The ship docked a moderate walk away from the main city. We were glad that we had brought our rain jackets and travel umbrellas as they were definitely required for our exploration. One of the highlights of visiting Gibraltar is a trip by cable car up to the top of the rock. From there you have great views across to Africa. Unfortunately we found the top of the rock shrouded in clouds so we hiked over to the botanic gardens. We found that there was no admission charge and began wandering the various paths that crossed the 15-acre gardens. These gardens would be beautiful on a clear day and we enjoyed them even in the rain.
As we concluded our garden exploration the weather improved somewhat and we wandered over to the cable car station. Outside the station were a number of cab drivers selling tours by road for about $40/person. They claimed that their tours were cheaper than the cable car, avoided walking, and offered a better use of your time. We went inside to find that the cable car trip was approximately $12/person with an additional charge of $12/person to visit the caves, historic tunnels and the nature preserve (credit cards accepted).
Given the marginal weather we decided to take the cable car trip, then return to the ship. After a short wait we boarded the car for the trip up the rock. The mist hampered views but I’m sure that it would be spectacular on a clear day. Upon arriving at the top we were immediately greeted by one of the famous Barbary apes (actually macaques, a tailless monkey). There are about 230 of them in Gibraltar, many residing in the “ape den” about half way up the rock. He was sitting passively on a fence, generally ignoring the tourists who approached cautiously for a photo.
As we looked out from the landing the rains returned, then cleared a bit. This went on for quite a while. I took several pictures during the clear times, then we took the cable car back down and began walking towards the ship. Since we are not shoppers we passed by the various shops but noticed a sign for a glass blowing demonstration in one of the glass shops. It was interesting to watch a group of workers creating wineglasses with a running commentary about the process.
Tip: the official currency is the British pound but there is also a Gibraltar pound in circulation. Avoid accepting the Gibraltar pound as change as it is unusable outside of Gibraltar.
Alicante Spain: our next stop was the historic port city of Alicante, located about ½ up the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Much of the local economy relies on tourism to the local beaches of the Costa Blanca. We found it to be a very pleasant city to stroll. The city was a moderate walk from the ship.
Our first stop was the ancient Castle of Santa Barbara that overlooks the city and port. It is reached by an elevator or a vigorous hike. The castle itself was not particularly interesting but there were some great views. After leaving the castle we found an ATM machine and obtained some Euros. Then we visited the Basilica of Santa Maria, our first “old church” of this European trip; it was built between the 14th and 16th centuries. Next we wandered the esplanade, a wide pedestrian street paved with colorful tiles and lined on both sides with large palm trees. At one end several vendors sell a variety of products. Sharon purchased two belly-dancing belts for only $7 each. On our way back to the ship we passed the popular Postiguet beach, filled with folks enjoying a beautiful afternoon.
Tip: we thoroughly enjoyed our unstructured wander through Alicante but our dinner companions also enjoyed ship shore excursions; one couple visited the small village of Guadalest, the other visited an archeological site at Eiche.
Barcelona Spain: Barcelona is another city that is easy to wander; purportedly the most popular tourist destination in Spain. Here the architecture seems significantly different than any American city. The port is closed to pedestrians so a shuttle bus is used to reach the city. The shuttle dropped us off at the Christopher Columbus statue that sits at the southern end of the mostly pedestrian street, Las Ramblas. A key attraction is the colorful Boqueria Market filled with dozens of stalls selling fruits, vegetables, meat, wine, and much more; sort of like Pike Place Market on steroids. 
Another popular site is the Sagrada Familia church that was designed by Gaudi. This privately funded church has been under construction since 1882 and won’t be completed for another 15 years or more. Admission to the church is about $16; my research showed a significant split as to whether it is worth going inside as there is lots of scaffolding inside supporting the ongoing construction. When we got there a line stretched around the church and it was raining; I took a few pictures outside and then we set off by taxi to try to reach the Barcelona cathedral in the gothic quarter. Although we got there in time, they closed early that day so we couldn’t go inside. After a brief stroll through the gothic quarter we rejoined Las Ramblas and headed back to the ship.
Our dinner companions enjoyed their ship shore excursions. One couple visited Sitges, an old fishing village and the other couple visited Montserrat and its 1000-year old Benedictine monastery.
Tip: tourist publications warn of major pickpocket activity. We were careful but later heard that several cruise passengers were victimized.
Reading your personal commentary and insights are far more interesting to me personally than looking at a guidebook or reading tripadvisor, now I want to promote this itinerary.
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