Holidays to Sri Lanka with NEI (UK) ......

The Sri Lankan coastline is made up of beaches, large and small, with soft golden sands and palm trees to give shade from the tropical sun, whilst the interior of the island is covered with paddy fields with crops of rice, high mountains with towns and cities of cooler temperatures more like a British summer day and ancient cities half buried by the jungle, with spired buildings poking enticingly through the tree tops.
The mountain slopes in the interior of the island are home to the plantations which produce the famous Orange Pekoe Ceylon tea.

Though a beach holiday to Sri lanka is a great experience it would be a huge shame to visit this island and not see more of what it has to offer.

The ancient cities of Anurhadapura and Polonaruwa, once smothered by the reclaiming jungle, have now been brought back to us after extensive works and they offer an insight into the history and fabulous culture of the Sinhalese. The buildings and carved reliefs at these cities have to be seen to be believed.

One of the 'not to be missed' places on a visit to Sri Lanka must be the hill station town of Kandy. High in the central mountains, Kandy was a welcome retreat for the tea planters from the heat of the lowlands. In fact, in parts, the town looks much like any southern English town or village - but with the unmistakeable touch of the East.
Also here is the pink 'Temple of the Tooth', sitting on the edge of the town's reservoir, right in the heart of the city. The tooth is said to be one of the Buddha's and the relic is highly revered.

Nuwara Eliya is another of the old British hill stations and is a few hours drive from Kandy. In this area there are many spice gardens and tea plantations

Adam's Peak, or Sri Pada, is one place you may not have heard of.
At over 2,300 metres, this mountain is the highest point on Sri Lanka and is a holy place for Buddhists, Hindus, Moslems and Christians. During the pilgrimage season, from December to May each year, the climb to the top of the peak is made by thousands of people, to enable them to visit the temple and the footprint impression which is said to have been made by Buddha, Shiva, or, Adam depending on your own religious persuasion.
The climb is made through the night to enable you to see the shadow of the perfect cone shaped peak as it casts itself across the low level clouds at dawn. At the same time, if you are lucky, you will see clouds of bright yellow butterflies ascend from the lower valley. It is an awe inspiring sight.
Climbing to the top is an effort, but well worth it, as it is an experience you will never forget. The chanting of the pilgrims to encourage them in their climb will live with you forever.