The Family Travel Blog | Sri Lanka

Immaculate natural vistas, lush greenery and the freshest air you can breathe, this is all you get when you visit Nuwara Eliya. Read on to know why this amazing city is very much different from the rest of Sri Lanka.

The first thing a person who is coming from the coastal regions to Nuwara Eliya will notice a difference in the Climate and the temperature. Although the climate here mainly depends on the monsoons, it is cold in Nuwara Eliya during most times of the year.

Cherubino, Nuwara Eliya 2013 04, CC BY-SA 3.0

The next thing one would notice is the air quality. The air here is cold and fresh. Every time you inhale the cold air you feel refreshed and energized.

There is more vegetation here than any other region in the country that is because the soil Nuwara Eliya is very fertile and is surrounded by lush green forests and tea estates. This also contributes to the fresh and serene ambience.

Image Credit: Cottage 42

Nuwara Eliya is home to a plethora of attractions, from lakes, parks, nature reserves to beautiful waterfalls. There are also a number of accommodation options the likes of Cottage 42 which features well-appointed holiday cottages in Nuwara Eliya.

Image Credit: Cottage 42

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+

Tucked away in the mountains of Sri Lanka is the city of Nuwara Eliya, an enchanting place that makes for an ideal destination for a family getaway. Here are a few reasons why.

Luboš Holič, Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka – panoramio (8), CC BY-SA 3.0

Cool Climate
One of the reasons Nuwara Eliya is known as “Little England” is because of its cool climate that offers welcome relief from the tropical heat. Be you exploring out and about or staying at holiday cottages in Nuwara Eliya this weather is most conducive for family fun.

Engaging Activities
Lake Gregory is one of the most popular attractions for families in Nuwara Eliya; located within a 10 minute drive from Cottage 42, this area is ideal for picnics while horse rides for kids, paddle boats and boat rides are on offer too. Families can also explore the town centre with its old world charm and stroll amidst the idyllic scenery of Victoria Park.

Outdoor Adventures
Families who love outdoor exploration can enjoy some bird watching at Galway’s Land National Park or embark on a jeep safari at Moon Plains and take in some truly stunning vistas. Not to be missed is a chance to visit some of the waterfalls in Nuwara Eliya including St Clair’s Falls and Devon Falls.

Tea Tours
Nuwara Eliya is famed for its tea plantations and you can find special tours that offer fascinating insights into the art of producing the finest tea. Ideal if you have older kids, such tours feature everything from how tea leaves are carefully plucked to a chance to sample pure Ceylon Tea.

Colombo, a bustling city located in the western province of Sri Lanka, is the vibrant capital with plenty to offer. When you visit this tropical island, dropping by to experience the cultural blends of Colombo is highly recommended!

Gangarama Temple | Image Credit : Flickr user: ColbyOtero, Buddha Statues, Colombo, CC BY 2.0

A park located right across the white building, Town Hall, Viharamahadevi Park is Colombo’s largest park. If you’re looking for a break from the busy city and vehicles, this park is the ideal spot to cool off!

Conveniently only 700-meters from the upcoming TRI-ZEN, this sacred temple houses a museum and a Buddhist learning school. It’s become a famous attraction over the recent years due to the rich religious and spiritual feeling it offers.

If you’re looking for a challenge, then visit the busy streets of Pettah. A series of open-air bazaars, stalls, stores, and markets are what you’ll find in Pettah! Despite being constantly crowded, this is where you’ll find anything that you require at a pretty good price. The iconic red and white mosque, Jami Ul Alfar mosque is located here.

Once you’ve gone around the city of Colombo and checked everything off your list, head over to Galle Face Green, a long stretch of green land facing the blue Indian ocean! You’ll be surrounded with grand views of high buildings such as hotels and apartments in Colombo, kids flying kites and families enjoying an evening out.

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Christmas, a festive season that is embraced by not only Christians but everyone! The joy is very infectious. If you are in Sri Lanka for the Christmas break, join in the festivities!

Colombo Christmas Street Market

The street market trend has been quite the hit with everyone, allowing people to socialise and explore the street that is lined with many local vendors selling everything from food, lifestyle products, hand-made artefacts and cards, clothing, books and much more. The atmosphere is lively, with festive lights and music making it a very laid-back way to spend the day and night.

Midnight Mass

Most Christians head to the church on Christmas Eve for the midnight mass. There are plenty of churches that will conduct an English service. Ask a local and they will help you.

Check out the most notable Christmas décor

Most of the best hotels in Sri Lanka, go all out with Christmas decorations competing with each other. You will come across some very creative themes to the usual ones and some even have a full-sized completely edible gingerbread house!

Sit down dinner

After all, the season is all about spreading joy and unity. Choose a place like Colombo Court Hotel & Spa that has a rooftop dining area with a lovely ambience and live music on some days. Enjoy a dining experience that will leave your hearts and stomachs full.

Fritzjames Stephen is a travel writer, who writes content based on the myriad of experiences and indulgences that the world has to offer travellers across all walks of life. Google+

Yala National Park is one of the most common places for birds of various species to flock together. Most of the birds found here are endemic birds, some so rare they can only be spotted while observing carefully in Yala.

Image by Patty Ho Uploaded on Wikimedia Commons by Lkcl_it, Yala National Park (Sri Lanka 2012), CC BY 2.0

Sri Lanka Junglefowl

This species of bird is closer to the red junglefowl. Also, known as the Ceylon Junglefowl, the bird is part of the Galliformes bird order. The top half of the bird is in shades of bright yellow gradually darkening up to orange and then a velvety dark blue at the tail. It is also the national bird of Sri Lanka.

Asian Paradise Flycatcher

If you happen to be bird watching in Sri Lanka, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the Asian Paradise Flycatcher. This is one of many beautiful birds belonging to the family of monarch flycatchers. These birds, as the name states, feed on insects.

White-bellied Sea Eagle

Also called the white-breasted eagle, this superspecies looks rather like the Sanford’s Sea Eagle of Solomon Islands. Fish is the main element of this bird’s diet. Its call is more like a loud honking, almost goose-like.

Indian Peafowls

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful birds in Yala. The male bird possesses an amazing tail in various shades of blue. On bird watching tours with agents like Cinnamon Nature Trails, you are sure to witness the brilliance of its unfurled feathers.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting. Google+

Want to discover everything that the city of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka with your kids in tow? Then read on to find out about the top 4 must-visit places that are both educational and fun!

Colombo National Museum | Photo taken by me, CC BY-SA 3.0 Via Wikimedia Commons

Located in the very heart of Colombo, the Colombo National Museum houses within its grand halls a plethora of interesting artefacts such as ancient weapons, coins, and paintings. A highlight among the displays is the Royal Throne belonging to the last king of Sri Lanka.

Independence Memorial Square | Image Credit – Nigel Swales from Birmingham, UK, CC BY-SA 2.0 Via Wikimedia Commons

The Independence Memorial Hall is situated on a shady avenue and is a great place to escape the incessant bustle of the busy Colombo streets. For a more educational experience do make sure to pay a visit to the museum located beneath the hall to learn about the heroes, who fought for the independence of the country.

Nestled smack dab in the middle of Pettah, the buzzing economic hub of the island, the 300 -year Dutch Museum can be easily reached from some of the best hotels in Sri Lanka including the likes of Colombo Court Hotel & Spa. The former mansion is home to various maps, swords, and furniture belonging to the colonial era.

Gangaramaya Temple | Image Credit – Dan arndt, CC BY-SA 4.0 Via Wikimedia Commons

Featuring an interesting mix of Indian, Chinese, Thai and Sri Lankan architecture, the Gangarayama Temple is located in the vicinity of the placid waters of the Beira Lake.

Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting.

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Pay a visit to these top 4 museums in Colombo to get an insightful glimpse of the rich illustrious history of Sri Lanka, an island steeped in glorious heritage and culture.

Colombo National Museum | Image Credit: Annesley Rozairo, Colombo museum, CC BY-SA 1.0

Established in the year 1877, the Colombo National Museum, housed within its galleries a plethora of ancient artefacts ranging from the pre-historic era to Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura kingdoms. One of the main highlights is the royal throne upon which the last king of Sri Lanka sat before he was deposed by the British.

Located in the bustling economic hub of the island, Pettah, the 300-year Dutch Period Museum can be easily accessed from surrounding Colombo hotels including the likes of The Kingsbury Colombo. Hailed as the last remaining example of Dutch architecture, the former mansion of one-time Governor, Thomas Van Rhee, houses antiques from the colonial era such as ancient maps and swords.

Situated in the basement of the Independence Memorial Hall, the museum was established as a tribute to the national heroes who fought valiantly against the British to secure the independence of their country. A separate section has been dedicated to war heroes who sacrificed their lives during the more recent civil war.

Located in the very same premises as the National Museum of Colombo, this repository showcases the natural heritage of the island along with a comprehensive collection of endogenous plants and animal species.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+