Unquestionably the cultural capital of the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Galle Fort is a World Heritage Site steeped in history dating back to the 16th century that is a must see when visiting the island.
The fort at Galle was first constructed by the Portuguese in 1588 and was then extensively fortified by the Dutch in the 17th century. Its colourful history portrays the major role Galle played in Sri Lanka’s past, being the main port on the island and as extension the main trading post for international merchants.
Today, Galle is the largest remaining fortress in the whole of Asia that was built by Europeans. Thanks to continuous reconstruction and restoration work by the Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka Galle Fort remains a magnificent example of European architecture fused with South Asian traditions and maintains its polished appearance.
Midky Hotel, within the tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya, is a small modern budget hotel less than a mile from the centre of town.
The hotel offers very good value for money. There are fantastic panoramic views of Piduruthalagala Mountain and surrounding mountains from the hotel balconies and glass panelled restaurant.
The stunning Temple of the Tooth in the ancient capital Kandy is a magnet for pilgrims and tourists alike. It is the most visited temple in the whole of Sri Lanka and is the only temple in the world with a tooth relic of Buddha himself.
Believed to house the tooth of the Buddha which was taken from him on his funeral pyre, the relic is of great importance to the many pilgrims who come to visit the shrine and has played a big role in the politics of the region with it being believed that those who hold the relic holds the governance.
When visiting Sri Lanka it is advised you take some time to sightsee in Kandy which is the ancient capital of the country, and take a Temple of the Tooth tour. The temple complex is one of the main reasons Kandy was awarded with World Heritage status.
This is a wonderful colonial hotel dating from the Victorian era with its own quirky charm. You will probably be met with a welcome drink of soup served in tiny coffee cups – which really is often very welcome due to the chilliness outside. The hotel rooms are lovely with ensuite facilities often with a bath. A really nice touch at night would be your own hot water bottle. The breakfasts here are truly magnificent.
It is unique in that it was once a working tea factory and has been converted into a luxurious hotel but keeping some of the machinery once used there -of particular note are the huge belts that disappear up into the centre of the hotel and the solid scales used to weigh the tea. The hotel bedrooms are all luxuriously furnished but do have a cosy feel to them and have great views out over the nearby tea plantations. There are several dining options including the fine dining in the Railway Carriage Restaurant
Additionally, you can pick your own tea at the nearby Heathersett Estate and have it processed in the hotel’s Mini Tea Factory.
The hotel is located about a 30min drive out of Nuwara Eliya and the road can be in a poor condition which can increase the journey time.
