Thursday, April 23, 2009

Some Very Good Reasons For Staying At The Tugu Bali Hotel

The Top Bali Luxury hotel is situated right on a broad beach on the south west side of Bali, and it is called The Tugu Bali Hotel.

This is very definitely the most romantic hotel in Bali with only 22 rooms, and each decorated with priceless antiques and pictures. In fact wherever you turn in the Tugu Bali Hotel you will see artifacts lovingly collected over many years by the owner. Don’t for one second think that the hotel is in any way out of date, in fact you will find the Tugu has a huge reputation for service, luxury and romance and exceptional hospitality too.

A love of fine art, and a planned wedding, means you need the perfect luxury hotel for the most romantic honeymoon you could possibly have here in Bali, and the Tugu Bali Hotel can and will certainly supply that, and more.

You will find that the Tugu is a wonderful romantic refuge from the outside world, and because it is a little out of the way, the staff who will treat you like royalty go more than out of their way to ensure you don’t have any need to leave. This starts at the international airport at Denpasar where you are picked up and given refreshments during the thirty minute ride, which will then be repeated as you complete the formalities in the beautiful open air reception area.

Looking around you will immediately realize that the Tugu Bali Hotel is not only a luxury hotel in Bali, it is also going to be one of the best experiences of your life, and so romantic if it is your Bali honeymoon, then you couldn’t have chosen better. All the cobble stone paths, the gardens, the Balinese and Javaneses antiques, and the altars make you feel as if you are in a friend’s home and not one of the top luxury hotels in Bali.

It is the personal attention to detail that makes a good hotel into a great one, and the staff here are unobtrusive, know your name, nothing is too much trouble, and wishes are turned quickly into reality, without having to continually sign chits because the staff know who you are.

If you are able to, then stay in one of the suites with the private plunge pool, the courtyard with the huge outdoor bath tub is fantastic, and you could spend some hours in that alone!! It is like being able to step for a few days into a magical world, you’ll almost have to pinch yourself.

The food at the Tugu Bali Hotel is uniformly excellent, and if you get the opportunity take part in the cooking class and the market visit. The cooking class takes place in what is like a film set with a reconstruction of a street kitchen. This one on one lesson is something you’ll never forget especially as you then get to eat it!!

Another experience not to be missed is dusk on the beach at Tugu, where you can watch the sunset over the sea whilst eating a romantic grilled seafood dinner, cooked right in front of you. In fact you can eat wherever you want and this includes the 18th century temple in the grounds, and food is genuine Balinese

Altogether the Tugu Hotel Bali is an oasis, unique in that it is so tranquil in an increasingly hectic world.

Go there especially for your Bali Honeymoon or just to recharge your batteries.

Bali Is Still Worth A Visit

Very often many thing become reality inspired by a dream. For example if one wants to have a very memorable holiday he will choose a place which have everything to fulfill his needs or his requests sometimes begin with a sweet dream. If a dream tells about beautiful island lies under the equator and have a nice weather all year round, an oasis of undying culture and quiet beauty, if so, Bali has it all.

Bali is a beautiful island situated within Indonesian Archipelago and one of the best tourist destinations in Asia. In 1930th some of the foreign writers and artists arrived in Bali and stayed on, thoroughly seduced and inspired by the island’s breathtaking physical beauty and cultural complexity. They were also deeply impressed by the warmth and the hospitality of the Balinese, and the amazing breadth of artistic expression that pervaded daily life.

Since 1970th Bali performed his high quality in tourism industry, and attracted many bona fide tour operators and airlines companies to bring their clients to enjoy this enchanting island. The island boast a Bali International Airport, luxuries 5 star Bali hotels, best built Bali villas, luxury and typical secluded resorts ad even hundreds of budget hotels.

The development in tourism industry continues in progress for years, and the visitors of Bali can learn and explore more its unique places of interest, various typical local cultures, enjoy the hospitality of the people, as well as other tourist attractions such as diving, snorkeling, para-gliding, cruising, rafting and even sports. Besides, Bali Island is also an ideal place for having MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition) and honeymoon. Tourism actually has been becoming a massive industry and the main source of Bali’s income.

In October 2002 and again in October 2005 Bali was frightened by a violence terrorist’s attack, the boom blast that devastated the island of Bali and the international community. More than 200 lives were lost and hundreds more were injured. It need months for recoveries and the Balinese people is still working hard to rebuild the image of the island and we look forward to a brighter and promising future for the Balinese and our tourism industry.

