Bali Travel Guide, Bali Travel Destinations - Bali Discount Holidays, Bali Package Holidays

Picture postcard coastline, spectacular scenery, tropical climate, all combine to give Bali its reputation as an island of Paradise. Add to this the warmth of the Balinese people and the richness of Balinese culture, and you have all the ingredients for a dream holiday. These are also the basic requirements for romance - ideal for a honeymoon.

Accommodation

There are three coastal areas on the tourist map for accommodation - Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua.

Kuta, on the west, is brash and lively, over commercialised, but with great surf. It is the cheaper end of the market and has some good value accommodation.

Nusa Dua is in the south, and is effectively a large resort complex, aimed upmarket, filled with five star quality hotels. The area is landscaped and pretty, but too sanitised for our liking - there is nothing Balinese about the area. However, it would make an excellent base for exploring the island.

Sanur, where we stayed, is somewhere between the two. It is quieter than Kuta, and prettier. The tourist industry here is less pushy and the area has a more Balinese feel, especially if you venture away from the main resort area.

Note: Although we chose to stay on the coast, there is much to commend staying inland. There is spectacular scenery everywhere on the island. It would be brilliant to have a room on a mountainside, next to a lake or overlooking the typically Balinese rice terrace landscape. An added advantage is that this is off the main tourist map, and therefore good accommodation is cheap.

The Grand Bali Beach proved to be an excellent choice. The Grand has extensive grounds with three swimming pools, several restaurants and very good facilities. Accommodation is in either garden wing rooms or in the tower complex. The hotel is right on the beach, and has wonderful sea views. Service is impeccable. We also visited some of the other hotels on the Island, and were especially impressed with both Hyatt hotels (Grand Hyatt and Bali Hyatt).

The Island - Nature and Culture

Bali is truly blessed in the nature department. Lots of sunshine, lots of rainfall, fertile volcanic soil. The result is an island with much worth exploring. There are active volcanoes, lakes, hot springs, waterfalls and botanic gardens. There is also Balinese Hinduism - ceremonial, vibrant, very strong in art, crafts and dance.

It would be a shame to spend the time in a tourist hotel, no matter how luxurious, with all this on offer. It is worth taking a guide to get the most out of the island. Ensure that you include temples and local festivals, dances, weddings etc, if possible. Bali is quite a small island and you can get a flavour with two or three day trips - leaving plenty of time to relax at the resort.

Lombok

This neighbouring island is very different from Bali. Although you can fly, it is best to take the boat - the cruise itself is great fun. Lombok is much quieter than Bali, and traditional village life can be seen relatively unhampered by tourism. If you can arrange it, it is worth an overnight stay.

Children and groups

In our opinion , although they will enjoy it, this is not the best place for children. It is also not as suited for big group 'buddy' holidays, although may be Kuta might appeal, especially for the watersport enthusiasts.

How we got there

Singapore Airlines - superb service, hassle free travel.

Verdict : Definitely a five star experience.