A Tour of Sri Lanka: A Land Soaked in History, Religion and Culture

Sri Lanka is not one of the more obvious tourist hotspots, but it is becoming more and more popular, particularly with honeymooners!

The Background –

Sri Lanka is not one of the more obvious tourist hotspots, but it is becoming more and more popular, particularly with honeymooners! Located just southeast of India, many people choose to combine their trip with a stay at the Maldives, since its close proximity makes this a convenient option.

Sri Lanka once went by the name of Ceylon and is well-known for its tea. There was a fairly recent civil war that lasted 30 years, finally coming to an end in 2009, leaving it a far more peaceful country.

The Itinerary –

We recommend making the most of your stay in this beautiful country by taking a tour of the island. You can book a night or two in a number of different hotels so that you can take your time to explore the best bits of each area.

Starting in Negombo on the coast, the deluxe room at the Jetwing Sea will see you relax in comfort while enjoying amazing views out over the ocean. The breakfast here is amazing and there is a pool and gym for you to enjoy if you are so inclined. This area of the country boasts the glorious architecture of St Mary’s Church, as well as the intriguing Angurukaramulla Temple. You need to take a trip to the local fish markets, and the Muthurajawela Marsh is a great place to spot some of the endemic wildlife. If you get time, you should also check out the nearby beach

Vil Uyana is another hotel in the area operated by the same franchise. Considered to be the best eco luxury hotel in Sri Lanka, it is in an excellent spot for nature lovers who will be delighted by the diversity of creatures who have made the grounds their home.

Next stop is the Earl’s Regency in the Kandy District. We suggest booking a deluxe room for at least two nights here, as there is so much to see and do. There are day trips and tours aplenty, allowing you to learn more about the area, and temples and museums scattered everywhere. The Royal Botanical Gardens is a must-visit site, as is the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

You can’t visit the home of Ceylon tea without making a trip to the Heritance Tea Factory. This is actually another hotel based in Nuwara Eliya. It is also a museum, since it is based on an old tea plantation, so you can learn all about times gone by during your stay. This is an unusual and quirky accommodation, definitely not for everyone, but somewhere you will never forget!

The Details –

Tours are common in Sri Lanka, no matter where you choose to stay, so if you don’t like our itinerary and would prefer to be located in one place, you can still see a lot of the country. It is common to be allocated a private driver.

If you see nothing else during your time in Sri Lanka, make sure you visit Yala National Park. The safari tours here are amazing and there are lots of monuments, statues and temples to discover.

Flights are fairly regular, with direct routes from Sri Lanka Airways, and indirect options with Emirates, which are best used if you intend to stop over at the Maldives for a while too.

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