The Case for Andorra

Once you escape the 'city' Andorra can be quite stunning.

Andorra is a wee country in the Pyrenees Mountains between the borders of France and Spain. In the winter it is a ski resort and in the summers it's a hiking and biking wonderland. In July 2016 its mountains comprised a portion of the Tour de France. 

You might recognize the Arcalis 91 sculpture way up on a mountain in Ordino from the movie Stargate.

It's got loads of rich people because it is some sort of tax haven. However, if your not the outdoorsy type there doesn't seem like much to do except shop. But to not mince words, I'm just going to say it. Andorra is weird. I say it's weird because it's home to one of the strangest places I saw on my travels. And I loved it. I'm talking about a little place called Juberri Gardens.

Tip of the iceberg at Juberri Gardens.

Juberri Gardens are totally free to visit and open to the public. They are high up on a mountain in the Sant Julià de Lòria neighborhood, known for luxury homes. The driving up the mountain is not for the faint of heart- there are so many sharp turns and precipices! Trust me when I say that you will leave with more questions than answers.

Are you starting to scratch your head yet?

According to VisitAndorra.com, "The gardens are home to sculptures by Àngel Calvente, creator of other pieces dotted around the Laurèdia parish, with different-sized representations of animals, Versailles-inspired waterfalls, and benches to rest on and to enjoy the landscape." Let me tell you, VisitAndorra is totally downplaying this place. It has sculptures of giant snails, dodo birds, tigers, elephants, crocodiles, Easter Island heads, penguins, the Nativity, and lots and lots of dinosaurs. 

Dodo sighting.

I was pumped after my visit. Maybe too pumped. Since I was in town for a week visiting friends, I proceeded to tell every single one of their friends I met about it. I was shocked that many locals hadn't heard about it. So, consider yourself in on the secret. If you go to Andorra DO NOT miss this place.
 

I had to sit and think about all I was seeing on unicorn bench. Yes, a unicorn bench.