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✨ One More Chapter: A Post-Wedding Journey Through Europe

  • Writer: Dirk van Oosten
    Dirk van Oosten
  • Feb 1
  • 6 min read

The Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia (...and with the nighttrain option you travel through Germany).


💡For anyone who would like a tailor-made travel blog, feel free to text Monica or Dirk.


The streets of Vienna, Austria
The streets of Vienna, Austria

For guests who would like to extend their stay after the wedding, Europe offers the perfect setting for one more unforgettable chapter. Starting from the Netherlands, these two thoughtfully curated routes take you through Central Europe — combining culture, history, food, and effortless travel.


Whether you prefer the romance of night trains or the convenience of short flights, both options lead you to two of Europe’s most beautiful cities: Vienna and Prague, with an optional international day trip along the way.


Prague, Czech Republic
Prague, Czech Republic

🚆 Option 1 — The Slow Travel Experience

Amsterdam → Vienna → Prague

(Dirk’s favorite way to travel)

This option is all about slow travel — experiencing the journey itself, not just the destination. As an experienced train traveler, Dirk firmly believes that night trains are an adventure on their own: falling asleep in one country and waking up in another feels like pure magic.


🌙 Amsterdam → Vienna by Nightjet (Overnight Train)

  • Departure: Amsterdam Centraal (evening)

  • Arrival: Vienna Hauptbahnhof (early morning)

  • Travel time: ~14 hours overnight

  • Train: ÖBB Nightjet (private sleeper cabins available, this is recommended!)


You’ll board in Amsterdam, enjoy dinner or a drink, fall asleep as the landscapes roll by, and wake up in Vienna — rested and ready to explore. No airport stress, no luggage limits, just the rhythm of the rails.


👉 Booking:


🇦🇹 Vienna — 2 to 3 Nights

Vienna is elegant, musical, and timeless. Think imperial palaces, grand cafés, classical music, and cozy wine taverns.


Must-see highlights:

  • Schönbrunn Palace

  • St. Stephen’s Cathedral

  • Historic coffee houses

  • Evening classical concert or opera


🇸🇰 Optional Day Trip: Vienna → Bratislava (Slovakia)

One of Europe’s easiest international day trips.


Bratislava, Slovakia
Bratislava, Slovakia

Sample Day Trip Schedule:

  • 09:00 — Train from Vienna Hbf to Bratislava (±1 hour)

  • 10:15 — Walk the Old Town & Michael’s Gate

  • 12:30 — Lunch near the Danube

  • 14:30 — Visit Bratislava Castle

  • 17:00 — Return train to Vienna


A charming, compact capital that’s perfect for a relaxed day.


🚆 Vienna → Prague by Train

  • Travel time: ±4 hours

  • Direct trains available

  • Scenic countryside along the way


🇨🇿 Prague — 2 to 3 Nights

Prague feels like a living fairytale — cobblestone streets, castle views, and golden light over the Vltava River.


Highlights:

  • Charles Bridge at sunrise

  • Prague Castle & St. Vitus Cathedral

  • Old Town Square & Astronomical Clock

  • Cozy beer halls and candle-lit dinners


✈️ Return Home

  • Fly from Prague Václav Havel Airport (PRG) back to the U.S.

  • Many one-stop connections available


✈️ Option 2 — Easy & Efficient

Amsterdam → Prague → Vienna

This option is ideal for travelers who prefer shorter travel times and fewer overnight journeys, while still enjoying iconic European cities.


✈️ Amsterdam → Prague (Flight)

  • Departure: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS)

  • Arrival: Prague (PRG)

  • Flight time: ±1.5 hours

  • Direct and affordable flights available


🇨🇿 Prague — 2 to 3 Nights

Start your journey in Prague and explore at a relaxed pace.

Don’t miss:

  • Prague Castle

  • Charles Bridge

  • Riverside walks

  • Traditional Czech cuisine & beer culture


🚆 Prague → Vienna by Train

  • Travel time: ±4 hours

  • Comfortable, direct connections

  • Easy city-center to city-center travel


🇦🇹 Vienna — 2 to 3 Nights

End your journey in Austria’s elegant capital.


🇸🇰 Optional Day Trip: Vienna → Bratislava

Same easy international day trip as Option 1 — perfect to add another country without packing or long travel days.


✈️ Return Home

  • Fly directly from Vienna International Airport (VIE) back to the U.S.

  • Excellent long-haul connections available


💡 Which Option Is Right for You?

