my story
Have you ever wished you had a friend who lived in the country where you next plan to visit?
A friend who could give you the low down on where to go, what to see and where to stay. Well you do!! (If Sri Lanka is your next holiday destination that is.)
I’m an Aussie expat who grew up here in Sri Lanka in the early 70’s and have now chosen this serendipitous isle as home. Semi-retired we (my husband Sandy and I) live amongst the picturesque tea gardens near Nuwera Eliya. For a few months of the year open our home to visitors from all corners of the globe. We also travel . . . a lot!
Exploring the island every chance we get, to find out-of-the-way, idyllic places. Places that are off the beaten track, intimate and unique. Add in a little luxury, great service, good food and wine and we have our recipe for a great escape.
Talking with our guests and tourists we meet along the way, it seems to me there is a void of information about Sri Lanka and its treasures. Certainly there is a plethora of information for backpackers, yet very little for holiday makers looking for a privacy, comfort and a little luxury.
Of course inbound tour operators and travel agents help to fill this void. What they don't often don't do is offer a personalised tailored itinerary. Think about it! Travel Agents make a large portion of their income from commission. That means your holiday will mostly likely be designed to
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Be easy and inexpensive to book and administer
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Bring in the largest commission.
Lets face it the tourism industry thrives on commission. From roadside drink stalls to places of interest, hotels, jewelry and souvenir shops the commission paid in Sri Lanka can be as high as 60%! That’s a great motivator for agents, guides and drivers to suggest you travel to places where
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The cost will most likely be inflated to cover profit and commission costs
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It will not necessarily be the best on offer or the most suited to your likes and dislikes, but rather the outlet that pays most.
I try and steer you to people and places that meet your holiday 'wish list' and offer a quality service or product where you’ll be charged the non-commissionable rate or close to it.
Why not design your own holiday? Through my blog I'll share my local knowledge with you; tell you the true point-to-point travel times, where you can “pit stop” in comfort and the best route to take.
You’ll learn where and how to get around by road, train and air and the best times to travel. I’ll recommend great places to eat and things to order. I’ll tell you when and what to “tip”, suggest which hotels to book and how to get the best prices plus what to avoid and how to avoid it.
Not because I need the notoriety but because I want to help to ensure your visit is super special… and leaves you wanting to come back!
Let me be your virtual guide. I promise you that the places and experiences I recommend will be from first hand experience. I pay the going rate wherever I go and don’t telegraph my intent to evaluate where I’ve been. That way I am free to comment without obligation. Follow me and together we will uncover the hidden treasures of this beautiful island!
If that's all a bit daunting, then let me take on the challenge. Chose and itinerary length that fits your time frames and budget, answer my questionnaire and together we'll design a memorable, affordable and wonderful holiday for you.
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