Geoffrey Bawa Impressions (5 Days)

The temple is made almost entirely of wood. From carved wooden pillars in the Halls which have open sides to the beautifully crafted roof, the entire are is covered in carvings. The bases of the pillars are octagonal in shape while their tops end in the shapes of a four leaves stacked in a square. The pillars have various images carved into the sides of the bases. In addition, carvings adorn the beams, rafters and doorframes.

Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic 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. Walk through the beautifully embellished passageways and elaborately painted halls, done in red, cream and black. Lounge against delicately carved pillars and get amazed by the beautiful golden statues. Get an unforgettable experience of history and art.

Lunuganga Estate was the country home of the renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa. Started in 1947, the garden led Bawa, a lawyer called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1940, to decide to become an architect. As he went on to become Sri Lanka's and one of Asia's most prolific and influential architects, the garden at the Lunuganga estate remained his first muse and experimental laboratory for new ideas. He continued to change and experiment with its spaces and structures throughout his life until his final illness in 1998. Left to the Lunuganga Trust on his demise in 2003, the gardens are now open to the public and the buildings on the estate are run as a country house hotel.

Offering stylish, hassle-free escapes to one of Sri Lanka’s best beaches, AVANI Bentota Resort & Spa is a designer hotel by the famous architect Geoffrey Bawa. An intimate hotel with just 75 rooms and suites, all the details that matter combines essential comforts and incredible Indian Ocean views, traditional hospitality is matched by upscale international appeal and blissful beach time can be mixed with must-see attractions.

Heritance Ahungalla Hotel, a luxury beach hotel at the fishing village of Ahungalla, close to Galle is a five-star luxury property designed by Geoffrey Bawa, the master architect of Sri Lanka. Arrival at the luxury hotel to the open-plan lobby presents you all with a stunning long view of the infinity pool reaching all the way to the sea. The airy and spacious hotel is designed in such a way as to make the maximum off the natural light of the sunny beach at Heritance Ahungalla. The expansive wooded gardens of the hotel are well shaded from the tropical sun.

Jetwing Lighthouse is five-star hotel on the outskirts of the old Dutch Colonial town of Galle. Designed by the famous Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa, the resort is another of his iconic works with its elegance, old world charm and uniqueness. Providing fantastic service, delicious cuisine and a host of facilities and activities; the hotel provides an ideal tropical holiday retreat for the ages.

Discover the city of Galle, where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters, and its secrets. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best-preserved fortifications in Asia. View the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names as you learn more about their histories. 

The house in 33rd Lane is an essay in architectural bricolage. In 1958 Bawa bought the third in a row of four small houses which lay along a short cul-de-sac at the end of a narrow suburban lane and converted it into a pied-à-terre with living room, bedroom, tiny kitchen and room for a servant. When the fourth bungalow became vacant this was colonized to serve as dining room and second living room. Ten years later the remaining bungalows were acquired and added into the composition and the first in the row was demolished to be replaced by a four-story tower.

After a relaxed morning and breakfast at the hotel check out and, drive to the Airport for your flight back home!