The whole year is a trip to Andorra
It's not easy to find the perfect getaway , although sometimes we have it right next to us. With much more than its ski offer, Andorra has managed to position himself like that destination, natural and carefree , which other countries try to achieve. And do it, moreover, during the 365 days of the year.
As a family, as a couple, with friends or even with oneself , in Andorra, at the foot of the slopes or far from it, verbs such as walk, relax, ski, but above all, enjoy . And they are also made surrounded by nature: 90% of its territory is nature and another 10% is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO . With a deserved fame as one of the best mountain destinations achieved thanks to his ski offer in winter , in summer the thing is not for less. The fresh air, good temperatures and natural spaces allow you to enjoy multiple activities such as hiking, climbing or cycling. And this is only the beginning of the Principality.
Andorra can be enjoyed however you want: on foot, on horseback, by bicycle...
We really want to travel but at a different pace . We want an unhurried place where the biggest noise is the sound of nature. In the sorteny valley , in the Parish of Ordino, there are more than 700 species of flowers and plants , and although it is the smallest of the three natural parks of Andorra. Bill with its own botanical garden and a modern space for interpretation and dissemination . That Andorra is a country blessed by nature is also shown in the Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley , the largest natural space in the destination, however, occupies 10% of its surface and, due to its scenic beauty, among other benefits, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
It will not take many Instagram filters to capture the images of its flora and fauna , and also the tests of the footprint left by man for more than 700 years . There are guided excursions that make your visit possible, although they do not include, we hope, an extensive photo session with little animals such as the Pallaresa lizard, the golden eagle or the chamois , who are some of its most frequent guests. Happy them.
Romance, sense, sensibility . As if it were a movie, a trip through Andorra has infinite frames: routes full of life, itineraries or lunar landscapes . In a high-altitude destination, the glacial lakes scattered throughout the geography of the Principality represent one of those images that is not forgotten. And there are more than 70. It is the beauty of the high mountains, the one that runs through places like the Llac d'Engolasters or the Estanys de Juclà , one of the essential itineraries to discover emblematic natural spaces such as the Incles Valley, immortalized in the poem 'Canigó' by M. Cinto Verdaguer.
Refuge of Sorteny
But it is not only possible to ascend to almost touch the clouds. But we can also sleep near them. Andorra has 30 mountain refuges, all of them accessible on foot . The rest of the tourist is guaranteed in these well-cared accommodations: wood, fire and stone to make the nights fly forever.
We do not want to stop still in a place where nature is always, because it is part of your DNA . Must climb mountains, cross lakes and go on adventures . When some marketing guru invented the term 'Active turism' Surely he was thinking of Andorra. And among all this offer to not be still, the movement can take place walking, by horse or by bicycle, touring its 21 cycling ports who have even been protagonists of mythical stages of the Tour de France and Vuelta España . Tourism while we practice sports through places like the Camí del Gall, the Camí de les Pardines or the Rabassa . No doubt: bicycles are for summer.
Cycle tourism in Andorra
in a place where 90% of the territory is nature, there is well-being, life and a World Heritage Site . Who wants to make decisions when they have everything? There's a viewpoint in Canillo whose panorama is recorded forever. In the Roc del Quer viewpoint architecture merges with nature, with immensity. More than one will have to hold their breath at the immensity of this great little country. And literally float from a 20 meter footbridge suspended in the air over the Montaup i d'Orient valley where only eight meters sit on solid ground, and the other twelve constitute a protrusion suspended in the air.
AT MORE THAN 1000 METERS OF ALTITUDE, THE REVOLUTION IS GASTRONOMIC
And it is enjoyed in the typical traditional Andorran cuisine restaurants known as bordas . But before being these places designed for existing palates where dishes such as mountain "trinxat" are served, made with winter cabbage, potato, garlic and bacon, escudella, cannelloni or game and fish dishes, the huts were used to protect the cattle from inclement weather . Centuries of stone in the form of a mansion where the stable was located on the ground floor and the provisions for the cows, sheep or horses were stored upstairs. In Andorra, you can find huts throughout almost the entire territory, and they are generally located on the outskirts of towns ; the oldest date from the 16th century. Eat between centuries of history while toasting with one of its delicious high-altitude wines? We could not refuse to enjoy the wines of four wineries that are considered one of the highest vineyards in Europe: Borda Sabaté, Casa Beal, Casa Auvinya and Celler Mas Berenguer. The wine School 2010 of Borda Sabate won the best prize in the world wine competition for extreme wines with the award Cervim Grand Prix 2019 , and also got the award for best organic mountain wine . Well then, cheers!
Celler Mas Berenguer
At ground level, the show doesn't stop . Here lives the deserved rest, relaxation, hedonism and savoir faire . Rarely is an escape to nature so complete.
With a unique shopping offer, Andorra has more than 2,000 shops of all kinds , but it is the perfumery, the big brands and the technology that prevail among those who visit Andorra. From the sky to the ground to, on the mainland, be able to enjoy a day of the best shopping in the central parishes, in the commercial axis The Shopping Mile located in Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany , where most of the country's stores are located. Furthermore, the latter commercial hub runs a partially pedestrianized mile that also has an interesting gastronomic offer , much less traditional, but equally delicious.