Top Tourist Attractions in Indonesia

Indonesia is a huge country, in both population and land area, with significant cultural and geological diversity.
With 18,110 islands, 6,000 of them inhabited, it is the largest archipelago in the world. The population of around 240 million people is derived from 300 ethnic groups who speak over 250 different languages. While Bali is usually the destination most familiar to foreign visitors, there is a wealth of other top tourist attractions in Indonesia to discover in this vast and varied country.

Komodo Island

The Komodo National Park is a national park located within the Lesser Sunda Isalands that includes the three larger islands Komodo, Padar and Rincah, and 26 smaller ones. The park is named after the Komodo Dragon, the world’s largest living reptile that can reach 3 meters or more in length and weigh over 70kg. Although Komodo dragons eat mostly carcass of dead animals, they are formidable predators and will also hunt prey including birds, and mammals. Attacks against humans are very rare.

Lake Maninjau, West Sumatra

A little off the beaten path, in a region where many unspoiled natural wonders can still be found, lies the beautiful Lake Maninjau. The lake is located in a volcanic crater, 461 metres above the sea. To reach the end destination, the journey involves negotiating 44 hairpin turns on the steep road down from Bukittinggi. With all the twists and bends, the ride can be eventful, but with the breathtaking views over the blue lake and the surrounding hills, it is worth the effort. The lake Maninjau is one of the most serene and quiet places in the country, far away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. The area is one of the best spots to relax, restore inner peace and live a slow paced life.

Thousand Islands, DKI Jakarta

Who would have thought that heaven on earth could be so easily accessible from the overwhelming capital city of Jakarta? Just a 90 minutes speedboat ride from the marina in Ancol lays the beautiful Pulau Macan, namely the Tiger Island. For breathtaking views, crystal clear water, white sand, great snorkeling spots in a well preserved environment, mouthwatering and fresh food, and a chilled atmosphere, this is the place to be. There is one resort on the island: the Tiger Islands Village & Eco Resort. The staff there makes sure everything is provided and runs smoothly. The resort engages in conservation activities by planting corals and mangroves, aiming to be a model for other eco-resorts nationwide.

Mount Bromo

Gunung Bromo is an active volcano and part of the Tengger massif, in East Java. At 2,329 meters (7,641 feet) it is not the highest peak of the massif, but it is the most well known. The area is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Indonesia and Java. The top of the volcano has been blown off and the crater inside constantly belches white smoke. It is surrounded by the Sea of Sand of fine volcanic sand. The overall effect is unsettlingly unearthly.

Ubud

Perched among stunning terraced rice fields, Ubud is considered the cultural heart of Bali and one of the top tourist attractions in Indonesia. There are dance and music performances every day throughout the city as well as numerous art galleries and craft shops to explore. Although Ubud has long been valued as a great place to learn about Balinese culture, tourism in Ubud boomed exponentially in the last decades. Fortunately, it only takes a short walk or bicycle ride to escape from the crowds and commercialism.

Bunaken

Located at the north of the island of Sulawesi, Bunaken is one of Indonesia’s most famous dive and snorkeling areas. The island is part of the Bunaken Marine Park where you can see more than 70% of all fish species that live in the western Pacific ocean. The best time for diving in Bunaken is between the months of April and November.

Yogyakarta and Surroundings, Central Java

It would be no exaggeration to say that Yogyakarta is the arts and culture and culinary hub of the island of Java. Days could be spent exploring its streets in search of the best batik, puppet makers, gamelan concerts, food vendors, street art and much more. But it does not end here. The city is also the main hub for the more historical Java, constituting the perfect base to go explore the nearby temples of Borobudur and Prambanan. Dating back to the ninth century, the former is one of the oldest Buddhist temples, with more than 2,000 relief panels and 500 Buddha statues. Dating back to the same time, the latter is a Hindu temple where you can enjoy beautiful evening dance performances staging the Ramayana, one of the greatest Hindu epics of all times.

