ANDORRA: Andorrans Are A Romance Ethnic Group. Enjoy Duty Free Shopping In The Tax Haven

Andorra is a small, mountainous country in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain.

Andorra, officially the Principality of Andorra, also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra is a sovereign landlocked microstate on the Iberian Peninsula, in the eastern Pyrenees, bordering France to the north and Spain to the south.

It is believed to have been created by Charlemagne, Andorra was ruled by the Count of Urgell until 988, when it was transferred to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Urgell, and the present principality was formed by a charter in 1278.

It is known as a principality as it is a diarchy headed by two Princes: the Catholic Bishop of Urgell in Catalonia, Spain, and the President of France.

Andorra is the sixth-smallest nation in Europe, having an area of 468 square kilometres (181 sq mi) and a population of approximately 77,281. The Andorran people are a Romance ethnic group of originally Catalan descent.

Andorra is the 16th-smallest country in the world by land and the 11th-smallest by population. Its capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe, at an elevation of 1,023 metres (3,356 feet) above sea level. The official language is Catalan; but Spanish, Portuguese, and French are also commonly spoken.

Andorra la Vella is the capital of Andorra, in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. It’s known as a duty-free retail hub, with shops lining Meritxell Avenue. The 12th-century Sant Esteve church has baroque altarpieces.

The nearby area of Vallnord has resorts with trails for winter sports, plus a bike park.

Tourism in Andorra sees an estimated 10.2 million visitors annually. It is not a member of the European Union, but the euro is its official currency. It has been a member of the United Nations since 1993. In 2013, Andorra had the highest life expectancy in the world at 81 years, according to the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Andorra has an alpine climate and continental climate. Its higher elevation means there is, on average, more snow in winter, lower humidity, and it is slightly cooler in summer.

The diversity of landmarks, the different orientation of the valleys and the irregularity relief typical of the Mediterranean climates make the country have a great diversity of microclimates that hinder the general dominance of the high mountain climate.

The great differences of altitude in the minimum and maximum points, together with the influence of a Mediterranean climate, develop the climate of the Andorran Pyrenees.

When in precipitation, a global model characterized by convective and abundant rains can be defined during spring and summer, which can last until autumn that is May, June and August are usually the rainiest months.

In winter, however, it is less rainy, except in the highlands, subject to the influence of fronts from the Atlantic, which explains the high level of innivation of the Andorran mountains.

The temperature regime is characterized, broadly, by a temperate summer and a long and cold winter; in accordance with the mountainous condition of the Principality.

Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 10.2 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts.

One of the main sources of income in Andorra is tourism from ski resorts which total over 175 km (109 mi) of ski ground. The sport brings in over 7 million visitors annually and an estimated 340 million euros per year, sustaining 2,000 direct and 10,000 indirect jobs at present since 2007.

The banking sector, with its tax haven status, also contributes substantially to the economy, the financial and insurance sector accounts for approximately 19% of GDP.

The financial system comprises five banking groups, one specialised credit entity, 8 investment undertaking management entities, 3 asset management companies and 29 insurance companies, 14 of which are branches of foreign insurance companies authorised to operate in the principality.

Agricultural production is limited, only 2% of the land is arable, and most food has to be imported. Some tobacco is grown locally. The principal livestock activity is domestic sheep raising.

Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture. Andorra's natural resources include hydroelectric power, mineral water, timber, iron ore, and lead.

Andorra is not a member of the European Union, but enjoys a special relationship with it, such as being treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods with no tariffs and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.

Andorra lacked a currency of its own and used both the French franc and the Spanish peseta in banking transactions until 31 December 1999, when both currencies were replaced by the EU's single currency, the euro.

Coins and notes of both the franc and the peseta remained legal tender in Andorra until 31 December 2002. Andorra negotiated to issue its own euro coins, beginning in 2014.

Andorra has traditionally had one of the world's lowest unemployment rates. In 2009 it stood at 2.9%.

Andorra has long benefited from its status as a tax haven, with revenues raised exclusively through import tariffs. However, during the European sovereign-debt crisis of the 21st century, its tourist economy suffered a decline, partly caused by a drop in the prices of goods in Spain, which undercut Andorran duty-free shopping.

This led to a growth in unemployment. On 1 January 2012, a business tax of 10% was introduced, followed by a sales tax of 2% a year later, which raised just over 14 million euros in its first quarter.

