Galle, Sri Lanka – a travel guide in pictures
Gorgeous Galle
I first visited Sri Lanka a few years ago as a surprise birthday gift when we pretty much toured the whole island. Well not quite, as we skipped what is probably the most beautiful corner – the gorgeous colonial fort town of Galle on the south-western coast. And a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don’t ask me why, but I expect it’s because I didn’t design the itinerary – that’s love for you. Anyhow I finally made it to Galle for a mini Christmas break.
Rather than bore you with words, I am trying something different today, so given my best friend is Instagram (my iphone is the only camera I now use), here’s FooDiva’s pictorial guide to all things dining, drinking and travelling in Galle. Just hover over each image for captions and links to websites.
WEATHER: The best time to visit Galle and the south-western coast of Sri Lanka if you’d like to avoid rain is December to March.
FLY: I flew from Dubai to Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital with Emirates – a four-hour direct flight. It’s a two and a half hour drive to Galle on the new motorway. Hotels can organise a private car and driver – expect to pay around US$100 one way.
VISA: Most nationalities require a tourist visa which can be obtained on arrival for US$25 (valid for one month) or apply online in advance here.
SLEEP: I chose to stay at a quirky boutique hotel, The Fort Printers where the food is exceptional, but I also checked out the grand dame, Amangalla (expensive), Galle Fort Hotel (my pick next time for a change of scene) and Deco on 44.
For a taste of Sri Lankan fare closer to home, here are a handful of Dubai restaurant recommendations from a trusted native – Red Box in Al Qusais with a new location in Discovery Gardens opening soon, Chef Lanka in both Karama and Discovery Gardens and Curry Leaf in Bur Dubai. And if you’d rather cook at home, I bought Kumar Pereira’s Kumar Family Cookbook with a mix of traditional Sri Lankan dishes and modern comfort food.
So does a picture tell a thousand words? Words or photos, what do you prefer? Or both? Sri Lanka enthusiasts, any other tips to add? Whenever I travel, I use Instagram to give tips on the go, so if not already, feel free to follow @foodiva
A bientôt.
FooDiva. x
I really like this format for your ‘destination’ travel reviews – different but very effective. Well done.
Much thanks Johann for your continued support 🙂
Personally, i like the idea of more pictures with captions. Well presented. And good luck on expanding Foodiva.
Did you hover over each image for the captions Kelly? Or would you prefer them in B/W on screen? Thanks, I need all the luck I can get!
Personally, I prefer the captions under each colourful picture without having to click on each one.
OK, will work that in for next time round Kelly 🙂
I like this post very very much. One suggestion – can the pictures open up in a blank window… it was difficulty going to and fro between different pics. Love 🙂
Thanks Ishita. The idea is that you view them as is, but are you saying you would prefer to click on to each one to enlarge them?
No, no – not enlarge them. For example, Fort Printers Boutique Hotel. I was interested in that place – I clicked on it and the same window shows the link to their official website. If this link could open up in another window, so that the window where I was reading your original article still remains. I was already out of your blogpost. That way the navigation between your post and any other external link is easier.
I hope I could make my point clear !
Agh OK get it now. Hmmm…couldn’t do that, but let me try again. Thanks.
Enticing post! Hovering over your pictures only made me wish I could transport myself there. Hope you’re going to treat us to similar for the Cayman Islands…. a lot closer to “home” for me!
Thanks F 🙂 I just filed my first story on the Caymans and working on the second one for FooDiva, so stay tuned. Definitely worth adding to your travel bucket list for next year 🙂
Lovely post. I definitely prefer visuals anytime any day. I noticed some of the hover links don’t work. Nevertheless, great blog post – clear, colourful and to the point.
Thanks Jan. Bizarre…I double checked and the hovering captions all work. Do you mean website links? If so I have only included links where there are websites 🙂
Hi Sam. Ok, I got it. I thought all the photos had hover links. Looking forward to more of such posts 🙂 jd