Love is in the Air! February 2019

N º 234 - FEBRUARY 2019

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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

COMPLIMENTARY EDITION

MARBELLA

Imara Ref: ES10713

VIDEO AVAILABLE IPhone IOS 11: open camera. Others download ‘QR Code Reader’ app

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 3

Built: 242 m²

Terrace: 349 m²

Price: € 2,475,000

GOLDEN MILE Spectacular duplex penthouse in Imara. Excellent sea and mountain views. Spacious terrace with private Jacuzzi. Ref. ES10713

Bedrooms: 5

Built: 553 m²

Plot: 2,000 m²

Price: € 1,685,000

SAN PEDRO Charming family villa close to amenities. Ref. ES10822

Bedrooms: 4

Built: 401 m²

Plot: 524 m²

Price: € 985,000

GOLDEN MILE Beautiful south-facing villa in Nagüeles. Ref. ES10841

Bedrooms: 5

Built: 577 m²

Plot: 4,670 m²

Price: € 1,995,000

BENAHAVÍS Lovely villa in El Madroñal. Amazing views. Ref. ES10127

Bedrooms: 3

Built: 557 m² (including terraces)

Price: € 4,900,000

PUERTO BANÚS Beachfront duplex penthouse, Los Granados. Ref. ES10855

Regulated by RICS

El Madroñal Ref: ES10866

VIDEO AVAILABLE IPhone IOS 11: open camera. Others download ‘QR Code Reader’ app

Bedrooms: 5

Bathrooms: 5

Built: 805 m²

Terrace: 245 m²

Plot: 14,950 m²

Price: € 3,900,000

EL MADROÑAL Unique fully renovated country-style cortijo with spectacular views in El Madroñal, a gated complex with security. Ref. ES10866

Bedrooms: 3

Built: 156 m²

Terrace: 38 m²

Price: € 1,270,000

GOLDEN MILE Beachfront apartment, sea & garden views. Ref. ES10562

Bedrooms: 4

Built: 484 m²

Plot: 880 m²

Price: € 1,095,000

MARBELLA EAST Spacious beachside villa with sea views. Ref. ES7659

SINCE 1970

Bedrooms: 4

Built: 344 m²

Plot: 1,052 m²

Price: € 1,550,000

GOLDEN MILE Villa in La Carolina, short walk to the beach. Ref. ES9735

Bedrooms: 3

Built: 215 m²

Terrace: 110 m²

Price: € 3,650,000

PUENTE ROMANO Second-line beach duplex penthouse. Ref. ES10285

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

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Issue 234 • February 2019

S T A F F PUBLISHER AND DIRECTOR

IAIN BLACKWELL director@essentialmagazine.com

GENERAL MANAGER

ANDREA BÖJTI andrea@essentialmagazine.com

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BRISAS 24.es

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VILLA ESKINA

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HILL CLUB 28

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| For Sale | For Sale

LOS OLIVOS 4

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| Sold

CASA MIMOSA

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| For Sale

ARCADIA 35

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VILLA BEGOÑA

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NAGUELES 26

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VILLA ALAYA

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VILLA YOLANDA VILLA REAL VILLA DANIELLA

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VILLA JAZMIN

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Beachside Marbella East - Marbesa: One of the few contemporary new villas available close to the beach. A very stylish home offering luxury and comfort, large pool, tropical gardens and sophisticated interiors. 6 beds 5 baths. Built 565 m², plot 1.175 m².

E&V ID: W-02DDJR. Price: 2.475.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 20 40.

Beachside Guadalmina: Beautiful and charming Andalusian style villa very close to the beach. 6 beds, 7 baths. Built 690 m², 2.140 m².

E&V ID: W-02E4ZN. Price: 3.500.000 €. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

Nagüeles: Unique opportunity on the Golden Mile! Lovely villa on a very large plot. 5 beds 5 baths. Built 517 m², plot 3.000 m².

E&V ID: W-0090R3. Price: 1.995.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Beachfront Golden Mile: Unique! Modern apartment with excellent sea views. 2 beds, 2 baths. Living area 86 m², terrace 47 m².

E&V ID: W-02EPRB. Price: 1.325.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

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.

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Los Monteros: Situated just minutes from the beach! This villa is certainly one of the best properties on the market, combining stunning modern style, high qualities, privacy and best location. Cinema, gym, sauna. 6 beds, 7 baths. Built 515 m², plot 809 m².

E&V ID: W-02EI10. Price: 2.995.000 €. Tel.: 952 83 20 40.

Nueva Andalucía - Las Brisas: Well priced! Sublime modern villa with beautiful golf views. 5 beds, 5 baths. Built 660 m², plot 1.344 m².

E&V ID: W-02EA0T. Price: 1.995.000 €. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

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E&V ID: W-02ER9U. Price: 2.600.000 €. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

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contents the spotlight

Romantic Escapes 28

Beautiful Spas in Southern Spain 36 Hotel La Bobadilla 46

The World’s Largest Ocean Clean-Up 50

Online Dating Boom 58

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan 62

the trend

Cinema Releases 66

New HBO Series 68

Music Mix 70 Top Reads 72 Tech Trends: Home Gadgets 74

the style The Architecture of Santiago Calatrava 78 The Evolution of Home Cool 86 Insect Chic by Portobello Street 94 Fashion by Roberto Verino 96 Fashion Focus 102

the spa

the social 122 Portrait Artist, Rita Martorell 124 The Vibe 126 Teen Talk: James Charles 127 Animal Love

the pro 130 Property: Be Lagom 132 Property: Casares Golf 134 Enterprise 140 Redomiciling Companies

the gourmet 145 Rosmarino della Piazza Restaurant 146 Food News 148 Aphrodisiac Foods 150 Wine: Muga

the guide 152 Listings 158 What’s On 160 Stars for February

Charlotte Tilbury 104 Top Concealers 106 Beauty Buys 108 Antibiotic Resistance 110 Health Matters 114 Dr. Richard Fakin of Ocean Clinic 116 Health Profile: OsteoStrong 118

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NATURALLY MODERN LIVING

PaloAltoMarbella.COM TO BOOK A TOUR: 900 102 322

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18/10/2018 12:23

D WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL PUBLISHER

Love is in the Air T

his month, get close with your significant other, enjoy a passionate evening on Valentine’s Day alongside some aphrodisiacs to get you in the mood for love, and review our suggested romantic retreats for an amorous holiday of a lifetime.

Style abounds in this month’s with the presentation of the new RollsRoyce Cullinan, chic couture from Roberto Verino, and a feature on flamboyant Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava.

We also savour sumptuous pampering at some of the most special Spas in southern Spain, check-in to the renowned Royal Hideaway Hotel La Bobadilla, and visit famed Rioja winery, Muga in Haro.

Elsewhere, we report on the world’s largest ocean clean-up, preview recommended HBO series to look out for this year, and investigate cool trends in home décor.

HAPPY READING!

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e the spotlight CULTURE HISTORY PEOPLE MOTORING TECHNOLOGY ENTERTAINMENT

28

Romantic Escapes

36

Beautiful Spas in Southern Spain

46

Hotel La Bobadilla

50

The World’s Largest Ocean Clean-Up

58

Online Dating Boom

62

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan

VALENTINE’S DAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER AND WE DELVE INTO WONDERFUL WAYS TO CELEBRATE IT. WHY NOT BOOK A SUITE WITH YOUR LOVER AT A TOP ROMANTIC ESCAPE, UNWIND AT A SPECIAL SPA, OR – IF YOU HAVE YET TO MEET MR. OR MS. RIGHT – TAP INTO THE WORLD OF ONLINE DATING?

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D THE SPOTLIGHT travel

l a Roy

LOVE NESTS I

f you’re in the mood for a romantic getaway with After seven years of dating, Eugenie’s Prince Charming – in royal your significant other this Valentine’s month, take terms, a commoner – came up with the goods on bended knee while a tip from the royals’ little black book of places to the pair were staying offshore at this private couples-only island in the drop off the radar. There can be no better guarantee Pearl Cays. of utter seclusion and first-class everything – plus Jack Brookbanks chose Lake Nicaragua at sunset to sweep your own chef, butler, pool, big fancy bath, monarchEugenie off her feet while romancing her on ultra-exclusive Calala sized bed and views worth a king’s ransom.

Island, reserved for four courting couples at a time. (History doesn’t Traditionally, until the Queen sold it off, reveal whether Brooksbank booked the whole island but he WHO: Britain’s sovereign heirs honeymooned could probably run to it.)

Princess Eugenie on the Royal Yacht Britannia to escape The starry-eyed pair celebrated their betrothal in & Jack Brooksbank WHERE: Calala Island, prying telephoto lenses although it one of the four idyllic beach suites, spied on only by Nicaragua had a cursed reputation. Four royal hummingbirds and Hawksbill turtles. Brooksbank wooed WHAT: 2018 engagement tryst couples who launched their married his princess with Michelin-star dining, tropical fruit HIGHLIGHTS: Caribbean life aboard have since divorced. cocktails and moonlit lagoon swims. With a helipad on sunsets on a castaway Loved-up younger royals have been hand, it was a cinch to whisk her off to the mainland for atoll made for expanding their horizons and today the that surprise lakeside proposal and back for a candlelit canoodling world is their oyster. They can Google up supper. a host of regal resorts and castaway private "The lake was so beautiful. I actually said, 'This is an incredible islands set up with MI6-level security (although it moment,' and then he popped the question,” gushed a glowing Princess doesn’t always work). Better still, we ordinary folk of York, flashing a large sapphire ring after Buckingham Palace can follow in their sandy footprints. Feast your eyes announced their engagement. “Granny’s very happy.” on six love nests you can book online that have i www.calala-island.com received right royal approval.

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WHO: Prince William & Kate Middleton WHERE: North Island, The Seychelles WHAT: 2011 honeymoon HIGHLIGHTS: Secret beach house in an Indian Ocean Eden

It’s not hard to see what lured these royal lovebirds to this €6.500-a-night Robinson Crusoe island where coconut palms sway above 50 shades of blue ocean.

Diving for manta rays, private beach picnics and sunset lobster Creole cruises are among the memories to treasure from a stay in this old pirate’s hideaway. The eco-minded couple were also attracted by the resort’s National Geographic World Legacy Award and eager to meet the giant tortoises recently reintroduced on the island.

With 10 Presidential Villas submerged in jungle at one end of the resort – perfect for the security entourage – Wills and Kate could retreat via a concealed bridge to secluded Villa 11, cupped among granite

boulders on the edge of a turquoise bay. A beach shack of palatial proportion with more tiers than a wedding cake, the honeymooners could wallow in a decadent sunken tub in a treehouse bathroom and sip cocktails on the pool deck with a hot running butler on call.

However every Eden has its serpent and despite the world media’s promise to keep out, one photographer slipped past the coastguard patrols. A year later the future king and his wife were ‘surprised and upset’ to see themselves on the cover of an Australian magazine, Kate wet-haired in a teeny black and gold bikini, Wills in colourful board shorts, strolling hand-in-hand on the sand. You can’t have it all. i www.north-island.com

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WHO: Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall WHERE: Columbia Beach Resort, Cyprus WHAT: 2011 honeymoon HIGHLIGHTS: Sunrise yoga, a stellar spa and outdoor sports

Like ordinary mortals, Princess Ann’s equestrian daughter and England rugby player Mike Tindall picked their honeymoon hotel out of a holiday brochure. However the 169-suite Columbia Beach Resort is rather more luxurious than your average package deal.

Perched above peaceful Pissouri Bay, a discreet distance from the bright lights of Limassol, it’s a favourite cycling, horse riding and hiking centre so ideally suited to this sporty pair, and the lush oceanfront gardens are made for sunrise yoga.

The honeymooners stayed in an Eagles Nest suite, accessed by lift, enjoying raptor’s-eye views over the eastern Med. From this self-contained eyrie they could make their own morning Nespressos, soak in a marble bath filled with Molton Brown bubbles and zap through 31 TV channels from the king-sized bed.

Far from hiding out in their love nest, the newlyweds hobnobbed with the hoi polloi at the heavenly Hebe spa and joined the queue for the beach unrecognised at first. But the game was soon up and then the world knew what the pair had for breakfast – fruit and cereal for Zara, full English for Tindall, and they were always the last down. We even know Zara borrowed a pair of trainers from staff for her workout.

But despite the glare of flashlights, this down-to-earth couple were determined to enjoy themselves. They even signed a few autographs! i www.columbiaresort.com

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Breakfast in the bush and G&Ts in an underground hide were among the treats in store for the Queen’s eldest grandchild (Zara’s big bro) and his Canadian bride on their African honeymoon. The couple spent four days at Afro-chic Tuningi Lodge enjoying VIP views of Madikwe Game Reserve’s liveliest ‘bush bar’, where Africa’s Big Five quench their thirst.

Six sumptuous suites for a max 16 guests come with bedroom and bathroom fireplaces to ward off the night chill, outdoor rock showers to wash off the heat and dust and wraparound terraces for sweeping vistas across the veldt.

At dusk, tables for two are dressed for dinner on a boma deck beside the waterhole for a David Attenborough experience à la carte. For those of a more nervous disposition, an underground hide with its own bar offers wild lowangle close-ups of elephant, lion and buffalo swaggering past the window.

Everyone else got close-ups too as the couple sold the rights to their honeymoon and wedding photos to Hello magazine for a reported £500,000.

Bucks Palace rose above the press feeding frenzy stating, ‘We do not comment on behalf of members of the royal family who are not on the Civil List.’ But the Queen was not amused. i www.tuningi.com

WHO: Peter and Autumn Philips WHERE: Tuningi Safari Lodge, South Africa WHAT: 2008 safarimoon HIGHLIGHTS: Waterhole wow factor alongside Africa’s Big Five

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With its desolate desert of sand scattered with whale bones and wrecked ships, Namibia is not your typical nuptial getaway. But for a while the hauntingly beautiful Skeleton Coast was odds-on favourite for Harry and Meghan’s honeymoon destination and photographs of potential boudoirs were splashed all over the world press.

Surreal Shipwreck Lodge was one hot contender and the €900-a-night ecolodge in Skeleton Coast National Park would certainly have appealed to the couple’s adventurous nature. And with lions and elephants close by but nothing much else, there wouldn’t be too many paparazzi crawling through the dunes to snap them in the outdoor hot tub or snuggled up around the wood-burning stove at night, when an eerie bone-chilling fog drifts in from the ocean. Sister resort Hoanib Valley Camp was also hotly tipped for its luxurious tribal tents and remote location, with no one to spy on the couple’s game drives, nature walks and intimate dinners around the camp firepit.

But as we all know now, they didn’t go to Namibia.

“The honeymoon destination changed a few times,” explained royal commentator Omid Scobie. “If a location leaks prior to travel, it compromises their safety on the trip.”

Instead, between Prince Charles’ 70th birthday and the Trooping of the Colour, the Duke and Duchess Of Sussex slipped away, who knows where, but Africa is a likely choice. Conflict-free Botswana diamonds twinkle in Meghan’s engagement ring and the continent has a firm place in the couples’ hearts. i www.naturalselection.travel

WHO: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle WHERE: Africa maybe WHAT: 2018 honeymoon HIGHLIGHTS: We can only guess

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The wedding of Spain’s crown prince to TV presenter Letizia Ortiz in Madrid’s spectacular Cathedral was watched by the world, as was part of their ‘honeymoon’ – sandwiched between a whirlwind official tour. The couple did Spain, Europe, America and the Far East, posing for so many pictures that by the time they washed up on Wakaya, the press had seen enough.

Only 14 couples can stay at a time in the island’s 10 thatched bure cabin suites and two palatial villas edging Fiji’s only marine reserve, a dazzling coral habitat for giant clams. Vale O – Fijian for House in the Clouds – is the royal suite, often listed as the South Pacific’s finest.

It comes with a rock-rimmed pool and waterfall, floodlit tennis court, personal chef and chauffeur.

But Wakaya has changed since Spain’s new king and his bride stayed here. In 2016 it was devastated by one of the worst Tropical Storms in its history. Giant trees felled by the storm have been incorporated in the ravishing redesign.

Ever since their wedding, Spain’s prensa rosa has been speculating on the couples’ divorce. But it appears they set aside their differences late last year on a secret second honeymoon in Peru. i www.wakayaresort.com

WHO: Prince Felipe of Asturias & Letizia Ortiz WHERE: Wakaya Club & Spa, Fiji, WHAT: 2004 honeymoon HIGHLIGHTS: South Pacific beaches and rainforest walks

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D THE SPOTLIGHTspas

REVITALISING

RETREATS The ďŹ rst months of the year are a great time to rest body and mind before beginning to get back into shape for those beach days ahead. Lucky for us, we have a wonderful selection of spas to choose from along both coasts to help us catch up on some well-deserved TLC. WORDS ALEXANDRA CARUANA

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HOTEL ALMENARA – SOTOGRANDE

The Almenara is one of my all-time favourite spas. Being an Elysium Spa, you are guaranteed quality and exclusivity with a great hydrotherapy circuit to help you unwind before sampling a truly fantastic massage or facial. Unlike other spas, the use of the circuit is free when booking a treatment, so make sure to take advantage of this great feature. I visited last year with my sister as a graduation treat, for some muchneeded relaxation after a busy final year at University. Given that it was a bank holiday weekend, we expected it to be busy, but upon arrival we discovered that we had the whole place to ourselves, making the experience more special than just your average spa.

Based at one of Sotogrande’s top golf courses, you can enjoy the extensive pool overlooking the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool surrounded by beautiful greenery, the perfect place to unwind. Within the Jacuzzi pool are powerful jets to stand under to release the tension of day-to-day life, and leave your back and shoulders feeling relaxed again.

In addition to the standard treatments of massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, the spa also offers a range of endermologie treatments, to ensure that your skin is at its peak condition, improving tone and radiance, aiding circulation, and reducing the appearance of cellulite. With Valentine’s Day coming up, be sure to treat your loved one to a couples massage, available in their double treatment room.

Stay at the hotel for a romantic weekend to also take advantage of the impressive 27-hole golf course, split into three nine-hole circuits, aiming for a hole-in-one before heading to the club’s impressive ‘Veinteocho’ terrace upstairs. Here you can enjoy the outstanding views and beautiful weather while sampling some delightful international cuisine washed down with your favourite tipple. i www.hotelamenara.com/spa

BAÑOS ÁRABES – HAMMAM SANCTI PETRI Let the haunting music that surrounds the spa take you away to the historical Hammams of Marrakech. Unwind in one of the several hot baths to help soothe stress away. For those brave enough, finish up with a dip in the freezing cold pool to wake up your senses before heading into the steam rooms. The three baths vary in temperature from 17-40 degrees, perfect for warming up in the cooler winter weather. The steam rooms include a light sensory room, which will help to ease your mind and lull you away to a calm place. Soothing essential oils will help with the detoxifying benefits of the steam rooms, where you will be able to sweat out all the toxins obtained over the festive period.

Following the spa circuit, indulge in a relaxing massage, where you will be summoned by a bell to the nearby treatment room. Enjoying the spa as part of a group? The Hammam can arrange for joint parties to enjoy their massage in the same suite.

The massage will leave you relaxed and rejuvenated, with the masseuses offering you delicious complimentary tea to replenish afterwards. Enjoy a light lunch upstairs in the onsite Moroccan restaurant and tea room, where you can enjoy dishes such as falafel, salads, and couscous, followed by a Moroccan mint tea.

Those enjoying a later session can stay on and enjoy the belly dancing display in the main room in the evening, or alternatively sip on a cocktail on the Chill Out Terrace. The Hammam only opens from Thursday to Sunday, so be sure to book your slot before going to avoid disappointment. i www.hammamsanctipetri.com

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LA BOBADILLA ROYAL HIDEAWAY HOTEL SPA – GRANADA

This fantastic spa not only offers services to help you relax and unwind, but it also focuses majorly on health, wellness and beauty. With many ways to work out in the spa’s onsite fitness studio, you can start your visit by breaking into a sweat using weights, an elliptical trainer, bicycle, or just sprint it out on the treadmill. Cool down with a shower and jumping into the spa circuit, which has many water features on offer, including the swim current generator, contrast shower circuit, dynamic pool and Turkish bath, where you will be able to wash away all the stresses of the world outside.

The spa offers a wide variety of treatments, including rarer alternative medicine options, such as Ayurveda. This health belief stems from India and has been practiced for over 5,000 years.

It is a treatment which aims to prevent illness and helps emphasise good health using herbal remedies. Those looking to start the year on a high by detoxing and improving their diet should definitely book themselves in for this, where they can have a one-on-one consultation with the spa’s experienced therapists.

In addition to this, the spa also boasts aromatherapy, hot stone treatments, hydrotherapy and reflexology along with facials, scrubs and wraps, and massages. With so much to choose from, you won’t want to leave this relaxation haven. i www.labobadilla.com

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According to GQ Magazine, “the word ‘exclusive’ doesn’t even do this hotel justice.” In this luxurious spa, you can enjoy an oriental and serene theme throughout, not only in the treatments offered, but also in the wellness activities available, including yoga and pilates.

The hotel offers a unique retreat experience, which can be tailored to your own needs. This healing journey aims to connect your mind, body and spirit while staying onsite for a 2-4 day retreat. During your time here, not only will you enjoy the many healing benefits that the spa offers, but also the peace and tranquility that the grounds bring. You will also have the opportunity to explore nearby, as the hotel arranges excursions such as nature reconnection walks, hikes, padel and tennis, as well as the chance to work out one-to-one with an experienced personal trainer.

