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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. 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.

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 KITAS holders, so mention you saw their listing on the Living in Indonesia website and see if they offer a discount!

Great Escapes in
Bali, Central Java, East Java, Lombok, Kalimantan

North Sulawesi Dive Resorts, Tours and Sailing Adventures, Airlines

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Travel Indonesia - Official website for Indonesia tourism and travel information, owned by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Full of information on hundreds of tourism destinations and activities. Indonesia.travel provides comprehensive resources and references for expatriates who plan to make a trip in Indonesia or to have more knowledge about Indonesia's tourist destinations, activities, and more ...

Bali

Two expatriate New Zealanders, Aprile and Hugh Collett, who have lived and worked in Indonesia for more than 15 years, have planned, built and now operate Alam Sari Resort in the small Balinese village of Keliki located in the cool hills north of Ubud.

Their aim has been to create a small, quiet hotel with all the modern facilities which allow its vacationing guests to experience aspects of the Balinese landscape, people and culture that the larger beach-based resort cannot do. By maintaining close links with the local villag ers, Alam Sari offers many opportunities for our guests to experience unspoiled Bali while enjoying the hospitality and personal service that a small hotel can offer. Relax and rejuvenate at Spa Alam Sari and enjoy the fitness facilities for a to ensure yours is a relaxing and refreshing vacation. Newly opened at Alam Sari - beautiful Villa Teratai is a three-bedroomed villa built in Balinese style and set in lush tropical gardens high above rice terraces with superb panoramic views from every room. Special rates for stays of 5 nights or more. Learn more about this great holiday destination!

Voted one of the ten most romantic hotels in Bali. The Watergarden features twelve elegant bungalows and one suite set amidst luxuriant tropical gardens and surrounded by lily ponds filled with Koi Carp. Only the murmur of flowing water, bird song and the splash of leaping fish disturb the tranquility when you sit on your very private verandah. Traditional Balinese styled bungalows with everything you need for your comfort and convenience.  Located in the small village of Candi Dasa the hotel is a popular place for those wishing to avoid the chaos of Kuta and to explore the delights East Bali, all within easy reach are Ujung Water palace, Tirtagangga Water palace, Besakih Temple and Tenganan.

Our famous Restaurant is probably the best in Candidasa, renowned for its excellent cuisine, food festivals and special events, like Weddings, birthdays and Anniversaries. Our newly opened “Orchid Spa” has become as famous as our restaurant and very reasonably priced, compared to other nearby Spas. Although the staff's natural warmth and friendliness make it hard to leave the hotel. For info on nearby diving read Water World - one expat's experiences learning to dive in East Bali. To see some pictures of the Watergarden Hotel. Water World - one expat's experiences learning to dive in East Bali. Special Rates for stays of 5 nights or more

Discover a haven embraced by nature where tranquil pleasures await. The perfect place to do so is Taman Rahasia - “The Secret Garden” Boutique Resort & Spa, nestled in the quaint village of Penestanan, Ubud. Eight comfortably appointed rooms reside amongst lush tropical gardens, towering coconut palms and gently swaying bamboo. Exceptional service, absolute tranquility and relaxation make this a favorite spot for expats. Enjoy the natural stone swimming pool and waterfall, or pamper yourself at our Spavox award-winning Spa. In nearby Ubud, the “Cultural Heart of Bali,” you’ll find an abundance of shops, museums, galleries, restaurants and entertainment. As you can see - everything you need for your holiday getaway is tucked away into one perfect Secret Garden . . . a little jewel of a hotel where we do everything with an extra measure of care and personal attention. Won't you join us? Special Rates available for expats -- mention the “Living in Indonesia” site for additional savings!

Balispirit.com - your connection to Holistic Bali - is a centralized registry of Bali's holistic healers, resorts, spas, healthy restaurants, yoga studios, educational classes and eco-tours, retreats and workshops. We are an earth-friendly, socially responsible and health-mind-body conscious organization. Join us for a Bali Yoga Holiday and find your peace of mind with Balispirit.

The promise of our resort lies in its name. ‘Elysian' means paradise and that's exactly what our resort is… a romantic haven where you can enjoy the privacy of a luxury villa with its own private pool set in a lush, tropical Balinese garden. Close the gate, slide into the pool, chill out, relax and enjoy everything we have to offer. Your villa comes with Apple TV, an iPod and Bose Sound System, a complimentary notebook, MacBook  or iPad plus Wi-Fi internet access.

When you choose to venture outside your gate, we have the renown Rush Bamboo Restaurant to tempt your taste buds and the Elysian Spa to revive body and soul. And within a few minutes walk, you can immerse yourself in the lively pleasures found in Bali’s trendiest suburb yet always knowing that there is peaceful haven to return to. The Elysian, there’s nowhere else quite like it.

Discover Bali’s ultimate number one holiday destination - the fabulous Tirta Ayu Hotel (which means lovely waters). Located within the beautiful, secure 22-acre grounds of Bali’s most treasured Royal Water Palace at Tirtagangga, the resort is located in the Karangasem Regency of East Bali which is overlooked by Mount Agung. Views of the surrounding countryside are blessed with some of the most amazing rice terraces with the warm crystal clear ocean in the distance. The mornings are stunning and inspire many guests to walk, and take photographs. In fact, many artists have painted these spectacular landscapes. The visual stimulus is breathtaking; this is the real Bali at its best and an ideal base to explore this magical island. At Tirta Ayu guest’s can enjoy being treated like Gods and Goddesses with first class royal treatment, be pampered and experience total relaxation. Island healers have praised the waters of the holy spring at Tirtagangga, for their healing and youth giving powers. It is said that if one bathes in the waters of Tirtagangga on the full moon, one is blessed with lasting youth and all illnesses will be healed. Is it any wonder that Tirtagangga is known as "The Fountain of Youth" of Bali?

Lotus Bungalows, located in Candidasa, is an ideal base for explorations of eastern Bali, as well as a quieter alternative to the southern tourism centers. Set in a peaceful lush garden, Lotus Bungalows is located at the entrance of Candidasa and is only 1.5 hours away from the Ngurah Rai International Airport near Denpasar. With a very high international standard of service and comfort, Lotus Bungalow is the perfect place for honeymooners, nature lovers and diving enthusiasts. 20 well-appointed bungalows, comfortably decorated, have a spacious verandah overlooking the ocean and the Lombok Straits. All rooms are equipped with the many features you'd expect to find at a first class resort. Enjoy the pool, the excellent restaurant, or take advantage of the PADI dive center Gangga Divers at Lotus Bungalows to explore nearby diving spots such as Tulamben, and Nusa Penida. Visit soon and enjoy the hospitality of the ancient village of Candidasa, home to many cultural attractions.

One of Bali's best kept secrets, Alila Manggis is a secluded, stylish seaside resort in Manggis, East Bali. Set amidst a coconut grove, the resort nestles between the sea and the majestic Mount Agung, Bali's most sacred mountain. All rooms and suites face the ocean with clear views across the straits to Nusa Penida. A contemporary interpretation of traditional Balinese architecture is artfully combined with modern amenities to create a relaxed environment in harmony with its natural surroundings. Famed for its Balinese Cooking School. The 53 rooms and two corner suites of Alila Manggis are housed in traditional two-storey thatched Balinese pavillions reminiscent of the village wantilan or meeting hall. Alila Manggis is situated within the regency of Karangasem, close to the village of Candidasa, and provides the perfect base from which to explore unspoiled East Bali. For more information and images, visit out website. Check out our special promotions for expats - Resident Retreat and Seaside Romance.

Villa Bugis provides private villa accommodation rentals for holidays, honeymoon, and vacations. Located in Seminyak, Bali's most fashionable district, just 25 minutes drive from the Denpasar International Airport and the center of gourmet cafes, restaurants and bars, housewares and fashion stores where an international mix of celebrities and cosmopolitan jet setters flock to shop, party and indulge.

Where life is a private celebration ...

Looking for a memorable weekend getaway? Kayumanis Private Villa & Spa offers a choice of luxurious accommodations in three exclusive locations on the exotic island of Bali. Each retreat is truly unique and pays tribute to Bali’s rich culture and artistic heritage. Kayumanis Ubud is blessed with a breathtaking river valley landscape and promises complete privacy amongst mature cinnamon trees and indigenous flora. To be near a white sandy beach, Kayumanis Nusa Dua prides itself on exposing the visual elements of traditional Balinese design with an open-style living concept. And Kayumanis Jimbaran, hidden beneath a grove of coconut trees close to the gentle waters of Jimbaran Bay, is where all your needs will be fulfilled without having to step out of the comfort of your villa estate. A dedicated 24 hour Butler service is just one of the complimentary privileges of staying at Kayumanis Private Villas and Spa. Each property also has its own award-winning spa facility for you to indulge in a collection of body and beauty rituals inspired by the timeless healing traditions of a bygone era. See our special package for expats.

