Bali

Bali layers three very different moods into one island. Ubud, inland and surrounded by jungle, is the cultural and spiritual centre — think terraced rice paddies at Tegalalang, yoga retreats, and the sacred Monkey Forest. The southern coast around Seminyak and Uluwatu shifts gears entirely, with beach clubs, surf breaks and clifftop sunset views from temples like Uluwatu.

Further afield, the Nusa Islands offer some of Southeast Asia’s clearest snorkelling water, and a sunrise trek up Mount Batur rewards early risers with views over the caldera as the sun comes up. Balinese Hindu culture runs through all of it — daily offerings, temple ceremonies, and a genuine warmth that keeps travellers coming back.