Mallorca Olive Press - Issue 56 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

Is this Spain’s prettiest street? Find out in our roundup of the coolest calles,

Property

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Issue 30

Page IV

June 2019

BALE-ING IN Gareth Bale scores exclusive

costa pad

out EXCLUSIVE E might be getting nudged Mile, which of Real Madrid, but Gareth along the famous Golden ties to homeowners, Bale is strengthening his features other celebrity Tim including ex-England midfielder Sherwood. drive The penthouse is just a 20-minute luxury golf refrom Finca Cortesin, the 29, loves to sort in Casares where Bale, several times summer. tee up and has stayed at the striker, The Olive Press can reveal for €100 over the last few years. as he has who signed for Los BlancosTottenham, He knows La Trinidad well Barnett’s million six years ago from three-bedstayed at his agent Jonathannumber of a has snapped up a stunning home in the urbanisation after Bale for just room apartment in Marbella times. The purchase comes golf’ if the play under €2 million. threatened to ‘stay and to knock contract is not The Welshman managed the properremainder of his Real of “I’ve got around 10% off the price for around The father-of-three said: If they paid. ty, which was on the market three years left on my contract. to pay me €2.2 million. want me to go, they’ll neednot, I’ll stay linked to If According to sources closely €17 million per season. is situated in golf, I will.” the deal, the modern pad here. And if I have to play urbanisation the exclusive La Trinidad

southern Spain. Welsh wizard The much-maligned on a new has spent a small fortuneSol, despite property on the Costa del the UK this to expectation of his return

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PALS: Rival fans in Madrid

Walk in the park

related to noise. houses rentals of Vacation rental of single-family if they are lofirst Spanish city to ban will also be prohibited land, near the be the first Palma to become FROM July, Palma willto limit short cated on protected rural apartments Spanish city in Spain or in non-residential areas. homes, it tourist it also affects airport, Antoni Noguera said: “We term rentals to single-family and neighborhoods, and Mayor Spanish city after Barce- social harmony’. has been announced. on the basis of the genafter several it the second most on rise in the agreed on thisand we believe that it will The decision has comeby the city of lona where residents spend the There has been a significant resi- eral interest, studies commissioned of mass tour- rent. in other cities when they of complaints filed by the local chief numberdue to problems with tourists create a trend a balance is key.” Palma showed the effects workers. According to Jose Hila, dents, see that finding apartments, typically ism on local residents and rental prices of city planning, tourist accommodabuildings who rent these Since 2013 the averagePalma, making tion ‘affects the makeup of have soared by 40% in

Is this Spain’s prettiest street?

See page 9

TOXIC! Vol. 3 Issue 56 www.theolivepress.es June 7th - June 20th 2019

Cruise ships make Palma one of the most polluted ports in the world

By Jon Clarke, in Madrid

THE largest police operation in Spanish sporting history has ended successfully in Madrid. A combination of restrained policing and good-natured fans turned a potential Champions League final nightmare into a game of cricket in the capital. The statistics are nothing short of amazing. As the huge clear up operation got underway on Monday morning, it emerged that only 11 arrests were made out of an estimated 100,000plus British fans who descended on the capital at the weekend. The 4,700 cops tasked with the job of policing the all-British final generally behaved admirably, in comparison to their counterparts in Sevilla and Barcelona over recent years.

Hooliganism

Their aim was to contain the big groups of rival fans from Liverpool and Tottenham, the vast majority who arrived without tickets and many without accomodation. Far from the feared predictions of widespread ‘hooliganism’ in the Spanish press, the weekend, passed off almost entirely without incident. “The fear of hooliganism has been just that; fear, as the British fans behaved with enthusiasm and cordiality,” reported El Confidencial. With the exception of a few idiots, the mood was extremely friendly with fans mixing well and the police generally playing their part admirably. There was only one report of brutality where, allegedly, 50 Spurs fans got ‘battered’ outside a bar near Puerto Continues on Page 3

PALMA is among the five most polluted ports in Europe. An alarming study has found the huge number of cruise ships that visit the city are leaving an indelible mark on the environment. The Mallorca capital joins Barcelona, Venice, Civitavecchia and Southampton in being crowned the most polluting ports on the continent. The research, published by green group Ecologistas en Accion, examined air pollution in ports with high levels of passenger ships. Carnival cruise ships - which number nearly 30 in total - are the worst offenders, producing more than 10

By Laurence Dollimore & Gillian Keller

times as much toxic sulphur dioxide as all the cars in Europe combined. The report comes out just days after the company agreed to pay a $20m (€17m) fine and undertake increased monitoring after it continued to dump sewage and plastic waste in the sea. The company, the world’s largest cruise operator, is also guilty of leaking gas and dirty water and falsifying records of incidents in the US. The Florida-based company, which

KILLER: Cruise ship billowing smoke off Palma controls 50% of the global market, environment in which we live, work claimed in a statement: “Carnival and travel. remains committed to environmen- “Our aspiration is to leave the places tal excellence and protecting the we touch even better than when we first arrived.” Royal Caribbean Cruises, founded in Norway, but also based in Florida, is the second most polluting fleet globally. According to the latest study, Spain, Italy and Greece are the countries most exposed to pollution from emissions of sulphur dioxide. This is mainly because they are important tourist destinations, but also because they ‘have less stringent regulations on the limitation of sulphur in marine fuels.’ Another problem in ports is that marine fossil fuel is not taxed, while shore-side electricity is under a 2003 EU energy tax directive. It makes it cheaper for ships to run the electricity needed for their restaurants and on-ship entertainment by burning fuel while docked. Not enough European ports have invested in shore-side electricity infrastructure. This includes Gibraltar, which also particularly suffers from the arrival of cruise ships, plus the hundreds that sail past the Straits each year. Policy director of European campaigning group Transport & En-

Bin arsonist snared at last... ...His reign of terror - all because he couldn’t take his dog off the lead

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CRIME

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NEWS IN BRIEF Backpack bomb

SPOTTED

June 7th - June 20th 2019

Sacre bleu!

EX CL PI USI C VE

EXCLUSIVE: Most Wanted ‘Killer’ Liverpool fan allegedly seen in Madrid for Champions League final

A BOMB scare has evacuated one of Palma’s Maritime Stations after a woman mistakenly left her backpack behind – the bomb squad quickly appeared and cleared the ‘threat’.

ONE of Britain’s most-wanted criminals Kevin Parle is believed to have attended the Champions League Final in Madrid. An eye-witness took pictures of the alleged double murderer at the Reina Sofia art museum on the morning of the match. The staunch Liverpool fan - a towering 6ft 6ins giant - was wearing a red shirt and denim shorts and gave the witness 'the dirtiest look’ ever. He had been walking briskly around the gallery, only stopping at one painting, by Salvador Dali. "I'm sure it was him. After I took a picture he looked like he was about to punch me right there in the museum," the

Baby trouble PALMA firefighters have rescued a baby from a hot car in Can Pastilla after the parents accidentally locked both the child and the key in the car.

Jammed up TRAFFIC in Palma is the second worst in Spain, only behind Barcelona, with drivers spending an average of 25% more time behind the wheel.

EXCLUSIVE By Timothy McNulty

source, who asked to remain anonymous, said. “He then walked off really fast and you could clearly see how tall he was,” he added. The sighting comes after former Scotland Yard detective Peter Bleksley launched a fresh campaign to catch the alleged killer after 14 years on the run. The TV detective told the Olive Press in April how Parle was a ‘huge Liverpool fan’ and very likely to be in the capital for the game. "There's only one place for a Liverpool fan who can afford it on June 1, and that's Madrid,"

Sauna sex attack A BRITISH teenager has been raped in a hotel while on holiday with her family. The 15-year-old was alone when the sex attacker entered the sauna and forced himself on her, in Llucmajor. The man is believed to be foreign, although his nationality has not been disclosed. Local paper Ultima Hora said he had been identified from CCTV cameras, but has not yet been arrested. The youngster alerted hotel staff immediately after the attack on Monday and was taken to Son Llatzer Hospital in Palma.

Tragic ending A PATIENT at the Inca hospital has died after walking out of the facility and throwing himself off a nearby bridge onto the highway – a nearby police officer tried to stop the man but was too late.

ON THE LOOSE: Is this murderer Parle said Bleksley, who worked for the Met Police’s undercover SO10 unit in the 1980s. Last night he told the paper: “That could well be him, but it’s impossible to say for certain. “The pics need to be verified through a lab with face-recognition software.” Merseyside Police meanwhile thanked the Olive Press for the lead and said the pictures would be sent off immediately to ‘intel’. “If verified they will go straight to Interpol,” explained a spokesman. The 38-year-old killer is Merseyside’s mostwanted man, allegedly involved in the murder of mum-of-three Lucy Hargreaves, 22, who was shot while she slept on a sofa in August 2005. He is also wanted

in connection with the shooting of 16-year-old Toxteth lad Liam Kelly, who was gunned down in Liverpool in June 2004. The Liverpudlian is unmissable with a towering height of 6ft 6ins and with a red beard, which he is likely to have shaved off. Police believe he fled to the Costa Blanca after going on the run 14 years ago, and he has been spotted in both Javea and Torrevieja over recent years. Ex-detective Bleksley - who presents a Channel 4 TV show Hunted - particularly wants to speak to British residents who referred to Parle as a ‘gentle giant’ during an Olive Press probe back in 2009. “I will speak to them under the radar and will never disclose their identity,” he added.

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A FRENCH footballer has been arrested after assaulting two British tourists and two police officers in Palma. Yannis Salibur, a 28-year-old who plays for Saint-Etienne, was queueing to check in to his hotel with his family when he got into an altercation with the pair in front of him. Salibur asked to skip the queue and check in first as his daughter was crying. The British couple allegedly responded with racist insults, causing the French forward to start throwing punches. The hotel called the police, who were also allegedly attacked by the footballer upon arrival. He was taken to the police station and faces several charges.

Family of fakers A BRITISH family have been cuffed for ‘using fake cash to pay for their holiday.’ Police nabbed five members of the same family in Mallorca on suspicion of falsification. Officers alleged the relatives, who were staying in Santa Ponsa, had €400 obtained by swapping fake pound notes in currency exchange. Police seized £850 in ‘highvalue counterfeit £50 notes.’

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www.theolivepress.es From front page

del Sol. The only recorded offences were for drug possession, assault, flying a drone and public indecency. And one British woman was arrested for selling fake tickets. The 32-year-old apparently told two fans she could get them into the game at the

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL

Brits threw pints - not punches - in Champions League party worth €60 million to Madrid Wanda Metropolitano stadium for €8,400, before the pair notified police. Another Liverpool fan, who had been reported ‘missing’ by his family, is now known to have been arrested in the early

hours of Sunday morning. Macauley Negus, 23, from Plymouth was found by police lying ‘semi-naked on Calle de Goya at around 2am, before he attacked them and was arrested.

The British consul in Andalucia Charmaine Arbouin praised the good behaviour of the fans and organisers. She told the Olive Press: “All in all it went incredibly well and was almost trouble free. A real credit to the fans and the organisational abilities of the authorities.” Arbouin, who was on duty until 3am at Madrid airport on Sunday morning, helped to ensure that a record 60 charter flights left in a three-hour window without incident. “The Spanish were a bit worried and there were lots of lost passports,” she added. “I felt sorry for the Spurs fans… all of that money to see their team lose and then having to fork out for an emergency passport on top of it.”

