Ayurveda
In recent years, it has become increasingly popular for westerners to undergo an Ayurveda cure in Sri Lanka, which together with India is the cradle of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a holistic field of medicine with its origin in India. It is centuries old, much older than our own western medicine. Ayurveda is about your personal constitution, but also about what you eat, what you do and how you live. Holistic experts claim that such a cure changes your life forever and gives your health a boost. Bold claims, but the stories of people that have undergone Ayurveda treatments seem to largely agree with these positive comments.
Such a treatment takes on average one to two weeks and is approached professionally. You will talk to a doctor for a treatment plan and advice, do yoga exercises and undergo massages, steam and herbal baths (and get fantastic food throughout it all!). In the afternoon you often have time for yourself or you can go on an excursion. At the end, you will also be given tips to continue things back home.
Sri Lanka is perfect for adventurous tourists
A visit to Sri Lanka is an adventure, also because the country offers a totally different world than ours. Western influences are limited and that makes it a fascinating journey. If you make a tour you will notice that it is less organized than in the west, and when it rains heavily (monsoon) the power can drop just like that. This is part of a culture like that of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka offers a world full of nature and culture. This tropical island lies in the middle of the Indian Ocean southeast of India. Until the 1970s the island was called Ceylon. You will find beautiful beaches and tropical forests, mountain ranges and many tea plantations. Because Buddhism is the most common philosophy of life, you will find many temples and Buddha statues.
Elephant spotting in Sri Lanka
If you're traveling to Sri Lanka, a safari is an absolute must-do. You can spot animals you’d never see back home, such as elephants, water buffaloes and crocodiles. In the countryside, you can enjoy the beautiful nature and practice all kinds of water sports, go hiking through the mountains, or visit tea plantations. The capital Colombo is also worth a visit. Here you will find a clear mixture of eastern and western culture. In Galle, you will find the largest colonial fortress in Asia, built by the Dutch. The Dutch Period Museum is likewise located in Colombo. Here you will find architecture and a typical interior from the Dutch colonial period.
Applying for a visa for Sri Lanka is necessary to visit this country. A visa application can easily be done online, and generally doesn’t take longer than 5 minutes. The visa is afterwards sent to you by e-mail. Make sure to carry it with you, as you will be asked for the visa at multiple points. There is a travel ban in place, but it is set to expire on 1 August. The government in Sri Lanka has announced that the travel ban will not be extended. This means that starting 1 August, travellers from around the world are welcome again in Sri Lanka. Handy tip: read up on the list of rules and requirements set by the government. These include staying at pre-designated hotels, observing all of the requirements of the visa and agreeing to undergo several coronavirus tests during your stay.
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