Olive Press Andalucia Issue 446

A DETAILED study will finally look at building a train along the entire Costa del Sol.

In a big U-turn, the Ministry of Transport will set up a ‘working group’ to include the Junta, Malaga province, as well as the various local town halls.

The study will look at the feasibility of the project, including its social, economic and environmental impact.

It will also look at demand, the needs of each community, the difficulty of construction and cost.

According to the ministry that previously brushed off the project, a recent plan proposed by the Malaga authorities is ‘insufficient’.

It claimed a new 47 km-stretch would take eight years to build and cost between €2.5bn and €2.7bn.

Serving 46 million passengers a year, it would connect the current high speed line between Cordoba and Malaga to Marbella while adapting the existing C1 line.

Malaga province spokesman Javier Salas welcomed the study and said it aimed to get the working group up and running before the summer.

He has confirmed the group will discuss mobility problems on the Costa del Sol ‘and in particular, the coastal train.’

“The Spanish Government is committed to solving the need for better mobility here,” said Salas. “This is evident now with all the work they are doing on the motorways.”

BACK TO THE BEACH

O P LIVE RESS

But what is it going to cost you for a sunbed or a beach club this summer?

We sent our team out to investigate, see page 6

FUMING!

A POLICE investigation is underway after ‘multiple expats’ discovered they were driving uninsured after an agent allegedly pocketed their money instead of filing their policies.

The Granada-based group told the Olive Press the boss of AXA agent, Autoescuela Orgiva, had vanished

Fraud probe launched after expats discover they are driving uninsured after agent ‘stole’ their fees

‘owing thousands’.

They claim the owner of the long-standing business, Jose Manuel Arenas, pocketed the payments of at least 17 customers, seven of them expats.

“I’m worried it will take years to get my money back over this fraud,” victim Suzanne Rooney told the Olive Press.

She lost ‘over €100’ to the scam after paying for her motorbike insurance last year.

“I paid him directly in cash because I don’t trust anyone with my card details,” she explained.

“I don’t use my motorbike very of-

ten but I could have been stopped and fined at any time.”

In Spain, driving without insurance carries a hefty fine of up to €3,000.

She added: “What would have happened if I had got hurt or injured someone else?”

Local shopkeeper Leona Sylvie, of Camac, meanwhile, believed she was fully insured – until she went to the local ITV station for her annual vehicle inspection.

“I was driving round with absolutely no insurance, having paid for a full year,” she explained.

“And this has happened to multiple friends as well.”

The scandal has rocked the Alpujarras town of Orgiva, provoking the closure of the local AXA office and robbing locals of their jobs. It is rumoured the scam may have been motivated by personal problems as locals claim Arenas ‘regularly looks off his face.’

According to a Guardia Civil spokesperson, half a dozen Spaniards have so far filed official denuncias, but they are expecting more. “An investigation is underway,” he told the Olive Press.

Fellow agent Yolanda Fuenes, who has taken over the local AXA policies, confirmed to the Olive Press at least seven expats are involved so far and ‘over 10 Spaniards’. Local Facebook groups allege Arenas has pocketed money paid to convert UK driving licences to Spanish ones.

One expat victim, who asked to remain anonymous, told the Olive Press he had been waiting four years for his new licence, after paying Arenas €120 in January 2019.

EXCLUSIVE

By Yzabelle Bostyn & Jo Chipchase

French connection

A FRENCH gangster known as Mehdi who was infamous for ripping off rival drug lords has been arrested in Sevilla after surviving an attempted hit in Marbella last summer.

Latest shooting

A MAN was shot in the back four times and killed in Malaga last week. It was the third shooting on the Costa del Sol this month alone as the wave of gun violence continues.

Unlucky dip

A TRAGEDY was averted in Manilva after a child was reported to have nearly drowned. A nearby doctor performed CPR until paramedics arrived to take him to hospital.

Free pass

A PRISON director in Cadiz was the head of a corrupt network that allegedly charged inmates - mostly drug traffickers - between €9,000 and €15,000 for permits to leave the facility.

EMAILS LINK TO MADDIE

EXCLUSIVE: Brueckner had four emails in 2007, one linking him to the ‘murder’

THE Olive Press can reveal Christian Brueckner was using at least four email accounts at the time Madeleine McCann was abducted in Portugal. And one of these, seized by cops, has been dubbed as the ‘murder’ account by a detective in a German court. While its inbox had been deleted from the start of 2007, Titus Stampa confirmed that police had retrieved its outbox with ‘disgusting’ incriminating material.

We can reveal the expat sex offender also used one in his name and another email moneytime7@hotmail.de to send and receive child pornography. Others included ‘magicame@

By Jon Clarke

mail.de’ and ‘5grosser@hotmail.com’, police sources in Germany told the Olive Press Detectives, who secured data from Microsoft and Meta in 2019, believe many emails were deleted soon after an investigation into Brueckner was launched in 2013.

Snatch

German prosecutors believe he snatched and killed British toddler Maddie, then three, from her holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, in May 2007. Stampa refused to divulge any

FIVE people have been arrested in Malaga province after the Guardia Civil seized 21,302 litres of nitrous oxide (laughing gas)- the biggest-such seizure in Europe.

The gas was stored in different capacity cannisters at a warehouse in Alhaurin.

The suspects - of various undisclosed nationalities - have been charged with public health crimes, with one of the detainees having 'numerous' criminal records.

The crew allegedly transported and dis-

specific information from the

‘murder’ emails at Braunschweig Court. He was only able to give out information linked to the current case involving three rapes and two child abuse offences taking place in Portugal, between 2000 and 2017. Brueckner, who lived for long periods in Portugal and Spain, used various online nicknames on Facebook and Skype at the time, signing up via Hotmail. In particular, he was working closely with a German undertaker, called Frank S, who was helping him buy and sell child porn.

In one conversation from 2013

Not laughing now

tributed nitrous oxide to coastal nightlife venues in Malaga province.

The Guardia Civil investigation started in February when suspicions of illegal activities at a warehouse came to their attention.

Officers confirmed the building was used to store bottles of nitrous oxide.

EXPOSED: Monster’s emails

Brueckner - who used the nickname ‘Holger Wahnsinn’ meaning ‘Madness of Holger’ - told the man he planned to snatch a child and abuse her for days.

He added he would make ‘lots of short films’ and ‘document exactly how she is tormented’. He also told of his rape fantasy involving a mother and a daughter who he kept imprisoned.

Later, expanding it into a 24page document, the ‘mother-daughter story’ involved him kidnapping a child and abusing her in front of her mother.

Brutal

“It was remarkably brutal,” Stampa explained, adding that Brueckner had told pals ‘this is just the beginning’.

The Olive Press can reveal Stampa was one of two detectives who went to America to interview rape victim Diana Menkes, 72, before her trial for which Brueckner is currently in prison serving seven years.

Brueckner denies the charges. The trial continues.

Cashed out!

A BRITISH expat considered to have been the money launderer for one of Europe’s biggest mafia gangs has been released from a Spanish prison on bail. A photograph of a hugely slimmed-down Morrissey smoking a cigar and pouring himself a glass of his own brand of vodka, Nero, has emerged since his release. Johnny ‘Cash’ Morrissey, 64, was arrested in 2022 on suspicion of laundering as much as €200 million for the Kinahan drugs cartel.

But while Morrissey was once viewed as a ‘loyal servant’ to the Irish organisation, now based in Dubai, he is now understood to have become ‘disposable’ to the group led by Daniel Kinahan.

The former bouncer, from Rochdale, who was being held in Alhaurin prison since his arrest, has put up a €60,000 bond to secure his release. However, he is subject to a series of conditions, including not leaving Spain and surrendering his passport. He will also have to report to Marbella court twice a month, as well as supply an address where notifications can be sent to him.

MICHAEL Barrymore, the con troversial former TV host turned TikTok star, has revealed he is moving to Spain in search of a ‘better quality of life’.

In a TikTok video posted to his 2.9million followers, Bar rymore, 72, said he would be moving to Catalunya this summer.

The comedian told his fol-

STRIKING IT LUCKY

lowers he was searching for a property near Girona or Lloret del Mar.

The Bermondsey-born entertainer reached his peak of popularity in the mid-1990s as he hosted shows including Strike It Lucky Kids Say the Funniest Things.

However, Barrymore’s career came to a sudden end following the death of Stuart Lubbock, 31, under suspicious circumstances in a swimming pool at the entertainer’s home in Essex.

A TV comeback on ITV’s Dancing on Ice was scuppered when he broke a wrist in rehearsals.

Taylor made

She is the master of working a crowd, writes Yzabelle Bostyn

THERE is no mistaking Taylor Swift is a master at working a crowd.

As 67,000 people buzzed in anticipation, a huge clock ticked down with the screams of fans getting louder as each second passed.

A chill passed through me as echoes of each of her 11 albums rippled through the Bernabeu stadium. The feverish ness of the crowd con trasted with the calm music, pastels and swaying petals on stage. Suddenly, Swift was revealed centre stage, launching straight into song. accompanied them as they grew up. Her career now spans 20 years and The Eras Tour covers them all.

SPECTACLE: A packed stadium included Yzabelle (inset above)

THE inaugural world championship series of all-electric power boat races brought a sprinkling of stardust to Spain.

The E-1 teams are backed by star names like actor Will Smith and former American football star, Tom Brady.

But it was American Latino singer, Marc Anthony and his Team Miami that came out on top in the battle between eight contenders in a series of knock-out heats held over two days in Marbella’s Puerto Banus. Choppy conditions made things tricky, but Erik Stark and Anna Glennon led Team Miami to overall victory ahead of Will Smith's Westbrook Racing.

I was dizzy trying to keep up with my nerve clenching excitement, belting out the lyrics and taking in the spectacle all at once.

Many dismiss Swift as simply a pop star but for many young women, her songs have

calm Folklore, she transitioned seamlessly through each ‘era’ or album.

Some three hours and 15 minutes long, the show is an astonishing feat with at least 46 songs, 16 costume changes and dozens of dances, props and sets.

Sure, the fireworks, smoke and lights helped, but it’s Swift’s cheeky and confident stage presence that makes the show. She is constantly smiling and laughing, twirling her hair and dancing around the stage to engage every Swiftie in the crowd.

From the upbeat 1989 to the

Electric stars

Sensational Sarandon

GRANDE Dame filmstar and producer Susan Sarandon, 77, proved she has still ‘got it’ when she turned up on the red carpet in Madrid.

She was one of the most eye-catching celebrities at the ELLE Style Awards. Sarandon, who won an oscar for Dead Man Walking in 1995, arrived for the gala at the Palacio de Cibeles in impeccable style wearing a black Armani-designed sequined gown with a keyhole cut-out.

Her footwear was a pair of strappy high-heeled sandals.

She styled her auburn hair into coiffed curls and added a slick of red lipstick to complete her look.

Videos appearing on the giant stage screens set the tone for the next part of the show, all while building the crowd’s overflowing excitement.

In the Reputation era, a snake slid down the stage, transitioning to a pair of knee high boots and then, Taylor herself appeared, perfectly syncing with the video.

The production was flawless, exhilarating and unlike anything I had ever seen.

But it didn’t all happen onstage.

Glitter

Each attendee was given a light up bracelet which changed colour according to the song. When they formed the LGBT flag for You Need to Calm Down or shined purple for Enchanted, it was heartwarming to feel connected with thousands of other fans.

Through fireworks, sequined outfits and flames, Swift never faltered and by the final song, I couldn’t believe it was over.

As I left the stadium, sweaty, exhausted and coated in glitter, I felt incredibly grateful and sure I wouldn’t forget this night for a long time.

Her next project to hit the big screen is July’s release of the comedy The Fantastic Four in which her co-stars include Bette Midler.

Paris in Barcelona

PARIS Jackson, Michael Jackson’s daughter has been spotted in Barcelona. She was attending a fashion show put on by Spanish brand, Desigual. It came just hours after the singer, actress and model made a return to the runway in New York.

She modelled for Alexander Wang before hopping on an overnight flight to Catalunya. Paris was in the front row of the Desigual Spring/Summer show, next to Spanish actress Ester Esposito.

FAREWELL: Jennifer was much-loved

ONE of Spain’s best known expat business dynamos has passed away suddenly.

Insurance specialist Jennifer Cunningham, who had eight offices around Spain, died last week. The Costa Blanca-based businesswoman moved to Spain from London in 1992, and set up her insurance brokerage as well as a hospice charity named after her son.

Taking its toll

THE cost of the AP-7 toll road has increased by more than 50% along the Costa del Sol. Every year, the price of accessing the more direct and quieter route officially goes up on June 1. For example, travelling from Malaga to Marbella increased from €5.25 to €8.60, representing a 64% surge. Meanwhile, travelling from Malaga to Manilva will now cost just over €16, up from €10. It comes amid growing calls from local politicians to scrap the toll road in a bid to reduce the region’s traffic woes - a bid which was routinely rejected by the national government earlier this month.

Initially providing health insurance she expanded into general insurance after requests from clients and friends.

Her work ethic guided by honesty and integrity brought respect from Spanish nationals and expats alike as her business built up a gilt-edged reputation for trust with clients.

Retirement was never on Jennifer's agenda in recent years, despite ill health and she was always a hands-on managing director.

One of the most successful expat businesses in

Spain, she opened her first office in Javea, as well as setting up the Paul Cunningham Nurses Charity in 2008.

It was named after her son who died from spinal cancer, aged just 33.

Shocked to discover there was no hospice care available in Spain, she vowed to set something up in his memory while spending time with her son at a Sue Ryder Hospice in the UK.

Her other son, Mark, will take over her role in running the company which will continue to provide the same customer service it has done since the early 1990’s.

Jennifer’s final column page 37

True character leaves a major legacy STOP THIS NOW!

British expats lead peaceful protest against Marbella’s first bullfight in almost a decade

DOZENS of expats joined locals to protest against the first bullfight in Marbella for a decade.

The group told the Olive Press of their anger after gathering outside the town’s bullring with banners reading ‘stop’, ‘animal abuse is not entertainment’ and ‘it’s not a show it’s torture and death’. The peaceful demonstration came after more than 25,000

We want heat!

THE Junta has ruled schools in Andalucia can close early due to scorching temperatures. It comes as Cordoba, Jaen, Granada and Sevilla all faced multiple heat warnings this month, with temperatures nearing 40C.

By Laurence Dollimore

people signed a petition demanding the cancellation of the corrida.

But they were unable to stop matadors Roca Rey, Jose Maria Manzanares and Alejandro Talavante, killing six bulls.

“It’s grim,” said activist Lisa Grajales, 45. “If you go in there, you will hear the animals' cries of pain and smell their blood as they die.”

The Mijas native, who has an English mother, said she had spent 25 years campaigning against bullfighting.

“The popularity has really been declining in my time, but we are worried that it is making a comeback,” she continued.

Protestor: Lisa

Described by the town hall as a ‘spectacular’ event, it aimed to ‘reinaugurate’ the tradition in the town after nine years. It came exactly 60 years since the arena opened.

