Sri Lanka: Safari, sunsets and sandy shores

Your bags are packed, your playlist is on point and you're bursting with excitement. As you stand at the gate, your heart pounds and you can hardly wait – 'Sri Lanka, here I come!' The plane takes off, you lean back, close your eyes and your imagination instantly starts running wild. Rustling palm trees, temple vibes and fragrant street food... it's still a dream, but it's all about to get real!

Welcome to tropical mode! As soon as you arrive, you hop into your private transfer towards Sigiriya. The road winds past palm trees, rice fields and little villages where life happens in the outdoors. And the further inland you go, the more the greenery takes over – warm, dense, vibrant. It's the perfect intro to Sri Lanka! Sigiriya greets you with a relaxed rhythm, calm commotion and a sense of lightness. Above it all, Lion Rock rises up like a silent sentinel. Legends and views await here! And a casual stroll through the town is just the thing to get you started. A few colourful shops, fruit stands with succulently sweet mangoes, tuk-tuks parked under trees – everything seems friendly, openhearted and warm. Why not treat yourself to a freshly squeezed juice or take a seat and just watch the hustle and bustle pass by before heading to your new stay? If you pay attention, you'll be sure to hear crickets and maybe even spot a few monkeys scurrying past! Sigiriya delivers that laid-back jungle vibe – and the rest is all up to you.

Sigiriya has totally got you hooked – warm, green and a little wild! Over a strong cup of Ceylon tea, you forge your plans for the day, and one look upwards seals the deal. Lion Rock towers above the greenery, and that's exactly where you want to go! Whether you climb the legendary ancient rock fortress, with its frescoes and royal paths, or choose the wilder Pidurangala Rock, which boasts next-level views across Sigiriya, both will get your pulse racing and your camera shutter clicking. The paths are rocky and a little steep, but it's 100% worth it! The wind whistles at the top, the vast jungle spreads out below and, for a moment, everything feels infinite yet completely light. Afterwards, you head back down to the village, treat yourself to a king coconut at the side of the road and let the day take its course – simply freestyle!

It's time for a mini road trip through Sri Lanka! Windows down, eyes out – the country passes by like a film. Your first stop is Dambulla Cave Temple, where you immerse yourself in another world between golden Buddha statues and ancient murals. Then it's off to a herb garden full of cinnamon, cloves and Ayurveda vibes. Everything smells warm and spicy! Next stop: Matale. Sri Muthumariamman Temple shines in so many colours that you don't know where to look first! Finally, the road winds its way up to Kandy. The last of Sri Lanka's royal cities casts its shadow before you, and you can hardly wait to learn more about the legends and traditions of Kandy. You're curious to know what the region is mainly known for, so it's high time to find out! As soon as you arrive, you hop in a tuk-tuk and get to it (optional, payable on site). You dive into Kandy's landscape in traditional Sri Lankan style before heading to the city's must-see: the Temple of the Tooth (optional, payable on site). The scent of incense fills your nose, monks cross your path and your pulse starts to slow as the sacred site's spiritual ambience brings you a sense of inner calm. It's amazing that a simple canine tooth attracts so much attention and that believers from all over the world come to gather around it. But after all, it did come from the Buddha himself! You catch a quick glimpse of the small casket, and then the spectacle ends.