Tiny Treasures

Four European microstates well worth putting on your travel radar

By Chris Robinson

Sometimes the best gifts are the smallest ones – and this applies equally to the gift of travel. Some tiny, but perfect, minicountries should be on your travel wish list. These are nations where, thanks to historical chance or happy accident, a sliver of independence has been preserved, creating unique and often quirky countries. Four of the six smallest nations in the world are in Europe (the others are tiny Pacific islands) and my quest to visit them was both wonderful and bizarre.

MONACO

Where the mountains meet the Mediterranean, and Monte Carlo meets Europe’s elite, this jewel remaining from powerful medieval dynasties glitters in the sunshine of the French Riviera near Nice. The Grimaldi family gained control from the Crown of Aragon in 1419 and still rule the two square kilometres of the country. Surrounded on three sides by France, and only 15 kilometres from the Italian border, this ritzy playground features James Bondstyle casinos that are off limits to locals, luxury yachts and the famous Monaco Grand Prix Formula One racing event. A third of its population are millionaires. Just for a day, I found it fun to indulge in the hedonism of these affluent lifestyles.

VATICAN CITY

At just half a square kilometre, countries don’t come any more micro than this. Yet the smallest country on the planet hosts some of its greatest treasures. In 1984, Vatican City became the only single state to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Sistine Chapel with its painted ceiling and The Last Judgement by Michelangelo are simply exquisite, as is St. Peter’s Basilica. It has its own army and football team. Residents drink an average of 54.3 litres of wine a year – the highest wine consumption per capita worldwide. There’s also a one-of-a-kind ATM with instructions in Latin. The Pope’s security is ensured by the colourfully adorned Swiss Guard.

LIECHTENSTEIN

Nestled between Switzerland and Austria, this semiconstitutional monarchy is still ruled by the Prince from his castle-in-the-clouds. It is a nation of mountains, picturesque villages and the headwaters of the Rhine River. On a sunny spring morning in the Alps, what better way to explore the sole surviving princely State of the Holy Roman Empire than strolling along a winding forest trail from the microcapital of Vaduz to the fairytale palace high above the Prince’s domain? I wanted to knock on the gate to say hello, but a friendly guard said His Royal Highness was out that day. Fun fact: it is one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world and one of the wealthiest.

SAN MARINO

From high up on the castle ramparts on Mount Titano at 739 metres above sea level, I could look down on the entirety of this pocket state. This fragment of medieval nationhood has somehow survived the vagaries of history, including invading barbarians and two World Wars. Saint Marinus founded an independent monastic community on this rugged Apennine mountaintop in 301 A.D., making San Marino the world’s oldest sovereign state and constitutional republic. Surrounded by Italy, and within view of the Adriatic Sea, don’t miss the thrilling walk along the ridge connecting the Three Towers of San Marino. On a clear day, you can see Croatia in the distance.