Exploring Europe's 5 Microstates - Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, San Marino & Vatican City

In this episode, Tyla takes you on a fascinating journey through Europe's five tiny but mighty microstates. These countries are so small you could walk across then in a single day or drive through them in less than an hour, yet despite all the odds they've somehow managed to maintain their independence while empires have risen and collapsed around them. 

Most travellers focus on Europe's major cities and well-known countries, overlooking these five sovereign nations and this is a BIG mistake as they all offer something entirely different. Imagine miniature worlds with their own currencies, governments, passports, and even football teams. Some exist because powerful neighbors couldn't agree on who owned them, others because they were too small or too useful to conquer, and one was founded by a stonemason fleeing a case of mistaken identity.

So it's time to grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and prepare to escape to Europe's tiny but mighty microstates!

In this episode, you'll learn…

• How Andorra has been jointly ruled by both Spain and France since 1278 
• Why Monaco's ruling Grimaldi family traces its lineage back to a nobleman dressed in disguise in 1297
• The incredible story of how Liechtenstein's army went to war with 80 soldiers and returned with 81
• How San Marino was founded by a Croatian stonemason and became the world's oldest surviving republic
• Why Vatican City is the only country to exist inside a European city 
• Strategic tips for visiting each microstate in one day
• Which microstates require rental cars versus easy public transport access 
• How to plan a three-week itinerary visiting all five microstates from Rome to Barcelona
• Where to collect unique passport stamps and souvenirs 

Links & Places Mentioned

• Custom Trip Planning Services
• Andorra la Vella (capital of Andorra)
• Casa de la Vall (Andorra's former parliament)
• Madriu-Perafita-Claror Valley (UNESCO World Heritage Site in Andorra)
• Grandvalira (ski area in Andorra)
• Monte Carlo Casino (Monaco)
• Prince's Palace (Monaco)
• Oceanographic Museum (Monaco)
• Vaduz Castle (Liechtenstein)
• Monte Titano (San Marino)
• Palazzo Pubblico (San Marino)
• Vatican Museums (Vatican City)
• Sistine Chapel (Vatican City)
• St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican City)

What's next?

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:10

Somewhere in Europe, there is a country you can walk across in only an afternoon. Another one you can drive through without even realizing you've entered or left. There is also one that is so tiny it's completely surrounded by a sprawling, chaotic, and much-loved Italian city. And I cannot forget the one that is perched so high in the mountains that the clouds sit below the capital. And finally, one that is ruled simultaneously by a Spanish bishop and the president of France, under an arrangement that has existed since 1278. These five miniature European sovereign nations have their own passports, currencies, governments, and believe it or not, even football teams. Yet despite their tiny size, they have somehow managed to maintain their independence and spot on the European map, whilst empires have risen and collapsed around them. So if this sounds interesting to you, then I suggest you grab a cup of coffee, get comfy, and prepare to escape to Europe's tiny but mighty microstates. Plus, I'd like to make a little shout out for those who have been listening and following along on this adventure. I really do appreciate each and every one of you, and it's just the best feeling being able to wake up to all your kind messages and comments. Now, today's episode is a little bit different and a little bit unique, as instead of focusing on only one destination, like we usually do, we're actually going to be exploring five. Yes, that's correct. Europe has five micro-states, each with a completely different origin story. Yet against all odds, they've somehow survived to this day. And that's really the miracle of micro-states. You see, throughout centuries of conflicts, wars, revolutions, unifications, and eventual peace treaties, the map of Europe has been redrawn many times over, creating new borders and sometimes abolishing entire countries like Prussia, the Ottoman Empire, the Soviet Union, and more recently Yugoslavia. Yet somehow, amidst all this chaos and threats of invasion, these five tiny nations have continued to exist, by accident, by stubbornness, by cleverness, or by sheer geographical luck. Now you might be wondering what these five tiny countries are, and some of them you may already know a little bit about, but I'm sure there is at least one that you've never even heard of. They are Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, San Marino, and Vatican City. So my goal in today's episode is to cover all five, diving into what makes each one unique, the history of how it came to be, and more importantly, how it survived. There will also be a few fun and surprising facts along the way, plus my suggestions for how to spend one day in each country, should you pass through or plan to visit one on your next European adventure. Because in my experience, they might be small, but they sure are packed with wonderful sights and make for very interesting stories to share when you return home. So without further ado, let's jump into our first European microstate. First up, let's talk about the Principality of Andorra. Tucked into the eastern Pyrenees Mountains, located on the border between France and Spain, Andorra is the largest of Europe's microstates both in terms of land size and population, covering a mountainous terrain of just 468 kilometers square and home to around 79,000 inhabitants. Now, in short, this tiny country exists only because two powerful medieval lords couldn't agree on who actually owned it. Eventually, they got tired