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Why A Visit To Andorra Has To Be On Your Bucket List
*This is a contributed post. All opinions are the writers own.
Image via Pixabay
The world is full of incredible places to visit and incredible places to see, ranging from tropical jungles to arctic frontiers where polar bears still roam wild. Everyone’s got a sense of what the big name tourist hot spots around the globe are, ranging from wilds of Canada to the beach and party culture and sweltering heat of Australia, or the ancient landmarks and Renaissance-era frescoes of Florence. A name that you might not have seen on that list before, however, is Andorra. Andorra is one of the smallest countries in Europe — the sixth smallest to be exact — and rarely makes the headlines. But there is much to see in this gorgeous mountain-bound land and there are ample reasons why your next holiday should involve a stay in some of the top Andorra resorts. Here’s a look at just a few of the reasons why a visit to Andorra has to be on your bucket list.
It’s a country you can walk across
Andorra covers an area of just 468 square kilometres, with a population of just 85,000 as estimated in July 2015. One implication of the country being so small is that it’s possible to follow various hiking routes and trek directly across the country from one side to another during your stay. While this isn’t a feat you’re going to manage on a half-day visit to the principality, if you’re in Andorra for a week you should have no trouble crossing the entire territory on foot, either in the company of a professional tour guide and group or on your own using the right apps and tools. You don’t tend to meet too many people at dinner parties who can brag that they’ve crossed an entire country on foot and bragging rights aside, the memory of the experience is bound to be priceless.
It’s a mountainside paradise
Andorra isn’t just any country, it’s a stunningly beautiful one, nestled in the Pyrenees mountains. Andorra is home to 65 summits over 2000m high and anywhere you go, the view is going to dominated by soaring peaks, lush steep valleys and azure lakes. If you like skiing and mountain climbing, Andorra is the place for you. Even if you’d rather take things easy, however, you are unlikely ever to grow bored of the stunning vistas and crisp mountain air.
It’s one of the most unique countries in the world
Andorra doesn’t follow the standard template for a country, by any means. For one thing, it is officially ruled by two “princes”, the Spanish Bishop of Urgell and the President of France. What’s more, Andorra has no official currency of its own. In the past, French Francs and Spanish Pesetas were used while today they use the Euro. Andorra is also the only country in the world whose official language is Catalan, although French and Spanish are also frequently spoken. Andorra is in other words, a one in a million kind of destination and well worth the visit.
Have you ever visited Andorra? If so what did you think? Let me know in the comments below.
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Preventing Theft On Your Summer Holidays
*This post is sponsored by DPP Law. Click here to find out more about DPP Law and how they can help you with any legal solutions you might need.
With summer finally being here you might be planning on going on holiday at some point as I know I sure am! I'll be giving you a few tips on how to keep safe and 'Preventing Theft On Your Summer Holidays'.
Keep your valuables locked away - Most hotels and accommodation tend to have safes and you must put them to good use! Make sure that the safe is stuck to the wall or floor as it is much safer that way as no one can just come and carry it away. Keep any of your valuables you don't need on a day to day basis locked in there, things such as your passport, travel documents and your money, which brings me on to my next point.
Only take daily money out with you - Don't take your entire holiday budget out with you every day, try and come up with a budget and just carry what you need that day. I have been doing this in recent years and have certainly felt much safer, was I ever to have my bag stolen I'd know that I'd still have a stash of money hidden away. This actually happened recently to someone I work with, she had her bag by her feet while eating and when she went to get it, it was gone. She had 300 euros in there, her phone AND her bank cards. This again brings me to my next point.
Make sure your bag is secure - I tend to use backpacks a lot at home but while I'm out and about in the day on holiday I use smaller bags and/or my pockets to store my items as long as the pockets are either zipped or tight and deep (if that's even possible in female clothing!) A bag which can be worn more on your front is definitely safer as you can see it at all times and I also tend to keep my bag on my knee when I'm in a bar or cafe for that extra bit of security.
