SOUTH PACIFIC EXOTIC ESCAPE TO BALI

WITH OPTIONAL 3 DAY/2 NIGHT EXTENSION TO SINGAPORE
Only $339 + $19 tax including air, accommodations at the 5 star Four Seasons Regent Singapore, breakfast daily & city tour
   

Are you looking for an exotic escape to PARADISE with a full filled week of activity?
Join us on the tropical island of Bali for fun under the sun like no other place.
In Bali, enjoy some of the world’s best beaches, plus an included tour to a natural monkey forest where you can walk forested trails with monkeys hanging and jumping from tree to tree in their own natural habitat.
Enjoy an included Elephant safari tour that will amaze and excite you with the opportunity to ride aboard these tremendous creatures and an included zipline tour carrying you from tree top to tree top over the lush forest, followed by a visit to a scenic botanical gardens and lunch along a scenic lake.
A thrilling white water rafting excursion is another included highlight.
 Two included evening excursions – A relaxing dinner cruise with live musical entertainment one evening and a visit another evening to a native show featuring amazing fire dances and natives walking across hot coals are also memorable trip highlights.  
An optional excursion to enjoy a guided mountain hike for a breathtaking Sunrise and a dip in a natural hot spring is a special treat for those who love activity and the beauty of the mountains.
 Weather that is picture perfect in September with avg. highs in the low 80’s and virtually no rain, make this a one of a kind special trip for all.

TRIP ITINERARY:

September 19, 2010
We will depart from San Francisco tonight on Singapore airlines, the #1 rated airline in the world for customer service, comfort and satisfaction.  After arriving nonstop in Singapore, we will enjoy free time to stretch our legs and enjoy many leisure opportunities afforded by this unique airport, including a chance to enjoy a relaxing massage or sit down and enjoy a movie inside the airport during our 4 hour flight layover.
 We will continue nonstop from Singapore to the glorious island of Bali, (We will cross the International dateline while in flight and thus our arrival will be on Sept. 21st)
Upon arrival we will be met and transferred to our hotel, the 5 star Nusa Dua Beach Resort and Spa.  The remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax, take a stroll on the hotel’s gorgeous beachfront and enjoy dining at one of its many on site restaurants, or sipping a tropical drink at one of its many themed lounges.  
                                                                         The main pool at Nusa Dua
Located on the sun-drenched shores of beautiful Nusa Dua, Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa's 23 acres of sculpted gardens provide an oasis of space and tranquility in the heart of exotic Bali.  The accommodations feature 381 rooms and suites in a resort hotel that invites you to immerse yourself in the pageantry of one of the world's most vibrant cultures.

A palace of refined luxury and privileged hospitality, this 5-star diamond hotel in Bali  has welcomed Kings and Queens, Presidents and Prime Ministers since its grand opening for guests who expect the extraordinary to be an imperative, an unforgettable holiday experience awaits you at this luxury Bali

The resort features 7 restaurants and 4 bars including a pool bar & lobby bar.  Swim-up and refresh with a cool tropical drink at the Pool Bar. This haven is located in the midst of the main swimming pool and is a pleasant way to relax while playing in the sun.  . The pool bar is open daily from 10.00 a.m. until 7.00p.m.  The lobby bar is located overlooking the lush terrace gardens in the hotel main lobby. The lobby Bar is the ideal rendezvous point to relax and reflect on another day in paradise, suits perfect for pre-or post- dinner drinks and cocktails. The Lobby Bar is designed for comfort, located in a corner of the lobby, with live music available every evening.
 
                  THE LAGOON POOL AT NUSA DUA RESORT AND SPA

The Chess Bar is a step away from the Chess Restaurant, swimming pools and beachfront. It is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the full view of the ocean. With a grass-thatched roof, the décor highlights giant chess pieces in all the corners of the open-air bar while precisely in the middle of the bar lies a semi-giant chess-board and pieces. Tropical cocktails, fresh juices and alcoholic drinks are the specialties. Live sports events on TV  (Opening hours: 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 midnight)
The resort also offers a free shuttle to the nearby Bali Collection, a unique dining and shopping enclave in the town of Nusa Dua, offering a host of great restaurants and shops. (You can also take an easy walk to many local restaurants and shopping opportunities nearby, or for those wishing to enjoy the excitement of the bali nightlife, a short and very affordable 20 minute taxi RIDE will bring you to the hopping nightlife of Bali’s Kuta district.  )
All together Nusa Dua offers the luxuries and on site amenities to make your stay exceptional, while also offering the convenience of easy access to dining, shopping and nightlife.
The resort facilities include                                                                                                                                                            

