Planning a holiday in a region that covers the same distance as London to Moscow is quite daunting. However we hope even merely reading about your options will afford you a certain pleasure, as well as whetting your appetite for this amazing diversity of peoples and places.One thing is worth remembering, however, and that's the fact that island-hopping in Indonesia is not only extremely pleasurable, it's also inexpensive. A holiday in Indonesia can be tailored to fit your personal tastes and budget exactly.Here is an additional collection of destinations which you may like to consider before you talk to your travel agent.

MALUKU (THE MOLLUCCAS)

The legendary "Spice Islands" of Indonesia were fought over for centuries by Europeans desperate for the islands' cloves and nutmeg which they needed to both preserve their meat and fill their national coffers. A vast scattering of tiny islands in a tempestuous volcanic "ring of fire" they are a fascinating destination for travellers in search of the unusual.Key islands are Ambon, the tiny island of Ternate where the Sultan's Palace has been transformed into a museum, and the Banda Islands where today you'll still find remnants of Banda's "golden age", including old forts and marble-floored mansions. Banda's coral sea gardens should also be on your agenda and if you're really looking for a beautiful souvenir, the pottery of the tiny island of Tayanda near Irian Jaya is all made by hand and simply beautiful.One of the largest of the Maluku Spice Islands is the island of Halmahera, which also boasts a giant clove tree which is 360 years old and said to be the ancestor of all clove trees in the world.

IRIAN JAYA

Walk back in time through spectacular scenery into the primitive world of Irian Jaya. A remarkable land of coastal swamps, highland river valleys, even a glacier high in the central mountains. Jayapura is the capital of the easternmost province, Lake Sentani affords magnificent scenery and in Biak you can watch young men dive for pearls.Wamena in the Baliem Valley is a special destination for those with a taste for adventure. For this is the home of the ferocious-looking, though friendly, Dani tribesmen adorned with the traditional "koteka" or penis gourd.Worth acquiring in Irian Jaya is some of the wonderful "primitive" woodcarving of the artistic Asmat people who live along the remote southeast coast.

KALIMANTAN (BORNEO)

The Indonesian two-thirds of what was originally known as Borneo, Kalimantan is one of the largest and most mysterious islands in the world. It is the only place on earth you'll find freshwater dolphins (Mahakam River) along with an exceptional variety of monkeys and apes including the rare proboscis monkey.The island's original inhabitants, the Dayaks, are famous not only for their now discarded activity of headhunting, but also for their spectacular lamin or longhouses which you can visit at Tanjung Isuy. Many of the ancient Dayak crafts persist. Finely woven baskets and mats can be found in the markets and Dayak beadwork is excellent. You could even, by chance, find beads that came to Kalimantan from Italy via China in the days of Marco Polo. Other points of interest are diamond digging at Cempaka, the floating market at Banjarmasin and the rare fauna and flora of the Kutai National Park.

Transport & Accommodation

Flights

• Direct from Singapore and Kuching, Malaysia, to Pontianak and Singapore to Balikpapan, Kalimantan.
• Domestic flights from Jakarta and Ujung Pandang to all major cities in the area.

Accommodation

• Comfortable hotels.