Olive Press Andalucia Issue 440

Leading the way

THREE Andalucian cities have been named amongst the top 10 places in Spain to celebrate Easter.

Sevilla, Granada and Malaga were featured in the ranking by travel magazine National Geographic Zamora claimed the top spot, followed by Zaragoza in second place and Sevilla in third.

Despite taking third place, Sevilla has ‘the most exciting processions’ in the whole of Spain.

Malaga was recognised for its abnormal size while Granada is known for the bonfires lit in the cave houses of Sacromonte.

‘GUIRIS GO HOME!’

Offensive messages appear in Malaga as fed-up bar owner launches anti-tourism campaign

THE anti-tourism movement has landed on the Costa del Sol with stickers plastered on buildings telling holidaymakers and ‘ guiris ’ to ‘go f*****g home’.

The incendiary messages were spotted all around Malaga city this week and follow a wave of anti-tourism protests in Barcelona, Sevilla, Tenerife and Mallorca. Locals are blaming the industry for pushing up rental prices and

By Laurence Dollimore

causing pollution.

The movement in Malaga is allegedly being spearheaded by Daniel Romero, who was kicked out of his home of 10 years as it was being turned into a tourist rental.

The owner of the Drunk-o-Rama bar is now selling a series of offensive anti-tourism stickers. He has been joined by other grassroots groups, including the ‘ Guiris go home ’ movement.

Guiri can be an offensive term for an expat or foreigner, depending on the context.

Crude

The crude stickers have also been seen on car park machines, outside Airbnbs and on beach walkways. Meanwhile other stickers have been created that are a play on the phrase AT - Apartamento Turistica.

The blue square containing the ‘AT’ logo was changed to include many rude phrases including ‘whore’ and ‘arse’.

One reads: ‘ AT - Antes de todo, eso mi casa (before, this was my home)’.

PSOE politician Dani Perez took a photo of one placed next to four padlocked boxes that hold Airbnb keys. He wrote on X : “You era el centro ’ (before everything, this was the centre).

Another says: ‘ AT - Antes una familia vivia aqui ’, meaning ‘before, a family lived here.’

The rudest read: ‘ AT - A tu puta casa (go to your f*****g home)’ and ‘ AT - A tomar por culo de aqui ’, which more or less means ‘get the f**k out of here.’

The most poignant states simply: “ ATAntes esa era

RUDE: Daniel Romero makes his feelings about tourism known, while graffitti spells out the message walk the streets of Málaga and it is practically impossible to find a residential building that does not have a lock and password.”

And he went on to accuse the mayor of ‘not lifting a finger for the people of Malaga’ and ‘expelling them from the city where they were born’.

The Drunk-o-Rama bar, in Malaga, showed its followers on Instagram how to order the offensive stickers.

The Olive Press has contacted Daniel Romero for comment.

CRUDE: Anti-tourism stickers have been put over Apartamento Turistica signs

Toddler killer

AN abusive partner has taken his own life after fatally poisoning his two young daughters with toxic fertiliser inside his house in Almeria.

Sick revenge

THREE thugs in Sevilla have been arrested after allegedly setting a 90-yearold woman’s house ablaze with her inside ‘after she complained about noise coming from their pub’.

Flight-mare

A FLIGHT from Morocco was forced to abort landing at Malaga airport after a passenger ‘punched and pulled the hair of cabin crew’ in a random frenzied attack.

Wolf pack

SPAIN’S Policia Nacional have arrested five men on suspicion of the group sexual assault of a 26-year-old woman in Marbella in early March.

Mystery solved

AN African man has been arrested over the death of a Norwegian expat whose body was dumped on a Torremolinos street last September.

Anne Mathea Morken, 22, died as a result

of ‘drug intoxication’, say police, after going to the home of two Senegalese men in Fuengirola and having a ‘negative reaction’ to a narcotic.

Two men then put her body in a car and dumped it in Torremolinos.

One of the men, 33, was arrested while trying to travel to Lisbon with fake IDs. A second suspect remains on the run.

SHOOTING SPREE

MARBELLA has suffered four shootings in a month following the latest attack in Puerto Banus at the weekend. The spate of gang-related violence has raised concerns among locals and expats that there'll be more to come this summer - threatening the vital tourism industry. At around 1.30am on Saturday, a 20-year-old man was injured when a gunman opened fire in

Gun violence rocks Marbella with at least four incidents since February

By Laurence Dollimore

the direction of a ‘shisha bar’ near the entrance of the upmarket port.

Shocking video footage showed

the moment 15 gunshots rang out while a man was seen running for his life and witnesses were heard screaming. The injured man was rushed to hospital with a knee injury. It came just days after two men

KINAHAN UNDER PRESSURE

IRISH police have recommended that mafia boss Daniel Kinahan be charged with the 2016 gangland murder of the brother of rival crime lord Gerry ‘the Monk’ Hutch. Kinahan, 46, is accused of orchestrating the 2016 assassination of Eddie Hutch as part of a brutal gang war between Irish mafia clans that traces its origins to the Costa del Sol. He is one of 10 suspects the Gardai have recommended be charged with a number of offences.

Kinahan fled to Dubai in 2016 after Span-

ish authorities clamped down on his gang’s activities in Marbella.

The gang war was sparked by the murder of Garry Hutch on September 24, 2015, at the Miraflores complex near Marbella after a reported falling out.

A series of tit-for-tat murders between Spain and Ireland followed, until Eddie Hutch, a 58-year-old taxi driver and father of five - who was not thought to be involved in crime - was gunned down outside his residence in Dublin's Ballybough area.

on a Honda motorbike opened fire from a roundabout in Banus, hitting the glass wall of a popular restaurant.

Incredibly the March 11 incident didn’t stop evening service. Meanwhile a man was shot in Nueva Andalucia on February 10, suffering injuries to an arm and a leg.

On February 12, gunshots were yet again fired in Nueva Andalucia and police raced to the scene. Luckily no one was injured. Witnesses said the shots were fired at around 1am and that the assailants had sped off in a car. Underneath a video of the most recent attack, one Brit wrote: "Best European destination for 2024 everyone: the police need to get much tougher and turf out this trash.”

Another said: "What a shame, this will chase away tourists for Semana Santa."

Another branded the situation as 'GTA Marbella' and a ‘gangster’s paradise’.

A MENTALLY-ill British dual-national has been jailed for 10 years after stabbing a sixyear-old boy outside the British International Hastings School in Madrid. The assault happened in December 2021 when the boy was returning to the school in the Chamartin area of the capital after a PE lesson. The victim was said to be lucky to have survived the attack by Albal Z, who was born in Kosovo but also has British nationality. He suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and on the day of the assault, he lost his perception of reality and had a serious decrease in his cognitive ability, a court heard.

Dodgy death Brit jailed

AN Irishman arrested for domestic abuse has been found dead in his holding cell on the Costa del Sol.

The body of the 30-year-old was found on Friday morning after a routine prisoner check. Despite receiving medical attention, he was pronounced dead at the scene, with an initial autopsy suggesting the cause of death was an abnormal fluid accumulation in the lungs.

He was being held at a Policia Nacional station in Torremolinos following allegations of gender violence.

The officers involved in his arrest and those responsible for his care while in custody will be investigated.

THE god of goth rock will be casting his cloak of darkness over Spain this year.

Nick Cave and his legendary Bad Seeds will play two shows in Barcelona and Madrid, followed by a date in Portugal.

As part of the Australian band’s Wild God tour, they will bring their blend of rock, post-punk and gothic sound to Palau Sant Jordi in Bar-

Cave in town

celona on October 24, the WiZink Centre in Madrid on October 25, and the MEO Arena in Lisbon on October 27. Support band The Murder Capital’s debut album, When I Have Fears, has had widespread critical acclaim.

Escape the crisis!

Queen Camilla’s secret Spanish holiday escaping the media frenzy back home over Wills and Kate

EXCLUSIVE

By Ben Pawlowski

QUEEN Camilla has enjoyed a secret hunting break in a luxury Spanish finca as a royal crisis engulfed the British Royal Family, it has emerged.

King Charles III’s cancer diagnosis and Kate Middleton’s prolonged absence from public duties have provoked a major issue as speculation swirls over the marriage of Prince William and Kate. In perfect timing, the Spanish media went into overdrive over rumours of the split just as Camilla was trying to get away from it all. It started when Cuore, a women’s magazine, suggested Rose Hanbury, the Marchioness of Cholmondeley had been ‘having an affair’ with William.

The pub lication added Han bury is ‘said to be divorcing’ her husband, Da vid, the 7th Mar quess of Cholmonde ley.

It was followed up by magazine that trumpeted that ‘Kate is asking for a divorce’ over ‘rumours of infidelity’. With King Charles sidelined as he begins treatment for

ends in land when she herself was having an affair with

DOMINGO COMEBACK

SPAIN’S top opera singer is taking to the stage this summer, despite a string of allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

Placido Domingo, 83, will perform at the Starlite festival in Marbella on August 13.

Alongside Luciano Pavaraotti and Jose Carreras, Domin go was one of the Three Tenors, renowned for their spectacular voices.

However, 27 women have accused the Ma drid-born performer of sexual assault and harassment, in-

cluding unwelcome fondling, grabbing and forced kissing in incidents dating back to the 1980s. A 2020 investigation by the LA Opera into the allegations found the tenor had engaged in ‘inappropriate conduct’ with multiple women over the three decades he worked there. Other acts confirmed for the summer include Tom Jones, Keane, Gipsy Kings, Simple Minds, Take That, UB40 and Myke Towers.

cancer, Camilla has been heading up constitutional duties with various official appointments. Formerly Camilla Parker Bowles, she is a long-time fan of Spain and has been a regular visitor over the years. This has included various trips to Tarifa and Sevilla, as well as a number of ‘secret’ week-

Runway success?

of artists from the world of circus, music and dance. Gaultier, on a visit to Barcelona, said that the fashion shows he stages are like ‘a play’ with himself choosing ‘the music, models, and scenery’.

This included a number of trips to the giant hunting estateSpain’s biggest - owned by the Duke of Westminster that straddles the border of Cordoba and Ciudad Real. Finca La Garganta, near Conquista, has long hosted members of the British royal family for hunting weekends, with Prince Harry once allegedly shooting a rare protected eagle there.

Richest

The giant estate has been caught in various other controversies, including its owner, the UK’s 11th richest man, the Duke, Hugh Grosvenor, blocking public roads through it. Journalist Marisa Martin confirmed to TV show TardeAR Camilla had flown in to get ‘some respite away from the stresses and strains’ of royal life. She said she was ‘hunting partridges’ at a luxury finca used by King Juan Carlos and other members of the Spanish nobility.

His forthcoming theatre production, Fashion Freak Show, will dazzle audiences with a host

He said his new venture should not be a total surprise as 'fashion is synonymous with theatre'.

Catch it at the Teatre Coliseum in Barcelona between April 4 and 21.

Leo’s Sunny outlook

FILM star Leonardo di Caprio is well known for his environmental credentials. Now he’s making his first foray into a green business in Spain.

The Hollywood legend has pumped an undisclosed sum into Barcelona company SolarMente.

The solar start-up works with solar panel installations - assuring homes get the full benefit of green energy. It was co-founded by CEO Wouter Draijer, who could not believe how few domestic solar panels there were on Spanish properties compared to his native Netherlands. “My support is a responsible move towards a cleaner future and I'm proud to see SolarMente actively shaping a sustainable energy landscape,” said di Caprio.

LUXURY HAIRSTYLIST, QUALIFIED IN ALL ASPECTS OF HAIR

Light at the end of the tunnel

A PROPOSED Spain to Morocco tunnel could turn into reality as Spanish Development Minister, Oscar Puente, says Spain ‘wants to play an important role’.

The tunnel, due to take passengers under the Straits to Africa, was first suggested over 30 years ago.

According to Puente, ‘plenty’ of Spanish businesses want to invest in the project, which could provide a much-needed push. He also suggested that Morocco’s state railway network construct the 170 trains needed for the service.

Lynx shock

A LYNX, which the Olive Press reported had escaped from a Marbella home in January, was imported from Russia, with its owner pretending it was a domestic cat, it has emerged.

The 20-kilo animal, aged around 30 months, was illegally brought into Spain from Moscow in 2022 with its documentation falsely declaring it as a mere moggy.

A shocked resident called the Guardia Civil about a strange animal in his garden. Officers confirmed it was a caracat, which is a hybrid between a desert lynx and an Abyssinian cat. It had ranged 20 kilometres from its owner’s home.

Named Jakar, the animal has been taken to an exotic animal rescue centre in Alicante.

Water relief!

THE Costa del Sol will have enough water to last until September, even if there is no rain this spring.

The announcement comes after Marbella’s desalination plant was extended after Andalucia suffered its worst drought in over 50 years.

The region’s emergency drought committee said the works had added 12 cubic hectometres of water to the general supply (one cubic hectometre is equal to one trillion litres).

This growth will extend the guarantee of the water supply to the start of September, having initially been expected to last until July.

Beach blow EXCLUSIVE

A BEACH restaurant that caught fire and burned down in under an hour may have been bought just a few days earlier. Olive Press sources claim the Bikini Beach Bar, in Estepona, had only ‘just been sold’ to a Russian buyer. It burnt down in front of the eyes

of stunned onlookers and an Olive Press photographer. Witnesses said workmen were sealing the roof with blow torches when it caught alight.

There were no customers inside the bar that was allegedly sold by the previous French-Belgian owners ‘just two days before’.

TRIPLE THREAT

Ousted president of animal charity fears for the animals after German bosses are voted back in

THE former president of a well known animal charity has sounded the alarm after her team was booted out and replaced by the previous German administration.

British expat Elise Dunweber, 47, believes the Marbella sanctuary Triple A is now ‘at risk of mismanagement’ after Bettina Pietsch was voted back in.

EXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore

She is furious that Bettina and Chris Hofbauer have come back as President and Vice President.

The decision was made by the board, despite Pietsch being taken to court over animal cruelty later this year.

It comes after the charity

was accused of ‘slaughtering animals for profit’, misappropriation of funds and falsifying documents in 2019.

The former Tory councillor told the Olive Press:

“The politics at Triple A was difficult. We took over two years ago and it was such a mess.

“We put in so

OUT: Elise Dunweber has been ousted while the former team led by Bettina Pietsch have been voted back in

many positive changes, including a code of conduct, and we wanted to finish the job, but the 77 board members did not like our style of management.” She added: “It’s so frustrating but I wish them well because it’s the animals’ welfare that I care about most.”

