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Taste, hear, and feel Bali when you dine at Bale Udang. A series of private bamboo huts, called bales, surround a central koi pond. Diners are led to a private bale where their feet dangle centimetres above the water at a bottomless table. Staff let diners enjoy their privacy, leaving a wooden bell to ring for attention or when you’re ready to place your order. A large portion of menu items contain seafood, but some meat and vegetarian options are also available.

A traditional Balinese warung so small only 8 tables fit in the semi-open dining area. These tables book out days in advance by diners eager to indulge in Melting Wok's authentic curries. Dishes scrawled on humble blackboard menus are few in number, usually 2 main curries and a daily special, meaning chefs focus on quality over quantity, preparing mouth-watering curries worthy of the wait.

One of Bali’s first health-focused restaurants, Bali Buda uses hand-made ingredients and all-natural processes to create the highest possible quality of food, in terms of nutrition and taste. The diverse food menu caters to most dietary requirements including vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan. Meals can be enjoyed in the restaurant’s cozy dining area, or delivered to your accommodation via the Gojek app.

A short walk from Ubud’s famous Monkey Forest Sanctuary is this jungle-themed restaurant serving Asian-Fusion cuisine. Indonesian and Balinese classics, like gado gado, nasi campur, and nasi goreng feature on the menu alongside Western favorites like pasta, and burgers. There’s plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians too, all listed on a ‘vegan’ page in the menu.

Alongside Ubud's urban center is a section of pure jungle, home to over 1,000 Balinese monkeys. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is located on spiritually-significant ground, constructed around 3 Hindu temples dating back to the 14th century. While tourists delight in watching the furry critters frolic and get into all sorts of mischief, measures are in place to protect visitors and also preserve the monkeys’ natural way of life.

Known as Bali’s cultural capital, Ubud is located in the mountainous highlands and has become a beacon for budget-seeking backpackers. The town is best known for its local art village, traditional culture, nature walks, and relaxing yoga retreats. If you want to be at one with nature, Ubud is the place to visit. Surrounded by lush jungle, wonderful waterfalls, and plenty of picturesque rice terraces, you can experience the region’s best attractions without breaking the bank.

One of Ubud's first vegan restaurants and a pioneer in establishing the jungle-front town's reputation as a trendy sanctuary for veg-heads. Alchemy proves that by eating raw plant-based foods, you're not limited to simple salads. The restaurant's creative chefs craft raw versions of favorite meals including pizza, quiche, burgers, and a scrumptious range of desserts.

A 1-stop-shop for Bali’s most iconic tourist attractions. The upper level is a coffee plantation, specializing in Luwak coffee, made from coffee beans discarded in the droppings of civet cats. Visitors can see the coffee-making process from plant to roasting to sampling a range of hot beverages. The café area looks out over an Instagrammer’s playground, with giant swings soaring over traditional rice terraces, large stone sculptures, and even a zipline course.

Ubud's jungle-like greenery, deep valleys, trickling rivers, and wooden chalets are best admired from Campuhan Ridge Walk, a 1.7-kilometer-long (1-mile) trail. The walk is inclusive for all fitness levels, with the most difficult section being the steep southern steps up the Wos river valley to the start of the ridge. The trail winds above two jungle-filled valleys as the East and West Wos rivers rush towards their confluence with the Cerik River, below the beginning of the trail.

Taking up hiking can be an exciting time for you and any of your hiking partners that you might want to take along for the trip. As a beginner, you will of course want to think carefully about the hike you choose, as well as the equipment you bring along and the partners you elect to go with. These decisions will be among the most essential when it comes down to your health and safety during the hike.

Check out our hand-picked list of things to do in Langkawi, Malaysia.

A restaurant worthy of The Ritz-Carlton name. Diners at The Beach Grill are welcomed near the hotel lobby and shuttled down the garden-draped path to the hotel’s private beach area. Choose between a cozy lounge seating at the bar with a deck extending over the ocean, or book a more formal table at the indoor restaurant. You’ll be treated to a mouthwatering meal while the sun softly sets over the Strait of Malacca.