WHERE TO SLEEP
in the village of bescaran , at 1,350 meters above sea level, the Saó hotel provides rest and silence in a spectacular natural setting, regional cuisine in a contemporary version and outdoor activities with your four-legged friend. The guardians of this exceptional secret are the couple formed by Esther and Joaquin.
In his domains dwells peace. At the entrance there is a figure of Snowy, Tintin's friend, next to the water bowls for dogs. Our room is number four and has a balcony overlooking the valley and the 11th and 12th century bell tower . You can distract yourself admiring the log-based bedside tables, the Tolomeo lamps and the delicious Korres brand amenities
One of the rooms of the Hotel Saó
In the morning, the song of the birds and the cowbells of the herds act as an alarm clock (HD: from €160; suite: from €190).
The Saó hotel also proposes to spend the night in a mountain refuge, at 2,026 m , to which you arrive by jeep, hiking or mountain biking. Of course our dogs are welcome.
Views of the Valira valleys
WHERE TO EAT
The kitchen of Sao It is served on chestnut and iron tables. The menu is brief but creative and extols the flavors of the land , those of his own garden. Try the Ugelia cheese, the homemade yogurt, butter – it is denomination of origin – and the lamb trinxat ‘at eight hours’, which is served here with purée, a reduction of sherry and chives. Its flavor awakens the whole body . To finish off, desserts that taste like a kiss, such as the Tortel de nata del Candil.
Another good option is the traditional mountain cuisine of the channel , run by the family of the same name (tel. 973 350 301; menu: €18).
The kitchen of Sao
TO DO
In the morning, at a serene pace and with an attentive gaze, Go deep into the forest to collect wild mushrooms. Beware of the tora flower, which is purple-blue in colour: it's deadly like cyanide . Inclining the southern slope of the Pyrenees, in a four-by-four vehicle, you can visit Puigcerdà, the Pera lakes and even letting yourself go to the Mediterranean . With more than 1,000 km signposted and georeferenced, this region is BTT territory for lovers of mountain biking.
WHAT TO BUY
The best cheeses from Catalonia at Formatgeria Eugene _(Major, 58, La Seo de Urgel) _.
Formatgeria Eugene cheeses
HOW TO GET
Until the Andorra-La Seo de Urgel airport reopens, the option is the AVE to Lérida and, from there, two hours by car to Bescarán. Renfe allows you to travel with one pet per passenger if it does not exceed 10 kg, for 25% of the ticket if you travel as a tourist and free if you do it in preferential. They must be documented and in their carrier.
* This article is published in the December issue of Condé Nast Traveler magazine, number 79. This issue is available in its digital version for iPad in the iTunes AppStore, and in the digital version for PC, Mac, Smartphone and iPad in Zinio's virtual kiosk (on Smartphone devices: Android, PC/Mac, Win8, WebOS, Rim, iPad) . _In addition, you can find us on Google Play Newsstand.
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