Bali - Why You Should Visit Bali and a Few Suggestions of How to Plan Your Vacation

Welcome to Bali

BALI is often described as being too touristy. In my opinion that is a rather superficial statement, as all it takes to discover the Bali which has enticed visitors to return time and again, is to leave the tourist enclaves of Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and Sanur behind.

Let me help you discover Bali - an island which, although quite small, tends to leave a huge impression on visitors who make the effort, and spend the time, to have a good look around.

Bali is easy and inexpensive to get to

Air Asia operates flights to Bali from Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Jetstar also has direct flights to Bali, making Bali a prime destination, serviced by the best known budget airlines in the region. Of course, most full-service airlines also fly to Bali.

Bali offers a huge variety of hotels, resorts with spas, as well as simple bed and breakfast establishments. Of course there are also the typical Balinese homestays, which are often found in family compounds, offering a rare opportunity to observe how the Balinese live.

If you are planning to stay for any length of time, one month or longer, I would suggest that you base yourself away from the main areas in the south. You could split up your stay as follows:

1 week around Tabanan, which gives you easy access to Tanah Lot and the western part of the island.

1 week around Padang Bai or Candidasa, for access to the north-east coast.

From the East Coast townships of Padang Bai, Candi Dasa, Amed, and Tulamben, it takes but a few minutes to reach some of Bali's most spectacular scuba dive sites.

1 week in one of the small villages near Loving on the north coast, to make it easy for you to explore the north of the island.

1 week in the Ubud area, to explore the cultural heart and the central region of Bali.

Ubud still attracts painters and writers from all around the world, and successfully stages an annual writers festival.The silver and goldsmiths of Mas produce some wonderful jewelry which is exported all over the world, and maybe it's best not to take your credit card when visiting their showrooms.

There is so much on offer in Ubud. You can sign up for silver jewelry making classes, batik making classes, cooking classes - and the list goes on and on. There are also plenty of yoga schools and spiritual retreats. It is not unusual to rent a room in a home-stay, and realize later that the owner is actually a famous artist. For the more energetic, Ubud is a perfect place from which to plan a hike up Mt Agung, Bali's sacred mountain.

Since I am a diver, here is a little more information about scuba diving in Bali.

Scuba diving in Bali is still something of a secret. Having dived in most of the more "fashionable" dive areas in Indonesia, such as Bunaken, Lembeh, Raja Ampat, Ambon, Banda and Komodo, I can say that Bali is still one of my favourite dive destinations. Let me tell you why in a little more detail.

1. Bali offers something for everyone

Whether you enjoy brisk currents, a beautifully, coral encrusted wreck, muck diving, deep diving, or a mix of all of the above, it's all here in Bali. Although some road travel is involved to get from one area to the next, there are no expensive, domestic flights involved, which makes Bali a very cost and time effective dive destination.

2. Taking up scuba diving, or upgrading your certification?

Bali has a large number of professionally run dive operations, offering the whole palette of dive courses. From open water to dive instructor, it can be done in Bali. At prices which are hard to find anywhere else in Indonesia, or for that matter, anywhere.

3. Are you a diver who is traveling with a non-diver?

If you are traveling with a non-diver, you know how difficult it can be to balance your passion for diving, with the needs of your non-diving partner. In Bali that's not an issue. There is plenty to do for non-divers - day tours to cultural treasures, shopping, getting pampered in a spa, hiking, mountain biking, surfing - the list goes on and on - oh, have I mentioned shopping?

Come to Bali, try the diving, and be amazed

How to get from A to B

To get around Bali, and if you can afford it, I would recommend hiring a car with driver. As the traffic in Bali is not for the faint-hearted, it can be a little nerve wrecking to drive on your own, but it can be done. If you ride a motor bike at home and have a license, you may like to hire a scooter. They are actually small motor bikes with 125cc motors. Public transport exists, but it is very time-consuming, and very uncomfortable.

Last, but not least, remember to take out travel insurance

I am here to help you, so please don't hesitate to contact me directly for further Bali information.

Sybille Conrad is an experienced international travel agent, and a specialist dive travel agent. She holds a Grad. Dip. in Recreation Management, usually lives in Cairns, Australia, but has been living and working in Indonesia for the last few years. For information about Bali, or specifically about diving and traveling in other parts of Indonesia.

