Engage in an inner sanctum of peace, first thing in the morning with a visit to The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Join the throngs of locals as they offer lotus flowers, light oil lamps and burn incense to invoke blessings of the sacred Buddhist relic. The massive temple complex is home to several historic and cultural sites to explore further including the Palace complex of the Kings of Kandy and a museum.
Continue your cultural immersion with a tour of the ‘three temples’; a short 30-minute journey from Kandy town are three historic Buddhist temples from the 13th century namely Gadaladeniya Temple, Embekke Devale and Lankathilake Temple.
After this fascinating exploration of Sri Lanka’s rich history, unwind at one of Colombo’s luxurious spas. Let the healing hands of trained spa therapists and the calming ambience relax and rejuvenate as you spoil yourselves with your choice of a couple’s treatment package.
Once the cultural tour is complete head back into town for lunch at a trendy rooftop or lakeside restaurant to enjoy local cuisine or international fare.
Head over to the Peradeniya or Royal Botanical Gardens for an afternoon stroll amidst the colourful and lush surroundings of 147 acres of green paradise. Featuring over 400 species of flora, the gardens are a sanctuary of relaxation and education.
Enjoy a leisurely romantic evening walk taking in the sights of Kandy along the man-made lake built by the last monarch of Kandy, Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe in 1807. Pass lakeside cafes, Buddhist temples and even the small forest reserve of Udawatta Kelle and the Temple of the Tooth.
Reserve seats for two to a cultural dance extravaganza. Enjoy a night of enchanting costumes, dance routines, acrobatics, firewalking and drums featuring artistes from all over Sri Lanka. The Kandy dance show is an impressive spectacle that will keep you mesmerized for hours on end.
Helga’s Folly is not typical of anything traditional Kandy has to offer! It is a contemporary mishmash of eccentricity and decadence. Home to what’s not Kandy, Helga’s Folly is an art gallery, museum, café, restaurant and hotel, something unique that deserves some exploration.
Cap off your day with a Kandyan cocktail and a mouthwatering feast at one of Kandy’s plush restaurants.
This itinerary features the author’s favourite romance itinerary for couples, combining the best of culture, nature and history in the Heritage city that is Kandy.