Trip details

Don't be put off by The Wallawwa being only a 15 minute drive from Colombo's international airport, for this serene spot really feels like a world away from planes, trains and automobiles. In fact, we really don't think there's a better spot to recharge your batteries before you start to explore, or to decompress after an adventure. The 200-year old country house hotel is set in lush tropical gardens, filled with gorgeous flowers, and with a beautiful pool to laze by, delicious food to eat, and a spa to work on tired muscles. Add a cool drink and a warm smile, and you may never leave.

Negombo feels like a town lost in time, where a stroll will take you past a patchwork of Dutch canals, pastel-coloured churches, bright little boats and ever-waving palms. If you're heading for Sri Lanka's cultural heartlands next, get in some beach time or enjoy watersports on the lagoon. And it's worth catching the atmosphere at Negombo's sunrise fish market. Head a little ways out of town to visit the impressive Angurukaramulla temple, watched over by a 6-metre-high Buddha.

Over 50 acres of well-kept gardens and water-logged rice fields hide a 150-year-old mansion at their centre and just outside, you'll find the UNESCO-honoured city of Anuradhapura - a collection of ancient ruins and palaces. Ulagalla feels like a village in itself where you can trundle between activities in a buggy and enjoy an authentic meal in the threshing ground of a rice field. The resort combines rural charm and polished facilities with finesse - the villas are rather stylish! Days at Ulagalla unfold with ease with bike rides to the village, kayaking across the lake and flying kites - one of the most Sri Lankan things you could do.

Acting as Sri Lanka's religious capital for over 1,000 years, the finely-preserved remnants of Anuradhapura paint a vivid picture of the city it once was. The city was established around a fig branch, believed to be from the very tree under which Buddha became enlightened, which you can still visit today. Spend time walking or cycling amongst the palaces, monasteries and temples, many of which are still used for Buddhist ceremonies, and marvel at the giant stupas. You can also see the remains of one of the most impressive irrigation systems in the world. For the ultimate view, take flight in a hot air balloon!

Uga Bay was one of the first resorts to be built in the Pasikudah area and it's also one of the most glamorous. Set just back from the beach and centred around a sprawling infinity pool, everything is present and correct for a lazy-days beach holiday. It's a tad on the larger side, but still manages to maintain a bijou charm, and the staff are fabulous, friendly and will remember your name (and cocktail order) from the day you arrive. Spend your days paddling in the calm waters, reclining on a sun lounger, or doing very little. Bliss.

Gentle currents and sweet solitude await in Pasikudah, its clear blue bay poised for days spent swimming, snorkelling and stand-up paddleboarding. Head a little further out for a diving experience along the reefs or boat trip to spot pods of whales and dolphins. There are little gems up and down the east coast including Batticaloa, where you can admire beautiful Tamil temples, and if you're up for a meander inland, the ancient city Polonnaruwa is definitely worth a visit.

If uninterrupted nature and boat safaris watching elephant swim between islands pique your interest, the secluded Gal Oya Lodge is calling your name. One of Sri Lanka's myriad nature reserves, Gal Oya National Park is the most secluded - just the place to avoid crowds as you roam through the quiet of the jungle with a member of the ancient Veddha tribe. Built in honey-coloured wood, the lodge blends in with its surrounds and takes care of them too with solar-heated showers and conservation projects. Tuck into breakfasts on the river bank, watching as kingfishers in their jewel-bright coats flit over the water, and trek through the trees as local guides share the area's history.

Centred around a large lake, Gal Oya is Sri Lanka's least visited national park, but that only makes it more inviting. Spend your time on the water, gliding between tiny islands filled with curious flora and fauna, and watching the constant flutter of birdlife and herds of elephant swimming from bank to bank. Gal Oya is the home of the Veddha tribe, Sri Lanka's original hunter-gatherers. You'll have the honour of joining the village chief on a walk through the forest, learning about their history, traditions and skills. You can also help out with conservation efforts, go on night hikes in search of pangolin and, for the ultimate view from the top, make the climb up Monkey Mountain.

If you were to describe your dream wellness retreat, you may well request it to be surrounded by lush green forests with the most glorious of panoramas from every yoga mat. It would perhaps be modern in design with beautifully minimalist rooms, an array of tranquil meditation corners and, of course, a spa to rival any other. Well, welcome to Santani! Set in the hills just outside Kandy, this idyllic, soul-soothing retreat will redefine your idea of 'wellness'. With hot stone massages, a three-tiered spa carved into the hillside, Ayurvedic treatments with world-renowned therapists, yoga classes and thermal salt baths, you'll emerge a totally different person...

The southernmost point of the Cultural Triangle and the gateway to Sri Lanka's Hill Country, Kandy is the destination that has it all. Delve into its history on a walkabout or tuk tuk ride through the city, admiring the ornate architecture and stopping at the iconic Temple of the Sacred Tooth where you can see Buddha's tooth. You can really get under the skin of Kandy with a visit to its markets or a lesson in traditional drumming. Natural beauty abounds and a stroll alongside the lake is a must, its surface reflecting the soaring hills and mountains, or enjoy the cool atmosphere of its once-royal gardens. Set your sights a little further afield for a day of hiking in the Knuckles Mountains or spending time with elephants on their own turf.

Steeped in history yet entirely modern, this light, bright and thoroughly beautiful hotel sits high in the Sri Lankan hills offering gorgeous views of Castlereagh Lake. With just five bedrooms, it's intimate and relaxing and the service is always second to none (especially when your dedicated butler makes an appearance...). Days are all about taking in the stylish luxury, wandering the beautiful gardens and cooling off in the crystal-clear infinity pool. It's the sort of spot we wish we could teleport you to, pronto.

You'll spend most of your time in its delightful countryside, learning from the masters about how a proper cup of tea is made - there are plenty of factories to choose from. For the more active visitors, there is kayaking on Castlereagh Lake, white water rafting and mountain biking. Then there are the hiking trails, which take you through immaculate scenery from cascading waterfalls to the summit of iconic Adam's Peak, where the curious 'footprint' formation is said to belong to Buddha. There's no better way to end the day than sundowners overlooking the glinting lake.

Situated on hip and happening Park Street, this refurbished 19th century mansion is a perfect jumping-off point to explore Colombo. The lakeside neighbourhood is a firm favourite in the wining and dining stakes and the city's most-visited Buddhist temple, the Gangaramaya Vihara, is a mere stroll away. But despite this uber-central location, the Residence manages to retain an air of tranquility. In fact, we would happily describe it as a haven of peace, albeit a glamorous one! The 11 suites are spacious and incredibly luxurious and all have access to small courtyards. There's even a 15-metre pool to cool off in - and not many central hotels can claim that.

Put aside the idea of Colombo as a pitstop and nothing more, and spend a day or two getting in touch with Sri Lanka's capital city. Hop in a tuk tuk and head off to explore its intricate architecture from the Old Dutch Hospital to the striking Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque, delve into the city's artistic side and learn about its history at the National Museum. Get to know the people of Colombo during a cooking lesson with a local chef, wandering through the markets at Pettah or catching a game of cricket.