One of the best ways to beat jet lag is to stay awake. And I can’t think of a better way to stay awake then dancing the night away at a club that’s really a private island and frolicking in a hot tub on a yacht as you chase a premium selection of Italian cured meats with a glass of champagne.

Let me explain.

My husband and I usually travel together just the two of us, and as much as we love spending time with each other, we’re very social human beings who somehow end up meeting new friends. We tend to seek out fun people, whether it’s on accident or on purpose. We’re sort of like Bumble BFF minus the whole technology part.

Let’s start from the beginning.

Hvar is a dream come true island destination with laid-back beach vibes day and night. You can party until sunrise without pretentious bottle service and girls attempting to stand up straight in their 5-inch heels. The laidback vibes maintain from chill time on the rocky beaches that overlook the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, well into the night where everyone parties together in celebration of summer and life.

The night starts a tad before sunset when everyone gathers in beach attire at the happiest happy hour spot, Hula Hula. It’s a super chill rustic beach bar with the best sunset view on the island where you can drink sangria and mingle with friends.

And then the sun goes down.

You’re feeling the beat as things start to get lively because there’s literally a celebration of the sunset. Every. Single. Night. Everyone’s cheering and clapping as the sky whips up shades of orange and pink. There’s a local wearing a tutu and an orange wig leading the dancing as the sun sets into a gorgeous painting across the sky.

And when it disappears to darkness, stars dancing on the sea; champagne showers cue in that it’s almost time for dinner.

And so everyone heads back to their hotels or boats or apartments to shower and change for the night. As you contemplate your outfit, keep in mind it’s still beachy casual chic as Hvar doesn’t have the same display of designer labels and heels that you’ll find in other European beach destinations like St Tropez or Capri.

Dinner spots consist of beautiful views, Croatian wine, and simple, fresh seafood.

Post dinner, head straight to the hole in the wall bar right on the harbor where you’ll find bartenders lining up flaming shots while customers slowly pour out to the tiny water taxi floating by the entrance. The bar is called Carpe Diem. And you’re about to seize the day… or night. Because it’s so much more than the tiny little hole in the wall that it appears to be.

After an aperitif and a couple of flaming shots, join the rest of the patrons cramming into the tiny water taxi outside. Okay, so it looks more like a raft than a water taxi. But you survive, and ten minutes later you arrive at Carpe Diem’s island oasis of DJ’s, dancing, and all around good times.

Carpe Diem Beach is a private island-turned-club.

Now back to real-world Bumble BFF. Back in the day, you actually had to meet people using social skills. So 2011. Call me old fashioned or maybe it was actually 2011, but we happened to meet an international crew who loved to dance as much as we did and before we knew it, we were invited on their yacht.

At this point, I realized I was either A. going to get murdered or B. have the best night of my life.

Apologies for ruining the ending by telling you there’s no murder twist, but let’s just say it’s 6 years later and I’ve lived to tell this story.

So the next thing you know, it’s 5am and we’re getting picked up by a dingy from Carpe Diem Beach, soon to arrive at the fanciest yacht I ever did see.

Could this be real??? [Insert minute of Lifetime movie murder mystery in my head]

But then cue in the Italian cured meats and champagne. Upon arrival at the yacht, we were greeted with butlers serving us these delicacies as we had our own foam party in the hot tub. Yes, hot tub. On the top deck of the yacht. Dreams do come true.

At this point, I decided that if the night ended in murder, it would have been worth it.

But by 8am our new friends called for the dingy to take us back to Hvar harbor to head back to our hotel for a couple hours of sleep before the Mediterranean sun called us out of our beds.

Because, Carpe Diem. Seize The Day.