Essential Marbella Magazine June 2009

essential essential M A R B E L L A M A G A Z I N E ISSUE 122 • June 2009

YO U R E S S E N T I A L M O N T H LY R E A D

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JUNE

2009

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FREE MARBELLA MAGAZINE

BARACK

OBAMA PRESIDENT

WITH A PURPOSE

THE FORD

PHENOMENON

MAXAZRIA CHIC

Angelina

Jolie

EXCLUSIVE ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS& CONQUISTADORS OF

CÁCERES AMERICAN ICONS, HISTORY + STARS ‘N’ STRIPES DÉCOR

American Dream

THE

news I culture I people I trend I chic I spa I pro I traveller I gourmet & more

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publisher and director Iain Blackwell director@essentialmagazine.com general manager Andrea S. Böjti sales@essentialmagazine.com associate editor Marisa Cutillas editorial@essentialmagazine.com associate editor Belinda Beckett features@essentialmagazine.com production manager Susanne Whitaker design@essentialmagazine.com sales executive Sally Cullens sally@essentialmagazine.com accounts executive Mariano Jeva cuentas@essentialmagazine.com office administrator Monika Böjti info@essentialmagazine.com creative director Andrea S. Böjti staff photographer Kevin Horn design & layout Inma Aurioles

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contributing writers Iain Blackwell, Giles Brown, Pancho Campo, Chris Chaplow, Annie Heese, George Prior, David Wishart, Tony Whitney, Victoria Wood, Rod Younger cover photography Angelina Jolie courtesy of Cordon Press contributing photographers Famous, Paul Brazell, Johnny Gates, Torbjörn Gelfgren, Kevin Horn, Tony Whitney printing Jomagar Artes Gráficas, Madrid depósito legal D.L. MA-512-99

editorial & advertising offices Complejo La Póveda, Blq. 3, 1º A, CN 340, km 178.2, 29600 Marbella, Málaga. Tel: 952 766 344 Fax: 952 766 343 conditions: The publishers make every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct, but cannot accept responsibility for the effects of errors or omissions. essential Marbella Magazine cannot accept responsibility for the claims, goods or services of advertisers. © Publicaciones Independientes Costa del Sol S.L. for essential Marbella Magazine.

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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contents

JUNE 2009 the THEME

Historical U.S. Icons 12 Discovery to Democracy 28 American Dream 34

The News

Movie Reviews 20 Latest DVD Releases 22 CD Releases 24 Book Releases 26

the people

Angelina Jolie 16 Barack Obama 40 Current U.S. Icons 46

The trend

The Latest Gadgets 55 The History of Ford 56 Micro Finance on the Internet 58 Living in Green Houses 60

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the chic

Top U.S. Interior Designers 62 Red Dot Design Awards 70 Art News 72 Max Azria Spring/Summer Collection 74

THE PRO

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98 Investing in Brazilian real estate 102 The American Club 104 Party 108 Enterprise 118 Problems within the Spanish banking system

the Traveller

121 Summer Golf Deals 122 Cáceres 128 The Waldorf Astoria 130 The Rockies

THE GOURMET

139 Schilo 141 Magna Café 142 Food News 144 Chef’s Profile: Mauricio Giovanini of Messina 146 Wine: Robert Parker 148 Listings – Directory

The BLOG

159 Pet News 160 What’s On in June 162 Your Stars for the Month Ahead

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THE SPA

The new Finca Cortesín Spa 86 Beauty News 88 Intragen 5 Hair Growth by Revlon 90 Health News 92 Research 94

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THEPUBLISHER’S LETTER

By Iain Blackwell

Like it or hate it, there’s no denying that American culture has pervaded our world. At the wrong end of the spectrum we have Coca-Cola, Big Macs, excessive consumerism and a propensity to obesity, but it would be unjust not to recognise supreme contributions like the motion picture, mass produced automobile, Disney and democracy.

Americans are seen as loud, brash, opinionated and self assured. Hardly surprising from the descendants of those who brutally ousted the indigenous population, but having done so, they also instilled the fundamental rights of the individual to freedom of speech and religious practice under the premise of all men being born equal.

In a stars and stripes special, we focus on the land of the free and the home of the brave, fittingly kicking off with mega-star Angelina Jolie, who is unquestionably fit. This is further complemented with a whole host of US icons throughout history and currently, and who more iconic recently than Barack Obama, in the enviable position of no matter what happens, assured of being a phenomenal improvement over his predecessor.

Having held 160 patents at one time, Henry Ford was the mechanical engineering genius who’s greatest achievement was to bring personalised transportation to millions around the world. Today, self created wine genius Robert Parker wields the power to dramatically alter the global sales of any particular vintage depending upon his points rating.

With endless material to select from, we take a voyage from Discovery to Democracy culminating in The American Dream, all pretty illuminating stuff. In the modern era, America is coming of age in terms of interior design and we look at some of the finest and take a retrospective peak inside the world-renowned Waldorf Astoria.

Not to be outdone, we widen the focus to encompass Canada with a trip through the Rockies by train and a feature on property investment opportunities in Brazil’s north eastern coastal region; meanwhile, closer to home, we go to Cáceres, origin of some of the conquering conquistadors.

Another outstanding issue is rounded off with news of what’s happening on the coast, reviews of top local restaurants, a preview of this month’s first Marbella Art Festival and a profile of the Costa del Sol American Club, which this month celebrates its 35th anniversary!

Not forgetting of course, a full photo feature of last months amazing 10th Anniversary Party at Bubbles restaurant and Tibu disco – truly a night to remember!

Nos guste o no, no podemos negar que la cultura americana se difunde por todo el mundo. La parte peor del fenómeno americano consiste en la Coca-Cola, los Big Macs, el consumismo extremo y la tendencia a engordar, pero también nos han traído cosas increíbles, como es el cine, los coches producido en masa, el Disney y la democracia.

De los americanos se dice que son bocazas, que tienen demasiadas opiniones y que son creídos. No es sorprendente oír esto de una gente cuyos antepasados han machacado brutalmente a la población indígena, pero aún así también han declarado que el ser humano tiene una serie de derechos fundamentales como el derecho a la libertad de expresión y de religión, estipulando que todos hemos nacidos iguales.

En esta edición sobre los EEUU, hablamos sobre este país maravilloso, empezando por Angelina Jolie, la estrella mundial, que está en muy buena forma. Hablamos también de los iconos americanos más conocidos del pasado y del presente, y ¿quién puede ser más representativo que Barack Obama? Pase lo que pase, el nuevo Presidente de los EEUU se encuentra en una posición envidiable, ya que haga lo que haga, seguro que supondrá una mejoría con respecto a su predecesor.

Henry Ford, dueño de 160 patentes a la vez, fue el genio de la mecánica cuyo logro mayor fue el hecho de llevar el transporte personal a millones de personas en todo el mundo. Actualmente, el genio del vino, Robert Parker, tiene el poder de cambiar radicalmente las cifras de ventas de cualquier vino dependiendo de los puntos que les otorgue.

Hay muchísimos temas que tratar. Os traemos un reportaje sobre la búsqueda de la democracia y el sueño americano. En el mundo del diseño los americanos también destacan y vemos algunos ejemplos de su trabajo. A los amantes de los buenos hoteles les encantará nuestro reportaje sobre la historia del hotel Waldorf Astoria.

Nos metemos también en territorio canadiense, con un viaje a los Rockies en tren, vemos algunas oportunidades de inversión en el noreste de Brazil y, más cerca de casa, nos trasladamos a Cáceres, tierra de los conquistadores.

Os informamos sobre todo lo que pasará este mes en la Costa del Sol, cenamos en unos maravillosos restaurantes locales, y nos adentramos en el I Festival Internacional de Arte de Marbella. También hablamos con el Club Americano de la Costa del Sol, que celebra este mes su 35 cumpleaños.

Y ¿cómo no? Os deleitamos con un fotoreportaje de la fantástica fiesta para celebrar el décimo aniversario de la revista en el restaurante Bubbles y la discoteca Tibu – ¡fue una noche para recordar!

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THETHEME

LATE GREATS - TOP 10

AMERICA

U.S. ICONS FROM THE PAST

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2 5 1 1 - Martin Luther King 1929–68 “If a man hasn’t found something he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.”

The African-American civil rights leader had a dream which inspired a nation. A gifted orator and Baptist minister from Atlanta, he campaigned against racial segregation and discrimination and became the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner for his work towards non-violent reform, making his assassination the ultimate irony. A Federal Holiday is held in his honour in January and nearly every major American city has a street or school named after him.

2 - Marilyn Monroe 1926–62 “Sex is a part of nature. I go along with nature.”

Norma Jeane Baker survived a childhood of abuse and foster homes to become a Hollywood legend. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot confirmed a talent that matched her beauty. With second and third marriages to baseball great Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller, there were rumours of dalliances with JFK and his brother Bobby. Her life ended as it had begun, sadly, marked by illness and depression. Her untimely death, ruled suicide by overmedication, ensured her eternal allure.

3 - Abraham Lincoln 1809–65 “Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today.”

The 16th US President (Republican), the first to be assassinated, his bicentennial is marked this year. He rallied public opinion through his rhetoric and led the country through its greatest domestic crisis, the American Civil War, preserving the Union and ending slavery. Personifying honesty, integrity and freedom, he is the President most often ranked as the greatest in American history. February 12, his birthday, is commemorated as Presidents Day. 4 - Henry Ford 1863–1947 “A bore is a person who opens his mouth and puts his feats in it.”

Founder of the Ford Motor Company and ‘Father of Fordism’, the mass production of inexpensive assemblyline automobiles. A prolific inventor awarded 161 patents, his Model T ‘put America on wheels’. He put a franchise dealership in every city in North America but didn’t believe in accountants, amassing his fortune without authorising one audit. He left the business to his family and his wealth to the charitable Ford Foundation which has assets of $14 billion.

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Report BELINDA BECKETT

5 - Walt Disney 1901–66 “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”

He made the world of make-believe a reality, creating Mickey Mouse and other magical cartoon characters loved by children worldwide and winning 26 Oscars. A talented producer, director, screenwriter, showman and innovator in animation and theme park design, he died of lung cancer before the realisation of his dream project, Florida’s Disney World. His vision continues with the multibillion dollar Walt Disney Company which comprises record labels, television networks, vacation resorts, 13 theme parks and eight film studios.

6 - Frank Sinatra 1915–98 “You gotta love livin’, baby, ‘cause dyin’ is a pain in the ass.”

The most popular crooner of all time, Ol’ Blue Eyes did it his way, winning 11 Grammy Awards and selling records faster than they could be printed. Beginning in the Big Band swing era, he became a successful solo artist, later forming The Rat Pack with Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin & Co. His acting career, though less stellar, won him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in From Here to Eternity. A suave, fast-living womaniser who fraternized with Presidents and Mafioso, the songs of the quintessential Mr New York, New York live on.

7 - Ernest Hemingway 1899–1961 “All things truly wicked start from an innocence.”

Considered the greatest American fiction writer of the 20th century, his sparse writing style was his trademark, earning him the Pulitzer and Nobel Prize.

Chicago-born, he was a war correspondent during the Spanish Civil War and World War II. He wrote about his life in Paris, hunting in Africa, fishing off Cuba and bullfighting in Spain, which produced some of his best works, The Sun Also Rises and Death in the Afternoon. He struggled with dipsomania and depression and shot himself.

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8 - Albert Einstein 1879–1955 “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”

The 20th century’s most influential physicist for his Theory of Relativity and explanation of the photoelectric effect, which won him a Nobel Prize. He held professorial chairs in Europe before seeking asylum from the Nazis in America, which claims him as its own though he was German-Jewish born. Concerned about the dangers of uranium research in Germany, he influenced President Roosevelt to make the atomic bomb. His brain, removed for research, survives in formaldehyde to this day.

9 - Elvis Presley 1935–77 “I don’t know anything about music. In my line you don’t have to.”

With millions of fans, some of whom believe he’s still alive, The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ endures in Hound Dog and Blue Suede Shoes. His 31 movies were less memorable.The poor self-taught Mississippi boy set musical records throughout his career. His image, uninhibited stage performances and appeal to black and white music lovers made him an icon into his Vegas days when his prodigious appetite for sex, junk food and drugs made him a grotesque caricature of his former self and led to his early demise at Gracelands, now a point of pilgrimage.

10 - John Fitzgerald Kennedy 1917–63 “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”

The quintessential all-American boy and 35th US President during a seemingly charmed administration nicknamed Camelot by his fragrant wife Jacqueline. He ended segregation, established the Peace Corps and resolved the Cuban missile crisis but is best remembered for his ‘friendship’ with Marilyn Monroe who famously sang at his 45th birthday, and his assassination the following year.

The Kennedy clan is regarded as ‘Royal family’ in America and JFK was its most charismatic crown prince. n

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THEPEOPLE

ANGELINA

The only project that I’ve actually considered, if it happens, is Atlas Shrugged. Amazingly, the project has been waiting for over 50 years to come true and that would be worth it.

red carpet photograph. My little ones are the ones that define me.

Do you have any regrets, though?

You and Brad work on humanitarion projects together, right?

Nothing. I’m not perfect and I don’t care if my mistakes come to light, because people may be able to learn from them.

What is best part of your day?

Yes, we are very involved with our Foundation, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation, with which we help sick children.

I love coming home at night and seeing Brad. Many times we take a bath together, just the two of us, and we calmly talk about whatever is on our minds.

What do you love about Brad?

So, do you and Brad talk to your children about the causes you are involved in?

He’s humble, committed, and a lot calmer than I am.

And he’s a very affectionate father and very thoughtful.

He’s my best friend. He’s dedicated in body and soul to everything he does. He’s a man who’s down to Earth. He’s taught me to be more patient and to enjoy everything that we have. He’s changed many things in me, but the one fundamental thing that changed was that previously I didn’t want to get pregnant. I always wanted to adopt but I never had the desire of experiencing biological motherhood. All that changed when I met him.

Yes, Brad and I have tried to explain to them what it is that we do and we’ve created socially responsible projects in their names, in different countries. We hope that some day they will take charge and feel responsible for all that. They always travel with us and the truth is we’ve lived in many places: we spent a week in Ethiopia, a couple of weeks in Berlin, some weeks in New York. They’ve already seen that the world is not the same everywhere and they’re starting to question the differences they find. We want them to work hard to attain equality.

So, do you think the ideal husband exists?

What does it mean to you to be an Ambassador of ACNUR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees)?

No, that doesn’t exist! But Brad is the perfect partner, someone I admire because of the way he lives his life and he’s someone I feel proud of. He’s always thinking of what is best for the kids and for me. Simply put, he’s a fantastic person!

And as a family what do you like to share the most?

Everything. Brad and I want to spend as much time as we possibly can with our children. We don’t want to miss a thing: a smile, a word, a face, or even a nightmare, if they have one, which they do every once in a while. The truth is, they are so much fun! Honestly, I’m not a very good housewife, but luckily, Brad is great in the house. He has a good eye for structure and architecture. For example, we love to share breakfast, all of us, so we have an excellent place with a lot of light. Also, we like to travel and we want them to learn other languages, religions, and cultures. We want them to see the world as it is.

How do you juggle being a mother of six and still look stunning when out and about on the red carpet?

Well, I’m used to those kinds of commitments so it just takes me a couple of hours to get ready. And I do have great help. Thanks to my stylist, my hairdresser and my make-up artist, I look fabulous on those occasions.

You are really committed to helping the needy. Where does that drive come from?

I’ve been doing it for years and the truth is, I truly enjoy it. I want to understand the world we live in, it’s reality. I want to travel and not be ignorant. From a selfish point of view, I must recognize that I’ve grown more in these years that I’ve been collaborating with humanitarian causes than I ever did before. I want to raise my children correctly and I want them to understand the inequality that exists in the world. No one will truly know who I am if all they see of me is a

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Seeing poverty firsthand made me ask myself: What are you so worried about? You’re healthy; you have food. We can’t ignore the fact that millions of people are suffering out there. Honestly, I want to help. For a few years now I’ve been meeting with Congressmen and Senators to promote humanitarian causes. These meetings are not not at all fascinating nor are they the best thing in the world but it is the only way to get things rolling.

What’s it like to be considered one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood?

Well, I feel happy, and when you feel that way inside, it’s reflected outside. I’ve never felt as good as I feel now, you know.

Do you have any childhood memories that you cherish?

Well, When I was a girl my mother killed herself working, to give my brother and I a home. Meanwhile my father won an Oscar and lived with another woman. That’s why when I won one for Girl, Interrupted I dedicated it to her; she taught me to be a fighter. My mother was by biggest inspiration.

How do you cope with the paparazzi?

It’s complicated, but I can’t complain. For example, in order to get rid of them after the twins were born, we sold their photos exclusively to People and Hello and they helped us financially with our foundation.

Are you planning to go back to work anytime soon or would you rather spend more time with the twins?

I’m so happy to be at home and have Brad take care of work. Lately I haven’t read any scripts because I really think I should take a whole year to rest and spend more time with the twins, you know. The only project that I’ve actually considered, if it happens, is Atlas Shrugged.

Amazingly, the project has been waiting for over 50 years to come true and that would be worth it.

If I wanted you to be in my next film, how do I convince you?

Hahaha, that’s a good question! Well, just give me a story that’s worth telling. I always try to participate in films that show the kind of woman I want to be.

What was it like to be nominated for an Oscar recently?

It was such an honour. It’s a big reward for your work by your fellow actors. It’s a marvelous experience. n

Do you still enjoy acting?

My work as an actress is important but so are my humanitarian efforts. After all, Brad and I are, above all, artists. It’s a great honour to be able to share what I do in film with millions of spectators, and I don’t see it as something superficial. Nor does it in any way go against everything I do for the least privileged people on the planet.

Ten years ago you were seen as a rebel in Hollywood. Have you ever felt the need to apologise for anything you did in the past?

I’ve never thought it necessary to ask forgiveness for all of that, nor have I ever felt the need to explain what I did or how I felt.

Fortunately, society has grown and matured in that sense.

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Angelina Jolie Report holly patrick photography famous

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BUSINESS OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

9 0 0 2 r o f s Nomination ! n e p O w o N are ...Do you think a business should be awarded for their professional services?

Please send your nominations to nominate@marbellaawards.com or fax to 952 766344.

More information at www.essentialmagazine.com

essential marbellaŽ magazine‘s

MARBELLA AWARDS Please note that all results reflect public opinion - as voted by essential readers, and do not represent any statement of opinion by essential magazine or its staff.

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THENEWS

REPORT marisa cutillas

FILM REVIEWS

Terminator Salvation [Genre] Action [Director] McG [Actors] Christian Bale, Sam Worthington, Moon Bloodgood, Anton Yelchin The year is 2018 and John Connor is forced to face his destiny: to liberate the human race from the Skynet corporation, responsible for creating an army of terminators. Connor’s mother had raised him to be a hero, giving him crucial information about his role in the future survival of humanity. Connor is not prepared, however, for changes to her vision, including the appearance of Marcus Wright (Sam Worthington), a stranger who does not know if he is a time traveller from the future or the past, since all he can remember is almost being eliminated on Death Row. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught on the human race, Connor and Marcus embark on an odyssey that reveals all Skynet’s secrets, and the reason behind its plan for the annihilation of mankind.

Bruno [Director] Dan Mazer [Genre] Mockumentary [Actor] Sacha Baron Cohen Sacha Baron Cohen once again introduces us to the highs and lows of modern society, this time through the character Bruno, a gay reporter from Austria who interviews innocent bystanders on the street about topics like fashion, celebrities and homosexuality. Bruno has his favourite set of ‘victims’, who include Nazis, homophobes and frivolous celebs. It’s great fun to see how unsuspecting interviewees react to his outrageous and, sometimes, directly insulting questions. Bruno is Borat with more of an edge. Sacha Baron Cohen narrowly avoids receiving a punch for his provocation on more than one occasion.

The Boat that Rocked [Genre] Comedy [Director] Richard Curtis [Actors] Tom Sturridge, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ufans, Nick Frost, Kenneth Branagh Although the 1960s were undoubtedly one of the best eras for British pop, only two hours of rock and roll per week were aired by the BBC. To the rescue came pirate radio stations like Caroline, which inundated the country with modern rock and pop music 24/7, attracting an audience of over 25 million listeners. In this fictional tale based (loosely) on fact, Carl (Tom Sturridge) has just been expelled from school when his mother decides to send him to live with his godfather Quentin (Bill Nighy), whom she expects will put her son on the straight and narrow. Little does she know that Quentin is actually Director of Radio Rock, the number one pirate radio station installed on a boat in the middle of the North Sea, staffed by an eclectic group of DJs headed by ‘The Count’ (Philip Seymour Hoofman), modelled on the real-life Radio Caroline DJ Emperor Rosco and a corpulent bigmouth whose list of fans is endless. His colleagues include Dave (Nick Frost), an ironic gentleman with a cruel sense of humour; Simon (Chris O’Dowd), an innocent young thing in search of true love; Wee Small Hours Bob (a specialist in late night programmes, folk music and drugs); Thick Kevin (Tom Brooke), owner of the tiniest brain known to humankind; and Angus ‘The Nut’ Nutsford, the biggest pain in the bum in England. The team joins forces to help Carl find himself, and find someone who will sleep with him.

Carl is having more fun than he’s had in his life, until the British government decides to launch an attack on the station, doing everything it can to close it down. The war is led by Minister Dormandy (Kenneth Branagh), his assistant Dominic Twatt and his secretary, Ms. Clitt. The pioneer DJs are helped along by their fans who are determined to rescue good music and defeat the government, which, unfortunately, prefers jazz.

Richard Curtis: Pirate of Film Richard Curtis, Director of hits such as Notting Hill, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Bridget Jones and Love, Actually, has always been mad about music, as is evident in his films, which feature artists of the past like Joni Mitchell, Darlene Love, The Beatles, Paul Anka, Charles Aznavour etc., so it is only logical that his latest film should centre on this type of music. Curtis decided to set the action on a pirate radio ship and to include all his favourite tunes in the soundtrack. “My whole generation remembers pirate radio stations,” he says, “You’d get in bed at night with your radio. You’d turn it on and you’d hear the most fantastic music that nobody else was playing. In a couple of minutes, your parents would yell, ‘Go to sleep, close the light, turn that thing off!’. I think that my passion for pop was reinforced by that feeling of illegality, of prohibition.” Curtis, a fan of Robert Altman’s M*A*S*H* and John Landis’ National Lampoon’s Animal House, decided to create a film that incorporated the free structure and outlandish jokes so prevalent in these two works. He decided that a bunch of men stuck on a boat in the North Sea would give rise to many comedic situations. Says Curtis, “I started writing a few scenes about what would happen on a boat with a bunch of guys aboard. The first thing that springs to mind is, ‘What about the girls? Will girls visit them once a fortnight to sleep with them? What happens if one of them has a girlfriend? How do you find a girlfriend on a boat like that?’.”

All these questions are answered in The Boat that Rocked, a marriage of Curtis’ memories, fine music and raucous adventures, lived by a group of fine DJs for whom music was the number one priority in life, above money, love and even sex.

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LEADING PROPERTY AGENTS OF SPAIN

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THENEWS

REPORT marisa cutillas

DVD RELEASES

Duplicity [Director] Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton) [Genre] Comedy [Actors] Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Tom Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti Julia Roberts and Clive Owen, the duo who made sparks fly in the film Closer, fall in love once again on the big screen in Duplicity, a film written and directed by Tony Gilroy. Roberts plays Clair Stenwick, an ex-CIA agent, while Clive Owen gives life to ex-M16 agent Ray Koval. Both give up their government jobs to take advantage of the lucrative cold war that exists between two rival multi-national companies. Their mission is to find the formula for a product that will guarantee a fortune to the company that discovers it first. Their respective bosses, Howard Tully (Tom Wilkinson) and Dick Garsik (Paul Giamatti) are willing to pay any price to take home the victory. As the film progresses, Clair and Ray have more and more to lose, the air of mystery grows and their tactics grow dirtier but the best kept secret is the growing attraction they feel for each other.

As they struggle to stay one step ahead, these two lonely souls find that you can’t fight against the most potent force in the world: love.

I Love You, Man [Director] John Hamburg [Genre] Comedy [Actors] Paul Rudd, Jason Segel Peter (Paul Rudd) is on top of the world, especially after his girlfriend agrees to marry him. But, as the wedding preparations start taking shape, he realises he has a small problem: he doesn’t have anyone who can fulfil the role of Best Man. It’s not that he’s unsociable; he’s simply always been more of a woman’s man and he enjoys conversing with women more. His brother gives him some tips on how to find a Best Man, mainly by going on ‘man dates’ with men he may have things in common with. After a string of disastrous encounters, he decides to give up his search and concentrate on his work, by trying to sell a house belonging to Hulk star, Lou Ferrigno. At an open day held at the house, Peter meets Sydney Fife, an investor whose honesty and outgoing personality he finds appealing. One ‘man date’ leads to another and, within a few months, Peter grows so close to Sydney he begins to keep things secret from his fiancée, including the fact that Sydney has squandered ridiculous amounts of money on a billboard ad campaign for Peter. As the wedding draws closer, Peter comes to realise that friendship, like love, involves taking big risks and that, while you often lose, you can also gain a lifetime of loyalty and good times.

Confessions of a Shopaholic [Director] P.J. Hogan [Genre] Comedy [Actors] Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher) is a young fashion addict living in the exciting city of New York. Her dream is to work in the offices of her favourite magazine but she can’t seem to get a foot in the door… until she accepts a job as a columnist for a financial magazine owned by the same publishing house. Her unusual writing style and innovative comparisons garner her much-needed acclaim, since she is in the red after one too many shopping sprees. But, as she comes closer to achieving her dream, she begins to question whether her true ambitions lie elsewhere, especially when she starts investigating a story that could mark her as a serious journalist. Confessions of a Shopaholic is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Sophie Kinsella, who has already written four sequels: Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, Shopaholic and Sister, Shopaholic Ties the Knot and Shopaholic and Baby, all of which are also bestsellers in the USA and the UK. At one point, Kinsella had three novels in the Washington Post’s Top Ten Bestsellers list.

Energetic Isla takes the lead role The makers of Confessions of a Shopaholic knew they needed a very special, enigmatic young actress to play the lead and it was only logical that they should settle on Isla Fisher. “She stole the show in Wedding Crashers and Definitely, Maybe,” says Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, adding, “In Confessions of a Shopaholic, she steals the stage with her intelligence, irony and gift for comedy which oozes from her in every scene”. Director, P.J. Hogan adds, “I knew Isla was perfect for the role, which called for someone who was extremely likeable but also with great acting ability. Isla is a strange mix of beauty and talent. It’s rare to find such a beautiful woman who’s not ashamed to act silly. She wasn’t afraid of anything and that’s exactly what the character called for.” As it turns out, Fisher was already a fan of the Shopaholic series long before she was called to play the part of Rebecca Bloomwood: “I read all Kinsella’s books when I was working in London. People tend to describe them as girly books but I prefer to call them ‘witty novels’ because she’s a really fun writer. Rebecca is a fantastic girl. She’s enchanting, optimistic, positive, a good girl who’s also a compulsive shopper. Despite her immaturity, she manages to connect with millions of readers all over the world.”

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sales rentals

Villa Las Palmeras Los Monteros, Marbella

A magnificent property situated on a plot of 7,000 m² and located only 50 m from the beach. It comprises 5 en suite bedrooms, separate staff accommodation, large terraces, office, pool house, tennis court, gym, bodega and garage. Built size approx. 1,000 m², terraces approx. 405 m².

Price on Application

Ref. INT080073

Villa with Sea Views

Garden Apartment

Sierra Blanca, Marbella

Monte Paraíso Country Club, Marbella

Set on a large corner plot in Sierra Blanca, this villa boasts spectacular sea and mountain views. The property comprises 4 en suite bedrooms plus separate guest apartment, large games room/office area, garage, landscaped garden and swimming pool. Built approx. 1,000 m², plot approx. 2,508 m².

Reduced to €4,250,000

Well located 3 bedroom, west facing garden apartment, comprising a spacious living room with fireplace and dining area, terrace with direct access to the gardens, large kitchen/breakfast room, 2 communal swimming pools, 9 hole golf course and gym. A short drive to the beach and local amenities.

Ref. SPA090094 Sale: €950,000/Rental: €3,500pm Ref. SPA090100/090101

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The opening of our new office in the heart of Puerto Banus: Edif. La Rotonda, Avda. Manolete 2, Nueva Andalucía, 29660 Marbella.

+34 951 317 317 | sales@aylesford.es | rentals@aylesford.es | www.aylesford.es Essential ad.indd 1

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THENEWS

REPORT george prior

MUSIC REVIEWS

Marianne Faithfull [Easy Come, Easy Go] On her latest collection, Marianne Faithfull once agains takes her rightful place as the queen of torch songs for the tortured soul. “I sit in my chair, and filled with despair, there’s no one could be so sad,” she sings in a funereal reading of Solitude that was a standard for Faithfull’s predecessor in such existentially heart-wrenching music, Billie Holiday. The album is subtitled 12 Songs for Music Lovers, and they stretch across much of the 20th century, from the blues of Bessie Smith to Neko Case’s Hold On, Hold On and Dear God Please Help Me from another of her music soul mates, Morrissey. The set is bookended with songs from two of country music’s greatest songwriters, opening with Dolly Parton’s Down From Dover and ending with Merle Haggard’s death-row classic, Sing Me Back Home. Keith Richards joins in on the latter, perhaps an appropriate guest as Faithfull’s fabulously ragged voice sounds like the battle-scarred Stones guitarist looks.

A role model for surviving a druggy, tabloid-hunted British youth, Marianne shows that her creative juices are still intact. Are you listening, Ms Winehouse?

Yeah Yeah Yeahs [It’s Blitz!]

“Dance till you’re dead!” implores Karen O over the opening bars of Heads Will Roll, the second song on Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ third album. Anyone who has been to one of the Manhattan–born trio’s live shows knows that wild dancing is central to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs experience. But the band’s traditional art–punk dance party gives way to a new kind of groove on this album. You can hear it in the keyboard surges of Heads Will Roll; in the shuddering synths of the lead single, Zero; in Dragon Queen, when Karen O asks, “How are you not going to get high?” over a funky soul soundbed. It’s Blitz! isn’t exactly a disco record, but it’s as close as Yeah Yeah Yeahs are likely to get. Even the most storming of tracks have moments of romanticism. “Shake it/Like a ladder to the sun,” Karen O sings in Zero, sounding buzzed with disco’s feel–good spirit. Her advice is, we’ll become better people through booty–shaking on the dance floor. And who could argue with that?

Flo Rida [R.O.O.T.S] Hip-hop has always prized larger-than-life icons (think LL Cool J or Jay Z) whose skills, style and swagger enabled them to scale the charts. But, with rap finally submerged in the mainstream, it seems rappers are going low-key in the mass market. Right Round, the record-shattering first single from R.O.O.T.S., boasts production credits from Dr. Luke, the mastermind behind such smashes as Katy Perry’s I Kissed a Girl. Sampling Dead or Alive’s You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), the song repackages rap as teen pop. And here lies Flo Rida’s genius: he injects enough grit to interest hip-hop fans, without scaring pop audiences. With an almost eerie facelessness, the Miami rapper inhabits the songs with a ghost-like presence. He’s enlisting a Who’s Who of contemporary hit makers: will.i.am and Akon (Available,) Timbaland (Touch Me,) Ne-Yo (Be on You,) and Nelly Furtado (Jump) but his greatest achievement is his understanding of how to stay in the background, never overwhelming the electro-laced songs. R.O.O.T.S. makes Flo Rida the first anonymous rap superstar.

i George Prior presents the Afternoon

Show (2-6pm Monday to Friday) on Radio Central FM, 98.6 and 103.8 FM.

Prodigy [Invaders Must Die] 1980s revival? Everyone’s over it. Now it’s the 1990s revival which is really selling tickets. When The Prodigy announced an arena tour last autumn, it sold out in an hour. This appetite for the Prodigy’s brand of electronica is remarkable, given that it’s been a decade since their most famous hit, Firestarter. Their fourth album, 2004’s Always Outnumbered, Never Outgunned, made the veteran Essex crew look a bit like a group of geography teachers at a school disco. Against these odds, the Prodigy’s fifth album comes as a surprise. Invaders Must Die comes out fighting for Howlett’s reputation as a bad boy party animal. The tracklisting bristles with built-up testosterone; songs such as Run with the Wolves are both frentic and loud, with live beats donated by famous fan Dave Grohl. Howlett revives the rave and happy hardcore days with a cheeky glint in his eye and this album, which is like a chemical flashback, cancels out their decade of irrelevance.

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THENEWS

BOOK REVIEWS

TRANS-ATLANT

REPORT BELINDA BECKETT

IC RE ADING

The Obamas: Portrait of America’s New First Family [by the Editors of Essence magazine] Barack and Michelle won the hearts and minds of Europeans during their recent transatlantic trip to Britain and the G20 summit. Now there’s a chance to read between the lines. Among the first of a slew of books being written about America’s 44th President and his First Lady, this 112-page hardcover celebrates the Obamas’ extraordinary triumph in words and pictures, including never-before-seen images from the spectacular Inauguration and contributions from writers such as New York Times best-seller Marian Wright Edelman and Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson.

The Oxford Companion to American Food and Drink [by Andrew F. Smith] Everything you could want to know about American consumables and their impact on popular culture and the culinary world. The monster-size tome contains more than 1,000 entries on fast food, celebrity chefs, regional and ethnic cuisine, food science, historical traditions and other tasty trivia, and weighs enough to work out your biceps and work off any calories you gain from putting its recipes into practice. From bloody Mary and baked Alaska to popcorn and pecan pie, its an appetising taste of the continent’s culture through something with mass-market appeal – food!

Stephen King: A Biography [by Albert Rolls] One of America’s best-selling authors of all time, Stephen King is known worldwide for his horror novels and the blockbuster movies they generated, from Carrie to The Shining. Now read about the mind that created the macabre plots, through King’s impoverished childhood in small-town Maine and his family’s early abandonment by their father, through his struggles with alcohol, drugs and a near-fatal traffic accident to world celebrity as an author who has transcended the horror genre to become a master of his craft.

American Wife: A Novel [by Curtis Sittenfeld] There’s nothing as titillating as a look inside the White House. Although this is a work of fiction, the author based her novel on Ann Gerhart’s 2004 biography, The Perfect Wife: The Life and Choices of Laura Bush. The story tracks the life of bookish, naive Alice Lindgren and Charlie Blackwell, her rake of a husband whose background of Ivy League privilege, penchant for booze and partying, contempt for reporters and habit of putting his foot in his mouth when speaking off the cuff, bears more than a passing resemblance to the ex-President. Sittenfeld raises interesting questions about marriage, loyalty and responsibility to a man whose capabilities she doubts. Thoughtprovoking stuff.

Frommer’s USA [by various authors] It would seem impossible for a single guidebook to cover a country as massive and diverse as America but this comes close.

Written by more than 175 outspoken travellers from around the globe, its 1,000-plus pages highlight major cities and larger regions, covering activities, lodgings and affordable restaurants in surprising detail. With suggested itineraries, full-page maps, quirky little sidebars (gourmet food stores in Napa, best Chicago blues bars) and an online travel directory for everything from Ticketmaster to Amtrak, if you plan on seeing even a sliver of what the USA has to offer, take this guidebook with you.

101 Things You Never Knew About Walt Disney World [by Kevin Yee] There are lots of Disney guide books in the world but none detailing interesting stories behind odd theming choices, hidden tributes to famous people such as Bob Hope and weird references that have specific meanings never before explained. This book is a walking tour of the Disney theme parks, yielding a glimpse of the deeper history percolating below the surface. Read about gaffes in the attractions, titbits about Walt Disney, the location of the ‘hidden Kermit’, how the four theme parks honour the years in which they opened and much more. Even if you’ve been to the parks before, you’ll want to return with this book to see them in a new light.

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the theme AMERICA

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American Dream?

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The Making of Barack Obama

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American Icons

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Page

The Americas – From Discovery to Democracy

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THETHEME

AMERICA

“America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence without civilization in between.” Oscar Wilde

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Report BELINDA BECKETT

As the world honours the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, one of America’s greatest Presidents, Belinda Beckett tracks Spain’s role in the history of the New World on the rocky road from Discovery to Democracy.

