Sri Lanka
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Things to do in Ella, Sri Lanka
The first time I visited Sri Lanka, Ella fell off of our itinerary due to a lack of time. I regretted it immediately and vowed to go back and see this region that so many travellers say is their favourite part of an already stunning country. Ella is a small village in the Uva province of Sri Lanka. The town itself is packed with bohemian, open-air cafes and boutique shops. The surrounding area boasts waterfalls, famous bridges, mountain hikes, and lush forests. It also serves as either the destination or starting point of the country’s famous train journey from Ella to Kandy. It did not disappoint. Ella was indeed my…
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A Day Safari in Yala National Park
Sri Lanka is home to some incredible wildlife experiences. None more so than taking a safari at one of its national parks. Yala National Park is located on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, bordering the Indian Ocean. It has been a wildlife reserve since 1900 and is home to some incredible animals. Most famously, the largest concentration of leopards in the world roam the park and draw visitors from all over the world seeking a glimpse of the elusive big cat. It was therefore a must-do on my most recent trip to Sri Lanka and we spent a day riding around in a safari jeep looking out for wildlife.…
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Ella to Kandy – what to know about Sri Lanka’s famous train journey
The Kandy to Ella train is one of the most famous train journeys in the world. The approximately 7-hour journey travels through some of the most incredible scenery, traversing tea plantations and lush forests, crossing scenic rivers, and past villages and towns of waving locals. Unlike some travellers, we took the famed route in reverse, beginning our journey in Ella and ending in Kandy. And I think I preferred it this way – the most spectacular scenery is during the first few hours of the trip, leaving the last hour or so to relax. I feel like I might have gotten tired and not had the focus on the best…
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Things to do in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s south coast is home to some incredible beaches and some great spots to stay and explore. Unawatuna is a popular pick for sea and sun, attracting visitors with its stunning beaches, great food and buzzy beach bars. My first trip to Sri Lanka started off with a restful stop in Mirissa. I was so enchanted by the golden sand, restaurants right on the beach and gorgeous palm trees that I could not think of a better way to begin my most recent trip. Always the explorer, I wanted to pick somewhere new and came across Unawatuna, not far from historic Galle. Unawatuna is a popular Sri Lanka beach…
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The Dos and Don’ts of Visiting Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka remains one of my favourite countries I’ve visited yet. It’s stunningly beautiful with a mix of top-notch beaches, gorgeous scenery, chances to see a lot of wildlife, and great food. But there’s some dos and don’ts for visiting this captivating country. While I’ve written about reasons to visit Sri Lanka before, as well as offering up some guides for visiting the areas I was fortunate enough to see on my trip, such as Mirissa, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, and the Cultural Triangle, I realised that there is still a lot to know about visiting this country. If you are thinking about visiting Sri Lanka, there’s a few do’s…
