Colombo

At once multicultural, cosmopolitan, dynamic, sprawling, sometimes charming and often anarchic, Colombo also has tumbledown cafés with great local food, Buddhist shrines, multi-coloured  Hindu temples, colonial churches, crowded bazaars, shady boulevards and modern chic in the form of stylish eateries and galleries.  The city is booming: Fort is having its colonial architecture restored, while Pettah is all markets and unbridled commerce.

Anuradhapura

One thousand years of history are on display at Anuradhapura, one of the great cities of history, known as far afield as ancient Greece and Rome. Huge dagobas (stupas), tall brick towers and crumbling monasteries and temples dot the landscape. Some of the latter remain in use as holy places where ceremonies give Anuradhapura a certain vibrancy.

Dambulla Cave

At the Royal Rock Temple of Dambulla five magical caves are packed with Buddha statues and decorated with some of the finest murals Sri Lanka has to offer.  Climb up and enjoy some superb views over the surrounding lands.

Sigiriya

Perhaps Sri Lanka's most famous site, the 200-metre high cliffs at Singiriya lead to a flat-topped summit, on which sit the ruins of an ancient capital.  Visit it early morning to witness spectacular views of mist rising up from the surrounding forests.

Polonnaruwa

800 Years ago, Polonnaruwa was a thriving commercial and religious centre, one of the great urban centres of South Asia. Within a century though it had been abandoned to the jungle, where it lay virtually unknown, for seven centuries. The extensive and well-preserved remains give a great insight into the city that once was.

Kandy

Set amidst steep green hills and centered on a beautiful lake, Kandy's unique music, dance and architecture make it the undisputed cultural capital. Discover colourful houses, spontaneous street markets and the famous Temple of the Tooth, the country’s most important religious shrine.

Adam's Peak

Adam's Peak is revered as either the place where Adam first set foot on earth or where the Buddha left a Sacred Footprint as he headed towards paradise. Whichever it is, the peak has attracted pilgrims for more than 1000 years during the pilgrimage season (December through May).  Climb at night aided by the lights of thousands of lights, and see the sun rise over the hills below.

The Hill Country

Sri Lanka's Hill Country offers a cool, green contrast to the beaches and coastal lowlands. Hills covered in tea plantations and forests, rise up to rugged peaks where waterfalls tumble into the mist below. Up here you can hike and raft, enjoy stunning views, attend a cultural ceremony and snuggle up by a log fire at night.  Nurawa Eliya is known as Little England, while the train ride to Ella and the views from World's End are stunning.

Yala National Park

Dry woodland and patches of grasslands, overlooked by viewpoints on rocky outcrops, and a stunning array of plants, birds and wildlife, make Yala National Park Sri Lanka's most rewarding wildlife reserve. It is one of the best places in the world to spot leopard.

Galle

The one place on the south coast you should not miss is Galle - an old trading post full of colonial buildings, mansions, mosques and churches.  At the heart of the city of Galle lies the Fort, the old Dutch quarter.  Surrounded on three sides by the ocean it is a working community and home to plenty of offices, schools, boutiques and cafes. Amble around the streets lined with Dutch-period homes, many of which still have their original street-facing verandas and red-tiled roofs, and be transported back in time.

Beaches

Miles of sandy beaches make for a great relaxed end to your visit.  Tangalle has pretty coves and great temples in its hinterland, while Mirissa is the best place to see whales.  Kalutara is conveniently close to Colombo and, like Bentota, has upmarket hotels.