Olive Press Gibraltar issue 246

LONDON’S GRIP?

THE latest Brit to take up one of the Rock’s key public roles is ‘not part of a UK takeover of Gibraltar’, according to insiders in the recruitment process.

An Englishman, Phil Sharman (below), has been appointed as the new Principal Auditor, taking over from the retiring Tony Sacramento.

The announcement comes just weeks after Welshman Owain Richards was announced as Gibraltar’s new Commissioner of Police.

The duo set tongues a-wagging on the Rock that the appointment was part of a strategy by London to strengthen its grip on the territory’s administration.

Political commentator and retired barrister Robert Vasquez observed:

“The UK is tightening its sway over the administration of Gibraltar by flexing its muscle and, through influence, appointing (so far) two constitutional officers from the UK.”

“It is a start toward good governance, as distinguished from political governance.”

However, sources have told the Olive Press ‘this is not true at all.’

“We never intended originally to recruit from the UK but we had no choice other than to go external,” the person said.

“Initially we tried to find a successor internally within Gibraltar, but the only real candidate pulled out due to personal reasons.

“When we did look abroad, Phil Sharman was head and shoulders above the competition, having ideal experience from working in other British Overseas Territories.

“We are hoping that as well as working through the significant backlog in the accounts, he’ll help train up the new generation of local auditors.”

Suspicions

Whether Sharman will have the time to tend to the new crop will be open to debate given the ‘Herculean task’ he faces, according to the GSD. The last set of public accounts to be delivered were for 2017 and 2018 – as recently as January this year.

Former auditor and Shadow Minister for Public Finance Roy Clinton noted that ‘the public rightly reacted with horror at the wanton waste and abuse exposed in those reports.’

“Mr Sharman faces a Herculean task in completing the audits of the six years of outstanding Gibraltar government accounts.”

The backlog in auditing the public accounts has long led to suspicions about what could be lurking within.

“We never did get to the bottom of why the accounts are so far behind,” the recruitment insider added.

“It could be a question of under-resourcing the Public Auditor’s office, but people also need to cooperate in providing the data and materials for the auditors to do their jobs.

“If they’re getting slow rolled then of course it will be a challenge to catch up.”

P LIVE RESS O GIBRALTAR

SHE was best friends with TV star Denise

Outen and had more shoes than notorious Filipino first lady Imelda Marcos. But the glamorous life of fashion designer Jody Smart has come to an abrupt end after she was found guilty of fraud in Spain.

Smart - aka Jodie Pearson - will now swap first-class trips to New York’s fashion week for a Spanish jail cell for the next three-and-a-half years.

An Alicante Court ruled she was behind part of the notorious Continental Wealth Management (CWM) swindle and must pay €370,000 to two victims.

Judge Francisco Javier Guirau also found her guilty of conning a third victim, Mark Davidson, out of €930,000, however tragically he passed away before the verdict was reached.

Jail for Jody

tence of purchasing a property.

Smart told the Olive Press the frauds were ‘a consequence of loans between individuals, in which my…signature does not appear.’

Along with colleague Alan Gorringe, who has since died, Smart also defrauded another victim of €70,000 through a sham loan agreement.

Her lawyer added it is ‘uncertain she will end up in prison’ as he launches an appeal this week.

The court however, established that Smart was behind the fraud of one victim of €300,000 under the false pre-

The court ruled Smart was the sole administrator of Continental Wealth Trust, while the court also named her then-husband, Darren Kirby, as being in on the scheme.

While Smart was involved with CWM when it collapsed in 2017, Kirby was the sole administrator and was thought to be the mastermind.

CRUISE CRAZY

Cruise ship passengers have already pumped £4 million into Gibraltar’s economy this year as port calls soar by nearly 75%

GIBRALTAR has been welcoming a non-stop wave of cruise ships since the season started in earnest earlier this month.

Only those who’ve not left their house in weeks would fail to notice the heaving number of bodies in Main Street, or the increased footfall in the shops and restaurants.

And the numbers do not lie: approximately 62 cruise ships have stopped in Gibraltar so far this year, according to government figures.

It compares to 36 for the same period in 2024 – a hefty 72% increase in ship calls year-on-year and a veritable boon for the economy.

A total of 245 cruise ships are currently booked to stop in Gibraltar for the year of 2025, which is already a 33% boost on last year’s 185 (and 303,592 passengers).

What is less well known is the number of passengers who have disembarked so far this year.

Between January and March, 26,000 passengers (plus 13,000 crew) arrived – however the figures for April are not yet out.

But according to cruise ship timetables, the 30 different ships scheduled for this month alone will deliver up to 50,000 passengers to Gibraltar – 20%

By Walter Finch

more than the entire population at just under 40,000 residents.

For comparison, the first four months of 2024 saw 55,380 cruise ship passengers in total set foot on the Rock, according to government statistics.

The Sun Princess, which called on April 7 (and will call again on April 28), can carry 4,310 passengers, while the Mein Schiff Relax, which stopped in on its maiden voyage on April 12, has space for 3,984. So how are all these people impacting the economy?

While spending figures are out for neither this year or the last, numbers for 2023 show that each passenger spent an average of £53 – as opposed to just £25 for visitors crossing the land border.

A quick calculation shows that, based on 2023’s figure, cruise ship passengers have so far injected over £4 million into Gibraltar’s economy this year. It is expected they will exceed 2019’s pre-pandemic peak, when they splashed £13.4 million.

The numbers have been greeted with elation by Gibraltar’s business community. “I cannot overstate the signif-

icance of cruise tourism to Gibraltar's economy, particularly the many shops, restaurants and activities that heavily rely on tourism,” Eran Shay of the Gi-

braltar Federation of Small Businesses told the Olive Press.

“We are aware that some destinations are restricting the number of cruise liners that can stop at their ports, but we welcome cruise liners and cruise passengers with open arms.”

Shay, who is the GFSB board director responsible for tourism, also pointed out the importance of cruise liners in the event of a Non-Negotiated Outcome in treaty talks.

“Cruise liners are less likely to be impacted, as opposed to the flow of visitors coming via the frontier.

“So it is important to maintain a strong relationship with the cruise liners in preparation for any eventualities.”

But Shay had a warning for the government: “Continued investment in port infrastructure and collaborative marketing strategies will be essential to sustain and enhance this sector.

“In this way, we can ensure that Gibral-

tar remains a top destination for cruise liners, further bolstering our economy and providing enduring support for our businesses.”

By Jon Clarke & Walter Finch

PACKED:Sky Princess and Volendam in port (left) and Norwegian Star (right) can hold 7,440 passengers between them

EXPLAINER: What is the McGrail inquiry, what’s it about and why is it important?

WHAT IS IT?

AT its heart, the inquiry is investigating the whys and wherefores that led to McGrail taking early retirement in June 2020.

It involved a clash of some of the Rock’s most powerful people, in both government and the police, as well as the governor, senior lawyers and business titans.

Unsurprisingly, the evidence presented has touched on some highly sensitive matters for the Rock, spanning criminal investigations, national security, and allegations of political interference.

Any findings of wrongdoing could have serious reputational consequences for Gibraltar, particularly in its international standing and ongoing negotiations with the EU and Spain over a border treaty.

But at its heart, the McGrail inquiry can perhaps be viewed as a struggle for control between two competing power bases within Gibraltar.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Firstly, it has unearthed two competing narratives that go to the core of how Gibraltar operates.

McGrail contends that he was forced out due to an abuse of government power, alleging it was an attempt to shield powerful figures in Gibraltar from a criminal investigation.

On the other hand, the Government Parties, including the Chief Minister Fabian Piardo, the then interim Governor Nick Pyle, and the Attorney General Michael Llamas, claim that McGrail’s retirement was due to a loss of confidence.

The central axis around which all the events revolve is a search warrant the Royal Gibraltar Police attempted to execute at the home and offices of Hassans senior partner James Levy in May 2020.

Levy was a person of interest – and later a suspect — in Operation Delhi, which concerned an alleged conspiracy to defraud the venerable Gibraltar company Blands of the maintenance contract for the National Security Critical Infrastructure System (NSCIS).

The RGP had opted for a warrant to seize Levy’s phone because they feared Levy, as a suspect, might destroy evidence.

SO FAR SO CLEAR?

This is where one of the first forks in the road appears, as the various parties disputed whether a search warrant was necessary or even advised.

The Chief Minister, Fabian Picardo, claimed that McGrail had lied to him about whether Christian Rocca, the Director of Public Prosecutions, had advised him to use a search warrant and not a less invasive method to get evidence from Levy’s phone.

A phone that contained potential evidence relating to Operation Delhi, but also contained a wealth of other sensitive information – such as Levy’s ‘many international, very high-net worth clients’.

Within a short number of highly intense weeks, McGrail was forced to resign.

Evidence and testimony showed that Picardo had met with Levy and his lawyer in the intervening period to discuss removing McGrail. The search warrant into Levy’s phone, meanwhile, was never executed.

WHY DID WHO DO WHAT?

Why was Picardo so keen to protect Levy?

The Chief Minister explicitly stated that Levy was ‘Gibraltar’s biggest rainmaker’ and ‘one of the greatest sources of business for the financial centre’, whose very well being is linked to the economic interests of Gibraltar.

While others point the finger at the owner of Bland, James Gaggero, for driving the whole saga.

Gaggero went to see McGrail in September 2018 and again the following month to make a complaint that he was being defrauded out of the NSCIS contract.

Picardo himself considered that Gaggero was ‘actually using the RGP’ and that the RGP was ‘knowingly allowing itself to be used’ in what was essentially a ‘classic commercial dispute’ without any conspiracy to defraud.

McGRAIL INQUIRY

Inquiry returns

Police explanations over ‘nothing sinister’ data losses meet severe scrutiny

GIBRALTAR’S sprawling McGrail inquiry returned looking to flip the narrative from what had come during the first hearings. It was the turn of ex-Commissioner of Police Ian McGrail and his Royal Gibraltar Police colleagues to be dragged over the coals for their lax disclosure of Whatsapp messages which saw some submitted nearly eight months after the initial hearings had finished.