On 31 May 2013, it was announced that Andorra intended to legislate for the introduction of an income tax by the end of June, against a background of increasing dissatisfaction with the existence of tax havens among EU members.

The announcement was made following a meeting in Paris between the Head of Government Antoni Marti and the French President and Prince of Andorra, François Hollande. Hollande welcomed the move as part of a process of Andorra bringing its taxation in line with international standards.

The population of Andorra is estimated at 77,281. The Andorrans are a Romance ethnic group of originally Catalan descent. The population has grown from 5,000 in 1900.

Two thirds of residents lack Andorran nationality and do not have the right to vote in communal elections. Moreover, they are not allowed to be elected as prime minister or to own more than 33% of the capital stock of a privately held company.

The historic and official language is Catalan, a Romance language. The Andorran government encourages the use of Catalan. It funds a Commission for Catalan Toponymy in Andorra, and provides free Catalan classes to assist immigrants. Andorran television and radio stations use Catalan.

Because of immigration, historical links, and close geographic proximity, Spanish, Portuguese and French are also commonly spoken. Most Andorran residents can speak one or more of these, in addition to Catalan.

English is less commonly spoken among the general population, though it is understood to varying degrees in the major tourist resorts. Andorra is one of only four European countries, together with France, Monaco, and Turkey that have never signed the Council of Europe Framework Convention on National Minorities.

Observatori Social d'Andorra indicates that the linguistic usage in Andorra is as follows:

- Catalan 38.8%

- Spanish 35.4%

- Portuguese 15%

- French 5.4%

- Others 5.5%

The population of Andorra is predominantly (88.2%) Catholic. Their patron saint is Our Lady of Meritxell. Though it is not an official state religion, the constitution acknowledges a special relationship with the Catholic Church, offering some special privileges to that group.

Other Christian denominations include the Anglican Church, the Unification Church, the New Apostolic Church, and Jehovah's Witnesses. The small Muslim community is primarily made up of North African immigrants. There is a small community of Hindus and Baha'is, and roughly 100 Jews live in Andorra.

The official and historic language is Catalan. Thus the culture is Catalan, with its own specificity.

Andorra is home to folk dances like the contrapas and marratxa, which survive in Sant Julia de Loria especially. Andorran folk music has similarities to the music of its neighbours, but is especially Catalan in character, especially in the presence of dances such as the sardana.

Other Andorran folk dances include contrapas in Andorra la Vella and Saint Anne's dance in Escaldes-Engordany. Andorra's national holiday is Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September.

Among the most important festivals and traditions are the Canolich Gathering in May, the Roser d'Ordino in July, the Meritxell Day or National Day of Andorra, the Andorra la Vella Fair, the Sant Jordi Day.

The Santa Llucia Fair, the Festivity from La Candelera to Canillo, the Carnival of Encamp, the sung of caramelles, the Festivity of Sant Esteve and the Festa del Poble.

In popular folklore, the best-known Andorran legends are the legend of Charlemagne, according to which this Frankish King would have founded the country, the White Lady of Auvinya, the Buner d'Ordino, the legend of Engolasters Lake and the legend of Our Lady of Meritxell.

Andorran gastronomy is mainly Catalan, although it has also adopted other elements of French and Italian cuisines. The cuisine of the country has similar characteristics with the neighbors of the Cerdanya and the Alt Urgell, with whom it has a strong cultural ties.

Andorra's cuisine is marked by its nature as mountain valleys. Typical dishes of the country are the quince all-i-oli, the duck with winter pear, the lamb in the oven with nuts, pork civet, the massegada cake.

The escarole with pear trees, confited duck and mushrooms, escudella, spinach with raisins and pine nuts, jelly marmalade, stuffed murgues or mushrooms with pork, dandelion salad and the Andorran trout of river.

To drink, the mulled wine and beer are also popular. Some of the dishes are very common in the mountainous regions of Catalonia, such as trinxat, embotits, cooked snails, rice with mushrooms, mountain rice and mato.

Pre-Romanesque and Romanesque art are one of the most important artistic manifestations and characteristics of the Principality. The Romanesque one allows to know the formation of the parochial communities, the relations of social and political power and the national culture.

There are a total of forty Romanesque churches that stand out as being small austere ornamentation constructions, as well as bridges, fortresses and manor houses of the same period.

Summer solstice fire festivals in the Pyrenees was included as UNESCO Intangible cultural heritage in 2015. Also the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley became Andorra's first, and to date its only, UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, with a small extension in 2006.

