I would describe Rafael’s collection as a successful mix of different trends: classic elegance meets futurism. He plays with different fabrics; surprise, provocation, daring and much enthusiasm with so many details. For example: layers, ruffles and large volumes which gave a architectural form. We saw colors like black, white, sand, red and purple – some outfits in an two-tone like white & black or red & black. The message: Mix and match in a elegant way – everything is possible!

Rafael was born 1971 in Malaga, Spain. He started to create clother for his family at the tender age of 17. In 1988 he studied at the Esmold Paris in France. In the same year he could already present a little collection at Advantgarde Munich in Germany. 1993 he was part of the fashion show “The New Fashion generation Düsseldorf” in Düsseldorf, Germany. In 1993 he opend his studio in Malaga City followed by a shop in Fuengirola in 1994. He designs for local television and his collections are always present in the fashion events around the Costa del Sol. Since 2009 he shows his designs a the Pasarela Cibiles Madrid Novias.

Thanks tio Gida from the Marketplace to join me this evening, thanks to Carmen from the Automobile Museum Malaga for the invitation, thanks to Rafael Urquizar for all these amazing outfits and thanks to all organizers and helpers for this fantastic event.

Osteopathy is probably best known as a method related to chiropractic, seeing humans as a functional unit and with the intention to balance this unit without using any tools or medications. If there is a blockage or imbalance somewhere in the body (the functional unit), the entire body has to compensate for this blockage or imbalance. This means that often the actual problem is not where the person feels the pain. The dysfunction of the unit (human body) can manifest itself as a loss of mobility as a tension in the tissue. The goal of Osteopathy is to mobilise the self-healing power to return the balance. Basically, Osteopathy can be used on nearly all dysfunctions of the body e.g. tension, skeletal injuries including muscles and ligaments, herniated discs, lumbago or injuries resulting from an accident. Problems with digestion, tinnitus and incontinence can also be treated with Osteopathy.



Ayur Yoga is a kind of Yoga which always adapts itself to the specific circumstances and physical condition of the person doing the yoga. Ayur Yoga helps to train the breathing, balance, flexibility and all muscles. The respiration plays a key role – the breathing will lead the movement – in order to avoid excessive strain. This kind of Yoga will not push the body into postures which are not advisable for the current physical condition. Ayur Yoga focuses on the mobilisation of the self-healing power and with regular practising the mobility will improve, small defects in skeleton positioning will be corrected and the mind will relax. As a regeneration and movement therapy, the patients are actively involved in their healing process and will learn to activate their natural self-healing power empowering themselves.

Ayur Yoga will increase the quality of life at any age, regardless of the physical limitations and conditions.





We offer private sessions for Osteopathy, Kinesiology and Ayur Yoga, also Ayur Yoga in small groups.

Often we combine Osteopathy with Ayur Yoga as a holistic therapy for improving the mobility and for recovery from any injuries after an accident, because Ayur Yoga is the perfect complement for Osteopathy and Kinesiology. While Osteopathy finds the cause of the functional imbalance of the body and releases energy blockages, Ayur Yoga helps to maintain the long-term balance. The treatment is similar to the combination of traditional medicine and physiotherapy.


A personal and individual treatment is always guaranteed.
 Of course we are aware that the alternative medicines are not always sufficient, and depending on the patient and dysfunction or disease we would recommend consulting a specialist. In this area we have also our trusted partners.

Solyoga Solyoga Contact: K. Trenew

Home Torrox, Malaga 29770 Spainhome

Work Phone: +34627411358work Work Email: info.solyoga@gmail.comINTERNET Solyoga

Add to Address Book Updated 91 days ago

The La Zagaleta Golf and Country Club is located in the municipality of Benahavis, 15 minutes drive into the hills behind Marbella. It’s without question the most exclusive private residential address on Spain’s Costa del Sol, on a par in fact with some of the leading residential estates in the world.

