Essential Magazine December 2018

N º 232 - DECEMBER 2018

COMPLIMENTARY EDITION

MARVELS BY THE MIGHTY

ORIGEN

+ RANCHO

LUXURY WITH

9 LIONS

25 YEARS HOT ICE

HOTELS

ESSENTIAL FOR LUXURIOUS LIVING

OF LAND ROVER

GAUDÍ BUGATTI DIVO

CHRISTMAS LONDON GIFTS FEST SHOPPING

ISSUE 232 • DECEMBER 2018

essential essential magazine® marbella

e

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b THE GOURMET

h THE LEISURE

z THE PRO

D THE SPOTLIGHT d THE STYLE n THE SPA L THE SOCIAL

MARBELLA

IN 2017 WE SHOCKED THE MARKET

IN 2018 WE WILL CHANGE IT...

BUILD 2018 Home Builder Awards

Best Luxury Home Construction Company 2018 - Spain

8

th

DECEMBER

BE READY FOR THE REVOLUTION BE READY FOR BYNOK Stay tuned...

Bedrooms: 7

Bathrooms: 7

Built: 847 m²

Terraces: 425 m²

Plot: 1,693 m²

Price: € 3,000,000

RESERVA DE LA QUINTA Immaculate modern villa with views to the Golf Valley in a very private golf front gated community in La Quinta. Ref. ES10733

Bedrooms: 6

Built: 470 m²

Plot: 1,781 m²

Price: € 1,650,000

GOLDEN MILE Lovely family home with potential in Nagüeles. Ref.ES10635

Bedrooms: 4

Built: 629 m²

Plot: 920 m²

Price: € 1,795,000

SAN PEDRO BEACHSIDE Villa next to the town & promenade. Ref. ES10555

Bedrooms: 4

Built: 221 m²

Terrace: 294 m²

Price: € 3,995,000

PUERTO BANÚS Beachfront duplex penthouse in Los Granados. Ref.ES10445

Bedrooms: 11

Built: 2,022 m²

Plot: 5,375 m²

Price: € 6,500,000

LA QUINTA Frontline golf mansion with guest house. Sea views. Ref.ES7173

Season’s Greetings!

FROM THE PANORAMA TEAM

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 5

Built: 523 m²

Terrace: 75 m²

Plot: 1,865 m²

Price: € 2,900,000

BENAHAVÍS Completely renovated villa with guest apartment enjoying amazing sea & mountain views in the gated community of El Madroñal. Ref. ES10617

Bedrooms: 2

Built: 135 m²

Terrace: 67 m²

Price: € 535,000

GOLDEN MILE Renovated apartment in Ancón Sierra. Ref. ES10639

Bedrooms: 5

Built: 889 m²

Plot: 3,119 m²

Price: € 2,200,000

LA CERQUILLA Elegant home in one of the best golf areas. Ref ES10842

Regulated by RICS

Bedrooms: 7

Built: 1,097 m²

Plot: 4,570 m²

Price: € 1,675,000

BENAHAVÍS Refurbished villa in Fuente del Espanto. Ref. ES10653

Bedrooms: 5

Built: 511 m²

Plot: 3,427 m²

Price: € 1,350,000

MARBELLA TOWN Villa on an extensive plot, lots of potential. Ref. ES10429

Offices on Marbella’s Golden Mile at Puente Romano and opposite the Marbella Club hotel Tel. (+34) 952 863 750 info@panorama.es www.panorama.es

ess en tial is so cial www.essentialmagazine.com

Issue 232 • December 2018

S T A F F PUBLISHER AND DIRECTOR

IAIN BLACKWELL director@essentialmagazine.com

GENERAL MANAGER

ANDREA BÖJTI andrea@essentialmagazine.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

MARISA CUTILLAS editorial@essentialmagazine.com

PRODUCTION MANAGER 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, ALEX CARUANA, MICHEL CRUZ, CRISTINA FALKENBERG, RIK FOXX, RUSSELL GRANT, SAM HEXTER-ANDREWS, CARLOS READ, TONY WHITNEY, MARK WILKINS, DAVID WISHART 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

www.essentialmagazine.com

Member of the Association of Spanish Periodical Publications

affiliated to: www.ultradesignglobal.com

CONDITIONS

@essentialmarbellamagazine

@essentialeditor

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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Don’t take our word for it...

We take pride in the high-quality financial advice and service we aim to provide for our clients, but it is nice when others acknowledge that too – and we have been recognised independently as the ‘Best Adviser Firm Europe’ at the recent International Adviser Best Practice Awards 2018.

To make an appointment for advice tailored to your specific situation...

All our advisers are fully qualified to at least Diploma (QCA Level 4) level as recognised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, and focus on developing an integrated tax and wealth management strategy designed to meet each client’s objectives and circumstances.

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Our holistic advice and solutions cover a wide range of areas, such as cross-border estate planning, tax, investments and pension fund optimisation.

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CONTACT US BY EMAIL, PHONE OR THROUGH OUR WEBSITE NERJA, MALAGA, MIJAS, MARBELLA, NUEVA ANDALUCIA

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

southernspain@blevinsfranks.com

Our advisers are based locally and maintain a deep understanding of the local tax environment and its interaction with the UK tax system, and how they affect British expatriates in Spain and other countries in Europe.

061-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 Distribution Directive or the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II, the applicable 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

CASA MIMOSA.es

Bed: 5 | Bath: 5+1 | Plot: 1.258 m2 | Built: 516 m2 | Covered Terrace: 72 m2 | Open Terrace: 360 m2 | Pool: 32 m2 | Price: ¤ 3.600.000 | Nueva Andalucia

VILLA ESKINA.es

Beds: 5 | Baths: 5+3 | Plot: 1.034 m2 | Built: 449 m2 | Terraces: 200 m2 | Carport: 2 cars | Pool: 37 m2 | Las Brisas

C

VILLA BEGONIA.es

Beds: 4 | Baths: 4+1 | Plot: 1.184 m2 | Built: 260 m2 | Terraces: 307 m2 | Carport: 2 cars | Pool: 39 m2 | Marbella

OUR EXCLUSIVE LISTINGS LOS PICOS 4

www.lospicos4.es

| Reserved

ARCADIA 35

www.arcadia35.es

| Sold

NAGUELES 26

www.nagueles26.es

VILLA ALAYA

www.villaalaya.es

VILLA YOLANDA VILLA REAL VILLA DANIELLA

| Sold

| Sold

www.villayolanda.es www.myvillareal.es

| Sold | Sold

www.villadaniella.es

| Sold

VILLA ESTELLA

www.villaestella.es

| Sold

VILLA SOPHIA

www.villasophia.es

| Sold

VILLA BEGOÑA

www.villabegonia.es

| For Sale

BRISAS 24

www.villabegonia.es

| For Sale

VILLA ESKINA

www.villaeskina.es

| For Sale

LOS OLIVOS 4

www.losolivos4.es

| For Sale

HILL CLUB 28

www.hillclub28.es

| For Sale

CASA MIMOSA

www.casamimosa.es

| For Sale

OUR NEW DEVELOPMENTS THE HILLS LOS OLIVOS NUEVA ANDALUCIA LOS OLIVOS DEL PARAISO

www.thehills.es www.losolivosmarbella.com www.losolivosdelparaiso.com

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

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You only live once,

Bahía de Marbella: Situated 150 meters from the beach, spectacular designer villa with lovely sea views. Beautiful design with clear lines and a perfect integration of interior and exterior spaces. Heated pool, gym, cinema. 5 beds, 4 baths. Built 590 m², plot 1.721 m².

E&V ID: W-025ILI. Price: 6.900.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 20 40.

Sierra Blanca: Fantastically priced! Magnificent large residence with open sea views. 6 beds, 5 baths. Built 975 m², plot 1.878 m².

E&V ID: W-02D21Q. Price: 3.950.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Los Monteros: Fantastically priced! Only 300 m from the beach.

Renovated modern villa. 4 beds, 4 baths. Built 538 m², plot 1.215 m².

E&V ID: W-02E12L. Price: 2.150.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 20 40.

Beachfront Elviria: Stunning first line beach apartment in a beautiful gated community. 2 beds, 2 baths. Living area 116 m², terrace 60 m².

E&V ID: W-02CBAF. Price: 649.500 €. Tel.: 952 83 55 80.

Nueva Andalucía: Modern large apartment with spectacular sea and golf views. 2 beds, 3 baths. Living area 140 m², terrace 105 m².

E&V ID: W-02DEWM. Price: 850.000 €. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

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

we will show you where!

Los Flamingos Golf Resort: Just completed! A truly stunning villa offering magnificient design, panoramic sea views and the highest qualities, in a picturesque 5 star golf resort. High ceilings, wine cellar and cinema room. 6 beds, 6 baths. Built 542 m², plot 1.253 m².

E&V ID: W-02BS5K. Price: 1.950.000 €. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

Puente Romano: Impressive 21st century luxury home in a prestigious gated community. 5 beds, 6 baths. Built 1.113 m², plot 1.300 m².

E&V ID: W-028HQN. Price: 3.580.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

La Quinta: Absolutely stunning, ready to move in! Breathtaking views, spectacular design. 6 beds, 5 baths. Built 536 m², plot 1.107 m².

E&V ID: W-02CEDB. Price: 2.995.000 €. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

Beachfront Golden Mile: Modern apartment with lovely sea views.

Direct beach access. 2 beds, 2 baths. Living area 125 m², terrace 21 m².

E&V ID: W-02E5II. Price: 1.100.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Beachfront Marbesa: Rare opportunity! Modern villa directly on the beach. 3 beds, 3 baths. Living area 124 m², terrace 20 m².

E&V ID: W-026V2K. Price: 995.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 55 80.

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

GUESS H30-11 Essential Marbella Spa Dic.indd 1

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GUESS H30-11 Essential Marbella Spa Dic.indd 2

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Ref: DM3877 Price: 6.900.000€

Ref: DM4213 Price: 3.200.000€

Ref: DM4389 Price: 1.900.000€

marbella hill club Luxurious villa on a private hilltop offering unparalleled panoramic sea views and superior construction.

4

5

1.223 m2

3.131 m2

Altos reales Charming family villa with sea views within one of Marbella’s most prestigious gated complex. 24h security.

4

4

554 m2

1.300 m2

la trinidad Duplex Penthouse. Sea views.

3

3

232 m2

46 m2

Ref: DM4372 Price: 1.995.000€

magna marbella Villa. Gated community.

5

5

568 m2

210 m2

GOLDEN

MILE Properties

It was on this stretch of real estate between Marbella town and Puerto Banús, known as “The Golden Mile”, that Marbella’s reputation as a five-star resort was first established, and it remains the location of some of the very best addresses in the area.

Ref: DM4054 Price: 2.950.000€

nagüeles South facing modern villa.

5

4

494m2

1.000 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 Tel. 952 908 415

Over 523 offices in 60 territories Ref: DM4245 Price: 2.050.000€

Ref: DM4225 Price: 850.000€

lomas marbella club Apartment.

3

2

310 m2

Ref: DM3902 Price: 899.000€

monte paraiso Apartment. Gated community.

4

4

468 m2

114 m2

lomas sierra blanca Apartment. Gated.

4

3

289 m2

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ÂŽ essential marbella magazine 232_esseCHRISTMAS.indd 2

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social media updated daily with awesome content that will make you happy! :)

WE NOW ALSO ROCK THE DIGITAL WORLD. JOIN US!

23/11/2018 12:50

@essentialmarbellamagazine

ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

BUILDING THE FUTURE, SINCE 1955.

49 Luxury Villas with Sea Views Best location in the New Golden Mile theview@otero.com.es Publicacion.indd 2

+34 622 752 066

www.otero.com.es 22/11/2018 17:51:23

from

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1.170.000 €

22/11/2018 17:51:27

SOTOGRANDE LUXURY • 7 bedrooms • 7 bathrooms • 840 m2 built • 1,796 m2 plot • Price on application

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT CHANTAL PERALTA ON TEL: (+34) 607 968 100

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This stunning villa is situated in a very private cul-de-sac in the coastal area of Sotogrande. This wonderful family home has a unique modern design and is beautifully furnished, ready to move into as a ‘forever home’. The house comprises 4 floors all based around a stunning open library and atrium. It sits on a raised plot with wonderful views and its huge glass windows provide an abundance of light. Everything is in immaculate condition and all rooms are very spacious as well as functionally and elegantly designed by Patricia Darch Interior Design.

Features: Lift, cinema room with acoustic panelling, large gymnasium, solar panelling, a newly renovated heated pool with salt water, a water recycling system, large exterior BBQ and big outdoor living areas, wine cellar, alarm with glass breaking sensors and motion detectors inside and outside the house, and storage areas.

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Contact us for further information: Tel: 952 825 097 • Mob:

T U C A N 2 2 A spectacular modern luxury villa, newly built, in a privileged location in Marbella, in the heart of the Golf Valley of Nueva Andalucia.

Incredible views Located directly overlooking Los Naranjos Golf Course 4/5 bedrooms Heated swimming pool Parking 3/4 cars Highest quality standards Build: 641 m² • Covered Porches: 208 m² • Plot: 1.500 m² Price on application

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5 CONTEMPORARY LUXURY VILLAS WITH INCREDIBLE VIEWS Urb El Paraiso Medio 4 Bedrooms From € 2.100.000

620 815 087 / 606 957 762 • www.lainer.es • lainer@lainer.es

7 CONTEMPORARY LUXURY VILLAS WITH STUNNING SEA VIEWS

Cancelada, the New Golden Mile Next to Los Flamingos Golf 4 Bedrooms From €1.350.000

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D

contents the spotlight

the social

Xmas Gift Guide 34

128 Paloma Ruiz, Naturopath

Christmas Shopping in London 44 Ice Hotels 58

The Gran Hotel Inglés 66

Gaudí’s Barcelona 68

the trend

130 James Asquith, Globetrotter 132 The Vibe 138 Digital Ambassadors 140 Netflix Series for Teens 141 Pet News

Cinema Releases 82

the pro

Sorry to Bother You 84

144 Takara

Music News 86

146 Nine Lions

Top Reads 88

148 Enterprise

Technology 90

the style

156 The Schellhammer Business School 158 Animal Rights Law

Villa Xálima 94

the gourmet

Décor News 102

163 Asador Origen

Guess Fashion 104

165 Rancho Grille

Fashion News 110

166 Food News

the spa Baking for Beauty 114 Beauty News 116 Cirumed: A Business Success Story 118 The High Resolution Hospital in Estepona 122 Health News 124

168 Chef’s Profile 170 English Fizz 172 Bodegas Lara – Vino Tres Generaciones

the guide 174 Listings 182 What’s On 184 Stars for December

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HAPPY HEARTS COLLECTION

Muelle Ribera Local M-28, Puerto Banús - 29660 Marbella Tel. 952 907 010 - idealjoyeros.com

001HH_230x300_Ideal 13.11.18.indd 1

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D WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL PUBLISHER

A

s another year draws to a close and with holidays on the way, we bring you an edition to savour that will help you embrace the festive spirit. Starting with our Xmas Gift Guide, we also go on a shopping spree in London’s iconic streets, view Christmas Crockery by Villeroy & Boch, become dazzled by the new Guess Winter Collection, and suggest some desirable items for pet lovers.

Have you ever thought of spending the night in a freezer? You can do just that, and survive, at any of the fantastical Ice Hotels which form part of our main travel feature! Closer to home, we propose a Spanish Road Trip, stopping over at the recently resurrected Gran Hotel Inglés in Madrid, and marvelling at the exalted artistry of Gaudí’s legacy in Barcelona.

We profile Scottish actor, Sam Heughan, who has been melting hearts in Outlander, meet James Asquith who, at only 24, had managed to visit all 196 sovereign countries in the world, and see what Spanish Masterchef supremo, Jordi Cruz Mas, is up to.

For sheer stunning design and unbridled power, they don’t come much better than the new Bugatti Divo, which commands a lofty €5M price tag. We also report on 70 years of Land Rover, since 1948, and take a drive in the latest from the fleet, the Range Rover Velar.

Finally, as Christmas is definitively a time for enjoyment with friends and family, don’t miss our reviews of top restaurants, Origen Asador Argentino in Marbella, and Rancho Grille in Las Chapas, as well as a new generation of wines from Ronda courtesy of Bodegas Lara.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

FESTIVE y z n e r F

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NATURALLY MODERN LIVING

PaloAltoMarbella.COM TO BOOK A TOUR: 900 102 322

Essential Magazine - Advert - 230x300 - OCTOBER 2018.indd 1

18/10/2018 12:23

e the spotlight CULTURE HISTORY PEOPLE MOTORING TECHNOLOGY ENTERTAINMENT

34

Xmas Gift Guide

44

Christmas Shopping in London

58

Ice Hotels

66

The Gran Hotel Inglés

68

Gaudí’s Barcelona

70

Spain Road Trip

72

Sam Heughan

74

The Bugatti Divo

76

70 Years of Land Rover

THE FESTIVE SEASON IS THE PERFECT TIME OF THE YEAR TO GO SHOPPING, TRAVEL THE WORLD, AND TAKE IN THE BEAUTY OF CITIES LIKE BARCELONA. WHY NOT GIVE YOUR FAMILY THE BEST GIFT EVER THIS YEAR, TAKING THEM ON A WINTER HOLIDAY?

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D THE SPOTLIGHT gifts

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FOR THE JEWELLERY LOVER

HAPPY HEARTS IS A PERFECT ALLIANCE BETWEEN CHOPARD’S HEART EMBLEM AND THE MAISON’S ICONIC MOVING DIAMONDS. HAPPY DIAMONDS, MEANWHILE, CELEBRATES THE BEAUTY AND SPARKLE OF DIAMONDS. A GIFT FROM THESE COLLECTIONS WILL DELIGHT THE WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE, WHO IS KNOWN FOR HAVING A BIG HEART.

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AVAILABLE AT IDEAL JOYEROS. MUELLE RIBERA LOCAL M-28, PUERTO BANÚS. TEL: 952 907 010. WWW.IDEALJOYEROS.COM

1 – LIU TAO FEATURING THE HAPPY HEARTS COLLECTION 2 – PENDANT IN 18K WHITE GOLD AND DIAMONDS 3 – NECKLACE IN 18K ROSE GOLD AND NATURAL GREEN AGATE 4 – RING IN 18K ROSE GOLD AND RED STONE 5 – RING IN 18K ROSE GOLD AND DIAMONDS

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34 / DECEMBER 2018 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE If you’re stuck as to what to buy a friend or family member this Christmas, find the inspiration you are seeking in this year’s essential gift guide.

COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

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9 6 – PENDANT IN 18K ROSE GOLD AND DIAMOND 7 – RING IN 18K WHITE GOLD AND DIAMONDS 8 – EARRINGS IN 18K WHITE GOLD AND DIAMONDS 9 – BANGLE IN 18K ROSE GOLD AND NATURAL MOTHER-OF-PEARL

ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER 2018 / 35

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FOR THE DESIGN LOVER

BRIGHTEN UP YOUR LOVED ONE’S HOME WITH A TOUCH OF DESIGNER CHIC. 1 – AGED VINTAGE MIRROR BY PORTOBELLO STREET 2 – MOYA BLUSH CHAMPAGNE FLUTES , AVAILABLE AT ANNABEL JAMES 3 – CERAMIC EGG BY VILA HERMANOS 4 – FRAGRANT CANDLE BY LADENAC 5 – CONSOLE TABLE BY COVET HOUSE 6 – QEEBOO RABBIT, AVAILABLE AT SMITHERS OF STAMFORD ANNABEL JAMES WWW.ANNABELJAMES.CO.UK BRABBU WWW.BRABBU.COM COVET HOUSE WWW.COVETHOUSE.EU LADENAC WWW.LADENAC.COM PORTOBELLO STREET WWW.PORTOBELLOSTREET.ES

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SMITHERS OF STAMFORD WWW.SMITHERSOFSTAMFORD.COM VILA HERMANOS WWW.VILAHERMANOS.COM

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A heartfelt thank you!

Panorama’s special success this year would not have been possible without the trust and support of our valued clients, collaborating agents and friends.

We wish you an abundance of joy, laughter & love this Christmas!

Offices on Marbella’s Golden Mile at Puente Romano and opposite the Marbella Club hotel Tel. (+34) 952 863 750 info@panorama.es www.panorama.es Regulated by RICS

FOR THE GADGET LOVER

1 – STAR WARS FORCE AWAKENS GADGET DECAL STICKERS, AVAILABLE AT YELLOW OCTOPUS 2 – IPAD PRO: THE NEW IPAD BOASTS A RADICALLY DIFFERENT DESIGN, WITH SMALLER BEZELS, A 28- OR 33-CM SCREEN, AND A WIDTH OF ONLY 5.9MM. AVAILABLE AT YOUR NEAREST APPLE STORE. 3 – DODOW IS AN AMAZING SLEEPING SOLUTION THAT COMBINES COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPY, YOGA, AND MINDFULNESS, HELPING YOUR BRAIN FEEL NATURALLY SLEEPY AND ASSISTING YOU TO GET THE SLEEP YOU NEED TO FUNCTION AT YOUR BEST. 4 – THE PHOTOSTICK: JUST POP THIS DRIVE INTO YOUR COMPUTER AND IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY SAVE UP TO 60,000 PHOTOS AND VIDEOS. A GREAT WAY TO ENSURE YOUR PRECIOUS IMAGES AREN’T LOST IF YOUR MACHINE CRASHES. 5 – ACCUPOINT: PLACE THIS COOL DEVICE ON THE RIGHT ACUPUNCTURE/ACUPRESSURE POINT AND ALLEVIATE PAINS SUCH AS HEADACHES AND MUSCULAR DISCOMFORT. THE DEVICE MAY BE CUTTING EDGE, BUT IT WORKS ON ANCIENT PRINCIPLES OF MERIDIANS AND OPTIMAL ENERGY FLOW! ACCUPOINT WWW.ACCUPOINT.NET

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APPLE STORE WWW.APPLE.COM DODOW WWW.MYDODOW.COM THE PHOTOSTICK WWW.GETPHOTOSTICK.LO YELLOW OCTOPUS WWW.YELLOWOCTOPUS.COM/AU

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Untitled-2 1

22/11/2018 13:32

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FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES

1 – ROCKY ROCKET CHAIR BY COVET HOUSE 2 – CORK WORLD GLOBE, AVAILABLE AT SMITHERS OF STAMFORD 3 – WOODEN HIPPO FIGURINES BY EINRICHTEN DESIGN 4 – MOON RUG BY CIRCU 5 – BUN VAN BY CIRCU AT COVET HOUSE 6 – ROCKING SCOOTER BY 123 MOEBEL 123 MOEBEL WWW.123MOEBEL.DE CIRCU WWW.CIRCU.NET COVET HOUSE WWW.COVETHOUSE.EU EINRICHTEN DESIGN WWW.EINRICHTEN-DESIGN.DE SMITHERS OF STAMFORD WWW.SMITHERSOFSTAMFORD.COM 40 / DECEMBER 2018 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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Revista Essential.indd 1

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SMALL GIFTS 5

SOMETIMES ALL YOU NEED TO BRIGHTEN SOMEONE’S DAY IS A DETAIL THAT WILL LET THEM KNOW YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM. FOR A BUDGET OF UNDER €100, CHECK OUT THIS PAGE. 1 – FLORA AND FAUNA UMBRELLA BY ANNABEL JAMES 2 – KARAFFE DIAMANTE BY GRAVADO 3 – A BY AMARA SANDBLAST TREE TEALIGHT HOLDER, AVAILABLE AT AMARA 4 – CLASSIC TELEPHONE IN CHROME BY AMARA

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5 – HONEYBEE POT WITH HONEY SPREADERY BY ANNABEL JAMES 6 – BANKSY BALLOON GIRL SUITCASE COVER BY BRITISH MADE GIFTS AMARA WWW.AMARA.COM ANNABEL JAMES WWW.ANNABELJAMES.CO.UK BRITISH MADE GIFTS WWW.BRITISHMADE.GIFTS GRAVADO WWW.GRAVADO.DE

42 / DECEMBER 2018 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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D THE SPOTLIGHT london Ma nne qu i n

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Fancy a magical getaway with a vast variety of options to help you with all of your Christmas shopping? Look no further than London, just a short plane ride from Málaga, which will get you there in under three hours. Simply fly to London Gatwick and catch the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station, or to London Heathrow, and jump on board the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station. With plenty to see and do in the lead up to Christmas, this is the perfect location to get into the festive spirit.

O

ne of the great things about London is the ease in getting around. With so much on offer, the tube service really does help in providing quick and uncomplicated transport to where you want to go, with lots of tube stops around popular destinations. Now it’s easier than ever to travel underground, with the new contactless debit and credit cards you can just tap in and out of the tube station, and pay as you go.

This is a great timesaver, as you will spend less time standing in queues for tickets and more time shopping!

Alternatively, London cabs are on every corner. These can be flagged down if you wish to stay above ground.

There are plenty of places to head to when in London, but look no further for a quick guide on all the prime shopping locations.

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YOUR ULTIMATE

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING GUIDEn o d n o on L

WORDS ALEXANDRA CARUANA PHOTOGRAPHY © SHUTTERSTOCK

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Christmas shopping on Oxford Street

OXFORD STREET ZZ STAY Home to some of the best stores in the country, this hotel is just a short five-minute walk to the iconic shopper’s paradise. The Marriott’s Grosvenor House is right behind Oxford Street and, having recently been renovated, it is the perfect place to stay if you are looking for five star luxury with impeccable service in the heart of the city.

ZZ SHOP If you are not staying close by, Oxford Street can be accessed by three different stations, with each one offering different types of shopping; Marble Arch is the place to come for anyone searching for shoe heaven. This end of Oxford Street is home to a multitude of shoe shops, including Russell & Bromley, Clarks, Schuh and Dune to name a few, where you are sure to find what you are looking for.

For those looking for everything under one roof, Bond Street tube station is the place to exit.

Located in the centre of Oxford Street, you will find John Lewis and Debenhams, with Selfridges a little further down. These arguably comprise some of the best shopping you will find in London, and you are guaranteed superb service from shopping assistants who will help you locate what you are looking for, or failing that, provide inspiration for gifts. These stores house great brands, and if you wish to escape the cold for a couple of hours and complete a successful spree, then these stores are the ideal places to visit.

Oxford Circus is where to exit if you are looking for the largest selection of specific brands. One of the biggest Nike stores is conveniently located directly opposite the tube station for the sport

fanatics among us. Appropriately named Niketown for its sheer size, the brand is housed over four floors, with plenty of sports apparel to choose from. Next door, get lost in Topshop, where you will not only have a generous range of various branded clothes to browse through, but also plenty of other services to enjoy. Have a break from shopping and enjoy some beauty treats on the go, such as getting your nails and eyebrows done, or perhaps a quick wash and blow-dry at Hershesons. Shopping can be hard work, after all!

Once you are all ready to go again, you can pop by the personal shopping services if you are looking for a new look, or for a more condensed shopping experience. Topshop can be overwhelming for most with so much choice available, so to avoid spending hours in the store, this could be a wise choice for some.

The renowned Carnaby Street is also a short walk from Oxford Circus tube station, offering a trendy, boutique-shopping experience. Enjoy the illuminated lyrics of the song Bohemian Rhapsody, a Christmas lights special edition for this year only, turned on by Queen, UK rock royalty. Browse some interesting shops for something a little bit different and perhaps stop for a bite to eat while in the area.

ZZ EAT Señor Cerviche is a popular restaurant near Carnaby Street specialising in Peruvian BBQ cuisine, including cerviche served in several different ways, as well as other interesting dishes ‘para picar’. Sample the delicious cocktails too, which will be well deserved after your extensive shopping trip.

Selfridges is beautifully decorated, to get you into the Christmas spirit while you shop © Alexandra Caruana

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KNIGHTSBRIDGE Z STAY The Berkeley is a hotel that has always kept with the times, first introducing air-conditioning in the 1920s and it was known to cause much envy by sporting one of the first and only rooftop pools in the 1970s. Today, the hotel is beautifully modern with luxuriously clean-looking interiors; a true home away from home.

Z SHOP Home to London’s most luxurious shopping experiences, Knightsbridge boasts two of the most well known departments stores: Harrods and Harvey Nichols.

Harvey Nichols has stepped up Topshop on Oxford Street’s ‘on the go’ beauty services by throwing pure relaxation into the mix. Pamper yourself with a facial, massage, or literally any treatment you can think of in between your shopping. It’s not just beauty services they offer; should you wish to have one of your purchases altered or tailored, look no further, as the store offers superior styling assistance. This literally is a one-stop shop.

Who could forget Harrods? The famous department store is a must visit while in London. Housing only the best iconic designer

clothing collections, Harrods has a reputation for supplying nothing but pure luxury, so you’re sure to realise some good Christmas buys here, and it doesn’t stop at clothing. Take a trip around Harrods’ Food Hall, where you can pick up some festive treats to take home and enjoy with your loved ones over the Christmas period, including their Boxing Day Chutney, Christmas Clementine Marmalade Shortbread, and their signature Christmas puddings.

Z EAT Normally I would be recommending the Mandarin Oriental’s restaurant where they serve up some of the creamiest truffle mash I have ever tasted, but due to an unfortunate fire this summer, the hotel is currently undergoing some serious renovations and will be closed for the foreseeable future. Watch this space!

Sale e Pepe, another favourite in the area, is a delightfully intimate little Italian restaurant a few roads down from Harrods, which serves up some of London’s finest Italian cuisine. Its extensive menu offers every carb you could want to replenish your energy from a day’s shopping, and also features a delicious selection of meats and fish for protein lovers.

At the Harrods Food Hall

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SOUTH KENSINGTON AND THE KINGS ROAD Z STAY The Pelham is a fabulous little five star boutique hotel, which is close to South Kensington tube station. Each room has its own style, with a mix of modern and antique design throughout, ensuring that there is something for everyone. The hotel also boasts its own Michelin star chef, Alfredo Russo, at their La Trattoria restaurant onsite, where you can enjoy a very special breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also the option of partaking of traditional English afternoon tea in the hotel’s wood-panelled drawing room.

Z SHOP Buzzing with cute cafes and great designer shops, the Kings Road is the perfect place to spend an afternoon. Although it is busy, it is a more relaxed environment than Oxford Street, where you can expect the shops to be a bit less crammed and a little more exclusive. Get the John Lewis experience at Peter Jones, with a more serene version than at the eponymous company on Oxford Street! Browse the Duke of York Square

just across the road, home to 30 chic stores including All Saints, L K Bennett, and one of London’s top hairdressers, Richard Ward, for those seeking a new look this Christmas. Be sure to reserve your appointment in advance as this popular hair salon gets booked up fast.

Z EAT For those with an early start, head to Beaufort House for a truly delicious breakfast which will provide some much needed fuel for the day ahead. There is something for everyone, including health gurus who should try the Beaufort Healthy Breakfast, consisting of smoked salmon or chicken with poached eggs, chilli, avocado, spinach, quinoa and sourdough toast.

The Bluebird is a traditional British brasserie with tasty modern food in a beautiful setting. The venue encourages a social vibe, with an array of sharing plates and smaller dishes.

Enjoy classy cocktails at the marble-topped bar after dinner, which takes centre stage in this elegant space.

Christmas Lights display on Duke of York Square just off the fashionable King’s Road in Chelsea, London, a lovely pedestrianised area close to Sloane Square

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The Natural History Museum

FESTIVE ATTACTIONS AND MORE GREAT SHOPPING!

EXPLORE

The Royal Albert Hall

Nearby attractions include the Natural History Museum, the Royal Albert Hall and the V&A museum. The area is full of fantastic exhibitions to enjoy.

Lovers of Asian culture should stop by Japan House located on Kensington High Street, which is a short walk from the King’s Road. This classic venue comprises an exhibition gallery of beautiful Japanese art, an onsite restaurant called Akira, that prepares the most delectable Japanese dishes, and a retail floor featuring some specially selected Japanese products.

There are plenty of other great attractions in London to enjoy in the lead up to the festive period.

Somerset House is truly atmospheric around this time of year, where you can ice skate day or night on one of London’s most famous ice rinks. All that skating will have worked up an appetite, so head to the Fortnum and Mason Lodge restaurant where you can enjoy cheese and chocolate fondue with that special someone; quite conveniently, all treats are designed for two.

Take a trip to the Christmas markets in Covent Garden, another ideal shopping spot filled to the brim with magical decorations and stalls. Grab a warming hot chocolate while soaking up the festive atmosphere and catch a glimpse of the talented street artists who perform in the area.

There are now two Westfields shopping centres in various locations, including Shepherd’s Bush and Stratford. Whichever is your closest, be sure to head down for some great high street brands, luxury brands, restaurants and even cinemas, all under one roof.

Winter Wonderland cannot be missed, being set-up especially for the festive period. Based in Hyde Park, this party place provides plenty of attractions to keep you and even little ones, if tagging along, entertained. The park is open from 23rd November until 6th January from 10am to 10pm every day, except Christmas Day. For the kids, there is Peter Pan on Ice and the Snowman Experience. Adults should head to the alpine-style village for a true Après Ski experience, where you can enjoy dinner and cocktails in a cosy winter atmosphere, followed by a good old carolling session on the karaoke machine. If you are unable to visit Somerset House, worry not as Winter Wonderland also has its very own ice rink that you can enjoy. You can follow on with a trip to Bar Ice, a unique winter experience where you can admire beautifully carved ice sculptures, chairs, tables and glasses while you enjoy a cocktail or two. Cloaks and gloves will be provided to keep you warm in this icy atmosphere, where temperatures reach a frosty -10°C. Those looking for gifts for the creative, artsy types should head to the House of MinaLima, an exhibition and shop where you can encounter the graphic art of the Harry Potter films, as well as other fantastic creations. Based on four floors, you will find plenty on offer here.

Tea lovers will find the perfect gift in the Twinings flagstore on the Strand. The oldest teashop in London provides everything from your every-day cuppa to quite rare exclusive teas, including some great teaware and accessories to accompany them. While you are in the area, visit the Royal Courts of Justice. Located just across the road, you won’t be able to miss them.

For a truly magical Christmas shopping experience, filled with beautiful lights, sites and luxury services, be sure to head to London this December to bring home some fantastic gifts for all of your friends and family. e

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D THE SPOTLIGHT travel Koi Suite

HOLIDAYS

ON ICE

Belinda Beckett discovers reindeer pelt rugs, lingonberry toddies and the thrill of the chill at the world’s coolest hotels.

E

ver since the Swedes opened the world’s first ice hotel in 1989, bunking down on a Queensized ice cube has been top of the serious winter traveller’s bucket list.

The novelty of trying roast reindeer, drinking vodka IN the rocks and falling asleep in a dreamy Narnia landscape clearly outweighs the downside of kipping in a bedroom kept at a frosty -5C with no electric sockets, windows, wardrobes (your clothes would freeze) nor – unless you pay extra – a bathroom en suite.

Today, over a dozen destinations across the world’s frozen wastes, from Scandinavia to Slovenia and Canada to Japan, offer guests an icy reception at the last word in pop-up accommodation:

unworldly crystal palaces chiselled from frozen water which rise up with the first winter snows and melt gracefully away with the coming of spring.

Petrified polar bears and penguins, fairytale characters and creatures from Nordic folklore populate these frozen flights of architectural fantasy imagined by the world’s top ice sculptors.

Last year a hotel in Finnish Lapland partnered with HBO to recreate a snowy Game of Thrones set complete with White Walkers and winged dragons.

Another provided the perfect backdrop for the launch of the Disney movie Frozen.

Sweden’s ice hotel has never stopped setting trends in subzero chic. One of the first ice hotels to add warm accommodation to extend guests’ stay

– now they all do – today you can spend a night in the freezer all summer long at its sister annex, Ice Hotel 365, refrigerated by the power of the midnight sun!

Getting spliced on ice is also big business and no ice hotel is complete these days without its ice chapel. It’s seems even brides and grooms are champing at the bit to spend their honeymoon night swaddled in thermal onesies for the ultimate white wedding.

Add the joys of roaring log fires, soft reindeer pelt rugs and moonlit husky rides to see the shimmering northern lights and it’s easy to see why so many people are hot to try a holiday on ice.

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Sculptures inspired by Game of Thrones

The Braavos' Hall of Faces frozen in ice and time

LAPLAND HOTELS SNOW VILLAGE (FINLAND)

Winter is coming and the world is waiting to see how this hotel will top last season’s headline-grabbing Game of Thrones theme. Built in collaboration with HBO Nordic to provide fans of the addictive TV series with a Westeros experience, guests were queuing up to ride the ice dragon slide, sit on a frozen Iron Throne and sleep guarded by White Walkers.

Two hours from Rovaniemi, capital of Finnish Lapland and the hometown of Santa Claus, some 20 million kilos of snow and ice are used in the annual remodelling of this arty village. The restaurant rises up under a 10-metre ice dome decorated with magnificent snow sculptures. If the climate feels too cold for cold-smoked reindeer with cloudberry jam and spruce sprout ice cream you can always switch to the centrally-heated Log Restaurant. There’s also a warm wooden alternative to the ice chapel for plighting your troth without chattering teeth.

A night in one of the 30 ice rooms and suites comes with a thermal fleece-lined sleeping bag, a wake-up call with hot lingonberry juice and a diploma to say you’ve done it. The Snow Village is a 90-minute flight from Helsinki, within a husky ride of two ski resorts. i www.laplandhotels.com

Pictures © Lapland Hotels Snow Village, Finland

White Watcher suite

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Contenders for coolest rooms on the planet

If the prospect of a night in an icebox is giving you cold feet, you can cheat at the Americas’ only ice hotel, where premium suites come with roaring log fires. If you’re wondering why the rooms don’t melt and the guests don’t drown, the cosy glow is a mind-trick as the fireplaces don’t emit heat. If you’re budget doesn’t run to one, bring a crowd and huddle together for warmth in a triple queen-sized family room.

There’s nothing fake about the bum-numbing ice slide at this luxury 45-room freezer set on the forest fringes of Quebec City. You’ll be as Frozen as guests at the press junket for the animated Disney movie hosted here in 2013. Defrost over a steaming bowl of reindeer soup at Cafe Celsius ice pavilion or stop for a traffic light cocktail in the ice bar.

However, you haven’t done the Canadian ice hotel experience until you’ve run through the snow in your swimming cossie from a scalding shower to the outdoor hot tubs. Apparently it’s good for your health.

There are ample opportunities to come in from the cold as the hotel is part of Valcartier Vacation Village, Canada’s largest winter holiday playground where everything is heated, including the massive Polynesianthemed indoor waterpark. The complex is stacked with other circulation-restoring attractions including an outdoor skating rink and 35 snow slides. i www.icehotel-canada.com

Pictures © Hotel de Glace, Canada

HOTEL DE GLACE (CANADA)

Traffic lights on ice Get fired up in the ultimate ice suite

Ice chapel

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Pictures © Ice Hotel Sweden © Asaf Klige

ICE HOTEL (SWEDISH LAPLAND)

Last year 50,000 guests from 80 countries stayed at Sweden’s luxury refrigerator, set 200 miles above the Arctic Circle in a hamlet where huskies outnumber humans.

Reborn in a new guise every winter, from the equivalent of 700 million snowballs harvested from the adjacent Torne River, the venture has worked miracles for the tiny village of Jukkasjärvi (population 900), named one of Time magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2018.

From humble beginnings as an igloo built to house art works by Japanese ice artists, the world’s original ice hotel has grown into a 5,000m² complex with a conference centre, ice art gallery, 120 hot and cold rooms and, since 2016, Ice Hotel 365 where suites stay frozen all year round.

Exotic dishes like casseroled moose and fillet of reindeer in jägermeister sauce are rustled up by a Michelin chef in a heated restaurant on frozen plates.

You can even have a set of ice crockery mail ordered home to add frisson to your festivities.

Hot tubs, ice massages, sculpture classes, ice fishing in the River Torne and visits to meet the native Sami people and their reindeer herds are other Arctic adventures. i www.icehotel.com

Stunning Art Suites at Sweden’s Ice Hotel

Winter lasts a year at Ice Hotel

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Chill-out lounge

HOSHINO RESORTS TOMAMU ICE VILLAGE (JAPAN)

i www.snowtomamu.jp

Al fresco ice bath

Two’s company after dark at Japan’s igloo-shaped ice village Pictures © Hoshino Resorts Tomamu Ice Village

Jet off to Japan’s most northerly prefecture of Hokkaido for the ultimate winter retreat: a night in an enchanting igloo-style village for you and your significant other alone.

This incredible just-for-two experience allows you to wallow in a heated outdoor ice bath on the edge of a white birch forest, chill out on a frozen lounger with a hot honey and whisky toddy and sleep under an ice dome swaddled in Ezo deerskin blankets. For breakfast, a bowl of flaming onion soup will help kickstart your circulation.

Uniquely available to guests staying at Hoshino Resorts Tomamu’s warm hotels next to the Ice Village – The Tower or Risonare Tomamu – you’ll need to get your skates on as this taste of subzero solitude is only on offer during January and February.

Everyone can enjoy the ice village, open to visitors from 5-10pm daily until March and just one of the winter highlights of this year-round resort set on the southern slopes of Mount Tomamu.

Kids will love riding the ice slide from the top of the resort down to the skating rink and making freezing soap bubbles and ice sculptures in the activity centre.

Meanwhile adults can chill out in a novelty ice library with a fireplace and real books.

An ice dome bedroom made for two

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Pictures © Kirkenes Snow Hotel, Norway Cool snowrooms

KIRKENES SNOW HOTEL (NORWAY)

Step out of the plane into a husky taxi as mushers and their furry four-legged teams whisk you through white tundra to the icicle-encrusted door of this designer boutique hotel.

Perched on the frozen shores of the Barents Sea between Finnish fjords and Russian forests, there’s no shortage of opportunities to explore this winter wonderland. Kirkenes has its own herd of resident reindeer and kennels for 180 Arctic huskies. Ice fishing and snowmobile safaris are other pastimes that won Kirkenes a place on National Geographic’s World’s Best New Adventure Travel Trips list.

The world’s most northerly ice hotel lasts longer than most. It’s 20 ice bedrooms inspired by Norwegian and Sami folklore don’t go into melt-down until midApril. For a warmer welcome, spend a night in a gamme. These luxurious wooden forest cabins inspired by traditional Sami hunting and fishing huts are open year-round but especially appreciated in winter for their underfloor heating, hot showers, Villeroy & Boch bathrooms and panoramic windows for aurora borealis viewing.

Don’t leave without trying the Kirkenes pièce de résistance – a crowberry cocktail christened Rudolph’s Revenge. King crab and arctic char are menu highlights in the ice restaurant where every ingredient, including the herbs and berries, is locally sourced. i www.snowhotelkirkenes.com

Huskies and reindeer are part of the family

ICE BOX: All you need to know about staying in an ice hotel IT’S WARMER THAN YOU THINK Like Inuit igloos, ice hotel walls are metres thick, keeping the indoor temperate at -5C which can feel surprisingly cosy when it’s -30C outdoors! But you’ll still have to wrap up well indoors as the public rooms, bars and most of the furniture are also made of ice. Never fear, a couple of vodka shots will soon get your inner glow going.

HOW ARE THEY BUILT? Construction has been honed to an exact science. Massive compressed snow blocks are fused together with ‘snice’, a snow and ice mix which is blown over a steel girder framework at a rate of thousands of litres an hour. Snice dries to a shine which reflects the sun’s rays and slows down the melt. Rooms are filled with more of the white stuff for

the ice sculptors to work their magic. Of course, everything drips away to water eventually, a soggy spectacle you can book an excursion to see.

WHAT DO YOU GET IN AN ICE BEDROOM? Fantastical sculptures and not much else in these windowless white rooms akin to padded cells. Beds are also sculpted from blocks of ice covered in something waterproof like reindeer pelt.

Survival sleeping bags are provided.

Seasoned guests recommend single bags rather than double as any tossing and turning will let in the frostbiting cold. Some hotels offer premium rooms with warm en suite bathrooms, otherwise there’s nothing for it but a frigid dash to the main hotel if you’re caught short in the night.

WHAT TO WEAR? The key is layers of materials that breathe, as even perspiration freezes: a base layer of thermal leggings, longsleeved top and wool socks to control warmth and moisture, an insulating mid-layer to keep the heat in and wear around the hotel, and an outer layer to protect you from the elements. In bed you strip to your base layer but keep on your hat, socks and gloves as most body heat is lost through the head and frostbite attacks extremities first.

EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE Ice hotels double as museums and bedrooms are open to day visitors so you’re time in them is limited. Don’t worry about your personal belongings, you can’t even bring in a toothbrush as everything freezes at -5C. You do your ablutions before entering and

store everything in a locker. You won’t want to hang around anyway, as days are short during the Arctic winter. The sun sneaks above the horizon after breakfast, offering only a few hours of fragile daylight to explore the winter wonderland outside.

HOW MANY NIGHTS SHOULD YOU STAY? Ice hotels defray their massive refrigeration bills by encouraging visitors to stay longer, with one night in an ice bedroom (generally enough) and supplementary nights in a heated hotel annex with wifi, TV and all mod cons where you don’t have to walk around all day dressed like Eskimo Nell.

Most guests book for three nights to take advantage of the incredible local excursions, with their first or last night in the freezer. e

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D THE SPOTLIGHT hotel

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THE GRAN HOTEL

INGLÉS

Madrid Recovers a 19th-Century Icon

In September this year, a big event took place in Madrid: the reopening of one of the city’s most revered and glamorous hotels, the Gran Hotel Inglés, initially launched in 1886. Today, the establishment is being run by the prestigious Hidden Away Hotels group and is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World – a feat that seems almost logical, since luxury abounds at every corner of this hotel. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

RESURRECTING AN AVANT-GARDE PAST The Gran Hotel Inglés is expansive in spirit but boutique in essence, housing just 48 rooms and enticing Madrid’s finest with a modern cocktail bar and trendy restaurant, as well as the City’s first ‘auteur spa’. The interiors, designed by American whiz David Rockwell (of the Ritz-Carlton in Boston and the W Hotels in Paris and Singapore), bear a glamorous 1920s Art Deco look, with rich colours, bold geometry, and incredible detail in the furniture and artwork.

A HOTEL WITH HISTORY AND SOUL The original Hotel was launched in the late 19th century by Agustín Ibarra, then-owner of the modernist English Café. The Gran Hotel Inglés was the first luxury hotel in Madrid and the second

building in the city to have electric lighting. In its heyday, it attracted illustrious celebrities including Henri Matisse, Virginia Woolf, and Carlos Gardel.

One of its most famous events was a banquet held in 1894 in honour of Filipino painters Juan Luna and Félix Resurrección Hidalgo, during which Filipino national hero, José Rizal, gave the speech that laid the groundwork for Filipino independence from the Spanish.

COMFORT AND STYLE The rooms at this Hotel measure (on average) 30m2 and boast bathrooms with ‘giant showers’, spacious wardrobes, and large comfortable beds.

All rooms have a bathtub and beds are graced with 500-thread count Egyptian cotton sheets.

Guests can look forward to a host of little luxuries,

including a pillow menu, cutting-edge mattresses, double-curl towels and bathrobes, L’Occitane amenities, smart TV, free Internet and calls, absolute soundproofing and a well-stocked minibar with Madrid-made craft beer, healthy juices, and even stevia-sweetened Coke. The rooms are decorated with old prints of the City, a fine way to pay homage to the Hotel’s lengthy past.

Those wishing for more ample accommodation can stay at one of six suites, the most appealing of which is arguably the Meller (in honour of the famous singer known for her rebellious ways). This suite contains a terrace with a Jacuzzi. Also impressive is the Royal Suite, measuring 125m2 and boasting several rooms, sloping ceilings, and beautiful views of the rooftops of the Las Letras neighbourhood.

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INTERESTING ANECDOTES: DID YOU KNOW THAT…

PLACES TO GATHER

TREAT YOURSELF

The street-level restaurant, Lobo 8, is poised to become one of Madrid’s hottest. It serves traditional cuisine with a twist. The Hotel calls it ‘cult cuisine’, since it arises from the idea that cuisine is culture. The Chefs seek to reinvent traditional dishes by “creating a parallel universe.”

Starters include the almond white gazpacho with a prickly pear sorbet, smoked sardine and pork trotters, while the mains include a juicy grilled sirloin steak with roast marrow sauce, glazed shallots, and mushroom magret. The most stunning décor is to be found, meanwhile, in LobByto – the lobby bar, designed by the Rockwell group and transporting you to the pinnacle of the 1920s and 1930s. This bar serves excellent wines and Champagnes, as well as a menu featuring homemade, traditional dishes which are perfect for sharing.

The spa, called Egoïste and featuring bespoke tratements, is managed by the winner of six prizes at the World Luxury Spa Awards, Manuel de la Garza. Close by is the gym, fitted with cuttingedge equipment, and two events spaces for private parties and business gatherings.

ZZ When the Gran Hotel Inglés was launched in 1886, there were just a few other top standard hotels in Madrid: the Hotel de la Paix in the Puerta del Sol, the Hotel de Rusia, Embajadores, La Fontana de Oro, and the Hotel París?

ZZ In the early 20th century, the Hotel’s current suites were once home to painters and construction workers, who kept the Hotel in tip-top condition by performing all repairs themselves.

ZZ In its early days, the Gran Hotel Inglés would entice its guests with irresistible offers. In 1929, a stay for a night cost just seven pesetas!

ZZ During the Civil War, the Hotel was used as a hospital for the wounded.

ZZ Many celebrities have slept at the Gran Inglés, including British writer Virginia Woolf.

ZZ In the year 2008, the City of Madrid paid homage to the Gran Hotel Inglés. The commemorative plaque stated that the Hotel had been launched in 1853 – a mistaken date which actually corresponded to the year the Hotel was built. e

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D THE SPOTLIGHT gaudí Colonia Güell Church

Living in Southern Europe, I embrace a regular tendency to want to visit those national memorials celebrating the icons of local culture. One of the finest examples of this is the work of the Catalan Modernist architect, Antoni Gaudí. WORDS MARK WILKINS

I

ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS BY

GAUDÍ

Casa Mila

am not talking solely about his trophy buildings, the outstanding and outrageous – if a little claustrophobic if you’ve ever tried to climb one of the spires of La Sagrada Família – but while magnificent there is much more to his wonderful work.

Gaudí’s place in the history of iconic architects and his influence on a pantheon of modern art, including the likes of the fourteen-year-old Pablo Picasso, who moved to Barcelona in 1896 and into Gaudí’s circles, was immense.

Gaudí’s opus – much of which is now classed as having World Heritage Site status – stems from an era of the Renaixença (or Renaissance) in Barcelona at a time of prosperity and vision. His work remains much appreciated by the likes of the writer Lorca and the artist, and fellow Catalan, Salvador Dalí, as a vibrant legacy to this era.

He was born on 25 June 1852, the son, grandson and great-grandson of boiler workers from the Baix Camp (Catalonia). Growing up appreciating the fusion of copper and iron enabled Gaudí to claim that when he imagined, it was in three dimensions. This became core to his fluid and evolutionary work. Indeed, he rarely created detailed plans, preferring models of his proposed buildings. Similarly, he was enraptured by perhaps the conflicting mysteries of nature, especially that of his beloved Mediterranean coast, his vegetarianism and profound Roman Catholic faith.

After school, where he excelled in art, in 1868 Gaudí moved to Barcelona to study teaching followed by some time of compulsory military service that was punctuated by ill heath. In 1878 he graduated from the Llotja School and the Barcelona Higher School of Architecture having funded his training by working as a draftsman for various notable local architects.

Gaudí’s rise was meteoric. His first important commission was for Manuel Vicens i Montaner, the Casa Vicens, a Moorish revival palace, which, after 130 years as a private home, recently reopened to the public.

Over the subsequent thirty years his work and Barcelona were synonymous. The City changed, and under the patronage of Eusebi Güell, Count Güell, a Catalan industrialist, many fine examples of Gaudí’s best work can be seen, including the Parc Güell, the Crypt at Colonia Güell, and Palau Güell

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Güell Park The Sagrada Família

El Capricho

ASTOUNDING ARCHITECTURE Casa Batlló was commissioned in 1904, by Josep Batlló. Gaudí’s task was to design and renovate this extraordinary property, to create a house like no other. He completed the project in 1906, becoming a masterpiece on Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia.

Another fine example is the Casa Milà, commissioned in 1905 by Pere Milà, a developer, and his wife, Roser Segimon, the widow of a wealthy Indiano coffee plantation owner.

In 1883, at the age of 31, Gaudí was appointed to the Sagrada Família project, becoming Architect Director in 1894. From 1915 until his death on 10th June 1926, having being struck by a tram at the age of 73, Gaudí focussed his entire creative energy on the development and construction of this amazing building. Said to be the most important piece of Gothic architecture in Europe since the Middle Ages, Gaudí combined Gothic and Art Nouveau forms together in the Sagrada Família with naturalistic and flowing details of plant life and clever uses of light throughout. The work on this fine building has been halted over the years while additional funds were collected.

It is anticipated that construction will finally be complete by 2026 to coincide with the one hundredth anniversary of Gaudí’s death.

As a matter of interest, we learn in Dan

Brown’s excellent Origin, set almost exclusively in Gaudí’s Barcelona, that the Roman Catholic Church has not funded either Gaudí’s final resting place or the building surrounding it, the Sagrada Família.

One of the few projects that Gaudí undertook away from Catalonia was the minaret-like country lodge – a fine example of his oriental influences – of El Capricho in Comillas, Cantabria, in Northern Spain. Built between 1883-85 as a summer home for returning Indiano Maximo Díaz de Quijano, the Marquis of Comillas and father-in-law of Count Güell.

