A Solo Traveler: Bopped Over to Liechtenstein for a Quick Visit

While in Europe, I decided to add another country to my itinerary at the last minute. After all, I was only two hours from Liechtenstein, so how could I not take the train and pop over? I traveled to Liechtenstein without any preparation other than train and bus times. I wanted to be able to explore without a set itinerary. It did not help that I decided the night before to make the trip. I really just could not pass up the opportunity to check Liechtenstein off my list! For 50 USD round trip, it was one of my better ideas!

I took the train from Zurich HB to Sargans, a smaller town near the Liechtenstein border. The views on the ride were amazing as I found myself staring off at distant snow-topped mountains and grassy plains. The scenery reminded me of a montage out of a movie, one that lasted just over an hour. From Sargans, I hopped on a bus that took me over the border and right into the heart of Vaduz, Liechtenstein's capital. The bus ride took just about 30 minutes.

Oh my gosh, can I say breathtaking? And not just because it was so cold! The center of Vaduz itself amasses to approximately 15 - 20 blocks. The bus dropped passengers off at the post office right in the city center. After walking a block to the left, I found three museums - an art museum, the postal museum, and the national museum - well as the Welcome Tourist Center. If you would like to stamp your passport (and really who wouldn't want to), the Welcome Center will gladly do it for you. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the thin rectangular stalls on the sidewalk filled with books; they will point you in the direction of the bookstore (a must-see)!

As I kept walking through the quiet streets, I found a bridge with a view of the famous St. Florin Cathedral's clock tower and the mountainous, picturesque landscape in the background. When I turned to see the other side of the bridge, I found the royal palace up above in the mountains looking over the capital in the same way a mother looks after her child. Just hovering off the ridge, the castle, which is home to the royal family, sits scattered with the country's crest and flag.

For lunch, I went to a local diner/pastry shop in the city center, which was alive with locals stopping in for lunch. There are so many options, including take-out, dine-in, bakery items, and entrees. In the midst of all the tourists attractions, shops, and museums, this was clearly the local hotspot. If you are looking to be surrounded by locals, Cafe Amann is definitely a spot to hit, not to mention it is right across the street from the bus stop! They are open all day, giving customers the option to eat breakfast, lunch, or an early dinner. I sat among couples eating, coworkers grabbing a lunch break, and friends stopping for a midday drink.

Before hopping on the bus to make the trek back to Zurich, I took a walk up the hill just off the city center. On the hill, the residential area of Vaduz begins. The homes were adorable and many had small vineyards, known as the Princely Cellar of Vaduz, in their backyards. The traditional style homes paired nicely overlooking the more modern buildings near the center of the city.

One of the first things I noticed in this country, the kindness of its people, has stuck with me. Through my travels, I consistently claim to meet the sweetest and warmest people. Yet, in Liechtenstein, each and every time I crossed the street, cars stopped. Each time I entered a shop, the keeper paused what he or she was doing to say hello and welcome me to their city. Each time I looked confused or stopped to read more about a building, someone came up to me, offering to point me in the right direction or give me more information about the country and its history.

While I only had four hours, my trip was more than worth it. Some of the museums were closed, and it was too cold to go hiking, but I was introduced to a new culture, made new friends, and learned something new about a small country in Europe.