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7. 10 Reasons to Holiday in Sri Lanka

Shangri Hotel, Colombo and Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa offers two stay packages with great value additions and immersive guest experiences and more reason to visit Sri Lanka Sri Lanka offers diverse experiences that provide the ideal getaway this Diwali. From walking the streets of Colombo immersing oneself in its rich historical beauty or enjoying one of its nightlife hotspots, to a safari through the beautiful wildlife parks, here guests will find the perfect agenda for one’s visit. Enjoy the best of Sri Lanka as you stay at any one of these properties - Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo is located in the heart of the city’s entertainment district and offers the finest guest rooms with stunning views of the Indian Ocean and cityscape, six innovative restaurants and bars, a swimming pool overlooking the Indian Ocean and Shangri-La’s signature CHI, The Spa. Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa, located on the pristine south coast offers luxurious rooms, three swimming pools, CHI Ayurveda Spa, a wide variety of vibrant dining destinations, unparalleled recreational facilities including a dedicated kids club and an artisan village that celebrates local arts and crafts. Here is a selection of handpicked experiences for you to enjoy when you stay in Colombo or Hambantota:

1. Tuk Tuk Safari

Colourful and characterful, the classic tuk tuks draw up right outside the hotel to take guests on an exploration of the city’s best local sites from the bustling outdoor bazaar of Pettah to impressive colonial buildings, and popular archaeological sites that are steeped with history. One will have the opportunity to truly be a part of the city’s culture.  

2. Sunset Colombo City Walks

[caption id="attachment_10876" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The two-hour walking tour includes visits to prominent historical spots as well as the most hidden gems of Colombo. See colonial landmarks such as the Old Colombo Lighthouse among other grand buildings against the stunning hues of the setting sun. The tour leaders are enthusiastic and passionate about telling Colombo’s story, thereby making the city walks a memorable and inspiring experience for all.[/caption]  

3. The Art Trail

  Colombo is well known for its art scene with the city’s famed “Art Street” bordering the scenically landscaped Viharamadevi Park. Art Street comes alive on weekends with talented artists lining the streets showcasing their paintings of various styles and tastes ranging from traditional to contemporary. The hotel’s concierge will guide guests to the famous street and organise a stopover at the city’s iconic park.  

4. Dining, wining and the casinos

When the sun sets, the excitement heats up in Colombo with a vibrant choice of restaurants, clubs, bars and casinos. Dine on a variety of cuisines at specialty restaurants, play blackjack and sip your favourite cocktails in plush casinos, or dance the night away at the city’s nightclubs, all located in close proximity to Shangri-La Hotel, Colombo. If you wish not to venture out, the hotel itself offers six innovative restaurants and bars, and is considered a social and dining hotspot in itself.  

5. A round of golf, in the most scenic course

Spread across a vast coconut palm plantation, Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa offers and 18-hole golf course with spectacular views and distinctive challenges for both beginners and seasoned players. The par-70 course is designed by Rodney Wright, the globally celebrated designer. The beautifully-landscaped course takes players on a memorable golfing journey through three zones, each with its own unique character and challenges.  

6. A Gateway to the Wild

Hambantota is located in close proximity to some of Sri Lanka’s finest National Parks. Yala National Park is a regular fixture on travel bucket lists, for having the world’s highest density of leopards. Yala is home to a variety of other animals including elephants, sloth bears, spotted deer, many bird species and more.Another popular National Park is Udawalawe famous for travellers to spot elephants in large numbers as they come within close proximity during a safari tour. It is also home to various endemic bird species.  

7. River Boat Safari down the Walawe River

The river is bursting with wildlife and as the sun sets, guests can watch tropical birds, bats, langur monkeys swinging through the trees alongside the boat and parading peacocks. Guests can also see local fishermen as they go about their liveliehood. Get a unique insight into the unspoilt surrounding environment with their local guide and the help of a small booklet identifying the different fauna species.  

8. Sunset at Godawaya

Starting with a beach stroll or a bike ride along the resort’s dramatic coastline, passing through a quaint local fishermen’s village and Buddhist temple, and concluding with a scenic hike through extraordinary rock formations to Godawaya, guests can watch a mesmerizing sunset over the Indian Ocean.  

9. Visit to the Virgin White Tea Factory

The Handunugoda Tea Estate, a tea plantation is world renowned for producing a white tea completely untouched by human hands. Visitors are provided with the opportunity to learn the process of tea plucking as well as the history behind Virgin White Tea. In addition, guests of Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa are offered an exclusive invitation to meet the owner of the plantation and be taken on a private tour with him, which finishes with a delightful tea tasting at his house.  

10. Mirissa

A staple fixture on a holiday maker’s places to visit, whale watching is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The season starts in November and ends in April, when the Indian Ocean is warm and calm. Mirissa is well-regarded in Sri Lanka, as the clearest point for whale and dolphin watching tours around the island. Often spotted are Blue whales, Bryde´s whales, Sperm whales, Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins, Spinner dolphins, and more.