Vaduz Castle, icon of Liechtenstein
L Royal Flow. The first thing to be clear about is that Liechtenstein is an old-fashioned monarchy. Despite being democratic the princes live like ditto in their castle in Vaduz , from where they control the valley and rejoice in their possessions. The tourist icon of the country can only be visited from the outside, lest you find yourself in the bathroom with the heiress... Of course, its imposing image attracts like a magnet and from its gardens you can glimpse its intramural beauty.
Yo Kemura, Klee, Warhol... many works by these artists are under the beautiful shell of the Kunstmuseum. Sober and impressive on the outside, with its hermetic, black and seamless façade, it is the greatest cultural asset in the country . Inside is one of the best private collections of contemporary art. Interesting counterpoint to the private paintings of the prince, whose works are exhibited in Vienna.
The Kunstmuseum, the country's greatest cultural asset
AND nology. Let's see, the princes are not so stingy with their people. They allow them to drink the wine that they produce in their own vineyards. Nowadays the Hokfellerei It is the most outstanding winery for being open to the public and for selling the noble wines. Of course, they have a price, specifically very high since the mere fact of carrying the real letterhead gives it an excessive bonus of exclusivity.
The vineyards of Liechtenstein and their noble wines
C oce. The Liechtenstein cookbook is rather reduced and focused on hypercaloric mountain dishes , which does not mean that it also has its charm. For example, it is curious to see the game they take from corn at Ribel or their own way of making Käsnopfle, their pasta dish: with too much flour and cheese. The restaurants are a mixture of the folkloric reminiscences of the Tyrol and the coldness of Bavaria , although it must be recognized that Gasthof Lowen you eat very well.
H Hotel Sonnehof. From their neighboring Switzerland they have learned to treat tourists well, to anticipate and offer them the luxuries most desired by hedonists. And the best example is this hotel, the only one with 5 stars (somewhat rushed) in the country, a Relais & Chateau. It is located on the outskirts of Vaduz and concentrates everything that can be asked of an alpine accommodation: Spa with views, stunning nature, mountain postcards and refined care in the service . You will love Liechtenstein.
Hotel Sonnehof: the only 5-star hotel in the country
T grunts (of trees) . The closest thing they have in their small territory to a theme park is the Seilpark, although here the natives are not very fond of dressing up as cartoons. What they like is that everything is in communion with nature, that's why they have a great time with their Thai bridges, their zip lines and their walkways more than 10 meters above the ground . Although it seems small, you can spend a whole morning trying to complete one of its routes.
AND ski Needless to say, in the middle of the Alps, the national sport par excellence is skiing. So much so that He has only won medals at the Winter Olympics . At the Malbun station they have as many skiable meters as there are inhabitants. The veneration for this sport is such that the museum dedicated to it in Vaduz is a mandatory destination for local excursions. Normally they learn to slide on the snow before they walk...
N strange nature. It is already quite clear that a Liechtensteinian does not need any reason to wander away from civilization. However, this close relationship reaches such an extent that falconry is one of the most furious hobbies. Another example of this somewhat bizarre communion is that of the lamas and alpacas . Walking on the backs of these Andean critters is all the rage among the youth (until one of them spits on you).
yes they. One of the most curious reasons and also most alleged by many tourists who drop by this principality is philately. Their stamps, in addition to being highly valued by collectors for its rarity They are superlatively beautiful. That explains the queues at its central post office, which also houses a museum with the best of the house.
Alois of Liechtenstein and Sofia of Bavaria on a stamp
T rekking and mountain biking. During the summer the skis are hung up to make way for cycling and hiking. The country boasts of having more kilometers of bike lanes than roads. And it is that, when it respects the weather, the touring bikes populate the paths and the mountain bikes the most complex trails. Trekking is another option that wins over in good weather with a special route: the Prince's Pass. The beauty of the places that are traveled make one think that you are in front of a painting by Friedrich. Pure Romanticism.
Mountain bike as in Liechtenstein as in a painting by Friedrich
AND getaways Aside from Vaduz, several small towns have enough charm to attract the visitor. The first is Balzers, with its watchful Gutenberg castle and its fairy-tale alleys. The second, Triesen with the imposing towers of the church of Santa Maria. Lastly, Planken; the prototype of a town where Heidi would jump for joy.
Charming alpine villages
Yo unconstitutional charm. Of all the excursions that can be done, there is one that stands out for the rarities of its neighbors. The inhabitants of Appenzeil are the protagonists of the pejorative jokes of the country. They put a little on their part, since women were not allowed to vote in local and cantonal elections until 1993 , when it was ruled that it was an unconstitutional measure. But this has not stopped the old custom of voting by a show of hands every last Sunday in April or of putting on the traditional costume and decking the city with flowers and flags. Worth to watch.
N dart and fish At 1,300 meters above sea level is the Stegersee, a well-known lake among fishing lovers as it guarantees that at least 6 innocent minnows will fall on your hooks. The milestone is somewhat expensive, since the daily fishing license costs about 30 euros since the river fauna is maintained and controlled by a state association. If you do not have pocket money, it is best to enjoy its crystal clear waters by taking a dip without worrying about swallowing water.