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…)

Considering signing up for a Bali tour package? While you can plan and prepare your own Bali vacation, there is much to be said about heading over with a fully planned tour and guide. With a tour package, your accommodations and sometimes your meals are all set ahead of time. Itineraries are usually jam packed with activities and sights to see. The nice thing about a tour package is that you have the flexibility to do your own thing, while at the same time the ability to meet some new folks and join up for some fun activities.

There is so much to see and do in Bali, so finding an experienced tour guide will help you get the most out of your trip. It is one of the most highly visited tourist spots in Indonesia, truly a paradise to embrace.

When looking at vacation packages to Bali here are some things to keep in mind:

How many days does the trip last?

To get the most out of Bali, you should try and plan to go for at least a week. This way you will have plenty of time to explore the island as well as relax at your resort and pamper yourself.

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Before embarking on a Bali tour it is wise to explore the wide variety of Bali vacation packages available today.

What are you looking for in your spiritual tour to Bali?
Bali has a strong cultural heritage with amazing temples found throughout the island. Temple ceremonies occur every day in Bali. You may have heard it referred to as the “island of 10,000 temples”. This is a reflection of the numerous temples found in Bali – spirituality runs deep and strong in all aspects of life here. If you are looking for a spiritual experience then be sure not to miss visiting these temple ceremonies.

What To Look For
Many Bali vacation packages include accommodation, partial meals and a variety of activities. A spiritual tour should involve some type of spa treatment, meditation and yoga. As far as sight seeing, one shouldn’t miss the most beautiful temple in the world – Tanah Lot Temple. Situated high on a cliff over the ocean, the view is absolutely outstanding. Another temple worth mentioning is the Besakih Temple. It has often been referred to as the “Mother of all Balinese Temples”. It actually consists of five temples (a sacred Mandala). If you are exploring Bali vacation packages be sure to try and experience the Barong Dance. A Balinese dance portrays how chaos and destruction compete with each other. Make sure to check with your hotel as many hold performances weekly.

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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.

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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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