10 Great Places to Spend Christmas
Why Go: -Miles of terraced rice paddies
-Instead of carols, the haunting sound of the gamelan gong
-Watching Christmas Eve sunset at the island temple of Tanah Lot.
Where to Stay: Incense wafts through the soaring lobby, and wreaths of rice plants, herbs, and flowers hang on the doors of the 22 suites and villas at the small, affordable but remarkably stylish Hotel Tugu Bali (Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu Beach; 62-361/731-701; doubles from $315)
Holiday Dinner: The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (Sayan, Ubud; 62-361/977-577; dinner for two $120) jazzes up the traditional meal—tangerine-glazed foie gras with dates, spiced rack of lamb with garlic mashed potatoes and Kaffir lime jus, and the soufflâ© of the day.
Stocking Stuffer: Visiting Treasures Gallery is more than a shopping trip, it is a visual experience. Goldsmiths, both Balinese and international, sell their one-of-a-kind modern designs (Main St. Ubud Bali, 80571; 62-361/976-697), which incorporate traditional jewelry-making techniques.
—Laura Begley