Flights from Amsterdam to Indonesia

Indonesia’s capital Jakarta is the biggest city in Southeast Asia and is the ideal gateway to other destinations within the island state. The city itself has much on offer, too. Apart from the historic city centre (Kota) and a vast variety of interesting museums, Jakarta is also a good option for a shopping spree.

Love it or hate it, Jakarta makes an impression. But those who take the time to look beyond the noise and chaos might just discover an exciting metropolis with very unique charms. From the quaint Surabaya Street antique market to the swanky shopping malls, from the street-side warung (food stalls) to world-class restaurants, the contrast of traditional and modern are nothing short of fascinating.

Located on the northern coast of Java – the largest of over 17,000 islands that constitute Indonesia – Jakarta is also a melting pot of the country’s numerous ethnic groups. And despite the myriad cultures that make up the city, Jakartans are some of the friendliest and most hospitable people you are ever likely to meet.

Balikpapan, on the east coast of Borneo, is considered to be Indonesia’s “most liveable city”. An oil boom early in the 20th century led to an influx of European businessmen, who brought with them the money to transform Balikpapan into the only real cosmopolitan centre in the East Kalimantan province. Still today, it is much cleaner than your average Indonesian city, and generally easier on the eye. It boasts some incredible, picturesque beaches, azure blue skies, and a convivial atmosphere that has attracted many expat families to settle here.

For those more accustomed to the frenetic pace of life in some of Indonesia’s ever-expanding roster of megacities, Balikpapan may come as something as a shock: the climate is tolerable all year round and things seem to happen more slowly. The city is still vibrant – a haven for local commerce – but less daunting. Nestled in a remote corner of Borneo – the world’s third largest island – Balikpapan has its fair share of green spaces and natural attractions a short drive away.

Balikpapan provides the perfect base for tourists to discover the wealth of beauty found elsewhere in the Kalimantan region. The city is home to the only truly international airport in this part of Borneo, so most regional excursions start here. A three-day trip down the “mighty” Mahakam River on a houseboat, for instance, will set you back around US$1,000, but stopping off at traditional settlements along the way will give you a snapshot of the rural life millions of Bornean people live every day. There are plenty of organised treks and diving trips too, to take you away from the metropolis, into the beautiful wilderness.

Flights between Singapore and Balikpapan are operated by Scoot

When faced with the prospect of describing Lombok, a laid-back, tropical jungle island in the heart of Indonesia, you could be tempted to rely on juxtaposition alone. It’s Bali meets the Galapagos, in film terms, Castaway meets The Hangover, or musically, tribal rhythm meets Bob Marley.

It’s the expected beach and jungle paradise that you wish for when booking a holiday, but topped with an almost unbelievable, incomparable chain of volcanic peaks. In Indonesia, a country with more than most, that’s saying something.

What the comparisons fail to capture is that unlike Bali, for example, Lombok is still relatively untouched by rampant over-development. The five-star hotels are still here, of course, they’re just more discreet. The beach resorts are here - they’re just quieter and largely untouched.

But before you have time to take this all in, Lombok pulls out its trump card: the diminutive offshore Gili Islands, a miniature archipelago of crystalline waters, untroubled reefs and squeaky-clean sand.

Flights between Singapore and Lombok are operated by Scoot.

Indonesia’s most northerly city is penned in by a ridge of volcanoes, on the Minahasa Peninsula that stretches towards the upper tip of North Sulawesi. And it isn’t just distance that separates it from the rest of Indonesia: the people of Manado pride themselves on their warmth and their hospitality – so much so, it has earned the moniker “the Land of the Smiling People”. Unusually for Indonesia, the region is 70% Christian and the landscape is dotted with church crosses, while Christian feast days bring people to the streets in their droves.

Manado and the surrounding area is a place of staggering beauty. Rugged mountains run down to white-sanded beaches. Coral reefs are home to some of the most beautiful sea life on earth. Rainforests are teeming with life, with some of the rarest and most interesting creatures on the planet to be found in the dense jungle – including the smallest monkey in the world, a type of bug-eyed tarsier.

Flights between Singapore and Manado are operated by Scoot

The capital city of South Sumatra Province, Palembang is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia and a place of great historical significance that was once the centre of a maritime empire. Remnants of the powerful Buddhist Kingdom of Sriwijaya can still be seen in the city’s architecture.

Flights between Singapore and Palembang are operated by Scoot

Semarang is the capital and largest city of Central Java, and was a major port during the Dutch colonial era. The famous 15th century Chinese explorer, Admiral Cheng Ho set foot here on Java, paving the way for the city’s maritime heritage. From the 17th century, Semarang became an entrepot for the spice trade, and continued to flourish as a port city right through to the 20th century. As a result of its rich legacy, Semarang is a melting pot of Chinese, Indian Arab and European cultures. If you’re looking for a mix of old-world charm and colourful culture, Semarang serves up a good flavour of Indonesia’s past and present.

Flights between Singapore and Semarang are operated by Scoot