Considered one of the top destinations in the world, it’s no surprise many travellers book cheap flights to Bali. Although this Indonesian island is far from the biggest, it is packed with phenomenal delights: from the iconic temple of Pura Ulun Danu enigmatically sitting on Lake Bratan among misty mountains, to the coral reefs and stunning volcanic sand beaches of Lovina.
There are around 20,000 temples in Bali and Hinduism permeates the island’s spiritual culture. During Nyepi, a day in late March, everybody on the island is required to stay silent to ward off evil spirits, while various colourful festivals such as Galungan are also held during the year. You can often see dancers in traditional Balinese dresses and headgear take to the streets while percussion orchestras play boisterous gamelan music.
The island offers something for everyone though, with Seminyak as chic central for those wanting sophisticated restaurants and luxury beaches, while nearby Kuta is for those who prefer wild nights out. At the foothills of volcanic hillsides and mountains in central Bali, culture vultures will find Ubud, Bali’s centre of arts, crafts and dance, and the famous Sacred Monkey Forest, which is home to around 340 macaques.
Flights to Bali seem more like flights to paradise when faced with the long, golden beaches of Nusa Dua or the cliff-hanging temple at Uluwatu. Jumping on a moped is one of the best ways of getting around and soaking up the beauty of the volcanic lakes, rice terraces and rare wildlife that await you in Bali.