Joanna James
The small island of Sri Lanka serves all brands of travellers with its astoundingly diverse landscapes and their distinctive allurements, just a hop, skip and jump away from each other. Here are just a few of the bucket-list adventures proffered by the tear-drop jewel of the Indian Ocean.
Sri Lanka is brimming with unique wonders courtesy of its rich legacy and beautifully variegated topography, and in order to best enjoy this captivating island, tour in Sri Lanka with local travel experts such as Walkers Tours. Such a company will help you tailor your vacation to perfectly suit your preference; for instance, beach buffs have plenty of options, from Bentota which is the picturesque hub for water sports, and Mirissa is the whale watching capital full of Instagram-perfect sites, while Unawatuna is great for exploring underwater coral realms.
The gentle roller-coaster that is a rustic Lankan train ride doesn't get better than the one from Kandy to Ella, steeped in the sloping verdant vistas of tea plantations and hills that rise up in graceful majesty all around you. After a few days spent lounging on the pristine beaches and surfing the glassy-turquoise waves, you will feel transported to quite another world! The colonial town of Nuwara Eliya, for instance, is crowned by hills with filigreed waterfalls glistening in the distance and even a gracious castle that fits seamlessly in with the nickname of "Little England." There is plenty to do in the Highlands, such as forest hikes that yield dazzling views and gorgeous waterfalls, such as the Diyaluma Falls, in which to bathe. Another must-visit site is the Horton Plains, a UNESCO-listed terrain uplifted by misty peaks and hosting a plethora of natural gems. Your mountain treks will be amply rewarded by delicious eateries in the picturesque towns.
Sri Lanka's divergence of terrains and stunning coastlines are home to countless exotic species of fauna, from the mighty blue whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine creatures, to the inhabitants of its dusky mangrove forests and well-preserved UNESCO-approved wildlife sanctuaries. In addition to this, you can also find animal rehabilitation centres which enable you to get up close and personal with baby turtles, gentle elephants, and even tropical snakes!
If you'd fancy a time portal into history, visit the storybook towns of Galle and Kandy. The former is a seaside fortress of quaint cobbled streets, a potpourri of colonial architecture and contemporary art, affording close proximity to the deliciously wild Southern beach havens. The latter, also known as Lanka's Hill Capital, consists of gardens where royal courts once trod, and mountain passes intermingled with tea estates, giving you an exclusive whiff of kingdoms and colonies.
This eclectic metropolitan hub is great for spending a couple of days before heading on to the iconic retreats, Colombo city is ideal for shopping, cafe-hopping, and MICE tourism. Some must-visit places include the Old Dutch Hospital now an avant-garde space for upmarket boutiques, Spa Ceylon and Barefoot for authentic Sri Lankan gifts, and the Good Market for locally-sourced organic produce.
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