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Versailles in Andorra!
Today’s "Gourmet Corner" will visit a small country located in the middle of the Pyrenees – an independent paradise between France & Spain; "The Principality of Andorra" or in Catalan (the official language) "Principat d’ Andorra." Similar to Monaco, San Marino, or Liechtenstein, Andorra has not been part of the European Common Market.The Principality of Andorra was founded in 1607 , at the time of the kingdom of Henri IV, King of France. Andorra resides under the sovereignty of the King of France (or in our day, the President of France) and the Archbishop of Seu d’Urgell, archdiocese of the city of Seu d’Urgell in the north of Catalonia (Spain) at the border with the Principality.In 1993 by referendum , a Parliamentary Regime was established and The Principality of Andorra was admitted at the UNO. With a population of around 65,800 inhabitants and 465 Km˛, the official language is Catalan, the currency is the Euro and the capital is Andorra La Vella with 20,800 inhabitants.The main attraction of the Principality is tourism and one of the best ski resorts in the Pyrenees, with many valleys for ski practice such as Pas de la Casa, Envalira, Soldeu, Arinsal, Pal, El Serrat, etc. You can practice "Alpine Skiing" or "Cross Country Skiing" and all the resorts are equipped with excellent, up-to-date accomodations.If skiing is not your favorite sport, in the summer you can practice all the mountaineering sports you can possibly dream of it. Hotels and restaurants are plentiful. Besides the capital of Andorra, you can find them in every village or small town, with apartments to rent for a week, a month, or an entire ski season. The prices are between those in Spain and France, with the distinctive approach on "Weekends" where the prices are higher due to the mass tourism. Another specialty of the Principality is a "tax free" heaven. So, alcohol, tobacco, perfumes, fashion apparel, etc. are very cheap compared to any other Common Market country. However, you will have a severe problem when crossing the border to Spain or France. The allowance for each person is "ONLY" 1 litter and a half of alcohol and 150 cigarettes.The only way to go to the Principality is by the road from France or Spain, so the best way to visit is by renting a car at the Barcelona (Spain) Airport or at the Toulouse (France) Airport. Remember the roads are mountain roads – especially if you arrive from France – so drive carefully! Of course, the other way to arrive is by public bus from Barcelona or by train or bus from Toulouse. Then the trip is very long, however, but very picturesque. Unfortunately, the Principality of Andorra is not a gourmet paradise, and almost all of the restaurants and hotel-restaurants cater to the masses with special menus and "eat all you want" buffets, so the choice is limited. I will make special mention of the "Borda Estevet", an old barn in the capital Andorra la Vella, and "Don Denis" in Les Escaldes – the only place open after midnight, Les Escaldes is also famous for the thermal baths, La Caldera.***************************** Today’s "Gourmet Corner" presents; VERSAILLES, a traditional top restaurant for more than 25 years. The restaurant represents what is best of the French & Andorran cuisines. In the Principality, it is the meeting place for all of the business community for lunch & dinner. The main menu is French, with a selection of cold & hot starters, daily dishes, (mainly fish on market arrivals), and traditional house dishes. Among the Cold Selection of Starters: # Vegetables Terrine, with Mustard Sauce > 6.20 Euros The Selection of Hot Starters: # Young Rabbit Pâté with Sweet Onions Marmalade > 7.60 Euros Daily Specials: (Can Change with the Month, Season or Day Market)# Home Smoke Salmon Salad > 10.90 Euros Traditional House Dishes: # Grilled Pyrenees Lamb Cutlets > 12.60 Euros House Desserts: # Chocolate Mousse > 3.70 Euros And of course, there is a great selection of "After Dinner" Drinks – some of them are complementary. VERSAILLES Host & Cook: Eric Marty Maître d’Hôtel & Service: Claudia Cap del Carrer N° 1 (Next to the Main Square – Plaça Rebés) Andorra La Vella Tel: (+376) 82 13 31 versailles@andorra.ad ***************************** Hotels: Andorra has more than one hundred hotels to choose from. You can contact the Andorra Tourist Office on: www.turisme.ad for the list, prices and possibilities. My recommendation include the four top business hotels:Holliday Inn Crowne Plaza - Andorra La Vella Tel: (+376) 87 44 44 - Fax: (+376) 87 44 45 Email: crowneplaza@hotels.andorra..com www.hotels.andorra.comHotel Plaza - Andorra la Vella Tel : (+376) 87 94 44 - Fax : (+376) 87 94 45 Email : hotelplaza@hotels.andorra.com www.hotels.andorra.comNovotel - Andorra La Vella Tel : (+376) 87 36 03 - Fax : (+376) 87 36 53Email : novotelandorra@riberpuig.ad www.riberpuig.ad Mercure - Andorra La Vella Tel : (+376) 87 36 02 - Fax : (+376) 87 36 52 Email : mercureandorra@riberpuig.ad www.mercureandorra.comSo remember what I said in my introduction – don’t forget to visit the different valleys in Andorra for the ski resorts in winter, or for mountain trips in summer. It is an experience to remember! And don't forget: In Andorra, your Kingdom is Versailles! ***************************** Freddy Santamaria "The Smooth Operator"
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