Essential Marbella Online - June 2021 by Essential Magazine

ANDALUCÍA - SPAIN

N º 259 - JUNE 2021

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MARBELLA d

WAT c on- CH p VIDE age OS LUXURIOUS

LOUNGES THE EUROS

KICK-OFF

NEW S-CLASS

MERCEDES

REGAL

RETREATS

A S S I L ME ASH ODABWEAR

SWIMNNEL'S @GU

ICONIC IKOS ANDALUSIA

MANUKA

GOLDEN MILE

BEACH CLUB

HIGUERÓN

REMEMBERING

WILDLIFE

WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM I TRAVEL I TRENDS I CULTURE I LIFESTYLE I PROPERTY I GOURMET

contents

ESSENTIALS

20 Publisher’s Letter

GO TO SPOTLIGHT

26 Regal Retreats 38 Hotel Ikos Andalusia 48 The Beach Club Higuerón 54 Remembering Wildlife 66 EURO 2021 76 MasterClass 82 The New Mercedes-Benz S-Class

GO TO TRENDS 92 Hot New Action Films 96 Cool New Series 100 Books – New Releases 104 Music News 108 What’s Cool

114 26

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GO TO LIFESTYLE 114 Luxurious Lounges 128 Moooi Extinct Animals Wallcoverings 136 Scent Diffusers 140 Melissa Odabash Swimwear 148 Cool Trainers in 2021

GO TO SPA 154 Mineral Sunscreens 158 Treating Snoring and Sleep Apnea 160 Relationship Drama

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GO TO ENTERPRISE 164 Brexit Implications for Buying and Selling Spanish Property 168 Second Home Vs Investment Property 170 Hugo Investing 174 The Vibe 176 Business News

GO TO GOURMET 186 Manuka at Alanda Marbella Hotel

192 Gourmet Bytes 196 Perelada 5 Finques 2016 Reserva

DESIGNED FOR BETTER LIVING Each design-led home at Vista Lago will be quite unlike anything that has gone before. All 18 villas, as well as the furniture and fittings in them, are different from each other. The commonality they share are the breathtaking views across the Mediterranean Sea to Gibraltar and Africa beyond.

prices on application | (+34) 648 981 111 | info@by-bright.com | vistalago.es

NUEVA ANDALUCIA

VILLA OAK

Bed: 7 I Bath: 6 I Plot: 1.500 m2 I Built: 540 m2 I villaoak.es I € 4.995.000

PUENTE ROMANO

DRAGO 3.2

MARBELLA’S LARGEST SELECTION OF TURN-KEY VILLAS IN PRIME AREAS solvilla.es SIERRA BLANCA

ALTIUS 2

Bed: 4 I Bath: 4+1 I Built: 232 m2 I drago32.es I € 5.400.000

NUEVA ANDALUCIA

ALOHA 151

Bed: 3 I Bath: 3+1 I Solarium Terrace: 146 m2 I Built: 655 m2 I altius2.es I € 2.995.000

Bed: 4 I Bath: 6+1 I Plot: 1.023 m2 I Built: 502 m2 I aloha151.es I € 4.695.000

NUEVA ANDALUCIA

BRISAS 1

Bed: 5 I Bath: 4+1 I Plot: 1.237 m2 I Built: 556 m2 I € 3.595.000

CASCADA DE CAMOJAN

CAMOJAN 45

Bed: 7 I Bath: 7+2 I Plot: 2.109 m2 I Built: 641 m2 I camojan45.es I € 6.950.000

SIERRA BLANCA

ALTIUS 5

Exclusively by

OFFICE: +34 952 765 060 MOBILE: +34 627 813 545 EMAIL: info@solvilla.es Hotel Marbella Club, oficina 10 29602 Marbella, Spain Blvd. Principe Alfonso von Hohenlohe s/n Bed: 3 I Bath: 3+1 I Solarium Terrace: 144 m2 I Built: 644 m2 I altius5.es I € 2.995.000

DON’T MISS OUR BEAUTIFUL STORIES ONLINE

Issue 259 - June 2021

STAFF PUBLISHER & DIRECTOR IAIN BLACKWELL director@essentialmagazine.com DIGITAL & CREATIVE DIRECTOR ANDREA BLACKWELL andrea@essentialmagazine.com DESIGN & LAYOUT ANDREA BLACKWELL, INMA AURIOLES design@essentialmagazine.com

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WRITERS IAIN BLACKWELL (JAMES SINCLAIR), ANDI BLACKWELL (MADDIE QUINN), DR. BEATE ABRAHAM-NILSEN, MICHEL CRUZ, ALICIA DUGGAN, RIK FOXX, GABRIELLA KORTSCH, CHRIS MCCANN, VIVION O´KELLY, TONY WHITNEY, SEAN WOOLLEY editorial@essentialmagazine.com ACCOUNTS EXECUTIVE MARIANO JEVA cuentas@essentialmagazine.com STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER KEVIN HORN www.photographermarbella.com

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Residence and taxes. Are you sure you are getting it right? Tax residence in Spain is not just about day counting; you could also be liable for taxation if Spain is the centre of your economic interests or your spouse lives here. Generally speaking, if you have Spanish legal residence (golden visa excepted) you are likely to be tax resident. Be aware that the tax authority is focusing on residence as part of its 2021 fight against tax fraud. If you are worried you will pay too much tax in Spain, you may be surprised. The local tax regime provides compliant opportunities for tax efficient investing. With our specialist guidance, you can live the dream in Spain and enjoy a secure future here.

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BUILDING LICENCE GRANTED - COMPLETION DECEMBER 2022! A NEW LEVEL OF

G AT E D C O M M U N I T Y O F 1 5 L U X U RY V I L L A S W I T H

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THE BEGINNING OF THE GOLDEN MILE

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PRIME

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CLOSE TO THE BEACH AND THE CITY CENTER.

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25 0 meter s fr om the bea c h Ga ted community with co nc i er ge ser v i c e P r iva te pools in selected uni t s La r ge r ooftop sola r iums w i t h sea v i ew s Communa l ga r dens with c hi ll-o ut ar eas Outdoor swimming pool Indoor swimming pool, gy m , S p a 24h secur ity

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Beachfront - Los Monteros “7-Los Monteros” is a state-of-the-art opulent property and definitely one of the most spectacular frontline beach homes ever built in Marbella; located in one of the most upmarket beach resorts, this villa offers a unique architecture and interior design never seen before in Marbella. Designed by the acclaimed architectural firm Gonzalez & Jacobson, this avant-garde villa offers unparalleled luxury using an unconventional selection of premium materials. The spectacular craftsmanship and design, the play of light and shadow, all together create a fantastically

homely, yet extraordinary living experience. A new level of international architectural refinement. With spectacular sea views from almost every corner, this home boasts spacious reception areas and exquisite bedroom suites, as well as a fantastic solarium with an additional private pool and chill-out areas. Built on 3 levels connected by a private lift. Spacious terraces with outdoor entertainment areas, manicured gardens and a large swimming pool. 6 beds, 6 baths. Built 1.229 m2, plot 1.500 m2. E&V ID: W-02JNBD. Price: 11.750.000 €.

El Rosario Shop: 952 83 20 40 · www.marbella-ev.com

Beachside - Marbesa Villa Verde Mare is a luxurious elegant home that has just been completed, close to the beach in a trendy beachside resort, just minutes away from the centre of Marbella. The stunning villa was created by one of Marbella’s top architects and decorated by the best interior design house; it is built to exceptionally high standards, offering chic interiors and outdoor areas. An impressive entry with a waterfall leads to the 7 metre high entrance which opens onto a stylish living area of over 100 m2, including a large living room, a luxurious and spacious kitchen and a dining room with

double height ceiling, all opening onto large terraces with sitting and dining areas, and a beautiful breakfast area next to the kitchen. The exclusive 90 m2 master suite occupies the entire upper level and includes an elegant bedroom, a separate make-up area, a 25 m2 dressing room and a luxurious bathroom. The villa has 4 other beautiful guest suites, all of them done to perfection, marvellous outdoor areas, a large swimming pool and beautiful gardens. 5 beds, 6 baths. Built 585 m², plot 867 m². E&V ID: W-02LQ82. Price: 2.950.000 €.

Elviria Shop: 952 83 55 80 · www.marbella-ev.com

Reserva de Alcuzcuz: Breathtaking panoramic sea views and an impressive modern design define this extraordinary villa. Exceptionally spacious in- and outdoor entertainment areas. Separate guest house, sauna, gym, garage for 6 cars. 8 beds, 6 baths. Built 1.330 m2, plot 3.000 m2. E&V ID: W-01G629. Price: 6.500.000€. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

Guadalmina Baja: Spectacular Andalusian-Moorish style villa just 300 m from the beach. 5 beds, 5 baths. Built 490 m2, plot 2.370 m2. E&V ID: W-02LSSF. Price: 3.750.000€. Tel.: 952 07 42 42.

Cascada de Camoján: Upscale villa with a unique modern design and fantastic sea views. 4 beds, 7 baths. Built 712 m2, plot 1.192 m2. E&V ID: W-021KHR. Price: 4.500.000€. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Sierra Blanca: The most incredible panoramic sea views and opulent classic design. 5 beds, 5 baths. Built 1.282 m2, plot 2.001 m2. E&V ID: W-024ZV3. Price: 4.900.000€. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Guadalmina Baja: An absolutely beautiful, luxurious and very private villa by the sea. 4 beds, 5 baths. Built 520 m2, plot 1.027 m2. E&V ID: W-02LKXG. Price: 2.950.000€. Tel.: 952 07 42 42.

Guadalmina Shop: 952 07 42 42 · Puerto Banús Shop: 952 85 98 60 · Golden Mile Shop: 952 86 84 06

Sierra Blanca: Newly built luxurious south-facing villa with sea views in the most exclusive gated community in Marbella. Spacious reception rooms and large bedroom suites. Spa area with sauna, plunge pool and gym. 5 beds, 5 baths. Built 857 m2, plot 1.530 m2. E&V ID: W-02M26D. Price: 4.300.000€. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Nagüeles: Beautiful modern villa stunningly decorated. High qualities throughout. 5 beds, 4 baths. Built 366 m2, plot 1.371 m2. E&V ID: W-02KSPR. Price: 3.375.000€. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Puerto Banús: Contemporary villa within walking distance to the famous marina. 5 beds, 6 baths. Built 285 m2, plot 610 m2. E&V ID: W-02IXMZ. Price: 1.700.000€. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

Beachside Golden Mile: Just completed in the best location next to Marbella Club Hotel. 6 Beds, 6 baths. Built 631 m2, plot 810 m2. E&V ID: W-02KY3D. Price: 8.500.000€. Tel.: 952 86 84 06.

Nueva Andalucía: Timeless elegance and very spacious villa in a fantastic location. 6 Beds, 6 baths. Built 617 m2, plot 1.608 m2. E&V ID: W-02LYKB. Price: 2.350.000€. Tel.: 952 85 98 60.

Elviria Shop: 952 83 55 80 · El Rosario Shop: 952 83 20 40 · www.marbella-ev.com

D WORDS BY IAIN BLACKWELL PUBLISHER

JOYOUS JUNE

une is the gateway to summer, with the temperatures ramping up, the end of the school year, and visitors arriving on our sunny shores. We bring you an issue that’s full of ideas for bringing joy into your life in June. If you haven’t yet planned a break, and feel you are in need of one, have a look at our recommendations for a rejuvenating retreat. In these pages, we report on new venues that are already shaping up to be iconic, like the Ikos Andalusia, Manuka on the Golden Mile, and The Beach Club Higuerón.

This month we have an extravaganza of football to look forward to with the kick off of the Euros, one year later than planned – we preview the best of the action. Don’t miss our exotic features on Remembering Wildlife and Moooi’s Extinct Animals Wallcoverings. We also bring you Luxurious Lounges, Melissa Odabash Swimwear, and MasterClass from David Rogier.

go to CONTENTS

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“THE TRICK IS TO ENJOY LIFE. DON’T WISH AWAY YOUR DAYS, WAITING FOR BETTER ONES AHEAD”

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MARJORIE PAY HINCKLEY

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LA MORERA PLAYA LUXURY FRONTLINE BEACH APARTMENTS La Morera Playa offers the unique combination of beautifully finished spacious modern apartments and penthouses in a very private beachside parkland setting • Direct Sea and Beach Views • Large Panoramic Terraces • Spacious Open Plan Interiors

• Handover end of May 2021 • Gated Community - Security 24/7 • Indoor Pool & Gym

MPDunne Hamptons International - tel: 952 866 072 - wwww.lamoreraplaya.com

{ VIEW VIRTUAL TOURS ON }

WWW.LAMORERAPLAYA.COM FROM 865.000€ Sales Office Open Agents Enquiries Welcome

e back to CONTENTS

spotlight

IN NEED OF A HOLIDAY TO REST AND RECHARGE? SEE OUR RECOMMENDED REGAL RETREATS. WE PRESENT TWO STUNNING NEW VENUES ON THE COAST – THE IKOS ANDALUSIA HOTEL AND THE BEACH CLUB HIGUERÓN. GET GEARED UP FOR THE EUROS COMING THIS MONTH AND CONSIDER WHAT A MASTERCLASS COULD DO FOR YOU.

GO TO PAGE 54 FOR REMEMBERING WILDLIFE

GO TO PAGE 82 FOR THE THE NEW MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS

GO TO PAGE 38 FOR IKOS ANDALUSIA HOTEL

GO TO PAGE 76 FOR MASTERCLASS

CULTURE TRAVEL HISTORY PEOPLE MOTORING 26 Regal Retreats 38 Ikos Andalusia Hotel 48 The Beach Club Higuerón 54 Remembering Wildlife 66 EURO 2021 76 MasterClass 82 The New Mercedes-Benz S-Class

D SPOTLIGHT retreats

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REGAL

RETREATS

If you are indecisive about travelling this summer but still yearn for a holiday, the kind of break that will soothe your soul and set you to rights, then envisage staying at one of these iconic retreats where you can switch off, relax and commune with nature. We present a range of opulent options for your consideration, all of which are away from Marbella, where you can feel removed from your everyday routines. WORDS JAMES SINCLAIR PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE PARTICIPATING RETREATS

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FINCA CORTESIN This multi-award winning resort guarantees pampering in privileged surroundings. Converted from a country hacienda, with traditional Andalucian architecture, Finca Cortesin occupies a tranquil estate quite close to the picturesque mountain village of Casares in the province of Málaga. Here, guests can indulge in style, with impeccable service, spacious luxurious accommodation, and an enviable range of activities and amenities. In this paradise, you will not want to leave the beautifully manicured gardens and serene swimming pools that will instil a sense of peace and calm within you. A sumptuous Spa, with a large indoor pool, saunas, and thermal baths, offers the very best in Thai treatments, while for those more active, tennis, padel, a gymnasium and a championship golf course await. WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 27

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The dining options are superlative, with the highly rated Kabuki Raw, El Jardin de Lutz set in a delightful courtyard, the Pool 35 BBQ & Josper Grill Restaurant, and Don Giovanni for lovers of fine Italian Cuisine. There is a further restaurant at the Beach Club, a five minute journey with the hotel’s shuttle service, which serves Mediterranean cuisine starring many seafood dishes. Finca Cortesín also has a selection of impressive 4, 5 and 6 bedroom villas, with panoramic views to Gibraltar and north Africa where owners or those renting can count on the full services of the hotel.

CLICK TO VISIT

www.fincacortesin.com

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ROYAL HIDEAWAY SANCTI PETRI Winner of the Best Beach Hotel in Europe at last year’s World Travel Awards and with the largest Spa in Andalucía, the 5 Star Royal Hideaway Sancti Petri at Novo Sancti Petri–Chiclana in the province of Huelva is a desirable destination for a classic break. Part of the Barceló Hotel Group, this Royal Hideaway on the Costa de la Luz is impressive indeed, with five large swimming pools set in extensive tropical gardens alongside the magnificent blue flagged Barrosa Beach, recognised by Tripadvisor users as the 5th best beach in Spain. With a warm Moorish exterior, the hotel’s 195 rooms, all with private balconies, have a

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contemporary design and are equipped with the latest technology, including an exclusive home automation system. The U-Spa features a world of luxury with its 3,650 square metres comprising a heated indoor pool, hydrotherapy circuit, fitness centre and massage and beauty treatments. There are five restaurants on site and four bars as well as an Irish Pub with a bowling alley, an outdoor amphitheatre and an Indian-inspired music lounge.

CLICK TO VISIT

www.barcelo.com

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SIX SENSES IBIZA Opening this July, Six Senses Ibiza will become the first sustainable BREEAM certified resort in the Balearics. Set on the northern tip of Ibiza, at a 35 minute drive from the airport, guests can expect to find a haven of tranquility at the crystalline Cala Xarraca, the perfect setting for some wellness and introspection. It is here that worldrevered brand Six Senses has elected to locate their latest retreat, which will surely extend its reputation.

