Top Things to Do in Surakarta, Indonesia

Getting to Surakarta
From Yogyakarta, it takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to drive to Surakarta. Travel time can vary depending on traffic. Weekdays during peak hours can be congested, and weekends may take longer as locals move between Yogyakarta and Surakarta. Driving can feel like a race, with cars moving quickly through traffic, so it’s best to sit back and stay relaxed (YOGYAKARTA THINGS TO DO). 

Riding a Bajaj
Once in Surakarta, unless traveling in a hired car or van, one must-try experience is riding a bajaj. A bajaj is a three-wheeled motorized vehicle commonly used as a taxi in Indonesia. It usually carries 2–3 passengers, is smaller and cheaper than a car, and is ideal for short rides and getting through narrow or busy streets. Bajaj drivers are skilled at manoeuvring through traffic and can reach sightseeing spots within time.

Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Top Things to Do

Culture, history, heritage, and spirituality are what Yogyakarta’s top sites are about, making it a meaningful travel experience in Indonesia. Some attractions are close together, forming clusters that can be visited on foot. Others require traveling outside the city, and traffic can slow down the journey, so it’s best to plan which sites to visit first (WHAT TO DO IN YOGYAKARTA). 

The top attractions are busy all year, with Indonesians from other parts of the country and people from around the world coming no matter the season. Even when things do not go as planned, Yogyakarta has a lively atmosphere and interactions with locals, who are often friendly and welcoming, make the trip worthwhile.

Things to Do in Jogyakarta, Indonesia

The world’s largest archipelago, made up of more than seventeen thousand islands, Indonesia, with around 280 million people, is the fourth most populated country in the world. It is a country in Southeast Asia, stretching across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and shares land borders with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste.

Among the islands, Java is the most populated, and in the heart of Java lies Yogyakarta, often called Jogja. The common spoken language in Yogyakarta is Bahasa Indonesia, as in other parts of the country, which is not difficult to understand for Malaysians heading to Yogyakarta. In fact, language is never a barrier in communication, considering the thousands of people who are curious and keen on the best things to do in Yogyakarta (THINGS TO DO IN PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA). 

Kari Kambing Malaysia (Malaysian Mutton Curry)

Mutton curry is considered one of the top dishes worldwide. This versatile mutton dish can be prepared in different styles, depending on where it’s made, meaning which country. In Malaysia, for example, you’ll find Malay Style Mutton Curry, Chinese Style Mutton Curry, and Indian Style Mutton Curry. Indian curries are especially known for their spices and aromatic herbs like curry leaves and coriander leaves.

A standout version is Kari Kambing Malaysia, or Malaysian Mutton Curry. What makes the dish stand out is the addition of potatoes, something rarely seen in India or even other parts of the world. While the core ingredients are similar, this Malaysian-style curry also includes yogurt and dried fenugreek leaves for extra deliciousness and fragrance.

Things to Do in Pretoria, South Africa

What to Eat in South Africa

Go local when you go international, when it comes to food. Leave behind your own food culture and familiar flavors, and embark on a splendid and adventurous South African food journey. The choices are endless when it comes to South African food. Delicious local food in South Africa. But wait, there are also South African fusion food and even Western-style meals, all made with, most probably, local South African ingredients (THINGS TO DO IN PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA). 

Sometimes it’s a thing to figure out which is which, because when it comes to food, the instinct is to eat first and only later figure out the names of the dishes. Even so, it is exactly what true foodies do - try, taste, and carry those unforgettable South African food memories back home.

Best Things to Do in Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg, also called Joburg, is the largest city in South Africa and an important economic center. Its history is closely connected to gold, following the 1886 gold rush, which earned it the nickname “City of Gold.” The city is also linked to the apartheid era, and its streets and landmarks reflect South Africa’s journey toward democracy and social change.

Most travellers get to Johannesburg from Cape Town by a two-hour direct flight from Cape Town International Airport (CPT) to O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB). Driving is also possible, taking around 14-6 hours, with potential stops along the way (TOP ATTRACTIONS IN CAPE TOWN).

Cape Town, South Africa: Best Things to Do

Cape Town is simply irresistible. Leaving the city can feel almost impossible, as even a full week may not be enough to experience all that it offers. Days can be spent by the water, wandering along beaches, or pausing atop its mountains, surrounded by a landscape that feels both vast and mesmerising. The air, the views, and the calm of Cape Town’s natural surroundings allow for simply being (THINGS TO DO IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA). 

Flora and Fauna in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is part of the Cape Floristic Region, one of the richest areas in the world for plant diversity. The region is home to thousands of species found nowhere else on Earth, including proteas, ericas, and other unique fynbos plants. This diverse flora supports a variety of wildlife, from dassies (rock hyrax) and small mammals to numerous bird species.

