Essential Marbella Magazine December 2011

FREE MAGAZINE - COSTA DEL SOL N º151 - DECEMBER 2011

essential essential marbella® magazine

ISSUE 151 • DECEMBER 2011

ESSENTIAL FOR LUXURIOUS LIVING

n

PARTY GLAM!

MTM Audi R8

BITURBO Hear it Roar!

CHRISTMAS

Gift Guide

Profiles: SERGIO SCARIOLO

Marta Sánchez THE BATTLE OF

Christmas CHIC

THE BUBBLES

CRUISING THE

ANTIPODEAN

SEAS

MARBELLA AWARDS

2011 - FULL REPORT

N E W S I C U LT U R E I P E O P L E I T R E N D I S T Y L E I S P A I P R O I L E I S U R E I G O U R M E T & M O R E

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DISTRIBUTION COMPANY +34628115996 / 652685667 pedidos@fortunespirits.es www.fortunespirits.es

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Issue 151 • December 2011

S T A F F PUBLISHER AND DIRECTOR

IAIN BLACKWELL director@essentialmagazine.com

GENERAL MANAGER

ANDREA BÖJTI sales@essentialmagazine.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

MARISA CUTILLAS editorial@essentialmagazine.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR DESIGN & LAYOUT STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

SUSANNE WHITAKER design@essentialmagazine.com MARIANO JEVA cuentas@essentialmagazine.com

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

MONIKA BÖJTI info@essentialmagazine.com

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The Trend 14 Films 16 DVDs 18 Books 20 CD’s 22 Gadgets 24 Cars: The MTM R8 Biturbo

The Focus 28 Unique Shops in Marbella 34 Top Toys for Christmas 36 Ribera del Duero and Wine 46 Exclusive Interview with Marta Sánchez 48 Sergio Scariolo 50 Remedios del Río

The Style 52 Décor: Continental Design 60 Décor News: Timothy Oulton 64 Sustainable Gardening 66 Fashion: Top Party Wear 74 Top Perfumes of All Time 76 Fashion News

The Spa 80 The Softlight Laser Peeling Treatment 82 Beauty News 86 Boot Camp Marbella: Luxury Fitness Breaks 88 Health News 90 Heath Profile: Dr. Kai Kaye of Ocean Clinic

The Vibe 92 The 6th Edition of the

The Gourmet Nueva Kaskada 129 La Parisienne 131 Food News 132 Chef’s Profile: Nandu Jubany of El Gran Gatsby 134 Bodegas Tradición 136 Champagne vs Cava 138

The Guide Listings 140

Marbella Awards

The Pro 98 Enterprise 110 Business Profile: Talk Radio Europe 112 Law: New Property Rental Laws

The Leisure 114 Luxury Cruising 122 A Visit to Santa’s Village in Lapland

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The Blog Kids Zone 150 Pet News 151 What’s On in December 152 Your Stars for December 154

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WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL

Once again the countdown to Christmas is on and by the time this magazine is in your hands, like most people here in Spain, you will no doubt be reflecting on the season of goodwill. It is of course a traditional time for sharing, enjoying festivities and being with family, but it also makes us think of those less fortunate. In our bumper Christmas issue, we focus on both sides of this divide.

We start with a visit to some of Marbella’s unique shops, guaranteed to provoke inspired gift ideas and we take a look at industry predictions for the top toys in 2012. Further afield, we go to Ribera del Duero to sample some of Spain’s best wines, returning via Bodegas Tradición in Jerez, where sherry is being re-born, and we get involved in the heated argument on Champagne vs Cava. Elsewhere, we have majestic cruising, Santa’s Village in Lapland and the most enduring luxurious perfumes.

Hot on the heels of the sixth Marbella

Awards Ceremony last month in Marbella, magazine in organised by association with Jyske Bank, we talk with the principals of the two charities who are the beneficiaries: Sergio Scariolo, Coach of the Spanish National Basketball team and founder of the Cesare Scariolo organisation, devoted to children suffering from cancer and their families, and Remedios del Río, head of the Fundación Tutelar (Fundaspandem), which helps disabled people.

Don’t miss our extensive coverage of the Awards Gala, a wonderful evening full of glamour and entertainment, or our interview with shining star, Marta Sánchez. Finally, among many other highlights in this carefully planned masterpiece, check out your image being reflected from the gleaming panels of the MTM R8 Biturbo.

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! We’ll see you once again in February.

CHRISTMAS is coming!

Una vez más, la Navidad está al caer y, mientras lees esta revista, seguramente ya estás pensando en este tiempo tan especial del año. Es un tiempo para compartir, disfrutar de las fiestas y estar con la familia y también para pensar en los menos afortunados. En esta edición navideña, cubrimos ambos lados de las navidades.

Empezamos con una visita a las tiendas más únicas de Marbella, donde econtrarás unos regalos navideños únicos; también te ofrecemos un reportaje sobre los juguetes que más se disfrutarán en el año 2012.

Viajamos un poco más lejos y visitamos la zona de Ribera del Duero para probar algunos de los mejores vinos de España y volvemos a Bodegas Tradición en Jerez, donde el jerez está experimentando un

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verdadero renacimiento. Te encantará también nuestro debate sobre el champán y el cava. En rumbo a países más lejanos, te ofrecemos un reportaje sobre la magia de los cruceros y sobre el pueblo de Papá Noel en Laponia. Y ya que el perfume es un regalo típico de la Navidad, descubrimos cuáles son los perfumes más populares de la historia.

Hemos celebrado recientemente la sexta edición de los premios Marbella Awards, magazine junto organizados por con Jyske Bank y en esta edición, hablamos con los fundadores de las fundaciones que se han beneficiado de nuestra gala: Sergio Scariolo, entrenador nacional del equipo español de baloncesto (su fundación ayuda a los niños con cáncer) y Remedios

del Río, fundadora de la Fundación Tutelar (Fundaspandem), que ayuda a los discapacitados.

No te pierdas nuestra cobertura de la gala, que fue una noche llena de glamour y entretenimiento, y tampoco te olvides de leer nuestra exclusiva con Marta Sánchez, estrella del pop. Finalmente, disfruta viendo tu reflejo en el MTM R8 Biturbo, un coche de ensueño. ¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo – nos vemos de nuevo en febrero!

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BEAUTIFUL SEMI-DETACHED PROPERTY, CASCADA DE CAMOJAN- GOLDEN MILE. Semi-detached property built to high standards and situated in a gated complex in Cascada de Camojan, a sought-after area at only a couple of minutes drive from Marbella town centre, all its services and the beach. Enjoying its own private garden, the property enjoys a western facing orientation with fabulous mountain views from the roof terrace. Spacious living room with fireplace, dining room, modern kitchen with adjoining laundry room. Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, walk-in wardrobe and terrace. Roof terrace with kitchenette, barbecue, shower and pergola with fantastic mountain views. Carport for one car.

DM2949:: Bedrooms / Dormitorios 3 :: Bathrooms / Baños 2 :: Built / Construido 261m² :: Plot / Parcela 185m² :: Price / Precio 875,000€

MODERN VILLA WITH STUNNING VIEWS, LA CERQUILLA- NUEVA ANDALUCIA. Elegant and modern villa set on an elevated corner plot, offering impressive panoramic views over the golf course and the sea. Just a few minutes drive away from Puerto Banus and Marbella. Living room with wood burning fireplace, sitting-dining room, spacious kitchen with large windows and Gaggenau appliances, centre-island and adjacent laundry room. Three double bedroom suites on ground level. Master bedroom with his and hers dressing areas and bathrooms. Staff accommodation, wine cellar, room for gym, 3 car garage, home cinema, indoor pool with sauna and shower. Laminated bullet proof glass windows, domotic system and under floor heating among other features.

DM2958:: Bedrooms / Dormitorios 6 :: Bathrooms / Baños 7 :: Built / Construido 1100m² :: Plot / Parcela 2778m² :: Price / Precio 5,950,000€

Av. Cánovas del Castillo Nº 4 (esquina Av. Ricardo Soriano), 1º planta, No. 3, 29601 Marbella, Málaga, Spain.

Tel.: +34 952 76 51 38 | enquiries@dmproperties.com | www.dmproperties.com

FC Marbella ADVERT - essential_Layout 1 23/11/2011 13:40 Page 1

CASCADA DE CAMOJAN - 9.700.000€ Situated in the exclusive area of Cascada de Camojan with 24/7 security, this modern villa has stunning panoramic views over Marbella and offers total privacy on a plot of 4190m².

This expansive villa commands stunning sea and mountain views from its elevated position. It has a designer kitchen with every gadget imaginable and the floor to ceiling windows on the ground floor flood the house with natural light. The landscaped gardens are on 2 levels and perfectly complement this modernistic dream Approx. 1875m² Built Approx 4190m² Plot.

• 7 Bedrooms • 6 Bathrooms • Separate Apartment • Heated Outdoor Pool

• Gym • Wine Cellar • 10 Car Garage • Lift

LA ZAGALETA - 4.500.000€ This villa is situated in La Zagaleta Golf and Country Club, a private enclave of luxury villas on the hills above Marbella with magnificent mountain and sea views.

It is only a 20 minute drive into the centre of Marbella and only a 5 minute drive to access the Toll road for journeys further afield. It has been built in a traditional Andalucian style with vaulted wooden ceilings, fireplaces and tiled floors throughout.

Approx. 456m² Built Approx. 4958m² Plot

• 4 Bedrooms • Office / 5th Bedroom • 4 Bathrooms • Heated Infinity Pool • Basement

• 24/7 Armed Security • Sea and Mountain Views • Covered Terrace with Glass Windows for Year Round Use

La Alquería - 1.975.000€ This modern villa occupies a frontline golf position at La Alquería Golf course, in a quiet tranquil area only a 10 minute drive from Puerto Banus and close to other amenities.

It has large expanses of glass through which the magnificent golf, sea and mountain views can be fully appreciated.The high vaulted ceilings in the open plan reception rooms give it a very spacious feel and there is the possibility to develop the basement and the ground floor further.

Approx. 3.000m² Plot Approx. 504m² Built Approx. 450m² Terraces

• 5 Bedrooms • 4 Bathrooms • 3 Car Garage • Swimming Pool • Office

• Jacuzzi • Basement • Under Floor Heating • Swimming Pool

Fine & Country Marbella Marbella Club Hotel, 29602 Marbella, Malaga, Spain tel +34 952 76 40 10 email marbella@fineandcountry.com www.fineandcountry.com

Multi-award winning luxury estate agents in 300 locations worldwide

FC Marbella ADVERT - essential_Layout 1 23/11/2011 13:40 Page 2

CASCADA DE CAMOJAN - 4.950.000€ Situated in the exclusive area of Cascada de Camojan, this villa occupies one of the most privileged plots and offers complete privacy, 24/7 gated security and stunning sea and mountain views.

It has a private driveway with a fountain feature, and a generous parking area. The property is made up of two wings and is entered through double doors opening into an impressive hallway which opens out onto a pergola style terrace. It is located only 3kms from the beach and a 5 minute drive into the centre of Marbella.

Approx. 1.200m² Built Approx. 4.000m² Plot

• 9 Bedrooms • 9 Bathrooms • Self Contained Guest Apartment • Staff Bedroom Suite • Thatched Pool House with

Kitchenette, BBQ and Cloakroom • Gymnasium and Health Suite • Bodega with Dining Area • Private Well

VEGA COLORADO - 5.950.000€ This villa is situated in Vega Colorado, a very private high profile area with 24/7 security close to Puerto Banus and Marbella. It is newly built with the best quality construction and design and offers magnificent sea views.

The villa is reached by a sweeping drive which leads up to the ample parking area and the impressive pillared facade. This property was designed and built by well-known Spanish architect Miguel Tobal, and on entering, the quality of this property is immediately evident as is the stylish design.

Approx. 1.200m² Built Approx. 4.654m² Plot

• 4 Bedrooms • Guest Apartment with 2 Bedrooms • High Specification Family Kitchen • TV Room

• Cinema • Gym • Games Room • Wine Cellar • Swimming Pool

LAS BRISAS - 3.700.000€ This modern villa on a frontline golf position, is situated in an exclusive area of the Golf Valley close to Puerto Banus. It has stunning views of the golf course and mountains.

The salt water pool looks over the golf course yet this property retains its privacy as it is built on an elevated plot. It is newly built and beautifully decorated to a very high standard. Los Naranjos Golf club is within walking distance as are other amenities and several popular restaurants.

Approx. 555m² Built Approx. 1950m² Plot

• 5 Bedrooms • 5 Bathrooms • Solar Panels • Underfloor Heating

• Kitchen with Gaggenau Appliances • Carport For 3 Cars • Alarm System

Fine & Country Marbella Marbella Club Hotel, 29602 Marbella, Malaga, Spain tel +34 952 76 40 10 email marbella@fineandcountry.com www.fineandcountry.com

Multi-award winning luxury estate agents in 300 locations worldwide

Plot Участок ca 5.850 m2

Built Строение ca 900 m2

Terraces Террасы ca 250 m2

Âèëëà êëàññà ëþêñ íà ïðîäàæó Это совершенно новая, потрясающая вилла, построенная с использованием современных материалов. Она расположена на холмах над Золотой Милей и имеет чудесный вид на горы, долины и Средиземное море. Находится всего в 5 минутах езды от оживленного города Сан-Педро и в 10 минутах от Пуэрто-Бануса, недалеко от пляжа, супермаркетов и ресторанов и в непосредственной близости к гольфовому полю. Расположенная в одном из самых безопасных районов,вилла находится рядом с Марбельей. Роскошная двухэтажная резиденция с большим количеством спален и ванных комнат(1 спальня и 4 ванны на первом этаже и 6 спален меньшего размера на втором этаже). Она красиво оформлена и

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может похвастаться захватывающим вестибюлем с впечатляющей лестницей, большой гостиной, столовой с панорамными окнами, залом для завтраков, полностью оборудованной кухней.Оснащенная сигнализацией, кондиционерами, электрическим генератором, системой орошения и колодцем и украшенная живописным частным садом с самыми красивыми субтропическими деревьями эта вилла оборудована бассейном с подогревом, отдельно стоящим таунхаусом с ванной комнатой и частным теннисным кортом. Эта экслюзивная резиденция, окруженная защитной стеной, располагает 3 гаражами и помещением для охраны, что делает ее одной из самых привилегированных и безопасных резиденций в Марбелье.

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Purchase price Цена €7.500.000 - Contact the owner on Связаться с владельцем можно непосредственно (+34) 639 404 187

LuxuryVilla for Sale This completely renovated stunning Villa constructed with the most beautiful materials located in Paraiso Alto (direction Villa Padierna) enjoys a marvellous sea view, as well as views over the mountains, valleys and golf course. Just 5 minutes from the bustling town of San Pedro and only 10 minutes to Puerto Banús, close to the beach, supermarkets, restaurants and within easy reach to top golf courses.

This property has direct access to the best Marbella offers and is situated in one of the safest areas.

Built over two floors this luxurious residence enjoys one master bedroom and 4 en-suite bathrooms, with a further 6 smaller bedrooms with bathroom. This beautifully designed Villa boasts a spectacular entrance hall with impressive double staircase, large living room,

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dining room, breakfast room, all with panoramic windows and has a fully equipped new kitchen with all appliances and a separate laundry.

Finished to the highest standards, this amazing property includes inside and outside security with camera system, air-conditioning throughout, electric generator, water tanks, irrigation system and a water well.

The magnificent private park-like garden is planted with the most beautiful subtropical trees and has a heated swimming pool, townhouse with bathroom and private tennis court. This very exclusive residence has 3 garages and a security room. Accessed through a large private drive, the plot is completely walled to offer one of the most privileged and safe residences in Marbella.

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THETREND REVIEWS

Cinema

WORDS marisa cutillas

Puss In Boots

This is a great one to take your kids to on their Christmas holidays, especially if, like me, you thought Puss In Boots was the best character in the Shrek flicks. Antonio Banderas once again gives life to Puss, the crafty feline who embarks on a dangerous journey alongside the ingenious Humpty Dumpty and Kitty Softpaws to steal a famous treasure that may require the use of more than one of his eight spare lives.

»»Genre:

Comedy/Animation

»»Director:

»»Genre: Thriller »»Director:

Nicolas Winding Refn (Valhalla Rising) »»Actors: Albert Brooks, Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan

Chris Miller (Shrek the Third)

»»Voices:

Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton

»»Genre: Action/

Adventure

»»Director:

Brad Bird (The Incredibles) »»Actors: Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner

Drive

Mission: ImGphoossstibPleroto4 col When a terrorist bombing leaves the Kremlin in shreds, the United States Defence Department activates ‘Ghost Protocol’ and eliminates the entire Mission Impossible Force. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team are blamed for the bombings, but are permitted to escape in order to allow them to operate extra-officially. Hunt is warned that if any of the members of his team are captured or caught engaging in illicit activities, they will be charged as terrorists. Fearful for his team’s safety, Hunt turns for help to another agent from the department who is seemingly more aware of Hunt’s own identity and mysterious past than Hunt himself.

»»Genre:

Romantic Thriller/ Science Fiction

»»Director:

Andrew Niccol (Lord of War)

»»Actors:

Justin Timberlake, Amanda Sey fried, Olivia Wilde

Buckle up and enjoy a trailblazing ride through the life of Driver, a young man with an incredible gift for handling cars who works as a stuntman in films and who occasionally moonlights as a getaway man for robbers, driving them to their chosen destination and leaving them to their fate.

Driver’s moral stance is neutral and his journey solitary until the fateful day that he shares a lift with his neighbour Irene (Carey Mulligan), whose car has broken down, prompting Driver to offer to drive her to work and keep an eye on her young son. When Irene’s ex-con husband pops into the picture and becomes involved in a violent heist, Driver finds himself with a bag of money in his car, a pair of gangsters tailgaiting him and the future of Irene’s son in his hands.

Drive was nominated for the Palm D’Or in this year’s Cannes Festival, losing out to The Tree of Life but receiving rave reviews worldwide.

In Time

ch currency is measured in this futuristic thriller in whi lake ber Tim tin Jus imum of 25 cts dire Andrew Niccol ver, while poor folk live a max are rich are able to live fore a wealthy who aps se tho kidn e: e, tim nat of s mag l term erfu in d of assassinating a pow use acc ) lake ber (Tim man years. A young love with her. life, and soon begins to fall in woman to steal years of her

14 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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NEW SHOWROOM OPEN Pol. Comercial San Pedro Calle Budapest No. 19 San Pedro, Malaga Tel. 952 789 781 Mon-Fri. 10-7 Sat. 11-4 www.udesign.es

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THETREND REVIEWS

Dvd

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Another Year

With Secrets and Lies in 1996, Mike Leigh revealed himself to be a champion at portraying the extraordinary emotions and situations lived by seemingly ordinary people. Now, some 15 years later, he shows that maturity has only made him wiser, more sensitive and more subtle.

Another Year focuses on four seasons in the life of a happily married couple in their 60s: Tom (Jim Broadbent) and Gerri (Ruth Sheen), whose only source of chagrin is their grown up son, Joe, who somehow can’t seem to get his act together and settle down. Gerri’s close friend Mary (Leslie Manville), meawhile, is hopelessly depressed after being left by her husband. Gerri tries to fix her up with an old friend but is shocked when Mary starts flirting with Joe, who is 20 years younger. Soon after, Mary visits Tom and Gerri’s home, only to find that Joe has found himself a new girlfriend. As winter, spring, summer and autumn go by, only one thing is clear: the years go by, everybody gets older.

e FEATURED DVD

» GENRE: Drama » DIRECTOR: Mike Leigh

(Secrets and Lies) » ACTORS: Jim Broadbent, Ruth Sheen, Lesley Manville

TH

RELEASE OF THE MON

Babies

y » GENRE: Documentars Ba y) lmès (A Decent Factor ma Tho : RECTOR

» DI

ry invites us to onal new documenta Thomas Balmès’ emoti nt countries, ere diff r fou r babies in share the lives of fou take their first y are born until they from the moment the ar Opuwo, ne s : Ponijao, who live steps. The babies are who is from ri, Ma ; olia ng s in Mo Namibia; Bayar, who live o. The film nc hails from San Fra isc Tokyo and Hattie, who common are t tha nts me precious mo d captures the unique, an s ion the emotions, sensat to all babies, revealing s. live r ou t ou ny us through feelings that accompa

»

Margin Call » GENRE: Thriller » DIRECTOR: J.C. Chandor (Despacito)

» ACTORS: Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, Kevin Spacey

Margin Call focuses on the key executives at an investment bank 24 hours before the commencement of the 2008 financial crisis. It all begins when a junior analyst, Peter Sullivan (Zachary Quinto) uncovers important information that could put the entire business at risk and destroy the careers of his colleagues. He has 24 hours to make important decisions which will affect not only those closest to him but also the lives of millions of people around the world.

» GENRE Romance his debut film) nor Rad » DIRECTOR Josh Akerm(inan, Michael Algieri lin ACTORS Josh Radnor, Ma

to an important writer on his way Sam, a struggling ys und in a panic pla aro , ng tor eri ac nd d tor and lea l Algieri), who is wa ea ich (M y he can make bo Josh Radnor, direc g so un yo ignore the child bway, he meets a his first instinct to on-charged ng interview. At the su oti hti em Fig e, ily. iqu fam un ed from his d the two begin a an me ho insecurities y e after being separat bo os wh the beautiful woman time, Sam takes a in , nie iew An erv s: int nd midst of his frie it to his best uple who are in the roduces the boy to ie and Mary, a co arl e now.

Ch tim ip; sh friendship. Sam int me on so ati d his eye on for m having a real rel singer Sam has ha ret are stopping her fro ba ca a i, pp ssi sis; and Missi a life changing cri

e s a le p e r o m u o y k n a h t Happy

16 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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Become part of our unique luxury Real Estate Franchise System! in prestigious properties · Specialized 00 shops in 40 countries · 5International referral network ·

We are accepting inquiries for the following locations:

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THETREND REVIEWS Words Marisa Cutillas

Books

The Jolly Postman or other People’s Letters by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

Christmas means lots of time spent with the little ones so when we come across books like these, which are fun for kids as well as adults, we eagerly recommend them. Readers are invited to join the Jolly Postman on his daily rounds as he delivers letters to classic fairytale characters like Cinderella (now Mrs. Prince Charming), the Three Bears (who receive an ironic apology letter from Goldilocks) or the Giant (who receives word from his nemesis, Jack). Most hilarious of all is the writ received by the Big Bad Wolf, who is ordered by lawyers representing both Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Little Pigs, to leave the home he is illegally occupying.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

by AMY SILVER This Christmas love story may seem like another installment of the over-processed fodder commonly referred to as ‘chick lit’ but it’s actually a tough, realistic foray into the lives of three women whose paths happen to cross one Christmas. First there’s Bea, a newly widowed mother who owns a café called The Honey Pot. Bea is struggling to come to terms with addiction and with her new status as a widow and single mum when she meets Olivia, a young wealthy woman who doesn’t quite know how to react to the pressure posed by her fiancée and his family. Finally there is Chloe, a woman involved with a married man, whose only inclination is to indulge her own passions. Each of these ladies has to face some not-so-pleasant truths about themselves, which may be harder than ever to do, for it is Christmas time!

iPhone App of the Month: Amateur Surgeon Christmas Edition

Vegetarian Christmas: Festive Feasts for all the Family If you’re an avid cook who happens to be a vegetarian, dreaming up a delicious Christmas meal that will delight the whole family can be hard going. This book is filled with stunning, delicious recipes that prove that being vegetarian is not as hard as you might think; all it takes is a little knowledge about ingredients, how they work together and the inspiration to think creatively. In addition to dinner recipes, you will find helpful advice on how to prepare and freeze in advance, to avoid last minute panicking when guests are due.

Merry Christmas, Elves and Elfettes! Santa’s got a free App for you.

It’s a game in which you can save Santa with nothing more than some wrapping paper, Christmas lights and goodwill to all men.

Perform surgery on an elf, a yeti and Santa Claus himself, choosing from a plethora of instruments and medications, which include the always useful Pixie Dust.

Fancy Friendship Bracelets

by Anne Akers Johnson Keep your children occupied and encourage them to make, rather than buy, their presents for their friends with this cool book.

Never before were friendship bracelets so fancy, thanks to an abundance of ideas on weaving styles, colours and complements such as beads and silver trinkets, which add a whole new look to the traditional thread-woven varieties.

Everyone loves friendship bracelets; from kids to adults, trendy young things to yuppies, hippies to entrepreneurs.

This gift idea certainly beats most online suggested Christmas crafts and gift ideas, which seem to have changed little since the 1980s!

The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: The History & Lore of the World’s Most Famous Evergreen

by Nancy Armstrong and Alexandra Lewis Perhaps the most iconic Christmas tree in popular culture is the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, which first appeared in 1931 before any buildings stood on the site, when construction workers clearing the area decided to decorate the empty space with a small balsam fir decorated with paper garlands and tin cans. Since then, the tree has grown both in size and importance, with thousands of New Yorkers and overseas tourists making their way to the popular site to behold the lights and decorations on the emblematic pine. Nancy Armstrong and Alexandra Lewis provide a host of interesting facts on how the tree is chosen, culled, transported and decorated every year and also tells the sometimes extremely moving stories of the families whose tree was chosen to light up the Rockefeller Centre.

The book is glorious to look at as well, with glossy, full-page pics bringing the magic of this magical tree to your very own home.

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THETREND REVIEWS

Music

WORDS ALLAN TEE

Darren Hayes Secret Codes and Battleships Sometimes, album titles appear so pretentious that my first instinct is to steer well clear but those of you who remember the group Savage Garden, will no doubt know that Darren was their lead singer and so here he is with his forth solo album. The single Talk,Talk,Talk got mediocre reviews but Black out of the Sun is a real corker.

I enjoyed this album more than I expected.

Strong production courtesy of Robert Orton with some exciting live cuts at the Attic to make this 19-track album a good buy indeed. I once read about Mr Hayes attempting to get into films by auditioning for a part in Star Wars Revenge of the Sith. He is apparently a very big fan. Any sci-fi influences here? No, but he likes odd titles.

Michael Bublé Christmas Well why not keep it simple! Come out with a new Christmas album and call it Christmas. Michael Bublé, if nothing else has proved to be an extremely popular recording artist. I still cannot feel totally comfortable though, with his image. His consistency is indisputable but there is something that does not quite gel with me. However, let’s be generous at this time of year and simply say that he has put together a very safe yet beautifully produced seasonal offering that will delight many a fan come the 25th, with an original track called Cold December Night and guest guest performances by Shania Twain and The Puppini Sisters.

Il Divo

Wicket Game

l crossover combo of recent The most successful Classica on Cowell, who saw a ‘gap years, artfully created by Sim the rest, as they say, is in the market’ as he does and bard, David Miller and Izam en history! Urs Bühler, Sébasti and great sounding. II Divo Carlos Marín are great looking and here is a certain gift have a growing army of fans duced with perfection, the in that Christmas stocking! Pro is a real stunning opener. ia hon title track subtitled Melanc Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Other notable tracks include and Stay (Ven A Mí).

Sempre Sempre, Senza Parole

Coldplay Mylo Xyloto

, the buzz around lf has not overly excited the fans If the content of the album itse from being Miley Cyrus siderable amount of interest, the title has generated a con the meaning of life! for rch of destiny in Mans sea in Egyptian to the expression e is that the fifth her ters mat t artist maybe? Wha Or is it graffiti, artwork – an feel exhausted by all last! I find myself beginning to Coldplay album could be their t admit that they mus this band’s huge success yet the hyperbole that surrounds ical formula that mus ive etit to thrive on a fairly rep never seem to lose their ability actually works.

nks for all iday and my most heartfelt tha Hol py Hap y ver a all you h rous 2012!

Let me wis r two years! Have a truly prospe ove for n um col s thi on nts the comme 20 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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g Talk Radio Europe. 99.1FM. www.talkradioeurope.com 11/22/11 2:13 PM

THETREND GADGETS

BEST GIFT GADGETS FOR

CHRISTMAS APPLE PAD, IPHONE AND IPOD TOUCH Anything by Apple is always a

best-seller at Christmas time but now, Apple’s iOS 5 allows these gadgets to boast over 200 new features, including messaging, Twitter and a Notification Centre. i www.apple.com/ios

Christmas is for children, families and… geeks! Marisa Cutillas brings you our top ten list of gift ideas for the well-loved techy nerd in your family. All gadgets come with a warning: their recipient will be so enraptured, you probably won’t see him/her for the rest of the holiday season!

MOTOROLA DROID 3 PHONE Motorola’s new

smartphone features a 10.2cm touchscreen, an 8-megapixel camera which also records high definition videos and a keyboard with five rows. i www.motorola.es

SONY PS3 MOVE This gaming system is a cross between Wii and Microsoft Kinect, in that you still have to use a hand-held controller but there is also a 3D camera which captures movement to perfection. It is said to be the most accurate sensor controller in existence. i www.sony.com CANON EOS REBEL T2I DSLR

This 18-megapixel camera records high quality pics and videos and is hailed by pros and amateurs alike as the Camera of the Decade. i www.canon.es

KINDLE FIRE

Amazon is playing hard to oust Apple’s iPad with this new, full-colour, 17.8cm tablet, which costs just €150 (less than half the price of an iPad). Based on Android technology, it offers users access to streaming movies, hundreds of Apps, eBooks and music. Best of all, it’s a gadget the whole family will love. i www.amazon.com/kindle

MICROSOFT KINECT Christmas is the perfect time for the family to get

together and play games and the best way to do it is with this hardware-free motion sensing game which you control entirely with movement and voice. i www.xbox.com/kinect

PANASONIC DMP-BDT210 INTEGRATEDWI-FI 3D BLU-RAY DVD PLAYER Enjoy a true-to-life

viewing experience with this high tech Blu-ray DVD player with a 3D-ready display. i www.panasonic.es

LOGITECH HD PRO WEBCAM C910 Featuring high definition video of up to 1080p, a wide angle lens and autofocus features, this cool camera also allows you to blog, stream and upload videos to Facebook with just one click. i www.logitech.com

iHOME IP9 SPEAKER DOCK WITH CLOCK RADIO FOR IPOD AND IPHONE This top selling dock comes with a remote control, AM/FM presets and enhanced 3D sound effects. i www.ihomeaudio.com

PANASONIC LUMIX FS35 DIGITAL CAMERA: This

16.1-megapixel camera comes with a cutting-edge 28mm wide-angle, high quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens, an 8x optical zoom, a high-performance Venus Engine VI and Intelligent Auto Mode which makes capturing top quality images a breeze even for beginners. i www.panasonic.com

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nueva andalucia VM10103 Modern contemporary villa, bright and light, faces south, plenty of sun, situated in the heart of the golf valley. Views, 4 bedrooms en suite, entertainment room, open plan design, high ceilings, modern finishes, unique, must be seen!

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Nueva Andalucia VM10241 Inmmaculate villa, facing south, in a tranquil area within walking distance of amenities. Living-dining area with high ceiling, 4 bedrooms, large modern kitchen, garage for 3 cars, plus extra area. Central heating and heated pool.

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CARS

THETREND MOTOR

ough a It’s quite hard to drive thr finish r rro mi town in a polished, e som ng wi Audi R8 without dra 7bhp 77 the en wh stares. Especially re mo s ke ma o MTM Audi R8 Biturb e. ak qu rth ea r noise than a mino WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY

NICK HALL

catch up, first gear is done Inside, it’s been radically TM spent 1,20 0 man and 100kph falls in just 2.9s, retrimmed, too, and the hours on this car and 200kph drops in 9.3s and the s seat light weight carbon fibre an incredible 700 went 300kph mark flashes past in are now covered in bright on the finish. This isn’t a trick 19.42s. Make no mistake, this orange leather to match the wrap, a quick fix that would is a monumentally quick car. quilted hide on the floors. not come close in terms of MTM fitted taller gearing and n’t It’s bright in there. It does the final result. This car was strengthened the internals to look especially comfortable, rubbed back to the bare shell cope with the torque. There’s but those seats are brilliantly and lovingly polished to a a throaty roar to the engine, supportive and feather light reflective lustre. It is simply too, and on each upchange the and would be perfect if mindbending to look at. the wastegates sound like owner was crazy enough to A stone chip at this stage sneezing mountain lions. Of take this rolling mirror on track. would mean a new panel and course the speed is ridiculous, And that’s the only frustration is s take one each the time too fast to take in if I’m honest. with this car, it’s almost too borderline insane. The sanding The car, though, is prett y to do what it’s really and polishing was done amazingly assembled born for. by hand with four different considering its monumental Roland Mayer makes grades of sandpaper giving power. In part that’s down to all serious conversions for a progressively finer finish, the powerplant Mayer chose, VAG products and is one of the aluminium is just too soft using a full transplant from the those rare tuners that actually for the indelicate fingers of a RS6 super saloon rather than works with the manufacturer, machine. going through all the work of and others, on specialist With that deep front split ter turboing and strengthening the engineering projects. He and adjustable racing rear 5.2-litre V10 that originally sat knows his stuff and has wing, together with larger air in the R8. The Biturbo comes produced ever ything from the intakes and exhausts routed with a 655lb/ft groundswell lo Apol designs for the Gumpert through to exit by the licence of torque, which is just as to a near works spec Audi S1 plate, it would look prett y wild important as the headline World Rally car. whatever colour it came in. power numbers. So I can That means there’s no fears The metallic lustre is almost plant the throt tle, keep So for the engine or gearbox. overkill, but then this was a an eye on the needle s drou won t mos we head to the show car, it took centre stage and make the next creation on Earth, a near at Monaco’s glamorous Top swift change on the complete and totally closed Marques show and the way metal gated six, road more than 3km long this car spread like a bush speed. d woul yone ever and I do what fire round the internet suggets The torque hp 777b a de astri sat when Roland Mayer made a wise d all be too woul V10 twin turbo, select first choice taking this long and for a semih muc I and plant it. By the time hard road.

M

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is the automatic gearbox and the manual That ade. upgr the le only one that can hand e erlin bord a is this as gh, suits me, thou ent, the racing car and it needs the involvem love the I and feel of the manual gearchange, e. hom ing clack sound of that metal gate feels it ph, 150k s read now do The spee and the like just a few seconds have passed hand right car is still storming to the long to, bend ahead. I brake, but I don’t need e thos as er answ the be d woul more speed the and e nforc dow add do y reall s wing had the harder I go, the harder it sticks. If I d easily coul I sing, bles bottle, and MTM’s full this on kph 360 of d spee top hit the car’s d even stretch of road. I think the car coul use the beca take the corner at that speed, original The e. insan is handling on this car 20” rims r wide the but , good is car’s steering give it tyres 2 t Spor Pilot elin Mich in ped wrap a add to seem a touch of added muscle and ’s there se cour Of in. world of feel to the turnm Audi’s immense four-wheel-drive syste er to the pow es fl shuf y lessl seam st almo that work on front wheels, but Mayer has gone to is that car a te crea to the suspension, too, nt exte the to t, stree the on le perfectly usab nd grou t abou y worr to not told I’m that d layby to clearance when pulling into a raise in this cars with rare is turn around, which class.

MTM’s machine might look like an bright R8 from the outside, albeit a very is a This ore. anym one, but it just isn’t has that rcar hype d sorte wonderfully

and retained the comfort of the base car rock nce, orma perf of kind the instilled inely solid stability and usability that genu the as class e puts this car in the sam the Lamborghini Aventador, perhaps even a.