The Balinese have their own way to respond the terrorist attack not by physical violence but by peaceful means; performing major cleansing ceremonies, prayer and hopes, establishing a memorial for the lost lives, because the Balinese believe that the true and utmost prayer have a magic power to face up to evil. The Balinese doctrine Ruwa Bineda tells that all nature is eternally divided into pairs – high and low, right and left, day and night, strong and weak, healthy and sick, clean and unclean; in general: good and evil, life and death. Each illuminates the other within the scope of creation, and the Balinese ritual strives always to maintain a middle ground – a harmony between two poles. So wherever one goes, be a wise man and beware of any possible dangers and put oneself on guard, because the good and the bad are everywhere in this world.

All the appropriate efforts has been performed by Indonesian Government and the Balinese people and also by the world in order to keep the island peaceful. For the Balinese after performing major ceremonies, it is now time to move ahead and leave the incident behind us. Bali Loves Peace is our motto, peace for everyone, and peace for the world. Many of the visitors have been proved the peace of the island after the incident and leaved Bali with a memorable stay.

So if you plan a vacation do not doubt to put Bali at your top list for your next holiday destination. Bali is still worth a visit after the boom tragedy, because the situation is well in hand now. The easiest way to book your preferred Bali Hotels is go online and visit a hotel reservation website. Do a search for the city or island you are traveling to (Indonesia-Bali) and you will be presented with a list of available Bali hotels/Bali Villas in that area. Or you can search a local reliable Bali Tour Operator and contact him by e-mail for further information.

Find Your Travel Style: Group Tour Or Private Tour?


It is not always about money – you may have sufficient funds to afford either but one of them would suit you more. And it is not always about your general style or preferences as ‘travel style’ is totally different. Many positive people may turn to be ‘unbearable’ fellows while traveling only because they have chosen the wrong style.

You can go for group tours if you agree with some or most of the statements below:

- You are single and do not have a travel buddy: Join group tours for more fun, less cost and of course to make new friends.

- You are not alone but still enjoy knowing people from all over the world; where else will you have this chance?

- You are female(s) traveling to less developed countries – stick to group tours if possible. Groups can offer more safety and comfort.

- You seek for maximum efficiency: Group tours have pre-scheduled itineraries to maximize your sightseeing. No matter how long your wife/husband would prefer to stay at a shop or your photo addict friend would like to take extra shots; the tour has to end when the guide blows the whistle.

- Although money is not everything, it is something: In some countries such as Turkey, Greece or Morocco private tours cost almost double or even triple prices when compared to the group tours. For small families or friend groups (2-3 traveler) it’ll be more cost effective to join escorted group tours.

If you are not sure about your travel style yet, here are the reasons why people prefer private tours despite the higher costs:

- You want to have full control on where to go, how to go, when to relax, when to shop etc. No matter how much more it cots, take a private tour.

- You are not control freak but prefer flexibility while traveling: Well, check the group itinerary, see how tight their schedule is. Some group tours provide flexibility to some extend. But at the end, there will be at least 30 more people to share the same flexibility.

- You want to get off the regular tourist path; you prefer to visit a less known sight hidden at the far end of the city, or to stop at a local snack shop to mingle with the locals. If yes, you’ll have limited opportunity for this with a group.

- Your tolerance limit is somewhat low while traveling. Totally understandable. Well, in a group tour there might be fellow travelers that you dislike and you’ll need to stick with them for the entire tour. If this sounds like a nightmare, private tour might be a better option.

- You have certain accommodation preferences such as design hotels, awarded hotels, small B&B’s etc. However group tours usually stay at western type standard hotels to cater for the taste of the majority.

- You want to have the time and the freedom to ask silly questions.

- Simply you prefer privacy and personalized service!

- Last but not least, you have extra savings to afford all the reasons mentioned above.

