Bali Villa Holiday Guide to Family Holidays in Bali

A rental villa in Bali is a great way to spend your well earned few weeks with family members.

However, whether you go for a luxury Bali villa or a standard private Bali villa, how you spend your holiday, and what you do will almost invariably be defined by the number and ages of the children in your family.

This quick guide is intended to provide you with insights into Bali for families, with Bali travel tips and tricks.

Of course, we will start our list in priority, with the most important people, the young ones. If you wish, you may want to scroll down to the right age group for your children.

Infants

A Bali villa holiday is an ideal choice to make (over hotels and the like), if you are traveling to the island with an infant.

At a rental villa you have greater flexibility, support, and often much needed space.

Invariably, Balinese adore children, especially the younger ones. At your Bali rental villa you will more than likely get eager support to look after the little ones whilst you take a much deserved dip in the pool.

Today in Bali, most of your infant's and your own needs will be met readily. Clean bottled water should be available at your villa, at no extra cost. Most rental villas will offer a microwave, so handy for warming up bottles. Some will even provide child friendly cutlery, so you don't have to carry your own. Needless to say, as a favourite international tourist destination, Bali offers some very good international standard hospitals and English speaking doctors, if the need arises.

If your little one (or you for that matter), have a particular make of infant formula that you prefer, you may want to get your Bali Villa Manager to check availability for you before you arrive. Whilst there is an increasingly wider choice of baby formulas and ready-made fruit/vegetable purees available in Bali, you may not always be able to find the specific brand that you are familiar with. Of course, the same goes for disposable nappies. These are available at most supermarkets, but possibly not exactly the right brand you may be after.

The great thing about taking your own baby formula, and disposable nappies to Bali is that, having used these up in Bali, for your return trip home, you are left with much more space/weight allowance for all the shopping you will have done in Bali!

For your supplies, you may wish to try Bali Deli, Bintang Supermarket Bali. For a good selection of inflatables drop in at Matahari Bali at Bali Galleria.

Toddlers

Toddlers will love Bali and the Balinese people, since they are absolutely wonderful in interacting with the young ones.

If you want your toddler to make the most of your Bali villa pool, then you can find a variety of inflatable swimming support equipment at department stores, malls and pharmacies. Of course, it is worth noting that when buying these types of devices in Asia, one needs to pay careful attention that it meets international safety regulation. Also, as all inflatable equipment intended for children should clearly state, -these are not life saving devices and should always be used under the supervision of a competent adult swimmer-..

Also, it is worth noting that, many good villas in Bali, will actually provide some basic toys for your toddlers. Again, it is worth checking that these do meet international safety standards, as some cheap knock-offs may have small pieces or sharp edges.

If you are in need of some nap time stories, there are numerous bookshops in Bali which carry a good selection of English language children's books. You will find that especially those printed in Indonesia are very reasonably priced. You may want to try Peripulus Bali or Gramedia Bali, both of which seem to have suitable book selections for the young ones.

Older Children

In my experience, older children will have a ball in Bali and quite likely very happily tire themselves out between the villa swimming pool and the daily excursions.

If you have chosen one of the more spacious Bali villas, it is worth noting that the Balinese do enjoy playing football/soccer as much as the next nation. The rental villa staff will probably need only a tiny bit of encouragement to start playing ball with your young ones.

Similarly, your female villa staff will be more than happy to play-house with your little girl for many hours. What a better way for the young ones to get to learn a new culture, and may be pick up a word or two of the local language whilst having fun!

Of course, once you manage to drag yourself out of your Bali holiday villa, the options for the young ones are even more numerous.

Here is a quick list for starters:

1. Waterbom Park Bali A genuine must during your Bali villa vacation. Suitable rides for children of all ages.

2. Horse Riding From chaperoned rides on ponies to full galloping experience on the beach.

3. Cruising A selection of boats, and family cruises to choose from.

3. Lovina Dolphin Watching Bit far away from most Bali villas, but still well worth the trip.

5. Elephant Safari Park With some great conservation and animal rescue efforts.

6. Go-Karting For those with the need for speed.

Teenagers

I regularly get asked, if it is safe to mix Bali with teenagers. In all honesty? The answer is an absolute and one hundred percent, yes.

Bali is essentially a very safe place.

Over a million people visit Bali every year, with tens of thousands of teenagers traveling to Bali with their families, or on their own, and in majority of the cases, no one ever feels threatened or in any form of risk.

There are numerous restaurants, bars, and night clubs in Bali, and probably all are essentially safe places for anyone with some common sense.

Three simple guidelines apply in Bali, as with any other holiday destination. - Keep away from illegal substances. - Drink alcohol in moderation (especially in the heat, as one will already be dehydrated) - Think twice before renting a motor-bike (or certainly, riding one under the influence of alcohol)

Once these three basics are addressed, you will find Bali to be one of the safest holiday destinations for your teenagers.

For You

Of course, last but not least, if there is any time left, you yourself will want to enjoy your Bali villa to the fullest.

The great news is, you have your own private swimming pool in your own villa. (Almost all Bali villas come with private pools.) Also, quite likely a wonderful sun-deck from which to soak up the rays.

Most Bali rental villas come equipped with a TV and Satellite/Cable connection. So if you want to catch up on the news, or sports, or just enjoy a DVD, you will not feel out of touch.

Many rental villas in Bali will also provide a library service, providing all sorts of fiction/non-fiction books for your reading pleasure whilst in Bali.

If you want to be a bit more adventurous, and can actually bring yourself to leave your newly found haven, here are a few things you may wan to try:

1. Dance Performances Try to catch one of each of:Kecak, Legong and Fire Dances, at least.

2. Designer Shopping In the recent years, Balinese design scene has been experiencing an amazing renaissance.

3. Diving Different courses and organised dives exist to meet all needs.

4. Fishing Fishing boats from Benoa Harbour or Sanur) 5. Golfing A number of 18 hole courses are available across Bali, many with great views. 6. Helicopter Tours Not cheap, but certainly an experience never to forget. 7. Kite Boarding Some great wind and lift, as well as the equipment for rental are available at Nusa Dua beaches.

8. Surfing If you are experienced, you will know where to go. If you want to learn, head for the Kuta beach where you can catch beginners' lessons.

9. Paragliding Throw yourself off the sheer cliff faces into the Indian Ocean!.

10. White Water Rafting Enjoy a thrilling ride through 8 kilometers of rapids!

Once you have done it, you will agree that, Bali villas offer an amazing setting to enjoy your family holiday. The great thing is, you get to have a great Bali holiday, together, but each enjoying their own space, flexibility and freedom.

Hopefully, armed with these insights, you can now ease into your new Bali rental villa, and have a spectacular holiday in this island paradise.

Many happy returns...