Joanna James
With stunning tropical beaches, abundant wildlife, rich cuisine and cultural heritage that spans over 1000 years, Sri Lanka has a lot to offer. Read on to find out why it should be your next travel destination.
The best thing about the island of Sri Lanka is that it has many sites and scenes all bottled up and ready to explore, in a span of a few hours. One could be riding the waves at the break of dawn on a beach on Sri Lanka's south coast, exploring lush jungles by day and taking in the scenes of some of the oldest cities in the world by evening. Plus Sri Lanka is a melting pot of different cultures and communities which means visitors will get the chance to meet different people and learn new things.
The island is a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi–religious society. which is a reflection of Sri Lanka's colonized past. The main ethnicities include Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim and Burger communities. Other smaller communities include the Malay and Chinese who chose to settle on the island when visiting as traders. Sri Lanka offers a fascinating mixture of cultures to explore, and visitors will always be guaranteed warm hospitality and welcoming smiles.
Visitors will be thrilled to know that Sri Lanka is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. Best of all, one can actually visit all eight of them within one week. These must-visit sites include the famous Dutch Galle Fort, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, the ancient and venerable cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, followed by the Dambulla Cave Complex, the lush Sinharaja Forest Reserve and the cool climes of the Central Highlands.
Holistic well-being which cater for all the senses has long since been a valued part of Sri Lankan tradition. Sri Lankan Ayurvedic treatments are world-famous, with many visitors travelling to the island to check in at health resorts for extended periods. If you are on a tight schedule, opt to sign up or visit yoga lessons, meditation classes and the many Ayurveda spas that are widely available throughout the island at many a hotel in Kalutara, Sri Lanka including the likes of Mermaid Hotel & Club.
Sri Lanka is definitely a haven for nature lovers. From elephant encounters in the lush jungles of the Minneriya National Park, a whale-watching session in Dondra Head, Sri Lanka's southernmost point to set off on an exciting expedition through the Sinharaja rainforest, the opportunities available are truly endless. Visitors will find the biodiversity of the island stunning and varied with over 13% of the island conserved as jungle corridors, reserves, national parks and sanctuaries. Generally, a safari at any one of the 14 national parks on the island, will offer adventurous souls a chance to observe some or if not most of Sri Lanka's 91 mammals.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
