Lakshmi Villas - Toba
A stylish hideaway in the heart of Seminyak, Villa Toba is just 500 metres from a sweeping sandy beach and has the best of Bali’s world-class restaurants, bars and boutiques right on its doorstep. An elegant design highlights contemporary tropical living, with private swimming pool encircled by a lush walled garden, atmospheric open-plan living area and two spacious bedrooms with courtyard bathrooms. As one of four luxurious Lakshmi Villas, Toba can be rented alone, or in combination with the other villas, offering up to seven bedrooms sleeping 14 adults.
Lakshmi Villas’ manager will have a wealth of information about nearby places of interest and will help arrange transport and make any bookings required. Do also ask the staff about the local area. Many of them live nearby and will be able to give an interesting insight into some of the fascinating aspects of Bali life.
In the meantime, here is a taste of the many and varied activities on offer within reach of the villa.
- Visit Uluwatu Temple which clings to the limestone cliffs on the southern-most tip of Bali. The sea goddess Dewi Laut is worshipped here and this is one of the island’s most important,not to mention dramatically situated temples. Nightly kecak (fire trance dance) is performed here against a backdrop of a stunning sunset
- Head down to Echo Beach where a number of cafes offer good sunset views and cold beer, including a famous nightly barbecue at The Beach House. Note that the beach here is dark volcanic sand and the waters are better suited to surfing than swimming or paddling. Hotel Tugu, a very stylish and eclectic boutique hotel a few minutes further down the coast was created by one of Indonesia’s premier art collectors,and provides a range of atmospheric dining experiences.
- Horseriding on professionally trained horses and ponies will take you through the lush rice terraces around Kerobokan, or provide the chance for a sunset gallop through the surf along the rugged south-western coast.
- Take a scenic downhill Mountain Cycling tour starting from the Mount Batur Volcano at Kintamani, and pass through lush valleys, traditional villages and scenic green rice paddys while learning about Bali’s rich and fascinating culture.
- Explore the charming Tabanan regency, revealing terraced rice fields of emerald green, volcanic mountains and black-sand beaches dotted with fishing communities. Or head north to explore the volcanic lakes near the mountain town of Bedugul, including Lake Bratan with its photogenic and stunningly positioned Pura Ulun Danu – one of Bali’s most important temples.
- Acclaimed as the world’s best, the atmospheric Elephant Safari Park in Taro (north of Ubud) provides a sanctuary for elephants rescued from Sumatra, with opportunities for trekking, hand feeding, and photo taking. There is also a fascinating museum and an excellent restaurant in a beautiful tropical setting deep in the forests of Bali’s hinterland.
- Bali Treetop Adventure Park is near the town of Bedugal in northern central Bali (next to Lake Bratan). Five adventure circuits, with heights ranging from two to 20 metres, challenge all level and ages on suspended bridges, spider nets, Tarzan jumps and 12 flying foxes.
- The most exclusive Bali trekking tour promises breath-taking vistas and heart-warming encounters while supporting sustainable social change in the once-forgotten villages of Muntigunung. Elite Havens is a proud partner of Muntigunung Community Social Enterprise.
- Hire a car and driver and explore the scenic rice-field landscape and rural villages of Bali’s hinterland – a great way to get under the skin of the ‘real’ Bali. Stop off at a local warung (café) to sample some basic Balinese fare or cool off with a cold drink.
- Covering 3.8 hectares of tropical parkland in Kuta, Waterbom Bali has 16 water slides (including The Climax with its 360 degree loop) to entertain the young and the young at heart. A great family day out, but go early to beat the crowds.
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