Must Visit Places in Sri Lanka – An Island of Many Marvels

Galle is the iconic heritage city; the biggest attraction there is the Old Dutch Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and ancient marvel. In Galle, you can tour the vintage buildings, explore the coast, watch a fresh catch being brought in and enjoy some very rewarding diving. Close by is Koggala, home to an ancient museum venerating a marvellous old author and the Koggala Lake where endless experiences promise to thrill and awe in exotic style. A must stop shop in Galle is the Shoba Display Gallery where you can watch the intricate art of beeralu lace making. Local women are taught the craft of dying and weaving and encouraged to produce goods for sale at a price fair to them.

The salubrious climes of Nuwara Eliya are your best bet to beat the heat, in fact, you will have to ditch the shorts and take along the woollies; this is the marvel that Sri Lanka is. One minute you could be in the sweltering heat and the next driving into the chilly tea bush encrusted mountains of the central province - holidays in Sri Lanka are all this and more. Nuwara Eliya or 'Little England' as the place is better described is home to colonial type bungalows complete with cheerful fireplaces and one spot you must visit is the Grand Indian. Famous for its excellent North Indian cuisine the restaurant is usually crowded and requires a pre-booking.

The second kingdom to be established in Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa has much to offer the culture buff. Ancient temples and palaces are in plenty, of which the Gal Vihara is predominant. There you will be able to marvel at a collection of ancient Buddha carvings that are considered the finest rock carvings in the country. Polonnaruwa is a part of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle and a must tour district for its wide cultural artefacts and historical sites, reputed tour operators like Aitken Spence Travels offer comprehensive tours of this region and more.

Jaffna is a cultural melting pot; located closest to India the town is predominantly populated by the Tamils of Sri Lanka. The place exudes a rustic beauty in appearance with savannah-like environs, stark blue skies and landscapes punctuated with swaying Palmyra trees. Jaffna is where you go for south Indian curries, spicy crab dishes and visits to ancient kovils and churches. Mangos, is one of the towns favoured restaurants, the open plan kitchen and outdoor dining is enhanced with the wide menu serving a variety of South Indian cuisine. Choose from amongst 20 varieties of dosai and join the locals as you tuck into some exotic dishes in true Jaffna style.