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

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.

Earth and Moon taken from space, with Sri Lanka clearly visible (courtesy of NASA ESA)

TikaWeeks #42/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 18th October 2019

Travel pledges that encourage foreign visitors to be more sustainable and respectful to the host nation are becoming popular around the world, although some experts are sceptical because there is no current evidence to support their effectiveness. I believe that such incentives can work if all involved are committed to responsible tourism. Today, we launch our “Tika Travel Troth” – RESPECT – which aims to promote awareness of a visitor’s duty to be a responsible, respectful and sustainable guest.

Stunning panoramic Hill Country view from Dickoya Bedroom, Camellia Hills, Dickoya, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #36/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 6th September 2019

It is definitely the time to visit Sri Lanka with deals galore on offer at many of our favourite hotels. Manor House Concepts – The Kandy House, The Last House, Coco Tangalla etc. – has 25% off to December 2019 and Teardrop Hotels – The Wallawwa, Fort Bazaar, Kumu Beach etc. – has 15-20% off to March 2020. There are more discounts and special offers from now until next year at many other hotels so please take a look at our list.

Fortaleza No. 50 Lighthouse Street, Galle, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #30/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 27th July 2019

We sadly say farewell to the Fortaleza hotels and restaurant in Galle Fort this week, which succumbed to the downturn in Sri Lankan tourism since the events on Easter Sunday and have now closed. The villas were some of our favourites in the Fort and we wish the Fortaleza team all of the best for the future. We hope that these properties will reopen at some stage in the future and delight our customers once more. Adieu.

A plethora of Sri Lanka's wonderful fruit and vegetables in Kandy market

TikaWeeks #26/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 30th June 2019

Until there are zero emissions aircraft we will need to find other strategies to compensate for travelling long-haul… and there are many approaches on offer. Lifestyle adjustments are the obvious and definitive way of reducing your carbon footprint, and to encourage family and friends to follow suit, as well as lobbying parliament and challenging the tourist industry for change. Let’s all make this our mission in life for the sake of our planet!

Buddha in samadhi, Gal Vihara, Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #24/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 16th June 2019

The Poson Festival celebrates the arrival of Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC and it is held over the full moon in June (17 June this year). Poson Poya Day is one of the most important religious events of the year, particularly at pilgrimage sites such as Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Thanthirimale where devotees flock to offer prayers and alms to the Buddha. I am sure that this year’s Poson will hold more significance and be a more poignant occasion than ever.

President and Prime Minister of Sri Lanka celebrating Aluth Sahal Mangalyaya in Anuradhapura (courtesy of President’s Media Division)

TikaWeeks #15/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 8th April 2019

Less than a week to go until Aluth Avurudda (New Year) in the Sinhalese and Tamil communities of Sri Lanka. New Year traditionally begins at the sighting of the new moon, although, for convenience, it is now celebrated on 14 April each year. It also marks the end of the harvest season and of spring. This week’s update heralds the New Year, continues our geography series and features a news roundup.

TikaWeeks #13/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 30th March 2019

“Where is Tikalanka?” queried a passer-by to their companion looking at the map on our stand at the Destinations holiday and travel show… “They can’t go!” said a friend to me under their breath. The point is that, despite the internet and our globally connected lifestyle, still not everyone knows where Sri Lanka is or what delights it has to offer. This week’s update introduces a short series on Sri Lanka’s geography, continues with our new accommodation listings and reviews topical news items.

The pink tuk-tuks of Sri Lanka empowering and protecting women (courtesy of Al Jazeera)

TikaWeeks #12/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 22nd March 2019

It has been a very busy and eventful period for us since the Destinations holiday and travel show last month, with this being our peak holiday and booking season, so apologies for the radio silence. Firstly, we would like to thank everyone who visited us at Destinations, both potential customers and old friends! Things are moving fast in Sri Lanka, with many new hotels being developed and infrastructure improved, so this Sri Lanka update will try to cover what has been happening on the island over the past few months and with us as a company.

Independent Tailor-made Holidays to Sri Lanka & Maldives