Aside from mountains of empty beer cans - and the odd hour of lost sleep, which they are famous for anyway - Madrilenos will be feeling the Champions League benefits for some time to come.

TOP SPURS: Steve Nash, Clive Owen and Alan Sugar

Dozens of celebrities and famous ex-players made the trip to Madrid for the weekend

TROUPE of famous faces were spotted partying in Madrid on Champions League final weekend. Aside from the usual round of politicians, including Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez, there were union bosses like Len McCluskey and British ambassador Simon Manley, who ended up offering former Liverpool star Steven Gerrard a space on his sofa. Spurs’ most famous supporter, Lord Alan Sugar bagged himself a ticket for the game, while fellow fan NBA legend Steve Nash was also in attendance. Famous Tottenham supporting actors including Jude Law, Clive Owen and Kenneth Branagh are also thought to have been in town. Meanwhile actors Daniel Craig and Damian Lewis, both Reds fans, plus Scouse comic John Bishop, saw their side lift the trophy at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium. Players’ WAGs joined the post-match party too, including Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards, the girlfriend of

Hoodie to the Reddie! SPOTTED BY THE OLIVE PRESS

A trio of British fans were also nabbed by plain-clothes officers on Saturday after they stole another fan’s ticket and attempted to rob a TV camera from Spanish channel La Sexta.

Stardust 11

SEEING RED: John Bishop, Daniel Craig and Damien Lewis

Consul - Real credit to the fans

June 7th - June 20th 2019

ONE of the most unusual sightings of Saturday night, was Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, 20, wandering around the centre of Madrid well after midnight. Wearing a beige tracksuit he was seen by the Olive Press team walking towards Puerto del Sol with a pal. When we pointed him out and said hello, he smiled back and wondered off fast, after putting up a hood.

Liverpool’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Spurs ace Dele Alli used the final to send a message to ex-squeeze Ruby Mae (right), who he flew out on a private jet, calling her his ‘lucky charm’. The Tottenham midfielder split with the stunning swimwear model in January after two-and-a-half years together. Liverpool hero John Barnes was also in attendance, treating the Liverpool fan zone to a rendition of his Anfield Rap, before rapping the Sugarhill Gang's hit Rapper's Delight. The ex-Celtic boss slept rough on the floor of Barcelona train station for three hours after a ‘journey from hell’ to Madrid. Former Spurs legends Ossie Ardiles joined ex-England defender Ledley King during interviews at the fan zone. Rafael Benitez - the last manager to win Liverpool the Champions League - was himself spotted in Plaza Mayor, along with Brazilian footie legends Cafu and Roberto Carlos. Politics were also present at the party, as Madrid’s Plaza Margaret Thatcher was renamed with signs reading, ‘Jeremy Corbyn Square’. In a bizarre twist, the rather dull match was livened up by a female streaker, US model, Kinsey Wolanski, 22 (left), who invaded the pitch in a PR stunt thought to be worth €3 million. The blonde ran on in a black swimsuit printed with ‘Vitaly Uncensored’, the name of her boyfriend’s X-rated porn and pranks website.

By Olive Press reporting team in Madrid (Charlie Smith, Tim McNulty, Joshua Parfitt & Jon Clarke)

Over the weekend an incredible €60 million was said to have landed on the city, with the average supporter spending €150 a day on top of travel, accomodation and tickets. And it’s easy to see why, with some bars charging €15 a pint and hotel prices increasing their prices by 200% more than the average rises at previous finals. Around 95% of the city centre’s hotels were occupied on Friday and Saturday night, according to the Hotel Business Association of Madrid (AEHM). The average price of a city centre room soared to €5,000, while the cheapest hostel bunk beds rose to €500. As the Olive Press reported last issue, a luxury two-night stay at the Santo Mauro Hotel, where David Beckham once lived, was €26,000. Food outlets surrounding the respective fan zones of Plaza de Colon and Felipe II also cashed in, with the city’s catering sector netting a total of €18 million.

24-hour

Local entrepreneurs also cashed in bringing in trolleyloads of cold beers at just €4 a throw. UK flights to Spain spiralled out of control too, as both teams reached the final in dramatic late semi final wins. Almost all trains out of the city were full, including those to the Portuguese cities of Lisbon and Porto, where many fans flew to. One female fan had to take a combination of three flights and two trains to reach Madrid, while many drove 24 hours straight from the UK. One Tottenham fan told the Olive Press about his 24-hour journey from Australia to Madrid, costing him €10,000. Darren Ashley, 48, whose dad lives in Manilva, near Malaga, flew from Sydney to Melbourne, then Abu Dhabi and on to Madrid, and also bagged himself a match ticket for €5,000. The father-of-one, who travelled with his girlfriend Emma, said: “It was a blur, 90 minutes went by in 15 seconds. The Spanish stewards were amazing and our end was a sea of a thousand white flags, kids, dads all together. “To be there gave me memories of my dad Alan taking me to White Hart Lane as a kid.”

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NEWS

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Hero cops TWO policemen have saved a man from throwing himself off a bridge on the Palma ring road. The partners tried to talk down the 46-year-old after spotting him outside the guardrail. However he became more erratic and began ‘flailing his arms’, causing the cops to grab him and pull him over the rail to safety. He has been taken to hospital for treatment.

Terrible trio A TRIO of 'extremely violent' minors have been recaptured after escaping their juvenile detention centre. The three young teens were on the run after beating a guard unconscious and throwing stones at two others before breaking free. The trio - who have been convicted of violent robberies - were found in different parts of the capital.

June 7th - June 20th 2019

Notorious B.I.N

Infamous bin arsonist revealed as bitter father fined by police for walking dog with no lead HE has been wreaking havoc around the streets of Palma for well over a year. Now, finally, the so-called bin man arsonist has finally been snared. In an arrest that has shocked

By Gillian Keller and Charlie Smith 2

CRIME

www.theolivepress.es

NEWS IN BRIEF Housing help MORE than 3,500 families are on the waiting list for social housing from Ibavi in the Balearics. The government only has 1,800 rental homes, many of which are already filled with ‘delinquent’ tenants.

Catch this trash!

Bin arsonist is ‘white and around 30’, as he’s seen adding to €300,000 crime spree

March 14th - March 27th 2019

POLICE are closer to rumbling the so-called ‘Binman’ after a witness spotted him setting fire to more bins in Palma. The unnamed local saw the vandal set fire to a large container in the Camp Redo neighbourhood be-

Clickety Clink! Bingo addict off to prison

the island, a middle-aged father has been ordered to Bus-ted! face trial over a stunning 36 different bin blazes around the capital and its DRUG ROUND UP nearby environs. The Spanish father-of-one TRASH ENJOY CANNED: Arsonist led into court with cops, was picked up in Pere Garau, A HAPPY AND ACTIVE LIFE while (inset) previous story after his face appeared on a CCTV video starting a recent three other incidents, centred of six boxes of matches, three blaze. around Calle Aragon, over re- lighters and two packs of barThe unnamed man, 58, was arcent months, they knew they beque firelighters. rested red-handed by officers had their man. “We surprised the arsonist with ‘with a lighter in each hand’ afThe man, who has psychiatric both hands inside the container ter allegedly causing more than problems, admitted to being a and a lighter ready to set fire to €76,000 of fire damage over serial arsonist. it,” said police inspectors Eduthe last three months alone. Incredibly, he insisted he had ardo Perez. After police managed to ascerstarted his reign of destruction “Once surprised, the defendant tain that he had been close to after police collapsed and voluntarily confined him for fessed.” letting his dog The suspect, who is a nonsmoker, receives a state penoff the lead. A judge ordered sion, and is the first of four arhis immediate sonists arrested, to be granted imprisonment bail. with a bail of Perez added: “We are com€100,000, over pletely sure that in Palma there fears he would are more arsonists and some flee and reof- imitators, but with this arrest we have managed to arrest one fend. A search of the of the most important.” house, where His lawyer, Josep Perello was he lives alone, contacted by the Olive Press but DANGER: Fire set near homes revealed a stash did not respond. Bridge back

THE ARTA bridge that was destroyed in the deadly floods last October has been rebuilt and reopened, and next week the temporary military bridge will be removed.

Big help

A MALLORCAN man is donating 14 floor building in Barcelona to the Consell de Mallorca for students. Amidst the housing crisis, the donated building with help UIB students while in Barcelona.

Winter rise

THE Palma Airport has had 15% more passengers in February than last year. Winter tourism is growing as nearly 900,000 passengers travelled through the airport last month.

A BUS driver has been branded a hero after chasing and catching a pickpocket in Palma. The driver gave chase after the thief stole from several

of his passengers and legged it out the front door. After catching up with the suspect, the driver held onto him until police arrived. He then duly received a

THIEF: Caught on bus

much deserved standing ovation from passengers and hundreds of passersby. The thief had stolen three wallets and a purse.

SCENE: Most recent arson attack

fore immediately lighting up another. In a matter of minutes,

AN alleged drug gang behind at least 30 robberies has been caught in a dawn raid in Felanitx. Guardia Civil arrested 10 people and seized two kilos of marijuana, as well as a cache of stolen goods. Police have been probing the gang have monitored them even growing since last September and their own marijuana. Police carried out simultaneously raids Felanitx, one an internet cafe, as well on three properties in lom. All the recovered goods will be as one in nearby Portocoto Friday between 9.00 am to 1:00 displayed, from Monday pm. in Manacor Guardia Civil Station.

A BINGO addict has been sentenced to six months behind bars after creating a property scam in Mallorca to feed her habit. The unnamed Spaniard, 40, managed to swindle €4,000 out of unsuspecting tenants by taking deposits and the first month’s rent on proper-

ties she

never owned. some eight bins were aflame, with some of the “I used to take the money and fires reaching a car and spend it all playing bingo,” she admitted at her trial, trees. which ended this week,. Most of the bins were “I would play bingo until all turned into ashes. the money was gone.” The witness spoke to po- The gambling lice as they arrived with fire lured in aroundaddict, who 10 unlucky crews within minutes. tenants using property porHe described the masked tal milanuncios.com over arsonist as a ‘thin white two-month period in 2017, isa man’ who looked to be banned from all casinos and betting shops on the island. around 30-years-old. Other witnesses came for- She must return the stolen ward to back up the claims, €4,000. saying they also saw a white man fleeing the scene as police arrived. Hundreds of bins have been burned across Palma since December 2017 when the arsonist began his spree, causing over €300,000 in damages.

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BLAZE: One of many

Cruise nightmare

From front

vironment, Faig Abbasov, explained: "Cruise ships are floating cities with a high consumption of energy generated by the most toxic fuels that exist. "While cities are prohibiting the circulation of diesel cars to reduce the air pollution, they are giving free rein to the shipping companies, which cause large concentrations of pollutants with a high risk to the health of passengers and the nearest populations.” While new EU regulations will limit the amount of sulphur dioxide emitted by ships from next year, emissions will still remain much larger than the 260 million cars in Europe. “The irony is that President Trump’s US is better protected from ships than this ambitious Europe,” he added.