Zond Pagani It’s a bold claim, but the car truly t base deserves it. The R8 V10 was a grea nced. bala ectly perf and car, a brilliant drive rent diffe a in is here right tion crea But this the ballpark, it’s fantastic, it’s genius and it is only thing I can find to count against

this the €45 0.00 0 guide price. But then a it’s ent, car spent a year in developm h muc take ld wou MTM virtual one- off and . nish fi or mirr the out with car a less for It’s the way I’d want it, because this , is a car that needs to be driven hard , spec this In . limit very on track, to the at right look ld wou it ect susp I though, Puer to home crawling very slowly along the good the t, grea Banús harbour while the n in and the very rich check their reflectio e r. the mirro

PRICE €450.000 POWER/TORQUE 777bhp/655lb/ft ual TRANSMISSION Six-speed man 0-100KPH 2.9s TOP SPEED 360kph LIKES Sublime handling balance.

Hypercar power in an R8 shape.

It’s a usable car.

DISLIKES , The totally optional mirror finish it. out I’d go with Nothing else.

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CULTURE / HISTORY / FAMOUS PEOPLE / INTERVIEWS / FEATURES / HUMOUR

Marbella boutique shopping, kids must-have toys, great Spanish wines and charitable causes this goodwill season…

28 Unique Shops in Marbella 34 Top Toys for Christmas 36 Ribera del Duero and Wine 46 Exclusive Interview with Marta Sánchez 48 Sergio Scariolo 50 Remedios del Río

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At Christmas, all roads lead home.

Take a shortcut and visit us!

Wishing all our s cli ent Merry mas!

Christ Tel. 952 811 552 www.nordicarentals.com 151 nordica.indd 16

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THEFOCUS CHRISTMAS

Boutique Photography KH Photography

in Marbella Town

Michel Cruz brings us a selection of quaint, unique and irresistible shops in the heart of Marbella.

Toy Shop

C

an you recall a time when kids could be enthused by something other than mobile phones and computer games? Then you might want to take note, for in the heart of Marbella’s charming old town there is a toy shop like something out of a fairytale.

If you remember the excitement of stepping into a toyland treasure trove as a kid, why not relive it for a moment and introduce your child to a sensory world beyond HD screens and consoles.

For those who wish to revive their youth or those just discovering the joys of creating imaginary worlds of their own, the Toy Shop in Marbella’s old town is so much more than just another toy outlet crammed with the usual offering of dolls, action figures and other plastic paraphernalia.

In fact, it is more like the toy shops featured in American Christmas movies – you know, the kind that look fantastic on film but aren’t like real-life shops. Well, the Toy Shop is, and to add to its allure, it is set in a quaint little street not far from the Plaza de los Naranjos. Which part of the Toy Shop will first catch your eye depends more than anything on who you are, for it is split into three shops, ensuring there is something for all tastes and preferences.

Enter the charismatic, classical white-toned façade and you step into a veritable wonderland for little girls. Here, Christmas and Alice in Wonderland meets Mary Poppins and Oliver Twist in a rich ensemble of wonderment. Gorgeous dolls, dresses, cuddly toys and above all, beautifully detailed dolls houses take you back to a classic age of children’s entertainment. The quality of each and every piece is reflected in its detail, a testament to meticulous sourcing born

out of a love of the subject.

Most of the items are not mass-produced, but limited-edition pieces lovingly crafted by real enthusiasts, yet for all that the price range is broad and more accessible than you might imagine. The Toy Shop is the labour of love of Cayetana, who first founded the shops in Madrid and Barcelona in 1982, and has now brought it to Marbella.

“We select toys on their quality and uniqueness, and source them from all over the world,” says Cayetana, whose greatest pleasure is quite understandably the buying process.

Right across from the girls shop is the redtoned Toy Shop unofficially dedicated to little – and sometimes not so little – boys. Memories of Christmas, birthdays and other youthful highlights come flooding back as you cross the threshold and immerse yourself in a world of fantasy and make-belief. The fact that the little shop is packed with toys adds to the impression of having walked

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into a fairytale, and again it is both their uniqueness and quality that stands out. With almost too much vying for your attention, your senses go into excitable overload – just imagine how the kids must feel.

Gorgeous wooden sailing boats, classic speedboats actually made by Riva, metal aeroplanes and steamers reliving the halcyon days both of travel and toys, and handmade animated funfairs, circuses, ballets, horse races and theatre shows float before your eyes. For little boys and girls this is paradise, and for those who cannot leave the 21st century behind there is a third shop to fill your stocking with rare Star Wars collectibles and other modern toys. “Naturally, not all our customers are children,” says Cayetana with a wink. “We also have many a grown-up collector from around the world, some of whom commission us to find rare pieces for them or have entire dolls houses made to order for them.” I think they can add another adult ‘collector’ to that list. i Calle Nueva 5, 6 and 8, Old Town, Marbella.

Tel: 952 774 078. www.toyshopmarbella.com

Chocolate by design Among those with a discerning eye, or even just those who seek something beyond overproduction, there is a growing tendency to move away from mass brands to rediscover the honesty and craftsmanship of products lovingly created not by some multinational conglomerate, but by smaller, localised or boutique style producers and outlets.

Many add a touch of rustic or nostalgic appeal, but the Chocolat Factory proves that the specialist craftsman can be fully up to date and modern. In fact, it is a boutique chocolaterie that stands out for its stylish design and presentation, a combination that clearly draws the attention. The fact that chocolate-making and high design are so entwined in the Chocolat Factory is not as surprising as it first seems when you consider that its founder, Michel Laline, is a qualified architect and noted industrial designer.

Having made a name for himself in his

original career, for example with his involvement in the design of Hotel Lendi in Brussels, and the creation of the celebrated Lie Lamp and Ellasi Chair, Laline became disenchanted with an industry which he believed was too compromised by commercial interests. He sought a purer form of design and expression, and found it in the creative process of quality chocolate, whose moulded forms and exotic combinations give free reign to those with a knowing hand.

Drawn to Barcelona, Michel Laline opened a small production facility in 1997, followed by the opening of the first Chocolat Factory boutique in 2000. It was a risk, but the concept has found great critical and public acclaim, winning not only a host of international product, design and packaging awards, but also a growing following among serious chocolate consumers. Working together with Titus Ruiz, Laline has created a brand with a very strong identity both in terms of its presentation and the quality and innovation of the wide range of DECEMBER 2011 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 29

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Casa Santi

chocolate bars, bon bons, sweets and gift sets in an amazing variety of shapes and flavours.

There are now 36 stylish Chocolat Factory outlets across the major cities of Spain, as well as in Andorra and Singapore, and since recently, Marbella’s old town is represented too. This little temple dedicated to the chocolate lover may be modern in a designer kind of way, but it fits right in with the highly individualistic craft-based outlets and one-off shops in the old town, offering a mouth-watering array of the finest chocolate creations produced from loving creativity and selections of the best cacao from around the world.

The latter includes varieties from Java, Papua New Guinea, St Tomé, Grenada, Venezuela, Ghana and the Côte d’Ivoire, fused with strawberries, mint and orange, but also more exotic fruits, nuts and spices to produce melanges that range from conventional to extraordinary. i Calle Valdés 4, Marbella. Tel: 951 778 818.

www.chocolatfactory.com

In the rather elegant surroundings of the Atrium Building in Marbella you will find one of the most specialised wine merchants in town. Though opened in 2008, Vinos Casa Santi builds on a family tradition of wine trading that goes back at least three generations.

“I suppose you could say that wine is in our blood,” says Santiago García Rodríguez. As real Mediterraneans, it is true of the Spanish in general, but more specifically of Santiago and his family. “I was born into a family dedicated to this business.

My father and grandfather before me were wine merchants, and they opened the first shop in 1966.” It is upon this solid foundation that he has built his reputation in the business, culminating in the opening of Casa Santi in 2008.

Catering to a discerning clientele that is both Spanish and international, Santiago García has built up a selection of hand-picked wines, whiskeys, brandies, liquors and spirits from around the world.

As a result, walking around Casa Santi is a pleasure for those who appreciate good wine, champagne and sherry, amongst others. “I endeavour to stock a selection that is both broad and offers the best in terms of quality, but this is an ever-evolving process so in addition to drawing on my own knowledge I listen to clients, speak to suppliers, visit trade fairs and am always looking for new products to sample and test.”

Though he sources highly specific items for his clients, the variety on offer at Casa Santi is such that you will have to think hard to come up with something he hasn’t got or come across. “Living in a town like Marbella, we have a lot of clients with refined tastes in good wines, whiskies and champagnes, so we pride ourselves on having a very broad range of good quality products that encompasses both classic favourites and very rare items.” This also means that though this is an authentic wine specialist, the full price range is represented. What’s more, Casa Santi is relatively rare in having such an extensive choice of non-Spanish wines, naturally in addition to an impressive selection of national vintages, and its range of spirits reads like a voyage around the most interesting parts of the globe.

So whether you’re in the market for a rare Hebridean whiskey, don’t know where to find an old favourite liquor, want to stock up on the best champagnes or could do with some help selecting specific sherries or wines, it is at a true wine merchant such as Casa Santi that you will not only find the greatest selection and know-how, but also willing and expert advice built on a passion for good wines that is simply in the blood. i C/ Gregorio Marañón, Edif. Atrium, Marbella.

Tel: +951 968 914. www.vinoscasasanti.com

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D·Oliva Appropriately set in a charming shop in one of Marbella old town’s quaint streets, D·Oliva is a specialist outlet lovingly dedicated to olive oil.

More than that, it is the first shop in Andalucía that specialises purely in Spanish olive oils and derived products.

This is rather amazing, considering that Spain is the world’s leading producer of this elite product, and that half of the country’s production comes from Andalucía.

The fact is that Marbella, rather than Sevilla or Cordoba, is lucky enough to have a specialist shop like this.

“We have one other outlet at the moment,” says owner David Gallardo, “and it is in Paris.” An indication of just how highly regarded olive oil has become in a cuisine and healthconscious world, with the oftendubbed golden nectar enjoying the kind of status once reserved for fine wines.

Indeed, it is tempting to speak of D·Oliva as a boutique, for it has that kind of chic appeal, but above all this is a place dedicated to an exhaustive selection of the finest olive oils from Spain. “When we first started creating our selection, we travelled the entire country and visited all the relevant fairs,” says David, “but now our own reputation has grown to the point that producers offer us their olive oils to sample and evaluate.”

Though many of the products on the shelves of D·Oliva are award winning, the selection is made on the basis of a wide field of criteria and the olive oils range from economical through affordable to rather more select in price. “What we stock is not necessarily the most expensive, but in our view the best product in each price range.”

Olive oil, like wine, now has its own Denominación de Origen, a fact reflected in the name of the shop, and a whole culture of tasting and descriptive language that goes with it.

Like wine and similar noble products, olive oil comes in many variations and flavour ranges, catering to different tastes, uses and indeed budgets, but also employing new-fangled elements such as organic production and added flavour notes such as orange, lemon or smoked wood. “We offer regular tasting sessions and classes in which we introduce people to this ancient and diverse product, and

give them the tools to recognise distinctions between different oils.”

While most of Spain’s olive oil producing DOs are featured, it is clear that Andalucía occupies a prominent role. Particularly well represented are the regions of Cordoba and Jaén, which can rightly call themselves the epicentre of world production, yet the most striking thing about the olive oils on display in this wonderful boutique store is the diversity and choice available. The variety of qualities and tastes available is reflected in the packaging, which ranges from traditional and conventional to ultramodern and stylishly rustic. Added to this is a selection of related and derived products such as flavoured salts, soaps and skin products that form part of a natural health and beauty range. There is also a part of the shop dedicated to wine with an impressive selection under the name DO·Vino.

“The qualities of olive oil are entrenched in Mediterranean culture and cuisine, and go back all the way beyond the Romans and Phoenicians,” says David, “and in recent decades the rest of the world has come to know and appreciate them too.”

To further this process of exploration, he provides a regularly updated selection of olive oils for tourists, foreign residents and Spanish clients to sample in the shop, so if you’re a convert to this most noble of natural products it is well worth exploring it further at D·Oliva. i C/ Nueva 9, adjacent to Plaza de Naranjos, Marbella. Tel: 952 766 744. www.dolivaonline.com

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THEFOCUS KIDS AIR SWIMMERS EXTREME

BY ANIMAL PLANET Turn your home into an indoor aquarium with this helium-filled fish, which flies in the air and bounces of walls with no fear of damage. For indoor use only. Ages: 8+

KINECT ADVENTURES GAME BY X BOX 360 The whole family will get off the couch with this gaming system that requires no controller thanks to sophisticated body recognition technology. You are the controller as you jump, kick and move your way through exciting adventures set in a variety of exotic locations. Ages 4+

LEGO BOARD GAMES Kids will love building their very own board game, inspired on the best-selling book and film saga, Harry Potter. After building and customising their game board with over 300 pieces, kids choose one of the four Hogwarts Houses to represent and compete to achieve one mission: to collect four items from four different classrooms.

The winning player is the first to return to their common room with all four items. Ages 7+

ALL ABOUT KIDS:

TOP TOYS, CHRISTMAS 2011

It’s that time of the year again; the time when parents get to delve into the magical world of children and select toys they will probably enjoy as much as their kids. Top toy and children’s websites have pronounced their verdict: these are the top buys for Christmas 2011 COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

RADICA FIJIT FRIENDS BY MATTEL This cute robot has four different personalities you can choose from, though all talk, laugh and dance.

They also dance their wheels off to any music and speak 150 built-in phrases. They tell jokes, too!

Ages 6+

eSPARK ELECTRIC SCOOTER BY RAZOR The eSpark electric scooter runs for up to 40 minutes, shooting bright sparks out every time your child steps on the ‘spark bar’.

Twist-grip acceleration and a hand-operated front brake make it safe and easy to use.

Ages 8+

MARIO KART WII BOWSER’S CASTLE ULTIMATE BUILDING SET BY K’NEX Kids will love recreating the complete multi-level Bowser’s Castle track from Mario Kart Wii, connecting 26 pieces then racing Mario in his Standard Kart, against Luigi in his Wild Wing Kart. Ages 6+

iXL BY FISHER-PRICE iXL is a six-in-one learning, entertainment and media gadget, packed with a digital reader, game player, notepad, art studio, MP3 player, and photo viewer. Kids can add their own music and photos, personalising with fun drawing tools and digital stickers. Ages 3+

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HOT WHEELS WALL TRACKS STARTER SET BY MATTEL Take racing to new heights: up the walls, with this cool racing track by Mattel.

Ages 4+

BOP IT BY XT Bop It calls out commands, asking you to pull it, bop it, twist it, flick it or spin it… can you keep up as the tempo starts to rise?

Ages 8+

POWER WHEELS DUNE RACER BY FISHER-PRICE Your kids will love driving over grass, gravel and mud in their very own buggy.

Spacious enough for two. The car moves forward or in reverse. Ages 3 to 9.

DISNEY ROCK STAR MICKEY FROM FISHER-PRICE® Kids will sing along and learn Mickey’s best dance routines with this cool musical doll.

Ages 2+ IMARKER DIGITAL STYLUS + CRAYOLA COLORSTUDIO HD APP BY CRAYOLA Kids can discover their inner Picasso with these digital Crayola crayons, markers, paint, colour pencils and more tools, interacting with characters in animated pages that come to life with sound effects, music and hidden surprises. Ages 3+ INNOTAB BY VTECH With InnoTab, kids can learn to read, draw, paint and play games. The tablet connects up to a PC or Mac to download interactive games and e-books from VTech’s Learning Lodge Navigator. It comes with a photo viewer, MP3 player and SD card slot for memory expansion, boasting an LCD touchscreen and tilt-sensor. Ages 4 to 9.

I AM T-PAIN MIC™ BY CDI Sing like R ‘n B artist T-Pain, and record your favourite tracks and share them online with friends.

Ages 7+

SKYLANDERS: SPYRO’S ADVENTURE BY ACTIVISION Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure brings your kid’s toys to life when they place their action figures on the ‘Portal of Power’, instantly teleporting characters into a video game world. Every time they enter the game world of Skylanders, each character retains previous experiences and can transfer weapons, skills and more across platforms when playing on a Wii, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC or Mac. Ages 10+

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THEFOCUS GREAT SPANISH WINE

RIBERA

DEL DUERO 36 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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By way of a personal introduction, I must say that, for me, Castilla la Vieja is the historic Spanish hinterland, the people often as sparse as the landscape, as austere as the climate, and more often than not of few words. My first spell there was during the autumn and winter of 1975, living in old and noble Valladolid: former capital of Spain, birthplace of Zorrilla, deathplace of Columbus, and where Cervantes finished and published Don Quijote.

WORDS CARLOS READ

I

t was very cold and I was living in a Jesuit run residence for students and car workers. I mainly taught English and studied, but often hung out either with the trainee priests of the Scots seminary or with a curious expat crowd who frequented a bar called the Chelsea opposite the Arts Faculty. One of these was a heavy-set, 50-year-old Irishman called Hugo who carried a large old-fashioned revolver under his long coat.

Sometimes in the evenings, just before the end of class, several truckloads of guardias civiles would pull up in front of the bar, to surround the huge door the students emerged from, systematically beating the crap out of them. Franco died, and while the TV ran propaganda films about Juan Carlos during a week of mourning, I went to a dark mining village called Guardo, in Palencia, with one of my fellow residents, where everyone partied for three days. My emergency contact – for I was meant to be on a school exchange – was Jesús Anadón, the General Manager of Vega Sicilia, a family friend; and sometimes I was invited to lunch there on Sundays.

Later, in the Wine Trade, in the early 1980s, I began to go a lot and still do – perhaps two or three times a year; and I’ve always marvelled at how empty of life the countryside is. Where are the sheep that are so constantly and deliciously devoured in the form of lechazo and that also

provide the fertilizer for many vineyards to the point that the wine can sometimes taste of sheep (Condado de Haza is a good example).

Answer: they live hidden most of the time in huge underground pens because of the extremities of the climate. Small wonder that the food is rugged and hearty: hard local cheeses, tasty morcilla, tortilla with and without onions to avoid heated disputes in brilliant establishments such as El Lagar in Aranda el Empecinado just east of Peñafiel (named after a farmer turned guerrillero during the Peninsular War) – its name derived from pecina: a black mud from stagnant, decomposing waters.

This austere wine region in Spain’s hinterland of Old Castile is essentially a long lateral strip around 110 kilometres wide though rarely more than 35 from top to bottom, running from just east of Tudela de Duero in Valladolid province, through southern Burgos province, to the northern tip of Segovia province as far as Burgo de Osma in Soria.

Vineyard at Bodegas Mauro

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Fermenting Tionio

Its vineyards are planted in the lee of the river Duero – the third largest on the Iberian peninsula – which bubbles into existence in the lofty Sierra de Urbión, in northern Soria, south of Logroño, to cross the Castilian plateau in a westerly direction and then flow through towns such as Aranda, Tordesillas, and Toro into Portugal, to become the Douro, and eventually disgorge into the Atlantic at Oporto some 485 miles later.

What we now know as Ribera del Duero was however only created as an official wine region (DO) in 1982; for before then despite the noble pedigree of its indigenous Tinto Fino grape variety, the area was best known publicly for Vega Sicilia and non publicly, in the wine business, as one of the best sources of excellent quality bulk wine much of which found its way quietly but in important quantities to Rioja.

Vega Sicilia, founded in 1864, is a story unto itself; its founder had imported French varieties from Bordeaux – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec – to make their blends more complex; but meantime, in the rest of the region until the early 1980s, the lion’s share of wine production was in the hands of some 20 Co-ops who rarely bottled anything.

The first of these to market itself properly, not just locally but in Spain, was the one in Peñafiel, founded in 1927. Privatised in the 1990s and renamed after its top wine Protos, its installations still occupy the interior of the hill at Peñafiel on which sits a most impressive looking castle – one of many that served as historic look-out posts to pass on warnings about yet another Moorish raid and in whose extensive labyrinth of tunnels the local population could take refuge.

What dynamised the region, however, was the appearance of an American wine importer in the early 1980s who, having appreciated the intrinsic potential of the region’s wines and, with the ear of ascending North American wine guru Robert Parker, seized upon a certain Alejandro Fernández, one of the few local independent private producers (who had been making rather clumsy, rustic, wooden wines in Pesquera del Duero since the mid 1970s) and instructed him on how to make exciting, modern reds in an upbeat, effusive style with oodles of immediate brambly fruit, freshness and properly balanced oak and tannins.

Thus was born the Pesquera that we know today, which truly wowed critics and consumers alike when its first modern styles were unveiled in

The lofty Peñafiel Castle

The magnificent Quinta Sardonia

by Viñas de la Vega del Duero

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the early 1980s and triggered the first of three waves of new blood and major investment in the region, leading very quickly to the creation of the Denomination of Origin in 1982.

Unfortunately, however – as is also the case in similarly fascinating Priorato and Rías Baixas to name just two once purely pedigree areas – the region now has a surfeit of producers (‘inspired’ in wave two by the disappearance of the peseta in February 2002 and the mad rush in the preceding year or so to usefully dispose of such enormous amounts; followed by wave three, just a few years later, which essentially revolved around the construction of many vanity wineries by those who had prospered in the great Spanish boom and should have known better): all of which leaves the ‘ordinary’ wine drinker somewhat at sea given such an apparently dazzling array of choice, with no fewer than approximately 237 bodegas

under the official DO umbrella, and some 22,000 hectares currently under vines compared to just 9,000 in 1990.

So what is Ribera del Duero!?

In essence, the starting point is Tinto Fino (aka Tinta del País), which is fundamentally Tempranillo which has adapted to the local terroir; for said grape variety not only has a number of different names (Cencibel and Ull de Llebre for example) but also has varying characteristics in accordance with where it grows. Indeed, even in Ribera, in its two most emblematic terrain, it behaves quite differently: on the western edge (Valladolid province) and in such villages as Valbuena, Pesquera and Peñafiel it tends to be about dark, black primary flavours (cherries and damsons); whereas in the central, northern quadrant (Burgos province) and villages such as La Horra and Roa,

while often still inky black in colour, it tends to be more about red fruits – primarily strawberry; though in both instances there is a briskness and vigour to the wines that is rarely found elsewhere in Spain.

It is, however, not unusual for producers to utilise fruit from various different areas: not just to combine elements but also because the price of land (be it planted or unplanted) is so colossal that it often makes more sense to make long term contracts with growers – and part of the deal is that they follow the winery’s viticultural instructions.

Meantime, acidity and freshness is also a hallmark of the region; for despite its flat, gently undulating terrain the area is high, lying on a major plateau, specifically at between 700 and nearly 1,000 metres above sea level, and not only does the rarified mountain air make a difference

These vineyards are the source of the magnificent Quinta Sardonia wine

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but so does the difference between day and night time temperatures during the maturation period.

These can vary by as much as 20° and it is this that results not only in the intense natural colouring of the grapes but also in their intense aromas.

Given, however, the climatic extremes (it is worth bearing in mind that in the winter it is not unusual for the temperature to fall to 17 below zero), frost is a major player not just, typically, in the early spring but at other unexpected times of year also; and so it is not unusual for 40 per cent of the crop to be lost in a single night, which partly explains the high prices that the region’s wines command. In addition, as in most wine growing areas, vintages vary a great deal anyhow and the most complicated ones (in Ribera say 2003 and 2007) are the ultimate acid test of how good a producer really is.

2001 - elegant and intense in its day but now drying out and rather past it 2002 - much maligned as rather bland in its day, also rather past it 2003 - a very hot year; best examples now at their peak 2004 - as per 2001 2005 - rich, balanced and glorious; the best now at their peak 2006 - slight and attractive in its day, most now fading 2007 - a nightmare vintage: the best are glorious, the amateurs lost the plot 2008 - rather like 2006; slight but very attractive, drink now 2009 - too early to judge but promises to be spectacular 2010 - as per 2009

From Bodegas Astrales in Anguix (DO) – Astrales

From a small, old, low yield estate of some 15 hectares belonging to the Romera de la Cruz family, 3rd generation growers who in the year 2000 decided that they would make their own wine rather than continuing to sell their excellent Tinto Fino to others. Eduardo García of Mauro is the winemaker. As in most truly professional vineyards, the many distinct plots are picked and vinified separately, and maceration is always relatively short in order to achieve effusive fruit and avoid tannins that are too aggressive. The wine, aged in primarily French oak for around 14 months, is dark, fresh and minerally, with an abundance of strawberry fruit, notes of liquorice and major finesse.

From El Jaro recently renamed Viñedos de Iberia (DO) – Sembro, Jaros and Chafandín

This is an impressive hillside 104 hectare estate just north east of Vega Sicilia belonging to the Osborne family of Jerez, and has been systematically categorised into very particular plots.

Dedicated young winemaker Álvaro Trigueros was trained by Mauro. Cracking ‘entry-level’ Sembro (young Tinto Fino with around four months in barrica) is a crowd pleaser, with lots of friendly forthright dark fruit, friendly tannins, and just a touch of oak; Jaros, which has a little Cabernet and Merlot, and spends some 15 months in oak, is headier and richer, with attractive red plum flavours and prominent but harmonious, gentle oak; whereas Chafandín is dense, old-vine Tinto Fino aged in new oak for up to 20 months, deeply hued and savoury with opulent dark fruits, overtones of dried fruits and an epic finish.

Finally, there is a small but important clutch of non-DO wines, usually either so because they fall outside the geographical boundaries or because they use grape varieties not officially sanctioned.

And so here are my recommendations for pleasurable drinking. They are of course impossibly partisan in many ways but fortunately or unfortunately this is not a book!

Finca del Jaro

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From Bodegas Mauro near Tudela del Duero (Non DO) – Mauro, Mauro Vendimia Seleccionada and Terreus

A wine ageing cellar in Finca del Jaro

Set up by Mariano García while he was still at Vega Sicilia in around 1980 with an architect friend from Valladolid, now ably assisted by his son Eduardo; and with some 35 hectares of high vineyards in three different localities. The simple Mauro of Tinto Fino with 10 to 15 per cent Syrah, with some 15 months in oak, is a dark, fresh, distinctly Atlantic-tasting style characterised in its youth by nervous, minerally, sometimes red and sometimes sloe and blackberry fruits, snappy tannins, and is minty and elegant with subtle but persistent tannins. Vendimia Seleccionada is old vine Tinto Fino with all of 36 months in oak: a marvellously rounded and complex offering whose textured flavours unravel in layers of violets, blackberry, cocoa, coffee and toffee – an excellent halfway house between old style and new; and for those who really want to push out

Único by Vega Sicilia ©Vega Sicilia

the boat there is – if they can find it – top cuvée Terreus made only in specific years from a single plot of old Tinto Fino growing on clay and limestone and with 30 months in new oak. This is big strident brambly purple stuff with excellently balanced new oak and the one to drink now is the 2005.

From Parxet – in Pesquera del Duero (DO) – Tionio Crianza

Cava producers Parxet migrated to the region in the late 1990s given that their own native Alella is a tricky area for red wines; and here they have a small, cosy but ultra modern winery at one end of the village and at the other 18 hectares of Tinto Fino and two of Cabernet planted in 1994. Tionio, pure Tinto Fino is aged for some 14 months in both US oak and second use Allier. Dark cherry red in colour, eminently savoury, with nicely fused, bright, ripe red and sometimes black fruit flavours, it has ample but rounded tannins, structure, backbone, well balanced oak and impressive length. Go for 2005 or 2008.

From Viñas de la Vega del Duero outside Sardón del Duero (Non DO) – Quinta Sardonia This lofty, panoramic 23 hectare estate is run on painstaking but clear-sighted bio-dynamic principles by passionate but self-effacing Frenchman Jerome Bougnard, who, invariably in the company of his most affectionate hound, also works with Danish winemaking superstar Peter Sisseck, on Pingus (perhaps Spain’s most

Valbuena by Vega Sicilia ©Vega Sicilia

expensive wine and certainly its most invisible).

Quinta Sardonia is made primarily from Tinto Fino and Cabernet, with small amounts of Malbec, Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Aged in new and one-use French oaks, it’s an irresistible, graceful, rounded yet fresh combination of mouth filling, elegant red cherry fruit and creamy vanilla with just a hint of custard and, once it’s aged a bit, an attractive Christmas cake element.

NB: one-horse town Sardón del Duero is notable for an notable ‘Hostal’ which dishes up excellent country food and triples (it’s a hotel too) as a wine shop with a brilliant regional selection.

Lastly, full circle, a few words about Vega Sicilia, on the fringe of Valbuena on the N-122, this stretch of which is called La Milla de Oro. Owing to a lack of space we shall concentrate on the legendary Único. Made from the 4 varieties mentioned earlier but only in vintages considered appropriate, the proportions of the blend vary considerably: in good years the coupage is pre-decided in the vineyards, and in tricky years each variety is vinified separately to be blended later. Originally aged for a minimum of 10 years in large oak bocoyes made on site, at the winery’s cooperage, from American, French and Eastern European oaks, the wood ageing has been inexorably reduced somewhat, given perhaps that since switching the fermentation from wood to steel two or three decades ago the wine is intrinsically less intense. But what a wine: dark, savoury, dense, fragrant, complex, layered, and well structured with many elements – most typically coffee, black fruits, cedar wood, and tobacco. Vintages, unsurprisingly, vary quite significantly in view of the complicated nature of the region; and the rule of thumb tends to be that it is at its best at between 10 to 12 years from date of vintage. Also, never decant; just let the bottle stand unopened at somewhere below North European room temperature for a day, and once opened take it slowly and allow it to unravel.

Four vintages to look out for are 1998 and 1996 (still with a while to go) and the now mature 1987 and 1976. g Carlos Read is a highly-respected figure in the wine industry having been a regular contributor to Decanter, Wine and the Spanish correspondent for Wine & Spirit.

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THEFOCUS PEOPLE

GET

OGRAPHY AMPARO WORDS AND PHOT

DE LA GAMA

R E H T E G TO

B

londe singing sensation Marta Sánchez has been at the top of the music game since as far back as we can remember and that’s to be expected, since her long career began at the age of three, when she started singing. Her father, Antonio Campó, was a professional opera singer and her godfather was no less than Alfredo Kraus. In 1986 she obtained her first taste of success as the lead singer in pop group Olé Olé, delighting listeners with hit tunes like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Quizás, quizás, quizás. In 1991 she decided to go solo, heading for New York with her then-boyfriend, Sterling Campbell from Duran Duran and releasing her first album, Mujer, in 1993. Since then, her career has gone from strength to strength both in Spain and overseas and her current hit, Get Together, has received rave reviews from critics and dance buffs alike, at an international level. Marta is already working on her new album, which she hopes to release this month.

Marta has gone from bombshell to the very image of sobriety and elegance, her years of experience adding a touch of glamour to both her image and her music. Her favourite sentence is ‘Work, work, work’ and this year, she has done just that, performing in packed dance venues in Madrid, Ibiza and Marbella, belting out her hit Get Together, hailed as one of the catchiest dance tunes of the year. Marta says: “I’m delighted with the success of this single. I think the fact that its lyrics are in English makes it appealing to dance fans overseas as well.”

Marta may be collecting thousands of frequent flyer points while promoting Get Together, Together, but when she has a free moment, she tells me that she loves frequenting the beaches of Marbella with her daughter, Paula and the man in her life, Hugo Castejón, whom she has been seeing for a year. Despite rarely mentioning her daughter in interviews, she opens up this time, saying, “Paula is now eight years old. Being her mum has taught me many things; above all, knowing what really matters. Since I gave birth to her I’ve discovered a kind of generosity I never knew I had in me. Having children really does change your life.”

Priorities in Life

Another great priority in Marta’s life is her partner, Hugo Castejón.

Following the breakdown of her marriage to Jesús Cabanas, Marta is overjoyed to be in love once again, so much so she gushes, “I don’t like talking about personal issues but Hugo has brought me peace and tranquillity and I needed this so badly. We support each other, we have fun and we love being together.” Nevertheless, once bitten, twice shy and Marta has “absolutely no plans to get married.”

The enigmatic couple is content to just “lie on the beach, enjoy a hearty paella at a chiringuito and be together. We don’t need anything else.”

WITH

25 Years and Counting

Marta may have the face and figure of a twenty-something but she has been performing for 25 years and she says that she wouldn’t change a single thing: “I don’t care if they remind me that I was a singer in Olé Olé; that band formed an important part of the history of pop in Spain and I’m proud to have been part of it. Everybody here today has sung refrains from Olé Olé’s hit songs and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

S A T MAR

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DANCING QUEEN

n rbella, she can ofte d when she’s in Ma love to party and an e nc da to s ve lere. “I Marta lo r moves at Olivia Va ung be found honing he e says, adding, “I still feel like I’m yo as sh pe e,” n’t ap al have a good tim t admit that it does e and being us m I gh ou th it, enough to do t getting hom . Now I worry abou much as it used to rta is currently working on a new Ma with my daughter.” inspiring a when it comes to ce sin , m bu al e nc da o.” do it as well as disc crowd, “few styles

A Good Woman

Marta says that her aim in life is to be buena gente (a good person). “I think that this is why I have such a solid fan base, because I try to share the best of myself with my fans. Still, I’m often taken aback when my songs are hits. Take Colgando en tus manos (a duet she sings with Carlos Baute); I never thought it would be one of the most downloaded songs; I never thought it would break so many records.” For Marta, luck is an important ingredient of success, since talent isn’t always recognised in the world of music.

When I say she has the best voice in Spain she blushes, saying that she remembers the first time she appeared on T.V. She was only 12 and she sang and played the guitar for popular presenter Torrebruno and his guests. She has more in common with the little girl she used to be than you would imagine: “I still dream the way I used to as a child. I think it’s important to keep dreaming throughout your life. I would love to build a school in Africa or involve myself in a new charitable pursuit.”

Marta may be a good woman, but she is also a fearless one. Her album De par en par dared to ‘improve’ upon classic Spanish hits and featured the voices of famous artists such as Bebe, Luis Fonsi, Nena Daconte, Vega, José Mercé and Sergio Dalma. “I savoured this album with my heart and soul. Having so many great artists working alongside me made me feel like I was touching the sky.” e

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THEFOCUS PEOPLE

Sergio

SCARIOLO A

s I sit in the coffee lounge of one of Marbella’s top hotels and watch a luxury coach pull up bearing Sergio Scariolo and the tall, athletic young players of his current team, EA7 Emporio Armani Olimpia Milano, I cannot help but envy the excitement felt only by those involved in top level sports. The life of a coach or player of this calibre involves never-ending plane, bus and car rides; new faces, places and experiences to be treasured for a lifetime.

Sports can be frustrating, occasionally unfair and fraught with pressure for success, but no coach worth his salt would ever trade what he does for a nine-to-five job. Once a coach, always a coach; there is no retirement from a life dedicated passionately to sport.

