Mallorca Olive Press - Issue 21 by Olive Press Newspaper Spain

Property

How are Raheem Sterling and the Obamas related to property in Spain this week? Find out in our Mallorca Property Magazine SEE PAGE 9

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SEE MORE IN THE RESTAURANT SECTION INSIDE1 Untitled-1.pdf

Shot in the foot

MALLORCA would be ‘shooting itself in the foot’ if it passed new controversial holiday rental laws, claim local agents. 16/06/2017 15:36 It comes after some 60% of

CMY

Find out more on page XX 15

Exclusive By Laurence Dollimore and Gillian Keller

holiday rental property owners said they would sell up if the new plan, which includes introducing a 60 day per year letting limit, becomes law. The drastic proposal from Mallorca Council has divided the island into seven sections and each has different rules depending on several criteria and how ‘saturated’ they are. ‘Saturated’ referes to the percentage of its properties which are holiday rentals. “Of course protected green areas need restrictions,” Amanda Butler of MJC Properties told the Olive Press, “but the island relies mostly on tourism and every year the government celebrates how many more visitors are coming here, so limiting

Mallorca estate agents blast proposed controversial holiday rental restrictions

their accommodation options in hotspots like Calvia or Palma is going to be like shooting itself in the foot.” Alex Schmitz, from Only Mallorca, which has been on the island for 20 years, blasted the proposal as ‘discriminatory’. “If you own a property you should be able to rent it how you wish,” he told the Olive Press, “It’s discriminatory to home owners who have properties in areas deemed ‘saturated’. “The government is being pressured by the hotel industry.” Under the proposal, popular areas could see strict limita-

tions on holiday rentals and Palma, which is not included in the plan, is set to create its own rules. Meanwhile, inland towns will be made more available to tourist rentals in the hope that it will boost visitor numbers. Areas in the Tramuntana mountain range, where environmental, historic and cultural protection are a top priority, will have the tightest restrictions. Nils Farah, from Farah Homes, said the plan will disadvantage those who own houses in saturated areas and those who want to rent out their second homes, but

added that there are positives. “People with apartments will find it easier to rent them out as they will have the opportunity to apply for a licence, which is actually a good thing,” he said. Minister of land and infrastructures, Mercedes Garrido, said the ‘the zoning seeks a fair distribution of the vacation rental business.’ She added that the aim is ‘to preserve the right to access decent housing for Mallorcans and residents’. “Mallorca is a limited area with a fragile environment,” she said, “a balance has been sought to prevent the human footprint from deteriorating our environment”. Town halls have unitl the end of February to try and amend the plan.

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News IN BRIEF

Strike one A MALLORCA-bound flight from Ibiza was struck by lightning during takeoff, luckily no damage was caused.

Messy night SOME 40 employees from Emaya water company spent six hours cleaning up 30 tonnes of waste after residents in Palma celebrated Sant Sebastia.

Hablas ingles? DESPITE the introduction of the TIL in 2013, only 12% of schools in Mallorca teach two subjects in English.

Checking in MOROCCO has named Nezha Attahar as its new consul in Mallorca, replacing Hanane Saadi who is moving to the Morrocan Embassy in Madrid.

February 1st - February 14th 2018

‘Kamikaze’ driver kills brother A DRUNK driver - four times over the legal limit - is in Son Espases hospital after one of the ‘worst examples of reckless driving ever seen’. Labeled the ‘Kamikaze’ driver, the 21-year-old Alaró man drove

Expats enlisted ticketeros to lure fake sickness claimants A BRITISH expat allegedly employed a team of ticket touts - or ‘ticketeros’ - to snare hundreds of fake sickness claimants. Laura Joyce, 28, is accused of paying the group €50 euros a day to enlist names for the scam, which helped cost the Mallorca hotel sector more than an estimated €40 million last year. Linger Palma court has heard how young expats were hired to linger outside hotels informing guests of financial possibilities of faking stomach problems. Joyce is believed to have directed the operation on the island, which saw some 60% of the 800 false sickness claims be handed

for five kilometres down the Inca highway in the wrong direction. Witnesses phoned the police to report him but he had a headon collision with another car at 3am.

The driver’s 18-year-old brother died in the accident. The two people in the other car suffered serious injuries and were rushed to Son Espases hospital where they are still recovering.

Makes you sick

ACCUSED: Court heard how Laura coordinated touts

over to UK law firms last year. Following the lifting of

the secrecy over the case by Palma court, two Brits - Ryan Bridge and Craig Kennerly - have been named as alleged leaders of the scam in the UK. The men are believed to have managed the claims on Mallorca that were brought in by Joyce. The suspects coordinated the alleged scam via a Whatsapp group, called UK Holiday Claims Ltd.

Club promoters were also hired to double up as middle-men. One has now testified in court, saying that over an eight month period he brought in around 40 clients per week. Ringleader Joyce - who lived in a €3 million villa near footballer Jamie Redknapp in Bendinat previously ran a sleazy sex tours company, it can also be revealed. She owned the infamous bar Playhouse, which became famous when an English tourist performed a sex act on 24 men for a cocktail. Her mother Deborah Cameron, 59, has had all charges against her dropped. Laura now helps husband Stuart run a sports Bar in Portals Nous after closing The Project bar last year.

BLOWING UP: Cocaine arrests in Spain

Not to be sniffed at

intensely sun and snow

family · friends · apreski · night skiing · snowpark · competition winter season

2017-2018

THE amount of cocaine seized in Spain has more than doubled in just one year. Spanish authorities seized 32 tonnes of cocaine in 2017, up 15 tonnes from 2016. This is an incredible 40% of all cocaine captured in Europe, the interior ministry revealed. Due to the high workload of Spanish police, drug runners have been forced to find new routes through Belgium and the Netherlands to bring narcotics into Europe.

Brazen burglar A BURGLAR has been caught red-handed by police as he was trying to break into a Palma jewellery store case. The 37-year-old has been arrested more than 30 times, 17 of which were in

last year for crimes of theft. Police were patrolling Palma when they saw the man cover his face and proceed to manipulate the jewellery lock with bent glasses. They swiftly arrested the regular offender.

More Tolo trouble SENIOR members of the Mallorca police, including a commissioner, are facing ten years in prison for their involvement in the Tolo Cursach case. They are also accused of committing homophobia against an agent investigating the corruption scandal. It is one of two key trials in the Cursach case which are set to take place over the next two weeks. The other involves a hearing against a Romanian citizen who faces four and a half years for allegedly threatening a key witness. The Romanian purportedly threw the witness to the ground, kicking him and threatening him. He supposedly committed the crime so that the witness wouldn’t give evidence against another Romanian, who had also been charged with intimidating the same witness.

ONGOING: Cursach case

Drugs and fraudulent money A RECKLESS driver has been arrested after police found a brick of hash and counterfeit money during a routine stop in Cala Millor. A Guardia Civil officer was on patrol when he spotted a vehicle driving suspiciously. During the routine stop the officer found a 1.5 kilogram brick of hash in the trunk, and a counterfeit €500 note in the man’s possession. The 48-year-old was arrested as an alleged drug trafficker and for possessing counterfeit money.

Body found POLICE are investigating the appearance of a body decomposing in a garage in Capdepera. The unidentified body was discovered by a plumber in a narrow gap between old empty pipes while he was doing maintenance work. Police sealed off the entire area while investigating the scene while they have yet to identify the body. One theory is that he might be a German man who disappeared last August.

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February 1st - February 14th 2018

IN COME THE BRITS

Nadal back in Manacor RAFA Nadal has landed back in Mallorca to recover from a recent injury. The World number one had to withdraw from the Australian Open during the quarterfinal match, and an MRI scan showed a 'grade 1 injury of his Illiopsoas on his right leg'. Rafa hopes to only be out for three weeks, and return on February 26 to play at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Mexico.

Louise on a mission MALLORCAN regular Louise Redknapp has announced she is teaming up with chart topper Katy B for her musical comeback. Redknapp, 42, posted a photo on social media of her in a recording studio with the Peckham-born Katy On a Mission singer. “Just a few of the very talented people I’m working with today – so excited guys,” she wrote. The former Eternal singer owned a £5 million property in Portals Nous, which she now is believed to have sold, following her divorce from her ex-husband, footballer Jamie. Redknapp is currently touring the UK, following an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing.

IT might feel like an outing at the Brit awards. Dozens of UK acts - including The National, Arctic Monkeys and Belle & Sebastian have been chosen to star at Barcelona’s celebrated Primavera Sound Festival, now in its 18th year. Also playing at the festival, which includes over 200 acts from May 28 to June 3, will be Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Bjork and Lorde. COR’ BLIGHTY: Arctic Monkeys among British acts

Painter, who sketched Lady Gaga and Scarlett Johansson, avoids jail sentence for multi-million tax avoidance

Escape artist

THE purchase of a home in Mallorca and another in Barcelona have led to the conviction of one of Mallorca’s most famous artists. Domingo Zapata - who has painted Lady Gaga, Scarlett Johansson and Eva Herzigova - used money from Panama and Switzerland to buy the ritzy properties, while living in America. Dubbed the ‘Spanish Andy Warhol’, he has now pleaded guilty to avoiding tax while buying the stunning home in Son Vida for €2.6m and the property in Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes in Barcelona, for an undisclosed sum.

SIGNING OFF: Paris skipping Ibiza

No nights in Paris

Fraud

He has now been ordered to pay €1.5 million and has been handed a yearand-a-half suspended sentence by a Palma courts for tax fraud, committed in 2006 and 2007. It comes after Hacienda started to investigate his financial affairs, while earning millions living in New York. It emerged that Zapata, who has sold paintings to George Soros, Johnny Depp and Leonardo de Caprio, hid large amounts of money in offshore accounts. The Palma-born artist later set up a shell company in Palma to launder the money. The company La Niña Corporación Inmobiliaria 2006 SL acquired both properties, as well as various

Care4health

SLAP ON THE WRIST: For Zapata, while (left) Lady Gaga cars, including a Ferrari F430 for €223,000 and a Land Rover for €106,000. Zapata, who was originally facing a €5m fine and seven years in prison, avoided prison by pleading guilty to all offences and showing contritition. The artist once sold €76,000 worth of art to a New York pizzaria and asked for the payment to made in pizzas to local homeless shelters. He has since sold the home in Son Vida.

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PARIS Hilton will be a notable absence in Ibiza this summer. She is ending her five year residency at the island’s celebrated Amnesia nightclub. The newly-engaged American entrepreneur - the world’s highest paid female DJ - has announced she will not return for her weekly set at the superclub. "I want to thank my fans for their loyalty,” she said. “We have lived five wonderful years in Ibiza, a very special place for me, but that is now over.” Paris, who has built an empire on knowing how to party, has a long history with the Balearic Islands. “Ibiza is a magical island. I’ve been coming here since I was a teenager. I feel like if I were an island, I would be Ibiza. It’s fun - the energy, the music, the people,” she recently said. She is also likely to return for the occasional one off and could even do a show in Mallorca, having played at Tito’s last year.

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Gloomy outlook SPAIN is the only developed economy to have its growth prospects reduced by the International Monetary Fund. The forecast for 2018, announced during the World Economic Outlook Update, has been put down to political uncertainty in Catalunya. Projected to grow by 2.4%, it is one tenth of a point below the previous figures published in October. Estimates for 2019 have also been re-adjusted to 2.1%, one tenth above earlier suggestions.

Hung out to die A MAN has tragically fallen to his death from the sixthfloor of his apartment block in Mallorca. The 41-year-old realised he had locked himself out of his flat after leaving his keys inside. After his neighbours refused to let him into his flat as they had not seen him before, he attempted to abseil down its wall onto his balcony. However, the rope he used to make his desperate climb down did not support his weight and he ended up falling to his death below.

