Culture to Coast: 12 nights in Sri Lanka

About the destination: Colombo, situated on the banks of the Kelani River and stretching along the coast with views out to the Indian Ocean, is the biggest city and the financial and commercial hub of Sri Lanka. Colombo is seen as the country’s capital, but the administrative capital is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a suburb to the east of Colombo. The streets of Galle Fort have plenty to reveal about the city’s colonial past, with the Portuguese, British and Dutch all leaving their imprint here. To learn more about the Dutch-era in Colombo, pay a visit to The Dutch Period Museum. The city offers a captivating mix of cultures and religions, around the city you’ll find mosques, churches and temples. The Gangaramaya Temple is the most well-known Buddhist place of worship in Colombo. It includes a museum that houses a massive collection of Buddhist relics from around the globe. The Sri Kailawasanathar Swami Devasthanam Kovil Hindu temple is a vibrant and adorned temple worth a visit. The Wolvendaal Church, a church constructed by the Dutch settlers, is an impressive building and a must-see in Colombo. Colombo is often bypassed by tourists who come to the country to hit the beach, but the city is the most buzzing place in the country and offers high-end shopping, a vibrant nightlife, delicious restaurants and intriguing historical sights.

About the destination: Kandy is a major city in Sri Lanka, located in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is both an administrative and religious city and is also the capital of the Central Province. Kandy is the home of The Temple of the Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa), one of the most sacred places of worship in the Buddhist world. It was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1988.

About the destination: Considered one of Sri Lanka's oldest capitals, Anuradhapura is nestled in the heart of the island, harbouring years of history and transformation. Designated a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1982, Anuradhapura was established in the 4th century AD and served as a national capital until the early ninth century, being one of the most stable kingdoms in all of Asia. Anuradhapura is particularly significant for Buddhist culture, as it was among its temples and white stupas that the first philosophers of Buddhism on the island studied, especially following the support of the royalty for this religion during the city's final years as a kingdom. Today, visitors will discover a labyrinth of ruins and sites that can be explored on foot or by bike, where the presence of the so-called Eight Great Places of Veneration is particularly notable, especially the spectacular white stupa of Mirisaveti, an icon of this city that attracts thousands of pilgrims daily.

About the destination: Ella is a small town in the Badulla District of Uva Province, Sri Lanka governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 200 kilometres (120 mi) east of Colombo and is situated at an elevation of 1,041 metres (3,415 ft) above sea level. The area has a rich bio-diversity, dense with numerous varieties of flora and fauna. Ella is surrounded by hills covered with cloud forests and tea plantations. The town has a cooler climate than surrounding lowlands, due to its elevation. The Ella Gap allows views across the southern plains of Sri Lanka.

About the destination: Unawatuna is a coastal town in the Galle district of Sri Lanka. Unawatuna is one of the main tourist draws in Sri Lanka, renowned for its beaches and coral reefs. It's a suburb of Galle, situated about 5 kilometers southeast of the city centre and roughly 108 kilometers south of Colombo.

About the destination: Colombo, situated on the banks of the Kelani River and stretching along the coast with views out to the Indian Ocean, is the biggest city and the financial and commercial hub of Sri Lanka. Colombo is seen as the country’s capital, but the administrative capital is Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte, a suburb to the east of Colombo. The streets of Galle Fort have plenty to reveal about the city’s colonial past, with the Portuguese, British and Dutch all leaving their imprint here. To learn more about the Dutch-era in Colombo, pay a visit to The Dutch Period Museum. The city offers a captivating mix of cultures and religions, around the city you’ll find mosques, churches and temples. The Gangaramaya Temple is the most well-known Buddhist place of worship in Colombo. It includes a museum that houses a massive collection of Buddhist relics from around the globe. The Sri Kailawasanathar Swami Devasthanam Kovil Hindu temple is a vibrant and adorned temple worth a visit. The Wolvendaal Church, a church constructed by the Dutch settlers, is an impressive building and a must-see in Colombo. Colombo is often bypassed by tourists who come to the country to hit the beach, but the city is the most buzzing place in the country and offers high-end shopping, a vibrant nightlife, delicious restaurants and intriguing historical sights.