While the Indonesian capital certainly doesn't offer the best of the country, it does serve as one of the biggest entry points, so it's quite likely that you'll stop here for at least a day. So read our special guide to find out what there is to do here.

Yogyakarta is the cultural centre of Java, the centre of gamelan music and the famous Javanese batik fabrics. The Kraton Sultan's Palace and the Taman Sari water bath are also worth a visit. [imageFill 1082] Around the city you will find 2 of the most important monuments in the whole of Indonesia: Prambanan - a Hindu temple complex from the 8th century, in season it is possible to watch a Ramayana performance in the evening against the…

Archipelago

The Komodo Islands are home to the mythical Komodo ravens, which are a major tourist attraction.

Discover the world's fifth largest island, mountainous, full of rare animals and beautiful, deserted beaches. Find out more in our separate guide

In the very northern tip of Sumatra we can recommend the following 3 locations: Lake Toba - a large mysterious volcanic lake in the northern part of Sumatra, around which lives the Batak tribe. The culture of the former humanoids was quite damaged in the past by Christian missionaries, which unfortunately the humanoids did not manage to eat. The centre of the Lake Toba coastline is the town of Parapat, from where boats go to the island of…

The biggest attraction of Flores is Keli Mutu, the tri-coloured crater lakes that change colour. The natives believe that the souls of the dead go here, and each group of the dead has "their" lake: sinners black, young people green, old people blue. Near Keli Mutu there are hot springs in which you can bathe. The Bajawa area is inhabited by the animist Ngada tribe, who live in strange thatched-roof houses and make their living growing vanilla…

On the island of Lombok is located 3,730 meters high beautiful sacred volcano Gunung Rinjani (last erupted in 1901) with a crater lake Segara Anak, in the middle of which lies a smaller smoking crater volcano Gunung Baru. The summit of Rinjani can be climbed with a hired guide in two days from the village of Senaru, and the rainforest waterfalls and hot springs are a pleasant refreshment on the way.

East Java offers 2 famous volcanoes: Mont Bromo - several smaller volcanoes rising from the flat bottom of a large crater. The summit of Bromo (2,392 m) can be climbed under favourable volcanological conditions. Sunrise at the top of the volcano, which according to legend was created by demons in a single night, is an amazing experience. Kawah Ijen volcano with its turquoise caldera lake. It spews volcanic sulphur, which local men bring to…

The centre of a mountainous area called Tana Toraja, where the Toraja tribe lives. The Torajas live in typical tongkonan houses, which are similar to large boats, the roof of which resembles buffalo horns. They have interesting funeral ceremonies, which tourists can attend by appointment. Bring a gift for the family of the deceased.

A mountain town with a large marketplace, an open-air museum, an ethnographic museum and a Dutch colonial fortress with silversmith workshops in the surrounding area. The surrounding area is inhabited by the Maningkabau tribe, whose culture is matriarchal, with property inherited through the female line and female-headed families living in large traditional houses.

We've put together a detailed guide to Bali without a travel agent. Here you will discover detailed tips on what to see, where to stay, how to get around and what to do. Ubud - the cultural centre of Bali, a town full of museums, mask carving shops and batik fabrics, where most dance performances take place. You will find the royal palace of Klungungung, in the area you can visit for example the "Elephant Cave" of Goa Gajah with Hindu statues,…

When you get a hankering for white, endless beaches shaded by leaning palm trees, take a day or multi-day trip to one of the three Gili Islands from Bali or Lombok.