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Liechtenstein

From Wikitravel

Contents

• Cities
• [+] Understand
  • History
  • Economy
  • Geography
  • Climate
• [+] Get in
  • By plane
  • By train
  • By car
• Get around
• Talk
• See
• Do
• [+] Buy
  • Costs
• Eat
• Drink
• Sleep
• Learn
• Work
• Stay safe
• Stay healthy
• Respect
• Contact

Liechtenstein [1] is a tiny country between Switzerland and Austria. It is last remnant of the Holy Roman Empire and an independent principality with very close ties to Switzerland. It enjoys a very high standard of living and is home to some beautiful alpine mountain scenery.

[edit] Cities

Vaduz - the capital
Schaan

[edit] Understand

[edit] History

The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806. Until the end of World War I, it was closely tied to Austria, but the economic devastation caused by that conflict forced Liechtenstein to conclude a customs and monetary union with Switzerland. Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral) the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth. However, shortcomings in banking regulatory oversight have resulted in concerns about the use of the financial institutions for money laundering. However, the days of bringing suitcases of money into banks for deposit without questions asked is over. Liechtensteiners are also very proud of the fact that their nation has never offically been involved in a battle or military confrontation with an "enemy state" and see their flag as a banner of peace.

Liechtenstein Tourism (official site)

[edit] Economy

Despite its small size and limited natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial service sector and living standards on a par with the urban areas of its large European neighbors. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small businesses. Low business taxes -- the maximum tax rate is 20% -- and easy incorporation rules have induced a large number of holding or so-called letter box companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between European Free Trade Association {EFTA} and EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated Europe.

[edit] Geography

Liechtenstein is very mountainous and one of the world's two doubly-landlocked countries. Most of the country's population lives in the Rhine Valley in the western third. The country's highest point is the Grauspitz, which stretches to 2,599m.

An excellent guide book to the mountains, Harry's Mountain Walks in Liechtenstein, can be obtained from Trafford.

Liechtenstein is twice the size of San Marino and it is 40 times bigger than Monaco.

[edit] Climate

Liechtenstein has a continental climate featuring cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow or rain, making the country a moderately popular ski destination. Summers are cool to moderately warm, also often cloudy and humid.

[edit] Get in

Liechtenstein maintains a complete customs union with Switzerland and hence does not issue its own visas: if you can enter Switzerland, you can enter Liechtenstein, and there are no border formalities needed for crossing between the two countries. In essence there is nothing more than a sign announcing your arrival in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, similar to the situation at smaller border crossing in many EU nations, (Austria/Germany/France/Italy etc.) Stamp hunters can, however, get an authentic Liechtenstein entry stamp in their passport at Vaduz's tourist office for €1.50. The stamp is not available at the Liechtensteines Landesmuseum, the tourist office is only one building down and this is the only place that you purchase a stamp. This is the same entry stamp received (for free) by non-European visitors when entering Liechtenstein from Austria - although the border guards do not always stamp your passport if entering via Feldkirch. Following the lead of Switzerland, who handles border duties for the Principality, Liechtenstein will be abolishing the Swiss border posts in Liechtenstein in November of 2008, allowing for free and unchecked travel into Austria and the EU.

[edit] By plane

Liechtenstein has no airports due to the size of the country. You can take a flight to the Zurich Airport (115 km). Although the airport was the only major airport near Liechtenstein, there were some limited services from Vienna to St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport (53 km) by Austrian Arrows. There was also a private airport in Bad Ragaz, very near the country.

[edit] By train

ÖBB, the Austrian federal railway company, has been continually providing a limited service from Buchs SG station in Switzerland, to the Schaan-Vaduz station near Schaan. Trains only run a few times a day. Rail timetable for 2007. The Best and most frequent option is to arrive by bus. Buses run every 15 minutes form Buchs SG train station to Schaan and Vaduz. Tickets can be purchased on the bus for 2.60 CHF and it only takes about 10 minutes to Schaan and another 5 to Vaduz.