Property owners in Zagaleta include prime ministers and presidents, leading A-list celebrities, sports stars, successful entrepreneurs, companies executives as well as retired people from around the globe.

La Zagaleta’s continued success in attracting discerning buyers despite the current worldwide economic slump is based on the principle of providing exceptionally high quality, low density housing built to an exacting standard in an extraordinary natural environment.

If, as the saying goes, the key to real estate is all about “location, location, location” then La Zagaletahas it all.

It occupies over 900 hectares of stunningly beautiful wooded valleys and mountainside all of which overlooks a great swathe of Mediterranean coastline as far as the eye can see.

When entering through the estate’s guarded security gates, you get the distinct impression you’re entering into a veritable natural paradise, a world apart from the coast down below.

The properties for sale in La Zagaleta nestle between winding country roads and wild wooded terrain, with each villa having a no-build green zone between its neighbour.

And with La Zagaleta being home to many high profile residents, security here is of utmost importance whilst the facilities on offer to owners are second to none.

There are two private 18 hole golf courses, a club house, a pro-shop, a restaurant, a swimming pool, a billiard room, a bridge room and tennis courts.

There’s also an equestrian centre, plus a helipad and a private discotheque.

Home owners can even while away the hours fishing in any one of the six natural lakes situated within the estate and there are plenty of trails for those who enjoy hiking, jogging or mountain biking.

In terms of acquiring a property on the estate, due to its exclusivity there are but a handful of real estate agents with a selection of villas for sale in La Zagaleta.

Inmobiliaria Andalucia is one of the leading companies to offer a handpicked selection of the best properties for sale in the estate.

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Soljournal was very happy to be allowed for a personal interview in his residence in Sotogrande.

Jose started painting when he was a child and already at the age of 18 he had his first own workshop. Later he travelled a lot through Europe and North Africa to gain experience and knowledge.

Jose is more popular outside the boarders of Spain than in his own country, especially for his early works of military lithographics. More recently he applies himself to paint faces  (Cabezones) – enormous faces. He has lots of international expositions in Europe and USA, his work is present in different collections in museums around the globe. Details you find on his personal webpage.

On Saturday, the 11. of May his next exhibition „Black Africa“ together with some pieces of the union collection of the african art expert Mamadou Marena Diop will take place in the cultural center of Portugalete, next to Bilbao,  North Spain. The opening will start with a big vernissage with music, drummers and dancers from Senegal.

And here our interview:

1. The meaning of art in three words …

The funny thing is that art historians, writers or analysts everybody will give you a different answer. Words can have many meanings. For example LOVE. Everyone knows what love is, but if you want to define it, each person will have a different interpretation. Love is stability, love is emotion …. You could say art is a manifestation of the soul. I believe that art is a vehicle to transport emotions. Art has to enter first  – with a bang. So, in three words I would say: Art  is the vehicle which transports emotions.

2. You started early painting and had your first workshop at the age of 18 years in Bilbao, right? When did you notice for the first time that painting is your passion?

Hm, I think i was born with this desire to paint. As a child of 2 or 3 years my mum thought  – I was a good boy – what ever a good boy is in the opinion of a mum. She gave me 2 or 3 papers and 3 or 4 paint colours and I would spend entire afternoons drawing. At the age of 10 or 11  – in the first year of secondary school in arts  i passed with great distinction. I had this ease – I think I was born with that.

3. Are there others artists in your family?

No. My father was a lawyer and this has nothing to do with art. I found art without looking for it. My sisters studies and have their careers – I couldn’t even think to study something like – for example law. And the funny thing is – my son is a lawyer as well.

5. What inspires you?

How can I explain basically… I am a figurative painter – I could do landscapes, I could do loads of things, but of all things I decided to paint CABEZONES (faces). The face – in my opinion – is the most obvious manifestation of emotions. For example: If you are angry and I catch this emotion – I will see a angry person – it needs no words to explain that. The expressiveness of a face is the ultimate expressiveness. You can see everything in a face – cultural background, happiness, sadness, experiences and that is why I decided to paint faces – not just faces – enormous faces. I am looking for something which surprises me, something with confusion, something that leaves me speechless.

