Destination Guide Archives – Page 13 of 18

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“Open Sesame” to discounts and offers at the best Bali restaurants and spas

By Villa Finder Editorial team

“What’s for lunch?”, “Where should we go for dinner?” “Is it family-friendly?” Sound familiar? These questions don’t just haunt you when your stomach starts to rumble or when it’s your turn to pick a spot for a family lunch, they are relentless and creep into your holiday even when it’s clear there are about 10 restaurants on the street to choose from. If you ask us, it’s especially harder when restaurants in destinations like Bali have been extensively reviewed and photographed through everyone’s favourite FOMO app, Instagram. There’s a secret to selecting the best restaurant or spa experience in Bali that doesn’t need too much googling or jumping on trip advisor to research and read reviews- just ask a local, and that’s what we did! We asked our local friends in Bali and most importantly, we asked ourselves. The Villa Finder team live and breathe the Bali life so are…

Destination Guide

The best beachfront villas in Sri Lanka

By Villa Finder Editorial team

A teardrop-shaped island rising majestically in the middle of the Laccadive Sea, Sri Lanka packs in a delightful medley of laidback and thrilling adventures. If you’re considering your first trip to this sun-kissed island and know you want to wake up to the sound of waves crashing on the beach, read on for our guide of the best hand-picked beachfront villas (for moderate to luxury budgets) and what to do around the area! source: TTG Asia Nestled off the coast of India’s south-eastern coast, Sri Lanka is known for its inviting beaches, diverse culture and rich canopies of thick foliage perfect for hiking. Whether you feel like lying on a beach with a Toddy Tapper’s Punch- the local cocktail, or traipsing through the jungle in search of a hidden waterfall or embarking on a scenic rail adventure, there’s no denying that this island has something for just about everybody. Mirissa…

Destination Guide

Phuket vs Koh Samui – which island is it going to be?

By Sekar Arum Yanvi

Planning to escape the cold winter and soak up some sun over in exotic Thailand? Can’t blame you! Thailand is wonderful and tropical all-year-round and there are thousands of gorgeous white sandy beaches awaiting you down in the south. The only question that remains now: is it going to be Phuket in the deep-blue Andaman Sea or Koh Samui over in the Gulf of Thailand? Well, we can’t make the decision for you but we can make it a tiny bit easier by digging up what we know! This is Phuket vs Koh Samui Phuket vs Koh Samui Well, the best news is, no matter where you end up going for your (winter) getaway to Thailand, you can be sure of pristine white sand beaches (classic bounty sceneries), amazing snorkeling and diving spots and plenty of things to see and do! You’ll have an amazing time, guaranteed! To determine which…

Destination Guide

Pattaya vs Hua Hin – The Better Choice for Families

By Sekar Arum Yanvi

Still looking for that perfect place to spend a relaxing beach holiday with the family? Thailand is great! Exotic, colourful, tropical and home to some of the best beaches in the world. You can stay at splendid private pool villas, do lots of fun things and see beautiful places. The next question is – where in Thailand are you going to spend this family beach holiday? Is it going to be the vibrant and exciting beach city Pattaya or Thailand’s original resort beach town Hua Hin? To see which of these 2 fabulous holiday destinations is best for you, let’s zoom in a little and do some comparisons. This is Pattaya vs Hua Hin for families. Pattaya vs Hua Hin Pattaya: where the city meets the sea Hua Hin train station. Photo credit: Ian Gratton on Flickr Pattaya is a major tourist hub famous for beach fun, nightlife, shopping and…

Bali Activities

Uluwatu Travel Guide for Families: The Best Recommendation to Unwind with Your Crew

By Villa Finder Editorial team

Beach fun, surfing, sunsets, playtime, music, monkeys, food, and cultural experiences – you’ll find it all in Uluwatu. Upcoming, trendy and yet incredibly laid-back and fun-loving, Uluwatu is located in the southern tip of Bali (the little tip at the end when looking at a map of Bali Island). From the airport, it’s about 30-45 minutes away and is home to one gorgeous white sand beach after another – the very best on the island! A great place for a memorable family getaway in Bali. Why Uluwatu Is Great for a Bali Family Holiday Uluwatu works beautifully for families because it offers the part of Bali many parents secretly hope for: beaches that feel special, plenty of fresh air, slower mornings, and enough good food and easy activities to keep everyone happy without turning the trip into a military operation. It feels scenic and memorable, but it can also be…