McGrail was forced to apologise for not handing over his communications with his former assistant Richard Ullger and former Superintendent Paul Richardson as they ‘did not feature in

By

my mind as relevant at the time.’

“Rest assured there was nothing sinister whatsoever in me not providing those,” McGrail told the inquiry.

“I have been kicking myself with disappointment and even a level of embarrassment.”

Wiped

In question are missing Whatsapps between McGrail and Richardson covering the crucial dates between April 30 and May 22,

How much?

THE price of public probity and accountability does not come cheap.

Until now, the McGrail inquiry has cost the Gibraltar tax payer £5.7 million, with the lawyers trousing well over half at £3.23 million.

The cat with the biggest grin would be Lead Counsel for the Chair, Julian Santos, who has so far netted over half a million pounds for his front man role.

Sir Peter Caruana's chambers, representing the government parties, have claimed £1.2 million, while Ian McGrail’s lawyers are not far behind at just under one million. The chair himself, Sir Peter Openshaw, has taken home £230,000.

For context, £5.7 million is the same outlay the government spent on fire and rescue services, according to the 2024-2025 summary of public finances.

And just a little under what it spent on running the port and No 6 Convent Place (both £6.8 million).

But the final bill? It’s expected to top £7 million – around the same as the government spends on sport and leisure, or personnel and development.

What is the NSCIS?

2020 – including the fateful May 12 day when the RGP went to Hassans offices to execute a search warrant on senior partner James Levy during Operation Delhi.

McGrail said the ‘simplest and most likely explanation’ is that the message was exchanged between their work phones, which were subsequently wiped when he retired.

Meanwhile, Ullger claimed to have lost some, but not all, of his WhatsApp chats on his personal phone when he purchased a new one in June 2020 and transferred his data.

When asked why some messages were saved and others weren’t, he said he had ‘absolutely no idea’.

Sir Peter Caruana, acting for the government, dismissed the officers’ excuses as ‘not credible’ since McGrail was ‘a highly experienced police officer and trained and highly experienced in detection, identification, preservation and safe custody of relevant evidence.’

“That is simply, in the government parties’ view, not a good enough justification for such an obvious and serious failure which has continued over more than two years and it is simply too convenient, too implausible and too self-serving an excuse,” he said.

Ben Cooper KC, representing ‘the Defendants’ in Operation Delhi (Thomas Cornelio, John Perez and Caine Sanchez) pointed out that McGrail had been arrested in March 2023 for ‘data breaches and related offences.’

Consequential

“We know categorically that upon Mr McGrail’s retirement in June 2020, he took with him, without authorisation, police property relevant to a live Operation Delhi investigation,” he said. Inquiry Chair Sir Peter Openshaw said his final report will now require some ‘consequential amendments to some of the chapters’, and he reminded the government it has ‘a statutory duty to publish’ it.

IN Ian McGrail’s most recent testimony, he claimed that the alleged sabotage of Gibraltar’s NSCIS platform put ‘every child, woman and man at risk – including the mili-

tary base.’

The whole McGrail inquiry can be seen, to some extent, as the outcome of a struggle for its control, like the eponymous ring in the Lord of the Rings.

So what is the NSCIS, known by its longer name as the National Security Centralised Intelligence System?

It is, essentially, an IT platform designed to collect, store, and process all the data created by the movement of people, vehicles, vessels, and aircraft in and out of Gibraltar—via land, sea, and air.

This data is then used to assist the Office of Civil Contingencies and the Gibraltar Contingency Council in managing incidents ranging from natural disasters to security threats.

The NSCIS is therefore an important tool for protecting Gibraltar from terrorism, organised crime, smug-

gling, and other cross-border threats.

Its ability to centralise intelligence and provide real-time situational awareness is fundamental to the territory’s security. Insiders tell the Olive Press that what makes the product worth fighting over is its facial recognition capabilities, which mean that people’s entry and exit is recorded even when their passport or ID isn’t swiped.

Yet for all the squabble over its control, the contract to run the NSCIS platform is only worth £975,000 a year.

Walter Finch PLAYERS: Ian McGrail (centre) arriving at the hearings and (below) Fabian Picardo last year

MY PRECIOUS: Border tech has been fought over by powerful forces

Trouble in paradise

IT’S exactly the sort of high-end luxury that would suit the pampered characters of The

With its breathtaking location, expansive grounds and high-level security, the new Four Seasons Formentor hotel in Mal-

lorca has unsurprisingly been tipped as the next setting of the fourth series of the HBO show.

While no official confirmation has been made, it has been widely hinted that the producers are looking for the right location in Europe.

Having filmed in Hawaii, Sicily and Thailand, they wanted something less exotic, but still with unbelievable exclusivity.

The cast, including Jason Isaacs, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Parker Posey, also

complained that Thailand was too hot and too isolated.

And HBO drama chief Francesca Orsi recently admitted ‘chances are somewhere in Europe’, while producer Mike White does ‘not like the cold’ so it won’t be a skiing resort.

Intriguingly, the hotel that has only just reopened after a three year renovation, is offering guests an immersive experience inspired by 'The White Lotus'.

Until May 14, ‘the White Lotus Cabana’ offers visitors an exclusive poolside retreat with a curated menu reflecting the show's exotic locales.

Rock ’n’ rolling in

Spain prepares for a huge host of international names this summer

SPAIN’S summer music calendar is shaping up to be one of the most star-studded in history.

A host of recognised artists will descend on local stages across the country - from re mote mountain towns to coastal resorts.

One of the first big fes tivals is the Mallorca Live Festival in June, which welcomes British headliners Massive Attack and Suede, plus American legend Iggy Pop Later that month the Azkena Rock Festival kicks off in Vitoria on June 21 featuring Fogerty, of Creedence Clearwater Revival fame, who plays his only Spanish date there.

By Tom Ewart Smith

Manic Street Preach ers, Buzzcocks Dead Kennedys punk grit to the bill. Mad Cool Festival (Ma drid, July 10-13) remains Spain’s most internation al offering, with pop sensation Rodrigo mak ing her Spain debut, while Kings of Leon, ser Chiefs, Leon Bridg es, and Wombats all line up. Down south the Prod igy and DJ legend Carl Cox play the

A VIKING IN SPAIN

ERLING Haaland has been pop ping up like Where’s Wally on the Costa del Sol.

The Manchester City striker was spotted by eagle eyed Olive Press readers at Los Naranjos Golf Club and also in San Pedro. Haaland, who owns a €6 mil lion mansion in the Sierra Blan ca area of Marbella, was visiting the UC San Pedro girls team.

The Norwegian fell in love with the area when his national team trained there during COVID.

The attacker has already scored over 30 goals this season, de spite his injury setback.

NOT SO SMART

Smart, who describes herself on Instagram as a ‘fashion designer, wellness expert, philanthropist, wedding planner’, also runs a successful beach club, Oceana, in Benissa.

Victims claim she founded her fashion label off the back of the many people she scammed out of their life savings through the CWM investment scheme. On Instagram she flaunts her glamorous lifestyle on foreign trips to Greece, Thailand and Venice.

The victims meanwhile - at least one who committed suicide after losing his life savings - have had to wait nearly a decade for justice after a series of delays. But, the sentence, issued by Alicante’s Audiencia Provincial court, is being seen as a massive victory for the victims and could now open the floodgates to many more.

Incredibly, at least half a dozen other senior CWM figures have so far managed

A CALL TO ARMAS

castle in Fuengirola at the Marenostrum festival in July and August, the Blaze Lionel Richie also

have shows.

In Marbella, the glitzy Starlite Festival will once again serve as a magnet for international stars.

Headlining this year’s lineup is Will Smith, who continues his foray into music after years away from the stage.

He’s joined by an eclectic mix includ-

to evade justice.

Angie Brooks, a pension expert, who the Olive Press has worked alongside to expose the decade-long fraud, said she was ‘delighted’ at the judgment.

“It’s great news, I’m happier than I’ve been in seven years,” said Brooks, who helped to guide the long complicated class action.

“It’s been a seven-year battle, back and forth to the court in Alicante from my home in Granada and it’s cost me a fortune in legal fees.

ing The Beach Boys, Seal, Kool & The Gang, Santana, and The Script, bringing decades of chart-topping hits to the boutique venue nestled in a limestone quarry. Canadian rocker Bryan Adams meanwhile, will perform in the remote mountain town of Hoyos del Espino at the 18th edition of Musicos en la Naturaleza, a festival renowned for its dramatic natural setting in the Sierra de Gredos.

In the Canary Islands, Granca Live Fest in Las Palmas (July 3-5) continues to punch above its weight, drawing Jason Derulo to the Estadio de Gran Canaria alongside Latin and Spanish acts. Finally, in Valencia, the Deleste Festival (May 16-17) will bring indie flair to Jardines de Viveros with The Vaccines and Teenage Fanclub. From iconic legends to pop trailblazers, Spain’s 2025 festival season is shaping up to be a landmark summer for music.

“At least some justice has been done and she will have to cough up nearly half a million euros in damages and fees.”

She continued: “Incredibly, Darren Kirby has, so far, managed to get off as he was not a director or a shareholder in the company.”

A separate court in Denia ruled there was ‘insufficient evidence’ to prosecute four other senior figures of CWM in a

decision that devastated the victims in 2023.

“It was complicated and the judge couldn’t get her head around it and threw the case out,” explained Brooks. “But now we are bringing a much bigger, stronger case against them.”

She continued: “We will send out a shuddering message to the pension industry.”

have set tongues wagging after being spotted arriving in London together - after

The duo touched down via Tom’s private helicopter, with Spain-based Ana, 36, juggling her two beloved dogs. Cruise, 62, looked sharp in a white polo and dark pea coat. Though Ana - best known for playing Marilyn Monroe in

Spanish citizenship and has lived here for years. The pair previously caused a stir on Valentine’s Day after being seen dining together in Soho.

Sources claim their meetings are strictly professional, with talk of working on a Days of Thunder sequel, but fans are convinced something more is brewing.

LOCALS in sleepy Market Harborough in the UK were left gobsmacked when more than 100 Spanish football fans descended on their nonleague ground - chanting, singing, and turning a routine Saturday match into a fiesta to remember.

