If you are looking for light sandy beaches without the crowds, Lombok is the perfect choice, and the island is blessed with a growing collection of class boutique hotels. Relax on its picturesque shores, snorkel and dive vibrant reefs, surf the breaks just off shore, and enjoy the freshest seafood, straight off the boat.
Heading inland, Sasak villages, many of which expertly create pottery and textiles, sit within lush forests, tobacco and rice fields. There are beautiful temples to explore, alongside cascading waterfalls, and the fertile slopes of Gunung Rinjani. Climbing to the crater rim of this active volcano is possible too, where the reward is a breath-taking view of the turquoise crater lake, 'baby' volcano, and even straight across to Bali on a clear day.