Trincomalee is the main attraction of Sri Lanka’s north-east coastline and has beaches which rival those of the Maldives, as well as a natural deep-water harbour which was a prized naval base for all of the European colonial powers and brought in traders from China and Arabia, Ptolemy and Marco Polo for many years before this. The area is famous for its wide golden beaches, the coral reefs around Pigeon Island, which are a wonderful snorkelling spot, and the blue whales and dolphins that swim through these waters, as well as the majestic Koneswaram Kovil, named the ‘Temple of a Thousand Columns’ by the Portuguese – who unfortunately destroyed it during their period of rule.

 There is a small selection of hotels in Trincomalee and our stand-out favourite is Jungle Beach, truly a property with a difference.