Bali Island offers more than just majestic white sandy beaches, alluring tropical rainforests, world class restaurants, and shopping centers. The paradise island is also home to the best surfing spots in the archipelago. Because of the favorable weather conditions existing almost all year round, and the diverse forms of waves that you can find in the surrounding waters, Bali has become a popular choice for local and international surfing competitions and of course recreation. Whether you are a beginner or a professional surfer, you will surely find your place on Bali Island.

Here are five of the great accommodation options that you should consider for a complete and memorable surfing experience in Bali. These hotels and private villas are not only close to the best surfing spots on the island, but they also feature incredible architectural design, exceptional service, and outstanding amenities.

1. Mick’s Place in Bingin Beach

Resting on a low-lying cliff in western Bukit Peninsula, Mick’s Place is a one-of-a-kind resort with its 180-degree view of Bingin Beach and the stunning sunset scenery of the Indian Ocean horizon. The resort complex consists of seven bungalows of Polynesian architectural style and beautifully landscaped tropical gardens. During the day, you can enjoy a variety of water activities such as surfing and snorkeling in the cool and pristine waters. At night, you may treat yourself to a relaxing coconut oil massage.

2. Blue Point Villas and Spa

With 57 guest rooms and 29 luxurious villas, this resort complex is considered a paradise for surfers and regular tourists as well. Blue Point Villas and Spa overlooks the famous Suluban Beach, also known as Blue Point. It is famous for its unique cliff-top chapel, exquisite restaurants, and lush spas inside the estate. This resort complex is also strategically located near the best surf breaks in Bali including Suluban, Padang-Padang, and Uluwatu. Surfing lessons are also offered for beginners and long-time enthusiasts alike.

3. Villa Impossibles

Villa Impossibles in Uluwatu is a luxurious six-bedroom villa resting on top of rugged boulders at the bottom of the cliff. Similar to a lighthouse, it has a perfect uninterrupted view of the beautiful coastlines and clear ocean waters. Villa Impossibles is also just a few minutes away from some of the most popular surf breaks on Bali Island. The incredibly-designed estate can be rented for up to 12 guests or as individual rooms for smaller groups. It is also a perfect venue for tropical weddings and other different occasions.

4. Puri Dajuma Beach Eco-Resort and Spa

This beach resort is a four-star resort located on the western side of Bali Island. From Puri Dajuma Beach Resort and Spa, the black sand surfing area of Medewi Beach can easily be accessed. There is no need to worry if you are a beginner, as surfing lessons are offered to guide you. Puri Dajuma is also just a few minutes away from Pekutatan Beach where you can enjoy a lot of activities including diving, snorkeling, and trekking across adjacent rice fields.

5.  Premier Surf Camp

Premier Surf Camp is perhaps every surfer’s ideal place to stay while in Bali in terms of price, convenience, and service. The eight-room resort is close to two of the best surfing spots, namely Pererenan Beach and Echo Beach. They offer surfing lessons for any skill level and board rentals as well. During sunset, you can enjoy a picturesque view of the ocean while dining authentic Balinese seafood cuisine. You can also experience utmost serenity on the Premier Surf Camp as it is not as crowded as other surfing spots on the island.

The rise of Dubai has been more than exceptional. Come on, even in the 1960s, it was a sea-facing piece of desert. Now, it is the land of world’s tallest building, Audi cars made from white gold and is the most popular work destination (no, it is very difficult to buy land and live there even if you have money) for almost everyone. It is equally good for travel, as we can see from those travel packages, being offered by many of the known operators. Another added advantage is the ticket price which is affordable for Indians. Whether you love to play it safe and get a package tour or you want to be adventurous and do everything by yourself is up to you. I will suggest that you buy a travel insurance for your Dubai Trip, and not just any insurance, the best travel insurance policy available in either case. It will keep you safe, trust me. In case you lose your luggage, passport or any other important item, one call to the insurer can ease all your worries.

OK, now that I have told you that, it’s time to tell you what to do when in Dubai; what to see, what to eat and where to take selfies.

Dubai, at max, is a megacity, going by the geographical size of it. Most of the attractions would be urban attractions. And it is very easy to cover these locations I am going to suggest, firstly, because they are not far from each other and secondly, as you can guess, Dubai is very well connected. The view of Dubai when the plane descends can tell you that.

