Essential Magazine January 2018

N º 221 - JANUARY 2018

COMPLIMENTARY EDITION

essential magazine® marbella

LUMIERE

LOTUS

TOP CITIES REEBOK HOROSCOPES

2018 LONDON EVORA 400 REFRESH 2018 STARS MIKE’S GYM ECKHART HAPPY ON THE DO IT LIKE TOLLE NEW YEAR! RISE YOU MEAN IT NEW AGE THINKER

I S S U E 2 2 1 • JA N UA RY 2 0 1 8

ESSENTIAL FOR LUXURIOUS LIVING

essential

w THE TREND p THE FOCUS d THE STYLE n THE SPA z THE PRO h THE LEISURE b THE GOURMET . THE GUIDE

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MARBELLA

50%

YEARLY PROFIT

EXTRAORDINARY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT PROJECT

BOLADILLA SUITES LUXURY APARTMENTS WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS TO THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA

C.C. Sotomarket, Of. 3 A -7, exit 130, SOTOGRANDE 11310 · Cádiz · Spain M. 670 340 865 | 670 342 347 info@ark-arquitectos.com www.ark-architects.com

Bedrooms: 11

Bathrooms: 11

Built: 1,718 m²

Terrace: 304 m²

Plot: 5,375 m²

Price: € 6,500,000

Ref: ES7173

Hilltop frontline golf estate in La Quinta Stunning mansion with guest house set on a double plot in a gated community with 24-hour security. Spectacular sea and golf views. Immaculately maintained, offering privacy and built with excellent qualities. Features include: heated indoor pool with gym, wine cellar, underfloor heating, security cameras, surround sound system and 3 independent guest apartments.

A unique residence, near the Westin La Quinta golf resort.

An International Associate of Savills

HAPPY NEW YEAR! FROM THE PANORAMA TEAM

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 4

Built: 900 m²

Terrace: 486 m²

Plot: 3,405 m²

Price: € 5,300,000

Ref: ES8556

Modern masterpiece in Altos de Puente Romano Contemporary-style mansion with outstanding sea views on the Golden Mile. Located in a prestigious community with 24-hr security, opposite the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa. Set on a double plot, built to top specifications and featuring: impressive double height entrance hall, living room with open fireplace, wine cellar, heated infinity pool, extensive terraces, gazebo with barbecue area and five parking spaces.

Regulated by RICS

Offices at Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa and opposite the Marbella Club hotel Tel. (+34) 952 863 750 info@panorama.es www.panorama.es

18

Issue 221 • January 2018

S T A F F

PUBLISHER AND DIRECTOR

YEARS

GENERAL MANAGER

ANDREA BÖJTI andrea@essentialmagazine.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

MARISA CUTILLAS editorial@essentialmagazine.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER

U ANNIVERSARY U

IAIN BLACKWELL director@essentialmagazine.com

SALES SUPPORT ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR DESIGN & LAYOUT STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

PRINTING DEPÓSITO LEGAL

SUSANNE WHITAKER design@essentialmagazine.com JAN DENDAUW jan@essentialmagazine.com MARIANO JEVA cuentas@essentialmagazine.com MONIKA BÖJTI info@essentialmagazine.com

ANDREA BÖJTI INMA AURIOLES KEVIN HORN (www.photographermarbella.com)

IAIN BLACKWELL, BELINDA BECKETT, MICHEL CRUZ, CRISTINA FALKENBERG, RIK FOXX, RUSSELL GRANT, PHILIP HARRIS, TONY WHITNEY JIMÉNEZ GODOY A. GRÁFICAS, MURCIA D.L. MA-512-99

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

ESSENTIAL MARBELLA MAGAZINE

@ESSENTIALEDITOR

www.essentialmagazine.com Member of the Association of Spanish Periodical Publications

affiliated to:

CONDITIONS

The publishers make every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct, but cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information published herein, or be held accountable for any errors, omissions, or claims for damages.

Marbella Magazine cannot accept responsibility for the claims, goods or services of advertisers. © Publicaciones Independientes Costa del Sol S.L. for 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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18/12/2017 13:29

Brexit.

The clock is ticking.

The EU and UK have agreed to preserve the rights of UK nationals who are resident in the EU before Brexit. If you already have official residence status you can look forward to a secure future in Spain. If you do not, you need to take action now to formalise your position. We can advise you.

Talk to the people who know NERJA, MALAGA, MIJAS, MARBELLA, NUEVA ANDALUCIA

900 460 174

southernspain@blevinsfranks.com SAN PEDRO, ESTEPONA, GIBRALTAR, CADIZ, HUELVA, AYAMONTE

900 978 903

southernspain@blevinsfranks.com Keep an eye on the Blevins Franks website for Brexit news - www.blevinsfranks.com/brexit and contact us if you want to sign up for regular updates.

046-es

INTERNATIONAL TA X ADVICE • INVESTMENTS • ESTATE PLANNING • PENSIONS Blevins Franks Financial Management Limited (BFFM) is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK, reference number 179731. Where advice is provided outside the UK, via the Insurance Mediation Directive from Malta, the regulatory system differs in some respects from that of the UK. Blevins Franks Trustees Limited is authorised and regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority for the administration of trusts and companies. Blevins Franks Tax Limited provides taxation advice; its advisers are fully qualified tax specialists. This promotion has been approved and issued by BFFM.

www.blevinsfranks.com

V I L L A A L AYA . E S OPEN HOUSE 15 TH JANUARY 2018, 12 - 3 PM | CALL NOW FOR EXCLUSIVE PRE-LAUNCH ACCESS Front Line Golf Aloha · 5 Bedrooms · 6 Bathrooms · Cinema, Bodega & Games Room Stunning Open Views · Exceptional Quality · Award-winning Interior Design

OFFICE +34 952 765 060 MOBILE +34 627 813 545 EMAIL info@solvilla.no Hotel Marbella Club, Oficina 10, Blvd. Principe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, 29602 Marbella, Spain WWW.SOLVILLA.NO

6 SO

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R L A

the most desirable address on the golden mile

34 luxurious apartments & penthouses from 695.000€

Walking distance to Puente Romano & the beach · Private pools on the terraces · Luxury Spa with indoor pool, sauna, hammam Gym, paddle courts and jogging path · Full property management · Exclusive 24 hours concierge service

Exclusive sales agent: Engel & Völkers Marbella · www.lameridianasuites.com · info@lameridianasuites.com Tel.: +34 951 234 360

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60

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%

AD Y

LU X U RY L I V I N G N E XT TO P U E N T E RO M A N O Marbella Golden Mile

26 contemporary detached and semi-detached villas with private pools PRICES FROM ONLY 1.075.000E

Exclusive sales agent: Engel & Völkers Marbella · www.thecollectionmarbella.com · info@thecollectionmarbella.com · Tel.: +34 951 492 549

You only live once,

Frontline Golf Las Brisas: Designer villa with exceptional golf views, representing the very pinnacle of contemporary style and elegance, offers ultimate luxury living in a prime location. Cinema room, gym, various indoor lounge areas. 5 beds, 5 baths. Built 880 m2, plot 1.542 m2.

E&V ID: W-02ABJJ Price: 3.395.000 €. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

Beachside Los Monteros: 500 meters from the beach! Newly built villa in a cul-de-sac. Advanced technology, the highest specifications and quality fittings. 4 beds, 3 baths. Built 353 m2, plot 830 m2.

E&V ID: W-029NHC. Price: 1.490.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 20 40.

Altos Reales: Fantastically priced! Modern villa in one of the most prestigious communities on the Golden Mile. Elevator, gym, Hammam, 24h security. 7 beds, 6 baths. Built 675 m2, plot 1.000 m2.

E&V ID: W-029IFF. Price: 2.550.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Golden Mile - Imara: Immaculate apartment with panoramic sea views from a large terrace of 192 m2. Set in the most contemporary community. 3 beds, 4 baths. Living area 221 m2, terrace 192 m2.

E&V ID: W-028E15. Price: 1.250.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Frontline Beach Los Monteros: Spacious apartment with golf and sea views in the exclusive Palm Beach complex. Direct beach access, 2 pools, 24h security. 3 beds, 3 baths. Living area 170 m2, terrace 43 m2.

E&V ID: W-02774B. Price: 979.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 20 40.

Office Elviria: 952 83 55 80 · Office El Rosario: 952 83 20 40 www.engelvoelkers.com/MarbellaAndEast

we will show you where!

El Madroñal: Winner of the Best Single Residence of the International Property Awards, this newly built spectacular villa with breathtaking views enjoys private road access and offers the latest technology and finest designer features. 5 beds, 6 baths. Built 796 m2, plot 2.600 m2.

E&V ID: W-02AHI1 Price: 3.950.000 €. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

Marbesa: Close to the beach! Contemporary architecture and beautiful luxurious interiors. Exceptional villa with a guest house.

Gym, cinema room. 3 beds, 4 baths. Plot 1.192 m2, living area 305 m2.

E&V ID: W-02APY8. Price: 2.350.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 55 80.

Golden Mile: Fantastic sea views! Fantastic price! Beautiful villa in an exclusive gated community next to Sierra Blanca, in Monte Paraíso Country Club. 4 beds, 5 baths. Built 640 m², plot 1.300 m².

E&V ID: W-01GHWJ. Price: 2.300.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Sierra Blanca: Absolutely beautiful and luxurious! Garden apartment with a large terrace in the elegant gated community of Lagos de Sierra Blanca. 3 beds, 3 baths. Living area 182 m2, terrace 80 m2.

E&V ID: W-026U4Q. Price: 650.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Beachfront Puerto Banús: Direct beach access! Fantastic apartment! Sea views, private garden, salt water pool, Spa, gym, sauna, Jacuzzi, Hammam. 2 beds, 2 baths. Living area 159 m², terrace 61 m².

E&V ID: W-02ARPY. Price: 1.400.000 €. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

Office Puerto Banús: 952 85 98 60 · Office Marbella: 952 86 84 06 www.engelvoelkers.com/MarbellaAndEast

KEEP READING IN 2018!

W W W . E S S E N T I A L S P O T L I G H T. C O M

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W W W. E S S E N T I A L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

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...YOU ARE ALL GORGEOUS :)

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Ref: DM3656 Price: 3.950.000€

Ref: DM3556 Price: 3.500.000€

LA ZAGALETA Frontline golf villa with spacious living areas and extensive garden. Open views over the green and valley 5

5

739 m2

5.520 m2

MARBELLA CLUB GOLF RESORT South facing villa with panoramic sea views. Gated resort, equestrian centre and golf 5

5

915 m2

5.189 m2

SOLE

AGENT

Ref: DM3786 Price: 2.200.000€

GUADALMINA BAJA 5

6

250m from beach

405 m2

2.721 m2

Ref: DM3599 Price: 2.750.000€

el madroñal Panoramic views 6

5

772 m2

6.955 m2

CHARMING PROPERTIES Offering an alternative to the minimalism of modern architecture with its square lines and floor to ceiling glass panels, this month’s property selection features villas located in well-established areas and prime locations that embrace the charm of Andalusian and Mediterranean-inspired architecture with masterfully designed homes incorporating lush gardens, patios with fountains and indoor spaces that flow seamlessly into the outdoors.

Ref: DM3730 Price: 3.499.000€

sierra blanca Sea views 5

4

561 m2

1.546 m2

As Marbella Luxury Real Estate specialists for almost three decades and exclusive affiliates of Knight Frank for the Costa del Sol, we are committed to offering our clients the best property portfolio, excellence in service and a completely secure experience when selling or buying a property.

Connecting people & property, perfectly.

info@dmproperties.com DMproperties.com MARBELLA Av. Cánovas del Castillo, 4 Tel. 952 765 138 NUEVA ANDALUCÍA Av. del Prado, Urb. Fuerte Aloha, Local 2A Tel. 952 908 415

Over 418 offices in 60 Countries

Ref: DM3701 Price: 2.990.000€

Ref: DM4197 Price: 2.600.000€

MARBELLA TOWN Perfect location 7

7

553 m2

2.413 m2

Ref: DM4092 Price: 1.495.000€

CASCADA DE CAMOJAN Sea views 5

5

602 m2

1.794 m2

NUEVA ANDALUCIA Renovated. Sea views 4

4

394 m2

933 m2

WE CREATE

Grand collection prices from â‚Ź978,000 For more sales information +34 952 856 171 +34 618 654 363 www.benahavishills.com 220 Benahavis Hills.indd 1

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LIFESTYLE

ONLY 1 VILLA LEFT

COMES FULLY FURNISHED AND TURN KEY READY

Clubhouse

Spa

Hills Cafe

THE GRAND COLLECTION AT BENAHAVIS HILLS COUNTRY CLUB There are currently ONLY A FEW HOMES left.

These properties have been specifically designed to represent expansive style and great investment value.

There are no comparable properties at this price per square meter across the whole of the region.

Benahavis Hills Country Club offers the “trinity” of luxury amenities: nearby exquisite signature Golf Courses, vast expanses of soft sandy beaches, the full

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service marinas of Puerto Banús and its very own relaxing private spas and wellness facilities. Located in a privileged position above the village of Benahavis, renowned for its gastronomic restaurants, this 24/7 guarded development offers security and safety as well as onsite concierge services. In addition, the clubhouse including restaurant, spa, and gym is only a few steps away.

16/11/2017 14:47

D

contents the trend Cinema 30

the pro 100 Enterprise

Women in American Horror Story 32

106 Marbella Boot Camp

Music News 34

108 Wealth Management

Top Reads on Spirituality 36 Stopping Twitter Abuse 38 The Lotus Evora 400 40

the focus

Lumiere London 44 Mike’s Gym 50 Stars to Watch Out For in 2018 54 Eckhart Tolle 60 FM Consulting and Successful Development 62

the style The Beach House near Puerto Banús 68 Suave Stationery 76

110 The Vibe

the leisure 116 TripAdvisor’s Top Destinations for 2018 122 El Lodge in Sierra Nevada

the gourmet 127 Gioia 128 Food News 130 Tulio Zampieri of Tanino 132 Healthier Wine Consumption

the guide 134 Listings

Fashion by Reebok 78

143 Pet News

Fashion News 84

144 What’s On

the spa

146 Stars for 2018 152 Teen Drivers

BECCA Cosmetics 88 The Effects of Overworking on Health 90 Health News 94 The Nagomi Spa at Reserva del Higuerón Resort 96 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Stress and Skin 98

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18/12/2017 13:07

Marbella Club Wellness Retreats

by Amanda Hamilton

A blend of stunning body results and mindful inspiration - an antidote to modern living in a location that is simply breathtaking.

U P C O M I NG R E T R E AT S 2 018

22nd - 26th February REBOOT AFTER WINTER

31st May - 3rd June GET READY FOR SUMMER

13th - 16th September IMMUNE BOOST FOR AUTUMN

Please contact our dedicated Wellness team

wellness@marbellaclub.com Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, 29602, Marbella, Málaga, Spain (34) 952 822 211 Fax (34) 952 82 88 84 marbellaclub.com

8th - 12th November AUTUMN SUNSHINE

D WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL PUBLISHER

A

new year dawns and, with it, the hopes and aspirations for a better world with less conflict and more care for our fragile planet. It’s also a traditional time for a spot of introspection and we aim to help this process along with carefully chosen content you will come across within the confines of these pages.

For those who would also like to get into better shape in 2018, check out our features on Mike’s Gym at La Cala Hills, one of the biggest training complexes in Europe, and Marbella Boot Camp, which runs monthly programmes.

For wanderlust, we bring you TripAdvisor’s Top Ten Destinations for 2018. We also pay an illuminating visit to Lumiere London this month and check into Sierra Nevada’s iconic hotel, El Lodge.

Elsewhere, we test drive the evocative Lotus Evora 400, preview some of the up-andcoming stars of cinema who will be increasingly gracing the silver screen, and we present sleek sporting wear by Reebok as favoured by some of the world’s top athletes and model, Gigi.

Here in Marbella, we prospect a jewel of a property both in terms of architecture and interior decoration and visit Gioia to sample some exquisite plant-based cuisine.

For Auld Lang Syne!

Happy New Year!

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Naturally Modern Living

PaloAltoMarbella.COM TO BOOK A TOUR: 900 102 322

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w the trend READING MUSIC FILMS GADGETS MOTORING TRENDS

30 Cinema 32

Women in American Horror Story

34

Music News

36

Top Reads on Spirituality

38

Stopping Twitter Abuse

40

The Lotus Evora 400

WE HOPE THE ARRIVAL OF 2018 INVIGORATES YOU TO BE YOUR BEST SELF. FIND INSPIRATION AT THE CINEMA, OR THROUGH MUSIC AND BOOKS ON ENHANCING YOUR SPIRITUALITY. AIM BIG THIS YEAR, PERHAPS DRIVING A SNAZZY NEW CAR: WHY NOT MAKE IT THE LOTUS EVORA 400?

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w THE TREND cinema

COMPILED BY MA RIS

e BLOCKBUSTER OF

A CUTILLAS

THE MONTH

Spielberg »» DIRECTOR Steven ) Can You (Catch Me if Drama »» GENRE Historical eep, Tom Hanks, Str ryl Me »» ACTORS on Alison Brie, Carrie Co

great Kay Graham, Meryl Streep plays the embarked on an o wh er a female publish government, to the with unprecedented battle four Presidents d nne spa t tha l uncover a scanda nks Ha plays the hardof the United States. Tom her to use her power s pire ins o hitting editor wh to reveal the truth.

The Post

»» DIRECTOR Sally Potter (Orlando) »» GENRE Comedy »» ACTORS Patricia Clarkson, Emily Mortimer, Cillian Murphy, Kristin Scott Thomas

The Party

The Party is a British black comedy centred on Janet, a politician for the opposition who has just been announced as the new shadow minister for Health.

She decides to host a party to celebrate her promotion, only to discover that her husband has a dark secret, her friends have dramatic news to share, and her illusions about her own grandeur are quickly going up in smoke!

»» DIRECTOR Aaron Sorkin (in his debut film) »» GENRE Drama/Biopic »» ACTORS Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Chris O’Dowd, Kevin Costner

Molly’s Game

This is the true story of ‘poker princess’ Molly Bloom, who takes a break before starting Law school to become an office assistant for a poker player. She meets movie stars, directors and business titans, observing them play poker until she is ready to take them on and build a multimillion-dollar poker business.

»» DIRECTOR Joe Wright (Atonement) »» GENRE Historical Drama »» ACTORS Gary Oldman, Lily James, Ben Mendelsohn, John Hurt

Darkest Hour

This eagerly awaited British war drama sees Gary Oldman take on the role of Winston Churchill, during the latter’s early days as Prime Minister, when Hitler began wreaking havoc during World War II. There is an Oscar buzz surrounding the performance of Gary Oldman, who has always had an uncanny ability to wear someone else’s skin; if you had any doubt about how good he is, please catch Sid and Nancy (1986)!

»» DIRECTOR Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) »» GENRE Action/Thriller »» ACTORS Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, Katie Leung, Michael McElhatton

The Foreigner

Jackie Chan plays Quan Ngoc Minh, a retired Vietnam vet special forces operator who now happily runs his own Chinese restaurant in London. When his young daughter is killed in a mall bombing by a group that calls itself ‘the Authentic IRA’, he is determined to seek revenge, following the Irish deputy minister to Belfast to discover more about the politician’s dealings with the IRA.

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w THE TREND cinema

THE POWER OF WOMEN IN

AMERICAN HORROR STORY

Those of us who grew up in the 1980s drew the short end of the stick when it comes to strong female roles on screen, since having to pick between Angela Channing or the mum in Growing Pains is hardly the stuff that feminist dreams are made of. Female roles slowly improved in the 1990s, with series such as Murder, She Wrote, Ally McBeal, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sex in the City presenting us with strong, intelligent, sometimes delightfully wacky women, who were as capable of strutting down Manhattan in a pair of Louboutins as of winning important cases on discrimination, racism or women’s rights. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

A

merican Horror Story, created and produced by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, takes feminism to the next level, through characters who are so complex and multi-layered, that they challenge female actors to a profound level.

These characters are not for the feeble; since the crux of the series is terror, it takes tremendous talent to express true fear and panic, as the series’ divas have been asked to do, season after season.

To a great extent, Murphy and Falchuk resuscitated the career of Jessica Lange, an actress oddly enough known for her astounding beauty, who boasts a string of awards that includes two Oscars (Best Actress for Blue Sky, 1994, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Tootsie, 1982), in addition to four other Academy Award nominations.

In 2014, she won Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie for playing Elsa Mars in American Horror Story (2011 season), though there is hardly a year when she isn’t nominated for a Primetime Emmy.

American Horror Story has been

running for seven seasons now; the very best season is said to be Season 2: Asylum. Certainly, it presented Murphy and Falchuk’s two longstanding muses (Lange and co-star, Sarah Paulson) with the defining roles of their career.

Lange plays Sister Jude – the Catholic nun who runs the asylum with an iron fist, but who wears red lingerie under her habit and secretly dreams of bedding the Monsignor.

Paulson is her nemesis and eventual savior; she plays Lana Winters, a feminist journalist who is unwittingly admitted into the asylum after getting caught snooping one too many times.

The series runs the gamut in terms of mental health abuse, revealing the historical use of shock therapy and chemical experimentation in mental health treatment, and the abuse that ran rife at ‘asylums’. Throughout the season, we see Sister Jude turn from villain to hero after she unwittingly becomes a patient herself and is subject to the same torture she coldly bestowed upon others.

A beautiful balance to these two strong femmes is Evan Peters.

Lange, Paulson and Peters have appeared in nearly every season, always playing different characters, with a whole new mindset to climb into. The sophistication of the emotions they express is no less than astounding. It certainly is true that many of the best actors are foregoing the big screen in favour of quality series such as this.

Lange, Paulson and Peters, the holy triumvirate of American Horror Story, have shone in a host of different scenarios; in one of the lightest and funniest of the seasons (Coven), Paulson is a natural medicine specialist who also happens to be the daughter of the ‘supreme’ leader of a coven (played by Lange). To watch the two actors confront deep issues such as abandonment, narcissism and sacrifice, is no less than a treat.

Somehow, this is the type of art you would pay big money to see onstage – and there it is, available via streaming, anytime you want. It almost seems too good to be true.

As we go to print, American

Horror Story will have just finished its seventh season – hailed one of the top three alongside seasons one and two. Cult takes on hairy topics such as the anxiety that overtook many post-Trump election. It also sees Sarah Paulson playing a housewife suffering from more phobias than you could poke a stick at – including coulrophobia (fear of clowns), haemophobia (fear of blood) and trypophobia (a fear of irregular patterns or clusters of small holes or bumps). Of course, under the sadistic supervision of Murphy and Falchuk, she faces more clowns, blood and bumps than even the characters in Stranger Things ever had to encounter – in this universe or ‘the parallel one’.

Would you ever have imagined America’s biggest stars – Liz Taylor, Ava Gardner, Doris Day – giving the performances of their lives on the small screen? Somehow we feel if they had been offered a chance, they wouldn’t have hesitated to grab it. An actor can only show her full scope when she oversteps her limits. No real feminist ever wanted to just ‘play safe’. e

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w THE TREND music

¿QUÉ PASA?

Happy New Year to you all but it's not a happy start gig wise. There are some Spanish acts performing (see below) and there will probably be plenty of tribute artists in the coming weeks so check your local weekly press for anything going on. All information on this page was correct at the time of writing.

his pocket) and he already has them in the studio laying down tracks for a "as soon as possible" album lift-off. This will buck the trend of the usual autumn release of previous winners. It's been reported he is worried that only 5.2 million watched last month's final – a record low audience for the event.

Yet another QUEEN tribute if you fancy a trip down to La Linea at the Palacio de Congresos on January 12 where the ONE WORLD SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA will be joined by rock musicians. More info: queensymphonicrhapsody.com

And the BBC have re-commissioned a new series of its live music TV show Sounds Like Friday Night despite it's early teething problems. A spokesperson said, "The second series will comprise five half-hour episodes in the spring featuring comedy sketches and live performances from some of the biggest stars in music".

Spanish 'new flamenco' singer EL BARRIO plays Málaga's Palacio de Deportes Martín Carpena on Januarys 27. Ticket info:ticketmaster.es If you haven't already heard, Marbella's Starlite Festival has been confirmed for this summer and acts will start to be announced in the near future.

Spain's biggest festival, Benicàssim (July 19-22), has announced its first headliner in THE KILLERS. Tickets are already on sale from fiberfib.com And Bilbao BBK Live (July 12-14) has added NOEL GALLAGHER, UK indie rockers ALT-J and DAVID BYRNE (TALKING HEADS) to join the GORILLAZ and UK indie pop outfit THE XX. Ticket info: bilbaobbklive.com SIMON COWELL believes that the new Y Factor winners RAK-SU can emulate the success of ONE DIRECTION (meaning lots more cash in

The first award of the new year has already been announced with JORJA SMITH picking up the Brits Critics' Choice prize.

The classically trained 20-year-old vocalist collaborated with Canadian rapper DRAKE last year and has a couple of hits of her own under her belt. She will receive her trophy at the Brit Awards nominations launch on January 13. The 2018 Brit's Awards from London will be live on ITV on February 21.

Meanwhile BBC Radio 1 will announce its Sound of 2018 nominees on January 8 and the winner will be revealed on the mid morning radio show on January 12. The award is for new artists who have impressed a panel of respected music experts and former nominees – past winners include ADELE (2008), ELLIE GOULDING (2010) and SAM SMITH (2014).

This year's favourites and possible names for the future are BILLIE EILISH, SIGRID and PALE WAVES.

DAVID BOWIE One for BOWIE fans only – it's hard to believe that DAVID has been gone for two years on January 10 and to mark the anniversary, the BBC World Service radio station will broadcast the drama play The Final Take: Bowie In The Studio on January 9 at 12.30pm. Dead Ringers TV star JON CULSHAW will voice the part of the great man and it's set in New York's 'The Magic Shop' studio in 2015 utilising dialogue constructed from his own words – which have been taken from the hundreds of interviews he gave during his life.

PRINCE

EL BARRIO

WORDS RIK FOXX

More TV news – UK's Channel Four have apparently purchased the exclusive rights to a new docu-film about PRINCE who also died in 2016.

Prince's Last Year will focus on the most important moments of his last 12 months including his secret White House performance, the final tour and his work mentoring new female artists. No broadcast date has been announced but it may air around the period of his death – April 21.

WILL.I.AM has said the only way the BLACK EYED PEAS will play on stage together will be via a virtual reality performance and he wants to arrange one. The main man added that the band will probably never record together again due to the fact that streaming sites like Spotify and Apple Music now make it difficult to earn money

through music. Hologram shows are expected to increase in the future and it was recently announced that the 1960/70s icon FRANK ZAPPA will 'walk' on stage for his Back On The Road: The Hologram Tour featuring his former MOTHERS OF INVENTION band members including guitar legend STEVE VAI plus one of Frank's sons, AHMET. ROY ORBISON was also set to join the growing list of hologram acts fronting the ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA for the UK and Australian In Dreams tour in April and May to promote their recently released A Love So Beautiful album which reached number two in the UK charts. But it may not materialise due to a legal dispute between his sons and the company supplying the visual images. e

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www.9lionsresidences.com

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Niclas Broberg Sales Manager niclas@9lionsresidences.com +34 607 818 021

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Soul

w THE TREND books

BOOKS WITH A WHOLE LOT OF

If in the past, spirituality was seen as a ‘hippy’ pastime by academics, today, their research is showing its power.

People who have faith, who are part of a religious or spiritual community and who take time for mindfulness-based activities, are happier and healthier than those who have a secular view of the world. Travel deep into your inner psyche with these spiritually-based books. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS THE BOOK OF AWAKENING: HAVING THE LIFE YOU WANT BY BEING PRESENT TO THE LIFE YOU HAVE BY MARK NEPO

This book complements the work of Eckhart Tolle. It contains a series of daily reflections that serve as a gentle guidebook for a new spiritual journey. It features stories lived by the author, and those experienced by others, who have struggled through their humanity as we all do. Each entry is accompanied by a practice that can help us face life’s vicissitudes with faith and strength. The author, Mark Nepo, was drawn to this form because, he says, “as a poet, I was longing for a manner of expression that could be as useful as a spoon, and as a cancer survivor, daybooks have become inner food. In truth, over the last twenty-five years, the daybook has been answering a collective need and has become a spiritual sonnet of our age, a sturdy container for small doses of what matters.”

A RETURN TO LOVE: REFLECTIONS ON THE PRINCIPLES OF A COURSE IN MIRACLES

BY MARIANNE WILLIAMSON

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure,” says Marianne Williamson, author of this compelling call to connect with a higher power. When we struggle through life alone, she says, we become plagued by fear, but when we embrace God (or Love), we obtain the strength to be the person we were meant to.

THE UNTETHERED SOUL: THE JOURNEY BEYOND YOURSELF BY MICHAEL A. SINGER

Author Michael Singer notes that the human desire for greater spirituality is at once instinctive and complicated, because so many different philosophies and beliefs vie for our attention. When we step back from ourselves, he says, the truth becomes simpler and we see that there is only one authentic path to freedom. To transcend the personal self and awaken the spirit, we must understand that we are in this world, and we are never completely at peace though we continually strive to be. The mind struggles to make us feel good, yet because we do not have the power to shape our external environment, we are bound to feel disappointed. Instead of trying to feel better, he says, we should focus on the deep energy that comes from within; one that is so beautiful it prompts us to let go of ourselves to become immersed in the Spirit… if we can do this, we will achieve the peace that commences when nothing in the world or within ourselves can cause us harm.

BEHOLD THE DREAMERS

BY IMBOLO MBUE

Imbolo Mbue is a Cameroon native who wrote this, her first novel, after losing her job as a research manager in the USA following the 2008 crash.

Behold the Dreamers is the story of Jende Jonga: a Cameroonian immigrant who heads to the United States to make a better life for his wife and his son. He lands a job as the chauffer of a senior executive at Lehman Brothers. However, when the crisis lands, Jende begins to notice cracks in the perfect façade of his employers and he is forced to make an impossible choice with dramatic consequences for himself and his family.

A NEW EARTH: AWAKENING TO YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE BY ECKHART TOLLE

In The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle called on modern man to wake up to the power of mindfulness – simply being ‘in the here and now’, acknowledging our feelings, emotions and sensations without burying their importance beneath worries and the never-ending race to obtain and acquire more… In A New Earth, he expounds upon this idea, arguing that transcending our ego-based state of consciousness if vital not only to achieve personal happiness, but also to end much of the needless suffering that takes place in the world. Tolle is considered a seminal writer in this field. He combines complex ideas and simple language, which makes his books a pleasure for readers of all ages.

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hormitec_final.pdf

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w THE TREND technology

TWITTER

TAKES ON HARASSMENT AND ABUSE Because we often take on personas, use fictional avatars or hide behind a nick when we use social media, it has somehow become permissible to say anything and everything we feel – even when it can hurt others’ feelings or cause harm to their reputation. Some social media sites, like Twitter, are inherently less ‘personal’ than Facebook or Instagram. People follow others based on shared interests, which can lead to fights, judgement and criticism, when discussing politics, football or even reality television. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

M

any Twitter users have started suing those who have abused or insulted them. Fashion designer, Dawn Simorangkir, sued Hole chanteuse Courtney Love for calling her a drug dealer on Twitter and making other dubious claims, earning a cool €360,000 in the process. Love switched strategies, proceeding to make fun of Simorangkir on Pinterest, and a second law suite was settled for €296,000.

