Magical Prague at Sunrise, My Cringe Oktoberfest Stories and Travel Fitness

In this week’s episode of Winging It Travel Podcast, I’m taking you through three very different parts of my travel life — the peaceful beauty of Prague at sunrise, the chaotic hilarity of my cringe Oktoberfest stories, and my personal reflections on something I call “travel fitness.”

I start with my recent trip to Prague, one of Europe’s most enchanting cities. After a sleepless overnight flight from Vancouver, I landed just in time to experience something truly magical — the city waking up at dawn. With the sun rising over the Vltava River and not a tourist in sight, I wandered across the Charles Bridge, through the Old Town Square, and soaked in that golden early-morning glow that made the whole city feel timeless. It reminded me why I travel — those quiet, unplanned moments that make everything worth it.

Then we move into a very different kind of travel experience — my cringe and hilarious Oktoberfest stories. I went to Oktoberfest for the first time back in 2014 at the end of my two-year backpacking trip, and to say it was messy would be an understatement. From falling off benches to accidentally soaking locals in beer, to somehow ending up cleaning my own disaster in a tent washroom — it was pure chaos. I also share what it was like to go back this year to meet some fellow travel creators, Chris and Sarah and Matt and Nat, and to see the festival from a slightly older (and more sober!) perspective. It’s a funny look back at my early travel days — the mistakes, the laughs, and the stories that stick with you forever.

Finally, I wrap up with a reflection on something I’ve been thinking about lately — travel fitness. It’s not just about being physically fit; it’s about having the energy, curiosity, and adaptability to keep exploring day after day. After walking nearly 27,000 steps in Prague, I realised just how much “travel stamina” it takes to be on the move — from early mornings, long days, and constant new experiences. I share a few honest thoughts on how I try to keep that balance and stay ready for whatever comes next on the road.

This episode is a mix of reflection, chaos, laughter, and travel insight — everything I love about sharing stories on this podcast. Whether you’re planning your next adventure, reminiscing about your own travel fails, or just dreaming of that next sunrise in a new city, I hope this episode inspires you to get out there and keep exploring.

⏰ Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Intro and what’s coming up in this episode

01:10 – Why Prague blew me away at sunrise

03:20 – First impressions of the city and staying on a boat hotel

05:30 – Walking Prague’s empty streets and Charles Bridge at dawn

08:00 – Meeting a fellow traveler and reflecting on Prague’s vibe

10:30 – Travel tips: seeing Prague before the crowds

11:00 – Heading to Oktoberfest and meeting YouTube travel creators

12:45 – Throwback to my first Oktoberfest in 2014

15:00 – The infamous “bench collapse” story

17:30 – Falling asleep at a Bayern Munich game

19:40 – My worst Oktoberfest hangover ever

21:30 – Revisiting Oktoberfest as an older, wiser traveler

22:30 – What I’ve learned from embarrassing travel moments

23:00 – Introducing “travel fitness” — my personal theory

24:30 – Why travel stamina matters on long trips

25:20 – Tips for building your travel fitness before your next adventure

26:00 – Upcoming podcast news and future travel plans

🔗 Links Mentioned

🎥 Watch my vlogs on YouTube: Roaming with Hammo

🌍 Explore more travel podcasts at Voyascape.com

☕ Support the show → Buy Me a Coffee

🧳 Book Lucie's free walking tour on your next visit to Prague - https://www.guruwalk.com/walks/36530-welcome-to-prague-old-town-jewish-quarter-and-charles-bridge

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Winging It Travel Podcast Credits

Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond

Contact me - [email protected] 

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Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!

Cheers, James.

Mentioned in this episode:

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast

Check out the new Smart Travel Podcast

This week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:

Smart Travel Podcast