But enraged animal activists called on mayor Maria Angeles Muñoz to bring an immediate stop to the bullfight and for a permanent ban in Marbella.

“We were horrified to learn that a bullfight is taking place

at the old Marbella Bullring,” said a representative from Marbella Against Bullfighting.

“This is a huge step backwards for both Marbella and Spain… we really believed bullfighting was a thing of the past.”

She added: “Marbella is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city, loved by locals and international visitors alike. Why would our Mayor want to drag the city back in time?”

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FIRST BATTLE WON!

A FAMILY who claimed they were swindled out of their home have won the first battle to get it back following front-page coverage in the Olive Press. Alzheimer’s sufferer Dagmar Neveling, 78, signed her Estepona penthouse over to estate agent Taha al Amine Benmahjoub last December. On the same day, Taha changed the locks and evicted Dagmar and husband Rutger, 81, leaving them with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Now, after Dagmar’s daughter, Isabel Neveling, 50, alleged that Taha ‘tricked’ them into selling, they have managed to get a ‘stay of execution’ from a court.

Court

A judge at Estepona court confirmed the investigation and ruled items must not be removed as there are indications of ‘fraud or misappropriation’. “Now I am going to the police to make sure they know that a judge has ordered this,” daughter Isabel explained this week. She hopes a judge will now annul the sale and return it to the Dagmars. Agent Taha emailed the Olive Press insisting he had not broken the law.

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Grajales (left)

A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million

OPINION

Ooh la la, quelle surprise!

READING that countless British expats have been conned by a Spanish insurance agent is, unfortunately, not at all surprising. (FUMING, p1).

We all know someone who has been defrauded out of thousands of euros or more by a slippery Spaniard looking to take advantage of unsuspecting retirees. Let’s face it, they’re easy targets, especially if they don’t know the language and don’t have a trustworthy network of friends guiding them to reputable people. Here at the Olive Press we’ve exposed dozens of such scammers over the years, whether it be estate agents slipping in extra charges or shady lawyers getting their clients’ power of attorney and signing over god knows what to themselves.

Corrupt

While of course it is the small minority of agents who are corrupt, there are enough that one needs to have your wits about you.

While these clients only lost a few hundred euros each, they could have been fined thousands if they were stopped by police while driving uninsured vehicles. And od forbid if they had an accident, only to discover they had no insurance policy all along.

We hope the police leave no stone unturned in investigating Jose Manuel Arenas and that the book is thrown at him. Given Arenas worked with such a well known brand as AXA, it’s easy to understand how customers would have been none the wiser to his alleged schemes. But if you are looking for a lawyer, estate agent or any type of official in Spain, you must always do some thorough research.

PUBLISHER / EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es

Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es

Humenyuk Makarova (+34) 951 154 841 admin@theolivepress.es

Simon Hunter simon@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Ben Pawlowski ben@theolivepress.es

Héctor Santaella (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es

theolivepress.es

Splashing the cash

Looking for a sunbed in Spain this summer? The prices go from €5 up to €3,000 depending on requirements, party size and bragging rights

IT’S become a hot topic among expats and tourists alike as Spring turns to Summer on the costas of Spain.

And, no wonder, as the mercury starts to soar into the mid-30s with the main gripe being an apparent sharp rise in prices that can hardly be blamed on inflation.

WHILE the first tourists arrived en masse in Torremolinos in the 1960s, it was two decades ago in 2003 that Nikki Beach took over Marbella’s Don Carlos Hotel pool area. Now well established globally, the group first opened in Miami in 1998, but in Europe is most famous in Marbella and Ibiza. Only the Ocean Club or La Sala by the Sea, in Puerto Banus, come close to providing the same glitz and glamour you get at Nikki Beach, which became famous for its champagne spray parties.

By Yzabelle Bostyn

And then you’ve got the usual sunbed ‘wars’ as the masses descend on the big resorts like Benidorm, Benalmadena and Magaluf.

BIG SPREAD

ready sneaking out at dawn right), piling up sunbeds and queuing up from 7am.

Towels at the ready, the hordes are alby Marbella and forcing regular holidaymakers out.

But the main complaints seem to be coming in from angry readers, with, in particular, Disgruntled of Estepona, writing that prices are nowadays nudging towards near-

Well, if you were wondering how much you could be spending at your favourite chiringuito or hip beach club this sum -

Other well known beach clubs on the Costa del Sol include Max Beach and El Oceano, in Mijas, while Sublim (formerly Laguna Beach), in Estepona, El Ancla and Macaao Beach, in San Pedro, and Finca Cortesin beach club in Casares, provide a certain upmarket cache.

The Trocadero group, meanwhile, do their thing at various spots along the coast, while Chambao, in Sotogrande, is guaranteed to provide the party spirit.

Overall sunbed prices go from €5 up to €1,200 depending on your group size.

Generally speaking in central Marbella you should pay from €7, while in San Pedro this would be €8 to €10.

One upmarket spot, Macaao Beach, charges €25 for the day, but ‘unlike many other places’ doesn’t levy a 10% surcharge for deli-

very of food and drinks to the beds.

“We think that’s a reasonable price given we only fill up for two months, plus the fact the town hall rental fee has gone up by over three times in a decade,” explained a spokesman.

“But to say prices are soaring on the Costa del Sol is unfair as you can find beds in every budget nowadays, you just need to look around,” he added.

This luxury enclave hosts the rich and famous and guarantees ‘the good life’. Belgian-owned, it covers ‘9,000 square metres of style, luxury and glamorous indulgence’, and it understandably has prices to match.

At the lowest end of the scale a day in paradise on a three-person sunbed goes for €195.

If you prefer the high life, the club’s most expensive option is the ‘Super

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS

Some three million UK citizens previously disenfranchised can vote again on July 4

WITH the UK general election due on July 4, there is still time to register for the vote - but you will have to hurry as the deadline is 11.59pm on June 18.

Legislation that came into force in January has restored the voting rights of over three million Brits who have lived outside the UK for more than 15 years.

The move represents the biggest increase in the British electoral franchise since the introduction of full female suffrage in 1928. British citizens, eligible Irish citizens and citizens of Crown

By Ben Pawlowski

Dependencies can now register to vote as long as they were either previously registered to vote in the UK or were previously resident in the UK. Before beginning the process of registration, prospective voters will require proof of ID and a former UK address.

Acceptable documentation for this includes: a UK driving licence (current or expired); council tax statement; credit card statement; utility or mobile phone bill; letter from an insurance company; correspondence from HMRC or

VIP Square’ package costing €1,150 for 12 people. It includes three 75cl bottles of vodka but beware, if you book on a Saturday, there is a further €1,200 minimum spend. “It’s a really intense but fun place to work,” explained one former waiter, who did seven seasons at the club. “The buzz gets more and more frenetic as the afternoon goes on and the tips are often off the scale. You can make a great living off them alone.”

the Department for Work and Pensions; P45, P60 form or a payslip; bank / building society passbook or a local authority rent book.

If you are unable to provide satisfactory evidence of your ID and former UK address, there will be the option of providing an attestation - you will need to ask someone (not a relative), who is over 18 and registered to vote in the UK, to attest to the details you provide.

British citizens living overseas can register to vote on the gov.

uk website. When applying to the electoral register, expats should use the last address where they were registered as a UK resident. Any eligible voters previously resident in the UK, even as children, but who have never been registered to vote, can apply by using their last UK address.

Once registered to vote, British expats will need to renew their registration every three years, before November 1.

Ocean Club, Puerto Banus

RIVALS: Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak €1,150

mer, read on, as the Olive Press has compared a few of the famous luxury venues with the bog-standard average joints.

From upmarket Puerto Banus to up-andcoming Valencia, there are options for ev -

ery budget and taste, with prices soaring from just €5 up to a staggering €3,000 per sunbed. It’s big business, with one inland pool club away from the beach in inland Marbella al -

A bit more purse friendly, Nikki Beach has single sunbeds for €50 in their ‘barefoot luxury’ beach club.

Alongside sunbeds, punters can enjoy an ‘incredible ambiance, unforgettable music and entertainment.’

Heading upscale, the VIP Pool Beds can fit up to six guests, coming at €1,100. However, this includes €950 of drinks and a bed facing the pool and DJ.

Exuding boho vibes from its prime spot on a secluded Elviria hideout, The Beach House is the perfect place to relax. It offers fine-dining set to the tune of live music and calming waves. Despite the luxurious surroundings, sunbeds are reasonably priced, starting at €35 during the high season.

legedly taking €600,000 over one recent weekend.

Here, we do a round up of some of the most popular beach clubs from across the coun try for you to choose from.

Looking for a premium beach bar oozing with luxury? Max Beach in Mijas Costa could be for you.

It offers a ‘relaxed’ atmosphere during the day and transforms to party central at night, complete with the finest cocktails, DJs and dishes. During the high season, prices start at €30 for a beach side sunbed (not including pool access).

For €950, the secluded ‘sanctuary’ space offers a private jacuzzi for up to twelve people.

For luxury Marina Beach offers a true taste of luxury for those who like the high life. Hammocks cost as little as €20, but prices can vary drastically depending on demand.

Premium options rise to up to €80 per person, with both sun and shade options. The club has a resident DJ, two restaurants and holds parties year round.

Unlike Barcelona, nearby Tarragona is a quiet area surrounded by nature. A luxury hideout, Infinitum offers packages for families and individuals starting at €55 per person and including access to six pools, plus hammocks, towels and lockers. Meanwhile, the cabin package is €250 for two people, including a private cabin, cava, snacks and two hammocks in the tranquil adults only zone.

The Beach House, Marbella

Max Beach, Mijas Costa

Nikki Beach, Marbella

Infinitum Beach Club, Tarragona

Marina Beach, Valencia

FUN AND GLAMOUR: La Sala by the Sea in Puerto Banus epitomises the fun beach club vibe

LA CULTURA

On location

THE Mallorca Film Commission has organised a tour to showcase filming locations to high-profile United States location managers. The tour covered areas from Andratx to Pollensa, including sites such as Soller, Torrent de Pareis, and the Nus de sa Corbata road.

Hollywood

Location head at Palma Pictures, Eduardo Rodrigalvarez, said: “Mallorca is not a little island - we have the scope and logistical potential to film largescale, Hollywood productions, which offer a range of locations and varied backdrops.

“By bringing high-profile film and TV location managers here, we can show them all the potential and ensure Mallorca is front of mind when they are planning their next production.”

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

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Warrior woman

Mystery of female skeleton found amongst remains of religious knights who died in battle

ARCHAEOLOGISTS

are trying to unravel the mystery of a woman found buried among the remains of 23 warrior monks. They are excavating a cemetery belonging to the ancient Order of Calatrava in Guadalajara. This was one of the four Spanish mili-

A SPANISH guitar that was built in Cadiz back in 1791 is due to go under the hammer and could sell for as much as €23,000.

The piece will be auctioned at Gardiner Houlgate, which is considered to be one of the premier firms in its field in the UK.

The guitar was constructed by Juan Pages Garcia, a figure who revolutionised the instrument in his time thanks to in novations that were later adopted the world over.

The Spanish guitar has six double strings, and contains a sticker inside that reads: “Juan

Plucky sale

Pages Made Me in Cadiz, Year 1791”. The body is made of cypress and has a number of large cracks that have been repaired. The neck is made of cedar. While the guitar has suffered some damage – in this era they were very fragile and suffered from the stress of the strings –it is still considered to be in good condition considering its age.

guard the then border with the neighbouring Arabic kingdom.

The burials were exhumed in a cemetery associated with the Castle of Zorita de los Canes-Alcazaba de Zorita - a large fortress in Guadalajara province in the Castilla–La Mancha region.

The 23 warrior monks were knights of the order that, due to unhealed injuries to their bones, appeared to have died in battle between the 12th and 15th century.

The remains of the woman show signs of a violent endincluding a massive blow to the head - leading to speculation that she too could have been a warrior.

A researcher from Catalunya's Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Carme Rissech, said: “She may have died in a manner

very similar to that of the male knights, and it is likely that she was wearing some kind of armour or chain mail.

“Who was that woman? Was she part of the order and did she have the same status as the other knights?”

Skeleton

She explained that the skeleton showed attributes similar to those of the warrior monks, whose job required them to train in the use of the sword. This leaves verifiable marks, which were also observed on the woman’s bones.

“I believe that these remains belong to a female warrior, but further analysis is needed to determine to what extent this woman is contemporary with the other knights,” she added.

A SET of completion dates have been announced for Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudi - 140 years after the first stone was laid.

“The Chapel of the Assumption is expected to be finished in 2025 and the tower of Jesus Christ, in 2026,” a cathedral spokesman said. But the full construction is still not set to be completed until 2032, as a controversial stairway framing the cathedral will not be finished until then.

Plans for the stairway involve disrupting 1,000 businesses and families as they extend across two blocks of the city.

“We are following Gaudí’s plan to the letter,” said project chairman Esteve Camps.

“We are his

HORROR: Skull showed a massive head injury

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

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ESSENCE OF SPAIN

ON a sun-baked Friday evening outside the bullring in Granada, the murmur of local Granadinos grows louder as the sun sets.

Friends and families greet one another with familiar warmth, drinking tall glasses of Tinto de Verano and ice-cold Alhambra beer, waiting for the doors to open and the show to

A look back at the magic of Granada’s annual feria. Words and pics

by Michael Molyneux

begin.

Amidst the city’s bustling streets and Moorish architecture, lies the epicentre of Andalucian tradition and controversy: a circular

FUN: In Granada the festival is more than simply solemn religious processions but involves joyous celebrations too

20,000-seater red-brick amphitheatre where the Feria de Corpus Christi bullfights take place each year in June.

For generations, the Feria de Corpus Christi has been a cornerstone of Granada’s cultural calendar, a celebration that transcends mere entertainment, embodying the very essence of Spanish heritage. Here, beneath the tall cypress trees and gaudy festival banners, locals and tourists gather together to witness a tradition steeped in history, honour and, with temperatures approaching 40°, somewhat heated debate.

La corrida de toros (bullfighting) has long been both revered and reviled, its roots reflecting broader historical and social dynamics of the region, and the fabric of Spanish society in general. To some, it’s a noble artform, a graceful dance of life and death between man and beast that epitomises courage and skill, pas sion and pageantry, elegance and zeal. To others, it’s a cruel and outdated

bullfights but this year’s festival still offered a vibrant blend of religious tradition and the high-octane world of Spanish bullfighting.

But while a major part of the festivities, the bullfighting is not the only tradition.

Corpus Christi is a Christian festival celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, 60 days after Easter Sunday. Many communities showcase artisanal crafts

Traditional dishes are shared among friends and family

and handmade goods during Corpus Christi celebrations.

Local artisans sell their wares at markets or set up stalls along the procession route, offering traditional items

groups. These performances range from classical music concerts to folk dance displays to re-enactments of biblical stories and local legends. Food plays a central role in Corpus Christi celebrations, with tradition

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FRIENDS AND FAMILY: Corpus Christi is a time to celbrate with all your loved ones

LA CULTURA

clergy, religious groups, and local dignitaries and community members.

