Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Sri Lanka – Maldives – Horathopola – Sigiriya – Kandy – Gampola – Velassaru
100% customisable for you
Your romantic escape begins today. After heading to the airport and enjoying a celebratory tipple in the lounge, board your overnight flight to Colombo, which will take around ten-and-a-half hours.
After you land, your private driver will whisk you just over an hour to Horathapola, a secluded estate where coconut palms sway above emerald rice paddies and peacocks, waterbirds, and the occasional curious mongoose wander the gardens. You’ll likely be tired after all that travelling, so spend the rest of the day stretching out on your terrace, wandering the grounds or taking a dip in the pool – a calm welcome after a long journey.
If you’re keen to get stuck into your new surroundings, the estate’s guided coconut experience is a charming optional introduction to local life, offering a chance to see traditional harvesting and taste some freshly pressed coconut (your first of many).
After a leisurely breakfast, it’s time for a scenic three-hour journey into Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle. As you wind your way north, rolling hills give way to vast rice fields, occasional forest patches and unhurried villages.
Later, arrive at your luxurious villa, where wild elephants, peacocks, and civets can be seen moving freely through the lush gardens. Spend the afternoon exploring the grounds or simply spending quality time on your terrace with a book and a cup of Ceylon tea.
As evening falls, head out for a nighttime wildlife walk in the surrounding rice fields and wetlands. Led by a knowledgeable naturalist, this gentle stroll reveals the nocturnal side of the island, with sightings of lorises, otters, and the occasional shy mouse deer. Once you return to your hotel, round off the evening with an ice-cold refreshment under the stars.
Rise early to take advantage of the soft morning light as you visit the UNESCO-listed Sigiriya Rock Fortress, one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic landmarks. Towering 656ft above the plains, this monolith was the ambitious palace of King Kashyapa in the 5th century. As you climb, pause to admire the exquisite frescoes of celestial nymphs, the only surviving feminine images from this period in Sri Lanka.
At the summit, panoramic views stretch across emerald rice paddies, forests, and distant villages – a rare vantage point where the scale of the Cultural Triangle truly reveals itself.
After a refuelling lunch and a few hours of relaxing back at the hotel, head out again, this time for a private bike ride through the rice paddies of Sigiriya. Alongside a friendly guide, cycle along quiet country lanes, passing emerald fields, marshes, and forests alive with herons, egrets, and monitor lizards. The ride is gentle and the landscape rich and unhurried, offering a truly immersive glimpse into the island’s vibrant biodiversity.
After breakfast, your private driver will whisk you to the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, an hour and a half away. Today, you’ll be exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site in the most leisurely way possible: aboard an open-air tuk-tuk.
Once the royal capital of Sri Lanka, Polonnaruwa is a city frozen in time, and its well-preserved monuments offer a window into ancient Sinhalese life. Marvel at the monumental Buddhas of Gal Vihara perfectly carved into the rock walls, wander past intricately sculpted temple ruins, and take in the symmetry of the royal palace grounds. The tuk-tuk allows you to weave between sites with ease, pausing for photos (or whenever something interesting catches your eye).
Spend your final night at your peaceful villa, soaking up the sight of wild elephants grazing nearby.
After breakfast, leave the Cultural Triangle behind and head three-and-a-half hours south toward the cooler hills of Sri Lanka’s central highlands. En route, visit the Peradeniya Botanical Gardens, the largest in Sri Lanka. Once a royal park, these postcard-perfect gardens span over 148 acres in a loop around the Mahaweli River. Alongside an expert guide, stroll hand-in-hand along rows of orchids and a grand avenue of royal palms before stopping to admire the enormous Java fig tree, which towers over a whopping 17,000ft lawn.
Later, continue toward Kandy to your new hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next three nights. Surrounded by tea plantations, spice gardens and orchards, settle into your new home, relaxing or exploring nearby trails before dinner served in the main house or under the stars.
Spend the next two days exploring the Kandy region. On one day, we’ve arranged a private visit to Orange Field Tea Factory, led by a knowledgeable third-generation tea producer. As you wander through the estate, watch as fresh leaves are sorted, rolled, and dried and learn about the meticulous process that turns them into award-winning Ceylon tea. The tasting session that follows is a lesson in aroma and flavour, and you’ll have the chance to pick up some blends to take home – English Breakfast tea just won’t be the same after this.
We’ll also arrange a peaceful guided walk to a nearby waterfall, meandering through tea gardens, spice plantations, and shaded village paths. Listen for birdsong, spot butterflies, and catch glimpses of local life along the way.
When you’re not out exploring, spend your time unwinding by the pool, admiring the views over the surrounding hills as the sun dips below the horizon.
After one final Sri Lankan breakfast, your private driver will meet you mid-morning for the scenic four-hour drive to Colombo Airport through rolling hills, villages and glimpses of everyday Sri Lankan life. Along the way, admire mist-draped tea estates and coconut groves – one last look at the island’s lush landscapes.
Arrive at the airport in time for your one-and-a-half-hour flight to Male, the capital of the Maldives. On arrival, a speedboat transfer of roughly 45 minutes delivers you to Velassaru, a picture-perfect island retreat. Your romantic villa awaits: stretch out on the sand, take a dip in the warm Indian Ocean or simply breathe in the tropical calm, ready for the days of relaxation ahead.
For the next three days, wake to the soft rhythm of waves lapping the shore and palm fronds rustling in the breeze. The island of Velassaru is a perfectly balanced escape, with postcard-perfect ocean views and a variety of laidback activities to choose from.
Days here are yours to shape. Is your other half a waterbaby? Go snorkelling in the warm, clear waters, explore coral gardens teeming with tropical fish or glide across the lagoon by kayak. For a touch of indulgence, book a couples’ spa treatment or yoga session in the garden pavilion, take a dip in the pool or spend an afternoon sprawled on the golden sand, letting the golden sun work its quiet magic. If you’d really like to push the boat out (pun intended), we can arrange for you to cruise to a private island for a peaceful picnic as the sun sets.
Evenings are for lounging with a cocktail, watching the sun melt into the horizon, before enjoying romantic dinners al fresco, either at your hotel or at a charming local eatery.
After a final morning swim or a slow breakfast by the lagoon, another 45-minute speedboat whisks you back to Male, where you’ll board your flight back home. With a quick stopover, the journey will take between 13 and 16 hours, and you’ll arrive back home this evening, feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to regale your friends and family with tales of your romantic getaway.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
ENQUIRE NOW
Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