(Activities color coded green are complimentary, while those coded yellow have a small fee that the hotel will charge guests to participate in the activity)

(Activities color coded green are complimentary, while those coded yellow have a small fee that the hotel will charge guests to participate in the activity)
OTHER FACILITIES AT THE RESORT INCLUDE

• Laundry & Dry Cleaning
• Gym & Fitness Center 
• 150-meter white sandy beach
• Nusa Dua Spa
• 24-hour Room Service
• Medical Clinic with 24-hour doctor on call
• Lobby Shop - for basic essentials and last minute gifts
• Shopping Arcade
• Business Center with Broadband Internet connections 
• Tour & Travel Counter
• Bank and ATM machine
• Swimming Pools: Main Pool, Lagoon Pool, Children's Pool and Spa Lap Pool
• Expansive Gardens
• Water Sports Counter 
• International TV channels
• Voicemail Telephone System
• In-room Electronic Safety Box 
• Hairdryer
• 18-hole International championship golf course close by

If you wish, taker free weaving lessons from the hotel staff
    
The resort also offers daily activities such as cycling, beach walks, aqua- aerobics, Canoe trips, table tennis tourneys, tennis clinics, bocce ball, and scuba diving introduction

http://www.nusaduahotel.com

September 21st, 2010                    After crossing the International dateline in flight, Arrival transfer by air-conditioned private motor coach

Sept. 21-28, 2010              7 nights accommodation at NUSA DUA BEACH HOTEL & SPA in Superior class rooms with daily international buffet breakfast included
 
Sept. 22nd, 2010               This morning is at leisure to relax on the sun drenched beaches of our resort or along the multiple pools & poolside bars . 
This afternoon we will enjoy a Half day tour of the Mengawi temple, The Monkey Forest and a Tanah Lot Sunset Temple for a chance to witness an incredible sunset.
On this tour you will take a journey into the countryside by coach and make a stop to take a short walk (approx. 300 meters) through Scenic Terraced Rice Paddies, cultivated in unique Balinese style, surrounded by coconut trees and tropical horticultural plants including sweet potatoes and tapioca. At the end of your stroll, relax in a Balinese pavilion and sample traditional Indonesian fried tapioca and sweet potato together with mineral water, tea or coffee.

After leaving the village of Gulingan, you will drive along to the Royal Temple of Mengwi - Pura Taman Ayun. Dating from 1634, this picturesque complex surrounded by a moat with multi-roofed meru shrines and intricately carved wooden gates.

You will then proceed to the sacred Monkey Forest, a cluster of towering trees which is home to hundreds of monkeys. Ooh! ooh! eeh! eeh!  The forest offers walking trails to explore the monkeys’ natural habitat, where you can watch them swinging from the tree limbs.
  
 A couple of the monkeys that inhabit the monkey forest                                               

                   
Sampling of the dense forest that surrounds the public paths.

The last stop on the tour is Tanah Lot, famous in Bali as the Sunset Temple.   Experience the sunset beyond the black lava towers of the sacred 16th century temple, built on a lava rock 200 meters off shore.

Tanah Lot means "Land in the Middle of the sea" in Balinese language.  The temple sits on a huge offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide.   
At sunset it is really a beautiful place with the surf rolling in.

Sunset at Tanah Lot
It makes a beautiful postcard picture               

 September 23rd, 2010 - Today we will enjoy a unique tour as we venture out on a half day elephant safari.       
 Get up close and personal with these incredible animals at the inspiring Elephant Safari Park. Watch them take their daily bath, enjoy a hand feeding session and experience an elephant trek through the beautiful tropical park.
Acclaimed as the world’s best elephant park, the Elephant Safari park is located near the historic village of Taro in central Bali and is home to Bali’s largest herd of 27 rescued Sumatran Elephants. The Park meets international standards for animal care and is set in more than 2 hectares of exotic eco-tourism landscaped botanical gardens, surrounded by dense forest. Here you can watch these amazing creatures taking their daily bath and demonstrating remarkable feats of strength and skill.  We will also enjoy a memorable ride aboard these magnificent creatures through the tranquil forested areas and you will also have the chance to feed the elephants and learn more about their plight.
Our tour includes a mid morning hotel pickup and an included lunch after the tour, before being taken back to our resort in the mid afternoon for the remainder of the day and the evening at leisure.
          


