The Rock

Join us for this scenic and informative tour of the many fascinating sites found on the Rock of Gibraltar. The British-influenced, Rock of Gibraltar is situated in the Mediterranean Sea. The Rock was named in 711 AD, when it was captured by the Moorish chieftain, Tarik, and became known as the Rock of Tarik, or Gib el Tarik. After successive Moorish, Spanish and British invasions, its name was changed to Gibraltar.

Depart the ship for a drive along Winston Churchill Avenue, passing the Cross of Sacrifice along the way. You will also see the airstrip, where only flights emanating from the UK are permitted to land. Next, you will drive down the Queen's Road, home to panoramic vistas of the picturesque harbor, then up to St. Michael's Caves, a series of underground chambers filled with stalactites and stalagmites.

Continue on for a visit to the Ape's Den to view its collection of famous Barbary apes and tailless Moroccan monkeys. Popular legend has it that as long as the apes continue to thrive here, Britain will retain control of Gibraltar. When their population was threatened, Winston Churchill issued orders for the maintenance of the ape colony. To this day, there remains a designated Officer of the Apes, who feeds them at 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, daily.