Baliem Valley

The Baliem Valley in the highlands of Western New Guinea offers a glimpse into what was recently a stone-age world. The valley was not known to the outside world until 1938 when an aerial reconnaissance flight southwards from Hollandia (now Jayapura) discovered a large agricultural population. Wamena is the starting point for most visitors who come nowadays to marvel at the mountain views, roaring rivers, tribal villages and at the tough but sweet spirit of the warm Dani people.

Tanjung Puting

The Tanjung Puting National Park is located on the island of Borneo in the Indonesian province of Central Kalimantan. The park is a popular ecotourism destination, with many local tour companies offering multi-day boat tours to view wildlife and visit the research centers. Wildlife include gibbons, macaques, clouded leopards, sun bears, pythons, crocodiles and – most famously – orangutans. Unfortunately the park is heavily threatened by illegal logging and forest clearing for agricultural uses.

Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara

Similar in density and size to neighboring Bali, and sharing some cultural heritage, Lombok has developed as one of the main tourist destinations in Indonesia. It is around Senggigi that most facilities have developed, and it also from there that the three very popular Gili Islands – Gili Trawangan, Meno and Air – are most commonly accessed. Even though they can be said to be increasingly changing in character, the Gili Islands still have enough diversity to provide for all tastes. From luxury resorts, to laidback backpackers’ retreats, the islands have it all. Other tourist spots south of Lombok include Kuta Beach, famous for its quasi-deserted white sand beaches, and as one of the best surfing spots worldwide, and Mount Rinjani, an active volcano.

Best Tourist Attractions in Cuba

Cuba sits a mere 150 km (90 miles) from the tip of Key West, Florida, but it might as well be a million miles away.
Political differences and sanctions have made it a no-no for most Americans, with a few exceptions for charities, churches and journalists. More recently, the laws in the US have been amended to allow more people, provided that they go through an approved tourism group. For the rest of the world, Cuba has long been an amazing, unspoiled tropical gem with the opportunity to meet real people and experience real culture. Here are 10 best tourist attractions for your reference
Old Havana (Habana Vieja)

A UNESCO world heritage site, Habana Vieja or Old Havana is a well-preserved slice of Cuban history. Strolling around the cobbled streets and gazing up at the grand Baroque and neoclassical buildings, it’s easy to imagine what life in Cuba was like 200 years ago. Extensive renovations are now breathing new life into the historic buildings. Major attractions here include the Plaza de la Catedral, home to the Cuban Baroque Catedral de San Cristobal; the legendary restaurant and Hemingway hangout, Bodeguita del Medio; and the military fortress, Castillo de la Real Fuerza.Also in the Old Town, Plaza Vieja is one of Havana’s most vibrant gathering spots. The main building of note here is the 18th-century Casa del Conde Jaruco with beautiful stained glass windows on the first floor. Nearby, the camera obscura offers fantastic views from its 35-meter tower. Visitors should allow at least a day to explore the Old Town and more if time permits.
Varadero

Varadero is one of Cuba’s most famous beach destinations. It stretches along the Peninsula de Hicacos, which juts into the sea off the north coast where a drawbridge connects it to the mainland. More than 50 hotels line this popular palm-fringed strip, and its magnificent white-sand beaches draw visitors from around the world. Highlights include Parque Natural Punta Hicacos (Parque Natural de Varaderos), a nature reserve with a pretty beach, and the two caves,Cueva de Ambrosio and Cueva de Musulmanes.Also in Varadero, the peaceful Parque Josone is home to lush flower gardens, a restaurant, swimming pool, and a small lake where visitors can paddle about in rowboats. Northeast of Varadero, Cayo Piedra Underwater Park is a popular diving and snorkeling area where underwater explorers will find shipwrecks and glinting shoals of brightly colored fish. Besides diving and snorkeling, Varadero offers excellent deep-sea fishing, golf, skydiving, and day trips to cultural attractions.
Trinidad

