Jacinta Fabricius

The spiritual heart of Bali. The island’s famous beaches are replaced with omnipresent jungles, sacred temples, chic yoga studios, and organic vegan restaurants. Nature is the focus of any visit to Ubud. Main-Street-like shopping strips barely conceal the leafy flora, meditation-worthy rivers, and ancient temples. Hire a scooter to delve deeper into the highlands and visit cascading rice terraces at Tegallalang, mystical waterfalls, active volcano Mount Batur, or try your hand at whitewater rafting.

Fresh Balinese produce blends perfectly with traditional Mexican flavors at Ubud's Taco Casa. Unlike many Mexican restaurant chains, Taco Casa's tortillas, taco shells, corn chips, guacamole, hot sauce, salsas and salad dressings are freshly made in-house with no MSG, preservatives, or other nasties.

You may not expect to find authentic Italian gelato on the streets of Bali, but that's exactly what you'll get at Gaya Gelato. The chain of gelaterias make fresh gelato daily, combining the best practices and technologies from Italy with Bali's flavor-packed local fruit, nuts, and spices.

An 11th century place of meditation, now made of 2 parts. 1 man-made cave contains small offering alters. Continue downstairs to a Hindu temple. Discover relics of stone carvings, bathing pools and water fountains. The site is full of moss-covered rocks with Indiana Jones vibes.

The definitive example of traditional Balinese culture and art located within the heart of Ubud. The palace is the traditional home of the Sukawati royal family who still reside in the rear of the compound today. The front of the compound is open for visitors to wander and marvel at the Hindu-inspired architecture, sculptures and landscaped tropical gardens.

Artisan markets selling locally-made products. Items include clothing, jewelry, homewares, and souvenirs. Venders never offer their best price first, expect to have barter for a bargain.

Part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Bali Province Cultural Landscape. Stunning views with plenty of photo opportunities on giant swings and bird nests. Watch farmers and see the traditional irrigation system, Subak, at work.

Live like a celebrity with a private driver, butler, kitchen and cleaning staff. Anything is possible, whether you’re in the mood for a yoga lesson, massage, home-cooked meal or takeaway. VIP service is complemented by large living spaces decorated with modern furnishings in Balinese style.

A popular holiday destination attracting visitors from as close as Southeast Asia and Australia and as far away as Europe and the USA. This is undoubtedly one of the busiest beaches on the Island of Gods.

A world-class waterpark spanning 3.8 hectares. Thrill-seekers will revel in hair-raising waterslides like The Climax, the steepest water slide in Asia before wiping out on the FlowRider.

Live the life of a rockstar with a dash of Balinese flare. Faun over framed costumes and guitars that once graced the stage with iconic music legends. Cut your own rock album at the recording studio and rock out with live bands at the Centerstage bar or Hard Rock Café.

1.4 km pedestrian street lined with restaurants, bars, nightclubs, movie theatres, shopping malls and boutique stores. Dozens of opportunities to try famous Turkish coffee and sweets like baklava and Turkish delight.

The centre of modern Istanbul surrounded by dozens of restaurants, hotels, and retail stores. Home to the Independence Monument, constructed in 1928 to memorialize the founding of the Turkish Republic.

Watch dozens of local fishermen throw their lines over the bridge from dawn to dusk. Dine at a seafood or traditional Turkish restaurant below the bridge. Admire the city from a cruise along the Bosphorus Strait.

One of the largest and oldest covered markets in the world which began as a hub for Mediterranean trade in the 17th century. Now covers over 60 streets with over 4000 stalls. Find everything from clothes, fine jewellery, and knick-knacks to sweets, tea leaves, and spices.