Hidden Gibraltar - 6: Where to stay.

A Gibraltarian's Guide to Gibraltar.
- Where to stay.
Where to stay in Gibraltar, what to expect and how much it costs.

Gibraltar has a small number of hotels of varying classes from the classical Rock hotel to budget priced like the Canon hotel. There are also some small self catering apartments you can rent, but alas no Guest houses or Bed and Breakfast.

Additionally, the hotels, bracketed in the "Budget" bracket are not really in the same league as, say, a Travel Lodge or Travel Inn back in the UK, but probably cost just as much if not more.

Starting at the Budget end.

Cannon Hotel website
A family friendly run hotel, with room rates starting at £25 for a single room, per night, including an English breakfast.
The Cannon hotel is just a stone's throw off Main Street. And it is exactly what you expect from a budget hotel, no frills and no air conditioning. Reviews of this hotel are mixed between, "excellent value for money" to "I won't go back there again." - Admittedly it has been documented that cockroaches have been seen in some rooms.
The website claims that the rooms have been newly refurbished recently, so perhaps the negative comments are no longer valid. This hotel is ideal for the person who wishes to be centrally located.

Continental Hotel Closed Down.

Queens Hotel website
Billing itself as a budget hotel, the Queens Hotel is situated by Alemeda Gardens, outside the main city walls overlooking the sea or the cable car/gardens/car park.
Stepping in to this hotel one is instantly reminded of the film Carry on Abroad. the decor is very dated, as is the furniture in the rooms and main areas. On the plus side, the hotel is clean and the rooms comfy but alas, no air conditioning either.
Breakfast consists of either cereal, continental or traditional english, (bacon isn't the best and be mindful that when we stayed, the service at breakfast was quite slow at times) The staff are polite and friendly and for the money, you can't grumble too much for being able to stay within Gibraltar itself. Whilst better value for money can be had across the border in Spain if you can put up with the inconvenience of exiting/entering the border every day, I would stay at the Queens hotel again without hesitation despite all the flaws above.

Bristol Hotel website
Moving away from the budget end hotels and climbing towards the middle, you will find the Bristol. This hotel is situated in Cathedral square, behind Main street and handy for the Museum, Wedding Registrar's office, (if you're planning to get married) or near the Nat West Bank cash tills! Here you will find Air conditioning at long last, the rooms are clean, Service is what you would expect, but, and there is always a but, there are some downsides too. First of all, if you didn't want the 80's to die, then this place is its last refuge, the rooms though, clean and tidy are a throwback to the days when Shoulder pads and big hair were king!
Breakfast is self service and consists of a large buffet table in the centre where you can help yourself to a limited spread, which can get rather "boring" if you stay for five days or more.
Additionally the Hotel offers a swimming pool enclosed within its own secluded subtropical garden for guests to enjoy. Despite the flaws people keep going back to this hotel time and time again, so
If you are undecided, then this discount booking website, may help you decide whether to book or not.

Hidden Gibraltar - 5: Places of Interest: Off the beaten track

A Gibraltarian's Guide to Gibraltar.
- Places of Interest - Off the beaten track.
This page lists all the places of interests throughout the lower rock of Gibraltar which are either not widely accessible or off the beaten tourist track.







Lower St Michael's Cave (By arrangement)
This is one by Appointment only and I must warn you that it is for those who are fit and strong. This part of St Michael's Cave was accidentally found when they were digging out tunnels during WWII. It is fully lit and guided tours must be arranged via appointment through the Gibraltar Tourist Board offices located at Casemates. Children under 10 are not allowed. The tour takes about 2 to 3 hours and you must be prepared for physical exertion. Trainers are not ideal and that proper climbing boots are preferable. Eventually you will descend into Gibraltar's only lake, deep inside the cave complex. I am told the water is not drinkable.

