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essential essential M A R B E L L A M A G A Z I N E ISSUE 127 • November 2009

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

NOVEMBER

2009

127

FREE MARBELLA MAGAZINE

CELEBS

AT PLAY MED & POLAR CRUISING

CHANEL RESORTWEAR PORCHE

POWER CAYENNE TURBO S

theLEISURE

OF ALL TIMES

LFOReisPLEASURE ure

STYLISH STOPOVERS MARB AW ELLA

ARDS

FINALE

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

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Issue 127 • November 2009

publisher and director general manager

T A

Iain Blackwell director@essentialmagazine.com Andrea S. Böjti sales@essentialmagazine.com

associate editor

Marisa Cutillas editorial@essentialmagazine.com

associate editor

Belinda Beckett features@essentialmagazine.com

production manager sales executive accounts executive office administrator creative director staff photographer design & layout contributing writers

cover photography contributing photographers printing depósito legal editorial & advertising offices

Susanne Whitaker design@essentialmagazine.com Steve Harvey steve@essentialmagazine.com Mariano Jeva cuentas@essentialmagazine.com Monika Böjti info@essentialmagazine.com Andrea S. Böjti Kevin Horn Inma Aurioles Paul Bell, Iain Blackwell, Paul Brazell, Pancho Campo, John González, Annie Heese, Nicky Macedo, George Prior, Tony Whitney, David Wishart, Victoria Wood Cristiane, courtesy of Target Models Photography and make-up artist: Dick Hallecker Famous, Paul Brazell, Pancho Campo Jiménez Godoy A. Gráficas, Murcia D.L. MA-512-99 Complejo La Póveda, Blq. 3, 1º A, CN 340, km 178.2, 29600 Marbella, Málaga. Tel: 952 766 344 Fax: 952 766 343

conditions: The publishers make every effort to ensure that the magazine’s contents are correct, but cannot accept responsibility for the effects of errors or omissions. Marbella Magazine cannot accept responsibility for the claims, goods or services of advertisers. © Publicaciones Independientes Costa del Sol S.L. for Marbella Magazine. No part of this magazine, including texts, photographs, illustrations, maps or any other graphics may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of Publicaciones Independientes Costa del Sol S.L. Printed on recyclable paper, produced without wood and bleached without chlorine

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Pano-11-09:Maquetación 1 23/10/09 9:47 Página 1

Beachside apartment in an ideal location On the Golden Mile, in a complex with beautiful mature communal gardens and pool, next to a 4-star hotel and beach restaurant. South-west facing with fabulous sea views. A magnificent holiday home within a few minutes walk to Puerto Banús. Enclosed: 114m2, Terraces: 32m2. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Price: €765,000. Ref 6521

Beachside villa surrounded by golf course in Rustic-style townhouse in Marbella Hill Club Set within this prestigious urbanization with beautiful communal Guadalmina Baja Rustic-style villa situated in an established area, next to a luxurious hotel. Excellent golf and sea views. A property from which both beach and golf can be enjoyed! Plot: 860m2, Enclosed: 711m2 including porches and terraces. 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms. Price: €3,950,000. Ref 6420

Covering Marbella’s Golden Mile with offices opposite the Marbella Club Hotel and at Puente Romano Hotel.

gardens and pool, just minutes from Marbella centre. Built on three levels. Lovely terrace with barbecue area, enjoying mountains views. Offered fully furnished. An ideal property for year round living or as a holiday home. Garden: 80.5m2, Enclosed: 140m2, Terraces: 28m2. 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Price: €495,000. Ref 5760

Since

1904

Tel. +34 952 863 750 Fax. +34 952 822 111 Rentals Direct: +34 952 90 10 15 info@panorama.es www. panorama.es LEADING PROPERTY AGENTS OF SPAIN

november 2009

contents 110

the theme

The pursuit of Leisure 12 Leisure: A Case of Bread and Circuses? 24 Top Leisure Spots in Marbella 30

the news Films 16 Latest DVD Releases 18 CD Releases 20 Book Releases 22

the people Celebrities at play 38 Michael Keijzer of Dreamers 42

the trend The new Porsche Cayenne Turbo S 46 The Latest Gadgets 48 Leisure website www.yougodo.com 50 Environment 52

the chic A Noble Country Seat in Marbella 58 Décor News 66 Art News 68 Chanel Resort Wear collection 70 Fashion News 78

the spa Hammam Heaven at the Hotel Villa Padierna Thermae Spa 80 Beauty News 82 Putting an End to Stress 84 Health News 86 Research: Latest Scientific Discoveries 88

30 the pro 94 Urban Design 98 Enterprise 106 Gibraltar Tripartite Talks

the traveller 110 Cruising the Mediterranean 116 Silversea Polar Cruising 118 Stylish Places to Stay in Andalucía 124 Aloha Golf Club 126 The Hotel Barceló Marbella

the gourmet 131 Nestor 133 Restaurante Asiático Zen 134 Food News 136 Chef’s Profile: Edmund Cicans of Kon-Tiki Garden 138 Wine: Pancho Campo talks with Robert Parker 140 Listings – Directory

the blog 151 Pet News 152 What’s On in November 154 Your Stars for the Month Ahead

essential marbella magazine

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delivers your favourite brands direct to you for just â‚Ź5

www.littlewoodseurope.com/ess Big brands delivered to homes abroad

publisher

‘s

letter

By Iain Blackwell Fed up with the crisis? Tired of running the rat race? Sick of stress? Then this issue is for you! Sit back, relax and enjoy reading all about leisure and why it’s good for you. The leisure industry is huge and pleasure has become pandemic, with the positive news that today’s young upwardly mobiles now care more about having a life than about excessive financial gain at whatever cost. In this special edition all about leisure, we examine how we have reached this point as a global society and what the future augers. Also, we take a look at what the famous are up to in terms of favourite pastimes, and what is available locally – you’ll be surprised to learn that it encompasses far more than just tennis, golf, beach or spa. Come cruising with Seabourne and Silversea, two of the hottest in a market that has recently exploded, and find out why voyaging on the high seas in resplendent luxury is no longer the bastion of the rich and retired. Back on dry land, a trip in the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S will convince you that this new acclaimed Cayenne offers the ultimate in the pursuit of leisure activities. On the people front, don’t miss our interview with wine guru Robert Parker on the eve of the Wine Future conference taking place this month in Rioja. We also talk with Michael Keijzer, founder and owner of Dreamers nightclub in Puerto Banús, and Edmund Cicans, young chef extraordinaire, who is masterminding the cuisine at the new Kon-Tiki Garden. As well as this, we bring you features on Urban Leisure Design and Stylish Places to Stay in Andalucía, profiles on the Hotel Barcelo Golf and the Ritz Carlton Villa Padierna Spa and an article on yougodo.com There’s much more besides, including health & beauty, dining out and local enterprise, so that, as is always the case, refreshes the parts that other magazines don’t even begin to reach. Happy reading!

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¿Estás harto de la crisis? ¿Cansado de sufrir los efectos del estrés? Si es así, esta edición de está hecha a tu medida. La industria del ocio es inmensa actualmente, y mucha gente está poniendo más energía en pasárselo bien y menos en ganar dinero a toda costa. En esta edición sobre el ocio, vemos cómo hemos llegado a este punto y lo que el futuro nos depara. Te informamos sobre los hobbies de los famosos y todo lo que puedes hacer a nivel local – te sorprendería saber que hay mucho más que hacer que jugar al tenis o al golf, o ir a la playa o al spa. Surcamos los mares con Seabourne y Silverseas, dos de las empresas más exitosas en el mundo de cruceros. Por fin, viajar en un crucero ya no es sólo para los ricos y los jubilados. Para los que se divierten más en tierra firme, viajamos en el Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, un coche de lujo que nos permite disfrutar de la vida al máximo. Hablamos con el guru de los vinos, Robert Parker, a vísperas del evento, Wine Future, que tendrá lugar este mes en La Rioja. Conocemos mejor a Michael Keijzer, el fundador y dueño de Dreamers nightclub en Puerto Bannús, y a Edmund Cicans, el joven chef de Kon Tiki Garden en Puerto Banús. También te ofrecemos reportajes sobre el diseño urbano en lugares de ocio, sitios con estilo en Andalucía, el Hotel Barceló Golf, el Ritz Carlton Villa Padierna Spa y una nueva página web dedicada al ocio: yougodo.com. Hay mucho más para disfrutar, incluyendo reportajes sobre la salud y la belleza, cenar fuera y los negocios. Como siempre, llega donde los demás no alcanzan. ¡Disfruta leyéndola!

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THETHEME

LEISURE

Report belinda beckett

“Leisure is an equal opportunity employer. Each human being has exactly the same number of hours and minutes every day. Rich people can’t buy more hours. Scientists can’t invent new minutes. And you can’t save time to spend it on another day. Even so, time is amazingly fair and forgiving. No matter how much time you’ve wasted in the past, you still have an entire tomorrow.” Denis Waitely

the pursuit of leisure A

recent survey on favourite British leisure activities found that 55 per cent of the population spend two or more hours per week gardening and one in four women find it more pleasurable than sex! Whatever floats your boat, leisure – this month’s theme – is one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide. Europe has been transformed in the last 50 years from a society spending mainly on basics and household bills to one where leisure and travel take precedence. Five decades ago, families shelled out one third of their weekly spending on food and non-alcoholic drink, with cigarettes and bus fares in the top 10 most bought items. The Office for National Statistics’ latest spending survey shows that modern households now devote almost a fifth of their weekly spending to leisure goods and services, such as running a car, trips to the cinema, eating out, health club membership, Internet links and satellite TV, as compared to 1957 when just nine per cent was spent on entertainment. Sadly, the Age of Leisure as predicted by Futurists during the last century, hasn’t quite materialised in the way we imagined. Aristotle was uncannily perspicacious when he wrote, some 2,300 years ago: “We give up leisure in order that we may have leisure, just as we go to war in order that we may have peace.“ Increasingly in modern families, both partners are going out to work and toiling for longer hours to pay for their leisure activities. Nevertheless, a healthy life/work balance is gradually becoming our priority and nowhere epitomises that ideal lifestyle like Marbella. With its record 320 days of sunshine, great beaches and golf courses, luxurious spa hotels, family entertainment, a ridiculous choice of restaurants and a frenetic nightlife, this is Leisure City (for residents as much as tourists), as we explore in our Marbella Leisure special. We also look at the history of leisure worldwide, from chariot racing in Rome’s Coliseum to today’s high-adrenalin equivalents, such as motor racing at Ronda’s famous Ascari track; snoop into the lives of celebrities to discover how they spend their own precious down-time; and examine how the new fitness boom has influenced residential resort development on the coast.

Finally, it’s interesting to look at how we spend some of that hard-earned leisure time, gleaned from various current market research reports: u On average, men sleep for eight hours and four minutes each day and women for eight hours and 18 minutes and, in the course of a lifetime, have sex 4,239 times. u Women still do the majority of household chores, spending nearly three hours a day on housework and cooking. u Britain has 5,750 indoor fitness centres and 4.5million gym members but only 27 per cent take exercise there on a regular basis. u The British watch 219 minutes of TV every day – more than the French (206 minutes) and Germans (211 minutes) but less than the Italians (237 minutes) Americans (271 minutes) and Japanese (311 minutes). u Cosmetic surgery is one of the new boom leisure industry segments in western Europe, up by 242 per cent between 2000 and 2005. u Religion, which at one time monopolised a huge chunk of our Sunday leisure time, is fading in influence. In Britain, churches are now closing faster than new mosques are opening. And only 10 per cent of the nation prays before getting into bed, while 22 per cent prefer to use the last spare minutes of their day recharging electrical appliances!

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DISCOVER ANDALUCIA’S BEST KEPT SECRET

A place of quality, relaxation and enchantment. Where stunning architecture, a unique lifestyle and unparalleled value come together to create an outstanding ownership opportunity in Estepona. • S ecluded, south-facing valley setting with breath-taking mountain & sea views •C ontemporary 2 or 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses set in a private, gated community • Award winning signature gardens and state-of-the-art facilities •P referential fees and tee-off times at adjoining golf club • A short drive to Estepona, Gibraltar and Marbella • Beach Club & Shuttle Service

Be one of the first to discover the secret at:

www.alcazabahills.com Or contact the Alcazaba Hills Resort Sales Team on sales@alcazabahills.com Freephone: 0800 0921613 Tel: +34 952 93 76 93 Alcazaba Hills Resort, Ctra. de Cádiz km.150, Arroyo Vaquero 29680 Estepona, Málaga

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

Voting faq

1. I thought I had already missed the voting. How do I

vote? Our voting form will be active until 11th of November midnight. It is available every day 24/7 for you to make your selection. Simply log on www.essentialmagazine.com, click on the banner at the bottom of the page ‘Vote Now’ where you find the voting form. Tick your selection in all 16 categories and include your contact details. It should only take you five minutes of your time.

2. I tried voting for my favourite restaurant and

noticed that I had to fill out all categories. I don’t have time for that and anyway, I don’t know all of them. The essential Marbella Awards is a popularity award, trying to identify businesses having achived the most global recognition. We have made some specific categories non-compulsory, but if you are still unsure, we encourage you to ask your friends or family’s opinion. This award is very important to many of the establishments listed and they would appreciate you finding the time to participate.

3. I don’t have intenet at home. Can I still vote

somehow? Yes, you can take the list out of essential magazine and mark your vote, together with your name and telephone number and an email address (close friend or family) we can reach you on, and give it to one of the establishments you are voting for. They will act according to our regulations in logging this information for you using their own equipment. Please make sure that you have made your choice in all of the categories.

4. What’s in it for me and how is my data

protected? Your personal details will remain confidential and be entered into a draw to win an annual subscription to essential magazine Your personal information will only be used for purposes for which you have consented and will never be supplied to third parties. Please consult the Privacy Policy on our website.

n Halo Hair Design n Red Hair & Beauty n Reflections Hair & Beauty n The English Cut

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n Dreamers n Olivia Valere n Seven n Suite / Suite del Mar

n Don Carlos Leisure Resort & Spa n Hotel Puente Romano n Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona n Ritz Hotel Villa Padierna

n El Corte Inglés n La Cañada - Marbella n Parque Miramar - Fuengirola n Plaza Mayor - Málaga

schools

n Caracala Spa - La Cala n Hotel Gvadalpin Spa n Villa Padierna Spa n Westin La Quinta Spa

beach

n Clinica Buchinger n Incosol Medical Spa n Mills & Mills Medical Group n Molding Clinic

hotel

Fun

n El Fuerte Gym n O2 Centro Wellness n Vitality Studios

n Eddy & Marisa’s n El Oceano Beach Hotel n The Beach House n Tikitano

shopping

golf course

n Club del Sol n Don Carlos n Manolo Santana n Puente Romano

innovative

n Buddha Beach n Nikki Beach n Ocean Club n Puro Beach

Leisure

n Passion Café n Small World Café n Terra Sana

gym / leisure

n Finca Cortesín Golf n La Cala Golf Resort n Mijas Golf Club n San Roque Club

beach club

n Da Bruno Ristorante n Rosmarino della Piazza n Villa Tiberio n Zafferano

nightlife

oriental

n Sushi des Artistes n Tai Pan n Taj Majal n Thai Gallery

hair / beauty

n Buenaventura n Calima n El Lago n Messina

italian

Restaurants

spa

specialist clinic

tennis club

international

vote online at www.essentialmagazine.com

n Aloha College n English Int. College n Sotogrande Int. School n Swans Int. School

27/10/09 15:04:29

final chance to vote! Excitement is mounting to a crescendo as this year’s voted,

Welcome to the Finale!

essential Marbella Awards reaches its finale and if you haven’t already

NOW is the time to do so! The voting will be formally closed at midnight on Wednesday 11th November and

the counting will begin. For the first time ever, the Awards will be announced at a lavish

Gala Ceremony at the prestigious

Hotel Puente Romano, on Saturday 21st November. A complete evening’s programme encompassing reception, dinner and live music will culminate with the announcement of this year’s winners who will come on stage to be presented with their trophies. Having been nominated by essential magazine readers and voted for by the general public, the winning of an essential Marbella

Award is a true accolade and these exceptional businesses can proudly display their winner’s seal as a mark of distinction acknowledged by the Marbella Community. F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N O N T H E G A L A C E R E M O N Y D I N N E R A N D T I C K E T S A L E S , P L E A S E CO N TAC T TA L K R A D I O E U R O P E O N Te l : 9 5 2 7 9 9 9 5 3 . in association with Talk Radio Europe

HELPING FLETCHER The perfect opportunity to combine this year’s Awards with a very worthy cause has been realised and both essential magazine and association partner Talk Radio Europe are proud to announce that the proceeds from the evening are to be given to the Málaga-based charity, Plataforma de Ayuda a Fletcher. Fletcher Falvey is a precious little boy who is currently in the United States undergoing treatment to save his life after having been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. More information at www.friendsoffletcher.com

essentialmarbella magazine’s

MARBELLA AWARDS 2009 BUSINESS OF EXCELLENCE AWARD VOTED BY THE PEOPLE

vote online at www.essentialmagazine.com

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THENEWS

REPORT marisa cutillas

FILM REVIEWS

The Ugly Truth [Genre] Romantic Comedy [Director] Robert Luketic (Five Killers) [Actors] Katherine Heigl, Gerard Butler Abby Richter (Katherine Heigl) is an upcoming TV show producer who, despite being ballsy enough to make it in a man’s world, is a hopeless romantic in search of Mr. Right. Work becomes something of a challenge when her boss hires a new TV presenter: Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler), a hardcore, macho commentator who makes no bones about advising women to “get on a stairmaster if you want to meet Mr. Right… no-one’s interested in your personality anyway”. Abby grows determined to bring Mike down but, when she meets ‘the surgeon of her dreams’, she realises she may benefit from Mike’s tips on how to make the dashing doctor fall head over heels in love with her. Abby is set to put Mike’s theories to the test and does, indeed, find the love she has longed for all her life… but in all the wrong places!

The Lovely Bones [Genre] Drama [Director] Peter Jackson (King Kong) [Actors] Rachel Weisz, Mark Wahlberg, Saoirse Ronan Based on Alice Sebold’s best-selling novel, The Lovely Bones is the story of Susie Salmon, a 14-year-old Pennsylvania girl who is brutally murdered but who observes her family from ‘Heaven’. Susie watches over and painfully notes the impact her death has had on her loved ones, while her assassin easily erases all traces of his crime and prepares to commit a second murder. With much irony, black humour and emotion, Susie’s feelings waver between her thirst for vengeance and the great love she feels for her family as she struggles to help them find her body and the truth behind her death.

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus [Genre] Fantasy [Director] Terry Gilliam (Twelve Monkeys) [Actors] Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Colin Farrell, Jude Law This fantastical morality tale centres on Dr. Parnassus and his extraordinary travelling show, The Imaginarium, where the charismatic doctor gives the audience the enviable opportunity of choosing between light and happiness or darkness and sadness. Dr. Parnassus has the incredible gift of guiding people’s imaginations but he hides a terrible secret: many years ago, in return for eternal youth, he promised a certain ‘Mr. Nick’ (who is actually The Devil) to hand over possession of his daughter Valentina when she reached the age of 16. Just before Valentina’s 16th birthday, Dr. Parnassus grows desperate but manages to convince Mr. Nick to give him one last chance. Whoever manages to seduce five souls first will keep Valentina. Desperate to defeat Mr. Nick, Dr. Parnassus enlists the help of a bizarre set of wild, comic and determined allies, promising the hand of his daughter to whoever helps him achieve his aim. Somehow, he hopes, he will be able to redeem his soul from the clutches of the devil and give the gift of eternal freedom to his daughter.

Millenium 2: The Girl Who Played with Fire [Genre] Thriller [Director] Daniel Alfredson (Tic Tac) [Actors] Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist One of the most surprising, elegant thrillers to be released this year was Millenium: Men Who Hate Women, based on the Millenium trilogy by Swedish writer Stieg Larsson. In the first film, heroine Lisbeth Salander (Noomi Rapace) is a Gothic detective/computer genius who helps Mikael Blomkvist (the publisher of a successful magazine) discover the whereabouts of a young heiress who has disappeared 30 years before. The tormented Lisbeth not only unveils the mysterious past of the heiress’ wealthy family (which includes episodes of abuse, Nazism and murder), she also manages to escape from her parole officer, a vile, power-hungry official who abuses his power over Lisbeth with violence. As Lisbeth and Mikael begin to shed light on the mystery, they also find themselves strongly attracted to each other though Lisbeth’s violent past keeps her emotionally distant from him. By the time Millenium 2 starts, Mikael is confused and forlorn as Lisbeth has disappeared and refuses to answer his calls or emails. However, a new case, involving a woman tied to a bed who dreams of owning a match and a bottle of gasoline to put an end to her misery, will once again bring the unlikely couple together.

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THENEWS

REPORT marisa cutillas

DVD RELEASES

Gamer

[Genre] Science Fiction [Directors] Mark Neveldine (Crank), Brian Taylor (Crank) [Actors] Gerard Butler, Michael C. Hall, Kyra Sedgwick Gamer is set in a future where people control the actions and thoughts of other humans in multi-player, online gaming environments. Two futuristic games have been created by computer genius Ken Castle (Michael C. Hall): Society, which allows bored players to live sexy, colourful lives through real people they control virtually; and Slayers, where players control characters in a series of real-life, bloody combats. While Society is a commercial game, Slayers is a top-ratings war, televised all over the world and played with real life prisoners who have been sentenced to death; prisoners such as Kable (Gerard Butler), who has miraculously managed to live through almost 30 game sessions. Kable is controlled by the player Simon, a rich teenage gaming legend who acts as his ‘eyes’ in the bloodiest of battles and gives him orders. If Kable manages to live through Game 30, he is guaranteed his freedom – except that Ken Castle has no intention of letting any player complete the final game. Faced with tough opponents such as Hackman (who isn’t controlled by any player and is therefore faster than any other fighter), Kable will have to convince Simon to stop playing and let him take control of his own life, if he is to have the freedom he yearns for. [Comment] While the special effects make this film a must for sci-fi junkies, Gamer is a bit like Gladiator without the

heart, Deathrace without the novelty factor or Blade Runner without the charm of Rutger Hauer. For a more rewarding getaway flick, we suggest reviewing Paul Michael Glaser’s 1987 The Running Man (starring Arnold Scwarzenegger).

Spread [Genre] Drama [Director] David Mackenzie (Young Adam, Mister Foe) [Actors] Ashton Kutcher, Anne Heche, Margarita Levieva Spread tells the story of Nikki (Ashton Kutcher), a young, handsome gigolo who has been living the high life in Los Angeles by bedding some of the city’s wealthiest and best-looking older women. When Nikki meets successful lawyer Samantha (Anne Heche), he finally achieves his aim: to live in a Hollywood Hills mansion while doing little more than shopping for designer clothes, throwing parties and seducing some of the city’s hottest young things behind his girlfriend’s back. All that changes when Nikki meets Heather (Margarita Levieva), a beautiful young waitress who seems innocent but who is far more of a material girl than her appearance would indicate. Nikki and Heather have only once chance at a real life, where values like love and respect reign supreme. But can a leopard ever really change its spots? [Comment] The film is reminiscent of a Brett Easton Ellis book brought to the big screen, sans the foray into drugs

and alcohol that made films like Less Than Zero so interesting. An interesting, different role for Ashton Kutcher but it lacks the pizzazz that could have made this film a hit.

Motherhood [Genre] Comedy [Director] Katherine Dieckmann (Diggers) [Actors] Uma Thurman, Minnie Driver, Anthony Edwards Eliza Welch (Uma Thurman) is a mother who used to be a fiction writer but now writes a blog called The Bjorn Identity. Eliza has set aside her ambitions to write a best-selling novel in order to care for her two children, while her husband (Anthony Edwards) doesn’t seem to understand the stress Eliza is under. The film focuses on one particularly horrid day when Eliza has had to cope with more than she can bear and feels like giving it all up. After organising her daughter’s sixth birthday party, completing an endless list of chores, battling it out with other parents for a parking space and fighting and making up with her best friend, she comes across a competition in a magazine in which mothers are asked to compose a 500-word on essay on ‘What being a mother means to you’. As Eliza sits down and starts writing, she begins to rediscover the creative spark inside, recording – as only a mother can – the best and worst things that having children brings. [Comment] A fantastic, sensitive and emotional foray into motherhood and the need to fight to keep one’s identity,

despite all the sacrifices children entail.

The Hangover [Genre] Comedy [Director] Todd Phillips [Actors] Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha The weekend prior to his wedding, Doug (Justin Bartha) sets off for Las Vegas for a fun-filled bachelor party with his best friends, Phil and Stu (Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms) and his future brother-in-law, Alan (Zach Galifianakis). On the night of their arrival, as the lads propose a toast to the groom with a glass of bubbly on the terrace of their Caesar’s Palace hotel room, everything seems elegant, organised and predictable… until they wake up the next day and find a tiger in the bathroom, a baby crying on the floor and Doug… gone. The question is: how fast can Doug’s mates get over their hangovers to make sure they find the future groom, return the baby to its rightful mother, return the tiger to Mike Tyson and make it to the church on time? [Comment] It may have been done before (Airbag, Bachelor Party), but it’s still just as much fun to see what drugs and

alcohol can do to a bunch of basically good, middle-of-the-road lads.

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Exclusive Agent

La Zagaleta Golf & Country Club Occupying a prime position between the Clubhouse & the Equestrian Centre, this family home (approx. 1,100m²) enjoys great sea and mountain views. 3 Reception Rooms • Kitchen • 6 Bedroom Suites Games Room • Basement • Garden • Swimming Pool Underfloor Heating • A/C Hot & Cold • 9 Car Garage

Price: €5,950,000

Ref. SPA090138

Modern Villa

Nagüeles, Marbella Completely refurbished modern villa (approx. 500 m²) located a short drive from restaurants & amenities. 2 Reception Rooms • Kitchen with Breakfast Bar 5 Bedroom Suites • Heated Pool • Manicured Garden Large South Facing Terrace • Underfloor Heating Large Driveway with Carport • Plot Approx. 1,800 m²

Price: €1,950,000

Ref. SPA090143

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

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THENEWS

MUSIC REVIEWS REPORT george prior

Cream [Ibiza Album 2009] If you didn’t manage to make it over to legendary Amnesia in Ibiza this summer, this double album by Cream will be the next best thing. This proves once again that the Cream collective are in a league of their own when it comes to bringing the best of the party island to a CD. Last year’s collection, mixed by Paul Van Dyk, was a masterpiece, so this year the pressure to come up with one better must have been tough. Step forward Eddie Halliwell and Sander Van Doorn. These two DJ gods have been able to re-create the feeling and edginess of Amnesia’s main room. They have taken the essence of the brand’s vibe without losing any of the edginess, which is what so often happens on these kinds of albums. Trance music is back, and sleeker than ever. Get those hands up to the lasers and shake it like it’s 1993!

Jay Z [The Blueprint 3] Jay Z is meant to be in retirement. You’ll remember he gave some grandiose speech, released his ‘last’ album a few years back and said he wouldn’t record again. Hip-hop years are like dog years, and he seems to have forgotten all that retirement business because he’s back with The Blueprint 3. Perhaps he was just fed up with being known as Mr Beyoncé Knowles? Or maybe he wants to get back to making ground-breaking hip-hop music? Whatever the reason, Jay Z needs to make this a hit. Which is probably the reason he named it as a sequel to Blueprint – his definitive album that has already allowed him to have more number one albums in America than Elvis. But The Blueprint 3 is patchy, to say the least. He’s still got the rhymes but a lot of that hunger, that rawness, the material which made him the biggest hip-hop star of all time, has vanished. Jay Z faces the dilemma of not being able to convincingly write about the rise to the top (a staple of hip hop lyrics), as he’s already there.

Nelly Furtado [Mi Plan] Nelly Furtado has a plan: to change direction on every album. After her pop album, Whoa Nelly! in 2000, she went back to her Portuguese roots with 2003’s Folklore; then, in 2006, she teamed up with Timbaland (who hasn’t?) for Loose. She’s now releasing her first album in Spanish. Some things don’t change however; namely, her liking for collaborations, this time teaming up with the likes of Alex Cuba, Julieta Venegas and La Mala Rodríguez. Similarly, her girly vocal stylings and her knack of creating the hookiest of hooks remain intact. Although now in Spanish, the songs themselves are pretty standard pop fare on Mi Plan. That’s to say, it is a collection of sassy love songs: “Being happy is my only plan,” she warbles in the title track, which fuses Latin jazz and synthed chords. On Manos al Aire, she attempts to calm down her lover over an acoustic guitar and, in Suficiente Tempo, a harassed and overworked wife claims she’s too stressed for a little bit of loving. Ditching the sound that has made her one of the biggest pop stars in the world to record in a different language, with relatively unknown collaborators, initially seems like commercial suicide. But Ms. Furtado’s plan is going to be a major success: not only has she now got a whole new audience but the album is really rather good.

i George Prior presents the Afternoon

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

Muse [The Resistance] Muse are just about getting away with it on The Resistance… but only just. The fifth album has gone semi-classical and they have left behind the stadium crowd pleasers they have become known for. They are reaching for a more elite level of listening through experimentation although, in parts, it sounds like they’re creating a soundtrack to a sci-fi programme. Listening to the album, you get the feeling they’re on a precipice. One step more and they’re going to be plummeting into the realms of self-parody. I kid you not, the album ends with Exogenesis, a three-part symphony and overture! If that’s not enough, front man Matt Bellamy then sings in French on Or I Belong To You, which is a track based on a religious aria. Some of it is way too much, although you do end up secretly admiring Muse’s cavalier, what-the-hell approach to their musical journey. It is ambitious, even mad, in places but they are also due respect for pushing the boundaries a little. They haven’t yet, thankfully, fallen into the murky waters of utter pretension or taking themselves too seriously. Maybe that will be on album six?

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THENEWS

BOOK REVIEWS

LEISURELY READING

Make your leisure hours a pleasure with these brand new releases, reviewed by Belinda Beckett.

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown The eagerly-awaited follow-up to The Da Vinci Code (2003), which was the bestselling hardcover adult novel of all time. Once again, it features Brown’s unforgettable protagonist, Robert Langdon, in a tale infused with history, codes and intrigue. Nothing is as it first appears in a narrative that takes place in a 12-hour period, where readers will feel the thrill of discovery as they follow Langdon through a masterful and unexpected landscape. The author himself says: “Weaving five years of research into the story’s 12-hour timeframe was an exhilarating challenge. Robert Langdon’s life clearly moves a lot faster than mine.” Sonny Mehta, Chairman of publishers Knopf Doubleday, promises: “This is one of the most anticipated publications in recent history, and it is well worth the wait.”

True Compass: A Memoir by Edward M. Kennedy An autobiography five years in the making, published posthumously, as Senator ‘Ted’ Kennedy died in August, this is the extraordinary personal story of his legendary family, politics, and nearly 50 years at the centre of national events. The youngest of the ‘Kennedy Clan’, he played a key role in the presidential campaign of his brother John F. Kennedy and, in 1962, was elected to the U.S. Senate. Along with an account of his own work on the major issues of the time – civil rights, Vietnam, Watergate, the quest for peace in Northern Ireland – readers are invited inside his charismatic family, and to share controversies which he addresses with unprecedented candour. Hundreds of books have been written about America’s most heralded family but this will endure as an inspiring legacy of a life like no other.

9 Dragons by Michael Connelly A master of contemporary crime fiction, Connelly’s much-loved LAPD Detective Harry Bosch is off the chain in the fastest, fiercest, and highest-stakes case of his life. Fortune Liquors is a small shop in a tough neighbourhood that Bosch has known for years, so the murder of owner John Li hits him hard, and he promises to find the killer. Bringing in a specialist detective for help with translation – not just of languages but also of the cultural norms that guided Li’s life – he uncovers a link to a lethal and far-reaching Hong Kong triad that follows many immigrants to their new lives in the U.S. In a place known as Nine Dragons, as Hong Kong’s Hungry Ghosts festival burns around him, Bosch risks everything he has in a desperate bid to outmatch the triad’s ferocity.

Moonwalk by Michael Jackson A re-release of his best-selling 1998 autobiography, timed to coincide with the big surge of global love for the artist following his death. To the original Foreword by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis has been added a new Introduction by Motown founder Berry Gordy, and an Afterword by Jackson’s editor and publisher, Shaye Areheart. In the hindsight of Jackson’s sad demise, this intimate personal account of his childhood, public and private life seems even more heart-rending, especially as he is now remembered not as ‘wacko’ but as a sadly misunderstood mega-talent and a legend in his abruptlycurtailed lifetime. Jackson writes: “I’ve always wanted to be able to tell stories that came from my soul… make people see pictures, make them cry and laugh, take them anywhere emotionally with something as deceptively simple as words.” With this book, a collector’s item for anyone who doesn’t own the original, the King of Pop will have his wish.

Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Josef Pieper One of the most important philosophy titles published in the 20th century, this autumn’s re-release is even more significant today than it was when it first appeared more than 50 years ago. Pieper, an influential German Catholic philosopher who died in 1997, believes that leisure is an attitude of the mind that fosters a capacity to perceive the reality of the world. The Greeks and medieval Europeans understood the importance of leisure as the first foundation of any culture. Yet, Pieper maintains, our bourgeois world has lost the art through idolatry of the machine, the worship of mindless know-how and the infantile cult of youth, and he issues a stark warning: unless we regain the art of silence, insight and the ability for non-activity, we will destroy our culture and ourselves.

Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell Powell became an Internet celebrity with the blog of her year-long odyssey cooking every recipe in Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. A frustrated secretary in New York, Powell embarked on project to find a sense of direction, and both the cooking and the blogging became all-consuming as she expanded on her personal life: her doting husband, wacky friends and evil co-workers. Powell never met Child (who died last year) but her spirit is present throughout and lives on in the hilarious film version, with Meryl Streep as the chef and Amy Adams as the feisty Julie.

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THETHEME

LEISURE

“In our leisure we reveal what kind of people we are.” Ovid

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LEISURE: A Case of Bread

and

Circuses?