Choose Option 1 if you:

  • Love trains and scenic journeys

  • Want a true European slow-travel experience

  • Are curious about overnight sleeper trains


Choose Option 2 if you:

  • Prefer shorter travel times

  • Want a more direct, efficient route

  • Like starting with a flight and ending relaxed


✨ Fun Facts Along the Way

🇦🇹 Vienna — Imperial Elegance with a Sweet Tooth

  • Vienna has over 1,000 coffeehouses, many of which are protected as part of the city’s cultural heritage. Sitting for hours with one coffee is not only allowed — it’s encouraged.

  • The city was once home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Strauss — classical music is woven into everyday life.

  • The famous Sachertorte (chocolate cake with apricot jam) was invented here in 1832.

  • Vienna regularly ranks as one of the most livable cities in the world.

  • Fun contrast: despite its imperial past, Vienna has one of the most efficient public transport systems in Europe.


🇨🇿 Prague — A Living Fairy Tale

  • Prague is often called “The City of a Hundred Spires”, though there are actually more than 500.

  • The Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square has been ticking since 1410 — making it one of the oldest still operating in the world.

  • Prague Castle is officially the largest ancient castle complex in the world.

  • Czech beer culture is serious business: the Czech Republic has the highest beer consumption per capita in the world.

Dirk: “It is definitely worth trying a local pilsener — the Czech Republic, specifically the city of Plzeň, is where this iconic beer style was first brewed in 1842.”

  • Many visitors say Prague looks best early in the morning, when the streets are quiet and the city feels frozen in time.


🇸🇰 Bratislava — Small City, Big Surprises

  • Bratislava is the only capital city in the world that borders two countries — Austria and Hungary.

  • You can travel from Vienna to Bratislava in under an hour, making it one of Europe’s easiest international day trips.

  • The Old Town is compact, colorful, and filled with quirky statues — keep an eye out for Čumil, the famous man peeking out of a manhole.

  • Bratislava Castle sits high above the Danube and offers views into three different countries on a clear day.

  • Despite being Slovakia’s capital, Bratislava feels relaxed and intimate — perfect for a low-effort, high-reward visit.


🧭 Booking Your Journey — Step by Step

Below you’ll find where to book each part of the journey, plus the best neighborhoods to stay in Vienna and Prague for first-time visitors.


✈️ Flights (Within Europe & Back to the U.S.)

Recommended airline: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

  • Amsterdam (AMS) → Prague (PRG)

  • Vienna (VIE) → United States


🔗 Book via:


Why KLM?

  • Direct routes from Amsterdam

  • Reliable service & good connections

  • Easy transfers if you continue traveling in Europe


🌙 Night Train — Amsterdam to Vienna

Train: ÖBB Nightjet

  • Route: Amsterdam Centraal → Vienna Hauptbahnhof

  • Overnight travel (evening departure, morning arrival)

  • Options include seats, couchettes, or private sleeper cabins


🔗 Book via:


Tip:

For comfort, Dirk recommends booking at least a couchette or private sleeper — waking up in Vienna is part of the magic.


🚆 Trains Within Austria & Beyond


Rail provider: ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways)

  • Vienna → Prague (direct daytime trains, ~4 hours)

    💡Tip! Check if you can travel on the ''Railjet'' train, they offer Business Class seats with a 1st class tickets. The seats are really comfortable!

  • Vienna → Bratislava (easy day trip, ~1 hour)


🔗 Book via:


Why ÖBB?

  • Comfortable, reliable, and English-friendly booking

  • Clear seat reservations

  • Scenic routes through Central Europe


🏨 Where to Stay — Best Neighborhoods

🇦🇹 Vienna — Recommended Areas

Ideal for first-time visitors, walkable and well-connected:

  • Innere Stadt (1st District)

    Historic center, close to major sights

  • Leopoldstadt (2nd District)

    Central, great transport, quieter evenings

  • Mariahilf (6th District)

    Shopping, cafés, youthful energy


💡 Tip: Stay near U-Bahn lines U1, U3, or U4 for easy transport.


🇨🇿 Prague — Recommended Areas

Best balance of beauty, atmosphere, and access:

  • Old Town (Staré Město)

    Classic Prague, walkable to everything

  • Malá Strana

    Romantic, charming, near Charles Bridge

  • New Town (Nové Město)

    Central, great restaurants, good value hotels


💡 Tip: Staying near Metro Line A or B makes sightseeing effortless.


✨ No matter which route you choose, this post-wedding journey is a beautiful way to slow down, reflect, and celebrate — carrying the magic of the wedding with you as you explore Europe.


And who knows… as Dirk would say:“Traveling by train is an experience on its own — you see so much more of a country while moving toward your next destination. It’s wonderful.” 🚆🤍

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