| VITAL INFORMATION | |
| Population | 27,921 |
| Languages spoken | English and Spanish |
| Currency | 0.503 GIP = 1 USD |
| Average temperature | Summer: 82F; winter: 61F |
| High season | April to September |
That craggy gray rock that hangs awkwardly off the coast of Southern Spain has been the subject of great dispute between Spain and England for years. While Spain has requested -- several times -- for the return of Gibraltar’s sovereignty, the small British colony has always flatly refused. Among other reasons for keeping it a colony, Gibraltar is an important base for the British Armed Forces.
All prices are listed in U.S. funds.
Day 1: Rock On
When you emerge from the Gibraltar Airport, you’ll have to cross the runway, under the thunderous roar of jet engines, before traveling a couple miles to The Rock Hotel. Built in 1932 by the Marquis of Bute, The Rock Hotel has 104 colonial style suites, many with stunning views of the Bay of Gibraltar, Spain and northern Morocco. Celebrities who have signed the prestigious guestbook include former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Hollywood movie star Errol Flynn. Sadly, the grandeur has faded a little since its heyday in the ‘20s, but it’s something of an institution in the area and the penthouse costs about $585 per night.Make your way to the bottom of the Rock at Grand Parade and hitch a cable-car ride to Top Station at Ape’s Den. Once you reach the top you’ll be able to see the monkeys that have been one of Gibraltar’s biggest crowd-pleasers, though nobody knows how they got there since they aren’t native to Spain. Some suggest that the Barbary Macaques species were brought to Gibraltar by the Moors. Watch your valuables carefully, as the monkeys are known for stealing things that don’t belong to them. The spectacular Nature Reserve that houses Gibraltar’s very own chickweed, thyme and candytuft plants also sits at the top of the Rock.
As dusk advances, venture over to Queensway Quay on the marina where you’ll find the delectable Waterfront restaurant. Watch the sun disappear behind the bay, while you select from starters such as the famed Cajun prawns in a light, wispy batter, and main courses such as Fillet Steak Rossini, Swordfish Oriental, and Moroccan Tajine of Seafood. If you’re visiting in the summer you should sample the shellfish stall and barbecue where your food is cooked al fresco beside the quay. After your meal, take a leisurely stroll along the marina to admire the large yachts and the luxurious apartments whose lights are reflected in the water.
Return to The Rock Hotel for a nightcap in the lobby’s trendy Barbary Bar. Grab a seat on the Wisteria Terrace, which has been the venue for many weddings, and admire the colorful blooms that surround you.
Day 2: Whirlwind tour
Get ready for a morning of shopping, as Gibraltar offers many duty-free goodies. Head over to Main Street, which is crammed with shops that sell alcohol, cigarettes, cosmetics, perfumes, and electrical goods. Be sure to keep the receipts for everything you buy, as sometimes you are requested to produce them at the border when crossing back into Spain.Next, pay a visit to the Convent, which is now the home of Gibraltar’s governor. While England’s Queen Elizabeth II is the official ruler of Gibraltar, the Governor of Gibraltar is appointed to preside as the ceremonial head of state, with the chief minister and a panel of elected government ministers dealing with the day-to-day matters. The former 16th century Franciscan friars' house is a great place to go and watch the changing of the guards, which occurs several times throughout the day.
Your extensive shopping and sightseeing have earned you a well-deserved pit stop, which should be taken at The House of Sacarello’s. Founded in 1888 by Bartholomew Sacarello, the café is the ideal place to taste a little bit more of Gibraltarian history -- literally. The coffee-bar restaurant roasts its own delicious beans and supplies coffee to most of the cafés, restaurants and hotels in Gibraltar. It beats Starbucks any day of the week.
Drop your shopping bags off at the hotel and take a guided walking tour along the city walls, which are almost complete. Tourists will soon be able to walk from one end of Gibraltar to the other, from Ragged Staff to Montagu Bastion, from the Casemates to the Northern Batteries, and to the Moorish Castle. Originally erected by the Moors, the walls run around the entire inner city and have survived many sieges and battles in their time.
The Moorish Castle is a must-see on any savvy traveler’s to-do list. A beautifully cubic stone building ascending the face of the Rock, the Moorish Castle is thought to have been built by Tarik Ibn Zeyad, leader of the Arabic army that occupied Gibraltar from 711 until 1309, and then again from 1350 until 1462. Make sure you take note of the upper Tower of Homage, and the imposing Gate House below with its impressive cupola roof.
After your dreams of royalty, head over to the Alameda Gardens in The Dell, which is predominantly a recreational area for residents and visitors. The botanical gardens serve as a conservatory for some of Gibraltar’s flora. Mill about The Dell afterward and enjoy the series of fountains, ponds and waterfalls that dot the premises.