Sometimes, the cut is deeper – this occurs when personal matters are touched upon, including one’s parenting. In 2016, singer Ciara filed a €13 million lawsuit against her ex-boyfriend, famous rapper, Future, for questioning her parenting skills.

A libellous Tweet, after all, is no less scathing than one made to the press.

Twitter has now taken matters into its own hands, with a series of measures aimed at combatting

harassment and abuse. The site published a calendar of the upcoming changes it plans to make to its Rules section. The company has already expanded its definition of non-consensual nudity “to err on the side of protecting victims”. Consent to publication is deemed absent even in cases where the victims were aware that the images were taken. Twitter also resolved to answer users with suspended accounts, providing them with detailed descriptions of what they did to violate the rules.

Twitter is additionally taking a proactive stance with respect to aggression, suspending accounts of any organisations using violence to advance their cause.

Hateful imagery and symbols will no longer be permitted with avatars or profile headers, and hateful display names are now considered a no-no. Any threat of violence or wish of serious harm will be removed.

Twitter has by no means completed its list of proposed amendments. In an official statement, the company noted that making their site a safe place is not a matter of finding “a quick or easy fix,” admitting that they have fallen short on efforts in the past. The management told users, “You can expect regular, real-time updates about our progress. Sometimes, this may be insight into the difficult questions we’re asking ourselves, even before we have the answers.

This is the first time we’ve shared this level of visibility into our work, and we hope it helps build trust along the way.”

While it is good to see Twitter taking a more active role in ensuring that neither feelings nor legal rights are trampled upon, it is important for individual users to do their share to limit damage. Impulsivity is a major culprit when it comes to social media. If you think an opinion is

ridiculous, don’t write down the first thing that comes into your head; you could start a war of words that ultimately leads to frazzled nerves and, if you are unlucky, a costly lawsuit. Twitter is marvellous in the sense that it connects us with people of all ages, from different cultural backgrounds, but we should try to keep these differences in mind rather than imposing our views on others. Also, do your research on libel – in most countries, a libellous statement is one that is false and damaging to an individual or company, made by a person who knows the statement is false, who acted recklessly with regard to the facts, or who has been otherwise irresponsible.

Be tactful and open to genuine debate and avoid insults and personal comments that are hardly appropriate when all you know about the person on the other side of the wires is their fake name and avatar. e

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w THE TREND motoring

LOTUS EVORA Almost everyone with an interest in sports cars and racing knows about Lotus Cars, Colin Chapman and the many fabled drivers who piloted the green and yellow racers to numerous track victories. WORDS TONY WHITNEY

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hapman was a genius when it came to designing lightweight, fast and agile sports and racing cars and he was successful right from the start in 1952. Although he had a partner at first, the letters in the famous Lotus badge are his initials – Anthony Colin Bruce Chapman. Chapman started building cars in an old stable in outer London, but early on, Lotus bought an old RAF airfield at Hethel in Norfolk, where it remains today. The old runways are still used for testing cars.

There were many great competition cars

over the years and numerous road cars to impress fans of the marque with something they could actually own. On the track, Lotus won hundreds of races, including six Formula One drivers titles with legends like Jim Clark and Graham Hill. In 1965, Clark won the Indianapolis 500 in a Lotus, the first victory by a rear-engined car.

On the corporate side, Lotus has seen many changes over the years and has often tottered close to financial disaster, but in recent times, involvement with the giant

Chinese vehicle manufacturer Geely has settled things down nicely and the future looks bright.

Although Lotus has built some spectacular road cars over the years, few have impressed buyers quite as much as the Evora, a mid-engine supercar that’s galaxies away from Chapman’s early kit cars. Leading the model range right now is the widely praised Evora 400 that Lotus is pitching against some of the world’s most desirable sportsters.

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The Evora 400 is being judged by critics as possibly the best car Lotus has ever built for the road and it’s certainly the fastest. Into a stunningly sleek and sinuous body, it packs a full load of the features that have made Lotus’ name over the years. An exceptional power to weight ratio for scintillating acceleration, incredible agility and excellent controllability.

Although the Evora has been around for several years in various forms, 2017 saw a major re-design to at least two thirds of the car.

Considering that the car boasts 400-horsepower, it may surprise many that it’s based on the V-6 you may find under the bonnet of a fairly mundane Toyota Camry.

With the Lotus version, which is extensively developed, the 3.5-litre powerplant gets a supercharger to give it a considerable boost.

Of course, given Toyota’s famed record for durability and reliability, the Camry engine was an excellent starting point for the Evora 400 application. The engine gets the power to the road with either a manual or automatic sixspeed transmission.

The Evora is very much a car that was born of extensive track testing (remember those runways at Hethel?) and the running

gear reflects this, especially the brakes. Front and rear disc brake rotors are intentionally oversized and use calipers designed for racing. The result of all this competition DNA is a car with exceptional stopping ability, no bad thing when you’re dealing with 400 horses.

As with any supercar nowadays, the Evora has a full suite of electronic handling and safety aids and probably the best cockpit Lotus has ever done. Interestingly, the car has two rear seats and the space back there is surprisingly wide, certainly fine for a couple of youngsters. The front seats are designed for fast cornering and hold the occupants in place very safely. The fit and finish around the cabin is of a high standard and might surprise people who haven’t checked out a Lotus for a few years.

The Evora 400 truly deserves to be considered alongside any high-performance sports car in the medium to higher price bracket. Although it’s a very sophisticated piece of high-performance engineering with impressive levels of comfort for a car so fast and agile, pricing seems very fair compared to many rivals. It’s a great looker too, which is always a satisfying bonus. e

Z ENGINE: 3.5-litre supercharged V-6.

Z TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic or manual.

Z ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h in 4.2-seconds.

Z TOP SPEED: 300 km/h.

Z I LIKED: Beautiful bodywork with handling and performance to match its svelte looks.

Probably one of the best Lotus road cars ever built. Exceptional power to weight ratio for a feeling of speed and lightness when driving the car.

Z I DIDN’T LIKE: Non-availability of all-wheel drive, though it would be tough to include in this particular Lotus because of the chassis design.

Z MARKET ALTERNATIVES: Porsche Cayman GT4 and 911, Lexus LC500, BMW M4 coupé, Alfa Romeo 4C. Z WHO DRIVES ONE? Buyers looking for a high-performance mid-engined supercar that don’t want to pay Ferrari or Lamborghini prices. Fans of British sports cars with a yen to be part of Lotus history. Anyone who would like a fast, light, sports car with a seriously comfortable ride.

Z PRICE AND AVAILABILITY: Available now at around €110.000.

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p the focus CULTURE HISTORY FEATURES CELEBS INTERVIEWS HUMOUR

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Lumiere London

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Mike’s Gym

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Stars to Watch Out For in 2018

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Eckhart Tolle

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FM Consulting and Successful Development

ENJOY ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR LIGHT FESTIVALS IN THE WORLD: LUMIERE LONDON, TEST YOUR METTLE AT RENOWNED ASSAULT COURSE, MIKE’S GYM, AND LEARN MORE ABOUT SOME OF THE STARS OF THE FUTURE YOU WILL BE SEEING ON THE BIG SCREEN.

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p THE FOCUS london Urban garden by Montreal architects Kanva © Artichoke

Light

If Twelfth Night leaves you with the January blues, get yourself to Lumiere London this month, when Britain’s capital will be lit up like a Christmas tree all over again to brighten up the gloomiest week of the year.

© Matthew Andrews

CITY OF

WORDS BELINDA BECKETT PHOTOGRAPHY MATTHEW ANDREWS AND COURTESY OF ARTICHOKE

Cloud, made from 6,000 incandescent light bulbs.

Tugging the chain created ‘lightning’

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Our Moon used motion capture techniques to animate this lunar landmark / Janet Echelman's aerial sculpture hovers over Oxford Circus / LED stick men dance across Liberty House in Regent Street © Matthew Andrews

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without walls. Under the dextrous digital skills of more than 40 UK and international artists, the city’s most iconic streets and landmarks will shimmer and shine with a mix of 3D projections, interactive installations and animated LED art works that are FREE to see!

From 18-21 January – the week that begins with Blue Monday on January 15, officially the gloomiest day of the year – anyone within travelling distance of the capital will find it impossible NOT to see things in a more positive light.

Record numbers of visitors flocked to 2016’s inaugural event like moths to a flame, exceeding even the organisers’ expectations.

Or as The Times newspaper puzzled: ‘What

was it that made Londoners leave their homes and tourists their hotels during the city’s coldest four nights in years and, as many spontaneously did, lie face up on the freezing tarmac of Oxford Circus?’ In fact, it was American artist Janet Echelman's aerial sculpture that saw folk prostrating themselves to get a better angle for their photographs, taking advantage of the traffic-free streets.

As people-pleasing as the Christmas lights which come down on Twelfth Night, the trompe l’oeil winter wonderland took 1.3 million residents and visitors away from their firesides and out into the cold streets during the post-festive lull and rung up an extra £22M worth of business.

© Matthew Andrews

London park shape-shifted into a luminous jungle prowled by mysterious creatures, the aurora borealis lighting up Grosvenor Square, the National Theatre melting before your eyes.

Strange happenings are predicted for Britain’s capital city this January but they’re not paranormal phenomena – just extraordinary tricks of the light; digital alchemy and other technical hocus pocus that can turn stone to liquid, make stick figures dance across buildings and cause concrete to sprout flowers.

Timed to lift spirits in the depths of the British winter, Lumiere London will transform the capital into a luminous exhibition space

Light Graffiti at King’s Cross

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Spooky fogscape in Durham Drawn in Light by Ralf Westerhof – the ghostly outlines are made of steel

© Matthew Andrews © Matthew Andrews

Flying fish or spectral beings?

Now a bi-annual event billed as London’s biggest art festival and most popular after-dark entertainment, this year’s edition will bring arctic Northern Lights to the city centre, transform King’s Cross into a glittering interactive light field and paint Westminster Abbey’s noble stone façade in pop art colours.

Many thoroughfares will be pedestrianised from dusk til late across a neon-lit map extending from Leicester Square to Mayfair, Covent Garden to Victoria and over the Thames to South Bank and Waterloo.

Lumiere is the brainchild of Artichoke, the leading UK producer of art in the public realm.

Debuted in Durham in 2009 and held there every alternate year since, 29 twinkling installations were showcased in the north of England city last November. With the addition of Lumiere London, also biannual, Britain hosts a world-class light festival every winter.

“The first one brought people in their thousands out onto the streets of the city on some of the coldest nights of the year and ever since, people have been asking us when it will return,” says Artichoke’s CEO, Helen Marriage. “It’s

more than the art: it’s about people sharing public space and re-discovering the city. At Artichoke, we use art to undermine the mundane and disrupt the everyday, and create a new kind of world that we’d all like to live in,” Commissioned by the Mayor of London with support from a host of sponsors, Sadiq Khan promises that 2018’s will be “bigger, brighter and bolder than ever before – with even more areas of our city involved and even more people expected to visit this incredible world-class event.

“At what is usually a quiet time of year, we are showing that London is open to creativity, business and ideas from across the globe. So get ready to take to the streets and marvel at a dazzling array of incredible artwork and installations. There’s no better way to banish the January blues!”

© Matthew Andrews

Garden of Light, a botanical take on Leicester Square

Jon Voss’s Heron glows ab ove Durham’s River Wear as if caught in a camera flash © Artichoke

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Energy Nordic is your English-speaking electricity supplier in Spain. Everything we say and write to you will be in clear, direct English. Should you have any questions, you will always have an English-speaking customer service team ready to assist you.

Quite simple! We have an office in Fuengirola and you are always very welcome to drop by. Find out more at energynordic.com

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2018

HIGHLIGHTS

NORTHERN LIGHTS Inspired by the enthralling aurora borealis of her homeland, Swedish artist Aleksandra Stratimirovic will recreate this shimmering natural phenomenon in the unlikely setting of Grosvenor Square. Just like the real aurora, the flow of light will take audiences by surprise, vanishing and re-appearing unpredictably.

Durham Cathedral lit up by bells

Scandinavia’s Northern Lights headed for London

LIQUID CONCRETE The National Theatre fly tower will be transformed into a glowing beacon along South Bank’s skyline by digital artist, Ulf Langheinrich. The mind-boggling opus will use lighting techniques to animate and liquefy the building’s brutalist concrete lines so that it appears to melt.

WILD PARK Watch your step in Leicester Square Gardens after dark! Nightlife features ‘a host of curious nocturnal creatures hiding out in a luminous secret garden that plays with the tension between wild spaces and urban city life.’

LIGHT FIELD Trendy Kings Cross will be the stage for Aether, a floating light field whose glittering mass grows, rolls and splinters into new patterns and colours according to the interactions of viewers. A spatial audiovisual collaboration between musician Max Cooper and Architecture Social Club, audiences can walk around, underneath and through the lattice of light as it warps around them.

PSYCHEDELIC SEESAW

Discover your inner-child in South Molton Street’s magical urban playground. Impulse is a set of eight

illuminated seesaws which react to movement and sound to create a different experience for each user.

Kids and grown-ups alike can experiment to create harmonic patterns through collective movement.

CIRCUS ACT Based on the flowing lyrical movements of Matisse’s dancing figures, Love is an animation of two intricately paper-cut figures which will dance elegantly across the stone façade of Picadilly’s Royal Academy of Art. Designed by postgraduate student Rhys Coren, the moving soundtrack will nurture fuzzy warm feelings on a cold January night.

Château de Chambord pioneered the light festival

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© Matthew Andrews

© Matthew Andrews

Spanish technical landscape artist Pablo Valbuena stole the limelight at Lumiere Durham with his captivating cathedral installation, Method. Giant spots flooded the 900-year-old world-heritage site with light, picking out every nuance of the Romanesque (and some say, Andalusian-inspired) architecture in a sequence synchronised to the peals of the bells.

TECHNICOLOR CHURCH Westminster Abbey as you’ve never seen it before. French digital artist Patrice Warrener’s The Light of the Spirit was a scene stealer in 2016, picking out the West Gate’s 20th-century martyrs in bright primary colours, as if they had been hand-painted. This year, the grandmaster of polychromatic illumination returns with an exciting second installment.

Westminster Abbey gets a ‘paint job’

LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT Light Festivals are tourism’s latest brilliant plan.

Cities from Singapore to Sydney, Amsterdam to Toronto and even the Pyramids at Giza are co-opting these crowd-pleasing digital spectaculars onto their events calendars.

And why not? They keep shops open, visitors spending and hotel beds occupied in the off-season, and foster artistic talent and give sponsors their names up in LED lights. Everybody’s happy.

Among the brightest and best, Vivid Sydney puts the city’s iconic architecture under the spotlight

for three weeks during the Australian winter, while Toronto’s Cavalcade of Lights has grown from a Christmas tree switch-on into a month-long extravaganza with Saturday night skating parties to live music on the outdoor rink. iLight Marina Bay in Singapore, held in March and billed ‘Asia’s only sustainable light art festival’, Jerusalem’s Festival of Light... and Berlin’s, and Amsterdam’s, and Lyon’s Fêtes de Lumières... are among many other opportunities to trip the light fantastic.

In fact, the French invented the light and music festival known as ‘son et lumière’ which has its origins in 17th century Versailles and the grand fêtes thrown by King Louis XIV, who was an extravagant patron of the arts. Paul Robert-Houdin, curator of the Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley was the first man to turn the illumination of buildings into performance art, staging the world's first modern son et lumiére in 1952. Today, no self-respecting French castle is without its own scintillating summer light festival. e

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p THE FOCUS gym

The informal slogan is popular on branded fitness gear

Up in the countryside near La Cala de Mijas is a training facility that draws fitness and obstacle course enthusiasts from all over the world – but beware, it’s not for the faint hearted. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ

MIKE’S GYM

d e t r a e h t n i a f e h t r o f N ot

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The fully equipped pool area

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Men and women from around the world come to Mike’s Gym for a new challenge

From weightlifting to climbing machines, the gym is very complete

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former jet-ski champion, Michael Ritchie has always been interested in fitness, so it’s perhaps not surprising that what started as a hobby gym beside his house in the La Cala countryside has grown into a thriving business and one of the best purpose-built training facilities in the entire region. In fact, what has come to be known as Mike’s Gym is the largest privately owned assault course in Europe. Not a conventional gym and much more than an obstacle course, this facility built into a wooded hillside appeals to true fitness enthusiasts and OCR (Obstacle Course Running) competitors, attracting groups from all over Europe and beyond.

Expect no flashing lights or swanky mirror décors; this is very much the real thing, a place where people come to compete, exercise, train and challenge themselves with personal trainer support and amid an atmosphere of camaraderie and bonding. “We put people through their paces, but when they push themselves and achieve things they never thought they could it’s a pure personal victory and the pleasure is intense,” says Mike. “At this level it goes beyond mere satisfaction and reaches something closer to elation when the dedication turns into achievement. For this reason, we mostly get people who are already fit, enthusiasts who love to take on new challenges and have the dedication to tackle an environment like this.”

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Mike, who came here on a jet-ski/stag holiday and promptly returned for good, has built it all with his own hands, “and a little help from his wife and some good friends,” smiles the man of action, who loves nothing better than to take on the course he created or coach others to overcome it too. “I designed it around my own preferences, and so far that seems to go down well with a wide range of fitness freaks from lots of different countries.”

Most of the groups that come down are Crossfit and OCR aficionados from Scandinavia who love the climate, facilities and surrounding distractions, so they might combine a day at the beach with an evening on the assault course.”

Others start working out early in the morning, like the Hong Kong-based entrepreneur who enjoys the authenticity of the facilities and accommodation. “We live on site, so this is a family-run business that my wife and children are an integral part of. We’re not about show, and have the kind of facilities that make the loud-mouths and braggers come down a peg or two, while it’s often the quiet, unassuming people who rise to the occasion,” says Mike, whose personal support makes the difference. His occasionally X-rated encouragements have become legendary and now feature on t-shirts and fitness gear that are finding their way around the world. “People regularly post shots of themselves wearing Mike’s Gym clothes in the most outlandish parts of the world.”

An obstacle course in the midst of nature Mike Ritchie and the complex he has created

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An assault course that challenges even special forces

But if you think this is an overtly macho environment think again. A proportion of the people who come and use the facilities are women, and with the exception of some of the very toughest exercises they are right up there. The indoor facilities include a gym, boxing ring, climbing machines, Olympic weightlifting platform, Cross Fit Box, sparring areas and an overhead obstacle course that would make Rambo cry. Outside is a swimming pool with a similar overhead feature, as well as the 3,5-kilometre assault course that traverses steep hillsides and a dry riverbed.

Here it’s about agility, speed, balance and upper and lower body strength, but above all about focus and determination. The course includes sections undertaken with 25-kilo rucksacks, stones that need to be lifted – and put back – steep hill runs, steps and tyre-tracks, as well as classic military style obstacles. “And don’t think marines or commandos will find it easy as our team beat a group of active SAS operatives,” grins Mike with obvious satisfaction. Whether you book yourself in or come as part of groups like those organised by Boot Camp Marbella's Jan Dendauw, there is a great deal of flexibility. “Our facilities offer a challenge to people from a wide range of different disciplines and types of expertise, including a children’s club for whom we have specialised amenities, and our main mission is that people have fun doing it and go away with a sense of personal achievement.” i www.mikesgymmarbella.com

Spinners are encouraged to give it their all

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p THE FOCUS people

Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Liam Neeson may never go out of style, but cinephiles know that, as is the case in all the arts, there is always magic to discover in film: new faces, avantegarde style, and a new vision that constantly renews our viewing experience. This month, Marisa Cutillas focuses on the hottest young blood to sizzle on the screen…

Evan

PETERS

Daniel

KALUUYA This British actor starred in what for me, was one of the best films of 2017: Get Out – the debut of comedian and visionary director Jordan Peele, a blend of horror, comedy and satire that delves into the hidden racism that continues to plague modern America.

Kaluuya, who made a name for himself as Posh Kenneth in the series Skins, was deemed UK Star of Tomorrow by Screen International Magazine. The following year, he would bring the house down in Sucker Punch: a play staged at the

Royal Court’s Jerwood Theatre Downstairs in London, which garnered him the Critics Circle and Evening Standard Award for Outstanding Newcomer (2010).

Soon after, he played the leading role in Daniel Mulloy’s Baby, which took home the Best Short Film prize at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the British Independent Film Awards. He later appeared in the series Black Mirror, making his big screen Hollywood debut in Sicario (2015), directed by Denis Villeneuve and co-starring Emily Blunt and Benicio del Toro.

Get Out, however, was undoubtedly his breakthrough role, at least in terms of exposure to an international audience. Kaluuya’s

portrayal is a difficult one; he plays a young African American male going to spend a week at the southern mansion of his white fiancee’s family. There, he is flabbergasted by the strange occurrences and people he comes across: the vapid, ‘absent’ housekeeper and groundskeeper, his fiancée’s seemingly kind but racist parents, and the strange people who appear to have something very deep inside that wants to ‘get out’. His is an incredible performance as someone who takes a little longer to follow his gut instinct, because he is unfortunately very much in love with his fiancée. In 2018, he will be shining in Black Panther, Marvel’s latest hit flick.

His angelic features, blonde locks and athletic figure make him the ultimate American beauty, yet Evan Peters has a darkness within him that is present in even his most ‘innocent’ roles.

He is the living example of the standards that modern television is achieving, since he, alongside feminist stalwarts Jessica Lange and Sarah Paulson, are the heart and soul of American Horror Story. The hit series, now in its seventh year, features the same core actors in totally different settings and plots in every season. Always, the male lead is Evan Peters… whether playing a mass shooter, a robust zombie, or an evil millionaire who purchases a hotel to carry out a series of bloody murders.

Peters’ tour de force performance was undoubtedly given in Season 2 (Asylum).

He plays Kit Walker, a young newlywed in the 1950s married to a beautiful partner, with a seemingly perfect life… until blinding lights and a piercing noise signal the arrival of mysterious aliens who abduct his wife.

When he awakens, he is accused of being ‘Bloodyface’, a serial killer who takes delight in abducting and skinning young women. He is placed into an asylum, where he is tortured using cruel methods such as electroshock ‘therapy’ at the hands of the director of the clinic: Sister Jude, played by Jessica Lange.

Peters shines as a Christ-like figure who undergoes untold suffering to help others escape from the hell that is the asylum. It is impossible not to fall in love with his innate kindness, blended with a craziness in his look that leaves you questioning, until the end, whether or not he is innocent.

In 2018, catch him as Quicksilver in X-Men: Dark Phoenix and in two more films: American Animals (about a group of neurotic young men who attempt one of the most notorious heists in US history) and Pose (a new series by AHS’ Ryan Murphy).

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ACTORS

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She became an instant favourite since we first saw her pure, intelligent expression in Stranger Things, the 1980s inspired ‘horror’/thriller series that brought back the magic of gems like Stand by Me or The Goonies. We can lay claim to a tiny bit of her fame, since she was born in Marbella to British parents, who lived here (her father worked in real estate) until she was four, when they moved to Bournemouth and later, to Orlando, Florida, where Brown began attending acting classes, initially as a hobby.

Her teachers suggested that she head for Hollywood, a move that would see Brown (whose family was struggling financially at the time) live

the authentic rags-to-riches story. A year after being cast as Eleven (a little girl with psychic and telekinetic powers) in Stranger Things, she was already worth almost €6 million, and has travelled all over the world to promote her hit show. Brown was paid €26.000 per episode for Season one – not bad for a day’s work!

Of course, it’s not all about the money; acting was always Brown’s dream, and her family sacrificed everything to make it come true. Her performance was so intensely real, she was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, and took home a SAG award alongside the rest of the case for Stranger Things. In 2018, she will be appearing in what is expected to be a huge money earner: Godzilla: King of Monsters, an epic adventure that pits Godzilla against some of the most legendary monsters in pop culture.

Timothée

CHALAMET

This 21-year-old thespian is starring in three upcoming films that are already touted as future Oscar nominees: Call Me by Your Name, Lady Bird, and Hostiles. In the latter two he plays smaller roles but Call Me by Your Name will be huge. Just watch the trailer; it will make your hair stand on end. Critics say that Call Me By Your Name is what Brokeback Mountain failed to be: a subtle, truly sensual, emotionally packed film about homosexual longing.

Chalamet plays the young son of a university professor whose father invites a handsome student to their idyllic rural home for the summer.

The boy falls hopelessly in love with the graduate, but has his heart broken in the most painful of ways. Magazines like Variety are predicting

Millie Bobby

BROWN that Chalamet, aged 21, could be the youngest man to be nominated for an Oscar since Mickey Rooney for Babes in Arms (1939). His performance received rave reviews at the Sundance Festival, though the actor is refreshingly humble, crediting the outstanding nature of the role and script, for his performance.

Armie Hammer, who plays the lover in the film, said he almost turned down the role because of the nudity involved, but for Chalamet, at least a decade younger, “It was never the physical intimacy that was scary, nor was it the type of sexuality that was being professed, but rather, the emotional intensity and the pressure of how well it was described in the book. As a young actor, you don’t come across roles this complex or layered.”

Call Me by Your Name is the film I await most eagerly. I was taken with Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback but believe that this smaller, more intimate take on the subject, will win more hearts over than the blockbuster Hollywood film was able to do.

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Could Angourie Rice be the next Nicole Kidman? This Melbourneborn 16-year-old began her acting career in the Australian short film, Transmission, playing Tilly, a 10-year-old girl making her way through post-apocalyptic Australia with her father, in search of a ‘virus free zone’, after an airborne pandemic has killed 90 per cent of the people in their hometown.

Tilly’s biggest challenge… is to learn how to drive, a skill she must perfect if she is to successfully escape.

Angourie’s portrayal of a girl desperately trying to beat her own anxiety, is compelling – so much so that she was invited to the Cannes Film Festival in 2014, where she brought the house down. Just two years later, she was already in Hollywood starring opposite Ryan Gosling and Russell Crow in film noir jewel, The Nice Guys, and in late 2017, she auditioned and won the role for Oscar-winning director

Sofia Coppola’s latest film, The Beguiled (a remake of the 1971 Clint Eastwood classic).

Angourie is aiming sky high, not for the fame, but for her authentic passion for acting. Film critic, Zak Hepburn, notes that like actors the calibre of Michelle Williams or Emma Stone, “She has made supremely strong choices in the roles she plays and is always memorable. There are two factors as to why Rice has been impressive in these varied roles, aside from her on-screen presence. She has aligned herself in films helmed by interesting and enigmatic filmmakers, along with popular franchise properties.”

Spider-Man Homecoming is an example of her ability to land roles in blockbuster films. In 2018, watch out for her portrayal of Lisa in Ladies in Black – an alluring comedy about a bunch of charismatic department store employees in the Sydney of 1959.

Angourie

RICE

Hong

CHAU One of Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch Out For in 2017, she still is to make her mark on a global scale, though Hong Chau is certainly making all the right moves. Born in Thailand to Vietnamese parents, Chau moved to New Orleans, Louisiana as a little girl. Her parents had big plans for her and her two siblings, working in menial jobs to put all of them through college.

Chau majored in Film at Boston University, initially dreaming of working behind the camera. After dabbling in acting

for her classmates’ short films, however, she was bitten by the bug and eventually went on to study acting in New York. She landed a role in feature film Inherent Vice (2014), but really made her mark in Downsizing – recently released in Spain.

Downsizing, co-starring Matt Damon and Kristen Wiig, is a rather nutty yet delightful comedy/drama about a new phenomenon that takes over the world: shrinking human beings so they can enjoy a millionaire’s life while living in a

‘mansion’ whose real size is little larger than a Barbie house. Crazy but fun, and with Matt Damon onscreen you’d think nobody would take notice of supporting actors. The opposite occurred; pre-screenings in film festivals led to rave reviews for Chau, who was cast soon after in American Woman, a film about a woman who cared for Patty Hearst (the socialite who was kidnapped in 1974, when she was a 19-yearold student living in Berkeley, California).

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If you saw Wonder last month (the hit film about a boy with facial deformities who goes to school for the first time in his life), you undoubtedly fell in love with Mr. Browne – the teacher who gives as much importance to ‘precepts’ (values to live by) as he does to the subject he teaches. Mr. Browne was played with aplomb by Daveed Diggs, the actor, rapper and singer who won a Grammy Award and a Tony award for originating the role of the Marquis de Lafayette in hit musical Hamilton. Daveed, who studied Theatre at university, honed his craft off Broadway, as well as in TV series such as The Get Down, Black-ish and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

Although Wonder has brought his face to the global mainstream audience, he is also known in the US for his incredible musicality; Daveed is a composer and vocalist in experimental hip-hop and rap group, Clipping, and is also member of a freestyle rap group (Freestyle Rap Supreme), which performs across the US.

Daveed

DIGGS

Ali

FAZAL

This handsome Indian actor, born in Lucknow, studied economics and science at university in Bombay and dreamed of being a professional athlete until a broken shoulder put an end to a career in basketball or hockey.

He auditioned for a local English language production of The Tempest quite by chance, since, as he told Vulture, “Theatre is almost looked down upon in India. There are ‘theatre guys,’ you have a sling bag with a kurta, and you’re that guy. It’s a type. Which is sad,

because theatre gave me a lot. You ‘gotta be smart to go from one to the other, because cinema and theatre are very different things in India.”

Fazal had interned with the United Nations and thought this might be the key to his future, though a visit to San Francisco to visit a friend left him besotted with the US. He returned soon after and, luck would have it, landed a bit part in the seventh Fast & Furious film.

In 2017, he starred alongside the great

Judi Dench in Victoria and Abdul, a film about the unlikely friendship between Queen Victoria and a young Indian clerk. In the scene where the two characters meet, the clerk (Fazal) is told not to look into her eyes… yet his gaze locks with the Queen’s and an infectious smile lights up his face; it is a hair raising moment indeed – full of humour and wonder.

We understand Bollywood wishes to keep him to itself but hope he weaves just a little more magic in Hollywood as well. e

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Philosopher For A New Age

ECKHART

TOLLE Every era has its pressures and traumas that leave people searching for answers. In the seemingly prosperous modern world in which we live, the need for a deeper understanding of life appears more pressing than ever.

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NEWWORLDLIBRARY.COM

A

s most psychologists, therapists and others who deal with the human state of wellbeing would acknowledge, there isn’t such a thing as a perfectly happy or fulfilled person and most of us achieve only a percentage of our potential in that regard. The reasons for this are many but often include a person’s past, their predisposition to certain anxieties, lack of self-esteem or any combination

of interconnected factors that affect their world view and sense of self.

We pursue success and status, usually expressed in the form of material belongings or power, and are encouraged in this by an economic system that has long since focused on what we want – or think we want – than on what we need, both individually and collectively. This drive for success and happiness,

and the belief that the one leads to the other, is and has always been one of the main motivators of mankind. The idea of finding paradise on the horizon being the very dynamic that makes the human world go around and defines us as a species.

On an evolutionary level it explains why we are such fighters, survivors and therefore so biologically successful, but it also provides a lot of insight into

why people find it so hard to just be happy. Having been duped to associate wealth and beauty with happiness, millions strive towards these paradisiacal goals only to realise that it is often the simplest of folk that come closer to a state of earthly bliss. In the end it all comes down to a state of mind, for once you lose all self-perception and fear the door opens to a life without anxiety and doubt.

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ECKHART TOLLE Most people grapple with these existential questions at some point in their lives, particularly at times of trauma, struggle or when the expected happiness pay-out doesn’t arrive, but some are destined to walk the full length of the tunnel so that they may shed light on the essence of life’s meaning. Born into depressed post-war Germany, Eckhart Tolle played among the ruins of bombed-out buildings, later describing the sense of oppression he felt as a pain that “was in the energy field of the country.”

