Snowstorms, Saunas, and Tactical Retreats

One does not simply fly to Dublin in January—or at least, I don't. What was planned as a straightforward corporate hop across the Atlantic became a masterclass in "going with the flow" (or as was the case with Amsterday airport de-icing fluid, no flow at all...). I went in expecting a bit of grey sky and a pint of Guinness; I came out with a deep appreciation for the Eurostar, a dangerously high intake of Dutch chocolate, and a new personal policy on prioritizing hotel saunas over sightseeing.

It wouldn't be a work trip without a little logistical chaos, but this one felt extra special. Between the snow-locked airports and the complete IT meltdown of the Dutch rail system, my "travel prowess" was tested more than my slide decks were. But looking back, the mishaps were just the tax I had to pay for a perfectly restorative Sunday on the Irish coast. No regrets.

Trip Overview

The vibe of this trip was essentially Resilient, Chaotic, and Scenic. It was a study in contrasts: the high-stress adrenaline of aggressively refreshing booking pages while stranded in Amsterdam, followed by the deep, wood-fired calm of a seaside sauna in Donabate.

The main theme? Resilience—not just in terms of navigating transit, but in protecting my own energy. My boss asked for an extension, which could have been a recipe for burnout, but instead, it became an opportunity to lean into the "down day" and find some genuine connection with colleagues in between the storms.

Most Memorable Moments

The Proactive Pivot

While still in Seattle, I saw the forecast for Schiphol and knew I was in trouble. I booked a room at the Hilton Amsterdam Airport before the plane even left the ground. Walking past a massive line of stranded travelers to my guaranteed bed was a peak tactical win. When the rebooked flights inevitably failed, I skipped the airport floor and headed for the Eurostar to Brussels.

The Schiphol Chocolate Incident

Being stranded has a caloric silver lining. I treated the Amsterdam airport like a high-end pantry, acquiring—and immediately consuming—a dangerous amount of Dutch chocolate bars while plane-watching. It was the best way to turn a logistical mess into a private tasting event.

The "Down Day" Manifesto

I spent my Saturday watching rugby at a local pub and in the hotel sauna, aggressively ignoring my "tourist guilt" to see the city. It’s a recurring lesson: a day of doing absolutely nothing is the best fuel for actually enjoying the trip later. There’s no point in optimizing for sights if you’re too exhausted to appreciate them.

The Sea Sauna Contrast

The Sea Sauna in Donabate was the best kind of drama: wood-fired heat vs. the gasp-inducing cold of the plunge barrels, all while looking out over a stormy Irish Sea. Swapping travel horror stories with an Aer Lingus flight crew in the heat was the perfect, atmospheric end to the trip.

Logistics & Practical Information

ACCOMMODATION

Hilton Amsterdam Airport: A strategic lifesaver. Book early if you see storms coming—it sold out fast with stranded travelers.

Herbert Park Hotel (Dublin): Where I started the Dublin portion of the trip.

Intercontinental Dublin: Switched here for the extension, entirely motivated by their sauna. An absolute power move that I highly recommend if you're feeling the work-trip fatigue.

TRANSPORTATION

The "Brussels Maneuver": A Eurostar sprint from Amsterdam to Brussels when flights were grounded. Pro tip: if the trains look booked, just keep refreshing. I caught a seat right as the Dutch rail system was having an IT meltdown.

DART (Dublin): Reliable and easy for getting out to Donabate for a nature escape.

NOTABLE FOOD

Shoreline Hotel (Donabate): Get the chicken and waffles for brunch. It feels very American, but eating it right on the beach is the perfect way to start a cliff walk.
Paulies Pizza (Dublin): Genuinely fantastic pizza.
O'Donoghues Bar: The place to go for traditional music. It's local-approved and avoids the "tourist trap" vibe of Temple Bar.

ACTIVITIES

The Sea Sauna: A must-do. It's an installation right on the cliffs with wood-fired stoves and cold barrels. *So* good.
Donabate Cliff Walk: An easy but beautiful walk. You'll need to be mobile, but the views are worth the effort.

Tips for Travelers

The "Mom" Rule

Always pack a swimsuit. My mom has been saying this for years, and between the hotel saunas and the cliffside plunges, it was the most important thing in my bag.

The Mental Shift

Don't optimize for "doing things" if you don't actually want to do them in that moment. Taking a "down day" in the sauna isn't wasting a trip; it's ensuring you actually enjoy the days when you *do* go out.

The Flight Pivot

If you see storms coming, try to get the airline to change your flight a day or two early. I was too busy to notice the warning signs this time, but catching it early is the real pro move.

Lean into the Stranded Life

If you're stuck at an airport, find the joy where you can—whether that's chocolate, plane-watching, or just a quiet corner. Stressing won't melt the de-icing fluid.

Reflections & Final Thoughts

This trip was a good, humble "re-learning" of the fact that you just have to go with the flow. Whether it's a rail system crash or an unexpected trip extension, the best outcome usually comes from a mix of tactical pivots and knowing when to just stop and relax. Taking that Saturday to do absolutely nothing but sit in a sauna made the Sunday walk in Donabate feel like a genuine reward rather than another obligation.

Ultimately, the lasting takeaway wasn't the stress of the Brussels transit dash, but the connection with colleagues and the feeling of the freezing Irish Sea air after a wood-fired sauna. It was exactly what it needed to be. A perfectly relaxing way to balance out the chaotic start.