Sri Lanka - Ceylon Slow
Sri Lanka the Lido Way
Most itineraries are designed to show you as much as possible.
This one is designed to help you feel different.
Less rushing. Less packing and unpacking.
More time in one place and in yourself.
23 November – 1 December 2026
9 Days | 8 Nights
COAST | CULTURE | CONNECTION | SLOW LUXURY
Hosted by Paula Fletcher
This journey has been designed to move at a slower, more considered pace balancing Sri Lanka’s hill country, wildlife and coastline without trying to see everything at once.
Over nine days, we travel from the lush hills of Ella to safari landscapes in Udawalawe before settling into a private beachfront villa near Galle for four nights on Sri Lanka’s south coast.
Rather than constantly packing and moving, the itinerary allows time to properly experience each destination through ocean swims, scenic walks, long lunches, beautiful hotels, local experiences and relaxed evenings together.
The journey combines curated experiences with free time to rest, explore or simply enjoy being in Sri Lanka without feeling rushed.
Hosted by Lido Atelier founder Paula Fletcher, this journey has been thoughtfully designed with a slower rhythm, beautiful surroundings and space to properly exhale.
An intimate small-group departure, limited to a maximum of seven women.
Private suites are available throughout the journey, with a limited number of shared suites available for friends travelling together.
Accomodations
Hill Country
Two nights in Sri Lanka’s lush hill country surrounded by tea plantations, cooler mountain air and dramatic landscapes.
Safari
A relaxed safari lodge experience near Udawalawe National Park, chosen for its quieter atmosphere and access to exceptional elephant sightings.
South Coast Villa
Four nights in a beautifully designed private villa near Talpe and Galle, with dedicated staff, coastal living, ocean swims and slow afternoons by the water.
Colombo
A carefully selected Colombo hotel for the final evening, offering a softer re-entry into city life before departures home.
The Villa
Imagine slow mornings that begin with an ocean swim, coffee barefoot in the garden and long afternoons that unfold without needing to be anywhere else.
Our final days in Sri Lanka are spent within a private beachfront villa in Talpe on the country’s south coast — a place designed for slowing down properly. Framed by palm trees and the Indian Ocean, the villa becomes home for the final chapter of the journey, with time to swim, rest, gather for long lunches and simply settle into the rhythm of coastal Sri Lanka.
Hidden behind tropical gardens and opening directly toward the sea, the villa feels both expansive and deeply private. Mornings begin with the sound of the ocean, afternoons drift between the pool, shaded terraces and nearby beach clubs, and evenings unfold over candlelit dinners prepared by the villa’s private chef.
With beautifully layered interiors, oversized suites and a dedicated house team quietly taking care of everything in the background, this is the kind of place that changes the pace of how you feel within a day or two of arriving.
More than simply somewhere we stay, the villa becomes part of the experience itself — a space to properly exhale after the movement of the journey and savour Sri Lanka at its most relaxed, warm and effortless.
Rooms at The Villa
Master Suite
The villa’s most expansive suite, the Master Suite is designed for guests seeking additional space and privacy. Featuring a king-sized bed, separate living area and sweeping ocean views, the suite combines beautifully layered coastal interiors with generous indoor-outdoor living to create a calm and elevated retreat within the villa.
Ocean Suite
Wake to sweeping views across the Indian Ocean from one of the villa’s most beautifully positioned suites. Featuring a king-sized bed, private terrace, palm-shaded lawn and an open-air jacuzzi plunge courtyard, the Ocean Suite offers an elevated level of privacy and coastal luxury within the villa.
Garden Retreat Suite
A spacious ground floor suite opening onto a private courtyard garden, thoughtfully designed for relaxed coastal living. The suite features one king-sized bed and one single bed, along with twin washbasins and both indoor and outdoor rain showers.
Shared suite availability is limited and best suited to friends travelling together.
Garden Suite
Opening onto a private light-filled garden courtyard, the Garden Suite offers a calm and beautifully relaxed retreat within the villa. Featuring a king-sized bed, twin washbasins and both indoor and outdoor rain showers, the suite blends understated luxury with Sri Lanka’s indoor-outdoor coastal living.
Itinerary
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Guests meet in Colombo before travelling into Sri Lanka’s lush hill country, with the journey gradually shifting from city streets to tea plantations, mountain landscapes and cooler air.
To break up the drive, we stop along the way for lunch and a slower scenic pause before continuing into Ella.
After arriving at 98 Acres Resort & Spa, the afternoon is intentionally relaxed time to settle in, unwind and enjoy the surrounding views before gathering together for a Sri Lankan cooking experience followed by dinner.
OVERNIGHT: 98 ACRES RESORT & SPA MEALS: LUNCH DINNER
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The day begins with optional sunrise yoga overlooking the Ella Gap before a slow breakfast at the hotel.
Later in the morning, a private guided walk through the surrounding hill country offers a quieter introduction to Ella’s landscapes and tea country scenery.
The afternoon is left free to rest, enjoy the hotel or book an optional spa treatment before heading into Ella township for shopping, browsing and an early dinner together before returning to the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: 98 ACRES RESORT & SPA
MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER
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After breakfast, we depart the hill country and travel toward Udawalawe National Park, where Sri Lanka’s landscape shifts from misty mountains to open wilderness.
After checking into our safari lodge, we head out on an afternoon safari in search of elephants, birdlife and the region’s extraordinary natural beauty before returning for a relaxed evening together.
OVERNIGHT: SAFARI LODGE
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
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The day begins with an early morning safari through Udawalawe National Park, one of Sri Lanka’s best known regions for elephant sightings and wildlife experiences.
