The Southport Gates in Gibraltar

ADVERTORIAL • March 2016

Advertorial: Five ways to discover another side to Gibraltar

Feel you know Gibraltar? Then think again. The Club reveals alternative ways to spend time on Europe’s most famous rock 

1. Sail away 
Whether you’re mapping out where to take your yacht for the summer or considering your first wind-powered excursion, Gibraltar has plenty of marinas, boat rentals and sailing schools ready to be put to good use. The warm tidal waters are a great place to learn the ropes, while experienced mariners have the option of an excursion around the beautiful coastline of Morocco, just a short trip away.

2. Dive in
Don’t leave Gibraltar without enjoying its fascinating subaquatic scenery. There are more than 30 wrecks dotted along the coastline, and plenty more reefs, pinnacles and coves to venture into. Various diving centres provide lessons for beginners, or – if you’re feeling more confident – sign up to an expedition to some of the more challenging drop-offs and caves. 

3. Get hitched
Sean Connery and John Lennon both said ‘I do’ in Gibraltar, so you’ll be in good company if you choose to tie the knot here, either as a marriage or civil partnership.  A perfect outdoor venue for a ceremony in the Mediterranean climate is the Dell, an 18th century sunken Italian garden with a bridge for guests to overlook the proceedings.

4. Channel your inner botanist
Gibraltar’s botanical gardens, on the western side of the peninsula, were introduced by General Sir George Don, who was Lieutenant-Governor in 1816. They now provide a fascinating overview of the area’s flora and fauna – as well as Gibraltar’s rich military history. Take a stroll and discover 300-year-old dragon trees and wild olive trees. Keep your eyes peeled for a bust of the Duke of Wellington, it stands on a pillar taken from the Roman ruins of Lepida.

Inset

5. Get in the festive spirit
Gibraltar is famous for its annual festivals, so plan your trip to coincide with one of them. Calentita Night is a street party and food festival that takes place every June, where you can sample delicacies from the diverse range of communities on the peninsula. In September, the Gibraltar Music Festival draws in headline acts from the music scene, while in November visitors can add the Gibunco Gibraltar International Literary Festival to their must-visit list. The event asserts Gibraltar as a worthy cultural competitor to many larger scale destinations. 

This article has been tagged Destination, Culture