Bali Villa Holidays - An Affordable Touch Of Luxury

Accommodation will greatly determine the level to which you will enjoy a vacation. Bali is considered a real exotic paradise with its serenity, golden beaches and lush rainforests. A popular tourism destination, Bali has numerous accommodation options to offer. Should you choose a hotel or a luxury Bali villa?

Rent a Villa or Stay in a Luxury Hotel?

There are two possibilities for individuals that like luxury and getting pampered - Bali villas and five star hotels. Choosing one over the other may be a challenge, if you have no idea what the advantages are.

Most people immediately think of hotel accommodation when they travel. There are however, better possibilities that provide a number of benefits unavailable in the hotel room. Accommodation in a Bali villa is one such option.

Villas Provide Privacy

The biggest and probably most important advantage of choosing villa accommodation is privacy.

You will get to enjoy the tropical charm and the nature of Bali without having to deal with noisy crowds and large groups of tourists that traditionally stay at hotels. It will be just you, your family and friends.

The privacy of a Bali villa is something that you cannot get in a hotel, no matter how luxurious. You can relax, enjoy the sun, read a book, sleep all day long or have parties without being disturbed by anyone.

Interior Design and Landscaping

Many Bali villas come with a contemporary, minimalist interior design that will be perfect for the modern traveler. The villas are fully equipped and furnished to provide all of the facilities that you are used to and that you will need for full relaxation.

The exterior design and the landscaping are spectacular and suitable for a relaxing retreat and escape from reality.

High quality Bali villas have beautiful, impeccably maintained gardens. The tropical landscape will create your own little, private paradise. The garden is also equipped with a swimming pool for your convenience.

Available Services and Professional Assistance

Some people think that villa rental means that they will be on their own. This is not the case in Bali, where professional service and assistance is the key to hospitality.

Luxury Bali villas have a butler that is available 24/7. There is also security service, laundry and dry cleaning, babysitting possibilities and tour guides. Just think about the thing you will need for a comfortable and enjoyable vacation. All such services will be available at your Bali villa.

Many Bali villas will also come with the services of an experienced chef. If you like to learn more about local cuisine or to enjoy some international culinary temptations, this is the perfect possibility for your Bali vacation.

Individuals that like to practice sports will get to rely on the services of professional instructors and yoga practitioners. These are just some of the services available at a luxurious Bali villa.

Spectacular Location

The location of the villa is the final determining factor that establishes its superiority over hotel accommodation.

Very often, hotels are located in tourist hotspots that are crowded and noisy. You will be missing the tranquility of Bali and its authentic atmosphere. The villa comes as the perfect alternative.

The private outdoor areas are reserved for you and your family. Enjoy the sunrise or simply relax and meditate there. Most of the villas are conveniently located close to the beach, giving you easy access and tranquility at the same time. You will discover luxury villas at some of the most incredible Bali locations.

You can also opt for a secluded property that will be perfect for a romantic retreat. Some of these villas are surrounded by the Bali rice fields, others border the green rainforests. Such villas can have a second floor that provides incredible view of the area.

The villa will make your family vacation even more special because you benefit from luxury, flexibility and professional service. There are many options to choose among and you will certainly discover the Bali villa to fall in love with.

Bali Villas, Long Term Rental

International travelers know that long term rental is the way to go when staying in Bali. Whether you rent a very private villa in the serene countryside for peaceful relaxation and inspiration, or find Bali accommodation in a "hotel-style" villa collection located in the glitzy seaside tourist destinations, most luxury villas can be rented by the week or even by the month. To get the most out of a vacation on the Island of the Gods, many visitors opt for a long-term stay.

Island Living in Style

Bali villas for rent combine elegant open-style island-living design, local artisanship, and luxury features such as private pools, large gardens, secluded gazebos, and large decks from which to enjoy the spectacular island scenery or ocean views. They may be privately-owned single villas - like many of those located inland among the rice fields and temples where the passage of time has left very little trace on local daily life - or they may be part of a larger collection, managed and staffed much like high-end resort hotels or condos, with a long list of included modern amenities. Many of the villas in Seminyak, for example, offer guests such extras as daily housekeeping, on-site cooks, private parking, babysitting services, complimentary Wi-fi and satellite TV, 24-hour security, and airport pickups and drop-offs.

