I'm from a Mediterranean city where people speak English and pay in pounds – but there's one Brit item shops won't sell
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WHAT'S not to love about Gibraltar? It's has average highs of 28C, it's just three hours from the UK, everyone speaks English and you can pay in pounds.
But one half Gibraltarian, half English woman has revealed that Brits make plenty of mistakes when visiting the island.
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Gibraltar is a popular destination that sits on the peninsular of Spain's southern coast
Credit: Alamy
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Adele's grandparents live in Gibraltar and she visits at least twice a year
Credit: Adele Cooke
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Sun writer Adele Cooke visits Gibraltar to see her family at least twice a year, and here she shares with us all her secret viewpoints, favourite local haunts and mistakes to avoid when visiting 'Gib'.
Adele told us: "My mum is Gibraltarian, and all her family all live there - the short story is that the family moved from Genoa in Italy.
"A lot of families do that and actually Michelle Keegan's family did the same - her grandma used to live opposite mine."
Summer highs
Adele's first piece of advice is when's best to visit, she told us: "Going in winter is a big no-no because a lot of the things to do in Gibraltar is outside.
"If you go in the winter, you'll get highs of 12C. But it's not like being in Madeira where you'll get some like winter sun - it's properly cold.
She's noticed that first-time visitors often aren't aware that the destination has a micro-climate because of the Levanter cloud.
The Levanter cloud forms over the Rock of Gibraltar in certain conditions and will make the temperature colder than neighbouring areas in Spain.
She said : "Personally, I go every May and September. The end of May is warm enough to go to the beach.
"And then the start of September, the schools have gone back so there aren't lots of kids on the beach, and the flights are cheaper.
"The flights this summer are expensive so if you do go then, you have to book quite far in advance."
Join cheeky monkeys for cliff walks, caves and tapas in historic Gibraltar
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Adele and her family know all the best spots from restaurants to cafes
Credit: Adele Cooke
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Adele suggested going in May or September - but avoid Gibraltar National Day
Credit: Adele Cooke
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Ocean Village is a great place for getting a bite to eat - and cheap cocktails
Credit: Alamy
Adele said she can generally get flights back from £80, but there are certain times of the year where the prices will be at an all-time high.
She said: "Flights get really expensive around Gibraltar National Day which is in September.
"It's a full weekend of events, there's lots of food, and they have firework displays, and everyone wears red and white. It's a day to celebrate being part of Britain."
"Another time to be aware of is around Easter because it's a Catholic nation, so a lot of Gibraltarians will go back for that."
Eating out
Adele said one of the best places for an evening tipple is in the marina: "For drinks, I would go to Ocean Village which is a big complex at the marina.
"In there is a casino, they've got an Irish pub for watching sports, Pizza Express, Wagamama, everything you need.
"There's plenty of offers too, lots of places have happy hour with £6 cocktails and you can get coffees from £2.
"If you don't like crowds and you want more of a quiet and relaxed evening, I'd go to Queensway Quay. It's another marina and it's the upmarket one.
"It's really lovely if you want to go and look at the boats and have some drinks as it's usually less busy.
"One place that's a hidden gem, is a restaurant at the university called Bistro Point. It's got a great view, you can sit outside and they do a great brunch."
Another spot she recommends for anyone looking for quality seafood is the Jumpers Wheel Restaurant.
It might not look like much on the outside, but Adele told us it's a great place to enjoy catch of the day, calamari, swordfish and octopus.
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For a tasty brunch and incredible views head to Bistro Point
Credit: bistropoint.gi
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The Lavanter cloud can affect the temperature in Gibraltar
Credit: Alamy
Saving pennies
Remember going on holiday with your mates and dread buying a round? Well there's none of that here.
Adele told us: "I've bought a bottle of wine and a beer and it's come to just £17 in a bar before - a breakfast for a family of 10 can come to just £35, it's a very cheap place.
"The food in Gibraltar as a whole is cheap and cheerful, you get big portions - I'd say it's Wetherspoons style."
The good news for Brits is that Gibraltar does have its own currency, does take British pound too.
Holiday hotels
As for where to stay, Adele said: "Plenty of people book into the Holiday Inn as it's in a great location and very affordable, what most don't realise is it's beach on one side and next to one of Gibraltar's main cemeteries on the other.
"If you do stay there, ask for a room on the rock side rather than a room on the cemetery side."
To stay in central Gibraltar, Adele recommended the Sunborn Gibraltar resort which is right in Ocean Village - rooms start at £175 per night.
Another great pick for visitors is The Eliott Hotel which has a rooftop pool, and the Rock Hotel which has recently been renovated.
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Head to the sweeping Eastern Beach in Gibraltar for blue seas and lots of sand
Credit: Google maps
All the attractions
If you head to Tripadvisor currently, one of the most highly recommended beaches in Gibraltar is Catalan Bay, but it's currently undergoing lots of construction work.
Adele said: "There's lots of diggers out on that beach because they're reclaiming some land from the sea - so don't go there for the moment.
"Instead, go to Eastern Beach, it's a great spot because you get more sun for longer."
The reason the Eastern Beach stays sunnier for longer is because the Rock's shadow can block sunlight on other beaches.
Sandy Bay is another popular beach but it can get windy.
Other attractions around Gibraltar include the Spirit of the Rock, which is the only distillery in the old town - you can take the tour and have a tasting for £25.
If you're looking to catch up with the news, don't try hunting for a newspaper as you won't find one.
Adele explained: "Post-Brexit, you can't get them in Gibraltar, but you can buy them in Spain."
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Book a tour in advance to go and see the dolphins
Credit: Adele Cooke
Tourist traps
Like most places that you go, be mindful of the tourist traps.
In the town centre, there will be lots of tour operators trying to sell tourists dolphin tours around Gibraltar.
Adele said that for anyone wanting to head on a tour, have a look online first and book there instead.
Everyone going with the few tour operators selling tickets in the square will then get into a crowded boat so when there's a dolphin, you're less likely to see it.
And if you fancy heading up the Rock, do not drive yourself.
She said: "Unless you're going to Spain, I wouldn't hire a car because it's quite sketchy to drive in Gibraltar.
"Going up the Rock is very narrow, and on one side is just a cliff. Plus there are monkeys roaming around too.
"Instead, use the great bus system, as it's very cheap."
For more breaks, check out these European holidays that are cheaper than a UK train fare – with £2 prosecco and stunning beaches.
Or take a look at the cheeky 48-hour holidays to Europe's best cities, beach towns and islands this summer from £167.
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