Harborough Town FC, who usually play in front of a modest crowd in the seventh tier of the English league, found their Bowden Park stands packed with noisy visitors in yellow kits, all the way from sunny Spain.

IT came from a wild partnership with Spanish YouTube channel La Media Inglesa, whose 440,000 subscribers voted to ‘adopt’ the Bees as their English club of choice.

The Spanish supporters - some travelling nearly 1,000 miles - brought drums, banners, and a carnival atmosphere. Despite the continental backing, Harborough Town fell 2-1 to St Ives Town.

From front page

ANA de Armas and Tom Cruise

Blonde - was born in Cuba, she holds

Olé The Bees

STORMING IN: (From left) Iggy Pop, Olivia Rodrigo, Kings of Leon, Bryan Adams and Jason Derulo

If it looks like a duck

GIBRALTAR has introduced sweeping new powers to tackle tax dodging schemes.

The measures enable authorities to target complex arrangements that are technically legal but contrary to the spirit of Gibraltar's tax laws.

Key provisions include potential reporting of tax advisors who promote aggressive avoidance schemes to professional bodies and closing the loophole where shareholders accumulate profits within companies before liquidating them for tax-free distributions.

Reputable

Local tax expert Maria Sanchez from Gibraltar Financial Advisors welcomed the changes: "These measures show Gibraltar is serious about maintaining its standing as a reputable financial centre.

“While some clients might need to restructure their affairs, in the long term this protects Gibraltar's economy by ensuring we aren't seen as a jurisdiction that tolerates aggressive tax avoidance."

The changes align with similar provisions in the UK's 2025 Spring Budget and reinforce Gibraltar's commitment to meeting OECD standards while maintaining its position as an attractive financial center.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Easter fundraiser

FOURTEEN-year-old

Bella Howard raised more than £6,000 for Nazareth House Soup Kitchen after running her own raffle fundraiser. She wrote to companies requesting prize donations and sold tickets to the public.

City tale

THE Gibraltar Tangier exchange exhibition, A Tale of Two Cities, showcasing seven local artists in Tangier, celebrating cultural ties and creative collaboration between Gibraltar and Morocco has been officially opened.

Tuck in

POPULAR food festival

Calentita will be returning on June 20 in John Mackintosh Square and Campion Park. There are still a small number of stalls available.

Green glass

LOCAL businesses are invited to participate in the annual Green Window Shop Competition, adorning store-front windows with green-themed displays in celebration of World Environment Day.

Port in a storm

PROTESTS have been organised in Algeciras to denounce the alleged use of Spanish terminals by ships transiting US arms to Israel.

The platform Cadiz with Palestine believes Spain’s largest port is playing a ‘key role’ in the ‘logistics chain of genocide in Palestine,’ and it has criticised the use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes.

The Maersk Denver and the Maersk Seletar were both denied entry to Algeciras in November on suspicion of transporting weapons for Israel.

Maersk since issued a denial, stating it has a strict policy against shipping arms to active conflict zones and accusing activist groups of spreading false allegations.

Despite this, Spain still blocked the ships, as per its official ban on all vessels carrying weapons for Israel stopping at Spanish ports.

This has led to the US Federal Maritime Commission opening an official investigation into Spain, which could result in Spanish ships being banned from accessing America ports.

Orca whisperers

Attaching cameras to orcas in the Strait of Gibraltar this summer is the latest effort to staunch the dangerous interactions

SCIENTISTS are working on ways to mitigate interactions between sail boats and orcas as the apex predators return to the Strait of Gibraltar.

A new campaign to track and protect the endangered Iberian orcas has kicked off from the town of Barbate after the first pods were confirmed to have arrived in the Strait.

It comes amid rising anger from the region’s skippers and business owners, who have been threatening to take drastic action – including killing an orca – if the threat isn’t tackled.

Conservation group CIRCE released a video demonstrating their method of firing cameras kitted out with suction cups to harmlessly

By Walter Finch

attach to a killer whale without getting too close.

Known as ‘catcams’, the ambitious monitoring operation combines them with satellite tracking to better understand the behaviour of these curious creatures — especially the ones known for approaching sailing boats. The campaign comes as part of a growing effort to reduce the number of run-ins between orcas and vessels in the Strait.

These interactions have sparked international headlines in recent years — with orcas damaging rudders and even sinking small yachts, with sailors helpless to intervene due to the crea-

You shall not pass

A GIBRALTAR women’s hockey player was crowned goalkeeper of the tournament at an international competition in Turkey this weekend. Alex Milne, representing Europa FC, beat off competition from champion clubs from Wales, Poland and Portugal during the group stages of the EuroHockey Club Challenge I tournament in Alanya. It marks a remarkable rise for the club since its formation just six years ago – although the results did not go as they would’ve wished.

Under the guidance of Head Coach Christian Zammit and Team Manager Gareth Flower, the Gibraltar side has enjoyed a meteoric ascent through European hockey's ranks, earning two promotions since starting in Challenge III.

Their journey to European hockey's upper echelons undoubtedly represents one of Gibraltar's most impressive sporting success stories in recent years.

tures’ protected status.

“We now know that keeping the boat moving is key,” explained CIRCE researchers.

“Stopping gives orcas more time to push the rudder, which increases the risk of serious damage.”

So far, the team has tracked 42 individual orcas from three major family groups. In total, some 90 have been identified since 1999.

The campaign has three fundamental objectives: reducing encounters between vessels and orcas, minimising impact when encounters occur, and modifying orca behaviour through specific techniques.

New safe navigation routes have already been mapped, based on predictive models and past tracking data — and appear to be working.

Orca interactions dropped by 70% last year, with just two reported so far in 2025 according to CIRCE, although the Cruising Association put the figure at eight - and none since February.

BULLSEYE: Scientists are firing cameras with suction cups at the orcas

Orca contact

THE first orca interaction of the summer season has been recorded after an Italian vessel faced an ordeal near Tarifa last weekend.

A group of orcas repeatedly nudged and hit the vessel’s rudder for around half an hour, forcing the captain to make ‘emergency repairs’ at sea.

Spain’s Maritime Rescue service was eventually called after the attack left the vessel unable to steer.

Anecdotally, the Olive Press knows of one catamaran that has been damaged by orca strikes in the last four weeks.

Gambling worries

NEW figures reveal that almost 80% of Gibraltar's adult population engages in gambling activities – far more than in the UK, where the number is 48%.

This statistic emerged from a new survey released ahead of next week's Ethical Gambling Forum.

The Gibraltar Government Lottery proved most popular – though many participants didn’t consider it gambling.

The survey revealed that 4.7% of respondents gamble daily or more while struggling financially, while a further 5.3% worry about someone else's gambling habits.

Online gambling is thriving locally, with approximately one-third of respondents holding at least one online account, some with as many as eight different accounts.

Co-organiser Jo Abergel expressed surprise at the findings: "The gambling industry represents around 25% of Gibraltar's workforce and brings significant income to our jurisdiction.

“We want to highlight our well-regulated territory while addressing concerns about this sector."

Case closed

A DEAD body was found in mysterious circumstances on San Bernardo beach in La Linea last week.

The man was lying face down in the sand near the area of the promenade at restaurant Mireia with no obvious cause of death.

Investigators were initially perplexed as it was clear that the man hadn’t washed up on the sand as completely dry.

However, the mystery was solved when it was discovered that he was a deceased 45-year old man who worked as a waiter in a local restaurant in La Linea.

Although the exact cause of his death hasn’t been confirmed by the autopsy, most signs point to cardiac arrest.

Yob rule

MORRISONS has been forced to close its doors earlier and limit youths from entering due to a wave of anti-social behaviour in recent weeks.

Groups of more than 20 youths have been gathering outside the supermarket around 9.30pm on weekends who make life ‘unbearable for colleagues, security and customers.’

Shoppers have felt so threatened by youths ‘no older than 15’ that they don’t dare leave the confines of the premises. “Racial abuse, homophobic abuse and physical abuse are all examples of what people have experienced outside the store,” the store manager wrote.

Monkeying around

THERE has been an uptick monkeys messing with tourists atop the Rock – or is it the other way round?

A recent TikTok video showed two teenagers running away in terror from a macaque that was interested in the contents of their backpack.

Meanwhile, another video shows a tourist happily sitting with a monkey on its shoulders – until another monkey launches itself at them.

On both occasions the people escaped with little more than a scratch, but it has led to loud complaints from locals about the behaviour of tourists when they go up the Rock.

“They must have been annoyed by them or some other person,” one Facebook user wrote.

“If you don't mess with them then they don't run after you like that.”

EXPERTS WHO CARE ABOUT YOU

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

Maybe it really is crazy

THE boost that cruise ship passengers bring to Gibraltar is undoubtedly a lifeline for the sometimes suffering shops and businesses.

Thousands of extra potential customers each day just ambling around itching to part with their £53. There are, of course, downsides to the large numbers of foreigners descending en masse to a tiny territory like Gibraltar.

Residents complain they can’t manoeuvre their pushchairs through the crowds, while others grumble that they can’t get a seat in their favourite bar or restaurant.

Even the queue for the cable car has been stretching round the corner.

These are, largely, trivial complaints – it’s illustrative to think of the knock-on effects for the economy if Main Street, fragile as it ever seems to be, started losing businesses.

But as Eran Shay of the GFSB astutely noted, cruise ships are not welcome everywhere. There has been a huge backlash against them in neighbouring Cadiz and Malaga.

Malaga, with a population of over half a million, is expecting over 500,000 cruise ship passengers in 2025 – or a ratio of 10 residents to every one passenger.

Cadiz, meanwhile, with just 115,000 residents, could see upwards of 400,000 – an uncomfortable reversal of 3.5 passengers to every inhabitant.

And then there’s Gibraltar, with a population of just 40,000, which is looking at receiving over 400,000 passengers itself.

It’s a shocking 10 to one reversal over the course of the year.

We used the headline ‘cruise crazy’ on our front page. Maybe it is a form of madness.

And none of this is even touching on the environmental impact of the cruise ship industry.

