Help us re-create the joy of Belgium and the beauty of Norway

If you're still looking in Europe, then I recommend Slovenia.

I think a lot of travelers hurry through Slovenia because they are also trying to cram as much of Croatia and Bosnia and Montenegro as possible into a short vacation. (I'm probably guilty of that myself.) But there's so much beautiful scenery, lots of delightful places to linger, the fabulous architecture of Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana, and short distances between it all, so if you want a real unhurried experience, that would be my recommendation.

Last year I did Oslo to Bergen via Balestrand, and I agree with you about how wonderful it was. Enough that I want to go back and see more of Norway. The Lofoten Islands have jumped up to near the top of my bucket list. So that's another option to consider.

How about Austria , Salzburg and Hallstatt and possible drive to Innsbruck.

I love the road between Fussen, Germany heading to Rothenburg and onto Wurzburg.

Have a great time planning!

Slovenia
Croatia
northern Spain around the Picos de Europa for stunning scenery
Porto and northern Portugal such as the Minho area
drive the "romantic road" in Bavaria, Germany
western France - La Rochelle, Ile de Re and the gorgeous Venise Verte (green Venice) around the Coulon area. Just returned from there and it was fabulous!

How long would your trip be?

Burgundy, The Dordogne, Tuscany, Provence..... I'm pretty sure you'll have a pleasurable and remarkable (and different) trip driving around any of those areas. I know I did.

Thank you all for these many thoughtful suggestions.

The Czech Republic has absolutely gorgeous countryside with rolling wheat fields, forests, castles, and lots of small villages. It's become one of my favorite places in Europe for rural travel. Plus it's incredibly cheap!

Most of 50 capitals? Simply amazing. I wish i had your time and resources. But i am working on it.

Norway Beauty --- Montenegro, from the bay of Kotor (technically a fjord) down the coast and inland to the mountains and gorges.

Belgium Countryside --- Not really sure what you are looking for here. Small villages, agriculture, vista back drops? Then Central Slovakia into the border regions of Poland down to the Carpathians of the Ukraine.

No one's suggested Normandy/Brittany yet but the latter has stunning coastline and both have great history/food/cultural experiences to be had.

France in general is a wonderful place to focus on a region and drive around.

If Germany is out of the picture, then I heartily suggest Moravia in the Czech Rep and France,,anywhere in France, the east, north towards Belgium, central area, southwest, etc.

My compliments on having visited most of the capital cities. I have been to only nine of them.

Thanks again for the many fine suggestions. I was careless in saying "most of the capital cities." I was trying to say countryside was preferable to the big cities.
Please keep the suggestions coming! Very helpful to our brainstorming.