An Aman Journey through Sri Lanka

Arriving in Colombo, your driver will be waiting to take you to Galle in an air-conditioned car - it's a round a two-hour drive on a road that hugs the coast with the Indian Ocean on your right. Three night's accommodation at the Dutch period Amangalla hotel, restored with meticulous attention to detail - it's a lovely timeless place, located in the grounds of the historic Galle fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The beautiful swimming pool is hidden away in the tropical gardens; in the beautiful vaulted rooms of the spa, enjoy expert Ayurvedic massages. The staff are always smiling, attentive and professional.

For many centuries Galle was one of the most important ports in Asia, and at the heart of a prosperous trade route - the Portuguese landed there as early as 1605 pursuing an Arab fleet that traded spices in the Maldives, with the Dutch storming their fortress in 1640. Today, Galle is a tropical port sheltered by its walls and retaining the charm of a bygone era. Stroll through a maze of sleepy alleyways past ochre, turquoise and jade houses with faded shutters, cyclists dodging by; then stumble across hidden squares shaded by large banyans, where the older generations play backgammon.
On your agenda - high tea at the hotel. At teatime, you can experience a civilised and delicious tradition; settle into a Chesterfield sofa and let yourself be lulled by the sound of gentle conversation and the quiet footsteps of the liveried waiters. Reclining on your buttoned leather chair, cast your mind back to more genteel times. Also scheduled during your stay: a private dinner in the rice paddies. A gourmet break in the heart of Sri Lanka's rice fields. This candlelit dinner, showcasing local flavours, is perfectly complimented by the surrounding landscape.
Optional - You can choose to transform your stay into a personalised Ayurvedic programme, starting with a consultation from a specialist physician. A gentle way to regenerate your body and mind. You can also extend your introduction to Sri Lankan cuisine with a private cooking class.

Drive to Tangalle with the ocean on one side and coconut groves on the other. The lush vegetation surrounds breathtakingly beautiful temples. Tangalle invites you to rest and relax, and the Amanwella is the perfect place to do just that. You will stay here for four nights. Spacious suites (1,070 square ft) with a clean design, large windows opening onto the jungle (or ocean, on request), private swimming pool... The ideal environment for a few days of pure relaxation. If you still feel the need to explore, why not try surfing, explore buried temples, head out to spot blue whales, or explore national parks where you can find elephants and leopards?

Already included - a visit to a local market, in Tangalle or Dickwella - where the stalls are jammed up against each other, the sellers squatting on their mats and there's an extraordinary abundance of fruit including 21 varieties of mangoes, papayas, guava, lychees, coconuts and dwarf bananas. You'll have to clamber over boxes of bright red peppers, and tiptoe between the woven baskets, scented with cinnamon and vanilla. You can also enjoy a private visit to the Mulkirigala Temple, 30 minutes from Tangalle, and nicknamed 'little Sigiriya'. Walk up to a mountainside Buddhist temple, the journey punctuated by stops where you can visit a hall lined with numerous Buddha statues and various offerings.
Optional - the waves of Sri Lanka are attracting more and more surfers, so why not try a surfing lesson? The sandy beach of Nilwella is a perfect spot for beginners, while Unakaruwa will delight the more experienced.