Bali truly has it all. From breathtaking natural beauty to ancient traditions and modern comforts, the island is rightly considered one of the world’s best holiday destinations. Whatever you’re into, the Island of the Gods has a heavenly getaway made just for you.

For thrill seekers, there are barrel waves to surf in Canggu, shipwrecks to discover in Tulamben, volcanoes in Batur and off-road adventures in the island’s interior. For those in search of rest and relaxation, Bali lays out some of the world’s finest wellness breaks, where body and soul can find peace amid the tropical greenery. Foodies can indulge in cuisines from around the world, while nature lovers can explore a garden of Eden away from the crowds.

Dig a little deeper and you will find rich traditions of art, music, theater and festivities that date back through generations. Balinese culture is famed for its eclectic nature and its ability to bedazzle. Check out the fiery Kecak dance on a clifftop overlooking the ocean at sunset, or spend the day making delicate canang offerings in the local temple. Whether on canvas, in stone or in the sinews of dancers, Bali brings art to life.

Did we mention beaches? If you’re in search of sand and sea, Bali is the X that hits the spot. From lazy days beneath the coconut palms in Sanur, to the dramatic black sands of Gianyar and the dreamy sunsets of Seminyak; Bali is an exotic island paradise that’s easy to love and impossible to forget.

These twin islands are anything but identical; each one has its own unique set of charms, just waiting to be explored. If you want some time off from the hustle and bustle of the main island, Lembongan is the place to go; a tropical enclave of coastal roads, villages and surf breaks. Try snorkeling at Mangrove Point, or enjoy delicious Balinese cuisine on the beach at Mushroom Bay Beach Club. Relax on golden sands, sunbathe, snorkel and swim, or explore the coast with ocean kayaks; from Dream Beach to Crystal Bay, the islands’ many hotpots are hiding countless treasures.

Although definitely moving up in the world with some luxury hotels and restaurants, Lembongan retains an off-the-map charm. Some world-famous surf breaks continue to attract the very best: Shipwrecks, Playgrounds and Lacerations are the most popular, although a fourth – named Racecourses – sometimes appears just south of Shipwrecks. If getting under the waves is more your style, Penida has to be the next destination in your diving logbook. The channel separating Penida from Lembongan is a wild ride of drifts and currents, ready to sweep you past walls of mushroom coral. Around these outcrops, expect to encounter giants – from migrating rays and sharks, to awe-inspiring mola (or ocean sun fish).

Located in West Nusa Tenggara, Lombok is Bali’s less famous neighbor; a sleepy island of beautiful views, waterfalls, contrasts and surprises. To the north is the Rinjani volcano; from this lofty peak, the island cascades down through verdant farmland, fields and coastal paths – perfect for trekking, cycling and hiking adventures through villages where ancient Waktu Telu traditions let travellers glimpse a bygone era.

To the west, Sengiggi offers a wide range of restaurants, bars and accommodation, along with beaches and bays that stretch for around 10km along the coast. South Lombok is where you will find Kuta, Sekotong and Tanjung Aan; home to remote sandy beaches and some excellent surf. Lombok is also home to the Sasak tribes, who maintain a number of ancient traditions, including the weaving of Lombok’s signature ikat fabric.

Reaching out like thought bubbles from the northwestern corner of Lombok, the Gili Islands are Lombok’s very own dream of desert island paradise. These miniature holiday hotspots each have their own unique character, offering those who come to visit a choice of seclusion, beauty, party culture and tropical escapism, all within paddling distance of each other.

Trawangan (also known as Gili T) is a place to party, with bars and restaurants keeping the beats pumping and the drinks flowing long into the night. Gili Meno is the exact opposite; a place where you can unplug from the world and slow the pace. Gili Air is probably a blend of both, combining just enough activity to give those long afternoons in hammocks a rest.

Despite their remote location and (mostly) laid-back character, there’s plenty to see and do in the Gilis. Try snorkeling with turtles off Gili Meno, free diving on Gili T, walking on Gili Air, diving with reef sharks at Shark Point and raving the night away on Trawangan. Despite the growing popularity of these three tropical islands, they have retained their original, languid character. Locals are friendly, welcoming and continue to offer insights into local ways of life that have lasted for generations.

