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Travel information and tips on Andorra including passport information, accommodations, transportation
to and in Andorra, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more.
General Information on Andorra
This little country almost seems lost between it's larger neighbors
France and Italy, but it is still a nice place to visit for a vacation or a
holiday. Andorra has some wonderful of mountainous landscapes and
meandering rivers. Though it is tiny, it contains some of the most dramatic
scenery - and the best skiing - in the Pyrenees. This is also a great place for trekking and hiking as there are
plenty of good hiking trails in the high, more remote parts of the country.
There is not a lot in the way of cultural or historical interest, but the
duty-free shopping lures a lot of tourists.
The following information was taken from the CIA World Fact
Book
For 715 years, from 1278 to 1993, Andorrans lived under a unique
co-principality, ruled by French and Spanish leaders (from 1607 onward, the
French chief of state and the Spanish bishop of Urgel). In 1993, this feudal
system was modified with the titular heads of state retained, but the government
transformed into a parliamentary democracy. Long isolated and impoverished,
mountainous Andorra achieved considerable prosperity since World War II through
its tourist industry. Many immigrants (legal and illegal) are attracted to the
thriving economy with its lack of income taxes.
Tourism, the mainstay of Andorra's tiny, well-to-do economy, accounts for more than 80% of GDP. An estimated 11.6 million tourists visit annually, attracted by Andorra's duty-free status and by its summer and winter resorts. Andorra's comparative advantage has recently eroded 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 partial "tax haven" status, also contributes substantially to the 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. 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. For additional information, visit https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/an.html
The ski season, December through March, is one of the most popular times to visit. In fact, skiing is so popular here that many resorts add to what nature contributes with manmade snow that prolongs the season well into springtime. Hiking season begins when the snowfall lets up and continues through until October. Andorra's village festivals take place between July and September. The most busy time, and therefore when the hotels are at their fullest and their prices are at their highest, is in July and August and from December to March.
One of the best ways to visit Andorra, especially if this is your first time, may be on an escorted tour. Click on Tours to Andorra for some tours and other ideas.
You will need a passport to visit Andorra. You have to travel to
Andorra through either France or Spain. Andorra accepts any passport or passport
replacing document that is valid for either France or Spain.
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Currency Information and Money Matters
Andorra has no currency of its own, but trading
is done in euros. It is best to arrive with euros if you are coming from
somewhere than the 12 European countries that use euros. Exchange rates can be
high, especially if done through local shopkeepers. Service charges are usually
included in most bills, but porters and waiters expect a further tip of 10%. Current Exchange Rate:
Check Today's Exchange Rate
Andorra's very low tax regime has made it famous as a duty-free bazaar for electronic goods, cameras and alcohol. You can often find prices as much as 30% below those in Spain and France - if you shop around.
Here are some examples on what to expect to pay for meals and
lodging:
Meals -
Budget: €2-4, Moderate: €4-10,
High: €10-20,
Deluxe: €20+
Lodging - Budget: €8-15,
Moderate: €15-40,
High: €40-60,
Deluxe: €60+
Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate
The official language is Catalan (Català), a Romance language most closely related to Provencal but with roots in Castilian and French. Hardly anyone speaks English.
I have found that it helps to know at least a little bit of the language as I travel in other countries. You do not have to be able to be a fluent speaker, but knowing a few key words and phrases will really help. I have found that, although almost everywhere I go I can find someone who speaks English, knowing just a few words of the local language can really be a help. And, it lets others know I am at least interested in their language. Visit the Getting Away Language Learning Center where you can find out how to learn another language, or where to purchase books, dictionaries, electronic translators, software and more
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Electricity
125 or 220V ,both at 50Hz.
Be sure to take your adaptor and converter kit.
Find the converter you will need in the Getting Away Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you need in the Getting Away Travel Store!
Travel
Insurance
If you need medical
care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not
accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay
in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for
reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit
card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local
embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed
medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation
and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel
insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit
the Getting Away
Health
and Safety Tips for Travelers
page for additional information about insurance.
Travel Warning
Travel Warnings are issued to
describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or
unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to
assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or
consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below
meet those criteria. Additionally, the State Department issues
Country Specific Information for every
country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions,
crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the
location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. Check with the U.S. State Department for
Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public
Announcements.
Books, Maps and Other Resources
My favorite guidebooks when I am traveling is
Fodor's. I find them to be quite complete, easy to use, and almost always on the
money with helps and tips for traveling in the country I am visiting. Click on
Fodor's Travel Guides
to find the perfect guidebook for your travels.
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I always research the destinations to which I intend to travel with books and maps. I normally use Fodor's as I find their guidebooks very informative and easy to read and understand. Click on the Amazon logo to search for travel books and maps. If you don't find what you are looking for, click on the Getting Away Travel Bookshelf to find some of my favorites! Still can't find what you need? Contact me. mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com |
Getting To and Around Andorra
About the only way into Andorra is by road. The major automobile routes into and
out of Andorra include the CG1 from Spain and the CG2 from France.