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116 varied accommodation options, comprising townhouses, pool suites and beachfront caves are available to select from for the many who will come here first and foremost for the Spa. From tailored treatments provided by global practitioners and expert yogic masters to functional fitness, anti-ageing and multi-day Immersive Retreats, everything is centred around guest’s needs. The dining options also look like being legendary, overseen by Celebrity Chef, Eyal Shani, who will pioneer a programme of organic, seasonal and responsibly sourced cuisine through a number of dining venues.

CLICK TO VISIT

www.sixsenses.com

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ANANTARA VILLA PADIERNA PALACE Although this is located on Marbella’s doorstep, it is sufficiently removed and in such a wonderful location that, for all intents and purposes, it will feel like being in another world. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace lives up to its name with its magnificent Tuscan-inspired architecture, comprising wonderfully elegant rooms and suites. Combine this with an enviable range of dining options, three golf courses surrounding the resort, and a sumptuous spa, and guests will want to prolong their stay. ›

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The spa in particular offers an inviting oasis of tranquility, with more than 2,000m2 of Roman baths, a heated indoor pool, Hammam, Greek and Finish saunas, Floatarium, beauty salon and massage suites. Other amenities include a Raquet Club with tennis and padel, squash, badminton and, fittingly for an establishment of this elegance, there is a croquet lawn. To top it all, guests and visitors are welcome to visit the Beach Club on the seafront for a memorable lunch and a spot of lounging in the sun.

CLICK TO VISIT www.anantara.com/villapadierna

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SHA WELLNESS CLINIC SHA Wellness Clinic in Alicante is revered in Spain as the place to go to if you desire a complete overview of your current state of health. Over the last year, many of us have realised the value of a healthy body and mind and here is a retreat at which to achieve both. Specialising in wellness and nutrition, the clinic has dozens of doctors attending to guest’s health needs and offers more than 300 treatments that have been meticulously pioneered by world-class professionals. ›

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These include Programmes for Weight Management, Detoxing, Immune Rebalance, Stress Management, Sleep Recovery, Fitness Rebalance, Healthy Ageing, and Gut Health, among many others. They even have a Post-Covid Programme where anyone who has suffered from COVID-19 can be evaluated and assisted according to their individual situation.

The facilities are legendary, with sumptuous suites, a state-of-the-art spa, multiple swimming pools, and a pool deck with panoramic vistas to the majestic Sierra Helada mountain backdrop. Daily walks, fitness classes, yoga, Pilates and GAP (Glutes, Abs, Piernas) feature prominently as do calorie-tailored meals at the Shamadi restaurant, which largely features plant-based food. e

CLICK TO VISIT

www.shawellnessclinic.com

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Ikos Resorts, the world’s No1 luxury all-inclusive resorts group making its presence felt across the Mediterranean (from the Halkidiki Peninsula in Northern Greece to the islands of Corfu and Kos), is bringing its superlative levels of all-inclusive vacations to Estepona, with the launch of Ikos Andalusia. Bathed by the refreshing waters of the beautiful Playa de Guadalmansa, Ikos Andalusia offers 21 acres of carefully landscaped gardens, pools, and leisure facilities, created to make a stay at the resort as entertaining as it is relaxing. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF IKOS ANDALUSIA

IKOS ANDALUSIA

OPENS, BRINGING THE ‘INFINITE LIFESTYLE’ TO ESTEPONA 38 / JUNE 2021 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE

he new Hotel is home to a total of 411 bedrooms and suites, with an exclusive Deluxe Collection Suite area. It offers guests a bevy of luxury features, including six a-la-carte restaurants and one main Mediterranean venue, six bars, eight outdoor and indoor pools, including five main heated pools, a deluxe sports area, and the inimitable Anne Semonin Paris Spa. The resort is flanked by a 420m sandy beach where guests can reap the benefits of time spent in natural surrounds.

AN ALL-INCLUSIVE CONCEPT Ikos Andalusia offers enhanced luxury holidays with an enriched, all-inclusive guest experience. Premium facilities and services are provided for freedom of choice, with no cost surprises. Michelinstarred menus, signature beauty amenities from Anne Semonin Paris, 24-hour room service, 300 wine labels to choose from, dining out at local restaurants at no extra cost, a complimentary MINI Drive Adventure to explore the local surroundings and a limitless selection of services – all these are included in an ‘infinite lifestyle’ experience.

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ACCOMMODATION Rooms range in size from 33m2 (Double Room) to the Deluxe Two Bedroom Suite Private Pool (125m2). Stunning modern, chic design is married to serene views of the sea. The largest suite boasts a spacious pool that seems to ‘fall into’ the sea. It is ideal for a large family seeking ultimate comfort.

ENTERTAINMENT There are various indoor and outdoor pools at which to relax, exercise, or spend time with kids. There are also kid-free ones such as the indoor pool (which is for guests aged 16+). The steam bath and sauna area is also for older guests. The beach area (Ikos Andalusia Beach) has complimentary sunbeds, umbrellas, fruits, snacks and drinks delivered to sunbeds, and more.

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The resort also has a Local Discovery concept, which includes, at no extra cost: use of a Mini for one day, dining out at local restaurants, entrance tickets to partner museums in Malaga including the Automobile & Fashion museums and the Russian Art Museum and finally one free Green fee for a round of golf at the exclusive Los Naranjos Golf Club in Nueva Andalucia.

STRESS RELEASE The Ikos Spa is well equipped to remove every last bit of tension from your body and mind. It has nine private treatment rooms, an indoor heated pool, a fitness studio, relaxation area, thermal suite, hairdressing and nail salons, and beauty corner featuring Anne Semonin items.

TOP EXPERIENCES There are many activities to enjoy at the Ikos – including tennis, aqua aerobics, basketball, beach volleyball, yoga, boccia, canoeing, TRX, windsurfing (the list is infinitely long).

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There are also dedicated sports and kids’ activities, group activities such as board games, mini discos, and even a MINI Drive Adventure (all guests can take a MINI car for a full day for free, to visit top places of interest; note that prior booking is required). Visit the reception upon arrival to ask about a wealth of complimentary services and experiences including green fees, museum passes and the like.

KIDS JUST WANNA’ HAVE FUN Kids will enjoy many activities at the Hero Kids Club, including group games, pool games, shell collecting, treasure hunts and more! The Hero Crèche and Mini club is operated by childcare experts according to strict British Standards. On the beach, parents can enjoy a little ‘me time’ while Beach Childcare staff look after your precious little ones. If you’re up for something sporty, ask about the plethora of activities out at sea, including motorised water sports!

UNIQUE SERVICES For the ultimate bespoke experience, book the Deluxe Collection, Premium features, and Exclusive amenities services. These include everything from Taittinger Champagne upon arrival, and personalised vacation planning to PlayStations on request, access to an Exclusive area on the beach, and complimentary spa treatments.

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TOP DINING Ikos Andalusia will tempt foodies and wine buffs with the following: Z Flavors (where an extensive Mediterranean offering will be served at breakfast, lunch, and dinner time). Z Fresco (Open 24 hours, this venue offers an exquisite à-la-carte Italian menu). Z Anaya (Asian flavours abound at dinner time). Z Ouzo (Offering an à-la-carte breakfast and dinner, with Greek cuisine as a highlight). Z Provence (featuring French cuisine at lunch and dinner time – an excellent choice for those into elegant ambiences). Z Oliva (Enjoy a modern Spanish breakfast or dinner). Z Beach Club (Also open all day and featuring classic international dishes in a chilled space listening to the gentle rolling of the waves). 44 / JUNE 2021 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE

Z Cava (dazzling wine lovers with a collection of 300 local, national, and international bottles offered at Flavors, selected by the Ikos sommelier and served at all restaurants) The Hotel also has various bars, open from early until late (there are six in total). Most of the menus have been designed by Chefs from Michelinstarred establishments, including Lefteris Lazarou (for Ouzo), Ettore Botrini (Fresco), Thiou (Anaya), Anthony Jehanno (Provence) and David Ibarboure (Oliva). Signature cocktails are also

available from world-renowned Mixologist Marian Beke. All cocktails use premium-brand alcohol and are included, at no extra cost, as part of the all-inclusive concept. They can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Because luxury is what it’s all about at Ikos, you can enjoy 24-hour room service, beach and pool food and beverage service, and the Ikos DineOut service (dine at specially selected restaurants serving a tempting selection of traditional local dishes).

CLICK TO VISIT

www.ikosresorts.com

THE AWA R D-WI NNI NG SCANDI NAVI AN JACUZZ I

L I F E ’ S J U S T A B I T B E T T E R W I T H A D R O P.

S H OW R O O M ST R A N D P R O P E R T I E S AV. P L AYA S D E L D U Q U E , E D I F. M Á L A G A 1 C . 2 9 6 6 0 P U E R T O B A N Ú S , M A R B E L L A . + 3 4 676 9 0 1 5 1 9 I N F O @ ST R A N D. E S ST R A N D. E S / D R O P

Since 1962, Sotogrande S.A. has been the developer of Spain’s first and largest private master plan community and the creator of its unique lifestyle. Today Sotogrande S.A. is creating a new experience for family living through a selection of gated communities offering privacy and much more than a residence. A country club on your doorstep with state-of-the-art amenities and concierge services to complement Sotogrande’s quality of life.

+34 856 560 922 · lareserva.residencial@sotogrande.com · sotogrande.com

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THE BEACH CLUB HIGUERÓN

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The Beach Club Higuerón – a new level of beachside venue in Fuengirola

EASY-GOING REFINEMENT As a partnership between Reserva del Higuerón Resort and Urbania, The Beach Club Higuerón is the natural culmination of the successful lifestyle offering that sets them apart. Here, on the new Playa del Higuerón, a stylish beach club venue is opening just downhill from the resort community itself – with a private members club, a seaside restaurant and chill-out zone open to the public, and even a flexible workspace that sets the standard in this part of the Costa del Sol.

WORDS: MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE BEACH CLUB HIGUERÓN

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he reaction that Higuerón has received from its new homeowners shows that putting heart and soul into your project does pay off. The groundbreaking community stands out for the care and attention to detail that has gone into every element, from master plan and architectural styling to landscaping, services, amenities and considering ways to enhance the quality of life of those who live and own properties here. Naturally, this also includes a very high degree of dedication to sustainable development, and in all the above Higuerón has shown the way forward for 21st century projects on the Costa del Sol. It follows that the same dedication and attention to detail that have gone into the creation of the nearby residential community applies to any venture of Urbania and Reserva del Higuerón Resort, and as a result The Beach Club Higuerón is not just a beach club, but one with all the inspired thinking and execution that makes the Higuerón way of life so special.

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Balinese beds overlooking the sea at The Club

Stylish working spaces at The Japo

LEVEL 0 – THE BEACH Open to residents and public alike, The Beach is a stylish seaside venue in the spirit of our times: attractively styled, with excellent service and delicious Mediterranean cuisine and views right by the beach, yet also modern, laid-back and welcoming. This is 21st century luxury in the true sense of the word; all about enjoying a sense of refined well-being and enjoyment. The Beach offers a superb gastronomic experience centred upon a Mediterranean menu designed by Green Michelin-star chef Diego Gallegos, so in addition

to being gorgeous it’s also health-conscious. As befits a fine beach club, expect five-star service and amenities, including daytime beach and water activities ‘with a twist’. A comfortable, chilled space during the sunny days, The Beach becomes an attractive nighttime venue from sundown onwards, with resident DJs as well as visiting ones, live concerts and events. In summer, it makes the most of its location to stay open until late, and unlike many similar venues remains open throughout the year!

Enjoy penthouse luxury overlooking the sea

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Mediterranean views while you work and enjoy excellent food

LEVEL 2 – THE JAPO Standing out for its quirky name and its unrivalled flexibility, The Japo is very much a 21st century venue that evolves with the time of day and the flow of the seasons to offer exactly what you need at different times. Breakfast á la carte with a light Mediterranean flavour is served in the attractive restaurant from 9am, while lunch and dinner feature the Japanese-inspired cuisine of prize-winning Sushi Chef Carlos Navarro. Try it and you’ll be rewarded with the fine ingredients and dedication to perfection that are his trademarks. In-between, this is a welcoming co-working space that also features thematic and corporate events, and since it’s at street level with the beach 52 / MAY 2021 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE

club’s car park nearby, access is convenient and easy.

LEVEL 3 – YOU WON’T WANT TO LEAVE The ‘penthouse floor’ of The Beach Club Higuerón contains two designer apartments and two penthouses whose views, layout and décor offer contemporary comfort and style at its most seductive. So much so, in fact, that guests will struggle to leave this location with its offering of services and experiences. However, they are available for short term rentals only. There is also an eightmetre, state-of-the-art modern yacht by De Antonio Yachts available at The Beach Club Higuerón for partial or full-day

rentals with an experienced captain who will take you out for sunset chilling and ‘al fresco’ dining. In allowing itself the freedom to redefine the concept of a luxury venue of this kind, The Beach Club Higuerón follows its own path to provide a modern seaside experience created from the perspective of, well, you! It’s a philosophy that has been very well received so far, so expect to be delighted. g The Beach Club Higuerón, Playa del Higuerón, Av. del Sol, 225, Benalmádena. www.thebeachclubhigueron.com info@thebeachclubhigueron.com

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www.thebeachclubhigueron.com

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REMEMBERING

WILDLIFE NOW

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It’s Live Aid for animals in a coffee table book series. A ravishing requiem to species that may not be around for our grandkids to see, that’s raising dips inside to see why serious money to turn back the clock. celebrities, presidents and the world’s top wildlife photographers are avid supporters of Margot Raggett’s wildly successful idea.

REQUIEM FOR RHINOS Money and ignorance are the main cause of the demise of rhinos, whose horns, made of useless keratin, are worth their weight in gold on the black market. They are being poached towards extinction, often with brutal

consequences. Remembering Rhinos has raised £165,000 to date which has been shared with rhino conservation projects in South Africa, Kenya, India, Java and Sumatra.

“The book is dedicated to all those heroes on the front line of the war that is rhino poaching. Each risks their lives in their efforts to protect rhinos and we salute you.”

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cheeky cub noses up to a lion king; a baby orangutan learns jungle gymnastics from Mum. African wild dogs hug on hind legs. They are not only iconic images taken by the kind of wildlife photographers whose bylines regularly appear in National Geographic. They are portraits of species that may not be around for much longer, bound together in a crowdfunded charity book series that has raised over one million dollars to protect them. Inspired by a David Attenborough quote: “Are we happy to suppose that our grandchildren may never be able to see an elephant except in a picture book?”, Remembering Wildlife is Margot Raggett’s proactive answer to that poignant question. In five years her picture books have channelled funds to 53 wildlife projects in 24 countries – and counting. And it all started with Remembering Elephants. “Elephants are being wiped out quicker than they are being born and I just thought how shocking if they disappeared on our watch… that our generation could be the last to see elephants in the wild,” says the British wildlife photographer, who was moved to act after a harrowing encounter in Kenya with an elephant killed slowly by a poacher’s arrow. “But suppose it did happen, then a picture book could be the most amazing tribute to what this species was like in the wild. ›

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ELEPHANTS WE’LL NEVER FORGET

Now in its third edition, ‘the most beautiful book on elephants ever made’ is the gift that keeps on giving, with over £135,000 distributed for the protection of pachyderms through the Born Free Foundation. One of the more unusual beneficiaries was a project trialling bee fences in Kenya’s South Rift Valley, to stop elephants trampling crops and farmers from retaliating with their spears. “These depend on the fact that elephants hate bees with a passion,” explains Margot.

“By hanging bee hives on fences surrounding crops, the elephants will knock into them, causing a swarm, which makes them run in the opposite direction. Farmers are further incentivised by the income from all that honey!”

PRIDE IN LIONS “Lions were once more widespread than any other terrestrial animals apart from humans – their fossil remains have even been found in my home city, in Trafalgar Square! But in just the last quarter of a century, their numbers have declined by half to around 20,000 – substantially less than the estimated 30,000 rhinos and 400,000 elephants – which shocks many.

“Amongst the many threats they face, the biggest threat is direct conflict with the ever-expanding human population which normally only end one way for the lions.”

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ll wrote the fore Dr Jane Gooda

word

The book has funded a wildlife crime unit in Cameroon, purchased an aerial surveillance drone for a river island chimp colony in the Congo and donated to Gorilla Doctors, the only organisation in the world that provides medical care for gorillas in the wild.

IN PRAISE OF GREAT APES

“Bonobos, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans are our closest cousins. And yet we humans, the fifth great ape, seem callously able to turn a blind eye to their destruction for the sake of our own rapacious greed. Remembering Great Apes is a moment in time for us to say no, no more. We cannot, we will not, let this continue.”

