Bali nowadays is one of the most popular small holiday resorts on the island. Although many tourists are coming every summer it does never look that busy. Even on the high season its calm (its quite busy on some beaches on Sundays of Julie till 15 August. Good day for drive away or go on boat cruise!). It's a quiet place because the hotels are dispersed on the coast all around the bay. There are five nice sandy beaches in the bay and some little hidden beaches in and out of the bay. Close to the main beaches are cafeterias, beach bars, taverns, fast foods, water sports. There are different kinds of small shops, mini markets, tourist offices, car rental offices, even Real Estate agencies. There are some night clubs, bars, dancing clubs, but don't worry, not too noisy for those who prefer sleep quiet!!! Here you will find every thing you would like and if not ...the city is not far at all! Buses pass every half hour from the national road to the cities, boats organise trips to Rethimno twice a week. As the village is located at the middle of Crete, near the main road, it is very easy for you to drive by car (or bus) to every place on the island and come back to your hotel and that's one more benefit which makes Bali a popular place! Bali attracts a fairly young and cosmopolitan mix of couples and families. Ideal place of holidays for every body, perfect for families, i would say. Not perfect for people with disabilities as there are plenty of hills. There are people with disabilities who are coming here (also for scuba diving) and some return as they love the place. But some one who comes for first time, should know how it is before he/she comes! Any way the little train which goes around Bali every day, it makes it easier, and cheap, for every body! Even if you just want to move from one side to another or even if you want to make a complete tour and see the whole village. The little train start at 9:00 pm until 11:00 am continuously, and it pass from the same points every one hour.
A place that is worth to visit some day, during your holiday in Bali, is the historical monastery of Agios Ioannis Prodromos. It is on the side of the mountain over Bali on the south-west side (just over the national road) about 2km from the bus station on the way to Rethimno. Its worth to visit, as well, on the hill at the north side of Bali, where the castle Gloria was, the small tower (cafe) for the plain and beautiful view. Especially in the afternoon, before the sun set! Another interesting place close to Bali is the cave in the historic village of Melidoni, behind the mountains at south-west.
Bali bay is perfect, except for Scuba Diving, for other kind of Water sports as well. You will find different kind of water sport on some of the beaches. The most organised is on the first big beach "Livadi". Two friendly guys, Andreas and Alex, will give you a lot of fun on the water!
The restaurants and bars in the hotels are good, you will like them but probably you will not get really Cretan "test" of food, hospitality and fun if you don't visit the taverns and the local cafeterias and bars. Go out, find some place of your pleasure, stay there and talk with the local (Cretan) people. I'm sure you will enjoy your time and you will make some friends!