Prague played host to our final co-working retreat of a memorable 2023 – and our work in the Czech Republic has us already geared up for more success in the coming year. 

Former Czech president Vaclav Havel once said: “Vision is not enough, it must be combined with venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps, we must step up the stairs.” Our time in Prague saw us combine those two things as we look to continue our growth journey. 

Our senior leadership team got together to discuss various business-wide growth initiatives and our plan to continue the company’s development. Several strategic briefings ensured our whole group was up to date with the state of our business. 

 

 

However, these retreats are not just about reflecting on the past and building for the future. Our team was still very busy addressing the needs of our clients and contractors, juggling day-to-day operations with retreat activities. 

With our star organisers Dora and Eliza on the case, these retreats bring together some of the best parts of the Hyphen experience – a mix of teams solving problems, creative collaboration, future-proofed plans, and of course our A-team. 

Following earlier retreats in Athens, Warsaw and Kaş, our week in Prague made it a phenomenal foursome for 2023. Each place offered its own unique qualities and the City of a Hundred Spires was similarly loaded with charm as we explored this wintery wonderland. 

Our team also had two free evenings so everyone had time to explore, while our ace organisers booked a series of team dinners, some for the whole group and some more intimate. 

Setting aside time for bonding is important. Our A-team decided an afternoon of 10-pin bowling was right up their alley and this was followed up by our final big team meal of 2023 as we celebrated a successful year before heading home. What’s more, this retreat culminated with our inaugural awards night, the Hyphies, which was a light-hearted nod to some of the team’s achievements over the past 12 months. 

These co-working weeks are some of the highlights of the year for our team and this one was no exception, with Prague the perfect place to end a productive period for Hyphen. Plans are already under way for our first retreat of 2024, with no doubt more productive activities in store than ever before. 

 

 

Travel guide: Priorities for Prague 

Where to stay: 

• Mama Shelter – our cool hotel served as a perfect base, offering comfort and functionality with a series of fully kitted-out ateliers for work. 

 

Food and drink: 

• V Zátiší – the name of this fusion restaurant means ‘Timeless’, which is rather apt. You will get the best of traditional Czech cooking combined with exemplary modern international dishes for a truly indulgent experience.  
• U Zlatého tygra (The Golden Tiger) – this traditional beer hall is a Prague institution and has been around for centuries but was made most famous when Vaclav Havel took American President Bill Clinton there for a beer in 1994. It’s a great place for a drink or two! 
• W Restaurant and Whisky Bar – when you think of Prague, you probably don’t envisage whisky but this place has a lot of it – more than 1,000 varieties. Add in some Mediterranean cuisine and you’re in for a treat. 

• The Blue Wagon – enjoy some real Czech cuisine with a French flourish in this distinctly locally focused and sustainably minded restaurant. 
• U Modré Kachničky – this is as traditional as it gets with a medieval theme enveloping diners, who can enjoy some hearty fare inspired by recipes passed down the generations. 
• Lehká Hlava (Clear Head) – if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you can’t go wrong here. This eatery has a mountain of choice and all of it is animal-free, so you don’t have to sacrifice your taste buds. 
• Restaurace Mincovna – you will not get more central location than this Old Town Square establishment, which still creates a multicultural atmosphere. Located at the site of the old Prague Mint, you can get a sense of the history while enjoying some sumptuous Austro-Hungarian cuisine that mixes tradition and modernity. 

 

Sights to see: 

• Petrin Tower – you will not get a better view of Prague than at the top of this cast-iron tower. You can walk up or take the funicular to the top of Petrin Hill and the trip is certainly worth it. 
• Prague Astronomical Clock and the Old Town Square – this clock dates back to 1410 and is a must-see (even if the hourly presentation isn’t really worth hanging around for), while the square itself has seen some of the most significant moments in Czech history. 
• Charles Bridge – enjoy beautiful views down the River Vltava on one of the world’s most important Gothic structures. Now more than 600 years old, it links the city’s beautiful Old Town with the towering Prague Castle.