21 Days Left-Holiday Countdown: Fun Facts and Solo Destinations

As the Holiday Countdown moves ahead to New Year’s Day, we are continuing our daily series of holiday facts and intriguing solo travel destinations to avoid being “Home Alone for the Holidays”.

More Holiday Fascinating Facts:

With the beginning of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, and the US Lighting of the National Menorah, we have today’s new holiday fact.

How many candles does each menorah use during the 8 days of Hanukkah?

The correct answer is 44!

Fun Holiday Solo Travel Destination, Andorra

This may seem like a trick question for geography aficionados.  If you haven’t checked it out yet, Andorra is the 6th smallest country in Europe nestled between France and Spain in the Pyrenees. Catalan is the official language, but you will see signs with Catalan, French and Spanish. Founded in 1278,  this principality has a strangely democratic joint sovereign with the co-monarchs being the President of the French Republic and the Bishop of Urgell, Catalonia, Spain.

I traveled to Andorra via Barcelona and found mountains of magical snow, no ice! Even if you are not a skier, this is a perfect way to avoid being “Home Alone for the Holidays” because:

-It’s an easy trip through Barcelona giving you two very different vacations in one!

-In Andorra, the endless, perfect snow for cross-country downhill skiers works for novices to experts. I joined a small Intermediate ski class and immediately found a new Dutch classmate to join me on the after-class ski runs and also for also sampling a few apres-ski venues.

-A welcome benefit for solo travelers during the high season from Dec .22-Jan. 8 is that prices are much cheaper than a French or a more traditional Western European holiday.

-Shopaholics will be happy to see an array of small boutiques as well as larger shopping centers for jewelry, electronics and gourmet treats.

-Foodies won’t be left out with 35 options for  local Andorran as well as Italian cuisine.

-300 hotels  provide a huge price range in this small nation from those at the foot of the slopes, advertized as “sleep with your skis on!”, to relaxing spas, rura,l urban and “gastronomic” lodgings

-Tired of the pistes? Stroll through the 4 museums and learn how Andorra’s history dates back to Charlemagne

Try out this lovely principality which, while small, with give you huge memories of another holiday season well spent as a solo traveler!