Sergio Scariolo is riding high following the Spanish national basketball team’s recent victory at the prestigious EuroBasket Championship. The win automatically classified Spain for next year’s Olympics in London, with Pau Gasol and his brother Marc’s brilliant performances prompting the press to tout them as ‘the twin towers’ of basketball. Equally impressive was Juan Carlos Navarro, known by his fans

as ‘The Bomb’, who set the net on fire, scoring 27 points and putting an end to the Euro dreams of Tony Parker and his fellow Frenchmen. This is Spain’s second EuroBasket win under Scariolo though when I ask him if it is one of his greatest achievements, he answers, “Asking me to define the most successful moments in my career is a bit like asking me whether I love my son or daughter more… I’ve had seasons where my team didn’t win but I felt very satisfied with what I had accomplished.” Far from crediting himself with Spain’s impressive exploits, he humbly states, “Sometimes a coach’s performance is not directly related to the results. There are many factors you don’t’ control such as a player’s performance on a given day, injuries, the opponents… victory is the result of many combined factors.” For the 2012 Olympics, his greatest hope is that “All the players be healthy and injuryfree, and that none of them are too tired following the long club season”.

Sergio was born and bred in Italy, but he and wife, Blanca Ares, (a former basketball player for Madrid) have called Marbella home for many years. The couple

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and their children (Alessandro, aged 10 and Carlotta, aged 9) are currently living in Milan, and when asked about the distances involved, Sergio admits, “My wife and son understand that my job involves frequent travel because they are both passionate about basketball. My daughter struggles more when I am away, as she isn’t as sports crazy”.

Sergio is a family man through and through, as is evidenced by the Cesare Scariolo Foundation, a charity he founded in 1998 after his father passed away from leukemia. “I remember,” he says, “that apart from going through my own personal turmoil, I was deeply affected by the hospitalised children.” The Foundation is dedicated to directly helping children suffering from cancer and their families and is particularly active in the Hospital Materno Infantil de Málaga, providing everything from fun activities for kids and their families (such as going to the circus or ski trips) to providing accommodation, psychological support and economic

aid. One of the Foundation’s most active members is Marie-Nöelle Erize of MarieNoëlle.es Comunicación, who takes care of press and PR matters. She reminds me that the foundation needs all types of support so if you can help in any way, either through donations or by vounteering your time, please contact her. To be a sponsor of the Foundation, all it takes is a donation of €6 minimum a month.

When you add up the amount of time Sergio spends on the Foundation and basketball, it all seems a rather heavy brunt to bear but somehow, the charismatic coach is not easily affected by pressure.

He says: “The higher the level you reach in your profession, the less you rely on external judgement. I try to be responsible to myself, to my President and my players and if success ensues, then that’s great,” he says, adding, “But during competition I try to avoid even reading the papers because if you paid attention to what people say all the time, you’d go crazy.” As Sergio says his goodbyes and heads for lunch with his players, he leaves me thinking that somehow, the biggest champions in this world are those who don’t just know how to win, but also how to give. i www.cesarescariolo.org

Last month, the Marbella Awards gala took place, with all proceeds going to FUNDASPANDEM and the Cesare Scariolo Foundation (CSF). We caught up with CSF’s Founder, Sergio Scariolo, the Coach who recently lead the Spanish National Basketball Team to victory at the 2011 EuroBasket Championship.

Coach with a Heart of Gold WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE CESARE SCARIOLO FOUNDATION

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WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KH PHOTOGRAPHY

FINDING NEVERLAND

THEFOCUS PEOPLE

Remedios del Río of Fundación Tutelar (FUNDASPANDEM)

“M

y‘children’ are different from you and I… they don’t make the best subjects for photos or posters. They aren’t attractive and every day they become less so… every day they remain as disabled as the last… and they don’t have youth on their side; sometimes they are aged 70, 80 or 90; my eldest ‘child’ is 96,” says Remedios del Río, founder of the Fundación Tutelar (FUNDASPANDEM), which assists mentally and physically disabled persons and their families. “The Fundación Tutelar is Neverland,” she says, “a place where time goes by but the ‘children’ don’t age.” In this special world, she effortlessly plays Wendy, the little girl who grew up but who never lost her love for the innocence, beauty and sheer adventure of childhood. And the feeling is returned; for the ‘lost boys and girls’ of the Foundation don’t use formal titles or even her name, to address Remedios; to them she is, quite simply, ‘Mami’.

Remedios founded the Fundación Tutelar in 1997, and since then it has

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carried out important work in four different areas: trusteeship (consisting of personal, judicial and representative assistance to the disabled); personal assistance (aimed at helping disabled persons achieve the maximum autonomy possible); assisted employment (aimed at facilitating the incorporation of disabled people into the workforce) and leisure activities (participation in cultural, sports and artistic activities). A sharp, witty, altogether enchanting mother of four ‘biological children’, Remedios also happens to be a savvy entrepeneur whose experience running pharmacies, clinics, optician’s and perfumeries, stood her in good stead when she decided to help the less fortunate. “I set up the Foundation as a result of my day to day experiences attending customers at the pharmacy,” she says, adding, “I saw so many hopeless cases and I was so blessed in my own life that I thought I wanted to give the world back a bit of what it had given me.”

Remedios’ ‘children’ at the Foundation do, indeed, pose a tough ‘sale’ when it

comes to appealing to the media and the general public and this means that Remedios has to work doubly hard, using her social connections and indomitable spirit, to get things done. She insists, “It’s very important for people to be aware that a fundación is very different from an asociación. The latter receives significant backing from the government, which we, as a fundación, do not.” Thus it is vital for the local community on the Coast to support the many galas, golfing events, raffles, etc. which take place throughout the year in favour of the Foundation.

Remedios is thankful to the many caring souls who make her work a bit easier. She says, “I am very grateful to the lawyers that help us, including José Luis Calderón, Pepe Ponce and Jerónimo Cuenca, who provide their services completely free of charge.” Equally important are the kind souls like Esther Adan (of Esther Wish List) and fashion designer Patricia Nahmad, who regularly organise fundraising events and fashion shows for the Foundation and other persons in need. On December 19, a cheerful, affordable lunch will be taking place at La Meridiana, the funds from which will go towards both the Fundación Tutelar and the Cesare Scariolo Foundation. For tickets and times, please contact the Fundación Tutelar, below.

The Foundation’s team is varied and includes everyone from volunteers who visit the elderly or take them to functions and events, to social workers and employment trainers. Says Remedios: “One of the most important things we do is turn someone who is completely dependent into someone capable of making their own living. We avail of a law in Spain stipulating that any business with over 50 workers must have at least one disabled person on the payroll. Work suits the disabled extremely well; as soon as they start working they become more positive, more intelligent and they start taking greater care in their appearance.”

Despite the challenges of staying afloat in these tough times, Remedios remains positive: “Disabled people used to be shunned by society, but thankfully, they are now accepted as part of it. As long as I have the strength to do so, I will continue to fight for the Foundation… regardless of the obstacles that stand in my way,” she says, following the Foundation’s motto to the letter: Do all the good you can By all the means you can In all the ways you can In all the places you can At all the times you can To all the people you can As long as ever you can e

g Tel: 952 785 409 / 952 887 088. www.fundaspandem.org 11/22/11 2:58 PM

INTERIORS / ARCHITECTURE / ART / DESIGN / GARDENS / FASHION

Festive party fashion, top perfumes, sparkling accessories, Continental Design, Timothy Oulton and sustainable gardens… gardens

52 Décor: Continental Design 60 Décor News: Timothy Oulton 64 Sustainable Gardening 66 Fashion: Top Party Wear 74 Top Perfumes of All Time 76 Fashion News

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THESTYLE DECOR

n g i s e D l a Continent

is h t g n e r t “Our s y to bring t our abili and y creativit l skill together a technic ojects” r in our p 52 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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WORDS Michel cruz

In a highly competitive environment such as design it’s difficult to really stand out from the crowd, but this is exactly what the Continental Design team have achieved, creating a studio that has evolved from interior design and furnishing to a smooth-running allround design operation with an impressive list of projects behind its name.

I

n the process of this, Continental Design has transformed large villas in La Quinta, nightclubs in Puerto Banús, offices in Marbella and a host of restaurants and cafés in old and new parts of Gibraltar, making a noted contribution to the recent beautification of the latter. Currently, the firm is putting the final touches to the retail zone of Gibraltar’s brand new international airport, an indication of just how far Continental Design has come.

There are a lot of interior designers, and a lot of small builders, but the combination of highly creative design with craftsmen, technicians and a specialist architectural and construction team within one company makes Continental Design unique. “We don’t simply pick furniture and make nice designs that are handed over to a third party, but see it through from concept to completion,” says founding partner Justin Marston. “We create the design concepts, plan the project, manage the technical teams and architectural renovation work, and bring what were ideas to life in homes and commercial premises. As a result, the various stages are not only perfectly co-ordinated, but also properly thought-out from beginning till end.”

A well-oiled operation “We didn’t get to this point overnight,” says Justin, “but after almost 12 years we’ve created a well-oiled operation that runs smoothly from initial brief through design to project management and delivery. We evolved at an early stage from the dressing of homes to what I would call ‘real’ interior design, which usually involves some form of structural renovation work. At first, we used outside contractors for this, controlling the design process and co-ordinating the efforts of builders, plumbers and other outside professionals, but over the years we have developed a way of working that ensures far greater control of the project as a whole.

This allows us to optimally manage time schedules, ensure quality control and have

all the different parts working in synch to produce something we can truly be proud of. At the end of the day this is the only way you can guarantee your clients that you can deliver what you promise them.”

The Continental team is therefore made up of skilled upholsterers, carpenters, cabinet-makers and draughtsmen, as well as a technical team that includes electricians and installers, and even a specialised inhouse construction arm led by an engineer and dedicated specifically to renovation projects. The various teams work under the close supervision of Sean Johnson, a qualified building surveyor who has been involved with projects such as the Hyatt at Schiphol Airport, the Natwest Building in London and the renovation of the Royal Palaces in Kuwait. He also manages outside technicians and works together with architects to draw up the plans and obtain planning permission for renovation projects, as well as opening licenses for new commercial premises.

Bringing your ideas to life The process starts through a series of meetings with the client, during which the management team gets a feeling for the technical requirements and the aesthetic effect and ambience the client is looking for.

“We visit the home or premises in question to get the brief and explore ideas, but also to get a feel for the building itself,” says Justin. After this, the technical specifications are plotted and an initial design proposal is made that is presented to the client at the Continental studio. “Ours is not so much a shop or office as a studio that forms the heart of the design, production and management operations that are central to what we do. As a result, it is a perfect place to meet with clients and show them visual examples of our design proposals.”

It is here that clients will be introduced to an amazing range of textures, colours and materials.

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BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

“It takes years of working with the top companies to build up a truly representative collection of catalogues and sample books of material, wallpaper, carpets, tiling and leather,” says chief designer Adriana, who sources furnishings and materials from around the world. “Over the years, we have streamlined our suppliers and focus only on those that can offer the best combination of design, quality, reliability and value for money. In fact, you would have to think of something very outlandish for us not to be able to pick up the phone and arrange it.”

The latter also applies to the high standards of presentation used, which incorporate the latest facilities in high definition rendering and project visualisation. “When you work in a design-related field you realise that presenting your design concepts by letting people visualise them clearly is so much more impactful than relying on explanation and conventional presentation tools.”

A style that is diverse Adriana’s natural talent for design is given free rein on the original conceptual styling of a project, while Sean goes through the technical specifications to produce a blueprint for its physical realisation. “Once the design concept and technical plan are drawn up, they are brought into line to ensure that everything is perfectly in synch from the outset,” says Sean.

It is then that the ideas are discussed in greater detail until all the ingredients are in place to get the teams together and set staged deadlines leading to delivery. “Our strength is our ability to bring creativity and technical skill together in our projects,” says Sean, emphasising the mix of design skill and technical expertise that gives Continental Design its edge.

“As for design, we have no typical ‘house style’ and don’t want one,” adds Justin. “It feels like cutting corners if you do that, painting

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Thom a s Cr own Art formerly stephen Howes Art

MINI ANDALUZ by Don Clarke 100 x 80cm. 8,000 euros.

I m p r e s s i o n i s t, M o d e r n a n d C o n t e m p o r a r y A r t Contact: info@thomascrownart.com +34 (Spain) 650 361 543.

w w w. t h o m a s c r o w n a r t. c o m

by numbers and imposing templated designs on the client. That is not how we work. We are neither dominated by technicians and engineers nor dictated to by the artistic creativity of designers, but we harness both to achieve a balance that best suits the client’s needs in terms of style and functionality. This also means that we are not limited to modern décors or any other particular decorative genre.” Indeed, though many interior design firms have an almost automatic slant towards what is loosely termed modern design, Justin and his team love the diversity and individuality of each successive project.

“A lot of our Dutch and Scandinavian clients like a subtle blend of modern interiors softened with classical or ethnic touches that make a home more welcoming. A nightclub, such as Empire in Puerto Banús, will naturally demand striking ultra-trendy effects, but many of the restaurants, cafés and retail outlets nowadays want a décor that is eye-catching and modern, but also very ambient and inviting, certainly not sterile.” Examples of highly successful commercial projects of this kind include Güey, Tikitano and Deli-licious in Marbella, and the likes of Cork’s, Solo and the stunning transformation of the Cable Car club in Gibraltar.

“Design remains a very personal thing, born out of a very personalised and surprisingly introspective process,” says Adriana. “Each project brings different individuals, structures, tastes, functions and even goals together, which along with the location and the budget all have a deciding impact on the practical and aesthetic outcome. Our brief can also vary a lot, ranging from simple decoration to the creation of bespoke furnishings, construction work and even branding.” A good example is the two rustic cottages that were expanded into one larger property and thoroughly modernised for a client in Tarifa. Inspired by the unique setting, the team took a pleasant but dark and plain old country property and converted it into a series of stunning living spaces that clearly

BEFORE

AFTER

Transformations

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BEFORE

AFTER remain true to their rustic inheritance and beachside setting, but offer a sophisticated décor that blends modern and traditional to fantastic effect.

“It meant breaking some of the walls and opening up previously congested and claustrophobic spaces, and allowing them to breathe and let in air, light and colour,” says Justin. “A fine combination of skilled renovation work and design flair, and we’re very proud of it, because we managed to infuse the original property with colour and vibrancy while also making it stylish and welcoming. It’s the sort of place you see in magazines and think you’d love to spend time in.”

Adding value to spaces The natural tendency is of course to highlight the larger signature projects, such as the series of designer outlets in the retail section of Gibraltar’s new airport, but Justin is keen to emphasise that Continental Design is no London or Paris-based studio that limits itself to large corporate clients. “We are proud of the big projects we work on, but we get equally excited about the smaller ones, which bring a different kind of challenge and pleasure with them.” Working with inhouse technical teams and having fine-tuned both their supply sourcing and their internal production processes, the Continental team are confident they are highly competitive on price, both for large construction-based projects and small decoration-led ones.

“We approach all our projects in the exact same way. Naturally, the larger ones offer more scope and depth of possibilities by virtue of the resources available and the accompanying scale of the project, but in terms of how we work there is no significant difference between the two, as they all involve turning existing spaces into something entirely new and special.” g Continental Design Tel: +34 952 900 313. www.continentaldesign.co.uk

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THESTYLE DECOR

The Union Jack Bensington:

King of Faded British Grandeur

Oulton’s homage to all things British is made in hand-dyed canvas and features handstitched detail. It is a contemporary, tongue-in-cheek take on a classic design which has stood the test of time.

F

TIMOTHY WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

OULTON

The Tomcat Chair:

Inspired by the world of aviation, this chair’s aesthetic is similar to the Grumman F-14 fighter jet.

The chair’s aerodynamic curves are embraced by riveted aluminium, while the seat and back are decked in ribbed leather that feels as soft as an old vintage bomber jacket. The chair was awarded the Most Innovative Product Design Award at the Luxuria 2010 Awards.

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or most furniture designers, the question, “Is this new or old?” could almost be taken as an insult but then again, they aren’t Timothy Oulton. The quintessential British designer, whose work can be defined as ‘faded British grandeur meets flea market’, knows he has achieved his aim whenever his beautiful, vintageinspired work conjures up images from time past. Oulton recently opened his new store in El Corte Inglés Capricho, where members of the press were dazzled by the individuality, originality and breathtaking beauty of his designs: luxury hand-crafted pieces born out of sentiments like love and nostalgia as well as a keen eye for beauty and appreciation of meticulous, time-honoured craftsmanship. It all harks back to Oulton’s childhood, which he spent surrounded by original pieces in his father, Major Philip Oulton’s antique business. These works of art and craftsmanship spoke to him of adventures, legends and everyday life in days gone by and he seeks to bring this sense of excitement to modern day lovers of furniture.

Timothy dabbled in the family business for a while and even worked as a banker before falling hopelessly in love with design. He spent five years selling restored items in the USA, expanding the business to the UK and achieving huge success, with sales of over £1million in the first year. He then took the reigns of international company, Halo, focusing the company’s activities on the recreation of antique pieces with a modern twist. Experience taught him that there was a much stronger demand for reinvented antiques than original pieces, and the Timothy Oulton brand was born. Timothy Oulton stores are currently located in Singapore, Beijing and Barbados, as well as in specialty retailers worldwide.

Signature collections include:

g Timothy Oulton pieces come in a variety of colours and styles; just ask the El Corte Inglés for the fabric and colour of your dreams.

11/22/11 2:26 PM

The Mars Chair:

The Professor Chair: This chair is

This design takes art deco and transports it into the future, retaining a 1930s proportion yet featuring an unlikely medley of hand-moulded metal and distressed vintage leathers.

Oulton’s reinterpretation of the traditional ‘tub’.

The rounded back is reworked and extended, while the arms are lowered for a sleeker, more sophisticated look. The chair is made in a variety of materials including hand-painted leather, cowhide and distressed vintage leather. This design is perfect for an entrance hall or bedroom.

The Kensington Collection: This collection takes us back to the days of the Grand Gentlemen’s Club, where deep hand-tufting and rolled arms were all the rage in sofas. The piece pictured here boasts 1,700 hand-nailed brass studs and hand-finished leather which is as soft as it is sturdy.

The Trunks: This collection is Oulton’s salute to antique luggage and travel goods. Each piece is the product of hours of work, involving everything from nailing and polishing studs to finishing exteriors and adding charming details.

The Reggio Chair:

This chair harks back to the streamlined shapes of the early 20th century, when simplicity and purity of form were key elements of popular furniture design. Its seemingly worn, handcrafted leather makes it the most comfortable chair you’re likely to have in your home.

The Axel Collection: Old world

meets industrial with a mix of reclaimed wood from decommissioned Chinese fishing boats and hand-treated metal detailing. The reclaimed Sassafras hardwood has been exposed to elements in the high seas for decades, which produces uniquely weathered colourations and textures.

g Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 2, Marbella. Tel: 952 902 390. www.timothyoulton.com 151DeN.indd 61

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WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KH PHOTOGRAPHY

THESTYLE DECOR

Glitter candles from €2,25

Jewellery Stand from €9,99

LA CASA BLANCA Shopping Haven for

Big hug eco-friendly bean bag from €100

Candles, Kitchenware and Homeware

O

Fondue set from €8,75

ne of the most exciting times of the year for homemakers is Christmas, when homes are bestowed with a warm, cosy, colourful ambience thanks to gorgeous designer candles, specialty crockery, and so much more. La Casa Blanca, owned

by Jane and Andrew Levine, is a one-stop shop for Christmas and all seasons, with original items sourced from 50 suppliers from the USA and European countries.

If you’re stuck for gift ideas, be inspired by our selection of ‘it’ items for the season.

Blankets from €11,25 Cupcake stand from €4,99

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g C.C. La Colonia, San Pedro. Tel: 952 789 198.

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THESTYLE GARDENING

WORDS BY RICHARD WHALEY Director of Richard Whaley Landscaping, a garden design and construction company established in 1987.

Christmas is not really a time of year that we think about gardening.

However, it is an ideal time to think of our Planet and how we look after it.

TAKING CARE OF OUR PLANE T THIS

E

arth is a beautiful place and our natural resources are true gifts we often fail to appreciate. We all enjoy the outdoors, the change of the seasons, the unique differences between climates, and the wonders of nature. Yet if asked if we are an ‘environmentalist’, what would our answer be? Many of us would say ‘no’ because we think environmentalism sounds too severe; maybe it’s because society, the media, or other forces have equated a passion for ecology with radicalism. In fact, I can think of few things that should be less debated than the fact that we should all care more for the environment.

Millions of euros are spent each year designing, implementing, and maintaining urban landscapes. Unfortunately, long-term problems are caused when these processes are not carried out properly. Many of these problems can be avoided or reduced by utilising sustainable landscape practices. A landscape developed with sustainable practices will improve the environment by conserving resources and reducing chemical applications. A sustainable landscape will also reduce labour inputs making it less expensive to implement and maintain.

The key to creating a sustainable landscape is understanding that the design process should be considered first. Plant selection, implementation, and maintenance build on the design process, each having sustainability as a major consideration.

Switching over to sustainable gardening practices goes a long way towards building a garden that you can enjoy, admire and even eat. At the same time, you reduce your environmental footprint, by increasing carbon storage, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and contributing to plant and animal biodiversity.

Here are a few tips to create your sustainable garden:

s a m t s i r Ch

Z PLANT TREES. Planting trees helps to return carbon from the atmosphere into the soil.

Trees can also cool your home in summer and let in the winter sun. (80 per cent of our oxygen comes from the Amazon. There, the trees create 50 per cent of their own rainfall to keep surviving. The Amazon is slowly being deforested!)

Z GROW YOUR OWN ORGANIC FOOD. Not only does this help to reduce the distance your food travels before it hits your plate, but it also helps to save water and fossil fuels.

Z COMPOST YOUR WASTE. The less green garden waste and food scraps going into landfill the better, and you get to use the compost in your sustainable garden.

Z TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR GARDENING PRACTICES. Think very carefully before you reach for the bug spray or synthetic fertiliser! So many good, sustainable alternatives exist; use compost to help feed your plants, and get worms and insects working for you.

Z HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF ENVIRONMENTAL WEEDS. Find out what plants have become weeds in your area and, if you have them or they pop up, either get rid of them safely or contain them.

Z MINIMISE YOUR USE OF POWERED TOOLS. Mowers, blowers, and brush-cutters can make life easier, but think about their

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environmental impact. Buy an energy-efficient mower, mow less often, and keep the grass height to about four to five centimetres — it’s better for your sustainable lawn as well.

Z START A LIST OF GROUPS OF LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE YOU CAN JOIN OR LEARN FROM: Local knowledge goes a long way towards establishing sustainable practices.

Z GET THE KIDS INTO SUSTAINABLE GARDENING. At home, at school or in the community, if kids learn the right way from the beginning, they’re sure to keep gardening sustainably into the future.

Z ONLY USE RENEWABLE RESOURCES IN THE GARDEN. Check the source of gardening materials and make sure you reuse, recycle and renew. Think about where your pavers, sleepers, and mulch come from and how they’re manufactured.

Z CREATE A HAVEN WITH A DIVERSE RANGE OF PLANTS. Not only do you help increase plant biodiversity, but you also provide a habitat for animals, beneficial insects, and birds.

Z BUILD YOUR GARDEN FOR THE FUTURE. Make your garden climate-friendly and water-wise. Understand your environment, weather patterns, and the plants that thrive where you live.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas, a very Happy New Year, and peace and love in ‘our’ world... e

g For any questions, or landscape design enquiries: rvwhaley@gmail.com or Tel: 676 331 700 11/22/11 2:41 PM

“ Wh e n you are s er i ou s ab o u t R eal Es tate”

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ma r be l l a -e sta te s.com Tel. +34 952 90 42 44 info@marbella-estates.com 151 Marbella Estates.indd 1

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THESTYLE FASHION

In honour of the festive season, Marisa Cutillas brings you a selection of glorious party wear from the world’s top designers.

Y T R A P 2999 Armani www.arm

ani.com

Like It’s

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RRERA CAROLINA HE w w w.carolinah

errera.com

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Max Azria w w w.bcbg.com

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lu Luca Luca www.

caluca.com

ww Michael Kors

w.michaelkors

.com

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BombeeRai nbowCol l ect i on

C. C.Cr i s t amar ,Local es 1516,Puer t oBanĂşs( Mar bel l a)

952818822 www. pav es . es

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rera.com

ran.com

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illier Monique Lhu illier www.mon Monique Lhu

w w w.moniquelh

uillier.com

iquelhuillier.com

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lu Luca Luca www.

caluca.com

venexian Venexiana www.

altd.com

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THESTYLE PERFUMES

WORDS BY INSIGNIA

most luxurious As voted for by ultra-high net worth individuals

T

scents

hroughout history, a refined appreciation of exquisite fragrances has been a noted mark of social hauteur. Societies of antiquity, as diverse as early Egypt and Imperial China, distilled fragrances using oils to trap scents for the creation of healing balms and ceremonial oils, for the use of the socially elite. Compounds such as the biblically famed frankincense and myrrh, and sources of congenial fragrances such as rose, lavender and peppermint were used to create early perfumes in Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The Romans were among the first Europeans to patronise the craft of perfumery. They applied scents to their bodies up to three times each day, and perfumed every aspect of their clothing and interiors. The Roman obsession with distilled scents extended to their use on pets and horses.

Doves, their wings heavy with perfume, were often released during banquets to shower fragrances upon the heads of the carousing guests.

Perfume evolved into its modern form in the royal courts of Europe. The Tudors had a particular love of perfume, with Queen Elizabeth I using copious amounts to mask odours in an era when bathing was discouraged on health grounds.

The erotic potency of perfume made it essential to the toilette at the court of Versailles in the 17th and 18th centuries. Queen Marie Antoinette’s olfactory desires pushed the very boundaries of perfume creation. The decadent queen had fragrances designed for every aspect of her life, including maternity and child birth; among the fashions she led was one for perfumed gloves.

The French monarchy arguably left their nation with an unparalleled fragrance industry.

France’s perfumeries and fashion houses have been producing fragrances for three centuries and for them the prestige of society’s elite has always been an essential muse. Insignia Lifestyle Management interviewed 100 of its super rich clients to discover what are their top ten, alltime, favourite luxurious scents – in their findings French producers reign supreme. Despite the creation of countless new perfumes and colognes each year, ultra-high net worth individuals return, again and again, to heritage fragrances for their timeless charm and prestigious associations.

Here are their top ten:

2

1. Après l’Ondée – Guerlain (1906)

The first choice of Insignia’s privileged clients, this vintage fragrance was created to invoke a spirit of youthful folly and feminine delicacy. In English, its compelling name means ‘after the rain’, and in that vein, its enigmatically light scent is infused with the potent essences of aniseed, rose, almonds, iris root and citrus extracts. Among France’s premier perfumeries, the house of Guerlain was owned by the Guerlain family from 1828 until 1994, when it was sold to LVMH.

2. Le Chypre – Coty (1917)

A fragrant ode to love and beauty, this sensuously provocative perfume was named for Cyprus, the birthplace of Venus, Goddess of Love. Created from the essences of oak, moss, iris, musk, labdanum, amber and bergamot, it suggests the fertility of the Cyprian landscape. This renowned French perfumery was founded by the Corsican, Francois Coty in 1904. Coty’s raison d’être was to create a modern brand for the 20th century: quality fragrances, beautifully bottled with an aura of simplicity and impeccable taste.

6

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3. Chanel No. 5 – Chanel (1921)

Created by the visionary genius of Coco Chanel, this elegance fragrance captures the spirit of this classic French fashion label. Its charismatic scent includes the essences of jasmine, rose, ylang ylang, iris, lily of the valley, amber, patchouli and vanilla. Chanel is arguably a brand which resonates with every woman. It was revered by Jacqueline Kennedy, while her husband’s one-time lover Marilyn Monroe famously commented, “I wear nothing in bed except Chanel No.5.”

4. Fracas – Robert Piguet (1948)

Created in the era of cine noire, this intoxicating fragrance is quintessentially Parisian. With ingredients including tuberose, jasmine, orange blossom, carnation and pink geranium, it evokes the sexually charged charisma and urban sophistication of the femme fatale. Bottled in iconic black glass, Fracas has been worn by celebrities as diverse as Madonna, Courtney Love and Martha Stewart.

4

5. L’Air du Temps – Nina Ricci (1948)

Infused with the essence of springtime, this romantic perfume includes notes of carnation, rosewood, bergamot, violet, iris, amber and sandalwood. It symbolised the rebirth of Europe in the wake of World War Two, and the spirit of positivity and self confidence which drove the development of the Nina Ricci brand.

ABOUT INSIGNIA LIFESTYLE NT MANAGEME -end lifestyle

Diorissimo – Christian Dior (1956)

From the fashion house which rivalled Chanel’s supremacy in the post war years, Diorissimo is quintessentially Dior. While Chanel No. 5 suggests the power of restrained feminine sexuality, Dorrisiomo is the scent of sweetly romantic, feminine sensuality.

Subtle in fragrance, with ingredients including lily of the valley, ylang-ylang, rosewood, amaryllis, boronia and jasmine, this perfume evokes, to this very day, the spirit Dior’s ‘new look’.

8. Je Reviens – Worth (1932)

Insignia are a high ers bespoke management group, that off a-high net ultr to s vice ser tyle lifes luxury globe. With offices wor th individuals across the Montreal, Dubai na, Vien , in New York, London s a unique Luxury and Moscow, it offers member2:1. Clients can of o rati er emb to-m Expertto the enjoy round-the-clock access every s full range of Insignia’s ser vice day of the year. i ww w.insignia.co

Je Reviens is a fragrance created to represent the purity of line and form synonymous with 1930s fashion. This perfume is infused with lime, lemon, lavender, vetiver, patchouli, moss and musk, making it both sensuous and fresh. It is fitting that a fragrance by Worth is among the top ten favourites of the super rich, given that it was the original French fashion house, and was ironically founded by an Englishman, Charles Worth in 1858.

6. Emeraude – Coty (1921) Another classic from the legendary French perfumery Coty, this classic scent captures the energy and passion of an exotic, eastern fantasy. The scent is intoxicatingly infused with jasmine, orange, citrus florals, sandalwood and spices.

7

10. Eau Sauvage – Christian Dior (1966)

At number ten, Dior achieves its second entry on our list; this time for a feminine fragrance with a male undertone. The inclusion of Crisp lemon and rosemary creates a stimulating fragrance, while the addition of vetiver provides a distinctly masculine base note – a perfume which captures the energy, and spirit of change, of the 1960s.

9

9. L’Origan – Coty (1905) Evoking warmth and sensuality, this vintage fragrance is Coty’s third, place-winner in our top ten fragrance list. It’s ingredients include the extracts of bergamot, orange, neroli and ylang-ylang.

DECEMBER 2011 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 75

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THESTYLE FASHION

Pen by Chopard

Gown by Yoana Baraschi

There’s no time like the festive season to show off your most glamorous party wear. We bring you some of the prettiest dresses, jewellery items and accessories of the Autumn/Winter 2011-2012 season.

Ring by Dior

“TIS THE SEASON to be Jolly COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

Dress by Michael Kors

Bag by Accessorize

Gown by Farah Angsana

Gown by Venexiana 76 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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CONTACTS:ACCESSORIZE www.accessorize.com CARTIER www.cartier.com CHOPARD www.chopard.com DIOR www.dior.com FARAH ANGSANA www.farahangsana.com GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI www.giuseppezanottidesign.com IVANA HELSINKI www.ivanahelsinki.com MICHAEL KORS www.michaelkors.com MONTBLANC www.montblanc.com TADASHI SHOJI www.tadashishoji.com TONE BARKER SILK At Sally B at the Escuela de Arte Ecuestra de Estepona. Tel: 660 484 813. www.tonebarker.dk VENEXIANA www.venexianaltd.com YOANA BARASCHI www.yoanabaraschi.com

g Who’s Weahrin W at? ines in Monica Bellucci sh , from er rti Ca by ry lle jewe ction the Sortilege colle

Dress by Tone Barker Silk

Bag by Giuseppe Zanotti

Gown

by Ivana Helsinki

Gown by Tadashi Shoji

Earrings by Montblanc

Shoes by Giuseppe Zanotti

DECEMBER 2011 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 77

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TREATMENTS / PRODUCTS / BEAUTY / SPA / SCIENCE / HEALTH

Party facials, beauty latest, fun fitness breaks under the sun, keeping it healthy and Dr. Kai Kaye on breast improvements…

80 The Softlight Laser Peeling Treatment 82 Beauty News 86 Boot Camp Marbella: Luxury Fitness Breaks 88 Health News 90 Health Profile: Dr. Kai Kaye of Ocean Clinic

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Cosmetic Surgery |

Non Surgical Procedures |

Cosmetic Dentistry

w w w. a r i a m e d i c a l g r o u p.c o m

FREE private consultations FREE genuine aftercare* FREE revision surgery* FREE 24 hour helpline* + Breast Augmentation

+ Facial Injections

+ Breast Uplift

+ Face Lifts

+ Breast Reduction

+ Eyebag Removal

+ Tummy Tuck

+ Rhinoplasty

+ Liposuction

* Your first post operative year - we offer you the best possible service, without question.

Book your consultation By phone: (+34) 952 895 088 in English (+34) 662 936 058 en EspaĂąol Or online: info@ariamedicalgroup.com

Season’s Greetings!

And best wishes for 2012 to all our valued clients!

Dr. Marco Vricella is Director of the Aesthetic Surgery unit at HC Marbella Private Hospital.

FREE Consultations

| Gibraltar

| Marbella

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Madrid

WORDS Marisa cutillas

PARTY FACIAL with a Boost

The Softlight Thermalase Laser Treatment

TREATMENTS

TREATMENTS

I

like to think that there are two sorts of facial treatments women opt for, depending on their mood. On the one hand there are pampering facials, where ingredients like fruits, flowers and even chocolate, combined with a soft, relaxing touch, take you to a place where textures and scents de-stress the body and relax the mind; on the other hand there are the ‘active’ facials; treatments that work beyond the surface to promote the production of elastin and collagen, unblock clogged pores and diminish fine lines and reduce puffiness. The Softlight Thermalase Laser Treatment definitely belongs to the latter group. Like most laser treatments, it isn’t necessarily pleasurable, but the results are perfect for glamorous party looks.

What does the Softlight Thermalase treatment do?

The treatment exfoliates dead skin cells, tightens pores and brings impurities to the surface of the skin, and, almost miraculously, eliminates hair, leading to permanent hair reduction. I recently went for my first treatment and was hooked, mainly because I prize the immediacy of results.

What happens during the treatment?

It is all pretty quick and simple; with no need for prior cleansing, special gels or creams and it only takes 10 minutes! During my first treatment, the therapist used a small nozzle to ‘zap’ a safe, extremely low-energy laser onto my skin. “The laser emits some 2.5 kilojoules of energy, which is very low when you consider that some medical lasers go up to 80 kilojoules or more,” she said, as she worked on various areas of my face, including the eyes, forehead, sides of the face, above the lips, the chin, etc. They may not be visible when you look at yourself in the mirror, but believe me, the thousands of ultra fine hairs all around your face are making your complexion look a lot duller than it would without them! Proof of the pudding was the amount of light and seeming youthfulness that had been restored to my skin almost immediately after the facial.

Does it hurt?

The sensation during the treatment wasn’t pleasant, but it wasn’t painful either; the therapist first tried the laser out on my arm to show me the immediate effect and I was quite taken aback when, with just one ‘zap’, the hair targeted went from black to white (since the laser targets melanin)! About ten days later, the hair falls off, though you will have to go for a few more sessions for a permanent reduction in the amount of hair.

Who is it for?

It’s for everyone: men and women, young and old, anyone who is tired of waxing or shaving and the problems these methods entail, including ingrown hair and bumps on skin from shaving. It works best on those with dark hair, since those with light or blonde hair do not have the required melanin for the laser to take effect.