After breakfast back at the lodge, we continue south toward the coast, arriving at our private villa near Talpe and Galle by afternoon.
The remainder of the day is intentionally slow time to settle into villa life, enjoy the ocean air, swim, unwind and ease into the softer rhythm of Sri Lanka’s south coast before a hosted dinner together at the villa.
OVERNIGHT: PRIVATE BEACHFRONT VILLA, THALPE
MEALS: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER
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The morning begins slowly with optional yoga at the villa before spending time swimming, relaxing and exploring some of the south coast’s quieter beaches and coastal stretches.
Later in the afternoon, we head into Galle for a private classic car experience through the historic fort and surrounding streets through a curated local experience focused on design, culture, storytelling and artisan discovery. Wander through hidden laneways, boutiques, cafés and galleries before dinner together in Galle.
OVERNIGHT: PRIVATE BEACHFRONT VILLA, THALPE
MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER
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After breakfast, the morning begins with optional yoga at the villa before a relaxed cycling experience through the surrounding coastal villages and landscapes.
The afternoon is intentionally slow, with time to return to the villa for swimming, reading, in-villa massage treatments or simply unwinding by the ocean.
In the evening, we head out for dinner at one of the south coast’s relaxed local restaurants before returning to the villa.
OVERNIGHT: PRIVATE BEACHFRONT VILLA, THALPE
MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER
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The morning begins slowly with optional yoga at the villa before we head further along Sri Lanka’s south coast to experience a different side of the region’s coastal culture.
With its laidback cafés, surf coastline, boutique shopping and relaxed beach clubs, the Weligama and Ahangama area offers a more vibrant contrast to the quieter rhythm of Talpe.
The day is intentionally unhurried, with time to explore local boutiques, enjoy long lunches, beachside cocktails and the energy of Sri Lanka’s southern coastline before returning to the villa for our final dinner together on the coast.
OVERNIGHT: PRIVATE BEACHFRONT VILLA, THALPE
MEALS: BREAKFAST, DINNER
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After a slow final morning on Sri Lanka’s south coast, we depart the villa and travel back toward Colombo for the final evening of the journey.
Arriving at Shangri-La Colombo in the afternoon, there is time to relax and refresh before we head out to experience a different side of the city through a curated Colombo walking tour.
Together, we explore some of Colombo’s most interesting design stores, local boutiques, galleries and hidden corners gaining insight into the city’s creative culture, architecture and evolving food scene.
Later in the evening, we gather together for farewell cocktails and a final dinner in Colombo — celebrating the end of our time together in Sri Lanka before departing the following day.
OVERNIGHT: PARADISE ROAD TINTAGEL COLOMBO
MEALS: BREAKFAST DINNER
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What begins as a group of women arriving from different places leaves as something else entirely — connected through shared experiences, conversation, laughter, ocean swims and the slower rhythm of travelling together through Sri Lanka.
MEALS: BREAKFAST
Please note that some experiences, accommodations and elements of the itinerary may be refined prior to departure to ensure the best possible retreat experience.
What’s included
Journey Inclusions
Eight nights of carefully selected accommodation throughout Sri Lanka
Private rooms throughout the journey unless a shared twin room is specifically requested
Daily breakfasts, selected lunches on transfer days and group dinners as outlined in the itinerary
All in-country transport and private group transfers throughout the retreat
Guided safari experience in Udawalawe National Park
Curated cultural, coastal and local experiences throughout the journey
Four-night fully staffed private villa stay on Sri Lanka’s south coast
Optional yoga sessions and slower wellness moments woven throughout the retreat
Personally hosted by Paula Fletcher, founder of Lido Atelier
Entry fees for included activities and experiences
Local guides, drivers and on-ground support throughout the journey
Journey Exclusions
International flights
Travel insurance, compulsory
Arrival airport transfers prior to retreat commencement and departure transfers after the retreat concludes, however these can be arranged for you
Lunches and selected meals not outlined within the itinerary
Alcoholic beverages
Personal expenses and additional spa or wellness treatments
Join Us in Sri Lanka
A slower, more considered journey through Sri Lanka designed for women seeking connection, beautiful places and space to truly exhale.
Places are intentionally limited to maintain the intimacy of the experience.
To secure your booking full or arrange a call for more details:
hello@lidoatelier.com
@lido.atelier
+61 420 27 8846
Booking & Payment Information
Shared Suite from AUD $9,500 per person
Private Suite from AUD $10,500 per person
To confirm your place, a non refundable deposit of AUD $1,500 is required at the time of booking.
The remaining balance will be split across two staged payments prior to departure:
Second payment due: 30 June 2026
Final balance due: 31 August 2026
Villa Accommodation & Rooming
Private rooms are included throughout the journey.
During our four-night stay on Sri Lanka’s south coast, guests will stay within a beautifully designed private beachfront villa near Galle, shared exclusively with the group.
The villa features a small collection of individually designed suites, each with its own unique character and connection to the surrounding gardens or ocean. Room allocations have been thoughtfully considered to ensure every guest enjoys a beautiful and comfortable stay.
A limited number of twin-share rooms are available for friends travelling together.
For guests seeking a more elevated experience, an optional upgrade to the villa’s premium Master Ocean Suite is available for an additional AUD $500.
Further room details and availability will be provided upon booking confirmation.
This retreat requires a minimum number of guests to proceed. In the unlikely event minimum numbers are not met, all deposits paid will be fully refunded.
Places are intentionally limited to maintain the intimacy and relaxed pace of the experience.