Andorra
In Andorra!
I cannot believe it took me so long to travel to Andorra. While I was living in Madrid, I used to see brochures about weekend trips to Andorra year round. "Next time," I kept telling myself. Well, I ended up completing my studies in Spain then without having traveled to Andorra not even for a day.
It was only when I returned to Spain from the US did I finally squeeze a trip to this tiny country sandwiched between France and Spain. Marc wanted to see Barcelona and I figured we might as well go to Andorra since it was close by.
A church in Escaldes Engordany
A hotel no longer in operation at the time of our visit in Escaldes Engordany
Residential apartment buildings in the old quarter of Escaldes Engordany
A small creek in the city center
An old apartment building
For years, all travel info I read about Andorra called it a place for duty free shopping. True, lots of stuff were sold here. But the prices were not low nor cheap. In fact, they were very steep. Marc and I did visit one local department store where we were able to purchase woolen Burberry scarves for a mere 25 Euros. We each purchased one. That was the extent of our shopping in Andorra.
Andorra la Vella, the heart of Andorra
In the city center of the capital, Andorra la Vella
Marc in the city center of Andorra la Vella
Caldea, a thermal springs resort in Escaldes Engordany
At the financial and commercial district of Andorra la Vella
IN front of an Andorran Bank, the Credit Andorra in the city center
The office of Tourism in Andorra la Vella
Having lunch in the city center
The Panorama Hotel was where we stayed while in this tiny country. The hotel was clean and centrally located. The rooms though were not air conditioned and the buffett breakfast was not really buffett. First, we had a hard time sleeping since we actually came here over the summer, in August, to be exact when the temperature was quite high. Next, the hotel advertised buffett breakfast in the mornings but gee whiz, as soon as I stood up to get a second helping, the waiters and waitresses took away my napkin and plates right away. How was I to get more food? That was nearly 10 years ago and I sure hope the service here has changed for the better.
A view of the tiny nation of Andorra from our hotel room
Andorra!
The thermal water fountain of Roc del Metge
A Romanesque bridge still standing in the old quarter of Escaldes Engordany
Walking along the backstreets in Esclades Engordany
The statue of a dancing boy and girl in a tiny plaza in Escaldes Engordany
A centuries old Romanesque building still standing in the Escaldes Engordany area full of apartment buildings and condominiums
Casa de la Valls
By the monument of the dancing boy and girl at Casa de la Valls
Marc standing next to the statue of the dancing boy and girl at Casa de la Valls
Casa de la Valls
Casa de la Valls