Sri Lanka's history dates back to almost 3000 years, most of which still proudly lingers in the many ancient ruins of fallen kingdoms, temples, palaces and fortresses, strewn all across the island. The island's recent history has seen colonisation by the Dutch, Portuguese and the British. Most of this colonial past is reflected today in the architecture and many Dutch and Portuguese words have become part of the local vocabulary.

Besides golden sands and blue waters, Sri Lanka is also home to a geographically diverse landscape that includes tropical rainforests, lush waterfalls, misty mountains and wildlife sanctuaries. And if the sightseeing isn't enough, the more adventurous traveller can get intimate with the land by rock climbing, trekking, mountain biking, canoeing and surfing. Sri Lanka is also home to some of the world's most beautiful golf courses and a fanatical cricket following. From the bustling urban landscape of Colombo to warm sunny coasts to the cool misty hills, anywhere is just a few hours drive away, making Sri Lanka a conveniently compact all-in-one destination for both business and leisure.

In addition to being a great holiday location, Sri Lanka is also home to Central Asia's Best Airline for four years running. To discover the magic of an island that has delighted travellers for centuries, come on board SriLankan Airlines, for a Sri Lankan Holiday. With a phone and television on every seat, SriLankan Airlines is a modern airline, that still adheres to an age-old tradition of warm hospitality. Feast on a selection of delicacies from Europe's finest to Asia's spiciest. Our entertainment channels include classic cinema, great television, the very latest from Hollywood's box office, video games and video on demand for business travellers.

As for the warmth of our service that you've heard so much about, we provide you with child care specialists, special entertainment to keep junior passengers out of mischief, onboard tele-medical services for emergencies and FlySmiLes / baggage bonus programmes for frequent flyers. The best part of the journey, of course, is knowing that you are about to embark on an exotic adventure as soon as you reach your destination.

For centuries, Sri Lanka has been legendary in providing its own unique brand of hospitality. In ancient times, this little island has welcomed traders from places as far off as Rome, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Far East, and still continues to welcome people from all over the globe. In fact, over the years Sri Lanka has turned this tradition of hospitality into an art. Thanks to the rising number of resorts and hotels set in some of the most exotic locations in the island, the proud tradition of hospitality has been refined to cater to anyone, ensuring that even the most distraught traveller leaves these shores fully rejuvenated and energized.

All five star hotels and resorts, each with its own distinct character and flavour, offer comfortable accommodation and are equipped with ultra modern amenities. Most hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka also offer excellent hi-tech conference facilities with flexible packages and efficient service delivered with genuine traditional Sri Lankan warmth and hospitality.

Just a few hours away from the beaches and you'll find yourself surrounded by the rolling hills, sprawling tea estates and winding roads. The sounds of sea gulls and waves are replaced by soothing sounds of bubbling streams and waterfalls while the temperature drops from the tropical warmth to a slight chill. It's no surprise that from these perfect conditions and tranquil settings, comes some of the world's finest tea. Make a trip to Kandy, Sri Lanka's second biggest city and home to the most sacred Buddhist site in the island, the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth) which houses the sacred tooth relic of Lord Buddha. Every year thousands of people flock to Kandy to witness the grand, majestic and colourful pageant in honour of the tooth relic, involving traditional dancers, acrobats and intricately adorned elephants parading the streets of Sri Lanka's hill capital. When you're done with the cultural tour of Kandy, relax and enjoy a round of golf at the famous Victoria golf course, widely regarded as one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. Climbing further up, you'll find yourself in Nuwara Eliya. A world on its own, Nuwara Eliya is also referred to as the 'Little England' of Sri Lanka because of the colonial style cottages and bungalows that lie nestled between the tea estates, and also because it was a popular destination for the lords and ladies of yesteryear. The cool misty climate that engulfs the place, also adds a nostalgic old world charm that's quite out of character for a tropical island.

