“I went to quite a few places for my honeymoon in September. We did Canggu, Ubud, Lombok, all 3 Gilis, and Uluwatu. Our favourite places were Gili T, Uluwatu and Ubud, but your favourites will depend on what kind of traveller you are!

We were also worried about Bali being too touristy (we didn’t love Santorini for that reason) but definitely didn’t find it bad at all.

I would say you probably want to condense the amount of places and spend more time in each one. We moved around every few days and it did feel a bit hectic.

I’d say miss out Kuta (we didn’t go but it hasn’t got a great rep) and I don’t think you need as long in Nusa Penida. You can do a day trip there from Bali if you want to, although we’re quite glad we didn’t go, as our friends said it’s not for the faint-hearted when it comes to climbing down the rocks to the beach!

You could probably also choose between Canguu and Seminyak depending on what kind of vibe you like (apparently Seminyak has glitzier hotels and shopping).

Would go back to Bali in a heartbeat, despite the negative press it seems to get these days!” - Amy

“I recommend doing Leke Leke Waterfall, it was magical. I would do 4 nights in Ubud if possible. There is just so much to do. We also did a rafting tour, didn't expect much of it, but it was amazing. Just paddling through the jungle. I think 2 nights on Penida is indeed enough.

I also did a water purification, not at the touristy spots. But at a waterfall where it felt so pure. It was raining when I was doing it, which made it even more special!! It's called Beji Griya Waterfall” - Fien

“Consider doing Ubud, Seminyak, Gili Air and Komodo. Kuta is just a very busy city type place—you can do a day trip to Kuta or stop there on the way from Seminyak to Ubud.” - Anu

“Kuta and Seminyak are literally 10 min apart, so I’d personally do that as one area. Ubud is absolutely amazing, and I highly recommend the Mount Batur overnight trek. We found this such a chilled vibes place, late night coffee bars etc.

I finished my trip with a full week in Gili T and wow, I wish we did longer! We took the boat across to the other 2 Gili islands, but it was hard to top Gili T. It’s probably the best place I’ve ever been to, it has something for everyone (or at least it did my multiple personalities) Maybe overly busy with tourists now, it was 6 years ago when I was there.” - Bethany

“Lombok was great after staying in Bali (Denpasar). Totally different cultures, and Lombok is less crowded. We spent 4 days in Bali, then took a fast boat to Lombok (via the Gilis). After 4 days in Lombok, we flew back to Bali.

We stayed at the Puri Mas. It was exceptional. It is owned by Dutch ex-world ballroom champions, who used it initially as their residence until the law changed, prohibiting foreigners from owning villas on the coast. They developed the site and built their residence a couple of miles inland, which is also the spa. The accommodation is amazing, quirky and memorable for all the right reasons.

There is a fair bit to see and do. We went on some tours (just the two of us) that included the monkey sanctuary, a village life tour and trekking. We went on a trip to the Gilis and snorkelling (these can be arranged through the concierge). Private tours too, and relatively cheap.

We also chatted to the bar staff, and they took us to their village one evening for supper.”- Frank

“Get a boat over to Lombok. Highlight of my Bali trip tbh. Far less touristy.” - Laura

“Komodo is a must do! Two nights in Flores makes it work.” - Keith

“Consider Rinca instead of Komodo. Fewer tourists and the same ‘dragons’!” - Paul

“Went to see Kelingking Beach and loads of other things in Nusa Penida, and we really felt the Instagram VS reality. It was so rammed, finding space to get a photo was almost impossible. We’d probably skip it next time for that reason, plus I hated seeing horses being used for transport in that heat!”- Josh

“We hated Lovina. Lots of plastic on the beach and everyone chasing poor dolphins on the motor boats. We ended up not taking a boat trip because we were pestered so much and it all sounded horrible.” - Kasia

“I got bitten by a monkey. We were in Ubud Monkey Forest, and saw signs about avoiding touching etc., so we were extra careful when walking along the paths. I leant against a railing to watch a monkey climbing a tree, and I hadn’t realised that another one had got on the railing and come right up to me until it was holding my hand.

