Postage stamp-sized Liechtenstein is sandwiched snugly between Austria and Switzerland, Liechtenstein’s domineering elder sibling. The Swiss franc is the legal currency and border regulations are necessary only on the Austrian side. A cross-country walk takes on a new meaning here, as Liechtenstein measures a mere 25km north to south and 6km west to east. lt’s prosperous place with a high standard of living, low taxes, numerous banks, the wealthiest royal family in Europe, its own stamps and an enviable unemployment rate of around 1.3%

December to April winter sports, May to October for hiking

Having your passport stamped to earn bonus bragging points Tackling the rugged hiking trails that wind through stunning Alpine scenery Exploring tiny Vaduz, which sits below historic Vaduz Castle Whizzing down the Malbun resort’s ski runs Collecing stamps at the Postage Stamp Museum in Vaduz

Read Secrets of the seven Smallest States of Europe: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City by Thomas Ecchardt, which outs Liechtenstein from its historical closet

Listen to Vaduz-born classical composer Joseph Rheinberger (1839-1901)

Watch films from countries with less than 10 million inhabitants at the Vaduz Film Festival, held every August

Eat filling soups, cheeses, and Alp-fortifying food as rosti (fried shredded potatoes) and wurst (sausage)

Drink local, rarely exported, wine

Vilech choi mer us mal zum Briefmarkele traffe? (maybe we could swap stamps sometime?)

A copycat Switzerland; wine producers; obsessive philatelists; a tax haven for enthusiastic entrepreneurs; the Alps; a retreat for expats; tiny mountain villages; crisp air; banks; ski-runs and hiking routes

Dentures are an important export; there’s no military service-the 80-strong army was disbanded in 1868; bank customers can no longer deposit money anonymously

Despite its small size, Liechtenstein has two political regions (upper and lower) and three distinct geographical areas: the Rhine valley in the west, the edge of the Tirolean Alps in the southeast, and the northern lowlands.A third of the population is foreign residents.