What areas of the body can be treated?

Almost everywhere: the back, chest, face, arms, bikini line, etc. The only places which need to be avoided are orifices – e.g. nostrils, ears, etc.

How often do you need to have it?

It depends on the result you desire. If you are after a peel/exfoliation, every four to six weeks is good. For hair removal, it depends on the part of the body. The underarm is usually touched up every six to eight weeks while the legs stay gorgeous for between eight and 12 weeks. For facial hair removal, every four to six weeks is ideal.

Do I need to prepare for it?

Not really; just make sure to avoid suntanning for 48 hours before and after the treatment.

Does it have any side effects?

Skin can feel slightly itchy for a few minutes after the treatment, but it’s nothing an application of aloe-vera gel won’t fix.

What is the cost of the treatment? €25 a session. e

i The Softlight Thermalase

The thousands of ultra fine hairs all around your face are making your complexion look a lot duller than it would without them

treatment is available at Beso salon in Fuengirola.

C/ Emancipación, Local 15, Fuengirola. Tel: 655 213 349.

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Paradoxal Nail Colour by Chanel

PRODUCTS

COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

This season, purples and fuschias are all the rage. i www.chanel.com

Nail varnish in gold by Next

For attention-catching hands, gold is best. i www.next.co.uk

Perfect Storm Nail Lacquer

by EstĂŠe Lauder

For a dark yet metallic shade, it doesn’t get lovelier than this. i www.esteelauder.com

Gold Sparkler

by The Body Shop

Spray some lovely shine all over your face and body with this neat sparkler. Avda. Ricardo Soriano 20, Marbella. i www.thebodyshop.es

Christmas

party look Shine brighter than the stars this Christmas with the help of these gorgeous beauty buys Sequinned make-up bags

by Marks & Spencer

Keep it glitzy with these sparkling little bags. i www.marksandspencer.com

Eye Quartet Mineral Palettes

by Clarins

Les Ombres De Lune Shadow & Light Eyes by Givenchy

This shadow collection comes in nude, rosewood, pastel, indigo, violet and graphite shades. i www.clarins.com

This eyeshadow-and-highlighter-in-one is undoubtedly my top pick of the month. Use it to highlight your cheeks, eyes and complexion and use the darker shade for intense smokey eyes. i www.givenchy.com

Age-Defying Cream Make-Up by Revlon

This lovely twisty foundation has an SPF of 20 and is ideal for mature, dry skin. i www.revlon.com 82 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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PUBLIREPORTAJE

GOING THE EXTRA MILE IN AESTHETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY Cirumed Clinic Avda. Ramón y Cajal 7, Marbella.

Tel: 952 775 346. www.cirumed.es Department of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Quirón Hospital Avda. Imperio Argentina 1, Málaga.

Tel: 902 448 855. www.quiron.es

or a person seeking plastic surgery, the choice of which surgeon or clinic to visit can be a daunting one indeed. As these fields are so specialised, it is crucial to be informed and learn something about the level of experience and training required, in order to differentiate a good from a great, surgeon.

Dr. Alexander Aslani, who founded the Cirumed Clinic in Marbella four years ago, is a benchmark of such excellence, fostered through training in the UK, Germany and Austria and vast experience in complex plastic reconstructive surgery in South Africa. “To master plastic and reconstructive surgery, it is necessary to spend some years as a qualified specialist in a senior position, a few years as rotating resident will not do” he says, adding, “Unfortunately, most surgeons today, especially in plastic surgery, try to take the easy route and disappear in ‘beauty practices’ in the belief that what they perceive as their talent will compensate for their lack of surgical experience. However, once things go beyond the easy, they quickly come to a point where the do not know what to do.”

Dr. Aslani himself has spent many years in Austria as a Professor teaching residents this specialty, one that would turn into his own life-long

passion. He also spent six years in South Africa in the 1990s, a country renowned as one of the best for obtaining hands-on experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery. “In South Africa, specialists attend to a huge workload of patients, mainly in the field of trauma,” he explains , adding, “This goes hand-in-hand with one of the best academic training programmes in the world. South Africa is so hectic, one year there in reconstructive surgery amounts to about six years in the UK in terms of patient numbers.”

It is easy to understand why, when patients opt for aesthetic surgery, it is a good idea to seek out a surgeon with extensive experience in reconstructive surgery, generally regarded as far more difficult and complex in the technical sense. This curiosity about a surgeon’s background and training seems to be lacking in the Marbella area, in Dr. Aslani’s view: “Somehow it seems to be a phenomenon native to Marbella that many patients don’t bother asking their surgeons how long they have been specialists, whether or not they have been Senior Consultants, etc., when all this is highly relevant to the outcome they can expect.”

Since 2009, Dr. Aslani is also Chairman and Head of the Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery Department at the Quirón Hospital in Málaga, Spain’s largest private hospital.

If you’re an expat, you will probably need an

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Dr. Alexander

Aslani

of the Cirumed Clinic and the Quirón Hospital WORDS marisa cutillas photography kh Photography

introduction to a hospital regarded as one of the most elite in Spain, the choice of the King of Spain and members of the Real Madrid football team who go to the Quirón Hospital’s branch in Madrid. The Quirón is known for its safety and excellent service and offers maximum-level care to patients, including helicopter transfer and a state-ofthe-art intensive care unit.

For Dr. Aslani, as it would be for any surgeon, his appointment at the Quirón was an incredible coup. The post was hotly solicited and makes its holder one of the leading surgeons of the country. The Plastic surgery department is one of the hospitals flagship departments. Says Dr. Aslani: “The Quirón has made enormous investments in laser equipment, surgical microscopes and so on, which differentiates it from small clinics. I spend around 80 per cent of my time operating there and, I must say, my appointment as Head of the Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery Department has made my working life much more complete. I truly enjoy the academic exchange with other surgeons and also the opportunity to consult with renowned heavyweights in the medical sphere, such as the Heads of Department at the Quirón Hospitals in Madrid and Barcelona.” At the Quirón, Dr. Aslani also has the opportunity to hire the best professionals and recently recruited a consultant from the UK in an effort to bring the very best to the south of Spain.

Other changes he has implemented at the Quirón include the appointment of a Head and Neck Specialist, who is able

to complement the plastic surgery team beautifully. Dr. Aslani explains, “I perform all rhinoplasties with the Head and Neck Specialist since he is particularly good at working on the deep septum, while I take care of the outer part of the nose. I noticed that, when we go the extra mile and operate together, the improvement is notable. With steps such as these the Quirón, which has only been present in Málaga since 2009, has already made a name for itself as the only hospital specialising in complex reconstructive and facial surgery in the south of Spain.”

With a private clinic of his own and such an important role at the Quirón Hospital, Dr. Aslani is certainly a busy man. He describes his workload as being divided as such: “About 30 per cent of the surgery I perform is composed of breast reconstruction, 20 per cent of head and neck surgery and 50 per cent of aesthetic procedures.”

When I ask if breast reconstruction for cancer victims involves the use of implants, he states that in the main, he opts for reconstructions using fat obtained from other parts of the body. The reason for this, he explains, is that “implants on breast cancer victims can lead to complications and require further operations in approximately 50 per cent of cases.”

Reconstructive surgery is, nevertheless, far more complex for a surgeon than the normal implant procedure, taking between seven and 11 hours compared to only two-anda-half to three hours for a standard implant procedure.

Dr. Aslani is also actively involved with

the Interplast organisation, travelling to India twice a year to conduct free palate reconstruction surgery on the impoverished for two weeks. Cleft palates and lips, a phenomenon nearly unheard of these days in the western world, is rife in India and Dr. Aslani assures me that this condition “is a huge setback for sufferers, who are treated as social outcasts, cannot get married or find employment.” He is pleased to inform me that unlike the first camp organised by Interplast in India, where sponsorship and public interest were hard to come by, this annual event is now so successful that it has received backing from entities like the Quirón Group, which generously donated €15.000 last year.

Dr. Aslani has certainly run the full gamut when it comes to reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, helping patients in so many ways, from reconstructing a face destroyed by a violent accident or gunshot to giving women the breast augmentation they have always dreamed of. He is testimony to the marriage of experience and training, science and art, love and passion; a marriage present in only the very best medical professionals. e

December 2011 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 85

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FITNESS BREAKS TREATMENTS HEALTH

under the Sun WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KH PHOTOGRAPHY

P

erhaps it’s been quite a few years since your Uni days, when regular jogs along the beach and scheduled workouts at the gym kept you fit, tight and smoking hot. Now you can barely fit into your jeans let alone contemplate the thought of taking your heart rate up past 160. If you are feeling passive, guilty or generally upset, rest assured, you are not alone. Most of the time all we need is a crucial spark to motivate us to make a change. If you’re seeking this sort of inspiration, why not join Boot Camp Marbella: a new fitness experience started up on the Coast by Dominic James (who boasts 18 years as a personal trainer and who has completed various Ironman triathlons) and Jan Dendauw (a businessman and former first division soccer player in Belgium who has also completed the gruelling Ironman race)?

Dominic and Jan decided to offer a different kind of fitness break in Marbella because, as they say, “sports and fitness are a huge part of our life and we wanted to share this passion with anyone wanting to kickstart their fitness”.

Don’t be fooled by the name; Boot Camp Marbella is not about training you ‘til you drop while your PTs shout out orders dressed in army slacks. You will not be sleeping in a campsite on bunk beds, nor will you be eating army style food.

“It’s more a fitness break than a Boot Camp,”

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explains Jan. Dominic adds, “Clients coming from overseas are pampered and cared for from day one. We pick them up at the airport and take them to a comfy four-star hotel with facilities such as a spa, sauna, steam rooms, etc., which all help the body recuperate better after an intensive workout. We also have a qualified dietician onboard who can provide nutritional advice, as well as a physiotherapist if needed. Clients will enjoy delicious yet light meals, insurance liability, massages from a professional masseuse and lots of discounts to local businesses like hairdressers, restaurants, etc.” The experience is for everyone, irrespective of age or fitness levels, though it is especially indicated for those in need of a fitness boost: in one week you can expect to lose between two and six kilos!

Boot Camp Marbella offers courses of various lengths: a full week’s course (which runs from Sunday to Sunday), a half-week course (from Wednesday to Sunday) and even weekend or day courses (ideal for those living in the local area who cannot take more time off). Activities are varied, with a strong focus on making the most of Marbella’s enviable micro-climate. You can look forward to mountain biking in the quaint white village of Benahavís, hiking along the La Concha mountain range, kayaking, canoeing or racing a

dragon boat on the glistening waters of the Istán lake, completing a strength or aerobic workout on the beach, dancing to the rhythm of a fun hip-hop class, working out at a top local gym and even enjoying a relaxing yoga class on most afternoons.

The camp isn’t a walk in the park, though, as Dominic explains: “The alarm goes off at 7am and by 7:30 we’re doing our first workout.” The average day sees clients working out intensively for around six hours, though there is plenty of time to relax in the sauna, go shopping and, of course, socialise.

Dominic and Jan promise a fun experience, with activities such as Spanish lessons, meals out and salsa nights making for a great cultural break.

And for a luxury bespoke experience, try the Platinum Boot Camp experience, an exclusive programme including one-on-one classes, fivestar accommodation and discretion for celebrity clients.

If you’re worried that the experience may be too tough, fret not; the entire team is composed of seasoned professionals with a minimum of 10 years in the fitness industry. As Dominic says: “We work with the body, not against it. 18 years as a professional trainer have taught me how to recognise if someone has reached their limit, or if, on the contrary, they need to work harder.”

Dominic has honed his craft working with a plethora of celebrities, entrepreneurs and even premier footballers and he currently trains clients between the ages of 10 and 80.

Dominic and Jan represent the perfect partnership of experience in fitness training and finely tuned commercial skills and Boot Camp Marbella promises to be a top-level, highly effective and exhilarating experience. Feeling fit and looking good is about so much more than sacrifice and determination; it is also about fun, celebrating the great outdoors and taking your body and mind to their personal best level. The Zone awaits, my friends… e

g Tel: 620 126 351. www.bootcamp-marbella.com 11/22/11 2:52 PM

TRAINING

THE MOST EXCLUSIVE GYM ON THE COAST

FEEL DYNAMIC, FEEL GOOD...

DYNAMIC

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WIS HES YO U A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Ctra de Istán, km 0.900, Centro Comercial

info@dynamicmarbella.com www.dynamicmarbella.com

RESTAURANT

“Le Village” Marbella. Tel: 952 775 021

CHANGING ROOMS

MASSAGE

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Monday - Friday: 8.30am to 10.30pm / Saturday: 9.00am to 3.00pm / Sunday: 10.00am to 2.00pm

••151 DTC.indd 1

11/23/11 12:49 PM

Mobile Phones Pose No Cancer Risk

UPDATE

As the use of mobile phones has soared in popularity over the past 20 years, alarming fears have been raised about a possible connection between these devices and brain cancer.

Fortunately, a new study carried out by the Institute of Cancer Epidemiology in Denmark and published in the British Medical Journal website, indicates that there is no link between the two. The study covered some 350,000 people from all over the world, all of whom had used mobile phones for some 18 years. The findings indicated they had no increased risk for brain cancer.

Interestingly, the findings haven’t stopped the World Health Organisation from issuing a warning that mobile phones could still be carcinogenic. It seems that the Danish study excluded those who used their phones for business purposes (i.e. the heaviest mobile users), a criterion that should be taken into account in future studies.

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Light, Low Cal and Diet: What’s the Diff ?

The USP Hospital in Marbella’s expert in nutrition, Luciana Altieri, recently published a report indicating that consumers should be aware of the difference between the terms ‘light’, ‘low cal’ and ‘diet’, when purchasing food supplies. In Spanish supermarkets and stores, the term ‘light’ means that the product contains 50 per cent less fat or 30 per cent less calories or 50 per cent less sodium, than its non-light counterpart. ‘Low calorie’ (‘Bajo en Calorías’), meanwhile, means the product has between 45 and 50 per cent less calories than the original product. Finally, Diet (or ‘Dietético’) means that a product’s ingredients differ from those in the original product. For instance, the ‘diet’ product could contain less carbohydrates, more protein or fibre, less fat, less calories and perhaps even some modified nutrients.

Says Altieri: “People confuse these three terms and many times, products labelled as ‘light’ can actually contain high levels of fat, such as ‘light’ mayonnaise and margarine.

Many people think these products are low fat or low cal, which couldn’t be further from the truth”.

May the Charitable Force Be With You

There is no better excuse than a charitable cause to buy a Star Wars T-shirt, a little known fact recently discovered by the Stand Up 2 Cancer charity. Celebrities like Emma Stone, Jaime King and Zach Galifianakis recently supported the fundraising effort, donning Star Wars inspired shirts in a fun campaign aimed at raising funds for a project which brings together teams of the most eminent cancer specialists to find a cure for this deadly disease. i To take home a colourful T-shirt

of your own, shop online at www.standup2cancer.org

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D

BEAUTY

r. Kaye is a happy man the day I visit his office, for we are talking about one of the subjects he likes most: breast Surgery. Dr Kaye is a highly experienced plastic surgeon who performs an average of three breast operations a week. His database reveals thousands of breasts of all sizes and shapes and the one thing they have in common is the dramatic difference ‘before and after’ surgery. Breasts which are empty, asymmetric, or saggy, become perky, more voluminous and always highly natural, after being touched by the hands of Dr. Kaye. He tells us a little about one of plastic surgery’s most highly requested options.

Breast Surgery Then and Now…

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KH PHOTOGRAPHY

“Breast surgery is still THE most often performed aesthetic surgery procedure for women,” says Dr. Kaye. He explains, “It was introduced to the general public in the 1970s, when the first successful implants were made and since then the technique has become more refined, especially when it comes to the type of implants used. Saline implants (which were artificial to the touch and tended to leak) have been replaced with an implant made of a silicone shell filled with a cohesive (set) gel which cannot leak, so volume is not lost. Implants now last for a minimum of 15 years. They are considered very safe and have an excellent patient satisfaction rate.”

Implants vs Autologous Breast Augmentation If you thought implants were the only way to increase volume, you may not have heard of autologous breast augmentation, which involves transferring fat from another area of the body to the breast. “Autologous breast augmentation is ideal for those who do not want an implant or those undergoing radiation therapy after breast cancer which often causes problems with implants,” says Dr. Kaye, adding, “though it is not for everyone since limited amounts of fat can be grafted per session and on average, the breast can only increase by one cup size or one cup size and a half.” An implant is also preferable for those after a more perky shape, since autologous transfer tends to produce a more tear-drop shape. Dr. Kaye predicts that implants will continue to play an important role in breast surgery for the next two or three decades, noting that tissue engineering through stem cells is also making headways in this field.

How to make the right choice?

“The first thing to discuss,” says Dr. Kaye, “is what the patient dislikes about her breasts. I try to see if the problem can be fixed with an implant or not… some issues have nothing to do with sheer volume; for instance, if one nipple is bigger than the other or one breast sits significantly lower than the other. In these cases a breast uplift (with or without an implant) may 90 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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An Interview with Dr. Kai Kaye of Ocean Clinic Marbella

ALL ABOUT

Breast Surgery be the better option. Many patients come to me because they have been operated on before and are unhappy with the results,” he says, showing me the ‘before’ picture of a patient who was left with an unnatural, round, hard looking set of implants which had been inserted in front of the muscle.

Needless to say the ‘after’ photo is all the opposite: natural looking, pert, simply beautiful. “Picking the right size and shape is very important for each woman,” he says. “There is no single implant that suits everyone.”

The Operation and Downtime The procedure takes an hour and 20 minutes to perform and Dr. Kaye generally asks patients to remain in the clinic for a night for post-op supervision. Downtime is divided into the primary stage (the first three days) and the secondary stage (patients use a special support bra or breast band. They can lead a normal life but must avoid lifting heavy objects). After 10 days the stitches come out and within a month’s time, patients can see the final result.

Who can have Breast Surgery?

Patients tend to fall into two groups: those aged 20 to 30 (who generally seek more volume) and those

seeking a ‘mummy makeover’ after having had kids and being unhappy with loss of volume and sagging, often combining the breast surgery with some nip/tuck of the abdomen or liposculpturing of the thighs.

Do Implants Need to Be Replaced?

“Around 20 per cent of women tend to opt for a re-operation, as within a long term period the breasts will begin to sag because of general aging of the skin leading to loss of elasticity.” In those case a change of the implants for one size bigger can in most cases re-establish shape, cleavage and fullness.

Dr. Kaye smiles as he concludes: “To perform breast surgery you must love what you do. You need to have a good eye for symmetry and tissue since you’re working with a dynamic 3-D body.” He has another reason to be happy: Ocean Clinic is currently undergoing an extension and by the New Year, it will boast a complete in-house surgical medical unit bearing the newest, state-of-the-art installations and patient rooms in Marbella. The clinic will also host new Maxillofacial Surgery and Facial Feminisation units, allowing Dr. Kaye and his qualified team to offer outstanding service and dedication to their patients. e

g Avda. Ramón y Cajal 7, Marbella. Tel: 951 775 518. www.oceanclinic.net 11/22/11 2:53 PM

Dr. Kai O. Kaye Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgeon Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery EBOPRAS Full Member of the German Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery DGPRĂ„C Member of the Colegio de Medicos de MĂĄlaga (No.29/2909452)

Facelift Blepharoplasty Rhinoplasty Otoplasty Breast lift /reduction /augmentation Labiaplasty Abdominoplasty Liposuction Thigh lift Brachioplasty Scar correction Deep Peeling Botox - Filler Dental aesthetics Facial feminization

Thank You!

Dr. Kaye and the Ocean Clinic team thank all their patients who supported us during the past year and made it possible to be voted again as the most popular Plastic Surgery Clinic in Marbella.

We are looking forward to 2012, when we are going to offer our award-winning service in our extended, brand new installations where state-of-the-art surgical equipment, beautiful patient rooms and a dedicated, bigger team will make your treatment with us memorable, whether you are considering reshaping your silouhette or a healthier, more youthful looking face.

Winner Marbella Awards for the Second Year

wishes you all a MerryChristmas!

Av. Ramon y Cajal, 7 - 29600 Marbella / +34 951 775 518 - Mob : 670 770 455 info@oceanclinic.net - www.oceanclinic.net

essential marbella® magazine

& JYSKE BANK GIBRALTAR The stormy weather wasn’t enough to stop more than 250 members of Marbella’s business community and jetset from donning elegant tuxedos and gowns and heading for the most glamorous night of the year: Marbella Magazine’s 6th Awards gala, held in association with Jyske Bank, at the Hotel Puente Romano. The event, endorsed by the Ayuntamiento de Marbella, was also an important fundraising effort, eventually producing more than €11.000 for two charities: the Fundación Cesare Scariolo, devoted to children suffering from cancer and their families and the Fundación Tutelar (FUNDASPANDEM), which helps disabled youngsters.

The party began with a chic cocktail reception at the lobby of the Hotel Puente Romano’s Salón Andalucía. The adrenalin really began to soar as guests made their way to their tables and nominees eagerly awaited the results, enjoying a fabulous four-course meal and an Oscar-style Awards ceremony.

6

TH

Enigmatic presenters, Shivani Mair and Mugge Fischer, then called Magazine’s Publisher, Iain Blackwell, to the stage. Mr. Blackwell welcomed guests and congratulated nominees for being so proactive, encouraging their clients to vote through the strictly controlled online voting system. With thousands of votes received for each category, the results were undoubtedly a faithful representation of efforts made by the businesses and their clients. Mr. Blackwell then shared an interesting anecdote with the public: the night of the gala, the 19th of November, was the 14th anniversary of the day he met his wife, Andrea Böjti, Creative Director of magazine and brainchild behind the Marbella Awards. Also giving a speech was Nicholas Wright, Business

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MARBELLA AWARDS GALA SUCCESS photography kh Photography & Johnny gates

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Development Manager of Jyske Bank, who expressed his delight at playing an important role in such a prestigious event.

Next, Sergio Scariolo, Coach of the Spanish National Basketball Team and Founder of the Cesare

Scariolo foundation, addressed the audience, as did Remedios del Rio on behalf of Fundapandem, both of them giving thanks to the organisers for their valued support.

Following a short break, the Awards Ceremony started in earnest with 14 winners being announced in a variety of categories reflecting the diversity and standard of the businesses which really enhance our lifestyle here on the Costa del Sol, such as Golf, presented to Finca Cortesín by Sergio Scariolo, Spas, Beach Clubs, Nightlife and Restaurants, which alone encompassed five different categories.

These were awarded in a crescendo of excitement between courses of a meal that can only be described as five-star, with dishes such as a creamy prawn and seafood ravioli and a hearty foie gras, washed down with wonderful white and red wine.

In addition, two special prizes were awarded, to

Tikitano restaurant for receiving the most votes for a company which was not one of original nominees and by Magazine to Swans School, for its outstanding achievement as a top International school celebrating its 40th anniversary this year in September.

Interspersed between the Award presentations were outstanding performances from top local artists, including violin virtuoso, Quike Navarro, musical maestros Monkey Tennis and ‘the Diva of Soul’, Yanela Brooks. Quike Navarro proved that the violin isn’t for sissies, as he whipped his hair and moved his violin bow in stacatto rhythm to funky tunes like David Guetta’s Sweat. Monkey Tennis, meanwhile, gave a truly eclectic performance, setting hearts on fire with catchy pop, rock and disco hits. Many agreed that the lead singer’s rendition of Adele’s Rolling in the Deep was one of

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the outstanding highlights of the evening! Finally, Yanela appeared in her shiny silver glory, using her exuberant hair, sexy body and killer voice to rip the place to shreds. The audience couldn’t help but rush to the front of the stage to let their hair down and dance to pop and soul hits such as the classic, I’m Every Woman.

The raffle, which boasted a large number of attractive prizes donated from clients and Marbella philanthropists, witnessed guests winning everything from weekends at luxurious hotel right through to spa experiences, fitness breaks and even Botox sessions!

Magazine would like to thank all those who attended the event, and congratulate the nominated businesses. Additionally, thanks must be extended to all those companies which generously donated to the raffle, to this years media partners: Marbella-eye, Talk Radio Europe, Saeko Hamada TV and Radio Radio Network, to Esther Adan of Wish List, and to Patricia Nahmad and Adrián Duhart of Chic Hair for the supply of costumes, hair & make-up.

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WINNERS OF THE 2011 MARBELLA AWARDS

Thanks to the following companies which generously donated more than 30 prizes for the raffle.

THE WINNERS ARE: GOLF CLUB

Finca Cortesín Golf RACQUETS CLUB

Puente Romano Tennis Club FITNESS CLUB

Vitality Studio SPA

Villa Padierna Spa HOTEL

Hotel Puente Romano BEACH/PORT RESTAURANT

Trocadero Playa BEACH CLUB

Ocean Club NIGHT CLUB

Suite

ORIENTAL RESTAURANT

Tai Pan

ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Ristorante Da Bruno MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

El Lago

boot camp marbella

ic James

by Domin

INTERNATIONAL RESTAURANT

Polo House SCHOOL

Aloha College SPECIALIST CLINIC

Ocean Clinic

Ph y s i o th e rapy

BODY DYNAMICS Sari Dewald

SPECIAL AWARD

(MOST SUGGESTED FIELD)

SPECIAL AWARD

(LONG TERM EXCELLENCE)

Tikitano Restaurant Swans School

A LUCKY VOTER HAS WON LUXURY HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION FOR SIX AT CLUB LA COSTA’S SUPERBLY APPOINTED KUSADASI GOLF AND SPA RESORT IN TURKEY!

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NEWS /ENTERPRISE / LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILES /

FINANCE / LAW

ENTERPRISE

Homage to Severiano Ballesteros and José María Olazábal at the Andalucía Masters The Andalucía Masters paid a special tribute to golfing greats Severiano Ballesteros and José María Olazábal at Club de Golf Valderrama, the site of Ballesteros’ last Ryder Cup victory as Captain in 1997. Attending the event were Seve’s son Javier, his brother Manuel and many important dignitaries from the tourism and golfing worlds. Before tucking into a lovely dinner, guests enjoyed a video presentation highlighting some of the best moments of the dynamic Ryder Cup duo. Subsequently, the Vice-Councellor of Tourism, Commerce and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía, María del Mar Alfaro and the President of Club de Golf Valderrama, Viscount Pereira Machado, presented Javier Ballesteros and José María Olazábal with a replica of the Andalucía Masters trophy.

g www.andaluciamasters.es

New Champagne Club at El Corte Inglés El Corte Inglés Puerto Banús recently launched the Club del Champagne, a spectacular space where the effervescent pleasures of champagne extend to the five senses. The Club is nothing less than a haven for lovers of all things bubbly, featuring an elegant selection of champagne and spirits from prestigious brands such as Moët & Chandon, Krug, Belvedere, Glenmorangie, Hennessy, Ruinart, Dom Pérignon, Veuve Clicquot and many more. The Corte Inglés is also offering a Gourmet card featuring tempting varieties of paté, caviar, foie gras, canapés, quiche, cheese, etc. g El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 909 990. www.elcorteingles.es

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Boland is Back on the Air Waves: iTALK FM Launch

Š www.simonbaynephotography.com

Renowed Irish radio presenter Maurice Boland recently launched his brand new radio station iTALK FM, at the new studios, situated within the luxurious Kempinski Hotel.

Over 150 well-wishers, members of the media and the Mayor of Estepona, turned up to toast the success of the new venture. During the evening, guests enjoyed a constant flow of champagne and delicious canapĂŠs. Maurice made a brief speech thanking everyone for attending and marvelled at the location of his new radio station. g iTalk FM can be heard in

the Marbella to Sotogrande region on 88.5 FM and from Calahonda to Malaga on 102.0 FM or on their website www.italkfm.com

Patricia Darch Interiors opens in Gibraltar Patricia Darch Interiors has been established in Sotogrande for over twenty years, offering exclusive collections of furniture and fabrics and boasting an impressive portfolio of projects from Marbella to Gibraltar.

The company carries top designer brands such as BB Italia, IPE Cavalli, Fendi, Malerba and many more and is proud to announce that it has opened a new showroom in Gibraltar featuring selected collections from the flagship store in Sotogrande. Furniture, catalogues, fabrics and a new home ware range are on display in the new showroom along with all interior design services. Conveniently placed with plenty of parking, Patricia Darch Interiors Gibraltar is open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and on Saturday from 10am to 4pm. New to the showroom is the luxurious gift list service. Villeroy and Boch, Missoni and other brands will be available for all those special dates when giving that extra special present is so important.

g Ocean Village Marina, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 216 77776. www.patriciadarch.com

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Gunnel’z Fashion Boutique: Bringing a Touch of Glam to the San Pedro Polígono Gunnel’z Fashion Boutique may have been open for only a few months but it is already known for bringing something new and fresh to Marbella. Inspired by the urban chic boutiques in New York’s Meat Packing District, Gunnel’z offers an environment which is 100 per cent conducive to shopping, with funky, affordable brands offering everything you need to look your most stylish, from head to toe. One of the store’s most famous items are the clogs, hand-made in Sweden from Swedish wood and Italian leather. Store Founder, Gunnel, has travelled to a host of destinations overseas to find a selection of niche brands, each of which tells a story she is happy to relate to customers.

Gunnel’z recently held a VIP event to celebrate its six-month anniversary, inviting guests to view its latest collections. g C/ Dublin 21, Polígono

Picture Perfect Spain: A Professional Photo Shoot Experience on the Coast Picture Perfect Spain is a new company bringing the ‘Pop Up’ makeover photo shoot experience to the Coast, with famed photographer, Johnny Gates and hair and make up stylists offering an affordable, professional photo shoot experience. If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one or yourself, this is it! Photo shoots are likewise available for couples, baby bumps, families, hen or stag parties or model portfolios. The team is willing to go to the location of your choice.

Industrial San Pedro, San Pedro.

Tel: 952 785 602. www.gunnelhome.com

g For further information, Tel: 626 109 040.

Reforestation and Business at Arboretum Marbella

www.pictureperfectspain.com

Arboretum Marbella, an organisation devoted to increasing our environmental awareness and to the conservation of native tree species in Málaga, recently held its fourth reforestation workshop, teaching budding eco warriors a simple Japanese reforestation technique which is both ecological and highly effective. Arboretum also recently signed an agreement with real estate company Grupo Polo, under which the latter agrees to lend its expertise to construction work to be carried out in the Arboretum. Alejandro Orioli told the press, “We are immensely pleased to be working alongside Grupo Polo, a company that is local, successful and renowned for its professionalism. The company’s work reflects the spirit we are after when it comes to design, quality and sustainability of all our future constructions.” g www.arboretummarbella.org

Riding Lessons and More at the Escuela de Arte Ecuestre Costa del Sol This winter has been kind, making it more appealing than ever to engage in outdoor sporting activities like horse riding. When it comes to learning dressage or jumping, few places are quite as well equipped and well staffed as the Escuela de Arte Ecuestre Costa del Sol in Estepona, a BHSapproved Training Centre and Livery Yard, officially recognised by the Andalusian Federation of Horse Riding (FAH). The school boasts spacious indoor and outdoor riding arenas, horse walking services, a pony club and plenty more, with courses (normal and intensive) for people of all ages and levels. The Escuela is also an ideal place to just stop and have a coffee or shop, with a host of unique boutiques and a great restaurant making it easy to while away a couple of hours while your kids are in class or your pet is at the Pointer Veterinary Clinic Estepona. The school holds many fun activities throughout the year, including parties, seasonal and themed events. This month, don’t miss out on the fun Father Christmas Party at the Pony Club, on December 16 at 4pm. © KH Photography

g For a full programme of this month’s events, log onto www.escuela-ecuestre.com

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International Renewable Energy Partners settles in Andalucía Innovative multi-national corporation, International Renewable Energy Partners (IREP) has established its operation base in Andalucía to market worldwide renewable energy investments and develop projects in collaboration with selected partners. The main reason for selecting Andalucía was this region’s leading position in the international field of renewable energy. Its total production amounts to 4,246 megawatts in 2010 and the forecast is that it will achieve some 10,000 megawatts by 2016. IREP also chose Málaga because of the vast and constant flux of people it attracts from all over the world, with medium to high purchasing power. g For further information, www.irepenergy.com

Salvador Tineo Wins Last Two Races of Mini Challenge Young Malagueño driver Salvador Tineo (of Team Guarnieri) won the last two races of the Spanish Mini Challenge Championship, which took place on the glistening Monteblanco Circuit in Huelva. Tineo showed true grit and nerves of steel as he defeated his opponents in well-contested races. He told the press: “This season has been another step in my career because of what I’ve achieved and learned about this sport. The difficulties, rivalry, sportsmanship, team effort and improvement from race to race are some of the things I’ll always take with me. Despite the fact that I didn’t race in the Valencia leg of the championship, winning these last two races in Huelva is a beautiful way to bring the season to a close. I’d like to thank all those who have supported me, especially Guarnieri and the Benahavís Paraíso Natural.” g www.guarnieri.es

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Busy Days at Swans School

Blues Singer Visits Aloha College, Top Student Wins Award Aloha College enjoyed a fantastic live performance from American blues artist, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, who offered students and their families an evening filled with the soulful sound of blues. Eugene played in music workshops with both Junior and Senior children and was accompanied by the school band on guitar, keyboard and drums. Aloha also recently held its popular yearly Christmas Bazaar, in which visitors were able to buy gifts and decorations as well as try out delicious cakes and goodies made by parents. Children enjoyed games, face painting, Santa’s grotto and a bouncy castle. Aloha is additionally pleased to announce that ex-pupil Fran Gómez received the 2011 Innovation Award at the Costa del Sol Business Awards for his company, I-answer, which provides schools with up-to-date technology for student assessment. g www.aloha-college.com

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The teachers and students at Swans School have been busy as usual, recently forming part of two important events.

The first was an assembly commemorating Remembrance Day, presented by Year 9 pupils.

The event highlighted the reason for wearing poppies to remember the First and Second World Wars and the many areas where war is currently taking place. The assembly marked the end of a week of selling poppies in school for The Royal British Legion, which celebrated its 90th year of remembering those who have died in conflict. Students enjoyed an emotive poetry reading as well as a poignant rendition of The Green Fields of Flanders, sung by Arjun Sen. Swans is also proud to have been chosen by the British Council in Madrid to host an Open University Day for Schools, featuring the attendance of 18 English Universities and five Spanish Universities. IB students were able to glean important information on their future course of studies, which can sometimes be a difficult decision to make at such a tender age. Additionally, Swans recently held a special Roll of Honour assembly, to celebrate the success of outstanding pupils. Year 6 students are now on the Roll of Honour borad as well.

Following suggestions made by parents, teachers and students, Swans is now awarding all those who work hard to improve their attainment grades (5 A’s) as well as those who have consistently worked hard to gain 5 Effort Grade 1’s. g www.swansschool.net

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© KH Photography

CADE AWARD FOR MARBELLA BUSINESS INSTITUTE The Marbella Business Institute (MBI), a successful association founded in 1982 for businesspeople, recently won the prestigious CADE Association Award. The institute admits members by invitation only and while business usually gets done, it is not a networking organisation. Pictured here are its four founding members: Andrew Linn, Paul Young, Garry Waite and Richard Champ.

g www.marbellabusinst.com

SPAIN’S BIGGEST APPLE STORE OPENS IN LA CAÑADA

Few brands like Apple are able to arouse what can only be described as a passion for technology. Steve Jobs may have passed away but his spirit blazes on, as was evident at the recent inauguration of the new Apple Store at the La Cañada Commercial Centre.

