cova

Hi trying,<BR>Formigal is a basically a ski resort. It was built during the Sixties to accomodate the spanish skiers (and some Brits ... ) There are quite a few apartments, hotels and alpine chalets. One of the hotels has a swimming pool (I don´t remember if it is the hotel Formigal, the hotel Tirol or another), but quite likely it will be close in May, June. As I told you, you will be there between seasons. <BR><BR>The good thing is that you can do a lot of things around. Pau is very near, maybe 70 kms away (check with http://www.viamichelin.com ), and with the Euro, it is easier than ever. If you want to have an active holiday, there are many small companies who specialize in rafting, mountain-bike, walks ... If not in Formigal, in the small village of Sallent de Gallego.<BR><BR>I think that although basic, it will be a refreshing change from a big city as Barcelona. If you don´t mind telling me the name of the timeshare, I might find someone who has stayed there. I stayed at a couple of aparthotels two years ago (mind you, it was winter, and I was there to ski).<BR>Rgds, Cova<BR><BR>Ps. Some useful links<BR>http://www.jaca.com<BR>http://www.altogallego.com<BR>http://www.panticosa.com<BR>http://www.valledetena.com<BR>http://www.panticosa-loslagos.com<BR>http://www.formigal.com<BR>http://www.serrablo.org<BR>http://www.orensanz.org/<BR>http://www.aragonesasi.com/huesca/sabinani.htm<BR>http://www.valledetena.com.cpn<BR>http://www.valledetena.com/gorgol<BR>http://www.pirineo.com/naturalezayaventura<BR>http://festivales.aragon.net<BR>http://usuarios.tripod.es/namaro/yesero.htm<BR>http://www.aragonesasi.com/huesca/yesero.htm<BR>http://www.ctv.es/USERS/pyrene/sallent.htm http://www.aragonesasi.com/comar03.htm <BR>

trying

Thank you so much cova - your information will keep me busy for the next few days to be sure! The timeshare is with Intervalworld and on the website it says Edificio Monteski 22640 Formigal, Huesca, Spain...<BR> "Somni Aragon&eacute;s (I think this is the name of the timeshare?) is situated in the Spanish Pyrenees, near the French border. Ski lifts are just 400 yards away and in the summer the area is very good for hiking. A variety of restaurants, bars, entertainment, and outdoor sports available locally in season. Southern French towns such as Lourdes are within easy driving distance."

Maribel

Hi again, trying,<BR>I think you might need to expect rather basic accomodations in your time share. Many of these Spanish ski resort apts. have been around for quite a while, and they can get a lot of wear and tear during ski season. <BR><BR>While I haven't stayed in one in El Formigal (we stayed in the summer at the charming little Hotel Almud in Sallent), I've experienced one in Cerler, a couple of valleys to the east, and it was just basic. Just don't want you to be disappointed. If top-of-the-line amenities or little luxuries are important to you, then you probably should choose another property. If they're not, as cova says, you'll find plenty of wonderful activities in the area to keep you out and about. It's been a while, but I don't recall seeing anything in El Formigal that looked terribly luxurious, like some of the newer alpine chalets in the Catalan ski resort of Baqueira-Beret or those in US resorts like Aspen/Vail. Don't know what your time share experiences have been. Just a thought...<BR><BR>I think you'd enjoy dinner at the Restaurante Mingo in nearby Escarilla, about 12 km. down the A136 towards <BR>Biescas.<BR><BR>We did the drive from Pau to El Formigal in about 1 1/2 hrs.<BR><BR>Have fun whatever you decide!<BR>Maribel

visiting

Hi trying..this is an interesting post as I have timeshare with Intervalworld but have only used it in Orlando and mexico. I looked thru their book and see in the book they have a property listed in Viella, Lerida and another one listed in Barcares France, both within about 2 hr. drive from Barcelona. The one in Viella might be a little more convenient to some of the places mentioned here. And the one in France is in the Languedoc region which is supposed to be beautiful. I think with Intervalworld you will get a much better accommodation on the coastal areas in Europe where they are competing with the highrises etc. But you might want to check out the one in Viella. And maybe people here can recommend if it is a better location than the Formigal one.

