sri lanka holidays

about sri lanka holidays

 

Sri Lanka is a land of immense natural beauty and an unhurried life-style. This colourful country welcomes visitors to experience beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, historic temples and a rich cultural tapestry. Explore the cool mountains that are home to lush tea plantations, traditional villages and former colonial strong holds. Be amazed by the cave temples at Dambulla and the imposing 5th Century rock fortress at Sigiriya. See the abundance of wildlife on a visit to a national park; you may be lucky enough to see elephants, leopards, monkeys or even a sloth bear. Explore Sri Lanka’s picturesque south coast dotted with rural fishing villages or simply relax at a luxurious beach resort overlooking the clear waters of the Indian Ocean. A holiday in Sri Lanka offers the chance to experience the sights, sounds and charms of one of the most scenic islands in the world.

important holiday info

Climate:	Tropical	Time Zone:	GMT(+6)
Language:	Singhalese	Current Times:
Currency:	Sri Lankan Rupee	sri lanka: 10-Sep-10 3:57 AM
Temperature:	25°C/35°C	UK: 9-Sep-10 9:57 PM

bentota holidays

our hotels in bentota

Bentota offers everything that you could want from a beach holiday in Sri Lanka. This south-western coastal city is famous for its golden palm fringed beaches and known for its tourist friendly attractions, making it one of Sri Lanka’s most established beach resorts. Bentotaoffers visitors a glimpse of Sri Lanka’s natural, cultural and historical riches, which they can explore at their own pace. There is much to do on the lagoon’s calm waters including swimming, windsurfing, wakeboarding, and jet skiing. You can also venture further afield and go diving or game fishing, take a boat trip up the river or visit the stunning shrines and temples in the area. A Bentota holiday is one of warm sunshine, friendly hospitality and incredible beaches.

beruwela holidays

our hotels in beruwela

Once a small fishing village, Beruwela depended on the rich Indian Ocean waters as major source of income. Now however the fabulous hotels and the golden beaches lure visitors from around the world. The reef-protected beaches are perfect for swimming while deep-sea fishing and windsurfing are also popular. Beruwela is not only an area of natural beauty but also of rich history and culture. Merchants from Arabia built Sri Lanka’s first mosques in Beruwela more than a thousand years ago. The Kechimatal Mosque sits on a headland in the town and it is here that a major festival takes place each year at the end of Ramadan. Other places of interest include Kandevihara Buddhist Temple that was built over two hundred years ago. Beruwela also provides many opportunities for the keen shopper as the main street is dedicated to busy shops and stalls that seem to cater for every need.

colombo holidays

our hotels in colombo

The capital of Sri Lanka, the bustling city of Colombo is the largest city and commercial centre of Sri Lanka. Colombo has a pleasant mix of old and new, with architecture of the colonial past standing alongside modern structures. There are several points of interest that are conveniently accessible by foot. The well-preserved old buildings include the Old Parliament and the National Museum. A must see attraction is the Fort, which was originally built by the Portuguese and later used by the Dutch to protect the city. Adjacent to the Fort is Colombo’s leading bazaar district, Pettah. Each street has developed its own specialised characteristic - some streets are famous for glass, mirrors and electrical goods, while others are dedicated to semi-precious gems, jewellery, watches and handicrafts. Visitors can be awed by the fantastic bargains offered at shops; many popular brands are manufactured and exported from Sri Lanka and can be bought at a fraction of the UK price. For those preferring air-conditioning to hot open air, there are malls, boutiques and outlets throughout the city. The city is packed with things to do; keen explorers will love the temples, churches and historical architecture and the happy-go-lucky traveller will enjoy casinos and nightclubs. For the cultured, there are theatres and museums while for the fun loving, experience a live cricket match or band. Colombo is an ideal location to start your Sri Lankan journey.

dambulla holidays

our hotels in dambulla

Home to the famous Dambulla Cave Temple, the city of Dambulla provides the inquisitive traveller with historical adventures and spectacular sights in a region UNESCO has declared 'The Cultural Triangle'. A Dambulla holiday surrounds the traveller with a unique air of mysticism and cultural riches with the Ibbankatuwa prehistoric burial site being the latest archaeological site of significant importance providing evidence of the presence of indigenous civilisations long before the arrival of Indian influence on the island.