Parishioners dressed in their finest attire follow alongside priests, choirs singing hymns, and children carrying flowers.

Shopkeepers along the route often adorn their storefronts with tapestries and flower arrangements as a sign of respect as the monstrance passes. The air is filled with the scent of incense and the gentle murmur of prayers, creating a truly unique and spiritual atmosphere. A delightful counterpoint to the solemnity of the procession is the appearance sic and energetic dancers, the Tarasca weaves through the crowds, snapping its jaws and swishing its tail. This playful tradition adds a touch of whimsy to the festivities, particularly for

of the ‘Tarasca’, a mythical beast depicted as a large dragon puppet. Accompanied by lively mu -

POPULAR: Bullfighting attracts the crowds and brings feelings of brotherhood (top), but not everyone agrees that corridas should remain part of the festival

children who are enthralled by the sight of the fantastical creature.

The Tarasca’s origins are believed to be rooted in pre-Christian mythology, representing the triumph of good over evil, which has been cleverly incorporated into the Corpus Christi celebrations.

Whether you’re a fan of bullfighting or simply seeking a taste of Spanish culture, the Corpus Christi festival offers a unique experience.

It’s a chance to witness age-old traditions, experience Granada’s vibrant energy, and discover the magic that this captivating city holds.

Michael Molyneux is a freelance photojournalist from the UK, based in Granada. You can follow his work, on Instagram @Molyneux_Photography

ON THE STREET: It seems that everyone takes part, inside or out, day or night

(below)

Cancer scare

PRODUCTS from the Chinese-founded fast-fashion company Shein have been found to contain as many as 428 times the legal limit of cancer-causing chemicals.

They include children’s clothes, such as shoes, as well as bags, belts and other items.

South Korea has been testing products not just from Shein, but also e-commerce sites such as AliExpress and Temu, as their popularity rises in the Asian country.

Their tests have revealed high levels of phthalates, which are chemicals used to soften plastics and that can sometimes cause hormone disruption.

One pair of shoes that was tested, for example, had 428 times the permitted levels of these forever chemicals, while three bags had 153 times the limit.

South Korean authorities have requested that these products be removed from sale.

Vulture backlash

Strike against ‘abusive clauses’ that have seen rents soar

NEARLY a thousand tenants are going on a ‘rent strike’ in response to what they say are abusive clauses imposed by their landlord, which they describe as a ‘vulture fund’.

According to the union Inquilinas e Inquilinos de Madrid (Tenants of Madrid), the owner of their apartments, Nestar-Azora, has made use of a clause that has seen €900 a month rentals suddenly rise to €1,600.

This is way in excess of the 3% yearly rise that is allowed under Spanish law. These practices, the union claims, have already been declared illegal by the courts

By Simon Hunter

in Catalunya but are still being employed throughout the Madrid region.

To make matters worse, two of the apartment blocks that have been affected by the rent rises are in fact publicly owned, but their management has been subcontracted to Nestor-Azora.

Families in the areas of Parla, Mostoles, Pinto, Villaverde, Carabanchel and Vallecas have declared they will only pay the price that was agreed on their initial contract, and will not tolerate what the union describes as ‘abusive’ price rises.

CLAIM NOW!

Brits with homes in Spain could be owed tens of thousands of euros over ‘floor clause’ scandal

BRITISH homeowners are winning up to €48,500 in compensation after major banks in Spain were exposed for putting a hidden clause in their mortgages.

In the early 2000s a string of lenders secretly wrote in their contracts that their clients’ payable interest rate could not drop below 3.5% - in what is now known as a ‘floor clause’. But for 10 years, between 2011 and 2021, the interest rate in Spain sat between zero and 1%. It means countless homeowners spent years paying hundreds of euros more per month than necessary.

Fairway Lawyers, based in Marbella, has been at the forefront of winning back money for affected homeowners - and on a no win, no fee basis.

CEO Diego Echavarria told the Olive Press that

WHAT BANKS WERE INVOLVED IN FLOOR CLAUSES?

Most Spanish banks, but especially Banco Popular (now merged with Santander), Caja Duero, Caja España (merged with Unicaja), La Caixa, Solbank and many other savings banks which have since been taken over by major banks.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR MAKING A CLAIM?

You need to submit a claim before the bank to try to reach a settlement out of court.

Then comes a three-month period in which you await their response. Unfortunately the Spanish banks do not want to reach any kind of agreement or settlement and they always force the clients to go to court to get a positive ruling. They do this because they hope clients will get fed-up with the process and drop the claim - which is why we operate on a no win no fee basis.

Fairway LAWYERS

one of his latest clients, the Brighouses, were recently awarded a total of €48,359 - plus legal costs.

The couple had bought an off-plan apartment in Mirador de Costalita, in Cancelada, in 2004.

They took over the mortgage from the developer, which contained the hidden clause and they ended up paying an extra €250 per month than required.

The tenants want to see these ‘illegal clauses’ eliminated from their contracts.

“They are not ruling out legal action against Ne-

star-Azora if it does not comply with their demands and does not sit down to negotiate with the thousands of people affected,” a union spokesperson said.

MORE JOBS

SPAIN has recorded its lowest registered unemployed total for May since 2008, with 2.6 million people out of work.

This is a 59,000 reduction on April’s figure, as seasonal jobs become available related to the tourist sector.

Over a third of new jobs are in hospitality ahead of what is expected to be a record summer tourist season.

The monthly fall is bigger than a year ago when it dropped by over 49,000. This is still much smaller than in the middle of the previous decade when May reductions topped 100,000. .

One of the main reasons for that is Spain was recovering from historically-high unemployment figures caused by the recession.

Despite the positive trends, Spain’s jobless rate of 11.7% is still double the European Union average.

Tank hack

A PRO-RUSSIA hacker group has claimed that Spain’s Santa Barbara Systems, which is refurbishing Leopard tanks for delivery to Ukraine, suffered a cyberattack on its website.

A spokesperson for parent company General Dynamics said its Spanish unit had been targeted but ‘it was detected immediately’ and had not compromised systems.

The firm decided to temporarily disconnect its website until an ongoing investigation was concluded.

“The company’s sensitive data remains well-protected,” the spokesperson added.

Rate cut

THE European Central Bank (ECB) cut interest rates last Thursday by a quarter of a point to 4.25%.

The June reduction had been widely expected but is still a long way off from almost 0%, which was the situation in July 2022.

The rate hikes were about 'cooling down' the economy and reducing inflation which had reached double digits in EU member countries. Analysts expect perhaps two more interest rate reductions this year, assuming there is no rebound in inflation, and those will be needed to make any significant dents for monthly home mortgage repayments.

From Marbella to Mollina and Mijas to Manilva Covering the Costa del Sol and inland for 20 years

Diego told the Olive Press: “This is the fourth case I’ve won in Mirador de Costalita alone, but there are thousands of similar cases in which expats have no idea they are victims.

“Right now we are seeing cases involving Brits all over the country.”

If you feel you might have been affected by a floor clause, then there are two tell tale characteristics; Your mortgage was signed off between 2001 and 2010 and your payments were the same amount for a large number of years and never lowered.

OFF PLAN PROBLEMS FLOOR CLAUSE ISSUES FRAUD AND TAX LITIGATION INHERITANCE

Diego added: “Even if you have sold the property and paid off the mortgage, you can still claim.

Contact Diego at Fairway Lawyers diego@fairwaylawyers.com Tel: 952 77 11 50 WhatsApp: 606 307 885

“There is no deadline since the latest ruling from TJUE (Tribunal de Justicia de La Union Europea).

“There are around 100,000 mis-sold mortgages that have yet to be resolved in Spain.”

C/Nuestra Señora de Gracia 28, 29602, Marbella (Malaga)

If you want to claim for a mis-sold mortgage or feel you may have been affected, contact diego@fairwaylawyers.com or send a message via Whatsapp to +34 606 307 885.

CEO: Diego Echavarria

ANGER: Tenants say their contracts include abusive clauses

SELLING QUALITY PROPERTIES

Taking a look beyond the bling and the yachts, with Dilip Kuner

MAGNIFICENT

MARBELLA. The name conjures up images of gleaming yachts, opulent mansions, and celebrities sipping cocktails in exclusive clubs.

While this glamorous facade is evidently true, there’s a far richer tapestry woven beneath the surface, waiting to be unravelled by curious explorers.

Step beyond its two marinas and delve into Marbella’s captivating old town or its nearby environs, where you’ll find Arabic bathhouses, Visigothic churches and even Roman villas.

In the Casco Historico though, time seems to slow down as you wander through a maze of cobbled streets, their 16th-century origins evident in the architecture.

Chic art galleries, bursting with vibrant creations, share space with traditional tapas bars, their enticing aromas wafting through the air. Quaint boutiques and artisanal ice cream shops complete the picture, offering a delightful treasure hunt for hidden gems.

Continues on page 14

Protec Construction would like to warmly welcome you to its newly renovated of fice located in La Cala de Mijas

Marbella

From page 13

VIBRANT

The heart of this historical haven is Plaza de los Naranjos, aptly named for the abundance of fragrant orange trees that grace the square.

This vibrant space - bordered on one side by an 11th Century Moorish wallpulsates with life. The 16th-century town hall (or one part of it) stands proudly as the showpiece, a silent witness to centuries of change.

While the tourist hotspots here command a premium, the experience of soaking in the historical ambiance is priceless.

And for those seeking a moment of respite, the cool stone walls of the Ermita De Santiago, originally a mosque, offer a haven of peace from a bygone age.

Round the corner in the Plaza de Iglesia is the church of Our Lady of the Incarnation, whose first stone was laid in 1618.

Its main facade is adorned with a stunning red stone entrance worked in Baroque style, while the interior holds one of the most impressive organs ever built – consisting of 5000 pewter, copper and wooden pipes and four manual keyboards.

For history buffs, head up towards the ancient Roman baths in Guadalmina (below) sitting next to an 18th century defensive tower.

Next visit the intriguing 6th-century Visigothic church in nearby San Pedro, a testament to the region’s rich religious tapestry.

The town has come a long way since the

ente Romano (yes, really) or the villa site at Rio Verde, between the Golden Mile and Puerto Banus.

When your feet tire from exploring the past, seek solace in the verdant embrace of Marbella’s exquisite public gardens.

In the centre, La Constitución Park and Alameda Gardens provide a refreshing escape from the sun’s rays, while there are plenty of other attractive parks.

Locals gather here, particularly at feria time, creating a vibrant social scene, while charming cafes and bars line them, offering the perfect pitstop for a refreshing drink.

But Marbella’s true crown jewel is its 27 kilometres of stunning coastline. Pristine

sandy beaches with gentle dunes beckon in Artola and Elviria, while central Marbella and the Golden Mile (far right) boast a

Whether you seek a relaxing day soaking ing dip in the crystal-clear

OLD TOWN: The pedestrianised streets are a joyous place for a stroll

HISTORY: Is surprisingly in abundance in Marbella, with the Roman baths in Guadalmina fascinating

vigorating beach yoga session (or one of its derivatives) the town’s shores cater to every desire.

For those yearning for a touch of extravagance, Puerto Banus, Marbella’s glamorous neighbour, beckons.

Bookmarking one end of the famous Golden Mile, this is a place where anything goes.

From hen-doers trying their best to pull off ill-fitting fancy dress costumes after celebrating their last night of freedom, to members of the ‘1% club’ disembark

there is always something to gawp at.

This is People Watching central and easily as fun as Mayfair or Malibu, as people treat themselves to a new Rolex watch or a bag from the likes of Gucci and Prada.

Just about every brand has a shop here and there is even an office that caters for those looking to buy a seat on a private jet.

Banus has become one of the unashamed melting pots for the rich, famous and wannabe Marbella Love Islanders.

Dressed in head-to-toe designer, they flow thick and fast around the port, home to exclusive nightclubs Le Suite and the extravagant Roberto Cavalli, from mid-af-

ternoon. A round of drinks may blow your weekly budget, that’s if you haven’t already splurged it all on a swanky outfit - an essential if you want to mingle with the Who’s Who of Marbs. Along the strip to the east (the Golden Mile) the likes

of Lord Alan Sugar, Simon Cowell, Sean Connery and the Saudi Arabian royal family have invested in their own villas.

The latest arrival is Spotify owner, Daniel Ek, while Eva Longoria, Novak Djokovich and Eden Hazard all own homes here.

World leaders too, are magnetically attracted to Marbs, with David Cameron, Tony Blair and Michelle Obama having taken a visit over the last decade, while former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar has a villa in Guadalmina.

But Marbella has always been a grand resort to visit, ever since German prince Maximilian de Hohenlohe-Langenburg and his son Alfonso ‘discovered’ it when they had to stop while having trouble with their Rolls Royce in 1946. Alfonso liked the area so much he decided to buy some land and build himself a house, before selling plots to his pals, including the Rothschilds and Thyssens. He soon turned his home into the Costa del Sol’s first luxury hotel in 1954 – The Marbella Club – which to this day remains a breathtaking mainstay on the Golden Mile, welcoming guests like Lady Gaga and Lenny Kravitz over recent years. Its next door neighbour, the Puente Romano is even more ritzy and, aside from Robert de Niro, Tyson Fury and Antonio

Banderas, there have been dozens of other famous guests this year alone (which we cannot mention here, out of respect for owner Daniel Shamoon).

But the original A-list have always hung out here. Everyone, that is, from Ava Gardner to Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn to Laurence Olivier and Sean Connery to James Hunt have done their bit to raise the Costa del Sol’s international profile and, in turn, attracting a wave of jetsetters and investment. And if the culture, beaches and thriving social scene don’t leave you wanting to buy a place in Marbella, maybe the culinary scene will. The resort now has the most Michelin stars per capita in the country, making it a must-visit for any-

one who labels themselves a ‘foodie’.

From Takumi to Nintai and Messina to Macaao, each restaurant sparkles for its own reason. With incred-

ible nightlife, a blossoming arts scene and the best food in the region, Marbella certainly lives up to its (many) names. So, the next time you hear the name Marbella, remember – it’s more than just a playground for the rich and famous. It’s a tapestry woven with history, culture,

STOP PRESS breathtaking beauty, and an irresistible culinary scene. Unveil the depths of Marbella and discover a destination that will leave you spellbound.

JOINING THE CLUB: For anyone interested, the Olive Press opened an office in Marbella this year. Based in fashionable San Pedro, we felt the need to make the jump from our previous base in Sabinillas for growth and other strategic reasons.

LEAFY: While Marbella is one of the greenest and lowest density resorts in Europe, it has some of the best beaches - 27 kilometres of them!

ENVIRONS: The surrounding area is full of leafy spots and mountain walks up into the Sierra de las Nieves National Park

PHOTOS BY JON CLARKE

Going back in time

A donkey ride and more before the Marbella tourist gold rush...

