgement of the role of technology or the Internet in today’s modern world and, at a push, the localised nature of the story – Spain has a lifestyle and culture which merits greater exploration but then I’ve learnt very little about Scandinavian or UK history and culture from reading Larsson et al. In truth, Death on a Galician Shore could have been based in any coastal fishing town/ city in northern Europe but I wonder, had it been written by a Scandinavian author, would it have created a much greater splash than it actually has in the English speaking world (it has been a best seller in the Spanish speaking world)? To summarise, Death on a Galician Shore is a well written, well-plotted, ‘classic’ crime novel and I’m looking forward to reading Water-blue Eyes by the same author and discovering more Spanish crime fiction, written both by Spaniards as well as non-Spaniards. e

DEATH ON A GALICIAN SHORE by Domingo Villar Death on a Galician Shore is available from www.books4spain.com in both paperback and eBook formats. The paperback is discounted and, for a limited period, includes free shipping. Books4Spain is offering a 10 per cent discount for all readers. Simply select the books you wish to buy and, on checkout, use the Promo Code: ESSENTIAL

i www.books4spain.com

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Jardines Colgantes Very private and quiet apartment in the gated Marbella Hill Club with some of the most beautiful views over the coast and the sea onto Gibraltar and North Africa. The apartment has been refurbished to the highest standards and is in immaculate condition. The apartment has been interior designed and is for sale fully furnished. Large terrace with private pool. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Cooling: Air conditioning. Heating: Air conditioning, underfloor heating thorughout the apartment. Fully equipped kitchen and garage. Covered area: 173 m2 • Terraces: 107 m2 • 790.000 euros

Playa Esmeralda – Golden Mile The apartment is south- facing, offering a spacious living room leading onto a large terrace with lovely views onto the garden and the sea beyond. It comprises of three bedrooms and three bathrooms,two of them ensuite.This very luxurious complex has 24 hours security and concierge services. Beautuful gardens and swimming pools.Garage and Storage room. Covered area: 155 m2 • Terrace: 25 m2 • 975.000 euros

Las Cañas Beach – Golden Mile Beach front complex. Garden apartment 50 metres away from the beach.Large private terrace and garden. Direct access to community pool and gardens. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living/dining room, fitted kitchen and utility room.

Oasis de Marbella – Golden Mile South facing penthouse apartment in a Mediterranean style, fully gated complex on the Golden Mile with good sea views, beautiful communal gardens and pool,walking distance to the beach. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms,large roof top terrace, garage.

Marina Puente Romano Impeccable duplex penthouse with beautiful sea views only a few steps from the beach and the promenade. 3 bedrooms,3 bathrooms, guest cloakroom, large terraces with plunge pool. Marina Puente Romano has beautifully landscaped and well maintained gardens with swimming pools. Garage and storeroom. offers invited! • Covered area: 218 m2 • Terrace 101 m2 • 1.995.000 euros

Covered area: 116 m2 • Terrace: 68 m2 • 450.000 euros

Covered area: 99 m2 • Terrace: 50 m2 • 495.000 euros

Urb. Coral Beach, 29602 Marbella • Tel: 34-952 765 636 klein@kleinandpartner.com • www.kleinandpartner.com •153 Klein.indd 1

2/22/12 4:54 PM

THETREND GADGETS LOGITECH CUBE

Looking for a unique gift for a special someone or in the mood for giving yourself a treat for tasks accomplished? Take your pick from these top techy buys for the season.

It may be hard to believe but this elegant new device is actually a mouse, Logitech’s cutting edge answer to problems with current mouse ergonomics. Just swipe your finger along its main panel to scroll or lift it in the air during a presentation, clicking it to advance to the next slide or flipping it over in your hand and clicking it again to backtrack. i www.logitech.com

SAMSUNG SERIES 7 MONITORS

Samsung has updated its Series 7 Monitor line with two new beauties: the Series 7 Smart Station and the Series 7 HDTV. The former boasts Mobile High Definition Link (MHL) technology, which allows you to view your phone contents diagonally and in a much larger, clearer way. Showy features include a brightness level of 300 cd/m2, a contrast of 5.000:1 and a resolution of 1080p. The Series 7 HDTV, meanwhile, also boasts MHL connection for tablets or phones, as well as HDMI and VGA technology. i www.samsung.com

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

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Ozone brings us a sexy new mouse for gamers seeking ultimate man-machine connection. It is highly ergonomic, super sensitive to movement and boasts eight different buttons for pure unadulterated control. i www.ozonegaming.com

NOKIA LUMIA 710 PHONE

Nokia’s second Windows phone comes with an internal memory of 6GB, a 9.4cm screen and a colourful design. It also houses a 5MB camera, a terrific GPS system and cloud storage through Microsoft’s SkyDrive. i www.nokia.com

SAMSUNG DA-E750 & DA-E670 AUDIO DOCK SYSTEMS

Samsung’s newest audio dock systems invite you to a world of enhanced connectivity and style and support a wide range of Galaxy S and Apple devices through both docked and wireless connectivity. The DA-E750 features Samsung’s exclusive hybrid vacuum tube amplifier technology (bliss to the ears of any true music lover), while the DA-E670 offers an amazing listening experience while charging the batteries of devices being used. i www.samsung.com

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When I first saw the Range Rover Evoque at one of the big international motor shows earlier last year, I loved the way it looked, but took it for a stylish luxury crossover, more at home cruising along an elegant shopping street or down to the golf club than charging through the forest and over the mountains. WORDS TONY WHITNEY

n fact, nothing could be further from the truth. The Evoque is capable of just about any off-road chore that other Land Rover products are known for handling. To prove the point, Range Rover hosted one of its media launches in the Whistler Village area of Canada – epicentre of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. We took a run all the way to the top of the primary ski hill – over 2,000 metres above sea level (and we started this particular day’s drive at sea level). And what’s more, we didn’t stick to the well-graded gravel service roads used by ski area maintenance equipment, but also travelled all kinds of old, washed-out, trails that would place serious demands on any off-road vehicle. Some of them had deep gullies across them that could only be traversed by driving diagonally (and very carefully!) through the obstacle. Thankfully, it was too early for there to be any serious snow much below 1,500metres. More than likely, other Evoque press events made use of territory like this to prove that the vehicle is more than just a boulevard cruiser and no doubt other media attendees were as impressed as we were. It was amazing how the Evoque handled this kind of terrain, but confirmed that British (though Indian-owned) manufacturer Land Rover is determined that every one of its products can go just about anywhere, even if it seems too elegant to handle it. These are what the company calls ‘classic Land Rover elements’. I’ve been able to drive Land Rovers all over the world in recent years,

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including such places as Iceland, the Arctic, the Rocky Mountains and the Gulf States. Everywhere I travelled – from glaciers to deserts – the amazing vehicles performed flawlessly. The Evoque has every right to be classified with the best of them. The Evoque is a great looking SUV and the new line-up has a major surprise – there’s a Coupé version available! This is a bold move because nobody’s tried a two-door luxury SUV for years, although in the early days of sport utility vehicles, two doors was the norm, though rarely in the upscale segments. While both variants look very handsome, I liked the Coupé a lot for its originality. Both Evoques look great, but the Coupé has something special. And it’s not cramped in the back either, as many may think. There’s the same amount of room back there as there is with the four-door model and it’s pretty easy to climb inside too. Both Evoques are fairly compact, which means they’re very easy to manoeuvre and park. This means a lot for a city dweller. Other Range Rovers are bulky vehicles that are not among the easiest to handle around town. For powerplants, the Evoque range – at least in Europe – is dominated by diesels and although they are all of 2.2-litres displacement, there are two versions, offering 150 and 190 horsepower respectively. The 150-hp diesel has a combined fuel economy rating of 5.0-litres/100 km, which is impressive for an upscale vehicle like this one. I’ve always liked Land Rover diesels and have enjoyed many trips across Europe in vehicles so equipped. Nowadays, they’re quiet, refined and economical and offer that most valued of benefits in any vehicle – lots of torque.

ENGINE: Choice of 2.2-litre diesel or 2.0-litre turbo petrol TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic. All models except entry-level have 4WD. ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h in approx. 7.6-seconds (turbo model). TOP SPEED: Approx. 217 km/h. (turbo model) I LIKED: Styling (especially 2-door), cabin treatment, Land Rover ‘go anywhere’ capability, comfort, handling, build quality, compact size. I DIDN’T LIKE: Probably needs a V-6 to be a Mercedes/BMW beater, but this is a tough product to find fault with. MARKET ALTERNATIVES: BMW X3, Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLK. There’s aren’t many choices when it comes to prestige SUVs with compact dimensions. WHO DRIVES ONE? Buyers who admire the prestige and capability of Range Rovers, but don’t want a large and expensive vehicle. People who spend most of their driving time on roads and streets, but like to get out into the mountains now and again. PRICE AND AVAILABILITY: Available now, starting at €33.900

Even so, the ‘sports superstar’ of the Evoque range (which includes ‘Pure’, ‘Prestige’ and ‘Dynamic’ variants) is the one with the 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo engine delivering an impressive 240-horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. It’s no slouch and is capable of hauling the vehicle over very steep gradients, but on the motorway, it’s surprisingly fast, smooth and quiet, considering it’s ‘only a four-banger’. The transmission – as with all the other Evoque models – is a 6-speed automatic which drives all four wheels on most versions aided by a “Terrain Response” sequence selected by the driver using console buttons – snow, mud, sand and so on. Key tech highlights include anti-lock brakes and a full range of electronic stability aids, tyre pressure monitoring, climate control, Bluetooth compatibility, an 11-speaker 380-watt stereo system and many other convenience and safety features. Despite its modest price for a Range Rover, the Evoque has a wonderfully luxurious interior that’s only a little short of the bigger models. It seems almost as roomy as a big Range Rover, so someone has done some clever packaging here because the exterior dimensions are very trim. There’s an amazing sunroof, which is probably the largest I’ve ever seen on a vehicle in this class – there’s a full panoramic view for those who aren’t concentrating on driving the vehicle. It doesn’t open, but that doesn’t seem to matter that much. Leather trim is optional, plus one or two other goodies that aren’t included with the base Evoque – though only a small number. One unique feature is a ‘puddle light’ that shines a profile of the Evoque onto the ground where you step in or out of the vehicle – fascinating, and surely a first for any maker! Believe it or not, Land Rover is actually talking about a convertible version of its Range Rover Evoque! The new Evoque is quite a surprise from Range Rover, though we knew it was coming for some time. It brings ownership of the brand to a whole new group of buyers and will probably attract people who normally make do with less distinguished nameplates. As a companion vehicle to a nice new Jaguar XF, it would be just perfect. Its compact dimensions actually make it far more useful for European towns and cities than its larger siblings in the Land Rover line-up. As a bonus, the Evoque has already won numerous ‘SUV of the year’ titles during 2012 and that augers well for the future of this famed UK vehicle manufacturer and pioneer of the SUVs that are so common today. e

MARCH 2012 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 25

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Trips that people dream about

Once clients pass the threshold of the office, they will be conscious that they are not visiting a conventional travel agency. As Cristina explains, “the traveller begins to travel on entering NUBA”. Countless maps, presentations, photos, videos and books are available to browse and it’s difficult to know where the client will finally chose and what exciting experiences await them. Only through close collaboration with the highly trained consultants, will it be possible to make an almost impossible dream come true. The choice of once-in-a-lifetime experience holidays is extensive and includes sunrise balloon flights over the African savannah to private candlelit dinners in temples for newlyweds. Even expeditions to Antarctica, family trips through the jungles of Costa Rica and guided archaeological excursions to Egypt can be arranged. The most exclusive accommodation, the most authentic activities and the best local guides are all on offer. Like a tailor who works with his own patterns and fabrics, the NUBA experience involves a unique and personalised journey, taking care of the smallest details.

NUBA, a travel company specialising in designing customised, private travel arrangements is bringing a new concept in holidays to Marbella. Their stylish new office, located on Avenida Canovas del Castillo No. 1 will be headed by Cristina Leyva, a seasoned professional with a real passion for the world of travel and extensive experience in the luxury end of the market. She is delighted to introduce the NUBA brand which offers a unique concept perfectly suited to Marbella’s discerning cosmopolitain audience.

NUBA’s classics

most NUBA advises the rs on the best demanding travelle vidual rding to their indi destinations acco s, ilie m fa r fo s trips needs. Whether it’ , rs lle ve tra t en pend itineraries for inde or ps tri ts or , sp responsible tourism eam itinerary is dr ch ea , ns oo honeym and attention arranged with care to detail.

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OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THIS SEASON SOUTH AFRICA

NUBA

Unforgettable, exclusive and tailor-made travel comes to Marbella

The collection of experiences for 2012 The product department have invested extensive resources in searching out unique and unpublished experiences and the NUBA 2012 catalogue is full of great new features. There is a surprising collection of new suggestions for Europe such as Scotland, Russia and Croatia, as well as new destinations in Asia including Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan. Experience Abu Dhabi in the Middle East and Cameroon in Africa. With its exceptional way of looking at the world, NUBA has also developed a World Tour to suit every traveller. The highlights include a list of memorable moments that one must experience at least once in a lifetime, such as waking up in the Crater Lodge in the Ngorongoro National Park

in Tanzania, flying over the thousands of temples of Bagan in Myanmar or spending a night in a Berber tent in the Sahara desert in Morocco. NUBA has also designed new signature trips in close collaboration with recognised experts. These incomparable trips have the added value of being led by exceptionally knowledgeable guides. During the next signature trip, In Search of the Ark of the Covenant, planned from the 5th to 17th March, an exclusive group of 12-15 travellers will have the opportunity to travel through the heart of Ethiopia to experience, in the company of archaeologist and historian Titus Vivas, the mysteries surrounding this relic, which was lost for centuries.

Beautiful Victorian style boutique offices The Marbella branch maintains the colonial spirit and image of NUBA’ s boutique offices. Travellers are transported to a 19th century geographical club, where experts research the unexplored paths that will lead them to rediscover the world.

Z Horse riding through the Grootbos Nature Reserve, among dunes covered in fynbos and wild beaches. Z Diving with great whites in Gansbaai. Z Private safaris in the Kruger National Park, a unique place to sleep in luxury camps, surrounded by wildlife. Z Cultural interaction in a Zulu village, a Xhosa settlement or a typical African farm. Z A wine tour to the vineyards of the Constantia and Boland Valleys, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek where you can taste high quality wine and sample fine cuisine.

MYANMAR

Z A sunrise balloon flight over the three thousand pagodas of Bagan. Z Visit Lake Inle, home of the Intha people, with villages on stilts, markets and the powerful image of fishermen standing on small boats. Z Meet the Padaung ethnic tribe, in the company of a private guide. A unique opportunity to learn about its ancient traditions. Z Lakeside private dining by torchlight. Z Meditation with Buddhist monks in a Dzong.

CHILE Z Beagle Channel aboard a luxury liner in the footsteps of Darwin, towards the end of the earth. Z Glamping in yurts – tents based on the tradition of the Mongolian people, with panoramic views of the Paine Massif and Lake Toro. Z Walk along the path that carried the legendary moai on Easter Island or get to know the stilt houses on the island of Chiloé. Z Stay in a spectacular private estate, surrounded by lakes and mountains in the heart of Patagonia. Z Wine tours through the valleys of Aconcagua, Casablanca and San Antonio.

MOROCCO Z Tour the valley of the Ait Bouguemez, protected by the peaks of the Atlas, and get to know the customs of the Berber tribes. Z Stay overnight in a jaima near the oasis of Iriki, in the south of Morocco. Z Travel the vast oasis of Skoura to the Dades River Valley by 4 x 4 and take a camel ride at sunrise across the sea of dunes of Erg Chebbi. Z Visit the old market Bab El Khemis and the neighborhood of Sidi Ghanen, a Colombian designer Avenida Canovas based in Marrakech. illo, 1,

NUBA MARBELLA

del Cast 29601 Marbella. 9 113. Telephone: 952 85 .net lla www.nubamarbe et a.n cristina.leyva@nub

MARCH 2012 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 27

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CULTURE / HISTORY / FAMOUS PEOPLE / INTERVIEWS / FEATURES / HUMOuR

Turn back the clock with Dr. Perricone, conventional vs. alternative health, modern living and lifestyle and healthcare guru Sari Dewald.

30 Conventional vs Alternative Health Care 36 The Effects of Modern Living on Health Care 38 Dr. Perricone - Specialist on Ageing 40 Sari Dewald - Physiotherapist, Masseuse and Pilates Trainer

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THEFOCUS HEALTH

THE GREAT

HEALTH DEBATE WORDS AMY WILLIAMS

Are your chakras in alignment? Do you eat right for your blood type? Does a reflexologist pinpoint your problem areas, or is that the job of your acupuncturist? If you answered yes to any of these questions, or regularly put yourself through something similar, you’re in the 50 per cent of the general population of developed countries who use alternative medicine.

espite living in a world where health care systems are flooded with increasingly competitive, orthodox, drug-based treatments, more and more people are turning to alternative therapies. Do they feel failed by modern medicine? Is alternative treatment just the latest fad? Or are complementary therapies really safer, more holistic and ultimately more effective than their conventional counterparts? It is a debate which rages between practitioners, proponents and patients of both. And indeed, princes. The Prince of Wales was accused of being “ideologically fixated” last year by leading science writer Simon Singh when he refused to acknowledge the findings of Singh’s extensive research into alternative therapy which presented what the author claimed was clear evidence of the therapy’s failings. The previous year, the British Medical Association openly declared homeopathy to be ‘witchcraft’ and passed a motion denouncing its use. Yet in a study spanning six years at one of the UK’s only four NHS homeopathic hospitals, a large majority of patients claim to have been conclusively cured by their homeopathic physician following years of failed treatment under conventional medicine – albeit with some of them unaware that their miracle cure was varying doses of white arsenic. The basic philosophical difference between orthodox and alternative medicine lies in the opposing definitions of health held by each approach. The conventional view of health is that it is, simply, the absence of disease; and where disease exists, it is seen as an isolated symptom, such as that caused by a virus or a biochemical imbalance. Treatment for such disease will largely involve symptom-suppressing drugs, eliminating an infection with antibiotics, or the removal of diseased tissue through surgery. Alternative medicine however, sees health as holistic wellbeing, taking into account a person’s entire physical, emotional and spiritual balance, rather than just their physical symptoms, and treating the whole person

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in order to restore the harmony to this balance, the loss of which was the cause of the ill health. It can be said that the orthodox approach to illness is reactive, whereas the holistic approach is preventative. To a practitioner of orthodox medicine, the immediate concern is tackling the illness; to a holistic physician, symptoms can often be welcomed, the exacerbation of these symptoms being referred to as a ‘healing crisis’. What the alternative practitioner would see as a positive sign of the recovery process through which the body is attempting to restore normality, the conventional medic would view as a deterioration in condition and something which must immediately be treated. So is one approach more successful than the other? Is direct and active intervention in the progression of an illness preferable to holistic care and support? Many would argue categorically, yes. Had Steve Jobs, Apple Chief Executive, embarked upon aggressive treatment of his pancreatic cancer immediately upon diagnosis in 2003 instead of initially attempting alternative therapies such as acupuncture, spiritualism and dietary modifications during the first nine months, some cancer experts argue that he could not only have extended his life, but even made a complete recovery. According to his biographer Walter Isaacson, Steve Jobs passed away last year regretting his decision not to undergo surgery sooner. In cases such as this, there is of course no way of knowing whether the outcome could have been different had a different approach been taken. What the supporters of alternative medicine do argue however, is that the risks in any form of conventional medicine, due to the use of strong drugs and surgery, are immediately higher than in the natural remedies offered by alternative treatment, with an infinitely greater likelihood of harm or even death to the patient. Adverse reactions to orthodox drugs are believed to outnumber reactions to their herbal counterparts by 99 to 1, and the new diseases caused by orthodox medical intervention are so numerous that they are now categorised under the collective term ‘iatrogenic’ – the result of medical examination or treatment. Iatrogenic deaths in the US alone, according to the authorities, number around 200,000 (the third leading cause of death in the US) each year, with a further 2 million patients suffering serious

injury from medical procedures, and 10 million reports of adverse drug reactions – from which 10,000 patients die. It is believed to be the sheer toxicity of these drugs which do the damage, with one study claiming that over half of all new cases of Parkinson’s Disease result as side effects of prescription drugs. Not only is orthodox medicine inherently unsafe, claim those in favour of alternative medicine, but it is largely ineffective as a method of treating chronic illnesses – the area in which holistic therapies have become increasingly popular. In addition, whilst it is acknowledged that there is a place for conventional medicine in the treatment of acute infections and disease, its critics have also suggested that such treatments could be altering more important levels of human immunity. There is an argument that while most major diseases have essentially been wiped out, viruses are becoming more common and that individuals suffer more now from infections such as the common cold than ever before, suggesting that the greater impact of conventional medical intervention and the widespread use of antibiotics have resulted in a reduction in immunity. Holistic therapy, its supporters emphasise, focuses on the optimisation of the patient’s natural immunity. Essentially, supporters of alternative medicine do acknowledge the significant gains brought about by modern medicine, but also draw attention to the fact that the very existence of the conditions for which the treatments have proved successful verify the failure of modern medicine on a preventative level in the first instance. As in the old adage, prevention should be far preferable to cure. Whilst orthodox treatment is much more capable now of treating conditions such as cancer, and alleviating arthritis, the instances of these illnesses is far from on the decline; which suggests, some believe, that modern medicine is doing something wrong. So can a holistic approach prevent what modern medicine can currently only cure? Practitioners of nutritional medicine claim that simply addressing imbalances through the use of supplements can immediately reduce the risk or severity of chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney stones and heart disease. The mineral chromium has proved to be effective in 14 out of 17 scientific studies concerning diabetes; and the chance of suffering from kidney stones or heart disease has shown to be significantly reduced by supplements of

A large majority of patients claim to have been conclusively cured by their homeopathic physician following years of failed treatment under conventional medicine

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magnesium. It has also been estimated that some 150,000 deaths caused by heart attacks in the US alone could be prevented each year by simply adding magnesium to the drinking water. Studies of the connection between asthma and nutrition show that the condition is closely linked to a deficiency in vitamin B6, suggesting that an increase in the vitamin could be of notable benefit. In addition, B vitamins are also recommended for the treatment of depression, a disorder with increasing rampancy which alternative practitioners attribute to the rise in use of prescription drugs. In Australia, the use of antidepressants is at record levels, among both children and adults, with GPs estimated to be writing more than seven million prescriptions every year. For a country with a population of just under 23 million, it’s a worryingly high percentage. But practitioners of conventional medicine hit back with the undeniable truth that holistic treatments have very little scientific basis to support them, questioning the classification of any therapy as ‘medicine’ be it alternative, or otherwise, if it has not been adequately tested. They believe that only practices based on scientific evidence should be considered as legitimate therapy, and can only see a place for treatments which have undergone rigorous testing and been found to be safe and effective. Evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins denies that ‘alternative medicine’ even exists. What is currently categorised as alternative, he says, is simply a ‘set of practices that cannot be tested, refuse to be tested, or consistently fail tests’. Cancer researcher, Andrew J. Vickers goes one step further, stating that if an alternative therapy cannot be shown to be effective in clinical trials, then even the term ‘unproven’ is too generous. Rather, these alternative therapies must be labelled ‘disproven’.