Andorra is famous for the practice of winter sports. Popular sports played in Andorra include football, rugby union, basketball and roller hockey.

In roller hockey Andorra usually plays in CERH Euro Cup and in FIRS Roller Hockey World Cup. In 2011, Andorra was the host country to the 2011 European League Final Eight.

The country is represented in association football by the Andorra national football team. However, the team has had little success internationally because of Andorra's small population.

Football is governed in Andorra by the Andorran Football Federation founded in 1994, it organizes the national competitions of association football Primera Divisio, Copa Constitucio and Supercopa and futsal.

Andorra was admitted to UEFA and FIFA in the same year, 1996. FC Andorra, a club based in Andorra la Vella founded in 1942, compete in the Spanish football league system.

Rugby is a traditional sport in Andorra, mainly influenced by the popularity in southern France. The Andorra national rugby union team, nicknamed Els Isards, has impressed on the international stage in rugby union and rugby sevens. VPC Andorra XV is a rugby team based in Andorra la Vella actually playing in the French championship.

Basketball popularity has increased in the country since the 1990s, when the Andorran team BC Andorra played in the top league of Spain or Liga ACB. After 18 years the club returned to the top league in 2014.

Other sports practised in Andorra include cycling, volleyball, judo, Australian Rules football, handball, swimming, gymnastics, tennis and motorsports.

In 2012, Andorra raised its first national cricket team and played a home match against the Dutch Fellowship of Fairly Odd Places Cricket Club, the first match played in the history of Andorra at an altitude of 1,300 metres (4,300 ft).

Andorra first participated at the Olympic Games in 1976. The country has also appeared in every Winter Olympic Games since 1976. Andorra competes in the Games of the Small States of Europe being twice the host country in 1991 and 2005.

As one of the Catalan Countries, Andorra is home to a team of castellers, or Catalan human tower builders. The Castellers d'Andorra, based in the town of Santa Coloma d'Andorra, are recognized by the Coordinadora de Colles Castelleres de Catalunya, the governing body of castells.

Andorra does not have its own armed forces, although there is a small ceremonial army. Responsibility for defending the nation rests primarily with France and Spain.

However, in case of emergencies or natural disasters, the Sometent or an alarm is called and all able-bodied men between 21 and 60 of Andorran nationality must serve.

This is why all Andorrans, and especially the head of each house usually the eldest able-bodied man of a house should, by law, keep a rifle, even though the law also states that the police will offer a firearm in case of need.

Andorra is a full member of the United Nations (UN), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and has a special agreement with the European Union (EU).

Andorra has a small army, which has historically been raised or reconstituted at various dates, but has never in modern times amounted to a standing army.

The basic principle of Andorran defence is that all able-bodied men are available to fight if called upon by the sounding of the Sometent. Being a landlocked country, Andorra has no navy.

Prior to World War I, Andorra maintained an armed force of about 600 part-time militiamen under the supervision of a Captain, Capita or Cap de Sometent and a Lieutenant, Desener or Lloctinent del Capita.

This body was not liable for service outside the principality and was commanded by two officials or veguers appointed by France and the Bishop of Urgell.

Cities of Andorra:

- Andorra la Vella is the Capital of Andorra

- Santa Coloma, South of Andorra La Vella towards the border with Spain

- Sant Julia de Loria, South of Santa Coloma towards the border with Spain

- Escaldes-Engordany. This is really an eastern suburb parish of Andorra La Vella

- Encamp. Parish to the NE of Andorra La Vella between Engordany and Canillo on the road to France.

- La Massana, small town and parish about 5 miles north of Andorra La Vella. You can access Arinsal Pal ski area from it directly

- Ordino, Northernmost and least populated parish but almost the largest.

- Canillo. Northeasternmost parish on the main road and border to France

- Arinsal - Small village in the north west

Destinations to visit:

Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley is worth a visit.

Long isolated and impoverished, Andorra achieved considerable prosperity through its tourist industry after World War II. Many migrant workers legal and illegal are attracted to the thriving economy and its lack of income taxes.

Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny economy, accounts for roughly 80% of GDP. An estimated 9 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and summer and winter resorts.

Andorra's comparative advantage as a tourist destination has eroded recently as the economies of neighboring France and Spain have been opened up, providing broader availability of goods and lower tariffs. The banking sector, with its tax haven status, also contributes substantially to Andorra's economy.

