What makes Gibraltar worth visiting?

At just 6.7km2 (2.6 sq miles) the British overseas territory of Gibraltar is located at the far southern tip of Spain. The Strait of Gibraltar separates Gib, as it is commonly called, from continental Africa which is just 14 miles away.

Gibraltar punches above its weight for the sheer number of attractions it has to offer!

The strait, which is the entrance to the Mediterranean sea makes Gibraltar of great strategic importance. Half of the worlds seaborne trade passes through it.

Its location is partially why Gibraltar is British. They knew the importance of its location and were prepared to fight for it and as such has been under British rule since 1717.

Today, Gib makes its money from tourism, online gambling and financial services, so why are all these tourists visiting a little bit of land at the bottom of Spain.

What makes Gibraltar worth visiting?

Gibraltar is dominated by “The Rock” a 426 metre high (1,398 feet) limestone peak. It is home to the Gibraltar Nature reserve and can be accessed either by foot or as we did, the cable car. https://gibraltarinfo.gi/cable-car/

At this height, you can see all of Gibraltar, Spain’s Costa del Sol and on a clear day, the Moroccan coastline.

The Rock is also home to Gibraltar’s most famous inhabitants, the Barbary Macaque Monkeys, Europe’s only wild monkey population.

Their presence probably dates from the early days of the British garrison when it is presumed that they were imported from north Africa, finding the rough limestone cliffs and scrub vegetation a great habitat. There is a legend that claims should the macaques ever disappear; the British will leave Gibraltar.

On our visit, we decided to take the cable car up and walk down as there are a number of attractions as you make your way off of the rock. As you descend make sure you look for over 500 different species of flowering plant, olive and pine trees and migratory birds.

Relatively new additions to the rock include the suspension bridge and the skywalk, but if you prefer your attractions a little less hair raising, visit St Michaels Cave to marvel at colourfully lit limestone rock formations, there’s even an auditorium down there!

Your entrance ticket also grants access to the Moorish Castle and the Great Siege Tunnels which we talk about below later.

As you may expect, due to the history of Gibraltar, its architecture is worthy of mention. Walking around town you will come across a range of styles, from the sleek and modern marina area to the fortified walled Casemates Square.

As you walk down the traditional ‘British’ high street filled with bars and restaurants, you will eventually come to John Mackintosh Hall (library, theatre and cultural events are held here) and St Jago’s Arch, the former entrance to a 16th-century church.

If the weather is good, hop on a bus to Europa Point and the tip of Gibraltar.

http://www.gibraltarbuscompany.gi They also have an app so you can track where the buses are which is handy!

From here you will be greeted by a lighthouse and some spectacular sea views over the strait, the African coast and of course, the rock. As you can we didn't have the weather and could not the spectacular views!

History

The History of Gibraltar dates back to the 13th century, being under Spanish, Barbary, Dutch and finally British rule. Its location meant that Gibraltar was always of great military importance and as such you will find a number of military attractions around the territory.

The Moorish Castle is the oldest of such attractions, dating back to medieval times, you can see various buildings with fortified walls and the Tower of Homage. Gibraltar’s prison was also located here until 2010!

The City under Siege exhibition houses buildings dating back to 1704 during the capture of Gibraltar by the Spanish. One of the most intriguing aspects of the attraction is the graffiti that you see engraved on the walls. Many soldiers passed their long hours of duty by carving graffiti in the walls of the buildings, falling asleep whilst on duty, was an offence punishable by death, hence keeping yourself awake by drawing on the walls wasn’t a bad idea!

The Tunnels of Gibraltar were constructed over 200 years and now comprise of 34 miles (55km) of tunnels dug through the rock. At their peak, they were able to house 16,000 solders along with supplies that were needed to survive a prolonged siege. The tunnels that you see today are The Great Siege Tunnels (the upper galleries excavated during the great siege) and the Second World War Tunnels.

Other attractions include The Governor’s Lookout Battery (great views over the airport) and the Military Heritage Centre where you can learn about the tunnels in further detail.

