Just an hour south of Colombo, Kalutara offers glorious palm fringed beaches of fine sand away from the busier beaches further south. The atmosphere here is generally peaceful, with little or no nightlife to speak of making it the perfect destination for unwinding. This city is renowned for its basket weaving, a traditional skill handed down over the generations, and the town is packed with family owned shops selling everything from sun hats to tote bags perfect for souvenirs to take back home. Between June and August, the delectable mangosteen comes into season and Kalutara being one of its prime growing areas, there’s no better place than here to sample the sweet and sour fruit.