Some 4,000 Apple customers formed part of a long queue with some even having spent the night outside to be the first customers to step into Spain’s biggest Apple Store (the store measures some 1,700m2). In this new techy haven, users will find all the latest from Apple (iPads, iPhones, and so much more) as well as courses on how to make the most of Apple gadgets and programmes. g C.C. Cañada, first floor, Marbella. Tel: 952 760 800.

www.apple.com

WIN FANTASTIC BOOKS WITH BOOKS4SPAIN Books4Spain is holding a series of fun competitions in which you could win free books. Just go to their blog (http:// books4spain.com/webroot/blog/) and answer the question posed. Current competitions include the chance to win Spanish Marmalade by Shaukat Khan and The Sorcerer’s Apprentices – A Season at El Bulli by Lisa Abend.

Also, until December 20, readers can avail themselves of a 15 per cent discount on all books on the site by entering the promo code ESSENTIAL on checkout (this discount applies to books which are already discounted but NOT to certain eBooks and Special Offers). This Christmas, Books4Spain is the place to find a very special present for your loved ones. The online book store specialises in the best books on life in Spain, its culture, literature, travel, history, regions, food and wine. To keep up to date with competitions and prizes sign up for their newsletter and follow facebook/ books4spain and @books4spain on Twitter. g www.books4spain.com

ACOSOL SUPPORTS ASPANDEM

NAILED: NEW LUXURY NAIL SPA EXPERIENCE

Public utilities (water) company, Acosol, recently donated €70.000 to ASPANDEM, the organisation helping the physically and mentally challenged. The funds will go towards the costs incurred by the new ASPANDEM residence at El Ingenio in San Pedro. An Executive from Acosol, Juan Carlos Fernández-Rañada, spoke of “the importance of collaborating with charitable associations which carry out important work, as ASPANDEM does.” g www.acosol.es

Nails have found a new place in town to be pampered: NAILED in Puerto Banús, which opened its doors in July and has been offering a luxurious nail spa experience to guests and residents alike who, like the slogan promises, all love their nails!

Founder and Owner, Rita van Dijk, wanted to create a serene escape for Marbella’s residents, “When I relocated from Dubai to Marbella, a town I’ve adored since childhood, I wanted to offer something exciting and imaginative set in a relaxing, luxurious atmosphere… minus the ridiculous pricing.” NAILED has certainly delivered.

From luxurious pedicure recliners, flat screens and personal headsets to professional and certified technicians and renowned products, its‘luxury for less’ concept is winning Marbella over. Why not pay less when you get so much more? g Puerto Banús (next to

Tango restaurant and opposite McDonalds). Tel: 952 907 555. www.nailedbeauty.com 104 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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USP Hospital Wins Prestigious Award

Mario Vargas Llosa attends Clínica Buchinger Metromeeting Nobel prize-winning author Mario Vargas Llosa recently attended the first Metromeeting in Madrid, organised by the Clínica Buchinger.

Over 200 guests were informed of the extensive renovations carried out at the Clínica Buchinger in Marbella, which now boasts a gorgeous sauna pavilion, Pilates and fitness zone and beauty area. Vargas Llosa, a patient at the Clínica Buchinger for many years, told the press, “The Clinic has changed my life; it has enriched it and proven an extraordinary defence against the apathy that sometimes takes hold of us.” The author extolled the virtues of fasting, saying that weight loss is only one of its beneficial effects: “Fasting also gives us peace and at the Clinic we meditate to find a greater balance in life.”

g Avda. Buchinger s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 764 300. www.buchinger.es

The USP Hospital in Marbella is pleased to announce that it has won the award for Best Hospital Management in the Top 20 Benchmarks of Excellence awards. This is the second year in a row that the USP has taken home this prize and is indicative of the importance placed by the group on patient satisfaction.

The USP is keeping busy in other areas, recently forming part of World Stroke Day, warning us of the importance of recognising symptoms of a stroke at its earliest stages. These include loss of strength in an arm or leg, facial paralysis, temporary inability to communicate, loss of sensitivity in a part of the body, vertigo with double vision or loss of balance, loss of vision in one eye for a few minutes. The USP also recently emitted a press release informing that some 33 per cent of all drivers suffer from amaxofobia or ‘fear of driving’, affecting more women than men with a ratio of 2:1. Symptoms include anxiety or panic, nightmares before or after driving, sweaty palms, trembling, stomach problems and the mental visualisation of accidents. To battle amaxophobia, the USP’s Department of Psychology is able to help patients control their negative/irrational thoughts and teach them how to breathe and think positively.

Body Design by miha bodytec comes to Marbella Body Design by miha bodytec is the new electrical-musclestimulation (EMS) principle made in Germany and now available in Marbella. Unlike conventional EMS training devices, the system stimulates agonist and antagonist plus deep muscle groups simultaneously. All muscle groups are kept on course by their individual programme. It also has an intensive effect, allowing users to achieve what was once only possible after years of training. Success is visible and tangible quickly, fat content and weight are reduced, but muscles are gently formed, strength and endurance increased, body shape and problem zones (Cellulite) tightened, and general wellbring and mobility improved. Even back problems and pain can be reduced. The sessions only take 25 minutes, but are equivalent to a 120-minute (time under tension) workout at a conventional gym.

g C.C. Le Village, Office 9 and 10, first floor. Tel: 697 998 978/ 678 767 686.

Redline celebrates its Seventh Birthday

Local PR and marketing firm, Redline, is pleased to announce that it recently turned seven; a feat that is being celebrated by its staff and clients. Over the past few years Redline has worked with some of the area’s top companies and has been involved in countless marketing campaigns in Spain, Europe and beyond.

Since its formation in 2004, Redline has witnessed many changes in the world of marketing, with clients increasingly requesting social media profiles and focused SEO work. In 2011 there are many more marketing tools available to businesses and the Internet now permits the smallest company the same access to an international market as the largest corporation. Redline Company is also proud of its ongoing programme of Corporate Social Responsibility. Already several charities have received assistance and this year the team has been involved with helping Children for Peace. Founder Line Lyster and the team are proud to be both helping businesses to maximise their potential and to be making a difference to their local community.

g Tel: 952 816 678. www.redlinecompany.com

g www.usphospitales.com

Triple A Golf Tournament Volker Bernhardt, known simply as ‘Dr. Golf’, recently held a fun-filled charity golf tournament for Triple A as part of his Golf Charity World Tour, in order to raise some €3.000 for transportation costs of 50 adopted dogs to Germany. Marbella Club Golf Resort donated the green fees and buggies and two main sponsors (Peter WelschLehmann and Javier de Mendieta) donated the lion’s share. A scramble playing format was used for the match which Volker managed to win at the 17th hole. Everone enjoyed a sumptuous lunch buffet at the Marbella Club Hotel’s beach restaurant afterwards. g For further information,

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Unique Beauty: New One-Stop Beauty Shop Opens Unique beauty is a new shop which aims to change clients’ perceptions of beauty treatments, by offering a head-to-toe makeover experience under one roof in contemporary, relaxing surroundings. Company Founder, Emad Fakhoury, says, “Our goal is to provide a world-class beauty experience for both guests and employees.

The fact that we can provide a complete service including hair styling, facial therapy, nail treatments, pedicures, hair removal, massage and reflexology will allow clients to enjoy pampering days at the salon.”

g C/ Nuestra Señora de Gracia 12, Marbella. Tel: 952 827 757. www.uniquebeauty.es

London Speakers Initiate Workshops & More in Marbella Spain was recently chosen as the first mainland European country to host an Inspiration and Reinvention Group. These groups are part of a UK / European Transformational Movement started by Debbie Arnold (pictured left) and Caroline Sheridan, now joined by many leading Motivators, Coaches, Healers and Teachers.

Debbie and Caroline decided that the first launch outside of the UK would be in Marbella as they felt that Spain and Andalucía in particular has an amazing energy which resonates with their mission to enlighten and empower individuals to find their purpose and passion and to fulfill their potential as human beings. They also importantly believe that this new Movement is not just about ‘Personal’ development but that in 2012 we are now moving into an era of ‘us’ development. Along with their partners and associates they are working towards building communities of people who © Martin Spaven collaborate and cooperate, who inspire and are inspired by others.

The Groups will be launched in 50 cities / locations during 2012. g For further information,

www.inspirationandreinventiongroups.com

AUSBANC presents CONSUMIAMI Tourist Fair to Marbella Town Hall Members of consumer advocacy group, AUSBANC recently met Félix Romero, of the Marbella Town Hall to present CONSUMIAMI: a consumer fair scheduled for March 23 and 24 in Miami, which will focus on the important issue of how businesses should be responsible towards consumers. The fair will feature guests speakers who will present seminars on everything from cutting edge technology for consumers to responsible commerce and financial advocacy. The Marbella Town Hall will be actively supporting the fair, exchanging ideas with entrepreneurs and consumers in the Tourism section of the fair. g www.ausbanc.com 108 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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THEPRO PROFILE

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY KH PHOTOGRAPHY

MAKING WAVES TALK RADIO EUROPE

Since inheriting the reins at Talk Radio Europe, Steve Gilmour has been making waves in a revitalisation of the one of the coast’s most popular stations.

What prepared him for this role is not a lifelong career in radio, but rather a background in marketing and management upon which the passionate radio enthusiast now draws heartily.

“

The fact it is, I had never sat on that side of the microphone before my first tentative introduction to radio work back in 2008,” says the affable Scotsman. So how do you go from being a listener to a presenter, and eventually a station manager who creates the programmes we hear? In this case via a journey that leads from the pubs and breweries of Glasgow, by way of some of Britain’s greatest sporting institutions, to the sunny shores of Marbella.

One path leads to another

“Though it took a critical moment in my life to re-assess what I really wanted from it, I can look back at my career with satisfaction,” says Steve.

Born into the sectarian and industrial climate of

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Glasgow, he became one of the youngest publicans in Scotland before joining the brewery and working his way up the ranks. “The brewery, in this case, was Guinness, historically one of the benchmarks of creative branding and marketing, so it was a great place to spend ten years and learn the finer touches of the trade.”

Snatched up by Scottish & Newcastle, he worked his way up to director level, where he was involved with sports promotions for many years.

“It was the boom-time in the UK, but though I was proud of what I had achieved I didn’t eye the next step up with much enthusiasm, which must have been a sign.” Not much later he was admitted to intensive care with a perforated bowel, resulting in a long and painful recovery period during which Steve began to think about his life more intensely.

“This was the so-called turning point you hear people talk about – the kick up the backside we all need at some point to make sure we don’t just remain on a treadmill that leads to nothing more than a pension at the end of it. I took stock of my life and realised it was time for a change.” As a consequence, Steve focused on the next thing on his wish list: a move from the damp cold of Scotland to the warmth of Spain.

Passionate about radio

Once here, he soon began to think of his other great ambition. “I’ve had a love affair with radio

since I was a kid, and now I had the time, I wanted to try my hand at it, so I wrote to a number of stations to see if there were any slots available.

Maurice Boland responded, so we met and I put my proposal forward for a post-match talk and phone-in sports show in the style of Clyde One.” Maurice liked the idea and agreed to a test trial, helping Steve through his early teething problems in the studio and on to a popular programme in which Steve would use his sports connections to bring on contributors like Mike Gatting and former Scotland international Bobby Moncur.

Having also arranged sponsoring, Steve got into his stride and loved this second career. “Suddenly, with the departure of Maurice, everything was up in the air, but then I was put forward as stand-in station manager, and together with the fantastic team here at TRE we managed not just to steer the ship but also turn it round.” He means the revitalisation programme he launched shortly after taking the helm at Talk Radio Europe. “We were afraid that ours was a bit of a dying demographic, and while we didn’t want to lose our traditional listeners we were keen to lower the age span downwards to include more thirty- and fortysomethings. To achieve this, we had to change the balance of the programming and programmes themselves, a potentially risky business if you don’t get it right.”

He is particularly proud that TRE seems to have hit the nail on the head, creating a series of programmes that offer informative talk radio with thought-provoking topics and a call-in formula that, however, steers away from lecturing and negativity.

“We want our offering to be professional but fun, so we’ve continued chat shows like Hannah Murray’s Women’s Talk but also added Men’s Talk. We have Gillie Revill’s popular Profiles, Dom Aldworth’s excellent sports programme, Howard Brereton’s Sol y Sombra music show, which focuses on the best of new music, and also Giles Brown’s Sunday evening chill out programme, amongst many others.”

Steve has also launched www.talkradioeurope. net to provide easy online listening access and is delighted to announce recent expansion to Mallorca.

“We now cover the western and eastern Costa del Sol, the entire length of the Costa Almería, Costa Blanca and the Costa Cálida, but since November we are also live on the air in Mallorca, on 103.9fm, which can be heard on the neighbouring islands too. It’s the first of a series of planned expansions that we hope will bring Talk Radio Europe’s newly updated radio offering to the British expat community across the length and breadth of Spain. As a certain crooner once said: “the best is yet to come.” e

g Talk Radio Europe. www.talkradioeurope.com, www.talkradioeurope.net, 88.9 & 91.9 FM

11/22/11 2:27 PM

tre mallorca 230x300mm.indd 1

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THEPRO LAW

NEW LAW WORDS RAQUEL PÉREZ

speeds up eviction process I

t is natural for people who own an investment property to want to rent it out, as the income derived can help to pay off the mortgage, add to your monthly income or provide a nest egg for the future. Too often, though, proud homeowners keen to earn some extra revenue enter the process in a somewhat amateurish way, hoping the relationship with their tenant will always be one of mutual respect and benefit.

As with any business transaction – and make no mistake, this is a business transaction – things can go wrong. Most typically, errant tenants might damage the property or stop paying rent on time or at all. In such a case it is good to keep communication flowing and be flexible if people

are temporarily experiencing problems, but in all situations there comes a time when homeowners have to cut their losses and evict the tenant.

A change in the law

Until now this has been a rather slow and involved process, but the Law on Measures to Streamline Procedures, Law 37/2011 for short, allows for the process to be greatly simplified and sped up. Passed recently by the Spanish government, the new law is part of a streamlining of legal procedures by the Ministry of Justice, and is aimed at encouraging property owners to rent out their properties.

Non-payment of rent, and the lengthy process involved in evicting tenants guilty of this, has been a major problem for people letting their properties, so it is hoped that by simplifying the eviction process and effectively providing better guarantees for homeowners, more resident and non-resident homeowners will be tempted to become landlords.

The main improvement provided by the new law is that it allows for the judicial process of eviction to be greatly sped up. This is achieved by eliminating unnecessary procedures, thereby reducing the response times of the courts and enabling greater agility in the implementation of court orders. Once a complaint for non-payment has been filed with the court by a landlord it starts a process that gives the tenant ten days to pay the outstanding sum or present an appeal to the claim. If the latter fails to do this, the court will immediately set a date for eviction, doing so within two weeks that until recently took up to six months.

The new legislation has resulted in three basic improvements to the current system. Firstly, the time period required before an eviction application can be filed has been reduced from two months to four weeks from the moment at which the landlord demands the payment of arrears. Secondly, the eviction order itself can be performed rapidly, as a court sentence is now sufficient for the eviction notice to be carried out on the day noted in the sentence. The third advantage is that the entire process can now be undertaken verbally, without the need for complicated documentation.

Theoretically, this will allow for the passing of a court sentence in as little as five days.

The new law also means that, under certain circumstances, the landlord will no longer be bound to a minimum contract period of five years. The instances in which he or she can end the contract now includes cases in which the property is required for personal use, or needed for parents, children or a spouse.

However, such contractual limitations must be included in the rental contract, and if the tenant finds that the property has not, in fact, been used for the purpose claimed in the termination of the agreement, the landlord will be compelled to return him or her the use of the property.

Additionally, the landlord will be obliged to give financial compensation to cover the costs of finding alternative accommodation. Any conditions should therefore be clearly stated in the rental contract in order to facilitate swift action in the case of non-fulfilment by either party.

If you would like to know how these new laws might affect you – either as a landlord or a tenant – the team at Perez Legal Group can offer you help and advice. Our highly experienced lawyers will be able to answer all your questions and put your mind at rest. g PEREZ LEGAL GROUP, PROPERTY,

LAW, TAX & INSURANCE SERVICES, Centro Comercial Elviria, Oficina 6, Marbella.

Tel: +34 952 833 169, info@perezlegalgroup.com, www.perezlegalgroup.com

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THELEISURE TRAVEL

Cruising along

Australia,

Words and photography David Wishart

New Zealand

and Tahiti As you read this I will be on a cruise ship far, far away, possibly between Dubai and Mumbai.

With fair winds, and assuming the pirates don’t get us, I will carry on to Singapore, then around Vietnam to Hong Kong.

H

ow to get home? At press time I had not figured that out, but the last time I did this sort of thing – during a blissful voyage of 30 days from Los Angeles to Sydney – a friend in Australia found me a ticket, Sydney/Bangkok/Helsinki/Brussels, that was a ripper of a bargain.

As you might gather, I like this part of the world at this time of year, and have had the pleasure of making a number of cruises that make it easy to explore fascinating Asia, and get to Australia relatively painlessly.

Same goes for Tahiti, one heck of a long way away, but if you happen to be in New Zealand, Tahiti is just a short flight from Auckland. Which is the way to look at longhaul cruising. If you are going to sail a long way (or fly for that matter), it makes sense to stay longer.

The stories that follow concern voyages on beautiful, small ships that go to the ends of the earth, literally, and offer that magical combination of luxury and adventure that makes for the best of cruising.

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On deck with Silversea

On Board the Silver Shadow

The majestic Silver Shadow

by Silversea

“Welcome aboard,” said our captain, as the Silver Shadow sailed out of Singapore. “I hope you enjoy our cruise to… (long pause)… er, Sydney.”

Well, nobody was too concerned. He had a shiny new ship, a bridge full of high-tech navigational aids, a superstructure sprouting as many satellite dishes as mission control at Houston, and 16 days to get the hang of it all and find our berth beside the Opera House.

But, being Italian, handsome and the youngest captain in the fleet, he was not lacking humour or panache. “I should add, ladies and gentlemen, that the important thing is not to know where you are going, but where you are.”

This is true, as I later reflected as we sailed on via Bali, down the west coast of Australia, made a smart left turn at Albany, and along the south coast towards Melbourne.

Finding the ports of call, at exactly the right time on the correct day, is just as important for a sea captain as it is for the pilot of a jetliner. Hence we rendezvoused with tour buses and taxis at Fremantle, Albany and Adelaide and passengers went and explored Australia, everybody made it back on time, and the Silver Shadow sailed on serenely like a grand hotel of the waves.

But it was not always like this. In the days of sail, immigrant ships from Britain and Ireland used to make landfall at southern Australia after a perilous journey of three months down the coast of west Africa, around the Cape of Good Hope, and then a long run across the Indian Ocean down in the storm-tossed seas known as the Roaring Forties. The men who sailed these ships might have been made of iron, but the ships were of wood, and 150 years ago they were small, vulnerable in storms, and navigation was still an inexact science and risky in poor visibility.

It was only in the late 18th century that

British watchmaker John Harrison invented a chronometer that could give accurate longitude readings, and prior to that, the subject of navigation was reserved for ships’ officers as a means of deterring mutiny.

But some officers were blockheads, such as Sir Clowdisley Shovell returning to England in 1707 with a fine fleet and 2,000 men. When he was south of the Scilly Isles the admiral thought they were to the east, whereas a sailor, by his own reckoning, put the fleet on a course for disaster.

The sailor knew it was forbidden for him to have such knowledge, but when calamity appeared to be on the horizon he told a superior. For his trouble the good sailor was immediately hanged from the yardarm. Soon afterwards, the fleet hit the rocks with a huge loss of lives, although the admiral made it to shore only to be robbed and murdered by a woman beachcomber, and it would not be hard to imagine that in his dying moments he rued the day he hung the good sailor.

These days, passengers who want to know where they are only have to pop into the bridge and take a look at the GPS (global positioning by satellite) readout, although it’s only on small, luxurious ships like Silver Shadow that this privilege is extended. Try that on a mega-ship and you might find yourself in the brig. But you can also bring your own portable GPS receiver like one Irishman on the Silver Shadow.

“It was maybe here that the Loch Ard ran into mist,” he said one day as we looked at white limestone cliffs on the distant shore of south Australia. I knew about the Loch Ard having driven the Great Ocean Road two years previously. The Loch Ard carried 36 crew and 18 passengers, including Dr Evory Carmichael who was emigrating from Ireland to Queensland with his wife and six children.

The Great Ocean Road, incidentally, is the DECEMBER 2011 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 115

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ORION

best road trip in Australia, a leisurely three days between Adelaide and Melbourne that takes in a stretch along the top of the cliffs with spectacular rock formations such as the Twelve Apostles.

Just to the east is the Cape Otway lighthouse, much sought after by sailing ship captains because it was usually their first sight of land after the 7,000-mile run from the Cape of Good Hope.

The 1878 voyage of the Loch Ard from London had been uneventful until the captain, a 29-yearold Scot called George Gibb, came up from the Roaring Forties looking for Cape Otway and the western entrance to Bass Strait. He was probably close when he took a noon sighting with his sextant, but a sea mist obscured the horizon.

That night an onshore wind and current combined to push the ship onto a jagged reef, and the Clyde-built iron ship of 1693 tons was doomed. There were just two survivors, 18-yearold Eva Carmichael, and Tom Pearce, a junior officer, also 18, whose father was from Tipperary.

They were both washed into a cove, Tom clinging to an upturned boat and Eva hanging on to a spar. Tom got to safety first, then battled strong seas for an hour to bring Eva ashore. Eva returned to Ireland and married Thomas Achilles Townshend from Blarney and died in 1934.

Remarkably, of the 800 convict sailings only four ships were lost. Afterwards the era of steam, more lighthouses and better navigation made the long trip a piece of cake.

Today, the emigrant ships and the liners have gone to be replaced by aircraft. But if you’ve got the time, and the money, going by sea is a wonderful experience and allows an arrival free of jetlag.

It is possible to take a cruise all the way from Europe, but I wanted a cruise of a more manageable length such as the Silver Shadow’s 16 days from Singapore. And what a ship it is – a €106 million beauty, 28,000 tons, just 388 passengers, cabins with private balconies and a dining room, or two, with service to rival the best five-star hotel ashore.

No wonder one French couple brought 300 kilos of luggage; they dressed every night for dinner and regularly treated themselves to wines such as Chateau Haut-Brion at €560 a bottle.

The rest of us were generally happy with the house wines which included Moet & Chandon champagne. Everything except vintage wines is included in the fare.

And so we journeyed round Australia in style, taking in the concert piano recitals, gala dinners, parties by the pool and planning shore excursions such as a visit to the Barossa Valley wine area near Adelaide.

Our last day on board began with an invitation to the bridge as the Silver Shadow gave us one of the best experiences in travel – the entrance to Sydney’s magnificent harbour. Half an hour later we were tied up opposite the Opera House.

Made it.

Cruising has reached an interesting crossroads.

It used to be you went on a cruise to, er, go on a cruise. The plan was not to go anywhere in particular, just enjoy being on a ship, deck chairs and dinner suits and all that.

Then voyages were the thing – see the world and all that.

Now what’s raising the waterline are very big ships with up to 6,200 passengers who choose to be cast off in entertainment and shopping complexes that just happen to float. Fine – to each his own.

But as the market has matured, an interesting niche has been growing quietly, and that is the expedition cruise.

The vessels are so small some don’t have swimming pools let alone wavemaking machines, they don’t advertise, children go free, and you don’t have to limbo your way into the captain’s party.

But that’s not to say the proceedings are predictable or boring, like the time we were riding in rubber boats in the spectacular Milford Sound, in the far south of New Zealand, when a passing boat tossed two large crayfish into a boat (not mine sadly).

Which beats lining up for your lunch with 3,000 others, then finding the waiter with the warm white wine, plus 15 per cent tip, thank you.

These lucky people were from the Orion, an Australian-based vessel which carries just 100 passengers in great comfort. It is a combination that has a lot going for it;

you could spend part of the day walking on Antarctic ice with penguins, exploring a river in Borneo, cruising Australia’s dramatic Kimberley territory, then return to a vessel that is fitted out like a matinee idol’s private yacht.

The combination works so well that this company, founded and run by a woman, now has a second vessel cruising southeast Asia.

I sampled Orion on a 10-day New Zealand cruise starting at Bluff, famous for its oysters, then Orion poked around the fjords of Milford Sound and Dusky Sound.

As a believer in approaching interesting places from the sea, I got a big kick out of turning around Taiaroa Head into the 20-mile waterway that leads up to Dunedin. Near the head is the world’s only land-based colony of Royal Albatrosses, monsters of the air which we saw fairly close up in all their magnificence. The inlet also has the world’s rarest penguins, the yellow-eyed variety.

Dunedin, which grew from an original party of 344 Scottish settlers in 1848, has the oldest university in the country and handsome heritage buildings. Vineyards near here are producing fine Otago pinot noir wines.

Akaroa, near Christchurch, whose bay is a volcanic crater, is a delightful slice of French whimsy dating back to 1840, when two ships with French settlers arrived to find they had been beaten by a treaty putting all of New Zealand under the Union

The heavenly Milford Sound in New Zealand

g For more information go to www.silversea.com or e-mail: cruiseconnect@telefonica.net

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King George Falls in Kimberley

Orion’s Zodiacs on safari Orion in the Spice Islands

Jack. But they stayed with their rues rather than streets, made baguettes, b ut don’t appear to have bothered with the berets. It’s a good splace to swim with Hector’s dolphins, or just go for a stroll and have a coffee, at the C’est La Vie Bistro, of course.

We all loved Kaikoura, which has a stunning sea and mountain location for 4,000 friendly people. It’s a great outdoors centre, popular for fishing, whale watching, and best of all, I thought, for a cracking crayfish lunch.

Orion had a superb wharf in Wellington.

We could step off the ship and stroll around the harbour to Te Papa, the national museum celebrating the country’s heritage and natural history. We stayed late here, some venturing to the city’s restaurant row nearby.

Next day we slipped back across the Cook Strait to Marlborough Sound with visits to Motuara Island wildlife reserve and Ship Cove, with its fine memorial to Cook.

Napier had something for everyone – wine tasting, a gannet colony and world class golf at Cape Kidnappers.

The German-built Orion of 4,050 tons has a lot in a small package, including a hull with ice hardening, 10 Zodiacs, oversize stabilizers and a team of naturalists with Neville Peat outstanding.

The new vessel, Orion 11, is almost identical.

Being a very small ship the Orion has only one restaurant, but every effort was made to cater on the open stern deck, including breakfasts, lunches and two dinners enjoyed as we surfed a rolling sea. An adventure indeed!

Orion expeditions vary with the seasons:

• Summer (December toFebruary):Antarctica and New Zealand and sub-Antarctic Islands.

• Autumn (March, April): in remote and unspoilt parts of Papua New Guinea and Melanesia.

• Winter (April to September): in the Kimberley and Arnhem Land.

• Spring (October, November): it returns to PNG and explores Australia’s East & South Coast.

Following the company credo “a path less travelled”, the addition of the 100-guest Orion II to the fleet this year doubles capacity and allows expeditions to a wider range of rarely visited destinations. New voyages include the Russian Far East, also known as the ‘land of ice and fire’; a circumnavigation of Borneo, the home to the orangutan; Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia (including a visit to Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument), and the tranquil Inland Sea of Japan. g www.orionexpeditions.com

DECEMBER 2011 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 117

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tahiti There are many reasons to travel, although we won’t let Robert Louis Stevenson get started on this one, but I can’t think of many others than a voyage to explore Tahiti and the man who put it on the map for art lovers, the painter Paul Gauguin.

Not so long ago crowds were flocking to the Tate Modern gallery in London to see a special exhibition of Gauguin’s work. Fine, I thought, but there is a better way to appreciate this extraordinary man.

So, before I bought my Tube ticket for the Tate, I got one for Tahiti – Papeete, actually, a lyrical name perfect for the spectacular islands in the South Pacific, tattooed warriors and beautiful women dancing the sensual tamure.

But is it worth crossing the world for?

Without a doubt the answer is yes, particularly if you are on the small, luxury cruise ship Paul Gauguin, capacity 330, now under new owners who live on the islands.

Our journey started at the Intercontinental Resort, where an overwater bungalow is the perfect place to rest after arrival. Here you can step out of bed, take about four steps, and fall into the sea – warm, crystal clear and shimmering with colourful little fish. Breakfast is delivered by a smiling Tahitian woman with a flower behind her ear. If there is a Paradise, this is it.

The airport is almost next door, and Papeete 15 minutes away by shuttle. Don’t miss the morning market, but also look out for a group of happy old boys on the waterfront playing the ukelele, then head back to the hotel for a dip at the sandy lagoon that comes with a swim-up bar.

Evening shows at the hotel are on an outdoor stage framed by palm trees and moonbeams over the ocean. Enjoy a lobster dinner and the superb Tahitian Ballet. Remember the Bounty mutiny, which happened after a visit here and was supposed to be about Captain Bligh? I’m

The luxurious Paul Gauguin cruise ship The Paul Gauguin Watersports Marina

not so sure – I suspect the sailors wanted more of the tamure just as we saw here.

Then an easy transfer to the Paul Gauguin, conveniently docked right in the middle of town.

That night the maitre d’, Miki, formerly with the great Royal Viking Line, arranged a table on deck overlooking the bay.

Cruises range from seven to 14 days. You can take in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora, all in the Society Islands, and wonderful they are, but if you have the time the Marquesas should be on your itinerary. It was on an island in the Marquesas, Hiva Oa, where Paul Gauguin lived for 12 years before being buried in 1903 under a statue of a Polynesian Goddess. Nearby is the grave of Belgian singer Jacques Brel. The cemetery is on a hillside, peppered with trees of frangipani and hibiscus, and looks over a

stunning, horseshoe-shaped bay.

The painter’s great-granddaughter, Maria Gauguin, was on our cruise, and at his grave she sprinkled red hibiscus flowers.

The next day we were at Nuku Hiva, an island of unbelievable beauty that was visited by Robert Louis Stevenson on his journey to Samoa, and it was here that author Herman Melville jumped ship and crossed a mountain to live in a valley with islanders for three months.

The captain, who had been amazing us with his ability to anchor the ship in the smallest of magical little bays, wowed us again by cruising close to the luxuriant coast of Huahine, where Tahitian children splashed in the sea from their homes on stilts. We watched the sun drop into the deep blue sea, then ahead was the jagged peak of Bora Bora.

118 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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The ship carried two landing craft, which took us to a tiny island, known as a motu, where there was snorkelling, kayaking, waterskiing and a lunch with coconut cocktails.

Enterprising traders set up stalls with one black pearl necklace priced at $22,000.

Then back for a fine lecture on the Bounty by anthropologist Mark Eddowes. He was one of a team, including a naturalist, introduced by the new owners, who added hugely to the enjoyment of the cruise. Also we were charmed daily by a group of Tahitian hostesses, while there were moments of spontaneous delight such as the time we were anchored in a dreamy bay wondering if life could get better, and it did.

The sound of ukeleles drew us to the balcony of our cabin, and below three of the crew were strumming away in a tender.

There are three restaurants, one serving French food and another on the top deck with a casual air. The English chef did a fantastic job, and personally I was delighted to find an Asian dish on the menus every day. As for the wines, some were for sale, but the inclusive wines were perhaps the best I have ever tasted afloat. All drinks are free, other than a few fine cognacs, and tipping is not required.

A marina is located at the stern, allowing passengers to get out on the water on several occasions. The library is a bit of an afterthought, and it might be an idea to have more books on the islands and Paul Gauguin.

However passengers can buy full-size satellite printed versions of leading newspapers, which to a man who toiled on Fleet Street is pure magic – particularly when I can read that day’s UK paper as I sit on deck, a piña colada at my side, as a smiling Tahitian girl with flowers in her hair stands by the pool and strums a ukulele. *Paul Gauguin is currently having a €5 million refit featuring extensive enhancements of the interior and exterior.

As we went to press the company acquired a second vessel to be known as the Moana.

It will carry just 90 passengers and itineraries will include the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Latin America, with service starting in December 2012. g www.pgcruises.com

Guests aboard the Paul Gauguin

Gauguin’s grave Drums in Tahiti

Tempting Tahiti

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THELEISURE TRAVEL

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF WWW.VISITROVANIEMI.FI

A

nyone who is lucky enough to have experienced a happy childhood undoubtedly cherishes the magic of Christmas. The visual images that pop up in my head just thinking about the festive season are plentiful and probably shared by most of you: waking up at sunrise to rush down to see what presents Santa left under the Christmas tree; sharing a traditional meal with the family; visiting markets and marvelling at the beautifully lit homes, all aglow with the Christmas spirit. Back then, when I still believed in the existence of Santa Claus, perhaps my greatest fantasy was to actually meet him and his elves so I could barrage them with questions while we sipped on a warm cup of cocoa with floating marshmallows. American author Tom Robbins said once: “It is never too late to have a happy childhood”, encapsulating the essence of my excitement when I found out that Santa does exist! He lives in a little village in Lapland, where he meets and greets visitors every day

Santa awaits you in Lapland

The dazzling Northern Lights

Santa Claus Village

Christmas in t of the year. It may be a little too late for me to fulfil my fantasy but it certainly isn’t for my son, who is now three. After discovering a plethora of Santa Holidays in Finland, ranging from day trips to weekends and longer stays, I’ve decided that some time before that defining moment when my child turns from dreamer to realist, I shall whisk him to Santa Claus Village, where husky rides, reindeers on sleighs and Santa Claus himself, will make him believe that life is truly a magical adventure.

The History of Santa Claus Village According to Finnish history and legend, in the 1920s, Santa is said to have settled in a little mountainside village called Ear Mountain Fell, a secluded, snow-covered land which was distant and high enough to make an ideal home for his family of elves, who needed plenty of privacy to complete their complex tasks. The Fell is shaped like an ear, and the Finnish say that this makes it easier for Santa to listen to the wishes of children from all around the world. In the 1950s, Santa

began to venture forth into the Arctic Circle near the capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi, to visit children and share in their wonder and innocence.

By the 1980s, his visits became so frequent, he decided to found the heavenly Santa Claus Village, graced with quaint houses made of wood and stone and high-peaked slanted roofs covered in feathery snow. To this day, in his private chamber, Santa receives children and those with a childlike spirit every day of the year, listening to their most fervent desires, hopes and dreams. The village is also home to the Main Post Office, which receives the letters addressed to Santa from all around the world (the office receives some 700,000 letters every year!). Not to be missed is the Christmas House, which hosts a lavish Christmas-themed exhibition featuring current Christmas customs, as well as old Finnish and foreign Christmas traditions.

What about the Family Scrooge?

Christmas isn’t for everyone; I know many people who cringe at the sight of the first shopping centre

Christmas light igniting. So what can non-believers do to enjoy a holiday in Lapland? Plenty, since the Arctic offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience for lovers of Nature at its whitest. Fun activities include: • Staking out the Northern Lights: In winter, take a snowmobile to a special spot on Lake Inari and enjoying Nature’s most spectacular light show.

• Husky and reindeer safaris: Enjoy an exciting ride through the winter wonderland with these beautiful animals.

