After travelling and hanging about for 7 hours via Barcelona, I arrived in the early hours, to the capital of my 47th country - Andorra La Vella. With it being late, I went straight to bed, eager at what the next day would hold for my second holiday of the year.
Waking up the next morning I opened to curtains to find a stunning view of mountains - for I had the best room in the hotel - top floor with views over the city and mountains below. After gathering my things I headed towards the old city, and was struck by the views of mountains from everywhere within the town.
My first sight was the roof of the congress centre, which at its elevated position provides views of the mountains. I then headed into the old city, where the Sant Esteve church and Parliament buildings are located. This area had a very quaint charm, with the traditional stone brick buildings and cobbled streets. Even though this was 2015, you could see that much of this area is exactly how it would have been hundreds of years ago.
After witnessing the old part of the town, I then headed down towards the newer part of the city, which is why most people come to the country - tax free shopping! Around 80% of the shops were selling luxury goods - cameras, tablets, watches etc.
Even in the local supermarket, beside a bunch of bananas was bulk packs of cigarettes and flashy cameras. In many ways it was much the same as Liechtenstein - luxury shops in front of stunning mountain views.
I then carried on walking towards the other side of the town, and saw the huge Caldera spa, a huge shard of glass pointing into the sky, before heading back towards the old part of town and eventually my bus back to Barcelona.
The town isn't very big, and so it didn't take long to see it, but it was a fun experience, and if you love mountains, skiing or luxury shopping then it's worth the visit.
Quaint Charm in Andorra
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Andorra la Vella, Andorra
Other Entries
-
1When in Rome...
Jan 0177 days priorRome, Italyphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 0 -
2Il Vaticano
Jan 0276 days priorVatican City , Vatican Cityphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 0 -
3Scaffolding City
Jan 0375 days priorRome, Italyphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 0 -
4Quaint Charm in Andorra
Mar 19Andorra la Vella, Andorraphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 0 -
5The Rain in Spain...
Mar 201 day laterBarcelona, Spain and Canary Islandsphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 0 -
6The Ring of Kerry
Apr 0315 days laterKillarney, Irelandphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 0 -
7Cracking Krakow
Apr 0820 days laterKrakow, Polandphoto_camera19videocam 0comment 0 -
8Amsterdam again
Apr 1830 days laterAmsterdam, Netherlandsphoto_camera11videocam 0comment 0 -
9Sea Gods and Fairy Poo
May 0345 days laterDouglas, United Kingdomphoto_camera14videocam 0comment 0 -
10Wonderful Copenhagen
Aug 16150 days laterCopenhagen, Denmarkphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 0 -
11Anti-Mexican Reunion
Sep 06171 days laterKyiv, Ukrainephoto_camera11videocam 0comment 0 -
12Lookalike Lisboa
Oct 26221 days laterLisbon, Portugalphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 0 -
13Ancient Cyprus
Nov 15241 days laterKourion, Cyprusphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 0 -
14Political Cyprus
Nov 16242 days laterNicosia, Cyprusphoto_camera12videocam 0comment 0 -
15Tourism Cyprus
Nov 17243 days laterLarnaca, Cyprusphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 0
2025-02-08