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Sunday, October 18, 2026

Kileen splurged a little on my birthday this year and I’m not complaining: a night on Vuurtoreneiland, a tiny island about twenty minutes from our apartment by boat.

We stayed in a modern cabin right on the water and we could walk all around the island, including to a lighthouse. Dinner was a 5-course meal in a restored bunker - all paired with interesting wines.

One thing that made this trip so wonderful - in addition to the incredible food and views - was that it made Amsterdam feel like home rather than a vacation spot.

Turns out the easiest way to appreciate where you live is to leave it for a day and come straight back.