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“My vision was simple. Ask the world’s best wildlife photographers to donate an image each and produce the most beautiful book on elephants ever made. Then use that picture book for good, to raise awareness and funds to fight the plight that elephants are facing. It’s now that we need to remember elephants before it’s too late.” Remembering Elephants was launched on Kickstarter in 2015, the crowdfunding platform where Margot raised the finance to publish it. It has been followed by five more titles: remembering rhinos, great apes, lions, cheetahs and African wild dogs, the latest book which smashed its £20,000 Kickstarter target within 20 minutes of going live and raised over £145,000 in a month. “We have been overwhelmed by the support for our simple idea,” says Margot whose books have funded projects in Africa and Asia for everything from camera traps and drone patrols to anti-poaching dogs and wildlife crime investigation. “It really seems to have struck a chord with animal lovers, photographers and conservationists everywhere and even caught the imagination of presidents and celebrities!” ›

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Out this November on Amazon

A DOG’S LIFE

With only 6,600 left in the wild, African Wild Dogs are in such trouble, it’s our duty to tell their story. Sadly, they have to be one of the most misunderstood of all mammals. They are very effective hunters which has led people to consider them cruel killers, resulting in their persecution and local extinction in many parts of Africa.

“In fact they are extremely social and loving to each other. Each litter of two-to-20 pups is cared for by the entire pack and they have been known to share food and assist weak or ill members. We humans could learn a thing or two from them.” g Remembering African Wild Dogs, to be published this November, can be preordered at buyrememberingwildlife.com

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Over 180 award-winning wildlife photographers from across the globe answered Margot’s call to donate images for the books. Virginia McKenna of Born Free fame, Dr Jane Goodall, the world’s top authority on chimpanzees and Jonathan Scott of BBC’s Big Cat Diary shows stepped up to write forewords, while two African presidents and almost as many stars as you can count on Hollywood Boulevard freely

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posed for a picture with their favourite book. Michelle Pfeiffer posed with three! Check out all the famous faces on rememberingwildlife. com Margot’s biggest challenge has been “the volume of work. I’m pretty much the head of sales, marketing, PR, finance, and just about everything. It’s taken over my life in a way I hadn’t anticipated. These days I’m more deskbound in London than I am out in the field

CHAMPIONING CHEETAHS taking pictures of wildlife, which I sometimes resent! “But when I see the good that we are able to achieve I feel better about it. For every £1 ‘invested’ in our Kickstarter by a supporter over the past five books, we’ve eventually turned that into a donation to a conservation organisation of more than £1.30,” she says proudly. “With the global pandemic still devastating tourism to Africa’s wildlife areas, it’s doubly important to fund the gap in conservation now, or there might be no wildlife left for us to eventually return to.” e Michelle Pfeiffer & husband David E. Kelley are big fans ›

“There are only 7,100 cheetahs left in the wild, and in some places, like Iran, the most endangered of all big cats is close to extinction. Once again, humans are their biggest threat – from farmers killing them to protect livestock to the pet and pelt trade and even overtourism which affects cub mortality.” In Namibia, where cheetahs are especially vulnerable, the books have funded a livestock guard dog programme training giant breeds like Kangals and Anatolian Shepherds from pups to bond with the herd and deter predators with their immense size and loud bark. Farmers with guard dogs are less likely to trap or shoot cheetahs.

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EURO 2021 x

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BETTER LATE THAN NEVER On June 11, Euro 2020 kicks-off 364 days late and, instead of one nation hosting this football fiesta, the tournament takes place all over the continent. So, get ready for 51 matches to find the new champions of Europe. WORDS RIK FOXX A TOURNAMENT OF UPSETS?

Every now and then the Euros throw up unexpected outcomes. Take 1992, Denmark, given last minute back-door entry after the break-up of war-torn Yugoslavia, won the competition. Then 2004, Greece surprised everybody, including themselves, by beating hosts Portugal in the final. With all that’s gone on could there be another bolt from the blue? After lockdown, the 2019/20 matches restarted last June and some players only had three weeks rest before the 2020/21 season started; that short break has been blamed

for unpredictable and frenetic campaigns throughout most European domestic leagues with injuries, fatigue and shock results. Could more be in store in this tournament?

THE BIG MATCH

The thinking man’s final is France v Belgium, the top two world-ranked countries. Unfortunately, if both win their groups a collision course in the semi-finals is inevitable. The two would face a pitchbattle with midfield generals Kevin de Bruyne and Paul Pogba marshalling their three-pronged attacks with Romelu Lukaku,

Dries Mertens and Eden Hazard (if fit) for Belgium, and Olivier Giroud, Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé for France. France could have a psychological advantage having beaten Belgium 1-0 in the 2018 World Cup semi-final. But a repeat of the previous match-up in 2015 where Belgium won a friendly 4-3 wouldn’t go amiss. If the match materialises, the winner would be favourite to lift the trophy and could face Holland, Portugal or Spain in the final. Below gives every country’s possible chances and star players if fit.

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VENUES: ROME (ITALY) AND BAKU (AZERBAIJAN)

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VENUES: SAINT PETERSBURG (RUSSIA) AND COPENHAGEN (DENMARK)

VENUES: AMSTERDAM (HOLLAND) AND BUCHAREST (ROMANIA)

BELGIUM (3-4-3) Z STAR: Midfield mastermind Kevin de Bruyne, the pivot of a well-oiled machine. Z HOW FAR: Win the group, a third-place side waits in the last 16 then Italy in the quarter-finals – then possibly France, then...

HOLLAND (4-3-3) Z STAR: Memphis Depay – his goals could take the rejuvenated Oranje a long way but there’s niggling injury issues. Z HOW FAR: Win the group, third-place nation in the last 16 and maybe Denmark/Switzerland in the quarters. The semis are a possibility.

SWITZERLAND (3-4-1-2 OR 4-4-2) Z STAR: Goalkeeper Yann Sommer’s performances could determine how far they will go. Z HOW FAR: Last 16 v Denmark. If they win, it’s Holland.

DENMARK (4-3-3) Z STAR: Like his father, Kasper Schmeichel is a tower of strength who encourages the whole team. Z HOW FAR: Fairy-tale ending like 1992? Nah – the semis tops, if luck goes their way.

UKRAINE (4-3-3 OR 4-1-4-1) Z STAR: For his country, Oleksandr Zinchenko plays wing back or the middle where he has blossomed. Z HOW FAR: A toss-up between second or third then lose in the round of 16.

WALES (3-4-2-1) Z STAR: Talisman Gareth Bale will look to motivate this attackminded side. Z HOW FAR: No semi-finals this time, just the last 16.

RUSSIA (5-2-2-1 OR 4-2-3-1) Z STAR: Attacking midfield playmaker Aleksandr Golovin has the task of pushing this side. Z HOW FAR: Third place, and see if they make the last 16. Then good luck.

AUSTRIA (4-2-3-1) Z STAR: Attacking midfielder Marcel Sabitzer has impressed with his Champions League performances. Z HOW FAR: Same as the Ukraine (see above).

FINLAND (5-3-2 OR 3-5-2) Z STAR: If fit, Teemu Pukki is their only hope. Z HOW FAR: They will enjoy the experience of the group games then go home.

NORTH MACEDONIA (4-2-3-1) Z STAR: Veteran Goran Pandev is the country’s top all-time scorer, a multitalented attacking midfielder. Z HOW FAR: Lowest ranked in the tournament so...

ITALY (4-3-3) Z STAR: Midfield dictator Marco Verratti is a centre circle ringmaster using his vision to feed his forward line. Z HOW FAR: Win the group, Austria/Ukraine in the last 16 then they could come up against Belgium in the quarter finals.

TURKEY (4-2-3-1) Z STAR: Çağlar Söyüncü is the man mountain in the defence. Z HOW FAR: Considered dark horses but a last 16 place should be their limit.

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THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN

Scotland will never forget 1967 when they came to Wembley and became the first team to defeat England after their 1966

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World Cup victory. They took the lead thanks to Denis Law then both sides scored twice in the last 12 minutes giving Scotland a 3-2 win. Scotland haven’t beaten the Auld Enemy this century and the last game at Wembley was November 2016 where England won a World Cup qualifier 3-0. They cross swords on June 18 and form favours England but you never know – could Scotland repeat their 1967 heroics?

Wembley Stadium in London will host the Final on July 11

England v Scotland is the oldest international fixture in the world and there’s no love lost between the two. In 114 matches, England have won 48, Scotland 41, with 25 draws. The game England fans remember is from Euro 96 where, in the space of 90 seconds, Scotland missed a penalty and Paul Gascoigne scored a memorable goal to seal a 2-0 victory.

CROATIA (4-2-3-1) Z STAR: 2018 Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modrić will direct the team from the midfield where they will try and control matches. Z HOW FAR: See England’s path above.

VENUES: WEMBLEY (ENGLAND) AND GLASGOW (SCOTLAND) ENGLAND (4-3-3 OR 3-4-3) Z STAR: 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner Harry Kane hopes to bag goals that will take them to the latter stages. Z HOW FAR: Group winners meet second place from Group F (Portugal/France) in the last 16. Group runners-up should mean meeting Sweden in the last 16 but Portugal/France are waiting in the quarter-finals. Euro 2021 Mascot Skillzy

CZECH REPUBLIC (4-2-3-1) Z STAR: Box-to-box midfielder Tomáš Souček is industrious in the midfield and most of the play goes through him. Z HOW FAR: A battle for third place with Scotland, then Belgium or Holland are next. SCOTLAND (3-4-1-2) Z STAR: Captain Andy Robertson will lead from the back with the strength and skill that have made him a winner in domestic performances. Z HOW FAR: Same route as Czech Republic (above).

VENUES: SEVILLA (SPAIN) AND SAINT PETERSBURG (RUSSIA) SPAIN (4-3-3) Z STAR: All could revolve around lynchpin Rodri especially in the anchor role in front of a defence that doesn’t now have Sergi Ramos to steady them. Z HOW FAR: Should have no problems until coming up against Portugal or France in the quarterfinals. SWEDEN (4-4-2) Z STAR: With Zlatan Ibrahimović’s injury problems, the onus now falls on the young and hungry striker Alexander Isak to find goals. Z HOW FAR: Finish second and Croatia/England are waiting in the last 16, followed by France. Finish third then face Belgium or Holland. POLAND (4-4-2 OR 3-5-2) Z STAR: Goal machine Robert Lewandowski is one of the best strikers in the world but how far can he carry this team? Z HOW FAR: Same path as6 Sweden (above). SLOVAKIA (4-1-4-1 OR 4-2-3-1) Z STAR: Attacking midfielder Marek Hamšík will look to finish his international career in a blaze of glory. Z HOW FAR: Chances are the hotel is only booked until the group stages finish. WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 71

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GROUP F(ear) THE GROUP OF DEATH

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last ones before the knockouts begin. France are favourites to top the group and Portugal are Possibly one of strongest expected to finish second, and ever groups of death in their clash on June 23 could modern football. France be the match of the qualifying (world champions), Portugal groups. With two teams who (Euro and European Nations like to attack, there may be a League champions), while battle royale in the middle of past masters Germany can the park and all could depend never be written-off. Making on which defence stands up the numbers are Hungary firm. But it could turn out to who face Portugal (June 15), followed by France (19th) then be a game of diplomacy: as mentioned earlier, it’s the final Germany (23rd). game of the group stage and The nagging question is could these three cancel each both will already know the routes available in the knockother out? Two wins and you are through but what happens out stages. France has the if there are stalemates? Four psychological upper hand third placed nations from having beaten Portugal twice the six groups qualify for the knock-out stages and whoever in Lisbon over the past 10 months. Last September, 1-0 finishes third in this group, (friendly) and by the same possibly Germany, could be going home early if results go score in a UEFA Nations League group game in against them. November; plus a 0-0 draw in But Germany have a slight advantage of being hosts and, Paris. The group winners could having already played France (15th) and Portugal (19th), will be on a collision course with have a reasonable idea of their Belgium in the semi-finals – yet there’s an easier route for task when playing Hungary whoever finishes second and (23rd) as the two Group F a possible path all the way to games that evening are the the final.

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VENUES: MUNICH (GERMANY) AND BUDAPEST (HUNGARY) FRANCE (4-2-3-1 OR 4-3-3) Z STAR: Kylian Mbappé is back to his best and will look to finish top scorer in the competition. Z HOW FAR: Win the group for a collision course with Belgium or finish second and face Holland or Denmark in the semis. PORTUGAL (4-4-2 OR 4-3-3) Z STAR: The one and only Cristiano Ronaldo only needs a single goal to become the Euro tournament’s top scorer of all time. Z HOW FAR: See France’s path above. GERMANY (4-3-3) Z STAR: Midfield operator Toni Kroos will look to control the game from the centre circle zone. Z HOW FAR: Finish third and Belgium or Holland await. Surprise everyone and finish higher – see France’s route. HUNGARY (3-1-4-2 OR 3-5-2) Z STAR: 20 year-old midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is dubbed ‘the next Puskás’ who despite his age is the playmaker and free kick taker. Z HOW FAR: Drew the short straw to end up in this group so...

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MASTER CLASS

If I was asked to name one thing the pandemic taught us, it would be the value of spending time at home perfecting skills. Some learnt to acquire new talents necessary for survival, some diversified to follow changing demands and others – having newly found free time on their hands – explored their life-long aspirations. So, would you like to learn to play tennis from Serena Williams, writing from Margaret Atwood or cooking from Gordon Ramsey? If the answer is yes, a MasterClass membership may be perfect for you. WORDS BY MADDIE QUINN

aunched back in 2015 in San Francisco, the celebrityinspired MasterClass learning platform has quickly gained momentum and gone from strength to strength as gradually, new classes were added. Professionals who have become well known and respected in their industry were encouraged to give a little something back to the community and create video lessons accessible to viewers

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from all over the world. Little did they know that with the global pandemic, the interest in online courses was to explode and they were to capture the world’s heart with their beautifully captivating video campaign delivered all over social media. Or maybe they did. You must have seen the teaser for Gordon Ramsey’s cooking class that has so far attracted over 95 million views on YouTube. If you never clicked

on that Facebook ad and are wondering what MasterClass is all about, read on.

WHAT IS MASTERCLASS?

MasterClass is not education in the traditional sense and doesn’t come with certification. Rather it’s a peak through a window into the world of people who became recognised and respected in their field. Creativity can’t be taught but they can walk you through their

processes, reveal reasoning behind choices, share what they have learnt throughout their careers, what made them prosper. They also come with practical advice and an actionable agenda along with a great dose of motivation and professional insight, providing inspiration that might just set you on the right path to your own success. “I wanted to create a school that made it possible for anybody in the world to learn from some of the minds and masters of their craft in an affordable way” says founder and CEO David Rogier who tagged the motto: “ Everyone should have access to genius” onto his venture.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Membership to MasterClass offers access to a hundredplus courses taught by internationally recognised personalities: chefs, photographers, singers, DJs, film and play producers, writers, athletes and more,

across nine categories of interest. Upon paying an annual fee you can download or watch online, with multiple app support on a desktop, TV or over a tablet or a phone. Each MasterClass is about two to five hours long broken into 10-20 video lessons that are on average 10-20 minutes. Categories include Food, Music, Writing, Community & Government, Design & Style, Business, Science & Tech, Wellness, Arts & Entertainment, Sports & Gaming and Home & Lifestyle. They also provide PDF workbooks for each course and a wide range of articles that you can browse on their website. MasterClass is full of information and when you join, you are invited to fill out a survey to personalise the experience. When finished with the class of your choice, they recommend more content based on your interests so you can make the most of the platform’s offerings.

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SOME HIGHLIGHTS FOOD

If you are a real foodie you will be delighted with this section’s choice. Learn modern Italian cooking from Massimo Bottura, restaurant recipes at home with Gordon Ramsey or wine appreciation from James Suckling. They also teach gardening herbs, Mexican, Middle Eastern and Japanese cuisine, Texas-style BBQ and the fundamentals of French pastry. My favourite is the Mixology class which will be rather useful for the summer!

MUSIC

Many of us would have liked to become a performer but just don’t have a clue how to jump in, right? You can find super inspirational classes from Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Hans Zimmer, Itzhak Perlman and lots more. Learn guitar with John Morello or Carlos Santana, Jazz with Herbie Hancock and DJing with Questlove. A little something for all ages and styles!

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WRITING AND FILM

There are a lot of famous artists providing classes that may help you to fire up your life-long ambition, whether to acquire new skills or to perfect existing ones. From the art of storytelling, to creative or thriller writing, independent filmmaking to acting and producing, everything is covered. Among others of similar calibre, David Lynch teaches creativity and film, Helen Mirren and Samual L. Jackson acting, Spike Lee and Jodie Foster film making and you will even find a class for voice acting and poetry.