Orthodox practitioners such as Professor Edzard Ernst, co-author with Simon Singh of the book which failed to occasion a response from Prince Charles, fear the unknown when it comes to alternative treatment, particularly when active ingredients in herbal remedies are used in conjunction (as could very feasibly be the case) with orthodox medicines and treatments; in the worst-case scenarios interfering with already high-risk treatments such as chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy and anaesthetics. An example of the latter is given by Associate Professor Alastair MacLennan of Adelaide University, who cites the case of a patient who failed to disclose to her surgeon that she had been taking herbal, strength-building remedies prior to an operation – an ingredient of which was a powerful anticoagulant which almost led her to bleed to death on the operating table. And it is not only the physical consequences of alternative therapies which is of grave concern to MacLennan, drawing attention as he does to the impact on a patient’s mental health as a result of repeated disappointment from receiving no benefit from ineffectual remedies. He claims that moving from one treatment to another without positive results can cause disillusion and depression, and give the patient the impression that medicine is failing them. But, in the case of non-life-threatening conditions, is there an argument for the effective use of herbal

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marbella magazine®

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remedies even if only as a placebo? According to studies in UK homeopathic hospitals, 70 per cent of patients report improvements in their condition when treated with placebos. Yet even this meets with resistance from practitioners of conventional medicine. The perceived success, they say, that a patient may experience from using alternative remedies to cure even one condition, could lead to the patient’s belief that these remedies can be used as treatment for future and potentially more serious conditions. A large amount of vital time and money could be wasted in the pursuit of ineffective alternative remedies, to the point where there remains not enough of either for the conventional care and cure the patient needs. In the case of Steve Jobs, who had all the money it would ever have been necessary to spend on treatment (and indeed, when finally agreeing to orthodox treatment, spent large amounts of money on pioneering work, such as DNA sequencing for €76.000), it was time he had sadly run out of. There is only a handful of alternative practices which have made it into the ‘complementary’ category, which is to say that they are recognised as being of some potential benefit when combined with conventional medicine. The UK House of Lords Select Committee has agreed that massage, counselling, hypnotherapy, nutritional medicine, yoga, aromatherapy, the Alexander Technique, Bach and other flower remedies, meditation, reflexology, ayurvedic medicine and shiatsu can now form part of mind-body complementary therapies; although, these are still considered largely only to be acceptable in the control of chronic pain as part of palliative care than in any other area. As conventional medicine is however the dominant paradigm and (in spite of the growing popularity of alternative treatments) will remain to be so, then the onus will always be on the proponents and practitioners of alternative therapies to prove their remedies to be scientifically effective. After all, every orthodox medicine on the market has had to do the same. If this cannot be done, then maybe the scientists have a point? As the comedian Tim Minchin controversially quipped, “You know what they call ‘alternative medicine’ that’s been proved to work? Medicine.” e

Practitioners of conventional medicine hit back with the undeniable truth that holistic treatments have very little scientific basis to support them

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ma r be l l a -e sta te s.com Tel. +34 952 90 42 44 info@marbella-estates.com 153 Marbella Estates.indd 1

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THEFOCUS HEALTH

WORDS Amy Williams

wo thousand years ago, average life expectancy was just 20 years. Making it through your own birth was no mean feat, and for those who did, disease, famine, accidents and war made reaching adulthood, and staying there, a bit of a struggle too. Fast forward 1,800 years and life expectancy had still only crept up by four years to 24. But then, massive advances in medicine and disease control over the following century meant that life expectancy doubled to 48 years by 1900. And now, another hundred years on, those in today’s first-world countries are being told to expect to reach their eighties, and beyond. Indeed, the past century of medical advances, continuing breakthroughs, and developments in sophisticated medical technology has eliminated many of society’s previously life-threatening conditions. In the 1960s, open heart and bypass surgery meant millions of cardiac patients underwent successful procedures, and this was followed by heart, lung and kidney transplants. In the 1970s, CAT and MRI scanners came into use, which meant that

Wants diagnostic testing improved significantly. Artificial hearts, and hips, and many other body parts were designed. And the 1980s saw a reduction in the infant mortality rate by two-thirds. The last decade of the twentieth century introduced the Human Genome Project and radiosurgery, and already this century there have been massive advances in stem cell research for the treatment of diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease and cancer. So, it’s all sounding great so far. Give it a bit longer and we’ll be immortal, right? Well, even though experts estimate that life expectancy is continuing to rise, the extra years which modern medicine is affording us (currently increasing by 73 days per year apparently) are facing a threat almost as great as the adversaries our ancestors had to combat before their life expectancy pushed past its second decade. Our equivalent is modern life. Today’s sedentary lifestyle begins at a young age. PCs and Playstations keep a kid far happier these days than active play or a walk would ever do, unless of course it’s to one of the many fast food restaurants

whose enticing advertisements bewitch both young and old and encourage an unhealthy habit of regularly eating, and consequently becoming addicted to, junk food. As the years go on and the child (now adult) enters the world of work, similarly high-calorie foods prove to be a conveniently ‘quick fix’ to eat at the desk they rarely leave, of the office job they don’t enjoy. And when, some nine sedentary hours later, they leave the computer screen, they go home to the television, feeling not only unfit, but unhappy with it, to the point where they believe that real natural human fitness is unachievable. As they get older, their bodies become weaker, and their lifestyle choices leave them facing any one of a number of chronic conditions ranging from diabetes to heart disease. But fortunately, they have modern medicine to turn to. In fact, we can turn to modern medicine before it gets this bad. If we become overweight, our stomachs can be stapled. If we are failing to sleep due to stress, pills can be prescribed. If a pill or a quick procedure will ‘cure’ the health problems we are burdening ourselves with, and we’re living longer

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Life Expectancy in the Modern World

to Live forever anyway, then where is the need to adopt a truly healthy lifestyle? More people are visiting the doctor, and more prescription drugs are being administered than ever before. In spite of medicine’s best efforts, even the biggest breakthroughs cannot cure what doctors are now describing as ‘lifestyle’ diseases. It would appear that we have become too reliant on modern medicine and even surgery, to supplement an increasingly insatiable appetite for the modern, luxury lifestyle. Health in the western world is experiencing an unprecedented decline. We are reminded on an almost-daily basis that diabetes and obesity have now reached epidemic proportions. And it isn’t just our physical health which is suffering as a result of this indulgent, materialistic, modern lifestyle. What were once considered to be rare illnesses, mental health issues are now commonplace, with depression, anxiety and ADHD now familiar conditions. And it is modern

day consumerism, and the preoccupation with wealth and material goods which have been most closely linked to the rising instances of this mental ill health. Rather than bringing happiness, the lifestyle for which so many in the western world strive is actually the cause of anxiety, depression and loneliness. But, of course, when prescribed the correct antidepressants, it becomes possible to have both the possessions and the chemically-controlled contentment. Problem solved. The US is perhaps the biggest example of the ‘quick fix’ approach, spending more on medical treatment, per person, than any other country, and using 50 per cent of the world’s pharmaceuticals, yet with one of the poorest records of health in the developed world. The focus is clearly on prescriptive treatment, rather than the promotion of health. In contrast, Okinawa in Japan, one of the country’s poorest regions and ranked bottom according to socioeconomic indicators, not

only has a population with one of the longest life expectancies in the world, but also ranks highest for the overall health of its population. The three factors considered to be key in the health and well-being of the people of Okinawa are a disciplined and healthy diet (the people practise ‘Hara Hachi Bu’ which means eating only until you are 80 per cent full), physical activity and the ability, attributed to strong cultural values, of coping well with stress. So, in light of our ever-declining health, should we just settle down in a comfortable chair in our retirement and brace ourselves for an extra few years, but none of them enjoyable? Should we be moving to Okinawa? Or should we use modern life to our advantage, concentrate on becoming the best informed adviser on our own particular medical situation, take informed decisions responsibly, enjoy appropriate nutrition and an active lifestyle, and rely on modern medicine as a life aid rather than a life support? e MARCH 2012 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 37

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DR.

NICHOLAS PERRICONE

THEFOCUS PEOPLE

FATHER OF THE

INFLAMMATION THEORY OF AGEING WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

‘C

osmeceuticals’, ‘Neutraceuticals’ and ‘Anti-Inflammatory Super Foods’ may be new words in your vocabulary, but they are the cornerstones of what anti-ageing enthusiasts are touting as the ‘smart’ approach to beauty, which in turn rests on the fundamentals espoused in the Anti-Inflammation Theory, formulated by dermatologist and celebrity doctor, Nicholas Perricone. Talk show enthusiasts will have seen Dr. Perricone counselling Oprah Winfrey and her guests alongside gurus like Dr. Mehmet

Oz and Dr. Michael Rozen. Dr. Perricone, who studied at Yale and completed his Dermatology Residency at the Ford Medical Centre, is the author of three New York Times best-sellers: The Perricone Promise, The Perricone Prescription and The Wrinkle Cure. One of the major reasons for his success is his ability to connect with a public that is increasingly world-weary of dubious promises from cream and cosmetic companies. According to the good Doctor, beauty begins at a cellular level. If we want to halt the hands of time, drastic changes need to be made in what we eat, the supplements we take and the cosmetics we apply. Dr. Perricone’s Inflammation Theory of Ageing follows extensive research on the causes of ageing and age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, certain cancers, wrinkled skin, diminished energy and the loss of muscle mass. There is one single cause for all these

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conditions, he says, and that is inflammation. It is caused by the following triggers: ZZ A pro-inflammatory diet ZZ Environmental stress ZZ A weak immune system ZZ Excess exposure to ultraviolet light ZZ Hormonal changes ZZ Stress in general When Dr. Perricone refers to inflammation, he refers to inflammation at a cellular level; the kind that is invisible to the naked eye. Basically, our cells become inflamed when they use oxygen to produce energy, forming free radicals in the process. Dr. Perricone says that free radicals “are without question the central players in the ageing process. They damage cells and the result is inflammation.” To fight ageing, we need to provide our cells with abundant amounts of antioxidants, which consume free radicals and stop cells from degenerating. To age beautifully (and slowly), Dr. Perricone prescribes the following simple steps: ZZ Consume an Anti-Inflammatory Diet: Sugar, often hidden in typical everyday products like breads and other high-glycaemic carbohydrates, is “the number one enemy”. It causes inflammation and attaches itself to collagen, resulting in sagging, inflexible skin. An ideal diet consists of quality protein (found in fish and fresh fruit and veg) and essential fatty acids (found in wild salmon, linseed, nuts and olive oil). ZZ Avoid coffee (which can elevate your cortisol and insulin levels). If you do, Dr. Perricone promises that you will lose around four kilos in six weeks, despite doing nothing else differently! And don’t forget to drink eight to 10 glasses of water a day, since “all bio-chemical reactions in the body take place in the presence of water”. ZZ Avoid high glycemic foods like bread, cake, lollies, hard cheese (except for feta and grating cheeses like parmesan), honey, ice-cream, noodles, margarine, pizza, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc.

ZZ Stock up on Dr. Perricone’s list of 10 Superfoods. These prevent or reduce inflammation, help regulate the metabolism and body fat, lower cholesterol and blood pressure, protect against heart disease and cancer, promote digestive health and eliminate toxins. They include: ZZ The açai berry (which has 10 times more anti-oxidants than red grapes) ZZ The allium family (onions, garlic, chive, leeks and scallions contain flavonoids, which help the body eliminate toxins). ZZ Barley (which helps the body metabolise fat, cholesterol and carbohydrates) ZZ Beans and Lentils (which are low in fat but high in complex carbohydrates and fibre) ZZ Buckwheat (which is high in essential amino acids) ZZ Barley and wheat grass (which are rich in chlorophyll and beneficial against cholesterol, high blood pressure, poor immunity and which help stave off cancer)

ZZ Hot peppers (they are an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-cancer and heart healthy food) ZZ Nuts and seeds (they dramatically decrease rates of cancer, heart disease and diabetes) ZZ Sprouts (they are a great source of protein and Vitamin C) ZZ Yogurt and Kefir (they contain healthy bacteria that help fight infectious diseases) ZZ Take ‘Neutraceuticals’: These are the nutritional supplements which include Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), Vitamin C in ascorbic acid and Vitamin C ester form, Co-enzyme Q-10, L-Carnitine Fumerate, N-Acetyl Carnitine, Omega-3, Carnosine, Benfotiamine and Astaxanthin (see your doctor about suitability and dosage).

ZZ Be wary of commercial cosmetic products: many are rife with preservatives and harsh chemicals that cause conditions like allergies and dermatitis. Dr. Perricone sells his own range of ‘cosmeceuticals’ on his website though in general, you should opt for products containing polyphenols, ALA, DMAE and Neuropeptides, which actually promote the healthy functioning of your skin at a cellular level. When it comes to make-up, make it mineral since they are also free of talc and parabens. A great line to start out with is Jane Iredale, which is rich in anti-oxidants and incorporates broad-spectrum UVB and UVA protection. i www.perriconemd.co.uk

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THEFOCUS PEOPLE

The Bliss of a

Pain-Free Body I had this nagging pain in my back that comes and goes and usually stays; my shoulder and neck were slightly stiff and often, the pain radiated upwards, resulting in a headache even the maximum dosage of Ibuprofen wouldn’t fix. What did I do about it? Not much, really. I was just like the millions of people out there who soldier on, hoping the pain would go away on its own. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KH PHOTOGRAPHY

nd then I met Sari Dewald, physiotherapist, dancer, Pilates instructor and manual lymphatic drainage therapist. Sari, whose warmth and vitality were simply infectious, confirmed something I’d always had a sneaking suspicion about: pain, discomfort and limited movement are warning signs we should pay heed to because otherwise, they will most likely lead to far worse conditions. It’s not just about the specific area that is hurting, since the body tends to compensate injuries in one part of the body with improper functioning in another, causing you to walk differently, adopt a different posture or destroy your natural balance. A good physiotherapist will help you avoid this destructive compensation, teaching you how to restore movement and flexibility to areas you had all but given up on. Sari, who hails from Finland, has been practicing in Marbella for the past three years and already has a strong client base for Pilates and physiotherapy sessions, owing to her personal style and impressive career, which has involved dance, Pilates and physiotherapy in almost equal parts. Health and fitness have always been an important part of Sari’s life: “My father was a swimmer so I learned to swim at three and was competing by the age of six,” she says, with a captivating smile. “I dabbled in football, volleyball and basketball until a good friend of mine started dancing and

it piqued my interest. I studied dance and obtained my Master of Arts in Dance at the Theater Academy of Helsinki, winning a scholarship to study at the Dance Department of the International University of Utah.” Indeed dance has taken Sari around the world, prompting her to study in France and Germany as well as perform and choreograph various shows in Finland and the USA. All-up, she spent 15 years as a professional dancer, reluctantly deciding to stop after losing two discs in her back to the gruelling profession. “I was in excruciating pain. I knew something was very wrong but I did not want to give up dancing. I kept dancing for five years longer but I wasn’t able to restore my body to its preinjury condition. When I finally accepted that I had come to the end of the road with dance, I decided to go back to University and study physiotherapy and since then I have dedicated my life to helping those in pain.” Sari’s injuries also lead her to what is one of her great passions: Pilates (she has been a teacher in this method since 2001). She describes it as “magical”, elaborating, “As a dancer, I particularly love floor work, since it helps you learn about the weight of your own body and how to breathe and co-ordinate your movements. It also makes it easier for learners to contract their muscles in the right order.” Sari often uses Pilates techniques to help clients recover: “Pilates is incredibly

harmonious because you perform all exercises with both sides of the body and a lot of rotation is involved; it really frees the body.” She is particularly fond of Stott Pilates exercises, in which exercises are designed to restore the natural curves of the spine and rebalance the muscles around the joints, placing more emphasis on scapular stabilisation. “My approach is personal, so I always listen to my clients. If it hurts perform certain exercises, I suggest alternatives.” Stretching is an equally important part of every session, as is working on posture: “A strong and flexible spine is the basis of good health because the spine protects the spinal cord, which is an integral part of the central nervous system. If it is rigid or trapped in a poor posture, it often leads to serious issues elsewhere in the body. Breathing, posture, movement, nutrition and even positive thinking and rest are vital when it comes to good health.” Sari says that most patients come to see her when they are already undergoing some sort of pain in areas like the knees, back, shoulders and neck. Sari first evaluates a patient’s condition then prescribes specific exercises and sometimes uses massage and TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) ultrasound to alleviate pain and promote faster healing. How often she sees patients depends on their initiative to perform the exercises on their own. “Some

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Sari

Dewald Physiotherapist

people come once a week while others prefer to perform their exercises with me all the time.” Sari also uses techniques like traction (gentle pulling), the Muscle Energy Technique (MET) and mobilisation techniques. Additionally, she is trained in Manual Lymphatic Drainage, which is particularly good for stimulating your own lymphatic system, reducing swelling, relieving pain and promoting detoxification. If she feels that physiotherapy alone isn’t the answer, she may refer patients to other health professionals, depending on the case. Sari also recommends pursuits that are as fun as they are helpful. “There are so many activities for people living in Marbella – everything from

home Sari pays rovides p o ls a visits and at Marbella s n o ti consulta a ke ctic. To m Chiropra n tme t, an appoin 39 566 246. 6 80 398 / Tel: 952 8 y-dynamics.es d other areas. Sadly, many of these o w w w.b

yoga right through to swimming and group activities.” She admits that some injuries and problems take longer to heal than others, but extols the virtues of “slow but sure recovery”. A patient’s will and commitment is, interestingly, a vital part of success: “It is very important for patients to really want to heal and change the way they use their body. Some people are in so much pain it affects their social life or even leads to depression.” Sari’s client base ranges from youngsters to the elderly, who may have torn a muscle, ligament or tendon or who suffer from acute or chronic pain or stiffness in the back, hip or

injuries could have been avoided if these patients had learned about correct posture, ergonomics, movement and Pilates technique. Sari tells me that she flies to Finland three times a year to give a fiveday workshop to her former Pilates students, who are so hooked on her classes, they refuse to give them up altogether just because their vivacious teacher has been tempted by the sunnier climes of Marbella. They may be onto something; it’s about time we stopped seeing physiotherapy and Pilates as last-resort solutions and started welcoming them into our lives as a vital tool for our present and future health and wellness. e

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INTERIORS / ARCHITECTURE / ART

DESIGN / GARDENs / FASHION

Urban Interiors from BoConcept, a stylish collection by Roche Bobois, Victorio + Lucchino Spring Fashion and top buys for trendy kids.

44 Stylish New Designs at Bo Concept 52 DĂŠcor News: Roche Bobois 54 Gardening as a Form of Exercise 56 Fashion: Victorio + Lucchino Spring Wear 62 Fashion News 64 All About Kids

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THESTYLE DECOR

We talk about ‘modern’ design and décor, but when exactly did the design paradigm of centuries change and unleash a veritable waterfall of creativity and new ideas? WORDS MICHEL CRUZ

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Iconic rug bearing Rashid’s unmistakable imprint

o my mind there are two answers for it came in two phases. The first modern movement was born in the latter 19th century, as a reaction to a fast-changing world in which technology was rapidly revising the way people lived. The initial response actually rejected modernity and technology, longing to return to an imagined age of rural bliss, but by the early twentieth century the forces of change could no longer be denied and a generation of architects, engineers, artists and designers stepped forward who could radically alter the way we look at everything from homes and cars to chairs and clothes. Le Corbusier, Mies van der

Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright are just some of the names associated with an age when the shape and form of the everyday world changed. Geometry and aerodynamics straightened and smoothed out the lines of the human landscape, creating a whole new design language that we loosely call ‘modern’. While the creative geniuses of the pre-war era provided the blueprint for a whole new way to see shapes and give form to just about every item made by man, it wasn’t until after the Second World War that new technologies and materials allowed designers the freedom to make in real life what their imaginations conjured up on the drawing board.

Retrofuturistic lamp design with organic, curvy shapes

BoConcept Urban design in your home Danish design While France and Britain were dominant in the early stages, and American design and technology set the tone for the future, the explosion in creative design that started in the 1950s spread to the far ends of the world, including such places as Brazil, Japan and Germany, but above all Italy and Scandinavia. Perhaps no part of the world has been as closely associated with modern design as the Nordic countries, which have given us brilliant Finnish architects, Swedish ingenuity and Danish design.

Vase set that evokes the playfulness and fun of the 60s

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It cannot be a coincidence that Danish design has been regarded as the pinnacle of modern industrial styling ever since. Something in the combination of progressive thinking, a belief in free personal expression and the logic and order of the Danish mind, has given the Danes the perfect tools to create items that are innovative, evocative and fun, yet also clean and functional. It is exactly this that has built and continuously reaffirmed the reputation of names such as Bang & Olufsen, Bodum and BoConcept.

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BoConcept

Founded as a small family-run furniture factory in 1952, BoConcept has played a prominent role in the rise of Danish design, and in so doing has contributed greatly to the evolution of modern design. Sleek and clean, yet with enough variation to reflect the seriousness or frivolity of their buying public within ever-evolving collections of sofas, tables, rugs, designer chairs, crockery, lighting, accessories and cupboard systems, the concept marries changing design styles to old-fashioned Scandinavian standards of quality and service.

Proud of its innovative tradition in urban design, BoConcept leads the wave in giving shape to the latest trends and styles, not designing out of sync with society at large but evolving along with it. For this reason, the designs reflect the times, albeit at the very forefront of it. The latest collections, therefore, incorporate not just design elements of 1960s classics, but mirror the current zeitgeist by seeking to revive the fun-loving and carefree spirits of those times.

The Morini daybed adds a touch of luxury to any room

The fact that such free reign in design and conceptual thinking is married to a rather more rigid concept of quality and sturdy construction is a bit of a Nordic thing. Sometimes a pain for designers, it is a very valuable point for clients, underpinning the standard of this brand not only in terms of its aesthetics, but also its quality and durability. Fine materials and solid construction methods give especially larger pieces such as sofas, sideboards and cupboards an exceptionally long lifespan.

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Made to measure Since its early beginnings, BoConcept has grown into an international leader in quality modern furniture and decorative pieces, with over 250 shops in 50 countries. The brand is particularly popular in newly emerging markets such as China and Brazil, where it is a status symbol, yet it is in the developed markets of Europe and North America that the company first made its name and continues to be sought after as well. In addition to refined aesthetics and durability, the third element in this successful mix is a level of service that goes beyond customer service and free delivery.

The Ottawa collection â&#x20AC;&#x201C; new dining room furniture by Karim Rashid

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Jan Petersen leads the BoConcept outlet on the Costa del Sol, and he is expected to provide the exact same standards of service as at their shops in Copenhagen, New York or London. In the case of BoConcept, it is most prominently defined in terms of a comprehensive design consultation that is not only impressive but also entirely free. “Sometimes people entering the shop say they expected to see more furniture,” says Jan, “but we aren’t the kind of shop where you will see rows and rows of sofas, cupboards and tables lined up.” And indeed, the stylish shop has the feel of a trendy architectural studio, complete with distressed concrete floors and stunning designer furniture.

And then you remember that this is a furniture shop, and it is the stunning designer furniture that is on offer. In other words, in keeping with the philosophy of Danish urban design the BoConcept shops above all provide an uncluttered setting in which the sleek design and quality materials of its pieces are shown off in situ, so to speak. “We combine elements in the showroom to give people an idea of what a room would look like, and we have a full range of material samples available so people can see the colours and textures of alternative upholstery or finishing for themselves.”

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While the ground floor of the BoConcept outlet on the Mijas road is dedicated entirely to the company’s own designs, the first floor is reserved for limited collections of modern masterpieces by the likes of Arne Jacobsen. It emphasises the fact that while BoConcept furniture represents the spirit of Danish urban design, these pieces are highly matchable with a range of classic, ethnic and other modern styles.

Karim Rashid, one of the most prolific and awardwinning designers of his generation

Room divider in white lacquer and grass green detailing - funky

Chairs from the Karim Rashid Ottawa collection

The Karim Rashid collection A person who personifies this is Karim Rashid, the award-winning young designer responsible for BoConcept’s latest collection, to be launched worldwide on 1 March this year. One of today’s most highly regarded industrial designers, Rashid has honed his skill and developed his style in England, Canada, Italy, Holland and the USA, yet fits right into the BoConcept philosophy. A lover of sensual minimalism, he carries on the very Danish tradition of urban design that is clean, uncluttered and functional yet imbued with a serene beauty that either breathes understated refinement or evokes a sense of fun. These elements are very evident in the Ottawa collection, whose dining suite combines clean, sleek lines with a touch of sixties fun and frivolity. Look for the exuberance that is also part of urban design heritage and you will see it in the modern tea sets, the leaf chair and the brightly coloured vase set. Karim, who admits he has always wanted to work with BoConcept, has added the latest chapter to an already impressive oeuvre. “Because BoConcept does the entire living environment, it was nice to sketch, draw and think about the entire environment – from the micro to the macro. We go from a cup to the table, to the carpet, and start to build the whole environment.” In his desire to create simple, pure forms with pleasant textures and elevating colours, Karim Rashid has a philosophy that perfectly suits the BoConcept brief – bringing colour and pleasure to people’s lives through the everyday things they use and surround themselves with. e

Collector’s coffee cups by Karim Rashid

BOCONCEPT URBAN DESIGN Ctra. de Mijas, km 3.5, 29650 Mijas, Málaga. Tel: +34 951 242 092. www.boconcept.es

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THESTYLE DECOR

Roche

Bobois Quirky And Cool

Roche Bobois, the design house whose name is synonymous with the very essence of elegance and style, proves it can be quirky, tongue-in-cheek and utterly creative, bringing beauty and comfort to your home and adding a few welcome splashes of humour. Feast your eyes on a marshmallow chaise longue or a colourful acid drop chair but whatever you do, give in to the Roche Bobois temptation.

East Meets West

Ava chair in transparent polycarbonate by Song Wen Zhong. In various colours.

Party Time

Feria Dining Table, structure and legs in solid oak, top in sandblasted oak veneer or plain oak. By Design Studio Roche Bobois. Optional 50cm extension.

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Embrace Me Vitamine Chaise Longue upholstered in gersey fabric, designed by Fabrice Berrux. Available in either one or three colours.

Space Bound

Spoutnik chairs upholstered in gersey fabric, designed by Sacha Lakic. Various colours available.

Take me to Hollywood

CinĂŠtique Sofa in leather with buttoned seats, built-in controls, cushions and armrests and removable backrests. Designed by Sacha Lakic. Over 50 colours available.

g C.C. Torrereal, C/ Peter Viertel s/n, CN 340 km 185, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 858. www.roche-bobois.com 153DeN.indd 53

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THESTYLE GARDENING

CULTIVATE

the Garden Within...

WORDS BY RICHARD WHALEY Director of Richard Whaley Landscaping, a garden design and construction company established in 1987.