Living with his father in Spain as a teenager, he drifted away from formal schooling and was drawn to literature, languages and books that could provide answers to gnawing feelings. Even when he later graduated from the University of London, the sense of emptiness remained, and by now the young man was suffering from severe depression, anxiety and fear.

On the night it threatened to overwhelm him, the crushing, almost physical burden of depression gradually gave way to a trans-like state, which he later described as a life-changing epiphany. Having reached a point where his sense of

self was so low that he began to look at the ‘self’ in an abstract way, he ended up disconnecting from it and starting afresh, fully focused upon simply being and experiencing life. “I didn’t know at the time that what really happened was the mind-made self, with its heaviness, its problems, that lives between the unsatisfying past and the fearful future, collapsed. It dissolved.

The next morning I woke up and everything was so peaceful. The peace was there because there was no self. Just a sense of presence or ‘beingness’.”

For a while he floated around, finding contentment in the small things in life and also instinctively knowing that it would bring him to his fulfilment in time. It came before long, as Eckhart began working as a counsellor and spiritual teacher, passing on his learning and understanding to others. After moving to Vancouver in 1995 he also began to write, and in 1997 published the first of his books, The Power of Now. It would become the first of several international bestsellers that would top lists in the US, Europe and also be translated into many different languages, including Arabic.

Not espousing or denouncing any particular religion or belief system, Eckhart Tolle now reached a global audience as he taught greater understanding of the self, the path to happiness and our role in the scheme of things. Other books, such as Stillness Speaks and A New Earth, sold in their millions, making him possibly the most popular spiritual author in the USA. In 2008, some 35 million people worldwide participated in a series of ten live webinars presented by Tolle together with Oprah Winfrey. In spite of such successes, he eschews the creation of “a heavy commercial structure” or of setting up teaching centres in the style of India’s Ashrams, believing that people can develop organically and that “one needs to be careful that the organisation does not become self-serving.”

A PHILOSOPHY OF SELF Tolle has written that: “A true spiritual teacher does not have anything to teach in the conventional sense of the word, does not have anything to give or add to you, such as new information, beliefs, or rules of conduct. The only function of such a teacher is to help you remove that which separates you from the

truth…The words are no more than signposts.”

Speaking about religions, he believes they “have become so overlaid with extraneous matter that their spiritual substance has become almost completely obscured,” becoming “to a large extent… divisive rather than unifying forces… and themselves part of the insanity” of the world. He adds that “the most significant thing that can happen to a human being [is] the separation of thinking and awareness,” concluding that “the primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.” At the heart of this and his teaching is the transformation of consciousness that would allow us to leave the “illusionary sense of self” behind, in his view a vital step not only towards personal happiness but ultimately also for the ending of the violence and conflict that has plagued our existence on this planet from day one.

In a world that spins ever faster, and according to many ever more madly, the search for inner peace is certainly one worth undertaking. i www.eckharttolle.com www.newworldlibrary.com

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p THE FOCUS property Spectacular views from the beautiful pool area

FM CONSULTING The Key to Successful Development

With over 27 years of successful property development in the Marbella area, founder Fausto Martínez explains why FM Consulting has become a point of reference in the sector. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF FM CONSULTING

F

austo Martínez is one of the most highly respected property developers on the Costa del Sol, but his connection with the tourist industry of this region is reflected in the fact that he was one of the founding members of CIT – the Centro de Iniciativas Turísticas – an organisation established with the purpose of promoting Marbella on an international level. Fausto has continued to do just that ever since, establishing cross-border contacts, fighting to improve standards in Marbella and offering value to its international clients, and he has lead the way with his own property company, which has a string of successful projects to its name across the region.

It is therefore the track record of FM Consulting over the past quarter century that has garnered so much respect, for Fausto is a stickler for attention to detail and doing things properly. “They are the foundations of being able to say

that you offer your clients value,” says the entrepreneur who welcomes proper planning, financial and quality controls in the industry. “Those who do things properly have everything to gain from stringent standards that demand the best of us, for they are the quality seal against which our performance is – and should be – measured.” Not surprisingly, the firm is well-received by clients, investors, colleagues and financial institutions, and thanks to a strong blend of integrity and successful track record, is in the privileged position of choosing its partners.

The company’s current range of projects has once again caught on with the buying public because of the attention to detail that has gone into them. “We look very carefully at the location and what it offers potential homeowners, who it suits best and what kind of property they are looking to find in Marbella and surroundings.

Careful research, thorough planning and

also solid financial underpinnings are as much a part of the product development process as is the architectural styling, the interior design, range of amenities and the little touches that make a property and an urbanisation stand out.”

It’s an approach that has made projects such as Cortijo del Golf, Las Terrazas de Atalaya, Syzygy Homes, The Residences and the Villas, and Terrazas de Cortesin highly popular with buyers, an ability to get it right and promote this region in the process that was recognised by CIT – now an organisation with over 500 member companies in a wide range of fields – recently in November when it awarded Fausto Martínez with its top business award at an elegant event at the Puente Romano Hotel. “It was very heartening to see how the organisation has grown and prospered, and a nice detail that the dinner was held in the same place where we founded CIT in 1989.”

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MIRADOR DE ESTEPONA GOLF FM Consulting works with the developer Exxacon, building on a willingness and ability to create the right kind of property for a broad range of different locations and segments of the Marbella real estate market, unlike some developers, who focus very strongly on a specific area or an almost standardised product. “We don’t believe in repeating the same thing over and over,” says Fausto. “Naturally there are trends and evolutions that one grows along with but we give each project the personality and uniqueness that its location and buyers deserve. A setting that is ideal for a certain buying public will suit a particular offering in terms of property, style and price that is not right for another location and target audience.”

Recently launched, Mirador de Estepona Golf is a brand new development of 54 two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses that embodies this philosophy. FM Consulting has a

Panoramic views from Mirador de Estepona Golf

Modern interior styling with high quality appliances

knowing touch when it comes to spotting up-andcoming areas with great potential for residents and investors alike, and Estepona Golf just west of the marina is showing every sign of being another. Situated in an almost rural environment of green rolling hills at just a short distance from the beach, the marina and the historic centre of Estepona, the development overlooks the 18hole golf course as well as the sea from its gently elevated position.

The nearby clubhouse is a facility right on

its doorstep, but Mirador de Estepona Golf has the best of the area at its fingertips in spite of a peaceful setting. “It’s the kind of location developers look for because we know that it offers buyers so much,” says Fausto, who has worked with the architects to ensure that every one of the apartments and penthouses in the complex enjoys wonderful views across green fields to the sea. “The focus is on spacious open-plan living areas, large panoramic terraces that extend the lifestyle appeal and an attractive community that is a pleasure to call home.” FM Consulting has a track record of providing just this and getting it right as the company also specialises in postsale management services. “More than most developers, we have a commitment to delivering a quality product because we stay on afterwards and provide on-going services. It adds a level of pressure but also brings the process full circle and makes it come alive as we’re there when our projects become living communities.” i www.fmconsulting.es

Enjoy stunning sea views from the spacious terrace

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F M C O N S U LT I N G G R O U P W I S H E S Y O U A

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CHOOSE YOUR LIFESTYLE FM Consulting offers a variety of developments that for sure suit your taste.

Find out more about our developments at fmconsulting.es NEW RELEASES

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Cortijo del Mar RESORT

Centro Comercial Centro Plaza Oficial 12 · 1ª Planta · Nueva Andalucía 29660 Puerto Banús · Marbella · Málaga Tel. +34 952 810 000 | info@fmconsulting.es | www.fmconsulting.es

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THE BEACH HOUSE Frontline Splendour With superlative style and luxury in a beachfront setting near Puerto Banús, this is a design project straight off the pages of Architectural Digest. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY WAYNE CHASAN

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I

n Marbella we’re certainly not unaccustomed to stunning modern villas of great luxury and refinement, but it is rare to come across one in a prime beachfront location within walking distance to Puerto Banús. In fact, vacant plots of this kind have long since become extinct, so properties such as The Beach House are lovingly crafted out of earlier residences so that the best locations in Marbella may also offer the best, most prestigious homes.

Crafted is the word, as the concept, architectural styling and detailing, landscaping, décor and distribution of this villa are the product of a true labour of love of a phenomenal team of experts in construction and design second to none, including

the project architect, Inma Guerrero, the technical architect, Jesús Martin Rojas, the landscape architect, Beatrice Perlac, and the Argentinianborn architect/designer/decorator, Graciela Leanza, who played a major role, not only in the design and incredible finishes of the house, but was also in charge of the decoration of the property. Graciela told us: “Our brief was to do the spectacular location proud with a property that is special not just in its style and amenities, but that enchants the senses and makes you fall in love with it.”

And so this magnificent modern villa arose on a level yet slightly raised beachside plot that offers mesmerising views of the sea, shore and

big blue skies that turn to gold most evenings.

The latter is a true sight to behold, for the golden glow that descends on the house gives it a very special feeling. Knowing that the moment is fleeting makes it all the more precious, the villa, its garden and interior were designed to make the most of this delightful natural feature. “Architecture is about light, form and sensory elements such as tones and textures, but in its purest essence it is about mastering space and proportions. A home can look great but if the proportions are not balanced it won’t feel harmonious and inviting.” It is with these building blocks in mind that the owner’s professional team set out to seduce all who have the pleasure of experiencing The Beach House.

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A HOME THAT SEDUCES

As the gate glides open it is the Algarvean-inspired front garden that catches the eye as it transforms the forecourt into a functional yet green area with a certain Zen mood that sets the right tone as you enter the villa. Here you encounter an awakening of the senses, not because this is a home that is so bright, so cavernous or so overly dressed in decoration, but because all the details come together to immediately create an impression.

Some luxurious homes are imposing, with expensive materials and large proportions, yet somehow fail to extend beyond an impressive tick list of ‘must-haves’ and obvious expense. What such properties often lack is the right mix of ingredients to really appeal to the senses – something that Graciela and the rest of The Beach House team excel at. “A Marbella villa should be luxurious, but it should also have a charm, identity and welcoming appeal all of its own, and these elements are determined by the setting, the occupants and naturally also the people involved in the design and creation of the home, as each brings their own vision to the project.”

With the freedom to create a modern work of art, the team had the courage to shy away from the architectural practices that have become all too standardised in many homes, so while every bit as impressive, the entrance hall is not a ‘Gone with the Wind’ affair but brings you straight into the spirit of the villa without having to pass through a cold and lifeless antechamber. The area is spacious, diverse and rich in detail, which is enhanced by beautiful furniture adorned with fine quality materials and tastefully selected bespoke art, but instead of opening onto one huge open living space there is a central staircase that defines the different sections while also connecting the home both visually and functionally.

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A SPECIAL FLOW This flow is vital to the intuitive effect that the villa has on those that pass its threshold, for this is not just a beautiful show home, but one that excites, delights the senses and makes you feel welcome. It shows that with the right touch, a luxury home can be a reference in style and design without having to be stark or lacking in personality and character. The central stairwell helps to define the various spaces at the heart of the villa, which flow on from a modern secretaire at the entrance to a large, stylish but also congenial ‘winter’ dining room, then a state-of-the-art modern kitchen with indoor and outdoor breakfast areas, a comfy family lounge that upholds the lofty design standards of the villa, and a more formal yet delightfully modern chic main salon that opens to the outdoor terrace and living spaces at the touch of a sliding door.

Carry on and you come to what can best be described as a family room for grownups; a wonderfully unique space with luxuriant chaise longue relaxing chairs for unencumbered viewing, glass in hand, alongside a lovely backlit bar and versatile dining space where the light-toned woodpanelled wall is a retro-modern design feature that also offers handy storage space. These interconnected yet unique, intimate spaces thank their identity and attraction to the space-defining element at the heart of the home. It is a superb mastery of space, light and proportions that creates a wonderfully ambient flow rich in both practicality and decorative opulence. Naturally the latter is also the product of gorgeous bespoke furniture and art pieces handmade to fit the shape, colour tones and atmosphere of the house.

Commissioned from the finest artists and prestigious design brands, their rounded shapes and varied textural treatments serve to reduce the rigidity of right-angled modern architectural lines and enhance the sense of harmony and wellbeing you feel when in the property. It is a theme found throughout the villa, added to by gorgeous lighting against an earthy but uplifting colour palette. “I chose blues and earth tones against white to reflect the sea and soil but also the owner,” says Graciela, who further develops this theme in the three guest suites on the ground level.

“The views from The Beach House are such that we didn’t want to obscure them even from the bathrooms, so we created a demiopen structure that optimises comfort and privacy while offering the vistas that give such added value to life in this home.”

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All these spaces lead out onto private sections of a large covered terrace that looks out to sea beyond a manicured lawn flanked by a swimming pool with Jacuzzis, lounge decks and an outdoor catering and dining area. The upper floor adds its own private terraces and chill-out zone with Jacuzzi, a special perk for a luxurious master suite and the second bedroom that shares its inspiring Mediterranean views.

“The Beach House is probably the home with the highest quality finishes and decoration that Panorama has ever offered for sale. Its elevated beachfront position, walking distance to Puerto Banús, is second to none,” says Christopher Clover, Managing Director of Panorama, Marbella’s longest-established real estate agency and associate agent of Savills for the greater

Marbella area. “The offering price is highly realistic, especially given that there is no similar property available for sale today, and it is new – absolutely fully equipped to the most minor detail – and ready to move in to”.

The Beach House is a seaside masterpiece where every feature has been lovingly conceived and brought together to the point where the parts blend together seamlessly to create a very special luxury villa that is both contemporary and timeless. There is much detail to enjoy, from the perspective that runs from the kitchen along the elongated section of the pool to the horizon – taking in the indigenous flora in its hues of green with blue-toned flowers. The lower level – which is an integral part of the home visible from the ground floor – displays the same sense of

unique detailing and concept. Instead of a series of static rooms it too flows from spa and heated indoor pool to an open-style family cinema and games room. Just park your car in the integrated garage and it becomes a gallery of vehicular art, while the rotating platform designed for optimal manoeuvring can also be used as a dance floor and the white wall of the driveway becomes an impromptu summer cinema.

A luxurious beachside villa created like this out of choice materials, made-to-measure decorative pieces and a harmony of proportions, views and distribution takes the notion of modern style to a fresh, exciting definition of Marbella beachfront. i Video of The Beach House available at: www.panorama.es/thebeachhouse

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Finca El Olivar

• 39.000 m2 • fruit groves and formal garden • 3 horse stables • well built house on two levels • 4 bedrooms en-suite • guest WC • big living room with modern fireplace • open plan kitchen • office • 4 terraces • larder and laundry rooms • underfloor heating • saltwater pool Lovely views to Gibraltar, the Mediterranean and North Africa!

Gaucin 2 km, Coast 15 km, Sotogrande 25 km!

Price €1.250.000

Contact Margit: 658 213 959 email: urmagro@yahoo.de, Josè: 666 389 909 or Margarita + 1 404-302-7247 email margaritaftaylor@hotmail.com

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d THE STYLE fashion

The Many Faces of

REEBOK To celebrate the fabulous world of sport, we bring you images of the global partners of Reebok: a company that has celebrated true grit, dedication and talent, since 1958. We hope these committed athletes inspire you to take up your favourite sport, set new goals, or train for an important event. COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

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GIGI HADID THIS TOP MODEL IS KNOWN AS MUCH FOR SHINING ON THE VICTORIA’S SECRET CATWALK, AS FOR HER INTEREST IN SPORT AND THE HEALTHY LIFE. IT TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT TO LOOK THIS GOOD, SO WHY NOT WEAR REEBOK GEAR WHILE YOU’RE AT IT?

ANTHONY PETTIS ANTHONY PETTIS HAS BEEN PRACTICING MARTIAL ARTS SINCE THE AGE OF FIVE AND HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO MAKING IT THE UFC. PETTIS' PREVIOUS TITLES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE FORMER UFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION, WEC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION, GLADIATORS FIGHTING LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION, 3RD DEGREE BLACK BELT IN TAE KWON DO, BJJ (BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU) PURPLE BELT AND TUF 20 COACH.

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ALY RAISMAN ALY RAISMAN IS A TWO-TIME TEAM CAPTAIN OF THE GOLD MEDAL WINNING U.S. OLYMPIC GYMNASTICS TEAMS IN 2012 AND 2016. SHE IS THE MOST DECORATED U.S. GYMNAST AT THE 2012 GAMES AND FIRST AMERICAN GYMNAST TO WIN GOLD IN THE FLOOR EXERCISE. SHE IS ADDITIONALLY THE SECOND MOST DECORATED AMERICAN GYMNAST OF ALLTIME WITH SIX TOTAL OLYMPIC MEDALS, AND ONE OF ONLY TWO U.S. GYMNASTS TO MAKE BACK-TO-BACK OLYMPIC TEAMS IN MORE THAN 15 YEARS.

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CONOR MCGREGOR DESPITE HIS LOSS TO FLOYD MAYWEATHER, CONOR MCGREGOR IS THE REIGNING UFC LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION, AND FORMER UFC FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION, KNOWN AS MUCH FOR HIS BRASH TALK AS FOR HIS COURAGEOUS HEART. THEY BROKE THE MOULD WHEN THEY MADE THIS ONE, THAT IS FOR SURE.

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EMILY SKYE EMILY IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL FITNESS AND HEALTH INFLUENCERS, THE FOUNDER OF THE HUGELY POPULAR F.I.T. FITNESS WORKOUT AND, ACCORDING TO REEBOK, “THE TRUE EMBODIMENT OF OUR BE MORE HUMAN PHILOSOPHY – PROMOTING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND SOCIAL HEALTH TO ACHIEVE ONE’S FULL POTENTIAL.”

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JACARE SOUZA THIS BRAZILIAN MIXED MARTIAL ARTIST, SUBMISSION GRAPPLER AND BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU PRACTITIONER COMPETES IN THE UFC'S MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION, AND IS OFFICIALLY NUMBER FIVE IN THE OFFICIAL UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT RANKINGS.

i www.reebok.es

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d THE STYLE fashion

Louis Vuitton and renowned artist, Jeff Koons, present their second collection together: Masters, featuring some of the most renowned paintings in the world, including Reclining Girl by François Boucher, Delightful Land by Paul Gauguin, Lunch on the Grass by Édouard Manet, Water Lilies by Claude Monet, and Ancient Rome by J.M.W. Turner. Which of these beautiful works do you feel most inspired by?

COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

LOUIS VUITTON AND JEFF KOONS sent

MASTERS p re

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n the spa

PRODUCTS BEAUTY SPA SCIENCE TREATMENTS HEALTH

88

BECCA Cosmetics

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The Effects of Overworking on Health

94

Health News

96

The Nagomi Spa at Reserva del Higuerón Resort

98

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Stress and Skin

BECCA IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP SELLING COSMETIC FIRMS – FIND OUT WHY. TRY TO NOT FALL INTO THE TRAP OF OVERWORKING IN 2018, AND RELAX YOUR CARES AWAY AT TWO FAMED ESTABLISHMENTS: THE NAGOMI SPA AT THE RESERVA DEL HIGUERÓN RESORT AND THE HYPERBARIC OXYGEN CENTRE IN ESTEPONA.

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Let us help to make 2018 even more beautiful OCEAN CLINIC WISHES THEIR PATIENTS AND COLLABORATORS A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

your health & beauty clinic in marbella Av. Ramรณn y Cajal, 7 - 29601 Marbella 0034 951 775 518 - Mรณvil : 670 770 455 info@oceanclinic.net - www.oceanclinic.net

n THE SPA beauty

Celebrating Diversity in the Beauty Industry

BECCA WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

G

one are the days when if you weren’t white, a size zero, or long-legged, you could all but give up on the hopes of making it in fashion. Thankfully for those with spark, talent, and grit, the zeitgeist of this millennium is diversity. Never before have skin colour, gender, age, and physical and mental challenges, been celebrated to this extent.

Winnie Harlow (who has vitiligo) has featured in Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Ebony, and is an image for houses like Swarovski; Madeline Stuart (an Australian model with Down Syndrome) has strutted her stuff twice on the New York Fashion Week catwalk; and bloggers like Nadia Aboulhosn are showing that beauty comes in various shapes and sizes. It is in this sphere that beauty brand, BECCA, continues to grow and expand.

In 2016, BECCA was purchased

by Estée Lauder for $200 million.

Not bad for a small business started

by Rebecca Morrice Williams, a forward thinking ex-make-up artist who obtained her Diploma in Trend Design and Style in Australia. Rebecca created her brand for one important reason: she found it impossible for

women to locate merchandise that conceals, seems natural, is weightless on the skin and lasts all day. For her, a natural looking concealer had to exactly match one’s skin tone. Therefore, it was important to offer products in a variety of shades. Imagine a makeup firm brave enough to launch 30 concealer shades at once, for fair and darker skin alike, way back in 2001.

Rebecca’s target clients, she decided, would be well versed on make-up, as is evident from the fact that all compact concealers contained both lightweight and full coverage variants, so users could mix and match to their daily needs.

Today, the range of tones is even wider. If you wondered where Rihanna took her inspiration from to launch her knockout make-up brand, Fenty Beauty, it is undoubtedly BECCA. Rihanna has made a name for creating a variety of shades for darker skin hues, yet Rebecca was clued in to the importance of doing so in the days when it wasn’t fashionable or expected.

The BECCA brand specialises in light: strobing, highlighting, concealing, illuminating – these

used to be the exclusive realm of professional make-up artists but today, every woman above the age of 13 follows her own set of make-up gurus and knows the ins and outs of ‘layering’ for a flawless look. In the past, we thought we had it ‘together’ when we managed to cleanse, tone, and moisturise prior to the application of our foundation. Today, you had better own a good primer, mattifying spray, corrector, concealer, illuminator, contour kit, longwear foundation, and setting spray, or you know that in three hours you will no longer be looking perfect. The current level of knowledge and specialisation when it comes to make-up means that if you do the job right, your make-up will look literally flawless for 24 hours.

The brand has been smart enough to enlist the help of highly influential bloggers. The Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed line itself first

drew attention when vlogger, Jaclyn Hill (who has almost five million followers) featured the product on her YouTube channel, tripling sales in one week and making it Sephora’s top selling item. BECCA is a grateful company and soon after, it would team up with Hill to collaborate on C-Pop (Champagne Pop, the most popular shade from the Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed line), which sold 25,000 units in 20 minutes on Sephora’s online store. Twitter users responded by launching the hilarious hashtag #findingchampagnepop, through which they reported sightings of this highly coveted beauty buy.

Throughout the years, BECCA has managed to identify niche demands and fill them quickly. A huge money maker for the company, for instance, is The One Perfecting Brush: touted as “a true beauty multitasker which can be used with liquids, creams, powders and anything in between.”

The price of this futuristic looking brush? Around €40. Considering the fact that most of us have around 10 brushes in our kit, it doesn’t come cheap, yet we’re talking BECCA – and anything from this visionary brand can be considered a more than worthy investment. e

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s e r u s a e l p e l p m i s s ’ e f li

W O R K L I F E B A L A N C E AT P U E N T E R O M A N O # P U E N T E L I F E 3 6 5 Water and steam. Heat and ice. Sea and earth.

your body and mind. Discover the beauty of

Six Senses Spa at Puente Romano combines

Six Senses Spa with the Mindful Living Package

the elements with the senses to create a fully

and spend three days in harmony. Divide your

immersive experience. Offering a tranquil space

time between healthy morning bites, wellness

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n THE SPA health

WORKING

Is

TOO HARD a Smart or Futile Move?

N

ew York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is famed, among other things, for his work ethic, one of his most of quoted statements being, “It never hurts to be the first one in in the morning, and the last one to leave.” Although being physically present can certainly make you look the part, research shows that the key to success, isn’t necessarily about the physical hours you put in, but rather, how efficient you are at time management. Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-authors of the best-selling book, Rework, complain that those who punch in more hours than anyone else “try to fix problems by throwing sheer hours at them…. This results in inelegant solutions. Workaholics aren’t heroes. They don’t save the day, they just use it up. The real hero is already home because she figured out a faster way to get things done.”

Z BE PRODUCTIVE, NOT A MARTYR According to Fortune.com, what we do with our time, is vital. For

instance, CEOs who use extra hours to conduct meetings with staff show increased productivity, while those who employ this time for meetings with external consultants, do not. In general, working longer hours allows us to get more done, but once we get past a certain point, we become less productive. Therefore, striking the right balance between hard work and time wasting (which occurs when we are too tired to continue producing) is key.

Z WORKING EXCESSIVELY DESTROYS US Working too hard can wreak havoc on our health. The news is rife with stories of workers in Japan, who, despite being in their 40s or even their 30s, suffer from heart attacks after burning the midnight oil too frequently. In reality, death from overworking is rare; doctors indicate that many factors would have to coexist for someone to actually die from pushing themselves to the extreme; for instance, they would have to have a pre-existing heart condition and be under a moment of extreme stress in their lives. However, sitting down for

endless hours can certainly make us obese and increase our risk for heart disease, Type II diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

We also know that people who work long hours are more likely to develop atrial fibrillation, as published recently by scientists in the European Heart Journal. Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that occurs when the heart fails to pump blood throughout the body as efficiently as it should. The study followed over 85,000 working people who did not have this condition. After removing factors such as socioeconomic status, age, sex, etc., they found that those who worked over 55 hours per week had a 1.4 greater risk of this condition, than their ‘lazier’ counterparts.

Working over 55 hours can also increase the risk of having a stroke.

Previous studies, meanwhile, indicate that those who take fewer holidays are also more prone to heart disease, while those who work over 11 hours daily are more likely to suffer from depression.

Doctors note that although an

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

important link exists, excess working hours are not fully to blame. Rather, we also need to look to faulty nutrition and a lack of exercise.

To counter the effects of working long hours, we should aim to get up from our desks every hour to climb up and down the steps or walk briskly from one part of the room to the other. It is also vital to set aside just half an hour (minimum) a day for cardiovascular exercise, and to add another half hour if possible for strength training. Regular exercise, in conjunction with a healthy Mediterranean diet, promotes a healthy heart and boosts our mood and mental health.

We all wish to remain competitive, to shine before our bosses and to perform our tasks to an optimal level – but we also need to be honest enough with ourselves to identify the point at which working extra hours hampers not only our health, but also our productivity. This is the point at which we should stop and re-energise body, mind, and spirit, through exercise and quality time with our loved ones. e

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Why everyone’s talking about the Arques ‘Aesthetic Medicine’ Clinic Arques seems to be the name on nearly everyone’s eye-catching lips in Marbella and surrounding areas when it comes to recommending a leading-edge beauty and anti-ageing clinic. And its reputation resonates way beyond The Golden Triangle. Arques’ advanced treatments for such conditions as obesity, skin ageing, wrinkles, cellulite, varicose veins and other age-related and lifestyle conditions is now attracting patients from over 30 countries.

So the clinic’s ‘Responsible Aesthetic Medicines’ are based on new techniques that fight these influences and wherever possible prevent them from happening. In many cases, the clinic asserts that it can not only prevent the signs of ageing but can even reverse them. The techniques to do so are surprising.

“We offer the world’s most innovative cosmetic techniques plus exquisite modern facilities”

“I feel really proud of our commitment to social responsibility, an approach shared by every member of our team,” he said “We are very gratified to be able to earmark a percentage of our profits to various foundations to help the needy.

So what’s the secret? “We believe that the real revolution is quite simple,” explained the clinic’s principle, Dr Arques “We offer the world’s most innovative cosmetic techniques plus exquisite modern facilities, including a spa environment, a relaxed and harmonious setting and a very professional service. Added to that we source with great care the world’s number one laboratory products and we obtain the most competitive prices to pass on to our patients. We constantly seek the latest tried and tested scientific advances to ensure the quality we offer is always the best you can obtain anywhere in the world.”

"Our joint objective then, as it continues to be is to use the latest and most effective aesthetic medicine in a responsible way so that results are totally natural.”

“Unfortunately the signs of aging are increasing all around us,” said Dr Arques. “They reflect our current lifestyle: our inadequate diet, lack of exercise and sports practice, lack of oxygen, work and home pressures, pollution, and not least, the sun’s damaging ultra-violet rays.”

Pride in Awards

“Among our other awards, the two most desirable were when we were in competition with an international field and came out top for aesthetic medicine and for responsible innovation in our sector.”

For further information about the Arques Medical Clinic or to make an appointment, email: info@arquesclinic.com

+34 662 408 408 C/ Ramón Areces S/N Complejo Marina Banús Bloque 3, local 29 Puerto Banús www.arquesclinic.com · info@arquesclinic.com arquesclinic

Full details of those treatment are on the clinic’s website www.arquesclinic.com/en Doctor is qualified as aesthetic doctor in the U.K., is registered with the GMC and is also an associate member of the Royal College of General Practitioners

FREEZE YOUR FAT AWAY Many share the following experience: no matter how intense your workout or strict your diet, you can't seem to ditch that stubborn fat. We all have certain trouble areas where fat builds up and doesn't shed, despite our hardest efforts. Coolsculpting is the “hottest” solution in fat freezing technology, since it is the only brand approved by the FDA, the food and drug administration in the United States. Cirumed Clinic in Marbella is the national leader in Coolsculpting technology in Spain, being the only clinic with multiple Coolsculpting machines and a track record of hundreds of successful treatments.

WHAT IS COOLSCULPTING®? Coolsculpting is the only FDA approved technology for removing fat without surgery by cryolypolysis, which means the freezing of fat cells. Developed by renowned scientists of Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital, the FDA-cleared procedure known as CoolSculpting® uses patented cooling technology to eliminate fat cells, without surgery, and little to no downtime. The reduction in fat cells in the treated area provides noticeable, and lasting results to help you look and feel your very best.

WHAT DOES FDA APPROVAL MEAN EXACTLY? FDA stands for Food and Drug Administration and is the regulator for medical devices in the US. To achieve an FDA approval, a medical technology needs to demonstrate, within a radically strict review process, that it is both safe and effective. The FDA approval is what sets Coolsculpting apart from the variety of copycat technologies that have no or very little scientifically proven effect. “The FDA approval has made original Zeltiq Coolsculpting the undisputed market leader in the United States with over 1 million successful treatments already successfully completed by 2012,” says Jeannine Aslani, who is a graduate of the Zeltiq academy in London, where practitioners are trained in the optimal handling of Coolsculpting technology.

HOW DOES COOLSCULPTING® WORK? Fat cells freeze at higher temperatures than the cells of surrounding tissues.

CoolSculpting® technology enables us to precisely target fat cells beneath the skin, and cool them to temperatures that trigger their natural death. Due to the fat cells crystallizing faster than normal cells, there is no damage to skin, nerves or any other surrounding tissue.

Jeannine Aslani from Cirumed Clinic sees patients from all over Spain travelling to Marbella to get Coolsculpting treatment, she answers the most common questions around Coolsculpting for Essential readers: WHAT DOES COOLSCULPTING® FEEL LIKE? As the cooling begins during the first few minutes, you will feel pressure and intense cold. This soon dissipates.

Many people read, watch videos, work on their laptop, or even take a nap during their treatment.

WHEN WILL I SEE COOLSCULPTING® RESULTS? You may start to see changes as quickly as four weeks after your treatment, and will experience the most dramatic results after two months, and your body will continue to flush out fat cells for up to four to six months after the treatment.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I GAIN WEIGHT DOWN THE ROAD? Many people, after seeing the results from their CoolSculpting procedure,are motivated to take even better care of themselves.