Speaking of the airport, did you know its one of the only airports in the world that you have to walk across (or drive) to get into Gibraltar. Gates come down and hold the traffic and pedestrians until an aircraft has taken off or landed! It's quite something to walk over the active runway so leave the taxi behind at the airport and walk into town it only takes 20 mins.

Where we stay

The Rock Hotel is quintessentially British and the most famous hotel on the Rock.

This is where the rich and famous stay during visits to Gibraltar and the hotel walls are littered with photo's of noteworthy guests, like former UK prime ministers, TV entertainment stars and Hollywood movie legends.

Whilst you might think that means you could not afford to stay, think again there are some great deals and we have stayed twice without breaking the bank.

We had a balcony room and in the mornings the monkey's come down from the nature reserve above to try and steal anything not locked down. So be aware of this, they will try and get in rooms if you leave the door unattended. They are not too much of a nuisance.

Our top tip would be to forgo the breakfast package and find a place in Casemates Square or the marina for a cheap full English breakfast at half the price, which also encourages you to get up and out early!

The sunsets over the hotel are fantastic on a warm summers night, it's a great place to get a cocktail before heading out for dinner.

You can see a full review of the Rock Hotel in our video travel guide link at the end of this blog. To book the hotel visit https://www.rockhotelgibraltar.com/

Summary

Gibraltar punches above its weight for the sheer number of attractions it has to offer, its unique geography and interesting history can easily fill 2-3 days. Brilliant restaurants and a sunny climate make visiting for a weekend break from the UK or if you’re already in southern Spain well worth it.

https://www.visitgibraltar.gi/

Practical Info

Flights arrive from the UK, operated by Easyjet, British Airways and Wizzair and a new helicopter service from Malaga has also recently started.

Bus services from Spanish cities such as Malaga arrive at the Spanish town of La Linea and you will have to cross the border on foot. Don’t forget your passport if you intend on crossing the border as it will be checked.

Once in Gibraltar Buses are frequent and reliable, a day pass costs £2.50. The bus routes will get you everywhere you need to go from the border with Spain to Europa point and everywhere in between. (note, there is no bus service to the top of the rock)

Car you don’t need a car in Gibraltar and having one will just be a pain, roads are small and parking is very limited. Taxi’s are available but prices are high considering the short distances they cover.

Walking is the easiest and most enjoyable way of getting around town, the majority of the sight are easily reached on foot.

Gibraltar uses the Gibraltar Pound, it has the same value as pound sterling and the British pound can be used in Gibraltar, however, the Gibraltar pound is not accepted in the UK, but you can change these in any bank at a rate of £1 = £1.

Due to low taxation, alcohol, tobacco and perfume are cheap, but remember Gibraltar is no longer in the EU, so check your country’s duty-free allowances.

Please refer to our video for accommodation and restaurant tips

Dominated by The Rock, Gibraltar has much to offer! See why?

https://youtu.be/guTFE691ZRg

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Kazakhstan – What does central Asia’s largest country have for you?

As the title suggests, Kazakhstan is absolutely huge. The 9th largest country in the world in fact. Why do we know so little about it in the west? What are its people like? What is the history of this country? What do they eat? What language do they speak? Is it worth going there? This blog will answer all those questions and give you an insight into why Kazakhstan shouldn’t be overlooked as a holiday destination.

The biggest battle of any trip to Kazakhstan is the size of the place. If you want to tour around a bit as I did, it will involve internal flights or long train journeys. I only had 9 days to explore, so obviously was only able to see a tiny part of this epic country, so this guide will cover the main cities and resorts that are within easy driving distance of them.

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A Brief History and its People

The land that is now Kazakhstan has been invaded over the years by everyone from the Persians, the Turks, the Mongols and most recently the Soviets, having joined the Soviet Union in 1936. The country remained part of the union until 1991, being the last republic to declare independence. Subsequently, its population is now mixed. Kazakhs make up about 67%, but other groups include Russians, Tatars, Ukrainians, Uzbeks, Uyghurs and more.

