Little Europe: Five Micro-Countries

Rick Steves' Europe Travel Guide © 2008 | Don't blink as we blitz through Europe's tiniest countries: Vatican City, the planet's smallest country, boasts the its biggest church. The fairy-tale princedom of Monaco lures high rollers with its fancy casino and glamorous views. Italy's last independent hill town, San Marino, still looks formidable, as does the castle-guarded principality of Liechtenstein. And amid the rugged beauty of the Pyrenees, tiny Andorra draws shoppers and hikers alike. #ricksteves #ricksteveseurope
Visit www.ricksteves.com for more information about these destinations and other destinations in Europe.
Check out more Rick Steves’ Europe travel resources:
• “Rick Steves’ Europe” public television series: www.ricksteves.com/watch-read...
• “Travel with Rick Steves” public radio program: www.ricksteves.com/watch-read...
• European Tours: www.ricksteves.com/tours
• Guidebooks: store.ricksteves.com/shop/gui...
• Travel Gear: store.ricksteves.com/shop/
• Travel Classes: www.ricksteves.com/watch-read...
• Rick Steves Audio Europe App: www.ricksteves.com/watch-read...
Rick Steves, America's most respected authority on European travel, writes European travel guidebooks, and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio.

[@kombooch]

Rick’s optimism and positive energy warms my soul

[@kjb1611tw]

Amen from Taiwan

[@brianmahoney5800]

I think he gets high a lot.

[@lynemac2539]

Maybe. He's very mellow, downright therapeutic!

[@michaelgirvine]

Vatican City 1:58 San Marino 8:28 Liechtenstein 13:27 Monaco 17:14 Andorra 20:11

[@ScipioAfricanus_Chris]

You are a God among men sir!

[@krunoslavkovacec1842]

Meanwhile, Luxembourg: Am I too big for you ?

[@ReadingThing]

Absolutely brilliant! The history, the filming and the presentation! Rick Steves is a legend!

[@gatopsaro4262]

Monaco for its weather , luxury and extravagance , Andorra for its scenery , endurance throughout the ages and "normal" size and finally San Marino for its stubborness and for being an examble of how such a small republic can survive .. are my favorites

[@ixlnxs]

San Marino endures as an independent nation to spare the rest of Europe from finishing last in the UEFA championships.

[@JakobFischer60]

Liechtenstein is often invaded by chance through the swiss military. A relative of mine who has been in the swiss army told me that when they were out on a training march, they got lost and found themselves in the middle of Liechtenstein. No diplomatic stress though as they immediatelly retreated from their invasion. That must happen all the time.

[@alexandrorocca7142]

That's no biggie since Liechtenstein is closely tied with Switzerland, they even use the Swiss Franc as currency. But the same happened at least once with Italy. There's a train that goes from one Swiss region to another, but it also transits through Italy, and Italian law enforcement agents in charge of border security usually board the train to check documents. Years ago a small company of Swiss soldiers was on the train, in full gear and carrying assault rifles (no ammo though). It was more of an embarassment than a diplomatic issue. Swiss soldiers take the same train all the time, but they have to remove military insignia and obviously leave their weapons on Swiss territory.

[@folofus4815]

Poland did the same thing to Czechia recently lol

[@badassat69]

A real pleasure to watch. Rick's humor has a way of raising the mind of the viewer above the daily concerns.

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

I went to a football match in Andorra. We missed a turn and got lost. The Police then blocked the road so that we could safely reverse the wrong way. Then we couldn’t get into the Stadium so the Police let is watch the match from their rest area.

[@AylaStewart]

I grew up watching your shows (I got my bachelor's degree in German as well as a certificate of International Studies- thanks to your influence!) Now I home school and I'm introducing your videos to my 6th grader! Thank you for posting these online for your fans :D

[@metastract]

Awesome! Fellow German grad here. Mach's gut ;-)

[@relaxandrefocuswithmegan]

When he is older have him do an exchange in Europe with Rotary Youth Exchange.

