Gunung Padang: (JP/Arya Dipa)

Traveling by train is not only faster than by road but it also offers lush, beautiful scenery to accompany your journey. For those wanting to make the most of the upcoming long-Easter weekend, starting April 18, a trip to one of these five charming destinations, which are within three hours of Jakarta or Bogor, may be a good choice.

Check kereta-api.co.id, the official PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) website, for reservation and schedule details.

Bogor

Upon arriving at Bogor Station in West Java, public minivans or taxis await to take you around the charming city, which is a foodie'€™s dream.

One of the most renowned '€” and nearest '€” tourist destinations to the station is Kebun Raya Bogor (Bogor Botanical Garden). The 87-hectare garden is the perfect place for a picnic under the shade of one of its thousands of giant trees and plants. It also has a reflexology path, which is perfect for walking off that meal.

Another nature friendly destination is Kuntum Nursery, which is only a few kilometers from the station.

The nursery has a furniture gallery, a fish pond, food court and a fantastic herbs garden. The nursery is home to a handful of farm animals including goats, rabbits, ducks, cows and chickens.

The commuter line to Bogor is accessible from various stations including Tangerang, Bekasi and Depok.

Bandung

The less than three-hour train trip to Bandung in West Java is a lovely experience in itself as it offers passengers plenty of a mooi indie (beautiful Indies) scenery.

KAI provides six regular trips on the executive and business class train Argo Parahyangan, with ticket prices ranging from Rp 60,000 (US$5.3) to Rp 110,000.

Most Jakartans know about the never-ending charm of Bandung, which, unfortunately, on weekends does become saturated with cars from the capital. The cooler climate is a draw for many, although the sheer array of culinary offerings the city is famed for are no numerous to mention. It is also a shopaholic'€™s heaven and offers more adventurous activities for families.

Cianjur

KAI only began operating the Pangrango train, which connects Bogor, Sukabumi to Cianjur, last year. The trip takes less than four hours from Bogor and offers miles-upon-miles of awe-inspiring views, taking in Mount Pangrango, hill, valleys and paddy fields.

One of the more exciting destinations near Cianjur Station is the Gunung Padang Megalithic site in Karyamukti village. Many believe the structure to be older than the Egyptian pyramids and cite it as evidence that an advanced civilization had existed in the country for centuries. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who visited the site early in March, lauded the site as being one of the world'€™s oldest prehistoric monuments.

Cirebon

The northern-coastal city of Cirebon has many charms: food, batik, heritage and culture, all of are a result of the interesting blend between the Javanese, Sundanese, Chinese and Islamic cultures.

KAI has five regular Cirebon Ekspress trains every day for those wanting to take the almost three-hour trip from Gambir Station in Central Jakarta to Cirebon Station in West Java.

Other than the Cirebon Ekspress, there are 17 other trains, all long-haul serving eastward destinations, which are headed for as far as Surabaya.

The city is not only a feast for the eyes, but also the stomach, with local dishes such as nasi jamblang (local rice buffet), nasi lengko (vegetarian rice) and tahu gejrot (tofu in hot and sour sauce) on top of the abundant seafood, which gave it its moniker of Prawn City. So fill up on the culinary delights before heading to the Trusmi batik center for the colorful megamendung batik.

Sukabumi

Local snacks such as the Japanese cake mochi and cilok (rice flour ball on a stick with peanut sauce) are among the popular treats you can try in this small town. For those that are green fingered or nature lovers, Selabintana, a popular resort and hotel, boasts a tea plantation and a plethora of decorative plants.

There are three scheduled trains to Sukabumi every day, which take two hours from Bogor.

However, the area offers more than just food and tea, so it is best to rent a car and visit the many options, which include waterfalls, caves as well as the Pangrango, Halimun and Gede mountains.

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