Thursday, August 1, 2013

Colombo in a Day!

The vibrant capital city of Sri Lanka is a charming destination with the right blend of culture, history & modern day hustle and bustle. Colombo is a perfect get away for a weekend & a popular transit destination.
The moment you enter the city, you get a very familiar homely feeling seeing the traffic, friendly people & big billboards with the Sri Lankan Cricket Players!!




Leisure, Cricket, Business or Transit, whatever your reason to be here, my theory is to never miss an opportunity to explore the city no matter how brief your stay maybe!
If you stay in Colombo is short then here is the way to have a complete & unforgettable Sri Lankan experience in a day! My top three picks for hotel stay would be Cinnamon Grand, Cinnamon Lakeside & Taj Samudra.




On a perfect Colombo morning wake up early & take a dip in the hotel swimming pool! There is nothing better than a grand breakfast after a swim. Most hotels in Colombo have an interesting breakfast buffet which is complimentary with your stay.




After breakfast go on a City Tour & see the landmarks & attractions of the city. Make sure to see the Galle Face Green, Victoria Park, National Museum, Town Hall & the Beira Lake in the heart of the city. After the City Tour pick up some stunning souvenirs & traditional Sri Lankan handicrafts from 'Lakmedura' Handicrafts Center.Tea is the most popular souvenir followed by handicrafts in wood & coconut shell. You will also find lots of batik prints on different kinds of fabric & classic Sri Lankan souvenirs like wooden elephants. Shopping in Sri Lanka is not very expensive & if you love souvenirs like I do, you better buy an extra bag too!




After picking up your souvenirs head straight for a authentic Sri Lankan lunch at Raja Bojun. The lunch buffet with an elaborate selection of vegetarian & non-vegetarian specialties at Raja Bojun is culinary treat for your taste buds. The restaurant is usually packed for lunch with tourists as well as locals.




After lunch our next stop is Odel, Sri Lanka's most popular fashion retailer. The flagship Odel store at Alexandra Place is the most impressive with its colonial architecture & largest collection of products. After you have satisfied your shopping craving, have a cup of Ceylon Tea & local delicacies at the quaint cafes at Alexandra Place.



Promising an unforgettable evening our final stop is The Dutch Hospital! The Dutch Hospital is the coolest & most happening place in Colombo. With magnificent Dutch architecture this colonial courtyard is the oldest building in the Colombo Fort Area. You can find everything from Barefoot to Ministry of Crab at Colombo's best shopping, dining & entertainment courtyard! After exploring this amazing place pamper your taste buds & eat dinner at Semondu! Semondu is an absolute treat & well worth a second visit!
So take a day's break & experience the magic of Colombo!   


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