Have I been to Andorra?

[potterfan3]

About 5-10 years ago I went on holiday a place near Barcelona (it was on the coast). On one day we took a long coach ride (though I can't remember how long) to a fairly big market which I think may have been in Andorra.

I seem to remember thinking it was Andorra at the time, and I may be imagining it now but I think one of the reasons we went there was to take advantage of the low taxes.

I was fairly young, but I knew of Andorra's existence because I liked to look at Atlases as a child.

There were no border controls, but I would be surprised if Andorra felt the need to have border controls. It was also when the euro was in use.

It's no good asking my mum, it was part of a packaged holiday not planned by her and I'd be surprised if she knew there was a tiny country between Spain and France (how many people actually know of its existence?). Also she probably can't remember either.

So what I'm basically asking is: is there a big market in Andorra close to the Spanish border? It's annoying me because I don't know whether or not to put it on the list of countries I've been to.

[spudqueen]

There's a market mentioned on here
http://www.flyertalk....arcelona-andorra.html

but why not ask your Mum, she may well know if you've been to Andorra. I certainly know of Andorra and I have never been. Though I have been to San Marino.

[dzug2]

If the place you visited was on the coast it wasn't Andorra. Or are you referring to the place you were staying in being on the coast?

[mushroom25]

have not been to Andorra for several years, but my memories of it are that it resembles a 30 mile long petrol station, with shopping centres thrown in.

in those days, whilst there were no passport controls, due to Andorra not being in the EU there were customs controls, and these were often thorough enough to cause long tailbacks at the border posts, particularly at Pas de la Casa. (that may be different now).

[potterfan3]

We stayed on the coast and took a coach ride to Andorra

[potterfan3]

/where ever the market was

[DTCwordfan]

used to offer cheap cigs and booze - bit like Luxembourg did.....before visiting the latter, one would always make sure your car is empty, your bar is empty, your cigar box is empty and also your stomach......

[coccinelle]

It takes 31/2 hours from Barcelona to Andorra. The ride is steep and you don't go through any places in the mountains before getting to Andorra. There is a market but what stands out most is as mushroom says petrol stations and big shops (selling mainly booze and cigarettes). Does that ring a bell?

[jno]

sounds like it - it's up in the mountains (and is a skiing centre, I think), and duty-frees are a big attraction. (Or were: it's years since I was there.) Shops are full of near-brand-names like Great Marnier and Zia Maria. It used to be co-ruled by the French president and a Spanish bishop, though I think that arrangement has now changed.