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

Victoria Humenyuk Makarova (+34) 951 154 841 admin@theolivepress.es

Alex Trelinski alex@theolivepress.es

Joshua Parfitt josh@theolivepress.es

Dylan Wagemans dylan@theolivepress.es

Estefania Marquez (+34) 658 750 424 accounts@ theolivepress.es

please contact +34 951 15 48

Deposito Legal MA: 834-2017

HEAVEN CAN WAIT!

WHEN the small group of mourners gathered in Faro on March 5, it was appropriately one of the worst spells of weather on record.

A bleak day on the Algarve, they had come to mourn the passing of a once jolly, largerthan-life expat, Stephen Nelson, who had run one of the costas’ best-known foreign businesses.

While only four people made the low-key service, the real tragedy was soon to become apparent: Nelson’s company, Iberian Funeral Plans, was collapsing with potentially thousands of victims facing investment losses of at least €4,000 each.

As a lawsuit is launched to help them get their money back, questions of where the estimated millions have gone are seemingly buried with Nelson.

It is a mighty fall for a company that at its peak had nine offices around the Iberian Peninsula and dozens of employees.

Initially launched as SPN Funeral Plans SL in 2006, it advertised on radio stations and almost every expat publication in Spain.

Selling funeral plans that wouldn’t leave loved ones with costly burial services, thousands took up the offer, often paying monthly or annually.

But what they couldn’t know was that the company had never been officially regulated and their funds were in no way protect-

The Olive Press investigates the vicious family battle brewing behind the mysterious painful collapse of Iberian Funeral Plans

By Jon Clarke

ed from mismanagement, or worse.

As the Olive Press has now established in a hard-hitting investigation spanning three countries, the firm and its subsidiaries had been in free fall for years.

What is also now certain, since Nelson died in February, funerals around Spain and in the UK have stopped getting paid, causing untold anguish at a time of major grief.

Despite the website still working, selling the ‘Oak plan’ for €7,250 and additional ‘mortuary days’ at €185, nobody has confirmed the collapse of Iberian or what is going on.

As Myra Azzopardi, at Spain’s Citizens Advice Bureau, explained this week, this is ‘extremely unusual’ and completely ‘heartless’.

A lawyer, Carlos Haering, who we reveal on our front page is launching a legal claim, added: “It’s clear the company doesn’t intend to provide any services or reimburse

Downfall

It appears the downturn for Iberian began when Nelson moved from Alhaurin el Grande, in Malaga, to the Algarve just under a decade ago.

base himself there, while leaving a team to run the main office in Alhaurin.

Unfortunately though, his health took a turn for the worse and a serious battle with chronic diabetes left him without a leg and with other side effects.

The Olive Press has established that he died in Lagos after being admitted to hospital from his home in the village of Altura, in February.

Living alone, since his partner Karen Krejzl left him to return to Spain, he rarely socialised and only saw his daughter Emma on occasional visits from the UK.

Emma and her husband made up half the mourners at his funeral last month and, so far, she has refused to open up about his death.

“He died a sad and lonely man,” an expat friend, based on the Algarve, told the Olive Press this week. “And he certainly didn’t live a ‘jet set’ or affluent lifestyle.

“Every morning he would have two coffees and a cheese and ham sandwich at his local cafe. That was it.”

But Nelson certainly wasn’t living on the bread line, as we have established. He had a small boat, appropriately named Heaven Can Wait, plus a five-bedroom home currently for sale at just under one million euros.

ENQUIRIES (+34) 951 154 841 distribution@ theolivepress.es

IT’S my first Easter as a proper member of the expat community. Sure I’ve been here over the bank holiday before, but now I’ve decided to become a permanent fixture here, I’m seeing things a bit differently… and some of what I see ain’t all milk and honey!

It might sound a bit boring but what’s been going on with the damn weather?

Until I saw the forecast for this week moving forwards I was beginning to think I was some kind of rain magnet.

But there’s a serious point in here somewhere and it’s right up my alley: Just because it’s sunny a lot of the time doesn’t mean builders get a pass

Ain’t

Facing various legal issues with rival funeral companies, he decided it would be easier to

MULLINS IT OVER

The amazing villa with a giant swimming pool, gym and two jacuzzis, sat atop its own hill overlooking the sea.

“But just because he had this big house doesn’t mean he had a lot of money,” continued the friend, who had known him for years.

“He had taken a backseat from the business for a long time because he was ill and Iberian certainly wasn’t just him,” he added pointedly. the money taken.”

all milk and honey!

Rather than complaining about tourists, locals should rise up about building standard

on putting up houses to the most basic of standards.

After just two months of wet weather, 90% of the homes in southern Spain are leaking like a sieve. It would be nice if someone could come up with (and enforce) some proper building regulations.

Protests

Not too much that goes on in and around Malaga gets into the international press but that wasn’t true for the anti-tourism protests we’ve had recently.

Obviously it all kicked off in places like Barcelona and the Canaries, and I get that people need somewhere affordable to live.

But is that really true for here? Or are they just jumping on a popular bandwagon?

I’m told this coast used to be known as the ‘ Costa del Viento ’ or the windy coast and before tourists began to come, build homes and resorts, all that was around was a few fishing villages.

So if people of all nationalities got over their silly differences and protested about shoddy workmanship instead of each other, we might get somewhere.

Being a plumber is both my enemy and my friend, but the simple fact is local builders need to up their game

MY LIFE IN SPAIN; NOT EVEN A CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT WOULD LURE ME HOME

DECO DREAMS

Coal to culture

A forgotten Spanish power plant gets an epic makeover,

writes Dilip Kuner

IT was a clever way to utilise a waste product from a local industry in Andalucia.

A team from Spanish and British universities have worked out a way to create eco-friendly building materials from sugarcane. The group from the University of East London (UEL) and the Bagaceira Project, in Barcelona, worked out how to repurpose

As the Art Deco movement reaches a century, we celebrate Spain’s contribution

ONCE a towering titan of industry, the iconic Tres Xemeneies power plant is set to become the beating heart of Barcelona’s cultural future.

The 1970s relic, named after its three colossal chimneys (that’s Tres Xemeneies in Catalan), has been gathering dust since it shut down in 2011.

But not for much longer. Architecture dream team Garces de Seta Bonet Arquitectes and Marvel have just released dazzling visuals of their wild new vision: E la nave va - a name borrowed from a classic Fellini flick.

Out goes coal and in comes creativity. This bold transformation will morph the hulking plant into the ‘Catalunya Media City’, a buzzing hub for media, tech, and public arts. The mammoth turbine hall will be reborn - with vibes straight out of London’s Tate Modern and NYC’s Park Avenue Armory.

We’re talking 17-metre ceilings, epic sound studios, labs, and enough flexible free space to host everything from film fests to virtual reality showcases.

And the origins of the station have not been forgotten, with it still producing power - 4,500m² of solar panels are to crown the roof, and its smart eco-friendly design will help shrink its carbon footprint.

“This is about turning an industrial past into a cultural future,” said architect Jonathan Marvel. And with views over the Med and Badalona, it’s looking like the power plant's second act will be nothing short of electric.

SWEET DEAL

Andalucia has become the centre of a groundbreakingsustainablebuildingproject usingsugarcaneinsteadof concrete

By Tom Ewart Smith

‘bagasse’, the fibrous pulp left after extracting sugarcane juice. Their research found that products made from this waste outperformed traditional concrete and clay bricks. Bagasse is typically burned for fuel or used as cattle feed, both of

which release carbon into the atmosphere.

In contrast, their project traps carbon in the new building materials, reducing environmental impact. Made by combining bagasse with sand, the bricks have a carbon footprint six times lower than conventional clay bricks. The project launched in 2022 when UEL researchers Alan Chandler

and Armor Gutierrez (far left) began exploring agricultural waste as a potential construction material.

The project is now exploring industrial-scale Sugarcrete production, which could utilise up to 8 million square metres of sugarcane plantations in southern Spain. Estimates claim it will capture carbon emissions equivalent to 46,000 cars. If given the go ahead the team will turn a number of former concrete factories into bio-based production hubs, boosting the local economy.

Further research is planned in Granada this summer, while they have already used the product to build a school in India as well as a prototype at the Burning Man festival in the US.

CARBON TRAPS: The Sugarcrete bricks used at Burning Man Festival

1. Casa Judia, Valencia (1930)

A bold burst of colour and geometry on Calle Castellon.

Known as the ‘Jewish House’, this private residence is a

2. Edificio Sagasta, Malaga (1903)

A graceful corner building with rounded balconies and ornate ironwork, Sagasta is a striking example of early pre-Deco blending with Modernist touches. Built by Jeronimo Cuervo, it set the tone for Malaga’s architectural leap into the 20th century. Still a landmark today, especially when bathed in that golden Costa del Sol light.

candy box of intricate detail, with star-shaped windows and bright mosaics. Designed by Juan Francisco Guardio -

la Martinez, it's one of Valencia's most photographed examples of pure Spanish Art Deco.

DECO DREAMS

WHEN someone once asked Prime Minister Clement Attlee to define socialism, he replied that he couldn’t - but he knew it when he saw it.

Art Deco is much the same. Hard to pin down, easy to love.

Elon Musk is trying to reinvent it for the 21st century, but Deco has been turning heads for over a hundred years.

So what is it?

It’s a style, a spirit, a vibe - something that says how things should look.

Whether it’s a skyscraper or a cigarette case, Art Deco dictates that everything we make can, and should, be beautiful.

And oddly enough, the more troubled the times, the more elegance we seem to crave.

Emerging in the aftermath of World War One, the ‘arts decoratifs’ movement – from which Art Deco

4. Hospital de Maudes, Madrid (1916)

Originally a charity hospital, this luminous white building blends functionality with Gothic and Deco lines. Designed by Antonio Palacios – a Deco pioneer – it stands as one of Madrid’s most imaginative and humanist structures. Today, it's a cultural venue, its inner courtyards just as beautiful as the facades.

How Spain gave

glamour

a home in the hardest of times

By Dilip Kuner & Michael Coy

takes its name – was born during one of the bleakest decades in modern history.