                Elephants bathing at the site of our Elephant safari tour

September 24th, 2010   This morning we will enjoy a Half day White Water Rafting tour at Ayung River with Lunch included along the river following our rafting excursion. Changing rooms are provided at the rafting facility. 
Tackle exciting rapids and enjoy the spectacular scenery on this fun-filled white water rafting adventure.
See cascading waterfalls, towering river cliffs and terraced rice plains as you follow a route through rainforest and narrow gorges.
We will make a brief visit to the popular Ubud district on our return transfer to the resort, so passengers can explore the arts and crafts and great shopping deals that make Ubud a popular attraction.
Our tour includes a mid morning pick up at our resort, lunch at the end of the excursion and a mid afternoon return, allowing the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

September 25th, 2010   Today is a full free day to enjoy optional excursions such as cycling, trekking or just relax on the gorgeous beaches or along the resort’s scenic pools or try your hand at one of the many water sport opportunities from our resort.  You way wish to savor the services of the resort’s spa facilities.
For those with a sense of adventure and a love of the outdoors, join us for a thrilling and most unique optional excursion. The sunrise guided hike of Mount Batur, the highest mountain on the island is an amazing experience for any active minded outdoors lover.  The walk is challenging at times, but suitable for anyone in good health and is well worth it, as the views from the top are magnificent.
For those who want to do something unique and be rewarded with spectacular views after an energetic hike, this event is Absolutely fantastic. The scenes from the top are really breathtaking, as you can see the nearby volcano of Abang and the other one on Lombok called Rinjani.  The sunrise over the shimmering lake below also leaves a lasting impression.
A continental breakfast of pastries and juices at the mountain top is provided as is lunch along a scenic lakefront after returning to the base of the mountain. 
A stop at a natural hot springs on our return to the resort provides a chance to relax and sooth your body following our adventure, before arriving back at our resort mid afternoon.
 (The cost of this adventure including round trip transportation from our resort hotel, the professionally guided hike, breakfast at the mountain top, lunch at the base and the visit to the hot springs following our hike is just $99)

        Photo taken by a tourist that enjoyed the hike of Mount Bahur for an amazing sunrise.

Tonight we will all enjoy the Bali Hai Sunset Dinner Cruise
There's no better way to relax and enjoy a balmy tropical evening than on Bali Hai's Sunset Dinner Cruise. As the sun slowly sets, we will board our catamaran cruiser and enjoy a selection of canapé appetizers as we wait for the vessel to depart.  We will gently cruise around the harbor, enjoying a wonderful international buffet dinner on board.  We will be entertained by Batak singers on the main deck, or for those who prefer some quiet background music, you may like to sit on the bridge deck and relax or perhaps take in the cool night air on the top deck. After dinner, a colorful cabaret show begins on the main deck and is followed with DJ music for dancing that continues through until the end of the cruise.
Pick up Time at our resort: 5:00 pm
Duration    Around 3 hours

 September 26th, 2010  This morning is at leisure to relax.  At 11am we will be picked up and taken for a thrilling zip line tree top excursion.    We will be taken to the Bali Treetop Adventure Park where we will enjoy an exciting adventure whereby we are placed in a safety harness and attached to a cable that effortlessly glides us across the cable from one tree top platform to another.
After our zip line excursion, we will enjoy an included lunch along scenic Lake Bratan, followed by a visit to the park’s beautiful Bedugul Botanical Gardens and the impressive Ulun Danu Bratan Temple.
Before returning to our resort, free time will be provided to stroll the grounds or take an optional jet ski ride on the lake (optional jet ski ride not included in the tour but available at an additional cost)

 September 27th, 2010  Today is another free day to explore, take an optional excursion, water sport or just relax on the beach or along the pools of our gorgeous resort.

Tonight we will enjoy a fantastic show.  The Fire, Trance & Monkey Dance Tour
No visit to Bali would be complete without seeing some of the island’s colorful Traditional Dances.  The Fire Dance is arguably the most spectacular - the dancer becomes so entranced that they are able to dance on hot coals without feeling pain!
Pick up Time:   Between 5.00pm and 5.45pm
Duration:       Approximately 2.5 hours.

September 28th, 2010   Today we will be picked up mid morning and transferred to the airport for our 1pm flight home on Singapore Airlines.  We will make a 2 hour stop in Singapore before connecting to our nonstop flight back to San Francisco arriving this evening (our flight arrives the same day due to our again crossing the International Date Line).

