‘If I could go anywhere this New Year’

For Lizzie Heeley from Turquoise Holidays, few places are better in the world to usher in the New Year than Sri Lanka and the Maldives

Why would you go? To me, there is no better combination for a luxury holiday.

Who would you go with?
My boyfriend – if he’s nice to me!

 How would you get there?
I would fly with Sri Lankan airlines from London – first to Colombo and then on to Malé.

Where would you stay?
Ulagalla in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka (five nights) and then Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives (seven nights).

What would you see?
What wouldn’t I see? Sri Lanka is one of the most special places on earth. The culture, the people, the food, the history, the wildlife are all magical. I would explore the ancient temples of Anuradhapura, climb Sigiriya Rock, take in the beauty of the northern Sri Lankan countryside and visit Wilpattu National Park to see the elephants (below) and if I was lucky a leopard and a sloth bear. In the Maldives I would see breathtaking tropical island atolls with water so turquoise and sand so white I would have to pinch myself to double-check I wasn’t dreaming.

What would you eat?
In Sri Lanka I would eat spring hoppers for breakfast, Kottu or Rotti for lunch and then the traditional rice and curry for dinner. So much more than what it says on the tin, this traditional meal is comprised of eight different vegetable and meat curries – the flavours are out of this world. I would also stop at the markets for a fresh mango or three.

At Six Senses Laamu I would live off fresh seafood and spicy local dishes. At breakfast I would try the traditional curries, but also indulge in the odd banana pancake or eggs on toast poached to perfection. I would also visit ICE – the island’s ice-cream parlour, which has more than 40 flavours to choose from.

What would you drink?
In Sri Lanka I would definitely have a lassi or juice in the morning, lots of water throughout the day and a Lion beer in the evening. Laamu has a divine juice menu, cocktail menu and wine list. Having a sundowner in front of Chill Bar (pictured top) as the skyline turns orangey pink, skin glowing after a day in the sun, is a moment I dream of very often.

What would you buy?
Some gifts for friends and family from the local markets and fresh fruit in Sri Lanka. In the Maldives I probably wouldn’t buy anything, apart from the odd spa treatment.

Main image: signature dining at Ulagalla in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka

For more information, visit Turquoise Holidays 

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