of arguing and decided to share it. That decision was made in 1278 and has not really been revisited since. The formal arrangement is that Andorra is officially recognized as a co-principality, which means it has two princes. One of them is the bishop of Ujul, which is a small city in Catalonia in northern Spain. And the other one, following the dissolution of the French monarchy, is actually the president of France. So whoever is currently the French president is automatically and simultaneously the co-prince of Andorra. This means Emmanuel Macron, as of this moment, is both a president and a feudal prince. Now, Andorra's origin story does go further back to Charlemagne in the 8th century, who is said to have granted the Andoran people an independent charter in exchange for their help fighting the Moors. But it was his grandson Charles the Bald who officially appointed Lord Status to the Count of Eurgil. Later, the Counts eventually transferred the land to the bishops of Eurgil, and it was the bishops who got into a dispute with the Count of Foix, who lived just across the border in France. As I mentioned before, this dispute was resolved in 1278 with the signing of a treaty allowing both Counts to rule on the promise to sort out the finer details later. Well, as you can already guess, the details were never really finalized, and the two prince system continued through every French monarch, every republic, and every revolution. There was, however, a time following the end of the French monarchy in 1793 when Andorra temporarily lost its French co-prince. Fearful of being completely absorbed by Spain, the Andorans actually requested that the then Emperor of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, restore the arrangement, which he successfully did so in 1806. You see, Andorra needed France to ensure its survival, and apparently Napoleon quite liked the idea of being a feudal prince. Now for most of its history, Andorra was very poor and isolated. The mountains that protected it also made agriculture nearly impossible, so fresh food was in limited supply. The economy also ran largely on smuggling things like tobacco and alcohol across the Pyrenees, whilst also exploiting the different tax systems between France and Spain. In fact, the smuggling was so important to the country's economic survival that when Spain and France tried to clamp down on it in the 19th century, it triggered a political crisis. Fast forward to the second half of the 20th century, and everything has changed. Andorra discovered the benefit and appeal of tax-free shopping, plus they implemented policies to ensure no income tax, no capital gains tax, and low VAT. Now the cherry on top really is that those once isolating mountains have since become a major drawcard for ski loving tourists in the winter and avid hikers during the summer. Amazingly, in the span of just over 100 years, Andorra went from being an impoverished mountain principality to one of the most visited countries per capita in the world, with between 8 to 10 million visitors each year. Now, here are a few fun facts. Andorra only got a written constitution in 1993, as before that the country was governed according to the medieval feudal arrangement from 1278. It is also a country with no army, no airport, and no train station. The official language is Catalan and it uses the Euro, despite not being an active member of the EU. Lastly, the capital of Andorra, La Vela, sits at over a thousand meters above sea level, making it the highest capital city in Europe. The country has certainly seen a lot of change in the last few centuries and nowadays is considered a paradise for duty-free shoppers as well as nature and winter sport enthusiasts. So you want to visit Andorra, but you need a little guidance. Well, that's where I come in. Spending a day exploring this unique and naturally stunning microcountry is a great way to break up a road trip between Spain and France, plus collect a new passport stamp. As there is no airport or train station in Andorra, the only way to get there is by renting a car and driving. From Barcelona, it takes about three hours, and from the city of Toulouse in France, it takes slightly less. There is a border checkpoint on both the French and Spanish borders that you will need to pass through, but thankfully it's quite quick. Just remember to bring your passport and a multi-entry Schengen visa if that's something that your nationality requires. Now, upon arriving in Andorra, your first stop should be the tiny medieval old quarter of the capital, Andorra La Vella. It's rather easy to miss amongst the grand shopping boulevards, but certainly worth finding. In the centre you'll see Casa de la Val, which is the location of Andorra's former parliament, and is housed inside a 16th-century stone building. Serving as the country's legislative seat until 2011, today it is open for guided tours should you wish to go inside and have a look around. The nearby Madru Perafita Claro Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, decorated with glacial landscapes, green pastures, and stone shepherds' huts that appear as if they haven't changed in centuries. A walk through this breathtaking scenery and fresh air is sure to leave a lasting impression. And if you happen to be visiting in the winter, well the Gran Valera Ski Area is one of the largest in the Pyrenees and is a popular spot for visitors seeking a week of snow, skiing, and fun in the mountains. Come the evening, you can certainly indulge in some tax-free shopping, and I encourage you to try the local cuisine. Escudea is a traditional Andorran stew made with meat, vegetables, and pasta that suits the mountain setting perfectly. Plus, since Andorra borders both Spain and France, you can be sure there are plenty of delicious wines to try whilst here. So that's how I suggest to spend one perfect day exploring in Andorra. I hope this little overview of the country has piqued your interest and