Sri Lanka

This small yet magnificent island is home to some of the most incredible and diverse landscapes ranging from jungled rainforests and dry plains to lush highlands and white sand beaches. Prior to this recent peak in tourism, Sri Lanka was busy fighting a 26-year long civil war that lasted for many decades. This civil war strayed any travelers visiting this part of the world which kept Sri Lanka hidden away from any public appeal. But with the ending of its civil war back in 2009, Sri Lanka is now eager to showcase it's peaceful and prosperous countries to outsiders .

Thanks to social media and the internet, Sri Lanka has been pictured and written about by some of the world's most famous bloggers and writers. With all the recent hype surrounding the country, Sri Lanka has experienced a flood of new aged travelers, allowing Sri Lanka to finally landed itself on the map as one of the top destinations to visit in 2018.

With travelers visiting Sri Lanka from all around the world, the country has become home to new up-and-coming lavish wellness retreats, luxury safari camps and an array of beautiful high-end boutique hotels. And with Sri Lanka’s ever-changing views at almost every turn, one will find themselves exploring the country in complete awe at the beauty that this South Asian island has to offer.

If you want history, hop on a train from Colombo and make your way down the coast to the little town of Galle. Here, you'll learn all about how the Dutch and Portuguese influenced Sri Lanka from its initial settle in the 18th century. The famous Galle Fort draws in hundreds of thousands of tourists each year ever since Unesco named this a World Heritage site. You'll find yourself meandering around the shops, hotels, villas, cafes and restaurants while being completely surrounded by ocean views and unparalleled sunsets.

Another must in Sri Lanka is partaking in ancient Ayuderic treatments. Ayuderic medicine is extremely common in Sri Lanka and India and is one of the world’s oldest holistic healing systems that was developed more than 3,000 years ago. Based off the belief that one’s health and wellness solely depends on the balance between the mind, body and spirit. In the southern coast of Tangalle, Sen Wellness Sanctuary is home a unique retreat center hidden among the unspoiled beaches of this town and serves as a heavenly oasis for bespoke retreats focusing on the practices of Ayurvedic medicine.

If you just want to grab some sand, surf, and some yoga...you'll easily find this down in Talalla. Only a short 40 minute bus ride from Tangalle, Talalla Retreat is home to some of the best surf and yoga instructors in the country. With a goal here is to connote a sense of timelessness, peace, and a reboot to life, Talalla Retreat executes this flawlessly. It doesn't hurt that this property boasts some of the most magnificent views of the ocean with luxurious villas perfectly situated among breathtaking grounds. It's all in the details at Talalla Retreat that really elevates this place and makes it truly special.

To end your trip, one must experience the incredible wildlife that Yala National Park has to offer. As the second largest national park in Sri Lanka, this national park is home to some of the country’s most fascinating and diverse wildlife. The park is also known for its leopard spottings and is recorded to have the highest amount of leopard spotting in any park in the world. The 5-star "glamping" experience at Ruhunu Safari Camping sits in the remote areas that border the Yala and Udawalawa National Parks, offering guests the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the world's most elusive wildlife—without sacrificing comfort.

Regardless of where you do find yourself in Sri Lanka, there is one thing that is for certain- Sri Lanka is not to be missed.

From timeless ruins to unspoiled beaches, to cheap prices and breathtaking train rides, this country is definitely a place worth visiting. And as Sri Lanka starts to become a premier destination for travelers from around the world, discover it before everyone else does.