Four more years?

MARIANO Rajoy will run for prime minister yet again - despite his party being engulfed in corruption scandals. Spain’s PP leader made the announcement after his party finally apologised for the levels of corruption in its ranks over the last few decades.

Mariano Rajoy announces he will stand for PM again

“My plan right now is to try to be a candidate again,” he said. “My party has to want it too, but I will certainly give it a try because we are headed in the

right direction.” The PP party is currently fighting three large corruption cases – Gurtel, Punica and Lezo - in which numer-

Make a move!

BRITS hoping to seek out the good life and head to Spain could have until December 2020 to make a move before new post-Brexit rules come into force. This would be mean a nineteen-month extension from the current March 2019 deadline after the EU said a little more time will help ease Britain’s exit from the bloc. The EU said: “According to the EU position, during the transition period

the whole of the EU acquis (accumulated legislation) will continue to apply to the UK as if it were a member state. “All existing EU regulatory, budgetary, supervisory, judiciary and enforcement instruments and structures will also apply, including the competence of the European Court of Justice.” The new deadline has yet to be agreed by the British government.

February 1st - February 14th 2018

Captive ruler

ous members, politicians and even cabinet ministers are involved. A recent poll also showed Ciudadanos would win a general election if it was held tomorrow, while the Catalunya crisis is doing little to win over voters. Ciudadanos leader Albert Rivera has started directly campaigning on an ‘anti-corruption’ ticket for the regional and local elections in 2019. He told a large gathering in Toledo this week that the serious levels of corruption within the PP party is ‘putting a break on the economic recovery of the country’. He added: “Spain doesn’t deserve a leader that doesn’t keep his word and who covers corruption under a carpet.”

CARAVANING

THE ongoing Puigdemont saga shows no sign of abatting. The Catalan parliament were supposed to have sworn in a new president but with outsed leader Carles Puigdemont in Beligum as the only candidate, the vote has been postponed indefinitely. Speaker Roger Torrent insists Puigdemont remains the only viable candidate for the office despite an arrest warrant prohibiting him from returning to Spain. “I have the duty to protect the sovereignty of this parliament from undemocratic interference and attacks, whatever the threats may be,” Torrent said. “I will go as far as necessary to defend the rights of President Puigdemont in order to ensure he faces an investiture debate with all guarantees.” The decision has angered fractions within the proindependence parties, including Puigdemont’s own Together for Catalunya (JxCat). Notably, JxCat spokeswoman Elsa Artadi, who said ‘the guarantees are already there today and so is the absolute majority of 68 seats’. If the stalemate continues and the Catalan parliament is unable to swear in a new president, then new elections will be called.

2018 a

26 EDITION

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TWO WEEKENDS

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February 1st - February 14th 2018

Stamp this out

Massive collection of stuffed African animals recovered by joint-task force

Mystery coke death THE death of a British rugby player on Mallorca continues to be shrouded in mystery after a coroner ruled he died of a cocaine overdose - despite no one seeing him take the drug. Welshman Luke Hole died while partying in Magaluf after drinking a mix of cocktails, shots and cider. But the 29-year-old’s family fears he may have been spiked as the athlete was not a known drug user. Hole was in Magaluf for a seven-a-side tournament, but skipped the last day of matches to drink with friends. The semi-retired rugby player flew to the island to play with the village team he had played for since he was eight-yearsold. Hole was found unresponsive by his room-mate, with foam around his mouth ‘like he had choked’. South Wales Valleys Coroner Andrew Barclay said the presence of cocaine was a mystery because no one saw him take it.

A MAN has been arrested for trying to sell dozens of African hunting ‘trophies’ in Mallorca. In one of the largest seizures of protected animals in Spain, some 69 hunting trophies were recovered from a finca on the island. When Guardia Civil officers searched the man’s house they found a whole room full of elephant tusks with pirateera shooting pistols on the walls. “The trade of endangered animals is totally prohibited as they are at serious risk of extinction,” said a Guardia

SHOCKING: Animal trophy raid on Mallorca

Civil spokesperson. According to the Convention on International Trade in

Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), trading these animals is il-

Homeless rate shocker

OVER 200 people are ‘permanently homeless’ in Mallorca. Many of them have been living for over five years on the streets, new figures confirm. Meanwhile more than 1,000 people

were aided by the Mallorcan Institute of Social Affairs, IMAS, in 2017. While the majority of Mallorca’s homeless population is temporary, more than 200 are registered as permanent.

legal. One elephant even had its foot cut off to be used as a stool (above), while an elephant ear had been framed. Stuffed bears, cheetahs, crocodiles, leopards, lions and even giraffes were also found - in a haul estimated to exceed €100,000. The man was trying to sell the contraband over the internet before Guardia Civil and Seprona agents stormed in.

Booming rooms THE hotel sector in Mallorca remains one of Spain’s most profitable, despite its seasonal nature. Over the last seven years, the average price of a hotel room has increased by 80%, from €44.70 to €80.50, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). It makes them the second most expensive in Spain, after the Canary Islands, with the average night costing €58.70. The Balearics also have the highest occupancy rate, even with January’s lowly 37% occupancy. There were 60 million overnight stays in Balearic hotels last year, almost a million more than the year before.

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F e at u r e

February 1st - February 14th 2018

Mallorca’s original community newspaper

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 Common sense ? THE new zoning laws being proposed by Mallorca Council are rightfully giving cause for concern for many property owners. Clearly the booming tourist rental market has affected prices and has impacted the lives of locals, but the answer is not to severely cut home rentals to a 60 day limit. This will only force tourists to opt for hotels, which may put many off from arriving - a risky move considering how much the island relies on tourism. There is some good in the proposals, including protecting green areas such the Traumantana Mountain ranges and allowing apartment owners to acquire licences to rent. But there must be some common ground so home owners in the most touristic areas - who stand to lose out on a sizeable income - do not feel discriminated against.

End cruelty now! The haul of animal trophies in a Mallorca finca is shocking. The suspect is part of a larger problem in Spain when it comes to animal rights. As mentioned in this issue’s feature, 60,000 animals die a year in the country as a result of traditional festivals. The animal rights problem in Spain is a stain on what is otherwise a beautiful and welcoming country. While traditions can have an important and siginificant role in the lives and cultures of peoples, surely Spain can find a way to honour these without submitting helpless animals to unneccessary torture or cruelty? It’s time to give these barbaric traditions a rethink and to crackdown on animal abuse around the world. Depòsito Legal PM: 610-2017

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2012 - 2017

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

Underwater internet highways

OLD SCHOOL: 19th Century map of the first data cable from Ireland to Canada

The home of the famous Guggenheim Museum is all hooked up to become the world’s internet data hub, writes Jed Neill Glory to God in the highest; on earth, peace and good will toward men,’ were the immortal words transmitted by Queen Victoria to US President James Buchanan 160 years ago in the first transatlantic telegraph cable. It was a landmark moment, speeding up the communication time between America and Europe from 10 days – the time it took to deliver a message by ship – to just 17 hours, sending just a few words per minute. It took 19 years to lay these first primitive cables - made of copper insulated with gutta-percha and wrapped in hemp - across thousands of miles of Atlantic sea bed. But despite these ambitious beginnings, it wasn’t until 1988 that the first fibre optic cables were laid, connecting the US, the UK and France. Today, there are over 420 submarine cables in service around the world, stretching a length of over 700,000 miles. About the width of a garden hose, together

COPPER: Transatlantic cable

they handle 99% of global internet activity, relaying live chat across the world’s oceans. Now the stage is set for Bilbao to become first southern Europe’s, then the world’s data socket. In 2017, Microsoft, Facebook and telecommunications company Telxius laid the 4,100mile Marea cable in the Atlantic, linking Virginia Beach, Virginia to Bilbao, Spain. Its fibre optics can transmit 160 terabits of data per second, the equivalent of 71 million high-definition videos at once. The first cable to connect the US to southern Europe, it will help facilitate the growing reliance on internet infrastructure around the globe. “There is no question that the demand for data flows across the Atlantic will continue to increase and Marea will provide a critical connection for the United States, Spain, and beyond,” said Microsoft President Brad Smith. As 2018 came online, the Cypriot company Quantum Cable announced plans to build another Mediterranean cable that will connect Israel with Spain, also through Bilbao. The 4,785-mile cable has various drop stations in Cyprus and Greece but will eventually snake its way through the Strait of Gibraltar and into the Atlantic. At a cost of $200 million, it is expected to be live by 2020. With these latest connections Bilbao, home

BREAKDOWN: Of modern-day fibre optic cables

How data cables are laid 1.

First the cable is loaded on gigantic reels into the rear of a ship capable of travelling the distance required. Loading the cable can take three to four weeks. Then a deep sea plough is dragged from the ship and connected to the

cable to bury it in the Atlantic seabed - average depth 3,730 metres. 3.

While the ship plays out the cable into the sea, repeaters (signal boosters) are placed every 40 to 60 kilometres.

of the world-famous Guggenheim Museum and one of 20 cities nominated for Best European Destination 2018,

The plough, modified to navigate trenches and debris, funnels the line along the desired route while a tow line keeps it in the right direction.

If cables are damaged, then divers or submersibles are sent down to fix it.

is quite literally set to be the ‘talk of the internet’ on both sides of the Atlantic.

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Seven Spanish traditions of extreme animal torture that MUST be stopped

PAIN is not historically famous for its kindness to animals. While most Spaniards today love animals, there are still pockets of the country where strange and sickening rituals see our furry friends suffer torturous treatment or death - just for the fun of it. Every year, Spain’s bullrunning traditions receive international condemnation, and support for the bloodsport among its citizens is declining. But an estimated 60,000 animals die horrific and lingering deaths every year in Spain as part of tradition fiestas - a shameful toll of torture. Below we have rounded up seven of the country’s most sickening practices which must be stopped.

F e at u r e

Killer instinct Rapa das Bestas The Rapa das Bestas festival is a 400-yearold tradition in Galicia that is described as ‘terrorising horses’. On one summer afternoon, locals chase herds of wild horses into village streets. The horses are wrestled by weekend warriors who clip their manes and tails before branding them.

‘Burning bull’ The Burning Bull festival sees a bull’s horns set a alight before it is made to run through the streets in a frenzied panic. A petition calling to ban the event, which runs in Foios, Valencia, each year, has garnered more than 180,000 signatures. It comes after video of a bull at last year’s event showed it running into a post and dying immediately upon impact. The bloodsport dates back 400 years and locals say it is an intrinsic part of their culture. .

February 1st - February

Each print issue of the Olive Press can be read in its entirety on www.theolivepress.es 14th 2018 And our site is updated daily with the latest news, making it one of Spain’s most visited news websites.

olive press online October 2015

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- First pic of tragic expat the keyRebecca figures past Muldoon’s and present of husband as he is extradited UK- 3872 (3,341) the Costa delto Crime views -Orange alert on Costa del Sol as strong  Torremolinos to open Andawinds and heavy rains predicted (2,967)

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Quail catapulting

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Every year in Valencia, week- old baby quail are gathered to be launched from a specially-made bird-cannon. After being fired into the air they are blown to pieces by locals wielding shotguns. The primitave form of clay-pidgeon shooting is, thankfully, waning in popularity but still manages to draw crowds.

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Pero Palo

Hanging of the Galgos

The Pero Palo festival in Villanueva de la Vera, western Spain, sees a donkey dragged through the streets as locals chant and attack the animal with fireworks, cowbells and sharp objects. The donkey is then locked in a shed, if it has not died from exhaustion or from its injuries. The event is said to reenact the arrest of a town rapist who was caught and paraded through the streets on a donkey before he was stoned to death.

