Born in Bandung, Java, in 1956, Yan Suryana has been a professional artist since 1980. Self-taught, Yan travelled extensively throughout Indonesia to study his country's diverse people, cultures, and customs for inspiration. He eventually settled in Bali because of the legendary island's strong connection to art and the inspiration he draws from the endless colour and drama of Balinese daily life. "Wherever you look, there is art," he enthuses. "It is in everything – in the dances, the ceremonies, the offerings. Bali is living art." Yan now lives in the village of Petulu near Ubud in Bali and invites you into his home to meet him and his family and enjoy his work and passion for art. 

Transfer this morning to Ubud, an artistic town in central Bali. Here you will visit the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA), where you will enjoy a private tour by one of the museum's experts. The collection ranges from traditional to contemporary, including classical Kamasan painting on tree bark, masterpieces by Batuan artists of the 1930s and 1940s and the only works to be seen on the island of Bali by 19th-century Javanese artist Raden Saleh and Syarif Bustaman. 

After your tour, we continue to the home of Yan Suryana. Enjoy a tour of his uniquely designed artist style house, and enjoy an introduction to his artwork on display. Yan's work is characterised by bold, powerful compositions and intimate vignettes of daily life, ritual and culture. Yan's depiction of Balinese life is intense yet disarming. His works celebrate the spirit and mysticism of this exotic island. Yan's large canvasses feature graceful figures intent on daily activities, devotional and enraptured temple dancers and voluptuous, dreaming nudes. Some paintings tell a story; others highlight the foibles of human nature. All of Yan's works seem to capture Balinese life's richness and essence effortlessly. A trademark of his work is the strong use of colour, applied with a palette knife. This technique was inspired by his two-year vacation in Austria. 

You are then invited to enjoy lunch with Yan and his family. Here, you can enjoy his many stories about his life, inspiration, and unique painting style. After lunch, you are welcome to sit down with Yan and enjoy some time painting with him or observe him creating his latest piece of art. You are then welcome to enjoy the hospitality of Yan's wife Marina (an Austrian national who moved to Bali when she met Yan) and his son Philip (a young fashion designer) and enjoy the facilities and relax in the family home as their esteemed guests. Return to your residence in the early evening.

Embark on an engaging exploration of Balinese culture with our tour, "A Day in the Life of a Balinese Woman." Nestled near the town of Amlapura in East Bali, Gelumpang village invites you to experience the authentic daily rhythm of this enchanting locale. 

Upon arrival in Gelumpang, join the chefs of Bali Asli as they guide you through the Amlapura morning market, a routine excursion to select fresh local produce for the day's culinary creations. Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere, interact with vendors, sample exotic ingredients, and absorb the spirited energy of Balinese market life. 

Returning to Bali Asli, the journey continues with a pleasant morning tea, providing a moment of reflection and anticipation for the upcoming culinary adventure. The heart of the experience unfolds in a traditional Balinese cooking class, where skilled chefs walk you through crafting intricate flower offerings, or "canang," an integral part of Balinese spirituality. Engage in hands-on cooking using traditional equipment and techniques, creating a menu that captures the essence of Balinese cuisine. 

The experience culminates in a meal, where you savour the flavours of your freshly prepared Balinese lunch. Each dish tells a story, weaving together the rich cultural tapestry of Bali. This journey goes beyond the culinary realm, offering a deeper understanding of Balinese traditions and the crucial role of food in their culture. 

After lunch transfer back to your accommodation and enjoy the rest of the day at your own leisure.

While Bali needs no introduction, the nearby island of Nusa Penida might. Though just a short majestic sail across the Badung Strait from Bali, Nusa Penida could easily be another world away. Still relatively undeveloped compared to its much larger neighbour, a private day cruise charter provides an unrivalled way of experiencing all that this unspoilt traditional island has to offer

Nusa Penida is one of the region’s most authentic destinations, with many of the villages still following traditional awig-awig law (Balinese Hindu Karma belief system).

A deliberate lack of dense tourist infrastructure means a boat charter remains, without doubt, the most effective and evocative way of visiting Nusa Penida.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Serangan harbour, where you will board your own private luxury vessel and set sail for Penida island.

Lay back and relax as the experienced crew guide you towards Penida’s beautiful sea cliffs, secluded bays, and lush foliage adorned with many bird species. The island is home to highly endangered Bali starlings, Mitchell’s lorikeet, and sulphur-crested cockatoos, thanks to the sanctuary created by the agreement of the villagers.

Without a doubt, Nusa Penida’s top attractions are even more closely linked to its lapping waters, making a boat charter the perfect way to experience them. What better way could there be to approach the magic of Kelingking beach than by private charter? Surrounded by almost sheer cliffs, this secluded arc of pristine sand will leave you feeling like the only people on earth.

Then there’s Angel’s Billabong, a coastal pool and natural rock arch beloved of Instagrammers the world over, with the best views perhaps from neighbouring Broken Beach.

You can also explore Crystal Bay, one of Nusa Penida’s most tranquil stretches of sand. Here you can spend some time enjoying the views from the boat, relaxing on the beach, or in the water snorkelling and taking in the colourful marine life. 

For lunch, we will stop at a secluded bay where you can enjoy some more time snorkelling while the crew prepare your feast.

The final stop of the day is Manta Point, where if we are lucky, there may be some Manta Rays or Mola Mola (Sunfish) for us to swim alongside and observe.

Return to the shore and transfer back to your private residence.