Sri Lanka Holidays

Possibly the greatest monastic city of the ancient world, Anuradhapura was at its height, home to thousands of monks at numerous monasteries scattered across the city. These days, the many visitors (locals and tourists) tend to seek out the Dagobas (large dome constructions built to house ancient relics of Buddha) that are synonymous with the city, as well as ancient cave temples and the sacred Bodhi Tree believed to have grown from a branch of the Bodhi Tree where Buddha found enlightenment.

Indian elephants are synonymous with Sri Lanka and it if you would like to experience their sheer numbers in their natural habitat, a late afternoon safari in Minneriya National Park is a great way to see these magnificent creatures without compromising their majesty or safety. Often taken out in small groups in traditional 4x4 safari vehicles, you will go out and search for the enormous herds in addition to many other species including monkeys, deer and possibly even leopard.

For a really authentic dining experience, try Jaga Food in Polonnawura. Located in a tranquil setting by the river, and accessed via a dirt track (ideally by a tuk-tuk!), this small family run-restaurant specialises in fabulous Sri Lankan curries and serves up a delicious range of vegetarian, meat and fish curries of varying strength, amazing rotties and mouthwatering desserts.

The downtown region of Colombo 1, specifically the Fort Area, is rich with magnificent architectural structures hailing from Sri Lanka's Dutch and British periods. In the past (the British pronounced Colombo as Ceylon's capital in 1815), this district functioned as a literal fort, flanked by the sea on two sides and a moat on the remaining sides.

Nowadays, the Fort Area in Colombo is abundant with beautifully preserved colonial-era architectural gems, harmoniously blended with modern buildings. The Old Dutch Hospital is an exceptional illustration of this synthesis (refer to no. 6 in this guide), and it's definitely worth your time. Additionally, the President's House and a variety of ministry and governmental edifices can be found in this district.

Gangaramaya (Vihara), a Buddhist temple, is said to contain the sacred hair relics of Buddha. The temple is adorned with an astounding number of Buddha representations. Carved in stone, cast in white plastic, or gleaming in gold, the sheer quantity of Buddhas here is staggering.