Zeuthen & Company at VillaMarbellaNow.com

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News

Check some of the articles we wrote about Costa del Sol, properties, activities, etc...

Málaga: A winter wonderland

Málaga is one of the main destinations for many expats in Spain, and with good reason. Málaga is known for its amazing beaches, delicious seafood cuisine, sightseeing, stunning property, and is in the heart of the vibrant region of Andalucía. But,
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Posted On 7 Dec 2018

Viewing property in Marbella - Checklist

There are right and wrong ways to approach absolutely everything, and viewing property in Spain is no exception to that rule. Here's a quick checklist that you should keep handy if you plan on buying property in Marbella. Location, location De
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Posted On 27 Nov 2018

Autumn food in Spain

The change of season has brought a little bit of wet weather to the area, but eating out is still a pleasure, with days mostly sunny and warm this month so far. As the evenings draw in, head inside the restaurants of Marbella instead, and sample some
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Posted On 19 Oct 2018

Halloween in Spain

Although it wasn't always so, Halloween has become more popular as a celebration in Spain, especially amongst the children. It's mostly down to the influx of foreigners who have bought property on the Costa del Sol and moved here. The inevitable comm
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Posted On 7 Oct 2018

October Music in Marbella

There's always plenty to see and do in Marbella, and the onset of autumn doesn't mean staying in and putting the heating on! October sees the cooler weather moving in, although we will still enjoy sunshine filled days for a while yet, even if an extr
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Posted On 26 Sep 2018

Buying to rent as a second income

Perhaps you have been tempted for many years to purchase a second home on the sunny Costa del Sol. Why not make it work for you too - by allowing others to use your home when you are not there? Purchasing a vacation property for use as a rental is of
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Posted On 16 Sep 2018

Spotlight: Benahavis - perfect property in foodie heaven

There's a myriad of property available to suit all different lifestyles on the Costa del Sol. Golfers are in paradise with the sheer number of perfect courses, and water babies just love the lengthy, stunning coastline. But what about foodies? Well,
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Posted On 21 Aug 2018

Event: The August Fair in Málaga

Are you planning on being in the Malaga area between August 11th and August 19th? Then come to the fun of the fair. Ten nights and nine days of fun. That is the week when the annual Málaga Fería takes place - and it always attracts a strong crowd.
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Posted On 1 Aug 2018

Marbella and its international appeal

Interesting to read recently that there are now 147 different nationalities inscribed on the local town census - proving the strength of Marbella's international multicultural appeal. So why do people from all over the world wish to buy a home in Mar
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Posted On 25 Jul 2018

Advantages of a Beach Property on the Costa del Sol

Mercury is rising, folks. The news on the weather front is that Spain is heading for a heatwave next week, racking up the temperatures in high double figures. When we can't stand the heat, we get out of the kitchen - and head for the cool and calming
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Posted On 7 Jul 2018

And The Good News Keeps On Coming

As we bask in southern Spain’s glorious May weather and prepare for the fun-filled summer season, it is easy to become somewhat blasé about the superb lifestyle we enjoy on the Costa del Sol. So here’s a reminder about why we are so fortunate, a
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Posted On 25 May 2018

And Now For The Good News…

It’s now May, spring is well upon us, and the Costa del Sol real estate market is in full bloom. So the ideal time to review latest news from industry experts and insiders… First, however, a reminder that next Sunday (6 May) is Día de la Ma
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Posted On 4 May 2018

Clean and Healthy Living on the Costa del Sol

“Lung-cleansing” is one of the new catchphrases for people seeking a more healthy lifestyle – and there are fewer destinations in the world more attuned to wellbeing than the Costa del Sol. As Taylor Woodrow notes, “Air pollution in the
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Posted On 20 Apr 2018

Why So Many People Want to Live on the Costa del Sol

A colleague was travelling in Australia early this month and arranged a shuttle bus to take him to the airport for his return flight to Spain. Originally from Shanghai, the driver had been living in Australia for 30 years and, belying the c
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Posted On 13 Apr 2018

Positive Spring Vibes… And Now for the Good News

It is now officially spring, so the perfect time for the latest edition of our Good News Bulletin. Updated figures for 2017 and the first months of 2018 once again confirm that the Costa del Sol remains one of the world’s most popular destinations
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Posted On 23 Mar 2018

Picasso Premiere with Banderas… and Julio Iglesias to Sell Costa Estate

Well, first a clarification. It is true that Antonio Banderas will be in Málaga next week for the world premiere of National Geographic’s TV series “Genius: Picasso”. What is less clear, however, is if Julio Iglesias actually is planning to se
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Posted On 16 Mar 2018

British Buyers Still Keen… and Increased Interest from Scandinavians

As the Costa del Sol real estate market continues to maintain a robust dynamic in the first quarter of 2018, concerns about Brexit remain on the backburner and there are positive developments in the market’s other evolving demographic scenarios.
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Posted On 9 Mar 2018

Enjoying a World-Beating Quality of Life on the Costa del Sol

Last week we looked at the reasons why Spain is Europe’s most popular retirement havens, and ranked seventh in the world, according to International Living. It is also true, however, that major residential-tourism hotspots such as the Costa del Sol
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Posted On 2 Mar 2018

Sublime Retirement Havens on the Costa del Sol

The potential repercussions of Brexit will not become clear until 2019 – if even completely then – but in the meantime a reassuring sense of positive realism is prevailing in one area that could be affected: Spanish real estate sales to Britons.
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Posted On 23 Feb 2018

Coveted National Park Recognition for Costa’s “Snow Mountains”