[@adequatename2311]

Everyone check out this beautiful woman's channel! Been a fan for awhile now.

[@SA2004YG]

Make sure to socialize your kid

[@wotan20]

Truly breathtaking video. Being a European by birth, I was aware these statelets existence and whereabouts, yet this video still contained both visual and interesting historical info, which was new to me. How strange, that it was conveyed by a friendly, and easy going American. Thanks Mr. Steves!

[@SuB-qk1yp]

Fell in love with these videos.

[@krunoslavkovacec1842]

Best regards to San Marino from Croatia. Saint Marino/ Sveti Marin was born in Croatia and he founded the beautiful country the Sanmarinese call home. We love you Good work Rick. Aldo, I think you missed Luxembourg...

[@istvantorok26]

Rick , you bring a breath of fresh air to our every day lives . all your shows are beautiful , well documented and very well presented ! thank you !

[@ari.369]

Thank you so much to watching us the best of Europes....I am indian...I have not enough money to go europe...but have eyes to see your videos....with your videos i fullfil my desire...

[@bang-ontak6795]

I like your comment becsuse I not enough money to go to too!

[@amrhassan3888]

@@bang-ontak6795 me too,😎

[@zgnp6]

you say my words,and I am a Chinese

[@felgercarb3803]

Arnab Mondal -I am from Denmark and I do not have the money to go to India.

[@BN-ow1bq]

Your comment really touched a note with me. I was orphaned at young age and was from a poor family in a devolping world. I loved travelling and i thought it is only for the rich. I got lucky and richer and now i jave been to 20 countries. Dont loose hope, keep working. Better things will be yours!

[@liangll2006]

Vatican City (0.44 km2) ... Monaco (1.95 km2) ... San Marino (61 km2) ... Liechtenstein (160 km2) ... Malta (316 km2) ... Andorra (468 km2) ... Luxembourg (2,586 km2) ... Cyprus (9,251 km2)

[@Midnightinparisonwheels]

Also Gibraltar

[@danmagro2294]

@@Midnightinparisonwheels Gibraltar isint a country

[@HI-gj1qn]

Midnight in Paris on Wheels Gibraltar 🇬🇮 is a British Uk 🇬🇧 territory with its own government.

[@user-jq8fw6yb6s]

But Andorra is also a part of France with its one gouvernement, the entire title of the French Presidency is : President of France and Andorre ...

[@nuyorican1985]

@@user-jq8fw6yb6s not correct. The Principality of Andorra is not part of France. Never has been apart of France. The French President and the Bishop of Uriel (headquartered in Catalonia, Spain) are the Co-Princes of the country. Andorra belongs to no one but herself. And the people of Andorra speak Catalan...

[@kiranp24]

Rick, your travel documentaries are very informative and not boring! Thanks.

[@taylorsmith2446]

Kiran Puranik he forgot a few countries like Malta, Liblerland, Kingdom of And, and debatable Luxembourg

[@jziskind]

Taylor Smith They are a self-proclaimed micronation, but not a single UN country recognizes it.

[@jziskind]

+Rather Notsay I was referring to Liblerland.

[@horseplop9]

@@taylorsmith2446 Whats the Best of the 5 countries??

[@prabhakarpv2169]

It is a pleasure to watch Rick Steves travel videos which are captivating, with the interesting commentary about each place. It brought back memories of my visit to Vadus, the capital of Liechtenstein sometime ago.

[@seannewhouse892]

Europe sure looks inviting and fun place to be!

[@deepalib3096]

San Marino is lovely, palace of people is magnificent,Monaco view of the sea dotted with biats us lovly,Andorra landscapes are so nice

[@CoryPrior999]

and they still have mullets lol in Lichtenstein 23:41 that was so cute, she was like "I want that one"

[@yukiyu6241]

I feel like I stepped into Middle Ages., Can't decide which one I like the best., Marino maybe?

