Vaduz, Liechtenstein

Post 4/9 of Spring Break Travels: April 10-11th, 2009

Having left Italy, and had lunch back in Ticino (to get one last taste of the delectable Italian-style food before re-entering the Alemanic region in which we live), we drove north through the San Bernardino Tunnel to cross the Alps again (most passes were still closed due to snow), and made our way to Liechtenstein. A first for all four of us. This is the second time we have all four entered a new country for the first time together :-) We did Andorra together back when we lived in France three years ago.

Liechtenstein is so small that one can drive there, decide one would rather move along and find another place to spend the night, and 20 minutes later be in the next country (Austria). Which is what we did, but more on that later. We saw the Prince's castle, Vaduz Castle, right on the hill overlooking the capital.

It was two days before Easter, so we saw this nice sign wishing us a Happy Easter in German (Frohe Ostern), as we drove towards Austria.

We clambered around on a ruined castle (Obere Burg, Schellenberg Castle) and then admired the view. The mountains and peaceful quiet in those parts were striking.

P.S. On the way down to Ticino from Zurich, we had taken the Gotthard Tunnel (17km long). It was nice not to have to retrace our steps but to continue the adventure with new routes.