Thought to be inhabited from as early as the 7th century BC the city of Dambulla hides one too many wonders. Among them the most famous is the Dambulla Cave Temple, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site standing as the largest and best preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka containing ancient statues and paintings depicting Lord Buddha and his life. Other main sites and attractions to explore while on a holiday to Dambulla include the Iron Wood Forest and the Rose Quartz Maountaing Range

galle holidays

our hotels in galle

Galle is without doubt Sri Lanka’s most historically interesting living city. The town is said to date back to Biblical times, where King Solomon is believed to have obtained gems and spices. The port of Galle developed after the arrival of the Portuguese and later as a fortress town by the Dutch in the 17th century. Galle developed as a port, notable for its British built lighthouse and well preserved ramparts encircling the old town’s narrow streets. It was the island’s major port until the construction of breakwaters at Colombo Harbour was completed in the 19th century; it still handles shipping and cruising yachts today.

The old town or Fort is delightfully quiet but atmospheric with a real sense of history. It stands in almost perfect repair and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The British built the Fort’s main gate in 1873, to handle the heavy flow of traffic into the old city. Most of the buildings inside the Fort date from the Dutch era and include an interesting Dutch Period Museum, in a well-restored house in Rope Walk Street. There is another museum next to the New Oriental Hotel, the hotel itself was originally built in 1684 for the Dutch Governor and officers and is well worth a visit for its colonial atmosphere. The town has a lively bazaar, fish market and fruit and vegetable market giving visitors a taste of the Galle of today.

Galle’s beaches lie to the north and east of the town, where most tourist accommodation is located. Unawatuna Bay, to the east has a lovely curving beach of sand, protected by an offshore reef.

hikkaduwa holidays

our hotels in hikkaduwa

A small town on Sri Lanka's south coast, Hikkaduwa is famous for its beaches which are ideally suited for surfing while its corals make it an ideal holiday destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. Just a few hours away from Sri Lanka's capital of Colombo, Hikkaduwa is a modern destination for sun-seekers and wave worshippers with a wide range of cafes & eateries lining the stretch of the main road with many places idyllic for sitting back, relaxing and enjoy the refreshing sea breezes.

Having long been an attractive tourist destination, Hikkaduwa's impressive range of awe-inspiring coral reefs, clear blue waters and abundance of tropical fish make it one of the best places for snorkelling and diving on Sri Lanka's southwest coast. .  Glass bottom boats also offer fantastic views of coral reefs just off shore and from here sunsets are a dazzling show of colours lighting up the sky. Also boasting some of the best surfing spots on Sri Lanka with a clear warm water base, the wave sizes here range from 4-11 feet, so surf experts and wannabe surfers can try their hand at surfing  with some amazing surfing experiences to be had. This beach resort also has a reputation for offering a vibrant nightlife and being a well-known international destination for board-surfing.

kalutara holidays

our hotels in kalutara

The bustling village of Kalutura is well known for its fantastic beaches and great handicrafts. Kalutura is located just 42 km from the capital Colombo and was briefly the capital itself in the 11th century. The area became most famous between the 16th and 18th centuries when it was the centre of the spice trade. This historic area is also home to the Gangatilaka Vihara an interesting temple painted with 74 murals that depict Buddha’s story. For something completely unique to this area, visitors must try Mongosteens, a shiny dark purple fruit which is a real local specialty. There is much to see and do on a holiday in Kalutura; visit the town’s Basket Hall exhibition centre, shop for local handicrafts, try a variety of water sports or simply enjoy the beautiful beaches, the best attraction of them all.

kandy holidays

our hotels in kandy

The "Sacred City of Kandy" is a World Heritage Site renowned for its cultural richness, scenic splendour and rich historical background as a Royal Medieval Kingdom from 1469-1815 AD. Lying at the heart of Sri Lanka, this town is one of the country's most scenic cities as well as a religious point of reference with the centre of cultural attraction being the legendary Sacred Temple of the Tooth.
 

At the centre of the town visitors will find the spectacular man-made lake amidst rings of precipitous green hills which surround this mystical city which once was the proud and last bastion of an independent Sinhalese tradition which preserved the city's freedom through centuries of assaults by the Portuguese & Dutch. Amazing places to visit here include The Temple of the Tooth, the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage and the Peradeniya Royal Botanical Gardens. For a wilder experience the awe-inspiring sight of the waterfalls at Knuckles Range are the perfect destination for travellers who want to get away from all the town's culture and civilisation wonders.
 

kitulgala holidays

our hotels in kitulgala

This western small town is a natural haven hiding many surprises in the form of amazing wild nature blooming everywhere you look. Being in a wet rainforest zone and therefore being one of the wettest places in the country, this little place comes alive in the first 3 months of the year when a large number of visitors make the excursion from Colombo at weekends to enjoy the beautiful scenery, splash in the extensive and imposing Kelani river and enjoy tasty rice and curry lunches at the local restaurants.