We certainly feel like we’ve put in a good day’s work, after gardening for hours on end. But is gardening really considered good exercise? For the most part, yes. According to the National Institute of Health, gardening rates up there with other moderate to strenuous forms of exercise, like walking and bicycling. It all depends on what gardening task you are doing and for how long. Like any other form of exercise, you have to be active for at least 30 minutes for there to be a benefit. 54 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE MARCH 2012

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Getting the Most Exercise out of Gardening What Makes Gardening Good Exercise? While enjoying yourself in the garden, you are also working all the major muscle groups: legs, buttocks, arms, shoulders, neck, back, and abdomen. Gardening tasks that use these muscles build strength and burn calories. Besides the exertion involved, gardening has other pluses that make it a good form of exercise and calorie burning. There can be a great deal of stretching involved, when you reach for weeds or tall branches, bend to plant and extend a rake. Lifting bags of mulch, pushing wheelbarrows, and shovelling all provide resistance training similar to weight lifting, which leads to healthier bones and joints. Yet while doing all this, there is minimal jarring and stress on the body, unlike aerobics or jogging.

Losing Weight by Gardening Losing weight requires you to burn more calories than you consume and so the amount of weight you’ll lose gardening depends on several factors including your size and the task you are performing. Some general examples from the NIH, show how some of the more strenuous gardening tasks can really burn calories. Z Digging Holes – Men: 197 calories, Women: 150 calories Z Planting – Men: 177 calories, Women: 135 calories Z Weeding – Men: 157 calories, Women: 156 calories The National Institute of Health lists gardening for 30 - 45 minutes in its recommended activities for moderate levels of exercise to combat obesity, along with cycling five miles in 30 minutes and walking two miles in the same time. ‘More Health Benefits of Gardening Research’ shows that gardening for just 30 minutes daily will help: Z Increase flexibility Z Strengthen joints Z Decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels Z Lower your risk of diabetes Z Slow down osteoporosis

It takes at least 30 minutes of exercise several days a week, to really receive any health benefit from gardening. However, researchers are now saying that you can break those 30 minutes up into shorter active periods throughout the day. As long as each activity lasts at least eight minutes and is of moderate intensity, if they total 30 minutes per day, you’ll reap the same reward as if you had been gardening for a half hour straight. So you can do a little weeding in the cool of the morning and go back out to the garden in the evening to prune and trim. Start slowly, if you’re not used to the exertion. Lift properly, by using your legs. Vary your tasks and your movements and make use of the major muscle groups, to get the most benefit. Aches and pains aren’t necessarily a sign of a good workout. Your muscles may feel tired, but they shouldn’t hurt unless you’re using muscles you haven’t worked in a while or you’re using them wrongly. Gardening isn’t usually enough exercise to forsake your daily walk or swim, but it’s nice to know those tired muscles you feel after turning the compost represent something good you did for your body and your health. As with any other form of exercise, check with your doctor first, if you’re not used to strenuous exercise. Make sure you incorporate a little stretching before and after gardening, and take things slowly in extreme heat. We do garden for the pleasure, after all. Getting in shape and losing weight are just the icing on the cake. e

g For any questions, or landscape design enquiries: rvwhaley@gmail.com or Tel: 676 331 700. 2/21/12 12:00 PM

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THESTYLE FASHION

OямА to Africa

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Shining Glory

A Fragrant Bouquet COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

When it comes to capturing the essence of the Andalusian woman, nobody does it like Victorio y Lucchino, designer to Spanish celebrities and members of the royalty. Spring and Summer are just on the horizon and designs are sheer, flirty and inspired on the bounties of Nature.

SPR ING FLOWER by Victorio y Lucchino

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Oriental Pansy

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A Fragrant Bouquet

Sheer Girlishness

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Black Dahlia

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i www.victorioylucchino.com

Earthbound

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THESTYLE FASHION

Earrings by Carrera y Carrera

PUT A IN YOUR STEP!

Hot enough to show off those sexy gams, cool enough to sport your favourite fine cardigan. Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jewellery, a new bag or a cute little dress, take your pick from these top buys, compiled by Marisa Cutillas.

Stole by Accessorize

Earrings by Dior

Dress by Monsoon

Bag by Accessorize

Bracelet by Dior

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CONTACTS ACCESSORIZE www.accessorize.com BENETTON www.benetton.com CARRERA Y CARRERA www.carreraycarrera.com DIOR www.dior.com INTERNACIONALE www.internacionale.co.uk MONSOON www.monsoon.co.uk MONTBLANC www.montblanc.com ROGER M JEWELLER C.C. La Ca単ada, first floor, Marbella. Tel: 951 778 160. www.rogermjeweller.com

Ring by Accessorize

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Bag by Benetton

Ring by Carrera y Carrera

Earrings by Roger M Jeweller

Necklace and bracelet by Montblanc

Dress by Monsoon

Bracelet by Internacionale

Clutch by Accessorize

Earrings by Roger M Jeweller

Rings by Montblanc

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THESTYLE KIDS

COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

MbAoDut

S D KI

Valentine’s isn’t just about expressing our love for our spouse or partners; it’s about being grateful for those who are nearest and dearest to us. This month, why not make your little one’s day with one of these top buys? 1 – Kids Cushions by Monogrammed Linen Shop i www.monogrammedlinenshop.com 2 – Vanilla Cupcake with Sprinkles luxury candle by Bake Boutique London i www.bakeboutiquecandles.com 3 – Smock by 3 Sprouts i www.artebebe.com 4 – Jungle plates by French Bull i www.artebebe.com 5 – Jolly Sheep drinking bottle by NICI i www.nici.es 6 – Dylan Doll’s House by Brinca Dada i www.artebebe.com 7 – Clothing for girls and boys and Boys’ Shoes by Baby Dior i www.dior.com 8 – Robes by Monogrammed Linen Shop i www.monogrammedlinenshop.com 9 – Designer bookends by Zuny i www.artebebe.com 10 – Soft Seat by 3 Sprouts i www.artebebe.com 11 – Jolly Sheep Stuffed Toy by NICI i www.nici.es 12 – Beanbag by Cocoon Couture i www.artebebe.com

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PRODUCTS / BEAUTY / SPA / SCIENCE

TREATMENTS / HEALTH

Revitalizing juices, avoid Alzheimer’s, the latest health advances in Spain, mobile healthcare with EasyMed and training the Dynamic way.

66 The Miraculous Benefits of Juicing 68 EasyMed: Remote Mobile Health Care 70 Live Your Best Life 72 How to Avoid Alzheimer’s 74 Spanish Medical Breakthroughs 76 Health News 78 Health Profile: Dynamic Training Centre 80 Beauty News

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HEALTH

REVIEW

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VRT350 HD AN OMEGA VERT ICER ! MASTICATING JUe number of what is the phon m? www.uk juicers.co

Juicing combines flavours, colours and textures to produce sugar-free yet sweet, refreshing beverages that are impossible not to fall in love with.

P U E JUIC WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

! e f i L r u o Y

id you know that broccoli contains a substance that may prevent – even cure – breast cancer? Or that drinking three servings of freshly squeezed fruit juice a week can lower your chance of contracting Alzheimer’s by a whopping 76 per cent? Or that fruit juices are a powerful source of enzymes which are necessary for the production of hundreds of thousands of chemical reactions that take place in the body every day? Since we were little, our parents always encouraged us to eat more fruit and vegetables, but honestly, who could stomach five servings a day? The solution is surprisingly simple and tasty: fresh juice, made with raw produce so all those wonderful enzymes aren’t destroyed by heat. Your kids don’t need to know they’re actually consuming something healthy, since juicing combines flavours, colours and textures to produce sugar-free yet sweet, refreshing beverages that are impossible not to fall in love with. And don’t be fooled into thinking that eating whole fruits is necessarily better than drinking juice; on the contrary. When you eat a whole piece of fruit, many of the nutrients remain trapped in the fibre and are eliminated by your body. When you eat raw carrots, for instance, you assimilate only one per cent of its beta-carotene yet when you juice them, you assimilate 100 per cent of the latter.

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RAW JUICES CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE: AN A-Z GUIDE TO JUICING BY SANDRA CABOT

If you’ve read the article below on the unique benefits of raw fruit and vegetable juices, you may be considering a good juicing machine but once that’s sorted, how do you know what fruit and veg combinations taste good or are indicated for particular conditions or desired results? This wonderful book by Dr. Sandra Cabot will have you juicing daily, trying out new combinations and even healing colds, flus and pain through the simple science of juicing. Cabot provides an exhaustive list of condition-specific juices, so you can combat everything from a fatty liver right through to chronic fatigue, headaches and migraines, arthritis, cardiovascular diseases and much more.

THE JUICE DIET: MAXIMUM WEIGHT LOSS WITH MINIMUM EFFORT BY CHRISTINE BAILEY

This book is a lovely complement to the A to Z book (mentioned above), though it specifically addresses weight loss, detoxification, toning, weight maintenance, in addition to specific health issues. The author addresses those who wake up feeling sluggish, overweight and bloated and those who have tired of counting calories and reading glycemic indexes. The author provides over 100 mouth-watering juice and smoothie recipes, introducing us to exotic juices made from unexpected ingredients like green tea, sweet potato and beetroot. She also provides weekend juicing plans, week-long plans and a Juicing for Life plan, teaching you which fruits you should incorporate into your daily life. The beauty conscious simply must try her Beauty Juices while sports buffs will love her Energy Juices and Immunity juices. A beautiful book to read, look at and simply drool over.

So where does the hunt for a good juicer start? If you go to a typical appliance store you may be lucky to find one or two models, usually in the <€100 price range. The problem is, as you start researching and becoming more serious about addressing specific health issues through juicing, you will probably regret your purchase and end up having to upscale and fork out once again on a more efficient model (you’ll probably need to spend between €200 and €400 for a good juicer). They say that the ideal purchase depends on your specific needs. Ask yourself if you plan on incorporating greens into your juices (like kale, spinach or lettuce), if noise is an issue (centrifugal juicers are notorious for their mind-numbing sound) and if time is of the essence. A good place to start is the website www. ukjuicers.com, which provides an objective comparison of various top-selling machines. The site also sells juicers online and delivers to Spain free of charge, which is ideal for those of us who don’t like wasting time in crowded commercial centres. Juicers generally fall into two main categories: centrifugal or masticating. Centrifugal juicers have been around for a long time and are known for their speed and affordability. They cut and spin the fruit at high velocity and the juice drains down a chute after passing through a sieve. The negative aspects of centrifugal juicers include limited capacity (they don’t juice greens or wheatgrass very well), noise (a bit like listening to a drill in your very own kitchen) and result (they tend to produce watery juice with a lot of froth, so you end up missing out on valuable nutrients). Masticating juicers are pricier but without a doubt the choice of the serious juice maker. They ‘chew’ the fruit and veg, working at a slower speed and producing juice with a higher nutritional content and with a longer shelf life, since they incorporate less oxygen than centrifugal juicers. An exciting new development has taken place

recently in the world of masticating juicers, with the arrival of the Omega VERT Juicer (which costs approximately €400). This new model has all the benefits of a masticating juicer (using a ‘low speed’ and ‘cold pressing method’ to obtain the maximum level of nutrients) but you actually get your juice fairly quickly, because the augers (which chew up the produce) and filter screens are much bigger. Unlike older models, the Omega VERT Juicer has a vertical auger that is eight times stronger than standard auger juicers. It also produces a higher yield than horizontal auger juicers, ensuring you get good value for the money you’ve spend on fruit and veg. The Omega VERT is particularly good at juicing soft fruits (which are notoriously difficult for most machines, since a lot of juice is often left in the pulp). For a slightly slower but still ‘serious’ juicer, try the Samson 6-in-1, a horizontal single auger juicer which, like the Omega VERT, minces meat, makes ice-cream from fruit and grinds grains (you can even make home-made pasta with the Samson 6-in-1). Investing in a good juicer makes good sense for anybody wanting to make a positive change in their family’s health. Finally we can forget about dreaming up new ways to serve fruit and veggies to our kids; forget the pots and pans and make it easy on yourself: go raw, go fresh, go juice! e

The Omega VERT VRT350 HD masticating juicer, the latest innovation for the serious juicer

3FR7EE9DEL£IVERY TO SPAIN

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EasyMed WORDS Sarah Harding

UPDATE

Making Healthcare Mobile

n 2005, two regular guests at the Hotel Puente Romano were sitting around the pool talking about the difficulty one of them had had in getting his medical records transferred to a local doctor that morning when he needed a new prescription. Neither could believe that in the modern era, where everybody uses the Internet and a mobile phone/PDA, this simple requirement was next to impossible. One of the gentlemen returned to his hometown in Geneva, Switzerland, determined to solve this problem and “to help people become healthier through technology”. He founded a company called EasyMed Services Inc. (CNSX:EZM), (OTCBB:EMYSF) which, seven years and millions of dollars later, has grown into a global Medical Information Technology company with offices in Geneva, New York, Toronto, Vancouver and a large development team in Chennai, India, pioneering a range of healthcare products for end-to-end patient care through mobile phones/PDA and the Internet. The products offered are: ZZ International Medical Passport ZZ Easy SmartCare Hospital/Clinic Patient Management System ZZ Automated CRO/Clinical Trial Software for Pharmaceutical Trials ZZ Disease Management Software for Managing Large-scale Chronic Disease programs ZZ Lifescience-Portal (Comprehensive Company/ Drug Database)

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I asked EasyMed’s CEO, Andrew Ritchie, how he solved the problem which so plagued him back in 2005 and he answered: “Our International Medical Passport allows patients to access their personal records anywhere in the world through their mobile phone or the Internet. So, if you were subscribed to the service and you had lost your medication, you would simply log in to your account which will tell you where the nearest pharmacy is located and if your prescription is available in that country (and what the local equivalent is, if not available), and you will then be allowed to download your prescription to purchase your medication. So the problem is solved.” Interestingly, the company’s software can do much more than re-issue your prescription; it can provide local health information on the country you are travelling to and advise you on what you should watch out for. It also indicates the vaccines you need and, most importantly, gives your medical caregiver access to your medical records in seconds if needed. Ritchie points out that if you are in a busy emergency room and medical records indicating your past history and current medication are not available, the chances of misdiagnosis are huge and could be fatal. So what does this comprehensive service cost? Ritchie confidently points out: “You don’t need extra technology other than your mobile phone and an annual membership only costs €6 per month”.

The next big question is: Do I want my personal records available on the Internet? Ritchie is quick to point out: “EasyMed is a health technology company whose fundamental purpose is to connect patients to their medical caregivers through technology. You trust your doctor to look after you and our job is an extension of that service. We use Swiss banking technology to encrypt your health records. Unlike many large software companies, we never sell personal information and our mission statement is to help patients with their health care through technology. This very much includes protecting their data at all costs”. I then wondered how many competitors EasyMed has, only to find that there are few other companies operating in this sector and they do not offer the range of functions, security and ease of use that EasyMed provides. Also, they are considerably more expensive. As I research about and write this article, I find that I’m completely sold on the EasyMed vision, in that everyone who travels to international destinations should enjoy this valuable service. But it’s more than that; it’s not often that I come away from an interview convinced that the company is offering a product that has the welfare of its customers at heart. Which makes it a winning service for both the company and its clients. e

g To subscribe, either log on to www.easymedmobile.com or phone +41 22 749 1500. 2/21/12 12:09 PM

. Kaye Dr. K, AeaisthO etic &

Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon Full Member of the c, Spanish Society of Plasti c eti sth Ae & e tiv uc str Recon Surgery SEGPRE ard Fellow of the European Bo & e tiv uc str con Re c, sti of Pla S RA OP EB ry Aesthetic Surge Full Member of the German Board of Plastic, c Reconstructive & Aestheti Surgery DGPRĂ&#x201E;C Member of the Colegio de Medicos de Malaga (No.29/2909452)

WINNER of ESSENTIAL MARBELLA

AWARDS

2010 & 2011

PLASTIC SURGERY - AESTHETIC MEDICINE - DENTAL AESTHETICS

Av. Ramon y Cajal, 7 - 29600 Marbella - 951 775 518 - Mob : 670 770 455 info@oceanclinic.net - www. oceanclinic.net

Life Lessons shared by Kezia Jacobsen, the Founder of Shanti-Som Wellbeing Retreat.

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE

PROFILE

iving your best life starts with being your best self – feeling good, looking good, finding sense of balance and purpose. Take care of yourself and the rest will follow. Learn to accept that you and only you are responsible for your happiness; only you can control your thoughts, your actions. Learn from your mistakes, look at what happened and ask yourself: How did the mistake come about? How did you feel while making it and how did you feel after? What did you do once you realised the mistake; did you repeat the mistake, or did you learn a lesson? Modify your thoughts, words and behaviour. Look at how you can change the above three for a more peaceful life. We are often afraid of change; it’s just human nature. Act with awareness; be mindful of the present moment! How do we act with awareness? There are three parts to an action: Z Intention – knowing the purpose or your action. Z Attitude – your attitude results from beliefs held close to your heart. Z Delivery – how you communicate what you need to say. Awareness is being ‘awake in the moment’, being focused on what is going on around you. Being present, focused and concentrated in the NOW. Regularly doing yoga leads to calmness, focus and clarity, as does meditation, walking in Nature and simply being in silence. We all know that life is not always easy, often making us face obstacles, pain and unhappiness, but these very things are what make us see our strength, our power, our biggest lessons in life. Make a wish for yourself: to keep growing, learning and getting better and moving towards your best self, living a happier, healthier more balanced life! Peace of Mind… are these just words we say or is it really achievable consistently? The human experience we call peace is an ideal state of being where freedom from stress, strain, worry, hurry and all other human experiences are felt. Peace allows us to feel our innermost natural state. But you may ask how do we get there when we have come so far from knowing ourselves, when life is so busy, so stressed, so unsure? We begin right where we are. Each day, we begin wherever we are in our lives, in our bodies, because that is all we have to start with. The sooner we realise our greatest potential, the sooner we can live our best lives, and arrive at our most natural state of being, at peace. Peace is a natural human condition. It just needs to be cultivated so that one can maintain a state of peace even in the midst of chaos. If we take the time to cultivate it, grow it, like a crop we plough, fertilise, irrigate, and nurture, we can plant the seeds of peace to grow like wildflowers.

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Tips for Peace and Happiness

1 Meditate – find some quiet time to be with yourself. 2 Exercise – try walking, yoga, cardio, weights, Pilates, etc. 3 Visualisations – create your positive thoughts and attitudes – use a vision board for manifesting desires, dreams and goals. 4 Affirmations – use post-its on your bathroom mirror, on your lap, in your home and office to create and remind you of positive thoughts and feelings. 5 Gratitude List – practice the attitude of gratitude. 6 Eat Healthy – follow a balanced diet. 7 Think Positive Thoughts regularly throughout the day. 8 Wish others well – think of ways of serving others. Random acts of kindness, sharing the good, listening, giving, caring and loving. 9 Listen to music – sing out loud to your favourite song, laugh, watch funny movies, TV programmes or comedies. 10 Spend time in Nature, in the sea, sun and mountains and enjoy forest walks. 11 Rest well – make sure you recharge your batteries through relaxation and a good night’s sleep. Relax, restore and rejuvenate.

The 5 Daily Devotions

Tools to help ‘Live your best life’, from the book The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma: Z Devote yourself to getting up early every morning. Try setting your alarm one hour earlier than normal so you have no excuse for not having time for yourself. Z Devote yourself to making the first 60 minutes of your day your ‘Holy Hour’. Use this period to meditate, walk, pray, reflect, read, do yoga, etc. Z Devote yourself to displaying a standard of care, compassion and character well beyond what anyone can ever imagine from you. Z Devote yourself to displaying a standard of excellence at work far higher than anyone would expect from you. Abundance and fulfilment will flow back to you. Z Devote yourself to being the most loving person you know and thinking, feeling and acting as though you are one of the greatest people currently on the planet (because you are). You will bless many lives. e g LLanos de Purla, km 22, Marbella-Monda. Tel: 952 864 455/ 628 793 013. www.shantisom.com 2/22/12 11:18 AM

Discover the Shanti-Som Experience HOTEL - DETOX - YOGA - SPA - RESTAURANT

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CHOOSE LIFE! PREVENT WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Alzheimer’s and Dementia

UPDATE

“

The idea that Alzheimer’s is entirely genetic and unpreventable is perhaps the greatest misconception about the disease,” says Gary Small, M.D., Director of the UCLA Center on Ageing. His words give hope to many of us who thought that Alzheimer’s was a genetic curse bestowed upon an ever-growing group of unlucky individuals who could do little to alter their fate. Research has found that, much like heart disease or cancer, Alzheimer’s is a disease which develops over many years and which is influenced by the lifestyle choices we make. Follow these tips for a stimulated, active and healthy brain: Z Drink Fresh, Homemade Juice: A study published in the American Journal of Medicine reveals that those who drink three or more servings of fruit and vegetable juice a week have a 76 per cent less chance of contracting Alzheimer’s than those who consume one serving or less a week. Apples are particularly healthy, since they stimulate the production of a ‘memory chemical’ called acetylcholine, which works similarly to Alzheimer’s drug, Aricept. Aim for two apples a day, either directly or in juice form.

Z Ensure Regular Intake of Essential Fatty Acids: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which are found in wild salmon, freshly ground flax seeds, organic, free range eggs and many more foods, have been found to dramatically reduce the progression rate of Alzheimer’s and to promote a healthy nervous system as a whole. Z Drink Tea and Coffee and Avoid Sugary Drinks: Unless other health matters prohibit the consumption of these popular ‘wake-up’ beverages, aim to drink a cup of black or green tea regularly and/or two to three cups of coffee a day as they have been found to reduce the rates of cognitive decline in the elderly by 37 per cent. Wine, in moderation, also promotes brain health, but you need to keep it down to one glass a day for women and two for men. Bear in mind that too much alcohol can actually bring on Alzheimer’s! Stay away from soda drinks made with sugar and syrup and make sure to drink filtered water, as water with a high copper content can be harmful. Z Spice up your life with some curry!: Did you know that the people of India have a significantly reduced Alzheimer’s rate in comparison to those in the Western world? The famous Dr. Oz, who now has his own television show, suggests we consume two servings of curry a week. Meanwhile, Professor Murali Doraiswamy, Director of the Mental Fitness Laboratory at the Department of Psychiatry at Duke University Medical Center, said: “There is very solid

evidence that curcumin binds to plaques, and basic research on animals engineered to produce human amyloid plaques has shown benefits. Turmeric has been studied not just in Alzheimer’s research but for a variety of conditions, such as cancer and arthritis. Turmeric is often referred to as the spice of life in ancient Indian medical lore.” Z Make sure you’re taking enough Vitamin D: Severe deficiency of this Vitamin leads to a 394 per cent cognitive impairment rate. Speak to your doctor about the right dosage for you. Z Take care of your teeth: Gum disease promotes Alzheimer’s, since it is thought that inflammation in the mouth migrates to the brain. Z Keep your brain active: The following activities are known to activate important learning and memory centres in the brain: surfing on the Internet for at least an hour a day; meditation; socialising; filling the brain with new stimuli in the form of new experiences; and learning new things. Z Start young: Give your kids a fighting chance from their very earliest years, feeding them Omega-3 fish, fresh fruit and veg and little to no sugary and processed products. Also, make sure that while they are engaged in a variety of sports activities, they avoid blows to the head. Repeated unnoticed concussions can cause memory loss and

Alzheimer’s later in life. And if you’ve been banning them from playing computer games recently, here’s some food for thought: playing Nintendo for 30 to 60 minutes a day promotes altered brainwave patterns in the visual cortex and overall brain flexibility! Just make sure it doesn’t get out of hand. Games like Brain Age and Big Brain Academy have been specifically created to keep the brain active. Z Keep your cholesterol and blood pressure down as these are linked to lower Alzheimer’s rates. Z Stay slim: According to research presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting, those who are overweight in their 40s are at a greater risk of contracting Alzheimer’s when they are older. Z Exercise regularly: According to the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation, it reduces the Alzheimer’s risk by 50 per cent. Z Avoid aluminium (found in cheap pots and pans, processed cheese, anti-perspirants and some antacids and buffered aspirin) and mercury (found in a preservative contained in some vaccines, amalgam dental fillings, seafood and broken compact fluorescent light bulbs). Z Spend some time with your best friends: Feeling emotionally stimulated is one of the best ways to keep body, mind and spirit forever young. e

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A good year for

It may come as a bit of a surprise to many until they have actually used it, but the Spanish health system is surprisingly good. We say this with all due respect for both Spain and the general ignorance of many a foreigner, but for all the enthusiastic exclamations about this country and its many attributes, it is still seldom seen as a technological powerhouse.

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ

Investigation detail © Unitat de Comunicació i Imatge Vall d’Hebron Research Institute

Professor Mariano Esteban of CSIC in Madrid

OVERCOMING AIDS

UPDATTE

The fact that Spain is currently at the forefront of medical research and playing a leading role in some of the most exciting medical breakthroughs in recent years will therefore also come as something of a surprise to those of us more accustomed to hearing about American, Japanese or Northern European prowess in this field. All the same, Spanish doctors and scientists are currently forging ahead in the search for cures for such global diseases as malaria and AIDS, as well as making important discoveries about the detailed functioning of the human body. These are therefore good times for Spanish technology – a coming of age for the country’s scientific community that seems set to produce a new wave of Severo Ochoas and Santiago Ramón y Cajals.

