Hvar, Croatia

Often referred to as “the new St. Tropez”, I spent a week in Hvar during summer 2012 and it was one of the most unbelievable places I’ve ever been.  To celebrate my best friend’s birthday, we stayed at a villa outside of Hvar Town that she found using AirBnB.  I can’t even explain how crystal clear the water was – or how big the yachts in the harbor were!

The crowd was well-heeled and well-educated (Think handsome Harvard Law professors with great Burning Man stories) and the music went until morning.  Hvar Town is where all the action is on Hvar Island – StariGrad is not as fun and not worth the trip to even see.  This is the summer destination for the European jet set.

 

View from the villa

Getting Around

I flew into Split, Croatia direct from London and took the 1.5 hour ferry to Hvar.  I booked the taxi and ferry with Kuzma, our driver on the island. He was AMAZING, albeit slightly expensive, but he coordinated the ferry and taxis in Split AND Hvar with my airplane so I didn’t need to stress. He did this for the whole group, who arrived in Croatia at scattered times. He planned everything for us and was always available on his mobile. This included chauffeuring us around town for the duration of our trip, whether it be to go to the grocery store, to drop us off for dinner, or pick us up at 6am from the club. Just have cash to pay him for each ride – there’s an ATM outside the supermarket. http://www.otok-hvar.com/en/d/902/taxi/auto-taxi-kuzma-hvar – 1 person was around 60 Euro for taxi from airport in Split, ferry ticket, and taxi to villa once in Hvar.

Where to stay

We rented our villa from Shahin Bekhradniya. Shahin’s villa was on Sviracina Bay (pronounced sveracheena) near Brusje (pronounced bruzye).  It was beautiful, with many bedrooms, an outdoor dining table, and a fire pit in the back.  The villa came with a small speed boat and was on our own private bay.  Since we had a kitchen, we spent many nights cooking, instead of going out to dinner.  The produce was so fresh and supermarket prices were reasonable.

Visit or stay at the Hotel Adriana – gorgeous views!  Also the Hotel Amfora Grand Beach Resort is beautiful and where they hosted Ultra Europe last summer.

Carpe Diem

Where to Dance

• Carpe Diem – I literally can’t even.  You take a boat to a PRIVATE ISLAND and the whole island is a club.  We went there three times.  Everywhere in Hvar is super casual – for Carpe Diem and Hula Hula you can wear a bathing suit under your romper or dress.  Sandals are fine.
• Also called Carpe Diem, so it’s a little confusing, is a lounge/restaurant right next to where the boat to the other Carpe Diem leaves from in the Marina. Go there at like 11pm, have a couple drinks, then take the boat! The party doesn’t really get started on Carpe Diem Island until 1:30am, but best to go over earlier to avoid the line for the private taxi boat. You pay cover for the club once you get to the island (cover is a little steep, but worth it).  Once a month they have a Full Moon party – ask around and look for posters – if it’s happening when you’re there, don’t miss it!
• Hula Hula – a sunset club, like in Ibiza. Call ahead to reserve a table.  You get drunk and watch the sun set and dance.  Tables are arranged stadium-style overlooking the bay where the sun sets.  You can literally jump from where your table is into the water! We got there around 2pm and stayed until 7 or 8.
• Veneranda – nightclub that’s on a mountain top in an abandoned castle from Napoleon, a little bit more formal, but still casual
• Pink Champagne – I didn’t get to go, but I’ve heard wonderful things
• Caffe Bar el Classico – for happy hour!

Hula Hula

If time permits on your trip, I’ve also heard great things about Palmizana.  To get there, you need to take a taxi boat from the Marina in Hvar Town.  There is a cocktail bar, Laginini, that is supposed to be phenomenal.

Cell service is very spotty, so when you go somewhere, ask for the WiFi password.

When I went, Croatia Yacht Week was in Hvar on Wednesdays, so that night was insanely epic at Carpe Diem and everywhere else in the Marina.

Any more tips for Hvar?

