Sri Lanka, dubbed the ruby of the Indian Ocean, is a seaside paradise nestling at the foot of lush mountains. In amongst its temples and tea plantations, there are relics of a colonial age and breath-taking traditions.

Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is a country which offers all that is best in a tropical destination: magnificent beaches of fine sand, mountainous regions scattered with tea plantations, countless Buddhist sites, fine colonial remains, a rich and accessible wildlife, living craft traditions and the legendary hospitality of its inhabitants.

Since the end of the civil war Sri Lanka has become much safer and the first place to explore is its capital, Colombo. This is a major port and commercial capital, teeming with activity. There is the lively district of Pettah, under the watch of the Clock Tower, the remains of a Dutch fort. Most tourist amenities are clustered on the west and south coasts of the country. The beaches stretch, one after another, over several hundred kilometres. There you can see the traditional fishermen perched on stilts; the village of Ambalangoda and its handcrafted masks; the ancient fortified town of Galle, inherited from the Dutch settlers.

Inland, there are the mountains with their green summits and slopes covered in tea plantations. Around Kandy and its sacred temple, no fewer than six sites are classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the rock fortress of Sirigaya and the holy city of Anuradhapura. Amidst this lush, green countryside, the 3 000 elephants recorded as living there are man’s closest companions. Visitors will come across them from time to time, as, for example, at the orphanage in Pinnawela, where several dozen are cared for in a nature reserve.