Research detail

CSIC laboratory

Emerging at the beginning of the eighties, AIDS was the new dreaded disease of the modern era, a sexually transmitted virus that depleted the body’s immunity until even a common cold became deadly. By the turn of the century, drugs had been developed that contained HIV and stopped it from developing into full-blown AIDS. As long as it is detected soon enough, patients can live a full life, though they remain dependent upon costly medicine for the rest of their lives. That is, until a new breakthrough was announced that promises to be the AIDS vaccine the world has been hoping for. In trials conducted with human subjects, 92 per cent of the participants developed an immune response to HIV after receiving the MVA-B vaccine, sparking hopes that this is the vaccine that will produce the immunity to fight back not just against the spread of AIDS but also to kill HIV itself. Trials are continuing, but this could be the long-awaited moment that we overcome the dreaded disease. A salient fact in all of this is that the MVA-B vaccine, which promises so much, was developed

Pictures © Comunicación CSIC

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at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in Madrid. The leader of the project, Professor Mariano Esteban, is surprisingly humble about his team’s momentous achievement, explaining it almost in terms of a complicated puzzle that needed solving: “The MVA-B jab contains four HIV genes that stimulate the production of T and B lymphocytes.” Our body is full of this type of white blood cell, each of which is designed to fight different infectious germs, but the problem is that natural lymphocytes do not recognise the HIV one, so they don’t know how to fight it. What the new vaccine does is ‘inform’ the lymphocytes about the HIV pathogen so that they begin to recognise and destroy it as they would any other disease. This allows the body to fight the virus and overcome it. Professor Esteban emphasises that the trials are still at too early a stage to cry victory, but the international press has already hailed it as potentially one of the most important medical breakthroughs in years. i www.csic.es

G MAL AR N I T A E IA DEF

Hot on the heels of this Spanish success comes another, the news that researchers are hopeful of having found a way of pushing that age-old tropical tormentor, malaria, off the map. British medical journal, The Lancet, reported in January that the trials of a new malaria vaccine developed in Barcelona are producing fantastic results. The vaccine, known as RTS-S and produced under the GlaxoSmithKline banner, was developed by a Spanish team of researchers led by Dr. Pedro Alonso, Director of the Barcelona Centre fro International Health Reseach (CRESIB). After many unsuccessful attempts in the past at creating an effective drug capable of combating this devastating tropical disease, it seems this Spanish team are about to crack it. Trials on infants under the age of one in Mozambique have proved overwhelmingly positive, with the majority shown to be resistant to the mosquito-borne disease after receiving the jab. Although, here too, more testing and further development are required before any major claims of success can be made official, this is the greatest breakthrough against malaria in years, sparking so much excitement exactly because it focuses on the most vulnerable age group of all. If the promised new malaria vaccine can indeed protect young children from malaria, it will be able to save countless newborn babies in the tropics every year. i www.isglobal.org

Investigation detail © Unitat de Comunicació i Imatge Vall d’Hebron Research Institute

Exploring the human microbiome

Malaria Research © Kim Manresa

Dr. Francisco Guarner and his research team © Unitat de Comunicació i Imatge Vall d’Hebron Research

Rated one of the great science breakthroughs of 2011, the exploration of the human microbiome by research teams led in Spain by Dr. Francisco Guarner made some unexpected discoveries. In studying the internal microbial communities of the human body, and more specifically the intestine, they managed to disprove the earlier assumption that we all share a rather random selection of said bacteria types. Instead, they found that just as people belong to a range of different blood types, so there are three distinct combinations of gut bacteria that occur in different individuals, splitting the world’s population into three groups when analysed on this basis. The great Spanish contribution to this European-wide research project lead by MetaHit was the development of the technology required for this groundbreaking in-depth research. Researchers at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) were able to build and fine-tune the necessary equipment in collaboration with the Barcelona Supercomputing Center, which calibrated and analysed the data, effectively providing the means by which exploration and understanding of the human body can be taken to another, previously unattainable level. The scientific harvest of 2011 was therefore a very good one, with Spain making contributions that, if they make it through all the test stages, will have a major impact on a global scale. i www.vhir.org MARCH 2012 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 75

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Same Sex Marriage promotes Gay Men’s Health

UPDATE

Neti Pot Warning

Neti Pots, which are used by many people all around the world to cure colds, clear sinuses and for daily nasal hygiene, may be anything but beneficial, according to a recent warning from doctors in the USA. Seemingly, two people passed away after using a neti-pot with tap water which contained microbes, leading to encephalitis and eventually, death. “Drinking water is ideal for consumption, not for shooting up your nose,” warned doctors, adding, “If you use a Neti Pot or other form of nasal irrigation, use distilled or filtered water. Additionally, ensure the Neti Pot is kept clean and dry between each use.”

There are many reasons why same sex couples opt to tie the knot but a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health indicates that gay marriage is good for the health! The study, entitled Effect of SameSex Marriage Laws on Health Care Use and Expenditures in Sexual Minority Men, studied data obtained from over 1,200 gay men over a 12-month period following the legalisation of same-sex marriage in the state they were living in, coming to the conclusion that the new laws were “effective in reducing health care use and costs among sexual minority men.” The following reasons were espoused: firstly, being in a monogamous relationship lowers the risk of contracting STDs. Additionally, being in a committed relationship lowers the risk of depression, stress and substance abuse.

Fake Tan Users Avoid the Sun Beauty buffs who like their skin to look gold and toasty all year long are thrilled with the wide range of new self-tanning products on the market but it seems there is also a great health benefit to be derived from tinted creams, serums and sprays. A new study has found that 40 per cent of those who use self-tanning products spend less time in the sun, thereby reducing the rate of skin cancer and unwanted wrinkles. While the sun’s rays bestow us with vital Vitamin D, it is much better to enjoy them indirectly, outside peak hours and dressed in something more than a bikini or your favourite pair of Speedos!

Want to Quit Smoking? Consider Medication Before the Big Day

Thinking of quitting one of the hardest, nastiest and most dangerous habits on earth: smoking? If so, you may be scared to go cold turkey and you may have already stocked up on special gums and patches. If you are an anxious smoker or you smoke more than a pack a day, you might consider taking special medication for several weeks before quitting. A recent study undertaken at the Buffalo Roswell Park Cancer Institute in the USA focused on 60 smokers who were medicated with a stop smoking medication called Chantix (varenicline) a month before they quit, and who continued taking the medication for 11 days after quitting. Scientists found that these smokers had a 50 per cent better chance of quitting successfully than those who only began taking the medication on the day they quit. Apparently, the body needs time to adapt to varenicline and it benefits greatly through an extended introduction phase.

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Fabulous and Fit PROFILE BEAUTY

at the Dynamic Training Centre and Martial Arts Academy in Marbella WORDS Marisa CUTILLAS Photography KH Photography

one are the days when the gym was a sweatbox inhabited exclusively by male bodybuilders. Over the last couple of decades, science has discovered that fitness is a state that should be pursued by all, regardless of sex or age and definitely starting in our childhood. Keeping our heart active and our weight within our ideal range, has effects that go beyond the physical, since exercise staves off cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In order to achieve our personal best level of fitness, a combination of strength and cardiovascular exercise is indicated, and for those seeking the very best in equipment, installations and personalised attention, few gyms quite make the grade like the Dynamic Training Centre and Martial Arts Academy (DTC). When it comes to selecting a good gym, there are three main things to look for: the quality of the installations, exercise rooms and equipment; variety in available activities; and personalised attention from the staff. DTC excels in each of these categories, with various, spacious halls boasting natural lighting, classes in everything from Zumba to yoga, Pilates, strength, Muay Thai, not to mention the Dynamic Bike class, featuring the renowned Bikecontrol bikes, designed by cyclist Melchor Mauri. The bikes are adaptable to the size and body type of each person, making for an ergonomic and efficient cardiovascular workout. The machines hall is equally worthy of mention, with machines from upmarket German brand Gym 80, which enable a far more efficient workout than the average brand. Gym 80 machines target

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specific muscle groups in a different way from what you’re probably used to, such as the sitting calf press or the glute machines, which are both comfortable and efficient. On my recent visit to DTC, I was impressed by the whole ambience and mood. As you enter, you are greeted by a tempting shop, complete with the gym’s own brand of martial arts clothing, as well as the most popular shakes and drinks that give your performance and musculature that extra punch. The staff is super friendly, something I gauged from María José (the lady in charge of administration) as well as the instructors, who motivated me to start my training routine with them. When you become a new member at DTC, you’re not alone, since the highly skilled staff will provide you with a strength training log indicating the weights and reps you need to complete. There is always a monitor to help you out in the weights room, and with the fancy new equipment, you may indeed have a question or two! Then there are the classes themselves. I took a peak at a spinning class (this was 10am and the 10-or-so students were clearly being challenged by the shapely instructor and irresistible dance music. In the Muay Thai room, I was impressed by the strength (and beautifully defined) bodies of the women, who kicked and punched their way to sheer gorgeousness with the instructor, Pepe, who assures me that when it comes to Muay Thai, women, interestingly, seem to evolve and improve at a particularly impressive rate! Martial arts buffs

will find everything they’re looking for, with the wide range of classes including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts (M.M.A.). María José gave me the full tour, showing me the lovely high-ceilinged capoeira hall, yoga hall, several activity halls and even a Kids Room: for only €8 ( vouchers are available as well), babies as young as three months will be taken care of by qualified professionals as their mums sweat their way back to pre-baby shape! There are also a wide number of classes catered for children, including Kids Zumba. The interior design is noteworthy, with Zen Buddhist statues and flowing fountains reminding you that exercise is not just about the physical, if not the mental and spiritual as well. There is a lovely restaurant too, serving daily specials and healthy but satisfying fare like wraps, salads, sandwiches, natural juices and even lasagne. The restaurant keeps the same hours as the gym (8:30am to 10:30pm, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm on Saturday and 10am to 2pm on Sunday), so a pre- or post- workout meal is always possible. Perhaps I was wrong and there is a fourth element to the perfect gym: variety of the clientele. DTC attracts an eclectic mix indeed, everyone from parents to serious bodybuilders and martial arts fanatics, to women who like to stay trim and taut. For when it comes to all your favourite classes and challenging new ones, cardiovascular and strength training needs, DTC is ready to support, inspire and motivate you. e

g C.C. Le Village, Ctra. De Istán, km 0.9, Marbella. Tel: 952 775 021. www.dynamicmarbella.com 2/21/12 12:12 PM

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BEAUTY

SILKY SMOOTH

Marisa Cutillas recommends these top buys for ultra luscious locks.

HAIR

PRODUCTS

g / n i Sum r p S m s i e th

1 - RAINFOREST MOISTURE HAIR BUTTER FOR DRY HAIR BY THE BODY SHOP If split ends and brittle locks are the bane of your existence, splash on this heavenly butter, which deeply moisturises but contains no silicones, artificial colours or parabens. i www.thebodyshop.es

2 - RAINFOREST RADIANCE DETANGLING SPRAY BY THE BODY SHOP With just one spritz, watch your hair go from tangled to tame. i www.thebodyshop.es

3 - HEAD JOG PINK RADIAL BRUSH BY HAIR TOOLS LTD. This 60mm brush is ideal for large, bouncy curls. Your hair will never get tangled or otherwise damaged with this fab new brush. i www.hairtools.co.uk

6 - BB (REALLY THICKENING SERUM) BY BUMBLE AND BUMBLE This nightly leave-in treatment fortifies hair and makes it thicker, stronger and fuller. i www.bumbleandbumble.com

7 - HAIR CLEANSING CREAM BY REDKEN If oily hair is a problem, try this purifying shampoo cream by Redken, which contains potent fruit acids. i www.redken.com

8 - POPPY SEED OIL 4 - VIBE SILK RADIANCE SPRAY BY HAIR TOOLS LTD. REVIVING MASK BY VIBE Silk Radiance is an advanced, lightweight leave- THE BODY SHOP in serum that strengthens and protects your hair from heat styling, UV rays and everyday stress. Use before styling for soft, silky hair. i www.hairtools.co.uk Â

5 - HEAD JOG LADY BIRD BRUSH BY HAIR TOOLS LTD. This soft bristled brush is perfect for untangling

To boost or revive lacklustre hair, try this wonderful three-minute mask. i www.thebodyshop.es

wet and wild hair. i www.hairtools.co.uk

6 7 3 1

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SWEDISH

The editorial backbone of our publications is based on current events, news, reviews, politics and finance, while other sections cover in-depth and topical information on subjects that concern readers living in Spain. We also offer refreshing and interesting features on health, food and wine, sport, travel and dĂŠcor, designed for the many Scandinavian-speaking residents and visitors to southern Spain.

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ENTERPRISE

NEWS /ENTERPRISE / LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILES /

FINANCE / LAW

Bioparc Fuengirola Received Tourism Quality Certification Bioparc Fuengirola has been officially recognised as a ‘quality product’ by Turespaña and the Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP). The park received the SICTED certification (Certificación del Sistema Integral de Calidad Turística en Destino), which recognises its touristic, cultural and educational value as well as its work in the conservation of the environment.

g C/ Camilo José Cela 6, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 666 301. www.bioparcfuengirola.es

New Showroom for Patricia Darch interior Design & Projects Gibraltar Patricia Darch Interior Design & Projects has a brand new showroom in Ocean Village, Gibraltar. The company, which specialises in interior design and has a diverse portfolio of villas, apartments and full renovation projects along the Coast, is renowned for its distinctive style and elegance. Under the creative direction of an international team of interior designers, including an in-house artist, audiovisual and lighting technicians, Patricia Darch Interiors offers a bespoke design service combined with many years of experience and a high level of customer care and attention to detail. Additional services include turnkey furnishing schemes for personal, rental and commercial projects, which are designed according to a budget set by the client. The showroom features iconic luxury brands including Fendi Casa, B&B Italia and Ipe Cavalli. Take time to view the many exquisite fabric collections such as Romo, Casamance (pictured here), Lizzo and Dedar, as well as the newly launched collection of Hermès fabrics and wallpapers. The showroom also offers a gift service facility for that perfect wedding list. g 10/12 Ocean Village Promenade, Ocean Village,

Gibraltar. Tel: +350 216 77776. www.patriciadarch.com 82 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE MARCH 2012

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The Lodge plays host to the hottest ski bar in the Sierra Nevada The Lodge is a cosy yet elegant ski lodge in the Sierra Nevada for discerning skiers and snowboarders who appreciate the best things in life. It now boasts a new Suite Lounge and Chill Terrace, which is a stylish choice for those wishing to take a break from the ski slopes, day or night. The Lodge is located just 50m from the Chairlift Parador 1, with direct access to the slopes. It has 20 rooms, decorated in wood for a classic yet luxurious ski chalet feel. The Chill Terrace and Lounge feature all the hallmarks of popular Marbella venue, Suite, including the latter’s emblematic colours, trendy ambience, fine service and fantastic food. There is a special end-ofseason offer of 20 per cent off any room, subject to availability. g Call

Tel: 958 480 600/ reservas@ellodge.com

Those seeking an exclusive, custommade travel experience should look no further than NUBA, the luxury travel agency which launched its new premises recently in the centre of Marbella. NUBA offers a unique and personal experience, proposing travels to destinations that meet the highest expectations of its clients. See elephants up close in Africa, dip into the warm waters of the Pacific sea and marvel at the red earth of Uluru in Australia. NUBA is ready to make your wildest dreams come true.

g Avda. Cánovas del Castillo 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 859 113. www.nuba.net

NUBA Luxury Travel opens in Marbella

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The Russian Meeting Point: Where Russian Investors and Real Estate Firms Meet An important networking event for investors and real estate professionals, The Russian Meeting Point, will be taking place from March 14 to 16 at the Hotel Villa Padierna. Organised by Barcelona Meeting Point, the event is poised to attract close to a hundred investors and Russian APIs, introducing them to properties located in the Golden Triangle comprising Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís. The Russian Meeting Point will take up an area of 500m2 and will consist of a business lounge, an area with stands, a conference hall and visits to the most exclusive properties on the Costa del Sol.

g www.russianmeetingpoint.com

Special Offer on Implants at Oasis Dental Clinic If you have had extractions in the past and feel embarrassed by the resulting spaces, or if you have difficulty chewing because of several missing teeth then now is a good time to think about your options. Traditionally, either removable dentures or cutting down adjacent teeth to fix bridges were the only treatment options. However, now the placement of an implant in the space can act as an artificial root and form an anchor for an overlying single crown or to replace multiple teeth. For the month of March only, take advantage of a 20 per cent discount on a single dental implant, plus crown, at the Oasis Dental Clinic, founded by prosthodontics specialist Dr. Nina King. g Avda. Ricardo Soriano 20, Marbella.

Tel: 952 766 357. www.oasisdentalmarbella.com

Look Great and Raise Money for Cudeca with Specsavers Busy Days for Aloha College Students Aloha College students are busier than ever, shining in both official and extra-curricular activities and having a whole lot of fun while they’re at it. Recently, three students from Years 10 and 11 (Lola Faura Práxedes, Julen Pérez Álvarez and Sebastián Hernández Flaño) attended the ISMTF International Junior Mathematics Competition in Milan, a two-day event involving individual and team rounds of challenging mathematical problems. Some 270 children from various countries competed, forming 95 teams. Back home, theatrically inclined students took part in a performance of Little Shop of Horrors, a comedic play based on the film by Roger Corman about a young florist’s assistant who looks after a plant with a rather strange appetite. g Tel: 952 814 133.

www.aloha-college.com

Specsavers Opticas in Fuengirola is marking the start of a year-long collaboration with the Cudeca Cancer Hospice with a fun event on Monday, March 5. Local hairdressers and beauticians from Beso Salon will be on hand to pamper and beautify the guests totally free of charge. ‘Frame style advisors’ will help match glasses to guests’ new looks and there will also be a ‘Bring and Buy’ clothing sale so guests can shop for a good cause. All funds raised will go to Cudeca. g The Open Day will run from

10am to 7:30pm at the Specsavers store on Avda. Ramón y Cajal 6, Fuengirola. Call Tel: 952 467 837 to book an appointment. www.specsavers.es

New Charity Shops for Cudeca The Cudeca charity shops are a great way to raise funds for Cudeca’s cancer care hospice and the good news for those in the El Palo and Fuengirola areas is that the shops in their respective areas are in brand new and improved locales.

g The El Palo shop is now at C/ Escultor Paco Palma 1, El Palo, Málaga. Tel: 663 083 218. The Fuengirola shop is now at Avda. Jesús Santos Rein (just three doors down from the old shop), Fuengirola. Tel: 667 433 537. www.cudeca.org 84 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE MARCH 2012

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Cover your Car in the Beauty of Luxury Vehicle Wraps Changing the colour of your vehicle no longer requires paint, thanks to local company Luxury Vehicle Wraps, the company that wraps your car, boat or motorcycle up in Imagina Signs vinyls without eliminating the original paint job. The vinyls are available in a range of standard colours as well as special effects styles. Luxury Vehicle Wraps provides the highest quality manual applications of the materials for your vehicle, taking special care during the installation and using only the most luxurious vinyls on the market to ensure all graphics are beautiful and seamless. g For further information, Tel: 952 786 733. www.luxuryvehiclewraps.com

Skydiving for Positively Pink Spain Women and men from all walks of life will be jumping out of a plane for local breast cancer charity, Positively Pink, on September 22 in Seville so if you’re up for a fun and fruitful day, why not sign up for the occasion? Registration is direct with Skydive Spain. A deposit of €30 is required and each jumper must obtain €340 in sponsorship to do the jump for free. Of this amount, €170 will be given to Positively Pink.

g Tel: 955 766 056. www.skydivespain.com

Oh My Dog! Gorgeous Grooming for your Four Footed Friend Whether you have a Bichon Maltese, poodle, short-haired dog or well-loved cross, you undoubtedly feel the need to pamper it once in a while and there is no better way to do this than with a long, luxurious grooming session. We suggest a visit to Verónica Silvero, Head groomer at Oh My Dog!, who was trained by one of the best professionals in Europe at the reputable Lassie School of Dog Grooming in San Pedro. Verónica and her staff offer a wide range of services including bathing, trimming and cutting hair, stripping and nail clipping, all at competitive prices. They will even collect your pet from your home and drop it off when they’re done. g At Vet Tamara in Estepona. Avda. Litoral,

Edificio Europa Center, 9, Estepona (take the first exit to Estepona from the CN340, to the Palacio de Congresos. The shop is right by McDonald’s). Tel: 619 447 093. www.ohmydog.es

Pioneering Technique in Fighting Chronic Sinusiti at the USP Marbella The Otolaryngology Unit of the USP Marbella Hospital, headed by Dr. Juan Carlos Casado and Dr. Carlos O’Connor, recently carried out an innovative surgical technique to treat chronic sinusitis, which involves the use of a transitory endonasal implant. The technique, which was invented in the USA, was employed successfully on two women, aged 71 and 42, respectively. In Spain, between 0.9 and 1.8 million people suffer from chronic sinusitis. g Avda. Severo

Ochoa 22, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 200. www.usphospitales.com

World War II Vet Visits Swans School

Students at Swans International School had the chance to meet a veteran of World War Two recently when they were visited by Reginald Warrick, whose daughter, Helen, is a teacher at the school. Reginald visited students at a Year Nine History lesson and shared his experiences, which included taking part in the Normandy landings of June 1944. Students enjoyed receiving first-hand information about such an important historical event and Reginald was happy to answer questions that were quite personal to his experiences, including being wounded by shrapnel and capturing enemy soldiers. At the age of 92, his recollection of events was amazing and the students benefited greatly from this unique experience. g Tel: 952 902 755. www.swansschoolinternational.es 86 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE MARCH 2012

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New Dance Classes for Kids with the Marbella Stage School Coordination, balance and grace in movement are qualities which should be fomented in children from a very young age and luckily for parents on the Coast, Jayne Melville’s Marbella Stage School has been teaching children to dance, either just for fun or more seriously, since those wishing to present themselves to the official L.A.M.D.A. exams are encouraged to do so twice a year. There are a host of new classes for kids aged four and above, both at QI Sport and at the Cabopino Stage School, taught by Nicola Bryce, a former Marbella Stage School student who is now a fully qualified dance and Zumba teacher. Nicola is actually the only qualified Zumbatonic teacher on the Coast and she teaches fun classes which incorporate traditional Zumba moves with hip-hop and street dance styles. The school also teaches drama and prepares shows for parents and friends to enjoy. g Eye Create Studio, Cabopino.

Tel: 952 906 865. www.marbellastageschool.com

Carnival of the Artists at Red Penguin Art Gallery

Red Penguin Art Gallery, recently launched at El Corte Inglés El Capricho, has a brand new exhibition on show: Carnival of the Artists, featuring a series of exceptional international artists and photographers who together celebrate the themes of carnival, circus, parties and Venice. The list of artists includes: Cats and Withoos from Holland (a photographic duo with an extensive background in fashion), Alfredo Palmero (a third-generation Spanish artist whose harlequin paintings pay homage to Pablo Picasso), Fernando Bayona (who blends classical tradition with kitsch pop art); and Tos Kostermans (magic realist from Holland).

g Blvd. Alfonso von Hohenlohe, Marbella. Tel: 664 340 107. www.redpenguinartgallery.com

Vincci Selección Aleysa Boutique & Spa Chosen for Porsche Panamera GTS Presentation The sleek, sporty new Porsche Panamera GTS was recently unveiled before a group of over 150 international journalists, who travelled to the Costa del Sol for the presentation, held at the five-star Vincci Selección Aleysa Boutique & Spa. Many of those attending the event and the test runs at the Ascari Race track in Ronda chose to stay at the Vincci Selección Aleysa, famed for its luxurious spa installations and services.

g Avda. Antonio Machado 57, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 566 566. www.vinccihoteles.com 88 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE MARCH 2012

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IKEA FAMILY Forest Planted in Arboretum Marbella Some 120 people gathered together recently at Arboretum Marbella to plant trees and create the first IKEA FAMILY Forest. The participants included members of the IKEA FAMILY scheme, employees of IKEA Málaga and the Foundation +árboles. All participants received a Friend of the IKEA Forest card, which includes the GPS coordinates of the trees that they planted so they can find them in years to come. The event was part of the campaign Create your IKEA FAMILY forest, which was launched in May 2011. The initiative donates €0,10 to the Foundation +árboles every time a member uses their IKEA FAMILY card, funding the creation of forests throughout the Iberian Penisula. g www.arboretummarbella.org

Panic Room Business Goes Global Wouldn’t you love to have your own ‘panic room’: a highlevel ballistic rated, fully ventilated room that allows you to communicate with the outside world even if the mains power system fails? The Panic Room, a big hit at security shows in South Africa and London during its debut in 2011 and now turning heads on a global scale, has tapped into what Business Development Director Steve Brook calls “either the threat, or the perceived threat, of attack.” Panic Room Company supplies self-installable units to commercial and leisure shipping vessels, international embassies in volatile cities, high net worth businessmen protecting their families and assets, etc. and is considered to be more cost-effective and practical than the masonrybuilt and steel-lined alternative. The room can be specified to withstand mechanical attacks, shotgun fire and more powerful weapon attacks. Each unit can then be adapted to various levels of connectivity to complementary devices - this may be a ‘panic button’ activating an existing alarm system, iPad-2 technology using ISDN or 3G to contact external help, or bespoke computer systems able to drive smoke screens or security cameras. There is a bespoke solution for all clients. g For further information,

Tel: +44 1709 385077. www.thepanicroomcompany.com

Swans School International Baccalaureate Open Day Swans School recently welcomed parents, students and members of the public to its first annual International Baccalaureate Open Day. The event was a huge success, receiving extremely positive feedback. Those who attended received details of the current IB curriculum offerings for September 2012. Swans is also proud to announce that member of staff, Marta García has been appointed International Baccalaureate examiner for Spanish Language B. Currently, over 25 per cent of the school staff are IB examiners, thereby consolidating Swans’ growing reputation as an IB school. g Tel: 952 902 755.

