Olive Press Mallorca Issue 188

RIP Maria

SPAIN’s oldest woman in the world has died at 117.

The family of Maria Branyas announced her death via social media on Tuesday.

In a post on her X account they wrote:

“A few days ago Maria told us: ‘One day I will leave here. I will not try coffee again, nor eat yoghurt…, I will also leave my memories, my reflections… and I will cease to exist in this body.

One day I don’t know, but it’s very close, this long journey will be over.

“‘Death will find me worn out from having lived so long, but I want it to find me smiling, free and satisfied’.”

Maria was born to Spanish parents in San Francisco on March 4, 1907, but moved back to northern Spain when she was very young.

Scientists last year took samples from Maria in a bid to discover her secrets to a long life – and to develop cures for diseases.

She incredibly had no health complications other than hearing and mobility issues.

The ‘Super Grandmother’, who regularly updated her followers on X, beat Covid in 2020 and had survived the Spanish Civil War, a deadly earthquake in the US and a major fire. The mantle of oldest person alive has now passed to 116-year-old Tomiko Itooka from Japan.

See Viva España page 6 The minimalist designs of Spain’s new churches

See page 17

O P LIVE RESS MALLORCA

See page 10

Law of the jungle

A BRITISH expat claims he has been targeted by local police in a shocking campaign of ‘racist abuse and harassment’ because he can’t speak Spanish.

Shop owner Mark Lumsden believes that the Policia Local in the Mallorca village of Valldemossa have maintained a vendetta against him for over eight years.

He even alleges that an off-duty officer approached him outside a bar one night in 2020 and screamed at him ‘have some respect’ and ‘learn Spanish or go back to England.’

“Two people at the bar had to grab him and force him off down the street,” Lumsden told the Olive Press.

“I only found out two days later that this man, who I had never seen before in my life, was a local policeman.”

The 64-year-old moved to Mal-

British expat claims local police have targeted him in ‘racist’ campaign of verbal abuse

EXCLUSIVE

By Walter Finch

lorca from Stockton-on-Tees with his wife and young daughter, then three-years-old, in 2013, where he opened a gift shop called Valldemossa Secrets.

For Lumsden, the sleepy village of 2,000 people on the north side of the island would be a ‘a great environment to bring up my child’. But the peace and tranquillity wasn’t to last as Lumsden seemed to make enemies of a high-ranking police officer who is reported to have told neighbours he openly ‘hated’ the Englishman.

Some days after the encounter outside the bar, Lumsden claims that the same officer came to his shop accompanied by the chief of police.

Expecting to receive an apology or explanation from the officer now he had ‘sobered up’, the shop owner was shocked to find that the policeman launched into another rant about how he must learn Spanish.

“The chief of police had to tell him to shut up and took him away!” said Lumsden, who’s been running the shop for nine years.

But then, according to Lumsden, the senior police officer returned the following day with a cap and plain clothes ‘like Inspector Clouseau’, looking to see if there were

cameras in the shop that had recorded the exchange.

“And when I challenged him, he said ‘no, no, no, no – I was just looking at the tiles.’”

On a separate occasion on June 6 this year, Lumsden found that a van passing outside the shop had accidentally damaged his sign.

“The lady who lives opposite came down and gave me a picture of the vehicle,” he explained.

“It was a commercial van with the name of the company and a totally clear picture of the number plate.

“She said he hit the side of my veranda first, and then he smashed her side, then mine again.”

But when he went to report the incident at the local police station, a separate officer refused to process the claim.

“He just said they didn't see it so they can’t do anything. I

said ‘I’ve got the picture, I've got a witness who saw it, and you’re telling me nope.’ And he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away.”

And then most recently, on August 5, Lumsden had to go to

the station to file a police report in order to make a bank claim.

“Who should be sitting there? Nightmare of nightmares – him again!”

The same officer who had allegedly abused him outside the bar and in his own shop ‘refused to even speak’ to Lumsden.

“He just said I don’t understand enough English.”

But Lumsden had anticipated such a problem and had already had the claim translated into Spanish. But the officer ‘wouldn’t even look at it.’

Another police officer came over, according to Lumsden.

“He listened to what I had to say, then looked at the translation, and his first words to me were: ‘How long have you lived in this village?’

“I said, ‘why does that matter? I just want a report.’

“He said: ‘I speak English. Why don't you speak Spanish?’”

Despite his best efforts to make formal complaints about the alleged treatment, to both the local town hall and the Guardia Civil, neither has come to anything.

Lumsden insists that the Guardia Civil have been sympathetic to his situation, but they too have lacked the translators to process his complaint.

A police officer at the local station in Valldemossa told the Olive Press that they have ‘no problem with him – neither personal nor professional.’ But she added that she could not comment further.

ABUSE: Lumsden says he ha been targeted by local police for not speaking Spanish

NEWS IN BRIEF

Nightclub death

AN AUTOPSY has confirmed a male British tourist was strangled to death ‘by a nightclub doorman’ in Spain’s Gran Canaria on July 27.

Smells fishy

A SPANISH lawyer has been arrested on suspicion of bribing high-ranking officials in Equatorial Guinea to secure a lucrative contract for a fish processing plant.

Fire tragedy

AN 80-year-old man has been left ‘brain dead’ after a fire fighting aeroplane dumped water on his head in Caceres.

Driving crackdown

THE Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT) has announced that it will be stepping up its efforts to catch drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs until August 25.

A 20-year-old suspect accused of stabbing an 11-year-old boy to death has told police it was his ‘other self’ who carried out the killing. The Spaniard was arrested on Monday some 36 hours after he allegedly

STABBING HORROR

stormed a football pitch in Mocejon, Toledo, where children were playing and grabbed a young boy named Ma-

PINK PERIL

Party-goers are taking ‘deadly cocktail of substances’ warn police

BRITISH holidaymakers in Ibiza are being urged to steer clear of a dangerous new party drug known as pink cocaine. Also known as tusi and often containing a deadly mix of substances, it has seen a surge in popularity on the Balearic

By Walter Finch

island.

Experts warn that taking pink cocaine is like ‘playing Russian roulette’ as it can contain a variety of substances, including

teo. The child was stabbed 11 times, hitting at least three of his vital organs.

The boy died at the scene. According to reports, in his first conversations with the Guardia Civil, the suspect told them: “It was my other self, it was my copy... I was there, but it wasn't me.”

MDMA, ketamine, caffeine, speed, and even the highly potent opioid fentanyl.

Ibiza has become a hotspot for the drug, with authorities struggling to contain its spread.

ITN News reported that the drug can be obtained along the famous Playa d’en Bossa strip, where dealers approached the reporter within seconds.

Prices ranged from €70 to €100

A FISHERMAN has been arrested by the Guardia Civil for allegedly sexually assaulting a British tourist at Port d'Andratx.

The 40-year-old Senegalese national was detained when he was about to go fishing. The assault on the 21-year-old woman happened after 3.30am on August 7 when she was having some drinks with friends at a wine bar before heading back

per gram, highlighting the drug’s appeal to partygoers despite the dangers.

As part of its ongoing crackdown, the Guardia Civil has intensified operations across Ibiza, bringing in officers from mainland Spain to tackle the spike in drug-related crimes.

to her holiday home.

The suspect approached her en route and had a brief chat with her.

He took advantage of the fact she had been drinking and that the area was empty to touch her inappropriately without consent.

The police have made significant seizures, but the circulation of pink cocaine remains a pressing concern. With concerns growing about the potential for pink cocaine to infiltrate the UK drug market, experts are urging caution.

The victim got away and filed a complaint with the Guardia Civil.

Drug testing services across the UK have already identified the substance in several locations, highlighting the need for vigilance.

Choking robbery

A YOUNG British tourist was placed into a chokehold by

who

The 20-year-old victim was with a friend on the promenade when the perpetrators approached him at around 2am. They grabbed him round the neck and then kicked him in the torso before taking his bag. The incident was recorded on a phone and the victim reported the attack to the Guardia Civil and showed them the video.. One man has been arrested.

Junky cabby

A PIRATE taxi driver in Ibiza was pulled over by the police on Tuesday morning and was found to have consumed a dangerous cocktail of six drugs. The unlicensed cabby was stopped for a routine check at an Ibiza Policia Local checkpoint at 5am. Three other taxi drivers also tested positive for drugs, but the main offender, who was arrested, had traces of cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, cannabis, opiates and benzodiazepines.

four men

stole his bum bag in Magaluf.

Icy protocol

AS temperatures soar zoo animals have been given ice-cream treats to help them cool down.

Bioparcs in Fuengirola and Valencia have mixed fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and insects into special frozen blends designed for each spe cies’ dietary needs.

Gorillas, chimpanzees, gibbons and lemurs are some of the animals which enjoyed colourful sor bets made with fruit and vegetables.

For tigers and leopards, ice pops made of meat and blood were hidden around their habitats to help them cool off and activate their hunter instincts.

Meerkats, on the other hand, munched on ice cubes filled with worms and grasshoppers.

Have a heart!

Horse-drawn carriages and donkey taxis in the sights of activists as temperatures soar

ANIMAL rights activists are ramping up calls to end horsedrawn carriages and donkey rides across Spain, particularly amid soaring summer temperatures.

The issue has come to the fore despite the introduction of new guidelines in Mijas (Malaga) prohibiting donkey taxis during extreme heat conditions after video emerged of some of the animals collapsing.

While the municipality’s decision to ban donkey taxi operations during orange and red heat alerts has been welcomed by some, animal welfare groups argue it is merely a superficial measure. Laura Riera, equine lead for the Foundation for the Assessment and Action in Defence of Animals (FAADA), described the new rules as a ‘clever ploy’ to appease public concerns af-

By

ter a video emerged showing a donkey collapsing in the heat, as the Olive Press revealed in our last issue.

“They’ve done this so the public feels better but it doesn’t stop it being animal abuse.”

She also criticised horse drawn carriages popular in cities like Sevilla and Malaga.

Riera says the ‘intelligent’ creatures are not given even the ‘minimum amount of care’.

“They have to spend all day tied up, they can’t rest properly, they can’t wander. It’s not even the minimum level of wellbeing,” she said.

“They have leg and muscle problems and if they rebel, they put mouth guards or bosals on to restrict them.

“Most learn to accept their own

ROBERT De Niro has been spotted enjoying the culinary delights of one of Spain’s most historic cities.

The Hollywood legend, 80, was pictured with top chef Benito Gomez (right) after eating at his two-Michelin-star restaurant Bardal in Ronda, inland Malaga.

De Niro tucked into the €180, 18 dishes, set menu, which includes such delights as raw

powerlessness and become extremely depressed. They’re the ones with sad eyes, head down. If they were free they would play and have fun.”

According to the equine expert, the animals should not work in temperatures above 25C, restricting them to the winter months when fewer tourists visit Spain.