Exploring the town of Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is like stepping back in time. The beautifully restored buildings and cobblestone streets in the city center imbue a quaint colonial feel. Much of the architecture dates from the 17th to the 19th century when Trinidad prospered from both the sugar and slave trades.Today, Trinidad is one of Cuba’s most popular tourist towns and the streets are often packed with foreigners. Travelers can soak up the lively ambiance of this charming city in the cobblestonePlaza Mayor, the city’s central square. Above the square stands the Neoclassical Church of the Holy Trinity (Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad). Other highlights are the Church and Monastery of Saint Francis (Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco) with its distinctive bell tower, the Museum of Colonial Architecture (Museo de Arquitectura Colonial), the art gallery at theCasa de Aldeman Ortiz, and the Palacio Brunet, a grand home, built in 1812 and still featuring original frescoes and marble floors.East of Trinidad, on the road to Sancti Spiritus, the lush World Heritage-listed Valle de los Ingenios contains numerous relics and monuments from the 19th century when the sugar cane plantations and mills flourished. It’s also a great place to drive or horseback ride through the beautiful scenery of green sugar cane fields, palm trees, and mountains.
Guardalavaca

Rimmed by glittering beaches, Guardalavaca, in the Holguin province, is quieter and more remote than Varadero. Lush foliage fringes the sweeping strand of beach here providing plenty of shady patches for those seeking respite from the tropical sun. Divers and snorkelers can explore a plethora of sea life along the coral reefs.Day trips from Guardalavaca include jungle adventures, sailing trips, and tours of Santiago de Cuba. West of Guardalavaca, Bahia de Naranjo encompasses a large slice of coast and three islands, including Cayo Naranjo with the popular Dolphinarium offering close-up encounters with these gregarious creatures. Chorro de Maita is another side trip option from Guardalavaca with its native Indian burial area and a recreated Taino Indian village.
Playa Paraíso, Cayo Largo del Sur

In a country known for its beautiful beaches, Playa Paraíso (Paradise Beach), on the island of Cayo Largo del Sur, is one of Cuba’s best. This sublime strand of powdery white sand and baby blue sea skirts the sheltered western edge of the island and merges with the equally ravishingPlaya Sirena. The island of Cayo Largo del Sur is truly a sun seekers’ destination with a typically dry, sunny climate and few tourist attractions besides beautiful beaches and many hotels and resorts.
Cayo Coco

Another of Cuba’s idyllic beach destinations and one of its most isolated, Cayo Coco starred in Hemingway’s novels, Islands in the Stream and The Old Man and the Sea along with nearbyCayo Guillermo. As part of the Jardines del Rey, the combined archipelago of Sabana-Camaguey, Cayo Coco is connected to the mainland by a bridge, though most visitors arrive by air.Sun-splashed beaches are the prime attraction. Playa Los Flamencos, on the Atlantic side of the island, is a standout with its 5 kilometer strand of sun-bleached sand, while the quiet and undeveloped Playa Prohibidad offers a peaceful nature trail. Animal lovers will enjoy the El Baba Nature Park, home to turtles, crocodiles, and flamingoes, and the island offers excellent birding.Connected by a causeway to Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo also boasts a bevy of beautiful beaches such as the ravishing Playa Pilar, as well as a string of all-inclusive resorts.
Parque Nacional Vinales (Valle de Vinales)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Parque Nacional Vinales is a beautiful, verdant valley in the Sierra de los Organos, north of Pinar del Rio. Steep limestone hills called mogotes slice through the valleys creating a dramatic landscape. The valley floors in the Parque Nacional Vinales are agricultural areas where tobacco, fruit, and vegetables are grown. For outdoor enthusiasts, the park offers fantastic hiking and horseback riding in the hills. Nearby, the charming town ofVinales is a great base for exploring the surrounding area. Tour companies also offer day tripshere from Havana
The Malecon