Atypically for Gaudí’s work, the stained glass, wood rafters and metal work are exemplary.

The emblematic flowers, oriental and stylised ceramics look like they may have come straight from the palette of Charles Rennie Mackintosh (another modernist architect I am a huge fan of). It’s thought that Gaudí and Mackintosh never met, though they died just two years apart, but their naturalistic work, resplendent with great drama, vision and charm, is firmly rooted in the same Modernist and Art Nouveau movements. i More articles from Aestheticons – the home of Classic and Curated Design can be seen at www.aestheticons.wordpress.com

Casa Batlló

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D THE SPOTLIGHT travel © Adolfo Rancaño, Hotel Marqués de Riscal

ROAD TRIP IN SPAIN b y D avid W ishart F

lying is a useful way to get around, but not the only way.

I’d rather take a ship, as long as it is a good one like Sea Cloud, or a train, preferably the French TGV or the elegantly adventurous Rovos Rail.

But getting to Marbella can be like a commute.

From a plane, you see almost nothing, other than pop-up children, maybe a glimpse of the Pyrenees, then perhaps the coastal mountains just before arrival at Málaga airport.

It’s a good airport, better still if you just have hand luggage (and who needs more than 10 kilos for a beach holiday?), but in the process you have lost out on the beauty and charm that is Spain.

So that’s why, on our last visit, we drove.

San Sebastian is a good place to start. It’s just an hour or so from Biarritz, should you be coming from France or more northern latitudes. Biarritz has beautiful beaches popular with surfers, attractive hotels and generally is a classy, refined place. The market is very good while at night a lively restaurant scene takes over the area.

But back to Spain.

The place to stay in San Sebastian is the Aldamar, or its neighbour,

Casa Nicolasa, both billed as twostar pensions, well designed and comfortable, and perfectly located for everything, including parking. If money is no object go to the María Cristina, which has a concierge service typical of grand hotels, and which I shamelessly used.

Its Café Saigón had a tempting menu, but San Sebastian is more for pintxos, as they call tapas. Bar Sport was my favourite. La Rampa on the harbour is good for seafood, with advance booking essential.

Then south to Elciego in the Rioja wine region, where probably not a lot happened until the Marques de Riscal winery decided to build a hotel there, and chose as the architect Frank Gehry, who did the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao. Striking only starts to describe this hotel with its titanium roof flowing like the petals of a large flower, allenveloping and strangely sinister.

I liked the terrace bar with its vineyard view, there is a restaurant with a Michelin star, and the winery and bodega are just down the road. If you can’t get a room, like us, there is good accommodation at nearby Laguardia, such as Hospederia de los Parajes, long on charm but beware the parking situation in this old town. The trick is to

arrive about 6pm after the day trippers have left.

In fact parking can be a problem in many of Spain’s best places, such as Salamanca and Toledo, a solution being to sleep just outside and take taxis to the Centro.

Toledo has the perfect place in the Parador, a handsome, modern hotel overlooking the spectacular city on its stunning location. We paid 140 Euros for a beautiful room with a balcony, maybe a third of what Sofitel would charge if it got its hands on this gem.

It came with a gorgeous view, only surpassed by the Parador terrace.

Here is the place to relax, chilled wine in hand, after a hectic day among the treasures below, starting with the El Greco Museum, and the cathedral.

We should have stopped at Segovia to see the medieval old town and the huge Roman aqueduct, and Madrid was also an option. Then there’s Seville, but that’s just a hop from Ronda and is an easy trip from Marbella.

So, get off the beach, and the golf course, and see Spain!

If you are going to an airport, fly to Belfast and visit the Titanic exhibition, which is spectacular. Be warned: it is hugely popular and my experience was a bit like going to the symphony

surrounded by a football crowd. From now until April it opens at 10 am, and I recommend having a night in Belfast, which is not a bad place to be, then visiting Titanic bright and early, before the tour buses arrive.

Some of the best is outside, such as the actual slipway where Titanic was built, and a series of wooden benches encircling the building and spaced in Morse code sequence. Moving clockwise around the plaza they read “DE (this is) MGY MGY MGY (Titanic’s call sign) CQD CQD SOS SOS CQD” – the distress message that Titanic sent after hitting the iceberg.

Talking of going early, I’m glad I did that at El Higueral, Benahavís, which filled up rapidly as I teed off. It is nine holes, but a cracker of a course with two par fives and plenty of water. Nine holes is increasingly popular with players who don’t want to endure five hours behind fourballs taking 12-inch putts, and it’s perfect for practising the short game.

Prior to that I was at Brussels Golf Club, where Tony Bacon coached Nicolas Colsaerts at the academy when he was seven years old. The course here has nine holes, and as a woman about to play with three friends told me, is just right before lunch. Or dinner, or just a drink. Nine and wine indeed. e

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D THE SPOTLIGHT people

Why is

N A H G U E H M SA ? r o F t u O h c t a Star to Wa

merse e mood to fully immake the th in e ar u yo d ld definitely lander yet an the hit series Outd Scottish history, then you shou with all the episodes. ed ew vi t n’ ve ha up an ng If you ce, action, drama, g up by the fireplace and catchi ous reasons. One is the in ri yourself in roman rl va cu r fo k, o’ ea ‘g br mas e word is country’s most of the Christting and quite addictive from th nature and castles, revealing th mination.

The series is rive ghlights the beauty of Scottish in independence from English do actor, Sam way in which it hi olent history as it fought to retaing charisma of young Scottish vi S lm n MARISA CUTILLA tense and ofte is the acting and the overwhe mie Fraser. WORDS A second reasonplays a Highland warrior called Ja Heughan – who

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O

utlander centres on the love story between Claire – a woman who travels back 200 years (from 1945 to 1743) – and Jamie, a Highland warrior. The heroine wishes to get back to ‘her world’ and her husband, but also finds her place by the side of Jamie – with whom she has a child right before she is separated from him for decades until they meet again. It sounds pretty crazy, and indeed the appearance of the same actors in more than one era adds to the dreamlike nature of this series, which is engrossing from the word go – owing in no small part to the chemistry between Heughan and the actress who plays Claire (Caitriona Balfe). Much of the quality can be attributed to the series’ source – a best-selling historical time travel book series by Diana Gabaldon, to which the series is generally faithful.

Outlander is the perfect fit for an actor of this calibre, but also the reason why Sam Heughan didn’t pick another career altogether. He recently told USA Today that prior to being cast for the role of Jamie in 2013, he was considering hanging up his acting boots: “I was a little like, not disillusioned, but certainly looking at my life. I was 30, maybe 33. I had toured a lot, did bit parts in TV and theatre, was just coming back from America where I tested on a lot of big TV shows and films but still not sort of broken that barrier yet. I think I was just looking at life going, ‘Is this what I’m going to be doing for the next 10 to 20 years?’”

Little did he know that he was about to be offered a role that would change his life. After returning to Scotland, disillusioned by rejections in L.A., he received a call from his agent and

a script for Outlander. He read the latter and immediately felt that he “knew that character.” He was soon cast for the role, which he did justice to by absolutely sizzling on screen. The first episode of Outlander focuses largely on her character, Claire, and her married life in the post-World War II era. Balfe is enigmatic enough herself – tall, elegant, and full of life and cheekiness. But when she is whizzed back and the audience first gets a glimpse of Heughan – well, that is when the magic really begins.

Heughan exudes kindness but also a dash of rebellion, which makes him an excellent lead.

He is quite vocal about his views, and recently formed part of a Twitter war in which enraged fans clashed with the actor over his portrayal of one particular scene. It is the ‘print shop’ scene in which Jamie and Claire reunite after spending decades apart. In the book, when Jamie is presented with a photograph of his now 20-year-old daughter, Brianna, he ‘falls to pieces’.

Heughan opted for a much more subdued portrayal, however, which enraged fans. The actor took to Twitter to explain: “I use action lines as a guide only. ‘Falling apart’ doesn’t have to mean tears… it can be internal. It was my creative choice.” He added that the description felt a tad too melodramatic; after all, the character of Jamie had never met his daughter, he was looking at new technology, and sometimes, emotion isn’t expressed in a dramatic form.

Heughan has also been vocal about Scottish independence: “When I first heard the arguments for ‘leave’ I thought it wasn’t a great idea until I spent more time in Scotland and I thought that it was a way for the Scottish to enjoy greater

democracy. Currently, we are ruled by institutions like the House of Lords, which we have not voted for. With independence, Scotland might have had greater control.” He was pleased to note that over 90 per cent of people turned up to vote: “The referendum got people talking about politics,” which is always a good thing for democracy.

Heughan’s charm has made filmmakers sit up and take notice. He was recently offered a role in hit comedy The Spy Who Dumped Me, in which he plays a federal agent following two best friends (Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon), who have become embroiled in an international conspiracy.

He is currently working on Bloodshot: a superhero film that is set to be the first in the Valiant Cinematic Universe. The film co-stars Vin Diesel, Guy Pearce, and Eiza González. Filming took place in South Africa, Prague, the Czech Republic and Hungary. The film is set to be fast-paced and intense, which sounds just up Heughan’s street.

If you are interested in experiencing the magic of this young Scottish acting virtuoso, we definitely recommend that you begin with Outlander. And once started, you will discover that it is difficult to stop, having won a string of awards including ‘Most Bingeworthy Show’ by the Critics Choice Television Awards. The good news is that there are three seasons to relish, and better still, the fourth began airing last month. He has all the ingredients that have made A-list stars like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise what they are today: good looks, a natural acting style, and a rugged strength that has melted the hearts of film and TV fans across the globe. Of course, his Scottish accent is to die for; just the cherry on the cake, really. e

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D THE SPOTLIGHT motoring

BUGATTI D ivo

To refer to a 2019 Bugatti Divo merely as an exotic sports car is a major understatement of what it really amounts to. After all, a car costing €5 million must have something very special to brag about compared to ‘mundane’ rivals from Ferrari and Lamborghini. Its pace at the top end is higher than the cruising speed of some turboprop aircraft and you’ll hit 100 km/h in a blinding 2.4-seconds, but performance isn’t the full story here.

WORDS TONY WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BUGATTI

T

he Divo can only be described as ‘the car as art’ and when its attributes are totalled up, there’s almost justification for a price that’s easier to associate with hammer prices at Sotheby’s for soughtafter works by internationally recognised artists.

This latest Bugatti is named after French driver Albert Divo who twice won the famed Targa Florio race for the company in the 1920s. It is based on the Bugatti’s Chiron model, which sells for about half

the price. Performance modifications are considerable and Bugatti describes the car as ‘track focused.’

Bugatti points out that the Divo has significantly higher performance in terms of lateral acceleration, agility and cornering. It’s 35 kg lighter than the Chiron and upgraded bodywork enhances downforce, critical for optimal handling.

Aerodynamic updates are many and include a height-adjustable rear spoiler, which also functions as an air brake.

The Divo differs from the Chiron in many ways and Bugatti has embraced a more progressive design language. One thing that does remain is the famous horseshoe grille, a legacy dating back to the earliest days of Bugatti sports cars. The overall look of the car is very distinctive and uses styling cues Bugatti has relied upon since the days of the Veyron. It has a unique appearance and it’ll never be confused with supercars from rivals like Lamborghini and McLaren.

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The Divo’s other-worldly performance includes that blazingly fast acceleration and an electronically limited top speed of 380 km/h.

Behind this astonishing performance is possibly the most remarkable engine produced by any manufacturer. It’s a 16-cylinder unit laid out in ‘W’ fashion, a configuration developed by the Volkswagen Group, Bugatti’s corporate parent. It has no less than four turbochargers and the result is an astounding 1,500-horsepower.

Just 40 Divos will be built and Bugatti tells us they are all spoken for, but cars in this lofty class attract speculators and there are bound to be a

few offered on the world markets. Although this car is all about performance, creature comforts have not been forgotten and the cockpit is arrayed with every comfort and convenience feature you’d expect to find in a top-end luxury car.

It must have been something of a gamble for Bugatti to embark on a project like the Divo, as sales of cars in this heady price class tend to reflect the ups and downs of world money markets. Even so, Bugatti is reporting a strong order book so perhaps there are more people than we imagine willing to pay the price of a twin engine business jet for a sports car. e

Z ENGINE: 1,500-horsepower W-16 with four turbochargers.

Z TRANSMISSION: Seven-speed dual clutch automatic.

Z ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h in 2.4-seconds.

Z TOP SPEED: 380 km/h.

Z I LIKED: Standout styling that will turn every head in town. Exceptionally high level of technical sophistication. Remarkable performance and handling rarely found, even in the exotic car class. Interior design and layout that adds to the Divo’s desirability. The Divo is probably the finest limited edition supercar ever built.

Z I DIDN’T LIKE: Perhaps the Divo is just a little too exclusive. Even the wealthiest owner might be reluctant to take it out into the traffic considering its astronomical price.

Z MARKET ALTERNATIVES: Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita, Lamborghini Veneno, Ferrari Pininfarina Sergio, Aston Martin Valkyrie.

Z WHO DRIVES ONE? Obviously, someone with very considerable amounts of cash. It’s a car for the billionaire who must truly have the best of everything.

Z PRICE AND AVAILABILITY: €5 million

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D THE SPOTLIGHT motoring

7LA0ND ROVER mpetitive e of the most co nd Rover on of it m m su e La Ascending to th kets is a feat in itself, and yet – setting automotive mar uously sat at the very pinnaclend Rover’s has been continfor the past seven decades. La the continuous the benchmark utionary approach has led to ic, versatile linear, more evolan assortment of the most icony. development of d vehicles in motoring historR AND ANNIE ROSE OF LAND ROVE and accomplishe PHY COURTESY WORDS SAM AN

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RUGGED ROADS TO ROYALTY Since 1948, Land Rover has been manufacturing vehicles that seamlessly combine an unmistakable elegance and style, with a rugged, off-road ‘go anywhere’ capability at heart; every vehicle off the production line oozes in a superior quality and basks the company’s rich and distinct tapestry. Boasting familiar and timeless design cues, acting in tandem with the latest modern technology, Land Rover continues to press forward in developing the most reputable and opulent four-wheel drive vehicles conceivable.

The staggering breadth of functionality the marque has to offer has enabled a thoroughly diverse portfolio of utilisation over the past seven decades. From active service with the armed forces, to premiership footballers, agricultural workhorses to chauffeur driven members of monarchy, to remote Red Cross aid missions and just about every walk of life in between. The versatility of applications is truly vast; Land Rover vehicles are employed across the planet – regardless of desolate, undulating terrains and inhospitable weather conditions, where no other vehicles would suffice. Highlighting Land Rover’s engineering superiority, the company possesses a monumental two-decade long domination of the Camel Trophy, one of the most gruelling and arduous cross-country rallies in history.

Not to mention being the first ever winners of the 10,000km Paris-Dakar Rally back in 1979.

Land Rover is not short of outstanding professional accolades, pioneering in fields of engineering and

design since the original Series 1 debuted at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1948. Merely three years later, in 1951, the automaker was awarded its first Royal Warrant by King George VI, cementing the brand’s prestige and aiding Land Rover in becoming the British motoring superlative it is today.

And with this long and illustrious history comes a great pressure to continue to deliver vehicles that can contend in today’s ultra competitive SUV space, while showcasing development and innovation in perfect complement with the company’s age-old ‘go anywhere’ mantra.

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CHANGING OF THE GUARD To furnish fitting tribute to these fine motoring machines, we paid a visit to C. de Salamanca, Marbella, and got behind the wheel of the new Range Rover Velar to see if the latest addition to the company’s line-up truly fits the bill and can stand on parade with some of the most exemplary vehicles in its lasting and famed repertoire.

The latest addition to the brand’s revered catalogue, the Velar sits under the Range Rover umbrella, between the Evoque and the Range Rover Sport. Aesthetically, I think the Velar steals the show as the very best looking car in the 2018 range. In comparison to its older brother, the everprominent Range Rover Sport, the Velar’s roofline sits a substantial 4.5 inches shorter and sweeps back to a rear some 2 inches more diminished in

both overall length and wheelbase.

From the outside, the Velar’s coachwork is a real treat to drink in, from the slightly pinched rear tailgate to the thick, strapping jaw line set by the muscular and unapologetic front end. The car we drove was finished in an incredible Indus Silver that caught every colour in the spectrum between pale blue and brilliant white under the hazy sunlight as we ascended into the mountains. And to compliment, the roof was dressed in an optional deep Santorini Black.

Inside the cabin is where the Velar excels even further, offering the driver and fortunate companions some unparalleled luxury real-estate.

Each material and finish in the cockpit flaunts a quality feel and look, and the levels of consideration

in the overall design are marvellous, and can truly contest many cars above its weight in price. Unlike the more claustrophobic Evoque, the Velar feels spacious in both the front and rear. From the driver’s seat, the centre console and instrument cluster are clear and accessible, and visibility to the outside world is good. The new dual touch screens in the centre console and the TFT instrument panel look fantastic and feel responsive and fairly intuitive to use. The level of technology on offer here is really remarkable and the dual infotainment screens make for a salient centrepiece in the cabin. One of my only reservations here is that the touch screen did get slightly tricky to use when out on the road and doesn’t feel quite as natural or instantaneous as the use of a tangible button or dial.

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The driving position feels elevated, a longstanding staple of the brand, but with a few trick seat adjustments you can sit lower among the metal and feel a little more engaged in the driving experience. A real highlight was shifting with the titanium paddles – especially once you get slightly higher in the rev range and the Velar clears its throat, you’d be forgiven for occasionally forgetting you were driving a large SUV at all – especially with the odd exhaust crackle bouncing off the rocky passes. The ride comfort is superb and very compliant across a variety of surfaces, as you’d expect. Thanks to the Velar’s more squat posture, it doesn’t suffer the same unforgiving body-roll as its taller siblings. As the road opened up with longer sweeping turns revealing more of

the mountain vista, the Velar always felt poised and maintained its composure.

Under the hood, there are a variety of powertrain options available – with turbocharged petrol and diesel variants to choose from, as well as some bigger V6 motors if you desire more potent performance. We tested the 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine – which offers 250hp and 269 lb ft of torque. In the 250P as tested, you’ll see 100 km/h in about 7 seconds.

It can hold pace comfortably, even returning reasonable fuel economy for such a sizable vehicle when Eco mode is engaged. Performance is solid, offering very usable low-down torque and linear power delivery. The Velar effortlessly surged forward up the serpentine mountain path

without hesitation and our time driving around town was made leisurely thanks to the smooth 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.

Overall, the Velar is a wonderful drive.

Exhibiting a sleek exterior and alluring interior, this stylish package offers practicality, performance and uncompromised quality. As tested, the price tag on our Velar came in at around €83,000 – giving some illustration as to the wide plethora of bespoke options available.

Showcasing all the hallmarks of Land Rover’s latest innovations, the Velar truly is a triumphant look forward to the next generation of motorcars by the world-renowned manufacturer, and in my opinion represents a very strong showing for the future of Land Rover.

i For more information on the Range Rover Velar, visit www.cdesalamanca-malaga.landrover.es

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w THE TREND cinema

COMPILED BY MA RIS

A CUTILLAS

TH

THE MON e BLOCKBUSTER OF Hedges »» DIRECTOR Peter y Green) oth (The Odd Life of Tim ma Dra E »» GENR ts, Lucas »» CAST Julia Rober Vance B. ney urt Co s, Hedge

family home for the Ben Burns returns to his Holly notices that holidays, but his mom, n used to be heavily Be ng. something is wro seems he has changed involved in drugs and it l very much within stil is he for the better, but do everything in her harm’s way. Holly must ily’s downfall on one fam her t power to preven s Eve. fateful night: Christma

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»» DIRECTOR Christian Rivers (Minutes Past Midnight) »» GENRE Science Fiction »» CAST Hugo Weaving, Robert Sheehan, Stephen Lang, Hera Hilmar

Mortal Engines

Thousands of years ago, a cataclysm destroyed civilisation as we know it. Humanity has been forced to adapt post-apocalyptic life, and defend itself against the gigantic cities that attack smaller populations.

Tom (Robert Sheehan) is a low-level citizen in London who joins forces with dangerous fugitive, Hester (Hera Hilmar). They are opposite in personality yet together, they are powerful enough to change the course of humanity for the better.

»» DIRECTOR Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name) »» GENRE Horror »» CAST Tilda Swinton, Dakota Johnson, Mia Goth

Suspiria

Susie Banon (Dakota Johnson) is a young American ballerina who travels to Berlin to commence her training at the Markos Tanz Company – one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world. On the day of her arrival, one of the students is assassinated and the murder isn’t the first at the school. Susie’s fears are fuelled by her dance mate Sarah (Mia Goth), who tells her that before the last victim died, she confessed that she had discovered a terrible secret. What is the school trying to hide?

»» DIRECTOR Rob Marshall (Chicago) »» GENRE Musical »» CAST Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth

Mary Poppins Returns

We love everything about British actor, Emily Blunt, so we were pleased to hear that she is starring in Mary Poppins Returns: a holidaytimed musical set in the London of the 1930s.

Blunt is delightful as a modern Mary who challenges children to use their imagination and to accept the empowerment that taking responsibility can bring. Blunt is supported by an amazing cast that includes grand damme, Meryl Streep herself. We just can’t wait for this release!

»» DIRECTOR Otto Bathurst (His Dark Materials) »» GENRE Adventure »» CAST Taron Egerton, Jamie Dornan, Paul Anderson, Jamie Foxx

Robin Hood

There have been many films on the subject of popular hero, Robin Hood, but this version is a fresh, modern take on the legendary story. Featuring upcoming British actor, Taron Egerton as Robin Hood and a star-studded supporting cast. The filmmakers promise “an exciting adventure that is filled with actions, spectacular battle scenes and timeless romance.” Sounds like a perfect choice for the Christmas break.

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w THE TREND cinema

IS SORRY TO BOTHER YOU THE TOP COMEDY OF 2018?

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

S

orry to Bother You was released in July in the U.S. and will premiere in the UK in December, but there is no release date for Spain yet. We eagerly await the announcement, for the film is already being touted as the one comedy not to miss out on. The film combines a host of different factors, evident from the first few seconds of the intriguing trailer. First there is the script – witty, fast, and biting. Then there is the director, Boots Riley in his debut film. Riley is known for his interesting scriptwriting in works like OYAHYTT, Hey Saturday Night, and Victors of the Age. Finally, there is the cast: Armie Hammer – one of the hottest actors of his generation, and of course, Lakeith Lee Stanfield – an actor and rapper who first came to our attention in one of last year’s best films – Get Out. Sorry to Bother You is the story of Cassius Green (Lakeith

Lee Stanfield), a young African American man who is up to his ears in debt, and who lands a job as a telemarketer. Despite having a natural gift of the gab, his sales are stalling until his clever co-worker, Langston (Danny Glover) explains the root of the problem: he needs to use “white voice… I’m not talking ‘Will Smith white’” when selling over the phone.

Cassius takes his advice and starts breaking sales records. It seems like the world is at his feet, until the planet’s worst boss (Armie Hammer) makes Cassius a ‘power seller’ and insists he sell something he shouldn’t be involved with.

Sorry to Bother You received the Vanguard Award at this year’s Sundance Festival. Rosario Dawson, who presented Riley with the award, said: “You are walking poetry.

You are part of this movement generation — and you know what I mean by that.” She stated that

Riley is pushing boundaries when it comes to storytelling and that the award “could not be given to anymore more deserving.” Riley, accepting the award, noted: “Unfortunately, the world hasn’t changed enough to make the movie irrelevant. It’s of the time and the movement going on right now.”

Issues such as race, class, and corporate corruption are more relevant than ever, given recent news events and the assertions freely made by high level politicians. The film starts off as highly comedic but soon develops into a social thriller, similar in its pace and rhythm to Get Out. So impressive were the critiques that after its screening at Sundance, this seemingly small budget, indie film was purchased by Annapurna Pictures for a seven-figure amount.

Annapurna, which specialises in auteur films such as Detroit or The Master, made an interesting comment

upon acquiring worldwide rights to the film: “We f***ing love this movie.”

Riley describes the film as “an absurdist dark comedy with magical realism and science fiction, inspired by the world of telemarketing.” He explains the goal of the film (and all his work) as “creating a movement in which the working class can engage in the struggle and create a system in which the people democratically control the wealth that we create with our labour.” Sounds like crucial viewing for those seeking to be entertained while reflecting on deeper issues. “If we are trying to make movements that change our surroundings, we have to correctly analyse where we sit in the economic system we are in because that allows us to figure out where our leverage is with power.

Our power comes from our ability to withhold our labour collectively,” Riley told reelblack. That’s surely food for thought! e

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THE SPIRIT OF PROJECT STRIPE SLIDING DOORS, ZENIT WALK-IN CLOSET, PLANET COFFEE TABLE DESIGN G.BAVUSO

RIMADESIO SHOWROOM MARBELLA AVDA CANÒVAS DEL CASTILLO 10, 29601 MARBELLA – TEL +34 952857066 – MARBELLA@RIMADESIO.COM MÁS INFORMACIÓN EN RIMADESIO.COM

Essential magazine_Stripe_nov18.indd 1

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¿QUÉ PASA?

WORDS RIK FOXX

At Málaga's Cervantes Theatre this month: CARLOS NÚÑEZ (5th), local singer ROCÍO ALBA (7th), the History of Rock revue covers the history of rock and roll from its origins in the decade of the 1950’s up to our days (8th) and Spanish singer PASIÓN VEGA (14th).

Ticket info: teatrocervantes.com The sixth Gibraltar Jazz Festival takes place in St. Michael's Cave on December 8 with the RONNIE SCOTT'S JAZZ ORCHESTRA , renowned vocalist GEORGINA JACKSON and local band MALFUNKTION headlining.

For the full line-up and ticket info: gibraltarinternationaljazzfestival.com Fuengirola's Marenostrum Festival has already named its headliners for next June's 40 band plus Rock The Coast nights (14th & 15th) with RITCHIE BLACKMORE'S RAINBOW, THE DARKNESS, former IRON MAIDEN frontman BLAZE BAYLEY, Germany's heavy metal outfit U.D.O., The UK's 1980s veterans MAGNUM and Swedish metalheads OPETH. Tickets are now on sale from the festival site, ticketmadness.es or ticketmaster.es

And on August 8, the remaining four original JACKSON brothers are at Marbella's Club de Tennis Hotel Puente Romano. Ticket info: rocklounge.com As we reported earlier this year, ABBA have recorded two new songs, their first in 35 years, and one of them, I Still Have Faith In You, will be performed by their 'digital selves' on the NBC/ BBC produced TV special, ABBA: Thank You For The Music, An All-Star Tribute, which is due to air sometime this month.

Mystery surrounds the future of MICHAEL BUBLÉ; it was reported that he was "retiring from the business" to spend time with his five-year-old son who is in remission after contracting liver cancer two years ago. But talk suggests he may have had a change of heart while promoting his recently released 'perfect' album, Love, and after his JAMES CORDEN Carpool Karaoke appearance for Stand Up To Cancer.