At the end of each hare hunting season, hunting dogs or galgos are found hanging from trees or stuck to fence posts. Thousands are thought to be bred and murdered each year. There have been reports of some dogs being stoned to death or set on fire.

Useful numbers

Decapitating geese For 350 years, residents in Lekeito have been decapitating a live goose to celebrate their patron saint. A rope is strung across the harbour and a live goose is hung upside down by its feet from it. Boats then pass underneath it as locals try to rip off its head. Following animal rights’ outrage, the bird is now killed before it is strung up.

Updated daily The Olive Press online www.theolivepress.es The website is conveniently accessible from your desktop computer to your laptop, tablets and smartphones throughout day The Olivethe Press wherever you are. www.theolivepress.es TOP for news in Spain!

Emergencies Ambulance/ Fire brigade/ Police 112

Transport Railway Line Palma-Inca / Palma-Manacor – 971.177.777 Buses in Majorca – 971.177.777 Railway Line Palma-Soller – 902.364.711 Airport information – 971.789.000 Road Traffic Information – 900.123.505

Goat throwing Banned in 2002, locals have been threatened with €15,000 fines for trying to defy it. On the fourth Sunday every January, young men in Manganeses de la Polyorosa would throw a live goat from a bell tower. A crowd below would then try to catch the goat with a sheet, drowning it if it survived.

Taxi’s Radio Taxi 971.20.12.12 Taxi Palma – 971.40.14.14 Taxis Cales de Mallorca – 971 83 32 72 Taxis Manacor – 971 55 18 88 Taxis Porto Cristo – 971 82 09 83 Taxis s’Illot – 971 81 00 14 Taxi with disabled access – 608 537 194, 619 342 979, 609 717 424

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aBE r n i ‘APPY! val

A MASSIVE cash injection has been awarded to Sa Rua, or promote music on the Balearic Islands. Carnival, Over €200,000 has been awarded by the Balewill be celebrataric Islands Education Council to encourage ed all over Malyoung people to pick up instruments and play. lorca on JanuIbiza will be given the lion's share of the money ary 10 and 11. with €76,500 being invested, €55,300 in MalParades, handlorca, €67,200 in Minorca, and €10,000 will go m a d e f lDownload o a t s our a napp d now andto Formentera. c o s t u m ebegin s f ienjoying l l t h the e best Spanish i s l a n d news w i ton h thecgo. oBy Gillian Keller lours.

REVELLERS will be out in force to celebrate Mallorca’s historical Sa Rua carnival this month. Despite being known around the world as Pan-

harity Art

Palma’s Rialto Living is hosting a local art showcase,Art P e r A L aThe V i d Olive a 2, Press until February 13, donating all in Spain! p r o c e e dTOP s t for o tnews he Balearic Project Home charity.

owerman

Mallorca is yet again hosting the Powerman Duathlon in Can Picafort on February 17. The Classic Powerman consists of 10km running, 60km cycling and another 10kmthere is also a ‘sprint’ version.

Carnival time Mallorca festival set to be bigger and better than any other year

cake Day, Mardi Gras or Shrove Tuesday, it seems everyone has a different name for it. Touted as a smaller version of the Rio Carnival, costumes and floats fill the streets while Venetian masks and vibrant colours

PARTY TIME: Mallorca’s Sa Rua

Wall of God

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ARTA town hall is set to appeal against a court ruling that said the courtyard and walls of Sant Salvador belonged to the church. The Manacor court ruling has come under scutiny due to documents that were ignored by the court. Politicians, including mayor Manolo Galan feel this presents a sufficient legal basis for an appeal as they believe the church and its ground are in the public domain.

Longterm Courses Intensive Courses

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s!! CONTROVERSIAL: Sant Salvador wall

danke!

ensure a touch of class on February 13. Of course Palma will be the epicentre of the party as live music bellows out in honour of the beginning of Lent, which many of the island’s Roman Catholic population take seriously. Almost all towns have contests with cash prizes awarded in many different categories, such as best costume and best parade float. Many towns will be celebrating on February 10 or 11, check with the nearest town hall for more details.

Celebrations

This year's Palma parade will begin at La Rambla, then go to Carrer de la Riera, carrer Unió, Plaça de Joan Carles I and Avinguda Jaume III. If you’re worried about your children, don’t be, a children day usually precedes the main event by a day so look out for Sa Rueta celebrations as you prepare for Sa Rua. Known as the most colourful day in Palma with local street food around every corner, the festival takes pride in highlighting creativity and innovation on the Balearic Islands.

FEMINISTS are demanding the removal of a bronze statue of Woody Allen in Oviedo. This is in response to allegations that Allen molested his daughter Dylan Farrow when she was seven-years-old in 1992. The Asturias Feminist Organisation said the life-size sculpture serves ‘to honour an abuser and pervert’. His daughter alleged in the New York Times that he ‘touched my labia and my vulva with his fingers...whispering that I was a good girl, that this was our secret’ - something Allen denies, claiming his ex-wife Mia ‘cynically’ coached their adopted daughter to level the charges to ensure a messy divorce. Allen has frequently used Oviedo as a location for his movies, most notably, Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

NOT WANTED: Statue

Charity art show RIALTO Living are hosting Art Per A La Vida 2, a charity art exhibition with 62 local artists showcasing their works. Ten years after the first charity art show, the Palma living store hosts a second event to benefit the Balearic Project Home, an association helping dug addicts. Not only is the event a good cause, but the shop is unique experience, with elegant fashion options on the rack, and an array of furniture, home décor and top quality kitchen accessories. All proceeds from the art sold will be donated to the charity, with the showcase running until February 13. Small prints of each work can be purchased for €30, with discounts for the more you buy. The complete collection can be bought for €1,650.

www.treffpunkt-escuela.com treffpunktescueladeidiomas

C/de la Volta de la Mercé 3 Palma de Mallorca

645 92 45 64

Movie stars PALMA Film Office has managed 217 film and photo shoots during 2017, with companies such as BMW, Cartier, H & M and American Express shooting adverts in Mallorca. Of the hundreds of shoots, 78 were documentaries, 19 movies and film, and 75 professional photo shoots. Among other things, Palma Film Office scouts locations, services, accommodation, permits, equipments and other logistics.

Property Mallorca olive press

www.theolivepress.es

February 2018

Issue 6

February 1st - February 14th 2018 Mallorca - Living Inspiration

We give your dreams a home

Tel. +34 971 23 85 84 www.engelvoelkers.com/mallorca Are these the most photogenic pools in Mallorca? Leading London agent picks its favourite Instagram pics on the island SEE PAGE IV

SOLDIER ON C OURTS in Spain have vowed to speed up mortgage floor clause claims for 2018. It comes after 165,000 suits were submitted last year, but only 3% (5,000) were dealt with in court. The severe delays are the result of a government decision to only allow 54 purposefully built courts to deal with all mortgage floor clause cases, causing a ‘judicial bottleneck’ that leaves

Fight for justice on mortgage floor clauses to get easier this year people waiting years before being repaid what they owed for overpaying their mortgage. But Spain’s General Judicial Council has announced an additional court covering cases in the Canary Islands

and Fuerteventura, as well as increasing the amount of judges to 50 and hiring more civil servants to help process the lawsuits. Lenders are purposefully not helping the cause, having rejected some 650,000 clients who attempted

to claim directly with their banks. Some reports claim they are proposing token funds, or offering to cancel abusive clauses by private agreement and replace them with high-fixed interest rates which are just as bad as the floor clause rate. Spain’s General Council is now calling for the special courts to be scrapped, arguing for a ‘more effective’ plan to avoid the ‘total collapse’ of the Spanish judicial system.

Victory bonanza

ANOTHER five Irish investors have won their deposits back via the Spanish courts. All of them had invested in off-plan developments that never got built. The judgement is one of over 200 won by Reclaim in Spain and the lawyer Martin de la Herran, of Abolex, over the last two years. “Martin is confident of all cases being successful - he will not take a case to court unless he is 99% certain of winning,” victim Ollie Reel told the Olive Press. “The claim is against the banks (not the developer/agent) and people just have to provide the correct evidence to make a successful claim.” In the latest case, each of the claimants got their deposits back plus 29% interest. “We expect many more victories this year,” added Reel, from Armagh, in Northern Ireland.

17 Property Shops on Mallorca We give your dreams a home

Tel. +34 971 23 85 84 www.engelvoelkers.com/mallorca

II 10

www.theolivepress.es Property Agencies need more regulation, writes Mark Stucklin

Pacha nightclub dismantles

ANOTHER nail is being hammered into the coffin of the Mallorca party scene. Palma's Pacha nightclub has closed down after inspections found multiple illegal improvements and additions, as previously reported by the Olive Press Newspaper. Now the Palma planning council have decided to demolish and undo everything that did not have permit. A total of nine remodels and alterations were carried out with out city permission, and many of which are not up to the building codes for the area. The town planning council stated, "it was found that there were works that did not respect the Property of Cultural Interest (BIC) and that substantial changes had also been made in spaces not approved by the license". Improvements that will soon be torn down include the updated restrooms, billboards, both the patio and main terrace extensions, and the VIP room and the semicircle bar itself.

RIPPLE of alarm is running through Spain’s property sector over the return of cowboy realtors. The reappearance of these opportunists keen to ride the crest of the new buying wave is worrying some of the most established names in the business. They’re concerned that it could have a negative effect on the sector’s reputation which has cost so much to rebuild in an industry that is permanently under the spotlight. You only need to look back a decade or so, when it was fashionable to be a developer or estate agent with no experience, to understand the concern among the companies with more experience. This includes those who have sat out the crisis and the new arrivals who have helped to relaunch the market (for example Aedas Homes). The risk of the arrival of newbie companies pursuing easy money is one of challenges to be met in the new property market cycle. It was precisely the ‘chiringuitos’ (beach bars) – the term used at the time (a decade ago) to describe the amateurs in the property sector – who helped inflate the bubble and damage the industry’s reputation through malpractice. New entrants in

February February 1st - February 2018 14th 2018

Cowboy concerns

property development were helped fessionals to gain the high profile along by easy bank loans for dubi- they had in the past. ous housing schemes. “We aren’t aware of this phenome“The economic context allowed non at the moment,” he adds, “but people with no training or experi- we’re not ruling out the occasional ence in the sector to become part incident.” of it with the sole objective of makHe believes that the sector itself ing easy money on an ensures there all-or-nothing basis,” aren’t many of says Daniel Cuervo, agents, Many of the new these General Secretary of since it badly afthe Spanish Property fects the serious entrants lack Developer and Conand responsible professionalism companies. structor Association (APCE). These pseudoand and are chasing “Suppliers professional operapartners who easy money tions were the first to nurture non-prodisappear during the fessionals will tar property crisis. themselves with Banks nowadays are the same brush more cautious and don’t give loans to and find it difficult to work with projust anyone. This means the develop- fessional companies,” he says. ment sector is more protected from His words are, for the time being, opportunists, according to Cuervo. backed up by the facts. According “The loan market requires a sig- to the national business registry nificant injection of capital, such as compiled by the Spanish Institute of having the land paid for as well as Statistics (INE), in 2017 there were the project and licence costs. You 67,812 companies involved in sellalso need to show a track record of ing property, the lowest figure since ability, know-how and professional- the registry started in 2008 with ism,” he explains, adding that “it 106,375 on its books. Since then, would be very difficult for non-pro- the number has not stopped falling.

