Astrid Taran

Senior Editor, Special Projects

Happy Monday! I am writing this from Terceira Island in Portugal's Azores archipelago, which I am currently exploring for the first time. Located smack dab in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, being on this island the past few days has felt otherworldly. Many houses and most streets are constructed with black lava from nearby volcanoes, and miles of green pastures exist in what were formerly volcanic craters. The unique landscape, history, and agriculture found in this region have pushed trips to the Azores' other eight islands high up on my bucket list.

This is my second international trip this year. Now that the Omicron variant has mostly subsided, traveling abroad is starting to feel much less stressful, and I couldn't be more thankful. Along with the U.K. and a number of European countries that have loosened their entry restrictions, Bali announced this week that they will no longer be requiring the costly five-star hotel quarantine they had previously mandated for international visitors. We covered that story this week, along with a peek into heritage footwear brand Sperry's latest launch: shoes made specifically for adventure travel. Read on for more.

On Our Radar

Bali Just Dropped Mandates Requiring Quarantine Upon Arrival—Here's What to Know

It's the first of many steps the island is taking to revive tourism.

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We tested the footwear brand's new outdoors collection.

Budget Airline Breeze Airways Shares Plans to Launch International Flights

The low-cost carrier is one of the biggest success stories of the pandemic era.

Destination of the Day

Bali

Bali has long been known for its beaches and culture, but the growing tourist infrastructure means that new opportunities for fun and entertainment are opening wide. And given Bali's small size, no attraction is more than a few hours' drive away! While the tourist scene changes as we speak, the following consistently stay on the top of the island's tourist to-do lists.

Hit the Beach

The most touristy beaches can be found in South Bali; Kuta and Seminyak's beaches are great for both surfing in the day and partying at night. Jimbaran Beach, on the other hand, is ideal for a romantic evening al fresco. On the opposite coast, you'll find Bali's water sports capital Tanjung Benoa. Head to East Bali for the island's most popular dive spot, the wreck of the USAT Liberty.

Visit a Local Temple

With over 20,000 Pura (Balinese for temple) in Bali, you'll find a sacred space on almost every corner. These range from simple family temples to grand community temples to the Mother Temple on Gunung Agung: Pura Besakih.

Go on a Shopping Spree

Bali's shopping districts are good for buying international brands, but they're also great for Balinese arts and crafts like silverworks, wood carvings, and jewelry. The shopping scene in South Bali favors Western-style malls and crafts-filled shopping outlets. You'll need to go further afield for more artisanal shopping, particularly the crafts villages around Ubud and Central Bali. If you can stop over at only one place in Ubud, make it the Art Market in the town center.

Vacation Like a Pro

Metered taxis can be found in the southern end of Bali, especially around the tourist areas of Kuta, Tuban, and Denpasar. If you want to go further afield, you can take a private tourist shuttle bus, rent a car (with or without a driver), or ride a motorbike. If you choose to drive yourself (either by car or by motorbike), consider that Bali is an incredibly challenging place to drive.

Michael Aquino
Travel Writer

Your Packing List

Bring electrolyte mixes for adding to bottled water; you'll be drinking a lot!

You'll probably want to change tops every evening after sweating all day. If on an extended trip, you'll find plenty of inexpensive places that do laundry.

Dress modestly before entering a temple in Bali. Temple guests are expected to wear shirts that cover their shoulders and part of their upper arms. Your waist and legs should be covered by a temple scarf and a sarong.

As with most of Southeast Asia, the default footwear for Bali is just a pair of reliable flip-flops.

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Get Inspired

Of all of Switzerland's fabulous lakes, Lake Thun may offer the most storybook setting. Surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Bernese Oberland, the lake is dotted with charming medieval towns you can get lost in, while cable cars connect hikers and skiers to points far above the turquoise-colored lake.