The Principality of Andorra is one of the dwarf European states that does not have access to the sea. The name of the country translates as “wasteland”. The exact origin is unknown (perhaps Basque or Iberian). Previously, it was a closed principality. Today one can observe its prosperity thanks to tourism. Located on the southern slope of the eastern Pyrenees between France and Spain, in the Valira River basin. From the west, north and east, Andorra is surrounded by 65 high mountains, most of the time covered with snow. The highest point of the country is the Coma Pedrosa peak (2946 m), the lowest is Rio Runer (840 m).
Andorra la Vella is known to be the capital of the country. This city has an old district called Barri Attic , which is especially interesting for tourists. In it you can see ancient stone houses and cobbled streets. In addition, the “ House of the Valleys ” is located here - the seat of government. Next to it are the courthouse (Sala de la Giustizia), the parliament building (Sala del Consell), the Academy of Music, and the State Theater. All kinds of cultural events and various festivals are held in the central square of the city.
The student town of Toulouse is located approximately one hundred and eighty kilometers from the capital. On its main square there is the 18th century town hall and the opera house. The majestic Cathedral of St. Sernin (11th century) and the Jacobean Church, which houses the remains of St. Thomas Aquinas, can be seen in the quiet Old Quarter.
If you are passing through the city of Encamp , then you should definitely visit the interesting National Museum of Vintage Cars (19-20 centuries). In this city, Eglesia Sant Roma de les Bones is also a special delight - an ancient district where you can see ancient Roman architecture and frescoes from the twelfth century.
And there are so many small towns and villages in Andorra, located in indescribably beautiful, picturesque places. Somewhere there are ruins of some old castle, and somewhere you can see a Romanesque church or an amazing museum. Many tourists especially like excursions to French and Spanish cities.
In general, it should be noted that Andorra cannot boast of any of its architectural attractions, although the ruins of Catholic and Arab churches and bridges that were built during the reign of the Romans have been preserved. The thing is that they simply pale in comparison to the main attraction of Andorra - its luxurious high-mountain resorts, which so strongly attract tourists from all over the world.
If until 1950 this country was isolated, today we know Andorra as the most popular tourism area . Beautiful mountain slopes cannot but attract modern tourists to Andorra. In summer, picturesque landscapes attract, and in winter, gorgeous ski slopes (with a total length of 275 km), which can satisfy the requirements of both professionals and beginners.
There are 6 ski resorts on the territory of this country - El Tarter , Soldeu , Grau Rozh, Arinsal , Pal , Ordino-Arcalis . The length of all ski slopes is approximately 275 km. The slopes are equipped with 90 lifts, which are capable of transporting 128 thousand people in one hour.
There are a large number of ski schools for children , many slopes that are considered safe for young skiers. Therefore, a holiday in Andorra is a great opportunity to spend time with your family. In addition, you can play tennis and skate. And what could be more exciting than ice diving , or perhaps golf at an altitude of more than two thousand meters, or downhill skiing ?
Official name: Principality of Andorra.
Capital: Andorra la Vella
Official language: Catalan, Spanish, French. Many people speak English and Portuguese.
Population: Residents of Andorra are called either Andorrans or Catalans. They make up about thirty percent. The Spanish make up about forty-five percent, the French only eight, and the Portuguese eleven. The majority are Catholics (99%).
Climate: in this country it is temperate, at altitudes it is cold. Any tourist is captivated to the core by the beauty of the local mountains, covered with mixed and coniferous forests, as well as alpine and subalpine meadows.
Summer in Andorra can be called dry and cool; the average temperature in July is around twenty degrees. The weather pattern depends greatly on how high the area is above sea level. Most of the precipitation (only 450–500 millimeters per year) falls from October to April. In autumn, as a rule, it rains, which are brought by the wind from the Atlantic, and in autumn and summer it is always cloudless.
Andorra is the sunniest (the sun shines almost all year round) and at the same time the most unique ski resort in Europe in terms of climate. As a rule, the season here begins in December and lasts until April. At night the temperature is always below zero, while during the day it can reach +10°C. A lot of snow falls in the mountains in winter. The depth of natural snow cover can be 50 cm, or even 300 cm. Ski stations are equipped with modern bulk snow cannons. It should be said that it is warm enough in the valley (below), which allows you to enjoy beautiful flowers even in winter.
