Here are details of two more properties that have become available to buy in Andorra - to request details of the full current availability of Andorra property for sale and information about Andorra residency visit http://www.propertyandorra.com

La Massana.  110m2.  2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment, walking distance of the town centre.  Good views and sunshine.  Wood burning fireplace, terrace, storage space and a car parking space.  441,500 Euros  ref: 2101  10 photographs available by email *

Sispony.  4 bedroom 2 bathroom house 436m2 + 188m2 of terraces.  Built 1996.  Immaculate throughout.  Lower ground floor includes utility room, 3 car garage, store room and wine cellar.  Ground floor includes both a large living room and a large fully equipped kitchen with top quality brands.  Bedroom currently uses as an office (broadband).  Upper floor has a master en suite bathroom with dressing area.  Two further double bedrooms and all with views and a full bathroom.  1,500,000 Euros  ref: 2100  * 8 photographs available by email *

Visitors for Andorra who are considering buying a property and taking residency often stop off in Barcelona if their flight arrival is late in the evening, and the Independent Newspaper in the UK recently reviewed one of the new hotels in Barcelona - here’s an extract:

There is a flavour of the city as soon as you enter the seven-story lobby: two marble sculptures, reminiscent of Gaudí’s contorted Casa Milà roof statues, stand sentry to one side of the door.

The lobby stretches skywards, but laterally too, into the lounge and bar, the Wave restaurant, and beyond the glass doors on to the “Wet Deck” or pool area. Here you’ll find scattered white parasols, cabañas and loungers set around a bracingly cool pool, with a bar at one end and the beach just below.

Bofill’s aim was for the Mediterranean to be the primary focus of his building. Up on the 26th-floor Eclipse bar, the sea views are bewitching.

The hotel’s interiors create the sensation of being underwater. Neutral tones give the appearance of sand, and there are meandering giant seaweeds preserved in frosted glass walls. The Bliss spa, meanwhile, is bright and white, with the brand’s signature touch of a sushi-style conveyor belt at the nail bar.

To read the full article click here

For details of Andorra property for sale and residency visit propertyandorra.com

The number of people taking ski holidays last year dropped by 6 per cent last year.

breakingtravelnews reports:

The UK snowsports market fell by 6% across all sectors in 2008/9 according to the Ski Club of Great Britain’s annual Snowsports Analysis report. The total UK snowsports market is now reported at 1.27 million people.

The decline in overall numbers can be attributed to the economic climate and the weak pound, although the report suggests that the excellent snow conditions may have influenced more people not to forego their wintersports holiday. Additionally the report discusses a returning confidence to the industry and last season’s great snow acting as a catalyst for more people to start skiing again or go for the first time.

A 2% rise in the tour operator market means it now makes up 79% of the overall market. This increase is at the expense of the independent sector, which now sits at 21%. It seems more skiers favoured a package holiday as this enabled them to know the upfront cost of their holiday. The increased cost of flying at peak times with no-frills airlines, and ski carriage charges, may also have impacted the independent market. To read the report click here

For more information about ski holidays including with Crystal Ski visit yourandorra.com

Here are details for three Andorra properties which are new to the market - full details of these and more can be requested via http://www.propertyandorra.com

La Massana.  87m2.  2 bedroom duplex apartment in central La Massana, close to the ski holidays and the town’s amenities.  Parking space.  378,000 Euros  ref: 984  *4 photographs available by email *

Anyos.  206m2.  3 bedroom, 2 bathroom penthouse apartment. 4 years old. Excellent views over the La Massana Valley.  Guest wc and double garage.  750,000 Euros  ref: 1196  *10 photographs available by email *

Anyos.  340m2.  4 bedroom, 3 bathroom house.  2 years old and in excellent decorative order throughout.  Panoramic views.  1,695,000 Euros  ref: 1197  *10 photographs available by email *

For details of Andorra hotels, ski holidays and banks visit yourandorra.com

They also have information for French ski holidays and Swiss ski holidays

The Andorra ski resort of Soldeu is one of the top ski resorts when it comes to value for money, recent research shows.

The village is hoping that more people will visit for their 2010 ski holidays including those who often take French ski holidays

After experiencing a drop of 13 per cent in visitors last year, the ski holidays industry will be hoping that 2009/10 will see a pick up as skiers start booking again.

Fortune is on their side at least - early snow saw some of the Colorado resorts open in early October - the earliest for 40 years - and In Europe the Pyrenees had high snowfall in early November - benefitting both French ski holidays and Andorra.

But while the weather may be on the industry’s side, the long, deep recession in both Europe and Northern America casts doubts over their 2010 aspirations.