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Kool Covers for your iPhone and iPad iphones and iPads used to all look alike but thankfully, that has changed, thanks to Kool Covers, available in a wide range of designs and materials. Why not make a fashion statement with your iPad at your next meeting, covering it in luxurious crocodile skin or coloured leather? Your gadgets are very much a reflection of your personal taste so it’s about time they looked as stylish as you do. g Kool Covers can be purchased

online (shipping takes 24 hours and is free within Spain) on www.koolcovers.es

Walk for the Animals of Triple A We all know of the important work carried out by Triple A in saving the lives of countless abandoned animals and this month you have a chance to help out, by signing up for the animal support walk on March 4. Participants will meet up at the Norauto carpark at 9am. At 9:20am everyone will head for Triple A for a presentation and will subsequently be presented to the Triple A dog they will be taking for a walk. At 10am the walk will commence, with a break at 11:30 and at 1pm everyone will head back to Triple A. Tickets need to be purchased beforehand. g For further information,

Tel: 699 199 158. info@expandetumundo.com / www.aaahelps.com

Musical Mime Show in Marbella Daniele Fileti and Stefano Baratto, the legendary comic duo better known as Minestrone, will be performing their latest musical mime show on Saturday, March 17 at the Teatro Ciudad de Marbella at 9pm. The audience can expect many things: a bit of Commedia dell’Arte tossed in with some mime, music, poetry and minstrelsy. It all begins when two jesters and two musicians find themselves on the stage of a town and decide to set up their own show and take the public on a humorous, imaginative and exciting trip they will never forget. Tickets cost €15 and can be purchased at El Corte Inglés or at the theatre door. g Tel: 902 400 222.

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THEPRO PROFILE

id you know that on the Costa del Sol, the majority of the damage caused to homes is by rainy weather and flooding, above all during the change of seasons? Despite this fact, some 43 per cent of Spanish homes remain unprotected against accidents and unforeseen damage. The average insurance indemnity for domestic accidents amounts to €384, though in provinces such as Castellón and Navarra, this amount is often doubled or even tripled. The statistics are baffling indeed, indicating that in Spain, the average cost of an annual premium for homeowners insurance is €214, half the amount spent on car insurance (€434). This despite the fact that homes can cost as much as 10 times or more than cars. Renowned Spanish insurance company Línea Directa Aseguradora recently published the results of an exhaustive study entitled Home Insurance in Spain: Accidents and Absence of Insurance, which focused on over 70,000 accidents registered by the company in the past three years. The results indicated that the most common household accidents (20.4 per cent of all cases) are caused by water taps, (people forgetting to close them or leaking and breakage). The second biggest cause (17 per cent) is lightning, wind and hail, followed by damage to doors, windows and mirrors (14 per cent). Robbery and fires are the most infrequent, causing 5.4 per cent and 1.8 percent, respectively, of all household accidents. The causes of accidents vary from territory to territory, with damage caused by lightning, wind and hail topping the list in coastal territories like Gerona, Tarragona, Castellón, Baleares and Valencia. On the other hand, damage caused by water leaks are more common in Barcelona, Alicante, Murcia and Almería. In Málaga and Cádiz, rain and flooding are the biggest culprits, while Granada and Huelva are the only Spanish cities citing the breakage of doors and windows as the most common accidents.

15 out of every 100 Homes Have an Accident a Year

DAMAGE

Caused by Lightning, Wind and Hail Top the List for Coastal Homes in Spain Insurance is Necessary but not Obligatory

Línea Directa sought to determine the actual percentage of non-insured homes, analysing data contained in policies from the entire sector (almost 14.8 million homes) as well as the from the official housing stock (25.8 million in Spain), studying the information region by region. Only 12 provinces surpassed the average rate of being insured and of these 12, only four (Vizcaya, Guipúzcoa, Madrid and Álava) surpass the rate considered acceptable by experts (85 per cent). Interestingly, Vizcaya is the only province in which virtually all homes are insured and eight out of 10 homes have more than one insurance policy. The lowest rate of insured homes can be found in Ávila and Teruel, where seven out of 10 homes are not insured at all. The reason for this alarmingly high rate can probably be attributed to a number of variables, including:

According to the study, 15 per cent of all households encounter problems throughout the year. Cáceres (20.5 per cent), Sevilla (20 per cent) and Cádiz (19.9 per cent) top the list of affected houses, as opposed to Lérida (7.1 per cent), Soria (7.3 per cent) and Huesca (7.7 per cent). The average indemnity for accidents amounts to €384. In 28 of 50 Spanish provinces, this amount is less, with Badajoz (€224) and Ávila (€259) being the most economical. On the other hand, Castellon and Navarra double and even triple the mean, costing €921 and €1.263, respectively.

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Z THE PRICE AND AGE OF THE HOUSE: the older and less valuable a home is, the less likely it is to be insured. Z THE PERCENTAGE OF FIRST HOMES: the higher the figure, the greater the rate of insurance. Z THE GDP PER CAPITA: Well-off dwellers are more likely to insure their homes owing, in great part, to a strong belief in the value of insurance. Z UNEMPLOYMENT RATES: The territories with the most unemployed inhabitants have a non-insurance rate of over 50 per cent. Z THE STOCK OF EMPTY HOUSES: According to the last census carried out by the INE in 2005, more than 3.1 million homes in Spain are empty.

The complete study can be accesed at http://info.lineadirecta.com/noticias/estudios-informes

g Tel: 902 123 104. www.lineadirecta.com 2/23/12 12:10 PM

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THEPRO FINANCE

A life LESS TAXING I

t is estimated that more than 5m Britons have moved to live or work overseas in the past decade. The most popular destinations include Spain, France, Portugal and Cyprus – not places that most people would immediately associate with tax havens. However, with some careful planning there are significant savings to be made on income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax in these countries. Spain, among other popular European destinations, has its tax advantages too. The key factor behind many tax issues for those leaving British shores is residence. If you are non-resident for UK tax purposes you will get some UK tax relief, as you no longer have to pay UK tax on your foreign earnings and certain UK income. Equally, you are exempt from UK capital gains tax as long as you remain non-resident for five complete tax years or earlier, if realising gains on assets acquired after you left the UK. If you become non-resident and sever all ties with the UK, establishing a permanent home elsewhere, this may impact on your domicile and ultimately your liability to UK inheritance tax (IHT). It is worth noting that if you retain a UK domicile, your worldwide assets could be subject to UK IHT at 40 per cent upon your death. If you are UK resident for UK tax purposes it is very likely you will be subject to UK income tax and capital gains tax as long as you remain a resident. When coming to the UK, in the eyes of HMRC, you are deemed a UK resident if you spend 183 days per year or more in the UK, or your annual visits average 90 days or more over four years.

in the sun WORDS SCOTT PRIESTLY, CHARTERED FINANCIAL PLANNER, FELLOW OF THE PERSONAL FINANCE SOCIETY. PARTNER, ST. JAMES’S PLACE

However, when leaving the UK, matters become more complex. While you can currently continue to visit for up to 90 days/year, it is important to be cautious. A recent Court of Appeal decision has highlighted the potentially dire tax consequences that can result from relying on such a simplistic approach to your tax residency. The residency test is not simply based on day counts, but about the quality and extent to which an individual has severed his or her links with the UK in attempting to become resident elsewhere. There are no universally applicable shortcuts nor are there any absolute guarantees in establishing yourself as non-resident for UK tax purposes, unless you fall firmly within HMRC’s examples. It will be for HMRC to make a decision on your residence based on its own investigations and interpretation, so ‘full-time’ employment or a ‘permanent or indefinite’ departure from the UK in your eyes, may fall short of HMRC’s expectations. It remains the case that a distinct break with the UK for a considerable period (at least one whole tax year, and preferably more) is by far the best way to secure your non-resident status. But if you want to maintain links to the UK, which must in any case be extremely limited, especially at first, there are various factors that you should bear in mind.

These include where your family is living, whether you have maintained a residence in the UK (particularly if it remains available for your own use), whether you have established a permanent residence abroad, where your bank accounts and credit cards are and where your social connections including club or other memberships are based. It is important to remember that, even if you are successful in establishing a residence abroad, this will not of itself mean that you are not UK resident: it is possible under English tax law to be resident in more than one place at the same time. In the absence of a statutory test for residency, those wishing to acquire and/or retain residence exclusively outside the UK must be wary of how HMRC might interpret all aspects of their lifestyles. As it stands, the legal situation can be difficult to negotiate and more intrusive than you might imagine. It is also worth noting that a statutory residence test is due to be implemented for the first time in the UK next year; many people who otherwise fell outside of the UK residence net could, from April 2013, find themselves caught within it. The chances are that wherever you lay your hat you will have to pay some tax. But just as in the UK, specialists help millions of people pay less tax than they might otherwise, so too can experts who understand overseas tax, double taxation treaties and residency rules. The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time, depending on individual circumstances and changes in legislation. The overriding message is simple: get expert advice. It could save you money. g To receive a complimentary Spanish Tax Guide, please contact Scott Priestly, Partner of the St. James’s Place Partnership on Tel: +44 (0) 1283 538600. or by email: scott.priestly@sjpp.co.uk For further information, www.spanishwealth.co.uk

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Register for our latest Investment, Pension and Taxation Seminars To be held in the Marbella, Guadalmina, Sotogrande area throughout 2012 At St. James’s Place we have the expertise to help you protect your money from taxation and grow it through a highly successful and award-winning approach to wealth management. The advice and services we provide include: • Distinct approach to investment management • Investment programmes designed for UK expatriates and/or Spanish Residents including tax planning, pension portfolios and legal services • Investor protection under both Spanish and UK regulations • Potential for superior investment performance, ease of administration and regular, predictable income

• The reassurance and stability of a FTSE 250 company with funds under management of £28.5 billion originally established by Sir Mark Weinberg, Lord Rothschild and Mike Wilson • Offshore Trust Review service to review the effectiveness, investment performance and costs of any Offshore Trust(s) that you may have.

For further details or to request a complimentary Spanish Tax Guide, please contact:

KEVIN HYLAND Senior Partner

Tel: 0044 115 920 1007 Email: kevin.hyland@sjpp.co.uk

P ART N ERS I N M AN AG I N G Y OUR W E A L TH

www.spanishwealth.co.uk The Partner represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the title ‘Partner’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

THEVIBE

MODERN ART AT THE KASSER RASSU GALLERY The glitterati and members of the press gathered for the latest exhibition of contemporary art at Kasser Rassu. Impressionistic painter Nicole Leidenfrost dazzled the crowd with her creative reinterpretations of the human body, which shone with colour, grace and harmony. The next exhibition will be of Photography by Johnny Gates, being launched on the evening of Friday 2nd March.

“In the pie of life, art is the ice-cream” – Peter Krause

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PHOTOGRAPHY Johnny Gates ñl download your photo from www.i-marbella.com 2/23/12 2:13 PM

THEVIBE

EL LAGO PRESENTS NEW IMAGE Highly regarded Michelin-starred restaurant El Lago invited members of the press to an evening presentation of its new image, including many original photos from the Lavazza Collection, following extensive refurbishment by González & Jacobsen. El Lago’s Director Paco García spoke about the changes and the restaurants ‘Zero Kilometre’ philosophy, involving sourcing high quality produce locally and guests delighted in a variety of innovative and tasty tapas conjured up by talented chef Diego del Río.

El Lago’s star continues to shine brightly!

PHOTOGRAPHY Johnny Gates 153Vibe.indd 97

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THELEISURE TRAVEL

A world of WORDS MICHEL CRUZ

HEALTHY

SENSATIONS I

n recent years there has been an explosive growth in the spa phenomenon, with resort hotels, health clinics and secluded retreats offering an everwidening range of health and beauty treatments. What’s more, it’s a truly global phenomenon in which East and West meet in a drive to soothe, relax and restore us to physical and mental wellbeing. But the idea of a spa or recuperative spot in nature is not a new one. Much of Asia can draw

on traditions that go back to the creation of its civilisations, while most of the classic spas and baths of Europe were first made famous by the Romans, a people whose love of hot water and pampering treatments went on to influence the Byzantines, Arabs and Turks as well. Religious superstition and a decline in technological standards saw the demise of public baths and related rituals in Europe, a situation that cost countless millions of lives in an era of

poor sanitary health and raging epidemics. It was not until the 18th century that Europe was ready to rediscover the pleasures the Romans once took for granted, but when they did so, the continent’s upper classes went positively balmy over them, causing the great revival of the spa and perhaps the most elegant phase in its history as the ‘quality’ of many nations congregated in such venerated places as Vichy, Bath and Baden Baden – relaxing in style far, far away from the vicissitudes of normal life.

Panoramic view over the city of Bath

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Pictures © Bath Tourism Plus

Bath

The Roman baths at night Rooftop spa at Thermae, Bath

o compare Bath to Baden Baden is to measure English civility against its German counterpart, for these spa towns are remarkably alike in history and appeal. Bath’s mineralrich hot springs were similarly discovered and developed by the Romans and, like Baden Baden, it enjoyed its heyday in the 19th century, when it too played host to a long list of monarchs, aristocrats, composers and other notables. Like its German counterpart, Bath is similarly breathtaking in the uniformity of its classical architecture and a picture perfect setting within a green valley. Perhaps the most famous feature of the town is the Royal Crescent, but there are many other architectural marvels in what is an early example of urban planning. Very popular these days are the baths, though like most others in Europe they date back to the Romans, a fact attested to by the famous Roman Baths whose pool and surrounding columns are almost 2,000 years old. Another typical feature of a classical spa town is the offer of civilised diversions ranging from fine dining and antique hunting to classical concerts and a simple stroll through the charming streets of the old town, though the main attraction remains an invigorating circuit through the finest baths in Britain. Visitors with a bit of time on their hands are encouraged to make a day of it, starting at the atmospheric Roman baths, where the spires of Bath Abbey blend visions of the Middle Ages with those of an earlier era, and moving on to the classical Pump Room Restaurant for lunch. After lunch the process of languid relaxation continues in the modern Thermae Spa, where a range of baths and steam rooms await before you complete the circuit at the Thermae’s rooftop hot spring pool. From this amazing vantage point it is possible to take in the sights of this elegant town as you float in the hot water. i www.visitbath.co.uk

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Dead Sea: salt deposits in the south

The Dead Sea

Judean Desert landscape, looking east over the Dead Sea Ein Gedi Spa, with pool, Dead Sea beach and bathers

Wading into and floating on the briny waters

Pictures © Ministry of Tourism (goisrael.com)

Sun worshipers smeared with healing mud

hen you think of floating in salt water the Dead Sea soon comes to mind. Perhaps not surprisingly, this ancient saltwater lake is another of the world’s great natural spa centres. Its highly saline water may be too briny for animals to live in, but the minerals contained in it work a treat with a whole host of ailments. As a result, it has become a popular recuperative site with people from around the world, spawning localised health and beauty tourism and the export of Dead Sea products to the far corners of the world. Compared to the classical European spa towns, however, the Dead Sea has an altogether more natural and earthy ambience, centred as it is around the shores of the 800km2 lake, on which an arid landscape adds to the sometimes otherworldly scenery of water topped with caked salt. Occupying the lowest point on the earth’s land surface, at 377 metres below sea level, the Dead Sea has yielded a list of ingredients that cover everything from balms for the mummification of the pharaohs to modernday creams and cosmetics. Besides floating in its water and rubbing its soothing mud on your skin you can also repair to one of the spa resort hotels on the Israeli shore, where modern health treatments alternate with typical resort comforts. Another unique feature of this particular spa destination is the palpable gravity of ancient history, for the Dead Sea is criss-crossed in ancient texts, including the bible and the torah, and with the ruins of the fortress of Masada looking down on you from a nearby rise, you realise you’re floating in the midst of one of the world’s great historical sites.

One of the eco-friendly cottages

i www.goisrael.com Secluded beach at Petit St. Vincent

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The hotel’s private beach, Barbaros Bay

Decked chill out lounge at Bodrum’s Kempinski Spa Hotel

Fantastic views to be had from the island’s cottages

he blend of spas and the tropics brings Thailand to mind, and indeed, that part of the world has become a haven of beautifully designed spa retreats where attentive service merges with gorgeous tropical surroundings and the sensory exploration of Asian treatments to provide a particularly seductive appeal. This time, however, we draw your attention to a similar experience in a different, and perhaps somewhat unexpected part of the world. Petit St Vincent is a tropical dream island situated in the Grenadines – as in St Vincent and the Grenadines, British West Indies, in the Caribbean. An island getaway if ever there was one, this tiny tropical paradise is a privately owned island turned exclusive resort where nature’s beauty – not man’s edifices – dominates the architectural language. Put differently, the luxurious

facilities that make up this privileged resort blend into the tropical greenery. Made of natural wood and stone, with thatched roofs and simple yet stylish and luxurious décor, the 22 cottages offer comfort combined with a fantasy location and dreamlike views of tropical seas and skies. Sorry, but if you come here you’ll have to leave your wretched mobile phones, computers and TV addiction behind, and instead submit to pampering spa treatments, freshly cooked meals enjoyed outdoors, walks through the paradisiacal surroundings and a host of water sports. It could be hell for some but absolute paradise for others. Having other islands in view avoids any sense of isolation, yet Petit St Vincent is private enough to be called an authentic tropical island paradise where you can play at being a five-star Robinson Crusoe. No wonder it is often booked out in its entirety by private parties wishing to have it all to themselves. You could hardly blame them really. i www.petitstvincent.com

he Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay in Bodrum represents the modern kind of spa resort. Set not necessarily on the site of natural hot springs, it is a luxury spa resort hotel that combines the opulent pleasures of a luxury seaside hotel with the health and beauty facilities of a modern spa. As a result, you will recognise it first and foremost as a fivestar resort hotel, set upon the wooded peninsula that juts out from Asia Minor (Turkey) into the Aegean and almost touches the Greek island of Kos. The hotel is located on one of the many little coves that mark the coastline of the peninsula, overlooking Barbaros Bay, just before the pretty resort town of Bodrum. The fact that Bodrum is also an important historical centre adds to its charm and flavour, for this is an ancient crossroads touched by Greek civilisation, Romans, Byzantines, Saracens, Knights Templar and Turks. The castle that dominates its harbour was one of the last strongholds of the Templars in the eastern Mediterranean, but today the Westerners come to soak up the sun and frolic at trendy beach clubs. The pleasures, both historical and hedonistic, of Bodrum are on your doorstep, but as befits a good spa resort, the Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay occupies its own enclave of peace and natural beauty, complete with a private beach and golf course. In addition to a spa centre where East and West meet in décor as well as in the detox, cleansing and beauty treatments, this resort also offers a range of other distracting activities in the form of sports, hiking, yoga, scuba diving, sailing, fine dining and, of course, Bodrum itself. For a regenerative stay where active recreation is as important as relaxation and contemplation, the Kempinski Hotel Barbaros Bay has become a reference point on this side of the tropics.

i www.kempinski-bodrum.com

A relaxing Thai massage against a stunning backdop

Pictures © www.kempinski.com

Pictures © Mike Toy

Petit St Vincent

Bodrum T

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The Kurhaus, Baden Baden © Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus

Romaninfluenced design of the Brenners Park Hotel pool

Baden Baden T

The 5-star Brenners Park Hotel & Spa Friedrichsbad Spa, Baden Baden

his picturesque town in the beautiful Black Forest region of Southwest Germany is one of the most famous of the classic spa resorts. Back in its heyday, tourism was limited to the wealthier classes, who spent the winter in the warmer climes of Biarritz, Nice, Mallorca and the Italian Riviera, and the height of summer in places like Baden Baden. For those who came to rest, recuperate and take the curative waters of the natural springs, Baden Baden was a year-round haven of tranquillity and beauty. It remains so today, though like other classic spa towns much of Baden Baden’s charm lies in its elegant architecture and the refined ambience of a genteel era that still lingers in its pretty streets and parks. Beautiful scenery holds this town in a loving embrace, alternating views of forested mountains with the parkland greenery that penetrates the very heart

Pictures © brenners.com

of the town. The baths are naturally the centre of attraction, offering a range of water circuits and treatments that build upon the curative minerals in the local waters. The main baths are the classically domed Friedrichsbad and the Caracalla Bad, which in spite of the ancient Roman link inherent in its name is now set within a tasteful modern building that makes the most of the stunning surroundings. Another focal point and beautiful relic from the classical era is the Kurhaus, a spa resort that also houses a casino, restaurant and a leading conference centre, while the most renowned of the many luxury resort hotels on the outskirts of Baden Baden is the Brenners Park Hotel & Spa. This grand hotel in the classical style lies surrounded by a carpet of greenery from which an alpine forest spreads outwards, providing picture-perfect scenery from the rooms

and suites, the poolside terraces and the state-of-the-art spa. Popular both in summer and during the snow-covered winters, the Brenners Spa offers an exhaustive range of health and beauty therapies combined with classical luxury and fine dining. It is this elegant ambience that pervades all of Baden Baden, with its refined cafés, Michelinstar restaurants, expensive boutiques and lively cultural calendar. The latter focuses especially on the Festspielhaus, scene of many international concerts and ballet performances throughout the year, while the Museum Frieder Burda draws important exhibitions from around the world. What makes Baden Baden so special is that it has managed to preserve its classical charm so well, ensuring that this is not just a leading centre of health spa treatments, but also one of the prettiest and most elegant towns in all of Europe.

i www.baden-baden.com / www.brenners.com / www.kurhauscasino.de The Caracalla Spa, Baden Baden

Green parkland areas in Baden Baden

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Indoor pool of Les Célestins Vichy Spa Hotel

Vichy

Pictures © vichy-spa-hotel.fr

Vichy Spa at Les Célestins Hotel

Alfresco dining at Les Célestins Vichy Spa Hotel

Aerial view of the Les Célestins Vichy Spa Hotel

ichy is perhaps the original classical spa resort in Europe, though its roots also lie in Roman times. The rich minerals and restorative powers of its natural springs were ‘rediscovered’ in the 17th century by Madame de Sévigné, who spread the word about what they did for her health and complexion. Before long all of society beat a path to this pretty town in the Auvergne region of France to share in her beauty secrets, and voilà, the era of the spa was truly reborn. Like her contemporaries, Vichy’s popularity reached its peak in the late 18th and during most of the 19th century, when it was de rigueur to come and take the waters here, enjoy the serenity and beauty of the countryside, and partake of the genteel social scene that also included classical concerts and recitals in the town’s elegant buildings. Since then, Vichy has also given its name to an expansive range of health and beauty treatments and products, with many pharmaceutical companies basing their R&D divisions here. The classical side of this spa resort town lives on, however, in the grand old spa buildings and luxury hotels that dot the town. Prominent among them is the Vichy Spa Hotel Les Célestins, which continues to offer the latest health regimes and facilities in combination with an ambience of elegance and luxury that revives the classic spa experience. Visitors come from all over the world to relax, be pampered and absorb the professional health circuits, the fine cuisine and the other pleasurable distractions of Vichy. i www.auvergne-tourism.com www.vichy-spa-hotel.fr

Vichy’s opera building by night © The Auvergne Regional Tourist Board/Sébastien Martin

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THELEISURE GOLF

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dal

Words phy Courtes .es ra o to Photog n and Golff e p uc í a O

ore than that, get inspiration from the likes of former Open champion Paul Lawrie, who will start as one of the favourites. Just a year ago Lawrie had slumped to 272 in the world rankings. Then he won the Andalucía Open at Málaga’s Parador course. Three rounds in the sixties gave him a surging start, followed by tension in the final round with three bogeys in the first five holes. But a run of birdies on the back nine gave him victory by one stroke over Sweden’s Johan Edfors. A month ago Lawrie was in the desert, and playing great golf to win his second Qatar Masters

top 50 and earned him a place in the Accenture World Matchplay in Arizona. Lawrie, who finished with a 15-under par total of 201 to win his 15th European Tour event, including a previous win in Qatar in 1999, said, “I played lovely all week. But today I think, tee to green, I can’t play much better than that.” And he made light of his age (he’s 43), saying, “I feel I’m getting better. My ball striking has improved immensely since I turned 40.” So there you are. Age doesn’t come into it. Incidentally, John Daly came in fourth at Qatar with 207, Sergio García was joint fifth and Lee Westwood nine shots back. It’s hoped they will be at Aloha for the Open, running March 15-18. Certainly, Westwood likes the Aloha course, where he won in 2007.

