I F YOU GO

So how to experience all of this? By car is the easiest and most flexible way, but don’t even think about getting behind the wheel yourself. The vast majority of roads are two lanes (one each way), with armies of motorcycles, scooters and three-wheeled auto-rickshaws divvying up that single lane into two and sometimes three, like a school of fish swimming past cars and trucks. Get around by bus, train or hired driver and the stress avoidance will add years to your life.

Our itinerary, arranged by Bernard Tours:

After landing in the capital of Colombo, it was on to the central city of Dambulla and a three-night stay at the spectacular Amaya Lakes Resort to see the nearby ruins of ancient cities at Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa and the spectacular rock fortress/ palace of Sigiriya

A visit to Kandy to experience the human crush of the Buddha Tooth Relic temple

A stop in Nuwara Eliya and the historic Grand Hotel in the Hill Country amid tea plantations as far as the eye can see.

To the east coast and Yala National Park for safaris and wall-to-wall wildlife.

A long drive to Bentota and some beach time back on the West Coast.

Finally a night at the venerable Mount Lavinia Hotel and a day in nearby Colombo before winding up our visit.