PIONEER: The Marbella Club kick-started the town’s glamour back in the 1960s, when donkey rides were de rigeur, while the El Fuerte hotel (ringed) was built by an ancient Roman site, before the town grew many-fold

STUNNING: The Puente Romano Hotel’s ancient bridge

BUILT BY ROMANS

ARBELLA began its life as a town in the seventh century BC, when it was a Roman settlement called ‘Salduba’. This is also the name of a well known bar at the entrance to Puerto Banus that has been there for centuries too. Meanwhile an original Roman bridge still stands surreally in the middle of the Puente Romano Hotel and a few kilometres away is the restored Roman villa at Rio Verde with its beauti- ful mosaics.

SPECTACULAR: Mosaic at Rio Verde

A sleepy town during the period of Al-Andalus, Mar- bella was retaken by Chris- tians in 1485. The Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square) has been the fo- cal point of the town since then and the town hall is still located there today.

JUNKIE CAFE

Calle Las Violetas, 1, Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, Málaga, Spain 29660

TRAIN TO NOWHERE: Well actually to the mine that once provided 75% of all Spain’s iron ore

Ralli Museum

WE start our art tour at Marbella’s best known museum. Home to one of Europe’s most important Latin American collections, the Museo Ralli focuses on modern movements, particularly surrealism, with works from a wide range of contemporary artists. Its current temporary show is on show until April 2024.

WHERE? Urb. Coral Beach, Rio Verde, N-340, km. 176, 29602 Marbella, Málaga

WHEN? Tuesday to Friday 10:00 to 17:00 h Saturday 10:00 to 16:00 h

It’s not just hen parties creating an exhibition in Marbella; these three picks will satisfy culture vultures

“To fall in love with an artwork is to recognise your soul through the artist’s mirror” – or so said Marife Nuñez who founded the gallery, and probably knows about these things. Es.Arte is a contemporary gallery with a busy calendar of exhibitions and fairs. As well as exhibiting works by contemporary artists, the gallery also offers consultancy services, helping you find something to hang on your wall.

WHERE?

Av de Manolete, 1, Centro Plaza, Local 11, 29660 Marbella

WHEN? Tuesday to Friday 10:30 to 16:00 h Saturday 10:00 to 14:30 h

Es.Arte Gallery

Avenida del Mar

OR an outdoor gallery, head to Avenida del Mar to see some of Salvador Dali’s famous bronze statues. Located on this beautiful marble promenade near the waterfront, these statues include a depiction of Perseus beheading Medusa; the Roman emperor Trajan on horseback; and, changing the mood slightly, a statue of Dali’s wife looking through a window. Also look for nearby sculpture by Eduardo Soriano, a tribute to freedom of speech and expression.

WHERE?

Art beneath the glitz

OF course, the cobbled streets of Marbella old town (its casco antiguo), with their hanging flower baskets and tiled street signs are famously picturesque. Even the bins are painted in pastel tones and feature orange groves and sea creatures.

But there is art everywhere around this beautiful beach resort.

Take Bar Guerola, standing in a quiet leafy square, a short way from the promenade. Its interior is a real feast for sore eyes, every inch of its walls covered in art.

On one side, paintings by local artists including Pachi Gallado, from Torremolinos. On the other, blue pen cartoons depicting key moments from the last 40 years, with homages to various works such as Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and Picasso’s Guernica.

The bar, which opened in the 1960s, has been run by the

Uncover some of Marbella’s hidden charms as an art lover’s paradise with Nadia McDonald

same friendly owner, Manuel, since 1982. The entertaining drawings were done by his friend, a well-known local dentist who passed away a year ago.

He picked up a small sketchbook with its pages mostly empty. It was a gift for the artist when he’d gone into hospital. “I miss him every day,” says Manuel. “He was a true creative, always thinking up drawings, and he would spend many days here with me.

“After he passed away, his wife gave me these works, and I cherish them. We both loved art, but he was a lot better than me.”

The following morning I headed to Hospital Ba

zan, not in search of medical attention, thankfully, but prints. The historic old town building houses the Contemporary Engraving Museum that is free to visitors, and houses works by a superb range of artists including Joan Miro, Antoni Tapies and even Malaga-born Picasso.

A personal favourite was Jose Caballero’s lithograph of his friend, Granada’s famous poet, Federico Garcia Lorca. The black and white portrait showing Lorca with a spattering of blood across his forehead is a stark reminder of his execution during the Spanish Civil War.

In contrast, Miro’s works were wonderfully colourful and vibrant. There was more Miro to be had at the Museo Ralli Marbella, an hour’s walk (or a quick taxi hop) away, near Puerto Banus. There was Dali here too, in an exhibition of Surrealism from Europe and Latin America –his bronze sculpture of a female torso, Venus Spatial, is precariously balanced, almost defying gravity.

The hall of the museum is inhabited by life size bronze sculptures by Mario Aguirre and Gerardo Quiroz. I found myself mistaking them for fellow visitors only to realise that, as I had been during the entirety of my stay, I was merely in the company of art.

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Magnificent seven

Marbella (1985)

ONE of the earlier cinematic portrayals of Marbella, this 80s romcom was shot 15 years after the opening of Puerto Banus, when the resort was flooded with stars. Starring Rod Taylor and Britt Ekland, the film follows the old trope of a washed-up Brit in search of a better life. Expelled from the Navy for his excessive drinking habits, Commander W.P. Anderson decides to take a second chance at life on the Costa del Sol.

The Business (2005)

IT’S not solely set in Marbella, although the film evokes it with a fantastic soundtrack that encapsulates the party vibe of the resort in the 1980s. The Business is narrated by Londoner Frankie, played by Danny Dyer, who grows up in Thatcher’s Britain and dreams of leaving his dull life and becoming someone – specifically someone living the gangster life on the Costa del Crime.

Oh Marbella! (2003)

RELEASED in 2003, and starring Rik Mayall, Tom Bell and Mike Reid, this is a light-hearted caper involving a couple of activists, a hitman with a prostate problem and a slimeball estate agent. It’s an easy watch and funny, and Marbella lovers will be able to relate to the joy each of the characters feels for the place.

The Only Way is Marbs (2012)

THE cast members of The Only Way is Essex are no strangers to Marbella or the Costa del Sol: this, after all, is their Spanish Essex (although to be fair they are associated with rather more downmarket Mijas these days). A cringy summer special, The Only Way is Marbs, sees the puffed up crowd jet off to their various holiday homes for fun, fights and frolics in the sun. The line ‘no carbs before Marbs’ became iconic (to them) and you can now find it printed on t-shirts.

SPOTTING stars in Marbella is relatively easy:

For 50 years, the biggest names in cinema have chosen the stunning destination to holiday and party together, and the tales of their exploits are legendary. Strangely though, it’s not as easy to find them in a film or TV series about the glitzy resort. Luckily though there are a few shows worth watching set in and around the resort, with the most recent appropriately called ‘ Marbella ’ (above) coming out on Movistar-plus last month.

Shows to watch if you like shouting ‘Been

there!’

Here, we pick out seven, with the earliest pushing its glamorous image with the big developers queing up to cash in on the tourism boom.

In recent years, Marbella has become more of a deluxe setting for the wild partying of reality TV show spin-offs. From time to time, it also appears as the backdrop for some nefarious wheeler-dealer action between various sets of criminals.

The Olive Press gets out the popcorn to pick the best English language films and TV shows that put the spotlight on Marbella.

Life on Marbs (2015)

AS reality TV shows in the UK got bigger, flashier and more ambitious, it’s inevitable that Marbella appeared on the producers’ radar. The spectacle of ‘influencers’ with lots of cash and problems jetting off to Spain to pursue business interests and party, remains a perennial source of fascination and guilty pleasure for British TV audiences. Life on Marbs features former Only Way is Essex cast members Ferne McCann and Elliot Wright, along with a host of Marbella business owners, models, and fitness trainers.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015):

THIS movie follows Sonny Kapoor as he juggles his upcoming wedding with the ambitious dream of opening a new hotel. With his

loyal staff by his side, the film offers a heartwarming journey of love, self-discovery, and a touch of hilarious chaos. With a star-studded cast including Dame Judy Dench, Maggie Smith, Richard Gere and Bill Nighy, the filmmakers took viewers on a visual adventure, capturing the spirit of the story in Marbella and Malaga, although the principal Indian location of Jaipur is definitely more exotic.

Rise of the Footsoldier (2019)

DUBBED Britain’s answer to Narcos, it’s fair to say this film, starring Craig Fairbrass and Terry Stone, has not been quite as successful as the multi-award winning multi-season series across the Atlantic. However, the Marbella underworld gets some screen space. Fresh out of prison, an Essex gangster and nightclub owner heads to Marbella to seek revenge on the man who got him put behind bars and winds up with a drug deal. Trouble ensues.

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A princely legacy

Marbella owes its reputation as a destination for the wealthy jet-set to one well-connected man

to say he wasn't your typical royal.

In the 1940s, he fell under the spell of an unknown sleepy fishing village called Marbella.

Intrigued by its potential, he began buying land, initially for himself. But with

By Dilip Kuner

a keen eye for opportunity, he saw a chance to share his discovery with his wealthy international circle - and make

a handsome profit from the deal. Madrid-born Alfonso - full name Alfonso Maximiliano Victorio Eugenio Alejandro María Pablo de la Santísima Trinidad y Todos los Santos, Prinz zu Hohenlohe-Langenburg - started by selling plots to his well-heeled friends, the likes of the Rothschilds and Thyssens.

His own residence, Finca Santa Margarita, became a popular gathering spot. Recognising a golden opportunity, he transformed it into the Marbella Club in 1954, the first luxury hotel on the Costa del Sol, and now marking its 70th year. This wasn't just any hotel. The Marbella Club offered a unique blend of exclusivity and informality.

Its whitewashed villas, nestled amidst lush gardens, exuded a relaxed charm

that resonated with Europe's elite.

Soon, a steady stream of celebrities, royalty, and socialites found themselves drawn to this glamorous haven.

Sean Connery vacationed there, Ava Gardner partied there, and even King Saud of Saudi Arabia graced the club with his presence.

Marbella Club (now owned by the Shamoon family) became synonymous with luxury, transforming the once-quiet village into a jet-set playground.

Alfonso meanwhile decided to hop it, up into the mountains to nearby Ronda, where he bought an estate and planted a vineyard, which still produces wine to this day.

His family still own it, while his legacy very much lives on not just in the Marbella Club, but on the entire Costa del Sol.

Alfonso's vision and entrepreneurial spirit, after all, put Marbella on the map, ensuring its place as a destination for the rich and famous for decades to come.

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HOME TO HOTEL: The prince’s famous visitors loved his seafront estate so much he turned it into a hotel so they could pay for the privilege of visiting!

FAMOUS VISITORS: Brigitte Bardot (pictured left with Prince Alfonso), King Saud, Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Sean Connery were just a few of the ‘names’ to enjoy the prince’s hospitalty

It’s kick off for the coast’s hottest new sports venue dubbed the ‘ultimate destination to watch the Euros’

IN THE CLUBHOUSE!

WITH dozens of professional footballers already linked to the Sala Group, it was only a matter of time before they opened a sports venue.

Current and former Premier League stars, including Shay Given, David Bentley and Stephen Carr, have approved the stunning new spot, below La Sala Puerto Banus.

Called The Clubhouse, it counts on over 50 TVs, alongside dartboards and top-of-the-range golf simulators to keep punters entertained for hours.

The premier sports and entertainment venue ‘will offer an unrivalled experience for dining, entertainment, and competitive socialising, just in time for the Euros,’ Sala Group CEO Ian Radford told the Olive Press

Whoʼs In So Far?

“We’ve been planning it for well over a year and this year’s competition is the perfect time to kick off,” he added.

Launching this week, it’s a remarkable change for the venue that was formerly a nightclub and had been totally stripped out in late 2022.

On a visit a year ago Radford, a former squash professional, had explained he had been considering combining it with bowling.

Far?

But in the end, the Clubhouse, which sits over 900 m², has concentrated more on football and golf.

An amazing multi-million invest -

ment has brought in state-of-the-art Trackman golf simulators, advanced Dartsee dartboards and Zapping technology televisions. Through an ingenious partnership with Mahou beer a self-serve beer system allows guests to conveniently refill their drinks directly from taps installed at their tables.

And for a more exclusive experience, the Laurent Perrier Players Lounge offers a private members-only area with premium amenities for watching the Euros, or other sports,

in unmatched comfort and style. There will also be a full food menu, utilising the top quality kitchen and chefs from La Sala upstairs.

UEFA Euro 2024 kicks off in Germany on June 14 and promises to be a thrilling tournament with 24 teams competing.

Strategically positioned on a newly-constructed Paseo, The Clubhouse offers spectacular views up to Aloha, with complimentary valet parking enhancing the experience.

EAT. DRINK. WATCH. PLAY Find out more by contacting reservations@clubhousemarbella. com or calling 951 204 835

Whoʼs In So Far?

EXCITEMENT: All the big sporting events will be shown on 50 TVs including on the outside terrace

EXCLUSIVE: VIPs can pay to chill out in the Laurent Perrier Players Lounge

Just some of the sporting greats lending their support to the clubhouse

GROUP A

GROUP B

GROUP C

ANDALUCIA isn't just a haven for sun-seekers – it's a place where the past and present of global football intertwine.

And in Marbella it reaches fever pitch with dozens of famous footballers owning homes, and dozens more coming for their holidays.

This month alone, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland and Virgil Van Dijk have all enjoyed a stay within the golden resort.

But the British influence on the beautiful game stretches far further back.

game to these Spanish shores and, as it happens, just a few miles up the coast.

It was actually Dr. William Alexander Mackay (right), a Scotsman who arrived in Huelva in 1861, who made the first moves.

While his colleagues sipped sangria, or more likely sherry, Mackay, a former Edinburgh University footballer, yearned for something more.

We kicked it off

Indeed it was over a century ago that the UK intro-

He started organising football matches for Rio Tinto miners, a tradition that blossomed into Spain's first amateur football club in 1889.

Though today's Recreativo de Huelva boasts mostly Spanish stars, the team’s early lineups were a rather different story. In 1890, British names like Alcock and Smith dominated their hard fought away game in nearby Sevilla.

Fast forward to today, the Costa del Sol continues to attract British footballing talents, but not as pioneers.

A number of young British professionals are now chasing their dreams up at FC Malaga City.

FC Malaga City, founded

While Marbella is now the nerve centre for football celebrities, it is in nearby Huelva where British players first introduced the game to Spain

by British expat George Jermy, is a unique example of this modern connection. Jermy, the son of a Spanish father and English mother, played professionally in Spain before injuries forced a career change. Inspired by the lack of opportunities for young Australians he once coached, Jermy started FC Malaga City in 2017. The club thrives on Jermy's philosophy of ‘amateur spirit, professional approach’. They've skyrocketed through the ranks, attracting talented players who fit within their budget constraints.

