Essential Marbella Magazine February 2013

N º163 - FEBRUARY 2013

essential essential marbella® magazine ISSUE 163 • FEBRUARY 2013

ESSENTIAL FOR LUXURIOUS LIVING

a

MARBELLA

COMPLIMENTARY EDITION

SEX

ICONS ANDRÉS

SARDÁ LINGERIE

ALMOST EDIBLE

Beauty

Infallible

INFINITI M35H

APHRODISIACS

Evolution of Sex

Suave Seduction

HOT

DESTINATIONS!

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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contents The Trend Cinema 18 Home Viewing 20 Music 22 Books 24 Gadgets 26 The Infiniti M35 luxury Hybrid Saloon 28

The Focus Evolution of Sex 34 Searing Hot Fantasies 42 Things to Discover about the Big O 43 Sex Icons 44

The Style Modern Romantic Bedrooms 50 Designer Lingerie: Andrés Sardá 52 Fashion News 58

The Spa 62 Beauty: Almost Edible Beauty 64 Beauty News 66 Health: Scientific Findings on Sex 68 Aphrodisiac Delights 70 Life Assessment

The Pro 79 Business Profile: Réka Vidats of RéLounge 80 Finance: New Laws on Tax Declaration for Spanish Residents 82 Vibe

The Leisure 84 Travel: Hot Destinations 92 Hotel: The Marbella Heights Boutique Hotel

g

The Gourmet The Guide Grill del Puerto 95 Venta García 97 Food News 98 Chef’s Profile: Francisco Vacas of L’Impronta 100 Wine Labels with Panache 102

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104 Listings

The Blog 110 What’s On 112 Stars 114 Kid’s Zone

1/28/13 1:09 PM

30 April reporting deadline.

Your overseas assets.

We need to talk.

(Estepona Office)

952 588 998

952 809 212

john.mccann@blevinsfranks.com

david.bowern@blevinsfranks.com

952 469 494

(San Pedro de Alcantara Office)

chris.mccann@blevinsfranks.com

952 522 660

steve.langford@blevinsfranks.com

WNT02-es

San Pedro - Cadiz

Almerimar – Eastern border of San Pedro

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952 799 752

terry.wayne@blevinsfranks.com

Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Services Authority only for the conduct of investment and pension business. Blevins Franks Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority for the administration of trusts and companies. Blevins Franks Tax Limited only gives taxation advice; all of the advisers are fully qualified tax advisers.

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Issue 163 • February 2012 PUBLISHER AND DIRECTOR

IAIN BLACKWELL director@essentialmagazine.com

GENERAL MANAGER

ANDREA BÖJTI sales@essentialmagazine.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

MARISA CUTILLAS editorial@essentialmagazine.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER SALES SUPPORT

SUSANNE WHITAKER design@essentialmagazine.com JAN DENDAUW jan@essentialmagazine.com PATRICK McCREANOR patrick@essentialmagazine.com RÉKA VIDÁTS reka@essentialmagazine.com

ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

You are holding an

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

award winning

DESIGN & LAYOUT STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

publication

At the end of 2011, the largest national association of publishers, the Asociación Española de Editoriales de Publicaciones Periódicas (AEEPP), selected Marbella Magazine as the Best Free Publication in Spain.

Over 100 titles were considered nationwide in only a handful of categories for these prestigious annual awards and was proud to accept the limited edition medal as its prize at the awards ceremony in Madrid.

This is a wonderful recognition for all the hard work put in by the team over the past 13 years and the perfect inspiration for them to continue to bring you a high quality publication every month that is always entertaining and informative.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY COVER MODEL CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

PRINTING DEPÓSITO LEGAL

MARIANO JEVA cuentas@essentialmagazine.com MONIKA BÖJTI info@essentialmagazine.com ANDREA BÖJTI INMA AURIOLES MELINDA SZARVAS KEVIN HORN IAIN BLACKWELL, BILL BLEVINS, MICHEL CRUZ, RIK FOXX, RUSSELL GRANT, KEZIA JACOBSEN, AJ LINN, TONY WHITNEY JAVIER GALUE www.atlantistarget.com IRENE BAEZA GARY EDWARDS, FAMOUS, JOHNNY GATES, KEVIN HORN (www.khphotography.co.uk) JIMÉNEZ GODOY A. GRÁFICAS, MURCIA D.L. MA-512-99

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES COMPLEJO LA PÓVEDA, BLQ. 3, 1º A, CN 340, KM 178, 29600 MARBELLA, MÁLAGA. TEL: 952 766 344 FAX: 952 766 343

ESSENTIAL MARBELLA MAGAZINE

@ESSENTIALEDITOR

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conditions:

The publishers make every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct, but cannot accept Marbella Magazine cannot accept responsibility for the effects of errors or omissions. responsibility for the claims, goods or services of advertisers.

Marbella Magazine. © Publicaciones Independientes Costa del Sol S.L. for No part of this magazine, including texts, photographs, illustrations, maps or any other graphics may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Publicaciones Independientes Costa del Sol S.L. Printed on recyclable paper, produced without wood and bleached without chlorine.

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publisher’s letter

HOT WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL

OFF THE PRESS!

“I don’t know the question, but sex is definitely the answer”.

“Sex is the most fun you can have without laughing.” “Love is the answer, but while you are waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty good questions.” - Woody Allen It seems that all too often, everyone is either doing it or thinking about it, so why not write about it? Well, we have done just that, in this desirable issue, so be prepared to have some pretty hot subjects openly flaunted.

We get the libido flowing with the Evolution of Sex, natural Aphrodisiacs and Andrés Sardá designer lingerie. Coming too, don’t miss our sizzling spread on Hot Destinations – sexy places around the globe for full-on flirting.

Among many other titillating topics, we also take a leisurely ride in the sleek Infiniti M35H and a long hard look at some of our favourite Sex Icons, those who have inspired men and women the world over to seductive fantasy.

All in, if this doesn’t get your emotion in motion, then perhaps you should check if you actually still have a pulse.

So, this Valentine’s month, we suggest getting into the groove!

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F&C Marbella Essential Ad JAN 2013_Layout 1 24/01/2013 11:50 Page 1

Multi-award winning luxury estate agents in 300 locations worldwide

THE GOLDEN MILE BEACHSIDE – 3.900.000€ (reduced from 5.000.000€) BUILT SIZE 470m² • PLOT SIZE 970m² • 5 BEDROOMS • 5 BATHROOMS · • SEPARATE GUEST COTTAGE Ref: 98664

GUADALMINA BEACHSIDE – 3.900.000€ BUILT SIZE 916m² • PLOT SIZE 2022m² • 6 BEDROOMS • 6 BATHROOMS Ref: 101115

Located in this very exclusive area next to the Marbella Club Hotel on Marbella's premiere beach, this very special villa is walking distance to all amenities and situated in a secure and manned drive. It has recently been totally redeveloped and is being offered fully furnished and equipped to a very high standard. A separate casita in the manicured grounds offers private accommodation for guests, at this property which becomes a picture postcard when lit at dusk.

This unique architect designed Miami style villa is set on a secluded plot in the sought after residential area of Guadalmina Baja, situated only 850m from the beautiful unspoilt sandy beaches of this area. Built in 1997, it has recently been refurbished to include total redecoration of the exterior and interior, a stunning new state of the art kitchen and new bathrooms. The garden provides complete privacy and seclusion from neighbours, benefitting from a glorious 125m beach style swimming pool with feature rock waterfall and palm-tree island.

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LA ZAGALETA – 2.450.000€ (reduced from 3.300.000€) BUILT SIZE 580m² • PLOT SIZE 3852m² • 5 BEDROOMS • 4 BATHROOMS • SEPARATE GUEST SUITE Ref: 99770

Newly refurbished well-presented villa, which would make a perfect permanent residence or holiday home, situated in this tranquil area only a minute’s walk from the beach and an eight minute drive into the centre of Marbella. Due to the layout it is very light throughout and built around a central courtyard surrounded by covered terraces.

It has a recently completed self-contained lower ground floor level with access to the garden, which is mainly terraced for ease of maintenance, offering a pool house alongside the substantially sized swimming pool.

This individually designed villa is located in the exclusive and privileged La Zagaleta Golf & Country Club, which offers the use of 2 golf courses, an Equestrian centre, a clubhouse and a helipad. It has an Andalucían influence to its design complemented by stunning views at both levels, offering several modern features including a heated swimming pool. In this sought after location, the property is now being offered at a very competitive price and being sold fully furnished and equipped.

Fine & Country Marbella Marbella Club Hotel, Bulevar del Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, 29600 Marbella, Málaga, Spain

tel +34 952 76 40 10 email marbella@fineandcountry.com www.fineandcountry.com

F&C Marbella Essential Ad JAN 2013_Layout 1 24/01/2013 11:50 Page 2

Marbella

GOLF VALLEY, NUEVA ANDALUCIA – 4.900.000€ (reduced from 6.200.000€) Chateau style villa in sought after location close to amenities.

Ref: 99088

BUILT SIZE 1100m² • PLOT SIZE 3840m² • 8 BEDROOMS • 6 BATHROOMS • SELF-CONTAINED GUEST COTTAGE This select property has an air of style and privilege about it, set within an idyllic private paradise with views across the Golf Valley and an architectural design which has perhaps more French than Spanish style.The accommodation of the main house is distributed over four levels with a lift servicing all levels, whilst the separate guest cottage has a Spa with Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room on the ground floor and a selfcontained two bedroomed apartment above. The swimming pool has a huge ultra-high definition screen alongside it which slides down to become an outdoor cinema, whilst below this is the padel tennis court, where one can hear the trickle of a cascading rock waterfall.

: d r a o b d o o m atures & e f e t i s i u q x

e

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El Palacio de Montellano

The Perfect Country House or Boutique Hotel One of Andalucia’s finest country Haciendas (a former 17th century Palacio owned by the Bishop of Seville) is being extensively and sympathetically restored to its former glory, oozing character and charm whilst boasting extremely spacious accommodation. Several large bedroom suites each with its own private terrace plus two enormous “honeymoon” suites. Huge country kitchen and dining room, grand salon with original stone fireplace, entrance hall, wine cellar, utility room, cloakroom, etc. Indoor “hamman” styled swimming pool and sauna. Internal accommodation: 1,000m2.

An impressive formal entrance drive flanked by ancient olives, huge parking area, large cobbled central courtyard with orange trees and fountains. Formal gardens, private patios and terraces, large outdoor swimming pool with pergolas and summer kitchen, olive groves and tennis court. Wonderful far-reaching southerly views across unspoilt undulating countryside; peaceful and secluded with good access and no near neighbours. Ideal for anyone wanting to keep horses; the perfect location for riding! Garden area: 35,000m2.

The Palacio is destined to become one of inland Andalucia’s finest Boutique Hotels with a strong emphasis on quality and beauty throughout. It can easily be enlarged if required and additional adjoining land is available.

The structure is complete, the restoration is due for completion this year and anyone expressing an interest now can have their own input into the final layout and specification. This is the ideal time to view the property.

Location - halfway between Ronda and Seville, close to the stunning Grazalema National Park and the Costa de la Luz. Airports - Seville 30 mins. Jerez 40 mins. Malaga 1hr 30 mins.

POA. Tony Cassidy

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Tel: (+34 637 939 359)

Email: tcassidy@tarifadirect.com

1/28/13 1:12 PM

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EXCL.VAT

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trend READING / MUSIC / FILMS / GADGETS / MOTORING / TRENDS

What more fitting month than February to raise the temperature at home with plenty of sexy material to watch, listen to and read? Sexy means beautiful and that’s exactly what our selection of sleekly designed gadgets have in common with the gorgeous new hybrid saloon by Infiniti.

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Cinema

20

Home Viewing

22

Music

24

Books

26

Gadgets

28

The Infiniti M35 Luxury Hybrid Saloon

1/24/13 4:52 PM

trend CINEMA

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

e BLOCKBUSTER

OF THE MONTH

Gangster Squad » GENRE Drama Fleischer (Zombieland) » DIRECTOR Ruben n, Ryan Gosling, Josh Brolin, Emma Stone » ACTORS Sean Pen

quite a ning actor has forged Eastwood, the Oscar win t Clin like d the ch Mu . en wh Into The Wild, ich tol few and far betwe Sean Penn’s films are utiful, heartfelt films like bea g ftin cra , d. ion de ect en thought Nature int in production and dir live ‘deliberately’ as he reputation for himself to ght sou o wh ad, y bo Squ est film, Gangster opher McCandless, the in literature but his lat st ere touching story of Christ int ep de his nce and e, he plays a left-leaning political sta Robert de Niro. This tim Penn is known for his y much in the vein of ver is, he or bility in act ted incredibly talen blance of peace and sta reminds us of what an ing to destroy any sem en eat thr is g a gan ose , enlisting men to form es in the 1950s wh cide to take him down de mafia boss in Los Angel g) slin Go n Rya in es and lin o unwittingly indulg duo of cops (Josh Bro beautiful girlfriend, wh s n’ the city. A determined Pen ys pla ne Sto y. Emma war against the enem squad willing to wage policemen. the of e on flirtation with a dangerous game of

» GENRE Thriller » DIRECTOR Andrés

Muschietti (Nostalgia en la Mesa 8) » ACTORS Jessica Chastain, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Megan Charpentier

» GENRE Comedy » DIRECTOR Jason Moore (Trophy Wife) » ACTORS Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, » GENRE Fantasy/Action » DIRECTOR Carl Rinsch (The Gift) » ACTORS Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada, Ko Shibasaki

47 Ronin

47 Ronin, one of the most eagerly awaited films of 2013, is a fictional account of the real-life story of a group of Samurai in the 18th century who avenged their master’s death and were venerated in history for their loyalty and bravery.

Keanu Reeves plays Kai, a half-British, halfJapanese renegade who joins the Samurai and finds his true purpose in life. 47 Ronin captures a highly significant moment in Japanese history which has been told four times previously on the big screen (in 1941, 1958, 1962 and 1994).

Carl Rinsch’s version is highly original, however, bringing fantasy elements and larger-than-life battle scenes into the frame and making the most of the film’s impressive €132 million budget.

Rebel Wilson, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Pitch Perfect

Anna Kendrick, the young actor nominated for an Oscar for her magnificent portrayal of a young corporate upstart in Up In The Air, shows she’s got what it takes to make us laugh in Pitch Perfect, a slightly satirical take on the new ‘choir boom’ bred by hit TV series, Glee. Kendrick plays a feisty newcomer cajoled into joining an all-female choir whose members are desperate to win the National Championships.

Mama

Mama is a supernatural thriller about two girls who disappear in a forest on the same day that their mother is assassinated. Years later, they are rescued and start a new life, but it seems that someone or something is still after their soul. The twins’ aunt (Jessica Chastain) feels like she’s going crazy as she tries to understand if there are supernatural forces at play, or if her nieces are simply undergoing post-traumatic stress. This is a rather harrowing film indicated only for hard-core horror fans. It plays with primal human emotions such as the maternal instinct, fear of the unknown and the corruption of innocence.

» GENRE Action Moore (Behind Enemy Lines) » DIRECTOR John lis, Jai Courtney, Mary Elizabeth Winstead » ACTORS Bruce Wil

Die Hard4th sequel A ceGWilolisoprodvesDhe’asystillto as tough as nails in the of John

Bru role where he reprises the to the hit film, Die Hard, enture takes McClane to Moscow, to adv McClane. This time the k to the straight , Jack (Jai Courtney) bac son ard yw wa his de retly delighted gui sec yet d cke sho is agent the two work and narrow. The ageing and nt age undercover CIA sation. ani to learn that Jack is an org a dangerous terrorist together to overthrow

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DA HLER & C O MPA N Y M A RBELL A

Bulevar del Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n | CN-340 km 178, 4, La Póveda, Local 1 | E-29600 Marbella, Málaga Phone: +34 952 777 664 | Fax: +34 952 777 827 | marbella@dahlercompany.com DC_Spain_Marbella - Essential_Magazine_2013-02.indd 1

21.01.2013 17:53:40

trend HOME VIEWING

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Margaret

Margaret is a 17-year-old New Yorker who is riddled with guilt after she convinces herself that she caused an accident that took a woman’s life. All her attempts to solve the problems caused by the victim’s demise are met with opposition so she grows frustrated and begins to vent her anger on her family and friends, even resorting to selfharm. As the situation reaches breaking point, she slowly discovers that her ideals have little place in the adult world that circumstances have forced her to embrace.

» GENRE Drama » DIRECTOR Kenneth Lonergan

(You Can Count on Me) » ACTORS Anna Paquin, Jean Reno, Mark Ruffalo, Matt Damon » IMDB RATING 6.5/10

Project X

LEASE OF THE MONTH

e FEATURED DVD RE

n a M r e id p S g in z a m The A » GENRE

n Comic/Science Fictio » DIRECTOR Marc Webb (500 Days of Summer)

» ACTORS

Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans

» IMDB RATING

7.3/10

en plagued Peter Parker has be pearance ap dis ts’ ren pa by his and, ild ch since he was a a vital clue nd fou s ha he finally, this lve so that will help him ilitated fac is t es qu His mystery. has he r we by a new super po d an d ire qu ac tly inadverten nt scientist llia bri a by red de hin her’s who was once his fat . nd frie d an e gu collea

» GENRE Comedy » DIRECTOR David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada)

» ACTORS Steve Martin, Jack

» GENRE Thriller » DIRECTOR

» GENRE Comedy » DIRECTOR Nima Nourizadeh » ACTORS Thomas Mann, Oliver

Cooper, Jonathan Daniel Brown » IMDB RATING 6.6/10

Project X is ostensibly a teenager’s flick but even parents who nostalgically recall their high school days will enjoy this humorous, sometimes sentimental and beautifully edited film. The plot sounds typical: a teenager, Thomas (Thomas Mann) decides to throw the party of a lifetime when his parents are out of town, to raise his ‘street cred’, pull the best looking girls and exit the ‘geek’ zone.

Don’t expect things to go as smoothly for this chap as it did for Tom Cruise in Risky Business, though; one faux pas leads to another and soon, serious, irreversible damage is caused. How will Thomas ever explain to his parents why they no longer have a house, he is under arrest for causing a riot and there’s a MercedesBenz at the bottom of the pool?

Black, Owen Wilson

» IMDB RATING 6.1/10

Nick Murphy (Blood)

» ACTORS

The Big Year

Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton

» IMDB RATING 6.4/10

The Awakening

After the massive loss of life in World War I, many drew comfort from spirituality but author and ‘ghost hunter’ Florence Cathcart (Rebecca Hall) is only interested in finding the truth. One day, the History Master of a boy’s prep school visits her, asking for help with a ghost who is terrorising the children.

Convinced that she “can’t find what doesn’t exist”, Florence visits the school, and is pulled into a tunnel of mystery, darkness and fear. A wonderful film which will be particularly appreciated by fans of American Horror Story-style dramas.

The Big Year is a surreal romp into the wonderful and wacky world of bird watching.

Jack Black and Steve Martin play two bird enthusiasts who decide to take on the world record holder (Owen Wilson), travelling across the USA in an effort to spot the greatest number of species. Their collective obsession has many serious consequences (including a divorce, an important career change and a retirement) yet, losses notwithstanding, they have a hell of a time living out their dreams in the middle of some of the most beautiful natural landscapes of the USA.

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trend MUSIC

¿QUÉ PASA?

WORDS RIK FOXX

BIEBER IN BILBAO AND BARCELONA Every air hostess’s nightmare is returning to Spain next month for two gigs in Bilbao (March 14) and Barcelona two nights later. But is his popularity waning (as tickets are still available)? His 2013 calendar was outsold by the annual 12-page airbrush from CLIFF RICHARD and he has no nominations for the Grammy Awards, taking place on February 11. Also, he was booed while performing live on national TV during half-time at the Canadian football Grey Cup final. Although, the ABC network have commissioned a comedy show “focusing on his unconventional upbringing and awkward adolescence” to be filmed during the next 12 months – have they missed the boat as this pop brat might now be old hat? Police say they have arrested two men who planned to kidnap and castrate him. They also said they want to question 64 million further suspects.

One year on and some private investigator now reckons WHITNEY HOUSTON was murdered. He says the singer, who had a $1 million drug debt, was visited by two men before she was found dead in her hotel bath on February 11. The dick (slang for detective, but…) reckons he has CCTV footage of the two alleged killers who had been trying to blend in with her entourage on the said day.

r like she finished the BEYONCE has started this yea landed a $30 millionshe last one. In December, y are sponsoring her plus deal with Pepsi, the promotional campaign the forthcoming tour and of her new album. She will coincide with the release ious half time show at stig pre is due to appear at the February 4 (approx 01.15 the American Superbowl on two new songs, Twelve form CET) where she will per there is also talk of Roses and Rollercoaster, and th US TV channel mon This ge.

GAGA joining her on sta ts ‘n’ all documentary HBO are broadcasting a war And on top of that al. glob that will no doubt go por tray the legendary Hollywood has called her to NI RIVERA, who died JEN er Mexican-American sing ember. This 43-year-old in a plane crash last Dec itage, known as La Diva her ican entrepreneur of Mex ch on the country ’s TV de la Banda, was also a coa version of The Voice.

MUHAMMAD SHAHID NAZIR, the perpetrator of that other internet atrocity One Pound Fish, was deported from the UK when it was found he was there illegally. He arrived back in his native Pakistan to be mobbed by crowds of fans and vowed to return to Europe to promote his “masterpiece” in France. I bet the French can hardly wait.

Meanwhile, former Y Factor loser CHICO, who is currently doing pantomime in Swansea, reckons it’s time to relaunch his pop career – oh not it’s not!

HAIM AIM HIGH

ADELE continues to hit new heights as 21 was the best selling album in the US for the second year running and it is now the fourth biggestseller of all time in the UK overtaking (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? by OASIS. On the downside she faces a £1,000 fine for failing to register her baby within the UK 42-day legal limit – with all those sales what’s £1,000?

Every year selected members of the music media choose a new act for the BBC Sound of 2013 award and HAIM, three Californian girls, got their new year off to a flying start after being named winners. For the past six months, ALANA, DANIELLE and ESTE HAIM have upped their reputation supporting FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE and MUMFORD AND SONS on tour with their FLEETWOOD MAC style sound and the siblings are currently recording their debut album. Past winners of this esteemed prize include JESSIE J and ADELLE. A little bird (she’s about five foot tall) in the biz informs me all is not well in the GIRLS ALOUD camp. Three years apart and egos have swelled, mentioning no names but especially an ex footballer’s wife, and rehearsals for their forthcoming UK tour which starts on February 21 were cancelled due to “other commitments”.

Another member needs this reunion to work as apparently she has a hefty tax bill in the US after a fruitless pub venture. According to the grapevine she asked top tax dodger JIMMY CARR for advice. The comedian changed the subject saying Gangnam Style might have reached a billion hits but he prefers to watch TULISA hitting her ex-boyfriend Camden style instead.

JETHRO TULL IN MÁLAGA Concerts are few and few between during the winter months on the coast. On February 8 JETHRO TULL leader IAN ANDERSON will perform the band’s 1972 album Thick As A Brick at Málaga’s Palacio de Congresos. This concept album featured just one song (parts 1 & 2) so you know what you’re gonna get. i For those wanting tickets: www.nvivo.es/conciertos

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1/22/13 2:24 PM

trend BOOKS

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Sex is a subject that we love to bring up with our lovers, friends and family.

It also makes great reading material, as is evidenced by the immense success garnered by ‘mummy porn’ sensation, 50 Shades of Grey. This month, we suggest a few best-selling reads that will enlighten, educate and hopefully inspire you to find a whole new meaning to the words ‘fantastic sex’.

1 THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO KINK: BDSM, ROLE PLAY AND THE EROTIC EDGE

BY TRISTAN TAORMINO

This book is considered a groundbreaking guide to BDSM, comprising a collection of essays from various experts in sexuality. It is divided into two parts: the first part details types of BDSM, including flogging, bondage and domination, providing techniques and a series of excellent illustrations by artist, Katie Diamond. The second part covers the kinkiest practises in BDSM, including role playing, masochism and personal manifestos on dominance, submission, sadism and masochism.

