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: 16-May-08 12:007 PM
Temperature:	25°C/35°C	UK: 16-May-08 6:007 AM

bentota holidays

our hotels in bentota

Bentota offers everything that you could want from a beach holiday. This southwestern coastal city is famous for its golden palm fringed beaches and known for its tourist friendly infrastructure, making it one of Sri Lanka’s most established beach resorts. This city offers 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. Bentota’s beautiful sunshine and friendly hospitality make it even more attractive.

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, this bustling city is the largest city and commercial centre of Sri Lanka. Colombo has a pleasant mix of old and new, with architecture of colonial past 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, with streets famous for glass, mirrors and electrical goods, while others are dedicated to semi-precious gems, jewellery, watches and handicraft. 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.

kalutara holidays

our hotels in kalutara

Located just 42 km from Colombo, the bustling village of Kalutura is well known for its fantastic beaches and great handicrafts. Kalutura was briefly the capital in the 11th century and became a famous spice centre between the 16th and 18th centuries. This historic area is also home to the only hollow Buddhist Temple in the world, Gangatilaka Vihara. Built in 1960’s it features an interesting painted interior illustrating 74 murals depicting Buddha’s story. For something completely unique to this area visitors must try Mongosteens. This shiny dark purple fruit contains segments dripping with reddish-brown juice and is a real local specialty. There is much to see and do in the area, visit the exhibition in the town’s Basket Hall, shop for local handicrafts including the famous basket ware and reed mats or simply enjoy the fine beaches.

koggala holidays

our hotels in koggala

Located in 2 hours south of Colombo, Koggala is famous as the home of the great Sri Lanka novelist Martin Wikramasinghe. Over a mile of pristine golden sand stretches along the beach with the warm waters of the Indian Ocean lapping at its fringes. The handful of small luxury hotels and serene beach are considered the best in Sri Lanka. The lush green backdrop of Koggala provides a fresh relief from the tropical temperatures. Explorers can wander through the tropical plants and enjoy the gentle shade under leafy palms. Koggala is well worth a visit especially for a glimpse of the unique stilt fishing which is a common sight in these areas.

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

Located 216 km and 5 hours from Colombo, Polonnurawa was the medieval capital and became the royal residence in the mid 4th century. Places of interest include the extraordinary 5940 acre Parakarma Samudra known as the Sea of Parakrama, which is a unique man made irrigational complex built by the King Parakramabahu. The reign of Parakramabahu was said to be the golden age of Polonnurawa, when trade and agriculture flourished under the King who believed that not a single drop of water that fell from the heavens should be wasted. The tank is said to be so vast that it is often mistaken for the ocean. Today the ancient city stands as one of the best planned archaeological relics, which is a testament to the great King’s rule. The interesting ancient city of Polonnurawa has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

wadduwa holidays

our hotels in wadduwa

Situated 35 km south of Colombo on the western coast, Wadduwa is a very popular tourist attraction which will enchant anyone with its charm. It owes its name from ‘veda doova’ Sinhalese for the land of native doctors. The town is also famous for its rich cultivation of coconut palms and a major producer of toddy and vinegar. A railway line runs close to the beach, which is fringed by swaying palms and shelves gently to the sea. At times currents here can be strong and the sea rough. The resort style hotels are located by the beach and away from the local village so both daytime and evening activities are organised by the hotels.

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.