When in search of a holiday that is both relaxing as well as educational, one should consider going to Bali, Indonesia. Bali is not only strikingly beautiful; it has been referred to as Indonesia’s island of temples, monuments, monasteries and historical landmarks. Bali holidays will provide the opportunity to experience first- hand the unique Balinese way of life and its well preserved Indonesian history. There are several landmarks that are considered to be a must see when visiting Bali.

In Jalan Raya, Ubud, Bali there is a temple named Pura Saraswati. Founded in the 19th century, this beautiful temple is filled with pavilions and a shrine covered with intricate carvings. Also on the temple grounds is a water garden which can be viewed from the Café’ Lotus. This temple was dedicated to the goddess of art and learning.

Another must see on your Bali holiday is Gunung Batur. Located in Bangli, Kintamani, this striking volcano is one of Bali’s largest landmarks. Encased in a volcanic crater is Lake Batur. The striking deep blue colors of the water here should not be missed. Nearby is the ancient Trunyan cemetery and a thousand year old temple. Balinese history states that Gunung Batur once erupted and destroyed everything in its path. The only thing left standing was what is now known as the Lucky Temple.

In Jalan Legian, Kuta there is the Bali Bomb monument. This monument was built to commemorate the 202 citizens of Bali who perished in a bombing in October of 2002. It was built on the site of a pub that was destroyed in the bombing and is covered in carved stone. On the stone there is a plaque with the names of the people that were killed. This monument is well lit to be easily viewed at night.

Located over the Petanu River in Bedaulu Village there is the Goa Gajah. This is translated as Elephant Cave. It was given this name because its unique carvings at the entrance strongly resemble an elephant. This cave is more than a thousand years old and when viewed closely reveals images of Hindu idols and phallic symbols. The Goa Gajah is one of Bali’s most popular tourist attractions.

Surrounded  by mountains and beautiful scenery in Besakih Village, Rendang, Karangasem, is Bali’s most prominent set of temples which are known as Pura Besakih. The translation of this name is Mother Temple because of its vast variety of structures. These temples are filled with carvings and statues of Hindu gods and goddesses which make them a very popular tourist attraction. It is said that in the months of March and April all the gods and goddesses visit the temples; thus making those two months the most popular time to tour these historical landmarks.

Although Bali is small in size it is huge in culture and what seems to be a rich everlasting historical beauty. Bali holidays will bring a feeling of peace and serenity as well as a renewed joy in being alive.

Travelling abroad especially to a country that is foreign to us, as advanced as any country, travellers should remain vigilant. Although the country’s record of low crime, crime does not mean the danger was threatening. Here are tips on travelling safely abroad.

Know the level of criminality. Do your research and identify areas where the country which is an area with high crime rates or dangerous for tourists to enter the area. Regions like this are usually always exist in any country. Although the country’s relatively developed countries.

Learn a tourist destination. Know what crimes usually occur in the country. Also avoid dark alleys and slums. But remember, in some countries like in Europe, the crime often occurs not because of economic reasons, but because of the influence of alcohol.

Keep emergency numbers. Save the number of local police and the Embassy (Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia) in the country. If you plan on travelling in a long time in the country, could not hurt you to report yourself to the local embassy. Know also who the people in the embassy that you can contact if anything happens. Arm also with the local state language, although only limited basic words.

Another field, another grasshopper. Get to know local customs and culture. Each region would have different habits. For example, as tourists from western countries when travelling in Indonesia, most do not know that it is not polite if we give up the object using the left hand. Another example is raising thumb up which means “OK” has the meaning that is not polite in Greece. Of course you do not want to make a fuss just because of trivial things, right? Continue reading 'Safe Travel Tips in a Foreign Country'»

Type of tourism which is roughly what would attract foreign tourists in 2012? According to data presented at the global consumption patterns and the Creative Economy Tourism Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, Wednesday (04/01/2012), 27 percent of global consumption of tourists is the health and religion. Meanwhile, the rate of consumption is the largest recreation.

“Therefore, the Directorate of MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition) we added a special interest. Special interest is health. Other countries have developed health tourism,” said Mari, at the Workshop of Tourism and Creative Economy in Building Sapta Enchantment, Jakarta.

In addition, Mari said, sustainable tourism should be the focus of tourism development. This is related to global climate exchange. “We have a climate exchange plan. Going forward, there could be 200 islands in Indonesia will be lost. If the connection with the development of destinations, these destinations can be lost,” he explained.

Therefore, he continued, the construction of hotels and convention buildings, up to tourism activities should be thinking about the environmental aspects of sustainability. Let’s cite, diving activities, there are currently planting coral. Other tourism development, said Mari, is related to the creative economy. One of them by working on the festival.

“The festival is important for the appreciation of the creative industries. If the festival is looking for people, the festival and bring tourists to destinations. Example of just Java Jazz Festival, which has been assumed largest jazz festival in the world and able to bring in tourists,” said Mari.

In addition, Mari said, the importance of the creative economy to culinary tourism. “I have a dream, a culinary entrance Indonesia. We have a culinary icons to get out. It may be with Rendang Pandang, to be specific. Then there is the Luwak Coffee, Toraja coffee, fried rice,” said Mari.

He said several places, for example Serpong, can be a culinary centre. In addition, Mari rate, the need for standards of service and quality not only for restaurants, but also to the Lesbian.

Ten ASEAN countries agreed to cooperate with India in the field of tourism by signing a memorandum of understanding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on ASEAN-India Tourism Cooperation in ASEAN Tourism Forum in Manado on Monday (9 / 1).

Agreements reached through talks Wardiyatmo Secretary General Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Indonesia, representing the ASEAN Nikhilesh Giri, First Secretary Embassy of India in Jakarta representing India.

Wardiyatmo said the two sides agreed to continue the relationship India ASEAN tourism increasingly significant in many shapes and tourism networks ranging from information exchange, cooperation in the field of tourism to hospitality. “MoU allows both parties to open up the market through joint promotion, enhancement of human resources through tourism activities capacity building, development of new tourism packages through cooperative product development. This cooperation is mutually beneficial two parties, “he said.

He called the data connection tourists visit India to ASEAN in 2010 amounted to 2:44 million tourists or million tourists in 2009.

Of the total number of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia in 2010 as many as 7,002,944, the Indians ranked 10 with about 145 thousand tourists. In 2011 the amount of tourists from India as many as 160 thousand people. Continue reading 'India, ASEAN Tourism Strategic Market'»