If 50 Shades of Grey left you feeling a little short on information, this is the perfect book for you; it lets you know what you can expect from these sorts of experiences and where you need to start.

2 SEX AND THE SINGLE GIRL: THE UNMARRIED WOMAN’S GUIDE TO MEN BY HELEN GURLEY BROWN

Helen Gurley Brown was the Editor of Cosmopolitan Magazine in the USA for 32 years and she is one of the most prominent figures of the Second Wave of Feminism. Her book, Sex and the Single Girl is a 1960s cult classic which is as relevant today as it was when it first burst onto the scene. Gurley Brown gives women advice on everything from drafting a life plan to dressing well and becoming economically independent. Some pieces of advice may sound slightly outdated (such as her suggestion that women should drink wine instead of eating to maintain a slim figure), but on the whole, her insistence on the importance of standing on one’s own two feet, makes immense sense.

3 THE GAME: PENETRATING THE SECRET SOCIETY OF PICKUP ARTISTS BY NEIL STRAUSS

If you’re a single man who’s sick of being labelled a ‘pagafantas’ (‘the guy who pays for the Fantas but never gets any action) by local lasses, get your hands on this book and step up your game.

Author, Neil Strauss, claims to have been a balding, beady-eyed ‘chick repellant’ before signing up for a course with Mystery, a Canadian magician who charges over €2.000 for a two-day ‘pick-up’ workshop. Mystery gave Strauss handy pieces of advice, which made him a big hit with the chicks at local bars. Mystery’s technique is simple: Find, Meet, Attract, Close. The coach gives aspiring Lotharios tips such as the three-second rule (approach an attractive woman within three seconds of having spotted her or you could lose your gumption), or the beautiful woman rule (when you meet one, act like you are totally unimpressed). This insightful book shows that you don’t need to be rich or handsome to pull; it really is all in the mind.

4 SHE COMES FIRST: THE THINKING MAN’S GUIDE TO PLEASURING A WOMAN BY IAN KERNER The author of this informative book, Ian Kerner, Ph.D., unabashedly labels most men as ‘ill-cliterate’ and postulates that when it comes to winning bed wars, ‘the tongue is mightier than the sword’. The book is a thorough guide on the intricate art of oral sex, with instructions on everything from what to say to how to progress from kiss to climax.

Kerner argues that foreplay should be transformed into ‘coreplay’, since most women take around 20 minutes to reach orgasm while men take a speedy four minutes. The writing is informative, entertaining and often humorous, making this book great bedside reading for couples in love.

5 MY HORIZONTAL LIFE:

A COLLECTION OF ONENIGHT STANDS BY CHELSEA HANDLER

Chelsea Handler is one of America’s most popular and controversial comedians and talk show hosts and in this best-selling book, she recalls some of the funniest, most exhilarating one-night stands she has had in her lifetime. Handler talks about the benefits of having sex early in a relationship, details her obsession with black men and reveals cringe-worthy moments, such as the time she thought she had taken home the man of her dreams, only to find out (after sleeping with him!) that his grooming left much to be desired. After one too many bizarre experiences, she actually starts to consider the benefits of a monogamous relationship but, to date, Handler is reported to be single and on the lookout!

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ELECTRONICS

MICROSOFT WEDGE TOUCH MOUSE This

stylish, cable- and USB-free mouse allows you to navigate Windows 8 using Microsoft’s Touch Technology. Just turn it on and connect to your laptop or tablet through Bluetooth connection. The Wedge conserves energy excellently, by going into ‘Backpack Mode’ as soon as you shut down your computer or put it into hibernation. i www.microsoft.com

GALAXY NOTE II Dubbed as a cutting-edge ‘phablet’, the Samsung Galaxy Note II has only been on the market for a few months but it’s selling like hotcakes, with features such as a 14cm HD Super AMOLED Display, a multi-tasking screen, pop-up notes and photo notes, high performance power (thanks to its 1.6 GHz quad-core processor and 3100mAh battery) and much more. Best of all, it weighs only 180 grams! i www.samsung.com

sexy GADGETS

Marisa Cutillas brings us new releases that are redefining the term sexy, from the sleek, new iMac to the fast-selling, lightweight Galaxy Note II. These are the Gadgets that will be making 2013 a whole lot more fun.

KINDLE PAPERWHITE Small, light-weight and boasting a new

built-in light that projects light downward through the screen instead of towards the reader’s eye, the Kindle Paperwhite also boasts a higher resolution, higher contrast, touch screen and battery life of eight weeks. i www.amazon.co.uk

ENERGY MP3 STICK This cross between a traditional MP3

player and a USB memory device allow you to enjoy FM radio, play your favourite music on the go and take films, photographs and documents with you, wherever you go. i www.energysistem.com

NEXUS 4 Google’s new Smartphone is proving

to be tough competition to its closest rival, the Samsung S3, with features such as the latest Google apps, smart searching (thanks to Google Now, which lets you know today’s weather, traffic conditions, the time your train is arriving while you’re waiting at the station, etc.), GPS navigation using Google Maps, a Gesture Typing keyboard (just glide your fingers over the letters) and much more. It also boasts an 8MP camera and records HD video. Its new Photo Sphere technology invites you to snap heaps of pictures in every direction possible and watch them come together into immersive photo spheres. The price is incredibly good for what you’re getting: approximately €300 i www.google.com

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VILLA MARKETING Since 1983

FRONTLINE GOLF Ref. 9579 Villa situated in Nueva Andalucia and facing southwest. Built on one level on a frontline golf plot of 1.686 m2, 4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, spacious lounge, separate dining room, modern kitchen, garage, heated pool. Possible to extend.

Price: €1.150.000

Nueva Andalucia Ref. 10417 West facing villa with good views and within walking distance to amenities and the beach. Recently built to a high quality and finish, consists of 4 bedroom suites, large living and dining area, modern kitchen and several terraces.

Nueva Andalucia Ref. 9995 Villa facing south with sea views. Built on a large plot of 2.368 m2, with a large living area opening to outdoor covered terraces and an open plan kitchen.Total of 6 bedrooms, 2 in a separate guest bungalow.

NUEVA ANDALUCIA Ref. 10564 South facing villa with character, in a quiet area, situated close to golf courses.

Open views, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, plus another large room which could be a 4th bedroom.

Price: €850.000

Price: €750.000

BEACHFRONT APARTMENT Ref. 9103 Direct views to the sea in a closed and secure complex right on the seafront.

Spacious apartment west of San Pedro with 3 bedrooms. Facilities such as 24 - hour security, tennis, paddle tennis courts and gymnasium. Open to offers.

Nueva Andalucia Ref. 9464 A single storey villa in perfect condition. South facing with 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, spacious living room with fireplace, separate dining room with wooden beams on ceiling, underfloor heating. Walking distance to Golf Course.

Prices: €675.000

Price: €470.000 Casaño 10-B, Nueva Andalucía (Pass the Bullring, beside BBVA bank) Tel: 952 810 695 enquiries@villamarketing.com

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Price: €950.000

www.villamarketing.com Sales - Long & Short Term Rentals - Property Management

1/24/13 11:14 AM

trend MOTORING

LUXURY HYBRID SALOON

INFINITI M35h WORDS TONY WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF LEXUS

The Infiniti M series sits right at the pinnacle of Infiniti’s saloon range and as such, competes with mid and larger sized rivals from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW, Lexus, Jaguar, Volvo and a fair number of others. The current Infiniti M lineup is allnew (as of 2012) and company marketers believe that at last, they have a serious competitor for the previously mentioned prestige brands. Late last year, Infiniti solidified and enhanced its M range by adding a hybrid version - the M35h, which is the focus of this road test.

L

ike some of its competition, the M35h is handsome and appealing without being overdone and flashy. It has that subtle elegance that buyers of cars in this class usually prefer, though perhaps it could have been styled with a little more boldness to make it stand out. That’s not to say that the car wasn’t designed with a good deal of flair and imagination, but for a nameplate that aspires to make a dent in Mercedes, Audi or BMW, it needs a little something extra. From some angles though, it has a flowing, almost feline and Jaguarlike, look about it. It’s a fairly big car and it has lots of ‘road presence’ when you see one pass by.

There’s no doubt at all that even at first glance, this is a luxury automobile.

Infiniti has been highly successful with many of its models over the years – especially Coupés and SUVs – but the M series has never quite pulled

down the big numbers. This could be the model to turn things around – it certainly deserves to be on the list of anyone who’s shopping for a luxury car in this size class. Infiniti has also been bolstering its image recently by becoming involved with the Red Bull Formula One team and basking in the glory of another World Championship with Sebastian Vettel.

You’ll see Infiniti logos all over Vettel’s racing car and on his racing overalls. These racing successes don’t involve any technical input from Infiniti as far as I know, but you can bet that some of the engineering advancements of the F-1 team will somehow rub off onto future Infinitis by way of technology transfer.

Power for the M35h comes from a 3.5-litre V-6 (a fine engine in its own right) that gets an extra boost from the powerful electric motor that’s an element

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Z ENGINE 3.5-litre V-6 based hybrid powertrain developing 364 hp when the electric motor is factored in.

Z TRANSMISSION Seven-speed automatic Z ACCELERATION Zero to 100 km/h in approx. 5.5-secs Z TOP SPEED Approximately 240 km/h, estimated Z I LIKED Elegant design features and very high standard of finish and assembly quality. Great interior treatment and roominess. Impressive economy of hybrid powertrain. Capability of providing 4-cylinder economy and V-8 performance and flexibility.

Z I DIDN’T LIKE Styling, though tasteful and attractive, could use a little more ‘wow factor.’

Z MARKET ALTERNATIVES Not too many rivals in its class, though a step up in size adds the Mercedes-Benz S-Class hybrid and the Lexus LS 600h with a similar powertrain. Other choices might include the BMW 7-Series and Porsche Panamera hybrids. Most other luxury hybrids fall into the SUV class.

Z WHO DRIVES ONE? Buyers looking for a car with a green image and praiseworthy fuel economy that still provides V-8 performance and refinement. Businesspeople involved with companies in the environmental sector who want to ‘practice what they preach’.

Z PRICE AND AVAILABILITY Available now, starting at around €61.750

in all advanced hybrid powertrain designs. With petrol engine and electric motor, the output adds up to a very impressive 364-horsepower. Thus, the Infiniti hybrid is a potent car with lots of response and very commendable power figures. It makes the 35h the most powerful Infiniti saloon sold in Europe. There’s a V-8 powered M available in some markets around the world, but not in Europe. I’ve tried both and confirm that the M35h feels for all the world like it did have a V-8 under it’s bonnet, thanks to the torque generated by the electric motor. It also has a smoothness and flexibility that’s normally a characteristic of V-8 power. Expectedly, though, this is a very fuel-efficient car and is rated around 6.9-litres/100 km, combined. The transmission is a new seven-speed automatic with the now-common paddle shifters for manual operation when desired.

The interior of the car is up to Infiniti’s usual excellent standard; I’ve long been saying that Infiniti can design an interior that’s as good as anything in the industry and better than most. There’s something about the way all the parts fit together and the controls have the feel of a fine camera, rather than a car. There’s even a ‘proper’ clock on the dash – not one of those ubiquitous digital jobs.

It’s a very roomy cabin and the rear seats can easily accommodate three adults if needed, which is handy for short business journeys or runs to the golf club. A large display on the instrument panel shows the electric motor working in unison with the engine and indicates when the battery is receiving a charge. It’s actually possible to

maximise fuel economy by glancing at this panel and keeping a light foot on the accelerator pedal. The multi-role screen (very much like what you’ll find in current-generation jet fighters) is also used for other functions like SatNav. There’s some fascinating technology available with these cars, including a blind spot warning system, Active Noise Control to make the cabin quieter and even an air freshening device that cuts odours which may intrude into the car. It would no doubt be highly beneficial driving around smoky cities or industrial areas, but most of my testing has been in rural locales.

Infiniti was a pioneer of lane departure warning systems and the one in the M-cars works very effectively indeed. Wander across a lane marker on the road and you get a clear warning – a huge safety boost if the driver is in any way fatigued. It’s like having those rumble strips built right into the car. As you’d expect, this Infiniti is available, or comes standard, with every imaginable state-ofthe-art technological aid to safety, comfort and navigation. All models feature superb leather seating and trim plus push-button startup, Bluetooth compatibility, a power moonroof and other goodies often optional – even on some luxury models.

This new M range from Infiniti deserves a close look by anyone shopping around the luxury car segment. Sad to say, this range (which also includes petrol and diesel-fueled models) is all too often overlooked and it deserves better. The cars have everything you could expect in a serious luxury model and then some.

The Infiniti M is handsome, technologically advanced, superbly equipped even in basic form, fast and agile. It has a great feel to it and combines a high level of comfort with almost sports coupé handling.

There’s not much more you could ask of a largish luxury sedan. e

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LUXURY

Sailing from Málaga and Short ‘Taster’ Voyages

CRUISE TRAVEL Talk To The Professionals So you’ve decided to pamper yourself and have made the decision to take a luxury 16-day, five-star cruise holiday.

The question now is: How do you indentify a true Luxury or Ultra-Luxury cruise ship or cruise line? The newspapers and television are awash with adverts quoting ‘Luxury’ cruise holidays – but what is true Luxury cruising?

For your luxury cruise, you need to be able to know the difference between an economy three/four star cruise line, a ‘Premium brand’ line, and a true five- or six- star UltraLuxury cruise company. Many cruise lines use the ‘luxury’ tag. But do these companies provide a true luxury product?

And how do you know you are talking to the people who really understand the cruise industry and understand your expectations?

PROMOTION

T

he cruise business has been the biggest sector of the travel industry for many years now and continues to grow at a rapid pace. Cruise Connections Ltd, established in 1987 and based in Gibraltar, is the only company in southern Spain and Portugal that specialises in cruise holidays – and only cruise holidays. They focus only on the highest quality Luxury and Ultra-Luxury cruise lines.

The world’s leading Ultra-Luxury and Luxury cruise lines are: Silversea Cruises, Seabourn Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, Sea Dream Yacht Club and UniWorld River Cruising. All of these companies are represented by Cruise Connections Ltd. Also in the Cruise Connections portfolio are Oceania Cruises, Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises.

Ultra-Luxury Cruising: It’s All Included The vast majority of the companies listed above offer ‘AllInclusive’ fares. This covers virtually every conceivable onboard item – all tips & gratuities, all drinks (beer, wine, spirits, Champagne and non-alcoholic drinks), personal butler service, in-suite mini bars, 24-hour room service, in-suite dining, etc. Regent Seven Seas Cruises go one step further and offer free shore excursions in all ports of call, and free pre- or post-cruise hotel stays on selected cruises. All of these items are really important when considering a cruise holiday.

Companies that do not offer ‘All-Inclusive’ fares charge very high prices for all onboard purchases including bottled water, tea and coffee. Typically, a glass of wine

AN IN ATION TO MEVEITTW ITH THE I EXPERTNSDAUSTRY’S LOS MONTT HOTEL TUESDAEYR, OS, MARCH 5

will cost $9, while a whole bottle will set you back in the region of $30. Add to that a mandatory 18 per cent service charge – making your cheapest bottle of wine a minimum of $35 and then add a gratuity per person per day from $20 upwards. Your final invoice for onboard expenditure at the end of your voyage could be close to the original cost of the cruise itself!

Consult with the Professionals “The average travel agency will find it hard to give detailed, personal advice to clients unless they are able to employ a specially dedicated person educated in and solely responsible for dealing with cruise enquiries. Most travel agencies would find it economically impossible to employ a dedicated member of staff to handle this,” comments Peter Conway-Hann of Cruise Connections.

“Cruise Connections have a very large client base here in Spain and Portugal and throughout Europe, and with the Internet, we now have clients dealing with us from all over the world. Our clients are highly discerning and experienced travellers, and expect nothing but the very best in unbiased and up-to-date information, service and quality of product – from the selling agent as well as the cruise line. With 25 years’ experience in the cruise industry and experience travelling to most of the world’s destinations onboard the ships we represent, we are in the best possible position to give our clients the detailed information and advice they would not receive elsewhere.”

There are a few opportunities to sail direct from Málaga at various times of the year: Z SEA DREAM YACHT CLUB Sea Dream I has a seven-day voyage from Málaga to Rome departing May 4 and Sea Dream II departs May 1 from Málaga to Monte Carlo for a 10-day voyage.

Z REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES The Seven Seas Mariner departs from Málaga November 22 en route to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, for 22 or 28 nights of sailing – see advert on the opposite page.

Z SILVERSEA CRUISES The Silver Wind departs Málaga on November 26, bound for Cape Town for a 26day voyage. The Silver Cloud from Málaga to Barbados on October 28 on a 13-day voyage and the Silver Spirit from Málaga to Fort Lauderdale on a 14-day voyage on November 12.

Z SEABOURN CRUISE LINE The Seabourn Quest sails from Gibraltar to Rio de Janeiro on October 28 on a 17-day voyage.

Z SILVERSEA have just announced a series of four-day ‘taster’ voyages – contact us for details.

Visit us at Hotel Los Monteros, Marbella If you are thinking of taking a luxury cruise, or want to know more about the world of five- and six- star Luxury cruising, then take this opportunity to meet with Peter and Nicky Conway-Hann of Cruise Connections Limited at Hotel Los Monteros, Marbella, in the Patio Uno y Dos Room, on Tuesday March 5 between 10:30am and 6pm. Peter and Nicky will help you to navigate the luxury cruise market, helping you to select the cruise for you.

Otherwise, please telephone either Peter or Nicky in Gibraltar on Tel: +350 200 60346, or Spanish mobiles 609 557 423 / 609 557 407 to arrange a private appointment, or email: cruiseconnect@telefonica.net

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23 NOV

At Sea

24 NOV

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ARRIVE DEPART 09:00

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ARRIVE DEPART

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Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Spain

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14/01/2013 13:55

thefocus CULTURE / HISTORY / FEATURES

FAMOUS PEOPLE / INTERVIEWS / HUMOuR

Sex is everywhere: in the smile of the man or woman we fancy, beneath a set of tightly tucked Egyptian cotton sheets, in the pristine whiteness of a crisp linen suit, in a bubbly glass of Champagne. We dive into this piquant subject with gusto, discovering how to find pleasure in the most unexpected places.

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Evolution of Sex

42

Searing Hot Fantasies

43

Things to Discover about the Big O

44

Sex Icons

1/24/13 4:57 PM

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comprising ground floors-first floor apartments and duplex penthouses. Ground floor apartments benefit from private, covered terraces leading out to the manicured gardens, whilst the duplex penthouses enjoy a master bedroom suite on the upper level, a large solarium with BBQ area and breathtaking sea views.

Contact today our team of qualified executives for a personal and professional service.

Tel number: +34 952 80 64 17 Fax number: +34 952 79 63 45 Email: info@livingstone-estates.com 163 Livingstone.indd 133

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THE FOCUS sex

If social networking sites and online forums are the best sounding boards for the issues that are keeping us most occupied, it follows that one of the most hotly contested subjects among eminent scientists and inquisitive networkers alike, is whether or not the Universe has a purpose. Could the exact alignment of the planets, the relationship of our Universe to others, the existence of the precise conditions required by human life to flourish, indicate a design and purpose for the Universe that is impossible to deny? Or does the fact that man was absent from 99.9 per cent of the Universe’s history, a period spanning millions of years during which species arose and vanished cataclysmically amid exploding volcanoes, acid rain and gelid temperatures, conclude that we are little more than a byproduct of random chemical and physical processes?

W

hat about sex? Could it be true that there is a purpose behind everything from why we do ‘the wild thing’ to the unwritten laws of attraction and fidelity? The latter is very much the thesis of Neurogeneticist and Evolutionary Biologist, Dr. Sharon Moalem.

In his best-selling book How Sex Works, he turns to medicine, biology, genetics and evolution to explain “why we look, smell, taste, feel and act the way we do”. Sex does have a purpose and that is to further the survival and reproduction of our species. Taking this basic tenet as a starting point, many interesting facts and discoveries arise, and we discover the answer to some of the most burning questions in our minds…

Why do human beings have sex?

If simplicity, accuracy and safety are determining issues in the process of natural selection, one can only wonder why humans don’t behave like simple

bacteria and asexually reproduce. The human sexual game is a complex and often unrewarding one, with considerable time and resources spent on competing with other singletons to find our perfect match, attempting to mate with the object of our desire and keeping the latter by our side post-post-sex cigarette.

Sex works to further the human race, say evolutionists, by giving our children a greater chance of not inheriting our worst genetic traits, since greater genetic diversity ensues when our own gene pool is combined with someone else’s.

“Every time we throw the genetic dice,” says Dr. Moalem, “there’s a chance that new traits will develop in our offspring, like an immune system that can outwit existing or emerging viruses or bacteria.” Yet, he specifies, “evolution is all about trade-offs”. Sexual reproduction can and often does go wrong, giving rise to countless anomalies such as children with ambiguous genitals, hormone imbalances or faulty reproductive systems; not to mention the number of permutations that can affect a child at a chromosomal level.

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1/23/13 11:53 AM

Why are women’s breasts different from those of all other female primates?

Ample breasts have come to mean many things to modern man, to such a great extent that breast augmentations are one of the most hotly solicited operations by young femmes.

But why do human breasts enlarge during puberty and stay that way for a lifetime? It is a unique phenomenon in the animal kingdom, since in most other mammals, breasts only swell when a female is lactating. Indeed, ‘boobs are getting bigger’ as the years pass by, with the average size in the UK rising from a 34B to a 36C in just 10 years. What role do breasts play in reproduction itself? According to Zoologist Desmond Morris, breasts may be considered so desirable because they mimic the buttocks: “Most male primates mount their females from behind and since man has evolved as a bipedal, upright creature, females have developed plump, spherical breasts to mimic the structure and texture of the buttocks”. There may be additional reasons for our obsession with ample bossoms; according to Dr. Moalem, breasts store vital fat, which may provide necessary energy when food is scarce. Plump breasts also give the illusion of fertility and indicate that the woman possesses enough energy and strength to nurse a potential baby.

f o n The evolutio

se words Marisa Cutillas

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1/23/13 11:53 AM

Why do men fancy women with hourglass figures?

We may be bombarded on a daily basis with images of androgynous, slim-hipped, small-breasted femmes, but most men would probably elbow their way through a crowd of skinny minnies to approach a lush looker with Rita Hayworth-type curves. The male penchant for this body type is identical across all cultures, as detailed by Professor Bobbi Low in Why Sex Matters: A Darwinian Look at Human Behaviour: “Across all sorts of cultures with quite different specific ideas about beauty, both men and women see as most attractive a female waist-to-hip ratio of about 7/10 to 8/10.”

Once again this trend has a solid basis in science and evolution: according to a 1996 study by Harvard Researchers Peter Ellison and Susan Lipson, women with large breasts, narrow waists and large hips have 30 per cent higher levels of a particular hormone (estradiol) at the time of peak fertility. Higher ratios of estradiol indicate greater fertility.

What is the defining feature that makes men and women attractive?

When it comes to being considered ‘good-looking’, one feature stands out against all others: symmetry.

Scientists recently carried out studies on various celebrities’ faces and found that the actor who boasted the most perfect facial symmetry was Brad Pitt (it would be difficult to argue against this actor’s sheer perfection). Interestingly, evolution once again comes into play: asymmetry may be an indicator of disease, particularly, for example, in the case of asymmetrical breasts. A study published in British journal Breast Cancer Research (2006), found that women with highly asymmetrical breasts had a greater risk of developing breast cancer.

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What is so special about the human penis?

How do male testicles fare size-wise in the animal kingdom?

Unlike the penises of all other primates, the human penis has no bone. It’s all got to do with speed.

Animals in the wild are forced to ‘do the deed’ quickly, for fear that predators may put an end to their lust-filled encounters. For them, sex requires no foreplay and takes between 30 and 60 seconds (sometimes less). Humans, on the other hand, require stimulation to keep an erection going and this makes for longer, more enjoyable make-out sessions.

