Known as The Lion Rock was a citadel of unusual beauty rising 200 meters from the scrub jungle.

The rock was the innermost stronghold of the 70 hectare fortified town. The base of the rock is ringed by a moat, rampart, and extensive gardens including the renowned water gardens.

The world-renowned frescoes of the heavenly maidens of Sigiriya which are in a sheltered pocket of the rock approached by a spiral stairway are one of the main attractions. The frescoes are painted in earth pigments on plaster.

The Galle Dutch Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Initially built by the Portuguese in the 16th century during their conquests, the fort was later fortified and conquered by the Dutch in the 17th century, until it later fell to the might of the British.

The old town of Galle was once used as a trading port for spices and other goods for over 200 years. However, today, the fort has been transformed into a place of history, romance and beauty where travellers are warmly welcomed to dive head first into the exotic stories and be a part of this heritage site.

Fifty Lighthouse Street is set within the fort and offers the perfect base for you to explore the charms of Galle. Preserved in its original glory, stroll along the ramparts and admire the imposing structures like the Galle Lighthouse, Galle Clocktower and the Groote Kerk.

Kandy, the Hill Capital and last stronghold of the Sinhala Kings retains an aura of grandeur, which time has not affected.

Encircled by hills, with a tranquil lake in its center, it is the site of the renowned "Temple of the Tooth" and the Royal Botanical gardens home to one of the best collections of Orchids.

Kandy and its satellite villages are the centre of the islands handicraft industry and its traditional dances are the most spectacular in the country.

Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka.

It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of the Buddha. Since ancient times, the relic has played an important role in local politics because it is believed that whoever holds the relic holds the governance of the country.

Kandy was the last capital of the Sri Lankan kings and is a World Heritage Site mainly due to the temple.

Dambulla Rock Temple was built by king Walagambahu in the 1st century B.C.

Dambulla is a world heritage site and is the most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples. The complex of five caves with over 2000 sq. meters of painted walls and ceilings is the largest area of paintings found in the world.

The caves contain over 150 images of the Buddha of which the largest is the colossal figure of the Buddha carved out of rock and spanning 14 meters.

Known as "Little England" Nuwara Eliya features mock-Tudor architecture, hills blanketed by dense green tea plantations, and Horton Plains National Park. The area is less than three hours north of Kandy and many people prefer to arrive via train.

Visit a tea factory, where you can experience the pure taste Sri Lanka.

You will discover the "country of tea", where the rolling tea plantations shape the undulating landscape.

Experts will atest that the flavor and quality of tea depend on the altitude where the plant is grown. The harvest is always done by women. The pickers, dressed in brightly colored "Longhis", go from shrub to shrub, plucking the young leaves with nimble fingers, quickly throwing them into the hood attached to their shoulders.

Take a walk through the bushes, hike up to a look out point like Lipton's Seat and secure a unique a flavoursome gift to bring back from your travels.

Winding through misty forests, verdant tea plantations; over gushing waterfalls and streams, and past colourful towns and excitable locals, this is, one of the most picturesque ways to see the country.

The most scenic part of the journey is from Nanu Oya to Ella, through the dense forest of the Horton Plains national park, so we recommend getting the window seat or standing in between the doorways, and enjoying the views as they pass by.

Due to its current popularity, you need to book your travel in advance. The train may also be quite crowded, especially during peak season, so be warned tht it will be busy!

Tucked away in the misty Sri Lankan high country, amongst idyllic green hills and gushing waterfalls lies Ella, a charming and laid-back village perfect for relaxing and hiking.

HIKE UP THE FAMOUS ELLA ROCK

For those who seek spectacular views everywhere they go, the summit of Ella rock, with its views over Ella, Little Adam's Peak, and Ella Gap, is one vantage point you don’t want to miss out on.

Starting at the famous Ella train station, you’ll follow the Ella to Kandy train line past many beautiful waterfalls, bridges, tea plantations, and homes, before starting your ascent towards the Ella Rock summit - hopefully with a King Coconut in hand for some extra energy.

Once at the summit, we enjoyed the incredible views for at least an hour, munching away on our vegetarian roti and some well-deserved water.

