GIBRALTAR

 

“The sun never sets on the British Empire” has some truth even today in Gibraltar. Gibraltar or the Rock as it is called, is one of the last bastion’s of the UK in its entirety spans only a stretch of about 6 sq kms along Spain’s Mediterranean shoreline but is vitally important to the United Kingdom as a defence base. The country is strategically the only point of entry to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.

The famed Rock of Gibraltar is a limestone and shale ridge across the Iberian Peninsula and stands guard over the Straits with its immense stature – standing sheer and very tall at 426 metres. When you are traveling along the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, the Rock of Gibraltar may look like a chain of untamed, insurmountable cliffs. On the western side, it appears less hostile with a sloping gradient and human habitation till about 90 metres up the rock.

Gibraltar is an interesting place as this is where Africa meets Europe and the mish mash of cultures – Spanish, British and Moorish that permeates through makes it a wonderful holiday destination. Breathtaking scenery off set by its unique history and cosmopolitan flavour, Gibraltar is bound to please!

Capital: Gibraltar Town

Best time to visit:

  1. Autumn and spring are a good time to visit Gibraltar if you don’t have a passion for either the summer sun or cold winter winds. Winters, though mild, can be rained in and you’d be well advised to take a trip in the early part of the year.

Minimum days required: 3 days

Places of Interest:

  1. Rock of Gibraltar
  2. Catalan Bay
  3. Europa Point
  4. Moorish Castle
  5. St.  Michaels Cave
  6. Gibraltar Botanic Gardens

Climate:

  1. Summer in Gibraltar is hot and humid. The humidity does not transform into showers most of the time.
  2. Winter months are rainy but the cold is only mild. In between these two major seasons, the weather is largely warm with moderate rains at irregular intervals.

Currency: Pound

Things to carry:

  1. Pack lightweights for summer and medium weights for winter with some rainwear thrown in.

How to get there:

Air

  1. Gibraltar has one airport. There are regular flights connecting London in England and Tangier in Morocco to Gibraltar.