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Destinations in Andorra
Les Truites Trout Lake. Photo Source: Andorra Turisme
Encamp. Photo Source: Andorra Turisme
Andorra la Vella. Photo Source: Andorra Turisme
La Casa de la Vall. Photo Source: Andorra Turisme
Arcalis Peak. Photo Source: Andorra Turisme
Caldea. Photo Sorce: Andorra Turisme
Escaldes-Engordany. Photo Source: Andorra Turisme
Barri Antic. Photo Source: Andorra la Vella Turisme
Escaldes-Engordany
Escaldes-Engordany is the seventh Parish of the Principality of Andorra, it was established in 1978. Situated in the middle of the country, it is bounded in the north by La Massana and Encamp, in the east and south by Spain and southwest by Andorra la Vella. This Parish offers the visitor and tourist the attractiveness of shopping in modern boutiques and high standing shopping centres, and also of its nature with beautiful landscapes surrounding the village up to the heights with lakes and nature reserves.
Andorra La Vella
Andorra La Vella is the capital of this tiny principality nestling between France and Spain and is its biggest town. Lying at the confluence of the Gran Valira, the Valira del Oriente and the Valira del Norte rivers, Andorra La Vella is dwarfed by stunning snow-capped mountains of up to 2500 metres high. The town has now grown to absorb the once independent villages of Escaldes, Engordany and Santa Coloma. The Barri Antic (Historic Quarter) was the original heart of the town when it was little more than a village. It stretches from the Esglesia de Sant Esteve to Placeta del Puial and is characterized by atmospheric cobblestoned streets and arresting stone houses.
Arcalis
As the most remote resort in Andorra, it's easy to assume Arcalis is not worth a day-trip. But that would be a shame, as the variety of the terrain is better than most of the other resorts, even if the extent is not up to much. With no village at the resort, it does at least mean that Arcalis has not suffered the affliction of the usual collection of hotels and apartments "thrown up" on the mountainside, as with other resorts in Andorra. This lack of development may be due to Arcalis's publicly owned status - most Andorrans seem rather proud of the place. The resort is very popular with weekenders, both from Andorra and Spain, and the ample car parking on the approach road soaks them up.
Pal Arinsal
Pal has escaped much of the development that other resorts in Andorra have succumbed to. Pal is a quiet and picturesque mountain village over the ridge from Arinsal (about 5km by road), with a small, reasonably varied, wooded ski area a couple of kilometers further up the hill. It is remarkably different from its nearby neighbor, and the link between the ski areas is a great enhancement for both resorts. Arinsal is a little village of gray stone, near the head of a narrow valley north of Andorra La Vella. It has seen rapid development in recent years, giving the place a building-site appearance. Arinsal's small local area is a narrow, east-facing bowl of mainly open slopes, suitable for beginners, children and unadventurous intermediates.
Ordino
Ordino is large as far as local villages go but reatins its Andorran character: most buildings are built with local stone and are still in their original state. the tourist office (737080, open 9am-1pm & 3pm-7pm Mon-Sat, 9am-1pm Sun) is in the Centre Esportiu d'Ordino sports complex. Buses to and from Andorra la Vella (Eur 1, 15 to 20 minutes) run about every 30 minutes from 7am to 9pm daily. In the Vall d'Orino (Ordino Valley), the tiny Romanesque Esglesia de Sant Marti in La Cortinada has 12th century frescoes in remarkably good condition. The slopes of the Ordino-Arcalis ski area in Andorra's far northwestern corner are good for beginners and intermediates. A number of rugged peaks in this beautiful area reach 2700m and provide challenging, spectacular summer walking.
Sant Julia de Loria
Sant Julia de Loria (correctly Sant Julià de Lòria) lies on border to Spain in the southern parish (administrative division) in Andorra. Sant Julia de Loria lies some 7.5km to the south of Andorra La Vella on the main road CG1 which runs down the Gran Valira (Grand Valley) towards La Seu d'Urgell in Catalonia, Spain. Sant Serni de Nagol and the Sanctuary of Canolic are two beautiful Romanesque churches near Sant Julia de Loria.
Encamp
The big attaction in Encamp, whichis about 6km northeast of Andorra La Vella, is the Museu Nacional de l'Automobil (National Automobile Museum, 83 22 66, adult/student Eur 2.40/1.20, open 9.30am-1.30pm & 3pm-6pm Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-2pm Sunday).
Canillo Soldeu
Canillo is one of the parishes of Andorra. It is composed of the following villages and towns: Canillo, Soldeu, Bordes d'Envalira, El Tarter, Sant Pere, Ransol, Els Plans, El Vilar, l'Armiana, l'Aldosa, El Forn, Prats, Meritxell and Molleres.Its altitude ranges from 1400 m to 2913 m. The climate is dry and cold, and the snow that covers peaks and moutains during long winter months makes this parish a place where you can enjoy the sun, the snow and mountains. Soldeu-El Tarter ski resort is the most extended Andorran ski resort, with a quiet and harmonious countryside and guarantee snow during the season. Despite its touristy vocation, the Canillo parish activities still based on cattle and farming.
Pas de la Casa
In the parish of Encamp you will find two urban built-up areas: Encamp and el Pas de la Casa. The last village, permanently inhabited by 3.000 people, has an hotel capacity which may triple its inhabitant number. The main attractions of Pas de la Casa is the Pas de la Casa-Grau Roig Ski Area and the shopping center. The ski station has several slopes which are considered among the best ones in Pyrenees, both in quality and quantity.