Dubbed by many visitors 'the jewel of West Java', Pelabuhan Ratu is situated in the southwest of the province, about four hours drive from Jakarta. With its a sandy beach surrounded by cliffs, the blue Indian Ocean, hills, rice paddy fields, rainforest and Gunung Halimun volcano, Pelabuhan Ratu offers numerous natural wonders well worth visiting.

This gateway has its fair share of options for outdoor activities. Beach sunsets provide the perfect backdrop to a romantic dinner, or if surfing is your passion, you will be glad to hear that Pelabuhan Ratu has a beach of excellent breakers. Other water sports on offer include white water rafting, snorkeling and scuba diving, and there are plenty of 'do it yourself' day trips to keep your holiday fun-filled and enjoyable.

Like the rest in West Java, Pelebuhan Ratu has a pleasant climate, with daily temperatures averaging 27C. Although the humidity is high in the region, see breezes and mountain air mean the heat is seldom oppressive. The people of Pelabuhan Ratu, like the rest of the Sundanese, are extremely warm and friendly, always ready to smile. Not surprisingly, these days more and more visitors are enjoying the resort's assets for weekend breaks and longer stays.

Pelabuhan Ratu was formally a sleepy fishing village on the south coast before growing into a well-known holiday resort. It remains peaceful and unspoiled, however, with very few people on the beaches and the surrounding hills still home to traditional lifestyles.

If you're planning a trip to Pelabuhan Ratu for weekend or holiday and want to stay in some of the area's most convenient accommodation, then check out Padi Padi Resort (www.indo.com/hotels/padipadi.).