maybe even planted a seed for a future visit. Welcome to Micro Country Number 2, the Principality of Monaco. Now, Monaco's origin story begins in the year 1297 with a Genoese nobleman named Francesco Grimaldi. The legend goes that he dressed up as a Franciscan monk and proceeded to knock on the gate of a fortress perched on the rock of Monaco. There he asked for shelter and was led inside only to immediately produce a weapon from underneath his cloak, allowing him to seize the fortress. Since then, the Grimaldi family has been ruling Monaco for a continuous 728 years, albeit with a few brief interruptions throughout history. The current Prince Albert II is a direct descendant of Francesco, and the name Monaco, incidentally, comes from the Italian word for monk, which either means this is the most perfectly named country in history or an extremely long-running joke. Now Monaco is the second smallest sovereign state in the world and the most densely populated country on Earth. It covers just 2.08 square kilometers of sparkling coastline and is essentially a single cliff face bordered on three sides by France and one side by the Mediterranean Sea. It is also home to around 39,000 people, of whom less than 10,000 are actually Monegas citizens. The rest are extremely wealthy residents, millionaires and billionaires who have moved there specifically to take advantage of Monaco's zero income tax. But the real question is, how did this tiny slither of coastline remain independent for so long? The honest answer is clever leadership, strategic marriages, and the fact that every major European power found it more useful as a buffer than as a conquest. The Grimaldes strategically aligned themselves with France when it was convenient, then switched to Spain when they were stronger, and even for a small period of time they were aligned with Sardinia. Now when the French Revolution arrived and the Grimaldes were dispossessed, they argued their way back in after the fall of Napoleon, using a combination of legal legitimacy and diplomatic charm. The Franco-Monegas Treaty of 1861 formally recognized Monaco's independence, but it came with a very large sacrifice, having to give up the towns of both Menton and Rochboun to France. This reduced the country's territory to roughly what it is now, and by the early 1860s, Monaco was very much at the mercy of France. It was tiny, surrounded on all three sides, and completely broke. That was until Prince Charles III had a brilliant idea to build a casino. The famous Monte Carlo Casino opened its doors in 1863, and the railway connection to Paris soon followed. Then came the luxury hotels and wealthy clientele. Monaco managed to reinvent itself almost overnight, from a destitute principality into one of the wealthiest places on earth. The revenue produced by the casino initially funded the country's growth, and by the early 20th century, Monegas residents no longer had to pay taxes, as the casino was covering all public expenses. To this day, the country's tax-free status remains, turning Monaco into a nation with the highest GDP per capita in the world, the most Michelin stars per square meter, and the highest density of millionaires per capita. Beyond its casinos and wealthy residents, Monaco is also famous for its annual Formula One Grand Prix that runs through its tight, winding hairpin streets. Monaco also maintains an active monarchy, which means the Prince of Monaco has substantial real executive power and is not merely a ceremonial position. It also means that should the Grimaldi line ever die out and be left without an heir, by the laws of the treaty, Monaco will revert to being ruled by France. So, as you can imagine, there is a lot of pressure and responsibility to ensure the continuation of the Grimaldi lineage. Now the most famous Grimaldi of the 20th century was in fact an American. Grace Kelly was already a famous actress when she married Prince Rainier III in 1956. Their wedding was watched live by over 30 million people and is credited with putting Monaco on the world stage, a microstate with a mighty reputation. So you're planning to visit Monaco but wondering what there is to do. Well, if you've got cash to splash, then you can certainly stay in Monaco and use it as a base whilst you explore the glittering French Riviera. But for more budget-conscious travellers, the nearby city of Nice or even the colourful seaside village of Menton make for wonderful bases and provide easy access to Monaco by both train or local bus. The journey is short, only 20 to 30 minutes, and tickets are surprisingly cheap, unlike everything else in Monaco. Start your explorations by walking uphill to Monacoville, where you'll find the old town on the rock. Here you'll also find the Prince's Palace, which is where the Grimaldi family has lived ever since Francesco staked his claim in 1297. There is a changing of the guard that happens here every day at 11.55 a.m. if you happen to walk by and catch it. Another notable site is the Cathedral of Monaco, which is where Grace Kelly is buried alongside generations of Grimaldes. Then as you walk downhill towards the sea, you'll reach the Oceanographic Museum, built in 1910 by Prince Albert I, who was a serious marine biologist and spent much of his life researching the deep sea. The museum sits on a cliff edge above the Mediterranean and contains one of the finest aquariums in all of Europe, so it's definitely worth a visit. Come the afternoon, you can continue walking around the edge of Port Hercule, taking in the stunning sea views and some very impressive mega yachts. Now your wanderings should eventually take you back uphill towards the Monte Carlo neighborhood. Here you'll find the iconic Casino Square and the luxurious Hotel de Parchy. Car enthusiasts will be delighted here as there is a constant flow of luxury cars entering the casino. Many costing hundreds of thousands, sometimes even millions of dollars. Find yourself a nice cafe and