Rediscovering Prague, Czech Republic

Prague, EPA Kongress.Florin Paun
1
2 2 5 1 3 1 2 2 3 1
Rediscovering Prague
March 27 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☀️ 6 °C
It has been over fifteen years since we last set foot in Prague, and returning to the "City of a Hundred Spires" feels like reconnecting with an old, sisticated friend. The primary reason for this visit is the EPA Congress, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to arrive early and re-immerse ourselves in the unique atmosphere of the Czech capital. There is a certain gravity to this city that stays with you, no matter how much time passes between visits.

After an early landing in Prague, we headed straight into the city center for a walk toward our hotel. We chose the Pytloun Old Armoury Hotel, a remarkable building housed in a 17th-century former armory that still retains its rugged, historical character. It is a great place where good cuisine and comfortable rooms meet truly exceptional history.

The weather today offered a classic Prague compromise: brilliant, clear sunshine paired with a biting, relentless wind. It is the kind of day where the photographs look like mid-summer, but the actual temperature tells a much colder story. Despite the chill, the light was perfect for walking, making the trek toward our hotel an experience in itself rather than just a transit.

The depth of history etched into every cobblestone is truly staggering. As the heart of Bohemia, this region served for centuries as a pivotal crossroads of European power, culture, and religious upheaval, shaped by the legacy of the Holy Roman Empire and the Přemyslid dynasty.Read more
Florin Paun A pre-dawn start. The cruel return of night ice on Zurich's streets, a reminder that nature holds no respect for tight flight schedules. My destination: Prague. Departure, a precisely timed 7:25 AM. At the boarding gate, the meticulous scrutiny that only the Swiss and certain airlines truly master. My Rimowa—the quintessential 'intellectual traveler's companion'—was subject to a geometric Inquisition. Size: acceptable, if only by a few millimeters. Weight: a slightly more serious offence, clocking in at 0.5 kg over the limit. The attendant paused. A silent judgment. In a rare act of bureaucratic clemency, I was passed through. It seems even in the world of precise regulations, there is room for empirical grace. Let's hope the landing is as accommodating...
3/28/26Reply
Florin Paun Pytloun Old Armoury. A brilliant tactical decision for anyone looking to truly merge their sleep with historical immersion. The atmosphere is thick with the spirit of the Middle Ages—arched ceilings, antique weaponry, and heavy, carved wood. It’s the breakfast, however, that steals the morning show. The high-end, extensive spread is fantastic, offering every conceivable delicacy. Yet, the real performance happens right beside the buffet. In this great hall, we witnessed the 'Battle of the Warhorses': several, shall we say, 'sturdy' ladies from Germany, who were quite busy, over-utilizing the available provisions, showing an almost strategic engagement with the pastries. Just a great place all around.
3/28/26Reply
Florin Paun Arrived. We secured our Prague Tourist Cards directly at the airport info desk—efficient, no extra loops. From there, the transit into the city via bus and metro was seamless, at least until we hit the pavement. A quick empirical observation for the modern traveler: Prague’s historic cobblestones are the natural enemy of high-end wheeled luggage. My Rimowa and I engaged in a percussive struggle against the uneven stones—a jarring, yet authentic, welcome to the Old World.
3/28/26Reply
20 more comments
7 likes