Sitting just 50 kilometers east of Komodo, most travelers know Flores as a pitstop on the way to see the Komodo dragons. But with its many natural wonders and a rising dining and hotel scene, Flores is worth a trip on its own.
Flores, Indonesia —
Sitting just 50 kilometers east of Komodo, most travelers know Flores as a pitstop on the way to see the Komodo dragons. But with its many natural wonders and a rising dining and hotel scene, Flores is worth a trip on its own.
Ian Neubauer/CNN
Day or overnight trips are available for travelers who want to hop between islands. Made in Italy is a floating restaurant that conducts boat tours around Flores.
Boating —
Day or overnight trips are available for travelers who want to hop between islands. Made in Italy is a floating restaurant that conducts boat tours around Flores.
Courtesy Made in Italy
The Made in Italy restaurant-boat tour features a seven-course degustation menu matched with champagne, cocktails and wines -- topped off with a glass of 25-year-old Zacapa rum, Italian chocolate and Cuban cigars.
Italian cuisine —
The Made in Italy restaurant-boat tour features a seven-course degustation menu matched with champagne, cocktails and wines -- topped off with a glass of 25-year-old Zacapa rum, Italian chocolate and Cuban cigars.
Ian Neubauer/CNN
The Flores Sea is dotted with islands with pristine beaches and crystal-clear water to dive in.
Island hopping —
The Flores Sea is dotted with islands with pristine beaches and crystal-clear water to dive in.
Ian Neubauer/CNN
The marine area around Komodo National Park is home to over 1,000 species of fish and over 350 brightly colored reef-building corals.
Corals in technicolors —
The marine area around Komodo National Park is home to over 1,000 species of fish and over 350 brightly colored reef-building corals.
courtesy Flores Tourism
Casa Selini is both a boutique and a Greek restaurant that dishes up tender chicken souvlaki and fresh Greek salads.
Boutique and cafe —
Casa Selini is both a boutique and a Greek restaurant that dishes up tender chicken souvlaki and fresh Greek salads.
Ian Neubauer/CNN
After a challenging hour's hike up from Werang, travelers will be rewarded with a dramatic view of the Cunca Rami Waterfall. The waterfall is 17 meters tall with a 30-square-meter pool at the bottom.
Cunca Rami Waterfall —
After a challenging hour's hike up from Werang, travelers will be rewarded with a dramatic view of the Cunca Rami Waterfall. The waterfall is 17 meters tall with a 30-square-meter pool at the bottom.
Ian Neubauer/CNN
Labuan Bajo may be best known for its airport -- it has the closest landing strip to Komodo -- but the sleepy town is now buzzing with new restaurants and hotels, as well as traditional markets.
Labuan Bajo —
Labuan Bajo may be best known for its airport -- it has the closest landing strip to Komodo -- but the sleepy town is now buzzing with new restaurants and hotels, as well as traditional markets.
Ian Neubauer/CNN
"Flores is moving so fast -- the development I've seen in the past five years is the equivalent of 20 years' development in other parts of Indonesia," says restaurateur Marco Bertini. "There weren't any roads back then -- just rocks and mud."
Rapid development —
"Flores is moving so fast -- the development I've seen in the past five years is the equivalent of 20 years' development in other parts of Indonesia," says restaurateur Marco Bertini. "There weren't any roads back then -- just rocks and mud."
Ian Neubauer/CNN
Moving away from the shore, Flores is a world of cloud-ringed mountains, extinct volcanoes with crater lakes and hyper-fertile valleys pockmarked with proto-industrial villages and archeological sites.
Inland Flores —
Moving away from the shore, Flores is a world of cloud-ringed mountains, extinct volcanoes with crater lakes and hyper-fertile valleys pockmarked with proto-industrial villages and archeological sites.
Ian Neubauer/CNN
If you're still not convinced, here's an up-close-and-personal look at a Komodo dragon, the world's biggest lizard. He's one great reason to come to this part of the world, but not the only one.
Komodo dragons —
If you're still not convinced, here's an up-close-and-personal look at a Komodo dragon, the world's biggest lizard. He's one great reason to come to this part of the world, but not the only one.
Indonesia Tourism