Cuban American singer CAMILA CABELLO cleaned up at the MTV European Awards in Bilbao last month taking the Best Artist, plus Best Video and Song awards for Havana. The 21-year-old former FIFTH HARMONY member has denied she will take a lead role in next year's SPIELBERG remake of West Side Story as she wants to start work on a second album.

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

A lot of AMY WINEHOUSE fans are not very happy about the hologram project which is in the works, with a live tour being pencilled in for next year. While promoting the recently released Back To Black DVD, which takes a look at the making of the singer's seminal second album and includes previously unseen live footage, her father confirmed there are also plans to make a biopic about the singer’s life.

MICHAEL BUBLÉ The year comes to a close without any major international acts although there are some Spanish gigs (see below) – but there are bound to be tribute artists aplenty along the coast with the build-up to the festive season so check local weekly publications for any last minute arranged gigs. All information on this page was correct at the time of writing.

AMY WINEHOUSE

w THE TREND music

Last month the PRINCE estate launched a weekly series of rare and unseen music videos which runs until December 14 and announced they have granted Netflix permission to make a documentary series about the legend's entire life. And on December 16, to mark the last performance of the BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN 236 night residency in New York, Netflix are airing Springsteen on Broadway, his storytelling acoustic solo slot, which tied in with his 2016 autobiography Born to Run, featuring 15 of his best-loved songs. A corresponding soundtrack album will land on December 14.

While the 'will they, won't they' OASIS saga drags on, GENE GALLAGHER (son of LIAM) is following in his father's footsteps forming a trio, GRIMMO, with his mates, and will sing and play lead guitar. Dad said, "It'll be interesting to hear his mix and how he brings all this grime stuff into his version of rock'n'roll, or guitar music, or whatever it is".

ROBBIE WILLIAMS is back on stage again with his former TAKE THAT band

mates to raise money for Sir Elton John's AIDS Foundation in London on December 4 for the gala opening night of The Band, the musical based on Take That's greatest hits. Rumours also suggest they will perform together during the Y Factor final show on December 1 & 2.

Actress AMY SCHUMER has called on MAROON 5 to pull out of the Super Bowl Halftime Show in support of COLIN KAEPERNICK, the American footballer who last year took a knee during the playing of the national anthem before games in protest against police brutality, a gesture that upset many. It was recently revealed that the band were second choice for the Halftime Show after RIHANNA turned down the prestigious event in a "show of solidarity" for the NFL player.

AEROSMITH frontman STEVE TYLER is now an ordained minister and has already performed a marriage and has offered his services to JUSTIN BIEBER. Apparently a member of the U2 entourage joked that BONO should apply for one too as it will give him something new to do on stage. e

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w THE TREND books

TOPforREADS t he Month COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

HOLY GHOST BY JOHN SANDFORD

Virgil Flowers investigates a murder in a small town in Pinion, Minnesota. Not much has been going on in Pinion for the past few decades, until a new mayor and his friend come up with a way to attract media attention to their area. After reading about a floating image of Virgin Mary which has attracted thousands of pilgrims, they decide to formulate a similar ploy to enrich the local tourism trade. When a dead body shows up, however, their plans are foiled and Virgil Flowers must help them discover who is bringing all the bad publicity to their town.

THE WITCH ELM

BY TANA FRENCH

Toby’s life is as happy as can be, until a brutal attack leaves him hurt and traumatised, with scars that are impossible to heal. He seeks refuge at his family’s ancestral home, the Ivy House, filled with happy memories of his childhood alongside his cousins. Soon after his arrival, a discovery is made: a skull, carefully hidden inside the old witch elm in the garden.

As detectives begin to make new findings, Toby is forced to re-think everything he thought he knew about his family, his past, and himself.

THE CLOCKMAKER’S DAUGHTER BY KATE MORTON

In the summer of 1862, a group of young artists led by the popular and creative Edward Radcliffe heads to Birchwood Manor on the banks of the Upper Thames to enjoy a month filled with creative pursuits. By the time their stay is over, one woman has been murdered and another is missing, an antique heirloom has disappeared, and Edward Radcliffe’s life is in ruins. Over 150 years later, Elodie Winslow, a young archivist in London, finds a satchel with two mysterious items: a photograph of a beautiful woman in Victorian clothing, and an artist’s sketch of a house on the bend of a river. Elodie becomes intrigues and resolves to find out more about these two important clues to the past.

AMBUSH BY JAMES PATTERSON AND JAMES O. BORN

An anonymous tip about a crime in Upper Manhattan proves to be a setup, an an officer is killed as a result.

Michael Bennett, New York’s top cop, is torn. On the one hand, his child sustains a mysterious injury. On the other, a series of murders are alerting him to the fact that a professional killer is at large. Bennett can’t fathom the assassin’s motive, but he does know it has something to do with his own past. Bennett must figure out the complex mystery if he is to avoid the clutches of the murderer and protect his family.

THE NEXT PERSON YOU MEET BY MITCH ALBOM

This book is the sequel to number one bestseller The Five People You Meet in Heaven. It tells the story of Eddie’s reunion in Heaven with Annie — the little girl he saved on earth 15 years previously. The first book introduces us to the enchanting Eddie, a grizzled war veteran- turned-amusement park mechanic who dies so that Annie can live. In the magical sequel, we learn a bit more about Annie’s story and why her short but beautiful life mattered.

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BEFORE // AFTER

Residential and Commercial Interior Design and Construction in Marbella.

www.blackshawinteriordesign.com +34 951 403 787

+34 681 662 000

Avd. Cรกnovas del Castillo 25, Marbella, Mรกlaga, 29601

w THE TREND technology For those into gaming, VR is a firm step into the world of fantasy, one in which cybernetic warriors are called upon to fight a demon invasion (DOOM VFR), comic heroes discover alien worlds (Rick and Morty), and players interact with animated characters (Mindshow). VR isn’t new, of course; Oculus Rift has been making waves on the gaming scene and the HTC Vive itself was first unveiled as far back as 2015. However, the VIVE VR System ushers players into the next generation in many ways, offering a fully immersive firstperson experience and SteamVR Tracking – a complete hardware and software system that allows objects to determine, in real time, where they are located within a tracked 3D space.

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

WHY THE

VIVE VR SYSTEM IS THE GADGET TO OWN IN 2019 Z HOW DOES STEAMVR TRACKING

Z MOVEMENT IS LIFE

WORK? SteamVR Tracking has three main components: a base station, sensors on ‘tracked’ objects, and a host. The base stations sweep the room with multiple sync pulses and laser lines. The tracking system uses trigonometric principles to locate each sensor in the room to within a fraction of a millimetre. By combining all the components of the system, SteamVR also calculates the tracked object’s orientation, speed, and angular velocity, at a very fast update rate.

Z COOL FEATURES OF THE VIVE VR SYSTEM The VIVE VR System is fully immersive – meaning that players can enter a 360º world, interacting with realistic graphics and enjoying directional audio and HD haptic feedback (which uses advanced vibration patterns and waveforms to convey information to the gamer). This means that movements are realistic and the experience so magical that you may never want to take the headset off.

The VIVE VR System boasts a 15’ x 15’ room-scale stage. This means you can either play while sitting at your desk, or walk around the room you are playing in. Choose the position that feels most comfortable and get started on your real job: beating the bad guys and bringing home the booty!

Z SAFE PLAY In case you are worried you might trip over an object in your room or fall through a crevice (hopefully your room does not have too many of these), fear not. The game has a Chaperone system which warns you about the boundaries of your play area, and the front-facing camera allows you to view the real world, so you can look at your dad (who will probably be nagging you to do your homework) and shoo him out of the room without having to take your headset off.

Z OVER 1500 STEAMVR GAMES TO ENJOY That sounds like a huge selection; start saving your allowance, you’ll need every cent to build up a cool collection. VIVE

also offers a free trial in which users can pick 5 VR titles to try each month for a small price.

Z VIVA EL VIDEO! The system has an immersive, cinematic VR video player for standard, 3D, 180º and 360º videos saved on your computer.

Obtain this baby for free on VIVEPORT and Steam.

Z THE PERKS OF THE GAME Rest assured your VIVE headset will be super comfie; it comes with features like adjustable straps and interchangeable inserts and eye relief adjustment. It also comes with two face cushions and a nose rest.

Z VIVE OR VIVEPRO? There are two options to choose from; The VIVE costs around €600 while VIVEPRO Starter Kit costs around €900. The differences between the two

aren’t huge. The VIVEPRO has a firmer headstrap which can be adjusted by dial as opposed to velcro straps. It also has built-in headphones which can be tilted away from your ears so you can hear what’s going on in the room. The VIVEPRO also has dual cameras from the front rather than a singular central lens. The VIVEPRO has slightly thicker padding, making for a bit of extra comfort.

If you are interested in the VIVE VR System, make sure your computer system will support it first. For instance, you will need a memory of 4 GB RAM or more, as well as specific graphics and processor requirements. i For further information, www.vive.com

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d the style

INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE ART DESIGN GARDENS FASHION

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Villa Xálima

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Décor News

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Fashion News

MARVEL AT THE DREAMLIKE VILLA XÁLIMA AND DISCOVER HOW A BEAUTIFUL MANSION MATERIALISES ON A CARIBBEAN ISLAND, DECK YOURSELF OUT IN FESTIVE FASHION BY GUESS, AND MAKE SURE TO BUY ONE OF THE SEASON’S MUST-HAVE ITEMS.

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d THE STYLE architecture

VILLA XÁLIMA A Caribbean Dream Made in Marbella Creating a 21st century mansion set upon a private island in the Caribbean is no mean brief, but Marbella-based architect Daniel Martín took all the technical and locational challenges in his stride to produce a vision of the future.

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MARTIN FERRERO ARCHITECTURE

Each villa is surrounded by the greenery of a tropical paradise

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P

icture a private tropical paradise off the Yucatan coast of Mexico. If you owned such a slice of heaven you’d want to create a special home here that you could share with friends and family, which is exactly what the Swiss proprietor wished to do. Though privately owned, the island falls under the very strict environmental protection rules that apply to this ecologically important region, but as an experienced property developer he had the experience and know-how to build something special while also respecting the environment. The only thing that was missing was a technically and artistically

gifted architect to realise the vision.

After a long search the choice fell upon Daniel Martín, an architect from Madrid but based in Marbella who had made a name for himself by plotting his own course and remaining true to his principles.

“An architect works to realise the vision of his clients, but there are two kinds of professionals in this field; those who simply work on a commercial basis and those who have to believe in what they do because they give their all to a project,” explains Daniel.

“I believe the best work is created by people who have a passion for what they

are doing. There are many architects and engineers who specialise in creating highrise around the world, so instead of joining them I look for smaller-scale challenges that require far more personal input, and in the end become singular, timeless expressions of their surroundings and their owners’ style.” His projects have been varied, local and international, encompassing both large and small edifices and villas, but always involving the desire to produce something special and unique. “The actual design need not be extravagant or avant-garde, but something that adds rather than detracts from its surroundings.”

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Taking opulence to a new level

Avant-garde architecture with open-plan living areas jutting out over water

A UNIQUE PROJECT Ultimately, Daniel Martín is an architect who doesn’t just accept a cheque but wants to be proud of his work, and this was exactly the kind of person the owner of the island property was looking for, as he too wanted to create something exceptional upon his beautiful Caribbean site. Architect and project indeed seemed made for one another, and upon visiting the location and discussing the possibilities with the owner he began to immerse himself not just in the tight planning regulations and technical restriction of a rocky tropical island, but also sought inspiration in local natural and cultural references.

“My own architectural style is defined by the use of horizontal planes, not as towering vertical layers that impose themselves on the human and natural environment – hence my dislike for tower blocks – but in the form of receding planes with softly angled edges that produce reduced volumes, much like pyramidical structures do.”

Studying the Mesoamerican Mayan culture, he found their structures, and indeed their pyramids, to also incorporate horizontal layers in a similar way, and so the first element of design was established in this cultural reference, which represents art in the project’s desire to create a fusion of ‘Art, Nature and Architecture’.

With nature so dramatically prominent in the setting, the colour tones presented themselves almost naturally in the form of emerald hues of tropical greenery and the azure reflections of the water. Verdant vegetation and the calming, soothing sight and sound of water would join a modern interpretation of Mesoamericaninspired architecture to which Daniel also added gently sloping green roofs. “Villa Xálima is a luxurious holiday home, not an office block, so it was necessary to soften the modern geometry with a gentle gradient, playful edges and then cover them with moss-like grass to let the complex blend into the natural setting.”

The architect has made use of terraced layers

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Indoors and outdoors merge at Villa Xálima

Villa Xálima offers a succession of exquisitely luxurious areas

A FUSION OF ART, NATURE AND ARCHITECTURE “I have always loved the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and how his designs became a part of their particular landscape. This is especially impactful in the Fallingwater House, where the fragile beauty of the setting is somehow enhanced by this iconic creation. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House is

another example of purity of design, but it isn’t necessarily the easiest home to live in, so I’m always mindful of the need to balance form and function as well as respecting the environment.” This would prove a challenge on the rocky island, where normal construction methods wouldn’t work, so Daniel devised both

a technical and aesthetic solution in one.

Architecture isn’t only about style and aesthetics; it is also about engineering, quantifying materials and creating durable, loadbearing structures for people to live and work in. Every beautiful design has to be balanced by sound technical underpinnings,

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Sunken pits merge indoor and outdoor areas

and in the case of Villa Xálima this was more complicated than usual. To maximise space, and in the process incorporate more water and natural greenery, Daniel chose to position part of the structure jutting out over the cliffs into the sea, using a cantilever system of construction to support the weight and ensure complete stability. “It aided the drama of the

Even the lounge enjoys a paradisiacal setting

design and saved space,” explains the architect.

With the elements thus compiled: Mayan Art, water and tropical greenery representing nature and the technical and aesthetic architectural components in place, Daniel Martín set about designing a signature villa that would be a fusion of all these parts while also providing the hybrid role of summer home

and guest accommodation for significant numbers of independent groups. “In effect, the property had to be multifunctional, usable both as a private villa with self-catering guest accommodation, and if required also as an ultra-luxurious boutique residence hotel in one of the most beautiful locations of the Caribbean.”

Visitors can bring their yachts to private jetties

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A private wonder world created off the Yucatan coast

A MODERN WORK OF ART The result is a modern mansion infused with ancient inspiration, enlivened with natural elements and made possible by the latest technology, equipped with every luxury imaginable but also designed to be welcoming, homely and in sync with its natural setting. “I believe in building on a human scale – another reason why I don’t like tower blocks – and this can be achieved even in an expansive project of this scale, which occupies a built area of 26,000 square metres.”

Daniel accomplished this by creating a series of exquisite private villas radiating outwards from a central main mansion.

Representing different scales and levels that merge structure and nature in a series of terraced levels connected by walkways, terraces, courtyards and abundant greenery, they overhang cliffs, hug coves and in the case of the main house stand proudly atop a hill to offer privacy, intimacy and space while endowed with awe-inspiring views of the Caribbean Sea. The connection between the different parts of the villa, as well as between island and structure, setting and architecture, is so intuitive that it seems entirely natural – a fine example of how even the most opulent of architecture can work with the elements to produce inspiring, environmentally sensitive designs.

Open-plan interiors that allow cooling sea breezes in

i www.martin-ferrero.com

Lush tropical greenery envelopes the modern villas

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d THE STYLE decor

TOYS DELIGHT ROYAL CLASSIC

CHRISTMAS TREE

CHRISTMAS

WINTER BAKERY

COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

CHRISTMAS DÉCOR

From December 1 until January 6, the festive season rules in Spain, and Villeroy & Boch seeks to add a happy, inviting air to your home with crockery, décor pieces and ornaments in traditional motifs.

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d THE STYLE fashion

Guess’ new winter ware shows that this is a great season in which to be merry and bold and to turn heads with outfits that are as stylish as they are comfortable. Enjoy just a few items from a truly memorable collection.

COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

GWEN JACKET, AMERICAN LOGO TEE, FREDA SKIRT, URBAN CHIC FRAME SHOULDER BAG, BOOTIE, HEART SHAPE HOOPS

T H G I R B E N I H S 9 1 0 2 / 8 1 0 2 r e t n i W s s e u G

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BENGAL BIKER JACKET, ROMANTIC LACE BODY, KAMRYN KEFIAH, BOOTIE, URBAN CHIC LARGE BACKPACK, CRYSTAL PAVE HOOPS

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STEPHANIE DUSTER, STEPHANIE TOP, RED BAND PANTS, LEANNE SMALL SOCIETY SATCHEL BAG, PUMPS, CRYSTAL PAVE HOOPS

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PRINTED SEQUINS DRESS, MARLENE SHOULDER BAG, HEART SHAPE HOOPS, BIG CRYSTALS BANGLE, CRYSTAL PAVÉ BANGLE

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OFF SHOULDER GABBIE DRESS, BOOTIE, PEONY COIN NECKLACE, PEONY DANGLING CHARM EARRINGS

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g C.C. La Cañada, Marbella.

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Tel: 952 583 082. www.guess.eu/es

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n the spa

PRODUCTS BEAUTY SPA SCIENCE TREATMENTS HEALTH

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Baking for Beauty

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Beauty News

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Cirumed: A Business Success Story

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The High Resolution Hospital in Estepona

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Health News

ENSURE YOUR FACE STAYS WELL-ILLUMINATED THROUGHOUT THE DAY BY BAKING WHEN YOU MAKE YOURSELF UP, DISCOVER HOW CIRUMED CLINIC HAS ACHIEVED DIZZYING HEIGHTS OF SUCCESS, AND CHECK OUT THE PROGRESS BEING MADE ON THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW HIGH RESOLUTION HOSPITAL IN ESTEPONA.

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Dr. Kai O. Kaye

Dr. Richard M. Fakin

OCEAN CLINIC NOW IN MARBELLA - MADRID - ZURICH

MARBELLA - MADRID - ZURICH

MARBELLA - MADRID - ZURICH

MARBELLA - MADRID - ZURICH

Dr. Kai O. Kaye and his team are happy to announce the opening of two new clinics, one in the heart of Barrio Salamanca, Madrid and one in the city center of Zurich, Switzerland. From December onwards and in collaboration with our new partner, Dr. Richard M Fakin, board-certified plastic surgeon in Spain and Switzerland and fellow of the European Board of Plastic Surgery, our international patients will be able to schedule consultations and to have procedures carried out at the 2 new venues, both situated in prime locations in the city center.

n THE SPA beauty

YOU ALL READY TO

BAKE? Baking (packing the area beneath the eyes and above the cheekbones with concealer and loose powder) is all the rage among the world’s top bloggers. Is it worth the hype and how can you make the most of it?

Marisa Cutillas reports.

It is no less than amazing to see the extent to which makeup has become a way to reshape and contour the face, varying drastically from its original purpose: to add colour to the cheeks, strengthen features such as eyebrows and eyelashes, and smoothen the complexion. These days, ‘before

and after’ pics and videos reveal the extent to which makeup can change one’s face shape, add luminosity, and erase pigmentation and other skin inconsistencies. Baking, the habit of applying concealer and powder and leaving it on for up to 10/15 minutes before brushing off the excess powder, has two main aims: to effectively cover dark circles and bring greater prominence to the upper cheekbone area. The result is a more heart-shaped face and Instagrammable cheekbones.

You can also apply the highlighter (or a lighter toned foundation) to any area of your face you wish to emphasise. Typical areas include the bridge of the nose, centre of the forehead, and chin. Some people also highlight the jaw area, which is ideal for narrow faces.

SLOW BAKED PERFECTION In order to bake, you will need a good highlighter (NARS creamy concealer is a standout; not only does it have full coverage for dark circles, but also lends loads of luminosity to the upper cheekbone and has lasting power). You will also need an excellent superfine loose powder. If you won’t be taking flash photos, MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Ultra HD Microfinishing Loose Powder is a top choice; if flash photography will be involved, try Laura Mercier’s Transluscent Setting Powder. This products is ultra fine and covers pores, giving skin a smoother appearance.

PUTTING THE GOODIES TO USE Now it is time to bake. Apply a generous amount of concealer under your eyes and in the upper part of your cheekbones, extending all the way to the temples. Use a beauty blender to smoothen but don’t do so too assiduously or your sponge will absorb too much product. Next up, take another sponge and dip it into your loose powder. Press the powder into the areas you have concealed. At this stage, you may look like a clown. That’s a good sign while you’re baking!

Now go do something fun for around 15 minutes. This will give the powder time to blend with the concealer.

After your wait, use a large, fluffy powder brush to remove excess powder.

IS BAKING WORTH IT? Of course it is! The question is the amount of time you have for your beauty routine. Unless you are part of the Kardashian ‘klan’ and you have an hour to beautify yourself daily, baking might be better for a special night out. Also, take note: if you have dry skin or fine lines beneath or at the side of your eyes, the heavy concealer and powder may make these lines seem more prominent. Therefore, it is important to use an excellent eye cream prior to baking, since the aim of this procedure is ultra smooth, fine skin that is luminous and unlined. If you have serious darkness under your eyes, you will love baking… few other techniques will blend this zone so well with the rest of your skin. If you are unsure, give it a go next weekend and let me know what you think! e

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r u o Y e c A

CHRISTMAS

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BEAUTY LOOK Marisa Cutillas brings you items to put into your makeup bag for a perfectly made up look all night long.

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1 – FENTY BEAUTY ALL OVER DIAMOND VEIL: Highlight desired areas of the face with this almost transparent yet super shiny product.

2 – HOURGLASS AMBIENT LIGHTING PALETTE: Put a little sparkle in your look with these shimmery shadows.

3 – BOBBI BROWN SEQUIN SHIMMER BRICK EYE PALETTE: Add a splash of glitter to your eyes with this long-lasting shimmery shadow.

4 – SHISEIDO MINIMALIST WHIPPED POWDER BLUSH: This blush is perfect for those after subtle colour in the cheeks.

5 – CHARLOTTE TILBURY MATTE REVOLUTION LIPSTICK: A luxury matte product that will keep your napkin lipstick-free, all night long.

6 – CHARLOTTE TILBURY HOLLYWOOD FLAWLESS FILTER: A perfect ally for those who want to look picture perfect in their Instagram shots.

7 – YSL ALL HOURS FOUNDATION STICK: This new foundation is long-lasting, smooth, and luscious to the touch.

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5 6 7

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THE RISE OF

CIRUMED I

n addition to launching Cirumed Clinic alongside Jeannine, Dr. Aslani didn’t take long to make his mark on the medical world. He obtained the highly coveted post of Head of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Quirón Hospital in Málaga, being the first ever non-hispanic surgeon to be hired for such a post. For nearly ten years, he turned the Quirón Málaga’s Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery department into a high volume international hotspot for patients from all over the world, and eventually decided to open Cirumed’s own surgical facilities.

Cirumed has achieved many things over the years, but its crowning glory, admits Dr. Aslani, is

“having consolidated our reputation for specialist surgery.” In the case of Cirumed, the star treatment is undoubtedly body contouring – a set of procedures undertaken in one day, sometimes involving liposuction, fat transfer, breast augmentation and a Brazilian Butt Lift all in one. Dr. Aslani is well known in UK celebrity circles for these procedures, and recently operated actor Chloe Sims.

His patients now come from far and wide, from Scandinavia and the U.S., for instance.

Jeannine, meanwhile, has made a big name for herself with CoolSculpting: a non-surgical ‘fat freezing’ method that produces similar results to liposuction and can

It seems like just yesterday that Dr. Alexander Aslani and his wife Jeannine first landed on Marbella’s shores, keen to offer cutting edge surgical and non-surgical treatments to a beauty savvy clientele.

It’s actually been 11 years since they launched on the Coast and, when looking back at the trajectory of the clinic, it is clear that Cirumed is no less than symbolic of the potential in Marbella for those wishing to launch a successful business.

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

be used on practically any area of the body in which stubborn fat is present (including the belly, back, thighs, and even the double chin). CoolSculpting is an FDA-approved method for fat freezing; there are only a handful of machines in the South of Spain and interestingly, four of them are at Cirumed! “We were the first clinic to have two of its own machines, but such has been the success of CoolSculpting that we have had to purchase two more,” states Dr. Aslani.

Jeannine is also in charge of all nonsurgical procedures, including Fraxel and Fractora laser, Botox, fillers, and a bevy of additional treatments.

Cirumed achieved a real coup when it opened its own operating

unit in 2018. Dr. Aslani notes: “Our patient volume from overseas reached 80 per cent of our surgeries so we decided the next step was to build our own surgical centre.”

Measuring 1,300m2, the unit boasts two operating rooms, six suites, and two cutting edge Laminar Flow Systems (which keeps potential contamination under control during surgery). The operating theatres have exceptional equipment which allow Dr. Aslani to perform his body contouring work with ease, thanks to special operating tables and top-ofthe-range apparatus. Currently, the Clinic is working on expanding even further, and by next year, it will have an additional four patient suites.

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g Edif. Panorama, Planta Baja, Local 2.

CN340, km 184, Marbella. Tel: 952 775 346. www.cirumed.es

A Family Business Success Story Another popular offering at Cirumed is the ‘complete circuit’, which meets all the needs of patients travelling to Marbella for the body contouring experience. “Jeannine has perfected the circuit for these patients, taking care of all needs from large to small.”

When asked how Dr. Aslani and Jeannine managed to successfully target such a lucrative market abroad, he answers, “Sometimes you don’t find success… it finds you.” He notes that by performing so many body contouring operations every day, he first built a reputation among other doctors for this specialisation, which led to requests for him to speak at many international conferences.

“The great thing about travel is that

you meet a lot of doctors who know you perform specific procedures frequently and they are keen on learning your techniques.”

Dr. Aslani has visited a host of countries, including Russia and the U.S., where he has performed live operations before a group of surgeons. His reputation has earned him various accolades; in 2016, he was deemed Best Aesthetic Surgeon

by Medical and Corporate Livewire – a prestigious award he attributes to the “word of mouth reviews of our patients.” In addition to travelling, Dr. Aslani hosts a live Surgery Course at Cirumed yearly. “We invite eminent plastic surgeons from all the over the world to perform live surgeries for

other doctors and we also hold talks and presentations.”

Dr. Aslani, a family man to the core, describes the secret of his success in one word: “Jeannine.

Cirumed would never be what it is without her. She holds the Clinic together, since I am in surgery all day.

She is in charge of everything from seeing her own patients to hiring staff and ensuring patients are happy. She is like the mother of the company, and has grown into a very big enterprise indeed. We started out with a team of three and now we are 42. Our team may be larger but we still very much have a family atmosphere at work.”

Successful entrepreneurs will often tell you that a business cannot

thrive without a great team and if you have ever been to Cirumed, then you know the team there is as solid as a rock. Many have been at the Clinic since day one, and each and every staff member is totally devoted to the health and wellbeing of their patients. Somehow, walking into Cirumed always seems like home.