Barcelona

I’ve been lucky enough to visit the beautiful coastal city of Barcelona twice: Once as part of a larger Eurotrip, and once with two of my childhood friends.  Barcelona is a magical city, effectively bridging the gap between modern metropolis and historical site.  It’s a good “beginner” European city – locals are friendly to tourists, the streets and Metro are easy to navigate, it’s relatively safe, and the party scene is unrivaled.  Go in the spring or summer.

Credit for most of the places on this list goes to my friend Amanda, who studied abroad in Barca.  I visited many of these places myself on my visits, and they gave me good insight into the Catalonian capital.

Be a Tourist

• Las Ramblas is the main commercial thoroughfare and probably where you’ll spend a lot of time eating, shopping, and wandering.  It has a feel similar to Lincoln Road in Miami.  Visit the Mercat de la Boqueria to see the local market offerings of the day.  Explore here; rights and lefts off the main street take you to beautiful plazas that are great for lunch or dinner.
• La Segrada Familia can’t be missed. It’s still unfinished – and the way Gaudi made the plans, it never will be completed.
• Make the Metro trip up to Parque Guell.  Stroll through the mosaic pathways and stone buildings and admire the gorgeous views of the city.  Fun fact: A finale of America’s Next Top Model was filmed here.

IceBarcelona

Nightclubs/ Las Discotecas!

• Otto Zutz
• Sutton – more upscale and popular with locals
• Razzmatazz – DO NOT miss this place – multi-level club with an outdoor area
• Opium – Also, DO NOT miss – staple of any Barcelona trip, features big-name DJs. When I was there, the best nights were Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
• Apolo
• Broadbar/MVP
• Sotavento
• Catwalk
• Shoko
• CDLC

Many of the nightclubs are on a strip along the beach.  It’s easy to jump from one to another.  Watch your things: pickpockets are common.

Dow Jones – the Stock Market bar

Bars

• Chupitos – shots bar – Trust me, get the Harry Potter
• IceBarcelona – GO before a night out at the beach clubs – the pictures are unparalleled
• La Concha – hookah/tea bar, be wary of the location
• George Payne – sports bar right off of Urqinaona metro stop, good for watching American sports
• Cyrano – near “Diagonal” metro stop. Pay 3 Euros and they give you the bottle of alcohol and you pour your own drinks. Includes mixer! Get there early because tables fill up quickly
• La Bolsa Bar or Dow Jones – DON’T MISS – “stock market bar” – faux Bloomberg terminal screens line the bar. Prices of shots and drinks fluctuate with demand. Every so often, the market will “crash” and prices plummet
• Bar Marsella – Absinthe bar in Raval, Hemingway used to drink there.
• Bosc de les Fades – the “fairy bar”, looks like a fairy tale.

 

Paella cooking class

Food

• Can Paixano – go for the sandwiches “boquadillos” and cava
• Pla – beautiful scene
• La Boqueria – quick, cheap sandwiches
• El Xampanyet
• Pim Pam Plats – burgers
• Mercendero de Mari – outside dining
• Taller de Tapas – great tapas
• Tapa Tapa – reasonably priced tapas restaurant

Take a paella cooking class! Many places along the beach offer them!

Where to stay?

The W Barcelona is on the water and along the only beach in Barcelona. One of the most beautiful hotels I’ve ever stayed at. Save up your SPG points and splurge.  Make sure to go to the Eclipse Bar on the 26th bar for a drink. Cocktails are more expensive than other places in Barcelona, but the views are great.

Hotels along Las Ramblas are generally a good bet: American chain hotels offer some luxuries, like gyms, breakfast, and hair dryers so there’s less to pack.

Have you been to Barcelona?

Las Vegas

I just got back from an amazing long weekend away in Las Vegas. It was my fourth time there – but only second time as a lady of gambling age.

Vegas never disappoints. It can work as a getaway with one friend, many friends of both genders, a family, or a significant other. Here are my recommendations for where to stay, what to eat, and how to get into some proper mischief.

When to go?
Vegas is chilly during winter months, and scorching during the summer. Time your trip right by going from late March to early June or September to November – otherwise be prepared to either not get tan, or never leave the air conditioning, respectively.

