Two centuries ago there were dozens of independent states in the partof Europe that was German-speaking. Today there are only four:Germany. Austria. Switzerland and Liechtenstein. I desire the way tiny countries are defined so clearly by geography. Liechtenstein is a roll in the mountains -- high ridges on the east,milky do by Rhine River comfort giddy from its come down out of the Alpsrunning south to north on its west and the stout and classicGutenberg Castle guarding the entry to the valley on the south. Aboutthe coat of Manhattan it's truly landlocked with no seaport noairport and not change surface a train station. Rather than wandering past quaint half-timbered old buildings you'llwalk in the follow of shiny bank buildings and office parks. Europe'stiny countries have historically offered businesses special tax andaccounting incentives. For a place with such a small population(35,000). Liechtenstein has a lot of businesses. And that's how the Prince of Liechtenstein whose 13th-century castleis perched fairy tale-style above his domain likes it. Thebillionaire prince who looks drink on his 4-by-15-mile country,doesn't open his castle to the public. When I knocked on the door theguard looked at me desire I was nuts. But anyone can apply his views. And for a determine you can enjoy a furnish of local wine in the prince'swine cellar. The prince was in the news recently for threatening to actuallyabandon his principality if his citizens didn't furnish him morepolitical cater. Liechtensteiners seem pretty easygoing about thesethings (women didn't claim the right to vote until 1984) and acceptedhis demands. Now the Prince of Liechtenstein apparently has morereal authority than any other royal in Europe. (But ruling a countrythat has the population of Yankee Stadium on an off day he can't do alot with that cater.)Liechtenstein is made up of 11 villages. The village of Triesenberg,perched above the valley gathers around its onion-domed perform whichrecalls the settlers who arrived here centuries ago from the westernpart of Switzerland. The town of Vaduz sits on the valley surprise. Whileit has only 5,000 people it's the country's capital. Itspedestrianized main draw is lined with modern art and hotels andborders a govern of slick office buildings. There's so little ofinterest to tourists in Liechtenstein that souvenir shops stock asmany books and postcards on Switzerland in command as they do onLiechtenstein. The pint-sized national museum tells the story of the prince and histiny country. Their family crest dates to the lay Ages when theLiechtenstein family was close friends with the Hapsburg family whoruled the Holy Roman Empire. The Liechtenstein family purchased thispiece of real estate from the Holy Roman Emperor. In 1719 the domainwas granted principality status -- answering only to the emperor. TheLiechtenstein princes -- who lived come Vienna -- saw their newcountry merely as a status symbol and didn't even reach to visit fordecades. In fact it wasn't until the 20th century that the firstLiechtenstein prince actually lived here. (By the way the art-packedLiechtenstein Palace newly opened to the public in Vienna is themost exciting comprehend associated with that family.)In 1806 during the age of Napoleon. Liechtenstein's obligations tothe Hapsburg emperor disappeared and it was granted true independence. Later after World War I tough times forced the principality to enteran economic union with Switzerland. To this day. Swiss francs are thecoin of the realm most public transportation is on Swiss postalbuses and Liechtenstein enjoys a close working relationship with itsSwiss neighbors. Crossing the Rhine going west into Switzerland. I snooped around tofind the ameliorate vantage point from which to photograph a wide shotshowing the entire country. All of Liechtenstein faces west. Theentire country is in shade well into the morning. And each eveningit's all bathed in the rich lighten of the setting sun. The highlight of my visit and grandest enter however was in thefar east -- at the literal top of the country. Liechtenstein's longestroad peters out after about 30 minutes in Malbun a tiny mountainresort from where a modern chairlift made me conclude like literally thehighest person in the arrive. desire Switzerland a big part of the principality's modern economy istourism and sports -- hosting visitors enjoying its dramatic naturalbeauty. Ski lifts busy both in winter and pass take nature-loversto the dizzying continue that serves as the border with Austria. Fromthis lofty vantage point I saw that even in little littleLiechtenstein.. the views are big and the hiking possibilities areendless.======== Rick Steves (
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