Looking for a new adventure in a destination full of culture and history? Here’s why choosing Solo (also known as Surakarta) on the island of Java is a great idea!
Visit Ancient Palaces
A former residence for royalty, Kasunanan Palace dates back to the 18th century and is worth a visit from your hotel in Solo; it has been transformed into a museum that offers fascinating insights into the city’s rich heritage. Also of note is the historic Mangkunegaran Palace which has a museum section with exhibits from a royal collection.
Explore Local Markets
Translating to “Big Market”, Pasar Gede is a traditional market featuring a huge array of fruits and snacks that can be visited early morning. A popular antique market, Pasar Triwindu which is around 15 minutes from Alila Solo is great to explore too and has everything from leather puppets to Javanese daggers.
Discover Batik
Solo is famous for its batik and you can not only learn more about this traditional dyeing technique but purchase batik clothing too. For buying batik, the Klewer Market is a good place to head to, while a visit to Laweyan Batik Village gives you a chance to see the age-old traditions of making batik as well.
Savour Local Cuisine
No trip to Solo is complete without sampling its yummy local dishes. Look to try Nasi Liwet (savoury rice cooked in coconut milk and chicken broth), Timlo (chicken soup with a sweet-tasting egg) and Serabi (crispy pancake with different toppings from cheese to chocolate!).
Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+