Dunweber, a former colleague of Theresa May, Boris

New man in Madrid

THE UK has appointed a new man in Spain. Alex Ellis, 56,(pictured) will take up his post this summer, replacing Hugh Elliott who has held the position since 2019.

The UK government has not specified Elliott's next job, except to say that he was ‘transferring to another diplomatic appointment’.

Ellis has been the British High Commissioner in New Delhi since 2021.

He was also the Director General for the Department for Exiting the European Union so will well understand the nightmares of Brexit for British expats.

Ellis is married and has a son.

Johnson and Dominic Raab, said her administration had secured a €200,000 donation for the charity. She claims this has now been ‘cancelled’ as a result of her departure. She and three other former board members have now set up their own charity called AIMS (Animals In Marbella Sanctuary).

Meanwhile, Triple A has just opened a new shelter, which was built by the town hall and can host up to 600 animals.

Marbella mayor Angeles Muñoz gushed about the ‘decent facilities’ at the opening alongside Pietsch last week. However in an open letter to Triple A, Dunweber wrote that staff had concerns about the building.

The Olive Press has contacted Triple A and Pietsch for comment.

VIEWERS of pirated Spanish football matches could soon be fined following a landmark ruling.

An order from a Barcelona judge means La Liga can take legal action against any individual who watches their games via illegal websites and streaming feeds.

The court resolution will oblige internet operators like Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, MasMovil and Digi to provide details of people who connect to pirate servers. Until now, laws had targeted service providers, distributors of illegal services, or bars and restaurants that screened the pirated feeds.

Tunnel delays PIRATES BEWARE

DRIVERS taking the San Pedro tunnel on the A-7 should prepare themselves for three months of possible congestion and traffic jams.

The €3.76 million upgrades focus on the emergency exit of the tunnel, meaning certain lanes will be closed but the tunnel itself will still be operational.

The disruptions are scheduled until June 26, with work carried out from midnight Sunday to 7am Monday and from 9pm to 7am Monday to Friday. Work will be suspended during the Easter holidays from 7am on Friday March 22, until midnight on Monday, April 1.

TRAIN RAGE

MADRID’S tepid response to a long-demanded Costa del Sol train has been branded ‘shameful’.

The government complained that the line from Malaga to Estepona was ‘complex’ for both geographical and economic reasons.

And its delegate in Madrid, Javier Salas, reiterated the ‘serious study does not cost just €200,000 or €300,000, but millions.’

Despite being pressed on the matter and promising to review previous feasibility studies, Salas appeared to fob off further questions.

PP boss in Malaga, Jose Carmona, accused the government of having a ‘premeditated plan’ to torpedo the project, which is essential for the region’s growth.

TOURISM WARS

Wave of anti-tourism in Spain reaches Tenerife - after Malaga, Valencia and Palma - but locals are divided on the issue

Catch 22

THE wave of anti-tourism movements in Spain should be a cause for concern among business owners and expats (Guiris go home, p1).

There seems to be a growing anger among locals, particularly the young, who have been priced out of renting or buying homes following a surge in Airbnb rentals.

Some groups also dislike tourists due to the severe swelling of the population in the summer months, which they say places a strain on services like water and sewage maintenance.

It is absolutely understandable why some locals may begin to feel this way.

If things continue at their current rate, cities will be filled with holiday apartments that become empty in the off season, with locals having to live further and further away from the city centres.

But instead of directing hateful messages towards ‘guiris’ and tourists, fed-up locals should be taking up the charge with local governments.

One of the biggest causes of the rental crisis is the fact that it is so unappealing for landlords to rent long term.

They can make much more money renting out to tourists or digital nomads, who only stay for days at a time. If they want to rent long term, for example, they cannot increase the rent for five years.

Additionally, if tenants stop paying rent and become squatters, the process of kicking them out can be a legal nightmare that can take up to two years to solve through the courts.

And if they decide to hire heavies to kick them out, they will have to fork out thousands also.

Meanwhile, we must not forget that tourism is among Spain’s most important industries and must stay healthy for the economy to remain stable.

But there should be a balance and a push for more sustainable tourism that does not cause so much pollution and disruption to local life.

The situation is somewhat of a Catch 22, as the very tourism that is essential for Spain’s economy to thrive is also causing a multitude of problems.

Hopefully governments across Spain can come up with a model or some form of aid for locals that will stop this anti-tourism sentiment from getting out of control.

Dilip

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

Simon Hunter

Alex

Walter

Yzabelle

Ben Pawlowski

IEXCLUSIVE

By Laurence Dollimore & Walter Finch in Tenerife

T began in Mallorca in the summer of 2017, quickly followed in Barcelona and Valencia and now it has spread around almost all of Spain.

The anti-tourism protests, organised by anarchist group Arran, first gained international headlines when they rocked diners at a portside restaurant in Palma.

As reported in the Olive Press (below), the two dozen masked protesters held banners and flares outside the restaurant Mar de Nudos then showered the mostly foreign punters with confetti.

The following week an unnamed organiser revealed they would ‘continue to carry out’ numerous plans they had for the summer, adding: “We know tourism is something we can’t avoid, but we want people who come to our island to realise they are contributing to its contamination and destruction.”

They claimed to have over 500 members and went on to plaster 1,000 rental cars with anti-tourism stickers.

Soon a sightseeing bus in Barcelona had its tyres slashed and was daubed with graffiti claiming ‘tourism kills neighbourhoods’. The masked protesters were so intimidating the tourists believed they were being attacked by terrorists.

In Valencia, meanwhile, protesters seized a rental apartment used for city breaks and unfurled a banner decrying the

gentrification of the centre caused by tourism.

It led to Spain’s then Prime Minister Rajoy to condemn the ‘crazy’ actions, with Arran hitting back accusing him of ‘giving little importance’ to ‘unsustainable’ tourism. Their message was certainly a reasonable one: that ‘touristification’ destroys neighbourhoods, causes prices to go up and makes long term rental accommodation almost impossible for most locals.

While the protests slowed down, particularly with the pandemic, they came back with a vengeance last year with signs warning tourists off beaches on the Costa Blanca and anti-tourist graffiti being seen around Malaga and Sevilla. Protests were organised in Mallorca, Sevilla and Barcelona.

bling under and it’s likely to spread all round mainland Spain anytime soon.

Locals in Tenerife are furi ous that holidaymakers are turning their paradise into a ‘tourism ghetto’ thanks to soaring rents, inflation and yobbish behaviour.

‘Rents are soaring and people cannot afford to live here anymore’

The latest campaign kicked off in Tenerife this month, when the holiday island made global headlines when a series of graffiti messages were scrawled on walls and buildings, reading ‘tourists go home’, ‘your paradise, our misery’, and ‘average salary in Canary Islands €1,200.’

The Olive Press went out to investigate, discovering that tensions are very much bub-

In 2023, Tenerife received 5.6million visitors, up 600,000 compared to 2019, setting a new record. While some locals attempt to shrug off the graffiti as the work of a disgruntled few, there are many on the island who find agreement with the message.

Josua Garcia-Garcia, 33, who works in a bar in Playas de las Americas, told the Olive Press: “It can be a nightmare when the tourists come, I only get four hours of sleep every night because of the music and noise, which keeps me up until 3am.

“We need stricter rules for tourists, a lot of them are ignorant of how we are suffering. “Rents are soaring and people on average salaries cannot afford to live here anymore, once they pay their rent they have no money

The atrocity that changed politics

20 years after Spain’s worst bombing the effects are still being felt, writes Alex Trelinski

THE King and Queen of Spain have led a memorial service to mark the 20th anniversary of the Madrid train bombings that killed 192 people and injured 2,000 others.

The Al Qaeda attack - the country's biggest terrorist incident - is regarded as having influenced the general election held three days later which saw the PSOE socialists swept into power.

On March 11 2004, the capital was plunged into chaos as 10 bombs planted by the terror group devastated four commuter trains during the early-morning rush hour.

Although Spain had experienced decades of violence at the hands of the Basque separatist group ETA, it had never been hit by an attack of such magnitude.

Pajamas

There is no doubt that the emergency services and the people of Spain rallied together. Images that are best remembered are of ordinary people who rushed to help.

Neighbours still dressed in their pajamas helping and comforting the wounded , buses being used as ambulances and masses of people queuing to donate blood.

The attacks had a major political impact as before that fateful day, the ruling Partido Popular led by Jose Maria Aznar were strong favourites to stay in office by defeating the PSOE Socialists led by Jose Luis Zapatero.

But within hours of the attack, Aznar’s government was laying the blame at the door of Basque separatists ETA.

This was viewed by many as either a cynical election ploy by the traditionally hard-line anti-ETA party, or an effort to avoid any imagined responsibility for the attacks having supported the US led war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Al Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden, had threatened reprisals against any countries that took part in the operation.

Doubts over the government's explanation quickly spread across Spain, and during huge demonstrations the following day, pro-

testers expressed hostility towards the authorities who were accused of lying.

On March 14, Aznar's government was swept out of office, with the administration's handling of what happened playing a pivotal part in their defeat- according to political experts.

The Partido Popular stayed in opposition until 2011 when Mariano Rajoy won that year's election - ousting Zapatero.

In early April 2004, seven suspected members of the terrorist cell involved in the atrocity blew themselves up as police surrounded an apartment where they had been hiding on the outskirts of Madrid - with a police officer also killed.

After a three-year investigation, 29 suspects - the vast majority Moroccan - went on trial in 2007 with 18 convicted.

Only three are still behind bars - two Moroccans who were each handed nearly 43,000 years, and a Spaniard, who supplied the explosives and was jailed for nearly 35,000 years.

They will remain in prison until 2044 at least while the others have been released after serving their sentences - the vast majority of them deported or extradited, mainly to Morocco.

CARNAGE: 192 people died in a series of train bombings

for food.

“Some areas have been totally saturated by tourism. The police need to be tougher and bring in stricter rules, people are fed up.”

Anti-tourism campaigners claim an increase in holiday lets means an increasing number of homes are unavailable to rent to locals.

This decreases supply and therefore brings price increases. Homeowners are more tempted to rent to high-paying holidaymakers than long-term tenants.

Last May, hundreds of protesters took to the streets, holding up signs reading ‘The Canaries are no longer a paradise’ and ‘the Canaries are not for sale’.

The march was organised by almost a dozen social and environmental groups, who are calling for a tourism ‘eco-tax’.

They claimed the island’s services ‘totally collapsed’, with ‘a coast full of sewage spills, kilometre long traffic jams’ and the ‘destruction of the environment due to the construction of new hotel complexes in coastal areas’.

Olivia Valdiva, 50, who lives in Palm-Mar, said:

“Life is very hard here now, the only people who live well are the foreigners and tourists.

“We can’t afford to eat well and maintain a car and house, the locals are tired of having no money.”

Zarite Chinea, 39, described the area as ‘a bit of a tourism ghetto’ due to its fierce reliance on the industry.

“It’s like there are two worlds in Tenerife, the tourists and the locals, and we don’t mix.

“I would try to reduce the number of holiday-

makers and I think we need better quality tourists, who respect our land and nature, who want to explore the real Tenerife and go hiking for example.”

Alex Kelly, 20, is a British expat working in the popular Rejoyce bar in Las Playas de Las Americas. She said: “Living here has gotten tough in the last few years, rent is just unaffordable.

“I’m living with my boyfriend in his parents' home because we can’t afford to move out.

“‘I totally get the viewpoint of the anti-tourism people, a lot of young people feel that way, the prices are crazy.”

We need tourists!

Emiliano del Pino, 58, (pictured below), who was born and raised on the island, admitted there were problems but insisted tourism is still very much welcome.

“There is a problem with drought and water since last year, and the government’s priority is to make sure the tourist areas are cared for ahead of the locals in the countryside, and that can obviously rub people the wrong way.”

However, he insisted that tourism is essential to the island’s economy.

The retiree added: “The people behind the graffiti are just kids who have been spoon fed from birth and now there are economic problems, they are lashing out.

“But there are the same problems all over the world, not just here, we can’t blame tourism for that.”

Jorge Sanchez, 58, who works in a local cinema, echoed this sentiment, telling the Olive Press that ‘without tourism, Tenerife is f****d.’ He said: “The whole anti-tourism movement is stupid. Take away all the tourists and what the hell are we going to do? These young people want to blame others for society’s problems, but we need the British, the Germans, the Italians, without them we don’t have an economy.’

Brits bark back

Meanwhile, British bar owners raced to defend themselves over what they see as an attack on their businesses and way of life.

Scott Walters, 35, from Stoke-on-Trent, has owned the Havanas bar in Playas de Las Americas for 10 years. He told this paper: “I understand the young people’s point of view,

rents have gone crazy, there are people with five or six Airbnbs and this pushes prices up.

“For a studio around here it can be like €1,200 per month, which is more than the average salary.

“It’s also upsetting to see friends who are local but have to live so far away to be able to afford a place.

“But Tenerife needs tourism and I think we bring a lot to their economy so it’s kind of a Catch 22 situation.”

Dawn Warriner, 33, who owns the Sun Lounge next door, also feels disheartened by some of the anti-tourism comments.

The Manchester native, who opened her bar just before Covid struck, told the Olive

“Some of the locals clearly don’t want us here but I think it’s a minority.

“There were hundreds of protesters a few months ago shouting all this anti-tourism stuff.

“I understand that rents have increased a lot recently and I do get that, but they need tourists here, they’d be nothing without it.

“Police here have also not been friendly to us Brits, when I went to the station to report a crime I had witnessed, they heard me speaking English and shouted ‘Brexit’ and laughed.”

DOING OUR BIT

MORE than 500 people have signed an Olive Press petition to keep tourists and expats safe from the deadly painkiller Nolotil.

Our Kill the Drug campaign urges Spanish health professionals to agree to follow the 2018 directive banning the German-made drug for British, Scandinavian and Irish patients.

Since launching on February 12, some 587 people have backed the campaign, with many adding comments.

Despite expanding in recent year, the Olive Press remains a community newspaper at heart.

We are not afraid of ruffling feathers and shining a light on the injustices around Spain.

One supporter wrote: “Well done for tackling this problem. Too many lives have already been lost.”

While Nolotil is now banned in 40 countries, it is still being regularly prescribed around Spain.

Campaigner Christina del Campo of the Association for Drug Affected People (ADAF) claims her group has over 100 cases of British people dying from the drug.

Others have had amputations ‘and worse’.

“Something needs to be done about this as nobody’s taking notice. It’s excellent the campaign is growing,” she said.