From brutal gladiatorial battles in the Coliseum of ancient Rome to today’s soccer hooliganism and binge drinking, Belinda Beckett takes a look at leisure through the ages to discover how – and why – society gets its kicks.

e like to think we’re the most leisured society in the history of the planet and in Spain, with its two-hour siestas, 14 national public holidays and multiplicity of local fiestas celebrating everything from the virgin birth to the tomato, that seems very much the case. Catholic Mediterranean countries are big on leisure with a capital P for Party. In Protestant work ethic-driven America, the reverse is true, worryingly so, as that workaholic nation sets the trends the rest of the world follows. According to the latest figures, the average American married couple works 26 per cent longer than three decades ago while their favourite leisure pursuits – TV watching and Internet surfing – have lead to a lack of physical activity that has become a serious health threat. In Europe, although working hours have certainly decreased in the last century, the amount of leisure time per capita hasn’t changed much because non-work time is not necessarily leisure – unless you enjoy shopping and housework. Whatever happened to British economist John Maynard Keynes’ prediction, in 1930, that the biggest problem facing future generations would be what to do with all their free time? In her new book, The Leisure Economy, Canadian economist Linda Nazareth predicts that the western world is moving out of a time-crunch economy into a leisure economy, as younger generations prioritise free time over wage earning. “I see us moving to a society where more people have more time,” she says. “Baby boomers are the most competitive generation we’ve ever seen and they have made it fashionable to be busy. They always had to compete with each other because there are so many of them. They have given us the time-crunch economy, where people have had very little time and a relatively large amount of money. So they have paid for convenience – food that has been prepped, people to fix their houses and walk their dogs. In the leisure economy, there will be more time and less money. You’ll get people who will take time through working part-time, or retiring on smaller incomes. So they’ll shy away from restaurants because they have time to cook and they will stop buying pre-sliced carrots because they are trying to budget. The whole concept of services we use today will have to readjust.” History reveals that we all used to have a lot more leisure time. Primitive hunters-gatherers only ‘worked’ when it was necessary to find food or make tools while survival skills like hunting and war were regarded as pastimes learned, much as

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“We give up leisure in order that we may have leisure, just as we go to war in order that we may have peace. “ in the animal kingdom, through childs’ play. Rome, in 354 AD, celebrated 200 public holidays a year while The Bank of England observed 33 saints’ days and festivals until 1834, when they were cut to four; (today there are three Bank Holidays and only eight annual public holidays.) The plethora of holidays in times past was a way of controlling people’s leisure activities and many were holy days, while the Church controlled the only free day off by declaring Sunday a day of rest, when any form of frivolity was banned and God-fearing folk were required to spend the day on their knees. The history of leisure goes back a long way. Ancient Egyptian paintings depict scenes of bullfighting and primitive ‘orchestras’ playing string and percussion instruments. The Romans had their Coliseum, the ancient Greeks their amphitheatres and Olympic Games while archaelogical discoveries reveal that sports, the arts, children’s toys, feasting, drinking, dancing, thermal bathing or even a trip to the local bordello were on the agenda in more sophisticated civilizations. Many spectator sports were what we would regard as cruel (cock-fighting, bearbaiting), some were downright non-PC

(freak shows) and even kicking a sheep’s bladder around (the forerunner of football) was a blood sport with few rules and a lot of injury time. Indeed, contrary to its innocuous image, leisure is one of the most controversial areas of social history, with a tradition of classrelated disputes over how free time should be spent and controlled, and an underlying ruling-class fear that boisterous leisure activities might spill over into political riot. In 200 AD the Roman poet Juvenal wrote: “Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses.” He was referring to the practice of Roman Emperors handing out free wheat and laying on spectacular games and chariot races in the Coliseum to subdue the masses. These events were targeted largely at the ‘plebeians’ (the middle-class trades people and artisans) to distract them from negative thought. They had plenty of time for plotting since, as more and more ‘coloni’ (slaves) were brought back from the Roman conquests to do the dirty work, they lived in semiidleness. These entertainments grew ever more copious and extravagant (75 games days a year, at their height) and soon the

Aristotle

Coliseum was echoing to the screams of gladiators being butchered by their peers or torn limb from limb by wild animals. Afterwards, everyone could unwind at an orgy! Down the centuries, a bread and circuses policy was a much-used weapon in the ruling-class armoury for winning over an unruly populace. Spanish intellectuals in the 19th and 20th centuries complained about the similar pan y toros while ‘culture industry’ was a term coined by 20th century sociologists who saw popular culture as the new opiate of the masses, designed to keep them docile and content, no matter what their economic circumstances. Even 20th century leisure activities sponsored by paternalistic employers, such as brass bands, works outings and sports events, were more than mere disinterested acts of generosity. It’s no coincidence that the word ‘leisure’ come from the Latin licere, meaning ‘to be licensed’. The Catholic (and later Protestant) Church heavily influenced what were

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acceptable leisure activities; for example, actors were considered degenerate and could not be baptised! But, in a controlled way, the common populace were licensed to let rip on non-religious holidays such as May Day, when a phallic May Pole would be erected on the village green and ‘entertainment’ included pelting victims in the stocks with rotten fruit, submersing nagging women in water on ducking stools… and Morris Dancing. One 12th century chronicler warned against visiting London on May Day because it was, “crowded with drunken stage-players, buffoons, druggists, lustful persons and extortionists”. Leisure has also been somewhat exclusive and elitist, down the centuries. In ancient Greece only men could go to the theatre or work out in the gymnasia – a combination of gym, running track, bathing facility, lecture hall and park – where the dress code was naked and exercise was geared to keeping guys fit for military service. In Medieval times, jousting and hunting required money for horses and hound packs. In Tudor England, Henry VIII passed a law banning ordinary citizens from a whole range of games such as tennis, dice, bowls and skittles, least it distract them from their work. Fencing and, later duelling, were seriously rich men’s sport that came to be regarded as fine arts. In his 1899 book, The Theory of the Leisure

Class, Norwegian-American economist Thorstein Veblen wrote that much of today’s society is a variation on early tribal life where higher-status groups monopolised the ‘noble’ pursuits of war and hunting while farming and cooking, considered inferior work, fell to members of conquered tribes. He called this emerging ruling class the ‘leisure class’. To Veblen, society never grew out of this stage but simply adapted it. For example, during the Middle Ages, only the nobility was allowed to hunt and fight wars. Likewise in modern times, manual labourers usually make less money than white-collar workers. The consequences of this social order lead to the subjugation of women, originally as ‘trophies of war’ and later as ‘trophy wives’ who were not allowed to work and whose ample leisure time and conspicuous consumption was proof of their husbands’ status and financial success. Even today, sports such as soccer have allowed its key players to show off their prowess on the ‘field of battle’ urged on by their ‘troops’ – the fans, whose sometimes violent support from the sidelines is tribal warfare by any other name. The Victorian ‘rational recreation’ movement was an attempt by government and the private sector to organise social activities based on self-improvement. This was encouraged through public libraries, museums and urban recreation grounds catering for

“Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure.” Thorstein Veblen

the increasing number of people moving to cities to live and work at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Initially, there wasn’t much time for this, as 18-hour shifts were the norm for factory workers. But more efficient mechanisation and the emergence of trade unions ushered in a shorter working week, paid holidays and Saturdays off, as well as Sundays, giving rise to that modern phenomenon we live for today: the weekend. Entrepreneurs began to see leisure as a commodity and the working class as a new mass of consumers to be exploited. Thus, much leisure activity in late Victorian times moved from participation to spectator status, with a boom in music-halls, variety theatres and end-of-the-pier shows. Affordable railway transport gave rise to the first package holidays to seaside resorts in the 1870s. Butlins opened its first holiday camp at Skegness in 1937 while opportunities to see the countryside were developed with the foundation of the Youth Hostel Association. In the 1930s, there were radios registered

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“Leisure: A fancy word for people who don’t want to admit they’re bored.” Gene Perret

in nine houses out of ten and Currys was selling a cheap set for £1. The gramophone brought the dance floor into the home (though each record only played for a few minutes) and, in 1929, The Times commented that “in every street, in every block of flats it is usual now to hear half-a-dozen or more gramophones all making different noises at once”. This was also the heyday of cinema building and improved standards of living. In 1938 real wages (in relation to items of expenditure) were up 30 per cent on 1913 figures. There was money available for entertainment and leisure. In a world in which people were not familiar with the health risks, 80 per cent of men and 41 per cent of women smoked and gambling, on horses, dogs and the football pools, was popular. From the 1960s onwards, television became the world’s most widely used form of media while pop culture, with its attendant drinking and drug-taking, took hold. From the 1980s, there has been a backlash to these ‘unhealthy’ activities with a fitness boom that has seen the mass-construction of spas, health clubs and gymnasiums and the arrival of personal trainers, diet clubs and fitness gurus wearing designer leotards and leg warmers. In his survey of modern leisure called Waiting for the Weekend, Witold Rybczynski wonders if it’s all getting just a little too serious: “People used to ‘play’ tennis, now they ‘work’ on their backhand,” he says. “Formerly devil-may-care pastimes are now bedeviled by the need to have the proper equipment and the correct costume.’’ Today, leisure is one of the world’s most diverse and fastest-growing industries, with everyone vying for our disposable income while exploiting our growing need for a healthier lifestyle and work/life balance. In the UK, leisure accounts for nearly 30 per cent of consumer spending and creates one in five new jobs. Active leisure is encouraged not only for its health benefits but because it requires the purchase of equipment and services. Indeed, leisure is now such a cornerstone of Britain’s economy

that a specialist government office (the Department of Culture, Media and Sport) has been created to oversee policy. The late scholar and sportsman A. Bartlett Giametti, president of Yale University, and Commissioner of Major League Baseball, once famously said: “You can learn more about a society by observing the way they play, as opposed to how they work.” A recent Euro stat survey found that people in Britain spend 45 per cent of their free time watching television, 24 per cent socialising, 23 per cent on sport and hobbies and 10 per cent on other activities such as listening to music, DIY, gardening and eating out. The Mexicans and Japanese spend almost half their leisure time watching TV; the New Zealanders less than 25 per cent. Turks, the most sociable nation, devote 35 per cent of their leisure time to entertaining friends while (surprisingly) the Spanish are the most sporty, spending 13 per cent of their time on physical activities. Youngsters across the globe spend most of their free time hooked up to ipods, mobile phones and MP3 players. Meanwhile, today’s booming Experience Gifts market, with its emphasis on extreme sports – skydiving, racing car driving, hot air ballooning, kayaking, sphereing – shows that we are looking for greater kicks. There’s even a new marketing term for users: ‘transumers’, defined by the company Trendwatching.com as, “Consumers driven by experiences instead of the ‘fixed’, by entertainment, by discovery, by fighting boredom, who increasingly live a transient lifestyle, freeing themselves from the hassles of permanent ownership and possessions. The fixed is replaced by an obsession with the here and now, an evershorter satisfaction span and a lust to collect as many experiences and stories as possible.” Like the citizens of Rome at the height of its empire, we want bigger and better spectacles, more bread and circuses… and you know what happened to them! n essential marbella magazine

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THETHEME

LEISURE

Belinda Beckett discovers Marbella’s immensly varied lifestyle, defining it as a leading leisure destination.

arbella is synonymous with leisure – and make that a capital L, for Luxury. It has long been known as a city for ladies who lunch (and, more latterly, for ladies who wax, Botox, irrigate colonically and spend hours at the beauty salon having their false toenails renewed). While social trends’ surveys show that people in other parts of the western world are time-poor because they’re working so hard to afford a ‘lifestyle’, the archetypal Marbellí has been there, done that and got the gold lamé T-shirt. Hence, all manner of leisure providers have gravitated to this small but affluent corner of Europe to offer their products and services. It’s no exaggeration to say that whatever floats your boat (a 60-metre flybridge yacht?) and wherever you’d like to float it (a rooftop Jacuzzi with gold taps?) you can find it here. Whether your fantasy is powering a Ferrari around a race track, jumping out of a plane, or showing off with a stretch limo complete

with personal shopper, no order is too tall. Cookery classes taught by a gorgeous French celebrity chef? No problem since sex-on-toast French Jean-Christophe Novelli arrived at the Hotel Lorcrimar’s catering school. A chance to dance with a man who danced with a girl who danced with the Prince of Wales? Simply book a restaurant table at Polo House where the dashing Major James Hewitt holds court. In this modern-day Babylon you can shop in a Balinesestyle floating commercial centre (Laguna Village), splurge on designer labels in Marbella’s myriad boutiques (or buy the fake versions at the Monday and Saturday markets) and, courtesy of the many casas de decoración, even order a trompe l’oeil painting for your wall so realistic you’ll be in danger of walking into it after a few bottles of Bollie. If you do any lasting damage, there are plenty of top cosmetic surgeons here who can fix it (and have you lifted, tucked and liposucked, too, if such is your desire).

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MARBELLA: LEISURE CITY

Meanwhile, for those who enjoy the simpler pleasures of batting a ball around a court, spacing out in a spa or taking the kids for a fun day out, it’s all on the doorstep in Leisure City.

Sports At the last count, Andalucía had 104 golf courses – two for every week of the year – and most are a short drive (though not always in golfing terms) of Marbella. Valderrama, host of the Ryder Cup and numerous Volvo Masters (where a green fee costs the equivalent of a double room in a very luxurious hotel) and San Roque, whose magnificent clubhouse was the erstwhile family home of the Domecq sherry dynasty, are both in Cádiz province but any self-respecting low handicapper has played them at least once. You can even play golf at night in Marbella, on the floodlit course of Dama de Noche. Many courses are designed

by home-grown pros like Seve Ballasteros and José María Olazábal. Most have their own luxury clubhouses and restaurants, some with hotels and swimming pools too and in summer, the sport’s low season in southern Spain, they attract non-golfers who can enjoy the views from the clubhouse terraces and first-class dining. With Spanish players a force to be reckoned with on the professional circuit, some of whom come to play here in Davis Cup and Federation Cup matches at the Puente Romano Tennis Club’s beautiful open air courts, Marbella is well-endowed on the tennis front. Former Wimbledon champion Manolo Santana runs Marbella Racquets Club and late great Australian player Lew Hoad’s club in Mijas is still going strong. The typically Spanish raquet sport of padel tennis (a bit like squash) is also well-catered for in clubs up and down the coast.

Sailing has been growing in popularity since Spain’s massive investment in leisure marinas. All offer yacht charter, pleasure cruises, trendy bars, restaurants and nightlife, and the most famous of them all is the jet set marina of Puerto Banús, for the chance to ogle a line-up of ocean-going mega yachts. A new star in the ascendant is Ocean Village, Gibraltar, with its casino and space to lay on waterside concerts headlining top artists like this summer’s Status Quo gig. Closer still is bijou Sotogrande marina, eagerly awaiting the opening of stylish Blue Sotogrande village, designed to convince even the most reluctant that shopping can be fun. Close by, Sotogrande’s famous polo grounds host tournaments for the world’s top teams, international royalty included. Football is one of the national passions and Marbella has its own home stadium and team. With tickets from only 8€ and free admission for children under 16, it’s a great family essential marbella magazine

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the government is investing huge sums in rural tourism to promote the ‘real Spain’, there has never been a greater choice of accommodation, from humble log cabins to luxurious boutique hotels.

Extreme Sports

afternoon out. At this time of year, the proximity of Marbella to the snowy slopes of the Sierra Nevada also pays off. There aren’t many places in the world where you can bask on the beach in the morning and later, find yourself eating Swiss fondu with friends in a log cabin while snowflakes fall softly against the window, but the ski station is under three hours’ drive from the coast. Closer still, Marbella sierras offer a mountain of possibilities for all manner of activities: fishing, bird watching, mountain climbing, pony trekking, paragliding, canoeing and you name it. And, now that

Marbella is a great base for high adrenalin options. Get down and dirty on a fun-filled quad biking safari through the Andalusian countryside; learn kite surfing in Tarifa, the international home of this exhilarating sport; try big game fishing or see marine life at closer quarters on a scuba diving expedition. Happy Divers Marbella & IDC College has been operating from the Atalaya Park Hotel since 1996 and its highly-qualified instructors offer a variety of courses for all levels. As an alternative to water skiing in choppy seas, Cable Ski Marbella is set on a huge natural lake in Guadalmina. For a Born to be Wild experience, explore Andalucía on a supreme Harley Davidson supermachine (courtesy of Flyride Spain, Benahavís); enjoy a high octane motorsports experience at the world-famous Ascari Race Resort in Ronda; or try out the whacky sport of sphereing and you’ll soon be head over heels in love with this crazy, high-rolling sport. And the sky really is the limit. For

the ultimate adrenaline rush, you can’t beat skydiving. The AFF course run by Sky Dive Spain offers a fast-track route into this terrific sport. After just one day of ground-training you’re ready to jump with your own parachute from up to 4,500 metres, accompanied by two expert instructors, into a drop zone in Seville!

Health & Beauty It’s no longer cool to be a fat cat. Wellness is an upwardly-mobile global trend that is a reaction to our unhealthy lifestyles and can be seen in the way that no self-respecting new luxury hotel can call itself so without a spa attraction. At the Hotel Gvadalpin Spa, whose 1,200m2 of wet areas and cornucopia of invigorating water treatments make it one of the largest in Europe, you can enjoy a decadent day being slathered with caviar or enjoying its Gold & Cava treatment. If you’re feeling fruity or want to spice up your love life, La Cala Golf Resort’s opulent Caracala spa has a Couple Suite where you can enjoy an Exotic Lime and Ginger Salt Glow à deux. For more vigorous activity, Marbella abounds with seriously luxurious gyms where classes can be taken in everything from spinning to kick boxing and, no doubt coming soon (as the latest crazes from LA always do), Zumba (a fusion of

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ONE LEVEL VILLA, EL HERROJO, LA QUINTA Enchanting villa, completely refurbished in 2008 and located within a residential gated community with 24 hour security. At a short drive or walk to La Quinta golf course and Club House, and at a 10 minute drive to Puerto Banus. Fully fitted and equipped kitchen with breakfast area, adjoining laundry room and exit to garden. A/C by split units in bedrooms. Pool house with sauna, changing area and shower. Small workshop. Iroko double glazing, electric under floor heating throughout, Domotic system. Carport of 15sq mts. DM2477 :: Bedrooms/Dormitorios 3:: Bathrooms/Baños 2 :: Built/Construido 227m2 :: Plot/Parcela 1130m2 :: Price/Precio 1,450,000€

BEAUTIFUL VILLA IN SECURE GATED COMMUNITY, NUEVA ANDALUCIA Located at a short drive to Puerto Banus and located within a gated community of villas. The property is south facing and conveniently features 2 bedroom suites on ground level both with access to the garden. Lift to all floors. Semi-basement with natural light, 2-car garage and room for additional living area. Master bedroom suite occupies the entire upper level. Kitchen with Smeg appliances and granite work tops and eat-in kitchen. Water heated under floor heating throughout, air conditioning hot/cold, marble flooring throughout, triple glazing. DM2348-02 :: Bedrooms/Dormitorios 5:: Bathrooms/Baños 4 :: Built/Construido 551m2 :: Plot/Parcela 1101m2 :: Price/Precio 2,100,000€

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LEADING PROPERTY AGENTS OF SPAIN

Av. Ricardo Soriano 72, B 1º. 29601 Marbella. Málaga. Spain. Tel.: +34 952 76 51 38 I enquiries@dmproperties.com I www.dmproperties.com

aerobics and Latin salsa dancing, as practiced by Ricky Martin) and Body Web (Ben Affleck’s favourite form of Suspension Training). If looking good is a priority, Marbella abounds with beauty parlours catering for you, your man or, in some cases, your dog! The expert cutters, colourists and beauticians at Reflections Hair, Nails & Skincare of Nueva Andalucía have been preparing Marbella’s beautiful people for their parties and closeups for 11 years. You can even take a personal make-up masterclass or book an appointment for a total revamp with an image consultant, such as Flawless Image, advisers to celebrities like Britney Spears, Pierce Brosnan and Extreme Makeovers TV. Many salons offer non-invasive rejuvenation treatments as well as facial fillers, or perhaps you’d care to take it a step further with cosmetic surgery? Marbella is at the epicentre of the burgeoning field of medical tourism because of its beautiful location and hospital accommodations to rival those of a five-star hotel.

Chilling, Chowing & Chatting To flaunt your new image, what better place than one of Marbella’s beach clubs. Nikki, Buddha, Puro and Ocean Club are all synonymous with Marbella’s hip and glam scene and a mainstay of the summer season. Not merely places to get a tan and take a swim, they offer fine lunchtime and evening dining and, after sunset, a frenetic party atmosphere with live music, exotic dancers and top international DJs spinning chilled sounds for a celebrity clientele. In winter, the social scene simply moves indoors to Marbella’s multiplicity of nightclubs and bares de copas, or maybe the casino at Banús. The dining scene is legendary (any ethnic cuisine you like, from Mediterranean to Mongolian) and the restaurateurs highly competitive, so expect great innovation and attention to detail (for Marbella’s top chefs, life is never too short to stuff a mushroom). Or, if you prefer to wake up like a film star with a champagne breakfast in bed you can have it delivered to your door by Portobello Bespoke Caterers, which will also provide personal chefs to prepare your dinner parties and à la carte picnic hampers, the ultimate designer accessory for a perfect day out.

Family Fun Marbella is a fun place for families. Estepona’s 100-hectare Selwo Safari Park houses 200 species from five continents in an environment approximating their natural habitat. Further afield, you can get up close and personal with meerkats and Madagascan lemurs at Fuengirola Zoo, meet ferocious reptiles at Torremolinos Crocodile Park, shoot penguins on your digital camera at Selwo Marina, Benalmádena, and see wolves in the wild at Antequera’s Lobo Park. Also check out the multi-screen cinemas at Banús, Plaza del Mar and La Cañada, Funny Beach for gokarting, the state-of-the-art 14-lane Megabowl tenpin bowling centre at La Cañada, paintball at Estepona and Tivoli World amusement park and cable car ride in Arroya de la Miel.

Learning & Lifestyle Marbella is a great place to expand your mind, whether you enjoy the cultural stimulation of its museums and art galleries or want to learn a new skill. There are specialist companies offering everything from landscape painting to archaeology or learning the Spanish language. If you’re a fan of Strictly Come Dancing, you can become a samba or salsa siren at Princess Dance Studios in Puerto Banús, whose qualified instructors also offer courses in the sensual art of pole dancing! Or, if drinking can be classified as a leisure activity, you can book an unforgettable stag or hen weekend here. Eclipse Leisure is just one company offering pre-wedding packages, including your own personalised stag or hen website and a variety of all the above-mentioned activities rolled into one frenetic bachelor party. Makes it almost seem worth getting married for!

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G.I.P.E.: Miguel Tobar

VILLA MARKETING Established for 26 Years

Since 1983

FRONTLINE GOLF Ref. 9147 Villa in Nueva Andalucia with views over the golf course and towards the sea beyond. Recently built to a high standard, south facing with 5 bedroom suites, cinema room, gym, office, bar, double garage, heated pool, underfloor heating and Intelligent Domotic System. Reduced from 2.300.000 to 1.850.000 Euros

FRONTLINE GOLF Ref. 9522 Charming villa set in a beautiful mature garden in the best area of Nueva Andalucia. Quiet area, south facing, large plot of 2.494m2, 5 bedrooms & bathrooms, study, large living area, dining room, beautiful large new kitchen, pool house with bar, double garage.

NUEVA ANDALUCIA Ref. 8913 Spacious villa situated frontline golf with lovely views, 4 spacious bedrooms and bathrooms, spacious lounge with separate reception areas, large kitchen and a garage. Reduced to 1.100.000 Euros

NUEVA ANDALUCIA Ref. 9615 Villa situated close to Las Brisas Golf, faces west, set in a beautiful mature and very private garden. A real home, cozy living room, plus large glassed in winter living-dining area, 5 bedrooms, heated pool, garage. Price: 795.000 Euros

NUEVA ANDALUCIA Ref. 9620 Magnificent south facing penthouse offering uninterrupted views of the coast, Africa and the golf valley. Immaculate condition, 3 ensuite bedrooms, large living-dining room, good size fully fitted kitchen, large terraces, garage, sold furnished. Opportunity. Price: 595.000 Euros

NUEVA ANDALUCIA Ref. 9258 Large luxury south facing apartments with panoramic views,set in a beautiful complex. Spacious living area, modern kitchen, big sunny terraces, garage and store room. Apartments with 2 and 3 bedrooms from 366.000 euros. Price: 395.000 Euros

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

CY CMY

THEPEOPLE STARS AT PLAY

t has to be one of the unlikeliest Hollywood pastimes yet but Ping-Pong, a.k.a. table tennis, is the latest celebrity cult hobby taking the United States by storm. But forget scout huts and church halls – this game is played in luxury surroundings at SPiN New York, an exclusive new 13,000 square foot Ping-Pong parlour big enough to house the sport’s growing number of A-list devotees who turn up with their own designer bats. There’s even a new magazine, Celebrity Ping-Pong, in which famous people converse over a game. SPiN New York was opened by filmmakers Jonathan Bricklin, Bill Mack and Franck Raharinosy after they put a table in their loft office for their own amusement a couple of years ago. “People would come over all the time to play us: Owen Wilson, Salman Rushdie, the rapper 50 Cent,” says Bricklin. “It’s the sport of the future. It’s so simple that there’s no barrier to entry and it has a carnival game-esque mind trick that makes you think that you could win at any possible moment or beat someone who is, potentially much, much better than you. That element is very exciting and addictive.” Actor Ed Norton became so hooked he took time out from filming in China to get expert tuition, 50 Cent held a table tennis-themed birthday party and 62-yearold Susan Sarandon was introduced to the game by her teenage son. “The matches aren’t that long, so they get very emotional very fast and then they’re over,” she says. “You can come and go as you please and still feel satisfied.” Harry Potter starlet Emma Watson is said to be such a demon at the game that her male co-stars on set are too embarrassed to play her while, when Damian Lewis was asked what he would do if he wasn’t an actor, he replied: “I’d be a professional Ping-Pong player.” The classic game of Scrabble, which has rescued many a wet weekend for three generations, is also a favourite star attraction. Robbie Williams likes nothing better than kicking back after a concert with a bag of lettered tiles. Fans include Kylie Minogue, the Queen, Guy Ritchie, Brad Pitt, Richard Branson, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Mel Gibson and Joan Collins. The game has been the subject of two Hollywood movies and a documentary and is sold in 121 countries and 29 languages. A more productive and demanding hobby among the super rich is wine. Time was when it used to be

enough to buy a yacht, drape it with blondes and moor it in Puerto Banús but, these days, the ultimate status symbol is owning a vineyard. Sting has vineyards in Tuscany, Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall owns a spread on the slopes of Mount Etna while film director Francis Ford Coppola has been making wine commercially for over two decades in California’s Napa Valley. His top tipple, Rubicon 1997, sells for around €90 a bottle. Gérard Depardieu, who owns vineyards all over France, lists his occupation as ‘acteur-vigneron’ on his passport and once described the process as: “A little like a pregnancy, worrying about the birth of the wine.” Closer to home, Cliff Richard reinstated a rundown vineyard on land surrounding his Algarve villa a few years back and named the wine Vida Nova – ‘new life’ in Portuguese. At the time, he said: “It’s the most expensive hobby I’ve ever had. For five years I’ve watched the vines grow and not made a penny, and I don’t think I will for years to come.” However, at its launch in Britain his wine was such a success that it has kick-started the wine industry in a region not previously celebrated for its viticultural prowess. A less likely celebrity fad is knitting, a popular stress reliever among Hollywood’s ‘knitterati’. It started when actor Russell Crowe posed for a 1997 edition of Movieline magazine, armed with a set of knitting needles. It turned out he was spinning a yarn but the New Zealand-born Gladiator has become a pinup for the knit-one, pearl-one brigade. Genuine nuts for knitting include Madonna, Goldie Hawn, Brooke Shields and Sex and the City’s Sarah Jessica Parker, who reportedly knits between takes during filming, while Julia Roberts once posed for a magazine in her own hand-knitted sweater.

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They spend a large part of their lives entertaining us, but what do the stars do for their own amusement? Belinda Beckett pries into the (often zany) private lives of people in the public eye.

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The Dalai Lama Magic Hands

So much for mass celebrity trends but what of the off-the-wall hobbies of individual stars? Read on, and prepare to be surprised.

Rod Stewart Mad for Models It’s no secret that Rod Stewart has a thing for models – Rachel Hunter, Kelly Emberg, his wife Penny Lancaster. But news that the raspy-voiced rocker digs model railways too took America by surprise when his latest creation was featured on the front cover of Model Railroader, an honour he said “meant more than making the cover of Rolling Stone”. Rod spent months creating a replica of New York’s Grand Central Station at his Beverley Hills mansion, complete with 100ft of track, buildings and figures in 1940s period dress. His Epping Forest pad also boasts a model layout, based on the English East Coast line. It’s not just a passing fad, as Stewart told chat show host Larry King: “My old dad, bless his cotton socks, bought me a second-hand guitar and said, ‘Son, I think there might be some money in this. I actually wanted a railway station for my model railway. I was 13 or 14 at the time. But he bought me a guitar and the rest is history.”

Bill Wyman – Heavy Metal Man Rolling Stone Bill Wyman is used to mess and mayhem (the smashed-up hotel rooms, the drink, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll binges). But nowadays the 72-year-old gets his kicks in a more abstemious way, messing around in a muddy field with his metal detector. He bought his first in 1991 and has unearthed 300 coins, including a gold half-noble from 1361 and a coin minted during the reign of Harold II. “It’s not just an old fogey thing,” says Wyman. “My daughters are interested.” Wyman is so enamoured with his hobby he has cowritten a book about it: Bill Wyman’s Treasure Islands.

Mike Tyson Bird Fancier ‘Iron Mike’ has always fancied the birds. He’s been married three times and has sired six children with several different women; but not a lot of people know that racing pigeons have played a central part in his life, and at one time he kept 1,000 birds. The future World Heavyweight Champion of the boxing world developed his interest as a kid growing up in super-tough Brownsville, New York. Early on, he let people know not to mess with him when a local thug pulled the head off one his pigeons. Tyson reacted by beating the bigger boy to a pulp. “I’ve been doing this my whole life, longer than anything I’ve ever participated in besides breathing,” he says, (referring to the pigeon-rearing). “It’s like one of those boyhood diseases that you can’t get out of your blood… I know people think I’m crazy because I’m black, rich and I’m here flying pigeons, but this is what I’ve done all my life – I’m gonna die doing this.”

Geena Davis Many Strings to her Bow Oscar-winner Geena Davis is more than just a pretty face. Aside from her electrifying performances in Thelma & Louise and The Accidental Tourist, she also hits the spot with a bow and arrow. Archery is her passion and her skill at the sport became apparent two years after her first lesson, when she narrowly failed to qualify for the US Olympic team in Sydney in 2000. Her interest was fired after seeing a television report on 1996 Olympic gold medallist Justin Huish, and she began practicing for four-to-six hours a day, between film assignments. “Archery attracted my imagination and my goal continues to be to become as good as I can get. Everything I do, I get intense about,” says Geena, who has other strings to her bow. She’s a member of Mensa, has worked as a model and cartoonist and relaxes by playing the flute and drums.

Jodie Kidd – On Track for Success Supermodel Jodie Kidd is used to strutting the world’s catwalks but, in 2005, she found herself stepping up to the podium with co-driver Fabio Babini to take the trophy for the 2005 Maserati Trofeo Pro-Am race at Bologna. It was only her third outing and the Italian media nicknamed her Queen of the Rain for winning in torrential conditions. Kidd, a firm believer that anything guys can do, gals can do just as well, says: “Unless women get the chance to prove themselves they will always seem to be less able, simply through not being given the opportunity to compete. Women are slowly breaking through in motor racing now, and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t make it to the top. It’s not like rugby where women are at a physical disadvantage.” Jodie is a frequent visitor to Sotogrande where she comes to watch her brother Jack excel in another highoctane sport – polo.

Tibet’s 14th Dalai Lama, 74year-old Tenzin Gyatso, may be semi-retired and in exile but when the temporal and spiritual leader is not meditating or teaching, he enjoys a somewhat unusual hobby: mechanics, which is listed among his recreations in International Who’s Who. When he was installed at Lhasa in Tibet, aged five, he was presented with a Meccano set by the British agent Sir Basil Gould, which he cherished. While still a youngster, he astonished his elders by repairing Tibet’s three cars. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate is also said to particularly enjoy fixing clocks and has a Rolex watch given to him by President Franklin Roosevelt which he maintains himself. He has also taken apart and repaired an old film projector, without any instructions. When he was first given superglue as a present, he considered it a miracle, friends say.

MORE STAR PASTIMES AT A GLANCE u Christina Aguilera enjoys ‘naked Sundays’

with her husband, music marketing executive Jordan Bratman, commenting: “You have to keep marriage alive. Spice it up”. u John Cleese lists his hobbies as gluttony and sloth in Debrett’s People of Today. u Johnny Depp has put his hands up to playing with dolls. ‘I’ve played with a lot of Barbies and Kens for my kids,” he says. “Once, I was exploring different characters with the Barbies and my daughter didn’t like it. At one point she said, ‘Dad, please just stop, don’t do that, just do your regular voice’.” u Simon Cowell enjoys spying on the neighbours. (We thought it was crushing the hopes and dreams of talentless singers everywhere, but spying on the neighbours works too.) u Roger Federer finds watching cricket relaxing, but so’s watching paint dry. u Ben Stiller excels at playing nerds but he’s one in real life – a self-confessed hardcore Trekkie. Ben appeared on the TV special, Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond, and has referenced the show in some of his work. u Tiger Woods is not only a cool cat on the golf course, he’s a Tiger shark of the ocean; diving and spear fishing are among his favourite hobbies. u Richard E Grant enjoys making dolls houses, according to Debrett’s People of Today. But he’s not that much of a wuss, as he’s also an avid fan of West Ham United. u Magician Derren Brown’s hobby, as listed in Debrett’s People of Today, is stuffing dead animals. He also presumably likes living ones, as he’s Patron of Britain’s National Parrot Sanctuary.

