Bali can be as busy and frenetic or as peaceful and tranquil as one wants to make it. It is home to some of the most elegant and beautifully designed hotels in the world, yet they are counterbalanced by small, boutique properties and a growing numbers of private, fully staffed villas. Called the island of the gods, as you travel round, you will find temples everywhere frequently adorned with flowers as the locals worship a particular deity. There are lovely drives and panoramic hikes in the central volcanic mountain range. Nevertheless, your lasting memory is likely to be the kindness and openness of the people. From the staff in your hotel to the young children playing outside their village, there is truly a magical and spiritual quality that lives within them all.

Ubud is Balis cultural heart and life thrives on the banks of the mystical Ayung. It is home to an artistic community drawn from all over the world and you will find any number of galleries and museums. The hills and valleys surrounding Ubud contain a number of traditional villages as well as some of the most spectacular scenery on the island. Worth visiting are the central volcanoes, the beautiful scenery of Lake Batur and Gianyar, the home of ikat weaving.