So what will you do for your next trip? You don’t have to decide right away. It all depends on the destination, on the tour company, itinerary you’ll be looking for, the price etc. You will see that it is much easier to find group tour sellers. There are certain big tour operators that organize these tours and most of the travel agencies sell the same packages with same rates. However for private tours, you definitely need to make your homework. Look for a smaller boutique travel company that provides customized service. This company should have some expertise about the destination, should have the patience, and bulk purchasing power. The only way to understand all these are by asking questions, asking for price and comparing at least few companies. Always and always check the legitimateness of the tour company. Where is it registered and licensed? Are you under the protection of a provincial travel fund if anything goes wrong? All these questions are crucial before traveling to a new destination. At the end, when traveling is involved, cheapest is not always the best; peace of mind is what every traveler will be looking for.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Ritz Carlton Bali - Pretty As a Picture

The Ritz Carlton Bali Resort & Spa can only be described as picture-perfect. With a lush tropical backdrop and plush interiors it qualifies as one of the world's most beauteous luxury hotels. Did we say beauteous? All wrong, for it is also one of the most commodious. Disposing of 368 guest rooms it also has its own beach, wonder of wonders! Step into its lobby and you will be swept away by its exotic interiors comprising artworks and artifacts from the surrounding islands of Java, Sulawesi, Borneo, and Irian Jaya. As for the Balinese hospitality and grace that you'll get doused with, you'll wonder why you never visited before.

The luxury resort, now re-christened Ayana Resort & Spa, is located in a fishing village called Jimabaran and is a near 15-minute drive from the Ngurah Rai International Airport.

And in case you thought you were in Hindu country, think again: The luxury resort houses two stunningly beautiful chapels on its premises. And what is it that a typical guest at the Ayana Resort & Spa (neé Ritz Carlton Bali Resort & Spa) may expect in terms of room amenities? Well, quite a bit actually. You may look forward to non-smoking rooms, a daily newspaper, internet connection, in-room safe, ironing board, color television with an LCD or Plasma screen, a mini bar, a private pool, to mention a few.

Facilities include a smoking room for smokers, a poolside bar, customized tours, babysitting, bar and coffee shop, pub, laundry, WiFi etc. Step out of the hotel premises and go on a safari perched atop an elephant. Kids love it! Bird lovers shouldn't miss the Bali Bird Park featuring some of the rarest Indonesian birds' species. Its beautifully manicured lawns and gardens make it an ideal spot for casual strollers as well.

Love thick forests with plenty of wildlife? Don't miss the Ubud and Sangeh monkey forests, in that case. Do be careful of these mischievous little devils, though, and keep your bags and eats in safe custody, away from their prying eyes.

Then are those falls, all of them lush, lovely, and eternal. Create a splash at Singsing Falls, the Gitgit Falls, or the tranquil blue Yeh Sanih pools.

Many visitors to Bali like to explore the mellow beach town of Lovina with its shoal of bucolic settlements like Anturan, Pemaron, and Tukad Mungga, to just name a handful. The sand in these coastal villages is grayish owing to the surrounding volcanoes.

And how can you miss Denpasar, the beautiful Balinese capital? It is the haven of art lovers and museum freaks. If you can ignore the noise and bustle, you will love its tree-lined avenues and gardens, not to mention its huge main market.

When you return to Jimabaran treat yourself to some really exotic seafood in any of its 24 eateries. We recommend fire-grilled fishes and crabs in accompaniment with water spinach and steamed garlic and rice. The tongue-teasing local sauces will leave you hankering for more. Indulge yourself!

Bali Vacations

If you are suffering from stress and looking forward to a wonderful time away from work with your family, then perhaps Bali is the vacation spot that you are looking for. Recovering from the major devastations brought by the terrorist attacks in the past years, Bali vacations now offer many attractive deals that entice you to enjoy the splendor of this place.

Bali vacations have a lot to offer to vacationers. From historical places to scenic views, you can find a variety of activities and places to explore. However, there is one main reason why many visitors keep coming back to Bali, and that is Bali’s image as beach destination.

There are lots of beaches that can be found in Bali. One of the most popular is the Kuta beach, which stretches from the airport in Tuban over main Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, and Kerobokan and all the way to Canggu. Kuta is the perfect place to go sunbathing during the day and socializing at night because usually this place starts to become crowded as soon as the sun sets. However, it is very risky to swim alone in Kuta if you are an untrained swimmer. It would be better if you only swim on the Tuban part of it.

When you move further south to Bali, you will find another beach that is suitable for swimming. Nusa Dua is one of the famous destinations in Bali because of its resort centers. You and your family will sure have a great time here because of its perfect beaches, dreamland of coconut palms, and five-star hotels. You can go sunbathing here and play in the sand with your kids. You can even make sand castles.

All these and more can make your Bali vacation an experience that you and your family will never forget.