LocationThe Iman Villa’s manager will have a wealth of information about nearby places of interest and will help arrange transport and make any bookings required. Do also ask the staff about the local area. Many of them live nearby and will be able to give an interesting insight into some of the fascinating aspects of Bali life.
In the meantime, here is a taste of the many and varied activities on offer within reach of the villa.
- Head down to Canggu Beach where cafes offer good sunset views and ice-cold drinks. Old Man’s has a relaxed Sydney-style beer garden, casual meals, and live music on the weekend. Hotel Tugu, a very stylish and eclectic boutique hotel, is just a hundred meters further up the road and was created by one of Indonesia’s premier art collectors, and provides a range of atmospheric dining experiences.
- Drive westwards to explore the charming Tabanan regency, revealing terraced rice fields of emerald green, volcanic mountains, and black-sand beaches dotted with fishing communities. Or head north to explore the volcanic lakes near the mountain town of Bedugul, including Lake Bratan with its photogenic and stunningly positioned Pura Ulun Danu – one of Bali’s most important temples.
- Canggu’s Jalan Pantai Batubolong, just a couple of kilometers from the villa, has recently developed into a happening area, with a good range of eateries, spas, and boutiques. Enjoy the earthy vibe of Canteen, or indulge in divine French pastries at Monsieur Spoon. Catch some great live bands at Deus and Old Man’s and make sure to drop by Goldust Spa for a deluxe pampering.
- Fashionistas, trendies, and shopaholics will love exploring Seminyak, Bali’s most cosmopolitan enclave. Here, you can indulge for hours in the glut of stylish, chic boutiques selling designer wear and hand-crafted jewelry. Exotic homewares are also a Balinese specialty, from gorgeous ceramics to embroidered furnishings and all manner of ethnic curios and decorative pieces.
- You could eat out at a different restaurant in Seminyak every night for months and still not run out of options. Jalan Laksmana (also known as Jalan Oberoi and Jalan Kayu Aya) is Bali’s fashionable ‘Eat Street,’ offering plenty of high-end restaurants including Teatro Gastroteque. Two newer beach clubs, Cocoon and Potato Head, offer classy seaside alternatives. Then there's La Plancha, a rustic beach bar between Double Six and Gado Gado, which is very popular with good tapas, reasonably priced drinks, live music, and DJ events. A short taxi ride will bring you to Sardine for elegant seafood, Métis for French Mediterranean cuisine, or to Hog Wild in Bali, famous for barbecue ribs and wicked Martinis.
- If you are a bold and brave bargain hunter, a spree within the heart of Bali's bustling provincial capital is an exciting and rewarding experience. Visit Denpasar's vibrant markets, where everything and anything is available.
- Acclaimed as the world’s best, the atmospheric Elephant Safari Park in Taro (north of Ubud) provides a sanctuary for elephants rescued from Sumatra, with opportunities for trekking, hand feeding, and photo taking. There is also a fascinating museum and an excellent restaurant in a beautiful tropical setting deep in the forests of Bali’s hinterland.
- Desa Seni at Berawa Beach is an eco-friendly village resort providing an authentic Indonesian experience through the exploration of culture, art, and yoga. The resort offers a wide variety of yoga classes and also has its own holistic spa and restaurant serving gourmet organic food, most of which is grown in the resort’s extensive gardens.