enjoy a delicious, albeit expensive coffee whilst you sit and pretend for just a moment that you live amongst the ultra wealthy of Monaco. One last stop before you depart, and this is for the Formula One fans. The famous Hairpin Ben, located in front of the Fairmont Hotel, is only a short walk from the casino square. In fact, the entire track is made up of Monaco streets, and you can walk the full length in just 30 minutes. Now, like Andorra, the official currency in Monaco is the euro, even though it is not a member of the EU. However, unlike Andorra, there are no border checkpoints to pass through here, making a day trip very easy and enjoyable. Also, thanks to it being surrounded on all three sides by France, it makes sense that the official language here is French, but other languages like Monegasque, Italian, and English are also widely spoken. Well, I hope you've enjoyed this little escape to the postcard perfect streets and Riviera glamour of Monaco. But it's now time to move on to our next European microstate. Welcome to our third microcountry, the Principality of Liechtenstein. Now Liechtenstein is the only country in Europe that lies entirely within the Alps. It is also one of only two double landlock countries in the world, which means not only is it landlocked but it's also surrounded by other landlock countries, those being Switzerland and Austria. Liechtenstein is also known as being the fourth smallest country in Europe. It has no army and has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. So much so that its prisons are mostly empty, and on the rare occasion that an inmate is sentenced to more than two years, they are often transferred across the border to Austrian prisons. Now the Principality was officially created in 1719 when the incredibly wealthy Habsburg family of Liechtenstein wanted to gain a seat in the Imperial Diet, which was the parliament of the Holy Roman Empire and required its members to own territory that reported directly to the Emperor. To achieve this, they bought the county of Schellenberg in 1699 and the County of Verduz in 1712, allowing them to combine the two and create a principality. The Liechtenstein family never visited the area before they bought it, as to them it was just a piece of land that came with the right political status. And that remained the case until the Second World War, when the family was forced to leave its palaces in Vienna and Bohemia, triggering a permanent move to the Principality. Now, here is an interesting Liechtenstein fact. In 1866, Liechtenstein sent just 80 soldiers to fight on the Austrian side in the Austro-Prussian War. During this time, they were stationed at the Brenner Pass and saw no fighting whatsoever. So all 80 soldiers returned home, but they did manage to pick up an 81st man along the way. Some sources say he was an Austrian liaison officer, while others suggest he was an Italian they befriended. No one knows for certain, but what is known is that Liechtenstein's army went to war with 80 soldiers and came back with 81. Following this, Liechtenstein immediately dissolved their army and officially declared permanent neutrality, which continues to this day. Even during the Second World War, Liechtenstein remained neutral, a rather impressive feat considered. Considering it was a tiny principality located between Nazi-controlled Austria and neutral Switzerland. Plus, with no military, no real defenses, and a Nazi movement growing within its own borders, the threat was very real. In fact, a Nazi takeover was planned and attempted in 1939, but failed as it was blocked partly by opponents and partly by Hitler himself, who didn't want to complicate his relationship with Switzerland. So you could say that Liechtenstein's survival is credited to being just too small to be worth the diplomatic cost of invading. But that doesn't mean the country was left entirely untouched, as post-war Liechtenstein was completely broke. The dynasty had to sell off precious artworks in order to survive, including a Leonardo da Vinci portrait called the Ginevra da Banshee. However, like all other European microstates thus far, Liechtenstein rebuilt itself into one of Europe's most successful financial centers, attracting companies with low corporate taxes and a seriously sophisticated banking system. Nowadays, Liechtenstein has one of the highest GDPs per capita in the world, and bizarrely manufactures more false teeth per capita than any other country. Its continual expansion comes largely from its growing workforce, of which 38% commute daily from neighboring Switzerland and Austria. One last fun fact I have to share with you is that in 2007 the Swiss Army accidentally invaded Liechtenstein, with about 170 infantry troops crossing the border in the night. They wandered for more than a mile into the country without even realizing it, and then once they had figured out their mistake, they quickly turned back. The soldiers were armed with assault rifles, but they had no ammunition. This accidental invasion caused no retaliation as Liechtenstein described the whole incident as being no big deal. So you're on an adventure through the Alps and realize you can tick off a whole new country just by taking a short detour. Like Monaco, there are no border checkpoints to enter or exit Liechtenstein. So if you miss the border sign, then you can be in the country without even realizing it. Now there is no airport or train station in Liechtenstein, so local buses or hiring a rental car are the only way to visit. Regular buses depart from Feldkirk in Austria or from the village of Sargens in Switzerland and take between 20 to 40 minutes to reach the country's capital of Vaduz. Now Vaduz has a population of around 5,000 people and sits in the shadow of Vaduz Castle, the opulent residence and private home of the ruling prince. And while you are not able to enter or tour the castle, you can walk up to it and take in the gorgeous views of the town below. That