Day 1 & 2:
Upon arriving in Sri Lanka transfer to central Colombo
and the luxurious Cinammon Grand Hotel. Here you can enjoy a
choice of fine dining at a selection of Colombo’s finest
restaurants, a brand new spa, health club and swimming pool.
Fully refreshed after a good night’s sleep, you will be
ready to tackle the testing Royal Colombo Golf Club. This prestigious
course is a good introduction to golf in Sri Lanka.
Accommodation profile: The
Cinnamon Grand gets better and better - and after an extensive
refurbishment, completed in late 2005, it now has convincing
claims to be the finest in Colombo. The five-star Cinnamon Grand
stands in 10 acres of greenery, a few yards from the Indian
Ocean, on the edge of Colombo's commercial area. One of a elite
band of hotels that can lay claim to be the most luxurious hotel
in the capital. The ground floor area has a modern, minimalist
and immensely spacious feel. TAO restaurant specialises in fusion
food, Lagoon fish restaurant has set new standards as a chic
modern seafood restaurant in Colombo. The hotel boasts the largest
outdoor swimming pool in Colombo and a host of other facilities
including: the atmospheric outdoor Breeze bar, steam bath, sauna,
massage, fitness centre with squash courts, children's activities
and creche, hair salon, well-equipped business centre. Standard
rooms are well furnished and have a/c, telephone, large satellite
TV with video channel, data-port access, mini-bar, radio, safe,
and well-appointed bathrooms.
 |
|
 |
Day 3, 4, 5, & 6:
Early on day 3 catch the train to Kandy, Sri Lanka’s
Hill country capital. (Alternatively you could fly by SriLankan
Air Taxi, landing on Victoria Reservoir. A short walk from Victoria
clubhouse.) You will arrive mid morning so could explore the
sights of Kandy, such as the Temple of the Tooth and botanical
gardens, before taking the 30 minute drive to Victoria. Alternatively
head straight to Victoria Golf and Country Club and get to grips
with the course. At Victoria you will have plenty of time to
relax by a glorious pool and enjoy great views. There is a golf
academy and for non-golfing activities try tennis, nature trails
and horse riding. However, you will not get bored of this course
and it will continue to surprise and test you.
Accommodation profile: Tamarind
Lodge is an exquisite boutique hotel. Designed by a Sri Lankan
and an American architect, it is a clever fusion of Asian and
colonial design. From the antique Sri Lankan statuettes to the
bath fittings from Paris, immense attention has been paid to
the design and décor. There is even a secret doorway
on the second floor from which to dive into the stunning large
swimming pool. The property is divided into two wings that look
out over the pool, immaculate lawn and terrace area. The 6 airy,
stylish rooms have classical furniture, balconies overlooking
the Kandyan hills and sleek bathrooms. The master bedroom has
a private sun terrace and a secluded outside shower with breathtaking
views. Communal areas are equally elegant. An attentive Sri
Lankan husband and wife staff the house, acting as chef and
butler.
Day 7 & 8:
In the morning of Day 6 catch the train from Kandy to Nanu-Oya,
a railway station 10km from Nuwara Eliya. This journey is breathtaking
as it takes you through the tea country along one of the worlds
most spectacular railways. You will enjoy the comfort of First
Class (the Observation Carriage). Your driver, with your clubs
and luggage, will meet at the station. In the afternoon, explore
the hill station of Nuwara Eliya or play 9 holes. Over the following
days you will have plenty of time to enjoy the Nuwara Eliya
course and clubhouse. You could also explore the local area
and visit a local tea estate. Dinner at the Hill Club is a step
back in time and well worthwhile. Gents will need a jacket and
tie and these can be borrowed at the club. Sitting at 6000ft,
Nuwara Eliya has a climate far cooler than the rest of Sri Lanka
and you will need a jumper.
Accommodation profile: The Tea Factory
lies alone and unique, on the slopes of the tea plantations
at Kandapola, high above the hill-country town of Nuwara Eliya;
the largest and most popular town in the highlands. |
It was once exactly as it claims
- a tea factory built in the 1930s by British Tea Planters.
