It only seems fitting that couples who select Bali for a romantic holiday would want to ensure that their entire stay involves adventure, luxury and sights that take the breath away. When Bali resorts are used as the backdrop for vacations, the splendour will be seamless whether a couple is indoors or out.

Whilst Bali resorts do run the gamut on features and pricing, couples can expect a number of similar attractions no matter the final destination. Some of the reasons why so many couples seek out Bali and its resorts for romantic getaways include:

* The outdoors – Bali has long been known as a place where dreams and reality come together. Once believed to be the home of the Gods, this Indonesian island offers some of the most breathtaking natural sights in the entire world. From its mist-covered mountaintops to its white sand beaches surrounded by turquoise waters, Bali is one of the most eye pleasing destinations couples can visit. (more…)

Whilst buying plane tickets to Bali will almost assuredly result in a vacation to remember, there’s still more to do to make certain the stay is comfortable. When it’s time to book a Bali accommodation, there are a number of things that should be taken into account to make sure the best possible selection is made.

Bali is an island where the lines between dreams and reality blur. With its breathtaking tiered rice paddies, mist-covered mountaintops and pristine beaches as far as the eye can see, this Indonesian paradise offers more to see and do than many other top destinations. Keeping these things in mind, the accommodation selected should serve as a wonderful launching point for the adventure of a lifetime.

To make sure you select the right Bali accommodation, be sure to:

* Set a budget – Bali hotels, villas, apartment rentals and resorts offer visitors a wide range of pricing. To make certain a budget isn’t stretched too thin, be sure to set spending limits for your Bali accommodation in advance. Holidaymakers are often surprised to find that Bali does offer very reasonable rates on rather comfortable and homey accommodations. The trick lies in knowing where to look for the best deals. (more…)

There has to be a reason for Bali being regarded as the Best Island in the World by an international magazine, and it surely has many. Small in size, but huge on attractions Bali charms endlessly. A place with a natural charm, Bali is home to some of the most exotic pagodas, beaches, lush fields, deep wilds and a lovely tropical climate. As morning chants from pagodas fill the air, Buddhist colors flow and Japanese practices make the day. Bali, a land of many cultures, displays a unique and fascinating culture of its won. A fascinating fusion of some of the most intriguing cultures that live on the face of the earth, Bali has come out with a culture all beautiful in itself.

One simply cannot miss the enchanting sun-kissed beaches in Bali. Golden strips of sands flooded with sunlight are simply the best places on earth to catch on a good time doing nothing. Its tropical climate and ample of sunshine adds to the magic of the natural charm. As one moves the greenery of the rice expanses takes on ones mind. And the deep woods are not simply exciting but also have an aura of mystery around them. A number of pretty volcanoes that dot the island do no less in contributing to the beauty of the landscape.

As the natural beauty of Bali soothes your soul, the land has loads to get your adrenalin pumping. Amed, Nusa Dua, and Tulamben are some of the most exciting Scuba diving spots in Bali. With it ribbons of exotic beaches, Bali is a surfing hot spot too. With paragliding opportunities, gliding over the spectacular beaches can be an absolutely thrilling event. And it’s not just about surfing and beaches. Bali is fast growing as a hot destination for other sports as well. It is home to some of the finest golf courses in the world too. Another amazing and less strenuous way of getting thrill is a cycle trek along the lovely country side. Tourists are sure to find many local dealers renting out cycles. Cruising the high seas can also be exhilarating. Get in touch with one of the many local cruise organizing people. They can offer you a good range of cruises to pick from. (more…)

Spreading all over Bali are some superb shopping areas that you can spend days at browsing the many unusual shops. Most of the popular Bali hotels and resorts are situated in the south of the island and Kuta has long been the focus of traveler action, so it is expected that the most commercial and fashionable shopping area has been built here. The other area in Bali that gives a shopping experience that is poles apart is Ubud. Ubud is the artistic and creative heart of Bali and this is where you may find glorious art works to take home. Bali shopping isn’t just a matter of going into a store, selecting an item and then paying for it, it is intended to be fun and making an attempt to get a bargain is an element of the excitement.

Kuta art market is a great spot to sharpen your bartering abilities while shopping. In Indonesia countries it is accepted that you’re going to try and barter when you are purchasing something, the owners will not get insulted if you try and get a cheaper price . Haggling is a method of life there and if done in a friendly way, you will shortly be giggling away with the shop keeper, declaring bankruptcy and waving your hands all over the place. If after your bartering attempts have not brought you any joy, explain that the price is simply too high and slowly walk off the majority of the time the shop keeper will call you back with a far better offer.

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The basic idea is to combine the conveniences of a five-star resort with the cultural richness of a Balinese private home. A Bali hotel experience of a different kind.

Over the years this type of accommodation has increased vastly in popularity with travelers looking for something special and exclusive.

The difference between large hotel chains and boutique hotels is that they don’t provide 100’s of rooms but instead secluded luxury in small and intimate resorts.

A “home away from home” is a bit a stressed expression, but it describes quite accurately what you may find. A really private space in a total different location, thousands of miles away from home. You already could find that easily in many Bali hotels that are always different than big city hotels and even more so in boutique hotels.

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Bali Introduction: The Geography

Bali is a small volcanic island covering around 5000 square kilometers, just south of the equator. Central Bali is dominated by the island’s major volcanic peaks, from which the land steadily descends all the way down to sea level on the northern and eastern coasts; the southern Bali peninsula is largely flat. There are four major volcanoes in Bali, the highest being Mt Agung at 3124m. Agung erupted violently in 1963 and although many people died in the eruption it has since been a blessing to the Balinese in providing some of the richest soil in Indonesia. The next four highest mountains are no longer alive but the smaller Mt Batur (1717m) is one of the most active volcanoes in the region, puffing regular clouds of ash into the air. Bali, being such a small island, has little space to create rivers of any notable size. Rather it is riddled with small creeks that are channeled into the intricate irrigation system that feeds Balinese rice paddies. Nevertheless, some major rivers do flow, namely the Sungai Pakrisan (”Kris River”), the Sungai Petanu (”Cursed River”) and the Ayung, Bali’s longest river.

Bali Introduction : The History

Many years ago Bali was divided into eight Hindu kingdoms. These small kingdoms were powerful but prone to fighting each other, which weakened their resistance to foreign invasion. As early as the sixth century, Javanese kings conquered parts of Bali although Balinese princes often continued to rule as puppets with Javanese sovereignty pulling their strings. Nevertheless power continued to bounce between various kingdoms of Bali and Java. As links with Java strengthened, Javanese script, sculpture and temples began to appear on the island. Late in the tenth century, ties between the islands were solidified with the marital union of a Balinese Prince and a Javanese Princess. The Javanese Majapahit kingdom conquered Bali in the thirteenth century by vanquishing the semi-demonic king of Bali at the time, ‘Dalem Bedulu’, and attempting to eradicate the ‘vile’ Balinese princes and their ‘barbaric’ customs. Ironically, the supreme Majapahit ruler gave a Balinese the position of ‘King of Bali’, a position that gained little respect from the majority of Balinese who continued to refuse to recognize Javanese sovereignty. The Majapahit presence in Bali turned out to be short and turbulent and during the ensuing centuries, much of the unique Balinese Hindu culture and traditions that we see in Bali today were created. This was possibly a result of a community determined to protect their individuality and not be overcome by imported Javanese culture.

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