AN American woman’s €2.5 million Marbella villa has been snatched from right under her nose - sold using forged papers from Mexico while she was away in Indonesia.
Elizabeth, a yoga teacher and longterm resident, was horrified when tenants called her last August, reporting men had broken into her home, smashing doors and disabling alarms.
“They claimed they had a rental contract from a Mexican woman who doesn’t even exist,” Elizabeth said.
“I hadn’t sold the house, never saw a penny, and was halfway across the world.”
Her lawyer, Carmen Herrera, revealed the fraud began in 2018 with a forged power of attorney and fake passport created in Mexico.
Yet Spanish notaries and land registrars failed to spot the fake documents - allowing the villa to be sold without her consent.
Crooked
Property expert Mark Stucklin slammed the system: “This was either gross negligence or a crooked notary. Forged documents should never have been accepted.”
Costa del Sol lawyer Antonio Flores warned: “If someone walks in with a foreign POA to sell a home, notaries must be extremely suspicious.”
This is the second major case the Olive Press has uncovered recently. Last edition, the OP reported that a Swedish woman had her Mijas apartment stolen using a forged Colombian power of attorney. Men posing as victims of fraud tried to evict her and even contacted her building’s administrator to claim ownership.
Elizabeth said: “I’m trapped in a nightmare. After this, I’ll never buy property in Spain again.”
For a full investigation see the next edition of the Olive Press
Costa bloodbath
A BLOODY gangland execution on the Costa del Sol has sparked furious calls for more police, as locals warn the holiday hotspot is turning into a ‘war zone’.
Two Scottish gangsters were gunned down in cold blood outside a packed Torreblanca (Fuengirola) pub on Saturday night, just moments after the Champions League final. Now, police unions and local politicians are demanding urgent action to stop the Costa from descending into chaos.
Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Jnr, 46 - both linked to Glasgow’s infamous Lyons crime family - were blown away in front of horrified tourists at Monaghan’s Irish Pub on the seafront.
The chilling double hit is the eighth gangland-style shooting in the region this year alone, and the latest sign that international crime lords are using Spain’s sun-drenched coast as a bloody battleground.
A close friend of the bar’s manager
Police plead for backup as gangland shootings rock tourist hotspot
By Dilip Kuner & Walter Finch
told the Olive Press: “Oh God. She’s a really nice lady, a grafter and my friend. She is so traumatised.”
Now, Spain’s top police unions - including CEP, Jupol and UFP - have slammed the government for allegedly neglecting the rising tide of organised crime, demanding more boots on the ground, better equipment and stronger laws.
“We are being overwhelmed,” warned one union rep. “These are international criminals operating with impunity.”
Fuengirola’s mayor Ana Mula has also weighed in, blasting Madrid for ignoring requests for a new police station and demanding elite anti-mafia units
be deployed before more innocent lives are lost.
“This area is being used by global crime networks,” she said. “We need urgent reinforcements.”
The brazen shooting of Monaghan and Lyons - reportedly ordered
in Scotland just days earlier - has sparked fears of an all-out mob war spilling from Glasgow to the Mediterranean.
Sources say it stems from a bitter feud
To honour
Continues on Page 8
GUNNED DOWN: Ross Monaghan (left) and Eddie Lyons died in the brutal assault
Police brutality
A 26-YEAR-OLD Colombian migrant was allegedly pushed to the ground and beaten by police in Spain after she did not identify herself to them. The Colombian president has called for an apology.
Danish arrest
POLICE arrested a Danish man wanted by the Jordanian authorities for sexual assault at the port of Tarifa where he tried to enter Spain from Morroco via ferry.
Child abuse
A MALAGA man has been arrested after shaking his 14-monthold daughter, throwing her to the floor and knocking her unconscious.
Fire horror
A WOMAN in Fuengirola suffered severe burns after her partner doused her in alcohol during a row and then tried to set her alight. The investigation is ongoing.
GRIM HUNT
THIS is the first pic of the initial search site for the body of missing Madeleine McCann in Spain.
Taken by the Olive Press in Portugal on Monday, they show the nerve centre for the four-day probe as well as an additional Portuguese police support tent.
Approximately halfway between Praia da Luz, where Maddie went missing in 2007, and nearby Lagos, police blocked off a series of dirt tracks and sealed off a large 50 hectare size area from around 3pm.
Teams of police arrived in unmarked white vans and rental cars, while the bosses arrived in black Range Rovers.
The Maddie site where cops hope to find vital clues to finally charge German Christian Brueckner
By Jon Clarke in Praia da Luz
The first search location is in the local area of Ataleia, where prime suspect German Christian Brueckner regularly spent time.
As well as working at the local Boavista golf club he also commuted daily to work at bars and restaurants in nearby Lagos.
The area of scrubland, about three kilometres from Praia
Squat warning
SQUATTING cases in Spain rose by 7% last year, and experts warn the situation is spiraling out of control.
One alarming trend is inquiokupación - where tenants refuse to leave after a contract ends. Since it’s not classed as illegal squatting, landlords must go through lengthy eviction processes.
Many inquiokupas even make threats, leaving property owners both financially and physically at risk.
Gonzalo Bernardos, an economist at the University of Barcelona, said: “Squatting is a magnificent business. It’s a disgrace that owners can’t evict them and still have to pay their utility bills.”
He added that the PP party has a stronger stance on the issue than PSOE, noting: “It pays more to be a squatter than a homeowner.”
da Luz is scattered with isolated farms and dozens of ruins.
Portuguese police - who are working under the German BKA - confirmed they had registered a total of 21 separate properties to search between June 2 and 6.
Dedicated search teams started to arrive at 7 am on Monday ready to scour the area.
An Olive Press source revealed: “It’s going to be a great show.
“The area is scattered with ruins, wells, cisterns and oth-
er good places to hide a dead body.
“It’s a real wasteland and who knows what we might find.”
The search comes after a tip
TWISTED GAME
THREE people face two years in prison after a woman was doused in petrol and set alight during a twisted ‘escape room’ game in Cajar, Granada.
The victim joined others at ‘Villa Amparo’ for a socalled ‘hardcore escape room’. Told to wear old clothes, she wasn’t warned of any risks.
Two actors - now on trial alongside an organisershackled her, tied a rope around her neck, and doused her with a liquid that smelled like petrol.
Despite her warnings, one suspect lit a lighter, setting her shirt ablaze. She was only saved when someone intervened with a fire extinguisher.
The victim’s insurer is demanding three years’ jail time for each of the three defendants and €1.9 million in damages.
off to BKA headquarters in Wiesbaden in 2018, when they began probing Brueckner over the crime.
The Policia Judiciaria, which has led the hunt since Maddie vanished in 2007, confirmed the request to search the area was made by German authorities.
The Olive Press understands they have made numerous other requests for further searches in Portugal but without agreement.
The last search involved divers and up to 100 police at inland Arade lake two years ago. Police focussed on a lake camp where Brueckner regularly spent time to ‘cleanse himself’. He called it his ‘paradise’ when he was looking to be alone. While detectives found various fragments of material that were ‘too degraded’ to offer any DNA link to missing Madeleine.
SEARCH IS ON: Police start the hunt for Maddie near Praia da Luz
Tennis great wins 2025 Princess of Asturias
Award for Sports
Excellence
SERENA Williams has been announced as the 2025 Princess of Asturias Award winner in the sports category, in recognition of her outstanding tennis career.
The 43-year-old American
Serena’s latest win
By Alex Trelinski
won 73 singles titles including 23 Grand Slams. She said in 2022 that she was
RAFA’S FINAL FAREWELL
SPAIN'S greatest-ever tennis player, Rafa Nadal, has been given a special farewell at the French Open - a Grand Slam event he won a record 14 times.
The Mallorcan star retired last November after a sensational career.
He took his bow on Court Philippe-Chatrier in front of a packed 15,000 crowd including Murcia's Carlos Alcaraz who wore a ‘Merci Rafa’ shirt. A video montage was played
across the court screens featuring all of his successes at Roland Garros. Towards the end of the emotional ceremony,
stepping away from the sport to focus on her family and business interests.
Williams was chosen after two days of deliberations by a jury in Oviedo that sifted through 30 candidates from 13 countries.
They described her sporting records as ‘unquestionable’.
Last year's winner was Spain’s badminton star, Carolina Marin, who won Olympic gold in Rio back in 2016.
Prizes
The €50,000 Princess of Asturias Award is one of eight annual prizes covering different spheres, including arts, literature, film, and science.
The awards ceremony takes place in Oviedo this October at the city's Campoamor Theatre.
MULLINS IT OVER
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE IN THE UK AND LIFE IN SPAIN,
From Spanish property madness to Brexit hangovers and bureaucratic blind spots, life abroad isn’t all sunshine and sangria
I’VE no regrets about relocating to Spain a year ago, but there are times when it really hits home that you’re squatting in someone else’s country where you don’t get to make the rules.
It’s a bit like post-Brexit Britain, except - whatever the politics of it - the UK can’t just up sticks and move. We still need to trade with the EU, but now we don’t get a say on the rules. Genius!
Where I’m going with this is the bonkers idea from Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez to slap a whopping 100% tax on non-Spanish, non-EU citizens buying property.
Utter madness if you ask me, and I’m told it’s got a snowball’s chance in hell of becoming law. Clearly, Señor Sanchez is trying to calm the anti-tourist, anti-second-home crowd by showing he’s on their side.
The good news is that, unlike Brits in 2016, Spanish voters won’t rise up against foreigners… they know which side of their pan rebanado the olive oil is drizzled on!
Speaking of housing problems, I couldn’t believe what happened to one Scandinavian expat woman recently - some crafty scammers managed to swipe her flat out from under her. The
first she heard of it was when she started getting threatening letters ordering her to leave. Talk about bad news in the post.
What I don’t get is how a forged Colombian legal document can allow gangsters to flog your place from under you! If you buy a stolen car you don’t get to keep it, so why is it different when it’s a flat?
It does sometimes feel like expats get second-rate service from the local authorities; meanwhile, back in the UK, it seems the government bends over backwards to help immigrants - the more illegal, the more help, or so it often appears. I suppose some of us might do better out here if we made more effort to learn the language, but Spanglish does the job well enough for me. Strangely, I hear that back in the UK, Labour are trying to bring in a new law making immigrants take an English test before they can get any sort of visa to stay.
Who knows how that’s going to work. Will the Royal Navy start handing out test papers to illegals on the small boats - and if they fail, it’s a one-way ticket back to France? Next thing you know, Keir Starmer’s Labour lot will be paying to send private English tutors into asylum hotels, just to make sure the illegal immigrants living on the taxpayer’s pound are up to snuff - so they can apply for more benefits!
