With 18,110 islands, 6,000 of them inhabited, Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world offering a virtually unrivalled range of holiday options. While the picturesque island of Bali remains the most well known and the most popular of Indonesia’s tourist destinations, there is so much more on offer for those willing to step off the beaten track. Pack your itinerary with visits to: the historic monuments and temples of Central Java; the world renowned dive sites of idyllically remote Raja Ampat; the extraordinary Island of Komodo, home of the unfathomably large Komodo Dragon; as well as a range of vast tropical forests providing sanctuary to incredibly diverse wildlife from Orangutans and other primates to critically endangered Javan Rhinoceros and Tigers. The range of choices is mind-boggling but, however you decide to spend your time on this remarkable group of islands, you are sure to have some truly exhilarating experiences and some unforgettable adventures.
Bintan is the largest island in the Riau Province with a gorgeous coastline of about 105kms, strewn with white sandy beaches and lush vegetation. The colourful town of Bintan, located approximately an hour from Singapore by ferry, is one of Indonesia's most historical cities, with its ancient market partly located on stilts in the sea. Visitors can enjoy: sampling the fabulously fresh and extremely affordable local seafood; getting great bargains on local wooden handcrafts; or quite simply lounging the days away on a deck chair at Bintan’s chief tourist attraction, Bintan Resorts, a spectacular beach holiday destination in the north of the island, covering 23,000 hectares along the entire sandy white coast that faces the South China Sea.
Far from the boisterous beach party scene of Kuta, in the central region of this remarkable little island, lies Ubud - the cultural centre of Bali. Surrounded by lush, terraced rice paddies, and exquisite temples, Ubud is jam-packed with tourist attractions. Its busy town centre is lined with a slew of art galleries, cafes, craft shops, and spas. One of the town’s most visited sites is the Sacred Forest Monkey Sanctuary, home to hundreds of wild monkeys as well as three Hindi temples. Spend your days strolling around the lively streets of central Ubud or get away from the hustle and bustle by cycling along ricefield-lined rivers where traditional village life carries on relatively undisturbed. Nights can be spent enjoying live music concerts, or one of the nightly Kecak Fire and Dance or shadow puppet performances.
East Java is a heady blend of rolling volcanic mountains, mystical tracts of wilderness, historical cities and vibrant festivals. Culture vultures should visit the ancient ruins of Penataran, the region’s largest Hindu temple complex, while nature lovers will enjoy camping at beautiful Ranu Kumbolo Lake or relaxing on Sempu Island with its inland lagoon and limestone karsts covered with lush rainforest. Thrill-seekers can pick from a variety of adventure activities, including world-class surfing at Plengkung Beach and Red Beach Island, white water rafting on the Pekalen River, and horse riding or hiking on Mount Bromo - an active volcano that is most striking in the light of sunrise.
Often overshadowed by its considerably larger neighbour, Yogyakarta, Surakarta - also known as Solo - is an ideal destination for travellers seeking a quieter, more traditional, off-the-beaten-track experience. This historic royal city boasts an idyllic setting on Indonesia’s Java Island, with three volcanoes presiding over the city from afar. The broad, tree-lined avenues are a pleasure to explore, with countless restaurants, art galleries, malls, palaces and museums to discover in the relatively compact city centre. Solo is particularly well-known for its excellent shopping opportunities with an impressive range of markets, including a lovely antique bazaar and a large market specialising in batik fabric. Despite possessing all the trappings one might expect of a modern city, Solo has managed to retain its sleepy village ambience and, as the least Westernised city in Central Java, and its rich Javanese cultural heritage remains apparent throughout the city.
Cirebon is a laidback port city located about 300 km east of Jakarta on the north coast of the Indonesian island of Java. This pleasant coastal town is centred around a number of historic walled palaces including, among others: the 16th-century Keraton Kasepuhan, home of the Sultan of Kasepuhan; the 17th-century Keraton Kanoman; and the Taman Sari Gua Sunyaragi, an 18th-century water palace. Cirebon offers a fascinating blend of diverse cultures as it combines the remains of the ancient Islamic kingdom that once had its base here with a more contemporary mix of Javanese, Sundanese and Chinese culture. Must-see sites include the Sang Cipta Rasa Mosque, the lovely Gua Sunyaragi park, and the town’s wonderfully relaxing hot springs.
Set along Java’s magnificent western coast, just 38 kilometres from Serang City, Anyer is a popular beach resort town in Banten Province. The tiny town is made up of only one small street lined with a few shops, a mosque and a market area. The spectacular Anyer Beach, however, is lined with villas, beachside cottages, food stalls and seafood restaurants. Visitors can discover the old Cikoneng Lighthouse, jump on a boat heading to the nearby island of Sanghyang to explore the island’s natural treasures and enjoy stunning sunsets while sampling the best of local Indonesian cuisine. Visitors can also enjoy a wide variety of fantastic activities, including jet-skiing, boating, parasailing, diving, surfing, sightseeing and cycling.
