Which trip would you take ?

What time of year? That makes a big difference in the answers.

Time of year will definitely make a difference.

In the height of summer, I would be tempted to go to Austria instead.

But, if it's around April/May/June, I would definitely head to Greece. The Greek islands are to die for! Been there twice, staying three weeks each time, and visited several.

For me its a no brainer that you would get much more out of a trip to Austria and Switzerland than Athens and the islands. However a lot depends on how active you want to be....

You don't want to be in
Greece in the summer months. It is hot.
You need to be in really good shape for Greece ---- lots of steps/stairs.

Thanks Michael - I have an equal interest in both ancient cultures (Greece and Instanbul) and alpine recreation and culture (Austria and Switzerland). Maybe that's what makes the choice so hard ! lol Probably just have to choose to go to one in 2011 and the other in 2012.

Thanks for your replies. I would be going in September. I'm a pretty active in shape person, so that wouldn't be a problem for either trip.

Dan: Are you more interested in ancient history mixed with small villages, the sea, and beaches or the culture of Salzburg and Vienna with a splash of Swiss alpine outdoor activities? For me, it’s an easy choice…I’ve already visited Austria and Switzerland more than once each, so I would select Greece (and would throw Istanbul in if I had the time). If I had to select from the two options and hadn’t ever visited either before, I would select Austria and Switzerland, primarily for Salzburg and Vienna. So much culture…music, art, etc.