Ever wondered what it's like to visit the Pearl of the Indian Ocean? Well, let me take you through a variety of experiences that you could try out on your next visit. From panoramic views, golden sandy beaches to a rich cultural heritage, Sri Lanka has it all. 

The Tea Experience 

Being a country known for its tea, it would be unfortunate if you missed out on trying out Ceylon's finest tea. Luxury hotels such as Ceylon Tea Trails by Resplendent Ceylon offers curated experiences such as Private Tea Tasting with Bernard Holsinger along with a guided tour of the Dunkeld Tea Factory. The resident tea planter will provide you with an extensive knowledge of how the finest Ceylon Tea is plucked and packed with care from Sri Lanka’s tea gardens to your cup. However, if you are impatient to try out this amazing brew, order onlinefrom the Dilmah tea and get it delivered right to your doorstep.

Beach Getaway

What better way to spend your stay on an island than a beach vacation! Opt for a getaway to Bentota that has a beautiful golden sandy beach and is an idyllic place to soak up the sun or swim in the waves. If you are planning on spending a day or two in this coastal town, Taru Villas - Longhouse will provide you with the best accommodation during your stay. This luxury boutique hotel is situated just a few steps away from the Bentota beach and provides unique facilities from a modern & well-equipped Health and Fitness centre to amazing dishes carefully prepared by a team of expert chefs.

Ayurveda Experience

Ayurveda was used in ancient traditional healing traditions of Sri Lanka. Resorts like Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions combines this ancient art of healing and with a sense of luxury to provide guests with the ultimate level of experience that will rejuvenate your mind, body and soul. Opt to stay in this wellness retreat for a holistic experience from indulging in traditional treatments to music therapy and more.

Fine Dining Experience

Just in case you want to take a break from local cuisine, try out a different dining experience at the most famous Italian restaurant AQUA Forte. Ideal for a romantic evening, this chic fine dining restaurant is situated along the cobblestone streets of Galle Fort and was once a Dutch colonial house that has been beautifully restored. It offers a variety of authentic Italian dishes and an array of wines brought down from Italy. Don’t forget to speak to the Head Ched, Roberto for special recommendations or to understand the art of preparation that goes behind each of your dishes. 

As this frantic year is coming to an end, everyone is looking forward to spending their favourite holiday with close friends and family. While some are unable to fly home to meet their parents, you can always spread some Christmas cheer with a gift to make them feel a little bit less lonely during this pandemic. Here are a few options:

Gift of Experience

Traveling is an experience loved by many! Despite it being the middle of the pandemic, Sri Lanka is one of the safest countries to travel in with many luxury hotels and tourist attractions taking the necessary precautions to make sure all guests are in safe hands. So why not gift a stay at a luxury hotel like Cape Weligama by Resplendent Ceylon located down south along the coastal line of Weligama, Sri Lanka. This Relais & Chateaux resort offers many curated experiences from wine-paired sunset cruises and helicopter tours to whale watching safaris and customized surfing experiences. The restaurants and bars located here capture the most iconic sunsets as does the crescent-shaped infinity pool that appears to flow seamlessly into the shimmering sea.

Gift of Tea

If your friend’s or family’s idea of relaxation is sitting back cuddled with a book and a warm cup of tea, a bundle of teas and accessories or tea presenters would be the perfect gift. Shop online for a variety of presenters and gift boxes from Dilmah Tea to send to your loved ones this Christmas. These presenters are filled with individually foiled tea bags with different flavors of tea from classics like English Breakfast to herbal infusions such as Ginger and Nutmeg. These teas can be enjoyed as a drink or a unique twist can be given to meals by cooking with tea. 

Gift of Wellness

What better way to relax and unwind than a luxurious spa experience. Gift an e-gift card through Spa Ceylon online shop to your loved ones. It is ideal to refresh and rejuvenate with an Ayurvedic massage or shop for a variety of oils and ointments to help you relax in the comfort of your home. Spa Ceylon offers a wide range of products from face care to hair care and many more. The romance of old Ceylon combined with ancient Ayurveda wisdom, captured in a range of majestic Royal spa rituals & spa formula to soothe the body, mind & soul. 

