A Day in Galle
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port
Colombo, Sri Lanka
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activityLevel
Moderate Activity
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excursionType
Information Not Currently Available
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wheelchairAccessible
No
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startingAtPrice
$179
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minimumAge
Information Not Currently Available
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duration
Approximately 9 Hours
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mealsIncluded
Meals included
Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
"Founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, Galle reached the height of its development in the 18th century, before the arrival of the British. It is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in South and South-East Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and South Asian traditions."
Depart the pier for a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Galle -- a thriving port since long before colonial times. The Old Town is one of the best examples of a fortified city built by the Europeans in southern and Southeast Asia. It attracted Arabs, Persians, Romans and Greeks on their way across the Indian Ocean.
En route, catch a glimpse of one of Sri Lanka's iconic scenes, the stilt fishermen of the southern coast. Fishermen sit about 6 feet above the water on a cross bar, tied to a stilt that has been driven into the sand. Stilt fishing, although now a dying tradition, some recall that it started after World War II as an innovative way of earning a livelihood!
Visit the Folk Museum dedicated to late Martin Wickremasinghe, one of Sri Lanka’s renowned writers. Holding over a thousand artefacts showcasing Sri Lankan rural life, it is a unique storehouse of knowledge on the local folk culture and folk technology dating back hundreds of years.
Enjoy lunch at the Radisson Blu Hotel (or similar).
After lunch, enter the old city gate and visit the Dutch Reformed Church. Notice the narrow streets, old churches, cloistered courtyards and shuttered mansions bearing witness to a colonial past of considerable comfort. In 1505, the Portuguese attacked and settled in the town, 135 years later ceding it to the Dutch, who built the famous Galle Fort.
Enjoy some free time to explore on your own to browse the shops displaying a variety of antiques, jewelry and handicrafts before returning to the pier.
Please note: The drive to Galle is approximately 2.5 hours each way. This tour involves relatively easy walking in the heat covering approximately one mile and involves a number of steps. Photography is prohibited at certain parts of Martin Wickremasinghe Folk Museum. Shoes must be removed when entering Martin Wickremasinghe’s residence. Serving alcohol is prohibited in Sri Lanka on full moon days and certain religious holidays - alcohol will not be served in case of operation on those days.