In keeping with the hotel’s tranquil theme, you can sample the delights of a healing Ayurveda treatment delivered by an expert, and enjoy the benefits of their Asian therapies, with beauty professionals who have trained in Thailand providing the finest treatments, sharing their knowledge of the authentic Asian practices.

The spa takes pride in the brands used onsite for their body treatments and salon services, including Biologique Recherche, Leonor Greyl and Tata Harper.

In using these brands, they promise a genuinely natural experience, while not compromising on the luxurious feel of each treatment. These products are non-artificial, an increasingly important factor to many consumers, with the dangers of parabens being such a hot topic.

This relaxation sanctuary also offers rare features within its spa circuit, including a unique snow cave, where you can cool off and enjoy the benefits of the cold temperature, including the boost of sleep quality, the induction of fat burning, and reduction of allergies and inflammation. Exposing your body to cooler temperatures on a regular basis has also been proven by the University of Michigan to expand your lifespan.

So what are you waiting for? i www.fincacortesin.com/spa The mother ship towing the floating screen into position

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THE MARBELLA CLUB HOTEL – MARBELLA Based in one of the most sought-out areas of the coast, the Marbella Club’s Wellness offering helps you focus your mind and goals for weight loss and exercise regimes, tailoring them especially to your individual needs. Whether it is more energy you desire, to lose weight, or eliminate toxins, the onsite team of experts will be able to create a programme to help you achieve your goals for the year 2019. The list doesn’t end there; mothers-to-be can also enjoy a relaxing and enriching programme, designed to enhance their health and comfort with some special treatments.

This Thalasso spa’s ethos is ‘be your best self,’ and is focused on four essential elements in order to get you to where you need to be: wellbeing, fitness, nutrition and spa. The beautiful landscape and surrounding area of the hotel helps nurture

your wellbeing, including yoga and pilates to give you a totally spiritual experience. On-hand fitness trainers can stimulate your physical appetite not just by providing one-on-one training sessions, but also with delightful walks onsite within the hotel’s luscious gardens, or within Marbella’s protected parkland to get you on the way to your fitness journey. Good nutrition is the key philosophy here, overseen by the hotel’s Hollistic Studio, with delicious Mediterranean food being served in the Juice and Herb Kitchen, where you can also sample a range of juices from their onsite organic garden, and relax with herbal infusions concocted by the Hollistic Studio’s nutritionists. In this type of environment, you will be relaxed and ready for what the spa has to offer, where expert therapists will be able to advise which treatments suit your needs.

The Tibetan treatments that the spa specialises in will have you feeling more zen in no time. The Tibetan Sound Healing treatment, which is designed to bring relief to stress-induced conditions, uses ancient healing rituals and Tibetan Singing Bowls. The Tibetan Singing Bowl massage incorporates these ideals and also helps relieve physical pain and induce deep relaxation.

This will be unlike anything you have ever tried before!

All treatments over 60 minutes will grant you free access into the spa circuit, where you will find separate male and female steam rooms and saunas as well as the dynamic seawater pool. A selection of nutritious snacks and drinks are also available to enjoy. i www.marbellaclub.com/es/wellness

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THERMAS DE CARRATRACA, VILLA PADIERNA HOTEL – MÁLAGA Appreciate the ancient Roman Baths at the Villa Padierna Thermas de Carratraca Spa, where its extensive Mineral-Medicinal Thermal circuit will be enough to soak away the trials and tribulations of day-to-day life. Let the powers of hydrotherapy and the visual experience of the surrounding works of art take you to a different time zone, where you can enjoy three different steam baths, each with varying temperatures and aromas. Also included in the circuit are two saunas, and a flotarium, which has very therapeutic effects in soothing both body and mind by experiencing the feeling of weightlessness and isolation, which can be hard to achieve in our hectic schedules.

In keeping with its Roman theme, the healing power of the Mineral-Medicinal waters, known as ‘Carratraca’, rich in sulphur, calcium and magnesium, were used back in Roman times, largely by soldiers who had been injured in battle to heal their wounds. The word ‘carratraca’, however, stems from the Arabic phrase, ‘Karr-al-krak’, meaning scourge cleaning. These waters can now be enjoyed at the spa today where they flow out of a spring, with the properties preserved at a temperature of 18 degrees. The benefits of the waters here include: anti-aging, reduction in blood pressure, anti-inflammatory properties, and assisting the body with the detoxification process.

In addition to the circuit, there are specialised treatments that are quite different to anything you may have experienced before, for an additional fee and as part of a treatment for specific conditions. These include thermal water sprays and an inhalation treatment recommended to improve breathing and lung capacity for those with conditions such as asthma and allergies. Pressotherapy is recommended to improve blood circulation, lymphatic drainage and to eliminate fat and toxins – a perfect treatment to kick start the body for the year ahead. If you have an event that you are aiming to shred some weight for in a short space of time, then the X Cell Ultrasound treatment is for you, where low frequency ultrasonic waves are used to destroy fat cells.

The Hotel itself also promotes quality nutritional food, specialising in organic haute cuisine. Here you can expect to find beautiful dishes served in a nouvelle cuisine fashion.

With several different restaurants to choose from, you can taste delicious food in each one, accompanied by impeccable service. In keeping with its ethos, the restaurants and lounges are of a relaxed nature, where you can continue to unwind after the spa. i www.villapadierna.es/thermas

With so many luxurious and enticing spas available in different areas around the coast, you will have no reason not to get yourself in tiptop condition for the year ahead. Take advantage of the quieter months and spoil yourself and a loved one by taking a well-deserved spa tour, visiting them all to see which one is your favourite. e 44 / FEBRUARY 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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NESTLED IN THE LUSH BEAUTY OF THE ANDALUSIAN WILDERNESS If you are up to date on the latest happenings in the luxury tourism sector, then you may already know that the Hotel La Bobadilla in Granada was one of two Barceló hotels to be nominated for the upcoming Condé Nast Johansens Awards 2019. The other was the Asia Gardens in Alicante, which is competing for the Best Family Resort in Europe prize. The Bobadilla, a magical palace-like structure ensconced within 350 hectares of forest, was nominated for Best Ecological Hotel in Europe and the Mediterranean.

THE HOTEL Loja, Granada

LA BOBADILLA WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE HOTEL LA BOBADILLA

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ROMANTIC BEGINNINGS Over 25 years ago, a savvy Swiss businessman dreamed of a scenic place in which to live and savour the beauty of Andalucía to the full. He built a hotel that was nestled between oaks, olive trees and almond groves, in the countryside between Málaga and Granada. The resort would be a haven of peace and greenery; every day, guests would wake up to the sound of birds and get ready for an active day in the arms of Mother Nature.

ARAB-ANDALUSÍ INFLUENCES The Bobadilla was designed by Jesús del Valle and recently redecorated by Meridiana. Its architectural style borrows heavily from the old Andalusian palaces, with homage paid to Arabian architecture and forms. The interiors celebrate the warmth of country life, boasting a blend of rustic and modern furniture and styles.

AN ECO LOVER’S PARADISE Talk about taking sustainability to the next level!

The Hotel is run on energy obtained from olive pits. It has its own biomass power plant, which generates enough energy to heat rooms as well as the water required by the whole resort. The establishment invites guests to enjoy nature in

many ways: through visits to the organic garden, bicycle rides, horse riding, seasonal cuisine, and wellness treatments made with natural products.

FIVE-STAR ACCOMMODATION There are 67 rooms at La Bobadilla to choose from though if you are after something particularly romantic, it’s got to be the Deluxe Superior room (with a free-standing tub in the bathroom) or the Deluxe Superior Room (with a beautiful wrought-iron terrace, perfect for enjoying breakfast for two). Larger suites are also available, including the Junior Suite (boasting its own balcony or terrace). The ultimate in luxury has got to be the Suite Deluxe Boabdil (with its couples’ whirlpool), though if you are travelling with family, the Deluxe Family Suite (featuring two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a private garden and a spacious living room) is ideal.

WHAT’S FOR DINNER? La Bobadilla is very much into the slow food and zero-kilometre concepts, with restaurants serving innovative, creative cuisine that is particularly well enjoyed on al fresco terrace, overlooking the rolling hills and greenery.

Restaurante Cortijo serves traditional Andalusian treats, Restaurante La Finca takes the gourmet factor up a notch, and the Hotel’s two seasonal restaurants (La Plaza and Mirador) serve lighter food and grilled and rice dishes, respectively.

FUN AND RELAXATION MAKE PERFECT BEDFELLOWS There is plenty to do at this resort, so pack both sporty and elegant outfits. Enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail at Bar La Plaza, wind down at the spa (with treatment rooms and a hydrotherapy centre), work out at the gym, or enjoy a host of free sports including tennis, paddle tennis, cycling, and swimming in the heated outdoor pool. Other activities can be arranged as well, including horseback riding or enjoying an outdoor picnic. If privacy is key, inquire about the VIP area, with four Balinese beds on which to sleep your cares away.

If you are visiting La Bobadilla some time soon, make sure to ask the staff about the different experiences on offer; they have dedicated services for newlyweds, foodies, fitness buffs, and wellness fans. They can also recommend a host of activities in nearby sites, including the Sierra Nevada ski resort, La Alhambra Palace in Granada, and much more! e

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D THE SPOTLIGHToceans

Let’s Embark on the World’s Largest

OCEAN

CLEANUP

Young Dutch inventor Boyan Slat is leading the drive for new ways to clean up the oceans that we’ve been polluting for decades. Now, his engineering endeavour, The Ocean Cleanup, is launching ambitious plans to roll back the tide of plastic.

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE OCEAN CLEANUP

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The mother ship deploys, monitors, controls and collects rubbish from the floating screen

B

oyan Slat wasn’t the first person to encounter more plastic than fish in the sea when on holiday in Greece in 2011. He also wasn’t the first to feel disgusted and sad about the state of our environment and seas in particular. There are literally millions of us who come into contact with plastic, detritus, chemical spills, sewage and dead fish floating in the sea when we venture offshore or even along sandy beaches, but very few who actually do something about it. Naturally, we’re indignant and rightly look at governments and international organisations for leadership, but most effective are those that don’t rely on others and put their intelligence, passion and empathy to good use.

This is exactly what visionary people such as Boyan Slat did, who simply wouldn’t accept the general (official) view that cleaning the oceans is simply too big, cumbersome and costly a job to even begin to undertake. In other words, even though it is true that it would take decades to rid the seas of the waste already

accumulated if we used conventional net-andship methods, he simply didn’t accept it couldn’t be done, and set to proving it in practical terms.

A NATURAL-BORN ENGINEER Touched by a stroke of genius, Boyan is a natural-born engineer who began making things from the age of two. From simple piecing together of parts, his creations soon became increasingly complex, and in 2008, aged just 14, he entered the Guinness Book of Records with the simultaneous launching of 213 water rockets. The young inventor already had a lot of experience behind him when he enrolled in an aerospace engineering course at the prestigious technical university of his hometown, Delft.

The desire to come up with a feasible solution for the world’s oceans and seas, however, hadn’t left him, and it was at a TEDx talk in Delft that Boyan presented the outlines of a passive cleaning system that would harness the naturally circulating ocean currents. The response was powerful and his name began to move not just in online and environmental circles, but also among those in positions of power. By the following year he had given up his studies to concentrate his efforts on The Ocean Cleanup, an independent environmental

engineering organisation whose main mission is to develop systems capable of cleaning up the seas.

“Technology is the most potent agent of change. It is an amplifier of our human capabilities. Whereas other change-agents rely on reshuffling the existing building blocks of society, technological innovation creates entirely new ones, expanding our problem-solving toolbox.”

WITH A VISION The above are the words of the young Dutch visionary of Croatian origin, as they appeared in The Economist. Technology, or how it has been used, caused many of the environmental problems we face today, but it is also technology that can turn the tide and save us from worse, and if we have the will – create a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable world in the future. Boyan Slat is one of those people, like Elon Musk, who believes that technology, industry and economic interests need not be enemies of environmentalism. In fact, environmental tech is likely to produce one of the main business opportunities for the next generation of technological development, and people such as he are at the forefront of it.

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The Ocean Cleanup system is capable of collecting massive discarded fishing nets

THE CONCEPT The main principle behind Boyan Slat’s passive ocean cleaning system is to create a 600-metre long floating device (down from the original 100-kilometre design) that acts as a huge net that traps and gathers plastic and other debris in the ocean. Not unlike a fishing trawler’s net, it however floats by itself, driven by wind and ocean currents, and is therefore free of the costly ships and crews that would otherwise be needed to do this work. Once fully operational, the floating system, which is in its final trial stages, will be positioned within

one of the world’s ocean gyres – a large natural system of circulating ocean currents – in this case right at the heart of the largest ‘plastic island’ in the world, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is located roughly midway between Hawaii and the coast of California.

As the organisation grew in scale and ambition, bolstered by private and corporate donations, it began a process of R&D that tested the initial passive cleaning premise before creating a series of successively

streamlined prototypes. As of now, 273 scale model tests have been conducted in controlled circumstances, leading to improved designs that are now capable of trapping items from a few millimetres in size right up to huge debris such as discarded fishing nets.

Not only does Boyan’s system harness natural energy to work it, but modelling shows it has the potential capacity to clean up half of the current trash in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch within just five years, and at a fraction of the cost of existing methods.

The system deployed

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On the way into the Pacific for the trial tests

THE TEST After the comprehensive modelling and engineering R&D already undertaken, as well as detailed mapping of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch itself, the whole initiative is now ready for its first real-life test, supported by six at-sea prototypes and a spotting plane. System 001, as it’s been dubbed, set off from San Francisco to a test zone 350 nautical miles out into the Pacific. Here the ocean cleaning system will be deployed and its performance monitored in detail.

If successful, this two-week trial will be followed by a journey another 1,000 nautical miles further west, into the heart of the massive garbage belt, where the system will be continuously monitored and garbage

collected on a regular basis.

As the floating screen is just that, not a net, and made from a natural but durable geotextile, it will not trap sea life, and also moves so slowly that sea creatures can easily swim away from it or glide under it, while the floating plastic cannot slip away. It is in details such as these that so much of the hard work has gone, and aided by the fact that this is actually not a busy shipping area, the team will also be able to perfect its system of anticollision beacons, radar reflectors, light beams and GPS tracking signals that are emitted on an ongoing basis so that, once rolled out across all the world’s ocean gyres, The Ocean Cleanup can safely endeavour to remove 90

per cent of all ocean plastic by 2040.

National and international organisations have taken note of the fantastic potential of this system, which effectively takes a lot of responsibility off their shoulders, and they are beginning to play their part in providing coast guard and technical support for an endeavour that could be one of the most beneficial of all time. As for its young visionary inventor, Boyan Slat has already been asked to join the table at the elite Bilderberg conference, so methinks this is not the last we’ve heard of someone who suddenly makes the future seem brighter. i www.theoceancleanup.com

The mother ship towing the floating screen into position

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D THE SPOTLIGHTonline dating

HOT ONLINE DATING TRENDS Where is everyone finding love these days, anyway? Online! There are many factors why meeting in person sometimes isn’t doable anymore, including time constraints. People are working longer than in the past, which leaves little time or energy for the after-work cocktail or beer. Secondly, there has been a big boom in freelance and work-from-home arrangements, meaning that many people are working solo and are therefore keen to find new ways to connect with people with shared interests. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

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THE STATS ON ONLINE DATING According to Online Dating Statistics & Facts, 91 million people in the world use dating apps. Statistics are not available for Spain, but Pew Research has found that five per cent of marriages in the U.S. began with an online date. Meanwhile, research by BBC News in conjunction with App Annie has found that Europe, North, and Latin America are mad about Tinder, which is the most popular dating app followed by Badoo and others.

Around 80 per cent of Tinder users are in their early 30s, but there is a small yet solid minority of people aged 45 and above who are also looking for love. Although it is true that some people use these apps for sex, around 41.2 per cent of men and 49.2 per cent of women do so to find a partner. In essence, we want the same things as in the past; the only thing that has changed is the way we go about finding them.

a girlfriend, compared to only 27 per cent of women wanting something serious. The poll also issued a warning: sometimes, things aren’t what they seem. Among the users they interviewed, 32 per cent were married men and 15 per cent were married women. Of course, not everyone who is married is being duplicitous; some are in an ‘open marriage’ while others are keen on giving a ménage à trois a go.

HAVE YOU BEEN CATFISHED?

Dating apps work for one simple reason: they significantly widen our circle of acquaintances, enabling us to narrow down our preferences with respect to interests, physical appearance, location, etc. If in its startup, online dating had a bit of a negative air to it (being seen as the last resort for the desperate and dateless), today the stigma is thankfully 100 per cent gone. Meeting someone online is very much like going on a blind date in the past… except it’s not someone who has been forced on you by eager family members. This is someone you feel you ‘know’ or you have at least managed to get a feel for in terms of their sense of humour, job and interests, and grammatical skills (your ideal candidate should normally know the difference between ‘there’ and ‘their’, methinks).

I was a huge fan of the MTV documentary series Catfish, by Nev Schulman (which is thankfully back on air with a new set of episodes). Director Schulman was actually catfished (fooled online) in his 20s, when he fell head over heels for ‘Megan’, a woman who didn’t actually exist. Megan (who was actually a middle-aged lady called Angela) took on a host of personalities, fooling Schulman with different voices and providing all types of excuses when he tried to meet her in person (even alleging she had cancer so as to avoid meeting him).

Catfish is a fascinating portrayal of the many lies often told over the Net; according to eharmony, it is estimated that around 53 per cent of people fib on dating sites. This is a wakeup call to be savvy about online dating.

For instance, avoid long periods of chatting, which can give a liar more leeway for inventing information. Meet quickly for a coffee and decide if the person seems interesting enough to get to know further. Take note that in the elPeriódico study mentioned above, many users complained that the profile pics were old or extremely Photoshopped. This is why meeting quickly is a fantastic way to avoid creating false expectations. Be prepared for the fact that people may have lied about aspects like age, profession, academic achievements, etc.

SURPRISING STATISTICS ON ONLINE DATING

WHAT DATING APPS ARE AVAILABLE IN SPAIN?

If you are a woman aged 18 to 24 and you think that most guys you might meet online are just after one thing, you might be surprised by a recent poll conducted by elPeriódico. The study found that in this age group, 46.4 per cent of young men were interested in finding

Tinder would be at the top of our recommendation list because it is so widely used. It is also simple to operate and easy to sign up for/opt out of once you’re done with it.

You can use your Facebook account to sign up and once you do, the app will provide a list of

THE APPEAL OF ONLINE DATING APPS

people near you that you may like to hook up with. If you like someone who likes you back, you can start chatting privately. Another fun app to use is Meetic, which works very akin to Tinder.

Other apps with similar features include Badoo, Happn, and the oddly entitled AdoptaUnTio (in which women ‘buy’ the man they are more interested in). The latter is very tongue-in-cheek and feature titles like ‘Special sale on hairy guys,’ ‘Moustache Week,’ or ‘Special price for bearded men.’ No-one is actually ‘sold’, of course; AdoptaUnTio merely wishes to cheekily put women in charge, and the aesthetics and design of the site are totally on point! Great for a laugh at the very least!

THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW Not everyone in search of love is heterosexual.

If you’re a member of the LGBT community, some cool apps to check out include Jack’d (to meet guys), Grindr, Scruff, Tinder (just indicate your preference) and Scissr (for lesbians). All these sites have various filters to enable you to enjoy a more curated experience. Whether you are after love, sex, friendship or just someone to talk to, these apps are as good a place as any to give it a go.

HOW TO ACHIEVE DATING SUCCESS ONLINE The best advice we could give on online dating is to be yourself. State your real interests and job, without giving any details. Place an attractive profile pic that was taken on a day in which you felt great about yourself. Don’t bother lying about age and achievements; you will get called out and you could lose out on meeting someone who would have liked you just the way you are. If someone you meet is being too persistent or stalker-like, report them to the app. Reputable apps will have reporting modes in function that you can use to flag pesky pursuers. Finally, try to see the experience as a super fun way to meet people rather than to necessarily find a partner. Love always comes when you least expect it so invest in finding a partner without placing too many expectations on yourself or anyone else! e

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D THE SPOTLIGHTmotoring

ROLLS-ROYCE CULLINAN SUV

Not too many years ago, the idea of Rolls-Royce developing an SUV would have been hard to imagine, but with the worldwide popularity of this class of vehicle, the question now is “Why did they wait so long?” WORDS TONY WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ROLLS-ROYCE

T

oday there are very few luxury carmakers not selling an SUV or planning one.

Arch-rival Bentley has its Bentayga and Mercedes-Benz and Lexus have years of luxury SUV experience. Even Aston Martin and Ferrari have their versions in the works.

Many would argue that there are luxury carmakers that have been saved from financial disaster by launching SUVs. In many ways then, the Rolls-Royce

Cullinan is not the surprise it would have been a few years back. Lots of buyers out there have been waiting for the Cullinan and the order books are said to be filling up. Rolls-Royce is, of course, a division of BMW, a company with plenty of luxury SUV experience so four-wheel drive technology transfer would have been a fairly straightforward affair. The Cullinan though, is not based on any BMW but the platform is

similar to that of the R-R Phantom.

