Bali is the supermodel of Indonesia: a stunning natural beauty who likes to hang out in designer boutiques and fabulous luxury hotels with celebrity chefs. But she's certainly more than just a pretty face. Bali's culture is warm and welcoming with incredibly charming people, beautiful temples, hip beaches and a gentle spirituality. Bali is also home to some of Indonesia's most exquisite luxury hotels and is the perfect destination to whizz away to on the honeymoon of a lifetime.
Journey through Java and delight in its unique volcanic landscape, lively atmosphere, colourful markets and traditional Javanese art. The beating heart of Indonesia, Java has a population of 120 million in an area half the size of Great Britain. Head north and scale Mount Bromo in time for a fiery red sunset (a photo opportunity if ever we saw one). Make the early morning pilgrimage to Borobudur, the incredible 8th century Buddhist temple or pick your Batik (traditional died fabric) while doing some serious shopping at Yogyakarta or Solo.
But Java isn’t exclusively about culture and history. The less travelled south coast has plenty of beachfront retreats; though beware of the choppy Indian Ocean – great for surf breaks, not for swimming!
Less developed and more serene, Lombok is hot a Bali’s heels. Intriguing local culture and a wonderfully varied landscape of waterfalls, mountains and chilli farms, Lombok is the island to get away from the crowds. Still relatively untouched by mass tourism and packed with fabulous, rustic beaches Lombok has become somewhat of a Mecca for surfers. Here you’ll also be just a short hop from the Gili islands where its coral fringed waters offer perfectly crystal clear waters for snorkelling.
Kalimantan is the wild one with its mountains to summit, turquoise oceans to dive and most famously, jungles of orang-utans and proboscis monkeys to befriend. This is the island to get back to basics. Spend the night in a traditional homestead in a dayak village or stay at one of the islands eco lodges who help offer a touch of luxury to the weary traveller.
Not only is Flores one of the most naturally beautiful islands in Indonesia it’s also home to the launch point for tours to both Komodo and Rinca islands where wildlife buffs go to seek out Komodo dragons. Beautiful, secluded islands dot the coast and offer fantastic diving and snorkelling, while conquering Mount Kelimutu is a must to with its three crater lakes. This predominantly catholic island will welcome you with open arms.