Indonesia is a sprawling nation made up of over 16,000 islands strewn across the Indian and Pacific oceans. But if you had to pick a big-deal attraction out of Indonesia’s lineup… definitely go with Jakarta, via the Tanjung Priok seaport. You might not guess that it’s one of the world’s most populated cities, and easily the biggest in Southeast Asia. But Jakarta wows with more than just its stats because its famously frenetic energy — fueled by cars, buses, motorcycle taxis, street food and, of course, its people — is just one side of the story. There’s also a side that... Read More

Indonesia is a sprawling nation made up of over 16,000 islands strewn across the Indian and Pacific oceans. But if you had to pick a big-deal attraction out of Indonesia’s lineup… definitely go with Jakarta, via the Tanjung Priok seaport. You might not guess that it’s one of the world’s most populated cities, and easily the biggest in Southeast Asia. But Jakarta wows with more than just its stats because its famously frenetic energy — fueled by cars, buses, motorcycle taxis, street food and, of course, its people — is just one side of the story. There’s also a side that owes its spirit to a history that goes way back to the days of the Dutch East Indies empire, and to the even-earlier Hindu kingdom. Don’t miss old-town Batavia, today called Kota Tua and home to preserved colonial buildings. Museum Wayang and Museum Nasional house important ancient artifacts, while Taman Mini Indonesian Indah is a different type of showcase, with this museum letting you get up-close to traditional houses from Indonesia’s various native peoples. Read Less