Scenic seaplane journey, Colombo

Sri Lankan Airlines 'Airtaxi' isn't just a clever way of cutting journey times down. It’s a showstopper of an experience: a swooping, scenic tour of Sri Lanka’s most spellbinding landscapes.

The amphibious aircraft service criss-crosses the island and can be chartered exclusively for the route of your choice.

Our particular favourites are the routes to the Hill Country, flying low over the lush tea plantations and mountain ranges, before landing on Lake Gregory in Nuwara Eliya. You can start or end your journey right from the main airport in Katunayake, or, really, from any spot in their network, including: Ampara, Anuradhapura, Dickwella, Koggala (for Galle), Nuwara Eliya, Sigiriya and Trincomalee.

Wherever you land, your driver will be waiting to whisk you to your next hotel, right away.

For a jaw-dropping, unforgettable way to experience Sri Lanka, it doesn't get much better than this.