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THEPEOPLE MICHAEL KEIJZER

Report Marisa CUTILLAS photography kh Photography AND COURTESY OF MICHAEL KEIJzER

Michael aged 18, in his first bar, Daytona

i DREAMERS

CN340, km 175, Marbella. Tel: 952 812 080. www.dreamers-disco.com

“

People sometimes think that you need a wealthy father to get far but I hope I can prove that you can make it on your own by working hard,” says Michael Keijzer, founder and owner of Dreamers night club in Puerto Banús and co-owner of Polynesian’s Restaurant & Cocktail bar. When I arrive at his office to meet him for our interview, he is sitting at his desk, busily writing a series of ‘notes’ about himself to ease my task. He seems to want to fit as much into every minute as possible and, while he’s clearly a busy man, he is probably not what I expected. Surprisingly casual in summer shorts and a T-shirt, 35-year-old Michael is younger, more laid back and (permit the pun), dreamier than I’d expected. A cross between Keifer Sutherland and Matt Damon, the blue-eyed Dutchman probably has many a girl swooning at his feet as, surprisingly, he is still single, still

searching for ‘the one’. “That’s the best bit about this place”, he grins cheekily. “All the beautiful girls!” Lest our single female readers start to fret, however, Michael is anything but a Don Juan. He is, above all, a man defined by two qualities: goal setting and hard work. Michael tells us how, at the tender age of 18, he already found himself at the helm of one of the most successful bars in Banús (Daytona): “When I was in my teens my parents divorced. At the time, my twin sister and I were studying at Aloha College and my mother could only afford to keep sending one of us there so I decided to go out and make a living.” What work could a boy barely out of adolescence find? A job as a waiter, of course, a task Michael devoted body and soul to for three years. “My first job was at The Pasta Factory, working for Toni Dalli”, he says, adding that the Italian restaurateur, who became a lifetime friend, “plays very good golf”. The Pasta Factory was Michael’s first taste of the demands of an adult working life, and the joy of making his own money. “In the three years I was there I took only six days off. We got paid per day so I was able to save close to a million pesetas during my time there.” These savings enabled Michael to open Daytona, named in homage to his mother, the famous racing car driver Liane Engeman who, in the 1960s, piloted

a plethora of racing cars, speeding to victory in Formula 2000 and 3000 cars and competing in the 24 hour Le Mans. “She raced in almost everything except Formula 1,” beams Michael proudly. Michael pulls out a photo of himself standing at the door of Daytona Bar on the night of its launch. He looks barely old enough to be allowed entry himself, let alone to own it. Yet as early as this, he already had an acute business sense that prompted him to sell his business and make a killing at the right time. “I sold Daytona for 10 times more than it cost me,” he says, “and I opened another bar called Emporio, close by.” However, to open Dreamers, a top level club at the entrance to Puerto Banús, Michael knew he needed a strong ally and he found it in Juan Carlos, whom, he says, “was behind me for eight years before going on to do his own thing.” Michael may have been used to turning everything he touched into gold but the Dreamers experience was totally new. If, previously, he worked night and day to ensure the smooth running of a club of 46m2 in size, the transition to filling a club of 1,000m2 was a new challenge. The secret of Dreamers’ success was its renowned DJ-spun music, something Michael stumbled on almost by chance. “In the summer of 2000, a promoter contacted me wanting to host a DJ night at Dreamers. I had

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Reaching for higher ground

Michael Keijzer of Dreamer’s

no idea what was going to happen, but it turned out to be a huge success. Since then, we’ve been inviting DJs from all over the world to offer our clients an Ibiza-style experience. That means top DJs and outstanding music.” Summer 2009 was a perfect showcase of DJs who come to Dreamer’s, with top sellers like David Guetta, Bob Sinclair, DJ Tiesto, Roger Sánchez and Eric Morillo flying in from countries like the USA, Holland, France and England. Ensuring a night at Dreamers is always top notch means many long hours for Michael, who is often at the forefront of the scene until 6am, making sure every little detail is just as it should be, from the air-conditioning to the lights, music and P.R. If that wasn’t enough, Michael also co-owns Polynesian’s Restaurant & Cocktail bar, a busy restaurant serving tempting cocktails and dishes from all over the world, such as slow-cooked meat prepared in a Polynesian wood oven. His latest project is Lola Lounge, an exclusive new club occupying the top level of Dreamers. Designed by José Ávila, it boasts a futuristic, trendy look and is sponsored by Moët & Chandon and Belvedere Vodka. “Lola Lounge is targeted at an older crowd, aged 25 plus. It’s been a big success. In the summer it was host to many famous sports people. Even Beyonce, who was in Marbella with her sister, paid us a visit,” says Michael with glee. He also has exciting plans for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, at both Dreamers and Polynesian’s, two very big nights in the year. Michael himself is not really a party animal, preferring to spend his personal time playing golf rather than hitting the dance floor. A shiny new set of clubs stands in a discreet corner of his office, testimony to his penchant for the game which he manages to play four or five times a week. Interestingly, one of his first jobs was as caddy to Sean Connery, also a good friend of Toni Dalli’s. Travel is another big attraction. “I like to keep my feet on the ground and lead a normal life and there’s nothing better than heading for Tarifa or going overseas,” he says. He has a particular fondness for Thailand and also New York, explaining, “Soho is fabulous. There are lots of little restaurants, shops and cool, trendy people”. A keen gourmet, Los Bandidos, Schilo and Casanis are some of his favourite haunts. Michael may be the ‘King’ of the local night club scene but his mind drifts elsewhere, to a future few would probably expect of him. “My dream is to one day open a boutique hotel… maybe in Tarifa. Something small, with a maximum of 20 rooms.” He is inspired by the breathtaking beauty and tranquillity of Finca Cortesín, though he aims at something “more intimate”. They say it’s easy to lose your soul to the night but Michael has kept his feet firmly on the ground, all the while dreaming of a life that will enable him to be most true to himself. Each one of us has our own goals and definitions of happiness, and we sense that Michael will achieve his very soon. n

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the trend PRODUCTS & IDEAS

The Latest Gadgets

Leisure Website www.yougodo.com

Environment

Page

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THETREND

CARS

Report Tony Whitney Photography Courtesy of Porsche

PORSCHE

CAYENNE TURBO S O

Ever since it was first introduced in 2002, the Porsche Cayenne has been one of the most desirable of all SUVs and even the humblest model boasts performance on a level with many a wellendowed sports saloon.

riginally, it came as a shock to hard-core Porsche fans to see the company getting involved with a product like the Cayenne but the debut proved well-timed and highly profitable. While it would be well wide of the mark to hint that the Cayenne ‘saved’ the company, it would be truth enough to say that Porsche built much of its current financial success on this SUV. There are more than a few people at Jaguar who wish the British car maker had followed a similar path. Move to the top of the Cayenne range (which was ‘refreshed’ a couple of years back) and the Turbo S, and you have an SUV that gained worldwide fame by running the demanding Nurburgring circuit in a lap time equal to that of Porsche’s smaller and generally nimbler Boxster S – an astonishing feat for a bulky load-hauler with room for five passengers. And bulky the Cayenne is, for it doesn’t really look quite as sporty as, say, Infiniti’s FX series of SUV/crossovers. It does have lots of character though, and not too many would judge it to be anything but attractive with its rounded corners and somewhat aristocratic stance. When the project was initiated, the Cayenne platform was developed in cooperation with Volkswagen and is used by that manufacturer for its Touareg SUV. Even so, the Cayenne carries Porsche’s fabled shield badge (with its black horse from the Stuttgart coat of arms) and that’s enough to place it well apart from most rivals – with the possible exception of the

Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, at which the Turbo S took dead aim when it made its debut. The dauntingly expensive Turbo S version is an astonishing drive and gets off the mark with an urge that will have you wondering what on earth you’re riding in. Given some stick, it’ll bury the the occupants in their seats within a couple of seconds of taking off – and it’ll keep on going until reined in with its huge and reassuringly effective brakes (ceramic composite discs are optional). If more serious trouble threatens there are six air bags, as with all Cayennes, and a very sophisticated electronic ‘dynamic chassis control’ system to stabilise the rig. Source of all this get-up-and-go is a 4.8-litre V-8, mostly constructed from aluminium alloy, developing 550-horsepower with the aid of twin turbochargers and a pair of matched intercoolers. An integrated competition-style dry sump engine lubrication system is, according to Porsche, “optimized for off-road driving,” though few owners will want to explore that particular capability, given the price tag on the Turbo S. The engine is mated to a 6-speed Tiptronic S transmission, which does a great job. With the amount of torque generated by this Cayenne’s potent powerplant, all the power you can handle is right there when it’s wanted without resorting to the manual steering wheel buttons or console-mounted mode select shifter at all. Use those when

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you tackle second-gear turns on winding mountain roads but, for most driving applications, just leave it in automatic. The Turbo S feels much like a sports car out on the road and you can pretty well have the same kind of fun with it as you might with a Boxster or a Mercedes-Benz SLK. It doesn’t feel at all like an SUV. The suspension has various firmness/comfort levels which can be selected using an easy-to-reach pair of satin chrome levers in the centre of the console. They seem a bit complicated at first, but after a little owner familiarity, everything becomes clear and it’s straightforward to choose the correct suspension setting for the driving chores in hand. Like all great SUVs, the Cayenne is just as happy burbling around town as it is being thrashed at high speed on a motorway or exploring its handling limits on winding roads. Performance apart, one of the most rewarding things about this Porsche is its superb cockpit – especially when it’s trimmed in the dual-tone leather of my test model. The snugly-bolstered front seats are designed with fast driving in mind, as they should be, and wouldn’t look out of place in a Porsche 911. The overlapping dials on the instrument panel are very much a ‘Porsche thing’ and the layout works very well indeed. The steering wheel spokes carry a fair number of buttons but, again, owners will soon be using these without looking at them. Most of the controls, along with the sat-nav, climate control and sound systems, are located on one central panel, so the layout is tidy despite this vehicle’s mightily impressive technical specification. This is by no means a compact SUV and, apart from carrying five occupants in considerable comfort, you can squeeze in 540litres of luggage into the rear area without even moving the rear seatback. Fold down these seatbacks (they go right to the floor) and you get a whopping 1,770-litres of cargo space – almost delivery van capability. The load space is one of the blessings of a larger SUV but owners have to

remember that the Cayenne is quite wide, and care should be taken on narrow village streets. Thankfully, the rear mirrors are retractable using a remote switch. They’re also heated – a great help on frosty mornings or even to keep them clear of light rain. The Turbo S is a remarkable product in a tiny class that can only be described as a ‘super-upscale niche market’. Porsche will never build many turbocharged Cayennes – the basic vehicle is more than enough for most buyers – so they’ll always be very exclusive out on the road. Driven well, this is a vehicle that will amaze anyone who’s experienced it – not to mention drivers of high-performance sports saloons who can’t stay with this Porsche on a winding road. Think of it as a breathtaking combination of performance and practicality and you’ll come pretty close to summing up what the Cayenne Turbo S is all about. And, if this version of the Cayenne isn’t exactly an environmentalist’s dream, 2011 will bring us a variant with a hybrid drivetrain – but don’t expect the performance you get with a Turbo S! n

i ENGINE

u 4.8-litre twinturbo V-8 (550-horsepower) TRANSMISSION: 6-speed auto/manual Tiptronic S ACCELERATION u Zero to 100 km/h in approx. 4.7-seconds TOP SPEED u Approx. 275 km/h I LIKED… u Performance, handling, refined power, fit and finish, cockpit I DIDN’T LIKE… u Not the best-looking product in this class, even if it is the most potent

MARKET ALTERNATIVES u Range Rover Sport, MercedesBenz ML63 AMG, BMW X5 M and X6 M WHO DRIVES ONE? u People who want their SUV to go and handle like a high-end sports car. Buyers who need the practicality of an SUV, but must have one with a prestige sports nameplate

PRICE AND AVAILABILITY u Available now, starting at €148.789

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THETREND

Report Marisa CUTILLAS

GADGETS

1 Sony S560 and S760 Blu Ray Players

Here’s a great incentive for those shopping for a new TV: Sony has designed two new Blu Ray players specifically to complement its new Bravia TVs. The new Sony S560 and S760 boast WiFi technology, which will allow users to access files on their computer and connect to the Internet, thanks to WiFi 802 technology. Both machines feature the following: 24p True Cinema, DVD upscale, X.V. Colour, PhotoTV HD, Deep Colour, Dolby TrueHD audio with DTSHD Master Audio, and BonusView. The S760 comes with a higher price tag, owing to its Super Bit Mapping technology which reproduces colour more naturally. It also offers an HD Reality Enhancer to reduce image noise, a headphone jack and 7.1 audio output.

i www.sony.com

Logitech Harmony 700 Universal Remote Control Logitech’s new universal remote, featuring one-click control and a modern colour screen, puts the ease back into entertainment with its ability to replace up to six different remote controls. Instead of wasting time working out what button to press, just use the one-button control facility to select what activity you wish to carry out. For instance, select the Watch TV category and the Harmony 700 takes over, allowing you to jump directly to your favourite show even if you can’t remember the channel number. The remote works with a host of appliances – everything from a Betamax to a Blu-Ray player, making it easy for you to enjoy a day of entertainment without getting up from the couch... except for your mandatory walks to the fridge for a beer, of course!

i www.logitech.com

Sony MHS-PM1 HD Camcorder

Nokia N900 phone

Sony recently wowed gadget lovers with the release of its latest HD camcorder: the MHSPM1, with a lens capable of 270º rotation, a lithium ion battery pack, video and image recording to Memory Stick cards and video recording at 1,080p using a 30p mode. The versatile camcorder captures 5 megapixel still images at a resolution of 2,592 x 1,944, and comes with internal software created for quick video and picture upload to YouTube and other photo storage sites.

The new Nokia N900 is a stylish phone-computer hybrid based on Mozilla technology, which affords a seamless Internet and telephoning experience. It contains a 9cm touchscreen which allows you to scroll in any direction (even diagonally), making surfing your favourite websites a breeze. Write emails with ease on the QWERTY keyboard, take advantage of its Wi-Fi technology and store up to 32GB of information on it. The N900 boasts an original zoom feature, and all you need to do to bring the page closer is spin your finger in a circle. This beauty is set to give the iPhone the most serious competition since the Nokia N97 phone.

i www.nokia.com

5 Panasonic Lumix GF1 Camera

3 4

The Lumix GF1 is Panasonic’s third Micro Four Thirds camera and as small as its rival, the Olympus E-P1, but with a built-in flash function and interesting new lenses. It boasts features such as a 12.1MO sensor, 720p video recording abilities and HDMI technology. An advantage it has over the E-P1 is its 460,000-dot LCD, compared to 230,000 dots. The camera comes with a choice of two lens kits: the first contains the Lumix G 20mm lens and the second offers the impressive Lumix G Vario 14-45mm f3.5-5.6 zoom lens.

i www.panasonic.com

Archos 5 Internet Media Tablet For those on the move, the best way to surf the net these days is on a media tablet and few are quite as cool or functional as the new Archos 5, featuring a lovely high-resolution screen that makes surfing from site to site a breeze. Seamless browsing is guaranteed by features such as the ARM® Cortex™ processor and the Adobe Flash™ 9 video support. You can also use the tablet to read or write emails, and you can even enclose attachments and manage your contact list as though you were at home on your PC or MAC. The Archos 5 contains a top quality hard drive (60Gb to 250GB) and allows you to download a choice selection of films and songs from a special website. Watch your recorded video files on your TV with the DVR station, or record programmes from your TV without any need for a separate recording machine.

i www.archos.com

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THETREND

Report paul bell

Paul Bell is Founder of www.yougodo.com

Unusual Things to do in the Marbella Area

INTERNET

aving lived here for over four years now, it has become apparent to me that many of the ‘locals’ have experienced very little of what this great area has to offer. Many seem to visit one of the zoos, one of the water parks and maybe Tivoli or the Teleférico and then stop with a feeling of accomplishment – been there, seen it, done it! These same people are often the ones who complain “There’s not much to do in Marbella”. Taking a quick look on the global activities and experiences website www.yougodo.com reveals over 180 suggestions for ‘things to do within 25km of Marbella’, and if you expand your range to within 100km (a little over an hour’s drive most of the year) YouGoDo reveals over 360 interesting ideas. Hiking, biking, boatless water skiing, killer whale watching, segway tours, quad tours, fishing, horse riding, sphereing, paintballing, parasailing, paragliding, climbing, cookery, sailing, kite surfing, karting and jet skiing are among the options on offer. The Marbella area is blessed with a wonderful climate, access to the lovely Mediterranean Sea to the south, and a stunning, largely unspoilt, mountainous landscape to the North. These factors make it a great place to ‘get out and play’. Just a few kilometres inland from Marbella the countryside is stunning and numerous adventure operators enable you to explore these vast unspoilt tranquil areas on foot, horseback, motorcycle, mountain bike, quad bike, 4 wheel drive or motorised buggy. These fantastic adventures allow you to pass through old cork forests, enjoy dips in crystal clear streams and pools, look up in awe to rocky peaks, admire the wildlife and fauna of the area and take in the ‘silence’. It’s a shame so few locals and visitors make the short journey inland to enjoy these treasures. A little further afield the Via Verde (Green Route), just north of Ronda, is superb for hiking and biking. And it is fairly flat so you do not need ‘Tour de France’ fitness levels to enjoy your day. The Via Verde is a 36km disused railway track which winds through numerous tunnels and over several viaducts, as it cuts through stunning scenery, passing Andalusia’s largest nesting colony

of Griffon Vultures. A fantastic and fun day out with several options – take an organised day trip, take you own bikes, hike or hire bikes from points along the route. For those not wanting to travel too far, some of the unusual options close to Marbella include making your own pop video, buggy and quad bike safaris into the local countryside and boatless waterskiing! Boatless waterskiing is on offer on a lake not far from the centre of San Pedro, where a motorised cable system gently pulls you round the lake (hopefully still on your skis or wakeboard!). For a special occasion, there are numerous ways of seeing more of Andalucía – on board a hired Harley Davidson, on board a Sunseeker yacht, at the wheel of a Ferrari hired for the day, a classic open top sports car or even in an old Cadillac. There are also numerous options which are totally free, bar the cost of getting there. A drive to El Chorro to view the stunning scenery and take a swim in the lake, or taking a scenic drive to Jubrique for a cooling summer dip in the Rio Genil. Another free option is hiking up La Concha, the stunning mountain which towers over Marbella. This takes about 6 hours (return) from Refugio de Januar, just past Ojen on the Monda road, and offers panoramic views of Marbella, Africa and over to Sierra Nevada. Or, from the same place, you can take several other less strenuous routes with great views over Marbella. And for day trips, Tarifa is a must. Here, numerous operators offer short kite and windsurfing courses, or simply enjoy the great beaches, huge sand dunes and free beauty treatments. In the summer months you can go out to see Killer Whales hunting tuna alongside the local fishermen, off the African coast. And, going in the other direction Málaga, the city many locals simply view as a place to land and take off, is captivating day and night. Avenida de Larios has great bars and restaurants, and Bike and Segway tours offer a fun and different way of exploring Andalucía’s capital city. The website www.yougodo.com has experiences and activities to suit all tastes and budgets, and it is easy to filter the choices by your favoured activity types, so fire up your mouse and get out there and explore this wonderful area. n

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REF: 186-00141P Very charming old cortijo completely restored in the lovely country setting of Gaucin. Old building materials combined with artistic finishings in the ambience of Andalusian and Moorish style. Secluded, very private, exclusive area of Gaucin with stunning country and African coastline views. All amenities including water, electricity, telephone and solar heating. Four bedrooms en-suite within a constructed area of 355m2 on two levels including an attached barn under conversion for a private studio/suite, and with approx. 73m2 of covered and uncovered terraces. Plot of 800m2 includes mature garden with fruit trees. Price: 1.060.000 Euros

REF: 186-2745P First class rural tourism investment opportunity with approx. 328.000m2 of land including approx. 600m of river frontage bordering the Rio Genal in Genalgaucil. Comprises ancient water mill and miller's house plus ruins in the woodlands. Three water wells, flat land ideal for horses. Interesting plans available for renovation of the ruins and small bungalows for tourism with the total agreement of the Genalgaucil Town Hall. Price: 1.400.000 Euros. Offers welcome

Villas & Fincas Ctra. De Casares Puerto Lugar 5 29690 Casares • Tel: 952 89 5139 • mob. 636546796 E-mail: info@villasfincas.com • www.villasfincas.com

THETREND ENVIRONMENT

aving nearly lost our home a couple of months ago to a huge fire that swept across the mountain in front of us, I got a chance to sit back and take stock of what we have, and what is around us. It made me think of all the people and animals that have lost their homes to what we like to call ‘natural disasters’. However it also got me wondering whether, although we are a natural occurrence on this earth, is it not the human race that is the natural disaster, in many cases? Many of these disasters are indeed caused by nature but a hurricane, earthquake or tsunami, for example, are results of the ways our world works. The only reason we call them disasters is because they destroy places we have built for ourselves to inhabit. They may also kill many of our species and shift whole areas of land but this is the way the world renews and regenerates, changing constantly. We are the only ones who insist on trying to keep things where they are but that’s not what the planet intended, so what gives us the right to call these events disasters? To add to that, we have had a hand in causing many changes in the way our planet functions, the knock-on effects that are still given the label ‘natural disasters’, such as global warming, floods, wildfire, extinction, etc. How much of this can we put down simply to nature, and how much is a direct result of our effect on the world? Rather than accepting the gift that nature provided us with – our world – and adapting to live in it, we change it to suit our ‘needs’ and start moving things around, knocking things down, burning stuff, creating totally unnatural substances that will never break down and disappear, whilst continuing to multiply as a race and making further demands on the planet in order to adapt it to our requirements. It’s like a really scary episode of TV’s Changing Rooms or Grand Designs. Mother Nature tried her best at being the architect and created a beautiful place to live with all nature living in a harmonic symbiosis. Sure, survival of the fittest comes into it, and natural selection takes its course, but the harmony was still apparent until we came along and decided to throw our big fat human spanner in the works. Even so, despite all this, we are here and what’s done is done. Hopefully we are all working towards repairing as much damage as is possible. But, should Mother Nature decide that we are not the fittest and send more ‘natural disasters’ to try to wash us away, then surely that is what the planet needs and we must appreciate this. We may be aghast at the destruction and devastation but, really, we should accept that nature is a powerful force and thank our lucky stars that we have been given such a beautiful home, rather than trying to fight against it and forcing our planet to make it harder for us to survive, in consequence. How many more messages must our planet give us that we have to change our ways and live in harmony with the

Report victoria wood

natural

disasters

y l l ? a s r u u t o a r t s a or n s i d world to be able to truly enjoy it. If, even then, a natural disaster comes along and wipes out half the human race – so be it. It is the way nature intended. We are mere mortals after all! So rather than hoping for less natural disasters, let’s all get together and try to become less naturally disastrous ourselves! n

The ways of the world vs. The ways of the human race…

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

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‘Brazil is where all the smart money is going in International property investment. It is a stable country with strong growth, low inflation and the potential to be one of the most affluent countries in the world’

• Sao Luis ‘The North-East of Brazil is the target region for investment, international tourism and local holidays, with the best climate, beaches and quality of life’

Fortaleza CEARÁ

The Caponga Beach Resort is located 30 minutes south of the buzzing city of Fortaleza in the North-East of Brazil - the ‘Land of the Sun’, just a few degrees under the equator and enjoying year-round sunshine and hundreds of kilometres of the best beaches in the world.

• Natal • Recife

BRAZIL

• Salvador

The Economy

news

Brazil is the B in the phrase ‘BRIC Economies’, a term first coined by Goldman Sachs who predicted that the 4 emerging economies of the future - Brazil, Russia, India, and China - would increase so significantly in the years to come that they would eclipse the combined economies of the current richest countries in the world. Currently Brazil is the eighth largest economy in the world, with a GPD of 2 trillion Dollars, putting it ahead of Canada, India, and most European countries. As well as its exports of natural resources, Brazil leads in manufactured exports including planes, cars, and parts. It also holds the position of being the only country to host the main assembly plants of the world’s top 10 car manufacturers. Brazil has only been marginally affected by the global economic crisis and it will be one of only 5 economies in the world that will grow in 2009, with a projected trade surplus of 25 billion dollars. The country continues to boom with a 5% GDP growth in 2008. As only 3% of residential housing is mortgage based, house prices did not explode at the same level of most other countries, and the banking crisis had little affect.

The World Cup FIFA recently announced that Fortaleza would be a host city for the 2014 World Cup. This has been an amazing boost for the city, and was followed by the announcement from Mayor Gomez that they have budget approval to spend 9.6 billion Reais (over 3 billion pounds) on improvements to the city in the run-up to the World Cup. This includes an expansion to the airport – more than doubling its existing capacity to 13 million passengers per year, new roads and connections, and a new underground metro system.

Previous host cities to the World Cup saw huge rises in property prices including Athens, Barcelona, Sydney and Atlanta where they outperformed the rest of the property market by an average of 20% per annum. In some cases property soared even more and in Barcelona for example properties increased 49% more in the run-up to the World Cup than in other Spanish Cities.

Fortaleza is the capital city of Ceará and a host city of the 2014 World Cup

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B r a z i l

New Brochure Now Available at www.goldman-lee.com

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For further information or pre-launch details contact Goldman Lee Associates, jon@goldman-lee.com or call (+34) 699 024 610

Ñ All Planning and Licenses Approved Ñ Full Infrastructure Completed Ñ Comprehensive Due Diligence Reports

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24/9/09 13:35:28

Einführungsaktion Costa del Sol Zeitung

Die neue Zeitung für die Küste!

*Zwischen Málaga und Estepona. Änderungen, Irrtümer und Druckfehler vorbehalten.

• • • •

Ab 27. Oktober 2009 25.000 Exemplare! An über 400 Stellen* Gratis

Marbella:

es ein staCroksta del Sol die

Die hol ich mir!

C/ Serenata, 17, 1° C Tel. 952 763 103 • Fax 952 858 085 E-Mail: csn@costanachrichten.com

eigenanzeige_essential_2009-11.indd 1

dSZ r C & N S C Team fü

Benalmádena:

Avda. Juan Luis Peralta, CC Las Moriscas L-13 Tel. 952 448 730 • Fax 952 568 712 E-Mail: csn@costanachrichten.com

Torrox-Costa:

Urb. Torcasol Edif Málaga, bajo C Tel. 952 531 303 • Fax 952 531 349 E-Mail: csn-torrox@costanachrichten.com 21.10.2009 11:06:35

the chic DÉCOR AND FASHION

Décor News

Art News

Chanel Resort Wear Collection

Fashion News

Page

A Noble Country Seat in Marbella

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THECHIC DECOR

The inner courtyard is a bowl of light flooding the interior with luminesence

A noble country estate in the heart of the Andalusian countryside thatâ€™s well-connected for city living too

Report belinda beckett photography courtesy of panorama properties

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noble country

SEAT in Marbella

The garden rises to a pinnacle plateau occupied by a pretty outdoor pool

With leisure our recurrent theme this month, Belinda Beckett visits a country estate at La Mairena in eastern Marbella that epitomises the very top end of the leisured Marbella lifestyle.

arbella is a favourite bolt hole for people in the public eye because they can find the privacy and seclusion of country living in the surrounding campo while remaining connected to a sophisticated resort city. That’s certainly what attracted international singing star Julio Iglesias to build his three-home estate in the hills overlooking Elviria, where getting back to nature involves nothing more challenging than a 15-minute drive from the Don Carlos hotel. This stunning Andalusian country mansion bordering the Iglesias’s estate, reached along a private country road winding beneath a canopy of cork oaks, enjoys all those privileges but takes that sense of escape one step further. Viewed from afar, it stands out as an imposing ‘king of the castle’ with 360 degree views, perched on a forested hilltop patrolled by eagles and griffon vultures and encircled by the grey granite mountains of the spectacular Sierra de las Nieves. And, when the imposing entrance gates swing open, it’s as if you’re leaving the outside world behind and travelling centuries back in time. This was, of course, the intention of world-renowned architect César de Leyva, master of the rustic Moorish style that personifies the spirit of Andalucía and some of its most emblematic buildings, such as the Marbella Club Hotel and Finca Cortesín. Although the villa only dates from 2001, the modern exterior is deceiving. The materials used were chosen for their ability to mature and become more ‘noble’ with the passage of time, rather than deteriorating – a common occurrence in modern architecture. Inside, the décor so completely transports you back to a bygone age that if a knight in shining armour suddenly galloped into the cobbled courtyard on horseback, you wouldn’t be at all surprised. Modelled on and named after the world-famous Hacienda Benazuza El Bulli Hotel, noted (along with its food) for its period décor, the villa gives more than a nod to that

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Twin antique fireplaces are arresting features in the long lounge where distressed paintwork in a buttery colour gives the impression of old parchment

The ground floor guest suite’s private patio looks onto a landscaped garden that seems to merge with the surrounding hills

Magnificent carved oak doors open from the lounge into a reception room and the dining room beyond

rustic old world ambience, amplified by careful selection of antiques, old portraits of noblemen in doublet and hose and faded paintings depicting jousting and battle scenes. There are tasteful references to many periods and styles – from French medieval to 19th century Scottish hunting lodge and presentday Moroccan – but definitely no whiff of ‘mock Tudor’! Antique terracotta-tiled floors, aristocratic oak dressers and sideboards, dizzyingly high ceilings, tall arched windows framed with heavy brocade curtains tied with silk tassels and hanging from oak rods of different design are all part of the alchemy that conspires to create an atmosphere of baronial elegance. One standout feature is the open stone fireplaces – no less than 11, each taking their reference from a different style or period in history. Although they can all be operated by gas, when lit with real logs in the depths of winter there is no cosier feeling on earth – like White Christmas with bells on! A country estate that cries out for a few stag’s heads, a number of game trophies are displayed on the walls. However, unlike typical stately homes of old, the property is easily run (with, perhaps, a live-in gardener and housekeeper for help) and incorporates all the comforts of today (underfloor heating, airconditioning and a top quality sound system, enabling the owners to turn up the volume on the atmosphere still further with classical music

filtering throughout the house). Nor, despite its castle-like feel, is it dark or dungeon-like. Life inside revolves around two open Moorish patios with fountains whose relaxing water music echoes through the adjoining rooms. Terraces are strategically located to catch the sun at different times of day, infusing every room with light. The views from every window are breathtaking, a wraparound panorama framing the countryside for miles around including vistas across the Mediterranean to Africa. The majestic height of the ceilings has allowed some rooms to be painted in darker colours, such as wine and forest green, adding to the ambience without robbing them of their luminescence. To give an idea of the size of the house, the built area covers 1,330m2 including a grand master suite and three guest suites, staff quarters and a separate two-bedroom guest apartment with independent entrance from the garden. There are also utility and storeage rooms and, on the lower ground floor, a wine bodega atmospherically decorated with wall torches. This level also has as yet unexploited space that would lend itself perfectly for a home cinema and gymnasium. Various terraces act as outdoor extensions of the lounge, dining room and kitchen for relaxing, breakfasting, barbecuing or dining under the stars – this is a house that was built for entertaining. The property is set on a huge 32,000m2 plot

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The neo-Gothic dining room with five-metre oak dining table is made for lavish entertaining

The sizeable pool exudes relaxation and tranquility

with cobbled pathways, formal and wild gardens planted with cork oaks, centenary olives, topiary hedges and indigenous plants that are used to the arid conditions in summer and don’t demand too much watering (although this property is pretty self-sufficient and has two private wells). The garden rises to a pinnacle plateau occupied by the pretty outdoor pool, with such spectacular views you feel you could swim to the horizon. Afterwards, you can recline on a sun lounger beneath the thatch-roofed gazebo and sip an iced mojito spiked with mint from the estate’s kitchen garden, or feast on fruit from the adjacent orchard, automatically irrigated and planted with pomegranate, apricot, plum, almond and apple trees. There’s even a small putting green. It’s not surprising that it was awarded a prize for Best Private Garden on the Costa del Sol, presented by the José Banús Foundation. Beyond the garden perimeter, there are some wonderful forest walks where, if you keep very quiet and still, you might chance upon a grazing fallow deer or a family of wild boar rooting for acorns. Or, if you feel the need to reconnect with civilisation, the pretty pueblecito of La Mairena is a five-minute drive away. It has a post office and mini-supermarket, the trendy Kudu bar and excellent pizzeria Attitud, as well as a tennis academy and, close by, Santa María golf course. Meanwhile, Elviria’s thriving commercial centre and two good schools – Colegio Ecos and a private German college – are within convenient reach. Visitors get the idea of this house from the moment they cross the threshold into the beautiful entrance hall with its 11 metre, double-height ceiling, welcoming French-style period fireplace

and minstrel’s gallery. A Persian rug covers the floor, a coat of arms hangs on the wall alongside paintings with religious and battle themes, woodwork is carved with fleur de lys motifs and decorative pieces of antique armoury conjure up the impression of a noble country seat that has borne witness to the passing of time over many generations. An arched wrought iron door looks onto a cloistered open courtyard, a bowl of light open to the sky. One of the guest suites leads off the courtyard, decorated in Moorish style, with its own patio, salon with fireplace and stunning bathroom finished in hand-painted tiles. A second hall between the entrance and the main living spaces is hung with a magnificent old tapestry above the staircase leading to the upper floor. The living salons are composed of elements drawn from various sources: Arab and Frenchstyle drawing rooms and Mozarab coffered ceilings in oak. Twin antique fireplaces in natural stone are arresting features in the long lounge, where distressed paintwork in a buttery colour gives the impression that the walls are covered with old parchment. Wrought iron candelabras, precious antiques and period furniture upholstered in exquisite fabrics add gravitas to a room that is also a comfy family space for kicking back and enjoying those views through the windows. The beautiful formal dining room is neo-Gothic in style, showcasing a five-metre solid oak dining table that can comfortably seat a party of 12. There’s also a cosy TV room (the TV enclosed in an antique oak cabinet) and a library-cum-study that exudes old world English charm. The spacious kitchen with its vaulted beamed ceiling must be a joy to cook in, with a seriouslooking industrial range cooker, a preparation island that looks as if it dates from Mrs Beaton’s days, and a cosy dining area in front of yet another open fireplace, this time given a rustic look with a brickwork surround.

The cosy rustic kitchen – a joy to cook in

The pool’s thatched gazebo has an Out of Africa feel

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Visitors get the idea of this house from the beautiful entrance hall with its double-height ceiling, welcoming French-style period fireplace and minstrelâ€™s gallery

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Grey granite tiling adds a masculine touch in the master suite’s male bathroom while the Jacuzzi is a touch of contemporary luxury

A crystal chandelier and pedestal bath add femininity to the master suite’s light and airy female bathroom

Heavy tasselled curtains, Persian carpets and Moorish touches create a historical context in this guest suite

The upper floor comprises two further guest suites, while an entire wing is devoted to the superb Master Suite with its His and Hers bathrooms and dressing rooms, while the bedroom enjoys the best views of the house. The head of the household can enjoy a very masculine bathroom with grey stone tiling, crimson walls and a decadent Jacuzzi. Delightful period details include gilt-framed mirrors and an oak and glass cabinet for toiletries. The bathroom belonging to the lady of the house has been given a lighter touch, with an ultra-feminine pedestal bath, white furniture and a crystal chandelier, while her five-wardrobe dressing room would be the envy of any fashionista. The architect, César de Leyva, wrote of his design: “This building opens up to nature and is invaded by it, but it reserves private areas for family and guests.” A country seat that any noble family would be proud to call their heritage, this is a house designed for gracious living, its salons and suites made for lavish entertaining, its gardens meant to echo with the carefree laughter of children and its roots firmly embedded in the Andalusian soil, as if it had always been here; and where it will almost certainly remain, to be enjoyed by countless future generations of families for centuries to come.

The property is for sale through Panorama Properties, which has offices at the Puente Romano Hotel and opposite the Marbella Club Hotel. Tel: 952 863 750. www.panorama.es/ info@panorama.es

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THECHIC

DECOR NEWS

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styled for leisure The Fitness Cube is a compact home exercise unit which integrates aesthetically into contemporary home interiors. When unfolded, the cube allows users to do 30 different exercises to shape up the entire body.

Inspired by nature, the OSIM uSpace is a personal cocoon of well-being; a private space of retreat with music, mood light, and massage to deliver a revolutionary trio of multi-sensory stimulation.

The self-opening Structurelab S1 sunshade system has a curved textile membrane, which is held up only from the top, giving it a unique form. Protecting from the sun by day, when effectively lit at night it creates a magical space on your terrace or in the garden. www.structurelab.com

Comforto Laola, made by Haworth of Germany, is an aesthetic recliner for relaxation zones in the home, designed from a tubular steel ring construction with connecting knots, available in powder-coated black, silver-metallic and chrome with optional fabric- or leather-covered padding. www.haworth.de

A talking and listening point in the home, this hi-fi speaker system consists of a transparent and organic glass tube positioned on top of a seemingly simple stand, without any visible loudspeakers. The glass tube vibrates, projecting a clear three-dimensional sound that can easily fill even spacious areas. www.sony.net

www.osim.com

Belinda Beckett looks at the latest home leisure accessories designed to create the feeling of living in the lap of luxury.

www.decathlon.co.uk

The VAIO LT/LM/LJ is a series of desktop PCs designed to blend harmoniously into room interiors, even when not in use. The LCD display is surrounded by a transparent acrylic frame which creates a floating impression, further enhanced by a wireless keyboard, mouse and Internet connection, and by a removable rear cover concealing all cables for a clean, overall look. www.sony.net

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The Sundeck bath tub is the ultimate in home luxury. When closed it looks like a settee with comfortable neck rests; only when opened is it revealed to be a bathtub. The two cover parts of the bathtub slide to the sides like the roof of a convertible car while the hand-sewn deck cushions, neck rolls and white acrylic finish invite the owner to dream. www.duravit.de

The 20-inch Arboria LCD TV is more reminiscent of a sculpture than of a TV set. A gently curving line makes for a smooth transition from the wide base into the screen area, so that the unit seems to protrude from the ground. Available bi- or tri-coloured or graphically decorated to reflect usersâ€™ tastes, enabling it to blend into the living room environment. www.multimedia.tcl.com

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THECHIC ART NEWS

Report Marisa CUTILLAS

1 - Markus Günther at the Punzmann Gallery How to capture all one’s perceptions from favourite films, photographs, books and music? German photographer Markus Günther knows this is an impossible feat, yet he tries his best to relate the many sentiments and ideas gathered from his favourite art forms. Far from being attracted to exotic or philosophical themes, Günther often takes everyday, seemingly banal subjects “to celebrate, make fun and reconstruct” them, giving them a touch of the unusual. Enjoy his latest works this month at the Punzmann Gallery.

i Avda. Luis Braile 4, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 787 787. www.punzmann-gallery.com 2 - Chema Cobo at the CAC Málaga Chema Cobo presents Out of Frame: a selection of 33 works from the past 10 years at the CAC (Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga) this month. The paintings are filled with ‘tension, illusion, hidden messages, playful secrets and irony’. Cobo has been at the forefront of fashion and artistic trends since the 1980s, taking a distance stance while he criticises the evolution of art and contemporary culture. In Out of Frame, Cobo seeks to liberate the canvass from anything that distracts, inviting the spectator to see beyond its imagery and discover his many hidden messages. Colours are neutral, with grey and white tones and plenty of luminosity taking us to the essence of his work. Cobo offers the audience solutions and suggestions as to the path we should be taking in these difficult times. Fernando Francés, Director of the CAC, explains, “Chema Cobo’s painting reaches much farther than visual observation; it requires an effort to stimulate thought. For the artist, each painting is a mental construction which reveals an unknown universe”.

i C/ Alemania s/n, Málaga. Tel: 952 120 055. www.cacmalaga.org 3 - Manuel Falces at the Sala Unicaja Italcable Renowned Andalusian photographer, Manuel Falces, presents his latest exhibition, Cabo de Gata. La Memoria y La Luz, at the Sala Unicaja Italcable. The series of photographs, interspersed with texts by poet José Ángel Valente, reveals the beauty of the Parque Natural Cabo de Gata and pays homage to a book of poems published by Valente. The artist recalls how Valente, now deceased, used to take great interest in his work, seeking to learn about the photographic process and to lend his vision to Falces’ work. Photographer and poet had worked together on a series of books, including Las ínsulas extrañas, La Memoria y La Luz and José Ángel Valente: Para siempre la sombra.

i Avda. de Andalucía 10, Málaga. Tel: 952 138 091. www.unicaja.es

4 - Johan Walstrom at Espacio Tres

‘Crisis? What Crisis?’ is the humorous title of Swedish artist, Johan Walstrom’s exhibition at Espacio Tres Gallery. The series of paintings, which reveal a marriage of abstract and expressionistic influences, seek to shine a comic light on what for many is a tragic situation. Walstrom, who was born in Stockholm, started his professional life as a musician, composing, playing and singing around Sweden and drawing in his free time. In 1997, he moved to France to perfect his passion for painting under the guiding hand of his mentor, Swedish artist Lennart Nystrom. Walstrom’s first exhibition in France was in 1999, and by 2000 he had already exhibited in the United States and the UK. In 2004 Walstrom moved to Miami to study American art, and in 2005 he made the jump to Marbella, where the light and the colours of Nature inspire him in his work. The main themes that interest this inquisitive artist include the Environment, religion, the birthlife-death cycle, family conflicts, relationships and nations.

