Buying a GPS in Andorra

[Rob Farmer]

I've just come back from Northern Spain via Andorra. While I was there I called into one of the many little Electrical stores just to see what the prices were like, I paid £450 for my GPS V so I wanted to compare prices, the guy quoted me €660 so I said thanks and turned to walk out the door, he called me back and offered it at €550 when I said I still wasn't interested and walked out the door he chased me down the street and dropped the price to €440...I had a hell of job getting rid of him I just wonder what I could have got him down to.

Does anybody know what the customs situation is with Andorra and Spain? Every vehicle leaving Andorra and entering Spain was searched. Going from Andorra to France there was no customs at all.

 

[Jimb]

Andorra

Rob, Andorra is not part of the EC and so searches are carried out for the usual reasons.
having just returned myself and my mate wanted a Sony PC120 Video Camera, I can get one cheaper here in the UK, tax free is not profit free, we had a very similar experience when my mate said no thanks & no sale.
The Brandy was cheap though and the Golden Virginia.

We came back into spain via a different route and the border was transparant, the only reason we knew we were back inSpain was the tarmac was better, i'm well impreesed with the Spanish roads, and the hotels and the Rioja and petrol at £0.58 ltr.

Needs more research does Spain.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Jim,

Glad you enjoyed Spain. I couldn't believe the quality of the roads, perfect grippy surfaces with no trace of gravel even on remote mountain roads, I'm definatly going back for more.

I expected Andorra to be a fairytale mountain paradise instead it was more like Skegness in the hills, very tacky, what a let down. I was talking to a local GS rider and he said the locals get an automatic 20% discount on advertised prices.

I stocked up on fags as well 98p a packet, didn't have space for booze. I fancied a Roof Boxer helmet these were €219 (£157), I called into the BMW dealer near Toulouse and they were selling them off for €165 so I'm glad I didn't bother.

 

[Jimb]

I suppose in winter the snow makes it different but realy its just a big warehouse, some things are cheap some are not, but since its close proximity to some superb riding in both Spain & france it makes sense to pay a visit and stock up on "consumables".

Checked out your pics on the Pyrenees thread, looks excellent.
Cheers Jimbo

 

[AndyT]

I went to Andorra last year on my Transalp and thought it was very cheap and whats more didn't see the customs once. I bought a Givi Maxima 52 Litre Box for approx £95 and they are over £150 here. I also found the accomodation cheap and resturaunts likewise.

We took the road south from Andorra La Vella and entered Spain that way and the roads I agree were fantastic. Well recomended.

HAve Fun
AndyT

 

[Jam]

andorra

As it will be our honeymoon Jane and i thought Andorra sounded nice we were going to look at allocating a day on our return journey to see Andorra?

is Andorra worth taking a day out of my 2 week trip to the south of spain?

If so has anyone got a good hotel they can reccomend .......................if not what alternatives can the more experienced traveller suggest........

Thanks for your time

 

[AndyT]

Great Hotel in Andorra

When I was in Andorra last year we stayed in a fantastic Hotel in the centre just down the road from where all the Bike accessory shops are in Andorra La Vella. I couldn't believe how cheap it was (in May) but it was just over £20 for a double room with 4-star accomodation, lovely Marble bathroom with a fancy shower that sprayed you in all directions (ideal for a Honeymoon).

It also had secure parking for the bike in a snazzy lift that you rode you bike into and it took you up to your floor. Lovely breakfast too.

I have a brochure and the web address is:
http://www.hotelcervol.com

Have Fun

AndyT

 

[Mike Werner]

Re: andorra

As it will be our honeymoon Jane and i thought Andorra sounded nice we were going to look at allocating a day on our return journey to see Andorra?

is Andorra worth taking a day out of my 2 week trip to the south of spain?

Yes. And you'll be very lucky if you go by bike. Not only are the views incredible, twistie heaven, but also your (new) wife can't buy much since you're on a bike

 

[Jam]

thanks for your advice gentlemen.

I am just pricing the hotel and running it past `wifey`...........

cheers

jam

 

[Jon]

Jam,
If you want one to compare in Andorra, check out the MotoAventures site and see the hotel they use.
There were bikers staying there when we went last year.
It was a nice hotel, close to bars/restaurants if you wanted to eat elsewhere.
Cheers
Jon

 

[mrTickle]

I just got back from Andorra (Pas de la Casa) and would agree with everyone here.

The ciggies & booze are cheap, electronics and the bike bits more or less the same price as here but you could have potential warranty problems if any of it goes wrong.

The hotels are very reasonable in Andorra, so if you do go, stop for 1 night and then ride up the N152 into Spain -it's a brilliant race track surfaced, deserted road.

Don't be too worried if you can't make the trip to Andorra but do the N152

Here is a pic of my visit ( 27/5/03), with Pas de la Casa in the background

 

[Jimb]

Hotel Coma

Jam, My mate and I stayed here a couple of weeks ago, its very biker friendly as the Moto Adventure people stay here, they have an undergound garage fo the bikes, 1 Night Half board in a twin room cost us 93 euros all up, thats including dinner but not wine.

If you have satnav here are the co ordinates in the car park, Lodging COMA HOTEL
N42 33.344 E1 32.117 4293 ft.

Happy trails