But if the property development business is protected from cowboy operations by financing considerations, the estate agency business is not. Anyone can set up as an estate agent in Spain, and the barriers to entry are low, which helps explain why the number of companies in the sector has risen from 149,000 in 2015 to 169,000 today, according to figures from the INE. Industry insiders fear that many of the new entrants lack professionalism, are chasing easy money and could end up damaging the industry’s reputation, just like they did in the past. “It seems that the real estate agency business has no restrictions and anyone can work in it,” one unhappy client told the Olive Press. “In my case I got the impression that they just want to close sales any way they can, and collect their commission, without taking care of the client.” Some industry insiders are calling on the Spanish Government to regulate the business and make it difficult for cowboy operations to take advantage of the recovery and damage the industry’s reputation again.

Property

www.theolivepress.es

February February 1st - February 14th 2018 2018

11 III

Fashion funds

AMANCIO Ortega has injected €100 million into his Spanish real estate business Pontegadea España. It comes after the billionaire created the new subsidiary for Spanish properties in November. The new business will focus on properties in Spain and currently has holdings worth more than €1.6 billion, including Madrid’s Torre Cepsa tower designed by British architect Norman Foster. The Zara founder’s property corporation Pontegadea Inmobiliaria already has separate companies in the US, France, UK and Korea, which are dedicated to managing the property business in each country and has holdings worth €6.7 billion.

Rent-aroof

TERRACE rentals are the next 'big thing' coming to Mallorca. A new app, called Atiko, rents out private rooftops like Airbnb does apartments. The renting app is already a hit in Madrid and Barcelona, and is now set to launch in Palma. The idea is to rent a seafront or rooftop terrace for a weekend bunch event, an afternoon BBQ, a photo shoot or even an evening of star gazing. The target audience is not tourists, but rather residents temporarily looking for a different setting. Homeowners with an ideal terrace or pool area simply post the details and photos on the app with a fair price, and rules, then wait for neighbours to pop in.

American dream

Former US ambassador is said to be looking for a dream home on the island

E'S credited with the reason the Obama family keep returning to Mallorca. And now, appropriately, America’s former ambassador to Spain, James Costos, is appropriately looking to buy on the island. The cultured American has had a long relationship with Mallorca, spending summers and winters in the north of island with husband, designer Michael Smith, for over a decade. The pair currently work all around the world, mainly in the US and Barcelona, and recently bought an rural estate near Salamanca. The power couple have rented the same horse ranch in Esporles, Ses Planes, for a decade, but now want to own a home of their own on the island, claim friends. The Olive Press revealed how the pair had dined with Michelle Obama in the tiny village of Caimari last summer. She had stayed at their home and at the nearby Cap Rocat with her two daughters. Costos was recently spotted browsing the real-estate section of Mallorca's booth at the recent FITUR international tourism fair, in Madrid.

SUN IS SHINING: On Spain’s British property market

Sunny forecast

A PLACE in the Sun has forecast a rosey outlook for Spain’s property market this year. It comes after 2017 saw a much better-than-expected bump in enquirires from Brits looking to buy in Spain, despite the ongoing Brexit fallout. And Spain has continued to be the hot favourite, receiving far more enquiries and with Brits remaining the bigget buyers. “We British are an adventurous, acquisitive bunch who love property and 2018 will see a sizable number of people move forward with plans to buy their place in the sun”, says Andy Bridge, Managing Director of A Place in the Sun. “Each year throws up issues that impact the number of buyers – the value of the pound, Brexit worries, the wider economy – but inevitably we don’t want to be put off”.

Delightful Mediterranean Villa - Costa de la Calma MOVING IN: Ambassador (above) and (below) Obamas visit

4 Beds ● 3 Baths ● 280 m²- Living ● 900- m² Plot ● Pool ● €1. 500.000 ● Ref: 18004 Situated in a quiet and leafy neighbourhood in Costa de la Calma, this property is just 5 minutes to the sea and only 20 minutes to Palma and 25 minutes to the airport. Comprising 3 double bedrooms plus Granny flat, this nicely presented home also offers an open plan kitchen, lounge, and library/office area with wood burning stove. Wood flooring throughout. There is an extensive al fresco entertainment environment for family and friends with a large summer kitchen and bbq area, a nice flat garden and pool with gazebo, overlooking a pleasant green zone. Viewing highly recommended.

STUNNING: Finca fit for a king (or ambassador)

For more information please contact Amanda J Butler www.mjcassociates.net, email: ajb@mjcassociates.net or tel: (+34)690075169.

IV 12

www.theolivepress.es Property

February February 1st - February 2018 14th 2018

England ace Raheem Sterling netting a mega bucks purchase in Spain

Mountain protest

LOCALS are set to protest against plans to build a controversial development in Deia. The protest on February 4 is being organised by the group, We Want a Small Deiá, who believe the 21-home development is ‘barbaric’ and too big. Construction has already begun on the luxury scheme, with environmentalists and locals of the nearby mountain villages wanting to stop it. The group, Agrupacion Deia, claims the two and three bedroom houses, which will cost up to 2 million euros, are forcing younger buyers away. They argue it will also worsen parking problems and not aid the issue of water scarcity in the town. A spokesman for Agrupacion Deia said: “If we see that there is some way to paralyse the project, we will do it.” The route of the rally has yet to be decided, but it will set off from midday.

ONDER kid Raheem Sterling is investing big bucks into a new home on the Costa del

Sol. The Manchester City star is celebrating his stunning form by forking out more than €5 million on a palatial Marbella pad. The holiday hotspot is said to be a favourite for the forward, who signed with City for £49m from Liverpool and earns around £200,000-a-week.

Lotta sterling

Jumping

The 23-year-old has been repeatedly seen jumping on an EasyJet flight to Malaga during his time off from fighting it out for the Premier League. The youngster and his wife Paige Milian already have a huge £3m mansion in the Cheshire countryside but are keen to add the Spanish pad to their property empire. The luxury villa in Marbella is located just 100m from the beach between Puerto Banus and San Pedro de Alcantara. Costing a cool €5 million, the description says it 'represents a unique opportunity to experience the Marbella lifestyle'.

GEM: Raheem’s home sits in one of Spain’s most exclusive neighbourhoods

www.theolivepress.es

February 1st - February 14th 2018

E X C LU

Finest Real Estate Mallorca

Son Espanyol: Lovely finca with guest house on a 8,000 sqm plot, 15 minutes drive from Palma´s old town. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, pool, underfloor heating, fireplace, high beamed ceiling, wooden and marble floor, double glazed window, carport for two cars. E&V ID: W-0297ZZ · Price: € 1,350,000

E X C

Alcudia: High quality house in top condition with sea views, located in a beautiful residential area of Bon Aire, charming traditional elements on exterior combined with bright, modern interiors, holiday rental permission. Constr. area approx. 310 sqm. E&V ID: W-02AAUJ · Price: € 1,475,000

Puig de Ros: This spacious villa is located in second sea line and has a holiday rental license. Large living room with fireplace, 6 bed., 6 bath., equipped kitchen, covered terrace, saltwater pool and much more. Constr. area approx. 468 sqm E&V ID: W-00AD7Q · Price: 2,200,000

El Terreno: Refurbished quality apartment in walking distance to Santa Catalina and Palma old town with 2 bed., 2 bath., patio and terrace, air conditioning, underfloor heating, guest toilet, built-in kitchen, cellar. Constr. area approx. 137 sqm. E&V ID: W-026G5S · Price: € 598,000

Palma: Exclusive and modern duplex penthouse with private roof terrace, part of a spectacular renovation project consisting of seven fabulous luxury apartments with exclusive design, light flooded and spacious rooms, as well as parking and elevator. E&V ID: W-02B4W6 · Price: € 1,200,000

Puerto de Sóller: Luminous apartment with a beautiful view of the bay and surrounding mountains. It has an open-plan kitchen, dining room, living room, 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Furthermore it has a terrace, cosy garden, a/c hot cold, parking space. E&V ID: W-02A5P2 · Price: € 535,000

Engel & Völkers Mallorca · Tel.: +34 971 23 85 84 Mallorca@engelvoelkers.com · www.engelvoelkers.com/mallorca

VI 14

www.theolivepress.es Property

February February 1st - February 2018 14th 2018

Snappy happy

Spain’s most ‘instagrammable’ properties

SPANISH villa has been labelled one of the ‘most Instagrammable’ luxury pads in the world. Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent Villas announced its Black Collection 2018 this week, a selection of 40 stunning villas chosen by a panel of experts based on location, décor, popularity with guests and ‘Instagrammableness’. The Mallorca villa (left) comes complete with a pebbled beach and is built on a 275-hectare private estate on the northwest coast of the island. The property’s name - Se Terra Rotja - translates as ‘red earth’, with the villa capped with terracotta tiles and constructed with red-tinged stone and mortar. Priced from £2026 (€2305) per person per week, the villa sleeps eight people across its four ensuite bedrooms. Right we have picked out two other stunners from around Spain

CG Property C/ Julia Bujosa Batle, 6 07184, Calvía Mallorca Tel: (+34) 971 670 300 Mob: (+34) 628 196 939

www.gc-property.com Calvia – 2,775,000 €

ref: CT62

A charming property on the outskirts of Calvia village with a large 40,000m2 plot. The property has a total construction of 500m2 which is split between 2 fincas. The main finca on the ground floor has a large lounge with fireplace, and dining area overlooking the orange & almond grove. There is also a modern kitchen, bathroom and study (which could be used as a bedroom). Upstairs you find the large master bedroom with terrace, fireplace and ensuite. The second finca has a kitchen with fireplace and 2 bedrooms with ensuite on the ground floor, whilst upstairs is a lounge, terrace and a further 2 bedrooms which share a bathroom.The property has a private pool, orange grove, garage, storerooms, central heating and a/c throughout. The property also benefits from its own water supply as well.

Calvia – 595,000 €

ref: NBC1

A beautiful 3 bedroom semi-detached townhouse on a quiet cul-de-sac with nice views. The property has a constructed area of 156m2 + 40m2 of terraces and sits on a plot of 470m2. Downstairs is the open plan lounge/kitchen/dining room which is filled with light and has direct access to the swimming pool, outdoor eating and garden. Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and 2 terraces. Other features are a w/c, laundry, basement & a/c.

www.theolivepress.es Property

FebruaryFebruary 1st - February 14th 2018 2018

€900,000,000

€220,000

Malaga chic Andratx stunner

This cute apartment is just a stone’s throw away from Museo Thyssen, Plaza de la Constitución and Calle Larios - a wonderful car-free environment full of small shops, restaurants and bars, but yet with complete peace on its own street. The project consists of a restoration of an old magazine headquarters that will turn into a total of 11 apartments in modern, urban, industrial style with 4 metre-high ceilings.

www.maklarringen.se Reference CNON126 Bedrooms 1-2

This private Mediterranean style villa is one of the most outstanding properties in Port Andratx, with a sensational panoramic view to the harbour of Port Andratx, the open sea, the Majorcan countryside as well as to the bay of Palma. The 3-bed comes with a bodega, bar, fitness room and luxurious Spa-area with an indoorpool and sauna. In addition, there is a guest house, which offers 2 bedrooms, a bath and a living room with an open kitchen. www.engelvoelkers.com REFERENCE NUMBER: W-026MG3 BEDROOMS: 5

Camp de Mar: reformed villa with sea views in 2nd sea line, const. area 150 m2 , plot size of 150 m2 , 3 bed, 2 bath, pool, heang,, sea access, A/C, parking, Ref. 1558, 1.950.000 €

15 VII

Cala Fornells: apartment in ﬁrst sea line, const. area approx.84 m2, terraces approx. 18 m2, 2 bed, 2 bath, commnity pool, community parking, air con. h/c, Ref. 1556, 485.000 €

FARA HOMES, Calle Cristobal Colon 1, 07157 Port Andratx, Tel. +34 971 672 455, info@fara-homes.com, www.fara-homes.com

www.theolivepress.es

Ref: 11811

February 1st - February 14th 2018

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 3

Build: 350m2

2,650,000€

Spectacular house in the golf course of Santa Ponsa Spectacular house of design in the golf course of Santa Ponsa. This house has been built on a plot of 3.500 sqm with materials of the best qualities of the market and with a modern style but very Mediterranean. The house has 350 built sqm distributed all of them in one level. This great house has 4 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a guest toilet, wide cleaning room and space for storage and a big modern kitchen with access to the exterior. Huge living room with spectacular double height and big windows with a view to the wonderful gardens of the property. On the exterior of this house there are wide gardens with Mediterranean style where we find a guest's charming little house with sauna. This beautiful property is located to a few meters by foot in one of the income to the golf course in the area, 10 minutes of the main beach and with all the necessary services to live, supermarkets, colleges, drug stores, etc, only 5 minutes by car. A real dream where to live!!!!