However, if you do gain weight, you will most likely gain it evenly all over your body, not just in the treated areas. You will however have fewer fat cells in your treated areas, so most patients see increased tone in the treated areas, even after gaining weight.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS ARE NECESSARY? Many see results after just one treatment, but others may need a few to reach their specific goals. A trained member of our staff will work with you to customize an appropriate plan during your initial consultation, in which treatment areas and the number of sessions will be determined.

WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF THE PROCEDURE? Side effects are minor and rare, and can include temporary discomfort or numbness in the treated areas following the session.

A complete list is covered during the consultation with a member of our staff.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FROZEN FAT CELLS? After the fat cells are targeted and frozen, your body naturally and gradually expels them. They get processed and eliminated on their own over the course of six months. Unlike with diet and exercise, fat cells actually die and are permanently gone from your body with the CoolSculpting procedure. You'll literally freeze them away and be left with a toned, firm body!

Edif. Panorama Planta baja, Local 2 Ctra. de Cadiz, km 184 29603 Marbella 952 775 534 www.cirumed.es

n THE SPA health COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

BEING IN A GOOD MOOD AIDS FLU JAB’S EFFECTIVENESS

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have found that being in a good mood on the day your flue jab is administered can increase its protective effects.

The researchers elicited the effects of negative moods, positive moods, exercise, diet and sleep, measuring the amount of influenza antibodies in the blood at four and 16 weeks post-vaccination. They found that of all these factors, only being in a good mood affected results positively. Considering that the vaccination is more effective in children than in older adults, the results can certainly be helpful for adults who opt to have their yearly vaccination.

USING SUNGLASSES YEARROUND LOWERS RISK OF

EYE DISEASE

If you only pull out your sunnies in the summer months, rethink your strategy! Specialists at the Vithas Xanit International Hospital in Benalmádena recently published research which reveals that wearing sunglasses regularly lowers our chance of developing tumours and eye disease by an impressive 30 per cent! Dr. Ángel Cilveti, Head of Ophthalmological Surgery at the Xanit, notes that “UV radiation, which we receive from the sun or artificial rays within closed spaces, can harm eye tissue, especially the cornea, conjunctiva, lens, retina and, particularly, the macula.” Dr. Cilveti recommends that we purchase sunglasses which block 100 per cent of all UVA and UVB rays, protect the entire eye area, and settle on the temples if possible. Those who use contact lenses with UV protection also need to use sunglasses for total protection. i www.vithas.es

BREATHING POLLUTED AIR MAY HARM KIDNEYS Scientists at Washington University have found that breathing in outdoor air pollution can increase the risk of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure. The study showed that even low levels of pollution can adversely affect kidneys, since airborne and invisible particles of dust, soot, etc. enter the bloodstream and wreak havoc. The study demonstrates just another reason why we should work to save the Planet from degradation.

TOBACCO SMOKE PRODUCES

IRREVERSIBLE DAMAGE IN ARTERIES OF CHILDREN Research shows that one year after giving birth, between 80 and 90 per cent of women who quit for their pregnancy take up smoking once again. Tobacco smoke has negative consequences for the heart and respiratory systems of children, though, and is also a leading cause of many types of cancer.

Pharmaceutical company, Pfizer, recently informed the press of a study published in the journal, Circulation. The study showed that children exposed to smoke have a significantly higher risk of having cardiovascular disease as adults, since it causes irreversible damage to their arterial structure. Although having a baby can be a stressful time, it is vital to find healthier outlets for worry and anxiety, such as sport, yoga, or meditation.

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n THE SPA health

Fest ive V ibes at t he

NAGOMI SPA RESERVA DEL HIGUERÓN RESORT

The Nagomi Spa, an Oriental-inspired haven of relaxation with a stunning circuit pool and thermal area, a plethora of treatment rooms and a massage and facial list that reads like what you would expect to find at a top resort in Bali or the Maldives, is perfect proof that the luxury health and wellness sector extends over more than the Marbella and Estepona area. The Spa is part of the Reserva del Higuerón Resort, which comprises a Doubletree by Hilton Hotel and popular Sports Club with a stunning lagoon-shaped pool, carefully manicured gardens, and top-of-the-range tennis and padel courts.

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF RESERVA DEL HIGUERÓN RESORT

R

eserva del Higuerón Resort, whose parent company also owns various real estate developments in the area, is host to some of the world’s most prestigious sporting competitions, including the Mercedes-Benz and BMW padel competitions, the Spanish Business Padel Cup, and the Madison World Volleyball Championships, played out on top level beach volleyball courts, which involved a big investment and which symbolises the company’s sincere commitment to the sporting sector. The resort additionally hosts events and talks by leading figures from the sporting scene, including Vicente del Bosque, until recently the manager of Spain’s national football squad.

This month, readers have the best excuse ever to visit Nagomi Spa, whose thermal area alone merits various hours of enjoyment.

In addition to the lavish circuit pool, it also boasts a Turkish bath, sauna, and relaxation areas, as well as various treatment rooms – even a couples room for those seeking a romantic experience with their partner. To celebrate the festive season, the Nagomi Spa has five enticing rituals, which you can enjoy alone or in company.

Z THE JAPANESE THERMAL WATERS RITUAL: Energise your body in the thermal waters and enjoy an exclusive ECOA massage, based on Shiatsu (Japanese finger pressure),

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with hot tourmalines that release heat energy. The treatment calms stress, relaxes muscles, balances the body, and activates natural defences.

Z THE PACIFIC GOLD AND PEARLS RITUAL: Change skin with a sublime massage that restores youth and smoothness with ingredients made from exclusive multi-sensory natural extracts. Ideal for those wishing to regenerate skin through the power of pearls and caviar.

Z COFFEE SESSION RITUAL: Coffee has toning, detoxifying properties and this treatment delivers plenty of it, in conjunction with an antioxidant massage and geo-thermal basalt stone therapy. The latter is applied to specific energy points in the body, acting on the nervous system and increasing skin permeability.

Z THE ORCHID AND JEWEL STONES RITUAL: Combines the regenerative properties of the orchid, with the energy-boosting effects of red jasper and rock crystal. Beautifies the face and body.

Z LAND OF FIRE RITUAL: Inspired on the warmth of fire as a means of relaxation. Heat is used to renew, relax, regenerate and invigorate. A pleasant face and body ritual.

In addition to these dedicated holiday rituals, there are a host of packages available, which invite you to avail of the circuit pool, enjoy a massage, or go for gold with time in the spa plus a meal at two of the

Resort’s most popular restaurants: La Higuerita, and Akira Japanese Cuisine.

Gorgeous gift packages are also available, featuring items by renowned French skincare, firm, Guinot, and new brand Masada.

If you can, delight a loved one with the gift of health and wellness; and make an effort to reap the benefits of their numerous antistress therapies as well. The Spa is visually unique, since it boasts a two-storey structure, its crystal walls letting in floods of natural light.

Elegance and majesty abound, and beyond, views of rolling hills and the resort’s lush gardens only add to the sense of serenity.

The Nagomi Spa is firmly committed to hygiene and cleanliness; in an almost unheard of gesture, it closes for one week every year, for cleaning, renovations and updates. New this year, for instance, are additional treatment rooms on the top floor. As ever, guests and members alike can also step into the Spa for something as simple as a manicure/pedicure, or to have their hair done by the talented in-house stylist. The Spa has impressive opening hours: 9am to 11pm.

Also new at the Spa are two recent machines, ready to firm you up and turn back the hands of time. One (the ‘Binabys’ machine) relies on facial diathermy

to rejuvenate cells at a deep level and grant greater luminosity to skin, and the other (the ‘Rolation’) involves the use of roll-on cold therapy and pressotherapy alleviate liquid retention and tiredness.

If you live in the area, you might even consider membership of the sports club; there are many advantages included, one of which includes unlimited use of the Spa thermal area. See the friendly team at the Nagomi Spa and discover which package is ideal for you and your loved ones.

g At Reserva del Higuerón Resort, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 573 964. www.reservadelhigueronresort.com

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HYPERBARIC OXYGEN

An Antidote to Stress and Skin Ageing

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he anxiety and stress (both normal and post-traumatic) to which we are subjected in our daily lives are linked to multiple conditions and diseases, including heart disease, Type II diabetes, and obesity. In order to prevent these pathologies, healthy life habits are recommended, which can include the habitual use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HOT). The latter can help reverse the effects of unhealthy lifestyle habits and stress on our skin, bestowing it with a more youthful and firm appearance.

WHAT IS HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY (HOT)?

The air we inhale normally contains a maximum of 21 per cent oxygen.

HOT, on the other hand, is based on breathing in pure oxygen. Due to the high pressure applied, oxygen penetrates the cells of our entire organism, interfering in biochemical reactions and bestowing therapeutic effects on the entire body. For further information on the effects of receiving oxygen at high pressure and its indications, see www.centrohiperbarico.com

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY GIVES SKIN A YOUTHFUL GLOW The experience of receiving HOT for the first time is summed up

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perfectly by journalist, Angela Bacca: “The moment my body bag deflated and I accepted the fate of having to return to the reality, I knew I wanted to do it again and again, my skin shone visibly and my attitude was lifted, a sensation that I carried with me a couple of days after my two hour treatments.“ The reason why the skin forms wrinkles and loses elasticity is triple: a diet that is high in sugar, lack of exercise and exposure to toxins in the environment. You can apply all the expensive creams in the world, but to stimulate the production of its basic components (such as collagen and elastin), detoxification is necessary, and there are few better ways to achieve it than by giving your skin the gift of pure oxygen.

ADDITIONAL USES OF HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY HOT is highly recommended by natural therapists to help prevent and combat a number of diseases, including cancer and diabetes. It is also used to treat poor circulation, soft tissue infections, digestive and intestinal problems, strokes, arthritis, chronic pain and more.

HOT is very much a ‘treatment for the new millennium’; it can be part of an integrated approach to health and wellbeing whose pillars include healthy dietary regimes, an active lifestyle and recognition of

the vital link between the body and mind.

If stress is a constant cause for concern, it should be attacked from many angles; sleep, nutrition and routine are important, but complementary therapies, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy, will give your mind a welcome boost in the form of pure and clean oxygen. You will feel calmer and more willing to take on the conflicting demands of life. Your skin will also thank you, acquiring a beautiful and natural glow and achieving significant gains in firmness and softness.

WHAT DOES HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY INVOLVE? When you try HOT for the first time, you quickly realise that it is a pleasurable experience. All you have to do is don a comfortable cotton pajama (provided by the Center) and lie down for about 60 minutes in a cosy chamber containing pure oxygen at high pressure. You can watch TV or go to sleep, letting the oxygen work its magic.

g Avda. España 242, Estepona. Tel: 952 806 796. www.centrohiperbarico.com

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the pro

ENTERPRISE LOCAL BUSINESS PROFILES FINANCE/LAW THE VIBE COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

FINCA CORTESIN DEEMED ONE OF TOP 50 HOTELS IN THE WORLD BY CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER UK Finca Cortesin was recently voted one of the world’s top 50 hotels at the UK Conde Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards. The Finca Cortesin is delighted by the results, since over 300,000 travellers from across the globe took part in the votation.

The outstanding installations, service, and food are just a few reasons why the Casares-based resort garnered this merited recognition. i www.fincacortesin.es

KEMPINSKI HOTEL BAHIA ANNOUNCES EXCITING REDESIGN PLANS The Kempinski Hotel Bahia in Estepona is delighted to announce that the redesign of their lobby and culinary venues has commenced, as part of an extensive investment in the hotel. The Management Team and Architects, Akos Bara, have ambitious plans to create modern, elegant and opulent public spaces, embracing the very essence of Kempinski Hotels, Europe’s oldest luxury Hotel Collection, synonymous with luxury travel worldwide.

The redesign will run from December 2017 to March 2018, and for the comfort of guests, the hotel and spa will be closed until February 16, with the works being completed by March, 2018. The reimagined culinary venues will boast in vogue dining concepts and the new lobby will be more elegant than ever. i www.kempinski.com/estepona 100 / JANUARY 2018 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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PUENTE ROMANO TO HOST DAVIS CUP IN 2018 The Spanish Tennis Federation, RFET, has announced that the Puente Romano Hotel’s Tennis Club will host Spain's Davis Cup by BNP Paribas World Group first round tie with Great Britain from February 2 to 4, 2018. The Puente Romano proved successful against fierce competition from Granada to host the famed clash, which is Spain's first Davis Cup tie on home soil since 2013. The February contest will be the first meeting between Spain and Great Britain in Davis Cup by BNP Paribas since 1986, when the British team won 4 - 1 at the same stage of the competition on home soil in Telford. Great Britain has won the last three ties between the two nations – including in 1979 and 1982, and leads the overall head-to-head 8-5. i www.puenteromano.com

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OCEAN CLINIC RECOGNISED WITH CHARITY AWARD Ocean Clinic Marbella was recently recognised for its charity work in Africa, at the 2017 German Medical Awards. The event, hosted in Berlin, aims to honour medical professionals who show “extraordinary commitment to the principles of medical ethics, innovation and supreme quality standards in patient care.” Ocean Clinic was named winner of the Medical Charity Award, following two charitable missions to Lamu, Kenya, where Head Surgeon Doctor Kai Kaye and his team carried out reconstructive surgery. In total across the two trips, 85 adults and children living with disfigurements such as congenital malformations, tumours, hernias, burns and ulcers, were treated. All members of the surgical team from Ocean Clinic gave up their time for free, in addition to paying for their own flights and accommodation. Meanwhile, a fundraising campaign launched by the clinic raised more than €5.000 to purchase essential materials and equipment. i Further information, www.oceanclinic.net

NEW ORTHOPEDIC UNIT AND MORE NEWS FROM QUIRÓNSALUD The Quirónsalud Hospitals in Málaga and Marbella are pleased to announce the launch of a brand new children’s orthopedic unit, which will help promote optimal growth and development in children. Treatments for osteo-articular issues in children are different from those used in adults, making a separate unit necessary. In other news, the Quirón Group also opened a new centre in Málaga, the Centro Médico Quirónsalud Parque Litoral, featuring a host of specialist services. Finally, the famed hospital group is proud to announce that the Quirónsalud Madrid and the Quirónsalud Málaga were each deemed one of Spain’s Top 10 Hospitals by the Monitor de Reputación Sanitaria 2017. i www.quironsalud.es

CASINO ADMIRAL TROPHY PRESENTATION AT THE PUENTE ROMANO LES ROCHES MARBELLA SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH PARAGUAY TOURISM MINISTRY The government of Paraguay recently signed an agreement with renowned hotel management school, Les Roches, with the school agreeing to help promote Paraguay as a tourist destination. Work to be carried out together includes research, the development of new training programmes, and the organisation of activities aimed to boost tourism to the country whose motto is, “Paraguay, I Experienced the Real Thing” (“Paraguay, viví lo auténtico”). i www.lesroches.es

After a six-year hiatus, Marbella has recovered its position as a destination for tournaments of the ATP (Association of Professional Tennis players) with the upcoming Casino Admiral Trophy ATP Challenger, to be disputed from March 24 until March 31, 2018, at the Puente Romano Tennis Club. The media presentation of the event was attended by Manolo Santana (tennis sensation), Ronald Leitgeb (Director of the Casino Admiral Trophy ATP Challenger tournament) and Jorge Manzur (General Director of Puente Romano), to name just a few. i www.admiralcasinotennistrophy.com

NEW SHOWHOUSE FOR LOMA DE CASASOLA IN GUADALMINA BAJA-CASASOLA The stunning Loma de Casasola development in Guadalmina, a residential project of six luxurious villas, now has a brand new showhouse, embellished by Femont Galvan Designers. The villa is located in a secure gated community and is ready for viewing by visitors. i Further information, www.lomadecasasola.com

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ESSENTIALS DEC17.qxp_Maquetación 1 08/11/2017 12:54 Page 1

More than 25 years on the coast

31.000

printed versions

N

The most cost effective gateway to the Scandinavian market Our three monthly Scandinavian magazines are available both in print and online, and we make constant efforts to get the best out of both worlds, to the benefit of our advertisers and readers.

We reach aprox. 75.000 Scandinavians in Southern Spain with at monthly circulation of 31.000 copies.

SUECO en

S PA N I E N F Ö R S V E N S K A R

MAJ 2017

Intervjuer Nyheter Bostad Finans Utflykter Sport Fakta Kultur Profiler Politik Mode Hälsa

At Norrbom Marketing we are always doing our outmost to give our advertisers and readers the best experience. Today, just like we did 25 years ago, when the first magazine came out.

Caroline af Ugglas

Contact us for prices for advertising in one or more magazines, on websites or in newsletter e-mails. www.norrbom.com www.ensueco.com www.ladanesa.com www.norskemagasinet.com

Caroline af Ugglas får det att rocka i Svenska kyrkan Costa del Sol, som förövrigt är en egen församling igen!

LA

Det norske månedsmagasinet på Costa del Sol

DANESA OKTOBER 2017

LA REVISTA DANESA EN ESPAÑA DET DANSKE MAGASIN I SPANIEN

NORSKE Det

MAGASINET

Da en lille idé blev til kystens bedste forretning

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

Det Norske Magasinets journalist treffer naturligvis mange nordmenn til daglig her på Costa del Sol, men sjelden noen som har bodd her sammenhengende og på fulltid i over 30 år.

Han har aldrig været en lille grim ælling – men derimod den lille mand, der startede fra bunden og i dag flyver blandt verdens smukkeste svaner.

Vi har mødt manden, der på rekordtid har skabt Costa del Sols største danskejede arbejdsplads og ufortrødent flyver mod nye horisonter.

Janus

Møt

Pål Christensen

Rægaard Nielsen

– EN UNG NORSK VETERAN I SPANIA NOVEMBER 2017

www.ladanesa.com

The most cost effective gateway to the Scandinavian market.

CENTRO IDEA Ctra. de Mijas Km. 3,6 29650 Mijas Tlf. (+34) 952 58 15 53 norrbom@norrbom.com www.norrbom.com

NORRBOM MARKETING

z THE PRO enterprise

ALOHA COLLEGE FOOTBALLERS SHINE IN PORTUGAL In November, the Aloha College U18 Boys and Girls football teams travelled to compete in the eighth International Schools Algarve (ISA) tournament held in Vilamoura, Portugal. This was Aloha's debut in international football. The finals were dynamic, with both the boys’ and girls’ teams achieving magnificent victories. The girls’ team won the final 2-1 against the International School of Nice, and the boys won 1-0 against local rivals, Sotogrande International School. The coaches, Miss Dry and Mr. Toal, were thrilled with their teams’ performances. The Principal of the College, Mrs Elizabeth Batchelor, said, “I am delighted at the sporting prowess we have demonstrated at this, our first, international tournament and I know that with such exceptional players we will continue to go from strength to strength.

Congratulations!” i www.aloha-college.com

BEETLE MANIA AT THE ROTARY CLUB MARBELLAGUADALMINA

COSTA PRESS CLUB SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH MÁLAGA PRESS ASSOCIATION The Costa Press Club and its Spanish counterpart the Asociación de la Prensa de Málaga y el Colegio de Periodistas en Málaga recently signed a mutual cooperation agreement with a view to working together particularly in the areas of professional training and employment opportunities, and to organising joint activities. The Costa Press Club, the voice of foreign-resident journalism, was represented at the meeting in Málaga by the club's President, Jesper Sander Pederson, and secretary, Joanna Styles, while the agreement was signed for the association representing Spanish media professionals by its President, Rafael Salas, and Vice President, Carlos Pérez Ariza. Expressing his satisfaction with the agreement, Pederson said that in the international environment all media professionals work in, it is particularly important to maintain strong links and exchange information and experience. Rafael Salas emphasised the essential role of the foreign media not only in communicating with foreign residents, but also in informing the image of Spain abroad. i www.costapressclub.com

A fun Beetle Drive World Record Attempt organised by the Rotary Club Marbella-Guadalmina will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the Palacio de Congresos y Ferias de Marbella. The aim is to beat the current world record. In case you were wondering what a Beetle Drive is, it is basically a game in which one draws a beetle in parts, according to the roll of the dice. The winner is the first to complete a full beetle. There are several rounds, with prizes for each first beetle.

Players change places after each one, providing an evening of light-hearted sociable fun for all ages. The current record stands at 252 players. The goal is to have over 400. All proceeds will go towards various charity projects, including the Alzheimer’s Family Association in Marbella. i www.rotaryclub-marbella-g.org

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PRESENTATION OF BOOK, [IN]VISIBLES [in]visibles is the enigmatic title of a book by Charo Moreno, Julia Crespo and Ángela Paloma Martín, celebrating heroism in 35 women. What the protagonists have in common is a need to change the world, and their ability to inspire other women to pursue their dreams. Some of the women celebrated hail from Marbella, including Isabel Luque, Senior Asset Manager of the Fuerte Hotels Group and Director of the Cultural Department of the Fuerte Foundation; Fátima García, beauty expert and owner of Salón de Belleza Fátima in San Pedro de Alcántara; and Soledad Marín, handbag designer and creator of her own brand. i The book can be purchased on

www.ideasenfemenino.com/libro

GIBRALTARIANS SHINE AT DUKE OF EDINBURGH CUP Gibraltar joined a small and illustrious group of countries by providing the winners of the Duke of Edinburgh Golf Cup World Finals, which were held in September. Gibraltar’s qualifying event, facilitated by Med Golf, was held at San Roque Golf Club and won by Mike Cowburn and John Hunter. The latter were subsequently flown to London to enjoy three days of golf, the highlight of which was playing Her Majesty The Queen’s golf course in the grounds of Windsor Castle. The culmination of the World Finals was a black-tie gala dinner held in Windsor Castle during which Mike, who won the Individual competition and John, who won the Pairs completion playing with Mike, were presented with their trophies by the Earl of Wessex. A reception for players and sponsors was held at the Convent, which was also attended by the Governor and Chief Minister. i www.medgolf.gi

WOW ORGANIC HAIR AND BEAUTY AT EL CORTE INGLÉS MARBELLA Wow Organic Hair & Beauty is an eco-friendly, organic hair and beauty salon, located in Marbella, where the health and wellbeing of clients and staff is paramount. The multi-cultural team is headed by Seema, an Indian from Holland and London; Katrina, an Australian from Melbourne; and Ernesto, a Spaniard from Sevilla. Seema and Katrina share a passion for beauty and for sourcing the latest in clean, chemical-free beauty products and treatments for their clients. Ernesto is the sustainability and eco expert. Together, they have assembled a talented, enthusiastic and inspired team of professional stylists and therapists who look forward to welcoming new friends into the Wow Senses family. g At El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 603 303 520. www.woworganicbeauty.com

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HEALTH COMES FROM WITHIN AT

BOOT CAMP

MARBELLA

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN AND COURTESY OF BOOT CAMP MARBELLA

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he word ‘bootcamp’ normally conjures up images of a beefy sergeant-type trainer leading a hapless group through military-style exercises, placing them on a lowcalorie diet and insisting that they lose a certain amount of weight.

This image, however, is far removed from what you can expect from local fitness leaders, Boot Camp Marbella.

The company, founded over seven years ago by Jan Dendauw, has taken on a more integrated approach to fitness, health and wellness. “Stop focusing on the outside,” says Dr. Vanessa García of the Boot Camp Marbella team, “and start working on the inside.” Long-term change, she tells me throughout our interview, can only arise by embracing life-changing habits aimed not only at hopping down the Body Mass Index scale, but also being a healthier person – both physically and mentally.

Vanessa, who is Jan’s partner in business and in life, knows plenty about the differences that the right health choices can make. As someone who, in her 30s, was faced with autoimmune disease, she found that simple changes – such as reducing stress, sleeping well, and shopping for

and preparing the right foods, led to a big change in vitality, and a significant reduction in the need for medication.

“I may not have been dealt the best hand of cards health-wise, but I have seen how the right nutrition, stress reduction and mindfulness eating, have made a huge change in my life.”

The joy Vanessa exudes, her passion for health, the light in her eyes, are the manifestation of health; there can be no doubt that mental wellbeing affects our physical health and viceversa.

At Boot Camp Marbella, clients may be facing many battles, including excess weight, stress, a hectic lifestyle, big professional and personal demands. Many are exhausted by the time their feet first feel the warmth of Marbella’s toasty sands, but as soon as they realise that the focus is not on ‘thinness’ but on the funnest aspects of fitness, their cares melt away.

The team offers an exciting week of training; guests stay at a fourstar hotel and enjoy a plethora of activities, including Pilates, yoga, boxercise, circuit training, beach training, cycling, runs, hikes, and, on Fridays, the largest assault course in Spain. Says Jan, “There is a wide

variety of activities, which we make sure to cater to age, fitness level and personal interests.” Meanwhile, holistic exercises such as yoga tackle chronic stress, boost the mood and energy levels, while tasty, seasonal food provides them with the fuel they need to work out optimally.

Before the action begins, all clients have a nutritional consultation with Vanessa, who also has a clinic in the Camojan business centre. Her English is impressive – a result of her British education as a child and extensive travels in her adulthood.

Her specialisation lies in aesthetic medicine, yet her deepest passion is centered in nutrition and psychology – in which she has a Master’s degree.

“Our clients often have big emotional stressors, which we can identify and help heal from within. I don’t ever give them a ‘diet’; instead, I focus on a healthy eating plan they can sustain when they go back home.” Jan adds, “Boot Camp Marbella is a kickstart to a healthy, fit lifestyle; we provide the motivation but ultimately, every person has to make the effort to exercise regularly, to buy the food they need to stay at a healthy weight, and to reduce stress from their lives.”

‘Stress’... the image that pops up is once again that of a worried executive sitting at their desk, head in hands… in fact it has a myriad of significant effects on everything from inflammation, to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. “Sometimes, when we are tired, we swell up… it is our body’s way of telling us to slow down, to stop working, to be more self-compassionate,” notes Vanessa.

Boot Camp Marbella’s integrated approach to wellbeing arguably takes it into a league of its own. There are no ‘fast’ solutions when it comes to fitness and health, and a bad diet cannot be out-trained. However, a week with Jan, Vanessa and their experienced team will enlighten you on why you may be stuck in a rut when it comes to weight loss or achieving better fitness. Jan hits the nail on the head when he says, “We synthesise all the information you need, but in the end it is all about giving you the power to master your choices and take the responsibility for your fitness, health, and happiness.”

g Tel: 620 126 351. www.bootcamp-marbella.com

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IS YOUR

TAX AND WEALTH MANAGEMENT IN

SHAPE FOR 2018?

The new year is an excellent time to carry out a ‘wealth review’ to make sure your money is working as well as it can for you.

WORDS CHRIS MCCANN, PARTNER, BLEVINS FRANKS

T

o protect your financial security through retirement, and achieve your wishes for your family, you need a strategic tax and wealth management plan. This should cover your savings and investments, tax planning, pensions and estate planning, all working together to preserve your wealth over the long-term and meet your objectives.

You need to consider any global and local developments that may affect your finances. Any changes in your personal circumstances could also warrant a review.

where you diversify across managers and styles Z Currencies The starting point should be to obtain a clear and objective assessment of your appetite for risk, and then structure your portfolio around it to ensure it is suitable for you.

As asset prices rise and fall, your portfolio can shift away from the one designed to match your risk profile and objectives. You should review your investments around once a year to rebalance them if necessary.

SAVINGS AND INVESTMENTS

Make sure your investments and wealth are placed in the most suitable arrangement to limit your tax liabilities.

Take advice from a firm which is wellversed in the nuances of Spanish taxation, otherwise you could see your investment returns slashed by taxes that could have been avoided or mitigated.

Confirm that your tax planning is up-to-date with the latest state and regional developments in Spain and designed to take advantage of Spanish tax planning opportunities.

Another incentive to review your tax affairs is the global automatic exchange of information regime under the Common Reporting Standard which is now in force – the first exchange happened in September

In these days of Brexit and Trump, diversification is more important than ever. It is also always essential to have a long-term strategic asset allocation plan specifically designed around your situation, needs and risk profile.

Diversification gives your investment portfolio the chance to produce positive returns over time without being vulnerable to any single area under-performing. There are various levels you should have: Z Asset allocation – spreading your capital across different asset classes Z Diversification across geographical areas, sectors, company size, etc.

Z Owning equities and bonds issued by a range of companies Z Utilising a multi-manager approach

TAX PLANNING

2017. The Spanish tax authority is receiving information from other jurisdictions on every resident of Spain, without having to ask for it. Crossborder tax planning can be complex, so make sure you are declaring your income and paying tax in the right country.

ESTATE PLANNING Start by establishing your goals: Who would you like to benefit from your estate? Are you happy for them to have control over the money? When should they receive the funds? Then obtain specialist advice to ensure your estate plan is specifically set up to achieve your wishes for your heirs.

Under the EU succession regulation Brussels IV, you can choose whether Spanish or other national succession law applies to your estate. The default position is for Spanish succession law to apply to foreign nationals living here, unless they have a will stating otherwise.

However, Brussels IV does not allow you to opt out of Spanish succession tax, which can be costly in certain circumstances. This tax is due if the asset being inherited or gifted is located in Spain or if the recipient is resident in Spain. Tax is paid by each recipient, with varying rates.

Inheritances between spouses are taxable.

Here in Andalucía, though, following an agreement between two political parties, it seems that from 2018 spouses and descendants will not pay any succession tax on inheritances under €1 million (provided their personal wealth is less than €1 million). This only applies if you and your heirs are eligible for the local (as opposed to state) succession and gift tax rules and assuming that Andalucía finally passes the law with these new rules.

Also, bear in mind that UK inheritance tax may still apply for UK domiciled individuals.

Whether concerning investments, tax or pension planning, seek specialist advice to ensure you do what works best for your personal situation. Use an adviser who can guide you on all these aspects and provide holistic solutions so you can have peace of mind that your financial affairs are in order.

Summarised tax information is based upon our understanding of current laws and practices which may change. Individuals should seek personalised advice.

g Keep up to date on the financial issues that may affect you on the Blevins Franks news page at www.blevinsfranks.com

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Seeing an opportunity everyone else missed.

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Socially responsible investing Sharia compliant Attractive returns 12 - 22% paid quarterly Solid 4 year audited track record Learn how they are taking over the local fresh food supply chain and find out how you can become part of the journey.

Contact us here: hydroponic@essentialmarbellamagazine.com

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z THE PRO vibe

BY NOK HOLDS INVESTMENT SEMINAR

By Nok, an architectural firm with over 30 years of experience, recently held an investment seminar entitled The Best is Yet to Come at Cine Teatro Goya Banús for members of the real estate sector. The event was as informative as it was entertaining, with attendees enjoying the chance to network after the seminar. i www.bynok.es

“Games are won by players who focus on the playing field –

PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN 110 / JANUARY 2018 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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vibe THE PRO z

not by those whose eyes are glued to the scoreboard” ― Warren Buffett

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NEW PREMISES FOR HELICÓPTEROS SANITARIOS

María José Cañete Sánchez and her dedicated team at Helicópteros Sanitarios proudly launched their reformed premises in Puerto Banús. The new hospital boasts dedicated areas for treatment, surgery, and recovery, and is spacious enough to enable its team of over 300 professionals to give heart and soul to providing health and happiness to patients. i www.helicopterossanitarios.com

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” – Muhammad Ali

PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN 112 / JANUARY 2018 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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vibe THE PRO z

ALOHA COLLEGE CHRISTMAS BAZAAR

Parents, children and friends had a memorable day once again at the annual Aloha College Christmas Bazaar, featuring stalls with foods and crafts from a plethora of nations. The fair symbolises Aloha’s international outlook and is always one of the highlights of the school year. The Principal, Mrs Elizabeth Batchelor, said, “I would like to thank the PTA mums for their co-ordination of this event, and all the other parents, children, staff and Board members who supported our annual tradition.” i www.aloha-college.com

“All is calm, all is bright” – Christmas Carol

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z THE PRO vibe

NEW GALLERY FOR ALEJANDRO HERMANN

Talented artist, Alejandro Hermann, welcomed art buffs from across the globe to the opening of his new gallery at the Tembo building on the Golden Mile.

