Beautiful Bali -- 6 Night / 7 Day Itinerary

Last week I received three inquiries from potential clients interested in honeymooning in an exotic tropical destination after their summer weddings. June though August is actually a tough time for island hopping due to hurricanes in the Caribbean and eastern Mexico, and monsoons in Southeast Asia and the Maldives. The Seychelles and Mauritius are marvelous, but the exorbitant prices require a hefty budget to afford this particular paradise.

I highly recommend Bali, blessed with gorgeous beaches, a landscape of verdant forests and rice terraces, sacred temples, lively markets, vibrant local culture and distinctive cuisine.

About

The island of Bali is on the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago. The 2,253 sq mile island is divided into four main sections:

• South Bali – Most of the beach resorts, surf towns, famed Kuta Beach and Denpasar are located here

• Central Bali – Comprising the Ayung River Valley, Ubud and nearby villages

• East Bali – Where most of the important temples and classical villages are found

• North and West Bali – Possessing mountains, black-sand beaches, coconut plantations and a national park

When to Go

The dry season runs from April to October with temperatures in the low 80s. Even in the dry season occasional rain showers are normal but brief.

Where to Stay

Bali has a plethora of hotel options, from eco-resorts and ultra-luxe villas to simple losman, small guesthouses. I suggest staying in one or two hotels at the most and taking day trips instead of moving around frequently. After all, part of the Balinese experience is relaxing in the beautiful surroundings and perhaps enjoying a traditional spa treatment or two.

Depending on your style, you may opt for a beach hotel, an inland hillside retreat, or a combination of both. I recommend hotels in either South or Central Bali and for this itinerary I suggest three nights in each.

Safety Note:

Sadly in the past three years, Indonesia has been hit with a devastating tsunami, fatal earthquakes, flooding, a volcanic eruption and deadly terrorist attacks (including a 2002 bombing at a Balinese nightclub), which have altered the tourism industry immeasurably. The country is unquestionably witnessing a rebound, with many new hotels opening in Bali and a return of many European and American visitors, but caution should still be taken especially in heavily touristed areas. To check current government-posted travel warnings to ascertain the threat level, visit travel.state.gov.