IT was caps off and tissues out as King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain watched youngest daughter In
fanta Sofia graduate from UWC Atlantic College - aka the ‘Hogwarts for hippies’ - in Wales.
The £63k-a-year school, set in a 12th-century castle, is a royal favourite Sofia’s big sister Princess Leonor graduated in 2023.
Leonor couldn’t make the ceremony - she’s off doing military training - but sent a sweet video message from a Spanish Navy ship. Sofia’s tutor called her a ‘true friend in difficult times’.
XABI STARTS
REAL Madrid have appointed Xabi Alonso (top right) as their new manager on a three-year deal starting June 1.
The 43-year-old returns after making 236 appearances for the club from 2009 to 2014, winning six major trophies.
Alonso arrives from Bayer Leverkusen, where he won a historic domestic double last season. He replaces Carlo Ancelotti, who departs to coach Brazil.
Real face Al-Hilal in their first match under Alonso at the revamped Club World Cup on June 18 in Miami.
Ahead of his arrival, Real have signed Dean Huijsen (middle) for €60 million and are targeting Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold (bottom) on a free transfer.
WRITES CHARLIE MULLINS
Nadal was joined on court by his great rivals Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Sir Andy Murray.
Olive Press reader offer 30% OFF
All Ladies, Mens, Lingerie and Kidswear in the Stores listed below
Marbella (CC La Cañada), Granada (CC Nevada), Málaga (Calle Nueva), Madrid (CC La Vaguada)
TO REDEEM, TAKE A PICTURE OF THIS PAGE AND SHOW IT IN STORE
Excludes online, food and drink Valid 22nd May - 22nd June 2025 Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer
Voted top expat paper in Spain
A campaigning, community newspaper, the Olive Press represents the huge expatriate community in Spain with an estimated readership, including the websites, of more than two million people a month.
OPINION
A return to the dark days
THE chilling execution of two Scottish gangsters in Fuengirola last weekend marks a terrifying escalation in the violence plaguing the Costa del Sol. Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Jr, both linked to Glasgow’s notorious Lyons crime family, were gunned down outside Monaghan’s Irish Pub, sending shockwaves through this once-tranquil holiday hotspot.
For those familiar with the darker chapters of this region’s recent history, the events echo the infamous Kinahan-Hutch feud - a bloody Irish cartel war that turned the Costa del Sol into a war zone a decade ago. Back then, the sunny coastline became a battleground for rival mob families, with shootings and assassinations staged amid tourists and locals alike. The latest killings suggest a similar, dangerous pattern is unfolding once more.
The Scotland-based Lyons and Daniels families’ bitter feud, reportedly sparked by a failed £500,000 cocaine deal, has now spilled onto Spanish soil, drawing the Costa del Sol back into the crossfire of international organised crime. The fact that this hit was ordered days earlier in Scotland and carried out with cold precision on the Fuengirola seafront highlights the increasing brazenness of these gangs. Local authorities and police unions are crying out for urgent reinforcements and better resources to combat the surge in violence. The region’s mayor has demanded elite anti-mafia units, warning that global crime networks are exploiting Spain’s lax enforcement and turning this tourist haven into a dangerous battleground.
Tourists and residents alike are right to fear for their safety. What was once a paradise of sun, sea, and relaxation is now haunted by the spectre of gang violence - a grim reminder that without swift action, history may tragically repeat itself on the Costa del Sol.
PUBLISHER / EDITOR
Jon Clarke, jon@theolivepress.es
Dilip Kuner dilip@theolivepress.es Walter Finch walter@theolivepress.es
Yzabelle Bostyn yzabelle@theolivepress.es
Samantha Mythen samantha@theolivepress.es
Tom Ewart Smith tom@theolivepress.es
ADMIN Victoria Humenyuk Makarova (+34) 951 154 841 admin@theolivepress.es
DISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES (+34) 951 154 841 distribution@ theolivepress.es
THAT NIGHT IN BILBAO
Richarlison, friendly locals and a brilliant police operation that kept 80,000 English fans from harmbut couldn’t keep the buses and trains running
By Jon Clarke
IN stark contrast to the chaotic scenes in Paris after the 2025 Champions League final - despite the fact the match actually took place in Munich - where fan violence marred PSG’s historic 5-0 win over Inter Milan, Bilbao delivered a masterclass in calm, cooperation and celebration.
Hosting the all-English Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, the Basque city welcomed 80,000 travelling fans with open arms, excellent policing and remarkable hospitality.
Despite transport struggles, the atmosphere remained festive throughout Spurs’ 1-0 victory.
Jon Clarke was there to witness firsthand a night of football, friendship and an unforgettable outpouring of joy.
AT 5am, with the heavens opening and our clothes soaked through, I wasn’t the only fan cursing Bilbao. But while the weather and long taxi queues were predictable, what wasn’t was the result: a 1-0 win to Tottenham Hotspur –their first European trophy in 41 years. For the 40,000 Spurs fans who made the journey, it was ecstasy. For me, a lifelong Lilywhite, it was a joy I hadn’t felt since the 1991 FA Cup win while at university in Manchester. And, as with then, we celebrated in style – helped, crucially, by Bilbao’s decision to keep bars open and by the spirit of the United fans, who, despite the result, joined us on the dancefloor later that night singing The Smiths’ This Charming Man There was no violence, no tribal tension – just fans embracing the moment. The Basques played a huge part in that. We were shown around the coolest bars by locals named Inigo, Ainhoa and Unai, who didn’t just welcome us – they adopted us. Eventually, we found ourselves at the taxi rank at 4am in central Bilbao. The last bus back to Mungia – the only affordable hotel we could find – had gone at 10pm, and the next wasn’t until 7am. With the queue 150 deep and no taxis in sight, we detoured to the five-star Radisson hoping for help. Instead, we found 200 stranded fans lying in every available corner of the foyer.
“It looks like homelessness has gone up tenfold overnight,” quipped my son, though the mood was more resigned than humorous. Some fans struggled to stay warm; others squabbled. Most simply curled up and waited.
When I tried filming the scene, the hotel manager asked me to leave, eventually calling the police. They turned up five minutes later – not to make arrests, but to express sympathy. “There’s clearly been a failure here,” said one officer. “We don’t know why buses aren’t running through the night – that’s a question for the town hall.”
about to
I asked him a few nonsensical questions and got a couple of grunts. Don’t ask me what he said. No idea. I think (no, I hope) he was tipsy. He posed for a selfie.
BASQUE BOOST
It was a genuine victory for
Bilbao and the surrounding Basque region.
Aside from the entire city being full, every town and village within an hour was recording record occupancy rates.
In the seaside surfing villages of Bermeo and Mundaka, thousands of football fans ate, drank and sang into the night, delivering a nice financial injection to the local economy.
Despite the chaos, policing throughout had been exceptional. Officers were visible, approachable and cheerful – a stark contrast to the heavy-handedness seen in Paris just days later.
RICHIE, MCINTYRE AND DANIEL LEVY
We decided to try our luck at the Hotel Carlton, where lo and behold the entire Tottenham team and entourage were staying and celebrating the win.
There was no chance of getting in, despite a press pass, and just as we were
There were even 3,000 fans staying in the next region of Cantabria, according to the authorities in Santander, while at least the same number stayed in San Sebastian.
A total of 282 flights took off or landed at Bilbao airport in 24 hours and it was incalculable exactly how many fans were really there, with so many driving all the way from Calais, or arriving via airports in other parts of Spain, as well as Portugal and France.
As one fan, Nigel, a property developer, from Elstree in North London told me, he had flown with six of his family to Madrid and hired a van.
“I’ve got my wife and three daughters, two of whom brought their boyfriends, so it’s been anything but cheap,” he explained.
“Some people go on exotic holidays to the Maldives, my family do trips like this.”
18 HOUR DRIVES, 100KM CYCLE RIDES
His journey was one of the smoother ones, thanks to his job, with two fans I met at my hotel having driven 18 hours ‘straight’ to arrive at 5am the day of the match, while one another cycled from Valencia, 100 kms per day.
The most nerve-wracking part was ensuring that my son, Alfie, could make the game, while still managing to sit a history A-level at midday on Wednesday in Marbella.
I managed to get him a cheap direct flight at 5pm from Malaga. It meant he would arriveif all went well and he didn’t forget his passport - just before 7pm at Bilbao airport and not only was it on time, but the two women next to him were Reds fans who offered him a lift in their taxi.
To say I was overjoyed to see him at 7.45pm just before kickoff was an understatement. The fan zone was one of the best I’ve ever seen: vast, well-staffed, clean, and crucially, with ample toilets.
VANDALISM AND VIOLENCE - FAKE NEWS!
The mayor of the city, Juan Mari Aburto, made light of the fact that two traffic lights got broken in the ‘euphoria of celebration and alcohol’ when the impact to the economy was enormous.
There was no intentional damage and the three vans of riot police parked up nearby handled the situation brilliantly, by simply taking up a watching brief, mostly smiling.
“We are left with the joy of the fans, a true fiesta of football and a great atmosphere,” insisted mayor Aburto. “I also want to praise the excellent behaviour of our own locals, who have left a great image for Bilbao.”
GREAT NIGHT: Jon with son Alfie in the stadium, while (below) Richarlison seemed a bit ‘tipsy’ and (right) the atmosphere was friendly
walk back to the taxi rank around the corner, out popped Brazilian striker Richarlison.
CELEBRATION: Fans of Spurs were ecstatic
GREAT JOB: Even the riot police were cheerful
It wasn’t me guv
THE Continental Wealth Management (CWM) scandal has been one of the most sordid to dog Spain’s expat community in recent years.
It had it all: greedy con men and women, extravagant spending on villas and bling, and hundreds of victims who lost their retirement savings.
The cast of mendacious villains posing as reputable ‘financial advisors’ attracted notoriety precisely because they seemed to get away with it.
Much of the focus has been on CWM director Jody Smart, who visibly profited while ruining the retirements of fellow Brits.
But Jody’s jet-set life as a wedding planner and restaurateur is now on hold as she appeals a three-and-a-half-year jail sentence for fraud handed down in April.
Far less is known about her ex-partner, often described as the principal culprit: Darren Kirby.
Thought to have vanished after the firm’s collapse in 2017, the Olive Press tracked the 60-year-old down for an on-the-record interview about CWM’s rise and fall.
“I need this for my soul, because there have been so many wrongs printed about me,” Kirby said.
But instead of a confession, he launched a robust defence:
“I would give my life today for everyone to get their money back [...] but there was no fraud from my end, from CWM – and that includes Jody.”
He admitted poor judgment in choosing partners, but blamed losses – estimated at €35 million affecting a third of 1,000 clients – on lack of due diligence.
