OVERVIEW

Social Conventions
Normal social courtesies should be extended when visiting someone’s home. Handshaking is the accepted form of greeting. Dress is informal and smoking is very common; customs are similar to those of Spain.

Tipping
Service charges are usually included in the bill. Porters and waiters expect a further 10 per cent.

International Travel:

Air
Andorra’s two nearest international airports are Barcelona (BCN) in Spain, 225km (140 miles) from Andorra and Toulouse (TLS), in France, 180km (112 miles) from Andorra. For more information on the airports and their facilities, consult the Spain and France sections. Shared taxis and buses are available.

Rail
Routes from Perpignan, Villefranche, Toulouse and Barcelona go to La Tour de Carol, 20km (12 miles) from Andorra. The nearest station is L’Hospitalet, but buses run from both L’Hospitalet and La Tour de Carol (see Road below). Routes from Madrid (Spain) go to Lleida and then a connection by coach leads to La Seu d'Urgell. Routes from Barcelona (Spain) go to Puig Cerda and then a connection by coach leads to La Seu d'Urgell.

Road
Mountainous roads exist over the Envalira pass from Perpignan, Tarbes and Toulouse (France); and southwards to Barcelona and Lérida (Spain). Buses run regularly from Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia and Madrid (Spain); and Toulouse (France). Taxis may also be taken and sharing is common practice to cut costs. Bus: The journey from La Tour de Carol takes two hours 20 minutes. From L’Hospitalet the service takes two hours 40 minutes and runs early enough to permit a day-return trip from France. A seasonal service runs from Aix-les-Thermes and services may be available from Seo de Urgel in Spain. Eurolines, departing from Victoria Coach Station in London, serves destinations in Andorra. For further information, contact Eurolines (tel: (08705) 143 219; Three daily services from Toulousse, five daily from Lleida (Spain) and 15 from Madrid are available for coach trips to Andorra.

Andorra is a duty free zone, but travelers should check French/Spanish regulations as both these countries maintain customs control at the borders.

Prohibited/restricted items
Narcotics, firearms, ammunition, explosives (including fireworks), flick knives, pornography, horror comics, radio transmitters, certain foodstuffs, plants, flowers, animals and birds and items made from endangered species. No works of art can be exported without permission.

Internal Travel:

Road
A good road runs from the Spanish to the French frontiers through Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany, Encamp and Canillo (about 40km between frontiers). There is a to El Serrat, and a secondary road from Ordino to Canillo, which is usually closed in winter. Bus: There are buses and minibuses linking Andorra’s villages on the 186km (115 miles) of road. Traffic drives on the right. Documentation: National driving license accepted.

The mountainous, romantically rugged country of Andorra is situated in the eastern Pyrenees, bordered by France and Spain. Four rivers run through the country and there are several mountain lakes. Accommodation consists of over 350 hotels and guest houses. Its two greatest attractions are that it is both a duty free state and a center for winter sports, particularly in the main towns of Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany. Most ski resorts offer good facilities. Nursery slopes and skiing for intermediates are available. Andorra la Vella, the country’s capital, lies at the junction of two mountain streams. Sights worth visiting include a fine 12th-century church and the Casa de la Vall, the ancient seat of government. Cuisine is mainly Catalan, and local dishes include coques (flavored flat cakes), trinxat (a potato and cabbage dish) and truites de carreroles (a type of mushroom omelette). The many bars and hotels provide a variety of evening entertainment.

Geography
Andorra is situated in the eastern Pyrenees, bordered by France to the north and east and Spain to the south and west. It is roughly halfway between Barcelona and Toulouse. The landscape consists of gorges and narrow valleys surrounded by mountains. Much of the landscape is forested, but there are several areas of rich pastureland in the valleys. There are four rivers and several mountain lakes. Ski resorts and the spa town of Les Escaldes are Andorra’s main attractions.