Despite being boneless, the male penis can break. Technically it is referred to as a fracture and it often happens when a too-eager lover bangs his family jewels against his lover’s pubic bone. The situation is even more precarious for male bees; their penis breaks off every time they have sex with the Queen! Talk about going out with a bang!

Human testicles are half-way in size between that of the monogamous gorilla and the polygamous chimpanzee. The driving force behind this phenomenon, is competition; the more promiscuous females are in a given species, the larger the males’ testicles are relative to their body size. It all makes sense from the point of view of successful reproduction: if a female mates with various males, the chances of a particular male impregnating her are reduced, and he will need to increase his probabilities by releasing more sperm.

Interestingly, competition also governs speed: the more promiscuous females are, the faster their males’ sperm need to be. The size of human testicles suggests that human beings may not be as sex-crazed as Cheetah but they certainly aren’t as faithful as Magilla!

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What role does scent play in the mating game?

An incredibly important one, if we pay heed to the research of University of Lausanne Biologist, Claus Wedekind. The scientist asked 49 women to smell T-shirts worn by various men and to rate their attractiveness. The results showed that the volunteers were most attracted to those with different immune systems from their own. Scientists have since gone further and found that the more similar a couple’s immune system is, the greater the likelihood that the woman will cheat! Even more significantly from a reproductive standpoint, couples whose immune systems are too similar could have problems conceiving! Women’s preferences are apparently much more influenced by smell than men’s, though the male olfactory sense is greatly heightened when a woman is ovulating.

Do women really fancy ‘Tall, Dark and Handsome’ men?

Yes and no, depending on the time of the month. Studies have proven that women do actually fancy tall, dark, handsome (and ultra masculine men) a few days before, during and after ovulation (that is, during peak fertility). The reason seems to be that dark-skinned men have more melanin, a pigment that shields cells from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. Melanin also protects a vitamin called folate, which promotes healthy cellular reproduction. A lack of folate can cause miscarriage, birth defects and genetic disorders.

Women’s tastes vary significantly at other times of the month, when they generally go for a whole different set of features, like rounder eyes and softer facial characteristics – qualities that can represent a more nurturing, less aggressive nature, which are ideal when one is looking for a potential mate and father.

When it comes to unfaithfulness, evolutionary forces also seem to be at play: studies have found that women stray the most when they are in their period of peak fertility, a process Dr. Moalem explains succinctly: “It’s almost as if women are looking TO mate when they are ovulating, but FOR a mate when they’re not”· There is an important proviso, though: women with highly attractive partners do not experience the same desire to stray or fantasise about other men; sounds like a fine case for the rise of the metrosexual; the more attractive both men and women are to their partners, the better!

Can the Pill affect our choice of mate?

Single ladies, if you’re on the lookout for your perfect match, go off the Pill! It completely ‘throws your scent off’ its natural course, “sabotaging your reproductive machinery and possibly leading to faulty mate choice”, says

Dr. Dustin Penn from the Konrad Institute for Ethology in Vienna, Austria. Author Rachel Herz (Scent of Desire) adds: “if the Pill contributes to a woman choosing a mate with similar HLA/ immune systems, it constitutes a biological error.” The Pill basically stops the body from ovulating, ‘tricking’ it into thinking it’s pregnant.

This steers women towards more familiar scents (which promise comfort and safety) and away from their most compatible mate. Some scientists go so far as to assert that the Pill could be related to high divorce rates: once women go off it, their attraction to their partner can dramatically decline.

Before women start using these findings to be unfaithful, dump their partners or search for ‘Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome’, though, they should understand that we are speaking of large-scale evolutionary processes; the power of choice, sincere commitment and love, are the most powerful players in our individual lives.

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Why is semen good for women?

Aside from its obvious function (fertilisation), exposure to semen may also increase a woman’s chances of a successful pregnancy. Says Dr. Moalem: “New research has found that women who engaged in oral sex with their male partners were less likely to suffer from preeclampsia.” Dr. Moalem suggests that “the key may very well be overall semen exposure, not just oral sex”, since the findings are new and further testing needs to be undertaken.

Why does Nature dramatically shut down a woman’s fertility through menopause?

Chimps can procreate nearly all their lives, as can most female mammals. There are many theories why human females have such a limited period of fertility. Some state the obvious: the older a woman is, the less likely she is able to bear the burden of pregnancy and childbirth. Others argue that since women are born with all their eggs, menopause may avoid genetic defects arising from ‘aged eggs’. Still others espouse ‘the grandmother theory’, which stipulates that evolution has given rise to a group of non-fertile care-givers (grandmothers) who can help new mothers ease their burden. Maternal grandmothers seem to be particularly important, since every human being shares mitochondrial DNA with all females ascending the maternal line. Mitochondria have a host of important functions, including providing all the energy for every cell they are part of. “In a very real way,” says Dr. Moalem, “you have a greater biological connection to your maternal grandmother than your paternal one.”

Do women have a prostate?

It is estimated that as many as 90 per cent of women have a prostate and are therefore able to release fluid upon experiencing an orgasm.

The G-spot could actually be the place in the vagina which is closest to the prostate and which therefore causes cataclysmic waves of pleasure when stimulated!

Where does homosexuality fit into theories of evolution?

Homosexuality plays an important role in the lives of countless species, leading to the conclusion that sex serves evolutionary purposes apart from reproduction. Joan Roughgarden, Professor of Biology and Geophysics at Stanford University, says that far from being an “anomaly”, homosexuality has been preserved by evolution because “like heterosexual contact, it promotes intimacy, fosters bonding and defuses aggression and tension, all of which increase the likelihood of survival for members of a species”. e

g For many more interesting facts and findings, don’t miss out on a great read: How Sex Works by Dr. Sharon Moalem is available on www.amazon.co.uk

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THE FOCUS intimacy

Fantasies make us forget our supposed shortcomings

“If one is lucky a solitary fantasy can totally transform into one million realities” Maya Angelou

WHY IS FANTASISING GOOD WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

FOR YOU

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SECREToS, wUhNatTdOoLwDe

Are love handles, saggy boobies or a hairy back making you feel like staying fully clothed for the entire duration of your lovemaking session? How do you think you would behave if you were Giselle Bundchen (or David Hasselhoff, for that matter)?

Wouldn’t you show up in sexy lace underwear and vertiginous heels, waving your rear in the air or performing a sexy dance until you drove your lover absolutely mad? The fact is that it is attitude that drives men and women crazy and that’s something you can’t buy… but you can certainly borrow through fantasy!

Practice Makes Perfect Shy types or neophytes who are fearful about making fools of themselves during their first sexual encounter will find a handy tool in the world of fantasy; imagining what one would say or do in the sack is a technique psychologists often use with their patients.

Imagining you are the person you want to be can be the first step towards becoming that person. It’s the same with sex; live the scenes you have been dreaming about so long in real life and put the blow-up doll back in the closet!

WOMEN

S out? fantasise ab

MEN

XUAL PARTNER Z SHARING A SE ED CH A Z BEING WAT ITH SOMEONE OF W X SE NG Z HAVI CE E DIFFEREN SIGNIFICANT AG X SE AL Z OR HERS Z WATCHING OT L TO THEIR PARTNER RO NT CO NG SI LO Z

ATING ATED OR DOMIN Z BEING DOMIN Z THREESOMES IC Z SE X IN PUBL AY PL H IS HUG RO OM AN Z ITH ANOTHER W W RS TE UN Z ENCO , or is just me? e Is it hot in here

Desperately Seeking Climax Fantasising can be ideal if achieving an orgasm is proving more elusive than usual. In fact, for many, it can’t be achieved without a few wild imaginings.

Sex is supposed to be all about release so pull out all the stops when it comes to getting there.

Hearts and Flowers Sex therapists often recommend fantasy as a way to strengthen the bond of love between couples. One of the main reasons so many marriages end is a lack of sex (one wants more of it, the other doesn’t or worse yet, both are uninterested!).

Anything that inspires you to touch, love and please your partner should be welcomed.

So log onto Amazon right now and purchase that fireman costume or lederhosen you’ve always wanted to surprise your partner in. Remember, it’s all for a greater cause!

Figures and Facts An important study (Leitenberg & Henning, 1995) revealed startling facts regarding the nature of sexual fantasy.

Apparently, some 95 per cent of all men and women fantasise about both sexual and nonsexual matters. The use of fantasy was directly related to having a high sexual satisfaction and an active, varied sex life. The study completely discredited Freud’s theory that the use of fantasy revealed a lack of sexual satisfaction.

Furthermore, the more people fantasise, the more sexual experiences they are having.

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Women would sometimes give their lives not to have an orgasm… like when they’re working out at the gym, sitting on a bus or giving birth, yet they just can’t stop themselves! The phenomenon is known as a ‘spontaneous/non-sexual orgasm’ and it can be attributed to increased blood flow to the genital area combined with vibration or clitoral contact. Women giving birth are subjected to an onslaught of pleasure-inducing hormones like oxytocin and prolactin and, sometimes, this can bring a few unexpected surprises during the birthing process, which is just about the most emotionally charged moment we can think of!

3

SHARED ORGASMS ARE BETTER (IF YOU WANT TO SLEEP AFTERWARDS, THAT IS). THE BODY RELEASES 400 PER CENT MORE PROLACTIN (A SLEEP-INDUCING HORMONE) WHEN WE HAVE SEX WITH A PARTNER THAN WHEN WE ‘PLEASURE OURSELVES’ AND IT’S ALL TO DO WITH EVOLUTION: WHEN WE’RE SLEEPY WE MAY LAY DOWN A LITTLE LONGER AND WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING PREGNANT, ‘HORIZONTALLY’ IS BEST.

4

Many scientists are still trying to work out why women have orgasms, since they aren’t necessary from a purely evolutionary point of view. Primate sexuality expert, Alan Dixson, postulates that the female orgasm “increases a woman’s willingness to copulate with a variety of males rather than one partner, thus promoting sperm competition”.

Others argue that pleasure leads to greater bonding between partners, which leads to more sex and therefore more pregnancies.

O GS YOU (PROB N I H T AB 10 LY )

1

5

OW A BOU N’T K N T… DID

1 MILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD ARE HAVING AN ORGASM THIS VERY SECOND… ARE YOU ONE OF THEM?

Meg Ryan’s famous orgasm diner scene brought home one truth most women know and few men would like to admit: members of the female species are true masters at the art of ‘faking it’; it’s all about making our man feel like a full-fledged stud, despite the fact we may have been thinking of the washing or the bills that need paying during our last romantic interlude. Yet according to statistics, most women experience orgasms without having to try too hard: two thirds of us, in fact, could teach Bella and Edward a thing or two about bed-breaking, uninhibited, wild, torrential sex! We know how good it feels but many of us don’t know the mechanics behind it. This month, we raise your eyebrows with the titillating truth behind the best few seconds of your (hopefully) daily life.

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Women can have three types of orgasm: clitoral, G-spot and ‘blended’ orgasms involving both these types. Orgasms can be single or double, which tosses a few more permutations in to the equation. Some women claim they can achieve the Big O simply through breast stimulation while others say they have ‘mental orgasms’. I’m not sure if the latter is achievable but massive sightings have been reported over George Clooney’s latest film.

Women aren’t the only lucky females in the world, either. In Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, author Mary Roach reveals that female pigs are equally capable of achieving unforgettable moments of unbridled bliss.

6

Men usually experience orgasm and ejaculation at the same time, but sometimes the two processes are separate. Some ejaculate a few seconds after orgasm, some experience several ejaculations and subsequently enjoy an ejaculation-free orgasm and others who are not able to ejaculate are still able to enjoy the Big O. Because ejaculation and orgasm are separate events, men too can be multiorgasmic. In fact more men (15 to 20 per cent) than women (14 per cent) claimed they were multi-orgasmic in the Kinsey Report.

8

Orgasms can be a real pain for some women, especially when they are suffering from Restless Genital Syndrome.

The disorder causes sufferers to climax repeatedly, sometimes as often as 100 times a day! The condition is highly distressing and leads to exhaustion and sometimes, severe depression, as it is practically impossible to have a normal sex life.

9

HOW LONG AN ORGASM LASTS VARIES ACCORDING TO THE INDIVIDUAL, BUT THE AVERAGE IS SIX SECONDS FOR MEN AND 20 SECONDS FOR WOMEN.

Men can fake it too! That’s right, girls, if you thought you were the only thespians in the bedroom you may be surprised to learn that men are just as astute! Various surveys indicate that almost as many men (31 to 48 per cent) as women (37 to 50 per cent) fake orgasms.

Reasons can include routine, not wanting to disappoint their partners or plain old fatigue. However, men don’t need to fake it as much; 75 per cent reported that they reached orgasm consistently in their lives, compared to only 50 per cent of women, in the Masters and Johnson Survey.

7 10

The time of the month when many women avoid having sex is actually the optimum time to do so! This is because during an orgasm, the uterus contracts and excess prostaglandins (which cause painful cramps) are eliminated in the process. If you’ve run out of Ibuprofen and you’re doubled over in pain, remember: the orgasm is the most natural form of relief there is.

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THE FOCUS icons

S

ex icons, as the embodiment of sex appeal, have been a part of popular culture ever since the dawn of the movie and mass media industries in the early 20th century. Perhaps the earliest superstar of this kind was Rodolfo ‘Rudolph’ Valentino, the ‘Latin Lover’ who mesmerised millions of women during the era of silent movies. Dying young gave Valentino enduring youth and fame, but as cinema developed so the sex icons evolved, to the sultry Greta Garbo, the husky Marlene Dietrich and the more openly sexy Joan Crawford. Garbo epitomised the cool beauty of Scandinavia, her aloofness making her all the more appealing and her early retirement from fame adding lustre to her legendary status. The appeal of her German counterpart, Marlene Dietrich, was altogether less obvious, for though striking this somewhat masculine woman was more mysterious femme fatale than typical eye candy.

Grace Kelly and Cary Grant

Rodolfo Valentino

ICO WORDS MICHEL CRUZ

Audrey Hepburn

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Clark Gable

One wonders if such a complex star could ever have achieved the same fame and adulation today, where it’s all about pouting, gyrating and making body parts spill out of undersized outfits. Though she may have been surprised at this unapologetic flaunting of sexuality, the sassy Joan Crawford – born Lucille Fay LeSueur – would have fitted in much better. Of one of the era’s greatest male icons, Clark Gable, she said: “He was a king wherever he went. He walked like one, he behaved like one, and he was the most masculine man that I have ever met in my life.”

Joan Crawford Marilyn Monroe

During that golden era of cinema, which ran from the 1930s to the 1950s, women like Crawford and men like Gable epitomised the idealised characteristics of their respective genders. Joan Crawford, Ava Gardner and Grace Kelly embodied the elegance, beauty and youthful playfulness of the perfect woman while Clark Gable and Cary Grant made ladies swoon with their suave but distinctly manful ways.

Compared with later times this is perhaps the era that most accentuates the idealised differences between men and women, and what makes them attractive.

ONS Marlene Dietrich

l a e p p a x e s of

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Changing tastes

Old or new?

Elizabeth Taylor

The early stirrings of youth culture in the 1950s ushered in a wind of change, with more complex, troubled and multi-layered icons replacing the carefully groomed reputations of those who went before. In came James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor, composed in equal part of good looks, talent and a restlessness that simply added to their allure. The poster boy of a new generation, James Dean ensured immortality when he died young and ‘glamorously’ in his racing car. The enigma that was Marilyn Monroe, meanwhile, may well have remained notoriously famous had she lived to a ripe old age, but this sultry, pouting blonde with the silly voice was also offered on the altar to stardom.

During her relatively short and rather troubled life, Norma Jean fought ghosts real and imagined. From being chased around the proverbial casting couch to being unlucky in love, hers was not a happy existence in spite of all the fame and fortune – and the fact that at her peak in the fifties she was probably the most (internationally) desired woman in the world. Standing alongside more modern beauties, Marilyn Monroe seems less polished and buffed somehow, yet she had a dramatic presence that haunts admirers to this day.

James Dean If the ability to transcend the fads and tastes of successive decades is the true mark of stardom, and in this case sex icon status, then Elizabeth Taylor is another name that jumps out from the long list of beauties and their accompanying beaus. Never quite as much of a sex siren as Marilyn Monroe, nor quite as intriguing in life and death, she was nevertheless a great beauty, a truly talented actress and a personality both dazzling and imperfect. Her many failed romances, most notably to the undisputed love of her life, Richard Burton, lend her the air of tragic heroine that is only slightly diminished by later battles with alcohol, weight gain and depression.

Paul Newman

Brigitte Bardot

Like Marilyn, Elizabeth Taylor was a tragic figure one could both admire and pity.

Her leading man, Richard Burton, was no James Dean, but rather a return to the ‘strong men’ of an earlier era – the kind of muscular brooding presence that many women see as the romantic ideal. Similar in nature was Paul Newman, his intense blue-eyed gaze fixed on the liquid greens of Elizabeth Taylor and many another Hollywood star. Tough, handsome and slightly angry, he was a smoother version of Steve McQueen, another cool ‘anti hero’ of the 1960s and 70s. The two both served in the US armed forces during World War Two, with Newman originally intending to become an air force pilot but ultimately pursuing speed and danger on the racing track.

It was a passion they shared, and one that made them even more accessible to new generations of moviegoers. For the men, there was the prospect of steamy sexpots such as Brigitte Bardot, Raquel Welch and Jane Fonda, beautiful young women with increasingly little on. The sexual and social revolution of the 1960s made it possible for these ‘babes’ to flaunt their perfect bodies and become associated perhaps more with the bikini than with highbrow acting. Many a man who was young then still sighs at the mention of their names, and along with male counterparts such as Alain Delon they represent the beginning of a new kind of sex icon built more openly around looks and sex appeal.

Jane Fonda would later go on to become a more serious actress, as well as an entrepreneur and leading spokeswomen for many social and political causes – as if embarrassed by allowing herself to have been typecast as totty. However, the sixties were not all about tough young men and beautiful young women in skimpy outfits.

The likes of Audrey Hepburn, Catherine Deneuve, Gina Lollobrigida and Sophia Loren proved that a female star could be both classically elegant and a sex goddess. Though ranging from the petite Hepburn and the stylish Deneuve to their smouldering Italian colleagues, these were more mature women, more seriously cast as leading ladies but still able to raise the temperatures of men around the globe.

Increasingly cast against older male actors in love stories that were becoming a little harder to credit by the end of the decade, they were, however, destined to be the last flurry of the classic Hollywood heroine. From the 1970s onwards, youthful energy, beauty and raw sex appeal would take the centre stage for good.

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Young love

The transformation had started with the emergence of youth culture, peaked through the sexual revolution, got noisy over Vietnam and finally matured during the hippie era. At the other end of it came younger, skinnier and angrier-than-ever sex icons in both the male and female categories. Even so, the women continued to be seen mostly as eye candy while the men appealed to their fans with their revolutionary stance and their wild antics.

Suddenly pop stars such as Jim Morrison and Mick Jagger became as fancied as the more polite Robert Redford, though he too stood out for his opinions.

During the heady hippie days looks suddenly didn’t matter as much as cool persona, with girls searching for heroes in hitherto unknown places. The clean-cut persona of Elvis or Gregory Peck no longer did it for the girls, and although men continued to be more interested in looks than personality, they too lost any appetite for old flames such as Audrey Hepburn or Elizabeth Taylor.

More than ever the sex icon had to be a ‘bad boy’ and at least a bit of a ‘bad girl’.

John Travolta

Farrah Fawcett

Mick Jagger

Madonna

Raunchier times

Jim Morrison

Even so, it didn’t take long before the seventies sex symbols descended back into good old-fashioned girlie eye candy with long-legged ladies such as Farrah Fawcett, Goldie Hawn and Bo Derek displaying their ever greater license to seduce. The girls got their own back, though, when John Travolta became the big new star after his successes in Saturday Night Fever and Grease. His poster suddenly hung in the bedrooms of millions of teenage girls, and it was clear they saw him as eye candy too.

Angelina Jolie

The eighties ushered in a tougher, raunchier female sex symbol, as personified first by Debbie Harry but then more strongly by Madonna and a sexier-thanever Cher. Hot, suggestive and as demanding of being tantalised as they offered it themselves, these were women who openly wore their sexuality and dared anyone to question it. Suddenly, female pop stars began to emulate their male colleagues in taking over from actors as the leading sex icons, something that’s not so unusual given how they wowed live crowds dressed in ripped hot pants or tight bodices.

Madonna more than anyone has paved the way for those who followed, flirting with sexuality in every move – from music videos and concerts to her well-documented private life. Suddenly live concerts were as much about sexual theatre as they were about music, and this is a theme that has continued in varying degrees through Mariah Carey and Beyoncé to the highly suggestive antics of Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Sexy they may certainly be, but it remains to be seen if these ladies and their male counterparts will be remembered for all the right reasons in decades to come.

Perhaps it is once more to cinema that we should look for a more positive interpretation of the muchadored sex icon, for the likes of Cameron Diaz, Scarlett Johansson, Jessica Alba and especially Angelina Jolie add a touch of sexy restraint that proves that it is always good to leave them wanting more.

If mystery maketh the woman even more appealing, then male icons such as David Beckham, George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp reflect a continued preference for strong physiques, rugged good looks and a modern interpretation of being dashing. A lot has changed over the past century or so, but at the end of the day men still fall for a beautiful face, figure and a healthy dose of mystique, while women still like their men to be strong, manly and slightly brooding types. In all one hundred years we have come full circle, only to realise that the essence of the sex icon remains remarkably unchanged. e

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style

INTERIORS / ARCHITECTURE / ART / DESIGN

Sex up your bedroom, contemporary style, don the trendiest lingerie items, designed

by Andrés Sardá and stock up on must-have apparel for the upcoming Spring season.

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GARDENS / FASHION

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Modern Romantic Bedrooms

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Designer Lingerie: Andrés Sardá

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Fashion News

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THE STYLE decor

Belmondo Commode: In two-toned wood (white and aged). i www.ef-lm.com

Canopy Bed by Bernhardt Langford: Linen-covered headboard, footboard, side rails and canopy with nailhead trim. i www.bernhardt.com

Komplot Design Light Years Calabash Pendant Hanging Lamp: Chrome-lacquered, iridescent exterior. i www.lightyears.dk

N R E D MORomantics WORDS MARISA CUTIL

Bedside Table in hickory i www.hickoryfurniture.com

Randolph Bedside Table: In twotoned lacquered wood. i www.ef-lm.com

LAS

setting portant steps tog a im t os m e th of in One tuation is design up a romantic si m; it can be nigh-on beautiful bedrooise one’s libido in a cluttered, impossible to ra musty boudoir, yet just the unfashionable or -poster bed, tightly tucked thought of a foursheets or silky soft cushions, Egyptian cotton switch the mind to erotic can immediatelyth, we find inspiration in mode. This mon of colours, pristine and white, the colouring a rainbow of hues within. simple yet hous ly stylish designs that reveal We opt for high ntemporary. a taste for the co

Louis Console by John Reeves: In lacquered wood, featuring the famous John Reeves curved silhouette. i www.reevesd.com

aturing small, in Ivor y Rug: Fe rs we Flo of quina.com a Lit tle Field Nani Marquin lt flowers. i ww w.nanimar fe hand-woven Baroque Cushion by Ella and Sophia: White cotton canvas base cloth with screen-printed ‘frame’ in gold and chocolate tones. i www.ellaandsophia.com

Louis Four-Poster Bed by John Reeves: Lacquered wooden bed with defined external lines and soft inner curves. i www.reevesd.com

Nina Rota Bed by Cappellini: Metal and wood structure, polyurethane foam interior covered in leather. i www.minim.es

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THE STYLE fashion

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t e i F s r Slips, corsets, faux fur, lace: what really gets you going in the bedroom? Andrés Sardá feeds your wildest fantasies and offers even more sensual ideas in his latest collection of ultra trendy lingerie.