“The heat affects donkeys and

Ronda de Niro

vegetables and elderflowers broth, squid with Payoyo cheese; chicken skin and shrimp and eel Gazpachuelo followed by sweet potato and orange.

But the 18 dishes were not quite enough. Gomez said that De Niro was ‘hungry’ so also tried some croquettes and ‘left delighted’.

horses much more than people,” Riera explained.

“Their body temperatures rise much faster than ours and it's dangerous, they can get dehydrated, have health problems, and cramps. It’s brutal”

Yolanda Morales, spokesperson for the animal rights political party, PACMA, agrees: “None of the ‘rules’ regarding horse carriages or donkey riding are legally binding, they’re just recommendations.

“We need to end this. Animals are not here to serve us, these are tourist attractions that were perhaps very popular in their time but have no place today.”

The politician suggested that tourist attractions ‘evolve’, using tuktuks, tourist buses or even bikes instead.

She also pointed to Palma, Mallorca, where horses were replaced with motorised carriages.

See Opinion page 6

Fluid by design

HIS ‘gender flu id’ designs have made a splash ever since his first fashion show in London in 2016.

Now Alejandro Gomez AKA Palomo Spain, the 31-yearold Andalucian, has been recognised by Spain’s Ministry of Culture with the National Design Award.

Judges described his designs as ‘the work of a creator who has managed to establish a unique perspective within the fashion de sign industry’.

It is hard to argue that his men’s wear collec tion is not unique, using daring materials such as chiffon, feathers and beads and more feminine themes than usually mod elled by men.

Indeed, his latest col lection even included a ‘man bra’.

VINICIUS OFFER

REAL Madrid’s Vinicius Junior has been offered a whopping €1 billion to sign up for the Saudi Pro League - with another billion to go to the Spanish club.

The Brazilian international star, 24, would be bought out of his contract by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Sources close to the player confirmed the approach, which would also make him an ambassador for the 2034 World Cup that is set to be hosted by Saudi Arabia. That deal would last for 10 years and be separate to his playing con tract.

Reports say he would earn €200m per season for five years with bonuses to be added on top.

Another source claims Real Madrid have no interest in letting Vinicius leave unless the Saudis cough up a €1 billion buy-out clause.

EXCLUSIVE

Yzabelle Bostyn

ANIMAL ABUSE: Donkeys still working despite heat

Katy video shoot row

BALEARICS officials are looking into a new Katy Perry pop music video shot in Formentera that may have caused environmental damage.

Footage was taken on the protected sand dunes of the islet of s’Espalmador, which is part of the Ses Salines de Eivassa and Formentera natural park.

Despite claims from Katy Perry's record label that they had received verbal authorisation to film, the Balearic Government has categorically denied granting any permits, either written or verbal. Perry recorded the video for her song Lifetimes around Ibiza and Formentera.

Scenes feature the American singer dancing and jumping in different locations, including urban areas, a busy nightclub and in natural landscapes, such as the s’Espalmador dune system. That was done within an area that is blocked off by ropes and fencing indicating clearly that entry was prohibited and all the recording equipment had been taken inside as well.

WE LOVE YOU REALLY!

DESPITE a summer of apparently endless anti-tourist discontent in Spain, the latest opinion survey reveals a very different picture. It shows that 69% of the populace across the country have a ‘positive’ or ‘very positive’ attitude towards tourists.

And three quarters give the country’s tourism industry – critical to the economy –a glowing report, with 75% saying it has a positive impact on their town or city. The results might come as a surprise after images of fed-up Barcelona residents shooting holidaymakers with water pistols reverber-

ated around the world.

In fact, the discontented few who exhibit the strongest turismofobia seem to be a miniscule segment of society, with only 2% expressing a very negative view of tourists. A further 4% said they viewed tourists just ‘negatively’.

Meanwhile, a quarter of the Spanish population (25%) describe themselves as ‘neutral’. However, when you dig into the data some nuance does start to emerge. In the larger cities, such as Sevilla and Barcelona, the negative perception of tourists increases, with about 12% of residents expressing

Killer nest

A DUTCH tourist died at a Mallorca villa from carbon monoxide poisoning due to a bird’s nest blocking a pipe.

The 21-year-old man passed away on July 30 with all of the initial indications that the lethal gas could have seeped out due to a leaking boiler.

A group of 11 Dutch holidaymakers were staying at the Playa de Palma property and occupied several rooms.

Two of the tourists slept in a room next to a butane gas heater.

One of them woke up with a severe headache and found his friend lying on the floor. Paramedics could not revive him.

An investigation revealed that a gas evacuation pipe had been obstructed by birds leaving leaves, grass, and straw to make a nest, leading to the fatal accumulation of CO2.

New poll shows majority of Spanish locals ‘value’ tourists despite wave of protests

fects of tourism.

By Walter Finch

negative feelings.

Even among those who don’t, almost half of the population (48%) see tour ism as a grow ing problem in their city. And only 30% believed that their local governments were taking appropriate measures to tackle the negative ef-

In these large cities, 66% of the populace are fuming about the local town hall’s inability to limit tourist rentals. In medium-sized cities, meanwhile, the negative perception is much lower, at around 4%, while a large majority (60%) of the locals do not see tourism as a growing problem in the city.

YACHT TRAGEDY

THE former chief stewardess of the superyacht Bayesian, which sank off the coast of Sicily, has spoken out following the deaths of seven people. Monica Jensen, a Swedish expat resident in Mallorca, was chief stewardess of the Bayesian from 2018 to 2020.

She claimed the tragedy seemed ‘a bit strange’.

Jensen said she never experienced any danger while working on board despite withstanding bad weather ‘all over’.

It is believed that Mallorcan crew were working aboard the €30 million luxury boat when it sank after being struck by a freak waterspout on Monday morning.

It belonged to, tech tycoon Mike Lynch who is is one of the victims, as is his 18-year-old daughter.

Vanishing beaches

UP to 71 beaches will disappear in the Balearic Islands by the end of the century if global warming is not reversed, according to a study by the local Oceanographic Centre. Mallorca would lose 25 beaches; 33 would go in Menorca, seven in Ibiza, and six in Formentera.

Environmental campaigners, Greenpeace claims an increase in temperatures brings a rise in sea levels, which will cause beaches to erode by up to 20 cms per year.

TRIP TO REMEMBER

A BRITISH tourist had an unforgettable visit to Palma Cathedral when she broke her ankle and had to be rescued by a fire crew's cherry picker. The 47-year-old woman suffered the

injury on the cathedral’s top terrace and was unable to walk. Paramedics could not get her down on a stretcher because of the building’s narrow staircase.

On that basis, 71 Balearic beaches would vanish and many more would see their sands cut by half.

Elvira Jimenez, head of campaigns for Greenpeace Spain, said the Balearic Islands are especially vulnerable compared to the rest of the country's regions due to the amount of coastline.

Jimenez advocates cutting emissions to reduce global warming and demolishing promenades or breakwaters.

A Palma fire brigade ladder with a cherry picker was deployed with a large crowd gathering to witness the operation.

Once at ground level, the tourist shook hands with the fire crew members and then went to a private clinic for an operation on her fractured ankle.

A

Voted top expat paper in Spain

OPINION

Kick the tradition

THE rest of Spain must follow Mallorca’s example and end the cruel tradition of offering donkey and horse rides to tourists in the sweltering summer heat.

The practice has long been under scrutiny and with good reason, the animals cannot regulate their body heat as well as humans and should not be ‘put to work’ in temperatures above 25C.

If this limit were adhered to, that would mean limiting horse and donkey services to just the winter months.

Better yet, why not just ban the activity altogether and replace it with more ethical and environmentally friendly measures?

Catalunya and Mallorca have banned horse drawn carriages, replacing them with alternatives such as electric carriages, tuk tuks, bikes and small electric cars.

Far from damaging the tourism trade, business is still booming in these areas, with both locations becoming the focal points of a nationwide anti-tourism debate.

It is clear what the international community wants, as bans are already in place in cities like Oxford, London, Tel Aviv and New Delhi.

Mallorca’s ban came after a series of dangerous and alarming incidents involving horse drawn carriages, where one startled mare bolted into a crowd of tourists while another collapsed due to heat exhaustion. Similar incidents have taken place all over Spain, with one horse suffering a heart attack and dying during Sevilla’s Feria de Abril.

This cruel practice sees the animals endure sores, welts and hoof damage, meaning every step is painful.

It is a stain on beautiful cities like Sevilla to see animals suffering in their streets.

Many go without water and breaks for days on end as city officials fail to enforce the recommendations put in place for animal wellbeing.

Clearly, the mistreatment will continue until officials in Madrid make a nationwide mandate to stop this abuse.

PUBLISHER

/ EDITOR

Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es

Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es

Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es

Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es

Simon Hunter simon@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Ben Pawlowski ben@theolivepress.es

CELEBRITY showdown

Look no further than Ibiza and Marbella if you want to spot celebs - but who has been where?

Marbella

SPAIN’S glamorous coastline has long been a playground for the rich and famous, with Marbella and Ibiza emerging as the top contenders for celebrity hotspots.

While the likes of Mark Zuckerburg, Leonardo DiCaprio and Michael Jordan have sailed megayachts into Ibiza, plenty of sportspeople have chosen to enjoy the glitzy nightlife of Marbella.

But which luxury coastal enclave do the elite prefer?

Celeb-spotter Yzabelle Bostyn investigates.

Marbella, the crown jewel of the Costa del Sol, boasts a reputation for opulence and

personalities seem particularly drawn to the area.

Football legend Wayne Rooney took a breather from his new role as Plymouth Argyle manager to give his verdict on the Euro 2024 final at a swanky event in Mar-

The Manchester United legend jetted into Spain with

He gave his opinion ahead of the Euros final, declaring a 2-1 En gland win. However, it wasn’t to be for En gland as Spain defeated the side 2-1 in Berlin.

Spain’s football prod igy, Lamine Yamal celebrated the win in Marbella, declaring it ‘very

SET to surpass Japan as the country with the world’s longest life expectancy by 2040, Spain, it seems, may hold the key to human longevity.

At 85.8 years, Spain’s life expectancy by that date will far surpass that of other rich countries like the United States (76.3) and the United Kingdom (80.7).

Other countries expected to have life expectancies surpassing 85 years include Japan, Singapore, and Switzerland, according to a study published in The Lancet.

Pointing the way in this trend is the fact that the former oldest person in the world, Maria Branyas Morera, was Spanish.

The 117-year-old Catalan unfortunately died yesterday, August 20 after living through both World Wars and the Spanish Civil War. She is the eighth oldest person to ever have lived.

Maria is succeeded by Tomiko Itooka (below), an 116-year-old Japanese woman born in 1908.

Recent Eurostat data reveals that the Spanish Community of Madrid has Europe’s second highest life expectancy for men, at 82.2 years, behind Aland, Finland.

Viva España

Spain is set to overtake Japan as the nation with longest-lived residents

By Cole Sinanian

On the other hand, the highest life expectancies for women - who are almost universally expected to live longer than men - are all in Spain.

