PALM-FRINGED southern Sri Lanka boasts some of the Indian Ocean’s most beautiful coastline， and in 400-year-old Galle Fort a traditional European town transported to the tropics and given Asian influences. The tourism industry in Sri Lanka has shown strong signs of picking up over the past three years， following the end of a 30-year civil war. Southern Sri Lanka is one of the favored stops among foreign tourists.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988， Galle Fort was renowned for centuries as one of the key trading ports of call in the area. There are many stories about how the town acquired the name Galle. According to one version， a Portuguese sailor who was lookout in a ship’s crow’s nest first sighted its natural harbor.

The first fortifications were built in 1588 by the Portuguese， then strengthened by the Dutch during the 17th century， after they captured Galle in 1640. Wandering the fort walls yields one architectural surprise after another， as Galle town is a living museum with a buzz of energy in the air.

Stroll the ramparts

This living historical city is a place where Muslims run businesses alongside Buddhists， Roman Catholics， Tamils and in many cases have mixed marriages.

To best experience Galle Fort， throw away all ideas of an itinerary. Instead， stroll the ramparts and discover the daily life of the town as you pass churches， mosques and some 375 original Dutch colonial houses.

But if you don’t want to miss any prescribed site， make a circuit of the walls clockwise starting at the Amangalla hotel.

In bygone days， ladies and gentlemen would board horse-drawn carriages and head to the colonial building known in 1863 as the world-famous Oriental Hotel.

Later renamed the New Oriental Hotel and now known as Amangalla， it overlooks Galle’s inner harbor from atop the eastern ramparts of the ancient Dutch Fort. For many visitors the island’s oldest surviving hotel is an exotic haven， exuding a romantic past.

In 1863， a consortium of British businessmen acquired the imposing three-storied former Dutch and latterly British garrison building （built in 1684 as headquarters for the Dutch commander and his officers） at the junction of Church Street and Middle Street.

They set up the European-style Oriental Hotel， but despite its worldwide reputation， by the 1890s it had fallen on hard times.

Today， the hotel has been restored by Aman Resorts to reflect the genteel ambience of a bygone era， where colonial charm and Sri Lanka’s rich culture perfectly combined.

Mix of European and Asian

Like the multi-cultural Dutch colonial society that created them， the hotel and other surviving buildings in Galle Fort are not really typical of the Netherlands， but rather combine a mix of European and Asian influences.

Galle is an ideal base for exploring the beaches along the coast. The southern coastline is lined with international beach resorts and bustling Asian fishing towns. One of the best stretches for spending a few days and lying on the coconutcolored sand washed by lazy azure waters is the bays of the small port of Tangalle. These have some of the best beaches on the southern coastal belt with pristine aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean.

Amangalla’s sister hotel Amanwella is situated amidst a mature coconut grove fronting a crescent-shaped beach close to Tangalle. This is a well-kept secret for most discerning travelers who dream of a perfect escape for the pleasure of not doing much at all.

Where to stay ？

Amangalla

First opened in 1863 as the Oriental Hotel， it is considered the oldest hotel in Sri Lanka and one of the most famous landmarks inside Galle Fort.Aman Resorts bought the property in 2002， restoring and opening in 2005 as Amangalla.

The hotel also offers daily programs catering different needs.

These include everything from Ayurveda treatments， poolside relaxation， yoga and meditation to guided historic walks inside the fort， and trips to villages and a tea plantation.

Amangalla

Close to the village of Tangalle on the coast， Amanwella is one of the best secrets and one of the best resorts in the country， say the owners.

It comprises 30 suites with private terraces and plunge pools. The resort’s golden sand beach is located in an 800-meter crescent-shaped cove， fringed with palm tress. For surfers， the best waves are between May and November. Where to dine

Mama’s Guest House

This has a lovely view from the roof terrace over the Fort and the ramparts， and serves great curry and rice in a family setting. （76 Leyn Baan St， Fort）