Ref: 11821

Bed: 3

Bath: 3

835,000€

Ref: 11809

Bed: 3

Bath: 2

519,000€

Beautiful Mediterranean style ground floor apartment on 1st line golf in Nova Santa Ponsa

Beautiful rustic house surrounded by nature in Andratx

Beautiful Mediterranean style ground floor apartment on 1st line golf in Nova Santa Ponsa. This spacious ground floor has 219 m2 distributed in 3 double bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms 2 of them en suite, modern style kitchen fully furnished and equipped, integrated into the spacious and bright living room with a nice fireplace and access to the outside of the house where we find a beautiful terrace with garden area and views of the golf course.

This house has been built on the side of a mountain in a romantic area of Andratx, the plot is 900 m2 and the house has 140 m2 of living space distributed on two floors. On the main floor there is a huge living room, a rustic style kitchen which is fully furnished and equipped, 2 double bedrooms and 1 bathroom. On the upper floor there is the master bedroom with a bathroom en suite and beautiful mountain views. On the outside of the house we find several terraces, gardens and a barbecue area.

W W W. S G I - M A L L O R C A . C O M

www.theolivepress.es

February 1st - February 14th 2018

Y O U R PA R T N E R S I N M A K I N G Y O U R D R E A M S C O M E T R U E A PA R T M E N T S

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TOWNHOUSES COMMERCIAL

Ref: 11819

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PLOTS •

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VILLAS

PENTHOUSES •

R E N TA L S

Yo u r s H e r m a n n K ö p p l e r

FINCAS

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FULL SERVICE

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 5

Build: 350m2

2,120,000€

Elegant modern style house in Nova Santa Ponsa Elegant modern style house in Nova Santa Ponsa. This house has been recently built on a plot of 1000 m2, has 350 m2 of living space distributed over 2 floors, on the main floor we find 1 double bedroom, 1 bathroom, modern style kitchen with high-end appliances, spacious and bright living room with a modern fireplace and access to the outside of the property. On the second floor there are 4 double bedrooms with 4 bathrooms en suite, also has a large roof terrace with beautiful views of the mountains and the bay of Santa Ponsa. Outside the house there is a beautiful salt water pool with large garden, very well maintained with plants and Mediterranean native trees. The house has an ample garage for two cars. This property has been built with materials of the best qualities of the market and is equipped with high technology. Located in one of the most sought after residential areas of the Southwest of the island, just a few minutes from several golf courses, beaches and the famous Puerto Adriano. With all the necessary services at 5 minutes by car and only 25 minutes from the center of the city of Palma. A true luxury place to live!!!

Ref: 11807

Bed: 3

Bath: 3

1,795,000€

Ref: 11820 Build: Bed: 240m2 3 Bath: 3

495,000€

Beautiful rustic style house in Nova Santa Ponsa

Beautiful terrace house on the 1st line of the golf course of Camp de Mar

Beautiful rustic style house in Nova Santa Ponsa. This house has been built on a plot of 985 m2, has 332 m2 of living space distributed on two floors, on the main floor we find 1 double bedroom with bathroom en suite, guest toilet, beautiful rustic style kitchen, a spacious living room in two very bright levels with access to the exterior of the house. On the upper floor there are 2 very large double rooms with dressing room and bathrooms en suite, the main room has access to a large terrace with beautiful views over the landscape of the area.

Beautiful terrace house on the 1st line of the golf course of Camp de Mar. This house has 151 m2 constructed area and 94 m2 living area distributed on two floors, on the main floor there is 1 double bedroom and 1 bathroom, fully fitted and equipped kitchen, large living room with a nice fireplace and access to a pretty terrace of about 25 m2. On the upper floor there are 2 double bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms en suite, the master bedroom with access to a terrace with beautiful views of the golf course and the mountains.

P U I G D E S C A S T E L L E T. 1 - 2 , B L . 3 , 0 7 1 8 0 S A N TA P O S A , M A L L O R C A (+34) 971 695 912 • INFO@SGI-MALLORCA.COM

X 18

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DATELINE: November 20th, 2067

o one saw this coming… In looking back 50 years to the year 2017, all the clues were there but like a complex jigsaw puzzle, few could see the entire picture. Who would have predicted in 2017, that over the next 50 years, we would see the geopolitical rise of Spain as a world leader? Who would have anticipated a golden age for Spain in energy-related technology? Who would have forecasted Spain as a global model as it pertains to international trade? How did this happen? Let’s try and make sense of it…. In 2017 Spain was still mired in the effects of La Crisis. Unemployment, especially for the young, remained among the highest in Europe. For three election cycles in a row, Spain could not form a consensus government as the country teetered between austerity and unacceptable debt limits. Inefficiency and corruption were found at all levels of governance. Furthermore, the voices calling for Catalonian independence AND those who opposed it, were loud and persistent. Lost in all this pessimism however was an already in-place, albeit inefficient and non-profitable, solar and wind infrastructure. More about this later… The situation in Europe was not much better. The full impact of Brexit in 2017 had not yet played out. Over the next few decades, the European Union weakened to the point that by 2067, it existed in name only. It wasn’t just Brexit that was the beginning of the end for the EU----rather it was a ‘death by a thousand cuts’. The debt/austerity situation in Greece, the cultural divide between the northern and southern countries, immigration/assimilation issues, currency controls, historical grievances --- all were part of the reason for the EU’s fragmenta-

Like the Romans, Napoleon and Hitler, the EU had failed to create a unified Europe tion. Alas, like the Romans, Charlemagne, Napoleon and Hitler, the European Union had failed to create a unified Europe. All was not lost however. Britain, post Brexit, gradually entered a trading bloc of the English -speaking nations of Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand. The union known as Anglosphere, collectively engaged in international trade through a series of free-trade agreements whereby tariff restrictions were reduced and/or eliminated. Interestingly, the historical enemies of France and Germany attempted a similar trading union to prop up what was left of the EU. Meanwhile, Spain formed an economic association with its former South American colonies. This trading bloc, known as Hispanidad, became the economic and technological center-of-gravity in international leadership. Spain’s return as a world leader leader in geopolitical realities was primarily due to (5) reasons; Technological innovation in energy, the success of Hispanidad, well-placed economic institutions, profitable natural resource allocation, and extremely good luck. In 2017, fossil fuels still dominated energy consumption worldwide. Over the next few decades this dynamic began to change. The use of hydrocarbons became less attractive as fears of global warming and climate change intensified. The internal combustion engine for example, was slowly replaced by battery power. Volvo announced (in 2017) that by 2019 their product line would be exclusively electric cars. The United Kingdom, Norway and France all pledged to ban all internal combustion en-

February February 1st - February 2018 14th 2018

Back & Future

The year is 2067 and Spain has returned to superpower status, write Jack Gaioni

GOLDEN AGE: Spain’s Hasburgs ruled the country in the 1500s, its most powerful period

FUTURE: A solar farm in the Indian state of Tamil

Into the Crystal Ball It has been said that ‘those who live by the crystal ball soon learn to eat shattered glass’. That may be true as making intuitions into the future is never a certainty. It has also been said that the only way to predict the future is to have the power to shape the future. If this is true Spain could indeed inherit a bright future. Admittedly, much of the preceding is pure conjecture but some of the preceding is also factual. The demise of the internal combustion engine seems imminent as Volvo, the U.K., Norway and France have indeed made provisions for the exclusive use of electric vehicles. Tesla Inc., an American energy-storage investment firm, has begun spending billions on giga-

factories dedicated to the research, development and mass production of lithium -ion battery production. Tesla has proposed the building of gigafactories in Europe with Paterna (Valencia) Spain as a strong candidate. The concept of an Englishspeaking trading union is not new. Anglosphere, where the Englishspeaking countries share a common heritage in language, history, law, democrati c institutions a n d now trade, was the very expression of Winston Churchill’s project; History of the English- Speaking Peoples. Likewise, the concept of Hispanidad traces its roots back to the 16th century when

gines by 2040. But in 2017 battery power had severe limitations; driving range was limited, the shelf-life of batteries was short-lived and the cost to produce them

historians viewed the Spanish American territories not as colonies but rather extensions of Spain. Lithium- ion batteries are viewed by investors as the logical alternative to the internal combustion engine and high-quality reserves are

found in South America where Spain does indeed have in-place financial influence. Does Spain, in 2017 have the pragmatism to shape the future? As Mahatma Gandhi once said: “The future depends on what you do today and the best way to predict the future is to create it.”

en- masse was prohibitive. Furthermore, the production and disposal of storage batteries required huge amounts of electricity and had negative environmental im-

pacts. In the decades following 2017, this dynamic began to change due to a wave of innovation in battery technology. Lithiumion batteries--- those that store the energy that powers mobile phones, electric cars and electricity grids--- improved exponentially. Lithium became a coveted commodity and, as fate would have it, most of the world’s proven reserves were found in the ‘lithium triangle”’of Chile, Argentina and Bolivia---all active trading members of Hispanidad. By 2067, lithium technology had improved to the point where ‘gigafactories’ or large battery production facilities simultaneously reduced the cost of battery production tenfold and greatly improved the capacity and design of battery power packs. In the decades post 2017, the next generation of battery technology doubled and tripled battery capacity, reduced costs by 40-50% and extended the life of batteries ten-fold. By 2067 battery technology not only changed the auto industry but batteries could now be paired with existing solar and wind technologies…industries already well positioned in Spain circa 2017. The foray into lithium extraction however required huge amounts of Spain and cash-infusions, both Hispanidad was through bank the recipient of loans and private investsome very good ment. Spain fortune was well positioned here as well. In banking, Banco Santander (founded in 1857) and La Caixa (founded 1844), had long established ties in the Americas. They used their scale and influence to make big (and profitable) investments in lithium mining. Linguistic and cultural affinities attracted Spanish and Latin American investors as businesses broadened their horizons on both sides of the Atlantic. But when the Bank of Spain--- the country’s national reserve bank— and Bancomext, Mexico’s largest export credit agency both made huge investments in lithium extraction, it signaled to the world that Hispanidad had arrived as the world’s model in trade and international commerce. Indeed, Spain and Hispanidad was the recipient of some very good fortune. In a perfect storm of technological innovation and an already in-place infrastructure (albeit somewhat primitive in 2017), Spain could pair large scale energy storage with their existing solar and wind industries. Even on windless days wind turbines could now produce electricity via large scale battery storage. The same applied to cloudy conditions and the ability of solar farms to generate electricity. The world watched as Spain led the way in lithium/battery technology becoming an integral part of a low emissions future.

