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Great Escapes: Explore Indonesia

When the pace of the Jakarta lifestyle starts to get you down, and you need a little holiday vacation in a more scenic, rural or adventurous setting ... check out some of these Great Escapes. Whether it's Surabaya hotel reservations or a vacation villa for your family in Bali, as expatriates living in Indonesia, we have the unique advantage of being within a few hours flight or drive from beautiful pristine beaches, towering volcanic mountains, great scuba diving/snorkeling, verdant rain forest, wildlife refugees and fascinating cultural experiences. Check out the resort properties and destinations below to help with your travel plans in Indonesia!

Take a long weekend, or use a portion of your annual holiday leave to see more of this fascinating country that we expats are temporarily calling home. Just imagine the air fares you'd be spending to get back to Indonesia again for holidays in the future! Many savvy tourism operators, recognizing the great pool of potential customers right here in-country, offer discounts to resident expatriates. Don't get stuck in the big city ... get out and see what Indonesian life is like in more laid back, traditional settings.

Many of these sponsors listed below offer special rates for ITAP/ITAS holders, so mention you saw their listing on the Living in Indonesia website and see if they offer a discount!

Great Escapes in
Riau Islands, Central Java, Bali, Kalimantan
Cruise Vacations

Click on the social media icons below to follow these great travel destinations and see their reviews:

Bali

Between fields of rice paddies and temples, Club Med Bali is a sanctuary for families and friends on the shores of Nusa Dua, with masses of space to unwind. With contemporary design inspired by local culture, an adults-only Zen Pool overlooking a lush field of palm trees, and a floating restaurant with delectable al fresco dining, a holiday to Club Med Bali rejuvenates body and spirit. Little ones can fly on the trapeze and play about in the splash pool with new friends, while adults can explore nearby temples or be pampered in the Spa. Plus, embrace local culture with Balinese cooking lessons and evening shows…Your Bali holidays have never been so blissful!

Club Med packages are all-inclusive, so that you can enjoy your hassle-free holidays and leave all ordinary behind. Club Med price includes, stylish accommodation, breakfast, international gourmet lunch and dinner served with wine, beer and soft drinks, free flow of alcoholics and non-alcoholics at the bar, snacking, extensive land and water sporting facilities with expert tuitions as well as Club Med signature evening entertainment. Sun, smiles, gentle manners and delicious delicacies await you in an exotically colorful setting for a heavenly Balinese holiday.

Central Java

Grand Artos Hotel & Convention in Magelang, Central Java offers 192 elegantly designed rooms equipped with 3 F&B Outlets, 10 Meeting Rooms, 1 Ballroom, Swimming Pool, Wellness center and a wide range of venue options for wedding and events to cater up to 2,000 guests. The hotel has also managed a stunning resort ( Villa Grand Artos ) located 10 minutes away from the Hotel. Villa Grand Artos offers 12 Rooms with beautiful landscape and swimming pool to relax and unwind from the busy city life. It takes about an hour from Yogyakarta International Airport and 2 hours drive from Semarang or Solo International Airport. Strategically located between the business districts and nearby tourist attractions including the greatest Buddhist Temple of Borobudur and connected to the city’s largest shopping mall, Grand Artos Hotel & Convention Magelang is the perfect choice for discerning business and leisure travelers.

 

Enter the nostalgic 1920s world of a 22-hectares Dutch colonial coffee plantation in the forested highlands of Java with a memorable stay at MesaStila Resort and Spa. Surrounding the resort, eight volcanic mountains thrust above the luscious vegetation on the hills and the fragrant floral landscape plunges below each balcony of the 23 Javanese-style luxury villas. Five splendid bedrooms with butler service are featured in the classic Bella Vista Villa, each bedroom has a private garden, and one with a private pool. As you relax on the verandah of the MesaStila Club House in the 1928 original Dutch Mansion, a cup of the best organic MesaStila coffee in hand, you will see the old Javanese village and the coffee warehouse which has been converted into the Plantation Bar.

The Hammam Spa provides opportunities for creating a harmony between mind, body and nature. The rejuvenation treatments start with yoga at the traditional Javanese architecture  building named Sasana Yoga followed by relaxing signature Turkish treatment at the Hammam. The resort features two signature restaurants: the Java Red and Java Green offering International and Authentic Nusantara menus with gourmet delicacies and variety of salads from MesaStila's own organic garden. Nearby attractions include the spectacular Borobudur Temple, rides on a 1902 cog steam train “The Queen of the Mountains” through rice fields and mountainous landscape, Pawon and Mendut Buddhist Temples, and verdant Javanese rural scenes of country lifestyles. See special offers for expats!