A paradise for bird lovers, this area is the habitat of most of the rainforest bird species found at the World Biosphere Reserve at Sinharaja, although in lower numbers. Here birdwatchers can catch a glimpse of elusive endemic species such as the Sri Lanka Spurfowl, Green-billed Coucal and the Spot-winged Thrush which is usually easier to spot. On top of it all Sri Lanka's most recently discovered bird, the Serendib Scops Owl was orginally heard called in these forests. A wild natural paradise unlike any other in Sri Lanka, Kitulgala is a place to get lost in the blooming forestry, clystar-clear rivers and buoyant greenery.

koggala holidays

our hotels in koggala

Picture a mile of pristine golden beach stretching along the coast with the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lapping at its fringes - this is Koggala. Located just 2 hours south of Colombo, Koggala features a handful of small luxury hotels and a serene beach, the perfect place for a relaxing beach holiday. It is a place to enjoy leisurely strolls along the beach, lazy days in the sun or just relaxing in the gentle shade under a leafy palm tree. Koggala is famous locally as the home of the great Sri Lankan novelist Martin Wikramasinghe and is also well known for the traditional stilt fishing which is a common sight in these areas. Koggala backs on to lakes, lagoons and lush forests which are popular for bird watching and exploring. Koggala is also close to the city of Galle which is famous for its Dutch fort and other attractions. A Koggala holiday offers idyllic beaches and the perfect mix of relaxation, exploration and adventure.

negombo holidays

our hotels in negombo

Located 37 km north of Colombo, Negombo has a stunning beachfront that will have you admiring its picturesque natural beauty. Negombo has much to offer visitors, this bustling centre features historical churches and buildings dating back to the Dutch and Portuguese colonial rule. The Dutch made the town an important centre for cinnamon, when they captured it from the Portuguese in the seventeenth century. There is an Old Dutch Fort at the mouth of the lagoon, where visitors can view the gateway inscribed with the date 1678. Evidence of the Dutch can also be seen in the 100 km of canals extending from Negombo to Colombo to the south and to Puttalam to the north. These canals are still used for tours and offer a different perspective of the country. The people of Negombo, the Karavas, are of Indian descent. Their main occupation is fishing using out-rigger canoes, known locally as Oruvas. Fish auctions take place on the beach and fish market and in July each year there is a fishermen's festival. In the evening, the road to Kotchchikade comes to life with markets, handicrafts, gem shops and restaurants.

polonnaruwa holidays

our hotels in polonnaruwa

Polonnurawa is located 216 km from Colombo in central Sri Lanka. This city was a medieval capital and became a royal residence in the mid 4th century. The main attraction in Polonnurawa is the extraordinary 5940 acre Parakarma Samudra, known as the Sea of Parakrama. This unique man made irrigational complex was built by King Parakramabahu; his reign was said to be the golden age of Polonnurawa, when trade and agriculture flourished. The King believed that not a single drop of water that fell from the heavens should be wasted and built a reservoir that was said to be so vast that it is often mistaken for the ocean. Polonnurawa stands as one of the best planned archaeological relics in Sri Lanka. Today, this ancient city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a popular stop on Sri Lankan tour holidays.

wadduwa holidays

our hotels in wadduwa

The beaches of Wadduwa are said to be the most beautiful beaches in the region. The golden sands shelve gently into the warm Indian Ocean and the beach is fringed countless palm trees that sway in the breeze. The sleepy fishing village of Wadduwa features a couple of bars and restaurants as well as stores selling Sri Lankan handicrafts and jewellery. The village has all the charm of a traditional village and a distinctly laid-back atmosphere. There are very few amenities available at the village as daytime and evening activities are organised at the beach hotels and resorts themselves. For a day away from the beach you can visit the capital Colombo which is just 35 km away or take a scenic train journey along the coast. Wadduwa is an idyllic hideaway where you can enjoy a relaxing beach holiday in Sri Lanka.

waikkal holidays

our hotels in waikkal

Located just half an hour from International Airport, Waikkal is a scenic North West coastal town 7km from Negombo. The beaches are untouched and not so over run with tourists so great for romantic strolls as it’s quite remote. This is an excellent location to explore the exotic flora and fauna of the area, in a scenic and idyllic setting. Visitors can experience the unique Mangrove Ecosystem, the rare and protected "Nypa fruiticans", the only palm that grows naturally along the riverbanks. There are also over 90 species of bird life, typical of the wetlands and 50 resorded species of butterflies. It is a natural paradise of waterways, rivers and pristine forests.

 A long narrow sandy beach borders the coastal road where the resort hotels are located. Watersports are available in the summer months. The town of Waikkal is dominated by its two large catholic churches and several more exclusive private villas, that contrasts with the less opulent accommodation of the locals. The nearby village of Kochikade is worth a visit to soak up the atmosphere of its local Sunday market as is Negombo, just 8 kilometres south of Waikkal.