Decades ago when Rolls-Royce only supplied the rolling chassis to which bodywork would be attached by a coachbuilder, lots of customers opted for ‘shooting brake’ styles.

This involved boxy and accommodating rear bodywork with bespoke lockers for your pair of Purdeys and other shooting paraphernalia. In one way at least, the Cullinan is a descendent of those splendid vehicles.

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The Cullinan (it’s named after the largest diamond ever found) is a majestic vehicle with various Rolls-Royce styling features like the stainless steel hand-polished Parthenoninspired radiator, topped by the iconic ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ mascot. Like several Rolls-Royce saloons, the back doors are hinged at the rear.

Otherwise, the design is fairly straightforward SUV with the emphasis on roominess, passenger comfort and load carrying capability. Novel features include a couple of jump seats at the rear tailgate – just the place to watch a little polo or cricket.

The stately Cullinan is powered by a 563-horsepower 6.75-litre twin-turbo V-12 that offers vast amounts of torque and exceptional refinement and quietness. A new all-wheel drive system is featured, the first for any Rolls, along with all-wheel steering. The transmission is a ZF 8-speed. Rolls-Royce believes that many owners will use their Cullinan off-road, citing the Middle East markets as an example of this need. The vehicle is thus fully capable

of taking on very rugged territory. Expectedly, the interior is a total delight and no rival uses quite as much leather, fine wood veneers and plush carpets. Rolls-Royce has exceptional standards when it comes to interior trim and nothing approaches the opulent ambiance of these magnificent vehicles. As with other products from this maker, there are lots of bespoke options that help owners build a one-of-a-kind SUV. According to Rolls-Royce, very few vehicles leave the plant with the basic specification, most buyers choosing to add bespoke touches.

The Cullinan is a very expensive vehicle, but perhaps not as costly as many observers were forecasting prior to launch. In terms of prestige, there’s nothing quite like a RollsRoyce and this one adds lots of practicality and capability to make it something very special indeed. This standout upscale SUV would probably make a name for itself even without the Spirit of Ecstasy and the Parthenon grille. e

Z ENGINE: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V-12, 563-horsepower.

Z TRANSMISSION: 8-speed ZF automatic.

Z ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h in approx. 6.5-seconds.

Z TOP SPEED: 250 km/h estimated.

Z I LIKED: Outstanding comfort and cabin ambiance combined with impressive engineering. Superlative quality throughout, plus serious off-road capability. This is without doubt the ultimate in luxury practicality.

Z I DIDN’T LIKE: Rolls-Royce was a little late for the SUV party, but hopefully, the demand is there for what must be the leading product in its class.

Z MARKET ALTERNATIVES: Bentley Bentayga, high-end Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW SUVs plus upcoming luxury rivals from Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin and others.

Z WHO DRIVES ONE? Buyers who simply want the best of the best and are willing to pay for it.

Z PRICE AND AVAILABILITY: Approximately €315.000. Available during the first quarter of 2019.

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w THE TRENDcinema

COMPILED BY MA RIS

A CUTILLAS

THE MONTH e BLOCKBUSTER OF Groeningen » DIRECTOR Felix van own) akd Bre cle Cir (The Broken » GENRE Biopic , Timothée » CAST Steve Carell y Chalamet, Maura Tierne

Beautiful Boy

» DIRECTOR Peter Segal » GENRE Romantic Comedy » CAST Jennifer Lopez, Vanessa Hudgens, Milo Ventimiglia

Second Act

It’s been a while since we’ve seen Jennifer Lopez onscreen, which is a great pity considering what a good actor she is! In Second Act, she plays a manager’s assistant at a supermarket who is given the opportunity to show a big company in New York that experience matters as much as (if not more than) fancy qualifications. She falls in love along the way, which makes this film an ideal choice for rom com fans.

the release of this film We’ve been waiting for tly othée Chalamet (recen since we first heard Tim was in it. be) Glo n lde Go ond nominated for his sec g e-life story of best-sellin Beautiful Boy is the tru besta o (als Nic son his author David Sheff and into Nic’s addiction in his selling author). It delves struggle of his father, the young adulthood and his deep connection with who had always had a be not ld cou r tte ma t jec son. This difficult sub y, realistic and humane wa brought to life in a more Carell ve Ste : ors act e ous thanks to two powerh t. The trailer is emotionand Timothée Chalame ers hail the chemistry iew rev packed indeed and ors. between these two act

» DIRECTOR Hans Petter Moland (Aberdeen) » GENRE Action/Thriller » CAST Liam Neeson, Emmy Rossum, Laura Dern

Cold Pursuit

Liam Neeson gives life to Nels, a tranquil man living in a snow-covered village in Colorado. His life is shattered when his son is assassinated by drug dealers. Nels’ thirst for vengeance leads to an obsession for finding the villains who took his son’s life.

» DIRECTOR Claire Denis (35 Rhums) » GENRE Science Fiction » CAST Robert Pattinson, Juliette Binoche, André Benjamin

High Life

This film is set in the future, when humankind has conquered space and has the technology to carry out precisely calculated voyages into deep space.

The protagonists are Monte – a solitary man who leads a stoic life to avoid temptation – and his young daughter, Willow. Monte was forced to inseminate the young woman who bore Willow, so the relationship between father and daughter is far from conventional. They live in a spaceship, completely isolated from the rest of humanity. They are sent into the closest black hole to Earth and as Monte begins to feel genuine love for his daughter, the fight to save her becomes his driving force.

» DIRECTOR Peter Farrelly (Cuckoo) » GENRE Drama/Comedy » CAST Linda Cardellini, Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali

Green Book

Tony Lip (Viggo Mortensen) is an Italian American chaufer from the Bronx who is offered a job to take virtuoso pianist, Don Shirley (Mahershala Ali) to various stops for his tour across the southern U.S. He is told to trust in ‘the Green Book’ – a list of establishments that are safe for African Americans. The duo are forced to face the ugliest side of racism and prejudice, but their kindness and humour are the perfect antidote against a group of ignorant haters.

66 / FEBRUARY 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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AVANTO

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Open For Lunch Every Day From 11am – 6pm (Closed Mondays)

Tel: 952 587 539 www.avantomijas.com

One of the nicest venues on the Coast for functions: Corporate Events, Concerts, Weddings, Birthday Parties, Communions

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w THE TRENDseries

Marisa Cutillas reminds us why, if you’re already a Netflix addict, you definitely shouldn’t ignore HBO. These are just a few top views you can look forward to in the year that rhymes with ‘fine’.

2019 IS SET TO BE

HBO’S MOST IMPRESSIVE

YEAR YET! LYING AGAIN

April 2019 will probably be a month of sleepless nights for more than one of us, for yes! The Game of Thrones finale will be on! If you remember the way the last season ended, then you know that Daenerys and Jon finally find true love… only to potentially be pulled apart by their shared family ancestry! It is a super exciting time for characters like Cersei and Jaime as well; turning a blind eye to the ‘real battle of survival’ posed by the white walkers, Cersei is hell bent on bringing Daenerys and her dragons down… and God knows we suffer deeply with the loss of every dragon!

Also coming up in 2019 is Big Little Lies Season Two. This series, which took a one-year pause, is predicted to be as spectacular as the first, which featured Oscar winning actors the calibre of Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon. The series centres on the dark truth that lies behind the seemingly privileged life of the upper class in California. Season 2 will feature the same characters in a whole new plotline. The amazing supporting cast will include Laura Dern, Zoë Kravitz, and Alexander Skarsgård.

is nobody.” Right up there with Shakespeare as far as I’m concerned!

Season 2, featuring Colin Farrell in the lead role, was not as well received, but critics are already predicting that Season 3 (which stars the impressive Mahershala Ali) will take the series back to its dark yet addictive roots. This time, the detectives must discover a mystery that plays out in three separate time periods and results in a macabre crime that stumps even the most talented police officers.

MYSTERY SOLVED

PLENTY OF LOVE TO GO AROUND

True Detective Season 3 is another hotly awaited show.

The first season was smashing, owing to the presence of no less than Matthew McConaughey, who played a nihilistic detective who often uttered quotes of this depth: “Human consciousness is a tragic misstep in evolution. We are things that labour under the illusion of having a self... programmed with total assurance that we are each somebody, when in fact everybody

GOT DRAGONS, GOT DRAMA

Lovecraft Country is a brand new series based on the best-selling novel by Matt Ruff. It is the story of Atticus Black – a young African American who embarks on a road trip in the 1950s with his uncle and a friend to find his missing father. The trio are shocked to discover that their lives are endangered more than once, as racial division and hatred are rife across the nation.

Series director, Jordan Peele, is one of America’s

hottest and most solicited directors. In case you haven’t seen his work, check out Get Out! – it’s an absolute masterpiece of the horror genre!

WATCHMEN COME TO TOWN

Watchmen is another brand new series based on the comic book limited series by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. It was created by Damon Lindelof – the force behind one of our favourite series of all time – The Leftovers. Watchmen is described as “an alternate history where ‘superheroes’ are treated as outlaws.” The series will star Don Johnson, Regina King, Tim Blake Nelson, Louis Gossett Jr. and many more upcoming actors.

HBO has this TV fan’s heart, thanks to its smaller but artier list of series than rival streaming services.

The full line-up for 2019 has not yet been confirmed, but based on what we do know for sure, 2019 sounds like one of the best times HBO has brought us yet. e

68 / FEBRUARY 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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w THE TREND music

¿QUÉ PASA?

Not a lot going on this month but you can guarantee there will be a few tribute artists playing (especially around Valentine's night) so check your weekly local press for details.

All information on this page was correct at the time of writing.

For those into rockabilly, the 25th Rockin' Race Jamboree Festival takes place in the Torremolinos area between February 7 to 10 and includes a short vintage car 'dash' along Playamar's Paseo Maritimo at noon plus live music until 15.30 on the 9th. This annual gettogether usually attracts very big audiences and over 30 bands are playing live at various locations. For the full line-up, venues and prices check out rockinrace.com Feb 16: Spanish indie popsters LOVE OF LESBIAN are at Málaga's Teatro de Cervantes.

Ticket info: teatrocervantes.com Feb 22: Fancy a trip to Granada? Spanish singer/songwriter EL KANKA is at the Palacio de Congresos. Ticket info: elkanka.com Closer to home on the same night, Málaga's Sala París hosts Spanish rapper FOYONE. Ticket info: ticketmaster.es The day after we went to print last month it was announced that BOB DYLAN will play Fuengirola's Marenostrum Music Festival at the castle on May 4, and there are still tickets left for the ROD STEWART gig on July 3.

Ticket info for both: ticketmaster.es

TV news: It looks like MAROON 5 will play the Superbowl half-time show in the early hours of February 4 (live on Sky Sports about 01.40) and all the pressure piled on them not to play by various artists seems to have turned on to R KELLY who is under the cosh big time after the recent airing of Surviving R Kelly, a six-part documentary series (showing on Crime + Investigation UK (Sky Channel 156, on Tuesdays at 23.00 CET from February 5) detailing sexual and misconduct allegations.

But they are still looking for a guest to join them; hip hopper TRAVIS SCOTT has been invited but JAY-Z is trying to talk him out of it.

The band are known by many for their song Move Like Jagger and rumours are circulating that they have asked the man in question if he wants to sing it with them.

The 2019 Brits Awards take place in London on February 20 and will be live on ITV1 with special programmes before and after the show on one of ITV's other channels featuring many acts performing live. The nominations for the awards were due to be announced after our deadline.

Britain's Eurovision song selection show Eurovision: You Decide is scheduled for this month. "Six acts will compete for the honour of representing the UK at the Grand Final in Israel on May 18. In the exciting new format, each of the three songs will be performed in two musically different ways, by two different acts. There will be three rounds of 'song-offs', with six acts performing in total" – but the BBC hasn't decided what date it will be on yet!

THE STROKES

US indie rockers THE STROKES are using Spain to revive their 'global comeback' by playing at the Bilbao BBK Festival (July 11 to 13), then at the reincarnated Doctor Music Festival (July 11 to 14) in Lleida (Catalonia) which hasn't taken place since 2000.

An interesting act at the latter is THE BIZZARE WORLD OF FRANK ZAPPA – the long awaited hologram of the 1960s/70s/80s music icon who died in 1993.

KANYE WEST

BOB DYLAN

WORDS RIK FOXX

PAUL McCARTNEY has said he intends to complete the unfinished JOHN LENNON composition Now And Then. His vocals were originally recorded on demo tapes in 1978 and it was considered in 1995 as a third possible reunion single following Free As A Bird and Real Love but GEORGE HARRISON was against the idea.

After PAUL recently played on stage with RINGO STARR, they agreed that the project could finally take-off.

The original organisers of the legendary Woodstock Festival have announced a three-day get together to mark its 50th anniversary. The original took place from August 15 to 18 in 1969 at Bethel, New York where an estimated 400,000 saw JIMI HENDRIX, THE WHO, JANIS JOPLIN and SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE. The Woodstock Music and Arts Fair 2019 will be held on a 1,000acre site in Watkins Glen, upstate

New York (August 16 to 18), with over 60 modern-day acts who will be announced shortly. The original site is also holding an unofficial 50th anniversary event to celebrate Woodstock's special milestone.

KANYE WEST is at it again. In 2013 he released I Am A God, which brought about accusations of blasphemy for comparing himself with Jesus. Then at Glastonbury in 2015 he proclaimed "I am the greatest living rock star on the planet." Last year he went to the Whitehouse, spoke to the man in charge, who for a change couldn't get a word in edgeways, and said he wanted the job. Now he has been giving Sunday Service gospel sessions backed by a choir. He is currently working on his next album Yandi and is believed to be comparing himself with MAHATMA GANDHI. What next? e

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w THE TRENDbooks

TOP READS for t he Month

Marisa Cutillas brings you top reads of the month, all of which have flown off the bookshelves and made it to the top of the New York Times best-selling list!

FIRE & BLOOD BY GEORGE R.R.MARTIN

Fans are freaking out! Finally, Fire & Blood – the first of a two-part history of the Targaryens in Westeros – has been published. The events take place centuries before those of A Game of Thrones. House Targaryen – the only family to have survived the Doom of Valyria – takes up residence in Dragonstone.

Aegon the Conqueror recalls the sacrifice that went into building the powerful house that would fight bitterly to hold on to the seat of power that nearly tore their dynasty apart.

KINGDOM OF THE BLIND BY LOUISE PENNY

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache receives a letter asking him to travel to an abandoned house to complete his role as the executor of a will left behind by a stranger. The deceased is an old lady Armand has never met.

He assumes she was senile when she appointed him executor, until a dead body is found, and he discovers that someone is playing a cruel game with him, finding his weak spots and threatening their exposure.

LONG ROAD TO MERCY

BY DAVID BALDACCI

FBI special agent Atlee Pine has solved many complicated cases in the past, but this one has her stumped. A mutilated carcass of a mule has been found in the Grand Canyon and its rider has disappeared. As Atlee delves into the case, she discoveres that a series of people have gone missing in the Grand Canyon. Is someone playing with her because they know of the trauma she suffered when her little sister went missing, so many years ago?

LOOK ALIVE TWENTYFIVE BY JANET EVANOVICH The Red River Deli, famed for its delicious pastrami sandwiches and gourmet smoked goods, has one little problem: every manager it hires disappears! Over the previous month, three have completely vanished, leaving only a shoe behind. The police are baffled and some people think there might have been an alien abduction – until Ms. Stephanie Plum becomes the new manager and resolves to unlock the mystery of her missing predecessors.

TOM CLANCY: OATH OF OFFICE BY MARC CAMERON

In this, the latest in the Jack Ryan series of books, President Ryan is caught in a deadly situation in which Russian troops are moving in on the borders of the Ukraine, potentially sparking a deadly war. In Iran, protests are growing against a dictatorial regime, while in Portugal, a French arms dealer is shot dead by a mysterious stranger. Ryan must put all the pieces of this seemingly unrelated puzzle together, and convince his nation that its stability isn’t under threat.

72 / FEBRUARY 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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BUILDING YOUR CHILD’S FOUNDATION FOR LIFE Our Foundation Department encourages and nurtures all our children to blossom into happy, enthusiastic and independent individuals. We are a family-orientated school, which strives to create a friendly and caring environment enabling our students to reach their full potential and be valid members of today´s society.

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w THE TREND technology

GADGETS THAT TURN A HOUSE INTO A

HOME

Housing has become more intelligent than ever but you can always add a bit of tech power to enhance features like safety, comfort, and entertainment! Marisa Cutillas brings you a selection of the very latest in home devices.

PHILIPS HUE STARTER KIT

This kit is ideal for those who comprehend the extent to which lighting can affect mood and energy levels. The kit has a unit that is connected to your router and three bulbs which can be programmed to shine white or in a plethora of different hues. Why not select a gorgeous golden hue in the morning, or a soothing blue one at bedtime? The lighting can be managed from your smartphone, which is good news if you forget to turn the switch off before leaving! i www.philips.com

NOKIA BODY CARDIO BATHROOM SCALES Imagine getting on your scale and receiving detailed information on your weight, body fat content, body water, and heart rate. This scale

stores all information it obtains, spotting trends in weight loss and gain that can keep you on your toes. It is smart enough to identify different members of the family, and can be used by kids and adults alike. i www.nokia.com

RING ELITE VIDEO DOORBELL This cool device lets you monitor your home and greet guests straight from your phone. Featuring high deďŹ nition video, instant alerts, a built-in microphone and speakers, and live view on-demand video and audio. i www.euring.com

LG SMART INSTAVIEW DOORIN-DOOR REFRIGERATOR

This sleek looking fridge has a mirrored glass panel that illuminates with two quick knocks, allowing you see all the food inside it, without the need for opening the door. It thus reduces the loss of cool air and keeps food fresh for longer! i www.lg.com

WEMO LIGHT SWITCH Imagine being able to control your home lighting from your phone, or by simply using your voice.

This smart switch connects to your WiFi network and can control almost all features of your home lighting that a switch can. Whether you are on the beach enjoying espetos, working at the ofďŹ ce, or having lunch with a friend, you can ensure the lighting is perfect when you get home. i www.wemo.com

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d the style

INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE ART DESIGN GARDENS FASHION

78

The Architecture of Santiago Calatrava

86

The Evolution of Home Cool

94

Insect Chic by Portobello Street

96

Fashion by Roberto Verino

102

Fashion Focus

THERE ARE FEW THINGS MORE INSPIRING THAN A GREAT ARCHITECTURAL WORK AND WE PRESENT SOME OF THE BEST, BY NEO-FUTURIST SANTIAGO CALATRAVA. WE ALSO FEATURE COOL HOME DESIGN TRENDS AND SUGGEST DÉCOR PIECES TO OWN IN 2019.

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ARCHITECTURE . INTERIOR DESIGN . BESPOKE CARPENTRY . FURNITURE COLLECTION

SHOWROOM MARBELLA

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A V D A . B LV. P R Í N C I P E A L F O N S O D E H O H E N L O H E . U R B . C A R O L I N A P A R K www.aaltofurniture.com

d THE STYLE architecture

Spain’s very own ‘starchitect’ helped to transform and revitalise his home city of Valencia and ranks among the greatest designers and engineers of our era. His work is so prolific that you don’t have to look far to spot a building or cross a bridge that came off his drawing board, and in so doing Santiago Calatrava has had a great influence on the course of modern architecture. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ

A

starchitect is an architectural celebrity whose very name adds prestige and value to a project. As a result, such a designer seldom works on private homes or small projects, but is in demand to lead design teams that create large public and corporate projects such as railway stations, airports, stadiums, conference centres, modern parliament buildings, university campuses, museums, concert halls, resort hotels and of course skyscraper headquarters and luxurious apartment towers.

Santiago Calatrava may not rank among the most famous starchitects, but simply being one of a very select group of worldrenowned names in this field is quite something, and as such he is one of the most illustrious Spain has produced in the fields of design, architecture, engineering, and art since the era of Picasso, Dalí and Gaudi. His professional career took off not in his home city of Valencia, but in Switzerland, and has since spread across Europe and far beyond.

SANTIAGO

CALATRAVA The Surgeon of Architecture 78 / FEBRUARY 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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Futuristic, inspired organic shapes of the Auditorio de Tenerife

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ARTIST, DESIGNER AND ENGINEER Architecture is in many ways the coming together of art, design and engineering, for an architect works with shapes, textures, tones and light, but is ultimately responsible for the construction of often complicated, large-scale buildings that have to be safe, functional and stand the test of time. Most, however, rely on qualified engineers for this side of things, but Calatrava is unusual in adding a second degree in civil engineering to his original one in architecture.

Having graduated in architecture from the Polytechnic University of Valencia, he therefore enrolled at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, where the greater understanding of physics and structural engineering opened up new dimensions. Inspired by the pioneering work in structural reinforced concrete of early 20th century Swiss engineer Robert Maillart, Calatrava realised that “with an adequate combination of force and mass, you can create emotion.”

Upon completing his doctorate in 1981 he opened up his own office in Zürich, which became his home after he married a local woman. Never much of a designer of homes, his future took another path, creating exhibition halls, warehouses and the first of the bridges that would truly launch his career. Indeed, where others focused on villas, Santiago Calatrava became known as more of an industrial architect, and one of the leading ones of our times at that.

Bodegas Isios, an otherworldly winery in the Rioja’s Laguardia

The undulating curves of the Reggio Emilia AV Mediopadana railway station

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Extraordinary moments happen on ordinary days.

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The signature style of Calatrava is visible in the Zubizuri Bridge in Bilbao

The attractively named and styled Peace Bridge, in Calgary, Alberta

The Alamillo Bridge in Sevilla, built for the 1992 Expo

ARCHITECTURE INSPIRED BY ANATOMY A series of smaller, regional projects eventually led to his first big assignment, redesigning the Zürich Stadelhofen railway station, which began in 1983. It is here that the organic-industrial style for which he would become so famous is first clearly visible in a design largely devoid of straight lines and right angles. Instead, there was the exposed structure of columns and beams that together looked like a skeleton of concrete and steel, with emotive, dynamic forms tilted for further effect.

It was a departure from the sterner functionalism of a previous era, and a style set free by engineering prowess, but also one that always looked strong and durable. This ability to add style and a sense of public engagement with otherwise unremarkable structures such as railway stations and bridges caught the eye, and before long Calatrava was working on new bridges across Europe, including his native Spain.

Apart from encapsulating the structural properties of the human form, which conform with those of architecture as laid out in the Vitruvian principles, Calatrava also made his ‘spines’ move in ways that gave architecture a new sense of motion and dynamism. It worked particularly well for bridges, which all of a sudden became interesting, and beautified the cities and landscapes they formed part of.

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The Milwaukee Art Museum, Wisconsin

Calatrava’s design for the Oculus, the New York World Trade Center’s transportation hub

A BRIDGE BUILDER Curvature is therefore a signature design feature of the Spanish master’s work, and through it he brings buildings to life, as in the case of a series of bridge projects in Spain that began with the Bac de Roda in Barcelona. By the time of the Puente del Alamillo, created for Seville’s Expo 92, Calatrava’s designs had become ever more striking, and the architect ever more in demand.

The Seville bridge, which crosses the Meandro San Jerónimo River, is 200 metres long, but it’s stand-out feature is a 142-metre tall pylon angled at 58 degrees that revolutionised bridge design and made the architect a celebrity in his own country.

The inclination, by the way, is the same as that of the Pyramid of Giza, near Cairo, and this is naturally not a coincidence, for Santiago Calatrava seeks inspiration from the world around him.

More illustrious projects followed, including the Montjuïc communications tower near the Olympic complex in Barcelona, prestigious large-scale airport designs in Bilbao and Lyon, as well as his first major North American design and the Gare do Oriente – the new high-tech railway terminal built for Lisbon’s Expo 98. Now firmly arrived as a ‘starchitect’ in the midst of Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers, Norman Foster and Frank Gehry, Calatrava received more top international commissions.

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A detail of the fluidity of his design

The city of art and science in Valencia

JOINING THE INTERNATIONAL ELITE It ushered in a period of designing buildings rather than structures, and the Valencia-born architect and engineer took it in his stride, producing designs that remained true to his stylistic inspiration while answering the brief of his clients, which were usually large public and corporate entities. The seminal works produced during this period of the 1990s through to the 2000s include the Milwaukee Art Museum in Wisconsin and the Bodegas Ysios winery in Laguardia, in the Rioja Alavesa.

While the former was the continuation of his personal style in a large building, the bodega’s

otherworldly appearance began to match the almost digital look of Frank Gehry. The new millennium would bring with it his most famous projects, including the Turning Torso tower in Malmö, one of his few residential projects, and the creation of the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia – a large-scale project with which his career truly had come full circle.

It is fitting that it’s in his home city of Valencia where Santiago Calatrava would create his ultimate works of art, producing landmark designs for the Science Museum, the City of Arts and Sciences and the Palace of the Arts,

which has been nicknamed ‘Darth Vader’s Helmet’ by some. There has been some criticism surrounding practicality and maintenance issues, but it cannot be denied that the bold, modernist designs of Calatrava helped to revive the city’s identity and urban redevelopment.

More grand projects have followed, including the velodrome for the 2004 Olympics in Athens, and many more across the Americas and Europe, but it is with the seemingly UFO-inspired structures in Valencia that Santiago Calatrava sealed his reputation and cemented his place among the stellar names of world architecture. e

Ready to strike: the Museo do Amanha in Rio de Janeiro

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d THE STYLEdecor

The Evolution of

HOME

COOL

What was de rigueur just a short while ago can change almost overnight. Not so long ago the dominant home styles were more traditional and organic, interiors darker and the must-have accessory a home cinema or automated lights and shutters. As we move further into the 21st century, the picture is changing‌ WORDS MICHEL CRUZ

Eye-catching designs form the basis of modern architectural villas

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Clean, earthy-industrial tones and materials complement floor-to-ceiling vistas

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n many parts of the world the financial crisis and ensuing ‘Great Recession’ formed a watershed in architecture. Gone were the more faux traditional styles that had been dominant since the 1980s and in came a whole new wave of ‘modern’ styling that saw a return to white as the fresh, sleek tone of the future. It’s back to the future because we’ve been here before, through early experiments in the 1920s and 30s, and the Modernism of the post-war era, but while there is a direct link of inspiration and a ‘picking up of the thread’ it wouldn’t be fair to label this latest outpouring of creativity a mere chapter in a book already begun. Today’s design movement may search for references in the past but its materials, relevance and urban context are entirely of our age.

Bathrooms have become decidedly minimalist, with a touch of Zen spa inspiration

Rooftop terraces offer lifestyle and entertaining settings with panoramic views

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At any rate, it feels very different showing homes now that are open-plan, full of panoramic glass, sliding doors that disappear into the wall at the touch of a finger and architectural forms that can vary from rigidly geometrical to sculpted and rounded. It’s a process that is in continuous flux, already evolving away from white minimalism to the inclusion of more natural materials and more playful elements, all the while building on a great new era of technology that provides novel materials, engineering techniques and software technologies that reside under the skin of a new house.

Water features, floor to ceiling windows, large open-flowing living areas and kitchens where you can cook up a storm and then hide the evidence, add a sense of drama to today’s luxury home. The kitchen, once a functional room hidden away amid cooking fumes, is now a crisp, clean design feature of a home, where state-of-the-art extractors enable you to lounge around your breakfast bar with a coffee or glass of wine, while various gadgets pop up and down at the touch of a button, espresso machines make a delicious macchiato and your double-door American spec fridge dispenses ice cubes.

Split levels and creative dividing screens are elements that break up large open-plan spaces

Wood and darker colour schemes are gaining ground in interiors

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Plus ®

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Tel. +34 951 242 092

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Speaking of American influences, the open kitchen concept is attributed to the USA, and is therefore sometimes also called an American kitchen, and of course it’s a classic element of the now-iconic loft renovation home. Aided by modern technology, the modern kitchen and open-plan layout uses space more efficiently and does away with so-called ‘dead areas’ such as corridors and walls. The result is a more integrated home where you can feel more connected with the property and its occupants without having to be in the same room. Villas, in particular, also offer sliding doors and latticed wooden screens that add privacy and intimacy to a larger open-plan interior, and there is no reason why this can’t also be applied to apartments and penthouses, for they too assist in the efficient use of space and take over the role that was previously played by walls and doors.

With the cubicle effect of small rooms gone, we’re left with spacious, open-plan living areas that flow into one another. Combined with high ceilings, natural light and views coming in from tall, floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors, it makes for a finer architecture and more pleasant and stylish living environment in which we are seduced by soft LED lighting, white acrylic furniture and brushed steel, but also by ingenious blends of such materials with richly veined matt wood, earthy stone and darker iron, not to mention an array of potentially brightly coloured synthetic materials.

Kitchens have changed considerably in recent years, and are now generally open-plan and minimalist

Urban design elements are beginning to influence our own region as well

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The freestanding bathtub brings back a classic feature in modern form

NEW TRENDS Today’s homes have become more compact and efficient than before, attempting to do away with inert spaces such as long corridors through innovative design concepts, and the technology now available makes early home automation systems positively archaic. Just as you can ‘hook up’ your car to the internet of things, you can now do the same with your home, enabling it to fulfil a range of duties that leave mere shelter far behind and turn it into an energy-efficient entertainment centre, state-of-the-art workplace or a well-secured private home.

Living areas are now open-plan, bathrooms sleeker and simpler in a Zen kind of way, and split levels are also making a comeback, indoors as well as in the garden. The latter is more geometrical than before, less subtropical paradise and more Japanese garden, with large terrace areas that extend the indoor comforts outdoors and an inviting splash pool that perfectly frames the horizon. In regions with a Mediterranean climate such as Marbella, but also California, West Australia and the Cape, the tendency is towards using beautiful yet water-efficient indigenous species in landscaping. This is not only good for the environment, but also cuts down on irrigation bills and maintenance, all of which are increasingly important to buyers today.

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Kitchens are now being integrated into open-plan living spaces in new ways

Home cinemas, traditional wine cellars, gyms and early home spas used to be separate entities, often occupying the basement floor of a villa, but here too an integrated open-plan approach is taking over that also brings natural light and direct garden access to what were once dark spaces. The chill-out zones found as an extension of your terrace are also in evidence indoors, where one great interactive entertainment area brings spa, gym, home cinema, games room and sometimes even bowling alley together in great style.

Many a wine cellar has migrated up to the kitchen and shed its traditional brickwork to become a design feature made of LED-lit glass and your personal collection of wines. Even garages, once the musty home of your prized luxury cars, are now celebrating the automotive works of art in what looks like a gallery complete with panoramic windows and lighting that highlights your collection.

Add a fireplace, comfortable sofas, an industrial style kitchen and bar, and it becomes an entertainment area with a touch of art gallery and car showroom thrown in – quite the place to relax and entertain, as long as you’re fairly confident the guests won’t damage either the art on the wall or the art on wheels! While most of us focus on the return to modern architectural styling, the changes going on inside the home are more revolutionary by far as they open the door to a whole new lifestyle experience. e

Make the spa your own wonderland of relaxation

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INSECT INSPIRATION from Portobello Street

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We’ve fallen madly in love with these cute decorative pieces, each of which represents an insect. From friendly grasshoppers to delicate praying mantises, the collection celebrates the beauty and diversity of nature, reminding us that the environment and all its creatures are worth fighting for! COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

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Roberto Verino

BLACK IS BACK

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Dressed To the Nines

Nothing beats an LBD when elegance is on the agenda. This month, we bring you a selection of sophisticated black dresses by Roberto Verino, also featuring some metallic and mixedshade designs. COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

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Velvet Perf ection

.i www.robertoverino.com

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Spring/Summer 2019 Dresses by

TOPSHOP Time flies and that means we can look forward to the warm weather coming back in the near future. Make sure you are pool party-ready by starting to build your summer wardrobe. This month, we focus on dresses

by TOPSHOP. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

FLORAL ASYMMETRIC MIDI DRESS

BLUE STRAPPY DRESS

CREAM STRAPPY DRESS

YELLOW ASYMMETRIC RUFFLE DRESS

PINK HIGH-NECK MIDI DRESS

BLUE AND YELLOW FLORAL WRAP DRESS

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n the spa

PRODUCTS BEAUTY SPA SCIENCE TREATMENTS HEALTH

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Charlotte Tilbury

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Top Concealers

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Beauty Buys

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Antibiotic Resistance

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Health Matters

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Dr. Richard Fakin of Ocean Clinic

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Health Profile: OsteoStrong

DISCOVER THE HARD WORK BEHIND CHARLOTTE TILBURY’S SUCCESS STORY, TRY OUT THE VERY BEST CONCEALERS ON THE MARKET, AND LEARN ALL ABOUT THE BRAND NEW OCEAN CLINICS IN MADRID AND ZURICH, HEADED BY TALENTED SURGEON, DR. RICHARD FAKIN.

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WHAT’S SO AMAZING ABOUT

Charlotte Tilbury?

WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

I

f you love keeping up with the latest news on the Royal Family, then you might have read that Queen Elizabeth recently awarded British makeup entrepreneur, Charlotte Tilbury, an MBE. In fact, the talented makeup guru was among those most praised at the ceremony, owing to the major contribution she has made to the beauty industry.

Fittingly, Queen Elizabeth is one of Tilbury’s major inspirations, and actually has a lipstick named after her. At the ceremony, Tilbury informed the Queen that she was not only a female icon but also a beauty icon – much to the Queen’s amusement. Tilbury described the occasion as “a dream come true,” but to those in the know, the award was merely one in the line of amazing achievements made by the

innovative makeup artist.

Charlotte has a pretty interesting life story. Born in England to a father who was a painter and a mother who worked in luxury production, she was raised in Ibiza – which she describes as “a wonderfully creative, Bohemian environment” filled with artists, actors, writers and musicians.

After a lucky meeting with iconic makeup artist, Mary Greenwell, she was inspired to train at the Glauca Rossi School of Make Up in London and to pursue a career as a makeup artist. Charlotte says she was persistent and ambitious from her youth. She was active in social and business circles, building a large network of photographers, models, stylists, and the like – many of whom are still in her life today.

She was already a well known name in the fashion industry in the 1990s and the ‘era of the supermodel’ made its mark on her career. She said, “I believe that every woman wants to feel beautiful, powerful and sexy and that makeup is a great way to achieve this. Makeup gives you instant confidence. It’s about feeling as fabulous on the outside as you do on the inside.”

Charlotte has worked with some of the most famous faces in the world – including Kate Moss, Cara Delevingne, Natalie Portman, etc., as well as publications the calibre of Vogue UK, US, Paris, and China; and other magazines like GQ and Vanity Fair. She has won a bevy of awards, including that of Walpole Emerging Luxury British Brand 2014.

Today, Charlotte’s products are

sought after, blogged and vlogged about, and purchased in countries all over the world – including in Spain (find her products at Sephora in La Cañada). She creates everything from eyeshadow palettes to highlighters, foundations, and unique products such as the ‘Collagen Lip Bath’, ideal for plumping your lips without fillers. She also has an entire skincare range, featuring creams and serums that will actively help you erase the signs of time. If you buy any of her products, make sure to check out her website, where you will find useful videos on how to use and combine products. e

WHAT ARE CHARLOTTE TILBURY MUST-HAVES?

Each beauty fan has their own list of favourites.

Mine are as follows: CHARLOTTE’S MAGIC CREAM: This moisturiser instantly gives tired skin a beautiful glow, thanks to its combination of anti-age BioNymph peptides that fight free radicals and encourage skin cells to regenerate.

FILMSTAR BRONZE & GLOW: A super value-for-money bronzer and highlighter that is perfect for contouring and illumination.

BIGGER BRIGHTER EYES: A small eyeshadow palette with three shimmery and one matte shade.

HOLLYWOOD BEAUTY LIGHT WAND: A powerful liquid highlighter that will stay put all day and night.

CHARLOTTE’S GENIUS MAGIC POWDER: A lightdiffusing glow that gives skin major light while battling excess oiliness.

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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

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TO OWN IN 2019

CONCEALERS

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Concealers are bigger than ever this year, with larger bottles and doe foot applicators making patent the extent to which concealers are being used to highlight specific areas of the face – including the under-eye, forehead, and chin areas. In essence, concealers are now being applied over almost half the surface of the complexion, whereas in the past, foundations were used to create a look of smoothness and clarity. Because concealer is an eye product, it has to be replaced often – which is a fantastic reason to try out a number of different lines until you find the one that is right for your skin type and needs.

Marisa Cutillas brings you a few of the very best.

1 – NARS RADIANT CREAMY CONCEALER This must be one of the most illuminating of all concealers on the market. It also happens to be Demi Lovato’s (and my) personal favourite. The product boasts full coverage and does not crease or crack all day. The bottle is slightly smaller than the Tarte or Too Faced versions, however, and less product attaches to the brush when you pull it out. Still worth it if you have dark areas under the eye to cover up, though.

2 – NARS SOFT MATTE COMPLETE CONCEALER This pot-based concealer is handy for those who like to use their fingers or their own set of brushes to apply their concealer. It is slightly thicker than Radiant Creamy Concealer and can be used as an eye primer as well as a concealer. Think of this one as very much similar to MAC’s paint pots.

3 – TOO FACED BORN THIS WAY SUPER COVERAGE MULTI-USE SCULPTING CONCEALER Its title makes it clear that this product can be used

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in many ways – as a foundation, to highlight, and to contour. Pick a lighter shade to highlight and a darker one to contour. It boasts mid-to-full coverage, so apply two coats if you are after a higher coverage.

4 – AMAZING COSMETICS AMAZING CONCEALER I love the format of this product, which comes in a large tube you can simply squeeze out onto your finger, sponge, or brush. This concealer is waterresistant and highly pigmented, so a little certainly goes a long way.

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5 – TARTE SHAPE TAPE This classic is used by everyone from Tati Westbrook to James Charles. Like the Too Faced product, it comes in a larger bottle and contains a doe foot applicator, which is ideal for those who don’t like scrimping on quantity during the highlighting process. g All products can be purchased at Sephora or your favourite o nline beauty store.

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

ESSENTIAL IS SOCIAL! JOIN OUR WORLD OF LUXURIOUS FUN

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n THE SPAhealth

ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE How Can You Prevent It? Antibiotic resistance has officially been deemed “one of the biggest threats to global health, food, security, and development” by the World Health Organisation (WHO). It can affect people of all ages across the globe and although it can occur naturally, the misuse and abuse of antibiotics is accelerating the process. Antibiotic resistance is not only a great burden on health systems, it is also responsible for increased mortality rates. How does it affect us and what can we do to slow the process down? WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS THE PREVALENCE OF ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE The WHO has stated that five out of the six WHO regions have a high resistance rate to antibiotics used to treat E coli, staph infections, septicemia, pneumonia, meningitis, and more diseases. In a lengthy report, WHO researchers noted that 45 per cent of deaths in Africa and South East Asia could be attributed to multi-drug resistant bacteria. As noted in a study by R Founou et al PLoS One, some types of pneumonia, which are resistant to medication, cause incredibly high death rates in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, South East Asia, and the Western Pacific region.

Antibiotic resistance is particularly dangerous to those who are hospitalised in both developed and underdeveloped countries.

FACTORS LEADING TO ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE If you are fascinated by this subject, the documentary film, Resistance, will be right up your alley. The film notes that some of the reasons for the problem include overprescription of medication and the use of antibiotics for growth promotion purposes in livestock. It also reveals that certain antibiotics (such as oxytetracycline and streptomycin) are

also used as pesticides on crops, as well as in medications. The results of this over-exposure include a far higher rate of resistant urinary tract infections, tuberculosis, and several types of STDs (chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis).

American physician Dr. Mercola, meanwhile, states that gonorrhea in particular is already resistant to every antibiotic known to man and it is quickly becoming more and more resistant to cephalosporins – known as 'the drug of last resort.'

WHAT EFFORTS CAN WE TAKE TO FIGHT THIS PHENOMENON? The WHO thinks that the problem should be approached on several levels. On the one hand, people should use antibiotics only when they are prescribed to do so. They should also aim to prevent infections by washing their hands frequently, having safe sex, and keeping vaccinations up to date. Consumers should also stop using antibacterial products (including hand washes and dishwashing liquid), since these products have the potential to create antibioticresistance bacteria. Doctors also play a key role in halting resistance. They need to educate patients on how to avoid infections and they should prescribe and dispense antibiotics only

when needed. Governments, meanwhile, need to create stronger programmes to prevent and control the problem, promoting the appropriate use and disposal of medications and investing in research into new medications, vaccines, etc.

CURTAILING ABUSE IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR Dr. Mercola makes a good point when he notes that efforts to reduce the human consumption of antibiotics thus far have failed. Essentially, we are exposed to antibiotics from too many sources, with the agricultural sector accounting for up to 80 per cent of all antibiotic use in developed countries like the United States. We encounter antibiotics not only through the meat we eat, but also through fruits and vegetables fertilised with manure. It certainly makes a strong case for going organic and consuming grass-fed meat.

Because of our globalised society, antibiotic resistance is a threat the world over. Big investments must be made into research and a multifaceted approach needs to be taken; one in which individuals, governments, health care workers and agriculturalists work together to stop a foe that is increasingly larger and more difficult to fight. e

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n THE SPAhealth COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

LESS HEART DISEASE IN

NEIGHBOURHOODS WITH GREEN SPACE People who live in areas with more parks and other green areas may have better blood vessel health and lower stress levels, as well as a lower risk of heart attacks, according to research published by the American Heart Association.

The research took place over five years and involved the analysis of blood and urine samples from people of all ages, ethnicities, and socio-economic levels.

Researchers found that “living in a neighborhood dense with trees, bushes and other green vegetation may be good for the health of your heart and blood vessels. Indeed, increasing the amount of vegetation may be an unrecognised environmental influence on cardiovascular health and a potentially significant public health intervention.”

FIRST BABY BORN VIA UTERUS TRANSPLANT FROM A DONOR WHO HAD PASSED AWAY

It’s certainly an exciting time for assisted birth technology, with the first baby having been born recently from a uterus donated by a deceased person.

Currently, uterus donation is only possible for women with friends or family willing to make this amazing gift, so the news about the baby, born in Brazil, is exciting indeed for those who may not have a live donor. Doctors from the Hospital das Clínicas in São Paulo noted: “The first uterus transplants from live donors were a medical milestone... However, the need for a live donor is a major limitation as donors are rare. The numbers of people willing and committed to donate organs upon their own deaths are far larger than those of live donors, offering a much wider potential donor population.”

CAN A VEGAN DIET HELP WITH

TO BOOST YOUR MEMORY,

LEARN TO DRAW!

A recent study undertaken at the University of Waterloo has found that even people who don’t know how to draw can learn to do so to help them retain information. The study, undertaken on older adults, found that those who used drawings to learn new facts had a higher retention rate than those who use notes or visualisation exercises to do so. “Drawing improves memory across a variety of tasks and populations, and the simplicity of the strategy means that it can be used in many settings.” Who knew that your inner Picasso was capable of channeling your inner Einstein?

PARKINSON’S DISEASE

Three studies have found that a vegan diet can potentially help soothe the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease. The secret has to do with a plant-based diet’s ability to slow down the loss of neurons that produce dopamine. Diets which are high in animal fat can actually increase the likelihood of Parkinson’s, so if you have a family history of the disease, aim to include as many healthy antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies in your diet.

Go organic if you can; these foods have higher antioxidant levels than their conventionally grown counterparts! e

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n THE SPAprofile

DR. RICHARD FAKIN Launches Ocean Clinic in Madrid and Zurich

Dr. Kai Kaye’s Ocean Clinic in Marbella has enjoyed great success for over 10 years, with so many achievements (including the launching of its own Marbella hospital) crowning its efforts. In December last year, Dr. Kaye announced a major development: the launch of two new Ocean Clinics – one in Madrid, and another in Zurich. At their helm is Dr. Richard M. Fakin, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Spain and Switzerland and a fellow of the European Board of Plastic Surgery. Dr. Fakin is also Associate Professor and consultant at The University of Zurich. He has over 10 years of surgical experience. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF DR. RICHARD FAKIN

D

r. Fakin was the perfect person to bring the high standards of Ocean Clinic to two new clinics.

He had worked at the Marbella clinic for various months, and shone alongside Dr. Kaye at the Marbella Plastic Surgery Summer School, giving several lectures. The young doctor is excited about the change: “Although I was happy in Zurich and continue to perform consultancy work on a reduced basis, I felt I was too young to remain in one place. I have two young children and think this is the perfect time to move. Madrid is an ideal location. It is booming economically, there are many expats living there, the airport is great, and it is one of the biggest cities in Europe.”

Dr. Fakin carries out a variety of plastic surgical procedures: “I have

completed numerous facial surgeries, breast surgeries, and tummy tucks.”

He has also undertaken many gender reassignment surgeries, which are highly complex. “I spent time working at the Preecha Aesthetic Institute in Bangkok and I learned important techniques there that I was able to apply in Zurich. I have completed around 60 vaginoplasty surgeries.”

Dr. Fakin notes that both gender reassignment and facial rejuvenation surgeries are very common in Thailand, which is why for a doctor, time spent there is so valuable.

At the new Ocean Clinics in Madrid and Zurich, Dr. Fakin and his team will be providing integrated services for the face and body. “We will be offering all the same specialities as those enjoyed at the Marbella clinic, except for dentistry. Eventually, we

may open a dental department as well.”

Dr. Fakin echoes Ocean Clinic’s holistic approach to health and beauty. “I like the idea that Ocean Clinic is a one-stop shop in which patients can have the procedures they need. Often, every patient has their own ‘puzzle’ to solve and you need to work on different areas to obtain the best results.” Dr. Fakin isn’t only referring to surgery; “Skincare, nutrition, lifestyle rejuvenation, and stem cell therapy are just a few components of a strategy to achieve lasting beauty and youthfulness.”

Dr. Fakin’s patients are “men and women of all ages. I take a highly individualised approach to each patient so whatever their concerns are, I try to find a solution.” At the new Ocean Clinics, patients will be able to

enjoy surgical as well as non-surgical treatments such as laser, Botox and fillers. Ocean Clinic is a renowned brand, and Dr. Fakin is excited about building upon the success of Dr. Kai Kaye and the Marbella team to bring personalised, holistic solutions to patients from across the world. “I love challenges and new beginnings and I hope this change will be one of the most rewarding yet.” g OCEAN CLINIC MARBELLA: Avda. Ramón y Cajal 7, Marbella.

Tel: 951 775 518.

OCEAN CLINIC MADRID: C/ Velázquez 109, 1º izq, Madrid.

Tel: 910 567 933.

OCEAN CLINIC ZURICH: Limmatquai 2, 8001 Zurich.

Tel: 0041 (0 )442 509 588. www.oceanclinic.net

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What’s the best way to get a dazzling smile?

If you think the answer is tooth whitening, think again.

According to Ocean Clinic’s Dentist Nina King, you could be disappointed with the results.

“Whitening often doesn’t reap the rewards promised,” she says. “We find a more comprehensive approach using veneers or crowns is a better way to give patients what they are really looking for. Why not have a free consultation to learn about all your options?”

PLASTIC & AESTHETIC SURGERY AESTHETIC MEDICINE HOLISTIC DERMATOLOGY COSMETIC DENTISTRY Av. Ramón y Cajal, 7 - 29601 Marbella 0034 951 775 518 - Móvil : 670 770 455 info@oceanclinic.net - www.oceanclinic.net

MARBELLA - MADRID - ZURICH

n THE SPAprofile

If you have walked by the OsteoStrong centre in Puerto Banús and observed people performing exercises on machines, you may have mistaken it for a gym.

OsteoStrong actually has a very different mission to a gym; it is the world leader in bone fracture prevention, relying on a unique series of short exercises to increase muscle and bone density in order to keep osteoporosis and bone fractures at bay or even reverse osteoporosis altogether.

OSTEOSTRONG

Battling the Silent Disease of Osteoporosis WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF OSTEOSTRONG

D

id you know that 2.8 Million people in Spain are diagnosed with osteoporosis, or that 330,000 people suffered fractures last year? Hip fractures are not only painful; they dramatically increase the risk of death in those aged 65 and over. Osteoporosis cost the Spanish public health system a whopping €4.2 billion in 2017 alone. All these statistics beg the question: why aren’t citizens being told that there is a way to keep our bones strong in our senior years using a technique known as ‘Osteogenic Loading’?

WHAT IS THE OSTEOSTRONG SYSTEM?

Charles Berger, owner of OsteoStrong Marbella in Puerto Banús, notes: “The OsteoStrong system (that of Osteogenic Loading) works very differently from a typical workout at the gym. Rather than focusing on just lifting weight, it provides our bones with levels of pressure that would be impossible to achieve through normal weightlifting or other traditional ways of exercising and thereby stimulating bone growth.”

The workout is short and sweat-free (it takes around 15 minutes) and best of all is that clients only need to visit the centre once a week to reap the benefits.

WHAT DO THE STUDIES SAY?

Studies have shown that in order to trigger bone growth in the hip joint (the most important bone when it comes to avoiding fractures), the body requires a force of over 4.2 times your bodyweight which is impossible to reach with conventional weights. While resistance training is a very worthwhile form of exercise, at best an adult will only be able to use it to conserve existing bone density or to slow down the rate of loss. “OsteoStrong is currently the only known method for delivering such high degrees of force in a totally safe setting with minimal risk of injury.

One recent study by the NHS found that after 24

weeks of OsteoStrong training, there was a 14.7 per cent increase in bone density.”

Osteoporosis is a silent disease; it often shows no symptoms at all, until a fracture occurs.

It is therefore prudent for all ageing adults to have a quick and easy bone DEXA scan. This is a free, simple, and painless test provided by OsteoStrong that measures your bone density at the heel of the foot in just minutes. By using OsteoStrong you can prevent or even reverse this condition if you have already been diagnosed with it.

OsteoStrong’s bone fracture prevention strategy takes only 15 minutes once a week.

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by picking up the phone and booking your free scan and first free session today.

TESTIMONIALS Marta Bernad

“I started OsteoStrong four and a half months ago after being diagnosed with osteoporosis.

My recent scan shows amazing results since my bone density has increased by 11 per cent and I now only have osteopenia."

María Luisa Kuyumdjian

“I have been attending OsteoStrong for four months and the changes are noticeable in my day to day life. Yesterday at the gym, for instance, I was able to lift an extra 500-gram more with dumbbells and 10kg in weights for my glutes. I have also risen from level three to five on the eliptic bike and my thigh strength has increased by 2.5kg. I also feel more energetic and am delighted with the exquisite service of Gabriela and Linda.”

Bebe de Fouquières

“I am so happy with OsteoStrong. I have been doing it for six months now and every time I leave I feel so much better. I had a pain in my right shoulder for over a year that restricted my movement and left me unable to do many things such as swimming. From the second session my pain disappeared and has not returned.”

Elaine Veness

“In 2005 I sustained an injury to my sacroiliac joint which left me with an unstable joint and chronic pain. I also suffered from bilateral Achilles tendinitis. I had been using a walking stick to help with my balance and was on the highest dosage of Tramadol plus Co-codamol.

I had trouble sleeping and couldn’t walk or stand for very long.

I noticed an improvement in my condition from my second OsteoStrong session onwards. After 10 sessions, I feel better than I have in the past 13 years!

The Achilles tendinitis is giving no problems, my joint appears more stable.

I have reduced the pain relief to the lowest dose of Tramadol and plan to come off it completely. I am much more mobile, don’t need the walking stick! I am sleeping properly again and due to my increased mobility, I have lost weight. I have even started hill walking!

OsteoStrong completely changed my life.” e

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ñL the social PROFILES MEDIA EVENTS NETWORKING FAMILY PETS

122 Portrait Artist, Rita Martorell 124 The Vibe

126 Teen Talk: James Charles 127 Animal Love

HOW DID RITA MARTORELL COME TO PAINT SO MANY FAMOUS POLITICIANS? HOW IS IT THAT 19-YEAR-OLD, SELF-TAUGHT MAKE-UP ARTIST, JAMES CHARLES, IS OFFICIALLY THE BIGGEST BEAUTY CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE, WITH OVER 13.5 MILLION FOLLOWERS?

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RITA

MARTORELL Portrait Artist of the Politicians Successful painters are often those who tap into a niche and Zurich-born Rita Martorell, known as ‘the portrait artist of the politicians’, has done just that, having been commissioned to capture the essence of VIPs from the world of politics since almost the commencement of her career. She is currently working on a project that is testimony to her talent – she has been commissioned

by Petre Roman, Prime Minister of Romania from 1989 to 1991, to paint a portrait that will be the cover of his upcoming biography. “The painting,” says Rita, “will be exhibited at the National Museum of Contemporary Art in Bucarest, alongside other portraits I have painted of prominent politicians. The exhibition will form part of a programme of cultural events held to celebrate the reunification of Romania.” WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF KEVIN HORN AND © DANIEL DICENTA

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hen asked what first drew her to paint politicians, Rita, whose gentle voice and manner are almost to be expected of an artist of her talent, says, “It was coincidence; I never thought I would be doing what I am today. As a child, I had always sketched my schoolmates. When my parents would invite friends home, I would often draw them, trying to capture the expression in their eyes and their personality. I didn’t start painting politicians until 1994. Eduardo Punset (famed Spanish politician, lawyer, economist, and scientist) and my father had been friends since their childhood; both lived in Priorato (Tarragona) and they stayed in touch. My

family had always followed Punset’s career and he began visiting us in our country home.

I thought the way he spoke was so interesting and I asked if I could paint him. I never really realised he was a politician. I always saw him as a much-loved family friend. He interested me as a subject simply because of how fascinating he was.”

Rita was able to exhibit this and other works at an exhibition in Barcelona. There, she would meet another influential person in her life: Arcadi Calzada, at the time Vice-President of the Catalán Parliament. “He saw my work and asked if I would be interested in painting portraits of him and some friends. This opened

doors to me, since at the time I was studying art in Barcelona at the La Massana Art and Design College. I painted a live portrait for Mr. Calzada and later completed portraits for other politicians like Josep Antoni Duran i Lleida (currently an MP in Barcelona), Julia GarcíaValdecasas (Minister of Public Administration from 2003 to 2004), Marta Ferrusola (wife of the president of Catalonia from 1981 to 2003), and Baltazar Porcel (writer). I painted quite a vast gallery full of works thanks to Mr. Calzada and another dignitary who asked me to present an exhibition of my works at the FIATC Foundation and who introduced me to the Catalán high society.”

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Rita Martorell and football player, Samuel Eto’o

Ex-President of the German Bundestag, Norbert Lammert, with a portrait of Gerardo Fernández Albor Fernando Morán, ex-Foreign Minister of Spain

Portrait of Count Rudi Julia García-Valdecasas with her portrait

Rita Martorell and renowned jurist, Baltasar Garzón

In 1994, Rita headed to Strasbourg for work experience at the Decorative Arts School. There, politician and economist Carles Gasòliba would present her to ex-ministers Fernando Morán and Abel Matutes, and ex-President of Galicia, Gerardo Fernández Albor. “They all posed live for me; painting them took various days and little by little, I began to know them better and I was commissioned for more and more work.” In 2000, Rita exhibit her paintings of Spanish politicians at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.

Today, Rita continues to paint portraits and the human body. “Everything I paint is related to human beings,” she notes.

Rita may hail from the north, but she has close ties with Marbella, which she visits regularly for work purposes. “Gerardo Fernández Albor

spoke of Marbella as a place where I could meet interesting personalities from European society.

He recommended that I paint important friends, including María de Salamanca, Enrique Pérez Flores, Count Rudi, and Antonio de Fortuny. I also visit Sotogrande, promoting my works at the polo and other events. I always try to find reasons to visit the Coast.”

When asked who was the most fascinating person she has painted, she doesn’t hesitate: “Gerardo Fernández Albor. He wasn’t a cold politician, but rather a spiritual man with great vision who sought to connect with other cultures.

His portrait was unveiled at the German Reichstag.

The German authorities wished to honour his contribution to the unification process after the fall of the Berlin Wall (he was a Euro MP from 1989

to 1999). He was a great friend and thanks to him, I first connected with the people of Marbella.”

Rita has also been fortunate enough to interview judge Baltazar Garzón: “I spent five years painting his portrait because he was so busy!” she laughs.

Rita recalls the judge talking about family matters.

“When you paint them, they stop being idols; you realise they are human beings like everyone else.”

Rita notes that subjects like Garzón “give me plenty of energy that I later capture in my portraits.” She is pleased to work alongside them and connect with them, but is also proud to be a cultural ambassador of Spain, through works that reveal the inner mind and spirit behind some of the country’s most enigmatic politicians. i www.ritamartorell.com

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ÑL THE SOCIAL vibe

PRIVATE TOUR OF THREE NEW ANTIMA VILLAS

Top development and design firm, Antima, recently unveiled the results of its hard work at a private showing of three villas.

Invitees met at the Marbella Club and were taken in mini-vans to the properties, all of which boast the passion for design and visionary talent of the Antima team.

Guests marvelled at the new homes, which contain the perfect blend of comfort, style, and cutting-edge design. i www.antima.no

“Design is intelligence made visible”

PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN 124 / FEBRUARY 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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So much more than a home...

Antima is a family-run company developing exclusive, furnished properties in Marbella.

By pursuing excellence and quality in every project, Antima has established some of the most prestigious homes around the world.

Contact our listing agent for more information and a personal viewing.

For more information please contact our exclusive listing agent Solvilla www.solvilla.no

|

www.antima.no

ÑL THE SOCIAL teen talk

James Charles,

WORDS JOFFREY KING

F

orget about Netflix and HBO; these days, when I’m not studying or gaming, I am usually on YouTube catching gamers like Jacksepticeye or pranksters like David Dobrik, and at this stage it’s not actually to get tips on gaming, but rather, because they’re fun and entertaining. YouTube is a world unto its own and it has turned many newbies into millionaires. It can sometimes be harder to turn off my computer when I’m watching YouTube videos than when I’m gaming online with friends. One thing leads to another and all my favourite YouTube stars collaborate and make videos with other stars – which leads from one video to another, and an ever-increasing subscription list.

James Charles, makeup artist and entertainer extraordinaire, is without a doubt one of the most entertaining, funniest channels about. James is just 19 but he has built up (in the space of little over three years) a net worth of approximately €4 million. In 2016, at the age of 16, he achieved a real coup: becoming the first male spokesmodel/face for CoverGirl, working alongside no less than Katy Perry. His fame has also led to a collaboration with top-selling makeup brand Morphe; the latter has an eyeshadow palette designed by Charles himself.

Just for the record, I’m not into makeup at all. I know it’s the 21st century and in big cities like New York or Milan it is common to see men sporting makeup (and not just concealer and foundation but colourful makeup), however I’m a bit of a natural guy myself and only really cover up if my teen acne becomes too obvious. Back to James – his videos originally focused on makeup tips and trials of

LIFE GOALS products but now, they have become all about him… and he is hilarious to watch.

James calls his followers ‘sisters’ though one ‘sister’ who prefers to be called ‘brother’, is his younger sibling, Ian. The latter has come to play an important role in James’ videos, since he is often called upon to achieve various challenges – including buying makeup, making his brother up, and generally playing the ‘serious counterpart’ to James’ comic routines.

James Charles has become crucial viewing for me because it is amazing to see how someone just a couple of years older than me is leading the millionaire lifestyle in Los Angeles. The dude has just bought himself the brand new Tesla Model X, he appears at a host of celebrity events, and also walks the catwalk.

As a business student myself, it is inspiring to see his busy agenda, the creativity with which he handles the different areas of his business, and his ambitions. His aim is to make it

big, he says, to buy a beautiful home and make the life of his family more comfortable. James has loving parents who, he says, never let him know they were struggling financially when he was a child.

James had always been a bit of a diva and his parents always ensured his whims were satisfied.

James Charles is an inspiration for all budding entrepreneurs because of the visionary nature of all his videos. As mentioned above, he could have just stuck to giving tips on how to apply makeup, but no; instead, he is fully aware of his value as an entertainer and every video is a bit of a journey into the unknown.

One day he might set himself the challenge of making himself up at a Sephora-style store in half an hour.

Another, he might collaborate with huge beauty icons like Jeffree Star, with each artist imitating a look created in the past by the other.

On yet another occasion, he may apply makeup in a hot air balloon.

His dialogue is quick as his wit, so there are plenty of guaranteed laughs in each video. One of the most amazing things is seeing the attention he attracts when he does mall appearances; the crowds go hysterical and James is definitely loving the attention as he addresses them and even bursts into song – yes, he can also sing.

In a society in which being gay and flamboyant is almost tantamount to being bullied, James Charles has always been confident about who he is and has always felt that makeup and styling had transformative powers.

In his graduation, he emblazoned CoverGirl’s slogan across his cap: it read, “Easy, Breezy, Beautiful” – words which very much describe him to a tee! e

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pets THE SOCIAL L

HOW CAN WE KEEP PETS AND

BE ENVIRONMENTALLY

FRIENDLY?

The human-animal bond has become so strong over the centuries that for most of us, pets are part of the family; they make a home so much warmer and more appealing to come home to every night, and their friendship and companionship are incomparable. The truth is that despite all the good things they bring to our lives, however, pets can also be problematic for the environment. How can we be responsible pet owners and make an effort to reduce the environmental impact of our four-pawed friends? WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS THE REAL IMPACT OF PETS

Most pets are carnivores, meaning that they require a constant supply of meat. A recent study published in PLoS ONE revealed that producing just one kilogram of chicken releases 3.7 kilos of CO2 into the air. One kilo of pork releases even more: a whopping 24 kilograms of CO2. Worst of all is beef, which can release up to 1,000 kilograms.

The researchers noted that animals consume around 19% of the meat humans do.

WE NEED OUR PETS

In the study, researchers noted that their findings in no way indicate that pet ownership should be curtailed. To put it simply, pets bring too many good things to our lives, including better mental health, increased physical activity, and benefits for child development. Many dogs also work in important roles, including assisting the disabled, contributing to security, and working on farms and ranches. Dogs work with people with a variety of illnesses, including epilepsy, addiction, and eating

disorders. Findings show that they are a great way to quell stress, anxiety, and even conditions as difficult to treat as PTSD. Cats, meanwhile, provided companionship and love, and are also great pest catchers.

EMBRACING SUSTAINABILITY

Researchers note that one important strategy that is as good for our pets as for the environment involves the avoidance of overfeeding. Pet obesity is a big problem in developed countries, and veterinarians warn that this condition is linked to a significantly shorter lifespan in affected pets. It also increases their predisposition to osteoarthritis, diabetes, and other diseases. To stop excessive meat consumption, in the case of dogs, pets should be fed the caloric intake required by a dog of their ideal weight (not their actual weight). If you have an obese dog or cat, talk to your vet first to ensure the diets you place them on are realistic and healthy. Cats in particular can become ill if they are fed excessively restricted diets.

DIY YOUR DOG AND CAT TREATS

Instead of buying treats made with suspicious ingredients, make your own pet treats or better yet, feed them healthy ‘human foods’ such as boiled eggs, carrots, or pumpkin. When introducing new foods to your pet, start out with small amounts to ensure these are well tolerated. If you have a bit of time on your hands, try out online recipes for dog and cat biscuits, as well as trail mixes made with pieces of meat, veggies and fruits. Make sure to avoid grapes, raisins, and onions; these can upset your pet’s digestive system.

Dogs and cats are so important to most of us that we wouldn’t dream of living without them.

