If you’ve grown weary of the traffic of Jakarta and the crowds of Bali then you might want to consider two more out of the way Indonesian destinations: Lombok and Solo. They just became a whole lot more accessible thanks to the opening of new direct routes from Singapore by budget carrier AirAsia.
Located near Bali, Lombok is often overshadowed by its popular neighbor, which means that it has managed to remain relatively untouched. Home to its very own active volcano, Mount Rinjani for a little extra thrill, it also makes for a great base to go island hopping at the nearby Gili Islands.
Solo (or Surakarta) also offers beaches but also let’s you immerse yourself in Indonesian culture thanks to its history as one of the heirs of the the Mataram Kingdom (along with the far more visited Yogyakarta). Home to a royal palace the area is also known its quality Batik fabrics and as home to the largest textile market in the country. Foodies will also want to make a pit stop at the Pasar Legi, a farmers market with a wide selection of local produce.
If you’re very lucky you can get yourself tickets from as low as $79 to Lombok and $69 to Solo (both one way) if you book between now and Dec 21. Flights to Lombok and Solo will commence on Jan 28 and 29 respectively. Head to their website for more info.