Think Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dancing through the Great Depression. Nobody wanted films about hardship. They wanted ocean liners, tuxedos and big bands. Deco gave the world beauty with bold lines and big ideas. It’s sleek. It’s modern. It’s escapism. Today, Elon Musk calls his ‘robovan’ a new Deco icon. But back in the early 20th century, it was countries like Spain that gave the move -

3.

(1928)

Colisseu Balear, Palma de Mallorca

This bullring may surprise Deco lovers, but its elegant arches and repeating motifs make it a strong Deco masterpiece. Built just a few years

before the Spanish Civil War, it fuses tradition with modernity – showing that even in sport, Spain wasn't afraid to flirt with futuristic design.

DREAMS

ment its original flair.

Despite staying neutral in both World Wars, Spain suffered its own traumas - economic collapse, political assassinations, and a brutal civil war.

As the old ways collapsed - monarchy, Church, and rural life - cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia boomed, and with them came a burst of architectural creativity.

Even in chaos, elegance found a home.

Spain became a canvas for modern materials and ambitious visions – a land where Deco’s bold lines could shine in the sunlight.

From concrete to chrome, from decorative staircases to sweeping facades, Spanish architects were building a future they could believe in.

Here are the Olive Press’s Top eight Art Deco-style buildings in Spain, each one telling its own story of ambition, innovation, and sheer style.

5. Palau Guell, Barcelona (1888)

Gaudi before Gaudi got weird. This early gem leans into symmetry and clean lines more than his later works, with iron grilles and curving stone forms hinting at the Deco spirit to come. Commissioned by industrial tycoon Eusebi Guell, it’s a masterclass in restrained luxury with a Catalan twist.

6. Casa Fuster, Barcelona (1908)

Now a five-star hotel, Casa Fuster is one of Passeig de Gracia’s crown jewels. Designed by Lluis Domenech i Montaner, it bridges Art Nouveau and Art Deco in dazzling fashion. Marble, glass and curvaceous windows make this building both a relic and a revelation.

7. Edificio Espana, Madrid (1948)

An imposing vertical statement at Plaza de Espana, this skyscraper (once the tallest in Spain) is a late-Deco titan. With its wedding-cake tiers and American-style ambition, it captures a nation emerging from civil war, looking up –quite literally – to a brighter future.

Did you know?

Paris is the official home of Art Deco, as the style came to prominence at an exhibition there in 1925. The show at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs (MAD) officially marked the start of the movement.

8. Fundacio La Caixa, Palma de Mallorca (1903)

Originally the Gran Hotel, this building is a riot of ornament and innovation. Designed by Modernist architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner, it reflects early Deco confidence with its ceramic tiles, sweeping staircases and expressive carvings. Today it hosts cultural events and exhibitions – a Deco temple with brains and beauty.

PROPERTY

November 29thDecember 12th 2023 LOOKING FOR MORE PROPERTY STORIES?

BAG A BARGAIN

THE province of Huelva is hosting a series of unusual online house auctions until the middle of May with homes starting at an unbelievable €7,000.

A great way to get onto the property ladder, the regional authorities are ‘selling off’ a range of homes and anyone can buy.

The whole auction process is being conducted 100% online and any ‘snag’ (for example, a live-in tenant) has to be declared.

The lowest-priced property is an urban home in Trigueros, while the second

most affordable is a rural property in Hinojos, appraised at €7,515. Another home is available in the stunning hillside village of Almonaster la Real for €79,444, while a property in Punta Umbria (right) costs just €66,353. All homes can be accessed through the official Social Security auction portal, where the details of each

property are listed. Any individual or legal entity may bid by following the steps described on the platform.

COSTA LOTTA

By Walter Finch

RENTING in Spain’s most sought-after holiday locations has never been more costly, with Sotogrande, Marbella, and Estepona among the priciest in the country.

According to a new report, 30 locations have average monthly rent exceeding €1500, while some have

GoldenTriangletownsof Malagaare

amongSpain’spriciestplacestorent–but themostexpensivesuburbof Madridtops outatover€4,000amonthonaverage

areas command eye-watering prices of over €4,000. The Costa del Sol continues to dominate the luxury rental market, with Marbella leading the way at

Hotels for sale

IF YOU'VE ever fancied owning a hotel in Spain, there are plenty of options with the Idealista property portal.

There are almost 1,400 hotels available via the portal after a sharp increase in hotels being put up for sale in the wake of

an average of €3,018 per month, according to the latest data from idealista.

Neighbouring Benahavís, known for its exclusive villas, isn’t far be-

the Covid-19 pandemic.

Unsurprisingly, tourist areas like Alicante, the Balearic Islands, Granada, and Malaga have the highest numbers on the market.

The biggest rises in the last 12 months came in Almeria, Leon, and Murcia.

Two areas recorded triple figures of availability, namely Alicante province with 126 hotels and the Balearics on 102.

hind at €3,815, while Sotogrande, the upscale resort in Cadiz, known for its golf courses, averages €2,815.

Estepona, another Malaga gem, also makes the list with rents averaging €2,557

Is self-sufficiency the future of luxury housing?

AN increasing number of sustainable houses are being built in Spain due to a combination of strict regulations and high-energy prices. And it’s the luxury end where some of the most exciting homes are appearing.

Take Villa Noon, in Sotogrande (right). The trailblazing carbon neutral property is a true

By Dylan Wagemans

for the future, and a green one at that.

stunning zero-consumption/zero emission

All connected, they each have solar panels and a geothermal system that provides heating and cooling, and high-capacity batteries ensuring energy is stored for continuous use.

An advanced water management system meanwhile harvests rainwater and extracts water from air humidity, while also recycling wastewater.

The cool price of €11,4 million reflects its desirability.

Another carbon neutral home nearby is Villa Garnacha (left), located in a gated community in Sotogrande.

The €5 million villa is designed with an emphasis on sustainability, natural light and architectural finesse.

Constructed with CLT, which stands for Cross-Laminated-Timber, this modern construction method uses engineered wood panels that are strong, fire-resistant and

per month.

These figures highlight the enduring appeal of the Costa del Sol among affluent renters, particularly international travellers and expats seeking sun, sea, and luxury amenities.

The Balearic Islands are another standout, with Santa Eulalia topping the list at €3,919 per month. Other expensive locations include Sant Josep (€3,566), Calvia (€2,828), and Eivissa (€2,584). These areas, popular with highnet-worth individuals and celebrities, offer a mix of stunning views, vibrant nightlife, and exclusive properties.

Topping the national ranking is La Moraleja, an affluent suburb on the outskirts of Madrid, where rents average a staggering €4,001 per month.

Auctions are scheduled up until May 20, allowing interested parties to prepare their documentation and submit their bids in time.

Home draw

SPANISH football sensation Nico

Williams has just bagged himself a swanky new pad in Marbella’s ul tra-exclusive Sierra Blanca.

The exciting striker is joining the A-list ranks of Novak Djokovic and Erling Haaland who also call the area home.

The 21-year-old Athletic Bilbao ace has forked out millions on a designer villa from the ‘Marbella by Fendi collection’.

It is one of just five in the plush de velopment masterminded by busi nessman Pedro Rodriguez. Williams can most certainly af ford it, with earnings from Ath letic a reported €10.4 million a year. Perched between Marbella and glitzy Puerto Banus, the jaw-drop ping estate sprawls across 9,000 sqm of prime real estate, tailor-made for those who love sun, lux ury, and a touch of bling.

sustainable.

The four-bedroom home has large windows offering great views of the coastline and the Rock of Gibraltar.

Finally in the La Quinta hills above San Pedro de Alcantara (below left), a luxurious €5 million eco-friendly villa has been designed by Tobal Architects.

The four-bed spacious open plan property has retractable glass doors that provide access to the terrace and infinity pool.

CIRCLE OF LIFE: Carbon neutral masterpiece in Sotogrande

HILLSIDE GEM: Charming home beinhg auctioned in Almonaster

So who is in charge?

While there is, as yet, no cast iron proof of wrongdoing or even an intent to mislead, Iberian’s agents have been jumping ship for some years and all the offices began to shut one by one until the service was run solely online. Iberian’s main office in Alhaurin closed just a year ago, we have established, and is now rented out to a real estate company.

One agent, Roger Brierley, who claims he left Iberian’s Costa Blanca office in 2022, told the Olive Press the company was ‘running fine’ back then.

He insisted he was shocked at its recent closure and he had been attempting to contact ‘others involved’ over recent weeks, with ‘no luck’. He refused to hand over any names or numbers.

not responded to us.

Webb, based in Stockport, was appointed company director from May 2012 until her resignation in 2023 and the business was dissolved voluntarily last year.

On paper, English expat Krejzl, whose parents live in Manilva, was the director of the Spanish subsidiary, Iberian Servicios Funerarios SL, from 2016 to 2023.

I was one of the many not paid ... I have nothing further to add

As the Olive Press understands it, the company is now in the hands of Nelson’s children and, possibly, his ex-partner Karen Krejzl, while a long-time employee, Jose Luis Rios, was working for Iberian, in Malaga, as recently as February. Nelson’s sister, Fiona Webb - who was involved with the UK arm of the business registered under the name IFP - Iberian Ltd, until 2024 - has

DRAGTASTIC: Charlie out on the streets of Fuengirola this Easter

and get some of the basics right. Quite simply, homes need to be watertight and fit for human habitation!!

And on that note while I’m not currently running for Archbishop of Canterbury, I do have an Easter message and it’s for all the insurance companies out there processing victims’ claims.

Think of your fellow man, be charitable, and if that’s not in the underwriters holy handbook, have the grace not to hide behind too many ridiculous loopholes. Yes, play the Good Samaritan and leave some bread for those who have been less fortunate during these recent great floods.

SOCIAL SPIKE

The Olive Press gets crafty: a new approach to our social media platforms sees 375% growth

While she officially resigned as administrator in September 2023, she is said to have been running the Alhaurin-based company from the sidelines, in particular looking after the Spanish-based clients, while Nelson looked after the Portuguese ones.

While we were unable to locate Krejzl during a visit to the former headquarters in Alhaurin, we did talk to her son Thomas, who lives nearby.