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THE STYLE fashion HEART EARRING BY ACCESSORIZE

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE? IF SO, PLEASE ME WITH A TRINKET, SOMETHING WITH LACE, PERHAPS A DIAMOND… AND IF NOTHING ELSE, BRING ME A ROSE AND YOUR ETERNAL PASSION… OR ONE OF THESE PRETTY ITEMS.

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EARRINGS BY DIOR

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Valentine’s GIFT IDEAS

KNITTED DRESS BY LAURA ASHLEY

TEARDROPS SHOE BY STUART WEITZMAN. AVAILABLE AT STRAVAGANZA

BAG BY ACCESSORIZE

RING BY DIOR

SWAROVKSI PEN DRIVE BY PHILIPS

SHOES BY ASOS

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CONTACTS: ACCESSORIZE www.accessorize.com ASOS www.asos.com BENETTON www.benetton.com DIOR www.dior.com LAURA ASHLEY www.lauraashley.es PHILIPS www.philips.com STRAVAGANZA Plaza María Auxiliadora 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 377. www.stravaganza.es

SHOES BY ASOS

1/23/13 10:26 AM

BUSTING OUT! Sexy Corsets

by Maya Hansen

Marisa Cutillas brings us some of Maya Hansen’s sexiest designs for the season, which feature a clothing item that has been both the bane of women’s existence and their salvation: the sensual, slimming, sultry corset! Dress it up with an elegant satin skirt or go casual, wearing it under a blazer, with jeans. But whatever you do, embrace the uniquely feminine look bestowed by this century-old garment! i www.mayahansen.com ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY 2013 / 59

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PRODUCTS / BEAUTY / SPA / SCIENCE

In our health and beauty section, enjoy calorie-free indulgence in our feature on Almost Edible Beauty Products, read up on exciting new findings on the laws of attraction and tuck into aphrodisiac foods which are guaranteed to take you to new heights of pleasure and resilience.

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Beauty: Almost Edible Beauty

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Health: Scientific Findings on Sex

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WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

“Beauty should be edible, or not at all” Salvador Dalí

What’s Your Flavour, Baby?

UPDATE

The Founder of surrealism, Salvador Dalí, was not the only visionary who observed the inexorable relationship between food, sex and beauty. Since ancient times, perfumists and cosmeticians from across the globe have sought to capture the essence of Nature’s bounties to heal, nourish or perfume our skin and hair and the last century has certainly seen a rise in the number and range of gourmande beauty products and fragrances. Food is sexy and is capable of conjuring up images and recollections from our childhood; of raising our energy levels and making our partner seem as irresistible as a piece of Devil’s Food Cake. This month, we invite you to stimulate your sense of taste, bringing you the hottest edible ingredients on the beauty market:

1 Vanilla: If, like the protagonist of 50 Shades Grey, you think that ‘vanilla sex’ is boring, of Grey think again. Whether ingested in pod or essence form, or applied on the body as an essential oil or extract, vanilla contains everything from sedative to anti-anxiety and anti-depression properties.

It also contains a powerful anti-oxidant, vanillin, which fight free radicals and restores youth and elasticity to ageing skin.

BEAN THERE, DONE THAT: Turn your partner on with a delicious vanilla bath for two. Mix half a cup of sweet almond oil with five tablespoons of honey, five tablespoons of fragrance-free liquid soap and half a tablespoon of vanilla extract. Let the water (and your cup) runneth over and recall the passionate encounter several hours after thanks to the long-lasting vanilla scent.

2 Chocolate: Scientists have proven what we suspected all along: chocolate makes us feel as good as when we fall in love! The divine cocoa bean has been found to contain opiods, which dull pain and ingredients in most commercial chocolates (such as caffeine, sugar and phenylethylamine) produce an exhilarating ‘high’. Chocolate is also the most popular flavour of milkshakes, ice-cream and cakes in the world and surely all of us can recall the simple joy of opening a packet of Kit-Kats (or better yet, a Mars bar!) when we were children. This month, sharing is caring. Dive into this luscious, calorific indulgence with the person you love the most.

MOCHA CHOCOLATA YAYA: Whip up a sensually scented body scrub by mixing 5 drops of peppermint essential oil, 50 grams of fine sea salt, two tablespoons of olive oil and two tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa into a small tub. Mix until a thick paste is formed, adding salt if the mixture is too runny and olive oil if it is too dense. Rub on your lover’s back, legs and arms. Avoid sensitive areas, as the peppermint oil may sting.

3 Strawberry: Strawberries are used to the point of overkill in the media to represents sex and sexuality, but who knew there may actually be some logic behind it? Strawberries contain very powerful elements that can turn back the hands of time, including Vitamin C (one serving of strawberries contains half our daily requirement of the latter) and Omega-3 fatty acids. Strawberries also counteract the effects of LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol), reduce inflammation, promote prenatal health and stave off cancer.

STRAWBERRY KISSES: Leave your lover smelling like this sweet fruit for hours with this wonderful home-made shower gel: mix one cup of fragrance-free liquid soap with half a cup of water, one teaspoon of fine sea salt, 10 drops of vanilla extract and 25 drops of strawberry essential oil.

Use liberally under a warm shower with one proviso: do get out before you both turn into raisins!

4 Banana: Bananas are not only a delicious and super-nutritious food, they also do wonders for your skin and hair, since they are rich in antibacterial, skin softening and exfoliant properties.

They also contain high levels of anti-oxidants (Vitamins A, C and E), as well as Vitamin B, potassium and natural oils.

GOING APE: Have a humorous make-out session with your lover, while you fight to keep this cool banana masque on your face: just mash a ripe banana and apply it directly to each other’s faces, keeping the masque on for 15 minutes and rinsing afterwards with cold water. You will immediately notice how incredibly soft your skin has become! You can also make a wonderful body scrub, mixing sugar granules into some mashed banana and applying it in the shower.

5 Passion Fruit: Rich in beta carotene, Vitamin C, polyphenols and potassium, the passion fruit, native to Brazil, is a powerful antioxidant which also boasts moisturising and skin cancer-fighting properties.

IN THE THROES: Delight your lover with the sweet, refreshing scent of passion fruit by making your own body soap. It’s actually quite simple and makes a lovely, heartfelt Valentine’s gift. Just grate one kilogram of glycerine soap bar into a heat-proof measuring cup, add one teaspoon of almond oil and stir until melted (it should take around 10 minutes). Add one teaspoon of passion fruit essential oil, stir and pour into heart-shaped moulds. The soap should take eight hours to harden. Remove from the mould and give to your sweetheart. e

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BEAUTY

1 – RED ROSES BODY AND HAND WASH BY JO MALONE This voluptuously scented wash contains seven types of roses, as well as crushed violet leaves, lemon and spearmint, for a super refreshing experience. i Available at El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús. www.elcorteingles.es 2 – SOMEDAY BY JUSTIN BIEBER This perfume may be marketed at teens but it is a big hit with women of all ages thanks to its appealing floral, fruity, gourmand scent. i www.theperfumeshop.co.uk 3 – HEART-SHAPED BAR SOAP BY THE BODY SHOP This creamy soap contains real cocoa butter and exfoliating coconut shell and leaves skin with a beautiful chocolate scent. i www.thebodyshop.es 4 – COLOSSAL VOLUME EXPRESS MASCARA BY MAYBELLINE Few other products deliver such long, voluminous lashes as Maybelline’s top-selling mascara. i Available at El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús. www.elcorteingles.es 5 – VITAMIN E BODY TREATMENT SCRUB BY JO MALONE For baby-soft and radiant-looking skin, try this potent anti-oxidant body scrub. i Available at El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús. www.elcorteingles.es

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6 – FANTASY PERFUME BY NINA RICCI Dubbed ‘a modern fairytale’, this perfume is said to house mysterious powers that help single lasses find their Prince Charming. It contains a variety of notes, including bergamot, mandarin, pear, cherry blossom, cream of roses, heliotrope and brown sugar. i Available at El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús. www.elcorteingles.es 7 – PHOTO FINISH FOUNDATION PRIMER BY SMASHBOX For an ultra-smooth look, try this excellent primer under your foundation and see the enormous difference it makes. i Available at Sephora. www.sephora.es 8 – VITAMIN C PLUS TIME RELEASE CAPSULES BY THE BODY SHOP Break one of these capsules every night and apply to fine lines around the eyes for a smoother, more youthful look. i www.thebodyshop.es 9 – BIG APPLE RED NAIL LACQUER BY OPI This is the classic Ferrari red polish that drives both men and women crazy. When it comes to shine and luxury, few brands beat OPI. i Available at the OPI Nail Bar, El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús. www.elcorteingles.es WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

PRODUCTS

3

Love it or loathe it, Valentine’s Day loom flowers, chocolates s ahead and an every shop window d hearts seem to jump out from things have evolved , pressuring you into proving that man/woman and athlittle since the days of Neanderthal ‘romantic’. Yet Vale at you too are capable of being ntine’s Day means no don’t work at keep thing if you of your life with yoinurg the passion up every day trying hard to be as partner and that means desirable as possible This month, why no , 24/7. presents and make t forego the tacky pink a whimsical purcha for yourself that w se look and smell mor ill make you feel, ever? The greatestelobeautiful than all lies inside oneself, afteve r all!

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HEALTH Will sex change significantly in the upcoming decades? There is no doubt that science and technology are moving ahead in leaps and bounds, changing how we do business, make friends and even meet our ‘other half’. But the extent to which new discoveries will also be changing the way we interact sexually is quite surprising.

Here are just a few developments you can look forward to in the nottoo-distant future:

Z ORGASMS AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON: As far back as 1953, US neuro-scientist, Dr. John C. Lilly began a series of experiments in order to discover the places in the brain that we feel different emotions. Planting electrodes into the brains of unwitting monkeys, he found that by stimulating the ‘pleasure system’ in the brain, he could produce repeated orgasms. At one point he allowed a monkey to take charge and ‘press the orgasm button’ every three minutes.

Apart from its usual eight hours of sleep, the monkey pressed the button repeatedly during its waking hours! It may be a while before this technology can be used on humans in a fitting form, but the millions of people around the world who have difficulty finding release are probably already pre-ordering their very own orgasmatron.

Z (ALMOST) IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: Thanks to groundbreaking fertility and IVF techniques, couples around the globe are able to experience the miracle of birth, but it seems that future parents may not even need an egg or sperm from the opposite sex!

In her book Like a Virgin: How Science is Redesigning the Rules of Sex, Cell Biologist Dr. Arathi Prasad postulates that the parents of the future will be able to use their own stem cells to produce the eggs and sperm they need to procreate. Women will be able to use an artificial Y chromosome to produce new eggs and sperm and men will likewise be able to use their own DNA for this purpose.

Studies conducted on animals have already resulted in the creation of eggs obtained from bone marrow stem cells. It is only a matter of time before the same technology is used to give rise to healthy sperm.

Z HO-BOTS: Sex robots already exist but their sophistication is likely to increase, according to a study by Futurist, Ian Yeoman and Sexologist, Michelle Mars from the University of Wellington in New Zealand.

In their paper Robots, Men and Sex Tourism, they argue that by 2050, hairy issues in the sex trade (including sexual disease and human trafficking) will be a thing of the past, since sex robots will

be doing most of the ‘dirty work’. Michelle Mars told MSNBC: “Human prostitution will still be around. It’s the oldest profession and won’t be thwarted by robot alternatives. It’s just that high-quality alternatives where the robots are indistinguishable from humans will cut down the profitability of human exploitation.” Currently, high-tech interactive dolls cost in the region of €8.000 and can be programmed to take on different personalities, from frigid femme to wild chick.

Z CHEMICAL RUSH: Viagra has dramatically improved the sex life of many men the world over, but pharmacists are working on much more sophisticated medications that will change the very essence of the way we sexually relate to our partners. Carl Wood, an Australian pioneer in IVF technology, reported to the ABC: “I think, in the future, chemicals will be developed that will help couples either improve their sexual behaviour or their relationship.” Wood was seconded by the Father of the Contraceptive Pill, Carl Djerassi: “We are going to develop drugs that in one way or another affect sexual performance, and to that extent perhaps even the quality of the orgasm.”

Z VIRTUAL SEXUALITY: Internet pornography is a billion-euro industry, with sexting and webcam sex proving hugely popular with millions of users. Soon, the experience will be a whole lot more realistic, thanks to amazing advances in computer haptics (which will afford experiences such as long-distance surgery, space exploration and VR military training). Simulating human touch is an incredibly complex process but scientists have already made great headway with gadgets like the Kiss Transmitter (invented by the Kajimoto Laboratory at Tokyo University).

The device, similar in appearance to a joystick, afford subjects a relatively realistic French kiss experience. Then there is the Hug Shirt, containing special sensors and ‘actuators’ that impart the warmth and touch of a loving embrace. As smell is an important part of sex and sensuality, scientists are also working on printers that produce odour instead of paper. The aim is to bring sexy smells into the erotic experience.

Wouldn’t you just give your new iBone to leap into the curious world of future sexuality? e

Fast Forward WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

TO THE FUTURE

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Put your beauty in expert hands Dr. Kai O. Kaye

Plastic, Aesthetic & Reconstructive Surgeon Full Member of the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery SEGPRE • Fellow of the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery EBOPRAS • Full Member of the German Board of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery DGPRÄC • Member of the Colegio de Medicos de Malaga (No.29/2909452)

PLASTIC SURGERY • AESTHETIC MEDICINE • DENTAL AESTHETICS

Av. Ramón y Cajal, 7 - 29600 Marbella - 0034 951 775 518 Móvil : 670 770 455 - info@oceanclinic.net - www.oceanclinic.net

spa

HEALTH

THAT

NUTS Nuts have been used as aphrodisiacs since ancient Roman times, especially almonds and pine nuts, and it may have something to do with their aroma, which is said to arouse women sexually. Many varieties (like almonds) are rich in zinc, which combats impotence (oysters are another great source of this mineral). Gingko nuts, used in Chinese herbal medicine, are said to be one of the few authentic aphrodisiacs, since they are a potent source of anti-oxidants and they stimulate optimum circulation of the blood.

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

FOOD

BANANAS This phallic shaped fruit lowers your blood pressure, making it an ideal food to consume daily, since one of the main causes of erectile dysfunction is high blood pressure.

Bananas are packed with potassium and Vitamin B, which stimulate proper hormonal function.

They also promote muscle strength, thereby increasing the intensity of orgasms.

UPDATE

PUTS

YOU IN THE

MOOD… All this talk of sex and sensuality must have ignited your engines but if you really want to go the distance, toss these foods into your salad, grill them ‘til they’re sizzling, or sensually bite into their tempting flesh… make sure you feed them to your lover while you’re wearing your sexiest lingerie and let the fireworks begin!

GARLIC What is often hailed as the world’s most anti-romantic food has been considered an aphrodisiac for centuries, since it improves blood flow areas that are highly useful for successful completion of the sexual act. For consistently good performance, scientists recommend consuming two to three cloves daily (if possible, raw). You may drive your colleagues and clients mad with your pungent breath but you’ll be pleased to know you will be bestowing your body with a plethora of additional benefits; garlic boasts anti-flatulent properties (always an important element in romance) and is a powerful antiseptic, germicidal and expectorant. Dracula’s nemesis

likewise stimulates the kidneys, helps heal fractured bones, lowers cholesterol levels and promotes healthy eye and brain development.

CARDAMOM, GINGER, CHILLI These three components of a typical curry are wellknown aphrodisiacs in Asia and Latin America and their inviting aromas make them welcome additions to any meal. Chillies contain capsaicin, which increase the heart rate and release endorphins; cardamom is rich in a substance called cineole (which stimulates the nervous system); ginger increases the body’s temperature and heart rate.

CELERY Who would have thought Grandma’s chicken soup could have such desired sideeffects? Celery arouses women in a rather stealthy way, producing a hormone in males that females can detect through the sense of smell.

ALCOHOL Too much of it can interfere with proper functioning but anyone 18 or over knows how helpful a glass or two of wine can be when it comes to getting over barriers of shyness and inhibition. Alcohol works on a mental level, making you just that bit more daring and encouraging you to try new flirting styles and sexual techniques.

CHOCOLATE Legend has it that Aztec ruler Montezuma consumed 50 servings of chocolate daily to enhance his sexual potency and scientific research indicates that there may have been good reason for this seemingly mad behaviour.

Chocolate contains serotonin (a ‘feel-good’ hormone) and phenylethylamine, a naturally occurring alkaloid that elevates the mood and promotes a state of well-being. It also contains caffeine, which at the very least is bound to make you feel more awake.

ASPARAGUS AND AVOCADO Both these green treats are high in Vitamin E, which helps the body produce sex hormones (testosterone, progesterone, oestrogen), stimulating sexual processes like clitoral arousal and natural lubrication.

SALMON AND NUTS To produce all the sex hormones your body needs, stock up on Omega-3 fatty acids, which you will find in abundance in nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews and pecans) and cold-water fish like salmon. Try to source wild Atlantic salmon if you can, since most commercially available salmon contains dangerous levels of mercury. To play it on the safe side, buy canned tuna instead of fresh white tuna and opt for the following fish varieties: pollock, halibut, tilapia and shrimp. Keep your fish consumption down to 340 grams a week. e

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patterns that ended your last relationship (and the ones before that). You may want to make it a point to avoid the same mistakes again or attracting the wrong person into your life.

Z FRIENDS AND FAMILY Relationships are the most important part of our life, but they are so easily neglected. With a little work and attention, they can be the most rewarding. Life assessment encourages you to see things more clearly, asking key questions, such as how close are you to family members, whether or not you communicate well or depend or each other, and if you have old resentments that need clearing 0up. Do you feel guilty for perhaps not visiting elderly parents or have important friendships fallen by the wayside because of long working hours, stress and tiredness, etc.?

Doing a life assessment on your parenting skills can be scary. Many mothers especially if they are also having a career, wonder if they are doing a good job. It’s good to see if you really have embraced motherhod or you are resenting it a little. Its also good to look and see who your children are, how funny and original and smart they are, rather than how they don’t listen to you or won’t go to bed on time or don’t tidy up. Asking their opinion about important things is giving them responsibility. Sometimes, let them know that you don’t always have ALL the answers, that you as parents are also learning, assessing, experiencing life and growing and improving. When we know better, we do better!

WORDS KEZIA JACOBSEN

This Year, Why Not Try to Assess Your Life in the Following Ways:

1. List 10 things you’d like to do before you die.

2. Spend 30 minutes alone, in silence, doing nothing.

3. Spend a day helping others.

4. Say ‘Yes’ for 24 hours.

5. Drink only fruit/vegetable juices for 24 hours to cleanse your system.

6. Walk everywhere instead of using your car for 24 hours.

7. Smile all day; think only of positive and beautiful things.

8. Write a list of all the things you are grateful for.

9. Clear out all your clutter.

10. Believe with your heart and soul that 2013 will be your best year!

ADVICE

ow is the perfect time to pause and think of what we have achieved in life and where we want to be; to examine core areas like whether or not we are happy with our love life, our family, friends and health, our working life and our inner life: are we taking the time to discover who we really are?

Every one of us will, at some time, have to face major life decisions: times of great change and upheaval. Life changes so rapidly that if we don’t take charge of where we are going, we risk stumbling from one life stage to the next. Doing a life assesment is useful because it encourages you to focus on particular areas of your life. An assessment is akin to clearing out your ‘to do’ or ‘pending’ list and looking at all those things you have been putting off (for example, a destructive friendship or romance that is going nowhere).

Maybe you can start with five main areas: friends and family, your love life, inner or spiritual life, career/ work and health and fitness.

Z WORK If you drag yourself to work every morning and count the hours until home time, you might be needing to seriously think about changing your career.

Z HEALTH If you’ve been neglecting your body and allowing your fitness regime to slide over the winter, you may want to start a new programme that gives due importance to nutrition and exercise.

Z LOVE If you’ve just broken up with someone or gotten divorced, you may be aware of repeated

A LIFE ASSESMENT FOR 2013

THE LAW OF ATTRACTION g Learn how to make a ‘Life Assessment’ on the ‘live your best life’ programme or individual sessions available at Shanti-Som Wellbeing Retreat, to help you explore, examine, learn tools and techniques to a more happy and fulfilled life.

Kezia Jacobsen is Director of the Shanti-Som Wellbeing Retreat, which combines the luxury of a boutique hotel with a relaxing spa experience and special retreats, programmes and activities (including yoga and healing therapies).

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g Llanos de Purla km 22, A355, Monda-Marbella. Tel: 952 864 455. www.shantisom.com 1/22/13 3:19 PM

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thepro NEWS /ENTERPRISE / LOCAL BUSINESS /

PROFILES / FINANCE / LAW

First Russian Film Festival in Marbella The first Russian Film Festival delighted film buffs at the lavish Salón Real of the Hotel Los Monteros and the Teatro Ciudad de Marbella, with a full week’s programme of films, exhibitions and activities highlighting the most fascinating aspects of Russian culture. Featured Directors included Anna Chernakova, Igor Ugolnikov and Janik Faisiev. g www.marbellarussianfilmfest.com

JiveSpain Dance Competitions Swings into the Coast JiveSpain, a local dance group specialising in teaching budding dancers the ins and outs of ‘modern jive’, recently held a fun-filled media dance challenge at TikiTano restaurant, in which representatives from Magazine, Sur in English, Global Radio and Talk Radio Europe competed for a total prize of €1.000, to be donated to a charity of the winners’ choice. The first prize went to Donna and Ash of Sur in English, who donated €600 to Ciudad de los Niños Children’s Home in Málaga and the Bancosol Food Bank in Marbella.

Second prize winners Nick and Trish from Global Radio, meanwhile, donated €400 to Positively Pink. Runners-up Monika and Jan from and Giles and Jamie Lee from Talk Radio Europe, also gave riveting performances and expressed their delight at having partaken in such a fun event. If you’d like to learn to dance and make new friends:

g www.jivespain.com

© Johnny Gates

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Xanit Salud Opens in El Corte Inglés Málaga Xanit International Hospital recently launched Xanit Salud, a new centre offering services related to disease prevention and wellness, at the El Corte Inglés shopping centre in Málaga. The dedicated area (measuring 300m2) will be situated on the first floor of the popular mall and will include various units, including Children’s Growth and Development, Visual Health, Acupuncture, Dermocosmetics and more. Health and wellness buffs can also avail of the Physiotherapy Unit, Pilates Studio and Personal Training programmes. g www.xanit.net

International Recognition for the Marbella Club and Puente Romano Hotels The Marbella Club and the Puente Romano hotels were recognised as the Best Hotel in Europe and the Best Golf Resort International, respectively, at the International Hotel Awards, held at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square. Both Hotels won additional prizes (The Marbella Club was also deemed Best Hotel Spain and was highly commended for the refurbishment of its legendary Champagne Room), while the Puente Romano garnered the Best Resort Spain and Best Golf Resort Spain awards.