Flag of Kazakhstan

The Capital City

Nur-Sultan, or is it Astana, no, Akmola. The capital seems to have a bit of a habit of changing its name. The most recent name change happened in 2019 when the city became known as Nur-Sultan in honour of the first president of independent Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev. Most people still use the name Astana, it’s even the name of the national airline, Air Astana, who flew me from Heathrow direct to Astana.

Astana has a feel of a city that shouldn’t really exist. Like it was forced to grow out of the desolate steppe landscape. It’s a relatively new city, with a planned vibe to it.

Wide roads with bordering apartment blocks, manicured gardens with fountains and some experimental architecture give the feel that the city is here to stay, despite its diurnal climate.

Not so many travellers spend time in the city, there isn’t a whole lot to do, but you won’t have been to a city like this before, so this alone makes a couple of days’ worth it.

The Baiterek Tower is the symbol of the city, rising 105 metres into the air, you can take an elevator to the top and look out down the fountain lined park to the Khan Shatyr, or place your hands over a mould of the former president's hands.

Khan Shatyr entertainment centre, a huge shopping mall in the style of a traditional Kazakh yurt!

Inside you’ll find all manner of shops, a theme park and even a waterpark complete with its own tropical beach!

Not far away from here, you’ll also find the Hazrat Sultan Mosque, the second-largest in Central Asia!

There is room for 5000 worshippers inside and worth popping in to see the ornate ceiling.

There are lots of great places to eat in the city too, prices are low and the quality high. Local dishes like horse meat Manti (dumplings) and Besbermak (horse or mutton, served with chunks of fat and noodles) are popular, but you’ll also find great pizza, sushi, burgers and fully stocked supermarkets.

There is also an interesting emerging microbrewery scene to explore. Line Brew has a great choice. I stayed at Rixos President Astana, paying around £60 per night. It’s an upscale place with restaurants, an indoor pool and bars. The staff were very friendly and help me to plan the next part of my journey – a road trip to Burabay.

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Burabay

About a 3-hour journey north of Astana is the spectacular region of Burabay. My hotel in Astana was able to organise a taxi for very little money. As you journey north, the landscape changes dramatically. The desolate arid grass gives way to towering trees, lush vegetation and lakes as big as oceans.

The town of Burabay itself is not worth visiting but is the starting point for exploration around the lake. A very well maintained boardwalk hugs the coast and you can walk for hours taking in the glorious views.

It’s possible to rent kayaks or climb some of the mountains around here too. I visited in July, so temperatures were very warm, but in winter I imagine this whole place closes and the lake freezes over. Little cafes are dotted along the walk and make for a nice pit stop amongst the holidaying locals.

After the 3 days spent in and around the capital, it was time to head south to the commercial capital, Almaty.

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Almaty

A 1.5-hour flight across the country will bring you Almaty, the largest and culturally most important city in the country. A quick taxi ride brought me to my hotel, the Mercure Almaty City Centre. For £54 a night, this hotel was very comfortable with a cool spa complete with Jacuzzis, steam rooms and saunas on the top floor overlooking the city and surrounding mountains.

The city is pretty big and you’ll need to use the cheap and efficient metro or taxis to get around to some sights. Here is a list of my favourites:

Zenkov’s Cathedral

A leftover from the Russian influence, a typically beautiful Orthodox Cathedral and parks

Zolotoy Bazaar – lots of beautifully presented fresh fruit and veg

Almaty Central Mosque

The main mosque in town is worth a visit and to rest your feet in its accompanying park.

Note we could not go in as we had shorts on so make sure you dress appropriately.

A.Kasteev Art Museum

Lots of local art, from sculpture to carpets

First President Park

Huge and impressive park in town.

Big Almaty Lake

About an hour by taxi, this lake is nestled in between mountains and is a great place to escape the mad heat of summer. Unfortunately for us, a freak rain shower started just as we arrived so the picture is rather grey and miserable.

Kok Tobe

Located on top of a hill and reached by cable car, come here for food, great views and a few surprises!