6. The Costa del Sol gives you inspirations too?

You said already the word – SUN (Sol). I was looking for the light – and the light and the sun belong together. The andalusian philosophy of stretching the time I didn’t like at first. To be honest with that I really had my problems at the beginning when I lived here, until I understood the benefits, the intelligence of this philosophy. And here everybody leaves you in peace and is not interested in what you are doing – this I like as well.

7. Do you think the Costa del Sol is a good place for artists in general?

Yes, because here you have the liberty, the light, nice weather and the absence of haste. I am a rebel and here – at the Costa del Sol – I found my liberty – yes my personal liberty.

8. How do art and the Costa del Sol combine?

Hm, i think for me the proximity to Africa is important. When I was a child I read lots of books by foreign travellers, english travellers which have been in Africa and they told about lions and elephants. The nearness to Africa is fundamental for me. I am painting what I am painting for being here, before I painted very things.

Thanks again to Jose for the interview – i enjoyed that morning!

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Dear soljournal readers,

copying the new Pope “we must have faith”, this is how I would like to begin, instead of the end, saying that we must believe that the present financial situation will improve.

The truth is that is not easy if we go back in time and realize that this crisis has been going on for too long.

I must admit there some relevant factors against it: high unemployment, deficit, internal political problems, … but others have improved: the Spanish bailout ghost vanished, our balance of payments is recovering, shortfall reduced, competitive position increasing and important & crucial reforms executed some very painful but necessary.

Only by a solid finance can we give peace of mind and trust to citizens and markets, in order to be on the progress way. This progress will be slow and complicated but it will come for sure, we just have to do our homework, comply with the rules and all aiming at the same point of the horizon.

Turbulences will continue though, now is Cyprus’ turn. The imposed bear of the cost of the bailout to the depositors seems to be a warning to financial “sheds” and offshores, that they have no future. Transparency and similar interest rates are demanded. Growth will remain sluggish and the pressure  high on the different European nations, so tax havens are going to endure hard times as well.

In Cyprus, a financial bubble was fed, mainly by  profiteers who saw the chance there: low companies house tax rate, high interest rates for deposits (10%)”free of risk”.

A badly designed economic and financial system is blowing off the whole economy. For instance, in Ireland the financial sector went up to 850% of its GDP and now its citizens are financing with their taxes a bailout of up to 85.000 euros. In Spain, we owe Europe a 40.000 euro-bill, mainly due to the property bubble which supposed up to 337% of our GDP. Luxemburg, a country with  only 400.000 inhabitants, has a financial sector equivalent to 2600% of its GDP.

Finally, may I recommend that you should check thoroughly where you invest your savings. Diversify your portfolio and make sure times to hold back assets are coming to an end. In fact, until the end of April, when all non-residents are to declare all their assets/properties/gains. It is really worthy to be more “openwide” and jointly responsible even if it means to sacrifice part of the return, especially to gain peace of mind.

Should you have any doubt or question about it, please, put it forward in my e-mail acf@acfeconomistasyabogados.com

Thanks to ACF economists & lawyers  for cooperating with us.

ACF economist and lawyer ACF economist and lawyer Contact: Adolfo Campos

Work Avda. Valdepenas 1C Torre del Mar, 29740 work

Work Phone: +34 952 54 79 34work Work Email: acf@acfeconomistasyabogados.comINTERNET ACF Economistas y Abogados

Add to Address Book Updated 356 days ago

Dear soljournal readers,

here we are again keeping you up with recent changes. The Spanish Inland Revenue (“Hacienda” from now on) has added further information, in order to clarify, the new two tax rules of high importance: the limitation to cash payments and the informative abroad assets & gains declaration. It was our issue last month.

Law 7/2012 establishes the limit to cash payments in regards with certain type of transactions.