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February February 1st - February 14th 2018 2018

19 XI

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Keys Isl nd to the

21 XIII

February February 1st - February 14th 2018 2018

By Amanda Butler

Mallorca property market has kicked off with a bang this year, writes Amanda Butler

challenge amanda

AVING commented in the first many of my colleagues, which is an unarticle of the year that January usual but great start to the year. is normally a quiet time to re- More great news for the Islands expat flect and organise, how wrong community and visitors alike is that could I be?! various airlines will be increasing their Within the first week I had a client fly- flights to the Balearics this summer ing in on his private jet giving me 24 including Ryanair, easyJet and Eurowhours notice to set up viewings for he ings. Vueling will be increasing flights and his wife! with the mainland including new routes This also happened to coincide with to France and Switzerland. the Three Kings, which is seen as the That’s fantastic news after the col‘real’ Christmas for the lapse of Air Berlin and locals, with naturally not Niki. many willing to offer viewBaleária will also be addI think I have ings in the midst of it all! ing more eco fast ferries been busier than from the mainland as well By some miracle, and with the help of a number of inter-island routes. I have ever been, as collaborating agencies, I Carmen Planas, thepresilike many of my dent of the Confederation managed a decent number of viewings to warrant of Balearic Business Ascolleagues a visit. sociations, remarked that Which was just as well this coming season is dessince we found something tined to be ‘better than they both liked, a sea view apartment last year, and that was a very good in Portixol for €2.8 million (yes, it was one’, following talks with hotel groups quite large for that price) - so celebra- and other tourism industry businesses tions all round! at the Fitur Event. Lago Negueruela, I did think I should speak to the BBC the Balearic employment, trade and and enter myself in for a new TV series industry minister, added that most imof Challenge Amanda, so watch this portantly the season is starting earlier space! and finishing later, which benefits evAnd this pace has continued – in fact I eryone in the tourism industry, which think I have been busier than I’ve ever of course is the prime industry for the been, which is what I’m hearing among Islands.

Contact Amanda J Butler to buy or sell your home: Tel: +34690075169, www. mjcassociates.net. Your professional one stop property shop around the Island!

XII 20

www.theolivepress.es Property November 23rd2017 - December 6th 2017 November

ON TOP: The palace sits high above Ibiza with amazing views

it of coin

STUNNING: Rooftop pool and (below) cave pool

Palace in Spain is first in world you can buy with cryptocurrency Bitcoin

T the highest point of Ibiza’s skyline stands the medieval Palacio Bardaji, built in 1742. With just under a square kilometre includes a near quarter kilometre of floor space, which of accessible rooftop, it can all be yours for 1850 bitcoin. How much that actually is in euros changes everyday, but at time of press, around €12 million. The Palacio Bardaji has gone through renovation to bring it into the modern a rigorous yet protective lines from UNESCO (it is in a world day, following strict guideheritage site, Ibiza’s Dalt Villa).

Luxury

It follows other luxury Bitcoin sales, which is selling units for Bitcoin such as Dubai Science Park and a luxurious London townhouse is also selling for Bitcoin this In total, the Ibiza palace has 921 year. and 220 square meters of land. It square meters of floor space, comes complete with six bedrooms, five bathrooms and a private garage among its three stories. The property also includes a separate, ment, as well as staff accommodation. fully appointed apartCurro Quevedo Bueno of Zooo, the sible for the sale, says the owner real estate agency responsees Bitcoin as ‘a big thing in the near future’. “That led to the decision to become part of this new financial world. “We are very aware that doing the nitely not make things easier, as transaction this way will defiwe way to make this connection betweenstill have to figure out a this new world and the old one.”

MODERN: Gold, white and spacious interiors

ORIGINAL: The interior decor is stylish and different

Coin Picafort

HOUSE in Can Picafort has been put on the market with the option to buy in Bitcoin. The property is being sold on idealista. com for 339,000 euros in Bitcoins or Ethereum. It comes after a home in Tarragona was sold in January for 40 units of bitcoin, equal to more than €550,000. A luxury 18th-century palace, Palacio Bardaji, is for sale in Ibiza accepting only Bitcoins, 1850 of them. The six-bedroom and three story building sits inside the World Heritage Ibiza Town site and is the highest and most private point in Ibiza. There are four other homes currently being marketed around Spain in bitcoin. One home near Madrid is being sold for 54 bitcoins, while a flat in Barcelona, a house in Sant Andreu and an apartment in Lavapies, in Ma-

home

Property in Mallorca goes on the market in bitcoin, one of six in Spain

drid, make up the rest. A mansion in London was put on the market for €19 million in November, with the stipulation that the buyer MUST pay in Bitcoin - about 5,050 at the time. Owner Lev Loginov explained that he was doing it as transactions in Bitcoin are ‘done quicker, and more efficiently’. He added it was much easier to deal with than using banks, ‘which are putting in unnecessary over-regulation’ on purchases. A dozen restaurants in Mallorca already accept payment in bitcoin.

elements

kitchen

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XIV 22

Property

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February February 1st - February 2018 14th 2018

From diving to development, SGI’s Hermann Koppler has seen success

Happy Hermann A

T SGI Mallorca Real Estate, Hermann Köppler sees the sale is completed. property business as his hobby. “We do not just sell a property. We help the client go through the The German owner of this Santa Ponsa company set up whole process to find a lawyer,” he adds. the business 32 years ago. “We do the work so they don’t have to spend money on lawyers. After shifting the entire business to Mallorca following Spain’s We help them go to the notary, open a bank account, get an NIE economic crisis, SGI Mallorca Real Estate has grown from number. strength to strength. “Those are pluses the client appreciate. I have a lot of friends who Herman’s expert team of nine are fluent in ten languages and were clients.” maintains a strong focus on the south west of Hermann himself started the company after previthe island. ously working as a professional diver. “I love this job,” says Hermann. “This is not a Armed with three stars, one of the highest recognijob where you sit in front of the computer. You tions for a diver, he ran schools in Germany, Egypt I think it will keep can connect with all sorts of people. It’s never and former Yugoslavia before making a splash in the same thing twice. real estate. growing for us “You are doing something you love.” “I trained a lot of people. It was work but also a and all the other hobby. So you can see the trend. Many people SGI’s close links to Hermann’s homeland means they are one of the most highly sought ‘Where can I find this kind of property?’ companies here asked, after agents on the island for Germans looking “I met a lot of people. Then I thought, ‘This is my to snap up property on the Balearic hotspot. hobby but if I can sell a property I can make ten But a strong English, Scandinavian and – intimes as much’.” creasingly – Scottish market means accents of Last year was ‘very, very good’ for SGI, he says, all sorts are heard in the company’s modern Santa Ponsa office. and does not envisage Mallorca’s property boom ending any The key to maintaining the close bond they have with their clients time soon. is simple, says Hermann – trust. “The last few years have also been good but there has been a “Some agents aren’t very open but we are completely honest growing curve leading to this year,” says Hermann. with the clients,” he continues. “I think it will keep growing for us and all the other companies. “You have to build a trusting relationship. We think it is a much People are still looking at Mallorca and the market is still better way for the future. Of course, if they ask does this have growing.” a beautiful sea view, you say, ‘It has a sea view. But maybe it A trend the company has noticed recently is for modern, has a palm tree in the way’. minimalistic type properties. “But those are small things. There are some other things However, Hermann believes that a switch back to a that agents wouldn’t mention because they just want more traditional style could be on its way. to sell. “Very minimalistic properties is not the real “We don’t do that. That’s not good for or PR. We try to Mallorquin style. People like curvy houses with be as honest as possible. That’s very important.” lots of flowers and details, but I think people And SGI’s client service doesn’t stop at finding will go back to that style.” you the right apartment, town house or finca. Contact: hermann@sgi-mallorca.com Their end-to-end support takes in all 0034-971-695-912 manner of tricky legalese once the 0049 15758096369

THE A-TEAM: At SGI Mallorca

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-final of Spanish TV talent show 3065 views

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Business

February 1st - February 14th 2018

+TheolivepressEsMALLORCA’S marine business enterprise has been given a boost. Yacht Services has BE ‘APPY! Braemar opened a new office in Palma to assist in serving boat owners with rapid response specialists. Located in Astilleros de Mallorca shipyard, the office is in prime position to help fix Download our app now and not just the wealthy but fishbegin enjoying the best Spanish erman and leisure cruisers. Head of Braemar Richard news on the go. Franklin said: “If there is a fire, a flood or a collision, THE Spanish tax authori- we can have staff on site ties say popstar Shakira as quickly as possible and owes income tax between prevent the situation from 2011 and 2014 and have worsening. asked prosecutors to open “The clients expect us to be on-site very quickly.” Boating specialists arrive a tax evasion caseOlive against Press The the singer which could be Franklin described Mallorca as the ideal place to expand in Mallorca as business is in the tens of millions. TOP for news in Spain! The 40-year-old declared his business. booming in 2015 that Spain was Braemar also focus on salher official residence but vaging wrecks so treasures the tax authorities say from Mallorca’s Roman past “We have a number of ongo- jor refits or major repairs,” world’s big sailing yachts.” Highlighting the shipyards she was earning money could be bubbling to the sur- ing large projects here, from explained Franklin. representing owners on ma- “Palma is the base for the well-equipped infrastrucand not paying tax before face sometime soon. ture to deal with large boats, then. Franklin said the office Sources close to the star would be ‘a base’ particularly say she has always comin the summer when large plied with her tax oblinumber of yachts moor up in gations and that she was THE number of people in Spain without a points lower than the 18.6% rate at the the bays. outside of Spain during job dropped nearly half a million in 2017. end of 2016. Mallorca is now part of that time. 417,000 fewer people were unployed at However, it is still the second-highest Braemar’s global reach with Her auditors, PriceWathe end of 2017, according to The Nation- rate in the EU, behind Greece but is evioffices in Lisbon, Dubai, SinterhouseCoopers, have al Statistics Institute. dence Spain’s economy continues to regapore, Hong Kong, New confirmed the tax invesThis is a 16.6% unployment rate, a few cover. York, Miami, Seattle and tigation. Melbourne.

Taxslips don’t lie

25 25

Mooring up

Jobless drop

Armour up SPAIN’S Defence Minister has said the government plans to boost defence spending by 73% by 2024. Maria Dolores de Cospedal’s announcement means the total defence budget will increase to €18 billion. Cospedal said the increase was in line with the governments plans to increase military spending to ‘around 1.53 percent of GDP’ as it currently spends €10.4 billion, according to AFP figures. But opposition MPs say social services will suffer as a result of the increase. Socialist Partido Popular lawmaker Ana Botella said defence spending was increasing at a time when austerity measures imposed from the 2007 crash had weakened social services. “Spanish families’ daily lives are marked by hardship and precarity,” she said.

AGONY Property ANT YOUR LEGAL PROBLEMS ADDRESSED BY ANTONIO FLORES

Inheritance tax cut

ack in February 2016, the Tax Office in Andalucia divulged interesting IHT data: only 7% of all inheritors in this region had had to pay tax following the demise of their loved ones, at a time when maximum allowance per beneficiary was €175,000. Of the 7% who had to pay IHT, only 2.1% were beneficiaries classed as next-of-kin of Group I (children - natural and adopted - and other descendants under 21) and Group II (children and other descendants aged 21 and over; parents and other ascendants, and spouses, with the remaining 5% being more distant relatives or beneficiaries with no family ties with the testators. In 2017, the exemption was increased to €250,000, thus reducing even more the overall impact of this annoying tax. agreement with the EU to maintain the In 2018, a further tax cut has increased status quo currently enjoyed all EU/EEA the exemption by €1,000,000 -provided residents, the negative impact in inherithe beneficiary does not have savings tance tax will become particularly visible or assets of up to the same for thousands of potential amount. This exemption, inheritors from the UK, for which applies to residents whom the maximum deThe negative in Spain but also, any inheriductible amount will be effects will tors - foreign or not - who at on average - €16,000 per the time of death of the tesinheritor, just as any nontator were residents of the equally transalte EU citizen. European Union or European The negative effects will to income Economic Area (EEA), means equally translate to income that pretty much nobody will obtained in Spain obtained in Spain, which pay IHT in this region, except will be taxed at 24% - as of course if the inheritor hapopposed to 19% now - and pens to be a resident of the UK and Thewithout the possibility to deduct costs resa May sets Britain on course for a hard and expenses, and CGT relief when reinBrexit (if she has not already done so). vesting in a habitual domicile, which disIf the UK does not negotiate a separate appears.

