Sri Lanka and Maldives tour June 2024

Arriving in Colombo was a delight, especially with the warm welcome of a Bento Box Lunch. The comforting flavors set a relaxing tone for the day. I made my way to the Taj Bentota Resort & Spa, where I was greeted with a captivating performance of Sri Lankan Kandyan dance. A refreshing King Coconut drink and the beauty of the traditional lamp lighting ceremony made me feel truly welcomed. The evening ended with a quintessential Sri Lankan dinner accompanied by live music from a Calypso band, creating a perfect start to my journey.

The next morning began with a delicious breakfast at Palms Restaurant before I set off for a tour of the historic city of Galle. Wandering through the charming streets and exploring the ancient fort was fascinating. Lunch in Galle was delightful, and later, I experienced a unique arrack tasting and food pairing session, enjoying the distinctive flavors of Sri Lankan arrack with local delicacies. My day concluded with a serene beach dinner, making for an unforgettable experience.

After another hearty breakfast at Palms Restaurant, I checked out and drove to Colombo. At Taj Samudra, I received a traditional welcome and enjoyed a sumptuous Chinese lunch at the Golden Dragon Restaurant. The afternoon was reserved for meetings with DMCs over tea and high tea. A hotel site inspection in the evening was followed by cocktails at the Taj Club Lounge, and I ended the day with a delectable Indian dinner at Navratna restaurant, reflecting on the incredible experiences so far.

My journey continued to the Maldives, where I arrived at the Taj Coral Reef Resort & Spa. The day started with a lovely breakfast at Hembadhu Lounge, followed by a guided snorkeling adventure around the house reef with Blue In Dive Centre. The underwater beauty was mesmerizing. I enjoyed a Mediterranean lunch combined with a fun pizza-making session and explored local craftsmanship. As the sun set, I savored sundowners at Sandbank, and the day concluded with a wine-paired dinner at Open The Grill, enhancing the already delightful culinary experience.

The following days were a blend of relaxation and adventure. I began with a Champagne Dhoni breakfast and a site inspection of the island. A painting tutorial provided a creative interlude, and the afternoon was filled with activities at the Nirvana Suite, including aqua aerobics. I visited a local island, gaining insights into the Maldivian way of life, and ended the evening with a Maldivian BBQ dinner at Coral Beach. The final leg of my journey took me to the Taj Exotica Resort & Spa Maldives, where I enjoyed stingray and shark snorkeling with OCEAN Dive Centre and a tranquil dinner at Mediterranea by Jeffrey Vella. This part of the tour was truly a tropical paradise experience, blending luxury and the natural beauty of the Maldives.