Andorra: A Little Piece of Home in the Pyrenees

Last weekend, I visited Andorra, one of the smallest countries in Europe, located between Spain and France. To be honest, before deciding to come to Barcelona, I wasn't really aware of the existence of this country, but I couldn't be happier to have visited! It reminded me a lot of home, with its mountains surrounding the city.

For this trip, I signed up to go with IES Abroad Barcelona staff through DiscoverIES, so I got to travel with staff and a group of my friends who had also signed up, while having the itinerary already planned for us! After traveling solo for a while, it was definitely refreshing to have someone else manage the itinerary for a change. I'd definitely recommend signing up for one of the IES Abroad Barcelona trips when you're abroad.

We departed early in the morning, and a bus took us there in around four hours. We enjoyed beautiful views of the Pyrenees and had a delicious lunch after hiking to a lake in Andorra. It was really beautiful and refreshing to spend time surrounded by nature. The lunch was also amazing. I have to say, this trip definitely brought me so much happiness in food terms!

Then we arrived in Andorra la Vella, the capital of Andorra, where our hotel was located. We had a city tour and I loved the mix of picturesque and modern vibes. Around our hotel, there were so many lights and stores that some of my friends said it gave them New York vibes. Yet, walking a little farther away, you could see mountains, nature, traditional stone houses, and cats! (The attached picture is courtesy of Amanda, who might say I'm a cat hater, but don't listen to her. I'm just more of a dog person, ahah.)

One interesting fact I learned about Andorra is its unique political system, with two co-princes: the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell in Spain. I also found it fascinating to learn about how Andorra managed to maintain its independence and avoid many of the conflicts that shaped the history of its neighboring countries. It's interesting to visit a place with such a different history, especially when you're used to learning about countries that have experienced so many wars and political changes.

The next day was definitely one of my favorites. We enjoyed a breakfast buffet at the hotel (always a good way to start the day!) and then went on a hike through the mountains along the old iron route, where people used to walk to transport iron. Our guide was amazing and really engaging, and the walk, although cold at the beginning, was very relaxing. I had missed being around nature, and the hike definitely filled that spot.

Then, in the afternoon, we headed to Caldea, a spa with pools of different temperatures and saunas! I enjoyed just trying all the pools with my friends, talking while in the water, and spending time in a sauna, which I hadn't done in a while. It was the perfect way to end the day before heading back for another great dinner at the hotel.

On the last day, we left Andorra and visited Colònia Güell, back in Catalonia. It was a nice touch to end the trip, and it definitely helped contribute to a discussion in my history class the following Monday, when we were talking about the Güell family! I always love when something I experience outside the classroom ends up connecting with what I'm learning in class. It makes everything feel a little more real.

Overall, the trip was a relaxing and refreshing reconnection with nature and, more personally, a chance to feel a little closer to home. Sometimes, being abroad means constantly discovering new places and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, but it's also nice to find places that remind you of where you come from.

I'd definitely recommend visiting Andorra when you're in Spain. It might require a lot of zooming in for you to find it on the map, but Andorra is definitely worth a visit!