“I will go and take a lie detector test anywhere in the world you choose – there was no fraud committed by CWM,” he insisted.
CWM founder breaks his silence to deny fraud that devastated hundreds of expat retirees in Spain – and points the finger at bigger players
EXCLUSIVE by Walter
Finch
sion, and funds under management.”
He rejected claims that clients were misled into low-risk investments.
“It is horrendous for anyone to think there were forged signatures, or clients thinking they were going into vanilla funds when they weren't. But buyers are liars. Perhaps the previous year they made money – then of course they didn’t complain.”
Kirby’s own fortunes have plummeted. Once operating out of the Costa Blanca Marriott Hotel, he’s now reportedly working pub kitchen jobs near Maidenhead and living in a Ford Focus.
“He’s finished, the guy is history,” said a former acquaintance.
I will go and take a lie detector test anywhere in the world you choose – there was no fraud committed by CWM
“We were the intermediary, we never received the clients’ money ever, because that’s illegal.”
He pointed the finger at Momentum Pensions Malta: “They offered us the investment instruments.”
Kirby said CWM relied on lists from large financial firms who failed oversight.
“None of the pension providers do – this is a ticking time bomb that’s going to blow up the world, and now they're going to work out who's who in the zoo.
“We were a financial advisory group, we never gave advice to any client but were guided by a series of companies that collectively
Kirby recalled: “I left Spain with just €50 in my pocket –and that was given to me by a client.”
“I had the most stunning, beautiful offices for a fixed rent of about €2,000 a month with a five-year contract.”
He cited a glowing reference from ex-Inter Alliance CEO Stephen O’Leary: “Undoubted –Darren Kirby is undoubted.”
Kirby met Smart in 2012 when she worked as a pool cleaner for his brother. She soon joined the company.
He hired Alan Goringe, a ‘retired chartered accountan’ who Kirby later described as an ‘outand-out alcoholic’.
“I didn't know at that time that he was an alcoholic who ended up drinking boxes of cooking wine from the supermarket in the latter days of his life.”
Goringe, a co-defendant in the fraud trial, died in 2019. The case was dismissed in 2023 for lack of evidence.
By 2015, Kirby said he was burned out. On legal advice, he restructured the company into Continental Wealth Trust, naming Smart as director and Goringe as financial lead.
is why I stress again, not guilty in the court of law. Her jail sentence gives me no pleasure.”
“Did we give bad advice when I was in charge? No, we didn't when I handed it over. I mean, we obviously did [give bad advice], but there was no fraud.”
“We didn’t take the client's pension when I was in charge of the company and think we’d have a little gamble.”
Kirby admitted his biggest failure was to ‘take my eye off the ball’ and trust ‘an alcoholic accountant and a dullard who I never loved to look after the company’.
“That's my failure, that's my fault. I will stand there in the court of law, in the Royal Courts of Justice in London or Madrid, and take that responsibility. And if God says, ‘you take two years, mate,’ it's a release for me.”
The wider CWM saga includes Patrick and Dawn Kirby, portfolio manager Anthony Downs, and Stephen Ward of Premier Pension Solutions.
Other alleged unqualified advisers included Dean Stogsdill, Neil Hathaway and others at CWM’s offshore arm.
CWM claimed to operate under Inter Alliance’s license, but Momentum couldn’t prove this to Maltese regulators.
Smart accused Kirby of setting her up to take the fall are worth a couple of trillion.
But they never did their due diligence.
“Why? It’s not criminal fraud exactly, it’s about commis -
He also transferred all assets to Smart’s name – his house, car, everything – allegedly under legal advice. These were later stripped.
Smart accused him of setting her up to take the fall. Kirby replied: “So now I have a crystal ball and thought if things go t**s up I'll hand it over to her? Get real.”
He defended her role: “Jody never saw a client – I will protect her there. She may have recommended them, but she never spoke to a client or took advice or gave advice, which
Most damning: clients’ pensions were funneled into high-risk ‘structured notes’ – unsuitable for retail investors and akin to gambling.
These paid hidden commissions – sometimes up to 15% – from client funds.
“We do not set the commission rates. Fact,” Kirby said.
“In every world, in every facet of financial services, there's going to be people out there that will sell for commission. There will be some people that sell to protect their client and everything in between.”
The Maltese Arbiter found CWM wasn’t licensed to give advice, and Momentum failed to supervise investments.
Momentum was ordered to pay £7 million in compensation. Kirby said CWM paid around €1.5 million to clients.
TRAINEE TRIBUTE
THE Olive Press is bidding farewell to two of our most recent interns, who have each played a key role in our newsroom during their time with us.
Tom Ewart-Smith, a British student spending part of his university year abroad, has been with the paper for four-and-a-half months.
During this time, he has become a valued member of the team, contributing articles, carrying out independent research, and showing initiative in chasing stories.
He will now go back to the UK to resume his studies and start his last year of university.
Dylan Wagemans, from Belgium, joined us for two months as part of his International Journalism studies. In his time here, he too has made a strong impact, bringing enthusiasm, curiosity and dedication to every assignment he undertook. He returns to Belgium to graduate and receive his International Journalism-degree and make his entry into the professional world. Both interns demonstrated their commitment and adaptability, including during the recent nationwide blackout when, unable to reach the rest of the team, they took to the streets to find out what was happening.
They are both very grateful for the chances and coaching that the Olive Press team has given them.
The Olive Press has already welcomed many interns and young journalists during its nearly 20 years of existence.
Earlier this year, Olive Press journalist Yzabelle Bostyn was named NCTJ Trainee Journalist of the Year in a fiercely competitive British media award, beating candidates from The Times and Express & Star She joined us two years ago and, through mentoring from News Editor Dilip Kuner (ex-Sunday Mirror), Digital Editor Walter Finch (ex-Daily Mail) and Editor Jon Clarke (ex-Mail on Sunday), blossomed into a sharp, passionate investigative journalist.
Over the years, dozens of young journalists have worked at the Olive Press, going on to work at major news outlets across the UK, Europe, and the US. Some have stayed in Spain to report on issues close to their hearts, while others have taken their Olive Press experience to roles at major broadcasters, international magazines, and respected national newspapers.
The newsroom continues to be a launching pad for bright, ambitious reporters willing to learn more about what it takes to become a professional
nalist.
In the following weeks, we will be welcoming more interns, as part of our constant search for young
ent, and to bring you the best content possible.
LUXURIOUS: CWM’s first offices in the Marriott Hotel in Denia, and (above left) Jody Smart
FRIENDS: Tom (left) and Dylan
US student red tape
CONFUSING new immigration rules are threatening the future of US university programmes in Spain, leaving thousands of students unsure if their visa applications will be accepted for 2026.
The Association of North American University Programmes in Spain has slammed the ‘bureaucratic chaos’ caused by vague and unworkable visa requirements, claiming Spanish consulates across the US are overwhelmed.
Losing
“Spain risks losing foreign students at an astonishing rate,” a group spokesman said. He called for an urgent moratorium on the new rules while academic stakeholders review them - but has yet to receive a response.
Each year, around 20,000 US students study in Spain, injecting over €600 million into the economy.
NEW safety rules are in place for Marbella’s San Juan celebrations on June 23.
Controlled bonfires will be permitted at key beaches including San Pedro Alcantara, Nueva Andalucia, El Pinillo, and popular spots like Los Tamarindos square and around the Siroco beach bar.
Beach bars can also hold bonfires but must extinguish and clear them by 4am on June 24.
Only wood is allowed as fuel - burn-
SAFE FUN
ing plastics, glass, or other harmful materials is strictly banned.
Small live music and performances are permitted from 8pm to 1am, confined to the venue’s perimeter.
San Juan, celebrated on the shortest night of the year, is famous for its beach bonfires where partici-
pants jump through the
Drinks, food, and lively
will combine tradition with safety this year.
FIRE ALERT
ANDALUCIA’S firefighters are sounding the alarm over what could be the worst forest fire season in decades - and they say they’re shockingly underprepared.
The Infoca Movement union and key firefighter groups
By Samantha Mythen
warn the fire season, which kicked off on June 1, faces a ‘high risk’ start thanks to an ‘especially rainy’ spring that’s left fuel-packed for-
ests, combined with scorching May temperatures not seen in over 50 years.
Raul Mena, general secretary of the Andalusian Emergency Agency workers, said the crews feel ‘helpless’ due to bungled coordination and operational gaps.
Firefighting duties were shuffled between two government departments - the Environment and Water Agency and the Emergency Management Agency - causing major delays.
An Infoca Movement spokesperson blasted: “In most checkpoints, where seven firefighters should be, there are only three or four. There’s been zero planning despite months to prepare. Our safety is the first thing at risk.”
Despite extra funding, new vehicles don’t meet safety standards, claims the union,
Firefighters warn of 'one of the most dangerous seasons in decades'
or handle forest terrain, leaving them useless in actual fires. Some firefighters still lack essential gear like goggles, helmets, and gloves.
The unions warned Andalucia now has ‘the lowest number of active forest firefighters in decades’, raising serious fears about the region’s ability to fight flames this summer.
Blazes
The warning comes after a string of devastating blazes in recent years on the Costa del Sol. In 2022 alone, huge fires ravaged large swathes of woodland around Marbella and Mijas, forcing thousands to evacuate and destroying homes and wildlife habitats. With dry weather predicted to continue, firefighters fear this summer could be even worse.
Rival Scots
between the rival Daniel and Lyons crime families, allegedly triggered by a £500,000 cocaine deal gone wrong.
Only days earlier, a businessman was shot in Marbella in a suspected cartel dispute. In April, gunmen sprayed a café with bullets in Estepona, just minutes from a kids’ play area. Holidaymakers are now questioning if the once-glitzy Costa del Sol is still safe. “It’s like bloody Colombia,” one Brit tourist told us. “There’s sun, sea - and now bullets flying.”
Spanish cops say the investigation is ongoing. No arrests have yet been made.
Blackout claim
BRIT RAPE CLAIM
TWO young men have been arrested by the Policia Nacional after allegedly raping a 19-year-old British woman in a Marbella villa.
Emergency services responded to a call from one of the victim’s friends, who found her unconscious and naked in the bathroom of the house.
The victim had gone out to a nightclub with her friends, all from the United Kingdom, when they met a group of men, also British, who offered to continue the party in the villa where they were staying.
The young women agreed and went to the place where the victim was allegedly sexually assaulted by two individuals when she was impaired due to alcohol consumption. She was brought to the hospital, where she received care and issued a description of the suspects.
Slipping down
SPAIN has slipped to fifth place on Europe’s LGBTQI+ rights list, down from fourth last year – and it’s Malta that’s holding tight to the top spot.
