Paradise in slow motion

Lush landscapes, pristine beaches, colonial architecture, abundant wildlife and warm hospitality-Sri Lanka is a treasure trove of experiences best savoured at leisure.

- CRISTINA ALTOZANO

The Sanskrit name of Sri Lanka translates to "Shining Land", and it's no exaggeration. A teardrop-shaped island nation in the Indian Ocean, south of India, it has fascinated travellers for centuries. Marco Polo, the famed 13th-century Venetian explorer, declared it the most beautiful island of its size in his Book of the Marvels of the World.

Sri Lanka offers an enchanting blend of landscapes and cultures. Lush jungles give way to sprawling tea plantations and pristine white sand beaches. Bustling markets and the rhythmic honking of tuk-tuks create a sensory symphony. Women in colourful saris, elegant men in sarongs, saffron-robed Buddhist monks, and school children in crisp uniforms mingle in the streets. Despite the hubbub, life here moves at a slower pace, allowing you to truly soak in your surroundings.

Little by little, without losing sight of the ever-present emerald hue that colours the landscape, we ascend mountains shrouded in a faint mist until we reach our destination: Ceylon Tea Trails, made up of five historic tea-planter bungalows nestled in the Central Highlands, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The property, together with Cape Weligama and Wild Coast Tented Lodge, belongs to Resplendent Ceylon (www.resplendentceylon.​com) which is owned by the founders of the Dilmah Ceylon Tea Company. Here, you can visit a 1950s tea factory to learn about the unique characteristics of tea, observe Tamil tea pickers at work, play a game of croquet, kayak on a serene lake, indulge in a picnic with breathtaking views, or savour a gourmet dinner prepared by a private chef. Relaxation here comes in the form of watching the sunset paint the sky in vibrant hues.