first time visitors 21st July 09 club hotel dolphin

is anyone going to club hotel dolphin on or around the 21st July that has been before and can advise on what to tip, where to visit, what to eat, good jewellers etc. etc. We are a family of 5, two adults, 18, 15 and 13 year old teens!. We have not been %26#39;abroad%26#39; for five years and have never visited sri lanka.... we are excited but a bit nervous and don%26#39;t want to feel %26#39;out of our depth%26#39;.

first time visitors 21st July 09 club hotel dolphin

hi dizzi we are returning in april we loved this hotel ,we ate and tried most things on offer loved the sri lankan corner,[hot stuff] there are numerous excursions open to you from elephantsorphanage,[pinnawela] kandy, sigiriya rock,markets in Negombo,excellant if you like to mix with locals and try your bartering skills.try out a tuk tuk.i think everyone will have there own fav jeweller we used the guy in asda [just outside grounds near quiet pool] we brought 2 rings %26amp; had one made we where very pleased with them on our return to uk had all three checked out for genuine stones,all worth more than we paid. the hotel has plenty to offer the young in your party,disco bar and karioke, lively pool with the animation teamduring the day. we tipped at end of holiday left room boys 1000 each they did a good job kept us supplied with shampoo etc,difficult in the resturant as you are served by many we gave the four who loked after us the most 500 each gave all toiletries away to joseph on beach for his family,and other odd bits to ken and rida again on the beach its worth trying out locals for trips as they can be flexiable regarding where you go hope this wets your appetite cant wait till we go back taking xtra bits this time for the local populus regards jude

first time visitors 21st July 09 club hotel dolphin

Hi have not been befor and we are really looking forward to it we are going for 2 weeks on the 9 june so will still be there when you arrive and prob sad as will be about to go home

hi dizzydancer

we are also going to b first timers in sept we have booed with first choice and they ave at the moment cancelled the flights for the summer could you let us no who you are going with incase we need to chage travel agents thanks

hi meady

we booked through Cosmos last year and again this year going in June have used first choice but I understand they have stopped Sri Lanka and also Margarita island this year check out their web site

good luck

Richard

Hi there...

Just to add a little about First Choice !, theey are still selling holidays to Sri Lanka, BUT, the flights are now handled by thier partners Thompson Airways !

Regards

Dave

We go in Aug this year and I spoke to First Choice and they confirmed tha Thomson have taken over the holidays(they merged with them last year).

Re the trips can you give us an idea of cost as I wan to budget before we go.

We are looking at seeing the elephants and riding on them also Kandy and sigiyra.

Also looking at the white water rafting as we have 2 15 year old boys with us

Any info will be gladly recieved

Very excited only 193 sleeps to go!!!

Hi,

The things you want to do/see require minimum 3 days/2 nights. An itinerary could be like this:

Day 1: Waikkal - Pinnawala - Dambulla - Habarana - Sigiriya

- visit Elephant Orphanage or Millennium Foundation or both. Entrance EO LKR 1250 MF about LKR 300. You can have an elephant ride at MF - about LKR 1500/15 min.

- visit Dambulla Rock Temple. Entrance LKR 1100 (USD 10)

- elephant safari near Habarana. Cost LKR 4000-5000

- overnight near Sigiriya

Day2: Sigiriya - Kandy

- climb Sigiriya Rock in the morning. Entrance LKR 2700 (USD 25)

- elephant rides are also possible close to Sigiriya

- visit Cultural show in Kandy. Entrance LKR 500

- visit Tooth Temple in Kandy. Entrance LKR 500

- overnight in Kandy

Day 3: Kandy - Kitulgala - Waikkal

- white water rafting at Kitulgala. Cost LKR 2500-3000

All entrance fees etc. are per person.

A double room with half board in a mid range hotel will cost LKR 6000-7500/night.

Hiring an AC van with driver/guide will cost LKR 6000-6500/day.

GBP 1 = approx. LKR 160

Hans

Hans

Thank you so much for such a detailed reply.

We are staying at Dolphin hotel with first choice.

Do you know if they do these trips or are we better off booking locally?

We have never been to Sri Lanka and so feel slightly nervous about not travelling with the travel company as we also have 2 children(15 year olds) with us. One of them not being ours just a travel companion for our son.

Hi again,

I guess FC will do Elephant Orphanage, Dambulla, Sigiriya and Kandy like most other tour operators.

I don%26#39;t think they do elephant safari near Habarana and white water rafting, but you will get the correct answers by inquiring direct from FC or maybe Thompson Holidays (they merged recently).

Hans

I forgot to add. I you arrange locally it will most likely be cheaper.

stella mccartney