ARTS

The photography, graphic design, architecture, interior design, fashion design subjects also have an impressive line-up. Kelly Wearstler’s inspirational interior design class is not to be missed! Jimmy Chin teaches adventure photography, RuPaul self expression and Bobbi Brown make-up and beauty. Even if you are already in one of these industries, insight from

these highly successful people may prove to be invaluable. There are many more and we could be listing them all day, but you can expect similar quality lecturers in highly popular courses. The science of better sleep, yoga and meditation, fitness, strategy and leadership, sales and persuasion, investigative journalism, economics & society, and even space exploration also feature as focus topics of these bitesize lessons which are easy to watch, to follow and to absorb for anyone interested. So if you find yourself bored even for a minute, now you know how to use that time better for your own good, and possibly even for your better future. g More information and membership: www.masterclass.com

CLICK TO VISIT

www.masterclass.com

525.000 €

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MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS SALOON WORDS TONY WHITNEY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MERCEDES-BENZ

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It’s always exciting to see an all-new S-Class saloon arrive from MercedesBenz for many solid reasons. As the Stuttgart manufacturer’s flagship car, it’s often used to debut new technology that we’ll see later on in less costly products from Mercedes. Look through the maker’s current range and you’ll find all kinds of advancements that originally made their bow on an S-Class.

he S-Class has dominated the Mercedes-Benz range of vehicles since 1972 when it officially took the flagship role, but its ancestry can be traced back to 1954. Ever since and over six generations, the car has been updated and refined and today, it’s the world’s top selling luxury saloon, probably by quite a wide margin. The prestige and appeal of this impressive car is global and it is assembled in many countries apart from Germany including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and India. There’s an ultra-luxurious Maybach variant of the car, marketed as a stand-alone product separate from the core S-Class lineup. ›

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SUPREME ELEGANCE The design of the new 2021 S-Class was clearly developed along restrained and conservative lines and owes something to the beautiful CLS 4-door coupés that launched a new segment across the auto industry a few years back. Although the S-Class has the same sweeping coupé lines as the CLS, it was designed to provide more rear headroom, which will be a welcome move for taller occupants back there. Over the years, the S-Class line has seen one or two models that fell short in the styling department, but this isn’t among them. ‘Supreme elegance’ would be a good way to describe the 2021 S-Class design.

SUPERIOR TECH SUPPORT Mercedes-Benz points to a number of technological advancements aimed at enhancing driver support, protection and interaction. These include a new 3D instrument display that provides depth perception of the surroundings and uses eyetracking. The dash-dominant touch-screen is a huge 12.8-inch unit. A large head-up display is available with augmented content, providing critical information without having to scan the instrument panel. 84 / JUNE 2021 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE

Other available features include active interior lighting integrated into the driver assistance systems. Mercedes points out that these and other technologies mean that the S-Class can be experienced with almost all the senses – vision, touch, hearing and even smell. The driver is truly integrated with the vehicle thanks to this pioneering engineering work. As with previous S-Class cars, a variety of engine choices are available ranging from economical diesels to potent twin-turbo V-8s. No doubt there’ll be a performanceoriented AMG variant somewhere down the road too. Some engine options use mildhybrid technology and there are indications that an all-electric S-Class may be on the way. ›

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THE PERFECT PACKAGE The interior design of these cars is nothing short of superb and just stepping inside one is to enjoy an ambiance not often experienced. Considering that even the least expensive Mercedes-Benz car is meticulously finished, it’s obvious that the flagship is going to be something very special indeed – and it is. Especially attractive is the quilted leather used for the seating on some models. Also worth mentioning is the way different materials and textures are matched to

create a feast for the eyes every time you get into the car. In order to reduce drive workload, an array of controls is located on the steering wheel. These take a little getting used to, but once acquainted, it’s a lot safer than reaching across the dash. Certainly MercedesBenz has excelled itself in creating a car that should handily retain its bestselling status for many years to come. There are many fine competitors out there, but the S-Class remains a benchmark for luxury car manufacturers to attain.

Z ENGINE: Range includes petrol and diesel V-6 and V-8. Z TRANSMISSION: 9-speed automatic. Z ACCELERATION: Zero to 100 km/h in 4.9-secs (S 500). Z TOP SPEED: 250 km/h (governed). Z I LIKED: An outstanding interpretation of what a modern luxury saloon should be. Unsurpassed fit and finish matched with spirited performance with all powerplant options. Z I DIDN’T LIKE: It would have been good to see an electric or full plug-in hybrid version right from the start, but no doubt they are on the way. Z MARKET ALTERNATIVES: BMW 7-Series, Audi A8L, Jaguar XJL, Genesis G90, Lexus LS, Maserati Quattroporte. Z WHO DRIVES ONE? People who want the very best combination of luxury and performance in a full size saloon. Mercedes enthusiasts who will always buy the latest version of their favourite model and don’t wish to own a luxury SUV. Z PRICE AND AVAILABILITY: Available now starting at €93,438.

g This article is sponsored by C. De Salamanca, official dealers for Bentley, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Jaguar & Land Rover. Tel: (+34) 952 785 250.

86 / JUNE 2021 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE

A new era of freedom awaits.

The breathtaking Continental GT range. Feel the thrill of rediscovery in the definitive grand tourer. Continental GT WLTP drive cycle: fuel consumption, mpg (l/100km) – Combined 20.8 (13.6). Combined CO₂ – 308 g/km. The name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © 2021 Bentley Motors Limited. Model shown: Model Derivative Name.

BENTLEY MARBELLA

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trends

KEEP ABREAST OF THE ACTION RE WHAT’S GOING ON WITH HOT NEW ACTION FILMS, BINGE-WORTHY SERIES, NEW BOOK RELEASES, MUSIC EVENTS AND NEWS, AND WHAT IS TRENDING IN SPAIN AND FURTHER AFIELD.

GO TO PAGE 104 FOR MUSIC NEWS

GO TO PAGE 100 FOR NEW

BOOK RELEASES

GO TO PAGE 92 FOR HOT NEW MOVIES

CINEMA SERIES MUSIC NEWS 92 Hot New Action Films 96 Cool New Series 100 Books – New Releases

GO TO PAGE 108 FOR WHAT’S COOL

104 Music News 108 What’s Cool

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COOL NEW

MOVIES

With summer approaching, the cine industry is gearing up with lots of new releases. Catch some of these intense action movies soon. WORDS JAMES SINCLAIR

THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD

» Genre: Drama/Suspense » Director: Taylor Sheridan (Wind River) » Actors: Angelina Jolie, Nicholas Hoult, Finn Little Angelina Jolie returns in a searing action thriller directed by Taylor Sheridan, the author of Sicario. Conner Casserly is a young boy on the run from the assassins who killed his father. He crosses paths with experienced fire warden and survival expert Hannah Faber (Jolie), who offers him protection. When the assassins set the Montana forest ablaze to burn them out, Faber and Casserly have to outlive an engulfing fire in the wilderness and outwit the relentless killers on their trail.

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WRATH OF MAN

» Genre: Action » Director: Guy Ritchie (The Gentlemen) » Actors: Jason Statham, Scott Eastwood, Jeffrey Donovan Guy Ritchie and Jason Stratham are back together, so expect action, thrills, fun and surprises. Signing on as a new security guard for an armoured cash truck with Fortico security, Patrick Hill (Statham) stuns his co-workers with his precision skills in combat and marksmanship. As the plot progresses, we learn that H, as he is nicknamed, has a forged identity and is on a mission of revenge with his ultimate motive becoming clear as he takes radical steps to settle a score.

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A QUIET PLACE PART II

» Genre: Terror/Suspense » Director: John Krasinski (A Quiet Place) » Actors: Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds Once again directed by John Krasinski, the sequel follows the trials of the Abbot family as they attempt to survive in a post-apocalyptic world inhabited by monsters with ultra-sensitive hearing. The creatures hunt every sound that is made forcing the survivors to live in silence, and this makers for tense viewing. Now, forced to venture into the unknown, the family quickly comes to learn that the deadly creatures are not the only danger they have to face and to overcome.

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ARMY OF THE DEAD

HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD

» Genre: Action/Comedy » Director: Patrick Hughes (The Hitman’s Bodyguard) » Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Salma Hayek, Samuel L. Jackson Once again written by Tom O’Connor and directed by Patrick Hughes, you are in for a rollercoaster ride of thrills and laughs as bodyguard Michael Bryce (Reynolds) and hitman Darius Kincaid (Jackson) are back on another deadly mission. Stressed out to the max, Bryce is taking a relaxing sabbatical when Sonia Kincaid (Hayek) appears on the scene in dramatic fashion. The trio soon find themselves involved in a global plot that threatens the security of Europe at the hands of a powerful megalomaniac.

» Genre: Action/Horror » Director: Zack Snyder (Zach Snyder’s Justice League) » Actors: Dave Bautista, Huma Qureshi, Ella Purnell A zombie outbreak has left Las Vegas in ruins and sealed off from its surrounds. The Government is planning to blast it to oblivion, but what about the $200 million lying in a vault beneath the strip? It is in this scenario that former zombie war hero, Scott Ward, is approached by Casino boss Bly Tanaka offering a huge pay-off to retrieve the cash. Ward assembles a diverse team and the action hots up with the time counting down, a seemingly impenetrable vault, and an army of zombies to overcome. e

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HOT NEW

SERIES

Check out some of the latest series releases for some serious viewing. WORDS JAMES SINCLAIR

LOVE, DEATH & ROBOTS (VOLUME 2) Netflix

» Created by: David Fincher Fans of this radical animated sci-fi show have been waiting for its return with anticipation. The first season, which was produced by the revered David Fincher, featured a series of animated short stories that span various genres including science fiction, fantasy, comedy and horror. Short, slick, violent and explicit, if you haven’t seen them then you have seriously missed out. The second season promises more of the same and a third season has already been confirmed for 2022.

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HALSTON Netflix

» Created by: Sharr White » Actors: Ewan McGregor, Bill Pullman, Rebecca Dayan This new limited series follows the untold story of the meteoric rise and fall of the first Amserican celebrity fashion designer, Halston, who built an empire in the 1970s and 80s. His minimalist clean designs often created from cashmere or suede were a new phenomenon in the mid 70s disco era which redefined American fashion. The Halston signature, coveted by celebrities, was synonymous with luxury and fame, a name that he had to battle for control of following a hostile takeover.

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THE MOSQUITO COAST Apple TV+

» Created by: Neil Cross » Actors: Justin Theroux, Gabriel Bateman, Logan Polish Based on the bestselling novel by Paul Theroux, his nephew Justin personifies the character of Allie Fox, a radical idealist and brilliant inventor who decides to relocate his off-the-grid family to Mexico when they suddenly find themselves being pursued by the US Government. With the Feds closing in on them, they face adversity crossing the border on foot, before seeking refuge in a palatial hacienda where a family’s allpowerful matriarch sees them as pawns in her own game.

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LISEY’S STORY Apple TV+

THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD Amazon Prime

» Created by: Barry Jenkins » Actors: Thuso Mbedu, Chase W. Dillon, Joel Edgerton From Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins and based on the Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Colson Whitehead, The Underground Railroad chronicles slave Cora Randall’s desperate bid for freedom after escaping from a mid-19th century Georgian plantation. With a relentless bounty hunter on her tail, Cora takes refuge in the Underground Railroad, a secret network of tracks and tunnels beneath the soil, as she struggles to remain free and to realise a life she never thought possible.

» Written by: Stephen King » Directed by: Pablo Larraín » Actors: Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, Joan Allen Adapted from Stephen King’s novel of the same name and featuring his trademark elements of psychological horror, Julianne Moore stars as Lisey, the widow of famous novelist Scott Landon, who experiences a number of distressing memories during the process of cleaning out her husband’s office two years after his death. A series of disturbing events involving a stalker who is obsessed with her husband’s work force her to begin facing realities about him that she had repressed and forgotten. e

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HERE COMES THE SUMMER! IT’S TIME TO DIG OUT THE BEACH TOWEL AND SETTLE DOWN WITH JUNE’S MOST EXCITING NEW RELEASES WORDS ALICIA DUGGAN OF THE BOOKSHOP IN SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA , CC LA COLONIA LOCAL 21, SAN PEDRO DE ALCÁNTARA. TEL: 951 779 785. WWW.THEBOOKSHOP.ES

ONE ORDINARY DAY AT A TIME BY SARAH J. HARRIS With her debut novel, the multi award winning The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder, Sarah J. Harris firmly cemented herself as an author to watch. Her latest offering is an uplifting and original story of hopes and desires. Jodie Brook is a struggling single mum who dreams of a better life for herself and her son Zak. Simon is a socially awkward intellectual who can’t seem to put his genius to any financial use. Both are working at a fast-food joint, Prince Burger, becoming more depressed with their stagnant lives as they watch the world go by. Their worries and secrets have weighed them down and kept them isolated. When an unlikely friendship forms between them they discover that it may be possible to improve their lives one ordinary day at a time.

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SHOULD WE STAY OR SHOULD WE GO BY LIONEL SHRIVER

THE MURDER OF GRAHAM CATTON BY KATIE LOWE

When Kay Wilkinson’s father dies of Alzheimer’s she finds herself more relieved than upset. In the final ten years of his life the disease had eroded the man he was, leaving a stranger for her to mourn. Both Kay and her husband Cyril are medical professionals and have seen how illness and disease can rob people of dignity in their final years. Although they are both healthy in their fifties, they decide to make a pact to commit suicide together on Kay’s 80th birthday. However, as the date approaches, they begin to have doubts. The book offers twelve parallel universes highlighting the different outcomes their decisions could have. Serious issues are handled with compassion, humour, and Shriver’s trademark tongue-in-cheek wit.

Ten years ago, Hannah’s husband was brutally murdered in their home. Even though Hannah and her daughter, Evie, were at home during the crime, Evie was too young to be of help and Hannah suffered memory loss and was unable to recollect what happened. Luckily, with the help of a witness, the murderer was apprehended and convicted. Ten years later Hannah has remarried and made a new life for herself and her daughter. However, a popular true crime podcast, Conviction, chooses Hannah’s husband’s murder as the subject of its new series. As the series progresses, the guilt of the young man convicted is called into question and Hannah finds herself on trial by social media. Her life and sanity begin to unravel as secrets are uncovered in this tense and surprising psychological thriller.

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STILL LIFE BY SARAH WINMAN From the prize-winning author of When God Was a Rabbit and Tin Man. When young British soldier Ulysses Temper meets art historian and possible spy Evelyn Skinner in a ruined villa in Tuscany in 1944, they spend the evening discussing art, beauty, and truth while bombs fall around them. This brief encounter stirs something in Ulysses that will shape the course of his life for decades to come. Meanwhile, back in London, Ulysses’ wife Peg copes with the war years by taking comfort in the arms of American soldier Eddie. Beautifully descriptive and peopled with colourful characters, Still Life is a story of love, enduring friendship, family, and loss told with humour and heart.

THE PRESIDENT’S DAUGHTER BY BILL CLINTON AND JAMES PATTERSON The duo who brought us the international bestseller, The President is Missing, are back with a new standalone novel. Former President and one time Navy Seal, Matt Keating, is about to face any parent’s worst nightmare. His daughter, Melanie, is kidnapped by a terrorist whose family had been killed by Keating’s Administration in the first year of his Presidency. As Keating’s personal life becomes a matter of national security, he must draw on all his skill and training as he sets out on a one-man special-ops mission to save his daughter. With Bill Clinton’s insights and Patterson’s prowess for action packed drama, The President’s Daughter is a suspenseful, and exciting thriller filled with twists and turns. e

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w TRENDS music

back to CONTENTS Martin Garrix

WORDS RIK FOXX

¿QUÉ PASA? ...on the music front The pandemic situation was due to be reviewed at the end of last month – if there is positive news the night scene should start to get back to some kind of normality so check your local weekly publications for any gigs. All information on this page was correct at the time of writing.

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Still Have Faith In You and Don’t Shut Me Down were lined up for a TV festive special which never materialised. He revealed there are three other new songs which may feature in the ABBAtar hologram tour – whenever that happens. Of the said tour he revealed that the girl’s rerecorded vocals of their classics are in a lower pitch, “about one tone lower, perhaps” and added that rumours of a biopic are not true but said movie makers U2 have teamed up with Dutch DJ MARTIN GARRIX for the official song of the delayed Euro 2020 football competition which begins on June 11 – We Are The People We’ve Been Waiting hit the net recently with a video in the making at the time of writing. And the England theme tune, Three Lions, is being rereleased for a sixth time and hopes to make it a hat trick of number ones in the UK singles chart having topped the listings in 1996 and 2018. want Mamma Mia! III.

