Because Bali is such a beautifully versatile destination, your dream holiday can be exactly as you envisaged.
1. Get the taste for Indonesia
Boasting an array of internationally-acclaimed chefs, Bali’s culinary scene goes from strength to strength. Discover high-end eateries – and their deconstructed masterpieces – to rustic shacks with beachfront locales. Culinary diversity is the dish of the day here, so parents needn’t fret about the fussiest of eaters – western favourites are as commonplace as mee goreng. Food tours offer the perfect introduction to streetside snacking, and because it’s all too moreish to leave behind, take a cooking class and steal the recipes to create back home.
2. Break away from busy
Switch off and restore in Ubud. Located in Bali’s central north, this temple-speckled area of lush jungle is replete with wellness retreats. Engage with authentic Balinese culture by tapping into healthy living, yoga and tranquility. We know raw food and mind-expansion isn’t everyone’s cup of (green) tea, so you can choose to detox as little or as much as you like. The beer still flows freely in Ubud, so go ahead and relax in any way you see fit.
3. Spacious villa living
Balinese villas offer you enough room for the whole family or an extended group of friends. These extra-large spaces, complete with separate en-suite rooms all enveloping a private pool, are ideal for group holidays. As your home-away-from-home, every guest can spread out, chill out, or go out; reconvening later for a chef-made dinner in the communal kitchen and dining room. Also perfect for multi-generation families and celebratory getaways, it’s a sociable affair, but you get to escape to your own sanctuary whenever you need to.
4. Surf and adventure
For the adrenaline junkies, Ubud’s home to white water rafting, jungle buggies and the Big Bali Swing: a daring dangle into the region’s verdant abyss. Surfers can’t get enough of Bali’s waves and hot spots include Padang Padang, Uluwatu and the Keramas. Beginner surfers are best to stick to Kuta and Seminyak’s gentle breaks.
5. Ready, set, GO SHOPPING!
Shoppers are equally impressed by the malls, markets and high street foraging. Kuta’s two premier shopping centres include Discovery Shopping Mall and Beachwalk Shopping Centre (good news for cosmetic-lovers, there’s a Sephora too). For trendy boutiques spend the afternoon perusing in Seminyak. For chic local handicrafts, fashion and homeware, visit one of the buzzing marketplaces in Seminyak and Canggu, like Love Anchor (open every weekend) and Old Man’s Sunday Market (check their facebook for dates). And remember to haggle!
6. Live like a king for less
In Bali, your well-earned dollar stretches pleasantly far. Whether it’s NZ$2 Bintangs(Balinese beer) sipped before a golden sunset, or glossy five-star accommodation, you can easily stick to a budget and feel regal. Saunter from beanbag-dotted sands to your daily spa appointment and devote an hour every day to pampering. Knead away sore feet and back aches with massages for less than NZ$10. Swish restaurants are well-polished and rooftop bars, preened and plentiful, pour 2-for-1 cocktails every night.
7. Go ahead, bring the entire family
One of the best things about Bali is how easy it is to have the tots in tow. With a fun and lively atmosphere, you’re a mere skip from sandy beaches, family-friendly swimming pools and Bali’s premier waterpark - Waterbom. You could get out on the water with an island reef cruise, or beneath it with a spot of snorkelling. The kids’ clubs feature children’s pools and sand pits, while family hangouts such as Finns’ Recreation Club are jam-packed with spas, bowling alleys, water slides, tennis courts and enormous trampolines. Let’s just say it ticks everyone’s boxes.
TOP TIP!
"If you find yourself wishing you could adorn your own home with traditional hand-crafted statues, ask us about shopping tours that do just that – transport you to Ubud and then get you, and all your new furnishings home."
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