Sri Lanka accommodates different types of doers – the colonial mansion seeker, the whale watcher, the cricket fan, the tea picker, the jazz lover – many of whom helped us compile this travel list of much, much super stuff to do in Sri Lanka. You can raise your glass of arrack now. Don’t know what that is? Read on.
GALLE:
Home to both ancient European architecture and a brand new cricket stadium, Galle, located on the bottom tip of the Lankan island, is perfect for some R&R – and whale watching.
Stay
The Fortress
Cleverly designed to reflect the myriad architectural influences in Galle – Dutch, Portugese, Sri Lankan – in cool and contemporary ways, The Fortress is perfect for those who enjoy good design, luxurious digs and a good hammock. Not to mention a stretch of prime, pristine beach. Galle, call +9491 4389400, or visit http://www.fortressresortandspa.com/
The Sun and Dutch Houses
Converted from two gorgeous colonial houses are these sister boutique hotels, consistently ranked amongst the best properties in South Asia. Highlights include Sun House’s fleet of vintage cars that guests can use to sightsee around the city, and the Dutch House’s tree top infinity pool, reserved for those staying in one of its four rooms. Super fancy, although the distance from town (and more importantly, the beach) can be a bit of a drag. 18 Upper Dickson Road, Galle, call (+94) 91 4380275,or visit http://thedutchhouse.com/
Jetwing Lighthouse
Ocean views, eco-friendly amenities and design genius Geoffrey Bawa’s minimalist architecture: Jetwing Lighthouse is the darling of the jet set, and for good reason. If you have particularly itchy feet, try one of the “themed” suites, with decor inspired by China, Morocco and the Netherlands. Safe travels!, Dadella, Galle, call (+94) 91 2223744 or visit http://www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwinglighthouse/
Do
Whale Watching
About forty minutes from Galle is Mirissa Harbour, a tiny fishing village that features pretty beaches, natural coral reef and best of all, awesome opportunities to whale watch. If you’re interested, look up the guys at Mirissa Water Sports – they’re friendly, knowledgeable and have good equipment. Mirissa Harbour, call + 9477 3597731 or visit http://www.mirissawatersports.com/
The Galle Fort
The Portuguese might have laid down the first stones of this mighty fort, but it was the Dutch who reinforced it, with the Sri Lankan government stepping in more recently. One of the monuments to survive the devastating tsunami of 2004, the Galle Fort is a sprawling UNESCO World Heritage site that houses several private homes, churches, mosques and the pretty Oriental Hotel. Fun to walk around in, but remember to wear comfy shoes.
KANDY
Hilly, green, and smack-dab in the middle of Sri Lanka.
Stay
The Kandy House
At this small yet stately boutique hotel, parrots abound in lush gardens and wisps of Buddhist chanting float in from a nearby monastery. Raising the Buddha bar? Once an aristocratic home, the Kandy House is now an eight – room luxury hotel with charming mementos, infinity pool and mean cocktails. No TV or air conditioning in the rooms, though, and wi-fi is only available at the bar. Also, it’s a bit of a haul from the main city. The Kandy House, Amunugama Walauwa, Gunnepana, Kandy, call (+94) 81 4921394 or visit http://thekandyhouse.com/
Do
Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
This should be your good deed for 2012: adopt a baby elephant at this super cute orphanage, which houses and protects over 80 elephants. A little out of Kandy, here visitors can feed the not-so-little ones milk and bananas, help give them a river bath and also buy paper products made from elephant poo. Trunk calls encouraged! Colombo-Kandy road, Pinnawala.
Temple of the Tooth Relic
Legend has it that this temple holds the last surviving relic of Buddha, which is a canine tooth. And anyone who possesses this tooth will become king of the entire island. You know how you said you want to conquer the world in 2012? This is your chance. Sri Dalada Veediya, Kandy, call +9481 2234226, or visit http://www.sridaladamaligawa.lk/
The Royal Botanical Gardens, Peradeniya
Boasting many different kinds of orchids and a chequered past – Lord Mountbatten apparently used these as the headquarters of the South East Asia Command during World War II – these gardens are nice for a sedate stroll or a picnic. We suggest you spice things up by bringing along a hipflask. Peradeniya Road, Peradeniya, call +94 81 2388088 or visit www.botanicgardens.gov.lk
BENTOTA
This beach city on the edge of the Galle district is home to turtle hatcheries and trippy views, lighthouses and lovely sunsets.
Stay
Lunuganga
Architect Geoffrey Bawa’s strikes again - this time with his dream project that took 40 years to complete. The boutique hotel is open for reservation from December to April. Dedduwa Lake, Haburugala Bentota, call +9434 4287056 or visit http://www.lunuganga.com/
Saman Villa
Named after the jasmine flower, this stunning boutique hotel comes with secluded beaches, tailor-made menus, private barbeques and vistas of the blue ocean. Azure like it? Aturuwella, Bentota, call (+94) 34 2275435 or visit http://www.samanvilla.com/
The Villa Bentota
With 15 individually designed rooms, this one claims to be Sri Lanka’s first boutique hotel; again, one of Geoffrey Bawa’s masterpieces. Mohitti Walauwa, 138/18 - 138/22 Galle Road, Bentota, call (+94) 34 2275311 or visit http://www.paradiseroadhotels.com/villabentota/
Do
Malubanna Activities Centre
This is where culture curious tourists should go to explore the city –experiences rang from guided village bicycle tours and romantic candle lit dinners at the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery to sunset drinks at the Beruwela Lighthouse. They arrange for transport and accommodation as well. A day well spent. 15 Riverside Avenue, Althugama, Bentota, call +94 077 7117400.
Sea Turtle Farm & Hatchery
Located on the road between Bentota and Galle, this non-profit organisation does great conservation work, and if you're lucky you get to release the baby turtles back into the ocean at sunset. A different kind of sea shell. Silver Green, Habaraduwa, admission fee: 150 LKR, call +94 77 7836115 or visit http://www.seaturtlefarm.org/
TEA ESTATES: NUWARA ELIYA
Located almost 2,000 meters above sea level, here are rolling tea gardens and walls of fog. Check into the Heritance Tea Factory, a former tea factory with gorgeous rooms so large, you feel like you're in the mist at all times. They also have a spa and a restaurant housed in a railway carriage, which is atmospheric, but serves very average food. Eat instead at Milano, a restaurant frequented by locals that serves Sri Lankan food on the ground floor and Chinese cuisine on the first.
Work off your meal with a long hike through the mountains – it’s amongst the only activities offered in the area, and highly recommended if you’re outdoorsy. Lazy vacationers like us can hang around town, which is extremely well maintained and quaint with old cottages, eating strawberries with cream and boating on the placid lake. Lovely!
Heritance Tea Factory, Kandapola, Nuwara Eliya, call (+94) 052 5555000 or visit http://www.heritancehotels.com/teafactory/; Milano, 24 New Bazaar street, Nuwara Eliya.
Read about what do do/eat/stay in Colombo here.
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