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Oak Power Comunicación Turns 15 Oak Power, the popular communications company opened by journalistic duo, Ángel Marco and María Asenjo, recently celebrated their 15th anniversary, citing qualities such as passion, organisation and absolute dedication to clients, as the pillars of their success. The team looks forward to the next 15 years with a positive mindset and would like to extend their thanks to all those who have made their journey so pleasant. g www.oakpowergrupo.com

BioBea Heal Yourself Centre Comes to Marbella BioBea is a new wellness centre founded

by Bea Horvath, a therapist who aims to bring her philosophy on healing and helping others to Marbella. Therapies comprise EFT ( Emotional Freedom Technique), Hypnotherapy, Ayurvedic massage, Reiki, Pregnancy Therapy, Indian Head and Acupressure Point Massage, Organic-Natural Facial Treatments and more. Classes are also offered, including Yoga, Group Hypnosis, Group Meditation, SKHM Workshops, etc.

g C.C. Contur, Marbella. Tel: 672 154 044. www.biobea.com

Swans Supports Triple A

As part of Swans School’s ongoing commitment to support local charities, the children of the Primary School joyfully presented the Triple A animal shelter with a cheque for €600. The funds were raised at the traditional Swans Christmas Fair, attended by Triple A staff and a few of the dogs. The treasurer of Triple A was awarded the cheque during a special school assembly, where he explained to the children how the money would be used and how much their efforts were appreciated.

g www.swansschoolinternational.es

Twitter Course

by Keka Sánchez Social Media consultant, Keka Sánchez, recently gave a well-attended lecture at the Centro de Negocios Regus Marbella, to inform Twitter users on the many ways in which the social platform can be used to grow their business. Organised by MarieNoëlle Comunicación, the conference revealed how important it is to use focused tweets aimed at producing real results. g www.marie-noelle.es

Charity Event raises €8.500 for Cudeca The Pink Ladies Dance Class, a small group of friends and fitness buffs, organised their first fundraising dinner in aid of Cudeca at TikiTano restaurant. The event included a three-course meal and entertainment by the Rat Pack and was a resounding success. Some 200 tickets sold out within just a week and many local businesses supported the cause through sponsorship and gift donations. The event raised a total of €8.500 and there are plans to make it an annual affair. The Pink Ladies will be arranging a monthly Strictly Ballroom Tea Dance at TikiTano, which will include a fundraising raffle for Cudeca. The first event will be on Wednesday, February 6 at 3:30pm.

g For tickets, call Vivian on Tel: 690 083 113.

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Blevins Franks Entertains Guests at Calima Blevins Franks Financial Management, the company specialising in providing wealth management to private clients, recently held a function at Calima – Dani García’s Michelin-starred restaurant. The event included a presentation by Stephen Wood, PhD (Chief Market Strategist, North America, Russell Investments). Based in New York, Dr. Wood is a frequent contributor to the international media. He appears on CNBC, BBC, Fox Business Network, Bloomberg TV and PBS and is often quoted in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, International Herald Tribune, etc. John McCann, Senior Partner at Blevins Franks said, “This is just one of a series of ongoing social events for clients of Blevins Franks, where we focus on topical issues of real interest.” g www.blevinsfranks.com

Rotary Club Estepona Holds 5th Golf Tournament for Charity Rotary Club Estepona is holding its 5th annual golf tournament for charity at the Valle Romano Golf Resort in Estepona on February 16 to raise funds for APRONA, an association helping intellectually challenged children. The tournament is one of the most eagerly awaited events for Rotary Members, who have found the perfect meeting point between fun and lending a helping hand.

g www.rc-estepona.org

Línea Directa: First Insurer to Sell Products Via Mobile

Línea Directa has launched its new website for mobiles, making it the first insurance company to distribute its products via smartphones. The new site, which uses xhtml technology, is compatible with the iOS, Android and Blackberry operating systems and is capable of offering customers a price in under three minutes after asking them no more than ten questions. The website will initially be available for offering car insurance quotes and will then be extended to cover the company’s motorbike and home insurance sectors. Línea Directa’s new page for smartphones also includes information on the insurer’s main products and services and offers a clickto-call service, which allows users to send a request to the company to call them if they have any questions or if they wish to purchase the policy with the help of an operator. g Tel: 902 123 104. www.lineadirecta.com

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Routine Test Detects Eye Cancer February 4 is World Cancer Day and there could be no better time to stress the importance of early diagnosis in order to beat this deadly disease in time. Andrew Beckett knows all about lucky breaks; he entered the Specsavers store in Santa Ponça, Mallorca to undergo an eye test after realising that his vision had become blurred. The optician noticed something was wrong so Andrew visited an eye specialist, only to receive the shocking news that he had eye cancer. Now recovering from an operation on one eye, Andrew says, “I would strongly advise anyone who experiences eye problems to visit opticians for a sight test right away. I had been for an eye test only last year and everything appeared to be normal. If I had ignored my symptoms, the situation could have become a lot worse for me.” Specsavers are currently offering free sight tests at their Marbella and Fuengirola branches.

g To book an appointment, Tel: 952 863 332. www.specsavers.es

Helicópteros Sanitarios Donates Ambulance to Ghana The Marbella Heliport was the perfect setting for an important act of kindness: the donation of an ambulance to Ghana. The President of Helicópteros Sanitarios, María José Cañete Sánchez, made the donation to the Ambassador of Ghana in Spain, Fidelis W. Ekar, to further the success of various humanitarian projects in Ghana. Also attending the event were Alicia F. Jiménez Gómez (Health and Commerce Councillor of Marbella) and members of non-profit group ACISS (the Association of International Cooperation and Solidarity, Sierra de las Nieves), which carries out important charity work in Ghana. g Tel: 952 816 767. www.helicopterossanitarios.com

Toy Story comes to the British School of Marbella

Children swapped their uniforms for a day of fancy dress during a special day of learning at the British School of Marbella (BSM) recently. Teachers and students dressed up as their favourite children’s characters and superheroes, including Spiderman, Hello Kitty and Snow White, and pupils also spent the day completing different toy-themed activities in Foundation Stage classrooms. At BSM, the children have a ‘Wow Day’ everytime they commence a new topic, to increase their enthusiasm for learning. g www.bsm.org.es

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Tip Top Spain presents Heatart ® Infrared Panel Heaters Tip Top Spain, the company promoting luxury lifestyle products on the Costa del Sol, is pleased to announce that it is now stocking HeatArt® Infrared Panel Heaters (made in Austria), which offer an efficient, cost-effective heating system that makes a contribution to a more sustainable and healthier future. The range of coloured glass heaters are exclusively made from ESG safety glass and lend a touch of simple elegance to any room. These single-tone glass panels are available with or without frames and can be mounted onto the wall. Heat Art also makes fog-resistant mirror panels, which are an ideal addition to a home, bathroom or hallway, or the reception area or lobby of a corporate building.

g www.terraceheaters.com/www.tiptopspain.com

Big Winnings at the Casino Marbella The Casino Marbella proved it is the coolest place to be for those with their eye on big money, with the first Cirsa.es League attracting numerous participants and the slot machines (known as Jackpot Paradise) making one lucky winner €10.469 richer. The winners of the Cirsa.es League will receive entries to the World Poker Tour Main Event, as well as hefty cash prizes.

g www.casinomarbella.com

Casa Ronald McDonald Opens in Málaga Casa Ronald McDonald de Málaga is a brand new centre housing families of children who have moved to Málaga from other provinces to receive treatment for illness. The centre has a capacity for 14 families and is funded by the Ronald McDonald Child Foundation, which recently published a children’s book called A Garden with a View of the Moon. The book aims to share the experiences of families of those with serious illnesses.

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business THE PRO

R

éka Vidáts bounces into a room and it is difficult not to be uplifted by her energy, positivity and beaming smile. Standing at 178cm, with (to quote Melanie Griffith) “a brain for business and a bod to die for”, she is a valued member of the team, where she works as a Sales Executive. Réka is also an entrepreneur in her own right, having recently launched her business, RéLounge Events & Leisure, a ‘virtual lounge’ whose experienced team is dedicated heart and soul to organising meaningful events for clients from Spain and from all corners of the globe. The company is able to take all the worry and stress out of clients’ hands, organising everything from corporate and sporting events to business conferences, parties, team building activities and sports holidays, with a strong focus on golf, ski experiences and tennis.

Réka’s events company may be new, but her experience in the sporting and events worlds is vast. She has built up an impressive list of close contacts and friends in high places in the sporting arena, since she played professional tennis for 10 years, obtaining the title of European Champion (in the under 14 and under 16 categories) three times and boasting a WTA ranking of 172.

“I played in Junior and Senior Grand Slam competitions and went on tour for five years,” she says enthusiastically. When asked if sportsmanship runs in the family, she mentions that her father won a silver medal at the 1972 Olympics (in soccer), while her mother was a Hungarian National Champion in running (800m); it was only logical that their passion, drive and competitive spirit, should be passed on to their talented daughter.

g www.relounge-europe.com 163BP Reka.indd 79

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY © KHPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

“Sports teaches you character, it teaches you to play by the rules, it teaches you to know what it feels like to win and lose – it teaches you about life” Billie Jean King

RéLounge

EVENTS & LEISURE Réka fell into event management as part of the experience of owning her own photography business in Hungary for 10 years. “I collaborated closely with two event management companies, performing mainly photographic duties at the beginning but eventually immersing myself in management and organisation.” In three years, she collaborated on around 100 different events, sparking a new passion she had never before considered.

In 2010, another fortuitous event would hone her management skills: the Marbella Masters, the Costa del Sol’s most prestigious tennis event, held at the Hotel Puente Romano Tennis Club and featuring the participation of legends such as John McEnroe, Björn Borg, Pat Cash, etc. Réka explains: “I was on holiday in Marbella and came into contact with the organisers of the Marbella Masters. They offered me the role of Player’s Liaison Officer. It was a wonderful experience.”

In 2011, she accepted an even bigger role in the tournament, managing virtually all aspects except for press relations.

Networking is an important part of Réka’s entrepreneurial activities; she is a member of the Marbella Business Group (which admits only one member from each profession or trade) and she keeps in contact with all her international contacts from her years in tennis.

If you are part of a Spanish or foreign company looking to host a dynamic event, offer an original incentive to clients or employees, or bring a sporting event to the Coast, or you are a sporty

person who wishes to ski on the glorious Sierra Nevada slopes in Granada or play an energetic round of golf or tennis, RéLounge is ready to fulfill your highest expectations. “Where, apart from Marbella, can you play golf in short sleeves even in peak winter season?” asks Réka, who works with a host of experienced, highly skilled companies including four- and five-star hotels, apartment rental companies, golf and tennis clubs, the Marbella Ski Club, luxury transport service company Garcatri, gourmet adventure, sightseeing, nautical and medical insurance services companies.

RéLounge supports the Menudos Corazones Foundation in Madrid, for children suffering from cardiovascular disease and their families. “This year, I’m going to be heavily involved as a volunteer and will be holding tennis clinics in the children’s summer camps,” she says, adding, “and of course if any clients are interested in supporting a worthwhile cause, I recommend this foundation.”

Interested readers can contribute to the cause on Réka’s website.

If you’re wondering what to do this weekend, why not join Réka for a day-trip to Sierra Nevada, which includes ski equipment rental (if necessary), transport to and from the Sierra Nevada, ski lift passes (so you don’t need to queue up) and a lovely lunch or drinks, if desired? Kids aged from six upwards are also welcome. Apart from enjoying a great day out in the fresh air, you will meet the person who could take all the stress out of your next big event; Réka is ready to make your event, holiday or party one that clients, employees and friends will remember for a lifetime.

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THE PRO business

Are you resident in Spain? Do you own any assets outside Spain worth over €50.000? If so you will need to declare them this year under a new reporting requirement. Failure to do so would have very costly consequences.

NEW ASSET REPORTING LAW

FOR SPANISH RESIDENTS Y WORDS BILL BLEVINS, FINANCIAL CORRESPONDENT, BLEVINS FRANKS

ou also need to consider whether your assets are in the most tax-efficient vehicles or you could be paying more tax than you need to.

This obligation for Spanish taxpayers to report assets located outside Spain is part of Spain’s new anti-fraud law. It is an additional requirement for Spanish taxpayers who remain obliged, as always, to also fully declare their annual worldwide income for income tax purposes and taxable worldwide assets for wealth tax purposes.

The authorities will be very strict with anyone who incorrectly declares their offshore assets, so speak to a specialist tax planning firm for clarification on what you need to do now, and for advice on the most effective ways to hold your assets going forward.

Reporting procedure Your first reporting deadline is April 30, 2013. In future years it will be March 31. A new official form will be released for this purpose.

Assets to be declared If you own any of the following assets outside Spain, valued at €50.000 or more, you need to declare them.

Z Accounts held with financial institutions Z All types of immovable property (real estate) and rights over such property Z Shares and securities Z Life insurance policies Z Temporary or lifetime income generated from the lending of money, rights or other assets (including immovables) to foreign entities.

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You need to declare these assets if you are the owner, the beneficiary, or an authorised signatory.

This includes assets held by a trust or fiduciary.

If the value of your total assets in each class is less than €50.000, you are not obliged to report.

Once you have reported the assets the first time, you do not need to report them again each year if the value of all your reportable assets increased by less than €20.000.

Information to be reported The value to be reported for accounts with financial institutions, shares, securities, life insurance policies and other assets is that of December 31, 2012.

In the case of accounts with financial institutions, you also need to report the average balance over the last three months of the year. This category includes all types of bank accounts and deposits, including credit accounts, in all currencies, regardless of whether you have the right to withdraw the funds or not.

For immovable property, the value is the cost of acquisition. You also need to provide information on the type of property, its location, and date of acquisition.

Consequences of not reporting If you fail to report any assets as required by the new law, the costs will be very high once discovered.

The undeclared income arising from the asset will be deemed to arise in the last tax year which is not statute barred – four years in most cases. This effectively abolishes the statute of limitations.

You would have to pay all of the following:

Income tax at the income tax scale rates where the top rate is over 50% (even if the income would normally be taxed under the savings income regime).

Z Late payment interest for the last four years.

Z Penalties, which can be as high as 150 per cent of the total tax due on the asset.

Z A fine of €5.000 per each piece of unreported data, with a minimum of €10.000.

If the tax defrauded exceeds €120.000, it would be considered a criminal offence.

When you submit your declaration form by April 30, you need to be sure you have filled it in correctly and included all the overseas assets that you should have, with the right values. Any mistakes or omissions, even accidental, could prove very costly.

For peace of mind, you should speak to a tax planning and wealth management firm like Blevins Franks who are Spanish tax experts. With its in depth understanding of Spanish taxation and law, its local Partners will advise you on what you need to include in the form. At the same time they will guide you through the opportunities to legitimately lower your tax liabilities in Spain on your offshore assets. g The tax rates, scope and reliefs may change.

Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices which are subject to change.

Tax information has been summarised; an individual should obtain personalised advice. i www.blevinsfranks.com

1/22/13 3:17 PM

DANESA

LA

La revista danesa en España / Det danske magasin i Spanien

JANUAR 2013

NORSKE Det norske månedsmagasinet på Costa del Sol

Det

magasinet

S PA N I E N F Ö R S V E N S K A R

Sesongen er godt i gang på Europas sørligste skisportssted, Pradollano i Sierra Nevada.

Et ægte boutique-hotel

De vinder mere og mere frem, særligt i de europæiske storbyer, og nu også i de spanske.

La Danesa har studeret det hippe boutique-fænomen.

Mandesnak hos Mærsk

Torben Gram forlod sit job i Danmark til fordel for et liv i Spanien uden på forhånd at have arbejde, bolig eller kendskab til sproget.

• Intervjuer • Nyheter • Utflukter • Sport • Fakta • Kultur • Profiler • Politikk • Mote • Helse • og mye mer...

Jacob Haugaard er tilbage

La Danesa har mødt manden, som den 17. februar besøger Kysten med sit show ”Jacob – Solo”.

Spanske barn møtte Karius & Baktus

Siesta - myter og realiteter

Nesten 200 spanske barn og deres foreldre fikk nylig sitt første møte med de norske tanntrollene Karius og Baktus.

Du trodde kanskje at siestaen var en så inngrodd del av spansk kultur at ingenting kan rokke ved den. Tro om igjen!

Loja - en blomst blant torner Loja ligger 60 km vest for Granada, og det var selveste Isabel la Católica som i 1486, da byen overga seg til de kristne, kalte byen en blomst blant torner – “flor entre espinas”.

JANUAR 2013

Ecológico

Med inspiration hentet i Spanien og i Wien har Kirsten Vaupel begået sin første roman, og kan nu tilføje titlen forfatter til rækken af kulturelle hverv på sit farverige visitkort.

El Mercadillo

Les mer om aktiviteter på Costa de Sol i ¿Qué pasa?

Kirsten Vaupel debuterer med roman

Tomatkrig, vikingeslag og tyreløb, religiøse optog, pilgrimsfærd og menneskepyramider er blandt højdepunkterne på Spaniens kuriøse, kulturelle kalender.

en

Januari 2013

Sesong i Sierra Nevada

• Interviews • Nyheder • Bolig • Finans • Udflugter • Sport • Fakta • Kultur • Profiler • Politik • Mode • Helse

Kuriøse fiestas año 2013

sueco

Fler och fler upptäcker kustens kanske hälsosammaste marknad

Utflykt

El Escorial tronar på minnen om makt och historia.

Motor

Trike – trehjulingar för vuxna.

Resa

Läs ett vykort från Aten.

Profil

Lennart Lundquist är mannen bakom Internetsidorna Svenskar i Spanien.

Golf

Det nya året inleds med stora rabatter.

THE VIBE

Cocktail at the Villa Padierna Boutique

by Alicia Entrepreneur and fashionista, Alicia Padierna, recently held a special sale of chic winter items in her boutique at the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel. Guests marvelled at original pieces sourced from all over the world, including shawls, scarves, ponchos, sweaters and cashmere pashminas. The boutique also stocks men’s items and accessories. www.hotelvillapadierna.com

“Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live”— Gianni Versace

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PHOTOGRAPHY CARLOS NEVILLE GUILLE

THE VIBE

Paella Party at Jardines del Príncipe The Jardines Del Príncipe Sales team welcomed clients and friends to a delicious paella and celebrated having been granted the complex’s First Occupancy Licence. Jardines del Príncipe comprises 81 two- and three-bedroom apartments and is located in one of the most exclusive areas of the Golden Mile. www.jardinesdelprincipe.com

“I’d be quite happy if I spent from Saturday night until Monday morning alone in my apartment.

That’s how I refuel” – Audrey Hepburn

PHOTOGRAPHY ULDIS LAPINS ñ

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www.tourismthailand.org

© The Club Barbados, Elite Island Resorts

Girl from Ipanema © Shutterstock

© www.sanfrancisco.travel

THE LEISURE travel

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ

There is many a romantic getaway in the world, from tropical islands to cities of romance, but what if you’re looking for something a little hotter? Are there any ‘sexy’ destinations, and if so, where? So this year, instead of searching out the gentle romance of waves lapping palm-fringed tropical beaches, sweetly seductive spa retreats and the kind of places where you and your partner can enjoy each other’s company in intimate privacy, we’ve scoured the globe for the hottest, sexiest and quite frankly raciest fleshpots.

The soundtrack to this theme is different, changing from the soft gentle tones of romantic pursuits to the fast, repetitive beat of bacchanalian hedonism. What you’re looking for is not retreat and seclusion but joining the fun in a place where people know how to party in a flirtatious, seductive and sensual way. Forget about sordid red light districts and other occulted scenes, where we’re headed it’s all out in the open. Yes, these are places where free love was invented long before the 1960s, so book a flight, pack your sexiest clothes and leave your hang-ups at home.

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A group of Samba dancers dressed up for the Rio Carnival in Sambódromo Samba smiles © BrasilNetwork

©G

Riotous Rio

The first place that comes to mind is of course Rio. Perhaps the most naturally sensual city in the world, Rio de Janeiro defies the typical description of a third world metropolis. Yes, there is poverty, crime and a great gap between rich and poor, but in spite of it this is a place where people smile, chat and take the time to interact with one another, so being carismático comes naturally. Brazilians are a friendly and happy people, and nowhere is this mix more seductive than in Rio, where the beautiful location and the easygoing disposition of the locals collude to make it hot by day and steamy at night.

The warm climate has a lot to do with it as well, allowing Cariocas (people of Rio) to flock to the broad beaches lining the gorgeous Guanabara Bay at the slightest opportunity. Here you will see scores of tanned bodies prancing around in a style that is as natural as it is coquettish.

Women strut their stuff in skimpy tanga bikinis,

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often joining the men showing off their skills at beach volleyball or football.

All layers of society rub shoulders here, and though there are clearly defined areas preferred by people from different suburbs, classes and even sexual orientations, Brazilians of all kinds have the ability to blend in together when the occasion calls for it. So despite the fact that there are undeniable sexual undertones to ‘a day at the beach’ in Rio, there is an ease of interaction that discards the coyness practiced in large parts of the world and allows people to frolic freely in the sun.

It is this imagery that inspired the soft, sultry sounds of Bossa Nova and immortalised the Garota de Ipanema as the quintessential Brazilian beauty. Sweet yet seductive, sexy yet still retaining a certain innocence and aloofness, she has since been overtaken by the more openly raunchy image of scantily clad masses swaying their hips to the

pounding rhythm of Samba. If Bossa Nova is the gentle warming up of the senses during sunkissed hours on the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, then Samba represents the raucous night time abandon during which tension gradually builds to a towering crescendo.

Like so much in Brazil, Carnival is a festivity inherited from Europe but played to an African tune.

How different it is, then, from the floats and band music of Europe, where everyone is fully clad and the emphasis is on beer and children. Brazilians do not drown their libido with beer, they fire it up with cachaça, the clear cane rum used in the caipirinha cocktail. Sometimes called ‘Brazilian viagra’, it is an accompaniment to hours of riotous dancing, partying and flirting that has only two possible outcomes: a hangover or a late night assignation.

Either way, it is about the wildest, most sensually laden experience you’re likely to get, making Rio the unadulterated sexy capital of the world.

Rio’s beautiful playground © Shutterstock

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Latin lovers

Easygoing sensuality

Street life

Cuba Libre Photography Š Cuba Tourist Board

Pulsating rhythms

In many ways like Brazil but on a smaller, more relaxed scale, Cuba was seducing Americans long before Fidel Castro took over and tried to clamp down on the casinos, dance halls and night clubs that were sometimes hard to set apart from bordellos. He largely failed, by the way, for Cubans like so many other people of Latin America have a love of abandon and a naturally hot temperament that is hard to suppress.

The nation that gave the world Rumba, among many other types of seductive tropical music, blends Spanish, African and later American culture in a mix of jazz, Spanish dance and African rhythms that stretch beyond entertainment to become an everyday part of life and it’s expression.

In cities such as Santiago the exuberance of carnival, dance and music, further fuelled by rum, is a tradition that has survived half a century of Communist rule as well as the grinding poverty that has hit the island at various times in its history.

Perhaps this ability to lose oneself in wild abandon is, in fact, a way of escaping reality for a while and being free of earthly limitations. If this is true of the locals it also became so for those Americans who visited Cuba in the pre-Castro days. Their escape was not so much from poverty and political strife as from the moral severity of their homeland, from which Cuba offered a warm and welcome refuge. Today it is mostly European visitors that relish a party atmosphere not yet spoiled by overcommercialisation, where dancing and partying the night away in the heady tropics is still the most natural thing in the world.

Youthful exuberance

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SF’s alternative street scene

Much has changed in the US since the days when Americans ventured out to Cuba for a bit of (naughty) fun.

The 1960s did much to break the old puritan mores of the nation, though in spite of that there remain few places that can really be called sexy. The most libidinous, liberated and at times outrageous exception to this rule is San Francisco, the unofficial ‘gay capital’ of the world. The latter is mostly related to the city’s early adoption of modern social values and the acceptance of diversity in all its many manifestations. As a result, San Francisco became a centre of hippie culture as well as attracting large gay communities that continue to give the city a creative vibe and bohemian feel that stands apart from most of the country.

Theatres, art galleries and a lively, partly gay-oriented nightlife scene thrive, as do largely gay areas such as The Castro, which have undergone a bohemian form of gentrification since the 1970s. Together, they have become pretty famous tourist attractions, drawing people of all sexual persuasions from around the world. The gay flag flies here, looking down on locals and tourists heading into the bars, cafés, crafts shops and now historic sites of the gay movement. Some have been made into museums, but many a visitor both gay and straight heads directly for the raunchy theatre shows, nightclubs and parties for a very open and un-Western expression of sexiness.

Shopping in The Castro

Theatres are an essential part of the bohemian lifestyle

San Francisco, LGBT capital of the world

Sassy San Francisco Photography © www.sanfrancisco.travel

A sensual approach to life © www.tourismthailand.org

Sometimes popular for all the wrong reasons, Thailand is a paradise with two faces. One is the famous land of pristine bays, emerald waters and friendly people, where visitors are waited on hand and foot in lavish tropical retreats. The other type of tourist, however, is all too often attracted by the bright lights and young girls (girls?) of Bangkok’s red light areas. Their go-go bars and brothels have the tainted feel of prostitution, especially when you consider that many of the sex workers here are under-age.

