Essential Magazine, November 2022

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US IN OUR PRIVATE OFFICE

OUR

PRIVATE

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4 Bath

525 m2

1.574 m2

Contemporary living.

A perfect family home

2.495.000 €

DM5043

Casa Calma is an impeccably designed new home enjoying golf, sea and mountain views. Set in La Alqueria, a secure residential area close to golf courses, international schools, services and amenities, only a few minutes’ drive from Puerto Banús, Marbella and San Pedro.

Contemporary lines, the finest materials and attention to detail provide a warm and homely atmosphere to this family home with bright and spacious living areas.

The layout includes two bedrooms on ground and top floors, open-plan living/dining room with adjoining kitchen, landscaped gardens, infinity pool and a flexible space on basement for a gym, games room, spa or additional bedroom. Estimated completion: 1st quarter 2024.

Entertainer’s dream.

Spectacular bespoke residence

Built 1.229 m2 Plot 5.145 m2 Beds 7 Bath 8

Price: 8.900.000 € Ref: DM5010

This unique masterpiece is set in Hacienda Las Chapas, a prestigious residential area in Marbella East only 2km from the beach. Surrounded by flawless mature gardens, the home enjoys stunning views from almost every room.

Combining modern design with sleek functionality and custom details throughout, the villa extends over three floors with high ceilings, soaring windows, generous living spaces and multiple sitting areas, chef’s kitchen, a 100 m2 main suite, an office/library and independent guest apartment.

The resort-like amenities include two swimming pools, full sized tennis court, gym, bar, a 15-seat cinema room and expansive terraces for seamless indoor-outdoor connection.

DESIGNED FOR BETTER LIVING

design-led home at Vista Lago will be quite unlike anything that has gone before. All 18 villas, as well as the furniture and fittings in them, are different from each other. The commonality they share are the breathtaking views across the Mediterranean Sea to Gibraltar and Africa beyond.

The view from your sofa at Vista Lago Residences

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Antima is a family run property developer creating one of a kind private residences.

WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL PUBLISHER

CHANGE IS GOOD

With World leaders playing a dangerous game of brinksmanship, this month we focus on health – both our own and that of the planet we depend on for our survival. Be prepared to be impressed by PROTEUSTM, the underwater equivalent of the space station, presented recently by Fabien Cousteau at Sutus by Les Roches. Find out about the programme of carbonfree dining and tree planting being pursued by sustainable local restaurant Breathe, and consider reviving body and mind at sublime Urban Wellness Resorts.

It’s 100 years since Howard Carter discovered the entrance to the Pharaoh Tutankhamen’s tomb in November 1922 in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. Read about this

landmark discovery and its ramifications. Flair also dominates these pages, with features on The Art – Interior Design, fashion trends, and a preview of the Deus Vayanne EV Sports Supercar.

We present American stars, Alex Kinsey, former US X Factor winner, and Grammynominated singer songwriter, iLana Armida, who gave us an exclusive interview during their recent visit to Marbella.

Finally, revel in our Gastronomic Tour of Anantara Villa Padierna, where we relive a perfect evening sampling food from five distinct gourmet venues located within this luxurious Tuscan Palace.

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IT’S 100 YEARS SINCE THE THRILLING DISCOVERY OF TUTANKHAMEN’S TOMB AND THE MUCH ANTICIPATED GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN THIS MONTH. MORE EXCITEMENT IS IN STORE WITH THE PROTEUS(TM) UNDERWATER RESEARCH LABORATORY, THE DEUS VAYANNE SUPERCAR, AND THE MESMERISING ILLUSIONS OF ESCHER.

EGYPT’S DAZZLING GEM

A century ago this November, Howard Carter’s water boy stumbled on the top step to the biggest stash of buried treasure in the history of Egyptology. The complete, never-seen-together Tutankhamen Collection will be the crown jewels of Cairo’s Grand Egyptian Museum, a modern architectural wonder overlooking the Great Pyramid of Giza that has taken nearly as long to build. essential finds out how this GEM of a museum plans to live up to its acronym.

Howard Carter in his ‘Indy’ hat

Acolossal statue of Ramses ll stands in greeting at the entrance to the GEM, as awesome in stone as the ‘Exodus pharaoh’ of biblical fame was in life. It has survived the real Ramses by over 3,000 years and miraculously, every February 22 and October 22 on his coronation day and birthday, the dead King’s likeness will seem to come to life as the sun lights up his face – a trick of solar alignment used by the pharaoh himself for his temple at Abu Simbel.

The largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated

to one civilisation is also pretty miraculous: Toblerone-shaped, 800 metres long, clad in triangular slabs of translucent alabaster celebrating the pyramidal form and a 46-metre feature wall of hieroglyphics spelling out the names of pharaohs from 32 dynasties. The design unfurls from the Nile valley floor to the Giza plateau on three levels, encompassing a 50-metre height differential. Visitors will walk beneath the world’s first Hanging Obelisk and up a sweeping Grand Staircase flanked by stone pharaohs and

Gods with animal heads to a glass lobby framing the pyramids 2km in the distance, a view that goes widescreen as they ascend.

And that’s just the prelude to a chronological, 12-gallery tour through three millennia of the world’s second oldest civilisation. The Tutankhamen Hall will be the highlight: a chance to see 5,398 priceless artefacts displayed in a tomb-like setting just as Carter found them 100 years ago. A Nile river park, 3D cinema and children’s museum are other attractions on the sprawling 500,000m2 site. ›

“The Grand Egyptian Museum is a gift from Egypt to the whole world.”

Khaled el-Enany, Minister of Tourism & Antiquities

Ramses ll, 83 tons and 16 metres tall

Built to take pressure off Egypt’s ancient sites and provide a safer haven for its treasures than Cairo’s antique Egyptian Museum, the GEM has space to showcase 50,000 pieces and store a similarly mind-boggling number, as well as 17 labs for restoring ongoing finds. The operation to crate up and crane in objects of Titanic scale has not been seen since Pharaonic times and Egypt turned the most epic transfers into televised

extravaganzas with laser lights and marching bands. Cleopatra would have approved!

Opening dates and Egyptian Presidents have come and gone but November was still scheduled as essential went to press. Launched by Mubarak in 2002, mummified for four years following Egypt’s 2011 Revolution, and again during Covid, Giza’s Great Pyramid, last of the Seven Ancient Wonders, didn’t take much longer to

© Djehuty, Wikimedia Commons

complete (circa 25 years). The final bill has come in at $1billion, double the original budget. But if the current President has his sums right, the GEM will attract 15,000 visitors a day – annually, nearly twice the number of travellers to the entire country during 2020’s pandemic.

The GEM’s Director General, Dr Tarek Tawfik, promises ‘a museum of the 21st century’ with all the techy bells and whistles. “More than looking at artefacts, it’s about feeling why they were made and understanding how ancient Egyptians thought, their relationship to their Kings and how it fed into their beliefs concerning the afterlife. You’ll be moving from one exciting story to the other. If you have the time you can go really deep into them.”

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THE ORIGINAL INDIANA JONES Howard Carter was as lionised in his day as Harrison Ford’s cinematic swashbuckler and, like Indy, a fan of the fedora hat.

A talented artist, he landed his first assignment in Egypt at 17 reproducing drawings on archaeological digs and became Inspector of Antiquities for the Egyptian government. In big demand for his advanced techniques in excavation and restoration, on November, 1922 he was working on a dig for the Earl of Carnarvon in Luxor’s Valley of the Kings when his water bearer literally fell over the underground stairway to the tomb of King Tut.

“Can you see anything?” inquired the Earl later that month as Carter chipped a spyhole in the tomb wall to peer into the first of four treasure-stacked chambers. “Yes, wonderful things!” he replied, noting later of being ‘struck dumb with amazement’ as he peered through the gloom to see ‘strange animals, statues and gold, everywhere the glint of gold.´

Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon

Gold death mask © Roland Unger, Wikimedia Commons

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It was another three years before he raised the lid on the last of the 18th Dynasty Pharaoahs which was nested like a Russian doll inside three coffins within a stone sarcophagus inside four box-shaped shrines. He found the shrunken and bandaged body wearing his splendid solid gold death mask, the penis wrapped separately in the erect position. Even dead pharaohs had their pride!

Cataloguing the finds from tomb KV62, the 62nd and most intact ever unearthed in the Valley, took an entire decade. Although there had been two minor break-ins soon after the 19th Dynasty pharaoh’s burial, the sands of

time covered all trace of Tutenkhamen’s existence for the next 3,000 years.

A media frenzy dubbed Tutmania was unleashed as photographs of the treasures hit news desks worldwide, influencing everything from literature to architecture and furniture to fashion. King Tut became the name of products, businesses and the pet dog of 31st U.S. President Herbert Hoover. Everyone saw the value of ‘pyramidselling’.

Despite the significance of his find, Carter received no honour from the British government although

he profited from writing books, conducting lecture tours and… tomb raiding! After he died in 1939, 18 uncatalogued Tutankhamen artefacts were found in his own antiquities collection. They were discreetly returned to their homeland to preserve Anglo-Egyptian relations.

During the previous decade alone, Egypt lost more than $3 billion worth of artefacts to tomb raiders.

THE MUMMY’S CURSE

Within six months of Carter’s discovery, Lord Carnarvon contracted blood poisoning from an infected mosquito bite and died, fulfilling the

prophesy inscribed on the door to the tomb: ‘Death will come on quick wings for those who disturb the King’s peace.’ Six others involved in the dig also met untimely ends. Carter, who lived to a respectable 64, dismissed rumours of a curse as ‘foolish superstition and tommyrot’.

Mummies have been trafficked since medieval times for use in medical research, a shade of paint pigment called Mummy Brown and, Ra forbid, mummy unwrapping parties, popularised during the Victorian era by London surgeon Thomas Pettigrew who lived well into his 70s. ›

Anubis guarded Tut’s tomb

Grand Staircase in progress © Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities

Tut’s royal seal

INSIDE TUT’S TOMB

The GEM’s Tutankhamen Gallery promises a more authentic experience than the original tomb which has been divested of most of its treasures.

In a world first, Tut’s golden chariots, thrones and chests of jewellery will be seen together, as Carter found them, in a space emulating the tomb’s four underground chambers with the aid of tricky special effects.

The Pharaoh’s throne © Egyptian Museum, Cairo

And not just the famous pieces. The empty boxes, baskets and scraps of fabric found by Carter may not have meant much at the time. Now, with the benefit of X-rays, CAT scans and DNA testing, they paint a more complete picture of the eightyear-old boy King with buck teeth who hunted ostriches, played chess, suffered from a foot deformity and died at 18 from a combination of bone disease and malaria.

“Suddenly you know what he was eating, you know what he was drinking, you know how he was dressed,” says Dr Tarek Tawfik.” You

start to live with him, to run the country with him, you even start to mourn with him for his two little girls who died before they were born and buried with him.“

Tut’s OTT ‘going away’ trousseau for the afterlife included 47 pairs of orthopaedic sandals and 130 walking sticks; 100 finely-woven baskets now known to have contained wheat and barley, figs, dates, melons, and grapes; jars of wine labelled with the date, vineyard and winemaker; and four dozen wooden boxes that once held nine ducks, four geese, various

small birds and choice cuts of beef on the bone. But no fish, not considered fine dining in those days when the Nile was teeming with them. ›

Carving of King Tut and his Queen

The original burial chamber © EditorfromMars, Wikimedia Commons

Pectoral chest pendant

KING KHUFU’S SUNSHIP

It is the largest and oldest object made of wood in human history: a 42-metre galley ship built 4,600 years ago that would be seaworthy today, though it was never designed for water.

The ancient Egyptians believed the sun God Ra sailed the skies between heaven and earth on a solar barque, bringing light to the world. No self-respecting

Pharaoh was buried without one of these ancient Egyptian teleporters to beam their spirit to the afterlife via light shafts cut into the pyramids.

For decades this ship of the desert resided in its own museum at the foot of the Great Khufu Pyramid where it was discovered in 1954, buried in over 1,000 pieces with instructions for reassembly in

hieroglyphics. Last summer the entire vessel was packed into a shock-absorbing shipping container lit up like the Blackpool Illuminations and transported to the GEM on track by remotecontrolled vehicle. The 2km journey took 10 hours and the surreal sight of the ship-shaped container sailing slowly past the pyramids at night was filmed by the BBC. ›

Tut’s gold coffin © Egyptian Museum, Cairo

Transporting the solar barque © Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities

ROMANCING THE STONE

The French found it, the British laid claim to it and the Egyptians want it back. Although visitors can see a replica at the GEM, the original Rosetta Stone that cracked the code to hieroglyphics resides in the British Museum, the most visited exhibit since 1802. The 2,200-year-old stone tablet inscribed with ancient script and Egyptian picture writing remained a riddle until 1822 when French linguist Jean-François Champollion realised that one of the scripts was ancient Greek. His transcription of Ptolemy

V’s royal manifesto gave the world a dictionary for deciphering hieroglyphics. Champollion used it to determine the chronology of Egyptian Pharaohs, found the field of Egyptology and open the Egyptian antiquities department at the Louvre, all without ever seeing the real stone himself.

During September’s bicentennial of that eureka moment, Egypt renewed calls for the stone’s return along with other ‘purloined’ artefacts, such as the bust of Nefertiti in Berlin’s Neues Museum and the Dendera Zodiac ceiling, housed in the Louvre. e

The old Solar Boat Museum © Hajotthu, Wikimedia Commons

Artwork from 1050BC representing the sun god Ra and his solar barque

The Rosetta Stone © ProtoplasmaKid, Wikimedia Commons

The events of the past two years have led many tourists to seek rest and respite in traditional nature-based retreats but travellers are also making a ‘great return’ to cities. According to the 2022 Global Wellness Summit, this means one thing: renewed momentum for the urban wellness concept. Large hospitality groups and cities are evolving in accordance with the zeitgeist. One big trend this year, for instance, lies in urban bathhouses and wellness playgrounds. Cities are being redesigned so residents and visitors can flee pollution and excessive consumerism

and embrace the reinvigorating power of green, communal spaces. Human-made beaches, free open-air wellness sessions, and water sports are popping up in unexpected destinations like New York, Paris, Tokyo, and Sydney. Urban wellness retreats are inherently more affordable and egalitarian, as they can be enjoyed by locals as well as travellers and residents from nearby cities or towns. Moreover, many hospitality groups are combining the resort model with that of a membership club, giving rise to more than the typical hotel with a spa. The idea of an ‘out of this world’ urban escape

is making travellers more excited about working on their health in a ‘bright lights, big city’ environment; one in which they can also enjoy the beauty of cultural and architectural wonders. The numbers are telling. Dubai is planning on launching its new One&Only One Za’abeel (a wellness resort with residences) in 2023. Equinox Hotel, which has an impressive wellness and fitness centre with offerings such as biohacking and sleep coaching, plans to open 33 more urban properties over the next decade. Another group, Kerzner International, has created a new wellness hospitality brand called SIRO Hotels, which is also targeted at city slickers. These resorts will incorporate outdoor activities, diet and nutrition, fitness, and ‘recovery labs’. The German Group Therme, meanwhile, will be bringing ancient bathing traditions to major cities, inviting stressedout urbanites to relax in a paradise of heat, water, and nature. Therme centres will be opening in a myriad of cities in the UK, Europe, the U.S. and Asia in 2023. ›

Sindhorn Wellness by Resense at The Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok

MAKING IT GREENER

The Global Wellness Summit predicts that many new resorts will be centred around green spaces and forests. For instance, medical-wellness resort RAKxa, which opened its doors in 2021, is located in Bangkok’s green lung. Bangkok is also home to The Forestias, a residential-led project that boasts a luxury hotel, medical centre, food area, and sports complex, peppered along a lush forest. It has forest canopy walkways that make for a heavenly escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.

