The train from Kandy to Ella is every bit as picturesque as you’re made to believe. Passing through mountainous tea plantations and verdant landscapes, it really is the most spectacular train journey in the world.

One of things I was most excited about before coming to Sri Lanka was going on my first ever safari. Seeing dozens of elephants frolic in the wild lived up to every expectation. There are plenty of national parks to choose from and seeing them roam freely is the best way.

Sri Lanka’s tea country is spectacularly scenic. The breathtaking landscape is made up of rolling hills, uniform tea bushes and cascading waterfalls. Hire a moped for a day and stop at picturesque towns and tea trails along the way. Make sure not to miss Ella, Hatton, Nuwara Eliya and Norwood.

For epic views over the iconic Sigiriya rock, climb to the adjacent Pidurangala rock. The beauty of this hike is that the entrance fee is a tenth of the price and you get to see Sigiriya rock majestically looming over the dense forest.

Of course, even with insane views over Sigiriya rock, it’s not quite the same as climbing Sigiriya rock itself. From the top of the ancient rock fortress you can see the crumbling palace which once soared spectacularly over the land.

Galle feels like a little piece of Europe in Sri Lanka. Spend a day ambling around this Dutch-colonial town, walking around the fortress walls and visiting the iconic lighthouse. There are plenty of little boutiques to dip in and out of and dozens of coffee shops to stop at.

Ella is one of the most famous destinations in Sri Lanka’s tea country. Those with a sense of adventure will find it difficult to pass up the chance of climbing Ella Rock. The 4-hour trek passes through tea plantations and offers scenic views over the mountainous tea country at the summit.

Yala is one of the most famous national parks in Sri Lanka due to the wide variety of wildlife which inhabit the park. Visitors are likely to spot sambar deer, buffalo and elephants and those who are lucky will have the privilege of seeing the Sri Lankan leopard and sloth bears.

Reaching Adam’s Peak is no easy feat: it requires a 2am start and a lot of stamina to reach the top of the 5,500 steps. This centuries-old pilgrimage has become a yearly tradition for Sri Lankans who climb the mountain in search of enlightenment. A string of sparking lights illuminates the path as you set off in the pitch black, ensuring that you reach the summit for sunrise.

The tea in Sri Lanka is simply delightful. I mean you’d expect nothing less considering the number of tea plantations and that Sri Lanka is the world’s biggest exporter of tea. Try a cup of Ceylon whilst overlooking the tea plantations.

Pinnawala elephant orphanage is where you’ll see dozens of baby elephants bathing in the river and playing together.

The sacred temple of the tooth relic is the most iconic sight to see in Kandy. Inside the temple you’ll find Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist relic – a tooth of the Buddha, although you’ll have to wait until the evening ceremony if you want a glimpse of the actual tooth.

There are plenty of special places to watch the sunset on the south coast of Sri Lanka. You can release baby turtles into the ocean at sunset at Hikkaduwa or you can swing over the waves at Unawatuna. But simply sitting on the beach is enough when the sky lights up in pastel pinks and burnt oranges.

Located in the heart of the cultural triangle, Anuradhapura is a complex of ruins and a place of great historical and religious significance. Spend a day exploring the crumbling architectural sites of this bygone city.

The cool and temperate tea country is my favourite landscape in Sri Lanka. There are endless viewpoints of rolling hills and verdant landscapes. There’s nothing more magical than seeing the tea country bathed in a golden pre-sunset light.

Nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s tea country, you’ll find this cascading waterfall. Cool down from the unforgiving heat and take a dip with the locals.

The coast of Sri Lanka is rugged, beautiful and a paradise for surfers. Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, it’s worth saving some time for the coast at the end of your trip.

Images of stilt fishermen have become synonymous with Sri Lanka, the only place in the world where fisherman sit perched on stilts fixed into the ocean floor. Drive along the coast and you’re sure to see the sight for yourself.