We now plan to contact local health facilities to urge them to comply with the official warning from Madrid that urges hospitals and clinics not to hand out the drug to foreigners.

Please sign the petition by scanning the QR code on your mobile device.

Have you been affected by Nolotil? Email us tips@theolivepress.es

The top five most read stories on www.theolivepress.es in the past two weeks are:

1- Are Kate and Wills on the rocks? Rumours swirl in Spain and beyond after speculations of an affair and the ‘disappearance’ of the princess

2- This 'sun-drenched' city in eastern Spain is the most affordable 'paradise' for British expats, according to experts

3- Inside Amazon's new pre-fabricated house that's available in Spain for just €27,556but how safe is it?

4- 'We were paid to run the only bar in a tiny town in Spain - and are loving our new life'

5- Drought latest in Spain: Has this weekend's rain helped relieve the pressure on Malaga's reservoirs?

PRO: Jorge Sanchez says tourists are needed

NIGHTMARE: Sleepless nights for Josua Garcia-Garcia (above)

TOUGH: Alex Kelly says rents have become unaffordable

GHETTO: Olivia Valdiva (pictured right with friend) says only tourists live well

THE BEST CARE FOR YOUR CHILDREN

The Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital opens new Pediatric Outpatient Clinics and Emergencies

THE Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital has opened new facilities dedicated entirely to the care of pediatric patients.

The recently built space is located in an independent building a few metres from the main hospital building, at number 28 Avenida Severo Ochoa in Marbella.

Some 500 square metres have been dedicated to the unified Outpatient Consultations and Pediatric Emergencies services to guarantee a better patient experience.

“This opening strengthens the commitment of the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital to offer quality, comprehensive and continuous care from the first days of the baby's life to the stage of adolescence,” said Lola Alguacil, Ma-

naging Director of the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital.

She emphasised that the priority of the service is ‘to achieve the highest level of health, guarantee a positive patient experience and maximum efficiency,’ for a fast, high quality service. Work to prepare the new unit involved a total rebuild to transform the space into a comfortable and welcoming area for children and their families.

The facilities have been decorated with the characters from Kenko, Quirónsalud's pediatric project to help children relax and make the space feel more welcoming.

What should I do if I’ve been given Nolotil in Spain? A guide for British and other northern Europeans on dealing with the ‘lethal’ painkiller

they cannot be given the drug.

As well as this, many expats wear bracelets saying ‘No Nolotil’, sold by Cristina’s campaign organisation, Association for Drug Affected People (ADAF). According to the campaigner, Brits are still being given the drug.

Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to keep detailed records of the medication you are given and those administering it.

Then, if you are offered Nolotil while in hospital, you must file a complaint with the facility’s Atencion al Paciente desk.

Nolotil.

The medical translator, who has been campaigning against the drug for seven years, urges patients to stand up for themselves, letting doctors know throughout their treatment

A similar procedure follows if you are prescribed Nolotil or given it over the counter. You should report the case to the pharmacy or health facility to make an ‘official

complaint’ and report the incident to the ADAF.

The Olive Press has launched its second campaign for tougher rules on Nolotil and to urge health facilities to follow the 2018 directive.

Almost 600 people have backed the petition, add your name by searching ‘Stop Nolotil deaths’ on Change.org.

“The humanisation of spaces manages to reduce stress especially as children can be a little afraid when they go to the doctor. This new space gives them peace of mind and makes a visit to see a specialist a much more attractive experience,” explained Adelaida Sánchez Bacallao, head of the Pediatrics service.

This opening represents the first phase of the project that Quirónsalud has planned for the impressive Singlehome building. Upcoming plans include a Surgical Day Hospital and a new area for specialty consultations and diagnostic tests.

The Singlehome building is in a prominent position, right by the sea with impressive views of the Mediterranean and will become a milestone in patient care in Marbella.

The only private centre in the area with 24-hour Pediatric Emergencies

The Pediatric Unit team is made up of 12 specialists of great professional prestige who work in contact with a large team of experts from

different pediatric specialties to offer comprehensive, personalised and top-quality care. In the event of any pathology of the child, an expert intervention is possible from pediatric specialists in endocrinology, digestive, surgery, neurology who work together with experts from other areas of knowledge, such as cardiology, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, traumatology and pediatric dermatology. The Pediatric Unit at the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital offers emergency care 24 hours a day, every day of the year, 7 days a week. It is the only private centre in the area that offers such a comprehensive service.

The Emergency Service treats children from birth to 14 years of age who have infectious, dermatological, digestive... or any other pathologies and require urgent evaluation.

FRIENDLY: The new facilities have been designed to give children a relaxed environment

LA CULTURA

Voice of the stars

ONE of Spain's most prolific dubbing actors, Montserrat Miralles, has died at the age of 67.

Miralles' range was broad and included TV and movie voice dubs of mainly-English speaking roles into Spanish.

The Barcelona-born actor became Victoria Principal's character of Pam Ewing in the epic soap Dallas and took on the vivacious Marilyn Monroe in the classic comedy film, Some Like It Hot.

Miralles started acting in the theatre and then developed a career in dubbing movie legends like Claudia Cardinale, Olivia de Havilland, Ingrid Bergman, Sophia Loren, and Barbra Streisand.

Making

Spanish police smash counterfeit art ring selling fake Banksy works

SPANISH police have smashed a counterfeit art ring that was selling fake Banksy pieces around the world.

Officers arrested two people at a workshop in Zaragoza for allegedly creating the forgeries.

They also arrested another two people for selling the artworks.

The suspects are under suspicion of continued fraud and infringement of intellectual property.

Each piece, supposedly by British street artist Banksy, sold for between €80€1,500.

By Yzabelle Bostyn

According to the Mossos d’Esquadra Catalan police, the scammers made up to €10,000 in the scheme.

Mossos d’Esquadra seized nine works and have identified another 25 in Scotland, Spain, the US, Germany and Switzerland.

The group sold the pieces, often spray painted onto cardboard, in specialist shops, Barcelona auction houses and online. Officers also seized the various stencils and paints used to create the artworks.

A PRIEST has apologised to angry locals after ordering workers to paint over historic frescoes during a church’s restoration.

Hector Lunar, a priest on Tenerife, has asked for forgiveness following an outcry by churchgoers, claiming that he never knew that the 300-year old artworks, fragments of which survived, had been given protected status over a decade ago.

The Church of St Anthony of Padua, which dates back to the 16th century, was being restored when

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March 20th - April 2nd 2024

bank-sy

Talking bulls

BRITISH LGBT campaigner

LOOKED GOOD: but were counterfeits

The group claimed the works had been created as part of Banksy’s Dismaland project, a temporary exhibition resembling a dreary theme park.

Named ‘The UK’s most disappointing new visitor attraction’, the exhibition was held in Weston-superMare near Banksy’s native Bristol.

Fresco fiasco

the walls were ordered to be repainted.

“No one told me about the frescoes. All I wanted to do was add another coat of paint to that bit of the church to get it ready for Holy Week events”, Lunar insisted. The frescoes were discovered two decades ago during separate restoration works, with the church listed in 2011.

The scammers reportedly included stickers, stamps and certificates from the exhibition to make the product seem more authentic.

According to police, the creators were ‘young Banksy fans in economic trouble.’

The investigation remains open and police could make further arrests. They are working with Pest Control, the only official company to verify authentic Banksy pieces. Banksy, an anonymous artist, is famous for his murals, critical of modern politics and art, often found in unexpected locations like the West Bank and Gaza.

Peter Tatchell has urged Spain’s first pansexual matador to ‘turn his back’ on the ‘oppressive’ bullfighting industry.

Mario Alcalde, a 31-year-old matador from Madrid, came out as pansexual in January.

Now Tatchell has sent Alcalde (below) a letter imploring the bullfighter to see ‘the obvious parallels between the oppression of LGBTQ+ people and that of animals’.

“Bullfighting is the ritualised killing of innocent animals, who have no choice but to enter the ring. They stand no chance of coming out alive. It is the killing of living, feeling beings for entertainment and pleasure," writes Tatchell.

"Our LGBT+ community has long fought against oppression and injustice.

“Not only is torturing animals to death in a bullring morally indefensible, it also flies in the face of the altruistic values we stand for as a community."

AT WORK: Painter went too far

LA CULTURA

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passion and penance

EVERY year during Holy Week, streets throughout Spain turn into a swaying sea of robed and cone-hooded penitents marching to the solemn beat of brass instruments and drums.

The scent of candle wax and incense hangs in the air, mingling with the heady fragrance of spring orange blossom.

Those who have experienced the passion and pageantry of Semana Santa know that this is one of Spain’s most soul-stirring celebrations.

Religious associations known as cofradías or ‘brotherhoods’ are at the heart of the traditional ceremonies.

Many brotherhoods were formed in the Middle Ages.

Semana Santa processions are

also known as ‘penance processions’ in which members of the brotherhoods, nazarenos, parade from their church to the city’s cathedral carrying floats, known as tronos. Precious religious icons are brought out of churches and paraded on im-

mense golden thrones in lavish processions that bring millions of locals and tourists together in the run-up to Easter.

From Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, city centre thoroughfares come to a standstill to make way for these mega fiestas.

Many of the biggest paradeson which no money is spared - have been declared events of tourist interest to offset expenses.

SEVILLA

Those who live in the city centre will have grown accustomed to the colourful cacophony that persists into the early hours of the morning during Holy Week. It is estimated around 500,000 people take part in Sevilla’s parades.

As the sun sets, floats (tronos) decked with flickering candles surrounding ornate statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ light up the streets.

Dilip Kuner delves into the pageantry of Spain’s Semana Santa Easter processions

The most famous of Sevilla’s multiple processions is La Madrugada (dawn), during which, you’re likely to see women dressed in black lace mantillas and flamenco dresses expressing their emotion through processions. The Malagueño has often played a co-starring role helping the brotherhoods to carry the floats of the Virgin of Malaga and the María Santísima de Lágrimas y Favores and has been moved to tears himself during the procession. Semana Santa has been celebrated in the city for more than 500 years and was declared a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest in 1980.

MALAGA

HOLY MOTHER: The Virgin takes an important place

Although its origin is religious, it has evolved into a social celebration of Spain’s culture and the start of Spring, and the scent of newly-minted orange blossom fills the air.

ALICANTE

Easter celebrations in Alicante have a maritime flavour starting with the figure of Christ of the Sea coming into harbour this iconic Andalucian genre of music, dance and song.

Wherever he’s filming, Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas never misses the cue for his home town’s Semana Santa

Need a helping hand when you go on holiday, someone to cherish your pets in their own home? Join us, and control pet care costs.

TAKING HIS PLACE: Every year Antonio Banderas helps carry a float in Malaga

HOLY REVE-

RENCE: Spain’s Easter celebrations feature processions of penitents, while (right) in Alicante the Christ of the Sea arrives by sea

Minions and masterpieces

See page 24.

Don’t rule them out!

BRITS are still the most significant foreign buyers in Spain’s property sector.

Despite Brexit and only being able to visit for three out of six months, they still make up 15.5% of foreign mortgage applications.

Only the Germans come close, making up second place with 14.1% in 2023.

Swiss applicants account for 9% of the market, Americans (8.9%) and the French (7.8%).

Britsshrugoff BrexitandkeeptheGermansinsecondplacewhenbuying inSpain…atleastwhenitcomestotakingoutamortgage

By Walter Finch

The Irish manage to snap up more property (5.5%) than both Belgians (4.5%) and Swedes (2.7%).

The Swiss and Americans, whose average household incomes are €9,527 and €9,097

per month, look for the most expensive homes averaging around €250,000.

The report by web portal

Idealista notes that the Costa Blanca and wider Valencian Community is by far the most popular location for property purchases at 27%.

Remarkably, Catalunya and

Andalucia rank at 16.4% of property purchases each.

The study discovered the average mortgage applicant was 41 years old with a household income of €5,900 per month.

The average purchase is a property of €213,000, notably 20% higher than Spain’s

national average.

The report further highlights the disparity in financial firepower between foreign and local buyers. Foreign applicants boast incomes nearly 85% above the Spanish average, aiming for properties that far exceed the financial reach of their

local counterparts.

Homes bought by foreigners are on average 27% more expensive than those bought by Spaniards. Interestingly, the financial commitment of international buyers is relatively modest. On average, they finance 61% of their purchase and they prefer fixed-rate mortgages, which account for nearly 70% of the transactions in 2023.

DISCOVER: The Spanish design that might give Gru nightmares and other finalists in a prestigious international competition.

Striking it rich

THE Balearic government will have to pay €96 million in compensation over breaching an urban planning deal with a German-owned developer.

The ruling from the Balearic Supreme Court dismisses an appeal by the government over a lower court ruling that ruled that it broke an agreement made in 2013 over the development of the Sa Muleta II urbanisation in Soller.

The Balearic Islands government has two months to pay €63.5 million as a main claim plus another €30 million in interest dating back to the filing of a first lawsuit in 2009.

The vice-president, Antoni Costa, said the award would make ‘a huge hole in its financial coffers’.

He did not rule out appealing to Spain’s Constitutional Court but promised that no ‘essential services’ would be cut.

Costa indicated that the administration would have to pass an ‘extraordinary credit law’ to pay the compensation.

The money goes to Birdie Son Vida owned by businessman Matthias Kuhn and is the largest ever fine imposed in the history of Balearic urban planning legal cases.

It brings to an end a 14 year battle over the German developer’s plans to build 33 luxury villas at Soller.

Record year for foreigners

www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

IN a mysterious way Covid-19 turned out to be a real tonic for the Spanish property market, boosting local, and in particular foreign demand to extraordinary highs in the wake of the pandemic.

The two best years ever for property

The appetite of foreign buyers for residential property in Spain was the second-highest on record in 2023, writes Mark Stucklin

sales involving a foreign buyer were 2022 and 2023.

Using Land Registry figures (with the Q4 stats just published) we can calculate that 87,365 homes were sold to a foreign buyer last year.

Only 2022 was higher when 94,481 sales involved a buyer from abroad.

TRENDS: Two extraordinary years

And the year-on-year decline of 8% is pretty small and less than the 10% decline recorded by local Spanish buyers in 2023.

Indeed, mathematicians among you will work out this led to an increase in the market share of foreigners from 14.6% in 2022 to 15% in 2023, the highest level on record. So foreign buyers have never been more important to the Spanish property market than last year. Market comparisons with 2022 say more about that year’s extraordinary boom than the year in hand, so comparisons with 2019, before coronavirus distorted the market, are also helpful for interpretation, as are comparisons with the 10-year average. Compared to 2019, sales to foreign buyers were up by a staggering 39% last year, and were up 41% compared to the 10-year average. In other words, 2023 was a great year when compared to any period other than 2022.