The English-speaking staff and/or managers at the majority of these Bali villa rental units are attentive and helpful, happy to arrange visitors tours, excursions, spa treatments, and activities of daily life. With modern conveniences, hosts of helpful staff, and proximity to some of the best shopping, recreational activities, and dining on the island, the Bali villa long term rental option provides the ideal combination of exotic tropical charm and modern luxury living.

Many Options for Different Traveler Needs

Travelers come to stay in Bali for a variety of reasons, from family fun vacations to rejuvenation retreats for spiritual wellness to luxury resort getaways. With so many accommodations to choose from across the island, visitors can always find a villa in Bali to suit their needs. There are a wide variety of villas to suit groups of all sizes - from intimate two -bedroom places for individual travelers or couples seeking romance to multi-building palatial compounds that can accommodate multiple families, executive retreats, or corporate conferences.

Quiet Retreats and Spiritual Rejuvenation

Visitors come to Bali from around the world to be steeped in the deep spirituality of the island and its people. Bali is known as a luminous spot of Hindu mysticism in the heart of the largest Muslim nation in the world. As a Hindu people, the Balinese are very spiritual and giving individuals, who love sharing their culture and the many religious celebrations and ceremonies they perform throughout the year. Visitors can experience such celebrations as Balinese Saka New Year, Waisak Day, Eid-ul Adha, Eid-ul Fitr, and many others.

For seekers of spiritual awareness and rejuvenation looking for a serene villa Bali has much to offer. Quiet private villas are to be found tucked away down tiny side streets in unassuming Balinese villages off the beaten "tourist" path, many within walking distance of a number of working Hindu temples.

In Pursuit of Wellness

The Island of the Gods has also established itself as one of the top health and wellness destinations in all of Asia. Many of the newer resorts, hotels, and villas that have begun flourishing recently on the island are top-of-the-line retreats for physical fitness and detoxing, offering villa guests facilities such as heated vitality pools, massage spas, pilates studios, and yoga pavilions. Guests can enjoy healthy indulgences such as seaside massages, spa treatments, Ayurvedic therapies, nutritional consultations, and gourmet vegetarian cuisine.

Wellness resorts offering villas in Bali can be found throughout the island, in seaside villages or further inland among the tranquil rice fields. With their traditional architecture, lush private garden spaces, and open, spacious living areas, guests have plenty of room and a relaxing, rejuvenating environment for yoga, meditation, and energizing personal time.

Experience the Magic of Bali

Visitors to the Island of the Gods find the tropical oasis welcoming, rejuvenating, and exhilarating. Long term rental of luxury villas in Bali makes it possible for visitors to stay for extended periods to soak in the magic of the people and the land. A private villa gives visitors a peaceful and serene living space that can be a "home base" from which they can experience all of Bali's cultural riches, recreational opportunities, and beautiful, inspiring vistas.

The tropical travel destination of Bali, the Island of the Gods, offers so many incredible activities and experiences to visitors that travelers often return home with the feeling that they cut their vacation or holiday far too short. Bali should not really be considered a "weekend getaway", but more of an "extended stay" destination. For that reason, many Bali accommodation offerings provide the option of long term rental.

Bali villa long term rental options include modern luxury villas in the hottest tourist spots on the island - with well-trained, English-speaking staff and every modern convenience - as well as the more private villa experience in off-the-beaten-path and inland locations for those wanting a more authentic experience with the landscape and the local culture. Depending upon the makeup of the traveling party - an individual looking for peace and quiet, a family with children seeking "family vacation recreation," an industry convention, or an executive retreat - different Bali villa rental alternatives are available to suit the various needs of visitors.

Where to Stay

People visit the Island of the Gods for many different reasons, and the best place for you to seek Bali villas for rent depends upon what draws you. Many visitors to Bali come for the island's diverse vistas of beach, volcanic hills, and farmlands. For others, the appeal may lie in the serenity and spiritual culture found in outlying areas and small Balinese villages. Many families are seeking the unique blend of modern luxury and exciting tourist attraction with Balinese culture.

