9. Bali, Indonesia.

Bali is one of more than 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago and is located just over 2 kilometres (almost 1.5 miles) from the eastern tip of the island of Java and west of the island of Lombok. The island, home to about 4 million people, is approximately 144 kilometres (90 mi.) from east to west and 80 kilometres (50 mi.) north to south.

Bali is a small island across the strait at the eastern end of Java, the main island- it's a three-hour flight from Singapore. Bali has the Indian Ocean on the south and the Bali Sea on the north separated by mountains that rise over 2000m (6600ft). Gunung Agung, the active "mother" volcano rises to over 3100m (10300ft).

The word "paradise" is used a lot in Bali and not without reason. The combination of friendly, hospitable people, a magnificently visual culture infused with spirituality and (not least) spectacular beaches with great surfing and diving have made Bali Indonesia's unrivaled number one tourist attraction. Eighty percent of international visitors to Indonesia visit Bali and Bali alone. 

Bali, often referred to as the Island of the Gods, is a land of fiery volcanoes and fertile valleys shrouded in mist. Terraced rice paddies line deep gorges while resorts dot the shoreline. Fruits and vegetables are plentiful and sounds of the gamelan are never far away. The emphasis in Bali is on harmony and culture. This divine island has much to offer yet most visitors go no further than the southern beaches. There is much to see here and accommodation is available to fit every budget. Temples, flanked by walled courtyards, outnumber houses and beautifully landscaped water gardens peer out invitingly from homes and businesses. It's hard to imagine a more picturesque island than Bali.