One of the Costa del Sol’s most stunning inland areas has received official national recognition for its natural attractions. A declaration of the Sierra de las Nieves mountains as a National Park was announced by the Council of Ministers, in suppo
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Posted On 16 Feb 2018

Chris Froome Prepares for Return to Competition in Mijas

Cycling enthusiasts are well aware of the attractions of the Costa del Sol’s highways and byways. Whether it is a brisk training run along the coast with a local club or a leisurely ride in the mountains with friends, the Coast offers wonderfully d
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Posted On 9 Feb 2018

Riveting Davis Cup Match in Marbella Between Spain and Great Britain

The message from the regional minister for tourism and sport was clear. According to Francisco Javier Fernández, speaking during the official presentation in Marbella of the Davis Cup first round match between Spain and Great Britain, “This enable
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Posted On 2 Feb 2018

Moving Forward in 2018… Excellent News for the Costa del Sol Market

Authoritative real estate market analysts have now had the chance to review final figures for last year and update their forecasts for 2018 – and their outlook is universally positive. In our own latest “Good News Bulletin”, we look at some
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Posted On 26 Jan 2018

82 Million Reasons Why Spain Is So Popular

It’s now official. According to Spanish government figures released this week, forecasts of another record year for tourism were accurate: a total of 82 million foreign travellers visited Spain in 2017, 8.9 per cent more than the previous year and
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Posted On 12 Jan 2018

Resurgent Year Ends with Excellent Prospects for 2018

As the year draws to an end, there is a palpable and universal belief among leading experts and analysts that the property crisis has now been definitively overcome, and the future looks bright for buyers and vendors alike – in 2018 and beyond.
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Posted On 29 Dec 2017

High Rating for Women’s Well-Being, Peace and Security in Spain

Concerned about disturbing recent revelations in the entertainment industry, and women’s status in general, the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and the Peace Research Institute of Oslo launched the global Women, Peace and Securit
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Posted On 17 Nov 2017

Brexit Reassurances from Spain and the UK

Spanish authorities were out in force at this week’s World Travel Market in London, showcasing the Costa del Sol’s assiduous appeal as a premier global tourist and expatriate destination. From national energy, tourism and digital agenda minister
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Posted On 10 Nov 2017

Good News Update: Bright Outlook for Spanish Property Market

It’s now official. The Spanish property market is in a “good mood”. At least that’s the verdict of BBVA Research in its latest observatory report. The bank’s research department notes that 265,000 properties were sold in the first half of 2
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Posted On 3 Nov 2017

Costa-Born Celebrities… From Picasso to Banderas

Some of the names will be unfamiliar to non-Spaniards but Málaga city and the wider Costa del Sol has been the birthplace of many renowned figures across a broad section of fields. In politics, for example, Blas Infante, considered to be the “f
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Posted On 27 Oct 2017

Global Golfing Pedigree on Show at Royal Valderrama

In 1966, the Costa del Sol was just starting to emerge as a fledgling tourist destination. Keen for foreign revenue to jumpstart Spain’s economy, the then regime successfully promoted Torremolinos as an attractive holiday resort for European famili
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Posted On 20 Oct 2017

“Veroño”… Hard To Find Better Autumn Weather

It’s a seasonal phenomenon almost peculiar to the Costa del Sol. And happily so for those of us living or holidaying here… Residents and regular visitors will be aware that October is, arguably, the most pleasant month of the year in southern Spa
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Posted On 13 Oct 2017

Golden Opportunities for Property Investment in Spain

Spain might have been in the news for the wrong reasons this past week but one thing never changes. The country remains one of the world’s premier tourist-residential destinations, even for investors as far away as South Africa who see it as offeri
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Posted On 6 Oct 2017

From Veteran Showman John McEnroe to Rising Star Jon Rahm

The Costa del Sol enjoys enduring appeal as a popular playground for sports lovers. Last year, for example, an impressive 530,000 people travelled to Andalucía to play golf, and most of them were based on the Costa del Sol (a.k.a. the “Costa del G
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Posted On 29 Sep 2017

Costa del Sol Real Estate Market Set for New Decade of Renewed Prosperity

It all began around 10 years ago. The precise date varies from area to area, and region to region, but in 2007-2008 the Costa del Sol started to suffer the first shivers of what was to become an endemic property malaise. One decade on, the area’s r
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Posted On 22 Sep 2017

Top International Women’s Golf on the Costa del Sol

After leading the United States to victory in the recent Solheim Cup captain Juli Inkster complained that the women’s game deserved much more media coverage and corporate support than it was receiving. It is a valid argument. The harsh reality
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Posted On 15 Sep 2017

Buy-to-Rent… 10 Reasons to Invest in Spanish Real Estate

BIP Investment Properties is the latest high-profile industry expert urging people to consider entrusting their money to the burgeoning Spanish real estate market. The Barcelona-based company has just published a report highlighting the increasing �
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Posted On 8 Sep 2017

What You Missed... More Good News for Property Buyers

The peak holiday season is now over and it’s back to more serious business. Well, only serious in the sense that buying a new home is a major event in people’s lives. When that property is located in southern Spain the new living arrangements are
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Posted On 1 Sep 2017

The Secrets to Enjoying a Long Life in Spain

We are always delighted to note that Spain ranks highly in several aspects of the good life. Now BBC Travel has referred to the 2017 World Happiness Report to delve into another key index of global contentment – how long we live – and Spain is up
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Posted On 18 Aug 2017

Mortgage Advice… Double-Checking the Small Print

In recent years Spain’s banks have come under much closer scrutiny when it comes to mortgages and other client contract agreements, all of which has benefited property buyers – both Spaniards and foreign residents. The infamous “cláusula suelo
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Posted On 28 Jul 2017

