Few, if any, small islands have as much geographical diversity and Sri Lanka’s tea-growing hills offer breathtaking landscapes. Drive into the highlands from Kandy and discover Sri Lanka at its most dramatic: a land of gurgling mountain streams and steep hillsides cloaked in luminous green tea, sweet-scented Cyprus and Eucalyptus trees. Nuwara Eliya, nestled at the foot of a mountain, was made into a summer retreat by the British in the early 1800s and much of its colonial character still remains.
The Cultural Triangle has brought Sri Lanka’s history alive in the most enthralling manner for millions of travellers. It covers the north central towns of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla where extensive archeological ruins provide a glimpse into the island’s history, dating back to the 4th century BC. It is here that Sri Lanka’s kings developed remarkably advanced civilisations.
Sri Lanka’s remote and picturesque East Coast extends from Trincomalee and Pasikudah in the North East, to Batticaloa and Ampara towards the east central region and, finally, Arugam Bay in the south east. The sun-kissed beaches and exotic marine life of Trincomalee; the island’s best surfing beaches in Arugam Bay - famously known as one of 10 best surf spots in the world
Sri Lanka's west coast covers the coastal belt just south of Colombo all the way down to Hikkaduwa. From that point on, Red Dot prefers to refer to the Galle coast, which is increasingly influenced by the famous old fortress town. The west coast is more frequented by holidaymakers due to its closer proximity to the island’s capital and the main airport, and offers tropical beaches and mangrove-lined lagoons The sandy beaches are the main attraction in the string of small towns such as Kalutara, Beruwela, Bentota, Ambalangoda, Ahungalla and Hikkaduwa.
