Liechtenstein celebrates 300 years of princely moments in 2019
Where: The Principality of Liechtenstein
When: 2019
The details:
To mark its 300th anniversary, Liechtenstein will be launching a digitally interactive trail via a dedicated app that will guide travellers across 75km, with a variety of points of interest to pause and discover along the way: https://tourismus.li/en/activities/the-liechtenstein-trail/
Since being founded in 1719, Liechtenstein has remained an established part of the European map nestled between Austria and Switzerland, and neighbouring Germany. Together, the four countries meet at the heart of Europe in Lake Constance, known to locals as ‘Bodensee’
There’s more to Liechtenstein than just being one of the world’s smallest countries – it is still undiscovered with only 79,000 tourists having stepped foot in the country in 2017. Often described as a fairytale destination with snow-capped mountains and castles making up most of the landscape, Liechtenstein is an adventurer’s dream, giving new definition to the term #wanderlust
Discover the crown jewels, sip a royal vintage at the Prince’s Winery, stand in awe at the iconic Vaduz Castle overlooked by snowcapped peaks and explore the Castle ruins in Schellenberg. Visitors must remember to taste Liechtenstein’s traditional cheese Spätzle—the story goes that no two families make it the same way
The discovery of the decade: 400-year-old shipwreck discovered off the coast of Cascais, Portugal
Where: Cascais, Portugal
When:Now! (Discovery made in September)
The details:
In early September this year, a trade ship dating back to between 1575 and 1625 was discovered in the shallows of the River Tragus, Cascais
The ship was thought to be en route to India and was laden down with intact Chinese ceramics, spices, cannons and cowrie shells.
Cascais has a rich historical trade link with India and experts believe the discovery will reveal much about Cascais’ maritime history
It is considered the greatest discovery of all time for Portugal and is part of a 10-year archaeological project supported by the town of Cascais
The recent find adds to Cascais’ already rich history. More recently, the town played an important role in WWII, when it was a refuge to Portuguese nobility, spies and royalty and it is this colourful and present history that attracts cultural visitors to the region year on year
Lausanne Switzerland welcomes the return of the Fête des Vignerons for the first time this Millennium
Where: Lausanne, Vaud Region, Switzerland
When: 18 July – 11 August 2019
The details:
The Fête des Vignerons is a fabled celebration of the Vaud region’s wine and its makers organised by a committee known as Confrérie des Vignerons (Brotherhood of Winegrowers)
The committee are bound to only organise five celebrations each century, meaning that the festival truly is a once-in-a-generation event
2019 marks the first celebration to be held in this Millennium, with the previous iteration coming in 1999
The first festival was held in 1797, so there is a strong sense of tradition and local pride that comes bubbling up when each generation the event is announced
The region is famed for its wine and, just this year, Lausanne was named as the 10th member of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network, joining powerhouses of the wine world such as Bordeaux and California’s Napa Valley
Lausanne’s Lavaux Vineyard terraces, a UNESCO world heritage site, have unique terraced vines that slope to the very edge of Lake Geneva’s dark waters. The Alps rise dramatically in the distance to create one of the most stunning vistas visitors will ever see
Due to the slope, Lavaux’s vines cannot be harvested by machine and must be hand-picked
Switzerland only exports 1-2% of its wine each year, so 2019 really is the best time to head to the Fête des Vignerons and sample it at the source