Walking Around in Andorra la Vella
Some might not be familiar about this little country located between France and Spain. Andorra is a landlocked microstate in Southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France. It is officially known as the Principality of Andorra also called the Principality of the Valleys of Andorra.
This country is very interesting and I am glad that I was able to stay in this country for four days. The hotel where we stayed is located in its capital city known as Andorra la Vella.
Clock on Bridge along Avinguda Meritxell Andorra la Vella. I took this image during my recent trip in Andorra (July 2013). © www.rubybenz.com
We did not really stayed for sightseeing alone in Andorra la Vella during our 4-day stay, but we also visited some places in Spain like Vall de Nuria, Os de Civis and La Seu d’Urgell. After visiting these places in Catalonia, Spain, I took the chance of going around in Andorra la Vella on my own.
You will never get bored when walking in Andorra. If you love shopping, there are a lot of shops and stores to choose from. I was amazed by the many electronic stores I found there. I went inside in some of it and when I compared the prices, it is quite cheaper compared to where I live. I ended up shopping for camera accessories which I found cheaper than in amazon.com.
I cna say, that was so far a superb trip I had in this country. It was almost a perfect travel because we had a good driver, a nice group of people I travelled with, a superb tour guide, a good hotel with excellent foods! I simply love it!
A river that flows in Andorra la Vella. The bridge you see from afar is called the Madrid Bridge in Andorra la Vella. Taken on July 2013. © www.rubybenz.com
Here are some facts about Andorra la Vella:
The principal industry is tourism, although the country also earns foreign income from being a tax haven. Furniture and brandies are local products. Being at an elevation of 1,023 metres (3,356 ft), it is the highest capital city in Europe and a popular ski resort.
The site of Andorra la Vella (literally, “Andorra the Old”) has been settled since prior to the Christian era—notably by the Andosin tribe from the late Neolithic. The state is one of the Marca Hispanica created and protected by Charlemagne in the eighth century as a buffer from the Moorish settlers in the Iberian Peninsula.
Andorra la Vella is located in the south west of Andorra, at 42°30′N 1°30′E, at the confluence of two mountain streams, the Valira del Nord (Northern Valira) and the Valira de l’Orient (Eastern Valira), which join to form the Gran Valira. It adjoins the urban area of Escaldes-Engordany. The city is at 1,023 metres (3,356 ft) above sea level. wikipedia.