[@doglabdogtraining-gus.8873]

rick thanks for showing us the world out there , love your videos

[@bennaylor5610]

The Organ piece playing in the background from 5:44 onwards is a prelude by Bach in F major from a book of eight little fugues and preludes. A great organ piece for those starting out.

[@xiaoyuli6008]

You bring us to almost every corner of Europe, sharing the beautiful nature and human wonders.

[@nirvanasharleen6994]

So beautiful & nice to enjoy this video ! Little countries in Europe so nice to see things ! Thanks a lot !!

[@chef_ann3400]

I really want to visit Europe soon because of Rick Steves' vids! 😍😍😍 So inviting. 😊

[@jessicaoctostar9730]

I love how these countries are like taking a trip through time. Europe has lots of beautiful old relics, but these places have preserved the entire culture more than others have

[@mohanudiavar]

Great upload indeed. Thanks a lot

[@khawarrzubair9499]

Hats off to mr rick steeve love you sir for exploring and then sharing with us these beautiful landscape

[@suvichaiful]

This is Another ep. that I really like. Thanks so much, Rick.

[@traceybeerling4776]

Wonderful Steve thankyou xx

[@MrsMonaco2]

Also if in Liechtenstein don't stay in Vaduz. Stay in Triesenberg the views are incredible

[@reviveproject]

and Malbun

[@faridahishak6481]

Very informative and interesting journey.

[@legambaz]

A very enjoyable trip for me. Thanx.

[@arela1030]

Europe is beautiful country it’s a paradise I loved its great especially 🇲🇨 I been there elegant and very luxurious ,safely place, I miss Monte Carlo god bless and peace thanks Monsieur Rick Steves

[@anonymousJAN2024]

Europe is not a country.

[@juansanclaro8190]

country?? it is a continent ya fud!

[@kingleo7281]

⛪ 🇻🇦🇸🇲 🇱🇮 🇲🇨 🇦🇩 🏰 🇪🇺 ✝️

[@MrsMonaco2]

I just need to visit Andorra to complete the set :) I loved them all but I think I love Liechtenstein the most

[@cosmoaerov2270]

+Scott Earp I live in Switzerland but I never been in Liechtenstein :/ Why is it your favorite ?

[@rakiahbaker5589]

I'd like to visit Andorra

[@trianglearchives5776]

I visited there, it was very mountainous and the air was fresh. Perfect for a day trip

[@frankrogerbuaroy1779]

As always,very nice film!

[@MikeEgypte]

Great descriptions here, and I assume your other videos, so I have subscribed.

[@billbergendahl2911]

I've been to three of these micro-countries: San Marino, Vatican City and Monaco.

[@gwinnet3142]

Thanks for video 🙏

[@englishfromatoz8970]

Love all your videos

[@worldwidewalking9621]

Super, greetings from Italy! :)

[@sandramara3766]

Rick Steves good morning happy 2020, thank you is wonderful your travel beauty tradition and Culture preserve

[@mubeenuniq4717]

thanks for showing beautiful documenatry

[@anndeakin1508]

Monica nice place to visit an see where the Grand Prix drivers have to drive one understands how good drivers are that race on this track .Mw I love Grand Prix but as a deriver in my early years respect the have drivers that impress.Thanks. All drivers for your skill and great joy I have watching An Deakin Warwick UK March 2021

[@evelynlaws3344]

Soothing relaxation

[@relaxandrefocuswithmegan]

Rick, I love your books and especially your tv series and I have watched for several years. I speak 8 European languages and I'd love to work for you! Besides this, please make videos on the following: another video just on Finland, Lapland and the Saame (or Sami) people, the European side of Russia, Cyprus, Iceland, Faroe Islands, another on Poland, Ukraine, Malta, one on Sweden outside of Stockholm, Slovakia, Greenland, Moldova (and other tiny Balkan countries you haven't done yet), Macedonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Isle of Man and Jersey. Please press the like button if you agree.

[@eskigunler62]

greenland not a europe land

[@alexandrorocca7142]

@@eskigunler62 And thank god Denmark didn't sell it to the US.

