jueves, 16 de febrero de 2012

ANDORRA: VALLNORD PAL ARINSAL SKI RESORT

In Andorra there are mainly two large ski domains, which are actually the sum of several ski resorts that have finished growing up linking facilities to form two large areas: Grandvalira and Vallnord.

Recently I spent a weekend in Andorra la Vella and I enjoyed two sunny and really cold days. The first day we went to Arinsal and the second one we skied in Pal.


Vallnord Arinsal


Arinsal is one of the ski resorts of Vallnord in Andorra
Ready for skiing in Arinsal, one of the ski resorts of Vallnord in Andorra

Snow-capped mountains of the Pyrenees in Andorra
Snow-capped mountains of the Pyrenees from Arinsal ski resort in Andorra


Vallnord Pal


Pal is one of the ski resorts of Vallnord in Andorra
It was a sunny day but really cold in Pal Ski Resort in Andorra

 Pal is one of the ski resorts of Vallnord in Andorra
Green slope of Pal ski resort in Andorra

Pal is one of the ski resorts of Vallnord in Andorra
Pal ski resort in Andorra

Pal is one of the ski resorts of Vallnord in Andorra
Ready for skiing after having lunch in Pal Ski Resort in Andorra

Pal is one of the ski resorts of Vallnord in Andorra
Overview of Pal Ski Resort in Andorra between the mountains of the Pyrenees



Other ski resorts in Andorra where you can ski or enjoy a snowshoes activity are:

  • Grandvalira (Pas de la Casa - Grau Roig) (www.grandvalira.com)
  • Vallnord (Pal - Arinsal - Arcalis) (www.vallnord.com)
  • Naturlandia (www.naturlandia.ad)


Finally, if you liked these landscapes, clicking on the next links you will find links to other fantastic places in the Pyrenees of Andorra, France and Catalonia, like:




- France:


Catalonia:

- Andorra:


miércoles, 8 de febrero de 2012

BARCELONA: SANT PERE DE LES PUELLES


Many of Barcelona’s squares in Ciutat Vella contain astonishing Romanesque landmarks. Time seems to have stood still in the heart of the neighbourhood of Sant Pere, where the church of the ancient convent of Sant Pere de les Puelles still stands.

Gothic church of Sant Pere de les Puelles in Barcelona
Only one of the two original bell towers of the church of Sant Pere de les Puelles survives. It is octagonal in shape and has six bells 


Sant Pere de Puelles, located near Born-La Ribera district, became the first convent of Benedictine nuns in Barcelona. Throughout its history, Sant Pere de les Puelles has experienced many changes in fortune which have transformed the Romanesque building, which was built outside the city walls.

The church has been remodelled and undergone successive changes, and now, all that remains of the original monastery is a heavily restored Romanesque church which preserves some relics of the original one. They can be seen in the chapel of the Holy Sacrament. 



Sant Pere square in Barcelona
The Plaça de Sant Pere of Barcelona, with the imposing presence of the ancient monastery, is one of the most charming spots in the old town of Barcelona, the Ciutat Vella neighbourhood

Sant Pere square in Barcelona
A fountain in Plaça de Sant Pere with the coat of arms of Barcelona. Behind you can see the church of Sant Pere de les Puelles

Gothic church of Sant Pere de les Puelles in Barcelona
Main entrance to the church of Sant Pere de les Puelles 

Gothic church of Sant Pere de les Puelles in Barcelona
Inside the church of Sant Pere de les Puelles

Gothic church of Sant Pere de les Puelles in Barcelona
Beautiful stained glass window of the church of Sant Pere de les Puelles

Gothic church of Sant Pere de les Puelles in Barcelona
Capital inside the church of Sant Pere de les Puelles. On the left you can see the stained glass window of the previous picture

Street of the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona
A typical street of Ciutat Vella, the old city of Barcelona, near Sant Pere square



If you like religious architecture, you would be interested in visiting the following religious buildings in Barcelona:



Other beautiful places you can visit in the old city of Barcelona are:




Montserrat Abbey is another interesting visit to do near Barcelona (it's located 60 km away from Barcelona), especially if you like religious buildings.

I also would like to give you some useful information in case you want to visit this nice church:

- Address: Lluís el Piadós, 1
- How to get there:
  • Metro L1, stop Arc de Triomf.
  • Bus 19, 39, 40, 41, 42, 51 and 55.

- Opening time: Tuesday and Thursday, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.


Finally, clicking on the next link you will find links to other beautiful places in Barcelona, among them, more nice churches inside the Gothic Quarter.