Ubud is known as the spiritual heartland of Bali. Long revered for its temples and artistic heritage, the village has in recent years grown into a vibrant hub attracting expats, yogis and digital nomads. Once you explore beyond the busy centre of town jam packed with cafes, galleries, yoga studios and boutiques, you’ll be surrounded by rice fields, jungle and the lush beauty of the real Bali. Ubud has long been known as the cradle of Balinese culture and arts. While the area has been attracting Europeans since German artist Walter Spies fell in love with Ubud in the 1920s, Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006 bestselling memoir Eat Pray Love certainly helped catapult Ubud into world fame. Today, the area attracts a vibrant mix of digital nomads, expats, yogis and spiritual explorers. The centre of town has grown busy and you’ll find the bustling streets lined with health food cafes, art galleries, yoga studios, restaurants, spas and boutiques. Though things have certainly gotten a lot busier, Ubud has still retained its artistic flavour.