Birthday on Korcula Island

This year, I celebrated my 38th birthday in a way that was simple, quiet, and exactly what I needed, on the beautiful island of Korčula, at the Aminess Port 9 Resort. No big party, no fancy dinners or late-night dancing. Just me, my dog Beni, and my sister, her husband, and their kids, sharing a few sun-drenched days by the sea.

We arrived for a long weekend, the kind that stretches out time just enough to make you forget the pace of everyday life. The Aminess Port 9 Resort turned out to be the perfect choice, laid-back, family-friendly, and nestled in a peaceful cove with views that still feel like a dream.

Our days fell into a lovely, easy rhythm: lounging by the pool, walking along the waterfront, and enjoying long, relaxed meals. Beni, of course, was in his element, sniffing around the grounds, curling up for naps in the shade, and soaking in the attention from the kids.

Though we didn’t plan a special birthday celebration, it didn’t feel like anything was missing. Sometimes the best kind of celebration is simply being surrounded by people (and pups) you love, in a beautiful place, with nowhere else you need to be.

It wasn’t the kind of birthday that ends with a cake and candles, but it was better in its own quiet way. It was soft, sunlit, and full of heart. Here’s to 38, and to more birthdays like this one, full of simplicity, sunshine, and the kind of peace that only an island can offer.