Bali

Bali is one of those destinations that's hard to explain until you see it. In a few days you can go from having breakfast surrounded by rice terraces in Ubud to standing in front of a temple built on a clifftop, swimming in a waterfall hidden in the middle of the jungle, rafting down a river surrounded by tropical vegetation, and ending the day with dinner by the sea.

But Bali isn't just pretty beaches. It's an island deeply shaped by its culture and spirituality — mostly Hindu within a predominantly Muslim country. You'll find small offerings placed in front of houses, temples in practically every village, ceremonies, markets, and a way of life that makes even the most everyday moments feel a little special.

And then there are the islands: Nusa Penida delivers some of the most spectacular scenery of the whole trip, while Gili Trawangan is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy a few island days.

This isn't a trip for staying at the hotel. You'll get up early, you'll walk, you'll get wet, you'll eat a huge amount, and some days you'll probably fall into bed completely exhausted. But that's exactly where part of the magic is.

What makes Bali special

Spirituality. The temples aren't just tourist monuments you visit for an hour — they're part of daily life for Balinese people. You'll see huge, famous temples, but also small shrines tucked between rice paddies or beside the road. Don't rush to leave them: often the nicest part of the experience is simply watching how the place works.

Nature. Bali's interior is incredibly green — rice terraces, waterfalls, mountains, lakes and jungle mean the scenery changes completely from one area to the next. One day you can be walking between rice terraces, and the next snorkeling in crystal-clear water.

Food. From small local warungs where you can eat for very little to beautiful modern restaurants. Try nasi goreng, mie goreng, nasi campur, satay, babi guling or ayam betutu — and give yourself the freedom to try anywhere that catches your eye. You don't need to constantly hunt down "the number one restaurant in Bali".

Wellness. Bali is one of the world's great wellness destinations: massages, spas, yoga, flower baths, traditional treatments, sound healing. After several days of early mornings and excursions, a good Balinese massage isn't an extra — it's survival.

The route

We start in Ubud, the island's cultural heart, surrounded by rice terraces, temples and jungle. From there we gradually explore Bali's interior before heading to the coast. Next comes Canggu, much younger, more modern and cosmopolitan: surf, cafés, restaurants, beach clubs and sunsets over the sea. And once you've seen Bali itself, we head for the water — Nusa Penida and Gili Trawangan are the most tropical part of the trip. Finally we return to Bali to finish in Uluwatu, at the southern tip, where the huge cliffs and sunsets make for the perfect farewell.