The sight of bright green tea carpets spread over cool hills is breathtaking and something one can only witness in the tropics and where better to do so than in a country known for its rich heritage in tea dating back to when the British colonised Sri Lanka. This is where time stands still and one is taken back to a time when Sri Lanka was known as Ceylon, a time of vintage cars, afternoon cricket and high tea. As the journey begins in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital city, take the time to explore.

Colombo by night is an experience never to be forgotten, the city lays bear its charms that travelers can relish in perfect tropical weather. The city comes alive to offer sights, sounds, entertainment and culinary delights unique to an island that has gathered together the influence of ancient passers by and made them its own.

The drive from Colombo leading to Kandy is scenic to say the least as rivers, waterfalls, lush jungles and mountains start to appear, revealing the breathtaking beauty of the island. Enter Kandy, the centre of Sri Lanka and the region where Tea was born. With weather conditions being cool and breezy with plenty of sunshine Kandy offers Tea planters ideal conditions to grow their beloved plant. This is apparent as one witnesses carefully nurtured Tea gardens spread over acres and acres of hills, taking the traveler to a place of peace and tranquility. Kandy being the cultural centre of Sri Lanka offers the traveler much more, set amongst the hills is the iconic Kandy temple known as the Daladamaligawa with its roof of real gold and intricate architecture. At dusk experience Kandy city and the Kandy perehera, a religious festival that guarantees to awaken the senses with its rich display of colour, fire, parading elephants and the pounding rhythmic sound of native drums accompanied by the unique Kandyan dancers.

Travel deeper into the heart of tea as the tea trail leads to Nuwaraeliya. Ascending to these heights and witnessing the production of tea whilst sampling the world’s finest transcends the experience to something heavenly. Strewn with Lakes, Gardens and mystical plains it is plain to see why Nuwaraeliya is the preferred choice of honey mooners from around the world.

Witness further testament to Sri Lanka’s colonial past as the tea trail leads to Bandarawela and experience all that Sri Lanka has to offer in a smooth and luxurious cup of tea sipped in heritage buildings from the colonial era. In completing the tea trail and returning to Colombo it is apparent to all that Tea to Sri Lanka is more than a delicious drink, it is a way of life.