Reviewing stays in Gibraltar.

Among those areas that surprise you is Gibraltar. Though you don't hear about it as frequently as you might, say, Paris or Rome, you find yourself on a small peninsula at the southernmost point of Spain, gazing up at a rock that is, well, impossible to miss. Officially, it is British; informally, it combines many cultures, languages, and an unhealthy preoccupation with monkeys. It seems like the most eccentric little settlement in the world, where history, tourism, and defiant monkeys mix.

First off, the Rock. The Rock of Gibraltar is as spectacular as it looks. If you're feeling lazy, you can ride a cable car to the summit; otherwise, you might try the hike on foot. This seems like an excellent idea until you find the sun doing its best impression of a hairdryer set to maximum. From the summit, the vistas are incredible. One side shows the Atlantic sullen, while the other shows the Mediterranean shining. And you might even see Africa on a clear day. One country over, and abruptly, you seem like a globetrotter without ever leaving Europe.

Then there's the well-known Barbary macaques. These tiny monkeys are attractive, courageous, and seem to be aware of your sandwich. They will gladly pose for pictures, but if you get too comfortable, they will remind you who is actually in charge. Feeding them is against the law, according to what I've read. Some tourists do it naturally. I admit, I might have been among them; yes, I spent ten minutes regretting it as I begged forgiveness from a particularly judgmental macaque.

Beyond the Rock, Gibraltar is relatively walkable. Main Street, which is essentially a British-style high street, features pubs selling fish and chips alongside Spanish tapas bars. Duty-free shopping is also appealing, as suddenly everyone recalls they need a bottle of perfume or a pack of cigarettes at half the price. It's somewhat lovely, a combination of ease and some mayhem.

Those who love history will have fun discovering the Great Siege tunnels or meandering around the Moorish Castle. More times than you could shake a walking stick at, people have battled over the location, giving it a somewhat crazy yet absolutely fascinating feel. Furthermore, if you enjoy flying, observing planes land at Gibraltar Airport is a hobby in and of itself. Because the runway somewhat touches the main road, a 747 taxiing past could halt your stride mid-motion. It's both exciting and scary.

Taken all, Gibraltar is tiny, somewhat silly, and always enjoyable. This is the kind of place that makes you wonder how inquisitive the world is and how much fun it can be to sit on a rock, watch some monkeys, and act like you know history. Although this city doesn't need attention, once it has yours, it won't let it go. Actually, that's how it should be.