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Sri Lanka is quite simply a magical destination, according to Champagne Travel Mandurah's business development manager Melaine Banyard.
She loved it so much she will take another group in 2020, and plans to take more groups to even more amazing destinations.
"In June this year I was fortunate to escort my first group of 12 people to Sri Lanka," Melaine explained.
"I have always wanted to visit Sri Lanka after working for many years with a beautiful Sri Lankan lady who would wow me with stories of her life in this amazing country. What started as a one-off trip with a wonderful group of people has become a bit of a passion to share how amazing this country is.
"We flew into Colombo very late at night on a Singapore Airlines flight and were met by the wonderful Suneth from Total Holiday Options and greeted with a smile and a flower welcome wreath. It was a sign of how amazing the next 12 days would be.
"During the next 12 days we stayed in some of the most amazing properties I have ever been to. We experienced wonders that words cannot explain and ate so much beautiful food it was hard to come home to my cooking. If you ask me what was my favourite things were, the list is long.
"I loved ...
- visiting the World Heritage-listed Dambulla Cave Temple, exploring the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka
- exploring Anuradhapura, one of the oldest, continuously-inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage sites of Sri Lanka.
- visiting the ancient city of Polonnaruwa
- enjoying Minneriya National Park and seeing elephants in their natural habitat
- learning about village life and tea production including having a go at tea plucking before enjoying high tea at a colonial hotel in Nuwara Eliya.
- taking in the sights onboard the scenic train from Kandy to Dickoya. relaxing in luxurious properties.
"Like I said, there are so many amazing memories made on this trip. If I ever had to describe any of my journeys as a trip of a lifetime, I would have to say this trip was mine. I have always been a person who loved travel and meeting new people. Taking this group to Sri Lanka, I realised I need to do both more often. It was fantastic how we have all become friends and, since our return to home, we have caught up multiple times and hope to travel again together soon. Have a look at some of my other planned journeys in 2020 and 2021, as I would love to see you all on board with me sometime in the future."