Sassan Mikhtchi & Denise Latocha

J 2939

Buzz off, Bojo! THE British pound will plummet against the euro if Boris Johnson is elected as the UK's next prime minister, a leading financial group has claimed. In bad news for British retirees abroad, Johnson's openness to a no-deal Brexit ‘will have a negative impact on British sterling.’ It means Brits in Spain who rely on their UK pensions, will see their real income shrink, according to the deVere Group. "The pound will be delivered another bloody nose should Boris, the current frontrunner, win the race to be Tory leader,” said CEO Nigel Green. “Pressure will hit sterling due to the increased likelihood that the UK would be taken into a no-deal Brexit by Mr Johnson.” The former London mayor is the odds-on favourite to win the Conservative party leadership contest, securing the support of more than 40 Conservative MPs, putting him far ahead of his rivals.

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www.theolivepress.es Voted top expat paper in Spain

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than 500,000 people a month.

OPINION Ecstasy, agony and relief From Olive Press editor Jon Clarke in Madrid IT was with some apprehension that I headed up by train to Madrid on Friday afternoon. I didn’t know what to expect in the capital for the Champions League final. I just knew tens of thousands of English fans were set to descend for the biggest game of the year, watched globally by an estimated 400 million viewers. A Spurs fan since the age of six I had never GOOD MIX: Jon (left) with Liverpool fan been more excited, although I knew that getting a ticket was going to be extremely unlikely. My contacts in Fleet Street and the establishment, including consul Charmaine Arbouin, came to nothing and with prices soaring up to €9,000 each and reports of fakes, I decided to save my shekels, to coin a north London phrase. What I hadn’t expected to find was so many fans, with an estimated 100,000 in Madrid, at least 10,000 of those expatriates, I would wager. What was clear was how much fun and revelry was part of the deal. I met Spurs fans from as far away as Australia and Mexico, as well as German and Norwegian fans, who arrived from Oslo and Frankfurt. And, best of all, there was almost zero trouble. Late on both Friday and Saturday night, thousands of rival fans full of booze showed that English hooliganism is hopefully a thing of the past. Sure, the result wasn’t ideal, nor the suspect penalty at the start. But just being part of this great stream of humanity will be something I’ll never forget. Maybe I am, after all, just like them.

Publisher / Editor Jon Clarke jon@theolivepress.es

Charlie Smith charlie@theolivepress.es

Joshua Parfitt joshua@theolivepress.es

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Gillian Keller gillian@theolivepress.es Office manager Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es

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2012 - 2019 Named the best English language publication in Andalucia by the Rough Guides group.

June 7th - June 20th 2019

Repainting history Satanism, male lovers and family abandonment? Heather Galloway delves into the lesser known side of Spanish maestro Francisco Goya

HE last of the Old Masters and the first of the new, Goya may be one of the most celebrated artists in the world with a hallowed place in Madrid’s Prado Museum. But when British actor Jeremy Irons spoke of his eagerness to portray the painter in a biopic at the Barcelona Film Festival last month, he mentioned aspects of his life you (mostly) don’t read about in the history books. The Dead Ringers star suggested that Goya’s interest in ‘satanism’ and an apparent dabbling in ‘homosexual relationships’ - along with the abandonment of his family - could go a long way to explaining his famous Black Paintings. Painted between 1819 and 1823 as murals at the Quinta del Sordo villa, which he shared towards the end of his life with his housekeeper/companion Leocadia Weiss in Carabanchel, Madrid, they are among the most impactful artworks ever created. So who knew about this previously unknown side of one of Spain’s most famous painters? Not many people, as it turns out, though

LOVERS?: Portrait of Goya (left) and (right) his childhood and ‘intimate’ friend Zapater Manuela Mena, who recently retired from her position as head of conservation for Goya at the Prado, came forward with a theory that he was gay last year. She suggested the idea after spending five years of research based on the artist’s 1775-1799 correspondence with his childhood friend, Martín Zapater, which she maintains was unusually intimate. Goya was not keen on the pen in general,

she argued, so these 147 letters provide a unique insight into his life, though the content is largely considered mundane. Mostly staying on the subject of hunting, music and food, they are however, far from cast iron evidence that he was gay, insists British historian and Goya expert Stephen Drake-Jones. “I think the claims are absurd,” says the President of Madrid’s Wellington Society,

What have the Brits done fo After 100,000 footie fans descended upon Madrid, Laurence Dollimore counts the ways

E’VE all read the headlines… ‘drunk Brits kicked off plane’… ‘Britons arrested for drug dealing’... ‘Brits start brawl outside Marbella club’. You’d be forgiven for thinking we’re a bunch of knuckle-dragging morons who spend all of our time drinking, laying about and starting trouble. While we do we have many a moron - as does every country - Spain knows that we, too, have something to offer - just look how well we behaved at the weekend in Madrid. On top of that, there are tonnes of cultural, business and personal ties between our two countries and the Brits have contributed to Spain more than you may know. Below we have rounded up a few things the Brits have done for Spain.

Football

Laurence Dollimore laurence@theolivepress.es

Admin Beatriz Sanllehí (+34) 951 273 575 admin@ theolivepress.es

FEATURE

Did you know the great game was brought to Spain by some the UK’s earliest group of expats? If you ask where and when the first recorded football game took place on the Iberian Peninsula, the answer is right here in Andalucia. In 1873, amidst the instability and financial bankruptcy of the Spanish state, the Rio Tinto mines near Huelva were purchased by British entrepreneurs. Over the next few years an influx of British miners, garrison soldiers and railroad workers arrived. In 1887, on the feast day of San Roque (the patron saint of the sick and disabled) locals and Brits gathered to celebrate. This two-day fiesta had a reputation as a drunken melee which included (when the men were sober enough to stand upright) climbing a greasy pole, donkey races, a tug-of-war, etc. The Brits celebrated by forming two teams that were picked exclusively from among non-Spaniards in the first recorded ‘football’ match on the Iberian Peninsula.

Local business

The 296,000 Britons officially living in Spain (the real figure is believed to be MUCH higher) are thought to be the largest single group of UK citizens living in other European countries followed by France and Ireland. Some town populations, particularly in Andalucia and on the Costa Blanca, are up to 50% British. It means these areas rely largely on UK locals to fill the municipal coffers and create and maintain viable businesses. In expat hotspots like Sabinillas, where the Olive Press is headquartered, local cafes like Nenit depend heavily on Brits spending their money. Around 50 or more visit the cafe every single day and are more likely than other nationalities to buy food and several rounds of drinks, providing a vital stream of income.

Comedy

Tourism

Known around the world for our self-deprecating comedy and dark sense of humour, several British shows have proven a hit in Spain. Mr Bean is huge in the country and is watched by millions. Back in 2010, Spain’s then prime minister Mariano Rajoy was briefly ousted from the country’s official website after hackers replaced his likeness with that of bumbling slapstick character not unlike Rowan Atkinson’s alter ego. Little Britain, meanwhile, is also a hugely popular show, especially among those wanting to learn English.

The truth is that the Brits have been the biggest supporters of Spain’s tourism industry for decades. Last year the sector grew by 2.4% and contributed a whopping €178 billion to the economy – or 14.6% of the country’s GDP. The Brits were by far the biggest foreign group with 18.5 million visiting the holiday hotspot, contributing more than any other nation to the €89.9 billion spent by tourists. And this year they are set to remain the biggest group, despite the ongoing Brexit saga. In fact they helped the Costa del Sol break its alltime winter record for 2018-2019, accounting for up to 60% of the 3.2 million tourists during that period.

Property market The Brits have consistently been the largest foreign purchasers of property in Spain for eons now. There is such a love for Spain that this hasn’t changed for the past 12 years, despite the 2008 meltdown and the more recent Brexit uncertainty. In fact in 2018, Brits beat pre-Brexit refer-

Animal shelters endum records in terms of property purchases. Sales to buyers from the UK rose 12% yearon-year in 2018 to 10,178 – beating the 2016 record of 10,156.It means the UK’s share of the foreign market has been steadily increasing from a low of 14% in the first quarter of 2017 to 17% at the end of 2018.

While Brits might get a bad rep sometimes, there’s no denying that many expats have dedicated their lives to saving hundreds of thousands of abandoned dogs, cats and more after moving to Spain. From the ADANA shelter in Estepona, to the Last Chance Animal Rescue in Cartama, Malaga, there are dozens of British residents giving their time to neutering and rehoming abandoned animals.

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FEATURE

June 7th - June 20th 2019

olive press online

that’s the

Spain and Gibraltar’s best English daily news website

Million march on THE Olive Press website has done it again. After pulling in a million hits in April, we were hoping to break the barrier once more, and boy did we do it, and then some! It was indeed a merry month of May as we smashed our record, raking in more than 1.3 million views. We also, for the first time, surpassed the 1 million sessions mark. Readers poured in to read our original election coverage and scores of exclusive stories and original features. See the most read stories below, and here’s hoping we continue our reign in June. BIG FAN: Jeremy Irons peruses over Goya at Prado while (right) Saturn Devouring His Son, one of the maestro’s most famous works who lectured on Goya at the University of Syracuse, Madrid, for six years and has just published Letters Home from the Basque Country. “In all the years I have studied Goya, it has never once been mentioned,” he told the Olive Press this week. Born into a lower-middle class family in the small Aragonese town of Fuendetodos, Francesco de Goya y Lucientes moved with

or Spain?

