Take a break from work and visit Sunny Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka was once called the pearl of the Indian Ocean and is surrounded by warm waters and white sandy beaches. It is located just south of the southern tip of India.
Almost all Sri Lankans speak excellent English, as Sri Lanka was once under the British Empire. Everyone is relaxed and fast with a smile. There are many races in Sri Lanka and the main religion is Buddhism.
Although Sri Lanka is a very traditional country, it is still quite liberal and tolerates topless bathing and skimpy clothing. There are no restrictions on freely available beef, pork and chicken. Fresh seafood is the norm, as being an island means there are plenty of prawns, crabs, mussels, lobsters and of course fish. Liquor is also freely available, except on Poya Days, which is one day every month.
Food and lodging are cheap by most standards. A good meal will only cost you a few US dollars and you can get 3 or 4 star bed and breakfast for as little as $20 a night. The cars are left hand drive and you can rent a car for as little as $300 per month.
To the south – The beaches of Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Bentota are great for surfing, sunbathing and diving. The corals are not as fantastic as Trincomalee, but they are still full of life. You can also see turtles feeding on the algae on the reefs. There are many five-star hotels along this coast that offer good hospitality and good food. You can also do some whale and dolphin watching off the coast if you are lucky.
Trincomalee – Pigeon Island off Trincomalee in the North West is the best place for snorkeling with beautiful, colorful corals and a wide variety of exotic fish. The sand is pure white and the beaches are secluded, offering good sunbathing spots. You can go topless if you want, as the beaches are very private. There are many 3 and 4 star hotels offering accommodation here. The Nilaweli Beach Resort is the best, and is a stone’s throw from the coral.
The Cultural Triangle – In the heart of Sri Lanka there are many famous ruins. Sigiriya is famous for its fortress on a gigantic rock. There are the world famous frescoes painted on the sheer face of this incredible rock. With a palace above. The rock temple at Dambulla and the ancient palace and temple ruins at Anuradhapura and Pollonnaruwa are beautiful and inspiring. There are many guest houses and hotels scattered throughout this area, with Habarana Lodge and Habarana Village being the most popular. The fantastic Kandalama Hotel, perched on the rock, is an amazing piece of eco-friendly architecture offering 5-star service and set in a beautiful secluded spot right next to the lake.
Wildlife and Bird Watching -If you love wildlife, you can visit Yala National Park, which borders the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Here you can see wild elephants and wild boars and many birds like ospreys. If you’re lucky you might spot a leopard or two. You can visit the Sinha Raja Forest. This densely populated tropical forest is full of flora and fauna. In addition to these, there are many wetlands and nature reserves spread across the country that are excellent for bird watching.
Kandy – This was the hill capital at the time of the Sri Lankan kings and is famous for its beauty and majesty. This is in the heart of Sri Lanka, and the entire city is covered by a mountain range. The Dalada Maligawa – Temple of the Sacred Tooth – houses a relic of the remains of Lord Buddha, and its golden arbor is very famous. The main city is a bustling hive of activity. There are many accommodations spread throughout the heart of Kandy.
nuwara eliya – This beautiful city is located on the highest plateau of Sri Lanka. It is normally very cool due to the altitude. The town is a fantastic place to visit with beautiful gardens and spectacular colonial houses. The Tea Factory Hotel is located on the outskirts of the city. This hotel is a converted tea factory and is a fabulous 5 star experience.