Agricultural production is limited only 2% of the land is arable and most food has to be imported. The principal livestock activity is sheep raising. Manufacturing output consists mainly of cigarettes, cigars, and furniture.

Electricity is supplied at 220 to 230V 50Hz. Outlets are the European standard CEE-7/7 Schukostecker or Schuko or the compatible, CEE-7/16 Europlug types.

Due mainly to the mountainous nature of Andorra, there is only one road entering Andorra from France and only one widely-used road entering Andorra from Spain. Almost all entry into the country happens at one of these two points.

Andorra is not a member of the EU, EEA or Schengen Area. However, Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods no tariffs and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.

Andorra has no visa requirements and requires only a passport or European Union national identity card for entrance. However, in practice, as entry is only possible through Schengen countries, one must satisfy the conditions of entry into Schengen.

Visitors from outside the EU ought to know that, as Andorra is not a Schengen member, exiting France or Spain into Andorra will theoretically terminate a single-entry visa. In practice, though, immigration does not enforce this, seeing as one must re-enter the Schengen Area in order to travel onwards.

A souvenir passport stamp may be available at the border on request.

There are no airports in Andorra. The nearest airports are:

Perpignan (France) 128km to the east, no coach connections but you can take a Yellow train to La Tour de Carol and farther to L'Hospitalet.

Carcassonne (France) 130km to the North North East. 2 hours by car, depending on weather. Ryanair offers cheap flights to Carcassonne from limited European airports.

Lleida (Spain) 157km to the south, Lleida-Alguaire Flights from the UK only during the ski season, chartered by Thomas Cook Airport is 2.5 hours away from Andorra by bus. This airport was chosen in 2011 by the UK-Based tour operator Neilson to cater to tourists visiting the ski resorts.

Flights arrive/depart on Sundays. For independent travelers, getting to Andorra from Lleida Airport can be difficult, as Montmantell bus company will leave you in Lleida town, a 20-minute taxi ride from the airport.

Toulouse–Blagnac (France) 196km to the north. You can pre-book a coach or a taxi from Toulouse Airport to all the resorts in Andorra with Andorra Airport Transfers.

Barcelona (Spain) 202km to the south. There are frequent connections to Andorra from Barcelona.

From airports to Andorra by car: 3 hours

An airport for Andorra Andorran, Spanish and regional Catalan governments developed a Pirineus - la Seu d'Urgell airport, also known as Pirineus-Andorra airport at Seu d'Urgell but there are no scheduled flights there.

From Andorra la Vella, La Massana or Arinsal to airports, the journey for a maximum of 5 passengers takes around 30 minutes and costs €2,500.

There are no train lines or stations in Andorra, and none close to the Spanish border. The nearest rail stations are:

L'Hospitalet (France), 3 km (1.8 mi) from the Andorran border. Served by SNCF trains from Toulouse, in addition to a sleeper service to/from Paris.

Puigcerdà (Spain), 80 km (50 mi) from Andorra.

That said, buses operate daily from L'Hospitalet to Pas de la Casa, the first town after the Andorran border, from where it's possible to take frequent buses to Andorra la Vella — every 30min with Cooperativa Interurbana line 4 or cia Hispano-Andorrana. Timetables can be found here.

The Hispano Andorra Bus departs Andorra la Vella at 5:45 and Pas de la Casa at 6:40 and arrives in L'Hospitalet at 7:10, departing L'Hospitalet at 7:45 and arriving in Pas de la Casa at 8:15 and in Andorra la Vella at 9:10.

The evening bus departs Andorra la Vella at 16:45 and Pas de la Casa at 18:15 and arrives in L'Hospitalet at 18:50, departing L'Hospitalet at 19:45 and arriving in Pas de la Casa at 20:10 and in Andorra la Vella at 21:00. Oneway fare from Pas de la Casa to L'Hospitalet is 4,50 €. Buses run every day except December 25th.

Reaching Andorra by train is only cost-effective for holders of SNCF discount cards such as Carte 12-25 or those coming on the sleeper train from Paris; other travelers would be better off taking a direct bus service from nearby cities like Toulouse.

In any case, everybody under 26 years-old traveling off-peak hours with SNCF is entitled to the "Découvert 12-25" discount.

One should bear in mind that the L'Hospitalet train station is located in a deserted area, is often unmanned, and its rooms have restricted open hours, so it's important to match connections well.