In Madrid, women are expected to live 88.2 years, while in Navarra it’s 87.6 and in Castilla y Leon, 87.5.

But Barcelona Autonomous University demographic researcher Elisenda Rentería Perez cautions against hailing Madrid as an urban fountain of youth.

“Madrid attracts people with a high income and education level, and that’s why their life expectancy is higher,” she told The Olive Press.

“And the same thing happens with regions of lower life expectancy, where there are worse living conditions,” she said.

Researchers often point to diet, lifestyle and genetics as the most important factors influencing longevity, and the Mediterranean diet — one high in olive oil, fruits, nuts and vegetables, and low in red meat, dairy, sugar and highly processed foods — has been long known as a key to reaching old age.

That’s largely because it’s rich in hearthealthy foods known to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of

death globally.

One study from 2018 tracked major cardiac events in three groups of 55-80-year-olds, and found those on Mediterranean diets high in olive oil and nuts suffered fewer heart attacks and strokes than those on standard low-fat diets.

And though it’s fallen out of fashion in recent years, the Mediterranean diet still plays a significant role in Spanish culture, with Spain consistently ranking among the world’s top olive oil consumers.

While the ailments that might prevent one from reaching old age are primarily prevented through diet, genetics are most influential in producing centenarians.

“No matter how well you look after yourself throughout your life, if you don’t have that genetic makeup, then you’re not going to make it to 100,” Consuelo Borrás, a University of Valencia physiology lecturer, told The Guardian.

“But when it comes to normal longevity – living to 85 – your lifestyle is more important than your genetic makeup,” she said.

Aspects of Spain’s healthcare system may also help explain the longevity of its people. Increased public health spending has been shown to both increase overall life expectancy, as well as years of healthy life — ie, years lived into old age without suffering from a debilitating condition or terminal illness.

A 2022 study by researchers from the Barcelona Autonomous University — which Pérez co-authored — found that public health has a significant effect on the management and prognosis of diseases in peo-

Coleen and the family to speak at the Clubhouse in La Sala restaurant in Puerto Banus.

WHO’S WHO: Can you spot Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland, Wayne Rooney, Conor McGregor and Keely Hodgkinson in Marbella, and Carlos Leo DiCaprio and Vittoria Ceretti (plus a few friends) in Ibiza

www.theolivepress.es

MODERN MIRACLES

The minimalist theme of new Spanish churches

See page 17

NOT SO SWIFT

10 years on, Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium renovation finally complete

WHEN Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium hosted Taylor Swift’s Eras tour, all eyes were on the pop superstar.

But for the football club the real star of the show was the stadium itself.

Swift’s concert marked the first occasion the ground was fully open - al beit ‘unofficially’ - after a massive revamp some 10 years after the plans were first announced.

But now it has been ‘officially’ unveiled.

It took €1.8 billion - about €1 billion more than initially planned - for architects GMP Architekten, L35, and Ribas & Ribas to transform it into a multifaceted public attraction, boasting a Real Madrid Museum, dining and retail spa ces, and a skywalk offering panoramic views.

It also boasts a sliding roof and even an underground ‘greenhouse’ where the turf pitch can be retracted for optimal growing conditions.

A striking feature of the stadium is its sinuous stainless steel facade. This metallic skin, designed to conceal the original concrete structure, gives the Bernabeu a distinctive, sculptural form.

“The curved stainless steel louvres have imbued the Bernabeu with a new identity, solidifying its status as a Madrid landmark,” said a spokesman for GMP Architekten. “From afar, the metal facade shimmers like a jewel, reflecting light in countless ways.”

Beyond aesthetics, the metal cladding serves a functional purpose. Horizontal gaps between the louvres allow natural ventilation for the stadium's interior.

The renovation also increased seating capacity by 3,000 to 85,000, added VIP and hospitality lounges.

STILL GOING UP

PROPERTY prices are climbing ever higher in Spain as demand outstrips supply.

Since 2019, only the Balearics have seen faster price rises than Andalucia, according to a report by BBVA Research.

Both new and existing homes have increased in price by over 20% since 2019. Despite the boom, BBVA estimates prices are yet to reach the peaks of the previous real estate bubble from two decades ago.

Current prices are still 9% below those levels (8% for new homes and 10% existing) with only Madrid and the Balearics having surpassed prices

By Walter Finch

from 2000.

The Canary Islands has seen the sharpest rise with houses being 16.4% more expensive than a year ago. It is followed by the Balearics (11.9%), the Valencian Community (11.5%), the Community of Madrid (11.5%), Murcia (8.8%), Andalucia (8.7%). By province, 45 have higher prices than a year ago, led by Santa Cruz de Tener-

ife, where seller expectations rose by 18.6%, with Las Palmas (13.5%) second and Malaga (12.2%) third. By cities, the most significant rise was in Malaga, where prices grew by 18.2%, followed by Alicante (18%), Soria (17%) and Valencia (16.1%).

The smallest rises were in Melilla (0.3%), followed by Pamplona (1.1%), Palencia (1.8%), Vitoria (2.1%), and Pontevedra (2.4%).

The price of property in Madrid is now €4,622 sqm, while in Barcelona

it stands at €4,477 sqm.

Across Spain house prices rose by 3.9% in 2023 and 4.3% in the first quarter of 2024, with forecasts predicting a 5% increase in 2024 and 4.7% in 2025.

According to BBVA’s Real Estate Observatory 2024 report, key factors driving this trend include a booming economy, higher family incomes, demand from foreigners and lower interest rates.

The most affordable regions are Cas-

tilla-La Mancha (€939), Extremadura (€976) and Castilla y León (€1,198). While Spanish authorities urgently try to build new houses, supply is still expected to fall short of meeting the growing demand.

BBVA forecasts 120,000 construction permits in 2024, an increase of 10,000 from the previous year. The first four months of 2024 saw a 14.8% growth in permits compared to the same period last year, indicating a new construction cycle driven by increased demand. However, challenges such as zoning issues, labour shortages, and regulatory uncertainty continue to hinder new projects.

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

ON THE UP

Mark Stucklin www.spanishpropertyinsight.com

SPANISH home sales were up 6pc in the first half with prices also rising in what looks like one of the most buoyant housing

Spanish property market buoyant in the first half of the year

markets in Europe in 2024, according to the latest data from the Spanish notaries’ association. There were 350,818 home sales witnessed by notaries in

the first half of the year. Q2 sales were 189,909, up 10.5pc on last year, and the second best Q2 on record during the last 15 years, as illustrated by the chart above.

But figures just released by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), and widely reported in the press, showed sales declining 4pc in Q2 , which appear to be at odds with the numbers from the notaries.

witnessed by them in the month, and 2)

The Institute of National Statistics (INE) based on sales inscribed in the Land Register by the Association of Spanish Land Registrars.

Sales in the second quarter increased in all the regions of most interest to foreign investors with the exception of the Balearics where sales declined by 8.4pc compared to a year before. Sales increased the most in Madrid (+16pc) followed by Andalucia (+11pc).

The notaries data shows average Spanish house prices increasing 3.4pc over

12 months to the end of June 2024, having increased in every quarter but one since Q2 2015, (if you exclude a three-quarter dip in prices over the pandemic, for obvious reasons).

Spanish house prices have risen steadily since bottoming out in 2013, and have continued to rise despite higher interest rates that have sent other European housing markets like France and Germany into decline.

Spanish home sales figures come from two official sources: 1) The Association of Spanish Notaries based on sales it all depends on your starting point.

However, the average Spanish house price is still below where it was more than 15 years ago in nominal terms, so

By region prices rose the most in the Valencian Community (+7.2pc) and the least in the Balearics (+2pc), as illustrated by the final chart (left).

MEGA PENALTY

MASSIVE fines totalling €960,000 against 12 unlicensed holiday apartment rentals in a Palma building have been notified by the Consell de Mallorca’s Tourism Department.

The block is in the Levante area of the city and the penalty works out at €80,000 per apartment.

The Consell de Mallorca has not clarified whether the building owner faces the large bill or whether there are individual apartment owners that will be fined.

The previous tariffs reached a maximum of €40,001 per let which was not licensed for tourist purposes.

A Consell spokesman made it clear that the increased fine aims to ‘dissuade people from carrying out this activity and putting an end to it’.

The authority advocates ‘protecting residents and guaranteeing the legal security of all legal rentals in the tourism sector’.

Pleasure

The Minister of Tourism, Jose Marcial Rodriguez Diaz, expressed his pleasure over the stiff penalties.

“Illegal offers, regardless of the sector in which they operate, represent not only unfair competition that is very damaging to all those who do things well on the island, which are the vast majority, but also a terrible problem for coexistence, against which we want to fight and to eradicate it.”

Rodriguez added that the sanctions are the result of a long procedure followed by the Department, which has ‘scrupulously complied with all administrative processes’ and which has allowed it to act ‘in accordance with the legal deadlines.’.

On July 11, around 50 people took part in a protest outside a Palma apartment block that houses illegal tourist rentals.

The demonstration focused on a Calle Gaspar Bennazar building with five floors of accommodation- totalling 56 beds.

Protestors held banners and chanted slogans about the lack of regulation of tourist apartments and authorities not listening to their complaints.

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

THE Hard Rock Hotel in Marbella has been taken off the property market – its owners will, instead, keep the establishment on their portfolio, thanks to its ongoing profitability.

Stoneweg Hospitality and Bain Capital Credit are the two firms that own the hotel, which began to take shape as a project back in 2021.

According to real estate portal Idealista, the Hard Rock Hotel Marbella was born after Stoneweg and Bain bought up the Hotel Andalucia Plaza, as part of a strategy to reposition Marbella as a luxury destination.

The location of the establishment, in Puerto Banus, was part of the opportunity that the firms identified.

Refurbishment work was completed in 2022, and included a major upgrade of the facilities, in order to attract high-

net-worth tourists seeking luxury and entertainment experiences.

But a recent move to put the hotel on the market for sale has, reportedly, come to nothing.

Sources from the sector consulted by Idealista said that the business was up for sale with a price take of between €140 and €145 million, but after several months and interest from different funds, no final buyer was found.

“Funds ruled it out because it was overpriced and had a prohibitive impact,” the sources told Idealista.

“According to the talk in the sector, another of the reasons it was withdrawn was the lack of offers,” they added.

Only for locals

Controversialproposal toremedyexcessive tourism would see foreignersbarredfrom buyingpropertyin Mallorca

By Walter Finch

UNLESS you have lived in the Balearic Islands for years you won’t be allowed to buy there.

This is one controversial proposal by a local think tank looking at ways to remedy excessive tourism.

The Forum de la Societat Civil has come up with a total of 200 suggestions, after a debate was held in Palma last month.

It comes after a series of heated protests blocked the centre of the city, with tourists made to feel uncomfortable.

The new suggestions include efforts to recover the historic quarters of

Palma and other towns for residents, rather than just tourists.