FROM DISCOVERY TO DEMOCRACY O

n January 22, Barack Obama laid his hand on Abraham Lincoln’s bible and was sworn in as the first African-American President of the United States. It would have been a gratifying moment for Lincoln, a passionate slavery abolitionist who would surely see Obama as the heir to his hope and vision, even if he is a Democrat.

Obama made the connection in his speech to mark Lincoln’s 200th birthday on February 12th when he said, “It is a humbling task, marking the bicentennial of our 16th President’s birth – humbling for me in particular, for the presidency of this singular figure in so many ways made my own story possible.”

There are uncanny parallels between the 16th and 44th Presidents. Both settled in Illinois, became lawyers and served in the State Legislature before Congress; both rocketed onto the national political stage with powerful speeches and a shared belief that rhetoric can change people’s minds. Just as Obama wowed voters with his electioneering “Yes, we can change” speech, Lincoln is remembered for his stirring words: “A house divided cannot stand… this government cannot endure permanently, half slave and half free.”

However, the America that Obama inherits is greatly changed and although terrorism, world strife, global poverty and economic recession are top of his tough political agenda he has the backing of 50 states united

behind him. Lincoln took office amid Civil War, when only a scattering of stars fluttered tenuously on the Union flag, and his days were ended by an assassin’s bullet.

DISCOVERY Democracy in America didn’t begin with Lincoln any more than discovery began with Columbus. The New World, as it was known during the 16th century Age of Exploration, was actually a ‘rediscovery’. The Vikings colonised Greenland and Newfoundland in the 11th century while tribes from Asia began migrating to the continent during the Ice Age of 40,00BC. Of the civilizations that evolved, the Incas and Aztecs were the most highly organised with great cities, highly developed religious, political and economic structures and vast mineral resources. It is easy to see how tempting these rich pickings were to European rulers, with their formidable maritime strength and dwindling treasuries.

The Spanish had experience of invasion, having driven out the last Moorish King from Granada in 1492, the same year that Columbus embarked on his voyage of discovery. They wasted no time applying the same model of governing to their new territories in the Americas as they did in the former Al-Andalus. In sponsoring that first expedition, they set in motion a chain of events that brought profound changes to the New World landscape, population, plant and animal life and lead to the dominance of white Americans in an independent United States.

Yet it wasn’t their vast armies that brought victory to the Conquistadors – Francisco Pizarro arrived in Peru with just 106 foot-soldiers and 62 horsemen.

They were unwitting carriers of diseases unknown in the Americas such as

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Heroes of the Discovery

smallpox, typhus, influenza, diphtheria and measles, which resulted in what some historians have called ‘wholesale genocide’ of the native tribes. In the 150 years after Columbus’s first voyage, some 80% of the native population was wiped out. As manpower was required to establish the new plantation economies, the natives’ dwindling numbers were supplemented

by Africans imported through the growing international slave trade – some 12 million in total – setting up future problems for the new continent that are only now being resolved.

“For the execution of the voyage to the Indies, I did not make use of intelligence, mathematics or maps.”

Christopher Columbus At a critical time of economic competition between European nations seeking new trade routes, Columbus’s far-fetched idea of finding a new corridor to the East was compelling to Spain’s Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella. But the navigator who famously set sail on a five-week voyage from Palos de la Frontera with three ships, the Pinta, the Niña and the Santa María, had underestimated the Earth’s circumference and what he thought was the East Asian mainland was, in fact, The Bahamas. It was the Italian Amerigo Vespucci, sponsored by Portugal 15 years later, who realised it was part of a new continent and was rewarded by having it named in his honour. Columbus was not afforded the same courtesy when he discovered what became Spain’s first American colony, Hispaniola (now the Dominican Republic).

A letter sent by Columbus to King Ferdinand from Hispaniola is a telling sign of the times, showing how the natives were regarded as chattle by their conquerors. “They ought to make good and skilled

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servants, for they repeat very quickly whatever we say to them. I think they can very easily be made Christians, for they seem to have no religion. If it pleases our Lord, I will take six of them to Your Highnesses when I depart, in order that they may learn our language.”

Portugal was hot on Spain’s trail and in the squabbling over territory that ensued, Pope Alexander VI drew a line down the middle of the New World, giving Spain all land bordering the Pacific Ocean, leaving the east to Portugal. The Spanish rapidly overthrew the Aztec and Inca Empires to gain control of their allotted portion, establishing an empire that stretched from present-day Canada to Tierra del Fuego. In 1519, Ferdinand Magellan achieved what Columbus could only dream of when he discovered a westward route to Asia, enabling Spain to establish one of the largest empires in world history.

The Americas became a free-for-all, with the English establishing colonies in Virginia, the French in Canada, the Dutch in Suriname and the Caribbean and even the Russians who gained a foothold in Alaska so that, by the 18th century, the entire Western Hemisphere was under the domination of Europe’s superpowers.

During the Golden Age of the 16th and 17th centuries, all kinds of exotic goods were brought back in annual galleon fleets – tobacco, coffee and cocoa beans, unheard-of vegetables and fruits and precious metals that were melted down to provide one fifth of Spain’s total wealth, which was subsequently squandered in protracted wars. At the same time, there was massive immigration from Europe to the New World, while the influx of African slaves also continued, making America the cultural melting pot it is today. As more nations gained colonies, scrapping for territory was played out on the world stage and the balance of power shifted. For Spain, the rot first set in during the late 17th century when it was forced to give up half of Hispaniola to France (1697) and all was swept away the following century during the Napoleonic Wars.

Hernan Cortés 1485 –1547 Conqueror of the Aztec Empire who won much of Mexico for the Kingdom of Castile although something of an antihero for wiping out a much-revered civilisation. His tactics were sneaky and ruthless and he massacred thousands en route to the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan where, despite being politely received by the Emperor Monteczuma who showered him with gold, he greedily plundered further treasure. He took advantage of the Aztecs’ misconception that he was the God Quetzaquotal to kidnap Monteczuma and rule the country through him, bringing about the Aztec leader’s death and the fall of his Empire. He took over as Governor General but was recalled to his homeland and returned with his wings clipped. He died back in Seville, an embittered man.

Not many people know that… his initial voyage to the New World was delayed through injury, sustained while escaping from the bedroom of a married woman.

Francisco Pizarro c 1471-1541 Like Cortés, his second cousin, he has been hailed a conquering hero but the founder of Lima in Peru is damned for overthrowing an Empire that was historically special and ahead of its time. Also like Cortés, he was a canny warlord who used trickery in his campaign against the Incas, inviting Emperor Atahualpa into his camp in peace, holding him to ransom by demanding he fill an entire room with treasures, then executing him anyway. He got his just deserts when he was assassinated in a revenge killing.

Not many people know that… although Cortés’s army was small, Pizarro’s was miniscule and he was also pushing 50 when he invaded Peru, making his the most improbable military victory in history.

Christopher Columbus 1451-1506 The Genoese navigator who set the ball rolling – even if he did mess up with his calculations, never abandoning his belief that he had reached Asia, rather than the New World.

He had huge practical experience and geographical knowledge (for the time) and has been variously described as the world’s most visionary mariner in history and as a ruthless imperialist. Intrigue and his own administrative failings brought disappointment and political obscurity in his final years. Although he didn’t receive the rewards he was due in his lifetime, if his ghost still sails the Seven Seas he can feel proud that his name is used as a reference point in history (pre- and post-Columbian), while his memory lives on in Spain and the Americas as Columbus Day. Not many people know that… among the novelties he allegedly brought back from his expeditions was the pathogen that causes syphilis.

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HEROES OF DEMOCRACY George Washington 1732–1799 His epitaph describes him as ‘first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.’ The first President of the United States knocked the ill-trained revolutionary forces into shape during the American War of Independence and masterminded decisive victory against he British, then scuttled back to the obscurity of his plantation without seeking power, prompting an incredulous King George III to state, “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.” He was inveigled back to sort out a workable Constitution and as President, he built a strong central government, creating an effective tax system and a national bank. He is a symbol of Republicanism in practice and an inspirational leader among early American politicians.

Not many people know that… he had only one tooth left by the time he became President, and sported a false set carved from hippopotamus and elephant ivory, held together with gold springs.

DEMOCRACY Perhaps if the superpowers hadn’t been so greedy, America would have been a different place today. But the course was set when 13 British colonies rebelled against the punitive taxes being levied by their rulers. What began as a war between this ‘Gang of 13’ and Great Britain escalated into an eight-year global conflict (with France supporting the colonists and Spain and Holland backing Britain) culminating in the colonists rejecting British rule and declaring their independence. The 1783 Treaty of Paris ended the war and recognized the sovereignty of the United States over the territory bounded by what is

“We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Thomas Jefferson now Canada to the north, Florida to the south, and the Mississippi River to the west. A Constitution was drawn up with George Washington as President of a representative, elective government – a radical change from the monarchical structure of old – while the 1791 Bill of Rights guaranteed individual liberties such as freedom of speech and religious practice.

The world map was changing. Spain lost the Territory of Louisiana to Napoleon who sold it to the United States. The destruction of the main Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar and the incursion

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of Napoleonic forces into Spain during the Peninsular War further undermined her ability to defend her empire. Central and South America were also beginning the struggle for independence, resulting in a chain of new Latin American republics. Spain lost all its possessions except Cuba and Puerto Rico which were finally annexed by the United States in 1898, after the SpanishAmerican War. The new Union was proving difficult to manage.

Political disputes between the agrarian South and the industrial North, and disagreement over the controversial issue of slavery, resulted in 11 southern states seceding from the Union and establishing a rebel Confederacy which, as fans of Gone With The Wind will know, sparked the American Civil War. The North’s victory through the leadership of Abraham Lincoln prevented a permanent rift in the Union, made slavery illegal and paved the way for the superpower America we know today.

Lincoln’s address to the troops after the decisive Battle of Gettysburg is regarded as one of the greatest speeches in American history. It included the immortal lines: “… we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” n

Thomas Jefferson 1743 –1826 Third President of the United States, principal author of the Declaration of Independence and, on his way up, wartime Governor of Virginia, first United States Secretary of State and second Vice President. He was co-founder and leader of the Democratic-Republican Party which dominated American politics for a quarter of a century, and the only President to serve two full terms in office without vetoing a single bill of Congress. He was a man of such genius that when JFK welcomed 49 Nobel Prize winners to the White House in 1962 he commented: “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent and human knowledge that has ever been gathered together at the White House – with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”

Not many people know that… he relaxed White House protocol and greeted guests in his robe and slippers.

Simón Bolívar, 1783-1830 Revered as The Liberator and the ‘George Washington of South America’, he spearheaded Latin America’s independence from Spanish rule, contributing decisively to the political freedom of present-day Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia. He freed virtually an entire continent with a tiny army but was less successful as a politician and his autocratic rule and vision of a federal states of South America lead to civil wars, leaving him President only of Colombia, from which he resigned. He has only recently re-emerged as a national hero.

Not many people know that… his hobbies were fencing, dancing and women. His mistress Manuela Sáenz, who saved his life, is known as ‘the Liberator of the Liberator’ in her native Ecuador.

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SPECTACULAR MANSION IN LA ZAGALETA

V5W-662

This majestic Mediterranean home is situated within the most exclusive private estate in the Marbella area.

A secure, gated community with it’s own 36 hole golf course, clubhouse with excellent restaurant, helipad, horse riding centre, deer and boar hunting grounds. All this is completely exclusive to owners within the estate.

The villa enjoys a prized site on the estate, in an elevated position on a 9.309m2 plot with spectacular panoramic views across the Mediterranean Sea to the African continent beyond.

Bedrooms: 7

Puerto Banús Avda. de Benabola, Bloque 6, Local C 29660 Puerto Banús, Marbella, Spain Tel: (+ 34) 952 81 27 28 Mo: (+34) 607 55 50 45 e-mail: puertobanus@reluz.com 119_luz.indd 1

Bathrooms: 7

Built: 1.223 m2

www.reluz.com

Plot: 9.309 m2

Guadalmina C.C. Guadalmina 4, Local 13 29670 San Pedro Alcántara, Marbella, Spain Tel: (+ 34) 952 88 04 03 Mo: (+34) 607 55 50 45 e-mail: guadalmina@reluz.com 25/5/09 13:46:44

THETHEME

AMERICA

Sport

When it comes to sport, Americans are terrible supporters. If they can’t win they don’t want to play and therefore invent games that no one else is interested in. Baseball (where they call a game the World Series even though it only comprises teams from the US and Canada), which is merely a butch version of rounders.

Basketball which, as far as I can ascertain, is a game for the oversized where one side scores down one end and then the other rushes back and scores down the other end, ad infinitum. (And how on Earth did Málaga’s Unicaja suddenly become a force in European basketball? If you’ve ever stood in a bus queue in Antequera you’ll notice that Andalucía doesn’t exactly have an abundance of people over six feet tall.)

And then there is American Football. As most of you know, I’m a big fan of all dangerous sports (rugby, motor racing, chatting up someone else’s girlfriend in Puerto Banús…) so I’ve really, really tried to get into American Football. But I just can’t. To start with, they wear more padding than the Voluptuous Venusian Vixens float at Gay Pride (you can keep your helmet comments to yourself), and every time that a player runs more than five feet and is tackled, the whole game stops while half the team runs off and the ‘offence’ or ‘defence’ runs on. If you’ve ever tried to sit through a Superbowl party, you’ll know what I’m talking about, and this is probably the reason that American beers are so weak. The game takes so long that, if you were drinking anything halfway decent, you’d be booked into the Betty Ford Clinic by the final quarter. And nothing is more annoying than a guy next to you chanting “U-SA” throughout a match. “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” before a Welsh rugby international it is not….

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Cars

The Hummer and occasional Chevy apart, American cars are a rare sight on the coast. Let’s face it, in the past 40 years the highpoint of American car design has been the original Batmobile and anything from the Wacky Races.

Drink

Martinis, The Rat Pack and the robust efforts of the Napa Valley apart, Americans can’t drink, and they know nothing about the amber nectar. When one considers the beers that the US has to offer, Budweiser is but a pale imitation of the great Czech Budwar, while Coors, Miller, Michelob et al hardly deserve a mention around beer drinkers, and any talk of light beer in my house is strictly forbidden. As a wiser and undoubtedly more sober fellow once remarked: “Drinking American beer is like making love in a canoe. It’s F***ing close to water.”

Those noted Hispanophiles Hemmingway and Welles apart, who drank and frequently fought each other across Spain, the majority of Americans find the sheer quantity of booze over here hard to stomach (pardon the pun). In the 1980s, I hazily remember San Miguel drinking contests in Marbella Port between Spanish Rockabillies and US Marines on a weekend pass from their base in Rota that always ended with the latter crawling around on the floor.

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Ameri can Dream?

Giles Brown,

’s very own star spangled bounder, gives his view on life across The Pond

It would be all too easy to knock America. In fact, knocking America seems to be flavour of the week in certain places, although those places are usually downtown Tehran.

But, let’s face it, any nation that has given your humble correspondent Angelina Jolie, Poker, the Martini – lychees optional – the complete works of Lynyrd Skynyrd and (most importantly for any journalist on the Marbella cocktail circuit) the bedevilled and frequently befuddled brilliance that was Hunter S. Thompson (I’m thinking of calling my autobiographical novel Fear and Loathing in Las Chapas in tribute) can’t be all bad.

There are, however, more than a few things in the land of the brave and the home of the free that can raise the hackles of the hardiest hack. So, in no particular order they are:

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Politics

Obama. Yes I know that it was a defining moment in US history and the time had come for a change, “A New Beginning” etc. But people said that when Bill ‘Slick Willy’ Clinton swept into power, and look what happened then.

I was, however, most impressed by Obama’s grasp of national nuances at the recent G20 summit (which was a sideshow to the police batterings). Commenting on the special relationship between the US and Great Britain, Obama trilled, “We owe so much to England.”

This must have gone down especially well with the Irish and Welsh present, not to mention Scot Gordon Brown.

Drinking American beer is like making love in a canoe.

Its F***ing close to water

Travel

Americans don’t travel well, a fact that was rammed home to me when I visited Venice a couple of years ago. The trip involved unspeakable horrors, including the loss of our luggage (twice), the coldest Carnival in living memory (great if you’re a bar hopping hack like myself, not so good if you have to take photos. Kevin came in with snow on his hat!), a double instead of twin beds (resulting in a classic Planes, Trains and Automobiles moment) and a return journey that took 23 hours via five airports.

But I digress. Venice is a big hit with Americans doing Europe, and has been since writer Robert Benchley telegrammed, “Streets flooded. Please advise.” to Dorothy Parker and friends in New York. Seventy years later, I heard gems such as “Wow! Everything’s on water here!” and my favourite “Bridge of Size? It’s not that big”… But the high point was when I met a group of earnest American students in the hotel lobby whom I told I was writing an alternative guide to Venice. “What?” said one. “You mean a gay guide?”

At which point I (rather abruptly) informed him that my shaven head and baseball cap was nothing to do with my sexuality and everything to do with male pattern baldness.

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Films

Will somebody please explain to me why every bad guy in a Hollywood blockbuster has to be British?

We had Alan Rickman in Die Hard and Robin of Sherwood (where Kevin Costner, upset that the Sheriff of Nottingham was upstaging him, famously cut short Rickman’s scenes); Jeremy Irons in Die Hard II; and practically every baddie in a Mel Gibson movie – especially the excrutiating The Patriot – is a Brit.

And then there are the TV shows that have a tremendous influence on the viewing public. You only have to channel hop to realise Nueva Andalucía thinks it resembles an episode of The OC or Desperate Housewives when, in reality on a Saturday night, it’s more like the end-of-season finale of The Sopranos.

But I’ll leave the final word on America to my long suffering father. On a family trip to Los Angeles in the 70s, we stopped off for a special treat in McDonalds (for students of ancient history, this was before the fast food monster went global and the only outlet in the UK was in London). Dad was ordering and the conversation famously went like this: Employee: “Gee! You’re English. We just love your accents” My father (who is Welsh): “Thank you very much. But I think that you’ll find that you’re the ones with the accents…”

Have a nice day!

Will somebody please explain to me why every bad guy in a Hollywood blockbuster has to be British?

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122VM Full

27/5/09

13:44

G.I.P.E.: Miguel Tobar

Page 1

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THEPEOPLE

OBAMA

In his first 100 days in office, President Barack Obama introduced many sweeping changes, including health and social reforms. In this month’s , we focus on the childhood and youth of the 44th President of the United States of America.

The Making of

Barack Report Marisa Cutillas

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merican Presidents have always been something of a mystery, with their childhood experiences, passions and traumas shrouded behind the crisp, white pieces of paper that form part of their campaign material. When Barack Obama officially announced his Presidential candidacy in February 2007, his life was an open book, thanks in no small part to his autobiography, Dreams from My Father, published when he was 33 years old and working as a civil rights lawyer in Chicago. Back then, Obama was hardly concerned with politics, which makes the book a veritable treasure as it reveals many of the ghosts that haunted Obama throughout his childhood: the divide between black and white, nowhere more strongly felt than in the heart of a young boy of mixed race; the sense of loss at having been abandoned by a highly intelligent but disillusioned father; above all, the burning desire to rise above his own sense of loss and live a life with no room for passive complaint or self-pity.

Dreams from My Father reveals the reflective, questioning nature of America’s new President, who is intelligent enough to hear conflicting sides of an issue, yet come to the conclusion that sometimes there is no adequate solution. The racial issue, for instance, is too deeply-rooted and complex to mend by either taking up the attack against the white man, or by neutralising ‘blackness’ to the point of invisibility. He explains: “So long as nationalism remained a cathartic curse on the white race, it could win the applause of the jobless teenager listening on the radio or the businessman watching late-night TV. But the descent from such unifying fervour to the practical choices blacks

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confronted every day was steep… the black nurse said: ‘White folks I work with ain’t so bad, and even if they were, I can’t be quitting my job – who’s going to pay my rent tomorrow or feed my children today?’”

Obama’s early experience as a community organiser in Chicago prompted him to listen to the individual and discover the problems that could be solved practically, rather than with pointless rhetoric; basic issues like the right to safe housing, work and health. He explains, “The continuing struggle to align word and action, our heartfelt desires with a workable plan – didn’t selfesteem finally depend on just this? Notions of purity – of race or culture – could no more serve as the basis for the typical black American’s self-esteem than it could for mine. Our sense of wholeness would have to arise from something more fine than the bloodlines we’d inherited. It would have to find root… in all the messy details of our experience.”

Much of Obama’s youth was spent yearning for his lost father (Barack Obama Sr), and coming to terms with his mixed heritage. Despite the liberal attitude of his grandparents and mother, despite being born in the melting pot that is Hawaii, where “none of our white friends treated us any differently… shit, seemed like half of ’em wanted to be black themselves,” young Barack was haunted by a profound sense of abandonment. His father, a Kenyan from the Luo tribe, had won a scholarship to the University of Hawaii where he met Barack’s mother, only to abandon his family to further his studies in Harvard and then return to Kenya.

There he served as Minister of Finance but also lived in abject poverty for many years, while his personal

life involved four marriages and the fathering of nine children. Obama says of his own childhood: “There was only one problem: my father was missing. He had left paradise, and nothing that my mother or grandparents told me could obviate that single, unassailable fact… my father became a prop in someone else’s narrative.

An attractive prop – the alien figure with the heart of gold, the mysterious stranger who saves the town and wins the girl – but a prop, nevertheless”.

Obama’s father was always recalled with admiration, both by Obama’s mother Stanley Ann, and his grandparents Gramps and Toots. Obama recalls how, decades after last seeing his father, his mother cried bitter tears when he passed away in a motor accident. The ‘attractive figure’ was cut down to size in 1987, when Obama finally visited Kenya and met his many half-brothers and sisters. There, he learned of his father’s violent temper and inability to come to terms with failure. Obama said in a 2006 speech in Nairobi, “His ideas about how Kenya should progress often put him at odds with the politics of tribe and patronage and because he spoke his mind, sometimes to a fault, he ended up being fired and prevented from finding work in the country for many years.”

In Dreams from My Father, Obama describes a painful incident where his father, practically penniless in Kenya but still filled with a misplaced sense of vanity, sends his daughter to buy a pack of cigarettes from a local store. “Just tell the storekeeper that you are Obama’s daughter and I will pay him later.” When the storekeeper laughs and sends her away, she has to secretly turn to a cousin to lend her the shillings she needs. Upon her

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return home, Barack Sr. ignorantly says, “You see? I told you that you would have no problems. Everyone here knows Obama.” The inflated sense of ego would lead many to describe Barack Sr. as highly intelligent but difficult, and, undoubtedly, irresponsible to his wives and children. These characteristics would leave their mark on President Obama’s self-confidence. In his 2006 bestseller, The Audacity of Hope, he admits that, “Of all the areas of my life, it is in my capacities as a husband and father that I entertain the most doubt.”

Barack Sr.’s intellectual achievements served as an excellent benchmark for his son but the latter’s strongest influences were clearly female. His grandmother Toots (who raised Obama while his mother was travelling between Hawaii, Indonesia and impoverished areas such as Pakistan) “taught me values straight from the Kansas heartland – values like accountability and selfreliance. Love of country. Working hard without making excuses. Treating your neighbour as you’d like to be treated,” says Obama, who recalls Toots waking up at five every morning to make her way to the Bank of Hawaii, where she worked as a secretary, “to help defray the costs of my unexpected birth”. Toots functioned as the family’s main breadwinner when her husband’s job as an insurance salesman failed to make ends meet.

Interestingly, despite her acceptance of Barack Sr., she takes part in a memorable event in Obama’s life: he recalls how she once admitted to being “fearful of black men who passed by her on the street”. She was also capable of uttering “racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe,” he says.

Obama’s mother Ann, meanwhile, carried the torch

for the socially oppressed. One reason for her absence from young Obama’s life was her marriage to Indonesian government official Lolo Soetoro, with whom she lived in Indonesia while her young son studied at a prestigious school in Hawaii under the guiding hand of his grandparents. Ann forged a highly successful career for herself, obtaining her Ph.D. and helping establish a microfinance programme in Indonesia, which today is the number one in the world in its number of savers.

Obama recalls how, at the age of six, he went with his mother to live in Indonesia where Ann and her husband Lolo could not afford to send him to an international school. “Five days a week, she came into my room at 4am, force-fed me breakfast and proceeded to teach me English lessons for three hours before I left for school and she left for work.” When the young Obama would complain about the early starts, she would respond, “This is no picnic for me either, buster!”

Then there is Auma, Obama’s half-sister, whom he met on his first trip to Kenya when he was 26, in the summer before he commenced his law degree at Harvard. Auma, also highly intellectual, was a reflection of Obama’s own difficulty in reconciling success with cultural demands: “Auma was working two jobs that summer… she had plans, schedules, budgets and deadlines – all the things she learned were required to negotiate a modern world. The only problem was that her schedules also meant begging off from family affairs; her budget meant saying no to the constant requests for money… her independence, her constant willingness to project into the future – all of this struck the family as unnatural, somehow. Unnatural…and un-

African.” Obama calls this feeling “survivor’s guilt; the same perverse sensation I could expect to experience if I ever did try to make money and had to pass the throngs of young black men on the corner as I made my way to my downtown office.” Obama was shocked to find that, even in Kenya, this feeling remained, “As if the map that might have once measured the direction and force of our love had been lost long ago, buried with the ancestors beneath a silent earth.”

Weeping between his father’s and his grandfather’s graves in Kenya, Obama realised: “My life in America – the black life, the white life, the sense of abandonment I had felt as a boy… all of it was connected with this small plot of earth, an ocean away. The pain I felt was my father’s pain. My questions were my brother’s questions. Their struggle, my birthright.”

It is no wonder that for his lifetime partner, Obama should have chosen Michelle, also from a working class background, also an example of the value of hard work and determination. Obama admits that, in his early political career, Michelle used to call him a hopeless “dreamer”, yet by the time he won a seat in the Illinois senate and began to put in motion the many sweeping social changes for the poor, homeless and healthdeprived citizens, she realised he was much more than that. Barack Obama’s journey was always fuelled by what he calls “the audacity of hope”; the belief that basic values, like “hard work, fairness and straight talk” could lead to the kind of change that would make sense of his own life. Little did he know, as a young boy, that this belief would translate to hope for a vast nation or, indeed, for the entire world. n essential marbella magazine

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THETHEME

ICONS

“Why not just tell people I’m an alien from Mars. Tell them I eat live chickens and do a voodoo dance at midnight. They’ll believe anything you say, because you’re a reporter.”

Michael Jackson (born 1958) The King of Pop whose achievements include 13 Grammy Awards, 13 number one singles – more than any other male artist in Billboard magazine’s Hot 100 era – and over 750 million record sales worldwide. His phenomenal success and eccentricity has made Wacko Jacko an icon of popular culture for four decades.

The seventh of nine children raised Jehova’s Witnesses in Illinois, he was physically and mentally abused by his father, enduring incessant rehearsals, whippings and name-calling. He made his debut at 11 in The Jackson 5, his pop videos on MTV (notably, Thriller featuring his Moonwalk dance technique) transformed the genre into an art form and his distinctive vocal style has influenced the contemporary music scene. Although a generous giver, supporting 39 charities, his increasingly bizarre behaviour has seriously damaged his image: his horrific ‘surgically enhanced’ appearance, hypochondria and allegations of child sexual abuse at his Neverland ranch. His two marriages (the first to Elvis Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie), his treatment of his three children who often appear wearing masks, and his pet chimpanzee Bubbles, all added to his controversy. Despite ill health, dwindling finances, have prompted him to perform 50 concerts at London’s O2 arena in the coming year. Watch this space.

“Hockey is a sport for white men.

Basketball is a sport for black men.

Golf is a sport for white men dressed like black pimps.”

Eldrick ‘Tiger’ Woods (born 1975)

Brad Pitt (born 1963) Voted one of the world’s sexiest men, the twice-Oscarnominated star’s fame has been doubly assured as one half of ‘Brangelina’. With his actress partner Angelina Jolie he has three biological children and three adopted from third world countries and the couple’s involvement in high profile social issues has won them worldwide media attention.

Raised a Southern Baptist in Missouri, William Bradley Pitt was sporty at school, majored in journalism but moved to LA to follow his dream – acting. He gained recognition as a cowboy hitchhiker in Thelma & Louise, played opposite Anthony Hopkins in Legends of the Fall and won a Golden Globe for Twelve Monkeys, also racking up success with pal George Clooney in the Ocean’s series, and in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. He dated Gwyneth Paltrow and married Jennifer Aniston but Hollywood’s golden couple split after his well-publicised affair with Jolie on the set of Mr & Mrs Smith. Pitt has his own production company, supports the ONE Campaign against AIDS and Third World poverty, is constructing homes for Hurricane Katrina victims through his Make It Right Foundation and is talking with U.S. President Barack Obama about a ‘green’ housing concept. An inveterate joker and modest of his success, he and Angelina donate millions of dollars to global health causes through the Jolie-Pitt Foundation.

Rated ‘the world’s most marketable athlete’ whose charismatic presence on the circuit has increased golf’s popularity and prize money and draws the largest TV audiences in golf history. A child prodigy mentored by his father, he began playing at two, putted against comedian Bob Hope on TV at three, was six times Junior World Golf Champion and turned pro at 20, becoming the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam. Although not always on top form and hampered by a knee injury, he is currently World No. 1 and was the highest-paid professional athlete in 2008, with $110 million from winnings and Nike endorsements. He has won 14 Majors, and 66 PGA Tour events, more than any other active golfer, and was PGA Player of the Year a record nine times. Californian by birth but a mixture of Chinese, Thai, Dutch and African American by descent, he practices rigorously and appears very controlled (he says his Buddhist faith “helps my stubbornness and impatience”).

He lives with his Swedish model wife Elin and two children in Florida. His Tiger Woods Foundation focuses on golf projects for children.

“I’ve had the luxury of travel, I’ve seen the detriments of poverty and I’ve gone on to see how easy the cures can be – cures that cost cents to the richest nations in the World.”

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“I’m tough, ambitious, and I know exactly what I want. If that makes me a bitch, okay.”

STAR-SPANGLED icons Continuing this month’s Stars and Stripes theme, Belinda Beckett profiles Ten Living Icons who have made a difference to life in the US of A.

Madonna (born 1958) The Queen of Pop has had a bad press over her divorce from Guy Ritchie, failed adoption attempt and Kabbalah beliefs. But the Michigan-born singer, dancer, actress and entrepreneur whose fetishist and irreverent image has elicited cries of “blasphemy” from the Vatican is rated the most successful and highest-earning female recording artist of all time, with 200 million record sales and a net worth of $490 million. The third of six children, her mother died young and Madonna Louise Ciccone was raised a Catholic by her Italian-American father and a stepmother she disliked. A straight-A student and cheerleader, she took ballet classes and won a university dance scholarship but quit, with just $35 in her pocket, to seek her fortune as a dancer and singer in the clubs of New York. Signed to Warner Bros’ Sire record label, her second album, Like a Virgin, shot to number one and is listed as one of the Definitive 200 Albums of All Time. Subsequent albums, with their associate pop videos and controversial tours featuring stigmata, burning crosses, bondage, lesbian kisses and simulated masterbation increased her notoriety although her acting never quite measured up. In 1992, she founded Maverick, consisting of record and film production companies, television, merchandising and book-publishing divisions. The Material Girl was married to Sean Penn, dated Warren Beatty, has a daughter by her fitness trainer, a son from her marriage to Ritchie and an adopted son from Malawi.

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“He had come a long way to this blue lawn and his dream must have seemed so close he could hardly fail to grasp it.” From The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitgerald

Gates so identifies with Gatsby’s rise from obscure mid-western origins to the elite of Long Island that he has this inscription engraved on his library ceiling.

Philanthropist, author and chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen, he lead the personal computer revolution to become the wealthiest man in the world. From an upper middle class Seattle family, Gates was excused maths lessons to further his genius as a computer programmer and devised the software for his school’s class schedules, ensuring that he was placed with mostly female students! Graduating with a SAT score of 1590 out of 1600 (equivalent to an IQ of 170), he registered Microsoft while still at Harvard and launched the first retail version of Windows in 1985. He has been taken to court for his anti-competitive business tactics and is verbally combative and self-opinionated, once remarking: “If I’d had some set idea of a finish line, don’t you think I would have crossed it years ago?” He lives with his wife and three children in a $125million high-tech house in Washington and reading is a favourite hobby; he bought Leonardo da Vinci’s Codex Leicester at auction for $30.8 million. He stepped down as Microsoft CEO in 2000 to devote his time to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the largest of its kind in the world which has donated $28 billion to charity and scientific research.

Oprah Winfrey (born 1954)

Bill Gates (born 1955)

From poor Mississippi girl to media mogul, book critic, magazine publisher, philanthropist and pioneer of the talk show as group therapy session which has made her the first black woman billionaire in world history. Born to a teenage mother, raised by her grandmother, the family was so poor she wore potato sack dresses but showed an early talent for the media, interviewing her corncob doll and the neighbourhood crows.

Sexually abused by family members from age nine, at 14 she gave birth to a son who died in infancy. After winning a university scholarship to study communications, she turned around an unknown Chicago talk show and made it her own. The Oprah Winfrey Show has aired for nearly 25 years, earning her multiple Emmy Awards, and is the highest-rated in the history of television. Famous for her empathy and yo-yo weight, criticised for unleashing the confession culture, her comments on mad cow disease stopped half America from eating burgers while every author featured on Oprah’s Book Club becomes a best seller. She runs her own TV production company, cable TV network, radio channel, magazines and Oprah’s Angel Network has raised more than $52 million for charity. She lives mainly in California with long-term partner Stedman and has no children. Having delivered over one million votes for Barack Obama, the Governor of Illinois considered offering her a seat in the Senate.

“Arguably has more influence on the culture than any university President, politician or religious leader, except perhaps the Pope.”

Vanity Fair

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“Go ahead, make my day.”

Clint Eastwood (born 1930) Immortalised by that cool line from Sudden Impact, the fourth film in the Dirty Harry series, Eastwood was always famous for his tough-guy anti-heroes. He has directed most of his films and acted for five decades, making him the longest-running movie star ever, winning five Oscars, five Golden Globes and the title, Favourite All-Time Motion Picture Star. Born ‘Clinton’ to middle-class Californian protestants, the enormous baby (five kilos) grew to 6ft 4in and worked as a gas station attendant, a fireman and a bar pianist before landing a starring role in the Rawhide TV series, which typecast him as the eternal cowboy until he reinvented himself as loose-cannon cop, Dirty Harry. His own production company, Malpaso, gave him the artistic control he sought and most of his projects have ben critically and commercially succesful, from Play Misty for Me, to Gran Torino for which he directed, starred, produced and co-wrote the theme song. A legendary womaniser who fathered two children from his first marriage, four out of wedlock and a daughter with his second wife who is 35 years his junior, he has strong Republican leanings and served as Mayor of Carmel where he owns the exclusive Tehàma Golf Club. He pilots his own helicopter, enjoys playing and listening to jazz, donates time and money to charitable golf causes and is anti-blood sports.

“I just don’t like killing creatures… unless they’re trying to kill me.”

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“You’re Fired!”

The man who first made this catchphrase famous in the American version of The Apprentice TV reality show (for which he was paid $3 million per episode) has had to eat his words and fire himself. Although his wealth was estimated at $3billion in 2007, the second financial crisis in 20 years has stymied him again. Trump Entertainment Resorts has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy and ‘The Donald’ has resigned from the board. With his name ‘trump-eted’ over several million square feet of prime Manhattan real estate, this native New Yorker is as much a monument to his success as his eponymous skyscraper buildings and his extravagant lifestyle, outspoken manner and comb-over hairstyle have only increased his celebrity. The grandson of German immigrants, he joined his father in the Trump Organization after graduating from university with a BSc in Economics. Skilled at buying cheap and selling for massive profit, with great design, he has built numerous Trump Towers, launched Trump Entertainment Resorts which operated casinos, hotels and golf courses across the world, and expanded into airlines before the 1990s recession rocked his financial boat. He bounced back then, he can do it again. Indeed, he has to – he has five children to support: three from his ex-wife Ivana, one from his much-publicised affair with Marla Maples, who became his second wife, one from his current marriage.

Commenting on his ex-wives he said, “I just know it’s been very hard for them because I do love what I do.”

