FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Dance, Dine and Unwind in Bali After Hours

by Johnny Motley

Aug 10, 2023

PHOTO: © PETER GALLEGHAN | DREAMSTIME.COM

August 2023

Bali, the Indonesian tropical paradise, has long been known as “The Isle of the Gods” — a fitting epithet, as the island is blessed with regal temples, majestic mountains and spectacular beaches. Dazzling scenery aside, one of the gods in question surely must be Varuni, the Hindu deity of wine and revelry. While Bali evokes yoga retreats, luxury spas and cozy beachside bungalows, the island is equally celebrated for pulsing clubs, glamorous beach parties and roaring nightlife.

Receiving untold thousands of tourists annually, Bali’s Denpasar International Airport — the most advanced in Indonesia — receives direct flights from most major cities in Southeast Asia and Australia. At nearly 2,300 square miles, Bali is a large island, home to several sizeable towns, each boasting a distinct personality and after-hours diversions.

In Kuta, the closest town to Denpasar Airport, hard-hitting clubs keep the party rocking each night until sunrise … or even later. The crowd in Kuta tends to skew younger, mostly 20-somethings brimming with spring- break energy. For packed dance floors, strobe lights and seismic speakers, head to Sky Garden, a four-story super club. Sky Garden frequently attracts big-name international DJs, and each floor boasts a distinct aesthetic and sound. Paddy’s Pub, another multistory nightclub, churns out house music and pours of Bintang beer until the wee hours. If you need a break from dancing, Paddy’s has quieter sections for lounging with a hookah or beverage.

North of Kuta lies the gorgeous beach town of Seminyak, the Malibu of Bali. Seminyak has its share of thumping nightclubs, but the town is better known for glitzy beach parties. Seminyak attracts a more refined clientele than Kuta does, and prices are noticeably higher. Go to Potato Head Beach Club, a glittering beachside resort, to sip cocktails by the pool and rub shoulders with the rich, famous and beautiful. Entry into some pool parties requires a reservation and cover charge. After dark, La Favela, a famous Seminyak nightclub, keeps the dance floors hot and the libations flowing. The top floor of La Favela treats patrons to exquisite views of the ocean and island. Bali’s LGBTQIA+ nightlife scene is small, with Seminyak its current center, but growing.

© LCCHEW | DREAMSTIME.COM

In the center of Bali, about an hour by car from the coast, discover Ubud, a mountain enclave renowned for yogis, Balinese theater and Hindu holy sites. While Ubud’s ethos is more subdued, the town offers no shortage of evening fun. Laughing Buddha Bar, a popular haunt among travelers and locals alike, serves up live music, cold beer and delicious bites. Ubud proves a fantastic place to watch traditional Balinese dance, a venerated tradition with all the beauty and subtlety of French ballet. You can watch Balinese dance most nights at Uluwatu Theater, with tickets about $7 and performances lasting around an hour. Ubud boasts plenty of fabulous dining options, too. The chefs at Restaurant Locavore use traditional Balinese ingredients to craft Michelin-quality plates. Try the seven-course tasting menu for an unforgettable dinner.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Apr 23, 2025

Art Meets Mixology in Washington, D.C., at Allegory

There’s a brand-new cocktail menu at Washington, D.C.’s, Allegory, winner of the 2023 Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award and ranked No. 23 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list. But the new Banned in DC menu isn’t just a collection of cocktails, as explained by Creative & Beverage Director Deke Dunne, who — along with his team — concocted the fictionalized journey of civil rights advocate Ruby Bridges as she falls into a rabbit hole set 100 years in the future.

Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive

Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.

April 2025
Apr 23, 2025

Hotels Prove They Care About Their Guests and Destinations

Once upon a time, miniature bottles of luxury-branded bath gels, lotions and shampoos were the mark of a high-end hotel, but those single-use souvenirs are becoming a thing of the past as new trends indicate in-room amenities are meant to stay exactly there ... in the room.

April 2025
Apr 23, 2025

Choose Tools to Improve Sleep, Meditation and Well-Being

Core Meditation Trainer  Interested in learning to meditate but don’t know where to start? The Core Meditation Trainer will help improve your practice, using dynamic vibration guidance to help keep you centered. Simply hold the device in your palms and follow the instructions from the Core App to reduce stress and improve focus. Its sensors monitor your heart and nervous system so you can track how your meditating progresses. Measuring just 3.5 by 3.5 by 3.5 inches, this device is TSA-approved for carry-on, and one charge lasts up to two weeks. $159 plus subscription.

Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach

Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.

Daily
Apr 23, 2025

Explora Journeys Launches Explora Club

Explora Journeys recently unveiled its Explora Club, a new loyalty program for its discerning guests. Explora Club’s five-level structure is seamless and intuitive, as each level includes a collection of benefits, like priority access and exclusive savings. Factors contributing to levels include weighted nights at sea, multiplied by suite category; Destination Experiences purchased pre-cruise or onboard; and eligible onboard spending, including Ocean Wellness, culinary experiences and beverages, laundry, and purchases at The Journey boutique.

eFlyer Deals
Apr 23, 2025

Snag The Berkeley’s Limited-Time Cartier Deal, Experience

London’s The Berkeley, one of the city’s most upscale hotels, celebrates one of the most anticipated exhibitions of the year with a special offer. Cartier: The Pursuit of Beauty opens at Victoria & Albert Museum, featuring more than 350 objects, from precious jewels to gemstones to watches to clocks.

A Summer Sojourn Along Europe’s Rivers with AmaWaterways

This summer, elevate your vacation experience with award-winning AmaWaterways. Offering a seamless blend of unparalleled luxury, authentic cultural experiences and unrivaled service, AmaWaterways cruises are the perfect way to uncover the heart of Europe during the sunniest season with itineraries that glide along the continent’s most iconic rivers, including the Danube, the Rhine, the Seine and the Douro.

eFlyer Lead
Apr 23, 2025

Helicopter Tourism: How Safe Is It?

On April 10, a helicopter (more specifically, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV) plummeted into the Hudson River in New York City, killing everyone onboard the aircraft. The crashed helicopter was on its eighth tour of the day when it fell from the sky.