Why we went: “Sri Lanka is what happens when you take an island resembling paradise and add a few thousand years of cross-cultural percolation.A jewel in the Indian Ocean, it's jam-packed with ancient sites, fascinating culture, beautiful wilderness and idyllic beaches. From ancient Anuradhapura city and the well-preserved Polonnaruwa ruins, to the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and the impressive Sigiriya rock fortress, Sri Lankan culture spans more than 2,000 years and still remains vibrant and alive today. Trek through lush tea plantations, go on Elephant safaris in Minneriya and Kaudulla national parks, indulge in seafood feasts in quaint fishing villages and dip your toes in the warm, clear waters of the Indian Ocean”