12 Days. Explore Sri Lanka 5*

About the destination: Dambulla is a large town, located in the Matale District, Central Province of Sri Lanka, situated 148 km north-east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. Due to its location at a major junction, it is the centre of vegetable distribution in the country. Major attractions of the area include the largest and best preserved cave temple complex of Sri Lanka, and the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, famous for being built in just 167 days. The area also boasts the largest rose quartz mountain range in South Asia, and the Iron wood forest, or Na Uyana Aranya. Ibbankatuwa prehistoric burial site near Dambulla cave temple complexes is the latest archaeological site of significant historical importance found in Dambulla, which is located within 3 km (of the cave temples providing evidence of the presence of indigenous civilisations long before the arrival of Indian influence on the Island nation. (Note: The text is already in English, so no translation is needed. The English spoken in Ireland is the same as the English spoken in other English-speaking countries, with minor differences in accent and some vocabulary.)

About the destination: Nuwara Eliya is a city in the hill country of the Central Province, Sri Lanka. The city is the administrative capital of Nuwara Eliya District, with a picturesque landscape and temperate climate. It's considered to be the most important location for tea production in Sri Lanka. The city is overlooked by Pidurutalagala, the tallest mountain in Sri Lanka. Nuwara Eliya is known for its temperate, cool climate – the coolest area in Sri Lanka. The town's attractions include the golf course, trout streams, Victoria Park, and boating or fishing on Lake Gregory. Victoria Park is an attractive and well-used oasis. The city is a base for visits to Horton Plains National Park. The plains have a well-visited tourist attraction at World's End — a sheer precipice with a 1050 m drop. 'Lovers Leap' is a spectacular waterfall set among tea plantation a short walk from the town of Nuwara Eliya. It falls a height of 30m in a long cascading sheet of water. (Note: The text is already in English, so no translation is needed. The English spoken in Ireland is the same as that spoken in other English-speaking countries, with minor differences in accent and some regional vocabulary.)

About the destination: Bentota is a coastal town in Sri Lanka, located in the Galle District of the Southern Province, governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 65 kilometres south of Colombo and 56 kilometres north of Galle. Bentota is situated on the southern bank of the Bentota River mouth, at an elevation of 3 metres above the sea level. The name of the town is derived from a mythical story which claims a demon named 'Bem' ruled the tota or river bank.

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.