Bali

The local area

Legendary for its surf, white beaches, emerald rice fields, temples, active volcanoes and volcanic lakes, Bali brings ideas of paradise evocatively to mind, enveloping its visitors with its feeling of friendliness and seemingly endless sunshine.

Perhaps a victim of its own popularity, some of the island can be busy to the point of chaos, but our luxury holiday villa in Bali is located in the unspoilt village of Canggu, which retains its pristine tropical appeal and boasts one of Bali's best surfing beaches.

With a fascinating history, beautiful food, great nightlife and all the sun, sea and sand you can ask for, Villa Asmara is perfectly situated for an unforgettable stay.

The History of Bali

Bali has been populated since prehistoric times, and while not much is known about this early history the discovery of 3000 year old stone tools offer tantalising glimpses into a distant past. Both referred to as the The Island Of Thousands Temples and The Island of Gods, there are Chinese and particularly Hindu influences on Balinese culture, and the first European contact came when a Portuguese ship ran into trouble near the island in the 16th century.

The Dutch had administrative control of Bali in the 1900s (if not religious or cultural control) and the island was occupied by the Japanese during World War Two. Indonesia became independent of Dutch colonial rule in 1949.

What to See and Do in Bali

Dedicated surfers may find it hard to drag themselves from the water in Bali, and the large surfer community (including instructors and surf schools for those who would like to learn) will make any enthusiast feel very at home. The diving here is also excellent, perfect if you prefer to paddle serenely under the water rather than surfing the rolling waves.

Away from the shoreline, there's botanic gardens, volcanic hiking trails and ancient monuments to explore. Stunning hillside temples such as Pura Luhur Batukau let you really experience the spirit of this island, while Ubud is the cultural centre of Bali - defined by its artists, dancers, daily temple festivals and craftspeople.

Food and Drink in Bali

One of the most complex cuisines in the world, Balinese cooking uses a huge array of spices and, heavily influenced by the island's Hindu traditions, it's noticeably distinct from other Indonesian cuisines. Beef is barely consumed here and rice is the staple food, produced by strong agricultural traditions and the Balinese water temples which allocate water to each rich field.

With collective property investment in our luxury villas - in Bali and around the world - you can try dishes such as Bebek Betutu, which is duck stuffed with spices, the mixed rice Nasi Goreng and the fried bananas Pisang Goreng. You could even go shopping in a food market and spend a relaxed afternoon in our luxury villa trying your hand at these Balinese classics.

The Experience

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