On The Road in Sri Lanka with Whittalls Travels

Greetings from Sri Lanka!

Baxter Media is currently on the road on a tour with Whittalls Travels, along with Canadian travel advisors to experience the highlights of this island country, whose popularity has soared recently.

“We reached the two million visitor mark [on Nov. 17th],” said Nuwan Mahawattage, our tour guide from Whittalls Travels. “We haven’t seen these numbers since before Covid.”

Over the course of the next nine days, the FAM group consisting of Minaz and Naeem Thaver from Gala Travels will experience some of the highlights of the destination like Anuradhapura City, the Sigiriya Rock Fortress, an iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Lion Rock,” and sites like the famous Nine Arch Bridge, an impressive colonial-era railway bridge.

Although we have only been here for a day and a half, it is already clear to the agents why visitors fall for Sri Lanka so quickly. In fact, the main topic of conversation over our first dinner was deciding when we would be returning.

“I already love it,” Minaz said, adding that she is planning to come back with her family soon. Her daughter is heading to the Maldives, which is only about a 90-minute flight from Colombo. This collection of coral islands has become a top destination in recent years, and there is growing optimism that Sri Lanka will be the next rising star on the North American travel radar.

According to Thanushka Nanayakkara, CEO of Prestige Discoveries, the country is on the cusp of doing exactly that. Its list of accolades continues to grow, including recent recognition from Lonely Planet and the Pacific Asia Travel Association.

“It is going through a transformative time,” he explained, pointing to major infrastructure projects such as the Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams, a 1.3-billion-dollar investment reshaping Colombo’s skyline.

Cinnamon Life: a new benchmark for Colombo

This sparkling new hotel complex on the shores of the Indian Ocean was our first stop, and it certainly made an impression.

“It is far better than most of the five-star hotels we have stayed at,” said Naeem, who was particularly impressed by the amenities and food.

The property’s 800 rooms are spacious and modern with a chic design and floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase sweeping views of either the Lotus Tower or the Indian Ocean. The infinity pool is a major highlight, offering a seamless horizon that blends cityscape, ocean and sky.

Dining options are diverse and abundant: Japanese fare at Yoroko; authentic cuisine from all five regions of Sri Lanka’s neighbour at Indiya; Cantonese delights at Sapphire Dragon, Mediterranean seafood at Bistro des Marees and juicy steaks at Staten Bar & Grill. For a nightcap and entertainment, step into the glitzy Gatz, a two-level champagne and cocktail bar inspired by The Great Gatsby. 

For travel advisors working with MICE clients, Cinnamon Life is especially noteworthy. The complex includes a large convention centre, grand ballrooms, numerous breakout spaces, well-equipped meeting rooms and strong technical capabilities. It is designed to accommodate corporate groups, conferences, incentive programs and high-profile events with ease.

The hotel features an impressive collection of original Sri Lankan paintings, and even includes a gallery where guests can purchase pieces.

“Every cent of the proceeds goes to the artist,” explained the hotel manager. “We wanted to create a space to showcase new talent both to visitors and locals.”

Although one night was not nearly enough to fully explore the property, the rest of the island was calling.

On the road to Sigiriya

We continued our journey toward Sigiriya with our knowledgeable guide, Nuwan Mahawattage, who has been leading tours since 2004. Over the years, he has hosted groups that included Christian Bale, Kate Middleton’s sister and even Pope Francis. So we’re in good hands.

As we drove away from Colombo, the scenery morphed from cityscape to lush jungle. 

“Sri Lanka is a small miracle, a land like no other,” he said. “In a two-hour drive, you find yourself in a completely different climate and geographical region.” He explained that while other places like India and Africa may have everything Sri Lanka offers, you do not need to travel thousands of kilometres to experience them.

For reference, Sri Lanka measures approximately 65,000 square kilometres, which is comparable to the size of Ireland. “In two weeks, you can see everything,” he added, although he does not recommend staying longer than that. When we asked why, he laughed and said, “Because you will never leave.” The country’s natural beauty and relaxed island lifestyle have attracted many expatriates over the years, including author Arthur C. Clarke, who drew inspiration for his science fiction writing from his home here.

We have only experienced a small taste of this “small miracle” so far, but the coming days promise a rich look at the country’s history, culture and landscapes.

Itinerary highlights will include:

• A two-night stay at the jungle hotel, Heritance Kandalama, with a tour of the ancient city of Anuradhapura.
• Sunrise climb of Sigiriya Rock Fortress, then onward to Kandy to visit the Dambulla Cave Temple and Ranweli Spice Garden before checking in at Cinnamon Citadel.
• The Temple of the Tooth Relic, the Royal Botanical Garden and high tea at Giragama Tea Factory.
• One of the world’s most scenic train rides from Kandy to Nanu Oya.
• A jeep safari in Yala National Park, which claims the world’s largest concentrations of leopards

We’ll be sure to share more stories and photos as our adventure unfolds, so stay tuned.

Getting to Sri Lanka

There are currently no direct flights from Canada, and the total travel time is a minimum of 21 hours. We connected through London Heathrow, where we flew with Sri Lankan Airlines.

“It is the most comfortable I have ever been in economy class,” said Naeem. The seats were roomier than expected and the service was noticeably better than on many carriers.

Visitors must obtain a visa, which can be arranged online in advance or issued upon arrival with relative ease.

Story and photos by Jennifer Merrick.