Sales by nationality

As always the biggest foreign market was the UK, with 8,327 residential

property acquisitions in 2023, some 9.5% of the foreign market - a decline of 15% on the previous year - and 5% down compared to 2019.

The UK has been the biggestmarket for property in Spain since records began, though its dominance has declined in the years since Brexit.

British buyers head in the greatest numbers to the Costa Blanca and the Costa del Sol as you might expect.

The second biggest market was Germany, with a market share of 7.3% and 6,350 sales, down 25% compared to 2023, but up 42% since 2019.

The extraordinary explosion in the number of German buyers after 2020 was probably caused by changing priorities and lifestyles in the wake of the pandemic.

Mallorca is the most popular destination for German buyers.

France was the third biggest market with a 6.7% share of the foreign market, which translated into 5,824 sales, down 6% compared to the previous year but up 18% compared to 2019. French buyers head across the border into Catalunya in the greatest numbers.

Of the other markets for which figures are published by the Registrars, sales declined the most year-on-year among the Swedes, down 40%, and increased the most with Russian buyers, up 60%, while Polish buyers are up by 5% among Poles and Irish.

PROPERTY

Upfor investment

SPAIN has been named the fourth most attractive European country for investment in 2024.

Meanwhile, Madrid has claimed third place in the top ten European cities for investment.

Barcelona was just behind, in seventh place, in the report by the Global Real Estate Service.

Only the UK, Germany and Poland rank higher.

The report also praises Spain and Italy for ‘making progress in environmental, social and governance issues’.

It also estimates that by 2025, market activity is expected to return to rates seen before the global rise in interest rates in 2022.

And only 27% of those surveyed believe geopolitical issues will be a major issue for real estate investors, down from 42% last year.

GETTING A LIFE

A POPULAR TV show is recruiting for participants in Spain’s Andalucia.

Producers of the Channel 4’s

A New Life In The Sun follows Brits as they set up businesses abroad, from microbreweries to glamping sites. After their successful ninth series aired just a couple of weeks ago, they are already on the lookout for new participants in Spain.

Produced by True North, those interested should email anewlifeinthesun@ truenorth.tv

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Rafaservesupabeauty

TENNIS star Rafa Nadal has bought a €4 million luxury Madrid apartment in the city's Colon y Serrano district.

The property is one of 11 luxury homes in the Villa de Paris residential block that he built with businessmen Abel Matutes Prats and Manuel Campos Guallar several years ago.

The trio constructed the building with direct views of the Plaza Villa de Paris, the Supreme Court, and the Church of Santa Barbara.

It was designed by the prestigious architect Rafael Robledo and is regarded as one of the most exclusive residential projects in Madrid.

The homes were sold on the basis of offering a fusion between classicism and modernity in the finishes and design.

One of the purchasers is the president of the fashion giant, Inditex, Marta Ortega. The block has a spa and gym, plus an allocation of two parking spaces per apartment.

Nadal's home in the five-storey building has all kinds of amenities covering 281 m2.

The open plan design features five bathrooms, four bedrooms, a spacious living room and a balcony around five metre long.

The rest of the apartments are far biggercoming in at around 900 m2.

The

March 20th - April 2nd 2024 15

STILL STANDING: But huge amount of work needed

Palatial dreams

AN ambitious American has revealed her plans to transform an ancient palace in Spain.

Monica C purchased historic Quindous Palace online while surfing the web from her home in California.

The medieval property, in Cervantes, Galicia, had

Sweat no more!

A LUCKY Scot has won a villa in Spain worth £3 million as well as £250,000 in cash after entering a lottery while trying to buy a second-hand armchair.

Edinburgh man Graham Dunlop’s prize comes from a charity draw called Omaze, which runs regular lotteries with extravagant prizes such as houses, and then splits its profits with charities. Dunlop, who now lives in Southampton with his wife and two children, entered the draw when he met the woman who was selling a battered old armchair online.

Instead of taking payment she told him to donate to her favourite charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK, given that her late husband had suffered dementia. As well as donating, Dunlop spotted the £75 raffle draw which was also supporting the same charity. His lucky ticket left him the new owner of a four-bedroom villa in Mallorca, complete with a swimming pool and stunning views.

AmericanwomanbuysamedievalpalaceinSpainwith bigplanstobringitbacktolife

By Laurence Dollimore

failed to sell over a four-year period.

Good year for Spanish property...

SPAIN’S house prices rose by 4.2% last year proving the resilience of the market.

It comes despite a fall in the final quarter of 2023, according to the National Statistics Institute.

While prices fell around Europe, due to rising interest rates, prices here grew solidly until October.

An upward trend in new build prices appears to be slowing however, with costs rising 11% during the third quarter of 2023 and 7.5% in the final quarter.

Overvalued

Although construction materials costs remain high, prices have stabilised or even gone down slightly over recent months.

According to European Central Bank (ECB) estimates, the Spanish market was overvalued by 11% in the third quarter of 2023.

But a decline in prices during the fourth quarter is expected to lead to a slight drop in overvaluation.

Meanwhile, prices in most other eurozone countries are even more overvalued.

The home mortgage market fell by 17.3% last year due to higher interest rates and high house prices putting off buyers. Analysts expect interest rates to fall this year, which will be good news for the property market.

Monica, originally from Colorado, flew in at the beginning of January to assess the mammoth task ahead of her.

The castle has more than 20 rooms, which she plans

PRIZE:

“This win is fantastic for our family’s future,” he said. “It just opens up so many opportunities. The money really helps give us a bit of peace of mind and gives us some choices about how we choose to spend the rest of our lives.”

The draw not only made Dunlop and his family multi-millionaires, but also raised £3.1 million for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

to turn into a cookery school that will teach students how to cook Galician food.

Monica, who had never before visited Galicia, also plans to open a restaurant on the site. The small village of Cervantes is home to just 1,200 people. The palace was first built in the

15th century and was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 1949.

It sits atop a 9km winding road and offers stunning views of the Os Ancares mountains.

It was first put up for sale for €500,000, which was reduced by half in 2018, before eventually going for €225,000.

It was finally sold to Monica at the end of last year via Country Homes, a real estate firm owned by British expat Mark Adkinson.

...while global pricesare also on theup

GLOBAL house prices have largely recovered after hitting the ‘deepest property downturn’ in a decade.

Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows the property market has ‘hit a turning point’.

Based on data from 37 industrialised countries, house prices grew on average by 2.1% in the third quarter of 2023.

It comes after house prices dropped in many countries in 2022 after interest rates were raised at the ‘fastest pace in decades’ in order to curb inflation.

Overall prices grew by only 0.6% by the end of the year, the lowest rate since 2012.

Experts now predict that central banks will cut borrowing costs to help boost mortgages. A shortage of properties has also helped growth.

Calle General Castals complex is part of a portfolio of real estate assets owned by Nadal - worth €30.3 million.

FANTASTIC

This amazing Mallorca villa

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NOT GAMBLING ON THE FUTURE

Protection status for key building that led to lawyer’s death

IT is known as the Ronda ‘casino’ and where, appropriately, a leading Andalucian intellectual took a gamble on regional self rule. A gamble that would lead to his execution!

Now the key building where Andalu-

By Jon Clarke

cian independence was declared in 1918 is to get protection status.

The Casino and Circulo de Artistas (Artists Society) will become an Asset

of Cultural Interest (BIC) this year.

It was here that the lawyer Blas Infante, from nearby Casares, declared the building Andalucia’s regional assembly.

Choosing a flag and coat of arms, he made his famous declaration on Feb 28 (Andalucia Day) from the balcony of the building on Plaza Socorro in the centre of Ronda.

The left wing politician was later executed by firing squad at the age of 51 in Sevilla, when dictator Franco seized power in 1936.

The three-storey building, built in 1821, has had various guises including a criminal court and later a cultural centre for artists.

The word ‘casino’ in this context was as a meeting point and not as a place to gamble.

A statue of Blas Infante can be found in the square outside.

BAD PUNT: Blas Infante (right and top left) was executed for declaring Andalucian independence

LAS BRISAS, NUEVA ANDALUCIA

Ground floor elegance in gated community of Los Granados golf.

3 Beds | 3 Baths | 166m2 Built | 72m2 terrace

REF: 176-02639P | 1.100.000€

Grand apartment with a villa feel in the popular gated urbanization of Los Granados Golf directly front line golf to Royal Las Brisas, Nueva Andalucia. The ample reception room leads you the spacious living and dining room that leads you out onto the very large covered terrace with open garden views. From here you can walk straight out onto the communal gardens and beautiful pool area. There are 3 large bedroom suites that include a very generous master suite leading out onto the terrace.

LA CERQUILLA, NUEVA ANDALUCIA

Elegant bungalow for sale in an exclusive residential area.

5 Beds | 5 Baths | 2537m2 Built | 653m2 build

REF: 176-02231P | 5.950.000€

Located in the prestigious residential area of La Cerquilla in Nueva Andalucia, this exceptional south facing residence is nestled between world-class golf courses and within close proximity to the finest dining, shops and beaches! The property sits on a generously sized plot and occupies over 600m² of living space with a stunning wrap-around covered terrace which is ideal to spend outside all-year-round and with views overlooking the Los Naranjos golf course.

LOOKING FOR

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March 20th - April 2nd 2024

By Yzabelle Bostyn

ADUTCH couple have snapped up an entire village in the north of the country.

The village, 40 kilometres from Burgos, is in the heart of ‘abandoned Spain’.

Composed of 64 ‘mostly ruined’ houses, Barcena de Bureba has been empty for over 50 years.

Now, the couple hopes to revive the village, making it an ‘eco-town’ with both residential and tourist lodgings. The couple also want to launch sustainable farming initiatives.

La Bureba was put up for sale at €525,000 but eventually sold for €339,000.

The village spreads over six hectares and sits on the popular Camino de Santiago that brings tens of thousands of tourists to Spain each year. They have already applied for planning permission to start their first projects.

The surrounding countryside also has much to offer tourists, as well as the village’s Roman church (far left).

The ancient village of Barcena de Bureba comprises 64 properties

Scan

The real estate sector needs standards

ALOT has been written about the new housing law that was introduced at the beginning of 2023.

But not a lot has been written about national standards for real estate agencies and agents since the law came into effect.

Back in May of 2023, there was some noise about this subject, particularly from frustrated API representatives, a national real estate body providing training and certification for real estate agents across Spain.

But since then, aside from Valencia, there has been almost total silence about the regulation of the industry.

My view is that the industry must be better ordered as it now represents 12% of GDP, or €42 billion. There are between 25,000-30,000 real estate agencies employing probably 90,000 salespeople.

Back to the housing reform law.

The basic story is that early in the process of developing the new housing law; real estate industry representatives met with the government and provided them with briefs about what they wanted to see in any new law.

One of their main points was the need for national standards and regulations.

At that point, the only region in Spain with mandatory real estate agent licensing was Catalunya. Since then, Valencia has also introduced mandatory licensing and a public registry.

At first, the government seemed to be on board with the API. An early draft of the bill contained a clause which called for national registration.

But somewhere between cup and lip, things changed.

Industry reps were basically told that there

REGULATION NEEDED

would be no national standards set because they were ‘anti-competitive’. They were offered a non-mandatory registry.

The industry representatives refused because if the national law mandated a system of voluntary registration, it would contradict the mandatory registration law in Catalunya and the upcoming law in Valencia.

In the end, there was no clause, no regulation, nothing.

Currently, outside of the aforementioned regions, anyone can declare themselves a real estate agent in Spain, set up a web page from their bedroom and seek out clients.

You don’t need training, certification, liability insurance, or money in the bank. And voluntary registration and accreditation aren’t working.

Of course, there are many legitimate real estate agents out there. Many of us make extra efforts to regulate our industry and ensure the highest standards. For instance, my agency, Terra Meridiana, and I have been members of the Leading Property Agents of Spain association for over 15 years.

We group together 47 quality agencies in the Costa del Sol in order to ensure the highest standards. The LPA has also been involved in lobbying the Junta de Andalucía to set regulations and standards for the industry.

The Autonomous Communities tend to be very jealous of their jurisdictions and don’t want the national government stepping on their toes. For this reason, governments at the national level

tend to avoid stoking the fires of this debate.

However, with a little more courage, the government could have worked out a way to set basic but mandatory common standards that the regions could have refined to fit their own circumstances.

I personally would like to see the Catalunya model brought in, but with the requirements of salespeople being made employees of brokerages and not simply autonomous agents.

This helps ensure that an agency’s owners take responsibility for what their salespeople are doing.

It is no secret that the majority of agencies in Spain ‘employ’ autonomous agents on a full-time basis without the significant costs of a full-time employee.

Forcing agencies to bear the cost of employing

their staff would probably cull the number of agents by more than 50%; this would probably be the most effective regulation imaginable. In addition, real estate agencies should have physical offices, websites, a minimum cash amount permanently held in escrow against deposits, and industry-standard deposit contracts.

In the meantime, the LPA will continue to lobby in Andalucia for the government to create mandatory standards. And I’m sure that the API will do the same at the national level.

PROPERTY

MARBELLA, nestled along the stunning Costa del Sol, is one of Europe’s most renowned and luxurious cities.

Its allure stems from its golden beaches, vibrant nightlife, exquisite cuisine, and a rich cultural heritage. Marbella seamlessly blends historic charm with modern extravagance, making it a hotspot for travellers seeking both relaxation and excitement.

The city’s pleasant climate makes outdoor living a way of life. This is where incorporating a Cape Reed gazebo to your home becomes not just a practical addition but a delightful enhancement to your everyday living.

A thatched gazebo serves as a stunning focal point in your garden, offering sustainable shade from the sun during the day and a cozy retreat in the evenings. Its architectural presence adds character to your outdoor landscape while providing a functional space for relaxation, entertainment, and al fresco dining.

As the leading contractor for thatched gazebo construction in Spain, Cape Reed is running a special promotion on residential structures for the month of March. When purchasing any of their gazebos during the promotion, you will receive a Hunter outdoor fan, completely FREE OF CHARGE Furthermore, they will also treat your thatched gazebo with Fireshield, a specially formulated fire-retardant coating, at no extra cost!

Enhance your outdoor lifestyle with sustainable Cape Reed shade and allow yourself to fully embrace the beauty and tranquillity of this Mediterranean paradise.

