This is based on our tour during the last half of August 2025. Your experience may vary, things change, and stuff happens.
Overall: A great tour with some of the best hotels in the world. The tour has a wide range of cultural experiences from diverse and cosmopolitan Singapore to Muslim Java, Hindu Bali, and Catholic influenced Flores. Add to that gardens, temples, monkeys, dragons and some great snorkeling. Opportunities for spa experiences are available at most hotels, some quite economical. We rank this in our top five tours out of 23 with Tauck. Everyone on our tour agreed that it exceeded expectations.
Hotels: Four of the hotels are world class. The Raffles, the two Four Seasons and the Amanjiwo are luxurious and spacious. Expect to be called by name by the attentive hotel staffs. The rooms are suites at the Raffles and villas at the other three. The Plataran Komodo has spacious rooms and a staff that tries really hard, but the hotel is a bit quirky. But, it's right on the beach and the boat to Komodo comes right to their pier. The Phoenix hotel is nothing special, but you're there just one night for easy airport access - just a sleep and a breakfast.
Currency: We got by without getting any local currency. Restaurants in both countries add 10% service to the bill automatically, so there's no need to tip in cash. In Singapore, all shops and restaurants accept credit cards. The only people who needed local currency were those who went to eat at the hawker markets - informal food halls with local vendors. ATMs are readily available in Singapore. In Indonesia, you're mostly
at the hotels in your free time, so there's little need for cash. Formal shops and restaurants take credit cards. Some people went into Ubud from the 4 Seasons Sayan (the hotel runs a shuttle). There are street vendors there and you'll need cash if you want to buy from them. The hotel has an ATM, the only one of the Indonesian hotels that does. You can also get Indonesian Rupiah from airport ATMs while waiting for a flight. Be aware that the largest Indonesian bill is 100,000 Rupiah, worth about $6. Plan to tip your TD in dollars brought from home.
Weather: Singapore is just above the equator and Indonesia, just below. Expect consistent temperatures (high seventies to high eighties) and high humidity no matter when you go. There are a wet season and a dry season. We were there at the end of August, which is in the dry season. Dry is a relative term. We did get some rain, at times heavy. but we lucked out and it didn't impact much on the activities. Bring a travel umbrella and possibly a rain jacket. We did get some days that were less hot and sticky, thanks to the winds that blow up from Australia at that time of year.
Dress: This tour is decidedly casual. Shorts and t-shirts or polos are the standard for men most all of the time. Women can wear shorts or summer dresses. The only exception is dining at the Raffles restaurants, where pants and a collared shirt are needed.
Singapore: There are many casual restaurants in the two shopping centers near the Raffles. If you plan dine at the Raffles, Tauck recommends that you make reservation before leaving. I think this is a good idea, as both restaurants we ate at were quite busy. Just be aware that the no show policy at the Raffles is strict and expensive. We did the afternoon tea in the lobby for lunch one day. It was good, but expensive. There is a limited selection of teas unless you pay a premium. Finger sandwiches and sweets are served together. The scones are served warm separately, so be sure to wait for the scones to arrive before digging into the sweets. We also ate at the Indian restaurant (Tiffin Room), and it was excellent. Be aware that if you want to see the famous indoor waterfall at the airport ("the Jewel), you'll need go on your own. You can get there on the Singapore MRT transit system. It's open 24 hrs., but there won't be time to visit when you arrive or depart. Some of the shops and attractions at the Jewel are only open 10am to 10pm. Visit the Jewel website for more information.
Java: The initial visit to the Borobudur temple just has you walk around the base of the temple. A second visit, the following morning, was available for those who wish to climb to the top of the temple and get a closer view. I would strongly recommend taking advantage of this. Also be aware that you may hear the call to prayer from several local mosques at 4:30 in the morning. The Amanjiwo provides foam ear plugs, but it's not that bad. The speaker who talked about Javanese Kingdoms and archeology was terrible. Best to skip it. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Bali: In addition to the two restaurants at the 4 Seasons Sayan, the bar serves light meals like burgers and pizzas. The Riverside Restaurant is small and books up quickly. You can get the same menu at the adjacent "Tapas Terrace" but there is not overhead covering. Some people went into Ubud or to nearby restaurants up the hill from the hotel, but these would require a taxi ride. Taxis are cheap and negotiable. At the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, Tauck provide hors d'oeuvres and drinks on the first night. You can eat at the Sundara restaurant near the Tauck reception, but most of us ate in the Sundara bar which had a good menu for light meals. For lunch the next day you can eat there or at the bar at the pool. We ate at the pool bar and the food was excellent. Both 4 Seasons properties are spread out. You can get around by calling for a buggy (electric cart) to take you around.
Flores: The snorkeling after the visit to the dragons was very good. If you're comfortable in the water and have snorkeled before (recommended), I would not pass up this opportunity. Bringing a rash guard is a good idea, but not a necessity. The food at the Plataran Komodo was just okay. Seafood tended to be overcooked and dry there and should probably be avoided. Maybe they'll get a better cook in future.
That's it for now. I'll add things if I think of them and try to clean up any typos. Let me know if you have any questions.