• Wilderness safaris: See exotic northern animals in their natural habitats.

• A visit to Ranua Wildlife Park: Visit 60 species of Arctic wild animals, including polar bears, wolves, moose and many more.

• Winter sports including tobogganing, tandem skiing, snowshoe walking and kick-sledging.

• Snowmobile riding in the forest.

• Cooking, carol singing and Christmas crafts classes (Scrooge will evidently avoid this one).

• A visit to the Arktikum: a science centre and

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A cool igloo hotel

museum housing the Experience the Arctic exhibition, featuring representations of the Northern lights, ice caves, the Arctic River, etc. An important part of the exhibition focuses on climatic change.

• A Visit to the Pilke Science Centre: This museum uses our five human senses to tell us about the sustainable treatment of northern forests.

Meet Rudolph

See, hear, smell, taste and touch your way to awareness!

How to Get There?

You can book a holiday to Rovaniemi yourself, but bearing in mind the distance and cold weather, a package tour is probably your best bet. In Spain, Catai Tours organises a six-day tour which leaves from Barcelona or Madrid and includes a guide, thermal wear, meals, and accommodation at apartments or cottages which are a two-minute walk from Santa’s own house.

UK agencies (see www.magicoflapland.net, www.nordicexperience.co.uk or www.santadays.co.uk). offer even more options catered to really bringing Christmas to life, with organised activities including dancing with elves, individual family snowmobile rides to visit Santa, introductions to Santa’s reindeer, a personalised visit from Santa, etc. For a really unique experience, ask to stay at an igloo hotel (you can even ‘build the igloo you sleep in’ if you like!).

How much does Happiness Cost?

Approximately €1.200 for adults and €800 for children for a short break (around three days), which includes your flight from the UK, accommodation, meals and activities including reindeer/husky safaris.

How long will the magic last?

n the Arctic

Forever… the sensation of wonder, joy and love will always be in your memories. e

A Visit to Santa Claus Village in Lapland

Santa and his elves work hard all year

“For most of us, dreams come true only when they no longer matter.

Only in childhood do we ever have the chance of making dreams come true when they mean everything” Anonymous

A husky ride, anyone?

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RESTAURANTS / REVIEWS / NEWS / WINE / CHEFS / GUIDE

Marbella dining, food news, the battle of the bubbles, restaurant reviews and our comprehensive listings guide…

129 Nueva Kaskada 131 La Parisienne 132 Food News 134 Chef’s Profile: Nandu Jubany of El Gran Gatsby 136 Bodegas Tradición 138 Champagne vs Cava

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RESTAURANT THEGOURMET

NUEVA KASKADA

a restaurant for all seasons Photography WORDS Michel cruz Photography KH

N

ueva Kaskada is a restaurant that is in many ways a little different from your typical Marbella offering.

To begin with, it is not located near the beach or along a main avenue, but in a surprisingly rustic part of town, where there is a secluded, almost country atmosphere. For all this, Nueva Kaskada is just a few minutes from Marbella’s centre, so people have been flocking to the restaurant, drawn by the culinary prowess of chef Ewald Fichthaler.

The German-born chef has a great deal of experience under his belt, having worked in leading establishments both in Germany and Spain, and he puts it to good use at Nueva Kaskada, where he has created a menu inspired by European and Asian classics, as well as Spanish cuisine. Taught in the European style, he honed his skills in classic gastronomy before venturing out on a sensory discovery of the East that would lead to some highly innovative creations fusing the best of both worlds.

It is clear that Ewald draws inspiration from a wide range of sources and cultural references. “For me, flavour and texture lead the way, allowing a great deal of creativity so long as the combinations and gastronomic principles are correct,” says the highly likable chef who seems to enjoy popping out of the kitchen for a quick word and laugh with his guests.

It is the way a chef builds rapport and

gets feedback on the spot, and on the day we were visiting that feedback was very positive indeed.

Winter warmth

During the colder months we seem to crave what is called ‘comfort food’, in the form of stews, soups and other homemade dishes with a certain amount of body. It is the natural reaction to a change in temperatures and a need for warmth, both physical and in ambience.

As a restaurant, Nueva Kaskada offers plenty of the latter, but also proves that the fine-dining experience can provide sophisticated, inspiring dishes that are at the same time substantive enough for the season.

On our visit, the lively diners added a further glow to an already charming and inviting finca that combines rustic charm and modern décor touches to create an environment that is just what you want at this time of year. The service did well to cope with the many guests, and the timing as well as the presentation of the dishes leaving the kitchen was spot on.

We got started with a delightful offering from the chef that arrived on an elegant slim plate containing a gorgeous ravioli of crispy prawn in thin batter, a little spring roll on a spiced red lentil soup and a turmeric sauce. After this subtle hint of the chef’s skill we looked forward to the official starters, which

g Urb. La Montua, C/ Chorreadero 39, Marbella. Tel: 952 864 478. www.nuevakaskada.com 151 THE GOURMET.indd 129

included a ‘wintry’ salad of crunchy spinach enriched with bacon, avocado and parmesan cheese, and dressed with balsamic vinaigrette. Other winning combinations were the satay of crunchy langoustines with a wasabi dip and the delicious sashimi of tuna, sea bass and salmon, which scored very high points from our resident lover of Japanese cuisine.

With regard to wine we decided to stay local, perhaps inspired to select a Ronda wine as we were at the foot of the mountain range that rises inland towards the town. The Chinchilla 6+6 may not match the better Bordeaux and Ribera del Duero wines for silky corpulence, but it is a fine example of a lighter red wine, and therefore a good compromise between the meat and fish eaters. The latter enjoyed a juicy fillet of sea bass with mange touts and bean sprouts, as well as grilled cod with seasonal light vegetables. The fact that the cod was an off-menu adaptation for someone with special dietary needs attests to the willingness and indeed ability to provide alternatives that maintain the overall high standards of the restaurant.

The fillet steak was not of the Argentinean variety, but in this case a gorgeously thick, rare beef fillet served with a Port wine sauce and accompanied by seasonal vegetables and puréed potatoes with a touch of

mustard. Though not overly large, the menu offers just the sort of dishes that will please a wide range of different preferences, but always does so with a seasonal twist, as Ewald Fichthaler and his team regularly adapt their offering to suit the climes and make the most of inseason produce. The latter is even true of the desserts, which again presented us with the problems of selection. To make this task easier we opted for the ensemble of desserts that included a mousse made to chocolaty perfection, a dainty little crème brulee, a gorgeous fruit sorbet and a crème anglaise.

Summer retreat

Nueva Kaskada, as we experienced it, is a perfect restaurant for wintertime quality dining, yet it’s also ideally suited to summer, when the lovely outdoor dining area and cocktail terrace come into play. Then the setting becomes a true summer venue and the gently cascading stream that flows alongside it adds a refreshing touch that rounds off the perfect al fresco experience. g Average price for a three-course a la

carte meal with wine: €50 per person.

Nueva Kaskada also offers a three-course lunch menu at €15 and dinner menu at €35.

Christmas and Boxing Day lunch – €58.

New Year Gala Dinner – €150.

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RESTAURANT THEGOURMET

THE MAGIC OF TRADITIONAL FRENCH CUISINE, BREAD AND PASTRY AT

L

HY PHOTOGRAPHY KH PHOTOGRAP WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

La Parisienne

a Parisienne, a bistrot style restaurant/bakery/café smack bang in the popular Centro Plaza commercial centre in Nueva Andalucía, recently popped up in my life, bringing back memories of the languid Seine river, the intense aroma of recently made coffee and the dazzling lights of the Eiffel tower, with every irresistible morsel. The team behind the establishment comprises Omaya Bellavoine (owner of the Cake Couture company in Marbella), Mourad Sahnoune (who left Momo’s in London to launch La Parisienne) and Mario Ferreira (the Chef who, alongside Mourad, boasts experience at some of the hottest restaurants in Paris, New York and London). “I had dreamed of opening a bistro/bakery where customers would find authentic Parisian breads, pastries and dishes, and finally, after four years, I discovered this locale,” Omaya tells me. La Parisienne is more than a place to eat; it is a foodie’s treasure trove, stocked with goods that would add instant ‘home-style’ factor to any pantry. Omaya shows me quaint glass jars filled with hand-made jam and a magnificent array of fragrant teas which can be sipped at the restaurant or taken away as a special present.

“The tea comes from Le Palais des Thés, one of the leading direct importers of the finest teas harvested all around the world,” she says.

Open from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Friday and from 8am

to 4pm on Saturday, La Parisienne entices those who think breakfast should always be one of Kings, with hand-made breads and pastries bearing the inimitable aroma and texture of top grade butter. At midday, the coffee cups and butter knives make their way to the cupboard, as a host of bistro style salads, tartines, quiches, soups, mains and desserts, make a bold entrance, proving that the French pack a mean punch when it comes to satisfying lunches.

Diners will find both daily specials made with market fresh produce, as well as traditional favourites such as a roast goats cheese tartine with sun dried tomatoes and a home-made black olive tapenade, or a soft and light spinach and chicken quiche. The décor is warm and inviting, with plenty of white furniture pieces and light wooden floors capturing the essence of Parisian style, while sliding glass doors let in floods of golden sunlight and lead onto a spacious terrace which has been a bit of an ‘it’ spot since La Parisienne was launched.

On my recent visit with a group of friends, we sampled a bit of everything, commencing with a tasting of two different tapenades: black (more subtle) and green (sharper and zingier), spread silkily over crunchy pieces of toast. The Niçoise salad was as traditional as it gets, with assertive, plum olives, crisp green beans, salty anchovies and chunky tuna providing a flavour extravaganza so favoured

g Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 279 056. www.laparisiennecafe.com 151 THE GOURMET.indd 131

by health conscious diners. The ratatouille, with a slight tinge of caramelised sweetness, was a pepper-filled sensation and for our main course, we tried the roast chicken: tender, juicy and infused with the fragrance of traditional herbs.

The French are, of course, famed for their desserts, with everything from delicate mousses to light-as-a-cloud sponges originating from their sophisticated culinary tradition.

We greedily crammed spoonfuls of a dark chocolate mousse into our mouths, lest this treat should suddenly evaporate into thin air, enjoying its mood-enhancing effects and giving in to sheer calorific allure. For a treat you will simply not find anywhere else on the Coast, try the ‘it’ dessert of the moment in Paris: Café Gourmand. The latter is a clever take on the traditional espresso at the end of the meal. A small cup of heady, fragrant coffee is served alongside a blissful array of miniature puddings bearing exotic flavours such as lavender, caramel and coffee.

“There are only two places in the world where we can live happy: at home and in Paris,” said Hemingway, encapsulating the artistry, beauty and cuisine of Europe’s most visited city. Finally, we can tuck into a piece of Paris every day, right here at La Parisienne. e

Despite the meteoric rise in popularity of Spanish cuisine at a world-wide level, since my move to Spain some years ago, I must admit to sorrowfully lamenting the scarcity of ‘proper’ breads, desserts and pastries; freshly baked, buttery croissants, airy yet sinful pain au chocolat, traditional quiche bearing the fragrant flavour and melty goodness of Gruyère; all these reach their apotheosis in French tradition, as I discovered for myself on my travels to Paris in my youth, an era I yearn for with irrepressible nostalgia.

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THEGOURMET NEWS WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Loving Hut: New Vegan Restaurant and Café

Vegetarians and health buffs alike are heading for new vegan restaurant, Loving Hut, a dynamic establishment offering delicious and healthy plant-based meals (no meat, dairy or eggs). The owners seek to offer diners a tasty meal and to lower the massive carbon footprint caused by the meat industry. You won’t miss the taste of meat with dishes including hearty pizzas, soups, salads, pasta, stuffed veggies, tofu and even ice-cream for dessert! g Open daily from 10:30am to 11:30pm.

Avda. Miguel Cano 11, Marbella.

Tel: 951 245 889. www.marbella.lovinghut.es

Bake Boutique: British-Made Luxury Scented Candles

Do the words Almond Coffee Cake, Cinnamon Gingerbread Man, Vanilla Cupcake with Sprinkles, Chocolate and Honeycomb Brownie and Red Velvet Slice send your taste buds into a frenzy? Put your calorie counters away; it’s all 100 per cent guilt-free pleasure with Bake Boutique: a recently launched range of luxury candles scented with the aromas of your favourite desserts and made from the purest soy wax, with a lead-free cotton wick which ensures a long, clean, non-toxic burn. g The candles are available online at www.bakeboutiquecandles.com

Photo © Jan Dendauw

The Meeting Room opens in Marbella

Charme Café in Nueva Andalucía

Charlotte and Mehdi are the enigmatic husband and wife team behind Charme Café, in the popular Centro Plaza commercial centre in Nueva Andalucía.

Charlotte hails from Denmark, Mehdi is from Morocco and the Chef is from Sweden, making for a truly international menu incorporating Mediterranean and Scandinavian delights. Charme Café is already well-known for its super juicy steaks special, flavourful calf liver, skagen shrimp and marinated herring, and there is a good range of wines to choose from. The locale is gorgeous too, boasting expansive views of the Mediterranean seas and mountains. g Open from 12pm to 12am daily except for Sundays. C.C. Centro Plaza. Avda. Manolete s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 906 313. www.charmecafe.com

The Meeting Room is a lovely new cyber café with a difference: not only can you surf the Internet or conduct business online, you can also tuck into a hearty breakfast, have a light snack or sip on a refreshing drink while you’re at it. Located smack bang in the Marbella city centre, The Meeting Room promises to be a great place to catch up with friends or lose oneself in the magic of cyberspace. g Avda. Ricardo Soriano 34, Local 1 (Edif. Portillo), Marbella. Tel: 952 772 577. www.themeetingroom.es

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THEGOURMET PROFILE

Nandu Jubany, Francesc Solé Borrell and Daniel Vargas of El Gran Gatsby:

A Meeting of

Minds and Appetites Words Marisa Cutillas Photography KH Photography

O

ne of the interviews I most look forward to every month is the Chef’s Profile. An unabashed foodie to the core, my heart skips a beat every time I get to sit before a master chef, learning about his early life, professional feats and culinary vision.

This month, the delight is trebled, for I am greeted not just by El Gran Gatsby’s Head Chef, Nandu Jubany, but also by Francesc Solé Borrell, who owns both Gran Gatsby and Magna Café, and Daniel Vargas, the young Chef who heads the kitchens on a daily basis. Nandu is a busy Chef who divides his time between Marbella, Catalunya and yes, readers, the University of Harvard, where he joins an elite group of seven Catalan chefs (including Ferran Adriá) in lecturing students enrolled in a subject called Science and Cooking.

Our Marbella readers may need a small introduction to Nandu Jubany though evidently his name has already reached the farthest corners of the globe. A third generation chef, he began his culinary adventures as a Chef in his family’s restaurant, Urbisol, in Monistrol de Calders, Catalunya, going on to work in some of Spain’s most prestigious restaurants, including Cabo Mayor in Madrid and Fonda Sala in Olost del Lluçanès.

Nandu also spent a fair deal of time in Euskadi, honing his craft under Juan Mari Arzak and Martín

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Berasategui, two chefs whom he credits with “having awakened my awareness of what working in a gastronomic restaurant signifies”. Influences are plentiful and include Catalan Chefs Carles Gaig (in whose restaurant Nandu would cook on his days off) and Faust Terra, known as Marcel, who gave him the confidence he needed to pursue a career in gastronomy.

In the Autumn of 1995, Nandu and his wife opened what is now a reference point for fine dining in Catalunya: Can Jubany, a restored farmhouse nestled in the paradisiacal plain of Vic and home to his creative reinterpretations of traditional dishes.

Three years after its opening, Can Jubany received a Michelin star and, in 2011, the couple branched out into events and celebrations, opening Mas d’Osor in the heart of Montseny. In the interim, in 2005, they launched a new project called El Serrat del Figaró, a banquet and convention hall which is also home to I+D Gastronomía: a company providing culinary solutions to catering companies, hotels, restaurants, etc. If all that wasn’t enough to keep him busy 24/7, in the year 2006, Nandu inaugurated the Hotel Mas Albereda in Sant Julià de Vilatorta, a 21room boutique hotel which also happens to be a reconstructed 16th-century farmhouse.

Nandu is a popular face on the radio and

television in Catalunya, and as you can imagine, he is a very busy man. The fact he has agreed to bring his culinary magic to the kitchens at Gran Gatsby is nothing but a major coup for the restaurant’s owner, Francesc Solé Borrell. “Nandu and I were introduced to each other by a friend of ours,” says Francesc, adding, “I really missed Catalan food and was delighted to be able to savour some of my favourite dishes right here in Puerto Banús, thanks to Nandu.”

At El Gran Gatsby, Nandu is joined by Daniel Vargas, a young, savvy chef from Madrid with experience at some of Marbella’s top five-star establishments, including the Hotel Meliá Don Pepe and the Hotel Elba in Estepona. Nandu’s dishes are quite elaborate so both chefs keep a tight control in the kitchen, making sure that what Nandu refers to as ‘the fragility of his cuisine’, is respected.

Nandu, Francesc and Daniel offer diners a cuisine “based on excellent produce”. Northern and Andalusian touches are visible in a variety of dishes, from the classic prawn pil-pil to the elaborate Catalunyan Suquet de Rape (Monkfish Suquet), a full-bodied soup also containing lobster, saffron, garlic, parsley and toasted bread.

In addition to serving fresh meat, fish, seafood, vegetable and pasta dishes, El Gran Gatsby is one of the few restaurants where you can order rice for just one person: delectable choices such as the autumn mushroom rice with foie gras grillé or the moist rice with Iberian meat and boletus mushrooms. With daily menus starting at just €25, El Gran Gatsby is on its way to being one of the most popular jaunts for members of the jetset and business people seeking to take a break while they enjoy a fantastic meal in a breathtaking setting. Nandu, Francesc and Daniel are a dream team in the Port, offering a dining experience that cannot be bettered, with gorgeous frontline views, fantastic service and an elegant yet cosy ambience… all this is simply the stuff that dreams are made of. e

g Puerto Banús Tower, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 778 797. www.elgrangatsby.com 11/22/11 2:48 PM

t h e a rt of Fi n e T h a i C u i s i n e

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Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine Tel: 952 770 550 Open Mon-Sat. C.C. Marbellamar, L-3A. Marbella.

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THEGOURMET WINE

SHERRY RE-BORN

WORDS AJ LINN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BODEGAS TRADICIÓN

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W

hile many of the world’s wineproducing regions are expanding in terms of sales (ignoring temporary economic downturns), there is one Spanish region that has got real problems – and answers there are few.

The first English merchants established themselves in the Jerez region around the beginning of the 16th century, and from this moment the strong link between sherry and the English market was forged.

Surprisingly, the ongoing wars between the two countries did little more than inconvenience the burgeoning export trade, although English merchants who died as unrepentant protestants were refused a Christian burial and often had their assets seized.

What cannot be denied is that the real heyday of sherry started in the 18th century when the great bodegas, the brands of which are still household names (Domecq, Garvey, Osborne, Duff Gordon, Williams & Humbert) were founded. From then until the final decades of the 20th century it was an unstoppable fiesta.

These were the times when exports to Britain and other northern European countries reached their peak, and the bodegas were awash with money, it being not unusual for hundreds of the owning family’s relatives to be on the bodega’s payroll. Additionally, it was almost obligatory to own a country estate and breed fighting bulls. The Domecq, Terry and Osborne brands are still a mark of excellence in the bullring.

Nothing wrong with any of this just so long as the profits kept rolling

in. Unfortunately they did not. World demand for sherry started falling and the tendency, once started, has shown little sign of recovery. Sherry is still drunk in stately homes and in good restaurants, while in ordinary bars and in the hundreds of ferias during the summer months the ‘sherry’ consumed is from the secondary zones of Montilla and Moriles, although manzanilla is still the classic feria tipple in Andalucía.

For many decades a bottle of the best fino that Jerez and El Puerto could produce sold for around 90 pesetas, and less than a pound sterling in England, yet the drinking public seemed to have little problem forking out for French wines at prices ten or twenty times this figure. The production and maturing/ storage costs varied little between the two. It is even argued that if sherry had been priced on a level with a Premier Crû Bordeaux, it would still be popular.

Be that as it may, sherry has always been priced at the lower end of the range rather than as a premium product.

The message is finally getting home, so it may not be too late to save an industry. The great bodegas are dusting off their butts of almost ageless amontillados, olorosos and palo cortados in order to sell them at prices that do the product the justice it deserves. A bodega has been established recently with the sole objective of putting these unique and previously underrated wines on the pedestal they ought to have been on many years ago.

Bodegas Tradición is the only producer in the entire sherry region that focuses exclusively on producing the oldest possible wines – between 30 and 50 years old. The bodega itself is centuries old, typical of the great

temple-like buildings where what little light there is filters through esparto mats draped over the windows, and the earth floor is watered daily to keep the humidity level high. The wine is produced as it has always been, without the use of pumps, pipes, centrifuges, filters, or mechanised bottling lines. Even the labels are put on by hand, as is the wax seal that covers the cork.

There is an amontillado with an average age of 43 years, and only 3,000 bottles are put up for sale annually; a Palo Cortado, 35 years, 2,500 bottles; a Oloroso, 45 years, 5,000 bottles, and a Pedro Ximénez, 22 years, 4,000 bottles.

Prices are between €43 and €53. The two brandies, a 40-year and a 100year, are superb, aged in oloroso casks, priced at €56 and €110. Earlier this year, Bodegas Tradición was awarded the title Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits magazine.

With this small production the wines are obviously not on every wine store’s shelf, but they can be found in high-quality stores, including El Corte Inglés and London’s Fortnum & Mason.

You can buy online at http://www. bodegastradicion.es/tienda.

Bodegas Tradición was established in 1998 by three members of old Jerez families, Joaquín Rivero Valcare, Ignacio Lopez de Carrezosa, and Javier Domecq.

Money has apparently been no object when acquiring old sherry soleras, but the surprise that awaits the visiting wine lover is the collection of 15th-19th century old masters that is housed in a gallery right next to the wine butts. This is Joaquín Rivero’s private collection, featuring 300 major works including Zurburán, Velázquez, Goya, and many more. And yes, you can visit the bodega by prior arrangement. e

i www.bodegastradicion.com 11/22/11 2:24 PM

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THEGOURMET WINE

The Truth about

SPARK L ING

WINES WORDS RICHARD DAVIES

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T

he argument of whether Cava can match up to the French sparkling giant that is Champagne has raged for years and is far from being answered.

However the biggest surprise to me in the wine business, is just how little knowledge of the basic facts people actually have. Although, based on taste, I personally have no preference between the two, I feel people need to know the truth – Champagne is not as prestigious as its centuries old marketing campaign portrays it, nor is Cava just the budget option it has found itself labeled with.

Here is a crash course.

Champagne is made from carefully picked Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes but these can be in any proportion the producer wishes.

This means that two Champagne brands can be completely different in flavour from one another. It’s interesting to note that Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir are actually red wine grapes, but the skins are not included in production and so don’t colour the Champagne. A vintage Champagne simply means that the grapes are from one year’s harvest (nothing to do with age or quality of the wine itself).

Therefore non-vintage Champagnes are actually blends of different years.

This blending is done in an attempt to maintain the same flavour of a label from year to year. Rosé Champagne uses the same grapes mentioned but at a later time the producers just add red wine made from Pinot Noir to colour it. Yet, if you tried adding some Pinot Noir wine to your glass of Chardonnay to make your own rosé you would be sneered at.

Already Champagne doesn’t sound quite so ‘pure’ as many think.

Cava, it must be said, is no different in this way but can be made from the native Spanish grapes Macabeo (Viura), Paralleda, Xarelo as well as from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. So, on occasion, Cava is even made from exactly the same grapes as Champagne.

The method of production in both Champagne and Cava is exactly the same – up to a point. Both use the ‘Champagne method’, in which the wine undergoes a second fermentation in bottles, after yeast and sugar are added. This causes the formation of bubbles. In France, where the cooler climate results in less ripe (and more acidic) grapes, a sugar syrup is often

added to the sparkling wine afterwards to sweeten it and to top up the bottle. Riper grapes grown in the warmer climate of Spain don’t need sweetening so often.

These often blended and sweetened Champagnes don’t seem quite so posh now, do they?

So what about taste? We all know Champagne is far more expensive than Cava but does this expense relate to taste? There is huge debate on this topic even within Champagnes alone.

Respected wine magazine Decanter held a blind tasting of over 146 Champagnes.

Master of Wine Nick Adams, Dermot Sugrue and Giles Fallowfield, among other wine experts, made up the panel.

The joint winners, based on flavour alone, were Piper Heidsieck’s Cuvee Rare (around €80) and the significantly cheaper Waitrose own brand Blanc de Blanc (around €25). These Champagnes beat other big names such as Louis Roederer and Vilmart. Apparently, even experts don’t think cost always relates to quality in Champagne.

Then how does modest Cava fare against Champagne in blind tastings?

Andrew Jefford, wine writer for the Financial Times (and winner of the Louis Roederer Award for Wine Columnist of the Year 2010) recently held a blind tasting of 20 Cavas and Champagnes. In the panel of renowned wine tasters and wine producers only two tasters elected Champagne in their top three sparkling wines based on taste. That’s a big ‘ouch’ for Champagne.

Why are so many people so sure about Champagne being better than Cava then? I think the answer to this is very simple and whenever the subject comes up at wine events, I always tell people the same. Most people try cheaper Cavas with a price tag of between €5 and €15. To compare a €5 Cava with a €30 Champagne doesn’t make much sense, so to really decide on which is better go and taste a Cava priced €15 to €40 and then compare it with an equally priced Champagne.

By cutting out the pompous nonsense and knowing the facts you might be open to trying something new, and like many people, be pleasantly surprised by what Cava has to offer. Eventually this argument will be settled in your mind by the most important wine expert there is – You. e

g Richard Davies is a personal and commercial wine supplier on the Costa del Sol. www.mywinewaiter.com / richard@mywinewaiter.com 11/22/11 2:25 PM

UNCH L S A M T IS R H C 25th of December

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ROSMARINO della Piazza

ITALIAN & MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE

Open for Lunch and Dinner. Centro Comercial Pinares de Elviria s/n 29600 Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 850 148 www.rosmarinodellapiazza.com

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RESTAURANTS

RESTAURANTS / CINEMAS / GOLF / GYMS /TENNIS

RESTAURANTS ::: AMERICAN :::

/ SCHOOLS

Buenos Aires South Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. C/ Virgen del Pilar, 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 779 297

on Sunday for Buffet Lunch. Apartado 1, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 132.2 Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 791 200

::: GREEK :::

HARD ROCK CAFÉ

Clericó

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces, esq. Marina Banús, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 908 024

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda.

Antonio Belón, 22, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 683.

Tango

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 148

Jacks

Open daily for dinner except Tuesdays. Puerto Banús (opp. the car park). Tel: 952 812 358

::: GRILLS :::

Open seven days a week from noon till late.

Puerto Banús, Tel: 952 813 625, Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 563 673

New york

::: FRENCH :::

Chateau Mona lisa

Open from 1pm-4pm and from 7pm to 12am. Ctra. de Cádiz, km.176, 29600, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 533

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Muelle Ribera 8, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 908 808

Yanx

LA PARISIENNE

Open from 9am Monday to Saturday and Sunday from 11am for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 861

Open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday.

Centro Plaza, Avda. de Manolete 1, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 279 056

::: ARGENTINEAN :::

Valderrama Restaurant Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner only and

Red Pepper

Asador Criollo Grill Open nightly for dinner. CN340-A7, km. 166, Cancelada, El Saladillo. Tel: 952 784 463

Asador guadalmina

El Carnicero 2 Open every day for lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 176, Marbella. Tel: 952 867 599

El Coto Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Ronda (El Madroñal), San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 952 786 688

El Gaucho Open daily for dinner from 7.30pm. Galerías Paniagua. Sotogrande. Tel: 956 795 528

el rancho del puerto Open for lunch and dinner every day. Muelle Benabola 4, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 252

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Urb. Guadalmina Alta, C.C. Guadalmina, Local 3, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 883 003

Grill del puerto

El Carnicero

MARBELLA CLUB GRILL

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Pueblo Viejo Cancelada. Between San Pedro & Estepona.

Tel: 952 886 307

Open every night for dinner. Marbella Club Hotel. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

Open for lunch and dinner every day. Muelle Ribera 47H, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 686

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Price guide ::::::: per head for a three-course meal with wine

Old Town Grill

under €25

€25 – €40

€40 – €60

€60 plus

Open from 7 pm ‘til late night every day.

Parque de Elviria, local 7-9, Las Chapas (take second exit, after Hotel Don Carlos), Marbella.

Tel: 952 830 146

beckitts

celima

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner and Sunday for lunch. C/ San Lázaro, 3, Pza. Victoria, Marbella.

Tel: 952 867 306

Open Monday to Sunday for dinner. C/ Camilo José Cela 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 868 898

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Hotel Hermitage, Ctra. de Casares, Casares. Tel: 952 895 639.

Piratas flame grill

Taj Mahal

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday. Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, Locales 37-40, Marbella. Tel: 952 865 940

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Private parking available. Ctra. Cádiz, km 179 (behind Venta los Pacos). Tel: 952 857 670/ 629 244 659

Open for dinner from 8pm. Avda. La Fontanilla, esquina Paseo Marítimo, Marbella. Tel: 952 860 583

puente romano beach club

::: INTERNATIONAL :::

Open every day for lunch. CN 340, km 177, Marbella.

Tel: 952 820 900

Restaurante Rancho Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra. Cádiz, exit Las Chapas. Tel: 952 831 922

boulevard Brunings Open for dinner Monday to Saturday from 7 pm.

Las Palmeras 19, San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 786 156

alumbre

CAFÉ DE RONDA

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Strachan 11, Málaga. Tel: 951 500 022

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Avda.

Ramón Gómez de la Serna 23, Marbella. Tel: 952 862 149

Amanhavis Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday from 8.00pm. Calle del Pilar 3, Benahavís. Tel: 952 856 026

capitán

cerrado del águila Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Urb. Cerrado del Águila, Camino del Acevedo, s/n, Mijas Costa. Tel: 951 773 521

Charme cafe Open every day except for Sunday from 12pm to late. C.C. Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 906 313

cortijo fain Open every day for lunch and dinner.

Ctra. de Algar, km. 3, Arcos de la Frontera, Cádiz.

Tel: 956 704 131

Little India

amigos

Open for lunch and dinner every day except Wednesday. C/ Avila, Blq. 5, Local 1, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 799 635

Open daily for dinner from 7pm. Conj. Buenavista, L 21-22, Avda. de España, Calahonda. Tel: 952 931 829

Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday. C/ Málaga 3, Benahavis. Tel: 952 855 175

CAPPUCINO GRAN CAFÉ MARBELLA

auld dubliner

Massala

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Diana Park, Marbella. Tel: 952 886 338

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/José Melià s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 868 790

Open every evening for dinner (7pm-12am). Urb. El Rosario, km. 188, Marbella. Tel: 952 834 748

::: INDIAN :::

Don Leone Open every night for dinner. Puerto Banús, Marbella. Tel: 952 811 716

Don Quijote

casa gecko

Dynamic Café

baboo lounge and restaurant

Open Wednesday to Saturday for dinner. Plaza de los Naranjos 11, Marbella. Tel: 687 201 953

Open Monday to Sunday for lunch. Ctra. de Istán, km. 0.9, C.C. Le Village, Marbella. Tel: 952 775 021

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Aloha Towers, Avda. del Prado s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 819 240

Open every day for lunch and dinner, closing Sunday, Monday and Tuesday at 8pm. Ctra. Arroyo de la Miel, s/n, Benalmádena. Tel: 902 102 675

Casa mono

el bistro lounge de pan y mermelada

Mumtaz

beach house

Open daily for both lunch and dinner.

Casa No.7, P. Banús. Tel: 952 812 090

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Coto de los Doles, Carril del Relojero, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 458

Open daily for dinner. 57, Duquesa de Arcos (Sabinillas seafront). Tel: 952 897 358

mughal village

safFron

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

C/ Calderón Estébanez 19, Marbella.

Tel: 952 774 578

Casanis Open every day from 6pm except Sundays. C/ Ancha, 8, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 450

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Urb. Marbella Real, Local 16, Marbella. Tel: 952 829 308

El Bolero Open every night for dinner from 8-11pm. The San

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RESTAURANTS

Price guide ::::::: per head for a three-course meal with wine

Roque Club, CN 340, km. 127, Cádiz. Tel: 956 613 030

El Campanario Open every day for lunch. Open for dinner on Friday and Saturday. CN 340, km. 168, Estepona.

Tel: 952 880 126

El Corzo Open daily for dinner. Hotel Los Monteros, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 187. Tel: 952 771 700

El gran gatsby Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle de Honor, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 778 797

EL JINETE Open daily for dinner except for Friday. Ctra. La Cala Golf, km 45, La Cala de Mijas. Tel: 952 119 170

El lago Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Urb. Elviria Hills. Avda. Las Cumbres s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 371

EL MIRADOR Open for breakfast every day. At the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Resort. CN 340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

EL OLIVO Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch. At Marbella Golf & Country Club. CN 340, km. 188, Marbella. Tel: 952 830 500

El Restaurante del Casino Open every day for dinner from 8pm-4am. Hotel Andalucía Plaza s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 000

EL RINCÓN DE GvADALPÍN Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday and for

Sunday lunch. Gvadalpín Hotel, Beach side, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 929 001

Fabiola Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sundays for lunch. Cortijo Los Canos, Pueblo Nuevo de Guadiaro, CN-340, km. 132, Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 695 114 / 619 694 484

Finca Besaya Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Rio Verde Alto, s/n. Tel: 952 861 382

Finca El Forjador Open daily for lunch from 1-4pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Ctra. de Casares, km. 10. Tel: 952 895 120

Finca las brasas Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra. FuengirolaMijas, between CN 340 and highway. Tel: 952 580 513

Galeria San Pedro Open from 11am until midnight. Closed Sundays.

Avda Las Palmeras 15, San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 780 927

under €25

€25 – €40

952 837 483

Herrero del Puerto Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Casas de Campos, 1, Málaga. Tel: 952 122 075

hotel marbella club buffet Open every day for lunch. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

ICE Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Urb. El Rosario (mountainside by the El Rosario roundabout), Marbella. Tel: 952 835 151

karma Open every day from 10am until late. C/ Las Violetas 7, Conjunto Andalucía Garden Club, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 815 736

khala Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. NH Alanda Hotel, Marbella. Tel: 952 899 600

LA biznaga

€40 – €60

Estepona CN 340, km 159, Playa El Padrón, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

LA CANTINA DEL GOLF Open for breakfast and lunch until 8pm. Closed Sunday. Flamingo Golf Club, Cancelada, Benahavís.

Tel: 951 318 815

La Esencia Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Hotel Incosol, Urb. Golf Rio Real, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 831 303

La Loggia Open daily for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. Hotel Villa Padierna & Flamingos Golf Club, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 166 (Cancelada exit), Benahavís. Tel: 952 889 150

La Menorah Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

Arena Beach, CN 340, km. 151.2, Estepona. Tel: 952 792 734

LA SALA Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

C/ Belmonte, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 145

Open daily for dinner from 6.30p.m. Avda. del Prado, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 813 859

Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for lunch only. Ctra. Ronda, km. 46, Urb. Las Medranas, local 4, San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 951 275 750

Golden goose

la brisa

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Blvd.

Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 764 648

Open for dinner Thursday to Monday from 7pm.

Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

La Terraza

hermosa

La cabaña del mar

La Veranda

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner from 7pm.

Closed Monday. Local 1A. Puerto de Cabopino. Tel:

Open every day for lunch and for dinner from Monday to Saturday. Kempinski Hotel Bahía

Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner.

Hotel Villa Padierna, Urb: Flamingos s/n,

girasol

€60 plus

La Terraza Open everyday lunch and dinner. Golf Hotel Guadalmina, Marbella. Tel: 952 882 211 Open daily for dinner. La Cala Resort, La Cala de Mijas, Mijas. Tel: 952 669 000

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Marbella. Tel: 952 889 150

La veranda lobby bar Open every day for lunch and dinner. At the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

La Verandah Open week days for dinner at 7:30pm and weekends for lunch and dinner, closed Tuesdays. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 136. Playa Guadiaro, Torre-guadiaro, Cádiz. Tel: 956 615 998

los arcos Open every night for dinner. Hotel Meliá La Quinta, Urb. La Quinta Golf s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 762 000

los bandidos Open every night for dinner. Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 915

magna café Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/ Calderón de la Barca, s/n. Tel: 952 929 578

Mc café Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Marbella Club Hotel. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n. Tel: 952 822 211

Messina Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. Avda.

Severo Ochoa, 12, Marbella. Tel: 952 864 895

mil milagros Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and

dinner and Sunday for lunch. CN340, km 179, Marbella.

Tel: 952 858 958

mozaic Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday. Urb. Las Chapas, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 901

952 836 170

polo house Open daily for dinner from 7pm and Sunday Lunch, with club/dancing. CN 340, Blvd.

Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 11, Marbella.

Tel: 952 900 380

puente romano beach club

Miraflores Golf Restaurant Open daily for Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 199. Urb. Riviera Golf. Tel: 952 931 941

nueva kaskada Open every day for lunch and dinner except Tuesday. Urb. La Montua, C/ Chorreadero 39, Marbella. Tel: 952 864 478

OCHO Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. C/ Moncayo 12, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 460 232 / 648 502 822

oyarbide Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for lunch. C/ Acera de la Marina 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 772 461

passion café Open for lunch and dinner every day. C.C. La Colonia, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 781 583

POCO loco BEACH Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Playa Hermosa, CN 340, Km 189, Marbella. Tel:

Open daily for lunch. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

puro beach Open daily for lunch and dinner. Laguna Village, Playa El Padrón. CN340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 800 015

Rojo Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday. C/ Granada, 44, Málaga. Tel: 952 227 486

schilo Open Thursday to Saturday for dinner. Hotel Finca Cortesín. Crta. Casares s/n, Casares, Málaga. Tel: 952 937 800

sentidos Open every day for lunch and dinner. At Sentidos en Río Real Hotel. Urb. Río Real s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 732

shiraz Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Puerto Deportivo, Local 15, Marbella.

Tel: 952 778 334

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RESTAURANTS

Price guide ::::::: per head for a three-course meal with wine

Andalucía. Tel: 952 908 844

dalli’s pasta factory

Open 7 days a week for dinner. Closed on Mondays.

Urb. Jardines del Puerto, local 12, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 906 181

Open Monday to Friday for dinner and on Saturday and Sunday for lunch and dinner. Second Line Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 871 / 952 818 623

Amore e Fantasía

De Medici

Open every day for lunch and dinner from 7pm onwards. Muelle Benabola, Casa 5A, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 813 464

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Urb. El Pilar, C.C. Benapilar, Estepona. Tel: 952 884 687

Open every evening from 6:30 pm-11 pm. Plaza General Chinchilla 1, Plaza de los Naranjos, Marbella. Tel: 952 924 613.

Aretusa

Open every day from 10am to 12 am. Complejo Benabola 13, Beach Side, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 929 055

Open 9am to 11pm every day except Sundays.

Avda. Ricardo Soriano 1, Local 1 (Edif. Portillo), Marbella. Tel: 952 772 577

Dinner and afterwards dance to music by resident DJ. Thursday to Saturday. Hotel Puente Romano, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

sunset Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Puerto Deportivo de Marbella, Marbella. Tel: 952 776 667

Swing Open from 12-4pm and 7.30pm until midnight.

Closed Wednesdays. Arena Beach, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 151, Estepona. Tel: 952 796 320

tanino Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. CN 340, km.168, Benamara, Estepona. Tel: 952 883 259

Terra Sana Open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nueva Andalucía next to the Casino.

Tel: 952 906 205. Marina Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 977. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona.

Tel: 951 901 050

The Clubhouse Bar & Brasserie

the playwright Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/Manzana, Locales 8-11, Pueblo Los Arcos, Elviria. Tel: 952 830 868

The orange tree

Open daily for dinner. Front line P. Banús. Tel: 952 812 898

gold restaurant

tikitano

Carpaccio

la pappardella di estepona

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Guadalmansa, CN340, km 164, Estepona. Tel: 952 798 449

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Frontline Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 357

Open every day for lunch and dinner from 1pm to midnight. Puerto Deportivo de Estepona. Tel: 952 802 144

Trocadero arena

Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday 7pm until midnight. Avda. de la Constitución, corner C/ Andalucía, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 782 293

LA pappardella sul mare

Da Bruno

Open every night for dinner. Urb. Doña Lola, Local 21-22, Calahonda, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 934 667

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Torre Real Beach, Marbella. Tel: 952 865 579

trocadero beach Open daily for lunch and dinner. Playa de la Carolina, Marbella. Tel: 610 704 144

umami Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Colonia, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 637 558 927

What’s cooking deli and takeaway Open daily from 10am to 6pm. C.C. Guadalmina, Local 34, Marbella. Tel: 649 829 391

zozoï Open Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Urb. Los Naranjos de Marbella, Nueva

€60 plus

Al Dente

Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. C/ Aduar 12, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 277

SUite

€40 – €60

Open everyday for lunch and dinner. Muelle Ribera, casa G-H, local 43, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 453

The meeting room

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Paseo Maritimo Rey de España 93, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 866 627

€25 – €40

::: ITALIAN :::

Skina Suave

under €25

Open every day for dinner from 7.30pm-12am.

Plaza Altamirano 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 868

Caruso

Open all day. Pasta Da Bruno: Avda. Ricardo Soriano, 27, Marbella. Tel: 952 860 348 – closed on Sunday. Da Bruno Cabopino: CN-340 Km. 194,7. Tel: 952 831 918. Da Bruno a Casa: Marbella Mar, Local 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 857 521 – closed on Sunday.

Da Bruno A San Pedro: Avda. del Mar, local 1E,San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 860 – closed on Monday.

Da Bruno Sul Mare: Edif. Skol, Paseo Marítimo, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 318/19

Da Paolo

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 807 354

Leonardo da vinci Lombardo’s Open daily from 7pm. Galerías Paniagua, Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 795 924

Luna Rossa Open daily for both lunch and dinner, closed on Sundays. Paseo Marítimo Benabola, local 12, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 810 543

MADE IN SARDINIA Open every night for dinner. C.C. Cristamar, Avda.

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Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 608

Cádiz, km. 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 799

Metro

zafferano

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 446 460

Pizzeria Picasso

Open every night for dinner except Sunday. C/ Gloria II, 11, Casco Antiguo, Marbella. Tel: 952 863 125

Open daily from 12 noon. Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 813 669

::: Oriental :::

portofino laguna village

Asia Food

Roque Club, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 127, San Roque, Cádiz. Tel: 956 613 030

meca

Tai Pan

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pino Golf, Don Carlos, Local 1, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 830 365 / 658 646 829

Open seven days a week for dinner. H. Puente Romano, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 177, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 893

Osaka

Thai Gallery

Open every day 13:30-16:00 & 19:30-24:00. CN-340, km. 166 (Benavista). C.C. Costa del Sol. Tel: 952 885 751

Open seven days a week for dinner from 8pm. CN340, km.175, Edif. Rimesa, Bajos, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 818 392

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 035

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Comercial, Pinares de Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 850 060

Ristorante Roberto

Asiatico Zen

Open daily for dinner. Beach Club, Hotel Puente Romano, CN-340, km 177.5, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Tuesday lunch. C/Lirios s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 691

Rosmarino della Piazza

Dragón de Oro

Sakura

Open Monday to Friday for lunch and daily for dinner. C.C. Pinares de Elviria, s/n, Elviria, Marbella.

Tel: 952 850 148

Open every day from 12.30-4pm and 7pm until midnight. Closed Monday lunchtime. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 141, Urb. Hacienda Guadalupe, Manilva.

Tel: 952 890 956

salotto

golden wok

Sapporo

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Avda. del Prado, Via 1, local 2, Aloha Golf, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 818 112

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Marbellamar, Marbella. Tel: 952 866 840

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Costa del Sol, upper level. CN-340, km. 166 (Estepona). Tel: 952 888 710

terraza dual

Sukho Thai

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Marbellamar s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 925 250

Open every day for lunch and dinner. At the Hotel Meliá La Quinta. Urb. La Quinta Golf, Marbella. Tel: 952 762 059

trattoria l’impronta

Kaiden Sushi

Sushi des artistes

Open daily for lunch and dinner except on Tuesday. Avda. Salamanca, Edif. San Pedro del Mar, Local 14, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 943

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Com. Guadalmina Alta, Guadalmina 4, local 2, lower floor, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 896 508

Open every day for lunch and dinner.

CN 340, km 178.5, Marbella. Easy parking.

Tel: 952 857 403

Villa Tiberio

Kama Kura

Sushi Katsura

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Ctra. de

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8-11pm. The San

Open for lunch from Monday to Friday and for

Kaede

dinner from Monday to Saturday. C/Ramón Gómez de la Serna, 5, Marbella. Tel: 952 863 193

RestaurantE asiático Bangkok Open daily for lunch and dinner. P. de las Orquideas, C/ Iris, 11B, Edif. Excelsior no. 1, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 813 603 Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda.

Jardines del Puerto, L.5, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 536

Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday.

Centro Comercial Marbellamar. Tel: 952 770 550

tHapa thai Open every day for lunch and dinner.

Urb. Puerto Deportivo 13, Edif. Poniente, Estepona.

Tel: 951 318 445

Wasabi Open daily from 1.30 pm for lunch and dinner. C.C. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 908 577

Wok Away Open every day for lunch and dinner.

Avda. Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 907 304

Wok Buffet Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. El Pilar, 22, Estepona. Tel: 952 887 092

Wok Wang Open every day for lunch and dinner. C/ Camilo José Cela, C.C. Plaza del Mar, planta 0, local 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 925 478

Yuan Open every night for dinner. Hotel Torrequebrada, Benalmádena Costa.

Tel: 952 441 414.

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RESTAURANTS

THEGUIDE ::: SCANDINAVIAN ::: Skandies

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7pm to 11pm.

Closed Mondays. Avda. Antonio Belón, 26 (behind the lighthouse), Marbella. Tel: 952 776 323

GOLF

CINEMAS

BARS

::: SEAFOOD :::

cervecería ostrería santiago

Hacienda

Caribbean beats and fresh seafood. Mar Playa Pinillos, CN-340, Km 158, Estepona.

Tel: 952 796 960

Open from 1-4.30pm and 7.30 -11pm. Closed on Sunday afternoons and Mondays. Urb. La Alcaidesa, La Linea de la Concepción. Tel: 956 582 700

Elliot’s

La Meridiana del alabardero

El Ranchón Cubano Beach Bar

Close to Sotogrande Port and Santa Maria Polo Club with fine range of champagnes and cocktails.

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. del Marzo, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 078

Open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays. Camino de la Cruz, Marbella. Tel: 952 776 190

Live music. Open on Tuesday and Wednesday from 8pm onwards, and from Thursday to Sunday from 3pm onwards.

Urb. Luna Mar, Marbella. Tel: 666 770 921

Cipriano

la moraga

Glam

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Playas del Duque, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 077

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces s/n, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 817 448. Also open in C.C. Parque Miramar, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 593 405

Open Friday to Saturday from midnight onwards. Edif. Gray d’ Albion, Pto. Banús.

Tel: 952 817 820

La Taberna del Alabardero

House music with resident Djs. 2nd line Pto. Banús. Open Monday to Saturday, 9pm–4am. Tel: 952 908 529

El Barlovento Open from 11am-4pm and 7.30-11pm every day except Mondays. Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 790 370

Restaurante La Marina Open every day from 1-4.30pm and 8pm until midnight. Paseo Marítimo s/n, La Atunara, La Linea de la Concepción, Campo de Gibraltar. Tel: 956 171 531

Open everyday for lunch and dinner except Monday. San Pedro Playa, Urb. Castiglone.

Tel: 952 785 138. Also at Ctra. de Ronda, km.

167, San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 265

Heaven Café

La Habana de Hemingway Cocktails and music lounge. Muelle Levante, Local 7, Ptp. Banús. Tel: 952 811 239

Mesón el adobe

Linekers Sport Bar

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesdays. Avda. La Fontanilla, Edif. Balmoral, Bajo 3, Marbella. Tel. 600 003 144

Well-established sports bar. Open 12 ‘til late. Second line Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 464

Tragabuches

Locos

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de la Victoria, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 170

Open from Tuesday to Sunday for both lunch and dinner. C/José Aparacio,1, Ronda (pedestrian street between bullring and Parador). Tel: 952 190 291

As the name suggests, a crazy pub! Open 11.30pm–4am with live music. Puerto Deportivo, Marbella.

RestaurantE Eddy & Marisa’s

::: VEGETARIAN :::

La Torre

GYMS

Fuengirola-Mijas, km. 4.2, mijas. Tel: 952 590 727

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle de Honor, Club de Mar, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 561

Marisquería La Pesquera

Urb. Coral Beach, The Golden Mile, Marbella.

Tel: 952 824 534

loving hut

Restaurante El bote

Open daily from 10.30am to 11.30pm. Avda.

Miguel Cano 11, Marbella. Tel: 951 245 889

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Paseo Marítimo Rey de España, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 660 084

BARS

Santiago

Antes Disco Bar

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Paseo Marítimo, 5, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 078

::: SPANISH :::

Relaxed atmosphere, free drink for the ladies every Friday and Saturday. Open 11pm ‘till dawn. R. Soriano, 38. Tel: 952 867 868

Bahía

Astral

Open every evening for dinner. At Hotel Don Carlos. Avda. Zurita s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

Brilliant place for cocktails, beachfront, relaxed, live music. Playa Levante, Pto. Banús. Tel: 610 015 815

beach club restaurante grill

Babylon

Open every day for lunch. Hotel Fuerte, Castillo de San Luis s/n and Hotel Fuerte Miramar Spa, Plaza José Luque Manzano s/n, Marbella. Tel: 902 343 410

Buenaventura

Funky tunes, go-go dancers. Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10pm–3am.

Second line, Pto. Banús. Tel: 625 856 225

Bambina Stylishly designed bar with funky lights and murals. Pasaje 5, Casco Antiguo, Marbella.

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Plaza de la Iglesia, 5, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 069

Blue Bar

Casa de la era

Clave Latina

Open every evening for dinner. Ctra. de Ojén, km 0.5, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 625

Disco-pub with live Latin music and shows.

Edif. La Terraza, Local 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 821 516

Casa Fernando Open from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Avda. del Mediterráneo s/n, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 853 344

El Portalón Open Monday to Saturday for lunch 1-4pm and dinner from 8pm-midnight. Ctra de Cádiz, km 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 827 880

Cocktails, live entertainment and food.

Local 1-2, Pto. Banús. Tel: 952 905 138

Colonial Café Disco-pub with funky house music and cool atmosphere. Open from 6pm–3am.

Marbella port. Tel: 649 084 172

CW by Dreamers

finca tabanko

Holds 1,400 clubbers. Plays a mix of house and garage, go-go girls. CN-340, Km 175, Pto. Banús. Tel: 952 812 080

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra.

Delfi

Marbella Club Hotel Bar Live piano music. Exclusive. Open daily 6pm–1.30am. The Golden Mile, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

Megabowl 22 Lane bowling centre and sports bar for all ages. La Cañada, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 370

Mumbai Café Cosmopolitan crowd. Open daily 11am–3am.

Muelle Ribera, 20, frontline Puerto. Banús.

Tel: 952 818 695

Navy Disco Bar Dancing, live music and resident DJs. Behind Old Joy´s Pub in Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 170

News Café Very popular bar-café. Open daily from 9am–2am. Muelle Ribera 12, Puerto.Banús.

Tel: 952 812 131

O’Brian´s Irish bar with live music on Tuesday and Thursday. Open everyday. Plaza de los Olivos, Marbella. Tel: 952 764 695

O’Grady’s Disco pub open from 11pm-5pm. Muelle Ribera, Plaza Marina Banús. Puerto Banús.

Old Joys Pub with relaxed terrace. Live music. Open from 7pm–4am. Muelle Ribera, Pto. Banús.

Tel: 952 814 283

Olivia Valére Looks like a Moorish fort outside and a palace inside. Ctra. Istán, Km 0,8, Marbella.

Tel: 952 828 861

Polo house Relaxed, colonial atmosphere hosted by James Hewitt on Marbella’s Golden Mile. Tel: 952 900 380

Premiere Club Great live music most nights. Open from

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YELMO CINEPLEX

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 931 960

Plaza Mayor. Tel: 902 220 922

Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club

Open every day. Both Spanish and international crowd. Puerto Deportivo, Marbella. Tel: 652 574 483

GOLF GUIDE

18 holes. Tel: 952 113 088

Alcaidesa Links

18 holes. Tel: 952 381 255

Seven

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 956 791 0400. www.alcaidesa.com

Real Club de Golf Las Brisas

Alhaurín Golf

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 595 970. www.alhauringolf.com

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 785 014

Smile lounge music bar

Almenara Golf

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 613 030

Funky and elegant bar bringing a touch of Marbella glamour to Fuengirola. Paseo Marítimo Rey de España, 3, Fuengirola. Tel: 677 086 466

27 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 582 027. www.sotogrande.com

Santa Clara Golf

Aloha Golf Club

Santa Maria Golf & Country Club

9pm. Plza. de los Olivos, Marbella. Tel: 649 995 277

Rubi Bar

The club for the sophisticated over 30’s crowd. 26 tables available for booking.

Open every night. Avda. Julio Iglesias, Casa Y-Z, Puerto Banús. Tel: 696 566 036

Suite / suite del mar

18 holes. Tel: 952 907 085. www.clubdegolfaloha.com

Parador Málaga del Golf 18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 810 875

San Roque Club 18 holes. Tel: 952 850 111

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 831 036

Host DJs playing funky sounds late into the night - the place to see and be seen.

Hotel Puente Romano, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Atalaya Golf

Sotogrande Club de Golf

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 882 812. www.master-hotels.com

18 holes. Tel: 956 785 012

Cabopino Golf

Taco Loco

18 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 850 282

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 791 200 www.valderrama.com

One of the original bars with a great party atmosphere. Frontline, eastern side, Pto. Banús. Tel: 952 811 438

Cerrado del águila

Terra Blues

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 956 794 100

Open 11pm–dawn. Younger, alternative following. Plaza de la Comedia, Pto. Banús.

El Paraiso Club de Golf 18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 883 835

C.C. Alhamar, CN-340 km 197. Tel: 952 934 684

the hogan stand

Estepona Golf

ATENAS

Popular Irish bar with live sports, live music and food. Monday-Thursday from 5pm.

Friday-Sunday from 11.30am. On the N340 San Pedro. Tel: 952 853 414

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 937 605. www.esteponagolf.com

Barquilla 1. Marbella. Tel: 952 776 240

Finca cortesín golf club

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa.

Tel: 952 934 477

CINEMAS & THEATRES

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 951 703 355

Club de Golf La Cañada

18 holes, Par 72, Tel: 952 937 883. www.golfcortesin.es

Valderrama

GYMS & SPORTS CLUBS ALHAMAR GYM

AZTEC COUNTRY CLUB CENTRO DEPORTIVO EL FUERTE

Flamingos Golf Club

Av. El Fuerte s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 861 624

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL MIJAS

18 holes, Par. Tel: 952 889 157. www.flamingos-golf.com

CENTRO DE YOGA Y SALUD INTEGRAL

Plaza de la Libertad 2. Mijas. Tel: 952 590 380

Golf Río Real

Ramón y Cajal 21. Marbella. Tel: 952 773 804

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL TORREMOLINOS

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 756 733

CENTRO PLAZA GYM

Golf Torrequebrada

Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 074

Plaza de España, Recinto Ferial.

Tel: 952 379 521

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 442 742

Cerrado del águila

Guadalmina Golf

Mijas Costa, Málaga. Tel: 951 773 523

AUDITORIO PARQUE DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN

36 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 883 375

CLUB DEl SOL

La Cala Golf Resort

Marbella. Tel: 952 825 035

54 holes, Pars 71, 72 and 73.

Tel: 952 669 033. www.lacala.com

Tennis /paddle classes. Calahonda.

Tel: 952 939 595

CENTRO CULTURAL EL INGENIO

Dynamic training centre

Garcia Morato, s/n. San Pedro.

Tel: 952 786 968

La Dama de Noche

C.C. Le Village, Marbella. Tel: 952 775 021

9 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 818 150

FITNESS CENTRE NEW STYLE

CINESA LA CAÑADA

La Duquesa Golf & Country Club

La Cañada. Marbella. Tel: 902 333 231

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 890 425

Amapolas, s/n Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 817 916

cines gran marbella

La Quinta Golf

Fuerte Gym

Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 810 077

Avda. El Fuerte, Marbella. Tel: 952 861 624

cinesur

27 holes, Par 72.Tel: 952 762 390 www.laquintagolf.com

C.C. Miramar, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 198 605

La Reserva Sotogrande

MULTICINES ALFIL

18 holes. Tel: 956 695 209

Trav. Huerta de los Cristales, Marbella.

Tel: 952 828 217

Avda. Camilo José Cela, s/n. Fuengirola.

Tel: 952 800 056

La Zagaleta Golf & Country Club

HAPPY DIVER’S CLUB

MULTICINES MEDITERRÁNEO

18 holes. Members only. Tel: 952 695 209

HOTEL PUENTE ROMANO

Mijas. Tel: 952 663 738

Lauro Golf 18 holes

CN340, Km77,5. Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

PALACIO DE LA PAZ

Alhaurín de la Torre. Tel: 952 412 767

MANOLO SANTANA RACQUETS CLUB

Recinto Ferial. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 589 349

TEATRO ALAMEDA

Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club

Ctra. de Istán, Km2. Marbella.

Tel: 952 778 580

Calle Córdoba 9, Málaga. Tel: 952 213 412

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 784 600

MARBELLA GUN & COUNTRY CLUB

TEATRO CERVANTES

Los Naranjos Golf Club

Monda. Tel: 952 112 161

Ramos Marín, 199, Málaga. Tel: 952 224 109

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 815 206

MARBELLA SPORT

TEATRO CIUDAD DE MARBELLA

Marbella Club Golf Resort

Plaza Ramón Martínez, Marbella.

Tel: 952 903 159

18 holes, Par 73. Tel: 952 113 239

Km 171.5. San Pedro Alcántara.

Tel: 952 788 315

Marbella Golf & Country Club

MULTI SPORT

TEATRO SALON VARIETES

18 holes. Tel: 952 830 500

Avda. Picasso 27. San Pedro. Tel: 952 782 801

Emancipación 30. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 474 542

Mijas Golf

New Concept Training

VERACRUZ CINES

36 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 476 843

Veracruz. Estepona. Tel: 952 800 056

Miraflores Golf

Monte Paraíso Country Club, Camino de Camoján s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 866 843

GIMNASIO ESTADIO

Atalaya Park Hotel, Marbella. Tel: 609 571 920

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THEGUIDE 02 CENTRO WELLNESS

MARKETS

SCHOOLS

POST OFFICES

MUSEUMS

HOTELS

GYMS

Plaza del Mar. Marbella.

Tel: 952 900 420

P-E SPORTS CLUB

TENNIS TOURIST

hotel suites duquesa golf & Spa

Urb. Parcelas del Golf, Aloha Gardens, N. Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 357

CN340, km 143, Manilva. Tel: 952 891 211

qi sport

Urb. Golf Rio Real s/n. Marbella.

Tel: 952 828 500

Urb. La Alzambra, Marbella. Tel: 952 907 090

Incosol Hotel and Spa

Avda. del Carmen 99, Playa de Guadalbón, Estepona.

Tel: 952 790 040

HM gran hotel costa del sol La Cala de Mijas, Mijas Costa.

Tel: 952 587 710

Hotel El Fuerte

sisu boutique hotel puerto banús CN 340, km 173, Puerto Banús, Tel: 952 906 105

MUSEUMS

Basilica Vega del Mar San Pedro Alcántara.

Tel: 952 781 360

SATURNIA REGNA

Kempinski Hotel bahía estepona

Avda. El Fuerte, s/n. Marbella.

Tel: 952 861 500. Spa & Beauty Miramar. Tel: 952 920 000

Marbella Tel: 952 761 475, Elviria.

Tel: 952 834 835

CN340, Km159. Estepona.

Tel: 952 809 500

Hotel Fuerte Miramar Spa

Parque Arroyo de la Represa.

Marbella. Tel: 952 862 926

SEVEN STARS SCHOOL

La Cala resort La Cala de Mijas Tel: 952 669 000

SPORTCLUB ROUTE 66

CN340, Km180. Marbella.

Tel: 952 822 211

Pl. José Luque Manzano.

Marbella.

Tel: 952 768 400.

Spa & Beauty Miramar.

Tel: 952 768 410

Bull-fighting Museum

Tai Chi & yoga. Pasaje Estrecho, Estepona.

Tel: 952 923 055

Hotel Meliá Marbella

Museo de Bella Artes

CN340, Km175. Pto. Banús.

Tel: 952 810 500

C/ San Agustin 8. Málaga.

Tel: 952 218 382

Ctra. Mijas, 1.5km. Fuengirola.

Tel: 952 461 648

Marbella Club Hotel hotel Villa Padierna

Bonsai Museum

Plaza de Toros. Estepona.

Museo Cortijo Miraflores Marbella. Tel: 952 902 714

SPORTING CLUB ATALAYA PARK HOTEL

CN340, Km166, Exit Cancelada.

Benahavís. Tel: 952 889 150

Hotel Playa Bonita

Museo del Grabado

CN340, Km 168,5. Estepona.

Tel: 952 888 212

vincci selección estrella del mar

CN340, Km217. Benalmádena Costa. Tel: 952 442 840

Hospital Bazán. Marbella.

Tel: 952 825 035

TICKET-TO-RIDE

CN340, km 190.5, Marbella.

Tel: 951 053 970

Hotel Princess Playa

Museo de la Villa

Paseo Marítimo. Marbella.

Tel: 952 820 944

Plaza de la Libertad 2. Mijas.

Tel: 952 590 380

Vitality studio

Alanda Carib Playa

NH Alanda Hotel & Spa

Museo Ralli

C.C. Le Village, Marbella. Tel: 952 902 362

CN340, Km 194. Tel: 952 902 537

CN340, Km176,6. Marbella.

Tel: 952 899 600

Urb. Coral Beach. Marbella.

Tel: 952 857 923

NH Marbella

Museum of Málaga Wines

Cristamar, Pto. Banús.

Tel: 952 905 082

HOTELS CROWNe PLAZA CN 340, km 168, Estepona.

Tel: 902 875 730

TRAIN

Benalmádena Costa. Tel: 952 443 240

Don Carlos resort, leisure & spa CN340, Km192. Marbella.

Tel: 952 768 800

Alanda Club Marbella CN340 Km192. Marbella.

Tel: 952 902 537

Almenara Golf Hotel & Spa Avda. Almenara s/n. Sotogrande.

Tel: 956 582 000

Amanhavís Hotel & Restaurant C/ Pilar 3. Benahavís.

Tel: 952 856 026

C/ Conde Rudi, s/n. CN340, Km178. Marbella.

Tel: 952 763 200

Parador de Ronda Plaza de España, s/n. Ronda. Tel: 952 877 500

pierre & vacances CALEDONIA GOLF resort

Atalaya Park Hotel

CN340, km 165, Cancelada exit.

Estepona. Tel: 952 889 999

finca cortesin hotel, golf & spa

CN340, Km168,5. Estepona.

Tel: 952 889 000

playabella spa gran hotel

Crtra. Casares, Casares.

Tel: 952 937 800

barceló Marbella

Urb. Costalita s/n, Estepona.

Tel: 959 528 253

Gran hotel gvadalpín Marbella & SPA

C/ de Granadillas, s/n. Urb. Guadalmina Alta, Marbella.

Tel: 952 889 099

Bulevar del Príncipe Alfonso Von Hohenlohe, Marbella.

Tel: 952 899 400

Beatriz Palace & Spa

Gran hotel gvadalpín puerto banús

Benabola Apart Hotel

Arroyo El Rodeo, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella.

Tel: 952 899 700

Gran Meliá Don Pepe José Meliá s/n. Marbella.

Tel: 952 770 300

hotel los monteros CN 340, km 187, Marbella.

Tel: 952 771 700

Hotel Meliá La Quinta Urb. La Quinta Golf, Marbella.

Tel: 952 762 000

Hotel Puente Romano CN340, Km179. Marbella.

Tel: 952 820 900

Hotel Torrequebrada Avda. del Sol s/n, Benalmádena Costa.

Tel: 952 446 000

CN340, Km207. Fuengirola.

Tel: 952 922 000

Selenza estepona thalasso & spa CN340, Km165, Estepona.

Tel: 952 899 499

SENTIDOS Hotel

Carrera 39. Ojén.

Tel: 952 881 453

Museum of Miniatures Carromato de Max El Compas. Mijas.

Tel: 952 489 500

Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation Plaza de la Merced 15. Málaga.

Tel: 952 060 215

Picasso Museum Málaga Palacio de Buenavista, C/ San Agustín 8. Málaga.

Tel: 952 127 611

Roman Public Baths Gualalmina Baja.

Tel: 952 781 360

Benabola. Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 815 000

CN340, Km185, Urb. Golf Rio Real s/n. Marbella.

Tel: 952 765 732

POST OFFICES

blue day banús hotel

Sunset Beach Club

C.C. El Zoco. Tel: 952 932 175

CN340, Km173. N. Andalucía.

Tel: 952 811 517

Avda. del Sol, 5. Benalmádena Costa.

Tel: 952 579 400

El corte inglés

Tamisa Golf Hotel

Tel: 952 467 843

Camino Viejo de Coín. Km 3.3.

Mijas Golf. Tel: 952 585 988

Estepona

Coral Beach Golden Mile. Marbella.

Tel: 952 824 500

el oceano beach hotel Miraflores Playa, Torrenueva, Marbella.

Tel: 952 587 550

TRH el paraíso

Gran Hotel Benahavis Huerta de Rufino, Benahavís.

Tel: 902 504 862

H10 Andalucía Plaza

Hotel Triton

CN340 Km 174. Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 812 000

Avda. Antonio Machado, 29.

h10 Estepona palace

Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

Fuengirola C/ Málaga 82–84.

Tel: 952 800 537

CN340, km 167, Estepona.

Tel: 952 883 000

Fuengirola

Hotel diana park

Marbella

CN 340, km 168.5, Estepona.

Tel: 952 887 659

Jac. Benavente, 14.

Tel: 952 772 898

HOTEL PYR MARBELLA

Nueva Andalucía

Avda. Rotary International, s/n, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 353

C/ Jazmines.

Tel: 952 810 887

NH SAN PEDRO

San Pedro

C/ Jerez 1, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 853 040

Pizarro, 41. Tel: 952 780 393

Golf Hotel Guadalmina Guadalmina Baja. Marbella.

Tel: 952 882 211

Calahonda

Pza. los Chinorros.

Tel: 952 474 384

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sChools

Aloha College Ages 3-18. Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 814 133

Ages 4-18. Atalaya Park, Estepona. Tel: 952 784 923

Monseñor Rodrigo Bocanegra

benahavís

Aztec Country Club

Arts & Crafts. Village Square, from 8pm

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa.

Tel: 952 934 477

Benalmádena Costa

bel air tennis and paddel club

Angela’s School

Ages 3-16. Marbella.

Tel: 952 770 077

(Second hand items) Recinto Ferial, 10am-2pm

Ages 6-14. Marbella.

Tel: 952 823 042

Performing Arts Academy

Calahonda

Urb. Bel-Air, Estepona.

Tel: 952 883 221

Calypso, 9am-2pm

Club deL Sol

british school of marbella

Ages 3-18. Marbella.

Tel: 952 906 865

Estepona

Tennis/paddle classes.

Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595

Ages 18 months-6. Marbella.

Tel: 952 779 264

Peter Pan School

Avda. Juan Carlos II, 9am-2:30 pm

Istán

Calahonda International College

Ages 0-3. Bilingual nursery.

San Pedro. Tel: 952 782 051 Benalmádena. Tel: 952 562 103

At the entrance to the town, 9am-2pm

Ages 3-18. Tel: 952 930 080

Saint George’s School

La Cala

Calpe School

Ages 2-8. San Pedro.

Tel: 952 786 606

Ages 2 1/2–11. San Pedro.

Tel: 952 786 029

Childrens placE Bilingual nursery Atalaya, Estepona.

Tel: 952 928 444

Sotogrande International School Ages 2–18. Sotogrande.

Tel: 956 795 902

Colegio Alborán

St. Javier’s International School

Ages 3-18. Ricmar.

Tel: 952 839 645

Ages 1-7. Marbella.

Tel: 952 823 457

Colegio Alemán

Stagecoach Theatre Arts School

Ages 3-18. Elviria. Tel: 952 831 417

Colegio Las Chapas Ages 5–18, girls school. Elviria.

Tel: 952 831 616

Ages 4-16.

Tel: 952 900 453

Sunny View School

Recinto Ferial, 9am-1pm

Thursday Alhaurín El Grande By the Guardia Civil Offfices, City Centre, 9am-1pm Málaga Opposite the Guardia Civil Offices, City Centre. 9am-1pm San Pedro By the sports pavilion, in the Divina Pastora district, 9am-2pm Torre del Mar Avda.

Europa, 9am-1pm Torremolinos El Calvario, near Town Hall, 9am-1pm Vélez Málaga Opposite the Guardia Civil Offices, City Centre, 9am-1pm

Club de tenis don carlos Hotel Don Carlos, Avda. Zurita, CN340, km 192. Marbella.

Tel: 952 768 800

Club Internacional de Tennis Ctra. Cádiz, km 173. Marbella.

Tel: 952 813 341

Club Madroñal Benahavís. Tel: 617 647 223

Club Nueva Alcántara San Pedro Alcántara.

Tel: 952 788 315

Hofsaess tennis academy Monte Elviria (next to German School). Tel: 952 835 812

Lew Hoads Tennis Club Ctra. de Mijas, Km 3,5. Mijas.

Tel: 952 474 858

Colegio San José Guadalmina

Ages 2–18. Torremolinos.

Tel: 952 383 164

Tel: 952 883 858 Estepona.

Tel: 952 800 148

Dolphin Nursery

Swans international school el capricho

Ages 6 months-5 years. San Pedro. Tel: 952 799 563

Ages 3–10. Marbella.

Tel: 952 773 248

Ecos College Ages 1–18. Elviria.

Tel: 952 831 027

Swans international school Sierra blanca

English InteRnational College

Ages 11–18. Marbella.

Tel: 952 902 755

Ages 3–20. Elviria.

Tel: 952 831 058/9

TLC Tutorial College

Rincón de la Victoria

Ages 13-18. Calahonda.

