Tell me about Austria and Tell me about Belgium

Ah, Austria and Belgium...two of my mostest favoritest places. Now, what are you interested in about those countries? A quick check-'em-out swing through them on vacation, or...??? They're both full of very interesting history, yummy foods and drinks, gorgeous scenery - although very different from each other! - and you can spend time outdoors biking/hiking/drinking beer (did I just type that out loud?!?). I'll assume you're planning a trip there - are you traveling alone, with a spouse/sig other, parents, children, summer/winter/shoulder season, for how long, train/car, interested in architecture, history, museums, food, etc? Yours is a hugely open-ended question... Have you watched RS videos on locations in these two countries? If so, what appealed to you? If you haven't, you should click on the "Rick on TV" tab at the top of the page and watch them as a starting point. Of course, they're only a mere dip-of-the-toe into the waters that are Austria and Belgium...

3-4 days, late summer with my wife. Trying to plan our 2nd trip and don't know if these countries will make our itinerary. Museums not a big item this time around, looking more for cultural feel. Biking/hiking might be a possibility, but living in British Columbia, we are surrounded by mountains, lakes, hiking trails etc so that aspect not a priority either.

Sorry, Warren - I got interrupted in the middle of an 'immediate edit' of my original post, then posted it as you were posting! Where else are you going on this trip? Personally, for culture, I'd probably lean towards Austria. It feels more 'outwardly cultural' than Belgium (I know, I know - that's a completely made-up, non-sensical term!). I've been to Belgium enough times to slip into their groove more easily now, but for me Belgium is more about knowing where to look for 'culture', and Belgium feels more closed and guarded to me. Unless I have individual contact with someone...then I find the people very open. But it's not as in-your-face as in Austria. For me. OK - that made absolutely no sense. Sorry ;-)

I'm totally ignorant on them Have you thought of doing a little research on them before you ask such a question? There are books and books and books about both, you can probably find them at your local library or bookstore. There are equally videos. Search on line, look around. Go to the websites of the countries (you can't tar all a country by a perception of a part of it). Do some homework then come back here with specific questions.

I am available for an all-expenses-paid fact-finding trip, though...;-)

This is my research :)
I've done a little bit of reading on Austria. Belgium just came to mind based on another post. My first take is that Austria, especially the cities are classical music-ish and that type of arts and culture. The geography I think is close to what is at home. Right now the plan is Prague, Munich, somewhere in Switzerland, Amsterdam and then on to Ireland. I can fit in Austria or Belgium somewhere in between. (I didn't know about the videos --thanks)

Salzburg would be really easy to get to from Munich, but then Belgium could fit really well, too. So - do you like pretzels, or Trappist beers? ;-) Or, if you have your next trip planned (!), go to the other place then... (I would say the vast majority - of Americans, anyway - know of Rick Steves from his travel videos, but people end up here on his Helpline by a variety of paths)

Belgium has good waffles and Austria has good coffee. If you schedule both for the same morning, you can have a good breakfast.

I like Roy's idea I knew about the videos on TV. I thought the link made them available online

I haven't been to Belgium. Austria is fascinating. It seems North Americans aren't taught much about it in schools, I myself was always confused about how it could be a German speaking country and not part of Germany. Of course at that point I knew nothing about European history or German history. Austria used to be the ruling state of the empire that dominated central Europe for almost a milenium. Sure, everyone's heard of the Austro-Hungarian empire but again, we're not taught much about it. Anyway, from a historical perspective, it's absolutely fascinating and a lot of that history is on view in Vienna. But your question is really broad and I don't think asking internet strangers to write you essays on the history and culture and tourist attractions of two european countries is a very polite way to "do your homework". Do some reading/watch some videos on your own, then maybe come back with specific questions?
:)

Warren... Tough choice...both are great, and although the mountains and scenery in Austria may look somewhat like where you live, the people and the food will let you know you are not in North America. I think you can see all the RS videos right here on the website. I have spent many an afternoon doing filing or paperwork watching those videos. That being said, I don't watch videos of the places I am going to visit... only the places I have already been. I would rather travel a little 'clueless' with a few recommendations and wait and see what each country has to offer and find the surprises myself.(So, I don't do too much homework either ) I have never been disappointed in any of the places I have traveled in Europe and I am sure either of your choices will be perfect.

Warren, Do you want to go to both of them or just one of these places? For me Austria has priority over Belgium. See Vienna...the Kaiserstadt (Imperial city), historical, cultural, attractive, museums, has an aura all to itself, great food if you like Schnitzel and coffee, depressing too, hear a different accent, etc....all these reasons and more for my going back there repeatedly.

Thanks for all the comments. We will probably only have time for one of those places. Still doing research!

Austria would make my cut. The prices are affordable and the train travel easy. The sights can vary from a monastery to the sound of music tour to Halstatt and the unbelievable beauty of being in an ancient salt city by the lake. Vienna is so lovely. I think it makes sense to concentrate on seeing the scope of one country well. Just my opinion because I have such fond memories of this beautiful country.

Warren, Both countries are wonderful with lots of interesting history. Given your overall route, Austria would likely be the best "fit" as you'll be in Munich. You might consider a few days in Salzburg as it's a beautiful city. In addition to being the birthplace of Mozart, there's also the Sound of Music tours if you're interested. I spent many hours touring the Hohensalzburg Castle above the town. You could also take a day trip to Berchtesgaden to visit the Eagle's Nest, Dokumentation Centre and Bunkers, either on your own or with Bob's Special Tours. You could then spend a few days in Hallstatt. Although it's somewhat similar to the scenery in B.C., I still consider it one of the most beautiful locations I've seen (I've lived all over B.C., so have a good idea of the variations in scenery). It's probably most famous for it's Salt Mine, which can be toured. As I recall, the town is older than Rome. To reach the Salt Mine tour, travellers take a Funicular up the mountain and then hike uphill for about 15-minutes. I found the tour to be very interesting and a lot of fun (especially sliding down the wooden rails). There's a large Fortress called Rudolfsturm at the top of the Funicular, and having a "cool one" and some lunch on the patio there provides a wonderful view of the lake and part of the town below. It's possible to hike up or down the hill to the Salt Mine, but I chose to take the "easy way" via the Funicular. I was in Belgium in September, and it's also very interesting. The three most popular locations seem to be Brussels, Ghent and Bruges. Of the three, my favourite was Bruges. If you're interested in WW-I history, there are some very interesting sites, especially around Ypres. Happy travels!