TRIP COST: ONLY $1799 PER PERSON plus taxes/airline fees of $460 per person (taxes subject to change)

TRIP INCLUDES:

• ROUND TRIP AIR from San Francisco to Bali on Singapore Airlines
• RT transfers between airport and hotel in Bali
• 7 nights Superior room accommodations at the 5 star Nusa Dua Resort and Spa
• Breakfast buffet each day

• Included tours:
• Monkey Forest & Tanah Lot Sunset Temple tour
• Half day Elephant Safari tour with lunch
• Half day White Water Rafting Tour with lunch
• Half day Tree Top Zip line tour with lunch, visit to Botanical Gardens & Ulun Danu Bratan Temple.

• Included evening excursions
• Sunset Dinner Cruise
• Fire, Trance & Monkey Dance Show
• Free roommate matching, as on all of our trips, is included
• Passengers wishing to substitute round trip flights from NY (JFK) instead of the group’s flights from SFO may do so at an additional cost of $499 based on availability at time of booking.
• Optional single supplement for those not wishing our free roommate matching service: $660

OPTIONAL 3 DAY 2 NIGHT EXTENSION TO SINGAPORE
Enjoy 3 days and 2 nights in one of the world’s most charming cities.
Enjoy a tour of fabled Chinatown, an optional Night Safari tour and optional visits to Sentosa Island (Singapore) and Johor Bahru Malaysia.  

    Architecture in Singapore’s Chinatown district

September 28th              We are transferred from our resort in Bali to the airport for a mid day flight to Singapore.
 Arrive mid afternoon where we are met and transferred from the airport to our 5 star hotel in Singapore
The Regent Singapore - A Four Seasons hotel is located in Singapore's bustling Tanglin district.   
Located in Singapore's Tanglin district, this hotel is near the Singapore Botanic Gardens, National Orchid Garden, and just minutes away from Singapore's most exclusive shopping and entertainment hub of Orchard Road.
Each of the 439 rooms and suites is outfitted with high-speed Internet access, a minibar, and complimentary designer toiletries
The hotel features an expansive health club with fitness equipment, a spa tub, sauna, and steam room. Body treatments can be arranged in one of the specialized treatment rooms and in-room massages are also available. A swimming pool is located outdoors and the Pool Bar is open from 11 AM - 7 PM.
There are several on-site dining options at The Regent Singapore, offering European, Japanese, and Cantonese fare for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The hotel has a bar and a tea lounge, and a drive-through option with to-go items is located on the lobby level. 24-hour room service is also available.

Dining

See all dining options at this hotel

Basilico - Offers Italian fare including wood-fired pizza and desserts. Indoor and alfresco seating available. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Summer Palace Restaurant - Serves Cantonese dishes in a setting defined by Chinese décor and antiques. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch service.
The Bar - Features cocktails and light fare from 5 PM - midnight Sunday through Thursday and 5 PM - 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
http://www.regenthotels.com/singapore

The remainder of the afternoon and evening is at your leisure.
Tonight, join us if you wish, on a unique optional evening event, the night safari tour.  On this tour the drama and mystery of the tropical jungle come to life after the sun has set.  Under the night sky, discover over 900 nocturnal animals of 135 species in their natural habitat and their natural jungle settings as they roam freely amidst acres of lush secondary forest.  Explore three walking trails that cover terrain ranging from the rocky Himalayan foothills, Nepalese Valley, dense jungles of Indo Malaysia to the grassy plains of Africa.  A 45 minute tram ride takes you to view animals from regions as diverse as the Himalayan foothills, the Nepalese River Valley, Equatorial Africa and the Indian subcontinent.  Animals seen on this journey include lions, hyenas, giraffes and rhino.
The night safari also features authentic tribal dances from the Thumbuakar Tribe hailing from the rainforests of Borneo – tribal dances, blowpipe demonstrations and fire eating displays that will complete your amazing night out at the Night Safari
.
Another popular optional evening activity is the Night Adventure tour featuring a scenic river cruise to view Singapore lit up aglow at night plus a sumptuous dinner and a visit to one of Singapore’s lively night markets for a unique shopping experience.

Sept. 29th - This morning is at leisure to relax or explore the fabulous and most unique shopping opportunities on famed Orchard Road, one of the most chic shopping avenues in the world.- all located walking distance from our hotel.

Those wishing more excitement, adventure and culture, may sign up for our optional half day morning excursion that will take you across the border into Malaysia.  This tour offers a wonderful chance to experience the true Malaysian hospitality and warm, vibrant culture.  You will visit the town of Johar Bahru, where you will make a visit to a traditional Malaysian crafts center, watch the craftsmen at work as they create batik, painting, and other local works of art.  Enjoy an introduction to the Angklong, a local Malay musical instrument.  Visit a Malay village (called a Kampong) where you will have the chance to experience the simple way the locals live their daily lives and have the opportunity to interact with the local people in a memorable way.    The tour picks up at our hotel at 8am and will have you back at noon.

