- Let's take a look at the map
- How New Years are celebrated in Liechtenstein
- On the slopes of Malbune
- Useful information for the traveler
This dwarf European power covers an area of only 160 square meters. km and can hardly claim to be a popular tourist destination, but as part of tours around the Old World, Liechtenstein no, no, and it will flicker on the schedule of an inquisitive traveler. There are not too many attractions in the principality, and the Malbune ski resort is usually the most popular destination among foreign guests in winter. It is on its slopes that it is best to celebrate the New Year in Liechtenstein, because the Malbune slopes are ideal for both beginners and professional skiers, it is only important to choose the right track.
Let's take a look at the map
The principality is comfortably located between Switzerland and Austria in the spurs of the Alps. On the territory of Liechtenstein, warm winds prevail even in winter, and therefore the climate, despite the alpine location, in the principality is quite mild and comfortable:
- The type of climate that forms the weather in the country is called moderately continental, alpine.
- During the Christmas holidays, the daytime temperature is usually around + 5 ° C, frosts are possible at night.
- In winter, Liechtenstein receives the most precipitation, and therefore it can snow quite often.
- Stable snow cover at Malbune Ski Resort sets in November and the active skiing season lasts until mid-April.
In the capital of the country, the weather in winter is about the same as on the ski slopes. During the day you can enjoy the temperature + 2 ° С - + 5 ° С, and for night walks it is better to bring a warmer jacket. In December and January, it can be quite frosty at night in Vaduz, and mercury columns can drop to -5 ° С.
How New Years are celebrated in Liechtenstein
The overwhelming majority of Liechtenstein residents profess Catholicism, and therefore the main winter holiday in this state is Christmas. Preparation for it begins long before the cherished date. Signs of the upcoming holiday are Christmas trees decorated with garlands and festive illumination on houses and public buildings.
The inhabitants of Liechtenstein adhere to German and Austrian traditions, and on New Year's Eve there are many hearty dishes made from meat and vegetables on their festive table. Housewives can bake turkey or chicken, cook pork shank or smoke homemade sausages, get sauerkraut and place beer and local wine on the table. By the way, Liechtenstein wines are famous not only in the principality itself, but also far beyond its borders. The country's climate allows for the cultivation of several varieties of grapes and, despite the tiny size of their own territory, the inhabitants of Liechtenstein were able to break about a hundred vineyards on it. The most popular wines of the principality that appear on the festive New Year's table are Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer from the white palette and Pinot Noir from the reds. A trip to the vineyards located near Vaduz can be included in the excursion program. The hosts will be happy to show guests their production and offer tasting of popular wines. You can buy them as New Year's gifts for friends and colleagues right at the wineries.
On the slopes of Malbune
Active travelers who prefer to celebrate the New Year on skiing do not remain idle in Liechtenstein. The Malbune winter resort is able to compete with the most famous Austrian or Swiss slopes.
The Malbühn trail is only 17 km away from the capital, Liechtenstein. Its height above sea level is not high - about 1500 meters, but the resort's tracks are laid taking into account the needs of both novice athletes and skiers with extensive skiing experience.
The difference in elevation on the slopes is about 400 meters. 18 tracks are marked with green, blue, red and even black, and their total length exceeds two dozen kilometers. If you are just trying to take your first steps in skiing or have arrived to celebrate the New Year in Liechtenstein with your children, professional instructors from the resort's two sports schools are at your service. Experienced specialists will teach you how to ski and you will love winter outdoor activities forever.
At the resort you will find a well-oiled infrastructure that provides a comfortable and worthy holiday for everyone. Several hotels offer accommodation in classic chalet-style houses and communal buildings. There are restaurants with various cuisines, a pub, a skating rink for figure skaters, a sauna, a solarium, a spa center and indoor pools.
There is another winter sports center not far from Malbune. Stag has excellent conditions for cross-country skiing enthusiasts. Several trails have different lengths and are illuminated in the evenings.
Useful information for the traveler
Liechtenstein does not have its own international airport and you will have to get to the principality through the air gates of Austria, Germany or Switzerland. The nearest airports are located in Vienna (670 km), Geneva (400 km), Berlin (130 km) and Zurich (110 km). Direct flights to these cities from the Russian capital are carried out by both domestic and foreign air carriers:
- The cheapest flights to Zurich are most often offered by Polish and Latvian airlines. You will have to fly with connections in Warsaw and Riga, respectively, paying about 220 euros for a round-trip ticket. Flights are operated from Sheremetyevo.
- Swiss Airlines fly directly to Zurich, but at a significantly higher cost. For a direct flight from Domodedovo and back, you will pay 370 euros. It is necessary to spend 3, 5 hours in the sky.
- The same Poles fly inexpensively to the Austrian capital, and with early booking you will be able to buy a ticket Moscow - Warsaw - Vienna and back for only 150 euros.
- Direct Aeroflot flight - the ability to get to Vienna in just 3 hours. Round-trip tickets start at € 300.
- An inexpensive transfer is also possible with Finnair, which flies from the Russian capital to the German capital via Helsinki. The cost of a round-trip ticket starts from 200 euros. It is convenient to travel from Berlin to Liechtenstein by a comfortable bus.
If you want to fly not too expensive, order an email newsletter on the official websites of the airlines you are interested in. Subscription will ensure that you are the first to know about special offers, ticket discounts and other carrier promotions.
