Bali

The self-styled ‘Ultimate Island' certainly has plenty to recommend it for everyone, from those looking for a relaxing beach holiday through to a cultural journey. It is a dramatic holiday paradise of rolling rice paddies, tropical rainforest and sweeping beaches, topped with hulking volcanoes. Added to the natural attractions of this island are a sprinkling of resorts that ring the coastline offering a wealth of world-class facilities and hotels. One of the world's largest Hindu communities add their own local colour with lively processions and a flurry of temples, many set at some of the island's most dramatic locations.

With year round warmth the majority of visitors are Australians and Western Europeans. Traditionally Bali's buzzing southern resort of Kuta pulls in a younger 18-35 year-old crowd, but they have been joined in the last decade or so by families attracted to the well-equipped and quieter resorts of Sanur and Nusa Dua.

Bali is located just off the eastern edge of the main Indonesian island of Java. To the east is the neighbouring island of Lombok, while the equator lies to the north. To the south of Bali lies the expanse of the Indian Ocean, while to the north is the Bali Sea. The island's main resorts of Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur lie around the coastline in the south, while the most popular inland resort with holidaymakers is Ubud north of Sanur.

Bali boasts a string of beaches, mainly in the south of the island. The resorts of Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur all boast good stretches of sand with a range of facilities and watersports available. In the north the black sands of Lovina are a striking alternative and never get too busy.

Head away from Bali's beaches and a totally different world awaits, one where it often feels like the 20th, let alone the 21st, century is yet to dawn. Ubud is an easily accessible jungle resort town with a good range of hotels, shops and restaurants. The interior is also home to volcanoes (the active volcano of Mount Batur is a highlight) and mountain lakes, while in the east lie the famous rice paddies, set dramatically around the island's stepped terraces.

All of the resorts have plenty of facilities for families and the beaches of the south are also justifiably popular. In Ubud there is a monkey park (Jalan Monkey Forest, Padangtegal), where young ones can see monkeys that are not kept in tiny cages and an elephant park (Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Pesanggaran) where holidaymakers can ride an elephant.

All of the coastal resorts have air-conditioned shops offering everything a holidaymaker could ever need. The beaches also attract hawkers selling goods that range from fake designer sunglasses to imitation watches. The shops of Ubud have some more interesting artwork and souvenirs, such as wooden Hindu carvings and brightly coloured batiks.

Bali's nightlife action is mainly centred in the southern resorts. Nusa Dua, Sanur and especially Kuta all buzz on steamy holiday nights with a string of bars, cafes and nightclubs. The most popular is the Bounty, a throbbing venue set in a wonderfully tacky ship (Jalan Legian). The action in Kuta is fuelled by a young crowd looking for a serious party. Nusa Dua and Sanur have quieter restaurants where families can relax.

All of Bali's holiday resorts offer international cooking to suit every palate, with most of the better hotels having excellent restaurants. For local flavour the choice is to eat at a restaurant or just savour some Indonesian dishes in an informal café or street stall. Here the fried rice dishes can be first class with local seafood often part of the mix. Indonesian Bintang beer is very popular and goes well with the local cuisine.

There are a limited number of local buses and hotels also arrange both transfers and bus tours. The other public transport option is to brave the local ‘bemo' minibuses. These colourful little minibuses hurl themselves around the winding roads with fares negotiated on board, so it helps to speak a little of the local language. Alternatively there are also taxis and both mopeds and cars can be hired.

The offshore island of Nusa Penida makes for a perfect day trip. Operators can pick holidaymakers up in all of the southern resorts and from many hotels. This idyllic island is relatively unspoilt and offers the chance of swimming and snorkelling on arrival. The boat trip across the Badung Strait is all part of the fun. The scuba diving around Nusa Penida is also excellent.

A newcomer in 2006, Breeze (Jalan Laksmana, Seminyak Beach) (website: www.thesamayabali.com) has taken the island by storm. Holidaymakers should head here for some sophisticated beachside dining by the sea. A variety of international treats are on the menu at a venue equally adept at laying on a few cocktails for a sundowner or a lavish evening meal. They also have an excellent stock of Scottish whisky.

Denpasar International Airport (DPS)