20 nights in Sri Lanka.. help..!

W123-80's

Hi all,
I have finally booked flights for our honeymoon. We fly to Sri Lankka on Jan 8th for 20 nights.

We have no plan yet. Open to any suggestions at all..!
Our budget would not be massive. We are thinking of booking two nights in Colombo and are open to ideas after that.

Our intention is to mix budget accomodatoion with some fancy hotels. Preferrably with the final 4/5 nights being spent in the nicest spot.

We would like to see a couple of places and maybe take in a train trip, some hikes and plenty of sunny beaches.
The sunny beaches can wait till the last 7 nights though.

Any ideas welcome.

Thanks.

ardmacha

Colombo isn't very interesting. OK to rest up for a day or two after arrival, but you need to get out. One idea is to stay at a coastal place near the airport, rather than downtown (think Malahide in Dublin terms), but then you'd have to get to the train.

Sri Lanka is about the size of Ireland, but whereas Ireland is dish shaped it is mostly high in the middle. The hill country is cooler and scenic in parts, you can visit tea plantations see the tea processing and sample their wares. The highest point is Nuwara Eliya, where the weather can be like the Irish spring in January and you can play golf. Kandy is the historic capital and a definite place to visit. If ancient sites light your bulb there are several of these north of Kandy.

Trains are not very sophisticated, nor fast, but if you get a seat are OK.
http://www.seat61.com/SriLanka.htm

there are two companies offering aircon wagons attached to the regular train, with snacks served. These are much more expensive, a regular 2nd class ticket Colombo - Kandy is only about €4 so a multiple of that might only be €20. Travel agents can sell these tickets or you can book on the Internet whereas getting the regular train tickets can involve a trip to the station. Aircon is less important in the Hill Country, but more useful along the coast or going to the Ancient sites which are in a hotter part of the island.

Sri Lanka is more easily managed than India, and you can have a great time. Demand has increased since the Tamil Tigers were eliminated and prices have crept up for hotels etc.

Don't forget to check out the jabs and anti malarials are recommended some areas.

Tipperary animal lover

Went to Sri Lanka in 2002, it was lovely, stayed in Colombo for first two nights to get over the jet lag, headed down south by train(to weligama for) to Mirissa lovely little Bay Area loads of guest houses used this as a base. Visited galle weligama and matara.
Headed from Mirissa to kandy up in the centre of the country, lovely town in the hills but manic with traffic, loads of temples etc.
From kandy to arugam bay which was really laid back and great beach.
Make sure and try and book your accommodation in advance, use the train as much as ye can cos they are fair bad drivers, we sat in cattle class with the locals and had a ball, brought sweets with us and gave to the kids which helped break the ice on the train journey, the windows slide down so plenty of free "aircon". Hope ye enjoy it. It's up to yourselves to make the most of it.

W123-80's

Thanks for the reply guys.
Hadn't a chance to reply till now.
We have a bit of an itenerary finalised, taking into account the advise above. I will stick it up later this evening for opinions.!
Thanks again.

Avoid Colombo.. Just head to Negombo from the airport. Can't offer much advice about the south as we were there for the weather being good up north.