UBUD - The art village

Some distance from the crowded beaches full of loud teenagers, only an hours drive from Ngurah Rai airport or Kuta you will find Ubud, an island within an island. The difference in settings is amazing when you arrive here compared with coastal destinations. Ubud hotels are pure luxury, giving the best accommodation available in Bali. There are no beach resorts and Ubud has grown into one of the most amazing places to visit anywhere in Bali.
The Bali accommodation of Ubud is set amongst the beauty of the rainforest and mountains, with all of the hotel and villa accommodation starting from the mid price up to the top five star deluxe Ubud hotels. There are a few of budget places to stay but aren't situated anywhere close to the tranquil settings that makes Ubud such a popular destination.
There are many art studios and shops to be found in the main village of Ubud. Some of the paintings, sculptures and other artworks can be picked up at very fair prices. ...
Within the town you'll also find many spas and places where you can get a massage if the service isn't offered to you at one of the Ubud hotels. Having such a glorious natural surrounding Ubud offers many cycle paths and hiking trails that connect some of the more spectacular views, apart from the mountains and rainforest a trip to the volcano is always exciting. Personal guides will always be available if you're fearful of getting lost. The hotels and villas all offer day trip Bali tour services, and if you wish to do some diving or whitewater rafting they will organize everything you need.

Written by Rene Whitfield
Posted: 09/14/2009
Source: Amazines

• In the center of Ubud is a small, old palace, the former residence of the Raja of Ubud. A small part of the system is still inhabited by the descendants of the Rajas. However, large parts are accessible for the public.
• Gunung Kawi is a grave system of the 11th Century. It represents one of the most impressive places of worship in Bali. Near Tampaksiring travelers reach Gunung Kawi by a staircase, which is cut into the rock and leads into a deep gorge, with steep rice terraces. From the rock faces nine graves were carved out. Try to avoid the rush hours and visit this impressive, even majestic place either early morning or towards late afternoon. Then, when the noise of the tourist has died, you can feel it, the splendor and spirit of the past.
• Ubud offers a huge range of art museums. Its difficulty to recommend a special one.
  However, the museumPuri Luksina displays typical examples of Balinese arts, and the Arma also offers a huge array of courses and workshops in Balinese painting, woodcarving, batik, architecture and many others.
• Travellers will find art galleries in every street of Ubud. But you should not miss Seniwati Gallery of art by Balinese women.

You can travel to Ubud with two bemo services. Orange bemos travel from Gianyar to Ubud, and the larger brown bemos come from Batubulan terminal in Denpasar. As Ubud has not a complete bemo termina, bemos stop in the middle of the town.
There are not many taxis in and around Ubud. But many private drivers are available. Travelers should ask at the hotel reception for a reliable driver. You might order a taxi from Ubud to the airport, that is about Rp. 175.000.
For short distances a mountain-bike might be an alternative. Many shops offer bicycles for rent.

• The 3-day-tour-package of Real Adventures covers everything you want to see in Bali.
• A good possibility to have your own individual tour through Bali, is to rent a car with a local driver, e.g. at Abbe Bali Driver Team.
• For active travelers, the Bali Eco and Educational Cycling Tour offers a combination of mountain biking and cultural and culinary activities.
• The Ubud Tourist Information centre offers interesting half- and full-day trips to a huge range of places (Yayan Bina Wisata, Jl Raya Ubud, phone: 0361/973285).
• Bali Discovery the one-stop website for everything you need for a Bali holiday.
• An another tour operator is Bali Tour, where you can book your tour to all the attractions of Bali.
• If you want to discover Indonesia by sea, why not with a sailing adventure from Seatrek.