While the Malaga club is little known, foreign football stars with a much high-

er profile are frequent visitors to the Costa del Sol. We revealed that ex-Spurs and Liverpool player Steven Caulker had taken up a managerial position at FC Malaga City after meeting Jermy whilst holidaying with his family in sunny Nerja.

As soon as he arrived on the Costa del Sol, the club’s fortunes dramatically improved as Caulker leant on his many

ployment visa that never came. Half a decade ago meanwhile, England and Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle started a

arrangement in Jerez. Hoddle,

until the advent of Brexit also killed his dreams.

Last edition the Olive Press revealed that a trio of Brazilian superstars - Ronaldo Nazario Roberto Carlos and Julio Baptista - are set to take over the helm at fourth tier club CD Estepona.

And of course the bright lights of Marbella have long attracted football stars from around the world looking for a break from the stresses of the ‘beautiful game’.

These range from Manchester United legend George Best and fellow European

Cup winner Nottingham Forest’s Larry Lloyd (who once managed Real Marbella) to modern day players including frequent visitor Manchester City’s Erling Haaland whose dad has a home here.

Gareth Bale - who reportedly has two properties on the coast - is a fan as is Bayern Munich’s Harry

Kane, who opted to bring his childhood sweetheart Katie Goodland - who has since become his wife and mother to his four children - here for a romantic break. Eating, where else, but at La Sala, which is owned by practically an entire team of soccer stars!

So, from Mackay's pioneering spirit to Jermy's innovative approach, British influence continues to play a part in Spain's beautiful game, even as modern stars from both nations chase their dreams on sun-drenched pitches.

Casemiro invests in Marbella FC

BRAZIL captain and Manchester United midfielder, Casemiro, has been scooped up by Marbella FC - as a shareholder.

The multiple Champions League winner with Real Madrid posed with a Marbella shirt and with the team after recently achieving promotion to the third-tier of Spanish football. It's not been revealed how much money the superstar will be putting into the club.

Casemiro said: “It is an honour for me to join Marbella Football Club because my biggest motivation is the spectacular possibilities for growth of the club.”

“I have been to Marbella with my family on several occasions and both my children, my wife and I are in love with this city, with which we want to be linked for life,” he continued.

“Without a doubt, together we will dream big to take Marbella to the top, but now we have to enjoy our wonderful promotion to the First Division."

BOUND?: Ronaldo, Baptista and Carlos

A RESORT WITH MORE

Declared of Cultural Interest in 1985, the 15-metre Torre Ladrones (Thieves Tower) is the highest watchtower on the Malaga coast. The defensive structure dates from the Muslim period but some speculate the Romans first built it. You can find it close by the Artola dunes nature reserve and Cabopino port.

Visigoth vestiges

The Basílica de Vega del Mar in San Pedro was excavated in the 20th century on a former Roman road running from Cadiz to Cartagena. It is one of the few remaining examples of north African Visigothic churches built in Andalucia during the sixth century although all that remains today are its awesome one-metre walls.

Arabian delights

The Alcazaba fortress is the most important vestige of Muslim civilisation in Marbella. The Castillo was built in the 10th century during the reign of Abd al-Rahman III, Caliph of Córdoba.

The

Olive Press picks out 6 reasons to love Marbella

A Renaissance square

The Plaza de los Naranjos lies at the heart of Marbella’s old town. Built after the Christian Reconquest, it is an outstanding example of Castilian Renaissance architecture. From one of the many sun-soaked terraces, you can admire the Renaissance-style town hall, the Mayor’s house combining elements of Gothic, Renaissance and Mude jar design and the Chapel of Santiago, the oldest religious building in the city.

A salty start

In Roman ti mes, the city was called Salduba (Salt City) after the lo cal fish sal ting indus try. The Arabs changed it to Marbil-la, the origin of its current name and it’s spoton. In Spanish, Marbe lla means ‘beautiful sea.’

PEAK OF DINING

HERE in the world would you get to rub shoulders with the greats of global cuisine? The Godfathers of the culinary world like Joel Robuchon, Ferran Adria and Joan Roca, or the current wunderkinds in the kitchen like Daniel Humm, Quique Dacosta or Angel León? In Marbella, to be exact, where over the last two decades I have been lucky enough to grill all the above and a lot, lot more. Now, pick any restaurant

As well as the highest number of Michelin stars per capita in Andalucia, many of its chefs trained in the world’s best restaurants, explains Jon Clarke

around the world and, chances are, you’ll find a former chef is now based here in Europe’s ritziest resort for the super rich. Take Angelica Menin, 29, the head chef at new hotspot La Notaria in the heart of Marbs. The Italian from Padova arrived

here after a three year spell at the UK’s oldest three Michelin star restaurant, the Waterside Inn, Bray.

Then there’s Jose Godoy at Contracata who landed the first Michelin star for a Spanish restaurant in England, or Mi-

chel Dhondt at Macaao, who previously held a star in Belgium. There is no doubt Marbella has the best selection of restaurants in southern Spain. And I should know, having researched a popular restaurant book on Andalucia a decade ago and continually written about Spain’s dining aristoc-

PERCH: Punters enjoy the best view over Marbella at Sky Lounge

racy ever since.

That I got to hang out with Jamie Oliver in Ronda or was described by and I’ve seen Andalucia zoom up the rankings to become one of Europe’s best places to eat, hands down. And one of the key epicentres

And true luxury at Gaia at the Puente

Gordon Ramsay as ‘Andalucia’s top English food critic’ is small beer compared to the joy of seeing this region’s rapid rise up the food charts. It’s been a remarkable rollercoaster

has been Marbella, a town of just 150,000 souls, but with the second highest number of Michelin stars per capita in Spain after San Sebastian. Forget Sevilla or Malaga, Marbella has the best range and quality of restaurants I have come across. This is the most international food scene in Spain and it’s concentrated in an incredibly small, easy to navigate area.

But there is also a big string of great places to eat in Nueva Andalucia and San Pedro, while Elviria also has a decent pick too.

This is the most international food scene in Spain

As you can read in the next few pages, one of the main hives is the area just south of the Casco Historico, where you will find Ta-Kumi, Messina, Back, Kava, Skina and Nintai, all garlanded in the latest Michelin guide.

Most famous of all is on the Golden Mile in Marbella with the focus very much around the Puente Romano hotel, where you will find the famous brands, including Nobu, Cipriani and Coya.

They mostly sit around the Plaza area with my favourite being the Thai Gallery, while the exciting new addition this year was Gaia, a Greek restaurant that first launched in Mayfair. One of the most elegant spots

Continues on page 30

Candela Marbella, a restaurant right in the heart of the charming old town. Enjoy traditional local and national dishes with unique international touches and flavours thanks to our chefs Andi Zillner and Mathias Theodosis.

tel: 646 88 84 31 candelamarbella.com Pl. Gral. Chinchilla, 2, 29601 Marbella, Málaga

Dishes prepared according to the season and market

Mercado Central Marbella, Puesto 46 29601 Marbella

And what about a dream day out with a gourmet lunch on Candela’s stunning new yacht?

“A choice of four distinct menus, one vegan, perfect for a fun - or romantic - day out on the high seas!”

BEACHSIDE: Macaao has a lovely range of inspired dishes

GLAMOUR:

Romano hotel

VERY BONO

This hidden beach bar is one of the hottest places to seek out along Marbella’s eastern coastline this summer, writes Jon Clarke

BLINK and you could be in Ibiza. But this simple, sunbleached wood and tadelakt beach bar is actually in Marbella.

In truth, Bono Beach couldn't have found a better location; by the pro -

tected Dunas de Marbella nature reserve, between Los Monteros and Elviria.

Nestling seductively into the rolling dunes, its low key planting and wooden furnishings perfectly compliment the location.

DINING CAPITAL

imaginable with wonderful lighting and planting outside, an army of staff buzz around offering a huge array of fish cooked in six different ways.

We were taken up to the incredible fish ‘market’ where I was guided towards a fish called Alfonsino, which was carved up, firstly as a carpaccio, with three dressings, and then perfectly grilled as a main.

An excellent starter is Melitzanosalata, a smoky dream of

aubergine with yoghurt parsley tomato served on toast. The beef Keftedakia (meatballs) with mint and tomato sauce were also a great starter. The Cauliflower salad with avocado and goats cheese and caramelised walnuts and citrus dressing was packed full of goodness.

On the Golden Mile you can also find the excellent Italian, Cibo , a stylish place that serves the best pizzas on the coast.

A stylemeister’s dream, with natural rope awnings, white banquette seats and the odd flash of colour in the coral cushions, it is the creation of interior designer Angela Perez and carpenter Julio Martinez. The scene is set with an interior for winter, with curved white tadelakt walls around the bar and a warm dining area with white rattan chairs. Commis -

There are always a great number of specials by the day and an excellent range of wines. I loved the langoustines done on the open grill as well as the Aracini, fried risotto balls with crab Bruschetta of basil sun dried tomatoes and mozzarella

A main course of spicy tuna belly spaghetti comes highly recommended while the beef tagliata cooked on the grill then cut into slices was

page 29 perfectly delivered (tomatoes and rocket alongside).

sioned by the expat-owned Metro Group, they have fashioned easily one of the hottest beach restaurants for this summer.

And thankfully it has food to match, with an alluring menu that features a great amount of cooling starters, a salad section, and even a refined sushi section with half a dozen options and the so-called ‘deluxe’ which has all of them for just €58.

The nicely marbled fat certainly showed how healthy it is.

For second courses I tested the Josper grill with a perfectly cooked Wagyu beef picanha. It came with Chimichurri sauce and tenderstem broccoli, deliciously braised in a soy, sesame and mint sauce.

A lobster linguini came in a champagne herb butter sauce

The green gazpacho with cucumber, kale and avo cado is the perfect tonic to a blistering day. Literal ly served on a bed of ice, the crunchy kale makes it a surefire winner. I also loved the soft shell crab tempura with yuzu ponzu dress ing, a very wel come addition to the coast.

A Wagyu beef carpaccio meanwhile, with pick led shimeji mushrooms was nice but perhaps a bit too piquant with the shrooms.

REFRESHING: The green gazpacho is perfect for a hot day

My wife went for the dish of kings, a lobster linguini, which came in a champagne herb butter sauce, but perhaps with a We dined to the ambient sounds of a DJ, drinking Petit Chablis by Thierry Mothe at just €9 and an albarino (señorio de

But there are plenty of wines by the glass, including Moet & Chandon champagne at €16 and even a decent Bordeaux, Chateau Marjosse, at just €7. That said, I preferred the Pomal críanca from Rioja which was even better

Oh and as the sun goes down there is a big handy cocktail menu with most coming in at around €15. They’ve definitely got their priori -

Another restaurant that is rapidly taking the coast by storm is Nomad, in Nueva Andalucia.

Launched by Alex Craciun of the UK’s leading Jason Atherton group, this is glamour personified.

For beach clubs, Bono Beach is a surefire winner, in particular, for its amazing attention to detail and client care.

Another beach favourite, Macaao recently reopened with a stunning refit and remains one of the best coastal restaurants around.

Meanwhile in the heart of the old town is Candela a great spot and a surefire winner.

In the tourist hive of Puerto Banus one might expect it to be rammed with great places to eat, but the truth is it can be very hit and miss.

Stick with the classic spots like Jacks, Leone and Mumtaz, probably the best Indian in Marbella, and you can’t go wrong.

You might also walk out of the port up towards the unbelievably popular stalwart of La Sala… that is if you can get in.

This is the place to do your star spotting and just about everyone who’s anyone has been to eat here, even including Jamie Oliver, Harry Kane and Tyson Fury.

Most likely Marbella’s most successful restaurant of the last decade, it employs over 100 staff and includes a football team of investors, who have just launched their new Clubhouse sports bar and restaurant below.. The food is excellent for its location, but the menu changes regularly and there will always be some entertainment. In particular, with the fellow guests.

IBIZA VIBE: Bono Beach is chic and simple

GAME-CHANGER: Nomad in Nueva Andalucia

LIT UP: Candela is the pick of the old town

SUPER CIBO: The Italian is one of the best on the coast

GODFATHERS: Ta-kumi’s Alvaro and Toshio and (below) David (at the back) at Back

FINE ITALIAN: Garden at Casa Tua

A nerve centre for gourmands has sprung up over recent years in a hive of streets just south of Marbella’s Casco Antiguo, writes Jon Clarke

trade in Marbella head for light lunches or big slap up meals with clients that often continue ‘sobremesa style’ into the early evening.

It is not for nothing that its apex is Calle Notario Luis Oliver, named after a well known Marbella lawyer and notary, with hundreds of legal firms being based within a ten-minute walk.

“There is so much passing trade from lawyers and business folk all year round,” explains Luis, who runs the popular El Albero on this very street.

“If you want to survive here you need to provide good quality food and wine,” adds the chef, who relocated here with his wife Marta from the nearby casco historico two years ago.

adds British expat Emma Tremlett, who runs a candle shop, Alma Essentials, next door. “It’s gaining a real personality, which is excellent and we sometimes hear it called ‘Downtown’ or even ‘Little Soho’,” she adds.

So it was perhaps no surprise then, that I recently found two new young restau-

rateurs who had both made their names back in the UK.

His journey to Marbella came via stints at top rated Mugaritz and Arzak

And he’s not the only one, with Irish expat Catherine Visentin and her husband Adriano, from Milan, also relocating their highly-rated Italian, Casa Tua, here a couple of years ago.

“While it lacks a bit of the charm of the historic old town we have a much nicer space to work in and have built up a good loyal trade,” explains the mother-of-two.

Things are going so well for the pair, they are about to open a new wine bar just up the road, so watch this space.

“It’s definitely a very up and coming area,”

One Italian, one Spanish, each clearly has the Aperfect pedigree to be successful in this incredibly competitive part of the coast’s dining Mecca.

Jose Gonzalez Godoy, at Contracata, actually won the first Michelin star for a Spanish restaurant in the UK, while working as General Manager at Ametsa, in London.

Known as ‘Godoy’ his journey to Marbella came via stints at globally-famous Mugaritz and Arzak in the Basque Region, as well as two years as a sommelier for Marbel-

la’s super-chef Dani Garcia nearby.

I was particularly impressed with his carefully thought-out menu that included some delights, such as a ‘yoghurt of foie gras’ with Parmesan foam, as well as an unusual ‘cachopo’ from Asturias. While the place is understandably big on wines by the glass, having trained as a sommelier, his punchy fish red curry with coconut milk was full of flavour and at €9, coming with a bowl of rice and steamed vegetables, is easily the best value dish around.

It is a similar story for Angelica Menin, 29, from Padova, who made her way to restaurant, La Notaria, also via Dani Garcia and Malaga’s Michelin star chef Jose Carlos Garcia.

But her true claim to fame was her three year stint working at the UK’s most prestigious three star joint, the Waterside Inn, in Bray.

Learning her trade under Michel Roux was the ‘best possible experience imaginable’ and this has clearly rubbed off on the quality of food at La Notaria.