Email Antonio at aflores@lawbird.com

26 26

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January and February, are traditionally busy months for advanced holiday bookings as we get enticed by the plethora of holiday promotions. Buying your annual policy now means you can sit back and book as many holidays as you like, with the peace of mind that your travel insurance is sorted for the entire calendar year. Opt for an immediate ‘start date’ so you are covered straight-away for holidays you book, or have already booked. Don’t leave purchasing travel insurance to the last minute, and don’t opt for a future ‘start date’ with the misguided self-assurance that you’re not travelling for a while. Otherwise you won’t benefit from the pre-departure elements the policy has to offer. If it includes cancellation, this protection kicksin instantly if you opt for an immediate start date. Holiday cancellation is one of the most common reasons for making a travel insurance claim, so it’s wise to start your policy immediately and protect costs you have pre-paid. A good annual policy lets you take as many trips as you like, under the one policy. However, some have travel limits, so look-out for restrictions on the number of trips, and ‘trip duration’. Be sure to buy a policy that covers the longest trip you’ll take. Look out for special deals such as kids go free, or couples discounts. This could save you a lot. However, beware, the cheapest policy may not provide the cover you need; and the most expensive may not be the best. Read the small print and chose based on your individual requirements, taking account of holiday costs; value of luggage; and always declare pre-existing medical conditions. Sidestep this at your peril, as it could invalidate your insurance and cost you dearly in both cash and anguish. Wherever you travel, visit the Foreign & Commonwealth (FCO) Travelaware website for travel safety and security advice before you travel and happy holidays! Globelink Travel Insurance for people living in Spain and the EU. www.globelink.co.uk, or call (UK) +44 1353 699 082 or our Spanish link line 96 626 5000.

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Food, drink & travel

Buckwheating the trend

Creamy clams

SUNCREAM has been linked to rising levels in mussels, new research shows. Researchers at the University of the Balearic Islands found that suncreams with titanium in them cause stress. The harmful molecules enter the marine ecosystem when people go swimming, and titanium

Download our app now and begin enjoying the best Spanish MORE than 100 farmers have signed a petition to stop the news on the go.

Wine woes

27 27

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BE ‘APPY! stress

PRICE HIKE: For wine

September 14 - September 27 0th 2017

September 27th - October 10th 2017

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destruction of healthy olive and almond trees in Alicante. This is in response to Valencian officials from the Ministry of SPAIN’S production of wine for Agriculture enacting EU plans 2017 was down 20% compared to eradicate the plant virus, to the year before, figures have Xylella fastidiosa, which has damaged a massive amount of shown. and almond trees across The agriculture ministry has olive The Olive Press reported the total production Europe. of wine and must in the current Under current plans more trees news in Spain! than are infected have to be cut 2017/18 vintage TOP standsfor at 35.6 million hectolitres compares down. eith 44 million in 2016 – a But farmers feel these plans are not effective and have called 19.6% drop. Overall, production in 2017 is on the Spanish government to 19.6% lower than the previous publish the results of 7,000 test season and 17.6% lower than samples so the true scope of the the average of the previous six disease can be understood. seasons. The latest figures fol- The farmers, part of The Platlow what has been a challenging form for those Affected by year for producers throughout Xylella fastidiosa (AXFA), say Europe, with with late spring current eradication plans mark frosts, widespread drought the ‘beginning of the end of our and a heatwave affecting large forests, and of our people’. swathes of France, Spain and It- AXFA spokesman Adolfo Ribes aly. It comes after the European said: “The Valencian adminisCommission in October said it tration has not dared to defend expected European production us, neither before the rest of to be at a 36-year low.

dioxide is released. Mussels react by pumping out more antioxidant enzymes to break down the increasing levels of titanium dioxide - indicating an adaptive process. Their study, which appears in the journal ‘Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety’, is the first of its kind to look at the impact of suncream.

Oil’s not good

Farmers protest EU measures to cut down healthy trees to stop virus

DAMAGE CONTROL: Has gone ‘too far’

the autonomous communities of our country, nor before our Ministry nor before Brussels. “Razing all of the trees, both healthy and sick, is not the solution. “The infestations have spread to three regions, and there is a high probability that new outbreaks will be announced soon.” This is the fifth outbreak of the plant virus in the region since June after it ran riot in southern Italy last year, to which it is still recovering.

RENOWNED chef Montserrat Fontane, 81, has been cooking up a storm at the 16th International Madrid Fusion Summit, this week, highlighting the importance of food origin. Owner of Can Roca, in Girona, for more than 50 years, she delighted the audience with anecdotes of post-war recipes featuring, the now fashionable, buckwheat and home cooking tips. Her children Jordi Roca, Josep and Joan all followed in her footsteps to open three Michelin star restaurant, El Celler, which has been named best restaurant in the world twice. Dishing out advice for budding gastronauts, Fontane said: “The dishes have to be rich. Then everyone has their point.”

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Food, drink & travel February 1st - February 14th 2018 Not for the claustrophobic

Sky high A short drive out of the city you will find one of the most unusual architectural projects in Spanish history. While heavily controversial - having cost many times over budget (and over €400m) to build so far - this interesting collection of six hilltop buildings designed by American architect Peter Eisenman is well worth visiting. Its use of materials is extravagant and its genesis suspect, but its attractive staccato lines are an architect's dream. While it is some way off being finished, you can visit a library and a newspaper archive, and if you are very lucky you may find an actual exhibition worth visiting, as I did with a fabulous display of works by Galician photographer Jose Suarez this month.

Launching a new travel section, Jon Clarke casts a photographic eye over the stunning Galician city of Santiago de Compostela and its wonderful green surroundings

HE historic city of Santiago de Compostela is just a stone’s throw from one of the most westerly tips of Europe at Cape Finisterre, meaning ‘End of the earth’, and surrounded by some of the best countryside in Spain. Why bother walking there - like thousands of peregrinos (or pilgrims) do every year - when you can now fly easily via numerous airlines from around Europe and Spain? The airport is just 20 minutes from the city, which is a World Heritage Site, and if you hire a car you can reach numerous local beauty spots, beaches and historic, hidden gems in under an hour. Head there out of season and you will find Galicia one of the least populated, least visited corners of Spain, with prices to match. There is a fantastic range of places to stay and its collection of restaurants and bars in the centre easily rival the quality - if not creativity - of its Basque neighbours. Here are a few ideas to whet your appetite:

A Word in your shell-like The scallop shells you see adorning countless walls of the city (even the cathedral) are associated with

the apostle James. It has become the symbol of those making the pilgrimage to his shrine at the cathedral and it stems from a legend in which James saved a knight who had – bizarrely – been attacked by hundreds of the aquatic molluscs. Practically, the scallop shell laterbecame a scoop – with pilgrims entitled to take as much oats, barley or wine as they could fit in their shell from houses they passed on their way to the shrine.

TOP TAPA: Scallops in olive oil

No need to be shelling out The city’s tapas bars and ‘pulperias’ are a joy to dip in and out of. There are dozens in the old town and many serve up wonderful shellfish, including razor shells and clams, as well as the classic dish of scallops in olive oil, from where the pilgrims famous shell comes from. Some rave about the authenticity of Gato Negro, although I preferred Maria Castaña, practically next door (see picture), while La Tasquita de Jacobus, in Calle Senra, had amazing squid and berberechos (a type of clam).

Said to be the narrowest street in Spain, Calle Entrerruas is a tiny metre-wide alleyway linking Rua do Vilar and Rua Nova. It has a tiny square in the middle and, best of all, each of its granite paving stones has a number engraved on them.

To the end of the Earth Cape of good hope The cape of Finisterre (End of the world) sits at the third most westerly tip of the ominously named Costa da Morte, or Coast of Death, which is found between the villages of Muros and Malpica. It inherited its name due to its rugged, exposed coastline, which has been a hotspot for shipwrecks for centuries and, even recently, included a number of oil tankers, such as the Prestige, in 2002. It is a stunning stretch of coastline pockmarked with pretty coves and headlands and interspaced with a string of austere, but scenic settlements, which would not look out of place in the Western Highlands of Scotland. There are many decent seafood restaurants, but the ones scattered around the 100-plus fishing boat port of Fisterra take some beating.

Out into the hills

Chic and cheerful Strolling around the centre you will find a great range of interesting shops, from music to books and from shoes to art. Hat shop Sombreria Iglesias (inset) goes back over 100 years to 1912, while there is a charming shop (left) Catrineta full of fish conserves (www.catrineta.com) of every size, description and taste, naturally next to the celebrated fish market, which coincidentally has its own website www. mercadodeabastosdesantiago.com

Take a rural ride out into the stunning countryside east of Santiago and you will be heading broadly along the Ruta de Santiago, trodden by pilgrims for centuries. There are numerous historic villages and towns and within 30 minutes you are out in the heart of wild terrain. Looking for a great spot to stay - or for a fabulous luncheon - head for Casa Brandariz in Dombordan, which has been putting up travellers for centuries. A basic, good value menu, is supplemented by excellent local vino… and there are simple rooms upstairs to lay down your head for a siesta. www.casabrandariz.com

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Soaring masterpiece If there is one stand-out building in Galicia it has got to be the cathedral of Santiago, which is almost as wonderful to look at from all four sides. Certainly no anticlimax for the thousands of pilgrims who walk for months to venerate themselves there each year, it is perhaps one of the most ornate buildings in Spain. Part Gothic, part Baroque, it was first built in the eighth century, before being burnt down by the Moors and then rebuilt in the 11th century. Founded on the legend of St James, who brought Christianity to Spain and was later beheaded in Jerusalem, it is the journey’s end of the most famous Catholic pilgrimage in the world. You could spend days poking around it and there is so much going on, whether you are a believer or not.

Masterful at the market Slap bang next to the city’s famous fish market (which is also worth a visit during the day) is perhaps Santiago’s current standout restaurant. Abastos 2.0 is an atmospheric space with avant garde jazz music and some of the most exciting food in Galicia. Popup in style, its ingredients are local and the menu changes by the day, with many dishes served up by the chefs themselves with a distinct enthusiasm for their creations. Expect fish, of course, while I also ate some fabulous dim sum and an incredible tender ‘rabo de vaca’ (tail of cow) with radish, spring onion and broccoli. A pre-dessert of ‘citrus apple’, baked in a bag of sugar, was unusual, while a smoky blackberry and apple sponge cake with cream of honey and blood orange ice cream was masterful. www. abastosdouspuntocero.es

traditional

Not just Rioja If you are looking to properly immerse yourself in the local food culture, you will also need to get your head around the wonderful Galician wines. Since the Albarino grape from the Riax Baixas denomination took the world by storm two decades ago the region has had a revolution, now creating some of the best whites in Europe, from its two other regions Ribeiro and Valdeorras. The grape varieties are hard to pronounce (try

Treixadura), but in their Godellos they have something to easily rival the best Albarino. Meanwhile new reds keep emerging and get better and better. You’ll find decent wines in most of the city’s eateries, but if you really want to get amongst it why not head for the stylish, modern Bodeguilla de San Lorenzo, or its sister joints San Roque and Santa Marta, where you can find hundreds of local references.