Conceived in 1901 and partly built in 1902 and beyond, the Malecon is Havana’s famous seafront promenade. A walk along here offers a stroll through the history of the city. The promenade runs 7 kilometers from the Habana Vieja quarter to the Vedado, the central business district. Along the way, travelers will find an assortment of well-preserved 20th century buildings that represent a mixture of architectural styles including Art Deco and Neo Moorish. Painted in pastel pinks and yellows, the buildings are a photographer’s delight, especially in the golden glow of dusk. People watching is a favorite pastime here. Young lovers saunter hand-in-hand, local fisherman cast their lines, and children clamber along the sea wall.
Castillo de San Pedro del Morro, Santiago de Cuba

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Castillo del Morro is one of the best-preserved Spanish fortresses of the 17th century. It stands at the entrance to the Bay of Santiago, about 10 kilometers southwest of Santiago de Cuba, the country’s second largest city. Perched high atop a cliff, the structure was designed in 1587, but took decades to build and was finally completed at the end of the 17th century. It was originally intended to protect against pirate attacks, but also served as a prison in the late 1700s before being once again converted into a fortress.Today, visitors can explore the many different levels of the fort, learn about pirates and the fort history in the small museum, and enjoy impressive views over the bay. Other cultural highlights of Santiago de Cuba include the Diego Velasquez Museum and Cementerio de Santa Ifigenia, home to the remains of some of Cuba’s most famous military figures. Less than an hour from the city by car, Parque Baconao is a World Heritage Biosphere Reserve, where travelers can tour coffee plantations, wander through beautiful botanical gardens, and enjoy stunning 360-degree views over the mountains and sea from the 1,234 meter summit of Gran Piedra, a large volcanic rock.
Parque Historico Militar, Havana

The Parque Historico Militar encompasses two of Havana’s famous fortresses: the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro, also known as El Morro, and Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana. Presiding over the entrance of the Bay of Havana, El Morro was built in the late 16th century and early 17th century to fend off pirates and looks much the same as it did back then. The lighthouse was replaced with one of stone in the middle of the 19th century, but its original lamp still shines out to sea. Visitors can ascend to the top of the fort to admire the impressive views of the ocean and city.A short stroll from El Morro, Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana, constructed in the 1770s, was the biggest fort the Spanish ever built, as well as the most expensive. The fort became a military prison during the Batista regime and was later used as the headquarters for Che Guevara after the Revolution. Visitors can explore the museums here, which trace the history of this fascinating fort, but the most popular time to visit is at night when actors dressed in 19th-century costumes perform Ceremonia del Cañonazo, a cannon-firing ceremony at 9pm.

Best Places to Visit in Italy

Italy, commanding a long Mediterranean coastline, has left a powerful mark on Western culture and cuisine. Its capital, Rome, is home to the Vatican as well as landmark art and ancient ruins.

Other major cities include Florence, with Renaissance treasures such as Michelangelo’s “David” and its leather and paper artisans; Venice, the sinking city of canals; and Milan, Italy’s fashion capital. An overview of the best places to visit in Italy:

Milan

Nearly destroyed from heavy bombing during WWII, Milan has since reconstructed and now shines as one of the wealthiest cities in Europe. Widely regarded as a mega fashion center teeming in designer shops, Milan also attracts many to its surviving world famous treasures like Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, The Last Supper, the La Scala Opera House, the Castello Sforzesco and one of the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. Nonetheless, Milan sometimes appears less Italian compared to the country’s predominantly historic cities and more of a glamorous city with modern architecture.
Naples

One of the busiest metropolitan cities in the country, Naples is the capital of the Campania region in Southern Italy. The city of Naples offers a treasure trove of art works and historic sites as well as a vibrant atmosphere of shops, restaurants and nightlife venues. Many favorite Italian foods originated from here such as pizza, spaghetti and parmigiana. These dishes are taken seriously in Naples and usually feature fresh, locally grown ingredients. As it is nearby famous sites like the Bay of Naples and Pompeii, Naples presents an ideal base to stay while exploring the area.
Italian Lake District

