Ubud wins travelers' top choices for ideal place to visit

 The cultural and artistic heart of Bali, Ubud, has earned its place atop several recent award lists. Ubud was listed as one of Asia’s top spa destinations. Ubud was also chosen as one of the Top 25 Destinations in Asia in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards 2011. Ubud placed 17th in the list and outranked Seoul in South Korea, Varanasi in India, Hoi Nam in Vietnam, Taipei in Taiwan, Baguio in the Philippines, Lijiang in China, and Pattaya in Thailand.

 Ubud is the ideal place for famed Balinese massage, acupressure, reflexology, yoga, and aromatherapy to name a few.  The yoga community had grown by leaps and bounds in the last few years and rivals spots in the US and Europe.  The Yoga Barn is a great example of a quality yoga center and boasts a great community, cafe and learning center.

Kecak Dance, Ubud, Bali

Ubud is about 45 minutes to an hour northeast of Bali’s airport and close to the center of the island.  While it is not the postcard beach location that comes to mind for most people when they think of the paradise island of Bali but this speaks to the draw of the art, dance, culture and amazing food that is found in this growing group of small towns.  One can still find rice fields and the Bali of old around Ubud, it is reaching a critical mass as its popularity has skyrocketed in recent years.  It is still one of our favorite spots and we considered it our second home.  

In this year's TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards, almost 700 places were recognized in the 9th year of the competition, and award categories included Best Romance, Best Luxury, and Best Bargain, and many more.

Other Indonesian winners of TripAdvisor’s Traveler’s Choice 2011 included the Samaya Bali Villas at Seminyak for Travelers’ Top 25 Choice Hotels in the World for its Fantastic Service and Fantastic Villa. Additionally, the wonderful small island of Gili Trawangan in-between Bali and Lombok, came in 7th among Asia’s Top 10 Beaches.

Bali and Indonesia continue to win awards for their amazing beaches, spas, culture and much much more.  Contact Balifornian Yours today to see how we can help you get the very most out of your upcoming vacation to the island paradise.

Bali wins best island in Asia

Once again the readers of Travel + Leisure Magazine voted the paradise island of Bali in Indonesia as Best Island in Asia and second Best in the World in the magazine’s Annual World’s Best Awards 2011 Readers Survey, as announced on July 7.  Bali is consistently on the top of these polls for its sweeping beauty, incomparable culture, incredible shopping, delicious food and its kind hearted people.

The Best Islands were rated according to natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people, and value.  All of which Bali excels in along with the strong spiritual elements, some of the world's best surfing, and much much more.

 The beautiful island of Bali beat out The Great Barrier Reef Islands in Australia, Cape Breton Island, Boracay, Philippines, , Sicily in Italy, and even the Big Island in Hawaii. After years of topping this survey and many others, Bali placed 4th in 2010's favorite island in the world but is now back on top.

A monkey ponders the huge moon over the great surf break and temple of Uluwatu

Bali boasts almost all of our world-class hotels and resorts are among global traveler’s favorites and overall, Asia has, again, proven itself to be the world’s favorite place to stay.

Balifornian Tours is the best way to see the most of the lushious island, avoid the crowds, get the best deals and have the vacation YOU want!  Contact us now for more! m@Balifornian.com

“You are looking fatter”

Bali Tours and Travel Blog

Don’t be upset or self-conscious if you hear this greeting from someone you have met previously in Bali or Indonesia.  It’s fairly common actually, and unlike in the West where it would be a strong insult, here it means you look like life is treating you well and you are happy. 

So just enjoy!

Balifornian named Top Indonesian Blog by The Go Overseas Organization!

Go Overseas ( www.gooverseas.com ) has just selected Balifornian Tours and Travel blog as a Top Indonesian Blog!  We are thrilled and honored. 

We are currently traveling and leading tours in Bali but we will be back to posting more great material soon.  Thanks so much for your support and happy travels!

Salamat Jalan!

Michael and Maryam

Gerber Wins Oakley Surf Contest in Bali on Huge Wave

The Oakley Pro 11 was hosted at beautiful Canggu Beach in Bali this week. After the six day competition, Marlon Gerber and his childhood buddy, Pepen Hendrik competed in the heavily contested and exciting 30-minute final.

The Oakley Pro 11 is the first of seven events in the 2011 Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour. 

Copyright © 2010 Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog ~ Michael Doliveck

During the final, Gerber got some great large waves and his opponent was not so lucky as the surf died down a bit.
Marlon’s first ever win in an ISC Tour event was in October at the Rip Curl Surf and Music Festival also in Bali at Kuta Beach in 2010.

The next stop of the ISC, The Rusty Rumble In Da Jungle, is scheduled for April 18 to May 8.  It is also in beautiful Bali at Sanur Beach.

Check Balifornian Tours and Travel Blog for much more surfing news and events.  http://www.balifornian.com

Planning a surfing vacation?  Let Balifornian Tours handle it for you and leave all the stress and hassle behind.  We know the best spots, hidden locations, ways to beat the crowds and we can help you get the very most out of your epic surf trip.