Sherry First shipped to England in 1340, sherry has been a British favourite for hundreds of years. As it began to soar in popularity at the beginning of the 16th century, the Spanish spotted an opportunity to make sherry the leading wine import in the UK. The Spanish abolished export tax for wine in Sanlúcar and gave English merchants preferential treatment. But when the Eighty Years’ War began in the same century, exports were cut off. Brits were so thirsty for the tipple that when Sir Francis Drake attacked the port of Cadiz in 1587 he seized 2,900 butts of sherry and took them back to the UK, reigniting the love affair with the fortified wine. Sherry was soon being made to satisfy the English who, in the following centuries, were the only people drinking the stuff in any volume. The Brits’ love for a sweeter sherry continued into the 20th century as brands such as Croft Original and Harveys Bristol Cream came to prominence in the 60s and 70s. Following a dip at the end of the 20th century, the wine - which must now only be made in the ‘sherry triangle’ between Jerez de la Frontera and Cadiz - has made a great comeback. Large supermarkets like Marks & Spencer doubled their sherry varieties while London is drowning in a wave of pop-up sherry bars.

his aspiring parents and three older siblings to Zapater are certainly more ambiguous. to Zaragoza at the age of three, where he In November, 1790, one missive is emblawould subsequently hang out on the dusty zoned with a heart laced with engorged arstreets with the other children and forge a teries instead of the mandatory cross which lifelong friendship with Zapater. the Inquisition demanded. At the age of 14, his artistic abilities were In the same month, another is adorned with spotted by a priest from a picture he had a sketch of a penis. And in December that done of a pig on a wall. same year, he writes, “Yes, yes, you bring my But though the boys’ lives would then take senses to life with your discreet and friendly different directions, with Goya studying art productions, with your portrait in front of in the city under Baroque painter Jose Lu- me it seems I have the sweetness of being zan, they remained close. with you, oh, how could my soul believe that Goya had a chequered start to his career as friendship could reach these heights.” an artist. While he worked under Luzan, he While Goya’s exact closeness with Zapater was allegedly also the ring leader of a local (and he painted two portraits of his friend) gang and when he returned to Luzan’s stu- may still be shrouded in mystery it was withdio with a knife in his back, he was urged by out a doubt a close relationship. his mentor to leave Zaragoza and apply to But Goya also painted his wife twice, as well the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, in Madrid. as the Duchess of Alba, whom he was ruHis application was not successful though, moured to have seduced, though another and he went to Italy for several years in- biographer Robert Hughes believes their stead. relationship only ever amounted to a close But he finally found favour with Charles III in friendship. the Spanish capital, thanks A woman of her age and linto fellow artist and mentor eage would not have fallen Francisco Bayeu, and befor the charms of a man 20 When he returned years her senior who was came chief painter at court. “My Martín,” he wrote to his far from her social equal, to the studio friend. “I’m now the King’s Hughes maintains. Painter on 15 reales a year!” He added that his celebrated with a knife in Goya had by then married painting ‘Maja Desnuda’, on his back he was which much of the speculaBayeu’s sister Josefa. He was 27 when they tied the knot tion is based, is not the Duchurged to leave and, though there are few ess at all. details of the relationship, Whether or not Goya had howe do know that numerous mosexual feelings towards pregnancies led to only one of their children Zapater is open to interpretation as is alsurviving past infancy, which must have most everything about Goya, and the Prado been heartbreaking. Museum remains non-committal on the isBut, according to historian Drake-Jones, sue. “This ‘perception’ is personal to ManGoya in no sense abandoned his wife or his uel Mena,” a spokeswoman told the Olive son, as actor Irons has claimed. In fact, her Press. death in 1812 could have contributed to his With regard to Goya dabbling in Satanism, descent into depression. Drake-Jones is unequivocal. But 17 years after his wedding, his letters His paintings may have at times been ghoulish and disturbing with themes of insanity (Yard with Lunatics), nakedness, witchcraft (Witches’ Sabbath) and religion running through them, but he maintains: “It would have been too dangerous for Goya to be involved in devil worship.” He continues: “He was a court painter. Everybody knew him and he could have lost his job or his life. He could have been garrotted – a form of strangulation, though at least you’re sitting down! “You were allowed to paint mythology and in his black period you have Saturn Devouring His Son, but that was the norm.” According to Drake Jones, there is no mystery about Goya’s black period either. “He had gone stone deaf,” he says, referring to the illness that left Goya with a constant ringing in his ears at the age of 47. “The absolutist king Ferdinand VII comes back to the throne and plunges Spain into darkness and persecutes him. And he shuts himself away.” As Jeremy Irons says in his documentary tour, Painters and Kings of the Prado, ‘Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life’, allowing us the freedom perhaps to interpret it as we choose. A new exhibition of Goya’s sketches opens at the Prado on November 19. THE BLACK DUCHESS: Goya’s wife

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June 7th - June 20th 2019

what’s on

LA CULTURA Juan night only

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ire fun

MURO celebrates the summer solstice with a massive correfoc, a traditional fire run full of demons, devils, fireworks and more on June 14.

rt nights

D I V E R S E styles of artists expressions can be found at Son Servera's Nit de l'Art, their two day 'night of art' festival on June 8 and 9.

ud run

ANDRATX hosts the toughest – and muddiest – obstacle course event, Brutatlo, with a tricky six kilometre race on June 22.

commonly combined with celebrations of the shortest night of the year. Beaches start to fill up throughout the afternoon, with locals and tourists alike gathering together with hot food and cold drinks, lighting a big fire as the sun goes down, and walking into the sea at midnight to wash away the year's sins. Live music fills town

FIESTA: Saint John bonfire

squares, with parades and processions travelling through dozens of Mallor-

Rock and Roll

i m m s O’clock A SUMMER garden party will be held at the 5-star hotel Belmond La Residencia on June 16 with offerings of cava, sandwiches, strawberries with cream, and cake.

Send your information to

theolivepre ss.es June 7th - newsdesk@ June 20th 2019

Get your firewood and beach towel ready for the island’s biggest beach party BONFIRES and BBQs will be lit in one of Mallorca’s favourite annual celebrations. In honour of Saint John the Baptist, the summer solstice fiesta guarantees the biggest beach party of the year and is the one day a fires are allowed on the island’s shoreline. It takes place on June 23, on the eve of the saint's honoured day, with traditions of fire and water

Do you have a what’s on?

RAVE REVIEWS: Rock band Iron & Wine

IRON & Wine has teamed up with Arizona rock band Calexico 14 years after their first smash duet album In the Reins. Their new album - Years to Burn comes out on July 14 and has already received rave reviews ahead of their appearance in Mallorca this summer. On July 29, Calexico & Iron and Wine will perform fan favourites from their first collaboration, along with plenty of new music off the new album at the Palma Auditorium . Tickets are on sale online only.

ca’s plazas. The celebrations are particularly big in Son Servera, Deia, Muro and Manacor with San Juan being their patron saint. In each there are extra celebrations with sporting events, live music, and parties running all day and night – Deia also has a popular fishing contest. Palma turns the feast day into a weekend event, with Nit de Foc, Night of Fire, kicking off the celebrations. As always, alongside the fireworks, there will be devils and demons running the roads, street parties and thousands of bonfires and BBQs.

Cannes you believe it?! SPAIN has triumphed at Cannes as Antonio Banderas was crowned best actor for his role in a new Pedro Almodovar film. The 58-year-old Malagueño plays a film director in Dolor y Gloria, a role loosely based on the film’s own director and godfather of Spanish cinema. An emotional Banderas recognised his friend and mentor in his acceptance speech at the 72nd edition of the festival. He said: “I respect Pedro, I admire him, I love him. He is my mentor. And he has given me so much in life that I have no choice but to dedicate this prize to him.”

WINNER: Banderas

14.06 OD Port Portals

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go S - p m to p ain ag ro ’s az pe in rty e

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Issue 30

Page IV

June 2019

BALE-ING IN Gareth Bale scores exclusive costa pad

E might be getting nudged out of Real Madrid, but Gareth Bale is strengthening his ties to southern Spain. The much-maligned Welsh wizard has spent a small fortune on a new property on the Costa del Sol, despite expectation of his return to the UK this summer. The Olive Press can reveal the striker, who signed for Los Blancos for €100 million six years ago from Tottenham, has snapped up a stunning three-bedroom apartment in Marbella for just under €2 million. The Welshman managed to knock around 10% off the price of the property, which was on the market for around €2.2 million. According to sources closely linked to the deal, the modern pad is situated in the exclusive La Trinidad urbanisation

EXCLUSIVE along the famous Golden Mile, which features other celebrity homeowners, including ex-England midfielder Tim Sherwood. The penthouse is just a 20-minute drive from Finca Cortesin, the luxury golf resort in Casares where Bale, 29, loves to tee up and has stayed at several times over the last few years. He knows La Trinidad well as he has stayed at his agent Jonathan Barnett’s home in the urbanisation a number of times. The purchase comes after Bale threatened to ‘stay and play golf’ if the remainder of his Real contract is not paid. The father-of-three said: “I’ve got three years left on my contract. If they want me to go, they’ll need to pay me €17 million per season. If not, I’ll stay here. And if I have to play golf, I will.”

Booking ban PALMA will be the first Spanish city to limit short term rentals of singlefamily homes, it has been announced. The decision has come after several studies commissioned by the city of Palma showed the effects of mass tourism on local residents and workers. Since 2013 the average rental prices have soared by 40% in Palma, making it the second Spanish city after Barcelona

Palma to become first Spanish city to ban rentals of tourist villas this summer where residents spend the most on rent. According to Jose Hila, the local chief of city planning, tourist accommodation ‘affects the makeup of buildings and neighborhoods, and it also affects

social harmony’. There has been a significant rise in the number of complaints filed by residents, due to problems with tourists who rent these apartments, typically

related to noise. Vacation rental of single-family houses will also be prohibited if they are located on protected rural land, near the airport, or in non-residential areas. Mayor Antoni Noguera said: “We agreed on this on the basis of the general interest, and we believe that it will create a trend in other cities when they see that finding a balance is key.”

June 2019

PROPERTY

Brits to the rescue Mark Stucklin

www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

Sales to British buyers propped up Spain’s property market in the latter half of last year, writes Mark Stucklin

HE number of Spanish homes acquired by foreign buyers increased in the second half of last year at the slowest rate since the second half of 2010, and growth would have been even lower had the the British not continued their love affair with property in Spain. Foreign buyers acquired 50,249 homes in Spain in the last six months of 2018, up 1.4% compared to the same period a year before, reveals a report just published by Spain’s General Council of Notaries. Notaries witness the vast majority of property sales that take place in Spain, and according to their figures, foreign buyers made up 18.2% of the market, down from a high of 20.3% in the second half of 2015. Although the number of sales involving a foreign buyer increased

in the period, the notaries point out FOREIGN PUSH: Charts clearly show how foreigners dominate the market that, “in comparison to the previous year, the increases registered in Non-resident demand fell by 4.9% Spanish property has changed since the two halves of 2018 were a long in the period, after a decline of 0.7% the base period of the first half of way from the results of 2017, when in the first half of the year, whilst ex- 2007, whilst comparing it to logrowth was above 10%.” Foreign pat demand rose by 6.9%, down cal demand. In the first two years from 11.3% in the both local and foreign demand demand looks like it first half. The notaries collapsed by around 60%, but then might be running out out that both foreign demand started to recover, of momentum. If you are selling a point segments are now re- whilst local demand (bright blue) The notaries break down the figures into property in Spain treating from the high continued in the doldrums until the of growth com- start of 2014, and is still 40% below resident and nonyou better hope levels mon in recent years. its peak after four years of recovery. resident purchases it will interest a Referring to expat Non-resident foreign demand – priby foreigners, showdemand the notrar- marily Western Europeans buying ing that non-residents foreign buyer ies say “It appears holiday homes (dashed line) – repurchased 22,111 that the trend towards covered by 2012 and is now around second homes in growth in the pur- 70% higher than it was at the height Spain between August and December last year, com- chases of real estate by foreign of the boom, whilst expat demand pared to 28,138 purchases by residents, which had been growing – primarily economic migrants but foreigners living in Spain. So non- by more than 10% every semester also some Western Europeans moving to Spain (solid blue line) – recovresidents accounted for 44% of for- since 2014, has been interrupted.” eign demand, and expats living in The left hand chart above (blue) il- ered by 2015 and ended last year lustrates how foreign demand for 40% higher than in 2007. In both Spain 56%.

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Penthouse with 170m2, in the area of Calatrava in the old town of Palma. The building has an elevator and parking, which is also accessible by lift. It has living room with fireplace, a bright fitted kitchen, three bedrooms, three bathrooms (one en suite) and a terrace overlooking the old town.