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Central Java

Enter the nostalgic 1920s world of a 22-acre Dutch colonial coffee plantation in the forested highlands of Java with a memorable stay at Mesa Stila Spa Retreat & Coffee Plantation (formerly Losari). 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 24 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 Mesa Stila Club House in the 1828 original Dutch Mansion, a cup of the best organic Mesa Stila 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 beside the spring water-fed pool and end at the Hamam. 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 Mesa Stila'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. Special promotions for expats.

Havana Horses is a natural horse riding school, located on the outskirts of Salatiga, centrally positioned between Yogyakarta, Semarang and Solo in Central Java, Indonesia. Our robust and surefooted horses - of local breed and crossed with thoroughbreds - are kept, fed and trained a natural way. Our horses live outside 24/7 in herds, eat the naturally available grasses and hay, go barefoot, and we train our horses using natural horsemanship methods. Since we opened in 2007, people from all over the world have enjoyed lessons, courses, trail rides, and horsey holidays at Havana Horses in Salatiga. Come over for a (long) weekend to take an intensive course in natural horsemanship or join an exciting trail ride! We ride our horses without bit, spurs or any other means of force.  Instead you learn how to communicate with your horse and become equal partners. Havana Horses is run by Havedz Nugroho and Anna van Rheeden. Read more about this natural horse riding school in Barefoot in Indonesia.

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East Java

Ijen Resort and Villas is the new and first luxury hotel in this spectacular scenic area of East Java. Perched at the edge of the rainforest in  Ijen National Pak and overlooking terraced rice fields and a row of volcanoes, each of Ijen Resort’s 30 rooms boasts superb views from their spacious bedrooms and balconies. Bungalows with standard, superior, and suite accommodations are equipped with all facilities for modern comfort. Four hectares of beautiful gardens and 360 degree panoramic vistas of volcanoes, rainforest, terraced rice fields and view of Bali Strait in the distance make Ijen Resort and Villas itself a tourist destination. Ijen Resort and Villas is located at 643 meters above sea level, in the remote village of Randu Agung, Licin Banyuwangi. The closest village is a group of a dozen houses 700 meters downhill, with another village 900 meters across the valley.  The hotel offers a comfortable base for travellers to enjoy unspoiled beauty in rural East Java. Resort staff organize tours to Mount Ijen to see its eerie sulfuric crater and other inspirational natural attractions.  How to get to the Ijen Resort? It's a 4-hour drive from the Ngurah Raui Denpasar Bali airport (130 km)  and a 6-hour drive (or by train) from Surabaya (307 km).

Lombok

Escape to Villa Almarik and enjoy the wide array of Gili Taranwangan's beautiful tropical beaches, landscapes, and the nearby towering volcanic mountain - Gunung Rinjani on Lombok - and some of the most spiritual sites that Indonesia has to offer. This small exotic tropical island, originally home to only a handful of fishermen, lies between blue coral reefs and clear turquoise waters. The Villas are located on the beachfront , with a white sandy beach on the edge of a wide assemblage of beautiful blue corals. The resort is only a few minutes walk from the island’s central area which is alive with small cafés and restaurants. Villa Almarik has 20 elegantly appointed cottages. Each of these is air conditioned and has a spacious living area, a terrace, and a traditional outdoor courtyard attached to the bathroom. Enjoy the gastronomic mix of Indonesian and Mediterranean dishes that awaits you at the Almarik Hotel restaurant, relax at the spa, or enjoy nearby diving. Visit Villa Almarik soon and you'll agree you've found a truly unique vacation getaway. Learn more about this great holiday destination! Special promotion

Kuta Horses Lombok provides horseback riders with horseback riding in an unspoiled spectacular landscape and naturally preserved sites: deserted beaches, bays, hills and valleys, primitive forests, rice paddies, and tobacco fields. Crossing the villages and riding a horse is the best way to be part of the local Lombok Sasak traditional culture. Usually in Indonesia, horses are quite small. Ours western-sized horses come from Java and Australia. They have strong endurance and personality but they are never aggressive. Our horses were all selected for their physical qualities, but they have all been prepared for you to ride safely, just enjoy. All our saddles and equipments are comfortable leather handmade brands as: Forestier, Stübben, etc… They are in perfect condition and have been selected according to the routes.

The rides offer many different landscapes to discover: A lot of natural spots can be reached within an hour or two (depending of the riding speed). All rides have a guide (speaking French, English, Spanish). Starts generally at 4 p.m. and sometimes early morning (7 a.m.), all schedules are possible.
We can pick you up at your hotel. Accomodations packages available in luxurious private villa or Guest-house overlooking the Kuta’s bay. Private swimming pool.