The 2025 Rainbow Map, released by ILGA-Europe, ranks 49 countries on equality, hate crime laws, and gender rights. Malta, despite strict abortion laws, leads for the 10th year, thanks to solid legal protections for LGBTQI+ people.
Spain’s drop comes after PP and Voxbacked rollbacks in Valencia, limiting trans rights and banning gender discussions in schools.
Still, Spain remains one of just nine nations with full LGBTQI+ anti-discrimination coverage.
Behind Malta: Belgium, Iceland, and Denmark. The UK tumbled six places, while Hungary faces global backlash for trying to ban Pride altogether.
Tragic loss spurs hope
WHEN Hayley Wilkins went into labour in January, she never imagined she wouldn’t get to hold her newborn alive.
Rushed to Hospiten in Estepona for an emergency C-section, Hayley’s lung collapsed, and she was placed in an induced coma. Her baby, Sienna Elizabeth Rose O’Shea, was born stillborn at 40 weeks.
While Hayley was unconscious, a funeral director took Sienna away. In the UK, where Hayley is from, most hospitals have ‘cuddle cots’ - special refrigerated bassinets that let grieving parents spend precious time with their stillborn babies. But cuddle cots aren’t common in Spanish hospitals like Estepona’s.
Waking from her coma, Hayley faced the double heartbreak of losing Sienna and never having the chance to hold
EXCLUSIVE
By Samantha Mythen
her. “It was one of the most traumatic days of my life,” she says. “Being able to hold her would have made such a difference.”
Determined to help other parents, Hayley has raised enough to donate three cuddle cots to hospitals in Estepona, Marbella, and Madrid - each costing around €2,500.
“These hospitals can now offer comfort and care in the worst moments,” Hayley says. She’s already in touch with 11 more hospitals requesting cots. She’s joined forces with Natalie Claytor, who lost her son Oliver in 2020. Natalie says, “It’s still taboo. No parent should feel rushed in their final moments with their child.” Hayley also prepares comfort boxes
THE recent massive blackout across the Iberian Peninsula came just a week after Spain launched what some insiders call a risky ‘green energy experiment’, a report claims. According to the conservative ABC and The Daily Telegraph, Spain’s socialist government ordered the national grid operator, Red Eléctrica, to sharply boost renewable energy use as part of its plan to phase out nuclear power by 2027. At the blackout on April 28, renewables reportedly made up 72.66% of the energy supply - up from 56% last year - with a government target of 81% by 2030.
Crippled
The power cut crippled hospitals, transport, and communication networks for hours. Government officials strongly deny any “experiment” was ordered, calling such claims “false” and “irresponsible” while the investigation continues.
The outage sparked political fire, with critics arguing Spain’s green push compromised grid stability. U.S. Senator Steve Daines warned it showed renewables can’t replace reliable fossil fuels.
Meanwhile, energy firms Iberdrola and Endesa are demanding clear answers from Spain’s grid operator on the blackout’s cause.
HELPING HAND: Hayley is hoping to change dialogue surrounding still-born babies in Spain
From front
flames.
gatherings
ESTEPONA FIRE: Woodland was devastated when a blaze swept up into the Sierra Bermeja in 2021
with sleep gowns made from recycled wedding dresses and baby footprint ink pads.
“It’s a legacy for Sienna - so she didn’t die in vain.”
SETTLING INTO SPAIN
It
is
the little things that matter most when fulfilling a rewarding life
OWNING a home in Spain is a dream for many - a slower pace, warmer weather, and the kind of lifestyle that seems to invite you to take a breath. But for those dividing life between countries, adjusting to a different way of doing things can bring unexpected challenges.
One of the first hurdles? Understanding your energy bill. It sounds simple enough, but many new residents quickly find themselves puzzled by unfamiliar charges, unclear contracts, and customer service that can feel more like an obstacle course - especially when it is all in rapid Spanish. These are not major disasters, but they are the sort of everyday frustrations that can leave you feeling out of place. And that is exactly where Energy Nordic wants to make a difference.
Based on the Costa del Sol, the company was created with international residents in mind - people who want to feel at home, even when the paperwork says otherwise. With a multilingual team fluent in English, Spanish, German, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian, Energy Nordic offers something refreshingly simple: clear answers, in your own language, with no pressure and no confusion. It is about more than just electricity. It is about the comfort of being understood. As the team at Energy Nordic puts it, many of them have been through the same experiencenavigating a new country, a new system, and the quiet hope that someone will just make things easier.
If you are reading this in the Olive Press, there is a small welcome waiting for you when you join Energy Nordic - just a token of appreciation and a reminder that you are not alone.
Because sometimes, it is not the big things that make life abroad feel like home. It is the small ones - like a familiar voice or a clear answer - that make the biggest difference.
For more information visit energynordic.com, call 900 696 820 or email info@ energynordic.com
A NEW YouGov poll reveals that 87% of Spaniards want more fishing rights allocated to smallscale fishers, amid rising public anger over industrial trawlers destroying marine habitats and coastal jobs. Currently, large trawlers receive
Trawler travesty
the vast majority of Spain’s fishing quotas, while small-scale crews - who make up over half the fleet - are left with just 3%. Many industrial vessels use destructive methods like bottom trawling,
which tear up seabeds and kill non-target species, including juvenile fish. More than 76% of those surveyed oppose such practices. As Spain launches a public consultation on how quotas are assigned, conservation group Oceana and others are calling for a complete overhaul.
DRYING UP
Spain on course to run out of water by 2050, experts warn
SPAIN is on the brink of a catastrophic water crisiswith experts warning it could be as parched as the Middle East by 2050.
A report from the World Resources Institute has lumped Spain in with desert nations like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran - all facing ‘extremely high’ water stress. That
By Walter Finch
means over 80% of their water will be used up every year. Spain currently sits at 43% – already in the danger zone. And while recent rains have bumped reservoir levels to around 66%, experts say it’s
WIPES WAR
SPAIN is set to ban flushing wet wipes as part of a new crackdown on sewer-clogging ‘fatbergs’ – and manufacturers will have to pay for the clean-up.
The move, aimed at slashing single-use plastics, comes as fatbergs – giant globs of grease and wipes – cost the country €230 million a year to tackle.
The law will also outlaw releasing party balloons into the wild in a bid to tackle plastic pollution of the environment. Producers will now have to foot the bill for both sewer clean-ups and public awareness campaigns.
too little, too late. Meteorologist Mario Picazo has issued a stark warning: “Spain is increasingly vulnerable to water scarcity.” Hot, dry summers are getting worse thanks to climate change, with Andalucia, Murcia, and the Valencia region being hit hardest.
Culprit
Spain, one of Europe’s hottest spots for global warming, is looking at less rainfall and soaring temperatures – a double whammy for an already thirsty country.
The biggest culprit? Agricul-
ture, which gulps up 80% of Spain’s water. And much of it is wasted due to poor irrigation. Meanwhile, northern regions like Galicia enjoy wet conditions, while the south is bone-dry – fuelling fierce political rows over controversial water transfers like the Tagus-Segura project. Add booming tourism, sprawling cities, and construction madness – and Spain’s water woes are spiralling out of control. Experts say it's time to act. Without serious reform, Spain could be running on empty within decades.
LA CULTURA
DIGGERS have unearthed the most complete stegosaur skull ever discovered in Europe.
The 150-million-year-old skull, dug up in Riodeva, belongs to Dacentrurus armatus, a lesser-known species of stegosaur. And according to scientists from Fundación Dinópolis, this prehistoric find is making major waves in the world of palaeontology.
“The preservation is insane – skulls like this just don’t survive,” said lead re-
Cold case
By Dilip Kuner
IT’S the ultimate cold case: forensic tech has just uncovered a 43,000-year-old Neanderthal fingerprint in a Spanish cave.
In a find that’s blowing the dusty socks off archaeologists, a single fingerprint pressed into red ochre on a pebble in the San Lázaro rock shelter near Segovia
Neanderthal left 43,000-year-old fingerprint in Spanish cave
has been revealed using cutting-edge police tech. That’s right - the extinct early humans are now part of their very own true-crime-style investigation.
Using multispectral imaging usually reserved for modern crime scenes, Spanish forensic experts spotted the fingerprint lurking inside a tiny red dot on an 8-inch granite pebble. The print was invisible to the naked eye but has now exposed 13 iden -
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
LOOKING FOR MORE CULTURE STORIES?
Scan
searcher Sergio Sanchez Fenollosa. “It’s letting us peek into the dino’s face like never before.”
But that’s not all – the team has used the find to launch a bold new theory on stegosaur evolution, even creating a whole new dino clan called Neostegosauria. These medium-to-mega herbivores once stomped across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas during the Jurassic party era.
tifying features, including ridge endings and bifurcations - textbook forensic gold.
Analysis of the ridges - 0.48 millimetres apart - suggests it belonged to an adult male Neanderthal.
Effort
This wasn't any old rock. It was carefully hauled in from the nearby Eresma River, meaning our Neanderthal went to some effort to collect the stone.
The pebble has three natural dents that form what scientists say looks like a face. The ochre fingerprint?
Smack bang in the middlelike a nose.
Some researchers now believe this could be early pareidolia - the brain’s tendency to see faces in things like clouds, tree bark… or in this case, rocks. If true, this pebble might just be the world’s first emoji. Unlike other pebbles found at the site - which were all clearly used as tools - this one had no wear and tear. And there were no other ochre traces anywhere nearby. So it wasn’t just part of the day’s chores. This was a one-off act of expression - deliberate, symbolic, and deeply human.
Whale find
CLEVER cave dwellers in ancient Spain were fashioning tools out of whale bones 20,000 years ago, experts have revealed. Scientists analysed more than 80 tools from the Bay of Biscay and 90 bones from Santa Catalina Cave, using high-tech dating and chemical tests.
The bones came from at least five massive whale species, including sperm, fin and blue whales still seen in the area today. Some even came from grey whales, now only found in the Pacific.
“The bones date back to around 19,000–20,000 years ago,” said study lead Jean-Marc Petillon.
Co-author Krista McGrath said the findings shed light on the activities of early humans and ancient whale diets.
Dangerous minds, dangerous laws
SPAIN’S proposed new housing law, unveiled by PSOE on May 22, 2025, is a political stunt dressed up as reform
– and a dangerous one at that.
Market-wrecking, tourist-scaring, and outright baffling in parts, the law seems designed to crash and burn – but not before doing serious damage.
Let’s start with the basics. Yes, Spain has a housing crisis. Young
The Property Insider
people can’t move out, rents are soaring, and not enough affordable homes are being built. The crisis has mobilised hundreds of thousands across the country.
So what does the government do?
Proposes a half-baked Franken-
stein of a law that is as incoherent as it is provocative.
