The Geoffrey Bawa Inspiration
8 Nights 9 Days | Private Guided Tour | 1 – 4 Persons
This tour is designed for true architecture enthusiasts. Late Geoffrey Bawa’s thoughtful designs based on the island’s culture remains the finest architects of Sri Lanka. This vacation rejoices the works of Geoffrey Bawa and cultural and heritage wonders of Sri Lanka. It is an insight into the minimalist Asian Architecture and its beginnings.
What to Expect
Today, Geoffrey Bawa’s work is somewhat a benchmark for luxury minimalist architecture all around Sri Lanka, adapted by many hotels, resorts, private villa’s and even residences. Learn what it is like to live in and walk through some of the best work done by Late Geoffrey Bawa himself.
Chat up Laki Senanayake, a name less heard of but a man with sheer passion for architecture and art. Walk through Heritance Kandalama one of Bawa’s last pieces of complete work. Stay in a property designed by Channa Daswatte, Late Geoffrey Bawa’s closest protege. Reconnect with Bawa’s earlier works at the uniquely designed country house; Number 87 in Bentota and visit his renowned brothers’ landscape work at the Brief Garden just a few minutes away. Finally stay in Bawa’s very own town house in Colombo the Number 11.
To make your journey more exciting, you will go on a Safari to see elephants in the wild in Minneriya / Kaudulla National Park. Tour of Handungoda Tea Factory in Ahangama and experience Virgin White Tea. Explore more about Sri Lankan culture and heritage by vising Dambulla Cave Temple; an old monastery built over a rock in Diggala, Temple of the Tooth; a UNESCO World Heritage Site which was built in the 16th century as the place of veneration and protection for Lord Buddha’s sacred tooth, Gadaladeniya Temple, Lankatilaka is Buddhist temple, Embekke Temple made almost entirely of wood. Discover the architectural roots of prestigious Cities of Sri Lanka including Kandy, Galle and Commercial capital Colombo while enjoying your splendid holiday with bunch of beautiful memories.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 01 - Airport - Negombo
As you land, you will arrive in Negombo 30 mins away from the International Airport and check in to the hotel. Later that evening take a stroll down Negombo beach and finally sit down for dinner where your chauffer/national guide will brief you about your tour.
Hotel: Jetwing Beach • Meals: Dinner
Day 02 - Negombo - Kandalama
Leave Negombo after breakfast to the amazing cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. Settle down in one of the most unique lesser known retreats; Diyabubula. Its unique architecture will mark the amazing beginning of this unique architectural tour. If you are lucky, sit with the artist-in-resident Laki Senanyake who once worked with the Late Geoffrey Bawa and other renowned personalities such as Ulrik Plesner, artist Donald Friend and landscape designer Bevis Bawa.
That evening, visit the Dambulla Cave Temple.
Hotel: Diyabubula • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 03 - Kandalama
Today, after a relaxed morning, visit Heritance Kandalama. Being one of Bawa’s earlier moves toward minimalism in building detailing, the design of the Kandalama Hotel was shocking to admirers of the vernacular influence visible in his previous projects. You can have lunch at Heritance Kandalama and there after in the evening, engage in a safari in Minneriya / Kaudulla National Park experiencing the Sri Lankan Elephants in the wild. (Note that based on the movement of Elephants from one location to the other in search of water, the local tracker will point out which is the best national park to visit).
Hotel: Diyabubula • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 04 - Kandalama - Kandy
After breakfast at Diyabubula, you will check out and proceed to Kandy. Kandy is home to some very unique colonial architecture. Check in to The Hermitage designed by Channa Daswatte; one of Sri Lanka’s leading architects who was confidant and personal assistant to Geoffrey Bawa. Later that evening, visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic the symbol of identity of the Kandyan Architecture and was built in 1802 A.D. Apart from it’s Architectural significance, it is also one of the most sought Buddhist temples in the world renowned for possessing the sacred tooth relic of the Lord Buddha.
Hotel: The Hermitage • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 05 - Kandy - Bentota
Today you will learn about Kandy. Kandy is one of the most architecturally unique cities in Sri Lanka. Maintaining its British heritage, colonial pathways and buildings. During your time in Kandy this morning, you will visit 3 off the beaten path temples that has local craftmanship that incorporates historic Sri Lankan Architecture. Thereafter, check out of the hotel and proceed to Bentota.
Hotel: Boutique 87 • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 06 - Bentota
Today, take a stroll along the river and learn about the History of Boutique 87, its 18th century pavilion, it is also one of the most beautiful and enigmatic properties on the southern coast. Later that afternoon, visit the Lunuganga Estate which was Late Geoffrey Bawa’s country home along with Bewis Bawa’s Brief Garden.
Hotel: Boutique 87 • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 07 - Bentota - Galle - Bentota
Today, after a relaxed morning, visit a renowned tea factory in Ahangama and learn about the production of Tea in Sri Lanka. Later that evening, go on a walking tour in Galle Fort experiencing 15th Century British and Dutch architecture. High Tea will be served at 3:30 pm at Amangalla.
Hotel: Boutique 87 • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Day 08 - Bentota - Colombo
After a relaxed morning, check out and proceed to Colombo. History of Colombo City is nothing new, the blend of architecture here is phenomenal. You will reside in Late Geoffrey Bawa’s town house of 40 years – Number 11. Much of the house remains intact with his personal collection of art and artifacts. Take the 2:00pm tour around the house and later visit Barefoot to browse through an amazing collection of books and handlooms. Settle for Dinner at the Paradise Road Gallery Cafe which was Late Geoffrey Bawa’s office now converted to an exclusive restaurant.
Hotel: Number 11 Residence • Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (@ Gallery Cafe)
Day 09 - Colombo - Airport
Today’s activities will depend on your departure flight time. We recommend choosing an evening flight out of Colombo so you can experience a bit more of Colombo today. If time permits, visit the National Museum designed in the 19th Century based on Italian Architecture by J.G. Smither. You can also do a bit of shopping or try out a few restaurants which we could happily recommend.
Meals: Breakfast
Best time to Travel
This is an all-year-round trip. You can indulge in the sheer brilliance of the Geoffrey Bawa Architecture any time of the year.
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