Andorra score a goal…for the full report click through to the BBC here

The Republic of Ireland made it two wins from two games in the Euro 2012 qualifiers but had to struggle for periods in the victory over Andorra.

Kevin Kilbane headed the Republic ahead on 14 minutes and Kevin Doyle lashed in a glorious second on 41.

But Christian Martinez replied for the minnows before the break and the Irish appeared rattled after half-time.

Robbie Keane’s deft finish on 54 minutes eased Republic nerves before the contest petered out.

The Republic took only 14 minutes to open the scoring at the Aviva Stadium against the world’s 201st ranked side after the lively Aiden McGeady’s trickery had forced a corner.

From the set-piece, Liam Lawrence delivered a superb ball which was glanced in at the near post by Kilbane for his eighth international goal.

The goal was the fitting reward for a purposeful opening by the Irish.

McGeady was tormenting the Andorran defence while the Republic were varying their attacking tactics to good effect with a mixture of precise passing and long balls which were troubling goalkeeper Josep Anton Gomez.

However, the Republic lost their way in the aftermath of Kilbane’s goal.

Sergi Moreno tested Shay Given in the 17th-minute with a long-range shot which the safety-first Irish keeper pushed away for a corner.

Andorra Blog

October through to might mean looking forward to Christmas for the vast majority of the population, but it’s an important time for skiers, as the 2011 season draws nearer.

And for those considering ski holidays Andorra is a great destination, with first class slopes and an infrastructure to match.

There are different areas to ski in Andorra, and they are:

Arinsal and Pal - now a single resort linked by cable car. One ski pass allows skiers to venture onto either set of slopes. In effect, wherever you are staying at the resort, you can ski from your backyard right onto the slopes. Snowboarders will also feel quite comfortable whether they are beginners or experienced.

Pas de la Casa is also close by but tends to be more crowded. However, it does offer very good value if that is the major criteria in selecting a resort.

With its numerous cafes, restaurants, happy hours and discos, Pas de la Casa tends to attract the livelier young adult crowd. Travel offers often feature the resort for a cheap ski holiday, and there are regular buses to and from the capital la Vella for those who want to do some duty free shopping during their trip.

Perhaps the best known resort is Soldeu. It has a mix of accommodation but has the best hotel for skiers, the Sports Hermitage, and first class ski slopes. An excellent mix.

It’s also perfectly possible to have a twin centre trip, with both Andorra and French ski holidays. Some areas good in France include:

Nestled atop a magnificent glacier on Mt. Bellecote is the world-class ski area of La Plagne. Surrounded by the majestic Vanoise Massif Mountains in the Graian Alps, La Plagne resort beckons the avid skier. It is spread over an altitude of 1250 to 3250 meters. The result is a variety of terrains and altitudes appealing to beginners and French ski holiday experts alike.

The resort was built in 1961 with the hope of attracting tourism dollars. It was largely conceived in the interest of four small mountain villages. The fledgling towns were dying and hoped to capitalize on the gorgeous natural beauty of the area and appeal to people who like a French ski holiday.

Today’s La Plagne is comprised of many different and distinctive villages. All are linked to one another by ski lifts and trails for those who prefer cross-country skiing. The villages continue to expand, giving it a competitive edge when it comes to tourism revenue.

Even the non-skier will find something to love about La Plagne. Non-skiers may choose from over 50 pubs and restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining. After dark visitors can hit one of the resort’s many night clubs for an evening of dancing and partying. Numerous daytime activities entertain and engage those who choose not to ski as well. Winter sport activities include ice skating, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

La Grave is a commune in southeastern France and the location of La Meije. Three summits comprise La Meije with the highest summit being 3,984 m. Mountain climbers and rock climbers challenge themselves to reach the highest summit of La Meije. The very first successful climb was by Emmanuel Boileau de Castelneu and Pierre Gaspard and his son on August 16, 1877. Glacier climbing or ice climbing is a very popular sport in La Grave as well. One hundred to 300 metre climbing routes offer a variety of difficulty.

Much of the La Grave la Meije ski area is glacier and considered dangerous. Guided skiing is recommended. Extreme skiers find a great deal of fascination and appeal in La Grave la Meije due to the enormous vertical drops and extreme ski conditions. The largest vertical descent can be extended to 2,300 m when skiers go past the resort to the road.

Located in the Belleville Valley, Les Menuires resort hosted the 1992 Winter Olympics. It is part of the largest ski area in the world, Les Trois Valleys.

The Three Valleys are comprised of several resorts that host millions of skiers per year - Thomson Ski for example include it in their brochures. Les Menuires has 62 ski trails, advanced and beginner slopes and 39 lifts. The resort’s 48 restaurants offer foods ranging from fast food to fine cuisine.

