The year 2020 is the year to take care of ourselves and appreciate what we have. This year, many people chose to stay at home. Some have to go outside because they have to work. Well, our habits may change, but our happiness will still be the same: we want to have a memorable holiday, right? 😉
As the end of this year is approaching, we want to recommend you some nice places to explore based on your interests, be it culture & history, shopping, nature, adventure, or wellness retreat. Take a look down below!
Year-End Vacation Ideas Based on Your Interests
Whatever your holiday preferences are, we’ve compiled a list of destinations to suit your palate. Where to go for your next holiday? Choose one or two or more destinations across Indonesia!
Culture & History
1. Borobudur Temple in Magelang
Our first pick for a historical attraction is Borobudur Temple. This Buddhist temple is unique because it features divine reliefs carved in stone and bell-shaped stupas containing Buddha. Come to see an extraordinary sight during sunrise and sunset, t-mates! Enjoy your time in the place that was built in the 9th century!
Address: Jl. Badrawati, Kw. Candi Borobudur, Borobudur, Kec. Borobudur, Magelang
Opening hours: 06.00 – 17.00 WIB
Ticket price: 23,250 IDR/ person*
2. Uluwatu Temple in Bali
What’s more to Bali other than beaches? Well, you haven’t been to the paradise island if you haven’t explored its temples. If you love history, you can explore one of the popular temples in Bali called Uluwatu Temple, situated at the edge of steep cliffs.
Witness the beautiful sights around the temple. By the way, you should also watch a traditional Kecak Dance! An amazing performance that begins as the sun sets.
Address: Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali
Ticket price: 20,000 IDR/ person*
Opening hours: 07.00 – 19.00 WITA
3. Ratenggaro Village in Sumba
Feel the magical atmosphere once you arrive at Ratenggaro Village in Sumba. The village is about 50 km from Tambolaka, the biggest city in Sumba. Over there, you can see the traditional houses of the Sumba Tribe. They are very unique!
Interestingly, Ratenggaro Village is located near the beach, surrounded by white sand and blue sea. The history of this village dated back a thousand years ago, since the megalithic era. You’ll find many graves around the village.
Address: Umbu Ngedo, Kodi Bangedo, Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara
Ticket price: FREE!*
Shopping Spree
1. Sukawati Traditional Market in Bali
Going to a new destination? Whether you’re a shopping lover or not, you most probably need to buy some souvenirs for your relatives when you travel, right? In Bali, you can visit Sukawati Traditional Market which sells unique Balinese souvenirs such as clothing, fridge magnets, traditional art, and so on. Lots of unique things to buy at an affordable price! Psst, it’s also a good place to sharpen your bargain skill 😉
Address: Jalan Raya Sukawati, Sukawati, Kec. Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali
Ticket price: FREE!*
Opening hours: 09.00 – 17.00 WITA
2. Pasar Cibaduyut in Bandung
Shoes…shoes…shoes…! If you want to buy shoes, you can stop by the Cibaduyut market in Bandung which sells leather products, including shoes and bags that use genuine or imitation leather here. The products are locally made, but the quality has been recognized by foreign countries!
In the Cibaduyut market, you can also request a custom made product. The price depends on the material and the level of complexity of the design. So, are you interested to visit this market?
Address: Jl. Cibaduyut Raya No.7, Kb. Lega, Kec. Bojongloa Kidul, Bandung
Ticket price: FREE!*
Opening hours: 09.00 – 21.00 WIB
3. Plaza Indonesia in Jakarta
Looking for a high-end shopping mall where you can buy branded stuff? Come to Plaza Indonesia, a luxurious shopping mall nestled in the heart of Jakarta. Shoes, bags, watches, you name it! You can find good quality products inside the mall. Shop til you drop, t-mates!
Address: Jl. M.H. Thamrin No.9, RT.9/RW.5, Gondangdia, Menteng
Opening hours: 10.00 – 22.00 WIB
Nature/ Outdoor
1. Mount Bromo
If you come to Mount Bromo nowadays, you don’t need to be worried about the effort you should make to reach the top of the mountain. You can ride a jeep and just walk a little to see the beautiful sunrise!
Oh, there are many comfy accommodations to choose from around Mount Bromo. You can search for the one that suits your preference at tiket.com 🙂
Address: Mount Bromo
Opening hours: 24/7
2. Ujung Kulon National Park
Ujung Kulon National Park is home to many wildlife species such as the Javan rhinos, Asian elephants, and so on. The park is nestled in the south-western tip of Java. Besides animals, you can find several species of endangered plants there.
UNESCO has approved this national park as a heritage site. If you have time off, come to explore this 120-hectare area! Witness the wild nature and take lots of cool pictures!
Address: Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan No.51 Kecamatan Labuan, Pandeglang, Banten
Opening hours: 24/7
3. Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat consists of large islands with beautiful island clusters. Plan a getaway to Raja Ampat if you love snorkeling or diving. You can enjoy the beauty of the underwater world. Some spots you can visit in Raja Ampat are Friwen Beach, Pasir Timbul, Piaynemo, and Telaga Bintang.
On this remote island, you can forget about the internet for a while. There are hundreds of islands to explore, worth every minute traveled. The sunset in Raja Ampat creates a brilliant orange-red sky. It’s a million-dollar view that you’ll treasure forever!
Adventure
1. Jomblang Cave in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta
If you love adventure, you can try to visit Jomblang Cave in Yogyakarta. During the day, you can see the sunshine flooding through the hole. Stand on a rock and ask your friend to take a picture of your silhouette and the sunrays.
Goa Jomblang is one of the natural highlights of Yogyakarta. The cave is located in Gunung Kidul, about a 90-minute drive from the center of Yogyakarta.
2. Parasail, Tanjung Benoa
Not all places in Bali provide parasailing. Only in Tanjung Benoa, you can enjoy this adrenaline-pumping activity.
Tanjung Benoa has become a center for watersport activities in Bali. You can try various watersport games besides Parasailing Adventure which include Seawalker, Waterski, Wakeboard, and Banana Boat.
Wellness Retreat
1. Yoga Retreat in Bali
Enjoy yoga retreats in Bali near water and jungles. There are lots of resorts in Bali that offer yoga and meditation sessions. You can also rent a private luxury villa and invite a yoga instructor to teach you and your friends! Bali is a good place to connect your body, mind, and soul by practicing yoga.
2. Wonosari Tea Plantation in Malang
Located on the slopes of Mount Arjuna, Malang, Wonosari Tea Plantation is the place where you can see locals picking up tea leaves. Wanna see the process of making tea? You can join the tour that explains the tea-making process. It’s refreshing to go there and see the green plantation areas!
3. Nihi Sumba
Honeymoon best spent in the best hotel in the world: Nihi Sumba. You can enjoy new experiences there such as surfing, fishing, excursions, spa safari, and many more. If you just want to stay in the resort, you can dip in the swimming pool or simply relax on the soft bed and watch TV. Enjoy your trip to Sumba, t-mates!
Create Great Memories By Exploring Indonesia!
Come to see the beauty of Indonesia. From beaches, mountains, to caves, you can find all of that in Indonesia. Sumba, Malang, Bali, Medan, and other cities. Find the flight tickets at tiket.com. Plan your holiday early and save up some money!
*All prices are valid at the time of writing