Bonnie Tyler © S. Kuelcue

f allowed, an extended Starlite Festival will raise its curtain on June 18 with 1990s Spanish female duo ELLA BAILA SOLA and will wind down with the ‘King of electro Latin’, JUAN MAGÁN on September 4. Most artists are Spanish but the Wales flag will be flying with BONNIE TYLER (August 14) and TOM JONES, who will be promoting his April released cover version album Surrounded By Time, on August 16. For the full line-up plus ticket info: starlitemarbella.com Before that, Fuengirola’s Marenostrum Festival is scheduled for a June 4 start with Lebanese violinist ARA MALIKIAN. As with Starlite, there is a strong Spanish presence (booking international acts has been difficult due to the pandemic) but Irish indie rockers TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB play on July 8 and a QUEEN tribute on August 4. The festival runs until September 25 with most performances at the castle. For the full line-up plus ticket info: marenostrumfuengirola.com BJÖRN ULVAEUS has confirmed ABBA will “definitely” release new music this year. Back in 2018 two songs, I

TICKETS: N LUCIÓ DEVO A D NTIZA GARA

y muchos mas.. 902 750 787

starlitecatalanaoccidente.com

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Red Hot Chili Peppers © Tony Norkus

More artists are jumping on the sell your royalty rights bandwagon and the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS have cashed in for a reported $140M plus with Hipgnosis. The song management company, founded by ex BEYONCÉ manager MERCK MERCURIADIS and NILE RODGERS of CHIC, have been purchasing many artists royalties during the last six-months and have put themselves on the stock market to raise more cash, to buy more songs, and to capitalise on the music streaming revolution. Music biz big wigs are wondering what they are up to. The first of two International Record Store Days takes place on June 12 (also July 17), and limited vinyl issues by numerous artists, too many to mention, will be on sale. For a full release list: recordstoreday.com Vinyl sales continue to rise and last year there was a 30.4% increase, the best in 30 years. LANA DEL REY is releasing twoalbums in two-months with Rock Candy Sweet landing on June 1 106 / JUNE 2021 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE

and Blue Banisters drops on July 4 making it three albums in five-months. March’s Chemtrails Over the Country Club was a top-five hit worldwide. Other noticeable releases this month: On the 4th, CROWDED HOUSE hope to return to former glories with Dreamers Are Waiting; the debut from UK alternative R&B band EASY LIFE with Life’s A Beach and Blue Weekend by UK indie rockers WOLF ALICE. On the 11th, NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS release a greatest hits, Back The Way We Came: Vol.1 (2011-2021), featuring two-new songs and MAROON 5 are back with Jordi. For the last twoweeks of June there are no significant releases. COLDPLAY laid a publicity path for their forthcoming album last month with the new single Higher Power. The song turned up on TikTok, on an ‘extraterrestrial transmission’ with a special link-up to the International Space Station and opened the Brits Awards with a performance on a specially constructed riverboat stage

on the Thames. The band were also scheduled for Glastonbury’s Live at Worthy Farm live-stream event on May 22. When asked about a new album release, CHRIS MARTIN said: “We’re not supposed to say, but there won’t not be one”, but a little bird tells it has a working title of Music For The Spheres. Since her 2019 recording rights headaches, life has been sweeter for TAYLOR SWIFT. April’s rerecorded Fearless (Taylor’s version) topped charts in several countries. Last month she picked up the BRITS Global Icon Award becoming the first female and the youngest ever artist to land this coveted trophy and she is currently putting finishing touches to more revamped tunes from her back catalogue for future release. LEWIS CAPALDI raised a few laughs at the BRITS while presenting an award saying, “It’s been a great year for albums. Most of all because I haven’t f***ing released one!” He added: “Obviously, let’s also hope that Scotland win at the Euros.” e

Circus SAN JUAN PARTY 23rd June · Cocktail and Dinner from 8pm · Live Music & Entertainment Join us at Anantara By the Sea Beach Club for a very special start to the Summer EUR 100 p/person, wines included

LIFE IS A JOURNEY. Visit anantara.com T. +34 952 889 150 E. villapadierna@anantara-hotels.com ANANTARA BY THE SEA BEACH CLUB URBANIZACIÓN COSTALITA, CALLE ADRIANO, S/N, KM 166 29679, MARBELLA, SPAIN

w TRENDS what’s cool

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? l o o c s ’ t wha

ACKWELL COMPILED BY IAIN BL

LEXUS LF–Z ELECTRIFIED FUNKY INTERIORS

To celebrate the world premiere of the LF–Z, Lexus has partnered with three innovative artists and designers to reinvent the interior of the vehicle. Digital artist Ondrej Zunka, shoe designer Salehe Bembury and Japanese fashion brand Hender Scheme have conceived virtually rendered interiors that reflect the legacy of the marque and its future in electrification. The set of creatives chosen exemplifies different aspects of Lexus core principals. i www.lexus.com 108 / JUNE 2021 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE

BANG & OLUFSEN BEOLAB 28

Bang & Olufsen recently xible introduced Beolab 28, fle mbine wireless speakers that co ions advanced acoustic solut es to with smart speaker featur perience. create an exceptional ex n and Thanks to its sleek desig olab innovative technology, Be re in 28 can be placed anywhe quality the home, offering studio that powerful surround sound ic allows you to stream mus s ay exactly how you have alw dreamed of hearing it. om i www.bang-olufsen.c

OW W IBIZA LAUNCHES GL AND LA LLAMA

e W Ibiza will Launched last summer, th th with two welcome guests this mon s. Glow is new and exciting opening s located on an exclusive bar for adult spectacular the roof of the hotel with which will views and an infinity pool, s with diverse come to life in the evening a, meanwhile, musical events. La Llam nce with fire at is a gastronomic experie comprising the heart of all its dishes, international an innovative menu with za.com influences. i www.wibi

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back to CONTENTS BAR DE FUEGOS OPENS IN MADRID

BAGLIONI RESORT SARDINIA A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, Baglioni Resort Sardinia has just opened on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia. Set within the unspoiled coastline of Tavorla Marina, a protected natural landscape, the new resort comprises 78 rooms and suites with an enviable list of amenities. Guests will savour timeless Italian elegance combining luxury accommodation, a signature spa, and Michelin-starred cuisine. i www.baglionihotels.com

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Marbella’s very own Mauricio Giovanini, who holds a Michelin Star for his iconic restaurant Messina in the heart of Marbella, has just opened the funky Bar de Fuegos on Madrid’s Calle de Barbieri, in the Barrio de Chueca. Mauricio, who originally hails from Argentina, has created a diverse menu to cater to many tastes where dishes prepared on wood and charcoal grills prevail, complete with innovative twists and elegant touches. i www.bardefuegos.com

ABAMA GOLF – BEST RESORT IN CONTINENTAL EUROPE Leading golf publication, Golf Digest, has named Abama Golf, on the island of Tenerife, as the best golf resort in continental Europe for a fourth consecutive year. Designed by renowned architect, Dave Thomas, aficionados of the sport will feel on top of the world playing this 18-hole course, which is located close to the sumptuous five-star Ritz-Carlton, Abama and features incomparable views of the ocean and surrounding Canary Islands. i www.abamagolf.com

ROCHE BOBOIS NOW ON CALLE PARIS

This month, leading interior design and furniture store, Roche Bobois, will open on Barcelona’s Calle Paris, at the commercial epicentre of the city. Encompassing 700m2, the new premises will replace the existing store on Calle Muntaner, housing best sellers of the brand as well as its collections and collaborations with iconic designers. Roche Bobois has 19 stores in Spain, making it the fourth most important market for the group. i www.rochebobois.com

EL PULPO COMES TO MADRID

Ocean-inspired men’s clothing line, El Pulpo, originating from Galicia, has opened a flagship store on Madrid’s Calle Hortaleza. In line with its affinity to sustainable tendencies, the new locale has been designed by prestigious architect, Marcos Samaniego, who has employed natural materials to reinforce the values of the brand. Customers will be able to indulge in all their favourite El Pulpo items at the trendy new venue. i www.elpulpo.es WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 111

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lifestyle

MARVEL AT OUR FEATURE ON ULTRA-LUXURIOUS LOUNGES, BE INSPIRED BY MOOOI’S EXTINCT ANIMALS WALLCOVERINGS, CHECK OUT SUBLIME SUMMER SWIMWEAR FROM MELISSA ODABASH, AND SEE WHICH TRAINERS ARE THE COOLEST IN 2021.

GO TO PAGE 128 FOR MOOOI

GO TO PAGE 136 FOR SCENT DIFFUSERS

GO TO PAGE 140 FOR MELISSA ODABASH SWIMWEAR

INTERIORS ARCHITECTURE ART FASHION

GO TO PAGE 114 FOR LUXURIOUS LOUNGES

114 Luxurious Lounges 128 Moooi Extinct Animals Collection 136 Scent Diffusers 140 Magnificent Melissa Odabash Swimwear 148 Cool Trainers in 2021

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LOUNGING IN LUXURY Whatever we name it, we live in the lounge and that makes it the most important room in the house. We at BRIGHT have been writing about lounges for quite some time, and have decided to put together 10 of our best, all designed by the award-winning UDesign team. All different, but all with a common thread of architectural and interior design excellence, and all a joy to live in. Here are our 10 top lounges. WORDS VIVION O’KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF BRIGHT

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TROPICAL VILLA The beauty and colour of this Caribbean island have been imported into the interior of this stunning home, located in the Cayman Islands. Splashes of colour and light from the sea and the lush tropical vegetation have been brought inside, making it a reflection of what's on the outside. The swing chair, facing the fabulous view of the sparkling blue sea, is of course the fun element of the design. We know which chair in this home will get used the most! ›

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GARDEN VILLA This lounge is in front of an interior garden, with a tree growing out from the huge rocks and bushes, bang in the centre of the house and open to the sky above. When it rains, you not only see and hear the rain, but experience it, but you don’t get wet: the floor tiles slope imperceptibly towards the centre. You can experience and enjoy the weather, whatever it happens to be, without moving from your sofa. With a distinctive Japanese flavour to it, almost Zen-like, nature is the drawing board in this home. Trees, flowers, plants, rocks, sand and architectural elements, using nature as the vital ingredient, all designed with precision and attention to detail, all put together in many different ways with absolute respect for nature.

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X C

INTERIOR DESIGN

L U

V E D E S

BESPOKE CARPENTRY

FURNITURE COLLECTION

by Aalto Design SHOWROOM MARBELLA Opening hours

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

Mon-Fri: 10:00-14:00

16:00-19:00

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VILLA SERENITY Serenity by name, serenity by design. Inside or out? Hard to tell, because sitting in this lounge is as close as one can get to sitting in the natural surroundings of the villa itself. The walls of glass soar above the low seating area, drawing inside the carefully designed garden. Sparkling white is the predominant colour, accentuated by the simple black coffee table and the dark blue of the lights overhead, while the black window frames define the entire glassed area. In this villa, the concept of outdoor/indoor living is almost brought to an extreme, but it works in a beautiful and poetic way that invites us to be there.

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show flat designed for

DESIGN

ARCHITECTURE

Ambience is a multiple award-winning and market leading Interior architecture firm that brings creative, inspirational residential and retail projects to life around the globe. Our team consists of 25 professionals: architects, interior designers, 3D render artists, furniture designers, communication manager, project managers, the admin & logistic team and of course an installation team. Since 2002, Ambience has been commissioned to work on luxury projects in the UK, Belgium, Hong Kong, The Netherlands, Germany, Egypt, Switzerland and St Lucia, and has ongoing projects with renowned architects and developers in both Spain and abroad.

FURNITURE

REFURBISHMENT

We are experts in turn-key projects and meticulously plan every design aspect of your home, from the entire interior design and furniture concept to kitchens, bathrooms, fireplaces, wardrobes, floors, etc. attending to the most smallest details, matched to perfection with our carefully chosen craftsmen for our recognized and influential bespoke designs, as well as always sourcing the new international providers and partnering with the most renown furniture brands, lighting & accessory worldwide. We believe that synergetic partnerships are the key to the steady growth of our company and our International success.

www.ambiencehomedesign.com | info@ambiencehomedesign.com

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MANHATTAN SUITE This magnificent penthouse lounge is top notch for the top notch, a contemporary design in a faux-baroque/contemporary style that will seal any deal. The high glass walls are an invitation to linger longer over the sprawling city below, as good a view by night as by day. The architecture is classic big-city American (Lloyd Wright would have loved it), and the interior design is cool, sophisticated and beautiful. Nothing off the rack here: the furniture is designer and the fittings have been made to fit this space and no other. The Manhattan Suite lounge is the perfect combination of simplicity, modernity, elegance and tradition, all in one.

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VILLA ANDALUZ The formal lounge area in Villa Andaluz is drawn on the floor by the black lines in the carpet, enclosing a space that is defined architecturally by the high minimalist fireplace. The main seating in the lounge is a long purple Arketipo sofa, traditional in design and contrasting with the contemporary coffee tables in front. This is all about contrast and colour against a white architectural structure, with access to the rest of the villa in all directions making the space central – although not actually the centre – to the entire floor plan. In a way, this is a lounge without walls, an island of peace and relaxation in a vast open ground-floor area that can only exist naturally in the context of an Andalucian villa.

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MALLORCA VILLA The design of this Mediterranean villa is based around a central atrium with a hanging oriental garden, and its beautiful lounge occupies most of the ground floor. Lounges, to be more exact, because a lounge being a place to relax in, there is more than one such space here. A large space with two separate main seating areas, linked visually by the Asian aesthetic of less being more, and the wonderful atrium full of Bonsai trees and hanging plants brings nature right into the home. The space is extremely functional as a large lounge where all family members and friends can gather together without feeling claustrophobic.

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105 MARBELLA HILLS This vibrantly coloured and sophisticated villa, filled with many of the best artworks in the world, is for the owner who has seen it all and still likes to party. One who also likes to relax in a relatively traditional lounge that is in keeping with the eclectic architecture and interior design of the

rest of the villa. Structurally simple, with natural light flooding in from tall windows all around, this is actually the family TV lounge. Guests can make use of the many other seating areas in the vast property, not least of which is a magnificent outdoor lounge area at the far side of the pool, complete with its own fireplace.

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VILLA NURAYA The Villa Nuraya lounge could be described as an art gallery masquerading as a lounge, or vice versa, depending on one’s point of view, quite apart from the fact that the space itself is an entity of exceptional beauty. But putting aside the art for a moment, we see a quite unusual crimson sofa on one side, reminiscent of a piece of soft seventies sculpture, in front of a long low slab that is a coffee table, flanked at each end by rounded ochre/yellow armchairs, all sitting in isolated glory beneath a very high ceiling and gardens on both sides, one interior and one exterior. The minimalist stairway is in itself another work of sculpture. The end wall is splattered with giant gold and silver coloured blobs in a seemingly haphazard way, but nothing in this lounge has been put there by chance, and certainly not the fluttering cloud of gold leaves that hangs from the ceiling, which is, of course, a very beautiful and creative chandelier.

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VISTA LAGO RESIDENCES All 18 of the villas at Vista Lago will be designed and built individually, and in many cases, to specific clients’ tastes, so it is, perhaps, difficult to show what they will all look like. But we can state that all are open-plan, and all conform to the non-conformity of great creative design. That means attention to both detail and overall concept. All villas are guaranteed to have uninterrupted views of the Mediterranean below, and beyond, and these views can be enjoyed from the lounge as much as from its extension onto the front terrace in each property. While some villas have colourful and

exuberant interiors, like the one pictured here, others are more muted. Good interior design is pretty and decorative. Great interior design is an art form, and that has been achieved here.

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VILLA ALCUZCUZ The view from across the pool looking into the formal lounge in Villa Alcuzcuz takes the breath away. The beauty of the furniture and its layout is accentuated by the extremely high ceiling, extending up two floors, and the lighting becomes an imposing design element in itself, even in broad daylight when the natural light creates mottled patterns on the tall mural in the centre of the room. To say that this is all about the view from inside out would be wrong: the views are certainly important, but just as beautiful is the view from the outside in. The tall symmetry here is majestic, making this a space that explains perfectly why the villa has won important international design awards. Unfortunately for some, Villa Alcuzcuz has recently been sold.

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All architecture and interior design in this feature is by UDesign, developed by BRIGHT. i This article was originally published on the BRIGHT blog: by-bright.com/ news BRIGHT is a developer of luxury, sustainable homes with a vision of improving the quality of people’s lives through the creation of design-led homes. In the BRIGHT world, design always comes first.

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Ctra. de Mijas km 3,5

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29602 Marbella, Málaga

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CALLIGRAPHY BIRD JACQUARD

MENAGERIE OF EXTINCT ANIMALS WALL COVERING A fantastic fauna print − digitally printed on soft touch textile with a nonwoven backing − in which each of the 10 extinct animals are mysteriously hidden.

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This beautiful hypnotic jacquard is inspired by the mating ritual of the Calligraphy Bird. The male bird would move back and forth in a rhythmic dance, the deep and rich shades of his ornate collar feathers shining in the sun.

MOOOI

THE EXTINT ANIMALS COLLECTION Back in 2018 Moooi, Dutch furniture and interior design specialist embarked on a new adventure to rediscover some long forgotten species. They created designs for surfaces including fabrics, leathers and wall coverings based on ten magnificent extinct animal drawings that emerged from the depths of museum archives. Inspired by their features, colours, landscapes and geometric patterns the Extinct Animals Collection was born that continues to evolve each year. WORDS MADDIE QUINN PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MOOOI

he Extinct Animal Fabrics not only resemble their looks and texture but mimic the creatures’ tactile feel as well by using materials like high pile cotton, velvet and jacquards, treated leather, mohair

or fluffy fur. Moooi manages to bring long lost formidable animals back to life in a creative way, while adding a touch of luxury, softness and a splash of natural beauty to upholstered designs. ›

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THE ANIMAL LINE-UP Nobody had a chance to lay eyes on a Flying Coral Fish covered in pale blue-grey scales or a soft-grey Hairy Armoured Boar before, so it is easy to see how embodying them into carpets and textiles provided inspirational for Moooi’s creative professionals. A little story comes with each fabric explaining their interpretation process, with a brief insight into each animal’s background. ›

ARMOURED BOAR Wallcovering with gauze and Japanese paper, recalling the shiny coat of the Armoured Boar. The upper part of its body was covered in black and golden scales, which gave it an ornamental appearance.