Donald Trump (born

1946)

Steven Spielberg (born 1946) His genius has transformed filmmaking, bringing fantasy to life through box office record-breakers like ET and Jurassic Park. He has personally won three Oscars and directed, produced or scripted over 80 movies, many of them award-winning. One of the most powerful figures in Hollywood with a net worth of $3.1 billion, his career of four decades has touched sci fi, adventure, terrorism, slavery and the Holocaust and he also created the successful DreamWorks studio. The Cincinnati kid began making amateur movies as a boy, demonstrating his shrewd Jewish business acumen by charging friends 25 cents admission while his sisters sold popcorn. At 16, he wrote and directed his first movie, which inspired Close Encounters. Rejected for poor grades by the University of Southern California’s film school, he worked as an unpaid intern at Universal Studios and became its youngest Director at 23. His big break, Jaws, won three Oscars and put him in demand for numerous projects, including the Indiana Jones series and Best Director Oscar triumphs, Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan. He and his second wife, Kate Capshaw, have seven children between them.

When not filming, he indulges in ‘movie orgies’ and video games (which he has also designed) at one of his four US homes. He supports Jewish causes globally and co-founded the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, dedicated to improving sick youngsters’ lives through technologybased entertainment and education.

“I’ve discovered I’ve got this preoccupation with ordinary people pursued by large forces.”

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Arnold Schwarzenegger (born 1947) Listening to Nixon speak sounded like a breath of fresh air. I said to my friend, ‘What party is he?’

My friend said, ‘He’s a Republican.’ I said, ‘Then I am a Republican.’

Who would have thought an Austrian bodybuilder would become 38th Governor of California? Not even the youngest Mr. Universe at 20, a title he won five times. “It was my ticket to America – the land of opportunity, where I could become a star and get rich.” Born in Graz, his Nazi father-turned-police-chief was a brutal disciplinarian. A keen cinema-goer, Arnie was inspired by bodybuilding idols Steve Reeves and Johnny Weissmuller. Moving to California, the ‘Austrian Oak’ won seven Mr. Olympia titles, assisted by anabolic steroids (then legal). A millionaire at 30, his acting dream materialised when he won a Golden Globe for New Male Star of the Year, with Pumping Iron and Conan the Barbarian leading to The Terminator series. Married to JFK’s niece, journalist Maria Shriver with whom he has four children, he had friends in high places. George H. W. Bush nominated him chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, dubbing him ‘Conan the Republican’. He was elected Governor of California in 2003 (despite allegations of sexual misconduct coined, Gropegate). In his second term he introduced America’s first cap on greenhouse gas emissions and adapted his fleet of Hummers to run on bio-fuels. He is a supporter of the Special Olympics and other sports charities. He was twice named in Time magazine’s 100 People who Help Shape the World. n

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Dibel Real Estate

REDUCED

FOR QUICK SALE

FANTASTIC PANORAMIC VIEWS OF THE COAST

LUXURY VILLA IN MIJAS Spectacular villa near Mijas Village located 15 minutes from the airport, near to the beach and golf courses. South-facing with clear panoramic views to the Mediterranean Sea. Elegant and tastefully decorated 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 1 suite, servant quarters, beautiful gardens and pool. 6.092 m2 plot of which 800 m2 has been built on. Sold fully furnished.

PRICE: 2.650.000 € JUST REDUCED FOR QUICK SALE! (BEFORE: 2.850.000 €) DIBEL REAL ESTATE - Conjunto Residencial Parque Doña Sofía, Bloque 1, 4; E29640 FUENGIROLA (Málaga) Tel. (+34) 952 46 66 13 • Fax (+34) 952 59 28 29 • e-mail: realestate@dibel.es • www.dibel.es E107_dibel.indd 1

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the trend PRODUCTS & IDEAS

The Latest Gadgets

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American Car Legend – Henry Ford

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Micro Finance on the Internet

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Environment – Green Homes

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THETREND

Report Marisa Cutillas

GADGETS

VAIO® P Series Lifestyle PC

Mylo Communicator Mylo is a new portable communicator meant for those addicted to web applications such as AIM, Facebook or YouTube, who are constantly on the move. The gadget comes with a back-lit, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and connects to open wifi networks using 802.11/b and /g standards.

It uses Adobe® Flash® Lite 3 software, which gives users access to the coolest videos posted on Youtube and all other Flashbased social networking sites. It also uploads and downloads content to and from the web using the touch screen interface on its 9 cm, high-resolution display. Mylo contains a 1.3 megapixel camera and photo editing software, so your MySpace or Facebook site is easily refreshed. Resize, write captions or draw on photos and post them to the site you wish. And, when you’ve got too much good news to send in a message, make a Skype-to-Skype phone call from the communicator. Keeping in touch has never been this much fun!

Imagine a PC that is only 20 cm long, weighs just 600 grams and is as thin as a cell phone. If you thought it was too good to be true, log onto the Sony website where you will find the new VAIO® P Series Lifestyle PC, ‘the world’s lightest 20 cm-notebook’. The model contains a high-resolution (1,600 x 768) LED backlit, eight-inch diagonal ultrawide display, so it’s easy to view full pages on the Internet or read spreadsheets, without having to scroll from side to side. It also boasts Sony’s XBRITE-ECO LCD technology, which produces images in brilliant detail. The notebook incorporates built-in wireless WAN 3G Mobile Broadband, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies, so you can work while you’re away from the office or home. It also contains real-time GPS technology, so you can find restaurants, hotels or interesting sites without the need to carry your GPS along. Lovers of music will enjoy the Xross Media Bar interface, which allows you to rapidly boot up and access music, video, photos and the web. A built-in webcam allows for fun video chats with friends and family. The notebook looks stunning too, and is available in an array of bold colours including red, green, classic black, white and onyx black.

i www.sony.com

H3DII-50 camera The new H3DII-50 camera by Hasselblad incorporates Kodak’s KAF-50100 image sensor, which boasts a whopping 50 megapixel capacity and is twice as large as the DSLR, 35mm sensors contained in larger cameras. The basic ISO measurements of 50400, alongside a revolutionary software called Phocus, allows the camera to achieve an ISO of 800. The H3DII-50 employs a new system permitting high velocity image capture. It is compatible with all Hasselblad lenses, while the Phocus software allows the user countless options to improve image quality.

i www.hasselblad.com

i www.sony.com

Tailgater speaker Tailgater is a new, portable speaker and amp designed to work with your iPod or any listening device with a headphone socket. It is 40 per cent smaller than the iPod Party Speaker, yet it packs a 22w punch. Its batteries last for eight hours straight, making it an ideal gadget to take along for picnics or long afternoons at the beach. The Tailgater also works as an amplifier for musical instruments, such as a guitar, keyboard or microphone, making it an ideal way to turn your house into a karaoke bar. Take a couple of chilled beers out of the fridge, invite a friend over and voila!

Your house is an instant party zone.

Travel Translator If English is your first language, and getting to know the world is a passion, the Travel Translator is the ideal gadget to take with you on your many trips. The device says a plethora of handy phrases out loud in the language of your choice, as well as in English, so you can rest assured it is communicating exactly what you want it to. It contains over 8,000 commonly used phrases in 12 different languages, conveniently organised into specific categories such as restaurants, pharmacies, etc.

i www.iwantoneofthose.com

i www.iwantoneofthose.com Neverlate Alarm Clock Every day of the week is different for many of us and, at home, each of us normally needs to wake up at a different time. Neverlate is a new alarm clock meant for the 21st century. It allows you to personalise alarms for the whole family, varying in volume, duration and type of alarm call. It also works on USB technology, so you can upload your MP3s or the content of your iPod onto the clock and hear your favourite tunes when it’s time to rise and shine.

i www.planetapluton.com

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THETREND

CARS

Henry Ford and the

magnificent Mode

lT

Ask any cross-section of Americans to nominate the greatest industrialist their country has ever produced and the name Henry Ford would invariably be the first to come up. General Motors may be the larger corporation, but how many people could name founder William Crapo Durant nowadays? When it comes to history’s corporate superstars, Henry stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Ford celebrates

the sale of 20 m

illion cars

ly The surprising modern Ford 62t Concep The Shelby has always been associated with lightning sp eed

American Car Leg e Report TONY WHITNEY Photography courtesy of ford

Henry The 1968 GT 500 Shelby

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Ford 25/5/09 10:31:35

Tony Whitney gets a feel for the Model T

The luxurious interiors of the Shelby

ENGINE u540-horsepower V-8 (Shelby GT500) TRANSMISSION uSix-speed manual.

ACCELERATION uZero to 100 km/h in approx. 5-secs TOP SPEED u250 km/h (estimated) I LIKED uWonderful visual links with the great Mustangs of the past – with far better performance and handling. US price is low for the level of performance – as the Americans say: “Lots of bang for the buck.”

I DIDN’T LIKE uWhile most interior trim is just fine, some elements could have been handled better by the designers MARKET ALTERNATIVES uNissan GT-R and (in markets where they’re sold) Dodge Challenger and Chevrolet Camaro WHO DRIVES ONE? uApart from Steve McQueen, lovers of US muscle cars, people who want something seriously fast, buyers who’ve become bored with sporty products from Germany and Italy PRICE AND AVAILABILITY uUS$50,000 approx – negotiable in Europe, depending on broker, one of which is Scherf Export Services (Scherf.com)

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enry Ford was not simply a builder of automobiles but a convincing example to Americans of what the ‘American Dream’ was all about – the opportunity every ordinary citizen had to start from nothing and end up rich, famous and hugely influential during the times in which they lived – and beyond.

Born in 1863 to Irish and Belgian parents, Henry Ford was far from an instant success. He failed with numerous business enterprises, many of them connected with the vehicle industry, before making his breakthrough. A born mechanical engineer of supreme ability and inventiveness (he held 160 patents at one time) and always a gifted ‘tinkerer’, his fame meant that he was often credited with achievements that were really the work of others.

Even today, Henry earns praise

for ‘inventing’ the assembly line but historians point out that clocks and small arms were being made this way some time before cars. Most notable is the fact that Ford applied assembly line techniques more successfully than anyone had ever done before – and to a complex and sophisticated product not previously associated with mass-production techniques.

Perhaps Ford’s greatest achievement among many was to bring personal transportation to millions of people all over the world – something that, at one time, had been beyond the wildest dreams of most.

With his dogged propensity to slash prices when times got bad, Ford brought the automobile within reach of countless people who’d previously regarded such a luxury as being way beyond their means. In 1916, you could buy a basic Model T for $360. Most of them were black because the paint dried faster and the assembly line could thus be kept running at a speedy (and economical) pace. When Henry Ford was at the height of his powers, just about anybody in the US with a job or some modest savings could afford a car – and that dictum still holds strong today.

Simple it may have been in concept, but a Model T that I was able to drive recently at a 100th anniversary event was surprisingly complex to operate, with a whole roster of pedals, levers and controls to grapple with, just to get moving. Even so, vast numbers were sold and there are still thousands chugging along happily in many parts of the world.

As his company grew, Ford believed that success lay in being able to control all aspects of vehicle manufacturing and to own every possible component supplier. He even went as far as to create rubber plantations in South America so the company would have its own sources for tyre manufacturing, but this was not a success. Ford’s long career was not without controversy but he was something of a social reformer, often paying workers twice the going rate of rival manufacturers and making a point of creating job opportunities for African Americans. By 1932, one third of the worlds automobiles were built by Ford and there were plants all over the planet. Ford was building cars in Britain in 1912 and in Germany by the 1920s.

Flagging sales of the Model T prompted the introduction of the Model A in 1927, and the decades that followed produced all kinds of vehicles – usually with an annual model change where cars were concerned.

Perhaps Henry’s thrifty philosophy lives on to this day, since Ford is the only manufacturer among the US ‘Big Three’ that has resisted offers of government bailout money.

There have been many landmark Fords in the decades since Henry’s death in 1947 – and a fair number from upscale affiliate Lincoln – but perhaps

the most significant model since the earlier days has been the Mustang, celebrating 45 years of continual manufacture during 2009. The passing years have seen numerous Mustang models come and go – not all of them that highly regarded – but keeping a model in the lineup, more or less in its original form for nearly half a century, has to be one of the greatest achievements in automotive history.

Mustang landmarks abound, some by their starring roles in movies. One standout was the 1968 model driven by Steve McQueen in the film classic Bullitt, in pursuit of the bad guys in their Dodge Charger.

Ford still produces a performance Bullitt Mustang celebrating this car.

Thankfully, this icon of North American coupé and convertible style and muscle is still very much alive, with a revised model due quite soon. Pride of the 2010 Mustang fleet will be the awesome 540-horsepower, V-8-powered Shelby GT500, named in honour of the great racing car designer (and at times, driver) Carroll Shelby, who was tuning Mustangs right from the car’s debut back in the mid-1960s. This exceptionally appealing new car is one of the best examples possible of a design team taking cues from models of years gone by and incorporating them into a state-ofthe-art successor that respects the past, yet embraces the future.

Like every Mustang that went before, the latest car has its engine up front driving the rear wheels – Mustang fans wouldn’t have it any other way. Even the basic Mustang V-8 powerplant is a joy to fire up, with its healthy exhaust note that enthusiasts will never tire of.

The latest Mustang interior has a very modernistic look about it, with nicely contrasting colours and lots of use of aluminum facings and trim. The instruments are a little retro, with their chrome rings, but they function well and are easy to read in all lights. I found the seats comfortable and supportive and the (optional) leather in my test car was very opulent.

Although both Chevrolet (Camaro) and Dodge (Challenger) have returned to the muscle car arena, few motoring enthusiasts would deny that if any of the three hangs in for another 45 years, it’ll probably be the Mustang. n

Few cars ooze glam like the Ford Mustang

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THETREND

INTERNET

Chris Chaplow reports

Micro Finance on the Internet

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dbugani Ergashboev is 48 years old and lives with his wife and three children in the town of Khujand in Tajikistan. Abdugani is an animal farmer. He owns cows and, with the help of his wife and children, sells their milk. In order to further develop his business, Abdugani wants to take out a loan and buy one or two more cows and feed for them. After fattening them up, he will be able to sell them for a more favourable price.

Then Abdugani will be able to increase his business and use some of the profits for the wedding of his elder son. He is asking for a loan of $800 for this purpose. He will repay the loan in 5 months.

I only know about Abdugani because I recently came across a ‘Google Public Service Advert’. This led me to a website called Kiva.org which I found very powerful and inspiring.

Kiva’s tag line is ‘Loans that save lives’ and it enables people like you and I to lend small amounts of money to an entrepreneur in the developing-world for a specific project.

Other examples on www.kiva.org are: Saida Azimova is 19 years old, she lives with her parents in Tajikistan. Two years ago her father bought an old sewing machine for her and, since then, she has been providing tailoring services from her house to the village. She is looking for $500 to buy a better machine.

Grace Poni from the Sudan is currently in the business of selling cosmetics in a shop and is requesting a $900 loan to expand her stock.

Mrs. Kimleng Sun is 38 and lives in Cambodia and sells sugar cane juice and raises pigs, earning about US $3.00 per day. Her husband, Mr. Ok Kosal, 30, sells ice cream door-to-door and also distills alcohol at home, earning US $3.00 per day. Mrs. Kimleng decided to request a loan of US $500 to purchase a new motorcycle for her husband’s business and, also, five new pigs to breed.

Thousands of people, mainly in the USA and Europe, have signed up to individually lend to entrepreneurs all over the world. What is striking is that the individual loans are all small amounts, starting from $25. Even in these difficult times, we can all still make a difference.

How does all this work?

Lenders browse profiles of entrepreneurs in need and choose someone to lend to. When they lend, using PayPal or their credit cards, Kiva collects the

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funds and then passes them along to a micro-finance partner who distributes the loan funds to the selected entrepreneur. Often, the partners also provide training and other assistance to maximise the entrepreneur’s chances of success.

Over time, usually six months to a year, the entrepreneur repays the loan. Repayment schedules and other updates are posted on Kiva and emailed to lenders who wish to receive them. Lenders do not charge any interest. When lenders get their money back, they can re-lend to someone else in need, donate their funds to Kiva (to cover operational expenses), or withdraw their funds. Clearly this would not be possible without microfinance partners. In case you had not heard of it, microfinance is the supply of loans, savings and other basic financial services to the poor.

Kiva, a San Francisco-based non-profit organisation, was founded in October 2005 by Matt and Jessica Flannery. The couple’s initial interest in microfinance was inspired by a 2003 lecture given by Grameen Bank founder, Muhammad Yanus, at Stanford Business School.

Now it has many prestigious supporters. PayPal provides free payment processing, enabling 100% of the loaned funds to reach entrepreneurs around the globe. YouTube has donated 120 million free banner placements. Kiva is a Google Grants recipient, receiving free advertising and attracting new lenders. Microsoft has funded research and development of Kiva’s Field Partner facing software.

Kiva is a 2006 MySpace Impact Awards Nominee in the category of Poverty Relief. This formal recognition of Kiva in the social networking sphere acknowledges the common goal of connecting people.

The web is an amazing tool for creating personal connections and, by applying that concept to poverty, it goes further. The lenders are being connected as their profiles are (optionally) on Kiva as well. Although many are anonymous, others are active in the www. kivafriends.org forum and many have formed teams with business colleagues, social groups or common interest groups for even greater impact. n

Impressive Statistics (to December 08) u$52,624,535 in loans from 383,042 lenders u75,681 loans funded uAverage loan size is $443.16 uAverage total amount loaned per lender

$135.89 u77% of loans are to women entrepreneurs uLoan default rate 2.23%

i

Inspired by writing this article Chris Chaplow, founder of Andalucia.com, has created the Andalucia.com Kiva team and donated €5.000 of advertising to KIVA. Sign up and join the local team at www.andalucia.com/kiva

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22/5/09 14:51:49

You don’t have to speak Danish …

… to get personal investment advice We offer you personal and individual investment advice.

So do a lot of other banks. But we insist on making a difference. We have Danish roots.

Still we offer international advice with a local touch – always matching your specific requirements.

We have clients all over the world and speak to people of different nationalities every day.

Therefore, we speak many languages, such as

English, German and the Scandinavian languages – in a truly international environment.

Get an idea of what we can offer you in the way of personal investment advice on your terms. Contact me today: Hessel Kramer, Tel. +350 200 51085 kramer@jyskebank.gi

JYSKE BANK (GIBRALTAR) LTD. • PRIVATE BANKING • 76, MAIN STREET • P.O. BOX 143 • GIBRALTAR TEL. +350 200 72782 • FAX +350 200 76782 • INFO@JYSKEBANK.GI • WWW.JYSKEBANK.GI

Jyske Bank (Gibraltar) Ltd. is licensed by the Financial Services Commission, Licence No. FSC 001 00B. Services and products are not available to everybody, for instance not to residents of the US. 0905_230x300_Essential_Marbella_Dictionary_Hessel.indd 1

18-05-2009 08:30:34

THETREND ENVIRONMENT

If you are thinking of building or extending your house or garden, why not opt for a ‘greener’ home simply by using different materials to your average bricks and mortar. Don’t be deceived; this is not a new fangled idea and, in 10 years, your newly built house will not turn into a compost heap due to the use of effective, efficient and financially beneficial materials. It so often happens that people are just afraid of change and can’t believe that something ‘green’ can be better than something traditional.

PEOPLE IN ‘GREEN’ HOUSES BUILD WITH RECYCLED STONES! Report VICTORIA WOOD

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uilding and construction activities worldwide consume three billion tons of raw materials each year, or 40 per cent of total global use (Roodman and Lenssen, 1995). Using green building materials and products promotes conservation of dwindling, non-renewable resources internationally. In addition, integrating green building materials into building projects can help reduce the environmental impacts associated with the extraction, transport, processing, fabrication, installation, recycling and disposal of these building industry source materials.

There are many alternatives to traditional raw building materials available which are much less harmful to our environment, some of which can also actually save us money as well as doing something positive for the planet. Green building materials are composed of renewable, rather than non-renewable resources and are environmentally responsible because impacts are considered over the life of the product (Spiegel and Meadows, 1999).

One major advance in renewable resources is Geothermal Energy. Essentially, this is power extracted directly from the heat of the earth. Hot springs have been used for bathing since the year dot. In the first century AD, Romans conquered Aquae Sulis and used the hot springs there to feed public baths and underfloor heating. The admission fees for these baths probably represent the first commercial use of geothermal power.

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So it is not a new concept although it has been adapted for modern day housing to not only heat or cool your house but also to provide you with an energy-efficient and renewable source of electricity.

Geothermal power is cost effective, reliable and environmentally friendly but has previously been geographically limited to areas near tectonic plate boundaries. Recent technological advances have dramatically expanded the range and size of viable resources, especially for direct applications such as home heating. Geothermal wells tend to release greenhouse gases trapped deep within the earth but these emissions are much lower than those of conventional fossil fuels. As a result, this technology has the potential to help mitigate global warming, if widely deployed.

Other ways in which to create a ‘greener’ house would be to use reclaimed building materials, or to recycle materials from existing constructions. If it is necessary to use materials that are non-renewable, from virgin sources such as marble, these should be reclaimed. Utilise the land by extracting any materials that are already on your property. Stones in the surrounding earth can be used for building walls or features. Fly ash can be used instead of regular cement, which has less embodied energy and creates a superior product by reducing water permeability of concrete..

When focussing on the garden or outside the house, there are now recycled hosepipes and

irrigation pipes on the market, again decreasing the demand for virgin petroleum products and requiring less energy in production than a virgin product. Such products create a market for materials which are typically disposed of. Also, using garden trimmings for compost and mulch provides an excellent source of nutrients for growing. Compost and mulch improve soil quality, act as pesticide-free weed suppressants, reduce soil erosion and decrease evaporative water losses. ‘Greywater’ recycling maximises usefulness of water and decreases demands placed on local wastewater treatment plants.

So, you see, there are many ways to create an energy efficient home using renewable materials and provide you with a bigger bank balance after only a few years. It’s definitely worth looking into! Even if you only change one material to a renewable one during a building project, you can still achieve a positive impact. By breaking with tradition, you will create more of a positive personal impact too.

Changing to modern materials does not mean completely turning your back on traditional ways of building which have lasted for centuries; it is merely a case of taking advantage of advances made in the industry to adapt tried and tested systems so that they benefit the environment too.

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Victoria Wood is a member of the Terra Sana Life Team. www.terrasana.net

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the chic DÉCOR AND FASHION

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The Red Dot Design Awards

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Marbella’s 1st International Art Festival

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Fashion – Max Azria

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Fashion News

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Décor – American by Design

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THECHIC DECOR

Aluminium chair, first designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1958

Belinda Beckett looks at trans-Atlantic interior décor.

T

he great US architect Frank Lloyd Wright was not a fan of his country’s first modern interior decorators, wittily describing them as “inferior desecrators”.

For centuries only the nobility could afford to pay someone to decorate their houses and that role usually fell to the architect, who would want to see that his (they were usually men) exterior inspirations were reflected within. It explains why Wright – who designed much of the interiors of his buildings – and his contemporaries looked down their noses at parvenus like Dorothy Draper and Elsie de Wolfe, both high-born, wealthy women with a ready-made entrée into high society, who pioneered professional interior design in America’s salons during the early 20th century. Wright’s misogynist views would have been compounded by

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comments such as Draper’s remark that: “It is just as disastrous to have the wrong accessories in your room as it is to wear sport shoes with an evening dress.”

Draper, a New York State aristocrat whose greatgrandfather was a signatory of the Declaration of Independence, had a private client list that included The Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Draper was an expert colourist who used her trademark cabbagerose chintz and neo-baroque plasterwork to create innovative and dramatic interiors for top hotels across the continent, including the New York Plaza and the Beverly Hills in California, along with a car interior for Packard, a plane interior for Convair and the café for New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, nicknamed The Dorotheum in her honour. She subscribed to the

philosophy that “If it looks right, it’s right” and her book, Decorating Is Fun, toppled interior design from its lofty pedestal and introduced it to the common man. In The Draper Touch, her protogé and biographist Carleton Varney wrote: “She revolutionized the concept of design by breaking away from the historical period room styles that dominated the work of her predecessors and contemporaries.”

Another First Lady of interior decoration, Elsie de Wolfe, considered herself “a rebel in an ugly world” and her light, bright style transformed the vogue for drab Victorian décor in the homes of the wealthy, including America’s Vanderbildt family. She was fascinated by English and French furniture design and introduced comfortable chairs with soft upholstery to America, in

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Hans Knoll of Germany commissioned work by leading designers, such as this classic chair by Harry Bertoia

americanby design La Chaise, designed by the Eames Bros, in 1948 and a classic of its time

Dorothy Draper-style pagoda vitrines in mahogany and circular dining table originally designed for the Mark Hopkins Hotel in San Francisco. Chair from the Kindel Furniture’s Winterthur collection

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Barbara Barry showroom

place of the ornate, uncomfortable Victorian versions.

Originally a stage actress, and rumoured to be a lesbian, she gained respectability with her marriage to a diplomat and became Lady Mendl, designing the prestigious women’s social haunt, The Colony Club, and writing the influential décor book, The House in Good Taste.

De Wolfe was immortalised in popular songs of the day: in Harlem On My Mind, Irving Berlin professed to prefer the “low-down Harlem ambience to the highfalutin’ flat that Lady Mendl designed”. Cole Porter dedicated That Black and White Baby of Mine to her predilection for monochrome, while her daily keep-fit regime of handstands, which she kept up well into her 70s, is remembered in the Porter lyric, “When you hear that Lady Mendl, standing up/Now turns a handspring landing up/On her toes/Anything goes!”

Many designers of their time took their inspiration from Europe, such as Bostonian Ogden Codman who worked in France and introduced influences from across the Atlantic in his work for clients such as the Rockefellers. With novelist Edith Wharton, whose Newport home he decorated, he wrote The Decoration of Houses, a seminal work on American design although it advocated the noble European tradition of strong architecture, accentuated by furniture that suited the room. Even today, although many designers will disagree,

there is a school of thought that European interior design has more whimsy and class than American which is sometimes considered a little too tasteful, coordinated and ‘safe’, like hotel decor.

It took time for interior designers to gain recognition. Wharton explains why in her autobiography, A Backward Glance, where she talks about commissioning Codman: “We asked him to alter and decorate the house – a somewhat new departure, since the architects of that day looked down on house-decoration as a branch of dressmaking, and left the field up to the upholsterers, who crammed every room with curtains, lambrequins, jardinières of artificial plants, wobbly velvet-covered tables littered with silver gewgaws, and festoons of lace on mantelpieces and dressing tables.”

In fact, the trade’s first professional organisation wasn’t founded until the 1930s, a time when design was taking off in the States through the advent of furniture manufacturers like Herman Miller of Michigan and Hans Knoll of Germany who commissioned work by leading designers such as Harry Bertoia and brothers Charles and Ray Eames.

Fast forward seven decades and what a lot has changed. Today, the American Society of Interior Designers represents more than 40,000 members in a network of 48 chapters throughout the United States and Canada. Many US states require designers to have a licence to practice and there is even a ‘green’ qualification they can take, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design examination. Newstands

Dorothy Draper designs by Kindel Furniture, including the España Bunching Chest, originally commissioned by the government of Spain

overflow with magazines on home décor which is also the subject of numerous reality TV programmes and even entire networks devoted to the theme, such as Home & Garden Television (HGTV) and the Discovery Home network.

Although American interior design was initially almost entirely influenced by Europe, modern designers have created their own Stateside looks.

Many American designers dismiss European design as over-ornate or “playing at being royalty”. Conversely, to many of us living in sunny Spain, the American look can seem a little dark and masculine, or too downhomey and ethnic.

The simple functionality of American furniture design originates from colonial days when the early European settlers were limited in their furnishings to what they could make, or carry from overseas. Shaker furniture was a distinctively plain style developed by the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, a religious sect who came to America from Manchester, England, in 1774. Widely admired for its innovative joinery and unfussy functionality inspired by the ascetic religious beliefs of the Society, the style still influences American design today.

Fancier designs also flourished, such as the Gothic

The scalloped edge of this lamp table was a signature Dorothy Draper design element.

Today her ideas are beautifully recreated by the Kindel Furniture Company

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movement with its high vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows, Tudor decorating styles featuring wood beams, bright colours and tapestries and American country style with bright mix-and-match furnishings.

So who are the leading exponents shaping the interiors of America’s homes and public buildings today? Far too many to mention, that’s for sure. Condé Nast’s Architectural Digest, one of America’s leading interior design magazines, publishes an annual list of top designers – the AD 100. One name that crops up frequently is Barbara Barry.

Named by Forbes magazine as one of its Ten Best Interior Designers Of The West Coast, Californian Barry opened her business in 1986. Her style oozes contemporary Hollywood glamour. On her website she describes herself as an artist who “sees the world very much in terms of light, form, colour and texture” and strives to find “the fluid line, with forms that speak to the body and call us to use them”. Her three top design tips are: “Purge. It’s always good to pare down.

I grew up valuing simplicity and appreciating small details. Also, think in colour blocks and remember that lighting is everything.”

Jed Johnson Home’s Avery ‘Bird’s-Eye’ bronze panelled chest and ebonized ‘porter chair’ hold their own in this collector’s bedroom, next to Andy Warhol’s painting from the Ladies and Gentlemen series and white lacquered metal sculpture

by Alexander Lieberman. Wall upholstery in Jed Johnson Home’s silk and linen Nuage Jacquard. © Nick Johnson

i www.barbarabarry.com

’s Michael S. Smith project for thete iva pr Obama’s White quarters at the e House could giv seller st him a third be

Recycled felt wall panels serve a double purpose, insulating the walls and adding texture to the hallway of Ondine Karady’s loft apartment

Since he was selected to update the private quarters in the White House for Barack and Michelle Obama, 44-year-old Michael S. Smith has become the hottest designer in America.

He has a big budget to play with because, although they’ve been allotted $100,000 to redecorate, the Obamas will also spend some of their own money.

Smith studied decorative arts at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and his style is steeped in European tradition. His interiors reflect a well-travelled look that includes the use of fine fabrics and rare antiques and a combination of different time periods, cultures and price points. His designs are known

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for being comfortable yet sophisticated, classic yet modern, filled with priceless pieces yet inviting and livable.

Based in Santa Monica, Smith works on residential and commercial properties around the world. His long list of celebrity clients includes Cindy Crawford, Steven Spielberg, Rupert Murdoch, Dustin Hoffman and Michelle Pfeiffer. He was named one of Architectural Digest’s top 100 designers in 2002 and 2004 and was Elle Decor’s designer of the year in 2003. In addition to his interior design business, he is involved in a number of commercial ventures, including his Jasper furniture and fabric lines, as well as fabric, leather, bath and ceramics collections and licensing agreements for lighting, rugs and home fragrances.

“He really stands out as being one of the top designers of our time,” says Margaret Russell, editor of Elle Decor. “He’s an extremely versatile designer, and he’s someone who doesn’t inflict his personal style on his clients. He’s a good fit… I think he’ll help the Obamas make a lovely statement about what change is, while respecting the history of the White House and bringing a fresh look to it.”

i www.michaelsmithinc.com

Ondine Karady came to the world of interior design by way of the entertainments industry and has worked with top directors such as Spike Lee on his film, 25th Hour. Most famously, she was part of the team that decorated the sets for Sex and the City, which set new standards in high end interiors. Since then, her career has taken off and she left set design to open boutique design studios in New York and Washington D.C., where she also designs a line of custom-made furniture, wallpaper and ceramics.

Wherever Karady focuses her eye, she brings a

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The Braziliance Commode is a twodrawer cabinet designed by Dorothy Draper in 1939 for The Quitandinha, a resort in Brazil. Available today from the Kindel Furniture Company

modern, high-impact look infused with an offbeat energy. She was a finalist on Bravo’s Top Design show, when the judges praised her sophisticated style and can-do attitude. “She did a great job on the show, making her spaces look really lived-in and layered,” said Elle Decor Editor Margaret Russell, one of the judges.

“The fact that she has been a set decorator means she knows how to conjure a place and channel someone’s personality.”

i www.ondinekarady.com

When Jed Johnson started his interior decorating business in a fourth-floor bedroom of Andy Warhol’s Manhattan townhouse, he could never have dreamed that he was creating a company that has become one of the premier design houses in America. It has been said that he became a decorator in self-defense, beginning with his attempt to organise the possessions of the famous artist (and legendary shopper) with whom he lived for 12 years. “Jed’s design education began by sorting Andy’s things,” says Jay Johnson, his twin brother, who has been President of the company since

Jed’s death in the 1996 TWA airline crash. That same year, he was awarded the Interior Design Hall of Fame Award in recognition of his remarkable contribution to the profession.

With quiet determination, a perfectionist’s curiosity and the natural eye of an authentic connoisseur, Jed Johnson rose to the highest echelon of the international design world, collecting a roster of celebrity clients including Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall, Richard Gere, and Barbara Streisand. As his company and reputation grew, many talented designers who shared his ideals essential marbella magazine

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Grand scale and sculptural form define this New York penthouse loft by Jed Johnson Associates. The sensuous luster of the custom macassar ebony ‘sun’ bed provides the perfect contrast for the white-on-white handmade rag paper collage panels that envelop the walls and ceiling coffers. © Durston Saylor

Ondine Karady’s loft apartment, converted from a Brooklyn sweater factory, makes unusual use of reclaimed 1940s hospital cabinets in the lounge

of products that bear his mark, ranging from furniture, lamps, dinner-ware, crystal, and linen designs. In his interior designs and fabrics – Carleton Varney by the Yard – his design philosophy stresses the use of bright colours and the rejection of all that is impractical, uncomfortable and drab, embracing all that Dorothy Draper stood for, ensuring that her pioneering spirit endures in private residences worldwide.

i www.dorothydraper.com

www.kindelfurniture.com

of design integrity, superb quality, and restrained luxury joined the firm. Today, the company also comprises Jed Johnson Home, offering luxury textiles, furniture and decorative accessories once obtainable as couture creations for private clients but now available to the public through architects and interior design professionals.

Says the company’s design director, Arthur Dunnam: “Though we are thoroughly grounded in history, we relish the challenges of the 21st century and intend to remain at the leading edge of innovative interior design.”

Kindel reproduction of a Dorothy Draper sofa and birdcage chandelier, first designed for use in the café at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, named The Dorotheum in her honour

i www.jedjohnson.com

An article on America’s top designers wouldn’t be complete without further mention of Dorothy Draper and Company, Inc., still going strong and now the oldest established interior design firm in the United States. Dorothy died in 1969 but her protegé Carleton Varney, the current President as well as a designer in his own right, continues to emulate her timeless style in the Dorothy Draper Collection, which features reproductions adaptations and inspirations from Draper’s corporate design work. Kindel Furniture of Michigan has the license with Carleton Varney to reproduce Dorothy Draper designs. The 100-year-old company is the last remaining manufacturer in Grand Rapids, at one time known as ‘Furniture City’. Said PR Nellie Xinos: “Some of the collection features products from Draper’s original design notebooks.

Some are line for line copies, others are adaptations as Dorothy had a penchant for overscaled work! We love her look, and it is extemely popular today in the US.” In his own right, Varney is associated with the restoration and decoration of countless hotels and resorts, among them Dromoland and Ashford Castles in Ireland, The Waldorf Towers and Plaza Hotel in New York and The Breakers in Palm Beach.

In years past, he was the design consultant to the Carter Presidential Library and for numerous functions at the White House. His versatility in design can be seen in the wide range

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THECHIC

DECOR NEWS

Report BELINDA BECKETT

Naturally inspired

DESIGN TO GO DOTTY FOR

Germany’s Red Dot Awards, presented annually in June, are the most coveted accolade in the design world, attracting thousands of entries worldwide. They are a mark of quality, innovation and cutting-edge design, as is evident from these past Red Dot winners.

A tree in winter was the inspiration for the Wishbone coat stand by Frost Design of Denmark - a talking point from the moment your guests walk through the door.

i www.frostdesign.dk

Water sculpture The Bocina watering can by Auerhahn of Germany combines form with function. It can hold two litres of water and, when not in use, place on the windowsill and admire.

ep o n e l s o Go t

an egg

i www.auerhahn-bestecke.de

The Lomme Bed by Thöny Projekt sleep e-art of Liechtenstein combines state-of-th oldest organic the of one h wit es enhancement technologi se l as the sen of returning to the shapes in nature – the egg. As welan integrated massage system, womb, the sleeper benefits from therapy. light and sound

Dishy sofa .li

i www.moebelthoeny

The modular Dish sofa by Visaversa of Belgium, inspired by the shape of a shallow dish, can be joined together to form a never-ending row. It appears to hover in the air like a magic carpet although it is perfectly balanced on hidden hemispheres.

i www.visaversa.be

Bendy bakeware The Hercules Cooker by Silicone Zone of Hong Kong, is like its name – stronger than you think, although it’s made entirely of silicone. It can withstand heat of up to 300C – perfect for wowing dinner guests.

i www.siliconezone.com.