I would have loved to start with Dubai airport itself, I love to spend some time there every time I land in Dubai or taking a connecting flight from there, but some of my readers may find it too stretched. Keeping that urge aside, let me tell you what you can find in the city itself.

Burj Khalifa: Ah! The famous Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. What’s more magnificent is that it is not a solid, tall, un-poetic building like Empire state or the now-gone twin towers. This is a well-designed building, something you would love to admire, for quite a while. Once you are done comprehending how big it is, how tall it is and taking selfies in the front, take the elevator and move to the top of this building.

There is an observation deck at the top from where you can see the skyline of Dubai and the view is simply breathtaking. Experience this, you will not forget it. Once you come down, look back to realise how far you climbed really. You might get vertigo, standing on the ground!

Dubai Mall: Every Indian city has one “largest mall of Asia”. Old joke? Alright. If you want to see a big mall, visit the Dubai mall, you might get lost and ask for directions, this is an incredibly big mall. It provides entry to the famous Dubai Aquarium, as well as Burj Khalifa. The number of shops and eateries is virtually endless and if you want special discounts, like every other Indian, try either the Dubai Summer Surprises in July-August or Dubai Shopping Festival in January-February.

There is an ice skating rink, cinema halls (multiplexes, for modern day Indians) and gaming zones. There are endless daily shows as well and you will invariably walk into a fashion show or live music show or something similar.

Jumeirah Mosque: This is probably the most beautiful mosque you will see in your life. It is large, like many other Dubai attractions, but surely it is not kept like we keep our pride, Jammah Masjid in Old Delhi. This is an exact copy of Al Azhar mosque of Cairo, but it is eight times bigger.

One of the finest examples of Islamic architecture, this grand structure is awe-inspiring. You can get a guided tour of the mosque and apart from wowing at the grandeur, you can also develop a better understanding of Islamic culture, a much-needed commodity in the modern world.

Dubai Aquarium: Dubai Aquarium is the attraction which you should not miss at any cost. It has over 140 species of undersea life which are in an incredible display in a tank which is suspended in the Dubai Mall (on the ground fall in case you are wondering). You can immediately view the aquarium when you enter the mall for free! Moreover, you can have access to the aquarium tunnels if you enter via the Underwater Zoo.

If you are looking for thrills, then you have the shark diving activity along with the milder cage snorkelling. Don’t forget the glass bottom boat tours either, you will simply love it. 

There are so many places left in Dubai that I am planning for another blog. Pack your bags and experience something incredible. You will love every moment of this tour. But don’t forget to buy a travel insurance, as I said above, if you want to enjoy the journey, an insurance is must to take care of any risks or losses. I have no intention of dissuading your holiday mood, but as said, “precaution is better than cure”, so what if any unforeseen event happens? So, make some space in your bag for your travel insurance (though you can buy travel insurance online and store it in your phone as a soft copy!)

Go ahead, enjoy and don’t forget to repeat, Dubai is the pearl of the desert.

It always takes a little extra thought to plan a holiday when you have kids. Long gone are the days when you could jet off at nary a day’s notice. As parents, we need to make sure any destination is child-friendly and suitable for the whole family. But taking some extra time doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the best destinations that the world has to offer. In fact, why not make a point this year to take the family on an adventure somewhere new? To help offer some inspiration here are five super places you should consider for a holiday in 2017.

Cape Verde

If you’ve ever fanciest taking the family to see the natural beauty of the Canary Islands, but were put off by the high-rise hotels and throngs of tourists, then Cape Verde is for you. With all the beauty and more of the nearby Spanish archipelago, Cape Verde makes a fantastic alternative to Tenerife and Lanzarote. The laid-back African island nation offers some of the finest unspoilt beauty you’ll find anywhere. Across its ten islands you’ll discover stunning beaches like Mindelo beach on São Vicente, ordramatic mountains like as Pico do Fogo on Fogo island. The island’s beguiling culture blends Portuguese and African influences and is worth visiting for in its own right.

Ibiza

Don’t doubt this Balearic Island’s family-friendly credentials. Ibiza may conjure up images of super-clubs and party beaches, but this multi-faceted Mediterranean gem has plenty to offer children. The island’s beaches are worth the plane ticket on their own, and there are enough of them that it can feel like you have one each! Visit Cala Llentrisca to enjoy some seafront seclusion, or take the wee ones to Cala Tarida for a more activity filled day by the beach. If lounging in the sun gets to much, then why not take the kids zorbing, or on a trip to one of the island’s waterparks? After that take a trip to the colorful Hippy Market in El Cana to pick up some mementos of the trip.