Anastacia Opens Star-Studded Marbella Festival… including Banderas Gala

The spectacularly transformed surroundings of a former quarry in the heights of Marbella are once again hosting Europe’s premier summer fiesta of music, entertainment and gastronomy. The sixth annual edition of Marbella Starlite Festival was off
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Posted On 14 Jul 2017

The Attractions of Working in Spain… and Filming a TV Series

Much is reported about how popular the Costa del Sol is for people seeking a holiday home in the sun. As tourist numbers increase, and property sales continue their upward progress, many of these same people are also making their stays more permanent
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Posted On 7 Jul 2017

Trump in Marbella… and (Another) Honour for Antonio Banderas

Okay, not Donald Trump – but not fake news either. The US President’s younger (and less famous than Ivanka) daughter, Tiffany Ariana, spent four days in Marbella this week with her boyfriend Ross Mechanic as part of a European holiday tour. Th
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Posted On 30 Jun 2017

Costa del Sol… Still the Coolest Place To Be

Certain scandal-loving tabloid newspapers and gossip blogs in the UK invariably have great fun around this time of the year featuring bizarre stories about life on Spain’s costas and islands. It has to be conceded that, yes, some of the so-called h
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Posted On 16 Jun 2017

From Pamela Anderson to Foreigner and the Beach Boys

Baywatch star Pamela Anderson inaugurated the celebrity soirée season in Marbella last month, appropriately on the beach, and now Foreigner will be launching an exceptional summer concert schedule. The legendary rock band will be celebrating their 4
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Posted On 9 Jun 2017

More Good News for the Costa del Sol Property Market

It’s now June, the countdown is beginning to summer (at least officially, as the weather is already sublimely warm) and there is plenty of good news out there to encourage tourists to make their stays more permanent and buy a holiday home in southe
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Posted On 2 Jun 2017

Beachwatch in Marbella with Pamela Anderson

It might still only be May and not officially summer for nearly another month but the celebrity fiesta season is already beginning in Marbella. The first international star set to step out on our Mediterranean shores is former Baywatch star Pamela An
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Posted On 26 May 2017

Top European Tour Action on the Costa del Golf

The Costa del Sol is resoundingly back in vogue after maintaining a relatively low profile on the international professional golfing scene for several years. From a premier European golfing destination that had hosted several major tournaments every
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Posted On 11 May 2017

Why Antonio Banderas Lives on the Costa del Sol

Regular readers will have noticed that we are assiduous chroniclers of the latest exploits of Antonio Banderas. Our motivation is essentially three-fold. In the first place, he is the Costa del Sol’s most famous citizen – currently alive, that is
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Posted On 5 May 2017

Antonio Banderas Promotes Major Cultural Project for Málaga

After suffering a heart attack earlier this year, Antonio Banderas has decided to ease back on his frenetic global schedule and spend more time on the Costa del Sol, where he has a villa (eastern outskirts of Marbella) and penthouse (Málaga city).
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Posted On 28 Apr 2017

Spring Snippets, Beer… and Antonio Banderas

In the same week that Antonio Banderas was honoured with the “Biznaga de Oro” award at this year’s 20th Málaga Film Festival, a survey named him among the top three personalities that Andalucians would like to have a beer with. Un
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Posted On 7 Apr 2017

Penthouse in Los Flamingos with fabulous views

Penthouse that boasts the best views across one of the most prestious golf resorts on Spain’s Costa del Sol. A modern style Penthouse set within a contemporary development of 96 apartments sharing two swimming pools - In an elevated southwest po
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Posted On 3 Apr 2017

Marbella and Benahavís… Gourmet Capitals of Southern Europe

It truly was a crème de la crème of top international chefs. Every year Dani García, whose growing restaurant portfolio includes his two-star Michelin star establishment in Puente Romano Beach Resort & Spa, brings together an elite group of ch
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Posted On 31 Mar 2017

Coast on the Move… and Festival Honour for Banderas

A good sign that an area’s economy is in healthy shape is when global investors start paying attention and put their money where their expert business instincts are. That in turn encourages local authorities to loosen their budgetary strings, and t
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Posted On 17 Mar 2017

Cool Costa, Andalucía Day… and Antonio Banderas

Long-time residents and regular visitors already know it: Spain is one of the world’s most appealing holiday and residential-tourism destinations. It is always pleasing, however, for our rosy view of the country – and specifically the Costa del S
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Posted On 24 Feb 2017

Idyllic Rural Settings… and a Clean-Air Environment

With so many stunning mountain and other inland rural settings available, the Costa del Sol has always been a popular destination for home buyers seeking a bargain property in the country and renovating it to their individual requirements and tastes.
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Posted On 10 Feb 2017

Upbeat Forecasts for Costa del Sol Property Market

At this time of the year, market figures from 2016 still tend to be trickling in as the various official bodies complete their studies and cross-check their reports. What is already patently clear, however, is that last year was a resoundingly positi
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Posted On 3 Feb 2017

Positive “Brexit” Trends... and Strong Global Investment Confidence

When it comes to analysing the potential effects of Brexit on the Costa del Sol real estate market, an expert inside view is always valuable. This past week some particularly illuminating insight came from one of the Coast’s prominent new property
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Posted On 27 Jan 2017

VILLA IDEALLY SITUATED IN THE GOLF VALLEY

Lovely villa in a quiet residential corner of Nueva Andalucía (Marbella - Spain), in a cul-de-sac and close to all golf courses. This property was recently renovated, enjoys lots of
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Posted On 18 Jan 2017