You won't go hungry whilst in town either. There is a cosmopolitan choice of Kazakh, middle eastern, bbq, Indian or pretty much anything you’re in the food for. Special mention to Chechil Pub, great for drinks and snacks!

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Shymbulak

Less than an hours drive from town is the ski resort of Shymbulak which looks back over Almaty on a clear day.

Access is restricted to cars, so you’ll probably get dropped off at the base of the resort where you’ll take a cable car, the 15 minutes or so to the resort. Tickets are £6.00 return.

This excellent service will bring you to a small village with hotels, restaurants, bars and more cable cars that go further up the mountains.

As my visit was in July, there was no snow, but the panoramic views are still worth coming to see. I stayed in Shymbulak Ski Resort Hotel, a wooden built structure with simple rooms for about £40 per night including breakfast. There isn’t a huge amount of accommodation, so I advise you to book well in advance if you want to visit.

The cable cars from the resort take you up to a grand height of 3163 metres ( more than 10,300 ft). There are multiple walking trails to explore in summer and the peaks of the Talgar Pass are stunning.

On your descend, you can make a stop at a restaurant for a bit to eat whilst taking in the breath-taking views back down to the resort and the sprawl of Almaty in the distance.

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Summary

Well connected Kazakhstan should feature on any central Asian itinerary or even a stand-alone trip like mine. There is still so much to explore in this sprawling country. This blog doesn’t begin to cover it all. One thing I’m sorry for not getting to see was Altyn Emel National Park with its singing dunes and beautiful rock formations in the desert to the east of Almaty.

Still, there’s always next time!

To see more of our trip you can also watch our YouTube video on the area. This will give you even more insight into the trip.

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Gdansk, Poland – a perfect weekend getaway?

Located in northern Poland, right on the Baltic sea is the port city of Gdansk. Don’t be fooled, this industrial city is more than just shipyards and icy cold Baltic winds. An impressive old town, quality restaurants and bars, great hotels and close proximity to other attractions such as sunny Sopot and Malbork Castle make this city an absolutely outstanding weekend break.

Gdansk airport receives flights from all over Europe (check Wizzair, Ryanair, Lufthansa, LOT and SAS) and is just a 20 minute taxi ride from the centre of town. You can also reach the city by train or bus from other Polish cities or even from further afield. A cab from the airport into town is about 32 Zloty (Є7 or £6.30)

We advise staying around the main old town area as this is where you’ll find all the attractions and restaurants. Anywhere from the train station to the end of ‘Long Market’ is perfect.

Hotels are worth a special mention as there are lots to choose from, our particular favourites are:

Radisson Hotel & Suites - amazing value for money, new built hotel with great views over the canal. Rooms are spacious and with all mod cons. There’s a nice bar and restaurant on site too. Check out our Hotel review guide below.

PURO Hotel – Very stylish place with rooftop bar, but the rooms are a bit small.

Craft Beer Central (hotel) – Located next to the train station, this historic building has a great restaurant and brewery in its basement and is perfect if you intend on taking one of the excursions we mention later.

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So you’ve arrived, dropped off your stuff and are ready to explore!

Here’s an example itinerary of what to do that encompasses all the main attractions and will keep you busy all day or over 2 days if you have the time:

Long Market – as mentioned earlier, this is the main pedestrianised street that runs the length of the old town. You’ll find all manner of shops, bars and restaurants, but read on for our favourites that aren’t found on the main tourist strip.

Golden Gate – Located at the train station end of Long Market, Golden Gate marks the entrance to Long Market.

Walking down the cobbled street of Long Market, you will soon come to St Mary’s Basilica. This is the world’s largest brick built church and was completed in 1502. Climb the 409 steps to the top of the tower for great views across the city, port and Baltic sea.

World War 2 museum & Polish Post Office – although these attractions are not located next to each other, there is a beautiful 20 minute walking trail that we have put together on our video guide that takes you to both.

