2024 Spain and Andorra
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"THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANTED!" Says you, probably. But that's alright, I'm here to show you why you didn't even know this is where you want to be. Easy flights? Yep. Available rental cars and hotels? Oh yeah. Fun and different culture (without being scary) absolutely! Varying terrains? ALL the varying terrains!!! And very safe, in this world of uncertainty.
Scotland and Norway are on the list, but they each had some serious struggles with a group like ours. If, after scrolling through the pictures below, you still would rather me rethink an alternative... I'm all ears. But, check this trip out and do some googling first.
Scotland and Norway are on the list, but they each had some serious struggles with a group like ours. If, after scrolling through the pictures below, you still would rather me rethink an alternative... I'm all ears. But, check this trip out and do some googling first.
Day 1: Fly into Barcelona, Spain
Flights have one stop (JFK or similar), overnight, and land in the early morning of Day 2.
At the moment, they are looking like between $700-$800 for week days, or $900-$1000 for weekend... but we're a ways out, so subject to change.
Day 2 and 3: Up The Coast
We will land early in the morning on Day 2 and grab rental cars. The drive up the coast to our destination could be made in just an hour and a half, but we'll take a bit of a scenic route and stop a couple times along the way. Figuring for an arrival in the early afternoon.
I am hoping to stay in the town of Tamariu. Ideally at Hotel Hostalillo. We would be here for about a day and a half, and two nights.
If that picture doesn't sell you on it enough...
There is a beautiful beach (likely for relaxing rather than swimming, but who knows!)
There are walking paths and hiking trails leaving directly from town going up the coast in both directions, so you can just, walk (or morning jog?) in either direction, for as far as you'd like. There are secret caves, beaches, and overlooks all within a mile of the town in both directions.
There is a natural reef! Like, right there! As part of their beach! you can rent scuba gear (with wetsuit), walk out to the edge of the rocks, jump in, and you're in a shallow natural reef area! It's affordable, and EASY! Yous guys have almost a whole year to get your PADI Open Water scuba certificate, and then we're going diving. Not scary, deep, dark, 'I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with that' diving... shallow, bright, weee yay fun diving.
There is a beautiful beach (likely for relaxing rather than swimming, but who knows!)
There are walking paths and hiking trails leaving directly from town going up the coast in both directions, so you can just, walk (or morning jog?) in either direction, for as far as you'd like. There are secret caves, beaches, and overlooks all within a mile of the town in both directions.
There is a natural reef! Like, right there! As part of their beach! you can rent scuba gear (with wetsuit), walk out to the edge of the rocks, jump in, and you're in a shallow natural reef area! It's affordable, and EASY! Yous guys have almost a whole year to get your PADI Open Water scuba certificate, and then we're going diving. Not scary, deep, dark, 'I'm not sure if I'm comfortable with that' diving... shallow, bright, weee yay fun diving.
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And for those not interested in Hiking or Scuba, hop in the car and drive! Less than half an hour away is:
Dozens of scenic overlooks.
Dozens of other tiny beach villages to visit.
A CASTLE!
A beautiful lighthouse.
If the weather is nice, there are kayak rentals and boat excursions from the beach also.
Dozens of scenic overlooks.
Dozens of other tiny beach villages to visit.
A CASTLE!
A beautiful lighthouse.
If the weather is nice, there are kayak rentals and boat excursions from the beach also.
Day 4 and 5 (and 6): To The Mountains
Leaving after breakfast, we'll drive northwest away from the coast and into the heart of the Pyrenees Mountain Range. Drive time will be anywhere from 3-5 hours, depending on how scenic we want to get. I will likely plan it to be on the longer side, dipping into France a bit for a baguette at a cafe with an overlook (or lunch and a waterfall, or something else that you'll love). Then we'll land somewhere in the heart of Andorra. I have some hotel ideas, but nothing that I'm set on just yet. The goal is to find a hotel in the depths of the mountains, with a spa, and ideally walkable to a town.
My personal plan is to stay here in the mountains for 2.5 days and 3 nights. From here, we'll drive to Barcelona for most of a day in the city, and one night. The reason I'm getting ahead of myself here, is simply to open the option up for some of you to leave the mountains a day early, to allow for 1.5 days in the mountains, and 1.5 days in the City. Barcelona is huge and stunning! But cities aren't my thing, so I will be happy doing it in a day. I would also be very interested in booking a city tour, to make the most of our day there. I wanted to throw that out there, before I went ahead and convinced you to stay in the mountains!
Once again, I kinda feel like that picture should speak for itself. LOOK! A MOUNTAIN RANGE THAT YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE! ALSO, IT'LL BE LIKE 70 DEGREES! But here's some more information to help sway you:
Andorra is one of the safest countries in the world!
There is an insane amount of hiking, if you're into that sorta thing (and an absolute ton of Via Ferrata's for those that know what that is. For the rest of you, please don't google it.)
There are endless scenic drives and overlooks, if you're tired of hiking and want to blow your mind.
There are multiple gondola's you can ride to the tops of mountains (for hiking or just scenic views).
There are spas. The goal is to have a hotel with a spa, so you can truly indulge if you'd like, but there's also an enourmous spa that's like an adult water park, if you want to make a day of it.
There are hot springs.
There is one small city, which is stunning and could be worth half a day of wandering. The rest of the country is tiny villages and resort towns.
There are mediaeval ancient ruins, and, like, some really old churches.
Andorra has the worlds longest pedestrian suspension bridge!
You can road trip through the mountains to find castles (and wineries!).
Andorra has an internationally recognized 'dark sky park' for star gazing, and we'll be there very close to a new moon! Super bestest for stars!
Link to More Andorra Info.
Andorra is one of the safest countries in the world!
There is an insane amount of hiking, if you're into that sorta thing (and an absolute ton of Via Ferrata's for those that know what that is. For the rest of you, please don't google it.)
There are endless scenic drives and overlooks, if you're tired of hiking and want to blow your mind.
There are multiple gondola's you can ride to the tops of mountains (for hiking or just scenic views).
There are spas. The goal is to have a hotel with a spa, so you can truly indulge if you'd like, but there's also an enourmous spa that's like an adult water park, if you want to make a day of it.
There are hot springs.
There is one small city, which is stunning and could be worth half a day of wandering. The rest of the country is tiny villages and resort towns.
There are mediaeval ancient ruins, and, like, some really old churches.
Andorra has the worlds longest pedestrian suspension bridge!
You can road trip through the mountains to find castles (and wineries!).
Andorra has an internationally recognized 'dark sky park' for star gazing, and we'll be there very close to a new moon! Super bestest for stars!
Link to More Andorra Info.
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Day 7: To The Big City
We would leave as early as we could after grabbing breakfast, and make our way the 2.5 or 3 hours back to Barcelona. Once in Barcelona, it's big city time! There is history, culture, food, cathedrals, castles, museums, art... all the things you'd want out of a bustling historic European city.
I haven't researched Barcelona a ton yet, but I've seen some "3-hour, see all the important things" guided tours, and some "3-hour, eat all the best foods" guided tours. There are also those hop-on, hop-off busses everywhere as well, for a little less guided and more freedom.
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