Good News to Start the New Year

With the final vestiges of the festive season now fading it’s time to get down to some serious business. When it comes to the Costa del Sol real estate market, the signs are extremely promising for 2017. Here are some of the key reasons why… -
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Posted On 13 Jan 2017

Star Property for Exclusive Celebrity Tastes in Marbella

Last week we took a trip down memory lane to recall the 1989 Costa del Sol visits of two international celebrities who had sadly just passed away, George Michael and Carrie Fisher. A third major figure with even closer links to the Coast also left us
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Posted On 6 Jan 2017

Costa Memories… George Michael, Carrie Fisher and Antonio Banderas

The sad news this past week of the deaths of pop star George Michael and actress Carrie Fisher brought back memories of their respective visits to the Costa del Sol in 1989. Michael was in Málaga as part of his Faith World Tour, arriving barely two
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Posted On 30 Dec 2016

Valderrama Shines Global Spotlight on “Costa del Golf”

The resurgence of tourism on the Costa del Sol in 2016 is having a particularly positive effect in one of the area’s key sectors. Golf courses throughout the Coast – which includes Málaga province and the Mediterranean part of the Cádiz coastli
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Posted On 16 Dec 2016

Festive Cheer for Costa del Sol Property Market

As the countdown begins to Christmas, our minds are starting to become distracted by pleasant festive thoughts. But first some serious business on the real estate front… By all key measures of the property market in Spain – and specifically the C
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Posted On 2 Dec 2016

Designer villas with panoramic views

Imagine how you fell, whille while sitting on the terrace, overlooking the sea - where Europe and Africa almost shake hands. It’s the moment when you know, you’re living in the best part of the Cosmopolitan city of Marbella. A new villa
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Posted On 28 Nov 2016

Last Opportunity… Deal of a Lifetime for Black Friday!

Okay, that’s a bit over dramatic. We just got caught up in the frenetic atmosphere of today’s discount fest. We would never suggest anyone buy a home on such a whim. These things take careful consideration and reflection, and the services of a hi
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Posted On 25 Nov 2016

Excellent Property Bargains for “Black Friday”

As retailers and eager bargain hunters prepare for the quasi-official launch of the Christmas shopping season next Friday, there is a continuing sense of buoyancy in a market that represents (for most people) the most important purchase in their life
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Posted On 18 Nov 2016

The Perfect Place for a Home Away from Home

During a year highlighted by such unexpected phenomenon as Brexit, and now a Trump presidency, the Costa del Sol has been able to sit back and happily bask in two certainties. In the first place, the property market’s recovery has been confirmed as
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Posted On 11 Nov 2016

Why Property is the Smart Investment

At Villa Marbella Now we have always been convinced about the exceptional benefits of investing in property, but it’s always nice to have our convictions confirmed by an authoritative international source. In an article in OPP Today, off-market
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Posted On 28 Oct 2016

And Now For Some More Good News…

Okay, so it might not be the sexiest celebration of the year but yesterday was officially World Statistics Day. And for us at Villa Marbella Now that can only mean one thing: today is Good News Day, when we look at latest figures and information rela
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Posted On 21 Oct 2016

Providing Greater Property Transparency

The statistics we quote here on a regular basis, to pinpoint illuminating trends in the real estate market, are drawn from a diverse array of sources – industry organisations, official government bodies, and leading businesses and companies in the
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Posted On 14 Oct 2016

Back to Business… and More Good News

We have just enjoyed another record-breaking summer tourist season so it’s an excellent time to sit back calmly in the cooler (but still magnificently benign) Mediterranean autumn weather, look at the year so far and take stock of the Costa del Sol
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Posted On 7 Oct 2016

Princess Diana, John McEnroe… and Stellar Golf

When Princess Diana made what was intended to be an unpublicised private visit to the Costa del Sol with two Sloane Ranger girlfriends in 1994, it all went pear-shaped from the start. The holidaying trio (unaccompanied by bodyguard detectives) made i
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Posted On 16 Sep 2016

Spain Blissfully Cruising Through Government Impasse

Those who believe, only half-jokingly, that politicians are often superfluous to a country’s sound administration will be buoyed by a positive commentary published on the authoritative CNN Money website. According to the article, new data shows
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Posted On 9 Sep 2016

Widespread Appeal for Costa del Sol Property

In recent months our “Good News” coverage of the Spanish real estate market has drawn on expert advice and official figures to confirm what has become a universally accepted truth within and outside the industry. The crisis years are now well and
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Posted On 26 Aug 2016

New-Build Revival… Stellar Quality and Design

It is now clear that the Costa del Sol’s real estate market is experiencing a resurgence that is both well consolidated and accompanied by sensible expectations. Over the past year or so, this positive trend has been confirmed not only by industry
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Posted On 12 Aug 2016

Banderas, Nadal… and Positive Market News

The focus at this time of the year tends to be directed more towards holiday than residential tourism, especially as Spain is the in vogue European destination for summer travellers. However, it is also true that many people visiting the Coast in Aug
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Posted On 5 Aug 2016

Tom Jones, Banderas Charity Gala… and Friendship

The reasons why so many people are drawn to the Costa del Sol, either as a regular holiday destination or to settle permanently, are well documented. They range from the classic (climate, beaches and culinary) to the more contemporary (transport conn
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Posted On 29 Jul 2016

Celebrity Watch… Seal, Djokovic and Ambrosio

Seal stepped out into the centre of the stage, began strumming his guitar and looked over the heads of the audience at Puente Romano tennis club in Marbella. “There’s a rumour,” said the singer-songwriter, “that Novak Djokovic is in the house
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Posted On 22 Jul 2016