The world’s most populous island, Java is home to 140 million people and is the driving force of Indonesia. Sitting in the epicenter of the Archipelago, Java is the beating heart of business and the historical lodestone of the nation; its western tip nudges at the edge of Sumatra, while the eastern corner is in Bali’s back yard. In between, the island follows a convoy of volcanoes, splitting the Java Sea and Indian Ocean along the ring of fire.

Java is an island of extremes, opposites, contradictions and infinite depth; no matter what your passion – art and culture, sport and adventure, meditation, magic or music – Java has the landscape and the history to put on a show just for you. From ancient monuments to modern skyscrapers, from lowland rice gardens to the furnace of volcano peaks; to travel Java is to experience all the bubbling fusion and diversity of the archipelago in microcosm.

Yogyakarta (also sometimes spelled ‘Jogjakarta’) is the only Indonesian royal city still ruled by a monarchy; a fact that seems appropriate to this regal and charming city. Yogya has long been the spiritual and cultural heartland of Java, and you can still find Javanese fine arts and crafts in all their vibrant glory; from batik and silversmithing, to ballet, music, poetry, painting and the famous wayang shadow puppet play.

A walk around this historic town is a trip into the history of Indonesia. This former capital and current hub of a royal Sultanate is where you will find the Kraton, which is the Sultan’s palace; and Jalan Malioboro, with its rows of pavement vendors, performers, warung and nearby markets stalls.

Just beyond the walls of the city, the vast bread basket of Java rolls out in all directions; a plateau of rice paddies and coconut groves, punctuated by volcanoes and ruins of ancient empires. Yogyakarta is the ideal starting point for trips to Borobudur; the oldest Buddhist monument in the world and Indonesia’s number one tourist attraction. Today, Yogyakarta remains the epicenter of history, culture and exploration in Java and beyond.

One of the Lesser Sunda Islands, Flores is the hub in a wheel of tourism wonders that spirals out to all corners of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The name Flores actually comes from the Portuguese word for flowers (Cabo de Flores or ‘Cape of Flowers’). In the early 16th century, spice trading expeditions carried ships to distant shores, where the crimson flowers of the Flamboyant tree (Delonix regia) clung to the coast of the peninsula. Today, the island’s beauty continues to attract travellers from far and wide; Flores is home to idyllic natural scenery, spectacular volcanic lakes and traditional villages.

A short boat ride away is Komodo; the land of dragons. The jewel in the crown of Komodo National Park, the island is home to the world’s largest lizards, which can grow to 3 metres in length and weigh up to 100kg. The island is also home to rich birdlife, flying foxes, fruit bats, wild horses, long-tailed macaques, palm civets, boar and snakes. Beyond the shore, Komodo is an outstanding place for diving, with 260 species of coral and 70 different sponges, along with sea turtles, dolphin, sharks and over 1,000 documented species of fish. Whether exploring on land or sea, Komodo is both a land that time forgot and the maker of some unforgettable memories.

Papua is a nature-lover’s paradise. Located at the very eastern edge of Indonesia, this verdant land of rainforests, mountaintop villages and emerald seas is one of the world’s most biodiverse locations, with UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the largest protected area in the Asia-Pacific region. On land, you will find marsupials such as possums, wallabies, tree-kangaroos and cuscuses, along with other mammals (including the endangered Long-beaked Echidna), many bird species (including birds of paradise, cassowaries, parrots, cockatoos), and a staggering array of insects, including the world’s largest butterflies. An estimated 16,000 species of plants are native to Papua and can be found nowhere else.

Beyond the shore, Raja Ampat lays out one of the world’s premier diving locations; a living library for the world’s coral reefs and a mecca for marine life. Four major islands make up the group – Waigeo, Misool, Salawati and Batanta – but more than a thousand smaller islands freckle these tropical shores. The region comprises 9.8 million acres of land and sea, home to 540 types of corals (75% of the world’s population), more than 1,000 types of coral fish, 13 mammal species and 700 types of molluscs. Turtles, manta rays, sharks, seahorses, tuna and trevallies can all be spotted here, along with 27 species of reef fish known only to Raja Ampat. Whether on land or sea, it all adds up to an extraordinary wildlife adventure.