Check here for all tips for the best vacation in Sri Lanka

Summer in the Netherlands doesn't have to be that bad, I've discovered in recent years. Those last years, the summer here was actually quite nice, so a summer holiday in your own country suddenly became no punishment.

But those winters. Oh man. I'm really not a winter person and I prefer to lock myself up in bed with Netflix during my winter depression. But I have found a solution for that too: just skip the whole winter (or autumn). Problem solved. Just go to a place with sun, that seems clear to me.

Do you think: wow, what a good plan or did you come up with this plan years ago yourself? Good, then I come with the next tip: Sri Lanka is where you want to escape that bad weather. The best travel time for Sri Lanka is from February to October, so you can celebrate Christmas and New Year's in Holland and then relax on the beach. Don't forget to apply for your visa for Sri Lanka. And I say: VAMOS.

The nicest towns in Sri Lanka.

Sigiriya. Here you will find the famous Lion Rock, but also the Pidurangala Rock. The latter is slightly smaller; you can climb both if you want, but the Lion Rock is definitely a bit tougher. The real enthusiasts can of course climb both. Good to know: the view from the Lion Rock from the Pidurangala is really beautiful, especially if you catch the sunrise (or sunset). The entrance fee is much cheaper, it's less crowded, and the hike itself is less strenuous. You might understand: this one was my preference.

Galle. This used to be a Dutch fortress town during the VOC period. The city consisted of a fort whose remains you can still see, but now the inside of the fort has been transformed into the current Galle. You can still find many hints of the Dutch era, such as Catholic churches and Dutch street names. Quite funny to see that in Asia. Furthermore, there are many nice restaurants and boutiques, and the fort is surrounded by the ocean on three sides.

Kandy. This town is located in a valley and is recognizable by the large lake in the middle (which has an island in it). There aren't many real hotspots here, but there are enough restaurants, although it still feels a bit undiscovered.

By the way, it does have a number of rooftop bars. Be sure to visit the temples and the botanical garden. Tip: download the PickMe app, it's like Uber for tuk-tuks. Reliable and cheaper. Great. This app also works in Colombo and Negombo.

Ella. This is probably the backpacker paradise of Sri Lanka. The ultimate tip is to sleep a bit more towards the mountains, for the view and waking up surrounded by monkeys: always fun. You can also visit beautiful waterfalls and tea plantations here. You've probably seen this place in photos without realizing it: this is the most famous viewpoint of the well-known train that runs through Sri Lanka. So if you want the best viewpoint of this, you're in the right place. By the way, Ella has many beautiful lookout points.

Mirissa. The best thing is to visit this place at the end of your vacation. It's located on the beach and is ideal for doing absolutely nothing, except lounging, eating, and drinking. Be sure to stop by Secret Beach, eat fresh fish on the beach, and visit the many hotspots here. You can also go whale watching, but check carefully which organization you will do that with. Many companies also chase whales, and I assume you don't want to sponsor that.

Colombo. The capital of Sri Lanka and a great base for doing some day trips from there. You will also find most of the real hotspots here, which makes sense since it's the largest city. Therefore, you will find a bit more luxury here, if you're in the mood for that. It's definitely nice to spend a day or two here, at the beginning or end of your vacation.

Things to do in Sri Lanka.

The train ride. Well, a bit obvious, this first tip. I dare say that about 90% of tourists take this train ride. Understandably so. You can of course book first class (diva that you are), but believe me: second class is so much more fun. You have the best view when you look out the door (or hang out, just be a bit careful).

The National Park. There are several in Sri Lanka, so depending on where you are and what you want to see, you can make your choice. A safari is also among the options. One park has a large population of elephants, while another has an abundance of flamingos. If you're really lucky, you might spot a leopard or crocodiles. In any case, definitely a recommendation.

Climb Adam's Peak. This is naturally a pilgrimage, so if you do it during the pilgrimage season, the hike is beautifully decorated with flags and there are many people along the way. Oh yes: you'll be doing it with about a thousand others.

Cozy. The ideal start time is around two o'clock at night, then you catch the beautiful sunrise. It's more than worth the short night. It's the holy mountain of Sri Lanka, and that's because, apparently, Buddha set his first footstep on earth here. Now you know that too. Also nice: when you're at the top at sunrise, you see the reflection of the mountain in the distance. Quite a magical sight. Unless it's foggy, then you see nothing.

Little Adam's Peak. If that whole hike above sounds a bit too much, try the hike to Little Adam's Peak. You can also do both. This can be done from Ella, which I mentioned above. It's a nice hike to do, not too strenuous, but with beautiful viewpoints. Start early here too (not at two o'clock at night, though), because it can get really hot during the day.

Visit the Maldives. If you're there anyway... The real paradise on earth, the Maldives, is very close to Sri Lanka. And if you play it right, you can get a round trip for about 150 euros. You can hardly pass that up, right? I found it absolutely worth it; you won't be this close to these islands again anytime soon. And wow, it's beautiful there.

Hotspots Sri Lanka.

Gallery Cafe.. Opens at six o'clock in the morning, so if you're sitting upright in bed in the middle of the night because of your jet lag... Here you can have breakfast early. It's really a beautiful bar and restaurant, with super delicious food. Suitable for kicking off (or ending) your vacation with an extensive dinner.

2 Alfred House Rd, Colombo.

Ministry of Crab. Okay, I already find this name too fun, and you can probably guess that you can eat crab here. And how. Yes, this is crab eating 2.0. But oh man, so delicious. They also have locations in Manila, Shanghai, and Mumbai, if you're nearby.

Old Dutch Hospital Complex, 04 Hospital St, Colombo 00100.

The Mango Tree. Seafood, BBQ, cocktails... Here you have something for everyone. Convenient: also many veggie options and a number of Indian dishes. You can also have lunch here (they open at twelve), but dinner here is the coziest. And then join around cocktail hour.

82 Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo.

Mount Lavinia Hotel. Feeling like luxury, good food, and a nice sleep? Then book a room here and don't leave the resort. It's certainly not cheap, but worth every penny. It's a large hotel located on a hill (surprisingly, that hill is indeed called Mount Lavinia). There are various restaurants, from seafood to fine dining or bar bites in the lounge area. There's also a room where live music often takes place. The absolute recommendation is a romantic dinner on the beach.

100 Hotel Rd. Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia.

Jetwing Lighthouse. Yes, you can also have a fine dining evening in Sri Lanka. Just a heads up: it's closed until July 31 for renovations, so come after that, otherwise you'll be standing in front of a closed door. Do that for sure, because the food is heavenly.

Dadella, Galle.

Hotels in Sri Lanka

Hotel Heladiv. Cozy hotel with a very relaxed atmosphere. Also a nice swimming pool (which is always a big plus for me personally). They have an in-house chef who can prepare a star dinner for you if you want.

4th Lane, Kandy Road, Anuradhapura

Surf N Sun. Luxury bungalows, ranging from a decent size to holy moly, is-this-my-bungalow-size. The beach is about fifty meters away, so you can take a morning dip rolling out of bed here.

Arugam Bay

Sevonrich Holiday Resort. Nice resort, nicer pool. Definitely a very good option if you want to stick to your budget, and the location is also top-notch.

Dambulla