Chasing Summer –

Micro Country Andorra

Andorra is one of the smallest countries in the world, with a population that is less than 80,000 people. It is nestled between France and Spain and has no direct access except through these other countries. I flew into Barcelona on a thursday night at 11 (missing the last night bus to Andorra) and came up on a bus on friday morning.

The bus I caught from the airport terminal.

It takes about 3 hours to travel from Barcelona to Andorra, but it is the quickest and easiest way to get there. Since Andorra is on top of the mountains, it is a favorite winter spot for skiing and hiking in the summer. Spring is off-season, so the bus had plenty of room.

Statue at the central park.

Andorra is not large. I got off at the capital and then walked a few minutes to a park where I sat and ate a picnic lunch while waiting for my friend to get off work. Unfortunately, my phone was not working in Andorra. It is not a common country for any roaming plan, but google really isn’t necessary due to the size of the place.

There is no dog poop on the grass and locals were sprawled out on the lawn and under trees.
In the center of the main town there is a Dali sculpture.
A fast flowing river runs through the towns and connects them
Andorra is tax free and some tourists are here just to shop and eat.
Part of the old part of town

I had no desire or room to go shopping, so my friend Kate dragged me off on one of the many trails that surround the country. This one was relatively flat once you got on it. Remember,  the altitude is very high,  so even a few stairs felt like a lot of stairs.

St. George’s Bridge
Snapdragons and other wildflowers are in bloom along the river trail.
St. Antoni Church is along the trail. There are also some easy beginner rock climbing right here.

If you aren’t into hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter, then one day is going to be sufficient here. It is a much more relaxed and calm nature centric micro-country.

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