There are a few proposals that, on paper, make sense: tax breaks for landlords offering below-market rents (up to 100%), a VAT increase on tourist rentals to match hotel
Pedro Sanchez’s proposed housing law is a timebomb – and he knows it rules, and taxes on empty homes. But it quickly veers into absurdity. The worst part? A 100% property tax hike on nonEU buyers. Yes, really. That means Americans and Brits – who make up the lion’s share of foreign buyers – would effectively pay double the price of an EU citizen for the exact same home. A €1 million villa would suddenly cost €2 mil-
lion. It’s not a ban – but it might as well be.
Even stranger, the law exempts new-builds from this “supertax,” making it a gift to developers while hammering the resale market. And commercial real estate? Also untouched. Why? No explanation.
According to Idealista, 81.4% of foreign purchases are second-hand homes. So this law targets the bulk of foreign buyers – and by extension, the tens of thousands of Spanish jobs they indirectly support: builders, cleaners, estate agents, waiters, plumbers, taxi drivers. The ripple effect would devastate the Costa property economy.
But here’s the kicker – this law probably won’t pass. It faces opposition from both right and left, and would likely be struck down in the Senate or killed in court for violating EU rules. So why propose it?
Simple: political theatre. Sanchez needs a scapegoat for the housing crisis, and he’s chosen ‘wealthy’ non-EU buyers. EU citizens are protected, so he targets Americans
by Adam Neale
and Brits instead. It’s populist, it’s performative, and it’s perilous.
Sanchez could be using the outrageous tax proposal as a bargaining chip – a decoy to distract from more palatable measures like Airbnb VAT hikes, rent controls or SOCIMI tax changes. He wins even if it fails. It’s strategy – not substance. But it’s a dangerous game. Even if this absurd law never sees the light of day, it sends a chilling message: Spain is unpredictable, even hostile, to investment. That alone could scare buyers away and freeze the market. It’s one thing to lose a vote. It’s another to torch investor confidence for the sake of a headline. If the government really wanted to fix housing, it would build more homes – not pick fights with those buying the ones that already exist.
PRINT: Found of Neanderthal
City of dreams
British-born writer Michael Coy
has made this Andalucian mountaintop city his home for decades. In this special dispatch, he shares a local’s perspective on a place where Celtic roots, Roman ambition, and Moorish elegance meet in timeless con -
HE city of dreams, as the poet Rilke once called Ronda, has been around for at least two thousand
The Celtic tribe known as the Bastuli called it Arunda. We know with some certainty that there were Atlantic trade routes linking Ireland with the south of Spain, suggesting that even in ancient times, this area was far from isolated. Under the Romans, the city’s importance grew. They established a twin-settlement: Arunda, protected by its rugged, naturally defensive position, and Acinipo - ‘Old Ronda’—a separate Roman town just a few miles
Roman
Today, the tranquil ruins of Acinipo offer a glimpse into Roman urban life,
with its remarkably well-preserved theatre overlooking sweeping countryside. From archaeological finds and Roman writings, it’s clear that this was one of the key set -
By Michael Coy
tlements in Baetica , Roman Southern Spain. The Visigoths came next - often referred to as the Western Goths. They did little beyond tending the land. Their wooden structures rotted away long ago, and history tells us very little about their presence here.
In 711 AD, when Muslim forces crossed from North Africa into the Iberian Peninsula, Ronda became an Arab city and regained its strategic and cultural importance.
During the emirates of Al-Mundhir and Abdallah ben Mohammed (886–912), the rebellion of the Muladies - former Christians who had converted to Islam - gained prominence. The leader of the revolt, Omar Ben Hafsun, came from a wealthy Visigothic family and became a pivotal figure in the history of the Serrania de Ronda. Even today, locals still remark on how difficult Ronda is to reach, perched high on its rocky outcrop. One can only imagine what a fortress it must have been in the age of the horse.
A guide to the romantic city of Ronda, that has been on the map for 2,000 years
you’ll hear Arabic embedded in the local Spanish: phrases like “ ¡Ojalá! ” (‘Let’s hope!’) come directly from Inshallah , while “ ¡Olé! ”, heard in bullrings and flamenco halls, is also thought to have Islamic roots.
The Moorish presence remains visible in Ronda’s architecture, particularly in the Old Town - La Ciudad - perhaps the best-preserved in all of Andalucia. The layout of the streets, narrow and winding, hasn’t changed in a thou -
COLOUR AND SPECTACLE: Ronda is home to bullfighting
NATURE: The rugged terrain around Ronda has its own special beauty, while (left) the Arab Baths (above left) the main gateway to the ancient city and (above right) Roman ruins
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
LA CULTURA
and several Moorish houses remain intact. After a long and bitter struggle, the Catholic Monarchs conquered Ronda in 1485. The city, having resisted fiercely, was divided among Castilian noble families. Still, many of the skilled Arab craftsmen - carpenters, stonemasons, and builders - were retained by the new rulers. This uneasy coexistence didn’t last. Over time, tensions grew, particularly after the 1499 decree en -
“
1571, the remaining Moors were formally expelled. Yet, for years after, some held out in the high mountains, protected by the terrain that had always made Ronda a stronghold.
After a long and bitter struggle, the Catholic Monarchs conquered Ronda in 1485
The 18th century brought renewed prosperity. In the 1700s, the now-iconic Puente Nuevo - or New Bridge - was constructed, spanning the deep gorge that divides the city and joining the old Moorish quarter with the newer Christian town. It’s a dramatic feat of engineering that still inspires awe today.
Ronda’s next great test came during the French invasion of the early 1800s. An active guerrilla resistance emerged in the hills, and as the French retreated, they destroyed part of the city’s castle and other defensive structures.
“
Even now, Ronda and its surrounding villages, especially Algodonales and Montejaque, proudly commemorate the defeat of Napoleon’s troops. Each summer, locals dress in period costume to re-enact the French retreat.
These festivities, of course, turn into days-long celebrations, complete with wine, music and Andalucian dancing!
CLIFF’S EDGE: The city sits next to the Tajo gorge, which is spanned by the Puente Nuevo (above)
BUSINESS
AS SIMPLE AS A CUP OF COFFEE
YOU may have run across an unfamiliar term in Spanish taxes called usufructo Although usufructo is not as complicated as splitting the atom, it may seem that way to us expats in Spain. And it does involve splitting: in this case an asset. The word comes from Latin - usus fructus - and means ‘the use and/or enjoyment of a fruit’.
In Spain, usufructo is important in the following taxes:
● Income Tax (Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas)
● Wealth Tax (Impuesto sobre Patrimonio)
● Inheritance Tax (Impuesto sobre Sucesiones y Donaciones)
In the United States, we only encounter usufructo in taxes collected in Louisiana. That’s because Louisiana’s tax laws are based on Spanish and French heritage.
In the UK, unless we create a trust (eg, life interest trust or interest in possession trust) to mimic the characteristics of usufructo, there is no direct equivalent.
So, for us expats to understand the concept, let’s relate it to a visit to a coffeehouse. When you walk into your local Starbucks or Costa
Coffee, there’s a sign that indicates the price of each type of coffee.
Think of these prices like the value of a housedetermined either by its appraised value, the purchase price, or its value declared on Spanish taxes - that’s equivalent to full ownership. But you could also have partial ownership of the house. It’s as if we could split our Starbucks or Costa Coffee serving into components: the cup and the coffee, the cup itself, and the coffee.
Here is the term for each component in Spanish:
● Pleno dominio = the cup and the coffee
● Usufructo = only the coffee
● Nuda propiedad = only the cup
And imagine that the price of the coffee was based on whether it was just a seasonal offering or whether the coffeehouse always serves that type of coffee. If it were a seasonal offering (usufructo, temporary), the formula for valuing
the coffee is 2% multiplied by how many years it’s offered in Starbucks or Costa Coffee - with a minimum of 2% and a maximum of 70%.
If it were offered permanently (usufructo, lifetime), the coffee would be more highly valued by younger coffee drinkers because they would have more years to enjoy drinking the coffee.
In this case, the formula for valuing the coffee is 1% multiplied by the difference between 89 and the age of the coffeehouse customer - with a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 70%.
If someone wanted to know the value of just the cup itself - that is, the bare ownership of the asset - simply subtract the value of the coffee (the usufructo) from the price listed on the sign: the coffee and the cup (full ownership).
Now, let’s apply what we know to a will in Spain.
The widow might inherit lifetime use of the house
(the usufructo), whereas the children may be bequeathed the house itself.
The widow’s taxes would be based on the value of a lifetime usufructo, and the children would be taxed on the value of the nuda propiedad. Years later, once the widow passes away, the children’s ownership interest would become pleno dominio.
That’s a good place to end our analogy. There’s no need to add cream or sugar to the explanation.
BUSINESS
LOOKING FOR THE LATEST MONEY RELATED STORIES?
Scan to visit our website
June 4th - June 17th 2025
Moneybags Yamal
His base salary alone is estimated at €30 million- 10 times his previous pay.
IN THE MONEY Boss quits
BANK customers in Spain are paying more in account maintenance fees, with a 6% average increase over the past two years.
According to consumer group Asufin, main banks now charge an average of €160 annually€12 more than in 2023.
Free
Banco Santander, CaixaBank, Banco Sabadell, Deutsche Bank, and Cajamar charge up to €240. Notably, Cajamar doubled its fee from €120 to €240. Meanwhile, Bankinter continues to offer a fee-free current account.
Asufin reports that debit card maintenance fees dropped from €25.91 to €21.91, while inter-bank transfers and online payments fell from €2.13 to €1.16.
The group notes digitalisation has lowered transfer costs, but banks compensate by increasing account maintenance charges.
BARCELONA has secured 17-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal with a groundbreaking seven-year contract, one of the richest ever for a teenager in football. Though the deal begins when he turns 18, it reportedly includes net annual earnings up to €40 million if all bonuses are triggered.
This rapid rise follows a spectacular season that’s positioned Yamal as a future Ballon d’Or contender.
Once among Barça’s lowest earners, he now ranks among their top-paid players, signaling the club’s intent to build their future around the prodigious winger.
Supermarket wars
BRITISH TikTok influencer
Jamie Dear thought he was simply indulging his sweet tooth on a sunny Valencia trip - but his snack haul revealed much more: the fierce competition behind Spain’s grocery market.
