Liechtenstein

So much for geography obsession; before my visit, I didn’t even know this was a country. But as it happens, the Principality of Liechtenstein is an adorable, doubly landlocked alpine country bordered by Switzerland to the west and by Austria towards the east.

Vaduz is its capital and that was where we were headed, on the way to our Austria leg of the journey – (Which was my first post – or does no one remember, already!?)

Leaving the spellbinding Swiss landscapes behind, we were told that even for tour guides and bus drivers who frequent the route, it is difficult to figure when Switzerland ends and Liechtenstein begins. Measuring just 25 km in length and 6 km in width, the country is said to be barely larger than Manhattan. I still have difficulty locating it on a map, but I can surely say that its size and meagre population all become of diminishing significance as soon as you stumble across the spectacular views of craggy cliffs it offers, quaint little shops and lush green forests.

It is the sixth smallest country in the world and I think we went halfway around the whole country twice in our little toy train that is available for tourists just opposite the official tourism centre (where you can even get a special stamp on your passport!)

If you look up from the town square, the first thing you will spot is the castle of Vaduz, home of the Liechtenstein princely family – standing like a bit of an Addams Family home, due to its Gothic architecture.

As we chugged along slowly in the bright red train, with a delightful accordion being played on the intercom, punctuated with the guide’s heavy German-accented English, the country seemed more and more endearing.

We were taken to vineyards, old churches, old stone paved street squares and it looked like a part of the old world which hadn’t been touched by all things modern just yet – and that’s what made it all the more beautiful.

For those looking for a tax haven or even a few peaceful days with the bonus of clean air, wine and cheese – this little great country is the place for you!