Sunday 25 March 2012

Andorra La Vella

Recently I went skiing for the weekend in Andorra La Vella, after a recommendation from one of the teachers I work with as she said it was a must do.
I have admit though, before I went I didn't know much about Andorra itself, or about skiing for that matter. However, after all that is the point of this year abroad; to visit new cities and have new experiences!

The Principality of Andorra is a small country located in the eastern Pyrenées, bordered by France and Spain.
It was founded in 1278, and it is the only country where Catalan is the official language. However, French, Spanish, Portuguese and English are all spoken widely there too.
Andorra, like Monaco is a prosperous principality mainly because it is a tax haven, where goods such as electrical equipment, alcohol and cigars/cigarettes can be cheaper by up to 40% in comparison to other EU countries!
There is a large tourist industry as a result of the low tax rates, but, Andorra is now starting to receive a lot of attention regarding its snow sports resorts, which seem to be very popular with Russian holiday makers.












The city of Andorra La Vella is in a great position for snow sports, located close to the two main Andorran snow resorts; La Massena and the Vallnord slopes, and Pas de la Casa and the XGrandValira slopes.


For more information about the resorts, visit:


www.skiandorra.ad

I went to the resort of La Massena which was only a 15 minute bus journey (Line 6) from Andorra La Vella and cost as little as €1,60.

Once in the small town at the bottom of the resort, there were plenty of shops which sold and rented snow sports equipment and clothing, all at reasonable prices. 
As I'd never skied before I didn't have any equipment, but for those who have and do it often, you know it's expensive to buy your own and take it away with you.

In the end, I paid around €16,50 for boot, ski and pole hire, and €38 for a day ski pass - which I think was a good deal as it was definitely worth it!

The ski slopes are set amongst some of the most amazing views I have ever seen.
It was breathtaking just being able to stand and look out at the mountainous valley which lay in front of me. 












 I must admit I found it very frustrating at first because I spent more time on my derrière than on my feet. However, once I was able to do a few complete runs (albeit on a green slope) and had built up my confidence, there was literally no stopping me.

Battered, bruised and after a few bad falls, at the end of the day I can honestly say that skiing is one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done.
I know it will not be the last time I hit the slopes.


At the end of the weekend, I came away from Andorra La Vella not only with a new hobby, but, a new found admiration for the smallest state in Europe too...moltes gràcies!


Saturday 24 March 2012

La vida Española!

Hola todos!

Well, it certainly has been quite a while since I wrote my last blog. 
I must admit I've not really had the time to sit down and write about what I've been up to recently, however, since moving from Aix-en-Provence to Tarragona, I've decided to make more of a conscious effort to blog a bit more often.

After a great first semester in Aix-en-Provence in south eastern France, it was time to move to Tarragona, in north eastern Spain.
Despite only studying Spanish at university for over two years, I'd only ever been to Spain once before, to Málaga in the province of Andalucía to visit a friend who was on her Year Abroad - so the prospect of living in Spain myself was very exciting.


Tarragona is the southernmost province in Catalonia, where the city capital bears the same name.
Located on a hill on the Costa Dorada, (which has over 160km of coastline), the city dates back to Roman times when the then named, Tarraco, was the Roman capital of what we now know as Spain.

As a result, Tarragona now boasts having the most impressive, and largest set of Roman remains outside of mainland Italy, and was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.
Many of the main Roman attractions visited are; the city walls with two gates, the amphitheatre, the citadel and the aqua-duct.





El portal de Sant Antoni


El anfiteatro romano



La catedral


El pueblo viejo




La Plaza de toros



Nowadays, Tarragona is one of the most important tourism hubs on the Iberian peninsula.
Thanks to it's rich history and culture, a generous climate (an average yearly temperature of 18 degrees celsius), and fantastic golden sand beaches, it attracts tourists from all over the world.

Well connected to Europe and to the rest of Spain, access to Tarragona has never been easier.
The two closest airports are in Barcelona (82km) and Reus (7km), where you can get buses and trains regularly to the city.
Also, with one of the busiest commercial ports in the Mediterranean, the Puerto de Tarragona, is a destination for many luxury cruisers...and yourself if you're lucky enough to travel in such style.

For more rail travel information, visit:
El monumento del castells




 El monumento al Roger de Llúria




Platja del Miracle (north)




Platja del Miracle (south)




 Plaça de la Font




I must admit, I had never even heard of Tarragona before I was told it was where I was going to spend my second semester abroad, but, it's such unique and brilliant city.
I'm certain I am going to thoroughly enjoy my time here... ¡ Viva España !