Meanwhile the group wants to see the conversion of old and obsolete hotels into housing or infrastructure for locals such as cultural, technological and healthcare facilities.

FOREIGNERS’ FAVOURITES

FOREIGN home buyers looking for a Spanish property are mainly eyeing up Mediterranean coastal locations plus the Balearic and the Canary Islands.

The report by idealista highlights 120 areas where foreign demand represents more than 50% of the home buying market in sun and beach destinations. In areas like Roses (Girona), Calpe (Alicante) and Andratx (Mallorca), foreign interest is over 65% in regard to searches made on the idealista website with people from France, the Netherlands, and Germany the most prominent.

Alicante province has the highest number of search locations, namely 30, where foreign interest exceeds 50% of the total demand.

Popular spots include Los Frutales in Torrevieja; the districts of Moraira de Moravit-Cap Blanc, Paichi or Pinar de Advocat-Cometa, all with a foreign demand of between 64%-65% of the total, as well as areas of the Orihuela Costa like Playa Flamenca and La Zenia.

The Balearic Islands have 28 locations, some of them attracting 67% of foreign interest including Cala Ratjada and Canyamel, in Mallorca, together with Andratx, including Port d'Andratx and Es Camp de Mar, and Cala Murada in Manacor.

In Malaga, the Nerja area stands out as does the Bay of Casares as well as the districts of Guadalobon, Buenas Noches and Bahia Dorada in Estepona, and Puerto Banus, in Marbella.

The group has also come up with the idea of a maximum number of visitors to the Balearics linked to the number of residents on the islands.

Spokesman Jaume Garau insisted foreigners buying property must first prove that they have resided in the community for a set number of years.

The suggestions are now to go in front of the regional government.

Spain has seen a series of unprecedented protests calling for a change to the country’s tourism model, as locals grapple with problems such rising house and rent prices, antisocial behaviour and noise.

Squirted

There have been protests in Malaga, the Canary Islands, the Balearics and Barcelona.

The protest in the Catalan capital made worldwide headlines after demonstrators squirted tourists with water pistols, taped off hotels and outdoor restaurant dining areas. They also shouted slogans such as ‘Tourist go home’ at visitors.

Rental market heatingup

THE cost of renting a home in Spain has spiralled 10.4% in the past year. This surge is particularly noticeable in Barcelona and Malaga, where demand for rental properties remains high, according to idealista

But rents have surged in all Spanish capitals compared to July last year, with the most substantial increase in Caceres (18.9%), followed by Palma (18.7%) and Valencia (17.6%).

Hotspots Madrid (16.1%), Barcelona (14.3%), Alicante (14.1%), and Malaga (13.6%) have all seen double digit rises in the past year.

Bargain hunters should look at Tarragona (1.9%), which saw the smallest increase, along with Zamora (2.9%), Cádiz (3.9%), Huelva (4.1%), and Pamplona (4.3%).

Barcelona continues to be the most expensive city to rent in, with a square metre on average costing €21.60, followed by Madrid (€19.80) and San Sebastian (€17.60).

They are followed by Palma (€17.20), Malaga (€14.50) and Valencia (€14.10).

The price spiral has been blamed, in part, on the number of tourist rentals which reduce the long-term housing stock.

But experts have been quick to point the finger at last year’s new housing law, which made it more difficult to evict tenants, scaring landlords out of the market.

Banking

on a bargain

A SPANISH bank has launched budget rental properties in Andalucia, with prices starting at just €300 a month to relieve the area’s rental crisis.

InmoCaixa is advertising affordable properties in an attempt to relieve the stress on the market.

Part of Caixa Bank, there are over 20,000 properties, including houses, flats and even new builds.

In Sevilla, you could rent a flat for as little as €307, with 102 properties advertised at this price.

Built in 2010, the apartments have between one and two bedrooms, heating, double glazed windows and a fully-equipped kitchen.

Meanwhile in Malaga, InmoCaixa are offering 98 flats for €402 a month.

On the cheap

THE cheapest areas to buy a property in Andalucia in 2024 have been revealed. According to data from idealista, the cheapest town is Velez Blanco, in Almeria, where the average property sells for €397/m2 - around €1,900 below the regional average. It is the fourth cheapest town in Spain for a home, behind only Almaden in Ciudad Real (€344/m2), Alcaudete de la Jara in Toledo (€357/m2) and Malagon, also in Ciudad Real (€395/m2).

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Hipster

Hottest hotel of the summer, Los Felices, launches with host of celebrities and fashion designers

IT’S a style of hotel that rocked California’s inland retreat of Palm Springs in the 1960s.

And with over 100 fashion designers helping to inspire the suites and public areas it is bound to be a huge hit in Spain.

The huge raft of fashionistas, including Alejandro Gomez Palomo, An-

By Jon Clarke

gel Nokonoko and Pepa Salazar, have lent their name to Los Felices (meaning ‘happy people’), in Ibiza.

Claiming to be the first hotel in the world entirely dedicated to fashion, each designer has lent a garment to the six villas and 107 rooms.

The hotel on Sant Josep bay, near San Antonio, is showcasing the designers, many who are only now emerging onto the Spanish scene. At a launch party this month, dozens of them attended alongside Hollywood stars Paz Vega and Josh Hutcherson, famous for his role in the Hunger Games.

Interior architects Ilmiodesign have done an incredible job matching the style of the Sixties with its clean lines, pastel colours and retro touches.

A riot of colours, quirky furniture and giant photos make up the lounge areas, while tall palm trees and cactus dominate the planting outside. The rooms are buzzing, with Mar

RETRO: Los Felices is inspired by 60s California

Calvià

Discover the best of Mallorca, from beaches and nightlife to sports and gastronomy. All in one town

IT’S COOL TO BE IN CALVIÀ

IT may sound like a cliche, but Calvià really does have it all.

You need look no further if you seek a captivating blend of stunning beaches, charming villages, and lively nightlife.

For a large number of visitors, the main attraction is the beautiful coastline, which boasts 35 beaches, each with its own charm and catering to different preferences.

For example, Santa Ponça is a family-friendly resort with a beautiful bay, perfect for swimming and water sports. Many families head over to Palmanova and Magaluf, which are known for their lively atmosphere and extensive water sports facilities and gastronomy. Meanwhile, Illetas and Cas Català and

By Dilip Kuner

Portals Nous are more exclusive and upscale areas with pristine beaches and luxury amenities, while Peguera is a quieter alternative offering beautiful coves and a relaxed ambiance.

Of course, while beaches are a major draw, Calvià has much more to explore for those willing to venture away from the costa.

Top of the list of must see attractions is Calvià Village itself. Here you can immerse yourself in the charm of the town’s historic centre.

It is an opportunity to stroll through nar-

row streets lined with traditional Mallorcan houses, visit the Church of Sant Joan Baptista - which dates back originally to the Christian reconquest of the region in the 13th century - and enjoy local cuisine at one of the restaurants and cafes that are seemingly round every corner. For nature lovers, the nearby Serra de Tramuntana mountains offer hiking and cycling trails where visitors can discover hidden waterfalls, charming villages, and panoramic views.

Sports lovers are spoilt for choice, with several world-class golf courses to choose from as well as the full gamut of water sports from the thrills of jet skiing to more sedate paddleboard-

ing, or sailing. An excellent option is to take a boat trip to explore the stunning coastline and hidden coves.

For gastronauts, or those simply looking for a decent meal, the region boasts a selection of top class restaurants that cater to the most discerning palates, as well as more down to earth establishments which often showcase the best of Mallorcan produce.

Expect to find fresh seafood, locally sourced meats, and an abundance of aromatic herbs and spices.

Beyond the cuisine, Calvià’s restaurants provide an ambiance that complements the culinary artistry. Expect elegant décor, impeccable service, and breathtaking views.

4000 years of history

HEAD for the tourist hotspots and it is difficult to imagine that 4,000 years ago our ancestors were treading the very same ground.

In fact, Calvià boasts a rich and diverse history that dates back millenia.

From its prehistoric origins to its transformation into a popular tourist destination, the area has witnessed significant changes while preserving its unique character.

By Dilip Kuner

Evidence suggests that Calvià was inhabited as early as 2000 BC, during the Copper Age. The island’s strategic location in the Mediterranean made it an attractive settlement for various civilizations. The Talayotic culture, known for its distinctive stone talayots (Bronze Age megaliths), flour-

ished in the region, leaving behind intriguing archaeological sites (see Puig de sa Morisca Archaeological Park sidebar).

The arrival of the Romans in 123 BC brought a new era to the area. Although their influence is less evident compared to other parts of Mallorca, the Romans undoubtedly left their mark on the local culture and infrastructure.

During the Islamic period, Calvià became part of the Al-Andalus caliphate. The Moors introduced new agricultural techniques and architectural styles, which can still be seen in some of the region’s buildings.

A turning point in Calvià’s history occurred in 1229 when King James I of Aragon conquered Mallorca. New settlers arrived

at that point.

The church of Sant Joan Baptista is the most iconic building in town. Originally it was built in 1248 soon after the Christian reconquest. Initially it stood alone but gradually the village grew up around it, with many of the present properties dating back to the 17th century. The present church is more recent as it was rebuilt around the remains of the first church in the late 19th century.

Calvià town emerged as an agricultural centre, with farmers cultivating the challenging terrain of the Tramuntana mountains.

For centuries, Calvià remained a predominantly agricultural community. However, the mid-20th century brought a dramatic transformation.

The stunning coastline and pleasant climate attracted tourists, and Calvià

Dining out

MALLORCA is a great destination for foodies and Calvià boasts three restaurants recognised by the Michelin Guide.

Sa Clastra, found in the Castell Son Claret, is the owner of one Michelin star.

The delightful gardens are topped only by head chef Jordi Canto’s creative cuisine.

A concise a la carte and varied tasting menu show traditional Mallorcan cooking infused with modern flair.

Inspired by Canto’s childhood, each dish comes with an in depth explanation, great finesse and depth.

The restaurant is also known for its experienced sommelier, Javier Gomez.

Gomez has been dazzling guests at Son Claret castle with the art of sabrage, or opening champagne bottles with a sabre.

It is recommended to park out front and

By Yzabelle Bostyn

take a stroll through the romantic garden, dining on the charming patio.

Although it won no stars, Arrels by Marga Coll has also been recommended by the Michelin Guide

Found in the Melia hotel, Ses Illetes, the restaurant offers ‘lovingly prepared, honest cuisine’ with stunning sea views.

The Arrels experience offers a five course breakfast including cheeses, meats, fruit, yoghurts, empanadas and pastries.

For lunch and dinner, try the tasting menus including the homemade coca de trampo, tomato gazpacho and deep fried prawns.

Each dish is Mallorcan cuisine and uses

became a focal point for the development of the tourist trade.

