Delightful Beaches
Sri Lanka is surrounded by miles and miles of soft golden sand and warm blue ocean. Many of Sri Lanka’s famous beach resorts dot the palm fringed beach. For those who are keen in water sports and marine life a number of beach resorts offer facilities. Crystal clear water and beautiful sunsets make an idyllic setting for lovers of the sun and sea. Near the southern tip of the island, the Dutch colonial inheritance is best preserved in the coastal fort of Galle, while there are mask makers carrying on an ancient tradition at Ambalangoda.
Scenic Hill Country
The highlands are the source of surprising and delightful mountain rifts and streams cascading into waterfalls. Visiting the tea plantations and spice gardens is part of the Sri Lankan experience. The south-western foot-hills around Ratnapura yield many precious gems; visitors can see gems being recovered here, from pits and river beds. The Sinharaja forest nearby is abundant with a wide variety of flora and fauna.
Great Ancient Cities
Sri Lanka’s civilization boasts of its historic past leaving behind awe inspiring ancient cities, many of which are conveniently located in the cultural Triangle. By venturing into the central highlands, you can visit the sacred Tooth Relic Temple of Kandy and possibly experience the glittering spectacle of dancers, drummers, chieftains and costumed elephants of the annual Esala Perahera.To the north are the other two points of the cultural triangle, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. Anuradhapura is a stately metropolis of striking monuments, parks and irrigation tanks.
Adventure Holidays
There are plenty of exciting things to do for the young at heart: jungle safaris, bird watching, bicycle tours, rock climbing, hiking, canoeing and white-water rafting . Golf is popular in Sri Lanka with three championship courses in Colombo, Kandy and in the cooler mountain air of Nuwara Eliya. There is an annual tournament held every October at one of these courses, and whether you’d like to attend as a spectator or simply play a casual round yourself, we will be happy to make the arrangements.
Exciting Wild Life
Two national parks – one lush and green, the other thorny scrub jungles are teeming with rich and varied wild life. They are ideal sites for spotting leopards, elephants, wild buffaloes, flamingos, deer, wild boar, etc. Over 400 bird species including peacocks, kingfishers, pheasant and painted storks make Sri Lanka a bird watcher’s paradise.
Rich Cultural Heritage
Lavishly costumed dancers dazzle the eye, leaping and swirling to exciting rhythms; colourful folk rituals;spectacular religious pageants; beautiful temple paintings and sculptures pay homage to many mythical figures. They all portray a cultural heritage that dates back over 2,000 years.
Cuisine
Sri Lankan cuisine takes advantage of all the regional resources. Fresh seafood is plentiful and locally grown spices are added to most dishes. The British discovered that the hill country has an ideal climate for leeks, carrots and cabbage, all of which are spiced up Sri Lankan style. Aside from the curries, devilled dishes are popular either for snacks or a main meal. The local beers are out of the ordinary but arrack, the native hooch, delicious when mixed with passion fruit juice and a dash of lime, is even better. Finally, some of the world’s finest tea is always available. For a truly memorable dining experience, a meal at the Hill Club in Nuwara Eliya is a must, a jacket and tie, is still required and the waiters wear whites gloves. The Sea Spray restaurant at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo is more informal, serving fresh fish in a wonderful setting on the terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean.