A Taste of Tea and Cinnamon: bespoke holiday itinerary
Whilst tea is Sri Lanka's most famous export, cinnamon is Sri Lanka's gift to the world.
Colombo City Walk, Colombo Sri Lanka, Colombo, Negombo & Around
- Info
- Comments
- Holidays
- Map
Spend an afternoon exploring the capital city searching out historic colonial gems.
To start the tour you will be picked up at your hotel by your local guide, Mark and head off to the busy city of Pettah. Here you will search out colonial architectural gems such as the Dutch Museum. This 17th century building was originally the residence of a Dutch Govenor and it is very easy to imagine him sitting upon the veranda looking down to the port below whilst having a cup of tea or gin and tonic.
You will then continue along the countrys largest wholesale bazaar which transports you to St. Peters Church, an Anglican church established in 1821.
After a short break for iced lemonade in a local cafe, you will head up to York Street from the Grand Oriental Hotel, an institution that in its heyday would rival the Ritz.
Onwards comes the preeminent colonial emporium, Cargills.
As you wind your way through the streets you will eventually come to the lighthouse, designed by the same man as Big Ben, and the Galle Face Green, which on a weekend is bustling and heaving with local people enjoying the seaside and street food served here.
It is great to end with a sundowner at the Galle Face Hotel, the perfect place to sit back, relax and reminisce on your experience.
You can book this experience on its own, with flights or as part of an Experience Travel Holiday Itinerary.
Here are some of our popular holiday tours or we can create bespoke itineraries specifically tailored to you...
Beach lovers - Superior: bespoke holiday itinerary
For those who intend to do nothing more than relax in style whilst on holiday in beautiful Sri Lanka.
Boutique Maldives & Sri Lanka: bespoke holiday itinerary
A classic Sri Lanka and Maldives holiday with unique cultural experiences and beautiful boutique hotels throughout.
Classic Family Sri Lanka
The best of Sri Lanka at a relaxed, family-friendly pace. Think fun safaris, interactive culture, and beach time.
Essential Sri Lanka - Deluxe
Take in the best of Sri Lanka at a slow pace, culture, history, wildlife and beaches. Includes quality, unique hotels.
Exploring Sri Lanka (3 Weeks)
An adventurous 3-week tour of Sri Lanka with plenty of activity and a good dash of boutique luxury too.
Family Holiday in Sri Lanka & Maldives
This comfort level holiday is a great value tour of Sri Lanka with a relaxing few says in the Maldives.
Luxury Sri Lanka by Seaplane
Tour Sri Lanka in fine style getting close to the islands nature and culture whilst staying in original, luxury hotels.
Luxury Sri Lanka & Maldives
Luxurious 2 week tour staying at the best hotels in Sri Lanka and The Maldives with our unique experiences.
Relax on Sri Lanka's Southern Coast
Explore the exotic tropical south-western landscape, see historical Galle, and relax on the beach on this 15 day tour.
Sri Lanka and the work of Geoffrey Bawa
An tour of Sri Lanka taking in Sri Lanka's highlights with a focus on the work of its most famous architect Geoffrey Bawa.
Sri Lanka & Maldives Honeymoon
The ultimate 2 week honeymoon. A week in Sri Lanka and a week of total luxury in The Maldives.
Sri Lanka's Undiscovered North & East
A comprehensive tour of Sri Lanka's North taking in The Jaffna Peninsula, Wilpattu National Park and beach time in Trincomalee.
Sri Lanka: The Boutique Itinerary
This classic suggested holiday takes in the best of Sri Lanka staying in small characterful and boutique hotels.
Wild Family Adventure: bespoke holiday itinerary
Get off the beaten track and enjoy some extraordinary places to stay in this wild, Sri Lankan family adventure.
Wild Southern Sri Lanka: bespoke holiday itinerary
Go on a tropical jungle safari and see rainforests, beaches, and national parks teeming with wildlife on this 15 day tour.
Wild Sri Lanka: bespoke holiday itinerary
Explore Sri Lanka's wilderness, history and culture and stay in some of its most unique, nature-orientated accommodation.
Customer Feedback
Experience Travel were excellent from the start in advising us on a tour that would suit us based on their detailed local knowledge. This meant we stayed in interesting places sometimes off the beaten track but always to a high standard.
Customer Protection
The air holiday packages shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is ATOL 9324. Please see our booking conditions for more information.
One of the highlights was the tour of Colombo with Mark Forbes. He was brilliant and we only wished we had more time.’
Leo Hickish, August 2012
I don't like guided tours as a rule, so was Luke warm about Mark Forbes trip in Colombo. How wrong we were, as his tour was interesting, informative and a lot of fun. He was the biggest and nicest surprise of the whole trip. Even scooting about in the back of his Land Rover was fun.
Alistair, April 2013
The Mark Forbes tour in Colombo was extremely interesting and enjoyable.
Helene, March 2013
City walk with Mark Foster a highlight of the trip!
Turner, March 2013
Mark and Ruby Forbes in Colombo were excellent.
John, February 2013
The Colombo city walk with Mark Forbes was excellent and a highlight of our trip.
Andrew, January 2013