We asked three operators – Silverbird, Abercrombie and Kent and Magic of the Orient – to come up with their recommendations and sample prices for three clients with special requests for a holiday in Indonesia.
Request 1: Clients A are a honeymoon couple who want the holiday of a lifetime and are prepared to pay for it.
Silverbird
Area: Bali and Moyo.
Product: stay at the Amandari Hotel high above the Ayung River Gorge in Ubud, Bali, before flying across to Sumbawa and joining a cruise to Moyo. Stay at the Amanwana – a luxury tented nature camp on a secluded beach where clients can swim, snorkel and scuba dive and take interesting walks to view the island’s wildlife.
Price: December departures – from £5,110 for 10 nights including business-class flights with Qantas.
Abercrombie and Kent
Area: Bali, Sumbawa and Spice Island Cruise.
Product: fly to Jakarta and then on to Bali for three nights at the Kupu Kupu Barong Hotel in Ubud, and a visit to the cultural centre famous for art, music, dancing and handicrafts. Fly on to Sumbawa Island and join the MYS Perinitis for a cruise around many undeveloped tropical islands. Fly on to Lombok for five nights by the beach at the Oberoi Hotel.
Price: departures October 1-31 – from £1,825 per person including flights with Singapore or Malaysian Airlines.
Magic of the Orient
Area: Bali and Lombok.
Product: start with five nights in an ocean-facing villa with pool at the Oberoi Bali – designed like a traditional Balinese village and set amid tropical gardens. Then travel inland to Ubud and stay three nights at the Kupu Kupu Barong – perched on the side of a valley with wonderful views. Fly on to Lombok for five nights in an ocean-facing villa with pool at the Oberoi.
Price: departures March 1 to June 30 – £2,814 per person including flights with Singapore Airlines, private transfers and accommodation on a room-only basis.
Request 2: Clients B are a mother and daughter looking for relaxation and culture.
Silverbird
Area: Bali.
Product: stay at the Bali Hyatt among landscaped gardens of Sanur Beach. Plenty of amenities, evening entertainment, pools and sports facilities plus a spa. A relaxing spot from which to explore the island’s rich culture, including temples, colourful dancers and artists’ colonies.
Price: departures until November 30 – from £789 per person for 10 nights including flights with Singapore Airlines.
Abercrombie and Kent
Area: Bali.
Product: seven nights at The Four Seasons resort at Jimbaran Bay – perfect for relaxation and day excursions – combined with four nights at the luxurious Amanjiwo resort in central Java – a fantastic cultural centre and close to the temple of Borobodur.
Price: departures October 1-31 – from £2,095 per person including flights with Singapore or Malaysian Airlines.
Magic of the Orient
Area: Bali.
Product: stay at the well established Bali Hyatt – set in tropical gardens and with five restaurants, four bars and an extensive range of tours. Combine with a three-night trip to Ubud and The Chedi – a stylish hotel built amid the rice terraces.
Price: departures April 1 to June 30 – £1,110 per person for 13 nights’ accommodation and breakfast and flights with Singapore Airlines.
Request 3: Clients C are a young couple looking for a more active holiday – a bit of adventure and lots of water sports.
Silverbird
Area: Sulawesi.
Product: stay five nights in South Sulawesi and visit Ujung Pandang and Torajaland – famed for the traditional ‘Bugis’ sailing boats, traditional houses and cliff-side tombs. Then move on to Manado, capital of North Sulawesi, to explore the rainforest, climb the active volcanoes and dive in the Bunaken Sea Garden.
Price: January departures – from £1,299 per person including flights with Singapore Airlines, full board at Torajaland and accommodation with breakfast at the Hotel Santika in North Sulawesi.
Abercrombie and Kent
Area: Bali and Moyo.
Product: a two-centre holiday combining The Aramandar hotel in Ubud, Bali – where clients can mountain bike, walk, do white-water rafting and explore the village and culture of Bali before flying on to Flores for a boat transfer to Moyo. Here they can stay at the beach side Amanawana Hotel – a secluded hideaway located in lush forest that is good for snorkelling, diving, sailing, windsurfing and jungle treks.
Price: departure October 1-31 – from £3,388 per person including four nights in Bali, seven nights in Moyo and flights with Singapore or Malaysian Airlines.
Magic of the Orient:
Area: Sanur Beach, Bali.
Product: this is a well established beach area with a wide choice of water sports. For shopping and a change of scene the busy Kuta beach is only a 20min drive away. Clients can windsurf and water-ski and take a day cruise for snorkelling. Combine this with a five-day private tour of the island – exploring the rice terraces and sights of Ubud, the small villages of the east coast and dolphin watching in the north.
Price: departures March 1 to June 30 – £1,078 per person including 10 nights at the Raddin Sanur Hotel (room only) and four nights (including breakfast) on the private tour. Flights with Singapore Airlines.