The second major city in Sri Lanka (the other being Colombo) lies at the centre of the Kandy Plateau, an area of beautiful tropical tea plantations. A magnificent must-see feature of the area is Kandy Lake, to the north of which lies the golden-roofed Temple of The Tooth (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and important place for Buddhist worship, as it is said to house a tooth relic of Buddha). Other fascinating places to visit include the Ceylon Tea Museum, the Buddhist Publication Society, the Ayurvedic centre in the Amaya Hills nearby, the Kandyan Art Association and Cultural Centre, where craftspeople can be seen at work, and the Kandy Muslim Hotel, which offers the finest spiced curries served with naan or Rotis.
Nuwara Eliya is a beautiful mountain station town in the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Sometimes referred to as ‘Little England’, the city is well-kept and features British-style red-brick walls, mock-Tudor half-timbering, and a very English country club. The surrounding areas offer breathtaking views of valleys, meadows, mountains, and greenery, and most importantly a wonderful break from the heat and humidity of the coast. Tea Estates, waterfalls, and mountains complete the picture. Visitors can take guided tours of the tea plantations, meander through the roses, take the picturesque path to the ‘Lovers’ Leap’ waterfall, and walk through orchids and giant cypresses at the Hakgala Gardens. Other highlights include the Seetha Amman and Nuwara Eliya Buddhist Temples, and the Galway's Land National Park.
Watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean at exquisite Bentota Beach. This stretch of tropical coastline on the west coast of Sri Lanka offers pristine beaches fringed by a string of resorts, well hidden in the tropical foliage bordering the beach. Water sport activities are on offer for adrenalin seekers, otherwise head to the Bentota River to explore the mangrove waterways, where you'll find a plethora of colourful birds and a variety of small reptiles. If you’re looking for the ‘Riviera’ of Sri Lanka, this is it.
Colombo, a commercial and tourist hub on the west coast of Sri Lanka. The vibrant canal city boasts golden beaches and a photogenic promenade, gorgeous temples, and chic restaurants among impressive skyscrapers. Must-see attractions include the grand and atmospheric Asokaramaya Buddhist Temple, and Hindu Sri Ponnambalam Vanesar Kovil, known for its exquisite interiors. A historic Dutch quarter beckons to be explored - the Dutch Hospital and Dutch Period museum are quite fascinating, and the artisan colonnaded craft stores lend a special air to the area. Nature lovers will enjoy walking through the beautiful Talangama Wetland which fringes the city or taking a short break from the city bustle in the Viharamahadevi Park, known for its delightful flowering trees and local snake charmers.
