"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."

"The Beauty of Batik Batik textiles areone of Indonesia's most distinctive crafts. Using hot wax to block out intricate patterns before dyeing (a technique called resist dyeing), craftspeople create fabrics of an astounding range of designs and colors. Anumber of places in Bali teach the technique and allow you to spend a few hours creating your own batik, but Batik Popiler in Denpasar is recommended. Visitors can take part in a class or watch experts painstakingly create batik work. In anadjoining shop, you can browse and buy batik artwork and beautiful handmade sarongs, and see how these traditional fabrics have been used inmodern fashion."

"Mountain Biking in Paradise The drive to Bali Bike Park is a long and winding journey, but for mountain-biking enthusiasts, it's totally worth it. This part of the island, on theslopes of Mount Bratan, is heaven for adrenaline seekers: twisting trails, jungle tracks, jumps, and challenges not foundanywhere else on Bali. The park, a destinationforthe world's best mountain bikers, also has trailssuitable for everyone, even kids. Rent all the equipment you need on-site, and choose a trail to challenge yourself."

"Lempuyang Luhur Temple, the Temple of a Thousand Steps It's quite a hike to Lempuyang temple, which sits at the summit of Mount Lempuyang, 1,058 feet above sea level, but it's worth every one of those thousand(ish) steps. Time your trip to arrive at sunrise, when the view of Mount Agung to the north is at its most stunning and the air is still cool. You might even find you're alone for most of the hike, a rare occurrence in busy Bali . Remember to be respectful and wear a sarong and sash even while climbing. (Women are askednot to visit this or any other Balinese temple while menstruating.) Lempuyang is about 2 1/2 hours from Ubud by car, but close to Amed, a sleepy coastal town with plenty of places to eat and stay."

"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."

"A Dance Journey Across the Islands On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, catch a performance of Devdan—Treasure of the Archipelago . The 90-minute show, inspired by Indonesia's cultural diversity, is a kind of Balinese Cirque du Soleil. It features a fusion of traditional Indonesian dance with modern contemporary dance and aerial acrobatics. While highly entertaining, the show also offers an insightful introduction to the history and diversity of the cultures of Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Papua."

"A Jungle Jem Perched high above the Oos River to the west of Ubud, Junglefish offers a super-stylish yet relaxed space to swim, eat, drink and generally feel spoiled rotten. Comfortable cabanas and loungers with idyllic floaty curtains and cushions make you feel like a celebrity, while extremely friendly and well-trained staff serve up delicious food and fabulously tropical drinks. Children are welcomed and the pool is plenty big enough to allow adults who would rather not be splashed far away. Enjoy a day of indulgent laziness with a stunning view or come in the evening for DJ nights and dance with the light of the moon reflecting off the pool."

"The Balinese have been using herbs and roots to treat most ailments for centuries. Unfortunately, as in many other places in the world, the knowledge of these treatments is being lost as the younger generation turns towards "western" medicine. Westi and Lilir are the children of Balinese farmers and healers and are trying to keep the tradition alive by running a small company called Bali Herbal Walks. They run guided tours through the ricefields of Ubud, teaching people about the numerous herbs and roots that can be used to make jamu (health drinks), poultices, teas and rubs. They also run a fun jamu-making class at their small shop on Jalan Suweta in Ubud. www.baliherbalwalk.com"

"Mrs Sippy Pool Club, Restaurant, and Bar Mrs Sippyis one of the most gorgeous pool clubs around. The aqua-blue saltwater pools, surrounded by white loungers and a backdrop of palm trees, make the clubvery Instagram-friendly. Poolside, diving boards at one, three,and five meters(3.2, 9.8, and 16.4 feet) are for thebrave or silly and providea floor showfor the sunbathers. A visit to this beautiful tropical oasis comes with a Seminyak-style price tag oncocktails, sotake advantage of happy hours and drink specials(in particular, Sippy Sundays, with two-for-one frozen cocktails all day long). Loungers can be reserved ahead by phone."

"Rejuvenate on the Rocks There is nothing thatcompares to an indulgent visit to the Spa on the Rocks at the Ayana Resort in Jimbaran. Any spa experience in thespectacular treatment "room"—an open-sided cabana perched on a rock abovethe Indian Ocean—is amazing even before anything happens. The spa menu runs from a hot shell massage and underwater massages to chakra sound healing and a marine healing ritual, as well as standard massages and facials. Thenumber of daily appointments atthis unique and lavish spa is restricted—only a single person or a couple can have a treatment at onetime—so you must book in advance."

"One of the best places to watch the sun set is from the cliffs of Pura Luhur Uluwatu, or the site of the old Uluwatu Temple on the island of Bali . The dramatic cliffs overlook the ocean, and arriving before sunset allows you to explore before dark. The temple grounds are inhabited by a large number of monkeys, which are fun to watch but can be aggressive, so avoid wearing sunglasses or jewelry and bringing food, and be careful with your camera. Expect to wear a provided sarong over your pants/skirt/shorts, which is a sign of respect at religious sites in Indonesia (true here for men and women). At one end of Uluwatu, the rhythmic Kecak dance is performed nightly at sunset, and if you plan to stay,expect acrowd. Uluwatu is easily reached by car from most places on the southern part of the island. Drivers can be hired from hotels or villas."

"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."

"The stunning contrast between the modern design of the Ubud Yoga Centre and the lushness of the surrounding landscape makes it a beautiful sight. Whether you want to sit in the open café fora snack or take part in a yoga or Pilates class, you'll enjoy your time in this very relaxed, social atmosphere. Ubud Yoga Centre is the only Bikram or hot yoga center in Ubud andalso offers kundalini, hatha, vinyasa, and Ashtanga classes, as well as something called Inferno Pilates, which is as torturous as it sounds.Parents in need of a sweat and a stretch appreciate theplayroom and the Sunday art classes for kids. Check thewebsite for special eventsand class timetables."