Joanna James
Everyone envisions the perfect holiday. A hassle-free, drama-less vacation to tropical Sri Lanka; bereft of sudden unpleasant surprises is not hard to achieve with some pre-empting and good planning.
Once you have settled on your travel dates to Sri Lanka, the first thing you need to do is settle your pet's accommodation, during the time you will not be home. Booking a kennel early is recommended, especially, during holiday seasons. Likewise, if you prefer a trusted house sitter, reserve these people's services well in advance.
If you have regular deliveries such as newspapers, deliveries or postal services, make sure that 'stop' notices are issued on time. If you prefer for services such as garden maintenance to continue, make advance payments for the period you will be out.
When travelling overseas, one needs to be sure of banking facilities available at your holiday destination. Sri Lanka is home to a number of state, private and international banks. ATM's are located in the main cities and offer CIRUS as well as, PLUS facilities for international withdrawals. Check on the currency conversion rate, to get a fair idea of how much cash in rupees you will have access to. Official money changers and banks offer currency conversion services.
Sri Lanka is a tropical island, home to many bio-diverse environs. You could be chilling on the sunny beaches, exploring the central hills, or snuggled up in the crispy cold environs of the central highlands. Decide on regions you wish to tour, and look up suitable accommodation. The luxurious boutique hotels in Sri Lanka for instance, promise one a marvellous escape, coupled with the best Sri Lankan hospitality and comforts. You can enjoy the south, west and east coast resorts; many chains like Uga Escapes, offer a diverse range of properties, which change from jungle beach hideaways to glamorous beach resorts.
Your flight will arrive at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake. If needed you can arrange for a hotel pick-up and transfer directly to your hotel in Sri Lanka. The first day should be an orientation effort, getting to know the area, and marking out nearby attractions. Most chain resorts offer easy transfers to their sister hotels, which is an ideal plan for exploring the country with ease. While you get organised, and your itinerary updated, consider a walk around the neighbourhood. This method is ideal to explore the area and get to know nearby attractions, restaurants and shops, as well as, to experience local culture and the locals.
Sri Lanka is bound to take you on a whirlwind journey of exotic attractions, cuisines, culture and traditions. Before you know it, your time on the sunny isle will be spent, and you will need to sadly, pack for your return journey. This is where a pre-planned pack containing, house keys, car keys, phone chips etc. become handy. It saves the trouble of unpacking at your home airport.
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