Note: Photos are not my own.
1st photo www.seabunny.net
2nd photo: www.aboutourrock.com

Garrison Library (free admittance)
Founded in 1793 by Colnel John Drinkwater Bethune, the Library would see the launch of the world's second oldest newspaper eight years later. The Gibraltar Chronicle was first printed here in 1801 and would carry news of the the victory of the Battle of Trafalgar on October 23 1805, one month before the London Times.
Included in that issue, was a letter from Admiral Collingwood to the Governor of Gibraltar, Henry Edward Fox, giving an account of the battle.
The Chronicle moved out of the Garrison Library in 2006, with the print works, one year later.
Today, the Garrison Library is still home to the archive of the Gibraltar Chronicle, plus 35,000 books focused mainly on travel and culture, some of which are very rare.
picture britishgibraltar.com

Europa Point
This is as far as you can go in the European Continent. It is the southern most tip before crossing over to Africa. For many years, Europa point has been a destination for tourists to visit the Shrine to Our Lady of Europe, The Last Shop in Europe (really) and of course the famous Gibraltar Trinity Lighthouse. However, it has to be said, that Europa point is nothing more than a waste land. Apart from the attractions mentioned above, it is a derelict place, neglected and unloved for decades.
back in the 1970's there used to be a down ramp which hang over the edge of the rock and abandoned/scrapped cars were dropped into the sea, very environmentally friendly - not.
Of course, that doesn't happen anymore but it just underlines what successive Gibraltar Governments have thought about the place.
Plans are now afoot to redevelop the place and give it the mother of all face lifts as you can see by the photo on the left. Works were scheduled to start in January 2008. But to date, all the works have incorporated is the demolition of some old buildings and a lot of fence railing going up, some of which is now lying on its side. That's it, nothing else has been touched and the whole area now looks a lot worse than before. As a result, the last shop in Europe is now closed and there is nowhere left to purchase any refreshments or souvenirs.
The redevelopment plans promise a mecca for tourists and Gibraltarians, but when it will actually be completed is any one's guess, it could be another decade or century.

Shrine to Our Lady of Europe (free admittance)
Situated in Europa Point at the far end of Gibraltar, This place is not only a chapel, where you can light a candle and say a prayer, but it also has a museum alongside it with information about the Shrine itself and its various uses through the ages.
Originally built as a mosque, but captured in 1462 by Don Rodrigo Ponce de Leon when the moors were finally driven out of the last point in Europe. It was converted to a Christian shrine and a chapel was added at the end of the then mosque's eastern wall.
The story about this place is fascinating, not only was it also a guard post at various times during Gibraltar's History, but it also served as Gibraltar's original lighthouse for many years. Here Sailors would call on their way in and out of the Mediterranean and leave gifts, as a thank you, oil lamps were lit on the top of the tower to warn sailors of the nearby rocks below.
The Chapel hosts a two foot statue of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus on her lap, with a sceptre and dates back centuries. At one point a Pirate called Red Beard looted the place, but left the Statue intact.
In 1979 the title of Our Lady of Europe as Patroness of Gibraltar, was approved by Pope John Paul II and subsequently, the shrine was restored to the state it is today.
Photo's Shrine: & Statue gibraltar.costasur.com

The Last Shop in Europe (now closed)
Here you could at one time, stop for something to eat, a cup of tea or coffee, souvenirs and snacks. Alas, thanks to the building works it is now closed and the place looks derelict with broken windows etc. Admittedly, it was badly dilapidated and an eyesore before the works, so if it gets pulled down and re-built, it will be an improvement. Outside the shop, were some interesting and informative decorations/ornaments which I photographed and recorded for posterity, just in case they too get demolished.
above photo:Archive when shop was open. source: wikipedia commons
Click to enlarge












Trinity Lighthouse Gibraltar. (no admittance to public)
The southern most Lighthouse maintained by Trinity outside the UK. It was built in 1841 and has a lighthouse keeper's lodge alongside it. Alas it is now fully automated, although the lodge remains and is apparently in use by a resident, so please respect their property.
The lighthouse's light can be seen up to 30 miles away, and despite radar and other modern navigational aids, still works every night warning passing ships as they enter and exit the treacherous seas of the Gibraltar straight.
Just how treacherous it is, can be seen by the photograph on the left, this ship, The New Flame, run aground in Gibraltar's waters, less than a mile from the the lighthouse itself.
The ship is being salvaged bit by bit, as leaving it there would constitute a major navigational and environmental hazard.

Hidden Gibraltar - 4: Places of Interest: Lower Rock

A Gibraltarian's Guide to Gibraltar.
- Places of Interest - Lower Rock
This page lists all the places of interests throughout the lower rock.




Alameda Botanic Gardens. (Free Admittance)
Marilyn Monroe had her mole and this is Gibraltar's true beauty spot, a lovely lush section of the lower rock which was founded back in 1816.

