How do I get there?
By train, bus or car. There are no airports in Andorra but coaches depart Barcelona daily, with up to five a day during winter. Prices start at €48 return and the trip takes three to four hours (see andorrabybus.com for more). The Catalan capital is also the best option for renting a car, as the roads are usually clearer from that direction. You can furthermore get a bus from Toulouse (two hours) or, more scenically, Perpignan (three hours). Travelling by rail is also possible, but probably more hassle than it’s worth.

When should I go?
Blizzards start to bombard the Fingal-sized principality in December and the snow generally starts to lift in early March, during which time the country turns into a giant ski resort. Actually, make that two ski resorts : busy Grand Valira, incorporating the villages of Pas de la Casa, Soldeu, El Tarter, Canillo and Encamp, and quieter Vallnord, to the west, which includes Pal, Arinsal and remote Arcalis.
Some folks enjoy the spring for the nature walks and whatnot. But unless you want to spend your holiday twirling around Julie Andrews-style on various mountain tops, my advice is to give the sleepy summer in Andorra a miss.

What are the touristy things to do?
Two words: skiing, shopping. Day one – get yourself a saucy ski-bunny outfit, head for one of the roaring fires that seem to lurk around every corner, grab an Irish coffee and a stack of magazines. Day two – suffer tale a ski or snowboarding lesson at about 3 bells in the afternoon (the snow’s softer then). Repeat until your flight home. If you don’t fancy the idea of traipsing down the piste all week, Andorra’s saving grace is kilometres upon kilometres of tax-fee shopping.

Anything else?
Frankly, no. Once you’ve ridden the world’s longest toboggan (check it out in La Rabassa Snow Park – it runs over 5,300 metres with a 400m drop!), that’s basically it. Do look out for the Big Snow festival, though, which launches 2010 (March 14-21) and is set to feature performances by Calvin Harris, Kissy Sell Out and DJ Hype.

What about eating?
Sandwiched between France and Spain, Andorra's cuisine is mixed, taking in Catalan, French, Spanish and a slathering of Italian influences. Restaurants are normally themed accordingly. Catalan houses will serve local dishes including trinxat (bacon, cabbage, and potatoes), cunillo (rabbit stewed in tomato sauce), xai (roast lamb), and escudella (a stew of chicken, sausage and meatballs). You get the gist. This is the comfort food capital of the universe.

What should I avoid?
Getting dragged along on one of the rather terrifying British stag night pub crawls by some bloke you met in your hotel. Come midnight, it all gets a little Boys Gone Wild. The pub crawl is the staple of Andorra nightlife – approach with caution.

Where can I stay?
There’s an impressive variety of places to rest your head in Andorra, considering its size, and the frugal shouldn’t have a problem getting a hotel for 30 quid a night. Ideally, go with a group of mates and rent out a villa, apartment or chalet (log cabin chic at its finest), which can work out to even cheaper.

How much to get tanked?
Anywhere between €1 – €20. Pints come at about three beans a pop or, for a night in, the local booze peddlers sell spirits from €2 a litre.

What should I bring home?
As much as you can carry. Andorra has gladly accepted the role of Europe’s duty free capital and close to the borders you’ll notice the roads dotted with huge stores hawking alcohol, cigarettes and that third duty-free staple, cured meats. Cigarettes cost €15 for 200 and ski equipment is about 25 per cent cheaper than in France.

Why should I go?
Although Andorra’s official language is Catalan, almost everyone speaks English, Spanish and French. So making yourself understood won’t be a problem. Also, Andorrans have the second highest life expectancy in the world, living to an average age of 82. Clearly, all that mountain air is good for something. Most importantly, ladies will be glad to hear that there are 10 males to every female, most of them burly ski instructors. Remember, they don’t call it ‘Mandorra’ for nothing.

Why should I not go?
Andorra is the Pixie Lott of holiday destinations: pretty and by all means fit, but it gets predictable real fast. There are lots of mountains, even more snow and about seven million shops flogging cameras and ski caps – perfect for an extended break but not the makings of the holiday of a lifetime.

What’s my challenge?
To make it home fit and bruise free. For some strange reason the ice gets slippier the longer the pub crawl.