Once you have landed, transfer to a peaceful property just 30 minutes from the airport. Take the rest of the day to rest and relax.

Travel north up the coastline to Sri Lanka’s largest wildlife reserve, Wilpattu National Park. During your two-night stay at an elevated campsite on the border of the park, you will have several chances to spot the country’s exotic animals. Your expert naturalist will guide you through the park and help you to find leopards, sloth bears, crocodiles, and an enormous variety of birds – to name just a few! Spend your evenings dining on delicious local fare by the bonfire under the stars.

Next, journey east into the Cultural Triangle. Here, it is easy to imagine the kings who shaped Sri Lanka’s civilization as you wander or cycle the ruins of their ancient cities. A highlight for many is the climb to the top of Sigiriya Rock where King Kasyapa built his fortress-palace in the 5th century. Other prime attractions include the ancient city of Anuradhapura and the medieval citadel Polonnaruwa. Don’t forget to visit Dambulla Cave Temple as well to see its incredible 2,000-year-old frescos and statues.

Head further south to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s last royal capital. This lively city is home to some of Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist temples, a wealth of amazing street food, and quiet peaceful escapes including a bird sanctuary and the historic Royal Botanical Gardens.

Your route now takes you to Hatton in the island’s central hills. You can fly, drive, or travel by train on the old British railway line. Sri Lanka’s Hill Country is carpeted in tea plantations, interspersed with patches of forest, rushing rivers, and gushing waterfalls. Your hotel is perched above Castlereagh Lake within a working tea plantation – you could not wish for more sensational views. Spend your time exploring the tea estate on foot, enjoying a private picnic in a picturesque setting, learning about the tea making process, and sailing along the lake at sunset.

Transfer south, again by car or plane, until you reach Galle Fort on the south-west coast. This unique destination has attracted visitors from around the world for hundreds of years, and was a key port for the Portuguese, Dutch, and British between the 16th – 19th centuries. It is now a UNESCO-protected site thanks to its wealth of colonial architecture including a 17th-century Dutch fort. Your hotel is within the walls of the fort itself, which is also home to independent shops and restaurants. Nearby are beautiful beaches offering the opportunity for water-sports and pretty inland cycle paths.

End your classic Sri Lanka vacation with two well-earned days of total beach relaxation. Bentota is your final destination, a laidback beach town just two hours from the main international airport. The beaches here are wide and sandy, perfect for romantic sunset strolls.