CITIES ARE REBRANDING THEMSELVES

Many cities are waking up to the demand for urban wellness offerings and are completely rebranding themselves. For instance, New York hotelier, Jerry Inzerillo and his team are building a new city in Riyadh that will contain thousands of apartments, an opera house, a university, shopping centres, and hotels with a powerful wellness focus. Rosewood, Six Senses, Four Seasons, and Ritz-Carlton are just a few big names that will feature prominently in this new paradise for the senses. To follow, are some resorts that are already immersing their clients in the magnificence of city wellness breaks. ›

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The Aman Spa at Aman New York

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THE AMAN SPA AT AMAN NEW YORK

Aman New York, located on 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, is Aman’s third hotel in the U.S. Founded in Phuket, the brand decided to bring the palpable tranquillity of its Asian roots to the Big Apple, completely transforming the Crown Building (which once housed the Museum of Modern Art).

The Hotel boasts the brand’s flagship urban spa: the three-storey, 2,300m2 Aman Spa. It offers a host of transformative wellness and longevity experiences, medical services, specialist therapies, performance science approaches, and cuttingedge nutritional programmes. The treatment rooms have features

such as full-body cryotherapy and an infrared detox sauna, plus a pool surrounded by fire pits and daybeds.

For the ultimate private pampering experience, book one of the two Spa Houses, which have a spacious double treatment room, sauna, cold plunge pools, steam rooms, and an outdoor terrace with a private

cabana. If you are in New York frequently, consider joining the Aman Club – a members-only retreat with a wine room, cigar lounge and private garden terrace. The Aman New York also has 22 private residences situated above the suites.

www.aman.com ›

ASAYA AT ROSEWOOD PHUKET AND HONG KONG

Rosewood Hotels and Resorts has created the Asaya ‘urban wellness destination’ concept for its resorts in Phuket and Hong Kong. ‘Asaya’ is a Sanskrit term for ‘an intention or hope to propel self-change and transformation’.

The resorts welcome guests, patrons, and members, inviting them to begin their wellness journeys by first connecting with themselves.

Guests experience a ‘wellness atelier’ upon arrival, with experts creating a bespoke experience for them.

Asaya Wellness in Phuket has six

suites (including a signature wellness suite), luxurious treatment areas, an outdoor relaxation zone, and a Watsu pool. Asaya Hong Kong, meanwhile, is divided into two floors comprising indoor and outdoor space in the Rosewood Tower on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront.

The Asaya concept is built on five pillars: emotional balance, fitness and nutrition, physical therapies, skin health, and community. An experienced team of therapists guides clients with movement coaching and bodywork, naturopathy, tailored fitness, and art therapy. The aim is to tap into the emotional realm “to clear obstacles, facilitate expression, promote healing and cultivate self-care through

establishing a healthy lifestyle.” Guests are invited to experience a host of assessments such as genetic analysis, 3D skin analysis and lifestyle assessments. The architecture is also wellness-centred. Asaya Hong Kong, for instance, has a series of engawas (traditional Japanese porches) that connect inner and outdoor spaces to galleries, ateliers, the kitchen, ornamental pools in an inner courtyard, and fragrant herb gardens.

www.rosewoodhotels.com

SINDHORN WELLNESS BY RESENSE AT THE SINDHORN KEMPINSKI HOTEL

BANGKOK

The Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has an entire floor dedicated to Sindhorn Wellness by Resense. It’s amazing to think that this space of peace and calm is located in a building that is in the very heart of Bangkok city life. Press ‘9’ in the elevator and you will be transported to an oasis with an endless infinity pool, cutting-edge gym, and spa. Worldclass practitioners will help you erase the day’s stress with facial treatments, massages, thermal and hydrotherapy experiences. Thermal therapies are focused on the use of contrasting heat and cold to improve blood flow and flush out toxins. They include the Rasul, Classical Hammam, and Rejuvenation treatments. If your aim is to free yourself of stress and recharge your batteries, try Float Therapy, which involves drifting away into zero-gravity bliss in a private pool saturated with Epsom salts. i www.kempinski.com ›

THE CHUAN SPA AT THE LANGHAM CHICAGO

Chicago is a bustling city, with a population of almost 2.7 million people. It is also a cradle of many important industries such as printing, publishing, transportation, financial trading services and food processing (to name just a few). Its skyline is pierced by vertiginous skyscrapers, which are inhabited by movers and shakers who sometimes need a break from the high-octane atmosphere at work.

The Langham Chicago invites city workers (and tourists from across the globe) to unwind at its wellness oasis – the Chuan Spa, where treatments are based on the five elements (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water).

Wood governs the sense of sight as well as the tendons, liver, ligaments, and gall bladder. The emotions it tends to convey are anger and depression. Fire, meanwhile, governs the speech, tongue, heart, blood vessels, and small intestine. It conveys joy and

express itself through sadness and grief, and water may convey fear and anxiety.

over-excitement with possible mood swings. The Earth element can manifest itself in worry and anxiety, Metal may

Upon arrival, guests are invited to share information that helps identify potential imbalances. They also undergo sensory testing, so they can receive the treatment that is most suited to their needs. The spa, which boasts heavenly views over the city and the Chicago River, is home to a swimming pool, hydro-vitality hot tub, Oriental steam room, and eucalyptus and Himalayan salt stone saunas. It additionally has a fitness centre with a full range of equipment. One of its signature treatments is the full-body experience, comprising an exfoliation treatment and deep tissue massage with CBD-infused oil. i www.langhamhotels.com

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COMO SHAMBHALA URBAN ESCAPE AT COMO METROPOLITAN LONDON

COMO Shambhala, famed for its wellness sanctuary near Ubud in Bali, has a holistic, 360º approach to wellness. By visiting its Urban Escape at the COMO Metropolitan London, you can kickstart your lifelong commitment to wellness. The array of therapies for the face and body is vast. You can enjoy massage therapy, a couples’ massage workshop, facial and body care treatments, beauty care, and instruction in healing techniques like yoga – all under the guiding hand of seasoned experts. For skincare, for instance,

Robina Avakian (a renowned skincare therapist with over 28 years’ experience) is on hand to help you turn back the hands of time. She is one of the many professionals who are at the top of their game. The wellness escape also has a dedicated reflexologist, remedial massage therapist/ physiotherapist, postnatal exercise and recovery specialist, energy

healing therapist, beauty therapist, and acupuncture and shiatsu practitioners. You can additionally opt for online consultations with some therapists – including Per Van Spall, a Qigong master who can help you unblock, free and balance your ‘chi’ or energy.

i www.comohotels.com

Focused upon offering a delicious yet healthy breakfast, lunch and dining option from the beginning, Breathe is the main hospitality venue in Marbella that has shown the way forward in terms of a sustainable approach to business and a commitment to health and well-being. Enter the atmospheric restaurant garden and you find yourself surrounded by 7,000 new plants created as part of this private space at the point where Puerto Banús and Nueva Andalucía meet. It’s a haven of ambient relaxation, but Aguilene Benicio and her team have not been sitting still.

“I have always been passionate about nature, as I think we take so much out and

give nothing back,” says Aguilene.

“We’ve long since broken the cycle of sustainability, the balance that allows nature to heal itself, so it’s important for our own safety and well-being to start nurturing our environment again.”

This was part of the thinking that inspired the concept of Breathe, designed around the four elements and expressed through its name. “Call it coincidence, but while thinking of ways to do more, I met Marvin Baker at the restaurant in 2018, and we have had the pleasure of working together since, supporting the Carbon Free Dinning initiative and over time we came up with the GiftTrees idea.”

BREATHE GIFTTREES

British-based, Marvin is the CEO of an organisation that has been committed to planting trees in areas of the world where nature has become decimated and local communities increasingly vulnerable. Partnering in 2009 with the United Nations Environmental Programme’s Plant For the Planet, he and his team have been the driving force behind the planting of millions of trees in 14 countries around the world.

a momentum of one million newly planted trees per month – and we’re hoping to reach one billion by 2030.”

“In the first ten years, we planted one million, within the following two years we’d reached two million, and by next year we will have reached

The species in question are carefully chosen, so that the forests created by this process have the optimal impact when it comes to sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. But there’s more to it, for as Marvin says, this is a two-dimensional process. “Our project revolves around an effort to restore natural environments and reduce carbon in the air, but it is also designed to help local rural communities and give them the means with which they can lift themselves out of poverty. What we’re working hard to do is to break the negative cycle and turn it around.” ›

Currently, the organisation’s main efforts are focused upon the Usambara Mountains in Northern Tanzania, where a whole selection of trees and plant species are selected to create a viable, self-sustaining ecosystem. “We use the Moringa ‘miracle’ tree to extract carbon, raise the water table and restore the soil’s nutrients, create a live flora fence to keep cattle out, and others that provide a variety of crops for local communities as well as a natural insecticide that draws bugs away from the productive plants.” This apart from the local jobs created in the nurseries and the planting operations on site.

What does it all have to do with

Breathe? Well, for some time now diners in the restaurant, bakery and cocktail bar have had the option to gift a tree through a small contribution of €1,49 that’s added to their bill, much like an ‘environmental tip’, and in this way Marbella guests alone have been responsible for the planting of over 40,000 trees. “We call it the ‘Breathe Forest’, says Marvin with a grin, “and we’ve created the world’s first platform where newly planted trees are geotagged and photographed, allowing individuals and brands to establish their own GiftTree forests, while also providing donors and sponsors with monthly impact videos.”

COMMUNITY ACTION

Aguilene believes that, rather than waiting for governments and organisations, we should contribute at grassroots level and undertake our own initiatives, and in doing just that she hopes that more residents and businesses will follow.

“A lot of our guests and friends are committed to doing something to contribute, and the Breathe GiftTrees initiative is a convenient way to ‘gift’ trees to parts of the world where a small action on our part makes a real difference. If enough of us do it,

g www.breathetrees.org www.breathegifttrees.com www.breathe.life/blog/ breathegifttrees

the positive impact can be huge. Ours is a long-term commitment and has no commercial purpose: in fact, we use Breathe as a vehicle to promote it. I believe in the power of small things implemented by a large number of people, so we’re keen to keep building it as a community collaboration.”

The Breathe GiftTrees project will also be aiming to promote businesses that contribute to the initiative. How? – by using their extensive network of contacts, website, social media and all the tools available to promote collaborating brands and businesses and make the Marbella community aware of the support and its impact in terms of numbers of new trees planted.

If we all applied the solution-based thinking of Aguilene and Marvin, things could be quite different, as they make it easy for us as local residents to contribute. Just pledge a gift when you’re dining or having breakfast at Breathe, or go onto the GiftTrees website and select how many trees you would like to see planted in your name – from a single sapling to 1,000 or more!

Let’s come together as a community and help those with the vision to restore the balance to our environment. e

PROTEUSTM SPACE EXPLORATION ON EARTH

Just like his grandfather Jacques Cousteau, who opened up the wonders of the oceans to a global audience, Fabien Cousteau is launching an ambitious initiative to further explore the hidden depths of the world that lies below.

Did you know that the oceans of planet earth are less explored by mankind than space? This means that we have ventured into the alien void more than we have submerged below the waves to discover what really lies below. You might find this hard to believe, given the many thousands of years of fishing and exploring that have gone on around the world, but such activities have been largely limited to the surface and have probed very little beyond.

In fact, for literally millennia, humans were limited to

the upper reaches of these vast liquid worlds, able only to scratch the surface and wonder what the endless depths held. Pearl divers stretched the capacity of the human body, while even in classical times inventors experimented with diving suits tethered to long cables that provided a vital air supply, yet it wasn’t before Fabien’s grandfather, Jacques perfected the aqua lung that the modern underwater breathing apparatus was born, and exploration of the seas took on a deeper meaning.

CONTINUING A FAMILY TRADITION

Jacques Cousteau is known and revered the world over as one of the pioneers of marine exploration and the man who brought images and knowledge of the oceans and seas back to us. For most, it was a world almost as alien as space itself, and indeed, there are many similarities between the two types of exploration. Surrounded by a family of explorers, Fabien first dived into the Mediterranean Sea with a scuba tank strapped to his back at the age of four and joined one of the famous Cousteau explorations at the tender age of seven.

The name Cousteau is synonymous with ocean exploration and conservation, thanks to both Jacques and Fabien’s father Jean-Michel. He and his sister Céline have continued the family tradition of underwater fascination. “The love of the oceans is almost genetic with us, instilled from such a young age and nurtured throughout life,” says the modern pioneer of the seas, whose daring close-up study of shark species has made the world see these creatures in a new light.

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PROTEUS TM – a modular research station for over a dozen researchers - Concept designs by Yves Béhar and fuseproject

PROTEUS OCEAN GROUP

After over 40 years of exploration – Fabien sailed on his first official exploration at the age of 12 – he is honouring the memory of Jacques Cousteau by continuing the pioneering philosophy of his family, launching an oceanographic initiative bold enough to challenge space exploration itself. Besides the many activities of the Proteus Ocean Group, which include exploration, scientific research and conservation programmes, as well as educating people

about the need to care for the seas, the new project functions as a spearhead.

“We collaborate with many worthy organisations such as From the Heart Tribe to spread information and knowledge, create communities involved with ocean and beach clean-ups, and develop technologies and indeed economic models that rejuvenate the environment and create sustainable products and businesses.” Vionic Shoes is a fine example of this, as it produces a range of attractive beach

footwear made entirely from refuse collected on the beaches and offshore areas of developing countries.

“We are very conscious of the requirement to balance environmental and human needs, so any sustainable solution on the protection and recovery of the environment will have to also involve economic models that make that possible while also creating opportunities through technological development and new, more full-circle ways of doing things,” says Fabien. “Vionic’s use of

beach and sea-based refuse as a raw material for its beautifully designed and made products is a perfect example of this, and the blueprint for how we will be able to clean our environment while evolving the way we make and consume products. This kind of investment in and development of the blue as well as the green economy is vital, but make no mistake, protecting the land, sea and sky is not optional, as its health is vital to our own existence and quality of life.” ›

THE NEXT DIMENSION –EXPLORING THE OCEAN’S DEPTHS

To facilitate this process, we need to understand a lot more about the seas, and in particular their inner depths. “The sea is

today less well-explored than space, less than 5% of it’s vast area of 3.4 billion km3 has been properly visited and researched, there is so much more to learn and to understand that will help us not only in terms of

conservation and rejuvenation, but also in managing its resources better. For instance, besides food and other products, the world’s oceans produce 60% of our oxygen supply.”

For this reason, Fabien

Fabien Cousteau and five colleagues spent 31 days underwater in the Aquarius underwater lab © Christopher Marks

The M31 project off Key Largo in Florida © Christopher Marks

PROTEUS TM backside angle view

proteus

Cousteau plans to build a revolutionary underwater research centre that will serve as a permanent base for the next generations of aquanauts – the nautical equivalent of space’s astronauts. Modelled on the ISS (International Space Station), the first PROTEUS TM underwater station will be

built off the island of Curaçao in the Caribbean to become the world’s leading maritime research tech hub and living complex, capable of housing teams of scientists and researchers for weeks and even months on end.