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Projects: Penthouse L & Villa M

Interior Design & Property Development Showroom: Avenida Canovas del Castillo 25, Marbella blackshawinteriordesign.com +34 951 403 787 Essential Single Page Blackshaw_June_2021_2.indd 1

2021-05-24 16:17

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Dodo Pavone, Blooming Seadragon, Blushing Sloth and Denim Indigo Macaque Pillows will add a touch of extravaganza to any design.

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Umbrella Squid, Blooming Seadragon, Silent Bison, Blushing Sloth and Dwarf Rhino are also featured along with the Calligraphy Bird, Dodo Pavone and Bearded Leopard — the latter three are now available in different colours as well. A culmination of all the above and the epitome of the whole family surrounded by their natural exotic flora is splashed out on The Menangerie of Extinct Animals Velvet, which is designed to capture and celebrate nature’s endless diversity all in one. The Menangerie is also created as a facinating wallcovering with its deep and rich pattern that is available in dark and light tones.

With limitless imagination, the collection is growing and Moooi’s latest edition to the prehistoric party is the Rendevous Tokyo Blue Velvet which was inspired by Oriental art. Cheeky Indigo Macaques dressed in traditional kimonos steal the focus in a lush and lively Japanese forest, that is surrounded by a medley of colourful exotic flowers. It may be another bold concoction, but it’s not unexpected nor over the top from the Dutch firm that

continues to dazzle the interior design world with its innovative and unique ideas.

CUSHIONS Perfect as a personal touch for a sofa, bed or even a yoga mat are these fun cushions within the Extint Animals Collection. The pillows are crafted in a premium velvet fabric, with soft and comfortable texture and come in square or rectangular shapes in a number of different designs.

DODO PAVON Inspired by its soft plumage, these finishings resemble the gentle characteristics of the friendly and sociable Dodo Pavone.

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WALL COVERINGS Moooi’s cooperation with Belgian luxury wallcover designer, Arte, lifted the Extinct Animals Collection into a new, vertical dimension. Using the same principal, an assortment of beautifully sophisticated wallcoverings were created, with striking combinations of colours, features and patterns that represent the fur, plumage, skin and natural habitat of these ellusive creatures. Some designs narrate a story, while others stimulate the senses by using imagery and textures. e

g Discover the full Extint Animals Collection and many more Moooi designs at www.moooi.com and moooiwallcovering.com

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H E I D I G U B B I N S . C O M Av. Blvd. Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe, 20, 29602 Marbella - (+34) 653 56 18 67

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GREAT WAYS OF

DIFFUSING SCENT IN YOUR HOME

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Our home is not just a physical place but a domain of sensations and memories associated with one and the other. It took a while to perfect, but finally it is now possible to infuse our personal space with subtle, pleasant scents that are not only refined but often also beneficial to our health. Here are three ways to create a magical ambience at home to lift your mood and make you cozy. WORDS MADDIE QUINN

OPTION 1 – PERFUME DIFFUSER

A straightforward way to spice up your home is with an electrical perfume diffuser. They work with cartridges that slip into the device and when switched on provide ongoing automatic release. Coming in beautiful shapes and colours, they are designed to fit into stylish interiors and are easy to operate.

1 – Un Air de Diptyque

If you like French sophistication, then we recommend the Diptyque diffuser that will discreetly breathe elegance into your home. The cartridges come infused with Diptyque's five signature scents: Fig, Amber, Firewood, Berries and the elusive 34. CLICK TO BUY www.noseparis.com

2 – The Perfume Genie 2.0 from Rituals

A little easier to find, the Perfume Genie is a brand new Rituals product. Its brushed golden appearance and Rituals' refined aromas will enhance any space with a lot of warmth and style. Add their classic fragrances or use one from their private collection including Savage Garden, Oriental Vetiver, Black Oudh, Precious Amber, Sweet Jasmine or Imperial Rose. The Genie comes with intensity and distance selection and can be operated manually, or through any smart device for voice control!

CLICK TO BUY www.rituals.com

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4 OPTION 2 – ESSENTIAL OIL DIFFUSER

There are many oil diffusers available across all price tags, just pick your style. Working by nebulising water, they fill the air with essential oil particles diluted within, each promoting wellbeing in a different way. Its benefits include breathing in a 100% natural substance which relaxes, supplies nutrition for the body and soul, and reinforces the mind. Any good quality essential oil can be used alone or combined, or use the blends that are made by each brand for specific occasions. By far, this is considered the healthiest option: an aromatherapy that is especially recommended to accompany a bath, massage, meditation or sleep.

3 – Neom Wellbeing Pod

A stylish alternative is this essential oil diffuser from NEOM organics. Designed to deliver the perfect amount of scent in minutes with the power to fragrance your home and help improve wellbeing, it provides up to six hours of continuous release, with different timer settings and a glow by LED. Neom oils include Feel Refreshed, Real Luxury, Perfect Night's Sleep and a Grapefruit, Mandarin & Eucalyptus blend, each ideal for different parts of the day. CLICK TO BUY www.neomorganics.com

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4 – Mineral Diffuser, Zara Homes Signature Collection

This wrought-iron metal box filled with volcanic stones is another interesting way to diffuse essential oils. Infusing the stones with Zara's special product made for this purpose will give off a subtle aroma of a fresh woody CLICK TO BUY fragrance with notes of eucalyptus, fig, sandalwood www.zara.com/uk and tobacco flower.

5 OPTION 3 – SCENTED CANDLE WAX WARMER

Candles are very romantic but having an open flame unattended might make some nervous. Did you know there is also a way to melt scented candle wax with an electric apparatus using as little power as a lightbulb?

5 – Yankee Candle – Noah Scenterpiece Cup Warmer and Easy Melt Cups In the USA, wax warners have a big culture – they come in all shapes and sizes, pretty designs and light effects. Using a simple concept of heating wax gently from below, you can have a large room filled with delicious aroma in minutes. Leading brand Yankee Candle have entire wall displays of an impressive range of wax tarts and melts available in their stores, from the most exotic blends like Coconut Splash and Vanilla Lime to season-specific ones like Midsummer Night or Christmas Magic. The Noah Scenterpiece is their latest device along with a variety of Melt Cups that make it easy to pop them in and out of the warmer with no mess. We found it available in Spain, so if you fancy this method, do give it a try!

CLICK TO BUY

www.notino.es/yankee-candle

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Summer is sizzling, so it's time to fill the holiday wardrobe with this season's new models. If you are discerning on the sea front, you may want to look at owning a piece or two from luxury brands stocked by renowned boutique, Gunnel's Fashion Marbella. WORDS BY MADDIE QUINN

amed by Vogue as the Ferraris of swimwear, American ex-beachwear model Melissa Odabash continues to present beautiful timeless pieces with her brand that are designed to sculpt and enhance any body type, empowering with style and quality while enjoying the steamy hot weather. Her garments are loved by celebrities such as Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, Gwyneth Paltrow, Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez and the Kardashians to name a few. Odabash this year returns with bikinis, swimsuits, chic beach dresses and breezy kaftans in updated colours, bespoke prints, and even more improved figure enhancing styles. The collection samples lightweight breathable fabrics in beautiful lemon, lime, flamingo and papaya shades as well as quality tiger and cheetah prints alongside the classic black, white, azure, red and olive for that ultimate beach sophistication.

MELISSA ODABASH THE FERRARI

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CLICK TO VISIT

www.gunnelsfashionmarbella.com i Melissa Odabash is available at www.gunnelsfashionmarbella.com g GUNNEL'S FASHION MARBELLA Avda Manolete, CC. Centro Plaza, Loc 18-19, Nueva Andalucía. Tel. 952 785 602. info@gunnelsfashionmarbella.com Instagram: @gunnelsfashionmarbella WWW.ESSENTIALMAGAZINE.COM / 147

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O HOT

COOL TRAINERS IN 2021

DISCOVERED BY MADDIE QUINN

1 – CASABLANCA X NEW BALANCE 327 & 237 RED MONOGRAM EDITION New Balance Athletics recently partnered up with après-sport fashion house Casablanca creating a very hot pair of trainers that was unveiled this May by New Balance ambassador and tennis star Coco Gauff. The Red Monogram edition is now available globally, featuring a wedged heel, suede, mesh & nylon upper, along with Casablanca’s well-loved signature monogram design. i www.casablancaparis.com 2 – NIKE GO FLYEASE Yes! Nike's first ever hands-free shoe is revolutionary, making it easy to slip it on or kick it off like never before. With a tensioner

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band and a bi-stable hinge your shoe stays open ready for you to pop in and lock into position. Its colourways capture the soft pastel hues of the sunrise and the bold colours of the city in the evening, so you can pair it with any look, anytime. Coming soon, first available to Nike Members. CLICK TO BUY www.nike.com

3 SO SPEL! CI A

E R C IN LE! DIB 3 – REEBOK ZIG 3D STORM HYDRO COTTWEILER This futuristic design was born in collaboration with British menswear brand Cottweiler that creates avantgarde garments with an innovative twist. This Reebok model is inspired by the technical design of the shoes used for water sports such as whitewater kayaking. The quick lacing system features a TPU safety hook at the toe and the laces are secured with a special protection system. CLICK TO BUY www.reebok.com

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4 – NIKE AIR FORCE 1 – MAN, WOMAN AND JUNIOR

4 T MOSD! SOL

Hard to imagine that it continuously sells out but JD Sports, Spain's leading sport fashion specialists reports that 'Nike Airforces' continue to be one of the most sought after trainers in 2021. Designed by Bruce Kilgore and introduced in 1982, the Air Force 1 was the first ever basketball shoe to feature Nike Air technology, revolutionising the game and trainer culture forever. Simply elegant and comfortable as streetwear, Air Force 1 seems to have now earned its status as a fashion staple across many generations. Available in low, mid and high-top variations and customisable for colour. CLICK TO BUY www.jdsports.es

5– ADIDAS ADIZERO ADIOS PRO

This year, Adidas packed all its knowledge into this slick technical model. The Adizero Adios Pro redesign was assisted by world-record holding runner Rhonex Kipruto. Featuring a light flexible top with easy ventilation and carbon-infused EnergyRods that are compressed between layers of their lightest todate signature foam: Lightstrike PRO, makes this design a true contender for the running lineup! CLICK TO BUY www.adidas.es

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5 SOT! FAS

THE SHOW MUST GO ON! THU - FRI - SAT

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spa

NOT ONLY ARE MANY SUNSCREENS HARMFUL FOR OUR SKINS, THEY ARE DAMAGING TO THE ENVIRONMENT TOO – CHECK OUT WHY MINERAL SUN BLOCKS ARE THE WAY TO GO. WE ALSO EXPLORE RELATIONSHIP DRAMAS AND LEARN ABOUT TREATMENTS FOR SNORING AND SLEEP APNEA.

GO TO PAGE 160 FOR SNORING AND SLEEP APNEA

GO TO PAGE 154 FOR MINERAL SUNSCREENS

PRODUCTS BEAUTY SPA HEALTH

GO TO PAGE 158 FOR RELATIONSHIP DRAMAS

154 Protect Yourself with Mineral Sunscreens 158 Relationship Dramas 160 Treatments for Snoring and Sleep Apnea

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GO MINERAL

ON THE SUN! WORDS BY MADDIE QUINN

It’s common knowledge that the sun’s rays can be harmful and that the use of sunscreen is necessary. However, there’s been a lot of controversy lately about sun protection products which use chemical formulas and regulatory bodies are calling for more data to verify their safety. If you have sensitive skin, are prone to allergies, worried about hormonal disruption, or are just simply unsure, switch to a product that uses physical screening technology.

or the reduction of both the risk of cancer and ageing effects, the safest option is to avoid direct sun altogether. But for those who opt for exposure (forget radiation absorbing chemical formulas) the next best thing is a mineral blocker that reflects and scatters UVA and UVB rays. We looked for products with ‘zinc oxide’ and ‘titanium oxide’ that are as grease-free as possible, nonsticky and easy to spread, leaving your skin not only protected, but feeling luxurious as well.

BOTANICAL SUNSCREEN MINERAL LOTION NON-GREASY FROM AUSTRALIAN GOLD

A non-greasy sunscreen lotion that protects, leaving a refreshing, luxurious, powdered and clean sensation. Rich in vitamins and antioxidants from botanical ingredients originating in Australia. Water resistant for up to 80 minutes. Smells great! CLICK TO BUY

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SAN JUAN night Puente Romano Playa |

music by DJ Malik | dinner from 7pm

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THE ORDINARY MINERAL UV FILTERS WITH ANTIOXIDANTS

AVÈNE HIGH PROTECTION MINERAL FLUID FOR INTOLERANT SKIN

SHEER MINERAL UV DEFENSE FROM SKINCEUTICALS

SKIN MEDICA ESSENTIAL DEFENSE MINERAL SHIELD

A powerful but lightweight protection with bioactive antioxidants that help neutralise free radical damage. Alcohol, nuts and gluten free, vegan, not tested on animals.

For the most sensitive skin, formulated with the brand’s Thermal Spring Water to calm irritation and inflammation. Without perfume, waterproof.

A powerful, broadspectrum mattifying sunscreen. Silky, fast drying fluid which spreads evenly on the skin. Paraben free, water resistant.

CLICK TO BUY

Renowned for a luxury finish with no sticky residue at all, this mineral screen is recommended for even the most sensitive skin types. Paraben free, hypoallergenic, oil and fragrance free. Not waterproof. CLICK TO BUY

ANOTHER REASON TO SWITCH!

Scientists have discovered that just a small amount of suncream containing Oxobenzone is enough to break down coral, which will bleach and often die. Knowing how important coral reefs are to our eco-system, this is a good reason alone to change to alternative protection methods.

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Always on top of my health with...

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Latest high tech equipment includes the newest Siemens hemodynamic cath lab for cardio-vascular interventions: coronary and peripheral artery stenting procedures, pacemaker insertion, interventional, non-surgical heart valve repair TAVI (newest European cardiology guidelines), 3D Cardiac Ultrasound, various dynamic stress test procedures, advanced arrhythmia diagnostics, cardiac CT and MRI

Co-located at HCinternational Hospital Marbella, CardioCare benefits from the unique high standard hospital infrastructure offered.

At CardioCare we believe in solutions Whether you are a cardiac patient or looking for an extensive cardio-vascular check-up, we don’t just find the problem, we also give you the solution.