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North Sulawesi Dive Resorts

This Gangga Island Resort & Spa, built under shady palms and surrounded by tropical gardens and a pure white sand beach, is located on the tip of the small island of Gangga – easly accessible from Manado International Airport, car and boat. The resort features 15 wooden bungalows, each with two rooms and built in the simple local Minahasa style, with a spacious veranda overlooking the beach and neighbouring islands. Equipped with features expected in a first class resort - hot water, air conditioning and ceiling fan, satellite television with international channels, and sports facilities including a swimming pool. Restaurants and bars feature international and Indonesian cuisine. Relax and rejuvenate in the newly opened Pasung Spa offering rare therapies from the local Minahasa families that have specialized in the ancient art and healing powers. On-site PADI diving centre coordinates diving adventures to nearby Bunaken Marine Park, with over 25 world-class dive locations. Travel to nearby villages and view traditional lifestyles of Bajau fishermen, Tangkoko National Rainforest or the Minahasa Highlands. For more information about Gangga Island Resort & Spa!

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Tours and Sailing Adventures across the Archipelago

Beyond diving and diving beyond .... Java Sea Charters runs luxury live aboard trips in West Java close to Jakarta on board the Cecelia-Ann. This well designed 18 meter motor-sailer is well known for her fabulous trips through the Sunda Straits. We visit famous Krakatau and Ujung Kulon national park, and scuba dive the spectacular wrecks of two large WW II vessels, USS Houston and HMAS Perth. The unique ecosystems in these areas are hardly explored and rarely visited by commerical vessels, making the diving and snorkling very special. Join our regular scheduled weekend trips and long weekends or book a customised charter. Our journeys are great for both scuba divers and non-divers; trekking, snorkling, fishing and bonfires in the remote areas are part of all our trips. A perfect weekend, long weekend or mid week holiday. A different kind of team-outing or a cozy trip with family and friends (up to 10 people) close to Jakarta. We also cater for 1 day functions, parties or celebrations (up to 35 people).

Go Beyond Your Comfort Zone ... Without Surrendering Comfort! No longer is a journey to the hidden gems of Indonesia's Far East a journey of certain hardship. The Seven Seas Dive and Adventure Cruises takes you there with all the style and comfort you would expect. Sumptuous buffets and a fine selection of wines, air-conditioned cabins and dining room, warm showers, a stereo and DVD will all ensure you feel at home albeit in the most exotic of locations. Diving is the main activity, but while anchored at a secluded bay, passengers can take a slow paddle on a kayak or jump aboard the speed boat to explore the beach. Children can play in the waves on a boogie board. Venture onshore to experience some of the local culture and perhaps purchase a beautiful tapestry. Or indulge in a Spa Treatment or Massage offered by our friendly Balinese staff. Seven Seas is all about safety, exquisite reefs, untouched nature, and comfort. Before starting their own family, the owners were vivid scuba-divers and sport-fishers, and they loved traveling to witness the remote nature beauty of Indonesia. Now they have kids, they simply continue to do just the same and take their kids with them. Throughout the year, for special group charters or just to step on with your individual family, Seven Seas organize family adventure cruises in eastern Indonesia. Read more about Sailing the Seven Seas of the Indonesian Archipelago.

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Kalimantan

Join Kalimantan Tour Destinations on a relaxing Jungle River Cruise, on board the Rahai'i Pangun, from Palangkaraya in Central Kalimantan. See orangutans, hornbills, proboscis monkeys, traditional villages and livelihoods. Sit back, relax and enjoy the forested river banks and river life. Only a short hop from the hustle and bustle of Jakarta or Surabaya, you are transferred directly from the airport to the comfortable boat. Settle into your stylish cabins (there are 5 in total) with western bathrooms, and then go up on the viewing deck as the boat sets off on its journey along the meandering rivers. This is raw Borneo, where the rivers remain the main highways through this vast and mostly empty province. Our Jungle River Cruises are the first and only in Central Kalimantan, and provide a unique way to live on board and explore the Borneo Jungle and riverside villages inaccessible by road in relaxed comfort.The on board chef provides a selection of delicious local and Thai delicacies throughout the cruise. Our on board guide accompanies the boat to give you an insight into this little visited but fascinating region and the communities who live here. We are working with local communities to bring Ecotourism to this part of Central Kalimantan as a way of protecting the environment and creating alternative livelihoods. Our land tours include journeys to remote longhouses, to Tanjung Puting National Park to see this famous orangutan rehabilitation site, to Banjarmasin, overland travelling from Bali to Kali, and round Kalimantan orangutan explorations, finishing with some diving at magical Nabucco Island. Special promotion for weekend breaks

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Many of these sponsors offer special rates for KITAS 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!

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