While admitting he had been an employee ‘a long time ago’ (we have correspondence of Thomas representing Iberian in May 2023) he insisted Nelson was the ‘boss’ and he was still owed money.

“I was one of the many not paid,” he said, but then began to clam up. “I’ve got nothing further to add.” When asked if his mother Karen would talk to us he insisted she had ‘nothing to say’.

More telling is a series of recent messages, seen by the Olive Press, purportedly sent from Nelson’s daughter Emma to Krejzl over the last couple of weeks.

As the true extent of the collapse began to become known, she accused Krejzl of being ‘fully accountable for its (Iberian’s) actions’ and threatened legal moves.

In the WhatsApp messages addressed to Krejzl and seen by this paper, she wrote: “You were involved in that company as was your son, Thomas. I was never part of it and have no knowledge of its operations beyond the fact that it deals with funerals.

“You, Thomas and Jose Luis continued to run the company for years after my father stepped back due to ill health.

“You are all accountable for its actions, and your names will be provided to my lawyer… and I am deeply upset ... that

it’s come to this.

THE Olive Press social media platforms have spiked by 176% this year.

The combined outlets of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube have never been performing so well.

Facebook alone reached a whopping 4.7 million views over the last month…an increase of 204%, while since January (right) it has risen by 375%.

Visitors to the Meta platform watched a staggering total of 61 days of our content.

Engagement shows that one-minute views have gone up by 379%.

Meanwhile, Instagram has seen another huge rise, particularly among women, who are 61% of our visitors.

We have had 147,000 views on the platform over the last fortnight, with an incredible 5.9% of visitors coming from Marbella, 3.4% from London and 2.8% from Madrid.

“I am not being left in the shit when I wasn’t even involved!”

We were unable to contact Jose Luis Rios as we went to press.

GOING UNDER

THINGS were clearly not well for Iberian with the authorities in the UK dissolving a sister company IFP - Iberian Ltd, in January last year.

The writing was on the wall when the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) started to regulate pre-paid funeral plans in 2022.

Iberian did not apply for authorisation, meaning the Financial Services Compensation Scheme could not protect its clients if it went bankrupt.

The FCA went on to advise people not to buy a plan from the firm if they wanted their funeral in the UK.

In Spain, the industry has never been regulated and it is unclear of the status of Iberian’s two linked companies here.

Iberian Funeral Plans SL is still listed as trading here, having set up in 2011, to take over from the sister company SPN Funeral Plans. Nelson is listed as the owner and administrator.

A separate company Iberian Servicios Funerarios SL was set up in 2016 with a start-up capital of €12,000.

Karen Krejzl was the main administrator until she resigned in 2023, when Nelson was handed the role. However, Nelson’s status was changed again to become the ‘sole owner’ in August last year. Why he did this and what exactly this means is unclear.

An impressive 85% of views this year have come from regular followers, while we have reached 130% more new accounts.

This all comes hand in hand with the staggering growth of our website last year, which reached nine million unique visitors and a 924% rise in a year.

But, it is on social media that we have focused this spring, after adding the talented social media guru, Alicia Kirk (left), to our team. The university graduate, 25, has done a fabulous job promoting our brand and reaching out to new readers.

Thanks to her work, you can now enjoy a steady flow of engaging content across Facebook, InsYouTube

Lucky winners!

THE Olive Press has been flooded with entries for the Tom Jones competition.

Over 350 of you got in touch to grab the two pairs of free tickets to his Alicante concert on August 13.

And after spinning the wheel the two lucky winners are: Angela Taylor and David Mitchell - congratulations!

Angela and David will have an unforgettable night along with their fortunate guests, as The Welsh Tiger hypnotises the crowd with his soothing voice.

Today (Wednesday) we will be choosing the lucky winners of the David Walliams competition as the funnyman flies in for a rare appearance in Gi braltar this Thursday.

Get in touch today at sales@theolivepress.es or call us at 00 34 951154841 for more info

QUESTIONS: For Karen Krejzl from Nelson’s daughter Emma (below)

DESERT BOUND

A SHOCKING new study reveals that Spain will no longer have its iconic Mediterranean climate in 25 years.

Instead, much of the country will fall under the harsh classification of ‘steppe’ and even ‘desert’ climate as rainfall dries up by 2050.

The research, conducted by the University of Catalunya, paints a grim picture of what’s in store. As the Mediterranean continues to heat up, it’s clear Spain’s climate will be unrecognisable in just a few decades.

According to the study, rainfall is expected to plummet by between 14% and 20% compared to current levels.

The Mediterranean climate will go from covering 24% of Spain to just 10% by 2060.

THidden crown

King’s giant private park set to open to the public – If political party gets its way

MADRID’S best-kept secret could soon be open to the public in a move that could ruffle a few feathers at the royal palace. El Pardo, the sprawling 15,000-hectare forest just 12 kilometres from the city centre, has been locked away behind a 66 km fence, with only the royal family allowed to roam its pristine grounds for centuries. But now, political party Mas

HERE is a dynamic new way to get the freshest ‘100% organic’ food and veg delivered di rect to your door on the Costa del Sol. In an era when eating healthily and sustainably are more important than ever, Organic ToGo is understandably making waves.

Based in Marbella, Dane Carsten Dreyer Christensen and his Finnish wife

By Dilip Kuner

Madrid wants a change, asking for El Pardo to be declared a National Park and ‘opened up to the people’ of Madrid.

The proposal, set to be debated later this month, argues that this verdant treasure is ‘too good to be kept for royalty alone’. Currently, just 900 hectares of El Pardo are accessible

to the public, with the rest reserved exclusively for the royal family.

Healthy and sustainable

saw the perfect opportunity to combine their passion for healthy food with the region’s abundance of fresh local produce. Having run a similar business in Copenhagen, the couple knew what works. “Here in Andalucía we’ve got even better access to amazing produce – it just needed connecting to customers,” says Carsten. Nearly all products (98%) are sourced from local farms, with reg-

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ular testing to ensure no pesticides or harmful chemicals. “It’s all about transparency and trust,” adds Carsten, a data analyst by trade.

Deliveries are direct to your door and focus on seasonal, sustainable eating. “Our aim is simple – make organic living easy, convenient and good for the planet,” he says. So if you want fresh, chemical-free produce without the hassle, Organic ToGo might just be the healthiest delivery decision you’ll make. Visit www.organictogo.es for more details.

Mas Madrid argues it should be like the other iconic green areas like the Retiro and Casa de Campo, which were once off-limits to the public.

“Why should the royal family have it all to themselves?”

insisted a spokesman for the party. “It’s time to open the gates and let everyone enjoy this incredible place.”

The proposal includes a plan for sustainable visits, ensuring the forest’s ecosystem stays protected while giving people the chance to explore.

The area could also be added to the Biosphere Reserve of the Upper Manzanares River, offering even more protection.

OP QUICK CROSSWORD

Snail salvation

THREE snail species – one unique to Gibraltar – have been added to the protected species list following extensive research.

The protection comes as several local snail populations have dramatically declined in recent decades, with the government now backing a captive breeding program to bolster their numbers.

Among the newly protected species is Rossmaessleria scherzeri, a snail found nowhere else on Earth except for Gibraltar.

The rare Papillifera papillaris, found in only two locations, and Pseudotachea litturata, once abundant on the Mediterranean Steps, also received protected status.

"Although these may seem insignificant to some, one of these species is found nowhere else on Earth," said Environment Minister John Cortes.

"We have an obligation to protect Gibraltar's unique biodiversity."

The breeding program aims to release snails into their original habitats to ensure their survival.

GREEN LUNG: 15,000 hectare El Pardo park is just 12kms from central Madrid

Mairena

Salmonella scare

A BATCH of chicken burgers sold by Spanish supermarket chain DIA has been slapped with a health warning after testing positive for the dangerous salmonella bacteria.

The warning applies to a lot of ‘burger meat de pollo – Selección DIA’, packed in plastic trays containing six patties (90g each, 540g total), with a use-by date of April 19, 2025.

The Spanish Food Safety Agency (AESAN) blew the whistle after the contaminated burgers were found lurking in fridges across nine Spanish regions – including Andalucia.

Officials are racing to take the infected meat off shelves and have issued an urgent warning to households: “Do NOT eat these burgers!” If you’ve tucked into one already and start suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting, fever or headaches, experts urge you to get to a doctor ASAP - as these could be signs of salmonellosis, a nasty foodborne illness.

Scan

HEALTH officials have issued an urgent call for unvaccinated residents to get their measles jabs following a surge in cases sweeping across the Costa del Sol. So far, 56 cases have been confirmed in 2025 - including 32 in Malaga province alone. The GHA has now stepped up surveillance measures and is advising anyone who hasn’t received the anti-measles vaccine to contact the Primary Care Centre

Measles warning

immediately to arrange vaccination.

The move comes in response to outbreaks reported in neighboring countries that also include Morocco and the UK.

“Measles can result in a severe illness but is preventable through vaccination,” warned Dr Helen Carter, Director of Pub-

lic Health.

“I would strongly advise anyone, whatever your age, if you have not had a measles-containing vaccine, to contact the PCC where the GHA can offer you a Measles Mumps Rubella vaccine,” she added.

The health body clarified that those who have previously contracted measles naturally do not need the vaccine as they already have immunity.

SILENT KILLERS

The two factors causing a steep rise in cancer amongst young people

AN expert has revealed ‘the two silent killers’ behind alarming levels of cancer within youngsters.

Aurelio Rojas is a Spanish cardiologist who uses TikTok and Instagram as platforms to offer health advice and warnings to the general public. According to him ‘detection of cancer among young people has surged by 80% in recent

By Tom Ewart Smith years.’

The doctor has identified undetected enemies which cause cancer, as opposed to the more common reasons.

Cancers within young people ‘are associated with elevated levels of insulin, which acts as a powerful factor in growing,

OLDER men and women battling the bulge might be on the brink of a bone-boosting breakthrough – thanks to a slimmeddown Mediterranean diet and a bit of a jog around the block!

