Are you looking for a new place to visit that is not only beautiful, but interesting as well? You’ve come to the right place. Sri Lanka is all that and more. Whether you’re looking for beautiful landscapes, great surfing or delicious tea Sri Lanka is a diamond in the rough. If you’ve never been to the area, or know someone who has, here’s a visitor’s guide to make your stay more enjoyable.
What to Expect
Sri Lanka is a small island that offers some of the most beautiful landscape in the Indian Ocean. With a bounty of botanical gardens, pristine beaches and wildlife this is an island that will please almost anyone, but is sure to be a big hit among couples. Historians will also love the fact that the culture is over 2,500 years old and is rich in Buddhist heritage. Of course, everyone will love the weather of Sri Lanka in which you can find perfect beach weather, some where on the island, all year round. More »
Written by Wayne Ernest on November 10th, 2011 | Comments Off
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Sri Lanka is , without a doubt, one of the most gorgeous destinations in the world, as you’ve learned through this site. Vacationers will not only love the scenery though, but the distinctly unique cuisine as well. Obviously, visitors should expect a lot of fish dishes on the island, but what they may not expect is some of the best tea in the world. We hope you’ll make an effort to try some local dishes while you’re in the area. Here are some things you should be watching out for.
Curry in Sri Lanka
The most popular dish you will experience when exploring Sri Lankan cuisine is curry. Curry in Sri Lanka is vegetable or fish based and very spicy. However, the island also eats plenty of rice to help cut the spice of the dish. Those visiting the area can also expect a delicious assortment of seafood including fish, crabs and lobsters. Much like Great Britain, the people of Sri Lanka like to serve their fish fried with chips, but also use it to make delicious curries, as noted above. More »
Written by Wayne Ernest on November 6th, 2011 | Comments Off
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You know all about the incredible country of Sri Lanka and it’s amazing culture. Known primarily for its rolling hills and stunning tea plantations, you’ll be surprised to find that what this country lacks in physical size it makes up for with beauty and intrigue. When visiting Sri Lanka, you’ll want to fit as much as you can into your agenda. Make sure you take the time do try at least a couple of these favorite attractions.
Gangaramaya (Vihara) Buddhist Temple
Whether you’re a practicing Buddhist or someone simply interested in the culture, the Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is one site you don’t want to miss. Since you will likely spend at least a couple of days in Colombo, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the site. As a religious site, there is no cost for admission – other than respect, of course. Make sure you take a camera so you can capture the gorgeous statues, ornate decorations, and surrounding countryside. More »
Written by georgie on October 25th, 2011 | Comments Off
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Sri Lanka is a gorgeous area full of lush countryside, romantic culture, and tons of intrigue.While the country is relatively small, it is rather large in what it has to offer visitors. Because the country is so well known for its vast array of tea leaves, no trip to Sri Lanka would be complete without participating in at least one tea tour.
While you can often find day tours in some of the major cities throughout the country, your best bet for seeing Sri Lanka and the tea country is by purchasing an all-inclusive tour package. Sticking with guides who already know the country will ensure you are safe and well-guided throughout your experience.
Empire Tea Tours
The folks at Empire Tea run an annual “Tea & Scenic Tour” of Sri Lanka. The tour takes visitors through the three major tea regions of Nuwara Eliya, Kandy & Uva, and Ratnapura. Along the way, you’ll see many of the major tea manufacturing factories while enjoying the opportunity to sample many of the area’s finest teas. You’ll even get to visit The Tea Research Institute and some of the country’s most interesting tea auctions. This tour typically lasts 15 days and includes a number of other cultural sites aside from tea-related attractions as well. More »
Written by georgie on October 21st, 2011 | Comments Off
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Upon arrival through Kahanda Kanda’s unassuming gates, you have to admit that you have indeed entered a very beautiful place. The tea bushes are everywhere and the buildings are all done tastefully, seamlessly blending into it’s natural surroundings. The bright orange wall and tower were a great touch, giving a sophisticated yet ethnic feel to what would otherwise be like so many other places in the Galle area.
Kahanda Kanda rather beautifully translates into yellow moon mountain, and is a chic boutique hotel in a working tea plantation. Once the home of Englishman and interior designer George Cooper, this hilltop retreat has been receiving quite a lot of praise as being one of the top small hotels in the area.
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Written by Antonella on May 5th, 2011 | Comments Off
Filed under Boutique Hotels, Colombo, Galle Fort, Luxury Travel, Restaurants, Sri Lanka, Tea
The Fortress Hotel is perhaps the grandest hotel in Sri Lanka of all. Owned by reputedly the richest family in Sri Lanka, it is part of the Per Aquum group of resorts, who also have a large presence in the Maldives and the Seychelles. The Fortress only opened its doors in 2007 and has certainly started with a bang, often being fully booked (especially for weddings and large functions) despite the negative news coming out of the Sri Lankan tourism industry.
The hotel is in a glorious location, set right on the Indian Ocean seaside and close to Koggala Lake, about a 20 minute drive from Galle. What sets apart the hotel from many of its competitors is not just its location, though, but its magnificent architecture and ambience, both outside and inside. We don’t often like to quote off a hotel’s own website, but in this case they have it spot on: More »
Written by Antonella on May 4th, 2011 | Comments Off
Filed under Ayurveda, Beach Holidays, Hotels, Luxury, Luxury Travel, Sri Lanka, Tea, Tips
Crispy on the edges, smooth in the center with a variety of lovely (and spicy) fillings to choose from, Hoppers are, hands down, my favourite Sri Lankan dish. These delightful pancake-style dishes are only found in Sri Lanka, and although there are different varieties you can have for breakfast, lunch, or even dinner, many locals have them for breakfast on a weekend, when they can take out their hopper pans and make them at home.
Hoppers (also called Appa) are another food native to Sri Lanka, served mainly for breakfast or lunch and often accompanied by Lunu miris, a fiery hot mix of red onions and spices. Hoppers are made from a fermented batter of rice flour, coconut milk and a dash of palm toddy, which lends a sour flavor and fermentation ability. If toddy is not available, yeast is often used. The batter is left to rise, then cooked in a hemispherical wok-like pan. There are many types of hoppers including egg hoppers, milk hoppers, and sweeter varieties like vanduappa and paniappa.
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Written by Antonella on January 21st, 2011 | Comments Off
Filed under Colombo, Cuisine, Galle Fort, Hotels, Restaurants, Sri Lanka
