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

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

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

Vallnord Pal

It was a sunny day but really cold in Pal Ski Resort in Andorra

 

Green slope of Pal ski resort in Andorra

Pal ski resort in Andorra


Ready for skiing after having lunch in Pal Ski Resort 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:

• Medieval village of Collioure
• Carcassonne
• Canal du Midi and Pays Cathare
• Gorges de la Fou and Coustouges
• Villefranche de Conflent

Catalonia:

• Aigüestortes National Park and La Vall de Boí
• Aigüestortes and Llac de Sant Maurici National Park
• Vall de Núria and  Santuari de Núria
• Castellar de N'Hug and Fonts del Llobregat
• Vall de Camprodon
• Camprodon, Ripoll and Setcases
• Medieval village of Beget
• Olot and Vall de'n Bas
• Port del Comte
• Puigcerdà

- Andorra:

• Andorra and La Seu d'Urgell
• Andorra Grandvalira Grau Roi Ski Resort

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.

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. 

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

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

Main entrance to the church of Sant Pere de les Puelles 

Inside the church of Sant Pere de les Puelles

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

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

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:

• Santa Maria del Mar church
• Barcelona Cathedral
• Santa Maria del Pi church
• Santa Anna church
• Sant Just i Pastor church
• Pedralbes Monastery

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

• Sant Felip Neri
• Paça del Rei
• Plaça Reial
• Barcino Roman City
• El Call, the Jewish quarter of Barcelona
• El Raval
• Carrer Petritxol

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.