Family Summer in Indonesia: Exploring Java and Bali

Transfer and three-night stay in a historic house in the centre of Yogyakarta. The building, built in 1918 by a wealthy Chinese merchant, has evolved into a beautiful hotel, combining classic hospitality with a Southeast Asian feel (and a touch of Art Deco elegance). It offers the convenience of connecting rooms, a large outdoor swimming pool, a gym and day spa: everything is structured around guests and their wellbeing. In the restaurant, dive into Indonesian cuisine straight away or for a change of scene try Chinese, while starting with a few well-known international classics can offer guests a gentler introduction to local fare. And, the icing on the cake, The Phoenix is firmly committed to the environment and sustainable development.

Already in the itinerary - Private tour of the Prambanan Temple compounds. Visit this major Hindu shrine with an expert guide. Built in the ninth century, it originally had 240 temples, laid out in a square. In the centre, the main temples are devoted to the 'Trimurti', the three forms of the divine: Shiva and his vehicle, Nandi the bull, along with Brahma and Vishnu and their vehicles, Hamsa the swan and Garuda the mythical winged creature. The style of the buildings conforms to the rules of 'Vastu shastra', the classic system of Hindu architecture. The Shiva Temple, which dominates the shrine, symbolises Mount Meru, the fulcrum of the universe: the site reflects the Hindu cosmos. Here again, sculptors left eloquent traces of their workmanship. Wayang Kulit shadow puppet workshop. Visit a puppet workshop with an expert guide. Learn about the characters of the ever-popular traditional shadow puppet theatre or 'Wayang kulit'. Hindu mythology provides an inexhaustible supply of entertaining, inspirational and epic anecdotes for performances. Make a puppet under the expert guidance of a skilled craftsperson. It's loads of fun and you might even discover a hidden talent.

Already in the itinerary - Tour of the temple of Borobudur. With an expert guide, discover a wonder of Buddhist art: the stupas and mandalas of Borobudur. It was built in the eighth and ninth centuries and depicts the cosmos and path to enlightenment. It features a huge set of bas-relief sculptures, which, in a series of panels, guide the pilgrim from the ambiguous acts and values of earthly life to the attainment of perfect wisdom. The sculptors who created it were among the finest in their field. There is a certain sense of awe at the scale and consistency of the design, and wonderment at its teachings. Then, there are some five hundred statues of Buddha, a true sight in themselves.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Denpasar. Transfer to Ubud. Four-night stay in elegantly simple accommodation in keeping with the island. The buildings are in a traditional style, open to the surrounding natural environment. They feature beautiful wooden platforms and thatched roofs and a spacious open-plan layout wherever possible while still remaining incredibly private. The spa overlooks a lovely waterfall. In this peaceful rural setting, nestled between a lake and rice fields, sophisticated living meets the family-friendly essentials. The hotel has all the necessary amenities, starting with the swimming pool, an instant magnet for children.

Included in the itinerary - A morning spent taking part in a very popular Balinese pastime: kite flying. The children start off by making their own kites. Once finished, under the watchful eye of an expert, they are put through their paces alongside the local children, who are on hand with some excellent advice. The trip is with an expert guide.

Included in the itinerary - Treasure hunt in Sukahet Sari. The green Sidemen Valley is where the action takes place. The treasure hunt is with an expert guide and the rules and equipment are provided on site. The treasure hunt provides an opportunity to get a closer look at the rice paddies and the lives of hill dwellers. One of the clues can even be unearthed in an old Balinese house. Running around and solving puzzles are an excellent way to get to know a place.

Included in the itinerary - A visit to Bali Bird Park, just a few miles from the hotel and set in five acres of gardens. It contains Indonesia's largest and finest ornithological collection. Home to 250 species, the birds fly freely and can easily be approached for a closer look at their tropical colours and shapes. Bali starlings, Javan hawk-eagles, western crowned pigeons, birds of paradise: young and old will be amazed at the varied and familiar array of birds on show. This half-day trip extends nicely into a visit to Ubud.

