A Parish a Day Keeps the Wanderlust Away
Planning an Andorran Staycation
On Monday, February 15th is the Andorran celebration of Carnaval. For this reason, there is no school this upcoming week (this break also coincides with the French school calendar’s week off for a winter break).
Normally, I would take a week off like this to travel. However, this isn’t quite feasible with the Covid restrictions in Europe. Our solution? Visit a parish a day and discover the culture and the beauty of all corners of Andorra.
In case you didn’t know, Andorra is divided into seven parishes: Andorra La Vella (the capital), Canillo, Encamp, Escaldes-Engordany, La Massana, Sant Julia, and Ordino.
Andorran Parishes
I’m sharing the list I put together of possible ideas for our Parish-A-Day adventure. This could be helpful in case anyone decides to visit Andorra and wants to see a bit of each parish. For the itinerary I made, I try to combine physical/outdoor activities with cultural sites. Hopefully throughout the week I will have time to review these sights and activities and provide some helpful insights for future visitors.
Encamp
Fiesta Manilla Restaurant (one of my students’ family owns it)
Photographic and audiovisual exhibition "El Carnaval d'Encamp" · From 13/02 to 17/02, from 4 pm to 8 pm
The Bear Dance · 02/13, at 12:30 p.m.
Ordino
Miniatures museum
Casa d’Areny-Plandolit
Churches
Iglesia de Sant Marti de la Cortinada
Iglesia de Sant Corneli y Sant Cebria
Snowshoeing route: Canya de la Rabassa - Planell del Quer in Sorteny Valley Natural Park
La Ruta del Ferro (The Iron Route)
Skiing at Arcalis
Canillo
Santuari de Meritxell
Mirador Roc Del Quer (possibly better in Summer)
Skiing at El Tarter/Soldeu
Snowshoeing at Vall d’Incles
Palau de Gel Ice Skating
Escaldes-Engordany
Carnaval Event: Car-Cotada
Itinerario del Agua (better in Summer)
Llac d’Engolasters (starting in June there is a bus and a guided tour)
End the day with a luxurious soak in the thermal baths at Caldea
La Massana
February is culinary month called Fogons
Borda Raubert (25 euro menu)
Hotel Palanques (25 euro menu, recommended by my teacher, make a reservation first Av. Sant Antoni, 16. La Massana Tel.: (+376) 835 007)
Museu Casa Ruell
Skiing at Pal
Sant Julia de Loria
Naturlandia
Hiking near the fountain
