Yzabelle Bostyn

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The Olive Press •

‘I’ve been trying the best non-alcoholic beers in Spain – these are my favourites’

NEED to go alcohol free? These are our top choices for guilt free beer in Spain. When I was told I could no longer drink due to new medication, I was a bit worried. What was I going to order when out with friends? Would I be stuck drinking coke, coffee and herbal tea for months on end? Luckily, I quickly discovered Spain has a variety of alcohol free beers on offer and I have made it my mission to try them all. So far, these are my top picks.
The Olive Press •

EXCLUSIVE: ‘I visited this stunning monastery near Spain’s Madrid that was once called the eighth wonder of the world – and it’s well worth exploring’

THIS stunning monastery near Madrid was once called the eighth wonder of the world and it’s still well worth a visit. If you have a free day while visiting Madrid, the city is a great jumping off point for many fascinating spots. While Toledo and Segovia are popular options, more visitors are flocking to the small town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.
The Olive Press •

Is this evidence of an animal sacrifice ritual? Dead ‘lambs’ attached to bizarre floral wreaths and candles are dumped in a river next to a luxury beach club on Spain’s Costa del Sol

DEAD lambs surrounded by bizarre floral wreaths and candles have been spotted in a river next to a luxury beach club, prompting speculation of animal sacrifice. Most expats move to the Costa del Sol to enjoy the sun, nature and relaxing strolls by the water. But one Estepona resident was shocked during her morning walk on Friday, May 10, when she discovered the bodies of four lambs in a river near Laguna Village.
The Olive Press •

EXCLUSIVE: British expat mother is livid after her toddler is given ‘lethal’ Nolotil painkiller in Spain

A BRITISH expat has been left ‘livid’ after her toddler was given ‘lethal’ Nolotil painkiller. Seeing your child suffering is one of the hardest things parents have to go through. So when Hannah Pearson’s three-year-old daughter, Amalie, experienced high temperatures last weekend, she sought help as soon as possible. The 39-year-old and her husband, James, 38, agreed to take their daughter to a private doctor, expecting nothing more than a round of antibiotics.
The Olive Press •

EXCLUSIVE: ‘I visited Cordoba in southern Spain and was blown away by its beauty – its patios alone could give the floral haven of Estepona a run for its money’

Coming from Estepona, I wasn’t sure Cordoba could beat my flower laden home, but the city overwhelmed me with its beautiful patios, rich history and delicious food. For just one week every year, Cordoban families open up their homes to share their patios with the world. Thousands of tourists flock to the city, eager to explore patios battling it out to be crowned the most beautiful. Some 52 took part in this year’s competition, alongside 12 non competitive entries.
The Olive Press •

Expat opens Malaga’s first ever cat cafe: First eatery of its kind in the city will offer coworking spaces and therapy events

MALAGA’S first ever cat cafe is set to open this year and will offer coworking, therapy events, parties and more. When you have a stressful day at work, it can be hard to calm down. But imagine you had a purring cat in your lap, it would help you relax- right? That’s exactly the philosophy of Malaga’s first ever cat cafe and co-working space, Paws for a Moment.
The Olive Press •

Urgent appeal: Irish expat in her 70s is forced to give up animal sanctuary on Spain’s Costa del Sol after cancer diagnosis – and needs help to foster 80 dogs

AN expat-owned dog rescue ‘desperately needs’ help after the owner is diagnosed with cancer and can ‘no longer manage’ on her own. Pat Waterhouse founded Pat’s Rescue Retreat seven years ago, dedicating her retirement to ‘caring for dogs that no one else wanted’. Until recently, she ‘tirelessly provided a haven’ for elderly, sick and fearful canines in Alora, Malaga. However, after being diagnosed with cancer, the Irish expat is no longer able to manage the work on her own.
The Olive Press •

EXCLUSIVE: Spain’s rental market nightmare is exposed as countless British expats are forced to pay illegal costs by landlords who ignore pro-tenant laws with impunity – while many lose thousands to s

AFTER various Olive Press staff fall victim to scams and lawbreakers while looking to rent, Yzabelle Bostyn looks at the ‘perfect storm’ in Spain’s rental market. Exactly a year ago, the Spanish government introduced its much heralded ‘Ley de Vivienda.’ The new Homes Law aimed to tackle a myriad of problems in the rental market, in particular to increase the amount of affordable homes for the young and vulnerable. The main measures included a 3% cap on rent rises, additional rent caps in ‘stressed’ areas, and the right to renew contracts for up to five years.
The Olive Press •

EXCLUSIVE: British expat reveals Nolotil nightmare in Spain after doctors told him he had an ‘AIDS-like illness’ when his white blood cells vanished and puss ‘streamed from his eyes and nose’

PETE Packer, a 60-year-old expat, has been riding motorbikes since he was 11 years old. In 2017, the language teacher was riding along Malaga’s A-7 when his engine suddenly stopped. He was thrown 10 metres in the air, sliding across the tarmac at 110mph. Despite breaking multiple bones he was miraculously let out of Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Malaga, that very same day.
The Olive Press •

Racism row engulfs popular beach club on Spain’s Costa del Sol after a black man claims he was refused entry due to the colour of his skin

A BLACK man has claimed he was refused entry to a beach club on Spain’s Costa del Sol due to the colour of his skin, igniting a racism row. One of Malaga’s most popular beaches, Los Alamos, Torremolinos was generally considered a great place to enjoy the sun and relax. That was until a group of friends went to Playa Santa beach club last Saturday, May 25. A Google Reviewer named Carlos Montaño has blasted the venue for racism after he was not allowed entry ‘because he was black.’
The Olive Press •

Must-visit: This little-known city an hour from Madrid makes the perfect day trip for history buffs and literature lovers

JUST an hour from Madrid, this city makes the perfect day trip for both history buffs and literature lovers. While Bologna, Oxford and Salamanca boast the oldest universities in the world, few people know that just outside Madrid lies the world’s first university city. Established in 1499, Alcala de Henares quickly became a beacon of knowledge and learning, so it’s no surprise that it is also the birthplace of ‘Spanish Shakespeare’ Miguel de Cervantes. Some 30 km from Madrid, this small city is easily accessible by train or bus, both taking just over an hour.
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