Smiles greet you when you enter, and the sensation is one of meeting good friends who always give you advice based on the best interests of your health and wellbeing. Congratulations to Dr. Aslani and Jeannine Aslani for showing that a profitable business and genuine care for clients are not mutually exclusive concepts; in fact, they go hand in hand! e

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THE NEW HIGH RESOLUTION HOSPITAL OF ESTEPONA

CLOSE TO BEING A REALITY

Estepona has done plenty to increase its appeal to national and overseas homeowners with a bevy of artistic and cultural offerings, but lately, it’s all about medicine, with the Ayuntamiento announcing that construction of the new High Resolution Hospital of Estepona is now 65 per cent complete. The City Council has already invested an impressive €7.5M in the project, which is being built in the westernmost part of the municipality. Mayor, José María García Urbano recently told the press that the new hospital cost a total of €15M. Thanks to this major effort, citizens can look forward to an optimal standard of care and cutting edge equipment for a number of different medical specialities. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ESTEPONA.COM

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he new hospital won’t be ready for a few months, but work is going according to schedule, and constructors are currently focussing on plumbing, electricity, fire safety, alarms, and the like. They are also creating almost 10,000m2 of green space, thus turning the hospital into a ‘green lung’ that will undoubtedly be a source of respite for patients and visitors alike.

According to José María García Urbano, residents had been demanding a new hospital for decades. “It is amazing to see that the construction of this hospital is now a reality. It will offer citizens improved services and help us build a better quality of life for the people

of Estepona.” García Urbano notes that the works have been fully paid for by the City Council of Estepona via collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Junta de Andalucía.

The Andalusia Health Service (SAS) will be in charge of starting up the hospital and maintaining it costwise.

Once ready, the High Resolution Hospital of Estepona will be able to receive almost 80 per cent of the patients which, up to now, have had to attend the Costa del Sol Hospital.

Staff at the Hospital will see over 85,000 people in consultations, and deal with around 91,000 emergencies and 4,000 surgical operations every year. The Hospital

promises to be a pioneer in the health services industry, offering cutting edge specialist treatment and decreased waiting times for tests and consultations. The Hospital staff will attempt to provide all necessary tests and patient investigations in one visit, to offer speedier, more efficient service.

New technological advances, meanwhile, will enable patients to enjoy shorter hospital stays.

There will be various departments, including Surgery, Emergency (with a dedicated area for children), specialist departments, and more.

The structure of the building is practical. The central entrance will lead to an interior passageway

with landscaped courtyards. Two different areas of the building will also have a helipad for patients arriving by air.

The new High Resolution Hospital of Estepona is expected to open its doors to the public in summer 2019, but no definite date has been given. Once it is fully operational, life will be far easier for Estepona residents, who previously had to drive for 20 or 30 minutes to reach the nearest hospital. The building promises to improve the health offering of what is already being touted as one of the best places to live and raise a family, not only in Málaga but in Andalucía as a whole. i www.estepona.es

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n THE SPA health COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

A study published very recently in the British Medical Journal has found that in countries where there is a complete prohibition of corporal punishment on children, there is a 31 per cent lower rate of physical altercations in young men and 42 per cent lower rate in women. In countries where there is only a partial ban on physical punishment (such as the U.S.), meanwhile, the rate of physical violence in men is similar to countries in which no ban on violence is placed. The study also showed that violence is more common among men than women, and that fighting rates vary widely from country to country.

Costa Rica seems to be the least violent nation, with only one per cent of young women taking part in violent fights.

TO LOWER YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT, GO VEGETARIAN! A recent study by the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis has found that if you want to live more sustainably, a vegetarian diet (rather than a locally sourced one) is ideal. The study found that meat and dairy products are responsible for the lion’s share of greenhouse emissions from food in the EU. The lead researchers of the study noted: “People tend to think that consuming locally will be the solution to climate change, but it turns out that the type of product we eat is much more important for the overall impact. Europeans are culturally attached to meat and dairy product consumption. Reducing our climate footprint does not necessarily require stopping eating these food products, but rather diversifying our diets further to reduce the share of these.” Studies have also shown that vegetarian diets are an ideal way to lose excess fat and add a welcome antioxidant boost to your diet, so what are you waiting for?

If you have been feeling stressed and you’d like to find a new relaxation technique, why not try out lavender essential oil? A new study published in Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience has found that vaporised lavender has a calming effect that can be used to relieve pre-operative stress and anxiety. Unlike Valium and other stress relieving medications, lavender does not impair movement and does not make you sleepy. To enjoy its effects, diffuse this fragrant essential oil throughout your home, making sure to use only therapeutic grade products.

SPARE THE ROD,

SAVE THE CHILD

COULD HERPES SCIENCE CONFIRMS THAT THE FRAGRANCE OF LAVENDER CAN CALM YOU DOWN

CAUSE ALZHEIMER’S? HSV1 could account for 50 per cent or more of Alzheimer’s disease cases,” says researcher Ruth Itzhaki, whose latest paper reveals a wealth of evidence linking the herpes virus responsible for cold sores, to this deadly form of dementia. Itzhaki’s research has shown that cold sores occur more frequently in carriers of a specific gene variant that increases the risk of Alzheimer’s. The good news is that those who receive anti-herpes anti-viral treatment can reduce the likelihood of developing HSV1, thereby helping keep dementia at bay too.

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Paloma Ruiz, Naturopath

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James Asquith, Globetrotte

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The Vibe

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Netflix Series for Teens

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Pet News

PALOMA RUIZ IS A TALENTED NATUROPATH WHO IS HELPING CLIENTS OF THE MARBELLA CLUB HOTEL FEEL AND LOOK ON TOP OF THE WORLD. JAMES ASQUITH IS THE YOUNGEST EVER TRAVELLER TO VISIT ALL 126 SOVEREIGN COUNTRIES. READ UP ON THESE HIGH FLYERS AND CHECK OUT THE LATEST TEEN-WORTHY SERIES ON NETFLIX.

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s Gifts for f a tm is r h C so Perfect y! All type ue il m fa le o niq the wh thes and u hes, lo c n o ti ia av inks, Patc from items (Cuffl , Mugs...) utica ls e d o M , s Pin s (Aerona a d n a r b t s e the b chott, Alph Militare, S s, Cockpit Industrie ts, Boeing). cke Top Gun Ja

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PALOMA

RUIZ

NATUROPATH NUTRITIONIST AT THE MARBELLA CLUB

Balancing Energies for a Healthier, Happier Life WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

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he Marbella Club Hotel has made big strides indeed in the wellness sector, with an approach that encourages guests to embrace a mindful living away from the trappings of modern life. Wellbeing, spa, nutrition and fitness are the four cornerstones of Wellness at the hotel where guests follow highly personalised and goal-orientated programmes while reconnecting with nature and loved ones. The Spa at the Marbella Club is one of the very few Thalasso spas in Spain and offers an extensive sensory experience while harnessing the profound benefits of the Mediterranean Sea. The newly introduced Holistic Studio, meanwhile, proffers advanced integrative and holistic health practices to identify root causes and provide long-lasting benefits to combat modern day issues ranging from adrenal burnout, insomnia, weight loss and fitness. A daily agenda of wellness activities range from aerial yoga, Pilates and

kundalini energy healing to HIIT classes and nutritional wellbeing workshops. Guests are invited to reap the benefits of a destination spa within a beach hotel environment and without having to compromise on travelling with family or friends on a different agenda.

Paloma Ruiz, Naturopath Nutritionist and former WTA Tour tennis player, fits right into this integrative concept of wellness. At the stunning, nature-surrounded Holistic Studio, she is part of a team of nutritionists who lead wellness guests through their journeys from beginning to end. Her passion lies in naturopathy, chiropractic, and kinesiology, developed while working alongside pioneers in these fields all over the world. “It was during my time as a tennis player that I realised the importance of feeding your body with the right fuel.” Interestingly, Paloma completed a Law degree, since she hails from a long line of legal professionals. “I always knew I wanted

to be a nutritionist, though, since I was tiny!” she smiles. Paloma indeed seems like an ideal person to talk to about health, wellness, and nutritional concerns. Her open heart and passion for helping people commence their path to health and wellbeing, are palpable.

Paloma’s warmth and social skills in many ways stem from her vast travels, which have exposed her to a variety of cultures and customs. She is every inch the world citizen, having lived in a number of cities and countries, including Barcelona (she played tennis at the Barcelona Tennis Club), Switzerland (where she taught tennis with great success for a while and worked in collaboration with the Swiss Tennis Association), England, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. “I also worked in Ireland, travelling back and forth from England,” she says, adding, “I am an adventurer. I attract positive things and have been fortunate enough to meet lovely people and make good contacts.”

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Paloma decided she wanted to dedicate her life to nutrition, and obtained her diploma in London.

There, she worked with a group of chiropractors that would change her outlook on health and wellness completely. “Health does not only involve nutrition. If you have a blockage in your spinal column, you can suffer from a range of disorders affecting the nerves, muscles, and organs.”

Interestingly, her work with chiropractors centred greatly on horses, with whom she and the team used both chiropractic and kinesiology techniques. “We travelled to Ireland, Paris, Barbados, and Dubai, treating competition-level horses.

At the Holistic Studio, Paloma offers lifestyle and nutritional consultations, through the four pillars of good health: nutrition, movement, sleep, and state of mind. By reviewing findings from a completed questionnaire, assessing eating habits, looking into personal statistics and such, she recommends a personalised plan of treatments, fitness activities, and nutritional tips to follow at the Marbella Club or at home (ongoing consultations are also offered via Skype). In addition to her work, Paloma is currently completing a Diploma in Herbal and Natural Medicine in the UK. One of the most nouvelle and powerful paths to health is enabled by the Qest machine: a state-

of-the-art energy testing device. The instrument is highly complex but easy to use. All you need to do is hold two prongs that measure your energy, indicating any imbalances and weakness in your organ systems, nutritional needs and food preferences, toxic overload in the body, and emotional factors. Paloma then uses the information obtained to give you a detailed report with long-lasting lifestyle and nutritional advice that serves you long after your stay at the Hotel has ended. The machine works on similar principles as chiropractic or acupuncture, especially the meridians, which house energy that needs to flow smoothly through the body and mind for true health to be achieved.

“Stress,” notes Paloma, “is a crucial factor affecting human health. When stress hormone levels are high and the ‘fight or flight response’ is consistently activated, our physical and mental health is affected.” Stress reduction can be achieved in various ways, including a balanced anti-inflammatory diet, exercise, good sleep, and calming natural substances. Paloma doesn’t just teach clients basic nutritional precepts but even gives cooking classes both at the Hotel and for private clients. “Those who want to lose weight,” she says, “need to activate eliminatory channels in their body to lose weight naturally.” Her emphasis

is less on weight loss and more on health. “If your eliminatory organs aren’t functioning properly, then it is impossible for the body to rid itself of toxins or burn excess fat.” Wholesome nutrition can help you bring your body back to a state of homeostasis, or balance.

In a consultation with Paloma, you can discover the small changes that can make a big difference to your health. “I may recommend a different type of fluid intake, or organise for clients to enjoy healthy bespoke meals by liaising with the hotel chefs.

My aim at the Holistic Studio is to guide, support, and energise our guests. While they are here, they enjoy beautiful seasonal meals, many of which are made with herbs from our organic garden.” At the Marbella Club, they can breathe in pure air, enjoy great food and forget about stress for a few days; most importantly, they make important lifestyle and nutritional changes that can stand them in good stead for the rest of their lives.

As Paloma is such a frequent traveller, I wonder where she will fly to next. Her deep interest in everything from sustainable food to essential oils, sport, and animal welfare, are testimony to her integrative approach to health. She lives what she speaks, and is the epitome of health and wellbeing; so much so that consulting her about your health and lifestyle concerns seems very much like a gift.

g The Holistic Studio at the Marbella Club Hotel.

Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella.

Tel: 952 822 211. www.marbellaclubwellness.com

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The Epic Journey of

JAMES ASQUITH What started as a pre-university backpacking holiday ended in a five-year journey that took him to all 196 sovereign countries in the world – making James Asquith the youngest person ever to do so.

Seeing the sights in Rio

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF HOLIDAY SWAP

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or a lot of people, just getting through university is a tough business, but somehow, James Asquith managed to fit a lot more in between – like visiting all the sovereign, independent nations of the world. Obsessed with travel from a young age, he began saving up pocket money, washed cars, worked part-time jobs and also asked for birthday and Christmas donations rather than presents, amassing a tidy sum by the time he was 18. He put it to good use, setting off to South East Asia with friends during a gap year before university that would change the course of his life.

“I never set out to travel so much, but after three months in South East Asia I had got the bug and booked a flight straight back out to Egypt,” says James. More trips followed, facilitated partly by the fact that his father was

a pilot with British Midland International (BMI).

“I travelled with my dad and hopped on flights when there was a cheap or free seat, and saw countries that would otherwise have been hard to reach.” They include exotic destinations such as Ethiopia, Kazakhstan and Iraq, with James visiting the latter before it dissolved into Isis-led chaos and destruction.

He has fond memories of his time there, citing also Syria and Jordan as countries that were very special. “As recently as 2011 Damascus was a fantastic, vibrant place. It’s so sad to see how things have changed and how many lives have been touched by this,” says the globetrotter who also flew into Afghanistan during a war.

“Not every visit was a holiday experience, and in such cases my stay was shortened to a few days rather than several weeks or months.” To

sustain himself, the self-reliant and resourceful backpacker worked in bars and restaurants, needing little more than food and board during his stays.

This way he not only collected the passport stamps as he emerged from each new airport, but also got a true feel for the countries and regions he visited and stayed in. Before long, he couldn’t postpone his studies any further and enrolled at the prestigious London School of Economics, where he later graduated with a degree in economics. However, even during his studies he continued travelling at every opportunity, taking on as much work as possible to help pay for his passion and even trying his hand at entrepreneurial pursuits such as launching a successful student events business at uni.

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waters

Having left the Deutsche Bank to run his own business, Holiday Swap, the Sussex-raised James, now 28, hasn’t rested on his laurels but continues to display the inventiveness that took him to an average of 40 countries a year on a shoestring

to tropical

THE LEGACY OF A YOUNG WORLD TRAVELLER

budget. “I hadn’t really thought of it, but when a globe three times! So, what’s next for the world’s friend compiled a video of my travels and put it most famous young traveller? “I would still like to on the web it built up quite a following. Suddenly visit more US states, am planning a trip to Puerto people were asking me to appear on their radio Rico and would like to take things to the next show in Sydney or national TV programmes in level, visiting the poles and running marathons the UK, especially after first RecordSetter and in unusual places. As he says: “There’s so much then the Guinness Book of Records officially more to see.” acknowledged James Asquith as the youngest i www.holidayswap.com person ever to have travelled to all 196 sovereign nations in the world.

The process encouraged him to write a book, originally in the evenings after work but in the end most effectively on a beach in the South Pacific. Being more productive on a paradisiacal tropical beach than in a London office is unique enough in itself, but sure enough, his book, Breaking Borders, has just been launched and is now on sale.

And that’s not all, James wants to use his unique experience to help make travel easier for others, having launched an app through Holiday Swap, which functions like a travel Tinder to enable people to swap homes for in Dubai $1 per night. Though especially Skydiving over The Palm aimed at younger travellers, the concept has also found great popularity among travellers of other age groups, who use it to access accommodation ranging from private bedrooms to entire villas.

James also recently gave away the mountain of air miles that he built on his travels in a competition that was won by an American student in Amsterdam – who can now travel the

James’s travels took him to exotic locations such as Petra, in Jordan

The intrepid

ert belongs to the Quad biking in the des clocked up adventures James

ventured in

“Anyone who thinks I simply got it handed to me by rich parents is wrong,” says James, who admits that his father being a pilot did provide certain facilities but paid for the bulk of his journeys himself, working and starting up ventures while studying and travelling. “I had to be inventive to pull it off, like scouring the net for the cheapest flights and going wherever they were headed rather than picking an itinerary myself.” He also signed up for airline newsletters that occasionally offered super-discounted prices, and even got lucky investing his savings on the stock market after it had hit bottom during the financial crisis.

It certainly boosted his travel budget and gave him valuable first-hand experience, to which he also added a keen understanding of currency markets that comes from following the FX fluctuations for practical reasons. His best travel memories are with Asian airlines, which according to him combine low prices with good service, and he became adept at finding cheap but safe lodgings and food wherever he went. In the process, young James acquired a wealth of travelrelated knowledge, not to mention a clearer firsthand picture of the world than most of us. By the time he was 24, graduated and working for HSBC, he visited the final of the 196 sovereign nations that stamped his passport.

traveller also

WORKING YOUR WAY AROUND THE GLOBE

Greece was round-the-w a must-see stop on his orld itinerary

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ÑL THE SOCIAL vibe

BE LAGOM PRESENTATION

Altur Homes recently held a cocktail event to present Be Lagom – a uniquely sustainable development in Benahavís comprising 13 luxury villas with spectacular views over the Mediterranean.

The project will boast over 5,000m2 of Mediterranean gardens, with organic fruit orchards, an abundance of flowers and trees and stunning landscaping that will enhance the beauty of the surrounding views and countryside. i www.nvoga.com

“There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort” – Jane Austin

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LUXURY VILLA SALES OPEN HOUSE

Luxury Villa Sales (LVS) recently held an open house to present an impressive villa in Nueva Andalucía with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, as well as its own beautiful pool and gardens. The villa represents the essence of luxury living on the Coast; it is the perfect marriage between comfort and style. i www.marbellalvs.com

“I wish one time in my life I could do what other writers do… get me a villa in Spain and go there to write a book” – Lewis Grizzard

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ÑL THE SOCIAL vibe

RIO CARNIVAL AT POSIDONIA

Posidonia Banús was recently converted into Rio’s European Carnival Centre, for a night of samba, music, dancing and fashion.

Group Rio 40° brought 10 incredible samba dancers, Brazilian drummers and fashion brand Lisy Fashion Style to the Port for a memorable party. i www.posidoniabanus.com

“There is no point to samba if it doesn’t make you smile” – Alma Guillermoprieto

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Celebremos el fin de año con una gran gala

PUENTE ROMANO MARBELLA NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA Salón Andalucía | El lunes 31 diciembre celebraremos el final del 2018 con una espectacular gala de cuatro platos, música en vivo, campanadas y baile.

Celebrate with us! Four-course gala dinner, live music, bells & dancing.

Cóctel / Cocktail: 20h | Cena a partir de / Dinner from 20:30h 350 EUR p / pers. |

Refrescos, vinos de la casa y Champagne incluidos. Ofrecemos opciones para niños.

RESERVAS / RESERVATIONS | 952 820 900 | events@puenteromano.

PUENTE ROMANO MARBELLA | Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, S/N, 29602 Marbella, España | puenteromano.com

ÑL THE SOCIAL vibe

IKOS ANDALUCÍA – LAYING OF THE 1ST STONE CEREMONY Ikos Resort laid the first stone of Ikos Andalucía, a new luxury resort that will be opening its doors in May, 2020. José María García Urbano (Mayor of Estepona), Arturo Bernal (General Director of Tourism on the Coast), Luis Herault (Managing Director of Ikos Iberia) and Andreas Andreadis (CEO of Sani/Ikos Group) were those entrusted with positioning the first stone of this prestigious project, which has been made possible thanks to an investment of €150 million. i www.ikosresorts.com

“The great advantage of a hotel is that it is a refuge from home life” – George Bernard Shaw

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RIVERSIDE PRESENTATION COCKTAIL

Riverside recently celebrated a cocktail party (featuring delicious food and drinks) to present Quabit Riverside – a beautiful development in the heart of Benahavís comprising 75 apartments distributed into three levels, all with a parking space and storage room. Featuring two- and three- bedroom homes. i www.propertiespain.com

“The thrill of coming home has never changed” – Guy Pearce

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Ă‘L THE SOCIAL digital ambassador

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CAROLINE WENDELIN

el for Elite Caroline Wendelin, mod s appeared on Barcelona and artist, ha odelled for top the cover of Elle and m w York, Sydney, fashion designers in Ne and Barcelona.

Milan, Madrid, Munich s been up to Check out what she ha stagram on lately. Follow her on In d visit her website @carolinewendelin an lin.com at www.carolinewende

Modelling for Carolina Herrera time Hair and make-up

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AÍDA AGUIRRE

Aída Aguirre is a brand and model ambassador, blogger, y brands who is set to take luxur out what to new heights. Check ely. she has been up to lat d an Follow her on Facebook reTV Twitter on @AidaAguir

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Deux

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Tooth whitening by One Clinic Deux At Les

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ÑL THE SOCIAL family

As I write this I am ‘up to my ears’ in exam revision at school, and looking forward to nothing more than chilling out over Christmas with friends and of course, my BFF: Netflix. There are a few cool series for teens on at the moment and needless to say, the only one I made time for this year so far has been Mr. Mercedes. This is a ‘sick’ detective thriller based on the Bill Hodges trilogy by Stephen King. There are two seasons so far (the second is Finders Keepers and the last will be End of Watch). I am just about to finish the first, which is amazingly good. Best of all, it has some pretty cool teen characters, like Jerome Robinson and Holly Gibney – two teen ‘computer whizzes’ who are the perfect complement to Detective Bill Hodges’ oldschool approach to solving a case. Mr. Mercedes is pretty much for the whole family to enjoy (except little kids, of course) but there are other series on Netflix that are specifically geared towards teens. WORDS JOFFREY KING

COOL SERIES FOR TEENS ON NETFLIX

Z One such show is THE 100: a sci-fi show about interstellar teens sent back to a post-apocalyptic Earth from their home – a floating colony in space. The teens had previously lived in a highly structured regime in which all adult criminals were automatically executed and minors reviewed for any crimes committed. They are sent to Earth because life on the colony is no longer sustainable. However, what they find is shocking indeed – a planet that could still be toxic from nuclear war, and one populated by creatures that have evolved into dangerous monsters thanks to the effects of nuclear waste. The Earth is fearsome but so are its new inhabitants.

Soon, a Lord of the Flies scenario takes over and the teens realise that their most dangerous foes are actually within their own ranks.

ZZ AMERICAN VANDAL is another show that has me intrigued. The set-up is quite comic; a talented highschool documentarian sets out to discover who the school vandal is. The material is light and funny at first, but soon begins to highlight issues like race, social background, and corruption at school.

Rotten Tomatoes gave this show 98 per cent, calling it a ‘genuinely absorbing mystery’ that truly grips the audience until the very end.

ZZ THE END OF THE F***ING WORLD This show is an adaptation of the Charles Forsman comic book series. It is the story of James, a teen who is convinced he’s a psychopath and who struggles to get over his pain by acting out with the help of Alyssa – a friend who feels equally misunderstood. The way James and Alyssa perceive their own lives begins to affect their surroundings. Everything does

actually feel darker, people become more cruel… and we begin to understand why they might ‘pop’ and take their frustration to dangerous extremes.

ZZ EVERYTHING SUCKS is another coming-of-age story centered on a drama group in an American highschool. The series is set in the 1990s so it includes lots of cool 1990s music and cultural references you can really get stuck into if you grew up in this decade. Hearing music like Oasis’ What’s the Story Morning Glory is pretty cool too if, like me, you’re into music from this era. The protagonists of this series are Luke and Kate. Luke’s father abandoned him when he was little and Kate’s mom died when she was five.

There are hints that Kate might be gay, but Luke is clearly smitten with her from the word go. The tone is mainly comic, but you can’t help but feel for this decently nice group of kids as they bike ride their

way into adulthood and negotiate difficult events such as Bill Clinton’s signing of the Defense of Marriage Act – which defined marriage as something that only occurs between a man and a woman.s Those are the series I will be binging on this Christmas, but there are more teen shows you might want to explore if these don’t sound appealing. Atypical is a series about a young adult called Sam who tries to find independence and love despite his personal challenges. The Innocents is about two teens helping maintain households alongside a single parent. 3% is a cool Brazilian show about a dystopian future in which only three per cent of society is chosen to live in Utopia, while the rest struggles against hunger and poverty. There certainly are more series than you’d probably have time to catch so make your selection and have fun with friends and family the rest of the time! e

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It’s holiday time for everyone, including our beloved furry friends.

Find something special for your pooch, moggy, or pet loving friend on this page. COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

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BY AMERIGO MI

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ñz the pro

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROPERTY FINANCE LAW

144 Takara 146

Nine Lions

148 Enterprise 156

The Schellhammer Business School

158

Animal Rights Law

DISCOVER DYNAMIC PROPERTY CONCEPTS, TAKARA BY FM CONSULTING GROUP AND NINE LIONS AT THE TOP OF NUEVA ANDALUCÍA, READ UP ON THE LATEST OFFERINGS BY THE SCHELLHAMMER BUSINESS SCHOOL, AND FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ANIMAL PROTECTION IN SPAIN.

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z THE PRO property

Takara, in Japanese, signifies something precious like a jewel or a treasure. This is the name which FM Consulting has given to the new villa project that marks the firm’s return to full property development.

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF FM CONSULTING GROUP

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FM CONSULTING EXPERTISE Over the past 28 years, FM Consulting has built a name as one of the leading and most respected property companies on the Costa del Sol. In a market dominated above all by real estate agencies, it spans the divide between this sales and marketing side of the market and the actual development of new-build projects. As a result, the FM Consulting Group covers the full range of services from design and construction right through to marketing and sales, also offering specialist consulting and project management services through which it helps investors find building land, acquire planning permission, create the concept, and then build and sell the homes.

The company has always worked both on its own developments and taken on various different parts of other developers’ projects in a manner that is modular and flexible. With many projects bearing the FM Consulting name going back over 28 years in Marbella and across the Costa del Sol, the brand has a proud bearing and large portfolio to boast about, but in recent years the firm has been mostly focused on project managing and commercialising on behalf of third-party developers. Takara, therefore, marks the return to full autonomous property development and in so doing represents the first of a new generation of FM Consulting projects.

CREATING A SIGNATURE PROJECT

A New Jewel in Estepona

TAKARA

This is therefore a very important project for the company led by founder Fausto Martínez, as it wishes to set a new marker for quality and design in a market known for its modern lifestyle homes. A lot of time has gone into design, detail and concept to ensure that Takara really is a jewel of a property development that ticks all the boxes today's buyers desire from a modern Marbella villa, and then offers more on top. “Takara has been not just a labour of love, but also a project of pride,” says Angela Schouten, wife and business partner of Fausto. As a result, the exclusive community of just ten contemporary gated villas will feature refined design, materials and fixtures, high-spec finishing and details, with openplan living areas that flow onto poolside terraces with private gardens and infinity pools.