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El Terreno, Palma - 312,000

Ref: INM2325 Bedroom: 4

Size: 140m2 Bathroom: 1

There are fitted wardrobes in all rooms and a utility room. Further facilities include central heating (city gas), air conditioning. Ground floor apartment in the trendy El Terreno district of Palma with lots of potential. It offers high ceilings and many details like original floors etc. In the present state it has a living / dining area, fitted kitchen, four bedrooms, a bathroom and a terrace with storage room. El Terreno is a neighborhood located in the Poniente district of Palma de Mallorca and is bounded by the sea and the Bellver Forest as well as by the torrents of Mal Pas and S’Aigo Dolça. Originally it was formed as a summer resort for the bourgeoisie of Palma in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

cases you can see how demand showed signs of turning down in 2018, though the same could also be said of local demand. The chart on the right (yellow) shows how spending by locals and foreigners (non-resident and expat) has changed over the same period. Local budgets (red line) declined until the end of 2014, and have barely recovered since, with the amount spent on property in terms of €/m2 still around 35% lower than it was in 2007, whilst non-resident foreign spending has recovered to 95% of what it was, and expat spending is around 85% of what it was. If you need to sell a property in Spain you better hope it will interest a foreign buyer. www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

Keys Isl nd to the

By Amanda Butler

TV therapy

As Brexit spells trouble for Spanish property, Amanda Butler is distracted with an exciting new project European Election Results

that most parties were abandoned for their failure to deliver Brexit, with fierce in-fighting and unwillingness to compromise. One wonders the outcome were a second referendum to follow?

OH dear oh dear, the Brexit news gets gloomier and gloomier, if that’s at all possible! Interesting results in the European Elections from the Brits – Property with all regions It also appears Market update apart from Lonthis is affecting All this political don and Scotland voting for unrest is not the German the Brexit party, serving my inresulting in the market which is dustry overly majority of 29 well, with any interesting seats (31.6 % of larger clients the vote) comholding off makpared to the next ing decisions highest being Lib Dem at 16, about buying. According to Labour with 10 seats and Tories other industry associates it also in fifth place with just four seats appears this is affecting the equivalent to 9.1% of the vote. German market as well which is The general conclusion being interesting to hear. Personally I am currently busier off-island than on-island at the moment – looking for hotels on behalf of a new client wishing to set up a new luxury hotel group. Quite nice to

TROUBLE: Nigel Farage have a change of scene every now and then, and obviously quite fun working with such large budgets! I have also been asked again by an HGTV show to assist with a property show due to be filmed on the island over the next few months. They are asking me to be a part of the show in finding properties, but also in finding a client willing to tell their story on TV about finding a new home in the Mediterranean. So, if this sparks your interest, please do get in touch using the email below.

For any questions or if you require assistance with selling or buying a property you can contact Amanda on ajb@mjcassociates.net

III

June 2019

Foreign retreats

Do it for dean

THE halcyon days of the foreign home buyer market in Spain could be coming to an end. The number of properties bought by foreigners, while still up, has shrunk to the slowest rate of increase since the second half of 2010. Figures for the last six months of 2018 show a 1.4% rise on the same period a year before but although it looks positive on paper, Spain’s General Council of Notaries has pointed to a slow down in demand.

Interrupted “In comparison to the previous year, the increases registered in the two halves of 2018 were a long way from the results of 2017, when growth was above 10%,” the council stated. Nonresidents accounted for 44% of foreign demand, and expats living in Spain 56%, between August and December last year. In this period, non-resident demand fell by 4.9%, whilst expat demand was also down by 11.3% in the first half of 2019. The council added:“It appears that the trend towards growth in the purchases of real estate by foreign residents, which had been growing by more than 10% every semester since 2014, has been interrupted.” See Brits to the rescue, pg II

HOPEFUL: Francisco Sarabia Nieto

Football ace’s restaurant finally gets green light after 12 month construction ban LIONEL Messi’s latest restaurant venture has finally been put back on track after being blocked by the town hall for a YEAR. The Argentine football star will now resume constructing his beachfront restaurant in Barcelona after the local government shut him down when it discovered part of the building was not included in the original planning of the works. Construction has been on hold for 12 months in the upmarket Castelldefels, with Messi desperate to have it finished for this summer season. Situated in the Lluminetes neighbourhood, the Argentine restaurant will be run by his wife Antonella Roccuzzo and will have

Green and tidy

RECOGNITION: Spanish hotels overwhelming winners in awards

MALAGA is set for yet another election as the candidates for Dean of its College of Architects are announced. Four contenders, all male, have thrown their hat in the ring for the top job which will be voted on by the 1,288 architects of the college on June 27. Current dean Francisco Sarabia Nieto will be battling at the ballot box to retain his position against three rivals: Juan Jose García Montesinos, Jose Luis Alonso de Diego and Alberto Campo Urbay. The ballot takes place at El Limonar school from 10am to 5pm.

Rent reform

OFFICIALS in Barcelona have moved to introduce Spain’s most aggressive rent controls after seeing rates rocket by more than 50% in the last five years. Under the decree, landlords in desirable neighbourhoods will have to negotiate leases based on set prices for their property. The regulations come after a national law implemented in March capped annual rent hikes at the rate of inflation, currently 1.5 per cent. The combined rental listings of Airbnb and HomeAway in the Mediterranean city have soared to over 20,000, based on last month’s figures, according to Denver-based researcher Airdna.

Messi start

TWO iconic hotels on the Costa del Sol are among a string of seven in coastal Spain earmarked for a €30 million revamp by the new owners. The Pez Espada in Torremolinos and the Riviera Hotel in Benalmadena are part of the new chain purchased by the Azora group, which also includes five sister hotels in Benidorm. All will get a share of the €30 million facelift fund.

Failed attraction

UNBLOCKED: Messi restaurant

capacity for 100 people. Built in the 1960s but now in ruin, the property is an old farm and is just a 60 second walk from the

Investment bonanza

beach. Using his real estate company Edificio Rostower SL, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has already

SPAIN is leading the way in hotel sustainability with 26 ‘green stays’ in the country being awarded by TripAdvisor. The Barcelo Hotel Group has had 32 of its hotels recognised for their sustainability in total , including three in Mexico, two in the Dominican Republic and one in Portugal. The ‘TripAdvisor Ecolider certificate’ aims to recognise hotels for sustainable practices and allows ‘eco-friendly’ travellers to see which ones best share their values. Sustainability is incorporated into the design of hotels like Menorca’s Barcelo Hamilton, which has solar-heated hot tubs. The green efforts of hotels are also paying off in other ways, for example the Barcelo Cabo de Gata in Almeria is helping to maintain the nearby natural park from which it takes its name.

lost around €150,000 on the project, but will hope to turn it around now he has been given the green light once again. It comes after the father-of-three’s previous foray into the restaurant world ended in abject failure some three years ago, when his Bellavista del Jardin del Norte eatery in the centre of Barcelona closed after two years following a drop in profits. The Lluminetes barrio has been on the up in recent years thanks to an influx of Barcelona FC stars moving into the area, including Messi. It has seen the arrival of pricey restaurants and boutique hotels while the value of many homes has far surpassed the €1 million mark.

LEADING man Michael Douglas has put his 250-acre Mallorca estate back on the market for nearly half the original asking price. The two-times Academy Award winner has even done a voiceover for a special video to drum up buyers for the stunning €29 million property. The historic S’Estaca estate offers expansive views of the sea and has five apartments, a loft, two cottages, home cinema and spa. Douglas, who is married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, brought the estate in 1990 with his former wife Diandra Luker. The Fatal Attraction star originally put the property up for sale in 2014 for a cool €50 million.

June 2019

PROPERTY

Streets ahead!

Carrera del Darro, Granada Carrera del Darro is one of the most scenic walks in Granada, along the river Darro (which means ¨gold¨ in Latin). It is located at the edge of the Albaicín, the old Arab quarter that is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The street has remained practically the same since the 17th century, with many interesting buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries and remains of old Moorish houses.

Spain has published a list of its prettiest postcodes

PAIN is one of the most visited countries in the world, attracting travellers from all four corners of the globe. They come here for the food, the culture, and of course, the stunning local architecture. If Spain’s streets could talk, they would tell incredible stories, with the Moors, Christian conquerors and Romans and beyond having created and lived among them. They are so steeped in history and architectural splendour that Spain’s tourist board has listed the most beautiful streets in the country. Here we present a whistle-stop tour of some of this year’s winners.

Calle San Agustín, San Cristobal de la Laguna, Tenerife La Laguna is the second city of Tenerife and home to its first University. Calle San Agustín is located in the city's historic centre, which is declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can gaze at the many colourful houses and visit historic buildings such as the Casa Salazar and the Convento San Agustín.

Calle del Angel de Toledo

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Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona With its fascinating buildings and impressive range of luxury boutiques, Paseo de Gracia is one of the most famous streets of Barcelona, and is often compared to the Champs-Elysées in Paris. It was originally built to connect the Catalan capital to the town of Graciá. Today, Graciá is a neighbourhood of Barcelona, but it has kept its independent and vibrant spirit. The boulevard is representative of the modernist era that ruled the city throughout the 19th century. You can admire Art Nouveau buildings such as the Casa Batló and Casa Milá, designed by Antonio Gaudí.

Walking through painter El Greco's adopted home is like travelling back in time. Historically known as the ‘Western Jerusalem’, Toledo was once the home of Jews, Christians and Muslims who famously lived in peaceful co-existence. Calle de Angel, in the old Jewish quarter, is an example of the city’s cross-cultural heritage. The figure of an angel gives its name to the street. An Islamic-style gate, separated two parts of the judería.

June 2019

Calle Betis, Sevilla LOCATED in the Triana district, Calle Betis has become an emblematic spot of Sevilla. The street’s patchwork façade of colourful and asymmetrical houses make it typical of the Andalucian capital. It follows the course of the river Guadalquivir, which the Romans called Baetis (hence the name of the street).

Calle Marques de Larios, Malaga Calle Larios, in Málaga’s city centre and next to the port, is the epicentre of Málaga’s social life and shopping scene. It is currently the most expensive street to live in Andalucia for rental values. It was named after the Larios, a wealthy malagueña family, who bought most of the shares when the street was built. It was

opened to the public on August 27 1891. The harmoniously constructed street is the home of big retail chains and luxury stores such as the jeweler Swarovski. Calle Larios also hosts many major events, including Málaga Fashion Week. In the early 2000’s it was renovated and became pedestrian.

Calle Alcala, Madrid

Calle Alcalá is one of the oldest and longest streets in Madrid, at 10,5 km. Starting from the Puerta del Sol, it was the road to Alcalá de Henares and eventually on to Aragón. At the intersection of Alcalá and Gran Vía stands the emblematic Metropolis building, topped with a statue of the goddess of Victory. Metropolis was designed in the turn of the 20th century by French architects Jules and Raymond Février. Its classic BeauxArts style was unusual in Spain at the time.

