Food and drinks

No, you will not look like an idiot. Some of the nicest wines are grown in both Germany and Austria. There is also no reason to eat pork or beef sausages if you don't want to. Menus offer a wide variety of foods. Even vegetarians don't have much of a problem dining here.

You will by no means have any problems. Now my husband went about 8 days straight eating sausage while there cuz it was so good, but that is not a requirement. A glass of Reisling in Germany is just what the doctor ordered. A glass of Gruner Vetliner in Austria is wonderful. Schnitzel and Spaetzel are fantastic. And it is like anywhere else - if you want a salad, have a salad. You want roasted Chicken or Fish - there are plenty of options. There are no rules. Oh and I am always promoting the Sturm just because it is unique and tasty. In Germany it is called Fedderweiss and in Austria it is Sturm. It is a very young wine that hasn't processed all its sugars. It is sweet like soda and bubbly. And it has a low alcohol content. You can get red or white, but I think the white is better. I think you can only find it in the fall though maybe. It's seasonal.

Claire, great question! I do not drink beer or eat sausage either, and I managed just fine in Germany for 6 months when I was a student. Both Germany and Austria make very good wines of which they are very proud. (Try a Gruner Veltliner in Austria). And there are lots of good food choices apart from sausage. Chicken is very popular these days, either as a "Schnitzel" substitute for veal (breaded and fried), or simply grilled as part of a "Fitness Teller (fitness platet or healthy choice.) And if you are anywhere near a lake, lake fish like trout or other (Zander, etc.) may well be on the menu.

At most normal German restaurants, there are plenty of items on the menu that don't use sausage as an ingredient. And there are plenty of choices to drink besides beer. You are not visiting these countries for the purpose of making a good impression on the waiters. Relax, order the food and drinks you are interested in, and enjoy your trip.

My wife doesnt drink beer or eat sausage and she did fine. Wine is readily available (both Germany and Aystria are proud of their wine), even when we visited ratskellers, pubs and beer halls. Fish is also very popular and readily available

I also do not like beer. I LOVED the wine in Austria! And they have the best sparkling water ever ( I can never remember the name, but there is a helmeted "Roman" soldier on the lable). If it is the pork in sauage that bothers you, there is a big variety in Europe- chicken, beef, turkey and lots of "add ins" like apples, berries, etc. But they also have wonderful veal, beef, chicken and fish dishes. I've eaten some marvelous herb roasted chicken in Austria and my husband loved the roasted trout in Salzburg. Lots of good potato based dishes, also. And I agree with the above poster- try the spaztel (I can't spell so forgive me if I got it wrong)- it is a kind of noodle/pasta/dumpling - I usually get it with just a little butter but you can also get it with a cheese sauce.

Let the Rick Steves tour guide know your preferences. I think an accomodation will be made for you on the group meals.

We have family in Germany, and I don't think any of 'em drink beer or eat sausage. Seriously. Now, wine, that they'll down several bottles a night. And don't even mention French wine, nothing but German wine in that house.

Oh, Claire - No Worries! Austria IS wine country! You'll see...;-) You'll look like anything BUT an idiot for ordering wine in Austria (or Germany, for that matter). Around 600,000 roast chickens are served at Oktoberfest...in 3 weeks time...Wait until you get your hands on your first German restaurant menu... And no, DEFINITELY not THE stupidest question; not even close - that's easy to say!!! You'll have a great time! I'm envious...;-)

There are many non-alcoholic drinks in Germany and probably Austria also. Try traubensaft (grape juice) or apfelsaft (apple juice). There is a delicious drink made of currents called johannesbeersaft but not every place sells it. Of course, there are soft drinks too. If you want a sugar free soda, ask for cola light. You will find the menu full of delicious foods that are not wursts! Enjoy!!!
Ann