Sri Lanka and Dubai

It's possible to combine a trip that takes you to 2 very different cultures. Dubai offers luxury hotels, state-of-the-art shopping centers, a wide culinary range and plenty of old bazaar charm. Sri Lanka beckons with its beautiful beaches, fertile theme parks, national parks and plenty of local charm. Turkish Airlines flies from Hamburg via Istanbul to Dubai. Start your vacation by marveling at Dubai's many contrasts. The world's tallest building with the desert just around the corner. Burqa-clad women who have just been shopping for exclusive lingerie. Old traditional bazaars versus giant shopping malls. Fly on to Sri Lanka with low-cost carrier Fly Dubai, which has the same concept as Ryan Air. In 2009, the president put an end to the civil war that had ravaged the country for more than 20 years. This led to a significant increase in tourist arrivals. However, Sri Lanka's people and nature are far from being destroyed by tourism. Friendliness and helpfulness are the hallmarks of the people. In many places there are signs prohibiting littering to preserve nature. Sri Lanka cannot be compared to neighboring India. The biggest difference is probably religion - Buddhism is the official religion in Sri Lanka. This means that you care about your fellow human beings, animals and nature. You don't want to be reborn as a "worm" as punishment for a bad life. Less pollution also means that hygiene is good, so many avoid the famous "Delhi belly". We chose a route that started in the capital Colombo. We traveled around in a circle. Then we headed south as unusually heavy rains ravaged the highlands. The southern beaches, Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna, are the country's more developed beach towns with many bars and restaurants. Mirissa is the quiet little gem of the south, where the sight of dolphins and blue whales can be enjoyed. We then took a sharp left turn towards the highlands, which help to secure Sri Lanka a great position as the 2nd most tea-producing country in the world. First stop was Ella, home to several theme parks and tea factories, all staffed by Tamils. Horton Plains National Park has beautiful views of the valley from World's End. The sacred mountain, Adam's Peak, provides a good challenge to your fitness and endurance with its 5200 steps. Just north of the highlands, the ancient capital, Kandy, is idyllically located. The Temple of Buddha's Tooth helps give the city its sacred status. Back in Colombo, it's great to enjoy a wide variety of food and a good bottle of wine - rice & curry is available for lunch and dinner in many parts of the country. Sri Lanka is highly recommended. A cheap country with an incredibly friendly population and lots to experience. So get going!