Things To Do in Cape Town, South Africa

While there are plenty of things to do within Cape Town itself, some must-see sites are about an hour’s drive from the city, with others slightly further along.

The drive from hilltop hotels or resorts winds along slopes with nature on both sides, offering views of deep blue oceans, rugged cliffs, hidden bays, sandy beaches, rolling hills, mountains, and valleys. Waves crash along the shore, and birds fly overhead, adding to the scene. The unspoiled natural beauty of Cape Town unfolds gradually along the route, leaving a lasting impression (TOP ATTRACTIONS IN CAPE TOWN). 

 

This connection to nature continues at the sightseeing spots, where the surroundings remain equally scenic and unspoiled.

Top Attractions in Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa, at the southern tip of Africa, is known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, and long coastlines. Covering about 1.22 million square kilometers (471,000 square miles), it is the largest country in Southern Africa and home to eleven official languages. 

Travelling from Southeast Asian countries can take around 15 to 20 hours, with additional time when transiting through Dubai, Doha, Johannesburg, or Singapore Changi Airport. Touring South Africa can be expensive, but the experience is worth it.

 

Among South Africa’s top destinations, Cape Town stands out. From well-known landmarks to natural scenery, Cape Town offers a range of attractions and sightseeing opportunities. The city’s top sites (TAJ MAHAL, AGRA, INDIA) and must-visit places provide lasting experiences. Whether through sightseeing tours, exploring cultural landmarks, or discovering natural wonders, the top attractions in Cape Town are worth seeing.

Taj Mahal, Agra - India

The monument of love, known throughout the world for its stunning marble architecture, is the Taj Mahal in Agra, India (THINGS TO DO IN JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN).  It attracts thousands of people every day. Locals from across India make up a major part of the crowd, along with travelers from around the world. The Taj Mahal is a must-visit site and has stood for more than 370 years.

Situated in Uttar Pradesh, the Taj Mahal sits on the southern bank of the Yamuna River. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for its cultural and architectural brilliance. The monument also remains one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, a title awarded in 2007 through a global poll.

Things to Do in Jaipur - Rajasthan, India

The color pink and the city of love - these are what make Jaipur unique and outstanding among Indian cities, let alone in Rajasthan as its capital. Located in northern India, Jaipur sits on the eastern edge of the Thar Desert. It is about 260 kilometers (160 miles) southwest of Delhi (VARANASI, INDIA THINGS TO DO).

Its strategic position on historic trade routes connected northern India with western regions, helping fuel its growth as a commercial and cultural hub under the Rajput rulers. 

Jaipur, famously known as the Pink City, earned its name for its pink-hued buildings and royal heritage. In 1876, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh ordered the entire city to be painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales. This gesture of hospitality still defines the city’s old quarters today (GALLE, SRI LANKA THINGS TO DO). 

Varanasi, India: Top Things to Do

Whether it is for pilgrimage, learning about culture, or simply curiosity about history and lifestyle, North India has much to offer. The region is vast, with countless things to do in North India and must-see experiences for anyone visiting (TOP THINGS TO DO IN KERALA, INDIA). 

Varanasi can be a starting point. Historically and religiously known as Kashi (sometimes spelled Kasi), the name comes from Sanskrit, meaning “the luminous one” or “city of light.” It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and holds immense spiritual significance, especially in Hinduism, as a center for pilgrimage and rituals along the Ganges River.

Top Things to Do in Kochi (Cochin), Kerala, India

Located on the Malabar Coast of Kerala, India, Kochi (Cochin) has been a major hub of commerce and cultural exchange for over a millennium. Its natural harbor and strategic location on the Arabian Sea made Kochi one of the most sought-after ports in the Indian Ocean, attracting merchants from Arabia, China, and later European powers (TOP THINGS TO DO IN TRIVANDRUM, KERALA). 

Kochi became the first European colonial stronghold in India when the Portuguese arrived in the early 16th century, followed by the Dutch and the British, each leaving enduring architectural and cultural influences (THINGS TO DO IN COLOMBO, SRI LANKA). 

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – Best Things To Do

Previously known as Trivandrum, a name still referred as, Thiruvananthapuram is located at the southern tip of India, along the southwestern coast facing the Arabian Sea, near the border with Tamil Nadu. It is Kerala’s political, cultural, and educational center, home to institutions like the University of Kerala and the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. The city is also known for arts and culture, with museums and galleries showcasing its heritage (KERALA HOUSEBOAT CRUISE). 

Thiruvananthapuram has a history that goes back over a thousand years. In the 18th century, it became the capital of the Travancore Kingdom under Maharaja Marthanda Varma, who shaped the region’s culture and administration.