Indonesia: Bali Family Vacations with Beaches, Mountains, and Rainforests. 
For most North American families Bali fits snuggly in the family dream vacation category. Far away and undiscovered it is a place with an enchanting culture, awesome beaches, dynamic dances and ethereal music.
Made more familiar to many by the film
Eat, Pray, Love, Indonesia still has many unexplored islands with grand mountain views, green rainforests to trek, rolling waves to surf, and deep blue pristine seas to dive. Anyone who wishes may swim with dugongs, dolphins, and large manta rays. The atmosphere is tranquil and the pace is slow by Western standards - not a bad thing.
But Bali with kids? Laetitia Knight, a Bali resident and author of
Bali with Kids - A New and Unique Guidebook has provided us with her perspective. Her thought may just crystallize the Bali dream frame. See why.
Here’s the scoop according to Laetitia. The South of Bali attracts many vacationing families because infrastructure makes it easy for families to find comfortable as well as luxurious accommodation, kid-friendly restaurants and tons of shopping opportunities at a very reasonable price. However, it is sometimes worth the effort to venture a little further afield to discover the authentic Bali in the stunning countryside and villages. What parents will love is that they may combine a sightseeing or a cultural day out with a fun activity for the whole family.
Our Top 10 Bali Family Vacation Family Activities: Child- tested and parent approved, each made the list because of its memory making potential. Fun is guaranteed.
Treetop Adventure Park in Bedugul offers various circuits of flying foxes in beautiful scenery for ages ideal for ages four to 94 years old. Rise to the challenge as well as visit the botanical gardens and the strawberry farms on the way back.
Rafting near Ubud is exhilarating for families with kids at least six years of age. See Bali from a different angle; discover the gorges and the tropical jungle.
Mountain biking is a unique way to explore rice fields, small villages and meet friendly local people. Some tours allow kids to plant rice, plough the fields or pick crops.
Scuba diving is possible for kids 12 years of age or older. Diving in warm waters with colorful coral and reef fish is like discovering another dimension and many families love participating in this sport together. Don’t miss Menjangan island for diving or snorkeling.
Cooking with a Balinese chef has become a favorite activity for tourists and it’s half a day well spent beginning with a visit to the market and the preparation to cooking and finally enjoying a succulent meal together.
Swimming in the King’s swimming pool in Tirta Gangga is awesome. This summer palace in the Karangasem Regency is now open to all and a dip in the cold spring water pool makes a refreshing stopover.
Ride an elephant at the Taro Elephant Park or the Safari Park. Your kids might want to be like Mogli for a day and meet, ride, bathe the elephants, and learn all about their usefulness and care.
Eco trekking is now offered in various places in the interior of Bali. There many are worthwhile activities that include discoveries of medicinal plants, traditional Balinese ways of farming plus it is possible to meditate in an underground labyrinth.
Surf in the South Seas is a great way to exercise and learn a new skill with professional instructors. Choose from one of the many surf schools along Kuta and Double Six beaches.
Climb a mountain and view a volcano. Mount Batur is accessible to kids at least six years old who walk well and can sustain the effort for three to four hours. Leave early in the morning and take a guide who can also help out. It is a challenge to go up but the view from the ridge of the crater is breathtaking. Bonus points: For families with fit teenagers, Mount Agung, the sacred mountain of Bali is the ultimate physical challenge and some say it can be a spiritual experience.
And of course don’t miss the Balinese dance and music to step into this beautiful culture.
Location on the planet. The Republic of Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world comprising 17,504 large and small tropical islands some still unnamed. Straddling the equator, situated between the continents of Asia and Australia and between the Pacific and the Indian Oceans, it is as wide as the United States from San Francisco to New York, equaling the distance between London and Moscow.
And then there is Bali. Among the most well-known islands is Bali perhaps “the world’s best island resort” with its enchanting culture, pristine beaches, energizing dances, ethereal music, and a family-friendly atmosphere.
This article was provided by
Bali with Kids, a family guidebook created for parents withr babies to teenagers. This ultimate parent resource lists more thanr 300 kid friendly places and activities offering tips for adventure, nature, water sports, shopping, culture, restaurants, hotels and villas. Useful travel advice and cultural background information. There motto is Happy Kids Make Happy Parents ! © Bali with Kids, 2011.
Bali with Kids is available on iBookstore, Amazon and lulu.com or go to
www.baliwithkids.com
