Galle’s 17th Century fort is incredibly well-preserved and its atmospheric streets are lined with colonnaded Dutch-style villas, colonial churches, crumbling warehouses and boutique hotels, as well as a growing number of shops, cafes and restaurants, and best explored on foot. Those looking to get active can take a guided bicycle ride through Galle’s verdant interior, go scuba diving or surf in nearby Weligama. More peaceful pursuits including heading to a nearby shala for yoga and meditation or visiting one of the region’s luxurious spas. If you haven’t made it to the Hill Country, you can visit a tea estate nearby and tour the factory. Wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy whale and dolphin watching from nearby Mirissa (seasonal) while day trips to Yala and Udawalawe national parks, and to the Sinharaja Rainforest, are also all possible.

The villa opens onto a spacious lawn that stretches towards the sea, and at its heart is an inviting greenstone-tiled swimming pool featuring a shallow staircase of granite stones. Palms sway loftily overhead and dapple the lawns in sunshine, and our garden offers ample space for a casual family game of cricket, volleyball or football. We have books for you to dip into and a collection of DVDs for those who wish to stay home, curl up and watch a movie. There are restaurants in the vicinity if a change of scene is needed, and bars for an evening out.