However, we should take steps to reduce their carbon footprint, bearing in mind the statistics on their environmental impact. Your pet may not be able to consume less meat, but you certainly can, so why not swing the balance in your favour by celebrating meatless Mondays or, better yet, going vegetarian or vegan?

SUSTAINABLE CHOICES FOR BEDDING AND OTHER ACCESSORIES You can also help lower your pet’s carbon footprint by following the motto: ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.’ Instead of buying them a bed, it is so easy to make one with a memory foam pillow and an old sweater or blanket. The key is to try to use items you already have at home instead of buying more things.

When buying beds, opt for those with a removable cover that can be washed. This way, you can hang on to the bed throughout your dog’s lifetime. Support environmentally friendly pet shops. Opt for dog and cat furniture made from sustainable wood and natural, organic fabrics.

When buying grooming products and toys, choose those that are packaged sustainably rather than in plastic. Buy dog food made with sustainable ingredients. Finally, try to shop locally and bulk buy so you don’t have to get into the car so often to buy lastminute food and other items for your pet. e

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ñz the pro

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROPERTY FINANCE LAW

130 Property: Be Lagom

132 Property: Casares Golf 134 Enterprise

140 Redomiciling Companies

DISCOVER TWO NEW PROPERTY DEVELOPMENTS: BE LAGOM AND CASARES GOLF, READ UP ON THE LATEST HAPPENINGS IN BUSINESS ON THE COAST, AND LEARN ABOUT REDOMICILING COMPANIES UNDER SPANISH LAW.

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before February 28th

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z THE PROproperty

Be Lagom is a select community of villas that represents a new way of thinking about property development, and as such becomes a novel lifestyle offering on the Costa del Sol.

BE LAGOM Born of a N ew Philosophy WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NVOGA MARBELLA REALTY

M

arbella properties have always been about lifestyle as much as about the homes themselves, so this is an area where integrating the two concepts has a long and proud history. Among the many styles and trends that have shaped the local urban landscape and its real estate market, the most recent ‘wave’ was all about

integrating the latest technologies, mod coms and architectural designs within the unique setting of this region.

Now the market has reached a new crossroads, where those with the vision to dare are introducing new ideas from abroad and adapting them to the local market, conditions and tastes. Ours is a

year-round destination and city, but in contradistinction to many of the large urban centres it is also a place where leisure and entertainment play a larger role, and this certainly has to be reflected in the properties it offers.

For this reason, elements such as views – especially sea views – pool areas and entertainment rooms are

of prime importance, yet they have to increasingly be incorporated into homes that offer space, comfort and 21st century amenities. The result is a certain style of property that has become the new trend on the Costa del Sol now – and in relation to which novel projects such as Be Lagom are offering an exciting alternative.

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HARMONY AND BALANCE Be Lagom is different because it was born of a different concept; one in which harmony and balance are central elements that begin with the location, the design and construction, decoration and amenities, to in the end offer a unique lifestyle proposition. Keen to differentiate themselves from the norm, its creators have worked hard to come up with a property concept that provides Marbella glamour and elegance while also being in balance with nature.

“Be Lagom is a project that transcends simply building and selling villas,” says José Carlos Léon, founder and CEO of Nvoga Marbella Realty, the exclusive commercialising partner for the development. “It is a gated community of 13 luxurious villas set within a panoramic hillside location near La Alquería that not only offers fantastic views and modern luxury and style, but is also designed to provide the ideal setting for a balanced 21st century lifestyle.”

Indeed, indications are that those who buy here don’t come just for

the sun, sea and beaches, or even only for the glamour, golf and jet-set scene. Increasingly, owning a home and spending time in Marbella is equated with getting away to a saner, healthier, more congenial way of living where the pace is gentler, nature close by and the sun caresses your skin. It is this new interpretation of lifestyle in the form of time, peace, privacy and harmony that is the new luxury.

MODERN HOMES AS THE EMBODIMENT OF A LIFE PHILOSOPHY Working together with Nvoga, the developer has sought to match such new trends to its own concept of creative property development, and the result is a project whose villas are, in the end, the embodiment of a new approach to living. Leading Marbella architect Rodolfo Amieva, who led the design team at González & Jacobson, has taken this brief to heart, dropping the austerity of white angular designs to embrace an altogether more organic path.

Fitted with water-channelled

under floor heating, full climate and efficient home automation systems throughout, the four-bedroom villas measuring around 700m2 are distributed over three levels and find themselves embraced by 5,000m2 of landscaped greenery. The latter is not only made up of indigenous, water-efficient species, but also of specially selected flowering shrubs and herbs that add fragrance to the air and blend in with the private and communal organic gardens.

These form a rather unique feature in Marbella, and along with the spacious private gardens and swimming pools of each villa, are maintained by the community’s own specialist gardener. The resulting produce is delivered to owners, with the communal ‘harvest’ being available at the little community clubhouse that forms the hub of this development. Owners will park on the upper floor, which also boasts a large, panoramic terrace with the option of creating a rooftop chill-out zone with Jacuzzi.

A level down are three private bedrooms, with two sharing a

modern bathroom and the master suite incorporating a spacious, luxurious dressing room, bathroom and terrace. The main floor features an open plan distribution with Siematic kitchen and Neff appliances, as well as a spacious living room that leads out onto the terrace and swimming pool, where a sunken seating area with firepit is another lifestyle option.

The basement level provides the opportunity to create your own combination of spa, heated indoor swimming pool, bar, gym, entertainment area and additional accommodation or staff quarters.

But above all, it is the style and attention to detail that makes the Be Lagom villas stand out, for they feature Adobe-inspired earth tones, stone and wood cladding, brises soleil and many other details that further enhance a natural lifestyle setting that seeks to improve environmental balance and create a setting in which to enjoy true luxury in the modern sense of the word. i www.belagom.es

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z THE PROproperty

Situated close to the exclusive Finca Cortesin golf and country club, Casares del Golf overlooks lush fairways as well as majestic mountain ranges, green valleys and the open Mediterranean within a few kilometres of Estepona and the white village of Casares.

WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF GILMAR

Golf, Sea and Mountain at

CASARES DEL GOLF M

odern apartment developments featuring crisp white lines and sleek contemporary architecture are no longer a rarity on the Costa del Sol, but a location such as that enjoyed

by Casares del Golf will always be a rare commodity. Set in the hills that gently cascade down from the Sierra Crestellina and the Sierra

Bermeja towards the Mediterranean Sea, Casares del Golf is surrounded by a world of blue and green tones.

Little over a kilometre away are beaches, coves, rocky outcrops where fishermen fling their rods from ancient sentinel watchtowers, and also a collection of beach clubs, chiringuito bars and fish restaurants dotted along the shore. Right in

front is the nine-hole course of Casares Costa Golf, whose parkland landscape is at your front door and whose clubhouse is your other living room, terrace and kitchen. Look the other way and you’re enveloped by nature and rustic surroundings.

From here it’s close to the beautiful white Andalusian mountain villages of Gaucín and

Casares, which enjoy UNESCO World Heritage Site status, while Sabinillas, Manilva and Estepona are also on your doorstep, and the likes of Sotogrande and Marbella easily reached via the coastal road and the main highway. Everywhere in-between there are sandy beaches, golf courses, mountain ranges and wooded hills.

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CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE IN A NATURAL SETTING Here, in the midst of a natural setting close to all amenities, is Casares del Golf, a stylish complex of spacious modern two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses that enjoy some of the finest vistas within the Costa del Sol. The styling and amenities of the properties are modern, spacious and designed to maximise light and views while also creating special spaces both indoors and on the expansive terraces.

It’s a lifestyle package that also includes golf, nature and fresh air, as simply sitting on your terrace opens up a world of inspiring views, tones and textures that unfold

all around you. The fragrance of fresh heather hangs in the air as you contemplate the golf course, the mountains and the sea. The architects have gone out of their way to create a style that heightens the beauty and sensations of this setting, and blends modern with natural to great effect.

The urbanisation of 52 apartments and penthouses similarly blends in with a fluency that is no coincidence, for the architects were clearly briefed in this regard and indeed found inspiration in the setting to produce a harmonious and attractive contemporary design. The large glass windows and sliding doors reduce the distance between the interior and outdoors, blending

manmade well-being with naturegiven beauty.

Modern comforts, style and amenities are visible throughout these homes, which were also designed to offer optimal energy efficiency and environmental credentials. This is visible in the prestigious BREEAM certification carried by Casares del Golf in recognition of the effort that has gone into making its homes stand out for heat insulation, natural air circulation, reduced heating and cooling, damp and sound proofing, and the use of ecological solutions where possible.

As a result, homeowners at Casares del Golf will spend less on heating as well as knowing that their home reduces CO2 emissions.

The development is certainly ahead of the curve in this regard, yet none of this is at the expense of luxury and refinement, for the apartments and panoramic penthouses feature stylish open-plan living rooms that connect to outdoor lifestyle zones, modern kitchens and also spacious bedrooms with lots of cupboard space and stylish bathrooms.

Scheduled for completion at the end of 2019, Casares del Golf blends 21st century style and amenities with great value and a natural position close to all amenities, making this an exciting new project in an up-and-coming location just west of Estepona where you can enjoy the best of many facets that the Costa del Sol has to offer.

i www.gilmar.es/en/obra-nueva/Estepona/Malaga/ Casares-Golf/101/?COS=1

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z z THE PRO enterprise

enterprise

COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

BLEVINS FRANKS WINS TWO BEST ADVISER FIRM AWARDS Blevins Franks was recognised by International Adviser at their annual Best Practice Adviser awards ceremony as the Best Adviser Firm – Europe. However, recently, the global awards were held and Blevins Franks have also now won the Best Overall Adviser Firm 2018.

International Adviser runs these awards to recognise financial advisory firms championing best practice across different categories in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia and South Africa. The firm also won the Excellence in Business Strategy award at the Europe event. The awards are determined by an independent judging panel. Blevins Franks was described as having a “solid track record, excellent strategic focus and a clear, professional commitment to customer service”. A spokesperson for Blevins Franks said, “We believe these awards are a reflection of the high-quality advice our Partners, Private Client Managers, tax, trusts, pensions and investment teams strive to provide to clients, as well as being a testament to the hard work and dedication of every member of our 200-strong staff across our 22 offices.” i www.blevinsfranks.com

XANIT HOSPITAL WARNS AGAINST COMPUTER SCREEN USE The Ophthalmology Department of the Vithas Xanit International Hospital in Benalmádena recently issued a warning about the dangers of screen use for our eyes. Constant use of close vision to look at mobiles, tablets, and desktop computers are increasing rates of myopia considerably, with this disease projected to reach pandemic levels in the near future.

Currently, almost half of Europeans aged 25 to 29 have myopia. All screens emit ultraviolet light that can harm the retina in the long-term. To minimise the damage, use a blue light filter. Many gadgets actually have this in-built feature, but you will need to activate it. Also, it is best to limit gadget use to the daytime, since the pupil is contracted when the sun is out, thus keeping out a great deal of harmful light. i www.xanit.es 134 / FEBRUARY 2019 ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM

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enterprise THE PRO z

NEW SIX-NIGHT RETREAT AT SHANTI-SOM Shanti-Som in Monda, a short ten-minute drive from La Cañada shopping centre, is a veritable haven of tranquility and Eastern charm and now, you have a whole new reason to visit – the six-night Embrace Yourself retreat, hosted by Nathalie, Yuka, and Vicky. At the retreat, you will learn to recognise your inner self, accept who you truly are, and freely express your unlimited self! Featuring yoga, meditation, hiking, dance, a voice workshop, a creative workshop, and much more! i www.shantisom.com

IKEA MÁLAGA DEEMED WORLD’S BEST Ikea’s store in Málaga took home the prize for best store in the world at the latest edition of the Ikea Store Awards 2018. Those who frequent the store know the prize is well merited, bearing in mind the excellent parking, easy layout, and wide range of furniture and decorative pieces available. i www.ikea.com

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FOURTH CENTRO PLAZA FUNDRAISING RACE FOR RED CROSS

LA CALA RESORT DONATES A CAR TO CUDECA La Cala Resort has donated a Volkswagen Polo to the Cudeca Foundation, to help transport patients to and from their homes. The donation was made possible thanks to funds collected at the Cudeca Tournament, held last year. The official handing over of keys was attended by Sean Corte Real (Director of La Cala Resort) and Joan Hunt (founder of Cudeca). i www.cudeca.org

For the fourth year in a row, the Centro Plaza Commercial Centre celebrated its fundraising race, this time to benefit the Red Cross. The action took place on January 27. The event was recently presented

by Sports Counsellor, Javier Mérida, Red Cross Emergency Director, Alejandro Fernández, and Director of the Centro Plaza Commercial Centre, Carlos García. i www.centroplaza.es

OP DE BEECK & WORTH SUPPORTS DEBRA BUTTERFLY CHILDREN CHARITY

ART EXHIBITION BY ART SOCIETY BENAHAVÍS The Arts Society Benahavís will be launching its seventh art exhibition, called Art in Action, at the Gran Hotel Benahavís on February 3, from 12pm to 5pm. A host of artists will present a galaxy of work, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and photography, with activities for all ages. At 4pm, the awards ceremony will be recognising young artists and novelists. i www.theartssocietybenahavis.com

Op de Beeck & Worth takes social responsibility seriously, having supported several charities over the years. One which has always been especially close to their heart is DEBRA, a small charity which relies on donations to support people (mostly young children) battling serious skin condition, EB (Epidermolysis bullosa). Op de Beeck & Worth’s Managing Director, Danni Worth, and his two children Tom and Alex will be running the London Landmarks Half Marathon in March this year. The goal is to raise €10.000 in donations which will be put to very good use by DEBRA. In addition to the above target for donations from friends, clients, and suppliers, Op de Beeck & Worth will be donating €1 per policy sold or renewed during 2019, which the company predicts will achieve somewhere in the region of €8.000. g Further

information, Tel: 952 882 273. www.gofundme.com/op-de-beeck-and-worthgo-the-extra-mile-for-debra

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ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS RECORD SECOND SINGLE FOR DITS

REPAIR AND RECYCLE YOUR E-BIKE BATTERY AT AMSTERDAM BIKES

Youth band DITS (Devil in the Sky) is proud to announce that it has just recorded its second single at the Abbey Road Studios. The Beatles, Amy Winehouse, Pink Floyd and Jamie Cullum are just a few artists who have made fabulous music at this iconic studio. The song is called Something to Say and it features Andreas Lutz of Ofunkillo. The band comprises six Marbella youths, all from the same music school, Rock Factory. The band debuted at the San Pedro Rock Festival in 2017 and they have an EP with three unique tracks. Check out their latest video on YouTube!

Amsterdam Bikes is now offering a battery re-celling and refurbishment service using top quality Panasonic or Samsung cells, to make your bike battery pack better than when it was new. Because bike manufacturers try to keep costs down by often using cheap battery cells from China or Taiwan, repairing your battery pack with A-brand batteries is the way to go. i Further information, www.amsterdambikes.eu

UNIQUE HAIR COLLECTIONS FOR BEAUTIFUL HAIR EXTENSIONS PLASTIC-FREE SEAS IN FUENGIROLA Environmental charity, Plastic Free Seas Worldwide, brought together 75 volunteers to clean up the beach in Fuengirola. During the event, volunteers collected a staggering 400 kgs of rubbish in just one hour. Specsavers Opticas Fuengirola sponsored the occasion, as part of their commitment to reducing plastic and minimising their impact on the environment, after stopping using plastic bags in all eight stores earlier this year. They joined the charity, the volunteers, the Mayor of Fuengirola Ana María Mula Redruello, the Councillor for Beaches José Sanchez and the Councillor for the Environment María Jesús Pascual from the Fuengirola Town Hall for the largest beach clean up of the year. Plastic Free Seas Worldwide was created by Craig Webb to increase awareness about the amount of plastic being dumped in our seas every year.

Approximately one truckload of plastic is dumped into the sea every minute, equating to eight million tonnes a year. i Further information, visit @plasticfreeseas on Facebook.

Unique Hair Collections is the go to place for those wanting premium human hair extensions on the Coast. At the boutique, located in San Pedro next to Tomate Café, you will find a variety of synthetic and human hair wigs (for both men and women), hairpieces and mink strip lashes. Yasmin, the owner, specialises in hair extensions, so she is able to offer the highest level of skill and expertise. She uses only the best hair and the safest attachment technique of micro rings and offers a niche service in which all the hair is ready in stock within the boutique, and there is no waiting time for fitting! All of her extensions are made of natural human hair, providing a stunning effect and enhancing the longevity of hair. g C/ Córdoba 20, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 610 951

299. Facebook: uniquehaircollectionsanpedro.

Instagram: @unique_haircollection

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z THE PROlaw

REDOMICILING WORDS CRISTINA FALKENBERG

T

YOUR COMPANY

here is a principal international private law by which a person’s status — where they are deemed born, of age, married or deceased — is governed by the law of their nationality, irrespective of their place of residence. It’s slightly different though with lawful persons, which as a general rule have the nationality of their place of residence. This in turn will determine the tax regime they are subject to and the register where their records are kept. The one widespread exception is offshore companies, which by definition are resident in a country different than the one of their nationality. However, their national law will still regulate the company’s life, from its formation to its closure when it’s finally wound up.

Domicile and residence are different concepts in those legislations that actually do make this distinction, such as with the UK, with some relevant tax consequences.

Under Spanish law, there is no such distinction, and a lawful person is regarded as being domiciled in their country of residence, at their registered address.

That said, from a tax perspective, other concepts come into play, such as a company’s management

address or the place where most of its fixed assets are located. Sometimes a company’s nationality and residence are unrelated to the place from where its management is based or the majority of its fixed investments lie. There is nothing unlawful about this, but it can prove to be very inconvenient indeed, with increasing costs and complexities for running these structures as authorities crack down on tax engineering.

Under Spanish law, lawful residents carrying out economic activities — such as professionals and self employed individuals — are deemed to have their fiscal address at the same place where they carry out their business. Similarly, the law presumes that management is carried out at the company’s registered address.

However, if an enterprise is actually run from a different address, the latter will be regarded as the fiscal address.

If none of the above criteria apply, the tax address will be wherever most of the recorded fixed assets are located.

In the case of non-resident lawful persons with offices in Spain, their tax address for business conducted in the country shall be where management is based or alternatively where most of their fixed assets are

located. However, if that non-resident company mainly owns real estate, the fiscal address is that of the representative in Spain which they are under an obligation to appoint.

If none, then the address is at any of their properties. In other cases, the address is that of the person that could be jointly and severally responsible taxwise. This degree of complication is found in numerous jurisdictions.

If your company is in any of these most unpractical situations, you might want to consider redomiciling it, by bringing the company into the country or relocating it abroad.

Spanish Law 3/2009 deals with structural changes to mercantile companies: anything from mergers and takeovers to changes in the type of company or its nationality (articles 92 to 103).

Should you wish to move your company into the country as most of its assets are in Spain — as is the case with most shell companies used for holding real estate — you need to check first if the governing law of its existing country of registration allows a change in nationality, while keeping the legal structure unchanged (avoiding any transfer of assets). The

law is otherwise sparse, demanding only an expert report confirming your company has sufficient capital. The expert is appointed by the Mercantile Registry of the place where you intend to record your company. If that is the Coast, you might want to consider Málaga, reasonable and helpful as they are.

In case your idea is to take your company abroad, the procedure is relatively complex as the law seeks to protect shareholders, workers and creditors, especially those with limited guarantees. The project detailing the schedule, new domicile and resulting statutes must be presented to the Mercantile Registry and is published in the Mercantile Bulletin, prior to the shareholder’s General Meeting to vote on the proposal. The Directors must also present a report with the economic and legal implications.

Disagreeing shareholders may have the value of their shares reimbursed.

The rulings of the Directorate of Registrars and Notaries published in the Official Bulletin (BOE) offer valuable guidelines, and one would recommend that whether you are bringing your company into the country or taking it abroad, you take time to go over this documentation. e

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Meet the Team behind the Scandinavian Magazines Contact us and we will explain the most cost effective gateway to the Scandinavian market

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

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b the gourmet RESTAURANTS REVIEWS NEWS GASTRONOMY CHEFS WINE

145 Rosmarino della Piazza Restaurant 146 Gourmet Bytes

148 Aphrodisiac Foods 150 Wine: Muga

THIS MONTH, WE SATISFY OUR CRAVING FOR ITALIAN CUISINE AT ROSMARINO DELLA PIAZZA, WE SUGGEST A FEW APHRODISIAC FOODS TO TEMPT YOU THIS VALENTINE’S DAY, AND WE PAY A VISIT TO ICONIC RIOJA WINERY, MUGA.

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Puente Romano, Fase 2, Marbella.

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

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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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WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

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hen the desire for traditional Italian cuisine hits hard, my mind always conjures up the light-filled interiors, sophisticated food, and warm, friendly service of the staff at Rosmarino della Piazza. Founded by Italian-Spanish couple Cristina (who hails from San Remo) and Avelino (born and raised in Ronda), the restaurant serves a blend of Mediterranean and Italian food that pays respect to top quality produce and traditional cooking methods. Fine meat is as big a priority as freshly caught fish and seafood and of course, traditional Italian delights such as prawns a la Diavola, homemade fresh pasta with fillings like ricotta and spinach or mushrooms and truffles, as well as rice and a select range of fresh fish dishes.

