 A journey along Sri Lanka’s southern coastal belt, also known as the “Serendip Riviera”. Experience Sri Lanka’s vibrant southern heritage, rural fishing villages, sun-kissed beaches staying in magnificent boutique hotels and villas.
NOTE: This trip is done perfectly in combination with short stays at the Maldives or Dubai
Day 1: Colombo Airport - Colombo
We will meet you at the airport and take you to Colombo which lies to the south approximately 1 hour away, where you can relax and unwind after the flight at the fabulous Park Street Hotel
Colombo
A stop in Colombo will not disappoint. A glimpse beneath the chaotic façade of this metropolis on the banks of the Indian Ocean will reveal a treasure of delights and surprises to the inquisitive visitor. We always encourage our guest to experience Colombo for at least a day or two. Colombo is not a city where crowds of tourist are shoved from one monument to the next. It is not a city of shopping malls or gigantic plasma screens pumping out advertisements night and day. It is a city with charming little hideaways waiting to be discovered. We have carefully hand picked the best shops and galleries, and the best restaurants. Sri Lanka In Style offers a personalized shopping tour of Colombo for those interested.
Days 2, 3: Colombo - Galle
After breakfast, perhaps a plateful of steaming string hoppers with potato and coconut milk curry, we travel along the south coast towards Galle.
Galle
Old Galle is a UNESCO world heritage site; a unique example of a preserved 17th C colonial Fortress. The Galle Fort itself is still a living monument with a bustling community within the great ramparts, massive bastions, pepper pot towers, while narrow streets display its Dutch heritage with beckoning pillared verandas and fretwork facades. Walking around is best so you can peep through frangipani filled courtyards at houses, galleries or shops selling antiques, spices, pictures, nouveau-boule and hand-woven sarongs. Boutique hotels incongruously cheek by jowl with postage-stamp size cafes, so you are never far from a perfect sun-downer. Pondicherri meets Cadaques!
Days 4, 5: Galle - Tangalle
A two hour trip towards the east along the ‘Riviera’ will take you to Tangalle, described by many as home to Sri Lanka’s best beaches.
Days 6, 7: Tangalle - Bentota
The trip from Tangalle to Bentota takes approximately 3.5 hours. On route you might want to stop at Ambalangoda to see some of the wonderful antiques and traditional arts and crafts shops.
Bentota
Bentota used to be a place to rest on the way to Galapatha Temple which legend claims is linked by a maze of subterranean tunnels with all other temples in the area. Today Bentota is big on sea sports and activities; so you may well need a holiday after you get back!
On Bentota lagoons calm waters you can enjoy everything from jet skiing and windsurfing to wakeboarding and canoeing. Boat trips up the river and deep sea fishing trips depend on weather conditions. Many independent diving schools operate along the beach front during diving season, between December and March/April.
But if thats too much like work, take a brief respite to see the results of a labour of love at the very private Brief, a Jardin tranquille near Kalawila. Sculpted over forty years, it was anything but a brief diversion for Capability Bawa- brother of the renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa who designed some of the most enchanting buildings in Asia, including Lunuganga with an equally magical garden. Brief has a Japanese garden, a Folly, several walled gardens and hidden surprises as well as a private museum of Art inside the house and out.
Day 8: Colombo – Colombo Airport
Depart in good time for your flight back home. The journey to the airport will take approximately 1 hours although it can take 1.5 hours during peak traffic hours.
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