Jakarta’s Old Town, known as Kota Tua, is where the city first took shape under Dutch rule. The cobbled square is lined with faded colonial buildings that now house museums, cafés, and street artists. It’s a good place to walk around, people-watch, and imagine how Batavia might have looked centuries ago. Don’t miss Fatahillah Square, the Jakarta History Museum, and the Wayang Museum while you’re there.

Jakarta Cathedral is a magnificent example of neo-Gothic architecture in the heart of Indonesia’s bustling capital. Inside, stained glass windows, tall spires, and an old pipe organ give a sense of its long history. It sits just across from the Istiqlal Mosque, and together the two landmarks reflect Jakarta’s mix of faiths and everyday coexistence.

For those interested in Texas history while in Montgomery, be sure to visit the N.H.Davis Pioneer Complex & Museum which displays artifacts and memorabilia from the era when Texas was an independent republic. The museum is housed in a historical structure originally owned by a lawyer, who built it in 1851 using logs received as payment for legal services. Visitors can explore period furnishings, a replica of the original Lone Star Flag sketch, and the Republic of Texas seal, both adopted in 1839. The complex also features informative plaques that detail the lives of Native settlements in the area.

The Gibbes Museum of Art has between 6 and 8 exhibitions every year, including the permanent Charleston Story exhibit. The museum also offers lectures, tours and classes. After its renovation, the museum reopened again in 2016, transforming into an even more vivid cultural hot spot.