Hochzeitsreise vs. Flitterwochen
The German words Hochzeitsreise and Flitterwochen both translate to "honeymoon" in English, but they focus on entirely different aspects of the post-wedding experience. While Hochzeitsreise specifically refers to the physical trip or vacation taken by the newly married couple, Flitterwochen refers to the romantic time period following the wedding, regardless of whether the couple travels or stays at home.
Hochzeitsreise
The word Hochzeitsreise literally translates to "wedding journey" and emphasizes the travel aspect of the honeymoon. It is used when discussing the physical vacation, the booked flights, the itinerary, or the specific destination the couple visits to celebrate their marriage.
Wir haben gestern unsere Hochzeitsreise nach Hawaii gebucht.
(We booked our honeymoon trip to Hawaii yesterday.)
Wohin geht eure Hochzeitsreise im nächsten Sommer?
(Where is your honeymoon trip going next summer?)
Sie sparen schon sehr lange für eine luxuriöse Hochzeitsreise auf die Malediven.
(They have been saving for a very long time for a luxurious honeymoon vacation to the Maldives.)
Auf der Hochzeitsreise haben wir jeden Tag einen anderen Strand besucht.
(On the honeymoon trip, we visited a different beach every day.)
Wegen der Arbeit mussten sie ihre Hochzeitsreise leider verschieben.
(Because of work, they unfortunately had to postpone their honeymoon trip.)
Flitterwochen
The word Flitterwochen translates more directly to the concept of the "honeymoon weeks" or "honeymoon phase". It describes the romantic and intimate time period immediately following the wedding, which can be spent anywhere, and is also frequently used metaphorically to describe the harmonious early days of a new job, political term, or relationship.
Wir verbringen unsere Flitterwochen dieses Jahr ganz gemütlich zu Hause.
(We are spending our honeymoon very comfortably at home this year.)
Ich wünsche dem Brautpaar wunderschöne und entspannte Flitterwochen.
(I wish the bridal couple a beautiful and relaxing honeymoon.)
Die Flitterwochen im neuen Job sind nach dem ersten großen Projekt definitiv vorbei.
(The honeymoon phase in the new job is definitely over after the first big project.)
In ihren Flitterwochen haben die beiden ihre Handys komplett ausgeschaltet.
(During their honeymoon, the two of them turned their phones completely off.)
Nach den Flitterwochen beginnt für das junge Paar der normale Alltag.
(After the honeymoon phase, everyday life begins for the young couple.)
Summary
To choose the correct word, consider what you want to emphasize. Use Hochzeitsreise when you want to talk about the physical act of traveling, the vacation itself, or the destination. Use Flitterwochen when you are referring to the romantic timeframe right after getting married, or when you want to describe the metaphorical honeymoon phase of a new life situation.