Unique Places in Andorra

Nowhere near as extravagent or as popular as the Black Madonna is the Madonna of Andorra. She lies in the monastery at Merixtell, and is open to the public.

The proper way to pray before a madonna, for those of you who don't know, is to go to one knee and touch the outstretched hand of the baby Jesus with your right hand. Lower your eyes and (some say) turn your head to the left, extend your left hand out, elbow crooked, palm up and open to receive the Holy Spirit

I drove my car from France to Andorra through the highest paved pass in the Pyrenees called Port D'envalira. I crossed Pyrenees a few times driving four different passes and this one offered the best views. The steep serpentine drive up to 2407 m (7900 ft) above see level is fantastic and the views are simple breathtaking.

The border crossing point still exists before the top as Andorra is not European Community member. So, I had to stop and show my passport. On the top of the pass there are a few gas/petrol stations built in rocks on both sides of the road as gas/petrol is less expensive in Andorra than in France. The first community in Andorra called Pas de la Casa (ski resort) is well seen down. There is a cement building and tower on the top of a summit by the pass.

Similar to the Llac de Repos, this Mirador (panoramic viewpoint) is worth a stop.

This view point has a wonderful overlood of La Massana, and the valleys to the west. The spot has permanent benches and seats, as well as BBQ grills. Bring your own lunches and/or make yours on the grill. With nice weather, it is a wonderful place.

Since this road is not paved all the way on the back side of the mountain, there are not many people who venture this far.

At the summit (~500m farther up the road) there are a few hiking paths to choose from for an alternative excursion.

Just below the Collada de Beixalls (Beixalls Summit), ~6km up CSN-310 from Anyos in direction of Encamp.
(or you can take CSN-270 from Encamp/Villa, but it is dirt road)

There are some few oportunities when you can do the same in a different way. In this case, we have a couple nightly races, that allow us to feel the snow, and the mountains, a bit different. There's also some days that it is open to ski at night (was it on Thursday?) for everybody.
I have to say, skiing at the moon light is not very smart (so we use artificial lights to see where we slip the skis), but makes the sight of the valley amazingly beautiful. Yes, that brilliant white light in the middle of the picture, upon the horizon, is the moon!

If you want to be away from the other tourist you should take a walk through the mountains.

If the weather is good you will have a nice view over the valleys.

If the weather is bad take look what is on your path: Animals and flowers.

We found this little cafe one block away from out hotel and one block off the main street. Run by a friendly (presumably) husband and wife team, they served us mornign coffee and pastries with a smile and little fuss over a thing like not speaking a common language. The coffee was good, and Miyuki swore by the chocolate croissants.

Behind the monastery lies the old monastery. If you poke your nose around a little you can find it. The inside has been redone into a kind of exhibit, I wouldn't go so far as to say it is a museum, and is only one room. it's a cute little place and you can take look. It is free.

When you go to Andorra , you should leave the center, and go to the interior (Ordino, La Massana). You will see wild horses, at the roads (you have to stop the car, in order them to pass in front of you.)
And dont forget, to look at houses: they are full of flours. They even make flower vase from a trunk of tree.