The Rock of Gibraltar guards the entrance to the Mediterranean and towers over on the southern coast of Spain, rising like a colossus from the sea. This gigantic chunk of limestone - tumbled end over end by geological forces, whipped by winds and honeycombed by dripping water - long ago assumed mythical significance. The ancients paired it with Morocco's Jebel Musa mountain, terming the two the Pillars of Hercules that marked the end of the known world.

Just 5km long, 2km wide and 450m high, the rock is connected tangentially to Spain by a narrow isthmus, making it easy for both sides to control border crossings. Political insecurity at home and changing times sometimes makes Gibraltar seem more British than Britain, and it is a handy spot for expats to buy English-language books and familiar groceries from English supermarkets. There are many jewellery and electronics shops these days, as well as the traditional liquor and cigarette sellers, that help to make this an interesting day out with bargains to be had. Marks & Spencer and British Home Stores both have stores in Gibraltar’s main street.

Even those travellers immersed in the experience of Andalucia should consider spending a day visiting this cultural and geological anomaly, where cool breezes evoke more northerly climes. Interesting military fortifications abound and the cemetery holds those who died on ship and shore during Gt Britain’s glorious past defending the empire and patrolling this gateway to the Mediterranean. It is still an important British base and has a busy port and airport that serve “the Rock”.