Blogs from La Vella, Andorra, Europe - page 2

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Europe » Andorra » La Vella March 31st 2015

That pretty much sums it up. I'm having a great time here, all things considered. Andorra La Vella is the highest capital in Europe, situated amid the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. I've wanted to come here since I was 14 or thereabouts, so I'm glad it has finally happened! My trip up from the south of Spain yesterday was pretty painless - even the 5+ hour train ride to Barcelona went by surprisingly fast. I'm impressed by the Renfe trains of Spain, in spite of what I've heard in the past. The 3-hour bus ride from Barcelona to Andorra also went by unexpectedly fast. There were only 13 of us on the minibus, but most of us kept to ourselves. I was admiring the scenery for most of the trip, until it got dark. ... read more
Looking down from the Parliament building
9th century church in Santa Coloma
Pont de la Margineda

Europe » Andorra » La Vella July 21st 2014

10/07/13 - 12/07/13 So after a hectic week in Pamplona, I decided to spend the next few days of my trip relaxing in Andorra. Andorra is a small land locked country on the border between Spain and France. With no airport and no train service the only way in was by bus. The whole nation is only 468km2 with a mix of four languages all commonly spoken, it was looking to be a small challenge. So from the beginning I awoke in my hostel in Barcelona, still unsure of my movements to get to Andorra. Ant and I made our way downstairs to use the wifi to work out our next moves. It was surprisingly not hard to find a bus to Andorra so with that booked I bid farewell to another new friend as he ... read more
Andorra
Andorra

Europe » Andorra » La Vella June 2nd 2013

Woolly says - We waved a regretful goodbye to El’s Pratt Village. Tea last night was excellent, using the 11 Euro menu (approximately £9.90GBP) I helped Ian out with his cannelloni starter, chicken main and toffee mousse. Jo seemed to be struggling to finish her garlic prawns and perch main so it was only fair to help her as well, no chance with her toffee mousse, it was gone before I batted an eyelid. If you’re heading towards Tarragona I would definitely recommend staying at this site. We started heading into the foothills of the Pyrenees, the scenery was amazing and as every twist and turn in the road revealed another stunning view things just got better and better. Passing lush green fields separated by lines of scarlet poppies we could see the real mountains getting ... read more
Stunning Views
The Views got better
and better

Europe » Andorra » La Vella June 26th 2011

We woke up in plenty of time for breakfast before catching the first bus down to Andorra La Vela at 9:40. Breakfast was the usual coffee, juice, cereal, toast and spreads, and some fruit. Although the driver was a bit reckless, the ride down was nearly as scary as the ride up had been yesterday. We spent most of the morning shopping for gifts to bring to Manoli's brothers and nephew. For lunch, we almost ate at the same place in the Pyrenees store, but changed our minds when we saw the buffet style layout in another store called Escale. Although most of the restaurants and cafes we'd seen wanted what seemed like ridiculous prices (from 9 Euros and up for a single plate!), this store also had food at much more reasonable prices. We all ... read more
Iglesia de Sant Estevet
Old Andorra La Vela
Neat Fountain

Europe » Andorra » La Vella March 10th 2011

Nestled high in the Pyrenees is a tiny country that you may not have heard of…Andorra. By a quirk of fate, this country, which is the size of a small county in the US and the population of a small city, is still a country. Andorra is basically one main, sometimes very narrow, mountain valley nestled on the border between Spain and France and is jointly controlled by both. There are a few side roads but the country is only 50 km across at the widest. It is one big ski resort in the winter and in the summer it specializes in mountain sports. Ninety percent of its national product is tourism and employment is 100%. Since we were so close, we could not resist a visit in order to put another country on our list. ... read more
Cloisters in Ripoll
Skiing in the Pyrenees
Shall Cow Ski?

Europe » Andorra » La Vella September 6th 2010

Anne: We got to Andorra and the 1st stop was a petrol station where fuel was under a euro a litre! We then went to a campsite recommended from the Rough Guide and took a walk into the shopping area. Jody was looking to get a nice Nixon watch and I was up for a new dress or two! In the end we haggled with this dude for Jody's watch and got a good discount and I got 60% off my Quiksilver dress and Nikita top! Honestly at these prices you can't afford not to buy! The next day we got some info on the place and realised that there was a bike park in the mountains nearby and there was a 4X track for Jody to ride. We went the the bottom of the cable ... read more
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Europe » Andorra » La Vella July 13th 2010

Off to Andorra-la-vella in Andorra. Andorra is its own country - on the border of southern France and northern Spain. After staying at the party until 2 am, we had a late start to Andorre. We stopped to fill up with gas on a Sunday. There are no attended stations on Sundays and none of our credit cards would work at the gas pump. In addition, the gas cap was locked and we couldn't get it open with our key. Many thanks to the nice frenchman who unlocked the gas cap and filled up our car with gas on his credit card so we could just pay him cash! We made the hotel reservation the night before but are not attached to a printer and did not write it down. So we stopped at an Internet ... read more
Church along the way
Church along the way
street view

Europe » Andorra » La Vella June 26th 2010

16/06/10 Once through the near non-exictent checkpoint to Andorra, being that the entire country is less than 500sq km it didnt take long to reach our destination Andorra la Vella, Andorras only city. On the way we passed cute little villages and resort towns all packed into narrow valleys. Andorra la Vella was also packed into a valley with a river raging through the middle. Our campground was very nice with a view of the city and oppisite mountains, it also had an indoor pool and spa, we were beginning to learn though, that no matter how flash the campground they just didnt have kitchens and it is really hard to find a shop that sells campstoves so we had to throw out some of our food. 17/06/10 Last night was freezing, being higher in the ... read more
our home
view from campsite
river running through andorra la vella

Europe » Andorra » La Vella April 22nd 2010

Sunday 18/4/10 So where was I? Ah yes, Andorra. Think Colorado meets Queenstown meets Kuala Lumpur. The scenery is stunning. Andorra is at the top of Spain and bottom of France and appears to be nestled in the base of a valley. It´s surrounded by big fuck-off mountains about 2500 - 3000 metres high so is a major skiing capital. Also it´s a tax haven so lots of cheap electronic goods and impenetrable (not to mention discrete banks - I know where my money´s stashed!) Major construction going on here with big roads and huge hotels being built so obviously the recession has done Andorra some favours. I drove around the very narrow windy roads for an hour trying to find a hotel as it was getting late and dark. I finally came acroos the Bates ... read more
Dali mural - Figueres
More Dali
The Bates Motel - Andorra

Europe » Andorra » La Vella April 21st 2010

Hooley dooley! OK, so I finally made it out alive out of Barcelona. What an awesome place - could easily spend another 6 months there. A friend of a friend gave me her friend´s (Pep) number here in BCN. Pep is a company director here and took me out to his fave place in BCN - La Cabana de Parque. (If you´re reading this, Brenda, Pep said you´d be jealous!) He also took me to another great place - Cafe Velodrome - where only the cool kids like me can hang out. Very classy. And the man paid for everything! He only just met me so very impressed - Muchas gracias, Pep! 16/4/10 It´s now been a year since my wee bus, Kitty, was stolen so am now spending the insurance money! Would rather have Kitty ... read more
Monserrat
Monserrat
Lighting the obligatory candle




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