Dean Wilson, Travel Counsellor Do visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage in Kegalla, halfway between Colombo and Kandy in the hills of central Sri Lanka. I recommend you arrive before 2.00pm when the elephants walk through the village for their daily two-hour bath in the river Maha Oya. You can lunch here and watch the fun.
Yvonne Williams, Travel Counsellor You can now take a sea-plane from Colombo to Kandy and arrive on the lake of your hotel - a real must do if you've never flown like this before. You get to see all the countryside from a great vantage point. For accommodation, Saman Villas on the West coast is small but big on service and style and great for a relaxing beach holiday. Bentota Beach Hotel on the South coast is a good value large hotel.
Inland, Elephant Corridor is a really lovely property with excellent rooms and views over to the Sigiriya rock. Some rooms have their own pools. Mt Lavinia hotel, not too far from the airport, makes a good last night stop. It has an amazing outdoor bar area with lovely sea views Sri Lankan guides are fantastic - extremely knowledgeable and not too pushy on facts and figures.
Tanuja Sudra, Travel Counsellor Touring with your own private car and driver is the best way to see Sri Lanka. You can see and do as much or as little as you like. Most of my clients tell me that the driver made their holiday and they still keep in touch with them. With your own driver you can miss the coach loads of people and stay longer at the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. I agree that the Elephant Corridor is a fab hotel and a great place for honeymooners. The Kandalama Hotel at Sigiriya is more affordable. It's built into a rock-face at the side of a lake and a good location for trips into forest. You need a head for heights to climb to the top of Sigiriya Rock but the view is magnificent. Do please realise that not all of Sri Lanka was affected by the tsunami. There are still many wonderful places to visit.
Alison Rice, Travel Writer and e-tc Editor In February 2002 the Sri Lankan government signed a cease-fire agreement with the terrorist organisation known as the Tamil Tigers. However there have been serious incidents since then, although nothing involving holidaymakers. You can check the latest advice from the FCO on www.fco.gov.uk. It’s always worth checking this website before you book a holiday to any destination.
Some of the content of the magazine refers to flights or prices from the UK. At Travel Counsellors Ireland we can source flights from Ireland and provide full quotes in Euros. Please call me for latest availability and prices.