The location for these luxury homes is Estepona Golf, where the owners of the Takara villas will enjoy a blissfully peaceful and green country setting within a few minutes of beaches and the historic centre of Estepona. What’s more, besides green pastures dotted with trees, this pretty rustic location at the heart of things also overlooks the fairways of the Estepona Golf Club and the Mediterranean Sea, with stunning mountain vistas inland. The orientation is southward and the homes are surrounded by landscaped areas and offer luxurious openflowing interiors with a choice of kitchen finishes, colours and configurations, as well as a range of personalised options for the lower floor in a project that symbolises the expertise of FM Consulting. i www.takarabyfm.com

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z THE PRO property A contemporary Mediterranean development in Nueva Andalucía

By blending modern style and amenities with Mediterranean touches in a panoramic location within Nueva Andalucía, Nine Lions has the makings of a timeless classic.

NINE LIONS WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NINE LIONS RESIDENCES

RESIDENCES

CONTEMPORARY MEDITERRANEAN ALLURE

T

here was a time, not so long ago, when everything that was modern in terms of architecture and styling was also fresh and new. This period marked the revival of the Marbella property market, and though the main design style prevalent today continues to be what we loosely define as ‘modern’, architectural design is evolving and diversifying away from minimalist white right angles to incorporate a wider palette of materials, tones, textures and indeed forms.

Thus, the time has come for a return to softer, Mediterranean lines and architectural details such as sloping roofs topped with tiles. The latter contrast beautifully with the sleek white plaster walls that catch the Marbella sunlight, and they also form a practical thermal barrier from the intensity of the summer’s heat. It is but one of

the features for which Nine Lions stands out, for this development of luxury apartments and penthouses combines contemporary luxury and taste with classic elements and much attention to detail.

“We see the development of a project such as this as a wonderful creative process,” says commercial director Mark Lamb. “All the normal rules of business and property development apply, but rather than imposing fixed ideas upon our clients we have studied the location and market feedback in depth, and have experimented until we found the ideal solutions that satisfied our own critical eye.”

In approaching the overall design with such careful attention, the development team has incorporated the latest buyer preferences as well as their own. “We wanted the properties we’re

creating to be the kind of homes we ourselves would fall in love with, and it’s worked.” The result is a spectacular luxury development comprising apartments and penthouses in upper Nueva Andalucía.

Coastal vistas from the rooftop room and terrace

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9 Lions offers fantastic coastal views

Outdoor dining in style

PERSONALISED DETAIL The gated complex consists of nine independent low-rise ‘villas’ that boast a prominent hillside position in upper Nueva Andalucía. Backing on to natural greenery, these two to four-bedroom apartments and duplex penthouses look down across the Golf Valley to the shoreline and the Mediterranean Sea – which is a mere ten minutes away. The complex is highly diverse and includes a variety of garden settings, views, configurations, sizes and swimming pools.

Some of the latter are the private pools of ground floor apartments, while others are communal swimming pools featuring sunbathing decks from which to enjoy the rays and savour the panoramic views. The same is true of the terraces, and as the villas are positioned upon the hillside to maximise privacy and offer a full range of southeast through to southwest vistas, the stunning backdrop varies from villa to villa and home to home.

This also applies to the interior distribution of the properties, which unlike many of today’s developments are not highly standardised but instead offer a great choice of sizes, layouts, orientations and details, ranging also from luxurious ground floor and spacious first floor apartments to the opulent duplex penthouses that

Large open-plan living areas leading out onto the terrace

the architect proudly calls the ‘top floor villas’, as with a built area in excess of 200m2, they mirror the space, refinement and luxuries of a modern villa.

GARDEN AND PENTHOUSE APARTMENTS The landscaped gardens, alive with Mediterranean trees and shrubs, provide the natural setting in which the homes are nestled. The apartments range from built areas of 90m2 to 284m2 and some feature private pools within spacious gardens, others penthouse terraces with chill-out lounges, and all come with well-sized, partly covered terraces that expand the interior living spaces and make the most of the views in Marbella’s warm climate.

The variety of designs, configurations and details means that there are different sized properties to choose from that also vary in terms of interior distribution and the shape and features of the terraces. The very high standard of finishing is a product of the care with which these luxurious properties have been conceived, and as a result they offer a fresh look and feel devoid of standardised options. Minimalist kitchens and bathrooms complement the open-plan living and

dining areas perfectly, resulting in a comfortable yet stylish living space.

The bedrooms are spacious thanks to clever space planning and the seamless flow between sleeping quarters, dressing room, bathroom and toilet. Even the guest bedrooms feature their own dressing areas, while the large ground floor and penthouse apartments have the dimensions and detailing to merit such a description. Each villa at Nine Lions Residence has its own entrance and underground parking. There is a clubhouse with a communal gym and spa for residents and their guests, crowning one of Marbella’s most exciting new luxury apartment developments. i www.9lionsresidences.com

Luxurious bedroom suites

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z z THE PRO enterprise

enterprise

COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

NEW CLINICS FOR OCEAN CLINIC MARBELLA Kai Kaye and the team at Ocean Clinic are proud to announce the opening of two new clinics – one in the heart of Madrid and one in the centre of Zurich, Switzerland.

At their helm is new partner, PD Dr. Richard M Fakin – a board-certified plastic surgeon in Spain and Switzerland, a fellow of the European Board of Plastic Surgery and associate professor at The University of Zurich. He is also a consultant at The University Hospital Zurich, with over 10 years of surgical experience. Offering surgical excellence, trusted innovation, respect and safety, in two new prestigious surroundings inspires the team’s commitment to continued excellence in the field.

Ocean Clinic has a brand new website, pictures and videos, with all you need to know about their services in an easily accessible format. i www.oceanclinic.net

MARBELLA MOBILE DAY AT THE PALACIO DE FERIAS Y CONGRESOS DE MARBELLA Internalia Group recently held an event called Marbella Mobile Day at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Marbella. The event was attended by around 70 entrepreneurs, who shared information and enjoyed a series of talks centred on mobile technology.

Discussions focused on topics like artificial intelligence in business and how to obtain maximum value from data. Another well received talk centred on the importance of staff in making a transition to digital information. i www.internaliagroup.com

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enterprise THE PRO z

FIRST CHRISTMAS MARKET IN PUERTO BANÚS The luxurious area of Puerto Banús will be celebrating its first ever Christmas Market, from December 6 to January 6 at Muelle Ribera.

Opening hours will be from 12pm to 8pm from Monday to Sunday. Closed December 25 and January 1. Featuring arts, crafts, jewellery, and more.

SPECIAL CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR’S PLANS AT THE KEMPINSKI HOTEL BAHÍA IN ESTEPONA The Kempinski Hotel Bahía will be busy indeed during the Christmas season, with a host of events lined up. The Christmas Market will be on from December 1 to 2, featuring shopping, Christmas tree lighting, live music, and more. From December 3 onwards, there will be a daily Christmas Afternoon Tea from 3pm, packed with festive treats. On December 24 the Hotel will be holding its now legendary Gala Dinner and on December 25 it will be offering two different lunches – one at El Mirador (featuring an indulgent buffet) and another at Baltazar Bar & Grill (featuring a bespoke menu plus rocking around the Christmas Tree). On December 31, the Habana Habana event will bring the warmth of the Caribbean to the Coat, featuring an incredible menu, exotic cocktails, and cigars. www.kempinski.com i www.kempinski.com ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM DECEMBER 2018 / 149

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© Pixie Raise

FUNDRAISING GALA AT VILLA TIBERIO RESTAURANT Sandro Morelli of Villa Tiberio Restaurant Marbella hosted the annual fireworks and gala dinner in aid of Red Cross for Syrian refugee children and Cudeca cancer care hospice in Málaga. Around 160 guests enjoyed a scrumptious dinner and fantastic wine. Sandro Morelli sponsored the evening, donating €25 Euros from every ticket sold to the two charities. Nathan Dean was the evening’s compère and auctioneer and helped raise €30.000 Euros. Live performances were given by Mr Maph and Simone, who sang Motown and Soul tunes, as well as by Zoe Hughes, Helena Paul, Tony Watson, Stelvis as the legend Elvis, Reiner Aka the Colonel with Aron Howells on guitar, and Frank Valentine. The organisers Caroline Randerson, Barbara Fernando, and dedicated helpers Faith Baxter Hague, Susan Briggs and Eleanor Schuman Audrey Spearing worked tirelessly until 2 am, and the night ended with an amazing fireworks display donated by Sandro Morelli. i www.villatiberio.com

QUIRÓNSALUD MARBELLA PRESENTS AIRWAY GYM APP FOR SLEEP APNEA The Quirónsalud Hospital in Marbella las launched a new app called Airway Gym, which helps treat sleep apnea and eliminate snoring, through controlled exercises that strengthen muscles in the upper respiratory system. Dr. Carlos O’Connor of the Quirónsalud created the app, with the view to helping those with sleep apnea achieve better quality sleep, every night. i www.quironsalud.es

ASPANDEM PARTY TO SUPPORT THE DISABLED On December 3, ASPANDEM will be celebrating a fun party at the Bulevar de San Pedro amphitheatre to commemorate the Day of the Disabled. The event will start at 11:45am and will aim at informing others of what life with a disability is like.

Just show up with your family if you wish to take part! i www.aspandem.org

NEW OFFICES FOR ELECTRONBOX Computer repair company, Electronbox, has moved to brand new offices at Avda. Jesús Santo Rein 11 (Vega 1, Local 1) in Fuengirola. Everything will remain the same (phone numbers, etc.) but clients can look forward to visiting this centrally located office to have everything from an iPad to a desktop computer repaired so they don't have to be replaced. g The

company’s Facebook page is PC Doctors at Electronbox. Tel: 952 591 071.

ALTITUDE TRAMPOLINE PARK OPENS IN MÁLAGA Altitude Trampoline Park is a brand new amenity for kids to have fun and release pent-up energy. Located in the Málaga Ocio Commercial Centre, the park (a franchise hailing from Texas in the U.S.) measures over 3,100m2 and is divided into two zones: the trampoline area and a café, with different areas for birthday parties. Children aged seven and up are welcome. i www.altitudemalaga.com 150 / DECEMBER 2018 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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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

PUERTO BANÚS NOW PART OF CÍRCULO FORTUNY

MARBELLA INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE TOURNAMENT

Puerto Banús is now part of the Círculo Fortuny – a group that brings together culturally centred and creative brands such as Bvlgari, Cinco Jotas, Loewe, LVMH and Vega Sicilia, to name just a few. Puerto Banús aims to strengthen its positioning in the luxury nautical industry and to make its mark as an international destination. i www.puerto-banus.com

The Marbella International Bridge Tournament took place once again. This year, some 180 participants from 22 different nationalities came from all over the world to enjoy an action-packed day. The event aims to promote Marbella in a special way – as one in which social interaction and games make life very pleasurable indeed. i www.marbellabridge.com

THE VINCCI SELECCIÓN ALEYSA BOUTIQUE & SPA VOTED THE BEST IN SPAIN BY TRIVAGO The Vincci Selección Aleysa Boutique & Spa in Benalmádena was chosen as the best five-star hotel in Spain at the Trivago Awards, for the fourth year in a row. “Simply perfect,” “Spectacular,” and “The best hotel so far,” are just a few comments made by guests who have voted this hotel as the top. The Vincci Selección Aleysa Boutique & Spa has just 36 rooms which are elegant and spacious, as well as the renowned Restaurante Alamar Alta Cocina, where international and local influences combine for wonderful international meals. i www.vinccialeysa.com

ILLUSION PRESENTS NEW PALLADIOM SHADING SYSTEM In 1993, Lutron introduced the motorised shading system. Now, they are redefining the category of automated tones with the Palladiom shading system. Palladiom features well crafted design and breakthrough engineering — the hallmarks of Lutron’s 55 years of cutting-edge innovation. The roller shade can handle a 3.7x3.7-metre window opening and the fabric required to cover it, with a startlingly slim tube. This high-tech carbon fibre dynamo is rigid, yet light as a feather; strong yet minimalistic in appearance. i Further information, www.lutron.com

FAIR SATURDAY CELEBRATES THE CULTURE OF MÁLAGA Fair Saturday was a fun cultural event that took place recently in the city of Málaga, featuring over 60 different artistic and cultural activities. The aim was to increase awareness of local talent, while raising funds for 27 different charities. Similar events were held across the globe, in cities like Lima, Bristol, Millan, Pisa and Mesagne. Scotland, meanwhile, enjoyed the annual St. Andrew’s Fair, celebrated on St. Andrew’s Day. i www.malaga.es

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HELP SARAH ALMAGRO FIND HER WAY HOME Sarah Almagro Vallejo’s life was drastically interrupted towards the end of July when she was enjoying the summer as any other healthy and sport loving 18 year old would; born and raised in Marbella, she was surfing, spending time with her friends, preparing for university and studying for her driving license.

On the 23rd of July, she was admitted to the ICU of the Costa del Sol Hospital due to extremely intense abdominal pains and fever. The night before, her parents had taken her to the Emergency Department where she was diagnosed with gastroenteritis, but her symptoms had worsened.

Once in the ICU, within a few hours, her parents were told that she had sepsis, and that it was a matter of life or death. The sepsis caused a multi organic collapse and she spent the following 10 days in an induced coma. During the days that she was ‘asleep’, her parents Silvia and Ismael spent hours on end by her side, talking to her, urging her to fight. At this point, the bacteria behind the infection had been identified as meningococcal of the serotype Y.

When Sarah awoke she was completely lucid and her heart was strong. She was gradually weaned from the mechanical ventilation and on the 13th of August, was transferred to the Burns Unit of the Regional Carlos Haya Hospital in Málaga, where she continues to recuperate to this day.

As a result of the infection, and after several operations, Sarah has lost both hands and feet, still needs dialysis several times a week and is currently undergoing skin grafts. Her health, although delicate, is gradually improving, thanks to her invincible spirit.

Sarah is aware that her life will never be the same, but her father has promised her that it will be a good one, as similar as possible to the one she had before this terrible episode. Her family is committed to ensuring that Sarah will have a certain amount of independence that will permit her to resume her life where she left it, return to her studies and continue practicing sports. This will only be possible with prosthesis designed specifically for young and active people. Her parents attended the Orto Medical Care Fair held in Madrid on October 25, and have discovered that these prosthesis will be costly. Fortunately, they are not alone in their endeavor.

Since the very beginning of Sarah’s illness, her friends and acquaintances, both Spanish and foreign residents, have been present in some way, following her progress, and raising awareness of her case through social networking. As a result of this movement, an association has been created in Marbella, Somos Tu Ola (We Are Your Wave), not only to help Sarah Almagro Vallejo acquire her prosthesis, but also to give other young survivors of sepsis and/or amputations a voice, to support them through the transition, in their reintegration into society, and to help seek economic aid to cover their needs.

The founders of Somos Tu Ola are well known residents of Marbella and long term friends of the

family: Antonio Linares Moreno (Lawyer), Begoña Ric Maíz (Economist) and José Luis Carreño (Lawyer). A bank account has been established and their website is currently active.

Several initiatives are being set up along the Costa del Sol to raise funds, including sports and cultural events, such as marathons, paddle tennis tournaments, karate competitions and flash mobs.

Some of these are being organised spontaneously by generous people and organisations that wish to help, and others are coordinated by Somos Tu Ola such as solidarity bracelets on sale for €2,50 each.

There is still a long way to go before Sarah returns home. She has yet to begin rehabilitation something which, as an athlete, she is actually looking forward to. Her strength of character leads the way. As her mother Silvia says, “There is no other way to go but forward.” #PALANTECONSARAH

g Further information on Sarah’s progress can be found in her accounts in Facebook (Sarah Almagro Vallejo) and Instagram (@sarah_almagro_vallejo).

SOMOS TU OLA bank account IBAN ES50 2103 1105 7300 3002 4341 Swift Code UCJAES2M somostuola@gmail.es www.somostuola.es

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enterprise THE PRO z

DR. MIGUEL VALENZUELA JOINS VITHAS XANIT TEAM The Vithas International Hospital in Benalmádena is proud to announce that it has a brand new member in its team, surgeon Dr. Miguel Valenzuela, specialist in hair transplantation. Dr. Valenzuela uses the very latest technology (Follicular Unit Extraction) to transplant hair by hair for a natural effect. i www.vithas.es

ROTARY CLUB MARBELLA-GUADALMINA RAISES ALMOST €10.000 FOR AFA ALZHEIMER’S IN GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS ATTEMPT Over 300 people turned up to participate in the Guinness World Records Attempt with a Beetle Game. The event was compered by Shane O'Shea of Project Music Management and Nicole King of Marbella Now TV. The Hogan Stand provided food and drinks, including Guinness, and many of the charities Rotary supports were represented. Gabrielle Ange organised an Art Corner and participants were entertained by the Choir Andaluz and Students from the Colegio Internacional Torrequebrada. Rotary wishes to thank main sponsor, Spence Clarke & Co, as well as Ibex Insurance and EFPG Raine-International. The winner of the magnificent Golden Beetle, which was generously donated by Ralph Brenck of Mara Collection, was 12 -year-old Niels Nielsen, who also took home a voucher from El Cortes Inglés for €300. i www.rotary.org/es

CUDECA HOSPICE SUPPORT GROUPS The new Cudeca Hospice Support Groups are for English speaking people and are held once a month in various towns in the province of Málaga.

People are welcome to come along to share their connection with cancer or other life-limiting illnesses.

They can be patients going through treatment or recovering from them, or family members dealing with a loved one during treatment or during their own bereavement period. The groups are held in Estepona, Nerja, Cómpeta, and Marbella. g For

information on times and places, Tel: 952 564 910. www.cudeca.org

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z THE PRO business

Teaching Young Adults to Make the World a Better Place

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

B

usiness and the enterprising spirit are often linked to pure materialism but at the Schellhammer Business School in Estepona, the ethos is anything but limited. The English-speaking school, founded by Swiss educationalist, psychologist, best-selling author and former lecturer at the University of Zurich, Dr. Edward Schellhammer, boasts an innovative philosophy that seeks to inspire graduates to be inquisitive, critical, responsible; to conduct business ethically and sustainably, and to improve rather than wrest from the wellbeing of the Planet and other human beings.

Schellhammer Business School is one of the first to offer the Green MBA, which focuses strongly on sustainability, portraying an honest account of the effect that business can have on the environment.

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE Schellhammer Business School offers students four-star quality accommodation, which is key considering that their students hail from all four corners of the globe – everywhere from Europe to the United States, the Philippines, or Africa (students hail from 43 different countries). The school offers students

SCHELLHAMMER BUSINESS SCHOOL

a truly international environment in which they share key information – including the differences in the way business is conducted in different countries. Of course, many are day students who live in the local area and organise their own accommodation.

The campus is indeed a joy to behold.

Ensconced in the elegant Valle Romano Resort and boasting views over imposing mountains, it has three outdoor swimming pools, a gym, games room, restaurant, 18-hole golf course, and even a meditation room.

CURRICULAR OFFERINGS Schellhammer business schools offers five different programmes: Z THE FOUNDATION PROGRAMME, catered to those who do not have standard qualifications or do not meet entry requirements for the three-year Bachelor of Business Administration Programme.

Z THE BACHELOR PROGRAMME, a comprehensive Business degree that invites students to understand their own and other cultures, participate meaningfully in society, and find fulfilling work.

Z THE MASTER PROGRAMME, which aims to give students a 360º view of the business world, enhancing their skills and understanding of

management, strategy, creativity, people, and more. ‘Human factors’ play a big role in this course, since they can ironically be both the problem and the solution to business dilemmas.

Z THE EXECUTIVE PROGRAMME, a 13week programme for academics and non-academics who are interested in attaining a solid foundation and in honing their personal development for teaching, business, or political purposes. This course focuses on obtaining advanced knowledge on the link between how we think and the effects we can have on business, the economy, education, religion, and finding meaning in human life.

Z A-LEVELS. The Schellhammer Business School will be offering A-levels for the first time in 2019.

This is an exciting opportunity for students wishing to follow the British exam entry level system. The school recently received official Cambridge accreditation, which greatly raises the value of the qualifications obtained.

It can be said that Dr. Edward Schellhammer’s deep involvement in the school (and his teachings of meditation and philosophy to upper year students) are some of the most attractive aspects of the school. If one thing has revolutionised science over the past decades, it is undoubtedly

the findings of the inexorable link between our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Thus, studies have shown that meditation is key, not only in bringing down (stress hormone) cortisol levels, but also in boosting cognitive performance, mood, and other vital aspects of human health and wellbeing.

Having met Gregor Schellhammer (Director) and Evangelos Zographos (Dean), it is evident that their commitment to offering a top-grade, humanistic education is strong. Mr. Zographos, who worked in business all his life in the UK, is a natural born communicator who is passionate about sharing his knowledge and skills with upcoming generations. The team is an international one indeed, with staff hailing from the UK as well as Austria, Romania, Lithuania, and other countries. Speaking to the friendly dean and teachers, it becomes palpable that the Schellhammer Business School is indeed one with a difference; one in which students not only learn how to draft an excellent business plan or present their ideas, but also how to deal in an international business environment that is as diverse as it is fascinating. i www.schellhammerbusinessschool.com

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z THE PRO law Often when animal welfare is addressed, and more so in Spain, bullfighting and other related traditions come to mind; equally in the UK fox hunting seems to be the immediate topic, which leads on to hunting, and as a consequence all the abandoned hounds and dogs, which moves us onto the subject of stray cats. However, far superior in number are those animals that we normally do not see, except on a tray in the supermarket, or attractively presented on a dish. Farm animals account for close to two billion animals in the EU-27 alone. WORDS CRISTINA FALKENBERG

ANIMAL WELFARE

I

n these days of widespread consumption of all sorts of foods, one might want to think for a moment on how they are actually produced. Climate change worries have brought to the forefront of the debate the excessively high environmental cost of feeding entire populations with meat and dairy based diets. Nature is taking its toll and we need to rethink the global diet.

In his Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation first printed in 1780, Jeremy Bentham wrote about how “Other animals, which, on account of their interests having been neglected by the insensibility of the ancient jurists, stand degraded into the class of things. [...] The French have already discovered that the blackness of skin is no reason why a human being should be abandoned without redress to the caprice of a tormentor. It may come one day to be recognised, that the number of legs, the villosity of the skin, or the termination of the os sacrum, are reasons equally insufficient for abandoning a sensitive being to the same fate.

What else is it that should trace the insuperable line? Is it the faculty of reason, or perhaps, the faculty for discourse? [...] The question is not, Can they reason? Nor, can they talk?

But, can they suffer? Why should the law refuse its protection to any sensitive being? [...] The time will come when humanity will extend its mantle over everything which breathes.”

Bentham’s utilitarian theory of ethics sees a starting point in epicurean philosophy that saw pleasure —and the happiness derived from it— as the only thing that was undoubtedly good in itself. Bentham defined his utility as the net pleasure derived from any action, and taking into account any suffering involved.

Bentham’s utilitarian ethics has been key to numerous collective policies such as social welfare, environmental conservation and the food chain.

Regarding farm animal welfare, a closer look at what the law allows raises concerns. Royal Decree 348/2000 which transcribes Directive 98/58, sets the general framework. Its article four states

that animals living “regularly or permanently chained” should be given enough space to satisfy their physiological and ethological needs, all “depending on the species and its degree of domestication”, implying it is acceptable that an animal may live permanently chained.

The luck of laying hens is not much better: they may be kept in as little as 550 square centimeters per bird, less than an A4 sheet which is some 624 cm2, and may still be stacked in cages, one on top of the other. On their part, calves should be happy with their legal minimum of 1.8 m2 per animal weighing 220 kilos or more.

Only four hours of continuous darkness is considered an acceptable standard for raising chickens. Capons which certainly can be delicious, must be starved before castration can take place, included amputation of the comb and wattle, that die off as blood circulation to these appendixes ceases once neutered.

A cross-examination of applicable legislation calls for a revision. Apart from the loose but

mandatory Directive 98/58, nonmandatory Recommendations by the Permanent Committee on the European Convention on protection of farm animals are all that is available in many cases.

Recommendations on goats and sheep go back to 1992, or to 1999 for ducks and fur-animals. Making mandatory what today is still a mere recommendation would be an achievement.

Already back in 2012 the European Commission’s Animal Welfare Strategy 2012-2015 marked that rules were often not enforced strongly enough, sacrificing animal wellbeing to industrial competitiveness. It also noted a lack of consumer information when purchasing meat, eggs or dairy.

Six years later the situation has not improved – we rarely know anything about the life, transport and slaughter of what we eat.

If Christmas is a time as much for eating as for compassion, then there is no time better for re-thinking our diet in terms of Bentham’s utilitarian ethics, keeping in mind the suffering involved in our pleasure. e

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WE WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND ALL THE BEST IN 2019

PORTADA LD MAJ18 copy 17.qxp_Maquetación 1 25/10/2018 09:33 Page 1

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

20/11/2018 09:50

b the gourmet RESTAURANTS REVIEWS NEWS GASTRONOMY CHEFS WINE

163

Asador Origen

165

Rancho Grille

166

Food News

168

Chef’s Profile

170

English Fizz

172

Bodegas Lara

TUCK INTO GOURMET CUTS OF MEAT AT ASADOR ORIGEN AND RANCHO GRILLE, SIP ON A TALL GLASS OF ENGLISH FIZZ, AND DISCOVER MORE ABOUT RENOWNED SPANISH WINERY, BODEGAS LARA AND IT’S NEW OFFERING OF WINES – VINO TRES GENERACIONES.

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JOIN US AT A MAGICAL DINNER PARTY WITH Live music “Il Divo tribute”, dancing and champagne.

Celebrate 2019 New Year's Eve at döss

Bruno and Giuseppina wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year

Appetizers

Canapé Amuse Bouche

Starters

Carpaccio of smoked Scottish salmon fennel, lobster, prawn and asparagus salad lemon dressing Asparagus & spinach veloutè

Sorbet

Tangerine sorbet

Main course

Roast tournedos of angus beef, fondant potato, roast shallots, wild mushrooms, winter root vegetables, tarragon and madeira essence

Dessert

Red fruit assiette. Red fruit and vanilla tartelette, raspberry cream catalán, blackcurrant sorbet Coffee and Petit Fours Glass of Champagne Louis Roederer Brut Premier to Welcome 2019

Wines

Vino Blanco Cuvèe Latour Chardonnay 2015 A.O.C. Bourgogne Vino Tinto Finca Valpiedra Reserva 2011 D.O. Ca Rioja Lucky grapes, party bag, live music and Dj

220€ per person

restaurants THE GOURMET b

k c a B g n i d a He me to Ho

INO T N E G R A ASADOR

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

T

here is something about Origen Asador Argentino that is uniquely homey from the word go.

Perhaps it is the abundance of wood in the interiors, the friendly smiles and hellos from maître d’, Rodolfo and the team, or the warm red brick walls that spell style and comfort all at once. Whatever the reason is, it is the perfect spot in which to lay down your hat, order a chilled beer or excellent wine like Argentine Malbec by the glass, and feast your chops on exquisite cuts of meat, prepared the way only the Argentinians know how… over different types of wood, at varying temperatures, each requiring a different cooking time and technique.

It is a delicate dance that the team at Orígen (the same owners of Hacienda Patagónica) has honed to perfection.

Make sure you’re hungry when you visit Origen. The portions are hearty and the menu, way too tempting to settle for just one dish. On my recent visit with family friends, we started our meal with a true hit: the Gaucho’s Selection – a large dish containing

an assortment of starters, including provolone grilled cheese, spicy sausage, black pudding, empanadas (pasties containing slow-cooked beef and cheese), grilled peppers, and chips – piping hot, crisp on the outside and warm and soft on the inside.

Ordering at Origen can be difficult indeed, primarily because each cut has its own special appeal, and staff informs you when special cuts are available on a particular day. Thus, my friends and I had the pleasure of trying the chuck flap, which bore a powerful flavour and a beautifully juicy texture and which exists in top-grade quality in only one in 10 cows. Of course, Origen sources top breeds of beef for guaranteed quality. Meat is often matured in-house; sometimes for as long as 45 days.

The number of sides and salads is impressive and diners should be forewarned that salads aren’t small – the typical salad can be shared by two to accompany their meat. Each of us also enjoyed ordering different potato sides and veggie dishes. I

opted for the creamed spinach (which was super cheesy and creamy) while the rest of my table chose potato dishes – including creamed potatoes (scalloped potatoes with a Parmesan sauce), and wood fire-roast potato topped with a sinful cheese sauce.

Once again, portions were generous so we all enjoyed sharing our starters as well as our mains.

We tried several cuts of beef, including a juicy tenderloin, a wonderfully hearty entrecote (with its lovely fatty edging), and a ribeye steak, which for many of us boasted the perfect blend of lean and fat. All the cuts were served with artistically presented sauces and accompaniments, made with ingredients such as cilantro, truffles, and other constituents that brought out the flavour of the meat in only the most subtle of ways.

Prominence is always given to meat on the plate, which makes sense at a restaurant that pays homage to a centuries-old Argentine tradition.

We tried an unexpected 10/10 dish: the Josper-cooked honey-mustard

chicken, whose tempting sweetness and delightful succulence made it one of the most quickly consumed dishes on our table. Chicken may not be the first choice for someone visiting a steakhouse of this calibre, but take my advice: don’t visit Origen without trying this one.

Desserts are up to scratch with the rest of the fare at Origen. We made room for homemade ice-cream with a lovely warm red fruit sauce.

We also tried the house flan, served with traditional dulce de leche, and the dulce de leche crêpes – possibly the restaurant’s best loved dessert.

A couple of coffees later and we felt on top of the world. Origen is an establishment that consistently delivers top quality food and service; one in which magnificent meat, wine, and service combine to a level that is fast turning Marbella into a true haven for traditional dining. g C/ Gregorio Marañón s/n, Esquina Camilo José Cela, Marbella.

Tel: 951 352 164. www.origenasador.com

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restaurants THE GOURMET b

It’s all about Quality and Experience at

RANCHO GRILLE

Elegant, welcoming and focused on the finest quality food and wine, Rancho Grille is a dining experience you won’t want to miss.

WORDS MICHAEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

T

hese days, luxury brands are not just about the product anymore, they’re all about providing a memorable experience. Rancho Grille has been doing this for years, and it’s fair to say they’ve perfected it, with a seductive mix of ingredients that begins with a timelessly stylish and welcoming décor, an accessible location with private parking off the A-7 in Las Chapas, good service and above all beautiful ingredients and wines. Together, they produce the kind of dining experience that will have you coming back regardless of whether it is for a romantic dinner for two or a lively group gathering.

Expect the best meat, fish and seafood fresh from the market and a wine cellar that has few equals in this part of the world. It is the product of owner Ghislain’s passion for and knowledge of quality wines, which he lovingly sources from across Spain and beyond its borders. The same applies to the finest cuts of meat, fresh produce and the fruits of the sea delivered by expert suppliers. “They won’t make the delivery unless it is really fresh and top-notch,” says Vera, who runs the Rancho Grille in Las Chapas and Grill del Puerto in Puerto Banús with her partner Ghislain.

The Rancho Grille has a delightful

summer garden and terrace, and a wonderfully welcoming restaurant that simply draws you in during autumn and winter. It features a cosy bar where you can begin the evening with an aperitif before choosing from a variety of options ideal both for big groups and intimate dinners. On an autumnal evening we enjoyed a table in the Wine Corner but still felt connected to the overall ambience.

With glass bodegas all around, selecting the right bottle to start the evening with is just the thing, and the choice fell upon a Champagne Rosé Loix from the restaurant’s very own Champagne producer in Epernay (France).

This gorgeous tipple was followed by a glass of barrel-aged white wine from Rioja, El Flako. Fragrant and gentle, with a slightly unctuous texture, it is indeed more interesting than the sharper, fruitier dry whites normally drunk in summer, and it proved to be a fine companion for beautifully presented starters that included fresh salmon sashimi with ginger, soya and wasabi emulsion, tuna tataki, incomparable wagyu caviar and homemade Belgian chicken croquettes with mushrooms in a Madeira wine sauce that simply has to be tried. This flavour sensation takes the concept

of croquettes to a new level, while the mussels – another Belgian speciality – where halved in quantity so that a main course could become a starter.

BEAUTIFUL WINE AND GREAT FOOD Having already enjoyed a feast at this point, we switched to red wines to complement our main course choices, and on this occasion, we couldn’t resist the temptation of choice cuts of meat on the hot stone. Here the soft-as-butter, melt-in-the-mouth perfection of a Chateaubriand was set against the marbled delight of a quality Wagyu fillet steak. We decided there couldn’t be a single winner as both were as close to perfection as can be, and the evening was complete when we sampled a selection of Ghislain’s outstanding red wines. The first was Crápula Soul (94 Peñin points), created in the Murcia region from mainly Monastrel grapes, with body added by an addition of Syrah, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its full flavour with notes of herbs provided an interesting comparison with the 2014 Alto Moncayo Veraton from Campo de Borja. A master among Garnacho wines, it is the sibling of a vintage that scored 100 Parker points – in other words, extraordinary. The third red

wine we tasted was a Rioja labelled R&G – for the collaboration between French master winemaker Michel Rolland and the bodega of Javier Galarreta. Noticeably more French in its flavour and impact, this beautiful wine was another perfect marriage with the delicacies we were enjoying within the richly ambient restaurant.

The desserts that followed kept the feast going and upheld the consistently high standards enjoyed throughout. They included gorgeous fresh profiteroles with vanilla ice cream inside, a coulant of black chocolate and tiramisu, all homemade, and you can also indulge in a Belgian chocolate fondue. The wine that partnered these dishes was a real find – a sweet red by Crápula that is richly flavoured in the mouth with a dry aftertaste, indeed a true experience. Rancho Grille does fine quality food, wine and ambience so well, offering in the process a unique dining experience. The restaurant has just presented its special New Year’s Eve menu as well, so why not see in the year in delectable style?

g CN340, Km 187,50 (Las Chapsa exit), Marbella. Tel: 952 831 922 www.grillelrancho.com

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b THE GOURMET news COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

New Dishes Presented

AT NOBU

Nobu in the Puente Romano recently presented brand new dishes created by the talented team.

Diners tucked into crispy nori with avocado tartar, salmon ‘new style’ sashimi, and a white fish dry miso/sashimi salad Matsuhisa for starters, as well as black cod miso, beef skewers with Teriyaki, and mushroom toban for mains. Dessert was a light-as-air cheesecake, fruit platter, and green tea tartlet. i www.nobuhotels.com

González Byass in Jerez was recently deemed the Best Winery in Europe at the Wine Star Awards, in a competition which was organised by Wine Enthusiast magazine. González Byass uses traditional methods to make wine, paying respect to the environment. Established in 1835, the winery is now run by the fifth generation of the González family, which exports bottles to numerous countries, including the U.S. i www.gonzalezbyass.es

GONZÁLEZ BYASS Deemed Best Winery in Europe 2018

EL DESLÍO The Sherry House Launches

El Deslío The Sherry House is a brand new restaurant in Fuengirola, serving Malagueño recipes accompanied by the finest wines from Jerez. Formerly known as Pura Cepa, the new restaurant recently celebrated this change with a cocktail event also attended by local dignitaries. The venue aims to entice diners with themed monthly menus, so there is always something new to look forward to. i www.eldeslio.com

WINE TASTING AT TANINO

Tanino San Pedro will be hosting wine tasting sessions on three Thursday evenings during this month. On December 6, the topic will be New Wines of Spain. On December 13, enjoy a fun wine quiz and on December 30, discover the secrets that lie behind one of the most famous beverages in the world, Champagne, featuring Laurent Perrier! g To book your place, call Tel: 952 604 848. www.tanino.es

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( + 34)95290331 8

( + 34)952831 91 8

( + 34)952786860

( + 34)952460724 +I NF O

www. dabr uno. com

b THE GOURMET profile

Jordi Cruz Mas is arguably best known for being one of three jury members on hit Spanish TV show, Masterchef, but those who have followed his career since its infancy know that he is the youngest chef in Spain to have achieved a Michelin star for his restaurant and the second youngest in the world (a feat he accomplished at the age of 26) to do so. Often described as ‘borde’ (a tad too serious) by the Spanish media, he is also one of Masterchef’s most popular judges, revered as much for his good looks as for his straight-to-thepoint coaching style.

© Shutterstock

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

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J

ordi learned to cook at a top hostelery school in Manresa (Barcelona), obtaining his first job at one-Michelin-starred establishment, Estany Clar.

Without a doubt, 2013 was a big year for the chef, since it was during this time that he was asked to join Masterchef. However, his media-friendly side is but one small facet of his personality and his favourite place is still the kitchen.

Currently, Jordi is running ABaC in Barcelona; here, he tries to break new boundaries continually, and the prize is the honour of being one of only 11 restaurants in Spain to have been awarded with three Michelin stars in 2018. He is known for his strict work ethos and penchant for perfectionism, but emotion lies at the heart of his innovative spirit. In a recent interview with presenter Risto Mejide, he told the latter that his aim is to “feel more” through his creations, a fascinating assertion considering his sometimes stern outer appearance.

Jordi, the youngest of six children, admits to having grown up insecure, feeling like he wasn’t worth much. He did poorly at school and didn’t really shine at anything. “I had one small avenue

of escape,” he told Mejide, “and that was cooking. When my mum would leave the house I felt a curiosity about what was in the cupboards. I would search for ingredients and try to recreate my mum’s dishes.” Through this, his “only talent,” he sought to achieve some form of recognition.

Fascinatingly, Jordi remembers his father as an angry man who was overburdened by work almost since his childhood… perhaps it was the little boy’s wish to prove he could be something that gave the Chef the drive he needed to make it in such a competitive world.

Jordi’s career may have hit a meteoric high recently, but it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. In 2017, he was accused of exploitation, particularly on social media, when he stated, “having people on work experience doesn’t mean I am trying to save on staff costs.” Of course, when you speak to any top level Chef in Spain, you discover that most offer unpaid work experience at their kitchens.

In essence, work experience at a two- or three- Michelin starred restaurant is a gift, since a stint at ABaC opens many doors for ambitious chefs wishing to make a name for themselves. In fact, Cruz’s restaurant organises free

accommodation and food for all work experience personnel, which is standard practice across Spain.

Currently, Jordi has three additional restaurants to ABaC: Angle (a one-Michelin-starred establishment serving creative and traditional haute cuisine dishes); A Tempo (also offering haute cuisine delights); and Ten’s Tapas (serving creative, inspired tapas dishes). Something about ABaC, however, has made the world sit up and take notice. The restaurant seats only 56 diners, which adds to the intimacy and magic of the experience. It is located in the Hotel ABaC’s new pavilion, which looks out onto carefully manicured gardens.

ABaC serves two menus: the traditional menu (featuring 16 dishes) and the Avante-Garde version, containing a total of 21 dishes. According to the Michelin Guide, Jordi’s dishes “tell stories that are complex yet at the same time intelligent and understandable, and which evolve in line with seasonal products.”

Many creations bear international influences and all are carefully crafted, with texture, colour, and volume bearing a delicate equilibrium that evidences days of experimentation.

Some of the most oft-

admired dishes at ABaC include the ‘Squid Sequence’ (calamari bearing a light-as-air lemongrass foam), onion soup (served with Parmesan spheres, walnuts, and kumquat – a fresh, citrusy take on a traditional family dish), and grilled, cured, and dried suckling lamb chops (jazzed up with an apricot confit, pine shoots, pistils curd, lamb infusion, and caramelised onion – a true flavour explosion).

Jordi balances his busy working life with a rich private life; his eldest sister works alongside him at ABaC, and his life partner, Cristina Jiménez, is the Head of Reception (the ‘face’ of the restaurant). Jordi may have struggled to realise his talent, but once he found a glimmer of hope, he latched onto it and put all his energy into making a success of it. Of course, as is the case with all the world’s top chefs, there is always a new recipe ahead, a new ingredient to discover, always a combination to dream up. The passion of the chef is insatiable and even three Michelin stars are only a reminder of the need to wake up every morning in search of something that gets your heart racing. i abacbarcelona.com

JORDI CRUZ MAS Celebrity Chef Whose Star Shines Bright

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b THE GOURMET wine EXTON PARK Many years ago, in the 1980s, when I ran a small specialist wine shop in west London one of my stalwart sherry regulars was a jovial elderly member of the Sitwell family.

A Celebration of England

EXTON PARK WORDS CARLOS READ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF EXTON PARK

I

suspect, looking at photographs, that it was the late Sir Sacheverell Reresby Sitwell, 7th Baronet (15 April 1927 – 31 March 2009), the head of the family and owner of Renishaw Hall in Derbyshire.

One day the conversation turned to the topic of English wine and he mentioned that he was growing Pinot Noir. “Dashed awkward stuff,” he said, “but not half bad after a couple of gin and tonics…”

A relative rarity at the time, he had planted his vineyard as far back as 1972 and, curiously, up until 1986 it was the most northern certified vineyard in the world.

Fast forward, and though England is hardly everyone’s first choice for quality wine, there are currently well over 470 vineyards in the UK and, as the climate has become inexorably warmer, the south of England alone currently produces in excess of five million bottles, with the South Downs particularly suitable for growing vines, due to its chalky soils and a climate similar to that of the Champagne region in France.

England has in truth, over the last decade or so, become a surprising and exciting new force in the wine world especially in regard to sparkling wines, which represent more than 65% of its production.

Many of these now outdo the offerings of major Champagne houses in competitions: as far back as 2005, for example, the Ridgeview Merret Bloomsbury 2002 took World Wide Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine at the International Wine and Spirit Competition against competition from 55 countries; and it is

of course global warming, with average annual temperatures on the rise and grapes therefore now ripening more satisfactorily, that has been credited with providing a later English growing season and making the industry viable from as far west as Wales all along the southern strip of England’s coast, from Cornwall to Kent – by virtue of similar climates, soil types and the cultivation of an array of suitable cool-climate grapes varieties. In addition, ever improving technology plays a key role: with sophisticated meters that determine grape sugar levels and permit growers to determine the best picking period in what can be a few brief days to harvest the crop; and ever more precise meteorological forecasts also helping to cope with one of the world’s most changeable weather systems, for it is hardly a secret that England sees a lot of rain!

This has in turn prompted a number of Champagne producers to plant imported vines in the UK and these include Taittinger in Kent, and Vranken Pommery in Hampshire (“It is important that we are not absent from this market – it is an adventure,” said a spokesman from the latter) – both focussing on the core Champagne grape varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.

This immaculate estate, whose wines are already shipped to eager consumers in nearby Paris, Bordeaux and Scotland but also as far afield as Italy, Canada, Sweden and Norway – with Spain also in the pipeline! – was planted in 2003.

22 hectares of lustrous vineyards occupy one major, verdant slope in the Meon Valley in Hampshire’s South Downs, on the fringes of the charming village of Exton, where satnavs go haywire, and the top soils consist of clay loam but the underlying chalk and a little flint provide major buzz, energy and lively minerality.

The owner, Malcolm Isaac, is now of a certain age but a tight and very specific trio do him proud: forthright and totally practical vineyard manager Fred Langdale who’s been there since 2008 (via Central Otago/New Zealand and Stellenbosch); charming and very specific winemaker Corinne Seely (who cut her teeth at Lynch Bages and Domaine de Chevalier in Bordeaux and went on to test her mettle in Portugal, Australia, Napa, and the south of France) – the winery was built to her personal specifications; and ever so English anthropologist, Sales Manager Kit Ellen, who has directed the commercial orchestra since 2016.

Malcolm is a patient man and so it was only in 2011 that the winery was built and Exton Park’s delicious offerings were unveiled to the world in 2015.

START WITH THESE:

EXTON PARK BLANC DE NOIRS NV Z (100% Pinot Noir; 11.5% and with 10 grammes of residual sugar).

Z Approximately 18 months in the bottle.

Z Pale straw, lemon sorbet colour, with a pronounced bitter red grapefruit and lemon character.

Z Fresh, zippy, and exuberant with lively acidity and very subtle, attractive yeasty overtones.

EXTON PARK ROSÉ NV Z (70% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier; 11.5% and with 9 grammes of residual sugar).

Z With often less than 15 months in the bottle.

Z Very pale given zero maceration, with notably less acid than the above but a totally alluring, tangy, biscuity tangerine and apricot character.

Z Great fun.

EXTON PARK BRUT NV Z (60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay; 11.5% and with 7 grammes of residual sugar).

Z Usually with 24 months in the bottle.

Z Relatively deep in colour, this is slightly musky and full flavoured with overtones of pineapple crush; big mouth- feel, lots of length, and dry too with a certain austerity.

Overtones of honey and bruised apples, this is quite serious. i www.extonparkvineyard.com

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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

W E A R E P R E PA R I N G A B E A U T I F U L N E W I N T E R I O R F O R Y O U !

C L O S E D U N T I L 1 2 TH O F F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 9 !

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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b THE GOURMET wine

Founded in 1963, Bodegas Lara is an icon of fine wine in Málaga and a family business now in its third generation of bringing quality to the tables of this region. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BODEGAS LARA

Three Generations of Passion for Wine

BODEGAS LARA Juan Antonio Lara at the heart of a family business

M

entioning the Lara name will tickle the taste buds in and around Málaga for it evokes associations with hand-picked selections of the finest wines, liqueurs and accompanying delicacies from near and far. For 55 years now, the house of Lara has been sourcing the best to provide the most demanding chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, caterers, shops, businesses and of course private buyers and collectors with the means to create a feast for the senses.

Not surprisingly, in a family firm where a lifelong career of expertise has been handed over from father to son, they have the sourcing of quality products down to an art, yet are always keen to explore new terrain and evolve. “You can’t be

in business for 55 years without being innovative, flexible and moving along with the times,” says Juan Antonio Lara, the current director who learned the trade from his father and will pass it on to his own children.

As a result, he describes Bodegas Lara as a “family-run business that is steeped in tradition, working within a noble industry and yet also innovative and modern.” To underline this, Bodegas Lara launched its own selection of Wines, Tres Generaciones, on 27 November this year, adding its own vintages to a long list of highly valued suppliers in the fields of red and white wine, rosé, cava, Champagne, sweet wines, crisp sherries, liqueurs and brandies.

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LA DEPA

Named after the local lover of a French soldier during the Napoleonic Wars, La Depa is full-bodied and vivacious, just like the muse it was inspired by. Grown at 850 metres altitude, the Garnacha grapes produce a delightful raspberry note with a strong, earthy bouquet of wild flowers and herbs, and a fruity vivaciousness of flavour.

EL LERO

Another wine of great character, El Lero recalls the tale of a brave soldier who became injured in the dogged pursuit of the famous Bandolero highwayman who went by this name. In recognition of his valour, El Lero had the man tended to, and later found in him a life-long brother in arms.

This region abounds in such rich tales of Romans, Moors, Bandoleros, bullfighters, crimes of passion and the poets of the Grand Tour, and with its mix of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah this wine does the tradition proud.

Representing the second of three generations, El Lero has a cherry red appearance and clearly detectable notes of wood and cocoa, while full in character, aroma and elegance.

EL ARQUITECTO

TRES GENERACIONES “We source quality wines from within our region, across Spain and indeed from around Europe and beyond to complement our similarly structured range of fine foods,” says Juan Antonio, who now also proudly adds the Tres Generaciones wines from his own winery to that list. “We have long experience in catering to the tastes of local wine lovers in the region, as well as tourists and foreign restaurateurs and residents, and from this ability to match the right products with the subtly varied tastes of different groups and nationalities we have also created our own vintage.”

The name ‘Tres Generaciones’ is a clear reference to the importance of family heritage in a business such as this, as well as the tradition, passion, know-how and relationship with the soil that it implies. The wine has been created to reflect this, with each one having its own characteristics and identity. The fact that the vineyards belonging to the Lara Bodega are

located on largely flat land high up within a localised micro-climate of the Serranía de Ronda mountain range near the town of Ronda, endows them with classic Lara flavour notes that are unique to this winery.

The vineyards produce a variety of grapes that form the palette from which singular vintages are created, with the Garnacha offering a fresh, fruity vibrancy that can add a lively touch to the body and elegance of classic grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Tempranillo. “It is the interplay between the various varieties that, in the hands of a great vintner, can produce memorable wines,” says Juan Antonio. The local conditions of the bodega add further distinction to this skill to produce wines that stand out for their structure, full-bodied flavour and perfect maturing.

The most matured of the three, El Arquitecto is named in honour of the designer of the famous Ronda bridge, Puente Nuevo, Martín de Aldehuela. He dedicated his work to the beauty of the setting, and so do the creators of this wine, whose 12-month passage in French oak barrels endows it with an intense red glow and sophisticated, complex flavour and bouquet. Those who know this land almost sense it as they sample the lovingly crafted red with hints of wild forest berries, minerals and earthy tones – a land that the Lara family is inextricably tied to and which has inspired them to produce a wine that will only gain in valour with the passage of time. i www.laraseleccion.com

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. . THE GUIDE listings

the guide

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

*restaurants

under €25

€25 – €40

LISTINGS WHAT’S ON STARS

€40 – €60

€60 plus

YANX

ORIGEN

american

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

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

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

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

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

Tel: 952 908 024

argentinean

belgian

french

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

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

Urb. Nueva Alcántara, Edif. Mirador, Bloque 4-B, Marbella. Tel: 952 783 714

HARD ROCK CAFÉ

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

Tel: 952 563 673

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

MR. GOURMET BURGER Open from 6pm ‘til late every evening.

Avda. Luis Braile 20, San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 952 785 257

BUENOS AIRES SOUTH

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

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

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

MYTILUS

eco

ALBERT & SIMON

ALMAZEN

LE BISTROMAN

Open daily from 12pm to midnight. Ctra. De Ronda, km 45, C.C. Monte Halcones, Local 9-10, Benahavís.

Tel: 951 275 109

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

GIOIA

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

Tel: 956 791 200

Open daily from 1pm to 8pm except Mondays. C/ Velázquez 1, Marbella. Tel: 630 441 834

THE ORGANIC CAFÉ

VALDERRAMA RESTAURANT

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listings THE GUIDE .

gluten-free

EL GAUCHO DE BANÚS

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

At the Puente Romano Hotel on the Golden Mile.

Tel: 952 820 900

EL RANCHO DEL PUERTO

CELICIOSO

greek

RED PEPPER Open daily for both lunch and dinner.

Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 148

grills

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

ASADOR GUADALMINA 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

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

Sotogrande. Tel: 956 795 528

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Muelle Benabola 9-11, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 167 Open for lunch and dinner every day. Muelle Benabola 4, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 252

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

MARBELLA CLUB GRILL Open every night for dinner. Marbella Club Hotel. Blvd.

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

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

Tel: 952 867 306

RESTAURANTE RANCHO Open every day from 5pm till late. Ctra. Cádiz, exit Las Chapas. Tel: 952 831 922

T-BONE GRILL Open daily for lunch and dinner. At the Gran Meliá Don Pepe, Avda. José Meliá s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 300

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 CORIANDER

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

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

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

Tel: 952 888 353

MASSALA 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

ALBERTS Open daily for lunch and dinner. Puerto Cabopino.

Tel: 952 836 886

AROMA Open daily except Tuesday from 12:30pm to 3:30pm and 6:30pm to 11pm. C/ Moncayo 23, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 665 502

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

AVANTO Open for lunch every day from 11am to 6pm except Monday. C/ Rota 9, Mijas Costa, La Cala de Mijas.

Tel: 952 587 539

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

11&11 RESTOBAR

BAHIA BEACH

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

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

ACINIPO

BALTAZAR BAR & GRILL Open daily for lunch and dinner. El Paseo del Mar, Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona, CN340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

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

Tel: 607 680 999

BARBQ ARTESANAL BURGERS

AL ROLO

BECKITTS

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

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

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

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

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. THE GUIDE listings

BIBO

CLARO! RESTAURANT & BEACH CLUB

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

Open every day from 10am to 11pm. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 800 873

EL CORZO

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

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

FONDA RESTAURANTE EL POSTILLÓN

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

Tel: 956 704 131

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

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

Tel: 951 254 520

D.O.M

EL JARDÍN DE LUTZ

GALERIA SAN PEDRO

Open from 12.30pm ‘til late, seven days a week. C/ Los Lirios s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 036 494.

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

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

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

Tel: 952 780 927

CAFÉ DE RONDA

D.O.MAR

Open daily for breakfast and lunch until 7pm.

Avda. Ramón Gómez de la Serna 23, Marbella.

Tel: 952 862 149

Open daily from 1pm to 2am. Urb. Oasis Club, CN340 km 183, Marbella. Tel: 952 868 396

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

CAFETERÍA KE

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

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 ROSE THE BAR Open daily from 9am to 1am. El Paseo del Mar, Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona, CN340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

BREATHE

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

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

CORTIJO FAIN

DON LEONE

EL JINETE EL LAGO Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Urb. Elviria Hills.

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

FINCA EL FORJADOR

GD GOURMET DELI MARBELLA 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

DÖS S

EL OCEANO BEACH HOTEL & RESTAURANT

HAYACA

Open 11am to 2am. Artola Alta, Marbella.

Tel: 952 000 772.

Open daily for lunch and dinner. CN 340, km 199, Marbella. Tel: 952 587 550

Open Monday to Sunday from 7.30pm to 11pm. At the Amàre Hotel Marbella. Avda. Severo Ochoa 8, Marbella. Tel: 951 562 083

D-WINE

EL OLIVO

HERMOSA

Open every day from 6pm except Sundays.

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

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

Tel: 951 339 309

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

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner from 7pm.

Closed Monday. Local 1A. Puerto de Cabopino.

Tel: 952 837 483

CELIMA

EL BOLERO

EL RESTAURANTE DEL CASINO

HILLS CAFE

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

Tel: 952 895 639.

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

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

EL CAMPANARIO

FABIOLA

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

CERRADO DEL ÁGUILA

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

Tel: 952 880 126

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

CASANIS

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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

EL CASTILLO

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

HOTEL MARBELLA CLUB

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Marbella. Tel: 952 866 104

LA VERANDA LOBBY BAR

MAUMM BISTRO

BUFFET

LA GRANADA DIVINO

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

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Tuesday.

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

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. Closed Sunday.

Avda. de los Girasoles 341, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 569 310

IL MARE

LA LOGGIA

LIMA BY MOMO

MC CAFÉ

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

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

Tel: 952 889 150

Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm to 12am.

Closed Sundays. Plaza Practicante, Manuel Cantos 2, Marbella. Tel: 952 036 115.

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

L’OLIVE

MESSINA

LA TERRAZA

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

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

LOS ARCOS

MIRAFLORES GOLF RESTAURANT Open daily for Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 199. Urb. Riviera Golf. Tel: 952 931 941 Open from Monday to Saturday for dinner from 8pm ‘til late. Monte Paraíso Golf, Marbella.

Tel: 951 217 272

JOFFREY’S Open everyday evening for dinner from 5.30 pm.

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

KARMA

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

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

Tel: 952 815 736

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

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

Tel: 952 762 000

KAVA

LA TIENDA

LOS BANDIDOS

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

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

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

LA BIZNAGA

LA PLAGE DE CASANIS

LOS NARANJOS RESTAURANT

MOMO MARBELLA

Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for lunch only. Ctra. Ronda, km. 46, Urb. Las Medranas, local 4, San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 951 275 750

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

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

Tel: 952 816 105

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

LA TAPA

MACAAO BEACH

LA BRISA

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

Re-opening December 21. Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Jose Echegaray, San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 952 113 618

Open nightly for dinner, except Sunday. Avda. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 30, Marbella.

Tel: 952 770 760

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 CASA DEL HUMMUS Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 11pm and Sunday 11am to 8pm. Plaza Puente de Málaga, C/ Mendoza 16,

LA VERANDA

MOJO

MOMO MARBELLA GOLDEN MILE

MONKEY CLUB

Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner.

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

MAGNA CAFÉ Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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

Open nightly for dinner. At the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 951 607 018

LA VERANDAH

MARE NOSTRUM

NELI Gs

Open week days for dinner at 7:30pm and weekends for lunch and dinner, closed Tuesdays. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 136. Playa Guadiaro, Torre-guadiaro, Cádiz.

Tel: 956 615 998

Open daily for breakfast and dinner. At the Hotel Amàre Marbella. Avda. Severo Ochoa 8, Marbella.

Tel: 800 843 493

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

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NŌMŌ BRASSERIE

SEA GRILL

TANINO

Tel: 952 798 449

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

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

Tel: 952 820 900

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

TROCADERO ARENA

OCHO

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

Open daily from 12pm onwards for lunch and dinner.

Avda. del Mediterráneo, Blq. 3, Local 6, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 604 848

TROCADERO BEACH

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

TERRA SANA

TRUFFLES KITCHEN

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

POSIDONIA BANÚS Open for lunch and dinner daily. CN340, km 175, Rimesa, Local 2, Marbella. Tel: 722 322 669

SKINA 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

RESTAURANTE FELIX

SOLEO MARBELLA BEACH CLUB RESTAURANT

Open nightly from 7pm to 11pm. Urb. Boladilla Baja, CN340, km 163.5, Estepona. Tel: 951 082 090.

Open daily from 12pm to 4pm. Avda. Duque de Ahumada s/n, Marbella. Tel: 951 562 887

RESTAURANTE ROYAL

SOLLO

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

Tel: 952 441 414

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

ROSAS CAFÉ Open from 9am to 10pm daily. Avda. Playas del Duque 3, Marbella. Tel: 951 569 392

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. El Paseo del Mar, Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona, CN340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

ROJO

SUITE

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday.

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

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

SAVOR 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

SPILER BEACH CLUB

TACOS & TIKKA Open 1pm to 12am Monday to Sunday.

CN340, km 192, Las Chapas. Tel: 952 355 561

TANINO SAN PEDRO

Open Monday to Sunday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 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

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Torre Real Beach, Marbella. Tel: 952 865 579 Open daily for lunch and dinner. Playa de la Carolina, Marbella. Tel: 610 704 144

AND THE

Truffles is open daily from 6:30pm to 10:30pm nightly. The kitchen is open daily from 12pm ‘til late.

C.C. Pinares de Elviria, Local 18, Marbella. Tel: 951 569 173

THE ENGLISH GARDEN

VENTA GARCÍA

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 every day except Monday. Ctra. de Casares km 7, Casares.

Tel: 952 894 191

THE MEETING ROOM

Open daily for lunch from 1pm to 6pm.

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

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

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

Tel: 952 772 577

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

Tel: 952 924 613.

THE PLAYWRIGHT 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.

VILLA PADIERNA CLUB DE MAR 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 AL DENTE

Open every day for dinner. Closed on Mondays. Urb.

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Jardines del Puerto, local 12, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 181

Open daily from 12pm to 12am. Avda. Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 569 194

AMORE E FANTASÍA

DON GIOVANI

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

Tel: 952 813 464

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

ARETUSA

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

Open daily for dinner. Front line P. Banús.

Tel: 952 812 898

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

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

Tel: 952 929 055

CASA TUA

LA PAPPARDELLA DI ESTEPONA

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner from 1pm to midnight. Puerto Deportivo de Estepona.

Tel: 952 802 144

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

DA BRUNO

LA PAPPARDELLA SUL MARE Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 807 354

LA TRATTORIA

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

Open every night for dinner. Urb. Doña Lola, Local 21-22, Calahonda, Mijas Costa.

Tel: 952 934 667

DA PAOLO

LOMBARDO’S

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

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

DAYTONA RESTAURANT – MOTOR PASSION

MADE IN SARDINIA

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. C.C. Cristamar, Avda.

Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 608

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

mediterranean

RESTAURANTE BAR CARMEN

NUNOS

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. At the Caleta Hotel.

Catalan Bay, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 76501

oriental

O MAMMA MIA

ASIAN FUSION BING

Open every day except Sunday for lunch and dinner.

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

Open 12.30pm-4.30pm and 6.30pm to 12am daily.

Fuengirola, Paseo Marítimo, L-42C. Tel: 952 470 218

RISTORANTE SAN MARTINO

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Tuesday lunch. C/ Lirios s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 691

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pinares de Elviria s/n, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 702

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

TARTUFO Open every day for lunch from 1pm to 3:30pm and for dinner from 6:30pm ‘til late. C/ Tetuán 9, Marbella.

Tel: 951 087 323

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

ASIATICO ZEN BAMBOO Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Ctra.

Istan km 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 906 674

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

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

KABUKI RAW Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. At Finca Cortesín Hotel. Ctra. Casares s/n, Casares.

Tel: 952 937 800

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KAIDEN SUSHI

SAPPORO

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

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Costa del Sol, upper level. CN 340, km. 166 (Estepona).

Tel: 952 888 710

KAMA KURA

SUSHI KATSURA

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

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

MAKITAKE

TAI PAN

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Ribera s/n (above disco Seven), Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 592

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

Tel: 952 777 893

MECA Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pino Golf, Don Carlos, Local 1, Elviria, Marbella.

Tel: 952 830 365 / 658 646 829

TA-KUMI

NOBU

TEPPANYAKI SAMURAI

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 for lunch and dinner. Avda. Manolete 20, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 549

OMBÚ

At Plaza Village at the Hotel Puente Romano.

Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella.

Tel: 952 818 392

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 daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Gregorio Marañón 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 839

THAI GALLERY

THAI STYLE

Open every day 13:30-16:00 & 19:30-24:00. CN 340, km.

166 (Benavista). C.C. Costa del Sol. Tel: 952 885 751

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

Tel: 952 813 675s

SAKURA

TOP THAI

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

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

SANTOKU Open daily for dinner. At the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel. CN 340, km 166, Marbella. Tel: 952 889 180

At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 909 990

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

WAGAMAMA

RESTAURANTE EL BOTE

Open daily for lunch and dinner. 19 Ocean Village promenade, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 44182

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

WASABI

PALAPA

Open daily from 1.30 pm for lunch and dinner.

C.C. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 908 577

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 165

scandinavian

SANTIAGO

ALOHA RESTAURANT

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

Open every evening for dinner from 6pm to 11.30pm.

Avda. del Prado s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 811 285

spanish

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

seafood

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

RESTAURANTE LA MARINA

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 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

Open every day from 1-4.30pm and 8pm until midnight. Paseo Marítimo s/n, La Atunara, La Linea de la Concepción, Campo de Gibraltar.

Tel: 956 171 531

LA COCINA

LA TORRE

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sunday. At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990

TSE YANG DIMSUM CLUB

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

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sundays.

MARISQUERÍA LA PESQUERA

Open daily for lunch and dinner except Wednesday.

CN 340, km. 151, Arena Beach. Tel: 952 796 320

LA MÁQUINA LA MORAGA BISTRÓ Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces s/n,

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in front of El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 448

LA RED

*post offices CALAHONDA

Open daily from 9.30am to 6pm.

Playa La Fontanilla, Marbella. Tel: 952 821 450

C.C. El Zoco. Tel: 952 932 175

LA TABERNA DEL ALABARDERO

FUENGIROLA

Open everyday for lunch and dinner except Monday. San Pedro Playa, Urb. Castiglone. Tel: 952 785 138. Also at Ctra. de Ronda, km.

167, San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 265

ESTEPONA

MESÓN EL ADOBE

EL CORTE INGLÉS Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990 Tel: 952 467 843 C/ Málaga 82–84.

Tel: 952 800 537

FUENGIROLA Pza. los Chinorros.

Tel: 952 474 384

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

MARBELLA

MI TABERNA

C/ Jazmines.

Tel: 952 810 887

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

PAELLAS Y MÁS Open daily from 10:30am to 11pm. C/ Jacinto Benavente 33, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 511

PICADERO Open from 6pm to 12am nightly except Mondays. Avda. del Prado 2, Marbella. Tel: 952 929 999

Jac. Benavente, 14.

Tel: 952 772 898

NUEVA ANDALUCÍA SAN PEDRO Pizarro, 41.

Tel: 952 780 39

*train

Customer assistance T: 952 128 267 General Info T: 902 240 202 Reservations T: 902 240 202 Ave T: 952 128 079

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what’s on...

. THE GUIDE what’s on

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Until December 31 LATIN AMERICAN ART – MARBELLA

The Museo Ralli de Marbella presents beautiful works by Latin American artists, including surrealist works by a plethora of artists, including Alicia Carletti, Carlos Carmona, Jorge Ortigueira, Víctor Quiroga, Antonio Seguí, Julio Silva, Carlos Alonso, Wifredo Lam, Herman Braun-Vega, Andrés Monreal, and Carmelo Niño. Entrance is free to the museum, which is open from 10am to 3pm. www.museoralli.es

Until January 10 ART EXHIBITION – ESTEPONA

Brian Travers of UB40 and John Illsley of Dire Straits are super talented artists who will be presenting works at the Kempinski Bahía Hotel in Estepona. www.kempinski.com

Until January 12 ART EXHIBITION – NUEVA ANDALUCÍA

The exhibition From Sweden with Love will include colourful works by contemporary Swedish artists Lotta Döbling, Daniel Fleur, Richard G. Carlsson, Andreas Glad, Anders Kappel, Stefan Otto, Charlotte Walentin, Martin Ålund and more. At the Wadström Tönnheim Gallery at the Polígono Nueva Campana. www.wadstromtonnheim.se

Until March 2019 ART EXHIBITION – MÁLAGA

The Museo Carmen Thyssen Málaga presents the exhibition La furia de color by Francisco Iturrino, one of the most important permanent exhibitors in the Museum. www.carmenthyssenmalaga.org

NEW AND REGULAR EVENTS Weekly GYM AND SPA – BENAHAVÍS

The Benahavís Country Club is ready to help you achieve a state of greater health, fitness and wellness. The spa and gym are open Tuesdays to Fridays from 10am to 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 8pm. Closed Mondays.

The gym has extended opening hours for members (8am to 10pm Tuesday to Sunday). Non-members are welcome and the classes cost just €10. Group fitness classes are offered at various hours, including yoga and aquagym. Tel: 952 856 171. wellness@benahavishills.com

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

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 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

Until January 6

Saturday December 8

Every year, Larios Street in Málaga presents a spectacular lights show, with the colourful display accompanying the rhythm of music. The show starts every night at 7pm.

Mabiee (María Luisa Sánchez Bermejo) will be exhibiting her art at Excellence Art Gallery on the Golden Mile. Mabiee’s work is colourful and bursting with life. Viewing is akin to actually being in the midst of the stunning nature she captures on her canvass. www.excellenceartgallery.com

LIGHTS SHOW – MÁLAGA

ART EXHIBITION – MARBELLA

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Every Thursday WINE TASTING – SAN PEDRO

Tanino San Pedro will be hosting wine tasting sessions every Thursday night, with subjects covered including Rioja vs Ribera, New Spanish Wines, World Wines, and more! To book your place, call Tel: 952 604 848. www.tanino.es

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 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.

Friday December 2 CHRISTMAS CONCERT – MARBELLA

The Pequeña Orquestra Mediterránea will be performing a Christmas Concert at the Vasari Centre at 5pm. Tel: 689 000 944. www.musicaconencanto.org

Tuesday December 4 CHRISTMAS COOKING COURSE – GUADALMINA

Food Room will be teaching cooking buffs how to whip up a Christmas meal that memories are made of. For precise menus and times, www.foodroom.es

Wednesday December 5 CONCORDIA GALA DINNER – MARBELLA

The Hotel Puente Romano will be hosting the Concordia gala dinner, held to support people with HIV/AIDs. Tickets cost €200 each. Tel: 670 795 896. www.concordiamarbella.com

Thursday December 6, 13, 20, and 27 VINTAGE DUET CONCERT – BENAHAVÍS

The Vintage Girls are a talented duet who perform classic songs by artists like Frank Sinatra, Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin. They will be performing at the Marbella Club Golf Resort at 9:30pm.

Thursday December 6 to Saturday December 8 CHARITY CROQUET TOURNAMENT – BENAHAVÍS

Enjoy an exciting croquet game at the Villa Padierna Palace, held to raise funds for Amsudan – a charity that has opened 15 schools for 10,000 pupils in impoverished areas. For a programme of events, www.villapadierna.es

Saturday December 8 to Sunday December 9 NEIL DIAMOND’S MUSIC – FUENGIROLA

The Salón Varietés Theatre presents Antony Wolfson performing the songs of Neil Diamond. At 7:30pm on Saturday and 7pm on Sunday. www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Friday December 14 NATIONAL DANCE – FUENGIROLA

The Asociación de Coros y Danzas Mari Trini León will be presenting the best of Spanish dance at the Casa de la Cultura at 9pm. The show is free.

STREETS OF SOUL#2 – MARBELLA La Catarina Club presents Streets of Soul#2, featuring Northern Soul Girl Levanna, Jackie Brown, and special guest Andy Jones of Filthy Soul. www.lacatarina.beer

Friday December 14 and Sunday December 16 RICKY LAVAZZA’S CHRISTMAS SHOW – FUENGIROLA

Ricky Lavazza will be singing classic Christmas songs alongside Karen Jan Danzing and other special guests. At 7:30pm on Saturday and 7pm on Sunday. www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Saturday December 15 CHRISTMAS CONCERT – FUENGIROLA

The Palacio de Paz in Fuengirola will be full of light and music at the eighth annual Concierto de Navidad (Christmas Concert), featuring music by members of the Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra. The concert starts at 7pm.

Thursday December 20 to Sunday December 23 and Wednesday January 2 to Saturday January 5 PANTOMIME – FUENGIROLA SALVA presents Aladdin: a pantomime for the whole family, directed by Peter Mitchell and choreographed by Peter Height. Nightly at 7:30pm, Sundays at 7pm. www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Wednesday December 26 to Friday December 28 ART WORKSHOP FOR KIDS – MÁLAGA The Picasso Museum in Málaga will be hosting art workshops for kids from 10am to 2pm during these days. For just €45, kids will enjoy a visit to the museum plus a host of art making activities. www.museopicassomalaga.org

Monday December 31 GOLF TOURNAMENT – LA CALA DE MIJAS

La Cala Golf Hotel Spa will be hosting the San Miguel End-of-Year trophy, an amateur tournament that will be taking place on the Resort’s Campo América golf course. The tournament will be a 2 ball better ball over 18 holes for mixed pairs, with prizes given for the best ball and for winning one of the top three spots. www.lacala.com

Saturday December 8

CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT – BENAHAVÍS

The Villa Padierna Golf Club will be hosting a fun golf tournament (to raise funds for schools charity, Amsudan), which will include a cocktail dinner with a DJ afterwards. Further information, www.villapadiernagolfclub.es

Thursday December 6 to Sunday January 6

CHRISTMAS MARKET – PUERTO BANÚS

Puerto Banús will be celebrating its first ever Christmas Market, From December 6 to January 6 at Muelle Ribera. Opening hours will be from 12pm to 8pm from Monday to Sunday. Closed December 25 and January 1. Featuring arts, crafts, jewellery, and much more.

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. THE GUIDE stars

www.russellgrant.com

RUSSELL GRANT’S Monthly Horoscopes December 2018 SAGITTARIUS (November 22nd – December 21st) An impressive moneymaking opportunity will arrive on or around the 6th, thanks to an enriching Solar Eclipse. This is a great time to change industries. Working on a commission basis will also be more lucrative than taking a flat salary. At long last, you’ll finally have the money to travel extensively. There’s even a chance you will be given an impressive expense account to go on a series of glamorous business trips. Make sure to put a portion of your earnings into a savings account. This will pave the way for long term financial security. On the 21st, a Lunar Eclipse will find you returning from a long journey. You’ll be able to spend Christmas at home with your nearest and dearest. Don’t be surprised if you hear news of an engagement on New Year’s Eve. If you’re the one who is tying the knot, 2019 promises to be one of your most festive years ever.

You’ll be able to spend Christmas at home with your nearest and dearest.

Don’t be surprised if you hear news of an engagement on New Year’s Eve. If you’re the one who is tying the knot, 2019 promises to be one of your most festive years ever

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ARIES [21 MAR - 19 APR]

A power struggle will erupt in early December, putting you in line for a big promotion. The Solar Eclipse on the 6th exposes a corrupt official. Their immediate dismissal will leave a big gap in the leadership structure of a political organisation or business. Don’t be surprised when you’re asked to take over. You’re famous for having exceptional leadership skills. Instead of letting personal relationships affect your decisions, you’re ruled by logic. Matching the right person with the appropriate position will boost morale. It will also rescue a troubled organisation from oblivion. A Lunar Eclipse on the 21st finds you benefitting from a big risk. Confessing a crush or taking a financial gamble was daring, but it was the right move. Spending Christmas overseas is a strong possibility. You’ll end the year on a high note. Thanks to your improved financial position, you’ll be able to throw a lavish New Year’s Eve party.

TAURUS [20 APR - 20 MAY]

The Solar Eclipse on the 6th changes your world view. Take this opportunity to go on an overseas trip, work with refugees or learn about a foreign culture. You’ll gain a newfound respect for a group whose beliefs resonate with your own. If you’ve been longing to obtain an advanced degree but lack the funds, apply for a scholarship. An educational, cultural or religious organisation will pay your tuition. On the 21st, a Lunar Eclipse will bring the end to a property matter. You could sell a piece of land, buy a new home or both. If you’re happy with where you are living, a grown up child could leave the nest or a home improvement project will come to a close. Christmas will be a cosy, intimate affair spent with your nearest and dearest. 2018 will end on a romantic note; prepare for a passionate encounter with an ardent admirer.

GEMINI [21 MAY - 20 JUN]

An unexpected windfall will arrive on or around the 6th, courtesy of an enriching Solar Eclipse. An inheritance, legal settlement or insurance refund will transform your lifestyle. At long last, you’ll have the money to buy a home, car or both. If you’ve been longing to start your own business, this would be a great opportunity to do so. Don’t hesitate to form a partnership with someone who has lots of experience in this field.

Their expertise will help you avoid pitfalls that other entrepreneurs experience. Take their advice seriously, even when it seems stuffy and conservative. The Lunar Eclipse on the 21st will prompt you to finish a creative project or withdraw from social media. Although you’ve enjoyed sharing your thoughts with others, it’s time to replenish your intellectual stores. You’ll spend Christmas rubbing elbows with stimulating people; let someone introduce you to their culture’s holiday tradition. Ring out 2018 with someone who makes your pulse pound.

CANCER [21 JUN - 22 JUL]

The Solar Eclipse on the 6th paves the way for a powerful partnership. Getting engaged or exchanging wedding vows will improve your chances for success.

With a supportive partner at your side, you will be able to move mountains. If you’re not interested in love, you could join forces with an accomplished business partner. This will be a great time to become your own boss. Hiring someone to look after complicated legal or financial matters would also be a good idea, whether it’s an accountant, manager, lawyer or agent. On the 21st, the Lunar Eclipse will bring a source of income to a close.

This will leave you free to pursue a more rewarding line of work. A position that seems out of reach will be offered to you. Glowing letters of reference will convince the powers that be that you are the right person for this job.

Attend a festive party at Christmas, but enjoy a private New Year’s Eve just with your amour.

LEO [23 JUL - 22 AUG]

The Solar Eclipse on the 6th is the best time of the entire year to begin a health regime. Overhauling your diet and exercise routines will result in a happier, healthier you. If you’ve been looking for a job, you’ll be offered one that transforms your lifestyle. You might have to relocate to a different city, work unorthodox hours or get paid on a commission basis. No matter what the nature of this change, it will work to your benefit. On the 21st, a Lunar Eclipse will prompt you to step away from a demanding role. You’ve had great success in this position, but now you’re ready to rest, relax and have some fun. Christmas will be a time of lovely surprises.

If you have a chance to celebrate with friends who live overseas, do so. Ringing out 2018 in exotic surroundings will set an exciting tone for the New Year.

VIRGO [23 AUG - 22 SEP]

A love affair will give you an attractive glow on the 6th, courtesy of the romantic Solar Eclipse. If you’re looking for a partner, you will find one at a professional gathering or political organisation. It will be difficult to resist the charm of an accomplished person. You’ll be impressed by their ambition, while they’ll delight in your wit and intelligence. Are you in a relationship? Your amour will give you a beautiful token of their affection. Accept this gift with a happy heart; there are no strings attached. If you’ve been working on a creative project, take this opportunity to submit it to a publisher, gallery or competition. The Lunar Eclipse on the 21st prompts you to tie up loose ends in style. You’ll be able to spend Christmas relaxing in the company of friends. If you’ve been longing to spend quality time with your amour, sneak off to a quiet hideaway together on New Year’s Eve.

LIBRA [23 SEP - 22 OCT]

The Solar Eclipse on the 6th marks a big change in your home life. Moving to another place, welcoming a baby or elderly relative to your household and changing your citizenship are all possibilities. This change will have a profound effect on your entire life, making you feel more confident and empowered. If a relative leaves an inheritance to you, use this money to create long term financial security.

Put a deposit on a home or start a retirement portfolio.

On the 21st, a Lunar Eclipse brings an end to a group project, allowing you to form a new work partnership.

Collaborating with a bold rebel will cause your own star to rise. Throw a big Christmas party that includes both old and new friends. It’s time to bring separate parts of your life together. New Year’s Eve will be quite romantic, when your amour surprises you with a fun outing.

SCORPIO (23 OCT - 21 NOV)

The 6th would be a propitious time for launching a blog, website or podcast, as a Solar Eclipse will attract favourable and encouraging attention. You could get a rave review from a celebrity you’ve never met. Alternatively, you will be offered a publishing or broadcasting contract. Getting paid to talk about your favourite artists, musicians, books and films will be the

answer to a prayer. Beware of making hurtful remarks in a public forum. Adopting a positive attitude will attract a loyal following, while a snarky attitude will create fame that is only fleeting. The Lunar Eclipse on the 21st brings a satisfying end to a job or public office. This will leave you free to enjoy a relaxing Christmas season. Attending a lavish party will be a great opportunity to show off an eye-catching outfit. New Year’s Eve urges you to get a head start on a health regime. Spend the final days of 2018 by cleansing your body of toxins.

CAPRICORN [22 DEC - 19 JAN]

You’ll undergo an impressive transformation in the days surrounding the 6th, thanks to a powerful Solar Eclipse. This is the best time of the entire year to get a makeover, update your wardrobe or undergo a cosmetic procedure. Assuming a prominent public role is another possibility. If you’re asked to take the helm of an important organisation, accept. This work will highlight your leadership ability and cultivate tremendous success. The Lunar Eclipse on the 21st brings the end to a power struggle. Arriving at a financial settlement or ending a troubled relationship will cause you to breathe a sigh of relief. You’ll be able to spend Christmas at home with loved ones, enjoying old traditions that make you feel happy, comfortable and secure. New Year’s Eve will be a quiet affair, spent with a few close people who make you excited about 2019.

Happily, the focus will move from work to home.

AQUARIUS [20 JAN - 18 FEB]

The Solar Eclipse on the 6th find you embarking on a spiritual crusade.

You’ll have an opportunity to devote more time and energy to activities that make life meaningful. Instead of worrying about money and status, you’ll cultivate contentment through solitary activities like writing, reading or communing with nature. Serving as a silent partner to a prominent executive is also possible.

It will be a relief to work behind the scenes, beyond the scrutiny of critics and doubters. On the 21st, the Lunar Eclipse will bring an end to a partnership. Being able to go your own way appeals to your independent instincts. Travelling to stay with nearby relatives is a strong possibility at Christmas. You’ll be glad to escape the domestic chores that are always commanding your attention. New Year’s Eve will be a quiet affair, spent recharging your emotional batteries after a busy holiday season. Cuddling with your pets and paramour is preferable to attending a big party.

PISCES [19 FEB - 20 MAR]

The Solar Eclipse on the 6th poses an excellent opportunity to join a political group, professional organisation or creative society. The people you meet through this organisation will cause your star to rise. Someone who appreciates your ability to work with people from all walks of life will recommend you for a job. Take this opportunity to work for a successful company with worldwide respect. A Lunar Eclipse on the 21st causes you to break bad habits and overcome addictions. Do whatever you can to promote radiant health. You’re tired of being held hostage to temptation. Christmas finds you making a splash at a glamorous party. This will be a terrific opportunity to expand your professional network; don’t hesitate to combine pleasure with business. New Year’s Eve is best spent in the company of supportive friends. Surround yourself with people who share your values; they’ll help make your dreams come true in 2019.

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L A N AV I D A D Y E L A Ñ O N U E V O

Christmas and New Year Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe, s/n, 29602, Marbella, Málaga, Spain Telephone (+34) 952 822 211 marbellaclub.com

Happy Holidays

January brings the snow, makes our feet and fingers glow.

Let’s celebrate, Christmas is coming!

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

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