Princess Grace, Antonio Banderas…and Bikinis

They were just like any other couple visiting the Costa del Sol (well, kind of) and they came to the same conclusion that millions of tourists have been making every since. Great climate, exquisite cuisine and genuinely amicable locals… Prince R
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Posted On 15 Jul 2016

Good News… In Spite Of Brexit

After several days of political turmoil, head-scratching and bar-room punditry, we feel it’s time to put Brexit on the backburner and return to a more positive summer vibe. That means it’s Good News Week, when we look at why – irrespective of t
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Posted On 1 Jul 2016

Brexit and the Day After… in Spain

So the dust has now settled on an intriguing, albeit sometimes fraught, referendum in Britain and the people have given their verdict: a fairly conclusive “leave” the European Union. The next question for Britons living in Spain or owning or cons
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Posted On 24 Jun 2016

Barack Obama and the Spanish Connection

The year was 1988 and 26-year-old Barack Obama was travelling from London to Kenya. As he later recounted in his “Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance” memoir, published in 1995, he switched off the overhead light and closed his
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Posted On 10 Jun 2016

Marbella Luxury Weekend… and Hugh Grant

It’s now June and one of the Costa del Sol’s favourite spring-summer pursuits, celebrity watching, is really warming up right on seasonal cue. This week, the Daily Mail led the headlines with the news that Hugh Grant, his Swedish TV producer girl
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Posted On 3 Jun 2016

Celebrity Watch… Mel Gibson and Antonio Banderas

The man sitting quietly in the corner of a cafeteria in Ronda looked familiar. Sporting a full greying beard, partly concealed behind sunglasses, casually dressed and accompanied by his girlfriend, he was unrecognisable to most people who had crossed
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Posted On 20 May 2016

From Manolo Santana to Rafa Nadal

Manolo Santana will always be remembered as one of the greats of Spanish tennis history. He will, however, also be fondly recalled for coining one of the most memorable phrases in the annals of sports commentary. Over half a decade ago, he was quoted
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Posted On 13 May 2016

Santana and The Corrs Headline Starlite Festival

Starlite Marbella has accumulated an impressive portfolio of performers since its launch in 2012. Audiences have been able to enjoy dozens of top concerts covering a diverse spectrum of genres and international stars, from Lenny Kravitz, Bryan Adams
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Posted On 6 May 2016

Macaulay Culkin at Home But Not Alone in Antequera

Celebrity spotters would have had to be really on the ball this past week to catch the first Hollywood star of the spring season visiting Málaga. No use lurking on the Puerto Bánus frontline, or sneaking into an exclusive Nueva Andalucía golf club
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Posted On 29 Apr 2016

The Danny Willett Effect… and Gareth Bale

It is the ideal marriage. No, not Danny Willett and Gareth Bale (more of them later). But rather… on the one hand, Europe’s premier golf destination and on the other, a huge pool of golfers who like to travel and be able to play any time of the y
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Posted On 22 Apr 2016

More Good News… and More Banderas!

There is a popular Spanish saying, “No hay dos sin tres”, which roughly translates as “these things always come in threes”. For a third consecutive week, Málaga-born actor, director, producer, writer, fashion designer, Easter religious brot
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Posted On 15 Apr 2016

Continuing Good News … and Banderas the Footballer

The definitive figures are now being released for the first quarter of Spain’s reinvigorated real estate market and the news is good – at least for popular residential-tourism areas like the Costa del Sol. More of that later… but main prioritie
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Posted On 8 Apr 2016

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Banderas

In recent years Antonio Banderas’s presence at Easter celebrations in his Málaga birthplace has become one of the Holy Week’s most glamorous highlights. He traditionally rents a hotel room overlooking the main processions, to entertain family an
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Posted On 1 Apr 2016

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Happiness

There will be ample reason next week to be in a happy frame of mood. Well, at least on Monday anyway, according to the United Nations. That date, 20 March, is officially International Day of Happiness, which was launched in 2011 to recognise happines
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Posted On 18 Mar 2016

Smart Investment… and British Sangfroid

With a date now set for Britain’s European Union referendum, the local focus has understandably been centred on Spain’s considerable expatriate community and the repercussions of a potential “Brexit”. For the moment – irrespective of the ev
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Posted On 4 Mar 2016

European Tour Returns to Valderrama

Back in 1980 when the Eagles rock band broke up, drummer Don Henley declared that the band would play together “when Hell freezes over”. In 1994 they returned to the stage together in California, where guitarist Glenn Frey joked, “For the recor
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Posted On 12 Feb 2016

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Mijas Village

For those of us who have been living on the Costa del Sol for a while, it’s always a pleasant experience to be reminded how lucky we are. Sometimes, after all, there can be tendency to take things for granted when you live in paradise! Villa Mar
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Posted On 5 Feb 2016

The Spanish Path to Happiness

For most people, last Monday would have passed as any normal day. Well, that’s not entirely true. It was a Monday, so some of us no doubt endured the same kind of weekly dread that was evoked in the famous Boomtown Rats song of 1979. There was, how
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Posted On 22 Jan 2016

Another Year of Good News… and Excellent Prospects

Industry experts are still analysing the final figures for 2015 to gain a clear and concise picture of how the property market evolved but the general view remains positive. As we have noted before, there is already indisputable evidence that the
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Posted On 15 Jan 2016

Contemporary Spain and Europe

[caption id="attachment_4107" align="alignright" width="300"] Las Brisas[/caption] The European Union doesn’t always get a favourable press, especially over the past year. For Spain and Spaniards, however, membership of this melting pot of natio
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Posted On 31 Dec 2015