Touchy-feely The silky smooth stainless steel Tantalo bottle opener by Magppie International Ltd of India is a tactile household toy. A coloured detail inside the opener adds visual drama.

i www.magppie.com

Design that dances

Love is…

The Heartbreaker swivel lounge chair by Tonon of Italy, a showpiece to fire the emotions, available in a range of 196 fabrics and colours with polished or matt chrome finish.

i www.tononitalia.com

The Ribbon stool by Cappellini of Italy is designed on the laces of ballet shoes. The three ribbons are cut out of a single piece of sheet steel by laser. An optional seat cushion is attached with magnets.

i www.cappellini.it

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THECHIC

Report Marisa Cutillas Photography Courtesy of pixie glore & THE ARTISTS

ART NEWS

Esther Melguizo

Pixie Glore

First International

Art Festival inMarbella Artist Hermann Henger with ‘Self Portrait’

uJoy

Fahey: Born in Manchester, Joy has always been in touch with her artistic side, training since childhood in dance, drama and art. After working in film, theatre and dance, she obtained her Fine Art qualification at the Manchester School of Art. She has travelled extensively to countries such as the USA, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, a fact which greatly influences the development of her work. Joy uses oils, acrylics and mixed techniques to develop chromatic abstractions that express her unique inner world. u Pixie Glore: Raised in Utah in the USA, Pixie boasts a cum laude B.F.A. degree and seeks to express the adventure, power and beauty of the people and mmiskey Roger Cu places she paints. Having travelled extensively to far-off lands such as Papua New Guinea, China and the South Pacific, her art reflects the cultural sensitivity and curiosity of a true citizen of the world. u Conrad C. Jones: Born in Torquay, England, where he studied art and photography, he has travelled around the world picking up influences

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Exhibiting artists include: that have given his work Eli Martín a decidedly international, exotic flavour. He considers himself to be a multidisciplined artist with an interest in painting, illustration and photography. u Esther Melguizo: This Andalusían artist has a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Granada and she creates abstract paintings and etchings whose gentility and femininity are utterly unique. u Roger Cummiskey: Born in Dublin, Roger is a full-time visual artist who is intensely involved in the local and regional art scene. He specialises in paintings that take their themes and titles from the wanderings and writings of James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Miguel de Cervantes and other literary and historical personalities. He is a recognised Joycean artist and has exhibited his work in Australia, China, Finland, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA and in many national and private shows in Ireland. u Eli Martín: Eli studied Fine Art at Heartheley’s School of Art, the Chelsea School of Art and Design and the Slade School of Fine Art, as well as the University College in Gower Street. She is interested both in painting and sculpture and her work is heavily influenced by Arabian culture and art. u Hermann Henger: Born in Stuttgart, Germany, where he obtained his qualification at the Stuttgart Academy of Art, Hermann studied under the guiding hand of Professor Böhme, and subsequently worked for many years as a graphic artist in Basilea, before heading for the sunnier climes of Marbella.

His style is eclectic, ranging from expressionist portraits to more abstract works.

“

Art remains the one way possible of speaking truth,” said poet Robert Browning, and what better place to hear this message than in Marbella? Whether you are an art connoisseur or you simply wish there were more cultural events on the Costa del Sol, the first Marbella International Art Festival is bound to add a new, deeper dimension to life under the sun.

The Marbella International Art Festival is a four-day extravaganza of art, music and entertainment and it all takes place on the Alameda and Avenida del Mar, between the town centre and the beach, from June 18 to 21. Over 70 painters, lithographers, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists, digital artists and galleries will be exhibiting their work in individual white tents, while the streets will come alive with bands, street performers and nearby bars and hospitality areas will also join in on the action.

Pixie Glore, founder of the event and an exhibiting artist herself, says, “The standard of work is humbling,” while her co-founder, interior designer Caroline Bowley, adds, “We have artists with extraordinary talent and many with impressive careers.” Pixie and Caroline were joined

by Loni Olfers of Houses of Art Gallery and José Luis Hernández, Councillor for Tourism in the Marbella Town Hall, in adjudicating the work of artists seeking to exhibit at the festival.

The event is sponsored by The Marbella Tourist Board, FNAC and Coca-Cola, to name a few leading companies, and Houses of Art Gallery has decided to sponsor the winner of a Young Artists award, adjudicated by Loni Olfers, founder of the gallery.

At the end of the event, prizes will be awarded to the top three artists. A very interesting arena for those with young children is the Children’s Activity Tent, in which young minds will be able to explore their most creative side.

i The tents will be available for viewing from

11am-late. For further information, Tel: 655 626 602. www.festivaldeartemarbella.com

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DIRECT FROM OWNER

Monte Mayor Golf and Country Club, BenahavĂ­s A 3,800m2 front line golf plot with full plans and golf share

â‚Ź495,000

Monte Mayor Golf and Country Club is a private and secure development sheltered in an idyllic valley oasis and surrounded by mountains and beautiful natural wilderness.

This spectacular development offers glorious views of the Mediterranean and African coastline.

Facilities include a clubhouse, sports complex, tennis courts, gym, health and spa facilities, heated swimming pool, restaurant and more.

The Project is a 480m2 cortijo-style 5 bed villa.

Please call Vanessa on 699 703 475 for more information E122_directowner.indd 1

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THECHIC FASHION

Report Marisa Cutillas

Grey Sensation

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Wild at heart

Bon chic, bon genre essential marbella magazine

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Paris Hilton, Angelina Jolie and Madonna are only some of the many celebrity clients who are self-professed fans of Tunisianborn but all-American designer, Max Azria.

The fashion house’s story is fascinating, beginning with the fervent hopes and dreams of a young Max and his wife, Lubov, who launched the BCBG brand in California in the 1980s. The brand aimed to instil a sense of European style in American women and judging by the excellent reviews from their first collection, it was just what the doctor ordered for women across the USA. Following the success of BCBG, Max and Lubov created the more upmarket Max Azria Collection, as well as more casual lines such as BCBGirls, BCBG//Attitude, To the Max Parallel, and Hervé Léger. The Azrias have also recently acquired the Rave, G+G and Ravegirls brands, creating Max Rave, meant for teenagers and sold at surprisingly accessible prices.

BCBG Generation is another new brand for the company, focusing on university age women who seek quality and style at an affordable price.

brings you a special fashion feature this month, featuring items from the Hervé Léger Autumn/winter 2009 collection. Azria finds his inspiration in the urban jungle, in which women dress in tailored looks, shoulder pads, snakeskin prints and bright metallics in an effort to appear as fierce as possible. Without a doubt, we’ll soon be seeing many a hot, lithe young Hollywood beauty wearing one of these classy numbers.

Emerald green

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Basic Black

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Urban sparkle

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Strong as metal

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1980s chic

Dancing Queen

i www.maxazria.com

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*Laut OJD ist die Costa del Sol Nachrichten die meistverkaufte und damit meistgelesene deutschsprachige Zeitung an der Costa del Sol

Besser

täglich informiert!

13.05.09 14:05:01

(Cyan Bogen) (Magenta Bogen) (Yellow Bogen) [Seite 'Libro Verde CSN_1' - Dialog40cn710 | Costa Nachrichten | Costa del Sol Nachrichten | Gesamt CSN | Titelseite] von miguelc (Black

14. Mai 2009, Nr. 658 , 12. Jahrgang � Jeden Donnerstag mit Sat-TV-Programm 8

Benalmádena Misstrauensvotum bringt PP wieder an die Macht

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� 1,20 €

Ausflugstipp Rundwanderung durch Pinsapo-Wald und drei Schluchten

Chiringuitos in Gefahr

Weil die Zentralregierung das Küstengesetz von 1988 umsetzen will, stehen viele Strandbars vor einer ungewissen Zukunft. In Foto: CSN Marbella steht einer der Chiringuitos, der in einer Schutzzone liegt, kurz vor dem Abriss. Seite 4

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Vélez-Málaga Botanischer Garten mit exotischen Pflanzen gegenüber Festung geplant

17

Torrox

Fäkalien oder Algen?

Schwaden einer roten Masse im Meer sorgen für Ärger 19

Nerja Anwohner fordern Baustopp für Strandpromenade

Armut wächst Immer größerer Ansturm auf Gratis-Kantinen Das Sozialwerk der Bank Unicaja verteilt seit Anfang Mai kostenlos Essensgutscheine für Bedürftige. Dies scheint auch dringend nötig zu sein. In der Provinzhauptstadt Málaga haben

im vergangenen Jahr 17.000 Menschen die bestehenden Gratis-Kantinen aufgesucht, 350 davon sind obdachlos.

Porträt

Komiker der Sprache Der Schauspieler Joan Pera leiht Woody Allen seine Stimme Seite 100

Thema der Woche, Seite 32

Stau auf der A-7 Der Beginn des Tunnelbaus auf der A-7 bei San Pedro Alcántara hat zu massiven Staus auf der Umleitungsstrecke geführt. Marbellas Regierung fordert freie Fahrt auf der Mautautobahn.

Costa del Sol, Seite 7

Täglich aktualisierte Schlagzeilen und Kurznachrichten finden Sie auf unserem Internetportal www.costadelsolnachrichten.com und die ausführlichen Berichte und Hintergrundinformationen lesen Sie in der Printausgabe, erhältlich jeden Donnerstag am Kiosk.

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THECHIC FASHION NEWS

Report Marisa Cutillas

1 2

1 - Leather sandals by Redoute Creation 2 - Immitation jade bracelets by Anyes Gallici 3 - Shoulder bag by Dior 4 - Beige suede boot by Dior 5 - Leather belt by La Redoute 6 - Sleeveless dress by Zoe Tees 7 - Sunglasses by Dior 8 - Leather ballet slippers by La Redoute 9 - Silk dress by Michael Klein 10 - Cotton dress and lace clutch bag by Alain Manoukian 11 - Leather bag by Antik Batik 12 - Brown leather thong by Dior 13 - Silk dress and sequinned bag by Alain Manoukian 14 - Silk trousers by E2 15 - Wool dress and leather bag by Alain Manoukian

3 4 5

7 6

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9 10 12 13 i Items 1, 2, 5, 6,8, 9, 11 & 14 are available from La Redoute:

www.laredoute.com

Items 10, 13 & 15 are available from Alain Manoukian: www.groupe-manoukian.com.com Items 3, 4, 7 & 12 are available from Dior: www.dior.com

14 15

Spring into Summer Fashion

The progression of spring into early summer brings its promise of love, beauty and colour. It’s also as good an excuse as any to update your wardrobe, with items that are as fashionable as they are comfortable. Take your pick from these hot items:

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the spa BEAUT Y AND HEALTH

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Beauty News

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Fight Hair Loss

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Health News

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Research Brief

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Page

The Finca CortesĂ­n Spa

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THESPA

Report Marisa Cutillas

BEAUTY

The Finca Cortesín Spa

The art of elite wellness

T

he Finca Cortesín Golf, Hotel & Spa, near to the quaint Andalusian village of Casares, has been raising quite a few eyebrows of late: with its 18-hole golf course, grand luxury five-star hotel and haute cuisine restaurant, it is poised to be a Mecca for golf fanatics, having already secured the hosting of the future Volvo World Match Play Championship for the next three years. Like all great golf resorts, it also offers something for those more into a bit of rest and relaxation: a spa, which is set to provide stiff competition for many of the Costa del Sol’s top wellness getaways.

The look and feel of the spa shy away from the current penchant for dark wood, Zen vibes and Oriental luxury. Here, the key word is silence. Grey and white natural stone, natural fabric wall furnishings and a veritable flood of natural light and space are key elements.

The spa is divided into three areas: the treatment area, fitness/wellness centre and the thermal area.

There are six individual treatments rooms and one luscious double room for couples seeking a romantic escape. Enjoy a simultaneous massage with your partner, then shower in the private cubicle or take a dip in a sizeable private bath. The rooms, in stark contrast to most spas, are minimalistic, and all machines and trolleys are hidden from the eye thanks to clever storage and panelling.

Towels abound throughout the spa, on discreet shelves, thus avoiding the need to ask the staff for one. All rooms are gently heated to a cosy warmth, with heated floors and extra-long, extra-wide treatment beds, which are also heated.

I personally appreciate the ‘no-BS’ approach evident in the treatment list, which foregoes exotic titles in favour of understandable terminology. Visitors can opt for a treatment from a select but comprehensive list which includes a sport massage, relaxing massage,

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therapeutic massage, lymphatic drainage (body, legs or face), cranial facial massage and foot reflexology treatment. On my visit, I enjoyed a sleep-inducing 50-minute massage at the hands of technician Javier Gómez Gago, a veritable wizard of touch who knows just the right strength to use, ranging from intoxicatingly deep movements to a light, sweeping touch. One’s sense of intimacy is never invaded, since the client’s whole body is covered by soft towels and areas are uncovered only when they are being worked on. A special area of the spa is devoted to luxury brand La Ric’s special treatments for the hands and feet: enjoy a Luxus hand or feet ritual with a paraffin dip and a delicious massage afterwards. The Spa also works with luxury brand Biologique Recherche, whose products contain the maximum amount of active ingredients permitted by law.

The thermal area is divided into three zones: men’s, women’s and mixed. Each has its own sauna, Turkish bath, showers and relaxation area. The mixed zone boasts a contrast pool and also, a first of its kind in Spain, a snow

cave, which uses the same technology employed in artificial ski slopes. The cave, with its overhanging snow formations, cools the body progressively, providing a gentle decrease in temperature following a visit to the sauna or Turkish bath. The spa also boasts a lovely long, climatised indoor pool adorned with Italian, handpainted tiles that change colour, depending on the sun’s reflection. Natural sunlight floods in from crystal walls, while the white Moroccan stone tiles provide a final touch of majesty and elegance.

Spa Director Guillermo Martín explains, “Many spas have become a kind-of aqua park, where the sound of overhead showers, hydro jets and bubbles take away from one’s sense of serenity”. At the Finca Cortesín pool, silence pervades.

Lastly, there is the Fitness and Wellness area fitted with the very latest in gym equipment from Cybex, a luxury American brand featuring machines with details such as braided leather handles and groundbreaking technology. There is a vibratory platform machine, as well as elliptical trainers, treadmills, strength and cardio machines. The treadmill boasts an intelligent suspension system, which eases the impact on knees and feet. The gym houses the impressive Dual Cable Cross machine, which has a similar whole-body strength effect as the popular Kinesis machine. The Cybex version, however, is unique in that it allows the user to imitate movements used in all sports, permiting avid golfers, kite surfers and tennis players to fine-tune their respective skills within a gym setting.

Both the spa and gym change according to the time of day, relying on an abundance of natural light by day and graduated light by night. A late visit is a must, at least once, to experience the unique sensation of exercising or relaxing in softly lit interiors. Surprisingly, this gym does not rely on fluorescent, white light and loud house music to set the mood. Here, the pursuit of whole body and mind is a surprisingly easy task.

i Crta. de Casares, km 2, Málaga. Tel: 952 937 779. www.hotelcortesin.com

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BEACH CLUB MARBELLA

BEACH, POOL AND GARDENS, 4000M2 • EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS

Paseo Marítimo de San Pedro de Alcántara. Marbella - Málaga T. 952 789 100 www.boraboramarbella.com E122_borabora FINAL.indd 1

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THESPA

! p U t Gloss I BEAUTY

mmer. ossy lips than su st gl , sh lu g tin or ere are a ho er time for sp There is no bett d, transparent or flavoured, th las brings us til re Pearlised, lacque se from this season. Marisa Cu oo of varieties to ch . some of the best

1 - Pure Color Swirl Gloss by Estée Lauder Could any true chocolate lover resist Estée Lauder’s Chocolate Decadente Collection? Probably not! Luckily, there is calorie free joy to be found in Estée Lauder’s Pure Color Swirl Gloss, a gloss that swirls into a natural2 - Pop Gloss Crystal by looking shade when applied.

Givenchy Pop Gloss Crystal by Pure Color Swirl Givenchy is ideal for those Gloss comes in who seek a volumetwo flavours: Berry enhancing gloss. It offers Swirl and Caramel tons of shine and is ultraSwirl, though transparent, for a natural both have a lovely tone yet a dramatic level chocolatey taste. of sparkle. For the summer This is a good choice for those season, try pinkish tones seeking subtle such as Pop Rose, Pop metallic shimmer.

Fuschia or Glitter Pink, great for a night on the town when you want to be noticed.

2 1

5 - Kiss Kiss Pearl Gloss by Guerlain Kiss Kiss is the extra sparkly gloss created by Guerlain just for summer. Pink and pastel tones dominate this range, which is touted as being as long-lasting as it is luscious and pearly.

Subtlety is the key this season, with lighter tones holding sway. Try Opal Pearl, Pink Pearl or Romantic Rose for an ultra-feminine look.

3

5 4

3 - Lip Gloss by Nars Nars offers ladies serious shine and sexy colour this season, in sheer creamy and semi-sheer varieties. This gloss can be used alone or over other shades for a highly pigmented look.

The wand is handy to use, while the shades are varied enough for every girl to find her perfect match. We suggest Frisky Summer, Boogie Nights or Belize to complement the bright, bold colours that will dominate prêt-a-porter collections this season.

4 - Plump Kiss by Strixaderm-MD Plump Kiss was dreamed up for those who aspire to possess pouty, full lips. Strixaderm-MD is famed for its range of innovative, anti-ageing products and its new gloss is no exception, promising plumper, more youthful looking lips. A good choice for the over-40s.

6

6 - Lip Shimmer by Giorgio Armani Embellish your lips with Armani’s iridescent gloss, which leaves a slightly shimmering, elegant appearance. The gloss comes with a unique high precision brush applicator, which ensures that you paint within the lip lines every time.

Lip Shimmer was awarded the Pretty Damn Glam prize by Latina Magazine, owing to its sophisticated, long-lasting appeal.

i All items are available at El Corte Inglés,

Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990.

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THESPA HEALTH

Report Marisa Cutillas

H

air loss and baldness have unfortunately come to be seen as ‘a necessary evil’ of growing older, or of accepting our hereditary tendencies. Like a disease, it is considered an all-powerful process that leaves us with two choices: either passive acceptance or a hair transplant. Still, many people are unwilling to go to that extreme while others feel that transplanted hair looks obvious. Women, meanwhile, are not likely to opt for this traditionally masculine procedure.

We’ve come a long way since hair transplant clinics first started proliferating and, thankfully, there are now many steps we can take to counteract hair loss and even boost hair growth. Far from a pipe dream, a new technology developed by Revlon has been proven to increase hair density by up to 22 per cent and to double resistance to hair loss, in a trial period of just six weeks.

Called Intragen 5, the system involves the use of either ampoules or patches alongside a special tonic packed with vitamins, minerals and proteins.

The reason for hair loss is no secret nowadays, and researchers have identified five main culprits: u Altered testosterone activity in the hair bulb u The oxidation of follicle cells due to free radical damage u The reduction of peripheral micro-circulation u A decrease in cell proliferation u Excess of sebum in the scalp All these processes occur for many reasons, including a change in testosterone levels in the body, stress, depression, poor nutrition and endocrine alterations, which affect men and women differently. Some sufferers of alopecia may notice it occurring after surgery, or around three months after having a baby. This is because, during pregnancy, the female body is riddled with hormones that stop hair loss. Once baby is born, there is no need to maintain this level and hair loss rate returns to its normal, pre-pregnancy cycle. Some medication also causes hair loss, including anticoagulants, gout medicine, chemotherapy, Vitamin A (when taken in excess), birth control pills and antidepressants. At other times, infections are to blame. Certain diseases can also cause hair fallout, particularly lupus and diabetes. Believe it or not, bad habits can also lead to hair loss, particularly wearing tight pigtails, cornrows or hair rollers that pull excessively on hair. If enough hair is pulled from the roots, scarring can ensue, and there is no turning back. Be careful, likewise, of hot oil and permanent treatments that may cause the hair follicle to swell and scar.

The Intragen 5 regimen involves the use of ampoules for three months. In Phase One, which lasts six weeks, the ampoule is applied to the scalp every evening. In Phase Two, use is limited to once every other day. Following this period, a minimum maintenance programme is recommended. The ampoules should ideally be used in conjunction with a special tonic that is light, non-oily and quick drying, yet stimulates growth, strength and volume.

Interestingly, the solution is made from many natural ingredients including rosemary, Japanese swertia and hop extract. The active ingredient, silanodiol salicylate, completes the mix which is not only said to be super-effective but smells delicious too. And girls, don’t think this is just for men – any woman who has been unlucky enough to experience alopecia owing to stress or hormonal alterations will be surprised by how weak, stressed hair can recover its lost strength and shine.

i Intragen 5 is being sold on the Costa del Sol. For further information, Tel: 646 721 455 or email barry_scribbler@hotmail.com

Intragen 5 stops the hair loss process and promotes growth by: u Blocking an enzyme called alfa-reductase, the main cause of hair loss u Neutralising free radical damage by protecting the follicle membrane u Stimulating micro-circulation, which facilitates cellular oxygenation and nutrition u Increasing the production of keratinocites (cells that promote healthier, stronger hair and faster growth) u Reducing the level of sebum in the scalp

Fight Hair Loss with

Revlon Intragen 5

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THESPA

Report Marisa Cutillas

HEALTH

Shopaholics: Blame it on that time of the month!

Behavioural Modification for Kids’ Health Childhood obesity is a bigger threat than it ever has been, yet it seems that even banning junk food and following stringent nutritional rules are having little positive effect on kids’ eating habits. Scientists at the University of Yale and Cornell University are claiming that a new approach, based on behavioural modification, is the key to healthier eating habits. The scientists call the tactic ‘stealth health’, and it involves persuading kids to make healthier choices without them even realising it.

Steps include the following: u Asking kids if they’d like fruit with their meal. (This simple question raised fruit consumption from 40 to 70 per cent at school cafeterias, according to studies undertaken.) u Renaming dishes. For instance, ‘funky fruit concoction’ sounds a lot more appealing than ‘fruit salad’. u Improving access to healthy foods. The ‘grab and go’ section of the cafeteria, always more popular with children, should contain the greatest proportion of healthy foods. u Asking kids to pay with cash rather than using prepaid cards. (This has been found to promote healthy choices.)

Contrary to popular opinion, removing junk food items from cafeterias is only effective with younger children. David Just, a scientist at Cornell University, rightly points out: “Removing choices is a good solution until kids graduate, or until they go to 7-Eleven on a Saturday.” Encouraging kids to want to eat healthier, rather than feel like they are being forced to, is the key.

Can you think of a few of your own creative solutions for your kids?

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A recent finding by the British Psychological Society is poised to stir quite a debate among females.

It states that women, the typical brunt of ‘spendthrift’ jokes, can actually blame their credit card crisis on ‘that time of the month’. Professor Karen Pine of the Brisith Psychological Society studied the spending habits of 443 women aged between 18 and 50, finding that by a great majority, they were more likely to go on a shopping spree in the 10 days leading up to their period. She also found that of the 153 women who were in the later stages of their cycle, two thirds admitted to overspending by over £25. Professor Pine claimed that the spending is directly related to intense emotions, noting that the more depressed, stressed or angry women felt, the more likely they were to treat themselves to an unnecessary item or two. In a statement bound to send feminists into a frenzy, Pine claimed that hormonal fluctuations were to blame. Another explanation, she admitted, was that women buy more things when they are ovulating, and therefore more fertile, probably in a subconscious attempt to attract a mate. Professor Pine advised women to avoid shopping one week before their period was due. Somehow, we doubt many of us will actually follow her advice!

Is orgasmic childbirth possible?

For most women, the experience of childbirth falls into one of two categories: it is either agonisingly painful or, a quick, natural experience described by many as ‘beautiful’. But to describe it as ‘orgasmic’ seems like a crazy notion dreamed up by an over-zealous mother. Actually, orgasmic childbirth is much more than that; it’s an experience thousands of women have been lucky enough to have experienced, or so they claim. According to Dr. Michael Odent, a prominent obstetrician who first introduced the idea of birthing pools and wrote the book, The Functions of the Orgasms, “People used to think that female organsms during intercourse didn’t exist. I believe that, in years to come, orgasm during childbirth will be recognised as a natural part of the birthing experience. The idea of orgasmic birth has been backed up by anecdotal evidence from thousands of women. During labour, there is a huge hormonal change in the body with increased prolactin, beta-endorphins and oxytocin being released. These molecules of ecstasy help to push the baby down the birth canal.” The reason birth can be such a difficult experience is that in the majority of cases, it is done ‘to the clock’, with strangers telling a woman when to push, regardless of when she is ready. Social anthropologist Sheila Kitzinger explains the phenomenon eloquently: “When a woman is in labour and has people telling her what to do and when to breathe, she can’t be spontaneous. But giving birth can be amazing – warm waves of passion. When the baby’s head reaches the perineum it stimulates an erotic response known as Ferguson’s reflex. That is if it isn’t destroyed by her being told how and when to push.”

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THESPA

Report BELINDA BECKETT

RESEARCH NUCLEAR CLUES TO HEALTHIER HEARTS It’s hard to imagine there could be an upside to America’s nuclear testing programme. However, research into carbon 14 emitted during Cold War–era nuclear bomb tests has lead to the discovery that heart muscle cells continue to divide throughout adulthood, a fact that could be exploited to treat damaged hearts. The radioactive isotope carbon 14 was generated by above-ground nuclear test bombs during the Cold War. However, during research into its effects, it was found that the isotope was found in humans before 1955, when nuclear testing started. From this, it was deduced that carbon 14 in the atmosphere is mirrored in bodies, and used to build DNA when cells divide.

Using multiple samples, the researchers estimated that a 20-year-old person renews about one percent of heart muscle cells in a year. Although this slows with age, it means that a 50-year-old has only about 55 per cent of the heart muscle cells he or she was born with, while the remaining 45 per cent of the cells were generated later.

Knowing that heart muscle cells regenerate opens up new possibilities in treatment of heart problems.

“The dogma has always been that cell division in the heart pretty much stops after birth,” said Charles Murry of the University of Washington in Seattle, reporting in a recent issue of Science Magazine. “The dream scenario would be, after a heart attack, we have a drug to take to increase heart cells,” said Murry.

BOMBS AWAY FOR THE ‘H’-CAR? The eco-friendly electric ‘H-car’ could be hitting the high street sooner than you think.

American researchers funded by General Motors have developed a critical part of a hydrogen storage system for cars that makes it possible to fill up a vehicle’s fuel tank with enough hydrogen to drive 300 miles.

The system uses a fine powder called metal hydride to absorb hydrogen gas. The researchers have created a vital heat exchanger which circulates coolant through tubes to reduce the fuelling process from 40 minutes to under five. The hydrogen would then be used to power a fuel cell to generate electricity to drive an electric motor.

“The heat exchanger is critical because the system stops absorbing hydrogen effectively if it overheats,” explained project leader Issam Mudawar, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University, Indiana. “It would take a minimum of 40 minutes to fill the tank without cooling. Our challenge was to figure out how to fill the fuel vessel with hydrogen quickly, while also removing the heat efficiently. The problem is, nobody had ever designed this type of heat exchanger before. It’s a whole new animal that we designed from scratch.”

The new motoring milestone paves the way for practical on-board hydrogen storage systems that can be charged multiple times in much the same way as filling up a petrol tank.

OBAMA THE ANTIDOTE TO CREDIT-CRUNCHED AMERICANS Americans are keeping their wallets in their pockets and feeling increasingly stressed about the recession, according to a new Washington Post/ABC News poll. Many are putting off big-ticket spending, such as a new car and the annual vacation, and cutting out everyday indulgences, such as dining out.

More than six in 10 Americans say they are stressed out over the nation’s troubled economy, with 63 per cent cutting out ‘the basics, the splurges and nearly everything in between,’ says the report. Economies are being made on everything from durable goods to charitable giving. And the economic downturn is increasingly affecting those with the best prospects for future financial success, with 61 per cent of post-graduates reporting the economy as a cause of tension.

However, a new national survey carried out by CNN and the Opinion Research Corporation finds that the new President, Barack Obama, is giving Americans fresh cause for optimism.

More than eight in 10, Republicans included, think the nation’s Democratic leader will do a good job representing the United States to the world and seven in 10 believe that leaders of other countries respect him. This is in sharp contrast to his predecessor, George W. Bush, whom less than 50 per cent of Americans believed was respected abroad, even before the Iraq conflict.

“Except for the period following the 9/11 attacks, that number never got any better for Bush,” said CNN Polling Director Keating Holland.

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ESSENTIALS 1-1 new:Maquetación 1 17/02/2009 09:00 Página 1

EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS TO THE SCANDINAVIAN MARKET BY REACHING MORE THAN

50.000 POTENTIAL CLIENTS Det norske månedsmagasinet på Costa del Sol

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La revista danesa de la Costa del Sol · Det danske magasin på Costa del Sol

FEBRUAR 2009

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Februari 2009

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S PA N I E N F Ö R S V E N S K A R

En dag med

Kasper Nielsen er køkkenchef på den nye danskejede restaurant Roca Tranquila, som åbnede sommeren 2008 i Torreblanca. Han har været med fra starten af projektet, siden 2005, hvor han rejste frem og tilbage, mens byggeri og planlægning foregik, samtidig med at han kombinerede det med sin deltagelse på det danske kokkelandshold.

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Frigiliana VAGTSKIFTE I CLUB DANÉS - NY FORMAND SKAL VÆLGES EFTER GENERALFORSAMLINGEN I MARTS DET SPANSKE RETSSYSTEM - ER DET VED AT FALDE FRA HINANDEN?

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På kryss og tvers gjennom Andalucía Du kan ikke ha unngått å se dem, de mange veiskiltene her i Andalucía-regionen som forteller at her gikk de gamle historiske veiene, ”Rutas”. Men vet du hvilke historier som skjuler seg bak de gamle og ofte arabiskklingende navnene?

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NORWEGIAN

The most cost-effective gateway to the Scandinavian market on the Costa del Sol. The editorial backbone of our publications is made up of current events, news, reviews, politics and finance, while other sections cover in-depth and topical information on subjects that concern readers living in Spain. We also offer refreshing and interesting features on health, food and wine, sport, travel and décor, designed for the many Scandinavian-speaking residents and visitors to southern Spain.

Contact our team to learn more how to get in contact with the Scandinavians on the Costa del Sol With 18 years of experience on the Costa del Sol, Norrbom Marketing has the necessary knowledge about marketing locally as well as nationally, which is essential to provide our clients with the best tools to obtain the very best results. We are delighted to share our knowledge.

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the pro ALL ABOUT BUSINESS

Northeast Brazil – The Real Eldorado

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10th Anniversary Party

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Enterprise – News on the Coast

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Spanish Banking Crisis

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Page

35 Years of the American Club

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THEPRO PROPERTY

More than 500 years after Portuguese explorers embarked on its shores, savvy local property and tourism investors are rediscovering golden opportunities in Northeast Brazil, home to Marbella’s new twin sister, Natal, which is shortlisted as a host city for the 2014 World Cup. Belinda Beckett reports

Fun in the sun, Brazilian style A luxury apartment at Coral Plaza, Ponta Negra

Coastline at Porto Seguro

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n history, Eldorado was a mythical South American city of gold that lured explorers over harsh mountain ranges and through dense jungle to their deaths in the fruitless pursuit of its legendary treasures. It seems they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Local real estate investors looking beyond a Europe in economic crisis have discovered an exciting new destination in coastal Northeast Brazil, whose golden beaches and sapphire seas could offer untold riches as tomorrow’s second home destination.

Financial experts have forecast that global real estate will be the only major asset class to deliver double digit returns over the next five years. The high yield opportunities offered in Brazil, where land is cheap and a premium beachfront plot home comes in at less than one third of Marbella’s prices, indicate that

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the world’s fifth largest country could be the new ‘safe’ pensions investment of the 21st century.

Although Brazil is a seven-to-eight hour flight across the Atlantic on the opposite side of the equator, the area has much in common with the Costa del Sol. Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, enjoys 3,000 hours of annual sunshine with low humidity and cool sea breezes. Also like Marbella, it concentrates on quality tourism and has a young, dynamic Mayoress, Micarla de Sousa. And so, when Marbella Mayoress Ángeles Muñoz visited the area last year for the inauguration of a new aparthotel opened by a syndicate of Costa del Sol investors, the two civic leaders made the connection immediately and decided to twin their cities.

Future investors flying out on reccies to the area will

find a home from home in the Coral Plaza aparthotel, created with a sophisticated sale/leaseback scheme.

Occupying a prime beachfront plot in the trendy resort of Ponta Negra, it is one of the first luxurious European-style establishments in the area, with adult and children’s swimming pools, hydromassage tub and pool bar enclosed by tropical gardens. Each of the 107 air-conditioned apartments has a living room with flat screen LCD TV, bedroom, bathroom with solar-heated shower, American kitchen, minibar, safe, Wi-Fi access and an Internet café.

The international airport, 20 minutes from Ponta Negra, is served by direct flights from Lisbon. However, a connection with Madrid may not be far off, especially as Natal and Salvador, in neighbouring Bahia province, are shortlisted as host cities for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

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Coastline at Porto Seguro

Northeast Brazil

The real Eldorado

Tourism is still in its infancy but it is growing up fast – in a controlled and environmentally-conscious way. The latest addition to Ponta Negra’s attractions is a three kilometre seafront promenade flanking virgin beaches, while the area’s towering sand dunes are ecologically preserved in a Dune State Park.

Swedish-born Marbella lawyer, Torbjörn Gelfgren, who has visited the area many times in his role as legal representative of the Coral Plaza investors’ group, is very excited about the potential of Marbella’s Brazilian sister resort. “Natal is considered to be one of the safest capital cities in the country, its air quality is among the cleanest in the Americas and, although it’s a long-haul destination, it is a considerably shorter trip from Spain than Thailand, for example,” says Torbjörn. “Also, like Spain but unlike Thailand, Brazil has a system for the

registration of title deeds, which is doubly reassuring for property investors.”

One of the many ‘wow factors’ of a visit to Ponta Negra is the chance to take a thrilling dune buggy safari through the vertiginous sandhills of Dunas de Genipabu, a natural rollercoaster ride along the coast.

“My wife and I took a four-day, 650-kilometre safari from Natal to Fortaleza and north to Jericoacoara, named one of the world’s most beautiful beaches by the New York Times,” says Torbjörn. “We hired a professional buggy driver, staying in small villages en route. You can read about this excursion in guide books so we expected to see more tourists but we had the beaches mostly to ourselves.”

Among many enduring memories of Ponta Negra, Torbjörn especially enjoyed the beach walks. “The

sun rises early and taking a stroll along the deserted beaches at 6am is a particular delight,” he reminisces.

“Later, you’ll see sunbeds and parasols being carried out on the beach. Then the first beach vendors roll out their colourful carts with fruit, football shirts and everything you can imagine. You can buy fresh oysters, opened and served in their shells with lime. If you want a beer or caiperiña there will certainly be one of those carts nearby. Do you prefer kebab, crêpe or fresh shrimp? No problem. And if you want music for a while, give the guy with the CD/speaker cart a real or two and he will play your favorite tunes. If you prefer peace, you will easily find that as well. The beach is long.”

Although still a developing country, Brazil is the world’s 10th largest economy, a global power in agriculture and natural resources and the largest essential marbella magazine

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Artist’s impression of Turtle Bay

The stunning Coral Plaza aparthotel has added a touch of luxury to Ponta Negra

producer of coffee, oranges, sugar-cane and commercial jets. Technology-wise, it is as developed as any country in Europe and, as a nascent oil superpower, it is forecast to become the fifth largest economy by 2050.

A vast country with 8,500 kilometres of Atlantic coastline, the former Portuguese colony is a democratic Federal Republic with 26 states divided into five regions: North Brazil, the least populated, whose Amazon rainforests cover 45% of the country; Central-West, home to the Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland area; the wealthy South, settled by many European immigrants, boasting the spectacular Iguaçu Falls and National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site enclosing five unique kinds of forests and biosystems; the Southeast, which hosts one of the largest megalopolises of the world extending between the two largest cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro; and Northeast Brazil, culturally the most diverse region with its roots embedded in the Portuguese colonial period.

