BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN ANDORRA
The Principality of Andorra is a small country that could be attributed to the group of European diminutive states together with Liechtenstein, Monaco and San-Marino. Alongside with that, Andorra is the biggest out of this group. The area of Andorra makes up 468 km2.
More than 8 mln people visit Andorra every year. Why?
-1- Andorra – is one the safest countries in the world for living and tourism.
-2- Ski resorts of Andorra have maximum density of ski lifts per square meter in the world with the capacity of 160.000 people per hour. According to World Ski Awards – Andorran ski resorts are at the top 20 of the best ski resorts of the world.
-3- Water is one of natural resources of Andorra. Besides lakes and rivers, that head from here, there is sulfur rich thermal springs in Escaldes-Engordany. With the surface of 30 000 m2 at the height of 1100 meters CALDEA INUU SPA centre presents a real oasis of Andorra; a thermal resort, where the interconnection of ancient civilizations with water is evidently visible. Caldea is the biggest center of mountain thermal waters in Europe. The temperature of thermal springs is 70%, waters are rich with sulfur, mineral salts, sodium as well with thermal plankton.
-4- The nature of Andorra – swelling up peaks, escarping down cliffs, canyons, tumultuous mountain rivers, dodging through the mountains of the valley. The relief of this part of the Pyrenees goes back to Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras. As for different lakes, being sources for manifold Andorran rivers, they have glacial origin.More than 60% of Andorran territory is a natural park under UNESCO protection.
-5- Being a part of the Pyrenees, Andorra was obviously swayed by the cultures of foreign countries. Alongside with that, in spite of its relatively small territory, this country has got a lot of authentic staff, which is evident in its architecture. Pre-Roman and Romanesque periods lasted here much longer than in other European countries, where the succession of art styles was much more dynamic. Romanesque architecture of Andorra tells us the story of 7 parroquies (provinces), keeping a part of its charming story secret.
-6- There are 17 museums in small Andorra. Several of them are unique and famous around Europe. For example, National Automobile Museum – this is a four-store show-room that exhibits a huge collection of automobiles: from one of the first models with steam engine, made in 1885, through vintage cars up to the contemporary automobiles of the XX century. The collection of Andorran museum is considered to be one of the largest in Southern Europe. It consists of 80 automobiles, including race cars, about 60 motorcycles and a hundred of bikes of different models and sizes.
-7- Andorra – is the centre of European shopping. Andorran VAT (4.5%) – is the lowest in Europe. There are more than 1000 shopping centres in Andorra. Here you can find the cheapest prices for luxury goods, electronics, alcohol and tobacco.
-8- Andorran cuisine is a mix of cookery traditions of the neighboring countries – Spain and France, also Catalonia, however according to the expert’s opinion, traditional dishes are cooked in Andorra more simply and the domestic way of its preparation is brightly represented in it. There are more than 400 restaurants with a delicious cuisine of Andorra for any taste.
-9- In Andorra you can try unique wine mountain brands. Andorran vineyards are located at an altitude between 1050 and 1100 metres above sea level. There are 4 main wine brands in Andorra today famous in Europe and all over the world.