Visitors in search of true sexiness, therefore, will have to seek inspiration in the more laid-back atmosphere of coastal resorts, where large gatherings of local and foreign visitors enjoy revelling on the fringes of the beach, their senses heightened and their defences lowered by the proximity of tropical paradise. A crossroads of the surfer and backpacker sub-cultures, this is a young, sexy destination where beach parties and nightclubs have been the scene of many a shortterm romance.

A loved-up vibe © www.tourismthailand.org

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Partying in an ancient setting © GNTO/D Rozaki

Summertime nightlife © Shutterstock

The world of Aphrodite

A sensual setting overlooking the playground of the gods © Grace Hotels Group

Thai temptation

Beachside party atmosphere © Shutterstock

Aphrodite – Venus to the Romans – is the Greek Goddess of love, beauty, pleasure and procreation. The philosophers and chroniclers of the ancient Greeks spent much of their time debating such lofty subjects as democracy, philosophy and the nature of man and the heavens, but their heads weren’t so far up in the clouds that they didn’t recognise the importance of more earthly matters too. Many of these relating to both the heart and the libido, therefore, are well documented and placed within the jurisdiction of Aphrodite, a kind of Undersecretary for Passion of the classical world.

Given such a portfolio she had her hands full with dozens of trysts and romantic dramas, including among many others Adonis himself.

Aphrodite is said to have been born in Cyprus, but it is the islands of the Aegean Sea that seem to be sexiest region in this part of the world. One of them, Lesbos, provides the origin for the word ‘lesbian’. This is because Sappho, a female poet named among the greatest in the classical Greek tradition of lyric poets, was born there. Though it is hard to ascertain what Sappho’s orientation actually was, she and the island of her birth have become forever associated with female homosexuality, just as the great heroines and warriors of nearby Troy have passed from legend into history as a kind of romantic ideal.

Mykonos, an island a little to the west of Lesbos, may have been the site of a battle between Zeus and the Titans, but today is above all a popular tourist destination especially among those in search of a bit of spice. They arrive by plane, on cruise ships and aboard ferries for a spot of fun in the sun that involves getting hot and bothered on the beach before heading off to trendy nightspots in the old town of Mykonos or at beach clubs overlooking the age old Aegean.

As these revellers party into the early morning hours they unwittingly celebrate the bacchanalian traditions first written about so many centuries ago, proving that you need not escape to the New World for a bit of mischief.

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Lawrence Gap, Barbados south

Balmy Barbados Where Thailand is primarily associated with male sex tourism, places such as Barbados have in recent years grown as leading destinations for female sex tourism.

While it is often described as being more ‘romantic’ and therefore less exploitative or seedy in character, travelling halfway across the world to buy or acquire sex is not the same as visiting the world’s sexy hotspots and experiencing the music, cuisine, nightlife and sensual vibe that makes them so. Fortunately Barbados offers lots of opportunity to do this too, with gorgeous beaches, lively beach cafés that double as impromptu nightclubs, and a local love of dance, rum and gettin’ down and dirty.

Many of the foreign visitors are booked into luxury seaside resort hotels, a lot of them pretty self-contained, but it’s worth

Bonfire beach party © Barbados Tourism Authority

venturing into Bridgetown to sample the true Caribbean atmosphere and get the same sense of easygoing abandon that characterises Rio and Santiago de Cuba.

Festive throughout the year, Bajans are even livelier during Crop Over, the two-month carnival that starts in June and reaches its grand finale at the beginning of August with the Grand Kadooment. Throughout this period you will see saucy ladies wiggle their tushes in outfits that are as minimalist as they are bright. Pounding Caribbean and Reggae rhythms dominate the airwaves, rum flows along with the local beer and men and women lose themselves in an open festival that even has local-born pop star Rihanna joining in. With few exceptions, therefore, the tropics are the place to be if you want to experience the more sensual side of life. e

The ultimate backdrop for love and lust © Almond Resorts

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THE LEISURE hotel

Rooms with a View

Happiness is Now The Marbella Heights

Boutique Hotel WORDS Marisa CUTILLAS

Photography courtesy of The Marbella Heights Boutique Hotel

I

f you’ve lived on the Coast for a few years then you may know nearly every nook and cranny of Marbella but just when you think you’ve seen it all, this area will surprise and seduce you, with discoveries like The Marbella Heights Boutique Hotel, perched atop the Río Real mountain range and overlooking the vast Mediterranean sea. This luxury hotel just took home the TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice 2013 Award, where it was deemed the 7th Best Small Hotel in all of Spain and was ranked 13th in the list of Top 25 Hotels with the Best Service in Spain.

Family Matters The Hotel was first built as a luxury four-floor villa, boasting five rooms, an elegant staircase, its own pool and Jacuzzi area and an ample basement/ garage. Its Director, Mercedes Boto, enlightens us on its transformation: “My father was a Building Engineer and this was his last project before he passed away. My brothers, sister and I completed the house after his death (Mercedes is an Architect and nearly all her siblings hold Engineering degrees) with a view to selling it. When a year and a half went by and the house wasn’t sold, one of

my brothers suggested converting it into a Hotel.”

The Hotel was also Mercedes’ ‘Plan B’. As a successful architect facing a slump in construction on the Coast, it provided her with a whole new skill to perfect: that of customer service. She has clearly passed the test with flying colours. Mercedes is usually the first face clients meet and she ensures every client’s stay is personalised to their heart’s desire. During my visit she happily shows me her Guest Book and the plethora of positive comments contained therein. With a beaming smile she says, “This is my success!” Her enthusiasm and warmth are captivating.

A Bali State of Mind All of the furniture in the Hotel was sourced by Mercedes in Bali. Particularly appealing are the statues of Buddha gracing the lofty terrace, which overlooks a dreamy mountain range and the Mediterranean. Then there are the rooms, bearing stunning features like four-poster wooden beds, colourful Oriental curtains and cushions with an eye for design that has attracted interest from publications the calibre of Vogue.

Guests can opt to de-stress at four different rooms (three offer sea views and one a garden view) or one suite, all of which bear names of island resort areas.

We were particularly taken by the 60m2 Mandara Suite, with a Super King Size bed, a 20m2 private terrace, lounge bed, bar, equipped office area and mod cons (Satellite TV, DVD player, air-conditioning and heating, etc.). All rooms come with little luxuries like bathrobes, fine toiletries, a pillow menu and slippers.

The entire Hotel can be booked if desired.

An Intimate Escape Mercedes and her staff ensure your experience is as romantic and peaceful as possible. When you arrive you are whisked to the al fresco terrace and offered a glass of Champagne while you take in the glorious views and glean information on interesting things to see in the area and the best restaurants to dine at.

You can also make your order at this stage for your à la carte breakfast.

The Hotel doesn’t have a restaurant but you can order snacks, tapas, salads and sandwiches by the pool and we definitely suggest you ask the staff about their popular Argentinean barbecue (featuring cool mojitos, five different cuts of meat and juicy King prawns), or the freshly caught fish, which can be sourced at the local markets with a day’s notice.

The Honesty Bar in the lobby invites guests to help themselves to a full bar, at their leisure. The term ‘Honesty’ refers to the clients’ choice to declare what they have consumed.

Feels Like Heaven This Hotel is perfect for those seeking a pampering break; indeed, many clients spend a couple of nights here after a hectic round of touring Andalucía’s main cities. Have a massage with a qualified therapist at the spa area or by the pool, work out at the Hotel’s well equipped gym room, ask the staff to book a golf package for you (there are 13 golf courses within a 30km radius) or soothe your tired muscles at the heated exterior Jacuzzi, ensconced in the romantic gardens.

Plan C Mercedes is looking to the future with an open mind and plenty of initiative; she is even considering helping others set up their own boutique hotel, since she knows all the ins and outs of such a lofty task. She also wishes to promote Marbella Heights as an ideal venue for weddings and other special events.

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g Urb. Rio Real, Parc 97, Balcón del Golf, Marbella. Tel: 951 103 424. www.themarbellaheights.com 1/23/13 3:03 PM

gour

RESTAURANTS / REVIEWS / NEWS / WINE / CHEFS / GUIDE

If the way to your lover’s heart is through their stomach, take them out to dine at our featured restaurants, Grill del Puerto and Venta García, read up on the latest happenings on the local food scene, discover L’Impronta Head Chef, Francisco Vacas’ passion for cooking and marvel at wine bottles with the sexiest labels in history.

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Grill del Puerto

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Venta García

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Food News

100 Chef’s Profile: Francisco Vacas of L’Impronta 102 Wine: Labels with Panache

1/24/13 4:53 PM

THE ART OF FINE THAI CUISINE RESERVATIONS: 952 818 392 Open Every Evening for Dinner Ctra. de Cádiz Km. 175 PUERTO BANÚS (Behind The Shell Petrol Station) Marbella www.thaigallerymarbella.com

TAI PAN chinese cuisine polynesian bar

Serving Marbella in a Select Atmosphere for Decades.

Tel: 952 777 893 / 952 775 500 Puente Romano, Fase 2, Marbella.

Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00 www.taipanmarbella.com

SUKHOTHAI

Have Valen a Rom in otninee’s Dinanntic Resta of Our er urants !

Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine

Tel: 952 770 550 Open Mon-Sat. C.C. Marbellamar, L-3A. Marbella. www.sukhothaimarbella.com

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restaurant THE GOURMET

Romance is Aflame at Grill del Puerto WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS Photography © khphotography.co.uk

L

overs the world over probably recall particular moments in their lives with great nostalgia: their first date, that first kiss, the day they asked their lover to marry them… these occasions call for a special setting, one which engulfs and soothes the soul and provides the right blend of elegance and cosiness. Grill del Puerto, located on the front line of Puerto Banús, is one of a handful of places capable of providing a beautiful backdrop to such a special moment. A meat lover’s paradise, it also boasts a warm ambience, service with a heart and a ‘slow food’ mentality that makes it a rare find on the Coast.

Grill del Puerto was founded over 20 years ago and although some of the staff have been present since its inception, the frontline restaurant received a blast of fresh air when it was taken over three years ago by the same group that runs the popular Grill El Rancho in Las Chapas. The owners are avid world travellers and true gourmandes who know the key elements of exceptional service.

Personalised attention to the client is key.

Grill del Puerto is far removed from the fast food philosophy which runs rife in typical coastal areas.

Here, dining is a slow, pleasurable experience where fine cuisine is paired with an excellent glass of wine and good conversation. The staff is multi-lingual and the Manager, a true people’s person whose enthusiasm when recommending a seasonal special or inquiring if you are enjoying your meal, is palpable. Grill del Puerto has a regular client base who hail from countries as far as Norway, Sweden and Denmark and the restaurant’s excellent service is often mentioned by overseas visitors in sites like TripAdvisor.

The menu gives a starring role to meat dishes but the selection of courses is definitely wide enough to cater to all tastes. Specialities include succulent Chateaubriand, as well as charcoalgrilled and stone-grilled meat. Diners can cook their meal on bespoke table-top grills if desired, adding an original touch to the experience. The quality of the meat is top-grade and the wide range of varieties and cuts includes new ‘in’ dish among

health-conscious diners: ostrich – buttery in its tenderness and slightly sweeter in flavour than beef (but surprisingly low in fat and cholesterol).

There are many home-styled dishes; a meltin-the-mouth rack of lamb or roast suckling pig, for instance. The half pot of lamb with almonds is a favourite for those into rich, homemade sauces and there are a host of lighter dishes, such as pastas, salads as well as shared platters and nicely priced kids’ dishes. All grilled and ovencooked meats come with a range of homemade sauces made to traditional recipes, such as the sophisticated Béarnaise (freshly made to order), the three-pepper sauce and gluten-free varieties such as Provençale and Barolo.

The starters expose a flair for the finest international recipes and it is no surprise that they bear the touch of Mauricio Giovanini, Head Chef of Messina in Marbella, which has just won the prestigious Gastronomía de Málaga Award for Best Restaurant. Mauricio spent some time over the summer refining dishes such as the salmon tartare (spiked with a horseradish yoghurt sauce) and the seared scallops with mushrooms and potato crème.

g Open 12:30pm to 1am every day. Frontline Puerto Banús, Local 47. Tel: 952 811 686. www.grilldelpuerto.com 163ReR Banus grill.indd 95

Traditional Belgian dishes also abound, including the sinfully smooth homemade chicken croquettes, accompanied by a fantastic Madeira wine sauce reduction and mushrooms. Not to be missed is the special menu for €19,50 (available every day for lunch or dinner), with a more than ample selection of starters, mains and desserts, all home-made.

The personal touch is also present in the wine list. Crafted by a savvy sommelier who has personally visited most of the featured bodegas, it reveals a penchant for Spanish wines, most of which score over 90 points on the Parker scale.

The restaurant boasts an impressive collection of Pinot Noir wines, made by Bodega Los Aguilares in Ronda and recognised with a Gold Medal in Switzerland for being the best Pinot Noir in the world.

In addition to romantic meals, Grill del Puerto hosts celebrations and events and is happy to receive families and groups of golfers. If you’re after a special venue to add just the right touch of magic to your Valentine’s meal with that special someone, you simply can’t go wrong at Grill del Puerto. e ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY 2013 / 95

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RESTO

EL COTO

BELGIAN RESTAURANT бельгийский ресторан

NEW MENU Open every day Ctra. de Ronda Opposite Madroñal, nº 3 29679 Benahavis Tel: 952 786 688 belgianresto@gmail.com НОВОЕ МЕНЮ открыты ежедневно дорога Ronda напротив Madroñal, No 3, Benahavis телефон: 952 786 688

RESTO

MYTILUS BELGIAN RESTAURANT

BELGIAN SPECIALITIES Mussels and fries, steak tartare, vol au vent etc.

Open every evening.

Saturday & Sunday open all day.

Puerto Deportivo Sotogrande Tel: 956 790 212 belgianresto@gmail.com

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restaurant THE GOURMET

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY © KHPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK

A VENTA FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

The venta is a time-honoured concept in Spain – a place on the edge of town or in the country where you can enjoy classic hearty fare in rustic surroundings.

Particularly popular in combination with a weekend drive through the countryside, lunchtime at a roadside venta is a cherished tradition that has passed on from locals to many a foreign visitor and resident.

O

ccasionally, therefore, you are wholeheartedly recommended to visit a certain country restaurant that has stolen someone’s heart, and when the same restaurant is suggested by a growing number of acquaintances you know it’s time to go and check it out for yourself. The name Venta García had therefore circulated long before I ever ventured there myself, and the praise heaped on this country establishment midway between the coastal road and the mountain village of Casares was such, that expectations were high.

Turning inland just before you get to the outer

boundary of Sabinillas, you pass Finca Cortesín as you follow a gently winding road through beautiful green countryside. To your right is the red peak of Reales looking down over Estepona, to your left undulating valleys cascading towards the sea at Sabinillas. During the day all of this is visible even as you pull into the car park and make your way through the stylish summer outdoor dining area and bar.

Cosy indoors in the winter, the restaurant also offers a wonderful al fresco lunch and dining experience during the long sunny months, but on this occasion we stepped into the remarkably trendy interior of Venta García. As the title suggests, owner Jesús Sánchez García has created a rather unique venue that blends the modern dining experience with the charm and traditions of a rustic country venta. The third generation in a family of restaurateurs that first put Venta García on the map back in 1956, Jesús took g Ma-8300 Ctra. de Casares, km 7. Tel: +34 952 894 191.

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over the establishment from his mother in 2005. She, in turn, had inherited it from her father in the 1970s, and further established it as a popular point of reference in the area, for good value dining.

“I wanted to continue the tradition but also make it a venta for the 21st century,” says Jesús, whose welcoming manner is very much a part of Venta García’s success. The result of it all is a stylish restaurant with a modern-rustic interior and a kitchen that offers classic Spanish country cuisine with a touch of fine dining flair. Putting this premise to the test proved to be remarkably tough, as we had a hard time choosing from a menu that I could happily have eaten my way through over a weeklong period.

Seriously, though, we made a note to come back and try some of the things we couldn’t sample on the day. I’m not normally a seafood specialist, but the king prawn in beautifully crisp batter set the bar high. It being a winter’s night and this being a venta, I had chosen a ‘Spanish hotpot’ stew of chick peas, vegetables and chorizo that

was right up my street, while my companion made all the right noises about the Pulpo a la Gallega with crispy potatoes in a piquant oil.

The wine we enjoyed was a Viña Orce Syrah from La Mancha. Its substantial body and lingering presence was ideal for the rack of lamb on a bed of vegetables and potatoes done the classic Spanish way. Sourcing most of its ingredients locally, from Casares cheese and olive oil to local meat and fish, Jesús also specialises in fish and seafood dishes, with a good selection based on the pick of the day’s catch.

We tried Sama, a fish from this part of the Mediterranean that is somewhere between hake and halibut, but also a little reminiscent of tuna.

Warmed up by the fine country meal and cosy chic ambience, we finally sampled a great selection of desserts ranging from chocolate brownie cake and ice cream to traditional flan and a wonderfully light and airy version of rice pudding. These are but a ‘slice’ of what is on offer at Venta García, so if you want to sample the classic venta experience with a twist of chic and fine dining, then follow this article or your friends’ recommendation to the beautiful hills just beyond Estepona and enjoy fine Spanish flavours on your doorstep. e ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY 2013 / 97

1/23/13 10:43 AM

THE GOURMET news

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

MESSINA AND EL LAGO RESTAURANTS Win Prestigious Prizes The Academia Gastronómica de Málaga recently deemed Mauricio Giovanini’s Messina the Best Restaurant of 2012.

Messina is known for ground-breaking cuisine that plays with the emotions, providing the elusive surprise factor in textures, presentation and flavour. El Lago Restaurant was also recognised for its excellence, with talented Head Chef, Diego del Río, winning the highly coveted Best Chef award. Congratulations to both restaurants for continuously raising the bar for fine cuisine on the Costa del Sol.

g www.restaurantemessina.com/ www.restauranteellago.com

DA BRUNO SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH CINES GRAN MARBELLA Cinephiles who are regulars at Da Bruno will be pleased to hear that the popular Italian restaurant chain recently signed an agreement with Cines Gran Marbella, granting those with Da Bruno VIP Cards a 10 per cent discount on all films. The card is free and works on a points system, rewarding frequent diners with a 10 per cent discount on lunch and dinner. Cardholders can look forward to a host of new advantages in 2013. g www.dabruno.com

MOSCOW DELICATESSEN: A Taste of Russia in Spain Moscow Delicatessen is a Marbella-based company providing gastronomic delights from former Soviet countries to 21 outlets in Spain as the Russian-speaking population continues to grow. Over the festive period, the company sold approximately half a ton of caviar to Russian-speaking residents, with orders coming in from all over Spain. With a range of over 200 authentic food and drink products from former Soviet republics to choose from, Moscow Delicatessen distributes to various branches of El Corte Inglés, Carrefour, Alcampo and Supersol around Spain, with particularly busy outlets in Alicante, Barcelona, Tarragona, Marbella, Tenerife and Palma de Mallorca. Moscow Delicatessen supplies a number of products in exclusivity, including red caviar sourced from Russia (most caviar on sale in Spain is from Alaska). g For orders and further information, Tel: 952 929 318. www.moscowdelicatessen.com

Kaviar Restaurant and Wine Bar If you’d like to surprise your partner with a romantic dinner, why not take them to the new Kaviar Restaurant and Wine Bar, boasting a delightfully intimate ambience and excellent cuisine with International/French influences and of course, quality authentic caciar? The restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. g La Cancela de La Quinta, Ctra. Ronda, 3a rotonda

(next to the Golf La Quinta exit), San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 636 647 888. www.kaviarmarbella.com

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THE GOURMET profile

H

is cuisine has been described as “orgasmic”, ”unique” and capable of “elevating diners a couple of inches off the floor”. Serving up a heady blend of Italian and Mediterranean dishes, Francisco Vacas, Head Chef of renowned San Pedro restaurant, L’Impronta, has been steeped in the world of cuisine since the age of 13 when, as a boy, he took up a summer job as a barman’s assistant in his native Córdoba. Until then, the kitchen had never been an obsession, though he fondly recalls helping his mum make cakes on Sundays. At the tender age of 14, he made the life-changing decision to dedicate his life to the world of food, taking his baby steps in a popular Benamara restaurant then joining the culinary team at the prestigious Hotel Puente Romano, where he undertook a three-year stint before completing his military service.

The year-long break did little to curb Francisco’s restless spirit and it wasn’t long before he was back in the kitchens, working at a local restaurant before he met the man who would change the course of his life: Paolo Ghirelli, legendary restaurateur and Founder of La Meridiana Restaurant. Says Francisco, “My brother was working as a waiter in La Meridiana and Paolo said to him, ‘If your brother is anything like you, bring him over!’”. Paolo’s keen instinct led him to make a decision touched by serendipity: by hiring Francisco, he was to be both mentor and inspiration to an immensely talented chef who knows exactly how to please even the most sophisticated clientele. “I don’t think Paolo

An Insatiable Appetite for Fine Italian Cuisine

will ever understand how much he means to me,” says Francisco, explaining, “He has taught me so many things, not only because he’s an extraordinary man – so generous and kind – but also because he is incredibly knowledgeable about food. He knows exactly what ingredients work well together and I greatly value his advice.”

Francisco and Paolo forged a working relationship at La Meridiana that lasted 17 years, parting ways for a few years when Paolo decided to take a break from the stressful world of restaurateurship. Paolo had owned the locale that is now L’Impronta for several years and the decision to open the restaurant, was nothing less than a caprice. Says Francisco. “Paolo was finally relaxing a bit and enjoying life. When he phoned me to head the kitchens at his new restaurant, I was working elsewhere and was doing quite well. I have three children so family stability is obviously very important to me. If anyone else had made me the offer, I would have turned it down. But since it was Paolo, I didn’t hesitate for a second.”

Since July last year, Francisco has taken the reigns of L’Impronta, both in the kitchens and in management. “Paolo rents me the locale and I run it, yet he still comes in every day and brings lots of clients in,” he says, gleefully.

At L’Impronta, Francisco whips up fine Italian cuisine, made with the very best produce, much of which is imported from Italy. “It would be much cheaper for us to source ingredients like Parmesano Reggiano, Mozarella, Burrata or porcini mushrooms locally, but this way we know the origin of the produce is guaranteed.” The response from

clients couldn’t be better; Francisco and his hardworking staff are truly raising the bar for gourmets, with dishes made with painstaking love and care: everything from home-made black pasta to the laborious hand-made Hollandaise and Bearnaise sauces.

The originality and flavour of Francisco’s creations have proven immensely popular with diners; dishes receiving rave reviews include the pumpkin ravioli with almonds or the lasagne with foie, mushrooms and truffles. Some (Mediterranean flavoured) dishes from the La Meridiana of Paolo’s day have also found their way into the menu owing to popular demand. Additionally, “clients sometimes ring us to request a particular dish that may not necessarily be on the menu,” says Francisco.

L’Impronta has a highly affordable daily menu (select from two starters, two mains, a dessert, drink, wine and coffee) for only €22,50 and there could be no better day than a lazy Sunday to tuck into the traditional five-meat soup (enjoy a light clear soup with capellete followed by a hearty plate of meat with sauces and sides like mashed potatoes and creamed spinach) for €25.

Francisco has selected a fine venue indeed to display his groundbreaking talent: the beautiful eclectic décor (a blend of Morroccan, European and New York loft-style elements) welcomes diners with its warmth and beauty and the dining experience itself is nothing less than magical.

In addition to his professional success, Francisco has an even more important reason to be grateful: “My family, especially my wife, mean everything to me. They support and care for me every day and that is the greatest success I could wish for”. The Chef has clearly achieved a state of balance the world’s many Midases could only dream of. e

O G E I R A B A S HY ©

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.CO.UK RAPHY

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TOG KHPHO

Open every day for lunch and dinner except for Tuesday.

