Magellan, Francis Drake, and Joseph Conrad are just a few of the more well known travellers who have fallen under the spell of the Indonesian archipelago. Happily, little has changed since Conrad and the Bugis sea rovers sailed these sparkling waters.At the epicentre of lndonesia's glittering diadem is the fabled island of Java whose majestic volcanoes provide a lavish setting for the island's vibrant green tea plantations and terraced rice fields. More than sixty percent of the entire Indonesian population call Java home and you'll find them among the most polite and refined people in the world.

Krakatau west of Java!

One peaceful morning in 1883 the volcano known as Krakatau exploded and the shock waves went around the world (literally). Today. the remains of this earth shaking event can be seen by taking a short boat trip from Java's west coast.

Islands, islands and more islands

Far more peaceful is the Thousand Islands group which can easily be reached from Jakarta. Glorious scenery, water like shot silk, and a warm welcome await you on beautiful Kotok Island, or at Ayer Island Resort with its unique floating cottages.

Jakarta, a capital experience

Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, is a sprawling cosmopolitan city where the modern and the traditional meet head on. There are fine museums and superb examples of colonial architecture, traditional temples and marketplaces, as well as a plethora of antique shops, shopping malls, restaurants and discotheques.A visit to the Mini Indonesia Cultural Park will give you an interesting insight into the marvellous mosaic of peoples, cultures, and traditions that make up modern day Indonesia. And there's plenty of earthly delights to be had at Dreamland Park, a huge recreational complex of swimming pools, golf courses, an oceanarium, art market, theme park, and hotels.

The scent-sational "City of Flowers"

From Jakarta take a comfortable drive or train journey, if possible, (via the renowned Botanical Gardens of Bogori) to the highland city of Bandung. This "City of Flowers" retains the charming European ambience it had when frequented by the Dutch colonisers who retreated to Bandung's cooler climes during Jakarta’s hotter months.Bandung, also known as "The Paris of Java", is renowned for its broad boulevards and Art Deco buildings, and there are numerous elegant mansions, shops, and hotels dating from the 192O’s. Another highlight of the area is the "drive-in" volcanic crater of Tangkuban Perahu, an easy journey via undulating green tea fields.

Historic palaces and a bounty of beautiful batiks

A stopover in Solo, or Surakarta as it's also known, should be high on your travel agenda, for this ancient tree-lined city is at the very heart of Java's classical culture. Situated on a verdant tropical plain ringed by majestic volcanoes.

Solo was once the capital of the Javanese Kingdom.Visit Pura Mangkunegaran and the Kasunanan Palace (also called the Kraton Surakarta Hadiningrat), two superb royal palaces both filled with ancient and priceless treasures. Then, by way of contrast, drop into the flea market of Pasar Triwindu for some fascinating bric-a-brac souvenirs.

Solo City is world famous for its traditional Batik fabrics, and you can see this fine cloth once worn exclusively by Javanese nobility at the Batik Centre. Of course, no visit to Java is complete without a trip to Yogyakarta to see one of the more enigmatic wonders of the world.Abandoned soon after its creation in 880AD, the Borobudur Temple actually disappeared for a thousand years when volcanic eruptions caused it to sink and vanish into the surrounding jungle. Rediscovered in 1814 by Sir Stamford Raffles, and unearthed by a massive restoration program, you can now experience Borobudur in all its former glory. Another of Yogyakarta's architectural and cultural masterpieces is the splendid Sultan's Palace built in 1755.

Nearby you’ll find the Sono Budoyo Museum and the unusual Taman Sari "the Water Castle" first established as a pleasure park for the Sultan and his family in 1765.

Where wayang is a way of life

Wayang is the traditional Javanese theatre performed with puppets or actors. It's a subtle and unique art that takes many different forms.Most intriguing. perhaps, is the wayang kulit, a play performed using flat leather puppets behind a lamplit screen. Everyone attends the all-night shows and you'll find language is no barrier to enjoying this very Indonesian entertainment.Some of the best wayang performances take place in Yogya, which is close to the vast 9th century Hindu Prambanan Temple. This is the magnificent setting for the Ramayana Ballet, staged each year from May to October during the four consecutive nights of the full moon. With the breathtaking silhouette of the temple as a backdrop, this ballet is a spectacle of dance, drama and gamelan music, and not to be missed.Less than an hour's drive from Solo through sweet-smelling tea plantations and terraced ricefields is Indonesia's famous erotic stepped-pyramid temple, Sukuh.

Woodcarving wonders

Heading north from Solo through scenic ricefields is Semarang City. This coastal city is one of the oldest in Indonesia, and highly popular with travellers. It has many fine restaurants and is particularly noted for its intricate and traditional wood carvings.Jepara, northeast of Semarang, is surrounded by white sandy beaches and is also famous for its wood carving and furniture industry.

Try Surabaya for a novel experience

East Java offers magnificent mountain scenery and its vibrant capital, Surabaya, is a wonderful place to explore. Wandering the narrow lanes of the old Chinese and Arab quarters will make you feel as though you're walking into the pages of a Joseph Conrad novel. Head for Kalimas, Surabaya's old harbour, to see the colourful Bugis schooners, or "pinisi", which have sailed the seas of Indonesia for hundreds of years.Other Surabaya attractions are the well-stocked zoo, the Mpu Tantular Museum and the many shopping plazas, where you'll find an exciting array of batik embroidered needlework, basketry, paintings and ceramics.

Make a sacrifice on Mount Bromo

A breathtaking ride on sturdy mountain ponies to witness dawn over the fiery crater of Mt Bromo is a spectacular event. Your sacrifice is the required 3.30 am start but, like many things in Indonesia, you'll find the small effort involved is eclipsed by the joy of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.Mt. Bromo is just one of many side trips from Surabaya. Another is Malang, one of the most attractive towns in Java, and a comfortable ninety kilometres from the capital. Twenty kilometres from Malang are the popular hill resorts of Selecta and Songgoriti, with their hot springs and sports facilities including horseriding, swimming, and tennis. Or head for Madura to witness the exciting bull races unique to this island.

Highlights

• Visiting the National Museum and Monas in Jakarta. Staying in a floating cottage in the "Thousand Islands". The Sultan's Royal Palace, Yogyakarta.
• Tangkuban Perahu's ‘drive in’ volcanic crater.

Transport & Accommodation

Land

• Trains, tourist buses and limousines take you the length and breadth of Java.

Flights

• Direct to Jakarta from 5 continents (Jakarta is the centre point for flights to all cities in Indonesia). Direct to Surabaya from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Quangzhou, Perth, and to Solo and Bandung from Singapore.
• Domestic flights from major cities to Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Semarang, Solo, and Bandung.

Sea

• Ship lines from major ports on other islands in Indonesia to Jakarta, Semarang and Surabaya.
• Cruise ship stop-offs at Jakarta, Cirebon, Semarang and Surabaya.

Accommodation

• Luxurious hotels in main cities to guest houses in resorts.