Tel: 952 933 249

Málaga.Plaza de la Iglesia, 9am-1pm

El Rosario. Marbella.

Tel: 952 837 651

wendy kindergarten

Saturday Coín C/ Urbano Pineda,

Fiona Jones School of Dance Ages 9–14. Manolo Santana Racquets Club. Fuengirola.

Tel: 610 764 439

Ages 4 months - 5 years.

Marbella. Tel: 952 772 910

Friday Benalmádena

Ctra. de Istán, Km 2. Marbella.

Tel: 952 778 580

In the area between Tivoli World and the Plaza San Pedro, 9am-1pm

Miraflores Tennis Club

Calahonda Calypso, 9am-2pm

Puente Romano TEnnis club

Las Chapas

Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

La Víbora, 9am-2pm

Tenis El Casco

9am-1pm

Marbella

La Cala Recinto Ferial, 9am-1pm Maro Close to the Nerja Caves, 9am-1pm Mijas Costa Las Lagunas, 9am-2pm Nueva Andalucía Next to the bullring. Park near CN340 and walk upwards, 9am-1pm

Fairground (Avda. de Juan Alameda), 9am-2:30pm

Sunday benahavís

Inlingua Language School

Tuesday Churriana

Arts & Crafts.

La Ermita Park, from 10pm

All ages. Marbella.

T: 952 774 942

9am-1pm

Estepona

Fuengirola

Puerto Deportivo, 9am-1pm

the InteRnational SCHOOL of ESTEPONA

Recinto Ferial (close to the CN340, on the same side as the bullring), 9am-2:30pm

Fuengirola

Monda

Hijas de María Auxiliadora Ages 3-12. Marbella.

Tel: 952 771 396

III language schools

Street Markets Monday benahavís

San Pedro. Tel: 952 778 492 Marbella. Tel: 952 822 191 Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 908 558 Estepona. Tel: 952 794 059

Arts & Crafts. Village Square, from 8pm

Ages 2-12. Estepona.

Tel: 952 884 789

Manolo Santana Racquets Club

Recinto Ferial, 9am-2:30pm

Málaga

Laude San pedro international college

C/ Los Huertos, 8am-2:30pm

Next to Rosaleda football stadium, 9am-2pm

Nerja

Sotogrande

C/ Chaparil, 9am-1pm

At the Marina, 9am-1pm

Ages 2–18. San Pedro.

Tel: 952 799 900

Wednesday Alhaurín de la Torre

Mayfair Academy

Avda. del Limón, 9am-2pm

TENNIS CLUBS

Urb. Miraflores, Km 199.

Calahonda. Tel: 952 932 006

Tourist offices

Benahavís Tel: 952 855 500 Benalmádena Tel: 952 442 494 Estepona Tel: 952 802 002 Fuengirola Tel: 952 467 625 Gibraltar Tourist Board Tel: 956 774 950 Marbella Tel: 952 822 818 Málaga Tel: 952 213 445 / 952 216 061 Mijas Tel: 952 485 900 Ronda Tel: 952 871 272 San Pedro Tel: 952 785 252 Tarifa Tel: 956 680 993 Torremolinos Tel: 952 381 578

TRAIN

Customer assistance T: 952 128 267 General Info T: 902 240 202 Reservations T: 902 240 202 Ave T: 952 128 079

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MAGICAL DAYS

AT THE NEW DISNEY CONCEPT STORE IN MÁLAGA

The Disney Store in the Larios Commercial Centre in Málaga has recently been selected as the newest Disney concept store in Spain, undergoing extensive refurbishment to offer your children an utterly magical experience. Disney buffs can expect the following: • A unique opening ceremony which will take place every single day, in which one lucky child will be chosen to officially unlock ‘imagination’. Tinkerbell and her magical pixie dust will bring the store to life and the child who opens the store will receive a special gift.

• Trees lined along the Pixie Dust Path take you on a unique journey through the store, changing colours in the summer and autumn.

• Six Disney Princesses who will appear in the Magic Mirror in the Disney Princess Castle, telling stories to your little ones.

• Daily events, including animation classes, trivia quizzes and song and dance.

• The celebration of special events, including birthdays.

• Special scents: the store will be scented with the signature fragrance of the new store, called Imagination.

• The Imagination Explosion: At any given point, characters like Tinkerbell, Buzz Lightyear and a number of Disney villains will surprise your children, bringing their favourite books and films to life.

• A Giant screen featuring over 50 clips including trailers of new films, videoclips, etc.

• A closing ceremony in which guests are wished farewell in a special ceremony. i C.C. Larios, Málaga. Tel: 952 369 036. www.disneystore.es

ANCRAA Giant Donkeys

Cuddle a donkey or become a volunteer to help save this humble but threatened animal. CN 340, km 164, Finca los Pajaritos, Estepona.

Tel: 952 790 511

Bioparc Fuengirola

Award winning zoo covering Madagascar, Africa and the Far East. C/ Camilo José Cela, 6. Tel: 952 666 301. www. bioparcfuengirola.es Black Box Teatro Dramatic Arts School for all ages.

C/ Notario Luis Oliver 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 779 172. www.blackboxteatro.com

Born to be Wild Jeep and

dolphin eco-tours for the whole family. Open 9am-8pm.

Blue Dolphin Beach Club, Estepona Beach. Tel: 639 720 246 Cable Ski Marbella Water ski cable system and pool.

Open 11am-9pm (closed Mondays). Urb. Las Medranas, San Pedro. Tel: 952 785 579 Camelot Fun play centre in La Cañada with a wealth of games and activities and qualified child minders.

Special events include baby and toddler mornings and a baby grow clinic, for mums

KIDS

THEGUIDE FAMILY

to be and newborns. Ctra. de Ojén s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 764 766 Galaxia Versatile and fun play centre for children of all ages, with separate areas indoor and outdoor. Mega slide, mini planetarium, birthday parties, summer camp. Life size characters. C.C. Guadalmina, San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 952 885 530 Crocodile Park Educational park with more then 300 monsters. Pose with baby crocodiles. Open 10am-6pm.

C/ Cuba, 14, Torremolinos. Tel: 952 051 782 El Refugio del Burrito Donkey sanctuary just 40 minutes north of Málaga. Open 11am-7pm. Fuente de Piedra, Málaga.

Tel: 952 735 513 Danzzas Ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap, theatre craft and hip-hop for kids. Classes at the Manolo Santana Racquets Club and at Plaza Gym. Contact Fiona on Tel: 663 646 040. www.danzzas.com Flamenco Classes Children aged 5 to 8 can learn to dance flamenco with Isabel Gil, a professional dancer.

Classes on Monday and Wednesday at the Nueva Alcántara Tennis Club. Tel: 952 788 315 Funny Beach Kids paradise with go-karts, trampolines, mini-motorbikes, mechanical bull. Open daily. East side of Marbella. Tel: 952 823 359

Ice Skating Rink and Indoor Swimming Pool New sports centre

with public ice skating, indoor pool, children’s pool. Avda. García Lorca, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena.

Tel: 952 577 050

Inter Marbella Football Academy Football Academy for boys

and girls of all ages, just opposite La Cañada in Marbella. Training is on Mondays and Wednesdays. Call Craig on Tel: 609 310 409. www.intermarbellacf. com Karting Club Málaga Go-kart circuit for kids and adults who feel a need for speed. Open 10am-midnight.

Ctra. De Coin, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 581 704 Kids Multi-Sports Club A plethora of sports for children of all ages and abilities, from tennis through to football, cycling and skateboarding. Parties with games, activities and bouncy castles.

Urb. Parcelas del Golf, Avda. del Prado, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 656 618 712

Kidz Kingdom Fun play centre and birthday party area for kids, with a mini disco. Urb. Bel-Air, CN 340, km 166.2, Estepona. Tel: 952 925 936 Kidz Kingdom 2 – Space City

Space theamed play centre for daily visits or parties. Life size Barney and Sponge Bob. Urb. El Rosario, CN 340, km 188.5, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 275 Little Fishes Swimming classes for newborns to 3-year-olds in Marbella, Estepona and Riviera. Tel: 686 498 561/ 607 875 949. www.littlefishes-spain. com Little Gem Swimmers Swimming courses for babies and toddlers in Benalmádena. Contact Emma on Tel: 628 567 129. www. littlegemswimmers.com Marbella Stage School Kids can take accredited courses in dance, drama, musical theatre and singing after school on weekdays and all day on Saturdays. Tel: 952 906 865. www. marbellastageschool.com Megabowl & Sports Bar This bowling centre boasts state-of-the-art tenpin bowling lanes as well as great food, drinks and entertainment. C.C. La Cañada, Ctra. Ojén, Marbella. Tel: 902 232 999. www.megabowlmarbella.com Musical Babes Babies and toddlers aged 6 months to 3 years enjoy singing, playing simple instruments and playing games. Tel: 952 853 027. Los Jazmines 11, Bajo B, Nueva Alcántara, San Pedro de Alcántara. www.brainwaves-spain. com

NMA The Nelson Music Academy

Kids aged 4 to 12 are introduced to music in its funnest aspects. Classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm, Saturdays from 11am to 1pm. Edif.

Jupiter 44, Local 3, C/ Jesús Cautivo, Los Boliches, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 478 416. www.nelsonmusicacademy.com Original Dolphin Safari The original dolphin safari, established in 1969! Daily sailings from Marina Bay, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 71914. www. dolphinsafari.gi Parque La Batería Kids will have fun in this park, built in the civil war era and featuring four replica cannons, underground bunkers and passageways.

Urb. Montemar Alto (near the train station), Torremolinos.

Plaza Mayor Family entertainment with multi-screen cinema, bars, restaurants, bowling alley and kids play

area. Málaga. Tel: 952 247 580 Scouting Kids will have fun being a boy or girl scout. The programme followed is the same as that in the UK. Tel: 680 870 270 Sealife Centre See 2 metre long sharks. Touch pools and walk-though glass tunnel. Open daily 10am-6pm.

Benálmadena Port. Tel: 952 560 150 Selwo Adventure Park Over 2,000 animals, 4x4 tours, plus adventure activities. Open 10am-9pm. CN340 Km 162.5, Estepona. Tel: 902 190 482 Selwo Marina Dolphins Exotic birds, penguins and virtual reality shows. Open 10am-6pm. Parque de la Paloma, Benalmádena. Tel: 902 190 482 Stagecoach Renowned performing arts school for singing, dancing and acting skills. The academy is open to four to 16-year-olds. Tel: 952 900 453/666 838 213. www.stagecoach.es Steam Train Ride Enjoy a steam train ride crossing the Andalusian mountains with a scenic trip from San Roque to Ronda. Tel: 952 931 186 Swim Bebé Swim Swimming classes for under 4’s and AquaNatal classes for mums-to-be. Tel: 617 520 588 Teleférico Benalmádena Cable car to top of Calamorro mountain, falconry, trekking and horseriding. Arroyo de la Miel. Open 10am-6pm. Tel: 902 190 482 Tennis Camp Tennis lessons for kids from 4 years on, with professional coaches. Open 10am-1pm. Club del Sol, Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595 The Music House Kids learn, grow and have fun making music. Open to children from 2 years on. Edif. San Pedro del Mar, Blq 7, local 12, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 515. www.themusichouse.es Tivoli World Biggest amusement park on the Costa del Sol. Open daily from 1pm. Avda. de Tivoli, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 577 016 Trenecito de Marbella Take a relaxing train ride to view the main sights of Marbella. Daily 10am-1pm.

Paseo Maritimo. Tel: 639 765 981 Yaina’s Park Indoor play centre with staff speaking Scandinavian, English and Spanish. Open seven days a week from 10am to 9pm. Children’s parties, parent’s coffee shop with pool tables, television, food. Avda. Gamonal 4, Edif. Hercules, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena. Tel: 622 005 068

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THEGUIDE PETS WORDS Marisa cutillas

Competition Rabbit Hopping takes Europe by Storm Competitive rabbit hopping is a huge thing in the US, Japan and Canada, with dedicated clubs boasting hundreds of members each. Europe is the latest continent to join the craze, with the first ever European Rabbit Hopping competition taking place recently in Switzerland. The winning bunny was a toothy fella belonging to Lada Sipova-Krecova of the Czech Republic. The event was enjoyed by adults and children alike, who delighted in seeing the various colours and breeds of the world’s hands-down cutest animal.

Craziest Pet Names of 2011 Every year, a prominent pet insurance company in the US releases a list of the wackiest dog and cat names in their database, which boasts half a million insured pets. If you’re looking for a ‘different’ name for a new pet, give one of these a go:

Dogs:

1. Almost-A-Dog 2. Franco Furter 3. Stinkie Mcstinkerson 4. Sir Seamus McPoop 5. Audrey Shepburn 6. Dewey Decimell 7. Knuckles Capone 8. Beagle Lugosi 9. Shooter Mclovin 10. Uzi Duzi-Du

Cats:

A Sri-Lankan Leopard is Born in Bioparc Fuengirola Bioparc Fuengirola is one of the most active institutions in Spain when it comes to breeding species in danger of extinction and it proudly announced its most recent arrival: a baby Sri-Lankan leopard born thanks to the success of one of the park’s 52 breeding programmes. This is the second little leopard for its mother, Toñi, and the first for its father, Tissa. The Sri-Lankan leopard (panthera pardus kotiya) hails from Ceylan island in the Bengali Gulf. There are only 70 Sri-Lankan leopards in captivity in the world. i www.bioparcfuengirola.es

1. Ozzy Pawsbourne 2. Mr. Meowgi 3. Murderface 4. Fuglee 5. Scruffernutter 6. Corporal Cuddles 7. Cat Masterson 8. Spam 9. Tape W. Orm 10. Door Stop

Support Pet Adoption this Christmas If you’ve got your heart set on that cute Chihuahua staring at you from the pet shop window or a long haired Persian just like your neighbour has, and you are thinking that your home has room for a new pet, please consider paying a visit to the many local dog and cat shelters before making a purchase. In Málaga, dogs and cats often have a very short lifespan in shelters before their life is ended and it is crazy to think that we can put an end to this cruel practice by reducing their numbers through initiatives such as pet adoption, neutering and withdrawing our support from puppy mill-style breeders and shops. This Christmas, we throw a few ideas at you, in the hope that you can help the many needy shelter pets in Marbella and all over the world: ZZ Think about adopting a lifestyle that depends less on the suffering of animals: vegetarianism, a fur-free lifestyle and pet adoption fall under this banner.

ZZ ‘Feed’ needy pets online: Log onto www.freekibble.com and answer the questions provided about pets. Every answer means 10 pieces of kibble donated to animal shelters.

According to the site, it has donated almost six million pieces of kibble since 2008.

ZZ Use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to raise your friend’s awareness of local organisations and fundraising events for animals.

ZZ Contact your local shelters and find out exactly what they need. Call your friends and rustle up a nice package with items like blankets, towels, toys, unwanted pet food, etc.

ZZ Volunteer: Local shelters like Triple A need help with everything from Public Relations right through to fundraising, dog walking, cleaning, etc.

ZZ Shop from online stores which support abandoned pets. i For instance, www.theanimalrescuesite.com sells everything from home décor to

jewellery, pet ware and toys, and funds raised go to needy animals. Even if you don’t buy anything, just click on the button which says ‘Click Here to Give – it’s Free’. With every click, the sponsors of the site donate food to animal shelters.

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WHAT’S ON IN DECEMBER

THEGUIDE WHAT’S ON EVENTS CONTINUED FROM NOVEMBER Until December 10 VINTAGE EXHIBITION – MARBELLA

The Polígono Gallery in Marbella presents the second edition of Vintage Lab, an exhibition/ fair of designer furniture, Christmas decorations, clothes and curiosities. From 11am to 9pm daily. Tel: 670 810 767. www. poligonogallery.com

Until December 31 CAFÉ Y LIBROS – SAN PEDRO, NUEVA ANDALUCÍA, MARBELLA

The Delegación de Cultura de Marbella has set up five libraries in local bars, to foment the love or reading and networking with fellow intellectuals. In San Pedro at Flanker Bar and Knut’s Gastrobar. In Nueva Andalucía at Cafetería La Toscana. In Marbella at Bar El Bocata Express and Café Bar El Reloj. www. marbella.es

Until January 12 EXHIBITION – MARBELLA

If collective art exhibitions covering a variety of genres and styles are your thing, don’t miss out on the exhibition at Restaurante Sebastian’s in El Rosario, featuring sculptures

by Maite Cuevas-Sanz and paintings by Francisca Nave Plaza, Maribel Paredes Espinosa and Paco Meléndez Torres. Tel: 952 836 177.

Until January 9 EXHIBITION – MIJAS COSTA

Artists Margit Björklund, Elaine Carlton, Lavinia Croft, Sally Huntington and Genevieve Wendelin from Finland join forces for this colourful exhibition of paintings at Jinete restaurant. Open every day except Friday from 1pm to 10pm. Tel: 952 119 170.

Until January 21 EXHIBITION – MARBELLA

The Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo presents a series of lithographs by José Caballero, inspired on the number 20. Open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 9pm and Saturday from 9am to 2:30pm. Tel: 952 765 741. www.museodelgrabado.es

Until January 28 EXHIBITION – MARBELLA

The Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo presents a photographic exhibition by Lía G called La Belleza Inquietante, which focuses on the beauty which can be found in modern society. Open Tuesday to Friday from 9am to 9pm and Saturday from 9am to 2:30pm. Tel: 952 765 741. www.museodelgrabado.es

Until January 29 EXHIBITION – MÁLAGA

The CAC is home to the latest exhibition by renowned photographer Thomas Ruff, part of the 1980s German school. Ruff is famed for his ultra stylish photography, which he manipulates to achieve surprising effects. Tel: 952 120 055. www.cacmalaga.org

Until February 2012 ART – MÁLAGA

The Museo Picasso de Málaga presents a retrospective exhibition of approximately 100 sculptures, paintings and drawings by avantegarde artist Alberto Giacometti. Tel: 902 443 377. www2.museopicassomalaga.org

Every Monday SALSA CLASSES – MARBELLA

Learn how to shake your hips like a true Latino at El Campanario, under the guiding hand of professional dancer, Rafa. At 7:30pm. Prior booking is necessary. Tel: 952 904 233. www. elcampanariogolf.com

Every Monday and Wednesday LANGUAGE WORKSHOPS – MIJAS PUEBLO

Spanish/English and English/Spanish conversation with fellow native speakers, 10-11:30am. Further information on meeting points, Tel: 952 589 010. www.mijas.es

Every Second Tuesday of the Month JAZZ – ESTEPONA

The Coast’s Jazz Appreciation Society meets at Benavista Country Club at 8pm. Classic videos followed by a live jazz performance then dinner. To book, Tel: 952 888 106. Further information from Brian Parker, Tel: 669 504 942.

Every Third Tuesday of the Month FLORAL ART CLUB – ESTEPONA

NEW AND REGULAR EVENTS

Meets 3-5pm monthly with NAFAS demonstrators at El Campanario Golf & Country Club. Further information from Marilyn Pemberton, Tel: 952 928 197.

Monthly on different days FILM SHOWING AND DINNER – MARBELLA

Every first Wednesday of the month CULTURE AND COCKTAIL – MARBELLA

AMERICAN CLUB – MARBELLA

Every Wednesday TOASTMASTERS CLUB – MARBELLA

The Marbella International Film Festival hosts Oscar Nights, which include a showing of a major Oscar winning film and dinner at the H10 Andalucía Plaza Hotel. Tel: 952 812 000. www.marbellafilmfestival.com

The American Club Costa del Sol Chapter meets monthly for excursions, sports and social events. Tel: 952 772 789. www. americanclubcostadelsol.com

AMIGOS DE LA CULTURA – COSTA DEL SOL

Meets at different times and places for lunches, lectures, tickets to concerts, ballet, theatre, opera, etc. Further information, Tel: 669 445 809. smartkidsmarbella@gmail.com

The Association of Art and Culture holds monthly meetings at Magna Café, Magna Marbella Golf, at 8pm. Tel: 627 833 262. www. culturamarbella.org

Weekly meetings of this public speaking organisation, 7:30pm at Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía. Further information, www.toastmastersmarbella.com

Every Wednesday and Thursday CINE CLUB – MARBELLA

Cine Club Buñuel presents films in their original language at the Marbella Instituto Río Verde at 8pm and 10:15pm. Tel: 952 774 638.

Every Thursday CINE CLUB – ESTEPONA

Top films shown weekly in Spanish or original soundtrack at Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, 9pm. Tel: 952 802 002. www.estepona.es

Every last Friday of the Month COFFEE MORNING – ESTEPONA

ADANA animal rescue charity coffee morning at Plaza Manilva (outside Longman’s Bookshop) 11am – 2pm. Kennels open 10am – 5pm Monday – Friday and 10am – 2pm Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Further information, Tel: 952 797 405/ 606 274 206. www.adana-estepona.com

BUSINESS LUNCH – MARBELLA

Marbella Business Institute invitation-only lunch club for local and visiting business people, active and retired. To apply, see www. marbellabusinst.com

Every Saturday MARKETS – PUERTO BANÚS

Head for the Puerto Banús bullring every Saturday for a fun street market featuring everything from clothing right through to music, accessories and home ware. Starts at 9am and ends at 2pm. www.marbella.es

Every First Saturday of the Month ORIGINAL ROCK & ROLL DANCE CLUB – NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

Rock & roll music from the late 1940s to the early 1960s spun by resident DJ Tall Mike, with visiting acts and stalls selling memorabilia.

10pm – 3am at La Flor de los Naranjos restaurant. Entry free. Further information, Tel: 952 913 285. www.activesoundproductions. com

ECOLOGICAL MARKET – MARBELLA

If ecological fruit and veg are your thing, don’t miss out on this hip ecological market. At the Paseo de la Alameda from 10am to 2pm every Saturday. www.marbella.es

Every Saturday and Sunday KIDS’ CAMP – MARBELLA

Aloha Gardens Multi-Sports Club weekend camps for children aged 4-14, 10:30am-1pm.

Activities include tennis, football, cricket, basketball, hockey, handball, paddle tennis.

Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 814 086. www.themultisportsclub.com

Every First Sunday of the month OPEN DAY – MIJAS

PAD animal shelter, Cerros del Águila, welcomes visitors from 12pm-3pm. Further information, Tel: 952 486 084. www. padcatsanddogs.org

Thursday December 1 to Sunday December 4 CIRCUS – MÁLAGA

The Cirque du Soleil presents their latest show, Alegría, at the Palacio de Deportes Jose María Martin Carpena. Time are as follows: Thursday December 1: 9:30pm Friday December 2: 5:30pm and 9:30pm Saturday December 3: 5:30pm and 9:30pm Sunday December 4: 2pm and 6pm.

Tickets can be purchased from www. elcorteingles.es or www.livenation.com

Monday December 5 CHARITY GALA – MARBELLA

Aids charity Concordia is holding their traditional Christmas dinner at the Hotel Puente Romano at 8:30pm. For tickets, Tel: 670 795 896. www.concordiamarbella.com

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Teatro Cervantes Friday December 2 and Saturday December 3 CONCERT Academy will have their chance to shine.

For precise times, Tel: 952 904 233. www.elcampanarionet.com

Saturday December 10 to Sunday December 11 NATURE WALK – CABO DE GATA

The Marbella Town Hall is organising a fun, 12km walk at Cabo de Gata this weekend. For precise times, Tel: 952 765 724. www.marbella.es

Sunday December 11 GOLF – LA CALA

Two4One is holding a fun golf competition at La Cala Golf Resort. At 9:30am. Tel: 665 009 811. www.lacala. com

David Bisbal

Wednesday December 7 and Wednesday December 14 SUPPORT GROUP – MARBELLA

Dr. Gabriella Kortsch will be holding meetings to help you live your best life. If you are experiencing stress, illness, fear, loneliness, etc, you may benefit from her vast experience. At 7pm. Edificio Iiwi A-25, Guadalmina Alta. RSVP is necessary. Tel: 952 929 071. www. advancedpersonaltherapy.com

Friday December 9 THEATRE – MARBELLA

María Barranco and Luis Merlo star in a fun-filled romantic comedy called Tócala otra vez, Sam at the Teatro Ciudad de Marbella at 9pm. Tel: 952 864 394. www.marbella.es

MUSICAL – MARBELLA

Wednesday December 14 GOLF – BENAHAVÍS

Trocadero Playa restaurant is holding a golf tournament at the Marbella Club Golf Resort followed by a prize giving lunch. Tel: 610 704 144.

Thursday December 15 CONCERT – MARBELLA

Singing trio Tres Divos Belt out Christmas favourites and Broadway tunes at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos at 9pm. Tel: 665 076 949. www.marbella.es

Thursday December 15 to Wednesday February 9 ICE SKATING – MARBELLA

The Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Marbella becomes a lovely ice skating rink with games and acitivities for children. Everyday from 12am to 12pm. Tel: 952 828 244. www. marbellacongresos.com

TANGO – MArbella

The Arcos de Buenos Aires Company presents La Porteña, an Argentinean tango and folklore show at the Hotel Meliá Don Pepe at 8pm. Tel: 654 576 363.

CONCERT – MÁLAGA

1990s rock sensations, Revolver, sing their greatest and latest hits at Sala Paris 15 at 9pm. Tickets available at www.nvivo.es

THEATRE – ESTEPONA

The Estepona Youth Theatre performs The Wizard of Oz at the Escuela de Arte Ecuestre Costa del Sol in Estepona at 7pm. The play is directed by Julie Curran, who prepares students for LAMDA exams. Tel: 655 607 506.

CONCERT – BENALMÁDENA

The Town Hall of Benalmádena presents its renowned annual Christmas Concert, which this year features a performance by the Marbella Choir. At the Parroquia Inmaculada Concepción in Arroyo de la MIel at 8:15pm. Tel: 952 579 800.

Thursday December 22 ZARZUELA – MARBELLA

The Zarzuela is a traditional Spanish folk theatre style, in which dance, music and comedy reign supreme. Enjoy a performance of some of the best songs in the history of the Zarzuela, at the Teatro Ciudad de Marbella at 9pm. Tel: 952 765 996.

Thursday December 29 GOLF – MARBELLA

Two4One is hosting a golf competition at La Cala Golf Resort at 9:30am. The entry fee of €35 for Two4One members and €40 for non-members includes snacks, drinks and more. Tel: 952 663 407. www. golftwo4one.com

The Philarmonic Orchestra of Málaga plays music by Rimski-Korsakov, Ginastera and Rachmaninov at 8:30pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday.

Friday December 9 and Saturday December 10 THEATRE

Famous Spanish actors Cayetana Guillén-Cuervo, Antonio Valero, Ricard Borràs and many more star in Amar en Tiempos Revueltos, a drama set in the 1950s. At 9pm on both nights.

Friday December 16 to Saturday December 17 CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Enjoy a joyful Christmas concert featuring Andalusian Christmas Carols at 9pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday.

Thursday December 22, Thursday December 29 and Friday December 30 BALLET The National Russian Theatre of Moscow performs The Nutcracker ballet at 9pm.

Tuesday December 27 and Wednesday December 28 KUNG FU

This wonderful performance directed by Su Shijin tells the story of young Chun Yi, who is taken by his mother to the Temple of Abott, where he learns to become a monk and becomes a Master in the noble arts of Zen and Kung Fu. At 9pm.

i Tel: 952 224 109. www.teatrocervantes.com

Teatro Echegarray Sunday December 11 CHILDRENS THEATRE

The Ópera Divertimiento group perform The Little Magic Flute, a fantasy play in which Mozart espouses his ideas on friendship wisdom and truth. At 11am and again at 1pm.

Friday December 16 and Saturday December 17 THEATRE

Teatro Acuario presents Sobre Ruedas, a fantasy musical the whole family will enjoy. Best of all, all funds go towards the Fundación Vicente Ferrer (which works to improve the standard of living of the disabled). At 6pm at the Placio de Ferias y Congresos de Marbella. Tel: 952 828 244. www.marbellacongresos.com

Friday December 16 FILM – MARBELLA

GOLF – MARBELLA

CONCERT – MÁLAGA

Thursday December 22 and Friday December 23 MUSIC

CHRISTMAS CONCERT – Saturday December 10 and Wednesday December 14 CHRISTMAS CAROLS – MARBELLA

Saturday December 17 FLAMENCO – MARBELLA

Thursday December 29 BLUES

A fundraising golf tournament will be taking place at the Santa María Golf Club in aid of Butterfly Skin charity, DEBRA. Tel: 952 831 036.

The children of LAUDE San Pedro sing traditional and new Christmas carols at the El Campanario Golf & Country House on Saturday December 10. On Wednesday December 14 the children of Mayfair

See the Orquestra del Festival de Lucerna perform Gustav Mahler’s Symphony Nº3 in an entertaining documentary film, to be shown at the Iglesia de la Virginia at 8pm. Tel: 952 765 996. www.marbella.es

Spain’s most famous pop star David Bisbal delights the audience with his latest hits at the Auditorio Municipal de Málaga at 9pm. Tickets available at www.nvivo.es

Enjoy a dazzling flamenco show at El Campanario Golf & Country House, featuring song, dance and music. For precise times, Tel: 952 904 233. www. elcampanarionet.com

The Tenemos Gato troupe presents La Naranja Completa: a play about the fears, anxieties and romantic issues encountered by a group of thirty-somethings. At 9pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday.

Zambomba is a show inspired on the traditional Christmas celebrations of the people of Jerez de la Frontera in which neighbours gather around patios on Christmas Eve to sing Christmas Carols and dance while they drink wine, anis and punch. At 9pm.

Some of Málaga’s most celebrated jazz bands will be paying homage to Route 66, the famed jazz and blues club which was all the rage in Fuengirola from 1995 to 2002, and to Steve Themonk, its Manager, who brought fantastic solo artists and groups to the Costa del Sol. At 9pm. i Tel: 952 224 109. www.teatroechegarray.com

DECEMBER 2011 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE / 153

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THEGUIDE STARS

Annie Heese is the founder of astrology website, www.cafeastrology.com, a site featuring articles, love sign compatibility reports, predictions, the gen on famous people and their star signs, and general information for astrology buffs.

ARIES [21 MAR - 20 APR]

LEO [23 JUL - 22 AUG]

SAGITTARIUS [22 NOV - 21 DEC]

Be wary of misleading information and the need to re-do projects you thought were complete in the first half of the month. You could be dealing with delays and a general feeling of being held back. Around the 10th of December can be especially hectic and possibly chaotic. It can be hard to know who or what to believe. After mid-month, things begin to straighten out. Ironically, your money picture looks quite bright around the holidays. The 22nd23rd is strong for love and money, especially from foreign or non-routine sources.

Be extra cautious with your spending this month, as there is a bit of a risk-taker in you right now! There may be some drama or heightened emotions in a friend’s life. Relationships become clearer by mid-month, after which a partner feels stronger and more confident. Good news or rewards on the job front can arrive in the last week of the month. You may want to make work-related New Year’s resolutions a little early – on the 28th29th. You’re coming across with increased charm at this time as well.

Avoid an overly independent stance in December, as relationships can be tricky enough to handle until mid-month. Alienating someone special will not help. Impulsive executive decisions can be a downfall, so try to keep your cool. Relationships heat up around the 10th. This can also be a time when something personal comes to the attention of others. The last week of the month finds you considerably more balanced and naturally confident (not brashly so). A project begins to regain momentum and money-making ideas are plentiful.

TAURUS [21 APR - 20 MAY]

VIRGO [23 AUG - 22 SEP]

CAPRICORN [22 DEC - 19 JAN]

Romance and travel are favoured in December, although both are better after mid-month. Watch for a clash with a lover over money or intimacy matters around the 4th, however, when someone requires more space. Be wary of impulsiveness with money around the 10th, when challenges with finances ultimately push you towards better management of your resources. Your romantic life stimulates and challenges you.

Although part of you might long for a more settled situation, it’s never dull! The month finds you especially adventurous.

You’re both breaking routines and building new ones.

Love matters are strong in December.

While you may be on the fence about many things until mid-month, admirers are certainly not lacking. You are exuding charm and positive energy. Willingness to take emotional risks in the second half of the month can bring interesting experiences into your world.

Work can be demanding around the 10th, when you may be wrestling with a decision or some uncomfortable gossip. Try not to react impulsively. Domestic life is comforting in the last week, when efforts to reorganise the home pay off.

You start off December on the right foot, with determination but also great charm in your manner. Others are spreading helpful word of mouth. A love interest is paying attention and romance thrives. A work or health matter comes to a head around the 10th, when emotions run high. The holidays may not run close to schedule this year, but you’re bound to enjoy yourself if you expect the unexpected. New Year’s resolutions might be made a little early – on the 28th-30th, when your resolve is especially strong.

GEMINI [21 MAY - 21 JUN]

LIBRA [23 SEP - 23 OCT]

AQUARIUS [20 JAN - 19 FEB]

Close relationships can be very complicated in the first half of the month, particularly around the 10th, when surprising emotions bubble up to the surface with great force. Personal revelations serve to push you towards growth and experience. Watch for impatience in both speech and action on the 4th. General confusion and delays clear up by mid-month. Family life is exceptionally busy for you. While challenges can present themselves, it’s a good time to address long-standing problems and to take action to fix them. Love is intimate and passionate.

You’ve been going through a maturing process recently. Impulsiveness in relationships may have come at a price.

You feel in your element on a romantic level from the 20th onwards, however. Until mid-month, delays and transportation matters can be tricky. Around the 10th, news can arrive that has you acting on impulse, but it’s best to wait things out. Prepare yourself for changes to your itinerary. The second half of the month is less chaotic, but do take extra time for rest, as energy levels may not be up to par.

Friendships can be complicated in the first half of December and this includes both platonic and romantic ones. Heightened emotions surrounding love and creative matters are especially likely around the 10th. Recognise that signals from others can be misread before acting on impulse.

The second half of December brings considerably easier energy for you overall. You feel more confident about making important decisions and you convey your ideas with greater certainty. On the domestic front, good news may be forthcoming as 2011 draws to a close. Family ties are stronger.

CANCER [22 JUN - 22 JUL]

SCORPIO [24 OCT - 21 NOV]

PISCES [20 FEB - 20 MAR]

An especially busy December is in your forecast. Prioritise tasks well so that you can minimise problems. Previously hidden matters are illuminated around the 10th. Don’t jump to speak about a personal subject unless you’re certain it’s not premature to do so. You continue to meet with delays and assorted little problems in your work until mid-month.

While it’s usually recommended to start shopping for the holidays early, if you haven’t started yet, you might want to save the bulk of your buying for after the 14th.

Money matters can be tricky in December.

Avoid borrowing and lending, as both can eventually bring heavy complications. Changes in your financial arrangements may be in store around the 10th. Impulsive decisions should be avoided, as reason is clouded by heightened emotions. Work schedules can change at a moment’s notice this month, but ultimately for the best. The last week brings a growing feeling of strength in a partnership. You’ll be in fine shape to host during the holidays, and will probably want to stick close to home.

Partnerships continue to keep you on your toes. Confusing signals from a partner clear from mid-December, but love may continue to require some level of sacrifice. Balancing family and career can be challenging. Changes are in store, and there can be pressure to make important decisions.

However, acting in haste is not advisable. A friendship can bring surprising and pleasant emotions to the surface this month. Despite some level of chaos surrounding your work, you are likely to end 2011 with a renewed feeling of confidence in your career direction.

154 / ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2011

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