Sri Lanka

For the more adventurous families out there a holiday to Sri Lanka offers an unforgettable experience. Embodying the mysteries of the orient, the island still has the power to amaze and enchant. Few destination offer as much opportunity to discover amazing wildlife, and a trip to Minneriya National Park is a must. Here you can see herds of elephants roam in their natural environment, and even spot leopards, crocodiles, and the odd monkey! For some history take your children to Sigiriya and teach them about the county’s ancient civilization and colorful past. For family’s with older children, a hike up the famous and sacred mountain of Sri Pada will offer views and memories that will endure long after you get home.

St Lucia

If you have the picture of the perfect Caribbean island in your mind, then it probably looks like St Lucia. This stunningly verdant isle, offers the archetypal Caribbean experience thanks to the blue waters, golden beaches and lush greenery. The island’s most famous sites are the two Pitons. These towering volcanic stacks are a must see, and a trek up the larger of the two – Gros Piton – should be doable for older children and teenagers. Families with younger kids can just enjoy the breath-taking views from the beaches below.

Mauritius

This Indian Ocean nation is more than worth the long-haul trip. With unbeatable natural beauty, this tropical paradise has a world of things to experience. Thanks to its well-developed tourist network it is easy to get around and its turquoise coastline is peppered with first-rate resorts. Make sure and visit the amazing Seven Colored Earths, and enjoy a visit to one of the island’s many nature reserves. Keep a lookout for its colorful bird life, especially the famous pink pigeon! Thanks to the island’s Chinese, Indian, and French influences, the food isn’t bad either.

If you’re a techno fan like some of the Holiday Transfers team are and are looking for an awesome vacation, you have a lot of towns to paint red! The following cities are known the world over for their excellent parties and clubbing, and they’re on everybody’s list of “Best Rave Cities” this year. Check them out and get ready for loads of fun and the most electric nights ever!

Bristol, England

While some may consider London as a hot destination for clubbing and dancing, Bristol is a central node for contemporary techno and dance music. It has a legacy in dubstep and the prices here are considerably more affordable than almost any venue in London, allowing a healthy population of electronic music fans to grow and prosper. The beloved Idle Hands label is in Bristol, and promising producers such as Killing Sound call this place home as well – not to mention top-notch events and festivals like Simple Things just waiting to get you movin’!

Warsaw, Poland

Bustling with after-hours gigs and experimental techno happenings, as well as bigger nightclub events, Warsaw has built a name for itself not only on the Polish dance music scene, but also all throughout Europe. The capital’s art scene is flourishing too, and the historical and cultural landmarks here will ensure that not only your nights out in the city will be exciting, but your day trips as well.

Moscow, Russia

Because of the harsh political conditions in Russia, Moscow’s rave and techno scene often has to operate more underground, so you may not hear about the most exciting happenings unless you’re “on the inside” and you know the right people. But this only makes things more thrilling and appealing if you’re the adventurous type, right? Plus, the dance culture here is truly promising, with names like OL (Oleg Buyanov) or Nina Kraviz calling Moscow “home”.

Mexico City, Mexico

Thanks to a growing number of young talented creatives sick of expensive clubs opening up their own underground venues, Mexico City has become more and more attractive for rave and techno music fans. The rise of experimental artists such as AAA and the punk-oriented NAAFI collective has turned the Mexican capital into a top destination for those interested in the electronic underground scene.

Bogota, Colombia

South America certainly doesn’t lack places to go clubbing, but what’s excited everyone lately is the healthy and flourishing dance music scene in Bogota. The city has managed to create a perfect balance between importing talent from abroad (bringing names such as Anthony Naples or Discwoman to play for the welcoming crowd here) and fostering local artists, such as the Downpitch Recordings group, bringing the excellent venues here to life when the sun sets.

Leipzig, Germany

Having made a name for itself as a hub for underground electronic and dance music, Leipzig has become one of the most exciting and promising scenes in Germany. With excellent clubs and anti-authority venues such as Conne Island, the city boasts an ideal infrastructure to promote and support local musicians. If you’re into experimental techno, Leipzig is the place to be in 2017.

These are just some of the best rave destinations to check out this year, with a vivid dance culture and a lot of surprises in store for you. Start planning your trip, book your transport and accommodation in advance, and get ready to party!