Tropical city and centre of Javanese art, Yogyakarta offers both scenic splendour, historic charm and ancient temples like Prambanan and Borobudur Bhuddist temple. If shopping strikes your fancy, try picking up some locally produced goods at the Jalan Malioboro and Pasar markets, where you can find great deals on clothes, rattan products, handbags and silver jewellery. Sampling some traditional food, in the form of "gudeg" is a must-do when in the city. Gudeg is a traditional dish from the region, made from young jackfruit or "nangka" combined with milk, coconut, spices and palm sugar. A day trip to hike Mount Merapi is a great way to enjoy both nature and history in the area. Short or long hikes are possible.
The Water Castle (Taman Sari)offers a maze of old village houses, defensive walls, secret chambers, gardens, pools and underground water holes. At Kratan Yogyakarta you will find a palace that was once home to sultans. Here you can enjoy the original architecture and enjoy a guided tour complete with myths and legends and humour about ancient times and members of the elite.