Leaving your accommodation each day - If you are on the ground floor and people can see straight into the room that you are staying in, then it is best to close your curtains before you go out for the day, this then makes it harder for someone to know whether you are in or not. This also means they won't be able to scout out any valuables you may have accidentally left lying around. It is also best to make sure all your doors and windows are locked before you leave.
Don't leave anything unattended at the beach - If you plan on having a beach day and you all want to go swimming then it is best not to go all at once as then your belongings won't be left unattended for anyone to take. What my boyfriend and I do when we go to the beach to swim is to make sure we only take our towels with us and leave everything in our room so that we don't have anything valuable to think about.
Social Media - If you are going on holiday and your house is going to be left empty while you away, then you probably shouldn't be advertising that you are on holiday on Facebook or any other social media site whether that be the dates you are going or any posts while you are there.
A couple of other tips I have are 1. Don't fall for any scams that may be waiting in the street to target you. There are many scams in all different places so it could be a good idea to read up about any that may be about in the area you are visiting before you go so you know what to look out for and what to avoid. 2. Only travel with official taxis. Many people will be about trying to scam travellers into paying higher, more expensive fares. Go to the official taxi ranks or call them/ask someone official.
Do you have any more tips on how to prevent theft on your summer holidays? Let me know in the comments below.
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48 Of My Favourite Picks From The ASOS Sale!
Today's post is just a quick little shopping list like I used to post a lot in the past. This one features '48 Of My Favourite Picks From The ASOS Sale!' It has been a while since my last shopping list post so I thought what better time than now when the ASOS sale is in full swing. I'm in love with every single one of these items and I'm sure I'll own at least one of these pieces sometime in the near future. Haul if that happens anyone?
*This post contains affiliate links. I will gain a small commission on items you buy from this post which is always greatly appreciated.
Let me know which of these items are your favourites in the comments below as well as what you have bought yourself from the ASOS Sale.
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6 Canary Island Festivals You Should Check Out
*This post is sponsored by Holiday Gems. All opinions are my own.
I have been to various places in the Canary Islands many times before but I have never had the chance to check out any of their yearly festivals. Here is a list of the '6 Canary Island Festivals You Should Check Out' which I will definitely be looking into visiting myself. You can book these places through https://www.holidaygems.co.uk
The Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife
The Carnaval de Santa Cruz de Tenerife is held every February for 15 days. It is the Capitals most iconic celebration which sees the streets filled with fancy dress, lots of music and tonnes of colour! It has loads of events including competitions, dancing and parades. If you plan on going, it is advised to book in advance because the area is in great demand at Carnival time.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday and is held in La Orotava in Tenerife. It is celebrated with folklore music and parades. For this holiday the streets and squares are closed so that they can be covered with colourful carpets made with various types of flowers and coloured sand. Then a religious parade pass over the carpets followed by a huge fiesta of traditional music and dance with everyone dressed in traditional clothes.
International Kite Flying Festival
The International Kite Flying Festival is exactly what it sounds like. It started in 1987 as a group of people who were passionate about flying kites and is now a huge recognised event. It is held in Corralejo in Tenerife each year. There is kite exhibitions, workshops and competitions.
Baile De Magos
Baile De Magos is a folklore street party with performances from many different groups. It is based in Tenerife and everyone wears traditional clothing and enjoys traditional music and cuisine. Mago means peasant or country people.
Fiesta Del Diablo
Fiesta Del Diablo means The Devil's Fiesta and is held every year on the 8th September in the early hours of the morning where people gather to dance on the streets of Tijarafe on La Palma island and wait for the devil to appear. Around 3am the standard carnival characters appear and then everyone starts singing something along the lines of 'tra-la-la-la, the devil's coming soon' until he appears amid a chaos of sparks, flames and fireworks.
Los Indianos
Los Indianos is actually part of The Carnaval Santa Cruz De Tenerife that I mentioned earlier in the post. The origins of this are from the Indianos (Indians) who returned from Latin Ameria with great wealth. The tradition has now become people wearing white and throwing talcum powder about while carrying briefcases around full of fake cash, which sounds like a whole lot of fun.
Have you ever been to any of these festivals? If so which and if not which one sounds the most interesting to you? Let me know in the comments below.
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