While the menu feels formal, her Spanish tortilla was the best I’ve eaten in Andalucia, created with a true deft touch and her red mullet was cooked to absolute perfection. There was also tons of local

fresh seafood and a good number of specials of the day.

“This is easily the most exciting area to cook in Andalucia,” explains Angelica. “There are so many good chefs around and the competition is healthy.

“While the rich and famous know the Puente Romano and the Marbella Club, they

are starting to find our area too, where the food is equally good and is a lot cheaper,” she adds.

The truth is the food around here is actually often better and is, most of the time, half the price.

Take the restaurants

Ta-Kumi Kava and Back which won its first Michelin star six months ago, under the guidance of wellknown and popular local chef David Olivas.

12PM-5PM C. NOTARIO LUIS OLIVER, 7, 29602 MARBELLA

He and Alvaro Arbeloa at Ta-Kumi have become the true godfathers of the area, now that Dani Garcia has gone into cyberspace.

The pair, along with Marcos Granda, who owns nearby Michelin starred joints Nin-

SLICE OF HEAVEN: Angelica’s tortilla at La Notaria

AUTHENTIC: Luis and Marta at El Albero and classic dish (left)

CREATIVE: Interior and dish at Contracata

From page 33

DINING SECRETS

closeby Calima for years and oversaw its rise to three Michelin stars two years ago, before Garcia chucked it all in, preferring to cash in with McDonalds ads and

my favourite place to eat in Marbella, a consistently brilliant Japanese, which is unsurprisingly where celebrities like Ronaldo like to eat when in town.

No surprise it has recently expanded to Madrid, with a third joint in Malaga, and the attention to detail, much thanks to co-owner Anabel Amuedo, from Sevilla, is second to none.

Having undergone a recent upgrade it is even more stylish than before, with minimalism and slick lines order of the day.

It also helps to have 80-something

Japanese maestro Toshio Tsutsui, from Fukuoka, who lives across the road and insists on coming in daily

This is a place to enjoy a tour of Japan’s best dishes, from a simple, good value Miso soup to a soft shell crab Temaki, which I could eat every day. If these

are the godfathers, then

the godmother must certainly be Carlota (predictably perhaps a lawyer by training) who is the boss at Gaspar, which has been serving great quality food for a quarter of a century. Simple, good value soul-cooking it’s a charming joint with a cornucopia of collectables from bullfighters capes to typewriters and murano bottles to sewing machines. The menu is scribbled out each morning by hand and is entirely seasonal, although many recipes have been tried and tested for years. These include various stews (such as a potaje of chickpeas and chard) which are offered as half portions (media raciones) if you want to share a few more things or are eating alone. And surprise, surprise, there is another lawyer who has switched from the courtroom to the kitchen in the area.

Marbella-born Fernando Alcala, whose restaurant Kava has already grabbed a Repsol Sol and a Michelin mention, had a top job as a lawyer in Switzerland, before he decided to learn how to cook and return home to open his hip spot here.

CREATIVITY: Dishes at brand new La Madrina

His attention to detail is big in both decor and layout and it’s great that his chefs double up as waiters to serve up the food, explaining it to the customers as they do.

I was particularly impressed with another nearby joint, La Madrina Gastro Grill, which sits just the other side of Avenida del Mar.

Billing itself as a home of ‘pure gastronomy’, it is run by another local lad, Antonio Rivas, who also has pedigree with a French father, who runs a gourmet restaurant Casa Rivas in the nearby market.

This new spot is set around a hip bar area with a show grill at the back. This is where the magic hap-

pens and with two grill professionals, one from Japan and another from Argentina vying to be the best.

I loved his black pudding wonton with sweet chilli, while his bluefin tuna on toast is a classic ‘bomba’, served on a sweet caramelised millefeuille toast and kimchi.

While it really shouldn’t work his steak tartare croissant was actually amazing with parmesan sprinkled on top. Oh, and the cheesecake with pistachio ice cream made from a brie from nearby Campillos was legendary.

mono. More traditional Spanish fare can be had at El Albero, whose owners Marta, from Salamanca, and Luis, from the wine region of Valdepenas, offer superb fabadas from Asturias and a classic cocido stew from Madrid.

There is a real fusion of exotic dishes with an asiatic flavour

Equally creative is Sauvage whose two talented Marbella chefs have trained at a very high level.

Award-winning Daniel Ortega did his time at three Michelin-starred Celler de Can Roca, while Nacho Espana trained at the Marbella Club hotel, where they both met.

Exotic in both look and in its menus, there is a real fusion of dishes with an asiatic flavour. They include the Osaka pork ribs cooked at very low temperature, the Yakiniku baos with slow cooked Iberican pork or the Peking duck dumplings with hoisin toffee and cucumber suno-

The menu is simple but good value with lots of tostas and traditional dishes like salmorejo and gazpacho soup, perfect for hot days, while the oxtail (rabo de toro) was surprisingly good.

Finally, fancy a burger then around the corner you will find Gourmet Burger Room, does exactly what it says on the tin… and it has been doing it for eight years.

Run by a Frenchman Franck, he clearly knows his onions but isn’t scared to graft having done his time in hotels and restaurants in France and also a decade in Marbella. You choose your type of burger (there are dozens, including vegetarian and even vegan ones) and then one of three buns… In particular I recommend the ‘Milano’ which comes with Gorgonzola, bacon and mushroom.

RESERVAS | +34 611 365 137

Av. Puerta del Mar, 12 - Marbella

TOP TRAINING: Daniel and Nacho

from Sauvage have worked with the best and (right) Fernando from Kava has a Repsol Sol

S

Improved forecast

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has boosted Spain's economic growth forecast by half a point to 2.4% this year, due to an increase in domestic demand.

The new IMF figure comes after increased household spending thanks to wage increases and inflation going down, as well as the reactivation of business investment.

"Private investment will benefit from more manageable financial conditions and the continued disbursement of European Next Generation funds," the IMF said.

The IMF praised the resilience of Spain's economy amidst a background of high uncertainty and tighter financial conditions.

It points out that exports of services and government spending have been the main pillars of recent growth.

No loyalty

FRENCH forward Kylian

Mbappe has lost out on €80 million in ‘loyalty bonuses’ because of his move to Real Madrid from Paris Saint Germain.

But the pain of this loss will probably be eased by the eye-watering €150 million signing on fee he is getting from the Spanish club. Mbappe hailed his move to Real Madrid as a ‘dream come true’ but bosses at PSG did not agree. Angered when he refused to sign a new contract they have hit him in the wallet by not paying his wages for April and May, as well as his bonus

SPAIN welcomed nearly 24 million foreign tourists this year up to the end of April- 14.5% up on the same period in 2023.

The National Institute of Statistics (INE) figures show that the United Kingdom continues to be the main source of arrivals with over 4.4 million people recorded.

The UK was followed by Germany with 3.18 million and France just be -

Football star loses

out on €80m

from PSG but no need to feel sorry for him

By Ben Pawlowski

for February, allowing them to recover the €80 million promised as a loyalty bonus when he signed his 2022 extension. His last due payment is for June - and if no agreement can be reached between Mbappe and PSG

FLOODING IN

hind on 3.14 million.

The Belgian market has seen growth of 25% and the United States at nearly 15% so far this year.

The amount of money spent by foreign tourists up to the end of April was over €31.5 billion, according to the INE.

legal action is likely. The 25-year old, who scored a remarkable 256 goals for PSG in seven seasons, will move to Real on a free transfer after his contract expires on June 30. As part of a five-year deal, Mbappe will earn €15 million a year on top of his whopping signing-on bonus, as well as retaining a portion of his valuable image rights.

Winner

Take care of the family

In her last column before her sad passing (see page 4), Jennifer asked: Are you prepared to protect your loved ones?

E can assist you with our Bespoke Life and Mortgage Protection policies to protect those that are most important to you, should the worst happen. The first question would be – have you taken out Life Insurance? You may have a Mortgage Protection policy, which means on your death the mortgage will be paid. But of course, this does not provide your family with some financial security when they really need it.

Mortgage Protection is a good policy to have as it will pay off any mortgage you have on your house, keeping your family

life insurance provides a payment to your family.

You can tailor the life policy to your own requirements and create a Bespoke Life insurance – whether to cover the initial costs incurred on your death or give your family a lump sum to provide for their future. For example Life cover of €50,000 for a 50 year old, can be as little as €155 a year.

Our Bespoke Life policies can give you the cover most suited to your needs with standard death only cover and additional covers to include:

● Repatriation

● Permanent Absolute Disability

● Death by Accident

● Death by Traffic Accident

IT Security

The former World Cup winner will join a star-filled squad hailed as a new era of Galacticos, including Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, Brazilian prodigy Endrick and English superstar Jude Bellingham. Mbappe will also hope to win the Champions League - the only major trophy to have eluded him so far in his career - with a side who won a record-breaking 15th title at Wembley earlier this month. Posting on Instagram, Mbappe said: “Nobody can understand how excited I am right now! A dream come true. So happy and proud to join the club of my dreams”.

Introducing an exclusive partnership between Olive Press and AnyTech365 AI-Powered

Why Choose AnyTech365?

Comprehensive Cybersecurity

Round the clock support

Their services include cybersecurity, device maintenance and performance optimization, and malware removal, enhanced by AI for faster and accurate solutions.

Personalized

Olive Press is excited to announce a partnership with AnyTech365, the leading IT security and support company on the Costa del Sol. This collaboration offers Olive Press readers enhanced tech support and cybersecurity solutions. Subscribers will receive exclusive discounts on AnyTech365 services, ensuring their digital safety and worry-free use of any Internet-connected device, personal, or within the household or their small business.

User Experience

Introducing an exclusive partnership between Olive Press and AnyTech365 AI-Powered IT Security

Introducing an exclusive partnership Olive Press and AnyTech365

AI-Powered IT Security

THE Olive Press is excited to announce a partnership with AnyTech365, the leading IT security and support company in southern Spain.

This collaboration offers readers enhanced tech support and cybersecurity solutions at special discounted rates.

excited to announce a partnership with the leading IT security and support company del Sol. This collaboration offers Olive Press enhanced tech support and cybersecurity solutions. will receive exclusive discounts on AnyTech365 ensuring their digital safety and worry-free use Internet-connected device, personal, or within the their small business.

Subscribers will receive exclusive discounts on AnyTech365 services, ensuring their digital safety and worry-free use of any Internet-connected device, both personal and within the household or their small business.

Over the next year the team at the Málaga-based firm will be producing a monthly advice column on the healthiest ways to protect your technology - and how to avoid online fraud, viruses and scams.

AnyTech365 adapt its product and technical support solutions to individual needs, offering a safe online experience to any user.

Founded in 2014 by Janus R. Nielsen, a seasoned IT entrepreneur, AnyTech365 leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to offer unparalleled service quality and efficiency in tech support and cybersecurity, keeping your digital life secure and hassle-free.

tournament, including the ATP 250 tournament in 2021, the biggest sporting event in the region.

Meanwhile, it has excellent online reputation scores with tens of thousands of end user reviews on both Trustpilot (4.8/5) and Google Reviews (4.9/5).

The company is currently in the process of becoming publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with the transaction expected to complete in Q3 of 2024.

● Permanent Absolute Disability due to an Accident

● Permanent Absolute Disability due to a Traffic Accident

Olive Press is excited to announce a partnership with AnyTech365, the leading IT security and support company on the Costa del Sol. This collaboration offers Olive Press readers enhanced tech support and cybersecurity solutions. Subscribers will receive exclusive discounts on AnyTech365 services, ensuring their digital safety and worry-free use of any Internet-connected device, personal, or within the household or their small business.

FINANCIAL TIMES ACCOLADE

2014 by Janus R. Nielsen, a seasoned IT AnyTech365 leverages the power of artificial (AI) to offer unparalleled service quality and tech support and cybersecurity, keeping your secure and hassle-free.

Founded in 2014 by Dane, Janus R. Nielsen, a seasoned IT entrepreneur, AnyTech365 leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to offer unparalleled service quality and efficiency in tech support and cybersecurity.

and their solutions have been widely recognized multiple awards on local, national, and international “The Fastest growing technology company in 27th fastest growing company in Europe across (Source: Financial Times FT1000), the Andalucía Award in New Technologies, and others. meaningful local impact, AnyTech365 has title-sponsor of the Andalucía Open tennis including the ATP 250 tournament in 2021, the sporting event in the region. It has excellent online scores with tens of thousands of end user reviews (4.8/5) and Google Reviews (4.9/5).

The company - one of the largest expat-run companies in Spain - aims to make your digital life secure and hassle-free.

The company and its solutions have been widely recognized and won multiple awards on local, national, and international level.

The Financial Times dubbed it the ‘Fastest growing technology company in Spain and the 27th fastest growing company in Europe across all sectors”.

is currently in the process of becoming publicly New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with the expected to complete in Q3 of 2024.

It also scooped the Andalucía Excellence Award in New Technologies. Making a meaningful local impact, AnyTech365 was the proud sponsor of the Andalucía Open tennis

The company and their solutions have been widely recognized and won multiple awards on local, national, and international level such as “The Fastest growing technology company in Spain and the 27th fastest growing company in Europe across all sectors” (Source: Financial Times FT1000), the Andalucía Excellence Award in New Technologies, and others. Making a meaningful local impact, AnyTech365 has been a proud title-sponsor of the Andalucía Open tennis tournament, including the ATP 250 tournament in 2021, the biggest sporting event in the region. It has excellent online reputation scores with tens of thousands of end user reviews on Trustpilot (4.8/5) and Google Reviews (4.9/5).

So, Why Choose AnyTech365?

Founded in 2014 by Janus R. Nielsen, a seasoned IT entrepreneur, AnyTech365 leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to offer unparalleled service quality and efficiency in tech support and cybersecurity, keeping your digital life secure and hassle-free.

COMPREHENSIVE CYBERSECURITY

The services include cybersecurity, device maintenance and performance optimization, as well as malware removal, enhanced by AI for faster and accurate solutions.

The company is currently in the process of becoming publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with the transaction expected to complete in Q3 of 2024. Why

AnyTech365 adapts its product and technical support solutions to individual needs, offering a safe online experience to any user.

Some of AnyTech365 products and features

a proud title-sponsor of the Andalucía Open tennis tournament, including the ATP 250 tournament in 2021, the biggest sporting event in the region. It has excellent online reputation scores with tens of thousands of end user reviews on Trustpilot (4.8/5) and Google Reviews (4.9/5).

AnyTech365 INTELLIGUARD

health/medical questionnaire that you will need to complete online. These policies are available with monthly direct debit payments, and our policies will be in English.

Comprehensive Cybersecurity

● Serious Illness cover/Serious Female illness cover

Their services include cybersecurity, device maintenance and performance optimization, and malware removal, enhanced by AI for faster and accurate solutions.

● You do need to be resident in Spain for these policies and there will be a simple

Personalized User Experience

● Alongside the Life policies, we can provide various accident policies to give your protection throughout your life and provide support should you sadly experience a life changing accident.

AnyTech365 adapt its product and technical support solutions to individual needs, offering a safe online experience to any user.