At press time, entrants included Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Ross Fisher, the Molinari brothers from Italy, Gonzalo Fdez-Castano and Robert Rock, who beat Tiger Woods to win the Abu Dhabi Championship. What a win that was – in Tiger Woods’ heyday, Rock was working at a driving range in England. Then there’s Rich Beem, almost as much a character as John Daly. The American first made news with the best-selling book Bud, Sweat and Tears, which was all about his early days on the tour, then in the 2007 Nissan Open he got a hole in one which scooped him a new car, conveniently parked right by the tee box. An overjoyed Beem promptly jumped on the car and embraced it, and a video of the incident became part of a Nissan TV commercial and also a hit on YouTube. In past events at Aloha, a car has been awarded for a hole-in-one at the 7th hole, so stand by! However Colin Montgomerie, a man with a superb short game, is unlikely to repeat Rich Beem’s antics. Aloha Golf Club makes for a wonderful venue and viewing platform. There is not a bad hole on the course and it’s well laid out for spectators too. Be warned that the clubhouse is currently under renovation but this will not detract from the club’s vaunted catering abilities. Parking is always a problem at these events so look out for signs to special car parks. Two other events for your diary – the Spanish Open is at Seville May 3 and the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesin May 17. i www.europeantour.com

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THELEISURE HOTEL

5* Fairplay Golf Hotel & Spa World’s Leading Boutique Words Marisa Cutillas Photography Courtesy of the Fairplay Golf Hotel & Spa 5*

HOTEL

Golf Resort 2011

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he staff at luxury five-star golf and spa resort, Fairplay Golf Hotel and Spa, have a little bounce in their step these days and it’s all because for the third year in a row, the Hotel has been declared the Best Golf Boutique Resort at the World Travel Awards. Deemed by the Wall Street Journal as “the Oscars of the travel sector”, the awards are voted for by thousands of professionals from the tourist sector from over 183,000 travel agencies in 160 countries. So what has the Fairplay got that its international counterparts don’t? The ultimate package, it seems, for both the serious golfer and the serious spa addict, in addition to a resort-style holiday the entire family will remember and cherish. The magic begins with the Fairplay’s location. The beautifully designed hotel is nestled between the quaint Andalusian town of Medina Sidonia and Vejer de la Frontera, close enough to the expansive beaches of the Costa del la Luz (which are a 20-minute drive away) and further removed from the glitzier Costa del Sol (which is around an hour and a half away), giving it the feel of a truly Andalusian ‘getaway’. Nature and open spaces abound, with guests enjoying a 360º view of the lush Los Arconocales natural park and the dreamlike La Janda valley, whose coastline is a mecca for kite surfers and sun worshipers alike. The Hotel’s unique setting means that there is something for everyone; especially golfers, who can play for fun or fine-tune their swing under the guiding hand of PGA pro Ivar Hauksson on the Hotel’s own 18hold Benalup Golf & Country Club. Benalup offers a challenging, scenic game on a course designed by Paul Rolin, as well as handy features such as a driving range, pitching green, golf shop, PING fitting centre and much more. Non-golfers can keep busy with a plethora of fun activities, including tennis (the Resort has three tennis courts), horse riding at the dedicated equestrian centre, fitness classes including yoga and aqua gym and the icing on the cake: an adrenalin-charged ride in the Hotel’s gyrocopter, which flies over the park, golf course and quaint white villages of the area. Kids are also kept physically and mentally stimulated, with golf lessons, Wii games and plenty more, while you try out new activities you may not have even dreamed of in the past, including windsurfing, mountain biking, archery, scuba diving… the sky’s the limit!

If you can’t think of anything more relaxing than a dip in a luxurious spa pool or a detox in a humid Turkish bath, you’ll love the Fairplay Spa, which measures an impressive 2,000m2 and which has won four Spain’s Leading Spa Resort prizes. Its crowning jewel is the 226m2 Aqua-Medic pool, housing various hydromassage stations featuring therapeutic jet steam, micro-bubbles and geysers, so appreciated by sore and injured muscles. There are a host of gorgeous therapies, including the Niagara Hydrobath experience, in which the body is suspended in salt water with essential oils while being massaged with potent multi-jets. Select from a full range of treatments (including a relaxing massage, lymphatic drainage, anti-cellulite and Orient Sensations) as well as facials, scrubs, slimming massages and much more. You can even doll up for a romantic dinner or glamorous event with mani-pedi services, waxing, hairdressing, etc. As expected of a luxury five-star hotel, design and ambience are an important part of the experience. The Hotel has 130 rooms in total, 81 of which are suites and 49, rooms. In a lovely display of creativity, different design styles abound, including Andalusian, Moroccan, Oriental (Chinese and Balinese), English, African, and Colonial, as well as surreal spaces designed by renowned Belgian artist Paul Delvaux. We fell in love with the Royal Suite: 175m2 of luxurious living space with a 60m2 terrace, private patio, three bedrooms, four plasma televisions and two bedrooms; talk about a home away from home! Meanwhile, those for whom money is no object will love the luxury villas, placed around the golf course and equipped with their own pool, three or four bedrooms, a large garden, and a spacious, modern kitchen (though unless you have little ones, cooking should be the last thing you’re thinking about on a luxury holiday!). The Resort has four different restaurants: Asia (serving SouthEastern Asian cuisine), La Table (Mediterranean cuisine), El Bistro (international cuisine) and La Brasserie (boasting stunning views over the valley and serving freshly grilled meats, fish and light dishes). The Fairplay’s motto is contained in its name: ‘fair play’; the idea that clients should always receive the very least that they expect, and maybe even a few surprises in service, gastronomy, accommodation, design and above all, a golfing experience to be remembered. e

g C/ La Torre s/n, Benalup-Casa Viejas. Tel: 956 429 100. www.fairplaygolfhotel.com 2/24/12 12:50 PM

RESTAURANTS / REVIEWS / NEWS / WINE / CHEFS / GUIDE

109 Regina 111 Poco Loco 112 Food News

Panacotta – Ristorante Regina

Food news, restaurant reviews, our comprehensive listings guide, Messina’s Creative Genius and Red Wines from Cádiz.

114 Chef Profile: Mauricio Giovanini of Messina 116 Cádiz Red Wines

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t h e a rt of Fi n e T h a i C u i s i n e

952 818 392 or 670 748 415

RESERVATIONS:

Open Every Evening for Dinner Ctra. de Cรกdiz Km. 175 PUERTO BANร S (Behind The Shell Petrol Station) Marbella

TAI PAN

Chinese Cuisine - Polynesian Bar

Serving Marbella in a Select Atmosphere for 29 years. Puente Romano, Fase 2, Marbella. Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00

Tel: 952 777 893 / 952 775 500

Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine Tel: 952 770 550 Open Mon-Sat. C.C. Marbellamar, L-3A. Marbella.

NOW OPEN FOR

LUNCH & DINNER!

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RESTAURANT THEGOURMET

Words and Photography Michel Cruz

La Bella Italia

Regina

taly is a land of two faces, where a passion for creating beautiful things mingles with an equally fervent ardour for life’s simple pleasures, like having family and friends around you. In other words, this is a place both stylish and earthy, where the one need not cancel out the other. As we know, this ability to engage both heart and mind in a task and elevate it to a work of art has been reflected in the fashion, design and cuisine of a country famous for many things, from Bulgari and Maserati to Stradivarius and risotto. Nowhere is this quintessentially Italian love of life as palpable as in Naples, hometown of Paola and Daniela, who have made Ristorante Regina the home of Neapolitan flavour in Marbella. Building on the rich culinary tradition of their ancestral region, the sisters have created a Marbella icon over the past 20 years, known as much for its welcoming ambience as for the authenticity and quality of its food. To be fair, they can draw on a particularly rich palate derived from the fertile volcanic soil of Vesuvius and the delicacies of the Bay of Naples. The result is a feast of real Italian dishes made the Italian way, for while they have become Marbellí, Paola and Daniela retain a typical flair for fine food and ambience. It is this mix that has been at the heart of Regina’s success and longevity, and you feel it as soon as you enter. Though elegant and stylish, Regina is a restaurant that is warm and welcoming. Like all good establishments it is run

Ristorante

by the people who created it, and it is they who will greet you and see that you’re settled and attended to. A nice touch is the choice of having a drink in the lounge bar before going to your table, though a lot of people also do so after their meal. Stylish, modern and ambient, the R Bar offers a secluded spot that still draws from the atmosphere of the dining room. The latter is elegant and inviting, arranged in such a way that lively families and groups can happily coexist with intimate couples. While taking in this atmosphere and watching the chef and his team at work in the open kitchen, we studied a menu that offers a fine selection of the best that Italy has to offer.

The real McCoy

In Italy, pure honest ingredients can make even a simple salad a feast, so imagine what a skilled chef can do with them. Our starters reflected this focus on quality produce in dishes such as melton-the-tongue prosciutto and soft mozzarella, ruccola and cherry tomatoes with asparagus and deep-fried scampi, goat’s cheese salad on a bed of fresh spinach with bresaola, walnuts and sweet cherry tomatoes, and finally: roasted red peppers peeled, diced and lightly fried to combine with wild asparagus, chives, a ratatouille base and turmeric vinaigrette dressing. The white wine was an Italian Toledana 2010 with a crisp, fresh flavour and citrus notes, while for the

main courses we switched to a robust red Baron de Ley from Rioja. Regina’s offers a tempting selection from the full range of Italian cuisine, including pasta, risotto and seafood as well as earthy meat dishes topped with truffles, but it is authenticity combined with personal creativity as well, as in the spaghetti with tuna, tomato, fresh chillies and basil, or the ‘Scallopina alla Daniela’, which features pan fried veal topped with smoked salmon and lemon dressing. I was seduced by the classic veal with mushroom and Marsala sauce, which like the other meat dish comes with fresh vegetables. Daniela will also personalise dishes for you, as in the case of the Penne Arrabiatta al Profumo Porcini with garlic, tomato, chilli and prawns. Hearty yet light, based on high-quality simple ingredients yet made with skill and attention, this is how Italian food should be. You won’t struggle to get through three courses here, but eagerly look forward to the next one, as we did when we ordered our desserts of apple strudel with ice cream, tiramisu with beautifully soft cream and a delectable panna cotta with seasonal fruits and biscotti. Add regular live music to an already elegant and convivial restaurant that offers real Italian food, good service and a warm welcome from the two sisters that are the heart and soul of this establishment, and you can see why Regina’s has become such a popular Marbella classic. You’ll definitely want to come back for more. e

g Edificio La Ruleta, Nueva Andalucia, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 529. www.ristorantereginamarbella.es reservations@ristorantereginamarbella.es Untitled-12 109

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RESTAURANT THEGOURMET

Chilling Out by the Sea Words MARISA CUTILLAS Photography KH Photography

Poco Loco Beach D

uring the last three months you’d be hard pressed to notice that winter had actually arrived on the Costa del Sol, with locals donning short sleeves, the beach awash with sunlovers and al fresco dining being very much the order of the day. Indeed, despite the fact that spring is still around the corner, the ‘it’ venue for lunch and dinner by the sea is undoubtedly Poco Loco Beach, a chic beach restaurant nestled by the tranquil shores of Playa Hermosa. The secret of the Poco Loco phenomenon is simple: magnificently fresh, quality cuisine bearing the irresistible flavours of the very best of Mediterranean and Asian traditions, where ‘the produce does the talking’ in the form of tender, juicy Angus steaks, fresh wild fish and a plethora of tempting seafood temptations. Poco Loco Beach is the brainchild of restaurateur Kulis Miliatis and his wife Eli, who boast an impressive 20 years in the restaurant business in Germany (surprising, as they are a relatively young couple). During a trip to Marbella, Kulis chanced upon the Poco Loco locale, marvelling at its seafront location and design potential. He tackled the project from the ground up, rebuilding the restaurant in its entirety and giving it a sophisticated yet cosy feel. The restaurant is graced with unexpected touches like hanging drapes, delicate candelabra and purple and beige fabrics and table wear. Its pretty, sophisticated indoor area is contrasted by the exotic outdoor terrace (with a seating capacity of up to 75), whose star feature is a sturdy palm tree which very much epitomises all that is best about Marbella. Diners enjoy the exclusive use of 50 hammocks by the sea at an affordable price of €9 (which includes a €3 voucher for the restaurant). Meanwhile, on the second floor, there is a terrace lounge which exudes romance and exclusivity, with its white-washed walls and privileged views over the sea providing the perfect venue for any private party of between two and 25 persons. Rather than managing the restaurant from

behind closed doors, Kulis very much takes a ‘hands on’ approach, greeting diners warmly and frequently stopping at the tables to ensure the experience is nothing less than perfect. Equally charming and present is Andy Tan, the chef from Northern Ireland whose cuisine is steeped in both the Northern European and Asian traditions (his father is a renowned chef in Hong Kong). Poco Loco Beach hit a real high note since Andy’s arrival, with

g Open daily from 10am. C/ Playa Hermosa 204, Marbella. Tel: 952 836 170. www.poco-loco-beach.com 153ReR Pocoloco.indd 111

his Asian tapas proving to be a hit (each tapa costs only €3,80). Price isn’t the only attractive factor: Andy, who frequently travels around the world to discover the very latest trends, found that “the experience of sharing” is very much in vogue and tapas are of course an ideal way for friends and family to sample a wide variety of dishes together. Variety is the spice of life at Poco Loco’s many themed evenings. On Wednesday, Kulis takes over the kitchen for Greek night, offering a host of traditional delights including gyros, souvlaki and Greek meat platters. Friday nights are for Asian Fusion Tapas and Andy’s talent really shines through with choices such as a heartwarming Won Ton Soup or flavourful ‘Peking style’ ribs (most dishes are an affordable €4,20). Saturday is live music night (in the summer live music is also played on Sundays) and Tuesday is barbecue night, featuring tender barbecued meats and fish with a hearty salad buffet. On all these evenings, you can order from the à la carte menu as well. On my recent visit to Poco Loco, my dining companion and I were on a quick get-away from the office and opted for a selection of Andy’s tapas. The super crisp and tender chilli salted squid is a must! It just goes to show that under the guiding hand of a good chef, squid can be almost buttery in its tenderness. For those who love the contrast of savoury and sweet, few can beat the crispy chicken, marinated in a sweet-spicy sauce. We also tried two varieties of won ton: crisp and steamy soft. We loved them both and dipped them ravenously into the accompanying shrimp and soy sauces, vowing to return soon for an exclusive won ton session! What could top this veritable explosion of flavours? Dessert of course, an utterly un-Oriental choice: a sinful, calorific chocolate cheesecake, packed with creamy goodness and worth every bit of exercise each bite requires! Kulis and the team aren’t resting on their laurels, with continued plans for improvement. By Easter, a brand new Caribbean bar will be the ‘it’ place for drinks and cocktails and the terrace lounge will soon be bearing a sophisticated new look. But don’t wait ‘til then to sample the mouth-watering cuisine at a restaurant that has managed to tap into the essence of what today’s diners demand. e MARCH 2012 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 111

2/23/12 12:19 PM

THEGOURMET NEWS WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Dani García Presents His New Book at FNAC A Brand New Look for El Lago Restaurant

Michelin-starred restaurant El Lago, famed for its beautifully presented traditional cuisine which pays homage to Andalucía, recently held a press day to present its brand new look, the result of extensive refurbishment under the guiding hand of architectural firm González & Jacobson, the same firm which created El Lago and Elviria Hills over 11 years ago. The El Lago team also shared its culinary plan for 2012, which involves highlighting the importance of local, ecological produce, a philosophy taken to its tastiest extreme in the cuisine of maestro Diego del Río. At the event, guests also enjoyed a lovely exhibition of original photos from the Lavazza Collection, featuring works by reporters from the prestigious Magnum Photos agency, as well as photographers such as Ellen Von Unwerth, Miles Aldridge and Marino Parisotto. g Avda. de la

Cumbres, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 371. www.restauranteellago.com

Lose Weight and Look Great with the Cambridge 800 Plan

If you need to lose weight and you’re tired of yo-yo dieting, why not try the Cambridge 800 plan, now available on the Coast and featuring a range of weight management programmes that provide flexibility, choice and structure? The plan includes a complete range of nutritionally balanced products (shakes, soups, porridge and bars), which contribute to what experts classify as the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of vitamins and minerals. They contain a balance of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. g Centro Idea, Local B29, Ctra. De Mijas km 3.6, Mijas. Tel: 952 586 324. www.cambridge800.es

Dani García is known as one of Spain’ most excellent chefs, thanks to the success of his signature restaurant, Calima and the recognition he has achieved at both national and international levels. Dani recently presented his new book, Las Tapas de Dani García, at FNAC, which invites you to try a wide range of easy-to-prepare recipes at home, or to skip the cooking and head for La Moraga or Mil Milagros, where you will find countless bite-sized temptations. g www.restaurantecalima.es

Qdkafé: New Coffee Shop and Restaurant for Cudeca

The concept of ‘charity cafés’ aren’t new in the UK and Cudeca has caught on to the idea, opening its first charity café/restaurant, right next to the Cudeca cancer care hospice in Benalmádena. The restaurant boasts an enviable view of the Benalmádena coastline and a large outdoor terrace with exotic teak furniture. It opens from 9am to 9pm from Monday to Friday and serves delicious home-made cuisine with a Malagueño touch. The restaurant is a welcome addition for families of patients receiveing treatment at the hospice, since in the past it was impossible to find a place to have a warm cup of coffee without having to get into a car and head for the pueblo. At Qdkafé, you can enjoy a delicious lunch menu for only €7 and the venue is also open to bookings for parties, business lunches and similar events. The shop features a small ‘store’ where you can shop for gifts at bargain prices. g C.C.Santangelo, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 004 533. www.cudeca.org

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e ssina M f o i n i n a v o i G o i c i r au

o Cl

ar s

THEGOURMET PROFILE

se t S r to the

Words Marisa Cutillas Photography KH Photography

essina restaurant has long been a revered establishment for both serious gastronomes and fervent foodies seeking an emotionpacked dining experience. Founded in 2003 by renowned Argentinean Chef, Mauricio Giovanini and his wife, Pía Ninci, Messina has always been strong on the surprise factor, dazzling diners with dishes that defy the imagination, shatter preexisting notions and nearly always, invite childlike wonder. I’ll never forget my first experience at Messina, nor indeed the particular dishes in the tasting menu, which included an ‘inverted beer’ whose foam lay at the bottom of the glass instead of the top, never vanishing into thin air like those terribly predictable, everyday bubbles. Equally riveting were his ‘grapes made from wine’ or ‘diamonds made from tomato water’. Curious and curioser, very Lewis Carroll indeed; sheer delight with every bite and joy at discovering how true culinary talent can invite you to disprove laws of science and broaden your ideas of art. The buzz about town is that this year, Messina came ever so close to obtaining its first Michelin

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star, a long-overdue accolade whose elusiveness remains a mystery. Aside from providing the creative spark to Messina, Mauricio Giovanini has done plenty to foster Marbella’s reputation as the very nucleus of haute cuisine in Andalucía, representing Marbella and Málaga in many prestigious culinary competitions. Cultural value aside, Messina is also, in my humble opinion, more than ‘worthy of a detour’. This moment in time is perhaps the pinnacle of Mauricio’s career. After an initial burst of creativity in which his aim was “to surprise with every dish”, his cuisine has matured considerably over the past two years, revealing a more serious philosophy yet still offering touches of sheer magic. ‘Juice’ is the inspiration behind the new menu, ever since Mauricio realised that “the essence of flavour in all solid foods is the liquid (‘juice’) within. For instance, a steak devoid of all juices would be tasteless, insipid”. This discovery prompted the Messina team to invest endless hours in experimentation with different juices. Mauricio explains: “We tried all sorts of

ways of preparing produce prior to extracting the juice; for instance, in the case of many vegetables, we tried juicing them raw, then steamed, then grilled or sautéed them, to obtain the tastiest juice.” Purity is a main aim, says the Chef: “We try not to mix the different juices because the idea is to offer pure flavour. There are two protagonists in most dishes: a prime product like crayfish, or gnocchi or a red prawn; and a juice made from vegetables like spinach, asparagus or potato.” At times, the kitchen staff is kept busy for hours, waiting for “a reduction of a reduction”, to happen. One of the most visually stunning dishes is the spinach juice served with camembert gnocchi: intensely green and beautifully glossy in appearance. Interestingly, Mauricio first came across the idea of juicing when he was in Barcelona purchasing equipment for cooking with liquid nitrogen. “I saw this little machine (a high-tech juicer) and was told it was marvellous. My curiosity was piqued so I bought it and funnily enough, at the moment there are eight dishes on the tasting menu made with the juicer and only one made with liquid nitrogen!” Messina may have missed out on the Michelin star this year but this hasn’t quelled Mauricio’s passion for discovery, nor has it paused his frenetic pace. On the day of our interview he has just returned from TapeArte, an event of great cultural importance that takes place in various cities around Spain. The aim is to show off the very best of Andalusian cuisine to a select group of journalists and entrepreneurs. Additionally, Mauricio was one of four Chefs chosen by the Patronato de Turismo de la Costa del Sol to dazzle the press at the Berlin Tourism Fair this month. There, he will be joined by his good friend, Michelin-starred Chef, Diego del Río of El Lago, as well as Amador Fernández of Hotel Villa Guadalupe de Málaga and Richard Alcayde of Med in Torremolinos. “It was a great honour to be chosen to represent the excellence of Malagueñan cuisine, considering I’m from Argentina!” he muses. If in the past Mauricio sought to elicit surprise, now he seeks for the diner to understand the menu itself and the entire philosophy behind it. This year the focus is on juices but the phenomenon is already giving rise to secondary interests such as ‘flavoured waters’. As is the case with all great creative minds, Mauricio is always searching for a new spark, one that keeps his love for cuisine alive and vibrant and very difficult not to be captivated by. e.

g Avda. Severo Ochoa 12, Marbella. Tel: 952 864 895. www.restaurantemessina.com 2/22/12 1:20 PM

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THEGOURMET WINE

Cádiz Wines

NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN? WORDS AJ LINN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BODEGAS PÁEZ-MORRILLA

f you were born almost any time up to the middle ages very little changed during your lifetime. Indeed, with the exception of fighting weapons there was minimal incentive to change anything once you could make fire and had a source of salt to preserve food. Then along came the inventors and everything changed – most would agree for the better – although the saying that everyone likes progress but no-one likes change must have rung in a few ears. It is no longer possible to maintain there is nothing new under the sun. Curiously enough though, in winemaking everything does seem to go in cycles, with almost abandoned regions like Priorato being resuscitated by messianic winemakers, and modern methods of production being spurned as growers go back to reducing the output per vine in an effort to get their wines into the best stores and the ranks of the points-awarders. Rota Tent is the name of a wine that was very popular in England 300 years ago, sweeter rather than drier, and a reasonably-priced tipple. Thomas Mortimer, writing in 1810, put on record that ‘Rota Tent is a strong, red wine, an excellent stomachic (sic) and is frequently given to women in childbirth… The mountain Tent [is a] strong ropy wine.’ Tent was also used as communion wine. The wine correctly termed Tintilla de Rota has been variously described as an oenological gem and an authentic pearl, so if you were told that this very old wine was making a come-back you may not be too surprised.

