In Reply to: First Trip to Bali posted by NurseNikki on Tuesday, 2. August 2011 at 07:16 Bali Time:
You'd probably be best to book everything yourself. November is pretty busy so do it soon. You can always look at availability/prices etc online then compare with a travel agent.
Dynasty is pretty expensive - there are plenty of cheaper options & Dynasty seems to be favoured by families with small children. Grand Kumala in Legian is way cheaper & a lovely place close to the beach, just off Jl 66. Email for their prices - have family suites. Sister hotel Kumala Pantai is also good & you might like to look at the nearby ... sheesh, having a senior moment - used to be the Kuta Palace yonks ago. Hope someone will supply the name. They have apartments which might suit your family & are on the beach. Lots of good to great restaurants in that area, esp on the beach.
I agree that the Baik Bike tour is excellent - just google it - email Wayan in advance to arrange it. It's a highlight. I think other tours/trips are cheaper to arrange in advance than when there - read all JBRs. If you do a bike ride they very much appreciate any school-type stuff esp books. BTW a friend did a different, cheaper bike trip in June & it was a huge hassle.
See my comments below re: money.
Re: shopping - depends on what you want. I don't like market clothes & mainly buy from the Animale shops & Factory Outlet in Kuta & from shops around the Legian/Seminyak area. I use tailors a lot to copy & make clothes.
Ubud is wonderful for a night or 2 - the dance at the palace is lovely. If you do a bike tour they could collect you from the coast & drop you off at a hotel in Ubud. Ubud Bungalows in Monkey Forest Rd is a good, central place - very popular so must book well in advance. No taxis in Ubud - just drivers you have to negotiate with each outing so it's good to stay in the thick of things & walk.
I buy masses of Biokos skin care products, ditto Johhny Andrean hair care products (& always have my hair cut & coloured there - $25 compared with the $150 I spent this morning & probably a better cut from my fave guy in Bali).
In June friends & I had beautiful leather jackets made for $140 each. I got Oroton "inspired" bags for $50 each - Tommy Leather in Jl Padma. There are great shops everywhere. I guess Kuta-Legian is probably the most competitive. Seminyak tends to be more expensive.
For me no trip to Bali is complete without a night or 2 at Munduk. Well away from the tourist stuff with stunning views - search the archives.
Also, Lovina might appeal for a night or 2 - again, search the archives. Dolphin Beach Apartments seem stunning & pretty cheap for the luxury. Google. Also check out Amed.
You can take just about anything from home. Good hygiene is the best way to avoid illness. Use hand wipes before every meal (I use them on cutlery too). Pocari Sweat is an electrolyte drink available at every shop. Plenty of Apotiks (chemists) around in the tourist areas & very cluey.
I highly recommend getting a Rough Guide or Lonely Planet Guide unless you plan on spending all your time in the Tuban - Seminyak area.
Enjoy.