It's Time to Get Exotic!
Whilst the preponderance of our last 6 months work has involved European itineraries, we have started to see in the last couple of months, the more exotic requests come back after a very long wait!
So Australia and New Zealand, SE Asia and Africa are all back on our radar and we couldn't be happier about that. I'm going to focus on Indonesia this week, as I feel it is very underrated as a destination. When thinking about Indonesia, we're not sure people are aware just how extensive it is beyond the island of Bali, the country's most recognized tourist location.
Let me just throw a few facts and names at you just to give you an idea of the incredibly varied possibilities.
It's definitely a destination fit for a 3-week exploration or simply a chill 10 days on some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet.
So here's my Top 5 for Indonesia, bearing in mind this could easily be a Top 50 if I had just a little more time.
Top 5 - Indonesia
1. NIHI Sumba, Sumba Island?(above and below )
Here it is folks!
Named the No. 1 Hotel in the World by Travel + Leisure magazine for two consecutive years, NIHI Sumba is for travelers who seek a new type of luxury: activity-driven experiences, cultural immersion, freedom, and fun. Private access to one of the world’s best surfing beaches for left-hand breaks is offered. The 27 villas, crafted by local artisans using native teak and rattan, feature expansive outdoor rooms and private plunge pools. Excursions take you to villages and ancient sites. Ask about the world-class Spa Safari Nihioka experience and the most instagramable moment: Swimming with horses at Nihiwatu beach.
2. Amanwana, Moyo Island?(above and below)
Amanwana occupies an enviable location off the coast of Sumbawa, east of Bali, and is known for its premier diving opportunities. Here, avid divers and snorkelers have access to the Sea Wall and Turtle Street, home to hawksbill and green turtles, moray eels, lobsters, and blacktip and whitetip reef sharks. (If you prefer to view your marine life from above, cruising and fishing excursions are readily available.) Luxurious tents await, each with a coral-stone deck, air conditioning, a sitting area, a king-size bed, and hardwood floors. Choose an ocean-view tent or one closer to the lush jungle.
Top tip:?Take the river excursion that includes swimming in emerald waters under gentle waterfalls.
3. Volcanoes of East Java?(above and below)
One of our favorite "exotic" itinerary suppliers to work with is Remote Lands and here is their 3-day East Java trip exploring some of the Indonesian island’s most spectacular terrain, with expeditions to the region’s most famous volcanoes - Mount Ijen and Mount Bromo. Travel into lush rainforest and enjoy the challenge of early morning treks to see these iconic peaks at their most beautiful. At the sulphuric Ijen crater lake, you’ll see sulphur mine workers hauling their cargo up and over the caldera, while the desolate black sands of the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park set the scene for unforgettable sunrise views.
领英推荐
HIGHLIGHTS
? A morning hike up Mount Ijen to see its sulphur lake
? A predawn horseback ride to Mount Bromo for panoramic sunrise views
? Leisure time in the Dutch colonial city of Malang
4. Potato Head Suites, Bali?(above and below)
How could this not be your favorite named property in the world?
A hotel that is a beacon for sustainable travel in Bali.
Craft. Organic. Traditional. Imaginative. Regenerative From Nature. See Indonesia through an artist’s eye. From its striking exterior of handmade Balinese-temple red bricks to contemporary suites dressed in local fabrics, original art, and handcrafted furnishings, this 58-suite hotel celebrates all things Indonesian. Dining options include wood-fired pizza on the upper deck at Potato Head Beach Club and fresh, line-caught seafood in the?nation’s first zero-waste restaurant. Cultural concierges are on hand to arrange thoughtfully curated experiences, such as a visit to the eco-forward Green Village or a lesson in Balinese mud martial arts.
5.?Solemen Mountain Coffee, Bali?(above)
A full day tour that we can organize for you that allows you to?meet working owls and creative farmers! This tour contributes towards Solemen, a well-known and trusted charity that provides support for the disadvantaged in Bali.
In the stunning farming community of Pagi, also known as ‘Owl Village’, the innovative locals are using owls to catch mice in the fields. You’ll meet the man responsible for initiating the project.?In other villages, you’ll discover more projects supported by Solemen. Together with a local host, you’ll take a walk through a coffee garden. The villagers will demonstrate how coffee is produced using natural techniques, and of course, you’ll get to try some of this locally grown brew.
As you wind your way up to the highest peak on the island, there’s plenty of opportunities to photograph the incredible views including the mystical twin lakes, Buyan (below) and Tamblingan. And you’ll find some time to relax at a hidden waterfall, rarely visited by tourists.
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