Cádiz is best-known for its white wines, above all sherry, and the famous ‘sherry triangle’ takes in the main producing towns of Jerez de la Frontera, El Puerto de Santa María, and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Over the last half century sherry sales have slumped so producers have successfully – not in all cases – managed to make the difficult Palomino grape serve as a device for making white table wine, the best-known of which is Barbadillo’s Castillo de San Diego, allegedly the top-selling white wine on the Costa del Sol. There are some excellent whites from the area, particularly around Arcos de la Frontera, where non-native grape varieties have been introduced with success. But red wine? Isn’t that rather like making port in Penedés? Well, it works, and there are currently 25 bodegas in the ‘sherry area’ and spreading to the seaside villages of Conil and Tarifa. The everinventive sherry firms are not being left behind and both Barbadillo and González Byass now make very acceptable red table wines like Gigalbín. González Byass has allegedly invested €3.2 million in the red wine venture, so they must be serious about it. Wineries set up specifically in the region to make red wine include Huerta de Albalá, Bodegas Luis Pérez, and Regantío. The variety of grapes used is wide: syrah/shiraz, merlot, petit verdot, tempranillo, cabernet sauvignon, and of course the famous Rota Tent, which if you think about it must be a bastardisation of the word tinta, as in other region’s tinta fina and tinta del país, although it is sometimes compared to Rioja’s graciano variety. Bodega Páez Morilla is an old sherry house, but they made the excellent Tierra Blanca white wine as far back as 1981. Their red, Viña Lucia, is also made in Arcos de la Frontera and was the first Andalucian red wine to be bottled, after 12 months in American oak, and made from tempranillo and cabernet sauvignon. Price is around 3,75 euros. Bodega Huerta de Albalá was established in Arcos by a Valencian businessman, Vicente Taberner, a passionate wine lover. He recently bought 160 hectares of sherry vineyards from Osborne to triple his production. There are four wines, and the one you will like best as outstanding value for money is the unassuming Tinto Barbazul, made with tintilla de Rota, syrah, merlot and cabernet sauvignon. (At 6 euros a bottle it is an amazing buy). Another three wines, Barbarosa, Taberner Tinto, and Taberner No. 1 (50 euros) make up the range. Bodegas Luis Pérez was set up by well-known local oenologist and ex-technical director of Pedro Domecq of the same name in 2002. His wines are justifiably making a name for themselves. Garum 2010 (merlot, syrah, petit verdot), Samaruco, and Petit Verdot are among the best examples of the new wave of reds from the original home of Rota Tent. Not all the wines mentioned are easy to find, but Marbella’s Vinacoteca La Cartuja has Barbazul and Taberner, and Casa Paco also has a small selection. e

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RESTAURANTS

RESTAURANTS / CINEMAS / GOLF / GYMS /TENNIS

RESTAURANTS ::: AMERICAN ::: HARD ROCK CAFÉ

/ SCHOOLS

::: ARGENTINEAN ::: Buenos Aires South

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

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

Clericó

Jacks

Tango

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

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

New york

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

::: FRENCH :::

Open from 1pm-4pm and from 7pm to 12am. Ctra. de Cádiz, km.176, 29600, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 533

Chateau Mona lisa

Yanx

LA PARISIENNE

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

Open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. Centro Plaza, Avda. de Manolete 1, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 279 056

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

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

::: GRILLS :::

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

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

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

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

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

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

El Carnicero

MARBELLA CLUB GRILL

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Pueblo

Open every night for dinner. Marbella Club

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

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

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

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

::: INDIAN :::

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

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

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

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

€25 – €40

€40 – €60

Mumtaz

beach house

los Naranjos 11, Marbella. Tel: 687 201 953

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

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

Casa mono

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

beckitts

Taj Mahal

Open for dinner from 8pm. Avda. La Fontanilla, esquina Paseo Marítimo, Marbella. Tel: 952 860 583

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Private parking available. Ctra. Cádiz, km 179 (behind Venta los Pacos). Tel: 952 857 670/ 629 244 659

::: INTERNATIONAL :::

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

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

alumbre

CAFÉ DE RONDA

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

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

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

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

auld dubliner Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Diana Park, Marbella. Tel: 952 886 338

baboo lounge and restaurant

mughal village Open daily for lunch and dinner. Aloha Towers, Avda. del Prado s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 819 240

under €25

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

CAlIma Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner from 8:30pm. At the Gran Meliá Don Pepe Hotel. C/ José Meliá s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 300

capitán Open for lunch and dinner every day except Wednesday. C/ Avila, Blq. 5, Local 1, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 799 635

CAPPUCINO GRAN CAFÉ MARBELLA

€60 plus

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. C/ Calderón Estébanez 19, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 578

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

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

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

Charme cafe Open every day except for Sunday from 12pm to late. C.C. Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 906 313

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

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

Don Quijote

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/ José Melià s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 868 790

Open every evening for dinner (7pm-12am). Urb. El Rosario, km. 188, Marbella. Tel: 952 834 748

casa gecko

Dynamic Café

Open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner. Plaza de

Open Monday to Sunday for lunch. Ctra. de Istán,

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RESTAURANTS

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

km. 0.9, C.C. Le Village, Marbella. Tel: 952 775 021

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

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

under €25

€25 – €40

€40 – €60

€60 plus

ICE

los bandidos

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Urb. El Rosario (mountainside by the El Rosario roundabout), Marbella. Tel: 952 835 151

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

karma

Open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday and for lunch on Sunday. CN 340, km. 198, Mijas. Tel: 952 932 780

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

khala

max beach

Mc café

Maritimo Rey de España 93, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 866 627

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

sunset Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, Marbella. Tel: 952 776 667

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. NH Alanda Hotel, Marbella. Tel: 952 899 600

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

LA biznaga

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

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

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

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

mil milagros

tanino

El lago

la brisa

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

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

Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch. CN340, km 179, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 958

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

mozaic

Terra Sana

EL MIRADOR

La cabaña del mar

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

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

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

Open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nueva Andalucía next to the Casino. Tel: 952 906 205. Marina Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 977. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 951 901 050

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

EL JINETE

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

EL RINCÓN DE GvADALPÍN Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday and for Sunday lunch. Gvadalpín Hotel, Beach side, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 929 001

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

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

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

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

girasol Open daily for dinner from 6.30p.m. Avda. del Prado, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 813 859

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

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

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

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

LA CANTINA DEL GOLF

OCHO

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

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

La Esencia

oyarbide

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Hotel Incosol, Urb. Golf Rio Real, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 831 303

Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for lunch. C/ Acera de la Marina 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 772 461

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

passion café

La Menorah

Swing

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

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

the playwright

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

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

POCO loco BEACH

The orange tree

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Playa Hermosa, CN 340, Km 189, Marbella. Tel: 952 836 170

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

polo house

tikitano

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/ Belmonte, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 145

Open daily for dinner from 7pm and Sunday Lunch, with club/dancing. CN 340, Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 11, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 380

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

La Terraza

puente romano beach club

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

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

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

La Terraza

Rojo

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

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

La Veranda

schilo

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

Open Thursday to Saturday for dinner. Hotel Finca Cortesín. Crta. Casares s/n, Casares, Málaga. Tel: 952 937 800

La veranda lobby bar

sentidos

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner. At Sentidos en Río Real Hotel. Urb. Río Real s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 732

La Verandah

shiraz

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

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

los arcos

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

Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Arena Beach, CN 340, km. 151.2, Estepona. Tel: 952 792 734

LA SALA

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

Skina Suave Open every day for lunch and dinner. Paseo

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

umami Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Colonia, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 637 558 927

What’s cooking deli and takeaway Open daily from 10am to 6pm. C.C. Guadalmina, Local 34, Marbella. Tel: 649 829 391

zozoï Open every day for dinner from 7.30pm-12am. Plaza Altamirano 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 868

::: ITALIAN ::: Al Dente

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

Amore e Fantasía Open every day for lunch and dinner from 7pm onwards. Muelle Benabola, Casa 5A, Puerto

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Banús. Tel: 952 813 464

C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 035

Aretusa

Ristorante Regina

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

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

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

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

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

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

dalli’s pasta factory Open Monday to Friday for dinner and on Saturday and Sunday for lunch and dinner. Second Line Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 871 / 952 818 623

Ristorante Roberto Open daily for dinner. Beach Club, Hotel Puente Romano, CN-340, km 177.5, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Rosmarino della Piazza Open Monday to Friday for lunch and daily for dinner. C.C. Pinares de Elviria, s/n, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 850 148

salotto Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Avda. del Prado, Via 1, local 2, Aloha Golf, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 112

terraza dual Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Marbellamar s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 925 250

trattoria l’impronta Open daily for lunch and dinner except on Tuesday. Avda. Salamanca, Edif. San Pedro del Mar, Local 14, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 943

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

zafferano

De Medici

Open every night for dinner except Sunday. C/ Gloria II, 11, Casco Antiguo, Marbella. Tel: 952 863 125

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

::: Oriental :::

gold restaurant

Asia Food

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

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

la pappardella di estepona

Dragón de Oro

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

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

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

Luna Rossa Open daily for both lunch and dinner, closed on Sundays. Paseo Marítimo Benabola, local 12, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 810 543

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

Metro

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

Kaede Open every day for lunch and dinner. At the Hotel Meliá La Quinta. Urb. La Quinta Golf, Marbella. Tel: 952 762 059

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

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

meca

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 446 460

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

Pizzeria Picasso

Osaka

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

portofino laguna village

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

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

RestaurantE asiático

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GOLF

CINEMAS

RESTAURANTS

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

GYMS

€25 – €40

€40 – €60

€60 plus

Bangkok

Cipriano

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

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Playas del Duque, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 077

Sakura

El Barlovento

La Meridiana del alabardero

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

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

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

Sapporo

La fishita

la moraga

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

Open daily from 4pm to 12 am. C/Las Violetas, Local 7, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 813 598

Sukho Thai

Restaurante La Marina

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces s/n, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 448. Also open in C.C. Parque Miramar, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 593 405

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

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

Sushi des artistes

MUSEUMS

under €25

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

Sushi Katsura

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

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

Marisquería La Pesquera

Tai Pan

RestaurantE Eddy & Marisa’s

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

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

Urb. Coral Beach, The Golden Mile, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 299

Thai Gallery

Restaurante El bote

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

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

tHapa thai

Santiago

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

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

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

Wok Away

::: SPANISH ::: Bahía

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

on Sunday afternoons and Mondays. Urb. La Alcaidesa, La Linea de la Concepción. Tel: 956 582 700

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

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

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

::: VEGETARIAN ::: loving hut

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

CINEMAS & THEATRES

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

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL TORREMOLINOS

beach club restaurante grill

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

AUDITORIO PARQUE DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN

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

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

Wok Wang

Buenaventura

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Plaza de la Iglesia, 5, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 069

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

Yuan

Casa de la era

Open every night for dinner. Hotel Torrequebrada, Benalmádena Costa. Tel: 952 441 414.

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

cines gran marbella

Casa Fernando

cinesur

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

C.C. Miramar, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 198 605

El Portalón

Avda. Camilo José Cela, s/n. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 800 056

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

Wok Buffet

::: SCANDINAVIAN ::: Skandies

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

::: SEAFOOD :::

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

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

Marbella. Tel: 952 825 035

CENTRO CULTURAL EL INGENIO CINESA LA CAÑADA La Cañada. Marbella. Tel: 902 333 231 Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 810 077

MULTICINES ALFIL MULTICINES MEDITERRÁNEO Mijas. Tel: 952 663 738

finca tabanko

PALACIO DE LA PAZ

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra. Fuengirola-Mijas, km. 4.2, mijas. Tel: 952 590 727

Recinto Ferial. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 589 349

Hacienda

Calle Córdoba 9, Málaga. Tel: 952 213 412

Open from 1-4.30pm and 7.30 -11pm. Closed

TEATRO ALAMEDA

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THEGUIDE

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

La Zagaleta Golf & Country Club

Fuerte Gym

18 holes. Members only. Tel: 952 695 209

Avda. El Fuerte, Marbella. Tel: 952 861 624

TEATRO CIUDAD DE MARBELLA

Lauro Golf 18 holes

GIMNASIO ESTADIO

Plaza Ramón Martínez, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 159

Alhaurín de la Torre. Tel: 952 412 767

Trav. Huerta de los Cristales, Marbella. Tel: 952 828 217

TEATRO SALON VARIETES

Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club

HAPPY DIVER’S CLUB

Emancipación 30. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 474 542

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 784 600

Atalaya Park Hotel, Marbella. Tel: 609 571 920

VERACRUZ CINES

Los Naranjos Golf Club

HOTEL PUENTE ROMANO

Veracruz. Estepona. Tel: 952 800 056

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 815 206

CN340, Km77,5. Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Marbella Club Golf Resort

MANOLO SANTANA RACQUETS CLUB

YELMO CINEPLEX

18 holes, Par 73. Tel: 952 113 239

Plaza Mayor. Tel: 902 220 922

Marbella Golf & Country Club

Ctra. de Istán, Km2. Marbella. Tel: 952 778 580

18 holes. Tel: 952 830 500

MARBELLA GUN & COUNTRY CLUB

GOLF GUIDE

Mijas Golf

Monda. Tel: 952 112 161

36 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 476 843

MARBELLA SPORT

Alcaidesa Links

Miraflores Golf

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 956 791 0400. www.alcaidesa.com

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 931 960

Km 171.5. San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 315

Alhaurín Golf

Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club

MULTI SPORT

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 595 970. www.alhauringolf.com

18 holes. Tel: 952 113 088

Avda. Picasso 27. San Pedro. Tel: 952 782 801

Parador Málaga del Golf

New Concept Training

Almenara Golf

18 holes. Tel: 952 381 255

27 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 582 027. www.sotogrande.com

Real Club de Golf Las Brisas

Monte Paraíso Country Club, Camino de Camoján s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 866 843

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 810 875

02 CENTRO WELLNESS

Aloha Golf Club

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande

Plaza del Mar. Marbella. Tel: 952 900 420

18 holes. Tel: 952 907 085. www.clubdegolfaloha.com

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 785 014

P-E SPORTS CLUB

San Roque Club

Atalaya Golf

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 613 030

Urb. Parcelas del Golf, Aloha Gardens, N. Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 357

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 882 812. www.master-hotels.com

Santa Clara Golf

qi sport

18 holes. Tel: 952 850 111

Urb. La Alzambra, Marbella. Tel: 952 907 090

Cabopino Golf

Santa Maria Golf & Country Club

SATURNIA REGNA

18 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 850 282

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 831 036

Marbella Tel: 952 761 475, Elviria. Tel: 952 834 835

Cerrado del águila

Sotogrande Club de Golf

SEVEN STARS SCHOOL

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 951 703 355

18 holes. Tel: 956 785 012

Club de Golf La Cañada

Valderrama

Tai Chi & yoga. Pasaje Estrecho, Estepona. Tel: 952 923 055

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 956 794 100

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 791 200 www.valderrama.com

El Paraiso Club de Golf 18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 883 835

Estepona Golf 18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 937 605. www.esteponagolf.com

Finca cortesín golf club 18 holes, Par 72, Tel: 952 937 883. www.golfcortesin.es

GYMS & SPORTS CLUBS ALHAMAR GYM

C.C. Alhamar, CN-340 km 197. Tel: 952 934 684

SPORTCLUB ROUTE 66 Ctra. Mijas, 1.5km. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 461 648

SPORTING CLUB ATALAYA PARK HOTEL CN340, Km 168,5. Estepona. Tel: 952 888 212

TICKET-TO-RIDE

ATENAS

Cristamar, Pto. Banús. Tel: 952 905 082

Flamingos Golf Club

Barquilla 1. Marbella. Tel: 952 776 240

Vitality studio

18 holes, Par. Tel: 952 889 157. www.flamingos-golf.com

AZTEC COUNTRY CLUB

C.C. Le Village, Marbella. Tel: 952 902 362

Golf Río Real

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

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 756 733

CENTRO DEPORTIVO EL FUERTE

Golf Torrequebrada

Av. El Fuerte s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 861 624

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 442 742

Guadalmina Golf

CENTRO DE YOGA Y SALUD INTEGRAL

San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 781 360

36 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 883 375

Ramón y Cajal 21. Marbella. Tel: 952 773 804

Bonsai Museum

La Cala Golf Resort

CENTRO PLAZA GYM

54 holes, Pars 71, 72 and 73. Tel: 952 669 033. www.lacala.com

Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 074

Parque Arroyo de la Represa. Marbella. Tel: 952 862 926

Cerrado del águila

Bull-fighting Museum

La Dama de Noche

Mijas Costa, Málaga. Tel: 951 773 523

Plaza de Toros. Estepona.

9 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 818 150

CLUB DEl SOL

Museo Cortijo Miraflores

La Duquesa Golf & Country Club

Marbella. Tel: 952 902 714

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 890 425

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

La Quinta Golf

Dynamic training centre

27 holes, Par 72.Tel: 952 762 390 www.laquintagolf.com

C.C. Le Village, Marbella. Tel: 952 775 021

C/ San Agustin 8. Málaga. Tel: 952 218 382

FITNESS CENTRE NEW STYLE

Museo del Grabado

La Reserva Sotogrande

Amapolas, s/n Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 916

Hospital Bazán. Marbella. Tel: 952 825 035

18 holes. Tel: 956 695 209

MUSEUMS

Basilica Vega del Mar

Museo de Bella Artes

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Museo de la Villa

Tel: 952 831 616

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

Colegio San José Guadalmina

Ages 11–18. Marbella. Tel: 952 902 755

Tel: 952 883 858 Estepona. Tel: 952 800 148

TLC Tutorial College

Museo Ralli

Dolphin Nursery

Urb. Coral Beach. Marbella. Tel: 952 857 923

Ages 6 months-5 years. San Pedro. Tel: 952 799 563

Ages 13-18. Calahonda. Tel: 952 933 249

Museum of Málaga Wines

Ecos College

Carrera 39. Ojén. Tel: 952 881 453

Ages 1–18. Elviria. Tel: 952 831 027

wendy kindergarten

Museum of Miniatures Carromato de Max Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation

Ages 3–20. Elviria. Tel: 952 831 058/9

Plaza de la Merced 15. Málaga. Tel: 952 060 215

Fiona Jones School of Dance

Picasso Museum Málaga

Ages 9–14. Manolo Santana Racquets Club. Fuengirola. Tel: 610 764 439

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

TENNIS

POST OFFICES

Ages 4 months - 5 years. Marbella. Tel: 952 772 910

SCHOOLS

MUSEUMS

THEGUIDE

El Compas. Mijas. Tel: 952 489 500

Palacio de Buenavista, C/ San Agustín 8. Málaga. Tel: 952 127 611

TOURIST

TENNIS CLUBS Aztec Country Club

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

bel air tennis and paddel club

Hijas de María Auxiliadora

Club deL Sol

Roman Public Baths

Ages 3-12. Marbella. Tel: 952 771 396

Gualalmina Baja. Tel: 952 781 360

III language schools

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

POST OFFICES

San Pedro. Tel: 952 778 492 Marbella. Tel: 952 822 191 Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 908 558 Estepona. Tel: 952 794 059

Club de tenis don carlos

Inlingua Language School

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

Calahonda C.C. El Zoco. Tel: 952 932 175

El corte inglés

TRAIN

English InteRnational College

Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

All ages. Marbella. T: 952 774 942

Hotel Don Carlos, Avda. Zurita, CN340, km 192. Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

Club Internacional de Tennis Club Madroñal

the InteRnational SCHOOL of ESTEPONA

Benahavís. Tel: 617 647 223 San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 315

Estepona

Ages 2-12. Estepona. Tel: 952 884 789

C/ Málaga 82–84. Tel: 952 800 537

Laude San pedro international college

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

Fuengirola

Ages 2–18. San Pedro. Tel: 952 799 900

Lew Hoads Tennis Club

Fuengirola Tel: 952 467 843

Pza. los Chinorros. Tel: 952 474 384

Marbella Jac. Benavente, 14. Tel: 952 772 898

Nueva Andalucía C/ Jazmines. Tel: 952 810 887

San Pedro

Mayfair Academy Ages 4-18. Atalaya Park, Estepona. Tel: 952 784 923

Monseñor Rodrigo Bocanegra Ages 3-16. Marbella. Tel: 952 770 077

Performing Arts Academy

Club Nueva Alcántara Hofsaess tennis academy

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

Manolo Santana Racquets Club Ctra. de Istán, Km 2. Marbella. Tel: 952 778 580

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

Ages 3-18. Marbella. Tel: 952 906 865

Puente Romano TEnnis club

Peter Pan School

Tenis El Casco

sChools

Ages 0-3. Bilingual nursery. San Pedro. Tel: 952 782 051 Benalmádena. Tel: 952 562 103

El Rosario. Marbella. Tel: 952 837 651

Aloha College

Saint George’s School

Ages 3-18. Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 814 133

Ages 2-8. San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 606

Angela’s School

Sotogrande International School

Pizarro, 41. Tel: 952 780 393

Ages 6-14. Marbella. Tel: 952 823 042

british school of marbella

Ages 2–18. Sotogrande. Tel: 956 795 902

Ages 18 months-6. Marbella. Tel: 952 779 264

St. Javier’s International School

Calahonda International College

Ages 1-7. Marbella. Tel: 952 823 457

Ages 3-18. Tel: 952 930 080

Calpe School

Stagecoach Theatre Arts School

Ages 2 1/2–11. San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 029

Ages 4-16. Tel: 952 900 453

Childrens placE Bilingual nursery

Sunny View School

Atalaya, Estepona. Tel: 952 928 444

Colegio Alborán Ages 3-18. Ricmar. Tel: 952 839 645

Colegio Alemán Ages 3-18. Elviria. Tel: 952 831 417

Colegio Las Chapas Ages 5–18, girls school. Elviria.

Ages 2–18. Torremolinos. Tel: 952 383 164

Swans international school el capricho Ages 3–10. Marbella. Tel: 952 773 248

Swans international school Sierra blanca

Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Tourist offices Benahavís Tel: 952 855 500 Benalmádena Tel: 952 442 494 Estepona Tel: 952 802 002 Fuengirola Tel: 952 467 625 Gibraltar Tourist Board Tel: 956 774 950 Marbella Tel: 952 822 818 Málaga Tel: 952 213 445 / 952 216 061 Mijas Tel: 952 485 900 Ronda Tel: 952 871 272 San Pedro Tel: 952 785 252 Tarifa Tel: 956 680 993 Torremolinos Tel: 952 381 578

TRAIN

Customer assistance T: 952 128 267 General Info T: 902 240 202 Reservations T: 902 240 202 Ave T: 952 128 079

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WANT TO KNOW YOUR BABY’S SEX IN YOUR FIRST TRIMESTER? ALL IT TAKES

IS A SIMPLE BLOOD TEST! WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

If you’re about to enter the world of parenthood you may be disappointed at having to wait until between weeks 18 and 22 of your pregnancy before knowing your future baby’s gender. The good news is that a new research study published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal indicates that, soon, we could be using a simple blood test to predict fetal gender in the first trimester. The research was carried out by South Korean scientists, who found that the existence of various ratios of two specific enzymes in a pregnant mother’s blood indicate whether the baby will be male or female. It’s not just the curious among us who will be relieved; the new system eliminates the risks associated with invasive procedures for early gender determination, including chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, which unfortunately pose a risk of miscarriage of between one to two per cent and which cannot be performed until week 11 of the pregnancy. Although scientists stress that it will take some time before the test is routinely available, it is fantastic to know that soon, unfortunate miscarriages will be avoided and a foolproof prediction of gender achieved.

ANCRAA Giant Donkeys

Cuddle a donkey or become a volunteer to help save this humble but threatened animal. CN 340, km 164, Finca los Pajaritos, Estepona. Tel: 952 790 511

Bioparc Fuengirola

Award winning zoo covering Madagascar, Africa and the Far East. C/ Camilo José Cela, 6. Tel: 952 666 301. www. bioparcfuengirola.es Black Box Teatro Dramatic Arts School for all ages. C/ Notario Luis Oliver 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 779 172. www.blackboxteatro.com Born to be Wild Jeep and dolphin eco-tours for the whole family. Open 9am-8pm. Blue Dolphin Beach Club, Estepona Beach. Tel: 639 720 246 Cable Ski Marbella Water ski cable system and pool.

Open 11am-9pm (closed Mondays). Urb. Las Medranas, San Pedro. Tel: 952 785 579 Camelot Fun play centre in La Cañada with a wealth of games and activities and qualified child minders. Special events include baby and toddler mornings and a baby grow clinic, for mums to be and newborns. Ctra. de Ojén s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 764 766 Galaxia Versatile and fun play centre for children of all ages, with separate areas indoor and outdoor. Mega slide, mini planetarium, birthday parties, summer camp. Life size characters. C.C. Guadalmina, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 885 530 Crocodile Park Educational park with more then 300 monsters. Pose with baby

KIDS

THEGUIDE FAMILY

crocodiles. Open 10am-6pm. C/ Cuba, 14, Torremolinos. Tel: 952 051 782 El Refugio del Burrito Donkey sanctuary just 40 minutes north of Málaga. Open 11am-7pm. Fuente de Piedra, Málaga. Tel: 952 735 513 Danzzas Ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, theatre craft and hip-hop for kids. Classes at the Manolo Santana Racquets Club and at Plaza Gym. Contact Fiona on Tel: 663 646 040. www.danzzas.com Flamenco Classes Children aged 5 to 8 can learn to dance flamenco with Isabel Gil, a professional dancer. Classes on Monday and Wednesday at the Nueva Alcántara Tennis Club. Tel: 952 788 315 Funny Beach Kids paradise with go-karts, trampolines, mini-motorbikes, mechanical bull. Open daily. East side of Marbella. Tel: 952 823 359

Ice Skating Rink and Indoor Swimming Pool New sports centre

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

Inter Marbella Football Academy Football Academy for boys

and girls of all ages, just opposite La Cañada in Marbella. Training is on Mondays and Wednesdays. Call Craig on Tel: 609 310 409. www.intermarbellacf. com Karting Club Málaga Go-kart circuit for kids and adults who feel a need for speed. Open 10am-midnight. Ctra. De Coin, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 581 704 Kids Multi-Sports Club A plethora of sports for children of all ages and abilities, from tennis through to football, cycling and skateboarding. Parties with games, activities and bouncy castles. Urb. Parcelas del Golf, Avda. del Prado, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 656 618 712 Kidz Kingdom Fun play centre and birthday party area for kids, with a mini disco. Urb. Bel-Air, CN 340, km 166.2, Estepona. Tel: 952 925 936

Kidz Kingdom 2 – Space City

Space theamed play centre for daily visits or parties. Life size Barney and Sponge Bob. Urb. El Rosario, CN 340,

km 188.5, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 275 Little Fishes Swimming classes for newborns to 3-year-olds in Marbella, Estepona and Riviera. Tel: 686 498 561/ 607 875 949. www.littlefishes-spain. com Little Gem Swimmers Swimming courses for babies and toddlers in Benalmádena. Contact Emma on Tel: 628 567 129. www. littlegemswimmers.com Marbella Stage School Kids can take accredited courses in dance, drama, musical theatre and singing after school on weekdays and all day on Saturdays. Tel: 952 906 865. www. marbellastageschool.com Megabowl & Sports Bar This bowling centre boasts state-of-the-art tenpin bowling lanes as well as great food, drinks and entertainment. C.C. La Cañada, Ctra. Ojén, Marbella. Tel: 902 232 999. www.megabowlmarbella.com Musical Babes Babies and toddlers aged 6 months to 3 years enjoy singing, playing simple instruments and playing games. Tel: 952 853 027. Los Jazmines 11, Bajo B, Nueva Alcántara, San Pedro de Alcántara. www.brainwaves-spain. com

NMA The Nelson Music Academy

Kids aged 4 to 12 are introduced to music in its funnest aspects. Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm, Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. Edif. Jupiter 44, Local 3, C/ Jesús Cautivo, Los Boliches, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 478 416. www.nelsonmusicacademy.com Original Dolphin Safari The original dolphin safari, established in 1969! Daily sailings from Marina Bay, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 71914. www. dolphinsafari.gi Parque La Batería Kids will have fun in this park, built in the civil war era and featuring four replica cannons, underground bunkers and passageways. Urb. Montemar Alto (near the train station), Torremolinos. Plaza Mayor Family entertainment with multi-screen cinema, bars, restaurants, bowling alley and kids play area. Málaga. Tel: 952 247 580 Scouting Kids will have fun being a boy or girl scout. The programme followed is the same as that in the UK.

