WITH the sun beating down on my back and an Aperol spritz to my right, I tuck into the best Sunday roast I’ve had in years – the beef perfectly pink and a damn fine Yorkshire pud precariously balanced on top of a pile of roasties.
But I’m almost 2,000 miles from Yorkshire. I’m on the sun-soaked terrace at The Lounge, tucked away in the marina of Gibraltar – the British territory on the most southern tip of the Iberian peninsula, just metres from Spain (Thelounge.gi).
Limestone mountain the Rock of Gibraltar is the first port of call for most tourists – even me, despite my fear of monkeys and this rock being home to approximately 230 of them.
Crawling up the steep, narrow roads in a taxi, I’m filled with trepidation, but hidden halfway up is majestic St Michael’s Cave, with its breathtaking rock formations and even a secret concert hall for gigs – comedian Jason Manford performed here last year.
Entry to the cave is included in a nature reserve ticket, £19 (Naturereserve.gi).
A little higher up, I‘m in the Ape’s Den, surrounded by macaques, so I don’t need much convincing to quickly make the unexpectedly steep walk to the Windsor Suspension Bridge for astonishing views across Gib (as the locals call it), where I spot my hotel, the Sunborn.
Gibraltar’s only five-star yacht-hotel has 189 rooms and a rooftop plunge pool, but stays put, moored in the harbour.
It’s seriously swish with luxe cruise-liner vibes, so I lean over my balcony for my best Rose from Titanic impression, before joining a Dolphin Adventure tour at the harbour.
I arrive with low expectations – I’ve been on many disappointing wildlife safaris.
But just 10 minutes in, we are greeted by dozens of dolphins, including a very special guest, Billie the bottlenose, who’s been adopted by a school of common dolphins.
One-hour tours cost £25 per person (Dolphin.gi).
In search of more magic, I head to Catalan Bay, a five-minute drive away on the eastern side of the Rock.
With sand imported from the Sahara Desert and colourful houses lining the Mediterranean shore, it’s a far cry from the Irish bars of the main harbour.
Seawave, a humble beach cafe, serves up simple dishes cooked to perfection, such as fried aubergines with prawn pil pil and calamari, £7, all with an ocean view.
With room for pudding, I head back to the Sunborn for an ice cream at Barbary restaurant.
Order a Movenpick sundae, £18, and you can expect more than a cherry on top.
Choose from either a blueberry cheesecake concoction topped with granola and fresh fruit, or a tropical mix complete with fresh passionfruit and candied fruit. And forget a Flake – both come with a glass of champagne!
Talking of booze, it’s one of Gibraltar’s biggest perks. All alcohol is duty-free, so I almost drop my purse when I get £7 change from a tenner for a litre of vodka.
However, I happily hand over £20 for some luxe Candytuft Gin at The Spirit Of The Rock distillery, after a tasting run by charming owner Peter, £20 per person (Spiritoftherock.gi).
The gin here is so good you hardly need tonic.
Although, you could say that Gibraltar has proved to be the perfect tonic itself.
Double rooms at the Sunborn cost from £181 a night (Sunborn gibraltar.com).
Plan your trip at Visitgibraltar.gi.
UK flights to Gibraltar cost from £44 return