The Gardens fell into neglect in the 1970's and would remain neglected for nigh on two decades before the Government decided to re-dedicate it as a Botanic garden.
Today the Gardens are a wonderful example of human design working alongside Mother nature, the gardens themselves are what could only be described as a lush paradise.
Here you will find exotic and sweet scented flowers from warmer climbs all mixed and interacting in a riot of colour that has to be seen to be believed.
Whilst not on the same size as Kew Gardens in London and requiring some hill and step climbing to see it all, the Gardens are unique in splendour and tranquility. Bring a picnic and happily lose a couple of hours on a bench just relaxing whilst watching migratory birds come and go between Europe and Africa as well as rare and ordinary species of butterflies intermingling with the Cable Car which rises up overhead. There are also guided tours of the botanic gardens at certain times of the year, details of which can be found at the Alameda Gardens Website.

The Gardens also hosts a mini wildlife "park" and Open Air Theatre within its confines.

Wildlife Park
Alameda Wildlife Park to give it is correct name, is a small haven for animals seized by the Gibraltar Police and Customs. It was started in 1994 and houses a collection of parrots, land tortoises, squirrels, a pot bellied pig and other types of monkeys which were confiscated from illegal traders. Sadly, because they are confiscated animals, they cannot be returned to the wild, but the park does its best to look after the animals and use them for conservation and educational purposes.
The Wildlife park can perhaps be a major disappointment for adults but young kids will love it. Families with teenagers would perhaps consider somewhere else.
Those who are infirm or disabled should be warned that the park is set against terraces requiring a lot of steps down and up to see the animals. That said, it cost a miserly £2 per adult and £1.50 for kids. All money raised is used to care for the animals, which are housed in large wire cages and don't roam wild. Admittedly, to use the term, "Park" is stretching it a bit, the couple of terraces its set in would probably cover no more than 2 - 3 tennis courts
The highlight for me and my daughter was the Prevost Squirrels which have a "tunnel" wire cage running from one spot of the park to the other. No matter how much I tried to take a picture of them, they wouldn't sit still!
Tickets are purchased at the top (animals are housed below the ticket office) where you can also purchase ice creams and drinks. Overall, this wildlife "park" could do with the Gibraltar tourist board taking a lead in obtaining some funding to do it up a bit and publicising it better.
Click to enlarge
Red Eared Terrapins / Praire Dog / Prevost Squirell (told you they wouldn't sit still!)








Alameda Open Air Theatre
Hosts a number of plays & dance events including Miss Gibraltar throughout the warmer months.
full details from the Alameda website. Incidentally "The Prince of Egypt" was being performed during my visit there but whether it was a play, a ballet or something else was hard to fathom. This is one of the most frustrating things about the place!. Tickets could only be purchased from a shop somewhere in Gibraltar I can't remember which shop, but there wasn't a central box office, a phone number or a website you could visit or get information about the actual event itself.
This is symptomatic throughout the Arts scene in Gibraltar.

One Hundred Ton Gun
Originally two of four 100 Ton guns built in Newcastle Upon Tyne by Sir W.C. Armstrong in 1870. The other two were sent to Malta where one is also preserved to this day. The one here was last fired as late as 2002.
Powered by Steam and Hydraulics these guns took 3 hours before the pressure was sufficient to fire them. They were capable of firing one shot every four minutes with a 35 man crew of all ranks in attendance. (Firing time was acceptable at the time because warships of that day were very slow) These guns could, at the time reach a distance of 8 miles and could fire a 2000lb shell.

Photo: not mine

Admittance is £1 Adult and £1 Children. Also included as part of the Upper Rock attractions, meaning that you can get in for free if you show your Upper rock receipt.

Gibraltar Museum
Almost hidden behind Main Street and the Bristol hotel and located in a street called Bomb House Lane, you will find the Gibraltar Museum. The site is a hotchpotch of buildings, with rooms of varying sizes, corridors and basements all branching out everywhere. But don't let that put you off! Gibraltar has a very rich, if not diverse history and the museum does its best to convey the history of the place and its people. From the early Neanderthal man (Gibraltar is thought to be the last outpost/refuge for them), right up to the present day.
If you're into knowledge and culture this is a facinating place to spend a couple of hours in, however most kids will soon get bored with the place as there isn't much for them to do here so bear that in mind if you visit.
Highlights include the original Moorish baths, which lie underneath the museum itself, the 15 minute film of Gibraltar and its history, the two egyptian mummies, plus some facinating insights/exhibits on Neanderthal man.
Overall the museum is well worth its admittance fee of £2.00 Adults and £1.00 Children. I would also recommend the museum's website too.