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

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March 20th - April 2nd 2024

TLaurence Dollimore

HIS is the best house in Spain for 2024, according to a respected design magazine.

Dezeen included the Balearic tiered gem in its five best international homes for sale around the world this year.

The three-bedroom holiday home by Nomo Studio is built on four levels and nestles on a hillside just outside Es Mercadal, in Menorca.

The exterior walls of Shift House are made of striated concrete, which help keep humidity at bay while remaining unfazed by the area’s strong salty winds.

The property offers stunning sea views and is designed to ‘maximise outdoor spaces’, according to Nomo Studio founder Karl Johan Nyqvist.

Meanwhile, a picture-perfect wrap-around terrace hides a tranquil swimming pool for those hot summer days.

And on the top floor, an impressive walk-around terrace offers 360 degree views of the sea.

The four other houses to make the list were in Denmark, Chile, the UK, and Canada.

DOUBLE PENTHOUSE, MONTE PARAÍSO Ref: OP14809

Built: 314 m² | Terraces: 102 m² | Beds: 5 | Price: € 3,325,000

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY, LA CAPELLANÍA Ref: OP14224

Built: 610 m² | Plot: 3,861 m² | Beds: 5 | Price: € 2,950,000

Ref: OP14735

Built: 212 m² | Terraces: 65 m² | Beds: 3 | Price: € 1,295,000

BEACHSIDE VILLA, CORTIJO BLANCO

Ref: OP14611

Built: 365 m² | Plot: 1,000 m² | Beds: 5 | Price: € 3,300,000

DUPLEX PENTHOUSE, BAHÍA ALCÁNTARA Ref: OP14658

Built: 114 m² | Terraces: 146 m² | Beds: 3 | Price: € 2,200,000

Ref: OP14351

Built: 180 m² | Terraces: 20 m² | Beds: 2 | Price: € 775,000

Tel. (+34) 952 863 750 panorama.es

Offices at Puente Romano and opposite the Marbella Club hotel

LUXURIOUS FLAT, ALBATROSS HILL

GARDEN FLAT, LOMAS DE SIERRA BLANCA

REBIRTH OF THE CONVENT SAINT-FRANÇOIS

Sainte-Lucie-de-Tallano, Corsica

Architects: Amelia Tavella Architects France

What the architects say:

“This building, built in 1480, listed as a historical monument, was partially in ruins and dormant. We had to rebuild it without separating from the vestiges of the past. We believe in higher and invisible forces. Housed at height, on its promontory, it was a defensive castle before being a place of prayer, of retreat, chosen by monks aware of the absolute beauty of the site. Faith rallies to the sublime. “

SPAIN has two incredible properties on the shortlist for the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Award for 2024. Handed out every two years by the European Commission and the Fundacio Mies van der Rohe, it recognises ‘excellence in contemporary design, sustainability, and innovation’.

The seven nominated projects come

The Olive Press brings you the seven finalists for the Mies van der Rohe architecture awards and what they have to say about their projects

from Spain, Portugal, Germany, Poland, France and Norway. The winners will be announced on April 25 in Brussels, with awards handed out

at a ceremony on May 14 at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona. Here we take a look at the finalists and what they have to say about their projects…

FROM THE ARCHITECT’S

COLEGIO REGGIO

Madrid

Architects: Andres Jaque/Office for Political Innovation, Madrid

What the architects say:

“The design, construction and use of the Reggio School is intended to exceed the paradigm of sustainability to engage with ecology as an approach where environmental impact, more-than human alliances, material mobilisation, collective governance and pedagogies intersect through architecture.”

ARCHITECT’S MOUTH

STUDY PAVILION, TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF BRAUNSCHWEIG

Braunschweig, Germany

Architects: Gustav Düsing, Berlin, and Max Hacke, Berlin

What the architects say:

“The new build Study-Pavilion on the grounds of the Technical University of Braunschweig is an open space concept designed to accommodate various student activities. The concept follows the principle of a superstructure which allows the user to change and re-configure the layout of the building in order to meet the ever-changing requirements in a fast-developing campus. Through high flexibility in layout, the Pavilion becomes ephemeral and thus responsive, ensuring a long-lasting relevance as a new type of campus building.”

HAGE LUND Sweden

Architects: Brendeland & Kristoffersen, Norway

What the architects say:

“Hage is a public space that should both work as a shortterm space for public discussion, events and workshops, while also, in a long-term perspective, offer a meditative, beautiful urban space and garden at the heart of a new neighbourhood. Open to everyone, it is a response to the question of how to build a new community: start with social space.”

PROPERTY

PLATO CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY

Ostrava, Czech Republic

Architects: KWK Promes, Katowice, Poland

What the architects say:

“By saving a historic building and turning it into an art gallery, we have introduced a solution that makes art more democratic. By rotating the walls in an unusual way, it goes outside the building. We also transformed the space around the gallery, which had previously been contaminated, into a biodiverse park for the benefit of residents.”

ROCK SOLID

Detached Villa for Sale, Mijas – 750K 5

Terrace 120m2

Garden 1240m2

From page 26

THE TWO EMERGING FINALISTS

GABRIEL GARCÍA MÁRQUEZ LIBRARY

Barcelona

Architects: SUMA arquitectura, Madrid

What the architects say:

“The García Marquez is a pioneering and landmark library that culminates a three-decade plan to build these facilities in Barcelona. It sits in a tough working class neighbourhood that has lacked significant investment for years and desperately needed a ‘people's palace’.

310m2

The serious company that is more than simply an estate agency

CASA Costa Property based in central Fuengirola, minutes from the train station and Church Square, has recently opened. It is not ‘just an estate agency’ explains the owner, Stefan Mitchell.

He adds ‘we are a full-service agency, a one-stop shop from start to finish. We guide you through the buying and selling process but we also provide other services including legal advice, tax advice, keyholding, decoration, holiday rental services, maintenance and repairs, cleaning and general inspections’.

Key

SQUARE AND TOURIST OFFICE Piódão, Portugal

Architects: Branco del Rio, Coimbra, Portugal

New to the market, this super family home has exceptional indoor and outdoor living space in an excellent location with breathtaking views in Mijas. The property has 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms on the upper level with a guest apartment below.

What the architects say:

This beautifully decorated home boasts a large living and dining room which includes a fully fitted kitchen leading to a delightful terrace on the middle floor. The pool and garden level offers a guest apartment with a bathroom.

“The only flat and open area of hilly Piódão is given back its dignity with this welcoming gathering place. What was previously a parking lot has been redesigned, paved, and partially shaded using traditional materials and techniques.”

The outdoor area has an outdoor kitchen and bar ideal for entertaining and also has the added bonus of a jacuzzi and pergola with covered seating.

Lisa Burgess, Agent at Casa Costa, further clarifies that ‘it is key to know the right trusted professionals on the coast working as a team to make the process as smooth as possible for our valued clientele’. She adds: “Stefan and I have both lived on the Costa Del Sol for a considerable time and we now have an excellent team in place to offer a high level of service.”

The pool area opens out to a flat garden and the plot could be further developed. This villa has much scope and potential.

FOR VIEWINGS PLEASE CALL

Casa Costa Property is, in the main, an English-speaking agency but works with diverse nationalities. Stefan comments that ‘the coast has a myriad of foreigners seeking their ideal place in the sun but our clients can be safe in the knowledge they will be looked after properly and with due diligence.”

Stefan Mitchell +34 666 448 456 or Lisa Burgess +34 634 0909 51 or email info@casacostaproperty.com

Please visit our website www.casacostaproperty.com

Please contact Stefan Mitchell at +34 666 448 456 or Lisa Burgess at +34 634 09 09 51 or email CASA COSTA PROPERTY on info@casacostaproperty.com or visit the website at www.casacostaproperty.com

EVERYONE’S A VIP

We speak to Warner Laurie, the Director of WL Costa properties based in Benalmádena, with 20 years of experience of buying and selling property on the Costa del Sol

QCan you update me on the Real estate market at this present time?

The Real estate market on the Costa del Sol is very good with so many nationalities buying into the lifestyle of over 320 sunshine days per year with the laid-back lifestyle and only a short flight from all European destinations. The Costa del Sol is the California of Europe.

Currently we see a trend of American buyers at a higher rate than previous years.

The Digital Nomads are also here in force, which is amazing to see, this reinforces how the working life and work life balance has changed post Covid-19.

QHow are the prices?

I specialize in the Benalmadena area where we have seen a big increase in the last couple of years, this is due to high demand and the short supply of properties coming on the market. With demand exceeding supply, property prices are being driven up.

When I go to a listing consultation, I have all the relevant sales information of the last properties sold and valuations in the area so that we can price the property competitively to the market and achieve a quick sale.

QWhy choose W & L Costa properties as your Real estate?

I pride myself on the service that I give to all my customers. I have tried to grow my business through a lot of referrals and testimonials from clients that I have helped in buying or selling their properties on the Costa del Sol. I also have my smart office in Benalmadena Costa, as I think it is good for people to see that my door is always open, and they can come and speak to me personally.

In addition, this year I launched the Costa Property Podcast which is all about ensuring people who have a dream of owning a home on the Costa Del Sol have the correct information. My website is a hub of free resources, you can subscribe to my monthly newsletter which delivers the latest news and market trends directly to your inbox each month.

You also have access to my value packed buyers and sellers’ guides which answers all FAQs from the perspective of the buyer and seller.

QDo you specialise in all types of property.

I cover all types. This year I have sold many properties from a €1.2 million villa to an €125,000 studio. I have also helped my clients out with rentals commercials and plots of land to build their dream home.

WL Costa Properties has some amazing stats for example, our current trend is that we sell 37 percent of our exclusive listings in seven days or less!

QYou say you provide everyone with a VIP service, can you explain that?

I get lots of inquiries every day from clients all over the world. I treat everyone the same. They get my undivided attention and can contact me anytime - as long as I am awake, I will answer the queries. I try to build relationships with my clients so that when they do come to buy or sell their property, they come back to me for advice.

You can get in touch with WL Costa Properties on +34 602 428 928 or visit the website www.wlcostaproperties.net

LIVE LIKE BILB

EVER dreamed of living in Hobbiton? Now you could with this adorable estate for sale in Andalucia.

For just €299,000, you could escape the ordinary and own your very own slice of Middle-Earth. Located an hour from Sevilla, the hobbit homes could easily be mistaken for Bilbo Baggin’s cosy dwellings.

Each of the seven properties, designed as holiday lets, will face a tranquil lake where visitors can chill out after a long day of sightseeing or rambling in the Tolkein-worthy countryside.

But there’s no need to take a dip as the estate set over 12 hectares of olive groves, also has its very own swimming pool.

As well as the projected homes, the property’s unique accommodation doesn’t stop there.

It also comes with rooms crea-

Hot and hotter

For sale: Adorable ‘Hobbit village’ project will make the perfect retreat for Lord of The Rings fans

By Yzabelle Bostyn

ted out of converted railway carriages.

Paying homage to the area’s industrial history, they are decorated with vintage pictures and still stand atop train tracks. The property also counts on its own large, two-storey house, which could be used as a social area, bar, restaurant or more accommodation.

is

Quooker, the success story, that is now taking Spain by storm

IT’S the must-have boiling water revolution coming to sophisticated kitchens around Spain.

THE STORY

But the story of the Quooker begins in 1970.

Henri Peteri was in London, at the multinational Unilever’s headquarters, when he had an inspiration that would change his life forever.

It was during a presentation about instant soup. It was shown how to dissolve soup in boiling water in just five seconds.

‘And that includes water that has to be left on the fire for five minutes?’ thought Peteri, ‘What madness!

Why don’t we have boiling water in the house?!”

The rest is history. Peteri went into the basement at home to develop a prototype of the world’s first boiling water tap. He sold it to friends and acquaintances, who were very enthusiastic.

When son Niels completed his studies and joined his father, the idea became a product.

In 1992, the first Quooker (‘quick cooker’) was introduced, the Quooker Basic.

From the moment son Walter joined the company, Quooker slowly but surely began to gain ground on the market.

From 2000 onwards, Quooker was doing well. The boiling water tap caught on in the Netherlands. In 2004, the first batch of Quookers was exported abroad.

NOWADAYS

Now: a popular product in the kitchen Quooker currently produces more than 350.000 Quookers per year and there are more than 10.000 dealers. Quooker now has branches in 16 countries including Spain and is the result of years of development, testing and technical innovation.

The Peteri brothers have always aimed for the most responsible, energy-efficient and high-quality product possible.

They now run an internationally successful company.

But, entirely in the spirit of their father, who died in 2007,

they continue to invent.

As Niels Peteri explains: “The fact that more and more people are embracing the Quooker as an indispensable tool in the modern kitchen is reflected in sales, which are increasing explosively. We are very proud of that. “However, leaning back is not an option. We want to keep innovating. We do this, among other things, by developing our own production resources, which enables us to come up with original solutions.’

In the future: indispensable worldwide

Quooker is about to conquer the rest of the world. Our ambition is to provide as many kitchens as possible with boiling water, in a smart and responsible way.

To this end, Quooker’s head office in the Netherlands works every day on new technical ideas and design solutions to make the products even more economical, even easier to use and even more beautiful.

We also think about new products, but we keep our focus on the tap and the sink.

HOW IT WORKS

The Quooker system consists of a boiling water-tap on the worktop linked to a small tank in the kitchen cabinet. The tank acts like a vacuum flask connected to the water mains.

The water in the Quooker tank is heated to a temperature of 108°C. The air in the insulated wall is so thin that the heat is unable to escape. It therefore takes very little energy (just 10 watts) to keep the water in the tank at 108°C. The water only starts to boil when the tap is turned on and the temperature of the outflowing water drops to 100°C. While the water is flowing out of the tap, fresh water immediately flows into the tank. A special active carbon filter inside the tank further purifies the water. Alongside the boiling water-tank Quooker also developed a system for chilled- and sparkling water: the Quooker CUBE. This is an extra tank that is installed next to the boiling water tank in your kitchen cabinet.

More information about Quooker can be found at www.quooker.es

LORD IT: In this soon-to-be created Hobbit valley in the heart of Andalucia

Feels like home

Hola Quooker!

Quooker has arrived in Spain. You can now benefit from official technical service and local warranty. Visit www.quooker.es to know more or to find a dealer near you! With a Quooker in your kitchen you always have 100 °C boiling water alongside regular hot and cold. Add a CUBE and you will also have filtered chilled and sparkling water – all from the same tap. The tap that does it all.

info@quooker.es

NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE

Fornalutx, Mallorca

Albarracin, Teruel

Often dubbed the ‘most beautiful village in Spain’, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the red sandstone facades of Albarracin are purely aesthetic.

