Sri Lanka has been known by many names over the millennia: Ceylon, Resplendent Isle, Island of Dharma, Pearl of the Orient, and perhaps most memorably as Serendib.

This tropical island paradise, a tear-drop-shaped island just South of India, is home to miles of beautiful beaches, many of them still unspoilt, thickly forested hills, rolling mile upon mile of tea plantations, lots of wildlife, many ancient and unique places of worship and pilgrimage spots, rich culture, and much more.

While some parts of the country have yet to fully recover from the devastation caused by the 2004 tsunami, tourism brings much needed money that helps the rebuilding process.

From its vibrant cities to the remotest areas, Sri Lanka is indeed a country full of serendipitous moments.