Long overlooked in favour of sprawling India and southeast Asia, Sri Lanka is a dazzling country getting the attention it deserves. Despite its small size, it has all the hallmarks of a traveller’s paradise: exquisite cuisine, world-class beaches and national parks as animal-rich as any in Africa. Word of its charm is spreading as fast as the country is evolving, so now is the perfect time to explore.
Sri Lanka is a place of rich culture and tradition, influenced by its intriguing history. Having been inhabited for more than two thousand years and settled by many different European colonies, its architecture is an eclectic mix of east and west. Stroll the streets of southern Galle and you’ll encounter grand Dutch Colonial structures nestled between Islamic mosques and Buddhist temples. Head west from the commercial capital of Colombo and you’ll be met with lush tea plantations as far as the eye can see, while a journey north from tea country will bring you to safari plains, where elephants and leopards roam freely. Click here to learn about when is the best time to visit Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka, like neighbouring India, offers a feast for all of the senses. Here are several ideas on how to travel this exotic country to suit your passions If you like colonial architecture, you’ll love Galle Galle is one of the most attractive yet underrated gems of Sri Lanka. The seaside town on the country’s west...
Read moreSri Lankan cuisine is an intoxicating marriage of spice and flavour. Sri Lanka is a culinary gem in a continent well-known for its cuisine. While it shares many similarities with neighbouring India and bears influences from right across the world due to its history of settlement, the country has a rich and diverse cu...
Read moreSri Lanka is rapidly gaining popularity, thanks to its beautiful beaches, fascinating culture, mesmerising landscapes and welcoming people. But, when is the best time to go? Sri Lanka might be small, but its weather patterns are complex. This is largely attributed to the island's two separate monsoon seasons, as w...
Read moreCelebrating independence from the UK is a major national event in Sri Lanka – here’s the political, social, and cultural lowdown on its significance Sri Lankan Independence Day (February 4) is usually marked by a grand military parade in the capital of Colombo; there are significant political speeches and ceremonies,...
Read moreOnce known as Serendib, Sri Lanka is a cultural microcosm for those seeking a balance of history, adventure, and of course, food Sri Lanka is a South Asian jewel waiting to be explored and having fully opened up to tourism in 2009 – after a decades-long civil war – there’s plenty to be discovered: unspoiled beach des...
Read moreSri Lanka has a bounty of treasures for bargain hunters, especially those looking for unique gems, textiles, and woodcraft If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind collectibles and antiques, look no further than Sri Lanka’s exquisite artisanal arts and crafts, which make up a big part of the local shopping experience. The...
Read moreTake on the lush bounty of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty, including its wealth of wildlife, waterfalls, and scenic hikes Sri Lanka – known for its ancient religious sites, world-famous Ceylon tea, and world heritage destinations – is also home to some truly magnificent nature reserves, teeming with all sorts of wildlife...
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