At Mercadona, Spain’s retail giant with a 26.6% market share, Jamie gleefully showcased a €23 sugary spree, including cheesecake, white chocolate donuts, and carrot cake, sparking over 130,000 views and hundreds of comments. “The prices are incredible!” he exclaimed. Yet behind the treats lies a tough battle
SAILING IN
Sweet tooth trip in Valencia exposes the fierce fight behind Spain’s cheap eats
By Dilip Kuner
among Spain’s supermarkets. Though Mercadona leads in profits and market share, it doesn’t hold the most stores - that distinction belongs to Dia, with 2,288 locations. Lidl is steadily climbing, leveraging discounts and loyalty
THE MS Arvia, one of the largest British-owned cruise ships, arrived in Cadiz last week. Operated by P&O Cruises, the 344m-long vessel accommodates nearly 5,500 passengers. Its visit is part of an Atlantic-Mediterranean itinerary, boosting local commerce, hospitality, and services. Passengers explored Cadiz’s his-
schemes. Unlike the UK’s grocery landscape dominated by Tesco
SWEET DREAMS: Jamie’s haul highlights supermarket war
and Sainsbury’s, Spain’s market is fragmented. The top five chains collectively hold just 50%, with regional and
toric centre, sampled local cuisine, and visited key landmarks.
Docked at the centrally located Alfonso XIII Pier, the ship benefited from easy access to the city. The Arvia’s stopover is one of many expected this season, with forecasts predicting record cruise visits, positioning Cadiz as a key destination in Atlantic and western Mediterranean routes.
independent shops still vital for fresh, traditional goods.
Mercadona’s secret weapon? Private-label products, accounting for 44% of Spanish gro-
cery sales, which Jamie unknowingly embraced in his haul. Despite inflation and energy challenges, the company posted record profits under billionaire Juan Roig.
Jamie’s sugary shopping spree is more than a viral moment - it highlights the dynamic, evolving food retail scene in Spain, where every supermarket battle is a fight for shelf space and consumer loyalty.
Back in Britain, Jamie is likely dreaming of those sweet Spanish treats and wondering when Lidl UK will catch up.
A SCANDAL has erupted at the Bank of Spain after Angel Gavilan, Director of Economy, resigned just 24 hours after presenting its annual macroeconomic report.
Gavilan reportedly quit in protest over alleged political interference by new governor Jose Luis Escriva, a former Socialist minister appointed by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. Sources claim Escriva and his aide Eva Valle edited the report to downplay Spain’s fiscal vulnerabilities, particularly regarding pensions and debt.
In a tense meeting, Gavilan accused Escriva of ‘cooking the books’ and removing standard critical assessments.
The report lacked original analysis, policy recommendations, and detailed chapters on housing and finance. The controversy raises concerns about the Bank’s independence under Escriva’s leadership.
THE EU has warned Spain against blocking BBVA’s €11 billion hostile takeover of Banco Sabadell. Spain’s economy minister Carlos Cuerpo said the cabinet will fully review the deal, citing concerns over job protection, financial inclusion, and Sabadell’s regional importance. Though approved by the ECB and Spanish competition authority, the merger faces opposition from the government, Sabadell’s board, and Catalan businesses.
PROFESSIONAL LINGUISTIC SERVICES
SWORN TRANSLATION
We provide official translations with legal validity, carried out by sworn translators
TRANSLATION
We can translate any kind of document: touristic, websites, medical etc
INTERPRETING SERVICE
Liaison, consecutive, simultaneous and whisper interpreting
SEO FRIENDLY COPYWRITING
For blogs and websites
GET IN TOUCH FOR A FREE QUOTE
CONTACT:
hola@lafabricadetraducciones.es
+34 680 186 708 www.lafabricadetraducciones.es
More than 30 language combinations
BEWARE THE WEEVER FISH
PEOPLE should be warned about the weever fish that you can so easily step on while paddling in the sea. I was stung/bitten by something at the Les Deveses beach near El Verger. There is a long breakwater and I
trod on something while coming out of the sea, near the rocks.
The sting was immediate, really vicious, worse than that of a jellyfish, from memory.
At least you can see the jellyfish in the clear water along that coast....
One reader gives a timely warning as the temperatures start soaring and the beaches get crowded
but you don't really look down at the sand coming out of the sea! I saw nothing, but it really hurt. There was a small wound on my foot which bled. I kept squeezing, in case there was glass, or perhaps a bit of seashell in there, but they
would not sting like this did.
JOKER IN THE PACK
CHARLIE Mullins is an absolute joke.
After years of writing semi-literate garbage about ‘foreigners’ and Brexit et al in the UK press, he moves to Spain. No irony, no self-awareness. And that’s just one piece of gobshittery. There are many, many more! The funniest part is that he thinks he’s a ‘celeb’!
A complete ****.
David, via OP website
Ignore the haters
City of dreams
I LOVED your article about Ronda. ( Olive Press online, Ronda: The Andalucian city that stole Hemingway’s heart — and might just steal yours) It brought tears to my eyes as I remembered seven weeks in that beautiful place when I first retired in winter of 2017.
My plans to return were interrupted by family deaths in the next two years, then the Covid years, and more private upsets. Now I say for sure I will make the move to this wonderful city this autumn, or I may never get there. Until then, Ronda lives in my heart. Thanks for the article.
device maintenance and performance optimization,
AnyTech365 adapt its
Rebecca Smith, Via OP website
Editor's note: Thanks for your kind message. For more on Ronda see Michael Coy’s article on page 12
Our new columnist Charlie Mullins has drawn a response from our readers… and it is a mixed bag…
I always carry vinegar in a spray bottle in my beach bag, as it is good for treating jellyfish stings, and also an antihistamine. The pain was intense for about an hour and then gradually subsided.
I got myself some swim shoes today... best to be safe!
Lorraine Bellami, El Verger, Costa Blanca
Some of AnyTech365 Products and Features
AnyTech365 IntelliGuard
SCAN SCAMMERS
Editor’s note: Swim shoes are always a good idea, but if you are unfortunate enough to get sting by the poisonous weever or jellyfish, be aware that beach lifeguards are also first aiders and can help.
AnyTech365 AI powered unique software can pinpoint the root cause of a problem providing real-time protection and immediate response to suspicious activity. This proactive approach significantly reduces the risk of cyberattacks.
QR Codes: Shortcut to
convenience or a trap in disguise?
AnyTech365 Security World class, cross-platform security platform with advanced scanning techniques to identify potential threats from files, programs and neutralization of viruses, malware, and phishing attempts.
BEING a successful entrepreneur myself, I know all about the hate, envy and jealousy that people like Charlie can get. One comment on his article online, which appears to be from someone with spelling difficulties, is typical. Personally I rarely put myself out there . Charlie, If you think Spanish build quality is poor. You would have been appalled when I first came out in 97. Enjoy your success. You worked hard for it. 18 hour daysall weekends. Most of today’s snowflakes would collapse at the thought of it!
Brian, via OP website
FUNNY MAN
THANKS Charlie - I love your sense of humour. Lets hope you can keep it here in Spain!
Frank Cheadle, via OP website
Stay at home
AS a Brexit supporter I am surprised that Mullins is making such a song and dance about moving to Spain. He should take his own advice, which he freely gives to immigrants to the UK, and stay in his own country.
Jane W, via email Editor’s note: Charlie Mullins was a very vocal remainer and is still anti-Brexit - see his column on page 3 in this issue of the Olive Press.
R codes are everywhere - on restaurant tables, receipts, posters, even gravestones (yes, really). Just point your phone, scan, and voilà! No more typing out long, clunky URLs. But while most QR codes are harmless, some can lead you straight into a cybercriminal’s trap. Think of them like mystery doors. Most open to exactly what you expect, but some? Well… let’s just say you might regret scanning that ‘free giveaway’ code stuck to a lamppost. Cybercriminals love QR codes because they exploit one simple fact: you have no idea where they lead until it’s too late. Unlike sketchy email links that at least look suspicious, a QR code feels neutral… until it redirects you to a phishing page asking for your login credentials or, worse, installs malware on your device. Imagine sitting in a café, scanning a QR code for the menu. What if a scammer slapped a fake sticker over the real one? Instead of seeing today’s specials, you just landed on a bogus payment page designed to steal your credit card details. And since it looks legitimate, you enter your
AnyTech365 TotalCare
A comprehensive security suite, combining all AnyTech365 premium products together with quick issue resolution by certified technicians without onsite visits anytime, day or night, with AnyTech365’s around-the-clock support services, all offered in more than 15 native languages.
info without a second thought. Oops. Before scanning a QR code, take a few seconds to think: Does it look tampered with? If there’s a sticker over it or it seems out of place, maybe don’t scan it. Where is it taking you? Many phones show a preview link—check it before tapping. Why does it need personal info? If a QR code suddenly asks for login details or payment info, that’s a red flag. Keep your devices protected. Cybercriminals don’t just rely on bad
links - weak security makes their job easier.
Fastest growing technology company in Spain and the 27th fastest
QR codes aren’t the enemy - it’s where they lead that can be the problem. With a little caution (and maybe a hint of paranoia), you can avoid the dangerous ones while still enjoying their convenience. And remember: the only thing worse than a malicious QR code? One that leads to a broken link after you’ve already gone
through the effort of scanning it. Now that’s truly unforgivable. If you want to stay ahead of cyber threats, AnyTech365 offers expert help to keep your devices secure—so you can scan with confidence. And the best part? Take advantage of the exclusive offer just for Olive Press readers, so you can enjoy a worry-free online experience today!
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
BAGPIPE ACTION: in the middle of Andalucia
CHAOS LOOMS
HOTEL bosses are warning of holiday chaos as new EU rules kick in this October.
The Costa del Sol’s hotel bosses fear fresh digital checks will cause major delays for millions of tourists, especially Brits who make up 27% of visitors.
Malaga airport alone sees up to 6,000 Brits an hour in peak season. Over on the Costa Blanca, 2.8 million British tourists arrived in 2024, making up 24% of visitors.
Scans
The EU’s new Entry Exit System (EES) demands biometric scans, while the ETIAS travel authorisation will cost around €7 and must be obtained before travel.
Hotel chiefs say poor planning risks huge queues and ruined holidays.
Aehcos president Jose Luque warned: “Without action, these new rules could cause chaos and damage Spain’s reputation.”
THE sleepy Andalucian town of Teba will turn Scottish from August 22 to 25 – and it’s all to honour a wild slice of history dating back to 1330.
This year’s ‘Douglas Days’ festival will once again see kilts, bagpipes, and whisky flooding the streets, as locals and Scots unite to celebrate a legendary clash on Spanish soil.
Move over Sevilla
Spain's new fourth-largest city is an unsung gem
AN Aragon city built on the foundations of Romans, with more than 2,000 years of history, is now Spain’s fourth-largest city.
Home to nearly 700,000 people, Zaragoza has quietly muscled past Sevilla in the population rankings, according to the latest stats from Spain’s National Institute of Statistics.