Gibraltar Crystal (Free Admittance)
Situated on Casemates, This is a commercial outlet selling beautiful hand made glass items of intricate and ornate craftsmanship
However It is more than just a shop because it is split into two, with the left side of the premises being a museum and workshop. Here you can find the actual glass smith and apprentices craft the glass into lovely sculptures and glasses.
On the day we went, we found the glass smith (1st photo below) working on a beautiful glass paper weight . He explained that a very rare back-wind had blown down the chimmney and into the furnace blowing molten shards of glass onto his arm just as he was taking the paperweight out. (I think he said the furnace is at 1000 degrees Celcius). I guess his arms were used to the heat, as he just brushed off the rapidly cooling molten glass before our eyes with as much discomfort as a person brushing off a spec of dirt. He went on to explain how the glass paper weight involves many stages of production, with the inner decoration being crafted first, fired, and then enveloped inside an overall glass sphere which would now sit in the oven at 500 degrees Celsius for two days to avoid cracking. The workshop itself has some exhibits on all aspects of glass blowing/making, but there is nothing more interesting as watching the process right before your very eyes.
The right side of the premises has a well lit, shop with rows and rows of shelves displaying items from as little as £8 right in to the hundreds and they even claim they can make wine glasses to your own individual design.Website
Click to enlarge









Dolphin Spotting
If you have never been Dolphin Spotting, then, go. It doesn't matter how much it costs, it is an experience that will stay with you forever.
Its well worth the money.
Note, that you need to book in advance to take this trip.
Usually you can enquire on the morning of the day you wish to set off and a time of availability will be given when you can come back to board the boat.
There are currently three operators of Dolphin spotting boats in Gibraltar. They are:

• Dolphin Adventure - Website.
  
• Dolphin Safari - Website.
  
• Dolphin World - Website.

Prices vary from between £20 to £25 for Adults and £10 - £12 for Children. Trip last around 1 hour 30 mins.


We booked with Dolphin Adventure who have a bright yellow catamaran (I'm told it wobbles less on the sea). We arrived at their offices around 11am consulted with them and was informed to come back at 2:00pm. Because there were about 8 of us they kindly gave us a slight discount. I am sure the others do too. After a small wait at the marina (for the other passengers) we eventually set off. The staff were very welcoming and friendly making us feel at ease. Now, I suffer from sea sickness even in still waters when the boat is stationary, however throughout the trip the boat was in constant movement, even if slow, and I didn't even get a tinge of sea-sickness.
After 10 minutes or so out, navigating past the big cargo and passenger ships in the Bay of Gibraltar, we got to the area where the dolphins can be found. Normally you only get to see the common dolphin but a bluenose dolphin came to Gibraltar as a calf and stayed. Additionally depending on the time of year you can also see whales as well.
Please bear in mind that dolphin spotting cannot be guaranteed, but the success rate is around 95% or so.
Eventually we saw the dolphins, including the bluenose and followed them for a while around the bay of Gibraltar, it appears there was a female and the males were being a bit "friendly". (As you can see from the movie above). All in all, It was absolutely fantastic and an experience to cherish which you and your kids (if you have any) will never forget,
- Thanks to everyone at Dolphin Adventure.

Hidden Gibraltar - 3: Places of Interest: The Upper Rock.

A Gibraltarian's Guide to Gibraltar.
- Places of Interest
The following three pages details all the places of interests throughout Gibraltar starting with this page, featuring the Upper Rock nature reserve.

