Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In

"Andorra, Petite Gem of the Pyrenees" a Andorra Travel Page by dlandt

Search:
email to friend | help
Home » Europe » Andorra » dlandt Andorra Travel Page
Andorra
Click to get the inside scoop from
real travelers here at VirtualTourist.

Andorra Pages by dlandt


"Andorra, Petite Gem of the Pyrenees" a Andorra Travel Page by dlandt
See the Entire Andorra Travel Guide
Click Picture to enlarge.
 email me
 add as friend


dlandt     
Nicky Pops Kills Cops


Real Name: Dave
Lives In: Chicago, US
Member Since: Dec 19, 2001
VT Rank: 196



 > View Larger Map
Antwerp, BE  9  22
Prague, CZ  22  64
Athens, GR  14  11
Barcelona, ES  36  61
» more...

Sponsored Links for Andorra

Save on Hotels at Expedia
Read Ratings & Reviews on Hotels And Get Our Best Price Guarantee.

Hotels.com Official Site
Hotels.com Low Rates Guaranteed. Save on Red Hot Summer Hotel Deals!

ORBITZ Hotels
1000s Of Hotel Reviews To Help Plan Your Next Trip. Search ORBITZ Today

50 Hotels in Andorra
Book your hotel in Andorra online. No reservation costs!



 

Page Views: 2,627            Last Visit to Andorra: March, 2005      I Visit Here Frequently

Andorra, Petite Gem of the Pyrenees

by dlandt - last update: Apr 13, 2005

Andorra

Welcome to Andorra
Andorra is a very small country, and, despite the sign I'm standing before, is not a member of the European Union. In fact, until very recently it had one of the world's oldest functioning constitutions, which is another way of saying it had a medieval government.

Today, Andorra resembles any of the towns found in neighboring France and Spain, just with mountains. Andorra is perched high in the Pyrenees, and there really aren't that many towns nearby. At one time, the country was a haven for smugglers. Now it is a haven for duty free shopping.

An Interesting Place

I deliberately came to Andorra on a road trip, just to see it and get to the other side of the Pyrenees. More or less, I didn't know what to expect. It struck me as a little bigger than I'd imagined, and reminded me of a laid back Liechtenstein, and just proved to be worth the day and a night we spent here.

At first arrival, I couldn't believe the traffic, and thought I must have chosen to spend the night in some kind of auto-aerie or something, but the traffic faded, and we enjoyed the visit from there.
Snow in the Pyrenees

The Pyrenees

Miyuki liked the mountains here above all else. We didn't do any hiking or enjoy the mountains in the traditional sense, and those of you who kmow me know why this had to be for this trip. We did enjoy the scenery, and one memory I failed to photograph, are the nets aove the towns protecting them from rockfalls. Andorran towns are built at the bottom of valleys, not at the top of mountains. This picture indicates the amunt of snow in the higher altitudes.

If you are in the neighborhood, or just crossing the Pyrenees, Andorra is worth a visit, not just for the duty-free shopping and to fill your gas tank, but to see the mountains and stroll the streets as well.

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"Charming mountains and scenery, duty-free, and pleasant"
Cons:"Bad traffic at times, small, and not used to tourists"
In A Nutshell:"Andorra is worth a visit"
dlandt's Andorra Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
 
RestaurantsHotels & Accommodations
Tips: 1
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
Tips: 3 - Photos: 3
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
Tips: 1
 
TransportationLocal Customs
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
 
Sports Travel
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
General Tips
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1

dlandt's Andorra Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
A pretty place called AndorraMarch, 2005 4

Comments for dlandt about Andorra
Toshioohsako Tue Mar 25, 2008 21:56 UTC
 Yeah, i bought a shirt in this tax-free city. Why isn't Chicago a tax-free city? That would be a fun.
ilargitxo Mon Jul 16, 2007 00:09 UTC
 they are very modern and open since many years ago when spain because of our govern didn't be
chewy3326 Sat Nov 25, 2006 18:40 UTC
 What an amazing little country! Sounds like a fun and beautiful place to visit. Great photos!
DSwede Wed Aug 16, 2006 19:55 UTC
 Did you know that Catalan is most similar to Romanian... both lands held by the ancient Romans. // Well, I found the Meritxell village by chance... but had a pleasant visit. Put you beat me to it by writing it up.
See More Comments

Find:       Matching:  Advanced