Hermann is famed for his Oriental-inspired paintings and his latest collection, featuring large-scale close-ups of Chinese women, is as true to his passion for the East as ever. i www.alejandrohermann.com

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time” – Thomas Merton

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h THE LEISURE travel

Oslo, Norway The year 2018 will go down in history in Norway, since much fanfare and a packed calendar of activities are being planned to celebrate the King and Queen’s 50th wedding anniversary. Oslo’s iconic Opera House turns 10, meanwhile, thus heralding a season of concerts and performances to be remembered.

The magic of Norway goes beyond historical commemorations; this country actually took pole position in the United Nations’ World Happiness Report, followed by Denmark, Iceland and Switzerland. The main factors measured by the UN were: caring, freedom, generosity, honesty, health, income and good governance. It is often said that Norway maintains its ‘joy factor’ not because of its booming oil industry, but in spite of

it. Here, oil is produced slowly and proceeds are invested in the future, without the mad rush to spend it in the present.

Oslo is a bustling yet safe city with a low crime rate and a useful law called ‘allemannsrett’ (or ‘all men’s rights) – which allows everyone to access all uncultivated land, with no restrictions whatsoever.

Norway is primarily visited for its natural wonders – the fjords, Trolltunga (‘troll’s tongue’: arguably one of the number one photo ops in the world) and kjeragbolten (a boulder between two vertiginous cliffs you can actually stand on), yet Oslo itself is amazingly green and lush, with views to serene hills which rise above the city and numerous verdant areas in which to simply enjoy

a mindful afternoon.

Must-see attractions include the Viking Ship Museum (featuring ninth-century Viking ships), the Vigeland Park (the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist), Frogner Park (a truly impressive park boasting Norway’s biggest collection of roses and a total of 14,000 species of plants), and Akershus Fortress (a medieval castle built to defend Oslo against attackers, as well as a royal residential palace and prison).

To savour the best of Norwegian cuisine, head to Maaemo: a three-Michelin star restaurant serving new interpretations of old classics, under the guiding hand of whiz chef, Esben Holmboe Bang and his talented team, comprising chefs from 18 different countries!

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This UNESCO World Heritage Site, a former silver-mining town, has served as inspiration for the fictional Land of the Dead in Pixar film, Coco. Its visually stunning landscape comprises churches, rainbow-hued houses, and quaint squares, ensconced in a verdant valley, leading countless travel sites to deem it ‘the most beautiful city in Mexico’.

The city is small but wealthy in terms of architectural wonders and cultural offerings. It can best be appreciated by strolling through its narrow streets and walking along the gentle hills that surround it.

Top places to visit include Casa Diego Rivera (the house where the famous artist was born), the Don Quixote Iconographic Museum (featuring a diverse collection of paintings, murals and sculptures paying homage to the Man from La Mancha), and Juarez Theatre (built in the neoclassical/ eclectic style that was all the rage in Mexico at the turn of the 19th century).

Find the perfect gift or traditional food items at the Mercado Hidalgo, with its classical iron structure and cobblestoned streets, and don’t miss out on one of the most visually striking and historically important buildings: the Guanajuato Basilica, initially constructed in 1671 but remodelled to demonstrate the wealth and power of the city’s leading silver Baron after Mexico’s independence from Spain.

Gourmet lovers should head straight to Las Mercedes (hidden in a residential area overlooking the city). This restaurant is famed for its ‘cocina de la abuela’ (‘grandmother’s cooking’), featuring painstaking dishes such as moles, hand-ground in a molcajete (heavy mortar and pestle) and served with a contemporary twist.

Guanajuato, Mexico

Lonely Planet’s

TOP 10

CITIES to Travel to in 2018

Lonely Planet has released its hotly awaited Top 10 Cities list for the year, and incredibly, the number one city is located smack bang in Andalucía! Read on and be inspired to book your ticket, pack your suitcase and fly, catch a train, or drive to one of these happening cities with the love of your life.

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

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San Juan is the ideal spot for busy executives who only have a long weekend to spare. Quaint cobblestoned streets framed by colourful terraced homes with delicate wrought iron Spanish balconies slope down dramatically towards the gleaming sea, with surprises awaiting visitors at every corner.

The Old Town is home to nightclubs, galleries, museums and designer shops (think Louis Vuitton and Gucci), with a plethora of items to impress your friends with back home – everything from art to stunning bespoke fashion.

Then there are the diverse dining opportunities – don’t leave the city without sipping on a piña colada at the very place it was invented: Barrachina restaurant, which has been serving creative Puerto Rican cuisine to locals and tourists for over 40 years. This establishment is known as the ‘King of paella’, for it was founded by Spanish bartender, Don Ramon Portas Mingot in 1963. Today, it is as famed for tradition and innovation; listen to romantic Latin music while dining on fried plantains stuffed with seafood, a buttery lobster tail or fresh mahi mahi (gilthead) fish with shrimp in coconut sauce.

Another must-try dish in San Juan is mofongo – comprising fried and mashed plantains – served at Casa Lola in Condado and Café El Punto (a quaint but cosy gem in the city centre).

Finally, enjoy a tour to be remembered at Casa Bacardi: discover all the secrets of the famous rum company that is now a staple of some of the world’s top-selling cocktails.

8 San Juan, Puerto Rico

Did you know that after Petra in Jordan, Matera is the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in history? The extensive renovations carried out on this 9,000-year-old cave city in the south of Italy have certainly borne their fruit. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Matera is vying to be declared European Capital of Culture in 2019, and it has all the elements required: over 150 frescoed churches and monasteries, labyrinths of tunnels and cave dwellings, and a plethora of new hotels and restaurants just waiting to welcome curious tourists.

Looking at Matera today, it is hard to believe that it was once touted la vergogna nazionale (‘the national shame’). The movement of Basilicata’s capital to Potenza in 1806 led to economic troubles for the caved city, with disease running unchecked and the city left in ruins.

To discover more about the history of Matera, visit Casa Noha: a 25-minute multimedia exhibit located in a stunning 16th-century family home donated to Italy’s cultural fund.

It relates the shocking, painful story of the town, and should be visited before beginning your walking tour.

Contrasts abound in this stunning city; cathedrals and palazzo by renowned masters were built on high ground, while the caves and rocks were left to the populace below. At Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, you will find a reconstruction of early cave living, while ancient churches and crypts are decorated with stunning frescoes depicting religious life.

The Cripta del Peccato Originale (Crypt of the Original Sin) is considered Matera’s own ‘Sistine Chapel’ – thankfully, you won’t have to queue up four hours to see it, as you have to do in Rome. Another must-see is the enormous underground cistern ensconced beneath the central Piazza Vittorio Veneto – second in size only to the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul.

By night, enjoy a rock concert within a cave at Area 8, after dining at famed restaurant Il Cantuccio – just off the main city square, serving delicious antipasti dishes, including ricotta-stuffed figs, baked smoked chilli and potato cakes with smoked veal and peppers.

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6 Antwerp, Belgium Known as Flanders’ unofficial capital, Antwerp is currently rearing up for a cultural event to be remembered: Antwerp Baroque 2018 – featuring concerts, street art, multimedia shows and parades – all in remembrance of the city’s most famous resident, Peter Paul Rubens!

Antwerp is an ideal choice for those with a penchant for modern architecture. Feast your eyes on dreamlike creations such as the Palace of Justice, with its sharkfin-shaped spiked roof, designed by the Centre Pompidou’s Richard Rogers; or Port House

by Zaha Hadid, in which a gleaming, mirrored, boatlike construction seems to tip over an old fire station which in turn is a protected replica of a former Hanseatic house.

Antwerp may be a bastion of modernity, yet parts of its centre still boast an historic charm; take Cogels-Osylei – an elegant residential street boasting mansions dressed in art nouveau, Greek revival and neoclassical styles.

Then there is the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady (a

stunning exponent of Brabantine Gothic architecture) and the medieval fortress of Het Steen (the oldest building in Antwerp, built in the early middle ages to stave off the Vikings).

The Grote Markt, the Old Town’s main square, is magnificent for strolling, its pedestrian space guarded by the Fountain of Brabo – the latter was a Roman soldier famed for slaying giants.

Presiding over the Grote Markt is the Renaissancestyled Stadhuis (City Hall), completed in 1565 and bearing a blend of Flemish and Italian styles. Nearby, you will find the Vlaeykensgang, a small alley that was the home of cobblers and shoemakers in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Antwerp is also famed for its music scene (festivals are big here) and its gastronomic offerings.

Enjoy a fine meal at The Jane – located in the chapel of a former military hospital and featuring an impressive chandelier with 150 pointes of light, modern stained glass windows, and a trendy upstairs bar serving Belgian beers and cocktails.

Taiwan’s second largest city is a surreal blend of modern art, brightly lit night markets and stunning natural scenery. It is famed as much for its serene religious architecture as for its buzzing gastronomic scene. Popular tourist sites include Lotus Pond, comprising over a dozen temples, pavilions and pagodas, including The Dragon and Tiger: two identical seven-storey constructions guarded by giant statues of these ‘ferocious’ animals.

Formosa Boulevard Station in Kaohsiung is considered one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world. Standing three storeys high, it was designed by Takamatsu Shin, a talented Japanese architect who has given life to some of Japan’s most futuristic buildings – including the iconic Moon Tower in Osaka, beautiful and strange enough to fit right into expressionist film, Metropolis (Fritz Lang, 1927). The Formosa Boulevard Station contains a 2,180m2 Dome of Light (the larges of its kind in the world), bearing stunning primary colours, created by American-Italian maestro, Narcissus Quagliata.

Artistry abounds in every corner, especially at Pier-2, located near Kaohsiung’s famous harbour – filled with metal sculptures and a sizeable pillar whose lighting is synchronised with human heartbeats.

One of the city’s most iconic art pieces was a temporary Inflatable Rubber Duck installation by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman – smiling and lemony in hue, it brought over three million visitors to the city.

The food is to-die-for at the newly renovated waterfront, where traditional and European-style cuisine can be enjoyed. Tuck into Chicago deep pan pizza and sticky ribs at The Bayou or delectable Taiwanese cuisine at Gang Yuan Beef Noodles, and end the night on a sweet note with sinfully sweet shaved ice at Gao Xiong Po Po.

5Kaohsiung, Taiwan

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4Hamburg, Germany The Economist Intelligence Unit recently ranked this city one of the most ‘liveable’ in the world, and it is easy to see why. It boasts a rich maritime history and is currently one of the busiest ports in Europe, making it a top destination for cruises from all over the world.

It is also home to a museum mile comprising five major galleries – including the Kunsthalle museum, which is spread out over three different buildings.

For modern art, head to the Deichtorhallen; to discover more about the city’s history as a trading centre, a visit to the Maritime Museum is a must; to learn about the importance of the local spice trade, check out the wares at Spicy’s Spice Museum.

Hamburg is a forward-looking city as far as environmentalism is concerned, with a plethora of parks, numerous bike lanes and a stunning

botanic garden, located in Planten und Blomen Park (smack bang in the city centre and also home to the biggest Japanese garden in Europe).

Since the city sits along the River Elbe, it is a hub of exciting water activities, including sailing, swimming and boating.

After a fun day out on the lakes, party the night away at St. Pauli (a revered university student area) or Schanzenviertel (for a more chilled evening out). Classical and musical concerts also offer visitors a great night out, with Laeiszhalle hosting magnificent performances by the Philharmonisches Staatsorchester Hamburg.

Sightseeing is a major activity for tourists in Hamburg. Take a two-hour walking tour through St. Pauli (one of the city’s most vibrant areas, which houses the Reeperbahn – the famous red light district where the Beatles

got their first big break). Churches abound, including St Nicholas and St. Michaels; walk up to the top of the latter for one of the most stunning views of the city.

If you have kids, a visit to Miniatur Wunderland is a must! Featuring tiny houses, railway lines, boats, representations of natural wonders and over 250,000 figurines.

Hamburg is home to some pretty cool cocktail bars – including The Chug Club and Walrus, both located in the back streets of St. Pauli. For beer, it’s got to be in-house brewer, Ratsherrn, which boasts an array of tap beer varieties and a list of over 60 craft beers from all over the world.

After your aperitif, savour the very best of the local culinary scene at establishments like Saskia Brachmann’s Galeron restaurant – serving famous southern German delights such as deer ragout.

Around a decade ago, anyone visiting Australia would probably head to Sydney or Melbourne, fascinated by iconic landmarks such as the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Today, however, savvy travellers are heading to Canberra – a 100-year-old city that is as famed for its cool microbrewery scene as for its collection of museums (including the Australian War Museum, the National Capital Exhibition, and of course, the National Gallery of Australia).

Canberra plays host to some of Australia’s coolest national events – including the National Folk Festival, the Floriade flower fest, and the Canberra Balloon Festival (a hot air balloon event that gives visitors the chance to experience the magic of flight).

One innovative area is NewActon: a purpose-built cultural zone whose heart is the much-loved ‘pineapple building’, winner of the International Project of the Year prize at the 2015 Building Awards in London. Visit Nishi Gallery – a modern venue exhibition of local, national and international visual art; or take part in the wealth of programmed events, including yoga, meditation, film festivals, and more.

Hotels are artier than normal here – take Hotel Hotel, touted as “a collaboration between designers, artists, artisans and fantasists.” Designed by architectural firm Fender Katsalidis, the Hotel’s gracefully curved floors house offices, apartments, a cinema, art gallery, artisan bakery, hip boutique, elegant bar… oh, and the room key (made from sustainable maple wood) is biodegradable. Additionally, interiors are decorated in cork, concrete and lowlevel lighting – blending a penchant for modernity with retro Australian flair.

For a romantic meal, we suggest The Boat House – featuring gourmet dining overlooking the serene Lake Burley Griffin.

3Canberra, Australia

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2Detroit, Michigan Spain’s fourth largest city has earned many laurels in recent years, hosting the European Film Awards, providing stunning locations for Game of Thrones, and recently announcing 2018 as Año Murillo (the year of Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, one of the most renowned baroque painters from the School of Seville). The city has already lined up a series of exhibitions, itineraries, concerts, audiovisual programmes and talks, to highlight the importance of this artist and to provide discerning travellers with the perfect excuse to visit a city as famed for its architectural beauty as for its solemn Semana Santa.

Seville is small enough to be seen in less than a week, yet infinitely great in terms of its cultural offerings. The city seduces with its colossal Gothic cathedral (the largest in this style in the world), cobblestoned streets, baroque churches and serpentine medieval lanes, which recall the city’s past as an important Moorish

capital and later, as an important centre of trade in the 16th century.

The Real Alcazar is a UNESCOlisted site boasting a unique blend of Christian and Mudéjar architecture.

Renovated and changed in style numerous times over the centuries, it is famed for its beautiful Patio de las Doncellas (Patio of the Maidens), with graceful arches, colourful tiling, and carefully crafted plasterwork.

The Palace houses a plethora of patios, archways, tapestries and gardens, which should be viewed slowly and leisurely, to capture the many tiny details. Meanwhile, the Cathedral and its mighty bell tower (the Giralda) have been the subject of countless poems and songs by Andalusian artists and musicians.

The Parque María Luisa, a verdant oasis of tranquility, is the perfect setting for a romantic escape, its duck ponds, shady paths and stunning foliage providing a stark contrast to the buzzing ambience of the city centre.

Then there is the stunning Plaza de España, one of Spain’s most beautiful squares, boasting fountains, mini canals and Venetianstyle bridges, so stunning it featured prominently in Star Wars Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002).

For a modern contrast, visit the Metropol Parasol – known locally as ‘las setas’ (‘the mushrooms’), designed as a giant sunshade by German master architect, Jürgen Mayer-Hermann and said to be the world’s largest wooden structure.

All that sightseeing will make you hungry, so fuel up at restaurants like conTenedor (serving classic Andalusian dishes), Manu Jara Dulcería (famed for its delicate sweets) or Vinería San Telmo (for tantalising tapas and the very best wines). For elegant dining it’s got to be Abantal – Seville’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, serving international delights with an Andalusian twist, overlooking the scenic Torre del Oro.

1Sevilla, Spain

Think of cool cities in America, and New York, San Francisco or Chicago probably pop up in your head. However, if you are up for something different, book a ticket straight to Detroit, a city best known for being the birthplace of Motown music, the historic heart of the American automobile manufacturing industry, and the ‘Potato Chip Capital’ of the US (Detroiters consume over 3kg of crisps per year – almost double the amount devoured in the rest of the country).

The city has a buzzing cultural ambience, much of which surrounds its theatre district – second in size only to New York.

Lonely Planet included Detroit in its top of tops, because it is “America’s most ambitious renovation project.” Not content to ride on the back of its hugely successful annual motor show, it has worked hard to raise its appeal to first-class tourists, with historic buildings housing some of the city’s top hotels – including Aloft (in the David Whitney Building), the Book Cadillac, and the brand new Foundation Hotel. Three more hotels are set to open in 2018: Shinola, Element Detroit, and the Siren.

Big renovations are also currently underway at The Packard Plant – an historic space that will soon be housing office space, lofts, artist studios, a spacious music venue, and more; currently, the largest reformation project being carried out in North America.

Another reason to visit Detroit is its exciting gastronomic scene, which comprises gourmet and health-centred options alike. One of the hottest restaurants is Detroit Vegan Soul – serving dishes such as cornmeal battered ‘catfish’ tofu sandwiches, black-eyed pea hummus, and southern fried tofu bites. Then there is Takoi – an über trendy establishment in Corktown using futuristic materials such as polycarbonate plastic over lights, which lend interiors an otherworldly vibe. Try the Thai tea push pops or fried chicken with curry for a soul-soothing experience.

For Caribbean food, meanwhile, head to River Bistro Detroit, serving classic dishes such as rock shrimp fritters, coconut curry shrimp scampi, or honey-spiced chicken wings.

Detroit offers plenty of opportunity for those into sightseeing: visit the Renaissance Center to shop ‘til you drop, the Detroit Institute of Arts to view priceless works from all the world, or Campus Martius Park – a beautiful blend of natural scenery and a buzzing bistro scene.

A must for all jazz lovers is the Philip A. Hart Plaza, home to the Detroit International Festival, which takes place every Labour Day and has featured artists the calibre of Dave Brubeck, Mulgrew Miller, and The Manhattan Transfer. e

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h THE LEISURE hotel

Experience W inter at it s Grandest, at

EL LODGE

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF EL LODGE

T

he stunning El Lodge Hotel, ensconced on the powdery slopes of the Sierra Nevada resort, is as famed for being the only hotel with ski-in/ski-out privileges, as it is for its outstanding features: Nordic interiors designed by Andrew Martin, an outdoor heated pool, Jacuzzi and sauna, and a beautiful sundeck, with the only restaurant in Pradollano offering direct access to the slopes. El Lodge has gone from strength to strength over the years, and the 2017/2018 season promises to be better than ever, with a host of new experiences, dreamed up to make the most of the majestic mountainside surrounds.

EXPERIENCES IN THE SNOW FAREWELL TO THE SUN: A sunset in Sierra Nevada is a sight to behold, as the warm orange and red hues of the sun fall over snowy white peaks.

From 10,000 feet high, the sight is as romantic as it is inspiring. The El Lodge team will take you, along with your family and friends, up in a 590hp Snowcat, climbing up the steepest inclines until you catch the perfect view of the sun dipping into

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the horizon. A toast with Champagne is the best way to salute Nature and her splendour!

DRIVE A SNOWCAT: Take control of a powerful Snowcat late at night and discover how the slopes are kept in perfect condition every day!

DOG SLED ROUTES: If you thought you had to travel to Lapland for this amazing adventure, think again!

Powerful huskies will take you along paths and forest tracks and an instructor will be on hand to guide you during the adventure.

A WALK THROUGH THE STARS The low population density and absence of light pollution in Sierra Nevada ensure an inimitable stargazing experience in which you can view planets, stars, and other ethereal elements with total clarity.

The El Lodge team will bring the telescopes and scientists; all you need to bring is your curiosity and a peaceful mindset!

EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN KIDS WILL HAVE THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES AT MIRLO BLANCO: an amusement park featuring a

rollercoaster, magic carpet, sleds, and bouncy castles, from the lofty height of 7,000 feet! No skis are necessary so even beginners can have the time of their lives here.

RUSSIAN SLED: This super rollercoaster features an 830-foot ascent and 1,800-foot descent.

Featuring exciting curves, bumps, and lines. Speed is controlled at all times and reaches a maximum of less than 40kph.

SNOW SLEDS: A family activity for non-skiers that enables you to make the most of the slopes.

SNOWBIKES FOR CHILDREN: Dedicated snowbikes for kids inside a closed, 70-metre circuit. A safe yet fun activity for kids aged five and above.

SCIENCE PARK: Granada is home to an impressive interactive museum measuring over 70,000m2. Featuring a planetarium, butterfly park, viewing tower, and more.

ACTIVITIES IN SIERRA NEVADA AND SURROUNDING AREAS There are so many ways to enjoy the culture, gastronomy, and natural landscapes of the area surrounding El Lodge. Just a few of the many

activities you can opt for include hot air balloon rides over Granada, helicopter rides over La Alhambra or Granada and the Tropical Coast, tapas and flamenco at the Sacromonte and Albaicín (the older areas of Granada featuring ancient cave dwellings), a cultural visit to the Alpujarras (comprising quaint mountainside villages), a visit to seaside area Almuñecar, cycling, or golf.

El Lodge can also organise your transfer to the airports of Granada and Málaga, aboard a modern Mercedes-Benz vehicle, with WiFi and all creature comforts. From the time you land in Spain to your departure, all your senses will be spoiled – above all by the serene, snow-capped mountains that promise a day full of adventure and nights of entertainment and relaxation.

If you are visiting or live in Marbella and would like to make the most of El Lodge as well as the Marbella Club Hotel, you may wish to avail of the Pool-to-Piste package, where you can combine a weekend on the slopes with sunbathing on the Med!

g C/ Maribel 8, Sierra Nevada, Granada. Tel: 958 480 600. www.ellodge.com 14/12/2017 12:40

El Lodge Ski & Spa C/ Maribel, 8 - 18196, Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain T (+34) 958 480 600 ellodge.com / reservas@ellodge.com

b the gourmet RESTAURANTS REVIEWS NEWS GASTRONOMY CHEFS WINE

127 Gioia

128 Food News

130 Tulio Zampieri of Tanino

132 Healthier Wine Consumption

ENJOY AN AMAZING VEGAN MEAL AT GIOIA, FIND OUT THE LATEST NEWS ON THE FOOD SCENE, AND MEET THE TALENTED CHEF WHO HEADS THE KITCHENS AT RENOWNED MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO, TANINO.

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AT THE PLAZA VILLAGE IN THE HOTEL PUENTE ROMANO

Puente Romano Hotel, Blv. Principe Alfonso Von Hohenlohe, Marbella. www.thaigallerymarbella.com

Tel: 952 818 392

TAI PAN chinese cuisine polynesian bar

Serving Marbella in a Select Atmosphere for Decades.

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

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

SUKHOTHAI Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine

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

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Tel (+34) 952 778 686 reservas@nobumarbella.com

Nobu Marbella / Puente Romano nobumarbella.com

restaurants THE GOURMET b

GIOIA PLANT-BASED CUISINE When Healthy is Delicious

If you’re looking for beautifully prepared and presented food that is also healthy, organic and will leave you feeling great, Gioia is the place. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

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ioia is indeed a jewel, and it’s the kind of place that, once found, you keep coming back to. The reason for this is that while there are many good eateries across Marbella, Gioia is pretty unique. Restaurants serving vegetarian options and basing their kitchen upon organic produce are not that rare anymore, yet owners Carlo and Trisha Zanasi and his team really do take the Slow Movement to the next level with food that is not only made from organic ingredients, and not just vegetarian, but entirely plantbased.

It wouldn’t be unreasonable to assume that such a purist philosophy will produce healthy dishes, but ones so limited by self-imposed challenges that they couldn’t possibly compete with conventional fine cuisine in terms of taste, texture and presentation.

Fortunately, the opposite is true. The chef from Modena in Italy cooked the conventional way for most of his career, attaining a very high level of expertise before discovering natural cuisine at a course in Sweden. “I was already a vegetarian at the time,” says Carlo, “but the harmony of this method

fitted so well with my life philosophy that I have been working this way ever since.”

The philosophy in question relates to nurturing one’s health, a sense of ethics and looking after the planet, and plant-based, natural cooking accomplishes all three in one. “We show that you can replace meat and even other animal products such as cheese with organically grown plant alternatives without having to compromise on taste, presentation or indeed the fine dining experience in general.” The chef who has worked in Italy, Sweden and Ibiza has now brought this delicious philosophy of cooking – and being – to Marbella.

CHARMING RETRO-CHIC BISTRO

Opened on the Golden Mile last year, Gioia has the look and feel of a charming bistro café with an easygoing touch of chic. You can drop in for a range of exotic, energyboosting fruit drinks, eco-friendly coffees and herbal teas, delicious homemade cakes made from healthy ingredients, or opt for some savoury

snacks accompanied by a glass of Spanish, Italian or French organic wine. The latter are biodynamic, with no filtering, clarifying or additives, which means that the likelihood of adverse effects is greatly reduced.

Most of the time, you won’t even notice it, but all the dishes available here are made from natural plant ingredients and are either ‘raw’ or heated.

Keen to try both, we sampled the mock sushi, with wasabi, homemade pickled ginger and tamari. As attractively presented as in any fine restaurant, it is almost indistinguishable from the original fish version and adds a fresh, creative twist to a once exotic dish that we have come to know so well. I chose a glass of organic red wine – a Tempranillo by Bodegas Paráma Arroyo – and have to say it measures up to conventional wines with ease. I hope organic wines are a growing trend and I think the fresh feeling the morning afterwards is a great bonus.

The menu, which also includes daily specials, is made up of Italian classics such as pasta, risotto and also bean burgers or stuffed aubergines. The growing number of people who suffer

g www.gioiaplantbasedcuisine.com Calle Valazquez 1, Marbella (next to Hotel Guadalpin) Tel: 630 441 834

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from dietary incompatibilities should take note that restaurants of this kind exist, as it is the concentration of preservatives in everyday food that is the main cause of the reactions that make it impossible for many to enjoy what used to be regular staples. Gioia offers natural food that is delicious and does so in a welcoming ambience.

You can have a full meal or share tapas, as we did, and in this way we sampled excellent creations such as (lactose-free) baked black rice risotto with portobello mushrooms and asparagus sauce, baked aubergine rolls with a (vegan) Mediterranean paté and arugula pesto, and raw ravioli with Brazil nut and cashew ricotta, with a black garlic sauce.

Flavoursome, light and healthy, it allows you to indulge in one of the wonderful desserts, which include homemade, gluten-free Brownies, pecan pie, a gorgeous chocolate coconut ‘Bounty’ truffle and almond butter sea salt caramel truffle. Topped off with an eco-friendly Macchiato with a choice of lactose-free milks, in my case almond milk, it’s a great way to enjoy fine food and be healthy and ethical at the same time.

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b THE GOURMET news

COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

Vast Majority of People in Málaga DON’T HAVE A

GOOD BREAKFAST

The LIDL press department recently informed us that approximately 82 per cent of Malagueños don’t have a good breakfast; of those affected, one out of four are youths aged 18 to 24. LIDL is currently on a campaign to change all that, visiting different sites in the province to educate people about the importance of a sound breakfast. Some of the biggest faux pas we commit involve failing to include fruit in our breakfast, rushing through our first meal of the day, and eating alone. The recommended breakfast includes one serving of bread or cereals, fruit and dairy. LIDL is firmly committed to improving our health; next year, it promises to reduce the quantity of sugar in home brand beverages by 33 per cent, which is good news for our waistline and long-term health. i www.lidl.es

NEW MENU AT CIBO

ITALIANO Cibo Italiano on the Golden Mile has a brand new menu, featuring fresh local options and heartwarming dishes which are familiar to Italian food lovers. Created by star Chef, Lawrence Otterburn, the menu incorporates authentic Italian products including Buffalo mozzarella and imported cheeses, specialty flours, and Italian beer yeast for unique stone-baked oval-shaped pizzas that make it crispy all the way through. The concept combines modern Italian cooking such as roast pumpkin ravioli, pancetta and goats cheese fig crostini and breaded oyster mushrooms, with classics such as traditional antipasti with freshly sliced meats, and carbonara and bolognese pasta sauces.

The scampi and grilled chicken risotto is oven-baked, which gives a new texture to risotto served steaming hot, dispensing the smell of Italy as it arrives at your table. i Further information, www.metrogrupo.com ©Xavier Vidal Sergio and Javier Torres, whose Dos Cielos restaurant in Barcelona boasts two Michelin stars, have published a new book which is selling like hotcakes: Torres en la cocina, which compiles the best recipes presented on their TV show of the same name. The book abounds with classic recipes, as well as exciting takes on traditional foods. Duck cannelloni, prawn and cuttlefish ‘meatballs’ and burned peach crème are just a few dishes you can impress your family and friends with, so don’t hesitate to purchase a copy of this excellent book.

SABOR A MÁLAGA

a Big Success

TORRES BROTHERS Triumph with New Book

The highlight of the culinary year for renowned chefs and sommeliers from across the province of Málaga is the Gran Feria Sabor a Málaga, which recently took place at the Paseo de Parque. The event featured tastings, workshops, and talks by the biggest movers and shakers on the coast, with some of the most interesting of these including Fusion Cuisine with a Taste of Málaga; Natural Cosmetics with Essences and Aromas from Málaga; and Traditional Malagueño Sweets. i www.saboramalaga.es

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b THE GOURMET profile

Mediterranean Bistro Dining with TULIO ZAMPIERI

OF TANINO WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

A

rgentinean chef, Tulio Zampieri, of popular Benamara restaurant Tanino, knows that the key to a restaurant’s success, is specialisation. His knowledge is certainly vast enough to cook an eclectic range of dishes from all over the world. He studied cuisine at the prestigious Argentinean Institute of Gastronomy in Buenos Aires, and honed his craft at the Sheraton Bal Harbour Beach Resort in America, where seasoned German and Swiss chefs taught him many invaluable skills.

His love affair with Spain would see him take up a post at El Bulli’s Hacienda Benazuza, where he became fully immersed in nouvelle cuisine at the Hotel’s two-Michelinstarred restaurant, La Alquería. Tulio would also travel the world – working in restaurants in Mexico, Fiji and Barcelona. After this, he would man two of Marbella’s most successful French/international restaurants in Marbella’s Old Town (the Casanis group of restaurants), then head to Mexico for three years alongside his Mexican wife. There, he scored a job at luxury hotel Esperanza (An Auberge Resort in Cabo San Lucas), a white-sand, private beach oasis boasting a highly exclusive client list.

Here in Marbella, Tulio has been acquiring new skills alongside talented teams, including that of

Michelin-starred bastion, Skina, in Marbella’s Old Town. While working with Casanis, Tulio also completed various ‘stages’ (two of which were at L’Ami Jean Bistrot in Paris) to bring new ideas to the restaurant.

