SRI LANKA

  • COLOMBO: Have a snack in the park at Galle Face Beach and watch people shooting their glowing toys into the night sky.
  • PINNAWALA: Watching tamed elephants bathing in the Maha Oya river.
  • HABARANA: The resort of Cinnamon Lodge is a good point to make tours to Polunnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla and Kaudulla National Park. It is very nice as it lies in a forest park – watch out for huge leguans relaxing by the water. You can book it here.
  • POLONNARUWA: Visit the former capital and take a look at the large granite Buddha statues. Beware of little monkeys that like to snatch food from people.
  • SIGIRIYA: Climb up the 1200 steps of the Lion Rock to enjoy the view over the jungle.
  • KAUDULLA National Park: Exploring wild elephants, buffalos and birds on a bumpy safari – very impressive.
  • DAMBULLA: Admire the caves with their beautiful ceiling paintings and hundreds of Buddha statues inside.
  • KANDY: Try some Kottu Roti on the busy streets and take a walk in the botanical gardens (at some areas you will notice hundreds of bats hanging in the trees above you). You can stay at Cinnamon Citadel, a hotel at the Mahawela river in a quiet area. You can book it here.
  • NUWARA ELIYA: Enjoy the picturesque tea plantations while driving up to Nuwara Eliyah (1990 meters above sea) and visit a tea factory (with teas like the BOP = Broken Orange Pekoe). A colonial hotel experience: Jetwing St. Andrews – the GEM Suite is very charming. You can book it here.
  • GALLE: Relax at the Indian ocean and take a walk through the colonial fortress of Galle. The hotel Jetwing Lighthouse was designed by Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa and lies right at the beach. You can book it here.
  • UNAWATUNA: Spend some time at Dalawella and Kogalla Beach. Tourist House is a cute little guesthouse run by friendly Rishyana. You can order dinner from her and she will surprise you with delicious dishes.