A dozen years ago, the tiny country of Liechtenstein was available for rent for a whopping $70,000 a night, complete with customized street signs and temporary currency. It was a big step for the country best known for its tax-haven status and exporting false teeth. The price tag included accommodations for 150 people, although part of the rental agreement was that the 35,000 inhabitants would remain. Any personal touches, such as an individual logo created out of candle wax or a customized medieval procession, came at an extra, undisclosed cost. Upon arrival in Liechtenstein, visitors were presented with a symbolic key to the country, followed by wine tasting at the estate of Prince Hans-Adam II. Other options included tobogganing, fireworks and horse-drawn carriage rides through the capital, Vaduz. Visitors could also try cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoe hiking to explore the picturesque landscape. Despite all these attractions, Liechtenstein was never rented out – although a couple did come close to hiring it for their wedding.........until the marriage was called off. The rental scheme was offered by Liechtenstein-based marketing firm Rent-a-Village by Xnet and Airbnb, which also has 10 European villages on its books. Today you can't rent Liechtenstein, but you can rent a village in Austria or Switzerland for between $50,000 and $65,000 per night.
The Country That Was Once Available For Rent
A dozen years ago, the tiny country of Liechtenstein was available for rent for a whopping $70,000 a night, complete with customized street signs and temporary currency. It was a big step for the country best known for its tax-haven status and exporting false teeth. The price tag included accommodations for 150 people, although part of the rental agreement was that the 35,000 inhabitants would remain. Any personal touches, such as an individual logo created out of candle wax or a customized medieval procession, came at an extra, undisclosed cost. Upon arrival in Liechtenstein, visitors were presented with a symbolic key to the country, followed by wine tasting at the estate of Prince Hans-Adam II. Other options included tobogganing, fireworks and horse-drawn carriage rides through the capital, Vaduz. Visitors could also try cross-country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoe hiking to explore the picturesque landscape. Despite all these attractions, Liechtenstein was never rented out – although a couple did come close to hiring it for their wedding.........until the marriage was called off. The rental scheme was offered by Liechtenstein-based marketing firm Rent-a-Village by Xnet and Airbnb, which also has 10 European villages on its books. Today you can't rent Liechtenstein, but you can rent a village in Austria or Switzerland for between $50,000 and $65,000 per night.