No cash transactions may take place when one or more of the parties involved is a professional or self-employed somehow, and the amount of 2500 euros or over. The limit is extended to 15.000 euros when the payer is an individual who can justify he/she is non- resident of Spain for tax purposes, and is not acting as a professional or self-employed somehow.

When assessing the amounts mentioned the amounts of all the transactions taken place or payments in which the transfer of goods or services provided have been broken down, will be added.

Cash includes notes, coins, checks to the bearer and similar.

The proof of the payments are to be kept for, at least, five years since they took place.

Those who do not comply with this rule will be prosecuted and liable to pay up to 25% of the total cash amount.

Informative declaration of assets & gains abroad

Everyone is to declare (there are some exceptions) bank accounts whose balance is 50.000 euros and over, regardless the number of holders of the accounts involved. The same limit is applied to assets (whatever their nature), whose value is 50.000 euros and over, no matter the number of owners.

Individuals resident of Spain, should they execute their activity and keep their accountancy properly, showing their accounts and positions in financial firms (banks and similar) of which they are holders/owners abroad, are not to declare them. This is exactly the opposite when it comes to assets such as shares, annuities and insurances abroad, because they are to be declared even if thoroughly shown in the accountancy.

There is no obligation to inform on pension plans (recurrent payments to them) as long as they have not been paid. When this happens, from this very moment or since it has been redempted, no matter if as a lump sum or as annuities.

Once declared form 720, there will be no obligation unless there is an increase of the joint limit established for each block of information (assets and similar) worth more than 20.000 euros.

The minimum penalty for not declaring 720 is 10.000 euros, if not complied with once, and 30.000 euros if three times.

Should you have any doubt or question about it, please, put it forward in my e-mail acf@acfeconomistasyabogados.com

Thanks to ACF economists & lawyers  for cooperating with us.

ACF economist and lawyer ACF economist and lawyer Contact: Adolfo Campos

Work Avda. Valdepenas 1C Torre del Mar, 29740 work

Work Phone: +34 952 54 79 34work Work Email: acf@acfeconomistasyabogados.comINTERNET ACF Economistas y Abogados

Add to Address Book Updated 356 days ago

Dear soljournal readers,

this month I would like to write on the new informative declaration on assets and rights abroad. In order to intensify the actions against tax fraud, a new obligation is established, in such a way that all residents of Spain, individuals and companies, are to declare all their assets and rights owned abroad.

Please, bear in mind that a person is regarded as resident of Spain, Spaniard or foreigner, when staying in Spain for than 183 days, basically.

In particular, everyone in the above situation is to inform, although there are some exceptions, about:

1. Bank accounts and other financial products with banks and financial companies, abroad.

2. Assets, whichever kind: rights, insurances, shares and annuities abroad.

3. Real estates and rights on them abroad.

The liabilities even reach “trusts”, which is a very complex matter so we shall not tackle them this time.

The form is to be submitted between 1^st January and 31^st March 2013, with a wide description of each, in regards to the assets & income for 2012 and so on, should an increase of them take place compared to the first year.

Summing up, it is obvious that the tax authorities are walling in residents, whichever nationality, owner of assets and rights abroad, for they are well aware of the common practice of not declaring them when abroad, as the fact of persons who declare themselves as non-residents when they are really residents of Spain.

There are already communication mechanisms among the administrations of different countries, included in the tax treaties, as information clauses with the same aim, but due to bureaucratic, control, management and economical reasons, the advantages of the above declaration are clear.

Should you have any doubt or question about it, please, put it forward in my e-mail acf@acfeconomistasyabogados.com

Thanks to ACF economists & lawyers  for cooperating with us.

ACF economist and lawyer ACF economist and lawyer Contact: Adolfo Campos

Work Avda. Valdepenas 1C Torre del Mar, 29740 work

Work Phone: +34 952 54 79 34work Work Email: acf@acfeconomistasyabogados.comINTERNET ACF Economistas y Abogados

Add to Address Book Updated 356 days ago

Dear soljournal readers, this time I would like to write on some issues related to the importance of communication between the public Administration and other parties.