Each region of Bali has its own distinct local flavor, recreation, and accommodation offerings.

• The South-West Coast: The areas of Seminyak, Oberoi, and Petitenget are the most highly-sought vacation areas for those seeking all the modern conveniences and attractions of a tropical tourist spot. The southwest coast is characterized by trendy night clubs and shopping areas, high-end restaurants and cocktail bars, and access to many tours, marine adventures, and family-friendly recreational activities. Travelers renting villas in Seminyak and the surrounding area can enjoy the peacefulness and serenity of their private accommodations, then travel only minutes to the busy white sand beaches and Bali's most popular restaurants and boutique shops.

• The Heart of the Island: Ubud and the surrounding area boast beautiful examples of traditional Balinese architecture, culture, and art. The main road through the region is lined with small villages specializing in different traditional arts and crafts, from silversmithing and woodcarving to painting and dancing. Ubud proper is considered the cultural heart of Bali - and an international art center - with avenues lined by art galleries, craft shops, and charming cafes.

• North and West Coasts: These regions, though less developed than the southern part of the island, offer plenty to see and do, as well as hidden gems of private villas to stay in. Among a long list of activities, visitors can enjoy dolphin spotting, snorkeling, exploring Bali Barat National Park, and even a visit to the Pemuteran Turtle Hatchery Project, where lucky visitors may be able to release a baby turtle into the ocean.

• The East: Time seems to have passed over the eastern region of Bali. Quiet roadways meander through rice fields, banana trees, and ancient settlements, scattered around the base of Bali's largest volcano - Gunung Agung. Visitors can soak up the local culture and spiritual serenity along many peaceful footpaths leading to temples, streams, and mesmerizing waterfalls. Beaches on the east coast are less crowded and have retained all of their natural volcanic beauty.

Bali's gorgeous beaches, swaying palm trees, and amazingly warm azure waters deliver all the most desirable benefits of a tropical island vacation spot. With the extra dimensions of both a sublimely spiritual local culture to immerse yourself in, and an incredible array of activities - from wildly adventurous to relaxing and family-friendly - it is very unlikely that Bali visitors will ever experience a "bored" moment. No matter where you are looking for a long-term stay in a villa Bali offers an incredible array of sizes, price ranges, and amenities. Rent a villa in Bali today, and make your trip to the Island of the Gods an unforgettable journey.

The Open Secret of the Value of Booking a Luxury Bali Villa

So you are considering a vacation on the wonderful paradise island of Bali which has more than one-thousand temples, that's why it's called the 'Island of the Gods'. Great. Bali is a joy to behold, but there are some pitfalls for travellers relating to what sort of accommodation they choose.

If you are like 70% of the tourists who go to Bali, your next thought will likely be 'which hotel should I stay at'. You have made your first mistake, which could make your holiday more expensive than it should be.

Yes, Bali has hundreds, if not thousands, of hotels, so many, in fact, that the Indonesian Government is attempting to implement a ban on any more hotel developments. The problem is, there are now so many hotels, mostly around the capital Denpasar, that the industry is suffering - too many rooms even though Bali's visitor numbers continue to grow each year. If the number of southern Bali hotels continues to grow at its current rate, it will inevitably put many players out of business.

Denpasar and southern Bali to a lesser extent, now has so many hotels, too often they are jammed 'shoulder to shoulder' against each other, mostly in the busy, loud and traffic clogged central city areas. Denpasar has become so crowded that when it once took 30 minutes to get from Ngurah Rai airport to a city hotel, it can now take up to 2 hours. The Bali government has built new expressways which will hopefully ease this congestion.

There is an alternative form of accommodation available in Bali, which is routinely taken up by about 16.5% of visitors. This alternative is the luxury Bali villa and there are an estimated 10,000 of them scattered across this beautiful island. Luxury villa accommodation in Bali is not the first thought of travellers, perhaps because the hoteliers are so good at marketing and spending big dollars on promoting their businesses.

You may be thinking that the nightly rental rate for a luxury villa in Bali is beyond your vacation budget, but you may be wrong because you probably don't have all the facts. The open secret is that, if you make a group booking to stay in a private Bali villa, with its wonderful privacy, peace and space, you could likely save hundreds of dollars you would otherwise spend on the hotel holiday model.