In fact, the stunning building material was sourced from nearby quarries for its waterproof and insulating qualities.

“The organic material also changes colour over time due to the impact of light,” according to Ignacio Vleming, author of urban architecture book, Fisura.

He also described the Medieval and Moorish icon as the ‘summary of much of the popular constructive forms of Spain’.

This tiny village in the north of the Balearic island may have the most unusual roof tiles in Spain.

Set in the Serra de Tramuntana, stone-clad houses in winding streets are adorned with intricately crafted ceramic tiles, some of which date back to the 16th century.

Professor of Art History at Madrid’s UNED, Antonio

Perla, said the the objects are ‘painted with scenes, images, symbols, prayers and dates’. The mostly red tiles reflect the history of Fornalutx, including its loves, fears and even the weather.

WE’VE all read about the purported beauty of Spain’s pueblos blancos. Andalucia in particular is awash with these glistening, white villages, often extolled in publications like Tripadvisor and Lonely Planet. Perched on top of hills and nestled in mountain valleys, they are one of the hallmarks of property and travel wri-

Guadix, Granada

The ‘cave houses’ of this townwhich number about 2,000 - are its most remarkable feature. These underground living spaces have been chosen by Andalucians since the 15th century, although these days, many are fitted out with full kitchens and even WiFi. Architect Roberto Benito described them as: “A natural insulator that causes the temperature inside to range between 18ºC and 20ºC all year. “The silence and tranquility on the insides, which are also whitewashed to replace the lack of natural light in the deepest rooms, mean these types of homes are still being built today.”

Architects think these are the most beautiful villages in Spain

ting, along with Moorish ruins, winding cobbled streets and Game of Thrones castles. But there is so much more to Spanish architecture than picture-postcard villages.

From rooftop hieroglyphs to 500-yearold air conditioning, we round up Spain’s most beautiful villages, from the perspectives of top architects. And yes, there is a whitewashed pueblo or two on the list...

Garganta la Olla, Extremadura

This historical village boasts traditional architecture of stone, adobe and wood and is packed with winding paths.

Architect Javier Pena Ibanez recently described how the timber-supported walls of houses in Garganta la Olla were originally designed to sleep animals on the floor with humans above, so they could harness their heat.

The architect and head of architecture festival Concentrico said the town is the ‘locality of the Extremadura region that best reflects the traditional constructive characteristics of the area’.

The stunning masonry however is not entirely practical, as some buildings in the town are fragile and lean on one another for support.

“These set of homes come complete with towers, ditch systems and water mills, and reflect a traditional lifestyle from the garden of Murcia,” Architect Sanchez Llorens recently said of Medieval town of Alcantarilla. Original Moorish settlers channeled the Segura River, using the water for gardening and thus growing the mulberry in the 16th century so they were able to feed silkworms, adding Murcia to the silk road.

“That new source of wealth is reflected in its wooden structures,” added Sanchez Llorens, “which would have been expensive at the time.”

Alcantarilla, Murcia

PROPERTY

Vejer de la Frontera, Cadiz

“Vejer is another white town where the mixture of lime, water and sand applied annually to the walls of its houses is a perfect measure against heat,” explained urban architect Almudena de Benito.

“The walls of this colour reflect solar radiation meaning lower thermal absorption and, consequently, cooler interiors.”

Bougainvillea bushes creeping up walls and around doorways also help fend off the searing temperatures to hit this walled hilltop village.

Outside the battlements sit swathes of orchards and orange groves, while inside, is a myriad of quaint cobbled streets, packed closely together.

Campo de Criptana, Castilla-La Mancha

It wouldn’t be travel writing without invoking a bit of Don Quixote.

The windmills of Campo de Criptana are those which allegedly inspired Miguel de Cervantes to pen his seminal work back in 1605.

Quixote famously loses his mind and fights the cereal mills, the 16th century architecture of which, is still preserved today.

“The route of the windmills can help us to visit landscapes in which, as in the desert, on the coast or other homogeneous environments, certain architectures allow us to have geolocation references and at the same time participate in a collective imagination,” said Sanchez Llorens.

Arcos de la Frontera, Cadiz

What you may not know about this town is that its whitewashed houses are ‘organised around courtyards to regulate temperature’. “It has a clear Arab influence

but at the same time is a reflection of the rich mixing of cultures that made us who we are,” said architect and teacher at Superior Technical School of Architecture of Madrid, Mara San-

chez Llorens. She also claims that the organisation of gardens and buildings in Arcos de la Frontera even inspired Mexican architect Luis Barragan.

El Gasco, Extremadura

The stonepile homes of Las Hurdes are almost the antithesis to the heat-stopping measures of Andalucia’s pueblos blancos. These stacked slate structures are purpose-built to conserve heat, rather than reflect it, as in southern Spain.

For Sanchez Llorens, the village of El Gasgo, which was the site of a meteorite impact a million years ago, is the most emblematic of this cool architectural style.

“It is interesting to assess how these popular architectures also need a certain technique to be habitable,” she added.

Viniegra de Arriba, La Rioja

Streets don’t get more cobbled than these.

Architect Pena Ibanez said this minute village of just 50 people is among Spain’s most beautiful because of the ‘conservation and maintenance of its popular architecture’. “One of the most unique features is that its streets retain the old cobblestone. This urban event emanates from the whole town, which has stone houses from the 17th century.”

EXPERIENCED AND TRUSTWORTHY

JM Constructions explain why they are the people to see if you want to build your own home

EVER wanted to build the house of your dreams but haven’t a clue about where to start or how to go about it ? Well to begin with you need an experienced and trustworthy company - a company exactly like JM Constructions JM Constructions and Reforms have been operating in Spain for over 30 years serving the community on the Costa del Sol, and know absolutely everything you need to know about the building trade. Which means that they can handle every aspect of any works from the initial conversation, to dealing with licenses and permissions, sourcing materials, and construc-

ting the works right up until completion.

That could mean anything from constructing a new build villa or out building, to doing reforms on kitchens and bathrooms or building retaining walls or a swimming pool. No job is too big or too small, as JM’s proprietor Jaime told the Olive Press: “We can do it all to turn your dream house into a reality, from assisting with land acquisition to hiring an architect to produce your ideal design.

“We handle every single stage personally, which includes dealing with all the documentation pertaining to planning permissions, or whatever your chosen property needs to ensure that the build is constructed to a high and fully legal standard.

“Embarking on a self build can, for most people, be an extremely daunting prospect, but by choosing JM Constructions for your project, you are guaranteed a smooth and stress free process from start to finish.”

JM Constructions are also more than happy for potential clients to visit some of their completed works to inspect the quality of their builds first hand.

They have recently completed a large project in Casares, a villa that is now on the market for €1.1 Million, with the next smaller build being an 80 sqm finca, and another villa of 400 sqm already lined up.

With a strong work ethic and a desire to please clients it’s clear to see why JM Constructions have lasted so long and done so well on the Costa del Sol.

So whether you are looking for stone walls, damp elimination, internal walls, a roof or even a water deposit, just pick up the phone to give Jaime a call, and he’ll find a solution to suit both you and your budget.

Please contact Jaime at +34 630 344 897, email on info@casaresliving.com or visit the website www.casaresliving.com

SUSTAINABILITY DELUXE

An impressive new suite of luxury villas built with environmental harmony and sustainability are coming to Marbella’s most exclusive area

WORK will soon be completed on a collection of jaw-dropping villas that put sustainability front and centre in a new era of environmental hazards that Andalucia faces.

Vista Lago Residences, developed by BRIGHT in the exclusive Real de la Quinta area of Marbella, will boast cutting edge design features with a deep-rooted commitment to environmental preservation.

The project, which is set to open its first villas in 2025, claimed the Best Residential Development in the World award at the International Property Awards in 2022 - so it’s little surprise that 60% have already been reserved.

The villas employ advanced techniques for recycling greywater and rainwater, significantly reducing freshwater consumption.

The development’s irrigation system, equipped with soil moisture sensors, ensures gardens are watered just as much as is needed.

Each villa boasts a photovoltaic installation, providing a substantial portion of the home’s energy needs, supported by an aerothermal heat recovery system for efficient heating and cooling.

The architects have strived to ensure that each villa achieves an A-A energy rating, incorporating increased insulation and reduced thermal bridging to minimise energy loss.

The design of Vista Lago villas maximises the use of natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting, and all lighting fixtures are energy-efficient LEDs.

The thoughtful design extends to outdoor and communal lighting, which is carefully planned to avoid disturbing the local wildlife.

Situated in an idyllic setting with stunning views, these villas offer a lifestyle that’s both high-class and in tune with nature’s principles, making Vista Lago the epitome of sustainable luxury living on the Costa del Sol.

For more information, please contact BRIGHT on +34 682 10 50 02; by email to info@by-bright.com or by visiting the website at www.by-bright.com

Best life bar none

By Yzabelle Bostyn

AN intrepid family has moved to a tiny village in Toledo after being offered free accommodation in exchange for running the only bar in town.

The young Spanish family beat out thousands of other hopefuls from around the world to take up the deal in medieval Hortanar, which has just 145 inhabitants. Those interested had to be self-employed, agree to offer a daily budget menu del dia and ideally move to the village with their family.

Diego Moreno has now moved in with his wife, two children and dad, who frequently helps out in the kitchen.

He jumped at the ‘great business opportunity’ in the village, surrounded by natural beauty, including the Parque

Nacional de Cabañeros.

“It’s important to repopulate the village,” he said. “And a real privilege to live here.”

CELEBRATED: Hortanar is known for its ancient prehistory

Detached Villa for Sale, Mijas – 750K

New

The

This beautifully decorated home boasts a large living and dining room which includes a fully fitted kitchen leading to a delightful terrace on the middle floor. The pool and garden level offers a guest apartment with a bathroom.

The outdoor area has an outdoor kitchen and bar ideal for entertaining and also has the added bonus of a jacuzzi and pergola with covered seating.

The pool area opens out to a flat garden and the plot could be further developed. This villa has much scope and potential.

Stefan Mitchell

The council also agreed to pay half of the electricity, water and heating and helped renovate the building.

Everyday, the bar serves around 35-40 local people who are ‘very happy’ to have the bar back. “It was empty for six months and it was a very bad time,” said one resident.

“Nobody socialised because there was nowhere to meet up, but Diego is a professional, we love him,” he added. The menu del dia is a purse friend-

ly €13, but for retired people, it is half price at just €6.50. The bar also has a shop ‘for the forgotten’, selling local products and pantry essentials.

Above the bar, Diego and his family have free accommodation, with beautiful mountain views.

INTREPID: Diego and his family (below)

PROPERTY

Bang bang and you’re out

Kate Middleton’s uncle swaps Ibiza villa for the Big Brother Housevery temporarily

THE Princess of Wales Kate Middleton’s uncle has swapped his luxury Ibiza villa for the Big Brother House as he starred in the celebrity edition.

The ‘black sheep’ of the family, Gary Goldsmith, entered the reality TV show on March 4.

However, the 58-year-old was evicted just four days later.

He can now recover from the indignity at his €7.6 million villa near Cala Jondal beach.

It is nicknamed ‘La Maison de Bang Bang’, after his favourite house music.

The four hectare property, which has played host to Kate and Prince William, rents out for up to €25,000 a week.

The ‘party pad’ is kitted out with a jacuzzi, sauna, outdoor gym, tennis court and even a DJ booth.

Despite the party vibes, the decoration is a ‘rustic’ take on the island's style.

There is also plenty to do for royal grandsons George, Louis and Charlotte, with a

By Yzabelle Bostyn

pool table, table tennis and a Space Invaders machine.

Gary, the younger brother of Kate’s mum, Carole, bought the property in 2006 for €4.2 million without even viewing it. After making the deal, he employed a top interior designer to decorate the villa.

He said at the time: “I just said to the designer: 'Here's 20 things I like, just knock yourself out. I didn't expect him to bring cranes to hoist two massive Buddhas."

Gary made his fortune with the IT recruitment firm Computer Futures.

He has expensive tastes owning a boat and various flashy cars.

Goldsmith has previously brought shame on the royals after he admitted to assaulting his wife during an argument in 2017.

Pets solution

Keep pets at home when you’re on holiday - find FREE checked petsitters through HouseSit Match

LUNA is a young nervous Cockerpoo who doesn’t do so well in kennels. She is better off at home with sitters.

Lucy her owner always chooses pet sitters to care for her in her own living space to minimise separation anxiety and keep her as relaxed as possible in her own home, near her bed and toys to ensure she stays healthy and happy.

When you know the sitters are checked and come from HouseSitMatch you know we have your back.

What is more, they wont charge you a cent! Our house and pet sitting works as an exchange of services. You offer free accommodation and the petsitters housesit for Free! You review each other at the end.

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HOW DOES IT WORK?

HouseSit Match can help you find suitable sitters. Join our network for a small annual fee. You get ID checked for safety, then build an advert to find sitters. Housesitters see your advert, respond, and you choose the sitter of your choice.

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VILLA,

BENAHAVÍS – R4407832 – 1,200,000€

This stunning villa is in one of the best plots in village being a short walk to all amenities but benefiting from its quiet position with all-day sun and stunning views of the mountains and gorge from every room. This home is fully refurbished and benefits from being laid out over one level.

As you enter the property, there is a spacious and bright open-plan living room, dining area and kitchen all with breathtaking views of the mountain. Leading off the main living room, there is an enclosed sun room providing an additional living and dining area facing the mountains and pool. The modern fully fitted open-plan kitchen has the benefit of a separate laundry room.

There are 3 bedrooms, the master having a full-size walk-in dressing room and an ensuite with a walk-in shower and bath. An additional bathroom includes a full-size shower.

This property represents great value due to its location, privacy, low maintenance costs and the space for development opportunities which includes an option once the new urbanistic plan is approved. A second home could be built and segregating the plot there will be the option of selling the second property or using it as a rental income.

BED: 3 | BATH: 2 | BUILT SIZE: 170 M2 |

PRIVATE GARAGE | GARDEN/PLOT: 2162 M2 | PRIVATE POOL

Vista Lago is located in the 200-hectare country club estate of Real de La Quinta, surrounded by magnificent countryside, just 15 minutes from Marbella. Each award-winning villa has breathtaking views across the Mediterranean Sea to Gibraltar and the African coastline beyond.

aboard a

by port

Another unusual event is the Last Supper, where a monumental float requiring nearly 200 bearers is paraded through the streets.