He is living testimony of the fact that in the culinary industry, movement is life; travel, aromas, spices, noises, colours, people… these are the crucial elements on the artistic palette of any chef who wishes to paint a truly international picture of the world through his food.

Travel enables a chef to specialise in one area, yet add touches of magic picked up from a Michelin-starred restaurant in Barcelona, or a food truck in Mexico; discovery is endless and is sometimes made in the most unexpected of places.

Tanino, famed for its artistic décor characterised by juxtaposed elements that work seamlessly to create a young, chic vibe, is as much an international restaurant as it is a specialised one. It has an authentic Indian menu, whipped up by two chefs from Pakistan, while Tulio and his team offer modern bistro dining with Mediterranean flair, where local, seasonal ingredients play a starring role.

Recently, Tulio tested out Tanino’s new menu on renowned critics and foodies, one of which is Mr. Espeto himself – Carlos Mateo – whose

opinion is highly valued by local chefs because of his independence and honesty. Mateo was delighted by dishes such as fried egg cooked in a brioche, and served with a mushroom tartufata, Iberian ham, and steaming hot chips.

Then, there is a dish the stuff Sponge Bob’s dreams are made of: the ‘cangreburger’ (crab ‘burger’), more sophisticated than the cartoon variety by a mile, comprising soft shell crab tempura housed within freshly baked, jet black hamburger bread (truly as delicious as it is beautiful – I can vouch for this one).

Latin touches abound here and there – thus, the super juicy gambones (juicy King prawns) are served with a salsa tomatillo (a sauce made with a green Colombian tomato that hails from the same family as the physalis fruit).

Tulio has been at Tanino for two months and positive praise is already pouring in. Most foodies and critics in the south of Spain have

come to expect the very best from the Chef, and the results surpass these expectations. “I always seek to motivate myself, to find new challenges and set new goals,” he says, and the Tanino team is dreaming big alongside him.

In March 2018, Tanino will be opening a second restaurant at the famed Bulevar de San Pedro, where there is a demand for gourmet dining by the scenic bridge at night.

“San Pedro is a lively area and many residents are interested in enjoying a beautiful meal without having to take the car.” Fast becoming one of Marbella’s hottest gastronomic spots, San Pedro is a logical stop for a chef who has all it takes to soothe your heart and soul with food that is simply fantastic.

g Tanino opens daily for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 168, Urb. Benamara, Estepona. Tel: 952 883 259. www.tanino.es

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SAVE MONEY. SAVE TIME An online restaurant reservation system that streamlines your bookings, reaches more diners and saves you money

www.le-maitred.com • tel. +34 648 723 632 221 Daniel Dewald.indd 1

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b THE GOURMET wine

S

ome seventy years before Benjamin Franklin used a similar quote, the much lesser known playwright, Christopher Bullock, had written in the Cobbler of Preston: “Tis impossible to be sure of anything but death and taxes.”

To this we can add a third certainty, namely that come the New Year most publications will carry a health-orientated issue for the month of January where we will be exhorted to ever greater degrees of diet, abstinence, fi tness and self-loathing. Numerous members of the Wine Trade will give up (or at least try to) alcohol during January. Quite why this act of masochism takes place during a month with 31 days is beyond me, when a little bit of patience will see one into February and only 28 days to cope with self-denial.

A diet that has become popular and one that even I have embraced from time to time is the 5:2. In this one eats around 500 calories (for women) and 600 calories (for men) on two days of the week. The rest of the time can be enjoyed with no limitations. Apart from the benefits to one’s system by fasting, it can

also incorporate abstinence on the two days where calorie watching is vital. If you manage to give up drink for two (these are not consecutive) days a week for most of the year, you will find that you have in fact abstained for three months! This strikes me as not just possible but eminently sensible. It does however deprive one of the ‘big statement of intent’ with which to impress (or bore) friends. Breaking out of a cycle which involves daily drinking is laudable, the smug sanctimony of the hair-shirt contingent less so.

Second only to fat with nine, alcohol carries the most calories per gram /ml with seven, so if you can hear the scales groan when you stand on them, cutting back on alcohol might have multiple benefits. The calories in alcohol are described as ‘empty’, which means that they contribute nothing in terms of energy. However, the body metabolises these ahead of fat so drinking while dieting might help with the boredom but adds to the problem. As I wrote earlier though, a few days off on a regular basis might make this tolerable. Much is made of the Mediterranean diet whereby olive

oil is a mainstay although it contains more calories than wine: perhaps using a little less on salads and in the pan will also help to shed that weight gently. Those who know me will raise an eyebrow at the thought of me contributing an article on health as this is akin to Mariano Rajoy extolling the virtues of Catalan independence.

However, having embarked on weight loss at different times, there is no doubt that alcohol, or rather less of it, helps the cause! A stronger will would help too.

If we decide that we are not going to be pious for the whole of January, what should one drink?

There is not a large difference between the calorific values of white, red and sparkling as they weigh in at 116, 148 and 133 cal/175ml glass respectively. However, this is a simplistic view as higher levels of alcohol and sweetness within the drink will increase the calories. Some 50 ml of Gin at 45 per cent means 123 calories and that’s before the tonic goes in. Choose a wine that needs time to develop or goes with food, rather than a lighter one for necking. Irrespective of the choice of poison (and alcohol is described as

such) other factors help to keep us in its (a non-drinker would insert the word pernicious here) grip, namely the availability of screw-cap bottles for quick, easy opening and no need to carry around a corkscrew. There’s also the after-work culture where alcohol appears obligatory.

How to break the habit? If in a company, it’s easiest to excuse oneself than watching the others drink while you joylessly clutch your water glass; if at home, look at changing a routine and become diverted by preparing a meal, doing a crossword or whatever. Find non-alcoholic drinks that you can enjoy during different parts of the day; a little thought enlivens water with lemon and orange zest. I enjoy better health than I probably deserve to, although as a non-smoker I kid myself that gives me more licence to drink. I can well understand the recovering alcoholic’s mantra of: ‘one day at a time’ and I must admit to satisfaction when a day passes on a regime of tea and sparkling water.

Everything in moderation so they say to which I would add abstinence: try a day or two each week of separation rather than the big divorce. e

WORDS PHILIP ‘BOMBER’ HARRIS

HOW TO SURVIVE

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. . THE GUIDE listings

the guide

PRICE GUIDE per head for a three-course meal with wine

*restaurants american

HARD ROCK CAFÉ

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

C/ Ramón Areces, esq. Marina Banús, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 908 024

under €25

€25 – €40

from 11am for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Centro Plaza, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 861

argentinean BUENOS AIRES SOUTH

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

JACKS

EL BANCO

Open seven days a week from noon till late. Puerto Marina, Benalmádena.

Tel: 952 563 673

Open Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to midnight. Urb. Aloha Pueblo, Local 35, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 907 570

JACKS SMOKEHOUSE

GAUCHOS

Open seven days a week from noon till late. Puerto Banús, Tel: 952 813 625

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village.

CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 897 744

MR. GOURMET BURGER

HACIENDA PATAGONICA

Open from 6pm ‘til late every evening.

Avda. Luis Braile 20, San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 952 785 257

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ de la Acera de la Marina 2, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 968

YANX

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Gregorio Marañón s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 968

Open from 9am Monday to Saturday and Sunday

ORIGEN

LISTINGS PET NEWS WHAT’S ON STARS FAMILY FUN

€40 – €60

€60 plus

RUTA 40

Marbella. Tel: 952 783 714

Open from 9am to 12 midnight daily. C.C. El Zoco, Sitio de Calahonda. Tel: 951 133 737

CASA MONO

belgian MYTILUS

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de Los Naranjos, Puerto Sotogrande. Tel: 956 790 212

eco

THE ORGANIC CAFÉ Open daily from 9am to 10pm. Esquina C/ Martínez Catena and Paseo Marítimo Fuengirola. Tel: 951 255 563

french

ALBERT & SIMON Open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Friday and for dinner only on Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Urb. Nueva Alcántara, Edif. Mirador, Bloque 4-B,

Open Monday to Saturday from 1pm to 11pm. C/ Calderón Estébanez 19, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 578

LE BISTROMAN Open daily for lunch and dinner. El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

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

Tel: 956 791 200

gluten-free CELICIOSO

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

At the Puente Romano Hotel on the Golden Mile.

Tel: 952 820 900

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listings THE GUIDE .

greek

GRILL DEL PUERTO

Tel: 952 888 353

AVANTO

MASSALA

Open daily for both lunch and dinner.

Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 148

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

Open for events only. C/ Rota 9, Mijas Costa, La Cala de Mijas. Tel: 952 587 539

MARBELLA CLUB GRILL

RED PEPPER

grills

ASADOR CRIOLLO GRILL Open nightly for dinner. CN340-A7, km. 166, Cancelada, El Saladillo. Tel: 952 784 463

ASADOR GUADALMINA Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Urb. Guadalmina Alta, C.C. Guadalmina, Local 3, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 883 003

CABAÑA NAGÜELES Open Monday to Thursday from 11am to 2am and on Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 3am. Urb. La Carolina, Marbella. Tel: 951 134 083

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

Open every night for dinner. Marbella Club Hotel. Blvd.

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

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

Tel: 952 867 306

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

VOVEM Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Odeon, Locales 9-10, C/ Las Yedras, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 003 434

VOVEM Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Duque de Ahumada, Paseo Marítimo, Marbella. Tel: 952 008 822

indian

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

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

international 11&11 RESTOBAR

Open Monday to Thursday from 7pm ‘til late, on Friday and Saturday from 1pm to 4pm and from 7pm ‘til late and on Sunday from 10am ‘til late. Dársena de Levante, Local 39, Estepona Port.

Tel: 951 703 060

ACINIPO Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesday. C.C. El Zoco, Sitio de Calahonda, Mijas Costa.

Tel: 607 680 999

AIDAN’S BAR & GRILL Open Thursday to Tuesday for dinner from 5:30pm.

Closed Wednesdays. C/ 4/5 Montemayor, Cancelada (opposite the Farmacia). Tel: 952 887 828

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

BAHIA BEACH Open daily for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 146.5, Casares. Tel: 951 704 884

BARBQ ARTESANAL BURGERS Open every day for lunch and dinner. C/ Jacinto Benavente 5, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 656

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

BIBO Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday afternoon and all of Monday. At the Hotel Puente Romano. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 951 607 011

BLACK AND WHITE MARBELLA

CORIANDER

AL ROLO

Open daily from 1pm to 11pm. Paseo Marítimo Rey de España 4, Local 2-4, Fuengirola. Tel: 951 903 807

Open from 1pm to 4pm and 7pm to 11pm daily.

At Reserva del Higuerón. Avda. del Higuerón 48, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 661 174

EL GAUCHO DE BANÚS

JAIPUR PALACE

ALBERTS

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle Benabola 9-11, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 167

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

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Puerto Cabopino.

Tel: 952 836 886

Open daily for breakfast and lunch until 7pm.

Avda. Ramón Gómez de la Serna 23, Marbella.

Tel: 952 862 149

AMANHAVIS

CAFETERÍA KE

JAIPUR PURPLE

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

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande, s/n. Tel: 956 790 333

EL GAUCHO Open daily for dinner from 7.30pm. Galerías Paniagua.

Sotogrande. Tel: 956 795 528

EL RANCHO DEL PUERTO Open for lunch and dinner every day. Muelle Benabola 4, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 252

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

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle Benabola, under the Torre de Banús, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 815 607

CAFÉ DE RONDA

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. THE GUIDE listings

CAMURÍ Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, local 24-25, Estepona. Tel: 951 217 871

Open Monday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. C.C. Azalea, Edif. A, CN340, km 173, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 951 339 309

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Urb. Elviria Hills.

Avda. Las Cumbres s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 371

CASANIS

EL BOLERO

Open every day from 6pm except Sundays.

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

Open every night for dinner from 8-11pm. The San Roque Club, CN 340, km. 127, Cádiz. Tel: 956 613 030

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

CELIMA

EL CAMPANARIO

EL RESTAURANTE DEL CASINO

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Hotel Hermitage, Ctra. de Casares, Casares.

Tel: 952 895 639.

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

Tel: 952 880 126

Open every day for dinner from 8pm-4am. Hotel Andalucía Plaza s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 000

CERRADO DEL ÁGUILA

EL CASTILLO

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. C/ El Pilar s/n, Benahavís. Tel: 681 294 442

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

CLARO! RESTAURANT & BEACH CLUB

At the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa. Blvd.

Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

FINCA BESAYA

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Antonio Machado s/n, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 560 094

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

HOTEL MARBELLA CLUB BUFFET

EL CORZO

FINCA EL FORJADOR

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

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

Open every day for lunch. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

EL GRAN GASTBY

FONDA RESTAURANTE EL POSTILLÓN

Open every evening for dinner. Playa del Rodeo, Marbella. Tel: 951 319 372

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7:30pm to 11pm. Ctra. de Mijas, km. 1, A-387, Alhaurín El Grande.

Tel: 951 254 520

JOFFREY’S

Open daily for lunch and Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 800 873

CORTIJO FAIN Open every day for lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Algar, km. 3, Arcos de la Frontera, Cádiz.

Tel: 956 704 131

D.O.M

EL CHIRINGUITO

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

EL OLIVO

FABIOLA

Open nightly for dinner. At the Hotel Meliá Marbella Banús. C/ Mario Vargas Llosa s/n, Puerto Banús. Tel: 912 764 747

EL JARDÍN DE LUTZ

DON LEONE

EL JINETE

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

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

Open from 11am until midnight. Closed Sundays. Avda Las Palmeras 15, San Pedro Alcántara.

Tel: 952 780 927

D-WINE

EL LAGO

GD GOURMET DELI MARBELLA

Open every night for dinner from 7:30pm. At Hotel Finca Cortesin, Casares. Tel: 952 937 800

GALERIA SAN PEDRO

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

HERMOSA Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner from 7pm.

Closed Monday. Local 1A. Puerto de Cabopino.

Tel: 952 837 483

HILLS CAFE Open Tuesday to Friday from 10am to 6pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Closed on Monday. Tel: 952 856 171

HORIZON STEAKHOUSE

IL MARE

Open everyday evening for dinner from 5.30 pm.

CN340 km 200, La Cala de Mijas Costa. Tel: 674 636 321

KARMA Open every day from 10am until late. C/ Las Violetas 7, Conjunto Andalucía Garden Club, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 815 736

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KAVA

Tel: 952 889 150

LIMA

Open nightly for dinner. Plaza de Los Naranjos, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 824 108

LA TERRAZA

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 6pm to 12am and for lunch on Sunday from 12pm to 5pm.

Plaza Practicante Manuel Cantos 2, Marbella.

Tel: 952 866 630

LAGUNA BEACH RESTAURANTE C.C. Laguna Village, local R1, Estepona.

Tel: 952 800 873

LA BIZNAGA

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

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

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 TIENDA

LA BRISA

Open Monday to Wednesday 10am – 7.30pm and Thursday to Sunday 10am –10pm. Urb. Coto Chico 4D, Marbella. Tel: 952 837 862

Open for dinner Thursday to Monday from 7pm.

Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

LA CANTINA DEL GOLF Open for breakfast and lunch until 8pm. Closed Sunday. Flamingo Golf Club, Cancelada, Benahavís.

Tel: 951 318 815

LA FAMIEKE Open nightly for dinner except Sunday. C/ Cruz 5, Plaza Puente de Ronda. Old Town Marbella. Tel: 952 775 412

Open nightly for dinner except Mondays. C/ La Tienda 1, Urb. La Virginia, Marbella. Tel: 626 273 882

LA PLAGE DE CASANIS

LA TAPA Open nightly for dinner. Plaza Santo Cristo 6, Marbella. Tel: 952 901 040

LA VERANDA Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner.

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

LA VERANDAH

LES CUBES Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Oasis Club, CN340, km. 183, Marbella. Tel: 952 868 396

L’OLIVE Open daily from 8am-6pm. At La Reserva Club. Avda. de la Reserva s/n, Sotogrande. Tel: 956 785 252

LOS ARCOS Open every night for dinner. Hotel Meliá La Quinta, Urb. La Quinta Golf s/n, Marbella.

Tel: 952 762 000

LOS BANDIDOS Open every night for dinner. Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 915

LOS NARANJOS RESTAURANT Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Urb. Los Naranjos de Marbella. Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 816 105

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

M10

LA LOGGIA

LA VERANDA LOBBY BAR

MACAAO BEACH

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. Hotel Villa Padierna & Flamingos Golf Club, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 166 (Cancelada exit), Benahavís.

Open every day for lunch and dinner. At the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Jose Echegaray, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 113 618

LA GRANADA DIVINO Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesday.

C/ de las Piedras, Gaucín. Tel: 951 709 075

Open Monday to Saturday from 5pm and Sunday from 10am. Frontline of Estepona Puerto Deportivo.

Tel: 952 636 430

MAGNA CAFÉ

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

C/ Calderón de la Barca, s/n. Tel: 952 929 578

MARE NOSTRUM Open daily for breakfast and dinner. At the Hotel Amàre Marbella. Avda. Severo Ochoa 8, Marbella. Tel: 800 843 493

MC CAFÉ Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Marbella Club Hotel. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n. Tel: 952 822 211

MESSINA Open for dinner Monday to Saturday. Avda. Severo Ochoa, 12, Marbella. Tel: 952 864 895

MIRAFLORES GOLF RESTAURANT Open daily for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 199. Urb. Riviera Golf. Tel: 952 931 941

MOJO Open from Monday to Saturday for dinner from 8pm ‘til late. Monte Paraíso Golf, Marbella. Tel: 951 217 272

MOMO MARBELLA Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm to midnight. C/ Tetuán 7, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 560

MOMO MARBELLA GOLDEN MILE Open nightly for dinner, except Sunday. Avda. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 30, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 760

MONKEY CLUB Open nightly for dinner. At the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von

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Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 951 607 018

SAVOR

NELI Gs

Open 1pm to 3:30pm and 7:30pm to 11:30pm daily except Sunday evenings and Monday. Avda.

Andalucía 6, Local 4, San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 951 531 777

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Benavista, Estepona. Tel: 952 928 576

NŌMŌ BRASSERIE Open for lunch and dinner every day except for Sunday. Bulevar de San Pedro, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 951 702 168

OCHO Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. C/ Moncayo 12, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 460 232 / 648 502 822

OLIVIA’S LA CALA Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/ Torreón 13, Las Lagunas de Mijas. Tel: 952 494 935

PASSION CAFÉ

Open daily for dinner. Front line P. Banús.

Tel: 952 812 898

Open Monday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nueva Andalucía next to the Casino. Tel: 952 906 205. Marina Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 977. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 951 901 050.

C.C. Parque Miramar, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 663 937.

Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 951 915 069

CARPACCIO

THE ENGLISH GARDEN

CIBO

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 6pm to 11pm and Sunday from 1.30 to 9.30pm. Closed Mondays. Avda.

España 16, Urb. Buenavista, Sitio de Calahonda. Tel: 952 930 252

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 11, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 380

SHANTI-SOM – AMRITA Open Monday to Thursday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, Friday and Saturday from 1.30pm to 4.30 pm and 8pm to 10.30pm. Ctra. de Ojén, km 22, A355, Marbella-Monda. Tel: 952 864 455

SKINA

SOLEO MARBELLA BEACH CLUB RESTAURANT

RESTAURANTE ROYAL

Open daily from 11am to 8pm. Avda. Duque de Ahumada s/n, Marbella. Tel: 951 562 887

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday.

C/ Granada, 44, Málaga. Tel: 952 227 486

ARETUSA

At the Puente Romano Beach Club. Open daily for lunch and dinner. CN340, km 187, Marbella.

Tel: 952 820 900

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

ROJO

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

Open every day for dinner. Avda. del Mar 3, Marbella.

Tel: 951 134 322

TERRA SANA

PUENTE ROMANO BEACH CLUB

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. At the Hotel Torrequebrada, Benalmádena Costa.

Tel: 952 441 414

TANINO

ARAGONA

SEA GRILL

Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Friday and Saturday for dinner only. Closed Sunday and Monday.

C/ Aduar 12, Old Town, Marbella.

Tel: 952 765 277

Open for lunch and dinner every day. C.C. La Colonia, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 781 583

DJ. Thursday to Saturday. Hotel Puente Romano, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

SOLLO Open nightly for dinner except Sundays. Urb. Reserva del Higuerón, Málaga. Tel: 951 385 622

SUITE Dinner and afterwards dance to music by resident

THE LITTLE GERANIUM Open Tuesday to Saturday from 7pm to 11pm. CN340, km 178.5, Marbella. Tel: 951 354 213

THE MEETING ROOM Open 9am to 11pm every day except Sundays. Avda.

Ricardo Soriano 1, Local 1 (Edif. Portillo), Marbella.

Tel: 952 772 577

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Frontline Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 357

CASA TUA Open every evening for dinner. C/ Ortiz de Molinillo 14, Marbella. Tel: 951 712 227

DA BRUNO Open all day. Da Bruno Cabopino: CN-340 Km. 194,7.

Tel: 952 831 918. Da Bruno a Casa: Marbella Mar, Local 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 857 521 – closed on Sunday. Da Bruno A San Pedro: Avda. del Mar, local 1E, San Pedro.

Tel: 952 786 860 – closed on Monday. Da Bruno Sul Mare: Edif. Skol, Paseo Marítimo, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 318/19. Da Bruno Mijas Costa: Ctra. de Mijas, km.

3.6, Mijas. Tel: 952 460 724

THE ORANGE TREE

DA PAOLO

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

Tel: 952 924 613.

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

THE PLAYWRIGHT

Open every night for dinner from 7:30pm. At Hotel Finca Cortesin, Casares. Tel: 952 937 800

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Manzana, Locales 8-11, Pueblo Los Arcos, Elviria.

Tel: 952 830 868

TIKITANO Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Guadalmansa, CN340, km 164, Estepona.

Tel: 952 798 449

TROCADERO ARENA Open every day for lunch and dinner. Torre Real Beach, Marbella. Tel: 952 865 579

TROCADERO BEACH Open daily for lunch and dinner. Playa de la Carolina, Marbella. Tel: 610 704 144

VENTA GARCÍA Open daily for lunch and dinner every day except Monday. Ctra. de Casares km 7, Casares.

Tel: 952 894 191

VILLA PADIERNA CLUB DE MAR Open daily for lunch from 1pm to 6pm.

CN 340, km 166, Marbella. Tel: 647 791 515

ZEST Open Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 4:30pm and for cocktail hour from 4:30pm to 8pm. Centro Plaza, Marbella. Tel: 951 319 151

ZOZOI Open Wednesday to Monday for dinner. Closed Tuesday. Plaza Altamirano 1, Marbella.

Tel: 952 858 868

italian

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

GOLD RESTAURANT Open every day from 10am to 12 am. Complejo Benabola 13, Beach Side, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 929 055

IL TARTUFO Open from Monday to Saturday for dinner from 6:30pm. C/ Tetuán 9, Marbella. Tel: 951 087 323

LA FIORENTINA Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. El Pilar, Local 11 (opposite the Crown Plaza Hotel), Estepona.

Tel: 952 885 765

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

LA TRATTORIA Open daily from 7pm to 11pm.

At the Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa. Avenida Zurita, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

LEONARDO DA VINCI Open every night for dinner. Urb. Doña Lola, Local 21-22, Calahonda, Mijas Costa.

Tel: 952 934 667

AL DENTE

LOMBARDO’S

Open every day for dinner. Closed on Mondays. Urb. Jardines del Puerto, local 12, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 181

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

AMORE E FANTASÍA

Open every night for dinner. C.C. Cristamar, Avda.

Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 608

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

Tel: 952 813 464

MADE IN SARDINIA MARBELLA PIZZA KITCHEN Open daily from 1pm to 4pm and 7pm to 11pm. Avda.

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del Prado s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 908 438

Tel: 952 937 800

METRO

KAIDEN SUSHI

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

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

NUNOS Open daily for lunch and dinner. At the Caleta Hotel.

Catalan Bay, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 76501

O MAMMA MIA Open every day except Sunday for lunch and dinner.

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

PIZZERIA PICASSO Open daily from 12 noon. Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 813 669

PORTOFINO LAGUNA VILLAGE

KAMA KURA Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8-11pm. The San Roque Club, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 127, San Roque, Cádiz.

Tel: 956 613 030

MAKITAKE Open daily for lunch and dinner.

C/ Ribera s/n (above disco Seven), Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 592

MECA

Duque s/n. Edif. Gaviotas IV, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 813 675

THAPA THAI Open every day for lunch and dinner. Urb. Puerto Deportivo 13, Edif. Poniente, Estepona.

Tel: 951 318 445

TOP THAI Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Plaza, 64, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 319 778. Also at C.C. Laguna Village, Local 11-13, Estepona. Tel: 952 806 661

TSE YANG DIMSUM CLUB Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sundays.

At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 909 990

WAGAMAMA

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 035

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pino Golf, Don Carlos, Local 1, Elviria, Marbella.

Tel: 952 830 365 / 658 646 829

RISTORANTE SAN MARTINO

NOBU

WASABI

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pinares de Elviria s/n, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 702

Open nightly for dinner. At the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 778 686

Open daily from 1.30 pm for lunch and dinner.

C.C. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 908 577

ROSMARINO DELLA PIAZZA Open every day from 12pm ‘til midnight for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pinogolf de Don Carlos 34, Elviria.

Tel: 952 850 148

SERAFINA Open from Monday to Saturday for dinner at the Puente Romano Hotel on the Golden Mile.

Tel: 952 771 798

VALPARAÍSO Open nightly for dinner. Ctra. Mijas – Fuengirola, km.

14, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 485 996

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

OMBÚ Open from 7pm to 11pm, Wednesday to Sunday. At the Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa. Avenida Zurita, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

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

SAPPORO

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, CN 340, km 159, Estepona.

Tel: 952 806 739

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Costa del Sol, upper level. CN 340, km. 166 (Estepona).

Tel: 952 888 710 Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday. Centro Comercial Marbellamar. Tel: 952 770 550

Open 12.30pm-4.30pm and 6.30pm to 12am daily.

Fuengirola, Paseo Marítimo, L-42C. Tel: 952 470 218

SUSHI DES ARTISTES (HIDEYOSHI WAGYU)

ASIATICO ZEN

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

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

GENJI SUSHI BAR Open from 1:30pm-4pm and 8pm to 11pm. C/ Ramón Gomez de la Serna, 4, Edificio Balmoral. Marbella. Tel: 951 530 955

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

MARISQUERÍA LA PESQUERA Open daily for lunch and dinner. Plaza de la Victoria, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 170

RESTAURANTE EL BOTE Open every day for lunch and dinner. Paseo Marítimo Rey de España, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 660 084

ALOHA RESTAURANT

PALAPA

Open every evening for dinner from 6pm to 11.30pm.

Avda. del Prado s/n, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 811 285

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 165

SKANDIES

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

Open Tuesday to Sunday from 7pm to 11pm. Closed

SANTIAGO

SUSHI KATSURA

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

Tel: 952 777 893

TA-KUMI Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Gregorio Marañón 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 839

TEPPANYAKI SAMURAI Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Manolete 20, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 549

THAI GALLERY

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

At Plaza Village at the Hotel Puente Romano.

Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella.

Tel: 952 818 392

Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. At Finca Cortesín Hotel. Ctra. Casares s/n, Casares.

LA TORRE

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

GOLDEN WOK KABUKI RAW

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

SUKHO THAI

ASIAN FUSION BING

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Ctra.

Istan km 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 906 674

Open from 11am-4pm and 7.30-11pm every day except Mondays. Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande, Cádiz.

Tel: 956 790 370

SANTOKU

RESTAURANTE BAR CARMEN

BAMBOO

EL BARLOVENTO

Open every day for lunch and dinner.

Avda. José Banús, 5, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 817 536 Open daily for dinner. At the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel. CN 340, km 166, Marbella. Tel: 952 889 180

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

Tel: 952 817 691

scandinavian

seafood

SAKURA

mediterranean

oriental

Open daily for lunch and dinner. 19 Ocean Village promenade, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 44182

Mondays. Avda. Antonio Belón, 26 (behind the lighthouse), Marbella. Tel: 952 776 323

THAI STYLE Open daily for lunch and dinner. Avda. Playas del

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San Pedro Playa, Urb. Castiglone. Tel: 952 785 138.

Also at Ctra. de Ronda, km. 167, San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 265

CINES TEATRO GOYA

LA DAMA DE NOCHE

Avda. Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 196 665

9 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 818 150

MESÓN EL ADOBE

CINESUR

LA DUQUESA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesdays.

Avda. La Fontanilla, Edif. Balmoral, Bajo 3, Marbella.

Tel. 600 003 144

C.C. Miramar, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 198 605

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 890 425

MULTICINES ALFIL

LA QUINTA GOLF

Avda. Camilo José Cela, s/n. Fuengirola.

Tel: 952 800 056

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

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner.

CN340, km 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 827 880

MULTICINES MEDITERRÁNEO

LA RESERVA SOTOGRANDE

Mijas. Tel: 952 663 738

18 holes. Tel: 956 695 209

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

PAELLAS Y MÁS

PALACIO DE LA PAZ

LA ZAGALETA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Open daily from 10:30am to 11pm. C/ Jacinto Benavente 33, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 511

Recinto Ferial. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 589 349

18 holes. Members only. Tel: 952 695 209

TEATRO ALAMEDA

LAURO GOLF 18 HOLES

LA COCINA

VILA DO GROVE

Calle Córdoba 9, Málaga. Tel: 952 213 412

Alhaurín de la Torre. Tel: 952 412 767

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Wednesday.

CN 340, km. 151, Arena Beach. Tel: 952 796 320

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. C/ Las Malvas, Edif. On Line, Local 2, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 813 415

TEATRO CERVANTES

LOS ARQUEROS GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Ramos Marín, 199, Málaga. Tel: 952 224 109

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 784 600

TEATRO CIUDAD DE MARBELLA

LOS NARANJOS GOLF CLUB

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sunday.

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

*cinemas & theatres

Plaza Ramón Martínez, Marbella.

Tel: 952 903 159

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 815 206

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL MIJAS

TEATRO SALON VARIETES

18 holes, Par 73. Tel: 952 113 239

LA MORAGA BISTRÓ

Plaza de la Libertad 2. Mijas. Tel: 952 590 380

MARBELLA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces s/n, in front of El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 448

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL TORREMOLINOS

Emancipación 30. Fuengirola.

Tel: 952 474 542

Plaza de España, Recinto Ferial. Tel: 952 379 521

VERACRUZ CINES

MIJAS GOLF

AUDITORIO PARQUE DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN

Veracruz. Estepona. Tel: 952 800 056

36 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 476 843

LA RED

Marbella. Tel: 952 825 035

YELMO CINEPLEX

MIRAFLORES GOLF

Open daily from 9.30am to 6pm. Playa La Fontanilla, Marbella. Tel: 952 821 450

CENTRO CULTURAL EL INGENIO

Plaza Mayor. Tel: 902 220 922

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 931 960

Garcia Morato, s/n. San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 968

LA TABERNA DEL ALABARDERO

CINESA LA CAÑADA

18 holes. Tel: 952 113 088

Open everyday for lunch and dinner except Monday.

La Cañada. Marbella. Tel: 902 333 231

*golf guide

spanish BAHÍA

Open every evening for dinner. At Hotel Don Carlos.