For many people ski holidays are a luxury item, while the family summer vacation is seen as much more of an essential item for expenditure, and while economies are coming out of recession many people have concerns about their own job security or the state of their business, and might hold back this year until they are confident of the future.

This is particularly relevant for the skiing industry - the recession was caused by a banking crisis and a disproportionate number of people who took skiing holidays in recent years worked in the banking and finance industries - often spending between four and eight thousand Euros on the trip and spending freely while in the resorts during their French ski holidays, in Andorra, Switzerland, Colorado and Canada.

And the lack of free spending Brits compared to recent years will be noticeable, and keenly felt in the upmarket Aspen and Swiss ski holidays resorts, as London and New York’s economies were impacted most by the financial crises sparked off by the failures of investment banks.

Normal spend level tourists from Britain will be thinner on the ground too not just because of their economy, but many of the European ski resorts are in the Eurozone, and Sterling has crashed against the Euro, with the cost of Italian, Andorra and French ski holidays costing more for British skiers once they are in their resorts, unless they opt for an all inclusive package from comapnes who offer them.

So if there is optimism, where are the people coming from who will be taking ski holidays this year?

In Europe’s case it will be from countries who have the Euro, and who won’t be impacted by currency fluctuations.

And that will be mainly Germany, whose economy has grown in the last two quarters, and is firmly out of recession, while France might see a good number of people taking domestic ski holidays in France.

For Andorra, their economy is one that doesn’t rely purely on skiing, although tourism is an important aspect. As a tax haven a good number of people are employed in the finance and banking industries, and as the Andorra banks are independent the recession was felt less there than many other areas.

Property in Andorra hasn’t dropped as much as other European countries either as it not only has a local market but also sees people taking Andorra residency, who look at the houses and Andorra apartments for sale.

Time will tell if the optimism in the ski holidays industry is misplaced, or if 2010 proves to be a turning point.

More information about Andorra is available with yourandorra.com - they also have a blog with some travel articles available.

Here are details for two properties new to the Andorra property market.

To request full current availability visit propertyandorra.com

Arinsal.  130m2.  3 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment.  Panoramic views to the Nord Valley and lots of sunshine.  Spacious entrance hall, fitted and equipped kitchen with attached laundry room, living/dining room with open fireplace and access to terrace.  On the other side of this Andorra property, there are two double  bedrooms with fitted wardrobes and a full bathroom, and an en suite main bedroom with shower room.  Good decorative order throughout.  Parking space and large storage room. Well located for ski holidays. 297,000 Euros  ref: 996  * 3 photographs available by email *

Aldosa, La Massana.  356m2.  3 bedroom 2 bathroom house located above the town of La Massana Andorra in the peaceful village of Aldosa.  A large four car garage with ample storage space, with a smart and spacious reception area leading up to the access to the living and dining area.  This open area is set over a split level which receives good amounts of sunshine.  Both have direct access to a large front terrace which have first class uninterrupted views over central La Massana and the Pal Ski Station, excellent for ski holidays.  The kitchen has panoramic views and is sizable compared to other chalets.  There is a private breakfast terrace from the kitchen.  The upper floor contains three spacious bedrooms all with  storage and closet space.  All bedrooms offer excellent views of different parts of the valley.  The large bedroom has a fitted en suite bathroom, while the other two bedrooms share a large full bathroom. A good property for those considering Andorra residency.  1,397,000 Euros  ref: 1195  * 10 photographs available by email *

Below are five Andorra properties for sale new to the market - full details of what is available can be requested at propertyandorra.com

La Massana.  30m2.  Well located studio apartment, recently refurbished and decorated.  Small but cosy and completely furnished with quality goods, includes a locker room.  131,500 Euros  ref: 1193  * 5 photographs available by email *

La Massana.  130m2.  4th floor 3 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment, located in the heart of La Massana.  Excellent sun and views with bonus of being in a quiet part of town overlooking the river and Les Fontetes square.  Walking distance from the ski lift just one minute, banks, shopping etc.  Very spacious living room leading onto large terraces.  Recently decorated and includes a garage.  350,000 Euros  ref: 1144 * 12 photographs available by email *

Ordino.  118m2.  2 bedroom duplex apartment.  The living room is the ideal family area, which has an open fireplace and good views, with two separate exits onto balconies.  The kitchen is sizeable, and comes equipped.  Also parking space.  410,000  ref: 1162  * 5 photographs available by email *

