Ubud is the centre of abudant nature and visible traditional Balinese culture.  Surrounded by green rice fields in the hills of central Bali, Ubud is the place to visit.  Dominated by the Royal Palace right in the center of town, it retains a cozy village atmosphere making it a pleasure to walk through the quite streets.

1. Try to take a spa treatment while you are in Ubud, an incredible spa culture has sprung up and together with the new age healing centres. Health, yoga and wellness centers abound and a treatment or two is almost mandatory. Spas can be found in every prices, from small home run places, where a traditional massage will cost maybe Rp. 60.000 to the up market luxury establishments  where prices can soar to USD 500 or more for a day’s quality pampering.

2. Visit dance performance, later in the afternoon boys dresses in traditional attire appear on the street selling tickets to the evening’s cultural shows. See an authentic Kecak, Legong, Jegog and more in one of several temple venues or even in the Ubud Palace before heading off to a fabulous restaurant dinner.

3.  A visit to the Palace is almost mandatory. See how the other half live and while visitors may not enter the inner sanctum with out an invitation, the outer sanctums are already very interesting.

4.  Stroll along in Monkey Forest street or Sanggingan Road to enjoy the art shops, galleries, sculpture galleries and boutiques or you can end up in Ubud Market here you can find  a wealth of cheaper jewellery, clothes, knick -knacks all of the kinds, designer ware for homes, and great gifts. Walking is the best way to enjoy as just so many places to see.

5. Experienced the adventure with nature in Ayung River, rafting is one activity you must do while you’re in Ubud.  Ayung River provides a thrill 1,5 until 2 hours that begins the moment you push of from the riverbanks. As you switch between Class I and II rapids, you will wind through deep valleys with cascading waterfalls and towering cliffs of prehistoric significance.

6. Without a doubt the Elephant Safari Park in Taro is a must and is the only complete elephant experience,  making it truly unique. Get up close and personal with these incredible animals in a beautiful tropical park setting.  Elephants can be seen immersing themselves in the park lake, in between riding, painting or other activities.

7. Eating is another pleasure, and Ubud has its share of fine restaurants including one of the islands prestigious Mosaic Restaurant, where it is necessary to book a table, preferably a day or two in advance. Other restaurants of note include Lamak  Restaurant, Terazo offers and Italian Asian mix while Warung Enak offers authentic pan- Indonesian specialties. Be sure not to miss Batan Waru & Naughty Nuri’s. Drinks & dinner at the stylish Ari’s Warung on the main street and Napi Orti in Monkey Forest Road stay open till the wee hours as does Ozigo in Sanggingan. For authentic Balinese menus try the famous Babi Guling Ibu Oka nearby Ubud Royal Palace & “Nasi Ayam” (rice & chicken) in Kedewatan.