being said, if you plan your visit ahead and time your visit for National Day, which happens on August 15th, this is the one and only time of the year when the Prince opens the castle grounds to the public and invites the entire country of 38,000 people, plus visiting tourists in for a glass of wine in the courtyard. And that's a pretty cool experience because it's not every day that you get invited to drink wine with a European prince. From the castle, it's only a short walk downhill to reach the National Art Museum, which is housed inside a striking Black Cube building and is home to the Liechtenstein State Art Collection. Another excellent museum to consider visiting is the Liechtenstein National Museum, which covers the full extended version of the Principality's history, including the extraordinary story of how a Habsburg family bought an entire country. In the afternoon, you can enjoy lunch in the center of Verdutz and take a walk next to the Rhine River, which flows along the entire western border of the country. The walking paths here provide fantastic views of both the flatland below and the Alpine Ridge above. Then to conclude your visit to Liechtenstein, stop by the official tourism office to collect your passport stamp. It only costs two Swiss francs and is a great souvenir to mark your visit. And just so you're aware, due to its geographical location, the main language spoken in Liechtenstein is German. And since it's not a member of the EU, the official currency is Swiss francs. So make sure your travel card is loaded up with the correct currency. Welcome to our next European microstate, and that is the most serene republic of San Marino. Now, San Marino's origin story is quite unique. There are no bickering medieval lords, no great sieges of territory, and no immense generational wealth. Instead, it was the year 257 AD, when a simple stonemason named Marinus left his home island of Rab, which is in modern day Croatia, and sailed to the Italian coast to work on the reconstruction of the walls of Rimini. During his time there, he converted to Christianity and became an ordained minister, only to shortly after be accused by a mentally ill woman of being her long-lost husband. The accusation was apparently so alarming that Marinus fled inland, where he climbed the nearest available mountain called Monte Titano. It was here that he built a small chapel and monastery where he lived as a hermit. Over time, other Christians fleeing from Roman persecution followed him, causing a community to form and it never stopped growing. When Marinus died in 366 AD, his last recorded words, according to tradition, were I leave you free from both men, meaning free from the authority of both the Bishop of Rimini and any secular lord. His dying words became a declaration of freedom and the founding principle of the republic. So if a stonemason from Croatia hiding from a woman who thought he was her husband accidentally founded the world's oldest surviving republic, well I think we can all take great comfort in knowing anything really is possible. Now the micronation of San Marino is entirely surrounded by Italy, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that the official language is Italian. San Marino has also existed for 1723 years, which means it was already a functioning community when the Western Roman Empire fell in 476 AD, and it was already several centuries old by the time the medieval period began. Also, the fact that San Marino predates every other modern European nation is truly a mind-boggling concept. So how did San Marino survive? Well, partly it's due to geography. Monte Titano is an incredible defensive position, with steep slopes and 360-degree views over mostly flat terrain. It was also partly due to stubbornness as the inhabitants of San Marino have maintained their independence through several occupations, including by Cesare Borgia in 1503, a cardinal in 1739, and various other ambitious neighbours. Each time San Marino managed to outlast or outmaneuver their occupier. And lastly, it was partly thanks to diplomacy. For instance, when Napoleon swept through Italy, he respected San Marino's independence and even offered to extend its territory all the way to the sea. A tempting proposition for many, but San Marino politely declined, saying they were already satisfied with the 61km square they occupied. And they didn't want to acquire new territory that might then require them to defend it later. A wise decision indeed, which has meant for the last 229 years, San Marino has been able to exist predominantly in peace. Now moving closer to modern day, when Italy officially unified in the 1860s and everything around San Marino became part of this new Italian state, one of the movement's key leaders, Giuseppe Garibaldi, had actually previously taken refuge in San Marino when fleeing from the Austrians in 1849. So it was only thanks to San Marino's protection that he survived, which meant when the time came to unify, he kept his promise and left San Marino alone, allowing it to stay fiercely independent. The government structure of San Marino is also very unique in that every six months the Grand and General Council, which is a 60-member elected parliament, must choose two captain regents to act as joint heads of state. So they serve simultaneously as equals with the power to veto each other. They must always be from different political parties and they cannot be re-elected to the position for three years after their term ends. This system has been running without interruption since 1243, making it the world's oldest continuously operating form of Republican government. Now that's a pretty impressive statistic for a rather small country. But San Marino's list of impressive feats doesn't stop there, as during World War II, the microcountry took in over 100,000 refugees, which at the time was roughly eight times its own population. They did all of this while still remaining officially