The Italian Lake District stretches across Northern Italy. The southern ends of most of the lakes are relatively flat but the northern ends are mountainous as the lakes reach deep into the Alps. Popular with tourists for over 100 years, the Italian Lakes combine good weather with attractive scenery. Garda is the largest lake, and offers stunning scenery, especially in its mountainous northern stretches. Como is equally stunning, with forested slopes rising directly from the water’s edge. Further west, Maggiore is less popular yet just as beautiful, with several popular family resorts.
Sicily

The largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, Sicily is an autonomous region of Italy that also includes several smaller isles. It is separated from the mainland region of Calabria by the 5 km (2 miles) Straits of Messina. Home to every great Mediterranean civilization, Sicily is rich in art and history; from Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples to Palermo’s Baroque churches. The island’s most striking geological feature is Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano.
Cinque Terre

Meaning “Five Lands,” Cinque Terre comprises the five villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Vernazza, Monterosso and Corniglia. Located in Italy’s northwestern coastal region of Liguria, the villages of Cinque Terre feature some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes that include steep cliff sides and wine terraces dating back to hundreds of years. Among its many gems, Cinque Terre boasts a centuries-old complex of hiking paths that offer some of Italy’s most stunning coastal views. The Blue Trail is a paved trail connecting all five of the villages and is suitable for all ages.
Amalfi Coast

Situated in Italy’s southwestern region of Campania, the Amalfi Coast is known for its extraordinary beauty that makes it one of Italy’s top tourist destinations. Stretching 30 miles along the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, the Amalfi Coast is prized for its picturesque coastline that features shimmering bays, craggy cliffs, lemon tree gardens, multicolored villas and ritzy resorts. One of the most romantic and posh towns along the Amalfi Coast is Positano with its beautiful pebbled beaches, pastel houses and scenic mountains. One of the larger towns, Amalfi, features lovely plazas lined with restaurants while the town of Ravello is favored for its beautiful villas of gardens and art works.
Pompeii

One of Italy’s most visited tourist destinations, Pompeii is a famous Roman city which was buried under several feet of volcanic ash for nearly 1,700 years after the cataclysmic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Excavation of Pompeii began in 1748, and the site is yet to be totally unearthed. The site is located near the modern city of Naples. A tour of Pompeii offers a fascinating insight into the everyday life of the ancient Roman world. Visitors can walk along the ancient streets to see the remains of bakeries, brothels and baths.
Venice

One of the best places to visit in Italy, Venice is a unique city in that is built upon a lagoon surrounded by the Adriatic Sea. Located in northeastern Italy, Venice is an archipelago of 118 islands all connected by hundreds of beautiful bridges and scenic canals. Of the canals, the Grand Canal is most famous and divides the city into two sections. Picturesque waterways and historic architecture make Venice one of the most romantic cities in the world. Venice is often crowded but well worth visiting to see its magnificent landmarks like Saint Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doge’s Palace and Rialto Bridge. One of the most popular things to do is to take a gondola ride along one of its many canals.
Tuscany

 Italy’s most famous region, Tuscany conjures images of beautiful rolling hills, olive groves, vineyards and cypress trees. The many pleasures of Tuscany include tasting wine in Chianti, simply relaxing in hill towns such as San Gimignano or exploring Renaissance art in Florence. The medieval city of Siena also holds excellent works of art while its historic center is one of the most popular places to visit in Italy. Elba, the largest of several Tuscan islands, offers great beaches while Pisa is world-famous for its Leaning Tower.
Rome

 Formerly the capital of the Roman Empire, Rome today is the government seat and capital city of Italy. Located in the country’s central region of Lazio, Rome is a vast and complex city that is both historic and modern at the same time. Best known for housing ancient Roman structures and the Vatican City, Rome has endured for more than 2,500 years as an important center for culture, power and religion. From ancient romantic plazas to stunning cathedrals and Renaissance architecture, there is so much to see and do in Rome, that it could take months or even years to see it all.