A Guide to Bali

For our honeymoon (already more than 2 years ago!?) The Husband and I spent a week in beautiful Bali, Indonesia. Since then I regularly have friends asking me for recommendations on where to stay and what to do, and also just some general itinerary tips while traveling there. Bali is an incredible place, and offers a perfect mixture of things to keep you busy and active, but also many options for relaxing and enjoying that laid-back island vibe.

During our week there, we spent time in Nusa Dua, Seminyak and Ubud. Nusa Dua is considered to be the most relaxed and luxurious area in Bali, with plenty of beautiful resorts and hotels lining the coast. A little north of that is Seminyak, the perfect area to experience more of the action that goes on in Bali (lots of restaurants and beach clubs), and then there's Ubud, "the heart of Bali" (and my personal favorite area of Bali.)

Nusa Dua

I recommend staying at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa. The staff is extremely friendly (but so is everyone in Bali, really!) and we loved the gorgeous and well looked after lush green gardens, the beautiful pools and the nice, clean beach.

Hire a driver for the day (the hotel can arrange that for you) and make a trip to Uluwatu to see Pura Luhur, one of the many spectacular temples in Bali with the most stunning cliff-side views. Also go to Blue Point Beach (worth all the steps!) where you can have a drink at one of the cliff-side bars and check out the surfers down below.

In the evening, make sure you attend a mesmerizing traditional Legong Dance show and dinner. Most hotels and resorts will have these events available, and it's worth every penny.

Nusa Dua has a very relaxed atmosphere and is the place to go if you envision yourself getting pampered and be far away from the party scene (which is more to the other side of the island in Kuta and Jimbaran.) This is the area where you will be relaxing and drinking from coconuts while sitting with your feet in the sand.

Seminyak

On the way to Seminyak, make a stop at Pura Tanah Lot, the famous temple built on a rock. This is a must-see attraction in Bali! We stayed at the lovely Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa in one of their breathtaking ocean view villas and, because of it's perfect location, got to explore a lot of the area on foot and try the numerous great restaurants that this part of Bali has to offer.

While in Seminyak, you have to go and watch the sunset at one of their famous beach clubs, like the lively Ku De Ta or La Plancha Beach Bar, with their colorful umbrellas and bean bags on the beach.

Ubud

On the way to Ubud, make sure to ask your driver to take you to Tegenungan waterfall first. It is absolutely breathtaking (visually and literally, as you have to climb down about a zillion steps to get to it. Totally worth it though!).

In Ubud, stay at The White Villas. It is centrally located, but peaceful and exclusive. There are only three villas on the property, and they offer a stunning infinity pool and beautiful lush green gardens.

Go to the Sacred Monkey Forest to feed the cute little creatures and explore the many local markets in town offering handmade goods. Visit the majestic Goa Gajah temple and see the rock carvings and rice paddies at Gunung Kawi. Also, what would a visit to Bali be without seeing the world famous rice terrace of Tegalalang. It's breathtaking, and you can enjoy walking along the small paths in between the rice paddies. Other than that, try the local food at the warungs and enjoy getting lost in picturesque alleys.

I would love to go back to Bali one day and spend more time in Ubud. I'm also curious about the nearby Gili Islands and other areas of Bali (like Jimbaran and Sanur) and would love to explore these places, too. Tieneke has been to Bali as well, so If you have any questions about planning a trip there, hit us up at hello@astylealike.com and we'd be more than happy to help you out.

My recommended places to stay in Bali:

- Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa in Nusa Dua

- Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa in Seminyak

- The While Villas in Ubud

#Bali #Indonesia #Travel #Vacation #Islands #Explore #Wanderlust