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: Maldives

A portrait of Thomas Cook, circa 1850, and early tickets (courtesy of The Guardian/Getty Images/Alamy)

TikaWeeks #39/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 26th September 2019

The failure of another behemoth of the travel industry in as many years this week suggests that small is indeed beautiful. When the world’s oldest tour operator and top travel brand goes to the wall it signals a change in the way people source and book holidays. This week’s update discusses global travel trends, Sri Lanka’s current monsoon rains and upcoming presidential election, and next year’s cricket tour of the island by England.

Wind turbine at Keldhead, Askham, Penrith, UK

TikaWeeks #35-3/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 28th August 2019

All of our Sri Lanka and Maldives holidays promoted by ResponsibleTravel.com now have a “My promise to reduce carbon emissions in my destination” section outlining our low carbon objectives. We work hard to reduce Tikalanka’s carbon footprint in Sri Lanka whilst acknowledging the impact of long-haul flights. We also have implemented low carbon practices at home.

Sunset over Ella, Hill Country, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #25-2/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 21st June 2019

A present day conundrum is how to travel to far-flung places yet endeavour to be sustainable. With air travel emitting 80% of tourism’s greenhouse gasses, is it responsible to visit long-haul destinations like Sri Lanka and Maldives? What would happen to Sri Lanka if foreign tourism was reduced dramatically when tourism generates over 25% of foreign income? This week’s feature discusses possible ways of ameliorating your carbon footprint when travelling to Sri Lanka and Maldives.

TikaWeeks #04/2019: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 25th January 2019

A belated Happy New Year to one and all! We will be exhibiting at Destinations: The Holiday & Travel Show at Olympia London from 31 January to 03 February 2019. This will be our 14th show since we launched in 2004 and a favourite of ours and customers alike. With Sri Lanka being the Lonely Planet choice for 2019, please come along to see us on Stand AP38 to book your holiday and free tickets to the show are on offer.

TikaWeeks #35/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 2nd September 2018

Last week’s launch of the new version of our Trip Planner is hotly followed by our new online Wedding Gift List this week, which uses the same platform. Our online Wedding Gift List enables you to create your ideal honeymoon to Sri Lanka and Maldives, and the itinerary acts as a list of voucher ideas for family and friends to purchase as wedding gifts. This week’s update launches the new online Wedding Gift List, advises of the annual closure of Yala National Park, concludes the Peoples of Sri Lanka series, and suggests first- or last-stop stays in Sri Lanka.

Sample page of the new Tikalanka Trip Planner

TikaWeeks #34/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 26th August 2018

The launch of the long anticipated new version of our Trip Planner has refreshed and updated the original for the mobile age. Based on Google Maps, the new Trip Planner may be accessed via mobile phones, tablets or laptops and enables you to create your own dream holiday to Sri Lanka and Maldives, wherever you are! This week’s update launches the beta release of our new Trip Planner, continues the Peoples of Sri Lanka series and offers accommodation options around Mirissa.

Pathi, John and 'van' (minibus), JB Pathi Tours, April 2003, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #24/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 17th June 2018

Tikalanka is truly the Sri Lanka specialist since we offer holidays to Sri Lanka and Maldives only. But why? Many of our customers question the rationale for arranging holidays to just two countries, whereas we see it as a positive choice and affirmation of our passion for Sri Lanka. This is borne from our origins – a chance meeting of similar minds across different cultures. This week’s update champions Tikalanka as the Sri Lanka tailor-made holidays specialist, continues the daily life series and recommends places to stay in Colombo.

The Last House at dusk, Tangalle, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #12/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 25th March 2018

Since the controversy of ‘Big Data’ is all over the news, I thought it appropriate to discuss the role of online travel reviews and accommodation portals in creating the perfect tailor-made holiday to Sri Lanka and Maldives. Everyone seems to use them but are they the panacea for choosing the best possible accommodation for your idyllic trip? This week’s update also continues our Sri Lanka food series and includes hotel special offers as well as current official travel advice to Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Cricket net practice within the fort ramparts, Galle, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #11/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 18th March 2018

Barmy army, barmy army, barmy army… Yes, England’s cricket team is off to play Sri Lanka in the Pearl of the Indian Ocean later this year and the tour dates are finally confirmed. Please contact us as soon as possible if you are interested in seeing the cricket as hotels and tickets will sell out quickly. Tour dates and venues are listed in this week’s update along with a traditional Sri Lankan breakfast, more additions to our accommodation portfolio and what’s happening in Maldives.

A plate of Rice and Curry, Heritance Kandalama, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

TikaWeeks #09/2018: Sri Lanka update

Posted by John on 4th March 2018

Blizzards caused by the “Beast from the East” and the mayhem that ensues may encourage you to look further east to escape the chaos and bitter cold. Where better to go than Sri Lanka and Maldives, two “Jewels of the Indian Ocean”. In this week's update, a new culinary series introduces Sri Lanka’s delicious and colourful food, starting with the ubiquitous ‘Rice and Curry’, while I also talk about flight options, essential travel insurance, currency and money, and recommended novels about Sri Lanka.

Independent Tailor-made Holidays to Sri Lanka & Maldives