Five Days in Bali

Monkey sanctuary in Ubud: Do you want to get up close and personal with some of Bali’s cutest and most amusing little creatures? Be sure to plan an early-morning trip to the absolutely awe-inspiring Monkey Forest. It was fascinating watching monkeys of all ages interact, eat, and play—all just feet away from you. But be warned: leave all shiny objects at home, because these little guys sure are curious!

Cretya day club in Tegallang, just outside of Ubud: This stunning day club/pool/restaurant/coffee brewery made for quite the afternoon! Pack your bathing suit and selfie stick, as Cretya packs a major punch when it comes to the Insta-worthy photo opportunities. Whether you’re at one of the multi-level infinity pools or daring to take a swing hundreds of feet above lush green rice terraces, adding this stop will surely make for great memories.

Balinese cooking class in a family compound in Ubud: One of those experiences you will never forget. If you appreciate full immersion in a country’s culture, this activity is for you. Enter some of the most delicious-smelling kitchens you’ve ever been in, where it is not just about learning recipes, but about stepping into the rhythm of Balinese life. Our experience started with hand-picking ingredients at a local market, which we then learned how to cook in the traditional Balinese fashion using kitchen tools like bamboo steamers and wood-burning stoves. Take in the stories of the locals as you enjoy your meal together while the sun sets over stunning rice fields.

Balinese spa experiences: Get ready to indulge in some of the most affordable (we had a three-service, three-hour experience as a couple that only set us back $150 per person—WOW!), luxurious spa treatments you have ever had. Relax in decadently quiet spa lounge rooms at the local hotels while sipping mysteriously delicious teh bunga telang (butterfly pea flower tea) before your experience. Go for a lemongrass-ginger full-body scrub before a massage and reveal the softest skin you’ve had since you were a baby.

Boutique shopping in Seminyak: If you’re a fashion-loving, interior design enthusiast looking for curated, locally made goods with a global edge (I swear this must be where Pottery Barn and Studio McGhee sources all of their items from!), the boutiques in Seminyak are sure to please. Bring along your big raffia bag to carry back all of the bohemian-style caftans and tasteful shell jewelry you’re going to buy. The following streets and areas are great places to aim for: Oberoi Street (aka Eat Street) is the heart of the shopping areas; Petitenget Road for upscale fashion, elegant home decor, and a more refined, less crowded vibe; and Jalan Raya, which offers a mix of mainstream and indie goods: furniture, art, textiles, and leather pieces.

Uluwatu for cliffs, surf, and sunsets: Take a private surf lesson, dine in a cave, go hidden beach-hopping by scooter or driver, and wrap up the day with cocktails at sunset at Rock Bar.

Buzo Izakaya, Seminyak: Our favorite meal of the entire trip. This place really was above and beyond in all of the categories that I rank when dining out—the service, the food, the appeal of the restaurant. Buzo perfected the harmonizing of Japanese and Italian flavors. Must-try dishes include the whipped smoked tuna, flamed stracciatella, and the miso ricotta potato agnolotti. If there was ever a place to treat yourself to a glass of Habiki 17, this is the place—the price will make you happy.

32do, Seminyak: What a surprise! This Korean coffee shop had such an incredible interior that you would feel like it was straight out of an interior design magazine. Think big, concrete, brutalist vibes lightened by dainty, gentle flowers peppered throughout, with cooling cases of stunning pastries that are more like art than food. It has an unwavering devotion to coffee, and is known to be very good at it, so don’t skip it!

Merah Putih, Ubud: For a romantic fine-dining experience, look no further than Merah Putih. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows surround obsessively set tables and lush green palm trees (don’t you just love an indoor tree?). The ornamental white columns rise into high-vaulted ceilings, giving off luxurious, cathedral-like vibes. Share some dishes like the Acar Ikan, the Pangsit Udang fish dumpling, and the Sapi Bakar rib-eye.

Ours, Uluwatu: Scandi-meets-Bali farmhouse atmosphere. Go for the super Instagrammable interiors, amazing brunch, casual cocktails, and wood-fired everything. It’s great for groups.

The Cave, Uluwatu: High-end dining in a natural underground cave. Get the multi-course tasting menu in a real limestone cave. This restaurant is dramatic, intimate, and completely one-of-a-kind.