Built in a modular fashion, PROTEUS TM will contain a

loading dock, compression chambers, a data centre, wet and dry laboratories, living and sleeping quarters, a renewable power plant, and a studio that will broadcast feeds across the world so that people can follow the progress live. “More elements can be added later, as required,” says the man who is driving the greatest development in ocean exploration ever, taking it to a level comparable with the likes of Nasa, Space X, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin.

›

Scientific research is at the heart of the Proteus Ocean Group © Christopher Marks

“We want to do for ocean research what they have done for space exploration, and with a similar focus on private sector initiative and investment.”

Faced by decades of neglect by governments and international agencies, Cousteau and the Proteus Ocean Group aim to take the initiative and develop a facility that should have been around for some time now.

“This is not crazy thinking, we

began developing this way back in the 1960s but later stopped, never renewing early underwater labs such as Conshelf – built in 1962 – and Aquarius.”

MISSION 31 – DEEP SEA LIVING

From 1st June to 2nd July 2014, Fabien and five colleagues spent 31 consecutive days under water within the Aquarius submerged laboratory nine kilometres off Key Largo in Florida. Positioned 20 metres below the surface on the ocean floor, it has been hosting research teams for over 50 years and this cramped cabin is one of just three such facilities in the world. “What’s more, most date back 50 to 60 years, indicating the neglect of the past decades.”

The 31-day stay was the longest of its kind in history, and a valuable experiment that provided a great deal of insight into how the human body and mind might adapt to long periods of time spent under water. “With PROTEUS TM we plan to venture deeper down and have a station form which to launch diving teams and submersibles, eventually creating a network of them around the world that will greatly enhance our knowledge of the one environment that is the main support system on earth.”

Planned for completion in the next few years and presented recently at the Space and Underwater Tourism Universal Summit (SUTUS) in Marbella, PROTEUS TM will revolutionise our understanding of the seas in a process started by the legendary Jacques Cousteau and now continued by his grandson. “We’re opening a new era of Inner Space Exploration that is every bit as exciting as space travel and will uncover new knowledge of the world we already inhabit.”

www.proteusoceangroup.com

Fabien Cousteau has clocked up over 25,000 hours of diving © Christopher Marks

proteus

Houdini is known as the most magical illusionist, but when it comes to the arts, not even Leonardo Da Vinci or Hieronymus Bosch can hold a pencil to M.C. Escher, the unchallenged master of the optical illusion. Such are the dimensions and depths of field created by this fascinating artist that they boggle the mind and play with the senses. That MC Escher was an artist with the unequalled ability to create the apparently impossible is a given, evoking a cult status that continues to grow.

Born Maurits Cornelis Escher in Leeuwarden, in the Frisian region of The Netherlands, the artist later known as M.C. Escher had a somewhat precarious start to life. Though born to an affluent family in a home that now houses the Princesshof Ceramics Museum, Escher was a sickly child with on-going health conditions that did little to aid his poor grades at school. ›

Amesmerisingopticalillusion

“The flat shape irritates me – I feel like telling my objects, you are too fictitious, lying there next to each other static and frozen: do something, come off the paper and show me what you are capable of! …So I make them come out of the plane.”

Day and Night

Vyychan

Dreamstime.com

escher

to

For most a maze, for Escher pure inspiration

One skill that stood out throughout all of this was an innate ability to draw, which he practised alongside carpentry and the piano. A brief flirtation with architecture ended due to what Escher himself believed was a lack in mathematical ability, leading him to switch to the field of decorative arts that would become his life’s work. At the time, in the years between the world wars, The Netherlands was home to a rich generation of graphic artists, architects and painters who followed a vernacular version of Art Deco-inspired designs.

INSPIRED BY THE ALHAMBRA

M.C. Escher benefited from this environment, working alongside leading artists as he developed his technical skill and artistic eye. In spite of this, it was visits to Italy, where he would later live, and southern Spain, that formed the vision of the young artist and created the foundations for the mesmerising threedimensional works he would ultimately become known

The intricate detail of the Alhambra was a major source of fascination for M.C. Escher

The Escher Museum in The Hague, featuring works of the Dutch graphical artist

for. Travelling through Andalucía, he became fascinated by the patterned artwork of Moorish buildings, and this unlocked a passion for geometrical symmetry that had lain dormant within.

Though Escher claimed no understanding of maths, he took to this complex geometry like a fish to water, first copying the intricate detail of Moorish tilework and decorative detailing, and later creating his own derivations. The repetitive patterns had a trance-like effect on him, and sparked an interest in a field of mathematics – tessellation – that would form the basis of his artwork.

Visiting the Alhambra in 1936, he said of his feverish sketching of its many details: “It remains an extremely absorbing activity, a real mania to which I have become addicted, and from which I sometimes find it hard to tear myself away.”

Thus inspired, he also perfected his technical skills and the ability to reproduce – and ultimately create – incredibly complex and detailed patterns. This evolution in his career was temporarily interrupted by the rising tide of Mussolini’s Fascist Italy, which forced Escher and his Swiss wife to move to Chateaud’Oex in Switzerland, and later to Brussels before settling back in The Netherlands in 1941. Many of his best works date from this period, which formed the prelude to his rise to fame in the 1950s. ›

Classic Escher — Belvedere, 1958 © Vyychan | Dreamstime.com

Try not to get dizzy

THE MYSTERY OF GENIUS

He would also lecture, design stamps for the Dutch authorities and produce artwork for commercial and artistic purposes, but it is his unique take on geometrical relationships that would make him famous. M.C. Escher was awarded the Knighthood of the Order of Orange Nassau in 1955, and in 1967 was made an Officer of the order, shortly before the production of Snakes, a large woodcut with threefold rotational symmetry that would be his last work and the ultimate culmination of his mastery of technical drawing and incredibly complex detail.

The snakes create a meandering pattern of interlocking rings that move on into infinity towards the centre and the edge of a circle.

Designed and created with a perfection that was the hallmark of the artist, it is a typical example of the way in which he somehow created full-circle images that, for all their complexity, always remain connected in a logical way. At the heart of this is a perfect mathematical symmetry – quite unusual for someone who professed to have no mathematical skills but is nonetheless regarded as one of the greatest geometrical artists of all time.

›

Classic Escher – enough detail to drive a sane person crazy

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escher

Two ‘impossible’ hands with pencils draw each other

The mesmerising thing about Escher’s art is that everything works

Escher is immortalised in works that continue to baffle mind and eye just as they did in the previous century. He wouldn’t be the first artist to become more famous after life, but M.C. Escher stands out for the form of his work, with few peers who would even tackle the complexity that marks his oeuvre. Like the mosaics that originally inspired him, pieces such as Reptiles, from 1943, can be viewed as an engaging whole, or in mesmerising detail, and though every element fits to perfection –or maybe because of this – the image appears alive with movement. Just one of the many optical illusions that this alchemist of the artistic form has produced.

It takes a special mind to conceive the complex, interwoven shapes that bring to life the mystical world conjured up by Escher’s works; a special hand to turn them to reality, whether representing animals, landscapes, staircases or machinery, such as in the case of Relativity, House of Stairs and Ascending and Descending, three absolute masterpieces in which art transcends into engineering.

Though others have tried and we now live in a world of computer-aided designs, no-one has been able to recapture the magic of M.C. Escher’s eye for detail and ability to titillate the senses and tickle the brain with such visual illusion. e

The genius of patterns before the onset of computerised images © Vyychan | Dreamstime.com

2025 DEUS VAYANNE EV SPORTS SUPERCAR

The high end of the supercar market is understandably dominated by wellknown marques with decades of experience behind them, often household names even among people with little interest in sports cars. Names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Lotus and Mercedes-Benz spring to mind, but now and again, it’s good to hear of a well-planned project from a company with no history in the business.

WORDS TONY WHITNEY

This is the case with Deus, a newcomer to supercars (or any cars for that matter) that is bringing us its intriguing new Vayanne for 2025 and has been showing examples of the car worldwide. After a debut at the New York Auto Show, the car has been presented at some of the world’s m ost prestigious concours d’elegance events in Europe and North America. Deus is an Austrian company and the name ‘Vayanne’ relates to that nation’s capital city. Even so, the car will be built in Italy. Novice carmaker though Deus may be, there is some solid knowhow behind the Vayanne. Development was heavily influenced by design company Italdesign, forever linked with legendary stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro. The other collaborator is Williams Advanced Engineering, an arm of the Formula One racing team.

Perhaps it goes without saying that the Vayanne is an all-electric product that makes full use of the performance potential of EVs. With the vast torque available from electric

motors and the fact that such power is delivered instantly, the car delivers an astonishing spec sheet.

Target performance figures for the Vayanne include 2,243-horsepower, the highest ever for an EV; a zero to 100 km/h time of just 1.99-seconds and a top speed of 400 km/h. While there has been speculation as to whether these figures can be attained, they are perfectly feasible with the latest EV technology. The front drivetrain will use a single speed 550 kW motor and the rear drivetrain will draw on two single speed 550 kW motors. An 85 kWh, 800-volt lithium ion battery will be used and the target range is 500 km. According to Deus, the car will be chargeable to 80 per cent in 20 minutes with the right equipment. In case the owner is unhappy with the quietness of the EV experience, Deus offers an active sound system that can be tailored in various ways. We’re not sure if a Lamborghini V-12 is included in the sonic menu, but all things are possible nowadays.›

Exterior styling reflects the need to create substantial downforce for safe high speed driving. This is achieved using various ducts around the bodywork to direct air to where it’s needed. Other design elements

may slot into the ‘love it or hate it’ category for some observers, but the approach was fresh and innovative with little inspiration drawn from other manufacturers of exotic cars.

Deus is anxious to

point out that although the Vayanne sits firmly in the hypercar category, it will be fully usable, even for dayto-day driving. There’s storage space both front and rear, ground clearance is a generous 12 cm and there’s an

active lift system for each axle. There’s also stowage space in the doors, central console and glovebox. Some cars in this class have absolutely no storage space at all, inside or out. Other interior comforts include a panoramic roof, electric seats and even a wireless phone charging pad.The interior doesn’t break any new ground in most respects and looks a lot like that of many upscale sports cars. It’s a cockpit that most people will feel instantly at home in. ›

The Vayanne is certainly a brave move for Deus but it comes at a time when the market for ultra high-end sports cars is surprisingly strong. A full EV drivetrain was certainly a wise choice and perhaps the only one to make in a world that seems to be on the brink of departing from fossil fuel transportation for good. Deus states that you’ll be able to buy a Vayanne come 2025 and no doubt they’d be glad to take your order. No pricing has been set but it’s hard to see a car like this costing any less than two to three million euros. e

Z EV DRIVE SYSTEM: Three 550 kW electric motors.

Z TRANSMISSION: Direct drive.

Z ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h in under 2.0-secs

Z TOP SPEED: 400 km/h

Z I LIKED: Bold move by an all-new manufacturer deserves support. Stunning performance by any standard. Original styling. Practical interior with more stowage than usual in such a car.

with a company with no automotive experience might be a risk but the involvement of Williams and Italdesign is reassuring.

Z MARKET ALTERNATIVES: Lotus Evija, Rimac Nevera, Pininfarina Battista.

Z WHO DRIVES ONE? Drivers wanting the ultimate in EV hypercar performance willing to spend millions on an untried manufacturer.

Z ENGINE: 1.6-litre V-6 plus four electric motors,

Z I DIDN’T LIKE: Spending a huge sum

Z PRICE AND AVAILABILITY: Available in 2025 at a yet unannounced price.

acceleration and handling.

Z I DIDN’T LIKE:

It was a gift to recently meet iLana Armida and Alex Kinsey on a sunny autumn day on a lively terrace in Marbella. I had been a fan of Alex for many years and admit to being a little starstruck. He achieved a feat that an infinitely small number of musicians can lay claim to – he won X Factor and, more importantly, impressed Simon Cowell. When Alex and his then-duet partner, Sierra, auditioned for the show with a unique rearrangement of Britney Spear’s Toxic, Simon called them “cool and quirky” and lauded their “incredible version of the song.” Alex recalls this experience: “I was sent an email asking us to audition for Simon Cowell. I assumed it would be little more than a

one-off experience, but not only did we get through, we won!”

X Factor is usually a forum for singers to shine, and Alex is a singer-songwriter, more in line with artists like John Mayer and Jason Mraz. The win was, therefore, a bigger achievement than one could imagine.

Alex is a seasoned musician who plays the guitar, piano, and drums. He has a beautiful, soulful voice and warm, down-toearth personality that makes it easy to see why he has captured so many hearts.

Much has occurred since his X Factor appearance. For one, he is more determined than ever to be in control of his musical journey. After winning X Factor, he says, “two major labels and a manager were involved. We had

too many cooks in the kitchen. I wasn’t making the music I wanted to. Our fire burned slowly but with this type of show, if things don’t happen quickly, the labels lose interest.”

Today, he is happy and confident about where his career is heading. It was enriching to listen to him talk about the music that inspires him – everyone from the Beatles to Earth, Wind & Fire, Bruno Mars, and his good friend, Emmy-award-winning musician, Alex Preston.

Alex is a big admirer of Paul McCartney, telling me that he “caught the magic of believing in music” while listening to Abbey Road He mentions the documentary Get Back, marvelling at how “Paul commands.” In many ways, he says,

“That’s who I want to be.” He makes another interesting observation: “As odd as it sounds, the Beatles were just another band.” He says this with the utmost respect, emphasising hard work, exchange of ideas, and ambition as key elements of any band’s success.

Alex would listen to music from the 1960s and 1970s all day if he could, though he keeps updated with current music because “you have to know the zeitgeist of the industry. Music is cyclical and you can capture the essence of the past and make it new.” iLana says that two of Alex’s greatest strengths lie in arranging and editing music, and his profound musical culture aids him in this. Keeping up with the times also involves social media, and

“Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common”

Sarah Dessen

both iLana and Alex take turns capturing and sharing special moments during their music-making process.

iLana has had an equally intense love affair with music since her childhood. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts and raised in Florida, she fell in love with performing through musical theatre and studied Music Business at Florida Atlantic University (Alex studied Business at the same University). She was Vice-President of FAU’s record label when she met Alex, whom

the label signed on as a solo artist. iLana composes music for herself and numerous artists, including Doja Cat, Etana, and Common Kings. She has performed alongside Lil Dicky and John K.

Once she graduated, iLana set up a home music studio. Although she performed frequently at clubs and bars, she decided to move to Los Angeles.

The transition was necessary, she says, because “the music industry is all about connections and in L.A., you get to take

part in sessions. It was amazing to start working with super-talented people, many of whom I really admired. It made me step my game up.”

The year 2022 has been outstanding for iLana, as she has been nominated for a Grammy for the Doja Cat song Ride, which she co-wrote with Doja Cat’s producer, Yeti Beats. “I wrote that song with Yeti four years ago, and we saved it and forgot about it for many years. Then, Doja Cat was launching a Deluxe version of her album, Planet Her, and she rewrote Ride for it. iLana recalls the precise moment she found out she was nominated for a Grammy: “A friend called me and said, ‘Get ready to change your bio to Grammy-nominated’ and I said, ‘Why? I’m not nominated,’ and she answered, ‘You are now’!” She cried with joy and today, she acknowledges that the nomination opened many doors, “I work with

Doja Cat’s producer a lot as well as with other major artists.”

Hearing iLana and Alex talk about how they meet up with other artists and collaborate is, indeed, inspiring. Their life is filled with movement and vital connections with other artists. Alex says, “Someone will call you out of the blue saying, ‘I know someone you would enjoy working with’ and we call them, get together, play music, compose…”

To see what talented musicians can achieve when they work collectively and take turns singing and playing different instruments, check out Buddy Sessions with Alex Kinsey | Live at The Hotel Cafe on YouTube. This performance took place during the peak of COVID, as the couple thought it would be a good idea to offer a livestreamed performance at a time in which nobody was allowed to visit bars or clubs to catch live music.

CALI KINDA LOVE – i LANA ARMIDA

iLana’s EP begins with the ultra-catchy Cali Kinda Love – a tune whose chorus is impossible not to sing along to. Equally fun is When U Gonna Learn, which is all about positive vibes and communication between couples. Coffee on the Sofa is more sentimental but still characteristically upbeat. It describes the morning after a night of passion, when couples have a cup of coffee together instead of parting ways. The single THC is a chilled-out tune that describes the CBD phenomenon and its ability to bring the mind ‘above the clouds.’ No Good For Me had me hooked from the beginning. It’s about the rush of falling in love. Finally, there is the fantastic Do It In the Daylight – a dance tune about the parallels between music and attraction. Some of its lyrics are in Spanish, and it has a refreshing Latino vibe. ›

Photo by Jenna Nikole, edit by TommieSimone and iLana Armida

Photo by Alex Kinsey, edit by iLana Armida

iLana Armida: @ilanaarmida

Kinsey:

ANTISOCIAL PERSON –ALEX KINSEY

This EP is filled with heart and soul, and some of its tunes delve into current subjects like social anxiety. The songs are uplifting, and it is literally impossible not to move while you’re listening to them. The lyrics are personal and relatable. In Antisocial Person, Alex sings, “I’ve got more anxiety than usual/ Fuck I wanna have some fun/ I’m an antisocial person and I know that shit is lame/ but I’d rather be at home chillin in my sweatpants like.” In My Head is about a bad breakup, yet it has a funky beat that makes you dance and sing along. Free Your Mind is another energetic

tune with a great guitar riff that sets its tone as a love song with plenty of grit.

The EP has a couple of slow songs ( Straight and Parakeets ), which display Alex’s soothing voice to perfection.

I am particularly taken by Parakeets , which iLana tells me was inspired by the flocks of parakeets that sit by their garden in L.A. “We wrote this song in the middle of COVID, when we were locked in. We would gaze at these birds, which were brought over from South America. They are noninvasive but plentiful! We were one of the lucky few who have a garden, and we would invite our friends over, serve drinks, and play music.”

iLana’s mother wrote a verse from Parakeets , one that describes the struggle and excitement of the musician’s life. In many ways, this song symbolises the lifeline that music was for so many people during one of the toughest moments in human history.

“During COVID, we went from playing several gigs a week to nothing,” says iLana. Luckily, the pandemic never stopped the enigmatic couple, who continued to offer livestreamed performances, compose and arrange their work. They also created two EPs that merit a top spot on your playlist if you, too, feel that listening to and making music are acts of healing. e

Photo by Jenna Nikole

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CHECK OUT THE LATEST BLOCKBUSTERS TO HIT THE BIG SCREEN AND ADDICTIVE NEW SERIES TO WATCH AT HOME. CONSIDER SOME OF THE NEW BESTSELLERS NOW AVAILABLE IN BOOKSTORES AND SEE WHAT’S COOL IN SPAIN AND FURTHER AFIELD.

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AMSTERDAM

» Director: David O. Russell (The Fighter) » Genre: Thriller

» Actors: Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, Anya Taylor-Joy From the Director of Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle comes Amsterdam – the story of three friends (a doctor, a nurse and a lawyer) who vow to stay loyal to each other, ‘come hell or high water’. When they witness the murder of U.S. Senator, Bill Meekins, they become suspects themselves. In their fight to prove their innocence, they uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history.

THE LIFE OF JEM BELCHER

Director: Daniel Graham (Opus Zero)

Genre: Drama

Actors: Russell Crowe, Ray Winstone, Matt Hookings

At the turn of the 19th century, pugilism was the sport of kings and a gifted young boxer, James Belcher, fought his way to becoming the youngest-ever world champion. The film reveals how Belcher, who was partially blind by the age of 22, was inspired by his grandfather Jack –a bare-knuckled fighter who was a legend in his time.

THE FABELMANS

Growing up in post-World War

II Arizona, a young man called Sammy Fabelman falls in love with the cinematic world. The magic starts when his parents take him to watch The Greatest Show on Earth and he decides to make his own home movies. When he discovers a shattering family secret, he relies on the power of film to reveal the truth behind the facade.

» Director: Steven Spielberg (E.T.)

Genre: Drama

Actors: Michelle Williams, Seth Rogen, Paul Dano

BONES AND ALL

» Director: Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name)

» Genre: Drama

» Actors: Timothée Chalamet, Taylor Russell, Mark Rylance

This long-awaited film by Call Me By Your Name’s Director, Luca Guadagnino, is as emotional as it is terrifying. It is the love story of a young woman on the margins of society and a drifter with a history. They embark on a 3,000-mile odyssey through the back roads of America, trying to escape a past that has a habit of catching up with them.

ARMAGEDDON TIME

» Genre: Drama

A deeply personal coming-of-age story that is inspired by the childhood of its director, who grew up in Queens, New York, in the 1980s. The story is centred on the youngest son of a Jewish family, whose relationship with his AfricanAmerican best friend is threatened by systemic racism. The boy is faced with two very different pieces of advice. His grandfather tells him to stand up and fight for what he believes in, while his mother advises him to stay away from his friend “for his own good.” e

» Director: James Gray (Ad Astra)

» Actors: Anthony Hopkins, Anne Hathaway, Jeremy Strong

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a

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A coming-of-age series with a difference: its protagonist is Wednesday, the youngest daughter of Gómez and Morticia Adams. Wednesday is still learning to master her emerging psychic abilities when she is called upon to stop a violent killing spree. In the process, she must also solve the mystery that affected her family 25 years ago.

Genre: Comedy Horror

Creators: Alfred Gough (Smallville) and Miles Millar (Smallville)

Cast: Jenna Ortega, Luis Guzmán, Catherine Zeta-Jones

A migrant steamship heads west to leave the old continent. The passengers, who hail from a myriad of European countries, dream of a better life abroad. However, their journey takes an unexpected turn when they discover a similar ship to their own, adrift on the open sea. They fear that they could suffer the same fate and indeed, their dream voyage quickly becomes a nightmare.

1899 Netflix

» Genre: Mystery

» Creators: Jantje Friese (Dark) and Baran bo Odar (Who Am I)

» Cast: Andreas Pietschmann, Lucas Lynggaard Tønnesen, Miguel Bernardeau, Mathilde Ollivier

SLUMBERLAND

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» Genre: Fantasy

» Director: Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and Mockingjay)

» Cast: Jason Momoa, Kyle Chandler, Humberly González Slumberland is a place you can only visit in your dreams; one in which the world is turned upside-down and you can wish for whatever you want, jumping from dream to dream and landing wherever your heart desires. A young girl discovers a secret map to this magical land, where she flees from nightmares and yearns to find her late father.

ELITE S6

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» Genre: Teen Drama

» Creators: Carlos Montero (Física o Química) and Darío Madrona (Vive Cantando)

» Cast: André Lamoglia, Valentina Zenere, Carla Díaz

After another untimely demise at the prestigious school, Las Encinas, the students aim to survive their trauma while making their way through a tough series of social obstacles. Problems like racism, sexism and domestic abuse continue to plague this glamorous bunch of teens, who seem to have it all but who are actually battling against neglect, peer pressure and a tremendous feeling of isolation. e

NOVEMBER BRINGS SOME FANTASTIC NEW RELEASES TO SNUGGLE UP WITH

THE TRIALS OF LIFE: A NATURAL HISTORY OF ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR

BY DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

The Trials of Life is the third, and final, instalment in David Attenborough’s Life series. Life on Earth dealt with evolution, Living Planet covered ecology, and now The Trials of Life deals with ethology, which is the study of how animals behave, and why. The book is divided into twelve chapters and Attenborough uses a host of intriguing animals to exemplify each chapter theme. From birth to death, the trials and tribulations the animals face at each point of their lives, and the way the animals respond, is explained with fascinating insight and wonderful photographs. As he said himself, “This is, quite simply, the best thing I’ve ever done,” and who are we to argue with David Attenborough.

WORDS

LONG SHADOWS

BY DAVID BALDACCI

Baldacci is back with the latest instalment in his hugely popular Amos Decker series. Amos Decker is blessed, or cursed, with a perfect memory. Decker remembers everything that has ever happened to him with exquisite detail, which means the loss of his wife, daughter and close friends never really leaves him. When a federal judge and her bodyguard are brutally murdered at home in an exclusive gated community in Florida, Decker and his new partner Frederica White are sent to investigate, much to the annoyance of local federal agents. The judge, who had no enemies and yet felt the need for a bodyguard, was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack, while her bodyguard was professionally shot twice in the head. Amos Decker is going to need all his special skills to crack this case. A fast paced and exciting thrill ride of a novel.

DESERT STAR

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The brand new, highly anticipated Ballard and Bosch thriller from the bestselling author of The Lincoln Lawyer. Renée Ballard has been put in charge of a new LAPD cold case unit. With carte blanche over her teammates, she aims to recruit Harry Bosch. Bosch agrees on the condition that one of the cold cases they investigate is the unsolved brutal murder of an entire family years previously. However, as the entire task force was established by politician Jake Pearlman, the unsolved murder of his 16-year-old sister must take priority. The team begin their investigations into the unsolved cases but digging around in the past threatens to put their lives, and the cold case unit, in danger. An engrossing and thrilling crime drama.

DAWNLANDS

BY PHILIPPA GREGORY

This is the third novel in the Fairmile series by historical fiction master, Philippa Gregory, which follows herbalist Alinor Reekie and three generations of her family. It is 1685, James II is King and the country is on the brink of civil war. Alinor’s brother, Ned Ferryman, has saved indigenous American, Rowan, from slavery and returned to England with her. Ned, always on the side of freedom and liberty, finds himself on the wrong side of the law and facing execution while Rowan is at risk of being deported to Barbados. Meanwhile Alinor has been manipulated by the ever-scheming Livia to save the Queen from the impending siege. Alinor’s son, Rob, vows to steer clear of all conflict, however, finds himself compelled to help Ned and Rowan. Combining history with action, adventure and drama, Gregory has created an intriguing and enthralling story.

THEY’RE GOING TO LOVE YOU BY MEG HOWREY

An enigmatic tale of family, ambition and the price of success set against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in New York in the ‘80s. Carlisle Martin’s dream is to follow in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a professional ballet dancer. Her parents are separated and living quite a distance from each other, so Carlisle only gets to see her father, Robert, for a few weeks a year when she visits him and his partner, James, in Greenwich Village. Despite her desperation to belong in their lives, Carlisle ends up estranged from her father until a phone call from James nineteen years later draws them back together. A beautifully written and insightful novel about family, relationships, love, loss, and forgiveness. e

VISIT THE

what’s cool

what’s cool?

BY IAIN BLACKWELL

HYPERREALISM EXHIBITION

Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, Blanca and Borja Thyssen-Bornemisza have opened their collection to the public with a selection of works of hyperrealism, from Richard Estes, Charles Bell, Don Jacot, Bertrand Meniel, Roberto Bernardi, and Raphaella Spence. i www.museothyssen.org

INSPIRATIONAL CHEF PROGRAM TENERIFE

Two Michelin-starred chef, Álvaro Salazar, will cater for guests at

the Royal Hideaway Corales Resort 5* GL on November 6 and 7. The Jaen-based chef will offer a special menu prepared in unison with the Padrón Brothers at the resort’s renowned restaurant, El Rincon de Juan Carlos. i www.elrincondejuancarlos.com

THE BARCELÓ IMAGINE

The Barceló Imagine in Madrid is a must for music lovers. Experience spaces dedicated to The Cavern, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and the Marquee Club, and rent vinyl records to play in your room or instruments you can practise with in the Elvis Presley or Freddie Mercury Suites. i www.barcelo.com

SPARKLING DUA LIPA

Dua Lipa sported a gold Mugler crystal-encrusted bodysuit during her The Future Nostalgia tour of South America. Designed by Casey Cadwallader with styling by Lorenzo Posocco, the brilliant bodysuit has a total of 120,000 crystals and took more than 1,160 hours to create. i www.dualipa.com

CAMPO VIEJO GRAND WINNER

The twelfth edition of the highly esteemed New York International Wine Competition has again recognised Bodegas Campo Viejo as Spain Winery of the Year, awarding two Gold Medals and a Silver Medal. Congratulations to Campo Viejo and to its Chief Enologist, Elena Adell! i www.campoviejo.com

MARRIOTT BONVOY MOMENTS

Marriott Bonvoy Moments offer incredible once-in-alifetime moments, such as stepping back in time with a luxurious two-night stay at The Westin Palace Madrid to mark its 110th Anniversary. Available until December 30, guests will enjoy a tasting of the exact menu that was served on the hotel’s opening day in 1912.

www.marriottbonvoy.com

THE LOFT – BRUSSELS AIRPORT

The Loft by Brussels Airlines and Lexus has been named Best Airline Lounge in Europe 2022 for the fourth consecutive year at the prestigious World Travel Awards. A benchmark of luxury for business travellers, the elegant VIP Lounge is inspired by the craftsmanship of Lexus electrified vehicles. i www.brusselsairlines.com, www.lexus.com

THE GLOBAL GIFT GALA

The Global Gift Gala will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris on November 19. The latest edition of this world-renowned charitable gala is in association with Utopia, a Web 3 created by María Bravo, Eva Longoria, Alejandro Sáez and Javier Garcia. i www.globalgiftgala.com

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REVEL IN THE STYLISH INTERIORS AT EPIC MARBELLA BY BIJAN LAUFER OF THE ART – INTERIOR DESIGN. TRY OUT ACCLAIMED BEAUTY PRODUCTS FROM BY TERRY. REVIEW THE LATEST TRENDS IN DESIGN AND FASHION. CONSIDER ENHANCING YOUR LIFESTYLE BY EMBRACING REDUCETARIANISM.

BIJAN LAUFER AND THE ART OF EPIC MARBELLA

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE ART INTERIOR DESIGN

How do you add value to an already beautiful piece of real estate?

One that impresses with its architectural styling, its quality, amenities and its landscaping. The answer is: you add the finishing touch, creating evocative interiors that simply take any visitor’s breath away and makes them fall hopelessly in love with the property. Design a home style that is so seductive people can already see themselves living there and enjoying the ultimate lifestyle –and this is where the skilled, trained eye of the professional stylist comes into it.

