80 | May 2012 | woman this month Travel The low-down: Bali is romantic, adventurous and spiritual and is the ultimate destination for an extraordinary honeymoon. It has the highest concentration of luxury hotels in the world. It’s a heavenly cocktail that combines ancient Hindu temples with hip designer shops, black velvet beaches in the North and golden ones in the South, incredible fusion restaurants with celebrity chefs, rainforests teeming with exotic species, ground breaking mixologists and some of the best surfs in the world. X-factor: Explore Bali artefacts. The handicraft work here is mesmerising. Stop at the Batubulan village, which is well known for stone carving. Then proceed to Celuk for its gold and silver works and the Mas village, famous for its wood carving. After admiring the expressive paintings in Ubud, you will have the opportunity to visit the art market to complete your hunt for souvenirs. You cannot be in Bali and not pamper yourself at one of their exquisite spas. Keep the days for exploring and the afternoons for relaxation. Dare to try the Balinese massages — you’ll be surprised how soothing they can be. Best for: The exploring kind. Drive along winding roads to one of their sacred temples, Uluwatu, settled on the highest rocky hill of the southern tip of Bali. A mystical kecak dance is performed to mark the sun dipping into the ocean. This will definitely be the highlight of your honeymoon. Bali, Indonesia Romantic Retreats By Elma Bartholomew Your honeymoon is your chance to splash out and spoil yourself in a world of luxury. We’re sick of hearing couples swoon over the obvious options of Paris and Venice. Get a little creative with your trip. After all, it only happens once.
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