For around a year now, the restaurant has also been serving pizza, with a base comprising top quality flour containing various types of cereal obtained from sustainable agriculture: oats, barley, rice, and wheat, fermented slowly for 48 hours for the ultimate in crisp goodness.

Rosmarino della Piazza is classy yet laid-back all at once. Just drive into the Elviria commercial centre (where there is always plenty of free parking) and step into a world of elegance; one where the crystal gleams and the tables are covered with graceful red and white table cloths. Those who are in the mood for the sun can always opt to sit at the outdoor terrace, overlooking natural scenery and the lively shopping complex.

My recent visit was for a Friday lunch treat with colleagues, and we couldn’t have made a better choice.

In addition to the regular menu, there were many specials on offer that day, which we were content to try out. We shared all dishes, as we tend to do these days, starting off with a supremely creamy mango, burrata, and rucola salad; a lovely blend of textures and flavours and definitely an appetite whetter.

It was a chilly day out, so we really loved the next starter, which was on the list of specials of the day: grilled scallops and King prawns, ultra-

juicy and fresh, served with a spicy Diavola sauce. On the list of specials there were many more temptations, including warm foie gras with marsala caramelised apple, pappardelle with wild mushrooms and veal, and grilled fillet of sole.

Avelino and Cristina ensure that diners always enjoy the best the season has to offer and on this occasion, Avelino brought out a true treasure: an enormous black truffle, in season right now, its earthy aroma making it simply irresistible. We enjoyed this rare treat, freshly grated over a creamy tagliatelle.

Our mains were also heartwarming and satisfying. We tucked into a tender, juicy grilled Angus sirloin served tagliata-style (i.e. sliced into fine slices) – memorable in every way and definitely meriting its spot on the permanent menu. This dish was beautifully complemented by a bottle of Viña Pedrosa Cepa Gavilán crianza 2016 (made entirely from tempranillo grapes), by Bodegas Hermanos Pérez Pascuas.

Finally, it was time for dessert. We tried three Italian classics. The panna cotta with raspberry coulis was soft and creamy and is a must for lovers of this light treat, the profiteroles with vanilla ice-cream and chocolate sauce were sinful but ‘worth it’, and the tiramisu bore a strong brewed coffee flavour – ideal with a piping hot cup of coffee.

Rosmarino is the ideal spot for both private and business meals.

Sophisticated and refined, it is also welcoming to groups of family and friends, and just as fitting for a quick lunch as it is for a romantic dinner.

Whether you are in the mood for warm risotto, creamy pasta, or a hearty steak, you know that at Rosmarino, you will enjoy exquisite produce, prepared with the respect for tradition that makes Italian cuisine highly coveted by diners the world over. g Open daily from Monday to Saturday.

C.C. Pinogolf, Local 34, Elviria.

Tel: 952 850 148. www.rosmarinodellapiazza.com

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b THE GOURMET news COMPILED BY MARISA CUTILLAS

MARCOS GRANADOS OF MATIZ DEEMED BEST CHEF IN MÁLAGA Málaga-born chef, Marcos Granados (of Restaurante Matiz), was awarded the Paul Schiff Prize for the Best Chef in Málaga by La Academia Gastronómica de Málaga. Matiz serves pure yet ‘reinvented’ Mediterranean cuisine, made with seasonal produce obtained from nearby sources. The Chef noted that “being recognised with a prize such as this gives you that extra boost you need to forge ahead.” Granados, born in Antequera in 1976, attended the Escuela de Hostelería La Cónsula in Benalmádena and has worked with chefs of great renown at establishments the calibre of Arzak and Mugaritz. i www.restaurantematiz.es

BLACK TRUFFLE EVENT AT D.O.MAR BY ÓSCAR VELASCO Stylish seaside establishment D.O.MAR recently delighted savvy diners with a celebration of the black truffle, presided over by Óscar Velasco and Abel Valverde. The event featured a host of creations made with this highly coveted ingredient, which lends an earthy flavour to dishes. It comprised a lunch and a dinner event, held at the middle of January. i www.domarmarbella.com

MARBELLA MAGNUM A HUGE SUCCESS

The first edition of the Marbella Magnum wine and Champagne conference at the Hotel Don Carlos was a roaring success, featuring presentations, delicatessen products, gourmet breads, among many others. The aim was to highlight high-end products and included sweet and savoury options.

The event was attended by over 500 professionals – from sommeliers to food and beverage directors, chefs, and more. Marbella Magnum was part of the second edition of Fiesta POP, organised by Marbella All Stars to present 50 different top quality olive oil brands. i www.marbellaallstars.es

VOVEM MEAT & WINE GOURMET FESTIVAL The first edition of the Vovem Meat & Wine Gourmet Festival will be taking place from February 11 to 13. Organised by Vovem Asador, the event aims to highlight the excellence of Andalusian cuisine, with a focus on beef and ox dishes. For three days, top professionals of the gastronomic sector will be joined by the media and by clients to talk about the virtues of (and challenges faced by) the bovine gastronomic industry in Andalucía. Attendees will also learn cutting edge techniques and taste products of outstanding quality. i For a full programme of events, www.vovemasador.com

NORMAN: NEW RESTAURANT SERVING FARM TO TABLE FRENCH-NORDIC CUISINE Norman is a new Marbella restaurant launched by Chef Alexis Voisin, who hails from a family of over three generations of French chefs.

Norman serves French-Nordic cuisine made with great care and respect for produce. The talented Chef recalls: “Every Sunday, we gathered for big family meals. My passion for cooking started as a young boy when my father and my grandmother taught me about real products from the garden, the true local and seasonal produce. At Norman we serve from farm to table with a french touch.” g The restaurant opens for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Saturday. C/ Ramiro Campos Turmo 4, Marbella. Tel: 600 919 541.

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b THE GOURMETaphrodisiacs

APHRODISIAC FOODS to Spice Up Your Sex Life Eating your way to great sex may sound ‘too good to be true’ but a study carried out at the University of Guelph has confirmed it – what you eat can actually make you feel in the mood for love… especially if you add a bit of ginseng and saffron into the equation. The study is the most exhaustive to date; it was carried out to finally define the line between speculation and fact and to come to an exhaustive list of foods for better libido. WORDS MARISA CUTILLAS

C

urrently, medications are available to deal with issues like erectile dysfunction, but these can have side-effects that include muscle aches, heartburn, headache, and even diarrhea – not exactly the mode to go for when your partner is in the mood for a little action.

Therefore, natural foods that can potentially increase your sex drive in addition to giving the mechanics of sex a boost, are to be welcomed with open arms. Now to the important question: what is the definitive list of sexy foods?

Z PANAX GINSENG: This potent root (which hails from Korea, China and Japan) not only boosts sexual desire but is also an ‘adaptogen’ – a natural substance that improves one’s ability to adapt to all forms of stress. Panax ginseng is also thought to boost energy, lower cholesterol and blood glucose, and promote calm. To obtain its full benefit, opt for the kind obtained from the red root (from Korea and Japan). A little less potent but also powerful is the white

root, obtained from Japan. Another root found to improve sexual function was yohimbine, obtained from the tree of the same name in West Africa.

Z MACA ROOT: This root has been found to modestly increase sexual

appetite in both men and women.

Obtained from Peru, it is normally taken in powder form and is often prescribed for those wishing to boost energy and stamina, and for couples wishing to improve their fertility.

Z MUIRA PUAMA: This supplement is obtained from a tree in the lush Amazon rainforest and is usually taken to increase an interest in sex, as well as for digestive upset, menstrual pain, joint pain, and low appetite. It is also rich in a wide array of diterpenoids, which have strong antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties.

Z SAFFRON: As far back as the times of Hippocrates, saffron has been known as a powerful treatment for everything from colds to digestive problems and heart disease. Just one ounce of this ingredient contains 400 per cent of the required daily recommended intake of manganese.

The latter helps form sex hormones (which is great for the libido) but it also helps keep blood sugar at healthy levels.

Z OYSTERS: These are not officially on the list of foods mentioned in this study, but we are including it because it is a well known love food that is rich in zinc. Oysters are also thought to boost fertility.

Spices like garlic, ginger, cloves and garlic have been found to increase arousal in animals (more studies need to be conducted on humans). Chocolate, meanwhile, often touted as an aphrodisiac, does not seem to have the same effect on humans. Researchers postulate, however, that chocolate can make us interested in sex because it contains phenylethylamine, which can increase levels of ‘feel-good hormones’ serotonin and endorphin, in the brain.

Chili peppers are another food know to boost endorphins. Avocado also makes it to many ‘sexy food’ lists because it is high in Vitamin E, which helps us feel energetic.

Despite their findings, scientists warn that we should be cautious before seeing these foods as a panacea for sexual problems.

The latter, after all, often have a psychological cause. At other times, low libido is a sign of the sexual distancing of a couple. Perhaps those who notice this issue should consider couples therapy, so they can rebuild the trust and affection they need to start feeling like sexing it up once again. e

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Puente Romano Marbella noburestaurants.com ¡ Tel (+34) 952 778 686 Special Valentine’s Menu Thursday, February 14

b THE GOURMETwine

MUGA

Muga was founded in 1932 by Isaac Muga and his wife Aurora Caño. Both were from wine families: he from nearby Villalba, she the daughter of La Rioja Alta’s cellarmaster Jorge Caño. The original winery was a modest affair in the heart of Haro as the initial idea was purely to vinify grapes from the family vineyards.

A n Exercise in St yle

B

y the time Isaac Senior died, however, in 1969, the firm had grown so significantly that in 1972 his two sons, Isaac Junior and Manuel moved the bodega into the extensive network of premises of wellappointed and spacious centenary buildings that they still occupy over in the Barrio de la Estación, where their illustrious neighbours include Viña Tondonia/López de Heredia and La Rioja Alta.

Isaac was the winemaking side and Manuel the financial, and it is fascinating to see that their respective sons continue with circumspect harmony to exercise the same roles, with – on the one hand – Isaac the Third

and his brother Jorge making the wines, and on the other – cousins Manu and Juan running the sales side and their brother Edu the global finances.

Today they own/control some 340 hectares within a 25 kilometre radius of Haro, continue to ferment everything in an assortment of differently sized oak vats – which, like their countless barriques, are made in-house – and remain among the few who also continue the age-old local tradition of clarifying/fining all their reds with fresh egg whites.

In addition to being a household name in Spain, they are present in over 60 export markets, making 10 different wines, and

are famously strict in their precise annual allocations for each market given that only quality will do. This essentially means that production of any given style can and does vary enormously, and in years considered not up to the mark, rather than prejudicing their name, they simply sell the wine that they have made to others – in bulk; and certain styles therefore drop out of sight until the next decent vintage.

Oh to be a fly on the wall, when each March at the biggest and best Wine Fair in the world – Prowein, in Düsseldorf – they get together with their worldwide distributors to announce how much or little each will be allowed for the coming year!

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Indulge therefore in whatever you can find of their following current offerings: FIZZ

CONDE DE HARO 2016 – 12% A traditional method blend of 90% Viura and 10% Malvasía from vineyards at around 600 metres in Villalba, this is very lightly pressed, ferments in 1,000 litre oak vats where it stays for around six months to then undergo its second fermentation in bottle and rest for between nine and 14 months prior to release.

Z Sheeny pale yellowy green, this is bone dry, with marked acidity, lean, incisive, and clean as a whistle.

WHITE

MUGA BLANCO 2017 – 13.5% Similar blend to the above but with a smidgeon of Garnacha Blanca; again fermented in oak, but this time in 3,000-litre vats, followed by three to four months on its fine lees with weekly bâtonnage/stirring.

Z Pale yellow with yeasty overtones; very dry, spare, tight and concise. Initially citric and minerally, after 15 minutes reveals most attractive floral and slightly honeyed elements.

Z Obviously made by the same winemaker as above (Isaac the Third), this is for those who might normally opt for Chablis but would rather not pay the price.

Z Production here is in the realms of 100,000 bottles+

ROSÉ

FLOR DE MUGA 2017 – 13.5% Made from free run old vine Garnacha, this is a beautifully pale limited production offering ever so delicate red fruits and is again tight, incisive, very dry, concise and spare.

Z Partner with sushi or sashimi.

pervasive red plum and ripe strawberry fruits, lovely texture and mega fine; though the tannins are still relatively fierce, the oak elements are very subtle.

Z When made (there was neither 2012 nor 2013), production amounted to some 20,000 bottles and for me this represents semi traditional Rioja at its absolute best – in the sense that it’s already semi mature by the time it’s released but will go on for much longer.

Z The winery currently recommends that it’s the 2001 vintage that we should be enjoying, and if you’re lucky enough to track this down, it will be so mature that it’ll pretty much be something to relish on the basis of not decanting and in around 20 minutes.

TORRE MUGA 2015 – 14.5% This is another top cuvée also made from late picked, seriously ripe grapes – 75% Tempranillo, 15% Mazuelo and 10% Graciano.

Z Appreciably more modern, this is a style that appeals to the Robert Parker school of thought – ie. monster colour, effusive purple fruit flavours and lashings of new oak.

Z Fermented, largely as above, but with longer maceration in order to achieve more colour and fruit, this only spends two years in oak, though 18 months of these are in new French.

Z Accordingly monster deep violet in colour, with unctuous inky fruit and big, high toast oak flavours.

Z Exult now in this hurricane or if you like your wine tamer, cellar it for a while.

HARO

Z The birthplace and spiritual capital of Rioja as of the late 19th Century, but dating back to around 1040 and on the fringe of the spectacular Ebro River, this charming old town of around 12,000 inhabitants is a 90-minute drive due south from Bilbao and ideal for a gourmet/gourmand weekend.

Z Stay at the august and super atmospheric Hotel los Agustinos.

Z Eat at either Terete or Beethoven.

Z And – for a bit of history and local colour – visit the charming Santo Tomás Parish Church & Museo del Torreón.

Z Be warned that parking is a nightmare.

Z Multiple winery visits and tours abound but be sure to book well ahead.

REDS

MUGA SELECCIÓN ESPECIAL 2014 – 14% Late picked Tempranillo (70%), Garnacha (20%) and some 10% mixed Graciano and Mazuelo is aged for 28 months in used French oak to then rest in bottle for a year prior to release.

Z Intensely purple in hue, this is coconut tinged (the oak), austere, has great acidity and a seething dark plum underneath. Opens up nicely after 10 or 15 minutes to reveal more than a touch of incense.

Z Awesome and made only in special years, it is by and large Jorge who makes the reds.

MUGA PRADO ENEA GRAN RESERVA 2010 – 14% This is my absolute fave: made from late harvested grapes (Tempranillo 70%, Garnacha 20%, and some 10% mixed Graciano and Mazuelo ) to ensure ripeness; fermented in 10,000 kilo oak vats with no temperature control and on the basis of wild yeasts. It spends 4 years in a selection of oaks and then three years in bottle.

Z Lush garnet ruby in colour with

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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

€40 – €60

LISTINGS WHAT’S ON STARS

€60 plus

YANX

ORIGEN

THE ORGANIC CAFÉ

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

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

belgian MYTILUS

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

eco

ALMAZEN

french

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

Tel: 952 783 714

Open daily from 12pm to midnight. Ctra. De Ronda, km 45, C.C. Monte Halcones, Local 9-10, Benahavís. Tel: 951 275 109

LE BISTROMAN

GIOIA

VALDERRAMA RESTAURANT

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

Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner only and on Sunday for Buffet Lunch. Apartado 1, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 132.2 Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 791 200

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

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listings THE GUIDE .

french nordic

km. 176, Marbella. Tel: 952 867 599

indian

NORMAN

EL GAUCHO

Open Tuesday to Saturday 12pm to 2am. C/ Ramiro Campos Turno 4, Marbella. Tel: 600 919 541

Open daily for dinner from 7.30pm. Galerías Paniagua.

Sotogrande. Tel: 956 795 528

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

EL GAUCHO DE BANÚS

JAIPUR PALACE

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

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

gluten-free CELICIOSO

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

At the Puente Romano Hotel on the Golden Mile.

Tel: 952 820 900

greek

RED PEPPER Open daily for both lunch and dinner.

Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 148

grills

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

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

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

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

ASADOR CRIOLLO GRILL

OLD TOWN GRILL

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

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

Tel: 952 867 306

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

RESTAURANTE RANCHO

CABAÑA NAGÜELES

T-BONE GRILL

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

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

EL CARNICERO

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

Tel: 952 003 434

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,

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

VOVEM

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

CORIANDER

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 11&11 RESTOBAR

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

Tel: 951 703 060

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

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

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

ACINIPO

BARBQ ARTESANAL BURGERS

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

Tel: 607 680 999

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

AL ROLO

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

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

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

ALBERTS

BECKITTS BIBO Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday afternoon and all of Monday. At the Hotel Puente

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. THE GUIDE listings Romano. Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 951 607 011

CLARO! RESTAURANT & BEACH CLUB

BLACK ROSE THE BAR

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

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

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

BRUNINGS Kitchen continuously open Monday to Friday from 1pm to 11pm. Saturday – dinner only. Closed Sunday.

Las Palmeras 19, San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 952 786 156

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EL LAGO

CAFÉ DE RONDA

DON LEONE

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

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

Open daily for breakfast and lunch until 7pm.

Avda. Ramón Gómez de la Serna 23, Marbella.

Tel: 952 862 149

Open every night for dinner. Puerto Banús, Marbella.

Tel: 952 811 716

EL OCEANO BEACH HOTEL & RESTAURANT

DÖSS

CAFETERÍA KE

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

CAMURÍ

D-WINE

EL OLIVO Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for lunch. At Marbella Golf & Country Club. CN 340, km. 188, Marbella. Tel: 952 830 500

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

Tel: 951 254 520

GALERIA SAN PEDRO Open from 11am until midnight. Closed Sundays. Avda Las Palmeras 15, San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 780 927

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

HAYACA Open Monday to Sunday from 7.30pm to 11pm. At the Amàre Hotel Marbella. Avda. Severo Ochoa 8, Marbella.

Tel: 951 562 083

HERMOSA Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner from 7pm. Closed Monday. Local 1A. Puerto de Cabopino. Tel: 952 837 483

HILLS CAFE

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

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

Tel: 951 339 309

CASANIS

EL BOLERO

Open every day from 6pm except Sundays.

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

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

CELIMA

EL CAMPANARIO

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

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

Tel: 952 880 126

Open 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

HOTEL MARBELLA CLUB BUFFET

EL CASTILLO

FINCA EL FORJADOR

IL MARE

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

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

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

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

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

FABIOLA

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

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

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

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listings THE GUIDE .

JOFFREY’S

LA LOGGIA

LIMA BY MOMO

MESSINA

Open everyday evening for dinner from 5.30 pm.

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

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

L’OLIVE

LA TERRAZA

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

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

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

Tel: 952 815 736

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

LA BIZNAGA

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

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

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

Tel: 951 275 750

LA TIENDA

LA BRISA

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

Open for dinner Thursday to Monday from 7pm.

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

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

Tel: 951 318 815

LA CASA DEL HUMMUS Open Monday to Saturday 10am to 11pm and Sunday 11am to 8pm. Plaza Puente de Málaga, C/ Mendoza 16, Marbella. Tel: 952 866 104

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

Tel: 952 775 412

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

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

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

LA PLAGE DE CASANIS

LA TAPA Open nightly for dinner. Plaza Santo Cristo 6, Marbella.

Tel: 952 901 040

LA VERANDA Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner.

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

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

Tel: 956 615 998

LOS ARCOS

MIRAFLORES GOLF RESTAURANT MOJO

Open every night for dinner. Hotel Meliá La Quinta, Urb. La Quinta Golf s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 762 000

Open from Monday to Saturday for dinner from 8pm ‘til late. Monte Paraíso Golf, Marbella.

Tel: 951 217 272

LOS BANDIDOS

MOMO MARBELLA

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

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

LOS NARANJOS RESTAURANT

MOMO MARBELLA GOLDEN MILE

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

Tel: 952 816 105

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

Tel: 952 770 760

MACAAO BEACH

MONKEY CLUB

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

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

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

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

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

Tel: 800 843 493

MAUMM BISTRO Open daily for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Avda. de los Girasoles 341, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 951 569 310

LA VERANDA LOBBY BAR

MC CAFÉ

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

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

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

NŌMŌ BRASSERIE Open for lunch and dinner every day except for Sunday. Bulevar de San Pedro, San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 951 702 168

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

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

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. THE GUIDE listings POSIDONIA BANÚS

THE ORANGE TREE

Open for lunch and dinner daily. CN340, km 175, Rimesa, Local 2, Marbella. Tel: 722 322 669

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

Tel: 952 924 613.

RESTAURANTE FELIX Open nightly from 7pm to 11pm. Urb. Boladilla Baja, CN340, km 163.5, Estepona. Tel: 951 082 090.

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

Tel: 952 441 414

ROSAS CAFÉ Open from 9am to 10pm daily. Avda. Playas del Duque 3, Marbella. Tel: 951 569 392

ROJO Open every day for lunch and dinner except Sunday.

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

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

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

Tel: 952 820 900

SHANTI-SOM – AMRITA

THE PLAYWRIGHT

DON GIOVANI

ASIATICO ZEN

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Manzana, Locales 8-11, Pueblo Los Arcos, Elviria. Tel: 952 830 868

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner except Tuesday lunch. C/ Lirios s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 691

TIKITANO

FRASCATI

BAMBOO

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

Tel: 952 798 449

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

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Ctra.

