Indonesia

If you like islands you’ll love Indonesia. It is a nation of islands – 17,500 is the official count – and they come in all shapes and sizes from idyllic palm-fringed sandbars to mountainous hinterlands larger than the state of California. These islands, which are strewn across a 3,000-mile swath of the Indian Ocean, boast an equally impressive cultural diversity, home to more than 1,000 distinct ethnic groups speaking 700 languages.

The common denominator throughout the archipelago is the gentle warmth and welcoming attitude of its people. Indonesia offers both unexpected discoveries and familiar favorites. Bali is well-known to global nomads, the Gili Islands are trending, nature lovers make pilgrimages to view the dragons of Komodo and the orangutans of Borneo while diving meccas such as Raja Ampat and Wakatobi draw marine life enthusiasts from around the world.