Festive Cheer and Home Comforts

It’s now Christmas, a time to be festive and cheerful, and to look back on a year that has been positive for the real estate market and – by extension – the general Costa del Sol population. So a happy story to highlight this mood of optimism.
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Posted On 26 Dec 2015

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Golf

One of the great attractions of the Costa del Sol has always been its convenient location for those wanting to explore other parts of Andalucía, and even the rest of Spain. That fact has been highlighted in recent weeks with two initiatives linking
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Posted On 4 Dec 2015

Autumn Overview… More Good News

Perhaps it was the pleasant setting or maybe the relaxed mood (or more likely both) but we were delighted this past week to find ourselves among a group of local professionals with an invigorating sense of optimism about the Costa del Sol’s short,
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Posted On 13 Nov 2015

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and James Bond

Unless you have been marooned on a remote Antarctic iceberg or your internet server has been down for several months it will be almost impossible not to know that the new James Bond film is now out. Non-fans are no doubt overcome with bemusement t
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Posted On 6 Nov 2015

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Halloween

This probably seems like a rather mundane experience to be recounting but last week Villa Marbella Now had the pleasure of enjoying our first journey on Málaga’s Metro. The occasion was the International Superior White and Rosé Wines and Gourmet
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Posted On 30 Oct 2015

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Estepona

When it comes to local politics, José María García Urbano is widely respected as a captain who controls the Estepona Town Hall tiller in a calm, competent and cordial manner. We say “widely” because it would obviously be awkward for those in t
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Posted On 9 Oct 2015

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Ronda

After two months savouring the sublime summer pleasures of the coast, now is the ideal time for a refreshing change of scenery and pace. From scintillating soirées by the sea to the fun of the fair… It’s the first week of September and that mean
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Posted On 4 Sep 2015

And Now For Even More Good News

August traditionally tends to be a quiet month for the real estate market, with most people preferring to focus on relaxing holidays rather than property hunting. This year, however, there has been a subtle – albeit significant – transformation i
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Posted On 28 Aug 2015

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Cycling

There is something about an international professional cycling race through an urban setting that enthuses even those of us who prefer to follow these kinds of robust sporting pursuits from the comfort of an armchair with a chilled beer and remote co
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Posted On 21 Aug 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Manilva

With a national election due at the end of the year, the government followed the time-worn political tradition of adding some juicy pork-barrelling when it announced its budget for 2016 earlier this month. Spending on infrastructure is, arguably, the
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Posted On 15 Aug 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Polo Paradise

This is the time of the year when Sotogrande is transformed from a relatively sedate residential haven for people seeking a discreet luxury lifestyle to a vibrant hub of chic soirées and vibrant leisure activities. And the centrepiece of all the fun
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Posted On 6 Aug 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Nagüeles

It is one of the most discreetly select residential areas in southern Spain but over the next few weeks its sedate, tree-lined streets will be witnessing a flurry of activity as they come under the international spotlight. Well, perhaps not all the s
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Posted On 24 Jul 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Selwo

In recent years, tourism authorities have made a concerted effort to highlight the fact that the Costa del Sol is not all about sun, sea and sangria. They have pointed to the extensive and varied sports amenities (the “Costa del Golf” is, for exa
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Posted On 10 Jul 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Beachfront

Summer might have officially begun back in June but for many people the festive season really only starts properly now, in July. For some this marks the beginning of an extended holiday period while for others (those still having to work!) it is an o
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Posted On 3 Jul 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Mijas Costa

When it comes to quality of life, Spain obtains a high ranking on just about any global index. Times might have been particularly tough for many people in Spain in recent years, but the positive aspects that make living in Spain – and, in our speci
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Posted On 19 Jun 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Mijas Pueblo

In recent years Fuengirola’s “Feria de los Pueblos” has grown and flourished to such an extent that it has become the premier event of its kind in Andalucía – arguably, in the whole of Spain. For many people, however, it is now so popular th
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Posted On 12 Jun 2015

Costa del Golf Continues to Reign Supreme

The golfing spotlight was focused on Spain this past week, and undoubtedly the most entertaining highlight was a hole-in-one by the “the world’s most interesting golfer”. Of modest Málaga-born origins but now a mega-popular global star, Miguel
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Posted On 22 May 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… El Rosario

The World Economic Forum has just released its latest report on travel and tourism and – as to be expected – Spain receives major plaudits. In fact, Spain tops the 2015 edition of the TTCI global rankings for the first time, followed by France (s
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Posted On 15 May 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Los Monteros

He was born in Málaga city, he had settled in the US and become a Hollywood star, his wife was pregnant and they were looking to buy a holiday home on the Costa del Sol. The question was, where? For Antonio Banderas and Melanie Griffith the decis
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Posted On 8 May 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Ojén

On first impression, Ojén would appear to most people to be just one more charming, but otherwise unremarkable, village in the Costa del Sol hinterland. On further investigation, however, the reality is much more impressive. Recently the town joined
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Posted On 24 Apr 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Benalmádena

When it comes to one particular aspect of Costa del Sol living, Benalmádena can trump all the other main resort towns along the coast. No other municipality includes an administrative centre inland overlooking the sea (Benalmádena Pueblo), an exten
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Posted On 3 Apr 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Estepona

Estepona tends to be perceived as the quiet younger sibling of the Costa del Sol’s main resort areas. Málaga is the city-slick cultural capital, and Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Fuengirola and Mijas the brash “touristy” destinations (although,
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Posted On 27 Mar 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Sotogrande

It’s not that any confirmation was really required but we now have it on particularly impressive authority: Sotogrande is one of Europe’s most coveted residential addresses. After much press speculation in the preceding months, it was finally con
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Posted On 6 Mar 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… El Paraiso

El Paraiso might not be one of the “heavyweight” residential areas on the Costa del Sol that tend to capture most of the limelight but it does have unique boasting rights to at least one significant milestone. No other area has a golf course desi
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Posted On 26 Feb 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Guadalmina

A favourite summer pastime among visitors to Marbella, as well as residents on holiday or enjoying a day off, is to order a drink in one of Puerto Banus’s frontline bars and spend a pleasant couple of hours celebrity spotting. From Sean Connery, Ro
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Posted On 20 Feb 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… El Madroñal

Many people planning a move to the Costa del Sol face something of a quandary when it comes to location. Should they opt for convenience and look for a beachfront apartment or frontline-golf villa on the coast, close to town amenities, leisure facili
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Posted On 13 Feb 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Benahavís

Benahavís is a textbook model of how contemporary residential development should be undertaken and maintained. It is no surprise, therefore, that Benahavís Town Hall is considered the most financially sound and affluent (per capita) municipality on
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Posted On 30 Jan 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Nueva Andalucía

A municipality of many contrasts, Marbella’s allure for people looking for a new home, and lifestyle, varies from the traditional and relaxed charm of its old town to the sybaritic pleasures and glamour of Puerto Banús. And then there is Nueva
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Posted On 23 Jan 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Puerto Banús

[caption id="attachment_2621" align="alignright" width="300"] Peaceful garden setting in Puerto Banús[/caption] The modern-day Puerto Banús renowned as an international hub of luxury and glamour had more discreet and aristocratic beginnings –
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Posted On 16 Jan 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Sierra Blanca

[caption id="attachment_2517" align="alignright" width="300"] Panoramic luxury in Sierra Blanca[/caption] A quiz question for one of this festive season’s dinner parties… identify the area that is described here: “From neighbourhood boutique
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Posted On 26 Dec 2014

The Name’s Spectre… Aston Martin Spectre

[caption id="attachment_2373" align="alignright" width="300"] The new Aston Martin DB10[/caption] One of the movie world’s closest guarded secrets has now been revealed. In a special live mainstream event at Pinewood Studios in London, director
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Posted On 5 Dec 2014

Dazzling Stars of Spanish Cuisine

[caption id="attachment_2315" align="alignright" width="300"] El Lago Restaurant in Elviria[/caption] The air was heady with expectation, the guests resplendent in their gala finery, and the rich aromas already starting to waft from a veritable ce
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Posted On 21 Nov 2014

Ryder Cup… and the Spanish Connection

[caption id="attachment_1955" align="alignright" width="300"] Vice captains José María Olazábal and Miguel Ángel Jiménez (Photo: Getty Images)[/caption] When the biennial Ryder Cup competition was floundering in the 1970s a bold and inspired
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Posted On 19 Sep 2014

Crème de la Crème of Spanish High Society

[caption id="attachment_1811" align="alignright" width="300"] Photo: Gonzalo Etcheverry-SMPC[/caption] The faces might not be all that familiar to foreign visitors, unless they are assiduous viewers of the ubiquitous “prensa rosa” TV
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Posted On 29 Aug 2014

The Persuasive and Continuing Allure of Spain

[caption id="attachment_1783" align="alignright" width="300"] Pet Shop Boys (Photo: Jaime D. Triviño)[/caption] It never comes as a surprise to those of us already settled here, or regular visitors, but it’s always reassuring to be reminded of
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Posted On 22 Aug 2014

Sly and the Family Expendables

Security was almost as tight as that for a CIA-sponsored special-ops military mission into the dark heart of enemy territory. Well, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Nevertheless, when a select group of journalists – including Villa Marbella
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Posted On 11 Aug 2014

Lights, camera… and spectacular action

Generally considered to be the supreme master of the turntable – or at least the most internationally renowned – electronic music DJ and producer David Guetta brings his dramatic show to Marbella on 1 August. To be held in the San Pedro de Alc
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Posted On 25 Jul 2014

Mixing party pleasure… with positive business

[caption id="attachment_1589" align="alignright" width="300"] Global Gift Gala in Marbella[/caption] As the party mood continues in grand style on the Costa del Sol – including the Global Gift Weekend on 19-20 July – the positive festive vibe
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Posted On 18 Jul 2014

Starry Soirée in Sparkling Summer Setting

[caption id="attachment_1515" align="alignright" width="300"] Gala glamour from 2013 Festival[/caption] The countdown has begun for the most glamorous date on Marbella’s summer calendar. Now in its third year, the Starlite Festival is a month-lo
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Posted On 4 Jul 2014

Golden era for world’s “most interesting golfer”

It didn’t seem as though life could get much better for Miguel Ángel Jiménez. Back in December 2013, he extended his own record as the oldest winner on the European Tour, with victory in the Hong Kong Open (part of the tour’s international netw
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Posted On 23 May 2014

Luxury lifestyle fit for a prime minister

[caption id="attachment_1225" align="alignright" width="300"] Ultra-select Marbella home[/caption] Early risers in the Guadalmina urbanisation often spot a diminutive yet commanding figure jogging through the tree-lined avenues, closely followed b
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Posted On 10 May 2014

From super highway to the high seas

[caption id="attachment_969" align="alignright" width="300"] Azimut Atlantis 50[/caption] After a stunning array of state-of-the-art supercars was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, the action has now moved onto the water
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Posted On 28 Mar 2014