The Upper Rock
Here is a good place to start your sightseeing tour. There are two ways to get to the upper rock, driving/mini bus taxi tour, or cable car. Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of whichever you choose, you will have to pay the transportation fee to get there, plus the fee to enter the upper rock, this works out at:

• Cable Car (return trip only) Adults £8.00 Kids £4.50
• Admittance to Nature Reserve (Upper Rock) Adults £8.00 Kids £4.50 (5-12 years)
  
• This includes entrance to the following:
• St Michael's Cave
• Apes Den
• City Under Siege Exhibition (Closed Down).
• Military Heritage Centre (aka Princes Caroline's Battery)
• Great Siege Tunnels
• 100 Ton Gun (located at Town Level)
• Moorish Castle
• All prices as of Summer 2008

Cable Car.
The Most excellent way to enjoy the view out towards Spain and Africa across the bay of Gibraltar. Rising majestically up towards the top station at 430m (approx 1400ft) The cable car has a middle station where you can embark/disembark should you wish to view the attractions located there. (although tickets must be bought either at the bottom or top station if you wish to do this)
Once at the top the views are simply breath taking, the top station has many viewing galleries, each offering different views all over the Mediterranean. There you will most likely have your first encounter with the famous Barbary apes.

Note: Although the apes are used to people, they can have a nasty bite if angered, my advice is to leave well alone and just look at them or take a photo. Additionally make sure you do not have any carrier bags with you as they are known to rip it off people in the hope it may contain food - they are greedy blighters! This happens despite the fact that they are fed regularly by the Gibraltar Tourist Board. On no account, eat any food in front of them.

Cable Car Upper Station.
Here is where a good quality camera with a good optical zoom lens comes into play, mine alas isn't up to that, but you can still take some fantastic snapshots of mainland Spain stretching for hundreds of miles to the north towards Malaga and on the south, the African continent. Not to mention some dizzying snapshots of Gibraltar Town down below and across towards the Bay of Gibraltar. The Building itself is just about as utilitarian as you can get, its concrete, neglected in places and plain ugly to be honest, however it does feature a little cafe/restaurant and souvenir shop which is air conditioned - handy if you find the heat outside too much.
Click on images to enlarge.
View North Towards La Linea and the Spanish mainland stretching far into the distance. One Barbary ape stands there as if to remind everyone that Gibraltar is British. It is said, that Gibraltar will fall the day that all the Apes leave Gibraltar.



View down towards Gibraltar town itself, looking across towards the bay of Gibraltar and La Linea (Spain) Notice the man made Airport runway towards the top right hand side. Just above that you will see a long jetty, that marks the border, sea-wise with Spain. You may also notice the large patch of square sand to the right and in the middle of the picture. This is an area that has been "filled in" from the sea and ready for buildings and roads.

View towards Africa, towards where the other "Pillar of Hercules" lies. It is said in ancient Greek mythology that Gibraltar and its counterpart mount in Spanish Cueta (Africa) were both joined together and that Hercules himself pushed them both apart. (If so, I am glad I never run into him after he'd had a couple!)


Making your way outside the Top Cable car Station there is, what appears to be, old military fortifications which you can walk up to and take some more panoramic photographs.
Remember earlier where I said that there are some advantages and disadvantages? well, here is the disadvantage. You can either walk down to the middle station via long, very steep roads (at least its downhill), or you can go back inside and take the cable car to the middle station. (The easier way)

Proviso: Unless you are fit and are carrying a good size bottle of water, don't even consider walking down to the next level. For starters the mini buses/taxi & cars use the narrow strip of road you'd have to walk upon. Also there are very few sign posts pointing the way, as a matter of fact, there only seems to be one, its rusty, battered and guides you towards the Siege tunnels. Following the sign will take you even further down unused roads and rusty road barriers that don't appear to have been touched since the Luftwaffe called.
On the day I walked down, It was incredibly hot and I came across an elderly couple and a young family of four who were struggling. There is no shops, loo's rest areas or cafes for quite some distance in any direction and if you do decide to call a taxi, beware because it will cost you an arm and a leg. Once you get to the bottom of the track you emerge at Princess Caroline's Battery & Great Siege Tunnels which is a few minutes walk further up a steep incline. At this point you will see a sign for St Michael's Cave - 2.2 km or 1.3 Miles across in the opposite direction you just came down from. There is probably a quicker way to reach St Michael's Cave from the top but the Gibraltar govt don't seem to want spend money on signs road/path maintenance, rest stops or even on a bit of paint to mark a path for pedestrians to walk along the road. Good luck.