C/ Alemania, 3, Bajo, Málaga. Tel: 636 475 786. www.espaciotres.es

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THECHIC FASHION

Cruising with

Chanel

Resort Every year, Chanelâ€™s Resort/Cruise collection is unveiled in the most romantic location possible, such as the River Seine, Grand Central station in New York and the Eiffel Tower. This year, Karl Lagerfeld attracted crowds of fashionistas to The Grand Hotel Excelsior Lido Resort in Venice, to view a collection inspired by the world of travel and cruising. Delicate transparencies, intricate lace and light knits dominate a collection that brings all the glamour, rebelliousness and fun of the flapper era to the 21st century.

ear

Report Marisa CUTILLAS

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Tempting transparency

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Soft as silk

Cool as cotton

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Bold in black

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Tantalising tweed

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Lovely lace

i www.chanel.com

Sultry in satin essential marbella magazine

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THECHIC FASHION NEWS

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4 Report Mar

isa CUTILL AS

7 6

i Benetton

www.benetton.com Chopard www.chopard.com Dior www.dior.com Hermes www.hermes.com Mimo Silver C/ Las Medranas 30 A, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 951 275 926. www.mimosilver.com

1 - Stitched straw hat by Chanel 2 - Gilded metal, turquoise and coral cabochon bracelet by Dior 3 - ‘Happy Darling’ bracelet by Chopard 4 - Silk scarf by Hermès Paris 5 - Cotton top and Denia trousers by Benetton 6 - Cotton shirt and trousers by Benetton 7 - ‘Bella’ scarf in turquoise silk by Dior 8 - ‘Caroline’ mini-bag by Chopard 9 - GetMeKnot Bracelet by Mimo Silver

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stock youâ€™ll need to tfits ? a, rt lla Va to er Pu ese feminine ou o, Sardinia or ping in Monacdazzle your date in one of th op st is ip sh Whether your etty party wear. Why not up on some pr

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1 - Sequinned party dress by Lemoniez 2 - Dress by Max Azria 3 - Party dress by Dior 4 - Party top and skirt by Dior 5 - Dress by Max Azria

6 - Gown by Alma Aguilar 7 - Gown by Elio Berhanyer 8 - Flowing gown by Lemoniez 9 - Sequinned dress by Elio Berhanyer

Alma Aguilar www.almaaguilar.com Dior www.dior.com Elio Berhanyer www.berhanyer.com Lemoniez www.lemoniez.com Max Azria www.maxazria.com essential marbella magazine

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THESPA

easuring over 2,000 square metres, the Villa Padierna Thermae Spa offers an experience that is unique within the province of Andalucía. It contains a climatised hydro-massage pool (beautifully adorned with Roman motifs and an imposing statue reminiscent of the Venus de Milo); a Laconium (a relaxation area to help normalise your body temperature); an ice fountain to cool down after the steam baths and saunas; and a lovely relaxation room with comfy beds and pillows where you can chill out with a glass of iced orange, lemon water, or a herbal tea. But the showstoppers of this spa are undoubtedly the eight different steam rooms and saunas, more numerous than any other spa in this area. Indeed, it would be somewhat sinful to visit the spa for a treatment without first completing the aromatic thermal circuit experience, which requires a good hour or two to be fully enjoyed. The steam rooms are delightful, featuring havens such as the Bali steam room (at 38º, a ten-minute stay does wonders for your respiration and relaxes frazzled nerves as you inhale the sweet scents of coconut and vanilla). For a super-steamy experience, step into the Indian steam room, with its 100 per cent humidity sending your nose buds into overdrive with the exotic fragrances of ginger, lemongrass, curry, orange and cinnamon. The 45º Salt Steam Room, meanwhile, does wonders for your skin as well as your respiratory and immunological systems. It contains an inviting fountain of sea salt which should be rubbed onto the skin to accelerate the process of exfoliation. I also loved the Greek sauna, infused with lavender, thyme and rosemary. It is an utter joy to frolic from room to room, showering after each steamy experience to bring your temperature back down. The Finnish saunas, with their unmistakeable woody appeal and rose palm fragrance, are particularly good for the skin, and we challenge you to dip into the shallow contrast pool which, at 11ºC, is only for the bravest of heart. Perhaps my favourite of all the steam rooms is the hammam. Smelling of fresh eucalyptus and containing enough steam to block your vision for more than a

couple of metres ahead, it is also where the Turkish hammam treatment takes place. Following a couple of hours in the thermal circuit and relaxation area, the friendly therapist Julia invited me into the hammam and told me to lie down and rest, to start eliminating toxins and receiving respiratory benefits. After a few minutes on my own, Julia returned, leading me to a marble bench on which she asked me to sit while scrubbing, and buffing me until I was squeaky clean, with a vigorous brush and a soap made of essential oils. Almost every inch of my body was cleansed, from my feet to my back, legs, neck and abdomen. When the steam had helped the essential oils penetrate my skin for a few minutes, Julia rinsed me off with a cool jet, after which I brushed my hands across my arms and found them to be smoother than a baby’s, and far more fragrant. Following around 30 minutes in the hammam, Julia treated my upper body to a very deep, delicious massage involving lots of ‘figure 8s’ along my back and neck which are thought in the Islamic faith to ward off evil spirits and negative energy. Julia has been in the beauty business for over 10 years and the strength in her hands is matched only by the technique of her movement. By the time the massage was over, I was well and truly in another world and needed several minutes to lie in the relaxation room and meditate on… nothing. It always takes a visit to a spa to realise why occasional moments of complete pampering are crucial, especially for any working woman or man. A hammam treatment not only does wonders for your skin; it imparts many health benefits: it wards off colds and flus, relieves stiff muscles and joints, helps reduce cellulite, increases the production of antibodies and interferon (a protein capable of fighting cancer), speeds up your metabolism and improves circulation. It is no wonder that the virtues of steam baths have been extolled for thousands of years, by everyone from Hippocrates to Mohammed. The hammam, a veritable social institution for men and women in Morroco, has finally made its mark in Marbella: everybody’s ‘got the fever’! n

Hammam Heaven at the Hotel Villa Padierna Thermae Spa

BEAUTY

Report Marisa CUTILLAS photography courtesy of the hotel villa padierna

Feel the Warmth! I’ve always been a creature of warmth, attracted far more to steamy Turkish baths rather than the promises of improved circulation afforded by shaved ice, cold contrast pools and freezing jet showers. So, when the temperature drops and your skin begins to feel the chilling winds of winter, stepping into the Hotel Villa Padierna Thermae Spa is like jumping into a warm, heated bed. It is everything your body, mind and soul craves for.

i The aromatic thermal circuit

can now be enjoyed at the Villa Padierna Thermae Spa for just €45 for two hours (€30 for hotel clients). CN 340, km 166, Urb Flamingos Golf, Benahavís-Marbella. Tel: 952 889 150. www.hotelvillapadierna.com

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THESPA BEAUTY

UK company Naked, founded by Mum and eco warrior Louise Potts, presents a wonderful range of products for the face and body, “without all the bad stuff”. Free of parabens and petrochemicals, all products contain a minimum of 97 per cent natural ingredients such as cocoa butter for moisturising, sunflower to protect against the sun, and pure rose oil to fight free radicals. Why 97 per cent? The remaining three per cent is composed of preservatives to keep the product from going off once it has been opened, and emulsifying agents to keep ingredients from separating. Naked uses only ethically derived plant sources, is reasonably priced and its products are far more active than most of its commercial rivals. Marisa Cutillas recommends top products for the month:

Naked is Beautiful! 1 2 3 4 5 6

Rose softening face wash: Naked’s biggest-selling face wash owes its popularity to a special ingredient, Rose Absolute, a highly prized essential oil. The face wash is gentle, containing a ph level similar to that of skin, and is packed full of anti-oxidants to fight premature causes of ageing. Fix It Fast natural hold hairspray: Sick of the synthetic build-up caused by most hairsprays? Teach Tracey Turnblad a thing or two about silicone-free styling with Naked’s Fix It Fast, which provides a soft, natural hold that lasts all day. 24-Hour Naked Coco de Mer Body Butter: Coconut, shea butter and passionflower extracts keep your skin moist for 24 hours. And the delicious coconut fragrance can’t be resisted! Sea Minerals Renewing Body Scrub: Sea salt is one of the best known natural exfoliants, and there’s plenty of it in Naked’s new scrub. Seaweed is another star ingredient, which helps remove dead skin cells and encourages healthy, young-looking skin. Nourish Me Naked Honey & Orange Hand & Body Lotion: This rich lotion smooths and moisturises skin and contains a light scent of honey and bitter orange. Made with natural orange oil and Manuka honey, it heals, moisturises and soothes dry skin. Heat Defender heat protection spray: This original spray reduces the damaging effects of thermal styling, increases hold and conditions the hair cuticle. Whether you regularly straighten, blow dry or crimp your hair, this product is a must if you are concerned about the health of your hair.

7 Be Smooth Naked Cocoa Butter Body Cream: Disappointed by creams that promise moisture but dry up in only a few minutes? For a lush, rich alternative, try Be Smooth Naked Cocoa Butter Body Cream, made from ripened cocoa beans. It keeps skin soft and smooth, but not oily, all day long.

i www.nakedbodycare.co.uk

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THESPA

t angers many of us living in Spain when we hear that, in other European countries, unemployment figures are way less than our current 17 per cent. With the housing market stagnant, people losing their jobs and empty promises by the government, stress is taking its toll not only from a financial and practical point of view but also from a personal one, often affecting our relationships with our family and friends. Many probably feel that, far from inspiring one to make ends meet by finding alternative sources, the recession has placed them in a constant state of stress, unable to think proactively or make the necessary changes. If you feel stunted and apathetic, ironically the element to blame is stress. Stress not only has physiological effects on the body (raised blood pressure, hardening of arteries, depressed immune system, mental illness), it also self-propagates, rewiring the brain to continue in its stressed, apathetic state. The process was recently demonstrated by researchers at the University of Minho in Portugal. In a series of experiments, rats subjected to chronic stress lost their ability to perform actions on the basis of their outcome, resorting to routine and rote responses, such as repeatedly pressing a button to receive food pellets they would not eat. Moreover, structural changes took place in their brain, with atrophies present in the areas responsible for behaviours such as decision-making and following goals. On the contrary, areas of the brain responsible for habit formation had become more active. In other words, the rats became predisposed to repeating the same pointless behaviours, for instance running in the same limited areas, rather than seeking a new, creative way out of their labyrinth. Robert Sapolsky, a neurobiologist specialising in stress at Stanford University, told the New York Times, “This is a great model for understanding why we end up in a rut, and then dig ourselves deeper and deeper into that rut.”

In the case of humans, while we may have read about Emotional Intelligence and Neuro-Linguistic Programming, which reveal the folly of trying the same strategies that have already failed, we are programmed to repeat the same self-defeating behaviours. Somehow we are addicted to the old adage, ‘Try and try again’, even when we know it is almost certain we are going to fail. As Dr. Sapolsky says, “If I were to try to break into the world of modern dance, after the first few rejections the logical response might be, practice even more. But after the 12,000th rejection, maybe I should realise this isn’t a viable career option.” If you think this means you’ll be stuck in a rut forever, though, think again. The damage is reversible, as the rats in the experiment prove. After only four weeks in a stress-free setting, they were able to perform tasks as well as the non-stressed rats in the control group. For instance, if previously they did not know when to stop pressing the bar for pellets, after four weeks of relaxation they mastered the task perfectly. Scientists also observed that the atrophied areas in the brain had grown back, while the overgrown habit-forming area had decreased in size. Stress is necessary to survival; it allows animals to escape from deadly predators, hunt for food or put up a fight when necessary. The problem with humans is that we are subject to it, not only in specific, short-term situations but repeatedly, causing us to suffer from long-term effects such as cardiovascular conditions, allergies and even depression. Perhaps it is Nature’s way of trying to help us out, inducing us to repeat unproductive behaviours in a vicious cycle that gets us nowhere, so we can concentrate on immediate sources of stress. In any case, unlike rats we at least have the cognitive ability to realise the damage we are causing ourselves. The solution? One month of R & R, no ifs, no buts. We owe it to ourselves to turn back the hands of time and remember the days when it was still possible to think our way out of the maze. n

Top Seven Causes of Stress

HEALTH

In case you think you can cope with it all, bear in mind the reasons you could be more stressed than you think: u Financial worries: Defined as the leading cause of stress, financial problems includes loss of employment, the inability to make ends meet, debt, inadequate salaries/pensions, etc. u Work issues: Problems include bullying, interpersonal relationships, promotion issues, work responsibilities and lack of alternative employment. u Family relationships: Divorces, addictions and fighting can play major havoc on the brain. u Personal problems: We may feel like our we are powerless to change stress-provoking factors (weight gain, addictions, not having enough time to ourselves, etc.). u Health and safety: Diseases, injury and crime worry us. u Personal relationships: Problems with friends and loved ones take their toll. u Death: The death of a close family member or friend, or even a beloved pet, is perhaps the most stressful event of all; one we wish we never need live to see.

In an issue devoted to leisure, what could be more fitting in our Health section than to talk about the often underrated power of taking a break from it all? Marisa Cutillas reveals how stress begets stress, and how to get out of a seemingly never-ending rut.

Rewind, Unwind

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THESPA HEALTH

Report Marisa CUTILLAS

Sleep for optimum fertility u Try to sleep no later than 10 pm u Don’t snack before going to bed u Keep your room at a comfortable temperature u Avoid arguments or stressful situations u Work out regularly u Avoid caffeine after midday

Women seeking to become pregnant often receive a range of advice to boost their fertility, including eating anti-oxidant fruits and veggies, taking regular exercise and reducing stress. Yet their aim could very well be unachievable if one crucial ingredient is lacking: sleep. A report by the National Sleep Foundation in the USA reveals that while women need seven to nine hours’ sleep, they are averaging six hours and 41 minutes a night, which amounts to sleep deprivation. When we don’t sleep as much as we should, many systems are affected, including the endocrine system which produces important hormones such as leptin, necessary

Transcendental meditation for kids? If you thought setting aside an hour or two a day to dive into the peaceful sea of meditation was only for adults, think again. The David Lynch Foundation, founded by the talented director who brought us the TV series Twin Peaks and films such as Mulholland Drive, is set on making transcendental meditation available to children in school. Lynch, who is supported in his endeavour by artists such as Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney and Sheryl Crow, recently set up the Committee for Stress Free Schools in the USA, which aims to incorporate meditation into the normal school curriculum. Says Lynch, “I have been ‘diving within’ for 30 years. It changed my entire life and helped me tap into my creativity, find inspiration and bring goals to fruition”. Children as young as five can start meditating, just by humming a sound or mantra repeatedly for a few minutes. When they are older, at about 10 years of age, they can proceed to meditating with their eyes closed, feeling relaxed, happier and readier to concentrate on tasks, following a session. Interestingly, the Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment in Lancashire, a private British school with only 70 students, encourages pupils to begin their day with a few minutes of silent meditation. Children follow a normal curriculum, though they are taught to comprehend “the harmony underlying the diversity of existence”. Students at the school consistently score twice the national average when it comes to exam marks, indicating that transcendental meditation can indeed improve results, both academically and psychologically.

for proper ovulation and regular menstrual cycles. Researchers at Boston University recently carried out a telling experiment on 14 female athletes whose tough workouts caused their menstrual cycles to stop. Eight of the athletes were given leptin while the remaining six acted as controls. In three months, those receiving the leptin supplements once again had a regular menstrual cycle and their bone density had increased. Moreover, when we lack sleep, our stress hormones (cortisol and adrenocortcotropic) increase, further suppressing our natural fertility cycles. For a head start on pregnancy, try the following tips and make a good night’s sleep your number one priority every night.

Are we doomed to be overweight?

Many factors are often blamed for the rise in obesity in present day society. With over 50 per cent of children in Spain now officially obese, parents are looking to improve their offspring’s diets, increase their exercise levels and ban junk food in the home. But the issue of weight seems to have deeper roots than the lifestyle choices we make. According to scientists at the Harvard Medical School, people have a genetically determined weight range which fluctuates by a couple of stone (12.7kg). Those who crash diet and surpass their pre-assigned minimum weight level feel hungrier, eating more and putting the weight back on, in most cases. We can fight our brain’s innate calorie counter but it will only fight to get us back to our predetermined weight range. Apparently it all begins in the womb, with experiments revealing that mothers who eat too little while pregnant often have overweight children. And exercise can only go so far towards breaking the natural cycle. Some 20 minutes of aerobic exercise burns only 100 calories a day, the equivalent of two slices of bread. It takes a lot more than the recommended half hour a day of aerobic activity to make up for the large number of calories contained in normal foods. As it turns out, willpower may be an overrated quality.

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THESPA

RESEARCH Report belinda beckett

More Brain Training Please!

Keep fit Britain Statistics gleaned from the new book, 8 Out of 10 Brits: Intriguing and Useless Statistics About the World’s 79th Largest Nation, by Charlie Croker. u Of the 4.5 million gym members in the UK,

only 27 per cent exercise on a regular basis. u Britons watch 219 minutues of TV a day, have sex 4,239 times in their life and collectively drink 165 million cups of tea a day, six per cent of the world’s tea consumption. u The top five reasons for visits to the doctor are hypertensive diseases, dermatitis/ eczema, other skin disorders, upperrespiratory infections and eye disorders. u Each week the average Brit scoffs three chocolate bars, three packets of crisps, one cereal bar, one bag of nuts, one muffin, four biscuits and six sweets. u And yet… nearly one in four Brits born in 2001 will live to the age of 100!

The growing number of computer games being devised to fill our expanding leisure time is not just lucrative for the companies that produce them. They could also good for our health. Research into the classic shape-fitting computer game, Tetris, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, has shown that playing it for just three months may boost the size and efficiency of parts of the brain. Brain scans revealed that certain regions of grey matter – an information-processing mix of brain cells and capillaries – grew thicker in adolescent girls who had played Tetris for three months. On average, these participants played for just 1.5 hours per week. “Brain structure is much more dynamic than had been appreciated,” says Richard Haier of the University of California, who co-authored the report with collaborators from McGill University in Montreal and the Mind Research Network in Albuquerque. Brains of girls who had not played the game showed no such increase. Girls were chosen because they were less likely than boys to have extensive video game–playing experience, which might have thrown off the results, Haier says. Among the regions showing grey matter increases were portions of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, thought to be important for planning complex movements and integrating information from the senses.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun More women than men plan for their health and leisure interests before retirement, according to a survey in Australia. While women focus on building up social and leisure networks before they leave the workplace for good, men are more fixated on planning for their financial security in retirement, rather than their happiness. The survey suggests men could find retirement lonely and isolating as a result. “Our finding is significant because a person’s level of leisure involvement during their working years tends to predict their involvement during retirement,” says the report’s co-author, University of New South Wales Psychologist Dr Joanne Earl. “People are less likely to start new activities after retirement, so getting involved in activities and social activities pre-retirement make good sense. There is a strong emphasis in society to plan and save money for retirement but I think the bigger questions are: ‘What am I saving for?’ and, ‘What do I really want to do when I retire?’ If working people approaching retirement were helped to answer these types of questions, they could plan more adequately for a satisfying future beyond work.”

Video Wars on Obesity Kids who play the new generation of video games requiring physical activity expend energy at levels that could help to prevent obesity, according to scientists at the University of Hong Kong. Video and computer gaming is rapidly becoming the preferred leisure-time activity for school-aged children globally. In the last decade, sales have increased by $5.2 billion and more than 83 percent of U.S. children age 8 to 18 have video game players in their bedrooms. At the same time, obesity rates continue to increase worldwide and until now, sedentary activities such as seated game-playing were thought to be a contributory factor. However, tests with the new-style active computer games that allow players to experience various activities (bowling, fishing, tennis, golf) in a virtual world, such as the Nintendo Wii and the XaviX gaming system, showed that children burn more than four times as many calories per minute playing these, rather than a seated game, and their heart rate is also significantly higher. The XaviX system includes a gaming mat that allows participants to travel the streets of Hong Kong at a walk or a run, avoiding obstacles and stamping out ninjas. Compared with resting, children burned 39 per cent more calories per minute playing a seated game, 98 per cent more playing active computer games and 451 per cent more using the gaming mat. The report concluded: “Preventing weight gain requires an energy adjustment of approximately 150 kilocalories per day. The four-fold increase in energy expenditure when playing on the XaviX J-Mat would fill the proposed energy gap, if this game were played for 35 minutes a day. Our data demonstrate that the two active gaming formats result in meaningful increases in energy expenditure, compared with the seated screen environment.”

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essent ial LUXURY PROPERTY GUIDE

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essent ial LUXURY PROPERIES

Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3 Built 185 m2 Terraces 44 m2

price on application

CALAHONDA, MIJAS-COSTA Well constructed duplex penthouse with panoramic views to the Mediterranean and Gibraltar. Bright and spacious living room with open-plan kitchen and nice terrace. Downstairs bedroom with en-suite bathroom and guest toilet. Two further bedrooms upstairs share a bathroom with jet bath and large exterior terrace. All windows have been replaced with quality double glazed turn & tilt fittings and all bathrooms are tastefully retiled as are the terraces. Marble floors throughout, A/C Hot & Cold, Satellite TV, Alarm. The community enjoys lovely gardens featuring a large swimming pool with childrenâ€™s pool and an indoor heated pool for the exclusive use of the community residents.

c THIS

could be your property Call: 952 766 344 to reserve this space

DIRECT FROM OWNER

T (+34) 607 501 897

WE HAVE RECEIVED 4 QUALITY PHONE CALLS ON THIS LOVELY PROPERTY LAST MONTH!

Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms 3 Built 434 m2 Plot 2,400 m2

â‚Ź 1,400,000

LOS CIPRESES Superb villa with panoramic African views across the Mediterranean. Recently constructed with modern architecture and contemporary styling, set in its own enclosed landscaped grounds. An outstanding feature is the sumptuous Jacuzzi with south facing glass curtain doors that can be fully opened to enjoy year round sunshine. The property is set on two levels with a reception area, lavish living room, dining room and fully fitted kitchen with top of the range appliances. The bedrooms are all en-suite and the master suite has dressing rooms and a spacious private terrace. A/C hot & cold throughout, underfloor heating, satellite TV, swimming pool, automatic irrigation, 2 car garage, remote accessible alarm and automation system.

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essent ial LUXURY PROPERTIES

Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 5 +1 Built 555 m2 Plot 2,000 m2 price on application FRONT LINE GOLF VILLA IN LAS BRISAS This lovely family home is a unique contemporary property decorated and furnished to the highest standards. With overwhelming views of the “La Concha” mountain, the Mediterranean Sea and is first line Las Brisas golf course. It´s only 5 minutes from Puerto Banús and a 100 mtrs of Los Naranjos golf course. Entrance hall with direct views to the heated infinity pool and the golf course, a stunning custom made kitchen, a dining room and a sitting room with connecting TV-room all with access to the covered terrace, 3 more spacious bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and ensuite bathrooms. First floor features the 4th bedroom and the master bedroom, with a spacious dressing room and ensuite bathroom. Both have big sliding doors leading to a large tropical wood decked terrace. Underfloor heating, A/C hot and cold, alarm, marble flooring and tiling, Gaggenau domestics, solar panels, completely furnished, 3 car garage.

Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 3+1

Built 272 m2

SGRAEVENCASA S.L.

T (+34) 647 744 756 T (+34) 649 335 029

rudyvos@telefonica.net

Plot 321 m2 price on application

SIERRA BLANCA DUPLEX PENTHOUSE WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS Contemporary duplex penthouse on top location in the Sierra Blanca area within a luxurious gated and secured complex only 5 minutes away from Marbella centre. The living area, the kitchen and all bedrooms give out to south facing, partly covered terraces with 180 degree panoramic views over the coast, including East Marbella, Puerto Banús, Gibraltar and Africa. The masterbedroom is on the upper level seperate from the rest with complete privacy and has also views on the La Concha Mountain. 2 big parking places and ample storage, both underground, are included. Underfloorheating, A/C hot and cold, sound system, alarm, fitted kitchen, marble flooring.

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SGRAEVENCASA S.L.

T (+34) 647 744 756 T (+34) 649 335 029

rudyvos@telefonica.net

i 26/10/09 14:19:12

THEPRO PROPERTY

costa del leisure It may not have the same ring to it as Costa del Golf but the course of residential resort design is moving away from fairways to meet the demands of today’s leisured society with a broader range of amenities, notably the health spa. And the spa is no longer the limit, reports Belinda Beckett. What the chill-out terrace at Champneys Marbella will look like when this multi-layered leisure resort is completed in 2010

The Zen-inspired gardens at the future Champneys Marbella (artist’s impression)

Artist’s impression of Champneys Marbella, now taking shape in Ojén

ir Winston Churchill famously dismissed golf as, “A game whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose.” However, the golf courses themselves have been extremely well-suited to one purpose in particular, here on the Costa del Sol: property development. As large frontline beach plots became rarer than gold dust, and priced accordingly, developers headed for the hills to capitalise on cheaper inland plots, creating gated urbanisations clustered around manicured fairways to attract the affluent Baby Boomer generation. Today the 50-mile coastal corridor boasts over 50 courses – the highest concentration in Europe. But with competition from other new golf destinations hotting up, and a world recession bringing stagnation to the property market, developers have had to think of new ways to attract overseas investors and buyers. Golf courses aren’t cheap to build and operate anyway, especially with the stringent new laws governing irrigation and water recycling. Conversely, the margins on spa operations and attendant sidelines, such as juice bars and the sale of beauty products, are among the largest in the hospitality industry. The greater preoccupation with health, fitness and quality leisure experiences, and the search for stress relief through mind-body-spirit therapies, are all factors that have conspired to bring the spa back into vogue and it is fast overtaking the golf course as the must-have real estate amenity. Furthermore, it’s no longer just a niche female market. Latest research shows that 30 per cent of British men now visit a spa on a regular basis. Of course, even to home owners on site, these facilities are rarely free but are often offered for an annual membership fee that is discounted for resort residents. However, for dedicated health and fitness fiends, a spa on the doorstep, guaranteeing privacy and eliminating the need to drive post-treatment, is an obvious attraction. Champneys, the best-known brand in spas, is so convinced that this is the way forward that it is investing millions of euros in a Moorish-style spa resort close to

Marbella and the white village of Ojén. The company’s first foray into spa resort property in Spain (it owns four UK resorts and a countrywide network of pop-in high-street spas), Champneys Marbella will boast a magnificent spa and clubhouse with restaurant, 48 two-bedroom apartments and 24 penthouses, to be completed by winter 2010 and fully open by spring 2011. The spa will house 25 therapy rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a hammam and a full range of treatments using Champneys’ own-brand products. Investors and guests will be able to enjoy the sun terraces, conservatory gardens, a Moorish plaza with hanging gardens and water features and a Champneys clubhouse and restaurant. The apartments and penthouses will be finished to the highest of standards with interior gardens, state-of-the-art gas fireplaces, stunning courtyards with peaceful Moorish fountains complete with spring water running from the mountains, high quality marble bathrooms, hot and cold air conditioning and fully fitted kitchens, Sales Manager Julia Norton, who has worked on the coast for over a decade says: “Investors’ demands are changing and they are becoming far more selective about into what and where they invest. They are not necessarily looking for cheap entry-level properties but for rarer, branded, highend properties which are stress-free, secure and give a solid return. “International investors have provided the bulk of Champneys Marbella clients so far. They love the Champneys way of life and can see the potential in investing in the Spanish resort; after all, it will be Champneys with more sunshine and that relaxing Mediterranean lifestyle. In the months of July and August alone, we experienced a 35 per cent increase in new enquiries. This is usually unheard of whilst the summer holiday season is in full swing so, despite the current global economy, we are seeing an extremely positive reaction to the recognisable high quality of this long-awaited Spanish resort.”

i www.champneysmarbella.com

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The five star grand luxury Villa Padierna Golf & Spa Hotel, operated by the Ritz Carlton Group

Cool pool at the Hotel Villa Padierna

Spas are just one element in the mix. Hotels, restaurants, shops, gyms and alternative sports and leisure facilities are transforming residential resort design. A supreme example is Ocean Village, Gibraltar’s first integrated residential, leisure and retail complex, built around a marina incorporating not only homes and yacht berths but pools and gardens, a health club, shops, restaurants, entertainment and a casino. Hotel operators at the top end of the market in particular have found that people like the idea of owning property where they can also enjoy the benefits of hotel-style service, and even the chance to earn some rental income. One case in point is Los Flamingos Golf with its nine urbanisations, two championship golf courses, nine-hole (soon to be 18-hole) executive course, clubhouse and golfing academy; and, at its heart, the five star grand luxury Villa Padierna Golf & Spa Hotel, a replica of an 18th century Tuscan palazzo operated by the Ritz Carlton Group. The hotel facilities, open to non-residents and home owners on site, include restaurants, a gymnasium and beauty centre, a one-of-a-kind open-air concert arena designed on a Roman amphitheatre and a sumptuous Thermae Spa incorporating a heated indoor pool with massage jets and a trans-continental choice of treatments, from steam rooms themed on India and Bali to a Greek sauna and a Turkish hammam. Meanwhile, to bridge the gap between coast and campo, a new racquet and tennis club has opened on the coast at Costalita for the use of residents and hotel guests, together with a restaurant and beach club. Commenting on the growing demand among home buyers for mixed-amenity resorts, Nigel Eede, MD of Marbella Choice Properties which handles the lion’s share of home sales at Los Flamingos resort says: “Buyers nowadays are becoming more picky over where they want to live and are generally looking more for multi-leisure-related resorts like Los Flamingos. Buyers love to have these lifestyle facilities on site, not only for themselves but to improve their chances of a good rental income, and our sales here have flourished as a result, despite the recession.”

www.losflamingos.co.uk www.hotelvillapadierna.com The stunning Roman amphitheatre at Villa Padierna Golf & Spa Hotel – an exercise in resort one-upmanship

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t Finca Cortesín isn’t all about golf, nevertheless it has quickly become one of the coast’s most coveted plays as host of the Volvo World Match Play Championship The spa attraction at Finca Cortesín

Exciting times for new owners at Cerrado del Aguila, destined to become one of the most complete leisure resorts on the coast u

Major local developer Grupo C has gone down the multi-amenity resort route with the opening of Cerrado del Aguila this summer. Although based on golf, with a nine-hole course that will shortly be extended to 18 holes, it’s not all about greens and fairways by a long way. Buyers of individual villas or one of the 129 apartments at Los Iris, the first completed phase of development, can already take advantage of many new amenities: a strikingly-designed modern clubhouse with a Mediterranean Fusion restaurant; golf and paddle tennis pro shops; a latestgeneration gym with top professionals offering classes in pilates, spinning, cardio box and martial arts; a physiotherapy area for the treatment of all kinds of sports injuries; and nutritional guides, with special menus served in the restaurant. Not only this, there are six latest-design glass paddle tennis courts with Mondo artificial grass, as used on the pro tour; and a golf academy with all-weather driving range where players can test-drive the latest equipment from Cobra and Titleist, as this is the only recognised professional fitting centre in Andalucía for these two brands. If all this weren’t enough, opening soon will be a modern Zen-style spa while Grupo C is also awaiting permits to build a luxury hotel at the highest part of the resort, to further enhance this exceptional all-inclusive resort. Commented Grupo C’s Manager, Lorenzo Civiero: “After more than 35 years developing on the Costa del Sol, and working on our sixth biggest project to date, we have learnt that as the coast evolves, so do the requirements of our clients and we saw the growing need to offer them more of the amenities they are used to back home. With that in mind, we decided to create a total concept at Cerrado del Aguila, where we have developed a competition golf course that is not only challenging but beautiful to play, as almost all the greens have sea views. “Many people tell me that they would love to come and try the many great facilities on offer but have nowhere and no one to leave the children with. Not a problem. We have already foreseen this and are creating an all-age nursery with qualified staff where parents can leave their children while they enjoy! We are in the 21st century, everything is faster better and newer, year on year, and we will keep working to give our clients what they want, when they want it, with true value for money”.

i www.grupo-c.com Cerrado del Aguila golf course and 19th hole – the ultramodern clubhouse

One newcomer that has stuck to the tried-andtested formula of golf – but with knobs on – is the exquisite Finca Cortesín, a stunning resort modelled on a classic Andalusian pueblo blanco in the hills of Casares. The developer, Single Home S.A., has gone for broke with the amenities, with plans to invest €700 million in a really complete resort that won’t be just golf alone. Amenities already open include a beautiful fivestar hotel with central patios evocative of Granada’s Alhambra palace, two Olympic-sized outdoor pools, a spa with indoor pool and male, female and mixed thermal areas, seven therapy suites, Spain’s only snow cabin, a gymnasium, Jack Nicklaus Golf Academy, shopping gallery and three restaurants. A sports club with paddle and tennis courts and a football pitch will open at the end of this year while work is underway to complete a private beach club on the coast, 1.5 kilometres away, which will be served by shuttle bus. The resort made Condé Nast Traveller magazine’s 2009 Hot List of places to stay while the championship golf course is quickly becoming one of the coast’s most coveted plays, and has been awarded the Volvo World Match Play Championship until at least 2011, with the option to host the tournament for three further years. Home options here include luxury four-bedroom villas with hotel services; à la carte villas where owners choose the plot, architect and design; one-to-three bedroom apartments and penthouses; and 16 suites within the hotel are also for sale. For buyers, the attraction of having a hotel on the doorstep is clear, as they can take out a sports membership to enjoy the superb facilities. An added advantage is that gardening, housekeeping, repairs and rentals will be taken care of through Finca Cortesín Services Company. Sales Director José Lumbreras commented: “Buyer’s mentality is changing and now, more than ever, they value not just location and price but also confidence in the promoter, quality of the product and services and security. Single Home has been established in this market for 43 years and has an excellent reputation. With all the amenities offered in one location at Finca Cortesín, including a services centre operating 24/7, everything is taken care of for the owner who doesn’t have to do anything but enjoy.”

i www.fincacortesin.com

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DIRECT FROM OWNER

0 5,0

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

â‚Ź495,000

Monte Mayor Golf and Country Club is a private and secure development sheltered in an idyllic valley oasis and surrounded by mountains and beautiful natural wilderness. This spectacular development offers glorious views of the Mediterranean and African coastline. Facilities include a clubhouse, sports complex, tennis courts, gym, health and spa facilities, heated swimming pool, restaurant and more. The Project is a 480m2 cortijo-style 5 bed villa.

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

23/7/09 13:15:54

THEPRO

BUSINESS

ENTERPRISE Report Marisa Cutillas

Guarnieri presents the new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and the BMW X1 Guarnieri recently presented the new BMW 5 Series and the BMW X1 at its new San Pedro Installations. The new BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo was created to enable drivers to ‘travel in style’. It is a new interpretation of a classic concept incorporating elegance, spaciousness and versatility. The Gran Turismo offers driving comfort as well as plenty of room in the luggage compartment for large items. Inside, its dynamic coupé-like design awaits something completely new: the perfect combination of a stylish sedan, touring car flexibility and the versatility of an SUV. The new BMW X1, meanwhile, dubbed by BMW as ‘joy in its material form’, promises agility, elegance and sheer driving pleasure, with a sporty new design and all the spaciousness a family could wish for. At the presentation, Guarnieri also invited guest to view its new space called ‘Cars and Art’, a marriage of high-end vehicles and beautiful paintings intended to inspire and uplift.

i Pol. Ind. San Pedro de Alcántara, Ctra de Ronda s/n, San Pedro de Alcántara.

Tel: 951 775 575. www.guarnieri.es

Vasari Villas presentation Grupo Vasari, the real estate firm which has marketed developments such as Pueblo Andaluz in Casares, Vasari Village in Manilva and Vasari Hill Club, recently unveiled its latest project: Vasari Villas-Altos de Puente Romano, a set of luxury villas located between Marbella and Puerto Banús. The exclusive villas, designed by renowned architect Manuel Burgos, are built on plots of 1,000 and 2,000 m2 with a total constructed area of between 550m2 and 980m2, including terrace and basement. Owners of the villas will enjoy views of the sea and La Concha mountain, as well as top security in a gated urbanisation with 24-hour surveillance. All villas contain five bedrooms and bathrooms, a terrace, and an intelligent home (domotic) system.

i C.C. La Alzambra, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 907 161. www.grupovasari.com

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Marbella International Film Festival a success The Marbella International Film Festival was a great success, attracting a plethora of film makers, actors (including Star Trek star, William Shatner) and film fanatics to its doors. The festival opened with a William Shatner premiere, an avant-garde documentary called Gonzo Ballet which seamlessly unites classical dance and contemporary music. The first screening was followed by an official opening ceremony and gala dinner at Jean-Christophe Novelli’s restaurant at the Hotel Lorcrimar. The Festival showcased shorts, features, documentaries and animations, attracting over 650 entries from Europe, Canada, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The four-day event included workshops, Q & A sessions and master classes with top film makers. A stage was set up to allow local talents to shine, with performances by Jayne Melville’s dance and ballet school, the Stagecoach Theatre School, Sonrisa Studios and an impressive Samba Band creating a lively party atmosphere.

i CN340, Km 173, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 906 105.

www.hotel-lorcrimar.com

Foreign Residents Business Day & Costa del Sol Awards 2009 CADE Marbella, the institution set up by the Junta de Andalucía to support business development in Marbella, recently celebrated the second edition of the Foreign Residents Business Day & Costa del Sol Awards at Hotel El Fuerte. Honorary prizes were awarded to a number of foreign business owners to thank them for investing in Andalucía. Six different prizes were awarded: the Integration Award (won by the Marbella Design Academy), Innovation Award (won by Kálida Promociones), Business Promotion of Andalucía (won by Plush World), Association Award (won by The British Chamber of Commerce), Young Entrepreneur (won by Terra Sana) and Company of the Year (won by CWA Internet). The winners were chosen by a panel consisting of the winners of last year’s edition and members of CADE, executives from event sponsors Unicaja and the Chamber of Commerce of Málaga.

i Avda. Ricardo Soriano 66, Marbella. Tel: 952 902 070. www.costadelsolbusinessawards.com essential marbella magazine

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New Manager for Greenlife Golf Club Greenlife Golf Club in Elviria Hills, a nine-hole golf course aimed at those seeking a short but challenging round of golf, is proud to announce the appointment of new Manager: Vanesa Garvayo León, who possesses a Law degree as well a Masters in golf course management. Vanesa has an extensive experience, fine tuning her skills at the Añoreta Club de Golf, the Real Club Campo de Málaga and the Guadalhorce Club de Golf. At just 31 years of age she is the youngest Manager at Greenlife thus far, and she hopes to use her skills and experience to improve sales to individual players and companies, and to promote Greenlife’s pitch and putt competition.

i Urb. Elviria Hills, Avda. de las Cumbres s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 839. www.greenlife-golf.com Parque Miramar Shopping Centre celebrates Being British Parque Miramar recently organised a fun-filled weekend to celebrate being British. The event, organised in conjunction with the Royal British Legion, The Lions Club, Iceland and The Costa del Sol News, featured two days of pure British culture with food, music, literature and lots of tea. Performances were given by the London Welsh Rugby Choir and the Stage Coach Theatre School, and The Great British Tea Party helped many expats feel more in touch than ever with their own ‘Britishness’. A book signing was also held, with authors David Searl and Janet Mendel signing their latest publications and Bookworld giving away book vouchers.

