Slovakia - Spi Castle
Foto: View over the capital (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Andorra - When I arrive at the bus stop for Andorra la Vella, I see the bus just pulling away. I have to wait half an hour for the next one. A little after one o'clock, I step off in the bustling shopping street of Andorra la Vella. Immediately, I'm surrounded by large stores. Andorra is a popular day-trip destination for visitors from Spain and France because of its low VAT, making many goods cheaper. I walk past the shops and check out some electronics stores, but quickly realize that prices are not that different from those in the Netherlands—probably only brand-name products are cheaper. I walk down Avenue Meritxell toward the old town. At a cozy terrace, I sit down for lunch and order something from the tapas list since regular sandwiches aren't on the menu. I make it just in time for the English-language tour of Casa de la Vall, the old parliament building. Julia, the guide, explains that this building was used by Andorra’s parliament until just two years ago. The parliament now sits in a nearby modern building. Julia shows us the dining room, the parliamentary chamber, the courtroom, and the kitchen. She ends the tour by the stairs leading to the former prison cells. I thank her for the tour and continue exploring the Bario Antiga district. Unfortunately, the Sant Esteve Church is closed. The narrow streets of the old quarter are decorated with flags, giving the area a festive vibe. In the end, I realize I’ve seen all the main sights of Andorra la Vella in this short time—the center simply isn’t that big. I walk back through the shopping street and end my visit with a drink on the terrace.
Grandvalira Ski Resort
Andorra - Since the construction of the first lift in the 1950s on the slopes of Coll Blanc, a concentration of ski areas has developed in the region. These include Le Pas de la Casa, Grau Roig, Soldeu, El Tarter, and Encamp—together forming the Grandvalira ski ...
Hiking Between Mountain Lakes and Peaks
Andorra - I decide to join a mountain hike to the lakes of Estanys de Siscaro—a challenging trek reaching more than 2,500 meters in altitude. At breakfast, the rafters are already gearing up. I leave the hotel at 9:30 with two fellow travelers and our guide, ...