Bali has become synonymous with all that is beautiful and exotic. And rightly so. For Bali is a beautiful island of palm fringed beaches, coral ringed lagoons and soaring volcanoes; inhabited by beautiful people with a unique tradition of music, dance, painting, sculpture, architecture, drama and poetry.Despite its popularity with the rich and famous, Bali remains a land of surprises where you can still experience real adventure, discover untouched places and witness exotic rituals unlike anything you've ever seen before.

Laid-back or action-packed?

On Bali, every day is filled with endless options. You can relax and unwind in the seaside sophistication of Sanur. Or trek into the lush highlands of Kintamani. stopping by the villages of Ubud and Mas (the spots to buy traditional Balinese art and carvings) on the way. Or take a memorable sea trip to Pulau Serangan, the "Turtle Island" in a dazzlingly painted outrigger "prahu" with snapping sails the colour of turquoise.For sports enthusiasts there's golf, tennis, great surfing, wind surfing and snorkelling while divers find thrills on the wreck of the Liberty in the crystal clear waters of Tulamben. There's also parasailing, river kayaking and white water rafting. Or mountain biking along the Batur Trail.

Sleep and eat to your heart's content

In Bali you can opt for an exclusive five star resort tucked away in the misty mountains or a casual "home-stay" within a coconut's throw of the beach. There's a seemingly endless choice of accommodation and cuisine.A Bali banquet, for instance, is not to be missed! You can dine on the delicious local dishes like roasted suckling pig, broiled lobster and fine seafood. Most hotels and resorts offer a wide array of western style menus and you can also find Chinese, Japanese, and Indian food in certain places.

Dances with Gods

Spectacular costumes and jewelled head-dresses, amazing masks; dance is the very centre of life in Bali. Some, like the famous Kecak, involve hundreds of dancers, while the Barong is a majestic contest between the opposing forces of good and evil. You may even be lucky enough to see the ritual trance dance in which enchanted nymphs chase away evil spirits!

Highlights

• Watching the sun set over Tanah Lot temple. Visiting the Art Centre and Museum of Painting at Ubud. Catching a wave at Uluwatu. Watching the gold and silversmiths at work in the village of Celuk. Meeting one of Bali's national treasures, the stone carver Wayan Cemul. Visiting the studio of Nyoman Suradnya, Indonesia’s foremost designer of the delicate Batik patterns.
• Bargaining with the wood carvers of Mas.

Transport & Accommodation

Flights

• Numerous direct flights from Europe. Australia and most Asian countries.
• Domestic flights to and from major cities within Indonesia.

Sea

• Regular passenger ferries from Java and Lombok.
• Cruise ship stop-offs.

Overland

• By car from Java.

Accommodation

• A wide selection of luxurious hotels to simple guest houses.