Andorra for Skiing near Spain and France and where to see Christmas decorations until Jan 6th

WHERE CAN YOU GO SKIING? A side trip from Spain, where there is not enough snow, attracted my ski fanatic son and relatives to Andorra.

Andorra at Christmas, 2021. My family sent us these photos pre-Christmas. Credit Photos from A Sharot family.

I was in Spain many times in the summer. My parents had a flat in Southern Spain and we drove all the way there through France one summer to deliver a kitchen sink bought from Wickes in London in the UK. I remember clearly how Christmas day was not a big thing, at least not for us, in Spain, as we had sardines on the beach. However, on the eve of January 6th the three kings arrived on horseback in Estepona and threw sweets to children in the crowd. 

So, in much of the UK, and more so in Europe, especially the Roman Catholic countries, expect decoration to stay up until 12th night. In Singapore and Malaysia the entrepreneurial Chinese tend to take down Christmas decorations on the 26th of December, and put up the decorations for Chinese new year, which will be February 1st  in 2022. So, meanwhile, online we can all continue enjoying photos of Christmas decorations from countries like Andorra.

My family reported: We wanted to ski in Granada which would have involved  1,000 km less driving, but there's barely any snow there right now.

The capital and largest city is Andorra la Vella. (Meaning old Andorra, la vella being the old or the old lady).

Languages spoken are French, Spanish and Catalan. Schools teach in one of these languages with about 30% of the population in each language group. Some people also speak Portuguese. The country is sandwiched between Spain in the South and France in the North.

Wikipedia is good. Wikimedia does not add much.

Wikivoyage has a little more. 

Our family set off with the intention of seeing the main mall with 1,500 shops, the multi-storey spa (the website shows two levels. 

Our family said: "Getting into Andorra from Spain is easy. they don't even stop you to check passports."

Skiing and Sports

Wiki says:

 'Andorra is famous for the practice of winter sports. Andorra has the largest territory of ski slopes in the Pyrenees (3100 hectares and about 350 km of slopes) and two ski resorts. Grandvalira is the largest and most popular resort. Other popular sports played in Andorra include football, rugby union, basketball, and roller hockey.'

 

Useful Websites

wikipedia

wikivoyage

Author

About the Author Angela Lansbury

BIOGRAPHY

Angela Lansbury B A Hons ACG ALB PM5 EH5 DL5 VC5 
The Author of several books including  Etiquette For Every Occasion. Wedding Speeches & Toasts. How to be the Best Man. Quick Quotations. Who Said What When.

Blogs travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

Braddell Heights Advanced Toastmasters Speakers Club Vice President Public Relations (VPPR), Previous President

Join BHA 1st Wednesday 7pm and 3rd Saturday 2 pm Singapore time 

Vice President Public Relations (VP PR) of Tampines Changkat Advanced;

Secretary of weekly online Singapore International Dynamic Toastmasters Speakers’ Club;

Member and past president of Harrovians toastmasters club, UK; Past member of HOD Toastmasters, London. Past member in Singapore of: Toastmasters Club of Singapore (TCS); Tiarel; and Senja Cashew.

More details from Toastmasters International find a club.

Regular attendee at annual Swanwick Writers’ School, England.

Regular attendee at annual Writers’ Holiday, Wales.

Contributor to poetry readings, and after tea courses on: Speaking On Radio To Promote Books; and Plots And Character.

Winner of many club and area speaking contests in the UK and Singapore.

Language advisor to Empire Toastmasters club in Indonesia.

Language and speech workshops in Singapore.

Speaker on radio and TV in England, Scotland, the USA, and Australia.

Compiler of a school course on public speaking for teachers to prepare pupils for school open days with attending ceremonies before government ministers, Singapore.

Former member of Harrow Writers’ Circle, London, and two writing groups in Singapore.

Angela is on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter. She would be delighted to link up with new friends.

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Books by Angela Lansbury
How to be the best man. (Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Wedding Speeches and Toasts.(Ward Lock / Cassell.)
Unforgettable British Weekends.
Poetry Workshop Workbook.
The Tailor and the Spy. (Lulu.)
Larry The Talking Labrador. (Lulu.)
Writing Poetry for fun.

Quick Quotations

Who Said What When