Cable Car - Middle Station.
Exiting here, you are at the Apes Den however, once you have seen the apes at the top, its not much different to seeing them here. From this point, it is only a short walk to:
St Michael's Cave.
This is without doubt the crown Jewel of available attractions up on the rock. St Michael's Cave is a series of naturally formed caves, crammed full of Stalagmites and Stalactites, which have taken millions and millions of years to form, they are beautifully lit with different colours
Within the cave, you will find a huge cavernous hall where concerts are held from time to time and the sound is said to be exquisite. I would advise you take care as the caves can be wet and slighlty slippery underfoot on some days, wear appropiate footware. St Michael's Cave is also the joint second most coolest spot in the whole of Gibraltar so if you are finding the heat a bit too much, this will seem like a godsend.
(more on THE coolest spot - later)
Click on images to enlarge.


Great Siege Tunnels. A lasting testament to the great Siege of 1779 to 1783 taking place at the same time as the American War on Independence. The most note-worthy date is 1782 when 100,000 Spanish and French troops tried to storm the British garrison. They failed. The tunnels were constructed by the Royal Engineers using gun powder and dynamite to expand the tunnels. Holes were cut out of the side of the rock not only to give ventilation, but also as a handy point to poke cannons through to fire upon the enemy away across the bay. The actual tunnels themselves are not shored or supported. Such is the strength of the limestone, hence the famous phrase, "As Solid as the Rock of Gibraltar". The exhibition itself, although an ever lasting memory to those engineers and the siege itself, is dead boring. hardly worth the time. it lacks imagination and feels more like an after thought. No narration, hardly any models or information, let alone a re-construction of what happened during the great siege or what sequence of events forced the signing of the treaty of Utrect. Shame, this exhibition, with a bit of money and some careful thought could be so much better. There is also no shop from which to purchase, refreshments here and one solitary toilet, which is outside, a little bit down the hill and you will need the key from the attendant on duty to use it. If you are pushed for time, visit St Michael's Cave instead.
Click on images to enlarge.
Probably the only two static displays that will always be there.

note: Photos not my own

City under Seige Exhibition - (Closed down)
Used to house models, displays, pictures and some information of Gibraltar under siege through the ages.

Moorish Castle
Just recently re-opened from extensive renovation/restoration. The Castle itself is mostly ruins but the part that is open has been restored quite nicely. However, the information contents within are sparse and a little attempt has been made to convay what it was like to be housed with in its walls during various periods of occupation. I came away with the feeling of "Ho Hum". The Castle or the great square tower, as its also known as, dates back to the Moors and was re-built in 1333 it has had many different uses through the ages as can be seen from the photo.

WWII Tunnels
This is not part of the Upper Rock tour, it is its own seperate entity but located on the upper rock nature reserve, just before you get to the Moorish Castle (going down) This means that you have to pay get in to this exhibition. Happily it only costs £6 per adult (or €10 Euros) with children under 12 getting in for free. This exhibition blasts away the Siege Tunnels. (pardon the pun) admittedly, there is very little to see in terms of displays, but you do get to see some great black and white photographs (left) dotted throughout the tour depicting scenes of not just the tunnels but Gibraltar during the war. I say tour because this is a fully guided tour. Its 350 meters long and lasts about 30-40 minutes. On the day our guide was a Mr Bryan Lane, an ex army soldier himself, who seems to know his stuff and rattled off some really facinating stuff about the place, For example the tunnels housed, lorries, cars, motorbikes, Canadian Engineers, RAF and Army personnel all complete with workshops, sleeping quarters hospitals, huge kitchens, bakeries, radio rooms, etc. (interestingly, Personnel were only allowed out once a week for a shower!) The network of tunnels within the Rock of Gibraltar is about 32 miles or so, during World war II they needed to relay messages/decoded transmissions quickly to different parts of the tunnel system. For this purpose a fleet of Motorcycle couriers were used to courier the documents from point to point. This complemented the tunnel system's own telephone exchange which went straight to London from there, very hush hush at the time. That's it, I won't reveal any more you'll have to see it for yourself!
Click on images to enlarge.
Entrance to WWII tunnels / The start of a facinating tour / names left on a wall, who were they?

Finally at the end of the tour, you emerge at the top by Princess Caroline's Battery, here you have the opportunity of seeing one of the three guns (named Anne Amelia and Caroline), fully restored. There is also a nice little shop, with souvenirs, drinks, food and somewhere to sit and relax.

Note that on most occassions (but not always) there is a Bus at the exit which will ferry you down to Gibraltar town itself for free.

