Indonesia travel

One might be tempted to ban trips to Bali… just to keep it a secret for ourselves. How has such a small island managed to remain so unique? A Hindu enclave in a Muslim land, it has choreographed its religion, graceful moments of daily life for spectators like us. Placing a flower on a statue, an offering to the street at dawn, making a celebration of a cremation. Women's clothing dares to combine a richly patterned sarong, a softly sheer blouse, and a bright belt without a misstep. Pirouette, peanut, fast food here means satays, chicken, banana sandwiches, or the sate lilit mix. Have you seen the beauty of the local fruit known as mangosteen? Bali is Balinese. She still resists, and hopefully always will. Let’s visit it, but with care, to protect the treasure that it remains.

To the east of Lombok, the Lesser Sunda Islands are a treasure blessed by the gods. While you may sometimes have to forgo the comforts offered by other Indonesian islands, their magnificent land and seascapes, coupled with encounters with extraordinary cultures, make them an infinitely privileged place. Flores, with its coves of sand that are sometimes black, sometimes powdery white, its blue pebble beaches, rice fields and volcanoes. Off the coast, Komodo National Park encompasses islands with spectacular marine environments and is home to the famous eponymous dragon, a giant monitor lizard that can reach 3 metres (3.28 yards) in length. The neighbouring islands of Sumbawa and Sumba offer a sublime and wild seaside escape. A different Indonesia, forgotten by the crowds. Discover our travel inspiration for Flores and the Lesser Sunda Islands.

Travel to Java: an island of natural wonders. Nestled between Sumatra to the north-west and Bali to the east, Java is an island of great diversity. Yogyakarta, the cultural capital of Java, is a vibrant, creative and lively city. Craft enthusiasts will not be disappointed, nor will lovers of spirituality and architecture; the Borobudur and Prambanan Temples are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. In Java, nature unfolds in stunning terraced rice fields, majestic volcanoes such as Mount Bromo or Kawah Ijen with its sulphur carriers… the spectacle of nature is breathtaking. During a stay in Java, artists will be delighted by the music, dances and theatre of shadow puppet performances. It would be a shame to visit Indonesia without spending some time wandering on the island of Java.

The Raja Ampat archipelago, “the Four Kings” in Indonesian, is located in the northwest of the Doberai Peninsula, at the heart of the Coral Triangle formed by Malaysia, Indonesia–Papua, and the Philippines. Difficult to access, it consists of a thousand islands and tiny islets overflowing with tropical vegetation, and about 750 km (466 miles) of beaches. The marine biodiversity of this area is unmatched in its richness: 600 species of coral, 1,600 species of fish – a true paradise for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts. As you sail from island to island, you marvel at these untouched landscapes where a few local fishermen live. Discover all of our travel inspiration in the Raja Ampat archipelago and Papua New Guinea.

It would take more than a lifetime to discover all the charms of the Celebes! Also known as Sulawesi, this island off the coast of Borneo is a nature destination where the cultures of different peoples have been preserved and remain very much alive. Its jagged coastline forms heavenly beaches with coral reefs among the most beautiful in Asia, teeming with fish. Inland, the mountains are home to dense forests where abundant wildlife and flamboyant birds thrive. Not to be missed during a stay in Celebes: diving off Bunaken Island, the funeral ceremonies of the Torajan people, the peaceful towns of Pendolo and Tentena, and observing tarsiers, rare small primates inhabiting the island. Discover all of our travel inspiration for Celebes.