For Spanish investors, Brazil has the familiarity factors of language and lifestyle. Although Portuguese is the national language, Spanish is understood, unlike most of the world east of Euroland where many countries have a different alphabet, while a dozen Spanish-speaking countries are within a three hour flight away. The Brazilian customs and cuisine also have parallels with Spain.

The number of international visitors is increasing by 12.5 per cent annually and, since the mid 1990s, tourism has been a top priority as a source of foreign currency and employment. This was reinforced from 2002 by the new President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who created the first Ministry of Tourism and launched the Prodetur programme, which has funded improvements to airports, roads and drainage systems and aims to increase tourism to 9 million visitors.

With its stable climate of 20-32C, little rainfall and numerous unspoiled beaches, the Northeast is seen as the region of greatest potential and several real estate developers in Marbella are already touting it as the ‘new Spain’.

Marbella realtor David Jackson, who has development interests in the state of Bahia, bordering Rio Grande do Norte to the south, says: “Basically it’s Spain 30 years ago, the reason many of us came here.”

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Known as The Discovery Coast, where the Portuguese explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral first set foot on Brazilian soil in 1500, Club Med is established in Bahia which has its own airport and two world class golf courses, with more planned, and a range of accommodation, from luxurious 5 star hotels to simple pousadas.

“You can buy a beautiful four-bedroom house for under €250.000, around one third of Marbella prices,” he says.” Beachfront land in undeveloped areas costs from 50 cents per square metre and, with low labour costs and taxes, you can build a house for €350-€500 per m2 and employ a housekeeper for €200 a month.

Brazil is a safe place to invest, the banking system seems to be secure and the government stable. It is not adversely affected by the current world recession, probably due to the reluctance of banks to grant mortgages to anyone, especially non-nationals.”

David particularly recommends the up-and-coming resorts of Porto Seguro and neighbouring Arraial D’Ajuda which he describes as, “Truly sisters of Ibiza 20 years ago. Many people have identical businesses in both places, swapping with the seasons. It’s laid back in the extreme with more helicopters flitting around with incognito rich than I’ve ever seen in a tourist spot.

My neighbours, who can write cheques to save an economy, look and behave like the rest of us in beads, shorts bikini and flip flops.”

Rio’s Carnival may be better known internationally, but trendy Brazilians flock to see Porto Seguro’s Electric Trios (trucks carrying sound systems and live bands) playing Axe, an electrifying rhythm similar to samba, to crowds gathered in its lively Passarela do Álcool (street of bars). An international airport was completed in 1993, and the destination has good tourist and business travel infrastructure, nightlife, culture, colonial history and ecological attractions – vestiges of an Atlantic tropical rainforest and lush plantations of pineapple, sugarcane, manioc, banana, rubber, coffee, coconut, guava and papaya.

The Discovery Coast is also an area of interest for Integral Estates, a founding member of the Marbella Círculo Inmobiliario which has been sourcing and identifying land banking and development opportunities in Spain for over 25 years, and more recently in Brazil where it has developed unrivalled

knowledge and local lobbying power. The company provides the vital link between private and small-tomedium-sized developers in emerging markets and the stringent demands of European property buyers, acting as co-developers and marketing partners from land research to key delivery.

Integral Estates is developing the Turtle Bay Beach & Golf Resort, which Managing Director Bernard Soultan says is, “Perfect both for investors looking for high short-term returns, and end users looking to build their own private villa and enjoy their own piece of paradise, safe in the knowledge that they have made an excellent investment. Early investors have the added insurance of the increasing domestic demand for villas in European branded resorts. Very few developments offer such a wide range of exit strategies,” he adds.

Located next to Belmonte, a sparsely-populated stretch of tropical coastline, much of it protected nature reserve, it is a favourite haunt of the wealthy set from Rio and Sao Paulo and popular all year round with surfing, windsurfing and snorkelling enthusiasts who have fallen in love with the area’s hippy chic appeal.

Turtle Bay will deliver a complete lifestyle package to satisfy the expectations of the most demanding 21st century clientele, offering 735 plots starting from just £18,000 for a 500m2 plot (for individually designed twoto-four bedroom villas) and a host of 5 star amenities: nine hole, par three golf course, five star boutique hotel with 40 suites, thalassotherapy spa, tennis club, equestrian centre, exclusive beach club and more.

Although the area offers numerous pousadas, some of them ranked 6 star, Bernard Soultan sees opportunity in “the evident lack of luxury hotels”, while the growing attraction for Europeans means a hotel construction boom is inevitable, providing the perfect opportunity for land bankers and developers to return a substantial profit.

i www.coralplaza.com.br

gelfgren@cybfigital.com info@integral-estates.com www.turtlebay-beachandgolf-resort.com

Brightly-painted beach carts dispense cold drinks and snacks

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INVESTING IN BRAZIL In these turbulent and uncertain times is there anything more solid than LAND? Today’s savvy investor is looking for guaranteed and secure mid and long term business concepts based on common sense and ‘real economy’ facts and figures. LAND BANKING offers an obvious, simple, accessible and tailored solution for those looking for a solid opportunity. prime spots that continue to be affordable. Buying beachfront land between 10€ and 30€ per square meter is, in a globalised market, extremely attractive and logical.

Rule nº2: Timing is key

Stock markets have proved to be unpredictable and commodities are adversly affected by the recession.

Commercial and residential real estate markets are also offering very low yields. Wise investors continue to return to the safer and more profitable option of LAND BANKING.

Land banking, like any other business framework has it’s own golden rules

Rule nº1: location, location, location Emerging countries offer a wide choice and variety of

framework: the Brazilian government has recently approved a loan in favour of the I.M.F. for billions of dollars.

An emerging country which has struggled to pay back it’s debts for the last 60 years is now lending billions to the same I.M.F.!

Why else is Brazil the number one destination for land bankers?

Identify land neighbouring projects or areas that are just about to ‘take off’ but that are not yet consolidated, and acquire large plots nearby at undervalued prices.

A booming economy, no terrorist threat, no racial or religious conflicts, as well as a solid domestic market.

Rule nº3:

Since 2003, we have been permanently established in Porto Seguro in the State of Bahia, specialising in land research, urban planning, and joint ventures with local partners.

THE RIGHT CONTACT IN THE RIGHT PLACE

Creating added value By obtaining urban planning and building permission for non qualified land in a short period of time through local experts, investors can create valuable leverage and substantially improve the market value of their assets, in some cases turning the standard industry rate of appreciation of 5% -15% p.a. into 50% - 150%.

... and anything as promising as BRAZIL? Forget about statistics, expert’s projections and sophisticated charts, one simple fact supports the

We bring European know-how and passion to land bankers and developers looking to invest in our region.

Take a look at our last project: www.turtlebay-beachandgolf-resort.com and call us for an exploratory meeting to discuss your next safe and profitable investment in Brazil.

Our quadrilingual local partners will gladly attend you on site.

Contact Bernard Soultan berso@integral-estates.com Tel: 952 908 690

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THEPRO

Report Belinda Beckett Photography courtesy of Next Report BELINDA BECKETT photography kh photography

BUSINESS

This month, the American Club of the Costa del Sol will be flying the star-spangled banner to celebrate 35 years of introducing cotton candy, pumpkin pie and the true bond of friendship – American-style – to a small corner of Spain.

THE AMERICAN CLUB

35 YEARS OF BUDDYSHIP T he 500-strong membership of five Chapters stretching from Almuñécar to Sotogrande spans three generations, from youngsters in their twenties to the oldest founding member, aged 102! The Club encompasses men and women of diverse professions from America’s 50 states and international members who have a connection with, or simply a special love for, the good old US of A. Some of those members first colonised Spain in the Sixties and Seventies, intrepid explorers in a 20th century Age of Discovery who found a strange but wonderful New World in the days when Cranberry Jelly and Betty Crocker cookbooks were nowhere to be found (but are now available from El Corte Inglés through popular demand!).

Troy Davis, a retired World War II Command Sergeant Major in the US Army, was an original member when the Club made its first ‘home’ in Fuengirola on May 21st, 1974.

“There were lots of retired military types and we can look back on many good times, such as participating in the Mijas Día Internacional de los Pueblos, complete with real American popcorn prepared by our volunteers!”, he recalls. Nita Marsh from Missouri came to Spain with her husband in the Seventies to set up the first company ever to import genuine Texas aloe vera to Spain. Nita served her time as President of the Marbella Chapter, as did 82-year-old Bostonian Dorothy Kravitz who recalls her monthly apartment rent in Edificio Skol being just $100 back then. “You can add another zero, and some, to that now,” she laughs ruefully.

Much has changed in 35 years. The peseta has been

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replaced by the euro; President Bush has been replaced

by Obama (registering postal votes for the US elections is one of the Club’s more serious roles but a little bird tells me ‘Dubya’ didn’t get in on the Costa del Sol ticket); and, sadly, there are no surviving members of the original Board of Directors. What has not changed is the Club’s ethos: extending the hand of friendship to all those on the Costa del Sol who have a US passport or a passion for the continent, emergencies included. Cristina Silva, current Marbella Chapter President, remembers putting out an SOS call during a luncheon to help an American visitor who had been attacked and robbed and had no clothes in which to fly back to America. “Every member around that table offered to give something, be it a pair of trousers or money to buy new shoes,” she says proudly.

That kindred spirit is kept alive through old timers and their descendants (such as Gigi Joly, daughter of founding President Dr. Paul Castelle), as through younger members like 39-year-old New Yorker Ann McGeehan, a patents lawyer with six children of school age who somehow finds time to be Marbella Chapter Vice President too.

“We’re no longer just a bunch of retirees,” says Cristina, who originates from Colombia and is an Art History writer. “We have many professional younger members with children now so our activities have adapted over the years to reflect that demographic evolution, with evening events for those who work as well as daytime activities for those who don’t like to go out after dark.

There are 7,000 Americans registered between Málaga

and Cádiz, thousands more international residents; we welcome new members while trying to keep a ratio of 51 per cent American to 49 per cent international and Spanish.”

As well as luncheons, dinners, lectures, day excursions and overseas trips, organised by all the Chapters, Ann McGeehan recently set up a Business Networking Forum for working members which meets monthly at the Don Carlos Tennis Club. She is also producing a cookbook of members’ recipes “with American measures – we still don’t understand grams!”

But it’s not only members who benefit. The American Club has made a big difference to many lives through its fundraising (for Cudeca, Alzheimer’s and this years project in aid of the Nuevo Amanecer multiple sclerosis charity); cross-cultural exchange at events like the annual Thanksgiving Day dinner; and through the initiatives of members such as Ann McGeehan’s husband Michael, a pro American footballer who has brought the sport across the Atlantic and set up the Costa del Sol Suns – now Champions of Andalucía, no less!

This year, the Club will be breaking out the tickertape for a 35th anniversary Gala Dinner at Nikki Beach on 6th June, with music and dancing until the early hours.

And the fun doesn’t stop there. Next month’s Fourth of July celebration at Funny Beach will take the partying through the day and into the night with cotton candy, candy apples, hot dogs, Dixieland jazz and fireworks. But don’t worry if you weren’t born in the USA – everyone is welcome. See y’all there!

i www.americanclubcostadelsol.com

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Photography courtesy of paul brazell, Johnny gates and kevin horN

TEN YEARS

Pictured on these pages are the photos from ’s 10th Anniversary celebration, agreed by most people who came to the event to have been the best party in Marbella in quite a while. The unrivalled location was provided

by Holm of brand new restaurant Bubbles and Spencer of Disco Tibu and their adjoining spacious and elegant terraces provided a perfect setting for such an important occasion with Puerto BanĂşs as a backdrop giving a special extra dimension to the proceedings.

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years

The big day on 21st May delivered a balmy evening on which countless friends and clients of the magazine came together to celebrate ’s birthday 10 years after launching its very first edition in May 1999. Immaculately dressed waiters, a harpist and violinist, dancing girls, an open bar and endless rounds of sophisticated canopies ensured the crowd wasn’t wanting for anything and could concentrate on the main business of being pampered in true classical style.

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The long list of invitees began arriving at 9pm and shortly afterwards the party was in full swing with around 500 people quickly catching the mood and enjoying themselves well into the night. Lots of those present were exhilarated by meeting many old friends and this really enhanced the pleasure of the occasion, readily creating an exquisite ambience that washed over the large crowd of revellers. We would like to thank everyone involved for helping to make it such a memorable event!

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Here at , we have been inundated by volumes of very positive feedback from some of those attending, including: uAbsolutely brilliant evening with nothing left to chance ... you certainly know how to celebrate in style!!! Well done to you all. uI was touched to receive your invitation and really enjoyed the party!!! uPerfectly organized, a lovely atmosphere and extremely attentive staff. uFANTASTIC party last night. I picked up my son from the airport, from London, went straight to the party and he couldn’t believe it.

uMany thanks for having invited us to the party of the year!! - we really

had a great time and the venue was superb. Congratulations to The Essential Team on producing a quality magazine for the last 10 years and best of luck for the future. uMany thanks and congratulations to you for an excellent party. It was great to see so many friends and acquaintances together in one place and all enjoying themselves. uI haven’t been to a party like that for years - well worth the drive back from Tarifa. uGracias por la invitación de ayer, estuvo genial! essential marbella magazine

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THEPRO

BUSINESS

ENTERPRISE Report Marisa Cutillas

Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol Launch Pierre & Vacances España recently held a press day to present its latest resort: Pierre & Vacances Terrazas Costa del Sol. The Executive President of the company, José María Pont, greeted the media, accompanied

by Mark Nueschen, General Commercial Director of Tourism and Antonio Soldevilla, Director of the company’s southern projects. The new resort, situated in Manilva, is composed of 328 apartments with a large pool and panoramic views of the Mediterranean and Gibraltar. It also houses sports zones, a children’s play area and an open-air theatre, as well as a bar and restaurant, making it an ideal vacation spot for families or groups of friends. Pierre & Vacances España now boasts a total of seven resorts and vacation complexes situated in Mediterranean Spain, with a total of 1,000 holiday apartments.

i CN 340, km 138, Manilva. Tel: 901 988 502.

www.pv-vacaciones.com

Nikki Beach Summer Launch Nikki Beach fans are in for a glorious treat this summer, with a fantastic programme of events, an exciting new menu and many Nikki-style surprises. The White Party, celebrated in May, attracted many of Marbella’s most glamorous set, while the next big event is the Diamond Bvlgari Party on July 31, showcasing the latest collections of the prestigious jewellery brand at a shimmering beachside gala dinner. On August 1, meanwhile, there will be a charity ball to raise funds for Because I’m a Girl, an international organisation helping young women in countries that discriminate because of gender. There will also be a a host of other glitzy parties, including the Champagne World Tour, regular Full Moon parties, Amazing Sundays and the new improved Sintillate nights. On the culinary side, new Executive Chef, Dave Farber, has created a delicious summer menu that complements Nikki’s signature dishes and sushi platters. Tempting treats include the caramelised watermelon with jumbo prawns, mint, basil and white radish salad with sweet chilli and lime sauce; the Nikki Beach Marrakech sea bass with coriander and chilli on a bed of minted cous-cous with red pepper crème fraiche; and the Marbella boquerones roll with sweet mango, spring garlic and sweet ‘smoked ume’ sauce.

i Playa Hotel Don Carlos, CN 340, km 192, Marbella.

Tel: 952 836 239. www.nikkibeach.com

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©KH Photography

Stephen Webster Opens on the Port World renowned London jewellery designer, Stephen Webster, has opened his latest boutique in Puerto Banús, taking his first leap into continental Europe with a concept store featuring some of his most exciting new pieces. The store’s décor itself is worth a visit, since it encompasses a fresh approach to high-end luxury: elements of the sea fused with velvets, coral and crystal, and the brand’s characteristic rock and roll vibe. The company has expanded globally, with 120 points of sale worldwide, and Marbella is its 23rd boutique. Stephen Webster is a famed ‘jeweller to the stars’, with the list of celebs who have commissioned one-of-a-kind pieces including Madonna, Sharon Stone, Kate Moss, Jennifer Lopez and, of course, the muse and face of the campaign, Christina Aguilera. Fans of the collection for males include Elton John, Jay-Z, Ozzy Osbourne and Johnny Depp.

i Muelle de Ribera, Casa F, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 976. www.stephenwebster.com ©KH Photography

Ultimate Marbella Launch Party at Laguna Village Sammy Bramley-Fenton and Elle Morgan celebrated the launch of their new company, Ultimate Marbella Event Management & PR, at Puro Beach with a memorable party and concert attended by over 700 people. Says Sammy, “We’ve got loads of really cool and glamorous events planned for this summer that will bring back the glamour and sophistication for which the Costa del Sol was once renowned – think Breakfast at Tiffany’s in the heart of the Mediterranean!” On arrival at the venue, guests viewed a stunning collection of prestige cars, which included six vintage Ferraris, a Wiseman, and a Bugatti Veyron; free cocktails were offered from Tru-Smoothies, Exakt Vodka and Hype Energy Drinks; and a fabulous fashion show displayed swimwear and bikinis from top Spanish designer Vivarini.

The evening’s entertainment was provided by the dynamic Cuban singer Yanela Brooks, with dancing into the early hours of the morning, courtesy of DJs Vas and Gabby Green from Love2Lounge, accompanied

by Gustavo on the bongos. Ultimate Marbella is available for all types of events and functions, from private parties to new product and business launches.

i For further information, Tel: 663 155 202/ 697 378 978. essential marbella magazine

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Charity Events in Marbella Trailwalking for Oxfam In a world where people’s goals seem to centre on themselves, initiatives such as Trailwalker are welcome events indeed. Four daring mavericks, Philip Burrows, Ben Edwards, Maisie Edwards and Sebastian Edwards are walking 100 km along the South Downs in under 30 hours, all to raise money for Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust, set up to combat poverty and suffering. Oxfam works all over the world while the Gurkha Welfare Trust focuses on needy communities in Nepal. The team hopes to raise £2,500 for these charities, and you can donate online by clicking on www.justgiving.com/skywalkers09

i For further information, please contact Philip Burrows on Tel: 609 578 573.

Marbella is always a busy town when it comes to working together for charity. u Last month, the VII Charity Golf Tournament for the

Niños Mariposa Foundation took place at the Aloha Golf Club in the presence of one of the world’s top golfers, Miguel Ángel Jiménez. Funds raised went to the creation of a respite home in Marbella for people, mostly children, affected by epidermolysis bullosa (butterfly skin condition) in Spain and Portugal.

i www.debra.es Another well-attended event was the Spring into Summer Ball, held at the Villa Tiberio in benefit of the Paul O’Gorman Childhood Leukaemia Centres in the UK. u

i www.leukaemia.org

The American Club also lent a helping hand, donating a cheque worth €1.000 to Dulce Cordoba, President of the Multiple Sclerosis Association, Nuevo Amanecer. u

i www.americanclubcostadelsol.com

If you missed out on these events, there’s still time to do your bit to help: On June 11, a spectacular fashion show organised

by Bosom Buddies (an association raising funds for breast cancer) will be held at the Alameda open air theatre in Gibraltar at 9:30 pm, with a total of £43,220 already collected for the cause. Profits from the event will hopefully contribute to finding a cure for cancer, relieve survivors of pain and trauma and help towards awareness and early detection.

u Animal lovers mustn’t miss out on the Annual Triple

A Gala, being held this year at Cool Beach on July 4.

Tickets can be purchased at the Pointer Veterinary Clinic.

i

C/ Manolete s/n, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 401. www.pointervet.com; or from Elke Henger on Tel: 952 860 884/ 639 610 209. www.aaahelps.com

u

u On June 21, at 9pm, a gala dinner will be held at Villa

Tiberio, the funds from which will go to abandoned cats charity, Amigos de los Gatos.

i For tickets, please contact Donna on Tel: 952 814 990;

Raffaella on Tel: 952 863 357; or Loli on Tel: 952 773 166.

i Tickets can be purchased at Heart’s Boutique, Main

Street, 250, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 79822.

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IMF for Stunning, Custommade Metal Furnishings IMF is the new company formerly known as Muebles Hierro España, specialising in exceptional, custom-made furnishings and architectural items such as staircases and chandeliers. The company works on commercial and large scale projects, recently completing all the iron and lighting work for Polo House. Current projects include work at Puente Romano, as well as many private residences. While the former company, Muebles Hierro, focused on the trade, working with all major design names here on the coast, IMF now also caters for private clients, offering a bespoke service at a reasonable price. Everything is handmade at the IMF factory, which is just behind the new, impressive showroom. The new team, which proudly asserts that they can “do anything”, consists of former Muebles Hierro Director, Dianne Lunt, as well as Kate Hall and Natalie Busby. Alan Hall Interiors is also onsite, offering design studio services for clients wishing advice on integral design.

i Avda Valle Inclán 36, Polígono Industrial La Campana, Nueva Andalucia, Marbella. Tel: 952 816 382. www.imfspain.com

New Echocardiograph Machine for USP Hospital USP Hospital in Marbella is constantly updating its equipment with the very latest in technological advances, so it is only logical that they should recently have acquired a new echocardiograph, which permits the in-depth study of the anatomy and working of the heart. Numerous cardio-vascular pathologies can now be diagnosed with greater accuracy than ever before. In additional to all the traditional tests carried out on the heart, the new machines permit the use of a new technique which is highly useful in diagnosing coronary disease. Dr. Rafael García Peña explains: “Through this new technique, the heart is stimulated with medication and the echocardiogram detects any changes in the mobility in the heart, which may indicate arterial obstruction.” The USP is also now conducting Tilt Tests, for patients who suffer from sudden dizziness or fainting spells. The subtle, noninvasive test measures changes in arterial pressure and cardiac frequency.

i Avda. Severo Ochoa 22, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 200. www.uspmarbella.com Arkanar holds Finance Conference Arkanar Financial LLC, an Alternative Investment Boutique from Estonia, recently held an interesting conference entitled Alternative investments for private individuals at the Hotel Puente Romano, which revealed how investments can work successfully through even the most trying of times.

According to Johaness E. Schumacher, Partner of Arkanar Financial LLC, this is possible through a sophisticated investment strategy focused on global macro scenarios.

Alternative investments include real estate, private equity, venture capital, commodities, and hedged or absolute return strategies. Wine, art and antiques, Broadway shows, movies – indeed any store of value – might also be considered as an alternative investment. Alternative investments have almost no correlation with traditional investment classes and increase the diversification of an investor’s portfolios.

i Edif. Marina Marbella, Av. Severo Ochoa 28, Marbella.

Tel: 951 968 432. www.arkanarfinancial.com essential marbella magazine

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Star Player at Aloha College Aloha College student, Pelayo Gómez, is about to experience a dream come true: he is set to become a professional football player. Pelayo, 16, has been at Aloha College since 1996 and has trained with the AFA (Association Football Academy) since he was 12. AFA used to stand for Aloha Football Academy when it was started at Aloha College by a member of staff over nine years ago. Now, it boasts over 150 kids playing competitive football every week, 60 per cent of whom are Aloha College students. The AFA has been instrumental in obtaining the trials for Pelayo, and a significant force in boosting his self-confidence. This year, Pelayo has had successful trials with Rushden and Diamonds FC (who offered him a two-year deal), Athletico Bilbao and Brentford. He has also been trained by the head coach at Buffalo City FC, Mike Share, and scout Francois Glasmann. Pelayo has been offered a two-year scholarship with long-established League Two champions Brentford FC in London. Brentford has just become Champions of League Two, so by the time Pelayo starts his pre-season training they will be a League One team. Brentford, or ‘The Bees’ as they are commonly known, were established in 1889 and play at the famous Griffin Park Stadium in London, which has a capacity of 12,763. Waitrose, the UK supermarket chain, will be publishing snaps of Pelayo with celebrity chef Jean Christophe Novelli as part of their upcoming campaigns in the UK.

i Urb. El Angel, Nueva Andalucía. Tel 952 814 133. www.aloha-college.com Veterans Rugby in Marbella

One of the highlights of Marbella Rugby Club’s season, the Marbella International Veterans Tournament, was held at the Bahia de Marbella Ground opposite the Hospital Costa del Sol recently. Now in its 12th year, the action was fast, fun and free to watch. Teams from across Europe and beyond took part in a three-day festival of rugby and other events, including a golf tournament. Visiting teams enjoyed some of the Marbella Veterans’ legendary hospitality, including a welcome barbecue and prize-giving gala dinner and dance, and a beach party the day after the competition. The tournament also raised funds for Marbella RC’s successful youth teams. The action began with a golf tournament at the Atalaya Golf Club, a welcome barbecue ©Johnny Gates and the awarding of prizes at the club. Although the emphasis on Vets’ rugby was fun and friendship off the pitch, the games themselves were highly competitive and entertaining. This year teams competed from Belgium, Portugal, Morocco and the UK, as well as Spanish sides, including Marbella and the Costa Barbarians. The event finished with a gala dinner and prize giving at the club, and players and their partners let their hair down at the disco after the dinner.

i For further information, Tel: 607 502 311. www.marbellarugbyclub.com MBH Business Center: for low-cost temporary offices Are you looking for low-cost temporary offices? If so, the MBH Business Center, conveniently located in the city centre, is offering top-notch, low-cost, furnished temporary offices by the hour, day, week or month, as well as virtual offices and work stations, at prices starting at €2 a day. The MBH Business Center also offers short- or long-term legal requirements, making it an excellent choice for conducting business.

i C/ Ramón Gómez de la Serna, 8, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 077. www.mbhbusinesscenter.com

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Budget Range from ChildsPlay Spain ChildsPlay Spain is an established, family-run business on the Costa del Sol offering wooden play centres that transform your garden into an adventurous setting for your children. Best of all they are so safe, the whole family can play on them! Special features and accessories ensure that children will be entertained, and their imaginations challenged, for many hours. The play systems are ideal for socialising with brothers and sisters or a party of friends. Climbing frames, playhouses, tree houses and monkey bars can also help develop a child’s physical well-being, improving strength, mobility, balance and motor skills. Accessories include swings, different styles of slides, picnic tables, rock walls, ring climbers, sandpits, chain ladders, fireman poles, trapeze bars, monkey bars, cabins, playhouses, bridges, crawl tubes, etc. In addition to the luxury range, there is now a more affordable budget range which can be installed by clients in their homes and gardens.

i For further information, Tel: 952 864 388/ 680 236 685.

World Golfers Championship in Marbella The World Golfers Championship is an international golf tournament designed to give amateur golfers the thrill and prestige of a global championship, beginning in May and finalising in November. The event begins in the players’ own country as a national championship divided into five handicap flights, each played separately. Five winners, one from each flight, represent their nation as a team, as well as individually within their flight, in the World Final. This year, participating countries include Armenia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, India, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Poland and Russia, among many more. Matches will be played on a number of Marbella’s top courses, including Gran Flamingos Golf and the Río Real Golf and Country Club.

i For further information, www.worldgolfers.com Da Bruno Fundraising Dinner Da Bruno recently held a well-attended dinner, the funds from which went to needy families and to reconstruction work in the Abruzzo region of Italy, following the terrible earthquake that caused so much damage and suffering.

Da Bruno designed a special menu with produce from Abruzzo, counting on the help of two chefs from Italy: Luca Mastromattei and Francesco Cinapri. The menu included a variety of cheeses and smoked produce from Abruzzo, as well as home-made pasta and sauce from the city of Tramo. Diners also tucked into saffron rice, lamb, meat, vegetables and traditional sweets. Da Bruno kept busy elsewhere, recently hosting an evening held to present Dario Poli’s new song, Marbella, Marbella, part of a plan to restore Marbella to its merited position of glory.

i Avda. Arias Maldonado s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 318. www.dabruno.com essential marbella magazine

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American Club Monthly Networking The American Club of the Costa del Sol (Marbella Chapter) hosted its first tennis and networking social event recently at the Don Carlos Hotel and Tennis Club. The new sub-group of the American Club is part of an exciting new forum headed by Ann McGeehan, who is keen to expand membership numbers. “Networking knows no age or cultural background – it is all about making connections and forging meaningful relationships,” says Ann, adding, “I am hoping to encourage existing and prospective members to gather and exchange ideas and connect in a social setting.” The tennis event was so successful, it is poised to be a regular event, taking place on the last Thursday of every month at the Don Carlos Tennis Club, from 10 am to 2 pm. The cost of €25 includes court time and a spectacular buffet lunch, with drinks included.

i For further information, Tel: 675 094 494/ ann.mcgeehan@yahoo.com Spanish Paralympics Committee Conference The Spanish Paralympics Committee held an interesting event at the Palacio de Ferias y Deportes de Marbella, presenting the documentary The Theory of Spiralism to students from local schools. The film focuses on the difficulties encountered by female athletes in achieving their goals, not only because of physical or psychological barriers but also because of their sex. The event was attended by paralympic judo player Carmen Herrera and paralympic cyclist Francisco González Montañez. Following the film, discussions were held to further illuminate the students on the subject. The event was sponsored by the Fundación Cultural Banesto, which seeks to help those with disabilities achieve greater social integration and teach them the values specific to the paralympic spirit, including personal improvement, solidarity, teamwork and equality of the sexes.

i For further information, www.paralimpicos.sportec.es Renewable Energy Brings New Jobs to Málaga The Asociación de Promotores y Productores de Energías Renovables de Andalucía (APREAN) is pleased to announce that renewable energies will generate 13,500 new jobs in Málaga over the next five years. Mariano Barroso, President of APREAN, explains: “Renewable energy will not only suppose a total change in the way we use energy in our region; it will also provide part of the solution to the current economic problem, providing jobs and developing our community’s technological sector.”

The greatest quantity of megawatts installed in Málaga correspond to the eolic energy sector, which utilises 157.25 megawatts. There are 351 megawatts constructed in total in Málaga and, this year, 150 more will be created.

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Ocean Club opening party

©Johnny Gates

Ocean Club is set to celebrate a terrifice Summer, heralding the season with a spectacular party filled with music and glamour. White and Silver was the theme, and over 2,000 guests dressed accordingly, enjoying many spectacular performances, including a chill-out session by Sweet Coffee, one of Europe’s most famous chill/ electronic bands. Performance added a dreamy element to the evening, at the hands of Decoliflor Planet, also popular on the European artistic circuit. Ocean Club never fails to impress, and clients will be happy to know that they can once again look forward to the groovy ambience, exquisite cuisine and ultimate relaxation Ocean Club is known for.

i Avda. Lola Flores s/n, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 908 137. www.oceanclub.es

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Cocktail Chic at La Cabane La Cabane Beach Club opened its doors for the Summer Season with a lavish cocktail party attended by over 300 people. Guests enjoyed the stylish ambience and a live concert by seductive chanteuse, Jennifer Phelps and sipped delicious cocktails, created

by La Cabane restaurant’s new chef, Thomas Stork.

From this month onwards, the evening restaurant, La Luna, will be open from 8pm to 11:30pm, offering top international cuisine and an elegant yet relaxing ambience.

i Urb. Los Monteros, km 187, Marbella.

Tel: 952 901 100. www.monteros.com

©KH Photography

Oriental Design Opens on the Port Soccer for Kids in Marbella Deparket comes to Marbella Deparket, the prestigious flooring company founded in Córdoba in 2003, promises a new style in quality flooring, featuring contemporary, unique designs. Already a strong competitor in the high end parquet market, Deparket has just opened a shop in Marbella, where clients can find brands like Karelia (which fabricates ‘live wood’ flooring), Par-ky (which specialises in noble wood bearing an extra fine cut), Floorline (laminated flooring), Wood-deck (for exteriors), Werzalit (a new material bearing the best characteristics of both wood and plastic), Tuplex (sound resistant flooring), TimberDeck (for decking) and many more top brands.

i

C/ Alonso de Bazán 8, Marbella.

Tel: 952 765 337. www.deparket.com

Soccercamp is a fun way for children aged five to 17 to stay fit this summer and receive training from fully qualified coaches, with FA and UEFA licences, First Aid and CRB screening. Kids will learn how to improve their game, develop new skills in a safe and healthy environment and meet new friends from around the world, at a top class venue. Parents, meanwhile, can spend time pitch-side, sipping a cool drink, relaxing in the clubhouse or going off for a day’s shopping, in the knowledge that their children are being cared for. All children receive a healthy lunch, unlimited water, Tshirts, prize certificates and an experience they will remember for years to come.

i

For further information, Tel: 622 876 773/ +44 7931 237 361. www.soccerampmarbella.com

Oriental Design recently held a launch party to celebrate its new shop in Puerto Banús, where both private individuals and businesses can find beautiful pieces of furniture, mostly bearing an Asian influence.

Shop owner Cherif Bebawi personally travels to exotic regions to find rare, exquisite pieces that are veritable treasures. His philosophy involves creating bonds with artists and craftsmen, guaranteeing top quality work and finishes. Each object is hand-crafted and takes weeks, sometimes months, to complete.

There is a wide range of furniture and décor items for both interiors and exteriors, and many hotels, spas, architects, golf courses and interior designers are already clients. The staff is experienced and friendly, and will help you find your own style while giving advice on ideas. Home delivery is available either in Spain or overseas.

i Pza. Antonio Baneras 19, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 816 721. www.orientaldesign.com

Business Trailers by Quanvision (USE WEBSITE PLEASE) Business Trailers by Quanvision are a new, high-tech way to improve awareness of your business. What better way to capture new clients than through a creative yet commercially oriented video that tells a story, educates, or is simply dramatic, humorous or beautiful? The Business Trailer is not only a short movie but a package, including production and distribution, which effectively reaches the public through modern online sources. The production of the Business Trailer can be based on existing or newly shot footage but is almost always complemented with video and graphic material from Quanvision’s extensive library. Once the video is completed, it is distributed via collaboration with a number of portals such as YouTube, Meta Café, Daily Motion, Veoh, Break, Revver, etc. Quanvision also advises clients on how to publish their trailer effectively within a specific social network.

i Avd. Duque de Ahumada 11, Marbella. Tel: 952 824 481. www.quanvision.com 116

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THEPRO

FINANCE

A

However, while the liquidity crisis may finally be easing, the emphasis has now shifted to the asset side of the balance sheet. The Spanish banks and cajas fuelled the country’s property boom by lending vast sums of money to property developers – recent estimates put the sum at €318bn – and then to consumers to buy their finished products.

Initially, the lending to developers was based on using the land and the properties themselves as security. But, as the boom continued, the lending became increasingly speculative, with banks lending money to companies or businessmen to buy shares in other property companies and, in return, using shares in these companies as security. At the same time, consumer lending – both mortgages and personal loans – continued to boom.

Unfortunately, as the credit crisis took hold, the house of cards collapsed. In the last 12 months, virtually every major Spanish property company, quoted or private, along with a myriad of smaller developers, have either had to: enter into creditor protection schemes, e.g. Martinsa-Fadesa, Habitat; negotiate debt for equity swaps, e.g. Metrovacesa, Colonial; or attempt to re-negotiate their debt. Assets sales and restructurings are rife and the banks and cajas are now the biggest owners of property in Spain. Combine this with falling property values (and sales), unemployment (scheduled to reach 4 million this year) and many customers who cannot afford to pay their mortgages, and the problem is evident.

For example, in February of this year, bad debts accounted for over 4.13 per cent of loans and this is expected to rise to over 6.0 per cent by the year end. As the economic environment deteriorates further, lenders are re-negotiating mortgage terms with borrowers to avoid having to make further provisions.

In truth, it is the cajas that have the biggest problem

DO N’T BA NK ON I

T

fter 18 months of insisting that Spain’s banking system is one of the best in the world, superbly regulated, well provisioned and with no exposure to toxic debt, the truth is out: they need help!

So what has happened? Well, while the regulators did indeed successfully manage to limit Spanish banks’ exposure to the US sub-prime market, and other forms of international ‘toxic debt’, they failed to adequately regulate their banks’ domestic lending, thus creating their very own sub-prime crisis.

Spain, like the UK 15-20 years ago, has a two tier retail banking system: traditional banks and regionally based mutual savings banks (cajas), i.e. building societies. It is with the latter that the biggest problems now arise.

The problems are twofold: liquidity and credit risk. On the first point, Spanish banks and cajas have traditionally issued long term, mortgage-backed securities (titulaciones) to finance their mortgage lending. However, as the domestic property and credit boom gathered pace, they also relied increasingly on the short term wholesale money markets to finance their long term loan and mortgage portfolios – shades of Northern Rock!