[edit] By car

Swiss highway A13/E34 runs along the swiss side of the Rhine river, the border between Switzerland and Liechtenstein. There are a couple of bridges into Vaduz from Switzerland. Parking spaces are relatively easy to come by. There is also a parking garage located on the main street of Vaduz. Drive carefully on some of the winding mountain roads!

[edit] Get around

If you don't have your vehicle, the best way to get around Liechtenstein is by bus. The country's sole operator is LBA and fares are amazingly cheap, as a 7-day unlimited use card costs just CHF 10.

[edit] Talk

The national language is German. This is a different dialect from High German -- which is spoken in northern Germany and generally regarded as 'proper German'. The dialect(s) are much similar to those spoken across the Rhine in Switzerland and in Vorarlberg, Austria. Almost everyone can speak dialect and standard German, unlike in some parts of Switzerland.

[edit] See

Vaduz- Great views of the royal castle. It however is a private residence and not open to the public.

Vaduz- Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, it is the museum of modern and contemporary art with the national art collection as well as interesting special exhibitions.

Malbun- Wonderful little ski resort with a breathtaking road and views of the Rhine valley below.

walk along the furstensteig for great views of switzerland most of liechtenstein and even germany

[edit] Do

Liechtenstein offers great hiking, road biking, and mountain biking terrian. Skiing and snowboarding are also offered at a reasonable price at the country's small resort in comparison to the expensive lift prices in neighboring Switzerland or Austria.

[edit] Buy

Liechtenstein uses the Swiss franc (CHF) as its currency. Many shops will also accept the Euro, but the exchange rate may not be very advantageous.

[edit] Costs

Costs in Liechtenstein are equivalent to those in Switzerland, or in a word, expensive.

[edit] Eat

You will find a few restaurants in the larger cities of Liechtenstein. There is also a McDonald's restaurant-signs point to it up to 3000m away! The many small bakeries are a great place to get a warm, fresh roll or pastry.

[edit] Drink

There is a small amount of wine that is produced in Liechtenstein that is available in supermarkets and tourist shops throughout the country. Expect to pay around 25 Swiss Francs for an average bottle. The Prince even owns his own vineyard in Vaduz, off the main road. Beer is also available for purchase that is made with malt from Liechtenstein, although the beer itself is brewed in Switzerland. A variety of other European wines, beers, and soft drinks are also available.

[edit] Sleep

There are a few hotels in Liechtenstein, but they tend to run on the expensive side. There is one youth hostel [2] located in Schaan, but it closes for the winter. You will probably be able to find cheaper accommodation in neighboring Feldkirch, Austria.

Camping Mittagspitz is the only campsite in the Principality. It offers excellent facilities, a friendly reception and a fabulous reasonably priced restaurant. The campsite was used by the author Lloyd P Clark and his Smooth Fox Terrier, Harry, whilst writing Harry's Mountain Walks in Liechtenstein. [3]

[edit] Learn

[edit] Work

All but impossible for non-EU citizens who also may find it surprising that lots of Swiss work in Liechtenstein.

[edit] Stay safe

Liechtenstein has to be one of the safest countries in the world. Considering the largest cities nearby are Innsbruck and Zurich, outside of Schaan and Vaduz, the whole place can seem rural and inviting because it is! Drunk drivers and winter road conditions may be your only "realistic" concern. Speed limits are strictly enforced by speed cameras which will be very pricey. Don't speed and enjoy the scenery instead!

[edit] Stay healthy

[edit] Respect

Remember that this is a traditional Catholic country. On a Sunday the streets are all but dead except for the tourists and the tourist shops. Liechtensteiners are very proud of their national identity and would take offense to being wrongly labeled "German", "Austrian" or "Swiss". Those who may feel inclined to denounce the monarchy as a system of government should be advised: the Prince is well loved and very popular, and certainly he should be held in high esteem when discussing national politics.

[edit] Contact