Calle Ventura del Mar 11, 29660 Marbella • Tel.: +34 677 759 003 www.cardiocaremarbella.com • info@cardiocaremarbella.com

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THE

ADRENALINE

RUSH OF

RELATIONSHIP

DRAMA

Articles about toxic relationships, trauma bonding, or dysfunctional behaviour abound. Why are we hooked and beguiled into these situations with such seeming ease? What takes us there, keeps us there – why do we return for more? WORDS GABRIELLA KORTSCH

arl Jung referred to the infinite wisdom of the psyche that causes us to be attracted to people who – once the initial honeymoon ends – are precisely those who could form part of our evolution and transformation. Why? Because people that attract us carry something within their psyche that resonates with something in us. Connecting with our unresolved aspects, it also binds with similar facets in them. When that initial honeymoon period ends, often

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heralding some degree of frustration and strife, we have the opportunity – if we stick to the relationship for now – to resolve that issue through our interaction. Sounds good, right? However, most don’t have the benefit of this information. Without it, we probably give the relationship a shot, but if things go south, we give up, neglecting to use the opportunity such relationships offer our potential evolution. As so often, knowledge is power. Further, we’re generally not

self-aware enough – even benefitting from this information – to be able to continue in such a fraught relationship. Our knee-jerk reactions deteriorate matters when buttons get pushed, given our incapacity to stand back and observe, asking: could this possibly have anything to do with me? Not to blame the self, but asking: what can I learn about myself, to defeat the power this has over me? Specific relationship issues – emotional, sexual, or psychological drama – create adrenaline. This

Gabriella Kortsch, Ph.D., a multilingual, integral (body, mind, soul) psychotherapist, and bestselling author, with an international practice in Marbella, has been working with clients from 30 countries since 2003. i www.gabriellakortsch.com

drama is also what causes either or both parties to continue wanting the other, despite having – perhaps more than once – already ended things. What attracts us to the adrenaline rush of relationship drama? Subliminally we recognise that this possibly quite dysfunctional relationship contains the seed to the resolution of an unresolved issue. Probably quite unaware of this, you feel compelled to seek out that person again. And again. And yet again. Logically, we should distance

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ourselves from such a ‘nefarious’ relationship for our own sake, but staying away by forcing yourself to, and still feeling the rush that pulls you to the other, you may not succeed in the long run. Or, you may be at the beginning of a perpetuation of this relationship pattern with others. If, however, you go back once or twice, working on becoming more aware each time, understanding that you are attracted to that adrenaline rush for reasons that go beyond chemistry or emotions – probably connected to your childhood – then you are at the potential beginning of the resolution of the issue. Soon you’ll be able to walk away from the drama without forcing yourself. Imagine your childhood issue relates to poor boundaries. You learned to allow others to step over you to maintain peace. Therefore, when faced with a partner who trespasses your boundaries, you may feel this adrenaline rush and drama even before any boundaries have been crossed because the psyche picks up on the fact that this particular person will expose you to situations that may help you resolve your issue through your interaction. Then, when boundaries are crossed, you avoid thinking about them, because all you notice

is the adrenaline rush amid the drama. Eventually you may leave. And then return, and the cycle begins anew. So: knowledge is crucial. Knowledge about what it signifies; how it ties in to your issues; what you can do about it by increasing your self-awareness. Observe – not only the other, but also yourself as you interact. Observe your body reacting to the other’s dysfunctional behaviour in your gut, heart, and mind. Do you notice a tightening in your solar plexus, for example, when your boundaries are being crossed? Observing this, think: this isn’t how I wish to be treated; this isn’t the kind of relationship I want, giving yourself a new self-dialogue about it. Slowly you’re able to walk away. You place care of yourself on a higher pedestal than the adrenaline rush that attracts you to the mirage of a relationship that never was how you imagined. By growing in awareness, you realise that the adrenaline rush based on drama tying in to your previously unresolved issues, simply no longer attracts you. Now, that infinite wisdom of the psyche alerts you to those people who still dwell on that level as you meet them. And so you walk away. e

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WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR OTHER HALF

SNORES? Snoring is a social problem, especially for the one in bed who doesn’t. Earplugs can only do so much, and after some months of poor sleep quality, the idea of sleeping in a separate room seems even more alluring. WORDS DR. BEATE ABRAHAM-NILSEN

hile snoring is an annoyance, sleep apnea is a medical problem, and it is difficult for the awakened part to distinguish what is snoring and what is sleep apnea. Snoring is the hoarse sound that occurs when air flows past relaxed tissues in your nose or throat, causing the tissues to vibrate as you breathe, while sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start during sleep. Sleep apnea is potentially dangerous as the fall of the oxygen level in your blood puts unnecessary pressure on the heart. 160 / JUNE 2021 ESSENTIAL MAGAZINE

WHY DO YOU SNORE? Snoring happens when air cannot move freely through your nose and/ or throat during your sleep. So if your nose is obstructed, or if there is an accumulated excess of tissue in the throat or neck, the passage will be reduced, and snoring can occur.

CAN SNORING BE TREATED? If the snoring is due to an obstructed nose, there is an indication for surgery if the septum is deviated, or the inferio r turbinates are enlarged. Also nasal polyposis can be operated or medically treated. Your nose can also be blocked due to allergies (allergic rhinitis), and with a fast allergy test, you can determine what you’re allergic to and then treat it with vaccination or medication.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MY OTHER HALF SNORES OR ACTUALLY HAS SLEEP APNEA? You can do a proper study of the situation by undertaking a sleep study (polysomnography). By going to an ENT doctor they will be able to register your sleep (normally they have a machine you borrow overnight). The study will inform among other things: your sleep, your apnea/ hypopnea index (AHI), your oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and REM sleep stage.

REM sleep stage (Rapid Eye Movement). REM sleep is very important as during this stage your body is being replenished and nurtured. The normal range of the REM score is between 15 to 30%. The REM stage is believed to be the time during which we dream. Another interesting fact that can be evaluated in a sleep study is how much you snore, and also in what position and when at night you snore the most.

app on the market called Airway Gym App, where you can perform oropharyngeal exercises by interacting with your smartphone. As for severe AHI, a machine that uses positive pressure (CPAP) to keep your airway open is considered gold standard. This machine has become a very good friend for many patients, and is essential to have a better life. e

CAN SLEEP APNEA BE TREATED? WHAT DOES A SLEEP STUDY REPORT?

There are several treatments available to reduce the AHI and Your normal sleep should be ODI, though not all of them will between 6-8 hours a night. cure your apnea, but they will The apnea/hypopnea index help you to have better sleep (AHI) is an episode of fully quality and therefore a better occluded breathing of more than quality of life. The treatments 10 seconds, and an hypopnea depend also on your AHI level event is an episode of partial and your own anatomy. occlusion. Normal range of Everyone should look at their the AHI is 5 or lower. An AHI weight first and if you have some between 5-15 is considered a extra kilos, they will also put mild sleep apnea, while an AHI more pressure towards the neck between 16-30, moderate, and an and reduce the airflow passage. AHI over 30, severe sleep apnea. An ENT doctor should evaluate Your ODI score is the average your nose and pharynges to number of times the oxygen in exclude anything surgically to your blood dropped by 4% or open up the upper airway, or to more during an hour of sleep. detect the presence of allergic The normal range of the ODI is rhinitis. If the AHI is mild or 5 or lower. As you can imagine, moderate, your dentist can also the more your oxygen drops the make an intraoral device to harder the heart must work. increase the pharyngeal space Another thing monitored to improve the patient’s ability to in a sleep registration is your exchange air. There is also a cool

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www.clinicanormed.com g DR. BEATE ABRAHAM-NILSEN Otolaryngologist Clinica NorMed CC Elviria, oficina 2, Marbella. Tel: (+34) 952 836 377. info@clinicanormed.com www.clinicanormed.com

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enterprise

WE TALK WITH KASPAR HUIJSMAN OF HUGO INVESTMENT AND TAKE ON BOARD THE PROPERTY DOCTOR’S ADVICE ON FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING A SECOND HOME. CATCH UP ON THE LATEST HAPPENINGS ON THE LOCAL BUSINESS SCENE AND FOLLOW SOME LOCAL EVENTS WITH US.

GO TO PAGE 168 FOR POST BREXIT PROPERTY BUYING RULES

GO TO PAGE 174 FOR THE VIBE

GO TO PAGE 170 FOR HUGO INVESTING GO TO PAGE 164 FOR SECOND HOME VS INVESTMENT PROPERTY

BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROPERTY FINANCE LOCAL NEWS 164 Second Home Vs Investment Property 168 Brexit Implications for Buying and Selling Spanish Property 170 Hugo Investing 174 The Vibe 176 Business News

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SECOND HOME

INVESTMENT PROPERTY

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? I’ve helped hundreds of people to find the right property in Spain and know that buyers can struggle when they combine the concept of a second home for themselves and buying for an investment. So I wanted to explain the difference between a second home and an investment property to help buyers gain clarity on what they are buying for. When you are sure of your main motivation, you will find it easier to choose and purchase the right property to suit your needs. WORDS SEAN WOOLLEY, CLOUD NINE SPAIN

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WHAT FACTORS MAKE A PROPERTY A SECOND HOME? Choosing a second home is all about YOU, the buyer, your personal wants and needs. You will be buying based on your favourite areas and what you need to relax and unwind. When choosing a second home, rather than a temporary holiday home, issues of property size, space and storage also become

important factors. You should also think about how often you will make use of the property, who will use it and therefore how much space you ultimately need.

WHAT FACTORS MAKE A PROPERTY AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY? Normally the two gauges used to assess the suitability of an

investment property will be a) the potential for capital growth and b) the potential for rental income. For investors it should all be about the financials, the numbers. If the figures stack up and there is a quick and easy exit strategy in the event of needing to sell, then personal taste needn’t play a part in the decision-making process.

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WHAT ARE THE KEY ELEMENTS OF EACH, AND HOW DO THEY DIFFER? In typical circumstances, a client should purchase an investment property with their HEAD, and a second home with their HEART. After all, a second home is personal to THEM, and them alone. It is for their own enjoyment so they should base their decision on what pleases and excites THEM. For an investment property, the criteria should be very different. Decisions should be based on financials, whether it be for potential capital growth or for rental investment. Problems can arise if buyers are looking to purchase a holiday home which they intend to use for part of the

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year themselves but with which they also want to earn a decent rental income. In this highly common scenario, there is often a conflict between head and heart as the criteria for investment and personal enjoyment both need to be met.

i Sean Woolley is the Founder and Director of leading real estate agency Cloud Nine Spain. For more information, top tips and tricks to ensure your Spanish property purchase goes smoothly, search for his book From the Ground Up – The Insider’s Guide to Buying Spanish Property on Amazon.

As in all property purchases, a degree of compromise needs to be factored in. After all, buying a property which will appeal to the mass rental market may not necessarily accord with your own personal wish list. For instance, buyers may like the idea of owning a home in the hills, surrounded by nature, but is this the sort of place that would appeal to holidaymakers? A balance that satisfies both financial and emotional needs is often hard to find, but an experienced agent with plenty of local knowledge should be able to guide and assist. Before you embark on your search, decide why you are buying the property and who for.

If it is strictly a business decision, then you don’t need to like it, you simply need to follow expert advice and choose something which ticks boxes as an investment and will make you the most money. However, if you will be using the property even some of the time, and renting it out at other times of the year, then you need something which renters will like but you will also enjoy spending time in. So take advice from professionals on the ground to make sure that the properties you’re viewing would appeal to the rental market and fulfil your investment objectives, then follow your heart for the rest of the decision-making process. e

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BREXIT

IMPLICATIONS FOR

BUYING AND SELLING SPANISH PROPERTY

While Brexit has led to some key changes, such as to freedom of movement and customs, the good news for those hoping to buy or sell property in Spain is that Brexit has had little impact here. WORDS CHRIS MCCANN, SENIOR PARTNER, BLEVINS FRANKS

RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY OWNERSHIP RIGHTS Property ownership rights are protected by the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights and must be respected by EU member states. Nothing in the rules about owning property, renting, taxation or shared ownership has changed as a result of Brexit. UK nationals can continue to buy property in Spain, as they did before. Nationality generally

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does not affect the costs involved either.

RESIDENCE RIGHTS AND VISAS Owning property, however, does not automatically give you residence rights in Spain and Britons have lost the freedom of movement they enjoyed before Brexit. You will need to apply for a residence visa or restrict the time you spend in Spain. As a ‘third country’ visitor, UK nationals can now only spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period

without a visa – and this applies across the Schengen zone. Anyone caught overstaying could risk deportation, fines and a record in their passport that can complicate future travel and visa applications. Britons can still apply for residence in Spain, whether through a work or ‘non-lucrative’ visa. However the process has changed and involves more paperwork and conditions – and you need to apply before moving to Spain.

economic recovery and benefit the property market.

TAXATION The tax rules themselves have not changed with Brexit, but there are situations where non-EU residents are charged more than EU ones, which may impact you.

tax resident within an EU/EEA country. This increases to 24% if resident outside the EU/EEA. Likewise, EU residents pay tax on ‘notional rental income’ at 19% and non-EU residents at 24%. This tax is paid where you own Spanish property that is not your main home and is not currently rented out.

TAXES ON PROPERTY TRANSFERS When buying a property in Spain you will either pay IVA (VAT) if it is a new build, or ITP (stamp duty). Either way, the rate is the same for EU and non-EU nationals.

CAPITAL GAINS TAX

If you are buying a property, you can consider the ‘Golden Visa’ option. This is a more flexible residence option for third-country nationals who make a substantial capital investment in Spain. It provides the freedom to come and go as you wish, including access to public services, without having to become fully resident. The most common way to qualify for this programme is by buying Spanish property worth at least €500.000. Other pathways include buying shares in a company or making a deposit in a Spanish bank of €1 million+. This Golden Visa option is attracting relatively wealthy foreign nationals to Spain, which will prove important in Spain’s post-covid

If you are resident in Spain when selling property, the gain is taxed at progressive rates from 19% to 26%. Non-residents pay a flat 19%, regardless of which country they live in. When you sell a property that qualifies as your main home and use the proceeds to buy another main home, you may benefit from reinvestment relief and be exempt from tax. Prior to 2015 this only applied to Spanish residents, but now residents of EU countries (or EEA countries with a tax agreement with Spain) also benefit. Unfortunately, this no longer applies to UK residents.

INCOME TAX Brexit has had an impact here. A non-resident is taxed in Spain on income arising from Spanish property (rental income) at the flat rate of 19%... if they are

SUCCESSION TAX In 2018 the Spanish supreme court ruled that Spain’s succession tax rules must apply to all non-residents, even if they live outside the EU. This involved a Canadian citizen, but was good timing for Britons with Brexit coming up as they should continue to benefit from the improved tax rates and allowances provided by the local autonomous region. It is important to familiarise yourself with all the Spanish tax implications of buying property. Be aware that becoming resident here generally makes you tax resident and liable to Spanish taxation on worldwide income, gains and wealth. Take advice on how to prepare for this and the effective tax planning opportunities available in Spain. g All information is based on Blevins Franks’ understanding of legislation and taxation practice, in the UK and Spain at the time of writing; this may change in the future. Tax information has been summarised; an individual is advised to seek personalised advice.

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HUGO INVESTING THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF BINCKBANK

Hugo Investing is the next evolution of BinckBank, the online investment platform supported by qualified personal service at the company’s welcoming investment centre on the Golden Mile. As such, it gives investors complete control over their money and their investments, without hefty commissions but with full personal support. WORDS MICHEL CRUZ PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

“

The banking sector is diverging,” says Kaspar Huijsman, director of Hugo Investing and the man who brought online investment of this kind to the Marbella region. “On the one hand, normal banks are cutting back their services and retreating online because of both the current difficulties and as part of an on-going technology-based trend, but at the same time there is a growing demand for specialised financial services accompanied by personal attention.” Hugo is an example of such a firm, as it offers a very well-established and multi-functional online investment platform managed

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Kaspar Huijsman leads a team of investment experts

interpret information and make decisions based on a predefined strategy. A good investor doesn’t base his or her decisions on the present moment but looks ahead, and we help our clients develop all these skills, providing all the information, tutoring and support they need along the way.”

EVOLVING INTO HUGO by experienced investment personnel who provide support, information and help clients develop a sound strategy. Back in the late nineties, Kaspar was part of a team that developed one of the first online investment platforms in the world, and brought it to the Costa del Sol some years later. “We have over twenty years’ of experience in this field,” says the financial professional who has been involved with the stock markets for more than 25 years now. “It remains a highly rewarding asset class, but of course you have to know how to

The firm first reached Marbella as the Alex Bank, which was later rebranded to BinckBank, when Saxo Bank provided the technical systems and Binck the expertise in financial service. The combination worked so well across Europe that Saxo Bank took over the company, and now Hugo Investing in Marbella has become an independent entity closely aligned with the Danish mother company. “We fit hand in glove and continue to provide the same structure and service as before, with clients opening an account through which to manage their investments.” Structured this way, Hugo forms part of Europe’s largest

and fastest-growing online investment network, but provides local support and a personalised service. “People are used to insuring their cars, homes and even holidays, but in reality should also take out insurance coverage for their investment portfolio,” says Kaspar. “However, even then it pays to know your market, and in this case many of the countries and banks that underwrite investments may be overleveraged themselves, so working with a Danish investment bank such as Saxo Bank, which doesn’t carry the risk of providing loans or mortgages, and which comes from a country with a very solid balance sheet, provides extra security and peace of mind.” This makes it possible to escape the gravity of virtually 0% returns from banks to more direct personal investment where you control where your money goes and your advisors don’t sell or promote their own financial products.

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INDEPENDENT, BESPOKE FINANCIAL SUPPORT “Unlike institutions such as banks, we don’t lose track of our clients once they’ve invested, as we provide continuously updated online information and tutorials, as well as regular seminars and personal guidance in our offices on the Golden Mile.” In fact, clients are welcome to visit Kaspar and his team at the comfortable office on the Golden Mile whenever they want, where they provide information, guidance and help them create an effective investment strategy suited to their personal needs, experience levels and appetite The investment centre on the Golden Mile has the ambience of a welcoming coffee shop

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for risk. “There are no guarantees here as in most other fields of life, but if you’re armed with the right fundamentals and information, you can make your money work for you without even having to expose yourself to much risk.” Our saying is: “If you’ve worked hard for your money, don’t throw it away,” and we ensure that people have the best possible chance of success with their investments,” says the specialist broker who is welcoming not only Northern European, but also more and more Spanish clients attracted by the system and the returns it can produce. “We help them create a plan of action

that builds on security, analytical thinking and a feeling for spotting sensible opportunities, and this requires interpreting information the right way, separating hype from potential, and looking a little bit further afield than the companies and sectors we already know well.” Kaspar even collaborated with Maastricht University to set up an Alex Academy back in 2004, so he is well-versed in guiding investors.

