Trade Jakarta’srelentless energy for Central Java’s captivating blend of history and island tranquility, a journey conveniently initiated through Semarangor a boat trip from Jepara.
This Indonesianadventure offers an insight into culture before your feet even touch the soft sands of the Karimunjawaarchipelago, a collection of serene islands where the loudest sounds are the gentle lapping of turquoise waves.
Forget the tourist clichés; this is about authentic connections with local life and landscapes that enrich your soul and your photo library – no filters needed.
Hotel Samudra, Jepara 🐢 Central Java
Though the Hotel Samudra is close to the port for boats to Karimunjawa, there are better & cheaper options elsewhere in Jepara.
Hotel Quest Semarang 🍛 Indonesia
You don't have to walk far from the Hotel Quest Semarang to find a small Indonesian kitchen and order a complete meal for two for just €3.
Semarang City by Minibus
From Jepara we took a minibus back to Semarang city to try to rescue our vacation from disaster. We had just one more roll of the dice...
Qatar Economy Class
With their elitist TV commercials & top rating in the World's Best Airlines, does the Qatar Airways economy experience live up to the hype?
Doha Airport Lounges
What should you expect from a 10-hour Doha Airport Layover? At $55 a pop, are the pay-for-entry lounges worth the cost?
Takes Mansion - Comfortable & Inexpensive
Close to Gambir train station, the Jakarta Takes Mansion is one of the few hotels in this price range that features a rooftop swimming pool.
Guesthouses in Karimunjawa 🏝️ Indonesia
For such a small Indonesian island community, there is a surprising number of Karimunjawa Guesthouses. Which ones are worth booking?
Honey, the ATM ate my card
What do you do when an Indonesian ATM swallows your credit card? When this ATM ate my card, the bank's policy was to destroy it.
Karimunjawa by Scooter
With 22 kms of ‘road’ between the main port and the north, the best way of discovering this Indonesian island is with a scooter rental 🛵
Karimunjawa Beaches
For many the attraction of the small tropical islands of Indonesia are the beaches. So what do the Karimunjawa island beaches have to offer?
Off the grid in Karimunjawa, Indonesia
Although it's a small place you can get temporarily lost in Karimunjawa Town. Most facilities are spread around & not always easy to locate
Minibus to Jepara & pre-ferry sleepover
Hotel Elim is inexpensive, clean and comfortable. However, there are other reasonably-priced hotels much closer to Jepara port.
A Karimunjawa Travel Budget
Did our Karimunjawa travel budget cover our costs? and was it all that we were expecting? How much do you really need to budget for when travelling through Indonesia.
Karimunjawa -Taste the tropics in winter
€1200 all-inclusive for 3-weeks to a tropical island? This Indonesia travel budget even included 2 days in Rome & Qatar Airways flights
Karimunjawa Eating Out 🍤
Low tables are arranged nearby on sheets of tarpaulin. Just assume the lotus position and enjoy your Karimunjawa culinary extravaganza.
Budget Asian Airlines
Although not scoring high in airline ratings, our Lion Air inflight experience was a positive one. Comfortable & on time, with ample legroom
Breve Azurine Karimunjawa
Gateway to some pleasant jungle trekking …but despite the nice bungalows & location, 2 nights were enough at the over-staffed and over-priced Breve Azurine.
Jakarta train from Semarang 🚂
Purchasing tickets in advance for the Jakarta train from Semarang saves time when travelling & guarantees you'll get a seat when you need it.
Wise 💳 The Card Made For Travel
Spend in 40+ currencies at the exchange rate you'll usually see on Google and no hidden fees
SandSpice Zipper Pouch
Your rugged little personal valet: carry your makeup, pencils, phone, cards, anything.
Available in three sizes: check the size chart to find the right one for you
Jepara 🤕 Down & out in Indonesia
Lying dazed in a gutter in the backstreets of Jepara, with blood oozing from slices in my arm, marked the low-point of my trip to Indonesia.
Central Java & Karimunjawa, Indonesia
Just a short plane hop from Jakarta, central Java & Karimunjawa are well worth adding to your Indonesian travel itinerary. Just give yourself enough time to allow for the boat schedules.
Karimunjawa Fast Boat
Apart from flying, the Karimunjawa fast boat is the quickest transport from the Indonesian mainland to the island... but they don't run every day.
Karimunjawa Boat Transfer
There's a variety of Karimunjawa island boat transfer options, but if you're on a tight schedule & need to catch a plane - plan carefully!
Karimunjawa Snorkeling
The highlight of any trip to these Indonesian islands has to be the snorkeling excursions: Turquoise waters, white sand and coral reefs...
Central Java & Karimunjawa, Indonesia
Under €1200 all-inclusive for a 3-week trip to a secluded tropical island?
Our Central Java & Karimunjawa travel plan also included a couple of days in Rome and flights with top-rated Qatar Airways.
However, things didn’t all go quite to plan… Be sure to first check out our Plan, Maps and Budget for this trip through Java.
Vietnam, Thailand, and Laos are countries characterized by a mix of historical, cultural, economic, and political ties. These countries share borders and – despite their distinct identities – also share cultural aspects of religion, cuisine, and traditions. Buddhism notably plays a significant role in the culture of all three nations.
If you’re visiting South-East Asia, it’s well worth your time to research and include one or more of these destinations in your overall travel plan.
Exploring Songkhla Thailand
Best known for the Golden Mermaid - However with its endless beaches, colorful old town & chequered history, exploring Songkhla Thailand can be much more rewarding.
Vang Vieng Uncorked 🥂
1-Night Whistle-Stop in Laos' Adventure Capital: A mere twenty-four hours to see if the reality lived up to the hype. Or, more accurately, to see if we could survive it without a medical emergency.
Phuket Thailand
Many foreigners - especially Russians - treat Phuket Thailand as a 2nd home, making a periodic visa-run to Malaysia to extend their stay.
Luang Prabang 🌊 🏞️ 💦 Laos
If you're into temples, monks, and the kind of peace that makes you want to scream, this might just be your personal nirvana. For the rest of us, there's always the Beerlau ... 🍺
Markets of Hanoi, Vietnam 🏮
Discover the Charm of the Streets and Markets of Hanoi, Vietnam: A Guide to the Best Shopping and Food Spots.
Hạ Long Bay, Vietnam
Explore the enchanting beauty of Hạ Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Vietnam known for its stunning natural landscapes, karst formations, and emerald waters.
Visa Runner Malaysia-Thailand
If you're planning an extended stay in Malaysia you have to renew the visa you're given on arrival. This is referred to as making a ‘visa run’.
7-Day Laos Itinerary 🌏 ✈️ 🗺️
Dive into the heart of Southeast Asia's best-kept secret. You'll be questioning why you didn't visit sooner 😮💨
Koh Lipe, Thailand 🌴
Nestled in the Andaman Sea, Koh Lipe is a small island paradise with beautiful beaches, world-class diving, and vibrant marine life.
🦟 Bite Away Insect Sting Relief
The Bite Away Insect Sting & Itch Relief pen uses targeted heat to provide fast & effective relief from the aftermath of insect bites.
Flight Compensation ✈️
We've experienced our fair share of flight delays, cancellations, overbooking and lost luggage. It's all incredibly frustrating & stressful.
Vientiane, Laos
Embrace the city's rich heritage as you wander through ancient temples, savor local delicacies at bustling markets, and soak in the serene atmosphere along the Mekong River.
Vietnam & Thailand Travel Itineraries
Looking for more Travel Plans? Take a look at these other extended, low-cost itineraries: