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

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

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

Chris Froome Prepares for Return to Competition in Mijas

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

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

Star-Studded Cuisine on the Costa del Sol

Star-Studded Cuisine on the Costa del Sol

Expectations were on edge this week as restaurateurs throughout Spain waited for Michelin’s annual announcement of its star establishments. For the Costa del Sol, at least, the wait was worth the anxiety, as all the current Michelin-star restaurant
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Posted On 24 Nov 2017

Costa-Born Celebrities… From Picasso to Banderas

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

“Veroño”… Hard To Find Better Autumn Weather

“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

From Veteran Showman John McEnroe to Rising Star Jon Rahm

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

7 Holiday Attractions for Families on the Costa del Sol

7 Holiday Attractions for Families on the Costa del Sol

The holidays are drawing to a close and families who have been enjoying a splendidly leisurely summer by the Mediterranean will be starting to prepare for the dreaded return to work and school. However, for those still in holiday mode, or foreign res
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Posted On 25 Aug 2017

The Secrets to Enjoying a Long Life in Spain

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

Anastacia Opens Star-Studded Marbella Festival… including Banderas Gala

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

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

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

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

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

Beachwatch in Marbella with Pamela Anderson

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

Why Antonio Banderas Lives on the Costa del Sol

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

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

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

Marbella and Benahavís… Gourmet Capitals of Southern Europe

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

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

The Pleasures of Costa Living… also for Antonio Banderas

The Pleasures of Costa Living… also for Antonio Banderas

Last week we reported that Spain was ranked a commendably high 14th in the latest Expat Insider survey, which focused on people’s happiness with a variety of factors related to their country of residence and personal life abroad. Expanding on th
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Posted On 3 Mar 2017

Cool Costa, Andalucía Day… and Antonio Banderas

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

Good News, Positive Projections… and Leonardo DiCaprio

Good News, Positive Projections… and Leonardo DiCaprio

First of all… Leonardo DiCaprio. Celebrated director Ridley Scott has just announced that he will film scenes from his next film, The Cartel, in Málaga and Leonardo DiCaprio is earmarked for the main role. If the Oscar-winning star is eventually c
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Posted On 17 Feb 2017

Star Property for Exclusive Celebrity Tastes in Marbella

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

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

The Perfect Place for a Home Away from Home

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

Princess Diana, John McEnroe… and Stellar Golf

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

Tom Jones, Banderas Charity Gala… and Friendship

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

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

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

Starlite Marbella, Status Quo… and Antonio Banderas

Starlite Marbella, Status Quo… and Antonio Banderas

It’s been a while since we checked out what Málaga’s favourite son, Antonio Banderas, has been up to. After a fairly frenetic six months, slipping in and out of his various roles as an actor, producer, fashion designer, penthouse apartment owner
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Posted On 8 Jul 2016

Barack Obama and the Spanish Connection

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

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

The Good, the Bizarre and the Beautiful

The Good, the Bizarre and the Beautiful

First the bizarre… Apparently it’s not all tea and scones in opulent drawing rooms for members of the British Foreign Service. An entertainingly enlightening news release from the British Embassy in Madrid recently revealed the “top 10 bizarre
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Posted On 27 May 2016

From Manolo Santana to Rafa Nadal

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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 Golf

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Golf

Over the past year the role of the Costa del Sol’s tourist board has been transformed into a more streamlined marketing operation – for the benefit of both visitors and expatriate residents. As business development director Lynn Mitchell expla
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Posted On 20 Nov 2015

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and James Bond

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 Gourmet Cuisine

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Gourmet Cuisine

Like most top chefs, Marbella supremo Dani García welcomes the opportunity to indulge in simple culinary pleasures when away from his Michelin-star restaurant. In an interview with a Villa Marbella Now colleague as his rising fame was starting to g
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Posted On 23 Oct 2015

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Rugby

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Rugby

He is best known as an Academy Award-winning actor, James Bond villain and the husband of Penelope Cruz. What is less known is that Javier Bardem, who won the best supporting actor Oscar in 2008 (and world’s worst haircut award) for his role as a p
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Posted On 25 Sep 2015

Showpiece Homes, Luxury Living… and Cycling

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… Nagüeles

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… Golden Mile

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Golden Mile

In recent years a resurgent Marbella has re-established its pre-eminence as Spain’s capital of glamour. A few years ago, the crown had slipped slightly, shaken by the municipality’s well-publicised woes with a notorious former mayor and the adven
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Posted On 26 Jun 2015

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Ojén

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… Guadalmina

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… Los Flamingos

Showpiece Homes and Luxury Living… Los Flamingos

[caption id="attachment_2585" align="alignright" width="300"] Panoramic splendour in Los Flamingos[/caption] First there was Marbella’s “Golden Mile”, then Estepona promoted its own “New Golden Mile”, and now the “Golden Triangle” is
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Posted On 9 Jan 2015

The Name’s Spectre… Aston Martin Spectre

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

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

From Madrid Catwalk to Banús Boutique

From Madrid Catwalk to Banús Boutique

[caption id="attachment_2003" align="alignright" width="199"] Juan Vidal[/caption] Considered one of Europe’s premier showcases of latest styles and forthcoming trends, the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week celebrated its 60th anniversary this Septembe
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Posted On 25 Sep 2014

Crème de la Crème of Spanish High Society

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

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

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

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

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

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”

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

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

Spotting celebrities in Marbella

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

Looking forward to the Global Gift Gala 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