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

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

LA MÁQUINA

MI TABERNA

Tel: 952 669 033. www.lacala.com

MARBELLA CLUB GOLF RESORT 18 holes. Tel: 952 830 500

MONTE MAYOR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

ALCAIDESA LINKS

PARADOR MÁLAGA DEL GOLF

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

18 holes. Tel: 952 381 255

ALHAURÍN GOLF

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 810 875

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

REAL CLUB DE GOLF SOTOGRANDE

ALMENARA GOLF

SAN ROQUE CLUB

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

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 613 030

ALOHA GOLF CLUB

18 holes. Tel: 952 850 111

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

SANTA MARIA GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

ATALAYA GOLF

SOTOGRANDE CLUB DE GOLF

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 882 812. www.atalaya-golf.com

18 holes. Tel: 956 785 012

CABOPINO GOLF

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

18 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 850 282

CERRADO DEL ÁGUILA 18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 951 703 355

CLUB DE GOLF LA CAÑADA

REAL CLUB DE GOLF LAS BRISAS 18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 785 014

SANTA CLARA GOLF 18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 831 036

VALDERRAMA

*hotels

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 956 794 100

DON CARLOS RESORT, LEISURE & SPA

EL PARAISO CLUB DE GOLF

CN340, Km 192. Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 883 835

FINCA CORTESIN HOTEL, GOLF & SPA

ESTEPONA GOLF

Crtra. Casares, Casares. Tel: 952 937 800

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

GRAN HOTEL GVADALPÍN PUERTO BANÚS

FINCA CORTESÍN GOLF CLUB

Arroyo El Rodeo, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella.

Tel: 952 899 700

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

GRAN MELIÁ DON PEPE

FLAMINGOS GOLF CLUB

HOTEL PUENTE ROMANO

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

CN340, Km179. Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

GOLF RÍO REAL 18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 756 733

Avda. Antonio Machado, 29. Benalmádena Costa. Tel: 952 443 240

GOLF TORREQUEBRADA

KEMPINSKI HOTEL BAHÍA ESTEPONA

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 442 742

CN340, Km159. Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

GUADALMINA GOLF

LA CALA RESORT

36 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 883 375

La Cala de Mijas Tel: 952 669 000

LA CALA GOLF RESORT

LOS MONTEROS SPA & GOLF RESORT 5*GL

54 holes, Pars 71, 72 and 73.

CN340, km 187, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 700

José Meliá s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 770 300

HOTEL TRITON

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MARBELLA CLUB HOTEL CN340, Km 180. Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

C/ Jerez 1, San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 952 853 040

HOTEL VILLA PADIERNA

SISU BOUTIQUE HOTEL PUERTO BANÚS

CN340, Km 166, Exit Cancelada. Benahavís.

Tel: 952 889 150

CN 340, km 173, Puerto Banús, Tel: 952 906 105

VÉLEZ MÁLAGA

ESTEPONA

Opposite the Guardia Civil Offices, City Centre, 9am-1pm

FUENGIROLA

Puerto Deportivo, 9am-1pm

FRIDAY BENALMÁDENA

Recinto Ferial, 9am-2:30pm Next to Rosaleda football stadium, 9am-2pm

CALAHONDA

In the area between Tivoli World and the Plaza San Pedro, 9am-1pm

C.C. El Zoco. Tel: 952 932 175

CALAHONDA

At the Marina, 9am-1pm

ALANDA CLUB MARBELLA

EL CORTE INGLÉS

Calypso, 9am-2pm

CN340 Km 192. Marbella. Tel: 952 902 537

Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

LAS CHAPAS

ALMENARA GOLF HOTEL & SPA

FUENGIROLA

La Víbora, 9am-2pm

*tennis clubs

Avda. Almenara s/n. Sotogrande. Tel: 956 582 000

Tel: 952 467 843

RINCÓN DE LA VICTORIA

AMANHAVÍS HOTEL & RESTAURANT

ESTEPONA

Málaga. Plaza de la Iglesia, 9am-1pm

C/ Pilar 3. Benahavís. Tel: 952 856 026

C/ Málaga 82–84. Tel: 952 800 537

FUENGIROLA

SATURDAY COÍN

BEL AIR TENNIS AND PADDEL CLUB

ATALAYA PARK HOTEL CN340, Km 168,5. Estepona. Tel: 952 889 000

Pza. los Chinorros. Tel: 952 474 384

C/ Urbano Pineda, 9am-1pm

CLUB DEL SOL

BENABOLA APART HOTEL

MARBELLA

LA CALA

Benabola. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 000

Jac. Benavente, 14. Tel: 952 772 898

Recinto Ferial, 9am-1pm

Tennis/paddle classes. Calahonda.

Tel: 952 939 595

BLUE BAY BANÚS HOTEL

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

MARO

CLUB DE TENIS DON CARLOS

CN340, Km173. N. Andalucía. Tel: 952 811 517

C/ Jazmines. Tel: 952 810 887

Close to the Nerja Caves, 9am-1pm

GOLF HOTEL GUADALMINA

SAN PEDRO

MIJAS COSTA

Hotel Don Carlos, Avda. Zurita, CN340, km 192.

Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

Guadalmina Baja. Marbella. Tel: 952 882 211

Pizarro, 41. Tel: 952 780 39

Las Lagunas, 9am-2pm

CLUB INTERNACIONAL DE TENNIS

*street markets

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

Ctra. Cádiz, km 173. Marbella. Tel: 952 813 341

Next to the bullring. Park near CN340 and walk upwards, 9am-1pm

CLUB MADROÑAL CLUB NUEVA ALCÁNTARA HOFSAESS TENNIS ACADEMY

VINCCI SELECCIÓN ESTRELLA DEL MAR CN340, km 190.5, Marbella. Tel: 951 053 970

GRAN HOTEL BENAHAVIS Huerta de Rufino, Benahavís. Tel: 902 504 862

H10 ANDALUCÍA PLAZA

*post offices

CN340 Km 174. Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 812 000

MONDAY BENAHAVÍS

HM GRAN HOTEL COSTA DEL SOL

Arts & Crafts. Village Square, from 8pm

SUNDAY BENAHAVÍS

La Cala de Mijas, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 587 710

MARBELLA

Arts & Crafts. La Ermita Park, from 10pm

HOTEL AMÀRE MARBELLA BEACH CLUB

Fairground (Avda. de Juan Alameda), 9am-2:30pm

Avda. Severo Ochoa, 8, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 400

TUESDAY CHURRIANA

HOTEL FUERTE ESTEPONA Avda. Vaquero Playa. Ctra A-7, Km 150, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 020

9am-1pm

HOTEL FUERTE MARBELLA C/ El Fuerte s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 861 500

Recinto Ferial (close to the CN340, on the same side as the bullring), 9am-2:30pm

HOTEL IPV BEATRIZ PALACE & SPA

MONDA

CN340, Km 207. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 922 000

C/ Los Huertos, 8am-2:30pm

HOTEL MELIÁ MARBELLA

NERJA

CN340, Km 175. Pto. Banús. Tel: 952 810 500

C/ Chaparil, 9am-1pm

HOTEL PLAYA BONITA

WEDNESDAY ALHAURÍN DE LA TORRE Avda. del Limón, 9am-2pm

HOTEL PRINCESS PLAYA

BENAHAVÍS

Paseo Marítimo. Marbella. Tel: 952 820 944

Arts & Crafts. Village Square, from 8pm

NH MARBELLA

BENALMÁDENA COSTA

C/ Conde Rudi, s/n. CN340, Km 178. Marbella.

Tel: 952 763 200

(Second hand items) Recinto Ferial, 10am-2pm

PARADOR DE RONDA

Calypso, 9am-2pm

Plaza de España, s/n. Ronda. Tel: 952 877 500

ESTEPONA Avda. Juan Carlos II, 9am-2:30 pm

CN340, Km185, Urb. Golf Rio Real s/n. Marbella.

Tel: 952 765 732

ISTÁN At the entrance to the town, 9am-2pm

SUNSET BEACH CLUB

LA CALA

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa.

Tel: 952 934 477 Urb. Bel-Air, Estepona. Tel: 952 883 221

Benahavís. Tel: 617 647 223 San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 315

Recinto Ferial, 9am-1pm

TAMISA GOLF HOTEL

THURSDAY ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE

Camino Viejo de Coín. Km 3.3. Mijas Golf.

Tel: 952 585 988

MÁLAGA

CN340, km 167, Estepona. Tel: 952 883 000

AZTEC COUNTRY CLUB

CALAHONDA

SENTIDOS HOTEL

TRH EL PARAÍSO

SOTOGRANDE

FUENGIROLA

CN340, Km 217. Benalmádena Costa.

Tel: 952 442 840

Avda. del Sol, 5. Benalmádena Costa.

Tel: 952 579 400

MÁLAGA

By the Guardia Civil Offfices, City Centre, 9am-1pm Opposite the Guardia Civil Offices, City Centre.

9am-1pm

SAN PEDRO HOTEL DIANA PARK CN 340, km 168.5, Estepona. Tel: 952 887 659

By the sports pavilion, in the Divina Pastora district, 9am-2pm

HOTEL PYR MARBELLA

TORRE DEL MAR

Avda. Rotary International, s/n, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 353

TORREMOLINOS

NH SAN PEDRO

El Calvario, near Town Hall, 9am-1pm

Avda. Europa, 9am-1pm

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. THE GUIDE listings

Monte Elviria (next to German School).

Tel: 952 835 812

SPORT CLUB RESERVA DEL HIGUERÓN

Fuengirola Tel: 952 467 625 Gibraltar Tourist Board Tel: 956 774 950 Marbella Tel: 952 822 818 Málaga Tel: 952 213 445 / 952 216 061 Mijas Tel: 952 485 900 Ronda Tel: 952 871 272 San Pedro Tel: 952 785 252 Tarifa Tel: 956 680 993 Torremolinos Tel: 952 381 578

Avda. del Higueron, Benalmádena.

Tel: 952 565 761

*train

LEW HOADS TENNIS CLUB Ctra. de Mijas, Km 3,5. Mijas. Tel: 952 474 858

MANOLO SANTANA RACQUETS CLUB Ctra. de Istán, Km 2. Marbella. Tel: 952 778 580

MARBELLA HILL TENNIS CLUB Avda. El Fuerte, Marbella. Tel: 659 677 539

MARBELLA PLAYA TENIS CN340, km 189, Marbella. Tel: 657 619 630

MIRAFLORES TENNIS CLUB Urb. Miraflores, Km 199. Calahonda.

Tel: 952 932 006

PUENTE ROMANO TENNIS CLUB Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

ROYAL TENNIS CLUB MARBELLA El Rosario, Marbella. Tel: 952 837 651

*tourist offices Benahavís Tel: 952 855 500 Benalmádena Tel: 952 442 494 Estepona Tel: 952 802 002

Customer assistance T: 952 128 267 General Info T: 902 240 202 Reservations T: 902 240 202 Ave T: 952 128 079

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pets THE GUIDE .

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

Dogs Protect against Childhood

ECZEMA AND ASTHMA

When a child is diagnosed with asthma, a parent’s instinct is usually to worry about things that could exacerbate symptoms, but recent research indicates that the family dog is definitely not one of them! Two new studies have shown that dogs can have a protective effect against eczema and asthma. In the first study, a mother’s exposure to dogs indoors for at least one hour daily before the birth of her baby resulted in a significantly lower risk of eczema by the age of two. In further research, it was found that childhood exposure to allergens and bacteria on dogs may have a protective effect against asthma. There was only one exception: dog allergens may actually worsen asthmatic symptoms in children with allergies living in urban areas.

Tips for Reducing

STRESS IN CATS If your cat is showing signs of aggression, peeing outside their box, hiding, showing hair loss or not eating as well as they used to, rule out any medical problems by seeing your vet first. If you get the all-clear, ask your vet if stress could be a possible reason for the altered behaviour. Reasons why your cat may suddenly seem more stressed than normal include the arrival of a new baby to the home, the loss of a fellow feline, changes in who is living in the home… sometimes, the causes can be atypical – such as loud noise or odd smells. To reduce stress, make sure your cat has a special ‘nook’ it can run to when it feels like some alone time. If you have more than one cat, have more than one litterbox and offer food to each cat in different places in the home, for peaceful feeding. Keep your cat active with toys and definitely invest in a good climbing structure, which will keep it entertained for hours. Introduce your cat slowly to any new people and if this is impossible, try to have a little room or area your cat can call its own.

Early Weaning leads to

BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS IN CATS If you have kittens in the home, make sure you do not wean them too early; doing so before the age of 12 weeks can lead to increased aggressiveness and bad behaviour, as per a study undertaken at the University of Helsinki. The study was based on the results from a survey involving almost 6,000 cats which showed that weaning at 12 weeks can result in less shyness, aggression, wool sucking, and excessive grooming.

Cats and Cows Protect Children against

ASTHMA Too!

Just in case you thought dogs were the only panacea to asthma, think again! A study carried out three months before the above study on dogs, was carried out on cats in rural areas. Researchers found that the regular petting of cats and cows, can help prevent asthma. According to Remo Frei of the Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research, “Early childhood contact with animals and the consumption of food of animal origin seems to regulate the inflammatory reactions of the immune system.” The magic ingredient is sialic acid – a non-microbial substance which is widespread in animals but missing in human beings.

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what’s on...

. THE GUIDE what’s on

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Until January 12 PICASSO AND MUSIC – MÁLAGA

The Museo Picasso de Málaga presents Picassares: a concert by famed guitarist, Daniel Casares, who pays homage to Málaga’s best-loved artist alongside dancer, Sergio Aranda, fellow guitarist Manuel Peralta, violinist Nelson Doblas, and percussionist Miguel ‘Nene’ Ortiz. www.museopicassomalaga.org

Until September 16 WARHOL – MÁLAGA

The Museo Picasso de Málaga will be hosting Warhol. Mechanical Art: an exhibition which examines the complex oeuvre of the artist from Pittsburgh, (1928-1987), highlighting the transmutations in his body of work during the consecutive creative phases of his career. www.musepicassomalaga.org

NEW AND REGULAR EVENTS

Weekly on different days WALKING FOOTBALL – MARBELLA

Weekly sessions of Walking Football (non-contact walking football) for men and women of all ages to keep fit and meet new friends. Further information, www.walkingfootballspain.com

Monthly on different days AMERICAN CLUB – MARBELLA

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

AMIGOS DE LA CULTURA – COSTA DEL SOL

The members of this cultural group meet at different times and places for lunches, lectures, concerts, ballet, theatre, opera, etc. Further information, Tel: 669 445 809.

LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE – MARBELLA Integral Psychotherapist Gabriella Kortsch holds a series of interesting group sessions on dream analysis, astrological life cycles and more.

For information on precise times and locations, Tel: 626 189 765. info@advancedpersonaltherapy.com

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday JIVE – MIRAFLORES, ESTEPONA AND LA DUQUESA

Learn to dance with Colin and the team from Jive Spain at Miraflores Restaurant on Tuesday, El Campanario on Wednesday and El Goleto at Duquesa

on Friday. For precise times, colin@jivespain.com

Every Tuesday and Friday PAINTING CLASSES – MARBELLA

Talented artist Ricardo Alario will be teaching budding painters the secrets of his craft from 10am to 1pm (first group) and 5pm to 8pm (second group). For further information, Tel: 952 859 671. www.ricardoalario.com

Every Wednesday ART – MÁLAGA

The Museo Picasso de Málaga offers free guided tours in English (included in the entry price), from 11:30am to 2pm.

Tickets cost €8 for adults. Children enter for free. www.museopicassomalaga.org

Every first Wednesday of the month CULTURE AND COCKTAIL – MARBELLA

The Association of Art and Culture Marbella holds a monthly cocktail at Magna Café at Magna Marbella Golf, from 8pm-10pm. Tel: 627 833 262. www.artandculturemarbella.com

Every Thursday NETWORKING – MARBELLA

The Marbella Business Group holds its weekly breakfast meeting, which

features presentations, discussions and introductions of new members.

At 8am at the Hotel Senator in Marbella. To become a member, www.marbellabusinessgroup.com

Every last Friday of the Month COFFEE MORNING – ESTEPONA

ADANA animal rescue charity coffee morning at Plaza Manilva (outside Longman’s Bookshop) 11am - 2pm.

Kennels open 10am – 5pm Monday – Friday and 10am – 2pm Saturday, Sunday and holidays. Further information, Tel: 952 800 975. www.adana.es

BUSINESS LUNCH – MARBELLA

Marbella Business Institute holds an invitation-only lunch club for local and visiting business people, active and retired. To apply, visit www. marbellabusinessinternational.org

Every Saturday MARKETS – PUERTO BANÚS

Head for the Puerto Banús bullring every Saturday for a fun street market featuring everything from clothing to music, accessories and home ware.

Starts at 9am and ends at 2pm. www.marbella.es

Every Wednesday

FLAMENCO – MIJAS

Every Wednesday at 12pm, a dazzling flamenco show takes place at the Plaza Virgen de la Peña in Mijas Pueblo. www.mijas.es

Every Tuesday and Friday from January 9 onwards

PILATES AND YOGA – BENAHAVÍS The Benahavís Country Club is ready and set to help you achieve a state of greater health, fitness and wellness, with yoga classes every Tuesday at 10am and Pilates on Fridays at 10am. Non-members are welcome and the classes cost just €10. Bookings are advised to guarantee your place.

Tel: 952 856 171. wellness@benahavishills.com

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Every First Sunday of the month OPEN DAY – MIJAS

PAD animal shelter, Cerros del Águila, welcomes visitors from 12pm-3pm.

Further information, Tel: 952 486 084.

Tuesday January 2 to Friday January 5 PANTOMIME – FUENGIROLA Cinderella is this year’s fun-filled pantomime, directed by Peter Mitchell and choreographed by Peter Height. At the Salón Varietés Theatre in Fuengirola. www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Wednesday January 3 LETTER TO THE THREE WISE MEN – MARBELLA

If your kids have a letter for the Three Wise Men, head to the Parque de Constitución at 5pm to hand their wish list to the official messenger of Los Reyes Magos.

Friday January 5 THREE KINGS PARTY – ESTEPONA

Children who would love to meet and greet with the Three Wise Men should head to the Recinto Ferial Deportivo y Ocio at 11am. The Three Kings Parade will start at 5pm and will make its way through Estepona’s main streets. At 8pm,

kids can head to the Parque Botánico Orquidario to bring their wish list to the Kings themselves.

Monday January 8 CULTURE TALK – FUENGIROLA

The Arts Society Costa del Sol presents the talk Riviera Paradise: Art, Design and Pleasure in the 1920s and 1930s, by Mary Alexander. From the 1920s onwards, an intoxicating mix of art, writers and musicians descended on the Côte d’Azur to create a new summer season. Suntans and sportswear became de rigeur for Matisse, Picasso, Dufy, Cocteau and Chanel. Cole Porter and Scott Fitzgerald introduced a glamorous American perspective to this fizzing cocktail of panache of joie de vivre.

At the Salón Varietés Theatre at 4:30pm. ww.theartssociety-costadelsol.org

Friday January 12 to Sunday January 14 JOHNNY G – FUENGIROLA

Johnny G returns with top songs by Elvis, Swing, Soul and 1970s music. At the Salón Varietés Theatre in Fuengirola. www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Thursday January 18 and Friday January 19 BACH – MÁLAGA

Free Bach is a performance/concert based on Bauernkantate BWV 212 by J.S. Bach. Featuring soprano, Eulalia Fantova, and Baritone, Juan García Gomà. www.teatrocervantes.com

Tuesday January 16 CLASSICAL MUSIC GUIDANCE – MARBELLA

Enjoy a guided listening of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, inspired by the vital energy of a man who fought against his destiny. At Les Roches Marbella from 6:30pm to 8pm. Tel: 689 000 944/ www.musicaconencanto.org

Tuesday January 23 and 30 CLASSICAL MUSIC GUIDANCE – MARBELLA

Friday January 26 to Wednesday January 31 COMEDY THEATRE – FUENGIROLA

Enjoy the hilarious, side-splitting farce, Caught in the Net, written by master of mirth, Ray Cooney and directed by David Vincent. Nightly at 7:30pm and Sunday at 7pm at the Salón Varietés Theatre. www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Thursday February 8 to Sunday February 11 PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT – MÁLAGA

This is one of the coolest musicals of all time: the Aussie classic, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Catch all the colour, magic, and music, at the Teatro Cervantes de Málaga. www.teatrocervantes.com

Enjoy a talk about the role played by mythology in the music of Monteverdi, Purcell, Gluck, Mozart, Beethoven and more, at Les Roches Marbella from 6:30pm to 8pm. Tel: 689 000 944/ www.musicaconencanto.org

© Javier Naval

Melchor, Gaspar and Baltazar will be parading through the streets of the biggest municipalities on the Costa del Sol, so check out your local Ayuntamiento for times and routes. In Marbella, the monarchs will be exiting the Puerto Deportivo at 5pm and making their way through the centre and all the way up to the Pirulí. Featuring energetic sweet throwing at kids. Bring your umbrella or risk sweets falling on your noggin. At 5:30pm, the laughter and fanfare continue at the Centro de Participación Activa para Personas Mayores Miraflores Encarna Cantero, with a traditional merienda.

Friday January 5

THREE KINGS PARADE –

MARBELLA, SAN PEDRO, ESTEPONA, ETC.

Friday January 5 to Sunday January 7

DISNEY IN CONCERT – MÁLAGA

Little kids will enjoy a colourful concert featuring all their favourite Disney characters at the Teatro Cervantes in Málaga. Featuring day and afternoon shows. For further information, www.teatrocervantes.com

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www.russellgrant.com

. THE GUIDE stars

Russell Grant’s

LOVE, LUCK, LOOT AND LIFE 2018 ARIES (MAR21/APR20) Love:

Your love life sizzles as expansive Jupiter continues to strengthen your bond with someone special. The chemistry between you and your amour will be powerful between January 1st and November 8th. If you’re in a difficult relationship, the Lunar Eclipse on January 31st will let you know if it’s time to make up or break up. Falling in love will be easy near August 11th, when your charisma will be at an all-time high due to a powerful Solar Eclipse. A charming flirtation could quickly blossom into a passionate affair at this time. Avoid getting engaged or married between October 6th and November 16th, when affection won’t be flowing as freely as you would like. Your best prospect for making a relationship official is during the month of December, when your urge to merge will be powerful.

This is a great time to move in together, set a marriage date or exchange wedding vows. Having a big ceremony around Christmas will give both your families a chance to come together and celebrate your happiness.

Luck:

The majority of your luck this year will come in the form of unearned income. From January 1st through to November 8th, you could receive an inheritance, windfall or insurance payment.

Are you in a committed relationship? Your partner could get a high-paying job that indirectly benefits you. At long last, you’ll be able to afford some luxuries that have been out of your reach for far too long. Going on a relaxing holiday to a beautiful seaside resort is a strong possibility. Your love life will also get a boost during this period, helping you to forge an intense bond with the one you love. If you’re looking for a partner, you could find one when you’re out and about doing the things you enjoy during the first ten months of the year. By the time November arrives, you’ll be able to broaden your horizons in exciting ways.

Travelling overseas, publishing a piece of writing or undertaking a serious course of study are all possibilities.

You might also get a chance to live and work abroad, which would be terrific.

Loot:

Your career prospects are very strong throughout 2018. Take this opportunity to go for the sort of work

that pays well and gives you lots of job satisfaction. Exercising your leadership skills will increase your success. Beware of taking a gamble at the end of January, when a Lunar Eclipse could cause a surefire deal to fall through. It’s better to keep your hard earned cash in the bank at this time. If you want a pay rise, the first three weeks of April are ideal for making your case. It will be virtually impossible for your employer to turn you down during this enriching period.

Unusual moneymaking opportunities will arise after May 16th; ventures related to technology and air travel are looking especially good. Do you have a business or romantic partner? They could be making big bucks between January and November, which improves your financial standing as well. Take this opportunity to open a retirement or savings account. Adding to this fund regularly will make it possible for you to retire early and live comfortably.

Life:

You’ll continue to march to the beat of your own drum for the first five months of the year. During this period, it’s better to stand out from the crowd than blend in with them. From the middle of May onwards your income might become more erratic. It’s possible you will choose to work on a freelance basis. Alternatively, your income could be commission-based, leading to periods of feast and famine.

Learning to put some money away into savings will help you get through the lean times. Your values could undergo a significant change, too. Instead of wanting cutting edge equipment, you may develop an affection for unique antiques. Leading a more placid lifestyle will help you connect with your spiritual side. Communing with nature could take on a new importance for you. Visiting the countryside will be preferable to going to busy, bustling cities. There’s also a good chance you will take more time to prepare nurturing, home-cooked meals. Changing your diet will greatly benefit your health. So can practicing relaxation techniques. Slow down and smell the flowers.

TAURUS (APR21/MAY21) Love:

2018 offers great rewards on the relationship front, particularly from January 1st through to November 8th. If you want to get engaged or married, this

is the ideal time to pop the question. The weekend of June 1st is ideal for proposing or exchanging vows. Are you single?

Chances to meet the love of your life will be especially strong between mid-July and early August, so be sure to get out and mingle during this stimulating time.

By the time November arrives, an intimate relationship will assume a new intensity.

You may decide to overhaul a committed relationship by spending more quality time together. Either you or your partner may decide to find the means to improve the way you communicate and share with each other. It’s also possible your amour will get a pay rise or promotion, allowing you to improve your quality of life. If you’re ending a marriage, you could walk away with a generous settlement. It’s even possible you’ll remain friends with your ex, making it much easier to embrace your new single status.

Luck:

Partnerships will be a source of good fortune for you this year. If you want to start your own business, consider taking on a silent partner. Working with someone who has extensive experience in the field will help you avoid expensive pitfalls. Are you looking for work? Joining an employment agency can help you land your dream job. Performing artists can benefit from a great agent or manager.

Are you looking for a new home? Work with an expert who has an impressive track record. Having someone to represent your interests from January through to November will pay off handsomely. During the last two months of the year, you may get an unexpected boost to your bank balance. An inheritance, dividend or legal settlement will help you achieve financial security. Use this windfall to put a deposit on a car or home. If you have a romantic partner, they could land a lucrative job, allowing you to afford luxuries that were previously out of reach. Improved finances will also draw you closer together.

Loot:

Working for a company based overseas could be extremely profitable in 2018. Alternatively, if you are seeking employment, think seriously about living abroad. Working for an educational, religious or cultural institution will improve your financial status and increase your professional success. If your employer offers paid training, take advantage of the program. Earning advanced qualifications

at no personal expense to you is a great deal. An especially exciting career opportunity will arrive near February 15th, when a Solar Eclipse puts you in line for a lucrative job. You want a pay rise, and who doesn’t? Go for one between April 25th and May 19th, when your prospects for earning more money are strong. Your very best chances for increasing your income will arrive via a business or romantic partner.

Their money-making abilities will have a big impact on your own lifestyle. Paying off debts and establishing financial security is a possibility between November 8th and the end of the year. You could also take out a bank loan or refinance your mortgage during this enriching period.

Life: Get ready to change gear

in 2018. The year ahead will see you delving deeply into a philosophy, religious practice or advanced course of study.

If you feel the urge to go on a spiritual pilgrimage, do it. Travelling overseas will be enlightening. Instead of clinging to the ideas that were passed on to you during childhood, you’ll start developing a belief system that resonates with your morals. This could cause some strain on the family front, particularly near January 31st, when a Lunar Eclipse creates stress on the domestic front. Changing your look, assuming a different lifestyle or adopting another belief system are all possibilities from the middle of May onwards. Doing what you want to do will become increasingly important as the year goes on. Instead of worrying about what others think, you’ll be intent on being true to yourself. This will be liberating. Instead of clinging stubbornly to traditional modes of thought, you’ll be more likely to experiment.

This will especially come through in your creative work, which will take on a compelling new quality.

GEMINI (MAY22/JUN21) Love:

Your best days for finding love fall between August 7th and September 10th, so be sure to attend as many parties and outings as possible during this potentially packed period. Romantic misunderstandings can occur during the first half of November; if your relationship feels strained, be patient. You’ll have a much better rapport as the month goes on. If you want to get engaged or married,

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wait until the last three weeks of December, when you’ll feel in perfect sync with your partner. Do you already have a serious partner? The final weeks of 2018 are perfect for going on an extended holiday.

Travelling overseas will be more enjoyable than you anticipate. Pick a destination which has diversions that appeal to both of you. There’s a chance you will feel a deep spiritual connection to your surroundings; you may even think about relocating to this heavenly place. A change of scenery will reignite your mutual passion. It will also force you to cooperate more. Too often, your desire for freedom can undermine intimacy. Let down your defences and form a united front.

Luck: Work will be downright

enjoyable for most of 2018. If you are self-employed, you’ll easily attract business and build a great client list for yourself.

It’s a good time to hire people, as you’ll find candidates with good experience and upbeat attitudes. These new members of staff will give your business zip and zest.

You’ll also feel incredibly robust between January and early November. If you’ve been struggling with a health problem, you’ll be able to pinpoint the source of the trouble with a perceptive doctor. Therapeutic procedures are slated to go well, particularly between January and March 10th and then again between July 11th and November 8th. Once the second week of November arrives, your good fortune will focus on the realm of partnerships.

Forming a business or romantic alliance will pay off handsomely.

You’ll feel a deep kinship with someone who is as free-spirited and adventurous as you. There’s a good chance your cultural backgrounds will be markedly different. Being together will give you a fresh appreciation for life. You’ll have time and the inclination to enjoy blessings you normally overlook.

Loot:

Conserving your resources will be your greatest challenge this year.

Although you’ll have no trouble finding a work with a nice pay packet attached, it will be tempting to spend money as soon as it hits your bank account. Get into the habit of automatically diverting a percentage of each month’s salary into an interest bearing savings account. Stashing away money for a rainy day will be empowering.

A windfall in the form of an inheritance, royalty payment or insurance refund could arrive during the first three weeks of January, allowing you to pay off some debts. Do you want a pay rise? Ask for one between May 20th and June 13th, when your prospects for increasing your income are strong. There is an excellent chance you will form a profitable partnership during the last two months of the year.

Whether you form a business alliance with

a talented executive or hitch your wagon to someone with more money than you is immaterial; this relationship will enrich you.

Your relationship will fare much better if you have some money of your own.

Life: Your career will usually be a

source of creative fulfilment for you, but If you’re not happy with your current job, you could find an excellent position in the film, fashion or photography industry. Working for a non-profit organisation could also be rewarding. When it comes to finding work, look for opportunities that will bring emotional fulfilment; the money will come later. Over the past few years, your social life has been a top priority. You’ve enjoyed mixing and mingling with a wide range of people. By mid-May, this trend could die down. You may prefer to spend quality time alone, developing art projects and doing spiritual work. Solitary activities will support good health. When you start feeling frazzled, stop, look around and take stock. Indulging your sensual side will be an effective way of releasing nervous tension. As Christmas approaches, you’ll become more outgoing. You’ll go back to your sociable ways in early November.

Throughout the year, you’ll be challenged to be more discerning about the company you keep. A serious romance will take precedence over casual friendships.

CANCER (JUN22/JUL23) Love: The first

ten months of 2018 have a passionate intensity that brings out the best in you.

If you’re single, you will feel a powerful chemistry with someone who is cultured and intelligent.

Be careful if you simply want to play the field.

Even casual flirtations can deepen to obsession in the blink of an eye. Your charisma is powerful, particularly between January 1st and November 8th. Are you in a serious relationship? Your partner will be more demonstrative, adding a welcome dash of spice to your union. Think carefully before getting engaged or married. Any commitments you make this year will have long-lasting effects. It will be difficult to turn back after you’ve taken the plunge. If you’re absolutely certain you have found your ideal partner, then go ahead and exchange vows. The first three weeks of January are perfect for a marriage ceremony. The final three weeks of the year are also good for making a lifetime commitment. All twelve months of the year promise to be extremely rewarding on the romantic front.

