Excursion Traditional city of solo tour at Semarang

Solo, Royal Palace of Mangkunegara.

Depart the pier in Semarang for the approximately 2-hour drive to the traditional city of Solo also known as Surakarta, and before continuing the journey a stop will be made at Banaran Café Colomadu for a refreshment. Afterward, re-joining your motor coach and your journey continues on to Solo Mangkunegara to visit Royal Palace of Mangkunegara.

Upon arrival, a guided walk accompanied by your Tour Guide to visit Royal Palace of Kertanegara well-known as the center of culture and art. This palace complex still functions as the residence of Sri Sunan and his royal household who still run the royal tradition until now.  This palace now become a center of culture and art in Solo city, also one of the tourist attractions in Surakarta. Some of the palace complexes are museums that store various royal collections, including the gifts of European kings, replica of the royal heirlooms and gamelan.

The Surakarta palace is one of the exotic building today. One of the palace architect is KGPH. Mangkubumi (titled Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I)  who also became the main architect of Yogyakarta Palace. Therefore, it isn't surprising that the basic patterns of the two spaces of the palace (Yogyakarta and Surakarta) have many common equations. These two palaces were not built simultaneously in 1744-1745, but were gradually constructed by the reigning Sri Sunan by maintaining the same basic pattern of spatial layout.

Danar Hadi Batik Museum and Lunch.

After touring the Royal Palace of Mangkunegara ground, proceed to the local restaurant (Soga Restaurant for lunch). Then, after lunch your delightful journey continues on to visit Danar Hadi Batik Museum, which was inaugurated by President Megawati Soekarno Putri in 2000.

The museum has many collections from different regions likes Lasem (Chinese influence), Pekalongan, Yogyakarta, Batik or even we can find batik from Netherlands and China in this museum. The history of batik in Indonesia, especially Java has ever been in bad time in the middle of the 19th century with the beginnings of the westernization of fashion. UNESCO acknowledgement of batik as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2009 batik got its glory again. Since then, batik has received great attention from the world community, and it make Javanese fan of batik became proud with what they had.

Sugar Factory Museum

As your tour draws to a close and before returning to the pier of Semarang where the ship awaits, you'll make your way to final stop at Sugar Factory Museum. Upon arrival ,join your Tour Guide as you stroll around and admire the historical evidence of Sugar Factory Museum, was previously a sugar factory. Built in 1861 by the principality ruler Mangkunegara IV, the factory was the world's second-largest sugar exporter after Cuba in its heyday. The museum is in the former factory's carbonation station. Visitors can learn about the factory's history through various info-graphics, photographs and texts. The museum also has a showroom showcasing documentation of the old sugar trade's economic.

After conclusion of your memorable visit, your motor coach then brings you back directly to the pier of Semarang, commencing approximately 2-hours drive from Sugar Factory Museum Tjolomadoe.

Points of interests

Points of interest seen on this excursion include: Solo, Danar Hadi Batik Museum, Royal Palace of Mangkunegara, Lunch, Sugar Factory Museum

Note

Please note: This tour involves an extensive amount of walking, with a few steps to negotiate to get on/off the coach and many high steps at the sites visited. The drive between the pier and Solo is approximately 2 hours in each direction. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Lightweight, comfortable clothing, sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes, sun protection and a camera are recommended. Shoes must be removed when entering the Mangkunegaran Palace. Infrastructure in Semarang is basic, and local conditions may be challenging: coaches, guides, hotels, restaurants, equipment, and services are the best-available in the area, but may not be up to the standards of those found on other excursions. Local Guides tend to have strong accent, therefore we urge flexibility as we visit unique and somewhat remote destinations. The cost of providing a tour program in Semarang is proportionately more expensive than in neighboring nations. Unfortunately this is reflected in the prices of the tours and we thank you for your understanding.