 

Kalimantan

Join WOW Borneo on one of our relaxing Jungle River Orangutan Cruises! We operate 4 comfortable vessels on 3 different river systems in Central Kalimantan:

Tanjung Puting National Park & Camp Leakey - fly into Pangkalan Bun

Tanjung Puting Park cruise is aboard our air-conditioned and solar-powered boats, the Sekonyer and the Kumai. Each vessel has 3 air-con double cabins which feature the same standard of comfort and service as our other vessels. Available for Private Charter or scheduled join-in departures every Saturday and Tuesday. See videos of the Kumai - One - Two

Palangka Raya Orangutan and Dayak Village Cruise – fly into Palangka Raya

The Kahayan River cruise in Palangka Raya offers a combination of orangutan sightings and cultural visits to local villages, onboard the Rahai'i Pangun which has 4 cabins and comfortably accommodates 8 people. Available for Private Charter or scheduled join-in departures every Saturday and Tuesday.

Katingan River & the Sebangau National Park - fly into Palangka Raya

Cruise with us on the Spirit of Kalimantan. Accommodating 7 passengers in 3 air-conditioned cabins, she is an adventurous experience for our guests wanting to visit the famed Sebangau National Park for a trek to observe wild orangutans. We also explore villages and remarkable blackwater lake systems off the Katingan River. No other tourists there! Available for Private Charter or scheduled join-in departures every Saturday and Tuesday.

Riau Islands

Accessible from Tanjong Pinang airport, just at 1h20mn direct flight from Jakarta, Club Med Bintan offers astounding raw natural beauty and endless ways to rejuvenate body and soul. Treat yourself to a beautiful spa perched on the rocks, glide through the air on a flying trapeze overlooking the sea, or practice your yoga postures on a private beach reserved exclusively for our guests: Club Med Bintan is the ultimate wellbeing getaway. With so many water and land sports options, plus artistic and cultural activities for kids aged 2 to 17, this stunning island is also the perfect family destination. To top it all off, Club Med Bintan is located at 5mn from Ria Bintan Golf course, voted one of the best golf courses in Asia, with panoramic ocean views and greens atop magnificent cliffs.

Club Med packages are all-inclusive, so that you can enjoy your hassle-free holidays and leave all ordinary behind. Club Med price includes, stylish accommodation, breakfast, international gourmet lunch and dinner served with wine, beer and soft drinks, free flow of alcoholics and non-alcoholics at the bar, snacking, extensive land and water sporting facilities with expert tuitions as well as Club Med signature evening entertainment. Club Med is one of those unique paradise, where both, parents and children, can enjoy their holiday by practicing adapted activities free of charge for everyone.

Cruises / Sailing Adventures

Yacht Charter Indonesia offers the finest and most exclusive yacht charters in Indonesia since 2017. Managed by Oceanic Escapes Pte Ltd, our international team brings a wealth of local knowledge and expertise, curating bespoke itineraries that showcase the stunning natural beauty and cultural richness of Indonesia. We proudly offer unparalleled experiences across several key destinations in Indonesia:

• Komodo National Park - Explore the habitat of the legendary Komodo dragons and dive into vibrant underwater environments.

• Raja Ampat-  Renowned for its marine biodiversity and breathtaking coral reefs, a world-class diving paradise.

• The Banda Islands - Discover the historic Spice Islands, rich in cultural heritage and surrounded by crystal-clear waters.

• Bali and the Gili Islands - Enjoy a perfect blend of vibrant culture, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife.

• Cenderawasih Bay - Swim with whale sharks and explore the diverse marine life in this unique and pristine bay.

• Triton Bay - Experience stunning coral gardens and rare marine species in this hidden gem.

• Alor - Dive into some of the world’s best underwater environments and encounter vibrant marine biodiversity.

Yacht Charter Indonesia prides itself on its commitment to excellence and personalised service, ensuring each journey is unique and unforgettable. Discover the ultimate in nautical elegance and adventure, where your luxury yacht charter dreams become reality.

Plan your luxury yacht charter holiday with Yacht Charter Indonesia today!

 

For Inland River Cruises on Kalimantan, see also, River Cruises in Kalimantan!

 

Many of these sponsors offer special rates for ITAS/ITAP holders,
so mention you saw their listing on the Living in Indonesia website, and see if they offer a discount!

Looking for help in booking these vacations?
... read the article on Choosing a Travel Agent!

 

Last updated January 20, 2025