 This afternoon, all will enjoy an included city tour of Singapore, taking us to explore the many sights that make Singapore a vibrant city in its own rite.

.  A highlight of this tour will be a visit to Chinatown.   During our visit to Chinatown, if you wish to enjoy a true cultural experience of the region, try the optional Trishaw ride, which takes you on a three wheeled cart, pulled by a local artisan through the colorful alleyways of vibrant Chinatown.  Catch a glimpse of the distinctive Architectural styles, religious monuments and charming specialty shops alongside a backdrop of Singapore’s ultramodern financial center..

At the end of our city tour, the remainder of the day is at leisure to further explore.

The Singapore Hop on Hop off shuttle is a great way to see the city, allowing you to return to a favorite place from our tour for greater exploration there or to visit additional places not covered in our tour and always have a simple transit system at your fingertips to explore at your own pace. 

Another popular activity for your free time is a late afternoon and evening visit to Sentosa Island Park.  Here you can explore the history of the country, visit an underwater dolphin lagoon, thrill to the excitement of a luge ride along a man made track, visit a butterfly garden , or ascend to the top of Carlsberg Sky Tower for a most picturesque view of the city.

Transportation to Sentosa is by cable car.  Glide through the air high above the harbor skies on a scenic adventure. The 1 mile ride from the mainland of Singapore to Sentosa offers expansive views of lush greenery and stunning coastal sights.

Once on Sentosa, you may wish to enjoy the 1 mile Nature Walk which starts from the Cable Car Arrival Plaza, and meanders through a secondary rainforest, giving you a closer look at Sentosa's flora and fauna. Look out for interesting vegetation like the insectivorous pitcher plants and Tembusu trees among others. You may also catch sight of long-tailed macaques, squirrels, geckos, and over 20 species of birds.

One of the leading attractions on Sentosa is the Tiger Sky Tower.  Singapore's tallest observatory tower offers panoramic views at almost 400 feet above sea level across Singapore, Sentosa, and even right up to neighboring Malaysia and the Indonesian islands. Day or night, views from the tower promise to be both scenic and breathtaking

Another top attraction at Sentosa island is a visit to Fort Siloso, Singapore's only preserved coastal fort stands as an important window to our colonial past and a poignant reminder of the war years. It has the largest collection of World War II memorabilia with life-sized replicas, interactive exhibits and even authentic aromas are lovingly recreated. Visitors can browse through more than 245 photographs, documents and film clips on display. When 'classes' are over, head out into the sunshine and examine actual 17th century guns and cannons, or explore the old tunnels. And while you're here, be sure to check out two new docudramas about the war years, three new routes and some brand-new exhibits, guaranteed to make history leap out at you.

Tonight, if you wish, enjoy the fabulous laser light show at Sentosa island after the sun has set. 

Sentosa island has many eateries for dinner options if you wish to stay on the island for the laser show and then return via cable car, for the 1 mile ride back to the mainland and then make your way via the easy public transit system or a short cab ride back to our hotel after the show.

If you prefer, enjoy the evening to explore the hopping restaurants and nightlife of the waterfront district and the nightlife district at leisure tonight.

September 30th  - This morning we are transferred to the airport for our flight back to San Francisco.  We will cross the International date line in flight and thus arrive at 12:30pm the same day, enabling all a very easy connection opportunity to their own domestic flights from SFO to your home cities.

Upon request, passengers can be booked on the evening return from Singapore to SFO departing Singapore at 5:50pm and arriving SFO at 8pm the same evening (upon request of this option, we will check availability on this flight and notify the passenger if it can be confirmed.  Passengers choosing the evening return flight will likely need to book a post trip hotel night in San Francisco for the night of the 30th, due to the 8pm arrival time)

COST OF OUR OPTIONAL 3 DAY/2 NIGHT EXTENSION TO SINGAPORE:  ONLY $339 + $19 Tax including

• Air on Singapore Airlines from Bali to Singapore
• 2 nights accommodations at the 5 star Four Seasons Regent Singapore Hotel with free roommate matching
• Breakfast daily at our hotel
• RT transfers to and from the airport/hotel
• City tour of Singapore including the lively Chinatown district

Optional single supplement: $239

A trip deposit of $200 is due within 10 days of making your deposit.  Deposits are refundable if cancelled by April 22nd. 

Balance payments are due June 22nd and are non refundable on receipt.