Star-studded cuisine in Marbella’s finest restaurants

[caption id="attachment_903" align="alignright" width="300"] Dani García Restaurant: “El Fondo del Mar”[/caption] One of the star turns when Andalucía promoted the region’s diverse charms during this month’s ITB tourism fair in Berlin wa
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Posted On 25 Mar 2014

Flight plans bring Coast even closer to Europe

With the Costa del Sol’s tourist promotion juggernaut travelling from Berlin to Paris and on to Moscow this month, several key airlines have announced an increase in the number of direct flights to and from Málaga’s international airport. Con
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Posted On 14 Mar 2014

Always warm... and open all year

[caption id="attachment_857" align="alignright" width="300"] (IMAGEN © TURISMO ANDALUZ, S.A.)[/caption] The message could not have been clearer, and the timing impeccable. It was 8.30 on a foggy morning in Berlin, six degrees centigrade, and the
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Posted On 7 Mar 2014

Andalucian charm… and cutting-edge contemporary chic

Many people moving to the Costa del Sol over the years have focused their home searches on discovering a classic flavour of Andalucía. For some, this has meant heading inland, to one of the mountain hinterland’s majestic “white villages”; for
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Posted On 28 Feb 2014

European Tour returns to the “Costa del Golf”

As recently as 2011 the Costa del Sol was the European Tour’s main standard-bearer in Spain. That year, three top golf events were held on the Coast: the Volvo World Match Play Championship at Finca Cortesín (won by Ian Poulter), the Miguel Á
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Posted On 14 Feb 2014

Bottoms up… time for cautious optimism

[caption id="attachment_737" align="alignright" width="300"] (IMAGEN © TURISMO ANDALUZ, S.A.)[/caption] After so many months of muted economic forecasts the verdict from one key global expert was hugely encouraging. “Spain is back,” declared
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Posted On 7 Feb 2014

THIS IS SPAIN !

All good reasons for living in Spain : 10 different climates Snow-capped mountains 9 month a year 2.600 miles of mountains 13.450 miles of rivers 63 major cities (>100.000 inhabitants) 2.500 castles 4900 miles of coast line .. a
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Posted On 29 Jan 2014

New Year’s Celebrations in Marbella

You would never have guessed it, but the Spanish tend to start Noche Vieja (New Year’s Eve) celebrations late – just like the majority of their parties! This means that in Marbella the streets are eerily quiet in the hours leading up to the start
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Posted On 26 Dec 2013

Demand for property up 25 per cent in Málaga Province

It has often been said that although Marbella was one of the first provinces in Spain to enter the crisis, it would also be one of the first to leave it. One of the biggest factors behind this rationale is, of course, the millions of tourists that co
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Posted On 19 Dec 2013

Good news for real estate investment

It’s the kind of news that will have property specialists across Spain smiling from ear to ear. According to reports published this week foreign investment in Spanish real estate has nit a nine-year high this year. In a statement from Spain’s cen
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Posted On 6 Nov 2013

New Law of Entrepreneurs offers Spanish residency

A new law that has just passed into effect will enable property buyers and investors from non-EU countries to obtain Spanish residency when they purchase a property of €500.000 or over. The residency permit, which amounts to one per every €500.00
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Posted On 16 Oct 2013

The 'Costa del Golf' and its top courses

Spain’s sunny southern coast has long been known among the golfing fraternity not as the Costa del Sol, but as the Costa del Golf, and for a number of good reasons. For starters there is the almost-guaranteed year-round sunshine. Furthermore, in An
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Posted On 30 Sep 2013

Brangelina looking for a house in Marbella!

Marbella has had an affinity with the jet set crowd since it rose to international fame in the early 1960s. Often touted as a playground for famous faces and well-heeled types, this town is always inundated with stars taking their holidays here in th
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Posted On 5 Sep 2013

Russian TV premieres in Marbella

Anyone living in Marbella will no doubt have noticed the sizeable number of Russian expatriates arriving here over the past few years. Astute locals will have spotted an increasing amount of roadside adverts in Russian, the new weekly Russian newspap
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Posted On 28 Aug 2013

The Russian community makes its presence felt in Marbella

Russian tourists and homebuyers have been coming to the Costa del Sol for some time now, but it is in recent years that they have been making their presence felt. Still by no means the largest foreign expatriate group in actual numbers, Russian buyer
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Posted On 18 Jul 2013

Spotting celebrities in Marbella

It’s renowned for its beautiful coastline, its all year round sunny climate and its abundance of wealth, yachts and sports cars. Now it seems Marbella is also becoming the best place to do a bit of celebrity spotting too. Although the Costa del
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Posted On 11 Jul 2013

Take me to Marbella!

They are a trio of pre-teen pop princesses whose first record looks set to become a sensational summer hit. At just nine years old The Lecheritas have risen to fame after their song ‘Take me to Marbella’ became an overnight success on the Inte
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Posted On 4 Jul 2013

Looking forward to the Global Gift Gala 2013

One big event well worth making time for in your diary this summer is the 2013 Global Gift Gala in Marbella. After the phenomenal success of the premier event, the Global Gift Foundation has announced the return of another star-studded gala on the 3r
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Posted On 27 Jun 2013

Summer concerts in Marbella

It is only a matter of weeks now until the annual Starlight Festival begins in Marbella, with more big stars confirmed to perform than ever before! This charitable, star-studded event will be held in the new auditorium at La Cantera in the Sierra
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Posted On 18 Jun 2013

Reasons to invest in Spain

Although the crisis looks set to continue for a few years yet there is a silver lining in the gloomy skies over Spain. For while many are looking to reign in their spending, other savvy investors have spotted prime investment opportunities that are r
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Posted On 27 Mar 2013