All in all I was delighed with the WWII tunnels, money well spent, if I have to make a criticism, its that it could have done with a couple more props. but perhaps i am being churlish, the Tour guide was excellent and all in all well worth the £6.00
Getting there: From Town Centre, take the Number 2 Mini Bus which will leave you just below the Moorish castle. Note that you will have to pay 50p at the Moorish Castle to gain access to the upper rock/nature reserve before continuing through 100 yards (91.5 meters) up to the exhibition itself.

Next page: Places of interest - Lower Rock

Hidden Gibraltar - 2: Essentials.

A Gibraltarian's Guide to Gibraltar.
- Essentials

On this page you will find information about what time of the year is best to visit Gibraltar, how to get here, Gibraltar Airport and its quirks, currency and how to obtain it.




When to Visit Gibraltar.
During April to May its sunny & warm and very pleasant. Towards June the temperatures start climbing into the mid to high twenties, before peaking into the high twenties to low thirties for July/August. Early September can be delightful, but its all pretty much dead, beach wise by mid to late September. However, even as late as November you can still have the odd hot Sunny day with temperatures in the low 20's on some days. After that, expect quite a bit of rainfall.

With a unique charm of its own Gibraltar has much to offer those looking for a family holiday or a long romantic weekend break with that special someone. The only downside to Gibraltar, is if you're into clubbing. Gibraltar hasn't got a decent nightclub to speak of, so if clubbing is your scene, consider other places. That said, if you like a drink, I promise you won't go thirsty here!

Getting to Gibraltar
Its easy getting to Gibraltar if you live in the UK and a pain in the proverbials if you aren't, All the flights with the exception of one, fly from the UK to Gibraltar and these tend to be from the Southeast/London airports, i.e. London Luton and London Gatwick. However Later this year, (2008) Monarch will restore the link to Gibraltar from Manchester Airport, providing a much needed route from the northern end of the UK. Typical Journey times from the UK to Gibraltar is around the 2 hour 30 minutes mark. The airlines serving Gibraltar are:

• British Airways (London Gatwick)
• easyjet (London Gatwick)
• Monarch.(London Luton)

Only one other Airline flies to Gibraltar, Iberia, which flies from Madrid to Gibraltar twice a week.


Gibraltar Airport.
All flights arrive at Gibraltar Airport, located at the North Front. It is also the only Airport which travels across a main road, when I say main road, I mean the main road into and out to Spain and the airport terminal itself. This means that when a plane is about to land or take off, the barriers come down at either end and stop the traffic while the plane taxis across.

Money/Cash
The currency in Gibraltar is the Pound Sterling - the same pound as in the United Kingdom.
You don't actually need to take any cash with you. "Beware of UK airport Bureaux-de-Change / Foreign-Exchange money changers asking for a 10%(!) premium to change from 'GBP' to 'GIP' - the coins and notes actually have parity of value, and both are used intermixed in Gibraltar at full face value". To obtain cash, all you will need is your bank debit/cash card to use at the cash tills situated around the centre of Gibraltar.
Cash tills /banks available are:-

• Nat West Bank
• Barclays Bank
  
• Royal Bank of Scotland
• Norwich & Peterborough (No Cash Till)
• An additional Barclays Bank Cash Till can be found at Morrison's Supermarket.

Other Cash Tills

• Gibraltar Airport
• Burger King (Main Street)
• BP Petrol Station (Near Airport)
• The cash tills above make a charge of between £1.80 to £1.99 per transaction)
  

There should be no charges on your bank account for withdrawing your money in Gibraltar, it should works just as if you were back home. However, it may be best to check with your bank before flying out, just in case. Finally do remember that you cannot use Gibraltar Pound Notes in the UK so you should try and remember to exchange them or to spend them before flying back.
- Don't worry about the coins, you can always feed them into a machine in the UK

What to See and Do.
There are many reasons to visit Gibraltar, the rock itself, The Apes, Cable Car, Dolphin Safari, St Michael's Cave, Cheap duty free etc. If that sounds too energetic, then how about spending a day lazing about on the beach, or as a handy base to visit all that southern Spain has to offer. Gibraltar can be many things or all depending on how much you wish to do. On the following pages are my recommendations of what to see and what to miss, in Gibraltar starting at the top and working our way down.

Next: Places of Interest: The Upper Rock.