Today, Calvià is a thriving municipality that combines its rich heritage with modern amenities. While tourism is a major industry, the area has also preserved its agricultural traditions. Visitors can explore charming villages, hike through the Tramuntana mountains, and enjoy the beautiful beaches, all while immersing themselves in the history and culture of this fascinating region.

DISCOVERING THE ANCESTORS

The Puig de sa Morisca Archaeological Park, a collaborative venture between Calvià Town Council and the University of the Balearic Islands since 1997, spans over 45 hectares in Santa Ponça.

It is home to one of Mallorca’s most significant concentrations of publicly owned archaeological remains.

Visitors can take a walk through history through remains from the Talayotic period (6th century BC) through to the Almohad era, when the site was finally abandoned in 1229 with the Christian reconquest.

The park encompasses various distinct areas, primarily concentrated on the summit, eastern and northern slopes, and a lower hill.

Extensive exploration has uncovered a diverse array of architectural structures including talayots (Bronze Age megaliths), towers, dwellings, wall remnants, caves, and shelters, distributed across three main zones.

tional and avant garde.

Another restaurant praised by the Michelin Guide is Es Fum, Palmanova.

Headed by Canary Island native, Miguel Navarro, the restaurant showcases taste, technique and innovation at the St Regis Maradvall hotel.

Mentored by 12-Michelin star chef, Martin Berasategui, he is an expert in crafting creative menus.

His first menu, Origen, features the recreputation.

Then, diners can try more adventurous dishes with Recorrido, inspired by his recent travels to Jamaica, South America and the south-eastern USA.

These are complemented by his a la carte and vegetarian menus, all to be enjoyed on the hotel's enchanting, sea view terrace.

However, Michelin establishments aren’t to everyone's taste, so if you’re looking for a more chilled out vibe, why not visit Calvià in April or October when restaurants open their doors to show off their best dishes.

La Mostra Calvia sees participating restaurants lower their prices with complete menus starting at just €18.

Run in participation with Calvia council,

each establishment offers options for all the family, including kids, gluten-free and vegetarian menus.

This year’s first edition included celebrated restaurants El Faro del Todo, La Gran Tortuga and La Gritta.

Even more casual are Calviàs beach clubs, such as UM Beach House and Puro Beach Illeta.

UM Beach House boasts traditional Mediterranean flavours, with seafood, prime cuts of meat and flavoursome paellas

Meanwhile, Puro Beach fuses international flavours from Miami to Marrakech to create healthy, tasty food made with organic ingredients.

ONE STAR: Sa Clastra is headed by Jordi Canto, while (left) eating by the beach is a real pleasure

TRADITION: Calvià celebrates its agricultural heritage, with the best of its produce finding its way onto local menus

ANCESTORS

Mallorca’s sports paradise

Calvià has become a global reference point for sports tourism, combining an exceptional climate, a privileged natural environment, and first-class sports infrastructure.

It offers the possibility of enjoying a variety of sports, attracting both amateurs and professionals from all over the world.

Calvià enjoys an unbeatable climate with more than 300 sunny days a year, allowing outdoor sports to be practiced almost all year round. Its 54 km of coastline are home to some of the best beaches and coves on the island, while the proximity to the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a mountainous landscape with more than 100 km of trails ideal for hiking and trail running. This combination of coast and mountains creates a perfect environment for activities such as cycling, mountain biking, open water swimming, and various water sports.

Calvià has positioned itself as a leader in sports tourism at both a national and international level, thanks to the more than 30 international sporting events held in the municipality during the mid and low seasons.

Among the most outstanding events are competitions in triathlon, football, athletics, beach volleyball, regattas, motorsports, tennis, rugby, trail running, and crossfit. These events attract thousands of athletes from all over the world, contributing to the local economy and deseasonalising tourism activity.

Calvià has more than 30 public facilities dedicated to various sports. Among them, six football fields stand out, attracting elite teams from all over the world for their training and pre-season. These facilities, located in quiet but well-equipped areas, offer all the necessary amenities, such as large stands, changing rooms, and floodlit fields. In addition, the Vicente del Bosque Football Academy and events such as the Mallorca International Football Cup reinforce the municipality’s image as a nerve center for youth and professional football.

Calvia also hosts many professional cycling teams who appreciate the roads and mountain routes as an excellent venue for warm weather training. The municipality also shows a strong commitment to sustainability. An example of this is the Julián Ronda football

field in Costa d’en Blanes, which has just implemented microplastic-free artificial turf, anticipating future European regulations that will come into force in 2031. This initiative reflects Calvià’s commitment to the environment, offering modern and ecological sports facilities.

Beyond sports, Calvià offers a wide range of experiences for its visitors. Tourists can sail the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean, relax on the white sands of its coves and beaches, enjoy nature on the paths and trails of Galatzó, and savor the delicious local and international cuisine. All this makes Calvià a destination that combines sport, nature, and culture, providing a complete and enriching experience 365 days a year.

Calvià continues to work to expand its sports offer and attract more high-level competitions. The City Council has implemented an ambitious plan to continue positioning the municipality as an epicenter of sports and quality tourism, allocating a significant investment to events and infrastructure improvements. Calvià is a model of success in the integration of sports and tourism, offering first-class facilities, international events, and an unparalleled natural environment. With

Sports lovers flock to Calvià to enjoy the outdoor life

a firm commitment to sustainability, the municipality not only attracts elite athletes but also guarantees a unique experience for all its visitors.

IDYLLIC: The bays and beaches of Calvià are stunning and have hosted visitors for thousands of years

FRESH: Fish is taken straight from the sea to the table, with a brief visit to the kitchen in between

hangout

December 12th 2023

shall speakers, bright colours and numerous products.

Meanwhile, a kiosk offers, naturally, a host of fashion magazines for sale, as well as a range of stylish clobber.

The lucky few will get to stay in the UFO-shaped villas, designed by Danish architect Matti Suuronen back in the 70s.

His bright pink Futuro House is the backdrop to a stage, which will host fashion shows and concerts.

Part of the Concept Group’s chain of hotels, it opened this summer and costs from around €200 +a night in September.

A connected nightclub will open next year, while the restaurant Bambola di Grosso Napoletano fusing Italian with Spanish cuisine. November

The Property Insider

by Adam Neale

THE Spanish real estate market continues to show significant strength, suggesting further growth in the coming years. However, to see this trend requires looking at some of the figures in a broader context because of the distortions of the Covid and immediate post-Covid period. Keeping in mind this context is key if we're going to interpret market data properly. For example, analysts are beginning to skip the usual comparisons of current to immediately preceding years. Instead, they compare current data with years before 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

They argue that economic behaviour during 2020–2022 can be misleading, given the wild swings the pandemic and its aftermath produced.

If we make this adjustment, the picture for Spain looks very positive, especially for regions like Malaga and the Costa

A GROWING MARKET

del Sol, where the number of foreign buyers and the luxury market offset negative factors like inflation.

Let’s start with some raw figures that suggest a bleak picture of Spain’s real estate market as compared to 2022. These are worth picking apart to understand their real meaning and to see why they are incorrect.

Based on raw numbers, home sales fell by 9.7% in 2023 (10.8% for used homes, 4.8% for new homes) compared to 2022.

Prices began to rise rapidly at the start of 2021 as the economy opened up and then declined through 2022.

However, these numbers are distorted by being compared with 2022. In that year, the real estate market experienced a surge of pent-up demand in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. To correctly position sales from 2023 in terms of overall trends, we need to look at their relationship to the last year of sales numbers prior to Covid.

According to the same Caixa Bank report, what we find is that home sales in Spain have grown by 16.1% nationally compared to 2019. What applied to the Spanish real estate market is equally evident when we look at regional statistics in Malaga province

and the Costa del Sol. Home sales in Malaga province have come down from the pent-up demand we saw released post-pandemic in 2022. For instance, 32,115 real estate transactions occurred between January and November 2023. In relation to 2022, that is a 17.75% decline from more than 39,000 sales in total. That looks alarming until we compare this with pre-pandem-

ic transactions: there were 27,710 for 2019, which means a 15.9% increase between that year and 2023. That’s more or less a 4% per annum growth rate, which is very healthy. As well as the overall strength of the Costa del Sol market, we also see that luxury home purchases play an outsized role here.

According to a luxury Spanish housing market report by Hiscox, there were 2,500 homes for sale in 2023 with a value greater than €3 million in Malaga province, or 34% of the total Spanish super-luxury market. Most of these high-end homes are located in Benahavís, Estepona and Marbella, an area known as the Golden Triangle.

Foreign ultra-high net worth investors are flocking to purchase luxury villas, apartments and penthouses, drawn by Spain’s favourable climate, lifestyle, and good value compared to other prime European destinations. Prices in Spain’s luxury housing segment have surged 10 - 20% since 2021.

Spain’s real estate market returns to normal

markably stable. In the last two years, they have grown above the rate of inflation through both the post-pandemic buying surge and the 2023 return to normal.

What can explain the fact that house prices in Spain rose in Q1 2024 by 7% (3.68% inflation-adjusted) compared to the previous year? Likewise, in 2023, prices rose by 8.16% (4.19% inflation-adjusted).

Real estate purchased for tourist rentals is a quality investment

In the super-luxury range, homes in Benahavis have an average value of €6.8 million with an average price of €6,437 per square metre. In Marbella, the average is €7 million, with a square metre price approaching €11,000. For comparison, the average price per square metre for Spain was €2,152.

By the end of 2023, foreigners made up a third of all home purchases in the Costa del Sol’s golden triangle towns. Compare that to the rest of Spain, where foreign purchases make up only 21.4%. The British continued to lead the ranking of foreign buyers, followed by Swedes, Dutch and Belgians.

Spanish house prices - especially in coastal regions - have remained re-

One of the most important reasons is that while prices are rising in Spain, they are doing so from a very low level. The housing crisis of 2007-2013 hit the Spanish market especially hard. It is only now reaching price levels comparable to those in 2007, 17 years ago. That not only means that buying even a luxury home still seems like a bargain, to foreign buyers especially. It also means that they are willing to push the price up to get the house that they want because compared to their home country, it still seems like a bargain.

A second factor, especially in coastal regions, is the sustained growth in tourism. This has made real estate purchased for tourist rentals a quality investment with solid returns.

CaixaBank Research forecasts that the tourism sector's GDP will grow by 2.5% in real terms in 2024, reaching a level of 7.1% above 2019. It ended 2023 with a year-on-year growth of 6.9% and exceeded the 2019 level by 4.5%.

The third factor, related to the first two, is that new construction of homes in Spain – and especially in high-demand areas like the Costa del Sol – lags demand. In 2023, the number of housing starts rose by 1.1% y-o-y to 98,040 units, an improvement from an annual decline of 3.5% in the prior year, based on figures from the Ministry of Development. Likewise, housing completions also increased slightly by 0.7% to 80,473 units in 2023, in contrast to a 4.9% drop in 2022. Overall, the numbers show that the market has clearly passed through a period of readjustment from the pandemic era. The ‘irrational exuberance’ that accompanied the reopening of the economy post-COVID couldn’t last.

