Bali has become the cheapest overseas holiday destination for Australians with heavily-discounted deals luring holidaymakers back to the resort island. Travel companies have released such specials as seven nights in a three-star hotel for $165, following the announcement last week Pacific Blue will start flying directly from Adelaide to Bali. Continue reading »

When guests at Anantara Maldives gather around the soft glow of candlelight for an evening of mystic storytelling, it is the Island Chief himself who takes them on a unique journey through the rich tapestry of history and folklore of the region. In a solemn tone Chief Didi recounts intriguing tales of legends and heroes. When the sun rises the next morning, he’s also the first one up, ensuring the beach is spotless for another day in paradise. Continue reading »

Virgin Blue will soon begin a new service of cheap flights from Perth to Bali – for less than $200 one way. The new Perth to Bali route – which begins on December 1 – follows the airline’s announcement of additional flights to Broome and new services to Karratha and Newman, starting in October, Perth Now reports. Perth Airport CEO Brad Geatches said that Virgin Blue’s entry into Perth to Bali market brings more competition to the route and more choice for Western Australian travelers. Continue reading »

Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. announces the opening of The St. Regis Bali Resort, located in Nusa Dua, an elite beach enclave on the Southern tip of Bali. Offering luxury, bespoke service and refined elegance, The St. Regis Bali Resort features 79 luxurious, oversized suites, 42 private villas and two exclusive Residences, as well as restaurants and bars, a signature Remède Spa, an intimate wedding chapel, ballroom and state-of-the-art meeting space. Continue reading »

A Bali court has ruled that an Indonesian man who stabbed Australian Heidi Murphy 37 times did not intend to murder her, instead jailing him for violent burglary. Ms Murphy, who ran a clothing business in Bali, was stabbed dozens of times when she awoke to find Ahmad Fahrul Rosi robbing her villa on the Indonesian resort island in February.

During his trial in the Denpasar District Court, Rosi begged for forgiveness and said he never meant to kill the Australian, only to steal from her to pay for his wedding. Prosecutors had argued the 23-year-old intended to murder Ms Murphy when he entered her rented home. Had he been convicted on that charge, he could have faced the death penalty. But a panel of three judges today found Rosi had “spontaneously” killed Ms Murphy, and was guilty of the lesser charge of violent burglary. They sentenced him to 15 years’ jail. Continue reading »

Forget Bali, Australian tourists could jump from Darwin to have a relaxing holiday in East Timor. East Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao said Australian tourists could be a driving force for the war-torn country’s economy. “I believe that when Australians know our country, they will prefer our country instead of Bali,” he said.

Mr Gusmao said East Timor did not have the infrastructure for large-scale tourism, but said new hotels, scuba-diving firms and a new Lonely Planet travel guide had made the country more attractive. He said scuba-diving could increase tourism from 10 Australians a year to 100 a month. “It is the cleanest water in the world. The most beautiful corals. “We too have Nemo.” Continue reading »