The crisp, lingering warmth of Madeira this past month has inspired more than just relaxation—it’s sparked a spontaneous adventure! My friends Fred and Linda, catching the travel bug with me, suggested an EU Christmas Market trip. After a quick poll between the holiday splendor of Brussels, Prague, and Vienna, we landed on Prague, anticipating its unique charm and affordability.

The Secret of Prague: Travel as Research

My initial knowledge of the Czech capital was mostly limited to shadowy spy thrillers. However, as a new author, my travel research has taken on a whole new dimension. I discovered that Dan Brown’s latest novel, The Secret of Secrets, is set in Prague.

While I was once a fervent fan (I’ve read three of his books and watched every movie adaptation), my perspective is changing. Now that I’m deep into writing my own first book, The Longevity Habit, I have a profound new respect for the craft of good authorship—the meticulous research, the structural integrity, and the emotional resonance.

Brown’s writing is always a deep dive into historical and architectural detail. Downloading the 19-hour-long audiobook is now less about being a passive fan and more about appreciating Prague’s unique history as a writer studying location and world-building. This trip promises to be an education in both travel and craft.

Robert Langdon TV Series Based On ‘The Secret of Secrets’ Ordered By Netflix From Dan Brown & Carlton Cuse, who was the showrunner of Lost, Jack Ryan, Locke and Key. A 700 page book doesn’t fit into a 2 hour movie format very well, so a longer TV series makes more sense. Three of the novels have been adapted into features starring Tom Hanks as Langdon and directed by Ron Howard, The Da Vinci Code (2006), Angels & Demons (2009) and Inferno (2016), which have grossed combined $2.24 billion worldwide (adjusted in 2025 dollars). A fourth, The Lost Symbol, was turned into a 2021 Peacock series with Ashley Zukerman as a younger version of Langdon. It ran for one season.  This marks the latest high-profile book adaptation for Netflix following such hits as Bridgerton, Queen’s Gambit, The Night Agent and You.

Rome Revisited: The Power of Place

In preparation, I rewatched Angels & Demons last night. It’s been 15 years, and I’d forgotten most of the plot! Yet, the true joy was seeing the Roman landmarks I visited three years ago with my brother, Simon. Reliving my time at the Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon, Castel Sant’Angelo, and St Peter’s Square through the lens of a movie reminded me of the powerful, lasting emotional imprint a location leaves on a traveler—and how a writer can harness that power on the page.

I can’t wait to share the medieval lanes and festive lights of Prague with you. Stay tuned!