Andorra: Andorra

[bjorn]

Andorra is the Hong Kong of Europe.
With luxury goods, electronics, and gadgets galore, duty free shoppers will find nirvana among the pretty Pyrennes in the small capital of Andorra la Vella. Few tourists have discovered this tiny princedom, tucked between Spain and France. Nature buffs will take to the mountains and streams of the Parroquia d'Ordino, a region filled with farmhouses and stone bridges. Travelers with a taste for the quirky will like Andorra's miniature museums. Adventurous types will enjoy the natural beauty of the area and the pristine park lands of this pearl of the Pyrenees. Whatever your interests, Andorra has something you'll truly enjoy.

When to go:
There is no real "high season" in Andorra. June through September is the best time for hiking. Ski season is December through April.

What to Do:
History/Ruins:
The Barri Antic (Old Quarter), with its winding cobblestone streets and quaint stone houses, gives visitors a sense of what Andorra must have been like when it was once a little village in the Pyrenees. The highlight of the Barri Antic is the Casa de la Vall (House of the Valley), Andorra's parliament building since 1702. The building was constructed in 1580 and serves as the Sala de la Justicia, the only courtroom in the whole country.

Museums:
Andorra has a passion for all things tiny. The Ordino Museum of Miniatures and the Engordany Model Museum are two great examples of smaller-than-life exhibits to view in Andorra. The National Car Museum at Encamp with its collection of cars, motor bicycles, and bicycles, the Matrioshka Russian Doll Museum, the San Jordi Iconographic Museum and the Postal Museum in Ordino, are some of the museums in Andorra to explore.

Shopping:
There are plenty of consumer goods to peruse and purchase in Andorra. The capital of Andorra la Vella is one huge shopping mall in one very small country.

Food/Culinary Info:
Because of its location between France and Spain, Andorran cuisine is mainly Catalan, with a bit of Italian influence. Pasta, meat, and fish are typical menu items. Local dishes include trinxat (bacon, cabbage, and potatoes), cunillo (rabbit stewed in tomato sauce), xai (roast lamb), and escudella (a stew of chicken, sausage and meatballs).

Adventure:
Skiing in the winter, and hiking, camping, and mountain biking in the summer are popular activities in Andorra. The north and northwest of the country have extensive trails that traverse the Pyrenees. The village of Segudet is the start of a trail that leads to the 8,987 foot Pic de Casamanya. Llorts is also a good place to start hiking. If skiing is your thing, base yourself in Ordino, so you can take full advantage of the Estacio d'Esqui Ordino-Arcalis.

Natural Wonders:
Created for the "harmonious interrelation between the body and water," Caldea is a total water experience - they've got lagoons, saunas, jacuzzis, a grapefruit pool, an Aztecian pool, Indo-Roman baths, cascades, bubble beds, and hot tubs. Like the Blue Lagoon in Iceland - it is one of those things that you've got to try if you are in the area. The spa complex is housed in a glass structure with a futuristic decor, with a large, warm water lagoon at its center.

Cultural Comments:
Traditional culture is on view at the town and village feasts and others festivities throughout the country. International Jazz Festival of Andorra at Escaldes-Engordany (July), the Classical Music Festival in Ordino (September), the Music and Dance Seasons of Andorra la Vella (from November to May). In addition to artistic exhibitions, the churches organize prestigious and well-known festivals in the summer months. The first Saturday in August is the start of a big three-day festival in Andorra la Vella. Mare de Deu de Meritxell, a celebration of the Virgin Mary, is held on September 8th, with a pilgrimage to Meritxell, 4 miles north-east of Andorra la Vella.

Cost:
Food will cost a minimum of US$10-15 per day, and lodging ranges from US$10-20 hostel beds to US$25+ hotel rooms. US$40-70 per day is a good estimate for visitors. Andorra uses both the Euro.

Getting Around:
The only way into Andorra is by road. From France you will traverse the Port d' Envalira, the highest pass in the Pyrenees. The route from Spain is a little less exciting. Buses from both countries are frequent. With the good local bus service it's easy to escape to the resort-villages of Arsinal, Ordino and El Serrat, all close to trailheads for summer trekking. There are no railways in Andorra.

Language:
The official language is Catalan, but French and Spanish are widely spoken. Brush up on your French or Spanish or learn a little Catalan, as English-speakers are not common.

Party/Social Scene:
Andorra is low-key at night. If you want some action, head out of the country to Toulouse, France the closest big city.

Other Info:
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