The Isle of Gibraltar
I have of late been searching for holiday destinations much closer to home. The credit crunch has hit everyone rather hard but the need for some time off is stronger than ever. However, trying to balance an exotic location with a somewhat lighter wallet can be difficult to say the least. This is when I came across Gibraltar, the island known as ‘the Rock’ just off the tip of Southern Spain.
In 2005 Gibraltar saw over 100,000 visitors grace its shores – more then three times its population – to a some extent this is probably due to the cheap air fares (from as little as 29 pounds there and 18 pounds back) offered by the budget airlines. On top of all the great transport and hotels deals on offer, it is an undeniable fact that Gibraltar attracts holidaymakers because of the low price of VAT-free goods and services sold on the island, especially duty-free alcohol and tobacco. The currency is pounds sterling so you don’t have to faff about with exchange rates and you can easily keep track of exactly what you are paying.
The tourist guides have a great deal to say about the island; overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, the island enjoys a ‘healthy Mediterranean climate’ with summer average highs of 27 degrees Celsius and it offers many beaches, as well as picturesque marinas to visit. Other points of interest for the culture seeker include the Moorish Castle, St Michael’s Cave, the Ibrahim al-Ibrahim Mosque, and Europa Point (which is the southernmost point of Gibraltar, where on a clear day looking out to sea grants the observer views of North Africa including the Moroccan Rif mountains). The military history of the area is also an interesting reason to visit, and you might want to explore the Gibraltar siege tunnels. For the more active visitor, try a diving lesson or book a fishing trip at one of the marinas.
Being a diverse community, Gibraltar’s range of restaurants reflects the tastes of its locals. There is a wide and varied range of places to drink and dine, with seafood being a speciality in coastal parts, and a great number of traditional British pubs and bars. It is not a place renowned for its nightlife but naturally Gibraltar has a good number of clubs offering something to suit most tastes in music, drinks and ambience.
Back on the subject of money, online travel insurance companies such as AA Travel offer really rather good deals to Gibraltar simply through its status as a British territory and you can therefore make what little you have managed to spend go much much further. Essentially, Gibraltar is like Britain with better weather and nice beaches. I cannot think of a better reason to visit.