VALENCIA

On Easter Saturday Valencianos like to make a noise. They celebrate Christ’s

TRADITIONS: Cleopatra makes an appearance in Lorca (left) while crowds throng the streets around Spain to view the floats and pay their respects

Resurrection with fireworks at midnight but they are not noisy enough for the locals. They join in the noise by throwing pots and old crockery from upper floor balconies. Take an umbrella if you are visiting - water is regularly dumped on unwary visitors too.

LORCA (MURCIA)

Declared a Festival of International Tourist Interest in 2007, this procession is more reminiscent of a flamboyant carnival. The city’s different religious brotherhoods spend months preparing floats for what has become something of a competition. Marc Anthony, Nero and Cleopatra are among some of the pre-Christian characters that feature in this Easter procession.

SPECTACULAR:

Trono in Sevilla is surrounded by onlookers

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

OP SUDOKU

Across

1 Had a notion (6)

6 Evils (4)

8 Director Welles (5)

9 Buys (6)

10 Hill dweller (3)

11 Sprite-like (5)

12 Luke’s twin sister in “Star Wars” (4)

13 Need different Paradise? (4)

14 Passenger ships (6)

16 Boot sale caveat (2,2)

17 Organisation whose aims are out of this world (1,1,1,1)

19 Used by the Grim Reaper and Father Time (6)

20 Beliefs accepted by a group (4)

23 Soup thickener (4)

24 It may be a grand player (5)

26 Chinese life force (3)

27 Vitamin B3 (6)

28 Crude (5)

29 Employs (4)

30 Bizarre cases (1-5)

Down

2 State (7)

3 Poolside wear (7)

4 Prescribed amount (4)

5 Invite trouble (3,3,2)

6 Asinine (5)

7 Petrol measure (5)

15 Can Enoch dance when hell freezes over? (2,6)

17 Far right description (3-4)

18 Conjecture (7)

21 Darned things (5)

22 Barbecue accessories (5)

25 Cameo gemstone (4)

All solutions are on page 40

boat, accompanied

police.

Dear Jennifer:

TAKE CARE!

Make sure you have the right home cover to meet your needs

YOUR property is likely to be your most valuable asset, and needs the right protection.

I have regularly extolled the virtues of Liberty’s fully comprehensive house policy. When asking the right questions, you will discover that many house insurance policies are inadequate.

You do need to read the small print on your house policy, including checking that you have all the coverage you require. One of the very important issues when discussing house insurance is the amount of contents cover, always remembering that with Spanish Home insurance the kitchen is included in the contents, not the buildings.

Also there is a wonderful extra you can add to your policy and that is accidental damage, which is unique to Liberty Seguros and covers many breakages and claims within the home.

Therefore can I please ask you all to double check the coverage of your home policies, whether you are with Jennifer Cunningham Insurance and Liberty, or another company, to understand the cover you actually have. Finding out you have the incorrect and insufficient coverage when you want to make a claim is far too late.

My consultants are currently working on assessing the home policies, and if they feel you would benefit with increased, additional coverage, they will contact you at renewal. In the meantime, if you have any concerns or questions, please contact one of my offices and we will be able to give you the advice you require and answer any questions.

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If you have expensive garden furniture, we can increase the cover for these. We can also offer increased cover for valuable objects and jewellery in event of theft with violence. We can tailor your house policy to suit your own individual needs.

Cash crop

SPAIN'S biggest supermarket chain, Mercadona, recorded a record net profit of just over €1 billion last year - up 40% on the 2022 total. Sales grew by 15% to €35.5 billion, according to annual results presented by the company.

Mercadona makes record profits as market share rises

By Alex Trelinski

Mercadona chairman and main shareholder, Juan Roig, said it had been the company's 'best year'. Results were driven by improved productivity; good tourist numbers; growth in Portugal; and more users of their online service.

Mercadona increased its share of the market by 0.6% to 27.6% in Spain in 2023, well ahead of other supermarkets, with Lidl next at 6.4%.

Roig says they are reaping the rewards of €10 billion of investments made since 2016

Merger go-ahead

SPAIN'S government has approved a merger between telecom firms Orange and MasMovil following EU clearance last month.

Digital Transformation

Minister Jose Luis Escriva said that plans for the new combined entity were 'truly ambitious' with big investments in fixed and mobile infrastructures. It would become Spain's biggest mobile operator serving over 30 million customers.

Orange's Spain division and MasMovil are currently the country's second and fourth largest telecoms providers. The deal with a value of around €18.6 billion is expected to be formally completed by the end of April.

to refurbish stores and logistics centres.

He stated that 1,364 of its shops have been renovated in recent years, and are twice as profitable as the old units.

"We have changed the location of 400 stores and closed 130," Roig said. “Closing or relocating sites is one of the bravest and sometimes unpopular and annoying decisions I have had to make to increase efficiency,” he added.

Prices

Mercadona's record results come at a time where food price increases have been making the headlines.

Roig said the company, which raised prices by an average of 10% in 2022, made reductions in a thousand products between April 2023 and February 2024. These price cuts have contributed, according Roig, to the retailer gaining a 0.6% market share rise last year.

EYE SPY

SPAIN’S Data Protection Agency (AEPD) has temporarily blocked a US-based firm called Worldcoin from its activities, after it emerged that the company has been scanning people’s irises.

The company has scanned the eyeballs of some 400,000 people, paying them in its own cryptocurrency.

The AEPD has taken action against Tools for Humanity Corporation, a German company that has been working for Worldcoin to carry out the scans.

The Worldcoin app can be used to store cryptocurrency but also can be used for identification purposes.

The company calls the iris scan a ‘proof of humanity’, and offers the user the option of creating a unique code based on the data from their eyeball and then destroying the image, or the preservation of the photo.

But it is still less than clear exactly how these scans are being used, which is what has prompted the fears over data protection.

The company has been notified that it can not collect more scans, nor can it do anything with the data that it has already collected from 400,000 people.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

Tourist tax fees

THREE Andalucia mayors have called for a tourist tax to be levied on accommodation.

Leaders in Malaga, Cordoba, and Sevilla want a tax - similar to that in Catalunya and the Balearic Islands - to help pay for improving facilities in over-saturated tourist cities.

“A tourist, even if he contributes indirectly through taxes and revenue on spending, is enjoying city facilities paid for by residents,” said Malaga mayor, Francisco de la Torre. Minister of Tourism, Arturo Bernal, said that the Junta is willing to sit down and talk ‘with anyone’ about a tourist tax.

He warned that a consensus must be reached with the tourist sector which he emphasised ‘doesn’t exist at the moment’.

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

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EAT UP!

Spain’s restaurants stay open too late claims Deputy Prime Minister

LATE night restaurant meals could soon be a thing of the past if Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Diaz has her way.

“It is not reasonable for a country to have its restaurants open until 1am,” said Diaz, who is the leader of leftist alliance Sumar, which is the junior partner in the Socialist-led coalition government.

“We cannot try to keep extending timetables until who knows what time,” Diaz, who is also Spain’s

VEGGIE MOVE

By Simon Hunter

labour minister, added, arguing that working beyond 10pm can be a risk to mental health.

The minister described Spain’s famous late-night dining culture as being out of step with the rest of Europe.

But Madrid premier Isabel Diaz Ayuso, from the conservative Partido Popular, was quick to take to X to slam Diaz’s comments.

ANDALUCIA’S first ever ‘vegan butchers’ has opened in Malaga’s Huelin district. The Catalan business, el Vegans’, offers vegan versions of popular Spanish charcuterie. Its goal is to ‘help publicise the suffering of animals through food, which many people see as an insurmountable barrier’, and has now made its way down south.

The ‘butchers’ offers 100% vegan milanesas, serranito sandwiches, seitan cannelloni, soja chunks, croquettes, battered ‘chicken’ breast, ‘fish fingers’, burgers, cheese, black pudding, fajitas, kebabs and sweet treats.

“We are different,” she wrote in a tweet.

“Spain has the best nightlife in the world, with the streets full of life and freedom. And that also brings jobs. They want us to be puritans, materialists, socialists, with no soul, no light, and no restaurants because they feel like it. Bored and at home.”

Frivolous

Diaz, in response, dismissed Ayuso’s comments as ‘frivolous’. She said that her party was ‘in favour of leisure time’, and that proof of this was that ‘we want to reduce the working day’.

March 20th - April 2nd 2024 39

No cash

BUDGET airline Jet2.com has begun trialling cash-free flights.

Passengers onboard flights to and from Manchester will have to purchase food, drinks and other items using card and contactless payments only.

The low-cost airline has emailed customers who are part of the trial to inform them of the change.

A 2020 study found that over two-thirds of major airlines were now operating cash-free on board.

Jet2.com is the third largest airline in the UK, behind easyJet and British Airways.

The Leeds-based airline is also the largest tour operator in the UK, having overtaken TUI in 2023.

Over 15 million passengers flew on Jet2.com flights last year.

Empowering Independent Living

Costa Angels are ‘Assisted Living’ professionals who provide the best client centered care for our Clients while enabling them to maintain their all-important independence in their own home.

We offer a flexible approach to 24hr Live In Care, Hourly Visits, Respite and Palliative Care to Clients living on the Costa del Sol and some inland areas. Our services include help with personal care, dressing, washing & grooming. Medication prompting, light housework, shopping & meal preparation. Accompanying to social & medical appointments.

Whether you are a Client in need of our services or a Carer interested in working with us to provide first class care, please contact us on +34 952 709 933, +34 611 289 381 or email us on info@costaangels.com Visit our website at www.costaangels.com

TEAM VALENCIA: Rodrigo, Dacosta and Ferruz and tally of Soles and Stars below

Andalucia and Valencia are running neck and neck in the race to tempt travellers with stellar gastronomy. DILIP KUNER dishes up his A-list, while, JON CLARKE talks to the chefs

SPAIN once again beat its own record with more than 84 million international visitors in 2023, spending a whopping €108 billion.

But these days it’s Michelin stars and Repsol Soles, not beaches, that are pulling in the punters.

And that’s no surprise with the country being, unequivocally, the world’s best place to eat.

Spain has so many chefs in the world’s best lists and the huge growth of Michelin stars backs this up.

The past 20 years has seen a revolution in Spanish

Valencia-born Jose Manuel Miguel worked in the Ritz in Madrid and Le Bristol in Paris before returning to his native soil.

As chef of Beat, located in the Cook Book Hotel in Calpe, he has been awarded one Michelin star and also scooped the Sapiña Prize for Innovation.

The 46-year-old has developed a very personal style, adap-

ting highly refined and technical French cuisine to fresh, local products.

His favourite bywords: ‘Tradition, technique, elegance and innovation’.

Partida Marisol Park, 1. Calpe, Alicante Tel.: +34628277858 www.thecookbookhotel.com

Across: 1 Sensed, 6 Ills, 8 Orson, 9 Spends, 10 Ant,

Down: 2

gastronomy with an emerging generation of chefs at the forefront of culinary innovation that goes way beyond patatas brava, tortilla and paella.

But what has really changed in the last five years is the big spread of where the top chefs work.

While they almost all used to ply their trade in Catalunya and the Basque Region, today they can be found all around the country.

And it’s the regions of Valencia and Andalucia that have grown the most in recent years… and incredibly they are neck and neck with a scoreli-

QUIQUE DACOSTA

Dacosta is one of the most notable leaders of Spain’s culinary revolution. His Denia restaurant was awarded three stars in the 2012/13 Michelin guide and he has held on to them ever since. He also has three Repsol soles and was awarded the Gold Medal for Merit in the Fine Arts in 2020 - and his signa ture dishes certainly are artistic.

This year’s menu, Por amor al arte (For the love of art) hammers home the message that his edible creations are full of ‘knowledge, innovation, culinary vision and passion for creativity’.

And all for just €295 (drinks not in cluded).

Coincidentally, he also runs the ama zing two-star El Poblet in Valencia city, plus Deessa, at the Ritz in Madrid.

Carrer Rascassa, 1 Urb. El Poblet, 03700 Dénia, Ali cante

Tel.: +34 965 784 179 www.quiquedacosta.es

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

ne of 31-31 in their Michelin star count, while Repsol Soles (Spain’s equivalent) lands 74 for Andalucia to Valencia’s 60.

Much of the spread south is due to young chefs jumping on the locally-sourced bandwagon, rediscovering forgotten recipes and voicing their modernity through theatrical reinterpretation. Tradition, culture and region are now celebrated in haute cuisine menus and although technique keeps improving, ingredients are the new protagonists.

In southern Spain, Malaga and Cadiz are leading the way, although the other provinces are getting into the mix. In the West it is Valencia and Alicante that have the foodie hotspots.

But it’s really no contest. If fine dining is your thing, you can’t go wrong either way. Here we pick out the top stars for each region.

MESSINA

Mauricio Giovanni is an Argentinian from Cordoba who started his Spanish career making pasta ‘like many Argenti nian cooks do’.

In 2003 he opened Messina in Marbe lla, along with his wife Pia Ninci whose name is an homage to his grandpa rents who were nati ves of the eponymous Sicilian town.

The restaurant has long been a favourite among

Marbella’s dining cognoscenti although it didn’t earn its first Michelin star until 2016.

Giovanni’s a la carte and tasting menus are based on local products, particularly fish and shellfish.

He combines avant-garde culinary techniques with a simple and elegant presentation. However, you will have to wait to pay a visit - it is temporarily closed for renovations.

Av. Severo Ochoa, 12. Marbella, Málaga Tel.: +34 952 864 895 restaurantemessina.com

BARDAL

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

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March 20th - April 2nd 2024 41

APONIENTE

74 31

Benito Gomez learnt his trade under Spain’s most famous chef of all time, Ferran Adria.

The El Bulli boss liked the Catalan livewire so much he sent him to help launch his Andalucian diffusion joint, at Hacienda Benazuza, near Sevilla, two decades ago.

And he simply never went home, loving the southern region so much, he decided to stay when Benazuza shut, opening his own restaurant Bardal in Ronda.

One of Andalucia’s top restaurants, with two Michelin stars and two Soles, his laboratory champions the best local ingredients and changes regularly. He has a second diffusion restaurant, Tragata, in the town and he is usually found crossing the road between the two joints which are 100m apart. “I love Ronda and its amazing range of cheeses, mushrooms and vegetables,” he told the Olive Press this week. “Andalucia is the front line of food these days and there are so many chefs doing amazing things here.”