To see independent comments from those who have visited these areas follow them on myspace

Andorra Blog

The Pyrenees is probably not the first place you would look for good internet connections, but add to that requirement being able to live in a tax friendly environment and you might think you are asking a little too much.

Happily there is such a place - Andorra.

Situated between France and Spain in the Pyrenees, it’s an independent country with a population of 80,000, plus those who have taken residency to live in the Principality.

Best known to the general public for her skiing, the country became well known for it in the 1980’s and in recent years has improved her infrastructure to the extent that it now competes with French ski holidays on an even footing.

For those considering a tax haven such as traders who need high speed internet acess and for those where time is critical, it’s a good working environment with or without tax, and Andorra steps up to the mark for them.

For such a small country in the middle of a mountain range Andorra impresses by being the 11th in the world for broadband speed - beating the United Kingdom for example, and according to Ookla who carried out the research Andorra has 14.79Mbps.

Good news indeed for those who need high speed communications in a tax friendly country whether for business or for social media like facebook - but what else can it offer apart from the financial advantages and good communications?

It has an infrastructure that matches any Western European country, with a good road network that has easy access to both France and Spain. Some residents drive to the Spanish coast for the weekend while some own property elsewhere and for example frequently enjoy Majorca villa holidays with a journey time of around five hours door to door.

For people considering taking Andorra residency, medical facilities are important, and more good news is that the hospital is modern and well equipped, with surgeons contracted from Barcelona to deal with non-emergency teatment as well as local doctors.

For tourists, there’s a good choice of hotels, both in the capital la Vella and in the villages and towns. Some of the hotels are as good as you’ll find on Swiss ski holidays, and there’s a wide range of culinary experiences available, including Michelin Star restaurants. Soldeu is one of the best known areas for ski holidays and first class quality hotels equivalent to anywhere else include the Sport Hermitage.

And it’s not just those who take Andorra residency who benefit from low or no taxes. For tourists Andorra is great for shopping with some of the lowest prices in Europe. To the extent that people make the trip from Barcelona to pick up the bargains. They visit the hypermarkets in Sant Julia just across from the Spanish border or make their way to the capital where there are department stores.

Here are details for three Andorra properties that have just become available.

To request the full availability click through to Andorra properties for sale at propertyandorra.com

Ordino. 80m2. 2 bedroom apartment. Quiet area but close to shops, restaurants and schools. Two large double bedrooms and full bathroom. Could do with re-decorating. Garage. 240,000 Euros ref: 1216 * 6 photographs available by email *

Escaldes. 77m2 . 2 bedroom apartment, 77m2 + 10m2 terrace with views over the capital of Andorra la Vella. Parking space. 290,000 Euros ref: 1213 * 6 photographs available by email *

El Serrat, La Massana. New 4 bedroom 3 bathroom 300m2 house. Top quality finishes. 3 car garage, garden and good size terrace. 950,000 Euros ref: 1110 * 4 photographs available by email *

Pal, La Massana. 82m2. One bedroom en suite apartment. Excellent condition throughout, guest wc and good size terrace and views. Parking space. 280,000 Euros ref: 1209 * 6 photographs available by email *

Pal, La Massana. 82m2. 2 bedroom 1 bathroom apartment. Good size bathroom and modern kitchen. Excellent views and an 18m2 terrace. Car parking space. 300,000 Euros ref: 1210 * 7 photographs available by email *

Anyos, La Massana. 3 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment with private 70m2 garden – ideal for those with children or pets and wanting some outside space. All three bedrooms are doubles and both bathrooms are full ones. South facing, includes a 24m2 storeroom and two large parking spaces. 650,000 Euros ref: 1207 * 8 photographs available by email *

Sispony, La Massana. 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom 115m2 apartment plus terrace. The four bedrooms are all doubles, main en suite and one bedroom is currently used as a home office. Excellent views over the La Massana valley. 695,000 Euros ref: 1208 * 10 photographs available by email *

For more details of Andorra property visit propertyandorra.com

News from The Barcelona Reporter that La Seu d’Urgell airport will be open again soon - there is a possibilty that some small commercial aircraft might start running a service - and being just a fifteen minute drive from Andorra this could potentially be good news for Andorra property owners:

The airport in La Seu d’Urgell will reopen before the summer, once the work being carried out on the runway and terminal building and control tower have been completed, confirmed the mayor of the town and the CiU candidate for Lleida, Albert Batalla.

In an interview with Europa Press, he said the aim is “to bring back the installation on the flight map” of Catalonia, and work in developing the long term plan, which should determine the feasibility of converting the airfield in the airport and define the actions that need to be implemented medium to long term.

