Andorra La Vella

The most beautiful bus ride I have ever had was that from Barcelona to Andorra la Vella. Winding through the Pyrenees, surrounded by mountains, passing villages and lakes, I just couldn’t take my eyes off the scenery. Upon arriving I quickly found my hotel. Checking in, it felt like Faulty Towers with the quirky ness of the man who owned it. Dropping off my things I decided to explore the town with the intention of finding some food and a beer. “Because Andorra isn’t part of the EU, but has a ‘relationship’ with the union, there are a ridiculous amount of shops selling alcohol, tobacco, and electronics at cheaper rates than the rest of Europe. Normally I would moan that this ruins the town, however, no matter what direction I turn, the mountains dominate the background. This stunning little town has captured my heart within hours of arriving.” Aaron (me) from my travel note pad. Walking through the town the sun set, and I decided to head to the Casa de la Vall to get a couple of photos before I went to find food. On the way I passed a bar where the walls were lined with bottles of hundreds of different beers, after taking some photos I dropped in for a drink. Two drinks in the owner introduced me to some regulars, consisting of a couple of locals, an American who lives and works in Andorra and a Canadian who had just recently arrived for work. Several beers in the owner gave me a couple of beers he brewed for the bar. A few more beers we left the bar and headed to a local restaurant for food before going to a night club. The next day I woke at about 9.30, determined to do a bit of hill walking. Finding a small café for a quick breakfast, I then hit the super market for three litres of water and a pre-made sandwich and some snacks (and a bottle of ice tea and a bottle of Fanta). I then left the town, following a road out of the town. Soon I was following a mountain bike track up high into the Pyrenees. After returning to the hotel, I was exhausted and hungry, so I dropped into the pizza restaurant beside the hotel for some dinner and a beer, before heading back to the hotel to get an early night. The following day I had time for a quick breakfast and a walk around the town before leaving. I was genuinely sad to be leaving Andorra, such a beautiful country. Will I go back? Hell yes. Will I learn to go ski or snowboard so I can return in winter? Maybe….but I doubt it.