Sri Lanka among the best Asian destinations for summer vacation: Travel+Leisure

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This island nation is a tropical paradise nestled in the blue waters of the Indian Ocean. Home to ancient cities, magnificent temples, lush tea plantations and a culture enriched with mythologies, Sri Lanka is a beautiful little country in the Indian ocean. Sri Lanka’s summer is moderately hot; however, the island country makes it up with coastal winds and gentle rain showers. You can experience the country’s oldest and grandest festival in July/August, the Esala Perahera in Kandy. This annual festival is held to pay respect to the sacred tooth of Lord Buddha resting in Sri Dalada Maligawa Temple.

Places to explore in Sri Lanka:

Colombo: Tour the capital of Sri Lanka and see landmarks like Galle Face Green, Independence Square, Gangaramaya Temple, Lotus Tower, Viharamahadevi Park, Colombo Dutch Museum, National Museum, Sri Manika Vinayagar Kovil and Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque.

Jaffna: Explore Fort Jaffna, Jaffna Kingdom Ruins, Jaffna Archaeological Museum, Point Pedro. See the city’s spiritual side at Nallur Kandaswamy Temple, Nagadeepa Temple, Keerimalai Naguleswaram Kovil and Nagapooshani Amman Temple. Unwind at Casuarina Beach and Neduntheevu Island.

Kandy: Visit Sri Dalada Maligawa (it houses the tooth of Gautam Buddha) and Sri Maha Bodhi Maha Viharaya. Check out Royal Botanical Gardens, Kandy National Museum and Kandy Royal Palace. Walk through Udawattakelle Sanctuary with a guide. Visit Ceylon Tea Museum and buy tea as a souvenir. Trek through Horton Plains National Park.

What to eat: Fish ambul thiyal, kottu, Chicken curry, parrippu, lamprais, appa (hoppers), idiyappam(string hoppers), polos and wambatu moju.

How to reach:

Colombo: Colombo International Airport Ratmalana is about 17 km from the city centre and Bandaranaike International Airport is roughly 32 km away.

Kandy: The spiritual city doesn’t have an airport; Bandaranaike International Airport is the nearest one, about 113 km away.

Jaffna: Sri Lanka’s northernmost city has its own airport, Jaffna International Airport, about 20 km from the city centre.

Source: https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/in/destinations/asia/best-asian-vacation-destinations/

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