With 2,000 years of history under its belt, Zaragoza is a heavyweight in heritage.
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
LOOKING FOR MORE TRAVEL STORIES?
Scan to visit our website Contact us
June 4th - June 17th
Tartan takeover
Back in the day, Sir James ‘Black’ Douglas - a fierce Scottish warrior carrying the heart of Robert the Bruce in a silver casket on a mission to bury it in the Holy Land –stopped off in Teba during the Reconquest. Legend says Douglas hurled the casket
into battle to rally Christian troops against the Moors, but he didn’t make it out alive. The heart was returned to Scotland.
Fast forward nearly 700 years and the spirit of Black Douglas lives on every August with medieval markets, kids’ events, and dramatic reenactments – making Teba the quirkiest Scottish hotspot south of the border.
By Samantha Mythen
From Roman ruins to Islamic opulence, and Renaissance flair to Francisco de Goya masterpieces, the city is a cultural colossus. Towering over the skyline is the breathtaking Basilica del Pilar, while nearby, El Salvador Cathedral dazzles with its UNESCO-listed Mudejar artistry and a treasure trove of Flemish tapestries dating
back to the 11th century.
And if that’s not regal enough for you, step inside the Aljaferia Palace - an 11th-century fortress built for Muslim kings that oozes intrigue. Perfectly placed between Madrid and Barcelona, this once-overlooked marvel is just a high-speed train ride away - or fly straight in via its international airport. With its surging population and centuries of splendour, Zaragoza isn’t just growing -
GETTING BIGGER: Zaragoza has overtaken
it’s glowing. Madrid (3.4 million), Barcelona (1.6m), and Valencia (820k) still lead the pack.
Grow
Not far behind are cities like Malaga and Murcia - both continuing to grow - while Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Alicante, and Bilbao round out the top 10. Malaga, in particular, is closing in with 592,346 residents.
‘NO FREE BAR
THE Canary Islands’ top man, Fernando Clavijo, has said that tourists should not be allowed to flood in unrestrictedly - insisting: “We are not a free bar.”
The regional president reacted after news of an 8% drop in British holiday bookings this year, despite Brits making up over 40% of visitors and tourist cash in 2024.
Wild
Clavijo vowed to protect locals and the environment, saying the islands won’t let tourism run wild. His tough stance comes after 100,000 locals hit the streets earlier this month, protesting mass tourism’s impact on housing and nature.
Sevilla
THE BEES
By Dilip Kuner
PRING brings with it a sensory overload: blooming jacaranda, clinking glasses of cava, and - if you listen closely - a soft buzz in the air. The buzz belongs to one of nature’s most essential (and underrated) workers: bees. With World Bee Dayl ast week, it’s the perfect excuse to shine a spotlight on these tiny powerhouses and the role they play in Spanish culture, cuisine, and countryside. Let’s start with the sweet stuff. Spain isn’t just a fan of honey - it’s one of the largest honey producers in Europe. With more than 2.4 million hives and some 30,000 beekeepers, this country takes its golden nectar seriously.
Flavour
Each region has its own flavour. In the south, you’ll find fragrant orange blossom honey, while in the north, deep and smoky chestnut honey predominates. Over in Catalunya, light and floral acacia honey has its own unique
Locals don’t just drizzle it on toast - they pair it with cheeses, mix it into stews, or spoon it into yogurt for breakfast. Traditional desserts like torrijas and rosquillas often feature honey as a But this sweet tradition is facing a bitter
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
BEES KNEES
As World Bee Day passes, Dilip Kuner takes a look at these tiny - but essentialinsect superheroes
A third of the food we eat depends on pollinators like bees. No bees? No almonds, tomatoes, olives, or wine grapes - not to mention honey itself.
In 2015, the International Union for Conservation of Nature warned that around 1 in 10 wild bee species in Europe are at risk of extinction, and over a third are in decline.
About 80% of the honey consumed here is imported from China
In southern Europe, including Spain, the situation is especially serious. There’s no single villain here. Climate change. Habitat loss. Monoculture farming. Pesticides. Parasites like the varroa mite - all are playing their part in the crisis. And then there’s Colony Collapse Disorder - where bees just disappear without warning. It's been happening for centu ries, but in recent years, it appears to have become dramatically worse. Surprisingly, even though Spain makes fan tastic hon ey, about 80% of the honey con sumed here is imported, mostly from China. And much of that is fake - cheap syrup made from rice or corn mas querading as the real thing.
THE GOOD STUFF: Not only are bees vital for pollinating crops, but they produce delicious honey and useful beeswax
TASTY TREAT: The Spanish love honey on torrijas
Local beekeepers are struggling to compete. So if you’re traveling through Spain and spot jars of raw, unfiltered honey at a market - grab one. Better yet, ask where it’s from and what flowers the bees visited.
SWEET FACTS
● The oldest known image of humans collecting honey is the Man of Bicorp in the Cuevas de la Araña (Valencia) and was painted 8,000 years ago
● A single bee will fly about 500 km in its lifetime to make just 1/12 teaspoon of honey.
● Honey lasts forever. It’s naturally antibacterial, low in moisture, and full of acids. Legend has it archaeologists tasted 3,000-year-old honey from King Tut’s tomb - and it was still good.
family
Not only will it taste better, you’ll be supporting a centuries-old craft. You can even take it a step further and visit a bee farm. Across Spain, there are hands-on experiences that let you don a beekeeper’s suit, sample fresh honey straight from the hive, and learn how these incredible insects keep our ecosystems in balance. So the next time you're enjoying a cheese plate drizzled with the good stuff in Madrid or hiking through wildflower-covered hills in La Rioja to the accompaniment of a gentle buzz, remember: behind every spoonful of honey is a hardworking hive. Supporting bees means supporting biodiversity, agriculture, and a whole lot of good food.
● In the bee world, only females have stingers. The stinger is a modified ovipositor, an organ used for laying eggs, which males do not possess.
● Research has shown that honeybees can recognise and remember human faces for up to two days. They achieve this by processing facial features in a similar way to humans.
● Honeybees navigate using the position of the sun as a compass. Even on cloudy days, they can detect polarised light patterns in the sky to determine the sun’s location.
WAYS TO HELP
You don’t have to be a beekeeper to make a difference. Here’s how you can help while enjoying your Spanish adventure:
● Buy local honey. Look for small producers at markets or co-ops. The more specific the label, the more likely it’s authentic.
● Avoid pesticides. If you're renting a place with a garden or balcony, skip the chemicals and opt for natural pest control.
● Plant native flowers. Bees love lavender, rosemary, and thymeperfect for any Spanish balcony.
● Give them a drink. Leave out a shallow dish of water with pebbles so bees can land and hydrate, especially in summer.
Linda V ista
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
NOSTALGIA ROAD
IT may not stretch 4,000 kilometres like America’s Route 66, but Spain has its own road trip into the past.
A cracked ribbon of tarmac called the N-VI, winding from the Puerta del Sol at the heart of Madrid to the wind-battered cliffs of Galicia, finishing at the Torre de Hercules in A Coruña. And though time has left it behind, its villages, valleys and voices are still waiting to be heard.
Before dual carriageways and by -
Spain’s Forgotten Route 66: The old N-VI from Madrid to Galicia is a fading treasure trove of castles, ghost towns and stories lost in time
By Dylan Wagemans
passes, before the high-speed AVE and four-lane highways, there was the N-VI.
Laid down in 1939, it was once one of
Spain’s most important roads - a vital artery connecting the capital with the rugged Atlantic coast, stretching over 600 kilometres from kilometre
LITTLE CHANGED: The old route to Galicia still has many vestiges of a bygone era
Michelin trail North
WHILE the traffic moved on from the NVI, something remarkable took root along slower, older route: a constellation of Mi chelin-starred restaurants offering one of the most underrated gastronomic journeys in Europe. The 600-kilometre road has quietly become a paradise for se rious food lovers, with celebrated chefs turning rural kitchens into destinations. Welcome to the Ruta N-VI Gastronomica – Spain’s slow road to haute cuisine.
MONTIA – EL ESCORIAL, MADRID
1 Michelin Star
2 Repsol Soletes Not far from the start of Ruta NVI, a short detour near Guadarrama brings you to Montia, in the historic town of El Escorial. Head chef Daniel Ochoa’s philosophy is rooted in seasonality and sustainability, with tasting menus that shift depending on what’s foraged from nearby forests or sourced from small produc
zero in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol to A Coruna.
Today, it’s been largely replaced by the N-6 and modern highways.
But the old N-VI still runs through forgotten towns, over ancient bridg es, past peeling petrol stations and weather-beaten inns.
To some, it’s just an outdated road. But to others, it’s a living museum of 20th-century Spain.
Just like Radiator Springs in the Pixar film Cars, many of the once-thriving villages along the N-VI have seen their lifeblood diverted, bypassed by faster, newer roads.
November 29thDecember 12th 2023
The route crosses three autonomous communities: Madrid, Castilla y Leon, and Galicia, and passes through around 70 municipalities.
Among them are some of the country’s most beautiful villages.
There are crumbling castles, endless
A gourmet journey along the forgotten N-VI
ers. Wild mushrooms, mountain herbs, and biodynamic wines set the tone.
LA BOTICA – MATAPOZUELOS, VALLADOLID
1 Michelin Star (Red)
2 Repsol Soletes
Found in the small Castilian village of Matapozuelos, chef Miguel Ángel de la Cruz transforms humble ingredients - pinecones, roots, and wild plants - into something extraordinary. His cooking is deeply tied to the surrounding land, and the Michelin Guide has recognised not only the finesse of his food but also its ecological commitment.
wheat fields, eerie gas stations frozen in time, and even a ghost town near Valladolid.
As you drive, nature quietly reclaims the road. Wild grass grows through cracks in the asphalt. Signs fade.
Shops gather dust behind closed shutters.
And yet, for those who take the time to wander off the motorway, there’s wonder waiting: locals with stories to tell, old churches with bells that still ring, and stretches of untouched countryside.
The road’s importance, and its slow disappearance, has been captured in an 86-minute documentary by Pela del Alamo.
His film explores the emotional and cultural toll of abandoning traditional routes in favour of modern efficiency.
“Some sections of the old N-VI have disappeared,” he explained.
“Others have been almost aban-
doned, like drifting islands, kilometres of asphalt that begin and end nowhere. And with them, the villages and towns they crossed.”
For those willing to slow down, the N-VI offers a different kind of travel. Depending on your pace and mode of transport, the journey can take between two and six days.
A project called rutanvi has even launched a special ‘passport’ to guide explorers along the way. Collect at least 15 stamps from key towns and you’ll receive a diploma when you finally reach the lighthouse at A Coruna as a souvenir.