A MARBELLA INVESTMENT CENTRE He and the team at Hugo on the Golden Mile provide support whenever clients feel they need it,

either on the phone or personally on site. The comfortable offices feel more like a trendy New York café and indeed, the coffee is also brewing and a warm welcome awaits private investors and professional traders alike, both of whom comment on the fact that the investment centre feels more like a personal club than a financial office environment. “For all that we’re relaxed, modern and welcoming, we focus very much on helping both inexperienced and professional traders achieve their target goals,” says Kaspar, who also produces informative weekly vlogs on YouTube which provide valuable know-how built up over many years. Currently, he also teaches classes at the Marbella University, where he lays the emphasis, as with his own clients, upon the fact that the lack of financial worries is one of the cornerstones of a happy, stress-free life. “You should work for your money, but you should also make it work for you, and this implies above all a certain quality of life and peace of mind.” He and his team listen to their clients’ feedback and personal needs to develop a strategy that achieves that definition – which is different for each person – through the widest possible network of investments available. “Through us you have access to

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www.hugoinvesting.com

stock exchanges and markets across the world, and we guide you through the process, whether you have a lot to invest or a smaller amount. We know either way it’s very important to you, so we take our responsibility equally seriously.” In other words, at Hugo you direct your own investments but build upon a high-tech system and can take full advantage of the know-how of professional investment experts to reduce

risk, avoid painful lessons and maximise your chances of success. g HUGO INVESTING Kaspar Huijsman kaspar@ hugoinvesting.com Urb. La Carolina, Edif. Aries, Local N, Marbella. Tel: (+34) 951 565 656. Watch the weekly videos on YouTube @ Hugo Investing and find out what happened, what’s hot and what’s next on the stock markets.

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BOOK SIGNING EVENT AT THE BOOKSHOP

Regular customers, friends and fans of the author recently gathered at The Bookshop in San Pedro’s Centro La Colonia for the visit of Nalanie Harilela Chellaram, a renowned spiritual teacher and Soul Doctor, who came to sign copies of her new book, Loss, Life, Love, a beautiful and moving tribute to her late husband, Shanky. i www.thebookshop.es

“The spiritual journey is the unlearning of fear and the acceptance of love” Marianne Williamson

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COLLECTIVE CALLING SPRING FAIR

Collective Calling held a Spring Fair at Tikitano by Besaya in Estepona, raising more the €3.000 for the ‘Centre of Hope’ in Tanzania, an initiative set up by its founders Gemma and Paul Carr, which acts as a transitional rescue centre for street children in Kasula. The event was sponsored by the Marbella Rotary Club, Spence Clark Accountants, Helicopteros Sanitarios, Mariposa Energía and Ibex Insurance. i www.collectivecalling.org

“The happiest people I know are these who lose themselves in the service of others” Gordon B. Hinckley

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business news COMPILED BY IAIN BLACKWELL

LOUIS VUITTON LIMITED EDITION BAG The iconic fashion firm, Louis Vuitton has designed a limited edition bag for the summer season incorporating the name of Puerto Banús, one of the most luxurious and emblematic ports in Europe. LV remains faithful to its travelling spirit, paying tribute to wonderful vacation destinations with this new and exclusive classic OnTheGo bag. The new accessory, from the Louis Vuitton Summer Capsule 2021 collection, is available exclusively at the Louis Vuitton Puerto Banús store. i ww w.louisvuitton.com

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ARK ARCHITECTS – NEW SHOWROOM Prestigious architecture firm, Ark Architects, famed for its contemporary villa designs in Sotogrande, Marbella and La Zagaleta, has opened a new showroom within its Sotogrande headquarters: a spectacularly designed space where one can experience the feeling of living in a luxurious villa. Ark’s Creative Director, Manuel Ruiz Moriche, invites prospective clients to visit this exclusive interior, inspired by design and innovation. i www.ark-architects.com

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HOTEL EL PILAR OPENS IN ESTEPONA Boutique Hotel El Pilar Andalucía was recently inaugurated by the Mayor of Estepona. Part of the Silken chain, which has invested more than €10M in its conversion, it is the first four-star hotel in the centre of Estepona, located on the Plaza de las Flores. Occupying almost 3,000m2, the new hotel comprises 36 rooms with an eclectic style, four restaurants, a spa and two function rooms. i www.hoteles-silken.com

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NEW UNITS FOR VITHAS MÁLAGA Vithas Málaga Hospital has created a new obesity unit which offers effective treatments and personalised follow-ups. The multidisciplinary team on hand includes a nutritional coach and sports medicine specialists, making it unique in private health at the regional level. The Málaga hospital has also launched a sleep unit which detects under-diagnosed cases of cardiovascular disease related to sleep apnea, offering its patients an evaluation within 24 hours. i www.vithas.es

BENALÚS PRESENTATION

Felipe Gomez, the Director of Benalús and Smadar Kahana, Managing Director of appointed marketing agency, Engel & Völkers Marbella, recently hosted a press conference to present the prestigious residential project Benalús, located in the heart of the Golden Mile, just 100m from the seafront. The exclusive development, comprising large luxurious apartments, represents an investment of €50M by the GAILUR Group. Residents will enjoy swimming pools, a spa, solarium, gym and a spacious green zone. i www.benalus.marbella-ev.com

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MASTER THE SPORT OF KINGS Polo Valley, a world-class polo resort located in Sotogrande, is searching for six highly motivated individuals ready to take on THE POLO CHALLENGE – an intense two week program designed to take the right candidates from complete novices to ultimately play a professional tournament on the championship polo fields of Sotogrande. Dates: 11th-18th June and 16th-24th July. Price including accommodation, horses, training, equipment, 6 matchday VIP tickets: €20.000 – reserve now for 2022. i www.polovalley.com

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RELAX YOUR CARES AWAY AT A SPA HOTEL Avail yourself of a DELUXE Package at four-star Hotel & Spa Sierra de Cazorla, Jaen and return feeling like a new person. Indulge in accommodation in a Suite, Junior Suite or Superior Room with outdoor Jacuzzi, à la carte meals, tasting menu, night water circuit, floatarium session, massage with volcanic stones and more in this rural hotel, where all energy for hot water, heating and the Spa is derived from the combustion of olive pits. i www.hotelsierradecazorla.com

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DEBRA CHARITY INITIATIVES

NESSEN INTERIORS OPENS IN SAN PEDRO In August 2020, MiColchón opened its first store on Avenida Pablo Ruíz in San Pedro. Now, right next to it, it has just inaugurated Nessen Interiors, a store dedicated to the sale of sofas and armchairs. With this opening, the MiColchón group has consolidated its commitment to the town. The new outlet specialises in items with the best Italian designs and leathers utilising the most prestigious stain-resistant fabrics on the market. i www.nesseninteriors.com

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Debra Butterfly Children’s Charity, in collaboration with Cudeca and the Ronald McDonald Foundation, has announced charity golf tournaments, which will take place at Marbella Golf Club Resort on 19th June and at La Cala Golf Resort on 4th July. Debra recently received a welcome donation from the Blevins Franks Charitable Foundation. As a result of the pandemic, the charity is currently facing an economic crisis and is appealing for financial support i www.debra.org www.blevinsfranks.com/blevinsfranks-charitable-foundation

PROINSERMANT CELEBRATES 40TH ANNIVERSARY Proinsermant, a leading engineering company which has created technical installations in a vast number of the most prestigious urbanisations in Marbella and its surroundings, recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Founded in 1981 by businessman, Brígido Sepúlveda, the company has grown to encompass a team of 180 staff, including engineers from various specialties, assembly technicians and after-sales personnel. i www.proinsermant.com

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gourmet

WE INDULGE IN A FEAST OF DELICIOUS HEALTHY DINING AT THE NEW MANUKA IN THE ALANDA MARBELLA HOTEL, UNCOVER A HOST OF EXCITING NEW GOURMET VENUES IN MARBELLA, AND RECOMMEND A MULTI-AWARD WINNING WINE AVAILABLE AT AN AMAZING PRICE.

GO TO PAGE 192 FOR GOURMET BYTES

GO TO PAGE 196 FOR THE PERELADA 5 FINQUES

GO TO PAGE 186 FOR MANUKA

NEWS GASTRONOMY CHEFS WINE

186 Manuka at Alanda Marbella Hotel 192 Gourmet Bytes 196 Perelada 5 Finques 2016 Reserva

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MANUKA

NOW ALSO ON THE GOLDEN MILE Since opening at La Cañada several years ago, Manuka has become an institution in Marbella for healthy dining. More recently, a 2nd Manuka opened on Marbella’s Paseo Marítimo at C.C. Plaza del Mar. Now, Manuka has launched a flagship restaurant at the five-star Alanda Marbella Hotel right in the heart of the Golden Mile. WORDS JAMES SINCLAIR PHOTOGRAPHY KEVIN HORN

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FLEXITARIAN PHILOSOPHY

BEAUTIFUL LOCATION

We are what we eat and, at Manuka, what we eat is taken very seriously. The group’s philosophy is centered on offering wholesome organic food that is brimming with benefits for our health. Free of refined sugar, GMO and additives, diners can select from a large range of creative plant-based and raw food dishes as well as gluten-free and dairy free options. The ingredients employed are organic, freerange, locally sourced, and produced in the most ethical way possible.

The new Manuka on the Golden Mile is a joy to dine at. The interior of the restaurant is spacious and contemporary, with relaxing stonework and solid wooden tables. Outside, a large terrace descends through the garden with well-spaced tables and plenty of trees and umbrellas providing welcome shade. Being situated in a luxury hotel means that this Manuka is open all day, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the kitchen operates continuously throughout the day. ›

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BOUNTIFUL BREAKFAST All-day opening is also reflected in the menu, which features an enticing breakfast selection with pressed juices and a range of organic coffees and premium quality teas to choose from. Served until 12:30pm, even late starters or those on intermittent fasting can partake of its bounties.

SPOILED FOR CHOICE The menu is very extensive indeed – so much so that you will be able to indulge here on many occasions and will look forward to doing so. Comprising a large selection of appetisers, sides & sharers, salads, bowl foods with healthy pastas and wraps, it is difficult to decide on what

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to order, which is an enjoyable situation to encounter. Attentive waiters who are friendly and knowledgeable will help if you need any assistance in your choice.

FIRM FAVOURITES Packed with health and goodness, some of Manuka’s most favoured dishes at the new location include the Chicken & Avocado Salad, Thai Me Up Wild Prawns, the Superfood Bowl, Spicy Chicken Wok, Zucchini Pasta Wild Prawns, the Salmon Bowl and the Manuka Burger. Each of these plates features a plethora of fresh ingredients with delicious sauces or dressings. ›

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NUTRITIOUS DRINKS

DELICIOUS DESSERTS

Complement your lovely food choice with one of the many wholesome drinks on offer: immunity shots, superfood smoothies and refreshments such as their homemade Lemonade or Cheating Cola, which is like a non-alcoholic mojito. The hotel is actually alcohol-free but diners can bring their own bottle, which will be served to them.

Those with a sweet tooth can indulge in delicious desserts that are all homemade with natural sugars and wholesome ingredients. Choose from Raspberry Cheesecake, Chocolate & Hazelnut, Banoffee Cup and Mama’s Crumble among many others. Members of the public are welcome to visit Manuka

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and can park freely for 90 minutes in the grounds of the hotel if they are dining in the restaurant. Families are also catered for, whether staying at the hotel or visiting for a healthy treat. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 9am to 10pm. Make the first of what is destined to be many visits soon. e g MANUKA – ALANDA MARBELLA HOTEL Boulevard Principe Von Hohenlohe, Marbella. Tel: 952 899 600.

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Tel: 952 818 392 www.thaigallerymarbella.com

ALL OUR RESTAURANTS ARE OPEN ACCORDING TO REGULATIONS, WITH FULL SAFETY MEASURES!

Puente Romano Hotel, Plaza Village, Marbella.

IN ES E R ES TA U R A N T PO LY

NEW TAI PAN

Marbella

ES IA N BA R

Tel: 952 777 893 / 952 775 500 www.taipanmarbella.com Puente Romano, Fase 2, Marbella. Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00

SUKHOTHAI Exquisite Royal Thai Cuisine Tel: 952 770 550 www.sukhothaimarbella.com Marbellamar, L-3A, Marbella. Open Daily for Dinner from 8:00

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COMPILED BY IAIN BLACKWELL

BEACH HOUSE SATURDAY BRUNCH

Head to iconic venue Beach House Marbella in Elviria every Saturday this summer for a beach party with DJ and live instrumental show. Each week will feature a different theme and a special luxury tipple accompanying the brunch. With food and drinks all-inclusive from 12:30 to 15:30, the lovely KMiSS on the decks and the likes of Quike Navarro and Ruben Hernández supporting, see you there!

g Tel: 952 839 458. www. beachhousemarbella.com

NINTAI

A NEW JAPANESE CONCEPT Marcos Granda is a man on a mission: to serve a discerning public innovative dishes the likes of which are not found anywhere else. To this end, he has recently opened NINTAI in Marbella focused on traditional Japanese fish and Kobe beef dishes. Exclusively crafted from the finest quality products, chef Héctor Escalona creates unusual combinations causing the diner to discover a new flavour on their plate: umami. g Tel: 952 608 966. www.restaurantenintai.com

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EL GRIFO

BIO OPERATION

TALES OPENS ON THE PORT

Tales Bánus recently celebrated its launch with a fun event showcasing its cocktails and bar bites. Themed around fairy tales, this new venue will hit the spot with an innovative collection of cocktails, diverse dishes and a range of magical experiences that will entice both adults and children alike. Check it out with your friends or family and look forward to live music sessions from Thursday to Sunday. g Tel: 951 691 132. www.talesbanus.com

One of the oldest winery’s in Spain and the oldest in the Canary Islands is on track to become completely sustainable by 2025, a date that will coincide with the 250th anniversary of its founding in 1775. Lauded bodega, El Grifo, located on Lanzarote, which profits from the volcanic soil the vines are set in, is aiming to fully comply with the ISO 14001 standard, governing environmental sustainability. i www.elgrifo.com

LIVING IT UP IN AIR If you are in Marbella, don’t miss this iconic new venue which is set to explode to life on balmy summer nights. Complementing GROUND, an artisan café and bakery on the lower level, and BREATHE, its sister restaurant, gastrobar and garden above it, AIR is the party on the roof that tops it all off, featuring signature cocktails, DJ-spun music and live entertainment – THE place to be seen this summer. g Tel: 952

036 494. www.breathe.life

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PERELADA 5 FINQUES 2016 RESERVA A WINE TO SAVOUR! If you are looking for a special red wine, that will certainly impress all who try it, this one comes highly recommended. WORDS JAMES SINCLAIR PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PERELADA REWARDING RECOGNITION

PRESTIGIOUS PEDIGREE

Not only has Perelada 5 Finques 2016 Reserva been awarded a Gold Medal in the latest edition of the prestigious Sélections Mondiales des vins Canada competition, but Decanter magazine has included it in its ranking of the best wines and it has garnered the prime position on a list of the 12 top Catalan wines selected by FORBES publication. It has also received a Grand Gold Medal in the recent edition of the Mundus Vini competition and it achieved 93 points in the International Wine Challenge, considered the most rigorous, impartial and influential annual wine competition in the world.

Castillo Perelada is located in the Empordà, a historical region of Catalonia in the province of Girona, north of Barcelona. During three generations, its commitment has always been to produce outstanding wines of great quality. In a small area of land, a rare combination of soils – slate slopes, sandy plains, sediments of fluvial origen, lands rich in silt and clays, gravel soils – gives rise to grapes with a wide range of nuances for each vintage, which permits the elaboration of complex wines full of character.

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BEAUTIFUL BLEND Comprising a blend of grapes consisting of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon,19% Merlot,14% each of Syrah and Samsó, 7% Garnacha and 4% Monastrell, and ageing for 18 months in a mixture of French and American oak barrels, the 2016 Reserva vintage is structured and harmonious. According to Decanter, you can expect “a round wine with great personality, nose of black fruits, plums and chocolate with mint, while berries predominate in the silky attack on the palate. Velvety tannins combine with blackcurrants, leather and spices.”

points and placed it in the rankings of the best wines for less than GDP20. Considering that this vintage can be found for under €12 per bottle in Spain, a phenomenal price – quality relationship, it simply sounds too good to miss. e

AUGUST AWARDS More than 2,000 wines from 33 countries participated in the Sélections Mondiales des vins in Canada in front of a jury of 60 members of the Canadian wine industry, who regaled 5 Finques 2016 Reserva with a Gold Medal. The Mundus Vini competition saw a jury of 120 experts, who tasted almost 4,500 wines from around the world over a four day period, award it a Grand Gold Medal which is only given to the best wines submitted. At the IWC, where it achieved 93 points, the wines are grouped by type, region, and percentage of alcohol and sugar, ensuring that similar wines are judged together. They are then blind tasted by a minimum of 8 top-level judges and no producer information or prices are provided. Decanter, meanwhile, awarded it 92

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