Bali Activities

The Best Gili Island for Families

By Villa Finder Editorial team

White sandy bays, the tranquillity of an island, sea turtles and sunshine, it’s easy to see why “The Gilis” are perfect for family holidays. With three islands to choose from though, we know it’s better to be armed with enough information (and photos!) to decide which one of 3 little Gili Islands is the best for an island getaway with the kids? The word “gili” translates to “island’ and there are countless islands in the Indonesian Archipelago. However, when referring to ‘The Gili Islands’, we mean 3 specific islands located just off-shore from Lombok and just a short boat ride from Bali: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. These pristine little tropical islands are tiny paradises without motorbikes, cars and any other forms of motorizes traffic. It is truly idyllic. The Best Gili Island for families Well, to be honest, all 3 are great family destinations but to determine…

Bali Activities

An introduction to the Gili Islands

By Villa Finder Editorial team

Most probably, you’ve already heard about the pristine Gili Islands when planning your trip to Indonesia. They are just as famous as Bali, and for good reason! Close your eyes and imagine idyllic white-sand beaches, turquoise and blue waters, encounters with sea turtles, amazing diving sites, gorgeous villas – it’s paradise-like here on the gorgeous Gili Islands. But, what makes these islands all even more unique, idyllic and peaceful is that all 3 of them are free from motorized traffic. The only means of transport you’ll find are bicycles and… horse carts! On top of that, you can easily circle the islands on foot, catching the sunrise and the sunset all on the same day on a different part of the island. Perfect. Nicknamed as ‘the Maldives of Southeast Asia’ the Gili Islands are 3 islands and each of them has their own charm, attraction points, and unique appeal. Whether…

Cambodia Dining Options

10 Delicious Restaurants To Try in Siem Reap

By Villa Finder Editorial team

Where to Eat in Siem Reap Authentic and local Cambodian food is unlike anything in SouthEast Asia and if you consider yourself a bit of a foodie, you’ll have more than a few choices to fall in love with! Siam Reap is packed with many great restaurants and quaint cafes in every corner that it’s close to impossible to fit everything into your itinerary. To help you prioritise which ones to try out first, check out our list of 10 delicious restaurants to try in Siem Reap. Malis Restaurant With the aim of showcasing Cambodian cuisine in its glory days, Chef Luu Meng opened Malis Restaurant. The first branch in Phnom Penh is already a huge success, with the one in Siem Reap growing in popularity. Start here to kick off your Southeast Asian adventure with a taste of authentic Khmer cuisine! Malis has an extensive menu and is renowned…

Eat

Where To Eat In Hakuba

By Villa Finder Editorial team

Hakuba has no lack of dining venues and watering holes; during our trip, we discovered great ramen bars, hole-in-the-wall izakayas, cosy cafes and elegant French restaurants, to name a few. The dining scene works a little differently from a big city. Restaurants are spread across several villages, and the most popular spots can fill up quickly in winter, especially around peak holiday weeks. If you already know where you want to eat, it’s worth booking ahead rather than assuming you’ll just wing it after skiing. We’ve provided a short introduction to 7 villages (or districts), along with our top dining picks in our guide below: 1. Hakuba Station The area around Hakuba Station remains one of the most convenient places to eat in Hakuba. It’s a convenient option for an easy first-night dinner, a relaxed lunch, or a casual meal before heading back to your chalet. You’ll find ramen, sushi, yakiniku…

Destination Guide

The Essential Hakuba Skiing Guide

By Villa Finder Editorial team

Consistently superb skiing conditions, a variety of ski resorts to choose from, plenty of kid-friendly amenities—Hakuba definitely checks off the boxes as a prime ski destination for families. It’s home to 10 major ski resorts, with each offering unique features, so getting to ski across different venues is one of the highlights here. Away from the slopes, Hakuba offers a great family experience. There are excellent restaurants and après-ski bars to check out, cultural activities to try out and onsens to unwind and take in stunning panoramas of the Japanese Alps. Below, we’ve put together a comprehensive Hakuba skiing guide for Hakuba first-timers. We’ve covered the essentials, including where to ski, renting ski equipment and getting ski lessons. Skiing in Hakuba There are 10 major ski resorts in Hakuba Valley (Iimori is considered part of Goryu), with a few being connected resorts with shared lift passes: Goryu and Iimori connect…