I have seen posts mentioning "serious shopping" in Vienna and surrounding areas. What are your favorite item recommendations for a serious shopper?

Smile more-- no need to take it so seriously.

O.K. With a smile on my face - I ask - what are the best things to buy in Austria? Austrian crystal jewelry? Sweaters? Stemware? I think of cameras in Germany, watches in Switzerland, fisherman sweaters, Waterford and Belleek in Ireland, I'm sure you've got the picture. I am sure that there are many wonderful things. To those who have been to Austria and Germany - what are the items you found to be best?

You think cameras for Germany?!!! I know that Zeiss is great but I think Cuckoo's and steins and nutcrackers. I think Christmas ornaments, porcelain, and crystal. I am on my way to Austria at the end of the month, and honestly, I was kind of wondering the same thing. Hope you get an answer!

we were in Austria last year for a week and stopped for an afternoon in a little village called Rattenberg. First, it's picturesque, 2nd it is the best place to buy crystal stemware. The town became populated with Czech immigrants after WWll and they brought their crystal blowing craft with them. There are many, many shops dedicated to making and ,of course, purchasing crystal stemware at fabulous prices. Everything from clear to the wonderful colored wine goblet and Riedel stemware.<BR>Shipping was very reasonable and all arrived unbroken.<BR>The town is off the autobahn between Innsbruck and Salzburg.<BR>