Colombo
The Sea -port capital of the Island, commercial and administrative center of over 1 million inhabitants. Places of interests are: the 'Pettah' wholesale market; the business center of "Fort", the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens, several Buddhist Temples, Hindu Kovils and Christian Churches, the Town Hall, Victoria Park, the War Memorial, and the parliament at Kotte. Ideal for shopping with great bargains at the large shopping centers. International Airport at Katunayake is 24 miles (1 hour drive) north of Colombo.
Negombo
A sea resort north west of Colombo, known as 'little Rome' for it's predominantly Catholic population, is a big fishing center. The best place to photograph fishermen and their picturesque vessels-the catamarans.
Anuradhapura
This is Ceylon's ancient Capital (5th century B.C. to 10th century A.D.) now declared a Buddhist holy city. Amongst the many religious and historical sites are the Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo Tree), the oldest documented tree in the world which came from a sapling from the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment; the Brazen place built in the 2nd century BC, several majestic dagobas such as Ruwanweli Seya, and of course the Thuparama Dagoba which is the oldest in the country and believed to enshrine the collarbone of the Buddha.
Mihintale
A rock temple in a serene setting, marks the site where Arahath Mahinda introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
Aukana
Magnificent undamaged image of the Buddha from the 5th century.
Polonnaruwa
An ancient medieval capital of Ceylon, still retains the beauty of its monuments, giant statues and dagobas built by the Kings of Ceylon. Many interesting well-preserved temple shrines and other buildings mostly of 12th century vintage.
Of special significance is the "Gal Vihare" (Stone Temple) with three of the world's
most exquisite Buddha images carved out of solid granite.
Sigiriya
A monolith that raises 600ft from the flat scrub jungle, and once contained the place and gardens of patricide King Kassayapa. Tackle the giddy climb up Sigiriya Rock, to view the remains of the royal citadel on the summit. The famous frescoes are painted in a sheltered pocket on the sheer cliff face.
Dambulla
Rock Temple with beautiful Buddhist murals.
Kandy
Almost encircled by the Mahaweli ganga - Sri Lanka's longest river, this picturesque town built around a man made lake is Sri Lanka's Hill Capital. Home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic. Close by is the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya with it's fine collection of Orchids. The Kandy Arts & Crafts Association and the market area are also interesting places to visit. Daily cultural shows featuring Sri Lankan dances.
Pinnawala
An interesting and amusing visit to an elephant orphanage where one can come in close contact with the near 100 orphaned elephants while they are given their daily bath and feed.
Nuwara Eliya
Nestling 6,200 ft. in the central mountains, in a region where Ceylon's best teas are grown, this was a hill resort for the British Tea Planters and still is for the locals who prefer the cool climate. Also boasts of a fine 18 hole, Golf Course.
Bandarawela
Quiet countryside in the hill country amongst tea plantations - salubrious climes, ideal for scenic treks and relaxation.
Ratnapura
The "City of Gems" - center of Sri Lanka's gem mining industry.
Hikkaduwa
Beach resort famous for it's coral reef, marine life and sapphire seas Scuba diving and snorkeling equipment available on hire at most Hotels in the area.
Galle
72 miles from Colombo on the south coast, this fortified sea-port city of the Dutch who ruled maritime Ceylon from the mid 17th Century to the close of the 18th Century, still boasts of a well preserved fort and ramparts which contain many gracious old Dutch houses, an old Dutch church and monuments with armorial bearings.
Bentota
A beautiful beach resort, 40 miles south of Colombo. The golden beach is glorious in its natural beauty and the sunsets somehow seem too good to be true. Boating and water sports on the Bentota river
Beruwala
A coastal town very near Bentota - an easygoing place to laze, swim and soak up the tropical sun.
Mount Lavinia
6 miles south of Colombo.
Yala
Yala is a national park and covers almost 1000 sq.km of scrub, lagoons and rocky outcrops in the country's south east and is a particularly good place to see Elephants. There are also Leopards, Bears, Deer, Crocodiles and wild Peacocks. It's best seen by four wheel drive. Nearby Bundala National Park is Sri Lanka's best spot for birdwatching.
