Fiona & John
England, September 2026
What did you like most about Sri Lanka?
Family connections, the people, the culture, the beautiful countryside and places.
What did you like least about Sri Lanka?
Nothing!
What is your opinion of your accommodation in Sri Lanka?
We loved everywhere we stayed. It is difficult to put the places in order. We would return to every place with the exception perhaps of Boulder Garden [Sinharaja]. Difficult steps to negotiate, especially when uneven and damp and dark. The staff were exemplary in their kindness and care. We appreciate it is difficult to find suitable accommodation in this area.
[Wallawwa, Kotugoda; Ellerton Bungalow, Kandy; Nyne Hotels – Stafford Bungalow, Nuwara Eliya; GlenMyu Estate, Haputale; Boulder Garden, Sinharaja; Galle Face Hotel, Colombo; The Sun House, Galle]
What is your opinion of your chauffeur guide in Sri Lanka?
Nihal was exceptional. He went well beyond what we expected of the chauffeur guide to make our time in Sri Lanka memorable. He engaged in conversation informing us of so much as we travelled around. Nothing seemed too much trouble for him. One of the highlights being he managed to find and introduce us to the current owner of the Girigama Tea Estate – he (the current owner) was responsible for building the new tea factory 6 years ago, and my grandfather, as the then owner, built the recently redundant factory in 1903. Nihal arranged for us to enter the old factory with the original equipment, and visit the Superintendent’s Bungalow where we were warmly welcomed by the current occupant. A very special visit. We were very grateful to have him as our Chauffeur Guide for the entire trip driving us back to the airport at 3.00 am for our flight home.
What is your opinion of your flights to and from Sri Lanka?
Turkish Airlines were good and efficient. The planes on the European leg were more modern than the long-haul aircraft. It was a very tight transfer on arrival at Istanbul and raced across the airport to catch the flight back to Gatwick. [Economy Class]
Any other comments?
We were very disappointed not to have the Specialist Guide at the Peradeniya [Botanic] Gardens. [We apologise for this oversight. However, I am glad that Nihal managed to catch up with you within the gardens after parking the vehicle to guide you around the rest of the gardens.]
It was also disappointing not to have the local guide for our tour of Colombo as per the itinerary. I am sure he would have been very interesting – we had a whirlwind tour in a TukTuk arranged by Nihal. [This should have been included as a guided tour by a local Colombo resident and the omission was due to the guide not appearing at the given time inexplicably. Again, we apologise for the lack of a specialist guide on this particular tour but I am pleased that Nihal arranged a brief tuk tuk city tour instead.]
Wallawwa, Ellerton Bungalow, Stafford Bungalow were exceptional. GlenMyu was exceptional in a unique way which appealed to us – wonderful food. The Sun House was a relaxing, comfortable place to stay while visiting Galle. Boulder Garden – see above. The Galle Face Hotel was an amazing experience and held memories of photos of my grandparents’ wedding reception. It is immaculate in the public areas and the bedroom was of a very acceptable standard.
Thank you so much for arranging such a personal, special visit for us. Our wedding anniversary was very special and celebrated in a warm way. Clearly you [John] had passed the information to Pathi, to Nihal and those in Boulder Garden. Very special.
Once again, thank you so much for creating the most wonderful itinerary for us. It was personal, meeting our requests, and arranging excellent accommodation. And for arranging an excellent guide who actually 'makes' the holiday.
Over the course of many months preparing our visit we received three itineraries from three different companies. We subsequently found your company mentioned in the Rough Guide. These three were nowhere near the exceptional itinerary, and personal care we received from you.
I am so pleased I shared the experience of visiting Sri Lanka with my husband – a very special place – I now feel truly connected with my Grandfather who sadly I never met as he was 18 years older than my Granny. She survived life in the Tropics 1911-1915 and lived till she was 95!! I am in awe of them. I wish I had asked her more questions... but we have a trunk full of memorabilia and lasting memories of a very personal visit.
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