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

Heavenly DESIGNS

SPAIN’s ancient churches are some of the nation’s most famous architectural gems. They display a variety of architectural styles reflecting the various eras from which they originate , from Mudejar to Renaissance and Baroque.

But a new minimalistic church in Tenerife has shown that the era of great religious architecture is by no means over in Spain.

The Holy Redeemer Church of Las Chumberas in San Cristobal de La Laguna, Tenerife, has just won the 2024 ‘Frate Sole’ international pri -

How the architects of modern churches are taking a minimalist approach

By Dilip Kuner

ze for sacred architecture. Fernando Menis is the man behind the design and has described it as a ‘labour of love and dedication’ for the tight-knit community and the

‘evolution of a collective dream’ that took 15 years to build. It draws on the local volcanic landscape to create an austere space which incorporates natural light, energy efficiency, and acoustic quality.

The church is by no means alone in showcasing modern architectural trends being brought into religious buildings. Of these, the influence of minimalism

San Jorge Church, Pamplona

Architects: Tabuenca & Leache

Built in 2013 this church accommodates 400 people, with a daily chapel for 100.

The parish centre includes offices, multi-purpose rooms, classrooms, priest residences, and a guest room. The building, surrounded by eight-story structures, occupies a site between two squares. Its design focuses on connecting these squares, creating a central atrium for gathering and urban interaction.

The church aligns with the street's rhythm, seamlessly integrating into the neighborhood. A rooftop patio provides light while preserving privacy.

on contemporary Spanish religious architecture is undeniable. This artistic and philosophical movement, which seeks simplicity in form and function, has left a profound mark on the design of modern churches.

Minimalist architects aim to create interior spaces that invite reflection and contemplation. Large windows and high ceilings allow for abundant natural light, creating a serene and spiritual atmosphere. Wood, stone, and concrete are common materials in minimalist churches. Their natural textures and colors contribute to a sense of connection with the earth and the divine.

Basic geometric shapes, such as cubes, spheres, and rectangles, are recurring elements in the design of these churches. The simplicity of the forms conveys a sense of order and balance. Furniture is reduced to the essentials:

benches, altars, and pulpits. Clean lines and simple shapes create a clear and focused spiritual environment.

White, gray, and beige colors predominate in minimalist churches. These tones create a neutral background that allows architecture and light to take center stage. It is a far cry from the frequently ornate, intricately carved decor of previous centuries. Here we bring you a selection of some of the best and most unusual churches designed in the 21st century…

Continues

The Holy Redeemer Church of Las Chumberas, San Cristobal de La Laguna

Architect: Fernando Menis

The Church of St. John Paul II, Entrepinos

Architects: VZ Arquitectos

This small community church completed in 2008 is nestled in a residential green space. Its rounded design, resembling a sculpted form, stands out in the landscape.

The building's mass is divided by an exterior atrium and bell tower, creating a sense of excavation. Large granite base and limestone cladding contribute to the monolithic appearance.

The interior features a single nave with a double-height space expanding into a side chapel. A floating choir and hidden light sources enhance the sculptural feel. The chapel, presbytery, and auxiliary spaces are unified by a wooden latticework.

La Ascensión del Señor Church, Sevilla

Architects: AGi Architects

The Parish Centre expansion aims to strengthen community engagement and spiritual growth. The design focuses on economical and sustainable solutions, using simple construction techniques.

A large central courtyard connects the church and other facilities, while two smaller court-

yards serve specific liturgical areas.

The main entrance welcomes visitors and invites them inside. The roof's unique shape introduces natural light, defining different liturgical spaces. The architects aim to create a space that addresses community needs and fosters a sense of belonging.

team-

They aren’t the only footballers who love the Costa del Sol.

Norwegian footballer Erling Haaland toured Marbella, Sotogrande and Tarifa while visiting in June.

The 36-year-old held a press conference at the Hard Rock Marbella to promote the fight night, scheduled for October 12. A cradle of all things luxury.

The pair partied at local venue, Mosh Fun Kitchen, although it lona player was also spotted

He was caught up in a police raid at Marbella beach club, Playa Padre and was even forced to hand over his ID to balaclava-wearing, machine gun-toting cops as hundreds of tourists identified themselves to police.

The Manchester City star has long favoured Marbella as a holiday destination and is not suspected of any wrongdoing.

IBIZA, the queen of the Balearic Islands, offers a more laidback yet undeniably glamorous atmosphere.

The Nordic giant was later spotted visiting Bolonia Beach in Tarfia after being seen in Sotogrande and at a petrol station in Algeciras with his blue Ferrari.

Following in Yamal’s footsteps, British gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson chose Marbella as the spot to celebrate her Olympics victory. She was spotted in Puerto Banus on Friday, August 9, celebrating becoming the third British woman to ever win the 800m running event at the Olympic Games.

A banner hung up in the yacht reads: “Congratulations on your gold medal Keely Hodgkinson.”

But, it’s not all play for the celebs in Marbella. Irish UFC champion Conor McGregor was there in July to promote his upcoming bare knuckle fighting event.

He was spotted in Versace speedos while lifting weights on his yacht, docked in Puerto

ple of advanced age.

“Nowadays, public health isn’t just about interventions,” said Perez, “but also about long-term treatments for chronic diseases, treatments that often only can be afforded with the public healthcare system.”

The study linked a number of factors to length of life after 55, including unemployment, GDP, education level, public healthcare spending, and concentration of specialist doctors.

The researchers found that a spending increase of €800 per person on public health translated to an additional 1.5 years of life expectancy for men at age 50 and 1.2 years for women.

Despite reports of shortages, Spain’s physician density has grown since the 1990s, now at around 448 per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the sixth-highest physician-dense country in the EU.

In terms of overall healthcare expenditure, Spain’s is rather modest compared to its northern neighbours, with healthcare

amounting to 10.7% of the country’s GDP, below the 10.9% EU average.

However, it’s worth noting that Spain’s per capita healthcare expenditure was the highest in all of Southern Europe, topping Italy’s at 4,290.

The people of Southern Europe, the region most commonly associated with the aforementioned Mediterranean diet, may have a greater tendency towards longer life spans due to genetic, dietary and lifestyle factors that, when combined with Spain’s marginal improvements in public healthcare, could help explain the superior longevity of Spanish people.

Pérez says the relationship between public healthcare and life expectancy has less to do with adding years to old age, and more to do with providing lifesaving treatments and prevention to people from lower income backgrounds and worse living conditions, which increases the population’s overall average lifespan.

Known for its bohemian spirit and world-renowned nightlife, the island attracts a younger, trendier crowd. Musicians, actors, and models flock to Ibiza to unwind and recharge.

Another popular holiday spot amongst the rich and famous, Ibiza is a particular favourite amongst singers, actors and sportspeople.

The islands offer the chance to disconnect and relax, so it’s no surprise that tennis star Carlos Alcaraz was spotted on the Balearic Islands following his defeat to Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics.

The Murcian is a frequent visitor to the islands and was seen in Port D Andratx, Mallorca, as well as Ibiza.

It is thought he was recharging his batteries ahead of the US Open, which began on Monday.

Also getting in some ‘R & R’ was one of the most celebrated basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan.

He was spotted in June while holidaying on the Balearic Islands.

The 61-year-old was touring the islands with his second wife, model Yvette Prieto, and their twin daughters Victoria and Isabel. They were seen go karting in Ibiza before having a private magic show on their yacht from German magician Sean Christopher. Jordan is no stranger to the islands and last visited in 2017, when he relaxed at a Magalluf beach club.

Flouting

Similarly chilled out was Facebook founder and billionaire Mark Zuckerberg as he sailed into Ibiza flouting maritime law.

He moored his €278 million yacht, the Launchpad in Portinatx Bay. The three-deck 118 metre-long craft has a helicopter on it as well as capacity for 24 guests and a crew of 48 people.

It is thought Zuckerberg ‘broke maritime law’ by switching off the location trackers to ensure no one found out about their Balearic Islands trip.

A favourite amongst actors, Hollywood icon Leonardo DiCaprio has often visited the Balearic Islands to relax between films.

This summer, the 49-year-old has been spotted in Ibiza and Formentera, enjoying a trip with his girlfriend, 26-year-old Italian model, Vittoria Ceretti.

The pair were papped on Dicaprio’s yacht and Ibiza’s Casa Jondal, a restaurant favoured by the rich and famous, including Mick Jagger and Toby Maguire.

He was later spotted with Maguire and friends at Es Moli de Sal restaurant, Formentera.

It is thought they were staying in Ibiza at a villa known as ‘Monterey’.

The 30,000m2 finca is found in the exclusive Bellavista area, with views over Portmany bay.

This summer it has seemed like you could spot a celebrity on every corner of the Balearic Islands.

beautiful and fun’.

He has made two visits to the Costa del Sol since Spain’s Euros victory, alongside

mate Nico Williams.

Banus.

Alcaraz, Michael Jordan, Sean Christopher,

RIPE AGE: Maria Branyas Morera was the oldest person in the world until this week

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

AN INVASION of oriental hornets is threatening honey production in Malaga province.

There are over 30,000 hives in the area and the hornets pose a serious threat to the natural ecosystem as they kill the bees to boost their protein consumption

The plague is reducing the production of honey in several Guadalhorce Valley municipalities such as Coin, Alhaurin and Alora, as well as affecting hives from the Genal Valley to the coast around Estepona.

Beekeeper, Antonio Vazquez, said: “Hornets are destroying entire hives and many farms may not be able to deal with the losses in the autumn and winter.”

RED FACES!

Tomatina VIP ticket row as council charges €500 for privileged positions

CLASS war has broken out over Spain’s world-famous tomato throwing festival.

The streets of Buñol will turn red on August 28 from noon for the La Tomatina festivities. The Valencia town has encountered opposition to the sale of 30 special tickets at €500 each to secure a place on one of the trucks from where the tomatoes are thrown.

Honey threat BACK TO BEFORE

HAND luggage rules will be changed for airline passengers departing from some Spanish airports as of September 1.

By Alex Trelinski

The move has been branded as ‘classist’ by a left-wing political party which says the tickets threaten the unifying spirit of the event.

The Izquierda Alternativa de Buñol says the tomato has a unique position of equality and not being expensive for

By royal approval

A LONDON-BASED Spanish chef has revealed that Queen Camilla has praised a Huelva province manufacturer for producing ‘the best Iberian ham in the world’.

The revelation came from Jose Pizarro who visited the Cinco Jotas ham cellar in the small town of Jabugo for an interview with The Times newspaper.

Pizarro said the product got the royal seal of approval from Camilla when he cooked her a meal at Buckingham Palace.

“I cooked for the Queen a month ago when I sliced a Cinco Jotas for her,” he stated.

“She is a very nice woman and I was amused that she told people to eat this ham as it is the best in the world.”

anybody to enjoy.

