Abercrombie & Kent: Tailor-made Brochure

i n d i a n s u b c o n t i n e n t
Sri Lanka
THE TEARDROP ISLAND, SRI LANKA BRIMS WITH LUSH LANDSCAPES, ANCIENT TREASURES AND
COLONIAL HISTORY – RINGED BY THE BEACHES OF THE INDIAN OCEAN. COMBINE YOUR TRIP
WITH SOME TIME IN THE NEIGHBOURING MALDIVES. HERE HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH.
Northeast coast
Sigiriya
Trincomalee
Cultural Triangle
Kandy
Colombo
Nuwara Eliya
Hill Country
Yala National Park
Galle
See Do Stay
Colombo’s compelling contrasts
Vibrant Colombo is the commercial capital
and a popular stop on the tourist trail.
Delve into its mix of modern life, colonial
architecture, monuments and ruins. Visit its
majestic fort, the National Museum or the
Gangaramaya Temple - a mix of Sri Lankan,
Thai, Indian and Chinese architecture.
Breathe in Buddha-filled temples
The Cultural Triangle is a true jewel in Asia’s
cultural crown. Spectacular temples, historic
ancient cities and striking Hindu statues
make Sigiriya, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa
and Dambulla such atmospheric and magical
places to visit. Experience the sense of
spirituality that continues to permeate
the sacred sites of the Cultural Triangle.
Sri Lanka’s Dutch twist
Galle is the capital of southern Sri Lanka,
with its historical European influences still
visible today. Don’t miss the historic fort
area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – both
a historical monument to a bygone age and
a living and working administrative centre.
Relax in boutique hotels, cafés and shops.
Climb to the top of Sigiriya Rock
Visit the 5th century A.D. rock fortress of
the ‘Lion Rock’. Those with a head for heights
can climb to the summit of this gigantic
rock to see the ruins of the Sinhalese King
Kassapa I’s palace. Sigiriya is world renowned
for its frescoes, the Lion Stairway, the mirror
wall and the lovely water gardens.
Hideaway in the Hill Country
Spending time in the Sri Lankan Hill Country
is a complete rural retreat. Forest and tea
plantations float in misty views across tiny,
picturesque villages. Visit Thotalagala, a tea
estate founded 145 years ago, occasional
residence of Sir Thomas Lipton and with
views to take your breath away.
Get hooked on stilt fishing
Stilt fishing is unique to Sri Lanka. A stilt
consisting of a single pole and crossbar is
mounted in the shallows while wooden rods
catch the fish. Watch fishermen balance on
the stilt and wait silently. Early morning and
late afternoon are the optimum spectacle
times, before the catch is sold. For the
brave, not the foolhardy.
Amangalla
Set inside the walls of Galle fort, Amangalla
is the oldest hotel in Sri Lanka. A stay here
is delightful – learn about the country’s past
while being spoilt in luxurious surroundings.
Galle Face Hotel
An early grand railway hotel, Galle Face sets
the standard for stays in Sri Lanka. Moments
from the rolling Indian Ocean, this elongated
gleaming white, terracotta-roofed Victorian
building was originally a Dutch villa. It
opened as a hotel in 1864 and has since hosted
a veritable Who’s Who of guests.
Ceylon Tea Trails
Conjure up the colonies at Sri Lanka’s first
Relais & Châteaux resort. Four private
bungalows – each serviced by a butler –
dot the Castlereagh Lake-side plot in the hill
country. Days are spent exploring the scenery,
playing tennis on the clay court, or learning
traditions from the resident tea planter.
Ask an A&K travel specialist about
combining a holiday in Sri Lanka with
a barefoot-luxury stay in the Maldives.
50 | TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL More than 55 years’ experience creating unique holidays