Lombok and Gili

Overshadowed by its superstar neighbor across the Lombok Strait there's a steady hum about Lombok that catches the ear of travelers looking for something different from Bali. Blessed with exquisite white-sand beaches, epic surf, a lush forested interior, and hiking trails through tobacco and rice fields, Lombok is fully loaded with equitorial allure. Wow, and you'll probably notice mighty Gunung Rinjani, Indonesia's second-highest volcano, its summit complete with hot springs and a dazzling crater lake. and there's much more...

Picture three miniscule desert islands, fringed by white-sand beaches and coconut palms, sitting in a turquoise sea: the Gilis are a vision of paradise. These islets have exploded in popularity, and are booming like nowhere else in Indonesia – speedboats zip visitors direct from Bali and hip new hotels are massing.

It's not hard to understand the Gilis' unique appeal, for a serenity endures (no motorbikes or dogs!) and a palm-shaded languor.