Looking for Sun? Head to Sri Lanka!

Coconut groves, tea plantations and shimmering seas – it can only be one place on earth: the beautiful island of Sri Lanka.

This lush land, situated off the south coast of India, boasts soft, sparkling beaches, exotic jungles and magnificent mountains. It truly is the perfect location for a holiday in the sun.

And the great part is you can choose to do as much – or as little as you like!

If you want to sample the surroundings, the capital city of Colombo is a good starting point. Its bustling Pettah Bazaar will keep you entertained, while its museum and art gallery will provide a deep insight into the rich culture of your new destination.

Another must-see is the UNESCO world heritage site of Dambulla, which has a temple carved into the rock. Sri Lanka has seven world heritage sites in total, revealing diverse legacies from Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial times.

Meanwhile, animal lovers will lose their hearts to the lovable creatures in Pinnawela elephant orphanage – and bird watchers will be fascinated by colourful flashes of feathers at Sinharaja, the island’s last rain forest.

Sri Lanka flights take between 10 and 12 hours if flying direct from the UK. If you have a stopover, this could mean your journey will take up to 16 hours – but when you step off the plane and soak up the warm weather and welcome, you’ll realise it’s well worth the trip!

Best seasons for visiting the west and south coasts of Sri Lanka are December to March, while April to September is better for holidaying on the east coast.