Afternoon tea in Sri Lanka...
The Island of Sri Lanka lies in the Indian Ocean to the Southwest of the Bay of Bengal and is best know for its plantation economy-cinnamon, rubber and, of course, Ceylon tea.
Tea, picked all your round, has been cultivated in Sri Lanka since 1867 with teas from the highest region of the island-8,000ft- being hailed as the ‘champagne’ of cuppas.
The explorer Marco Polo described the island as, ‘the finest island of its size in the world’. Sri Lanka is comprised of pristine beaches, lush-green hills, majestic waterfalls, stunning sea-life, heritage and pilgrim site as well as tantalising cuisine.
Four hours from Sri Lanka’s capital- Columbo to the Castlereagh Lake, lies the Bogawantalawa Valley, known as the Golden Valley of Tea and home to old Ceylon, replete with rolling green hills, plantation bungalows, high tea and exquisite service.
Here, at 4000 feet above sea level, lies Ceylon tea trails, four classic colonial bungalows built for British tea estate managers in the days of the Raj. The historic houses have been restored by Dilmah Tea with the co-operation of Bogawantalawa Tea Estates, to offer you the unique experience of life on a working Tea plantation. Bugalow sizes range from 4 to 6 rooms and 20 luxury suites in all.
Rooms & Accommodation
• Each of the four bungalows is different:
• Summerville (4 rooms) with an air of a country cottage
• Castlereagh (5 rooms) with an eclectic style of its own
• The high colonial Tientsin (6 rooms) was one of the first planter’s residences to be built in Ceylon
• The more modern Norwood (5 rooms) abounds with 60’s character.
• Summerville and Castlereagh are situated opposite each other on the shores of the Castlereagh lake, Norwood is at the other end of the valley about 15 minutes away by car and Tientsin is about 30 minutes away in the next valley.
• Each house comes with its own manager, chef, butler and houseboys and from 4 to 6 luxurious Master Suites, Garden Suites and Luxury Rooms. You can book a room or the entire bungalow.
• All rooms have ensuite bathrooms with twin wash basins and a traditional bath with shower
Activities at Tea Trails
• Spa treatments
• Tennis
• Croquet
• Indoor board games
What to do
• Relax and unwind in the beautiful gardens
• Visit a tea factory and see first hand how the world’s finest tea is made
• Spend an adventure-filled day biking, trekking or white-water raftingPool and Beach
Dining at Tea Trails
• All menus are set & can be experienced at a chosen location in your Bungalow
• Guests can opt for a formal dinner or a simple alfresco lunch. Meals, wines and spirits are included in the price, there are no bills to sign. Guests also have a butler at their beck and call!
• For a new take on the ‘tea break’, book a luxury holiday to one of Sri Lanka’s finest tea plantations with Tropical Sky. Travel between August and October and enjoy six night’s boutique-style accommodation on a full-board basis at Ceylon Tea Trails from £1,179 per person.
• The price includes accommodation in a luxury room at Ceylon Tea Trails, return flights from London Gatwick with Qatar Airways, all meals, soft drinks, wine served with dinner as well as local beer and spirits, taxes and surcharges, and of course tea!
For more information visit www.tropicalsky.co.uk
Tel. 0870 907 9600.
