Seminyak, Batubelig and Tanah Lot (West coast, South Bali)

The area of South Bali had, till recently, only been a spot for the odd surfer and adventure-seeker, offering a predominantly rural, agriculturally based landscape. However, the recent spread of residential real estate and the more and more popular method of holidaymaking - the exclusive villa resort, of which there are a large number in the area, have transformed the few miles stretching north from Legian. These areas offer attractive, off-white, sandy beaches with rather powerful waves and some stronger ocean currents. The beach area seems to get less crowded the further you travel north. The hotel and catering base is growing rapidly too, with a number of upmarket restaurants, fast-paced night clubs and topical pubs offering a wide selection of cocktails - happy hours included -catering for a broad scope of party and pub-goers popping up next door to the myriads of market stalls, antique shops, folk and handicraft outlets, surfer shacks and souvenir stores. This is definitely the best place for those wanting a bit more peace and quiet but not to far from the hustle and bustle of the market districts of Seminyak, Legian, and the lively town/beach resort of Kuta, which tends to get very crowded in the summer and can be rather troublesome as a travel base, as you'll probably need at least an hour to get out on the open road. The region between Seminyak and Batubelig, as in north Canggu and in the region of the unmistakable island temple of Tanah Lot (a must see!) you'll also find some of Bali's most secluded and top of the range holiday villas, such as The Villas complex and the Uma Sapna Villas Resort, both in Seminyak.

Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa & the Bukit (Southern peninsula)

If you're looking for a spot of five star luxuries in an international hotel chain, Bali 's southern peninsula is where you find most of the island's international 4- and 5-star Bali Hotels and Resorts - set in Nusa Dua's picture-perfect, manicured garden environment. Pleasant beaches with shallow water, no high waves, delicate tides and no local traffic or business, bar the odd café or juice hut - all this make the area of Nusa Dua the perfect destination for those who have in mind a tranquil, two or three week relaxing sun-soak. With a variety of water sports, an 18-hole golf course Nusa Dua Galleria centre with the outlying complex of expensive restaurants, shops, and department stores is intended for the more affluent yet less adventurous visitor. Some more reasonably priced restaurants are located in nearby Tanjung Benoa and Bualu village. The whole area is rather quiet with practically no night life, save the few late night hotel bars and one or two open-walled beach bars. The Southern peninsula is situated about 12 km/7.5 miles from the airport.
More and more private villas are now being built in the area of Bukit, a hill to the south of the airport. Many of these offer grand sea views, with many windows facing either out to the ocean or the nearby mountain slopes. The climate is much cooler with much less rain - even if it rains in most parts of Bali , sunny spells are the norm in this part of the island.

Jimbaran Beach (West coast, South of the airport)

This is no doubt Bali's most spectacular beach with a selection of good standard hotels and accommodation: white sandy beaches, moderate ocean breeze and waves not too high for swimming and having fun, but perfect for learning to windsurf and sail - all with surprisingly few tourists in sight and, so far, not a single beach vendor. The whole beach area is magically transformed into a gourmet seafood paradise at dusk, with a multitude of restaurants offering the day's catch on the waterfront. There's even a local travelling beach band which, for a symbolic sum, will liven up the atmosphere with some traditional Balinese sounds (for those who prefer something a little more funky, the guys have an impressive selection of impromptu 'top-of-the-pops' style hits to play as well.). The food itself, a little overpriced for local pockets, is high standard, with a wide selection of fish, shellfish, meat and vegetarian dishes and a good drinks' menu. The perfect evening on Jimbaran beach will also include the perfect, picture-postcard sunset, so beautiful it's almost kitsch. The beach and the village of Jimbaran itself are located just a few miles south of the airport. During the day, the place offers a fantastic insight into the life of a typical Balinese township, with the hotels and guesthouses incorporated within the neighbouring houses and businesses. There's also an interesting fish market to be visited at the western end of the beach. This, as well as the local high street, seems to be the centre of the not-so-wild night life in the little town. For anyone wanting to spend a romantic evening away from the tumult of the more and more popular seafood bars, Puri Bambu restaurant in a hotel complex of the same name (walking distance from the beach) offers tranquil, candlelit poolside and water-garden settings to the gentle sound of the local traditional Gamelan musicians (check availability in advance).

Sanur Beach (East coast, South Bali)

The east coast of Bali 's southern peninsula and the beach community of Sanur was the first place where western tourists started coming near on 25 years ago. Nowadays, the sandy beach has somewhat deteriorated, and Sanur has become rather quiet compared to Kuta and Nusa Dua. However, you'll still come across the odd ex-pat or one or two die-hard surfers sipping Bintang or Bali Hai (a competitive and slightly cheaper and stronger local lager) in the two or three beach huts left in the area.

Ubud, Central Bali

The town of Ubud with its many surrounding villages is Bali 's cultural capital. Here you will find an unusual concentration of famous accomplished gold and silversmiths, woodcarvers and stonemasons, artists, musicians and weavers who live and work as they and their families have done for generations. The town offers the opportunity of purchasing fine works of art at more attractive prices, without the seaside sales margin. The town and its surroundings are a renowned place for watching the famed Balinese theatre dances, like the Barong or the Kecak and Keris dance.

Here, tourists will also have the opportunity to visit a number of well run museums and art galleries, as well as spending some time in the local temple complex found within the Monkey Forest . This poses a great chance to walk along ancient jungle paths, surrounded on all sides by the cacophony and playful antics of the local macaque population, amid ruins of shrines and temples bringing to mind classic movie scenes of a whip-bearing Harrison Ford. A word of warning, though - the monkeys are especially attracted to sunglasses and fizzy drinks, so put these in your rucksack well in advance in order to avoid loss or minor scratches.

Due to its location in the foothills of the nearby mountain region, the climate and temperatures in Ubud are slightly milder than in the lowlands, and year-round rain showers help to grow lush tropical vegetation.

A mix of culture, crafts, music, dance, theatre and shopping opportunities during the day, Ubud slows down at night-time, being a far cry from the pulsating nightlife of Kuta and Legian.