Prague VS. Amsterdam for Honeymoon

If you choose the Amsterdam itinerary, you could take a day trip (or an overnighter) from Berlin to Dresden, it's about 2 hours on the train. Dresden is much more like Prague than like Germany. Instead of Ghent (which I like a lot), you could see some of the other Dutch towns, which are easy day trips from Amsterdam - Delft is small and charming, The Hague has the sea shore and large sandy beach, to name just a couple. If you like cycling, Holland is the place for it. Except for going up the little bridges over the canals, it's as flat as Chicago. Rent bikes and live like natives. It looks to me like the Amsterdam itinerary involves less travel time. After A'dam, train to Cologne, then make your away along the rivers to Frankfurt. Lots of charming small towns and countryside, ruined castles, cruising on the river (instead of the train). Much as I liked Prague, I think Amsterdam is as interesting and has more to offer.

Molly, Both destinations would be good, but I tend to lean a bit more towards Prague. I've noticed that it seems to be a VERY popular location for weddings! On one afternoon in Prague, I was back and forth over the Charles Bridge numerous times, and noticed MANY wedding parties. Between the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle, there are lots of fantastic locations that provide beautiful background settings for wedding (or honeymoon) photos. Congratulations and good luck with your decision!

I think the Prague itinerary is much more romantic. I am travelling to Prague for the third time in 5 years this summer...it is wonderful!! I was not impressed with Amsterdam at all! I've loved every European city with the exception of Amsterdam. Bavaria is stunningly beautiful too...you can visit small towns (Mittenwald, Berchestgaden,etc), castles, hike, Plus Munich. You could also stop in Rothenberg au der Tauber between Berlin and Bavaria. Awesome walled medieval town.

You didn't mention if the two of you have been to Europe a few times already. That's an important factor. It's not useful to compare Amsterdam and Gent-it's like comparing Chicago and Madison, WI. (Sorry, I don't know Illinois except Chicago.) They are very different, but there is no need to visit both on the same trip. I agree that Prague is a more romantic destination. I wish I had visited Prague years earlier. Although it's not strictly in Bavaria, I would think the Romantic Road bus would be a good option for a no-car trip in that area. Have you timed out the train trips you propose? I think Amsterdam is out of the way, as is Gent. (I like both cities.) Referring to my first question, Amsterdam is more for a couple uncertain/nervous about going to Prague for their honeymoon. (I haven't expressed that very well ... I would say that Prague is nicer and more historic than Amsterdam. Maybe Amsterdam has better museums, but Prague may have better music. .) Although it's been some years since we were there, I think the redevelopment of the newer part of Dresden may provide some of the art gallery-sophistication of Amsterdam. And there's plenty of historic art in museums there. The Elbe boat trip is nicer than the canal boats in Amsterdam, past floating garbage and half-submerged bicycles. I wonder if you would be satisfied with Aachen and Cologne instead of Amsterdam & Gent? Although Monschau is touristy and microscopic in comparison, it would make up for missing Gent. (Bus research needed) There are plenty of other medieval villages in Germany.

Thanks for all of the feedback- I am still on the fence! As to the question about past travels in Europe- yes, we have both visited before, but not together, and not as adults. I lived in London for 6 months for college study-abroad, my fiancé has taken several trips there with his family (including a World War II themed trip and a medieval castle themed trip). I visited Amsterdam during my study abroad, but only for about 36 hours, and I feel I didn't get to explore it fully (I was with 4 other 20 year olds- it was a bit of a party trip as you can imagine). In my research I have heard that the city has been cleaned up a lot for this summer with several anniversaries and the re-opening of two major art museums. My fiancé has been to Belgium before, in Brussels, not Ghent. Neither of us have been to Germany or Prague.

I may be prejudiced a bit because I've been to Amsterdam twice but haven't been to Prague (yet - coming soon) but I would choose the Prague itinerary only because I loved Bavaria so much and I think it would be a very romantic area for a honeymoon.

Having been to both cities, I would chose Prague. It has a real old city charm. I never tired of walking over the Charles Bridge and seeing the view of the castle. Also much easier to walk around. Not having to deal with the maniacal Amsterdam bicycle riders!

@Judy, "Not having to deal with the maniacal Amsterdam bicycle riders!" I definitely agree! I forgot about the bike lanes a couple of times when I was wandering around, but hearing the blood-curdling scream "Fiets, Fiets" as I was about to be run down soon clued me in.

Prauge would be my choice!

I have been to both. I honeymooned in Belgium though, spending time in Bruges, Antwerp, and Ghent. I found the quaintness of Belgium's towns to be far more romantic and honeymoon perfect, compared to Prague. Not saying that Prague is not romantic; we had a great time there, spending 4 great nights, staying in the old town in a hotel that gave us a fabulous upgrade (our hotel room was 2 level, huge, and awesome). But if I had to do it over again with the choices that you gave us, I would go with the Amsterdam and Ghent option. Amsterdam is great. It is a small city that is action packed. I have only been there once but desire to go back again. I feel like I do not have to go back to prague for awhile.

Thanks so much for everyone's advice! We eventually decided to change it up a bit: Flying into Amsterdam Berlin Day trip to Dresden Munich (Explore Bavaria from Munich)
Rhine Valley Fly out of Amsterdam I am sad we won't make it to Prague- perhaps our next trip will be an Eastern Europe tour! If anyone has particular suggestions in these areas, let me know! And thanks again for all the input!

Your itinerary will be easier if you do this (or some variation): Fly into Amsterdam Rhine Valley Berlin Dresden Munich (explore Bavaria from Munich)
Fly out of Munich This avoids backtracking to Amsterdam, which wastes time and money. It also allows shorter connections between some of your points of interest. To find affordable flights into AMS and out of MUC, don't look for two one-ways. Use the "multi city" option on http://www.Kayak.com.

Molly, There is small town, Andechs, southwest of Munich where the monks in the monastery make great cheese and very strong beer! Beautiful place, research this bfore you go; it has been a very long time since I visited but it was worth it,
Congrats to another Chicago couple, have a safe trip.