In 2018 (on a work trip no less lol) I discovered a country that stole my heart. Every summer since, the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia and the city of Split, becomes my second home. Family-owned boutique hotel, Judita Palace Heritage Hotel in Diocletian's Palace is like coming home. Note: The hotel is all original construction and stone walls built into the original Palace - built 293-305 AD. Room #4 is my room (the room with the balcony and window over the cafe/bar where the father of Croatian literature's daughter lived as a young girl in the 15th century) - they consider me "furniture" at this point lol. Matijas, big Luka (7'1), small Luka (6'2), Ana, Marija, Andreja, Kreshir, Marta, Angelo, Damien, Carla, Teja, and Pia - they have become my Croatian family. The new season started this past week (April 1) - the hotel is closed November-March every year. They were texting me this week about getting the hotel ready. I can picture the buzz about the hotel as they prepare to welcome guests and friends again - the sounds of the cafe downstairs (coffee and juice bar in the mornings and wine bar hot spot at night), the voices from the open air streets of the Palace, the smell of the Adriatic Sea a few feet away in the harbor. The last time I was there (last fall) they had decided to remove the high top chairs away from the bar in the cafe (small Luka doesn't like to have to talk to random tourists sitting at the bar and it was end of the season lol). They kept a single chair in the corner of the bar for me though - the photo with the single glass and bottle of white wine from Island Brac/Stina vineyard is my saved seat and favorite Croatian wine waiting for me to arrive. My life is infinitely better because they welcomed me into the story of the hotel and this chapter of the Palace' existence and to be a part of all of their lives. I'm grateful every year as I look forward to going to my second home! Zivjeli Friends - Here's to season 2025.