Bali

Bali has an excellent selection of beaches, each of which has its own character and personality catering to every taste and budget for Bali vacations. Starting on the west coast, Kuta is the beach for those who like a lively, somewhat commercial, fast-paced resort with plenty of amenities and nightlife and which attracts a younger crowd on Bali vacation packages. There is also a large selection of restaurants, bars and shops. For surfers, Kuta is one of the many beaches available for this activity and will appeal to lesser-skilled surfers. For sunset worshippers, Kuta provides amazing colours to marvel at most evenings. Nearby Legian Beach is very similar to Kuta and attracts a somewhat older crowd.

Upscale Jimbaran, once a sleepy fishing village, located in the very southwest, is home to several 5-star resort hotels and high-end villas can be rented here. There is a very safe white sand beach for swimming One major attraction on Bali vacations is the mainly open-air, grilled seafood restaurants from which, while dining, you can watch the sunset. Another upscale beach is Seminyak which is a little less serene than Jimbaran. The white sand beach here stretches for around 3 kilometres/2 miles. There are a number of boutique-style shops and good restaurants. Once again, the sunsets are spectacular. Lovina Beach, much further north, is a low-key, relaxed resort where the waves are calm and the area is shaded by palm trees. It is the place to watch the fishing boats depart in the afternoon as the sunset begins to redden the sky. The beach area is spread over 8 kilometres/5 miles and is dotted with small coastal villages.

Moving to the east coast, Nusa Dua caters to all types of visitors on Bali vacations with a good selection of hotels. It is quieter than most Bali beaches but not lacking in restaurants and bars plus there is an excellent shopping mall and an 18-hole golf course. Tanjung Benoa is a place for motorized water sports as well as a family-friendly resort with its calm waters.  Sanur Beach was one of the first to be developed and has been characterized as the exact opposite of Kuta Beach. It is a former fishing village with much charm. It is known for its laidback atmosphere and is suitable for those wanting a quiet Bali vacation.

When the beach is not enough to fulfill your Bali vacation, head out to some of the other fascinating places which abound. Ubud can be visited for the day but much more satisfying and worthwhile is a stay for a few nights to really let the ambience take over you. It is a town in central Bali and is regarded as the cultural heart of the island. It is known for its art galleries and museums as well as artists’ workshops. It is also home to some very pleasant restaurants, cafes and shops, the latter selling merchandise made by the region’s artisans. Due to its elevated position, Ubud enjoys a cooler climate. Many of the hotels are villa-oriented and often with sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. 

Everywhere you travel on a Bali vacation, you will come across interesting temples. Take the time to explore a few to really get to know the essence of Bali. There are around 20, 000 temples here, some very small and others well worth visiting for their architecture and ornate decorations. One very different temple is Tanah Lot which sits on a rock off the west coast and has been part of local mythology for centuries. It is one of seven sea temples dotted around the coast. It will not be surprising that, with so many temples, there are colourful festivals continually taking place. If you happen to be in Bali during Nyepi Day, you will experience a day (usually in March) where everyone stays silent in order not to attract the attention of spirits. A visit to the active volcano at Mount Agung is spectacular as it is an active volcano situated at 3000 metres/9760 feet above sea level. It has a special spiritual meaning for the local people.

Spas abound in Bali either at the many hotels which have their own individual spa facilities where you can be pampered through varied techniques using massage, special oils and mud packs plus other means. There are independent spas some of which range from treatment while lying on the beach to upscale sophisticated spas with full facilities. Bali is also the perfect place for Yoga. Many of the hotels offer yoga classes on Bali vacation packages.