Guides to Traveling Around Indonesia

There's A LOT more to Indonesia holidays than beautiful beaches, water sports and cheap colourful markets -- but there doesn't have to be. If Indonesia holiday-makers look past these tropical treats they'll find a lush jungle wilderness in Sumatra, the gateway to a rich ancient culture at Borobudur temple, central Java, and communities with thriving traditional lifestyles. And that's all without having to leave the main island, Java.

Each of Indonesia's 17,000 smaller island has its own treasures beyond the surf and sand, and most Indonesia holidays allow for some time 'off shore', staying on perennial favourite Bali, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Lombok, or one of the Gilis or other small resort islands.

Most international flights land in Jakarta, so most Indonesia holidays begin on Java, an island of still smoking volcanoes rising out of fertile jungles and and ancient culture. Or course the coastline has many likely looking beach resorts if that's what your Indonesia holiday is about, but Java's highlights are more for culture vultures than beach bums.

If you're on a tight schedule, hop a plane straight to Yogyakarta, which has temples peeking out from between its more modern Dutch forts and older Muslim architecture. This is the best place to stay when visiting the beautifully preserved, ancient Buddhist temple of Borobudur, and nearby Prambanan, a huge Hindu complex. These two religious monuments deserve at least a day of your Indonesia holiday each, Prambanan, in its prime, was almost a city of smaller temples and religious buildings, and though many of them remain only as ruins there's still a lot to see. The Telaga Warna Colour Lake and Sikidang Crater are a drive out of town towards Dieng Plateau if you'd be interested in seeing another Hindu temple complex, and one of the best surfing spots in Indonesia, G-Land at the tip of east java is also reached by jungle trek out of Yogyakarta.

If you have more time for your Indonesia holiday, travel overland from Jakarta to Yogyakarta via Bandung for the Bogor Botanical Gardens, tea plantations, the Lembang Fruit market and the Tangkuban Perahu Volcano and Ciater Hotspring. From Yogyakarta heading further inland leads into the heavy teak forests and moist rice paddies, and eventually to Mount Penanjakan, which is said to have one of the most beautiful sunrise displays in the world. If you make it up for the sunrise you should continue on, over an unusually placed sand sea, to Bromo Volcano. From there Surabaya Airport is a few hours drive and from there you can catch a flight to Denpasar, Bali.

Indonesia holiday Extras

Indonesia's Wildlife

If your Indonesia holiday is about seeing the jungles and meeting some of the unique wildlife, and not just the colourful marine life, then Camp Leakey, a rehabilitation facility for orphaned orangutans, built into the Tanjung Puting National Park, or the Komodo Dragon island may be worth factoring into your Indonesia holiday itinerary.

Indonesia's Traditional Cultures


If stories of the old cultures and lifestyles still thriving in Indonesia's highlands have beguiled you in National Geographic, then visit the long houses around Lake Toba, or spend some time in one of the communities in the Baliem Valley - also a prime hiking destination, the Mentawai Islands or the Jayawijaya Mountains, during your Indonesia holiday. Some of these communities you can visit for a day by walking in to their villages, but some you can arrange to stay in: a pretty unique experience when compared with the city lifestyle of Jakata's population.

All these highlights cam be blended with hours or days on the beach for the perfect, individualised Indonesian holiday cocktail -- one of those exotic, colourful ones you drink out of a whole piece of fruit like they serve in the beach bars here.

independent reviews on Indonesia Holidays and travel guides to get the most out of your trip to Indonesia. Holidays in Indonesia are the most sought after because of the diversity of things to do and see.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bea_Metcalfe

Things to do in Bali

ten things to do in Bali that everyone will surely enjoy.

1. Pamper yourself - massage anyone? Here in Indonesia, you can indulge with the great massage treats that are truly relaxing and soothing for your tired bodies. There are several massage centers here that offers very relaxing services for everyone. There are specific spas that are exclusive for tourists so one will definitely have a really great time.

2. Visit the Indonesian temples - when planning a vacation trip to Bali, include to your schedule to visit some of the well known shrines and temples of the place. A temple or two would complete your whole Bali trip.

3. Go Shopping - of course, one's trip to any place in the world will never be complete without the shopping spree. There are hundreds of shops in Bali that are ideal shopping destinations with amazing finds and affordable prices.

