Etihad Airways is making it easier to visit Abu Dhabi with a new stopover program that offers a free hotel stay for travelers.
29.04.2024 - 13:05 / forbes.com
Blessed with a tropical coastline that stretches over 830 miles (1,340 kilometers), Sri Lanka beckons travelers with promises of sun-drenched shores and azure waters. Whether you’re looking for tranquil coves for sunbathing and snorkeling, thrilling surf breaks on a pristine reef, or vibrant beachside cultural hubs, Sri Lanka offers a diverse range of experiences to cater to every taste — with plenty of beautiful boutique hotels to boot.
Thanks to its two monsoon seasons, there’s always a perfect beach to visit: the southern coast shines from December to April, while the eastern coast is ideal from May to November. If you’re planning to visit the southern coast, read on to discover the towns you can’t miss and great places to stay.
Considered to be Sri Lanka’s first boutique hotel, The Villa Bentota offers a striking blend of modernist architecture and coastal design just two hours south from Colombo. Dating back to 1880, this heritage property underwent a significant transformation in the 1980s when it was owned by Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most celebrated architect. Renowned as the pioneer of Tropical Modernism, Bawa’s unique design ethos permeates every facet of the hotel, from its airy verandas and open-air courtyards adorned with pools and natural skylights, to its crisp white walls that create a soothing ambiance just steps from the shoreline.
Now part of the KK Collection owned by George Cooper, a distinguished British hotelier and interior designer, The Villa Bentota proudly showcases contemporary art on its walls (all available for purchase) and features a KK boutique filled with artisanal fashion, homewares, and souvenirs. Boasting 14 stylish rooms and suites, each individually styled to cocoon guests in comfort, the hotel offers a variety of accommodations designed for families, honeymooners, and groups of friends. The two-bedroom Mohotti Suite, with its unique sunken sitting room and wooden staircase, is a unique space which stands as a testament to Bawa’s visionary design.
With two swimming pools, expansive garden spaces, and a diverse range of dining options available at the property's restaurant, it's hard to resist the allure of Villa Bentota. The hotel’s location alongside the southern railway line adds a unique charm, allowing guests to catch Sri Lanka’s colorful trains passing by each hour (earplugs recommended for light sleepers). Venture across the tracks to reach Bentota’s sandy beach in the evening, where you can unwind with cocktails while the sun sets.
One of Sri Lanka’s most legendary properties, Galle Fort Hotel is conveniently located right in the heart of Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. First built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and then further developed
Etihad Airways is making it easier to visit Abu Dhabi with a new stopover program that offers a free hotel stay for travelers.
A millennium ago, the folklore goes, Castel di Luco was the site of ritual pagan sacrifices. Now the round castle atop a travertine knoll in the untouristed Italian region of Le Marche is the site of a much happier history that’s still being rewritten. And a major new chapter is beginning this spring.
As Google reveals that one of its most popular travel search trends is currently 'cheap summer vacations', there are lots of ways that travelers can find ideas to travel for less.
Nestled along the promontory overlooking the St. Lawrence River, with distinctive architecture including its iconic soaring turrets, the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac is the stuff of hotel legend. One glance at the fortresslike structure and it's easy to see why many consider it the most photographed hotel in the world.
Some girlfriends and I found ourselves in the north of Barbados, suddenly in desperate need of some painkillers. We’d been enjoying some girl talk and an afternoon island drive, with no destination in particular, when I was assaulted by a headache.
The Kayak website launched to the public in May 2004 as a pioneer in travel metasearch.
India is a key source market for the neighboring countries of Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. In February, India was the biggest source market for Nepal, accounting for more than 25% of foreign tourist arrivals in the country.
For many of the world’s most famous mountain destinations, springtime can often be—for a lack of a better word—a dud. Snow is melting so skiing is no longer as exciting an option, but thawing mountains naturally leave a muddy trail in its wake, making activities like hiking more challenging, too. That’s why this two-ish-month springtime period is called: mud season. But not all mountain locales are made the same. Take the largest ski resort in North America: Whistler, British Columbia. In a lot of ways, unless you’re just begging for as much snow as possible to accommodate non-stop skiing, spring is a great time to be in this hilly hamlet tucked away in western Canada’s Coast Mountain range.
Underscoring Emirates’ commitment to boost tourism inflows across its network, the airline has reaffirmed its strategic cooperation with Tourism Seychelles and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and has forged a new partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Emirates has pledged its renewed commitment with Tourism Seychelles, supporting the island’s efforts to promoting tourism and trade to the country. The MoU was signed by Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ SVP Commercial - West Asia & Indian Ocean, and Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary Tourism Department, Tourism Seychelles, in the presence of Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Executive Vice President, Passenger Sales and Country Management.
Bordering the Consall Nature Park, a nature reserve featuring 740 acres of woodland, heath and moor, is The Tawny, a “deconstructed hotel”. This means that instead of a single house with rooms there are a collection of boathouses, huts and treehouses scattered around the woodlands and lakes. At the top of the hill is a modern glass building, the Plumicorn restaurant, and a heated outdoor pool looking out over the gardens. Stargazing sessions and night-time meditation are on offer, while spa treatments can be booked in the thatched cottage onsite. Huts from £240 B&B; thetawny.co.uk
Theresa Marryshow is an organic farmer on an unlikely mission.
A British railway station can be many things. A place of tended flowers and toytown paintwork. A concourse of shuttered ticket booths and overpriced pasties. A terminus, a meeting spot, a gateway to escape. It can be heart-lifting or drab, bathed in birdsong or heaving with commuters. It can also be the starting point for a properly good walk.