Trifter

As far back as the 1930s, celebrities were discovering that Bali was a little bit of heaven on earth; indeed, Charlie Chaplin and Noel Coward were regular visitors. In the 1980s, the idyllic Indonesian island becomes a popular honeymoon spot, and Mick Jagger and Jerry Hall tied the knot here. It’s also a favorite destination for the Duchess of York.

For such a small island (only 80 by 140km) which is possible to drive around in a day,

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But Bali is also one of the serene places to visit, with gentlest of people and one of the best hotels in the world- The Amandari , one of the three world famous Aman resorts created by Andrian Zecha (the other two being Amanusa and Amankila) – at which to spoil yourself.

The Amandari, where Mick and Jerry chose to marry, is on the outskirts of Ubud with dramatic views over the rice terraces, and a swimming pool that seems suspended over the valley, wins my vote. Suits of such luxury, each with their own pool, are dotted throughout the fragrant garden. All beautifully furnished with old pieces and state-of-the-art CD players, you need never leave your surroundings, but have everything brought to you – from lunch to massage. The focus is certainly on indulgence. And when real life calls you back, take a taste of the place with you and ask the chef to prepare a meal for your journey back.

The island has a multitude of amazingly luxurious hotels. The rising star of Bali in the last century has to be the exclusive Four Seasons Hotel at beautiful Jimbaran Bay on the coast where behind painted and carved doors you enter your own small garden complete with pool and fountain, a daytime pavilion of opulent daybeds and sofas and a night time pavilion of marble-floored luxury complete with a vast bed and dressing room with the choice of an indoor or outdoor bath and shower. Whitney Houston, Sly Stallone, Don Johnson, Melanie Griffith, Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer are just some of the big names that feature in its guest book.

What keep the celebrities coming back? The island’s richness, both in vegetation and in its cultural life. Its year-round high temperatures couple with a tropical atmosphere seem to encourage all manner of growth from the thousands of different species of orchid found in the lush forests and abundant gardens even in the remotest villages, to the extraordinary creativity of its inhabitants in gold and silver, wood and stone, paintings and textiles.

The most unforgettable impression visitors take away with them is that of the almost psychedelic green of the rice terraces. In almost every paddy field are temples for the rice goddess, Dewi Sri. As you drive into the hinterland, gradually climbing as you go, suddenly around a bend in the road the terraces begin- falling and rising in perfect symmetry as far as the eye can see. Startlingly bright, they are dotted with small pools of water and tiny, elegant people tending them. For although Bali has some amazing coastline and most come for its golden, sandy beaches, to really enjoy the country you must go inland.

The most famous beach can be found at Kuta, in the south. Its developed into Bali’s biggest tourist area, with a bustling resort packed with restaurants and hotels, bars, shops (it’s the centre of Bali’s clothing industry) and nightclubs. For those of you are after sheer luxury, an upmarket alternative to Kuta are the resorts of Sanur, on the east coast, with its sheltered beach. Other alternatives are the resorts at Nusa Dua. Here you will find a selection of five-star hotels that include first-class restaurants, entertainment and activities such as windsurfing, water skiing and jet ski. There’s also a shopping complex, where you can find goods from all over the world. Be prepared to bargain, but when you name a price, you have to buy the item if your offer is accepted.

A world apart from sophisticated Nusa Dua and Ubud, the cultural capital in the centre of the island. The original village has been nurturing arts and crafts such as masks, paintings and textiles for well over 150 years – it has four museums, several galleries and a number of studios and artists homes which you can visit, view and buy.

For something a little less frenetic, the area has a number of places offering lectures and courses on Balinese history, dance classes, cookery demonstrations and batik printing. Generally, April through September are the best months to visit.