Bali

For wildlife enthusiasts, Indonesia is a dream come true. Make some time to visit the Komodo National Park for encounters with the world's largest lizards, which is just a short hop east of Bali via daily flights. Spend some time in Kalimantan, the Indonesian portion of Borneo, to meet some of the country's famous orangutans. Tanjung Puting National Park has a healthy population of these big friendly apes, as well as proboscis monkeys and gibbons, plus nearby jungle accommodation such as Rimba Lodge. The area is also home to rare clouded leaopards, sun bears and civets and there's the chance to take guided night walks to witness the magical spectacle of fireflies and glow-in-the-dark mushrooms.

Add another dimension to your trip with some time diving and snorkelling in the Nusa Tenggara islands. Situated at a point where two oceans meet, the islands are renowned for the diversity of their underwater life and you can spot everything from clown fish hovering above bright sponges to schools of dolphin frolicking in the water.

Beaches and spas

Bali could have been created specifically as a sanctuary for rest and relaxation. The island is a celebration of life and creativity with gorgeous blooms and fragrant religious offerings at every turn. A serene atmosphere prevails and the people are renowned for their warmth and friendliness. The island has glorious beaches and sumptuous spas in spades. You will find the most exclusive and indulgent spas in the gated beach resort of Nusa Dua, while the most holistic centres are located in Ubud.

If you long to luxuriate on a castaway stretch of sand, neighbouring Lombok is just the tonic at 45 minutes from Bali by boat. The island's delicious curves of creamy soft sand are framed by the steep forested slopes of dormant volcanoes, and there are a clutch of good international hotels such as the Oberoi and Sheraton Senggigi Beach Resort that offer luxurious accommodation and on-site spas.

Island hopping

It's easy to get a taste of more than one island on a visit to Indonesia using the good internal flight connections and ferries between islands. Visiting a trio of close islands such as Java, Bali and Lombok is more than manageable within a fairly short time-frame and well worth the effort. While Java boasts ancient wonders and Bali has a rich and deep culture, Lombok, just east of Bali, has become known for its sultry, palm-strewn white sand beaches. Sumatra, Java, Bali, Sulawesi and the Nusa Tenggara islands are all connected by regular ferries.