According to Bijan Laufer, founder of The Art at the Marbella Club, “great design is about solving problems and creating spaces that bring you joy.” A perfectionist as much as he is a creative designer, Bijan approaches the art of design in a very personal yet methodical way. “At any point where my team and I enter a project, we use our faculties to take in the building, be it a home or commercial venue, as well as to get exactly what the owner wishes to achieve in terms of style, ambience and functionality.” ›

When Bijan Laufer was instructed to create the signature style for one of Marbella’s most exclusive new residential projects, the show home was already furnished. Not only did he restyle the property and develop a new home style for Epic Marbella, but the resulting look was also a hit with buyers.

But Bijan and the team at The Art also engage their senses, feeling the setting as it were and putting themselves in the place of the owner, until a clear visual concept begins to take shape that forms the basis for the subsequent designs and detailing. “The work we do involves a very creative process, and one that is highly visual both in its inspiration and the finished result. In reality, it requires using all the senses, from touch and smell to all the other elements that create a feeling of wellbeing, including how an interior space affects our moods and

state of mind.”

“The décor we create around us should therefore be a celebration, offering us the freedom to design a living or working space that energises us and in which we feel safe, comfortable and happy.” Working from this point of view rather than only an aesthetic one, Bijan

achieves a deeper meaning through his design work, and it is through this that he acquires the ability to create especially evocative ambiences and living spaces. “If the spaces around us affect how we feel and move into the day, why not make our own personal areas as inspiring as they can be?”

›

Bijan blends solid furnishings and modern design elements

Spacious terrace with view of La Concha

STYLING FOR EPIC MARBELLA

Epic Marbella is a select project of exquisite residences within a gated community styled by Fendi, whose brand values are imprinted into the very fabric of this elite living environment. Attention to detail is found everywhere, from the gated entrance and the svelte

architectural styling to the superbly finished public spaces and of course the properties themselves. Spacious and built to the most exacting standards, they represent the top end of Marbella living in a tranquil environment on the periphery of the Golden Mile. This brings all of the

amenities and services of Marbella and Puerto Banús within close range, yet once inside the complex you enter a private domain not surprisingly surrounded by sculpted greenery framed by sea and mountain views. Any project that carries the Fendi name will have to be

Taking modern kitchen design to the next level

The Epic interiors stand out for the quality of choice materials and wall panelling

Quality outdoor decoration with a view something very special, and Epic Marbella is the epitome of modern style and refinement, complete with such details as a sports and spa/ gym centre, lounge, gastro bar and professional workspace with white glove concierge.

Living at Epic Marbella is enjoying the pinnacle of the Marbella way of life, and while the architectural styling, exterior features and list of amenities are impressive enough to take one’s breath away, the owner also sought an interior style that would reflect the values of the project and complement its quality and detail. “It was quite a brief, but I love a challenge and also the process of immersing myself into the fabric of a project,” says Bijan, who took the signature style of Epic Marbella in a fresh new direction. ›

A modern home with bespoke detailing

“These are exquisite homes designed for a cosmopolitan elite who understand quality, harmonious proportions and good taste, so what was needed was Marbella interior styling taken to a new level.” The homes offer a flowing sequence of refined living spaces,

ranging from the expansive lifestyle areas on the rooftop to top-of-the-range kitchens and bathrooms crafted from choice materials. “We used an earthy colour palette accentuated with bespoke furnishing, art and accessories with a certain solidity to them.”

A flowing open-plan interior with intimate yet connecting spaces

Textural and tonal detailing adds further life to the décor, including such elements as opulent wood, marble and smoked glass, all interpreted with contemporary flair. “A good designer doesn’t work in abstract but feels and follows the architecture and layout of the property, while also accommodating practical and functional characteristics. Ultimately, if you can

excite the owner or potential buyer you have succeeded in your mission, and once achieved it is the highest accolade any designer can wish for.”

Bijan and his team worked hard to create the right signature style and ambience for Epic Marbella, a project so special that it required the knowing touch of a talented designer with international experience. ›

Outdoor style with sea views

“We are proud of the work we’ve done here, and the client was more than pleased, but when we saw and heard about the reaction of the buyers, we realised what we had actually known all along: namely that when the architecture, landscaping and interior styling of a top-end home

come together as a seamless fit, a home is transcended into a work of art that is alive with the lifestyle it makes possible for its owners.”

Thus completed, the styling work by The Art added the final finishing touch to what is a modern classic in the making. e

CAFFE LATTE MODULAR Caffe Latte presents the Cassia Modular Sofa – the perfect addition to any modern living room. With a hue of brown inspired by Cassia cinnamon, this ultra-comfortable sofa features an upholstered back and seating, with symmetric shapes for a chic look. A rearrangeable sofa, that’s both stylish and cosy.

www.caffelattehome.com

ROCHE BOBOIS RUGS TO LOVE

A rug is a key piece for any space in the house and even more so in a living room. Roche Bobois’s new collection is not only stylish, offering a design that can blend in, or be the focus of attention, but it also provides warmth and comfort. Organic forms, earthy colours, and arty nature patterns characterise the brands’ extensive new offering.

www.roche-bobois.com

FRESH DELUXE KITCHEN

Designed by Rana Ezzat for Caffe Latte and Covet House, they present this calm and tranquil kitchen as part of a new apartment project. Take inspiration from this beautiful space catering for carefree but practical living with touches of luxury and sophistication, achieved by soothing marble, light wood, and magnificent lighting pieces. i www.caffelattehome.com

BY MADDIE QUINN

DESIGN TRENDS

LUXURIOUS LIQUOR CABINET

Bespoke furniture maker, Black & Key has created this stunning drinks cabinet, the Heston Cabinet, that typifies the elegance of the Art Deco movement while exuding timeless luxury. As well as looking stunning, it is also packed with practical features to ensure it serves a very useful purpose. What’s more, it can be customised, with a choice of nine designs of handles and 78 different finishes. Every piece in the Black & Key collection is made to order, which means the Heston Cabinet can be tweaked to suit individual taste. i www.blackandkey.co.uk

VILLA WITH LASKASAS

A collection of unique Laskasas pieces were used recently in a project by RSG Ventures, featuring a reconfiguration and refurbishment of an estate within the heart of Iver in Buckinghamshire. The living room sitting area was designed with LasKasas’ Dale chairs and complemented by the Lyssa center table, evoking a timeless contemporary atmosphere, in perfect harmony with RSG Ventures’ overall vision for the villa. i www.laskasas. com, www.rsg-ventures.com

MID-CENTURY CLUB

As part of an extensive Saudi Arabian mansion project, the Mid-Century Club team has recently created this stunning master bedroom. Classic, yet contemporary, the green décor evokes a sense of connection and proximity to nature, while the dynamic flooring and ceiling dominated by circular movement also induce a spiritual feeling. Great inspiration! i www.midcenturyclub.com

décor

to

REMOVABLE CHRISTMAS WALLPAPER

Deck your halls and create the ultimate winter wonderland this Christmas with removable festive wallpaper murals from Wallsauce. From snowy winter wonderlands to sparkling Christmas trees and joyful grottos, choose

from a vast range of beautiful images and bring the spirit of Christmas to your home. Not only are these murals made to your dimensions so that waste is minimal, but the peel-and-stick material is also recyclable! i www.wallsauce.com

LIGHT UP THE WILD

Platek still leads the way in designer outdoor lighting and this season they present a beatiful green tone finish for their contemporary pieces. This unusual tone of forrest green is a treat for design lovers and is perfect for creating an organic connection between artificial lighting and the living ecosystem. i www.platek.eu

FLOOR AND WALL COVERINGS FOR EVERY TASTE

Fresh on the market is a new line of floor and wall coverings from Gerflor Iberia. This time the firm went over and beyond with the technical specifications that offer outstanding resistance and durability, with a collection comprising nearly thirty ultra-realistic textures and designs. i www.gerflor.es

WINDOW TO THE WORLD

Who wouldn’t want to have floor to ceiling windows to be able to embrace beautiful garden or sea views from their house? Created by OTIIMA, the FUSION 1.0 structures are completely built into the finishing materials, as if the window was merged with the building. The system incorporates window frames with reinforced binding polyamides and toughened glass, providing superior thermal and structural performance. i www.muchmorethanawindow.com

MY FASHION

INBOX

DISCOVERED BY MADDIE QUINN

If you have no time to browse the latest fashion trends, let me show you a few new and stylish items of some of the biggest brands, that recently hit my inbox. As always, I selected ready-to-buy garments from the fashion houses' current campaigns that I thought you might love, but at the very least, will serve you for some autumny inspiration.

VERSACE PIN-POINT

Pin-Point is a truly beautiful new model from Versace that has just become available in the stores. Elegant and sophisticated, with brand engraved metalic heels, you can choose Pin-Point in four different colours.

MICHAEL KORS RICH AUTUMN

Make maximalism your mantra when it comes to autumn styling. Plush faux fur coats in rich berry tones bring the drama day or night, and to keep the rusty tone going, we love this uniquely coloured tote that provides space for every essential, in the chicest way possible. i www.michaelkors.es

TIFFANY

An absolute staple in the jewellery box are some diamond studs and where better to get them than at Tiffany's?

Check out their current earring collection, filled with classical items and some surprisingly daring and modern pieces, crafted to the highest standards. i www.cartier.com

CAROLINA HERRERA HITS THE METAVERSE

At Carolina Herrera Spring Ready-to-Wear show, their very own Good Girl, Karlie Kloss, sashayed through the Plaza hotel in a beautiful floor-length belted floral gown, part of a sleek collection signed by creative director Wes Gordon. Here’s the twist: as Karlie stepped off the runway, her dress became instantly available in digital form on the wildly popular Metaverse gaming platform, Roblox.

i www.carolinaherrera.com

NEW LOLA FROM BURBERRY

Promoted as confident and playful yet considered and poised, each of the new Lola bags were made for versatility and selfexpression. The Lola evolves from signature shapes to modern mini and bucket versions. i www.burberry.com

GUCCI GOES DEEP

With the assertion that luggage is not just a container, but also a symbol of the journey and experience, Creative Director, Alessandro Michele explores the travel culture at the heart of the brand through Gucci Valigeria. The Gucci Savoy collection is at the centre of this campaign, captured by Glen Luchford with actor, screenwriter, director, and musician, Ryan Gosling.For this autumn we also like the look of these camel boots with a touch of equestrian syle.

i www.gucci.com

REEBOK – PICK YOUR STYLE!

Take a walk on the prehistoric wild side with the new Reebok X Jurassic World Collection. To label its models, the brand came out with fantasy names such as Zig Kinetica and Club C Revenge which alone are empowering and bring some fun into slipping on trainers every day. If you are not that animalistic, there is also the Club C Vibram, an awesome new urban design that ensures you will stand out everywhere. i www.reebok.es

VALENTINO LOGO MANIA

Obsessive and exaggerated, both liberating and unique, the logo mania has reached this house as well this season. This new hypnotic and elegant pattern emphasises Valentino's new Toile Iconographe contemporary items, which are inspired by the 70s. Check out also the new eyewear collection that is designed to dazzle on any red carpet. i www.valentino.com

ARMANI GOES SUSTAINABLE

"Join Emporio Armani on its latest pursuit across the digital Earth" – calls out the brand promoting its new winter collection. Dubbed as 'The Big Chill', this adventure takes the Italian house's environmental efforts to a new level as it combines technology and frosty forms to develop new fabrics and prints with sustainable characteristics. i www.armani.com

Personalisation is all the rage lately accross big brands and this auttumn LV is promoting it as the perfect gift for the up-and-coming festive season. Now, you can make your Louis Vuitton bags even more unique and unmistakenly authentic. i www.louisvuitton.com

The new 30 Montaigne collection returns to the brand's origins with hallmark motifs. Discover the eternal charm of Dior with new essentials for little ones. Mums should check out this gorgeously elegant belt, new this season, featuring a removable pouch in tonal Cannage calfskin and a CD-link chain. i www.dior.com

LOUIS VUITTON PERSONALISED

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

A TRAILBLAZER IN THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY

The groundbreaking skincare and makeup brand, By Terry, was founded in 1998 by Terry de Gunzburg – an entrepreneur who initially embarked on a career in Medicine but who became besotted by the transformative power of beauty. Terry learned the essentials of her trade at the iconic Carita beauty school in Paris, founded by ‘Beauty’s First Ladies’: the Carita sisters. They are credited with being the first stylists who studied women’s facial features to create personalised hairstyles. Their school, launched in the 1970s, has been attended by the ‘Who’s Who’ of makeup, including François Nars of NARS cosmetics. Carita (which began as a salon and wig shop) also had skincare and makeup lines, making it one of the most complete beauty schools in the world.

Terry put her studies to good use, sharpening her makeup application skills on the runway and in editorials. She worked with some of the biggest names in fashion –including photographer, Guy Bourdin and designer, Helmut Newton.

From the outset, she created her own trademark look, comprising an

imperceptible foundation, beautifully shaped lips and thick, well-defined eyelashes.

One of her most important and longest-lasting collaborations was with Yves Saint Laurent. She served as International Makeup Designer of YSL Beauté, where she created a myriad of products and formulas. One of these was Touché Eclat (the legendary pen-shaped concealer that is, to this day, one of the very best in its class). Throughout her time with YSL, she reflected an interest in healthy, natural-looking makeup that boosted radiance and never looked caked-on or overdramatic.

BY TERRY was founded in 1998 as a ‘couture’ beauty line offering made-to-measure cosmetics. Its flagship store opened at Galerie Véro-Dodat, close to the Louvre in Paris. Wider demand for her products led to the establishment of a retail line of articles. BY TERRY wowed audiences with products like Baume de Rose – a lip balm that was created ‘by mistake’, when one of the staff members used twice the amount of rose butter indicated in the recipe. This product has been

described as the ‘Rolls-Royce of lip balms’ and it captures many of the qualities that BY TERRY is known for – luxury, indulgence and timeless appeal.

The brand also created a mattifying setting powder, the likes of which had never been seen before: the Hyaluronic Hydra-Power. This was the first of what is now a varied line of items containing Hyaluronic Acid – a potent acid that is naturally produced by the body. It helps skin stretch, reduces wrinkles and lines, boosts wound healing and helps battle scarring. It is a key ingredient of many of the world’s most prestigious skincare lines, ranging from Tata Harper to La Mer.

Today, the Hyaluronic range is BY TERRY’S top seller. One product–the Global Face Cream – contains no less than eight Hyaluronic Acids. Far from resting on its laurels, the brand hopes to continue innovating with new product lines that help customers achieve the kind of natural beauty that barely requires the help of foundation or concealers.

BEAUTY BY TERRY

If we have piqued your curiosity and you’d like to see what BY TERRY beauty products can do for your skin, start with the following iconic products.

1 – HYALURONIC PRESSED HYDRAPOWDER

Perfect and smoothen your skin with this hydrating translucent powder, which will keep your foundation in place, absorb shine and blur imperfections.

2 – BRIGHTENING CC SERUM

This hydrating serum is enriched with rose stem cells. Its ‘optical glow’ technology mixes light-reflecting prisms, soft-focus microspheres and colour-correcting pigments.

3 – TERRYBLY WATERPROOF

If you are after a mascara that guarantees volume, length and curl, this is your product.

4 – BAUME DE ROSE LIQUID LIP BALM

A liquid version of the classic Baume de Rose Lip Balm. It is rich in essential rose wax, shea butter and Vitamin E.

