Cities
Though (justifiably) stunning natural beauty and ancient spiritual sites may spring to mind when you think of Java, the island’s cities are truly captivating. The capital of Indonesia, Jakarta is a dynamic city with numerous faces; visit the country’s top museums and countless sleek malls, before sampling delicious street food. Soulful Yogyakarta is well worth a visit - a city central to Java’s artistic and cultural heritage; prepare to be amazed as Javanese spirituality, tradition and creativity is artfully combined with an urban hub of cybercafés and malls. Among the least Westernised cities on the island, Solo offers a taste of authentic Java as you stroll along its pretty batik streets.
Borobudur Temple
Known by locals as the ‘Garden of Java’, the Borobodur region boasts a picturesque landscape of unbelievable greenery and quaint rice-growing villages, at the centre of which is the UNESCO World Heritage Borobudur Temple. An utterly spectacular sight to behold, this colossal Buddhist monument – the largest of its kind in the world - has survived Gunung Merapi's eruptions and the 2006 earthquake, keeping the intricately-decorated platforms and over 500 life-size Buddha statues as mesmerising as they would have been over 1,200 years ago.
Volcanoes
Boasting one of the most mesmerising landscapes in the world, Java is characterised by steaming, dramatic volcanoes. Among Indonesia’s most breathtaking sights, the volcanic Bromo region houses the famed Gunung Bromo volcano, standing at 2392m tall - one of three to have emerged from the extensive, 10km crater - whilst just to the south, Gunung Semeru is Java’s highest peak and one of the most active. The Ijen Plateau is a vast, volcanic region comprising of a beautiful, forested alpine area, whilst sandwiched between Java and Sumatra, stands the island of Krakatoa, home to the world-renowned Krakatau peak.
National Parks
An island of utterly breathtaking natural beauty, Java houses numerous National Parks that simultaneously showcase and protect its glorious landscape. The UNESCO World Heritage Ujung Kulon National Park is characterised by lush rainforest, pristine wilderness, virgin beaches and fruitful coral reefs, as well as being the last refuge of one of the world’s most critically endangered species: the one-horned Javan rhinoceros. Boasting magnificent coastal rainforest filled with fascinating wildlife, The Meru Betiri National Park was one of the last refuges of the magnificent Java tiger, whilst Alas Purwo Park is, according to legend, where the earth first emerged from the ocean.
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Travelling With Children or Without an Adult
Children travelling without both parents should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. Please contact the relevant Embassy for the county you are travelling to for further information.
Visa and Advance Passenger Information
All passengers must ensure they have a valid, acceptable passport, any required visa and any other documentation for both the final destination and any stop-off points en route. Please make sure that Advance Passenger Information is submitted in advance to travel for all destinations. Failure to hold correct documentation or submitting incorrect details with Advance Passenger Information or Visa applications may result in refusal of carriage or entry into a country. Please check with the relevant Embassy regarding visa requirements well in advance of your travel date. Charges may apply for some visas.
Passengers not travelling on a British Passport are advised to contact their relevant Foreign & Commonwealth office for individual Visa requirements.
For up-to-date resort information, visit www.fco.gov.uk
Health facilities, hygiene and disease risks vary worldwide and you should take health advice about your specific needs from your general practitioner or a specialist clinic as early as possible before travel. Those planning to become pregnant should discuss their travel plans with their healthcare provider to assess their risk of infection with Zika. For information about Zika, other mosquito-borne diseases (such as Dengue fever and Chikungunya), Lyme Disease (caused by tick bites), and to receive advice on mosquito bite avoidance measures, please visit Insect and tick bite avoidance.
In addition, we highly recommend that you seek specialist advice from your doctor and, where recommended, obtain vaccinations or tablets for protection against, for example: Malaria, Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid. In some cases, treatments for Malaria should begin well in advance of travel. Travellers may also be required to show Yellow Fever Certificates on arrival in certain destinations ie, some African countries. Please note that you are strongly advised against scuba-diving for 24 hours before travelling by air. We would also like to draw your attention to the risk of DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and recommend that you consult with your doctor before travelling.
Visit the FCDO website and select your destination country for the very latest travel advice: Foreign Travel Advice. Additional sources of information include: Public Health England, The National Travel Health And Network Centre, Foreign And Commonwealth Office and your General Practitioner or a specialised clinic.