Sri Lanka's commercial capital, Colombo, is a vibrant modern Asian metropolis with a rich history dating back to colonial times. A beehive of activity that always has something or another to keep the visitor occupied at any given time of the day. Colombo is a city full of great bargains, from shopping malls selling designer brands, (most of which are manufactured here), to street hawkers and exotic souvenir boutiques selling locally crafted wood carvings, ceramics, handlooms and batiks. To keep up with the rapid development and the rising population of visitors, Colombo has transformed into an ever wakeful city, boasting a vibrant night-life with glitzy nightclubs, casinos and pubs with live entertainment to suit any taste be it rock, jazz, or any other genre of music.

If you plan on eating out, there are hundreds of restaurants with menus that range from the traditionally spicy to a myriad of international cuisines from any part of the world. Just ask your hotel reception for complete details on what's happening in town. You'd be overwhelmed by the number of things you can do in Colombo.

Sri Lanka's recorded history dates back to almost three thousand years, back to the advent of Buddhism. Today, what's left of this rich and glorious past are vast ruins of ancient kingdoms, palaces, temples, tanks and other engineering feats that are all but lost to the modern world. These ruins stand as a solid testimony to the wisdom and values held by civilisations dating back to the 3rd century AD. Most of these ruins are found within the cultural triangle formed by the ancient cities of Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Kandy.

Anuradhapura is famous for its impressive stupas and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhiya, a sapling of the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment over 2500 years ago, and arguably the oldest chronicled tree in the world. Polonnaruwa, another ancient city, is well known for ancient ruins blending South Indian cultures with Sinhala artistry, rock shrines like the Gal Viharaya, the Vatadage and the lake known as the 'Sea of Parakrama'.

Sigiriya, a world heritage site, known as the magnificent 'Fortress in the Sky' is a marvel of ancient architecture and engineering, with swimming pools, beautifully landscaped gardens, stunning frescoes, mirror walls, weaving pathways and a Lion's Paw entrance. Dambulla is another popular historic site famous for its rock temple, which includes an ancient monastery full of priceless artifacts, paintings and sculptures dating thousands of years back. A climb to the top of this rock, especially during dawn, will reveal the most spectacular sunrise ever, along with a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain and valleys.

The Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), with its landscaped gardens and dome-like structure, has the majesty of a modern day Parthenon and is the first ever purpose built conference hall in Asia. The BMICH, with its marble floors and panelled stairwell, has hosted everything from diplomatic conventions and trade shows to beauty pageants and rock concerts. A gift from China in the early 70's, this elegant indoor arena boasts 6 committee rooms, a library, a cinema, special suites complete with dining room, interpretation facilities and a colossal assembly hall that could seat well over a thousand delegates.

Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial International Exhibition Centre with a floor area of 4330 sqm can accomodate any international exhibition or convention.

Sri Lanka's coastline defines tropical paradise. With golden sands, and clear blue waters, these legendary sun-kissed beaches set the perfect tone and ambience you would expect from the tropics. From the East to the West coast, you'll find beautiful luxury resorts each with its own distinct flavour. If you're in Colombo, just drive over to the Mount Lavinia beach to witness an amazing sunset. Or venture further to Negombo and discover the beauty of its quaint Portuguese architecture, old roman catholic churches and tourist café culture. Visit Hikkaduwa and discover an ethereal underwater world of coral gardens and shipwrecks.

If you're on the eastern coast, make a trip to Arugam Bay, widely regarded as a surfer's dream come true, or visit Nilaveli beach in Trincomalee to wake up just in time for an awe inspiring sunrise. Travel down south and visit the Dutch maritime kingdom of Galle, complete with an old Dutch fort that still stands facing the sea. Walk along the white sandy beaches of Mirissa, see the stilt fishermen of Weligama or bathe in the hot water springs of Tangalle. It's more than just sun, sand and sea. It's a truly tropical experience unlike any other.