Istan km 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 906 674

GOLD RESTAURANT

DRAGÓN DE ORO

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

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

Tel: 952 929 055

TROCADERO BEACH

LA PAPPARDELLA DI ESTEPONA

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

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner from 1pm to midnight. Puerto Deportivo de Estepona.

Tel: 952 802 144

TRUFFLES KITCHEN

AND THE

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

VENTA GARCÍA

Open daily from 7pm to 11pm.

At the Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa. Avenida Zurita, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

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

Tel: 952 894 191

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

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

SUITE Dinner and afterwards dance to music by resident DJ. Thursday to Saturday. Hotel Puente Romano, Marbella.

Tel: 952 820 900

TACOS & TIKKA Open 1pm to 12am Monday to Sunday.

CN340, km 192, Las Chapas. Tel: 952 355 561

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

TANINO SAN PEDRO Open daily from 12pm onwards for lunch and dinner.

Avda. del Mediterráneo, Blq. 3, Local 6, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 604 848

TERRA SANA 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

THE ENGLISH GARDEN 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

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

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

Tel: 952 772 577

LA PAPPARDELLA SUL MARE

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

SKINA

Open daily from 12pm to 4pm. Avda. Duque de Ahumada s/n, Marbella. Tel: 951 562 887

ASIAN FUSION BING Open 12.30pm-4.30pm and 6.30pm to 12am daily.

Fuengirola, Paseo Marítimo, L-42C. Tel: 952 470 218

VILLA PADIERNA CLUB DE MAR

SOLEO MARBELLA BEACH CLUB RESTAURANT

oriental

Open daily from 12pm to 12am. Avda. Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 951 569 194

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, MarbellaMonda. Tel: 952 864 455 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

DAYTONA RESTAURANT – MOTOR PASSION

Open daily for lunch from 1pm to 6pm.

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

ZEST

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. Jardines del Puerto, local 12, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 181

AMORE E FANTASÍA

LA TRATTORIA

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

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

MADE IN SARDINIA

Open Tuesday to Saturday for dinner. At Finca Cortesín Hotel. Ctra. Casares s/n, Casares.

Tel: 952 937 800

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

KAMA KURA

MAKITAKE Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Ribera s/n (above disco Seven), Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 592

NUNOS

MECA

Open daily for lunch and dinner. At the Caleta Hotel.

Catalan Bay, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 76501

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pino Golf, Don Carlos, Local 1, Elviria, Marbella.

Tel: 952 830 365 / 658 646 829

O MAMMA MIA Open every day except Sunday for lunch and dinner.

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

Open daily for dinner. Front line P. Banús.

Tel: 952 812 898

Open every day from 12pm ‘til midnight for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pinogolf de Don Carlos 34, Elviria.

Tel: 952 850 148

CIBO

KABUKI RAW

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

ROSMARINO DELLA PIAZZA

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

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

METRO

ARETUSA

CASA TUA

GOLDEN WOK

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8-11pm. The San Roque Club, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 127, San Roque, Cádiz.

Tel: 956 613 030

RISTORANTE SAN MARTINO

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

Open from 1:30pm-4pm and 8pm to 11pm. C/ Ramón Gomez de la Serna, 4, Edificio Balmoral. Marbella.

Tel: 951 530 955

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner from 7pm onwards. Muelle Benabola, Casa 5A, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 464

CARPACCIO

GENJI SUSHI BAR

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pinares de Elviria s/n, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 702

SERAFINA Open from Monday to Saturday for dinner at the Puente Romano Hotel on the Golden Mile.

Tel: 952 771 798

TARTUFO

NOBU Open nightly for dinner. At the Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 778 686

OMBÚ Open from 7pm to 11pm, Wednesday to Sunday. At the Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa. Avenida Zurita, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

OSAKA Open every day 13:30-16:00 & 19:30-24:00.

CN 340, km. 166 (Benavista). C.C. Costa del Sol. Tel: 952 885 751

SAKURA Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. José Banús, 5, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 536

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

SANTOKU

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

DA BRUNO

VALPARAÍSO

SAPPORO

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 nightly for dinner. Ctra. Mijas – Fuengirola, km. 14, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 485 996

Open daily for lunch and dinner. C.C. Costa del Sol, upper level. CN 340, km. 166 (Estepona).

Tel: 952 888 710

mediterranean

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

RESTAURANTE BAR CARMEN

TAI PAN

DA PAOLO

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, CN 340, km 159, Estepona.

Tel: 952 806 739

Re-opening 13th February. Open seven days a week for dinner. H. Puente Romano, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 177, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 893

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

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

Open daily for dinner. At the Villa Padierna Palace Hotel. CN 340, km 166, Marbella. Tel: 952 889 180

SUSHI KATSURA

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listings THE GUIDE .

TA-KUMI Open daily for lunch and dinner. C/ Gregorio Marañón 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 770 839

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Plaza de la Victoria, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 170

RESTAURANTE EL BOTE

TEPPANYAKI SAMURAI Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Avda. Manolete 20, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 816 549

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

THAI GALLERY

PALAPA

At Plaza Village at the Hotel Puente Romano. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 818 392

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

C.C. Laguna Village, CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 165

THAI STYLE

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Paseo Marítimo, 5, Marbella.

Tel: 952 770 078

Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Avda. Playas del Duque s/n. Edif.

Gaviotas IV, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 813 675s

TOP THAI Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Centro Plaza, 64, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 951 319 778. Also at C.C. Laguna Village, Local 11-13, Estepona.

Tel: 952 806 661

TSE YANG DIMSUM CLUB Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sundays. At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 909 990

WAGAMAMA Open daily for lunch and dinner.

19 Ocean Village promenade, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 44182

WASABI Open daily from 1.30 pm for lunch and dinner. C.C. Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 908 577

scandinavian ALOHA RESTAURANT

Open every evening for dinner from 6pm to 11.30pm. Avda. del Prado s/n, Nueva Andalucía.

Tel: 952 811 285

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 7.3011pm every day except Mondays.

Puerto Deportivo de Sotogrande, Cádiz. Tel: 956 790 370

RESTAURANTE LA MARINA

SANTIAGO

spanish BAHÍA

Open every evening for dinner. At Hotel Don Carlos. Avda. Zurita s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

CASA FERNANDO Open from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Avda. del Mediterráneo s/n, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 853 344

HACIENDA 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

LA MÁQUINA Open daily for lunch and dinner except Sunday. At El Corte Inglés Food Hall, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 909 990

LA MORAGA BISTRÓ Open daily for lunch and dinner.

C/ Ramón Areces s/n, in front of El Corte Inglés, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 952 817 448

LA RED Open daily from 9.30am to 6pm.

Playa La Fontanilla, Marbella.

Tel: 952 821 450

LA TABERNA DEL ALABARDERO Open everyday for lunch and dinner except Monday. San Pedro Playa, Urb. Castiglone. Tel: 952 785 138. Also at Ctra. de Ronda, km.

167, San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 265

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

MI TABERNA Open every day from 1-4.30pm and 8pm until midnight. Paseo Marítimo s/n, La Atunara, La Linea de la Concepción, Campo de Gibraltar. Tel: 956 171 531

LA TORRE Open daily for lunch and dinner.

Muelle de Honor, Club de Mar, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 561

MARISQUERÍA LA PESQUERA

Open 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

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what’s on...

. THE GUIDE what’s on

Saturday February 2 HEAVY METAL SHOW – MÁLAGA

If nothing ignites your fire like the thrashing sound of a heavy metal guitar, don’t miss out on this concert, which will be taking place at La Cochera Cabaret at 10pm, featuring a host of talented musicians. Tickets are available at the venue or on www.ticketea.com

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Until February 3 ART EXHIBITION – MÁLAGA

The Museo Picasso de Málaga presents El sur de Picasso: Referencias Andaluzas – An exhibition that highlights Picasso’s love for the Mediterranean. Also featuring large works by maestros like Zurbarán, Velázquez, Murillo, Goya, María Blanchard and Juan Gris. www.museopicassomalaga.org

Until February 13 THEATRE FESTIVAL – MÁLAGA

The 36th edition of the Festival de Teatro de Málaga kicked off in January and will continue until mid-February. The event features over 91 performances, many of which will be taking place at the Teatro Cervantes and the Teatro Echegaray.

For a full programme of events, www.teatrocervantes.com

Until March 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

Until March 2 ART EXHIBITION – MÁLAGA

The Pompidou Centre in Málaga presents the exhibition Modern Utopias, featuring artworks from the 20th and 21st centuries. The exhibition focuses on the historical events that sparked the imagination of modern artists. www.centrepompidou-malaga.eu

Until March 19 MUSIC APPRECIATION CLASSES – MARBELLA

Música con Encanto will be giving budding music fans music appreciation classes, aimed at teaching people how to listen to classical music. On February 5, 12, and 19, and March 5, 12, and 19. At Les Roches Marbella. Tel: 689 000 944. www.musicaconencanto.org

Until June PICASSO EXHIBITION – MÁLAGA

The Museo Picasso Málaga presents an exhibition entitled Olga Picasso, centred on the famed artist’s first wife, Olga. Audiences can view paintings, letters, photographs and other important documents that display the bond between this fascinating woman and the artist she married. www.museopicassomalaga.org

Friday February 8 to Tuesday February 12 THE MARVELLOUS MUSIC HALL – FUENGIROLA

SALVA presents a scintillating song show featuring a cast of 30 performing artists.

The show starts at 7:30pm every night except Sunday, when it starts at 7pm. www.salonvarietestheatre.com

Monday February 11 to Wednesday February 13 MEAT AND WINE GOURMET FESTIVAL – MARBELLA Vovem Asador presents the first edition of the Meat and Wine Gourmet Festival, taking place on Monday from 10am to 4:30pm, Tuesday from 10am to 4:30pm,

Saturday February 23 to Sunday March 3 MÁLAGA CARNAVAL – MÁLAGA

The Málaga Carnaval is a popular celebration that takes place in the historical centre. Featuring music, food, and kids’ parties. For a full programme of events, www.carnavaldemalaga.es

and Wednesday from 10am to 5:30pm.

Featuring talks, discussions, and tastings. www.vovemasador.com

Thursday February 14 VALENTINE’S MUSICAL DANCE AND DINNER SHOW – PUERTO BANÚS

Posidonia in Puerto Banús (located next to Iceland) presents an entertaining musical dance and dinner show, plus a three-course meal and welcome wine.

For bookings, Tel: 722 332 669. www.posidoniabanus.com

Thursday February 14 to Friday February 15 CLASSICAL MUSIC – MÁLAGA

The Teatro Cervantes de Málaga presents music by Strauss and Mahler, featuring music by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Málaga and singing by soprano, Raquel Lojendio. The show starts at 8pm. www.teatrocervante.com

Saturday February 16 PIANO CONCERT – MARBELLA

In this tribute to Philip Glass (famous for his work Four Movements for Two Pianos), Alborada Moreno and Ignacio Tornero will be giving it their all at a live piano concert at Les Roches. Tickets cost €25 for adults and €5 for children and the unemployed. Tel: 689 000 944. www.musicaconencanto.org

Saturday February 23 U2, DEPECHE MODE, THE CURE BY GREEN COVERS – MÁLAGA

If you love music from the 80s, you can’t miss out on this winner, featuring covers of songs by U2, Depeche Mode and The Cure. Green Covers will be performing hits by these iconic artists at Sala París 15 in Málaga. Tickets can be purchased at the event or online on www.ticketea.com

Tuesday February 26 POWDER FESTIVAL – TOLOX

The Powder Festival will be taking place once again in Tolox – a celebration that has livened up the area for decades.

Neighbours freely throw talcum powder all over each other, until they are totally covered in the stuff. Visitors are welcome as well. Sounds like good fun! At the historic city centre. Further information, www.tolox.es

Thursday February 28 DÍA DE ANDALUCÍA – ANDALUCÍA DAY Celebrate Andalucía day with your family; the entire region of Andalucía will be enjoying a day off as well.

Friday March 1 to Sunday March 3 OPERA – MÁLAGA

The Teatro Cervantes in Málaga presents Aida: an opera by Giuseppe Verdi.

Featuring Maribel Ortega as Aida and Alejandro Roy as Radamés. Live music by the Philharmonic Orchestra of Málaga. www.teatrocervantes.com

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. THE GUIDE stars

RUSSELL GRANT’S Monthly Horoscopes February 2019

AQUARIUS (20th January - 18th February) On the 4th, the New Moon will inspire you to adopt a new look or assume another role. Making a fresh start will put a spring in your step and a sparkle in your eyes. If you’ve been thinking about changing your hairstyle, revamping your wardrobe or going for a whole new look, this would be a great time to take the plunge. Have you been yearning to take up a weird hobby or venture onto a different career path?

Obey your instincts; they won’t steer you wrong at the beginning of February.

The Full Moon on the 19th cultivates passion on the relationship front.

A rendezvous with your amour will be highly enjoyable. Are you single? You could meet someone special in a classroom, social club or political group. The fastest way to your heart is through the brain. Team up with someone who is always making intriguing observations; you’ll find their company highly satisfying.

If you’ve been thinking about changing your hairstyle, revamping your wardrobe or going for a whole new look, this would be a great time to take the plunge

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ARIES [21 MAR - 19 APR]

The New Moon on the 4th invites you to expand your social network. Make it your mission to attend as many parties, casual get togethers and professional conferences as possible during the first two weeks of February. Who you know is just as important as what you know this month. If you’re having trouble finding a home, job or romantic partner, spread the word among your nearest and dearest. Chances are you will find what you desire through an intermediary. On the 19th, you’ll wrap up a job that has required a great deal of care and attention. This will lead to more lucrative work opportunities. Being able to make money from your handiwork is a distinct possibility. You’ll gain a loyal following by putting a modern twist on a traditional formula. Working with metals and precious stones may be especially appealing to your creative side. You have the makings of a successful artisan.

TAURUS [20 APR - 20 MAY]

On the 4th, you’ll have a chance to land a high-profile job in a cutting-edge field. You have a talent for putting newcomers at ease with your soothing voice and down to earth approach to business. When your employer realises how successful they’ve become thanks to your skills and talents, you could be put in charge of a new project. You are clearly worth your weight in gold so maybe you should ask for a rise. If you’ve been thinking of launching your own business, don’t try to follow a tired old formula. The more innovative your enterprise, the better. The Full Moon on the 19th is ideal for romance. If you’re looking for love, you’ll find it with an ardent admirer. It will be good for your ego to be pursued by someone determined to win your heart. Are you already in a relationship? Take this opportunity to enjoy a relaxing vacation with your amour.

GEMINI [21 MAY - 20 JUN]

The opportunity to expand your horizons will arrive on or around the 4th, courtesy of an adventurous New Moon. This is an ideal time to visit a country that has fascinated you since childhood. At times, you will feel like a fish out of water. Don’t worry about looking foolish.

Locals will be happy to show you the ropes. A helpful guide will lead you to the best places to shop, eat and sightsee. On the 19th, the Full Moon will bring a domestic matter to its successful conclusion. If you’ve been trying to buy or sell a house, you’ll be able to seal a profitable deal. Are you merging households with your amour? The process will be seamless if carried out during the second half of February. Have you been looking for a good living situation for an elderly relative? You’ll find the perfect place at the end of the month.

CANCER [21 JUN - 22 JUL]

On the 4th, the New Moon will attract a handsome windfall. Money from an inheritance, legal settlement or insurance refund will allow you to pay off debts and build savings. If you have a romantic or business partner, there’s a good chance your other half will get a big raise or bonus. Their financial fortune will benefit you. Take this opportunity to build a solid financial foundation. You’re not the type who is comfortable living from paycheque to paycheque. The Full Moon on the 19th brings fantastic news about work. It’s possible a new branch of your company will open close to your home, significantly reducing your commute. Alternatively, you might be able to work from home several days a week,

helping you to save on travelling expenses. If you applied for work a long time ago and have given up hope, you’ll get a lovely surprise in the form of a job offer.

LEO [23 JUL - 22 AUG]

The New Moon on the 4th injects life into a close relationship. Things will be looking up for you and your best friend, romantic partner or even someone you work with. It’s possible you’ll take a trip or relocate to an exciting part of the world together. Are you single? You won’t be for long, especially after posting an intriguing profile on an Internet dating site. Finally, you’ll meet someone who is offbeat, intelligent and original. The days surrounding the 19th will be lucrative. A handsome payment will land in your bank account, allowing you to indulge in a few luxuries. If you’ve been thinking of upgrading your computer or smartphone, this would be a good time to do so. Are you feeling ambitious?

Modernising your kitchen or bathroom will greatly increase the value of your home. The key is finding a talented work crew that is known for its painstaking precision.

VIRGO [23 AUG - 22 SEP]

The New Moon on the 4th is excellent for beginning a health regimen. It’s important to attend to your mental and spiritual wellbeing as well as your physical fitness. If you’re prone to anxiety, learn some relaxation techniques. Training yourself to cope with stress in a constructive way will be liberating. Never underestimate the mind’s impact on the body. You could achieve good results from this practice as soon as the 19th, when the Full Moon has you feeling better than ever. Take this opportunity to treat yourself like royalty.

It’s time to focus on your own needs, rather than catering to everyone else. When you treat yourself really well, others will follow suit. Don’t feel guilty about indulging your sensual side, it’s an integral part of who you are.

LIBRA [23 SEP - 22 OCT]

The New Moon on the 4th will be highly romantic. If you’re single, you’ll meet a rebel who makes your pulse pound. It will be so refreshing to spend time with someone who has unique opinions and unusual tastes. Are you already in a relationship? Take this opportunity to travel off the beaten path with your amour. Visiting a part of the world that is totally different from home will be a joyful experience. On the 19th, the Full Moon will invite you to rest, relax and recharge your batteries. Colleagues will pressure you to do more than your fair share of work. Issue firm but polite refusals.

The days of your doing more than one job are over. By reducing your work load, you’ll have time for the activities you truly love. Writing, playing music and creating works of art will be a refreshing change from spending every spare moment at the office.

SCORPIO (23 OCT - 21 NOV)

If you’ve been thinking of moving, the beginning of February presents an ideal opportunity to do so. You could find a beautiful place in an offbeat neighbourhood on the 4th, courtesy of the New Moon. Being surrounded by eccentrics brings out the best in you. If there’s anything that dulls your creative edge, it’s mainstream society. Are you happy where you live? It’s possible a baby, roommate or elderly relative will join your household. This newcomer will

make your abode feel refreshing and lively. The Full Moon on the 19th is ideal for throwing a party. Bringing together your nearest and dearest will remind you of how very lucky you truly are. If you’re single, you could meet someone special through this shindig. A guest will bring a friend that makes your pulse pound. You won’t have to lift a finger to put this romance into motion. Being pursued by an ardent admirer will be gratifying.

SAGITTARIUS (22 NOV - 21 DEC)

On the 4th, the New Moon presents an intriguing opportunity to communicate on a worldwide scale. Launching a blog, taping a podcast or sharing videos on social media can attract a loyal following. People appreciate your unorthodox views and may even seek your advice on everything from relationships to shopping to cooking to travel. Don’t worry about breaking the rules. You always fare best after splitting from the pack.

You’ll reach a career milestone on the 19th, thanks to a generous Full Moon. People do appreciate all the time and care you put into your work. Don’t be surprised when you’re given a raise, promotion or both during the second half of February. If you’ve been unemployed, you’ll be offered a position worthy of your talent at this time.

Earning a steady paycheque will give you an opportunity to build a secure foundation. At long last, you’ll be able to establish deep roots.

CAPRICORN [22 DEC - 19 JAN]

The New Moon on the 4th attracts an unusual moneymaking venture. Moving into a cutting-edge field will be highly profitable. You may decide to join an investment group that specialises in research and development. Any opportunities involving air travel, broadcasting and medical supplies are also looking good. If you’re happy with your current job, this is a good time to ask for a raise. Adopting a logical approach to salary negotiations will be highly effective.

The Full Moon on the 19th may find you returning from a trip or concluding a course of study. Use everything you’ve learned to deepen your appreciation for life.

Instead of pouring all your energy into getting ahead and making more money, start doing things for pure pleasure.

Developing art projects, communing with nature and spending time with pets will bring happiness that money can’t buy. The spiritual world should trump the material realm during the second half of February.

PISCES [19 FEB - 20 MAR]

Solitary pleasures and pastimes are best for you at the beginning of February. The New Moon on the 4th will prompt you to read, write or commune with nature. Don’t let demanding loved ones invade your privacy. By sneaking off to a private hideaway, you’ll be able to enjoy prolonged silence.

Working alone on a creative project could be especially productive. Incredible breakthroughs will occur when you escape the meddling influence of those around you. The Full Moon on the 19th presents an excellent opportunity to help a loved one. Ease the concerns of a best friend, business associate or romantic partner by helping them keep a promise during the second half of the month. This selfless act will draw you closer together.

Serving as an intermediary can take the pressure off a strained relationship. If your friend is having difficulty with a customer, relative or neighbour, you can serve as the contact person. A painful conflict could finally be resolved, thanks to your diplomatic approach.

ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM FEBRUARY 2019 / 161

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Prepare to Bloom this Spring

Wellness Retreat with Amanda Hamilton 27th February - 3 rd March

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