Tika Traveller

Discover Sri Lanka & Maldives From Those Who Know It Best

Blogs from Tikalanka are designed to enhance your knowledge of Sri Lanka and Maldives and keep you up to date with recent developments. We intend to post regular features on travel, news, lifestyle and accommodation as well as guest articles from current and past customers, which will give you first-hand experience of Tikalanka, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Category: Accommodation

TikaWeeks #12-3/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 18th March 2020

The Government of Maldives has announced a ban on entry into Maldives of anyone who has left or transited the UK in the last 14 days, with effect from 23.59 local time (18.59 GMT) tonight (18 March 2020). This does not affect British Nationals already in Maldives who should follow the advice of local authorities. If you are already in Sri Lanka, the government has announced that visit visas will be extended to 12 April 2020, if necessary, although an extension fee will be charged.

TikaWeeks #12-2/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 17th March 2020

EXCEPTIONAL TRAVEL ADVISORY NOTICE – The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advises British people against all non-essential travel worldwide for an initial period of 30 days. This advice takes effect immediately and it is the first time ever that the FCO has made such an announcement. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has led to unprecedented international border closures and other restrictions.

Vilamendhoo Island Resort & Spa, South Ari Atoll, Maldives

TikaWeeks #11-2/2020: Maldives update

Posted by John on 11th March 2020

The British Foreign & Commonwealth Office updated their official travel advice for Maldives last night and currently advise against all but essential travel to Kuredu, Vilemendhu (Vilamendhoo), Batalaa and Kuramathi Island Resorts, which have all been placed under temporary quarantine following suspected cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, we know from customers who were on ‘lock down’ on Vilamendhoo yesterday that the island has been released from quarantine today.

Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, Olympia London, 30 January to 02 February 2020

TikaWeeks #05/2020: Sri Lanka & Maldives update

Posted by John on 27th January 2020

Our annual pilgrimage south is upon us. Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, the UK’s biggest event for travel inspiration takes place at Olympia London from 30 January to 02 February 2020. Come to visit us on stand AP38 and also get your complimentary e-tickets to the show courtesy of Tikalanka.

TikaWeeks #52/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 23rd December 2019

Nearly at the end of the year and at least the days are getting longer now that we are past the Winter Solstice – well, infinitesimally anyway! We hope that you have a fun-filled festive season and all of the best for 2020. Remember to come and see us at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at London Olympia next month. We will be closed from lunchtime tomorrow to 06 January 2020, although emails will be checked regularly.

TikaWeeks #51-2/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 18th December 2019

A day trip into the Hill Country to view a long list of potential hotels is never easy with the inevitable and ubiquitous switchback bends, slow pollution-emitting trucks, pedestrians, bicycles, motorbikes, dogs and the other ephemera associated with Sri Lanka’s extensive road network. However, with a 5am start and Sateesh at the wheel, we make it to Haputale in less than four hours, which is very impressive progress indeed.

Aerial view of Karpaha Sands, Kalkudah, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #51-1/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 16th December 2019

Our journey around the island takes us up north initially, through the Cultural Triangle and on to Jaffna. After a couple of nights there, we head east to Nilaveli before staying in Passikudah further south along the east coast. The following day we made our way back to Kandy via Gal Oya Lodge. We managed to cover a lot of ground in a short space of time by doing long days and thanks to Sateesh’s expert driving – he was also very useful to have with us in the north and east being a Tamil speaker.

TikaWeeks #50/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 11th December 2019

Discover your next adventure at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show, in association with The Times and The Sunday Times, the UK’s biggest event for travel inspiration taking place at Olympia London from 30 January to 02 February 2020. Come to visit us on stand AP38 and also get your complimentary e-tickets to the Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show courtesy of Tikalanka by quoting EXTIKA.

Pool and view, Aarunya Nature Resort & Spa, Aluwatugoda, Kandy, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #49/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 2nd December 2019

As always, my annual research trip to Sri Lanka was very productive and particularly necessary this year following the awful events back in April, since when the island has been recovering from the aftermath. On a positive note, the resilient Sri Lankans are looking forward to the future and optimism is high. This update summarises our visits around Kandy. Future updates will follow our travels spanning the entire country, from Jaffna in the north to Galle in the south.

Sun-drenched and palm-fringed golden sandy beach in Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #43/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 22nd October 2019

In October 1979, The Police released their seminal album Regatta de Blanc to critical acclaim. Included on the album was the lead single and soon-to-be global hit Message in a Bottle with a chorus beginning “I’ll send an SOS to the world”. Forty years on, we send an SOS to the world – Support Our Sri Lanka. With deals galore on offer at many of our favourite hotels until next April, it is definitely the time to visit Sri Lanka. So, come on in, the water’s lovely! Just give us a call to chat over your ideas for a holiday of a lifetime.

Independent Tailor-made Holidays to Sri Lanka & Maldives