[@whitebird0342]

@@eskigunler62 That is correct. While Greenland is an autonomous political territory linked to Denmark, it is also a constituent part of North America and not Europe.

[@eskigunler62]

@@whitebird0342 yeah absolutely my friend

[@giuliab8484]

You speak 8 languages!?

[@estherszalay5921]

Very interesting! Thank you.

[@erzsebethyoung]

your videos are so amazing , quality films and educational.

[@beifeiteCampingtentfactory]

I just love reversible introductions

[@user-gd9eu9if9d]

Thank you a lot for this travel ing.

[@MarcusLeepapi]

I still love this video....Nice..

[@hariomgoyal2258]

Thanks, by watching ur tour i feel, myself is there

[@DarkmoonRising69]

The Lonesome Traveler salutes you. Excellent informative entertainment Thank you and your staff Laurence james

[@gaur1269]

Malta is pretty tiny too.

[@gardeniasaleem234]

Guar

[@gaur1269]

gardenia saleem

[@t.c.4321]

I've been to Andorra and whilsg the capital put me off at first, the countryside is breath taking. Beautiful part of the world

[@zenaidarodriguez11]

It's beautiful thanks

[@kreativekut666]

Good topic ad good documentary

[@joannwatkins8762]

I love when you are in Europe

[@emiliosgregoriou8943]

Every video , contains such amazing content , I so want to watch this on TV but I don't know what channel it is in 1!!1

[@ricksteves]

Thanks for watching! In the US, you can find Rick Steves' Europe on public television stations.

[@valonk4377]

+Rick Steves Europe where is KOSOVO ? kosovo is not part of Serbia

[@dentheranter0433]

+Valon Kida Kosovo is huge compared to those

[@DallasHammster]

+Valon Kida Belgrade still isn't entirely convinced. Just sayin'.

[@shanearnold7781]

+Rick Steves Europe Just wondering, will you be doing a video on Luxembourg anytime soon?

[@nickyc829]

I visited Rome by work and travel on Christmas and new year 2016 !!

[@Amarjitcanada]

Mr.steve very nice job

[@sayedbd111]

Nice presentation

[@aryanscience]

Great video, been to all of these as well! How about a video on European quirks such as Campione d'Italia, Llivia, Gibraltar, Baarle-Nassau (& Baarle-Hertog), Busingen am Hochrhein and if you want to push things you could include Ceuta & Melilla (although they are technically in Africa)..

[@NobinBR-dq6st]

Excellent

[@matthiasthym7431]

nice video, just one comment you forgot malta which btw also fits inside Luxemburg

[@HandattheHelm]

Monaco was originally ten times its current size, and the rest of the land was mainly lemon orchards, the fruit of which it was famous for, and was its main source of income. France and Monaco had a tenuous relationship after the Napoleonic wars reshuffled medieval Europe, with France sort-of but not totally recognizing Monaco's independent status. France coveted their lemon orchards, so they told the Monégasques basically "If you give us your lemon orchards and the land they stand on, we'll officially recognize your independence forever" with the implied threat of "if you don't give us those lands, we might invade and make you French". Monaco reluctantly agreed, and in the Franco-Monégasque Treaty of 1861 handed over nine-tenths of its land to France for continued self-sovereignty. Their loss plunged the country into poverty, and the ruling prince built the famous Monte Carlo casino as a way of bring in revenue to the country. This remained the country's main source of income until the late 20th century, when banking and acting as a tax haven took over.

[@bobguerrero2986]

Love europe. . . been to malta, vatican, parts of italy, france. . . and eastern europe. .. . Romania, kiev!

[@ajitvarma7906]

I enjoyed your work and wish traveling with you sometime once pandemic is over. Pls share . Thanks

[@seanjulien4290]

I LOVE YOUR SHOW

[@TomPomArt]

I've done Vatican State, feeling San Marino for a mini-moon after our Italian wedding, off to Liechtenstein next month... so just Monaco and Andorra to go!

