Bali & Indonesia

Bali

Touted as the Island of the Gods, Bali is an island and province in Indonesia, which is located at the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. Its capital of Denpasar is located in the southern part of the island. Bali is the home to most of Indonesia’s Hindu minority. A world-renowned tourist destination, Bali is famous for its richness in culture, beautiful beaches, as well as its highly-developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music. Being part of the Coral Triangle, an area with the highest biodiversity of marine species.

Sanur

A popular hub amongst European tourists, Sanur is a tranquil beachside town, which is situated between Ngurah Rai road and the main road. This beautiful town can be explored on a bicycle, along the 5-kilometre beachfront cycling track. Sanur is also famous for its local spas where you can spend a day pampering and decompressing. Like almost all of the towns in Bali, Sanur also offers a wealth of dive sites with exciting seascapes to be explored.

Ubud

Famous for its exhilarating cultural scene, Ubud is oozing with artistic vibes, from traditional crafts and dances to paintings and decors. For the foodie and coffee lovers, Ubud also has an eclectic range of restaurants and cafes where you can hang out and meet other travellers. Located in the uplands of Bali, Ubud’s beautiful landscape is covered by pristine rainforests and scenic rice terraces that can be explored on a mountain bike. Ubud also houses ancient Hindu temples and shrines with intricate architectures, such as Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) and Gunung Kawi (Kawi Mountain).

Lovina

A peaceful bucolic town on the north of the Balinese coastline, west of Singaraja city, Lovina is a relatively new town that is synonymous with diving, snorkelling, fishing and dolphin-watching. Imbued in an air of delightful serenity, Lovina is the perfect place to go for a relaxing vacation with your family. Lovina is also known as one of the few places with black sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Other than watersports and beach frolics, Lovina also offers great trekking and sightseeing opportunities with its beautiful rice terraces, historical Buddhist temples and natural hot springs.

Seminyak

Boasting some of the most breathtaking beaches in Bali, Seminyak has some of the most glorious sunsets in Indonesia. A popular honeymoon destination, Seminyak also serves as the biggest spa and boutique shopping hub in Bali. While dropping in for a spa treatment and lounging by the beach are two of Seminyak’s national pastimes.

Recommended Tours Bali

Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot is one of Bali’s most iconic temples, perched on top of a huge rock and surrounded by the big blue sea. The temple pays homage to the guardian spirits of the sea and is one of Bali’s more significant sea temples. Tanah Lot also offers a gorgeous view of the sunset.

Ubud Rice Terraces

Ubud is famous for its scenic rice terraces, and among the most well-known paddy fields is located just up north from the main Ubud centre along the Tegallalang road. During your tour, you can also visit roadside stalls and art shops with many curious offerings, as well as restaurants with a view to kill.

Goa Gajah

Goa Gajah ‘Elephant Cave’ is one of the most important archaeological sites in Bali. Located on the cool western edge of Bedulu Village, six kilometres out of central Ubud, Goa Gajah’s relic-filled courtyard offer a breathtaking view the rock-wall carvings, a central meditational cave, bathing pools and fountains.

Tirta Empul Temple

Pura Tirta Empul is a sacred spring that is said to have been created by Indra, the Hindu King of the Gods. Today, for more than a thousand years, Balinese worshippers are still making regular pilgrimages to the spring, which is believed to have curative properties.

Gunung Kawi

Gunung Kawi is one of Bali’s largest and oldest ancient monuments, located amidst the lush green river valley of Tampaksiring. This 11th century consists of 10 candi (shrines) memorials that are cut out of the rock face in imitation of actual statues. It is believed that each candi is built as a memorial to a member of the Balinese royalty of the said era.

Enjoy a stroll along the Sanur beach walk

The Sanur beach walk stretches for over six kilometres from Sanur to Mertasari, offering plenty to see along the way.

Take a Bike Tour

There’s no better way to drink in the verdant greeneries and experience the rustic charm of Ubud other than by touring on two wheels.

Take a cooking class
Explore the gastronomic delights of Ubud firsthand by taking a cooking class with the locals

Take a dip in the Banjar Hot Springs

Surrounded by traditional Balinese temple-like architecture and carvings, the Banjar sacred hot springs is one of Bali’s most beautiful geothermal baths

Hike up to the Sekumpul Waterfall
Sekumpul Waterfall is one of Bali’s most spectacular cascades, and less touristy, as it takes a bit of effort to reach

Dolphin-watching

One of the biggest highlights of Lovina is dolphin-watching.

Recommended Hotels in Bali

HOTEL TJAMPUHAN & SPA
A legendary hotel in Ubud since 1928, Hotel Tjampuhan & Spa has inspired numerous local and foreign artists alike, including German painter, Walter Spies. This hotel has also provided a tranquil environment for visiting luminaries long before the days of tourism. Today, this legendary hotel in Ubud proudly encompasses a collection of traditionally styled bungalows, guestrooms and the original home of Walter Spies in a timeless landscape of natural Balinese beauty.

ALAYA Hotel & Resorts
With 105 luxurious rooms. Alaya Resort Ubud is a sanctuary of serenity and sophistication in the culturally charged village of Ubud in Bali. The hotel has been built with rare sensitivity towards the surrounding environment and shares its rice terrace views with a number of the communities’ local independent cafes and eateries. This exotic boutique property offers guests a stylish place to stay that reflects Ubud’s and Bali’s unique artistry.

FAIRMONT SANUR BEACH BALI
Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali is a world-clas all-suite-and-villa luxury resort set amidst four hectares of lush tropical gardens. Only 25 minutes’ drive-away from the Ngurah Rai International Airport, the property is located along 200 meters of golden beach in Sanur district. Once a fishing village, today’s Sanur is bursting with historical charm and a hub for Balinese art, culture and tradition, hidden from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Gili Islands

The beautiful islands of Gili are made up of three islets, namely Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Gili Islands are located near the coastline of Lombok Island’s northwest, each of which are blessed with swaying palm trees and white sandy beaches, as well as their well-preserved dive sites. A popular activity to do while in Gili is snorkelling with the sea turtles and visiting the turtle hatchery farm at Gili Trawangan. For fans of watersports and island-hopping, you can opt to go stand up paddling (SUP) or kayaking. You can also learn to surf and discover the underwater world on the glass-bottom boat.

Lombok

Located in the east of Bali, the island of Lombok is one of the Lesser Sunda Island chain. Lombok is a popular island holiday and surfing spot, especially for travellers who are looking for a quieter alternative to Bali. Lombok is also famous for its pristine dive sites and beautiful coral reefs. For fans of mountaineering, Mount Rinjani, the second highest volcano in Indonesia, is a definite must-see. Another one of Lombok’s main highlights is Senggigi Beach, which offers plenty of delicious eats. Accommodation-wise, there are also plenty of beachfront villas to choose from for a luxurious island holiday stay.

Recommended Tours Lombok

Conquer Mount Rinjani

Mount Rinjani is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia and is one of the highlights of Lombok

Trek to the Tiu Kelep Waterfall

In the hills of Lombok, you can find a lot of waterfalls. The setting is beautiful, with lush tropical jungle surrounding the falls.

Lounge on white sandy Beach

Lombok offers some of the best beaches in Indonesia and they are much less crowded than the beaches in Bali.