Indian Ocean Holidays

Bursting with diverse and unexpected treasures, Sri Lanka is a cultural lover's paradise and is well known for its beach resorts that stretch the extensive coastline. Sri Lanka is home rock temples, ruins of sacred cities and fortresses all of which are staggering sights to behold. If that isn't quite enough to tempt you, Sri Lanka's naturally spectacular interior is home to the stunning tea plantations of Nuwara Eliya. In contrast, the bucket-list-topping atolls of the Maldives give you chance to completely switch off, toes-in-sand style.

A mix of wildlife encounters and enriching moments makes this memory making Sri Lanka holiday for teenagers (and their families) who want to discover life beyond the pages of a textbook. We’ve struck the perfect balance between educational-but-make-it-fun exploration in Colombo and the Cultural Triangle and time on the east coast shores where you can pretty much just chill for a few blissful days.

This trip follows a route that checks off a handful of incredible locations, has the ideal blend of Sri Lanka’s cultural highlights, opportunities to head out on wildlife-seeking safaris and time on powder sands.

Sri Lanka's breathtaking scenery and dreamy beaches set the stage for unforgettable adventures. This well-rounded itinerary whisks you between must-see sights in style with a private car and a knowledgeable local guide. We’ve included a few of our favourite boutique resorts and a bundle of incredible experiences, including the famed Sigiriya Rock climb and an elephant safari in Minneriya National Park.

Balance downtime on honey-coloured beaches and splash time in swimming pools with exploring Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage and natural bounty. A two-week trip gives you enough time to scour a couple of the best national parks for the nation’s wildlife, including leopards and elephants, and get young imaginations fired up on a visit to an intriguing cave complex. The friendly locals make families feel exceedingly welcome and comfortable while travelling, plus a car and driver for the second part of your holiday effortlessly takes you and the gang from place to place on this multi-stop adventure.

Sri Lanka and the Maldives — an enchanting combo of nature's wonders and idyllic island retreats. This carefully crafted itinerary will whisk you around the highlights of Sri Lanka in the comfort of a private car, accompanied by an expert driver/guide. You’ll first head north to discover the ancient treasures and wildlife of the Cultural Triangle, where exciting days out could include a jeep safari in elephant-rich Minneriya National Park or enjoying the views from the top of Sigiriya Rock. Next, a stay in Kandy brings the chance to experience Buddhist culture at the famed Temple of the Tooth and marvel at exotic flora of every kind in the Royal Botanical Gardens. Finally, enjoy some beach downtime at the resort of your choice in the magnificent Maldives; we feature a handpicked selection of family focused islands where you can create incredible memories together.

When you have over two weeks to dedicate to a holiday to Sri Lanka, you can cover a lot of ground to explore the true diversity of this nation. This trip combines visits to the best historical and religious sites with opportunities to spot Sri Lankan elephants in the wild and indulge in some luxury beach resorts on different coasts. A driver accompanies you for most of the trip, making the journeys between destinations as easy as possible, although there’s a scenic train journey between Kandy and Ella and private transfers to make your holiday seamless.

Combining heritage landmarks of Sri Lanka with some of its finest beaches, this holiday ticks a lot of boxes. A driver will accompany you for most of the trip, taking you to visit the must-see places in the Cultural Triangle and making your journeys between locations as relaxing as possible.

After a few days exploring Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, a driver will take you on a scenic journey south. You’ll stop overnight at lovely hotels in the Hill Country amid mist-clad scenery and historic tea plantations en route to Yala, where you’ll search for elephants. The trip finishes with a few blissful days on Sri Lanka’s sandy south coast.

Check off must-see locations in Sri Lanka while dedicating plenty of time to relaxing. First, you’ll revel in the incredible surroundings at an award-winning eco-retreat, but there’s also lots to do in the area to set the scene and get to know Sri Lanka’s heritage. Day trips are made simple thanks to a private car and driver during your time in Sigiriya. As you ease further into your trip, slow the tempo as you experience the excellent hydrotherapy facilities at Santani Wellness Resort & Spa near Kandy before switching to the holistic mind, body, and soul approach at Glenross Living – both sensationally beautiful locations on your trip. A final stop at Haritha Villas + Spa near Hikkaduwa connects you with an Ayurvedic doctor to learn and benefit from this approach to well-being.

This itinerary takes you from coast to coast with a private chauffeur guide and private transfers, stopping at some of the nation’s most beautiful locations and staying in some of Sri Lanka’s finest accommodations as you go. You’ll experience the true diversity of the country, from the city of Colombo to the impeccable white sands of the east coast via ruins of ancient cities and the chance to spot leopards and elephants in Yala National Park.