4. Check out the traditional dances - locally known as the "Kecak". Where the ck-ck sound is very fun to hear with accompanying native dances in some Bali public places.

5. See the Cheeky monkeys - these monkeys are pretty famous in Bali. Hundreds of these long tailed monkeys are seen in some parts of Bali that is a center of attraction here. Visitors can also feed these monkeys with bananas that are sold outside the gates from where the monkeys are kept.

6. Watch the beautiful Sunset - the days are quiet very hot in Bali and the perfect time for everyone to stroll outside is when the sun is setting. The beautiful sunset of Bali is very spectacular! Visitors always find time to stop and stare at the setting sun during sunset hours.

7. Run in the rain - Bali always have rains, and it is a great fun experience to dance along the rain. It is more fun when you have your friends with you to join you lose yourself along the dropping waters.

8. Eat - indulge with the delicious Indonesian cuisines that are very mouth-watering and delectable meals that are cooked by the Indonesians.

9. Watch the dolphins - in Lovina beach found in the north of Bali is where the lovely dolphins are found. Lots of tourists come to for them to get a chance of holding the dolphins closely and play with them in the waters.

10. Book your next Bali trip - once you visit this country, you'll definitely be back for more so it is ideal for everyone to book their next Bali trip right after your first trip.
by Pinky mcbannon. Visit her Interesting Site on Asian Travels and Destinations. Discover Asia's Culture and Great Food! at http://www.goingplacesinasia.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pinky_Mcbanon

Gold Coast vacation

surfer's paradise ladies

been thinking of vacation in great barrier reef or Gold coast Queensland ?
this is major tourist destination attracts million of visitors worldwide. Goldcoast is wonderful place for vacation. Tourism industry is highly developed here that cater all needs from back packers to el richo tourist upmarket. All sort of accomodation, hotel, bungalow, classy restaurant to take away foodstall ;.... Goldcoast is a great bargain.
International visitors feels at home here with numerous italian, spanish cuisine or thai food, chinese food to japanese food. Pick up your interest Sunbathing, diving, snorkeling, or just cruising along the coast ... Goldcoast is the right choice for your vacation. lots of daily excursion to choose from your hotel in Brisbane, Gold coast or Cairns.

If you are searching for an affordable resort for your upcoming family vacation, look no further than this charming Gold Coast resort located just a mere 50 meters from the shore.

Set on five acres of lush tropical greenery, the Paradise Resort is located in Surfer's Paradise. It is an incredible resort and one that will please the kids as well as the grown ups. Geared towards families, this resort used to be known as the Mercure Resort and boasts some of the most incredible amenities for families with children.
whitehaven beach
This resort has it's own FunPark, a game room and tennis courts just to name a few. This is the perfect location for an active family. Surfers is also home to an amazing oversized Adventure Playground located right in the heart of town, which is one of the biggest attractions in Surfers.

Be sure to take advantage of their baby sitting services while you are here, to allow the grown ups to get some alone time. Head to the cocktail bar for some before dinner drinks or you may choose to stay right on the property and have dinner at the on site restaurant or venture to Surfer's Paradise for an evening adventure. No matter which you choose you won't be disappointed.

Be sure to check out the outdoor pool the gym and the Sauna during your stay. The gym and sauna are reserved for adult use only, however the pool is open late and can be enjoyed year round because of the mild climate. There are multiple room types offering extra bedrooms and kitchenettes to fit the needs of the family. This amazing resort is perfect for the family vacation in Surfer's paradise.

cheap flight to amsterdam

There are a few places in this world that every young person needs to go to. Of course, there is Las Vegas for all the glitz and glamor of strip bar and wild fun, and New York for its big city entertainment, but when it comes to one giant free-for-all, you can't beat Amsterdam, the old cities of the Netherlands with modern amenities.
Luckily, there are now a lot of cheap flights to Amsterdam that can get you in the middle of all that craziness in no time at all!

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands and is situated in the province of Holland. The population of over 1.3 million people in Amsterdam is as varied as you will find in any city, anywhere in the world. there are lots of things to do or see, miniature Holland in volendam, botanical park keukenhoff, den haag, scheveningen casino, walk along the java street or sumatera street, see the century old building and more ....