New Director for Hotel Kempinski SPA The Hotel Kempinski Bahia Estepona Spa is in capable new hands, those of Thorsten Lipfert, a physical therapist and personal trainer with over ten years experience in the fitness and beauty sectors. Lipfert started out in the fitness industry in Germany, opening a spa, physical therapy and holistic health and fitness centre in 2001. In 2006, he managed a luxury hotel spa in the Algarve, Portugal and, in 2007 he started work as a spa consultant in Eastern Europe. Lipfert took over the Kempinski Spa in April this year, re-branding it and introducing top brands such as Ligne St Barth and Thalgo Terraké, which took the Kempinski’s exclusivity to an all-time high. Thorsten has also hired a multi-lingual, talented team composed of a physical therapist, cosmetologist, massage therapist and nurse, a Shiatsu body worker, a spa therapist from Thailand and a receptionist. His team is enthused about their new boss, who is as down-to-earth and approachable as he is professional.

i CN 340, km 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500. info@thorsten-lipfert.com

www.kempinski-spain.com

i For further details of events at Parque Miramar, www.parquemiramar.com Warmwave Heating Panels: a new alternative to gas central heating Imagine a heating system that can be installed in minutes, with no plumbing or pipe work required. Warmwave operates by emitting infrared radiation which heats surfaces rather than surroundings and costs less than any gas central heating system, allowing you to save up to 50 per cent of your heating costs. Warmwave heating panels, designed with pure elegance in mind, are light and slim, fitting in well in all types of rooms, lofts, basements, galleries, etc. The system includes the advantages of an Integrated Damp Control System, eliminating dampness and condensation. Warmwave is also environmentally friendly, producing no emissions or noise. No maintenance or service is required, making it an interesting choice from the economic perspective. The panels are available in a selection of glass and marble finishes.

i For further information, please contact Leslie or Dave on Tel: 952 388 558/ 672 354 471. 100

Clairvoyant Avril visits the Coast Renowned British clairvoyant Avril will be visiting the Coast for a series of appointments in November. Her uncanny ability to sense and accurately describe the past, present and future of her subjects has made her a favourite of celebrities, high society and everyday people both in Britain and abroad. On Thursday, November 19, from 7.30pm she will be showing live just why people keep coming back for more. Avril will be hosting an event at Ogilvy & Mailer in Nueva Andalucía. There will be a delicious three course meal, a talk from Avril and readings at your table. A practical person without hocus-pocus, her draw is her ability to get it right time and again.

i To book a ticket for the event, or book her for a personal or group consultation, Tel: 689 108 955/ avrilsfortunes@googlemail.com

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Spence Clarke & Co Golf Annual Charity Golf Tournament Spence Clarke & Co Chartered Accountants celebrated its first Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the El Paraíso Golf Club. The event was held in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association in the UK, with two representatives flying out from England to attend and support the event. Even though it was a rainy day, the 20 teams put up a brave fight and all finished the course, somewhat damper than when they had started. The format for the day was a Texas Scramble and the winning team consisted of Lars Rydstron, Mons Aarskog, Andrew Parker and Ran Rosenblatt, who took home the Neil Williamson Cup. An impressive €6,647 was raised for the charity. Motor Neurone Disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the upper and lower motor neurones, leading to weakness and wasting of muscles and causing increasing loss of mobility in the limbs and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing.

i C/ Jacinto Benavente, Edif. Los Pinos 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 822 943.

www.spenceclark.com

Mi Perla: designer childrens’ clothing at reasonable prices Looking for something special for your little boy or girl but don’t want to break your bank balance? Step into Mi Perla, a quaint boutique featuring top Danish brands, known for their good quality and creative designs. Brands stocked include: Pippi, Hummel, Cottonfield and Molo, the latter being Mi Perla’s biggest seller. Bright colours, comfy fits and durable fabrics abound, in styles that both parents and children love. Sizes range from 0 - 12 years, and there are also a few items for up to 14 years. Prices are affordable, at around €24 to €44 euro for T-shirts and €22 to €50 for trousers. There is also a fun VIP club, inviting members to special events, and sales.

i Plaza de la Hispanidad (close to the Feria ground in Fuengirola).

Edif. Miramar Centro N, 8B, Fuengirola. Tel: 633 230 740. essential marbella magazine

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Young Mediterranean Leaders Forum in Sevilla The Young Mediterranean Leaders, a group of young decision makers from over 10 different countries, will hold their second yearly forum in Sevilla from November 5 to 7. The theme will be: Redefining the Mediterranean space: the Euro-Maghreb Utopia, with main topics including: The unification of Northern Africa as a pre-requisite to Mediterranean integration; The building of a political, economic and humane Euro-Maghreb connection; and Turkey as a model of integration and development. Technical workshops will address issues such as renewable energies and the health market. The Forum will bring together some 250 young decision makers from various geographical and professional backgrounds.

Young Entrepreneurs Fair at the Palacio de Ferias de Marbella

i www.ymlforum.org

Fuerte Hotels puts new self-protection plan into action Fuerte Hotels recently organised a fire practice at Fuerte Miramar to educate clients and staff on the new Emergency and Evacuation Plan recommended by external security company FREMAP. The idea was to put theory into practice and teach personnel how to act in a safe, coordinated manner in the face of a possible emergency situation. Members of the police, civil guard and fire fighters were on site to lend a hand in an incentive that is sure to save many lives in an emergency situation. The new plan will soon be presented to the Tourism Department of Andalusía for certification.

From December 2 to 4, Marbella will host a fair for young entrepreneurs from the province of Málaga. The fair, organised by Jóvenes Empresarios and the Ayuntamiento de Marbella, will be held at the Palacio de Ferias de Marbella and will feature over 100 stands set up by young business people. The theme of the fair is A time for Opportunities and there will be speeches, debates and various networking activities aimed at promoting local services and products.

i For a full list of events and schedules,

www.ajemalaga.org

i www.fuertehoteles.com

Saud Rifat launch event in Nagüeles villa Over 150 people joined fashion and beauty photographer Saud Rifat at the launch of his new studio in Marbella. Saud, whose work has featured in prestigious publications such as Vogue and Linda, exhibited some of his best photos. Guests also enjoyed a spectacular fashion show featuring Nueva Moda models in BCBG Max Azria designs. Saud delighted guests with a demonstration fashion photo shoot, showing how lighting and proper instruction can convert a model from being merely good to outstanding.

i C/ Pizarra 183, Rocío de Nagüeles, Marbella. Tel: 630 337 722. www.saudrifat.com

Live weather webcam on Marbellas.com If you don’t believe that Marbella really has over 300 sunny days a year, you can now verify this fact from anywhere in the world by visiting trendy ezine www.marbellas.com’s new weather cam. If you’re in London and it’s raining, or Scotland and starting to fog up, imagine you’re on the Costa del Sol by staring at the webcam, which features the eastern Marbella arch and a view of the mountains in the background. Louise Cook, Editor of Marbellas. com, warns that too much viewing can lead to grave feelings of dissatisfaction: “One viewer admitted to having left his job at Harvey Nichols in London after watching our camera daily,” she laughs. The webcam is updated every 15 seconds, and you can also check out the weather for the rest of the week or for the next 15 days.

i www.marbellas.com

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Mercedes-Benz presents new Class E Sedan at the Hotel Pyr Mercedes-Benz chose the Hotel Pyr in Puerto Banús to unveil its new E-class Sedan: a stunning new departure from past styling. The car has an impressive 0.24 drag co-efficient, which makes it the most aerodynamically efficient series production vehicle on the market. The sporty new look is owing to the fact that the sedan not only serves as a variation on the E-class but also as a replacement for the now discontinued CLK-Class. The new front features its own grille, with fewer but tougher looking horizontal bars. A large tri-star logo replaces the Mercedes-Benz hood ornament while the radiator opening in the lower fascia is narrower, giving the front a stronger look. The sedan boasts large flanks, while the rear quarters have been beefed up with thick wheel arches and a line that reaches the tips of the tail lights. At the back of the car, the tail lights are wider and narrower, ensuring a sleeker look. There is a third brake light at the top of the trunk, and the roofline boasts a new, gentler slope.

i www2.mercedes-benz.es

new offices for engel & Völkers Engel & Völkers, the international real estate network with over 400 branches spanned across 32 different countires, has moved into two new offices in Marbella. The first is on the Golden Mile, next to the Marbella Club Hotel, while the second is in Elviria, just opposite the Supersol. The experienced team continues to provide exceptional service, with management provided by Smadar Kahana and her new business partner, Désirée Rayner. You can now reach the Golden Mille office at 952 86 84 06 and the Elviria office at 952 83 55 80, where they will be glad to help you in any way. Golden Mile office:

i C.C. Poveda, Local 5E, CN 340, km 178, Marbella. Tel: 952 868 406. Elviria office: C.C. Elviria, Local 10 CN 340, Km.192, Marbella. Tel: 952 835 580. www.engelvoelkers.com

New fitness club in Elviria Romana Fitness Club is a new haven for lovers of exercise, situated on the front line of La Romana Playa in Elviria. The new gym offers ample, modern installations measuring over 1,000m2, natural light, excellent views and friendly service. Qualified trainers will be teaching a variety of classes, including spinning, cardio and strength. State-of-the art equipment is on hand for the very best in weight and resistance training.

i Urb. Coto de los Dolores, La Romana Playa s/n,

Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 835 902.

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Autumn concert for Cudeca a big success The Autumn Concert for Cudeca with The Famous London Welsh Rugby Club Male Voice Choir proved to be another sell-out success for special guest soloist Stephen Lloyd-Morgan and his Manager, Nick Holland, who organised and staged the event. With virtually no sponsorship or budget, the concert still managed to sell out 275 seats one week before the event. Maurice Boland hosted the evening, which was held at the Hotel Kempinski Bahia Estepona.

i www.cudeca.org

International Marbella Art Charity for children The International Marbella Art Charity (IMAC) exhibition took place recently at Event Gallery in Azalea Beach Commercial Centre, featuring works from 47 artists from 15 different countries, in aid of local children’s charities such as Fundaspandem, the Lions Club children’s charity and Kristina Szekely’s charity, Amsudan. Five per cent of all sales went to these charities. José Luis Hernández of the Tourism Department of the Ayuntamiento de Marbella said, “This type of event shows clearly the role played by foreigners and foreign companies in our city. These efforts contribute to the integration of the different communities in Marbella.”

i www.marbella.es

Destination Sotogrande: for all you need to know on SotograndE Destination Sotogrande is a new approach for obtaining up-to-date information on services and supplies in the Sotogrande area, all shown on video. There is a section devoted to future events taking place in-and around Sotogrande, as well as invaluable information on where to go and what to see throughout the year. The site also incorporates Sotogrande Television, which features local events, interviews and special reports, and offers worldwide coverage 24 hours a day, 52 weeks of the year, in Spanish and English.

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i www.destination-sotogrande.com

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Benahavís Senior Masters at La Quinta Golf & Country Club Spanish golfing legend Manuel Piñero recently competed in the inaugural Benahavís Senior Masters competition, held at La Quinta Golf & Country Club and won by Carl Mason. Piñero, a former Ryder Cup player, appeared alongside other well-known names from the Senior Tour including Sam Torrance and Constantino Rocca. Piñero was among the Spanish contingent who made a big impact on the European Tour during the 1970s and 1980s when he won nine competitions, including the 1977 PGA Championship at Royal St. George’s. Piñero is also the designer of the La Quinta course, on which the players competed in two Pro-Am rounds and three competitive rounds. Commenting on the inaugural competition, he said, “I’m delighted to have been able to help bring a European Senior Tour event here to Benahavís, a place that is very close to my heart.”

i Urb. La Quinta Golf s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 762 390. www.laquintagolf.com ley 57 Abogados: New legal firm in Marbella Carlos Cómitre, a lawyer with over 13 years experience in the legal field, has opened a new firm in Marbella: Ley 57 Abogados, which focuses on the defence of clients’ interests. Cómitre deems absolute independence to be the best tool in serving clients. While Ley 57 can counsel you on all branches of the law, the firm focuses particularly on fair practices in real estate law. Carlos Cómitre has also published two books on necessary guarantees in the purchase of real estate.

Avda. Antonio Belón 3, 1º C, Marbella. Tel: 951 775 253. www.ley57formacion.com

Vintage car rally at Incosol For those whom classic cars, like vintage Morgans and Minis, are a passion, a great time was had at a vintage car rally sponsored by Trocadero Playa restaurant, Polynesian’s restaurant, Diverocio music and sound store, El Cológico Marbelli wine shop and Power Balance Performance Technology. Drivers revved up their motors at the starting line at Incosol, speeding off along the streets of Marbella, the Paseo Marítimo, San Pedro and Puerto Banús. At midday, the cars lined up along the Paseo Marítimo for a temporary exhibition. All enjoyed a hearty lunch at Trocardero Playa afterwards.

i Urb Río Real s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 860 909. www.incosol.net essential marbella magazine

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THEPRO

FINANCE

Tripartite Talks Report john gonzález

i John González is Trust

Manager of the financial services firm Fiduciary Group Gibraltar. Suite 23, Portland House, Glacis Road, Gibraltar. Tel: +350 200 76651. www.fiduciarygroup.com

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he political environment which Gibraltar enjoys today is very different to that when the threat of the Joint Sovereignty proposals of 2002 hung over The Rock. The Tripartite Talks, a three-way dialogue between Gibraltar, Spain and the United Kingdom, has paved the way for the implementation of sensible initiatives in order to foster mutual co-operation and the economic development of Gibraltar and its hinterland. We have to travel back to the 1980s in order to appreciate how much circumstances have changed in Gibraltar’s favour, and how these led to the forum under which the Tripartite Talks are held. The Lisbon Agreement of 1980 was an effort between Spain and the United Kingdom to table the Gibraltar question and find a solution to it bilaterally. Cooperation with Gibraltar was mooted. Spain reaffirmed its position concerning territorial integrity. The United Kingdom maintained its commitment to honour the wishes of the people of Gibraltar. The Brussels Agreement of 1984 was more of the same. The bilateral agreement, among other things, hinted at the establishment of a negotiating process aimed at overcoming all the differences between the two countries over Gibraltar,

and at promoting cooperation on a mutually beneficial basis with regard to economic, cultural, touristic, aviation, military and environmental matters. Neither the Lisbon Agreement nor the Brussels Agreement prospered. The Joint Sovereignty proposals were rejected in referendum by a resolute majority, and the proposals were kicked into the long grass. However Gibraltar was still not on safe ground. The rejection of the Joint Sovereignty proposals created a political vacuum which could easily have perpetuated bilateralism between Spain and the United Kingdom. But both countries realised that ignoring Gibraltar in any talks which involved its future were doomed to failure. The United Kingdom suggested that Gibraltar could attend talks under the ‘two flags, three voices’ formula. Gibraltar would attend as part of the British delegation. But this never materialised. Gibraltar’s constitutional development was caught up in the Joint Sovereignty proposals fiasco. Talks with the United Kingdom were resumed and Gibraltar achieved a new Constitution in 2006. This was a recognition by the United Kingdom of Gibraltar’s political maturity. The Government of Gibraltar is now responsible for all affairs, with the exception of defence and foreign relations. One of the important features of the new Constitution is that the United Kingdom’s commitment to honour the wishes of the people of Gibraltar is

preserved. Furthermore, the United Kingdom will not be able to engage in talks about Gibraltar’s sovereignty without approval from the Gibraltar Government. It was the trilateral forum that saw the light of day and Gibraltar and its hinterland are reaping its fruits. The forum is held on an open agenda basis, whereby Gibraltar, Spain and the United Kingdom have equal standing; that is, each party has its own voice and participates on the same basis. All three parties have to agree to reach an agreement. The first agreement of its kind was announced in September 2006. This addressed Spanish pensioners who worked in Gibraltar prior to the border’s closure by Spain in the 1960s; recognition of Gibraltar’s telephone code (+350); the flow of traffic at the border and the use of Gibraltar airport. Subsequent meetings under the trilateral forum have taken place and further agreements are in the offing on areas such as environmental disasters, financial and judicial services, customs and police cooperation, education, maritime communications, safety and visa-related issues. Gibraltar’s recent political past in respect of the sovereignty issue has been quite a roller coaster. However, The Rock has always managed to steer away from choppy waters. Through the trilateral process, Gibraltar finds herself in an enviable position. On one hand, she can safely promote co-operation with Spain for mutual benefit and, on the other, she can defend and protect her own interests. It’s good to talk… n

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the traveller SPORTS AND DESTINATIONS

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Silversea Polar Cruising

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Stylish Places to Stay in Andaluc铆a

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Aloha Golf Club

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Hotel Barcel贸 Marbella

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Cruising the Mediterranean

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THETRAVELLER

CRUISING

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Cruising the Med

Sailing through Santorini, Greece

Report david wishart photography courtesy of seabourn

e got to the Acropolis early but not, as it turned out, early enough. Ahead of us was a long, dense line of people snaking up the broken path to the Parthenon and soon it became clear that many were in a group from a cruise ship. We could hardly complain, as we were about to start a cruise ourselves and, if it comes to that, the joy of a Mediterranean cruise is a painless, unpack-just-once way to get around the treasures of Athens, Ephesus, Rome and the rest. It used to be that cruise ships held no more than 500 passengers, and there were not that many of them. Also, it was not so long ago that it was unusual to find more than one cruise vessel in a port. Earlier this year I stepped off a vessel in Kusadasi, the Turkish gateway to what was the fabulous Greek city of Ephesus, and counted six other cruise ships, some carrying thousands of passengers. The ruins of Ephesus, needless to say, were mobbed. I was also taken aback by the vast cruise docks, typical of what’s mushrooming into the Med to cater for the burgeoning cruise industry, which reaches its zenith in December with the inaugural of the Oasis of the Seas, destined to be the world’s biggest liner with a capacity for 5,000 passengers. I boarded our ship at Piraeus with a sinking feeling about Med cruises, and then something happened… We were on our way to Venice via Corfu and ports on the Dalmation coast. One was Kotor, a small walled city up a winding fjord. Kotor is pleasant, worth maybe an hour ashore, but the setting is gorgeous. I found the best place to enjoy it: Deck 8 of our ship, the new Seabourn Odyssey, while enjoying lunch. Our table was outside, hanging over the stern of the ship, affording an unequalled view of the handsome old town and surrounding, towering mountains. I had been on the ship long enough to realise it was a brilliant piece of work and during that typically excellent lunch, perhaps with the second glass of sauvignon blanc, we reached a conclusion: the Med and its monuments, we agreed, will always be worth a struggle to get to but if we are talking about a relaxing holiday, then the ship is now the star. And the latest, brightest star is the Seabourn Odyssey. The Yachts of Seabourn, as the company is known, may be part of the giant Carnival Corp. but it has a fine pedigree, going back almost 40 years to when Warren Titus launched Royal Viking Line, ushering in modern luxury cruising, with three beautiful vessels, each of 25,000 tons built to carry 500 passengers. Although the trio was later stretched to take 800 pax., Titus always believed that small was beautiful and later founded

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Champagne service at the whirlpool

A heavenly concert by the ancient ruins in Greece

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Seabourn, which has endured with three elegant ships built for just 200 passengers each. This fleet, the Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend, may have been constructed before the trend for balconies (although they have been successfully adapted with the next best thing – French windows) but the line has remained popular among well-travelled people because of its superb staff and cuisine. Now Odyssey is here, the first luxury newbuild in times that have seen the advent of an armada of mass-market mega-cruisers where the lure is a low-cost ticket, and the object to get passengers to spend as much money as possible. And this one is bigger, at 32,000 tons, for cruisers new and old want more facilities; but its capacity, at 450 pax., is only double, and very much yacht-sized compared with the 225,000ton Oasis of the Seas. Judging by the enthusiasm of the passengers on my sold-out cruise, Seabourn has got it pretty well just right. It’s a sleek, stylish vessel, small enough to get into places like Kotor (we were the only ship there) yet big enough to include the largest spa on a small, luxury ship, and four restaurants. The layout is superb, with all cabins at the forward end. Walk aft and you don’t have to go far to the main pool, restaurants, spa and the latest hot spot to meet at sea – Seabourn Square. Here, right at the back of Deck 7, are the concierges and shore excursions staff, a library, coffee bar and two banks of computers (wifi works throughout the ship). I heard one woman at a computer say Hermès products could now

be bought online. It’s better than that – Hermès is sold at the shop next door. In an increasingly dress-down world at sea, Seabourn asks for formal attire once on a week’s cruise, and on this ship more than sequins are flashing. Most evenings were pretty dressy, hardly surprising when not a few met for predinner champagne and caviar. Seabourn does not charge for either, not even for good malt whiskies and five-star cognacs, which makes for sociable evenings. “My round, Roger” can be said with no risk. Wines with meals were also excellent, sommeliers were well-trained, always available (on some ships you have a better chance of finding Elvis than a wine waiter) and never pushed the premium wines on sale. Which leads us to the restaurants. American chef Charlie Parker did a fine job with the menus but what blew me away was the beautiful main restaurant, the most handsome since Radisson Diamond. Two restaurants required reservations (and you have to be quick): a hugely popular small room with a degustación format; and the Colonnade, with lots of outdoor space, where bistro evenings included flavours of France, Italy and India. On the downside, the theatre could be better done and the fitness centre is too small. No doubt there will be lessons learned and adjustments made in the Seabourn Sojourn, which comes into service next year, and another new-build 12 months later. But what was best? Without a doubt the waiting staff – capable, tireless, smiling, and

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An inviting bedroom aboard the Seabourn Odyssey

The Seabourn Odyssey riding the waves

A beautiful afternoon on deck

most unusually these days, coming from countries you have heard of. Just as well there is no tipping, said one passenger, as he felt like rewarding the lot of them. And so our happy ship sailed on. Not surprisingly Dubrovnik, where we anchored in front of a stunning view of the walled city, was jammed with tourists and, after a quick stretch of the legs ashore, we retreated to the ship for lunch and a discussion about other Med favourites such as Portofino, Sorrento and Monaco, where the best is seen from the bay. When a head waiter came by and asked if we had been ashore, the man next to me said it all: “What’s on shore?”

SHIP TO SHORE Food has got better on cruise ships since the days when you could board as a passenger and leave as freight. Sure, you can still hit the buffet and get your money’s worth, and then some. And it always amazes me how many people pig out on burgers and fries. But on the Seabourn ships, thanks to American chef Charlie Parker and his new menus (with 200 signature dishes) you can eat well without resorting to an elastic waistband. Take Restaurant 2, an attractive, alternative dining room on Seabourn Odyssey. Here, the degustación menu is a series of morsel-sized courses, all tasty, all nourishing. They come with the correct wines as well. As well, the waiters talk knowledgably about the ingredients and preparation. Such a change from some ships where food carriers swing

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by and ask: “Who ordered the pasta?” What it has come to is that a ship like Seabourn Odyssey, which also boasts a big spa and fitness facilities, can allow you to dine in style and not put on weight. The danger, now, is on shore... We did, of course, stay in Athens before joining the ship. Who could go from the airport direct to the dock and bypass the glory of the Grande Bretange? This is one of Europe’s great hotels, where Kings and rock stars have stayed in sumptuous comfort. The location is regal as well, overlooking the Acropolis, a fine square with the parliament building and high-stepping Greek guards, and just a stroll from the enjoyable Plaka area. Up top, there is a pool with sociable bar, perfect for relaxing after a flight, while the restaurant just below offers an open-air panorama of the Acropolis. Looking out over the floodlit Parthenon, which is really very close, makes for a memorable dinner. Grande Bretagne is one of Starwood’s luxury collection, yet you can often secure a beautiful classic room for little more than 200 Euros. Seabourn uses this hotel and has a desk for co-ordinating seamless transfers to the ship. Same at the other end of the cruise, where Seabourn has a presence at several major hotels. However, when we were there it was film festival time, the hotels were jammed and we were lucky to find rooms at the Londra Palace. This was a great find, a beautiful little hotel (just 53 rooms) on the lagoon and just a few minutes from

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The Spa Terrace of the Seabourn Odyssey

The boutique of the Seabourn Odyssey

St Mark’s Square. Londra Palace is a member of Small Luxury Hotels. I had a wonderful water view from two big windows that opened wide; and I was not the first to stand here and wonder. Back in 1877, Tchaikovsky stayed in Room 106, exactly three floors below, where he composed the first three movements of the Fourth Symphony, which he first called Do Leoni (The Two Lions) in honour of the lion of St Mark and the rampant English lion. Ten years later, Gabriele D’Annunzio, the famous Italian lyrical poet, attended the unveiling of the big bronze equestrian monument to King Vittorio Emanuele II which stands near the hotel. The concierges were superb, starting each day by handing me a Herald-Tribune, with the Financial Times soon to follow. And as for the breakfast! It was included in the room rate, a generous buffet with fresh fruit, including strawberries. We sat outside, took in the fresh air and planned our agendas. Our luck was in. Verde’s La Traviata was

at the Fenice opera house and we got two of the last seats. We also had two coffees at the Florian in St Mark’s Square for €30, including the charge for ‘musica’. Lucky? The musicians were actually playing, but if they are having a break you still have to pay! And when we turned up at Harry’s Bar we got a good table in the corner. Everyone who has been to Venice, and many who have not, has an opinion on Harry’s Bar. We enjoyed it. The atmosphere is special, rather like Brasserie Lipp in Paris where you can be sitting between a politician and a poet. But, like the Lipp, you have to sit downstairs, where the action is. Upstairs is known as Social Siberia. The food was very good, and the house wine, served in pots like Les Halles in Lyon, excellent and very reasonably priced. But you can spend a King’s ransom in here, which is an excellent reason to go easy on the menu. That way, you get out with both your wallet and your waistline intact!

Transitting a narrow canal in Greece

www.seabourn.com Londra Palace is at (39) 041-5200533, Harry’s Bar at (39) 041-5285777 and Grand Bretange at (30) 210-3232242.

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THETRAVELLER

BUSINESS

High adventure on the high seas with

silversea cruises

T “What was to follow was perhaps one of the best whale sightings any of the Expedition Team members had ever experienced … a pod of 7 Fin Whales, the second largest whale after the Blue Whale and here we had these magnificent beasts within a few metres off the side of our ship. The whales were not disturbed by our presence and stayed by the ship for well over an hour, snorting, blowing and grunting while they hung around the surface, sometimes showing their tails or turning on their sides. What an amazing privilege.” From the log of ornithologist Claudia Holgate on this summer’s Arctic Expedition Cruise aboard the Prince Albert II. Report belinda beckett photography courtesy of silversea cruises

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here exists within all of us a passion for discovery. However, most of us are content to explore the world’s more remote territories as armchair travellers, whether it’s watching David Attenborough connecting with penguins in Life in the Freezer or B-list stars getting to grips with the Amazonian rain forest in I’m A Celebrity – Get Me Out of Here. However, imagine if you could take part in an expedition to the globe’s furthest outposts in safety and comfort, flying across the Arctic ocean in a Zodiac to view polar bears at close quarters on an ice floe one moment, back on board ship for a five-course banquet the next – all in the space of a few hours. That’s the promise of Silversea’s new Expedition Cruises aboard the Prince Albert II, the most opulent vessel of her kind on the sea today, with an itinerary that combines the luxury ocean liner lifestyle with high adventure on the high seas. Heralding a new era in expedition cruising, the 6,072-ton Prince Albert II’s strengthened hull is designed for navigating waters in some of the world’s most remote destinations, including both of earth’s polar regions, yet it has the onboard ambience of a luxury private yacht. With eight Zodiac boats, her 132 privileged passengers can venture deep into regions other vessels cannot reach, for close encounters with ice bergs, whales, walruses and other remarkable creatures, whilst enjoying a pampered lifestyle back on the ‘mother ship’. Onboard Prince Albert II, savour a convivial, cosmopolitan ambience and many special amenities usually found only on larger ships, including oceanview accommodation with private bath in all 10 grades of suites, a library and Internet café, boutique shopping, a spa, beauty salon, fitness centre, sauna, live evening entertainment and two top-deck whirlpools. The vessel even features Connoisseur’s Corner, where passengers can enjoy the finest cigars and cognacs – a diversion offered by no other expedition ship. Attentive service is guaranteed, too, with a crew-toguest ratio of nearly 1 to 1. Complimentary drinks are served throughout the voyage, all onboard gratuities are included and no extra tipping is expected, while open-seat dining means that when, and with whom you dine, is up to you. From November to March, the ship plies the waters surrounding South America’s immense Tierra del Fuego, the spectacular Chilean fjords

and the great white continent of Antarctica with its mighty glaciers and spectacular iceberg sculptures, home to seals, dolphins, albatross and six species of penguin. Later in the year, she visits Iceland, Greenland, Norway and the Canadian Arctic, before repositioning to the opposite side of the equator to discover the rainforests and reefs of Patagonia. Passengers will experience the camaraderie of authentic shared group adventures in the safe hands of an experienced Expedition Team, together with leading naturalists, authors and photographers who will impart their knowledge of the region’s unique wildlife, ecology and geology during educational shipboard lectures and guided field studies. Unstructured itineraries allow for moment-by-moment flexibility: stay longer at sites of particular interest, or make detours whenever weather, nature or curiosity dictates. The rigid Zodiacs are specifically designed for nature study, perfect for negotiating reefs or islands surrounded by shallow waters and, with their low centre of gravity, very stable. All guests participate in a complete familiarisation session first, while those on polar voyages where temperatures can fall to below zero centigrade at night, receive a complimentary Parka and backpack. At www.silversea.com you can read daily illustrated logs written by Expedition Team members, and join them ‘virtually’ as they step onto the Antarctic Peninsula to observe penguin antics, rise early to watch whales in the wild and return to enjoy a relaxing spa session or gourmet dinner among new friends. Says Peter Conway-Hann who handles all bookings and suite allocations, “An Expedition cruise is a real ‘must do’ for anyone interested in exploring the remotest areas of our planet in luxury and comfort. Silversea set’s the highest standards in the cruise industry today and nothing was spared in making Prince Albert II the world’s foremost luxury expedition cruise ship. Moreover, our fares are fully all-inclusive, right down to the excursions on Zodiacs. Our Expedition team of five is complemented by a lecture staff of eleven and a typical voyage will have two expedition leaders and five or more lecture staff. On a personal note, I have been truly amazed at the wildlife photography taken by some of our clients – you just don’t expect to get that close to polar bears!”

Peter Conway-Hann, Tel: Gibraltar (350) 200 60346 (mobile, Spain) 609 557 423 cruisesilversea@fastmail.net www.silversea. com

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Silversea’s one aim - Excellence

The world’s number one - 6 star - Ultra-luxury cruise line

The Artic, Greenland & Iceland, Antarctica The Artic - 7, 10 & 14 day expeditions, June to August Greenland & Iceland - 16 & 18 day expeditions, August/September Antarctica - 11 & 17 day expeditions, November to March

The Art Room - 607 906 600 - artroom.es

The all-inclusive value of Silversea All Ocean-view Suite accomodation, all with complimentary butler service Crew to guest ration of nearly 1:1 Superlative service and genuine hospitality Gratuities - All included Complimentary drinks – Wines, spirits, beers, etc All compliments of Silversea 24 hour room service

•

• Open seating dining - Dine when, where

• • • •

• In-suite beverages - Whatever your desire, delivered

•

and with whom you please

by your butler - All courtesy of Silversea • Complimentary parka & waterproof back-pack • Casual attire - no formal nights • Expert naturalists and special guest lecturers

The Artic & Antarctica. Enter the realm of the Polar Bear, Whales, Albatross and Penguin. Experience real Nature onboard our expedition ship, Prince Albert II. Every journey unique - each day unlike any before. Be guided by our onboard team of expert Naturalists, Scientists and guest lecturers - all in the 6 star ultra-luxury lifestyle only Silversea can offer. CALL NOW FOR THE 2010 BROCHURE

For more information, suite allocations, bookings/deposits, etc, please contact Peter at Cruise Connections Ltd.: Silversea officially appointed sales agent for Gibraltar, Spain and Portugal since 1994. Tel: Gibraltar (350) 200 60346 - Mbl: Spain (34) 609 557 423 - Mbl: Spain (34) 609 557 407 E-mail: cruisesilversea@fastmail.net - www.silversea.com silversea_essential_november.indd 1

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THETRAVELLER STYLISH PLACES

mesh Dhanji is a businessman on a mission: to create the most amazing collection of stylish places to stay on the planet. His business proposition is to search out, market and promote hotels and properties that stand out from the rest, and to provide high levels of service to discerning clients. “I’m going to visit each one myself. Personally. Even if it takes me 10 years,” he says. The company name, Stylish Places to Stay, says it all. “We represent properties from chic boutique hotels to five star hotels, cool loft apartments to luxury penthouses, beachfront houses, stunning private villas with great views, country residences, romantic castles. The one thing they have in common is style.” What is style? “An inspired balance between surroundings, service and facilities that meets or exceeds the client’s expectations.” And the ultimate stylish experience? “The property that’s a destination in itself, has an element of excitement, gives you a sense of belonging. It’s pure pleasure, aspirational, inspirational, memorable. It adds up to this: Go for the experience, not for the night.” Some people believe a hotel is a bed for the night and it just needs to be clean, comfortable and does what it says on the tin lable. “We’re not in the bed-for-the-night market,” says Umesh, “and we’re the opposite end of the galaxy from the self-service market that has clients spending hours trawling through countless online hotel sites, not knowing if they’re any good and hoping for the best.” Every client of Stylish Places to Stay has a personal travel PA at their disposal who provides a private, discreet and multilingual service. Clients include professionals, business executives, A-list celebrities and their families. “Our property descriptions are brief, clear, informative and to the point,” explains Umesh. “Transparency is key: we give you the up side and the down side, the complete picture about a place you’ve never seen, so you can decide on the spot if you want to stay there or go somewhere else. This means there aren’t any unpleasant surprises when you get there – the property is as you expected.” Stylish Places to Stay visits and assesses each property under consideration for a place in the collections. “Our aim is to seek out and promote small collections of the most stylish properties in each destination. Sometimes, we don’t find any that meet our exacting criteria. Properties can join our collections only if they’re invited to do so,” Umesh explains.

