A day in Andorra
During a holiday in Spanish Salou, we took advantage of the opportunity offered by the tour operator to go to a dwarf European state - the Principality of Andorra.
The cost of the trip (departure at 6 am, return to the hotel by 6 pm) at Pegasus is 27 euros. A similar trip is available from the local bus company Plana for 24.95 euros. I don’t know if they have any differences, but with the “native” tour operator it was somehow calmer for me to go.
Travel time is about 3 hours: first along the picturesque and original Catalonia, and then along the unrealistically beautiful mountain roads of Andorra.
The border between the two countries is rather nominal, we passed it without stopping, but before the trip the guide warned that there should be
"multi" Schengen visa.
The roads in Andorra are good, quite busy, they go along pastures, tobacco plantations and village houses.
The capital of the principality is the city of Andorra la vella ("vella" - city). It is positioned as a paradise for shopaholics, but the fame of a cheap megamall is clearly exaggerated. I got the following impression: indeed, perfumes, cosmetics and alcohol are great cheaper than in Spain or dutiks. The cost of electronics and branded watches is approximately equal to the prices in reliable Kiev online stores. Clothes and shoes - like that - an absolute disparity in prices, the choice is so-so.
The Pegasus guide took the whole group to the Pyreneus shopping center and left us to our own devices. After a little shopping, I bought myself 2 bottles of perfume, some cosmetics, a bag, shirts for my son and husband, a swimsuit for my daughter. After that I went for a walk around the city.
Andorra la Vella is the highest mountain capital in Europe and is protected by the Enclar mountain range. Population: about a third are Andorrans, a good half are Spaniards, many French and Portuguese. The city has a population of about 25 thousand - by our standards, a large village. The main street of the city, Merichel Avenue, was created for walking. Many shops, cafes, souvenir shops, a motley crowd of tourists. In the center of the city there is a small river Valira, within walking distance is the famous old House of the Valleys, Cassa Guillermo, S. Dali's sculpture "The Nobility of Time" (melting hours), the health complex "Caldea", which rises above the city in the form of a fancy glass skyscraper.
The pleasure of a leisurely walk around the town is colossal, we do not regret that we spent a day. But no more. There won't be a next time.
