Destination Guide Archives – Page 16 of 24

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…

Chiang Mai Guide

Family Activities in Chiang Mai – 12 Things To Tick Off Your List

By Villa Finder Editorial team

Chiang Mai makes for the perfect holiday destination for families with kids. This beautiful walled city in the north of Thailand has endless family activities and is filled with friendly locals who are always happy to help with directions or recommendations. The city is clean and safe, with plenty of things to see and do. You may want to consider ticking some (or all!) of the following family things to do in Chiang Mai for an amazing family getaway in Thailand. 1. Temple hopping Under the gold, glittering sun, the giant Buddha statues, serpent stairs and high rooftops of colourful buildings appear as if out of a fairy tale or an ancient saga; the kids and you will marvel at the attractions because let’s be honest, it’s not every day you see unique temples. There’s only so much walking you can do in a day though, so choose your temples…

Cambodia Activities

16 Must Do Activities for Your Siem Reap Adventure

By Villa Finder Editorial team

What to Do in Siem Reap Siem Reap, located in the northwest side of Cambodia, is home for the famous ruins of Angkor Wat. What makes the city truly interesting are its exciting experiences of culture and history through visiting ancient temples, local markets, and museums. While the Angkor temple remains the most popular attraction, there are still many other unmissable activities in the area that are worth checking out. Here’s a quick rundown of the best 16 things to do in Siem Reap. Read on, take notes, and fill in your itinerary with scenic views, fun adventures, and fascinating cultural tours! Visit the famous Angkor Wat Complex If you’re a first-time visitor, you don’t want to miss this iconic 12th-century temple. The Angkor Wat is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site and currently the largest religious monument in the world. There isn’t a day where it’s not packed with…

Bali Guide

Your guide to medical care in Bali – Hospitals & clinics for tourists in Bali

By Villa Finder Editorial team

Check out any Google search or Instagram page and you will see that Bali is a tropical mecca of fun, relaxation, partying, shopping and care-free living. Unfortunately, things don’t always go to plan and if you or a family member become unexpectedly sick or have an unfortunate accident, would you know what to do or where to seek help? Needing medical attention in a foreign country can be a daunting experience so it’s good to have an idea of what kinds of medical issues may arise and what help is available should you need it. Accidents and Emergencies Bali Belly aka Travellers diarrhoea Credit: BIMC Ubud Medical Center An upset stomach is not uncommon whilst holidaying on the island of the gods. Anything from a change in diet and lifestyle to poor hygiene (or even an accident gulp of water in the shower) can increase the chances of contracting an…

Bali Guide

Looking for Bali dentist? Here’s our experience

By Villa Finder Editorial team

Have you been talking to your friends about the woes with your teeth, lately? That’s what I had been doing, not so long ago. A few months back, 2 of my molars suddenly started giving me a hard time. The good old dentist advised me to get root canals but the price he quoted for the procedure was as painful as my aching molars. I was looking at paying around $6800. The check-up cost alone was $305. I tried to handle the pain with home remedies but no luck. While I was researching for cheaper ways to do it, I was surprised to find that the public health system has a four-year wait even on periodontal work. Wow!!! Some of my friends, based on their experience, advised me to go overseas and get my dental work done at a fraction of the price. They suggested Thailand, India or Indonesia (Bali). Bali was closer to Australia…

Bali Guide

Teeth whitening in Bali: best Bali dentists to check out

By Villa Finder Editorial team

Teeth whitening is an ever-growing, much sought after treatment that will leave your smile looking better than ever. There are a number of different treatments available, with everything from whitening rises and gels to laser whitening done in the chair at a dental office. Unfortunately, it can drain the bank account quite a bit. Therefore, we’ve decided to bring together the best (and cheapest) clinics in Bali for this sort of work, to take away the hassle for you! Teeth whitening in Bali can range in price from anywhere between $70 – 300 USD, depending on the type of treatment and the clinic. Gone are the days where you need to be worried about getting dental procedures done in Bali, all clinics are now clean with modern technologies and the latest equipment in order to keep up with the demanding tourism market. So Smile Bali This is the newest branch…