Located off Sumatra’s east coast, Belitung is almost surreal in its perfection. This quiet island is laced with sugar-white beaches, crystalline shallow waters, and surreal granite boulders that rise like sculptures from the sea. Tourist attractions are few, so life here unfolds slowly: wade through sparkling tide pools, snorkel above coral gardens, and settle into a beachfront warung for warm grilled fish topped with fiery Indonesian sambal.
Think of Bali, and you’ll likely picture the perfect beaches of the south—and certainly, Celukan Bawang has its share of those. But this modest harbor on the north of the island reveals a Bali shaped by nature and tradition. Once a 19th-century timber port shipping hardwoods from the island’s rainforests, Celukan Bawang now offers quiet entry into a region that is elemental and off the beaten path. Just 10 miles from the port, and you could be soaking in the mineral-rich waters of Banjar Hot Springs, long believed to hold healing properties.
Lombok may be lesser known than its big-hitting neighbor Bali, but it’s no less compelling. The island is a treasure trove of tradition, where daily life carries on much as it has for centuries. Head south from the harbor through tobacco fields and rice terraces to Sukarara, and find a women’s weaving community that continues the tradition of threading vibrant songket patterns by hand. A trip inland brings you to Sade, a heritage village that has been inhabited by the same community for 15 generations, as well as Ende, a Sasak village where homes are built from clay and bamboo.
Few places on Earth feel as ancient or as alive as Komodo. The island is home to its legendary namesake dragon, whose low, muscular gait seems like something from another time. Join a local ranger for a guided walk through the UNESCO-listed Komodo National Park to look for these prehistoric lizards, while also keeping an eye out for deer, wild boar, and rare, endangered birds. If you prefer to do your wildlife watching underwater, head to Pink Beach, a beautifully photogenic and uncrowded stretch named for the microscopic coral organisms that give the sand its blush color.
Bali best reveals its deep history in artistry and craft. Admire the work of goldsmiths in Celuk, woodcarvers in Mas, and village batik artists whose hands follow patterns passed down through generations. In Ubud, the former royal capital, Hindu shrines sit among banyan trees, while the surrounding Jatiluwih Rice Terraces—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—invite exploration by foot or by bike.
Cebu is one of the Philippines’ most dynamic islands, with coral reefs fringing the coast, mountain ridgelines shaping the interior, and city life moving with busy purpose. As the country’s primary trading hub, Cebu City’s energy is palpable; street food stalls sizzle, students spill out onto university plazas, and cafés and galleries reflect a growing creative scene. The city is dotted with 16th-century landmarks, including the must-see Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, home to Magellan’s Cross, and the triangular Fort San Pedro, today a garden and museum.
Set on the sun-drenched western edge of Hawaiʻi Island, Kona’s coast is a study in contrasts. Black lava fields stretch to white-sand beaches, and coffee groves climb the green slopes of Hualālai volcano. In the highlands, Kona’s famous crop reigns supreme; family-run farms handpick beans from trees rooted in volcanic soil. Head to a roastery for a tasting, or sample local cacao and vanilla—crops grown nowhere else in the U.S. Back at sea level, the story is equally as vivid.
Set on the Big Island’s rain-nourished eastern side, Hilo rewards those who follow its pace—gentle, grounded, and unexpectedly powerful. The town is visually striking; look one way to see rainforest and waterfalls, the other to spy the snow-dusted peak of Mauna Kea, Hawaiʻi’s sacred mountain. Begin the day with a stroll along the bayfront into downtown, browsing family-run shops and artist studios that carry on living traditions such as carving wood and beating kapa.
Kahului sits on storied ground, shaped by centuries of movement, trade, and transformation. Set on Maui’s northern coast, between Haleakalā and the West Maui Mountains, the region holds deep cultural significance, as it was here, in 1790, that King Kamehameha’s forces defeated Maui’s warriors in a pivotal step toward unifying the islands. Nature is especially generous in this part of Maui. Head inland to ʻĪao Valley State Park, where hiking trails wind through the rainforest for sensational views of the ʻĪao Needle, a 1,200-foot spire that rises dramatically through the mist.
The spirit of Hawaiʻi sings in unexpected places in Honolulu, from palace corridors and open-air markets to the song of the ocean itself. Certainly, the city’s beaches are legendary; paddle a board out from Ala Moana Beach Park if you want sensational coastal views, but slip away from Waikīkī’s buzz to Kakaʻako, where bold street art, farmers markets, and salty-sweet breezes reveal the city's vibrant soul. Walk the halls of ʻIolani Palace (the only royal palace on U.S. soil) or visit Bishop Museum, the historical home for Hawai’i’s ancient artifacts.