I stood up so I wasn’t leaning anymore, and it was still holding my hand. I just thought, “No way this is so cool! What do I do?” Then it crawled up my arm and checked the pockets of my rucksack (which we had specifically shut beforehand) before crawling back down and holding my hand again.

Then out of nowhere, it just leaned forward and bit my chest! Not enough to break the skin, and it didn’t hurt, but I think I was looking at it and must’ve looked it in the eye by mistake. Apparently that can make them aggressive (as the sign said). We deliberately went to the forest in the afternoon after feeding time because they tend to be less aggressive then, but this is so typical for me.

Weirdly, my twin brother had the exact same thing happen to him at the same place a year before! He was sitting down and one just jumped up and bit him… probably the same monkey.

So, moral of the story, triple-check the signs when you visit the forest and don’t look them in the eye!

To add insult to injury, I then fell off a moped and ruined my knee. If you do get on a moped, AVOID sand and grit if you can. Apparently they lose grip easily! I had to miss swimming with the manta rays because of my knee.

Then I got Bali belly. The best way you can be sure to avoid it is by only drinking bottled stuff, or you can get these tablets and start taking them beforehand… Neither of which I did!

"I did a 100 day trip last year and currently doing a 70 day trip in my Osprey Sojourn 45L / 22” carry-on with wheels. My day pack is Matador ultralight 28L Beast. I use 2 large and 1 medium packing cubes.

I packed an inflatable memory foam pillow that I used once. I will leave this pillow at home in the future. I broke down and bought a neck pillow for the 16 flights that I have had to endure during my 70 day adventure to Oahu, Bali, Komodo Island, Borneo, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Delhi, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Dubai and back home to San Francisco.

I thought about getting merino wool underwear but it’s so expensive compared to bamboo which is anti-bacterial and moisture wicking. I found in Yogyakarta for $1. I see online for $10 which is still cheaper than $30 icebreaker merino wool underwear.

I can and have worn my merino wool shirts for 5 days and do not smell body odor but I draw the line at underwear, and change daily!

My packing list of items fit nicely in my Osprey carry-on. It weighs in at 8.8 kg. If I take out my toiletries then my carry-on weighs in at 7.8kg. I’ve removed the backpack straps from the carry on to place my Keen sandals. I like the idea of using shower caps as covers.

Every chance I get I look for a laundromat to self wash my clothes otherwise I will wash a couple of underwear, shirt and pants every 3 to 4 days. A trick for overnight drying is I roll my underwear in a towel to get rid of excess water then lay my underwear on top of the hotel refrigerator. The warmth dries my underwear overnight.

My packing list has got me through two tours. I might leave the headlamp home as well as the memory foam pillow and just use the flashlight on my iPhone.

Thanks again for many more tips on using just a carry-on for travel!" - Rhonda, avid traveler and reader of JFC

"My one bag packing tip: I have a color theme each travel! I traveled to Madrid and stayed for a month taking care of a cat and all my clothes were in brown, beige and white. I had one crossover shoulder bag and one pair of sandals.

Last summer for almost six weeks, I was in orange and white. Last Christmas for three weeks: only in white. Easter, only black. And this May I'm going to the US for three weeks in lemon green."

- Talé

"We are very grateful that the airlines encouraged us to reduce our rucksack size for longer trips a few years ago. Now, whether it's 2 months or 2 days, we would never consider paying for a bag.

Just a couple of recommendations we'd make (and no, I'm not on commission!):

• A Uniqlo jacket. They really do pack in very, very small but offer reasonable warmth, and ours were around £60.
• Vivobarefoot shoes. A complete game changer for us. Ultra-light to pack when you don't need them and superb for any long-distance walks, whatever the terrain, although most are not waterproof though. We've walked all of UK National Trails in them, nearly 2,000 miles!
• Detachable trousers and lightweight thermal top. No explanations needed but ideal for variable climates.

We're off to Japan in May and India in June and even though our long-haul flights give us free bags, domestic flights ensure we won't be tempted to go large, bag wise." - Alan and Agnieszka