A woman said she flew 3,000 miles to attend a wedding in Scotland only to end up at the wrong reception where the bride and groom, who were complete strangers, invited her in for a drink anyway.
31.07.2023 - 15:06 / wanderlust.co.uk
The excitement started before I had even arrived in Gibraltar. As the plane steered towards the landing strip, the aircraft’s wing appeared to almost dip into the sea water. Shrieks of joy echoed around the cabin. “Dolphins, dolphins, look, there’s babies!”. All those without window seats on the right-hand side – including myself – were left feeling glum as we missed out on the preshow. But I wasn’t disappointed for too long. This 7-square-kilometre piece of land had plenty more surprises to come.
Gibraltar, or Gib – as the locals call it – is a British Overseas Territory balanced on the very southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, less than two hours from both Malaga and Cadiz. Its best known for its towering ‘Rock of Gibraltar’, a 426m-high dominating monolith where a population of Barbary macaques reside. On my short break, I was soon to learn there’s much more to this tiny Mediterranean destination than meets the eye, with a wealth of history, natural highlights and an eclectic culture.
Have close encounters with wildlife in GibraltarWith hundreds of dolphins living in the waters around Gibraltar, you’re almost guaranteed a show when joining a dolphin boat tour. Go with Dolphin Adventures and grab the best seat in the house at the bow to watch the curious sea creatures leap and swim alongside, flashing their white bellies to the crowds as they go. Species you can spot include common, striped and bottlenose dolphins.
Have you even visited Gibraltar if you don't see its famous monkeys? Around 300 wild Barbary macaque live within the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, running and leaping around its main attractions. including the glass Skywalk with its impressive views across to Spain and even Morocco. Beware, the macaque will attempt to steal your bag or unzip your rucksack scavenging for food if you’re not careful (the expression ‘cheeky monkey’ has never been truer). Enjoy them from a good distance while keeping your possessions close.
Learn the fascinating history of GibraltarDid you know, there are nearly 60km of tunnels within the Rock of Gibraltar? This is double the length of its road network. For history lovers, grab an audio guide and take yourself on a tour of the WWII tunnels. Experience what life would have been like for the British Military by roaming the chiselled passages that lead to sleeping quarters, offices, kitchens and even a small hospital.
Go further back in time to the late 1700s when exploring the Great Siege tunnels. This labyrinth, created with only sledgehammers and gunpowder, offers another thought-provoking insight into how Gibraltar used its rock for protection during times of conflict.
The Gibraltar National Museum, located in the city centre, is also worth paying a visit to
A woman said she flew 3,000 miles to attend a wedding in Scotland only to end up at the wrong reception where the bride and groom, who were complete strangers, invited her in for a drink anyway.
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”Hong Kong is a photographer’s dream,” says Geraint Rowland. “It’s got impressive architecture and the busy streets teem with life, day and night.” The Wanderlust Travel Photo of the Year winner was blown away by the territory. As part of their dual-destination photo commission, the four winners of the UK’s biggest travel photography competition were first guided around Hong Kong and its many islands. They soon discovered there were plenty of opportunities to point their lenses, whether the neon skyscrapers, the old neighbourhoods from which the city evolved or one of the 260 outlying islands, whose slower pace of life, unusual wildlife and natural landscapes offer a contrast to that famous urban bustle.
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