Meet Hans Hugo: I lead a privileged lifestyle, working with cars and living in the sun!

Danish-born Hans Hugo has travelled to, and worked in some of the furthest flung places in the world, including Yemen, Oman and Slovenia, to name only a few. But it was the Costa del Sol in Spain that finally saw him hang up his hat and decide this was his home.

For 15 years Hans has been general manager of Helle Hollis Car Rental, a leading business in the car hire industry in southern Spain, with offices in Málaga Airport and Fuengirolaand a fleet of 1,000 cars during peak season…

 

Have you seen many changes to local business over the years?

 

This year Helle Hollis celebrated its 30th anniversary and there have certainly been many changes over those 30 years. The internet has been the driving force in this, changing the way that a customer can book a car, and then also, once they have the car, the quality of the local roads has improved immensely since back then!

 

How do you start your day?

I start work at 8.30am and my first priority is to check if there have been any incidences during the night. We are open and manned around the clock every day of the year and as with any 24-hour business, you have to be prepared for any occurrence, at any moment.

I am proud to say that we have many regular clients, especially with our Helle Hollis Home Owners’ Club, so I always check to see if there are any familiar pick-ups or returns as I like to greet them personally.

I am so privileged, I think I have the best job in the world; I get to go to work and play with cars, and even at my mature age, that’s not so much like work!

And when you’re not working?

 

I rarely work during weekends. My attitude is that if I have been organised and done my week’s planning properly, come the weekend I can kick back and enjoy more leisurely pursuits with my family and prepare a clear mind and body for the week to come.

 

I live with my wife in an old converted water mill in Mijas; it’s a work in progress, a labour of love. It’s super charming, but there are constantly things that need to be done in the house and garden. So we often dedicate one day to work around the house and keep one day free to go running or hiking in the nearby mountain ranges and to enjoy a visit from our daughter and grandchildren, who like to come to visit grandma’s “farmhouse”.

We are really keen on outdoor pursuits and the Costa del Sol is the ideal place to enjoy them. Last year I ran a full marathon and 5 half marathons! Helle Hollis is a regular sponsor of the Málaga Marathon, the third edition takes place this Sunday, 9th December. Plus I have already signed up for the World Championship half marathon in Copenhagen in March 2014. For me, it’s not about the winning, I just love the atmosphere, the camaraderie you enjoy along the way with 25,000 other participants.

What do you love best about your Costa del Sol lifestyle?

Definitely the climate; not so much the heat, but more the fact that on most days the sky is cloudless and blue, which is not the case in Denmark. Plus Denmark is a flat country, so I absolutely love the mountainscapes here, with the wonderful 360 degree views from mountain to coast.

Another wonderful element about living here is the cosmopolitan atmosphere; it’s quite normal to mix socially with friends of many different nationalities. And I love to cook, so it’s great to be able to get hold of fresh ingredients all year round.

Favourite road trip?

Definitely Ronda: I take the old road up from Coínand the new road down to San Pedro. It’s a great trip to do with visitors, as it represents both old and new Andalucía.

I also love a trip to Sierra Nevada away from the heat of summer. We always head there when we have reached boiling point after the long, hot month of August.

 

Favourite restaurant

I love Adriatico on the Paseo Maritimo in Fuengirola; it’s not a fancy restaurant, but the staff are friendly and attentive and they make world-class, wood-fired pizzas. Perfectly thin and not too much topping! Plus they are great value, I don’t think they have a pizza on the menu which costs more than €7.

During the winter we enjoy dining out at the restaurants La Fuente and Molino del Cura. Both are located inMijas Pueblo and both offer a warm and cosy environment, with a good honest kitchen.

Top survival tip for the Costa del Sol

Before parting with any money always check references – no matter what. In the car hire industry there is a lot of choice, but it’s no good saving €5 on car hire, if you then lose valuable holiday time with breakdown issues or if the car is not available on your arrival.

Also, learn some Spanish. It will open up a world of opportunities for you. And remember you are not sentenced to being in Spain. If you don’t like it you can always leave – so don’t try to impose your standards on Spain or the Spanish.

Hans Hugo is General Manager of Helle Hollis Car Hire, a VIVA RECOMMENDS Promotional Partner. Helle Hollis have offices in Málaga Airport and Fuengirola. In business for 30 years, Helle Hollis are a company in which you can trust. Their Home Owners’ Club is a special programme designed for those who live or own a home on the Costa del Sol; offering you preferential rates, bonuses and reservation conditions.

You can find Helle Hollis in our VIVA Recommends Directory, or contact them direct on +34 952 245 544.