Vaduz dreams where the clouds find rest.
– Unknown author.
August 2026
Having been to neighbouring Switzerland so many times, I never thought of crossing over to Liechtenstein till now. From the Cote d’Azur, I overnight in Milan and reach Vaduz in early afternoon. The size of a city like Washington DC, the sixth smallest country in the world with a grand total population of 4,000 actually has one of the world’s highest GDP. The abundant jewellery stores are Swiss-like, but the Alpine microstate is a monarchy, ruled by a powerful prince living in a picture perfect castle.
For once, the itinerary is ultra-simple. I stroll along the main street, checking out the cool Kunstmuseum as well as the colourful collection of centuries-old stamps at the Post Museum. A fifteen-minute hike takes one up to the iconic, picture-perfect castle with a bird eye’s view of the entire valley. Descending back to the city centre, you find everything from the Town Hall to pastel coloured government buildings, the cathedral, and luxury boutiques.
Ten days after my visit, Liechtenstein is on the news: royal succession rules are finally changed to allow women to ascend the throne. As the last country in Europe to give women the right to vote (in 1984!) and having welcomed its first female prime minister last year, ending centuries of male-only inheritance brings the principality closer to modern gender equality norms.
Beyond Vaduz, there are plenty of things to explore from castles to ski resorts, and some of the best views of the Alps. May the road take me back to these trails!
This is part of my 193+ project with the goal to visit all countries in the world, beginning with Europe and Central Asia, bringing the current country count to 128!
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
All Content © 2026 by Jennifer Chan
Jennifer Chan Photography 