5 – OMBRE BLACKSTAR CREAM EYESHADOW PEN

A three-in-one product that can be used as an eyeshadow, illuminator and eyeliner.

6 – SOFT-BUFFER FOUNDATION BRUSH

Make foundation application a smooth, soft experience with this legendary brush.

LONGEVITY, PERFORMANCE & BEAUTY

and

(1+1=3)

NOT READY TO GO VEGAN?

The meat industry is responsible for almost 60 per cent of all greenhouse gases from food production, with meat production causing twice the amount of pollution as that of plant-based foods. Vegan and vegetarian foods are booming on a global scale, with Bloomberg Intelligence predicting a fivefold increase in the industry by 2030. By the same token, not everyone is willing to give up meat and/or all animal products, leading to a movement that seeks to bridge the gap between the omnivore and vegan lifestyles: reducetarianism.

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

HOW DOES REDUCETARIANISM SOUND?

WHAT DOES REDUCETARIANISM INVOLVE?

Reducetarianism simply involves consuming fewer meat and dairy products. The term was coined in 2015 by Brian Kateman, President and Co-Founder of the Reducetarian Society. Its practicality and logic have led to its acceptance by many renowned thinkers, including alternative medicine advocate, Deepak Chopra, renowned psychologist and scientific author, Steven Pinker, and British evolutionary biologist, Richard Dawkins.

Kateman’s interest in the plant-based lifestyle began casually when he was on a plane eating a burger while reading Peter Singer’s The

Ethics of What We Eat: Why

Our Food Choices Matter

As soon as he understood the link between industrial animal agriculture and the destruction of the environment, he became a vegetarian. However, there were social occasions in which he chose not to follow a strictly plant-based diet –for instance, special holidays, or when he would go out to dine at a special restaurant. He detested being called a ‘cheating vegetarian’, as the term was far from motivating or positive. The concept of reducetarianism was born to encourage people to make smart food choices and feel like they are doing their share to fight global warming.

REDUCETARIANISM VS FLEXITARIANISM

There is a difference between these two movements. Flexitarians consume primary plant-based foods, occasionally including animal products in their meals. Reducetarians cut back on animal products as a starting point.

MAKING SIMPLE SUBSTITUTIONS

Embracing reducetarianism in your daily meal preparation is simple. All it takes is planning, responsible shopping, and creativity. For instance, if you always make a curry on Saturdays, look up recipes that use tofu instead of lamb or chicken. In lieu of a meat-based sauce for your next pasta dish, make a sauce with minced garlic, grated zucchini, carrots, and a lovely homemade white sauce. You don’t have to give up on the foods you love, but once you start experimenting, you will notice that there are so many ways to achieve similar textures and flavours, sans meat.

THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY HAS AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY

Hotels, restaurants, and caterers are pillars of the food industry and any contribution they can make to the reducetarianism movement can have a major effect on total emissions. As Kateman says, restaurants by no means have to stop offering meat or fish dishes; all they need to do is offer a few plant-based dishes to contribute to lower meat consumption. Vegan and vegetarian dishes should be tasty, beautifully presented, and relatively affordable. ›

REDUCETARIANISM IS FULL OF FLAVOUR

In big cities like New York, there are many highend restaurants offering fancy plant-based dishes like cauliflower steak, bronzed and caramelised and served over creamy polenta. Kajitsu is a New York-based Michelinstarred restaurant that makes a cuisine called shojin – a Zen Buddhist style of food consumed in Japanese temples and considered to be the basis of Japanese cuisine. Shojin food expresses devotional discipline and non-violence towards all sentient beings.

You don’t need to travel to New York to order

plant-based foods, of course. On the Coast, establishments like Hustle n’ Flow in Marbella, House of Flow in Benahavís, and Gioia in Marbella serve dishes that are as easy on the eye as they are on the stomach.

THE SECRET’S IN THE SAUCE

To make reducetarianism a cinch, Kateman recommends that you prioritise sauces. Many culinary traditions rely heavily on curries, coconut milk soup bases, sweet-and-sour sauces, reductions, and similar. These can easily be added to meat substitutes and sautéed vegetables.

5 TIPS FOR NEW REDUCETARIANS

Z Celebrate meatless Mondays (or choose any other day of the week).

Z Bulk out meals with vegetables. For instance, if you are making a bolognaise sauce, use less meat and add zucchini and mushroom for a flavour boost.

Z Try plant-based products. In Spain, brands like Heura Foods and Gerblé make various substitute-type ingredients that you can use in soups, stews, sandwiches and wraps.

Z Follow cool vegan and vegetarian chefs for easy recipes. My favourites are @thekoreanvegan and @ thefoodietakesflight.

Z Start with one meal a day. For instance, you might replace dairy milk with a nut milk to enjoy with your morning cuppa. e

“Anything lower on the food chain will be an environmental win”

Brian Kateman

Ramón Gómez de la Serna 22, 29602 Marbella, Spain

T: (+34) 952 779 680 I

M: (+34) 657 790 000

info@reisbeck-medical.com www.reisbeck-medical.com

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CHECK OUT NEW INITIATIVE, NVOGA PREMIUM AND THE LATEST LOCAL BUSINESS NEWS. FIND OUT ABOUT THE MANY BENEFITS BLOCKCHAIN CAN DELIVER AND SAMPLE WINE CREATED SPECIALLY FOR GOLFERS.

NVOGA PREMIUM

A SERVICE DESIGNED FOR THE FINEST HOMES

Alla Morozova, of NVOGA Premium, with José Carlos León, CEO & Founder of NVOGA

The new department created by NVOGA to service high-end clients in the category above €3 million is designed entirely around the high levels of professional know-how, discretion and personal account management that buyers in this segment desire.

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NVOGA

“ The Marbella property market is increasingly slanted towards sophisticated buyers, and in this segment people demand a significantly raised level of expertise and professionalism,” says the founder and CEO of NVOGA, José Carlos León. Known to be an innovator with an eye for detail and a vision for the future of the real estate sector, he recently established NVOGA Premium as an independent department within the company that is not only dedicated to offering the finest selection of Marbella real estate, but also designed to service buyers of such homes in the manner they are

accustomed to.

“What we aspire to with NVOGA Premium is the very highest levels not only of service and personal account management, but also of technical expertise and efficiency. To achieve this, we make use of both modern technology and traditional concepts of personalised service.” NVOGA Premium is aimed at the market above €3 million, a segment that has been growing steadily over the past few years, driving growth in the region’s property sector.

“NVOGA Premium is NVOGA as you know it, only better, like a specialist boutique office within the organisation

that not only sources homes and concludes real estate transactions but also assists and advises on everything from fiscal structure to estate management.”

A MATURING MARKET

The existence of such specialist services is a sign of a maturing market in which the focus is on excellence and know-how. The concept of quality over quantity is also reflected in the properties offered through NVOGA Premium, which effectively form a selection of the region’s most prime homes and investment opportunities. ›

“Working in this way requires a different approach and a structure that suits the specific requirements of this segment, and this also involves building the right kind of team, who have the technical and personal capacity needed.”

NVOGA Premium is the product of all the above, but it wouldn’t work if there wasn’t a

property offering to match, and in this regard the company can build upon a privileged position as a market leader especially in modern new-build homes. This again comes from a prime relationship with the developers of the finest new homes in the region from Sotogrande to Marbella East, and in some cases beyond. “Our main

areas of focus are Cascada de Camoján, Sierra Blanca and the Golden Mile, but also other top residential addresses such as Los Monteros, Guadalmina, Nueva Andalucía, La Quinta and La Zagaleta,” says the man considered to be one of the leading visionaries of the Costa del Sol’s real estate industry. ›

“We respond to our clients’ needs in home sourcing and purchase structuring as well as in advising developers on up-todate feedback from the high-end buying public, and this is again reflected in the evolution of design, detailing and amenities.” NVOGA Premium brings together the cream of the region’s architects, landscapers, interior designers, lawyers, tax specialists and boutique developers, with the purpose of designing the ultimate Marbella home and homebuying service for the 21st century.

Attention to detail, precision and allowing the time and resources required to successfully service the top end of the market are prime ingredients if you wish to succeed within it.

PERSONALISED CONSULTANCY

The result is a department that is not so much characterised by property sales but rather the provision of a broad and flexible consultancy. NVOGA Premium undertakes the sourcing of properties and investments to brief, studies every detail and presents a broad range of options and solutions. “NVOGA Premium is a reflection of a new kind of demand emerging from the high end of the Marbella property market, and we have the ability to service it, thanks to our selection of properties and a qualified team led by Alla Morozova.” ›

Frontline Beach complex coming soon

It is the culmination of 15 years of successful operation and specialisation within the Costa del Sol market – the natural evolution of a team that is known to strive for innovation and excellence. These are the very ingredients that have earned the company founded and managed by José Carlos León a reputation as one of the leading commercial agents for new-built luxury real estate on the Costa

back

del Sol. “The relationships forged over these years, both with buyers and all the parties involved in the industry, have led directly to the creation of NVOGA Premium, which will also become the prime avenue for new marketing innovations and tools, as well as old-fashioned personal consultancy. The new NVOGA Premium department is in excellent hands, being led by our luxury segment expert Alla

Morozova who has been working with us for 13 years now. Over this time she has learned a lot, working both on our new projects, resales properties and with highend clients.”

g NVOGA Marbella Realty Avda. Duque de Ahumada, s/n, Paseo Marítimo, Edif. Marbella Center, Marbella. Tel: (+34) 952 813 333. www.nvoga.com

Casablanca Beach 7

news

FINCA CORTESIN RECOGNISED IN CONDE NAST TRAVELER READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

The palatial luxury resort, Finca Cortesin, was delighted to be voted the third-best hotel in Spain at the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2022. The resort’s stunning design, top-notch service, world-class amenities, and sublime gardens are just a few reasons why a stay there is the ultimate way to relax, re-energise, and feed the body, mind, and spirit.

i www.fincacortesin.com

WORDS BY MARISA CUTILLAS

ANDARA VILLAS PRESENTS TWO NEW SUSTAINABLE LUXURY VILLAS

Award-winning property developer, Andara Villas, has just released two outstanding four-storey villas for sale. Designed by Archidom Studio, the villas feature seven luxury bedrooms and bathrooms. In addition to the high-end luxury lifestyle offered, these homes are notable as they are set within extensive private plots of 2,000m² on Marbella’s prestigious Golden Mile. They have unique features such as an atrium with a spiral staircase, spa, gym, indoor swimming pool, wine cellar, show kitchen and butlers’ kitchen, staff quarters, and more. The licence has been applied for and completion is due in the summer of 2025. i www.andaravillas.es

IDILIQ LAUNCHES 104 APARTMENTS

AT ROYAL MARBELLA GOLF RESORT

Chairman and Founder of IDILIQ Developments, Roy Peires, recently hosted the launch of the company’s latest development of 104 branded residences at the Royal Marbella Golf Resort. The project will comprise one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, set within lush green surroundings. Their interiors will be styled by international award-winning firm, FOC Designs. It was also revealed that 58 new luxury townhouses in La Cala de Mijas will soon become a reality. Meanwhile, the IDILIQ Foundation was officially presented at a cocktail party at Wyndham Costa del Sol. Approximately 250 people attended the event, which was sponsored by IDILIQ Developments. The founder of the Foundation, Roy Peires, emphasised the Foundation's social commitment to the Málaga and Tenerife areas.

i www.royalmarbellagolfresort.com/ www.fundacionidiliq.com

OVER 400 ARTWORKS AT HOTEL HIGUERÓN 5* CURIO COLLECTION BY HILTON

The Hotel Higuerón 5* Curio Collection by Hilton is a unique establishment that complements the artistic heritage of the city of Málaga. It is now home to a collection of over 400 artworks, which are distributed throughout the resort. Some of the most interesting pieces in its collection include the Moscón sculpture by Francisco Leiro, a painting by Camarón de la Isla (the famed cantaor), and the graffiti work by Darko. i www.higueronhotel.com

REDLINE CELEBRATES ITS 18TH ANNIVERSARY

Redline Company recently celebrated 18 years as a renowned fullservice marketing agency on the Coast. Continuing its birthday tradition of nominating a charity, the company supported the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Orphan Project, adopting 18 orphaned elephants –one for each year of Redline’s service. The company is committed to giving back to communities, particularly those related to children and animals. Its unofficial slogan is, 'It’s a jungle out there!' and its branding features wild animals – including a big red elephant on the cover of its marketing brochure. i www.redlinecompany.com

17TH MARBELLA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The 17th edition of the Marbella International Film Festival took place recently at Red Dog Cinemas. The event hosted filmmakers, their casts, and a myriad of production companies from Spain, the UK, the U.S., Ukraine, Georgia, Brazil, Honduras, China, and Korea. Just a few of the many attendees included Kevin McNally, Nicole Faraday, Terry Stone, Emily Wyatt, Rachel Warren, Michael Head, Daniel O´Reilly, Emiliano Ruschel, Fernando Abadie, and Jake Cornish. The film Secrets won the Best Feature award, while Coz Greenop for Last Heist was deemed Best Director. i www.marbellafilmlfestival.com

LAGOOM LIVING BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO MÁLAGA AND LAGUNILLAS LAGOOM LIVING (a joint venture comprising Otero Group and Iberian Yield Investment AB) is firmly committed to the rehabilitation and regeneration of Málaga’s city centre. The group recently presented its proposals to AVRA (the Agency for Housing and Rehabilitation) of Málaga. The latter held a competition for the rehabilitation of properties on Victoria and Lagunillas streets, close to the Plaza de la Merced. The LAGOOM LIVING brand is a standard-bearer thanks to initiatives like LAGOOM LIVING SANCHEZ BLANCA, which acquires land for affordable rental homes. i www.lagoomliving.es

JOSÉ MARÍA SÁNCHEZ-ROBLES PAYS HOMAGE TO COUNT RUDI

Renowned journalist, José María Sánchez-Robles recently presented his book, Un Hombre Afortunado (A Lucky Man), which commemorates the life of Count Rudi von Schönburg. Those attending the event were delighted to learn about the passion-filled life of a man who has played such an important role in the history of Marbella. The Count, who was born in Saxony, made his way to the Coast in 1956 and began working at the Marbella Club as a young man. His family was greatly affected by WWII and this led the Count to find a new home beneath the sun. i www.marbellaclub.com

RECORD WIN FOR ADRIÁN OTAEGUI

AT THE 2022 ESTRELLA DAMM N.A. ANDALUCIA MASTERS

Adrián Otaegui was the victor of the eighth Estrella Damm N.A. Andalucía Masters. He scored the lowest 72-hole total in the 27 DP World Tour events, played at Real Club Valderrama. His final result was -19 (seven strokes less than the previous record, held by Sergio García). Otaegui’s win marks the 200th victory of Spanish players in the Tour. “Valderrama is my favourite golf course in Spain and now, it’s part of my history. I’m delighted that my first home victory took place here,” declared the champ.

i www.estrelladammandaluciamasters.golf

THE SAN CRISTÓBAL HOTEL UNDERGOES A COMPLETE REFURBISHMENT

The San Cristóbal hotel has closed its doors to carry out a complete refurbishment and to be transformed into a four-star establishment. The works are expected to be completed by the summer of 2023. The new hotel will provide higher-quality facilities and the number of rooms will increase from 100 to 110. The total renovation of the façade and the rooms, the installation of the reception at street level, and the opening of a rooftop swimming pool and chill-out area are some of the important changes planned.

