A lush tropical island with nothing below it but the huge expanse of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a hive of energy. Visit fifth-century fortresses, learn how tea is made and explore gorgeous beachfront villages, all while staying in some of our favorite hotels in the world. We are the experts when it comes to Sri Lanka so can say with confidence that on this 11-night trip you\u2019ll be completely charmed.<\/p>\n
Chauffeured by your own driver throughout, this adventure begins with three nights in the Cultural Triangle. Hole up at the sun-drenched Water Gardens; a peaceful retreat with easily the best views in the region. By day, visit some of Sri Lanka\u2019s oldest historic monuments (think ancient wall paintings, climbing the immensity of Sigiriya, and rebuilding history in a UNESCO world heritage site) and unwind in your private plunge pool to catch some essential vacation sun. With an ayurvedic spa perched over the tranquil waters, you\u2019ll be completely immersed in the authentic beauty of this Sri Lankan gem.<\/p>\n
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Tomorrow, take an elephant safari in Minneriya, see the ancient Buddhist caves temples of Dambulla and the ancient city of Anuradhapura before heading off to cultural Kandy for the next night. Spend the day visiting Buddha\u2019s tooth and exploring the stunning botanical gardens, where Giant Java trees have branches so wide they need stilts to stay up. Then, relax by the pool at the romantic Kandy House sipping locally grown tea: quaint, colonial comfort at its best.<\/p>\n
No trip to Sri Lanka would be complete without a visit to tea country. Journey through rolling fields of tea leaves and learn how tea is processed, before sampling the freshest cup of your life. It is here at Tea Trails where you\u2019ll rest your head: four old planter\u2019s bungalows now converted into a small boutique hotel. Enjoy evening jazz cocktail hours, discuss the next day\u2019s personalised menu with the chef, and slumber soundly in your colonial-style room. Pastoral perfection. During the day, you’ll hike Stage 7 of the Pekoe Trail Stage. Traversing Kotagala’s cultivated slopes, this narrow paths mirrors the tea terraces’ natural rhythm as each elevation shift frames Hatton’s agricultural tapestry differently, showcasing centuries of hand-grown expertise.<\/p>\n
Now for some coastline fun, head to the white beaches of Tangalle. Stroll along the shore, surf, wakeboard, deep sea fish or simply indulge in the amazing Amanwella hotel. Relax in your suite complete with uninterrupted views of the palm-studded beach. Dine at the poolside restaurant overlooking golden sand beaches, perfect for reflecting on your Sri Lankan adventure. Time it right and you’ll be one of the very few people to experience the world’s two largest mammals all within one trip. From the elephants in the north to blue whales in the south, you’ll be able to marvel at some of nature’s most graceful, yet powerful creatures.<\/p>\n
Spend your final two nights at the Amangalla in the magical fortress town of Galle, an amazing fortified town filled with red-tiled rooftops over the eclectic mix of art galleries, cafes and boutique hotels. Visit the local markets with the chef during a cookery lesson, and create the dish of your choice (gotukola sambol, anyone?), or try some of the delicious \u2018wade\u2019 (street snacks) with the hotel\u2019s signature \u2018Arrack sour\u2019 made with fermented coconut sap. Unwind in Sri Lanka\u2019s most incredible spa before watching the sunset over the fort from Amangalla\u2019s top floor lounge. Bliss. The next morning you\u2019ll head to the airport for your flight home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A lush tropical island with nothing below it but the huge expanse of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a hive of energy. Visit fifth-century fortresses, learn how tea is made and explore gorgeous beachfront villages, all while staying in some of our favorite hotels in the world. We are the experts when it comes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":200112,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1456],"tags":[],"country":["Sri Lanka"],"class_list":["post-183931","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized-us","country-sri-lanka","month-april","month-december","month-february","month-january","month-march","month-november","type-experience","feeling-contentment","feeling-revitalized","need-to-indulge","need-to-unwind","what-beach","what-culture","who-couple","who-honeymoon","who-with-friends"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n