Leichtenstein - July 30 2012

Liechtenstein-  called the Principality of Liechtenstein,  is sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria is in the center of Europe.

Click on pictures to enlarge

The national flag. 

It is one of the smallest independent countries in the world,

 ruled by a king.

 

When coming by rail from Zurich, Switzerland, it is quicker and cheaper [about 30 Swiss Franks per person, one way, in First Class ] to take the train as far as Sargans, in the south,

from where it is possible to catch a bus straight to Vaduz, the capital of Liechtenstein.

  

 Skirting stunning  meadows, lakes and mountains the train travels to Sargans in less than 3 hours.

[on map -  Zurich top left- Sargans bottom right.]

 

The rail is so close to Lake Zurich, and later Lake Walensee, there is a long panoramic ride.

  
 While the lakes steal your breath away on the left side................


  
...............picture post card meadows and villages enchant you on the right hand side, as the train  travel south.



 
 Rail station at Sargans. Just outside the station  we switch over to bus, to cross the international border to Leichenstein. The Liechtenstein Buses, number 12 runs from Sargans railway station to Buchs  via  Vaduz and Schaan railway station. It leaves from outside  the station approximately every 20 minutes. The buses are yellow-green in colour.The  fare to Vaduz is 5.80 CHF from Sargans.

 
Jessy take this picture as we perch on the front row to get the best view of the ride.

Sights on road to Vadus

River  Rhine is  Border between Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
Approaching the bridge over  river Rhine, the international border between these friendly nations.



Over the hand rails-  Rhine flows, separating Liechtenstein and Switzerland



At the other end of the bridge, flag of Liechtenstein welcomes visitors to her country.

Sights on road to Vadus. 

Cows graze, nodding at the passing vehicles.

 

Villages and small towns dot the way.

 

Sign post of a town traffic circle.

Passing through a sleepy town..

 

 Farmer's residences.



 

Rolling on  through beautiful towns and villages to the  destination.........

 Arriving at the capital, Vadus.

Central Administration Building in the capital.

An electric lamp post.

With an area just over 160 square kilometres ,  it has an estimated population of 35,000.  Liechtenstein has the highest gross domestic product per person in the world when adjusted by purchasing power parity, and has the world's lowest external  debt. Liechtenstein also has the second lowest unemployment rate in the world at 1.5%

A bank's office. 

When we say Swiss Bank, we are actually speaking about Liechtenstein Banks. Secret and safe for investors.
 Liechtenstein is one of the few countries in the world with more registered companies than citizens. Very low business taxes (lowest in Europe)—the maximum tax rate is 20% —as well as easy Rules of Incorporation have induced about 73,700 holding companies to establish registered offices in Liechtenstein.
The basic rate of personal income tax is 1.2%. Company taxes are also low.

 

 The Central Government Administration Building.

 Liechtenstein follows a policy of neutrality and is one of the few countries in the world that maintains

no military.

Compared to other European cities, Vadus is  home to a modest cathedral, in the town centre.

Up above the city, the castle palace of the Prince. Visitors are not allowed in , but can walk up to the periphery wall.

A small scale model of the palace is displayed  in the town center  below.

The tour train behind us will take us on a tour round thr city. Vadus eventhough the capital is a small town; [beautiful though.] The biggest town is Schaan.

 

Kasse city tour train. We took a ride around the small capital town.

 

 The country is so clean that a rare display of mud at a construction site appears stark.

 The capital is the main shopping area in the country, with many souvenir stores and restaurants. 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.

 A good lunch at the shopping mall area's street side restaurant. Costs in Liechtenstein are roughly equivalent to those in Switzerland and are therefore somewhat more expensive than other European countries.

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After lunch we intend to cross over another international boarder to the town Feldkirch, in Austria. This is going to be the  first time we are present in 3 counties in a day while traveling other than by air.