
TransNusa has introduced nonstop flights connecting Bali and Phuket, offering a direct air link between these two Southeast Asian island destinations. The inaugural service from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport took place on September 9, 2026. The flight duration is approximately four hours. Initially, the route will operate four times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, before becoming a daily service from October 3, 2026. This new route eliminates the need for connecting flights, making it easier to combine Bali and Phuket in a single itinerary. Datuk Bernard Francis, TransNusa Group Chief Executive Officer, stated that the route aims to boost tourism, create economic opportunities, and strengthen TransNusa's hub in Bali. The direct connection also facilitates international passengers combining Phuket and Bali with other Indonesian destinations. Flights depart Bali at 11:30 AM, arriving in Phuket at 2:35 PM. Return flights leave Phuket at 3:35 PM, arriving in Bali at 8:35 PM. The service uses an Airbus A320 with 174 seats. Introductory one-way fares start at IDR 2,399,000 or USD 135. TransNusa offers three fare products: SEAT 20kg baggage, SEAT-PLUS, and FLEXI-PRO 30kg baggage, hot meal, priority boarding, flexible changes. This launch precedes Thailand's new visa-exemption rules, effective September 15, 2026, which could encourage multi-destination trips for long-stay travelers and remote workers. The Phuket launch is part of TransNusa's broader ex
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Moon Gang, a new five-suite boutique hotel in Ubud, Bali, offers a distinct wellness retreat experience. Designed by Yasmine Ghoniem of YSG Studio and owned by Kirsten Millbank, the hotel is located among rice paddies on the Sari Organic Walk, accessible by scooter. Guests are ferried to the property from a shopfront called Mini Moon Gang on Ubud's main street. The hotel features a central courtyard pool and offers individual suite bookings or full property rental for up to 10 people. Each stay includes wellness activities tailored by local staff, such as full spectrum sauna sessions and yoga, healing, breathwork, and meditation led by Balinese yogi Gina. These activities take place on the rooftop of the in-house spa, established in partnership with Fields of Yarrow, a botanics-based skincare brand. Day spa treatments are available at an additional cost. The interiors, a blend of Balinese sanctuary, Japanese minimalism, and tropical design, feature handmade ceramic lights, glazed lava stone tiles, and hand-dyed curtains. Each bedroom includes an acrylic paint set, and a typewriter is available to borrow. Complimentary breakfast is provided by Dragonfly, a cafe opposite the property, with food also deliverable to suites or poolside. The Nongkrong Lounge serves as a communal space with a tea station, vinyl bar, and curated record selection by Indonesian DJ Munir Harry Septiandry. Moon Gang is approximately two hours from Bali’s I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and can b
Must readAt 57, Debbie Welsch moved to Bali with her 82-year-old mother after selling her US home and belongings for $550,000. She now pays $375 per month for rent and has established a new life focused on managing her savings. In an episode of Cost of Living, Welsch explains the expenses of retiring in Bali and how she budgets for her life abroad.

Fivelements, a wellness retreat brand founded in Bali in 2010 and acquired by GOCO Hospitality in 2024, is expanding globally. The original Ubud retreat in Bali will reopen in late 2026 after a redesign, with a more extensive transformation planned for 2028. New locations include Fivelements Samui in Thailand, set to open in early 2027 as the brand's flagship with a longevity clinic. Further expansion includes Switzerland in 2029 and Kolašin, Montenegro, in 2030. A Spanish location is also in development, though no date has been announced. This expansion reflects a trend in high-end wellness towards integrated protocols and longer stays.