Marco Polo considered Sri Lanka the finest island of its size in all the world.The coastal stretch south of Colombo offers palm-lined sandy expanses as far as the eye can see. Try the Kandyan dances, a procession of elephants or the masked devil dances. Find enough ancient and inspiring architecture in the cities of Sigiriya,Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa to satisfy that inner archaeologist. The natural wealth for which Sri Lanka is rightly renowned. Head for the hill country to escape the heat of the plains, where the coast fades away to reveal gorgeous rolling hills often carpeted with tea plantations. The entire island is teeming with bird life and exotics like elephants and leopards are not uncommon. To top it all off, the people are friendly, the food is delicious and costs are low. There's good swimming at any number of beaches along the south-western coast. Excellent scuba diving, snorkelling and surfing are found at Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Bentota,Mirissa,Weligama and Tangalle. There's pleasant snorkelling at Unawatuna, and sailing, windsurfing and water skiing on the Bentota River. For trekking, try climbing Adam's Peak or walking across the strange silent plateau of Horton Plains near Nuwara Eliya to see the 700m (2296ft) drop at World's End. Take Tea Trails in the Hills. Goto the Rain Forest Sinharaja or Knuckels Range. Sri Lanka is Your Kind of Place to Travel.