The advent of the euro made access to these markets easier while cheap money fuelled a consumer led boom. The credit crisis effectively closed off both sources of funding and it is a fact that, over the last 18 months, Spanish financial institutions have been the biggest users of the European Central Bank liquidity window, regularly borrowing more than €40bn. The Spanish government has also been guaranteeing the bond issues of a number of banks and cajas – an action that seems to contradict re-assurances that the Spanish banking system is in rude health.

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due to their over exposure to both developers and consumers and, last month, the government had to rescue Caja Castilla La Mancha. It is not expected to be the last; similar rescues are expected in the coming months. At the same time, in May, Moody’s, a leading credit rating agency, annouced that it is studying the potential downgrade of 32 Spanish banks and cajas due to their deteriorating balance sheets and high levels of bad debt.

With all the international focus on the mismanagement of banks, it is interesting to consider why Spain’s cajas, traditionally the mainstays of their local communities, find themselves in such a position.

The first is the de-regulation, several years ago, which allowed them to expand into other regions – previously they could only operate in their home region. This has led to a massive geographic expansion by many cajas, and vastly increased competition between them and banks themselves for customers.

The second is their ownership/management structures. The cajas are mutual, non-profit organisations whose primary role was to support the local community. As such, under their statutes, their governing bodies are predominantly made up of local politicians who are not known for their banking or management skills!

Thirdly, rapid expansion and an increase in competitiveness, along with the range and complexity of products, has stretched management capabilities and exposed poor risk management policies, systems and processes.

In summary, Spain’s banking system is not as safe as houses; as the sea withdraws the rocks are being exposed. Having said that, most economic and political commentators agree that it is inconceivable that the government will allow any leading bank or caja to fail - not just because of the domestic consequences but also because their much lauded regulatory system will be seen to have failed. n

Spain’s world class and much lauded banking system is beginning to crack. Why? Rod Younger explains.

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the traveller SPORTS AND DESTINATIONS

Summer Golf Deals

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Cáceres, Spain’s Wild West

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The Wonderful Warldorf Astoria

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The American Rockies

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THETRAVELLER GOLF

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ummertime’s here, and the living’s easy.

And, just to make us feel even better, the coast’s 50 golf courses are fnishing the springtime rush and, therefore, are more accessible and affordable. Many have reduced their prices or, in the case of La Quinta, have added value, throwing in free buggies or lunch.

In most cases, there are discounts for booking online and to find a golf course, just Google the name and take it from there. Phone numbers are included below for those who want a quick reply or don’t have access to a computer.

Visitors might be surprised to hear that summer golf on the coast is more popular than in years gone by which is, in itself, a sign of the times. Because of the recession, some golfers who used to come in the winter high season have switched to summer, when green fees are lower.

Other than July and August, when beach lovers arrive with their buckets and spades, hotels are also very good value.

But hang on a minute – not everyone’s going to hell in a hand basket. There seem to be more Ferraris around here than ever and, when I went to the garden centre the other day, I could hardly get parked for a new Rolls-Royce whose owner chose not the best spot to pull up.

Finca Cortesín, where the World Match Play Championship takes place from October 29November 1, comes with a handsome new hotel and a fine restaurant designed for big hitters, and I’m not talking about distance off the tee.

This European Tour classic was formerly held at Wentworth, when Ernie Els was the last winner.

Nikki Beach continues to pull in the upmarket party crowd while Buddha Beach, next to Puerto Banús, is getting rave reviews.

Then there’s the Hotel Lorcrimar, where new chef Jean Christophe Novelli brings a French flair to the coast and, for a special occasion, wallets are flourished at the Marbella Club Hotel where lunch at the poolside will please any Princess.

In other words, it’s the same Marbella, offering good times to all sorts, and even more so these days when golf courses, hotels and restaurants have been feeling the pinch. Spaniards are proud people who don’t like to cut prices, but this they have been doing out of sheer necessity.

Here’s a selection of golf courses that are popular with visitors: San Roque – one of the stars of the coast, the former estate of the Domecq sherry family is worth a visit just to see the magnificent clubhouse. There are two courses here, designed by Dave Thomas, Perry Dye and Seve Ballesteros. And, as of this month, green fees are reduced from €160 to €120 for the Old Course, and from €100 to €80 on the New Course.

SUMMER GOLF DEALS David Wishart reviews the pick of this summer’s golf discounts

There’s also a 10 per cent online discount, as well as a ‘last-minute’ link which lists available tee-times and daily prices.

track and a club with a friendly name. Green fees come down in summer from €79 to €49.

i Tel. 956 613 030.

i Tel: 952 883 835.

Guadalmina has not cut its rates for the summer, perhaps because it expects to be busier as the club is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and also a new name – Royal Guadalmina. Rates here are €130 and €80, with €40 for a buggy.

Flamingos has two courses. The original course, which is very user-friendly but no pushover, drops its rate from €105 to €80, while the Gran Flamingos is €90 compared with €130. The website also has a ‘last minute’ button. Be warned – the latter course is not for the faint of heart – or swing! But whichever you play, the bar, and the restaurant at the adjoining hotel, will make your day.

i Tel: 952 886 522.

La Quinta has three nines, plus a new manager in Troon Golf, the US company with a big reputation. The clubhouse has been nicely renovated, pro shop service is super smooth in the Troon Golf style but there is still plenty of Spanish style, personified by Manuel Piñero, three-times world champion golfer and Director of the Golf Academy.

Green fees are €77, €99 with a shared buggy, two-course lunch and option of another nine holes, €44 for an over-65 playing at twilight, and €555 for 10 green fees.

i Tel: 952 762 390.

El Paraiso, designed by Gary Player, is a very popular

i Tel: 952 889 150.

Aloha Golf Club, in the famed Golf Valley of Nueva Andalucía and just 10 minutes from Puerto Banús, drops its regular price of €150 to €100 from June 1.

i Tel: 952 812 388.

And if money is no object, Valderrama has a limited number of tee-times at €300 per player, €320 on weekends. Golf Monthly magazine has just voted it the best course in continental Europe. And, don’t forget, this is where Ryder Cup and Volvo Masters legends have wowed crowds with great shots amid the glorious cork trees. Here, quality does not come cheap, even in the summer.

i Tel: 956 791 200.

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CÁCERES Cáceres was the first city in Spain to be declared a national monument but the stunning Renaissance jewel was bought dearly, with the blood of the mighty Aztec and Inca civilizations during the Spanish conquest of the Americas.

Belinda Beckett reports.

Statue of 16th century ascetic, San Pedro de Alcántara, in the Ciudad Monumental

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t is said that the ghosts of the Spanish Conquistadors walk Extremadura’s windswept plains, clanking mournfully in their iron suits of armour, and it’s easy to imagine how this challenging region with its bone-chilling winters and simmering hot summers bred men of such metal. Men like Francisco Pizarro, who orchestrated the capture and execution of Incan Emperor Atahualpa and founded the Peruvian city of Lima; his second cousin, Hernan Cortés, who bagged Mexico for the Spanish crown; Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, who hacked his way through the jungles of Panama and was the first European to see the Pacific Ocean; Francisco de Orellana, who sailed the length of the Amazon in search of El Dorado; Diego de Almagro, the first European discoverer of Chile; Hernando de Soto, first governor of Panama; and many unsung heroes begging for a chance to escape the poverty of home and find fame and fortune abroad. Driven by hardship and ambition, these warrior explorers from Spain’s ‘wild west’ travelled to the edge of the earth to plunder, burn and kill, also bringing with them diseases like smallpox which annihilated entire tribes of native Americans. The looted Inca and Aztec gold these armies brought back to their homeland financed sumptuous Renaissance palaces and public buildings that remain in all their glory as monuments to their adventures of five centuries ago.

The Ciudad Monumental of Cáceres is one of those stolen jewels, the third largest and bestpreserved medieval town in the world, its treasures stored behind Moorish stone walls and battlements like bullion in a bank vault. As beautiful by sunlit day as floodlit night, the historic town’s tangle of cobbled streets and honey-coloured flagstone squares are lined with proud seigniorial mansions (solares) emblazoned with the Conquistador families’ coats of arms, and seem barely touched by time. Many of the city’s families settled permanently in the New World. Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres, first Governor of the Spanish colonly of Hispaniola, came from one of the city’s noble families. Today the name de Cáceres is common throughout the telephone directories of north, central and south America. The ancestors of the 19th century Peruvian President and national hero, Andrés Avelino Cáceres, also

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photography courtesy of the diputación provincial de cáceres

SPAIN’S WILD WEST

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Cáceres rocks during the annual WOMAD (World of Music, Arts and Dance) Festival

Cáceres was inhabited from prehistoric times, evidenced by Paleolithic paintings in the Maltravieso Caves

Dragon slaying to celebrate Cáceres’ patron saint at the Fiesta de San Jorge

Roman bridge over Tagus river in Spain

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Monumental City will play a leading role in Cáceres’ bid to become 2016 European Capital of Culture

probably originated from this midwest corner of Spain, hugging the Portuguese border.

As well as being a city, Cáceres is also a province, though surprisingly one of only two (the other being Badajoz) enclosed within the sprawling region of Extremadura which, at over 41,000km2, is the fifth largest autonomous community in Spain. The area was inhabited from prehistoric times, evidenced by Paleolithic paintings in the Maltravieso Caves; but it has always been sparsely populated and, until it was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, relatively overlooked by foreign tourists.

The city and capital of Cáceres province lounges on a low ridge south of the Río Tagus and is the largest municipality in Spain. It dates from more than a millennium before the Age of Exploration when another tough breed, the Roman legions, put their claim on the land, naming it Colonia Norbensis Caesarina and building aqueducts, stone roads and sturdy bridges still in use today. The next hardy conquerors, the Moors, shortened its name to Alkazares, from which it also derives its souk-like streets and 30 Muslim towers.

The Visigoths and a thriving Jewish community also left their mark on the city before the Christians returned.

Although Catholic monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella ordered the destruction of some of the city’s buildings after the Reconquest, thankfully they spared a great many. The 15th century Gothic cathedral is still intact, as is the spectacular Palacio de los Golfines de Abajo in pretty Plaza de Santa María, where the rulers stayed on their two visits to the city; and Las Cigueñas, Cáceres’ famous Torta del Casar cheese

named for the storks which must have been as familiar a sight on the town’s roofs and turrets 500 years ago as they are today. Every building has a story to tell, not least the Palacio De Los Toledo-Moctezuma, built by a follower of Cortés for his bride, a daughter of the Aztec ruler Moctezuma, and a vivid reminder that the Conquistadors also brought back exotic human booty from their voyages of discovery. Cácares’ famous Easter processions are the focus of the new Centro de Divulgación de la Semana Santa de Cáceres in the crypt of San Francisco Javier church whose two towers are also now open to the public. The church was built by the Company of Jesus in the 18th century and its Baroque façade dominates Monumental City, which is a living museum so perfectly preserved that many films have been shot here.

A reminder that Cáceres is also a modern, innovative city can be seen in lively Plaza Mayor, just outside the old city walls, where tourists and students from the University of Extramadura’s local campus gather to chat, eat and drink in the views. The newer, modern town is connected to the historic quarter via a long shaded promenade linked with a pedestrian zone leading to the city’s medieval heart. At dusk in summer, the streets are filled with extended Spanish families taking their daily paseo, with abuelas and grandchildren in tow.

Ever a city of conquerors, Cáceres is not content to receive half a million visitors a year and is aiming to plunder more tourist gold with its bid to become European Capital of Culture 2016. Taking De Intramuros

a Europa as its theme, it will reach out to overseas visitors with an ambitious programme of architectural projects, including the construction of Europe’s largest open-air auditorium, a 37,000-seater monster being designed by Portuguese architect Älvaro Siza.

The campaign logo is a modern take on Monumental City which will be made an even more attractive visitor experience than it is already. New festivals will add to the already extensive calendar which, perhaps because of the resident student population, is very music orientated. Best known is the World of Music, Arts and Dance festival in May (Womad), an event started in Britain by Genesis front man Peter Gabriel in 1980 to showcase sounds from other cultures and now celebrated in over 20 countries of the world.

This young-at-heart city also hosts the Extremúsika Festival of pop-rock in April, the Festival del Oeste rock and heavy metal music festival in July, the Festival of Ancient IberoAmerican Music in September and the Fleadh Irish Music Festival in autumn.

However the most important event, celebrated from April 21-23, is the Fiesta de San Jorge. St. George is in big demand as patron saints go and has been adopted by England, Ethiopia, Greece, Portugal, Aragon, Catalonia, Alcoy and the International Scouting Association. Certainly, the 4th century knight who slew the mythical dragon appealed to this land of Conquistadors. In Cáceres, he is commemorated with a dramatic battle between Moors and Christians, lead

by St George mounted on horseback who proceeds to slay a fire-breathing dragon. Afterwards, during a massive street party with a bonfire and fireworks, the locals celebrate the Concurso de la Gallina de las Plumas de Oro, when two envelopes each containing €150 are hidden somewhere in the old quarter for the lucky winners to find. Although the Moors v. Christians battle is based on historical fact, quite what goldfeathered hens, dragons and a saint born in Palestine centuries before the Moors arrived in Spain have to do with the city has been lost in translation, although it certainly adds to the fun.

Every local fiesta is accompanied by another form of art which is Extremeño cuisine. There are two styles: hearty home-cooked fare handed down through generations of families, such as Torta del Casar cheese, migas (fried breadcrumbs), hearty stews and sausages; and cocina conventual, (convent cuisine) a more refined and upscale style introduced in the monasteries, a legacy of the old Military Orders who returned from the New World with never-before-tasted produce such as tomatoes, potatoes, corn and peppers, which were prepared with game and fish for visiting dignitaries and royalty. Extremadura produces a robust home-

Modern variations on Cáceres’ renowned ‘convent cuisine’

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The city and capital of Cáceres province lounges on a low ridge south of the Río Tagus

© Diputación Provincial de Cáceres

Cácares celebrates Womad, the international festival started by Peter Gabriel of Genesis.

San Francisco Javier church is in the background

grown Tierra de Los Barros wine. Disappointingly, you won’t find Marques de Cáceres. This is a famous Rioja winery named after the 7th Marquis who gave it his title. However the bodega at the two-Michelin star Atrio restaurant pays homage to many of Spain and Europe’s finer wines and is a must-visit in the city. Here, chef Tono Pérez serves up artistic delicacies that range from quail with truffles to smoky bacalao, freshwater bream and golden scrambled eggs speckled with beads of caviar.

As a stay of two nights, minimum, is required to enjoy all the city’s charms, not to mention those of the province, the Parador de Cáceres offers old world spendour within the city walls. It is a grand 14th century mansion which has been beautifully restored with modern additions such as wi-fi connection, and is the most accessible hotel to the monumental heart of the city. For greater luxury, the Hotel Fontecruz Palacio de Arenales is the city’s first 5-star hotel, opened in 2007 and 10 minutes from Monumental City. The

restored 16th century palace farmhouse boasts nine junior suites, 37 deluxe double rooms, a spa, outdoor pool and first class restaurant.

Further afield lies Trujillo, Cradle of the Conquistadors and birthplace of Pizarro; the graceful monastery of Guadalupe, where Columbus brought many native American slaves to be baptized; and Mérida, the capital of Roman Lusitania containing the finest Roman ruins in Spain, including a half-mile aqueduct crossing the River Guadiana. North of Trujillo, Monfragüe is Spain’s 14th and newest national park, created in 2006 and home to the largest concentration of Europe’s biggest birds of prey, as well as the endangered Iberian lynx.

History has presented the Spanish Conquest of the Americas as a series of unfortunate and morally questionable acts driven by greed for gold that resulted in the destruction of several native civilizations. These cultures were themselves unmatched in brutality and human sacrifice, in particular the Aztecs, but in 1512 the Laws of Burgos were passed, governing the behaviour of Spanish settlers in America. They expressly forbade the maltreatment of natives while endorsing their conversion to Catholicism, however they were poorly enforced and the damage had already been done. By the beginning of the 16th century some 240,000 Europeans had colonised the Americas and, at its close, Inca and Aztec gold and silver accounted for one-fifth of Spain’s total wealth. n

The Arco de la Estrella gateway to Monumental City

The Palace of Moctezuma, built for the daughter of an Aztec ruler

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THETRAVELLER

The Master Bedroom of the Waldorf Towers’ Royal Suite

HOTEL

The W onderful Photography Courtesy of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel

Waldorf Astoria Exterior View from Park Avenue

Waldorf Astoria The histo

ric Royal

Suite Apar

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to 42nd floors. One of these is the Presidential Suite, where every American President since Herbert est-selling American Hoover has stayed when in author John Jay New York. Then there is the Chapman once said: luscious Royal Suite, which “The present in New York is so served as the residence of l Suite the Presidentia of powerful that the past is lost.” the Duke and Duchess of ur rlo pa ain The m Clearly, he had never stayed at Windsor when they moved to New York, the Waldorf Astoria. This hotel is as emblematic of the following the Duke’s abdication. The couple spent six Big Apple as the Met, Central Park or the sort of terrace months a year here, hosting gala parties such as the café Carrie and Co. would watch men go by from in Sex April In Paris Ball, one of Manhattan’s most prestigious in the City. It is as on the ball as any modern traveller or events. So dear is this couple’s memory to the hotel, upper-crust apartment hunter could seek, yet it exudes the Royal Suite was recently refurbished to emulate Old World sophistication and elegance. The Waldorf their former residence.

Astoria is, quite simply, one of a kind.

If the walls of the Waldorf Towers could speak, they William Waldorf Astor opened the 13-story Waldorf would have plenty to tell, having hosted an array of Hotel in 1893, on the site where his previous mansion famous guests: John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie, who stood, counting on the talent of renowned architect spent their wedding night there; General McArthur and Henry Hardenbergh to give life to his vision of New his wife, who chose to call the Towers ‘home’; Benjamin York’s first Grand Hotel, complete with electricity Netanyahu, Yassar Arafat and Madeline Albright, who and private bathrooms (a ‘first’ in the 19th century). held the conversations that forged the Wye Plantation Some four years later, Astor’s cousin, John Jacob Astor Middle East peace talks here; Cole Porter, famed for IV, built the 17-story Astoria Hotel, adjacent to the applying the spirit of his famous hit, Anything Goes, Waldorf. A corridor was built to join the two buildings to the Waldorf Towers, inviting a host of Bohemian which, together, formed one of the most emblematic friends to his suite. Porter, who installed twin grand constructions of the day. In 1929, the original structures pianos in his main parlour, was assigned a personal were closed to give life to a more ambitious project concierge (Gloria Santos), whom he grew so fond of, 15 blocks north, on Park Avenue: the current Waldorf he would often invite her into the suite to hear his new Astoria, the world’s largest, tallest hotel, dubbed ‘a city compositions. When he died in 1964, he donated a within a city’.

Steinway Grand Piano to the hotel, the same one the Everything about the Waldorf Astoria is large-scale. hotel had given to him as a gift, many years back.

There are a staggering 1,416 rooms, all decorated in The Waldorf Astoria has also provided an elegant luxurious Art Deco style. The jewel in the crown is The backdrop to many films, including Coming to America, Waldorf Towers, a stunning collection of one- two- Serendipity and Scent of a Woman which featured one of three- and four-bedroom suites which occupy the 28th the private events spaces in its romantic tango scene. It

B

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is easy to see why the hotel is such a celluloid darling, since it contains many important works of art. Each room and suite in the Waldorf Towers is distinctly decorated with French and English antiques, as well as museum-quality reproduction pieces. Styles range from French Provincial to Old English with Oriental accents, while custom-made drapery, carpeting and wall covering creates a distinct look for each space.

Crystal chandeliers hang from high ceilings, casting a glow on Persian rugs, paintings and prints that complete the opulent ambience.

But there’s plenty more than the past to interest guests of the Waldorf Astoria. They can take guided tours of the hotel to glean more about its history while those more interested in relaxation can visit the prestigious Guerlain Spa. Workaholics can pull up their sleeves at the 450m2 Business Centre while gourmets can take their pick of some of the best restaurants in Manhattan.

Sunday Brunch is a classic favourite among the local jet set, featuring over 180 gourmet dishes divided into 12 themed food displays, artfully presented alongside the famous Lobby Clock Tower. The Waldorf Astoria is as old and as captivating as Waldorf As Silver Corrido the city of New York itself; it foyer of thetogrria and Ballroom r, was the first, and will always be the most famous, Grand Hotel in the Big Apple.

i 301 Park Avenue, New York. Tel: +1 800925 3673.

www.waldorfastoria.hilton.com

A First of Firsts: The Waldorf Astoria was the first hotel to: u Provide complete electricity

u Create classic culinary delights such as Veal Oscar

and Eggs Benedict u Provide the setting for an on-location film: Weekend at the Waldorf (1945), starring Lana Turner u House hearings on the Titanic disaster in 1912 u Hire an African-American entertainer to perform (Lena Horne)

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THETRAVELLER

Willow Spring Spa at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

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agles tend to dine well in Canada, but it might have been something a little different, like my delicately poached salmon, that attracted the bald-headed critter as we lunched on the train.

“Eagle!” I called out, and a broadside of cameras was raised to capture the unforgettable sight of the mighty bird in parallel flight just a few metres from the Rocky Mountaineer as it teetered on to a slender ledge above the Hell’s Gate Canyon.

Far below, the Fraser River raged through the pass, a seemingly impossible barrier to man and beast, but not really – it is conquered every year by salmon in the miracle of migration, and brave men did come this way, building a railway no less.

Such sagas stir the soul, and make for great journeys, and that’s what you get in the Canadian West. It’s ludicrously easy too, compared to what the pioneers put up with. To be honest I was prepared for some ho-hum moments, particularly on the train, which does not hold back in selling itself, but it was all worthwhile.

We started at Calgary airport, four in a rented car, but not the one we had booked. There was a time when a ‘full-size’ car in North America was Detroit’s biggest, a block-long, six-seater with a boot to match.

No more. Cars have shrunk, even over there, and we had to upgrade to a people carrier before we could stow all our gear.

It’s 90 minutes to Banff, or would be if there were adequate road signs to help visitors find the TransCanada Highway, but we got there thanks to directions from a friendly woman Mountie. Then out of the night sky we saw the imposing outline of the Banff Springs Hotel, built by the great Canadian Pacific Railroad and now a jewel in the crown of Fairmont Hotels.

The story of the hotel began in 1888 when Cornelius van Horne had just completed the railway from Montreal to Vancouver that was instrumental in uniting Canada. Van Horne was bowled over by the beauty of Banff in the Rocky Mountains, and

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he famously remarked, “Since we can’t export the scenery, we’ll have to import the tourists.”

The hotel was built in a style to become known as Scottish baronial, a handsome blend of stone, wood and turrets, the latter as seen in Loire Valley chateaux, and paid tribute to the Scots who ran Canada and who built mansions the same way in the Westmount area of Montreal, a clan of hard-working, God-fearing bankers and industrialists who tipped their hats to the flair of French architecture. Van Horne built hotels like this right across Canada, and staying there is a marvellous experience. Fairmont takes loving care of them, and at the Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, visitors can make tours with hotel staff in period costume.

Banff Springs is a big hotel, but we found a wonderful little place for a quiet dinner – the Grapes Wine Bar. It’s actually more than that, and you can check it out on the hotel website. The staff is superb, which I put down to their being easy-humoured Canadian.

Golfers should not miss the superb Stanley Thompson course, where top rental clubs and shoes are available. Thompson also designed Capilano in Vancouver, Canada’s best course.

Banff has much to offer, such as the gondola up Sulphur Mountain, the incredibly scenic Bow Falls and the Upper Hot Springs, where you can take the waters, the latter perfect for working off jetlag and associated aches and pains. Everything is very accessible and astonishingly well organized, even when a party of Italians arrived.

But don’t get too comfortable, because there’s more to see. Lake Louise is not far away, and here is another picture-perfect Fairmont hotel slap-bang on the edge of the prettiest lake this side of Mars and Venus. Soaring mountains dripping with glaciers surround a lake so green it must make Irishmen delirious.

Its story as a hotel begins in 1882, when a railway

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Report David Wishart Photography Courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer and Fairmont

Rocking the

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An exterior aerial view of The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel

surveyor called Tom Wilson was on his way to Kicking Horse Pass. One night, while camping with Stoney Indians, he heard the rumble of avalanches, which the Indians said were occurring at the “snow mountains above the lake of little fishes.” The next day he went there, took in the view, and wrote, “As God is my judge, I never in all my expectations saw such a matchless scene.”

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When you see what Tom Wilson saw, you will feel your journey has been worth all the money and effort, and everything else will be a bonus. Once again, just take a look at the pictures on the Fairmont website.

But bonuses there are. Next up is the drive to Jasper, a thrilling day spent on the Icefields Parkway, where a special bus with giant tyres makes trips on a glacier. Bears, including grizzlies, are reputed to lurk by

the roadside but none obliged with an appearance, a non-situation that took on a life of its own as the trip progressed. But we did see many Bighorn sheep – handsome beasts agile on the mountainsides but happy to come down to the highway to pose for pictures.

Once again, at Jasper, Fairmont has a glorious hotel on a beautiful lake, but as bad luck would have it, a conference group had taken it over. No worries – we went for a fine lunch on a pretty terrace, and made a note to return one day. Where we slept was a very Canadian resort called the Pocahontas Cabins, a woodsy retreat with self-catering log chalets, although it had a decent restaurant as well.

Jasper is where we picked up the train, which offers two classes of service, Red Leaf and Gold Leaf. With Red Leaf you will not miss anything in terms of scenery, but if the budget can handle it go for gold. Here you have the ultimate in panoramic viewing, an open platform as well, and a lower deck restaurant. Cornelius van Horne would have given it full marks.

Our train started on the northern, Yellowhead route which took us close to Mount Robson (3994 metres) whose heavily glaciated peak makes it instantly recognizable. Sadly we did not see a lot the first morning due to the weather, but everyone on board seemed to have books about the building of the railway, such as Pierre Berton’s The Last Spike, driven home at Craigellachie in 1885, and which marked the

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The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel spa

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Summer at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

A steep bridge connecting mountain valleys

completion of the railway, built by two crews starting east and west.

It was named after the village of Craigellachie in the Highlands of Scotland, the ancestral home of Sir George Stephen, first President of the Canadian

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Pacific Railway. The story goes that when the project was in danger of running out of money, Stephen went to London to raise capital. When he succeeded, he telegraphed Canada with the motto of the Clan Grant: “Stand Fast, Craigellachie!”

It had taken 12,000 men, 5,000 horses, and 300 dogsled teams to build the railway, but the job was done – five years ahead of schedule!

The man behind the last spike was fellow Director (and needless to say, another Scot), Sir Donald Smith.

All along the route are names to make a Scot proud – Banff, Cochrane, Clanwilliam, Campbell Creek and Grant Brook.

The train moves at a sedate pace, we were told, so as not to scare the wildlife. Which prompted questions about bears. Yes, lots of them, said the crew, after which many passengers glued themselves to the windows.

Alas, the bears were not inclined to show themselves, but there was gorgeous scenery on both sides when the sun came out, and by now we were running alongside the Thompson River. A visitor from Switzerland was heard saying he intended to return with his fishing rod.

One or two passengers had a drink, perhaps to increase their powers of observation.

Breakfast and lunch were first class, beautifully served at tables with crisp, white linen. I was struck by how the quality of British Columbia wine has improved in recent years. The man from Switzerland said he would visit BC’s Okanagan Valley to check out the wineries.

It was after I awoke from an after-lunch nap that I looked out of the window to see the eagle in level flight just 10 metres away. I called “eagle!” as we had been briefed to do, and the whole train woke up. Cameras clicked and flashed, and the eagle made everyone’s day.

And there were more, circling around the Thompson River looking for migrating salmon.

All too soon we were at Kamloops, where buses were laid on to take us to a hotel. Here we had a night-stop, all part of the package, and resumed the journey the next morning. We were still following the Thompson River, but by now clear of the Rockies and steaming into BC. At Lytton the Thompson joined the Fraser River, and ahead were the precipitous cliffs of the Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon.

Fraser was sent west by the North West Company Dining on board the Rocky Mountaineer

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A lovely ice castle at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

to establish the fur trading post at Fort McLeod, then went on to look for a navigable waterway to the Pacific Ocean (Alexander Mackenzie had made it to the coast in 1793 but at a northern point called Bella Coola). When his canoes got to Hell’s Gate they had to make a perilous portage, Indian guides rigging rope ladders to enable them to inch their way along the walls of the canyon, after which Fraser wrote: “We had to pass where no human should venture.”

The view from the train is amazing. It is clear that engineers dynamited the moutainsides to blast a route for the track, but just enough and no more, so we had an eagle’s-eye view of the mighty river squeezed into a tiny channel and rushing through at a tremendous pace.

Yet salmon swim against this in the miracle of the annual migration run (a salmon hatchery in Vancouver run by the federal government is a must-see).

Then we were on to the rich flatlands of BC – Harrison Lake, Fort Langley, New Westminster, and into Vancouver.

It was beautiful countryside – just like Switzerland, said our new friend. Then the crew came around with DVDs to take home. “Any bears on this?” asked one woman, and everyone laughed.

The bears had not co-operated, but everything else had gone according to plan. My final thought that the train company’s organization had been superb – everything to make the journey a success had been thought of, such as transfers, luggage arrangements, and the like.

The final thought was that there was enough to see to justify a return trip on the southern route to see the spiral tunnels near Lake Louise, and Craigellachie, where the great railway came together. One day...

i www.rockmountaineer.com

www.fairmont.com

The stunning view from the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

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the gourmet

E VERYTHING ABOUT DINING

Restaurant Schilo

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Magna Café

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Food News

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Chef’s Profile – Mauricio Giovanini

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Wine People – Who is Robert Parker?

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Listings – essential directory

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RESERVATIONS:

952 818 392

Open Every Evening for Dinner Ctra. de Cรกdiz Km. 175 PUERTO BANร S (Behind The Shell Petrol Station) Marbella

Puente Romano, Fase 2, Marbella. Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00pm Serving Marbella in a Select Atmosphere for 27 years.

tel: 952 777 893 or 952 775 500

TAI PAN Chinese Cuisine - Polynesian Bar

Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine

NOW OPEN FOR

LUNCH & DINNER!

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Oriental Delights

the art of Fine Thai Cuisine

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

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H o m e o f t h e V O L V O Wo r l d M a t c h P l a y C h a m p i o n s h i p 29 Oct - 1 Nov 2009

Crta. de Casares s/n • 29690 Casares - Málaga • GPS: N 36º - 23´- 49” W 5º - 13´- 30” fincacortesin.com • reservas +34 952 937 800 reservations

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Report Marisa Cutillas photography courtesy of finca cortesín

THEGOURMET

RESTAURANT

Freshly Squeezed Fusion

I

t was around 12 midnight in freezing Amsterdam in November and Schilo Van Coeverden was waiting for a bus in the pouring rain. It was at that precise instant that the acclaimed chef decided it was time for a change. At the time, Schilo was working at the famous College Hotel in Amsterdam, as Head Chef for Stein Hotels and Resorts. The coveted position was the fruit of over 22 years of travel and training with the best, at establishments of the calibre of three-Michelin star restaurant Im Schiffchen, in Dusseldorf. Schilo’s love affair with food has taken him across the globe: from London to Dubai, Hongkong to Japan. It is fair to say that he considers himself a citizen of the world, a fact which entitles him to differentiate between ‘fusion and confusion’. Says Schilo, “I never lose respect for the original product. I create the kind of flavours you might find in a mother’s cooking, only, in my case, it’s as if I have 20 mothers from all over the world!” Indeed, a plethora of Chinese, Thai, and Japanese dishes and influences are present in his tasting menu, and even old Bedouin recipes are given new life.

Schilo could very well have chosen any country in the world to work in. Why Spain? “Japan is my favourite country, then Spain,” he says, since “in both places, the produce is top quality because people are willing to pay for it.”

At Schilo, which is beautifully appointed in the newly opened Hotel Finca Cortesín, there are two tasting menus, one more substantial than the other, and both change every day, depending on the produce available. The kitchen is open, so guests can watch the highly organised team at work while they dine. “One

chef handles the pastry only, another (Korean) chef is in charge of slicing and preparing the sashimi. Another takes care of the meat. One person is in charge of the small aperitifs and I focus on the sauces,” says Schilo.

On my visit to the restaurant, my companion and I opted for the longer tasting menu, accompanied by beautiful wines recommended by the friendly, informative sommelier As we took our seats and the waitress brought over plates of wasabi peas and pappadums, we know we were in for a magical journey around the world. It was certainly a treat to sample exotic fare such as the baba ghannouj, a classic Arabian appetiser made from creamy aubergine, tahini and olive oil, served with Iranian puffed bread. This was followed by an array of exquisite bites such as the paper-thin crisp pastry shells that burst in the mouth with the flavours of curried chicken or tomato raf, ‘the pata negra of all tomatoes’. A chilled Raventos Blanc Reserve Brut 2006, with its apple and floral undertones, awakened our palates and brought out the spicy flavours of the dishes to perfection.

Japanese tradition then came to the fore, all bearing Schilo’s signature forays into other cultures. We were impressed by the crisp asparagus tempura in an irresistible Jerez sauce (which we liked far more than the traditional soy sauce), the piping hot mini duck spring rolls with Japanese mushrooms and, our favourite of all, the melt-in-your-mouth sashimi drizzled with wild ginger and soy sauce, served with purple fish roe. We enjoyed all this with a splendid Jumai sake, made with twice ground rice.

Next up was a fresh salad and seafood excursion, for which the sommelier brought out a fruity Condesa Eylo Verdejo 2008, whose acidic aroma matched the highly original, avocado and sprout-filled daikon root rolls, which were served with a lovely, sweet

Japanese sauce. Another stand-out dish was the curry soup, Schilo’s take on the classic crab and corn soup served at many Chinese restaurants. His version is foamy, far lighter, with hidden surprises such as popcorn and grated truffle concealed beneath the surface. A toasty, almondy Pago de Cirsus Chardonnay, stronger and more aromatic than the fruity wines we had tried earlier, complemented the more substantial fare which was to follow: exquisite soft-shell baby crabs in a sweet-andsour sauce (the crabs are imported from Maine and harvested when they are just about to change their shells) and a rich foie gras Gyoza, similar to ravioli but far lighter and more transparent, fried on one side with a flavourful foie gras sauce.

A full-bodied Viñas del Vero Somontano 2007 accompanied us on the final lap of our journey to the Orient, with a buttery soft solomillo in a gentle, beautifully sweet green curry sauce. For dessert, we tried the wild baby strawberries in a luscious sake cream with coconut ice-cream, and a signature dessert: the olive oil mousse, served in a dark chocolate log shaped in the fashion of an olive tree, complete with green leaves, grass and earth (created using grated pistachios and chocolate cookies). The olive tree, fashioned after the logo of Finca Cortesín, is also a fine symbol of the creativity, growth and beauty of Schilo’s latest venture, which is poised to single-handedly put Casares on the world gastronomic map.

i Ctra. de Casares, km 2, Hotel Finca Cortesín, Málaga.

Tel: 952 937 800. www.hotelcortesin.com essential marbella magazine

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W

ith summer on its way, diners’ thoughts turn to the delicious prospect of eating under the stars and, for four years, Magna Café has been high on their agenda. The cosy interior with its vaulted, woodbeamed ceiling is buzzing with customers all year round but the extra wow factor is the stunning wraparound terrace which has fisheye lens views along the coast, from Málaga to Gibraltar and the hazy peaks of Africa’s Riff mountains. Roomy circular tables make the terrace an ideal spot for groups of six or eight who will all find something to tempt them on the extensive menu, which features some 40 different dishes in four languages (a veritable ‘Magna Carta’).

Now, under the new direction of Francesc Solé, an experienced business entrepreneur from Barcelona who is the original owner, that wow factor is being turned up another volume with the creation of a trendy Chill Out Terrace on the lines of Café del Mar in Ibiza, where guests can relax to laid-back music and sample Magna Café’s famous 101 Cocktails menu while drinking in the views from late afternoon, through sundown, until 1am. “It will be ‘the Sunset Experience at Magna Café’ because the sunset views here really are spectacular,” enthuses Francesc. “Guests can come to chill over a drink or round off the evening with a digestif after dinner.”