If you still have time before the sun sets, be sure to squeeze in a visit to the Gibraltar Museum, the Cathedral of St. Mary the Crowned and the Trafalgar Cemetery.
After such an exhausting day, you’ll need something hearty for dinner to replenish your energy. Fortunately, you’re staying at The Caleta Hotel this evening. The hotel is located on the more tranquil eastern side of Gibraltar, and it has views of the Catalan Bay fishing village. Dine at the hotel’s Nuno’s Restaurant, a sumptuous Italian experience that specializes in authentic pasta dishes and desserts. Winner of two AA Rosettes, you’re assured a first-class treat for the senses.
Finish your day with a mini-bar crawl in Casemates Square. Formerly the site of public executions, it is now a hub of bustling restaurants, bars and pubs. Try to mingle with the locals, who’ll tell you stories about the wonderful cobbled streets you’ve been treading all day. Recommended is the All’s Well Bar, known for its Bass beers, and the trendy Lord Nelson Bar Brasserie, which features a wonderfully ornate ceiling styled on Nelson’s ship. Retire to your Rock-facing suite tired, but entirely satisfied.
Day 3: Casino Royale
Unwind on the shores of one of Gibraltar’s many beaches: On the eastern side you can choose from Eastern Beach, Catalan Bay or Sandy Bay, and on the western side you have Little Bay or Camp Bay. Eastern Beach, accessible via The Catalan Hotel, is ideal for sunbathing and frolicking in surf, while those who want to observe a wonderful man-made waterfall should venture to Camp Bay near the cruise ship terminal. As well as lounging on a typically British red-and-white striped deckchair, you’ll be able to indulge in a spot of pier fishing with the promise of catching something half decent. For the more adventurous traveler, scuba diving, parasailing and water-skiing facilities are available to while away the afternoon.
If you get a little restless digging your toes in the sand, you can always organize a whale- or dolphin-watching trip to keep you occupied. Catch the hour-and-a-half excursion from Dolphin Adventure in Marina Bay, and set sail around the bay to see the silver-gray mammals frolicking in the water beside you. If you’re particularly lucky, you may also spy a Blue Whale.
Spend your last evening in the recently refurbished O’Callaghan Elliot Hotel, located on Governor's Parade. The luxury hotel even has a penthouse for you to lay your weary head, but not before you sample the culinary delights in the hotel’s magnificent Rooftop Restaurant, headed by award-winning French chef Fred Martin.
The casino has been described as “the pillar of entertainment on the Rock,” and the floor is home to 150 slot machines and several gaming tables. Take great joy in gambling the rest of your vacation money away on a few games of roulette before drowning your sorrows at the casual cocktail bar. For tonight, you can be whoever you want to be -- even that certain secret agent who goes by the name of Bond.
tips for the trip
- Just like John Lennon and Yoko Ono, if you’re planning to get married why not make it official in Gibraltar? Because there are no residency restrictions, couples can elope and tie the knot with just 24-hours notice.
- Visit on September 10, which is Gibraltar National Day. The patriotic residents will be flying the British flag, if only to the disgust of the Spanish across the border.
- Those who enjoy bird watching -- not the bikini-clad type found on the beach -- should visit in spring and autumn, when flocks of feathered friends stop by the Rock on their way to the breeding ground in Northern Europe.
down and out in gibraltar
While this may be your last night in this anachronistic slice of England, it certainly won’t be your last visit. You’re not quite sure how, but at some point during your stay, the Rock has managed to steal your heart -- and, incidentally, all of your money.While Gibraltar may not be high on many people’s travel agendas, it certainly should be. With so much to see and do, you should bump it right to the top of your list without a second thought.
Resources:
http://www.gibraltar.gov.uk/
http://www.gibnet.com/airport/index.htm
http://www.rockhotelgibraltar.com/
http://gibraltar.costasur.com/en/cablecar.html
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Gibraltar/Things_To_Do-Gibraltar-Cable_Car-BR-1.html
http://www.gibnet.gi/~gibmag/rg.html
http://www.discovergibraltar.com/mainlogo/mainfrm.htm
http://www.andalucia.com/gibraltar/restaurants.htm
http://www.gibraltargardens.gi/
http://www.travel-library.com/shortbreaks/europe/gibraltar/gibraltar/
http://www.caletahotel.com/
http://www.casemates.gi/
http://www.worldtravelguide.net/country/101/top_things_to_do/Europe/Gibraltar.html
http://www.ocallaghanhotels.com/eliott/index.asp
http://www.thegibraltarcasino.com/
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