Just hanging around

The real joy of Santiago is simply wandering around its historic central core. Protected by Unesco, this maze of medieval pavingstone clad lanes is crammed with charming buildings, some austere, some more ornate. Glistening after rain, their porticos and alleyways and arches lead to charming squares and, of course, everything tilts around the wonderful cathedral.

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Mallorca diaries

By Lesley Keith

Livin’ la vida loca

It’s party time in Mallorca and Lesley Keith is loving it

T has been a great month of festivals and here in the north of the island they go for them in a big way. Nothing like the UK at this time of year where everyone has over-spent and overindulged and are trying to crawl under their quilts or rocks until February arrives. Compare that to what’s going on here where it’s any excuse to get out there, night or day, or both. Restaurants that have already closed, magically reopen for the season and the whole area comes to life. One of the best is the fires of San Antoni, he is the patron saint of Sa Pobla so this is where I went to enjoy it. The town are very proud of this festival and embrace it wholeheartedly feeling that it belongs to them. I was joined by several other thousands of people and it was brilliant. A canny friend who’d been before had cleverly booked us a window table on the first floor of a restaurant in the main square overlooking everything and there was certainly a lot to see. How the whole town didn’t catch fire is a complete mystery as there were fires everywhere. I am talking huge tree trunks stacked over six foot high on every street burning merrily away. They scared the devil away in a greatly enjoyed chase, lots of local music was played, giants paraded, and of course the usual eardrum-splitting fire crackers going off everywhere! It was one huge party with everyone happy and laughing. In amongst the huge throng I never felt scared or threatened, it was just one enormous and lovely enjoyable party. This was all finished off with an incredible firework display. Of course this was just the end of the official proceedings, I’m pretty sure everything carried on right round to the next morning but the days of me being able to keep going round the clock have long since passed sadly. Next after this comes ‘The Tree’, again this is special to the north, I think only Pollenca and Puerto Pollenca do this. Things didn’t go quite according to plan however for either event. There is great ceremony involved in getting the trees to their respective resting places. With both towns a tree is selected days before and stripped of its branches and bark then either dragged through the woods to Pollenca or sailed to the town from Formentor to the port. Sadly something went awry with the Pollenca one and it got well and truly stuck going around a corner and ended up snapping in two. Not to be deterred they carried on anyway, probably fixing it up with duct tape and superglue which, let’s face it , fixes everything, and the climbing to the top to win the pretend chicken managed to carry on as normal. In the Port the tree made it without problem but they couldn’t get it to wedge into it’s hole properly, so had to be held up half way up by some sort of mechanical device. The trouble with this was that the idea is to climb to the top from the ground but a couple of wily guys, perhaps not as enibrated as the others ran up

PARTY TIME: Lesley got a great view the holding device and started from half way up, the second one who tried it was successful and won the bag of monopoly money (redeemed for the real stuff at the council offices later). The gist of this is it was all over in about fifteen minutes instead of the hours it usually takes so everyone felt a bit cheated. The feeling didn’t last long and it just meant that the celebratory parties started a little earlier. It was wonderful fun but next year I’m wearing earplugs, after a firecracker went off at my feet, which not only scared the holy bejaysus out of me (no mean feat, I’m from South London and we don’t scare easily) but I was also rendered completely deaf in one ear for a good ten minutes and left with what sounded like birds tweeting in both my ears for at least the next three days! My partner often complains that I’m deaf as I do about him. The other day he was completely exasperated with me, I was washing up at the sink when he exclaimed ‘For goodness sake Lesley I’ve asked you three times whether you want a cup of tea!’ (not quite those words but you get my drift) to which I replied ‘Yes, and three times I’ve replied…..’ Hmmm….. kettle, black, pot , the, calling…….rearrange.

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Sports & yachting

February 1st - February 14th 2018

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British star to lead BE‘APPY! ‘APPY! Team GB at BE BE ‘APPY! Davis Cup tie on Costa del Sol KYLE Edmund will lead Great Britain’s team in their challenging Davis Cup tie against Download Downloadour ourapp app now nowand and Spain in Marbella. Download our app now and begin beginenjoying enjoyingthethe best best Spanish Spanish It comes after the rising star begin enjoying the best Spanish news newsononthethego.go.reached the Australian Open news on the go. semi-finals this week. Captain Leon Smith confirmed the team today, CHAMPS: Spain team with Cameron Norrie, Liam Broady, Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot joining Edmund for the three-day World Group first-round tie, which RISING STAR: Kyle Edmund will lead the charge against Spain in Marbella starts on February 2. The The Olive Olive Press Press The Olive Press Smith, who watched Edmund beat world No 3 Grigor DimiTOP TOPfor fornews news inin Spain! Spain! TOP for news Spain! SPAIN’S men’s handball team in trov to reach the semis of a have made history by winning slam for the first time, said: their first European title. “I’ve not got a fixed mindLos Hispanos beat Sweden, set [about the second singles 29-23, in Zagreb, Croatia. spot]. Sweden won the first half of “Liam and Cam have played the closely fought game by nothing on clay; that’s the “Whoever goes out to play as thing they’ve got, learning pivotal player, in the absence two points but could only bottom line. So you don’t a No 2 against what will be from it and hopefully leaving of Andy Murray, who is recovmanage to score nine points know how they’re going to re- a really high-level opponent, a better tennis player.” ering from hip surgery. in the second. act to it. it’s about them giving every- Edmund is now the team’s Rafael Nadal has already Spain went on to dominate made himself unavailable, from the second half with but Smith said: “It’s the striker Alex Dujshebaev caustoughest draw. They are the ing a lot of problems for the most difficult team – whoever Swedes. they pick.” NINE Saudi Arabian footballers have joined, on brainchild of Turki al-Alshaikh, head of Saudi The win means Los Hispanos Great Britain last played Spain loan, six first and second division Spanish clubs. Arabia’s General Sport Authority (GSA) who has secured a place in both in 1986, winning 4-1 in Telford. La Liga’s Villarreal, Levante and Leganes have is keen to get his players ‘to play at the highest the World Cup in 2019 and The winners face Australia or signed one player each possible level’. the European Championships Germany in the quarter-finals With the World Cup looming, the transfer is the in 2020. from 6-8 April.

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League of Nations

SPAIN and England are set to go head-to-head in the inaugural UEFA Nations League. Both teams join Croatia in Group four of League A the last group of the best teams in Europe. The UEFA Nations League is a football competition designed to match similarly ranked teams against one another in a league system. All 55 European footballing nations have been divided into four separate leagues (A to D) depending on their ranking, which in turn are split into four groups. With 12 teams in each league, play-offs are scheduled for September in the supposed ‘empty’ seasons - where there is no World Cup or European Championship. But only one can finish top of the group to be promoted into the knockout stages of the final four teams to decide the Nations League winner in June 2019.

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Be There, Even When You’re Not A VINTAGE luxury yacht built in the 1920s has docked in Palma, much to the delight of boating enthusiasts. The Haida 1929, which was named after the

Need for speed A MALLORQUIN MotoGP rider has set the fastest lap time in the history of a Malaysian race circuit. Jorge Lorenzo, 30 who now rides for Ducati, set the mark in a pre-season test on the Sepang track. His record time bodes well for the upcoming season, which is set to begin on March 18 in Qatar. Riders will compete at Sepang in Malaysia in the penultimate race of the season on November 4. Lorenzo finished 7th in last year’s standings but has been the MotoGP World Champion on three separate occasions in 2010, 2012 and 2015.

year in which it was built, spent several days at anchor in front of the town of Palmanova before docking for repairs in Marina Moll Vell. The boat was originally constructed in Germany for North American millionaire, Max Fleischmann, who was known as the ‘yeast king’. Until the present day it has also been used by the US Navy in the Pacific Ocean during the Second World War and been owned by an Egyptian magnate to sail the Mediterranean. The current owner of the 233ft-long luxurious vessel is unknown but it has a capacity for 12 guests and is run by a crew of 17 peoCAPTION: ple.

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CLUB de Golf Alcanada has become the first Mallorcan course to rank in the top 100 of Continental Europe golf clubs.

Snail mail THE cost of applying for a British passport by post will rise from £72.50 to £85, a 17% increase, in a government effort to increase online applications.

Not funny INCA railway station was briefly shut by the police for investigation after a man pretended to throw a bomb on the floor in ‘bad taste’.

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A worker has taken sick leave for a year on seven separate occasions in the last 15 years By Joe Wallen

THE case of a ‘work-shy’ government worker has divided opinion across Spain, after it was revealed he has been paid in full despite being away from his desk for 12 out of the last 15 years. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, receives a monthly salary of €1,500 after being employed as a nursing assistant at the Doctor Esquerdo psychiatric hospital in Alicante. His story came to light after it was revealed he had been on sick leave for over

Sick note 4,000 days between 2001 and 2006. Further to his extensive sick leave, the employee avoided more work by taking his legally contracted holiday. “Yes, it is legal, even if ethically and morally it may not seem so,” Alejandro Moral, a provincial official told the press. “We’ve even tried every-

thing from a legal standpoint – we even started disciplinary proceedings against him.” However, the employee won every legal battle he’s faced, including a court case in which he managed to prove that the National Institute for Social Security did not properly notify him that he was due back at his post following a period of sick leave. On seven occasions, the employee took sick leave for a year or more, with three of these instances stretching to a year and a half, the maximum permitted by Spanish law. The workers condition cannot be revealed legally but his doctors have signed him off on all his sick leaves without issue. To attempt to resolve the situation his employers are now attempting to secure him permanent disability leave so he can be taken off their books once and for all.

Blessed be our animals A MADRID church welcomed all household pets to be blessed with holy water on the Day of Saint Anthony. Dozens of animal lovers queued outside the Church of San Anton so priests could bless their dogs and cats, some decked out in jumpers and ribbons for the occasion. “Mine has to wear a muzzle because he is old and a bit grumpy and I really don’t want him to bite the priest,” explained one nervous dog owner. A number of rabbits and even a lizard was brought for the service.

Good inning THE world’s oldest man has died at his home in Spain, a month after celebrating his 113th birthday. Francisco Núñez Olivera was born on December 13, 1904, in the village of Bienvenida in Badajoz. He fathered four children, nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. He became the world’s oldest man in August 2017 on the death of Yis-

rael Kristal, a holocaust survivor. “He will be missed by everyone,” said Antonio Carmona, the mayor of Bienvenida. He fought against the Berbers in Morocco in the 1920s and was a veteran of the Spanish Civil. His secret to reaching the grand old age of 113 was ‘to work hard. To not be weak and stay in the house.’

Nip slip up

Wild cat chase A HUNT launched by Spanish police to track a ‘dangerous black panther’ has ended in an anticlimax after it was revealed it is most likely ‘just a shaggy black dog’. Frightened people in Jadraque Guadalajara called in the Guardia Civil last week after fearing a massive beast was on the loose. Police responded after various sightings and were sent out in numbers to track down the big cat. But after several days police filmed what they thought could be the beast. It was accompanied by a smaller animal, most likely another dog, and the pair were recorded frolicking about together. Despite the new footage, some locals still believe the ‘panther’ is on the loose.

CRITICS have slammed a Mallorca estate agency for using a photo of a bikini-wearing woman to promote itself. The woman can be seen stretched seductively on the ground infront of a swimming pool above the window of Mallorca Open in Manacor. President of the Istitut Balear de la Dona, Bernat Ferre said: “We have sent a letter asking for the sexist image to be removed.” Manager of Mallorca Open, Manuel Vázquez, has requested a certificate of compliance with advertising reguations from Manacor town hall to prove his advert is perfectly legal.