From Seminyak with its luxe hotel, bar and shopping scene to sleepy Ubud, home to artists and an annual literature festival, Bali combines stunning beaches, great surf and a sense of wellness that calms everyone who visits. Make sure you feast on local Balinese food in roadside warungs or book a table at one of the many fine dining establishments, which utilise the incredible variety of fresh produce on the island; from chocolate to salt. Visit stunning Hindu temples, rows of lush rice paddies and hike up to the tops of volcanoes for a birds eye view - you’ll leave already planning your next trip.
Eat & drink
From traditional Balinese cooking to organic cafes and fine dining, you’ll be spoilt for choice by the variety of very affordable food options. Try The Damai Restaurant in peaceful Lovina on Bali’s north coast, which whips up five course organic menus using produce grown in their own market garden. Their locavore offerings also include fresh seafood caught by nearby fishermen and extra virgin coconut oil made by friends in their village. Don’t miss an authentic Balinese , warung, or family-run cafe, for a taste of homestyle Indonesian cooking. In Jimbaran, wander along the warungs located on the beach to order fresh barbecued seafood by the kilo, and eat it by candlelight looking out to sea.
Sleep
Many of the accommodation offerings in Bali combine eco friendly approaches with luxe design and facilities. Book a room at the Hanging Gardens Ubud for a stay to remember, and enjoy soaking in its dreamlike glass-sided infinity pools, which hover over the lush rainforest below. Each room is equipped with its own mini infinity pool, and you can opt to have dinner while soaking next to the spectacular view. If you’re after a hotel with an award-winning spa, try COMO Shambhala Estate, located close to Ubud. Its rooms are a chic rendition of traditional Balinese architecture, with thatched, teak beamed roofs and white washed walls. The onsite spa is globally renowned and the hotel also offers other activities guaranteed to heal you, like guided nature walks and private outdoor yoga.
Explore
You’ll never run out of things to do in Bali - the mixture of stunning natural landforms, temples and wildlife is unforgettable. The list of outdoor activities available in Bali is endless. Choose between snorkeling, surfing or a hike in Bali Barat National Park to spot beautiful nusa deer, flying foxes, black giant squirrels and the endangered Bali starling. In Ubud, wander among the atmospheric trees of the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and visit Tegalalang Rice Terrace, with its lush green slopes of crops. Visit some of the historic temples here like Tanah Lot Temple in Beraban, which rises up from a rugged rocky outcrop overlooking the ocean, and Gunung Kawi, Bali’s oldest religious monument with ten beautiful shrines carved out of a cliff face.
Shop
Whether it’s high end designers or wares from local craftsman, it’s easy to find a wide array of shopping in Bali. Head to Seminyak for streets of sparkling boutiques from both global and local designers. Visit Cargo, for beautiful renditions of traditional Balinese homeware, like baskets and ceramic vases. Biasa was founded by Italian born designer Susanna Perini and crafts stunning resort wear using eco friendly techniques like natural dying If you’d rather take home a handcrafted souvenir visit the Art Market in Ubud. Taking place daily, the market is a delightful maze of wicker bags, detailed batik fabrics and chic candles, in local scents like coconut and frangipani. Many of the goods are made in nearby villages by talented artisans.