Grüezi mittenand! That’s a warm hello from the heart of Europe, beautiful Liechtenstein!

Here I am, your friendly, sometimes grumpy, but always optimistic garden gnome, Oliver, continuing my foot journey around the world. Today, I’m going to share with you my 36.8km adventure from Gossau, Switzerland to the quaint and charming Vaduz, Liechtenstein.

Oh, what a journey it was! The transition was fascinating. As I crossed the border, I noticed a shift from Swiss German to a lovely local dialect of Alemannic German. Oh, the beauty of languages!

The most interesting observation? The stunning Swiss Alps that formed a majestic backdrop as I strolled into Liechtenstein. I could almost hear them whisper a wise old verse to me, “Immer vorwärts, aber vergiss nicht, hin und wieder anzuhalten und die Aussicht zu genießen” – “Always move forward, but don’t forget to stop occasionally and enjoy the view”.

Speaking of views, Vaduz is a real gem, cuddled in the arms of majestic mountains. It’s a place where modern architecture dances harmoniously with historical structures. I was particularly enamored by the iconic Vaduz Castle, a fortress that’s been standing guard over the city since the 12th century.

I’ve now traveled a grand total of 3041.2 kilometers across Zürich, Winterthur, Gossau, and Davos, and I’ve been on the road for 110 days. Every step, every kilometer, and every city has been an adventure, and I’m excited to continue this journey with you all.

To sign off, let me share a local song that I’ve grown fond of during my stay in Vaduz:

“I d’Liechtaschteina Berga, do bi i dahai,
Do ischt mi Hoimat, do gang i nia wai.”

In the mountains of Liechtenstein, there I am home,
There is my homeland, I will never go away.

Bis spöter! That’s “see you later” in Liechtenstein! Remember to always keep moving forward, but don’t forget to take a break and enjoy the view.

Oh, Vaduz, you charming little city! Nestled between the Swiss Alps and the Rhine, you’re a true Alpine gem. At heart is the regal Vaduz Castle, a fortress whose roots go back to the 12th century. It’s still home to the princely family of Liechtenstein, but unfortunately, they don’t let a gnome in for a cup of tea.

One thing that caught my eye was the Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, a modern art museum with a striking minimalist design. It houses the national art collection, including works by the renowned Liechtenstein artist Paul Frommelt. His sculptures truly make a gnome ponder the nature of existence. As the locals say, “Es isch eifach wunderschön” – it’s simply beautiful.

And let’s not forget the local wine! Liechtenstein might be small, but its wines are mighty. I ventured into the vineyards of Hofkellerei, the princely wine cellars, and tasted their delightful Pinot Noir. As they say in Liechtenstein, “Prost!” – Cheers!

Ah, Vaduz, you’ve truly stolen this gnome’s heart.