Fly to Jakarta

Get a feel for Jakarta as it once was when you visit the old town, known locally as Kota Tua. Admire the beautiful 17th-century Dutch colonial buildings centred around Fatahillah Square, a lively plaza that buzzes with live performances, street food stalls and flocks of people on weekends. Stop in for a coffee at the historic Café Batavia, and amble across to nearby Glodok, Jakarta’s bustling Chinatown. Less touristy than some Chinatowns, Glodok is great for shopping, people-watching and – of course – eating!

Get your culture fix at Jakarta's many fabulous museums and galleries. Visit the beautiful Museum Nasional to explore Indonesia's long, colourful history or wander around Taman Mini Indonesia Indah – basically, Indonesia in miniature! – for a glimpse of life in each of the country's 33 provinces. Enjoy free entry at the National Gallery of Indonesia, which has a great collection of national and international art. For something different, pop into Museum Layang-Layang, Jakarta's much-loved kite museum or the quirky Museum Wayang, dedicated to traditional Javanese wayang puppets.

Escape Jakarta's chaotic pace with a day (or overnight) trip to Pulau Seribu, the Thousand Islands. Catch a speed-boat from Marina Ancol, and you'll be in paradise within a couple of hours. While there aren't really 1,000 islands, there are more than 100, so you've got plenty of options. Choose from a plethora of gorgeous, untouched beaches (the further away from Jakarta, the more pristine the beach), where you can snorkel, swim, paddleboard or just bask on the silken white sand. Be sure to check out the local conservation groups too, who work tirelessly for turtles and sharks.