• Expert tip: The best piece of advice I ever got for Las Vegas? On my 21st birthday, itching to book, my father told me that all the hotel rooms in Vegas are priced within $100 of each other per night – but the differences in clientele and facilities can run the gamut from uber-luxe to seedy at best. Splurge for the scene, the people you’ll meet, and the security of knowing you’re not sharing your 800-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets with any critters.

Where to stay?
For lovers and friends alike, my top recommendation goes to the posh Cosmopolitan. The staff goes above and beyond to make your stay a special one. On one evening, we were surprised with tickets to a show, a concert by the pool, and a bottle of champagne sent to our room. Bonus: Book a night or two using your Marriott Rewards points to help with the hefty price tag. Negative: Strict adherence to the 11am checkout time.

Also highly recommend the Wynn and Encore hotels. These sister properties boast beautiful pools and upscale room decor. The crowd is more mature and the gambling scene is more Monte Carlo than neighboring properties.

For classic Vegas hotels, try the all-suite Venetian or the tried-and-true Bellagio. Both have great central locations on the Strip.

• Expert tip: After researching prices online (try to apply a AAA discount!) CALL the hotel to book – they may be able to throw in drink tickets, meals, or spa vouchers.

What to do during the day?
Check out the gambling tables at Caesar’s – they’re known to have the best odds on the Strip.
Also be sure to visit the brand new Linq corridor, which brings the flavor of downtown Las Vegas to the Strip. It hosts the newly opened High Roller observation wheel. Think London Eye, but more colorful views at night.

Day Parties
Check out Wet Republic at the MGM Grand, Marquee Day Club at the Cosmopolitan, Encore Beach Club, R3hab at the Hard Rock, Tao Beach, and many more. Parties start to really heat up around 2, so get there before to avoid a line.

• Expert Tip: Be sure to follow promoters on Instagram and Twitter for comped/reduced admission or to buy a cabana or table. This is also a good way to see what DJs are playing where. As a general rule of thumb, the better the DJ playing, the better the crowd and better the party. Use hashtags #vegaspromoter or get creative to find which accounts to follow. This site is also awesome: http://electronic-vegas.com/vegas-edm-event-calendar/

Pre-night out

Nightlife
Same rules apply for night. Clubs don’t get really going until midnight. Find a promoter, get on a guest list, and show up early. My favorites? Tao, Hakkasan, XS, Marquee, and Bank. Also keep an eye out for Drais, opening Memorial Day Weekend 2014.
*Marquee seems to have a hold on the resident trance DJs that played some of the best sets I heard the whole weekend. Don’t miss a chance to see Calvin Harris, Tiesto, or DeadMau5 in their natural habitats if you’re lucky enough to be there on the same weekends.

Where to Eat?
You can use Yelp, I’m sure. Check out these hotspots: STK, Sugar Factory, Scarpetta, Bellagio buffet, Tao, Lavo…
But let’s be real. There’s a Panda Express at Planet Hollywood and an In-n-Out a 5 minute taxi from the Cosmopolitan.

What to see?
Absinthe or Rose. Rabbit. Lie.  For Cirque du Soleil, check out O or Ka.  Also Britney Spears. Bitch.

Comped show tickets – thanks Cosmo!

Cab to/from the airport is $20 and 15 minutes from the Strip. All cabs take credit cards.

I hope this guide to Las Vegas has been helpful. If there’s anything you did that you think I missed, please post in the comments below!

 

About the list

 

Wet Republic, MGM Grand, Las Vegas

Hi! My name is Dayna.  I travel — a lot. During the month I started this blog, I slept a total of 5 nights in my own apartment in New York City.  Although I live in the best city in the world, my career and wanderlust take me to every corner of the globe: From the windy plains of Wichita, Kansas to the sunset clubs of Hvar, Croatia.

I love giving recommendations to my friends and colleagues, which prompted me to start this blog.  Here I hope to present my recommendations for places I’ve been lucky enough to visit. I try to suggest the best nightlife, dining, hotels, shops, and some helpful tips.  If you have something to add from your own experiences, please feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of any post.

Travel time is limited. Explore, and don’t waste any night that could be spent on a dancefloor.