Calle de las Flores de Cordoba (Calle Velazquez)

Calleja de las Flores, in the old Jewish quarter of Córdoba, regularly makes it in rankings of the world's most beautiful streets. In fact, much of the city’s historic centre has been declared a World heritage Site by UNESCO. The narrow dead end street comes off Calle Velázquez-Bosco and ends in a little patio with a fountain in the middle. The stone pavement, arcs and white walls create the typical look of a Mediterranean town street that makes it so popular with tourists. Between the tile roofs you can see the bell tower of the Mezquita-Cathedral. Perhaps the street’s best known trait is the the coloured pots of carnations and geraniums hanging from the walls and balconies.

OUR SERVICES We offer a wide range of services at very competitive prices – managing every detail of the preparation of the property to ensure your stay is hassle free.

Passeig del Born, Palma de Mallorca In the heart of Palma, Paseo del Borne is an outstanding example of the city’s Europeanlike modernisation at the beginning of the 19th century. It was built on the old channel Torrente de la Riera, that used to cross the city, and connects the famous Plaza Juan Carlos I and Plaza de la Reina. The boulevard was designed by Madrid architect Isidro González Velázquez, who shaped it in a way reminiscent of the Paseo del Prado in his home city. Two pairs of majestic sphinx guard the street at its beginning and end.

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June 2019

PROPERTY

Making a splash Rule-breaking Madrid design firm gives grungy office block some colour therapy

AKE an austere concrete shell, lob some paint at it, and what have you got? The ominously-titled building, LH135. This is the latest ambitious project of Mariano, the award-winning Madrid design studio, famed for

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its non-conformist style and ‘a certain sense of humour’. Headed by Mariano Martin, the firm has just completed transformation of a drab office block into a wash of eye-catching colour in a bid to restore ‘joy’ to the workplace. Bright pink, yellow, orange and blue are all at play here to create an office space which, according to Martin, is ‘trying to look back with affection but without nostalgia’. He adds that with the colours, ‘time will gradually return to the building the joy it used to have’. In this renovation of the 3000 m2 space, colour is boldly employed to highlight the block’s formerly bleak elements, including air ventilation shafts, stylish terrazzo floor tiles, concrete pillars and limestone facade. Martin champions the original features: “The beauty of a terrazzo floor, like the ones used in the impressive Venetian palaces, the nobility of the concrete pillars, as the Romans taught us, a limestone facade and a granite hall...can you ask for more?”

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Buying or Selling a property come to visit us in our brand new office, Plaza Portals nous. 3. or visit www.themallorcadeal.com

VII

June 2019

Out of this world

‘Green Spaceship’ to dock in Madrid

Benefits Consultancy

KIM CLARK

T’S not a UFO but it certainly looks like it’s flying. Dubbed the Green Spaceship, innovative design studio 3Gatti is pushing architecture to its outer limits with its galactic plans for a new municipal library in Madrid’s Villaverde district. The group of architects, builders and designers, aim to, ‘create a recognizable landmark’ for Spain’s capital. Two floors separate the structure into a ‘noisy’ lobby area on the ground floor, and a ‘quiet’ upstairs section of study zones. 3Gatti describes the upper floor as the ‘real spaceship’ of the project, with the out-of-this world effect achieved through angular red tubing and

black netting, designed to retain heat during the winter. The design studio, based in London, Rome and Shanghai, has created a building that changes with the season. The dark structure turns green in the summer, as Virginia creeper plants are allowed to grow through the upper level, protecting those studying from sunlight. A concrete and brick structure comprises the core of the library, while the top floor is sprayed in dark plaster, and the lower facade is all glass, helping create the stylish ‘floating’ effect. Angular alcoves protruding from the building’s exterior, which house ‘private desks’ and ‘cozy lounge’ areas, complete the ‘spaceship’ aesthetic.

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BUSINESS

Billion boost

MORE than one million tourists visited the Balearic islands in April, bringing just under €1 billion to the local economies. Some 1.1 million tourists spent €995 million in the fourth month of this year, an 18% year-on-year increase. It was the highest spending region in Spain, suggesting the government’s plan to attract ‘better quality’ tourists may be paying off. The rise in the number of tourists in April was also noteworthy at 16% year-on-year. From January until April this year, tourists have spent 10% more than last year.

Trapped Rato Spanish former IMF head faces fresh corruption charges as full scale of crimes come to light JAILED ex-International Monetary Fund chief Rodrigo Rato has been told he faces a fresh corruption trial in Spain. The Madrid High Court has ordered Rato to stand trial alongside 12 others for deals allegedly offered by senior Bankia figures to public relations firms in return for €2 million in suspected bribes.

MINT: New notes are more secure than ever

WE ARE

Those charged will have to put up sureties of close to €4.5 million or face having their assets seized. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of four years’ jail time, which would double the time Rato must serve to eight-and-a-half years, and a fine of €2.5 million. Authorities have already charged Rato over his role in listing Bankia on the

THE new €100 and €200 notes have landed in Spain and the 19 other countries which have adopted the currency. This freshly minted legal tender is the latest in the ‘Europa’ series after the five, 10, 20 and 50 euro notes. Issued by the European Central Bank (ECB) the updated currency is vegan friendly, reduced in height to better fit wallets, and is harder to forge. The €200 is now the largest denomination, after the ECB decided to stop printing €500 notes. Security is at the forefront of the new notes, by German designer

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ACCUSED: (Left) Rato to face another trial

stock market during his time heading up the bank from 2010 to 2012.

New money Reinhold Gerstetter. A so-called ‘satellite’ hologram with a silver band running through it, and a watermark of the goddess Europa both feature on the new notes. When turning the item in light, the hologram displays an oscillating euro symbol for extra security. A special print within the main illustration, and a small emerald insignia that shines when hit by light complete the new security measures.

Rato was head of Caja Madrid which merged with six other struggling banks to from Bankia in 2010. He was accused of falsifying Bankia accounts in order to trick investors and hide substantial losses at the height of the financial crisis. The false stock market listing drew in many smaller and unsuspecting investors but authorities were soon forced to step in and rescue the bank. Rato, who also served as Spain’s economy minister, must also await judgement on a separate tax avoidance case against him.

June 5th - June 18th 2019

You’re hired! THE Balearics accounted for a quarter of all new jobs in Spain last month. More than half a million contracts began across the islands in May, beating last year’s record-breaking hire effort by more than 12,000. Mallorca alone accounted for nearly 421,000 of the new jobs, a 3% growth from last year. The Balearics have been breaking their own new-employment records for more than a year. "The Balearics continue to generate net employment, with 16 consecutive months of recordsetting job creation," said the Labour Minister Iago Negueruela.

Energy rush

STOCKS in an Australian mining company have soared amid hopes that plans for an open uranium mine in a Spanish village will be waved through. Berkeley Energy has risen 35% on the London stock exchange following the election of a new PP government in Retortillo near Salamanca. The village of only 200 inhabitants could become the home to one of the only open air uranium mines in Europe if the town hall opposition to the plan is lifted.

BUSINESS Real lawyers, real victories, real results 18

June 7th - June 20th 2019

Advertorial

M1 Legal were mentioned in a story in The Times earlier this year for instigating a case for mis-selling. The article highlighted the problems experienced by and also mentioned that the footballclients of M1 legal stars Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs had a commercial resort. You can see a full copy of interest in this particular the article here https:// m1legal.news/times Latest victories in the last 2 wee Club La Costa €26,050 Awarded ks Club la Costa £56,259 Awarded Parque Albatros £16,490 Awarded Onagroup €78,150 Awarded 2019 January to May - 60 Victories totalling £826,847 647 Cases in the courts 288 Cases being prepared

There are fake companies pretending to offer help to timeshare victims TIMESHARE claims are becoming a trickier business. Because of the HUGE volume of claim victories going through the Spanish courts, the timeshare resorts themselves are using manipulative strategies to discredit the ‘good guys’ - those companies committed to helping owners get out of contracts that were mis-sold to them. Many despairing consumers turn to the internet to help them find solu-

tions, only to be bombarded with false information. There are also influential so-called ‘help’ websites out there purporting to aid consumers in sorting the good guys from the bad. However, looking into the deep background of such websites reveals quite a different story. One such example is www. kwikchex.com Not only is it funded by the timeshare in-

dustry, it blocks reports of wrongdoings committed by the resorts and targets companies representing consumers who are claiming retribution and the annulment of their timeshare contract. One of the largest under threat is European Consumer Claims (ECC) who have referred nearly 2,000 claimants to lawyers in Spain and the UK. Is it any wonder that consumers do not know who to trust anymore?

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FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL Can’t buy taste

International cuisine

THEY say food is a universal language and this has been proved true by the women of Spain’s white island. The town of Sant Antoni in Ibiza has brought together women from a range of different nationalities to swap cultural recipes and cooking tips. Women from Nigeria, Morocco, Argentina and Ibiza have participated in the first session and prepared typical dishes of escalope and Neapolitan with stuffed eggs. The get together was organised by the Department of Social Services to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Cool beans

NESTLE Spain has earmarked €17 million for a boiler that uses coffee grounds to power a factory in northern Spain. The main objective is for the Girona facility to have zero landfill waste by 2025 before the multi-national expands the scheme worldwide. The boiler will be up in running by mid-2020 and will reduce the natural gas consumption of the factory by 25%, according to Spain CEO Jacques Reber.

Two Spanish wines for under €20 are among the best in the world

EIGHT Spanish wines have been listed in the ‘top 50’ in the world, including two for just €17 a pop. The vinos were granted the prestigious accolades at the Decanter World Wine Awards, where some winners were worth over €400. Finca Azaya, from Bodegas Valduero in Castile

y Leon, is one of the two bargain bottles awarded ‘Best in Show’ by British magazine Decanter. The wine from the northern region was awarded 97 points, as was fellow

Hotting up PALMA’S Vandal restaurant has made it to the finals of a prestigious national cooking competition. The eatery serves up a menu of experimental dishes inspired by places as far flung as Thailand, the US and Peru. Owners Bernabe Caravotta and

RICH: Vandal’s pork dish

winner Coto de Imaz Gran Reserva from El Coto de Rioja. Another highlight of the list is the 30 year-old V.O.R.S Oloroso Sherry from Andalucia’s Jerez, priced at €101.48. Despite Spain’s impressive eight ‘Best in Show’ bottles, it finished second globally to France, which had 13 of its wines in the ‘top 50’. Sebastian Perez are relying on The the list was their pallette of global flavours as compiled by they do battle with the other two Decanter after finalists, both from Madrid. the tasting of The first is Huella Vegana, a new16,500 wines, ly franchised vegan outlet, while of which only the other is Japanese restaurant 50 (0.3%) were Ramen Kagura, which specialises given a ‘Best in in ramen. Show’ medal. All three eateries are competing Meanwhile, in the ‘Revelation Restaurant’ Australia and category of the Hot Concepts Portugal were awards to be announced on July each awarded 4 at the Goya Theater in the three medSpanish capital. als, putting the

June 7th - June 20th 2019

What’s on for foodies!

erb thyme SELVA'S a n n u a l Herb Fair returns to the mountain town through June 9, with cooking demos and tastings, and special liquors made from local herbs.

