"Bali's Iconic Rice Terraces Bali's rice terraces are a beautiful sight, and a great place to view them is Jatiluwih in Tabanan. There are pathways cut through the fields for tourists and small stalls at which to sit and have a cold drink, but groups are few and far between, so it's one of the few places in Bali where life seems to just carry on without too much regard for visitors. It's possible to go to Jatiluwih for half a day, but a full day or even two walking the rice terraces and surrounding hills is definitely recommended. There are a range of guesthouses and hotels in nearby Munduk, Baturiti, and Pupuan, which are all beautiful in their own right."

"Impossibly Good Surfing Take a surf lesson with Impossible Surf School, located in Padang Padang, for a great introduction to a beautiful pastime in Bali . Lessons are taught in English & range from beginners workshops to expert surf guiding on the water."

"The Mother Temple On the shoulders of Bali ’s most sacred mountain is perched its Mother Temple, Pura Besakih, a complex of 23 sacred buildings. Several times annually, pilgrims flock here from around the island—on the backs of motorbikes, in buses and bemos, even crowded together, standing-room only, in the beds of trucks—to make offerings at the several clan temples (each family is part of a clan represented here) and at the largest and most important temple, Pura Penataran Agung, tiered and built into the mountain’s slope. Make sure to climb to the impressive second courtyard, which is as far as tourists are generally allowed to go. The complex is most alive during frequent festivals, when thousands descend, ceremonially dressed, and flow throughout the temple grounds. When the sky is clear, you can see from here down into the valley and out to sea."

"Commune with the Sun There has been an explosion of beach clubs in Bali recently, and Komune was one of the first. About 15 minutes east of Sanur, it's in a spot that was only known to surfers until it arrived, attracting families, people from Ubud in need of some coastal breezes, and people passing on their way to or from further out on the east coast. They do have bungalows to stay in which are really nice, but Komune's biggest selling point is that it's a great place to pass a Sunday, with the massive mattresses, nice big pool, restaurant with tasty food and drinks, and a stunning view out to sea. The beach is black sand so it can be a bit hot but it's stunning. They also do evening surf and DJ sessions that are super laid-back and friendly."

"Ji at Bale Sutra 1706 Equal parts fine-dining restaurant, cocktail bar, and antique gallery, Ji blends Chinese, Japanese, and Balinese culture with modern Japanese cuisine and cocktails. The restaurant is located inHotel Tugu, one of the first luxury hotels in Canggu. An Indonesian collector rescued anornate 18th-century Chinese temple from destruction in Java and had it rebuilt here to housethe restaurant. Ji'smenu features exquisitely prepared sushiand sashimi platters, as well as items that reflectinfluences from Japanese communities in Peru, China, Korea, and other countries outside Japan. The Dragon of Ji roll is a showstopper. As for cooked seafood, you'll be torn when it comes to the smokey salmon zaru soba with home-smoked salmon belly and citrus broth. Be kind and share the delicate dish with your travel companion? Or keep it all to yourself? An extensive sake, wine, andcocktail menu is available."

"People see beautiful rice paddy photos before they visit Bali , and often they arrive not knowing how to seek out those gorgeous landscapes. A guided cycling tour is a lovely way to take it in. This company takes you into the hills by car, then you wind your way back down, village-to-village, on your bike. By Elora Hardy"

"WAMM: What About My Mother? WAMM (or What About My Mother?) is one of the most interestingUbud cafés. The designof this sunny, open-sidedspace is eclectic, colorful, and comfortable, and you could describe the food with the same adjectives. Every item on the menuis sourced from local suppliers, from the fruits and vegetables to the meats and cheeses (yes, meat and cheese from Bali !). WAMM's menu offers selections for vegans, vegetarians, dinerswith allergies, and also thosein the mood fora great chicken sandwich. The coffee is out of this world, especially witha little bit of thecreamy coconut milk made in the café."

"Sage: Vegan Fun for Everyone If you didn't know before you dug into your meal, you might not realize that every item on Sage's menu is vegan (a nicebonus for parents eating with kids). The jackfruit or tempeh tacos are so good many devoted carnivoreschoose to get their Mexican food fix hereover local nonvegan Mexican joints. Sagealso makes excellentvegan burgers, potato flautas, and salads filled with great crunchy textures and pops of flavor. Follow lunch or dinner with a slice of coconut cake or vegan birthday cake ice cream."

"An excellentaddition to the Ubud raw-food scene (there is one!), Sayuri creates tasty food that heals, energizes, and nurtures your body. Even those unconvinced ofthe powers of a raw-food diet find the food delicious. The menu isn't overly rigid, though;it includes smoothies and cold-pressed juices, breakfast-all-day dishes, and daily specials withveganversions of bibimbap, enchiladas, and lasagna. Sayuri also runs cooking classes and workshops for those who would like to learn tomake wholesome food and body products for themselves."