The council attracted criticism last year when photojournalists had to go through all kinds of processes to do their work to avoid paying for balcony access.

The event - always on the last Wednesday of August - gets bigger every year and with more cash being invested, the council argues that the tickets are an easy way of re- couping public money. It is a

balancing act between tradition mixed with an egalitarian spirit as well as making it a profitable tourist event.

Up to 50,000 people used to take part in La Tomatina but safety issues have meant numbers are now a maximum of 20,000 official ticket-holders.

All of the pear tomatoes used in the hour-long battle are grown further north at Benicarlo, Ciudad Real, and Hellin because they are cheaper than those that are locally grown products.

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

The EU has ruled that expensive new security scanners are not up to scratch in dealing with larger items. It will now switch back to previous restrictions meaning that travellers will be limited to liquids in carry-on bags that are 100ml and under.

Airports at Barcelona and Madrid had installed the new C3 scanners this year as part of a roll-out across Spain. The European airport trade association, ACI EUROPE, called the decision 'a setback for the passenger experience and a blow to major investments made by airports'.

Double trouble

MALAGA and Valencia are taking on the traditional ‘big two’ of Madrid and Barcelona to woo business and conference tourists. Figures suggest that the two ‘newcomers’ are pulling clients away from Spain's two biggest cities, helped by new facilities and improved transport links.

BUSINESS

Land of hope

40% of new jobs in Spain taken by immigrants

SPAIN is experiencing a dramatic shift in its workforce, with foreign-born workers rapidly filling many new jobs.

While the Spanish economy is booming, with over 550,000 jobs created in the first half of 2024 alone, a staggering 40% of these positions have gone to immigrants, despite making up only 13.9% of the total

By Walter Finch

population.

The tourism and hospitality sector, a cornerstone of Spain's economy, has seen a surge in foreign workers, accounting for over 25% of new job creation. This rapid influx has raised concerns among some locals, particularly in areas heavi-

ly reliant on tourism.

However, it's important to note that while foreign workers are filling a significant portion of new job openings, they are generally earning lower wages compared to their Spanish counterparts. Spanish men, on average, earn €26,448 annually, while foreign men earn only €16,950. This wage gap holds true

ONLINE SHOPPERS

E-COMMERCE in Spain has seen remarkable growth, reaching a total turnover of €84 billion in 2023 – an increase of 16.3% on the previous year.

Unsurprisingly, the tourism sector has been leading the way, with travel agencies and tour operators taking up 8.5% of total turnover.

The last quarter of 2023 saw more than 432 million online transactions – an increase of 15.1% compared to the previous

period – with gambling and betting leading the ranking by sales with 6.9% of the total.

Why Choose AnyTech365?

Transport has also seen robust growth in e-commerce as customers book their tickets increasingly online rather than at the physical office. Clothes shoppers are also increasingly eschewing traditional shops and turning to the internet to order their items and now accounts for 7.3% of the total turnover.

Comprehensive Cybersecurity

for females too, with Spanish women earning €21,033 compared to foreign women at €13,401.

The country that sent the most immigrants to Spain in the last six months is Colombia, with 37,936 –or 16.5% of the total new workers.

Italy comes second with 22,879 (9,9%), then Morocco with 21,488 (9.3%).

Also notable in the creation of jobs in the last six months are Romania (17,115), Venezuela (13,033), Peru (11,180), Argentina (8,441), Senegal (8,372) and Ukraine (5,407).

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

Personalized User Experience

OUTSMARTING CYBER TROLLS

Iis excited to announce a partnership with the leading IT security and support company Costa 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 or their small business.

n the vast landscape of the internet, cybercriminals lurk like mischievous trolls, targeting unsuspecting victims with scams and fraud. Older adults often find themselves in the crosshairs, viewed as easier prey. However, with a sprinkle of humour and a dose of common sense, navigating the digital world safely becomes not just achievable but enjoyable.

According to figures from June, there were 21.39 million workers in Spain, with 2.9 million being foreign. However, the number of foreign workers has nearly doubled in the last 10 years. In 2014 it was just 1.5 million.

HARD WORK

AWhat makes Jennifer Cunningham Insurances so different?

good question and I can offer you a number of answers. I started my company nearly 30 years ago, working from home and developing the business slowly over a number of years. Once established, I employed staff and rented a large office in Javea port, where I am still to this day. How life has changed for me, and for the better.

I realised when I moved to Spain, that there was very little help available and what was available was normally in Spanish. There was no private health insurance, no funeral plans and no insurance dedicated to the Expat, and little customer service. I started the business selling health insurance for a British company, along with funeral plans. Having lost my husband in Spain, I realised how difficult it was to arrange a funeral and the costs were enormous.

Being very disciplined myself (probably due to my time in the Air Force), I have a strong work ethic. I used to work from home during the day, and I would go out early evenings making home visits until I was busy enough to take someone on to help me. From those early days when I worked tirelessly, I built my company and now have seven offices. I demand from my excellent and loyal staff that they treat all my clients with respect, courtesy and honesty and offer them the best service that is possible. I pride myself that the after sales service is the best, a service very rare in Spain. I have a Claims Administrator and a dedicated Renewal department, who will make sure that as your circumstances change, your policies can change with you and you fully aware of your coverage.

So these are just some of the reasons why we are so special. We are more than just a voice on the phone, offering good, old fashioned service. Not always the cheapest, but the best, working with Liberty Seguros and ASSSA healthcare, who both provide special Expat policies and are the best in the market.

Mark, Jennifer’s son, will be taking on the company to continue with his late mother’s ethos of customer service and information and this is one of the previous articles from Jennifer that is still relevant today. The only difference is Liberty Seguros has now merged with Generali Seguros, although the policies remain the same.

For more information or a quotation, please call one of my offices, email info@jennifercunningham.net or visit www.jennifercunningham.net

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

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

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

Phishing emails are the internet’s bad puns, seemingly harmless but capable of regrettable consequences. These deceptive messages mimic trusted entities like banks or postal services. Signs of a phishing attempt include generic greetings, sloppy grammar, and urgent requests for personal information. If it feels like a bad action movie, treat it like a scam. Remember, trusting a phishing email is like trusting a fish to walk on land, it’s just not going to end well.

A guide to dodging digital disasters with wit and wisdom

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company and their solutions have been widely recognized multiple awards on local, national, and international “The Fastest growing technology company in the 27th fastest growing company in Europe across (Source: Financial Times FT1000), the Andalucía Award in New Technologies, and others. meaningful local impact, AnyTech365 has proud 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).

Imagine a call claiming to be from Microsoft, warning of a computer virus turning your device into a toaster. Legitimate tech companies don’t operate this way, no unsolicited house calls or surprise diagnoses. Ignore demands for payment to fix non-existent issues and promptly dismiss such calls. Just remember, Bill Gates doesn’t need your 50€ to fix a “virus.” If Microsoft really did want to turn your computer into

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

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.

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 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).

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.

tech support and cybersecurity, keeping your digital life secure and hassle-free.

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Their services include cybersecurity, device maintenance and performance optimization,

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online shouldn’t resemble a soap opera script, unless you’re auditioning for “As ” tions! You’ve won the you never entered. uine lotteries never demand payment upfront. Treat unexpected prize notifications with scepticism, just like an unsolicited offer of a free yacht. Avoid disclosing personal infor -

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 approach significantly reduces the risk of cyberattacks.

AnyTech365 Security

Some of AnyTech365 Products and Features

AnyTech365 IntelliGuard

Some of AnyTech365 Products and Features

AnyTech365 IntelliGuard

AnyTech365 Security

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.

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

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 TotalCare

MFA acts as a digital bouncer, safeguarding against unauthorized access. Regularly update devices, operating systems, and antivirus software to maintain digital hygiene. Think of your password as your online superhero, it should be strong, unique, and definitely not the name of your pet goldfish. In the unfortunate event of a scam, cease communication immediately. Report the incident to authorities and monitor financial statements for unauthorized transactions. Seek support from AnyTech365 and consider a fraud alert on credit reports. Remember, dealing with a scam is like dealing with a bad haircut, act swiftly to minimize the damage and prevent a repeat performance.

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 approach significantly reduces the risk of cyberattacks.

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

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 support services, all offered in more than 15 native languages.

a toaster, they’d probably include a bread slot in the next Windows update. On dating sites, scam mers craft fictitious profiles, offering af fection and then fabri cating cri ses like robbery or travel mishaps. Requests for money signal a scam, real connections should withstand video calls. If it sounds melodramatic, it’s time to disconnect. After all, finding true love

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.

The company and their solutions have been widely recognized and won multiple awards on local, national, and international level such as “The

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.

clicking on suspicious links. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it’s probably a scam. Winning a lottery you didn’t enter is as likely as finding a unicorn in your backyard, and both should be treated with equal disbelief. Secure accounts with complex, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Navigating cyberspace needn’t be grim. Keep informed, exercise caution, and maintain a sense of humour to outwit scammers. Laugh at their futile attempts and revel in the benefits of a secure digital life. After all, a well-secured online presence is the best defence against cyber trolls and their schemes. So, stay sharp, stay safe, and keep trolling the trolls with your digital wit and wisdom!

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

AnyTech365 TotalCare

A comprehensive security suite, combining all AnyTech365 premium products together with quick issue resolution certified technicians without onsite visits anytime, night, with AnyTech365’s around-the-clock support all offered in more than 15 native languages.

BE SMART: And you too could slay the troll!`

Original Article from February 2023

LA CULTURA

SPANI SH CONQUEST

New excavations shed light on the Spaniard who helped Rome finally conquer Spain

THE Roman conquest of Spain was sealed by a man whose tomb has only just been uncovered in the petrified ruins of Pompeii.

Back in the 20’s BC, an ascendant Rome was battling in northern Spain to put down the last resistance to its dominium in Iberia.

To the surprise of many, the Roman troops were led by an unheralded Spaniard who had been born to a local tribe but had taken up arms for the Empire.

Numerius Agrestinus commanded the legions in Cantabria, where they faced other tribes known for their warrior culture and stubborn refusal to bow down to the might of Rome.

The Cantabrian Wars (29-19 BC) –the final Roman campaigns to subjugate the remaining and fiercely independent Cantabri and Astures – were helped immensely by loyal tribes who knew the land and the enemy well. Richly rewarded for successfully subduing the last holdouts to Roman rule, Numerius Agrestinus was granted Roman citizenship, Pompeii’s

By Walter Finch

paws carved into each end – signalling the importance of its owner.

Thanks to his endeavours, the complete Roman Hispania was finally born; a flourishing era that lasted nearly five centuries, until the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 495 AD.

But it took two centuries of conquest to get there.

Before the Romans could expand the boundaries of their empire into Iberia, they had to contend with the all-powerful Carthaginian Empire.

highest magistracy office and a monument in the doomed city upon his death. His newly unearthed tomb features a bench with large lion’s

They made their first landings at modern-day Empuries on the Girona coast in 218 BC and set their sights on conquering first Catalunya and Murcia –and then all of Andalucia.