For more information or a quotation, please call one of my offices,

AnyTech365 AI powered unique software can pinpoint the root cause of a problem providing real-time protection and immediate response to suspicious activity. This proactive

to suspicious activity. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of cyberattacks.

World class, cross-platform security platform with advanced scanning techniques to identify potential threats from files, programs and neutralization of viruses, malware, and phishing attempts.

AnyTech365 SECURITY

AnyTech365 TotalCare

World class security platform with advanced scanning techniques to identify potential threats from files, programs and neutralization of viruses, malware, and phishing attempts.

AnyTech365 TOTALCARE

The company and their solutions have been widely recognized and won multiple awards on local, national, and international level such as “The Fastest growing technology company in Spain and the 27th fastest growing company in Europe across all sectors” (Source: Financial Times FT1000), the Andalucía Excellence Award in New Technologies, and others. Making a meaningful local impact, AnyTech365 has been a proud title-sponsor of the Andalucía Open tennis tournament, including the ATP 250 tournament in 2021, the biggest sporting event in the region. It has excellent online reputation scores with tens of thousands of end user reviews on Trustpilot (4.8/5) and Google Reviews (4.9/5).

AnyTech365 AI powered unique software can pinpoint the root cause of a problem providing real-time protection and immediate response

The company is currently in the process of becoming publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with the transaction expected to complete in Q3 of 2024.

A comprehensive security suite, combining all AnyTech365 premium products together with quick issue resolution by certified technicians without onsite visits anytime, day or night, with AnyTech365’s around-the-clock

A comprehensive security suite, combining all AnyTech365 premium products together with quick issue resolution by certified technicians without onsite visits.

Round the clock, 365 support

Best

The company is currently in the process of becoming publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), with the transaction expected to complete in Q3 of 2024.

or

ON THE CUTTING EDGE

New and modern facilities have been dedicated to Diagnostic Imaging at the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital

THE Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital has recently completed an expansion of its Diagnostic Imaging facilities, marking the culmination of a significant investment in this area.

The new space in the Singlehome building, just up the road from the Quirónsalud Hospital in Marbella, covers an expansive 2,000 square metres and is exclusively devoted to radiological examinations.

The state-of-the-art facilities propel the Marbella health centre into a leading position in Diagnostic Imaging services.

Dr. Iván Artero, who leads the Diagnostic Imaging Service, explained that the new amenities are integrated with the existing facilities to enhance patient care efficiency. The upgraded technology suite includes basic radiology equipment, advanced ultrasound machines, computerised tomography, orthopantomography units, and cutting-edge highfield MRI systems.

Dr. Artero also emphasised the strategic design and layout of the facilities, which play a critical role in enhancing patient assistance.

Not only that, but the addition of spa-

STRATEGIC: Dr Artero emphasised that the layout plays a critical role in enhancing patient assistance

cious, comfortable waiting areas helps to create a relaxing environment that reduces patient stress and anxiety ahead of diagnostic procedures, reflecting the centre’s dedication to patient-centric care and healthcare excellence. Diagnostic Imaging is vital for the early detection of illnesses, which is crucial

for timely treatment and personalised care planning.

According to Dr. Artero, the precise results from these imaging tests are fundamental in assessing the progression of a disease, monitoring the patient’s response to treatment, and refining therapeutic approaches. This precision enables more effective interventions, potentially decreasing complications and improving patient outcomes.

by the latest technological advances by “allowing us to obtain a precise image in our centre and have it interpreted remotely by expert radiologists, which guarantees quick access to specialised and experienced professionals at all times.”

Dr. Artero, an expert in Interventional Radiology, uses sophisticated imaging technologies to perform minimally invasive procedures. These procedures, including tumour embolisation, angioplasty, catheter placements, and radiofrequency tumour ablation, offer patients numerous benefits such as shorter recovery times, reduced pain, and fewer risks of complications. The introduction of tele-radiology is another enhancement, expanding the hospital’s diagnostic capabilities. Service coordinator, Francisco Pacheco, highlights the benefits provided

Call me, Fijaz Mughal, in confidence. I’m fully-accredited and professionally-trained in London and recently moved to Spain.

I understand the issues many expats feel in Spain. Change through relocation abroad can really add to mental health pressures and these life changes are never easy. Counselling and therapy has changed the lives of many. Getting in touch is the first step. Recognising that there is an issue is the first step on the road to recovery.

The Diagnostic Imaging team at Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital includes highly skilled radiodiagnostic doctors, technicians, and ATS, all committed to clinical excellence and personalized patient care, ensuring the highest quality of service.

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

MODERN: New facilities are exclusively dedicated to radiological examinations

Managing negative thoughts

By Fijaz Mughal

HIS was a

Tthat I worked with some six months ago who voiced an issue that many people have. She was not clinically diagnosed with any condition and she was not on any medication. However, she said that at points she had low moods though they lifted the next day and she ‘got on with life’.

Having asked about her medical and past social history of experiences, it was clear that this was an issue that was not impeding her life, but it was affecting her quality of life.

Many people sadly experience this type of thought process – a form of mental filtering towards the negative. It is nothing to be ashamed about and it is important to be able to voice such concerns with loved ones, or with counsellors and therapists, since shame, guilt and self-blame simply compound the issue and also add to low moods.

Our minds work in a certain way. They work from experiences that have happened to us, perceptions that we form over time,as a way of 'surviving' or 'fitting in'.

The problem is that some of the thoughts and behaviours that

‘I really think I can’t see the positive even though I know that I have good things in my life’

we have become used and accustomed to, may not be helpful at later points in our lives. Allied to this is the fact that the limbic system which manages our long term memory, emotional and stress responses, is a key and integral 'older' part of our brain.

Our brains are always subtly scanning for risk whilst we remain in the conscious world during the day.

Therefore, if someone has been through life experiences which may have been difficult or troubling, their brain may well have become hyper-sensitised to risk. It was understandable that my client, in thinking and feeling that there were obstacles that could come up, had her mood affected. This form of mental filtering towards the negative, sometimes with catastrophising, is called a cognitive distortion. There are a number of ways of reducing these cognitive distor-

tions.

Firstly, stress reduction can really help. Anything that adds significant stress, such as smoking, drinking high quantities of coffee or caffeinated colas need to be reduced or ideally, removed from their lifestyle.

Help

Things like meditation and mindfulness can really help, by allowing the individual to have the space to realise that the brain is going through an old pattern that can be changed over time and that the person has ultimate control over this.

Sometimes this basic awareness can help to reduce the strength of the emotions that may be thrown up by the negative thoughts, especially if they are self-deprecating.

Other things that can help include taking up exercise, building a circle of friends and ensur-

ing that there is regular communication with them.

Also, listing the pattern of negative thoughts and reasons and facts that challenge the negative thoughts and which resonate well with the individual, are another way of helping.

Positive visualisation can also help and this involves taking 10-20 minutes out of the day to find a quiet space and visualise a safe, warm and comfortable place that they have been to. Therapy and counselling can really help and depending on commitment, people can see real benefits in a short period of time. Finally, it is important to remember that we are the drivers of change. This means that we can also change the way that we see the world externally, whilst also changing the way that we experience negative thoughts or feelings. We may not be able to wholly erase the latter, but therapy can certainly reduce the impact of them on daily life.

Fiyaz Mughal is a qualified counsellor and hypnotherapist. He works on stress, anxiety and mood related issues and works in Southern Spain and the United Kingdom. He also holds a degree in Neuroscience. He can be contacted on info@counselling4anxiety. com or through www.counselling4anxiety.com

Heating up

GLOBAL temperatures have broken records for 12 consecutive months, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. It announced that May 2024 was the hottest ever recorded. The global average temperature was 1.52 degrees Celsius more than the pre-industrial average.

From June 2023 to May 2024, the average global temperature was 1.63 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average.

According to experts, this ‘worrying’ trend could mean we are inching closer to the thresholds set in the Paris Agreement on climate change.

Seen the light

Cemeteries unite to create country’s biggest urban solar farm

VALENCIA is using city graveyards to help it reach climate neutrality by 2030. Finding suitable sites for solar farms in urban areas isn't easy, so Valencia has come up with 'Requiem in Power'- shortened appropriately to RIP- where panels will be placed in cemeteries.

The RIP plan aims to install 6,658 photovoltaic panels across the city’s cemeteries to generate 27% of the city’s energy from renewable sources. The panels are being in-

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 6 Vitro, 7 Fascia, 9 Plug, 10 Suicidal, 11 Calico, 13 Curbs, 15 Ton, 17 Beeps, 18 Edited, 20 Baptized, 22 Nuke, 23 Fits in, 24 Enter.

Down: 1 Evaluate, 2 Stag, 3 Top spot, 4 Affix, 5 Gina, 8 Stimuli, 12 Impetus, 14 Breakers, 16 Needles, 19 Ozone, 21 Akin, 22 Nuts.

By Alex Trelinski

stalled on top of crypts and other structures in five public cemeteries with the aim of creating a total generating capacity of 2.8 megawatts.

So far, 810 panels have been placed in three cemeteries at Grau, Campanar and Benimamet. They are capable of producing 440,000 kilowatts of electricity per year, which will eliminate 140 tons of carbon dioxide

emissions annually. When finished, the total number of panels will see RIP become the largest urban solar farm in Spain. It will supply electricity primarily to public utilities, but also to around a thousand local homes occupied by people on low-

HERONS will not return to Spain after seeing this year’s dry conditions, experts have warned.

er-incomes.

Valencia has 29 other projects in its move towards climate neutrality including plans to reduce car use to improve air quality; changing buildings to maximise energy efficiency, and converting all city lighting to LED.

The birds, chosen as Spain’s ‘Bird of the Year’, normally migrate from the Sahara desert to reproduce. However, upon finding their usual spots, such as Doñana National Park and the El Taray Lake dry, they have been forced to move on. Provoked by drought, climate change and ‘abuse’ of water for agriculture,

Doubling up

IN the last five years, police have doubled their efforts to fight crimes against nature and the environment. In 2019, 3,818 infractions were registered. By 2023, this had risen to 6,532.

Crimes against the environment are the third most profitable infraction in Spain, after drug trafficking and false documentation. The Guardia Civil’s Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) and Environmental Police work together on conservation, water resources, hunting, fish, animal abuse and archaeological finds.

the birds' nesting places have dried up, provoking a ‘critical’ situation. However, they say we will ‘not know the full impact’ of dry weather for years to come, as the birds are notoriously hard to spot.

LEGAL NOTICE

INSOLVENCY ACT 2011

INSOLVENCY RULES 2014

ADVERTISEMENT OF APPLICATION TO APPOINT A LIQUIDATOR IN THE SUPREME COURT OF GIBRALTAR

Name of Company: Rossocorsa Limited

Company Number: 117337

Registered Office of Company: Suite 4, 2nd Floor, The West Wing, Montarik House, 3 Bedlam Court, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA

Name and Address of Applicant: Cascade Marine Limited, C/O Hassans, Madison Building, Midtown, Gibraltar

An application to appoint a liquidator of the above company was filed with the Supreme Court on the 12th April 2024 by Cascade Marine Limited C/O Hassans, Madison Building, Midtown, Gibraltar, claiming to be a creditor of the company

The application will be heard at the Supreme Court, 277 Main Street, Gibraltar on Thursday 20th June 2024 at 12:30pm or so soon thereafter as the application can be heard

Any person intending to appear on the hearing of the application (whether to support or oppose it) must give notice of intention to do so to the applicant or its solicitor in accordance with Rule 88 by 16.00 hours on Wednesday 19th June 2024

The Applicant’s solicitors are: Hassans International Law Firm of Madison Building, Midtown Queensway Gibraltar

Dated the 16th day of May 2024

SOLAR: Panels will generate electricity in graveyards

Should I stay or should I go?

Dear Olive Press,

WE have property in Spain and this year is the first time we have been able to stay for as long as the 90 day rule has been in place.

We started travelling in January, again in February, April, May, June and soon in July. By July will have used up 74 days.

The predicament is that in August we are staying for 23 days and during that visit we will have exceeded the 90 days. The way I understand the Schengen ruling is that if we have gone over 180 days since first entering Spain in January we get days visited back from then meaning that we have entered a new rolling 180 days, hence part of that 23 days will be in the previous period. Does that sound correct or are we likely to have a problem at border control when we leave Spain after spending 23 days in August?

Kevin S, via email

Antonio Flores of Lawbird replies:

An interesting enquiry. Calculation is often not easy and therefore, the EU created an online calculator, which to understand, you need to study the seven-page manual available on the European Commission’s website. In summary, we would not be able to know where this reader stands with reference to his stay unless we could review his passport.

FAST AND FURIOUS

Airport burgers

and fried

chicken

are no

substitute for Spanish bocadillos

MY wife and I are regular visitors to Mallorca, making six or seven trips per annum.

We have been following the demonstrations against tourism saturation and the efforts of the government to reduce tourist beds on the island and to raise the quality of those that remain. The payback is obvious - more jobs, cheaper housing for locals coupled to fewer but higher spending tourists.

It was thus with some amazement last week that we travelled through Zone A in the airport (for flights to and from the UK) heading back to England. The only food offerings came from Burger King, Subway and a fried chicken restaurant that looked awful

and smelled worse.

Offering only fast food options, AENA is catering only for the market that the government is attempting to de-emphasise. As a final memory of their holiday for mid and high end tourists, it is memorable for all the wrong reasons and I suspect many, like us, will travel home hungry.

Please bring back the small cafe with good coffee and fresh bocadillos that we used to enjoy.

Piers Monckton, London

WITH regards to your story of the first bullfight to be held in Marbella for nine years (Olive Press Online). Perhaps you may like to feature this comment about the incredible cruelty that takes place under the pretence of culture. Before a bullfight, the animal’s ears are filled with wet newspapers; Vaseline is rubbed into his eyes to blur his vision; cotton is stuffed into his nostrils to make it difficult for him to breathe and

No chance!

I HAVE read several articles in the Olive Press about Estepona striving to be the next Marbella. Until the town starts enforcing the laws to ensure that people pick up their dog excrement and throw their rubbish in the bins, there is no risk that Estepona be- comes the next Marbella. We have been here for about five years now and have seen lots of changes for the better but are sad to see how filthy the streets are. My husband and I go out in the evenings and always pick up as much rubbish as we can, only to see the dog poop and trash back the next day.

Leslie Swensson, Estepona

Torture not culture

a needle is stuck in the middle of his genitals. In addition, a corrosive substance is rubbed on his legs to make him lose his balance.

All this also prevents him from lying on the ground.

To disorient him, he is kept in a narrow and dark space before facing the arena for a couple of days. When freed, he runs desperately towards the light as if

coming out of a long tunnel. He thinks his suffering is eventually over and he will be released - instead, he runs into the arena to face his killers and a cheering crowd of sadistic troglodytes.

Stuart Green, Marbella

EDITORS NOTE: We hope you’ve got your facts straight Stuart

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

Brimming with Pride

TORREMOLINOS Pride has seen record attendance this year as over 75,000 enjoyed the celebrations.