The gentle hum of the nighttime breezes is likely to lull the
most troubled mind to sleep. This is definitely a luxurious
way to explore Sri Lanka's history.
Day 9 & 10:
This morning you will head for the tepid azure seas that surround
Sri Lanka. The drive is long, approximately 6 hours but can
be broken up with stops along the way and a number of sites.
Alternatively you may like to fly by SriLankan Air Taxi direct
to Galle. The journey will be well worth it when you arrive
at the luxurious Galle Fort Hotel. The following day explore
the alley ways and ramparts of the UNESCO-protected Galle Fort.
The fort is brimming with colonial history and cultural heritage.
Alternatively relax beside the pool at the Galle Fort Hotel
and enjoy a massage or spa treatment.
Accommodation profile: The renovation
of Galle Fort Hotel is a triumph. The hotel evokes a subtle
sense of colonial grandeur, skillfully updated for the modern
age. The inner courtyard, with a tiny garden and 10-metre swimming
pool, offers a tranquil and exclusive area for guests. But a
sense of history does not mean that the Galle Fort’s guests
will gather dust; far from it. The small bar-cum-verandah cafe
is becoming a favoured meeting point, with the two Australian
owners encouraging a convivial atmosphere where intelligent
opinions are to be shared, not hidden. An exciting restaurant
offers classic Asian-Western dishes. The friendly staff, ensure
a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Day 11, 12 & 13:
After breakfast, you take the short journey north up the west
coast to Bentota. Enroute you may like to visit a turtle hatchery
or post-tsunami community project. Bentota has one of the finest
beaches in the island, offering safe swimming and excellent
accommodation options. We recommend the Taj Exotica, blessed
with a prime location, for three nights of beach relaxation.
If you can tear yourself from the crystal clear waters of the
Indian Ocean, we also recommend a visit to Brief Garden in Kalawila,
an enchanting garden in an undulating landscape of paddies and
scattered villages on a hillside designed by Bevis Bawa, the
brother of Geoffrey, Sri Lanka’s most revered architect.
Accommodation profile: The luxurious
Taj Exotica is situated on its own rock headland, with glorious
views over the Indian Ocean. The Taj group aimed to transfer
its reputation for five-star luxury from the city to the coast
when the Exotica took shape, at the northern end of the beach
around the turn of the century. It strives to justify its five-star
status everywhere: in its private, manicured gardens, its plush
interior décor - wooden pillars, high ceilings and expensive
furnishings - and the Taj group's reputation for high levels
of service.
Day 14: You will have to drag yourself
away from the golden beach at Bentota and take the short journey
north along the coast road to Colombo. You can go and play a
round of golf at the novel Waters Edge Golf and Country Club.
At the club, you could also take advantage of the spa and health
club to ensure you are fully recuperated and pampered before
your flight home. You will have time for last minute shopping
at one of Colombo’s popular outlets, such as Barefoot
or Odels.
Accommodation profile: Havelock
Place Bungalow is a rare thing in Colombo: a small boutique
hotel, offering a peaceful and elegant alternative to the major
five-star properties. Havelock Place is centrally situated,
yet still has a secluded setting that will delight clients looking
for a tasteful, personal touch. This six-bedroom hotel began
life in the 1940s as a colonial bungalow. It has been fully
renovated and doubles up as a small art gallery. A large sitting
room is the social focal point, for guests and family friends
alike, and meals may also be taken in the leafy garden, which
has a small swimming pool and jacuzzi. The thoughtful a la carte
restaurant menu offers a mix of Sri Lankan and Western dishes.
Day 15: Depart in good time for your flight
home. |
This golf and beach holiday is a fantastic way to experience
Sri Lanka. Test yourself on some of Asia’s toughest
courses and pamper yourself at 2 of the country’s best
coastal resorts. Not only will you get to test your golfing
skills on some stunning courses but also experience the tea
rich central highlands, the Dutch fort of Galle, Indian Ocean
beaches and the cosmopolitan city of Colombo. The holiday
does NOT lock you into large group on a prearranged coach
tour. You can explore the island at your own pace, in a car
or minivan, with your personal driver-cum-guide. Note that
we can tailor this itinerary according to your preferences
and budget, so feel free to ask for modifications.
