The small state of Andorra in the south-west of Europe, in the eastern Pyrenees - samoe alpine in Europe after Switzerland. The season here starts in December and lasts until mid-April. Skiing in this country can be combined with a favorable shopping. Prices for holidays in Andorra lower than the average in Europe, ski, and the quality of service meets all European standards.
The capital of the country - Andorra la Vella, is surrounded by high mountains in the scenic valley. This, based in the early IX., A city of particular interest to tourists are the Church of St. Armenola (XI cent.), The seat of government "House of the Valleys» (XVI c.), Many buildings in the medieval style and handicraft workshops. Heart of the City - Barrio Antique (Old Quarter), which lies at the very place where previously there was an ancient village, from which grew in Andorra la Vella. Pride of the district - colorful building of the Casa de la Vall ("House of the Valley"), as parliamentary palace postoroennoe the country back in 1702 (three lower floors were built in 1580 as a private home of a wealthy family, and then the building was reconstructed several times and 1761 began to carry out governmental functions). Around the palace are the Sala de la Dzhustisia - the only court building in the country, the building of the Parliament - the Sala del Konsell in the upper floors of which is a beautiful Philatelic Museum and the castle-like house Seth Panis ("Chest on Seven castles "), where he once held the most important state documents Andorra. Cultural center of the city, the site of numerous ceremonies and is a popular gathering place for locals in the evening - the Plaza la Poble, which are also the State Theatre and the Academy of Music. Nearby is also the largest in the capital city (and country) shopping center - Pirenes. Be sure to visit the church of Santa Coloma (IX-X centuries., One of the oldest churches in the country), the church of Santuario de Meritsel and largest medieval bridge in the country in the town of La Margineda, near the capital. Main shops of the capital focused on Charlemagne Avenue and Avenue Meritsel where the outlets of almost all the leading companies in the world, due to special, highly favorable to the import tax regime of the country.
The main attraction of the capital - Caldea Spa in the eastern suburbs of the capital - Les Escaldes, which is the largest thermal baths in Western Europe. Under a glass dome on the area of about 600 square meters. m are dozens of pools with thermal water (+30-52 C), with and without flow, jacuzzi and waterfalls, caves and waterfalls, ultra balneological resorts, dozens of baths and saunas of all kinds and most exotic architecture, using local thermal mineral water is strongly , sunroom and geysers. The complex also includes a lot of massage rooms, VIP-club, bars and restaurants, sports fields, tennis courts and a shopping center. Encamp (5 km. From the capital) is interesting as one of the few museums in Andorra - National Automobile Museum, exposing more than a very few cars and a lot of old (from 1898), motorcycles, bicycles and other vehicles. Also in the city you can visit the large sports complex Encamp Multiaporta Centro Esglesiya Church of San Roman de les Bons (XII century.), It also begins and most routes to the neighboring ski centers, including the unique of its kind lift " Funikamp "length of more than 6 km. 6 km. Encamp is a small town of Canillo, which is known for its ice palace Palau de Gel, which held not only a variety of sports activities and night disco on ice. From Canillo begins to lift the famous ski school in El Forn (2100 m) and peak de la Portella (2465 m), from which it is easy to reach slopes of Soldeu-zl-Tarte.
Located near the border with France, the resort of Soldeu-zl-Tarte is one of the best in the country. It is the whole system of mountain trails with a total length of over 90 kilometers. (10 - Green 19 - Blue, 13 - and 10 red - black, longest - 8.2 km.) At altitudes of 1710-2560 m, and more than 30 lifts and 420 snow cannons covering a vast area of the valley between the mountains Solada de les Solanelles (2458 m) and Pic de la Portella (2465 m.) More than half of the route passes through the picturesque forest, accommodate many shallow areas for beginners, there is a vast virgin land. The main point of attraction "extreme" - the new ski park "Free S.E.T. Era "and a new black trail, over 1 km. The largest ski resort in the country - Paz de la Casa - Grau Roych also lies on the border with France, covering the four mountain valleys between resorts Paz de la Casa and Grau Roych. The area is famous for a very wide roads (though many of them are quite monotonous relief) with a total length of about 100 km. (8 - green, 11 - blue 23 - red and 13 black) at altitudes of 1980-2640 m, served by 31 lifts. Also equipped with a snowboard park, half-pipe, trails for riding at night, 1 children's trail, a panoramic restaurant on the pass Col Blanc (2600 m), a picturesque lake Pesson at height 2350 m (also with a good restaurant), a ski kindergarten and many hotels. Ski area of Pal - Arinsal is near La Massana, combining almost 60 km. trails on the slopes quite deep and extensive wooded valleys. Pal is a little further from the capital, La Vella, and has a lot of fairly short (no more than 1 km.) And winding road that ran along the wooded slopes facing north of the valley, which ensures a steady snow cover. At altitudes of 1780-2358 m laid 26 tracks with a total length of about 32 km. (5 - green, 4 - blue, 12 - and 1 red - black), served by 12 lifts and 218 snow cannons.
Located high in the mountains area Ordino - Arcalis famous for its challenging black slopes and magnificent views. 22 km. Ordino of the capital is known for its ski resort, surrounded by a string of mountains with elevations up to 2800 m, with a lot of virgin land and alternating steep and gentle slopes (26 km. runs, 6 of them - green 6 - blue, 11 - red, 2 - black). There is also interesting original ethnographic museum d'Plandolit arena and that is the ancestral home of the dynasty Plandolit Areni (1633) - one of the most illustrious families of the country, with an exhibition devoted entirely to the most famous and influential people of Andorra. It is worth to visit the Museum of Orthodox icons with an extensive collection of works by Slavic masters, Museum for Minutes from the masterpieces of the Ukrainian master Nicholas Syadristogo that are visible only under a microscope, and the Museum of architectural miniatures with models of the most significant buildings in Andorra. No less popular ski resort of La Rabassa oriented country skiing (15 km. Forest trails at 2 thousand meters and children's snow park) and a small but rapidly developing resort Canaro (Val d'inclusive).
These and some other ski areas attract the country each year, almost half a million visitors, most of whom - that skiers and lovers of mountain tourism. The ski season in the country generally runs from December to March, depending on snow conditions. Often, due to modern technology, the lack of which the local resorts do not have, can not extend the ski season to the end of April.
In addition to skiing in Andorra can be practiced and many other sports, in particular, are very popular hiking, tours of sled dogs, horse riding and bench shooting, which was considered a great Andorrans specialists. The tiny village of Llorts (resident population of 100 people) is among the tobacco fields surrounded by ancient mountains. This is one of the most pristine places in the country (and in Western Europe), and a very popular place for walking. The 3-hour walk through the valley to the west of the village, there is a popular tourist destination - a group of picturesque mountain lakes Estanis del Angonella. From Mount Bord de Sorteny (1970 m) hiking trail continues to the lakes Estany del Estany and 2915-meter mountain peak known as del Estany. Nearby, there is also a tiny Romanesque church Esglesiya de Saint Martin, famous for its frescoes XII-th century in remarkably good condition. Also interested in the unusual architecture of the church of San Juan de Kazelles, Saint-Martin-de-la Cortinada San Clemente de Pal, Saint Miguel d'Engolasters and Saint-Cerny-de-heads, as well as arched stone bridge of Saint Anthony.
After receiving permission to travel organization, you can try your luck at catching trout. As one of the world centers of tourism, Andorra also has a developed infrastructure of leisure - theaters, concert halls, restaurants, dance halls, sports facilities for various sports, etc. Andorra rich sources of mineral and thermal waters, which are used for medicinal purposes as as well as natural thermal plants for heating.
The Spanish city of Seo de Urzhel, though is far beyond Andorra is called by locals "Spanish gateway to Andorra" and often, with a certain amount of humor, is considered one of the Andorran cities. Since IX century, "La Seo," as it is known locally, was the residence of the bishops and counts Urzhelskih - Spanish princes, co-rulers of Andorra. The city is famous for its old buildings - XII century cathedral Catedral de Santa Maria on the south side of the central Plaza del Oms - is one of the most prominent structures in the Catalan Romanesque. Despite the fact that the church has repeatedly been subjected to various renovations and alterations, it has survived in a fairly high level unchanged since then, as has been built. Inside the cathedral is a unique "museum Diochesa" - one of a kind collection of murals, scripture and church utensils, plus a rare exhibit - millennial "Beatus" - illustrated handwritten manuscript describing the Apocalypse.