[@5alitavakoli]

Amazing.

[@inTruthbyGrace]

I was so happy to see he covered RSM, my family is from there I am a dual citizen and I love it......but the shops are tacky??? lol?? they're great! it is the best place ever.

[@MarcusLeepapi]

Thanks

[@adom6750]

I wanted to ask you Rick Steves, when are you going to make a video on Luxembourg?

[@roberthoyt7921]

That episode may have come out in 2008, but was the Vatican segment from 2000, San Marino from 2006, and the other two (Andorra and Liechtenstein) from 2008? I know the Monaco segment came from 2004 - most likely from a 2004 episode involving Nice and the French Riviera.

[@theteenengineer7589]

beautiful

[@PipinhoSnow]

So cool :)

[@gilmourattard7138]

Malta is small too

[@christianaquilina5434]

As previously mentioned, the European Country Next would be The Republic of Malta, we would love to have you. Another "Quasi-country" would be Gibratlar, which is independent yet not a republic, not sure if it would qualify.

[@georgemacpherson1992]

Gibraltar is an overseas territory of the UK.

[@ioleromeo919]

Interessante il video sui Cinque Micro Stati.

[@MikeLuisCozinheiro75]

Have you been in Coruña? North of Spain....? All this islands around here...is very beautiful

[@rupalbuta9160]

very nice

[@Amarjitcanada]

I watching your shows and vedio , s. I am from Punjab. India

[@fatpinkteddy]

I love Andorra a great country

[@Aritul]

Who has a better job than Rick Steves?

[@germany1809]

Nice show. You forgot Gibraltar, Luxembourg and Malta.

[@juansanclaro8190]

ALso the Faroe Isles, Isle of Mann and England!

[@gdansk87]

luxembourg and malta are no "micro-states" and gibraltar lies under british sovereignty

[@carbugnov1952]

@@juansanclaro8190 guernsey, jersey, alderny, sark, scily,

[@juansanclaro8190]

@@carbugnov1952 eh?

[@georgemacpherson1992]

Juan San Claro England isn’t a micro nation.

[@bibekdarsonikquotes6327]

Good morning , salute my withhold sir. Euro and pound👍

[@nikoanawaru463]

Woww😍😍😍

[@trianglearchives5776]

I love that theme song

[@jiesong7069]

I noticed an interesting section of video with a very interesting map of comparison about these countries and the description about them, from about 20 minutes and 10 seconds to 20 minutes and 40 seconds. 2020-January-18th 1:07

[@rext8949]

Small in size they punch high when it comes to per capita income and standard of living . They've all gone the way when it comes to monetization - tourism and financial services.Wonder how much time it took you Rick to cover each of these mini nations .

[@anndeakin1508]

San Marino ancient yet majestic nice place to visit . A place where being g rich a must to live their.

[@mhmadtirk4007]

It's very nice think

[@amityayavarchannel]

Nice

[@maccabees1000]

Love this but you forgot Malta, it's smaller than Andorra!

[@nixter888]

There is Cyprus too!

[@Scandilady]

+nixter888 But Cyprus is bigger than the 5 minicountries, efkaristo.

[@criskity]

Kosovo is pretty small, too.

[@enqrbit]

CNVideos Not that small. Cyprus and Kosovo are small but these micronations are just some kilometres wide if even that.

[@theressamurphy2996]

Sweet Vatican 😀

[@dylan2478]

20:30 Isn’t Malta Europe’s next smallest country?

[@stacysilverman6366]

Malta's actually smaller than Andorra.

[@dylan2478]

@@stacysilverman6366 but Malta is smaller then Luxembourg right

[@charmainelamont2020]

@@dylan2478 Luxembourg is the largest of the small countries.

[@willbergie55]

I've been to three of these countries: San Marino, Vatican City and Monaco.

[@rakiahbaker5589]

I'd like to visit Andorra! 🇦🇩

[@alazkakumu]

I wish to have a photo with Rick someday...