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Aston Martin DB9 courtesy of Blue Sky Super Car Hire

Report NICKY MACEDO

Stylish Places to Stay in Passion for design, creativity, originality, knowhow, enthusiasm and over one year of work has gone into putting together the cutting edge website: “It’s stylish and easy to operate,” says Umesh. “You can use it in two ways: if you know what you want, just go straight there. If you prefer a surprise, select the style, destination or type of property that catches your imagination and enjoy surfing through the options.” What do users feel about the website? “I would hope that the discerning traveller looks at our website and think ‘Yes, I’ll be in safe hands’. And that, second time around, they’ll book blind.” Give a top architect a blank sheet and a blank cheque and you expect wonders, but the perfection of the brand-new Hotel Finca Cortesin in Casares exceeds expectations. The entrance, through a cobbled courtyard with fountains, leads into the hall of what feels like a large and charming private hacienda that has been around a few hundred years. Fresh flowers are everywhere. Soaring ceilings, stone-flagged floors, arches and the 67 suites of

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Andalucía perfect proportions are complemented by society decorator Duarte Pinto Coelho’s aristocratic touches of aesthetic luxury. Spa, gym, pools, gardens and inspired cuisine are just what you would expect. Serious golfers are a fixture: the 7,000-metre course is home to the Volvo World Match Play Championship. Andalucía, nearest Spanish province to Africa, is also the largest. The greedy eyes of Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and Christians desired it, possessed it and left their mark in the architecture of the old frontier towns of the interior, in the language, food, music, dance, and in the people themselves. The result was sheer magic. But Andalucía is also blessed with a long, sunny coastline, and 90 per cent of visitors are perfectly satisfied to stay in beachfront hotels, fill nightclubs, shops and restaurants and work up a tan before they leave again. During three perfect days last August, the Stylish Places to Stay team toured southern Andalucía by car, visiting some of the most stylish hotels and properties in Málaga, Seville, Granada and Cádiz. This is our diary.

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Finca Cortesín: Andalusian living, designer-style

Palacio Garvey, Jerez: contemporary hotel, fusion cuisine

Andalusian wines

Aperitivos: Chilled dry fino sherry, La Ina or Tío Pepe; slightly sweeter La Quinta, Solear, San Patricio; PX/Pedro Ximénez on the rocks. Try chilled manzanilla La Gitana with seafood, the way it’s served in Bajo de Guía, on the coast in Sanlúcar. Blancos: Pale yellow Barbadillo, light fruity table white for summer days; other whites Valdepeñas, Alvear, Gadir. Tintos: Señorío de Nevada; reds from Ronda. Dessert wine: Sweet dark Málaga Vírgen, seriously good served with cakes and puddings or drizzled over ice cream.

Away from the anaesthetic playground of the Costa del Sol, we take the scenic route from Casares to Jerez via Gaucín and Benarrabá, two of the fortified pueblos blancos which marked the frontier between Christian and Muslim Spain. An underground passage linked the fortresses of Casares and Gaucín with the hilltop castle of Benarrabá, and from this strategic viewpoint the Berber Arabs watched the comings and goings of their neighbours for 700 years. These are ancient smuggling villages, and dealers in brandy, tobacco and darker commodities shared the forest trails with wildcats, deer, stoats and wild boar. The road to Jerez is relatively tame these days except in springtime, when you drive past fields where a dozen or so large black bulls with business-like curved horns are apparently floating on a mist of purple bugloss. The pattern of everyday life in Jerez includes any or all of three local ingredients: flamenco and the art of the cantaor; the Andalusian horse, admired since antiquity; and the wines growing on the chalky hills nearby. It’s a must to visit the dusky bodegas steeped in the sweet, heavy scent of generations of grape juice and sample the wines, from dry finos to dark brown syrupy liquids scooped lovingly from the bottom of the barrel. The solera system blends wine from the harvests of many years, giving the end product the complex, mature flavour of the older wines and the fresh, crisp taste of the younger ones. Frenchmen and Irishmen in the wine trade married centuries ago into the old sherry families and their tall, deep-voiced descendants have evocative names like Domecq, González Byass and Garvey. The Palacio Garvey, 19th century town residence of the sherry family, was built in the historical town centre. Now a boutique hotel, behind its neo-classical façade are 16 spacious rooms done in a crisp, funky style with large four-poster beds, sublime bedlinen, romantic clawfoot baths with hydromassage and the requisite electronic mod cons. Simple, contemporary and wellpresented, it’s an excellent choice for a pleasant stay

where the action is. The clincher is the restaurant, where products in season are transformed into great dishes via an outstanding collection of recipes in the local culinary tradition, and an inspired chef whisks up on-the-spot specials for choosy appetites. Interesting winelist.

Hotel Finca Cortesin exudes sumptious luxury

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Hacienda de San Rafael: rustic sophistication

Villa Jerez: a sense of belonging

Those visitors who seek out hotels combining the required level of comfort with a sense of belonging to the local scene will enjoy the 5* Hotel Villa Jerez. Once a traditional family country house attached to the bodega, it’s in a quiet residential area 10 minutes from the city centre. There are 18 large rooms with oversized beds and generous bathrooms; the décor is well-used in one or two places but close attention to detail, spotless housekeeping and charming personal service make a delightful stay. The pool is not large but pleasant, designed for relaxing, and surrounded with beautiful gardens. The endless breakfast buffet would satisfy an army and the honesty bar has a discerning selection of sherries and wine.

The Jerez experience includes a visit to the Real Escuela Andaluza del Arte Ecuestre to see the fairytale Andalucían horses – elegant greys of ancient lineage with soft eyes, noble faces and rippling manes halfway to the ground, they look as if they’d just high-stepped out of a Narnia filmset. Horses and riders spend years learning supremely difficult dressage manoeuvres, with stunning results. Formal wear for the riders is a romantic 18th century uniform: long embroidered jacket, waistcoat, buttoned breeches and pointed calañé hat with an upturned brim. Heading for a country hacienda north of Jerez, we drive through an arid landscape where nothing much moves except the hot wind carrying the smell of dry grass; the zing of the cicadas comes through the open windows of the car. The 300 year old Hacienda de San Rafael is a haven of traditional rustic sophistication where oriental fabrics, antiques and artefacts blend with the Anglo-Spanish owners’ art collection and family memorabilia. Round the cobbled central courtyard are 11 charming duplex rooms with peaked ceilings and galleried bathrooms, and three generous casitas share an infinity pool in the gardens. The Hacienda has a guest capacity of 28 and catering for up to 100; the whole property can be reserved for private corporate functions, weddings and large parties. Many guests visit regularly, drawn by the delicate Mediterranean cuisine, manor-house service and outstanding personal attention.

Café, por favor

In Andalucía, explaining how you want your coffee can be a trial. Nube: a dash of coffee in a glass of milk. Sombra: slightly more coffee in the milk than a nube, about a finger. Corto: just under half a glass of coffee. Mitad: no prizes for guessing, is half coffee - and half milk. Largo: just over half a glass of coffee. Mancha’o: a dash of milk in a glass of coffee, or in other words, the opposite of a nube. And yes, it often comes in a glass.

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Hotel Corral del Rey: discreet town address

And so to Seville. Andalucía’s largest city stands by the banks of the Guadalquivir whose green waters launched Columbus on his way to America. This is the heart of Andalucía, where partying is a way of life: on hot, languorous summer days, lunch is never before 2.30, dinner before ten or bed before two, and the Saturday marcha carries on till Sunday morning. Little girls are taught the graceful arm movements of the Sevillanas dance before they can walk, twisting an imaginary apple from a tree and putting it into a basket at hip height. It’s a city to fall in love with. The Sevillanos are compulsive talkers, famous for their wit - “Soy Sevillano, ¡pero no lo digo para no presumir!” – “I’m from Seville, but I don’t tell anyone because I don’t like to brag!” – said one charming señorito with silver hair, when I asked where he was from.

On the way to Granada another day, we pass the Cuesta de la Reina. The very name used to stiffen the backs of vintage car owners 50 years ago and passengers, dogs, picnic baskets and piporros of water were ejected from the car and walked, or carried, uphill while the car toiled up in first gear. We make a pitstop for coffee and pan tostado with crushed tomato and a trickle of olive oil, and drive on through a switchback landscape of olive groves, vineyards and the occasional hacienda with walls covered in flowers. The sudden scent of jasmine, roses, dama de noche and honeysuckle is never far away in Andalucía. Inherited from the Arabs, the famous cármenes of Granada with their scented hanging gardens, fountains of cool, clear water and hidden courtyards provide an enchanted escape from hot summer days and nights, not just in country haciendas: the cármen is a treasured feature of some city restaurants and hotels. Inaugurated in 2007, the intimate city-centre Hotel Villa Oniria in Granada retains all the welcome, charm and romance of the 19th century palace it once was. The scented garden and interior courtyard are filled with the sound of water. Waiters with long aprons slip discreetly among the clients in the hall lounge, a favourite local meeting place for coffee, an aperitivo and an informal business chat. Neutral, modern interiors by Pascual Ortega are carefully backlit and have a particular magic; and new technology has been skilfully incorporated into the 31 rooms. The heated indoor pool, spa and exercise room are not large but impeccably designed and well worth a visit. Great cuisine from San Sebastian.

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Behind the wide avenues are pebbled courtyards with scented bitter orange and lemon trees, jacaranda, acacia and magnolia; and an elegant maze of passages and alleyways a small car can just scrape through. The infamous Don Juan lived here in the barrio Santa Cruz, next to the gipsy quarter of Triana where now, as then, half a hundred bars offer wine, some of the world’s great tapas and a tablao flamenco. In Seville, Roman arches can erupt from one hotel room wall and disappear just as unexpectedly into another; dig down, and mosaics and ancient chapels rise out of the ground. Some hotels feature a glass floor, well or balcony overlooking the ruins below. Tucked away behind iron-bossed Mudéjar doors in the nearby Barrio de La Alfalfa is the Hotel Corral del Rey, a unique XVII century casa palacio lovingly converted into a stylishly bohemian and sophisticated small boutique hotel. Six cool, spacious rooms offer supremely comfortable beds, iPod docks, WiFi, plasma screen TVs with surround sound and large marble bathrooms with walk-in rain showers. Contemporary Spanish cuisine is on the menu. Ideal for house-parties, exhibitions and private functions, Corral del Rey has a discreet client list of stars and celebrities looking for privacy and the feel-good factor, a stone’s throw from the Giralda.

Villa Oniria: intimate city-centre hotel

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Hotel Palacio Blanco: style on a budget Kempinski Imperial Suite: the largest in Spain

To reserve at any of the properties in this article, contact your personal travel PA at Stylish Places to Stay, Tel. (+34) 952 88 76 37, Email: res@stylishplacestostay.com. www.stylishplacestostay.com

On the coast 45 minutes from Granada and an hour north of Málaga is a well-kept secret: the medieval walled town of Salobreña, with fine sandy beaches and a strong Moorish influence. A 10-minute drive into the terraced hills brings us to an elegant country retreat with panoramic views over the Mediterranean, ideal for a short or long stay. The main house stands in 9,000 m2 of landscaped garden with areas of lawn, mature palm trees and cypresses, mosaic walkways and fountains and a large swimming pool and open-air dining area. The house is fully equipped for eight guests, with four bedrooms and bathrooms and a children’s room. Daily housekeeping services are available. There is a separate satellite TV room with high-speed internet, and a golf course just 15 minutes away. Company incentive trips are frowned on in the present economic climate but one small boutique hotel 30 minutes from Málaga has a pricetag that won’t break the bank, regularly attracts Directors’ conferences (and weddings, family get-togethers and weekend groups) from outside Spain, and gives visitors a glimpse of Andalucía. The Hotel Palacio Blanco in Vélez-Málaga is a converted 17th century bishop’s palace, one of the finest townhouses in this historic old town near the coast. An imposing Mudéjar door leads into a central courtyard, around which are eight impeccably presented en-suite guest rooms with iPod docking stations, flat-screen TV, WiFi and Internet, and bathrooms with walk-in showers. A generous breakfast is served, there is an honesty bar and a list of recommended restaurants is available. The sunny province of Málaga, with its fast cars, opulent yachts, glitz, glamour and golf clubs, has a string of coastal towns and villages lying in the skirts of the Sierra Nevada. One of these is Guadalmina, 10 minutes from Puerto Banús’s concentration of highly sophisticated vessels and nightclubs, and 15 from Marbella’s 2,000-year-old town centre. The Mediterranean washes the garden wall of one

sophisticated, bohemian-style villa in Guadalmina. This beachfront villa has six bedrooms, five bathrooms, three reception rooms – one a cosy Moroccan living room – and large back of the house with staff quarters. It’s a great place to throw a house party or entertain an extended family. The original U-shape design is all on one floor except the tower bedroom, which has a great view to Gibraltar and Jebel Musa in Africa. Another spectacular version of the Costa del Sol’s most iconic view can be had from the exclusive Sky Bar of the Kempinski Bahía Estepona’s 750m2 Imperial Suite, the largest hotel suite in Spain. VIP guests are brought by helicopter from the airport to the beachfront hotel, where a private lift operated by personal swipecard goes only to the duplex penthouse. Here a personal butler is on standby, the permanent buffet replenishes itself as if by magic and you can practice your golf swing while, down in the garage, a stable of luxury sports cars including a Lamborghini, a Ferrari and a Porsche stands waiting for a run. Wardrobe top-ups are five minutes’ walk away at the stylish Laguna Village shopping mall. It’s the ultimate pampering treatment, Kempinski style. n Guadalmina: sophisticated bohemian beachfront villa

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THETRAVELLER GOLF

Paul Brazell brings us his three favourite holes on the Coast’s top golf courses.

aloha golf club Since 1975

loha Golf is one of the jewels in the crown of the famous Golf Valley of Nueva Andalucía, directly above Puerto Banús. Opened in 1975, the Clubhouse was completed in October and the first official ball played was driven by D. Angel de la Riva, the President of the Andalusian Golf Federation. Designed by Javier Arana, it quickly rose to prominence offering a true test for golfers of all levels amid stunning views of La Concha and across the Mediterranean. As a mark of its popularity, the members’ share value increased spectacularly within a few years of its inauguration almost to the point of it becoming a mark of distinction to own one. Aloha Golf Club has hosted a number of prestigious golf tournaments including the Spanish Amateur Championship in 1978 and the European tour Open de Andalucía in both 2007 & 2008.

i Aloha Golf Club

Tel: 952 907 085/6. www.clubdegolfaloha.com

8th Hole Aloha

2nd Hole Aloha Uresandi: Par 4, 265m from yellow tee, handicap 12 It’s no surprise that this hole is listed in the worldwide top 500. It’s all about strategy. If you choose the wrong club, you will find yourself in trouble! This hole does not forgive, as much of the entire course; play smart, don’t take too many risks and you will definitely enjoy it. Being a 22 handicapper myself, I usually use a 7 iron towards the right hand side of the hole for my second shot (that’s if my first shot is on the fairway, of course).

Peña Blanca, Par 3, 178m from yellow tee, handicap 18 Believe it or not, this hole has no bunkers! If you are like me, and the weakest part of your game is coming out of a bunker, then apart from the breath taking views of our local La Concha mountain you will appreciate the fact that it is impossible to fall into sand. The view from this hole’s fairway was used to design the logo of the club. It is a long par 3, so I recommend using anything from a 5 iron to a 7 iron, and give it all you’ve got!

Paul Brazell Acosta

Professional events photographer www.paulacostaphotography.com

PRO FOR A DAY™

“Feel like a pro, and keep the memory forever.” Tel: 669 694 848. www.proforaday.com

10th Hole Aloha Javier Arana, Par 5, 504m from yellow tee, handicap 5 Named after the designer of the course, one of Spain’s most prestigious golf course architects (who unfortunately passed away before its inauguration in October 1975), this long par 5 hole has a double fairway. You choose whether to go right, away from the water hazard; or left, which is a shorter route but you take the risk of dealing with the ‘water magnet’ which, in my case, always manages to attract my ball. Realistically, only the pros and low handicappers can make the green in two, so be prepared to use a long 3 wood or 4 iron for your second shot, and set it up for a short pitch onto the green.

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GOLF RESORT Premier gated Resort with outstanding Dave Thomas par 72 golf course. Charming Club House overlooking an ornamental lake. Delightful Riding Centre and championship arena. All set amongst tranquil Mediterranean woodland enjoying glorious views across the sea to Gibraltar and African coastline. 24 hr security. Club membership exclusive to owners. Fully serviced plots and completed villas for sale.

95 286 6306 路 realestate@marbellaclub.com

www.marbellaclub.com

THETRAVELLER

Hotel Barceló Marbella

Report Marisa CUTILLAS Photography Courtesy of Hotel Barceló Marbella

HOTEL

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S golfer Bobby Jones hit the nail on the head when he noted that golf is, in many ways, more a mental than a physical game; yet lovers of the sport know that when it comes to a pleasurable day on the fairways, nothing beats a good, 18-hole course. Guadalmina Golf Club offers this and more, with two 18-hole courses and one 9-hole course, each with different fairways, water features and unique challenges. Guadalmina is also conveniently close to a myriad of other golf courses, including Los Naranjos, La Quinta and Atalaya, all less than six kilometres away. Guadalmina is therefore an excellent location for a hotel catering specifically to golfers and their families, and this was the idea behind the construction of the Hotel Barceló Marbella in 2004. The Barceló may be relatively new but it emanates old world elegance, from the high ceilings in the reception area, graced with an intricate, large-scale wrought iron chandelier, to its colourful Italianate windows and authentic Arab-Andalusi fountains with their rhythmic songs of water. The design is highly appealing, with bold red tones dominating the exterior and light, neutral colours complementing the natural light that floods the interior. The look is cosy yet not cluttered, with plenty of open space and cosy nooks, such as the exterior, torch-lit terrace, set in an inviting tropical garden. The Hotel Barceló is as much a family hotel as it is a treat for golfers. There are four floors which house over

200 rooms (169 Standards, nine Superior Doubles, 21 Junior Suites, seven Premium Suites and one Master Suite). All have an external balcony, bath and shower, mini-bar, satellite TV, free Internet, climatisation, teamaking facilities, etc. Suites also boast a DVD player while Superior rooms and Premium Suites entice guests with a sizeable Jacuzzi in the bathroom. Rooms are ample and decorated in a simple yet inviting style, with light, fabric-covered walls, sizeable beds and ochre tiled floors instilling a calm, relaxed ambience. Some rooms have romantic four-poster beds while others have a distinctly Edwardian feel. The bathrooms in the Premium Suites are worthy of mention, with their delicate crystal showers, lovely burnt orangetiled walls, mosaic designs and delicate beige marble, ensuring a highly aesthetic look. Guadalmina may be close enough to the lively ambience of Puerto Banús and Marbella but the Bareceló offers plenty of reason for families to stay here while golf fanatics are putting and swinging away. There are two exterior pools, a games room, a kids’ club in the summer and a wellness centre with a well equipped gym, Jacuzzi, Turkish bath and paddle tennis court. After a workout, satisfy your culinary cravings at the buffet restaurant or cool down with a copa at one of three different bars. The Hotel Barceló Marbella caters strongly for businesses, offering some of the largest naturally-lit conference halls on the coast. There are no less than 11 different business rooms with a capacity of up to 650 persons. The Gran Marbella Convention Centre measures 450m2, with high tech facilities and lovely views to the golf course (bosses should forgive their employees for gazing out at the inviting greens). The Andalucía Meeting Room, meanwhile, measures 750m2 and can be divided into seven different rooms if desired. Those seeking an extra luxurious touch will love Club Premium, a space located on the fourth floor featuring a conference room, cosy sofas, a bar and an ample external terrace with mountain views, perfect for a mid-meeting lunch or coffee break. The Hotel Barceló Marbella is definitely ‘old world meets new’: a haven for businessmen, golfers, fitness fanatics and even traditional holiday makers who simply seek a beautiful place to get away; lose yourself gazing at the mountains, listening to the Arabic fountains or walking in the exotic gardens. At the Barceló, it’s easy to forget why you needed a holiday in the first place.

“Golf is a game that is played on a five-inch course – the distance between your ears” Bobby Jones

i C/ de Granadillas s/n,

Urb. Guadalmina Alta, Marbella. Tel: 952 889 099. www.barcelo.com

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the gourmet

E VERYTHING ABOUT DINING

Nestor

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Restaurante Asiático Zen

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Food News

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Chef’s Profile: Edmund Cicans of Kon-Tiki Garden

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Wine: Pancho Campo talks with Robert Parker

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Fi n e T h a i C u i s i n e

RESERVATIONS:

952 818 392

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

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

tel: 952 777 893 or 952 775 500

TAI PAN Chinese Cuisine - Polynesian Bar

Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine

NOW OPEN FOR

LUNCH & DINNER!

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Oriental Delights

t h e a rt of

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

25/8/09 18:40:00

THEGOURMET

RESTAURANT

Report belinda beckett photography kh photography

NESTOR : a Taste of France in Spain i Urb. Alzambra,

Edif. Vasari, Puerto Banús, Tel: 952 929 020. Open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for brunch. Average price, threecourse meal with wine, €40.

hen was the last time you tried garlic-infused escargots Bourgogne or a really sticky tarte tatin? Probably, not since the last time you drove through France. However, now there’s no need to get out the Michelin Guide to take your tastebuds on a trip down memory lane. These treats and more can be enjoyed on the doorstep at Nestor, a restaurant which is gloriously reviving the forgotten art of classic French brasserie cuisine. Nestor is owned by Deyafa, the international restaurant consortium that owns successful Finca Besaya with its ‘3D experience’ of fine dining, drinking and dancing. Located at the swish Vasari Resort, opposite Puerto Banús, it too offers a three-in-one experience: a palm-shaded terrace overlooking a private swimming pool, ideal for al fresco lunches and Sunday brunch barbecues (just one of the treats in store this season); a stylish interior with intimate alcoves for winter evening dining; and a cosy piano bar where diners can unwind and chat after their meal.. The story of this new restaurant can be traced back to the Eighth arrondissement of Paris where a young chef called Eric Benessiano was making a name for himself at Righi, a brasserie in the heart of the Golden Triangle of haute couture houses and prestigious hotels, frequented by the likes of Princess Grace of Monaco, Orson Welles and Roman Polanski. Eric comes from a family of French chefs and was often invited to share his trade secrets on TV chat shows and cookery programmes. However, after 20 years he needed a change and, to fast-forward a long story, he found himself opening a restaurant in Banús. It had been a fried chicken takeaway and

a poster of a waiter carrying a roasted chicken on a platter reminded Eric of Nestor the butler in a favourite cartoon series of long ago: The Adventures of Tintin, about a young Belgian reporter and his dog Snowy. Under Eric’s direction, the chicken takeway became a popular little brasserie called Chez Nestor and, such was its success, he was head-hunted to mastermind the new operation at Vasari, where he is Executive Chef and co-partner with Deyafa’s dynamic Director, Raouf Lotfi. Eric imported his skills in preparing what he calls “Cuisine bourgeoise – classic French cooking served in hearty portions,” – and the name, Nestor. Now diners can again enjoy what was once the staple of all good restaurants, before fine dining flounced off down the nouvelle and fusion routes – a real taste of France: succulent oysters from Biarritz, plump moules destined for Eric’s flavoursome marinière, traditional andouillete sausages and a fine selection of patés, cheeses and wines. On a menu that includes perfect sole Meunière, entrecote steak with herbs of Provençe, gratinées and homemade foie gras, there are also dishes that reflect Eric’s French-Algerian origin and, every Thursday, Nestor hosts an Oriental Couscous night. Plus, you can try many new dishes as well as reprising favourites because, in addition to the seasonal à la carte menu, there is a dailychanging choice of four starters and main courses. Great food demands great wines. Along with excellent Spanish vintages, this is your chance to try rarely-available French wines such as Brouilly, Fleurie and Château Prieuré-Lichinie Margaux. Better still, and a real ‘first’ in this area,

you can order them by the glass thanks to a state-of-the-art Eurocave machine which preserves the opened bottles in a vacuum for several weeks. However, the house wines are not to be sniffed at and I can recommend the fruity Zapadorado 2008 from Rueda, served with my starter. Chicken pie may not sound very exotic but the tender chicken with sultanas and spices, wrapped in a slightly sweet pastry, was stashed with Moroccan flavours. I also had to steal one of my companion’s snails from a neat dish of 12 receptacles, each containing an escargot drenched with garlic, shallotte and herb butter, avoiding the hard work of prising the creature from its shell. Anyone who thinks snails are chewy should try Eric’s! For mains we enjoyed a tender, slowcooked confit of duck and a rich and creamy mushroom pasta, the woody setas and shitaki mushrooms giving this dish great depth of flavour. For pudding we tried a classic French Île Flottante of lightly-poached meringue islands floating in a pool of vanilla custard; and a new take on tarte tatin filled with banana, caramelised and gooey as it should be. Nestor plans many exciting events to mark off in your diary, from fondu nights to oyster evenings and, on the third Thursday of this month, a celebration of one of the most important occasions on the French calendar, when ‘le Beaujolais Nouveau est arrivé’. Some people say (unfairly, in my view) that they’d love to live in France if it wasn’t for the French (and their driving). At Nestor, you don’t have to put up with either to enjoy something the French have always done best: heavenly cuisine. Now that’s what I call having your tarte tatin and eating it! n essential marbella magazine

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THEGOURMET

RESTAURANT

Asíatico Zen

Report marisa cutillas photography kh photography

Where the many worlds of Asia Unite

M i Open every day for lunch and

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

any foodies speak of ‘Oriental cuisine’ yet in reality, each Asian country has vastly differing ideas of flavour, creativity and aroma. Think of cool lemongrass in Thai cuisine, potent wasabi in Japanese or acidic sweet and sour sauce in Chinese… each flavour is worlds away, probably explaining why in the typical family, some are mad about the seeming simplicity of Japanese food while others prefer the spicier, wok-style creations of the Chinese tradition. Restaurante Asiático Zen, nestled into a hill in Nueva Andalucía, may bear a distinctly Chinese look, with its pagoda style entrance, Chinese gardens, and distinctly bold, colourful Chinese interiors, but it is very much a meeting of two traditions: Japanese and Chinese, each prepared by a team originating from these respective countries. I have been a regular diner at Asiático Zen for many years now, opting for hearty, warm Chinese cuisine after a workout or a hard day’s work, and preferring Japanese when I simply couldn’t resist a sushi craving. On my last visit, with a good friend I had not been able to catch up with for many weeks, Japanese was our mutual choice. Few things are better than a sake and a shared plate of sushi while talking about life’s vicissitudes and rewards. Somehow, the simplicity of Japanese cuisine removes the guilt factor from a long lunch, leaving you satisfied but light; happy but with a clear culinary conscience. The service at Asiático Zen adds to the Zen ambience, with stalwarts like restaurant Manager, Ismael, lending a polite, friendly hand, without ever leaving you waiting too long to order another drink or dish. He tells us that while in the past, the spacious restaurant used to be divided into the Chinese and Japanese cuisine areas, now, the division is smoking/nonsmoking, the distance between the two areas being vast enough to make a big difference for those who do not wish to passively smoke. On my visit to Asiático Zen I was confused as to what to order, and Ismael suggested a beautiful combination of platters that I had to write down for a repeat experience. The meal began with the arrival at our table of an impressive wooden Japanese boat filled with enticing sushi and sashimi. Varieties included maki, futo maki, octopus (finely sliced), tiny squid rolls (with carrot and cucumber centres) and sashimi temptations in the form of seabass, red tuna and salmon. All were fresh and tender, deliciously accompanied by two side salads: one, the

wakame kiyuri, is a perfect instance of how, for the Japanese, colour and artistry must always be present in a platter, with fine, tiny slices of cucumber and juicy prawns arranged like an exotic flower and tender seaweed adding originality of flavour. The sweet, transparent sauce made the salad an ideal companion particularly to the sashimi. Then there was the Zen salad: a fresh, beautiful combination of carrots, fresh asparagus and cucumber, served with a thicker, sesame and fruit sauce which once again blended the best of sweet and savoury flavours. Our favourite starter was the tamago omelette roll, which may have looked simple at first glance, but whose tenderness and slight sweet touch captured our hearts and our stomachs. No Japanese meal is completed without tempura, and at Asiático Zen, expect to find an ultra-crispy, wide range of fish, seafood and veggies to choose from, all served with the classic gingery soy sauce that is so characteristic of this favourite dish. We went for the king prawn and aubergine variety, which revealed a master hand when it came to making the batter and frying at the right temperature. The prawns were juicy on the inside and light and ultra-crispy on the outside, the way tempura at the finest restaurants in Japan in served. We were also in the mood for fish, and we selected the catch of the day: grilled seabass, which was melt-in-the-mouth tender and piping hot, served with delectable seaweed which we once again enjoyed dipping into the wide variety of sauces at our table. To end the meal on a sweet note, few things could be better than some home-made green tea ice-cream, packed with anti-oxidant goodness. In addition to the many dishes we tried, we were left with a good excuse to return, having viewed interesting choices on the menu such as noodle dishes, different varieties or rice, soups, teriyaki and of course, Asiático Zen’s famous tepanyaki cooking show. One of the best things about Asiático Zen are the reasonable prices. In times of crisis, it’s great to know you can still enjoy good cuisine regularly without breaking your budget. This, combined with great service, relaxing music and a truly Oriental look and ambience, explain why this restaurant has been a long-time favourite for foodies like me, for many years. n

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Report Marisa CUTILLAS

FOOD NEWS

Suckling goat from Málaga recognised by Junta de Andalucía Da Bruno celebrates 15th anniversary Husband and wife team and founders of Da Bruno, Bruno and Giuseppina Filippone, are proud to celebrate 15 years of culinary success, a reflection of their faithfulness to their motto: “A good restaurant is much more than a place that offers good cuisine; it is a homage to hospitality”. The landmark achievement was celebrated with a photographic exhibition at Da Bruno Sul Mare, featuring black and white photos of Marbella taken by local photographer Pepe Marpy in the 1960s and 1970s. Until November 11, Da Bruno will also be offering special culinary temptations featuring a fusion between Italian and Spanish cuisine. Da Bruno also hosted a gastronomic event focusing on different mushrooms, and from November 13 to 22, the Coto de Caza en Da Bruno will take place, offering a range of dishes featuring game.

i Da Bruno Sul Mare, Edif. Skol, Paseo Marítimo, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 318 / www.dabruno.com Fresca Passione: Bringing traditional Italian ice-cream to Marbella Fresca Passione is a new ice-cream shop offering natural, 100 per cent homemade ice-cream that goes against the current trend of using industrial, pre-made ice-cream flavours and artificial ingredients, in favour of fresh milk, eggs, cream and fruits. The owner of Fresca Passione has studied at The Italian School of Gelato in Perugia, located in a 13th century monastery and opened by the Maestri della Gelateria Italiana, an association whose members are some of Italy’s most important, accredited professionals in the artisanal gelato sector. Most of the fruits used at Fresca Passione are organic, and flavours include pistachio (made from Sicilian pistachios) and organic licorice. Fresca Passione works closely with The Pasta Factory, which was recently host to a highly successful tasting evening, in which guests were able to sample the best gelatos in town. The good news for ice-cream lovers is that Fresca Passione opens all year round, closing only on Mondays.

There is a surprisingly wide range of products in Andalucía that are well known among connoisseurs for their exquisite quality but have yet to be discovered by locals. One such product is the chivo lechal malagueño (suckling goat from Málaga), recently recognised for its excellence by the Junta de Andalucía. Michelin starred restaurant, El Lago, has had chivo on its menu for many months now, delighting sophisticated diners with dishes such as the chivo and foie hamburger with home-made ketchup and mustard leaves or the roast chivo with payoyo cheese, tomato and endives. Paco García, Director of El Lago, explains how his fascination with the exquisitely tender meat began: “I first encountered chivo from Málaga at Barcelona’s famous market, La Boquería and I was so pleased with its flavour and texture that we decided to incorporate it into El Lago’s menu”, he says, adding that the meat also has a marked health benefit: “Chivo is very low in fat and very tender and juicy, containing a high humidity level”. They say there’s always something new to try and the chivo Malagueño is a welcome addition to this province’s gastronomic tradition.

i Avda Ramon Gomez de la Serna 1, esq Arias Maldonado, Marbella. Tel: 654 042 594.

Restaurante El Lago Urb. Elviria Hills, Avda. Las Cumbres s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 371. www.restauranteellago.com

Shiraz brings pizzazz to Marbella Marbella’s Puerto Deportivo has an exciting new venue to wine and dine with the recent opening of Shiraz Bar Restaurant, which is already a firm favourite to enjoy a drink on the sunny terrace, catch up on important sporting events on the widescreen TV, or enjoy a business lunch or relaxed dinner in the evening. It’s also the perfect setting for events and celebrations, including Christmas parties. Sunday lunches with live music (including a Paraguayan harp player), are proving especially popular. The founders of Shiraz have an extensive range of activities planned, including wine tastings, gourmet tapas evenings, art exhibitions, etc. Prices are reasonable, with a weekday lunch menu for only €10. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner.

i Puerto Deportivo, Local 15, Marbella. Tel: 952 778 334. 134

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R E S TA U R A N T E

El Rancho del Puerto Baby Lamb - Suckling Pig - Meat on Stone

A new experience for a select Italian Cuisine

P U E RT O B A N Ú S

Tel. 952 816 252

Tel. 952 813 357

F i n e D i n i n g i n t h e P o Rt

R E S TA U R A N T E

Grill del Puerto

Salsa Marinera

Chateaubriand - Meat on Stone

Fish & Seafood

Tel. 952 811 686 P U E RT O B A N Ú S

Tel. 952 816 940 P U E RT O B A N Ú S

ALL RESTAURANTS OFFER A 3-COURSE MENU FROM 18,50€. OPEN 1PM - 12AM EVERY DAY. DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE FOR COMPANIES AND GROUPS. PLEASE CONTACT US FOR OUR SPECIAL CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S PROGRAMME. E127_ribera.indd 1

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THEGOURMET CHEF PROFILE

Report MARISA CUTILLAS PHOTOGRAPHY KH PHOTOGRAPHY

Edmund Cicans of Kon-Tiki Garden

In search of new challenges

136

n the year 1947, Norwegian pioneer, Thor Heyerdahl, led an expedition from Peru across the Pacific in a craft on a mission that had long been labelled ‘impossible’: a balsa raft, replicating the chosen means of navigation to Polynesia by the ancient inhabitants of South America. Heyerdahl sought to prove that travel from South America to Polynesia was possible from a direction other than Asia, before the arrival of European ships. Sailing westward through exotic lands like PukaPuka and Raroia, Heyerdahl, also a staunch defender of the environment, epitomised the very essence of the adventurous spirit. It is no wonder that Heyerdahl was the subject of an award-winning Oscar documentary and inspiration for the Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo, visited by thousands every year. Here in Marbella, the Captain finds his culinary counterpart in Edmund Cicans, Head Chef of Kon-Tiki Garden in Puerto Banús, who hopes to take his diners on a gastronomic voyage that incorporates the best of the Scandinavian and Pacific worlds, with international cuisine bearing influences from Scandinavia, Polynesia, Bali and Indonesia. The first time I met Edmund Cicans was at Magna Cafe some three years ago, where he had just burst onto the scene as Head Chef of this popular restaurant. Edmund struck me as too young to be heading a sizeable kitchen, and serving cuisine that came pretty close to perfection, to hundreds of diners every day. I soon found out that, although he was only 24, he had the confidence of someone twice his age. His cuisine could best be described as creative international, with a respect for familiar flavours presented in his own personal way. In 2008, Magna Café took home the Award for Best International Restaurant. Now, three years down the line, Edmund and his mentor Holm, who first enticed Edmund to come to Spain from his native Latvia, have their sights set on something new: Kon-Tiki Garden restaurant, nestled alongside chic Puerto Banús night club, Tibu. During the Summer the restaurant was called Bubbles, its fun, youthful name reflecting its intended market: the young holiday crowd. Having enjoyed a highly successful season, Edmund and Holm decided to take

the restaurant a step further, changing its name to Kon-Tiki Garden and catering to a more sophisticated clientele; one that knows fine cuisine and craves creative flavours from far-off lands. Like many top chefs, Edmund seemed to fall into the culinary profession, foregoing his father’s trade (welding) to work in a restaurant in Riga while he pursued his studies at a professional cooking school. “I started out peeling potatoes and doing the dishes but the following year, they offered me work as a cook,” he recalls. Edmund took part in a local cooking competition and came out victorious. “I then thought I might have a real future in cooking and I was thrilled when one of the best restaurants in Riga, called Symposium, hired me to work as a helper in the kitchens. Actually I worked for free, but I gleaned a lot of insight and, soon after, I won a young chef’s competition. I was also invited to take part in a European championship but, unfortunately, the Latvian government decided not to fund it so I wasn’t able to”. Edmund’s destiny took a real turn when he met Holm, the Swedish entrepreneur who ran Monterosso – “The best Italian restaurant in Riga”, says Edmund who started out making pizza and was soon in the main kitchen. At the tender age of 19 he became the youngest Head Chef in the country, and soon afterwards travelled overseas to France and Germany to fine tune his skills. Edmund came into his own as a chef at Monterosso, holding the fort from 2002 to 2004 before Holm lured him to sunny Marbella to head the kitchens at Magna Café. After five years of success, Holm and Edmund opened what is now Kon-Tiki Garden, set in the luxurious Tibu night club. The restaurant has undergone extensive renovation, including features such as the new roof, which allows it to open all year round. Rather than being depressed by the current economic climate, Holm and Edmund felt it was time to try something new. “When you’re in one place too long, you start getting rusty,” notes Edmund, adding, “Some people might say this isn’t the best time to start a business but I remember what a Chinese friend told me: “In China, there are five different meanings for the word ‘crisis’ and one of them is ‘challenge.’” At Kon-Tiki Garden, Edmund is as concerned about health as he is about flavour, “My new take on cuisine is to make it light, since people are taking greater care than ever of their health and weight”. Diners can look forward to new and different dishes, such as the Wakame seaweed salad, as well as many Pacific islander favourites. Things are also looking up for Edmund on the personal side, with his young wife Olga and three-yearold son Erwin helping him balance work and family life. On our very first meeting, we sensed Edmund was destined for greatness, and time has proved it.

i Plaza Antonio Banderas, s/n, Puerto Banús.