Tel: 680 870 270

Sealife Centre See 2 metre long

sharks. Touch pools and walk-though glass tunnel. Open daily 10am-6pm. Benálmadena Port. Tel: 952 560 150 Selwo Adventure Park Over 2,000 animals, 4x4 tours, plus adventure activities. Open 10am-9pm. CN340 Km 162.5, Estepona. Tel: 902 190 482 Selwo Marina Dolphins Exotic birds, penguins and virtual reality shows. Open 10am-6pm. Parque de la Paloma, Benalmádena. Tel: 902 190 482 Stagecoach Renowned performing arts school for singing, dancing and acting skills. The academy is open to four to 16-year-olds. Tel: 952 900 453/666 838 213. www.stagecoach.es Steam Train Ride Enjoy a steam train ride crossing the Andalusian mountains with a scenic trip from San Roque to Ronda. Tel: 952 931 186 Swim Bebé Swim Swimming classes for under 4’s and AquaNatal classes for mums-to-be. Tel: 617 520 588 Teleférico Benalmádena Cable car to top of Calamorro mountain, falconry, trekking and horseriding. Arroyo de la Miel. Open 10am-6pm. Tel: 902 190 482 Tennis Camp Tennis lessons for kids from 4 years on, with professional coaches. Open 10am-1pm. Club del Sol, Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595 The Music House Kids learn, grow and have fun making music. Open to children from 2 years on. Edif. San Pedro del Mar, Blq 7, local 12, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 515. www.themusichouse.es Tivoli World Biggest amusement park on the Costa del Sol. Open daily from 1pm. Avda. de Tivoli, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 577 016 Trenecito de Marbella Take a relaxing train ride to view the main sights of Marbella. Daily 10am-1pm. Paseo Maritimo. Tel: 639 765 981 Yaina’s Park Indoor play centre with staff speaking Scandinavian, English and Spanish. Open seven days a week from 10am to 9pm. Children’s parties, parent’s coffee shop with pool tables, television, food. Avda. Gamonal 4, Edif. Hercules, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena. Tel: 622 005 068

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THEGUIDE PETS Charming TV chef Hugh Fearnely-Whittingstall recently sparked outrage among UK viewers after stating that consuming puppy meat is no worse than consuming pork. The River Cottage gastronome was only suggesting that humans arbitrarily select which animals are farmed and which are kept as pets, with no real regard for the right of every animal to a life devoid of cruelty and unfair practices. The Chef told the Radio Times:: “In principle, but not in practice, I have no objection to a high-welfare organic puppy farm…You can’t object, unless you also object to the farming of pigs… It’s an artificial construct of our society, a cultural decision, to make pets out of dogs and meat out of pigs.” Funnily enough, some animal charities took his statements the wrong way, saying they were unacceptable. If we read between the lines we can clearly see that far from condoning the consumption of canine meat, Fearnley-Whittingstall is actually arguing for animal welfare and fair, ecological practices, bearing in mind the considerable amount of meat most people consume and the undeniable harm to the environment caused by the meat industry.

Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall claims Pork Chops are no worse than Puppy Meat!

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Any Room In Your Home for a Snickers? Snickers is a fine looking male cross looking for a forever home. He has an excellent character, loves to play and is full of fun. He is good on a lead, enjoys walks, is well adjusted to the public and very good in traffic. He is a happy chap who shows no aggression at all. i For further information, please

call Pat on Tel: 620 354 885. www.f-a-m-a.net

Sale of Fur Officially Banned! (In West ) Hollywood, Anyway wealth and materialism, it is In a town known for glamour, ly ticians should have successful doubly laudable that local poli arel app fur of the sale passed a regulation prohibiting t all happened recently in Wes It . ries nda bou city the in with the to l ncil gave final approva Hollywood, where the City Cou the USA; one small step for a in kind its of new ban, the first for animal rights as an ideal. local city council but a giant leap ntries follow suit! cou Here’s hoping more states and

There’s Hope for Anxious Dogs at Pointer Veterinary Clinic Estepona Does your dog shake for hours upon hearing a firecracker go off, or run for the hills when it hears thunder or loud noises? Up until now, the choice of whether or not to sedate our anxious pooches has been a bit of a dilemma since the standard tranquilisers lessened the symptoms but did not work on the dog’s actual sensations of fear and anxiety. Moreover, most of us would think twice before using standard sedation, which may be a bit drastic for appeasing our dogs in nonlife-threatening situations. I recently tried a supplement recommended by the Pointer Veterinary Clinic in Estepona. Called Calmex, it contains a blend of amino-acids, a Vitamin B complex and natural ingredients that actually quell the feelings of anxiety themselves and not just the symptoms. My anxious little Boston Terriers were given Calmex on New Year’s Eve and I am able to report that while the extreme firework display close to my house still affected them, their anxiety was reduced and they were able to enjoy a good night’s sleep, instead of shaking at the doorway in an effort to flee from overburdening stress. Finally, I no longer need to fear the plethora of Spanish holidays celebrated with fireworks. Pointer Vet also opened a brand new shop recently, selling food, supplies and accessories for your pooches and moggies. i At the Escuela de Arte Ecuestre Costa del Sol, Estepona. Tel: 952 804 165. www.pointervet.com MARCH 2012 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 127

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WHAT’S ON IN MARCH

THEGUIDE WHAT’S ON EVENTS CONTINUED FROM FEBRUARY

Until Wednesday March 21 EXHIBITION – LA CALA DE MIJAS

Alejandro Hermann, whose Buddhist-inspired paintings often focus on children, presents his latest exhibition, Simbiosis del ayer a hoy, at the Claustro de Exposiciones, Palacio Provincial, Cádiz. Tel: 952 923 385.

New Beginnings is the title of a joint exhibition by artists Margit Björklund, Elaine Carlton, Lavinia Croft, Sally Huntington and Gunn Jonsson Shabetai. Art lovers will find everything from passionate flamenco paintings to rural depictions, close-ups of flowers and fabric works. At Jinete restaurant on the Ctra. de La Cala Golf. Open every day except Friday from 1pm to 10pm. Tel: 952 119 170.

Until Monday March 5 ART EXHIBITION – FUENGIROLA

Until Sunday March 25 EXHIBITION– MÁLAGA

Until Sunday March 4 EXHIBITION – CÁDIZ

A joint exhibition by Richard Wood and Eleazar Galea of the Andalusian International Artists Group can be viewed at Galería Restaurante Lucia in Fuengirola. Open from Monday to Friday from 12am to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm. Tel: 952 592 652.

Until Wednesday March 13 EXHIBITION – ESTEPONA

The Kempinski Hotel Bahia Estepona hosts an exhibition by artist H.J. Pietrula, whose colourful works of art take us back to our childhood. Tel: 952 809 500. www.kempinski.com

Until Sunday March 18 EXHIBITION – ESTEPONA

Visit Estepona’s Casa de la Juventud for a beautiful selection of posters designed by Pablo Picasso. Tel: 952 809 000. www.estepona.es

Until Monday March 19 EXHIBITION – MIJAS

Swedish artists Margit Björklund and Niki Marko are joined by English artist Elaine Carlton for a colourful exhibition featuring different media and materials including oil and acrylic paint and fabrics. At the Centro Cultural de La Cala de Mijas. Tel: 952 587 750. www.mijas.es

The CAC Málaga presents Tácitos y Sordos by Jerónimo Elespe, an artist known for his excellent technical ability and penchant for small-scale canvasses. Tel: 952 120 055. www.cacmalaga.org

Until Thursday March 29 EXHIBITION – SAN PEDRO

Renowned Malagueño artist José Luis Valverde, famed for his colourful expressionist paintings, exhibits his latest works at the Centro Cultural San Pedro. Tel: 952 799 314.

Until Tuesday April 10 EXHIBITION – MÁLAGA

If holy images are your thing, don’t miss out on the stunning exhibition of works by famous Malagueño painter, Félix Revello de Toro. The exhibit features a series of Holy Week banners created by Revello for the different Malagueñan religious brotherhoods between the years 1943 and 2006. At the Museo Revello de Toro. www.museorevellodetoro.es

NEW AND REGULAR EVENTS Monthly on different days FILM SHOWING AND DINNER – MARBELLA

The Marbella International Film Festival hosts Oscar Nights Nights, which include a showing of a major Oscar winning film and dinner at the H10 Andalucía Plaza Hotel. Tel: 952 812 000. www.marbellafilmfestival.com

AMERICAN CLUB – MARBELLA

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

AMIGOS DE LA CULTURA – COSTA DEL SOL

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

Every Monday SALSA CLASSES – MARBELLA

Learn how to shake your hips like a true Latino at El Campanario, under the guiding hand of professional dancer, Rafa. At 7:30pm. Prior booking is necessary. Tel: 952 904 233. www.elcampanariogolf.com

Every Monday and Wednesday LANGUAGE WORKSHOPS – MIJAS PUEBLO

Spanish/English and English/Spanish conversation with fellow native speakers, 10-11:30am. Further information on meeting points, Tel: 952 589 010. www.mijas.es

Every Tuesday and Friday SPANISH CONVERSATION – MARBELLA Practise your Spanish and talk about real issues at Terra Sana Nueva Andalucía from 1:15pm to 2:15pm. Tel: 952 906 205.

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

Every Third Tuesday of the Month FLORAL ART CLUB – ESTEPONA

Meets 3-5pm monthly with NAFAS demonstrators at El Campanario Golf & Country Club. Further information from Marilyn Pemberton, Tel: 952 928 197.

Bookshop) 11am – 2pm. Kennels open 10am – 5pm Monday – Friday and 10am – 2pm Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Further information, Tel: 952 797 405/ 606 274 206. www.adana-estepona.com

BUSINESS LUNCH – MARBELLA

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

Every Saturday MARKET – PUERTO BANÚS

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

Every First Saturday of the Month ORIGINAL ROCK & ROLL DANCE CLUB – NUEVA ANDALUCÍA Rock & roll music from the late 1940s to the early 1960s spun by resident DJ Tall Mike, with visiting acts and stalls selling memorabilia. 10pm – 3am at La Flor de los Naranjos restaurant. Entry free. Further information, Tel: 952 913 285. www.activesoundproductions.com

Every first Wednesday of the month CULTURE AND COCKTAIL – MARBELLA

ECOLOGICAL MARKET – MARBELLA

Every Wednesday TOASTMASTERS CLUB – MARBELLA

Every Saturday and Sunday KIDS’ CAMP – MARBELLA

The Association of Art and Culture holds monthly meetings at Magna Café, Magna Marbella Golf, at 8pm. Tel: 627 833 262. www.culturamarbella.org

Weekly meetings of this public speaking organisation, 7:30pm at Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía. Further information, www.toastmastersmarbella.com

Every Wednesday SALSA – MARBELLA

If ecological fruit and veg are your thing, don’t miss out on this hip organic market. At the Paseo de la Alameda from 10am to 2pm every Saturday. www.marbella.es

Aloha Gardens Multi-Sports Club weekend camps for children aged 4-14, 10:30am-1pm. Activities include tennis, football, cricket, basketball, hockey, handball, paddle tennis. Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 814 086. www.themultisportsclub.com

If you’re feeling the Latino vibe, brush up on your salsa moves at Buddha Bar Marbella’s special salsa nights (featuring the Nicolás Valiente Dance Academy), which take place every Wednesday at 10:30pm. Tel: 655 480 748.

Every First Sunday of the month OPEN DAY – MIJAS

Every Wednesday and Thursday CINE CLUB – MARBELLA

Friday March 2 CLASSICAL MUSIC – FUENGIROLA

Cine Club Buñuel presents films in their original language at the Marbella Instituto Río Verde at 8pm and 10:15pm. Tel: 952 774 638.

Every Thursday CINE CLUB – ESTEPONA

Top films shown weekly in Spanish or original soundtrack at Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, 9pm. Tel: 952 802 002. www.estepona.es

Every last Friday of the Month COFFEE MORNING – ESTEPONA

ADANA animal rescue charity coffee morning at Plaza Manilva (outside Longman’s

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

Duo Zambrano, featuring Laura Lara Moral on the piano and Rubén Pérez Cardonna on the trombone, play a variety of classical pieces by Henri Tomasi, Jules Massenet and Camille Saint-Säens. At 8:30pm at the Casa de la Cultura de Fuengirola. Tel: 952 589 349.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE – BENALMÁDENA

The Cía La Fábrica de la Magia theatrical troupe will be performing a fun-filled children’s play called The Magic Soup at the Casa de la Cultura de Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena. Tickets can be purchased at the theatre before

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the show. There will be two performances: one at 10:45am and another at 12:30pm. Tel: 952 579 800.

Saturday March 3 FASHION SHOW – MARBELLA

The Hermandad de Ntra. Sra. del Rocío de Marbella presents beautiful flamenco fashion at El Rocío es Moda, a show featuring the latest designs of top Andalusian designers such as Carmen Piedra and Pepita Cardeña. At 8pm at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Marbella. Entry costs €5 and can be purchased at the door. Tel: 952 821 461.

Friday March 9 INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY – GIBRALTAR Celebrate this important day with a fun-filled party at the Ipanema Restaurant at Ocan Village in Gibraltar. www.ipanema-restaurant.com

Monday March 12 EXHIBITION – MARBELLA

The Hotel Benabola presents a joint exhibition of various artists of international origin, who share a passion for colour and contemporary painting styles. www.benabola.com

DAVID DE MARÍA – TORREMOLINOS

Tuesday March 20 FLOWER ARRANGEMENT – ESTEPONA

If you like Spanish pop then you undoubtedly have a CD or two of David de María, the ballad singer famed for hits like No me llores más. He will be playing at the Palacio de Congresos de Torremolinos at 9pm. Tickets cost €20. Tel: 952 379 100. www.palacio-congresos.com

Monday March 5 to Friday March 9 PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION – MARBELLA

Enjoy a photography exhibition by artists aged 14 to 35, who will also be competing for a coveted prize, awarded by the Ayuntamiento de Marbella. At the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Marbella. Tel: 952 828 244. www.marbellacongresos.com

Thursday March 8 FASHION – MARBELLA

A fundraising fashion show in favour of the Fundación Cesare Scariolo will be taking place at 6:30pm at the Hotel H10 Andalucía Plaza. Featuring TV presenter Beatriz Trapote and Miss and Mister Málaga 2011, as well as a performance by Grupo Danzart. www.cesarescariolo.org

The Estepona Floral Art Club will be hosting a flower arranging demonstration featuring tips from florist Ann Colby. From 2:45pm to 5pm. For precise venue and time please contact Tel: 952 170 573.

Wednesday March 14 to Thursday March 15 CINEMA – MARBELLA

The Cine Club Buñuel hosts screenings of Lars von Trier’s Melancholia, starring Kirsten Dunst and Kiefer Sutherland. At 8pm and 10:15pm at the Instituto Río Verde, Marbella. Tel: 951 270 557. www.iesrioverde.es

Wednesday March 14 to Friday March 16 RUSSIAN MEETING POINT – MARBELLA

The Hotel Villa Padierna will be hosting the Russian Meeting Point: a networking event which will connect Russian investors and local real estate firms. The aim is to showcase houses located in the ‘Golden Triangle’ which comprises Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís. www.russianmeetingpoint.com

Friday March 16 JAZZ – FUENGIROLA

Thursday March 8 to Friday March 9 CINEMA – SAN PEDRO

The Cine Club Buñuel hosts screenings of Mike Leigh’s Another Year, starring Jim Broadbent, Lesley Manville and Ruth Sheen. At 8pm and 10:15pm at the Centro Cultural San Pedro. Tel: 952 799 314.

at the theatre door. Tel: 902 400 222. www.minestroneshow.com

Thursday March 22 ADHD and Hyperactivity Symposium – Marbella

Club Sierramar Marbella is organising a symposium on Living with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADHD), aimed at the general public. Free entry. At the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Marbella at 7:30pm. www.marbellacongresos.com

Teatro Cervantes

Friday March 9 to Saturday March 10

Mefisto Teatro presents Donde Hay Agravios No Hay Celos, a play about knights and ladies written by Francisco de Rojas Zorrilla. At 9pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday.

Friday March 16 to Saturday March 17

Teatro Lírico d’Europa presents Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata. At 9pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday.

Monday March 26

One of the Italian New Age movement’s most popular musicians, Ludovico Einaudi, plays elegant, minimalist tunes. At 9pm.

Thursday March 29 to Friday March 30 Friday March 23 DANI MARTÍN – MÁLAGA

Dani Martín is one of young rock’s most popular faces and this month, he lights up the stage at the Auditorio Municipal de Málaga at 10pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.nvivo.es

Enjoy a classical music concert featuring compositions by Renaissance maestro Tomás Luis de Victoria as well as pieces by Wagner, Manuel de Falla and F. Poulenc. At 9pm on Thursday and 9pm on Friday.

Saturday March 31

Popular crooner Juan Valderrama sings traditional songs in his own personal style. At 8pm.

Saturday March 24 FASHION – MARBELLA

Marbella designer Rocío Salas presents her flamenco inspired designs at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos. Entrance costs €5 and all proceeds will go to the Ángel Riviere Association. Tel: 952 860 967.

Saxophonist Javier Denis is joined by Baldo Martínez on bass and Carlos ‘Sir Charles’ González on drums, for a traditional jazz concert with a modern twist. At 8:30pm at the Casa de Cultura de Fuengirola. Tel: 952 589 349.

Friday March 30 DANCE – FUENGIROLA

Saturday March 17 MUSICAL MIME SHOW – MARBELLA

Saturday March 31 CAGEFIGHTING – MARBELLA

Daniele Fileti and Stefano Baratto, the legendary comic duo better known as Minestrone, present their latest musical mime show at the Teatro Ciudad de Marbella at 9pm. Live music, mime and pure art are the key ingredients of this show, which has plenty of heart and soul. Tickets cost €15 and can be purchased at El Corte Inglés or

Dani Martín

The Grupo Municipal de Danza presents a recital of traditional Spanish folk dance at the Casa de la Cultura de Fuengirola at 8:30pm. Tel: 952 589 349.

Give free reign to your inner alpha dog at Cagemania, featuring Mark Platts vs Max Henchy and other fighters. Fully licensed bar and refreshments available. At the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Marbella. Doors open at 7pm, first bout at 8:30pm. www.cagemania.info

i Tel: 902 360 295. www.teatrocervantes.com

TEATRO ECHEGARAY Thursday March 8

Evolution Sound plays their special mix of reggae, ska, rock, African music, punk and electronic music at 9pm.

Thursday March 22

Tangoria presents Oda a Piazzolla, a tango trio show paying homage to the great Astor Piazzolla. At 9pm.

Friday March 30 and Saturday March 31

El Café Cantante sings songs from the popular Spanish copla culture at 9pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday. i Tel: 952 360 295. www.teatroechegaray.com

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THEGUIDE STARS

Annie Heese is the founder of astrology website, www.cafeastrology.com, a site featuring articles, love sign compatibility reports, predictions, the gen on famous people and their star signs, and general information for astrology buffs.

ARIES [21 MAR - 20 APR]

LEO [23 JUL - 22 AUG]

SAGITTARIUS [22 NOV - 21 DEC]

Things may be piling up this month, largely because you are putting a lot of energy into fixing problems and revising old work. However, opportunities abound for you to increase your income. Ideas may be best left in the incubation stage. You’re more likely to find success if you wait to launch new projects later, as all of the details are not yet clear. The 12th-14th can bring a discovery of a lost resource or the re-emerging of someone from your past. The 22nd brings a feeling of emotional renewal.

Opportunities to increase exposure and to gain recognition for your unique style of expression and creativity are strong this month. While an increase in income may not be realised until May, you are laying important groundwork for future pay raises. The discovery of untapped resources or areas of wastage can help you create a new and improved budget. Go over all details carefully. A money-making idea may need refinement before it can be set in motion. March is strong for career, public relations, and stabilising your life in important ways.

Work can pose some challenges in the form of delays this month, but opportunities arise to improve working conditions. Stimulating social connections can be made through business contacts. Be cautious when it comes to mixing personal and professional arenas, however. Misunderstandings can be plentiful this month and you’ll want to avoid ‘bad press’. Offers may come from a previous employer or industry mid-month. Home and family matters are well-starred in March. It’s a strong period for strengthening bonds and taking charge of the household.

TAURUS [21 APR - 20 MAY]

VIRGO [23 AUG - 22 SEP]

CAPRICORN [22 DEC - 19 JAN]

The month can bring great personal opportunities. Personal popularity, especially with friends, runs high. The 12th14th can bring successful social events, travel opportunities, and special announcements. Your thinking is long-term and you are craving a sense of permanency. Nevertheless, you have some adjustments to make in your love relationships and/or relationships with children. Revelations regarding these matters occur around the Full Moon on the 8th. You’ll be longing for more down-time and solitude in the last week of March. Listen to your inner signals and get some extra rest.

You may be dealing with significant delays when it comes to your personal plans this month and this gives you the opportunity to slow down long enough to make important refinements. Tame impulsiveness and aim to work at the things you do best rather than taking on new challenges, just for the time being. You will be tending to others’ needs much of the month, and your ability to adapt quickly will strongly affect your success. Watch for overspending in March. Take more time to assess your needs and wants.

Romance and creative self-expression are strong areas for you in March. Others are seeing your value, and admirers are many. Friends can be especially supportive this month, and you are happy to return favours. Your social life is improved and in focus, while more worldly ambitions temporarily fade into the background. It will be difficult to focus your attention, but you may very well benefit emotionally from this change of pace. Branch out, make connections, and tend to family matters, which may be a little hectic in the last week of March.

GEMINI [21 MAY - 21 JUN]

LIBRA [23 SEP - 23 OCT]

AQUARIUS [20 JAN - 19 FEB]

You begin March at a yearly career peak. You may not know the direction in which you are headed just now, but you are certainly bringing more creativity to the professional table. From the 12th forward, take greater care when communicating your observations and needs. Make your true intentions known in order to minimise misunderstandings. While your love life is becoming more private and may involve some personal sacrifices in March, mid-month brings strong energy for attraction and possibly the revival of an old relationship.

Work can be demanding but also invigorating in March. Some restlessness with your current routines is stimulated now, largely due to uncertainty about where exactly you are heading professionally speaking. Focus on doing your best instead of allowing a lack of direction to interfere with productivity. In time, direction and purpose will be revealed. Some impulsiveness in the relationship department can lead to confusing or unpredictable situations. Letting go of unhealthy relating patterns is essential in order to move forward. Good news can come in the areas of taxes and loans mid-month.

Much joy can be found with family and in the home environment this month. It’s easier to balance professional and personal endeavours with minimal interference between them. More money may be spent on enhancing comfort, beauty, and entertainment at home. These things can also be improved without expense, through creative reorganisation and spending extra time on family activities. Attention should be drawn to money management in March, as there can be some problems with offers falling through or unexpected expenses this month. Know your limits.

CANCER [22 JUN - 22 JUL]

SCORPIO [24 OCT - 21 NOV]

PISCES [20 FEB - 20 MAR]

Love and friendship are tied together in wonderful ways this month. Cementing a bond with a friend or love interest may be tricky, and might require a pledge to live in the moment, but rewarding. Nevertheless, communication mix-ups are probable this month. Aim to be especially clear or to sidestep making decisions until you are ready. Don’t commit unless you are certain you can follow through. The last week of March brings a burst of new and excitable energy to your career, and you are anxious to create a buzz.

March is very strong for love relationships. Opportunities arise to spice up an existing or old connection, or to attract a significant relationship. There is no need to make sweeping decisions just yet, but important groundwork can be laid now. Some of you may revive an old friendship. A partner may come into some extra money this month. Work can involve some mix-ups and slowdowns. Going over work that you thought was complete may be necessary. Stay as flexible as possible and allow for last-minute changes to plans and schedules.

You are likely to feel ‘large and in charge’ this month and you’re bound to wear your increased confidence and independence well. It’s a very strong month for your social life in general, although close partnerships may require considerate attention and care. Business and money-making ideas in the last week of the month may very well be golden, but take at least a few weeks to sort out the details before launching entirely new initiatives. While unique and creative ideas are vital, patience and planning are the authors of most success stories.

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Mellior Vasari La Alzambra Local 3-1 Puerto Banús - Marbella - 29660 Spain +34 951 319 728 UK +44 0800 112 3027 info@quaypropertygroup.com

www.quaypropertygroup.com

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LUXURY HOME BUILDER “Formed in 2007 by experienced property developer John May, Quay Property Group is a luxury building contractor for clients in Marbella and London.”

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