AboutSílvia Martino Expertise I can answer many questions about tourism in Barcelona and Catalunya, visits, restaurants, hotels, apartments, special tips, etc. Also for Madrid and other Spanish cities
Experience I've lived in Barcelona all my life....
12 years in the incoming tourism in Barcelona,
Organizations Barcelona On Line, an incoming travel agency specialised in Barcelona, Catalunya and other Spanish cities
Publications Some conferences focusing Barcelona, city breaskd, etc.
Education/Credentials MBA in business administration
Awards and Honors Member of the directing board of the Catalan Travel agency Association (ACAV)
Question My wife and I am planning to drive from Barcelona up to the mountain of Pyrenees on 23 Sept for 7 days. We are planning to stay in Vielha and Puigcerda as our bases. During our stay in Vielha, we plan to spend two days in the surrounding area. Then we will drive to Puigcerda via Andorra. I would like your valuable guidance in the following questions:
(1). What is the day and night temperature in Vielha, Andorra, Puigcerda and the surrounding areas? We just wanna to pack appropriately for the weather.
(2). Do you have any recommendations for the 2 days in the vicinity of Vielha?
(3). When I drive from Andorra to Puigcerda, I would like to cut through the Pass De La Casa instead of using the tunnel. But the Google and Viamichelin map kept referring me to use the tunnel. Do you have any suggestion for me to avoid the tunnel?
(4). We will be staying in Puigcerda for 2 days. We plan to visit a nearby mountain village called Castella De n'Hug and taking the cremallera up to Vall Nuria. Do you think these are good selections? What else do you suggest?
(5). On our way from Puigcerda to Barcelona, can you recommend a route for us to enjoy as many scenic as possible within 1 day of driving?
(6). Last question, I segmented all the driving as follows. Barcelona to Vielha, Vielha to Andorra to Puigcerda and Puigcerda to Barcelona. The driving times are based on Google Map and ViaMichelin recommendations. Do you think their recommended driving time realistic?
I appreciate for your help on these questions.
Answer Hi Tom!!!
Great decision!! Pyrenees, is one of my favorites places!!! (I have a house there, and try to go every week end!!)
I will answer below your questions, it will be easier....
My wife and I am planning to drive from Barcelona up to the mountain of Pyrenees on 23 Sept for 7 days. We are planning to stay in Vielha and Puigcerda as our bases. During our stay in Vielha, we plan to spend two days in the surrounding area. Then we will drive to Puigcerda via Andorra. I would like your valuable guidance in the following questions:
(1). What is the day and night temperature in Vielha, Andorra, Puigcerda and the surrounding areas? We just wanna to pack appropriately for the weather.
temperatures will be similar, but it will depend on the days.... check a weather forecast website, such as www.snow-forecast.com
for Andorra, choose Andorra and any sky resort
for Viella, choose SPAIN, and then BAQUERA BERET sky resort
for Puigcerdà, choose SPAIN and then LA MOLINA, or search FRANCE and then FONT ROMEU
If it is sunny, it might be hot during the day, but fresh at night (do not forget a polar or some warm clothes. even during the day, but staying under the shadow might be cold. It will also depend on the kind of activities.... if you like mountain walking, then for sure take mountain equipment. If it is cold, it might get quite chilly..... but we won't know till afew days before.
(2#. Do you have any recommendations for the 2 days in the vicinity of Vielha?
What do you like? more nature? there are many day excursions, mountains to climb, outdoor activities, etc.... just go to SALARDU information #it s a nice village#. By the way,better sleep in small villages such as salardu, than big village #or small city# like viella.
ir you prefer culture, or village visiting, there also many small and authentic villages, with traditional cultures, to visit.
Gastronomy? same, many places to go and restaurants to taste...
just let me know a bit more what you like and I'll try to be more precise.
#3#. When I drive from Andorra to Puigcerda, I would like to cut through the Pass De La Casa instead of using the tunnel. But the Google and Viamichelin map kept referring me to use the tunnel. Do you have any suggestion for me to avoid the tunnel?
tunnel????
from ANdorra, you can either enter Spain through LA SEU D'URGELL or through PAS DE LA CASA, France and then Spain, in puigcerdà.
Once in Andorra, you have to follow signs to PAS DE LA CASA and probably FRANCE. once out of Andorra, follow PUIGECRDÂ or BOURGMADAME directions
#4#. We will be staying in Puigcerda for 2 days. We plan to visit a nearby mountain village called Castella De n'Hug and taking the cremallera up to Vall Nuria. Do you think these are good selections? What else do you suggest?
Yes, this is a very nice idea, castellar de n'hug is about 40km, but thin roads, so count one hour drive.
For Nuria, I would suggest you to do it on your way down to Barcelona, since you have to stop in RIBES DE FRESER to take the cremallera. After visiting NURIA, from Ribes de freser, you can continue driving to barcelona.
As for Puigcerdà, if I were you, I would choose another village to stay.... bur ti t depens on your wishes, the type of hotel you want, etc.... The last day I was there, I saw a nice hotel in TALLO, a village near BELLVER de cerdanya #around 25 km from puigcerdà#. ALso, in ELLER, the village where my house is, there is a rural accommodation #only 3 rooms in a nice house with a nice family#. The village has a few houses were 2 or 3 families live all year around, but no shops, bars, etc.... just silence, cows, birds, etc....
When staying at CERdanya VALLEY, I would propose:
- walkings: 45 to 60 minutes walk;: LLAC DE MALNIU #just behing another very nice village MERANGES; around 3 hours walk: PRAT DEL CADI, wiuth great views.
- mushroom season; if you like mushrooms, and depending on rains, there might be already mushrooms!!! MMMMMMM!!!!!!
- cultural: villages, like BELLVER DE CERDANYA, or in the French side: MONT LUIS (castel and wall#, VILLEFRANCHE, etc.... you candrive there, or take famous YELLOW TRAIN-.
- outdoor activities: MATAMALA lake #on french side one hour driving from puigcerdà# or any ski resort.... because in summer, they organise bike trails, or any other activity you canimagine.
- relax: spa or hot water #at LLO a french village#.
again, let me know your preferences and I'll be more specefic.
#5#. On our way from Puigcerda to Barcelona, can you recommend a route for us to enjoy as many scenic as possible within 1 day of driving?
the best route, is the one though RIBES,
you stop at RIBES to visit NURIA. If day is over, sleep in RIBES #go to dinner at ELS CAÇADORS# and next morning keep on driving. You can stop at RIPOLL, the capital of this region, with a famous monastery and church and a not to nbe missed old town.
#6). Last question, I segmented all the driving as follows. Barcelona to Vielha, Vielha to Andorra to Puigcerda and Puigcerda to Barcelona. The driving times are based on Google Map and ViaMichelin recommendations. Do you think their recommended driving time realistic?
Barcelona to Viella and then Viella to Andorra, are easy to make for a day, it's a biy long, but if you leave early in the morning, you get there for lunch, so you still have the othe half of the day.
From Puigcerda to Barcelona, you can take CADI TUNNEL, but I would recommend the one through RIBES and RIPOLL.
I hop eI have helped you, if you need other ideas, ormore explanation, pls, let me know., If you need accommodation, also let me know, I might have nice prices!!!