Gift of Flowers 

One of the most simple but thoughtful gifts would be surprising a loved one with a bouquet of flowers. Ideal for any occasion, flowers make the best gift to wish someone or even just to cheer them up. Get your loved one’s favourite type of flowers from Lassana.com that is professionally arranged by certified florists and will be delivered with care to ensure supreme quality and freshness. Pick and choose from a variety of colourful and fragrant flowers such as red roses, lilies, orchids etc. Add in a note to make the gift extra special!

Gift of Fine Dining

What better to spend Christmas than the family gathered around the dinner table. If your family back at home are fans of the italian cuisine, gift them a dinner at a fine dining restaurant like AQUA Forte that offers authentic italian meals and are exclusively prepared by their very own italian head chef Roberto Vicario. Make a reservation online in advance to make sure your family gets the best spot among the historic walls that are decorated with Walter Valentini’s masterpieces. This is the ideal restaurant to celebrate any special occasion by indulging in fresh bread to handmade ravioli and premium italian wines sourced from the finest vineyards.

Nature & Wildlife

Sri Lanka is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. From majestic elephants, leopards and sloth bears to the most exotic butterflies and birds, the jungle is filled with critters. That's not it - if you explore further, you will come across jungle monasteries and archaeological sites that date back to the era of the kings. All in all, Safaris in Sri Lanka should be at the top of your bucket list. For the complete experience, opt to stay at an accommodation in or around a national park like Wild Coast Tented Lodge by Resplendent Ceylon. Situated adjacent to Yala National Park along a rugged & empty beach that overlooks the Indian Ocean, this luxury tented camp provides the ultimate glamping experience. Participate on a guided bush walk or game drive with a well experienced team of rangers that will make sure you are educated on the fascinating little details of animal behaviour.

Local Cuisine

There is nothing more rewarding than stuffing yourself with a good Sri Lankan meal that is sure to fill you up. Throughout the trip you will come across many little food huts or saivar kade as Sri Lankans call it. Don't miss out to stop by one of those little huts that you would find on your way up to the hill country. These little food huts serve freshly prepared coconut rotti along with a spicy lunu miris that is considered as one of the many local favourites that you should definitely try out. As you may know, Sri Lankans love their tea! It has become a need for most locals to indulge in a cup of Ceylon tea to wash down after every meal. If you are visiting the hill country side, a hot pot of tea that is freshly sourced is a must try as you are sure to fall in love with the aroma, flavour and the calming effect it will have on you. Just in case you don’t want to miss it too much, you could order a box for yourself through Dilmah tea online shop (a local tea brand loved by many) that will deliver right to your doorstep.

Beaches

It is not a surprise that a beach vacation is the most famous on a tropical island like Sri Lanka. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, it provides the perfect sandy beaches for a relaxing holiday. Even if it's a day trip or a 3 day long trip, the beach never fails to disappoint. Opt to stay in a luxury hotel like Jetwing Lighthouse with a beachfront view so you can sunbathe all day and head in to indulge in a fine dining experience. Their themed suite inspired by three ancient travellers delivers the ultimate luxury experience for a relaxing stay. You could also drop in to their spa to revitalize your mind, body and soul with their therapeutic Ayurveda treatments.

Cultural Heritage

If you are a curious traveller who is interested in subjects like culture & history, the Cultural Triangle in Sri Lanka is just for you! Between Kandy, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa you will find archaeological sites of ancient kingdoms, sculptures, caves and even mesmerizing temples with rich history which will not fail to amuse you. Sigiriya (Lion Rock) expressed as the 8th wonder of the world is considered to be the most famous spot to visit when in the area. Don’t forget to take a bottle of water and a hat when climbing this majestic rock on any day. The view is clearly worth it!