Beautiful Bali holidays

Beautiful Bali lures all sorts of characters to its tropical shores – from spiritual seekers to surfers. The coastline is a big draw, and many of the best beaches can found down in the south – namely around Jimbaran, Kuta and the Bukit Peninsula. But there’s more to this Indonesian isle than its milky sands and gently breaking waves.

In the heart of the island, mountains give way to rolling hills. Bali’s highest peak, Mount Agung, is both an active volcano and the country’s holiest place. In fact, locals believe it’s the central axis of the universe. Thousands trek here each year to visit the isle’s most sacred temple, Pura Besakih, which calls the Agung slopes home.

For a true sense of Balinese culture, consider a stay in Ubud, where rice fields, lotus ponds and wellness centres collide. Or look to fashionable resorts like Seminyak for luxury hotel beach clubs and designer boutiques.

It’s one of the most sought-after beach destinations in the world, famed as much for its sublime spiritual beauty as its dizzying nightlife. You can still find the Bali of your dreams if you know where to look…

You’ll get a real insight into the Balinese way of life in the spiritual heart of the island: Ubud. It may bustle with art galleries, craft shops and tempting restaurants, but Ubud also soothes the soul with its renowned health and wellness centres. On your journey to and from the town you’ll see picture-postcard Bali - rainforest and terraced rice fields dotted with Hindu temples and shrines.

Seminyak shows you the other side of Bali with its hippy chic bars, luxury hotels and beach sunset scenes. There’s certainly fun to be had here, particularly after the sun goes down when its high-end bars and nightclubs come into their own.

Also known as the Bali Fire dance, this is one of Bali’s most iconic visual displays. Expect colourful costumes, extraordinary sounds, thrilling stories and – yes – fire, as the dancers tell the epic story of Ramayana in ritual movement. Kekac is performed all across Bali, but the most famous show is on the cliffs at Uluwatu, where the drama of the dance is made even more memorable by the beauty of an Indian Ocean sunset.