i www.hotelsancristobal.com

LES ROCHES HOSTS HOTEL

CENTRED DEBATE

Grupo Vía recently organised a lively debate about the hotel industry at Les Roches. Despite worries about inflation, energy, and the Ukraine-Russia conflict, it has been a positive year and hoteliers in Marbella expect consistent growth in 2023. The debate was attended

A NEW ERA FOR DRUMELIA REAL ESTATE

Drumelia real estate has experienced impressive levels of growth and development in recent years, achieving record sales and reaching global audiences via video presentations, online traffic from social media platforms, and organic search engine rankings. The company, which is now operating from its new office near Puerto Banús (next to the BMW and Porsche garages), recently rebranded itself. It now boasts a new logo, colours, and website (which serves as a medium for showcasing the company’s listings). The website additionally promotes the company’s tailored services and consolidates its position as one of Marbella's leading real estate firms. i www.drumelia.com

by important professionals from the sector, including Jorge Manzur of the Anantara Villa Padierna Place, Miguel Cerván of La Ciudadela Marbella, Rocío Galán of the Gran Meliá Don Pepe, José Luque of Fuerte Hoteles AEHCOS, Gonzalo Rodríguez of the Puente Romano Beach Resort, and Ignacio Gómez-Escolar of the Hard Rock Hotel Marbella. i www.lesroches.es

THE VITHAS-XANIT INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL PRESENTS NEW INSTALLATIONS

The Vithas-Xanit International Hospital in Benalmádena presented its expanded installations to the press. The Hospital has increased in size from 12,000m2 to 25,000m2 thanks to a €16 million investment. It now boasts 51 external consultancy rooms, a surgical area with seven operating rooms, four in-patient floors (with 141 rooms) and an intensive care unit with 16 boxes. i www.vithas.es

STEPHANE MENOU IS SO/ SOTOGRANDE’S NEW DIRECTOR GENERAL

Luxury resort, SO/ Sotogrande has a brand new Director General: Stephane Menou, a professional whose management experience extends to the Latin American, Central American, Asian, and European markets. Mr. Menou will centre his efforts on offering guests excellent service while emphasising the artistic and cultural roots of Sotogrande. He will also be working alongside lifestyle hospitality company, Ennismore, to entice guests with new food and beverage offerings. i www.so-sotogrande.com

FIRST PADDLE TENNIS OPEN AT NUEVA ALCÁNTARA CLUB MARBELLA

Nueva Alcántara Club Marbella recently held its first paddle tennis open, attracting a host of players from along the Coast. The Club boasts 16 panoramic paddle tennis courts and a WPT court. Players (men’s, women’s, and mixed teams) received a welcome pack with an Adidas racquet bag. The prize list was vast and included paddle tennis racquets, racquet bags, and backpacks. i www.nuevaalcantaraclub.com

NEW STREET MARKET AT MARBELLA ARENA

CASINO MARBELLA HOSTS RECORD-BREAKING TOURNAMENT

Casino Marbella recently beat all records for participation at the Spanish Poker Championship. Over €320.000 was awarded in prize money and the main event alone brought together 490 players and accumulated €207.360 in rewards. For over a week, the Casino was transformed into a spectacular poker room. Thanks to his patience, skill, and focus, Málaga’s own Antonio Galiana was proclaimed Champion of the Main Event. i www.casinomarbella.com

Marbella Arena is now home to the new Street Market Arena, where you will find ecological and artisanal goods and enjoy live musical performances every Sunday. There will be over 50 stands to visit, featuring a myriad of goods made by local creators. Have fun shopping for clothing, jewellery, skincare, essential oils, perfumes, natural products, aromatic plants, and organic olive oil. There will also be a dedicated space for artwork and décor, as well as personalised products that make perfect gifts for loved ones. i www.marbellaarena.com

TOP PRODUCERS FROM MÁLAGA SHINE AT JORNADAS GENIUS

Six producers from Málaga will be under the spotlight at the Fundación El Pimpi’s ‘Jornadas Genius’ (Genius Conference).

The event, which aims to inspire future innovators, will take place on November 8 and 9 at the Cervezas Victoria factory. The list of mastermind producers comprises Lucas Bricout (who has created an extraordinary rosé wine), Víctor Pérez (an expert in olive growing), Mateo Argudo (an expert cheesemaker), Miguel Urbaneja (a master of traditional bread making), Carlos Torres (creator of the famous jamón de castaña), and Carlos Aguilera (who has devised a way of bringing one of Málaga’s most famous dishes to any home across the globe). i www.fundacionelpimpi.com

COSTA WOMEN

CELEBRATES 12TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A CHARITY LUNCH

Costa Women celebrated its 12th anniversary in a characteristically giving way: by holding a fundraising end-of-summer party and raising €900 for Cudeca. Guests enjoyed live music by Laura Elen, a flamenco performance by dancer Asami Ikeda, a welcome drink sponsored by Simply Spanish Wine, and a fashion show by Mapuchi Moda. Some 26 businesses also donated prizes for a charity raffle and Anja Ekstrøm Photography captured a myriad of special moments. “It is such an honour to celebrate this party to help Cudeca since this foundation is very close to my heart. I always feel very glad to be able to help to continue Cudeca’s special kind of caring”, said Ali Meehan, Founder of Costa Women. i www.costawomen.com

FRANCISCO MESTRE

PRESIDENT OF LOS PUEBLOS MÁS BONITOS DE ESPAÑA

CELEBRATING AND PRESERVING THE BEAUTY OF SPAIN’S VILLAGES

If you are enchanted by the beauty of Spain’s traditional villages, then you may already be familiar with Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España – The Most Beautiful Villages in Spain. This select guide, which is also accessible online, provides information on each of the 105 villages that have managed to make the cut. This month, we bring you an interview with the President of the Association and one of its founding members: Francisco Mestre. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE PUEBLOS MÁS BONITOS DE ESPAÑA ASSOCIATION

Which villages can apply to be in the guide?

Applicants must have under 15,000 inhabitants and a certified architectural or natural heritage. They also have to fulfil 29 additional criteria, ranging from the care of green areas to cleanliness, the conservation of building facades, and vehicle control.

How many villages apply to be in the guide every year?

Around 20 to 30. However, very few are admitted, because we

prefer quality over quantity.

Why did you establish your Association?

We wanted to give a push to villages that were becoming deserted. These villages had one big advantage – their architectural and natural heritage was better preserved than those with a high level of new construction.

Tourism is a pillar of the Spanish economy and it is only logical that our villages should play a key role in this industry. In

1982, the Most Beautiful Villages in France Association was founded. When we created ours in 2010, five similar ones already existed in the world.

What benefits does being part of your guide bring to individual villages?

The benefits are enormous. Being in the guide allows them to survive off-peak seasons. They attract tourists all-yearround, which is vital for local businesses and employment. They don’t ‘collapse’ because

of over-crowding. We encourage villages to celebrate fiestas and other special events during offpeak seasons.

The village of Nuevo Baztán in Madrid, has tripled its tourism figures in two years. Anento, another village in the community of Madrid, has built new rural homes and two restaurants to fulfil tourist demand. They have also constructed a parking space and with the monies they obtain from it, they are able to hire two cleaners who work throughout the year.

Which municipality has the largest number of villages in your guide?

Teruel. In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, its villages were abandoned so it was able to preserve its original architecture. Salamanca, Cantabria and Burgos are also home to many of Spain’s most beautiful villages.

Do you travel frequently to each individual village?

Yes, we have to ensure that the villages applying for inclusion make the grade. Some applicants need to make a couple of changes before we admit them. We also suggest further improvements for those that are already accepted.

Villages which are already in the guide are checked every five years or so, to make sure that no unacceptable changes have taken

place. The French Association is equally rigorous. It recently expelled a village for building a large supermarket by its entrance. Our visits are time-consuming because we stay a minimum of two days to study the villages’ illumination by night. We also meet with the Mayor and discuss future plans and necessary improvements.

Do you think the guide will ever reach a maximum of villages?

I calculate that there will be a maximum of around 150, based on the experience of our French colleagues. Their guide has 165 villages after 40 years of existence.

What keeps you busy? In addition to studying applications and paying visits, I

also manage the Association. We are currently working on reaching international markets. Our guide is very well-known in Spain but we also wish to reach countries like Italy, France, the UK, and the U.S. Our website also involves a lot of work. We have over three million visits and our site has become a cornerstone of our Association.

i www.lospueblosmasbonitosdeespana.org

Awine for golfers: who would conceive of such a thing? Well, actually a winemaker who also happens to be a keen golfer. Ernst Gouws is a highly respected South African viticulturalist and also a lover of the game. His winery, Ernst Gouws & Co, stretches out through God’s land in what is some of the most beautiful and lovingly nurtured scenery in the world, but this is also where the award-winning wine producer creates

a range of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot and typically South African Pinotage wines of international stature.

To say that Ernst Gouws & Co is a prestigious winemaker is certainly no overstatement, and yet it is making waves all over again with the development of a highly unusual twist to this elegant industry – making a wine specifically designed for golfers. “One of the most cherished

THE 19TH

GOLFERS

A wine created for golfers by golfers, The 19th blends two beautiful traditions just made for connoisseurs of the finer things in life. The ‘19th hole’ drink after a friendly game of golf might never be the same again.

traditions of the sport is the socialising afterwards,” says Ernst, “the so-called 19th hole, usually in the form of a clubhouse bar, lounge, restaurant or terrace overlooking the course, and this is where the idea of creating a golf-perfect wine came to me.”

A TIPPLE AFTER THE GAME

‘After action satisfaction’ comes with a drink, snack and friendly banter among friends after a good game of golf, a time-

honoured tradition that is one of the great attractions of the sport, for golf is a highly sociable endeavour. More than that, for many it is a way of life, and one that comes with certain traditions, etiquette and codes of conduct. Indeed, in a modern world, golf still embodies the classical concepts of fair play and gentlemanly behaviour, even if not all practitioners always achieve such high standards. For golfers, however, the bar is set high.

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY

OF THE 19TH WINE

With all of this in mind, and also mindful of the traditions of the sport, Ernst Gouws started developing the perfect wine for the aftermatch drink. Using his extensive knowledge of golf and his expertise as a viticulturer, he created The 19th, a range of white and red wines designed specifically for the golfer’s palate and post-game experience. “It should be refreshing and not too heavy, lighter for instance than a wine you would enjoy at dinner but full-bodied enough to be a proper glass of wine.”

The result is a curated golfer’s collection of two white wines – a vibrant white Sauvignon Blanc with

summery fruity notes ideal as a complement to a fresh salad. Or, if you’re enjoying a light seafood meal after the game, then the slightly more citrusacidic Chenin Blanc will tickle the palate. The two red wines include a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend that is wooded, wellrounded with a hint of blackcurrant. Perfect with cheese or even a roast meat dish. The Pinotage – a South African grape variety developed from Pinot Noir and Cinsault – is as flexible as a good golfer.

LIVING BYTES

Like the Cape region of South Africa, Spain is also a nation of keen

golfers and a long winemaking tradition, so golfers and wine lovers here – especially on the Costa del Sol –could not be deprived of the chance to enjoy something as unique and well-matched as a wine made for golfers, by golfers. The fact that this lover of the game is also a decorated wine producer ensures the quality of the offering, for which Living Bytes has the exclusive distribution rights in Spain and Portugal. The 19th wines are available through them to private buyers and the trade throughout the Iberian Peninsula.

“It’s the perfect wine to enjoy at a clubhouse bar, restaurant or terrace café after a

round of golf, relaxing with friends and socialising, for that’s an important part of the game and its traditions,” says the creator of The 19th. However, enthusiasts of the sport and those enjoying a lifestyle overlooking one of the many beautiful fairways that crisscross the Costa del Sol will also be keen to try a new take on creating wines that will be close to their heart or make the perfect gift.

For golfers across Spain and Portugal there is a now a quality tipple made exclusively with them in mind.

g Tel: (+34) 699 560 435.

hello@the19th.wine www.the19th.wine

ARE YOU BLOCKED ON BLOCKCHAIN?

What is the blockchain? If you don't know, you should and if you do, chances are you still need some clarification on how it actually works. This article is meant to help demystify this world-changing, trust-building technology which represents nothing less than the second generation of the Internet and holds the potential to transform money, business, government and society.

The technology that is likely to have the greatest impact on the next few decades has arrived. And it's not social media, big data, or robotics. It's not even Artificial Intelligence. You may be surprised to learn that it's the underlying technology of digital currencies like Bitcoin. It's called the blockchain. When it comes to assets – things like money, financial assets, intellectual property, a vote, and carbon credits and

other holdings – we rely entirely on big intermediaries: middlemen like banks, governments, big social media companies and credit card companies to establish trust in our economy. Overall, they do a pretty good job. However, there are growing problems. To begin with, they're centralised. That means they can be hacked. They exclude millions of people from the global economy, including people who don't have enough money to have

a bank account. They slow things down. It can take a second for an email to go around the world, but it can take days or weeks for money to move through the banking system across a city. They take a big piece of the pie – 10 to 20 per cent, just to send money to another country. They capture our data, and that means we can't monetise it or use it to improve the management of our lives. Our privacy is being undermined.

LUC LIEVENS

So, what if there were an Internet of value – some kind of vast, global, distributed ledger running on millions of computers and available to everybody? One in which every kind of asset (from money to music) could be stored, moved, transacted, exchanged and managed, all without powerful intermediaries?

In 2008, an anonymous person or persons named Satoshi Nakamoto developed a protocol for a payment system using a cryptocurrency called Bitcoin. It enables people to establish trust and carry out transactions without a third party. For the first time in human history, people everywhere can trust each other and transact peer to peer. This trust is established, not by some big institution, but by collaboration, cryptography and clever coding. You may be wondering how the system works.

Assets are not stored in a central place. Instead, they are distributed across a global ledger, using the highest level of cryptography. When a transaction is conducted, a block is created and posted globally, across millions and millions of

computers. And then – this is the key part – that block is linked to the previous block to create a chain of blocks.

The Bitcoin blockchain is just one. There are many others, including the Ethereum blockchain developed by Canadian programmer, Vitalik Buterin. This blockchain has some extraordinary capabilities, one of which is that you can use it to build smart contracts. Smart contracts are self-executing. They handle the enforcement, management, performance and payment of agreements between people. So, could we use the blockchain technology to redistribute wealth? Could we change the way that wealth gets created by engaging more people in the economy, and then ensuring that they receive fair compensation?

Let me describe five ways that this can be done. Firstly, companies are working to put property titles on a blockchain. And once they're there, this is immutable. This creates the conditions for prosperity for potentially billions of people.

Secondly, what if there was a distributed application on a blockchain for Airbnbs that

was owned by all the people who had a property to rent?

Thirdly, the biggest flow of funds from the developed world to the developing world is people sending money back to their families at home. Using blockchain payment technology, the whole thing would take minutes and would cost a few cents. Fourthly, we create data as we leave a trail of digital crumbs behind us as we go throughout life. But the virtual you is not owned by you – that's the big problem. Finally, there are countless content creators who don't receive fair compensation, because the system for intellectual property is broken. These are five opportunities to solve one problem and promote prosperity. Of course, technology doesn't create prosperity, people do. My point is that the technology genie has escaped from the bottle, and it's giving us another opportunity to rewrite the economic power grid and solve some of the world's most difficult problems if we allow it to.

g Luc Lievens, a lawyer and economist, is a Blockchain and Crypto Currency believer, coach and educator.