So if you ever feel like getting lost, truly, purposefully lost, leave the highway behind. Take the road that winds and weaves.
The road that remembers. Take the N-VI.
END OF THE ROAD: Chef Luis Veira of Árbore da Veira
The €80 tasting menu is inventive and deeply local. There are also a la carte options, which are surprisingly well priced for a Michelin-starred restaurant.
LERA – CASTROVERDE DE CAMPOS, ZAMORA
1 Michelin Star
Sitting in the wide plains of Zamora, Lera - named after Head Chef Luis Alberto Lera is a pilgrimage for lovers of game. Partridge consommé, venison tartare, and hare stew are hallmarks of the menu, elevated with precise technique and rustic elegance.
Lera isn’t just a restaurant –it’s a standard-bearer for the culinary traditions of the Spanish meseta.
TRIGO – VALLADOLID
1 Michelin Star
In Valladolid city – a slight detour off the N-VI – Trigo offers polished, contemporary Spanish cuisine in an elegant, minimalist setting. The tasting menu balances heritage and innovation, with dishes that showcase the best of Castile’s agricultural riches and chef Victor Martin’s modern sensibility.
ALQUIMIA - LABORATORIO
– VALLADOLID
1 Michelin Star
More daring than its neighbour Trigo, Alquimia lives up to its ‘laboratory’ moniker. Molecular techniques and bold presentations make for a high-concept experience, though still firmly anchored in local produce. Priced between
€50 and €110 depending on the day, the tasting menus created by Alvar Hinojal - Spain’s answer to Heston Blumenthal - make it an ideal stop for the adventurous palate.
EL ERMITAÑO – BENAVENTE, ZAMORA
1 Michelin Star
A charming country manor turned fine-dining destination, El Ermitaño serves refined takes on Castilian classics in the capable hands of brothers Pedro Mario and Oscar Manuel Perez. Highlights include lechazo (suckling lamb) and canutillos de cecina (beef jerky rolls), prepared with balance and finesse. The building itself, with a historic 18th-century chapel on site, adds to the sense of occasion.
ÁRBORE DA VEIRA – A CORUÑA 1 Michelin Star
From its perch on Mount San Pedro overlooking the Atlantic, Árbore da Veira offers a dramatic end to the N-VI journey. Chef Luis Veira’s dishes play with textures and flavours while remaining deeply connected to Galician seafood traditions. The panoramic views are breathtaking; the food, even more so.
A STARRED ROAD LESS TRAVELLED
While the A-6 speeds you across the country in hours, the N-VI offers a richer reward: slow travel, full flavours, and the chance to see – and taste – Spain at its most soulful. A road less travelled, perhaps. But one well worth the journey.
EXPERT CHEF: Luis Alberto Lera
FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL
SMART FUNERAL CHOICES
WE understand that there may be cheaper funeral plans available elsewhere. However, we encourage you to ask potential providers the following important questions to ensure you are making a well-informed decision:
1. Does the plan include IVA (Value Added Tax)?
Unlike some countries where funeral services are tax-exempt, in Spain, IVA (Im-
puesto sobre el Valor Añadido)—equivalent to VAT—is often applied to various components of a funeral service. This can significantly affect the final cost. Ensure you clar ify whether the quoted price includes IVA or if it will be added separately, as this could mean an unexpected 21% increase in cer tain cases.
2. Is the price fixed permanently, or is it subject to inflation-based increases?
Some funeral plans lock in the price at to day’s rates, protecting you from future inflation. Others may have clauses allowing periodic adjustments based on rising costs. Ask whether the plan is guaranteed to remain fixed or if there’s a possibility of future price increases, which can undermine the financial predictability you’re seeking.
4.
the total interest if you choose to spread the cost over time?
Many providers allow you to pay in installments, but this often comes with interest or administrative fees. Request a clear breakdown of the total amount payable, including how much of that is interest. A low monthly rate can sometimes mask a much higher overall cost.
3. If you pre-pay, are your funds protected in a trust?
A key element of financial security in prepaid funeral plans is whether your money is placed in a legally protected trust or insurance-backed fund. This ensures that your funds are safeguarded and only used
5. Will the plan cover you if you pass away in another part of Spain or even another country?
Some funeral plans are regional, while others offer national or international coverage.
If you travel frequently or might relocate, it’s important to ask whether the plan covers repatriation or transportation within Spain—or even back to your home country. Limited geographic coverage could result in unexpected out-of-pocket expenses for your family.
6. Do they provide Englishspeaking assistance at the point of contact?
In difficult times, communication is crucial. While many funeral providers in Spain advertise English-speaking staff, that may only apply during office hours. Confirm whether emergency or after-hours assistance is also available in English, particularly if your next of kin do not speak Spanish. Lack of immediate translation support can make a stressful time even harder.
SPAIN'S government has approved a Royal Decree that allows owners of service dogs to take them into all public spaces.
Minister of Social Rights, Pablo Bustinduy, said the measure will have a ‘fundamental impact on the rights’ of assistance dog users.
“These animals constitute a key element in promoting an independent life,” he added.
The decree covers dogs that help people with disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, conditions that bring about seizures as well as female victims of gender and sexual violence.
The law replaces legislation dating back to 1963, which had a very limited scope of permitting guide dogs for the visually impaired.
Depressing results
MENTAL health issues have sky-rocketed in Spain since the Covid-19 pandemic with big rises noted among younger males.
The number of people admitting to suffering from depression has tripled according to the Spanish Health Survey, which is conducted every four years by the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
The INE data covers the period between 2019 and 2023 and shows nearly 15% of people had a serious mental health issue in the fortnight
Survey reveals mental health issues on the rise
By Alex Trelinski
prior to submitting answers to the INE questionnaire.
Over half that number described themselves as having a ‘severe depressive condition’.
Compared to 2019, overall figures have tripled and by almost 50% since 2014.
The most concerning num-
Unequal health
A MAJOR Spanish health survey has revealed stark inequalities in wellbeing based on social class and gender.
The 2023 National Health Survey found 83% of upper-class respondents reported good health, compared to 70% of lower-class individuals.
bers come among the elderly and the young.
The biggest category for depression sufferers is among those aged 65 reaching 19.5% and going up to 37% to people aged 85 and over.
Intermediate ages of 25 to 64 years come in at 14%, but then there's an increase compared to 2019's report over boys and young men aged between 15 and 24 years.
STUB IT OUT
A SURVEY says there's overwhelming support for extending bans on smoking in public places coupled with a hike in tobacco taxes.
The study was conducted for the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine (semFYC) which has family doctors as members.
Every year some 50,000 people die in Spain due to tobacco, according to the latest data available from the Ministry of Health.
Some 74% of those questioned in the semFYC survey said they want hospitality terraces and public transport stops/shelters to ban smoking and vaping. That figure rises to 85% in relation to school entrances and surrounding areas.
The semFYC study spoke to 9,500 people for its annual smoking survey. There was a strong majority favouring higher taxes on tobacco and e-cigarettes to cut consumption.
Poorer Spaniards also face more chronic illness, mobility issues, and mental health problems.
Gender differences were striking: 78% of men reported good health versus 70% of women. Despite disparities, public health is improving: smoking has halved since 1993, physical activity has increased, and diets have improved. The survey, involving nearly 25,000 people, will shape future health policy.
‘Moderate’ instances of depression have tripled in that age band from 1.3% to 4.5% while severe cases rose sixfold from 1% to 5.9% in just four years.
There is also a gender gap with over 10% more females (35.1%) reporting depression compared to men (24.1%).
A DOG’S WORST FRIEND
Cannabis arrest
A BRITISH couple travelling from Thailand to Spain, were arrested at Valencia Airport after X-ray scans revealed their suitcases were stuffed with 30 kilograms of cannabis.
Bad driver
A SCHOOL bus driver in the Serrania de Ronda has been reported after testing positive for cocaine during a routine traffic check. The driver was transporting 12 children.
How vulva
SPAIN celebrated its first ever festival of the vulva, vagina and clitoris at Barcelona’s Museum of Eroticism last month, featuring The Great Wall of Vulva.
Let there be water
Spanish astronomers discover water ice in distant star system, offering clues to origins of life on Earth
SPANISH scientists have discovered water ice circling a distant star 155 light-years away, offering a tantalising glimpse into how life might have first arrived on Earth.
Using NASA’s powerful James Webb Space Telescope, the
By Michael Coy
team spotted the icy debris ring around young star HD 181327 – and it's eerily similar to what our own solar system looked like over four billion years ago.
SAVED THEN CUFFED
A DRUNK tourist in Magaluf was hauled from the sea by a heroic Guardia Civil officer - then promptly arrested after kicking off on the beach.
The man had swum to Sa Porrassa island while off his face on booze and drugs, then panicked and needed rescuing. Moments after being saved, he went into a full meltdownscreaming at cops and tourists. Officers say he was hypothermic, erratic and clearly drunk and under the influence of drugs.
Back then, gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn stirred up cosmic chaos, flinging icy comets and asteroids at Earth. That icy bombardment may have delivered the water that now fills our oceans.
Now, Noemi Pinilla-Alonso, a top astrophysicist from Asturias, leading the research at the University of Oviedo, says history could be repeating itself in this newborn system.
“In this star, we are seeing our own past,” she said.
The 23-million-year-old star is surrounded by a giant ring of ice and dust, three times the size of our Kuiper Belt. It contains crystalline water ice - a structured form found in Earth’s glaciers.
Until now, such ice was only confirmed in parts of our outer solar system. Its presence here suggests planet-buildingand maybe even life - could be brewing.
Experts say icy collisions may be creating planet-sized objects already.
“It’s a big deal,” said Dr Guillem Anglada from the IAA.
“This could be how life-friendly worlds begin.”
The hunt for cosmic water - and answers - continues.
A CALLOUS dog owner has been hit with woof justice after he abandoned his pet. The irresponsible dog-owner has been slammed with a howl-inducing €10,001 fine for breaking Spain’s animal protection and welfare laws. Clearly, the additional one euro makes it extra serious.
According to San Antoni (Ibiza) councillor Pepita Torres, the canine victim trotted into the loving paws of animal rescue group Gossos Foundation on July 15, 2024. Sadly, despite officials tracking down the owner, they never bothered to reclaim their furry friend - a move deemed both heartless and illegal.
Unity
“The poor dog was left high and dry,” Torres told the press, “but the law is here to protect our four-legged citizens too.”
In a rare moment of political unity, the town council voted unanimously to approve the eye-watering fine - sending a clear message: dump your dog, and it’s your bank account that’ll be going walkies. No bones about it - this is one shaggy dog story with a hefty price tag.
ICE WEBB: Ice circles a distant star, as spotted by the James Webb telescope (below)
