BALI, INDONESIA

Bali has earned itself a long string of appellations, including the “Morning of the World,” “Island of the Gods” and the “Last Paradise on Earth.” Although recent development has changed some of its natural beauty, most of the island still deserves those accolades. The island's lush landscape, the colorful Balinese Hindu festivals and the friendliness of the people lure vacationers here again and again.

South Bali

Arriving at the airport, most tourists head straight for the beach areas of Kuta, Sanur, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua. The latter is an isolated tourist enclave with scores of hotels, shopping malls and, of course, miles of white sand. Nusa Dua draws tourists wanting a more mellow vacation, with all the am enities of star-rated accommodation. On the other hand, Kuta is touted for its spectacular sunsets, superb surf breaks and a vibrant nightlife. It is chockablock with shops, restaurants, pubs and discotheques, Kuta forms a center for the young to congregate and dance until dawn. Jimbaran Bay, another place to watch the sun go down, prides itself for its... more