Explore the cultural heart of Sri Lanka and head up into the beautiful hill country. Perhaps climb the steps to the summit of Sigiriya Rock and view ancient rock paintings before heading down to the coast for seven nights on golden sands.

See two different sides of Sri Lanka – the Cultural Triangle with its epic heritage monuments and natural landmarks, and the shimmering east coast where there's little more to do than swim, snorkel and soak up the sun.

This trio of Hill Country, national park and beach makes the perfect Sri Lankan getaway. Travel from jaw-dropping Kandy and Nuwara Eliya to leopard country before heading for some sun, sea and sand on the south coast.

Setting sail from Mirissa, you’ll head to Weligama Bay for snorkelling and paddleboarding before dropping anchor overnight. Jungle Beach awaits you the following day, and as you sail, you’ll look for breaching whales and dolphins, with another opportunity for water sports. There’s time to admire the beauty of Jungle Beach before the sun melts away and you have dinner with your fellow passengers onboard. A final day of sailing returns you to Mirissa.

During your time in Sri Lanka, take two nights to embark on an unforgettable adventure from Mirissa to Weligama Bay, where you'll experience water activities such as snorkelling and paddleboarding directly from the yacht. Spend a night at anchor in the tranquil Weligama Bay before setting off to spot dolphins and whales off the coast of Dondra Bay. The next day, try more water activities and savour a delightful lunch on board. As the day draws to a close, disembark back in Mirissa with memories of an incredible voyage.

Mix some adventure with relaxation on this twin centre. La Reunion is much more off the beaten track than larger Mauritius. Both islands are great for exploring if you're looking to get out and about on your next holiday.Most visitors tend to spend three to five nights on La Reunion. It has a feel more like Hawaii than the Indian Ocean and is best seen on 4x4 adventures, or even from the sky on a helicopter flight over the island where you'll be in awe of the dramatic Volcanic landscapes. There's still the coastal beach hotels that you'd expect in the Indian Ocean. On Mauritius, you still get the idyllic beaches but again, there's mountain peaks to explore and marine adventures to undertake. Local towns are good to explore - you can dine out, eat streetfood and shop for keepsakes.

Mauritius shares the reputation for stunning beaches, excellent diving and fabulous beach resorts that you'll find on other islands within the Indian Ocean, but here there's a little more to do if going beyond the beach is on your holiday wishlist. It's famed for it's championship golf courses, buzzing markets and street food from it's diverse cultural heritage and the simplicity of getting around the island to explore.

The only thing better than spending your time lazing on one of Mauritius's beautiful beaches is the chance the scene and head to a second beach-front resort. Much is made of which of the island's coast is best – north, south, east or west – and on this two-stop break, you can experience two of the four and make your own mind up. Pairing up LUX* Grand Gaube and LUX* Belle Mare is a particularly perfect holiday for families as both resorts have exceptional features and facilities for guests of all ages.

With so much variety on offer, a visit to the Seychelles is certainly not a case of once you’ve seen one island, you’ve seen them all. A combination of the two largest islands of Mahé and Praslin is the perfect option for those that want to experience the Seychelles’ varying landscapes and spectacular beaches. For an ultraluxe, twin-island experience we highly recommend staying at the Constance sister properties: Constance Ephelia on Mahé, which overlooks a pristine marine park, and the idyllic hideaway, Constance Lemuria on Pralin’s west coast.

Nature-lovers will get the most from a holiday that includes Mahé and Silhouette, where extraordinary national parks await. Mahe is home to Victoria, the country’s bustling capital and a host of smaller towns and villages, while mist-cloaked Silhouette is almost untouched. The only signs of human habitation on this protected island are the small village of La Passe and the Hilton Seychelles Labriz Resort & Spa.

Island-hopping in the Seychelles is a fabulous way to get a real sense of life in the Indian Ocean. Visit busy Mahé and wonderfully rustic Praslin before heading to La Digue, where village life exists at a slower pace. There are very few cars here, with bicycles the main mode of transport and traditional ox carts used to move both people and produce from one place to the next. The natural environment is very much a part of island life and it’s not hard to see why. Large, smooth ancient granite boulders rest on the water’s edge, partitioning secluded bays and it’s easy to feel off the beaten track as you hike back towards your resort in the island’s centre.

This 10-night car and driver trip packs in the very best of Sri Lanka: a buzzing city, a white-sand beach beach, iconic cultural sights and a wildlife-rich national park. Spend time travelling from the west to the east and down to the island's south-east corner where leopards roam in the jungle.