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
--------------------------------------------------------------
Voyascape: Travel Podcast Network - https://voyascape.com/
Winging It Travel Podcast - Website
Please leave a review and a 5-star rating wherever you get your podcasts!
--------------------------------------------------------------
Winging It Travel Podcast Credits
Host/Producer/Creator/Composer/Editor - James Hammond
Contact me - jameshammondtravel@gmail.com
Social Media - follow me on:
Instagram
TikTok
Facebook
--------------------------------------------------------------
Support My Podcast - Memberships
Patreon - Here
Buy Me A Coffee - Here
Affiliate Links
If you click one of the below to book something, I get a tiny commission, which helps the podcast.
Book Flights with Skyscanner - Here
Use Revolut Travel Card - Here
Book Your E-Sim With GigSky - Here
Book Hostels With Hostelworld - Here
Booking.com - Here
Book Experiences With Viator - Here
Discovery Car Hire - Here
Book Buses With Busbud - Here
Book Trains With Trainline - Here
Travel Insurance with SafetyWing - Here
Book Flights With Expedia Canada - Here
Buy my Digital Travel Planner - Here
--------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for supporting me and the podcast!
Cheers, James.
Mentioned in this episode:
Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the world
This podcast is part of Voyascape, a podcast network that brings together the world's best travel podcasts. You can find all of our podcasts from around the world at Voyascape.com.
If you are interested in advertising or sponsored content on any of our shows you can find out more at the link below.
Voyascape Podcast Network
Check out the 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