Tel: 606 070 979. www.tibubanus.com

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THEGOURMET

WINE COLUMN

Robert Parker

The Wine Advocate

What are your feelings on the eve of the Winefuture 2009 conference? It’s an honour to be asked to attend. And, since I haven’t been to Spain in a long time, I look forward to seeing how the country has changed. In my 1970s visits, there were no highways!

Winefuture 2009 has managed to attract the most influential wine leaders from all over the world, including Mel Dick, Jancis Robinson, Don. St. Pierre, Oz Clarke, Robert Joseph, etc. What do you think these leaders will contribute to the conference? Each one of them brings an enormous depth of experience as well as a valuable perspective.

i For further

information, www.winefuture.es

wine throughout the civilised world has always been a challenge and continues to be a significant one today.

Will there be a ‘before and an after’ for the wine industry, once the world overcomes the current crisis? This is certainly the deepest crisis anyone alive has experienced and its global impact is not to be diminished. Overall, the wine industry has fared reasonably well. I had expected far more consolidations, bankruptcies, and related misfortunes than what we have seen to date. I feel the industry is in a good position to thrive, once the current crisis has run its course.

What is your role in the wine industry? What do you see as the big global challenges facing the wine industry? Currency fluctuations are certainly a major problem, as is the proliferation of wine regions. The effect of this is that production has outstripped demand and consumer awareness. Educating wine consumers and ensuring effective distribution of

I am a wine critic and, while I don’t review as many wines as I did a decade ago, the entire team working for my publication, The Wine Advocate, has one overwhelming goal: to provide meaningful, unbiased, independent information for wine consumers, especially with respect to the diversity and quality of wines from the different viticultural regions throughout the world. We strive to educate the consumer regarding different wine styles and what each region does best.

How does it feel to be so influential in the world wine industry? Worldwide influence is personally gratifying but, in my case, it is often greatly exaggerated, and creates its own set of problems, with people believing in some sort of mythical omnipotence not based on reality

What has been your most important contribution to the global wine industry? Bringing integrity, credibility and a democratic view to the wine world. Judging wines for what they are, without respect to price, pedigree, branding or prestige, has great significance to me and my other writers. It is something about which I am exceptionally proud.

What are the greatest current challenges for wine writers? Fewer and fewer wine writers are able to make a successful living today, as the print media is dying. We have seen a proliferation of blogs, much of which is useless noise. However, there are some good blogging sites so I am not denigrating all of them. As in the wine industry, it appears there has been a consolidation of power in the hands of a few wine writers, and that is never a good thing.

You will be conducting a Grand Tasting during Winefuture 2009. Why have you chosen Grenache as the topic? Because I think it is one of the most challenging grape varietals in the world. It is far more difficult to produce fine wine from Grenache than from Pinot Noir (which is often considered the most troublesome of the major red grape varietals). I believe this will be a great opportunity to look at some diverse styles from different areas, and the singular nature of the tasting will be far rarer than anything that could have been done with Pinot Noir or Bordeaux varietals.

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photography courtesy of pancho campo

In the run-up to Winefuture 2009, an international conference organised by the Wine Academy of Spain which is set to bring the world’s greatest wine masters to Rioja on November 12 and 13, Pancho Campo enjoyed a fine dinner with the man known as ‘the most influential wine writer in the world today’, Robert Parker. In this rare interview, the renowned wine critic shares his special insight on the industry.

Why do you think wine consumption is decreasing drastically in European wineproducing countries? It seems clear that the European governments have taken a strong anti-alcohol position, which has swept wine under the umbrella of these restrictive rules. At the same time, I think the younger generation has found wine too intimidating and/or expensive. However, we do see wine consumption in the USA, as well as Asia, increasing so perhaps that compensates for the downturn in Europe.

Spain leads world gastronomy, with top chefs like Ferrán Adriá and Arzak. If food and wine are supposed to go together, why don’t Spanish wines have the same success? For many wine consumers, Spanish wines do not possess chicness/prestige and are too new to be considered world-class wines. All of this contradicts the country’s history and the fact that many Spanish wines are made from very old vines.

Which other wine writers do you enjoy reading? Several deceased luminaries stand out, largely because of their contributions to my wine knowledge long before I became a wine critic. These include Alexis Lichine, Edmund Penning-Roswell, Harry Waugh, Sheldon Wasserman, and André Simon.

What do you see as the wine styles of the future? Wine-making

trends

have

followed

the proliferation of major viticultural areas throughout the world, offering consumers an increasingly broad range of styles and wines. The recapturing of indigenous varietals in both Spain and Italy that were often sold off to cooperatives will certainly continue, assuming the world economy rebounds. There is no doubt that the power in the wine world will shift more and more toward Asia, led by Hong Kong and such emerging wine consuming giants as South Korea and China. The New World wines will continue to have to prove their ability against those from Europe that have hundreds of years and tradition and history on their side. But modern day consumers, especially those in the Americas and Asia, are willing to try wines as long as they are of high quality. Hopefully, with educational efforts on the part of the wine media, the competition for both high quality wines and high quality values will continue at an accelerated pace.

Which countries do you think will be the winners and losers in this tight competition? It is obviously easier for Old World countries with impressive histories, old vines, and well-established vineyards to present an image of quality. I believe the winners will be those countries and wine producers that effectively promote their wines, providing interactive Internet services that give up-todate information and profiles of what they are doing, and do not depend on the media for attention. They have to create it themselves by spending time in different countries and doing educational tastings throughout the world.

What areas of the world would you like to visit to learn more about their wines? Each year there is a new vintage and it’s like a student going back to school. As I get closer

to the end of my career, my only regret is that there is not enough time left to learn as much as I would wish.

You have been decorated by the Presidents of France and Italy. Would you like to meet King Juan Carlos during your visit to Spain? He happens to be a great wine enthusiast. It was very humbling to be decorated by two countries’ Presidents and it would be an extraordinary honour to meet King Juan Carlos of Spain. I have been incredibly blessed with the honours I have received, and never take it for granted. To meet King Juan Carlos would be the thrill of a lifetime.

What is your favourite restaurant? I have many favourites, as my waistline can attest but, much as with wine, I tend to prefer uncomplicated cuisine based on the finest, freshest ingredients and cooked with a minimum of external influences, other than salt, pepper and garlic. For that reason, I tend to prefer simple restaurants that specialise in preparation driven by rotisserie, grilling and roasting. I also enjoy great seafood served in its un-manipulated glory.

What is your favourite place for a drink and a sunset? I would have to say Maui, Hawaii.

Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions? I know it sounds simple, even trite, but I have been very fortunate to achieve things that were beyond my wildest dreams, both personally and career-wise. But I think that, as a wine critic of over 30 years, I strive each year to get better at what I do. Trying to guarantee a level of unmatched professionalism in my field is, essentially, my goal. n

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RESTAURANTS Price guide

Per head for a three-course meal with wine

RESTAURANTS

Clericó

AMERICAN

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. Antonio Belón, 22, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 683.

Under €25

Jacks

€25 – €40

Open seven days a week from noon till late. Puerto Banús, Tel: 952 813 625, Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 563 673

€40 – €60 €60 plus

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

INDIAN

INTERNATIONAL

TGI Friday’s

GREEK

GRILLS

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

El Coto Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Ronda (El Madroñal), San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 786 688

Valderrama Restaurant

El Gaucho

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

Open daily for dinner from 7.30pm. Galerías Paniagua. Sotogrande. Tel: 956 795 528

GREEK

Open from 1pm-4pm and from 7pm to 12am. Ctra. de Cádiz, km.176, 29600, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 533

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Muelle Ribera, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 812 148

Open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. CN340, km.178, Marbella. Tel: 952 863 922

Buenos Aires South

GRILLS

IGuana grill Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, and for breakfast from Monday to Friday. CN340, km 189, Pinomar, Marbella. Tel: 952 830 735

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

puente romano beach club

El Carnicero

Open every day for lunch. CN 340, km 177, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Pueblo

Restaurante Rancho

RESTAURANTS

AMERICAN

ARGENTINEAN

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

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

Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and Sunday for brunch. Urb. Alzambra, Edif. Vasari, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 929 020

Red Pepper

B.Ayres

El Carnicero 2

Nestor

Tony Roma’s

ARGENTINEAN

FRENCH

Viejo Cancelada. Between San Pedro & Estepona. Tel: 952 886 307

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iNGS LISTINGS LISTings Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra. Cádiz, exit Las Chapas. Tel: 952 831 922

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

INDIAN indian dreams Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. Duque de Ahumada, Paseo Marítimo 9, Marbella. Tel: 952 820 096

Jaipur purple

Taj Mahal

beach house

km. 3, Arcos de la Frontera, Cádiz. Tel: 956 704 131

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Private parking available. Ctra. Cádiz, km 179 (behind Venta los Pacos). Tel: 952 857 670/ 629 244 659

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Urb. Coto de los Doles, Carril del Relojero, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 458

Deli-icious

INTERNATIONAL

boulevard

Open Friday for dinner and Saturday and Sunday for lunch and dinner. El Castillo de Monda s/n, Monda. Tel: 952 457 142

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

alminar

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

Open daily for dinner except Tuesday. C.C. Costasol, local 3, Estepona. Tel: 952 888 353

Little India

Amanhavis

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

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

Massala

Areté

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

Open every day except Sunday for lunch and dinner. C/ Mediterráneo, Edif. Mediterráneo, 1 (next to Marisquería Santiago), Marbella. Tel: 952 777 334

Open Monday to Saturday from 6pm for dinner. Urb. Torrenueva, Mijas Costa. Tel: 902 463 426

baboo lounge and restaurant

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

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Winter season: closed Sunday and Monday nights. Ctra. Arroyo de la Miel, s/n, Benalmádena. Tel: 902 102 675

safFron

beach club restaurante grill

Open from 7 pm ‘til late night every day. Parque de Elviria, local 7-9, Las Chapas (take second exit, after Hotel Don Carlos), Marbella. Tel: 952 830 146

Open every day for lunch. Hotel Fuerte, Castillo de San Luis s/n and Hotel Fuerte Miramar Spa, Plaza José Luque Manzano s/n, Marbella. Tel: 902 343 410

Mumtaz

Open every night for dinner. Avda. Camilo José Cela 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 868 898

al bacar

Open Thursday to Monday for dinner. At the Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

Mughal village

BECKITT’s

Brunings

Calima Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Hotel Meliá Don Pepe, C/ José Meliá, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 764 252

Open from 9am to 6pm. C/ Califa, Edif. La Maestranza, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 907 876

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

Don MIGUEL Open for lunch from 1-4pm and dinner from 7-11pm Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Monday. C/ Ortega y Gasset 87, Marbella House, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 603

Don Quijote Open every evening for dinner (7pm-12am. Flamenco show on Sundays. Urb. El Rosario, km. 188, Marbella. Tel: 952 834 748

Casanis

el bistro lounge de pan y mermelada

Open every day from 6pm except Sundays. C/ Ancha, 8, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 450

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Urb. Marbella Real, Local 16, Marbella. Tel: 952 829 308

cerrado del águila

El Bolero

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

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

Chic brunch & café

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

Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 7pm for breakfast, lunch and snacks. Centro de Negocios Puerta de Banús, local 22, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 929 411

El Corzo

el fogón de elías

cortijo fain

Open Wednesday to Monday for lunch and dinner. Bloque 7-8, Centro Diana CN 340, km 168.5, Estepona. Tel: 952 884 977

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Ctra. de Algar,

El lago

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RESTAURANTS

INTERNATIONAL

iN Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Urb. Elviria Hills. Avda. Las Cumbres s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 832 371

956 695 114 / 619 694 484

Hotel LoRcrimar

Golf Rio Real, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 831 303

Finca Besaya

la fonda de marbella

EL MIRADOR

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

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. CN 340, km. 173, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 906 105

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

La Hacienda

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Ctra. FuengirolaMijas, between CN-340 and highway. Tel: 952 580 513

Khala

La Loggia

Open Mondays to Saturday from 8.30pm to midnight. NH Alanda Hotel, Marbella. Tel: 952 899 600

Fusion

Kon-tiki garden

Open daily for dinner. C/Aduar 1, Casco antiguo, Marbella. Tel: 952 828 650

Open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner and Sunday for dinner. Entrance to El Rosario, in front of Las Chapas school, Marbella. Tel: 952 839 910

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner and drinks from 7.30 pm. Plaza Antonio Banderas, Puerto Banús. Tel: 606 070 979

Open daily for breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks. Hotel Villa Padierna & Flamingos Golf Club, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 166 (Cancelada exit), Benahavís. Tel: 952 889 150

El Relicario

Galeria San Pedro

Open from Mon. to Sat. for dinner. C/La Concha 11, El Ingenio, San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 686

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

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

hermosa

La cabaña del mar

La Terraza

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

Open every day for lunch and for dinner from Monday to Saturday. Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona CN 340, km 159, Playa El Padrón, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

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

Herrero del Puerto

LA CANTINA DEL GOLF

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Casas de Campos, 1, Málaga. Tel: 952 122 075

Open for breakfast and lunch until 8pm. Closed Sunday. Flamingo Golf Club, Cancelada, Benahavís. Tel: 951 318 815

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

Open for lunch and dinner daily. CN 340, km 199, Urb. Torrenueva, Mijas Costa. Tel:952 587 550

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

El Patio de los Perfumes

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

El rincón de gVadalpín Open for lunch Friday to Sunday and dinner Tuesday to Saturday. Closed Monday. C/ Edgar Neville, s/n, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 929 001

Fabiola 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:

142

Open every night for dinner. C/ Los Caballeros, 4-6, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 288

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for lunch. The coffee shop opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday. Urb. El Rosario, Club de Tenis el Casco, Marbella. Tel: 952 831 989

EL OCEANO BEACH HOTEL

Finca El Forjador

IVy

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

Finca las brasas

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

LA biznaga

La Esencia Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner. Hotel Incosol, Urb.

Open for lunch and dinner Wednesday to Sunday. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 193, Hacienda Las Chapas, Marbella. Tel: 952 831 267 / 831 116

La Menorah Open from 1-3.30pm and 8-11.30pm. Closed Mondays. Arena Beach, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 151.2, Estepona. Tel: 952 792 734

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

La veranda lobby bar

La Verandah Open week days for dinner at 7:30pm and weekends for lunch and dinner, closed Tuesdays. Ctra. de Cádiz,

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iNGS LISTINGS LISTings km. 136. Playa Guadiaro, Torre-guadiaro, Cádiz. Tel: 956 615 998

Lee’s bistro Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and every night for dinner. C.C. Guadalmina, Local 8, Edif. Barclays, Marbella. Tel: 952 928 610

messina puerto banús Open every day for lunch and dinner except for Sunday. C/Ramón Areces, Complejo Marina Banús. Tel: 952 815 840

Miraflores Golf Restaurant

Tuesday and Sunday evenings. Los Naranjos Country Club, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 815 398

Over the clouds

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

Open Wednesday to Sunday for dinner from 7pm-10.30pm. AGH Estepona Hotel and Spa, 5th floor, CN 340, km 166.5, Estepona. Tel: 952 889 040

montecarlo

oyarbide

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Closed Tuesdays. Avda. Litoral s/n, Estepona. Tel: 951 273 994

Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner and on Sunday for lunch. C/ Acera de la Marina 4, Marbella. Tel: 952 772 461

magna café

nestor

passion café

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/ Calderón de la Barca, s/n. Tel: 952 929 578

Open Tuesday to Sunday for dinner and Sunday brunch. Urb. Alzambra, Edif. Vasari, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 929 020

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

novelli’s

polo house

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Hotel Locrimar, CN 340, km 173, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 929 269

Open daily for dinner from 7pm and Sunday Lunch, with club/dancing. CN 340, Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso von Hohenlohe 11, Marbella. Tel: 952 900 380

lime & co Open everyday for lunch and dinner. Conjunto Marbellamar 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 774 534

los bandidos

max beach Open every day for lunch and dinner except Mondays. CN340, km 198, Riviera (cambio de sentido), Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 937 780

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

Mesana Open daily for dinner. Creative Cuisine. Gran Hotel Gvadalpín, Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 899 400

Ombú Open from Wednesday to Sunday for dinner. Hotel Don Carlos. CN 340, km 192, Marbella. Tel: 952 768 800

OCHO

polynesian’s restaurant & cocktail bar Open every night for dinner. Urb. La Alcazaba, CN340, km 175, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 100

Puro Beach

Messina

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

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

Ogilvy & Mailer

Open every day for lunch and dinner. CN 340, km 159, E15 Exit, Estepona Este (beside Kempinski Resort Hotel). Tel: 952 316 699

Open everyday for lunch and dinner, except

Relais de Paris

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Oriental

General Chinchilla 1, Plaza de los Naranjos, Marbella. Tel: 952 924 613.

Andalucía, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 782 293

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

Tikitano Beach Restaurant

Open daily for both lunch and dinner. C/Camilo José Cela 12, Marbella. Tel: 952 861 108

Swing

trocadero playa

lebanese

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

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Playa Santa Petronilla, km 178, Marbella. Tel: 610 704 144

schilo

tanino

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

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

Open every day for dinner from 7.30pm-12.30am. Plaza Altamirano, 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 868

ITALIAN

sentidos

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

Open Monday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nueva Andalucía next to the Casino. Tel: 952 906 205. Golden Mile, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 480. Terra Sana Express@ ILounge. Avda Antonio Belón, 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 901 274. Marina Banús, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 977. C.C. Los Arcos, Elviria. Tel: 952 833 250

Skina

The Clubhouse Bar & Brasserie

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

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

Aretusa

The far isle

carpaccio

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner except Tuesday. Edif. Lubina Sol, Riviera Exit, CN 340, km. 198, Marbella. Tel: 952 935 039

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Muelle Ribera, Local 6, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 357

The orange tree

Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday 7pm until midnight. Avda. de la Constitución, corner C/

RESTAURANTS

Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner. Paseo marítimo Benabola, s/n. Tel: 952 819 078

INTERNATIONAL

144

952 816 313

roca tranquila Open every day for lunch and dinner except Monday. Urb. Torreblanca de Sol, C/ Tortola, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 196 067

Open every day for lunch and dinner. At Sentidos en Río Real Hotel. Urb. Río Real s/n, Marbella. Tel: 952 765 732

shiraz

Small world café Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. C.C. Le Village, local 15, Ctra. Istán km. 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 771 046

Starz Open Monday to Saturday for breakfast and lunch. Centro Plaza, kiosko 3, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel:

SUi-to

Terra Sana

Open every evening from 6:30 pm-11 pm. Plaza

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Guadalmansa, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 164, Estepona. Tel: 952 792 820

Zozoï

ITALIAN

Casa Nostra

Da Bruno Open all day. Pasta Da Bruno: Avda. Ricardo Soriano, 27, Marbella. Tel: 952 860 348 – closed on Sunday. Da Bruno Cabopino: CN-340 Km. 194,7. Tel: 952 831 918. Da Bruno a Casa: Marbella Mar, Local 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 857 521 – closed on Sunday.Da Bruno A San Pedro: Avda. del Mar, local 1E,San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 860 – closed on Monday. Da Bruno Sul Mare: Edif. Skol, Paseo Marítimo, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 318/19

Al Dente

Dalli’s Pasta Factory

Open 7 days a week for dinner. Closed on Mondays. Urb. Jardines del Puerto, local 12, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 906 181

Open daily for dinner. Second Line Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 871/952 818 623

Amore e Fantasía

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner from 7pm onwards. Muelle Benabola, Casa 5A, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 464 Open daily for dinner. Front line P. Banús. Tel: 952 812 898

Caruso

Da Paolo

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

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

la brisa Open every night for dinner except for Wednesday and Thursday nights. Kempinski Hotel Bahía Estepona. CN 340, km. 159, Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

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iNGS LISTINGS LISTings la pappardella di estepona Open every day for lunch and dinner from 1pm to midnight. Puerto Deportivo de Estepona. Tel: 952 802 144

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

Leonardo da vinci

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces, local 7, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 810 448

pizza real Open every day from 12pm until late. C.C. Pino Golf Don Carlos, Elviria. Tel: 952 850 039

marrush

Open daily from 12 noon. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 813 669

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Complejo Cine Gran Marbella, Marbella. Tel: 952 814 819

portofino laguna village

Lombardo’s

Ristorante Roberto

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

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

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

MADE IN SARDINIA

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C.C. Laguna Village, Estepona. Tel: 952 808 035

Rosmarino della Piazza Open Sunday to Friday for lunch and dinner and Saturday for dinner. C.C. Pinares de Elviria, s/n, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 850 148

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

terraza dual

Marco dallis

saleto

Open daily for dinner. Avda. Fontanilla, Marbella. Tel: 952 776 776

Open Monday to Saturday for dinner. Avda. del Prado, Via 1, local 2, Aloha Golf, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 112

Metro

lebanese

Pizzeria Picasso

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

Luna Rossa

Open every night for dinner except Sunday. C/Gloria II, 11, Casco Antiguo, Marbella. Tel: 952 863 125

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 907 037, Puerto Marina, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 446 460

Villa Tiberio

Pizza Marzano

zafferano

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

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

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

Dragón de Oro Open every day from 12.30-4pm and 7pm until midnight. Closed Monday lunchtime. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 141, Urb. Hacienda Guadalupe, Manilva. Tel: 952 890 956

Kaede Open everyday for lunch and dinner. At the Hotel Westin La Quinta. Urb. La Quinta, s/n, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 762 059

Kaiden Sushi Open daily for lunch and dinner. Centro Com. Guadalmina Alta, Guadalmina 4, local 2, lower

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CINEMAS

GOLF

iN floor, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 896 508

340, km. 168, Estepona. Tel: 951 055 531

Kama Kura

Sukho Thai

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

Open for dinner from Monday to Saturday. Centro Comercial Marbellamar. Tel: 952 770 550

meca

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner. C.C. Pino Golf, Don Carlos, Local 1, Elviria, Marbella. Tel: 952 830 365 / 658 646 829

SNACKS

SPANISH

CASINOS

Naga

Sushi Katsura

Open daily for lunch and dinner. Locales 18-21, C.C. Cristamar, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 319

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

Osaka

Tai Pan

Open every day 13:30-16:00 & 19:30-24:00. CN-340, km. 166 (Benavista). C.C. Costa del Sol. Tel: 952 885 751

Open seven days a week for dinner. H. Puente Romano, Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 177, Marbella. Tel: 952 777 893

RestaurantE asiático Bangkok

Open daily for lunch and dinner except for Tuesday lunch. CN 340, km 197, Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 017

Open daily for lunch and dinner. P. de las Orquideas, C/ Iris, 11B, Edif. Excelsior no. 1, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 813 603

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

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

shangai express Open for dinner Tuesday to Saturday. At the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Urb. Benamara, Avda. Dos Hermanas, CN

Thai-china

Thai Gallery Open seven days a week for dinner from 8pm. CN340, km.175, Edif. Rimesa, Bajos, Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 818 392

Wok Away Open every day for lunch and dinner. Avda. Julio Iglesias, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 907 304

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

Wok Wang Open every day for lunch and dinner. C/ Camilo José

Marisquería La Pesquera

Yuan

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

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

RestaurantE Eddy & Marisa’s

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

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

Cipriano Open daily for both lunch and dinner. Playas del Duque, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 811 077

Open for breakfast and lunch from 9am - 6pm.Urb. Coral Beach, The Golden Mile, Marbella. Tel: 952 824 534

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

SNACKS & Brasseries Megabowl and Sports Bar Open seven days a week from midday until late. C.C. La Cañada, 1ª planta, Marbella. Tel: 902 232 999

SPANISH

El Barlovento

al lago

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

Open every day for lunch and every night except Wednesday and Sunday for dinner. C/ Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente 11, Zahara de la Sierra, Cádiz. Tel: 956 123 032

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

Buenaventura

La Torre

Casa de la era

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

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

Open every day for lunch and dinner. Plaza de la Iglesia, 5, Old Town, Marbella. Tel: 952 858 069

RESTAURANTS

Oriental

SCANDINAVIAN

SEAFOOD

Sushi des artistes

Cela, C.C. Plaza del Mar, planta 0, local 1, Marbella. Tel: 952 925 478

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iNGS LISTINGS LISTings Casa Fernando Open from Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Avda. del Mediterráneo s/n, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 853 344

dinner. C/José Aparacio,1, Ronda (pedestrian street between bullring and Parador). Tel: 952 190 291

CASINOS

Tel: 952 800 056

Aloha Golf Club

MULTICINES MEDITERRÁNEO Mijas. Tel: 952 663 738

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

PALACIO DE LA PAZ

Atalaya Golf

Hacienda

Casino Nueva Andalucía

Recinto Ferial. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 589 349

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

Hotel Andalucía Plaza, Km153. N. Andalucía T: 952 814 000

TEATRO ALAMEDA

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

Calle Córdoba 9, Málaga. Tel: 952 213 412

Cabopino Golf

Casino San Roque

TEATRO CERVANTES

18 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 850 282

La Meridiana

CN340, Km124, San Roque T:956 780 100

Ramos Marín, 199, Málaga. Tel: 952 224 109

Cerrado del águila

Open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday. Closed Mondays. Camino de la Cruz, Marbella. Tel: 952 776 190

Casino Torrequebrada

TEATRO CIUDAD DE MARBELLA

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 951 703 355

CN340, Km220, Benalmádena T: 952 446 000

Plaza Ramón Martínez, Marbella. Tel: 952 903 159

Club de Golf La Cañada

TEATRO SALON VARIETES

El Paraiso Club de Golf 18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 883 835

la moraga

CINEMAS & THEATRES

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 956 794 100

Open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. C/ Ramón Areces s/n, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 448

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL MIJAS

Emancipación 30. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 474 542

La Taberna del Alabardero

Plaza de la Libertad 2. Mijas. Tel: 952 590 380

VERACRUZ CINES

Open everyday for lunch and dinner except Monday. San Pedro Playa, Urb. Castiglone. Tel: 952 785 138. Also at Ctra. de Ronda, km. 167, San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 265

AUDITORIO MUNICIPAL TORREMOLINOS

Veracruz. Estepona. Tel: 952 800 056

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

Plaza de España, Recinto Ferial. Tel: 952 379 521

YELMO CINEPLEX

Finca cortesín golf club

Plaza Mayor. Tel: 902 902 103

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

La Veranda

Marbella. Tel: 952 825 035

Open for dinner from Monday to Sunday. Hotel Villa Padierna & Flamingos Golf Club. Ctra. de Cádiz, km. 166 (Cancelada exit), Benahavís. Tel: 952 889 150

CENTRO CULTURAL EL INGENIO

Alcaidesa Links

Garcia Morato, s/n. San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 968

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

Mesón el adobe

CINESA LA CAÑADA

Alhaurín Golf

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 756 733

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

La Cañada. Marbella. Tel: 902 333 231

Golf Torrequebrada

MARBELLA MULTICINES

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

Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 816 421

Almenara Golf

Guadalmina Golf

Tragabuches

MULTICINES ALFIL

36 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 883 375

Open from Tuesday to Sunday for both lunch and

Avda. Camilo José Cela, s/n. Fuengirola.

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

AUDITORIO PARQUE DE LA CONSTITUCIÓN

GOLF GUIDE

Estepona Golf

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

Golf Río Real

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 442 742

La Cala Golf Resort

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POST OFFICES

TENNIS

iN 54 holes, Pars 71, 72 and 73. Tel: 952 669 033. www.lacala.com

CENTRO PLAZA GYM

TICKET-TO-RIDE

Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 817 074

Cristamar, Pto. Banús. Tel: 952 905 082

La Dama de Noche

Cerrado del águila

Vitality studio

9 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 818 150

Mijas Costa, Málaga. Tel: 951 773 523

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

La Duquesa Golf & Country Club

CLUB DE SOL

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 890 425

Tennis /paddle classes. Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595

La Quinta Golf

FITNESS CENTRE NEW STYLE

Almenara Golf Hotel & Spa

La Reserva Sotogrande

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

Avda. Almenara s/n. Sotogrande. Tel: 956 582 000

18 holes. Tel: 956 695 209

GIMNASIO ESTADIO

Coral Beach

La Zagaleta Golf & Country Club

Golden Mile. Marbella. Tel: 952 824 500

18 holes. Members only. Tel: 952 695 209

Trav. Huerta de los Cristales, Marbella. Tel: 952 828 217

Lauro Golf 18 holes

HAPPY DIVER’S CLUB

Urb. Arena Beach. Estepona. Tel: 952 794 308

Alhaurín de la Torre. Tel: 952 412 767

Atalaya Park Hotel, Marbella. Tel: 609 571 920

Gran hotel gvadalpín Marbella

Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club

HOTEL PUENTE ROMANO

Bulevar del Príncipe Alfonso Von Hohenlohe, Marbella. Tel: 952 899 400

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 784 600

MANOLO SANTANA RACQUETS CLUB

Los Naranjos Golf Club

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

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 815 206

MARBELLA GUN & COUNTRY CLUB

Marbella Club Golf Resort

Monda. Tel: 952 112 161

Arroyo El Rodeo, Nueva Andalucía, Marbella. Tel: 952 899 700

18 holes, Par 73. Tel: 952 113 239

MARBELLA SPORT

Gran Hotel Playabella

Marbella Golf & Country Club

Km171.5. San Pedro Alcántara.Tel: 952 788 315

Urb. Costalita. Estepona. Tel: 952 880 868

18 holes. Tel: 952 830 500

MULTI SPORT

Gran Meliá Don Pepe

Mijas Golf

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

José Meliá s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 770 300

36 holes, Par 70. Tel: 952 476 843

02 CENTRO WELLNESS

hotel byblos andaluz

Miraflores Golf

Plaza del Mar. Marbella. Tel: 952 900 420

Mijas Golf, Marbella. Tel: 952 667 691

18 holes, Par 71. Tel: 952 931 960

P-E SPORTS CLUB

Hotel Don Carlos

Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club

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

CN340, Km192. Marbella. Tel: 952 831 140

18 holes. Tel: 952 113 088

SATURNIA REGNA

CN340, Km167. Estepona. Tel: 952 883 000

Parador Málaga del Golf

Hotel La Cala Golf

18 holes. Tel: 952 381 255

Marbella Tel: 952 761 475, Elviria. Tel: 952 834 835

Real Club de Golf Las Brisas

SEVEN STARS SCHOOL

Hotel Puente Romano

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 810 875

CN340, Km179. Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Real Club de Golf Sotogrande

Tai Chi & yoga. Pasaje Estrecho, Estepona. Tel: 952 923 055

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 785 014

SPORTCLUB ROUTE 66

San Roque Club

Avda. del Sol s/n, Benalmádena Costa. Tel: 952 446 000

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 956 613 030

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

Santa Clara Golf

SPORTING CLUB ALHAMAR

18 holes. Tel: 952 850 111

C.C. Alhamar. Calahonda. Tel: 952 934 684

Avda. Antonio Machado, 29.Benalmádena Costa. Tel: 952 443 240

Santa Maria Golf & Country Club

SPORTING CLUB ATALAYA PARK HOTEL

Hotel Westin La Quinta Golf Resort

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

Urb. La Quinta s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 762 000

GOLF guide

GYMS

HOTELS

MUSEUMS

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

18 holes, Par 72. Tel: 952 831 036

Sotogrande Club de Golf 18 holes. Tel: 956 785 012

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

Gran Hotel Elba & Thalasso Spa

Gran hotel gvadalpín puerto banús

Hotel El Paraíso

La Cala de Mijas Tel: 952 669 000

Hotel Torrequebrada

Hotel Triton

Valderrama

Incosol Hotel Medical Spa

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

Urb. Golf Rio Real s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 828 500

GYMS & SPORTS CLUBS

Kempinski Hotel bahía estepona CN340, Km159. Estepona. Tel: 952 809 500

Las Dunas Beach Hotel & Spa

ALHAMAR GYM

CN340, Km163,5. Estepona. Tel: 952 794 345

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

Los Monteros

ATENAS Barquilla 1. Marbella. Tel: 952 776 240

CN340, Km187. Marbella. Tel: 952 771 700

AZTEC COUNTRY CLUB

Marbella Club Hotel

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa. Tel: 952 934 477

CN340, Km180. Marbella. Tel: 952 822 211

CENTRO DEPORTIVO EL FUERTE

CN340, Km176,6. Marbella. Tel: 952 899 600

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

Villa Padierna

CENTRO DE YOGA Y SALUD INTEGRAL

CN340, Km166, Exit Cancelada. Benahavís. Tel: 952 889 150

Ramón y Cajal 21. Marbella. Tel: 952 773 804

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HOTELS

NH Alanda Hotel & Spa

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iNGS LISTINGS LISTings Parador de Ronda

Roman Public Baths

AGH Estepona

Plaza de España, s/n. Ronda. Tel: 952 877 500

Gualalmina Baja. Tel: 952 781 360

CN340, Km 166.5, Estepona. Tel: 952 889 040

SENTIDOS Hotel

POST OFFICES Calahonda

CN340, Km 194. Tel: 952 902 537

CN340, Km185, Urb. Golf Rio Real s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 765 732

Alanda Club Marbella

Sunset Beach Club

El corte inglés

CN340 Km192. Marbella. Tel: 952 902 537

Amanhavís Hotel & Restaurant

Avda. del Sol, 5. Benalmádena Costa. Tel: 952 579 400

Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 909 990 Fuengirola.Tel: 952 467 843

C/ Pilar 3. Benahavís. Tel: 952 856 026

Tamisa Golf Hotel

Estepona

Atalaya Park Hotel

Camino Viejo de Coín. Km 3.3. Mijas Golf. Tel: 952 585 988

C/ Málaga 82–84. Tel: 952 800 537

Alanda Carib Playa

CN340, Km168,5. Estepona. Tel: 952 889 000

barceló golf C/ de Granadillas, s/n. Urb. Guadalmina Alta, Marbella. Tel: 952 889 099

Beatriz Palace & Spa CN340, Km207. Fuengirola. Tel: 952 922 000

Benabola Apart Hotel

Fuengirola Pza. los Chinorros. Tel: 952 474 384

HOTEL PYR MARBELLA

Marbella

Avda. Rotary International, s/n, Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 817 353

Jac. Benavente, 14. Tel: 952 772 898

MUSEUMS

Benabola. Puerto Banús. Tel: 952 815 000

Basilica Vega del Mar

CALEDONIA GOLF Aparthotel & spa

San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 781 360

CN340, km 165, Cancelada exit. Estepona. Tel: 952 889 999

Bonsai Museum

El Oceano Beach Hotel

C.C. El Zoco. Tel: 952 932 175

Parque Arroyo de la Represa. Marbella. Tel: 952 862 926

Nueva Andalucía C/ Jazmines. Tel: 952 810 887

San Pedro Pizarro, 41. Tel: 952 780 393

TENNIS CLUBS Aztec Country Club

CN340, Km199. Miraflores Playa. Tel: 952 587 550

Bull-fighting Museum

Urb. Riviera del Sol, Mijas-Costa. Tel: 952 934 477

Plaza de Toros. Estepona.

