With 17,000 islands to go around, holidays to Indonesia spoil you for choice. You can earn your scuba stripes in Bali, meet the monkeys in Ubud, and venture up a volcano in Lombok.
Spin a globe to where the Indian and Pacific oceans meet, and you’ll find the island nation of Indonesia – scattered like steppingstones between Singapore and Australia. Indonesia’s island catalogue spans 17,000 and counting – new ones are constantly being discovered – and they come in just about every shape and size.
Looking after your body and soul is a huge part of Indonesian culture. So, it’s no surprise that there’s plenty in the way of spa treatments here. The island of Bali has hundreds of hotels where your stays are often centred around massages, manicures and milk baths. Pair this with relaxing by your hotel’s pond-still pools, dining in gourmet restaurants and exploring Bali’s rice-paddy-filled countryside, and you’ll have all the ingredients for a peaceful, tropical island getaway.
In Bali, the sands are accessorised with swish cocktail clubs and high-end hotels, while the forest-filled interior turns its attention to yoga classes and temple tours. Lombok takes an even more laidback approach, replacing spas with waterfalls and bar streets with volcano hiking trails. Whichever one you choose, pack your wetsuit – they’re both top-notch territory for surfing and snorkelling.