Transfer to Pemuteran. Three-night stay in an eco-lodge on the edge of the Bali Barat National Park. The eco-lodges, built in wood and on stilts, are in the style of traditional Balinese rice barns. They overlook the forest on one side and the sea on the other. They are fully-equipped and comfortable, while exuding a beautiful rustic charm. The swimming pool, spa and natural hot spring offer wellbeing for the whole family. Dining from the pontoon is a wonderful experience.

Included in the itinerary - Snorkelling on the protected coral reef of Menjangan. 'Menjangan' means 'deer' in Indonesian and the island gets its name from the creatures who often visit its beach. Travel by boat with a private guide, who takes care of all your equipment and a delicious picnic, too. You don't have to be an underwater expert to explore the multicoloured world that lies beneath the waves. Simply dive in and enjoy. It's immediately obvious why this is one of the country's finest snorkelling and diving spots. Soft corals, sponges and sand, where garden eels and sea anemones sway about in the ocean currents, and where clown fish and pufferfish glide around gracefully, on the lookout for barracudas and giant trevally. It's a true marine spectacle.

Included in the itinerary - Riding in the Bali Barat National Park. Riding is a great way to explore this huge national park in the west of Bali. You don't need to be an expert rider, just hold onto the reins, sit back and soak up the sights. A private guide leads the way and points out wildlife. However, don't get too comfortable as there's a lot to learn. There are the mangroves for starters and the Java olive trees ('Sterculia foetida', to be precise). Spotting Bali starlings, with their white plumage and blue around the eyes, is a real treat, as the park is sadly their last refuge. Just in case, the milky stork, which hunts for food in murky water, is a less graceful but more common sight. Asian water monitors reach between six and ten feet in length. Banteng are a horned species of cattle that have been domesticated in the Indonesian archipelago; on Bali, they roam free in the wild.

Transfer to Jimbaran. Four-night stay on the beach. The Balinese-style cottages are very cosy and are a beautiful setting to relax and unwind. The interior design is stylish but not overbearing and the modern bathrooms feature powerful showers. In front of the residence is a private terrace and a pretty, leafy garden. The large square swimming pool is the ideal place to unwind, lined with sun beds and sunloungers under palapa roofs. The pool 'faces' west; so, this is one of the best places on the island to watch blazing sunsets. You'll get a beach spa pass for the children; great for both of you. In the restaurant, the seafood has Mediterranean vibes, blending beautifully with the Balinese aesthetic all around the hotel.

Included in the itinerary - Beginners surfing. Bali is a legendary surf spot. So, a lesson is an absolute must during your stay (if that's your type of thing, of course). Legian Beach, with its steady waves, is ideal for getting started. An English-speaking instructor shows beginners the basics. Start paddling, try to catch a wave, even stand up and then, usually... wipeout! It's still great fun though, and a cool story to tell to friends back home who just surfed the net while you were having a trip of a lifetime.

Fishing and fish are a big deal around here. Just look at the string of 'warungs', or little family restaurants, lining the beach for proof of this. Much of each day's catch ends up here, guaranteed fresh from the ocean and keeping food miles to an absolute minimum... straight from the boats to the grill or stove. And with such delights in store, the beach is the place to go yet again. This little stay on Jimbaran is the most delightful way to finish the trip. During these three days of playing in the sea and utter relaxation, find a little time to visit the Hindu temple of Uluwatu, built in the 16th century and perched on top of a steep cliff overlooking the sea. It's a stunning location. A troop of macaques has taken up residence there and these cheeky monkeys are behind a spike in the most brazen of daylight robberies. So, keep an eye on your things. As dusk falls, experience a kecak show, a dancing chorus that began in the 1930s from ancient trance rituals. Held in the temple setting, dedicated to the gods of the sea (an area where Bali really has been blessed), it's a bewitching spectacle.