Arinsal.  158m2.  Duplex 4 bedroom penthouse apartment.  Equipped and fitted open plan kitchen, good size living room with large terrace and stone fireplace, on the same floor master bedroom, bathroom and office with access to the terrace.  Top floor 62m2 mezzanine with two more large bedrooms, lounge and cloakroom.  Located high up in the sunniest side of Arinsal but only 3 minutes walk from the ski lift.  From all the rooms on the lower floor it’s possible to enjoy the sun and magnificent views.  The top floor  has lots of natural light coming through Velux windows located on the ceiling.  Includes a parking space. Good for Andorra residency.  450,000 Euros  ref: 1053  * 12 photographs available by email *

Les Salines, Ordino.  341m2.  5 bedroom 4 bathroom chalet with large gardens of 1000m2.  Living quarters consist of two double en suite bedrooms with dressing area and large open area, plus 3 further bedrooms, dining/living room with beautiful stone fireplace and spacious antique style kitchen which is well equipped.  There is access to the large balcony from the dining area.  Large office and garage.  1,420,000 Euros  ref: 1158  * 12 photographs available by email *

Andorra

Skiing is the most obvious sport Andorra is associated with, and not many would consider golf as something else on offer too, considering the country is high in the Pyreenees. But now Andorra has opened Europe’s highest golf course - a challenge many golfers will enjoy.

The neww golf course in Andorra is Grandvalira Golf Soldeu  located in Pla d’ Espiolets. Reachable by an eight passenger cable car, it is Europe’s highest elevated golf course at 2,590 metres (2,850 yards) high. The nine hole course is surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains, creating a unique setting.

The Pyrenees Mountains make a beautiful backdrop for the new golf course. The scenic area has flowing waterfalls, interesting semicircle cliffs, wooded areas, great elevation, metallic ores, stratified rock, wildlife, mineral springs and hot springs. Though it makes a great place for a ski resort, it is also a peaceful place to be when the sun is shining and a warm breeze is in the air. Now holidaymakers can experience an Andorra that caters for golf as well as ski holidays.

The Planning of Grandvalira Golf Soldeu

Planning the location of the new golf course wasn’t easy. It took four years and 3 million euros to plan. The idea was to carefully embed the golf course in the natural environment of the Pyrenees Mountains without disturbing its surroundings. British expert Jeremy Pern led the project. He is famous for his work in designing golf courses.

Building the highest elevated golf course became a labour of love. It is a unique experience for golfers, since it is the only golf course that requires a ride in a cable car to access it. Aside from planning how to get tourists to and from the golf course, a lot of time was devoted to the project. Other time consuming details included construction, greens, planting trees, sodding grass, figuring out how to keep the grass lush, shaping the course and figuring out how to carefully weave the holes among the mountains without disrupting the balance of nature.

Boosting Tourism in Andorra

Andorra is mainly dependent on tourism for its economy to survive. The area brings in more than 9 million visitors per year, mainly for her ski resorts, but there is more to Andorra than the snow capped mountains. Did you know for example that Andorra also offers things to do in the summer months? Aside from skiing and snowboarding, holidaymakers enjoy the hiking trails, mountain biking, helicopter rides, para-gliding, trout fishing, bird watching and horseback riding to name a few.

Finding ways to bring holidaymakers to Andorra in the summer months is one way to build tourism, and golf may be part of the answer. According to the International Association of Golf Tour Operators, golf tourism is worth $17 billion globally. The U.S. is the current leader in the industry, but the UK also cashes in on golf tourism.

Golfers on holiday spend money, not only on the golf course, but also in the surrounding areas, at local attractions, at restaurants, at hotels, on transportation and on shopping. Package deals often include entrance to the golf course, airfare and hotel accommodation. All of which Andorra can offer.

The addition of the highest elevated golf course promises to bring added tourism to Andorra. Grandvalira Golf Soldeu is expected to host renowned golf tournaments throughout the season. It is also offering lessons, rental equipment, a driving range, a practice area and a clubhouse designed for social gatherings.

Golf tourism is expected to bring in extra revenue for Andorra with the opening of Grandvalira Golf Soldeu. While some golfers travel exclusively for specific golf courses or tournaments, others plan their holidays around such events, thus spending more money and staying for an extended period of time. Bringing a high elevation golf course to Andorra is a smart way to maximize the use of the land while attracting tourists on a year-round basis - smart thinking in today’s economy when people are cutting back on holiday spending.

More news about Andorra including skiing - French ski holidays too - is available at yourandorra.com

For Andorra properties and residency visit propertyandorra.com

The Guardian has recently published a country profile for Andorra - to see it click here

More details about Andorra are also available at yourandorra.com - they include an Andorra blog