Probably most of you have suffered the diversity of the administration offices existing in Spain, result of the share of power between the Central Public, Autonomy and Local Administration, for each creates their own offices with their own rules. On other occasions, the different offices collaborate among them which ends up with citizens baffled as they are made roll about, from one to another, like a ball. The authorities are trying to eliminate duplicities and reduce the number of offices, but this is another story.

Well, I would like to point out the importance of informing the different public offices which might affect us somehow, about our exact and complete address for notification purposes. It is crucial, so the post office and the town hall should help with it, to avoid any wrong data in the address.

Basically, we all should check that our exact address for notification purposes has been provided to the Inland Revenue, Police, Cadastral, National Insurance and Traffic offices and any other a citizen may be involved with.

Each office keeps its own records of persons and addresses although they may have access to data bases different from theirs. They communicate with the citizens through the given address at some time. If the address is no longer the right one and the public administration is not informed of it, the administrative procedure normally goes on. A citizen could find a few months later that one of his/her properties/assets has been seizured (“embargo”) or that a debt has been duplicated, without having any knowledge of it or a chance to plead.

Finally, mention that electronic certificates are taking over, no doubt a significant step forward. They can help us obtain a great deal of information without physical movement to the public administration offices, and sometimes it is possible to be notified without the postal services involved. In our firm we are arranging  en masse, centralizing communications in our system, making sure the punctual notification/communication and quick answers, pleas and/or claims. We are also obtaining the necessary paperwork for quick, secure and efficient arrangements.

Thanks to ACF economists & lawyers  for cooperating with us.

ACF economist and lawyer ACF economist and lawyer Contact: Adolfo Campos

Work Avda. Valdepenas 1C Torre del Mar, 29740 work

Work Phone: +34 952 54 79 34work Work Email: acf@acfeconomistasyabogados.comINTERNET ACF Economistas y Abogados

Add to Address Book Updated 356 days ago

Dromedary with Sea View, Peña Escita

With this post I’m going to give away one of the Costa del Sol Secrets and another splendid idea for a brilliant day out: Peña Escrita, about half an hour from La Herradura by car (preferably 4×4).  It is a most amazing place, more than 1,000 meters above Mediterranean.

The most surprising thing about Peña Ecrita is that it houses a pretty complete zoo with bears, wolves, lions, tigers, hippopotami, zebras, monkeys and the lot. The different areas and cages are nicely spread, so there’s ample time for you to observe the animals  as you walk up the zig-zagging little road. Keen animal lovers may easily spend a whole afternoon observing all the animals. Animal spaces are large, look quite clean and all animals are healthy and well-looked after.

Iberian wolf, Peña Escrita

Apart from the zoo, Peña Escrita has a bar with food, an outdoor pool (at 1,100 meters above sea level) and a starting place for parapente-flyers. There are also nice looking bungalows, small wooden houses spaced far apart in the amazing landscape. Must be nice to have a retreat in one of them for a few days.

Entrance fee: 5 euros per car (!) (last time I was there, about a year ago).

How to get there: not for the faint-of-heart, and that is probably why I have never seen the place crowded, which is another great thing about it. Access either from La Herradura or Almuñecar.

From La Herradura: when you go of the motorway, drive a couple of hundred meters direction Nerja on the coast road, only to take you to the first corner to the left after the roundabout: there, go right and take a small road that takes you up (there are a few indications). Follow that road, the ‘Cuesta del Marchante’, for about half an hour. Sometimes Peña Escrita is indicated, but at times you may have to use your common sense/intuition, and sense for direction. It’s a good idea to have a detailed map of the area or to have a look on the net before setting off. 4X4 Advised, especially after heavy rainfall.

From Almuñecar (not tried by the author), the journey is somewhat longer but the road is reported to be better.

What not to forget: your camera! (or you’ll hate yourself)

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