A trip to Gibraltar

The sun outside invites us think of a warm place, where “the rain falls mainly on the plain”.. if ever. A trip to Gibraltar, therefore, is today’s suggestion.

Due to its proximity to Spain, being located by the Mediterranean Sea, at the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula, we tend to assimilate Gibraltar with Spain. Actually, since 1704, it has been under British rule. Today, Gibraltar is autonomous, has systematically refused the Spanish claims to sovereignty and only gets the intervention of the UK when it comes to foreign affairs and defense.

Due to its mixed European and Arabic cultural legacy, Gibraltar offers a mixed and outstanding landscape. Here, you can visit the tunnels used in the Great Siege of 1783, the Moorish Castle which dates back to the 11th century and the spectacular St. Michael’s Cave. The Cathedral Cave inside is a splendid construction open to visitors and frequently used as a hall for various events, such as plays, ballet and concerts, since it can seat up to 400 people.

Have you heard of the Gibraltar monkeys? They are Barbary Macaques, the only free-living monkeys on the European continent. You can interact with them and you will find that, despite their semi-wild nature, they can prove to be quite sociable, especially if offered a snack.

Shopping is a compelling activity when you are in Gibraltar, especially since Gibraltar is a fiscal haven, so you will have no VAT to pay. Traditional boutiques are located right next to the most prestigious brand shops on the Main Street, so you have plenty of options to choose from.

Culturally speaking, you might be interested to know that the official language in Gibraltar is English, but most people are bilingual, speaking both English and Spanish. The traditional recipe is called Calentita, a bread dish, like a pancake, made with water, flour, salt, pepper and olive oil.

The best way to move around is to book a Gibraltar transfer in advance.