F countries third globally, while fourth was taken by Italy with five. One of the more unusual ‘Best in Show’ medal-winners was the UK, which received three ‘top 50’ awards, along with Georgia, Greece and Germany, which each received one prize. Meanwhile we sip into Spain’s most expensive wines overleaf.

ruit fest APRICOTS are front and centre at Porreres' Apricot Fair, with special menus and a massive festival honouring the juicy fruit.

ood fun MARKETS, wine tastings, craft fairs, tapas tours and parades are just the beginning of the Manacor's Spring Festival running through June 9.

Friends.

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FOOD,DRINK

June 7th - June 20th 2019

Top of the tipples

Would you pay €1,000 for a bottle of sherry from Jerez? Check out our connoisseur’s guide to 10 of the best-scoring Spanish wines (according to the Parker Guide) and you’ll be sorely tempted, writes Claire Leibovich

HE love affair between Spain and its wine has been turbulent but enduring. The land of Cervantes has been making wine since pre Roman times in some regions. Production slowed to a trickle under non-drinking Muslim rule, but enjoyed a relative renaissance between the Reconquest and the 20th century when two world wars and Franco’s ban on wine exports put the stopper on production once more. But Spain’s grape expectations rose again and 1986, when it joined the EU, was a turning point. Today the Spanish wine revolution is well underway and has almost caught up with the country's booming gastronomy. Spain is the third biggest producer of wine in the world, behind France and Italy, and the top international exporter. It’s also still the best value for money as Spanish wine prices remain comparatively low. The country is home to over 400 grape varieties, although the Famous Five - Tem-

pranillo, Garnacha, Monastrell, Palomino and Airén - are most commonly used. But that’s changing too. Specialists and amateurs are not only redis-

covering traditionally reputed wines but also experimenting new creations. Check out our connoisseurs guide to the best of the best,

Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorat The Big Three wine regions at the international forefront of the Spanish wine revolution need no introduction but there’s still much to learn.

Bodegas Contador, Benjamín Romeo ‘Contador’, Rioja

based on the celebrated Robert Parker Guide. Your new-found knowledge will please your palate, impress your friends and never mind the price!

Rioja, in northern Spain, has long been the country's most famous wine region, along with the ‘sherry triangle’ of Jerez. It produces mostly red wines, but even its whites are celebrated for their distinguishable oak aromas and flavours. However, one of the best is atypical of the region: Benjamín Romeo´s ‘Contador’ is a modern wine lacking that signature oak flavour but still obtained a score of 95 in the Parker guide (2018). Dense and complex with fruity aromas, its limited production and high Parker score explains the average price of €247.

Jerez Sherry wine and the Andalucian town of Jerez de la Frontera are synonymous and production dates back to the 8th century at least. First exported in the 12th century, for a long time it was reputed to be the finest wine in Europe and was probably the first wine to be commercially exported

to the Americas. Jerez is made from the white Palomino Fino grape, which makes it drier than wines using Pedro Ximénez and Moscatel de Alejandría grapes. The vineyards of Jerez and the neighbouring coastal towns of El Puerto de Santa María and Sanlucar de Barrameda are collectively known as the Sherry Triangle.

Barbadillo Reliquia Palo Cortado Jerez This winery is located in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, a port town celebrated for its Manzanilla, a variety of sherry with a subtle chamomile flavour (manzanilla means chamomile in Spanish). However, Barbadillo also offers remarkably old and chokingly pricey wines, including an Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez… and a Palo Cortado, the first sherry to be awarded 100 by the Parker guide. Barbadillo’s Palo Cortado is dry with a clear, golden complexion. Average price €1,003.

€100 3

Dominio de Pingus ‘Pingus’, Ribera del Duero One of the most ex0 pensive Spanish wines, €80 Danish oenologist Peter Sisseck established the Pingus domain in the province of Valladolid in 1995, which remains its best vintage year, followed by 2014. Although it produces other wines, Dominio de Pingus is its flagship. Intense yet elegant, with a deep colour and balsamic and floral aromas, this cult wine averages an astronomical €800 a bottle.

Vega Sicilia Unico Gran Reserva, Ribera del Duero

Gonzalez Byass Anada Palo Cortado

€376

This wine is traditionally known as Spain's first great wine and the most sought after. The renowned winery Vega Sicilia started operating in 1864, however the first Unico cuvée dates back to 1936. Unico is produced from 80% Tempranillo, and the rest from Bordeaux varietals. It shot to international fame in the early 1990´s, and since then it has only gained in desirability, in particular because of an increasing scarcity. The average price is €376.

Another top Palo Cortado sherry hails from the Gonzalez Byass bodega in the town of Jerez itself. With its iconic Tío Pepe brand, Gonzalez Byass’ sherry is famous worldwide. The Palo Cortado is salty and intense with citrus notes. Average price €164 euros.

€164

€247

Alvaro Palacios L´Ermita, Priorat Over the past few decades, Priorat has gained international recognition for its exceptional wine - one of the only top-class wines in the world produced from Garnacha grapes. Alvaro Palacios was instrumental in this revival when he acquired an old plot of vines in the Catalan region in 1990. It is now considered the best spot to produce wine in Priorat. L’Ermita, a blend or Cariñena and Garnacha, is the star of Palacios’ winery, receiving a perfect 100 points from the prestigious Parker guide in 2013. L’Ermita is almost black in colour with a dense but delicate texture with €703 fruity undertones. Average price €703.

Teso la Monja, Toro, Spain Toro is a region in the northwest of Castilla y León that has recently soared to fame for its powerful, full-bodied red wines made from Tina da Toro (Tempranillo). Teso la Monja comes from the eponymous, family winery near Valdefinjas, in Zamora. It holds the record for the most expensive Spanish red wine €993 with an average price of €993.

Descendientes de J. Palacios, La Faraona, Bierzo Also in the northwest of Castilla y León, the potential of Bierzo as a wine-producing region was discovered relatively recently by the same Alvaro Palacios (above) who helped put Priorat on the map in the 1980s. The winemaker established Descendientes de J. Palacios in Bierzo in 1999 and now produces a selection of high-end, single-vineyard wines. La Faraona is a red wine made from Mencia grapes grown on barely more than an acre of land, with the vines yielding just a sin- €939 gle barrel of wine each year. Its average price is €939.

& TRAVEL

June 7th - June 20th 2019

Malaga

Although Málaga is one of the oldest wine regions in the world (vines were introduced in the region by the Greeks around 600 B.C.), it has been unfairly kept in the shadow of better-known denominations. It is also great value.

Jorge Ordoñez and Co., No.3 Old Vines Moscatel

Montilla-Moriles These wines from Cordoba share similar characteristics to sherry, yet they are often overlooked by wine lovers. The Andalucian region mostly produces sweet, dessert wine from Pedro Ximénez grapes.

Bodegas Toro Albala Don PX Convento Seleccion

€229

This winery in Aguilar de la Frontera is famed for its vintage PX wines. Convento Seleccion is a dense and complex wine with notes of dark chocolate and roasted coffee beans, and less sweet than other PX wines. The 1946 is its best year and it was the first sweet wine to be awarded 100 points by the Parker guide (1958 was also an exceptionally good year with a score of 97). Average price €229.

Alicante

Back in its heyday, Alicante was as synonymous with good Spanish wine as Rioja is now. Popular in Spain and Europe (especially in England) in the 16th and 17th century, it is said that France's King Louis XIV would only drink Alicante wine on his deathbed, and that it was also Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite. Fondillón, a strong,

Bodegas Volver Triga, Alicante Bodegas Volver is located inland, between the towns of Salinas and Pinoso. It was established in 2004 by Rafael Cañizares, fourth generation in a winemaking family, who has largely contributed to the international boom of Spanish wines. A red wine made with 85% Monastrell and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is an elegant and spicy tipple with the perfect balance of acidity and sugar. Grapes come from five different vineyards with very low yields and are carefully monitored at all stages and processes, pruning, flowering, fruiting, ripening. Then the wine is aged for 20 months in French oak barrels. The result is an opaque, purple colour and it has aromas of black and blue fruit. Average price €34.

€34

semi-sweet wine similar to PedroXiménez from Montilla-Moriles was once the most prized Alicante wine. Forgotten until the 1950s when local producers started producing it again, the region’s wine industry is now experiencing a complete comeback.

Sierra Salinas 1237, Alicante Scoring 91 in the Parker guide, this is a rare blend of Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouschet and Petit Verdot. It has an intense colour €49 with complex red fruit aromas. Average price €49.

Mallorca Wineries are an ancestral activity in Mallorca, estimated as far back as 123 B.C when it became part of the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, in the 19th century phylloxera infestation devastated the island’s vineyards, which were replaced by other crops such as almond trees for example. Nowadays, mirroring many regions of

inland Spain, and in great part thanks to its thriving tourism, the Mallorcan wine industry is experiencing a boost in interest. Binissalem, a small town in the hilly plateau area of central Mallorca, is the hotspot of winemaking on the island. To earn the D.O (Denominación de Orígen) of Mallorca, a wine must be at least 50% from Manto Negro, the local grape speciality. Many other red and white grape varieties are produced in the island however.

Bodega Biniagual Gran Verán Selección, Binissalem-Mallorca The priciest Mallorcan wine these days is the Gran Verán Selección, a red wine made from 60% Manto Negro and 40% Syrah and matured 18 months in French oak barrels. It obtained a score of €45 89 from the Parker guide and its average price is €45.

Jorge Ordoñez founded his winery in 2004, with huge success in short time. His series of four sweet white wines in particular have found favour with the rich and famous. No. 2 Victoria Moscatel was served to the Queen at Picton Castle in Wales during its 88th anniversary; former British Prime Minister Tony Blair enjoyed it on his last visit to Spain; and it was also the first Spanish wine to be served at a Nobel Prize function in 2012. Made from Moscatel de Alejandría grapes which add floral aromas, No. 3 Old Vines offers the best value for money of the series. Average price €85.

€85

June 7th - June 20th 2019

COLUMNISTS

Mallorca diaries

Summer lovin’!