Roads in Andorra are generally of a good quality. Entering on the main road from the Spanish side is a relatively straightforward drive; however, entering from France is a more stressful affair involving many hairpin bends. Border control officers at both sides are generally fine.

Entering Andorra, you generally do not need to even stop, but you must slow down and be prepared to stop if it's requested. When leaving Andorra, you must stop and be prepared for delays during busy times. Be sure your car is in good condition.

Andorra has many steep roads at high altitude. Gas prices are usually cheaper in Andorra compared to France and Spain, so it's a good idea to fill up the tank before you leave the country.

Also beware of black ice and snow drifts as the temperature in Andorra can be much colder than at sea level.

If entering from France, one can pass through the 2.9km long Tunel d'Envalira, which requires a fee payable by cash or credit/debit card. The amounts are: Winter in the remainder of year.

Cars €6.60 (€5.80) but others €16.70 (€10.70) and Winter is from 1 Dec-31 Mar

Car rental. The usual car hire companies operate from Andorra la Vella / Santa Coloma. The desks are sometimes quiet and unmanned, so it may be a good idea to book in advance online.

From November to April, it is prudent to have winter tires and/or snow chains available for your car. In very snowy road conditions, cars without winter tires or snow chains may not be allowed to drive.

This is often enforced at police checkpoints on access roads to the ski resorts and on mountain passes such as the CS-311 and the road above Pas de la Casa.

Drivers are considered to be at fault in fatal accidents, and are always prosecuted and usually imprisoned.

There are many coach services operating into Andorra.

From France there is a coach service from Toulouse, Andbus, from the bus station adjacent to Toulouse Matabiau train station departing at 10:30 am, 3:00 pm May-November, and 7:30 pm and from the Toulouse–Blagnac airport departing at 11:30am, 3:30 pm May-November, and 8:00 pm.

It is 35 euro one way or 65 for a round trip. The entire trip takes 3 1/2 hours, leaving you just one hour in Andorra la Vella if you decide do a day trip. Arrive at least 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure as the driver will leave once everyone who was waiting has boarded.

Andbus is easily identified by its name in large letters on the side. Tickets can be purchased online, at the ticket counter in the bus station it is closed on holidays, or you can pay the driver directly.

The bus stop at the Toulouse airport is close to where the fire truck is parked. A second coach service operates via L'Hospitalet and La Tour de Carol.

From Spain, coaches to Andorra can be caught from a variety of locations, such as Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Lleida and Valencia. There are at least two bus companies offering daily service from the Barcelona airport.

Eurolines departs from outside the door of Terminal B, but you must be early and quick because the driver has a habit of arriving early and driving off if no one is there. Also, you don't pay for the ticket at the airport, but rather have to travel to the Barcelona Sants and get off there to buy a ticket.

Service is slow. One should also remember that one will need to show one's passport here. Trip time is about 3.5 to 4 hours.

Andbus also operates a service from the Barcelona airport, outside Terminal 1 and 15 minutes later outside Terminal 2. €33 one-way or €56 for a round-trip; tickets available on the official website or on the bus. Be wary of a late flight however; their sales team say you can take the next bus but their drivers will state otherwise.

Autocars Nadal also travels between Andorra and Barcelona and its airport.

The bus company Alsina Graells has eight trips a day from Barcelona. The trip takes 3.5-4 hours and costs €23 one-way and €40 round trip.

Alsa has daily trips between Barcelona and Andorra. In Andorra, buses arrive at the new bus station (centrally located) where you can buy tickets, credit cards accepted; the building has a small waiting area with about 30 seats, two vending machines and free wifi.

If you arrive late, or leave early, these may be your only dining options. They tell you to come 30 minutes early, but it is not necessary; make sure you check at ticket counter to get a boarding card to give it to a driver.

If you have a few days in Andorra, then you can easily visit most of the main villages using the local bus service, called the Cooperativa Interurbana Andorrana, S.A.

There are 8 main bus lines and all of them pass through Andorra La Vella. The fare is anything from €1.20 to two or three euros depending on how far you are going. Drivers will provide change. For the towns nearest to Andorra La Vella, the service is very regular, and as frequent as every 10 minutes during the day.

If you are traveling to outlying rural places like Canolic, there are only 2 or 3 buses per day.

