by Harischandra Gunaratna

A group of young Spanish and Italian holidaymakers bitten by the travel bug and seeking adventure visiting touristic hotspots in the country, on the eve of their departure recently echoed in one voice that the Sri Lanka was one of the safest countries to travel.

Each day of their two week holiday in the country there was something exciting on offer they said.

In a brief interview with the Sunday Island at the Goldi Sands hotel, Negombo, they said: “We traveled to many places on our own and were never in danger and people were very friendly, hospitable and helpful. We usually travel alone and hence safety and security is of paramount importance and we have no hesitation in recommending holidaymakers to book Sri Lanka as their next destination.”

Twenty-year-old Sarai Benitez from Barcelona was mesmerised with the variety of attractions Sri Lanka’s tourism product had to offer and regretted that they had not visited the country earlier.

The young Spaniard said: “Your country is one of the most exotic tourist destinations in the world. All the girls in our group have decided to return to Sri Lanka again to visit the tourist attractions that we missed”.

Irene Nicotra, an Italian who lives in Barcelona, assured that upon their return home they would spread the message that Sri Lanka was quite a safe destination for holidaymakers.

Alba Gonzalez and Mireia Chantza said all the girls in the group were enthralled with their train journey surrounded by tea plantations and green tops from Nanu Oya to Ella. They had a rollicking time in Ella enjoying the carnival atmosphere and the picture postcard views of the area. “We visited Mirissa in the southern coast and enjoyed stilt fishing but missed the whales, but will come again next year for an expedition in deep sea and whale watching,” Chantza said.

They said we were pampered to a dream holiday, lazing around on the sun kissed beaches at the Goldi Sands, Negombo and enjoying exotic Sri Lankan cuisine with a vast spread of culinary delights with friendly staff and excellent service.

Irene said that she was enthralled to learn how to prepare a few Sri Lankan dishes during her stay at Goldi Sands and would try them at home.