neutral. Now, following the war, they did in fact elect a communist government which lasted from 1945 to 1957, making it the first country in the world to freely elect a communist government. And as you can imagine, this caused many alarm bells for both the US and Italy, who responded by implementing economic boycotts and placing intense pressure on the acting coalition. In time, San Marino has since returned to a more democratic government. Like most of our microstates so far, excluding Monaco, there is no train station or airport in San Marino, so driving or taking a local bus is the only way to get there. Regular buses run from Rimini train station, which is about 30 kilometers away on the Italian Adriatic coast. Now, you know you're almost there when you see Monte Titano jutting dramatically upwards towards the sky on a mostly flat horizon. As you get closer, you'll also be able to spot the three towers of San Marino dotted along the ridgeline. The oldest tower was built in the 11th century and is open to visitors, with sprawling views across the Adriatic Sea and the Italian countryside. Whilst in San Marino, you can wander the historic center and medieval cobblestone streets of its capital city, Città di San Marino, which has a population of around 4,000 people and is one of the smallest capitals in the world. One of my personal favorite spots to visit is the Palazzo Publico, which is located on the city's main square and is where the Grand and General Council meets. It is also open to visitors, so you can go inside and see this grand parliamentary building that has been the site of all official elections since 1243. The State Museum is another great spot to visit if you want to dive deeper into the 17th century's worth of San Marino's history. A walk along the medieval walls that wrap around the historic city is another great way to take in the stunning views of the surrounding Italian landscapes. Now, San Marino has no coastline since they declined Napoleon's offer, but on a clear day from the city walls you can see all the way to the Adriatic Sea. And so even though it's technically a landlocked country, it doesn't really feel like it. And for a truly unique souvenir that you won't get anywhere else in the world, make sure to pick up a San Marino postage stamp or one of its limited Euro coins, which are highly sought after by collectors. There are also strong ceramic traditions here, so you can pick up some very special one-of-a-kind pieces before you depart. Well, I hope you've enjoyed this short but sweet visit to San Marino. Now we only have one more European micro country to go. It's the Vatican City. Covering just 44 hectares and slightly larger than a typical golf course, Vatican City is an entire country located inside the Italian city of Rome. Its population sits at just around 800 people, which is made up almost entirely of clergy, cardinals, Swiss guards, and official staff members. There is also no birth rate because there is no hospital inside Vatican City. And while the religious leaders are most likely not having children, the families of Swiss guards and some staff are allowed to reside inside the Vatican. But all births must be registered at official Italian hospitals. Now the country's head of state is not a president but instead the Pope, making Vatican City the last absolute elective theorocracy in the world. Meaning the Pope is chosen through an election by other religious officials and in his role is permitted to exercise supreme, unrestricted authority over both the state and the church. For a little backstory on how Vatican City came to be, we need to go back in time many centuries, to when the Pope was not only the spiritual head of the Catholic Church, but also a supreme ruler of the Papal States, which was a large territory that occupied most of central Italy. And it remained that way for over 1,100 years until 1870 when Italy unified under King Victor Emmanuel II. So when the Italian army marched on Rome and annexed the Papal States, the Pope's territory was reduced almost overnight to the confines of the Vatican Walls. The ruling pope at the time was Pope Pius IV, and he responded to the takeover by refusing to recognize the Italian state, refusing to leave the Vatican, and declaring himself a prisoner. His successors maintained this position, and for 59 years not a single pope stepped outside Vatican City. They also continued to refuse to acknowledge Italian sovereignty over Rome, and likewise the Italian government refused to acknowledge papal sovereignty over the Vatican. The whole situation came to be known as the Roman Question, and it fested awkwardly for nearly six decades. That was until 1926 when the self-appointed Italian dictator Mussolini began secret negotiations with the Vatican, as he was desperate to gain the Catholic Church's support in order to rally Italy's 97% Catholic population. Three years later, on February 11, Mussolini and Cardinal Gaspardi signed the Lateran Treaty, which declared that Italy formally recognized Vatican City as a sovereign state, and the Pope also formally recognized Italy in return. So the Roman question was resolved, and Mussolini reportedly said that he had buried the power of the popes by confining them to just 44 hectares. This of course turned out to be somewhat optimistic, as today the Pope leads over a billion religious members and has developed diplomatic relations with 184 countries, giving Vatican City enormous global influence, an estate that has outlasted both Mussolini and the Kingdom of Italy. So those 44 hectares seem to be working out just fine. Now Vatican City is very much considered a functioning country as it has its own post office, its own newspaper, a radio station, a railway station, its own telephone prefix, unique passport, separate legal system, and even a police force. Vatican City also generates immense revenue from tourism by allowing visitors to access its vast museums, which house the most concentrated collection of precious artworks in the world. This collection has been created over the past five centuries and includes the Sistine Chapel ceiling that was painted in the early 1500s by the famous Italian artist Michelangelo. It's become so popular, in fact, that the Sistine Chapel is one of the most visited rooms in the entire world. For most visitors to Rome, it's pretty much standard to spend at least one day visiting Vatican City. So you can expect the crowds here, especially around midday, can be quite intense. Now, while St. Peter's Basilica is an active church and is free to enter, the Vatican Museums require booking well in advance, whether that be entry tickets, audio guides, or even guided tours. They do sell out quickly and there is pretty much zero chance of you being able to get a ticket to the museums on the day. Also, depending on the time of year and time of day you visit, for instance, during the summer months between 10am and 3 p.m., the lines to enter St. Peter's Basilica can be hours long. So my tip is to go super early in the morning or wait until just before closing time, as the lines are going to be much, much shorter. But for the ultimate Vatican experience, it's best to start your morning early. I'm talking 7 or 7.30am with a guided tour of the Vatican Museums. This will take you through a vast network of interconnecting rooms and corridors filled with floor-to-ceiling frescoes and intricate statues. One notable stop you'll make is in the Gallery of Maps, which is a long room featuring 40 painted maps of Italian regions from the 16th century. It truly is one of the most extraordinary rooms I've ever walked through and deserves the time to stop and appreciate it. Now the highlight of the museum is almost always the Sistine Chapel, which is a spectacular room featuring vivid, colourful frescoes on all the walls and even the ceiling. As you enter, your eyes will fall instantly on the Last Judgment, which sits on the furthest wall behind the chapel's altar. Then, as you take in all the details, your eyes will slowly drift upwards towards the ceiling and finally rest on another breathtaking piece of art, which is called the Creation of Adam. Both magnificent pieces were painted by Michelangelo on two separate occasions about 20 years apart. Now you are not allowed to take photos inside the Sistine Chapel, so put your phone and camera away and just admire the beauty that is before you. So you might be wondering why I suggest going on a guided tour and not just purchasing entry tickets to explore at your own pace. And that is because of one very specific reason, which is that only official tour guides are allowed to take their groups through the secret side door located inside the Sistine Chapel that connects directly to St. Peter's Basilica. So the main benefit is that by joining a tour, you don't have to go outside and line up with everyone else. Now, this is not a feature of all Vatican Museum tours, as some focus purely on the museums, but it is something to look out for if you want to save yourself lots of time standing in line. Also, most tours will end inside the basilica, allowing you to stay longer and explore more at your own pace. Now, St. Peter's Basilica is recognized as the largest church in the world at 186 meters long and 137 meters tall at its highest point inside the dome. It's absolutely mega and it's also decorated with immense amounts of gold, mosaics, frescoes, and priceless statues. In fact, Michelangelo's breathtaking Pietra of Mary holding the body of Christ is located in the first chapel on the right as you enter. It's been behind glass since an attack in 1972. But you can still take in all the intricate details, like how Mary's dress appears as if it's floating in the breeze. Yet you know it's been carved completely out of solid marble. Most people will do a lap of the church and then leave. But for those wanting to go deeper, you can go down into the church's crypt, which contains the tombs of many previous popes. While inside, you can also purchase tickets to climb the dome. There are two types of tickets. The first is stairs only, requiring you to climb up all 551 steps, or you can opt for the second and easier option of taking an elevator to the terrace level, followed by just 320 steps to the top. It's certainly a workout, but worth it for the incredible 360 degree views of Vatican City and beyond across the terracotta rooftops of Rome. Once you are ready to leave, you'll be guided out towards St. Peter's Square, where all the tourists gather and the long line to enter St. Peter's Basilica curves around the circular piazza. Then it's only a few hundred steps until you're back on Italian soil. You've officially visited the smallest country on earth, and you didn't even need to rent a car or hop on a train to get there. It's a country located within a city, unlike any other country in the world. So visiting Vatican City is a very unique and pretty cool experience. Okay, so before you start obsessing over Google Maps and seeing how to fit one or maybe even two of these microstates into your Europe trip, let's go through a few practicalities and trip planning tips to ensure it all goes smoothly. Starting off with is it possible to do all five microstates in one trip? And the honest answer is yes, but it will take some considerable planning and coordinating of logistics. Two weeks is ambitious, but not impossible, while three weeks allows you to slow things down and enjoy each place a little more. The itinerary I would suggest is starting in Rome where you can tick off Vatican City. Then take a train to either Florence or Bologna where you'll need to rent a car to reach San Marino. There's also a lot of fabulous places to visit in the neighboring Italian regions of Emilia Romagna and La Marche, should you wish to extend your visit. Next, I suggest returning your rental car in Bologna and taking a train north to Verena, which is an idyllic village located