You see, the key to saving your hard-earned holiday dollars is to make a group booking at a deluxe Bali villa. This is the open secret of Bali villas. Most of these impressive houses, which are generally built by private owners, can sleep up to eight people or more. This means you can share the cost of the nightly rental charge amongst your group.

Let's look at an example. A private Bali villa, that I know quite well, located on the absolute beachfront, about 8 kilometres east of Singaraja, on the north coast, currently charges US$340.00 per night. Wow, I can hear you saying, that's expensive. But, if you pulled together a group of friends or family to share the cost, each person would only be paying US$42.50 per head, per night, certainly a budget rate in anyone's language.

And remember, what you pay for a hotel room is just that, one hotel room, unless you splash out and rent a suite, but that's a very expensive alternative. However they dress it up, hotels usually base their business model on booking rooms with a double bed, en suite bathroom, a chair and, if you are lucky, a table. Oh, and they will definitely have a bar fridge, with every item scrupulously catalogued and charged to you, at high convenience rates, which will balloon your hotel expense.

When you chose a luxury Bali villa for your paradise holiday, you get heaps of space. Usually four, or more, bedrooms with their own en-suite, ample living space, including two living areas, plus even private patios for each room in some case. Oh, and then there's the private swimming pools that are almost standard for private Bali villas. Most have the swimming pool just a few steps away from their main living area. If you've even booked a hotel room right next to the pool, you'll know how much extra they will usually charge you for this. And, it can be a mixed blessing, because at hotels, everyone can use the pool, which can mean unwanted company, noise, crowds, screaming, splashing - you get the picture.

Of course, if you book a deluxe Bali villa you have your own private swimming pool, accessible only to people who have rented the villa, unless they want to invite special guests to join them. And, if you are into friendly, personalized service, you can't beat what Bali villas have to offer. The Balinese people are among the friendliest, warm, sincere and lovely group of people you are ever likely to meet. Just check the guest testimonials on the many villa sites and you will see many glowing references to the top quality service that Bali villa helpers offer to their guests. Often, guests comment on the friendly relationships they develop with their luxury Bali villa helpers, way beyond any service experience that hotels can offer.

Of course, hotels have their staff too, usually busy with dealing with many guests at a time, but most sophisticated Bali villas have their own villa manager, who is fluent in English and bahasa Indonesia, plus likely in other languages too. The villa manager is employed to make sure that whatever issue arises for you on your holiday, they will promptly deal with it. If you commit to a luxury holiday in a private villa in Bali, you can expect to become on first name terms with your villa manager and with the other helpers in the villa. It's now unusual for some villas to have up to four or five helpers, so you can expect to receive a standard of service that is way beyond what many hotels can offer.

Having local Bali people employed as villa helpers ensures that guests receive all the very latest and knowledgeable information about local attractions and must see locations. Often, the local Balinese helpers and the villa manager will know of great places to visit that are not even listed in the popular tourist manuals. After all, they live there and know their own backyard.

Many Bali villas are built by their owners to be a home-away-from-home, so they put their heart and soul into the design to make sure they are as comfortable as possible. The decor and atmosphere of many villas is therefore diverse and varied, reflecting the local Balinese culture and that of the owners of the villa. Unfortunately, many hotels, particularly the multi-national ones, are built with profit in mind and can look the same, whatever country they occupy.

If you are an eco-tourist, then the obvious choice for you is to stay in a well appointed Bali villa because many of them are built in particularly beautiful and environmentally appealing locations. To build any villa requires the permission of the local village and they generally welcome the employment opportunities that well-appointed Bali villas offer.

So, you have the choice of thousands of well-appointed and cleverly located Bali villas, in which to stay for a really authentic Bali experience. No matter how well hotels are marketed, they simply cannot offer the same cultural integration and atmosphere of a large holiday house.

The actual choice you have is between one hotel room, or a whole Bali house and the many advantages this offers. If you haven't yet enjoyed the Bali villa experience, do yourself a favour and take up this opportunity the next time you holiday on the Island of the Gods. Ask anyone who has stayed in a luxury Bali villa and you will discover why they enjoyed it so much.