ADMIRE ELLA’S FAMOUS NINE-ARCH BRIDGE

Completed in 1921, the Nine Arch Bridge is built entirely out of brick, rock and cement, with no metal used in its construction - an engineering feat back in those days. Spanning 91 meters at a height of 24 feet, the bridge is on the famous Kandy to Bandarawela (via Ella) train line, with trains passing around five times a day, depending on the ever-changing Sri Lankan train timetable.

Joining a cooking class in Ella to learn how to master a traditional rice and curry meal! Sample some local delecacies and sit down to enjoy the delicious meal that you have crafted.

Spanning 8,890 hectares of Minneriya National Park consists of mixed evergreen forest and scrub areas and is home to favorites such as sambar deer, leopards and elephants.

However the central feature of the park is the ancient Minneriya Tank (built in 3 rd century AD by King Mahasena). This tank is an incredible place to observe the elephants who come to bathe and graze, as well as the huge flocks of birds (cormorants and painted storks to name but a few) that come to fish in the shallow waters.

Without a doubt, the most popular national park in Sri Lanka – and arguably one of the best places for big mammal sightings in the whole of Asia.

Visitors flock here for one reason in particular – the chance of a close encounter with one of Sri Lanka’s elusive leopards. While they’re not easy to spot, the chance of seeing one of these elusive beauties is reasonably good, particularly if you take a safari with a reputable and experienced park operator.

Not all wildlife spotting in Sri Lanka is confined to land!

In fact, this country is home to some incredible species below the waterline - including whales and dolphins. So, one of the most unmissable activities during your trip is visiting the picturesque fishing harbour of Mirissa and embarking on a boat trip to discover some of the creatures of the deep.

The warmth of the Indian Ocean attracts an incredible array of species, and whales migrate through here most of the year. In fact, an incredibly impressive 26 species of whales have been spotted off the coast, which means you could be in for a real visual treat! And little compares to seeing these behemoths in the flesh - their size and power are truly astonishing.

As well as seeing sperm, fin and blue whales, you will also have the chance of spotting a variety of dolphins and flying fish. Spring sees a large variety of Turtles, including Giant Turtles visit this shore to lay eggs. The Turtle Conservation Project at Rekawa near Tangalla ensures the safety of eggs and hatchlings and organises environmentally responsible visits.

In addition to the lure of it's offshore visitors - Mirissa beach should feature on your itinerary for it's host of restaurants ready to bring a cold beer to your hammock or a barbecued lobster to tables set up on the golden sand.

For bohemian surf chic there is only once choice on the south coast: Hiriketiya.

“Hiri” has really taken off in recent years, with boutique hotels, craft shops, yoga workshops and cafés serving flat whites and vegan burgers springing up to keep bronzed and buffed surfers entertained when they’re on land.

The beautiful beach curves around a sheltered horseshoe bay, making Hiri a great spot for swimming too.

With its powdery sands and crystalline waters, the coastal town of Hikkaduwa is a popular tourist destination, and we are spotlighting its Turtle Beach as one of the best places to see turtles in Sri Lanka.

As bizarre as it sounds, Turtle Beach offers you the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pick up some kelp or seaweed that has washed ashore and to hold it out for a lucky turtle to snatch out of your hands.

The sea turtles in Turtle Beach come ashore on a daily basis. So, stop by anytime!

The well-established west coast resort of Bentota is one of the more popular beaches for families, thanks to the facilities available: boutique hotels, restaurants serving fresh seafood and Sri Lankan curries, and activity outfitters offering everything from boat safaris to windsurfing and jet-skiing.

The beach is pretty terrific too: a long strip of butter-coloured sand bordered by native flora.

If what you crave is some laid-back surf culture, there’s no better place to hang out for a few days than Arugam Bay on the east coast.

The breaks here are widely considered to be Sri Lanka’s best, and draw surfers from around the world from April through September.

Out of the water, chilled-out bars and restaurants, affordable accommodation and frequent beach parties make the resort a popular place with backpackers.

Sri Lanka has a beach to match your every expectation, whether you want long, deserted strips of golden sand fringed by palm trees or lively, surf-pounded strands crammed with bars and seafood stalls. These are just a few but there are many many more!