I stayed in a floating yacht hotel in Europe – we had champagne breakfasts on a budget and even spotted celebs
DAVID WALLIAMS was sitting at the next table offering to massage a newlywed couple.
First morning aboard the Sunborn floating hotel in Gibraltar and the professional extrovert was in full character, engaging with star-struck holidaymakers as only he can, with a twinkle in his eye.
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Gibraltar has for so long been pigeonholed as a stopover for day trippers - but why not stay for longer?
Credit: Shutterstock
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David Walliams as in full character, engaging with star-struck holidaymakers as only he can, with a twinkle in his eye
Credit: Instagram
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Get to the top of the Rock via the scenic cable car
Credit: Getty
We arrived too late the night before to catch the Little Britain comic's one-man show at a sports centre but apparently it went down a storm. He has already asked to return for November's literary festival, and it's no surprise.
It's a trend the local tourist board is working hard to reverse.
They want
travellers
to take more time fully taking in the surprisingly large number of things to do on a tiny sun-kissed slab of Britain at the mouth of the Med.
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And when beer is just £3.75 a pint, why not stay longer to enjoy?
Secret bunker
Gibraltar's gripping
history
has a deep association with our Armed Forces. The Royal Engineers were founded here in the 18th century and practically built the place.
The honeycomb of tunnels dug by clever sappers during World War Two offers a fascinating insight into the work of our determined Armed Forces and the strategic importance of Gibraltar during the conflict.
In one cavern hangs a full-size replica of a legendary Spitfire fighter plane. There is also the spine-chilling story of the Stay Behind Cave — the once secret bunker carved into the heart of the mountain, complete with provisions for a year and a bicycle generator.
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An elite group of patriotic volunteers agreed to be sealed off from the outside world for a year and spy on the Axis powers, should Gibraltar get overrun — the ultimate one-way ticket in the
line of duty
.
From the exotic Moorish times, through the centuries of the British Empire and beyond, there are tours to take and a bloody back story to hear in the name of entertainment.
Strait of Gibraltar Tunnel: A New Bridge Between Continents
My wife and I stayed four nights on the permanently moored Sunborn
yacht
hotel, anchored flush against the dockside of Gibraltar's Ocean Village.
It's a 5H joint, and the food and service reflects that. Yet even in high season, a spacious double room with a large window can be yours for £185 a night, including champagne breakfast.
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Step ashore and you can be seated in one of many lively bars with giant outdoor screens beaming major sports from back home.
If that's not for you, just 50 yards away is Little Bay Restaurant — a vibrant Indian fusion eaterie where bubbly manager Kelly welcomes you with warm cockney charm, before delicately blended curries combined with zingy cocktails top off an early
summer
evening.
Gibraltar's biggest attraction in every sense is the looming mound of limestone that dominates everything here.
Get to the top via the scenic cable car and peer down from the stomach-churning Skywalk 1,400 feet above the sparkling sea — opened by Luke Skywalker, aka Mark Hamill, himself.
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Take in
the view
across the Straits, a 15-mile- wide blue chasm separating
Europe
from North Africa — which David Walliams heroically swam in aid of Sport Relief in 2008.
The Northern Defences are also worth a visit. This
Our guide, Karl Viagas, is steadfastly uncovering more historical treasures underground that will be spectacular when fully open.
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You can peer down from the stomach-churning Skywalk 1,400 feet above the sparkling sea — opened by Luke Skywalker, aka Mark Hamill, himself
Credit: InfoGibraltar
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Soldiers in traditional uniform
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The view of Gibraltar from the top of the Rock
Credit: Getty
James Bond creator Ian Fleming was stationed here with Naval Intelligence, and daring undersea attacks on the Allied fleet by Italian scubamen in the war fuelled his already vivid imagination for
future
books
and movies.
And in true 007 style, we were accompanied by a glamorous former Miss World who would grace any Bond movie. Kaiane Aldorino, former Mayor of Gibraltar, is now an ambassador for the territory.
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Sunshine, cheap beer and a beauty queen for company — plus you can spend British pounds.
But like many places, travel and the natural world can often rub each other up the wrong way.
Gibraltar's playful macaque monkeys are funny to watch for a time but have become a way for taxi drivers to make a few easy quid.
The roads at the top of the rock were clogged with cabbies queuing to feed junk food to these wild animals in return for them doing tricks.
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Far better to join Brian Gomila on his Monkey Talk tour in the kinder environment of the surrounding trees.
And if you really want to go green, join Stuart at EBike-Gibraltar. Power-assisted
cycling
on a lap around the base of the rock is easy on the legs and the eyes as you stop off at small fishing villages with inviting beaches.
Read more on the Irish Sun
There's a lot of fun to be had too. A dizzying gin-tasting session at the Spirit Of The Rock distillery was as enlightening as it was alcoholic.
David Walliams might agree, it's Little Britain — but with Spanish style and weather.
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GO: GIBRALTAR
GETTING THERE:
easyJet flies to Gibraltar from Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham, with fares from £26.99 return in October. See easyjet.com.
STAYING THERE
: Double rooms at the Sunborn Gibraltar start from £175 per night. See sunborngibraltar.com.
OUT & ABOUT
: Gibraltar Upper Rock Nature Reserve – and all attractions including the tunnels – tickets from £30 per adult. See visitgibraltar.gi. Ebike tour with guide, from £84. See ebike-gibraltar. com. Gin tasting session, from £25, see spiritoftherock.gi.
MORE INFO
: See visitgibraltar.gi.
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