A new Spanish study has revealed that tucking into an ‘energy reduced’ version of the Med diet – packed with veggies, olive oil, fish, and pulses but adjusted to have less calories (watch the portions!) – and moving those hips with regular exercise could protect your bones from crumbling with age.

BUSINESS

stimulating the proliferation of cancer cells’.

Specifically, the expert is

Watch what you eat

They discovered that ‘older women’ who embraced the energy-reduced diet and got active managed to ‘boost bone mineral density (BMD)’ in their lower backs – one of the most fracture-prone areas in later life. They also lost weight without sacrificing bone strength.

April 23rdMay 6th 2025

13

Grounded!

Small airport threat from Ryanair amid ‘overcharging’ claim

talking about breast, stomach, pancreas, colon, and prostate cancer.

The two foods contributing to a rise in insulin production are sugar and refined wheat flour, according to Rojas.

“Coincidentally, they are the two products that produce the most heart issues also. So if you want to prevent disease and look after yourself, you already know what foods to avoid,” he claims. If youngsters wish to avoid becoming part of such a horrifying statistic, it would be wise to cut down on sugar and refined wheat flour in their daily diets.

UNIQUE EXPERTISE

Surgical first

SUCCESSFUL cochlear implant surgeries were performed on four local patients with hearing loss, marking a first for the GHA.

The local program has saved approximately £20,000 per patient by eliminating the need for patients to travel abroad for 8-10 weeks of treatment.

The procedure was previously only available in specialised UK hospitals.

Cochlear implants are hearing devices surgically placed directly into the inner ear, requiring extensive assessment and follow-up care.

The local program now handles all stages including the crucial ‘switch on’ phase when sound processors are adjusted.

“Observing the dramatic change to patients’ quality of life and their ability to reintegrate into society has made all the effort worthwhile,” said Dr Julian Danino, who led the procedure.

Health Minister Gemma AriasVasquez celebrated the achievement as ‘a clear example of how repatriating services can have a huge impact on people’s lives.’

By Alex Trelinski WARNING: Ryanair CEO

RYANAIR has threatened to cut more services to smaller regional airports in Spain in its ongoing row over charges for using them.

The warning has come from the carrier's CEO Eddie Wilson.

The company announced in January it was closing operations in Jerez and Valladolid as well as cutting services to and from Santiago de Compostela, Asturias, Cantabria and Zaragoza. Further reductions could start with the 2026 winter schedule which kicks in at the end of October coupled with next year's high season flights.

Wilson said: “Regions need low fees to stimulate growth, and they must be accompanied by low costs, because otherwise the formula does not work.”

“We cancelled 800,000 seats this summer because we had better options to al-

Eddie Wilson says fees are too high

locate that capacity to other locations in Europe, “ he added.

At the same time, Ryanair increased its schedule to bigger airports including Alicante-Elche, Madrid, and Malaga - adding 1.5 million extra seats.

“Regional airports are 70% underutilised, so something is not working,” Wilson told El Economista Either people don't want to go to the regions, or airlines don't want to put planes there, but there is a problem, and Spain must solve it,” he stated.

In an attack on airport operator Aena, Wilson branded it as a ‘monopoly’.

“We are not asking for subsidies or special treatment for Ryanair, only a growth mod-

el that reduces the average cost with competitive airport charges for all airlines".

Ever since January's announcement of flight cuts, Aena has publicly stated that it wants to talk with Ryanair, but Wilson has a different take.

“They are not interested. We have been commenting on this issue for years and they only announce incentive plans that are not working. They are a monopoly and try to maintain control without having to change anything.

“They say that it is regulated by law, but if something needs to be done, the government can intervene and change it,” says Wilson, who made it clear that he is happy to negotiate a deal that satisfies everybody.

‘A talented financial planner can steer a family or individual away from risky investments’

PETER Dougherty isn’t like any other fi nancial planner you’ll meet. That’s not because he has credentials that stand out in a crowd (although his credentials do stand out in a crowd). Instead, it’s because he thinks the best way he can help others is by using his knowledge of finance.

It’s a unique point of view.

As Dougherty says: “Doctors and firefighters aren’t the only professionals able to rescue a client from potential danger. A talented financial planner can steer a family or individual away from risky investments and toward a successful financial future. This is particularly true for English-speakers living in Spain. Not only is there little guidance for expats about how to navigate finances between two countries, but the information available in Spain is often confusing and sometimes misleading.”

So, Mr. Dougherty has made it his mission to provide the financial planning and investment assistance that Americans and other English-speakers throughout Spain need. That’s why he earned a master’s degree in Spanish taxation from Nebrija University last year. And that’s why he works at a firm called BISSAN Wealth Management, where he is the only employee who is not a native Spanish-speaker. This was intentional on Dougherty’s part. By combining his knowledge with that of local experts already in place, his clients receive the best financial planning advice available in Spain. What further sets BISSAN apart, Mr. Dougherty believes, is its relationship with clients: “Some financial advisors see themselves as the main character in any story involving financial mat-

ters. But at BISSAN Wealth Management, we look at it differently: each client is the hero of their story. After all, each clients’ financial dreams are their own. Nonetheless, Spain is full of confusing, sometimes contradictory information about money matters. So, the role of a financial planner should be as a trusted guide who helps clients reach their financial goals. If you’re able to find the right guide, it’s much more likely you’ll get to your destination.”

Peter Dougherty is a Financial Planner at BISSAN Wealth Management in Spain. He holds an MBA in finance from Columbia University in New York and an MS in Spanish taxation (Máster en Fiscalidad y Tributación) from Nebrija University in Spain. He is certified as a European Financial Planner (EFP) in Spain and as a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor® and Investment Adviser Representative in the United States. BISSAN Wealth Management is both authorized by, and supervised by, the National Securities Market Commission (Comisión Nacional del Mercado de Valores), the Spanish government agency responsible for the financial regulation of the securities markets in Spain. BISSAN has offices in Barcelona and Bilbao.

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

High-speed vision

A BOLD new proposal from Copenhagen-based think tank 21st Europe aims to connect 39 cities including Barcelona and Madrid with a 22,000km high-speed rail network called Starline. Operating like a metro across borders, trains would run at 300–400 km/h, slashing travel times and cutting short-haul flights by up to 80%.

The plan promises seamless travel with unified ticketing, modern stations as cultural hubs, and no class divisions— just quiet zones, cafes, and open-plan seating. Publicly funded and EU-regulated, Starline could generate millions of jobs and help meet 2050 net-zero goals.

“Now we begin building the network to push for real change,” says 21st Europe.

Queen of the Med

BRITISH travel expert Annie Bennett has declared Valencia the ‘queen of the Mediterranean’,praising its vibrant food scene, culture, and affordability. “You can keep your spending down in Valencia without even trying,” she said. With a glass of wine for €5, coffee for €1.40,

BREXODUS

HAVE the anti-tourism protestors finally won? Brits are turning their backs on Spain in droves, fed up with rising hostility, new rules, and a welcome that’s growing colder by the day.

Latest research from One Sure Insurance reveals UK holidaymakers are now favouring other European hotspots – with Amsterdam

By Walter Finch

RUM lovers, get ready - Madrid’s about to go full pirate mode.

From May 7-12, the capital will be swimming in sugarcane spirits as ‘Mad Ron Week’ rolls into town - a brand new celebration of all things rum, cocktails and chaos.

Hosted by a crew of top brand ambassadors, the boozy blowout promises to shake up Madrid’s already-thriving bar scene.

Expect tastings, mixology masterclasses, and themed menus at hotspots like Farandula Fearless, Lovo, and the tiki-tastic Volcano.

The fun all builds to a fiery finale on Monday May 12: the Daq-Off, a speed competition where bartenders battle it out to see who can sling the quickest Daiquiris - one for the judge, one for themselves.

soaring to the top of the wishlist at 42,000 monthly flight searches, overtaking Spain. The shift follows mass protests across Spanish tourist favourites last week, where furious locals blamed visitors for rocketing rents and vanishing communities. Demonstrators took to the streets in many cities, including Malaga, Palma and Valencia, calling for curbs on tourism and foreign property buyers. Throw in new clampdowns on booze, smoking and vaping at beaches, and Spain's once-irresist-

and very affordable tapas, the birthplace of paella offers flavour without the hefty price tag. Unlike commercialised resorts like Benidorm, Valencia blends history, stunning architecture, and golden beaches with charm and authenticity.

From the futuristic City of Arts (left) to the lush Turia Gardens, it’s no wonder Brits are flocking to this sun-soaked Spanish gem.

Brits ditch Spain as anti-tourism fury

grows

DETERRENCE: One of the main goals is to stop ‘overtourism’

ible charm is fast fading.

“We’re seeing more Brits looking for culture, history, and fresh experiences – without the drama,” a One Sure Insurance spokesperson said. Staycations and lesser-known gems like Budapest, Krakow and Athens are surging in popularity – while Edinburgh has stormed into fourth place. The blow is massive for Spain. In 2024, 18.4 million Brits visited, spending a whopping €22.6 billion – more than any other nationality. Tourism makes up 12% of Spain’s

It has the feel of a Bond villain’s lair, but the sophistication of the best of Asia

GDP, with UK visitors propping up resorts on the Costa del Sol, Balearics and the Costa Blanca.

The trend raises questions about whether the vocal anti-tourism protests may ultimately damage the very economies they claimed to be protecting.

“Brits are moving beyond the usual beach holiday locations to cities which offer not only history and culture, but also a fresh experience,” the One Sure Insurance spokesperson added.

SAY ADIOS TO JAMON

TAKING jamon, chorizo or Manchego cheese back to the UK?

Think again. UK travellers have been banned from importing meat and dairy from the EU due to a growing outbreak of footand-mouth disease (FMD) in Europe.

The ban covers all meat from pigs, cows, sheep, goats and deer, plus cheese, milk, butter, and yoghurt- even sandwiches. Exceptions include infant formula and some medical foods under strict conditions.

The move aims to protect British livestock from FMD, a highly infectious animal disease. Offenders risk confiscation, fines up to £5,000, or destroyed items. Fish, poultry, eggs, fruit and veg are still allowed under certain rules. Officials urge travellers to check guidelines before packing food souvenirs.