The Costa del Sol’s main pride event kicked off Pride Month, taking place from May 29 to June 2.

Torremolinos is bidding to host EuroPride 2027, to be held in Thessaloniki, Greece this year.

But don’t worry if you missed it, Pride Month has only just begun.

Madrid will host its celebrations on June 28 to July 7 while Barcelona’s will take place between June 28 and July 21.

Meanwhile down south, Andalucia will hold pride celebrations in Sevilla on June 29, alongside many smaller events.

Mallorca (June 28) and Ibiza (June 7-15) will also hold pride events, with the latter turning 10 years-old this year.

One of the country’s biggest pride events takes place in Benidorm during the first week of September.

BUDGETS HIT

Massive fine for Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet and Volotea over ‘abusive’

charges

FOUR budget airlines have been fined a total of €150 million by Spain’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs for charging extra for hand luggage and seating.

The Facua consumer group applauded the decision after years of litigation, which sees sanctions handed out to Ryanair, Vueling, EasyJet and Volotea.

It is the largest-ever penalty for practices against customers to be imposed by the

By Alex Trelinski

Ministry.

Although a breakdown of the penalties has not been disclosed, Ryanair is said to have received the largest fine, according to Facua.

The government department started a probe in June 2023 to investigate whether airline practices were abusive or unfair and whether they contravened regulations.

BEER WARS

A ROW is brewing between Spanish beer giant Estrella and rival brand Madri which it accuses of dishonesty.

Estrella is seething that the Madri label claims to be authentically Spanish despite it being brewed in the UK.

Madri soared to success in the UK and Ireland after being introduced to pubs in 2020, and soon became one of the top 10 selling lagers in the country after an intensive marketing campaign which emphasised its exotic Spanish roots.

But the beer, which prides itself as ‘El Alma de Madrid’ (The Soul of Madrid), is brewed in Tadcaster, Yorkshire, by Molson Coors. Aitor de Artaza, the boss of Estrella Galicia,

TREAT YOURSELF WITH OUR DAY PASSES

The carriers have leave to appeal the fines. A ministry spokesperson

has criticised Madri for a ‘lack of transparency’ which he claims ‘is confusing for the customer’.

He said: “They did a very nice job in terms of marketing, that’s for sure. But it’s a little tricky because people think they are drinking a Spanish beer but it’s not. They are not very clear and not, to my point of view, very honest”.

In response, Madri representatives pointed out that the beer is joint project with Madrid’s La Sagra brewery.

Indulge in a taste of paradise mere steps from your doorstep.

Immerse yourself in luxurious amenities, bask in the sun by the poolside, unwind in the Costa del Sol’s largest spa, and savor delectable dining options—all without the hassle of travel. November 29thDecember 12th 2023

confirmed that the investigation came as a result of complaints from consumer groups.

Four practices came under the spotlight - charging a supplement for reserving adjoining seats to accompany children and dependents, a lack of transparency in pre-contractual information on the final price to be paid, charging a surcharge for carry-on luggage - described by regulators as ‘abusive’ - and not allowing cash payments at the airport to cover extra services.

The Association of Airlines (ALA), with members that account for 85% of air traffic in Spain, says the ‘fines are disproportionate and will harm consumers by eliminating the option for passengers to pay for exactly what they need’.

A CATALUNYA village bar has won the first-ever Spanish Sandwich Championships.

Online voters numbering over 100,000 nominated their favourite sandwiches before a final list of 16 was chosen and the offerings sampled by a jury of food critics and chefs in Oviedo. The ‘Best Sandwich in Spain’ is called Especial Miguelin and it's been on the menu for 17 years in the bar located in Vilafranca del Penees, in Barcelona province.

The whopping winner measures the length of two hand palms and costs €6.40.

Bar owner, Abel Moreno said: “The idea came from a joke with a regular customer who one day told us that it was her birthday and that she wanted something special that would surprise her.” Moreno explained that it consists of chicken, bacon, green pepper and a secret sauce.

SPECIAL: Sandwich inspired

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

AT THE TOP TABLE

DISFRUTAR, located in the heart of Barcelona’s thriving Eixample district, has been crowned the World’s Best Restaurant. And with a trio of restaurants in the World’s Top Five, it’s fair to say that Spain is still leading the way in the kitchen following last year’s triple whammy of top 5 entries..

In fact, in this year’s ‘The World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ ceremony held in Las Vegas, Spain did even better than in 2023 - with Disfrutar scooping top spot following last year’s runner up position.

1 Disfrutar

Barcelona

Modern techniques and personal talents come together in Disfrutar’s gastronomic experience. Set up by the trio of chefs, Mateu Casañas, Oriol Castro and Eduard Xatruch, it sits behind a typical tapas joint, unfolding into a cavernous space behind. This is the first of ‘many surprises’ in what the judges describe as some of the ‘world’s most modish dishes’. Punters experience the classic tasting menu, which takes four hours, with its wine pairing options. Playing with shapes, textures, and flavours, Disfrutar’s exper-

Spain has proven it’s the global dining capital as Disfrutar named World’s Best Restaurant

By Ben Pawlowski & Dilip Kuner

Asador Etxebarri, based in the Basque village of Atxondo, meanwhile jumped two places to second while Diverxo, the Madrid-based restaurant owned by reigning Best Chef in the World Dabiz Muñoz, slipped one spot to fourth.

praised Disfrutar for ‘imaginative dishes that are executed with exceptional technical skills and served in the most playful way possible’ which ensure that customers ‘have the dining experience of a lifetime’. They added: “Two parallel menus of 30 courses are on offer: The Classic and The Festival. The former features dishes such as Thai-style cuttlefish with coconut

59 Enigma

Barcelona

Under the helm of chef Chef Albert Adria - brother of legendary El Bulli chef Ferran Adria - Enigma uses seasonal ingredients in its monthly menus and offers different wine experiences. The finishing touches on the meals are added right imental style has earned it thee Michelin stars and its place as the World’s Best Restaurant.

Judges

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

‘multi-spherical,’ and squab with kombu spaghetti, almond and grape, while the famously indulgent caviar-filled Panchino doughnut and brilliant frozen gazpacho sandwich can be found in the Classic option”. Disfrutar’s three founding chefs, Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch and Mateu Casañas - who met when they worked at legendary El Bulliwere visibly emotional as they collected their award.

Xatruch dedicated the award to everyone who ‘has worked and continues to work everyday to make this profession wonderful’, whilst Castro said he was ‘surprised and honoured’ to win the ‘magical’ award, adding that he wanted ‘to thank and congratulate our colleagues who are on the list and who have each contributed to building a great gasElsewhere, Quique Dacosta on the Costa Blanca came 14th, up from 20th, whilst Elkano, another Basque

restaurant celebrating the region’s famous gastronomy, came in at 28th position.

Disfrutar, which received its third Michelin star last year, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in December.

However, if you want to sample some of the world’s best food, there is a hitch - the restau rant is booked up years in advance with, at the time of writing, no availability.

If you’re lucky enough to get your hands on a reservation, the Classic or Festival tasting menu will set you back €290, with the specially crafted wine pairing costing an extra €160 per person. Alternatively, the trio of acclaimed chefs do own two sister restau rants - both are called Compartir, with one opened in Barcelona in 2022, and one based in the pop ular Costa Brava seaside town of Cadaques, open since 2012.

Asador Etxebarri

In the small village of Axpe in the Basque region, the asador is a total contrast to its rivals on the list, favouring simplicity over experimentation. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t magic and it has become a true destination restaurant noteworthy for its grill techniques. Chef Victor Arguinzoniz’s more than 30 years of experience with ‘fire cooking’ contributes to his traditional approach and meticulous style – every dish that exits the kitchen is given his signature touch. The restaurant thrives off local produce and elevating ingredients by highlighting their natural

At this incredibly picturesque spot, Aitor Arregi uses his method of whole-grilling fish over a wood fire as the foundation of his flavour. Playing off Getaria’s gastronomic heritage, this method of cooking has become an inte gral part of the town’s cuisine and a tradition for Arregi, whose father, Pedro, opened the first Elkano back in 1964. There is a distinct emphasis on sustainability and the local connection is reflected within the dishes and maritime decor.

4 DiverXO Madrid

The bold, rule-breaking flavours by chef Dabiz Muñoz (below) are part of a greater, more marvellous story. Immersed in a fantasy-world of outlandish decor, staff dressed in punky uniforms serve a range of stunning, creative dishes. For foodies, the DiverXO experience makes dreams feel tame. Passing through the hands of five or six chefs before plating, the gastronomy follows Muñoz's love for avant-garde art from conception to completion – he describes the experience as ‘something like the Cirque du

14 Quique Dacosta Denia

Just two years after he began his career as a chef in 1986, at just 16 years of age, Quique Dacos ta began working at a restaurant that would later share his name. His food takes an artistic approach to the geographies and cuisines of the Med iterranean and nearby Montgo Natural Park. Put ting Valencian cuisine very much on the map, his respect for nature — the roots of the restaurant — comes forth in every bite.

work in and around Alcaidesa, Sotogrande, Manilva, Estepona, Cancelada, San Pedro, Marbella, La Cala, Fuengirola and everywhere in between including inland areas.

+34 630 344 897 or email: info@casaresliving.com

FOOD, DRINK & TRAVEL

72 Aponiente

El Puerto de Santa Maria

Chef Angel Leon is recognised as ‘The Chef of the Sea’ for utilising ingredients from the Mediterranean and Atlantic sea in his evolving menus. The current rendition, based on the infinite sea, commits to sustainability and new techniques. Even in the dessert section, the restaurant blends together traditional sweets with seafood.

June 12thJune 25th 2024

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MORE:MUCH interviewsOurreviewsand withAngelLeonareonline

Mugaritz

San Sebastian

At Mugaritz, presentation is anthropomorphic in the most intimate and wondrous ways. Take the dish 'heart that does not feel' which is a flat, almost 2D slice of meat with ribbons of fat representing the aorta. Mugaritz has long taken a philosophical approach to food thanks to its intellectual chef Andoni Luis Aduriz. He had been in the 50 Best list for well over a decade before slipping out this year.

Chippy to the stars

Find out why footballers including Tim Sherwood, and Jermaine Jenas love Peggotty’s

Established on the Costa del Sol for over 20 years, Peggotty’s is a family run business offering only the finest fish and chips.

They also offer all the traditional dishes including Pukka Pies, saveloy and scampi, with plenty of curry sauce, mushy peas and gravy.

Whatever you choose, your side of chips will always be soft on the inside and crispy on the outside thanks to the dutch cooking method and clean vegetable oil, which is changed every day.

If you’re not a fish fan, why not try their delicious flame-grilled ribs, southern fried chicken or homemade chicken burgers?

In celebration of the Euros, they’re also offering special snack boxes filled to the brim with your choice of fish goujons or two pieces of southern fried chicken alongside chips and a soft drink or small beer, all for just €10.

The deal is available during games, which will be shown on the terrace on a 65 inch TV.

Over the years, Peggotty’s has been visited by many famous footballers including Ian Callaghan, Tim Sherwood, Jermaine Jenas and Roy Evans.

It has also received the stamp of approval from celebrity chef Phil Vickery, business mogul Lord Sugar and singer Cilla Black.

In their 20 year history, Peggotty’s has undergone many changes and since Xanthe and Gino took over the business from her parents in January, they have refurbished the expansive restaurant.

Now, they have air conditioning, fans and heating so you’re comfortable whatever the weather.

Available to eat in or takeaway from 6pm Monday to Saturday, in El Pilar, Estepona (exit after Diana Park).

Checkout their Facebook page “Peggotty’s Finest Fish and Chips” for posts and updates as well as the takeaway and restaurant menu.

For more information please visit us at Calle de Ojén 8 , El Paraiso, Malaga, call 952 88 36 66 or visit www.peggottysfishandgrills.com

Bird abuse

TWO men have been arrested in Fuente Alamo, Murcia, for setting up an illegal cockfighting ring shaped like a roulette wheel with birds held in small cages behind the arena.

Milkshake

A SECURITY guard, 67, was arrested at the Spanish Olympic Committee for ejaculating nightly in the water bottles of two female coworkers he claimed were bullying his wife.

Wild heart

DRIVERS on a busy motorway in Elche were stunned to be overtaking an elderly man in a wheelchair. Police scrambled to rescue him on the hard shoulder and return him to his family.

Behave yourself

DRUNKEN stag and hen do parties carrying inflatable penises, vaginas and massive sex dolls have been banned from a popular tourist hotspot.

Punters in Platja d’Aro on the Costa Brava, a prime destination for pre-wedding shenanigans, could be handed fines of up to €1,500 if they fall foul of the new legislation which outlaws ‘clothing rep-

Popular tourist town bans stag and hen dos from carrying inflatable ‘genitalia’ and sex dolls

By Ben Pawlowski

resenting human genitals’.

The bustling seaside town can attract up to 300,000 visitors per weekend, with many heading to the former fishing village to partake in

In the frame

THE mayor of Barcelona was forced to pay a €100 fine on World Bicycle Day after he rode his bike in a no-cycling zone during a promotional video for the celebration. Jaume Collboni, a member of the Catalan branch of Pedro Sanchez’s ruling PSOE socialists, fell foul of his own rules after eagle-eyed onlookers spotted the city mayor cycling past a sign which asked cyclists to dismount and walk. The fine was reduced to €50 by the Guardia Urbana as Collboni himself reported the infringement to police. He was also given an additional discount after agreeing to stump up the cash the following day.

boisterous bachelor and bachelorette parties. But future partygoers may have to diverge from the tradition al stag or hen do attire as the new law explicitly bans vis itors from being ‘on the public thorough fare without cloth ing or only in their underwear or with clothing or accessories representing human genitals or with dolls or other accessories of a sexual nature’.

Platja d’Aro’s mayor Maurici Jimenez, who has previously stated he would ban the celebrations al-

together if he had the power, said: “These attitudes have an impact on the community’s coexistence and we need to fight against them”.

One example of loutish behaviour given by David Puertas, the local police chief, was of a groom who was strapped to a lamppost with tape whilst his friends played loud music and sang into the early hours of the morning, disturbing residents and visitors alike.

A horny issue

A CLEANER at a Madrid veterinary hospital faces up to three years in prison after he was accused of performing sex acts on a goat. The 43-year-old man has been arrested and charged with animal abuse.

The alleged incident happened at the capital’s Complutense University Veterinary Hospital. The female goat had been admitted to the facility due to a joint ailment.

A student surprised a man in a cleaning worker’s uniform who was in ‘a strange position with the animal’. DNA tests confirmed that sperm found in the goat matched the worker.

Plenty to like

CRISTIANO Ronaldo’s social media comments about Kylian Mbappe’s transfer to Real Madrid has taken the internet by storm. Ronaldo’s post attracted over 5.1 million likes - apparently the highest number of likes for a response to a post. He beat the previous record held by TikTok content creator and influencer, Dylan Page.