The ruins of the old Roman settlement of Emporiae are still clearly visible, with visitors able to trace the town forum, basilica, amphitheatre, necropolis and much more.

The first great Roman victory came in the Battle of Cissa that same year (218 BC), when Tarragona was captured during the Second Punic War. Led by Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio, the battle dealt a crippling blow to the Carthaginians in Spain, and severely disrupted supply lines to Hannibal and his famous elephant march across the Alps.

Tarraco, as it was known in ancient times, went on to serve as a key administrative and military hub in the newly Roman region of Hispania.

The Romans broke the back of the Carthaginians in Spain with the conquest of Carthago Nova in 209 BC.

Nowadays Cartagena, the Romans established it as a critical naval base and commercial hub in the Roman Empire.

The modern city features well-preserved Roman ruins, including a famous theatre, a forum, and various public buildings. Today the Murcian city is the home of the Spanish navy. Not content to literally rest on their laurels – as victorious military commanders were wont to do after being garlanded with laurel wreaths – the Romans steadily moved west across Iberia.

They met the Carthaginians once again for a final showdown in the Battle of Ilipa in 206 BC, close to modern-day Alcala del Rio near Sevilla. A decisive Roman victory, led by Scipio Africanus, paved the way for an era of Roman domination in Andalucia that would last for centuries.

Other important victories in Andalucia included the siege of the city of Gadir – what is now modern day Cadiz – in 206 BC and the Battle of Baecula near present-day Bailen, Jaen, in 208 BC.

In barely 20 years the Romans conquered a huge swathe of Iberia, going on to establish Hispania Ulterior in 197 BC, which covered much of southern and western Spain and Portugal.

But it would be nearly another two

HISTORIC: The Romans beat Carthage at the Battle of Ilipa

REMAINS: In the heart of Tarragona

SPECTACULAR: Tarragona Amphitheatre

ROMAN: Alcala del Rio in Sevilla was established 2,000 years ago (inset) and how it is today

REMAINS: Roman theatre in Cartagena

ART: The Capture of Carthage by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo

LA CULTURA

RESEARCHERS in Spain have uncovered lost islands that sank into the ocean millions of years ago, which may hold the origin of the legend of Atlantis.

The team found the islands off Lanzarote on an underwater mountain, which contains three inactive volcanoes and is 50 kms in diameter.

HONOUR: Almodovar will be rewarded

November 29thDecember 12th 2023

LOOKING FOR MORE CULTURE STORIES? Scan to visit

Legendary find HAIL CAESAR

Project head, Luis Somoza, said: “They were islands in the past and are still sinking, as the legend of Atlantis tells us.”

The team has called the underwater mountain Mount Los Atlantes, after Plato’s writings about the gods plunging them into the ocean as a punishment for the immorality of citizens.

The islands date back to between 34 to 56 million years ago.

CELEBRATED Spanish director, Pedro Almodovar will receive one of the country’s highest honours in the cinema industry. The Premio Donostia is given out once a year at the San Sebastian Film Festival.

Final bow

It will be presented by Tilda Swinton, one of the protagonists of his new film. The Room Next Door is Almodovar’s first film in English and the 74-year-old’s last ever project. It stars Swinton alongside American actress Julianne Moore. The awards ceremony will be followed by a screening. Other recipients of the award include Judi Dench, Ian McKellan and John Travolta.

HOLY BONES

BONES found in a tomb in north-west Spain may well belong to a ninth-century bishop who is believed to have been one of the creators of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage walk.

The remains were discovered in 1955 but modern-day bone analysis, carbon dating, stable isotope analysis and DNA testing has produced results that support a very strong

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 7 Current events, 8 Bed sheet, 9 Hock, 10 Bumpy, 12 Flaring, 14 Falters, 16 Tense, 19 Isn’t, 20 No return, 22 Private sector.

Down: 1 Bureau, 2 Gras, 3 Ended, 4 Textile, 5 Sea horse, 6 C T scan, 11 Putative, 13 Granite, 15 Absorb, 17 Sermon, 18 Press, 21 Tech.

Camino bishop identified through modern technology

By Alex Trelinski

probability that they belonged to Bishop Theodomir. Tradition has it that Theodomir discovered the tomb

Preparing for university

IN today’s fast-paced, globalised world, the traditional education system is evolving to meet the needs of modern students. For expat families, finding a high-quality, flexible education solution can be particularly challenging. Enter Crimson Global Academy (CGA), an online high school that is revolutionising the way students prepare for university. With a proven track record of success, CGA offers a unique blend of rigorous academics, personalised learning, and global opportunities that give students a competitive edge in university admissions.

Your Child’s Journey to the Ivy League?

One of CGA’s recent student successes was Jade, a full-time student accepted to 7 top US universities including Princ University and Colum University. Starting ear with CGA, Jade dedicat herself to a rigorous cur ulum, encompassing a broad spectrum of A Level subjects including Math, Economics, English Literature, Physics, Psychology, and Chemistry.

Jade’s acceptances to seven top US universities, underscore the incredible opportunities that CGA’s innovative online platform offers to students with big dreams. Her eagerness to dive into university life, reflects the confidence and

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Jade’s success in this challenging process can be attributed significantly to the support from CGA’s Director of Admissions, Bob Fan, who provided invaluable mentorship. Jade credits Bob for assisting with managing deadlines, sorting out recommendations, mentoring her through the common app and supplement essays, and keeping her on track throughout application process.

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Crimson Global Academy (CGA) is a fully accredited institution that boasts impressive results for fullt-eim and parttime students. CGA students consistently achieve top scores worldwide in international exams such as the International GCSE and A Levels and their results surpass the global averages for the Advanced Placement courses also. For students looking to boost

of St. James the Apostle between 820 and 830 AD following a divine revelation in what is now the Galicia region capital, Santiago de Compostela.

PILGRIM: Modern-day bone analysis may have unlocked the secret

News of the find reached King Alfonso II of Asturias, who marched with his court from Oviedo to Santiago - a 146 km route that became the famous pilgrimage.

Theodomir’s existence had been hotly debated until 1955, when archaeologist Manuel Chamoso Lamas discovered a tombstone underneath Santiago's cathedral inscribed with his name.

Initial studies said the bones found inside were of an el-

derly adult male but 30 years later another researcher suggested they belonged to a woman.

The newest study, led by Patxi Perez-Ramallo of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, combined different analytical methods in a bid to reach a definitive conclusion including carbon-14 dating.

Perez-Ramallo said that the results showed that there was a ‘98% likelihood of the bones being Theodomir’.

A RESEARCH team using air-based LiDAR technology have discovered an astounding 57 Roman-era sites in the Guadalete River valley in Cadiz.

The stunning finds pave the way for on-the-ground investigations as the team hopes to understand how the region’s trade routes were interconnected.

Villa

The first site to receive attention was a Roman villa in Bornos, which included walls separating the residential areas from the work zones within the settlement.

The team used unmanned aircraft equipped with multispectral cameras and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) to assess the terrain quickly and accurately.

The team then used geo radar to help sketch out wall and settlement layouts not visible on the ground.

their transcript without leaving their school, they can take an advanced course in a subject, or a subject not offered at their school. This individualised approach allows families to access online courses to nurture each student’s strengths, helping them to excel academically. Moreover, CGA’s flexible scheduling accommodates the unique needs of expat families, allowing students to balance their studies with other commitments.

Education Tailored to Each Student

One of the key advantages of CGA is its focus on personalised learning. Each family starts their journey with CGA by meeting with a dedicated academic advisor who helps them create a customised learning plan. This plan is tailored to the student’s academic goals, strengths, and areas for improvement. By providing this level of personalised support, CGA ensures that each student is well-prepared for university admissions.

In the words of one CGA student Mayoora, who received offers from 7 top universities in the UK and Europe, “In terms of academics and getting to university, I would say that the quality of teaching and academics in general

is much higher at CGA than what I’ve seen in your average physical school”.

With CGA, your child can achieve their academic goals and embark on a successful university journey, visit our website to find out more.

Little Nessie

THE Loch Ness Monster’s cousin has landed in Spain.

Tebi, a playful winged kelpie, was brought to Teba, Malaga all the way from Inverness some 700 years ago, or so claims the local council.

The imaginary creature will now become the town’s ‘mascot’ from its home in the Guadalteba reservoir.

Teba has a strong link with Scotland, celebrating the Douglas Day fiesta for the past 18 years.

The celebrations mark Scotsman Sir James Douglas’ bravery during the battle of Teba in 1330, in which he died.

Part of the reconquest of Spain, Douglas is also remembered by a memorial in the town.

THONG GATE

Social media users get their knickers in a twist after influencer dumps underwear in bread cabinet

A BRITISH influencer has been warned she faces legal action in Spain after putting her used underwear among loaves of bread at a supermarket. In one of her latest videos, Chloe Jade Lopez is seen pushing a trolley around a Merca-

MIND BOGGLES

A PEEPING Tom who put a spy camera on window grilles to watch elderly people in their bedrooms has been caught after police identified him on his own recording.

A resident in Alicante saw the man place the device on his window at dawn - the camera was even painted so it would blend in with the surroundings.

The Guardia Civil studied the downloaded footage, which was taken at different Formentera de la Segura homes and even showed the man’s face when he was installing it at a property. He was arrested and charged with crimes against privacy as well as drug possession and trafficking.

By Laurence Dollimore

dona supermarket before suddenly stopping. She then smiles into the camera as she takes off a pink thong before opening a bread tray, placing the underwear inside and closing it again.

Donning a short black skirt and heels, she then chuckles as she pushes her trolley away from the scene.

She shared the video with her 183,000 Instagram followers alongside the caption: “Leaving a donation.”

But the clip has sparked a backlash from locals online, with dozens vowing to file a police report.

One commenter wrote in Spanish: “Reported for put-

ting consumers’ health at risk. I hope Mercadona does the same but through the courts.”

Another said: “She is committing a crime against public health, how is it possible that her account has not been closed for this? She must be reported and fined.”

Others simply tagged accounts belonging to the Policia Nacional and Health Ministry.

Crimes against public health in Spain can bring fines that run into the tens of thousands, depending on their severity - and in the most extreme cases even jail time.

Mercadona has strict rules about handling bread at its supermarkets, with customers told they must wear plastic gloves that are provided next to the trays.

Reptile rap

POLICE who searched the car of a ‘nervous’ 52-year-old ferry passenger in Tenerife were shocked to find three giant lizards hidden in the boot.

Costly cubes

A SPANISH tourist shelling out €250 for a high-end lobster meal at a Menorca restaurant was left speechless when he was charged €3 for extra ice cubes.

Political lies

FAR-RIGHT agitator Alvise Perez disappointed his followers after cancelling a raffle offering his first MEP salary of €6,876.04 as a prize as he’d prefer to ‘buy a finca’ or ‘go on holiday in Ibiza’.