Galle is the big unmissable destination in the south. It’s a city of trade and, increasingly, art. It's exotic and bursting with the scent of spices and salty winds, and also with its collection of Dutch-colonial buildings. It really is a town of great beauty, with classic architecture blending beautifully with a dramatic tropical setting to create a reality that is endlessly interesting.

The historic Fort area is full of little boutique shops, cafes and hotels. Built by the Dutch, beginning in 1663, the Fort occupies most of an area that's surrounded on three sides by the ocean. Just wandering around the old walls and streets at random provides one architectural surprise after another as you explore the amazing collection of structures dating back through the centuries. The fort is one of Sri Lanka’s 8 Unesco World Heritage Sites and is a key part of the Fort’s allure, however, is that it isn’t just a pretty place. It remains a working community: there are administrative offices, courts, export companies, lots of regular folks populating the streets and a definite buzz of energy in the air.