jiejie: I was afraid an itinerary like this had too much time in the car driving. I also don't like changing hotels every night, would prefer to stay put for at least 2 nights and do day trips from one location. The distances don't look that far between cities but I know the roads are bad and erupting volcanoes are always a possibility.

What about an itinerary that has 2 nights Malang, 2 nights Solo, 2-3 nights Yogyakarta? Have you been to Malang; is it worth stopping in? I was reading an extensive trip report on Fodors by a woman who just spent a week in central Java
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...n-to-jogja.cfm

This is the first Java itinerary suggested to me by the driver/guide. I haven't been able to find much info about some of these places and why one would go there.

Trip B: Bali – Java Island
Day 6 Bali - pick up at the hotel in Bali and drive to Ketapang in Java Island.
Day 7 Kepatang – Take Jeep to Ijen for Ijen Crater Trekking (3/3 KM one way)
Day 8 Ketapang – Kalibaru – Plantation Tour
Day 9 Kalibaru – Bromo
Day 10 Bromo – Batu (Malang)
Day 11 Malang – Kediri
Day 12 Kediri – Solo
Day 13 Solo – Borobudur
Day 14 Borobudur – Yogyakarta
Day 15 Yogyakarta
Day 16 Yogyakarta – Fly to Jakarta – Connecting JL to Tokyo

He claims it's not much driving each day, but I don't know about that. I know there are trains between Surabaya, Malang, Solo, and Yogya also. I see they are quite inexpensive in executive class which is air conditioned.