Of course, the Dutch make up the majority of the population, but you will find people and food from every country imaginable, with English being the predominant language.

Cheap flights to Amsterdam, once rare, are now available from most large cities in the United States and lots of major cities in the world. And, there is never a bad time to go to Amsterdam! Whether you go in the winter or the moderate summer weather, there is plenty to see in do in this city.

You may think that Holland is all about tulips, dams and windmills, but that isn't so. Yes, the architecture is outstanding and there are many old historical buildings and monuments to visit - the Ann Frank house and the Van Gogh Museum, for example - but there is a lot more.

Amsterdam is known among the younger crowd as a place to buy certain drugs that are illegal in one's home country. Buying cannabis products from a menu in a bar is an experience you will never forget, as is walking through the Red Light District. take a peep at amsterdam red light district here.

Cheap flights to Amsterdam mean that you can experience Europe in a way that you will remember for the rest of your life!

To learn more about cheap flights to Amsterdam and more important information about how you can take advantage of all cheap flights available.

5 mistakes to avoid when making hotel reservation online

Vigilance, when making online hotel reservation – just like patience – is a virtue and has its own rewards.

How would you react to an online hotel reservation gone wrong that could cause you to wait in the lobby of a hotel, later into the office of the manager, anxiously pass the time for any favorable developments, otherwise you would have no other option but to hail a taxicab that would transport you to yet another hotel? Worse, this could happen to you overseas 45,000 miles away from home!

Jimmy Craig, a young Computer Engineer from Minnesota, was a frequent flyer and about 80% of his travel arrangements were done online. His job was, without doubt, financially rewarding as his salary and the perks that went with it were the highest in the industry, but his frequent travels, away from his young family were just too much to bear. Worse, not only once, but twice, Jimmy found himself in precarious situations because of his travels. At least one of these misadventures was due to an erroneous online hotel reservation.

How then would you ensure your own hotel reservation, done online, safe from the most common mistakes that Jimmy could have avoided, had he been more vigilant?

Here are top 5 mistakes you should avoid, not only when making hotel reservation online, but every time you prepare for travel:

Failure to comparison-shop. Unless you deal with a reliable company that has proven track record, you should investigate and compare at least 2-3, or even more options before you send in your details for a hotel reservation.

Compare not just hotel rates, although most frequently, travelers focus on these. Check out hotel amenities as well, including special deals or discounts. Be wary of hidden costs, such as penalties and taxes.

Most importantly, find out more about the company that provides online hotel reservation service. You may find similar companies on the internet and compare their services, as well as the benefits they provide their online clients.

Failure to ask details about your hotel accommodation. It is often ironic how simple things can be taken for granted. When you make your hotel reservation online, dont hesitate to inquire about the amenities and service that go with your hotel of choice, including details of your accommodation, such as type of room, airport pick-up assistance, or the total customer care that you could expect from the management and staff of the hotel.

Failure to check your travel itineraries yourself. Allow at least a day or two before your actual travel date to check on your itinerary to avoid errors on the last minute, just to make sure that you have everything you need for a safer and a more convenient trip.

When you make online hotel reservation, find out the names and telephone numbers of your contact persons as this information can become handy when emergencies arise, as they sometimes do, when you least expect them.

Failure to check on cancellation and refund policies. Include also change in reservation policy, should there be last minute changes in your trip. Knowing these before you travel can better equip you in what to expect, and how you would respond to problems when they occur.

Failure to check on security policy. Check on the privacy statement of the website servicing your online hotel reservation. You would want to make sure that your credit card details are secured; ensure that the companys website have security software in place that will shun scammers on the internet.
perfect tropical hideout, island paradise
In conclusion, the internet has helped shorten the queues in hotel lobbies, saved time and cut on costs however vigilance should be maintained to ensure that when online hotel reservation is made, it is facilitated by a secured website, backed by an equally reputable and competent company.
friends online travel the globe, trip to asian countries, flight to asia, visit indonesian beautiful tropical islands paradise or cruise in modernized phinisi boat, bali, lombok, komodo islands, diving, coral underwater world of bunaken, bali hotel, villas, beach bungalouw