Travel offer: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is on track to become one of our most sought-after holiday destinations. A modestly sized island that's easy to explore, it climbs from dazzling gold sand beaches to tea stations tended by sari-clad women, and misty, emerald mountains that feel like a special, undiscovered secret.
It's intriguing to spot signs of Britain's role in Sri Lanka's tumultuous history among the exotic temples and wild elephants. Games of cricket are played under the palm trees and sweet, milky tea is as popular as coconut-rich curries. And now we're returning en masse again to stay in its luxury hotels and finding amazing value, which brings a private tour with your own driver and English-speaking guide within comfortable reach.
Readers can book an eight-night Highlights of Sri Lanka tour, from £1,649pp B&B, with Cleveland Collection. To book, call (020) 7843 3531 or visit clevelandcollection.co.uk
YOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 Overnight BA flight to Colombo.
Day 2 Transfer to Kandy, Sri Lanka's second city, calling in at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage. Spend two nights at the Amaya Hills Hotel, with breathtaking mountain views.
Day 3 A city tour with driver and guide takes in the Temple of the Tooth and Royal Botanic Gardens. A traditional Kandyan dance performance rounds off the day.
Day 4 Transfer to Nuwara Eliya, in the heart of tea country, where you'll spend the night at the charming 19th-century Grand Hotel. Visit a local tea plantation.
Day 5 Discover the "big three" - leopards, sloth bears and elephants - at Yala National Park. Stay overnight at Chaaya Wild hotel.
Day 6 Hit the gorgeous south-west coast! Walk the ramparts at Galle, a UNESCO site, before continuing to Bentota, where you'll check in to Bentota Beach Hotel for three nights.
Days 7 & 8 At leisure to enjoy the hotel's pool, spa and water sports, or relax on the beach and explore local fishing villages.
Day 9 Transfer to the waterfront capital city and stay at the Cinnamon Lakeside hotel.
Day 10 At leisure for a final flurry of shopping before your afternoon flight to the UK.
