Beautiful beaches, spectacular wildlife, delicious cuisine and affordable travel are making Sri Lanka one of the hottest destinations for Australian travellers right now.<\/p>\n
Words by Mark Daffeym at escape.com.au<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Upon arriving in Sri Lanka for the first time, Marco Polo, the Venetian who many consider to be the world\u2019s first global traveller, described it as the finest island of its size in the world. With its palm-fringed beaches, jungle-covered hills, ancient cities and relaxed vibe, along with colonial influences that helped make the country what it is today, nowhere else packs a punch like it. So, hard to argue, really.<\/p>\n \u201cSri Lanka is a stunning destination and is fast becoming one of this year\u2019s most popular spots,\u201d says Intrepid Travel<\/a> managing director (Australia and New Zealand) Brett Mitchell.<\/p>\n \u201cMuch like its South Asian counterpart, India, the country differs greatly from region to region and, as such, offers wonderful variety \u2013 be it exploring beautiful beaches, scuba diving, iconic safaris or simply sampling the incredible cuisine. For Aussies, Sri Lanka is often viewed as a cheaper and less-crowded alternative to Bali.\u201d<\/p>\n And to think, the island nation formerly known as Ceylon, is only as big as Tasmania. Not bad, hey?<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning a trip to Sri Lanka, here are the top 10 things you\u2019ll want to add to your itinerary:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Little known is that the southwest coast of Sri Lanka is the blue whale-watching capital of the world, thanks to its proximity to the continental shelf. Boats depart from the harbour in Mirissa \u2013 itself an idyllic beachside village between Galle and Matara. Other marine creatures sighted may include fin, grey, sperm, Bryde\u2019s, minke and killer whales, as well as spinner dolphins and sea turtles. The whale-watching season lasts from November to April, when seas are calmest. Raja & the Whales<\/a> have operated out of Mirissa since 2009, when whale-watching cruises were first commercialised.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Pic: Supplied<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Yala National Park<\/a> boasts the highest density of leopards in the world, though it still requires a large element of luck to see one. More regular are sightings of deer, monkeys, wild boar, crocodiles, jackals and 130 bird species. Also, keep an eye out for elephants, buffalo and sloth bears. Stay close to the action in one of 12 elevated, solar-powered luxury villas \u2013 each with private swimming pool \u2013 at the Kotiyagala resort<\/a> that opened in April this year.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Is this the world\u2019s most scenic train ride? At the very least, the day-long railway journey<\/a> from Colombo to Dambulla is a strong contender. Sixty-eight stations. Forty-six tunnels. Viaducts, bridges and a spiral loop inspired by a railway worker retying a head turban. It travels from the steamy western coast to the damp highlands, climbing through jungled slopes before entering an area nicknamed \u201cLittle England\u201d, where it passes through endless tea plantations. TripADeal\u2019s 15-day Sri Lankan Wildlife & Adventure tour<\/a> includes a railway journey from Nanu Oya to Ella \u2013 arguably the prettiest sector.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sri Lanka isn\u2019t called the Spice Island for nothing. Learn the secrets of Sri Lankan cuisine during Intrepid Travel\u2019s 12-day Sri Lanka Real Food Adventure<\/a>. Explore fish markets in Negombo, visit a tea plantation in Bandarawela, tuck into a Tamil family lunch in Haputale and take part in a Sinhalese cooking class at a private home in Kandy. While you\u2019re there, visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic that\u2019s said to possess Buddha\u2019s left canine.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Sri Lanka\u2019s most influential architect, Geoffrey Bawa, designed temples universities and parliamentary offices across Asia, as well as hotels in Tangalle, Kalutara, Galle and Dambulla. Viking Cruises\u2019 16-day Across the Bay of Bengal itinerary<\/a> includes a shore excursion to Bawa\u2019s residence and office in Colombo. You can also stay at Lunuganga<\/a>, Bawa\u2019s country estate where he spent his retirement years, near Bentota.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Pic: Supplied<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n From December to May, thousands of pilgrims hike to the top of Adam\u2019s Peak in darkness. The aim is to reach a summit temple containing a sacred footprint before sunrise, when a mystical shadow of the peak is cast across the clouds. But Sri Lanka\u2019s highest mountain is scalable at any time of year. Elsewhere, a network of hiking trails passes through tea plantations to lookout points or across Horton Plains to World\u2019s End, where a spectacular escarpment overlooks the coastal plains to the south. If that isn\u2019t hardcore enough, hike the 300km Pekoe Trail<\/a> through the Central Highlands, from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n It takes a lot to feed the world\u2019s largest captive elephant herd. Each pachyderm devours 50-100kg of food each day and visitors at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage<\/a> can help. About 100 orphans are cared for, with feeding time the optimum occasion for visiting. More thrilling, though, is the elephants\u2019 twice-daily walk through the streets to bathe in the Maha Oya river. If you time it so you\u2019re at a restaurant or standing in a shop when it happens, you can feel the rush of air as these giants pass by.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Was the 1500-year-old mountaintop fortress of Sigiriya<\/a> merely the pleasure palace of a playboy king? You can surmise for yourself during the climb up, passing the Lion\u2019s Paw terrace, to the summit. Add visits to the World Heritage-listed ancient cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura to your itinerary, as well as the Dambulla Cave complex that contains hundreds of Buddha statues. Or you can see them all during APT\u2019s 15-day Sri Lanka Unveiled tour<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n This August, thousands will descend upon Sri Lanka\u2019s second city of Kandy to watch or participate in the Esala Perahera street parade<\/a>, featuring lively dancers, fire breathers and tusker elephants. It\u2019s colourful, energetic, noisy and whole lot of fun. For a more intimate experience at about the same time, minus the smothering crowds, an equally frenetic pageant takes place in Dondra, the island\u2019s most southerly point.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Built by the Portuguese, reinforced by the Dutch and occupied by the British, the World Heritage-listed Galle Fort is a 52ha garrison containing restaurants, caf\u00e9s and hotels, as well as a lighthouse. Adjoining the walls is a cricket ground where the Aussie team plays when touring.<\/p>\n Plenty bunker down in nearby beach resorts and visit during the day, but guests on Abercrombie & Kent\u2019s 11-day Sri Lanka by Air<\/a> tour stay in colonial-era Amangalla<\/a> \u2013 Sri Lanka\u2019s oldest hotel \u2013 inside the fort walls.<\/p>\n This article first appeared on escape.com.au<\/a>, and may contain links from their affiliate and advertising partners. When you click on them, or share this content, escape may earn a commission. Learn more<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The post 10 best things to see in\u00a0the \u2018next Bali\u2019, Sri Lanka<\/a> appeared first on Stockhead<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"1. Float above a blue whale, Mirissa<\/h2>\n
2. Spot wildlife, Yala<\/h2>\n
3. Ride a train through tea country, Central Highlands<\/h2>\n
4. Cook local cuisine, Kandy<\/h2>\n
5. Appreciate architecture, Colombo<\/h2>\n
6. See the sunrise, Adam\u2019s Peak<\/h2>\n
7. Adopt an elephant, Pinnawala<\/h2>\n
8. Scale a rock citadel, Sigiriya<\/h2>\n
9. Watch a street parade, Kandy<\/h2>\n
10. Stay in a fort, Galle<\/h2>\n