ITH its sunken ponds, stone walls and acres of new wood, you feel like you’ve entered Blofeld’s home in You Only Live Twice. Extremely zen, Koi restaurant maximises on space and light, using www.koimarbella.com,

climbing plants and vines.

Taking its name from the Japanese fish that was first displayed in Tokyo in 1914, it appropriately has a water feature with natural rock walls at one end of the restaurant.

And, while there is a terrace outside, on a cool evening it has the theatrical look to make you feel very much at

home… particularly if you’re in the heart of it on the central banquettes.

The flash of flames from the kitchen adds to the milieu, while the engine room of chefs goes about creating their ‘pan Asian’ cuisine, which means combining the best of Thailand, China and Japan. This is a departure, a real departure from the norm on

the Costa del Sol.

And, as they claim on the menu, ‘every bite is a journey’. So the menu turns out to be an exciting trawl through eleven separate sections, from the ‘raw bar’ to the ‘ceviches and tiraditos’ and ‘dim sum’ to ‘salads’.

I’m more interested in the tempura and sushi sections, but kicked off with a couple of dishes from the ‘small plates’ section, which include Edamame beans, either salted or spicy (go spicy, every time!)

The garden sushi roll meanwhile, was really fresh - beautifully made with an avocado hat, crystal gem lettuce and seaweed wrap.

A ‘snow crab’ roll with chives, tobiko and cucumber was amazing, and even better when doused in a decent pinch of wasabi.

ster and prawn and chicken gyozas, Peking duck spring rolls and splendid diver scallops in a ‘kataifi’ pastry with an ‘xo sauce’. All in all a massive winner.

Next up, I had to try the ‘chef’s selection’ dim sum platter to share. It comes out in a box, with a steaming mix of lob-

While my son went for Chinese sticky pork ribs with ginger and siu sauce, which he loved, my vegetarian friend Guy enjoyed the tempura vegetables and a vegetable pad Thai.

I was recommended The ‘San Choi bow’ which is a classic finger dish in which you make your own baos. It comes with a big plate of wagyu beef, with basil, coriander, lime and roasted peanuts to add into a lettuce leaf as you see fit.

Visually, the best was to come with the ‘baobing’ strawberry shaved Taiwanese snow ice.

Out came our waiter Emiliano, a friend-

ly chap, with a de vice which somehow made can dy floss in front of our eyes, mixed in with chocolate sauce, fresh strawberries, dragon fruit and vanilla ice cream.

We shared it between three of us and were more than sated. I could be carping on about this place for months, if you’ll excuse the pun.

GOODIE: But feels like baddie Blofeld’s home (right) in You Only Live Twice, while the ‘baobing’ dessert is the very best

SURPRISE: The dimsum platter, and (right) the garden sushi roll and (far right) snow crab roll

FOOD,DRINK & TRAVEL

QUIXOTIC!!

Little-Known Cordoba:

The Olive Press takes you on a tour to discover hidden corners that Cervantes lived and loved in

THE city of Cordoba is one of Andalucia’s most spectacular treasures. Most visitors are familiar with the Mezquita - the astoundingly beautiful former mosque - or the Patio Competition, held ev ery May, when exqui sitely decorated courtyards compete for prizes. But this time, we’re veering off the wellworn path to explore some of Cordoba’s hidden cornersthe backstreets and tucked-away plazas that are too often overlooked.

Let’s be clear from the outset: the plac es we’re about to highlight are just a handful of the city’s many gems. This arti cle could easily have been five times as long!

We begin at the charming Plaza del Potro, or ‘Square of the

By Michael Coy

Foal’, named for the fountain at its centre featuring a carved horse dating back to 1577 (the horse figure itself was added a few years later).

This atmospheric square has at least four claims to fame.

First, it’s home to Cordoba’s Museum of Fine Arts.

Second, it houses the Centro Flamenco Fosforito (more on that shortly). Third, it’s the setting for one of Don Quijote’s most humorous adventures.

At the far end of the square, once the site of a tavern, Cervantes’ deluded knight checks in and spends the evening standing guard with a colander on his head, convinced it’s a helmet. Cervantes, who knew Cordoba well and appreciated its cheeky sense of humour,

has the landlord mock Don Quijote with a list of ‘famous’ locations - all, in fact, brothels - to which Don Quijote solemnly replies that he has indeed guarded them all. Lastly, the square is home to the Museo Julio Romero de Torres. The artist, born in 1874 and a lifelong cordobes, lived in this very building. Today it houses the finest collection of his works. Romero

was known for his dedication to capturing the essence of Cordoba’s womendark hair, olive skin, intense eyes - and he was never short of muses.

From here, we move on to another of Cordoba’s lesser-known spaces: the Plaza de la Corredera.

Unlike any other square in the city, this large rectangular plaza now hosts an open-air market. But in centuries past, it served as the city’s bullring.

Built in 1683, its stark architecture reflects the austere psychology of 17th-century Cordoba. It also has a darker history: it was once the site of public executions, where non-Christians were sometimes burnt at the stake. Thankfully, Cordoba also offers plenty of lighter fare. A short stroll away is the Casa Mudejar, a cluster of interconnected houses from the 1500s, designed in traditional Arab style. Cordoba, after all, remains Spain’s most ‘Arabic’ city in character.

Perhaps the city’s most iconic figure is Manolete, the legendary bullfighter who was fatally gored in 1947. His memory still looms large here, and nowhere more so than at the Municipal Bullfighting Museum, located in the Jewish Quarter.

Then there’s the Centro Flamenco Fosforito, a cultural centre dedicated to An-

OP Puzzle solutions

Quick Crossword

Across: 7 Papa, 8 Omelette, 9 Martinis, 10 Rad, 11 Goers, 12 Praised, 14 Case law, 16 Egypt, 18 Err, 19 Pursuant, 20 Denounce, 21 Vane.

Down: 1 Paranoia, 2 Master bedroom, 3 Hosni, 4 Geyser, 5 Learning curve, 6 P T S D, 12 P O W, 13 Exponent, 15 Aspens, 17 Trees, 18 Eyes.

tonio Fernandez Diaz - better known as Fosforito - widely regarded as Cordoba’s greatest living flamenco singer.

But this isn’t just a museum. Ever wondered what a seguiriya is? Here, interactive displays walk you through the various palos (styles) of flamenco music. And if you’re staying more than a day, consider catching a live performance

at the centre. Because here’s the twist: the Flamenco Centre is located in the very building that once housed Don Quijote’s infamous tavern - the one where the Man of La Mancha stood guard with a kitchen strainer on his head. History, humour, and haunting melodies - that’s the magic of Cordoba’s hidden corners.

HEART OF THE CITY: The Plaza del Potro (above) while (right) the Museo

Julio Romero de Torres and (inset) the artist’s Chiquita Piconera. Meanwhile (below right) the Centro Flamenco Fosforito of Don Quijote fame

HIDDEN DELIGHT: Cordoba’s Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bella Artes), while, above, a Muslim arch tucked away in Cordoba’s famous Mezquita

REuse REduce

Pawsh pastries

Sagrada selfies

TOURIST’S will be able to pose outside Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia in a zone specifically for selfies, with officials hoping it will ease congestion ahead of the cathedral’s completion next year.

Ape terror

TWO teenagers were caught on camera fleeing in terror from a group of Barbary macaques on the Rock of Gibraltar with one monkey seen reaching for one girl’s bag.

Donut ban

SPAIN’S government has banned soft drinks and junk food from being sold in high schools to combat a third of kids being classed as overweight.

On our way!

SUNBURN? Check. Socks and sandals? Obviously. Paella with chorizo? You heathen!

A Spanish Instagram account has sparked laughs - and maybe a few cringeswith its cheeky take on classic tourist stereotypes in Spain. The viral post from @spain says (boasting over half a million followers) unveils the ultimate ‘Guiri en España Starter Pack’.

Featured essentials? A lobster-red Brit, dodgy Hawaiian shirt, pint of beer, and yes… the tragic belief that real

BASEBALL cap on, elbow pads strapped, and a mischievous grin in place - Juanjo Urbizu isn’t your typical pen sioner.

At 88 years old, this Spanish daredevil is tearing up skateparks and turning heads as

By Tom Ewart Smith

paella includes chorizo. Sacrilege! Also in the kit: camera round the neck, chino shorts, dark shades, and an unwavering love for shouting “OLEEE!” at inappropriate moments. Basically, everything you’d expect to see around a beachfront bar in Benidorm by 3pm—ideally clutching a novelty inflatable and absolutely butchering basic

Tourists get roasted in ‘guiri’ holiday starter pack

Spanish. It’s all light-hearted fun, of course— but behind the satire lies a question: Are these caricatures fair, or are we just laughing because they hit way too close to home?

Ramps for gramps

he drops into concrete bowls with the confidence of a teenager. Locals in Bilbao’s gritty Begoña neighbourhood watch in awe as Urbizu - clad in joggers and a tucked-in tee - glides across graffiti-covered ramps like it’s second nature. Juanjo only took up skateboarding at 70, swapping snow sports for something cheaper but just as thrilling. Now, he skates twice a week and charms locals with tales of his latest tricks. In an ageing Spain,

FORGET your croissants and donuts – Spain’s latest fad bakery is for furry foodies.

Dulces para Perros , Malaga’s first-ever bakery dedicated entirely to dogs, has opened its doors – and tails are wagging all over town. The boutique bakery whips up handcrafted goodies just for pups – we’re talking cakes made of chicken and carrot, liver cupcakes, and even tuna tarts for the feline friends.

Tasting

No salt, no sugar, no nasties – just all-natural treats that even the fussiest pooch would fancy. There’s even a tasting bar, so your pet can pick their favourite snack before you splash the cash. Planning a paw-ty?

where over half the population is 44 or older, Juanjo’s story is a breath of fresh air. To seniors thinking of joining him on the ramps? “Take it slow,” he warns. “Concrete hurts way more than snow.”

They’ll custom-make a birthday cake for your dog too! Find it at Avenida de los Guindos 29 – and yes, dogs are very welcome.