Andorra La Vella, Andorra

Poor little Andorra is sandwiched between France and Spain in the middle of the sparse Pyranees Mountains. Featuring a bit of French influence and a bit of Spanish, the country is actually not like either very much. Most of the little towns here are long and thin and set in the valleys by the trickling alpine rivers. The imposing rock faces of the hills and mountains on each side restrict the sunlight while the high altitude ensures that the place is certainly chilly at this time of year. The small capital of Andorra La Vella is no different.

On arrival, I booked into the €18/night Valira Camping, which made up for the expensive price with an indoor swimming pool and a room with classic arcade games and addictive Batman pinball.

The city (if it is indeed a small city) has a little old town area, Barri Antic, with quaint stone buildings and little alleys. Right in the middle is the tiny parliament which is more like a village hall than a seat of government.

Andorran Parliament

Since the low tax laws, the newer town centre has grown up resembling more than anything an airport departure lounge. Here, you can find designer goods, electronics, sunglasses and booze in clean and plain little stores - a bit like San Marino but without the guns. It does have some great views out over the surrounding valleys though.  

I feel if it wasn't for the duty free shopping and the snowy peaks, which provide a lot of winter skiing options, poor little Andorra would be completely forgotten. Unfortunately I feel as guilty as anybody as I decorated the van with tax free tinsel, filled that tank to the brim with cheap diesel and followed the convoy of Spanish cars back over the border.

My sparkly pink baubles