Luck:

The time between January 1st and November 8th is excellent for taking emotional, financial and even creative risks. You’re cautious by nature, which sometimes leads to feelings of boredom

and listlessness. Rest assured that trying new things will work to your advantage for most of the coming year. Whatever direction your ambitions and aspirations may take, this is the year to grasp the nettle and do something about them. You will not be disappointed. By November 9th, your luck will take another form. The daily routines of life will become much easier.

You’ll feel brighter and better and there’s a good chance you’ll find a job you absolutely love. If you’ve been struggling with nagging aches and pains, you’ll finally find a medical professional who locates the source of trouble. Changing your diet or exercise routine will be a small price to pay for feeling fantastic. If you’ve been thinking of adopting a pet, wait for the last two months of the year, when you’ll find a perfect companion that gives you a new lease on life. You’ll feel an instant connection when you look into this animal’s eyes.

Loot:

A source of income will come to an end on or around January 31st, due to a Lunar Eclipse. This will be a blessing in disguise. If you are, or want to be, selfemployed, it will be very rewarding for the first five months of the year. You may find work as a consultant, freelance or temp. A friend or former colleague will help you find more steady employment around August 11th, when an empowering Solar Eclipse helps you land a job that truly engages you. This position will involve a great deal of socialising. Take every opportunity to attend meetings and expand your professional network. Are you in a serious relationship? Money could be the source of a power struggle. Having your own income will take the pressure off. Moneymaking opportunities will dramatically improve once November 9th arrives. If you’re offered an entry level position at a big company, take it. You’ll quickly rise through the ranks and receive a better paid position soon. This job will probably involve lots of travel, so make sure your passport is up to date.

Life:

Relationships will take on a new importance this year. If you have a marriage or business partner, it will be very important to assert yourself in this union. Letting your other half take the lead at all times could lead to anger and resentment. It’s possible you will leave your current place of work so you can spend more time with your friends and family. Building a loving support network will allow you to realise your full potential.

Taking a spiritual pilgrimage is also worth thinking about. Even visiting a seaside resort can put you in touch with the divine.

A homebody like you sometimes has difficulty going further afield. Once you arrive at your destination, your delightful sense of humour will emerge and you’ll enjoy the exotic atmosphere. A fitness programme will yield impressive results after November 9th. Try getting exercise on a daily basis throughout the year and don’t be discouraged if the benefits are not instantly noticeable. They will be at the end of the year. Once Christmas arrives, you’ll look and feel better than ever before.

GEMINI: If you want to get engaged or married, wait until the last three weeks of December, when you’ll feel in perfect sync with your partner ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM JANUARY 2018 / 147

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LEO (JUL24/

AUG23)

Love:

2018 will be a very romantic year for you. The excitement begins around February 15th, when a Solar Eclipse marks an energising turning point in your relationship status.

A Lunar Eclipse on July 27th will tell you whether this is an affair of the heart or just a casual fling. If you’re already in a committed partnership, it’s possible your lover will get a career boost that improves your standard of living. No matter how long you’ve been with your partner, the days between November 9th and December 31st will feel like a second honeymoon. This is a wonderful period to get engaged or married. If you’ve already tied the knot, go on an overseas holiday with your partner.

Choose a destination where you both can have fun, together and separately. Giving each other an added measure of freedom will strengthen your bond, not weaken it. When you come back together at the end of the day, you’ll be able to trade interesting stories. Being with someone who stimulates your intellect will make this year rewarding.

Luck: Home is where the heart is for

the majority of the year. Between January and early November, you’ll have a chance to move to somewhere that makes your heart sing with happiness. There’s a chance your place will be a calm and restful haven away from prying eyes. Although you enjoy the spotlight, you need a home that allows you to decompress in private. If you have no intention of moving, you could make some improvements to your abode. Upgrading your bathroom to a home spa will bring lots of enjoyment. You might also decide to add water features to your garden, whether it’s something as grand as a swimming pool or as simple as a fountain or even a small pond. By November 9th, your luck will take the form of romance, fun and adventure.

Spend the last two months of the year taking risks. Venturing into unknown territory will pay off handsomely. Don’t be afraid to take a chance and take a leap of faith. Scale back on regular routines in favour of adventure, enterprise and dream chasing during this magical period.

Loot:

You will always need to keep a close eye on joint finances during the year ahead. If you have a joint account with your business or romantic partner, monitor its activity closely. You don’t want to be responsible for somebody else’s big bills or erratic spending. The same principle holds true for your credit cards. Look out for any unauthorised activity. If the interest

rate soars on one account, cancel it and get a card with more reasonable terms. An unusual career opportunity could arrive between mid-May and early November.

Working for a hi-tech company, airline or research and development firm could be very lucrative. Alternatively, you could land a job specialising in luxury goods at a start-up company. Working for an offbeat entrepreneur will be energising.

You’ll be expected to take on a new layer of responsibilities in 2018, the going may be tough, but the rewards will make it all worthwhile. Learning about different aspects of an industry will make you a very valuable member of the team. Don’t be surprised if your role changes several times throughout the year. Treat every assignment as a learning opportunity.

Life: You will experience several

important personal transformations this year. On January 31st, you will end a role that has prevented you from spending quality time with your nearest and dearest.

It will be a relief to be able to arrange your lifestyle without constantly referring to others. A business or romantic alliance formed on February 15th will increase your opportunity to do the things you love.

Spending more time on hobbies, sports and studies will give you an attractive glow that is hard to resist. You could choose to take on a higher profile role at work starting in mid-May. Instead of following a boring formula, you’ll offer something unique to customers. People will start seeking you out, delighting in your offbeat dynamism. If you want to launch a new product or service, do so in the middle of July, when an empowering Solar Eclipse will attract favourable publicity. As a result of this success, you’ll feel you can take a prolonged holiday at the end of the year.

Travelling the world between November 9th and December 31st will bring great happiness and a new appreciation of what you have.

VIRGO (AUG24/SEP23) Love:

Your love life will have a fated quality this year. An accomplished person will seek out your company. Take care not to let your needs be eclipsed by theirs. Although they may be undeniably attractive, they have a tendency to command the spotlight. This can be intimidating for a modest person like you, who doesn’t like to brag about your achievements. Instead of deferring to your partner all the time, be more assertive. If you demand to be treated like an equal, you’ll lay the foundation for a rewarding relationship. There will be a

fairy tale quality to your union that lasts all year. Instead of ignoring your partner’s shortcomings, be honest about them.

Taking a realistic view of their weaknesses will strengthen your self-image. You’re a highly talented, capable person who brings a lot to the table. Never forget that. If you’d like to get engaged or married, the period between February 19th and March 7th is ideal. Are you in a committed relationship?

Take a holiday together during the third week of April.

Luck: You’ve always been highly

intelligent, but you’ll gather, glean and garner information especially quickly in 2018. The days between January 1st and November 8th are ideal for acquiring valuable new skills. Training and studying will be intellectually challenging and socially enjoyable. Be sure to pursue a subject that fills you with excitement.

Studying something that bores you to death will be a waste of the luck that surrounds you. Once the second week of November arrives, your luck will centre around the domestic front. Whether you want to move into your own place, buy a home or downsize is immaterial. You have a chance to live in a place that is bright, beautiful and uplifting. More people could be added to your household, too. A roommate, elderly relative or child will add great joy to your home life. Welcome this addition with open arms. If you’ve always wanted to live abroad, you can make this happen in the final two months of the year.

Look for work opportunities overseas.

Experiencing a different way of life will be lovely.

from your handiwork. It doesn’t matter if you bake, build furniture, or make jewellery.

You can turn a handsome profit by selling your wares to those who appreciate creative skill and ingenuity. Being your own boss will be a welcome change of pace.

Life:

Unexpected opportunities to travel will come your way between mid-May and early November. If you get a chance to visit a distant destination, take it. Exploring unfamiliar territory will be an enjoyable, energising experience. As 2018 progresses, you’ll find it much easier to achieve your goals and get your needs met. Be ready to ask for exactly what you want. If you can conceive it, you can achieve it this year. Building things of lasting value will be especially rewarding. Whether you start a business, write a book or have a family is immaterial. The important thing is to pursue your heart’s desire. All the obstacles that blocked your path in 2017 will vanish.

A close relationship will be a continued source of comfort to you. When you grow tired of working towards your dreams, you should turn to your best friend or romantic partner. They’ll work hard to boost your morale and give you the courage to continue. Hobbies can bring relief from work-related stress, especially between January and November. After that, home life will be your very special therapy.

Loot:

For the past few years, you’ve been on the receiving end of some fiscal good fortune. This trend will continue, but it will slow down between mid-May and early November. It would be wise to cultivate other money-making opportunities in 2018. If you want a lucrative job or deserve a pay rise, make your move between August 7th and September 10th, when you’ll be at your most ambitious, assertive and aspirational. The sudden expenses that have forced you to occasionally dip into savings will begin to slow down. Take this opportunity to build a nest egg that cultivates long term financial security. If you’ve ever dreamed about making money from your creative efforts, 2018 is a great year to do so. Hone your skills with a gifted teacher. Becoming a master craftsperson will help you make a living

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series of minibreaks will help you deal with the stress of the modern world. If family gatherings have been tense, why not plan to take a break and go away over the Christmas season. Visiting a nearby city with a foreign flavour will be lots of fun.

Loot:

LIBRA (SEP24/OCT23) Love: An exciting love affair could

blossom in mid-February, thanks to a powerful Solar Eclipse. If you’re already in a romantic relationship, your amour will have wonderful news that will be a cause for celebration. A surprise engagement or marriage is possible in the days following April 16th, thanks to an impulsive New Moon. If you’re in a committed partnership, take a holiday with your partner between April 25th and May 19th, when you’ll have fun exploring a cosmopolitan city. Taking a romantic relationship to the next level is a definite possibility on July 24th, when a Lunar Eclipse urges you to make things official.

Don’t let your family interfere with your love life in 2018. Although you love your nearest and dearest, this doesn’t give them license to criticise your partner or dictate your romantic choices. Be ready to defend your lover to a family member who feels threatened by their influence.

Remaining silent will do a tremendous disservice to your relationship. Instead of pretending to be neutral, make your choice crystal clear to all concerned.

Luck: Your moneymaking

potential is looking good this year.

You’ve always been famous for your discretion, which makes you a great candidate for a job involving top secret or confidential information. You could also earn a handsome salary working in the financial industry, dealing with loans, venture capital or investments.

Your excellent insights into human behaviour could make you a great coach, counsellor or mental health professional.

When it comes to earning a living, choose a field that fills you with passion.

When you do what you love, the money will follow, especially between January and early November. After November 9th, your good fortune will focus on the area of communication. You could get fame and acclaim for an entertaining blog or social media page. There will also be many chances for short trips. A

2018 promises to be a lucrative year, between January 1st and November 8th. If you want to find a well-paid position, try to reach your goal during this potential packed period. If that is where your talents lie you can make a good living in the creative field. Making money from your artistic abilities will be both personally and financially rewarding. Try your best to increase contributions to a savings or retirement account. Shared resources will wax and wane between May 16th and November 6th. Having money in reserve will help you and your partner to get over any periods of scarcity. It’s possible you will have to dip into savings to pay an unexpected bill or other necessary outgoings. If this happens, stay calm. You’ll be able to cover this amount by juggling your budget. Once November 7th arrives, it will be easier to build your nest egg back up again.

Think long and hard about taking out an insurance policy or warranty this year, as you may have to get some expensive repairs. Be willing to spend extra to protect your existing wealth.

Life: You’ll be challenged to deal

with some troubling family matters this year. Caring for an elderly parent or the special needs of a child will cause you to reconsider your priorities. What seems like a terrible burden at first will quickly become a labour of love. Your love life will receive an extra dose of passion.

Don’t be surprised when your sensual side demands expression between May 16th and November 6th. Instead of living in your head all the time, you’ll develop a fresh appreciation for beautiful sights, sounds, scents, tastes and tactile sensations. Enjoying more intimacy with your lover will be a critical component of this phase. If you’re single, you’ll attract an ardent admirer near August 11th, when a Solar Eclipse makes your charm irresistible. Let them indulge you with creature comforts. When it comes to fitness, exercising and diet can have a beneficial effect at this time. Even taking a warm bath each night will help you relieve stress and recharge your batteries. 2018 has many marvellous opportunities for you, including improved health.

SCORPIO (OCT24/NOV22) Love:

Your personal magnetism will attract a lot of amorous attention. If you’re single, you’ll easily find love between February 19th and March 7th, when your powers of attraction will be irresistible. If you want to get engaged or married, the third week of April is ideal for making a lasting commitment. Are you in a serious relationship? Your union will take a stimulating turn from May 16th through to November 6th. There’s a chance you will switch roles with your partner. One of you will become the breadwinner while the other stays home to care for a child, recuperate from an illness or focus on a creative project.

This change of pace will be wonderfully exciting; the passion that first drew you together will return. The key to cultivating romance is to say what you mean and mean what you say.

Be careful about lashing out at a loving partner when you feel frustrated.

Words have a lasting effect, especially when uttered in anger. Make it your mission to exchange loving, supportive and encouraging words with your partner.

discerning in your job search. Use any newly acquired wealth to cover your bills while looking for your dream position.

If you can’t find regular employment during the first quarter of 2018, be open to doing freelance work. This will help you get your foot in the door of a good company. Your professional environment won’t be as frenetic as it has for the past few years. Instead of being forced to work alongside people with a sketchy, distracted attitude towards work, you’ll be surrounded by talented professionals who don’t need to be pampered and petted like high-strung animals. Your financial outlook will dramatically alter after November 9th, when you are

Luck:

You’ll be able to make a cherished dream come true in 2018, as long as you take advantage of the many opportunities coming your way.

It’s not enough to want a good job; you have to update your CV, gather glowing references and go for interviews.

The same goes for finding true love, achieving fame or finding fulfilment.

If you put your energy into the people and activities you love for the first ten months of the year, you’ll be given a handsome reward after November 8th.

This is also a good time to enhance your looks, either with a fitness programme, style update or professional makeover.

The period between November 9th and December 31st will be fantastic for earning lots of money. Overseas business ventures are particularly potential packed, as well as business matters involving education, publishing and the law. It’s possible your job will be sending you on a series of trips, allowing you to travel on a lavish expense account. Getting paid to see the world will feel like the answer to a prayer.

Loot:

A tense career situation will come to a close around January 31st, forcing you to take a second look at your earning potential. You could receive a nice little windfall between April 25th and May 19th, allowing you to be very

offered a great job at a company that is based overseas. If you get a chance to relocate to a foreign country, take it.

Life: You’ll be the focus of

attention for most of 2018, so make the most of it. Promote your agenda, showcase your creative work and pursue your heart’s desire. Spiritual pursuits and artwork continue to be a profound source of joy and satisfaction for you. No matter what you’re doing, always make time to meditate, commune with nature, play music, write stories and make things of beauty. Beware of a tendency to worry. You’ll fare much better if you practice the power of positive thinking this year, even in the face of disappointment. A challenging business trip or test result could throw you off kilter on July 13th, thanks to a disruptive Solar Eclipse. Instead of beating yourself up for mishandling a golden opportunity, let your family help you recover from this setback. A Lunar Eclipse on July 27th will make you realise there is a silver lining to this cloud. Relocating to a more supportive, stimulating neighbourhood is a real possibility at this time. Look for somewhere that will help you to be more physically active.

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SAGITTARIUS (NOV23/DEC21) Love: Towards the middle of 2018,

your love life will begin to stabilise. If you are unattached you could meet someone special in the days surrounding April 16th, when you’ll be irresistibly drawn to an adventurous, pioneer spirit. At first, you’ll be charmed by this wild rebel’s unpredictable behaviour. By the time May 16th arrives, you’ll be ready to establish some ground rules for seeing one another. Sitting at home waiting for a phone call won’t deepen your desire; it will only create resentment. A power struggle could continue through early November. At that point, you will decide whether to part ways or make a serious commitment. If you are already in a committed relationship, you’ll assume the leadership role on or around November 9th. If you’ve always wanted to live abroad, go back to college or embark on a writing career, you’ll have the full support of your amour. Your partner will be very attentive during the last two months of the year. Make sure you express your gratitude for their kindness and consideration.

Luck:

Keeping a low profile is probably the best way to find contentment throughout most of 2018. You’re a highly sociable person, but the period between January 1st and November 8th will find you more introverted than unusual. Solitary pursuits like writing, reading and communing with nature will give you the sort of happiness money cannot buy.

Working to make the world a better place will also attract good fortune during this magical period. If you are dismayed and frustrated by current events, get involved with an animal rescue group, environmental organisation or human rights institution. After November 9th, you’ll be ready to command the spotlight again. This will present an opportunity to realise a cherished dream. Whether you want to write a bestseller, launch a successful business or travel the world

on a new significance this year, particularly between January and early November. The final two months of the year will find you assuming a more prominent role. At this point, you’ll be able to set the agenda. Stop telling yourself you lack the experience, confidence or assertiveness to make your dreams come true. If you keep working towards your goal, the hassles and hitches that have stood in your way will gradually disappear. Expect a breakthrough around December 7th.

is immaterial. The important thing is to set lofty goals during the last two months of the year. The sky is the limit during this fateful phase. Improving your appearance is also a strong possibility; it’s a good time to get fit and upgrade your wardrobe.

CAPRICORN (DEC22/JAN20)

Loot:

Love: Your love life will take some

Money won’t be flowing as freely as it has in the past and it will be challenging to live on a budget.

By scaling back on impulse buys and making existing resources go further, you can live comfortably on what you earn. If you have your own business, employment will be sporadic between May 16th and November 6th. Instead of worrying about when your next pay will arrive, train yourself to enjoy your down time. Pour your energy into pleasant pursuits like hobbies, sports and studying. You will get a financial boost on July 13th, when a Solar Eclipse triggers payments from an inheritance, investment plan or legal settlement. At times, you will have to exchange sharp words with the person in charge of paying out the cash. Know your rights and demand the money you deserve. If necessary a lawyer will come to your rescue during the final two months of the year, saving you a great deal of time and aggravation. Don’t begrudge this professional their fee. Thanks to their expertise, you’ll prevail in this struggle.

Life: 2018 will mark several

interesting changes for you. Learning to become more financially resourceful will be emotionally as well as economically rewarding. Instead of spending money on expensive gadgets, status symbols and trips, you’ll cultivate contentment with what you already have. Spending more time on close relationships and intellectual pursuits will make you realise you don’t need to earn lots of money to be happy. Superficial friendships will fall by the wayside, giving you more time for solitary pursuits. Reading, writing and communing with nature will take

unusual twists and turns in 2018. After May 16th, you’ll find your tastes change dramatically. Instead of gravitating towards your usual type, you’ll fall head over heels in love with an offbeat rebel.

The object of your affection may not have a regular job or lead an orthodox or conformist lifestyle. Don’t worry too much what others will think of this relationship. When it comes to love, you should follow your heart. If you want to get engaged or married, you may feel that the time is right to take the plunge near July 13th, due to a Solar Eclipse.

Are you in a serious relationship? Your amour will encourage you to take up a hobby. Having a creative pursuit unrelated to work will make you a better partner. Instead of spending all your time at the office, you’ll make a greater effort to be home, working on an art project and enjoying romantic outings with your partner. This playful interlude will last through early November. Move your focus from the professional to the personal.

Luck:

Your social life continues to bring lots of pleasure this year. Between January 1st and November 8th, you’ll be busy doing the rounds of parties and casual get togethers and of course you’ll be carrying a supply of business cards at all times. You’re sure to meet some influential people at these gatherings.

Whether you’re looking for love, work or a plumber is immaterial. You will bump into the right people at the right time during the first ten months of the year.

Once November 9th arrives, you’ll be ready to take a break from all this social activity. Devoting more time to solitary

pursuits will fill you with a quiet pleasure.

You’ll become indifferent to worldly pursuits like professional success, social status and material wealth. Instead, you’ll cultivate contentment from simple activities like spending time with pets, developing creative projects and reading books. Adopting a lower profile will help you recharge your batteries and regain your strength. You’ll grow to enjoy your scaled-back schedule so much that you’ll break a destructive habit of working around the clock.

Loot:

An income stream will come to an abrupt end around the end of January, due to a stressful Lunar Eclipse.

Don’t panic. An exciting moneymaking opportunity will come along shortly after this financial hiccup. Keep your eyes open for work in the days surrounding February 15th, when new career options will become available. A new role will give you a fresh lease on life, allowing you to develop innovative ideas that have tremendous social benefits. Don’t be surprised if you’re given a pay rise towards the end of July, when another Lunar Eclipse causes your employer to realise you are worth your weight in gold. There’s a good chance you’ll be assuming more responsibility at work, but you will be properly paid for these duties. Instead of increasing your standard of living, put your extra income into savings. Opening a retirement fund in August would be a good move, when a Solar Eclipse will pave the way for long term financial security. A profitable career opportunity will arrive on December 21st, drawing on your creative talent.

Life: Leading a more disciplined

life will help you reach heights you never thought possible in 2018. Working hard puts your professional star in the ascendant. Don’t be surprised if you’re offered an upscale position with more responsibility. Influential friends will make sure you get the career opportunities you deserve. Don’t hesitate to ask them for references. The secret to your success is your personal idealism. Instead of telling everybody why proposals will go wrong, find ways to turn brilliant ideas into functioning systems. A business or romantic alliance will reach an important turning point on July 13th, when a Solar Eclipse prompts you to relinquish an element of control to your partner. Working with someone you trust will come as a relief. Although you’re capable of working long and hard, you can’t do everything by yourself. Rely on others to handle everyday operations and sensitive communications while you focus on the big picture. The final two months of the year could require you to relocate. Your partner will find the perfect new home for you.

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Loot: Do you want a pay rise?

AQUARIUS (JAN21/FEB19) Love:

Your love life will reach a crossroads near January 31st, when a Lunar Eclipse prompts you to make up or break up. If your heart is no longer in a relationship, it’s best to part ways. Are you single? Playing the field will be lots of fun between July 11th and August 6th, when you’ll have your choice of would be wooers. You could find true love on August 11th, thanks to a romantic Solar Eclipse. If you’re already in a relationship and want to get married or engaged, this would be an ideal time to take the plunge.

The period between mid-August and early September is also perfect for taking an exotic holiday. Head for a glamorous destination famous for its shopping, restaurants and cultural pursuits. This vacation will fuel your mutual desire; it will feel more like a honeymoon than a run-of-the-mill trip. It’s possible you will move home before November 6th in order to be closer to someone or something special to you. Choose a home with a garden.

Luck:

Increased public recognition and professional success will be yours for the asking between January 1st and November 8th. There’s never been a better time to embark on your dream career. Authority figures are impressed by your organisational skill and fiscal prudence. Presiding over a large workforce and operating within a tight budget will cause your star to rise. If you’re not in the work force, there is a good chance you will form an alliance with an influential executive. Your partner will draw you into the spotlight, allowing you to champion your favourite causes. By early November, your lucky star will be shining on your social life. Joining a club or charity will be extremely helpful. Don’t hesitate to ask well-connected friends for favours during the last two months of the year. They’ll be happy to help. Pursuing a lifelong dream is strongly advised during this golden period. It will be easy to get the funding, publicity and official assistance you need. There is strength in numbers at the end of 2018 so give up some of your independent ways and be a team player.

Of course you do and the period between February 19th and March 7th is ideal for asking for one. If you are self-employed, take this opportunity to raise your prices.

A Solar Eclipse on July 13th marks a work assignment that is more trouble than it is worth. You’ll spend most of your time with this assignment grappling with bureaucracy or officialdom. The frustration level with this job will be so significant that you may decide to move on to greener pastures.

Fortunately, your career prospects are very strong through November 8th.

Joining a new company might be an alternative. Although the salary may not be impressive, there will be significant perks. Be sure to take advantage of a generous retirement program or profitsharing scheme. Contributing as much money as possible to this fund could help you retire early. Throughout the entire year, you should keep an eye on all your financial statements. Regularly review your bank balance, credit card bills and investment reports. If you see any unusual or unauthorised activity, report it immediately.

Life: 2018 will be chock full

of spectacular changes for you. A partnership could wither on the vine in late January, thanks to a dramatic Lunar Eclipse. This will free you up to embark on a new adventure on February 15th, thanks to an empowering Solar Eclipse. You’ll be able to wrap up this venture successfully near July 27th, due to a decisive Lunar Eclipse. A passionate relationship begun in mid-August could prompt you to relocate to a beautiful home during the second half of the year. Having a comfortable haven from public life will allow you to make the most of the career success that will follow you through early November. The last two months of the year will be filled with enjoyable social pursuits. Be sure to go to as many parties as possible during this expansive period.

When you get tired of rubbing elbows with people from all walks of life, enjoy time alone with yourself. Reading, writing and communing with nature can have a therapeutic effect throughout the course of the year.

the love and respect you have for each other. 2018 offers many opportunities for romantic getaways. Take at least one overseas trip before November 8th, when you’ll benefit from a dramatic change of scenery. Visiting an ancient city by the sea would be especially good. Getting engaged or married is a possibility near December 21st, when love will take on a fairy tale quality. If you’re already in a serious relationship, take this opportunity to celebrate Christmas early with your amour. A candlelit dinner will pave the way to passion.

Luck:

Opportunities to travel, study and expand your horizons will be coming thick and fast between January 1st and November 8th. Taking a trip abroad or going to an overseas university will be incredibly lucky for you. Legal or official matters will also be decided in your favour during this fateful period, so try wrapping up a case during the first ten months of the year. By November 9th, your career will get a tremendous boost.

This would be an excellent opportunity to land your dream job, especially if you’re looking for work involving publishing, higher education or the law. If you want to set up your own business this will be the time to lay some firm foundations. Taking part in a spiritual organisation is another possibility; this role will cause your good fortune to expand and grow. Any new position you accept could involve a great deal of travel. Visiting distant destinations will open your mind to new ideas and influences and it will also increase your reputation as a natural diplomat who can work with people from all walks of life.

Loot: A job will come to an end

near January 31st, due to a disruptive Lunar Eclipse. Don’t worry. Your financial situation will stabilise starting on May 16th. For the past few years, you’ve experienced a feast-or-famine dynamic

when it comes to money. It will be much easier to find steady employment near August 11th, due to a stimulating Solar Eclipse. Although the prospect of taking a boring job won’t fill you with excitement, it will give you a chance to pay some debts. Once November 9th arrives, your career prospects will take a turn for the better. Your impressive work performance could lead to a promotion. Alternatively, you’ll get an opportunity to launch your own business. Being your own boss will really appeal to your free spirit. Work involving travel, animal care or publishing will yield a handsome profit. You could also reap a different type of reward from working in a business with a humanitarian or charitable connection. Meetings during the last three weeks of 2018 will be productive. Your income will rise dramatically as the year progresses.

Life:

You are always highly sensitive to your environment throughout 2018.

It’s essential to surround yourself with kind, supportive and like-minded people throughout the year. Don’t be surprised if your social circle gets a little smaller this year. When it comes to friendships, quality is more important than quantity. If you’re forced to choose between a romantic partner and a jealous clique in mid-July, pick the former. Loyal friends will assist you to make the most of your luck, helping you to travel extensively for the first ten months of the year. By November, your nearest and dearest can aid you in finding and settling into a new role. The days between November 16th and the end of the year will be especially busy, when you’re able to promote your agenda with energy and enthusiasm. This is a great opportunity to sell merchandise, generate publicity and win favours. One thing is certain: you will be in the driver’s seat at the end of the year. Put the pedal to the metal and zoom into 2019 on a cloud of success.e

PISCES: You’ll get an opportunity to launch your own business. Being your own boss will really appeal to your free spirit

PISCES

(FEB20/MAR20)

Love:

Whether you are single or attached, the period between May 20th and June 13th will be the most romantic of the year. Take this opportunity to find love or enjoy more time with your amour. A disruptive Solar Eclipse on July 13th will force you to defend your lover against a ‘catty’ group of friends. Don’t let your social circle dictate your personal life. When it comes to love, you’re not particularly concerned whether your partner has a prestigious job or big bank account.

The only thing that matters to you is ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM JANUARY 2018 / 151

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. THE GUIDE family

O

ne of the things I most look forward to is turning 18 and (are you listening, Mum and Dad?) taking my very first car on the road. I’m currently hovering between a Lexus and a Rover, but hey, even a humbler car will suffice – it won’t do much for my street cred, but will definitely get me to university and back.

Always aiming to stay on top of my game, I’ve started reading about requirements for my driver’s licence.

However, I came across quite an alarming article, which noted that the probability of an 18 year old having a serious driving accident is four times greater than that of a 35-year-old grandpa. How can this be possible?

Aren’t we supposedly at the height of our game in terms of reflexes, vision and cognitive ability, not to mention, looks?

YOUNG, ‘REALLY REALLY REALLY GOOD LOOKING’ ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN

The statistics certainly brought me down to earth. The main reasons for our ridiculous track record include our inability to correctly assess risks, our lack of experience in handling cars, and our inappropriate reactions to challenges such as merging onto a highway, making turns at crowded

intersections or roundabouts, and our lack of awareness regarding how to drive in precarious situations such as rain.

Part of the concern is motor coordination (I guess we’re not as physically adept as we feel). In particular, driving requires us to coordinate hands, feet and eyes. Cell phone use is another big problem – texting or holding a phone causes almost 25% of all accidents and, sadly, it has been found that teens are most likely to use phones will driving.

Another major issue is distraction; when we have other teens in the car with us, we can be up to four times more likely to have an accident! In the US, the government tries to get around this by imposing a kind-of curfew on young drivers (for instance, learners cannot drive between 10pm and 5am – when most dangerous accidents tend to happen). Additionally, drivers under the age of 18 on a provisional licence cannot have more than one person under the age of 20 in the car for the first six months of driving (except for family members); after six months, that number increases to three. In Spain, we do not have similar restrictions. Once we receive our licence, we have to do little more than put an L sign on the back of the

car for the first year – therefore, the ultimate responsibility lies with us, and of course, our parents.

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?

Just the thought of driving next to Dad while he sings his favourite Led Zeppelin songs makes my skin crawl, but I think I just may have to put up with it, since research shows that parents can make a big difference in terms of saving our hide on the road. Experts recommend that parents help us practice our skills on the routes we are most likely to take – which means that Dad will have to accompany me to Uni (most likely in the UK – ready to pack your bags, Dad?), to the Armani store and to the mani/pedi spot at the mall (who said males can’t have well-groomed nails?). Apparently, it is important to be aware of dangerous ‘spots’ on our routes; the ones where most accidents take place – including curves, roundabouts and incorporations onto main roads.

Dad always says that the one rule that is hardest to stick to, is

WORDS JOFFREY KING

that of keeping to the speed limit.

It somehow never feels like we are going as fast as we are, but the bottom line is that no party, concert or university class is important enough to risk losing our lives or killing others on the road. It pays to read about accidents, too; I was shocked to see that one of my favourite reality stars recently suffered from 90 per cent burns to his body when he ran a red light, and a truck crashed into his Mini – the fuel tank ignited and he is still in recovery as we go to print. “That’s why I’m easy…” says the song, and indeed, chilled out is a great way to be, especially when you are on the road. e

TEEN DRIVERS A ROAD RISK? 152 / JANUARY 2018 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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