Home & Away with Robert Walshe
www.robertwalshe.com
Holiday Hotspot – Galle Sri- Lanka SET in the Indian Ocean between India and the Maldives, Sri Lanka is small - at 41,000 square miles, it is smaller than Ireland. But it boasts eight Unesco-listed sites, wildlife including elephants and leopards, picture-postcard beaches, and of course famed tea plantations. Galle on the southern tip offers elegant mansions, historic churches and laid-back bars overlooking some of the world’s best beaches. Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. It is
■ Jetwing Lighthouse Galle
the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and SouthEast Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions. The solid granite city walls built by Dutch colonists saved Galle’s historic World Heritage-listed town centre when the devastating tsunami crashed ashore in 2004. Ten years on there’s little evidence of the destruction, though it is documented in Galle’s Maritime Museum, which opened in 2011. The Dutch reformed church, located close to the new entrance to the fort, was built by a Dutch Army officer at the site of a previous Portuguese church in Galle in 1754. Unawatuna Beach, located 5 km southward around the coast of Galle, is a beautiful tourist destination, believed to rank amongst the twelve best beaches in the world. Sleepy peaceful clear
waters here are famous for safe bathing. Close by Ahangama is famous for a unique type of fishing technique that is called Silt fishing. It is also a beautiful spot to enjoy during sunset. The Kottawa Rainforest and Arboretum is on Udugama Road, just half an hour’s drive from Galle. It is a part of the Kottawa Kombala Conservation Forest. It has a wide track which runs for a kilometer or less through the rainforest. On a stretch of rugged coastline just a short drive from Galle Fort, Jetwing Lighthouse is a luxurious base for exploring the region. Designed by celebrated architect Geoffrey Bawa, the ambience is open and relaxed with local and Portuguese influence, and there are ocean views from all areas. Each room features Dutch-style teak furniture and polished teak floors, with a large, private balcony to enjoy the setting sun. Cool off in one of the two large ocean-facing pools, choose from formal or casual dining with sea views, and enjoy a host of other activities including yoga, tennis and whale-watching. Jetwing Lighthouse exudes an old world charm of elegance and minimalism that is combined with fantastic service, scrumptious cuisine and a wide selection of facilities and activ-
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com ities. www. jetwinghotels.com JF Tours provide tailor made packages offering flexibility and enjoyment of independent travel with an excellent team of well ■ Galle Dutch Fo experirt Sri-Lanka enced, k n o w l edgeable chauffeur guides driving c o m a modern fleet of luxury cars & 4 For travellers from wheel drives. www.jftours.com Turk- Northern Ireland or Ulster counish airlines offer 10 flights a week ties the Hilton Dublin airport offers from Dublin to Istanbul with daily a perfect stop off point before you onward connections to Colombo in catch your Turkish Airlines flight Sri-Lanka. On long-haul flights, first the following day. This homely and business & economy class pas- Hilton offers short & long term sengers feast on authentic Turkish parking, a complimentary shuttle to and international dishes and the the airport, good sized rooms and experience leaves the other Middle a friendly service at Burnell Bar & Eastern carriers like Emirates trail- Grill. www.hilton.com ing far behind. Turkish Airlines also Robert Walshe is a travel broadfly to 96 countries across the globe with new destinations including Kili- caster with Q Radio Network and manjaro, Sharm el Sheik, Maldives Travel Editor for River Media newsand South Africa. Best fares are paper titles across the island of Ireavailable from www.turkishairlines. land. www.robertwalshe.com