Begin with a one-night stay in an authentic Sri Lankan setting beside a coconut palm plantation. Your accommodation is a four-bedroom house with a wooden wrap-around veranda where some of the most mouth-watering local cuisine is served. In the evening, take a tour of the plantation at sunset via traditional bullock cart ride.

Head east to experience Sri Lanka’s last royal capital, Kandy. This thriving city has many restful pockets where you can relax and reconnect such as the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Uda Watte Kele Sanctuary. In the heart of the city itself you have a wealth of cultural sites to explore including the sacred Temple of the Tooth. You can also tantalize your tastebuds one a guided street food tour if you think you can handle the heat!

Travel from the Gateway to the Hill Country into the region proper for a two-night stay at the most coveted accommodation in Sri Lanka. Ceylon Tea Trails is a collection of tea planter’s bungalows that were built during the British colonial period and still retain their authentic air. Stroll or cycle through the tea fields, and visit a nearby factory to learn all about the tea industry from plucking to packaging. At the hotel, you can relax by the pool or with a round of croquet on the lawn, and cozy up with a book by the fire in the evenings.

Drive or fly from Castlereagh Lake to Koggala. Your final three days in Sri Lanka are devoted to embracing the soothing south-west coast that is known for its idyllic beaches, varied water-sports, and the UNESCO site Galle Fort. You can choose to stay on the sand, just inland, or within the walls of the 17th-century fort itself.

It’s time to fly to the Maldives! Speak to our trip designs for help with booking flights and advice on the best resorts for your requirements.