"Be a Potato Head in Bali Though it has a silly name, the Potato Head Beach Club on Seminyak beach is a cool spot to spend the day. A collage of antique 18th-century veranda shades surrounds an amphitheater-like space that contains a beach bar, a grassy lawn, and an infinity pool. Three additional restaurants (one homey, one Southeast Asian, one high-end) and a stellar concert lineup make Potato Head a destination, morning ‘til night. A soon-to-open boutique hotel will extend the party even further. Jln. Petitenget, Seminyak, Bali 80361, Indonesia, 62/(0) 361 473 7979."

"Set along the sacred Ayung River, Four Seasons Resort at Sayan is a tropical paradise shrouded in giant palms and ferns. Designed by John Heah, the property was built and decorated using regional materials almost exclusively, from shells and coconuts to coveted ikat fabrics, giving guests an authentic Balinese experience just 15 minutes from Ubud. A serene lotus pond sits on the rooftop of the resort’s main building, and teakwood villas offer views of rice terracesand the longest river in Bali . Indonesian cooking classes, ancient wellness rituals, and plantings with local rice farmers are just some of the ways guests can connect with the local culture; the rest can be found in Ubud, where vibrant markets, temples, and museums counterbalance the hotel’s tranquil dining and wellness journeys."

"Nestled in the jungle near the center of Ubud, Komaneka at Bisma is a minimalist boutique hotel that celebrates Balinese artistic expression. Local artisans made most of the wooden objects and furnishings in the suites and villas, which emphasize rich woods, cool marbles, and floor-to-ceiling glass walls that look out at emerald rain forest. Daily deliveries of fruit, flowers, and cookies make guests feel like family, but high-tech conveniences such as in-room Apple TVs help them stay connected with loved ones back home. The Komaneka Gallery at the Monkey Forest property showcases one of the world’s largest collections of art from the archipelago; Bisma guests can arrange a tour, which is included in the price of their stay.You can also stay on site and choose from a lineup of activities, including rice paddy cycling tours and wood-carving lessons."

"Mexican, Seminyak Style I know when you go on holiday to Bali Mexico is probably the last place you're thinking you'll want to be, but Motel Mexicola is an awesomely kitsch Mexican cantina and bar not to be missed. Go early for dinner because even though this place is enormous, it gets packed on the weekends. The feel good factor is fueled by the bright decor, awesome margaritas, beers served super cold and food that is as close to real Mexican as you'll get in Bali ."

"Anumber of organic farms in the region offer cooking classes,but Bali Farm Cooking School is by far the most welcoming, warm, and traditionally Balinese of the lot. If you're a foodie or just want to get out and see a bit of Bali family life, Wayan and his family will welcome you with open arms. Students begin by heading to themarketand touring the farm's gardento gatherfresh ingredients and to learn about local herbs and spices that are used in cooking as well as in herbal treatments fora variety of ailments. Thenstudents work in an open-sided kitchen to prepare some classic Balinese dishes and, of course, sit down to a terrific feast afterwards. The farm is almost an hour outside Ubud, but offers convenient round-trip transportationfrom central Ubud."

"Kim Soo Home, a French-inspired boutique shop in Seminyak, carrieseverything from Indonesian ethnic pieces to handmade textiles and wooden furniture. If you're looking to pick up something toremind you of your trip to Bali, you'll find it here—the shop stocks items from makers throughout the archipelago, along withits own unique, locally made designs. It's difficult to leave the airy and carefully manicuredstore, but you can decompress for a bit inthestylish adjoining café before you reenter the harsh world outside."

"Across the river from the Badung Market—Bali’s largest traditional produce and meat market—is the Kumbasari Market (also called Pasar Seni Kumbasari), where you can find craftspeople hawking their wares. Wander amongstalls sellingbatiks, wood carvings, jewelry, paintings, and souvenirs."

"Beautiful Batik The wax resist dying technique of batik is one of the symbols of Indonesian culture. Although it actually came from Java to Bali with the Majapahit Kingdom in the 14th Century, the Balinese now consider it as much part of their culture as the Javanese. You can find beautiful batiks all over Bali but one of the most impressive batik makers in Bali is Pak Tjok Agung who has a workshop and small shop in his home village of Pejeng near Ubud. This isn't on the main tourist trail and purposefully so. Pak Tjok uses natural fibers and dyes and local workers to try to support the local community without the need for tourist dollars, which makes Pak Tjok's textiles sustainable as well as stunning. Pak Tjok's workshop is about 15 minutes north east of Ubud in the village of Pejeng. www.tjokagung-indigo.com"