The nearest airports would be Barcelona and Girona (Spain), and the nearest French airport is Toulouse-Blagnac. The French railway station closest to Andorra is L'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre, which is a good hours south of Toulouse. The nearest Spanish railway station is about at Puigcerdà. There are daily bus connections to Andorra la Vella via Seu d'Urgell from the train stations. Buses also arrive in Andorra from France leaving from the railway stops of L'Hospitalet, La Tour de Carol and Ax-les-Thermes. Buses from Spain leave from Barcelona, Burgos, Madrid, Tarragona, Tuy, Valladolid and Zaragoza. You will have to check for the current schedules.
One of the best ways to visit Andorra, especially if this is your first time, may be on an escorted tour. Click on Tours to Andorra for some tours and other ideas.
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Getting Around In Andorra
Short of renting a car, the bus is your best bet. Cooperativa Interurbana buses leave from the Plaça Príncep Benlloch stop in Andorra la Vella for several destinations along Andorra's three main highways. Autobus Parroquial de La Massana i d'Ordino operates some routes from La Massana and Ordino.
Taxis are available in the larger villages, but they can sometimes be expensive. During ski season, there are shuttle buses to ski resorts from the nearest villages.
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Cities, Towns and Areas In Andorra Andorra la Vella Caldea Encamp La Seu d'Urgell Llorts Ordino Toulouse
Andorra la Vella
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Encamp
The Museu Nacional de
l'Automòbil, that is located here, exhibits about 100 cars dating from 1898 to
1950 along with lots of antique motorcycles and bikes. While you are here, take
a short walk north of town and visit the Església Sant Romà de les Bons, which
dates from the 12th century. The Romanesque frescoes in the apse are
reproductions of the originals. The originals have been moved to the Museu
Nacional d'Art de Catalunya in Barcelona. Encamp's popular local resorts,
Soldeu-El Tarter and Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig, boasts of having some of the best
skiing in Andorra.
La Seu d'Urgell
La Seu d'Urgell, a lively
Spanish town, is considered to be the Spanish gateway to Andorra. Since the
early 9th century, La Seu has been the seat of the bishops and counts of Urgell.
One of the most outstanding Romanesque buildings in Cataluña is located on the
southern side of the central Plaça dels Oms. And, even though there have been
numerous remodeling done to the structure, the12th-century Cathedral de Santa
Maria is still something you should go out of your way to see. one of the most
outstanding Romanesque buildings in Cataluña, despite having undergone various
remodelings and facelifts over the centuries. La Seu d'Urgell is a great place
for an overnight.
Llorts
If you really want to get away
from it all, Llorts (with a population of about 100 or so), is one of
most untouched places
in the whole country. Llorts is nicely located amidst fields of tobacco with a
backdrop of pristine mountains. It is worth visiting this village just for the
popular walk up the valley west of town along the de l'Angonella river that
leads to a group of lakes called the Estanys de l'Angonella. You should plan a
good half-day for your walk.
Ordino
The
Andorran village of Ordino is
quite large, probably owing to it's popularity as a holiday location for the
many Brits that holiday here. However, in spite of the many tourists and
visitors, it remains peaceful and traditional in character. You will want to
visit the Museu d'Areny i Plandolit, the ancestral home to the country's
illustrious Areny Plandolits family, while you are here. Located in the far
north-western corner, the Ordino-Arcalís ski area offers some pretty good skiing
and snowboarding in the snowy season. I believe the country's best reason to
visit in the summer would be the many places for hiking and trekking throughout
the mountains where some of the peaks to out at over 9,000 feet.
Toulouse
This is a nice town located
between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic coast and is considered by many,
especially the many students that visit the city, to be the capital of the good
life with lots of opportunities for good dining and entertaining. One of the
more interesting places to visit here is the small 18-century Old Quarter. Here
you will find a maze of narrow lanes and plazas in which to wonder around and
happily almost become lost. During the day, the River Garonne is peaceful while
at night, it becomes romantic when the Pont Neuf is floodlit. Toulouse is filled
with grand churches, fine art and some wonderful 16th-century mansions.
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something you believe I should add to this section, please contact me.
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Some Things To See And Do In Andorra
As already mentioned, this is a great place for skiing and
snowboarding. Some of the
finest inexpensive skiing and snowboarding in the
Pyrenees is located in Andorra. Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig and Soldeu-El Tarter
are the best resorts based on size, elevation and number of lifts. But, they are
also quite a bit more expensive than Andorra's smaller ones. The ski season
(normally from December to March, depending on snow conditions) is popular with
many Europeans. Major Andorran resorts use snow-making machines to keep some of
the more favored runs open past the end of the regular season.
The tranquility of Andorra's beautiful and pretty much unspoiled mountain areas is perfect for some great hiking. Some of the best trails are located in the north-westerly parish of Ordino. The GR11 trail, which travels through the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, passes through the southern part of Andorra. Almost all of the major trails have shelters (refugis) where hikers can sleep for free.
Mountain biking has become quite popular and you can rent mountain bikes at the larger ski areas during the dry months. The Soldeu-El Tarter ski area is popular for hang gliding in the summer.
One of the best ways to visit Andorra, especially if this is your first time, may be on an escorted tour. Click on Tours to Andorra for some tours and other ideas.
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Some Suggestions For
Accommodations In Andorra
| Click on Andorra for suggestions for accommodations in Andorra prepared for Getting Away by the Hotel Club Hotel Club Discount Hotel Reservation System. |
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Some Suggestions For
Dining In Andorra
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to this section, please contact me.
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Some Favorites In Andorra
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Links
for Andorra
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to this section, please contact me.
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