Komodo Island is situated within an area of spectacular natural beauty, home to the famous Komodo dragon. The stunning beaches are tinged with pink thanks to the high concentration of red coral just offshore, and the waters draw intrepid divers from all over the world.

Sumbawa is just to the east of Bali and Lombok, though the island is drier, less developed and more conservative than its neighbours. It’s a popular spot for surfers, and home to sleepy villages where locals weave indigo cloth and build traditional wooden boats by hand.

The city of Probolinggo is located on the north coast of East Java, and is the jumping off point for excursions to Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park. The sight of smouldering Mount Bromo and Mount Semeru, looming over the fertile volcanic plains, is a highlight of any trip to Indonesia.

The sweltering city of Semarang, on the north coast of Java, is an intriguing mish-mash of Chinese, Islamic and Dutch colonial influences. We recommend escaping the heat with a trip up into the mountains to visit a coffee plantation, or joining an excursion to the extraordinary temple complex at Borobudur.

Situated at the remote southwestern tip of Java, Ujung Kulon National Park is best known as the last refuge of the critically endangered Javan rhino, though you’d be very lucky to spot one. Other species to look out for include Asian pied hornbills, barking deer, macaques, monitor lizards and wild boar.

On 27 August 1883 the island of Krakatau (Krakatoa) was torn asunder by the most famous volcanic eruption in history, a cataclysmic event that sent a devastating tsunami racing around the globe. Amongst the remains of the collapsed caldera sits the smouldering and still active Anak Krakatau, the ‘child of Krakatoa’.

The island of Belitung lies roughly halfway between Sumatra and Borneo, and is home to some of Indonesia’s most striking beaches, where the white sands are in stark contrast with the giant granite rocks. The crystal clear waters are also perfect for swimming and snorkelling.