Venice or Prague?
 

My husband and I have four "free" days after a week-long business trip in Vienna. We are trying to decide whether to take the train to Venice or to Prague. We are in our 30's, on a rare trip away from the kids and looking forward to some adult time (restaurants, art, character, relaxation and shopping). Which one should we choose???

You'll likely get 60% answers for Vienna, 40% for Prague - - and likely none will reflect what is important for <i><b>you</b></i> - - because what you have told us about you doesn't give us (enough? any?) insight into what is important for you.

Have you been to any of these three countries before (Austria, Italy, CR)? What prompted you to think that these two cities are your most likely best choices? Did you consider any others? What month will this be?

Both cities, and their environs offer interesting &quot;restaurants, art, character, relaxation and shopping&quot;.

Best wishes,

Rex

Venice is a unique world treasure. Stunning architecture unlike that anywhere else in Europe. The center of it's own school of art. Cuisine totally different from the rest of Italy. The most walkable city around--not a worry about jaywalking. There is no other place in the world like it.

Prague is a nice, old city with relatively inexpensive beer. Well worth a visit.

Can you tell that I favor Venice? Hah.

Truly, Venice is a once in a lifetime experience, and everyone should walk its streets and ride on its canals at least once in their lifetime.

But you would also enjoy Prague if that's the way you choose to go.

Your husband and you? Alone? No kids? Definitely Venice. Hands down.

What could be better than spending time in one of the most romantic cities in the world? Especially if you have never been (which you didn't say but I am guessing or you would not even be asking).

No hills in Venice

My joints still ache from Prague -- and that was 4 weeks ago

Like comparing apples to oranges. I can't possibly recommend either city from the scant info. you have posted here. It would help to know when you are taking your holiday, as Venice is OVERWHELMED with tourists in June, July, and August. (You can hardly walk through the streets.) Prague is a much larger city, and except for the Charles Bridge area, is not swamped with tourists.

Both Prague and Venice are great destinations. You won’t go wrong with either. As others said it all depends on what you and your husband likes and dislikes are. You might want to choose Venice over Prague, in my opinion. Venice offers a unique combination, unmatched anywhere else.

Both are wonderful cities but as the others said, Venice is special (although Prague is incredible too). But to correct something said above, summer is NOT the most crowded time in Venice. It was very crowded but the people I talked to in the hotel industry said May-June and Sept-Oct are the high season (and hotel prices reflect this), summer is shoulder season in Venice. I've been there twice in July, once it was hot and humid, the other time it was lovely. Both times it was crowded but that wouldn't stop me from going again.

If you have never been to Venice, 4 days would be a wonderful introduction. Venice is the most memorable place I have been to in extensive travels and a wonderfully romantic place to visit with your husband.

Another vote for Venice even though
Prague has much to offer.

Why? Venice will refresh you.
You'll see why when you spend 4 days there w/o the children.
(Visual: a gondola or trachetta (sp)
w/kids? not! - vaporetto - yes.)

And the gelato will be all yours.

Thank you for all the great perspective. To share a bit more about ourselves, here goes:

We are travelling the first week of June. I have been to Venice once before as a poor college student. My husband hasn't been there. Neither of us have been to Prague (although my great grandmother was from Prague). We've travelled together a lot and lived in Asia for some time. While we appreciate art/museums, what we really enjoy is drinking up the character of a place and getting to know it by walking around, talking to the locals (unfortunately in English in these cases) and enjoying the food and drink. We're also looking to find a really nice (but not necessarily over-the-top expensive place to stay). Hope that helps in providing direction. Any recommendations in Vienna are also most welcome!!

Well, that said, sweetie, Venice is MUCH more expensive than Prague, as Prague still uses the koruna not the euro. You can eat at the best restaurants in Prague for about $100 for two, including a bottle of wine. You can't say this about Venice. I am not disparaging Venice in any way, as I have been many times, staying at the fabulous Cipriani. Venice is magical. However, I am just stating facts. If you don't care about money, see Venice. If you want to visit an affordable city with great food and wonderful architecture, visit Prague.

This is the minority position on this board, but for me, Venice was a &quot;been there, done that, glad I did it, but I won't be hurrying back&quot; kind of place. It was just too small a city with too many people and too many touristy shops to really make it interesting to me for repeat visits. But, you've been to Venice so you already have an opinion I would think on whether it is worth a return visit. I liked Venice and I would return again but not if I had the choice to see another interesting city that I had not visited before.