cova

Hi trying,<BR>I haven´t heard of a Somni Aragon&eacute;s place in Formigal, so probably it is the name they use to advertise it. I have also found a Somni Aran&eacute;s in Viella, and this one will probably be the timeshare previously mentioned.<BR>Maribel is right in that the accomodations will be simple. This is the one in Formigal :<BR>http://www.tri-timeshare.com/BlueBook/Resort.asp?ResortID=ES188<BR><BR>and this is the one in Viella :<BR>http://www.tri-timeshare.com/BlueBook/Resort.asp?ResortID=ES185<BR><BR>I think it is really up to you. I would probably choose Formigal, but merely because I like more Aragon that the Vall d´Aran.<BR><BR>Good luck,<BR>Cova<BR>

not

Sorry but I don't think Viella is the same as Vielha and Vielha is in Lerida?? In any case Viella or Vielha is a lot more than a couple of hours from Barcelona! More like 5-6 hrs. from my map? France timeshare seems to be closer

trying

I am so totally confused but you've all been very gracious! Is it Viella or Viehla? Is it El Formigal or Formigales? Aragon or Vall Aran? I have a lot of work to do! And now France is in the loop and it actually looks interesting! I've never been to that region of France. Maybe a week in Andalucia, 3-4 days in Barcelona and then my last week in France is the ticket. It does seem a lot closer to Barcelona where I'll be flying in and out of. I am sorry to be so tiresome but my head is spinning and I will visit the bookstore this weekend to get a good map of Barcelona and north and southern France. You've all been perfectly wonderful with your advice and thanks.

cova

Hi trying,<BR>Viella and Vielha is the same place. It is located in the Vall d´Aran (or Aran valley), a valley located in the north of the Lerida province, in Catalu&ntilde;a (or Catalunya in the catalan language). I am not sure if Vielha is in Catalan or in the Aranes language, but Viella is the spanish version of the name.<BR>Aragon is another region in Spain, like Catalu&ntilde;a, Andalucia, the Basque Country or Galicia. Formigal is located in the north of Huesca, the north province of Aragon.<BR>If you were to go to Formigal, you would drive the motorway (toll) A2 from Barcelona to Zaragoza, and from Zaragoza to Sabi&ntilde;anigo (past Huesca city) you would have a toll-free motorway. From Sabi&ntilde;anigo it´s only around half an hour to Formigal.<BR><BR>None of the places that have been mentioned (Formigal, Viella, Canill&oacute; in Andorra, Languedoc (exactly where?) in France) are less than 2 hours from Barcelona. In fact, I would say around 5 hours.<BR>Check it with :<BR>http://www.guiacampsa.com<BR><BR>Rgds, Cova

Maribel

trying,<BR>Ditto to all that cova has just explained!<BR><BR>Of all the time share properties of the Intervalworld group mentioned above, the Andorra and the "Barcares" locations are actually the closest to Barcelona, about 2 hrs., provided that the French time-share in is indeed in the town of "Le Barcares" (Pyrennes Orientales district of the Languedoc-Roussillon, sometimes referred to just as French Catalonia) in southwestern France. Le Barcares and Andorra seem to be more or less the same distance from Barcelona, but Le Barcares is on the coast (above Perpignan) and near the superhighway, so the driving would be easier, faster, the weather much warmer and the property probably nicer.<BR> <BR>Viella in the Spanish province of Lerida is at least 4 hrs. from Bcn, then El Formigal in the Huesca province, at least 4 1/2.<BR><BR>I use either<BR>www.viamichelin.com<BR>www.guiacampsa.com www.shellgeostar.com<BR>to calculate the distance and driving times. For me the Michelin is the most accurate, as I find the guiacampsa driving time estimates often quite fast for American drivers.

trying

Hmmm...I did love Provence when I was there and always wanted to go back! Could I get the best of both worlds here - Barcelona, Andalucia and Languedoc region of France all in one trip?? And yes, Maribel the timeshare is described as on a small island right off the coast of Port Barcares in Langedoc. This thread has indeed been incredibly helpful - I've gone from Costa Daurada to Formigal and now perhaps I'll go to France! Whew! You folks have been incredibly patient. Thanks very much.