The lines are:

L1 Sant Julia de Loria - Escaldes-Engordany
L2 Andorra la Vella - Encamp
L3 Andorra la Vella - Encamp - Canillo
L4 Andorra la Vella - Encamp - Canillo - Soldeu
L5 Andorra la Vella - Encamp - Encamp - Canillo - El Pas de la Casa
L6 Andorra la Vella - La Massana - Arinsal
L7 Andorra la Vella - La Massana - Ordino
L8 Andorra la Vella - La Massana - Ordino - El Serrat

Andorra's official language is Catalan; however, Spanish is the dominant language of communication among people of different linguistic backgrounds.

French is widely spoken, especially in Pas de la Casa. Portuguese is the native language of 13% of the population. English is widely spoken by those involved in the tourism industry.

Andorra has the euro (€) as its sole currency along with 24 other countries that use this common European money.

These 24 countries are: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain - official euro members which are all European Union member states.

This as well as Andorra, Kosovo, Monaco, Montenegro, San Marino and the Vatican which use it without having a say in eurozone affairs and without being European Union members.

Together, these countries have a population of more than 330 million.

One euro is divided into 100 cents. While each official euro member as well as Monaco, San Marino and Vatican issues its own coins with a unique obverse, the reverse, as well as all bank notes, look the same throughout the eurozone. Every coin is legal tender in any of the eurozone countries.

Andorra La Vella is a good destination to buy all kinds of cheap goods, due to the country's status as a tax haven.

However, do compare the base price with that in your own country or region. Tax free does not necessarily bring you net lower final expense.

If you don't just want to buy new releases of brand name luxury goods, whose base prices can be very different from the just arrived category, Andorra is not the right place for you. Just wander around then, it is also very enjoyable.

Andorra's huge ski resorts with their family-friendly slopes are probably the main reason for Andorra's popularity among tourists, but the country has other things to offer. In terms of landmarks and culture, the many churches and shrines are a main sight.

The famous statue of Our Lady of Meritxell was destroyed in a 1972 fire, but a nice replica is still on display. In the country's capital, Andorra la Vella, you'll find the Romanesque Esglesia de Sant Esteve, located in the old part of town and therefore a perfect stop during a city walk.

Just 2 kilometres out of town, the church of Santa Coloma d'Andorra is even older, as it dates back to the 9th century.

Ski resorts. Most of these resorts were once small mountain villages which have grown in recent years because of the skiing industry.

The resorts have all joined together so that your ski pass covers neighboring areas. As a result, there are two large alpine skiing areas known as Vallnord and Grandvalira.

Vallnord covers Arcalis and the Arinsal-Pal ski area. Despite the considerable distance between Arcalis and Arinsal-Pal, the two ski areas have been connected by cable car in recent years. The Arisnal-Pal ski area is directly accessible from La Massana the middle of the town. 93km (58 mi) of pistes.

Arcalis ski area located at the head of the valley from El Serrat

Arinsal skiing resort part of the Arinsal Pal ski area. Also known as Vallnord, which means Valley North in English

Pal skiing resort part of the Arinsal Pal ski area.

Grandvalira covers Soldeu and Pas de la Casa. The Soldeu ski area is also accessible from El Tarter, Encamp and Canillo. This quite cleverly has opened up these areas to cope with the influence of visitors without putting all the strain on Soldeu.

It has 210km of ski slopes between 1710-2640m. The area of Grandvalira is about 1,926 hectares, and it's divided into 6 different sectors.

Pas de la Casa skiing resort located right on the French border with a good sized town that has plenty of duty free shops, hotels and restaurants.

Grau Roig skiing resort only with a large car park and a hotel.

Soldeu skiing resort in a small town with hotels, restaurants and shops

El Tarter skiing resort in a small town with hotels, restaurants and shops.

Canillo skiing resort accessed by gondola from a medium sized town with hotels, restaurants and shops.

Encamp, a large town with hotels, restaurants and shops connected to the Grandvalira ski slopes by the 6.1km Funicamp gondola - was the longest in Europe but maybe surpassed now.

La Rabassa is a cross-country (Nordic) skiing area in southern Andorra above the town of Sant Julia de Loria.

If you would like more information on the mountain huts in Andorra, go to Mountain huts in Andorra]. If you are afraid of sleeping in a tent because of wild animals and night sounds or demons, a good place to stay while hiking and trekking in Andorra is the Himàlaia Hotel in Soldeu .

It has its own team of hiking guides who go every day with their guests to walk and discover a lot of interesting hiking routes around the country. Be sure to bring something other than sandals for your feet and a purse for your cellphone.