It was October 2009 when the Regional Department of Territorial Policy and Public Works awarded 1.9 million for works to condition the bed of the runway, 1,340 meters long and 28 wide, the service building, signalling and improving management centres.

The airfield was opened in 1982 and operated until 1984 when the last commercial flight operated. Then it was used for sport and general aviation until it closed for security reasons. According to Battle, the installation will not aspire to be a major airport, but a reference airfield to enable them to trade and can be complementary to the recently opened Lleida-Alguaire airport.

“The flights arriving in La Seu may be fewer but will provide more quality,” said Battle.
In particular, the airport is to house small-format commercial flights, flights for safety - for emergencies and fire fighting - and sport.

In his view, Catalunya could also seek partnerships with Andorra, however if Barcelona wins the bid to host the Winter Olympics 2022 he recalled that it is impossible that Andorra can be co-organizer of the event because they impede the rules of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

However, he recalled that La Seu has a close link with Nordic skiing - it has the presidency of the pooling of cross-country trails and the National Centre for modernization of this specialty - and Olympic experience and the major organizer for competitions. “It’s a great opportunity to put the Pyrenees on the map” said Battle, who stressed that the Games would improve the infrastructure for the area, in roads, rail and in relation to digital communications.

For information about 2011 ski holidays for Andorra plus French ski holidays visit yourandorra.com

For details of full availability for Andorra property for sale visit propertyandorra.com

Erts, La Massana. 110m2. 3 bedroom 1st floor apartment in a good peaceful area, with excellent views. The apartment has been recently refurbished and is in excellent decorative order throughout. Spacious living/dining room with large terrace, with semi open kitchen with bar front. Three double bedrooms and a full bathroom, plus guest wc. 380,000 Euros ref: 1201 * 9 photographs available by email *

Ordino. 140m2. 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom duplex penthouse apartment. Rustic wood finishes and polished wood floors. 3 spacious bedrooms on the upper floor with gabled ceilings, the master bedroom has an ensuite bathroom with hydromassage bath. The living area is spacious with a 12m2 terrace which receives direct sunlight throughout the day. Includes undercover car parking space. 395,000 Euros ref: 979 * 5 photographs available by email *

Anyos. 270m2. 4 bedroom, 4 bathroom semi detached house. Excellent decorative order throughout. Large 50m2 living room. Office space. Superb views and terraces. 850,000 Euros ref: 1126 * 3 photographs available by email *

El Serrat, Ordino. 245m2. South facing 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house with excellent views on a plot of land of 493m2. The house is stone faced and constructed to a high specification and sheltered from neighbours by mature trees. The accommodation comprises entrance and access on the ground floor to three double bedrooms, all with fitted wardrobes. The master bedroom has an en suite bathroom and there is a second full bathroom. Staircase access to upper floor with large kitchen/breakfast room, with fitted units. Large living/dining room with south aspect and access to a terrace. Garage of 50m2 for three cars. Double glazing. Re-decoration recommended. 900,000 Euros ref: 1202 * 14 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 *

Aldosa, La Massana. 315m2. 5 bedroom 3 bathroom family home located in the quiet village of Aldosa de La Massana. A rare offering in the village, a family home with private road access and good views. Ample space for a large family, with a 2 bedroom annex section for house guests or staff. Large rustic kitchen, large living room and dining room with a large wood burning fireplace on a feature natural stone wall. There is a lovely garden which receives ample sunlight and excellent south facing views. Ample storage and a garage for 3 cars, this home is the ideal property for anybody looking for peace and quiet within easy reach of La Massana and the capital La Vella. 1,919,000 Euros ref: 1200 * 9 photographs available by email *

Skirebel report that Crystal Ski have launched their 2011 brochure, and one new product is Freeski camps - they report:

Crystal Ski is also introducing ‘Freeski Gromcamps’ in selected European resorts. These camps are for all ages and standards of skiers, from first time freestylers to pro riders, expertly taught by the UK’s top riders and coaches including Pat Sharples, a former England freestyle ski team captain.

More of the popular Crystal Ski Plus all-inclusive packages will be offered including flights, transfers, local lift pass, ski/board hire or ski carriage, self-catering and in-resort service from £389 (€436) per person for a five night stay. They’re valid for departures during non-peak times to the top resorts including Les Arcs and La Plagne in the Paradiski and availability is limited so booking a year ahead at a fixed price is a good way to budget. To read the full article click here

For more details of Crystal Ski visit http://www.yourandorra.com/crystal - ski holidays in Andorra are available, plus French ski holiday information.

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