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g Avda. Salamanca, Edif. San Pedro del Mar, Local 14, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 943. www.trattoria-limpronta.com 1/23/13 10:39 AM

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THE GOURMET wine

Wine Labels with

Panache WORDS AJ LINN

What makes you buy a wine you have never drunk before?

Recommendation, media comment, a high points score, the price, the label?

A

ny bodega has to get people to try its wine.

There are many ways of doing this, from showing at wine fairs to giving away free samples, but every producer you talk to will confirm this is the hardest part of the task – even if your wine is the best in the world. Part of the strategy is making sure the consumer likes the label, or at least is not put off by it. There are some awful labels around, even the ones dreamed up by expensive design consultancies, (where they probably drink mineral water so have little enthusiasm for wine). I will not name and shame them, but they certainly put me off buying their products.

The label should as a minimum requirement be tasteful, and a reproduction of a Madrid metro ticket (as for a Galician wine) is a bit of a turn-off.

But would an elegant reproduction of a naked lady be legitimate? History demonstrates that many such labels have had to be withdrawn or changed as a result of action by consumer watchdogs.

Brewers do not seem to have the same problem (maybe that’s the difference between a beer drinker and a wine drinker), although the Belgian Rubbel Sexy Lager has a rub-off label, so you can only see what is hidden beneath once you have bought it.

US beer brand Wanker has some quite nice bikiniclad ladies on its labels, which appear to do it no harm in the marketplace.

Bordeaux winery Mouton Rothschild has always gone to a great deal of trouble to have labels of outstanding good taste, so the use of a tasteful nude by a well-known artist on their 1993 vintage could hardly justify it being accused of endangering public morals. But this is exactly what happened when the US Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) objected, causing the offending lady to be removed and replaced with – a blank space. There was intense criticism in the media of this heavy-handed action by the Agency, and rumour has it that since then it has become more lenient when the matter of seductive wine labels is brought to its attention.

Savanna Samson is an ex-porn star who

launched a brand of wine under her name in 2006.

The art-deco style of the label for her Sogno Uno Tuscan red fronts an excellent wine from Italy. The white Sogno Due made from Falangina grapes is no slouch either, label-wise.

A leaf through the Californian winery Kenwood’s collection of labels is as visually pleasurable as wandering through the Thyssen gallery. With really great works of art by leading international painters of the category of Joan Miró, as one example, it gives the Mouton Rothschild collection a run for its money, but its first such venture in 1975 ran headlong into censorship. The tasteful reclining nude by David Lance Goines was banned in the USA, to be replaced by – just the field she was lying in. Other notable label illustrations feature goodlooking, and yes, why not? sexy ladies, on their bottles, and the wine is pretty good as well.

The Playboy organisation has never been known to miss a trick in the risqué department, but they came monumentally unstuck in 2008 when they hoisted on the unsuspecting drinking public a range of what can only be called downright mediocre wines. Clearly their aim was to convince the consumer that the labels they employed (you don’t need telling what they portrayed) would ensure the bottles flew off the shelves. Well, they didn’t, which just goes to show that in spite of what we are always told about sex selling anything, at least this experience shows it can’t.

And, yes, there really is a collection of Marilyn Wines, the labels of which show Marilyn Monroe in her sexiest poses, some dating as far back as the 1940s. There are no figures available as to how sales are going, but with prices ranging from $30 up to $3,800 (for the Marilyn Merlot 1985), clearly someone is buying them.

It is probably not a good idea if you are venturing into the wine business to rely on sexy labels to make your product more popular. Your wine will certainly attract attention, maybe of the wrong sort if the label is censored, but is that really what wine drinking is all about? e

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THE GUIDE

theguide

RESTAURANTS

RESTAURANTS / CINEMAS / GOLF / GYMS /

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

RESTAURANTS ::: AMERICAN ::: HARD ROCK CAFÉ

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

Tel: 952 908 024

Jacks

TENNIS / SCHOOLS

under €25

€25 – €40

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

::: ARGENTINEAN ::: Buenos Aires South

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

Clericó

€40 – €60

€60 plus

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

Tel: 952 786 688

mytilus Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de Los Naranjos s/n, Sotogrande. Tel: 956 790 212

::: FRENCH ::: Casa mono

Open seven days a week from noon till late.

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda.

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

Open Monday to Saturday from 1pm to 11pm.

C/ Calderón Estébanez 19, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 578

Mr. gourmet burger

Tango

Chateau Mona lisa

Open from 6pm ‘til late every evening. Avda. Luis Braile 20, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 785 257

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

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

ROUTE 66 Open 10am until midnight every day. Plaza Antonio Banderas 17/29, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 136 333

::: BELGIAN ::: El Coto

rendez vous Open Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6pm and Sunday from 9am to 2pm. Closed Tuesday.

Avda. del Prado, Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 813 912

Valderrama Restaurant Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner only and on Sunday for Buffet Lunch. Apartado 1, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 132.2 Sotogrande, Cádiz.

Tel: 956 791 200

::: GREEK ::: Red Pepper

Open daily for both lunch and dinner.

Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 148

::: GRILLS :::

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

Asador guadalmina

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Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

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

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

Tel: 952 886 307

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

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

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

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

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

Tel: 952 867 306

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

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

::: INDIAN :::

Jaipur palace Open every night except Tuesday for dinner. CN340, km 194, next to Camping Cabopino, Marbella. Tel: 951 310 004

Jaipur Purple Open daily for dinner. CN 340, km. 166, Estepona.

Tel: 952 888 353

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

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

Mr. india Open daily from 6pm. Milla de Oro (next to Da Bruno a Casa), Marbella. Tel: 952 867 868

Mumtaz

alberts Open daily for lunch and dinner. Puerto Cabopino.

Tel: 952 836 886

alumbre Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Strachan 11, Málaga.

Tel: 951 500 022

Amanhavis

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

Brunings Open for dinner Monday to Saturday from 7 pm. Las Palmeras 19, San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 786 156

CAFÉ DE RONDA

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

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Avda. Ramón Gómez de la Serna 23, Marbella.

Tel: 952 862 149

amigos

camuri

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

Open daily for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 176, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 533

aroma

capitán

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Moncayo 23, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 665 502

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

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

Casanis Open every day from 6pm except Sundays.

C/ Ancha, 8, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 450

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Casa No.7, P. Banús. Tel: 952 812 090

baboo lounge and restaurant

safFron

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

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

beach house

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Urb. Cerrado del Águila, Camino del Acevedo, s/n, Mijas Costa. Tel: 951 773 521

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

Taj Mahal Open daily for lunch and dinner. Private parking available. Ctra. Cádiz, km 179 (behind Venta los Pacos).

Tel: 952 857 670/ 629 244 659

::: INTERNATIONAL :::

celima

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Coto de los Doles, Carril del Relojero, Elviria, Marbella.

Tel: 952 839 458

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

Albert & simon

Black and white Marbella

Open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday and for dinner only on Saturday. Closed Sundays. Urb. Nueva Alcántara, Edif. Mirador, Bloque 4-B, Marbella.

Tel: 952 783 714

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle Benabola, under the Torre de Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 607

boulevard

cerrado del águila

cortijo fain Open every day for lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Algar, km. 3, Arcos de la Frontera, Cádiz. Tel: 956 704 131

Cosy Open every night for dinner from 7pm. Paseo de Las Palmeras 25, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 951 087 899

Don Leone Open every night for dinner. Puerto Banús, Marbella.

Tel: 952 811 716

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THE GUIDE

RESTAURANTS

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

Don Quijote

813 859

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

hermosa

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

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

Fabiola

under €25

€25 – €40

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner from 7pm.

Closed Monday. Local 1A. Puerto de Cabopino.

Tel: 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

karma Open every day from 10am until late. C/ Las Violetas 7, Conjunto Andalucía Garden Club, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 815 736

khala

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

max beach Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

CN 340, km. 198, Cambio de Sentido Riviera del Sol, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 932 780

Mc café

LA biznaga

Messina

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

Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. Avda.

Severo Ochoa, 12, Marbella. Tel: 952 864 895

la brisa Open for dinner Thursday to Monday from 7pm.

Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km.

159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

La cabaña del mar Open every day for lunch and for dinner from Monday to Saturday. Kempinski Hotel Bahía 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

Finca Besaya

La Menorah

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Rio Verde Alto, s/n. Tel: 952 861 382

Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

Arena Beach, CN 340, km. 151.2, Estepona.

Tel: 952 792 734

Finca las brasas

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

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Marbella Club Hotel. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n. Tel: 952 822 211

La Loggia

Open daily for lunch from 1-4pm, Wednesday to Sunday. Ctra. de Casares, km. 10. Tel: 952 895 120

€60 plus

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. NH Alanda Hotel, Marbella. Tel: 952 899 600

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 El Forjador

€40 – €60

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 SALA Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/ Belmonte, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella.

Tel: 952 814 145

mozaic Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday. Urb. Las Chapas, Marbella.

Tel: 952 839 901

Miraflores Golf Restaurant Open daily for Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 199. Urb. Riviera Golf.

Tel: 952 931 941

NUEVA CAMPANA Open daily for lunch and dinner, except Tuesday. La Campana, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 814 041

OCHO Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

C/ Moncayo 12, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 460 232 / 648 502 822

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: 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

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra.

Fuengirola-Mijas, between CN 340 and highway.

Tel: 952 580 513

La Terraza

Galeria San Pedro

La Terraza

Open from 11am until midnight. Closed Sundays.

Avda Las Palmeras 15, San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 780 927

Open daily for dinner. La Cala Resort, La Cala de Mijas, Mijas. Tel: 952 669 000

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Laguna Village, Playa El Padrón, CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 800 015

La Veranda

Rojo

GD Gourmet deli marbella

Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner.

Hotel Villa Padierna, Urb: Flamingos s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 889 150

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday. C/ Granada, 44, Málaga. Tel: 952 227 486

La veranda lobby bar

Open Thursday to Saturday for dinner. Hotel Finca Cortesín. Crta. Casares s/n, Casares, Málaga. Tel: 952 937 800

Open 9:30am to 9pm from Monday to Friday and Saturday from 12am to 6pm. Closed Sundays. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 7, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 049

girasol Open daily for dinner from 6.30p.m. Avda. del Prado, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952

Open everyday lunch and dinner. Golf Hotel Guadalmina, Marbella. Tel: 952 882 211

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 daily for lunch. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

PURO BEACH

schilo

shanti-som – amrita Open Monday to Thursday from 1.30pm to

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4.30pm, Friday and Saturday from 1:30pm to 4.30 pm and 8pm to 10.30pm. Ctra. de Ojén, km 22, A355, Marbella-Monda. Tel: 952 864 455

shiraz Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Puerto Deportivo, Local 15, Marbella. Tel: 952 778 334

Skina Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. C/ Aduar 12, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 277

SMALL WORLD CAFé

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de Los Naranjos s/n, Sotogrande. Tel: 952 790 392

dinner. At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

Venta garcía

gold restaurant

Pizzeria Picasso

Open daily for lunch and dinner every day except Monday. Ctra. de Casares km 7, Casares. Tel: 952 894 191

Open every day from 10am to 12 am. Complejo Benabola 13, Beach Side, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 929 055

Open daily from 12 noon. Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 813 669

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Monte Paraíso Golf, Casa Club, Camino de Camojan s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 861 457

portofino laguna village

tempora

viera bistro

Open every day for lunch and dinner from 1pm to midnight. Puerto Deportivo de Estepona. Tel: 952 802 144

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 035

LA pappardella sul mare Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 807 354

Open every night for dinner and Sunday for lunch. Edif. La Ruleta, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 814 529

Open Monday to Sunday from 11 am until late. C.C. Centro Plaza 64, Avda. Manolete 1, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 929 645

What’s cooking deli and takeaway

la pappardella di estepona Ristorante Regina

Leonardo da vinci

Ristorante Roberto

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ctra. Istán, km 1, C.C: Le Village 15, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 046

Open daily from 10am to 7pm. C.C. Guadalmina, Local 34, Marbella.

Tel: 952 886 748

Open every night for dinner. Urb. Doña Lola, Local 21-22, Calahonda, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 934 667

Open daily for dinner. Beach Club, Hotel Puente Romano, CN-340, km 177.5, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

zozoï

Lombardo’s

Rosmarino della Piazza

Suave

Open every day for dinner from 7.30pm-12am. Plaza Altamirano 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 868

Open daily from 7pm. Galerías Paniagua, Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 795 924

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 for lunch and dinner. Paseo Maritimo Rey de España 93, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 866 627

SUite

::: ITALIAN ::: Al Dente

Luna Rossa Open daily for both lunch and dinner, closed on Sundays. Paseo Marítimo Benabola, local 12, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 810 543

salotto Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Avda. del Prado, Via 1, local 2, Aloha Golf, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 818 112

Dinner and afterwards dance to music by resident DJ. Thursday to Saturday. Hotel Puente Romano, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Open 7 days a week for dinner.

Closed on Mondays. Urb. Jardines del Puerto, local 12, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 906 181

MADE IN SARDINIA Open every night for dinner. C.C. Cristamar, Avda. Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 608

terraza dual

Swing

Amore e Fantasía

Metro

trattoria l’impronta

Open from 12-4pm and 7.30pm until midnight. Closed Wednesdays. Arena Beach, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 151, Estepona. Tel: 952 796 320

Open every day for lunch and dinner from 7pm onwards. Muelle Benabola, Casa 5A, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 813 464

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 446 460

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

tanino

Aretusa

O mamma mia

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. CN 340, km.168, Benamara, Estepona. Tel: 952 883 259

Open daily for dinner. Front line P. Banús. Tel: 952 812 898

Open every day except Sunday for lunch and

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

Open everyday for lunch and dinner. Muelle Ribera, casa G-H, local 43, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 453

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Torre Real Beach, Marbella.

Tel: 952 865 579

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Comercial, Pinares de Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 850 060

asiatico zen Open every day for lunch and dinner except Tuesday lunch. C/ Lirios s/n, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 817 691

Dragón de Oro 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

golden wok Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Marbellamar, Marbella. Tel: 952 866 840

Kaiden Sushi Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Com. Guadalmina Alta, Guadalmina 4, local 2, lower floor, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 896 508

Kama Kura Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8-11pm. The San Roque Club, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 127, San Roque, Cádiz. Tel: 956 613 030

meca Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pino

Da Bruno

Da Paolo

Trocadero arena

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 799

Asia Food

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Guadalmansa, CN340, km 164, Estepona. Tel: 952 798 449

The orange tree

Villa Tiberio

::: Oriental :::

Caruso

tikitano

Open 9am to 11pm every day except Sundays. Avda. Ricardo Soriano 1, Local 1 (Edif. Portillo), Marbella. Tel: 952 772 577

Open daily for lunch and dinner. At the Caleta Hotel. Catalan Bay, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 76501

Open nightly for dinner. C/ Tetuán 9, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 857 933

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Frontline Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 813 357

Open every evening from 6:30 pm-11 pm. Plaza General Chinchilla 1, Plaza de los Naranjos, Marbella.

Tel: 952 924 613.

The meeting room

nunos

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Marbellamar s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 925 250

Sala mirador

Carpaccio

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 Bruno Mijas Costa: Ctra. de Mijas, km. 3.6, Mijas. Tel: 952 460 724

Open Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Urb. Los Naranjos de Marbella, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 908 844

::: Mediterranean :::

Playa de la Carolina, Marbella.

Tel: 610 704 144

De Medici

trocadero beach

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Urb. El Pilar, C.C. Benapilar, Estepona. Tel: 952 884 687

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Frascati

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THE GUIDE Golf, Don Carlos, Local 1, Elviria, Marbella.

Tel: 952 830 365 / 658 646 829

GYMS

GOLF

RESTAURANTS

Osaka 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

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

cervecería ostrería santiago Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. del Marzo, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 078

El Barlovento Open from 11am-4pm and 7.30-11pm every day except Mondays. Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 790 370

La fishita

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. Jardines del Puerto, L.5, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 536

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 1pm to 11pm and Sunday and Monday from 6pm to 11pm.

C/Las Violetas, Local 7, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 813 598

Sapporo

Restaurante La Marina

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Costa del Sol, upper level. CN-340, km. 166 (Estepona). Tel: 952 888 710

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

Sakura

Sukho Thai Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday.

Centro Comercial Marbellamar. Tel: 952 770 550

Sushi des artistes

TENNIS

::: SEAFOOD :::

Open every day for lunch and dinner. CN 340, km 178.5, Marbella. Easy parking. Tel: 952 857 403

Sushi Katsura Open for lunch from Monday to Friday and for dinner from Monday to Saturday. C/Ramón Gómez de la Serna, 5, Marbella. Tel: 952 863 193

Tai Pan Open seven days a week for dinner. H. Puente Romano, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 177, Marbella.

Tel: 952 777 893

Thai Gallery Open seven days a week for dinner from 8pm. CN-340, km.175, Edif. Rimesa, Bajos, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 392

Thai Style Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Playas del Duque s/n. Edif. Gaviotas IV, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 813 675

tHapa thai Open every day for lunch and dinner.

Urb. Puerto Deportivo 13, Edif. Poniente, Estepona. Tel: 951 318 445

Tse yang Dimsum club Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sundays.

At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

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

La Torre Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle de Honor, Club de Mar, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 561

Marisquería La Pesquera Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de la Victoria, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 170

Restaurante El bote Open every day for lunch and dinner. Paseo Marítimo Rey de España, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 660 084

Santiago Open daily for lunch and dinner. Paseo Marítimo, 5, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 078

::: SPANISH ::: Bahía

Open every evening for dinner. At Hotel Don Carlos.

Avda. Zurita s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

beach club restaurante grill 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

Casa de la era Open every evening for dinner. Ctra. de Ojén, km 0.5, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 625

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

Hacienda

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. El Pilar, 22, Estepona. Tel: 952 887 092

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

Wok Wang

La máquina

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

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sunday.

At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

Yuan

La Meridiana del alabardero

Open every night for dinner. Hotel Torrequebrada, Benalmádena Costa. Tel: 952 441 414.

::: SCANDINAVIAN ::: Skandies

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7pm to 11pm. Closed Mondays. Avda. Antonio Belón, 26 (behind the lighthouse), Marbella. Tel: 952 776 323

the little mermaid Open daily from 9.30am to 5pm except Sundays.

C.C. Centro Plaza, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 929 181

Open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday.

Closed Mondays. Camino de la Cruz, Marbella. Tel: 952 776 190

La Taberna del Alabardero 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

Mesón el adobe

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Lauro Golf 18 holes

KRAV MAGA SELF-DEFENCE CENTRE

Alhaurín de la Torre. Tel: 952 412 767

At Hotel Pyr, Puerto Banús. Tel: 655 689 455

Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club

MANOLO SANTANA RACQUETS CLUB

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 827 880

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 784 600

MARBELLA GUN & COUNTRY CLUB

Los Naranjos Golf Club

Monda. Tel: 952 112 161

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 815 206

MARBELLA SPORT

Tragabuches

Marbella Club Golf Resort

Km 171.5. San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 315

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

18 holes, Par 73. Tel: 952 113 239

MULTI SPORT

Marbella Golf & Country Club

Avda. Picasso 27. San Pedro. Tel: 952 782 801

18 holes. Tel: 952 830 500

New Concept Training

Mijas Golf 36 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 476 843

Monte Paraíso Country Club, Camino de Camoján s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 866 843

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesdays. Avda. La Fontanilla, Edif. Balmoral, Bajo 3, Marbella. Tel. 600 003 144

mi taberna

::: VEGETARIAN :::

Ctra. de Istán, Km2. Marbella. Tel: 952 778 580

Miraflores Golf

02 CENTRO WELLNESS

loving hut

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 931 960

Plaza del Mar. Marbella. Tel: 952 900 420

Open daily from 10.30am to 11.30pm. Avda.

Miguel Cano 11, Marbella. Tel: 951 245 889

Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club

P-E SPORTS CLUB

GOLF GUIDE

18 holes. Tel: 952 113 088

Urb. Parcelas del Golf, Aloha Gardens, N. Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 357

Parador Málaga del Golf

qi sport

Alcaidesa Links

18 holes. Tel: 952 381 255

Urb. La Alzambra, Marbella. Tel: 952 907 090

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 956 791 0400. www.alcaidesa.com

Real Club de Golf Las Brisas

SATURNIA REGNA

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 810 875

Alhaurín Golf

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande

Marbella Tel: 952 761 475, Elviria.

Tel: 952 834 835

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 595 970. www.alhauringolf.com

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 785 014

SEVEN STARS SCHOOL

San Roque Club

Almenara Golf

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 613 030

Tai Chi & yoga. Pasaje Estrecho, Estepona.

Tel: 952 923 055

27 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 582 027. www.sotogrande.com

Santa Clara Golf

SPORTCLUB ROUTE 66

18 holes. Tel: 952 850 111

Ctra. Mijas, 1.5km. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 461 648

Aloha Golf Club

Santa Maria Golf & Country Club

SPORTING CLUB ATALAYA PARK HOTEL

18 holes. Tel: 952 907 085. www.clubdegolfaloha.com

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 831 036

CN340, Km 168,5. Estepona. Tel: 952 888 212

Atalaya Golf

Sotogrande Club de Golf

TICKET-TO-RIDE

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 882 812. www.master-hotels.com

18 holes. Tel: 956 785 012

Cristamar, Pto. Banús. Tel: 952 905 082

Valderrama

Vitality studio

Cabopino Golf

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 791 200 www.valderrama.com

C.C. Le Village, Marbella. Tel: 952 902 362

18 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 850 282

Cerrado del águila 18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 951 703 355

Club de Golf La Cañada 18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 956 794 100

El Paraiso Club de Golf

GYMS & SPORTS CLUBS

TENNIS CLUBS Aztec Country Club

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa.

Tel: 952 934 477

ALHAMAR GYM

bel air tennis and paddel club

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 883 835

C.C. Alhamar, CN-340 km 197. Tel: 952 934 684

Urb. Bel-Air, Estepona. Tel: 952 883 221

Estepona Golf

ATENAS

Club deL Sol

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 937 605. www.esteponagolf.com

Barquilla 1. Marbella. Tel: 952 776 240

Tennis/paddle classes. Calahonda.

Tel: 952 939 595

Finca cortesín golf club

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa.

Tel: 952 934 477

18 holes, Par 72, Tel: 952 937 883. www.golfcortesin.es

AZTEC COUNTRY CLUB

Club de tenis don carlos

CENTRO DEPORTIVO EL FUERTE

Hotel Don Carlos, Avda. Zurita, CN340, km 192. Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

Flamingos Golf Club

Av. El Fuerte s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 861 624

Club Internacional de Tennis

18 holes, Par. Tel: 952 889 157. www.flamingos-golf.com

CENTRO DE YOGA Y SALUD INTEGRAL Ramón y Cajal 21. Marbella. Tel: 952 773 804

Ctra. Cádiz, km 173. Marbella.

Tel: 952 813 341

Golf Río Real

CENTRO PLAZA GYM

Club Madroñal

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 756 733

Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 074

Benahavís. Tel: 617 647 223

Golf Torrequebrada

Cerrado del águila

Club Nueva Alcántara

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 442 742

Mijas Costa, Málaga. Tel: 951 773 523

San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 315

Guadalmina Golf

CLUB DEl SOL

Hofsaess tennis academy

36 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 883 375

Tennis /paddle classes. Calahonda.

Tel: 952 939 595

Monte Elviria (next to German School).

Tel: 952 835 812

54 holes, Pars 71, 72 and 73.

Tel: 952 669 033. www.lacala.com

Dynamic training centre

Lew Hoads Tennis Club

C.C. Le Village, Marbella. Tel: 952 775 021

Ctra. de Mijas, Km 3,5. Mijas. Tel: 952 474 858

La Dama de Noche

FITNESS CENTRE NEW STYLE

Manolo Santana Racquets Club

9 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 818 150

La Duquesa Golf & Country Club

Amapolas, s/n Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 916

Ctra. de Istán, Km 2. Marbella.