Andorra is a great place for hiking. The point of departure is the town of Arinsal at the foot of the Coma Pedrosa 2,942m (9,652 ft) and the Pic de Medecourbe 2,914m (9,560 ft).

Treks from Arinsal (1,500m) - Pic de Sanfons 2,888 m/9,475 ft, 4h45, climb 1,310 m/4,298 ft, medium until the hut, difficult on the ridge. View on the Coma Pedrosa, the valley of Tor, the lakes of Baiau in Spain as well as on the Pallars mountains. Mountain hut and lake on the way.

Parking at Torrent Ribal 1,580 m (5,184 ft).

Pic de Medecourbe 2,914m, 4h30, climb 1,335m/4,380 ft, medium until the hut increasing to difficult on the ridge. A classic! Mountain hut half-way up, lakes and a breathtaking view over the valley of Arinsal, Boet and Vicdessos (France). Parking at Torrent Ribal 1,580m (5,184 ft).

The peak is the western tripoint international boundary of Andorra, France, and Spain.

Pic de Coma Pedrosa 2,942m 4h30, climb 1,370m, medium until the lake, difficult on the ridge. The highest mountain in Andorra. Mountain hut half way up, lakes. Beautiful view of the surrounding summits, the valley of Arinsal and to the West, the Maladeta and Ecantats massifs. Parking at Torrent Ribal 1580m.

Montmantell lakes and the Pic del Pla de l'Estany 2,859m (4h20, climb 1,280m, medium). Mountain hut half-way up, lakes, magnificient view over the Ariège mountains in France and over Andorra. Parking at Torrent Ribal 1580 m.

Arinsal, Percanela les Fonts Pla de l'Estany - Arinsal circuit 2,055m (4h30, climb 670m, medium) 2 mountain huts. Very pleasant circuit which one can do either way. Lovely views of Coma Pedrosa via the imposing natural amphitheatre of Les Fonts. A few bordas (farm houses) on the way, some renovated, some in ruins. Parking at Arinsal 1,466m.

Cami del coll de les Cases 1,950m (1h40, climb 490m, medium) Panoramic view over the Ordino mountains and la Massana. Ideal picnic and meditation site. One can continue along the GR11 to Arans, parking at Mas de Ribafeta 1466m but transport back to Arinsal must be provided.

Lamb is the main meat; different French and Spanish cuisines and cheeses are used as well. You can enjoy French and Spanish cuisine in the same area

As Andorra is not in the European Union, virtually citizens of all countries require a work permit. Usually with an employment offer signed by your prospective employer it is relatively easy to get an Andorran work permit.

There is not much threat from other people in Andorra, but keep safe on mountains. Don't go too high without knowing what you are doing.

Drivers are warned to avoid crossing back into France if the Spanish side of the Pyrenees has enjoyed beautiful warm sunshine all day and the road temperatures drop considerably towards the evening, there is danger of black ice from ice melt.

The weather in the French Pyrenees is frequently vastly different than that of Andorra and the Spanish Pyrenees. Stay overnight if necessary, as cold morning temperatures are more apparent and less treacherous than sudden evening icing.

Caldea is a very popular spa/swimming pool complex which is located up at the top end of Andorra la Vella. You can't miss it because of its unique glass spire structure.

The main hospital in Andorra is the Meritxell.

Andorra is a well-connected country that has accepted the internet with open arms. Almost as many people subscribe to the internet as own landline phones.

Andorra relies on the Spanish and French postal systems; the main office for each is located in Andorra la Vella.

The French post office, Correus Francesos located at Carrer de Bonaventura Armengol AD500 Andorra la Vella, Andorra is usually open from 8:30AM - 2:30PM Monday - Friday and Saturdays from 9:00AM - 11:59AM

The Spanish post office Correus Espanyols is open from 8:30AM - 2:30PM Monday - Friday and Saturdays from 9:00AM - 1:00PM.

Visitors should note that since Andorra is not part of the EU/EEA, using mobile phones may be a lot more expensive than in France or Spain.

At Andorra Estacio, there are regular buses to Barcelona and Toulouse. To get to Toulouse, take Andbus, departs at 5:00 am, 10:00 am, and 3:00 pm. The bus drops makes stops at Pas de la Casa, Toulouse Airport and Toulouse Matabiau train station. It costs 35 euro.

Latour-de-Carol, first stop on the scenic descent for Perpignan with the open-top Yellow Train or Petit Train Jaune is reachable with the same TER train line 22 that serves L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre.


Tourism Observer