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| The Serendip Riviera |
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A journey along Sri Lanka's southern coastal belt, also known as the “Serendip Riviera”. Experience Sri Lanka’s vibrant southern heritage, rural fishing villages, sun-kissed beaches staying in magnificent boutique hotels and villas.
NOTE: This trip is done perfectly in combination with short stays at the Maldives or Dubai |
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| Day 1 Colombo Airport - Colombo |
| We will meet you at the airport and take you to Colombo which lies to the south approximately 1 hour away, where you can relax and unwind after the flight at the fabulous Park Street Hotel |
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| Colombo |
| A stop in Colombo will not disappoint. A glimpse beneath the chaotic façade of this metropolis on the banks of the Indian Ocean will reveal a treasure of delights and surprises to the inquisitive visitor. We always encourage our guest to experience Colombo for at least a day or two. Colombo is not a city where crowds of tourist are shoved from one monument to the next. It is not a city of shopping malls or gigantic plasma screens pumping out advertisements night and day. It is a city with charming little hideaways waiting to be discovered. We have carefully handpicked the best shops and galleries, and the best restaurants. Sri Lanka In Style offers a personalized shopping tour of Colombo for those interested. |
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| Accommodation; Park Street Hotel |
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| This beautifully restored 250-year-old colonial bungalow was once the abode of Colombo entrepreneur Sheikh Salehbhoy Moosajee and his second wife Begum Zarina, a flamboyant artist, fashion and social icon of the time. It was the third of lifestyle guru Taru’s impeccably stylish properties to open, and her graceful renovation has carefully retained the elegant colonial ambience of this ancestral home whilst bringing it firmly into the 21st century. Ornate chandeliers, Dutch-period furniture and magnificent antiques provide plenty of interest while as a personal touch, Begum Zarina’s portraits and paintings liberally adorn the crisp white walls. Located on a quiet leafy side street The Park Street is a solace in a busy city and its high level of personalised service makes it incomparable with the city’s large five star properties. |
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Room type: Luxury Suite
Meals: Breakfast |
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| Days 2, 3 Colombo - Galle |
| After breakfast, perhaps a plateful of steaming string hoppers with potato and coconut milk curry, we travel along the south coast towards Galle. |
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| Galle |
| Old Galle is a UNESCO world heritage site; a unique example of a preserved 17th C colonial Fortress. The Galle Fort itself is still a living monument with a bustling community within the great ramparts, massive bastions, pepper pot towers, while narrow streets display its Dutch heritage with beckoning pillared verandas and fretwork facades. Walking around is best so you can peep through frangipani filled courtyards at houses, galleries or shops selling antiques, spices, pictures, nouveau-boule and hand-woven sarongs. Boutique hotels incongruously cheek by jowl with postage-stamp size cafes, so you are never far from a perfect sun-downer. Pondicherri meets Cadaques! |
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| Accommodation: The Dutch House, Galle |
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| High on a hill, yet within minutes of the city centre, and with magnificent views of the UN World Heritage listed fort of Galle, Doornberg or The Dutch House has set the pace in redefining luxury accommodation for the individual traveller in Sri Lanka. Highly exclusive with only 4 suites this country house built in 1712 ensures complete privacy for its guests. Spacious living areas, an English tropical garden complete with croquet lawn and treetop infinity pool provides ample space for guests to find a quiet area in which to truly unwind. Period Dutch antiques reflect its early 18th century origins but blend in well with its contemporary collection of art. |
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Room type: Deluxe Room
Meals: Breakfast |
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| Days 4, 5 Galle - Tangalle |
| A two hour trip towards the east along the ‘Riviera’ will take you to Tangalle, described by many as home to Sri Lanka’s best beaches. |
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| Accommodation: Amanwella |
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| Amanwella is situated in a mature coconut grove fronting a crescent-shaped beach close to the village of Tangalle. Combining aman or peace in Sanskrit with wella, the Sinhalese word for beach, all 30 suites of this contemporary beachfront resort feature their own private plunge pool and terrace. Linked by pathways, suites are interspersed along the hillside and offer sweeping views of the ocean and the beach. Guests can enjoy the 45m swimming pool and expansive terrace, the well-stocked Library, spa treatments, the Restaurant serving Asian and Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on fresh local seafood and casual, beachside dining at the Beach Club. Sightseeing to rustic villages, temples and wildlife nature reserves offers perspectives on Sri Lanka's traditions and its bountiful flora and fauna. |
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Room type: Suite
Meals: No Meals |
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| Days 6, 7 Tangalle - Bentota |
| The trip from Tangalle to Bentota takes approximately 3.5 hours. On route you might want to stop at Ambalangoda to see some of the wonderful antiques and traditional arts and crafts shops. |
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| Bentota |
Bentota used to be a place to rest on the way to Galapatha Temple which legend claims is linked by a maze of subterranean tunnels with all other temples in the area. Today Bentota is big on sea sports and activities; so you may well need a holiday after you get back!
On Bentota lagoons calm waters you can enjoy everything from jet skiing and windsurfing to wakeboarding and canoeing. Boat trips up the river and deep sea fishing trips depend on weather conditions. Many independent diving schools operate along the beach front during diving season, between December and March/April.
But if thats too much like work, take a brief respite to see the results of a labour of love at the very private Brief, a Jardin tranquille near Kalawila. Sculpted over forty years, it was anything but a brief diversion for Capability Bawa- brother of the renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa who designed some of the most enchanting buildings in Asia, including Lunuganga with an equally magical garden. Brief has a Japanese garden, a Folly, several walled gardens and hidden surprises as well as a private museum of Art inside the house and out.
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| Accommodation: The River House |
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| For a romantic escape or get-together with a group of friends, The River House is the perfect choice. Enveloped within seven acres of tropical gardens beside the broad Madhu Ganga River, close to the town of Balapitiya, its secluded setting down a little unmarked road means that you have room to breathe and fully dissolve into the peaceful surroundings. The second of renowned fashion and lifestyle guru Taru’s beautiful group of properties, The River House is South Asian in style and even more exquisite and sophisticated that its sister property Taprobana - space is an added luxury while bubbling Jacuzzis, slate plunge pools and enormous bathrooms give it added exclusivity. |
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Room type: Suite
Meals: No Meals |
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| Day 8 Colombo – Colombo Airport |
| Depart in good time for your flight back home. The journey to the airport will take approximately 1 hours although it can take 1.5 hours during peak traffic hours. |
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| What's included : |
* Air-conditioned car and English-speaking driver for tour and transfers
* Airport meet and greet
* 1 night at Park Street Hotel on Bed and Breakfast
* 2 nights at Dutch House on Bed and Breakfast
* 2 nights at Amanwella on Bed and Breakfast
* 2 night at The River House on Bed and Breakfast.
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| What's not included : |
* Scheduled international & domestic flights
* Comprehensive travel insurance
* Optional tours & activities
* Entry fees where applicable
* Gratuities and expenses of a personal nature |
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