Francesc has introduced other innovations. Formula One fans can now enjoy televised races on big screen TV in the VIP room every Sunday. And, in response to the current economic downturn, there’s a Crisis Menu at lunchtimes – three-courses, including a glass of wine or beer, for the attractive price of €18,50; or a dish of the day, including water and coffee, for €10,50, both served from 1-4pm. However, he has sensibly retained the winning formula that has made Magna Café so successful – its à la carte menu. Fresh fish and pasta

i Magna Marbella Golf, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 929 578. www.magnacafe.com Average price for a three-course dinner with wine, €45/€50 p.p.

dishes, prepared in a light, healthy way, have always been a speciality. There are plenty of meaty choices for carnivores, too, presented with crisp salads and colourful garden vegetables.

Studying the menu while sampling a frozen strawberry daiquiri, poured into a Mexican hat-shaped cocktail glass, I decided to go for a broad take on Magna Café’s repertoire with the Degustación de Entradas del Chef. This is a miniature cross-section of the full cold starter menu, artistically presented and tasting as good as it looks: a smooth, deep-flavoured duck and goose liver paté, served with tangy calvados-apple chutney and portwine sauce; creamy bufala mozzarella with mango; gravad lax (marinated salmon served Scandinavian-style with a delicious dill and mustard sauce); Serrano ham and Manchego cheese; and the speciality Toast Magna (shrimps, mayonnaise and dill, topped with red caviar, served on a mini-toast). We also sampled a dreamy mixed mushroom risotto, the rice sticky and rich as it should be, topped with plump, flavourful boletus and shitaki muschrooms.

Magna Café buys much of its fish fresh from the shores of Galicia and my colleague described her Dover sole fillets ‘à la Magna’ as “so fresh you can almost smell the sea”. The sole was lightly cooked in a white wine sauce, served with puréed potatoes and salmon caviar. Turbot, salmon, tuna steak and seabass are also on the menu. I tried the chicken breast, oozing with a mouthwatering mix of melted brie and sundried tomatoes, spiced up with a red curry sauce.

For pudding, we savoured warm apple tart, the

THEGOURMET

RESTAURANT

apple slices cartwheeled around the lightest pastry base; and a scrumptious cheesecake in portwine sauce with caramelised orange zest which revealed two further surprises – a gingery biscuit base topped with gooey toffee. I am sweet toothed so this was a case of saving the best for last.

As it was lunchtime and we were returning to work, we didn’t attempt a gran degustación of the wine list, although Magna Café has its own mini bodega where customers can spend an evening sampling unusual wines from a choice of over 150.

Magna Café is open from 10am, seven days a week, and its popularity keeps its small army of 20 staff on the run. With a ringside seat over the first and final holes of Magna Marbella’s nine-hole golf course, complete with restful fountains providing a symphony of ‘water music’, there’s plenty of action by day. At night, those fabled sunsets are a great curtain-raiser to a memorable dinner. In the words of the old TV advert for Martini (and you can get that here in all its manifold forms, from Dry and Dirty to Gibson or Vodkatini, shaken not stirred) – any time is the right time for Magna Café. n

Report Belinda Beckett Photography KH Photography

THE SUNSET EXPERIENCE AT

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THEGOURMET

Report Marisa Cutillas

FOOD NEWS

©KH Photography

Oyar Bide brings fine Basque dining to Marbella An exciting summer at Indian Dreams Indian dreams has now moved to new premises, to make way for the busy summer. The impressive new locale now has a cafeteria area, where diners can enjoy Indian and Spanish tapas, and an impressive barbeque grill right on the Paseo Marítimo, where a chef flown in from Denmark will be making Turkish style grilled kebabs, doner kebabs and barbecued meat, all day long. There is also a new green zone for those into salads and nutritious fare, as well as an Ayurvedic menu for those keen on going organic. The restaurant now boasts a magnificent 400m2 of event space, which can be booked for weddings, parties and special events. Indian Dreams is open every day for lunch and dinner.

i Avda Duque de Ahumada, Paseo Marítimo 9, Marbella.

Tel: 952 820 09/ 695 848 115.

Portobello Bespoke Catering comes to town From its conception in September 2008, Portobello Bespoke Catering has gone from strength to strength, with a client list that includes prominent banks in Gibraltar, high profile entrepreneurs along the coast and a growing list of repeat customers.

Among its many services, Portobello caters for corporate events, exclusive dinner parties, buffets and barbecues, and also prepares bespoke picnic hampers, delivering and catering to private houses, event venues and yachts all along the Costa del Sol. Co-founders Roderick Williams and Wiebke Wendelken boast over 30 years high-level experience in the catering industry and always focus on quality ingredients, innovative food and fair pricing.

i For further information, Tel: 660 219 278.

www.portobellobespokecatering.com

Basque chef, Carlos Oyar Bide had always had a love affair with Marbella, visiting the seaside town both for pleasure and to advise many restaurateurs on how to raise the level of their cuisine and service. It is only logical, therefore, that he has decided to open his own restaurant, Oyar Bide, in Marbella, offering fine Basque cuisine that incorporates the best of local produce in its dishes. Delights to watch out for include the velvety gazpacho infused with melon from the vine with Sanlucar King prawns, cockles and gooseneck barnacles with cucumber icecream, or the tuna with crunchy algae and melon over a tender almond soup and ginger ice-cream. Carlos, who is from the Navarra region, comes from a long line of chefs and restaurateurs, who have more than a few Michelin stars to their name. Carlos himself obtained a Michelin star in 1985 and has travelled all over the world giving conferences on gastronomic subjects. At his new restaurant, diners can look forward to selecting from over 900 wines from all over the world, as well as exclusive whiskeys and liquors, and quality cigars. The décor, a marriage of classical and modern, pays tribute to Carlos’ own penchant for jazzing up tradition cuisine with contemporary flavours. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, and on Sunday for lunch.

i C/ Acera de la Marina, 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 772 461. www.carlosoyarbide.es News from El Rincón de Gvadalpín

©KH Photography

Following the success of Garry Waite’s restaurant, El Rincón de Gvadalpin, the restaurateur has opened Café Boulevard on the paseo down to Mistral Beach, to the side of the five star Gran Hotel Gvadalpin. This new, open-air bar serving drinks is also an ideal venue for ‘those who lunch’. Salads, pastas, funky sandwiches, fish and meat are all on offer and there is also a special menu for kids. Restaurante El Rincón de Gvadalpín launched its summer menu this month, featuring favourites such as steak Diane, steak Tartare, tournedos Rossini and Chateaubriand, as well as delightful summer dishes like the lobster carpaccio, crispy soft shell crab and grilled cod with mussels, chorizo and lemon pesto. The addition of the terraces on the Café Boulevard means that El Rincón now has a larger outside eating area plus its own evening cocktail bar and meeting point with subtle live music on the weekends.

i Edif. Gran Hotel Gvadalpin Banús, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 929 001.

A heavenly summer at Zozoi Top international cuisine restaurant, Zozoi, is gearing up for the summer with new opening hours. The restaurant will now be open seven days a week for dinner, and guests can opt to dine al fresco on the romantic terrace. Zozoi is famed for its market fresh, exciting fusion cuisine, bringing you the best of European and Asian cuisine, made from the finest seasonal produce.

i Plaza Altamirano 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 868.

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THEGOURMET CHEF PROFILE

MauricioofGiovanini Messina and Messina Puerto Banús Photography KH Photography

I

f you thought the most interesting thing to a top chef was his cuisine, think again. Somehow it seems that the finer the cuisine, the greater is the wealth of hidden talent, passion and ambition. Argentinean chef, Mauricio Giovanini of Messina fame, is one such mystery; a man who is almost as crazy about good graphic design and photography as he is about his food; an artist who blurs the line between the different genres and whose creative soul will probably never be completely satisfied.

Mauricio and his wife Pía have been heading the elegant Restaurante Messina, in the centre of Marbella, for many years, offering chic interior design, fine wine and, above all, visionary cuisine as beautiful as it is flavourful. Mauricio is the culinary master, having trained with some of the best (including Ferrán Adrià and ‘Master of Chocolate’ Ramón Morató). His wife Pía Ninci, meanwhile, (also trained in fine cuisine) is the ‘people person’ – the one who greets diners and eloquently explains the technique and craft behind each dish, or suggests an ideal wine for each course.

“Pía’s smile comes from the heart,” says Mauricio and indeed, after so many years in the business, such an affable nature is hard to fake. Pía is also Mauricio’s number one taster since, as he explains, “Sometimes as a chef you lose objectivity and you think a dish is good because of the amount of time you’ve spent creating it.

That’s when Pía comes along and tells me how it tastes to the diner’s palate. That opinion is invaluable.”

Life has been non-stop since the couple moved to Marbella from Argentina, with Mauricio participating in cooking competitions, experimenting with new recipes and launching the new Messina Puerto Banús, which serves up tapas de autor (creative appetisers).

The concept comes straight from the oven, with many restaurateurs in Barcelona and Madrid following suit.

“I’m not sure if it’s because of the crisis but it seems that many of us have thought up the same idea simultaneously: that of small sized dishes which diners

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can order many of, during one sitting”. At an average of €4 per dish, the cuisine is affordable, yet differs considerably from the average tapas. Star creations include the gazpacho in bubbles, the Argentinean beef with chimichurri-flavoured popcorn and the mini, home-made desserts. There is also a wide selection of wines and cocktails to complement each choice.

The restaurant opens from 11am ‘til midnight and, at midday, customers can look forward to special sandwiches (such as the lamb, date and goat’s cheese sandwich in rosemary bread, or the spicy Thai duck in spongy bread) as well as creative salads.

Mauricio also has another project underway: his book, aimed at appealing “33.3 per cent to lovers of fine cuisine; 33.3 per cent to fans of graphic design and a final 33.3 per cent to those who love beautiful photography,” he says. The book, to be published by the end of the year, will contain recipes for appetisers, ranging from easy to those meant for professional chefs. “It’s not a commercial pursuit for me. I want it to be the kind of book that people see in a bookshop, pick up and marvel at, or the kind of book they pull off the shelf when they have guests over.” The book

is a labour of love for Mauricio, who already religiously works from around 10am to midnight. From 2am to 5am on some nights, he and the book’s photographer get together at Messina’s kitchens to work on the project. An astounding 50 or so photographs are taken of each dish.

The book will be linked to a special section on the new Messina website which will include handy tips such as how to debone different cuts of meat, videos of Mauricio ‘backstage’ in the kitchen, scenes from Mauricio’s life and trips to the market place. In this way, the book will receive constant updates.

Mauricio and Pía are currently working on putting the final touches to Messina Puerto Banús and creating Messina Marbella’s new Spring/Summer menu. There are also plans to open in Málaga, and maybe even Mallorca, where Mauricio will teach his recipes to the Head Chefs of the new restaurants. Yet he assures me that, “Whatever happens, I will always be the Head Chef of Messina Marbella”.

As hectic as the young couple’s schedule can be, they always find time for their son Tiago (who is almost three), and Mauricio smiles as he talks about a new baby on the way. “My day starts with an hour of play with Tiago and I make frequent trips home to be with him.” Pía and Mauricio, a tight team if ever there was one, strive for their life to imitate art through creative cuisine, beautiful interiors and, above all, the warmth of their human touch.

i

Messina Marbella: Opening Hours: Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Avda. Severo Ochoa 12, Marbella.

Tel: 952 864 895. www.restaurantemessina.com Messina Puerto Banús: Opening Hours: Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and also on the same Sundays as El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús.

C/ Ramón Areces, Complejo Marina Banús, s/n. Tel: 952 815 840.

27/5/09 15:13:36

THEGOURMET

WINE COLUMN

REPORT Pancho Campo MW

So just who is

U

nless you are a wine professional or a serious aficionado, you have probably not heard of Robert Parker. However, if you are in the wine business, you will probably know that Parker and his rating system are the most important points of reference around the world for buying, importing and trading with wine. This former lawyer at Capitol Hill has become one of the most powerful and influential people in the wine sector.

There is no other industry where only one critic has so much power and influence. Like most critics, he is loved by many, respected by most but also heavily criticised.

Nevertheless, what is undeniable is that everyone in the wine industry knows who Robert Parker is.

Robert Parker Jr. lives in the town of Parkton, Maryland, not far from Baltimore, from where he tastes wines from every main producing region and publishes his newsletter The Wine Advocate. Parker’s interest in wine began while at law school. He travelled to France to visit Joan, his girlfriend, now his wife. Being on a very tight budget while visiting Strasbourg, he realised that wine was cheaper than a Coke or a coffee, and that is how he first tried a glass. He fell in love with it and it became his passion.

After a couple of years of studying and tasting wine from around the globe he realised that, at least in the US, there was no ranking or classification that would help the consumer understand if a wine had more or less quality. He also noticed that many American consumers were confused when purchasing wine because they didn´t have a point of reference. Also, he was spending so much money on purchasing wines that his wife threatened him with a divorce if he continued. This prompted him to create the first ‘independent consumer guide’, as he likes to call The

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Wine Advocate. He also developed a rating system based on scores, in the same way that any American school or college grades students – from 0 to 100 points. Robert´s goal was to get enough subscribers to The Wine Advocate to retire as a lawyer and spend most of his time tasting, rating and writing about wines.

It was the 1982 vintage that gave Robert Parker a breakthrough in his career and would change his life forever. Every year, in March, critics, writers and gurus from around the globe gather in Bordeaux for the en primeur tasting. During this week, wines are tasted from the barrel and critics evaluate the quality of the harvest that will be released the following year. Based on their comments and ratings, the wines will be priced by the negociants of Bordeaux. We must remember that the great châteaux from Bordeaux are the wines used as a point of reference for auctions and trading of fine wines. That year, most critics did not rate the wines very highly, including Robert Finnegan who, at the time, was the most respected and followed wine writer. Only a young American critic named Robert Parker believed that 1982 was a great vintage year, producing rich, concentrated, great wines. As time passed, the 1982 wines went on to prove that Parker had been right and all the others wrong. This was lift-off for the man who has more recently been called ‘The Emperor of Wine’.

The Wine Advocate became very popular and a point of reference for many professionals and consumers. It garnered a sufficient number of subscriptions to allow him to retire as an attorney and dedicate his life to wine tasting. He is considered the number one expert in Bordeaux wines and his ratings have changed the business of wine in this classic region. Such has been the impact of Parker for the Bordeaux wine industry that, on March 29, 1999, President Jacques Chirac signed a decree authorising Robert M. Parker, Jr. as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre de la Légion d’Honneur. He was decorated directly by President Chirac at a ceremony at the Elysée Palace on June 22, 1999. He is the only wine writer/critic in history to have been given the highest Presidential Honours by two French Presidents and an Italian President.

Today The Wine Advocate has over 55,000 subscribers from 37 countries. Parker has published 13 books and his website www.erobertparker.com is the world´s most visited wine web. He has become one of the top five most influential and powerful personalities of the industry, according to most wine magazines.

His ratings can almost guarantee a total sell out of a wine if he gives it more than 95 points.

Winemakers around the world impatiently wait for the release of his points every year. They know that a good score could help them tremendously

Robert Parker? to sell their wines to buyers from all over the world.

Today, Parker specialises in wines from Bordeaux, the Rhone and the United States. His team of collaborators is responsible for tasting the wines from the rest of the world and rate them on his behalf, always under the umbrella of The Wine Advocate.

Like most influential people, he has many detractors who consider that he is helping to promote a very one-dimensional style of wines, which are high in alcohol, tannic, oaky and extremely ‘big’. They claim that, because of his tremendous influence, most winemakers are focused on producing ‘Parker wines’ in order to please him and obtain the highest possible ratings. Regardless of what one might think of Robert Parker, it is undeniable that he is a point of reference and that the world of wine has changed because of the influence he exerts on people’s opinions.

Robert Parker has never been to Spain before. It has taken us almost five years to convince him to travel to our country to attend a meeting of world leaders of the wine industry. Together with 30 other experts, he will attend Winefuture-Rioja ’09 to analyse the challenges that the wine industry is facing, such as the global economic crisis, climate change, consumption trends, etc. He will also conduct a tasting and a conference, which will focus on the challenges and opportunities for the wine industry in the near future. Visit www. winefuture.es I had the chance to speak personally to the man at the end of April and I must confess that two things impressed me: on the one hand, he is a very intelligent, sharp and knowledgeable person. On the other hand, he is extremely honest, conscious of his influence and almost obsessed with the need for integrity, avoiding any possible conflict of interest that could arise from his appearances, speeches and declarations.

i Pancho Campo is Founder and President of The Wine

Academy Spain. www.thewineacademy.com

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A

D A Y

T O

R E M E M B E R

Fine dining with a VIP welcome in Marbella’s top restaurants.

Unforgettable evenings of fantastic food and great company in truly special surroundings.

g ourmet

Guarantee yourself a place on the guest list at Marbella’s most popular venues. day time beach club chic to fabulous evenings in the most select night spots.

v i p

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...delivering you the ultimate selection of top experiences available in the area

in association with essential marbella magazine. For pre-launch information call 952 766344

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RESTAURANTS Price guide

Per head for a three-course meal with wine

RESTAURANTS AMERICAN

Under €25

Jacks

€25 – €40

Open seven days a week from noon till late.

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

€40 – €60 €60 plus

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

INDIAN

INTERNATIONAL

iN

TGI Friday’s

GRILLS

Open from 12pm to 12am. Avda. Muelle de Ribera, locales 4-5, Marina Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 993

Tony Roma’s

GREEK

Open from 1pm-4pm and from 7pm to 12am.

Ctra. de Cádiz, km.176, 29600, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 533

ARABIC Afamia

FRENCH

Open 24 hours a day every day. Urb. Benabolá,10, local C, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 068

ARGENTINEAN B.Ayres

Buenos Aires South Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

C/ Virgen del Pilar, 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 779 297

Clericó Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda.

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

FRENCH La Chozita

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 Coto

Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. San Pedro Beach Side. Tel: 952 784 540

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

Tel: 952 786 688

Valderrama Restaurant

El Gaucho

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

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

GREEK

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

Red Pepper

Old Town Grill

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

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner and Sunday for lunch. C/ San Lázaro, 3, Pza. Victoria, Marbella. Tel: 952 867 306

GRILLS Asador Criollo Grill

puente romano beach club

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

Open every day for lunch. CN 340, km 177, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Asador guadalmina

Restaurante Rancho

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra. Cádiz, exit

RESTAURANTS

AMERICAN

ARABIC

ARGENTINEAN

Open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. CN340, km.178, Marbella. Tel: 952

863 922

148

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iNGS LISTINGS LISTings Las Chapas. Tel: 952 831 922

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

INDIAN indian dreams Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. Duque de Ahumada, Paseo Marítimo 9, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 096

Jaipur purple Open daily for dinner except Tuesday. C.C. Costasol, local 3, 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 lunch and dinner. Private parking available. Ctra. Cádiz, km 179 (behind Venta los Pacos). Tel: 952 857 670/ 629 244 659

Taj Palace Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. La Cañada, local 151, Marbella. Tel: 952 779 715

INTERNATIONAL alminar Open Thursday to Monday for dinner. At the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

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

Areté

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

Open every day except Sunday for lunch and dinner.

C/ Mediterráneo, Edif. Mediterráneo, 1 (next to Marisquería Santiago), Marbella. Tel: 952 777 334

Mughal village

Babilonia

Open every night for dinner. Urb. Torrenueva, Mijas Costa. Tel: 902 463 426

Open from Tuesday to Sunday. Ctra. de Istán, km. 0.8.

Tel: 952 828 861

Mumtaz

baboo lounge and restaurant

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

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Winter season: closed Sunday and Monday nights.

Ctra. Arroyo de la Miel, s/n, Benalmádena. Tel: 902 102 675

safFron 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

beach club restaurante grill Open every day for lunch. Hotel Fuerte Miramar Spa. Plaza José Luque Manzano s/n, Marbella. Tel: 902 343

410

km. 3, Arcos de la Frontera, Cádiz. Tel: 956 704 131

beach club restaurante grill

Deli-icious

Open every day for lunch. Hotel Fuerte. Castillo de San Luis s/n, Marbella. Tel: 902 343 410

Open from 9am to 6pm. C/ Califa, Edif. La Maestranza, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 907 876

beach house

Don Leone

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

Open every night for dinner. Puerto Banús, Marbella.

Tel: 952 811 716

boulevard

Don MIGUEL

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

Open for lunch from 1-4pm and dinner from 7-11pm Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Monday. C/ Ortega y Gasset 87, Marbella House, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 603

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

CAFÉ DEL MAR Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. CN 340, km. 166.5, Estepona. Tel: 952 889 040

Don Quijote Open every evening for dinner (7pm-12am. Flamenco show on Sundays. Urb. El Rosario, km. 188, Marbella.

Tel: 952 834 748

Calima

El Bolero

Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Hotel Meliá Don Pepe, C/ José Meliá, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 764 252

Open every night for dinner from 8-11pm. The San Roque Club, CN 340, km. 127, Cádiz. Tel: 956 613 030

Casanis

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

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

Chic brunch & café Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm for breakfast, lunch and snacks. Centro de Negocios Puerta de Banús, local 22, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 929 411

cortijo fain Open every day for lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Algar,

El Corzo

el fogón de elías Open Wednesday to Monday for lunch and dinner.

Bloque 7-8, Centro Diana CN 340, km 168.5, Estepona.

Tel: 952 884 977

EL MIRADOR Open for breakfast every day. At the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Resort. CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

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RESTAURANTS

INTERNATIONAL

iN EL OCEANO BEACH HOTEL

Sunday. Ctra. de Casares, km. 10. Tel: 952 895 120

km. 173, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 906 105

La Galería

Open for lunch and dinner daily. CN 340, km 199, Urb. Torrenueva, Mijas Costa. Tel:952 587 550

Finca las brasas

Ke+da

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra. FuengirolaMijas, between CN-340 and highway. Tel: 952 580 513

Open everyday for lunch and dinner. Avda.

Mediterráneo, Urb. San Pedro del Mar, Blq 4, local 7, Nueva Alcántara. Tel: 952 784 344

Open daily for lunch and dinner. La Posada del Torcal, Ctra. La Joya, Villanueva de la Concepción, Málaga (near El Torqual park). Tel: 952 031 177

Fusion

Khala Open Mondays to Saturday from 8.30pm to midnight.

NH Alanda Hotel, Marbella. Tel: 952 899 600

Open for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 193, Hacienda Las Chapas, Marbella. Tel: 952 831 267 / 831 116

Open daily for dinner. C/Aduar 1, Casco antiguo, Marbella. Tel: 952 828 650

Open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sunday for dinner. Entrance to El Rosario, in front of Las Chapas school, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 910

kibo restaurant lounge bar

La Loggia

El Relicario

Garum

Open Thursday to Sunday for dinner. Avda. Luis Braille, 30, San Pedro. Tel: 678 265 376

Open from Mon. to Sat. for dinner. C/La Concha 11, El Ingenio, San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 686

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. Paseo marítimo, Avda. de la Fontanilla, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 858

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

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 Patio de los Perfumes

El Restaurante del Casino Open every day for dinner from 8pm-4am. Hotel Andalucía Plaza s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 000

El rincón de gVadalpín Open for lunch Friday to Sunday and dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Monday. C/ Edgar Neville, s/n, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 929 001

Fabiola

150

hermosa 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

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

HIBISCUS

Finca Besaya

hotel marbella club buffet

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

Open every day for lunch. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

Finca El Forjador

Hotel LoRcrimar

Open daily for lunch from 1-4pm, Wednesday to

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. CN 340,

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner and Sunday for lunch. C.C. San Roque Club A-7, exit 27, Cádiz. Tel: 956 613 203

LA biznaga 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

La Hacienda

La Menorah

LA CANTINA DEL GOLF

Open from 1-3.30pm and 8-11.30pm. Closed Mondays. Arena Beach, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 151.2, Estepona. Tel: 952 792 734

Open for breakfast and lunch until 8pm. Closed Sunday. Flamingo Golf Club, Cancelada, Benahavís.

Tel: 951 318 815

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

La LUNA DE LA Câbane

La veranda lobby bar

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. Urb. Los Monteros, CN 340, km. 187, Marbella. Tel: 952 823 846

Open every day for lunch and dinner. At the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

La Terraza

La Esencia

La Verandah

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Hotel Incosol, Urb. Golf Rio Real, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 831 303

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

la fonda de marbella Open every night for dinner. C/ Los Caballeros, 4-6, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 288

Lee’s bistro

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iNGS LISTINGS LISTings Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and every night for dinner. C.C. Guadalmina, Local 8, Edif.

Barclays, Marbella. Tel: 952 928 610

Ocean club

Mc café

Ombú

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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

Open from Wednesday to Sunday for dinner.

Hotel Don Carlos. CN 340, km 192, Marbella.

Tel: 952 768 800

Mesana

OCHO

Open daily for dinner. Creative Cuisine. Gran Hotel Gvadalpín, Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 899 400

Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

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

Messina

Ogilvy & Mailer

Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. Avda.

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

Open everyday for lunch and dinner, except Tuesday and Sunday evenings. Los Naranjos Country Club, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 815 398

messina puerto banús Open every day for lunch and dinner except for Sunday. C/Ramón Areces, Complejo Marina Banús. Tel: 952 815 840

Miraflores Golf Restaurant Open daily for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 199. Urb. Riviera Golf. Tel: 952 931 941

Nikki beach Open every day for lunch. Playa Hotel Don Carlos. CN 340, km 192, Marbella. Tel: 952 836 239

novelli’s Open every day for lunch and dinner. Hotel Locrimar, CN 340, km 173, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 929 269

Open every day for lunch. Avda. Lola Flores s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 908 137

Sunday for lunch and dinner. El Castillo de Monda s/n, Monda. Tel: 952 457 142

Rest. Galeria San Pedro Open from 11am until midnight. Closed Sundays. Avda Las Palmeras 15, San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 780 927

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

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

Restaurante los bandidos Open every night for dinner. Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús.Tel: 952 815 915

prado halcones

Restaurante Swing

Open every day for lunch and dinner, from midday. Urb. Monte Halcones, Ctra. de Ronda.

Tel: 952 783 458

Open from 12-4pm and 7.30pm until midnight.

Closed Wednesdays. Arena Beach, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 151, Estepona. Tel: 952 796 320

Puro Beach

roca tranquila

Open every day for lunch and dinner. CN 340, km 159, E15 Exit, Estepona Este (beside Kempinski Resort Hotel). Tel: 952 316 699

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Monday. Urb. Torreblanca de Sol, C/ Tortola, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 196 067

Relais de Paris

sentidos

Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

Paseo marítimo Benabola, s/n. Tel: 952 819 078

Open every day for lunch and dinner. At Sentidos en Río Real Hotel. Urb. Río Real s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 732

Restaurante al bacar

Skina

Open Friday for dinner and Saturday and

Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. C/ Aduar

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Oriental

the polo house

952 789 100

Small world café

Open daily for lunch and dinner, with club/dancing.

CN 340, Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 11, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 380

Caruso

Open Monday to Saturday for breakfast and lunch.

Centro Plaza, kiosko 3, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 816 313

RESTAURANTS

INTERNATIONAL

12, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 277

ITALIAN

iN

152

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. C.C. Le Village, local 15, Ctra. Istán km. 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 046

Starz

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

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

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

Tel: 952 924 613.

Casa Nostra

Tikitano Beach Restaurant

Da Bruno

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Guadalmansa, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 164, Estepona. Tel: 952 792 820

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

Zozoï Open every day for dinner from 7.30pm-12.30am.

Plaza Altamirano, 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 868

ITALIAN

Terra Sana

Al Dente

Open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nueva Andalucía next to the Casino. Tel: 952 906 205. Golden Mile, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 480.

Terra Sana Express@ ILounge. Avda Antonio Belón, 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 901 274

Open 7 days a week for dinner. Closed on Mondays.

Urb. Jardines del Puerto, local 12, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 181

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

The far isle Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner except Tuesday. Edif. Lubina Sol, Riviera Exit, CN 340, km.

198, Marbella. Tel: 952 935 039

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

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

Tel: 952 813 464

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

bora bora beach club Open every day for lunch and dinner except Tuesday.

Avda. del Mediterráneo, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel:

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. C/Camilo José Cela 12, Marbella. Tel: 952 861 108

Dalli’s Pasta & Pizza Factory Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Pasta Factory: Second Line Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 490, Paseo de Reding, 43, Málaga. Tel: 952 217 078 Pizza Factory: Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 818 623

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

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

gold restaurant Open every day from 10am to 12 am. Complejo

Benabola 13, Beach Side, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 929 055

la brisa Open every night for dinner. Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

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

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

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

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

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

Marco dallis Open daily for dinner. Avda. Fontanilla, Marbella. Tel: 952 776 776

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

Tel: 952 907 037, Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 446 460

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iNGS LISTINGS LISTings Pizza Marzano

zafferano

952 830 365 / 658 646 829

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces, local 7, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 810 448

Open every night for dinner except Sunday.

C/Gloria II, 11, Casco Antiguo, Marbella. Tel: 952 863 125

MUSO

pizza real Open every day from 12pm until late. C.C. Pino Golf Don Carlos, Elviria. Tel: 952 850 039

Oriental

Pizzeria Picasso

Asia Food

Open daily from 12 noon. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 669

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

Centro Comercial, Pinares de Elviria, Marbella.

Tel: 952 850 060

portofino laguna village Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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

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

Rosmarino della Piazza Open Sunday to Friday for lunch and dinner and Saturday for dinner. C.C. Pinares de Elviria, s/n, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 850 148

terraza dual

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

Kaede Open everyday for lunch and dinner. At the Hotel Westin La Quinta. Urb. La Quinta, s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 762 059

Kaiden Sushi

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

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

saleto

Kama Kura

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Avda. del Prado, Via 1, local 2, Aloha Golf, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 112

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

Villa Tiberio

meca

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pino Golf, Don Carlos, Local 1, Elviria, Marbella. Tel:

Open everyday night for dinner. Urb. La Alzambra, Edif. Vasari, Marbella. Tel: 952 929 020

Naga Open daily for lunch and dinner. Locales 18-21, C.C. Cristamar, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 319

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

Sakura Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda.

Jardines del Puerto, L.5, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 536

Sapporo Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Costa del Sol, upper level. CN-340, km. 166 (Estepona).

Tel: 952 888 710

shangai express Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday. At the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Urb. Benamara, Avda. Dos Hermanas, CN 340, km. 168, Estepona. Tel: 951 055 531

Sukho Thai

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GOLF

iN Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday.

Centro Comercial Marbellamar. Tel: 952 770 550

CINEMAS

Sushi des artistes Open every evening for dinner and Wednesday to Sunday for lunch. CN 340, km 178.5, Marbella. Easy parking. Tel: 952 857 403

Sushi Katsura

SPANISH

CASINOS

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

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

lebanese marrush Open every day for lunch and dinner. Complejo Cine Gran Marbella, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 819

Open seven days a week for dinner. H. Puente Romano, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 177, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 893

Skandies

Open daily for lunch and dinner except for Tuesday lunch. CN 340, km 197, Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 017

Thai Gallery Open seven days a week for dinner from 8pm.

CN-340, km.175, Edif. Rimesa, Bajos, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 392

SNACKS

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

Tai Pan

Thai-china

Wok Away Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda.

Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 907 304

Wok Buffet

SEAFOOD

Wok Wang

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7pm to 11pm.

Closed Mondays. Avda. Antonio Belón, 26 (behind the lighthouse), Marbella. Tel: 952 776 323

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

Cipriano Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Playas del Duque, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 077

El Barlovento Open from 11am-4pm and 7.30-11pm every

Restaurante La Marina Open every day from 1-4.30pm and 8pm until midnight. Paseo Marítimo s/n, La Atunara, La Linea de la Concepción, Campo de Gibraltar. Tel: 956 171 531

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 Eddy & Marisa’s Open for breakfast and lunch from 9am - 6pm.

Urb. Coral Beach, The Golden Mile, Marbella.

Tel: 952 824 534

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

SNACKS & Brasseries Megabowl and Sports Bar Open seven days a week from midday until late. C.C. La Cañada, 1ª planta, Marbella. Tel: 902 232 999

RESTAURANTS

lebanese

SCANDINAVIAN

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

SCANDINAVIAN

day except Mondays. Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 790 370

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iNGS LISTINGS LISTings SPANISH Buenaventura Open every day for lunch and dinner. Plaza de la Iglesia, 5, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 069

Casa de la era

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesdays.

Avda. La Fontanilla, Edif. Balmoral, Bajo 3, Marbella.

Tel. 600 003 144

La Cañada. Marbella. Tel: 902 333 231

www.alhauringolf.com

MARBELLA MULTICINES

Almenara Golf

Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 421

Tragabuches

MULTICINES ALFIL

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

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

Avda. Camilo José Cela, s/n. Fuengirola.

Tel: 952 800 056

Aloha Golf Club

MULTICINES MEDITERRÁNEO

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

Mijas. Tel: 952 663 738

Atalaya Golf

PALACIO DE LA PAZ Recinto Ferial. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 589 349

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

Casino Nueva Andalucía

TEATRO ALAMEDA

Cabopino Golf

Hotel Andalucía Plaza, Km153. N. Andalucía T: 952 814 000

Calle Córdoba 9, Málaga. Tel: 952 213 412

18 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 850 282

TEATRO CERVANTES

Club de Golf La Cañada

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

Casino San Roque

Ramos Marín, 199, Málaga. Tel: 952 224 109

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 956 794 100

CN340, Km124, San Roque T:956 780 100

TEATRO CIUDAD DE MARBELLA

El Paraiso Club de Golf

Casino Torrequebrada

Plaza Ramón Martínez, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 159

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 883 835

La Meridiana

CN340, Km220, Benalmádena T: 952 446 000

TEATRO SALON VARIETES

Estepona Golf

Emancipación 30. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 474 542

VERACRUZ CINES

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

Veracruz. Estepona. Tel: 952 800 056

Finca cortesín golf club

YELMO CINEPLEX

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

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

Hacienda

Open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday.

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

La Taberna del Alabardero

CASINOS

CINEMAS & THEATRES

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

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL MIJAS

La Veranda

AUDITORIO PARQUE DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN

Alcaidesa Links

Golf Río Real

Open for dinner from Monday to Sunday. Hotel Villa Padierna & Flamingos Golf Club. Ctra. de Cádiz, km.

166 (Cancelada exit), Benahavís. Tel: 952 889 150

Marbella. Tel: 952 825 035

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 756 733

CENTRO CULTURAL EL INGENIO

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

Garcia Morato, s/n. San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 968

Alhaurín Golf

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 442 742

Mesón el adobe

CINESA LA CAÑADA

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 595 970.

Guadalmina Golf

Plaza Mayor. Tel: 902 902 103

Flamingos Golf Club

Plaza de la Libertad 2. Mijas. Tel: 952 590 380

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL TORREMOLINOS Plaza de España, Recinto Ferial. Tel: 952 379 521

GOLF GUIDE

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

Golf Torrequebrada

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HOTELS

TENNIS

iN 36 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 883 375

CENTRO PLAZA GYM

La Cala Golf Resort

Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 074

54 holes, Pars 71, 72 and 73.

Tel: 952 669 033. www.lacala.com

CLUB DE SOL

La Dama de Noche

Tennis /paddle classes. Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595

9 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 818 150

FITNESS CENTRE NEW STYLE

La Duquesa Golf & Country Club

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

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 890 425

GIMNASIO ESTADIO

La Quinta Golf

Trav. Huerta de los Cristales, Marbella.

Tel: 952 828 217

GYMS

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

HAPPY DIVER’S CLUB

La Reserva Sotogrande

Atalaya Park Hotel, Marbella. Tel: 609 571 920

18 holes. Tel: 956 695 209

HOTEL PUENTE ROMANO

La Zagaleta Golf & Country Club

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

18 holes. Members only. Tel: 952 695 209

MANOLO SANTANA RACQUETS CLUB

Lauro Golf 18 holes

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

Alhaurín de la Torre. Tel: 952 412 767

MARBELLA GUN & COUNTRY CLUB

Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club

Monda. Tel: 952 112 161

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 784 600

MARBELLA SPORT

Los Naranjos Golf Club

Km171.5. San Pedro Alcántara.Tel: 952 788 315

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 815 206

MULTI SPORT

Marbella Club Golf Resort

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

18 holes, Par 73. Tel: 952 113 239

02 CENTRO WELLNESS

Marbella Golf & Country Club

Plaza del Mar. Marbella. Tel: 952 900 420

18 holes. Tel: 952 830 500

P-E SPORTS CLUB

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

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

Miraflores Golf

SATURNIA REGNA

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 931 960

Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club

Marbella Tel: 952 761 475, Elviria.