Customs restrictions: Andorra is a duty-free trading zone, however, due to the entry scheme, when visiting it you will have to comply with either French or Spanish customs rules. The import and export of currency is not limited. Duty-free export is allowed: coffee - 1 kg, tea - 200 g, cheese - no more than 4 kg, sweets - no more than 5 kg, 75 g of perfume and 375 cologne; alcohol: over 22 degrees - 1.5 l, up to 22 degrees - 3 l, table wine - 5 l; 300 cigarettes, 150 thin cigars, 75 thick cigars, 400 g of tobacco.
Network voltage: 220V
Hotels: All hotels in Andorra have an official category of one to five “stars”, officially approved by the country’s Ministry of Tourism. Meals in 90% of three and four rooms are buffet style for breakfast and dinner.
There are few hotels in Andorra located directly next to the ski lifts at ski resorts . Therefore, most tourists stay in hotels located in large (by Andorran standards, of course) cities. They can be roughly divided into three groups. The first is hotels in the capital cities of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes, where all ski stations are equally close, so you have the opportunity to ski everywhere. There are many shops, bars, restaurants, discos - in a word, extensive apres-ski.
The second group includes hotels in small towns or mountain villages within a 5-15 minute drive to the ski lifts. As a rule, they offer the most attractive prices, since they are located at a distance from the entertainment of the big city and, at the same time, not within walking distance from the ski lifts.
The third group - hotels located directly under the mountain, 100-300 meters from the ski lifts, are the most popular and expensive. Their only drawback is that ski areas are limited to one or two closest ones: getting to other stations by regular buses is not very convenient.
Cuisine, restaurants: As such, there is no “Andorran” cuisine, but there is an interweaving of traditions from Hungary, Italy, Turkey, and Spain. Many traditional dishes are borrowed from French or Catalan cuisine. The most popular are “la parillida” (this is an assortment of many types of meat), “mariscada” (an assortment of seafood), “cunillo” (rabbit in tomato), fried lamb, a meat soup called “escudella”, a fish soup called “porusalda”, etc. Many tourists like local bacon and sausages.
All restaurants are usually open until 24:00. They will offer you set lunches, which will cost much less.
In Andorra you can have a good time in bordas - small national restaurants with home-cooked food and a cozy atmosphere. Among the local cuisine, it is worth trying la parillada - a large dish of grilled different types of meat (beef, pork, rabbit and turkey), fried Catalan sausage butifarra, which is served with white beans, traditional thick soup escudella and sheep's cheese tupi.
As a rule, tips are always included in the bill. And, nevertheless, it is customary to give receptionists, taxi drivers and waiters approximately 10% of the total bill as tips.
Shops, shopping: When visiting Andorra, it is difficult to do without shopping - such an important activity for a tourist from Russia.
This country is a duty-free trade zone, and therefore many people dream of not only skiing from the mountains, but also shopping around here. After all, all goods are approximately 30-40% cheaper than in France or Spain. In addition, there are massive sales here in the fall and spring. The main items purchased are perfumes, cosmetics, alcohol, watches and, of course, ski equipment.
Shops are open from 09:00 to 13:00 and from 16:00 to 20:00. From 13:00 to 16:00 is siesta.
More than one and a half thousand stores with fashionable clothing, sporting goods, and mobile equipment are located in a relatively small area of Andorra. They work seven days a week with breaks for lunch.
Today, this country has become one of the cheapest shopping centers.
National characteristics: Residents of Andorra pay virtually no taxes, postal services are free. Since Spain and France are responsible for the defense of the country, they do not have their own armed forces. But at the same time, citizens are allowed to carry weapons. There are few police officers in Andorra. There is also a bullpen, and all prisoners serve their sentences in other states.
It should be noted that the population of the country is law-abiding, and it was brought up in very strict Catholic traditions, and therefore there can be no talk of any defiant behavior. In addition, it is forbidden to make noise at night. In Andorra, there is a conditional ban on strip bars, pornography, nudism, extramarital affairs are condemned, and prostitution is punishable by law. If you decide to break local laws, you may be expelled from the country without any explanation.
Security: Andorra is one of the safest countries in Europe, which does not even have its own prison. But on the way, in particular at Barcelona airport, you should carefully keep an eye on your belongings.