Honeymoon to Sri Lanka

Do you like the idea of long, lazy days on a palm-fringed beaches with a dash of adventure thrown in? If so, then Sri Lanka might just be the perfect destination for your honeymoon! Picture coming across elephants and leopards whilst out on safari, sipping freshly picked tea (or a gin and tonic) whilst looking out over the plantation and rolling countryside and feasting on the freshest catch of the day with your toes in the warm sand. Sounds like bliss.

1. Days 1-4: Koggala Lake

   Your romantic getaway begins with an utterly relaxing three nights down on Sri Lanka’s beautiful south coast where you can just take some timeout and enjoy special moments together. Your boutique bolthole, KK Beach is fresh, cool and contemporary, with a few nods to traditional features and artwork to remind you of where you are. Everything about the property points towards the shimmering Indian Ocean so you can enjoy splendid views from bed, whilst you’re eating breakfast and when lounging beside the pool.
    
   During your time here you’re free to do as little or as much as you like. Secure a sun lounger and start your holiday read, or head to the beach (just a stone’s throw away) with your snorkel gear or grab a surfboard and hit the waves. Next door to the hotel is a sea-turtle farm and hatchery, why not pop in to learn about the project and maybe, if you’re lucky, even help the team with a release! And, if you’re visiting between December and April there are boat trips to spot the migrating whales found just offshore at this time. 
   
   We have included a couple of experiences just to ensure you stretch your legs a little. The first is to uncover the area’s hidden beauty and involves exploring the verdant countryside by bike with its photogenic rice paddies and rural villages, a boat trip along the Kapu Ela River in search of wildlife and a chance to try your hand at making traditional fresh hoppers (bowl shaped pancakes) on a clay stove. You’ll also have a quick tour around the picturesque fortified city of Galle, most famous for its imposing fort. There’s time to wander around the cobbled streets passing colonial buildings, ancient mosques and churches, grand restored mansions and quirky cafes and boutique shops, before dining at one of the quaint restaurants serving the tastiest seafood dishes tinged with Sri Lankan spices. 
   

   Accommodation: KK Beach (3 nights)

2. Days 4-6: Yala National Park

   Today the real adventure begins. Your private chauffeur will transfer you to Yala National Park, just four hours away. There is something inextricably romantic about safari and the rich eco-system here plays host to a wealth of wildlife, including elephants, crocodiles, monkeys and leopards. Home for the next two nights is the Wild Coast Tented Lodge, a remote safari camp perched above a rugged stretch of beach next to Sri Lanka's premier game reserve. 
   
   Grab a pair of binoculars and practice your best David Attenborough impression, you’ll spend the next couple of days alongside the enthusiastic team of rangers, on the lookout for some of the regions amazing wildlife. You might even spot an elephant dipping its trunk into the hotel’s pool whilst you’re enjoying an evening drink!  
   
   You’ll sleep in luxurious, cocoon shaped tented yurts. There’s a cool retro safari theme, think polished teak floors, leather chairs and copper bathtubs, which make you feel like one of the great explorers. But with modern touches such as a sound system, air-conditioning and Wi-Fi, you’ll feel far cooler and better connected. The enormous free-form swimming pool and sumptuous spa offer the perfect escape after a day out in the bush.  
   There’s an open-air restaurant, where the creative chef designs a daily-changing menu, whilst canapes and sundowner cocktails are served on the sand dunes under a starry lit sky, the perfect spot for watching dusk settle over the Indian Ocean. 
   

   Accommodation: Wild Coast Tented Lodge (2 nights)

3. Days 6-9: Koslanda and Haputale

   Now it’s time to swap the barren coast and forested lowlands for the beautifully green and luscious hill country, surrounded by tea plantations and paddy fields. Your private chauffeur will again be on hand to transfer you the four or so hours it takes to reach your next destination. It is not hard to see why this area of Sri Lanka is often referred to as ‘little England’, with its colonial style tea bungalows and beautifully manicured lawns. Due to its higher altitude it can get a little chillier here, so pack a jumper for the evening, but it all adds to the romantic atmosphere. 
   
   Nestled at the top of the verdant landscape and overlooking the plantation fields below you’ll find Thotalagala, a lovingly converted colonial plantation house, now boutique hotel, steeped in history. The décor of the rooms reflects its past, but they have been brought up to date with modern touches and there’s the now almost obligatory infinity swimming pool with sweeping views. 
   
   There’s no rush here, pull up a rocking chair and enjoy some of the delicious homemade nibbles and a cup of the freshest tea (feel free to swap it for something stronger), exchange traveling tales with other guests, whilst watching the mist settle over the landscape. You may spend your days with walks through the plantations, visiting some of the local tea factories and hiking up to spectacular viewing points. Most importantly just relax and suck up that delicious mountain air!
   

   Accommodation: Thotalagala (3 nights)

4. Days 9-13: Balapitiya, South Coast, Sri Lanka

   With the end of your trip almost in sight, it’s time to head back towards the ocean again, where you’ll spend the last four nights of your honeymoon at a modern beachfront, villa-style property on the sun-drenched south-west coast. It’s a five-hour transfer, but it’s worth staying awake as the scenery on the way back down is sensational. After a refreshing welcome drink upon arrival, you’ll be donning your bathing suit and making your way down to the long sandy beach in no time!
   
   The hotel has just 10 rooms, so it feels exclusive and private and as you might expect from a hotel this size the service is attentive and highly personalised. The décor is chic and stylish, simple with an air of calm throughout, for sure you will find it difficult to leave. The food is exceptional, expect healthy conscious breakfasts and a mixture of international and locally inspired dishes for lunch and dinner. In the evenings, sip sundowners from the delightful terrace or from the sunken loungers in the pool, and for the final sunset clamber up onto the giant boulders in the garden to capture the perfect selfie against the crimson sky. 
   For those seeking a slice of the local culture, hop in a tuk-tuk to Ambalangoda, a small town where the locals make weird and wonderful colourful masks for various dancing rituals and spiritual cleansing ceremonies. You can even try carving your own and they make for great souvenirs!
   

   Accommodation: Kumu Beach (4 nights)

Koggala, Yala National Park, Tea Country & Bentota