Tel: 952 778 580

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 890 425

Fuerte Gym

marbella playa tenIs

La Quinta Golf

Avda. El Fuerte, Marbella. Tel: 952 861 624

CN340, km 189, Marbella. Tel: 657 619 630

27 holes, Par 72.Tel: 952 762 390 www.laquintagolf.com

GIMNASIO ESTADIO

Miraflores Tennis Club

La Reserva Sotogrande

Trav. Huerta de los Cristales, Marbella.

Tel: 952 828 217

Urb. Miraflores, Km 199. Calahonda.

Tel: 952 932 006

18 holes. Tel: 956 695 209

HAPPY DIVER’S CLUB

Puente Romano TEnnis club

La Zagaleta Golf & Country Club

Atalaya Park Hotel, Marbella. Tel: 609 571 920

Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

HOTEL PUENTE ROMANO

royal tennis club marbella

18 holes. Members only. Tel: 952 695 209

CN340, Km77,5. Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

El Rosario, Marbella. Tel: 952 837 651

La Cala Golf Resort

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THE GUIDE what’s on

EVENTS CONTINUED FROM January Until February 20 ART – FUENGIROLA

The Andalusian International Artists Group (AIA) presents an exhibition featuring works

by Roger Cummiskey and Juan Cruz at Café Academia Picasso. Viewing times are 11am to 2pm and 4:30pm to 9pm from Monday to Friday.

Until February 20 ART – MÁLAGA

The Grotesque Factor is an exciting exhibition taking place at the Museo Picasso Málaga, featuring exaggerated, satirical, sometimes incongruous works by some of the greatest artists in history, including Leonardo da Vinci, Francisco de Goya, Paul Klee, Otto Dix, Willem de Kooning and Francis Bacon. www.mpicassom.org

Until February 28 ART – FUENGIROLA

Roger Cummiskey presents his latest series of charcoal drawings, entitled Black is Back, at Galería Restaurante Lucía. Subjects are wellknown personalities including Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, Barack Obama and many more.

Tel: 666 782 642. www.rogercummiskey.com

Until March 31 ART – ESTEPONA

The Hotel Kempinski Bahía Estepona will be housing a spectacular modern art exhibition by painter Hans-Joachim Pietrula, a renowned artist who recently created BMW’s popular Art Advent Calendar. The works can be viewed at the Hotel’s Meeting Centre. www.kempinski.com

ART – MARBELLA

Japanese contemporary painter, Yuko Murata, presents her latest collection of paintings, Somewhere, featuring simple compositions of minimal lines and forms, deeply influenced by 18th-century minimalist Japanese paintings.

The subjects in her work are derived from existing photos such as old postcards, tourist leaflets and encyclopaedias. At the Yusto Giner Gallery. www.yusto-giner.com

AMIGOS DE LA CULTURA – COSTA DEL SOL

Every Third Tuesday of the Month FLORAL ART CLUB – ESTEPONA

Every Monday SALSA CLASSES – MARBELLA

Every Wednesday TOASTMASTERS CLUB – MARBELLA

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

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, Tuesday and Thursday LANGUAGE WORKSHOPS – MIJAS PUEBLO

Spanish/English and English/Spanish conversation with fellow native speakers, 10:30am to 12pm and 6:30pm to 8pm.

Mondays in La Cala, Tuesdays in Mijas Village and Thursdays in Las Lagunas. At the Pensioner’s Day Centres. Further information on meeting points, Tel: 952 589 010. www.mijas.es

Every Monday and Wednesday YOGA – MARBELLA

Lori Sjollema teaches Gentle Hatha Flow yoga on Mondays at 10:30am and Intermediate Vinyasa Flow on Wednesdays at 10:30am at the Manolo Santana Racquets Club. Tel: 639 845 285.

Every Tuesday INTERNET – MARBELLA

Café Ideas is an informative event that takes place from 9:15am to 11am at the Hotel Meliá Banús, aimed at entrepreneurs who would like to learn more about how the Internet and online networking can grow their business. Entrance costs €15. To reserve your spot, Tel: 952 902 961. info@studioideas.es

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE – MARBELLA

Integral Psychotherapist Gabriella Kortsch helps you with everything from relationship breakdowns to depression, poor communication with loved ones or financial stress, at her weekly group meetings, from 7:30pm to 9pm. For information on locations, info@advancedpersonaltherapy.com.

JIVE – ESTEPONA

NEW AND REGULAR EVENTS Monthly on different days FILM SHOWING AND DINNER – 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

AMERICAN CLUB – MARBELLA

The American Club Costa del Sol Chapter meets monthly for excursions, sports and social events. Tel: 952 772 789. www.americanclubcostadelsol.com

Learn to dance and feel confident on the dance floor at the three-hour jive dance sessions led by Colin and his team from Jive Spain at TikiTano restaurant. People of all ages attend every week and you don´t have to bring a partner or reserve a space. Just come along and join the fun! Tickets cost €10 per person. For precise times, www.jivespain.com

Meets 3-5pm monthly with NAFAS demonstrators at El Campanario Golf & Country Club. Further information from Marilyn Pemberton, Tel: 952 928 197.

Weekly meetings of this public speaking organisation, 7:30pm at Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía. Further information, www.toastmastersmarbella.com

SALSA – MARBELLA

If you’re feeling the Latino vibe, brush up on your salsa moves at Buddha Bar Marbella’s special salsa nights (featuring the Nicolás Valiente Dance Academy), which take place every Wednesday at 10:30pm. Tel: 655 480 748.

Every first Wednesday of the month CULTURE AND COCKTAIL – MARBELLA The Association of Art and Culture Marbella holds a monthly cocktail at Magna Café, Magna Marbella Golf, from 8pm-10pm. Tel: 627 833 262. www.artandculturemarbella.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 Wednesday and Friday MARTIAL ARTS – MARBELLA

Taekwondo expert Justin Menchen, who studied and received First Dan in Los Angeles (from Master Keith Jones) teaches Taekwondo to children and adults, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at MGM gym. For further information, Tel: 666 756 692. www.marbellataekwondo.com

Every Thursday NETWORKING – MARBELLA

The Marbella Business Group holds networking breakfasts featuring presentations, discussions and introductions of new members. At 8am at the Hotel Senator in Marbella. To become a member, www.marbellabusinessgroup.com

JAZZ – MARBELLA

Enjoy magnificent jazz music by Agustín Carrillo, Oliver Lepinat and Markus Schneider at Trocadero Arena restaurant from 10pm onwards. Tel: 952 865 579. www.trocaderoarena.com

Every first Friday of the Month 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

MODS & ROCKERS – MARBELLA

Enjoy a fun evening filled with mod (garage and soul) and rockabilly (rhythm and blues) at Pub Maverick in Marbella’s Old Town. Tel: 951 506 227. info@activesoundproductions.com

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 YANELA BROOKS – ESTEPONA

Marbella’s Diva of Disco and Soul, Yanela Brooks, performs at La Cabaña del Mar Beach Club at the Hotel Kempinski Bahía Estpona.

Enjoy a three-course dinner while Yanela belts out your favourite pop and R ‘n B hits. From 8pm to 1am. www.kempinski.com

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.

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Tuesday February 12 ISMAEL SERRANO – MÁLAGA Renowned Spanish cantautor, Ismael Serrano, sings hits old and new at the Teatro Cervantes at 9pm. Tickets cost €30. www.teatrocervantes.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

ART – MARBELLA

Enjoy a beautiful art exhibition and art sale from 6pm to 11:30pm at Plaza de la Encarnación, Marbella. The event, organised by the COART Association in conjunction with the Marbella Town Hall, brings local artists and art buyers together in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. For further information, asociacioncoart@gmail.com

ORGANIC FRUIT AND VEG MARKET – MARBELLA

If organic fruit and veg are your thing, don’t miss out on this hip market. At the Paseo de la Alameda from 10am to 2pm every Saturday. www.marbella.es

SINTILLATE – MARBELLA

Enjoy a VIP Terrace Party with Sintillate, featuring live DJ music, Champagne and a chic ambience at Tibv in Puerto Banús. To book a table, www.sintillate.eventbrite.co.uk

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

Saturday February 2 MUSIC – PUERTO BANÚS

The TCB Band (whose members once played with Elvis Presley) will be joined by singer Dennis Jale for a performance at Cines Gran Marbella in Puerto Banús at 9:30pm. Tickets can be purchased on performance night at the entrance or online: www.cinesgranmarbella. com/www.entradas.com/entradas/COMPLEJOGRAN-MARBELLA

Sunday February 3 VINICO CAPOSELLA – MÁLAGA

Vinico Caposella has been deemed “a visionary composer, one of the most intelligent and eccentric musicians in Italy”. He fuses American musical styles with the magic of Italian mythology in an elegant and energetic jazz cabaret. Caposella will be performing at the Teatro Cervantes at 7pm. Tickets cost €20. www.teatrocervantes.com

Sunday February 3, Wednesday February 6 and Saturday February 9 FOOTBALL – MARBELLA

The Marbella Cup Costa del Sol will be taking place, starting at 12pm on Sunday, 11am on Wednesday and 11am on Saturday. There will be a full day’s play on all these days, featuring teams such as CSKA Moscow (UEFA Ranking number 15), Dinamo Kiev (UEFA Ranking number 29) and FC Rubin Kazan (UEFA

Alario. Students will learn important drawing and oil painting techniques, as well as vital skills on working with varnishes, gels, etc. They will also learn how to store and clean paintings. Tel: 952 859 671. www.ricardoalario.com

Saturday February 9 VALENTINE’S DAY PARTY – MARBELLA

The Filipino Association of San Pedro de Alcántara will be holding a Valentine’s Day party featuring traditional Filipino foods at 12pm at the Palacio de Congresos de Marbella. www.marbellacongresos.com

Ranking number 51). At the Marbella Football Centre. www.marbellafootballcenter.com

Monday February 4 and 11, Tuesday February 23 and 26 RAW FOOD WORKSHOPS – MARBELLA

Nutritionist Michelle Julian will be holding raw food workshops (including raw chocolate, raw food and nutrition) from 10:30am to 1:30pm at her villa. For further information, Tel: 951 319 080/ 695 845 416.

Tuesday February 5 FASHION – MARBELLA

A spectacular fashion show in aid of breast cancer charity, Positively Pink will take place at Güey Restaurant and Skybar at 7:45pm. In addition to viewing must-have items for the upcoming Spring/Summer season, guests will marvel at beautiful decorations by Laura Charles of Reviva Weddings and tuck into colourful cupcakes and sweets. For further information, www.costawomen.ning.com

Tuesday February 5 to Tuesday February 26 PAINTING WORKSHOP – MARBELLA

Local painter, Ricardo Alario will be holding weekly workshops on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm or 5:30pm to 8:30pm) at Taller Ricardo

introduction to the philosophy of Tai Chi, followed by a practical guide to simple Yang movements. Tel: 952 444 689. www.benalmadena.com

TAX AND WEALTH CLINIC – GIBRALTAR

Friday February 22 to Saturday February 23 OPERA – MÁLAGA

Thursday February 14 DINNER AND FASHION – MARBELLA

Friday February 22 to Tuesday February 26 THEATRE – FUENGIROLA

Fiduciary Wealth Management will be holding a free Tax and Wealth Clinic, giving important advice on retirement planning, tax efficient investment planning, living overseas, asset management and British expat financial planning. Prior booking is required. Tel: +350 200 50982. www.fiduciarywealth.eu

Enjoy a fabulous dinner and fashion show featuring clothing by Vive la Reine and hair

by Dom Pastoressa at Suite Marbella.

Tel: 676 920 474. www.suiteclubs.com

The Salón Varietes Theatre presents Night Must Fall, a dark, spine-tingling thriller griten by Emlyn Williams and directed

by Owain Griffiths. Tel: 952 474 542. www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Saturday February 16 THEATRE – MÁLAGA

Estepona actor Luis Mariano López will be presenting his one-man show, A Man of Luck, at La Cochera Cabaret in Málaga. Tickets cost €8. For further information, Tel: 660 894 988.

Monday February 18 to Sunday February 24 TENNIS –MARBELLA

The second Seniors International Tennis Tournament will be taking place at the Don Carlos Tennis and Sports Club, featuring Singles matches for men and women, as well as Doubles and Mixed Doubles competitions.

For further information and precise schedules, www.itftennis.com

Friday February 22 TAI CHI – BENALMÁDENA

Producciones Telón perform Donizetti’s Lucia Di Lamermoor at 9pm on Friday and 8pm on Saturday at the Teatro Cervantes. Featuring the Crevillente Chorus and the La Mancha Philarmonic Orchestra. Ticket prices range from €16 to €48. www.teatrocervantes.com

If you’ve always wanted to learn the mysterious art of Tai Chi, this is the workshop for you. It will be taking place at the Arroyo de la Miel library at 7pm and will include an

Saturday February 23 JAZZ CONCERT – BENALMÁDENA

The Arturo Serra Quartet will be playing classical jazz songs at the Casa de la Cultura at 8:30pm. Tickets cost €5.

Tel: 952 444 689. www.benalmadena.com

Sunday February 24 NLP – MARBELLA

Enjoy a four-hour workshop entitled The Power of Charisma, which teaches the power of neuro-linguistic (NLP) techniques. At Mosaic restaurant from 5pm to 9pm. For further information, Tel: 616 750804.

Tuesday February 26 CHILDREN’S THEATRE – BENALMÁDENA

Kids will enjoy a fun-filled theatrical representation of The Lion King at the Casa de la Cultura at 10:45am and again at 12:30pm. Tel: 952 444 689. www.benalmadena.com

Monday February 25 to March 3 WALKING AND CULTURE – SIERRA DE LAS NIEVES

The Andalusian Walking and Cultural Level will comprise a full programme of walks, talks and social events, with special accommodation and transport packages to visit the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park. Each day there will be a choice of two walks of different difficulties and at night there will be live music, paella and astronomic night walks. For further information, www.worldwideadventures.com

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THE GUIDE stars

Russell Grant’s Monthly Horoscopes February 2013 www.russellgrant.com

“There are so many attractive clothes and accessories in stores, you simply won’t be able to resist.”

AQUARIUS January 21st February 19th

Money will be going out as quickly as it comes in during early February. There are so many attractive clothes and accessories in stores, you simply won’t be able to resist. The good news is, you’ve never looked better. Finding love will be as easy as crooking your finger in the direction of your intended victim.

An authority figure will try to destroy your confidence around the 10th. Turn a deaf ear to their criticisms, or it will be difficult to realise your potential. Valentine’s Day will be a lavish affair, with your amour taking you to a five star restaurant. You’ll also be given a beautiful gift of jewellery or art. If you’re single, you will meet someone special when you’re out and about maybe at a dance club, cinema or theatre. The two of you are deeply attracted to each other, but will have difficulty letting down your defences, especially as February turns to March.

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ARIES [21 MAR - 20 APR]

You’ll have to be the assertive one with friends or loved ones around the 4th.

Indeed friendship could turn to romance if you make the first move in early February. Good news from a loved one, neighbour, or in-law arrives around the middle of the month tempting you to relax any strict cash controls, but this will not be the time to either lend or borrow money. Arrange a romantic rendezvous with your amour on Valentine’s Day and if you’re thinking of campaigning for changes at work, in your neighbourhood or even nationally wait until the second half of the month when financial support from a surprising source will come your way. An old lover will get back in touch on or around the 18th, but don’t give them any encouragement. The 21st is perfect for all kinds of intuitive or creative pastimes and projects.

Don’t sign any important papers or make any formal agreements as March hoves into sight or you will quickly discover you’ve made a commitment you can’t keep or put someone else in a very difficult position.

TAURUS [21 APR - 21 MAY]

The opening days of February find you making friends with a lot of creative types. Don’t be surprised if you’re inspired to play music, write some poetry, or make some handcrafts as a result of their influence.

Too often, you suppress your artistic impulses in favour of more practical demands. While your dutiful attitude is admirable, it has also caused you a great deal of sadness. You can’t be happy unless you’re making something beautiful. A career opportunity arrives on the 10th, creating some tension between you and a business or romantic partner. Reassure your friend this position won’t undermine your relationship. If you’re single, you may be inspired to steer a friendship into romantic waters on Valentine’s Day. The two of you share so many interests, it’s only natural you fall in love. If you already have a lover, join forces to realise a cherished dream.

Together, you will accomplish great things. A fun trip won’t go according to plan at the end of the month; be as flexible as possible.

GEMINI [22 MAY - 21 JUN]

You’ll make a big splash at the beginning of February, provided you dress for success. Take this opportunity to add some attractive pieces to your wardrobe. Go ahead and spend a little more than usual for added impact. Don’t be discouraged if an educational or cultural organisation turns down your application near the 10th. You’ll have a better opportunity to expand your horizons, without the strictures of a stuffy institution. Valentine’s Day lifts your spirits, thanks to an extravagant gift from a lover.

It will give you great pleasure to show off this bauble.

The final days of the month will get stressful, thanks to a conflict between your personal and public lives. Your family doesn’t understand just how many obligations you have. You can’t just drop them on a whim; people are counting on you. Don’t let a relative lay a heavy guilt trip on you. You don’t deserve it.

CANCER [22 JUN - 23 JULY]

You’ll be in hot pursuit of romance as February gets started. Don’t let the object of your affection slip through your fingers. If you’re already in a relationship, play the part of an ardent admirer. You’ll get an enthusiastic response from your amour. It might even feel like the two of you are falling in love all over again. The 10th warns against spending beyond your means; pay cash whenever it’s possible. Running up big credit card bills

will cause tremendous regret later on. Valentine’s Day will be especially lovely this year, ending with a passionate bedroom encounter. If you’re single, you could meet someone special through a blind date. Let a friend set you up with a mutual acquaintance – you won’t be sorry.

A rejection letter will arrive near the 25th, but don’t despair. This obstacle will force you to take a direction you wouldn’t have otherwise considered. When one door closes, another opens. It’s the unwritten law of the Universe.

LEO [24 JULY - 23 AUG]

An intimate relationship heats up at the beginning of February. You’ll be able to shake off your inhibitions with your lover, making for some fabulous bedroom encounters. If you’re single, you will meet someone special at a dance club, photography exhibit, or poetry reading. Keep your eyes open for a dreamy artist. Don’t get pressured into signing a contract in the days surrounding the 10th. A binding agreement seems attractive now, while you need security, but you’ll come to bitterly regret its restrictions later. Be sure to wear something provocative on Valentine’s Day to whet your lover’s appetite. If given a choice, opt for an intimate dinner instead of a lavish outing. The two of you will want some privacy. Money will be scarce at the end of the month, particularly if you keep indulging in creature comforts. Downsizing your lifestyle will be a valuable exercise in restraint.

VIRGO [24 AUG - 23 SEP]

Take the lead in a business or romantic partnership in the early days of February.

You have very definite ideas about how a team project should be executed.

Waiting for your partner to take the initiative will just waste valuable time. Fortunately, you have both the experience and tact to make this endeavour successful.

Turn a deaf ear to a colleague who tries to undermine your confidence. Valentine’s Day will be one of the most exciting days of the year. A passionate declaration of love marks a turning point in your relationship. Don’t let a close friend deter you from making a personal transformation at the end of the month. You need to make a change, even if it’s inconvenient for the people you love. Launch a fitness regimen, get a makeover, or break a bad habit. A happier, healthier you will emerge as February turns to March. Get ready for your close up!

LIBRA [24 SEPT - 23 OCT]

The beginning of February is perfect for launching a fitness regimen. Swimming, dancing, and skating can keep you trim.

You prefer exercise that has an element of artistry to it. You’re not the type who enjoys plodding away on a treadmill for hours on end. Romance and finance do not mix around the 11th. Don’t feel pressured to buy a lover an expensive gift you can’t afford.

Valentine’s Day favours a quiet evening with the object of your affection. Prepare a lavish meal for your amour in the comfort of your own home. It will be easier to get intimate in comfortable surroundings. The final days of February bring an embarrassing secret to light. Try not to judge a colleague too harshly. You never know what you would do if the tables were turned. Still, now you know your their true colours, it is best to keep a healthy distance.

SCORPIO [24 OCT - 22 NOV]

February gets off to an exciting start, when you enter an exciting competition.

Your chances for winning are strong. Even if you don’t take first place, your performance will get

favourable attention. It will be gratifying to develop a fan base after working in obscurity for so long. The 10th warns against getting into an argument with a stubborn relative. The two of you have entirely different approaches to life. Trying to convert each other will be an exercise in futility. You either have to agree to disagree or cut ties altogether. Valentine’s Day offers a welcome change to let off steam. Your amour will send you a sexy message that makes your pulse pound. If you’re single, you will meet someone special in a classroom, book club, or discussion group. Resist the urge to back out of a social engagement at the end of the month. Friendship takes precedence over romance as February turns to March.

SAGITTARIUS [23 NOV - 21 DEC]

The first days of February are perfect for launching a home improvement program.

Take this opportunity to create a tranquil retreat. A relaxing boudoir, entertainment room, bathroom, or studio will increase the value of the place. It will also prompt you to spend more time at home. The days surrounding the 10th warn against buying into the worst-case scenario. Your inner critic is trying to protect you from taking a risk. Unfortunately, you need to do something entirely out of character if you’re going to move forward. You may experience a temporary financial setback as a result. Still, that’s better than falling victim to fear. Take a test, apply for a job, or move to a new neighbourhood. You’ll have to make a choice between your private and public lives at the end of February. At this juncture, you can’t afford to disappoint an authority figure. Err on the side of professional responsibilities, even if this upsets your family.

CAPRICORN [22 DEC - 20 JAN]

February gets underway with several opportunities to travel, write, and study.

If you see a class that interests you, sign up immediately. Spots will go fast. You will make several friends among your fellow pupils, at least one of which will play an important part in your romantic life. Resist the urge to change your look around the 10th, or you will regret it. This is not a good time to cut or colour your hair, and plastic surgery is out of the question. Instead of transforming your outward appearance, focus on making internal changes. Stop beating yourself up for a career disappointment that was out of your control. Replace self-defeating thoughts with personal affirmations. Your sex appeal will be red hot on Valentine’s Day; you’ll be able to wrap your amour right around your little finger.

PISCES [20 FEB - 20 MAR]

You’ll be a lot more aggressive in the early days of February. You’re tired of letting rivals overshadow you. Take this opportunity to enter a contest, audition for a show, or go for a job interview. The powers that be will be impressed by your enthusiasm and initiative. Don’t let your inner critic deter you from applying to schools in the days surrounding the 10th. It’s time to develop your raw talent. Valentine’s Day enhances your sex appeal, putting you in the driver’s seat for the entire holiday. Take this opportunity to wrap your lover around your little finger. A beautiful gift, candlelit dinner, spa treatment: your wish is their command on this magical day! Resist the pressure to sign a contract on or around the 25th. You can get better terms if you advocate for your interests. It will take a week or two to get what you want, but you will prevail if you refuse to be intimidated.

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KIDS

THE GUIDE family

KARTING MIJAS RACING MAYHEM FOR KIDS AND PARENTS ALIKE!

PLACES 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 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, minimotorbikes, 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 10ammidnight. Ctra. De Coin, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 581 704 Kids Multi-Sports Club A plethora of sports for children of

If you’re looking to swerve off the beaten track and enjoy a real adrenalincharged experience, why not take the family for a ride at Karting Mijas, located next to the Mijas Hippodrome and featuring different types of high-tech karts whizzing around a 970m track filled with exciting curves?

Purchase an individual ticket, organise a race for your workmates or a group of friends, or simply spend a great day out with the family. g For further information, Tel: 952 466 595. www.kartingexperience.com

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

Le Petit Milk & Roses

Pampering sessions for little girls, including manicures and dress-ups.

C/ Estebañez Calderon 6, Marbella.

Tel: 952 859 223 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-ofthe-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 walkthough 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 10am9pm. 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-yearolds. 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 10am1pm. 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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“Expect the Exceptional”

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It’s time for a visit :-) Affordable Luxury Apartments with Resort Services Located on the ‘New Golden Mile’ near Marbella and Estepona, we have created a unique and friendly residential development of top quality apartments and townhouses that offers everything you need for a perfect home or holiday.

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