The islands of the Indian Ocean are amongst the most beautiful in the world, and we’re huge fans of this region having visited most parts of it over the years. From the castaway beaches of the Maldives to the culture of India & Sri Lanka, this is a truly fascinating part of the world. Sri Lanka is a particular favourite of ours and we’ve all been several times - to our mind the best way to see this island is with your own private car & driver, to explore the interior before heading to the beach - or onwards to the Maldives . Sri Lanka is one of the friendliest destinations you’re likely to visit, with an incredible history and beautiful scenery. The nearby islands of the Maldives are just dots on the map, but their beauty really does take your breath away. Each island is individual so getting the right one is important - some have loads of facilities, some are total chill-out. Our favourites include stylish Velassaru, Kuramathi Island with is range of dining optio...

We're celebrating our 10th birthday at Escape Worldwide , and looking back at 10 years of globetrotting in the name of bringing you great holidays - at least that's our excuse! We're having a look at our personal top 10 favourite travel experiences of the last 10 years. Karen watches bathtime for baby elephants! "Sri Lanka has to be one of my favourite countries – I’ve visited a few times now, and on each occasion I see new places and a different side to the Island. There’s so much to take in, so it’s hard to say where my favourite location would be, but I think I’d put the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage top of my list! It’s quite easy to get to from the coast, too, so even if you visit Sri Lanka on a beach holiday rather than a tour, try to get here. Karen gets up close Personally, I think Sri Lanka lends itself exceptionally well to a bit of touring, spending a few days in the main areas - the North has loads of historical interest, centered around...

Darren and Mark from our office met up with TV presenter and explorer Simon Reeve this week, chatting about his BBC2 programme 'Indian Ocean' and his adventures in this beautiful part of the world. If you want to follow in Simon's footsteps then catch the next installment of his programme this Sunday on BBC2 at 8pm, or visit the destinations yourself by visiting  www.indianoceanescapes.co.uk  or calling Escape Worldwide on020 8989 0970 today. Snorkelling in the Maldives    " Before I went I presumed the brochures must have been airbrushed or photoshopped, but the Maldives really is that beautiful! When we went snorkelling, I found myself surrounded by 8 giant manta rays swimming in formation - it was so mesmerising I forgot to breathe and my snorkel fell out of my mouth!" Our Top Tip At the Kuramathi Island Resort , guests can visit the Eco Centre to get involved with the coral reef research and to learn about the programme to improve environmenta...

Mark was invited to a wedding on a recent trip to Sri Lanka... "Sri Lanka is one of the most popular destinations we feature for overseas weddings – it’s great value, very romantic and the paperwork is minimal, and there’s a good selection of hotels that can arrange weddings, so it’s a good option overall. I was visiting the Jetwing Lighthouse Hotel , and a couple from the UK were getting married – somehow I managed to get myself an invite to the ceremony! They’d opted to get married in traditional Sri Lankan dress, which the hotel had arranged for them, so guests were also asked to have a touch of local dress about them – I bought a sarong from the gift shop, which was ideal, although actually working out how to wear it was another story! The wedding ceremony was taking place in the gardens of the hotel, as the couple had decided this was easier than the beach, although personally I think there’s something really special about getting married on the beach itself, and most...

From the 1st January 2012 the answers is YES. Until now British Passport holders visiting on holiday didn’t need a visa to go to Sri Lanka , but unfortunately from the 1st January they do. Having been to Sri Lanka a few times it was nice not having to worry about a visa, but I believe they have made the process pretty painless. The Sri Lankan immigration have set up a good website with all the information you need on the new visa system - http://www.immigration.gov.lk/ though I’d probably check this from time to time as things might change as the visa system is so new! Escape Worldwide - Home of Long Haul Holidays www.escapeworldwide.co.uk

Hi All,  We have some great special offers at the moment, so check out our latest newsletter at:  http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Oct11b2.html This week we have some great deals to Thailand , Sri Lanka  and a  Hong Kong  / Dubai THAI TRIPLE CENTRE BANGKOK, PHUKET & KRABI   - From Only £1099 per person  Fantastic savings to Thailand - save up to £300 per person on this superb triple-centre holiday combining three of our favourite parts of the Country, taking in Bangkok, Phuket and Krabi staying in quality hotels throughout.  Check out the details:   http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/prices/offers/thai25.PDF   SRI LANKA TOUR & BEACH ALL INCLUSIVE TOUR  - From Only £1225 per person  A superb 5-night tour of Sri Lanka followed by 5 nights on beautiful Bentota Beach, with a full sightseeing programme and all meals & drinks included - saving up to £160 per person makes ...

Hi everyone, On our newsletter this week we focused on triple centre holidays, check it out: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Apr11b2.html Again Escape Worldwide staff have visited the places featured and a couple of my favourites have to be: SRI LANKA from £1139 pp KANDY, SIGIRIYA & BEACH Explore one of our favourite destinations - start in cultural Kandy before continuing to the historical areas around Sigiriya. Finally, hit the beach for some relaxation. Why not include your own Private Car + Driver for only an extra £58 per person! Check out the details: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/prices/offers/sri2.PDF More great holidays to Sri Lanka can be found at: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/ind/destin/sriT4.shtml THAILAND from £1145 pp BANGKOK, PATTAYA & PHUKET        A great mix of lively and relaxing - vibrant Bangkok, lively Pattaya and the peaceful beaches of north Phuket, all in one amazing tr...

