Bogor

Unfortunately for Bogor, the unceasing growth of Indonesia's capital has all but joined this onetime colonial retreat to the sprawl of Jakarta proper over the years. Motorways and high rises all began popping up here in the 20th century, threading the tendrils of the great megalopolis to the north around what was once considered a pleasant, cooler escape from city life. It was here after all, that Sir Stamford Raffles came to build his country estates in the shadow of Java's looming volcanoes. The governor general’s manicured private gardens today constitute the beautiful Kebun Raya, Bogor's Botanical Gardens, home to an iridescent blend of blooming palms and exotic flower beds. You can also get your Bogor tour guide to show you around the regal Presidential Palace (once the home of the Javanese governor), and monuments to Indo's struggle for independence. What's more, the town sits below Mount Salak, which means there are plenty of hiking opportunities nearby, leading through waterfalls and national parks.