Diverse shops, grand colonial buildings and volcano hikes At Bandung’s heart is tree-lined Braga Street, where elegant Dutch-era architecture mixes with chic cafes and upscale restaurants. A stroll down this historic thoroughfare takes in buildings like the stately Bank Indonesia and the Gedung Merdeka complex, now a museum documenting the country’s modern political history. Close by, the twin minarets of the Grand Mosque overlook Alun-Alun Square, a large open space popular with picnicking families and groups of friends hanging out. Offering bargains galore are Bandung’s numerous malls and shopping districts. Those in the know head to Sultan Agung Street, where “distros”, or stores specialising in local products, sell offbeat clothing and accessories. Outlet stores on Cihampelas and Riau streets are filled with designer labels and leather goods, while Pasar Baru Trade Centre offers a dazzling array of colourful silks, embroidered fabrics and batiks. Easy-going yet unconventional, Bandung’s thriving creative side can be seen in the contemporary art galleries dotted around town. Live music bars play everything from jazz to acoustic rock, drawing a chilled-out young crowd. You’ll also find a diverse variety of cuisines to sample, from classic European and Sundanese fare to sate jando – satay with its own local blend of spices – grilled on the spot by roadside vendors. Yet it’s easy to leave the city behind for a hike in craggy Tangkuban Perahu volcano park or to take in otherworldly Kawah Putih crater lake. You might even fancy a day trip to nearby Lembang, where tea farms, fruit orchards and markets wait to be explored. Our hotels in Bandung Discover also Jakarta With its futuristic horizon and determination to succeed on the world stage, ever-growing Jakarta is a Goliath of a metropolis. But look beyond its noisy exterior and you’ll soon recognise a city of enormous charm and vitality. Medan Sumatra’s main economic hub, Medan is an effervescent city with a raw edge best experienced in its lively markets and Dutch-era buildings. Volcanic highlands fringe its suburbs, providing ample opportunity to connect with Surabaya City Ever-growing Surabaya City is a player in Indonesia’s economic race, but flies under the tourist radar. Give the city a second chance and you’ll be rewarded with a beguiling mixture of ancient tradition with cosmopolitan Yogyakarta While many see “Jogja” as a base for visiting the Borobudur and Prambanan temple ruins, this lively city at the foot of Gunung Merapi volcano offers much more. It is the commercial, intellectual and cultural heart of central Looking for inspiration?