The post office was the location of resistance against the Nazi invasion of the city and the WWII museum is a hard hitting, but brilliantly put together exhibit of the impact war had on the city and Europe at large.

Riverside – Walk back into the centre of town from the museum along the riverside. The gentle walk will take you past a big ferris wheel and you’ll see boats making their way out to sea.

Eventually you’ll see the Black Pearl Ship. You can pop on board for a ride out into the Baltic if you fancy it.

You will also pass a reminder of why Gdansk exists – trade. The Crane has been here in some form since the 13th century. Imagine big wooden ships being loaded and off loaded before setting out to sea again.

From here, walk inland under St Mary’s Gate to Mariacka Street. This is perhaps Gdansk’s most charming street, especially so in early evening, when the old street lamps are lit and the glow of the shops selling amber jewellery light the cobbled walkway. This street is a step back in time.

Hala Targowa – The central market consists of 3 floors, but the most interesting for us is the lower level. Here you’ll find sellers of smoked meats, cheese, bread and confectionery. If you are self catering, this is the place for authentic local produce. There is also a colourful fruit and veg market outside.

Most Chlebowy – this cute little bridge is full of love locks and looks over the old flour mill. Its location brings us nicely onto food as it is just a minutes’ walk from our favourite lunch spot in town….

Food!

Mandu Pierogi – perhaps Poland’s most famous dish, Mandu serves up plates of these homemade dumplings with an unrivalled choice of fillings. All are freshly made on site (you can see them being made) and the menu changes regularly.

https://goo.gl/maps/F8z8LoZbyqdnLDt29 Map

Our favourite is the classic Pierogi Ruskie, meat and potato filling with crispy bacon and sour cream. This place is a hot spot in town, so come early or be prepared to wait for a table.

Gdanski Bowke – the prime spot right next to the canal, makes this place fairly touristy, but don’t expect rip off food and sky high prices, ok, the prices are a bit higher than other places, but the service and quality are worth it. Classic Polish dishes of meat and fish are served, and we have never been disappointed with the slow cooked pork knuckle or ice cold vodka.

Browar PG4 – This is the place we mentioned earlier in the hotel section. It’s in the basement of the Craft Beer Central Hotel. The space is huge over 2 floors and is surprisingly bright and airy. You’ll find a wide range of snacks and mains, but the main reason to visit is the beer that’s produced on site.

If you fancy an after-dinner drink or two, head to Mariacka Street, the one with all the amber shops that we mentioned before. There are quite a few places here that are all as atmospheric as the street they’re on.

Excursions

Gdansk is actually part of the ‘Tricity’ area. The towns of Gdansk, Sopot and Gdynia make up this coastal area. It’s well worth making the trip out of Gdansk to explore these areas, the trains are reliable, easy to use and cheap.

Sopot – this coastal town has a long history as a health spa resort and is home to a number of quite high end hotels. We didn't stay overnight here, but we did enjoy the long sandy beach (although the water is cold year round!),

Europe's longest wooden pier and perhaps one of Poland’s best restaurants. Check our video for details, including how to get there on the train. It's really easy!

You don’t want to miss this place if you’re in town.

Malbork Castle – located about a 50 minute train ride from Gdansk train station, it is the world's largest brick built castle. And it is big! Pick up a free audio guide when you get your ticket, we don’t normally bother with these guides, but this one was actually really good and uses gps to know where you are in the castle and gives you information based on which room you’re in, quite clever!

Malbork is covered in our very first Gdansk Guide, yes we have two!

So check that out here.

Summary

Poland is always a great option for a weekend away, or as part of a longer tour of the region. We love Gdansk for the food and the charming town. There’s as much or as little to do as you want and nothing is going to break the bank. Flights from London are plentiful and well timed and if you book ahead, you’ll get a great price on these too.

The Polish hospitality is top notch and the comfortable and even luxurious hotels will feel like a treat. If you’ve not visited Poland before, Gdansk is a great choice over the larger and more touristy Krakow. We have visited several times and will be back again soon.

For more other Polish Cities also check out our YouTube Poland Playlist

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