Club deL Sol

Golf Hotel Guadalmina

Museo Cortijo Miraflores

Guadalmina Baja. Marbella. Tel: 952 882 211

Marbella. Tel: 952 902 714

Tennis/paddle classes. Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595

Gran Hotel Benahavis

Museo de Bella Artes

Club de tenis don carlos

Huerta de Rufino, Benahavís. Tel: 902 504 862

C/ San Agustin 8. Málaga. Tel: 952 218 382

HM gran hotel costa del sol

Museo del Grabado

Hotel Don Carlos, CN340, km 192. Tel: 952 831 739

La Cala de Mijas, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 587 710

Hospital Bazán. Marbella. Tel: 952 825 035

Club Internacional de Tennis

Hotel El Fuerte

Museo de la Villa

Ctra. Cádiz, km 173. Marbella. Tel: 952 813 341

Avda. El Fuerte, s/n. Marbella. Tel: 952 861 500. Spa & Beauty Miramar. Tel: 952 920 000

Plaza de la Libertad 2. Mijas. Tel: 952 590 380

Club Madroñal

Museo Ralli

Benahavís. Tel: 617 647 223

Hotel Fuerte Miramar Spa

Urb. Coral Beach. Marbella. Tel: 952 857 923

Club Nueva Alcántara

Pl. José Luque Manzano. Marbella. Tel: 952 768 400. Spa & Beauty Miramar. Tel: 952 768 410

Museum of Málaga Wines

San Pedro Alcántara. Tel: 952 788 315

Carrera 39. Ojén. Te1l: 952 881 453

Lew Hoads Tennis Club

Museum of Miniatures Carromato de Max

Ctra. de Mijas, Km 3,5. Mijas. Tel: 952 474 858 Ctra. de Istán, Km2. Marbella. Tel: 952 778 580

Hotel Meliá Marbella

El Compas. Mijas. Tel: 952 489 500

CN340, Km175. Pto. Banús. Tel: 952 810 500

Pablo Ruiz Picasso Foundation

Hotel Playa Bonita

Plaza de la Merced 15. Málaga. Tel: 952 060 215

Urb. Miraflores, Km199. Calahonda. Tel: 952 932 006

Hotel Marbella Playa CN340, Km189. Marbella. Tel: 952 831 345

CN340, Km217. Benalmádena Costa. Tel: 952 442 840

Hotel Princess Playa Paseo Marítimo. Marbella. Tel: 952 820 944

Manolo Santana Racquets Club Miraflores Tennis Club

Puente Romano Hotel

Picasso Museum Málaga

Marbella. Tel: 952 820 900

Palacio de Buenavista, C/ San Agustín 8. Málaga.Tel: 952 127 611

Tenis El Casco El Rosario. Marbella.

Hotel Riu Rincón Andaluz CN340, Km173. N. Andalucía. Tel: 952 811 517

Hotel Selenza CN340, Km165, Estepona. Tel: 952 899 499

H10 Andalucía Plaza CN340 Km 174. Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 812 000

NH almenara golf C/ Almenara s/n, Sotogrande. Tel: 956 582 000

NH Marbella C/ Conde Rudi, s/n. CN340, Km178. Marbella. Tel: 952 763 200

NH SAN PEDRO C/ Jerez 1, San Pedro de Alcántara. Tel: 952 853 040 essential marbella magazine

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KIDS KIDS KIDS KIDS family fun

Tel: 952 575 697

Crocodile Park Pose with the offspring of the half-tonne adult crocodiles. Open 10am-6pm. C/ Cuba, 14, Torremolinos. Tel: 952 051 782 El Refugio del Burrito Visit this donkey sanctuary just 40 minutes north of Málaga. Open 11am7pm. Fuente de Piedra, Málaga. Tel: 952 735 513 Fuengirola Zoo Go to mysterious Madagascar, Africa and the Far East. Open 10am-6pm. C/ Camilo José Cela, 6. Tel: 952 666 301 Funny Beach Kids paradise with go-karts, trampolines, mini-motorbikes, mechanic bull. Open daily. East side of Marbella. Tel: 952 823 359

Ice Skating Rink and Indoor Swimming Pool New sports centre with public ice skating, inAFA Marbella – Football Academy Football

SCHOOLS

street markets

Academy for boys and girls of all ages, just opposite La Cañada in Marbella. Training is on Mondays and Wednesdays. Call Craig on 609310409 for more info. www.afamarbella.com Born to be Wild Jeep and dolphin Eco-tours for the whole family. Open 9am-8pm. Blue Dolphin Beach Club, Estepona Beach. Tel: 639 720 246 Cable Ski Marbella Water ski cable system and pool. Open 11am-9pm (closed Mondays). Urb. Las Medranas, San Pedro. Tel: 952 785 579 Congo Come face to face with the world’s largest spider and visit a real rainforest. Inside Tivoli World.

Aloha College Ages 3-18.

College

Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 814 133

Ages 3–20. Elviria. Tel: 952 832 221

Monseñor Rodrigo Bocanegra

Angela’s School

Fiona Jones School of Dance

Ages 3-16. Marbella. Tel: 952 770 077

Ages 6-14. Marbella. Tel: 952 823 042

Ages 9–14. Manolo Santana Racquets Club. Fuengirola. Tel: 610 764 439

Calahonda International College

Hijas de María Auxiliadora

Ages 3-18. Tel: 952 930 080

Ages 3-12. Marbella. Tel: 952 771 396

Calpe School Ages 3–8. San Pedro. Tel: 952 786 029

III language schools

Atalaya, Estepona. Tel: 952 928 444

San Pedro. Tel: 952 778 492 Marbella. Tel: 952 822 191 Nueva Andalucía. Tel: 952 908 558 Estepona. Tel: 952 794 059

Colegio Alborán

Inlingua Language School

Ages 3-18. Ricmar. Tel: 952 839 645

All ages. Marbella. T: 952 774 942

Colegio Alemán

the InteRnational SCHOOL of ESTEPONA Ages 2-12.

Childrens placE Bilingual nursery

Ages 3-18. Elviria. Tel: 952 831 417

Colegio Las Chapas Ages 5–18, girls school. Elviria. Tel: 952 831 616

Colegio San José Guadalmina Tel: 952 883 858 Estepona. Tel: 952 800 148 Dolphin Nursery Ages 6 months-5 years. San Pedro. Tel: 952 799 563 Ecos College Ages 1–18. Elviria. Tel: 952 831 027

English InteRnational

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door pool, children’s pool. Avda. García Lorca, Arroyo de la Miel, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 577 050 Jayne Melville Performing Arts Courses at all levels: ballet, tap, jazz/modern, hip-hop/street, drama, mime and singing. London Studio Centre. Tel: 952 906 865 Karting Club Málaga Go-kart circuit for kids and adults who feel a need for speed. Open 10am-midnight. Ctra. De Coin, Mijas Costa. Tel: 952 581 704 Natura Aventura Theme Park Rock climbing wall, pot holing, kayaks, quads, archery, paintball etc. C/ Santa Beatriz, San Pedro. Tel: 902 011 077 Original Dolphin Safari Watch, touch and

swim with dolphins. Open 10am-5pm. Marina Bay, Gibraltar. Tel: 9567 71 914 Paint & Fun Ceramic Café Ceramic painting studio closed Mondays. Apt for all ages. C/ García Morato 8, El Ingenio, San Pedro. Tel: 952 783 884 Parque Acuático Mijas Thrills and spills to be had in this family friendly water park. Open daily from 10am. Fuengirola by-pass. Tel: 952 460 404 Plaza Mayor Family entertainment with multiscreen cinema, bars, restaurants, bowling alley and kids play area. Málaga. Tel: 952 247 580 Saturday Club Ages 6 to 12, tennis, martial arts, skating, aerobics, dance and ball games. Open 9.30am-2pm. Route 66, Fuengirola. Tel: 952 448 713 Sealife Centre See 2 metre long sharks. Touch pools and walk-though glass tunnel. Open daily 10am-6pm. Benálmadena Port. Tel: 952 560 150 Selwo Adventure Park Over 2,000 animals, 4x4 tours, plus adventure activities. Open 10am-9pm. CN340 Km 162.5, Estepona. Tel: 902 190 482 Selwo Marina Dolphins, exotic birds, penguins and virtual reality shows. Open 10am-6pm. Parque de la Paloma, Benalmádena. Tel: 902 190 482 Send El Retiro Classical gardens with exotic plants and birds. Ctra. Coín, km 88, Churriana. Tel: 952 623 540 Steam Train Ride Enjoy a steam train ride crossing the Andalusian mountains with a scenic trip from

Estepona. Tel: 952 884 789

street markets

San Roque to Ronda. Tel: 952 931 186 Swim Bebé Swim Swimming classes for under 4’s and AquaNatal classes for mums-to-be. Tel: 617 520 588 / 609 474 038 Swim Squad Swimming lessons and Pool Parties. Professionally run by fully ASA qualified swimming teachers and lifesaving staff. Child protection approved. Tel: 697 714 905 Teleférico Benalmádena Cable car to top of Calamorro mountain, falconry, trekking and horseriding. Arroyo de la Miel. Open 10am-6pm. Tel: 902 190 482 Tennis Camp Tennis lessons for kids from 4 years on, with professional coaches. Open 10am-1pm. Club del Sol, Calahonda. Tel: 952 939 595 The Music Factory Music, dance and drama academy in Mijas Costa. First class free. Hip hop, ballet, tap, modern, yoga and freestyle. Tel: 952 582 077 The Swimming School (Marbella) Professionally run Learn to Swim ASA swimming courses for children aged 4-12. Tel: 657 581 961 Tivoli World Biggest amusement park on the Costa del Sol. Open daily from 1pm. Avda. de Tivoli, Benalmádena. Tel: 952 577 016 Trenecito de Marbella Take a relaxing way to view the main sights of Marbella. Daily 10am-1pm. Paseo Maritimo. Tel: 639 765 981

Avda. Juan Carlos II, 9am2:30 pm

Las Chapas

Thursday Alhaurín El Grande

Calahonda

Performing Arts Academy

Monday Marbella

Ages 3-18. Marbella. Tel: 952 906 865

Fairground (Avda. de Juan Alameda), 9am-2:30pm

By the Guardia Civil Offfices, City Centre, 9am-1pm

Saturday Maro

Peter Pan School

Tuesday

Vélez Málaga

Ages 0-3. Bilingual nursery. San Pedro. Tel: 952 782 051 Benalmádena. Tel: 952 562 103

Monda. C/ Los Huertos, 8am-2:30pm

Close to the Nerja Caves, 9am-1pm

Nerja

Opposite the Guardia Civil Offices, City Centre, 9am-1pm

Saint George’s School

C/ Chaparil, 9am-1pm

Torre del Mar

C/ Urbano Pineda, 9am1pm

Ages 2-8. San Pedro. T el: 952 786 606

Churriana

Avda. Europa, 9am-1pm

La Cala

9am-1pm

Málaga

Recinto Ferial, 9am-1pm

St. Javier’s International School

Fuengirola

Opposite the Guardia Civil Offices, City Centre. 9am-1pm

Mijas Costa

Torremolinos

Near bullring, 9am-1pm

El Calvario, near Town Hall, 9am-1pm

Nueva Andalucía

Ages 1-7. Marbella. Tel: 952 823 457

Stagecoach Theatre Arts School

Recinto Ferial (close to the CN340, on the same side as the bullring), 9am-2:30pm

Wednesday

La Víbora, 9am-2pm Calypso, 9am-2pm

Coín

Las Lagunas, 9am-2pm

Puerto Banús

Ages 4-16. Tel: 952 900 453

Alhaurín de la Torre. Avda. del Limón, 9am-2pm

Sunny View School

Benalmádena Costa

Ages 2–18. Torremolinos. Tel: 952 383 164 Swans Ages 3–12. Marbella Tel: 952 773 248

(Second hand items) Recinto Ferial, 10am-2pm

By the sports pavilion, in the Divina Pastora district, 9am-2pm

La Cala

Friday

Recinto Ferial, 9am-2:30pm

Recinto Ferial, 9am-1pm

Málaga

TLC Tutorial College

Calahonda Calypso, 9am-2pm

Tel: 952 799 900

Ages 13-18. Calahonda. Tel: 952 933 249

Rincón de la Victoria, Málaga.Plaza de la Iglesia, 9am-1pm

Istán

Benalmádena

Estepona

Mayfair Academy Ages 4-18.

wendy kindergarten Ages 4 months - 5 years. Marbella. Tel: 952 772 910

In the area between Tivoli World and the Plaza San Pedro, 9am-1pm

Puerto Deportivo, 9am-1pm

Atalaya Park, Estepona. Tel: 952 784 923

At the entrance to the town, 9am-2pm

International School OF Sotogrande Ages 2–18. Sotogrande. Tel: 956 795 902

Laude San pedro international college Ages 2–18. San Pedro.

Estepona

San Pedro

Next to the bullring. Park near CN340 and walk upwards, 9am-1pm

Sunday Fuengirola.

Next to Rosaleda football stadium, 9am-2pm

Sotogrande At the Marina, 9am-1pm

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THEBLOG PETS

Report Marisa Cutillas

“She is like a giant Xanax. I’m not going to get religious but I truly believe God created dogs for a cause. They are the greatest companions a man could ever have.” Mickey Rourke on his dog, Loki.

PAD: Saving abandoned dogs and cats in Mijas Costa Think you could lend a helping paw to needy dogs and cats on the Costa del Sol? If so, get in touch with PAD, the Mijas Costa shelter that adopts pets out to Germany and Finland. The shelter is run by Eddie and Barbara Griffiths, as well as many volunteers who have helped a total of 5,000 cats and dogs find a new home and thus, a second chance in life. PAD’s Finnish connection began fortuitously, when an animal lover from Finland visited the Costa del Sol, devoting time to walking dogs from PAD. Saddened by the plight faced by dogs here, she opened Espanjankoirat, an organisation devoted to transferring dogs to their new homes in Finland. Prospective new owners can check out photos on PAD’s website, read detailed veterinary data on the animals and select a pet to adopt. Interestingly, in Finland, a fully regulated neutering programme has been created, to ensure there are no strays or litters ‘born by accident’. The German community is also very active, adopting mainly cats, despite the fact that many of the latter suffer from diseases such as feline AIDS and leukaemia. All cats and dogs are micro-chipped and vaccinated, and test are given for feline leukaemia and AIDS in cats, and leishmaniosis, tick fever and heartworm in dogs. The animals are checked in as ‘excess baggage’, which is far less costly than when they travel as freight. Volunteers make the airport trips, entrusting the animals to obliging passengers who have already booked their flight.

Triple A pet calendar High-fashion photographer CJ Hadlow has just completed a stylish new calendar, the proceeds from which will go towards local animal shelter, Triple A. The calendar features GQ-style pictures of top models with scruffy Triple A mutts and will be available from November onwards. The photographer herself knows how rewarding adoption can be, having recently taken home two 10-year old dogs from Triple A. The pooches had been in the shelter so long, the staff had all but given up hope of finding them loving homes. Triple A houses over 300 dogs and 150 cats, relying entirely on donations and fundraising events.

Pick up your copy of the calendar at good boutiques, cafes, hotels, etc., or from Triple A. www.aaahelps.com

If you would like to adopt, volunteer, foster or donate, click onto www.padcatsanddogs.org

Pedigree presents new dog adoption programme With the motto of ‘Help us help them’, the Pedigree dog food company has created the programme Pedigree Adóptame, an initiative featuring tennis sensation and animal lover Alex Corretja, as its ambassador. The plan is to provide over 50,000 kilos of food for abandoned dogs, to encourage adoption and help shelters in their rescue work. If you’d like to join the cause, just log onto the special website, www.pedigreeadoptame.org, where you will find an extensive database listing all of Spain’s shelters and adoptable dogs. Donations are also welcome, with Pedigree donating 50,000 kilos of food to specific shelters. This will provide 3,000 dogs with food for three months. According to a study carried out by Pedigree, 42 per cent of all shelters in Spain lack the food, manpower and economic resources to carry out their work. The situation is bleaker than ever, with an eight per cent rise in abandonment in 2008, owing to the financial crisis.

i www.pedigreeadoptame.com

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THEBLOG WHAT’S ON IN NOVEMBER uuWHAT’S ON IN NOVEMBER uuWHAT’S ON IN NOVEMBER uuWHAT’S ON IN NOVEMBER uuWHAT’S on

WHAT’S ON

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Regular Events

352/ www.bestofmarbella.com

Monthly on different days

TOASTMASTERS CLUB – MARBELLA Weekly meeting of this public speaking organisation, 7.30pm at Aloha Gardens, Nueva Andalucía, above Café El Jardin. Further information, http://theachievers.freetoasthost.org FLAMENCO – MIJAS In Mijas Pueblo main square, 12 noon, including complimentary glass of Málaga wine. Further information, Tel: 952 589 034.

AMERICAN CLUB – COSTA DEL SOL The American Club Costa del Sol’s chapters meet monthly for lunches, excursions, sports and social events for members and guests. Further information, www.americanclubcostadelsol.com For the American International Club Nerja, http:// www.geocities.com/nerjachapter/americanclub Amigos de la cultura – costa del sol One of the oldest cultural clubs in Marbella meets at different times/places for lunches, lectures and the best tickets to concerts, ballet, theatre, opera, festivals, theme parties and much more. Further information, Tel: 669 445 809/ smartkidsmarbella@ gmail.com

Every Wednesday

Every Monday & Wednesday TAE KWON DO CLASSES – MARBELLA The Platinium Tae Kwon Do School meets every Monday and Wednesday at the Los Monteros gym, with classes for children aged six to 14 from 7.158pm and adults aged 15+ from 8-9pm. Further information, Tel: 687 340 677.

Every Tuesday BRIDGE CLUB – CASARES COSTA Duplicate Bridge Club meets 7pm at the Centro Comercial, Urb. Marina de Casares. Also free bridge lessons for novices (with a small charge to cover teaching materials) every Wednesday at 7pm. Further information, Tel: 952 893 633/ cbc@ pageseuro.net

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday MUSEUM TOURS – MÁLAGA Getting to Know the Collection – a tour of selected works of the Picasso Collection for adults, conducted in English on Wednesdays at 11.30am and in Spanish on Tuesday and Saturday at various times, free with purchase of admission ticket. Also every last Sunday of the month, entrance free from 3pm. Further information, www. museopicassomalaga.org

Every first Tuesday of the month

First Wednesday of the month CULTURE & COCKTAIL – MARBELLA The Asociación de Arte y Cultura Marbella monthly cocktail party at Magna Café, Magna Marbella Golf. Further information, www.artandculturemarbella. com/ lorraine@culturamarbella.org

Every Wednesday GUIDED WALKS – MIJAS PUEBLO Departing 10am. Further information, Tel: 952 589 034.

Every third Wednesday of the month LUNCH – MARBELLA The American Club of Marbella meets at a different local restaurant, with an occasional guest speaker, 12.30pm. New friends welcome. Further information, Tel: 952 862 770.

Every Thursday CINE CLUB – ESTEPONA Top films shown weekly in Spanish or original soundtrack, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, 9pm. Entry €3. Further information, Tel: 952 802 002/ www.estepona.es

Every third Thursday of the month

Every second Tuesday of the month

TENNIS & NETWORKING – MARBELLA Organised by The American Club of the Costa del Sol (Marbella Chapter) at the Don Carlos Hotel and Tennis Club,10am-2 pm. Entry, €25, includes court time, buffet lunch and drinks. Further information, Tel: 675 094 494/ ann.mcgeehan@yahoo.com LUNCH – MARBELLA Organised by the British Association of Marbella at a local restaurant. Also weekly coffee mornings

Every third Tuesday of the month FLORAL ART CLUB – ESTEPONA Meets from 3-5pm at the Benavista Country Club, visitors welcome. Further information, Tel: 952 890

OPERA – MARBELLA Various opera singers entertain diners at Da Bruno Sul Mare restaurant, 9pm. Further information, Tel: 952 903 312.

Every last Friday of the month BUSINESS LUNCH – MARBELLA Marbella Business Institute monthly luncheon at a different restaurant in the area. Non-members welcome with advance notice. Further information, Tel: 952 773 500. COFFEE MORNING – ESTEPONA ADANA animal rescue charity coffee morning at Plaza Manilva (outside Longman’s Bookshop) 11am-2pm. Kennels open 10am-5pm MondayFriday and 10am-2pm Saturday, Sunday and fiestas. Further information, Tel: 952 797 405/ 606 274 206/ administracion@adana-estepona.com ART FOR CHILDREN – MÁLAGA Talk based on selected works from the Collection, weekly at 12 noon, conducted in Spanish. Further information, www.museopicassomalaga.org

GARDEN CLUB – BENALMÁDENA Meeting of Garden Club La Capellania at the Manila Restaurant, Los Boliches seafront, from 3pm. Members €20 per annum, visitors 4€. Further information, Tel: 952 442 603. JAZZ APPRECIATION SOCIETY – MARBELLA Meets 8.30pm at Magna Café, Magna Marbella Golf, with food and refreshments. Further information www.magnacafe.com / Tel: 952 787 364.

Every Friday and Saturday

Every Saturday

Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday FIVE-A-SIDE FOOTBALL – MARBELLA Aloha Gardens Multi-Sports Club organises men’s five-a-side matches from 7.30-8.30pm, all welcome. Further information, Tel: 952 814 086.

at Da Paolo’s Cafe (above Pavarotti´s), Ricardo Soriano, 11am-12.30pm. Further information, Tel: 952 825 191/ 647 773 130.

BRIC-A-BRAC SALE – FUENGIROLA At Lux Mundi Ecumenical Centre, 10.30am-12pm. Further information, Tel: 952 543 334.

Every last Thursday of the month

Every Saturday and Sunday CHILDREN’S STORYTIME – MÁLAGA Cuentacuentos – free sessions in the library of Málaga Contemporary Arts Centre, 12 noon, to teach children aged 3 to 10 to read Spanish and develop an interest in the arts. All welcome. Further information, Tel: 952 120 055/www. cacmalaga.org KID’S CAMP – MARBELLA Aloha Gardens Multi-Sports Club weekend camp for 4-14 year-olds, 10.30am-1pm. Activities include tennis, football, cricket, basketball, hockey, handball, paddle tennis. Further information, Tel: 952 814 086.

For All Saint’s Day (November 1)

Until November 3 THEATRE – FUENGIROLA Agatha Christie’s murder mystery, A Murder is Announced, at the Salon Variétes Theatre, nightly at 8pm, Sunday at 7pm. Box office, Tel: 952 474 542, open Monday-Friday from 10.30am1.30pm and 7-8pm. Further information, www. salonvarietestheatre.com

Until November 8 FERIA DE MUESTRAS – MARBELLA Eighth edition of this exhibition at the Palacio de Congresos, showcasing local products and services (furniture, cars, health and beauty, tourism etc). The event will also incorporate the second edition of the de Picoteo gastronomic fair. Further information, www.marbella.es

Until November 15 autumn festival – gibraltar Programme of theatre, music, art and dance organised by the Ministry of Culture. Full programme from the tourist office or Tel: 200 47592. minculture@gibtelecom.net

Until November 29 EXHIBITION – MARBELLA Imágenes una voz (1972-2008), a collection of graphic art by Luis Gordillo at the Museo del Grabado Español Contemporáneo, Casco Antiguo, Tel: 952 765 741.

Until January 24 EXHIBITION – MÁLAGA Avant-garde Pathways at the Picasso Museum showcases the work of the late multi-talented Swiss sculptor, architect, painter, designer, dancer and university Professor Sophie Taeuber-Arp, from classical avant-garde movements such as Dada to her visual works and research on geometric abstraction. Also, every Thursday at 6pm until December 3, a weekly lecture on her work. Further information, www.museopicassomalaga.org

Every Sunday MARKET – GUADALMINA Market of antiques, clothes, fabrics and objets d’art, 10am-3pm, in front of the VTA3 shop (behind Supersol) at Guadalmina Commercial Centre. Further information, Tel: 952 904 137. FERRARI CLUB – MARBELLA The Ferrari Owners’ Club of Andalucía-Puerto Banús meets in front of Toni Dalli’s Restaurant, 11.30am. Further information, Enrique, Tel: 616 917 283/ www.ferrariclubandalucia.com CONCERT – MÁLAGA The Málaga Municipal Band performs at 12 noon in Málaga Park, Ocon bandstand.

Every first Sunday of the month OPEN DAY – MIJAS PAD animal shelter, Cerros del Aguila, welcomes visitors from 12-3pm. Further information, Tel: 952 486 084/ info@padcatsanddogs.org

NOVEMBER EVENTS Monday November 2 NATIONAL HOLIDAY

Wednesday November 4-8 GOLF MASTERS – MARBELLA The 5th European Championship of the Golf Masters Tournament for Journalists, disputed between players from 12 countries, will be played over three days at Santa Clara, Marbella and Guadalmina golf courses. Further information, www.marbella.es

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Friday November 6

Thursday November 12

THEATRE – ESTEPONA The Municipal Theatre Group presents La Sombra del Tenorio, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, 8.30pm. Further information, www.estepona.es

NADFAS TALK – MIJAS PUEBLO Illustrated talk, Art of the World Religions: Hinduism, by Ann Peerless (including visit to the Hindu Temple, Benalmádena). Meet Mijas Hotel, 10.30. am. Further information, Tel: 952 382 713.

Friday November 13 DANCE – FUENGIROLA Show by the Municipal Dance Group, 8.30pm, Casa de la Cultura. Further information, www. fuengirola.org THEATRE – ESTEPONA CircOzú presents El Deseo, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, 8.30pm. Further information, www. estepona.es

Sunday November 15

Friday November 6-9 LINEKERS BAR REUNION PARTY – PUERTO BANÚS Billed the hottest, sexiest party of the year, held over three days to celebrate the seven-year reunion of Linekers Bar fans, with live DJs and celebrity guest appearances throughout the weekend. Further information, www.linekersgroup.com

Friday November 6, 13 & Saturday November 14 BLUES FESTIVAL – BENALMÁDENA III International Blues at Moonlight festival organised by the Hotel Sunset Beach, with country, blues and swing bands: Friday November 6 British blues and blue grass band, The Spinning Coins, 8.30pm, Castillo de Bil Bil, entry €3. Friday November 13 British country blues artist The Reverend Richard John, British/Spanish musicians The Slam Bluesy Band and Córdoba band, The Blues Hackers, from 9pm at the Hotel Sunset Beach Moonlight Ballroom, entry €15. Saturday November 14 German swing/R&B band Ray Collins Hot Club, Málaga bluesman Elmore Sánchez and the Dinki Timone Combo from Cádiz, from 9pm at the Hotel Sunset Beach Moonlight Ballroom, entry €20. Tickets for November 6 concert from the Town Hall Cultural Department, Tickets for the November 13 and 14 concerts from El Corte Inglés, Tel: 902 400 222/ www.elcorteingles.es Further information, www.benalmadenabluesfestival.com

Friday November 6-27 EXHIBITION – FUENGIROLA Sculptures by Charo García Arraiza, Casa de la Cultura. Further information, www.fuengirola.org

Monday November 9 NADFAS LECTURE – FUENGIROLA Royal Courts of India, by Ann Peerless, 4.30pm, Salon Variètes Theatre. For information on other social events or membership, contact Pauline, Tel: 952 382 713.

THE WOW FACTOR – BENALMÁDENA Second edition of this exciting X-Factor-style talent contest in aid of Cudeca, when 12 hopefuls who have won their heats in Gibraltar and the Costa Del Sol will compete in the grand final at at the Torrequebrada Hotel’s glamorous Sala Fortuna. Show starts 9.30pm with dinner service from 7.30pm. Tickets, dinner and show €65, show only, €20 from the Cudeca Centre, Benalmádena, Fuengirola Cudeca Shop, Talk Radio Europe and David Jelley, Tel: 626 817 130. Further information, www.cudeca.org

Monday November 16-20 THEATRE WEEK – FUENGIROLA Celebration of Spanish theatre with various productions, 8.30pm, Casa de la Cultura. Further information, www.fuengirola.org

Wednesday November 18 POETRY RECITAL – MARBELLA David Leo García reads samples of his work, Cortijo Miraflores Cultural Centre, 8.30pm. Further information, www.marbella.es

Monday November 19-27 EXHIBITION – ESTEPONA Paisajes de Estepona, oil paintings by Blanca Larrauri, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre. Further information, www.estepona.es

Friday November 20-24 THEATRE – FUENGIROLA Alan Bennett’s sparkling comedy of sex in the Sixties, Habeas Corpus, Salon Variétes Theatre, nightly at 8pm, Sunday at 7pm. Box office, Tel: 952 474 542, open Monday-Friday from 10.30am1.30pm and 7-8pm. Further information, www. salonvarietestheatre.com

Saturday November 21 CONCERT – MARBELLA

Música con Encanto concert. Soprano Taisiya Kholod and pianist Irina Natskikh perform works by Pergolesi, Puccini, Bellini, Fauré and others, 8.30pm, Vasari Centre, entry €25. Further information, Tel: 689 000 944/ www. musicaconencanto.org dinner and dancing – MARBELLA Strictly Singles Gala Dinner and Dance at the Hotel Gvadalpín, entry €60. Further information, Tel: 664 469 445. concert – Estepona Saint Cecilia concert by the Magnum Mysterium Choir and Málaga Orchestra, 9 pm, Nuestra Señora del Carmen Church.

Saturday, Sunday, November 21,22 HORSE SHOW – ESTEPONA The Escuela de Arte Ecuestre hosts the League Mader Show Jumping Championship finals. Further information, www.estepona.es

Wednesday-Friday, November 25-27 WEEK OF CUISINE – MIJAS COSTA Hosted by CIO Mijas when, each evening from 6.30-11pm, a guest chef from a top restaurant will hold a cookery demonstration of the menu, after which participants can sit down and eat it with fine wines. Price, €30. Bookings, Tel. 952 589 010/ frd@ mijas.es

Thursday-Sunday, November 26-29 THE OVER 50s FAIR – ESTEPONA Trade fair dedicated to the interests of older people with exhibits ranging from health and gardening to pets, literature, property and financial investment. Daily at the Palacio de Congresos. Further information, www.estepona.es

Friday November 27 THEATRE – ESTEPONA Comic trio El Calvo Invita presents No hay bar que por bien no venga, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre, 8.30pm. Entry €3. Further information, www. estepona.es

Saturday-Sunday November 28-29 outlet parade – marbella Feria de Stocks with a range of exhibitors selling stock items at substantially reduced prices. At the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos, Marbella, from 11am-10pm during the weekend. Entry €4. Further information, Tel: 952 768 555. www.outletparade. com

Michel Camilo

CERVANTES THEATRE – MÁLAGA Until Sunday November 8 Mamma Mía the musical, with songs by Abba, various times (see the website). Thursday November 12 The Glenn Miller Orchestra, 9pm. Friday November 13 Dominican Republic jazz artist Michel Camilo, 9pm. Saturday November 14 Cameroons world jazz and blues artist Richard Bona, 9pm. Tuesday November 17 Orchestral director Inma Shara and the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, 8pm. Friday, Saturday, November 20, 21 Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra concert with works by Sibelius, Franck and Roussel, Friday at 8.30pm, Saturday* 8pm. Friday, Saturday, November 27, 28 Alikindoi Productions present the play, Confidencias Muy Íntimas, 9pm. Ticket sales, Tel: 902 360 295. Further information, Tel: 952 224 100/ www. teatrocervantes.com * BUS & TICKET For Saturday November 21 concert, music lovers can take advantage of transport to and from the Cervantes, including ticket, for €35. The coach departs from San Pedro at 5.25pm with stops in Marbella and Fuengirola (and along the N-340 at Elviria, Calahonda and La Cala, if required) to arrive in time for refreshments, returning directly after the concert. Reserve in advance from Elizabeth, Tel: 606 167 356/ 952 936 403.

Monday November 30-December 23 EXHIBITION – ESTEPONA Watercolours by Edward Burbidge, Padre Manuel Cultural Centre. Further information, www. estepona.es

Until December 31 MMM… MÁLAGA – COSTA DEL SOL A chance to try the haute cuisine of 14 of the coast’s top gourmet restaurants with a tasting menu of tapas plus a fish and meat course and dessert – for the special price of €45, inc. IVA (drinks not included). Contact the participating restaurants for details. Málaga: Adolfo, Café de París, Limonar 40, Montana, Palo Cortado. Marbella: El Lago, La Hacienda, Messina, Roberto, Taberna del Alabardero. Torremolinos: Restaurante Med. Fuengirola: Girol, Roca Tranquila. Ronda: Tragabuches.

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THEBLOG STARS

STforARS November ARIES [21 MAR - 20 APR] You are dealing with many emotions that have previously been buried this month. It’s a time for ridding yourself of excess baggage, whether it’s physical or emotional. Reaching inside of yourself and pulling out your strength is necessary now. More energy can be poured into professional concerns, although partnering matters are certainly demanding your attention and can be distracting. You don’t necessarily need a partner for your work, but you do need to sort out your need for background support from a special someone. Deal with financial matters on the 2nd.

TAURUS [21 APR - 20 MAY]

LEO [23 JUL - 22 AUG] You are feeling more energetic and assertive than for some time. A sense that you can tackle any project or problem that comes your way is with you. Pressures in partnership are easing this month. Even if you haven’t been feeling stress in your relationships, there may have been a feeling of stagnation, and November brings a sense of moving forward. The first few days of the month bring career matters to a peak. Much of your focus, however, is on your home and family until the 23rd, after which you are more sociable.

VIRGO [23 AUG - 22 SEP]

Others are noticing you, and you’re certainly in a partnering mood this month. November is busy with negotiations, adjustments, and socialising, especially after the 8th. Charm comes naturally and you want nothing more than to find peace with a special someone. An opportunity for a partnership or joint venture is possible in the third week of the month. However, roadblocks are likely from the 16-23. You’re wearing your emotions on your sleeve around the Full Moon on the 2nd, and the 3-4 is a good period for professional opportunities.

A busy month is in store for you. There are a lot of errands to run and general ‘catching up’ work to do. While reorganising your finances is something that you’ll be focusing on for some time, November brings less pressure in that area, and more interest in building your skills, learning, and reaching out to others. Family life is supportive and heartwarming. Physically, you’re inclined towards taking it easy. You are putting major, ambitious goals on the backburner so that you can focus on day-to-day activities.

GEMINI [21 MAY - 21 JUN]

LIBRA [23 SEP - 23 OCT]

It’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work this month. You’ll find that life is busy and perhaps hectic at times, but the work you tackle now will certainly allow you more freedom to enjoy yourself later. Vacation plans move forward. Career matters are also strong and the roadblocks or delays you have been experiencing recently are lifting. You have a strong sense of what needs to be done and you actually enjoy getting yourself back on track. Relationships become more supportive by the last week of November.

You are focusing on comfort matters and financial security in November. You are becoming increasingly aware of your responsibilities and limitations, and this is a trend that will last for a couple of years. It’s a time of ‘growing up’, no matter what your age, and learning to take better care of yourself, your loved ones and the major structures in your life. Activities with friends and groups assume more importance this month. Work matters are pleasant, as you have a stronger sense of purpose and moving forward.

CANCER [22 JUN - 22 JUL] November is a playful, romantic, and self-expressive month for you overall. You might not have the necessary focus for effectiveness at work until after the 23rd, but your creativity is strong. Romantic feelings run high, although you are likely to feel somewhat entangled emotionally, and this is a trend that you will experience for many months. A friend needs a helping hand in the first few days of the month. Overspending might be an issue, as you are prone to purchase impulsively. You have no shortage of money-making ideas, however!

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Annie Heese is the founder of astrology website, cafeastrology.com, a site featuring articles, love sign compatibility reports, predictions, the gen on famous people and their star signs, and general information for astrology buffs.

SCORPIO [24 OCT - 21 NOV] November is a power month for you. You are feeling especially confident, focused, and ambitious. This is not to say that good things are being handed to you. In fact, a feeling of being blocked by others or by circumstances is with you now. However, this only serves to fuel your determination. Relationship tests around the 2nd are likely, but a partner has your best interests at heart from the 8th. It’s a time of greater magnetic appeal – when the world seems to be appreciating your unique style.

SAGITTARIUS [22 NOV - 21 DEC] While you are confident and assertive, you are maintaining some distance from others as you get the rest you so deserve this month. You are analysing what is working for you and what isn’t until the 23rd, after which you are more certain of your goals, communicative, and desirous of turning over a new leaf. Love feels especially private from the 8th, but you are also enjoying a new sense of adventure and even a taste of the exotic in your love life these days. From the 16th, career opportunities arise.

CAPRICORN [22 DEC - 19 JAN] Much of the pressure you were feeling last month is easing in November. As the spotlight moves away from your performance. Group activities, friendships, and networking come into focus now. More altruistic goals are occupying your thoughts. Nevertheless, a restructuring of your attitude towards your professional responsibilities is a long-term trend. Romantic relationships are emotional around the 2nd. After the 8th, however, love matters are considerably lighter and easier. More clarity with finances eases pressure in that area of your life.

AQUARIUS [20 JAN - 19 FEB] A big focus on career is in store for you in the first three weeks of November, after which professional pressures ease. While the spotlight is on your performance, it’s not altogether uncomfortable. In fact, others are bound to find you especially attractive, personable, and approachable on the job, particularly after the 8th. Partnership or social opportunities through business are likely to present themselves. New responsibilities are welcome, as you are confident about meeting them effectively. Love might be complicated this month, although invigorating and certainly never boring!

PISCES [20 FEB - 20 MAR] You have a pleasant feeling that matters are moving forward in your life this month. Pressures are easing, your confidence is building, and the important people in your life are supportive. Work is especially dynamic, busy, and possibly demanding of your time and energy. It’s also especially profitable! In the last week of the month, professional responsibilities are in focus, and you’re expressing yourself in a highly competent manner. Your ambitions are expanding, and attention to practical matters pays off. It’s a good time to think in big terms.

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