1. The scenery, obviously
In Ubud, verdant forests, terraced rice paddies, towering palms and majestic mountains have a calming effect that instantly makes you feel relaxed. Visiting (and taking a happy snap of) rice paddies is a bit of a must-do here and one of the best spots for it is the Tegalalang Rice Fields (hire a motorbike and head 25 minutes northeast of downtown Ubud). If it’s waterfalls you’re after, swap the crowded Tegenungan Waterfall for local fave Goa Rang Reng Waterfall. And if you’re fans of an early-morning hike, set your alarm for 1:30am and have a (pre-organised) driver take you out to Mount Batur (two hours north of downtown Ubud) for breathtaking views of Lake Batur at sunrise.