Hi, Introducing http://www.escortedtouring.co.uk/ - new from Escape Worldwide! Our newest website brings you the best escorted tours around the world, from the Americas to the Far East, with everything from historic and cultural tours to wildlife safaris. All itineraries are accompanied by a guide - some meet you in the UK - and most are flexible enough to include a beach stay or other areas afterwards. Here's a few of our favourites . . . Grand Indochina Tour Accompanied from the UK, this tour combines the best of Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, a truly fascinating part of the world. 15 nights from £3445 per person DOWNLOAD DETAILS INDOCHINA TOURS ___________________________ Ceylon Tour (Sri lanka) Our most popular tour of Sri Lanka takes in Kandy, the historical north and the beautiful south, with flexible beach options. 14 nights from £1199 per person DOWNLOAD DETAILS SRI LANKA TOURS ___________________________ Cheetah Safari A superb 7-...

Hi fellow travellers, another week and another set of great offers and holiday ideas from Escape Worldwide : http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Sep10b2.html This week we are looking at Sri Lanka , Maldives , Mauritius  and one of our favorite places Zanzibar . The Maldives has to be on of the most stunning area of the Indian Ocean  with simply stunning beaches and great range of accommodation options. Sri Lanka  not only again has some great beach options but it also has tons of history and culture and a great place for a touring holiday. Mauritius again has simply stunning beaches with a lush green interior great for exploring. Finally probably one of my favorite places has to be the tropical island  of Zanzibar  with the most stunning beaches in the world, history, culture and friendly people. You just simply have to visit Stone Town . Where ever you decided to go Escape Worldwide  has a fantastic range of great holidays. ...

Hi fellow travellers, Another week and another newsletter: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Aug10b2.html This week have some great value options to Thailand , Goa , Sri Lanka  and Dubai . The Thailand  triple centre has to be my favourite. Bangkok , Hua Hin  and Pattaya . This holidays is a great introduction to Thailand and at a great price, only £849 per person for a 15 night holiday ! Though the offer we have to Sri Lanka  is blinding, only £669 per person for 8 nights staying at the 4* Kani Lanka , this offer cannot be missed! We have plenty of other great holiday  idea, so why not shopt by: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/ Happy travelling Darren Escape Worldwide Home of great long-haul holidays

Hi All, Blimey what a mad week, who would have thought that some ash could cause such chaos! Escape Worldwide have been working closely with Tour Operators and Airlines and everyone one who has travelled with us are safe and well, most are home though others have having a great time.....a few days extra in the sun! No honestly they are, we've spoken to a couple and they are loving the delay...... Hopefully the problem has now pasted and we can get on with the job of offering some great holidays! This weeks newsletter focus on Escorted Touring holidays: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Apr10d2.html Check them out......we have some great options! Probably one of my favorites is the Pearl of the Caribbean tour in Cuba . Cuba is such a great place with so much history and culture and some simply stunning beach. The Pearl of the Caribbean tour is a great way to take in the West of the island with a local guide..... amazing! If Cuba isn't up your street then check o...

Hi fellow travellers, Getting pretty feed up with the snow and really need some sun? Then check out our latest news letter: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/special/2010cmbmleb.html This weeks it features some great beach holidays and tours to Sri Lanka , which has a fascinating mix of golden beaches, miles of them, and a rich diverse culture. I did a tour of Sri Lanka a while back and it was simply amazing, I particularly enjoyed visiting the tea plantations and factories , I've not looked at my daily cuppa in the same light since. Sri Lanka has mile upon mile of rich golden beaches on which to chil out on...perfect! We're also featuring some great holidays to the Maldives , which is a true tropical paradise. I was fortunate enough to stay at the Taj Exotica , which is a simply stunning islands with soft white sands and the most amazing coloured sea, heaven! Or why not combining both of them! Happy travelling! Darren We have tons of other great long-haul h...

Hi fellow travellers, Why not check out our latest touring holiday ideas: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Oct09c2.html Cuba is simply an amazing place and our Comprehensive Cuba Tour is a great way of seeing pretty much all that this great country has to offer. We also have a number of shorter tours if 14 nights is to long for you, check out http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/cuba/destin/tour.shtml Tanzania is a fantastic place for a safari, I know I was there a month ago! You truly get memories of a lifetime and on this trip I got to see 2 of the elusive Leopard…..amazing! Check more of our great East African safaris: http://www.safariescapes.co.uk Where ever you decide to go, happy travelling! Darren Escape Worldwide http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk

Hi fellow travellers! Check out our latest special offers: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk/newsletter/offers/Sep09a2.html This week we have a great tour of China from only £989 per person. The tour is a great introduction to this amazing country and is exceptional value as it includes all your meals, tours and even your visa! (if you're a UK passport holder that is!) Alternatively why not Zanzibar! This is a simply stunning island with amazing beaches and top quality hotels! Whilst you're there you should pay a visit to fascinating Stone Town! In fact I love the place and am going back again in a couple of weeks! Why not check out some of the great holidays we offer at: http://www.escapeworldwide.co.uk Happy travelling! Darren

A while ago Karen visited the Pinnawella Elephant Orphanage as part of a tour of Sri Lanka. “Sri Lanka has to be one of my favourite countries – I’ve visited a few times now, and on each occasion I see new places and a different side to the Island. There’s so much to take in, so it’s hard to say where my favourite location would be, but I think I’d put the Pinnawella Elephant Orphanage top of my list! It’s quite easy to get to from the coast, too, so even if you visit Sri Lanka on a beach holiday rather than a tour, try to get here. If you get here quite early, you can see the elephants in their forested area, a short way from the river and with plenty of space for the elephants to roam around in. The younger ones are fed huge bottles of milk, which are glugged down in seconds! Then it’s off to the river for bath time! It’s a short walk from the elephants (and for the visitors!) from their fields to the river, and a local restaurant offers a great viewing area – and is also perfect for...