C. José Aparicio, 1, 29400 Ronda,

Tel.: +34 951 48 98 28

www.restaurantebardal.com

The Chef of the Sea, as Angel Leon is known, is famous among other things for being the first to introduce plankton as an edible ingredient in dishes. Hailing from Jerez, he studied in Sevilla and worked in France before starting his own restaurant. Aponiente quickly earned a reputation for its creative cutting edge dishes featuring fish and seafood never previously seen in cuisine.

He guaranteed this by going out and buying his own fishing boat to find his very own fish.

With three Michelin stars and three Repsol Suns, the New York Times considered it one of the ‘10 restaurants in the world worth taking a plane for’.

Set in a former windmill, it boasts a team of 70 professionals for just 30 diners.

The marine-themed tasting menus astonish with their elaborate presentation.

He told the Olive Press last year: “Sustainability in cooking is my main driver and I just pray the days of overfishing are coming to an end.”

Tel.: +34 956 851 870

www.aponiente.com

Francisco Cossi Ochoa, s/n. El Puerto de Sta María, Cádiz

Málaga

TEAM ANDALUZ: Giovanni, Gomez and Morales and awards

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

ALICANTE

L’ESCALETA

A family restaurant that opened in Cocentaina in 1980, it is named after the ladder you had to climb to get into it. It later swapped location and the second generation, chef Kiko Mayo and his cousin Alberto Redrado, took over. Since then, L’Escaleta has accumulated two Michelin stars and three Repsol Suns. Mayo works with local products to produce tasting menus that change according to the season. He emphasises memory and a cuisine that goes back to forgotten recipes such as chicken crest.

When asked to define his cuisi ne, at a bash last year, he told the Olive Press: “I aim to create a cuisine that is simple, ho nest and humble in every sense. I want everyone to feel at home from truck drivers to food critics!”

Subida a la Estación del Norte, 205. Co centaina, Alicante Tel.: +34 965 592 100 www.lescaleta.com

Born in 1984, Alberto Ferruz already holds an impressive record for such a young chef, and he shows much more promise. Originally from the Zaragoza region, Ferruz has trained and worked in France and Spain where he collaborated with Quique Dacosta. His style follows the up-and-coming trend of tradition, anthropology and innovation. “I am for an avant-garde cuisine that is 80% Mediterranean product, but I also recuperate old, forgotten recipes,” he told the Olive Press last year. BonAmb has been awarded two Michelin stars and three Repsol Suns.

Carretera Benitaxell, 100. Jávea, Alicante Tel.: +34 965 084 440 www.bonamb.com

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

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March 20th - April 2nd 2024

LA SALITA

INDUSTRIAL engineering was Bego

na Rodrigo’s initial career plan when she attended Valencia Polytechnic University.

But after a trip to Amsterdam she got the

travel bug and ended up working around the Netherlands and then the UK’s restaurant business.

After a couple of years at the head of London’s two-Michelin star Aquarium, she came home and, in 2005, opened La Salita in Valencia’s foodie barrio, Rufaza.

The winner of Spain’s first Top Chef TV show (in 2013), Valencia’s Cook of the Year title in 2014, she has a second restaurant, and a phenomenal cocktail bar, La Coctelería al Nu.

Today she counts on a Michelin star and, as of last month, three Repsol Sols, the only chef to snare the top award this year. As she told the Olive Press last year on a trip to the Costa del Sol: “Cooking was in my veins and it’s my passion.

“Valencia really has it all when it comes to food and the sheer range of top chefs now is extraordinary.”

Pere III El Gran 11, València, 46005, España Tel.: +34 963 817 516 www.anarkiagroup.com

NOOR

Chef Paco Morales met his wife Mariana in her native Cordoba, Argentina, and in 2016 they realised their life project: opening Noor in Cordoba, Andalucia.

One year later they earned a Michelin star and a Repsol Sun, and now have a very impressive three of each.

Noor’s interior is influenced by Andalucia’s Moorish heritage, while dishes combine modern culinary techniques with flavours and aromas from the past.

ANDALUCIA

Every season, the restaurant explores a different historical period, currently the ‘Golden Age’ of the 18th century, when the New World brought its ingredients to Spain. A genuine culinary genius (some might say maverick) his creativity is off the scale. Above all, he is a diplomat and true champion of southern Spain.

SKINA

“There is no doubt the chefs in Andalucia are now starting to push the boundaries,” he told the Olive Press. “Our creative edge is finally getting noticed.”

When Marcos Granda opened his tiny restaurant in the heart of Marbella nearly two decades ago lots of people expected it to last a few months.

With just 12 covers (yes TWELVE covers a night) it seemed impossible to imagine that it would survive.

Pablo Ruiz Picasso, 8.Córdoba

Tel.: +34 957 96 40 55

www.noorrestaurante.es

But today the Asturian businessman - who is a sommelier by trade - has three Michelin stars in Marbella alone (two at Skina and one at Nintai) not to mention two more stars at Clos in Madrid and Ayalga in Ribadesella.

And that’s not all, his new restaurant, Marcos, which opened in Gijon exactly a year ago, won a star in this year’s Michelin guide after just TEN months. The man is on fire… a dynamo, who has not just put Andalucian cuisine on the map, but now exports it all

around the country.

Having trained at El Bulli and at Greenhouse in London helped, as did various stints in the north of Spain. “Nobody trusted my ideas,” he revealed shortly after winning his first Michelin star in 2008. “No-one would have bet on my vision. But in my mind, the secret was clear… however, I wanted to put it to the test first.”

Aduar Street, 12, 29601 Marbella, Málaga

Tel.: +34 952 76 52 77

www.restauranteskina.com

Pools,

IBERDROLA

It

The

Iberdrola says it

Hotel battle goes European

GREENPEACE has gone to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg over the long dispute over an illegally-built hotel in Almeria province.

The campaign group wants the 21-storey El Algarrobico hotel demolished because it is in a protected zone of the

Algarrobico

case taken to ECHR

By Simon Hunter

Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park.

Built just 14 metres from the shoreline, the structure has been at the heart of 20 years of legal wrangling with multiple court rulings.

Greenpeace wants an Andalucia Supreme Court ruling in favour of Carboneras council overturned. It stated that the hotel could not be demolished because it did have a building licence.

The group says the European Convention of Human Rights has been breached, which is why the matter has gone to Strasbourg.

It argues that since the court has given judicial powers to Carboneras council over the matter, citizens are being denied the right to have an ‘independent judge’ and ‘effective judicial protection’.

Greenpeace also wants the European Court to investigate why a Supreme Court judge took a leave of absence and worked for a law firm that had dealings with Carboneras council.

45 March 20thApril 2nd 2024

THIS winter was the joint warmest since records began, and is likely to be followed by a spring that is also above average in terms of temperatures. That’s according to Spain’s Aemet state meteorological agency, that revealed temperatures this winter are on a par with that of 2019 to 2020.

Rainfall, meanwhile, came in at regular levels, with 170.5 litres per square metre in the peninsula. While 10% below average, this is still considered to be ‘normal’, according to Aemet. Del Cambio also warned about the ‘speeding up of climate change’ that is being reflected by the weather, given that four of the last seven seasons in Spain have been warmer than average. “There is a trend for drier winters,” he said. There is a ‘very high probability’ that April, May and June will be very hot, in particular in areas such as the Costa del Sol and the Balearic Islands.

As for the summer, a very hot and very dry season in Spain is also likely, according to Aemet.

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SIMON DOYLE

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Researchers discover safer treatment for painful condition

SPANISH researchers have come up with an innovative way of easing gout. They’ve patented a treatment based on a molecule found in coffee and cocoa.

Dr. Antonia Costa and Dr. Felix Grases from the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) have revealed the benefits of 7-methylxanthine. This increases the solubility of sodium urate and stops the formation

Being equal

Uric-a moment

By Alex Trelinski

of uric acid crystals, which cause pain and inflammation in the joints of affected people. The breakthrough comes after a decade of research to find a solution to the condition that affects up to 5% of the world's derived from theobrominenamely caffeine - to stop crystals forming in joints.

population.

THE Spanish government has announced a string of new health equality measures. Women will now be able to choose where they access abortion healthcare. The plans are part of a document which will be presented to regional health leaders at the Inter-regional Forum for National Healthcare next month.

It will advise health professionals on how to ensure equal access to abortion rights across the country.

SPAIN has the second lowest fertility rate in Europe, with just 1.16 live births per woman in 2022, according to new figures by Eurostat, the EU’s statistics agency. The country also has the second highest ‘mean age’ at childbirth, at nearly 31 years and seven months.

The success of the two doctors has its origins in the discovery, in 2014, of theobromine as a substance that inhibits the crystallisation of uric acid. That research led them to study substances

The UIB says that the pharmaceutical industry has already expressed major interest in their discovery.

It hopes that a licencing agreement will make the treatment widely available to gout sufferers as a safer and more effective option to combat this painful disease.

People with gout have to follow a strict diet that helps prevent excessive uric acid production.

At the same time, there are various medicines based on anti-inflammatories to reduce pain, diuretics to increase urine excretion, and medications to reduce uric acid production.

All of these have notable side effects, including increased cardiovascular risk, which makes the UIB discovery even more appealing.

Baby gloom

The country with the lowest birthrate in Europe is Malta, with just 1.06 children per woman, while in Italy the average age at birth is 31 years and eight months.

Gibraltar. Sun,

and history served with a very British twist.

SCIENTISTS have revealed the optimum number of steps per day to reduce your risk of heart disease.

Research from the University of Sydney found that walking 9000-10,000 steps a day could reduce the risk of early death by 39% and the risk of cardiovascular events by 21%.

Step to health

Just 4,000-4,500 steps could be enough to give you half of these benefits.

Any step count higher than 2,200 a day was associated with lower mortality rates and cardiovascular events.

BERRY BAD

THE EU has issued a food safety alert after a 1.5 tonne shipment of strawberries entering Spain from Morocco was found to contain traces of hepatitis A. The risk was classified as ‘serious’ by the EU’s RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed) after officials conducted tests on the haul after it arrived in the port of Algeciras.

The Valencian association of farmers (AVA-ASAJA) called on the central government and the European Union to enact

Strawberries carrying hepatitis A are detected in southern Spain

By Ben Pawlowski

‘urgent measures’ to prevent a dangerous repeat of the situation. Officials believe the strawberries contain hepatitis A, which can cause a highly inflamed liver, due to the irrigation of fruit farms in Morocco with fecal water.

What is hepatitis A?

Hepatitis

is an infectious virus that causes inflammation of the liver.

World Health Organisation (WHO), the disease can cause mild to severe illness.

Hepatitis A is transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food and water or through direct contact with an infectious person.

Symptoms include yellow skin or eyes, no appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, dark urine and diarrhea.

Almost everyone who contracts hepatitis A recovers fully with a lifelong immunity.

Vaccinations for hepatitis A are available.

Vaccination is recommended if you are travelling to a country where hepatitis A is common, have recently been in close physical contact with an infected person, have a long-term liver disease, have a blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia, are a man who has sex with men, or work in a role that puts you at greater risk of infection.

Cristobal Aguado, head of the AVA-ASAJA, has sent a letter to the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas, urging him to “urgently ask the Moroccan government for explanations and to specify what measures it intends to take to prevent this type of thing from happening again”.

He also lobbied the under-fire minister to insist that all strawberries coming from Morocco should undergo a thorough health inspection and, in the event that more health alerts are detected in other fruit and vegetables, controls should be extended to those products.

Junta president Juanma Moreno stated that ‘those strawberries should never have entered Spain’.

Authorities have confirmed that the strawberries were detained at the Andalucian port and prevented from entering general circulation.

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Paw patrol

AN autonomous robot police dog will soon be using artificial intelligence to patrol the streets of Malaga on its own, sniffing out crimes with a suite of stateof-the-art sensors.

Nun-fluence

SPAIN’S leading pollster, who was widely ridiculed after misjudging the recent Galician regional elections, has blamed conservative nuns for boosting the rightwing vote.

Crunch time

DORITOS Spain have dumped Spanish transgender influencer Samanatha Hudson, 24, after tweets emerged - from when she was 15 - detailing her ‘depraved’ desires towards under-age girls.

PARROT PATOIS

RESEARCHERS have found parakeets - a common sight in Spanish cities - have developed regional dialects.

A study compared the calls of monk parakeets in eight cities and four countries across Europe and found each had ‘different accents’. Published in Behavioral Ecology magazine, the re-

Researchers reveal escaped parakeets have developed regional dialects

By Yzabelle Bostyn

search was carried out by the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour and Evolutionary Anthropology.

Wheely bad move

AN e-scooter rider has been filmed carrying a door and huge slats of wood on the base of his two-wheeled vehicle in southern Spain.

The viral video is alleged to have been recorded in San Fernando, Cadiz.

The middle-aged rider can be seen travelling in between cars on his scooter while trying to balance the large number of items perched on the electric vehicle by his feet.

He is then seen taking on a roundabout, as travellers in the car behind him record a video on their mobile phones.

According to the study author, Stephen Tyndel: “Similar to humans, monk parakeets have developed unique ways of communicating according to where they live.”

The birds are the ‘ideal’ subject

to study the evolution of communication in a non-human species.

The birds originate in South America, but escaped pets have established colonies around Europe.

The researchers carried out their study in Spain, Belgium, Italy and Greece.

Each city had a different dialect, with variances in the structure and frequency of each call.

Although difficult for humans to distinguish, it was discovered that the Brussels parakeets had the strongest dialect.

The results surprised researchers, says Tyndel: “This suggests the dialects came out passively, as birds copy each other, they make mistakes and over time these become a new dialect.”

The team believes accents could develop actively as a form of social communication to help birds recognise their friends in big groups.

City parakeets live in very crowded nests, leading researchers to think ‘slang’ could have developed.

A VULTURE has won a legion of fans online after being pictured ‘taking over’ an apartment balcony on the Costa del Sol.

Pictures shared on Instagram show the bird of prey seemingly posing for pics as its claws clutch onto the railing of the terrace in Fuengirola. The snaps were taken from an apartment in the Stella Maris building next to the Paseo Maritimo on Sunday.

Commentators joked that the vulture was ‘a new type of squatter’.

MOO-VING ON UP

TWO men doing Spain’s famous Camino de Santiago pilgrims walk had to take refuge up an oak tree after being charged by several cows.

The hikers, aged 28 and 64, were in the Caceres area when they were surprised by the animals.

One of the cows was with her calf and took an instant dislike to the men and charged them. They climbed to the top of an oak tree and stayed there for 20 minutes until the Guardia Civil arrived to help them.