Bali

Bali – the predominantly Buddhist island of Indonesia has a personality of its own compared to the others. Here you’ll find temples as beautiful as the people, intricate offerings laid out on the street only to be trampled by passing traffic, and multiple religious holidays every year. This is the ‘real’ Bali.

The other side of Bali is that which has succumbed to rampant tourism – ‘Westerners Gone Wild’ strips of debauched behaviour and sunburnt skin. If this is what you’re after, you’ll love the stretch of coast which ranges from the family friendly resorts of Nusa Dua to the party strip of Kuta and up to the high-end place-to-be-seen of Seminyak. There are gems to be found in these places despite the tourist-playground feel, and the locals are as friendly and smiley as ever.

The mountain town of Ubud is surrounded by stunning hills and rice paddies. Here you’ll find a hippie paradise, with artisan handicrafts and musicians at every turn. Over on the east coast is the hidden gem of Amed. Stay in a bungalow here, eat street food like a local, relax on the beach and experience the amazing colours and creatures of the under water world with a spot of snorkeling.