OCEAN CLUB CLOSING PARTY

“An ocean breeze puts the mind at ease” – Ali Gordon

ENGEL & VÖLKERS OPEN HOUSE

Engel & Völkers Marbella hosted a private Open House for visiting representatives of the Danish investment group, Nybolig Estate and Nykredit Bank Denmark. The invitees enjoyed a morning at the stunning Villa Cristal in La Zagaleta, which commands magnificent views over the Coast.

www.marbella-ev.com

“There’s always opportunity in

It’s just a matter of finding that opportunity in the current market” – Samantha DeBianchi

STRAND PROPERTIES

“Real estate is the purest form of entrepreneurship” – Brian Buffini

BLACKSHAW OPEN HOUSE

HORN

OPEN HOUSE VILLA JAPANDI

Beyond held a well-attended Open House at Villa Japandi in Nueva Andalucía, that included the pre-launch of the Japandi Collection. Visiting agents and members of the press were able to view the very plush refurbishment of this enticing property at close quarters.

www.villajapandi.es

“You are not buying a house, you are buying a lifestyle” – Sarah F. Findel

to

DINE OUT IN CLASSIC STYLE AT DIFFERENT VENUES IN HOTEL ANANTARA VILLA PADIERNA, SAVOUR FINE WINES FROM BODEGAS LA VAL, AND SEE WHY CHEF, MIGUEL NAVARRO’S STAR IS ON THE RISE.

HOLE 55

Situated alongside the Hotel’s Los Flamingos Golf courses, Hole 55 is the perfect spot to enjoy drinks, or a light meal or snack after a round on the fairways, with its terrace commanding a magnificent view across the course to the Coast. Managed by Juan Valenzuela, and under the  guidance of Chef Malika, Hole 55 offers a variety of Salads, Gazpacho, Hamburgers and Sandwiches, and Pasta dishes. It’s speciality is Middle East Delights and we found ourselves salivating at a table laden with Hummus, Pitta Bread, Tabouleh, Babanganoush, Fattoush and Warak Enab. So good were these treats, it was extremely difficult to leave this nirvana.

g Open every day from 8am until 7pm (with the kitchen operating rom 12pm – 5pm).

Tel: (+34) 952 889 150. hole55.villapadierna@anantara-hotels.com

LA LOGGIA

The next stop on our grand tour was La Loggia, an Italian food aficionados paradise with its classic décor, extensive menu, and sweeping views over the lake and fountain across the golf course to the Mediterranean. A favourite venue of guests staying at the hotel, managed by José Luis Herrero, with Head Chef, Esteban Periañez, the ambience is lively and enticing. This is a lovely place to linger and we were very impressed with the lavish food displays and the Prosciutto and Cheeses we were served, culminating in a wonderful Spaghetti Carbonara Romano, authentically prepared in front of us in a giant half parmesan cheese.

g Open every day for lunch from 1pm to 5pm and for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday from 7:30pm to 11:30pm. Tel: (+34) 952 889 150. loggia.villapadierna@anantara-hotels.com

LA VERANDA RESTAURANT

99 SUSHI BAR

We moved on to a venue which is extremely popular with visiting members of the general public who comprise about 80 per cent of this restaurant’s guests. For anyone who is a lover of avant-garde Japanese cuisine, it’s easy to see why this is, with its elegant salón a fitting location to enjoy the delicacies concocted by the chefs, overseen by Head Chef, Ángel Sánchez Aguilar, who presented some of the Sushi and Sashimi selections

we were to try. These included Gyozas, Spicy Tuna Tartar, Salmon Nigiri, and a memorable Wagyu Maki. The Manager, Melissa Mancera, who is half Scottish, ensures that the dining experience here is as smooth as the delights being served.

g Open Wednesday to Saturday from 7:30pm to 11:30pm. Tel: (+34) 951 272 828. 99sushibar.villapadierna@ anantara-hotels.com

IRENE’S HEALTH KITCHEN

A recent addition to the dining options at Anantara Villa Padierna, supervised by Roberto Luna, for those of a healthy disposition treat yourself to some of the specials being prepared by Irene Hernández at her Health Kitchen. Appropriately located at the hotel’s sumptuous Spa, across a magnificent

piazza, with running water, fountains and elegant poplars, savour smoothies, power juices and salads designed to restore your nutritional balance and optimise your energy levels.

g Open every day from 1pm  to 5pm. Tel: (+34) 952 889 150. cg.villapadierna@anantarahotels.com

LA VERANDA

Fully restored to its original splendour, and managed by José Luis Morales, La Veranda is the location for international dining with flair. Chef, Santiago Altuna has assembled a menu which offers diners the favourite dishes and most iconic plates that hotel guests have enjoyed over the last two decades. The venue is as time-honoured as the choices on offer, with a lovely terrace for dining under the stars, accompanied by live music, and a beautiful interior space. We completed our delicious tour with a classic Crêpe Suzette, dessert wine and coffee.

g Open from Friday to Tuesday from 7:30pm to 11:30pm. Tel (+34) 952 889 150. www.veranda. villapadierna@anantarahotels.com

g All of the above venuesare open to the general public in November. www.anantara. com

NOTA BLU NEW BRASSERIE LAUNCHES ON MARBELLA’S GOLDEN MILE

Gastronomy, music, décor, art, and culture were all present at the recent launch of Golden Mile establishment, Nota Blu New Brasserie. The event was attended by 400 guests (including influencers Estela Grande, Ana Antic, and Carla Hinojosa). Invitees tucked into a delicious dinner by Chef Fabián Cangas, then headed to the Blu Bar – a private club where they enjoyed hours of great music. At Nota Blu, you can enjoy traditional French cuisine with a modern twist, from Monday to Saturday, 7:30pm to 3am. i www.notablu.com

FINCA LA TORRE PRESENTS NEW HARVEST

The harvest of one of Spain’s best extra-virgin olive oils, Finca La Torre, has arrived. Victor Pérez, Director of the Finca, is pleased to announce that despite the drought, the quality of the Finca’s olive oil has been maintained thanks to ecological, biodynamic principles and the existence of centenarian olive trees. Pérez states that around 70 tonnes of oil will be produced from four olive varieties: hojiblanca, arbequina, cornicabra, and picudo. i www.fincalatorre.com

BOHO CLUB PRESENTS NEW SEASONAL OFFERINGS

Boho Club has expanded Chef Diego del Río’s gastronomic proposal with a myriad of menus for the new season. Hot creams, game, and seasonal produce such as mushrooms, superior cuts of meat, and market-fresh fish will be playing a starring role in numerous dishes. There will be a dedicated lunch menu from Monday to Friday, plus gastro nights featuring a tasting menu with a wine pairing. The Chef will be on-hand to explain the dishes and chat with diners. Head to Boho Club for Thursday after-work cocktails, appetisers, and DJ-spun music, plus weekend brunches (from 12pm to 4pm). The restaurant will additionally be hosting Christmas events and parties. i www.bohoclub.com

NEW AUTUMN MENU AT ALBERTS BAR & GRILL IN CABOPINO

Cooler days are arriving and the team at Alberts Cabopino has prepared a brand-new menu to whet your appetite and keep you warm. Starters now include rock shrimp tempura, empanadillas, and scallops with porcini sauce. Mains include the veal and truffle pot, grilled beef tagliata, and crisp pork belly. The menu also features a host of salads and irresistible desserts. Alberts serves breakfast and Sunday roast and has special events lined up for Christmas Day lunch and New Year’s Eve dinner. i www.alberts-cabopino.com

SUNDAY ROASTS AT SO/SOTOGRANDE

The five-star SO/Sotogrande resort is now serving Sunday roasts to hotel guests and members of the public. Chef Leandro Caballero has prepared a tempting array of dishes that includes pork, lamb, and/or turkey served with roast baby potatoes with thyme, rosemary, and peas. Of course, no roast would be complete without traditional Yorkshire pudding and gravy. From 12pm to 4pm every Sunday. i www.so-sotogrande.com

CUISINE THAT WARMS THE HEART

MIGUEL NAVARRO OF ES FUM

Serious gastronomes who visit the largest of the Balearic Islands (Mallorca) religiously book a stay at the fivestar St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca Resort. This exquisite ‘palace away from home’, nestled between the Tramuntana mountain range and the Mediterranean, pampers guests with features such as a seafront golf course,

contemporary Mallorcan artworks, and personal butler service. It is only fitting that a hotel of this calibre should have its own Michelin-starred restaurant, Es Fum, reigned over by the young Chef, Miguel Navarro. Miguel’s youth belies his vast experience. He was only 16 when he began his culinary career at his family’s restaurant on La Gomera island.

He was quickly bitten by the culinary bug and jumped at the chance to apprentice at Restaurante Martín Berasategui, the three-Michelin star establishment located in Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country. Five years later, Miguel began working for The Ritz-Carlton Abama Hotel, where, once again under the guiding hand of Martín Berasategui, he achieved the first Michelin star for the restaurant, MB. In 2010, he decided to broaden his horizons, heading to Germany to work alongside Chef Sven Elverfeld of Aqua – a three-Michelin-starred restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton Wolfsburg.

He continued to learn new techniques at a myriad of threeMichelin-starred establishments, including Piazza Duomo in Italy, Azurmendi in the Basque Country, and El Celler de Can Roca in Girona. He additionally formed part of Martin Berasategui’s team in Barcelona, letting his talent unfold alongside Paolo Casagrande at the threeMichelin-starred stalwart, Lasarte, in the city.

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE ST. REGIS MARDAVALL MALLORCA RESORT

Having built an impressive CV, Miguel was ready to return to his roots in Mallorca – the home of his grandmother. Since 2017, He has shone as Executive Chef at Es Fum, achieving a Repsol sun in addition to the coveted Michelin star.

Miguel describes his vision for Es Fum as “warm cuisine for a warm climate… our aim is to extract the maximum flavour from products of the very best quality.” He finds his inspiration in the people, places, and moments that have given him the greatest joy in life. His wish is to share these positive sensations with diners. The Chef also has a keen interest in plant-based cuisine, in accordance with increased demand from clients. Vegans, vegetarians, and health buffs alike will delight

tender asparagus and pea quinoa, glazed vegetables, smoked tofu and black olives.

You can opt for one of two menus at Es Fum. The Petite Menú comprises five dishes and one dessert, while the Menú Degustación (Tasting Menu) is made up of seven dishes, a cocktail and dessert. The smaller menu will tantalise your taste buds with dishes like marinated tuna loin; creamy fennel rice, smoked octopus and bitter lemon crème; and lamb cutlets, aubergine caviar and mustard jus. For dessert, how does a date, pistachio and black tea treat sound?

The Tasting Menu surpasses even the savviest diner’s expectations with dishes like the black ravioli with red shrimp and watercress foam; egg

amberjack fish with a sprout salad; and pigeon breast, apricots and a balsamic sauce. Top this all off with the Es Fum Gin fizz, chocolate, and coffee. Dishes are accompanied by a list of wines curated by Es Fum’s sommelier, Julianna González. The restaurant has 150 different bottles to select from. Sustainability is a priority at Es Fum. The team is doing its best to foster the circular economy, taking residues from food and the Hotel’s own garden to generate compost. The latter is, in turn, sent to the restaurant’s providers, who use it to grow produce that makes its way to Es Fum. All

data pertaining to each product (including the residue collected, the amount of compost generated and the degree to which carbon footprints are reduced) is stored on the blockchain, where it can be viewed at any time.

At Es Fum, Miguel and his team seek to stimulate the senses not only through the aroma, taste, and visual appeal of their dishes, but also through the beauty of light, the inviting textures of the restaurant’s decorative elements, and the artworks that embellish the restaurant. For an inspiring, succulent, uplifting meal, book a table in the Autumn/ Winter season and let the warmth, artistry, and flavour overtake you. e

www.restaurant-esfum.com

BODEGAS LA VAL

WINE IS MADE IN THE VINEYARD

Each of those who form part of Bodegas La Val understands that the truth is the path that leads to freedom, that is, to success, and their wines, honest and frank, are the best demonstration of this.

Fernando Bandeira and Antonio Ruiloba masterfully lead a pioneering project of the Rías Baixas Denomination of Origin, and with their commitment to their own production, have managed to make a difference, letting nature do its work and being faithful to a mantra that they have engraved on fire, and which perfectly describes their oevre. ‘Wine is made in the vineyard.’

AN AMBASSADOR AMONG WINES

The young Rías Baixas Denomination of Origin has grown up, and its wines have become a world benchmark, placing its noblest variety, the Albariño grape, among the most coveted in the competitive market.

Bodegas La Val bears a large part of the responsibility for the success of this region. Present in more than twenty countries, La Val fulfills its mission of being a great ambassador among wines, having achieved this status in places as far afield as China and Guatemala.

THE SECRET OF LA VAL

The success of Bodegas La Val respects a secret that I can reveal to you. It is a firm commitment to achieving excellence and follow the maxim of ‘today better than yesterday’, in addition to having been able to make their magnificent wines wholeheartedly their own production, which allows them to control everything within the elaboration process.

Its facilities in Salvaterra de Miño, capital of Condado do Tea, are spectacular and from its tasting room, the views of its Finca Arantei do not need to be photographed, since that beautiful image will be permanently etched in the memory of the lucky visitor, reminding them of the privilege of enjoying one of the most beautiful landscapes they have ever seen.

BOTTLED TREASURES

Txema Ureta, the alchemist responsible for the technical part and for putting the icing on the cake created by nature, is a loyal man, and his character is reflected in each of the wines that Bodegas La Val produces.

The Rías Baixas is renowned for strong vintages, fully respecting the virtues of the grape variety, in combination with achieving that necessary point of acidity, which envelops each bottle with freshness and provides longevity to its white wines.

Among the treasures that we find in the range of wines produced by Bodegas La Val, allow me to highlight the youth of its Albariño monovarietal La Val, a fresh, citrusy wine with a very Atlantic accent, as well as the perfect coupage of its Más que 2, in which the Albariño variety pairs perfectly with Treixadura and Loureiro grapes to create an exquisite elixir with the historical and most representative varieties of the Condado do Tea subzone. ›

By the way, this wine and its original labelling are a tribute to women. Please permit me to dedicate a special mention to Ana Bandeira and Isabel López, two extraordinary women who are the light in this wonderful project. A toast to them!

Also, the wines matured in oak barrels have a prominent place. Their 2016 barrel fermented La Val is one of the best wines my connoisseur palate has experienced.

And of course, a gem: La Val on its lees. A wine which, by itself, would win any discussion about the evolution of an Albariño in the bottle. This marvel is only produced in years in which the harvest has been excellent and the production process

lasts three years, in which the living lees of the new harvest are incorporated into the wine, which patiently awaits the optimal moment for its release.

THE COMPLETE COMPANY

Visiting Bodegas La Val is bathing in values. You enter as a customer and leave as a friend. They work every day to make a better world, and their solidarity vintage program is a living example of what it means to be a complete company. At Bodegas La Val, vineyards and values are cultivated and the best fruits are harvested to make lovers of good wine happy.

i www.bodegaslaval.com