Spanish Life
It’s Only Rock n Roll
Last year I wrote about my friend Fish’s visit from Washington, and the jam session that we had. During the 80s we had a band that consisted of various Marbella Rock n Roll types that went through several incantations. The first line up – ‘Medicine Show’ - consisted of myself, Fish and the…
Leading environmentalist to visit Marbella
The environmental crisis has dominated world headlines over the past few months, and on October 14-15, Marbella students will get the chance to learn more. Towards Nature is a unique opportunity to get close to nature and discover the ecological risks facing the Earth through the experiences of Johan Ernst Nilson. This will be an unforgettable opportunity to learn about the crisis facing the…
“Trick or Treat” takes Best Feature at MIFF 2019
Trick or Treat took an emotional Best Feature Film Award at the Marbella International Film Festival on Sunday. The glamorous awards ceremony, once again held at the H10 Andalucía Plaza Hotel, marked the end of four intensive days of workshops, premieres and seminars. Marbella was the focus of the film world as directors, producers and actors from countries including China, Paraguay and the US…
Get the celebrity out of here!
It was J-Lo that started me pondering the nature of celebrity. Jennifer Lopez may have wowed her fans with her performance on the coast last month, but the singer certainly didn’t impress the Press. The star was playing her only gig in Spain this year, and journalists and photographers flocked to the concert from all over the country with their approved credentials. But 15 minutes before she was…
It’s a beautiful day for a Chicnic!
Proof that the Weather Gods are House Music fans, the early morning mist has gone and the forecast for today's Chicnic couldn't be better! Taking place at the stunning Finca La Conception, one of Marbella's best kept secrets but only minutes from Puerto Banus, Chicnic is a heady combination of live music, DJs, gastronomy and drink, all in a picture perfect. Topping the bill is Grammy Award…
British Ambassador reassures holiday makers Thomas Cook hotels will be paid
Following the collapse of Thomas Cook, some tourists who have travelled out from the UK on Thomas Cook package holidays have been asked to pay for their hotels. This should not be happening. The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has sent a letter to every hotel that has an ATOL-protected passenger in it, guaranteeing the payment to the hotel from the date of arrival to the scheduled departure…
San Pedro or San Porno?
Marbella Town Hall has made a high profile clampdown on people walking around without their shirts on recently. So we can hardly imagine what the reaction would have been if they had seen what was going on in San Pedro last week. In the video clip - shown on Spanish TV - a young woman (perhaps @lviroses) is shown naked "walking oiled in public" (her words, not ours) and happily posing for…
More bad weather forecast for weekend
Marbella has been placed on yellow alert for storms and rain as more bad weather is due to hit over the next 24 hours The Spanish Meterological Office - AEMET - has warned that showers and storms are expected to be frequent and intense overnight on the Costa del Sol, and there will also be a drop in temperature. Other regions of Spain, including the Pyrenees and Levante, will also be affected.…
Something Different…Something New…Something Chic…
https://www.planetmarbella.com/wp-content/uploads/Chicnic-Video.mp4 If you think that all the the action and excitement has finished now that August is over and the summer crowds have left, think again. Chicnic brings a fresh, funky and fabulous attitude to Marbella in September. Taking place at the stunning Finca La Conception, one of Marbella's best kept secrets but only minutes from Puerto…
Storm of the century
Last weeks storm's have been declared the worst in over a century, after the national meteorological agency – AEMET – released new data. More rain fell in one day than in a year on average in places, making it the worst storm since 1879. It’s believed the storm was caused as part of Hurricane Dorian, rather than climate change. Six people died, and two remain missing, after torrential rains…
Heavy Rains hit Marbella
Marbella was on Orange Alert for more rain this morning after storms lashed the region In the worst of the weather that hit in the early hours of this morning torrential downpours brought flash flooding to Alhaurin el Grande. With thunder and heavy rain overnight across the Malaga region/ Costa Del Sol the serious weather forced AEMET to issue a RED Advisory. Coín reported over 60mm in an hour.…
It’s Show Time! MIFF back from October 2-6
Jason Flemyng, (pictured below), Kris Marshall, Frances Barber, Craig Kelly, Hugo Speer, are among the guests of Marbella International Film Festival, attending the red carpet,world premiere of the thriller Trick & Treat. The Marbella Heist (Rise of The Foot Soldier 4) which was shot in Marbella last year also has its world premiere and is expected to draw a lot of attention from both the…
Walking in a Wedding Wonderland
Thus it came to pass that the Ziglet’s Big Day finally arrived. My Goddaughter Ziggy married Josh in August, and as “el padrino” I was invited to attend both the civil service at Chelsea and Westminster Registry Office and a celebration lunch near Glastonbury the following weekend. If you haven’t been following my witterings over the past few months, Ziggy is a burlesque and modern circus…
UK Government announces £3 million grant to help UK nationals in the EU prepare for Brexit
UK nationals who may struggle to complete their residency applications will be helped by measures announced by the UK Government. Up to £3 million is being provided for organisations who will inform UK nationals who live in EU member states including Spain, about the need to register as resident and support them as they complete their applications. The Government wants to support those who may…
Breakfast Beauty Briefing
How do we define beauty? Is modern society ageist? How do we create positive body image? These and other issues will be on the menu at the Ladies Beauty and Breakfast event, held in the Live Lounge at La Sala Puerto Banus on Tuesday, September 24. Exclusively for ladies, photographer and spiritual mentor Melanie Sievernich and celebrity hair and makeup artist Anne-Marie Simak will talk about…
It’s a Boyzlife in Banus!
Boyband royalty Brian McFadden and Keith Duffy, who have teamed up to form Boyzlife, will make their first exclusive appearance in Spain on Thursday, August 29. Boyzlife brings together the members of two of the biggest boybands in history, Boyzone and Westlife, to perform a whole host of their biggest chart hits. Performing for the first time in Spain, at Puerto Banus’ famous Joys Live, the duo…
Hugh the Man!
We have a new Man in Madrid! Hugh Elliott, a member of the UK’s Diplomatic Service since 1989, succeeds Simon Manley as Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Spain and non-resident Ambassador to Andorra. The Ambassador takes up this new role having previously been Director of Communications in the Department for Exiting the European Union. On his arrival, Hugh Elliott said: “With a wealth of cultural,…
The great summer shutdown
I don't mean to point out the bleeding obvious, but summer is most definitely here. It's not just the fact that every time I step out onto the terrace at the Casita I feel like I'm standing in a giant hair-dryer – and it's been a while since one of those was anywhere near my bald bonce, I can assure you. Or the fact that 50 Shades has so little energy that she has been lying flat out on the table…
Fancy a fashionable Sunday?
FASHION BY THE SEA brings an afternoon of glamour and entertainment to the beachfront in Puerto Banus. On Sunday August 25, an exclusive fashion show takes place from 2pm at La Sala by the Sea, with Angel Clothing showcasing their ‘Pure Class Range – From the Beach to Dinner.’ Book either a table for lunch, one of the luxurious sun beds or simply have a cocktail at the bar, as you soak up the…
Marbella and Estepona hit by blazes
Two fires in less than a week highlighted the continuing high fire risk in the area as the end of August approaches. Estepona suffered the mind-blowingly stupid actions of a French tourist who decided to deal with a hornets’ next by setting light to it. Not satisfied with the progress, he then threw petrol over it. The resultant huge blaze lead to the evacuation of over 2,500 people. Firefighters…