Sri Lanka: Immersive Tour
Discover the very best of Sri Lanka, one of the most beautiful travel destinations on earth where you are guaranteed a w[..]
Longer Adventures
Discover the very best of Sri Lanka, one of the most beautiful travel destinations on earth where you are guaranteed a w[..]
Longer Adventures
See the very best of Sri Lanka on this incredible immersive trip that combines the cultural triangle, hill country, tea [..]
Longer Adventures
This adventure is perfect for couples or families with older children who want to explore Sri Lanka in a truly authentic[..]
Mini-Breaks
Sri Lanka's Tea Country is up there with some of the fascinating sights the country has to offer. It's lush, green plant[..]
Mini-Breaks
Sri Lanka’s hill country is truly beautiful. It has a variety of different ecosystems co-existing. From tea plantation[..]
Stunning food, postcard-perfect, golden sand beaches, lush jungles and misty hills crisscrossed with colonial-era train tracks, charming towns and beautiful little villages where time seems to stand still, expect all this and some of the warmest, most welcoming hospitality you’ll receive anywhere in the world on a Sri Lanka holiday with Not In The Guidebooks.
Galle is the heart and capital of the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. It is located 199 km from Colombo and it is the fourth biggest city in the country. But it retains the charm of a slow paced life which you see inside Galle Fort, inland villages and on the beach. Beautiful palm-fringed beaches, lush jungle, paddy fields, tea estates and of course, a seventeenth century Dutch fortress, are just some of the many fabulous jewels in Galle’s crown.
This south coast resort is one of the island’s most popular tourist destinations and its mighty fort, replete with hefty bastions, thick grass-topped ramparts and a collection of striking colonial buildings in all their crumbling, ochre-walled beauty has become one of Sri Lanka’s most photographed attractions. A gentle walk around this colonial landmark is the best way to admire her architectural marvels – buildings in various states of repair dating back to the Portuguese, the Dutch and the British eras. A prominent café culture in the fort means that there are many places to stop for refreshments whilst the jewellery, handlooms and homewares of the fort’s many boutiques make perfect souvenirs for taking home.
Galle’s golden beaches unfold to the north and south of town, with generous sprays of sand filling bays and coves under the shade of exotic leaning coconut palms. Unawatuna Bay, a curve of sand lined with low-key beach restaurants and bars, offers safe swimming year round as does Dalawella Beach, which is more intimate, but similarly well-facilitated. Head further south and you’ll come across near-deserted strips of sand backed by private villas and homes, small beach clubs and boutique hotels where you can lay out your towel and dip your toes in the sea. Watersports in the Galle area include snorkelling, diving, deep-sea fishing, kayaking and surfing.
Inland the scene is luminous green. Lush expanses of carefully tended paddy fields stretch between palm-dominated jungle beneath which sit village homes and Buddhist temples fringed by bright white parapet walls. Guided bicycle rides are the best way to explore the narrow back lanes and bunds of this serene inland wildlife-filled hinterland, and kayaks can also be taken out to explore the narrow canals and waterways of this verdant scene. Further inland, there are rainforests to discover, temples to visit and tea estates to encounter.
• The dry periods in Sri Lanka are split by area with December to March being the best period for the west and south coast and the Hill Country
• The southwest monsoon affects the south and west coasts as well as the hill country between April and September
• Temperatures are relatively consistent year round (26-32°C) all around the island, especially around the coast
• Traditionally Sri Lanka sees most visitors from December to March but there is never a bad time to visit. February is my favourite month and January is a great time to be in Galle for the Literary Festival
Sri Lanka is an island paradise, with lush landscapes, amazing weather and stunning beaches. Chances are, if you’re visiting Sri Lanka, you plan on spending a little time exploring the world famous beaches. With golden sand, clear water and sparkling oceans – Sri Lanka’s beaches will demand your attention. We… Read More »
If you’re looking to do lots of hiking in Sri Lanka during your time there, it’s a great idea to speak to local about which hikes they enjoy the most and which they consider to be the best hikes and walks in Sri Lanka. Whilst many tourist guidebooks will point… Read More »
Sri Lanka might not seem like the top destination on a foodie bucket list, but the country has so much glorious food to offer its visitors. Street food and food markets are a way of life in Sri Lanka, so you can expect to find plenty of affordable and delicious… Read More »