The Sea -port capital of the Island, commercial and administrative center of over 1 million inhabitants. Places of interests are: the 'Pettah' wholesale market; the business center of "Fort", the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens, several Buddhist Temples, Hindu Kovils and Christian Churches, the Town Hall, Victoria Park, the War Memorial, and the parliament at Kotte. Ideal for shopping with great bargains at the large shopping centers. International Airport at Katunayake is 24 miles (1 hour drive) north of Colombo.
Negombo
A sea resort north west of Colombo, known as 'little Rome' for it's predominantly Catholic population, is a big fishing center. The best place to photograph fishermen and their picturesque vessels-the catamarans.
Anuradhapura
This is Ceylon's ancient Capital (5th century B.C. to 10th century A.D.) now declared a Buddhist holy city. Amongst the many religious and historical sites are the Sri Maha Bodhi (Sacred Bo Tree), the oldest documented tree in the world which came from a sapling from the tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment; the Brazen place built in the 2nd century BC, several majestic dagobas such as Ruwanweli Seya, and of course the Thuparama Dagoba which is the oldest in the country and believed to enshrine the collarbone of the Buddha.
Mihintale
A rock temple in a serene setting, marks the site where Arahath Mahinda introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
Aukana
Magnificent undamaged image of the Buddha from the 5th century.
Polonnaruwa
An ancient medieval capital of Ceylon, still retains the beauty of its monuments, giant statues and dagobas built by the Kings of Ceylon. Many interesting well-preserved temple shrines and other buildings mostly of 12th century vintage.
Of special significance is the "Gal Vihare" (Stone Temple) with three of the world's
most exquisite Buddha images carved out of solid granite.
Sigiriya
A monolith that raises 600ft from the flat scrub jungle, and once contained the place and gardens of patricide King Kassayapa. Tackle the giddy climb up Sigiriya Rock, to view the remains of the royal citadel on the summit. The famous frescoes are painted in a sheltered pocket on the sheer cliff face.
Dambulla
Rock Temple with beautiful Buddhist murals.
Kandy
Almost encircled by the Mahaweli ganga - Sri Lanka's longest river, this picturesque town built around a man made lake is Sri Lanka's Hill Capital. Home to the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic. Close by is the Royal Botanical Gardens at Peradeniya with it's fine collection of Orchids. The Kandy Arts & Crafts Association and the market area are also interesting places to visit. Daily cultural shows featuring Sri Lankan dances.
Pinnawala
An interesting and amusing visit to an elephant orphanage where one can come in close contact with the near 100 orphaned elephants while they are given their daily bath and feed.
Nuwara Eliya
Nestling 6,200 ft. in the central mountains, in a region where Ceylon's best teas are grown, this was a hill resort for the British Tea Planters and still is for the locals who prefer the cool climate. Also boasts of a fine 18 hole, Golf Course.
Bandarawela
Quiet countryside in the hill country amongst tea plantations - salubrious climes, ideal for scenic treks and relaxation.
Ratnapura
The "City of Gems" - center of Sri Lanka's gem mining industry.
Hikkaduwa
Beach resort famous for it's coral reef, marine life and sapphire seas Scuba diving and snorkeling equipment available on hire at most Hotels in the area.
Galle
72 miles from Colombo on the south coast, this fortified sea-port city of the Dutch who ruled maritime Ceylon from the mid 17th Century to the close of the 18th Century, still boasts of a well preserved fort and ramparts which contain many gracious old Dutch houses, an old Dutch church and monuments with armorial bearings.
Bentota
A beautiful beach resort, 40 miles south of Colombo. The golden beach is glorious in its natural beauty and the sunsets somehow seem too good to be true. Boating and water sports on the Bentota river
Beruwala
A coastal town very near Bentota - an easygoing place to laze, swim and soak up the tropical sun.
Mount Lavinia
6 miles south of Colombo.
Yala
Yala is a national park and covers almost 1000 sq.km of scrub, lagoons and rocky outcrops in the country's south east and is a particularly good place to see Elephants. There are also Leopards, Bears, Deer, Crocodiles and wild Peacocks. It's best seen by four wheel drive. Nearby Bundala National Park is Sri Lanka's best spot for birdwatching.
