Mirissa

Sail out from Mirissa harbour to see blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins with a responsible operator (November–April).

Ten days of touring, then four nights of doing nothing. This is the shape of trip that German and Austrian travellers ask for by name – a Rundreise with a Badeurlaub attached – and it is, for most people, the most satisfying way to use a fortnight in Sri Lanka. You see the whole island while you have the energy, and then you stop.

A scheduled small-group departure, capped at twelve guests in one minibus with one guide – not a forty-seat coach, and not a private tour either. It is the answer for solo travellers who do not want to pay the single-traveller premium of a private tour, and for couples who would rather share the trip and the cost with a few other people.

You have to get from Ella to the south coast anyway. This turns that transfer into the best day of your trip: a full morning leopard safari in Yala on the way through, and your luggage waiting in the car.

Udawalawe is only two hours from the south-coast beaches, which makes this the easiest safari day on the island – out before dawn, elephants by sunrise, back for a swim in the afternoon.

Sri Lanka's most famous national park, as a day trip from the south-coast beaches – at the gate for the 6:00 am opening, when the leopards are still moving.

Blue whales, sperm whales and spinner dolphins off Mirissa, with hotel pick-up from Galle, Unawatuna, Hikkaduwa or Bentota – the season runs November to April.

A blue whale morning off Mirissa and an afternoon in Galle Fort, from Colombo and back in a day – the expressway makes it possible.

Our signature journey is the complete Sri Lanka experience in two unhurried weeks. You will climb the Sigiriya rock fortress, cycle among the ruins of Polonnaruwa, watch wild elephants gather in Minneriya and attend the evening ceremony at Kandy's Temple of the Tooth.

A short, sweet honeymoon: royal Kandy, the misty hills of Ella, and golden beaches on the south coast, with romantic touches along the way and no early starts unless you want them.