on the shores of Lake Como. And this is a strategic choice, as from here you can connect to the Bernina Express train which travels from Tirano in Italy across the border to Cher in Switzerland. Then from Cher you can take public transport to reach the capital of Vaduz in Liechtenstein. From here, you'll have to take a combination of buses and trains to reach either Zurich or Geneva. Both of these Swiss cities have direct flights to Nice, which will allow you to explore nearby Monaco. The final step is to pick up a rental car and drive south along the French Riviera towards Andorra. And once you've passed through the border checkpoints, you'll have officially ticked off all five European microstates, which will certainly feel like quite a fun accomplishment. Now the closest major city to Andorra is Barcelona, which makes for an easy departure point and end to your trip. So as I said before, there are a lot of logistics to juggle here, but it's not entirely impossible. Now the other way to do it is by adding one or maybe two microstates to your existing itinerary, which, if you're in the region already, is quite easy to do and is a worthwhile detour. Vatican City, Monaco and Liechtenstein are by far the easiest to get to using public transport. While San Marino and Andorra are not entirely impossible, renting a car just makes it a lot easier and quicker to get to. Next, for a popular and fun little activity to add into your visit, consider getting a unique passport stamp. Now, since most microstates are in the Schengen zone or de facto members, you won't automatically get a stamp at the border. However, the tourism office in Vaduz-Liechtenstein does give out souvenir passport stamps for a small fee, and San Marino does the same. For Monaco, you'll have to go to the town hall, and in Andorra, you won't get a stamp unless you specifically request one from the border officials at the police check booths when you enter and exit the country. The only one that doesn't give out passport stamps is Vatican City. But if you're still wanting a similar type of souvenir, then you can purchase postage stamps from the official Vatican Post Office. Another cool thing to try and collect is a unique Euro coin. Monaco, San Marino, Vatican City, and Andorra all mint their own Euro coins with distinct national designs. These are all legal currency that can be used anywhere in the Eurozone, but are highly sought after by collectors and rarely enter general circulation. So if you find one, make sure to keep it. In terms of crowd management, Vatican City is going to be the most crowded and it's pretty much like that all year long. So just make sure to book your tickets and tours in advance and plan your visit for either early morning or later in the day. Monaco can also be especially busy during peak summer events like the Formula One race, where they close down the city's main roads during the day and it can be very chaotic when you're trying to get around. Andorra, on the other hand, is busiest during the winter season, with winter sports enthusiasts descending on the country's snow-covered slopes. While San Marino and Liechtenstein are by far the least crowded of the five micro-states, making them all the more enjoyable for it. So that's all I have in terms of practical tips for planning your visit to one or maybe several of Europe's micro-states. I hope you found it helpful, insightful, and maybe even inspired you to take on the challenge of planning your very own trip to one of these tiny but wonderful destinations. Well, what a journey it's been traveling through Europe's five fascinating microstates. And I honestly can't help but feel like there is a lesson on survival in each one of them. From being incredibly stubborn to just sheer luck, as well as being too small or even too useful to be worth conquering. None of these five countries survived because they were powerful. They survived because they found things that larger powers needed from them. It was a buffer zone or a tax arrangement or even a spiritual authority. Finding something of value to offer up when invaders came marching is what has made all of them indispensable. Andorra needed France and Spain to argue with each other. Monaco needed to become too glamorous and too wealthy to be absorbed. Liechtenstein needed to be smaller than the diplomatic cost of invading. San Marino needed a mountain and an inspiring origin story. And Vatican City needed Mussolini to need the Catholic Church more than the Catholic Church needed him. Every single one of them has survived by accident, chance, or pure luck. Yet somehow they've remained and managed to forge permanent spots on the map of Europe. Well, I hope you've enjoyed this fascinating trip through Europe's five microstates. And I hope at least one of them has made it onto your Europe travel wish list. Now if you found this episode insightful or entertaining, then make sure to click that follow or subscribe button so you never miss a future episode. And remember to share your thoughts by leaving a review. It's so wonderful seeing all your comments and hearing what you enjoy most about the podcast and the destinations we visit. Now, by far the best thing you can do to help the podcast grow is share it with a friend or family member who also loves planning trips to Europe. Plus, if you want to connect, feel free to send me a message on Instagram at travelwith.tyler or an email at infotravelwithyler.com. Next time, we're off to explore the sights and spectacular scenery of Scotland. From the historic streets of Edinburgh to the majestic and rugged landscapes of the highlands. You know how some places just get under your skin and even after you've left you can't stop thinking about them? Well, that's what Scotland is to me, and I can't wait to take you on an epic journey through one of Europe's most magical and memorable destinations. So until then, keep dreaming, keep exploring, and keep your European wonderless alive.