Family Holidays: Andorra family holidays

Take the Family holiday rating 4 stars out of 5

Why

Squeezed between Spain and France, the mountainous principality of Andorra is a perfect place for an action-packed summer or winter adventure holiday. And it’s also an inexpensive and well suited destination for skiing beginners.

Summer – On an activity holiday your family can experience the best of the region with walking to the beautiful Siscaro Lakes and in the stunning Incles Valley. There’s plenty of chance for mountain biking both in the Cortals Valley and downhill into Spain where you’ll also get the adrenalin pumping as you shoot the rapids white water rafting down world-class rivers near Sort. Your family can also get off the beaten track with a 4WD excursion along old smugglers’ routes. The mountain scenery is fantastic, the climate perfect and the experiences thrilling!

Winter – In winter, heavy snowfall is almost guaranteed, but this tiny country is also blessed with regular sunshine, which means much of the time there are spectacular views of its steep mountains and plunging valleys against a backdrop of clear, blue sky. You can arrange an independent skiing holiday or consider an escorted adventure holiday with a wide range of snow-based activities on offer: you’ll travel by snowmobile, dog-sled, snowshoe, downhill and cross-country ski. For yet more fun you’ll learn how to make an igloo, learn avalanche rescue techniques and there’s ample opportunity to build snowmen or have the inevitable snowball fight.

Top left: A group in the Pyrenees
Top right: Teenagers kayaking

Bottom left: Cross country skiing
Bottom right: Igloo building

When

Andorra is warm in the summer and cold in the winter, though temperatures vary considerably by altitude. In the summer the average maximum temperature is about 24°C cooling off to about 10°C in the evenings. As with all mountain regions the weather can change quickly and you should be prepared for this. Soldeu’s weather can be quite extreme due to its 2135m altitude; when it is sunny temperatures go up into the 30s°C but there are often afternoon thunderstorms with hail or heavy rain bringing temperatures down to 10°C and below. However it generally has a Mediterranean climate through the summer months with plenty of sun. In the winter there is normally has a good covering of snow from December to April, but this can vary from year to year. It's cold – especially at night – and temperatures can drop well below freezing.

How

take the plane

Fly to Barcelona on any of several airlines that serve numerous UK airports and transfer by coach in three to four hours (220 km.). If you can spare the time why not combine a week in Andorra with a stay in Barcelona?

Stay

Andorra has a wide range of accommodation to suit varying budgets.

For the summer adventure holiday your family will spend seven nights in a comfortable hotel in Soldeu, while your base for winter family adventures is Encamp.

Do

If you are planning a family skiing holiday then you can enjoy 200km of varied piste in the newly linked area of GrandVilara, which connects the Soldeu-El Tarter ski area to Pas de la Casa.

Aside from skiing, you can consider an escorted adventure trip in the summer or winter, which would provide the following experiences:

Summer Adventure

Walking & Smugglers
Nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees, Andorra provides the perfect place for an activity-filled week in the mountains. The walking here is great and you’ll get straight out there by exploring the beautiful Sorteny Valley and the Incles Valley, where you can hike above the tree line. Giving your legs a rest, you jump into 4WD vehicles and follow an old smugglers’ route off-road, stopping to visit farming hamlets and take in the breathtaking views.

Rafting & Biking
Crossing into Spain, you ride mountain bikes to the start of your white water rafting experience. The river is fast flowing and rough in parts – exciting but not dangerous. More cautious families can be taken on calmer sections of the river. Back in Andorra you drive to the top of the Arcalis Valley, walk to the spectacular Trisany lakes and descend by mountain bike choosing a trail suitable for your level of experience.

Winter adventure

Sleds, Snowshoes & Snowmobiles
There are plenty of included activities designed to give you many different experiences. You’ll go snowshoeing – considered by many to be one of the oldest forms of transport. Harnessing huskies to sleds you’ll be pulled through the wilderness, then for a change to motor power you can get to grips with two-man snowmobiles. Having fun in the snow is what this trip is all about and after the roar of the snowmobiles you’ll build igloos.

On your skis
You’ll spend a day cross-country skiing along the many wooded paths that run through the mountains and also try your hand at downhill. For novices there is some included instruction, whilst the more experienced can try out some of the many runs in the area. Your final day is free to either return to the pistes, have another go at your favourite activity or relax and take in the spectacular scenery (all optional).

Eat

There are several cafes and restaurants in Soldeu and Encamp offering a diverse range of cuisine.

Cost

Andorra is relatively inexpensive ski holiday option and is famous for its shopping bargains. Prices, like everywhere else, rise during the school holidays.

For summer escorted adventure holidays, flight-inclusive prices start at £499 for adults and children. For winter escorted adventure holidays, flight inclusive prices start at £849 for adults and children.