Luscious Sri Lanka holiday destination
Sri Lanka is a country around the size of Ireland. It has more than 400 species of birds and every shade of green possible thanks to the beautiful countryside. In the Central Province of Sri Lanka you will be able to visit the tea country, in the central highlands. Around Nuwara Eliya it is all about the hill clubs and golf courses, so if this is your thing, you will be in your element.
Attractions include the picturesque hill town of Kandy which is the home of the tooth relic sacred to Buddhists and named Temple of the Tooth. It is one of the most important sights in the Buddhist world and is steeped in enchantment as you spy the golden outer casket holding the tooth.
The Culture Triangle
In striking distance is the stunning rock fortress of Sigiriya, which took only seven years to build, was occupied for 18, then forgotten for more than 1,300 years. Halfway up the rock, you can take a detour to the Cave of the Heavenly Maidens via a shaky spiral staircase which at the end has a sheer drop of several hundred feet directly below. If you prefer to be more down to earth there is also a bustling grid of shops and hotels nearby where you can keep your feet firmly on the ground.
The fortress and the tooth relic is part of the area known as the Cultural Triangle which also includes the temple complexes of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa was Sri Lanka's capital from the tenth to thirteenth century. You can wander around the ruins of palaces, temples and enormous motifs of Buddha cut into the rock. There are cave temples at Dambulla and a clutch of national parks with elephants, leopards, deer, monkeys and birds everywhere.
The delicious jackfruit is very popular here. Wash it down with the milk from coconuts drunk straight from the shell and then sample their famous toddy drink made from coconut palms. The alcoholic version is called arrack and is the perfect appetiser to have before curries, seafood and lots of fresh fruit.
With all this culture, don't miss out on the clothes! In Sri Lanka they can be bought for a fraction of the UK price. Tea, spices, silk and lace fabrics, gems, ceramics, silver jewellery, traditional masks all make great souvenirs.
Book your holiday to Central Province with lastminute.com
In this land of forests, temples, monkeys and elephants, it is a tropical paradise. Whether you want to immerse yourself in all this culture or relax in one of the many spas, Sri Lanka will give you an inner serenity and the chance to truly relax, Get away for a relaxing holiday with lastminute.com.