Day 1 & 2:
We will meet you at Katunayake Airport and transfer
you to the Park Street Hotel in the center of Colombo, an hour’s
drive from the airport where you can relax and unwind for two
nights. Colombo’s main attractions include the National
Museum, various temples and kovils, the Fort and Pettah Bazaar.
Many people also enjoy shopping in Colombo, which has a reputation
for excellent value when it comes to gems, clothes, home ware,
porcelain and fabrics. Shops worth visiting include Paradise
Road, Barefoot and Odels. During the evening we recommend dinner
at The Gallery Café.
Accommodation profile: The Park
Street hotel is Taru’s latest creation, a luxurious retreat
in the heart of the capital city. This old mansion has been
brilliantly restored and refurbished. The end result is the
best boutique hotel in Colombo. It has a central location surrounded
by temples, kovils and several shops. It is an ideal alternative
for visitors preferring to get away from the larger city hotels.
Park Street offers the perfect combination – a haven of
luxury and relaxation in the heart of the bustling Colombo.
Day 3, 4, 5 & 6:
Travel along the west coast to Taru Villas in Bentota.
If you are feeling active, Bentota’s lagoon is ideal for
jet skiing, water skiing, banana-boating, sailing and boat trips
along the river. For those interested in Sri Lankan architecture
a visit to Lunuganga is a must. Designed by Sri Lanka’s
iconic architect, Geoffrey Bawa, Lunuganga is a garden retreat
that was originally an old rubber plantation. The Bawa Brief
Gardens in Bentota, a fascinating landscaped garden created
by Geoffrey’s brother, Bevis, is also well-worth a visit.
Or, just laze on one of the island’s finest beaches.
Accommodation profile: Taru Villas
tucked away down a by-lane of Bentota, is a romantic haven and
an ideal escape from the stress and tensions of contemporary
living. Cool cement floors, a garden full of frangipani blossoms,
a turquoise pool, individually designed antique-furnished rooms,
king size beds and an uncrowded beach just a few steps out of
the garden, across the still-rural railway line, all combine
to make Taru Villas a very special hideaway.
Day 7, 8, 9 & 10:
Located an hour away from Bentota is the historic city
of Galle where you will be staying for four nights at Tamarind
Hill.
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Visit Galle’s 17th century
Dutch Fort, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a melting
pot of cultural influences. Several hours can be spent wandering
along narrow streets, well preserved ramparts overlooking the
cricket stadium, lighthouse staring in to the Indian Ocean,
and browsing through art galleries and shops. There are several
newly renovated interesting boutique hotels with excellent cafes
and restaurants within the Fort, where you can stop for a meal.
There are a variety of beaches within easy reach, including
the beautiful crescent-shaped Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa’s surfing
paradise and picture-postcard perfect Mirissa. Spend the day
soaking up the sun and the evenings relaxing in style at Tamarind
Hill or a candlelit dinner at one of the boutique hotels inside
the Galle Fort.
Accommodation profile: Tamarind Hill, one
of Taru’s latest creations, is perched on a hill overlooking
the city of Galle. This 14 roomed luxurious boutique hotel is
housed in an elegantly restored Colonial mansion with a 250
year old history.
Day 11, 12, & 13:
Drive back along the west coast to Balapitiya for your final
three nights stay at the River House, a luxurious riverside
boutique hotel, and one of the finest properties in the island.
River House is a jewel in the Taru collection of small, luxurious,
boutique properties. Spend the days admiring the views from
the poolside over the Madhu Ganga valley, or relax at Taru’s
beach house – a short 5-minute tuk-tuk drive away –
and relax next to the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean in
a picturesque and private ocean bay. You may also explore the
vibrant cultural and religious heritage of the west coast, the
folklore, music and dance, architectural influences from the
Dutch period and the temples, kovils, churches and mosques.
A day’s trip to the Sinharaja tropical rainforest, located
a couple of hours inland from the west coast is a fascinating
experience. The Sinharaja is a biological treasure trove, which
provides diverse habitats for numerous species of endemic fauna
and flora not found anywhere else in the world.
Accommodation profile: There is no
more entrancing holiday location in Sri Lanka than the River
House, which looks down to the Madhu Ganga over seven acres
of private hillside, is a haven of style and tranquility for
the luxury traveller, proving that Sri Lanka can bear comparison
with the best. This is the ultimate property to finish or start
any journey to Sri Lanka. While the main villa is situated inland,
a beautiful location that provides it with a magical serenity,
there is also a fabulous private beach house located just five
minutes by trishaw (provided by the River House) allowing you
to relax by the poolside overlooking the Madhu Ganga's lush
valley or beside the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. The River
House is thoroughly escapist; truly magnificent.
Day 14:
Depart in good time to the Bandaranaike International Airport
for your flight home. You may also consider taking the SriLankan
Air Taxi to save time and avoid the hassles of road travel. |
Experience Sri Lanka’s vibrant southern heritage, rural
fishing villages, sun-kissed beaches staying in the magnificent
boutique hotels and villas created by Nayantara Fonseka, one
of Sri Lanka’s foremost fashion and lifestyle designers.
This is a holiday for those wanting to experience Sri Lanka
in style. The Taru collection of properties are renowned for
their award-winning design, service and cuisine.
