Package holidays are fighting back according to Which? The UK’s top consumer magazine, Which?, has concluded that package holidays are likely to work out cheaper than DIY bookings. The study challenges the notion, fuelled by the growth of on-line information, that if travellers do all the planning themselves they will save money. Packaged trips also offer far greater protection if ...
Are you planning a visit to Sri Lanka this winter, or perhaps next year? This is peak season for visiting the island, when the weather in Sri Lanka is warm and dry and the south coast is safe for swimming. Discover the top five places to stay in Sri Lanka in winter that have to be in your itinerary. ...
Exploring the Cultural Triangle is a must for anyone visiting Sri Lanka. This region boasts a wealth of historic sites that showcase the island’s rich cultural legacy, many of which are recognized by UNESCO World Heritage. However, given the significance and staggering beauty of these sites, this region is often busy with tourists. Take advantage of these unique activities ...
In the words of the Beach Boys, surfing is ‘the greatest sport around / catch a wave and you’re sitting on top of the world’. That is certainly the belief of the fanatical locals who live beside Sri Lanka’s best surfing beaches, a mindset shared by the many surfers who flock to Sri Lanka from all corners of the globe ...
A guide to the best hikes in Sri Lanka From gentle tea country walks to strenuous mountain climbs, travellers are spoiled for choice when searching for the top Sri Lanka trekking trails. Use this guide to the best hikes in Sri Lanka to discover the Sri Lanka walking routes that are best suited to you and your Sri Lanka holiday. ...
You might say that Richard Dawkins took the world by storm with his anti-religious polemic ‘The God Delusion’. Now, the world renowned author and evolutionary biologist’s legacy has been immortalized in the waters of Sri Lanka after local scientists named an entire new genus of freshwater fish after him. The ‘Dawkinsia’ formally known as the ‘Puntius’ was named after Dawkins ...
Everyone is excited about the new hotels and resorts being planned for the east coast, an area famed for its beautiful beaches and calm seas, so everyone in the Red Dot sales team was keen to abandon their laptops, grab their flip-flops and jump in our office van last month to see Trincomalee’s newest opening: Jungle Beach Resort. The second ...
When I first heard about the Colombo City Walks, the first thought that came to my mind was: “Is a visit to Pettah markets really that appealing?” Nevertheless, wherever I went, word on the Walks frequently popped up. So when I was invited to join my team of Red Dotters for some much-needed exercise, I was the first to say ...
It is that time of year again where one of the most amazing wildlife spectacles take place in the dry zone jungles of Sri Lanka. On the shores of Minneriya and Kaudulla National Park, elephants from all parts of the north-central jungles ‘gather’ to feed on lush grass from the tank beds to quench their thirst. Ranked sixth on the ...
Travel companies like Red Dot can come out ahead, says the UK’s leading consumer magazine, Which? The UK’s top consumer magazine, Which?, has warned that trusting global online travel sites risks “dodgy refund policies and non-existent customer service” and that it is not the money-saver that many customers assume. The study challenges the notion, fuelled by the growth of ...
Dear Friends & Partners,It is with a profound sense of sadness that we share this. You will by now have heard the news, have seen the distressing pictures flashed across your television screens, and will fully understand the scale of appalling tragedy that unfolded on this beautiful island on Easter Sunday. Words are rarely adequate when it comes to ...
When you think of safety jackets, the first thing that comes to mind usually is an activity that has something to do with the sea. In this case however, safety jackets have been deemed a must in one of the driest regions in the country! The Sigiriya Central Cultural Fund has made it essential for tourists to wear safety jackets ...
Picture courtesy of Daily FT No visit to a tropical country is ever complete without a tropical cocktail like a Pina Colada or Mojito, and with the need have the right mix of flair and knowledge to create some of the endless cocktail options available, two teams of upcoming bartenders from the Heritance Kandalama and Heritance Ahungalla hotels showed just ...
Rock Villa by Taru Villas, a 170-year-old Sri Lankan wallawwa set on a two-acre coconut grove bordering the Indian Ocean off Bentota, was recently named the Best Boutique Villa at the Sri Lanka Tourism Awards held in December. With an offering of 6 rooms varying from Deluxe to Suites, Rock Villa oozes class and timeless character at every turn, ...
Why House recently grabbed the top spot for Asia’s Best Family Hotel in the Boutique Hotel Awards held in London last month. We can’t really say we’re surprised because Why House has indeed been a firm favourite of families travelling with us. Hidden away from the popular beaches of Thalpe, in a gorgeously landscaped three-acre garden, Why House is quite ...
A picture of two Sri Lankan land monitor lizards seemingly intent on a dance lesson has been Highly Commended in this year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography awards. The photo was taken in Wilpattu game park by Sergey Savvi of CWPA / Barcroft Images. Sadly the dancing lizards lost out to a surprised squirrel. There are two types of monitor lizards ...
I’ve always championed late November as a great time to visit Sri Lanka for the beach lover in search of bargains. As the month progresses, the sunshine hours on the west and south coast increase dramatically. But this November, 2018, the west and south coast beaches are quieter than normal. The power struggle in Parliament which has temporarily left ...
The second half of November is my favourite time in Sri Lanka. The monsoon has largely burned itself out in the south-west and when it does rain, predominantly in the evening, it freshens the air and provides an enchanting backdrop to the sounds of the tropics. For those most interested in Sri Lanka’s beach culture there are bargains to be ...
Last week, the Red Dot Team headed towards Galle to have a look at some properties along the coast. We were thrilled with the selection of hotels and villas, but one property struck a chord with almost everyone! Sielen Diva, named after how our island was referred to by the Greeks, sits on a stretch of beautiful coastline in ...
It’s a well-known fact now that the world as we know it, is struggling with the problem of plastic, so when one hotel decided to take a step back to look at its plastic usage and subsequent waste, they were shocked and decided that enough is enough! And now, Buckingham Place in Tangalle, is keeping a close eye on their ...