Tel: 952 834 835

18 holes. Tel: 952 113 088

SEVEN STARS SCHOOL

Parador Málaga del Golf 18 holes. Tel: 952 381 255

Tai Chi & yoga. Pasaje Estrecho, Estepona.

Tel: 952 923 055

Real Club de Golf Las Brisas

SPORTCLUB ROUTE 66

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 810 875

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

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande

SPORTING CLUB ALHAMAR

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 785 014

C.C. Alhamar. Calahonda. Tel: 952 934 684

San Roque Club

SPORTING CLUB ATALAYA PARK HOTEL

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 613 030

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

Santa Clara Golf

TICKET-TO-RIDE

18 holes. Tel: 952 850 111

Cristamar, Pto. Banús. Tel: 952 905 082

Santa Maria Golf & Country Club 18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 831 036

Sotogrande Club de Golf

HOTELS

18 holes. Tel: 956 785 012

Valderrama

Almenara Golf Hotel & Spa

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

Avda. Almenara s/n. Sotogrande. Tel: 956 582 000

Coral Beach Golden Mile. Marbella. Tel: 952 824 500

GYMS & SPORTS CLUBS

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Gran Hotel Elba & Thalasso Spa Urb. Arena Beach. Estepona. Tel: 952 794 308

Gran Hotel Playabella

ALHAMAR GYM

Urb. Costalita. Estepona. Tel: 952 880 868

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

Gran Meliá Don Pepe

ATENAS

José Meliá s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 770 300

Barquilla 1. Marbella. Tel: 952 776 240

Hotel Don Carlos

AZTEC COUNTRY CLUB

CN340, Km192. Marbella. Tel: 952 831 140

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa. Tel: 952 934 477

Hotel El Paraíso

CENTRO DEPORTIVO EL FUERTE

CN340, Km167. Estepona. Tel: 952 883 000

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

Hotel La Cala Golf

CENTRO DE YOGA Y SALUD INTEGRAL

La Cala de Mijas Tel: 952 669 000

Ramón y Cajal 21. Marbella. Tel: 952 773 804

Hotel Puente Romano

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iNGS LISTINGS LISTings CN340, Km179. Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

CN340, Km175. Pto. Banús. Tel: 952 810 500

Hotel Torrequebrada

Hotel Playa Bonita

Avda. del Sol s/n, Benalmádena Costa.

Tel: 952 446 000

CN340, Km217. Benalmádena Costa.

Tel: 952 442 840

Hotel Triton

Hotel Princess Playa

Avda. Antonio Marchado, 29. Benalmádena Costa.

Tel: 952 443 240

Paseo Marítimo. Marbella. Tel: 952 820 944

Hotel Westin La Quinta Golf Resort

CN340, Km173. N. Andalucía. Tel: 952 811 517

Urb. La Quinta s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 762 000

Hotel Selenza

Incosol Hotel Medical Spa

CN340, Km165, Estepona. Tel: 952 899 499

Urb. Golf Rio Real s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 828 500

H10 Andalucía Plaza

Kempinski Resort Hotel

CN340 Km 174. Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 812 000

CN340, Km159. Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

NH almenara golf

Las Dunas Beach Hotel & Spa

C/ Almenara s/n, Sotogrande. Tel: 956 582 000

CN340, Km163,5. Estepona. Tel: 952 794 345

NH Marbella

Los Monteros CN340, Km187. Marbella. Tel: 952 771 700

C/ Conde Rudi, s/n. CN340, Km178. Marbella.

Tel: 952 763 200

Marbella Club Hotel

NH SAN PEDRO

CN340, Km180. Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

NH Alanda Hotel & Spa

C/ Jerez 1, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 853 040

CN340, Km176,6. Marbella. Tel: 952 899 600

Parador de Ronda

Villa Padierna

Plaza de España, s/n. Ronda. Tel: 952 877 500

CN340, Km166, Exit Cancelada. Benahavís.

Tel: 952 889 150

SENTIDOS Hotel

AGH Estepona

Sunset Beach Club

CN340, Km 166.5, Estepona. Tel: 952 889 040

Alanda Carib Playa

Avda. del Sol, 5. Benalmádena Costa.

Tel: 952 579 400

CN340, Km 194. Tel: 952 902 537

Tamisa Golf Hotel

Alanda Club Marbella

Camino Viejo de Coín. Km 3.3. Mijas Golf.

Tel: 952 585 988

CN340 Km192. Marbella. Tel: 952 902 537

Hotel Riu Rincón Andaluz

CN340, Km185, Urb. Golf Rio Real s/n. Marbella.

Tel: 952 765 732

Amanhavís Hotel & Restaurant C/ Pilar 3. Benahavís. Tel: 952 856 026

HOTEL PYR MARBELLA

Atalaya Park Hotel

Avda. Rotary International, s/n, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 817

CN340, Km168,5. Estepona. Tel: 952 889 000

barceló golf C/ de Granadillas, s/n. Urb. Guadalmina Alta, Marbella. Tel: 952 889 099

TENNIS CLUBS

Beatriz Palace & Spa

Aztec Country Club

CN340, Km207. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 922 000

Benabola Apart Hotel

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa.

Tel: 952 934 477

Benabola. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 000

Club deL Sol

CALEDONIA GOLF Aparthotel & spa

Tennis/paddle classes. Calahonda.

Tel: 952 939 595

CN340, km 165, Cancelada exit. Estepona.

Tel: 952 889 999

El Oceano Beach Hotel

Club Internacional de Tennis

CN340, Km199. Miraflores Playa. Tel: 952 587 550

Ctra. Cádiz, km 173. Marbella.

Tel: 952 813 341

Golf Hotel Guadalmina

Club Madroñal

Guadalmina Baja. Marbella. Tel: 952 882 211

Benahavís. Tel: 617 647 223

Gran Hotel Benahavis

Club Nueva Alcántara

Huerta de Rufino, Benahavís. Tel: 902 504 862

San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 315

HM gran hotel costa del sol

Lew Hoads Tennis Club

La Cala de Mijas, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 587 710

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

Hotel El Fuerte

Manolo Santana Racquets Club

Avda. El Fuerte, s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 861 500. Spa & Beauty Miramar. Tel: 952 920 000

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

Hotel Fuerte Miramar Spa

Urb. Miraflores, Km199. Calahonda.

Tel: 952 932 006

Pl. José Luque Manzano. Marbella. Tel: 952 768 400. Spa & Beauty Miramar. Tel: 952 768 410

Miraflores Tennis Club

Puente Romano Hotel

Hotel Marbella Playa

Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

CN340, Km189. Marbella. Tel: 952 831 345

Tenis El Casco

Hotel Meliá Marbella

El Rosario. Marbella. Tel: 952 837 651 essential marbella magazine

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iN street markets Monday Marbella

Avda. Juan Carlos II, 9am-2:30 pm

La Víbora, 9am-2pm

Fairground (Avda. de Juan Alameda), 9am-2:30pm

Thursday Alhaurín El Grande

Calypso, 9am-2pm

Tuesday

By the Guardia Civil Offfices, City Centre, 9am-1pm

Monda. C/ Los Huertos, 8am-2:30pm

Nerja

Saturday Maro Close to the Nerja Caves, 9am-1pm

Opposite the Guardi Civil Offices, City Centre, 9am-1pm

Coín

C/ Chaparil, 9am-1pm

Churriana

Torre del Mar

La Cala

9am-1pm

Avda. Europa, 9am-1pm

Recinto Ferial, 9am-1pm

Fuengirola

Málaga

Mijas Costa

Recinto Ferial (close to the CN340, on the same side as the bullring), 9am-2:30pm

Opposite the Guardia Civil Offices, City Centre. 9am-1pm

Las Lagunas, 9am-2pm

Torremolinos

Near bullring, 9am-1pm

Wednesday

El Calvario, near Town Hall, 9am-1pm

Nueva Andalucía

Alhaurín de la Torre. Avda. del Limón, 9am-2pm

Benalmádena Costa

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Vélez Málaga

Calahonda

San Pedro

C/ Urbano Pineda, 9am-1pm

Puerto Banús

Next to the bullring. Park near CN340 and walk upwards, 9am-1pm

(Second hand items) Recinto Ferial, 10am-2pm

By the sports pavilion, in the Divina Pastora district, 9am-2pm

La Cala

Friday

Recinto Ferial, 9am-2:30pm

Recinto Ferial, 9am-1pm

Málaga

Calahonda

Rincón de la Victoria, Málaga.

Plaza de la Iglesia, 9am-1pm

Calypso, 9am-2pm

Benalmádena

Istán

In the area between Tivoli World and the Plaza San Pedro, 9am-1pm

Estepona

At the entrance to the town, 9am-2pm

Estepona

Las Chapas

At the Marina, 9am-1pm

Sunday Fuengirola.

Next to Rosaleda football stadium, 9am-2pm Puerto Deportivo, 9am-1pm

Sotogrande

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THEBLOG PETS

Report Marisa Cutillas

“A cat is a puzzle for which there is no solution.” - Hazel Nicholson

Pets may be a health hazard

Dogs (not chimps) are most like us

Did you think your little Chihuahua was the most harmless thing in the world?

Think again. The New York Times tells us that over 86,000 Americans a year pay a visit to the emergency room after tripping over the family pet. Dogs are the main culprits, though cats can also prove dangerous obstacles.

Here’s our tip: make sure you localise Fido or Moggie before walking across the living room… you could save your life, and your pet’s!

A long way to find a home Thank God for generous souls like Eliane ‘Cookie’ Reed, the founder of the Animal Angels abandoned dog sanctuary near Sotogrande. In a world where materialism and concern for the self is paramount, this giving woman has sacrificed many elements of her personal and professional life to take in abandoned dogs and try to give them the food and medication they need. Most of all, Eliane endeavours to find a ‘forever home’ for the many lonely, abandoned dogs that find their way to her. Recently, Eliane brought 18 dogs along with her on a four-day lorry ride to England, which took longer owing to the snowy weather and freezing temperatures. Her mission? To take the dogs to their new owners who unfortunately live all the way in the UK! If you would like to help Eliane or are interested in finding a new pet for your home, forego puppy mills and pet shops and help out those who really need it!

If asked to identify the animal that was closest to human beings in behaviour, most of us would probably say the chimpanzee; but surprising new studies have revealed that dogs have lived in such close proximity to us for so long, they serve as the closest model for social interaction. Behaviours we share with dogs include cooperation, sentimental attachment to others, understanding both verbal communication and body language, and imitation. The researchers, headed by Jozsef Topal of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, argue that dogs should serve as the ‘new chimpanzees’ in studies aimed at proving the uniqueness of humans.

Topal told Discovery News: “In my view, pet dogs can be regarded in many respects as ‘preverbal infants in canine’s clothing,” adding that relationships between dogs and their owners often mirror bonds between parents and children. In one of the studies, Topal taught both a 16-month-old toddler and adult dogs to perform actions on command, finding that the dogs did very well compared to the children. The three main social behaviours dogs have in common with humans, according to Topal, are: ‘sociality’, or organisation into groups where members are loyal to each other; ‘synchronisation’, where following social rules help strengthen the group; and ‘constructive activity’, where members cooperate and communicate with each other to achieve set goals. Perhaps for the first time in history, we will see the union of multi-disciplinary sciences like animal behaviour, psychology, neuroscience, anthropology and veterinary medicine, in order to learn more about man and his best friend.

i For further information, Tel: 671 853 434.

Muña needs a home For some sad reason, pet adoption organisations tend to find it difficult to find a home for a particular dog or cat and this is definitely the case with Muña, a beautiful, oneyear-old Greyhound-Breton cross. When she was found, Muña was covered in ticks and seemed to be bewildered and lost in this world. She had a tell-tale bald ring around her neck, indicating that she had been tied for lengthy periods of time or maybe even all the time. However, that was before her rescue and, if she was shy at first, now she loves people almost as much as she loves other dogs! She has also learned how to be an excellent guard dog, a task she takes very seriously when she’s not indulging in her favourite activity: walking or going for an energetic run. She is obedient, coming when called with a whistle, and sitting on command. She has been vaccinated and her foster owner is willing to pay for her to be neutred.

i If you and your family are looking for a pet who will love you for a lifetime,

please contact Cookie of Animal Angels, Tel: 671 853 434. essential marbella magazine

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WHAT’S ON IN JUNE uuWHAT’S ON IN JUNE uuWHAT’S ON IN JUNE uuWHAT’S ON IN JUNE uuWHAT’S ON IN JUNE uuWHAT’S ON JUNE

THEBLOG

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WHAT’S ON

Regular Events

http://theachievers.freetoasthost.org

Monthly on different days

First Wednesday of the month

AMERICAN CLUB – COSTA DEL SOL The American Club Costa del Sol’s chapters meet monthly for lunches, excursions, sports and social events for members and guests. Further information, www.americanclubcostadelsol.com For the American International Club Nerja, http:// www.geocities.com/nerjachapter/americanclub

CULTURE & COCKTAIL – MARBELLA The Asociación de Arte y Cultura Marbella monthly cocktail party at Magna Café, Magna Marbella Golf.

Further information, www.culturamarbella.org/ lorraine@culturamarbella.org

Every Monday BRITISH LEGION – BENALMÁDENA Social meetings weekly, branch meeting every last Monday of the month, both 11am at Sad Sam’s Bar and Grill, Avenida Bonanza. Further information, Tel: 952 447 465.

Every Monday & Wednesday TAE KWON DO CLASSES – MARBELLA The Platinum Tae Kwon Do School meets every Monday and Wednesday at the Hotel Los Monteros gym, with classes for children aged six to 14 from 7.15-8pm and adults aged 15+ from 8-9pm. As an introductory offer, the first two classes are free.

Further information, Tel: 687 340 677.

Every Wednesday GUIDED WALKS – MIJAS PUEBLO Departing 10am. Further information, Tel: 952 589 034.

Every third Wednesday of the month LUNCH – MARBELLA The American Club of Marbella meets at a different local restaurant, with an occasional guest speaker, 12.30pm. New friends welcome. Further information, Tel: 952 862 770.

Every Thursday CINE CLUB – ESTEPONA Top films shown weekly in Spanish or original soundtrack, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, 9pm.

Entry €3. Further information, Tel: 952 802 002/ www.estepona.es

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday

Every third Thursday of the month

FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL – MARBELLA Aloha Gardens Multi-Sports Club organises men’s five-a-side matches from 7.30-8.30pm, all welcome. Further information, Tel: 952 814 086.

BRIC-A-BRAC SALE – FUENGIROLA At Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre, 10.30am-12pm.

Further information, Tel: 952 543 334.

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday

LUNCH – MARBELLA Organised by the British Association of Marbella at a local restaurant on a different date each month. Also weekly coffee mornings and regular excursions. English-speaking members of any nationality welcome. Further information, Tel: 952 825 191.

MUSEUM TOURS – MÁLAGA Getting to Know the Collection – a tour of selected works of the Picasso Collection for adults, conducted in English on Wednesdays at 11.30am and in Spanish on Tuesday and Saturday at various times, free with purchase of admission ticket.

Also every last Sunday of the month, entrance free from 3pm. Further information, www. museopicassomalaga.org

Every first Tuesday of the month GARDEN CLUB – BENALMÁDENA Meeting of Garden Club La Capellania at the Manila Restaurant, Los Boliches seafront, from 3pm.

Members €20 per annum, visitors 4€. Further information, Tel: 952 442 603.

Every second Tuesday of the month JAZZ APPRECIATION SOCIETY – MARBELLA Meets 8.00pm at Benavista Tennis and Country Club, with food, refreshments and live jazz. Further information, Tel: 952 785 616.

Every Wednesday FLAMENCO – MIJAS In Mijas Pueblo main square, 12 noon, including complimentary glass of Málaga wine. Further information, Tel: 952 589 034.

COFFEE MORNING – MARBELLA For members of the British Association of Marbella, Edificio Alhazar. Further information, Tel: 952 825 191.

TOASTMASTERS CLUB – MARBELLA Weekly meeting of this public speaking organisation, 7.30pm at Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía, above Café El Jardin. Further information,

One Thursday per month

Every first Friday of the month WOMEN’S NETWORKING LUNCH – MARBELLA The Women in Business networking group meets at a local restaurant. Further information, Tel: 647 724 608.

Every Friday and Saturday OPERA – MARBELLA Various opera singers entertain diners at Da Bruno Sul Mare restaurant, 9pm. Further information, Tel: 952 903 312.

Every last Friday of the month BUSINESS LUNCH – MARBELLA Marbella Business Institute monthly luncheon at a different restaurant in the area. Non-members welcome with advance notice. Further information, Tel: 952 773 500.

COFFEE MORNING – ESTEPONA ADANA animal rescue charity coffee morning at Plaza Manilva (outside Longman’s Bookshop) 11am-2pm. Kennels open 10am-5pm MondayFriday and 10am-2pm Saturday, Sunday and fiestas. Further information, Tel: 952 797 405/ 606 274 206/ administracion@adana-estepona.com

the Casino Marbella Restaurant, Tel: 952 814 000.

Entrance only with DNI or passport.

ART FOR CHILDREN – MÁLAGA Talk based on selected works from the Collection, weekly at 12 noon, conducted in Spanish. Further information, www.museopicassomalaga.org

fuengirola.org

Every Saturday and Sunday

Friday June 5

CHILDREN’S STORYTIME – MÁLAGA Cuentacuentos – free sessions in the library of Málaga Contemporary Arts Centre, 12 noon, to teach children aged 3 to 10 to read Spanish and develop an interest in the arts. All welcome.

Further information, Tel: 952 120 055/www. cacmalaga.org KID’S CAMP – MARBELLA Aloha Gardens Multi-Sports Club weekend camp for 4-14 year-olds, 10.30am-1pm. Activities include tennis, football, cricket, basketball, hockey, handball, paddle tennis. Further information, Tel: 952 814 086.

DANCE – FUENGIROLA Display by Municipal Dance School students, Casa de la Cultura, 9pm. Further information, www. fuengirola.org CONCERT – ESTEPONA Oberturas de Ópera Alemana, didactic concert by the Municipal Music Band, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, 8.30pm. Further information, www. estepona.es

Every Sunday MARKET – GUADALMINA Market of antiques, clothes, fabrics and objets d’art, 10am-3pm, in front of the VTA3 shop (behind Supersol) at Guadalmina Commercial Centre. Further information, Tel: 952 904 137.

FERRARI CLUB – MARBELLA The Ferrari Owners’ Club of Andalucía-Puerto Banús meets in front of Toni Dalli’s Restaurant, 11.30am. Further information, Tel: 952 812 490.

CONCERT – MÁLAGA The Málaga Municipal Band performs at 12 noon in Málaga Park, Ocon bandstand.

Every first Sunday of the month OPEN DAY – MIJAS PAD animal shelter, Cerros del Aguila, welcomes visitors from 12-3pm. Further information, Tel: 952 486 084/ info@padcatsanddogs.org

Every last Sunday of the month SALSA CLASSES – ALONG THE COAST For dates/venues, Tel: 606 147 677/ www. gomarbella.com/salsa

JUNE EVENTS

Until Wednesday June 17 EXHIBITION – MARBELLA Paintings by Gonzalo Pozo, nicknamed El Divino, a self-taught painter who works in many mediums including wax, Casino Marbella, daily from 7pm.

Entry free to adults on production of DNI/passport.

Wednesday-Friday, June 3-5 SAN BERNABÉ TRIBUTES – MARBELLA Romeros in tribute to Marbella’s Patron Saint, San Bernabé, 8pm nightly at Nª Señora de la Encarnación Church, Marbella Old Town. On June 5 at 9pm, there will be an organ concert by Sr. Gianluca Libertucci, organisd by the Asociación de Amigos del Órgano del Sol Mayor de Marbella.

Further information, www.marbella.es

Every Saturday

Wednesday June 3-15

JAZZ NIGHT – MARBELLA Weekly programme of jazz dinners with gospel and blues music and traditional New Orleans dishes at

EXHIBITION – FUENGIROLA Engravings exhibition, Casa de la Cultura, inauguration 9pm. Further information, www.

Thursday June 4 CONCERT – FUENGIROLA Spanish guitar concert by students of the Municipal Music School, Casa de la Cultura, 8.30pm. Further information, www.fuengirola.org

Friday June 5-19 PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION – MIJAS PUEBLO Annual contest for budding photographers on the theme of the environment, organised by Mijas Town Hall. Further information, Tel: 952 473 125/ mambiente@mijas.es

Saturday June 6 MUSICAL SATURDAY – MARBELLA Music for all the family, 6pm at the Palacio de Congresos. Entry free. Further information, Tel: 952 828 244.

CONCERT – ESTEPONA Rock concert with Elliot Murphy, 9pm, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre. Further information, www.estepona.es

Saturday & Sunday, June 6,7 REGATTA – MARBELLA Finals of the II Grand Prix de la Costa del Sol sailing competition at the Puerto Deportivo. Further information, www.marbella.es HORSE CHAMPIONSHIP – ESTEPONA At the Equestrian School. Further information, www.estepona.es

Sunday June 7 PAINTING COMPETITION – MIJAS PUEBLO Open air painting competition for adults and children, 8am-2pm, for cash prizes. Also the same day, a photographic competition. Subject matter for both events to be themed on Mijas. Further information and registration, www.mijas.es

Sunday June 7-14 FERIA SAN BERNABÉ – MARBELLA Marbella is in fiesta mode for its annual feria, with music, dancing and family fun. Full programme of events from the tourist office/ www.marbella.es

Monday June 8-12 EXHIBITION – ESTEPONA Exhibition of lace-making, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, 8.30pm. Further information, www. estepona.es

Tuesday June 9 BOOK PRESENTATION – ESTEPONA Isabel Sánchez presents Poemas a un Sueño Real en Estepona, 8pm, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre.

Further information, www.estepona.es

Wednesday June 10

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CONCERT – ALHAURÍN DE LA TORRE Concert by The Andy Ross Singers in aid of Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice, Sol Andalusi Theatre, 8pm.

For tickets and more information, contact Bobbie at fuengirolafil@yahoo.co.uk CONCERT – ESTEPONA Spanish guitar and rondalla, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, 8.30pm. Further information, www. estepona.es

Saturday June 20

Thursday June 11

Sunday June 21

Through June and July-August 30

CONCERT – SAN PEDRO The Musica con Encanto series continues with pianist Rosa Blanco performing works by Chopin, 9.30pm at Plaza de la Iglesia, la Virginia. Further information, www.musicaconencanto.org

EXHIBITION – MÁLAGA The Collection in Context, Málaga Picasso Museum, showcasing Picasso’s sheet-metal sculpture Woman (1961) and bringing together 40 works produced by the artist at different moments of his life: paper cut-outs he made as a child, his Cubist constructions, and paintings and sculptures from his later years, plus three major sculptures

by Julio González and a decoupage by Henri Matisse, allowing the viewer to examine the artistic exchange that took place between the three great artists. Further information, www. museopicassomalaga.org

CONCERT – DUQUESA Singer Stephen Lloyd-Morgan presents songs from West End musicals and operas in the style of Il Divo, Restaurante Rincon del Goleto, Duquesa, including three-course à la carte dinner from €25 + €10 cover charge. Reservations, Tel: 951 276 763 / 650 806 928.

PUBLIC HOLIDAY – MARBELLA Local fiesta in honour of the town’s Patron Saint, San Bernabé.

Thursday, Friday, June 11, 12 THEATRE – FUENGIROLA Fuengirola Youth Theatre presents La verdadera historia de Caperucita Roja, Casa de la Cultura, 9pm.

Further information, www.fuengirola.org

Friday June 12 CONCERT – MIJAS PUEBLO Music in the Patio with El Cirguero y la Bandá, Casa Museo, 8pm. Further information, www.mijas.es

Saturday, June 13 BUTTERFLY BALL – MARBELLA Butterfly Ball in aid of the Rhys Daniels Trust, in association with The Max Clifford Celebrity Golf Challenge. With celebrity guests and entertainment by singer Stephen Lloyd Morgan. Details, www. slmlive.com/butterflyball. Tickets, €150 p.p. from Patti Senker, Tel: 637 969 189.

SUMMER BAZAAR – COÍN Organised by the Cudeca Coín shop at the Plaza de la Villa in aid of Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice.

Further information, www.cudeca.org

Saturday-Sunday, June 13-14 INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL – MIJAS PUEBLO Expat residents showcase their traditional music, dancing and food at this popular annual family event, open from noon-midnight on Saturday and noon-8pm on Sunday. Further information, www. mijas.es

Thursday June 18-30 EXHIBITION – FUENGIROLA Ceramics and sculpture exhibition by Municipal Workshop students, Casa de la Cultura, inauguration 9pm. Further information, www.fuengirola.org

Saturday June 13-28 CUDECA SUNFLOWER CAMPAIGN – COSTA DEL SOL Cudeca Cancer Care Hospice annual Sunflower Campaign to raise awareness and funds to continue offering cost-free palliative care to patients suffering from advanced cancer. Volunteers will take to the streets selling sunflowers (symbol of the International Palliative Care Movement), throughout Málaga province. Further information, www.cudeca.org

Tuesday June 16 FASHION SHOW – ESTEPONA Fashion & Flowers show in aid of Motor Neurone Disease, marking Estepona Floral Art Club’s 10th Anniversary, 12.30pm, Benavista Country Club.

Monday June 22 Tickets, €28, include welcome drink, 3-course lunch, fashion show by Xquisite Gowns of Mijas with floral arrangements by NAFAS Area Demonstrator Carol Hunter. To book, contact Chairman Anne Atkinson, Tel: 952 890 352.

CONCERT – FUENGIROLA End-of-course concert by Municipal Music School students, Palacio de la Paz, 8.30pm. Further information, www.fuengirola.org

Tuesday June 16-18

NOCHE DE SAN JUAN – THROUGHOUT SPAIN The Spanish pay tribute to the Summer Solstice with the fiesta of San Juan (St John the Baptist), celebrated with beach bonfires and barbecues long into the night. See your local tourist office for details.

DANCE THEATRE – ESTEPONA Calamar Teatro presents Cuentos Blancos, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, 8.30pm. Further information, www.estepona.es

Friday June 19 CONCERT – LAS LAGUNAS Concert by the Flamenco Guitar Workshop, Casa de la Cultura, 8pm. Further information, www.mijas. es CONCERT – MIJAS PUEBLO Music in the Patio with Ganjazz, Casa Museo, 8pm.

Further information, www.mijas.es DANCE – FUENGIROLA Exhibition of ballroom dancing by Municipal Dance School students, Palacio de la Paz, 9pm. Further information, www.fuengirola.org CONCERT – FUENGIROLA Recital by the Virgen del Mar Choir, Iglesia del Carmen, 8.30pm. Further information, www. fuengirola.org

Friday, Saturday, June 19, 20 CONCERT – MÁLAGA Flautist Sharon Bezaly and the London Baroque quartet present The Baroque Flute, with works by Telemann, Bach, Pergolesi, Händel and Blavet, at the Picasso Museum’s MPM Auditorium. Further information, www.museopicassomalaga.org

Friday June 19-21 ART FESTIVAL – MARBELLA 1st Festival Internacional de Arte Marbella (FIAMAR) showcases the talents of some 70 artists, photographers, sculptors, ceramicists and digital artists in tented galleries on Avenida del Mar. Artists will be on site to answer questions and sell their collections. There will also be live entertainment, a children’s activities tent and a youth art competition. For further information, www.festivaldeartemarbella.com MEDIEVAL MARKET – ESTEPONA Travel back in time with music, dancing and traditional fayre, Plaza de las Flores. Further information, www.estepona.es

Tuesday June 23

Friday June 26 JAZZ CONCERT – MIJAS PUEBLO The Marcelo DávalosJazz Quartet, Casa Museo, 8pm. Further information, www.mijas.es

Friday June 26-July 20 EXHIBITION – MIJAS PUEBLO Exhibition of entries in the 11th Watercolour Painting competition, Casa Museo. Inauguration and prize presentation, June 26 at 8pm.

DANCE SHOW – ESTEPONA Display by the Municipal Dance Schools, Parque El Calvario, 8.30pm. Further information, www. estepona.es

Saturday June 27 DANCE FESTIVAL – MIJAS PUEBLO Dance students present a show at the Municipal Auditorium, 8.30pm. Further information, www. mijas.es FLAMENCO CONTEST – ESTEPONA Finals of the 20th Estepona Cantaora Flamenco Contest, from 10pm at the Peña Flamenca. Further information, www.estepona.es

Tuesday June 30 CONCERT – FUENGIROLA Open air concert by the Municipal Band, Parque de España, 9.30pm.

Throughout June ART EXHIBITION – MARBELLA International artist Natalia Koreshkova (aka Pietsch) presents her unique take on Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at the Regus Business Centre, Avenida Ricardo Soriano 72. Further information, www. nataliakoreshkova.com

Through June-July 2 EXHIBITION – FUENGIROLA Photographic exhibition, El Calor del Incienso.

Un viaje para los sentidos, by Gonzalo Martínez, Collective Image Studios, Puebla Lucía. Further information, www.fuengirola.org

Through June-July 11 EXHIBITION – MARBELLA The graphic art of Victor Mira at the Museo de Grabado, Marbella Old Town. Further information, Tel: 952 764 591

CERVANTES THEATRE – MÁLAGA Wednesday June 3-8 – Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar, the musical based on Mecano’s hits, at various times with late matinees on some days.

Friday, Saturday, June 12,13 – Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra performs works by Díaz and Tchaikovsky, 9pm.

Friday June 26 and Sunday June 28 – The Villamarta Theatre of Jerez de la Frontera presents Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute, 9pm and 8.30pm respectively.

Monday June 29 – Concert by the Joven Orquesta Provincial de Málaga, 9pm.

Ticket sales, Tel: 902 360 295. Further information, Tel: 952 224 100/ www.teatrocervantes.com

XAVIERA HOLLANDER PRESENTS – MARBELLA The Happy Hooker author presents Earl Okin, singer and comedy cabaret concert artist, in two shows: Earl Okin, Musical Genius and Sex Symbol (all at 8pm); and Duke, George, Cole, Hoagy, Tom and Friends, (all at 10pm) and a documentary on her life.

Thursday, June 4 - El Campanario Golf & Country House, 8pm. Tickets, €20, from Tel: 952 904 233/ info@elcampanariogolf.com Friday and Saturday, June 5, 6 – Black Box Theatre, C./Notario Luis Oliver 6, at 8pm and 10pm. Tickets, €20, from Xaviera, Tel: 952 857 575 or Black Box Theatre, Tel: 952 779 172.

Sunday June 7 – Farewell garden party with entertainment by Earl Okin at Xavier Hollander’s private villa. Caprice, 184 Calle Pizarra, Rocio de Nagueles. Tickets, €45, including food and drink.

Tel: 952 857 575.

Tuesday June 9 – Screening of the documentary, The Happy Hooker: Portrait of a Sexual Revolutionary, Black Box Theatre, 8pm and 10 pm. Tickets, €10. essential marbella magazine

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THEBLOG STARS

STARS for June

Annie Heese is the founder of astrology website, cafeastrology.com, a site featuring articles, love sign compatibility reports, predictions, the gen on famous people and their star signs, and general information for astrology buffs.

ARIES [21 MAR - 20 APR] The desire to feather your nest and acquire possessions is very strong now. You should keep an eye out for impulse buys but there’s no harm in spending on some luxury items within your means. You have great ideas for making money but control your spending whatever gains you make. You’re busy with errands, studying, learning and communicating before life settles down and domestic matters come into strong focus in the last week of June. June 20th22nd are intense, lively days, particularly when it comes to love relationships.

TAURUS [21 APR - 20 MAY] It’s an exceptionally self-expressive and exhilarating month for you. You are filled with vitality and verve, and you have the powers of attraction on your side to boot.

Reflection and rest in the past months begins to pay off as you feel more confident going after what you want. The 20th-23rd is strong for animal magnetism but money matters might be the subject of conflict or stress with a partner. Personal hobbies and romance are especially fulfilling in June. A job offer or opportunity might come your way.

VIRGO [23 AUG - 22 SEP] Even though you have been taking life quite seriously recently, you’re bound to surprise a few people in June with a more playful and spirited attitude. While professional matters remain a strong focus, you’re very willing to put your business manner aside outside the office. Your joie de vivre attracts positive attention. With the desire for adventure in your heart, you might make more exotic travel plans than you normally would. Your need for the support and company of friends becomes pressing in the last week of June.

GEMINI [21 MAY - 21 JUN]

LIBRA [23 SEP - 23 OCT]

All eyes are on you in June, when your ability to persuade, enchant and delight others returns with gusto after a few weeks of possible misunderstandings in May. Nevertheless, energy and vitality might sometimes be lacking, as you require more rest and time for reflection. There’s a lot going on behind the scenes, and you might find yourself reevaluating important parts of your life. Partnerships require sensitivity around the Full Moon on the 7th. Preparing a budget and solid plans for handling your finances more effectively is in order on the 22nd-24th.

Intensity of feeling and an adventurous spirit are themes of June, dear Libra. You are not accepting things at face value this month, particularly when it comes to close personal relationships. Superficial interactions fail to satisfy you, and the urge to get to the bottom of matters is strong.

Watch for suspiciousness. While there is much to discover, you might be reading too much into the situation. A desire for experiences that transcend the ordinary dominates. The 7th brings surprising news. A new opportunity in your professional life arises in the last week.

CANCER [22 JUN - 22 JUL] Your social calendar is busy this month, when networking, spending time with friends and group activities bring much stimulation. You might be enjoying an increase in business income, and you have many plans for future projects now. While you’re certainly planting some seeds for the future, your thoughts also turn to the past as you review what has been working for you, and what needs to be left behind. The New Moon on the 22nd brings a sense of renewal. Conflict with a significant other might set the stage for change.

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LEO [23 JUL - 22 AUG] There’s a spirit of friendly competitiveness in your work this month, which invigorates you. Your ambitions are stimulated, and you are motivated to accomplish more than usual. You might be recognised for your personal magnetism, as well as the creative way you express yourself.

June is a strong period for making connections, particularly professional ones. Status quo in your love life is broken around the Full Moon on the 7th, and you’re ready to have some fun.

The need for rest becomes apparent at the New Moon on the 22nd.

SCORPIO [24 OCT - 21 NOV] A close relationship heats up this month. Whether it is your partner who is initiating exciting changes or it’s you who is looking for more spice, June brings a more impassioned approach to relating. It’s a great period for enhancing or attracting love. Personal plans tend to be on the back burner for the time being, as the needs of significant others seem more pressing concerns. Financial matters that you have been avoiding demand attention around the Full Moon on the 7th.

The 22nd-23rd could bring some tension surrounding work.

SAGITTARIUS [22 NOV - 21 DEC] Your personal plans are not a big priority these days, dear Sagittarius. You are far too busy tending to others’ needs and demands. Fortunately, most of these activities are enjoyable. Your charisma skyrockets at work, when some friendly competition keeps things stimulating. The 7th brings surprising revelations. The 17th-18th is strong for travel and learning, as well as personal recognition and positive feedback. Financial tensions around the 22nd-23rd motivate you to come up with a new financial plan, and the last week of June is a good time for doing so.

CAPRICORN [22 DEC - 19 JAN] June is a brilliant month for personal magnetism. Your love life speeds up, and creativity soars. Others appreciate your manner and style more than usual. Leisure activities figure strongly, but you are also very concerned with getting the job done. Reorganising and tending to important paper work eases your mind so that you can enjoy hobbies and entertainment without guilt. It’s a balanced month, overall. The 22nd brings the need for the support of a partner and the beginning of a cycle in which relationships are your top priority.

AQUARIUS [20 JAN - 19 FEB] A lot of your energy is poured into domestic matters in June but you nevertheless find time for fun and games. In fact, you may be in the mood for entertaining in your home. You need outlets for your creative impulses, and you are seeking appreciation. Repairs, redecorating and home improvement activities are favoured. You not only have an eye for style, you have the energy to make changes. The last week of June brings health, work and daily routines into focus. The urge to reorganise is strong.

PISCES [20 FEB - 20 MAR] Creative self-expression is strong in June. Any writer’s block or problems expressing yourself disappear. The urge to reach out and communicate with others is powerful now, and might even be profitable! At the very least, new friendships or the strengthening of ties with acquaintances are likely this month. Honest, hearty conversations with important people in your private life are satisfying and productive. The 7th brings a flurry of professional activity that demands your attention. Otherwise, your focus is on your personal life, neighbourhood, friends and family.

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