The Indonesian island of Bali is a tourist's paradise that is rapidly growing in popularity. Here, the rich and varied landscape is composed of imposing volcanos, dramatic coastlines, and sandy beaches. There are a range of activities to draw adventurous tourists, including excellent surfing and diving opportunities, hiking, and paragliding.
There are also many historical and archaeological attractions to suit those who prefer sight-seeing to hurling themselves off mountain-tops, and soaking up the culture can be a fascinating experience in itself. Read on to find out more about the different areas of Bali and which would be the best location for your Bali holiday villa rental.
SeminyakSeminyak, a beach town in southern Bali, is popular with visitors due to its pristine beaches, which stretch for miles along the coastline and many Bali accommodation options to choose from. From here, you can watch fabulous sunsets while sipping a drink at one of the many beachside bars. Slightly pricier than other parts of the island, Semiyak is the place to come if you feel like pampering yourself. The Bali apartments here are first class and visitors will be delighted by the wide range of international cuisines offered, while the city centre overflows with designer boutiques and independent art galleries. Seminyak is most famous for its spas, where you can try out high-end beauty and health treatments in a luxurious setting, but still pay less than you would in a western country.
CangguThe Canggu region, which surrounds the village of Canggu, lies to the north of Seminyak. This is a much quieter area where you can see traditional Balinese village life going on in much the same way as it has done for centuries. Much of the Bali accommodation available are in the form of private Bali holiday villas which offer very good value. Although some western visitors have settled here, the area is still very much unspoiled. Visit the nearby
temple of Tanah Lot to take in the magnificent sunset or browse through Balinese handicrafts at the Sindhu Market. Take a walk along the black sand beaches to catch some warm evening sun, or even better, trot along the beach on horseback. Horse riding packages can be purchased from Umalas Stables.
SanurCheaper than Seminyak, Sanur is one of Bali's oldest resorts. Families are well-catered for here with a range of excellent Bali apartments to choose from and a range of interesting activities to amuse both young and old alike. Visit the Serangan Island Turtle Conservation Centre to learn about local conservation efforts through interesting exhibits. Alternatively, visit the Mangrove Information Centre, which provides fun ways for children to learn about mangrove forests, as well as boardwalk trails through the forests. If you're lucky enough to be here during July, be prepared for the sky to become alive with color as Sanur hosts the
International Kite Festival. Sanur is a great place to be if you want to go scuba diving. If you've never dived before, you can take an instructional course, whereas experienced divers can choose to go on a full-day diving trip to any of a number of nearby locations. Other watersports offered include surfing, windsurfing, and wakeboarding.