By Lesley Keith

ES it’s really Summer now, everywhere is open, boats It’s the most wonderful time of the year, says have been dusted off and put Lesley Keith in the water and the beach is no longer just a possibility, but a back up there with all orifices lined more than happy to dunk myself in with sand and the equivalent of the the balmy Med. I once swam in the must! It’s such a lovely time of year, a riot interior of a large Pickford’s removal sea in Cairns, in Australia and that of vibrant colours, beautiful scents van crammed into beach bags was was an experience I don’t think I’ll from jasmine, rosemary and laven- no mean feat! Throw into the mix repeat. The draw of the waves slamder waft deliciously past your nose that as a full time worker you only dunked me very sharply against the as you enjoy the long light evenings got about five real sunbathing days shore, bruising my coccyx. Trust me sitting outside in the warm air. After- a year, the beach would always be you don’t want a bruised coccyx noons on the beach are so easy be- completely rammed with every other when you’re about fly long distance, cause it’s only two minutes up the worker desperate for some vitamin I had to sit on one of those inflatroad. I always keep some fold up D. This meant you could only find able neck pillows all the way home! chairs in my boot and grab a couple an area approximately the size of a Anyway, having limped painfully up doormat as yours for the sand, I then saw the warning of beach towels, wathe day. If you dragged sign about box jellyfish, saltwater ter, sun cream, and yourself a further mile crocodiles and sharks, somehow go. As residents we Waves slam me from the pier then you the beaches seemed to lose their know where the parknormally find appeal at that point. ing’s easy, the water’s sharply against could an area the size of a Changing the subject completely, I warm and there’s reathe shore, hearth rug, either way went to a very important Real Malsonable loos, showthe whole day is spent lorca football match last night. This ers and a beach bar. bruising my removing sand from was a big one and nothing less than Does it get any better your towel as people a draw would do to ensure a chance coccyx than this? Not like in walk by. I prefer it of the play-offs for promotion to La the UK where it’s like here! Liga. I really follow English football planning a military So far this year I’ve closely and being a Crystal Palace operation. I used live near Bournemouth which does have wonder- been down for a few picnics but supporter since the age of seven I ful beaches just waiting for those today was my first real full on visit. know all about the elation and des‘Phew, what a scorcher!’ days. The For some reason I feel I have to peration a possible promotion or trouble is you had to park at least go in and swim in the sea or it just demotion can bring. Last night they five miles away and the last mile doesn’t count so yes, I did brave faced Granada who only needed a was down a zig-zagged path akin it. It was fresh but I’m someone draw to actually guarantee their proto descending Everest. After a hard who’s withstood the Solent, (which motion. What a game! Brilliant qualdays sunbathing, dragging yourself is okay once you’ve gone numb) so ity football and absolute fanaticism

HOT: From scents to sun cream and the play off finals, summer is back

from the crowd, no-one seemed to care where you sat as long as there was a space and frankly I have no idea what they were chanting half the time but it certainly sounded encouraging. Huge flags were waved continually and when the goal was finally scored it was complete abandoned mayhem like I’ve never seen! Towards the end of the second half however an equaliser goal was

scored and I was confused to see that after that they all just played ‘pass the ball’ with no attempt at scoring from either side. It ended a 1-1 draw and everyone seemed delighted. Apparently it was the best result for all concerned but call me old fashioned, shouldn’t you be trying to win? My partner who’s a Chelsea fan told me that’s the way it works now. How very odd.

THE paper not to miss on Mallorca island THE Olive Press is now distributing all over the island in an incredible 500-plus locations. Found at golf courses, tourist offices, museums and petrol stations, it has become the most sought-after English newspaper in MalAlaro Alcanada Alcanada Alcudia ALGAIDA Andratx Andratx BENDINAT BENDINAT BENDINAT Binissalem Cala Estancia

lorca every fortnight. Look out for one of our many stands, as seen here at Santa Catalina market, in Palma, and in Andratx town centre. We print between 7,000 to 8,000 copies every issue and take our distribution very seriously,

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SPORT

June 7th - June 20th 2019

Hi ho hi ho, off to Mallorca we go A GERMAN football team have been filmed embarking on an end of season Mallorca trip kitted out as snow white and the seven dwarves. Players from the German fifth division side VFB 03 Hilden were spotted singing chants and dancing along a Palma airport travelator dressed as ‘elves.’ VFB Hilden have reportedly been travelling

Reyes in peace CHAMP: Cardona in NY

Touch the sky RUNNING up the stairs is usually a sign the lift has broken. But for two athletes from Spain running to the top of the world’s tallest skyscrapers has become an international sport. And now, following this week’s race up the One World Trade Center in New York, Ignacio Cardona from Javea has cemented his position as the world no. 2 in the Vertical World Circuit. The annual competition, in its eighth year, comprises 11 races in the tallest skyscrapers across the globe. Athletes have this year already run up the 2,917 steps of the Lotte World Tower in Korea - the world’s fifth tallest building - and will later this year scale the International Commerce Center in Hong Kong - the world’s 12th tallest building. Cardona is joined by world no. 6 Antonio Soler, also from Javea. Both men are supported by Javea town hall, and are training for Broadgate Tower in London on June 20.

* Fu l l y co m p re h e n s i ve o f fe r va l i d fo r n e w c u s to m e r s o n l y. G u a ra nte e s u b j e c t to cove r, re p a i r at a p p rove d g a ra g e, a n d co u r te s y ve h i c l e ava i l a b i l i t y. S u b j e c t to co n d i t i o n s. O f fe r e n d s 3 0 / 1 1 / 1 8 .

Mad about motoring? Whether you’re a car enthusiast or rely on your car for just about everything, keeping your vehicle on the road is a costly endeavor. Prices for car insurance can vary greatly between providers depending on different risk factors. While reducing your annual mileage and keeping your car in a secure location will help keep your premiums down, Línea Directa recommend shopping around for insurance quotes to get the best possible price with the best possible cover.

TheOlivePress-256x170-CAR-4.indd 1

to Mallorca since 2014 for their summer party and it wasn't long before dwarves took over a Palma bar to continue the party there.

Minor car problems At this time of the year in the early morning sunshine, condensation is particularly troublesome especially in older vehicles. Motorists and other road users are at risk. Accidents can be caused when drivers try to wipe down the windscreen. Here are some handy tips to help you tackle condensation. Wash your car regularly as dirt and dust attract moisture and early morning dew. Remove any damp items like towels or coats from inside the car. When safe to do so, leave the windows open for a few hours. Switch on RIP: Ex-Gunner Reyes ura following a career that included eight years at Sevilla and spells at Atlético Madrid.

the air conditioning and wipe down the inside of the windows. Finally, you can fill a sock with cat litter and place it in your car to help absorb excess moisture.

2/8/18 17:01

But what if it doesn’t start? A flat battery is a great inconvenience, jump-starting your car from the roadside can be hazardous and new batteries are expensive and can be troublesome to fit. These tips can help prolong the life of your battery. Keep the terminals clean of residue that builds up over time. And remember to turn off air conditioning, lights, radio and other battery draining systems whenever possible. Help is at hand Línea Directa offers service, support and 24-hour roadside assistance to over 3 million customers in Spain. Should you break down or your car won’t start, they will immediately dispatch an approved mechanic to help get you back on the road again as soon as possible. And with their new GPS Geolocation service Línea Directa can pinpoint your exact location and send breakdown recovery even faster.

We hope the information provided in this article is of interest. If you would like to contact Linea Directa please call 952 14 78 34 More information about Linea Directa online at www.lineadirecta.com

Mallorca

more than four weeks a year?

Quick fix FUNERAL: In Utrera

Royal rise REAL Madrid has unseated Manchester United as the ‘most valuable’ club in Europe. The report by KPMG took into account the Spanish giants popularity, profitability, broadcasting rights, stadium value and potential for future growth. Real, now valued at €34 billion has leapfrogged United who had led the way for the last three years. The Manchester club

star ‘will live forever in our hearts.’ The Spaniard joined the Gunners in January 2004 and was part of the ‘Invincibles’ side that went through the 200304 season unbeaten, winning the Premier League. He later spent a season on loan at Real Madrid in 200607, winning La Liga. “We couldn’t be confirming worse news,” Sevilla FC said on Twitter when news of the incident first broke. The La Liga club paid tribute to the ‘eternal legend’, adding he was ‘one of the most valuable home grown players in the history of the club’. Reyes leaves behind his wife Noelia Lopez, who he married in June 2017, and three children, daughters Noelia and Triana and son Jose Antonio Jr from a previous relationship. The winger earned 21 caps for Spain. He was playing at Extremad-

902from 123Linea 282 Three snippets of car advice Directa and why we should be the insurance company you choose

Spain grieves as Arsenal ‘invincibles’ star Jose Antonio Reyes dies in horror smash FORMER Arsenal winger Reyes has been laid to rest at an emotional church service in his hometown in southern Spain. The 35-year-old died after speeding at 147mph in his Mercedes and a tyre blowout caused him to veer off a motorway outside Sevilla on Saturday. Jonathan Reyes, 23, the former Gunner’s cousin was also killed in the high-speed crash. The much-loved player’s coffin was draped in a Sevilla FC flag and thousands watched on as the casket was carried by family and friends. Reyes’ widow, Noelia, has paid tribute to her late husband and told mourners the

Top tips

was valued at €31 billion after failure to reach the latter stages of the Champions League has seen them lose ground. Report author Andrea Sartori said: "At league level the English Premier League has confirmed its absolute dominance, having nine clubs in the top 32 and accounting for 43% of the total aggregate value."

POLICE in Spain have arrested a number of La liga players and executives as part of an investigation into matchfixing. Current and former players from the country’s top two divisions, as well as club executives, have reportedly been detained. Forward Samuel Saiz, on loan at Getafe from Leeds United, is believed to have been placed under investigation. The detained players are understood to include former Real Madrid player Raul Bravo who played alongside David Beckham at the Spanish giants.

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FINAL WORDS

THE PP and Ciudadanos parties have blasted postal service Correos for over spending €250,000 of taxpayer’s cash on a new logo that has ‘hardly changed’.

Safe sex FREE condoms may come to the Balearics as the Ministry of Health studies the cost of preventing sexually transmitted diseases and STDs, including HIV.

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Vol. 3 Issue 56 www.theolivepress.es June 7th - June 20th 2019

Fine lines

Michael Douglas’ attempts to offload his swanky seaside villa receive a boost with Netflix deciding to feature the estate in new series ACTOR Michael Douglas hopes some ‘basic instinct’ will attract buyers for his cut-price Mallorca home, by

Cockblocked PENIS-shaped waffles have gone on sale in Magaluf’s Avenida s’Olivera, but could be banned under tourism laws. DESPERADO: Douglas

opening it up for a new Netflix show. Filming for the new series, White Lines, has already begun at the Hollywood star’s Valldemossa finca. The decision to shoot at the 250-acre S’Estaca estate follows on the heels of another Netflix production filmed in Mallorca, Turn Up Charlie. White Lines tells the story of a Manchester DJ who vanishes in Ibiza and whose body shows up 20 years later. Casting calls for the series attracted more than 4,000 people, with the fortunate extras now able to enjoy five apartments, a home cinema and spa. Bought by Douglas in 1990,

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LOVESTRUCK couples are being warned to do their homework before getting married on Es Trenc beach. It comes after yet another wedding was stopped midceremony on the protected playa, near Campos. The group were ordered to cut short their nuptials after police turned up half way through. The couple had even set up an impromptu beach bar for their guests, which was quickly dismantled. They were also ordered to clear up the area.

Fish fight! ON SET: Filming has begun at Douglas’ island villa the historic finca sits on the coast of Sierra de Tramuntana, a World Heritage Site. The Fatal Attraction star originally put the property up for sale in 2014 for a cool €50 million but has since dropped the asking price by half. The two-times Academy Award winner has even done a voice-over for a special video to drum up buyers for the stun-

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ning 10 bedroom property. White Lines’ producers, including writers behind hit show The Crown, have scouted other filming locations on the island including in Escorca, Palma and Valldemossa. Work on White Lines is set to continue until September with the streaming site looking to premier the show in 2020.

MALLORCA has seen an alarming increase in illegal fish fights. The bizarre trend sees two small, brightly coloured - and aggressive - Betta fish be pitted against one another in a tank. The two males fight to the death as punters place bets on who will come out on top. It comes as pet shops have noticed a sharp increase in the sales of Betta fish, with more and more customers requesting males.

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02.05.19 16:37