Less than 24 Hours In Liechtenstein

Liechtenstein has been on my "To Go" travel list forever and when we visited Switzerland it was the perfect opportunity to cross it off our list. It's a teeny tiny principality so we took one day to explore.

We visited its capital city, Vaduz, and didn't know Liechtenstein was celebrating its 300th birthday (the Imperial Principality was created in 1719) so there was a really fun photo opportunity right in the town center.

Because our stop in Liechtenstein was so quick (less than 24 hours) we had only a few things on our To Do list. Get a stamp in our passport, visit the crown jewels and post card museum, and picnic outside Vaduz Castle, which looms imposingly at the top of a very steep hill. 

Imagine being part of the royal family and being able to just look out your window literally at your town below. Insane. I can fantasize, can't I?

But first, we hit the free Postage Stamp museum. I have no idea why its a thing but it was a fun activity to fill out our day. 

They were celebrating Apollo 19 mission, so they had the neatest exhibit. That envelope went to the moon! 

After that we went to the see the crown jewels, which unfortunately did not permit photography (I figured as much after visiting the Tower of London last year). But getting into the Crown Jewels was an experience of its own.

To enter the Crown Jewels you had to deposit a token (with a little crown on it) and a door would open to a little vestibule area. Once the first door closes the second door opens and lets you into the exhibit, where you are told to put your bags and phones against the wall and of course there is a security guard watching you like a hawk.  

As far as what the crown jewels consist of, there are of course crowns and jewelry, but also Fabrige eggs, various glass and dining wares, and artwork.

An interesting thing about the town center is that it is pedestrianized. But there is the cutest little train that goes around.

After that we began the long trek up to Vaduz Castle. 

It was so sunny and warm so it was a bit of a workout but the reward was well worth it.

And the castle itself was fascinating. I wish I could get a glimpse inside because from the outside it looked so old and medieval. Alas, it is closed to visitors except for one day a year when the principality celebrates. I think it's on August 15th so we missed it by a few weeks.

We sat out on the hill overlooking the castle and the town below and enjoyed a plethora of snacks (cheese, salami, and crackers) we had purchased from Coop before we set out for Liechtenstein.

Which reminds me, I highly recommend stopping in a country's grocery store when you travel. Seeing all the products and packaging can be pretty neat and it's prefect for a cheap snack!

Are you interested in Liechtenstein?

What is the tiniest country/nation/state/place you have visited?

What is the most unique place you have visited?